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Relationships between age of puberty onset and height at age 18 years in girls and boys
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Mitra Yousefi, Wilfried Karmaus, Hongmei Zhang, Graham Roberts, Sharon Matthews, Bernie Clayton, Syed Hasan Arshad |
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Relationships between age of puberty onset and height at age 18 years in girls and boys
Mitra Yousefi, Wilfried Karmaus, Hongmei Zhang, Graham Roberts, Sharon Matthews, Bernie Clayton, Syed Hasan Arshad
Columbia, SC, USA
Author Affiliations: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA (Yousefi M, Karmaus W, Zhang H); The David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Center, St Mary's Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight, UK (Roberts G, Matthews S, Clayton B, Arshad SH); Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK (Roberts G, Arshad SH)
Corresponding Author: Wilfried Karmaus, +800 Sumter Street Suite 304, Columbia, SC 29201, USA (Tel: (803) 777-9814; Fax: (803) 777-2524; Email: karmaus@sc.edu)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0399-z
Background: Changes during puberty may influence final adult height. Height is related to multiple health conditions, including lung function. We investigated the association between the age of onset of five puberty events and height at age 18 years, analyzing boys and girls separately.
Methods: Of 1456 children recruited into the Isle of Wight birth cohort (1989-1990), 1313 were followed up at age 18 years. Height was measured, and age of pubertal onset was collected at age 18 years. Cluster analysis was performed on the five puberty events in boys and girls and linear regression was applied with the clusters predicting height at age 18 years. Individual linear regression analyses assessed the age of onset of each pubertal event as a potential predictor for height at age 18 years.
Results: Of the 1313 children followed up at age 18 years, 653 were males and 660 were females. All puberty variables had high internal consistency. In girls, earlier age of menarche, breast development, and growth spurt were related to shorter height. In boys, earlier age of growth spurt and slower progression through puberty were related to taller height at age 18 years.
Conclusions: Given that boys and girls may have opposing associations between pubertal timing and adult height and that height is an important predictor of lung function, the effect of pubertal timing on respiratory health should be explored.
Key words: height; puberty onset; respiratory health
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):230-238 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-BNP in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease
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Satoru Iwashima, Takamichi Ishikawa |
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B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-BNP in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease
Satoru Iwashima, Takamichi Ishikawa
Hamamatsu, Japan
Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan (Iwashima S, Ishikawa T)
Corresponding Author: Satoru Iwashima, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Handayama 1-20-1, Hamamatsu City 431-3192, Japan (Tel: +81-53-435-2312; Fax: +81-53-435-2311; Email: iwashima@hama-med.ac.jp)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0402-8
Background: This study was undertaken to identify factors correlating with plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal portion (NT-pro BNP) in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD).
Methods: This study included 91 patients with KD treated at a hospital affiliated to Hamamatsu University School of Medicine between October 2003 and June 2011. We quantified BNP and NT-pro BNP in the acute phase. The BNP level was expressed as the NT-pro BNP level using the formula NT-pro BNP=9.080¡ÁBNP0.923. We sought relationships between NT-pro BNP values and different clinical and laboratory data in the acute phase of KD.
Results: Of the 91 patients, 14 failed to respond to the initial intravenous immunoglobulins therapy. NT-pro BNP levels were significantly higher in these non-responders than in the responders (1689.3¡À1168.8 pg/dL vs. 844.4¡À1276.3 pg/dL, P<0.001). Seventeen patients developed coronary artery lesions, but this was not associated with NT-proBNP levels. NT-pro BNP was positively correlated with CRP (r=0.421, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with the hematocrit (r=-0.206, P=0.050), Na value (r=-0.214, P=0.041) and albumin level (r=-0.345, P<0.001). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis with NT-pro BNP as a dependent variable revealed significant correlations with CRP and albumin (beta=0.345, P=0.001; beta=-0.225, P=0.027).
Conclusions: A high level of NT-pro BNP in acute phase KD is associated with systemic inflammatory responses and increased vascular permeability. The NT-pro BNP level is a useful marker to identify potential non-responders to IVIG among KD patients.
Key words: B-type natriuretic peptide; Kawasaki disease; myocarditis; NT pro BNP
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):239-244 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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The differences in T and B cell subsets in thyroid of children with Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis
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Iwona Ben-Skowronek, Leszek Szewczyk, Beata Kulik-Rechberger, Elzbieta Korobowicz |
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The differences in T and B cell subsets in thyroid of children with Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Iwona Ben-Skowronek, Leszek Szewczyk, Beata Kulik-Rechberger, Elzbieta Korobowicz
Lublin, Poland
Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (Ben-Skowronek I, Szewczyk L), Department of Neonatology and Infant Pathology (Rechberger B), Department of Pathology (Korobowicz E), Medical University, Ul. Chodzki 2, 20-093 Lublin, Poland. This work was presented as the poster in the 35th Annual Meeting of European Thyroid Association.
Corresponding Author: Iwona Ben-Skowronek, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical University, Ul. Chodzki 2, 20-093 Lublin, Poland (Tel: +48 81 7185 440; Email: skowroneki@interia.pl)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0398-0
Background: The differences between Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) suggest that changes in the subsets of T cells may have an influence on the course of these reactions.
Methods: This study included 90 children: 30 with GD, 30 with HT, and 30 healthy children as controls. After thyroidectomy, standard histological examinations and immunohistochemical reactions were performed in paraffin specimens with monoclonal antibodies against T cell markers CD3, CD4, CD8 as well as against CD79 alpha B cells. Ultrathin sections were examined under a transmission electron microscope.
Results: Autoimmune reaction in GD consisted of an increased number of CD4+ T cells (3.17¡À4.27%) and plasma cells (22.89¡À8.61%) producing thyroid-stimulating hormone-receptors and stimulating thyrocytes to activity. The number of CD8+ T cells was increased in children with HT (20.54¡À0.68%) as compared with the controls (0.65¡À0.30%). The autoimmune reaction in the HT children showed antibody dependent cytotoxicity with a low number of CD4+ T cells and an increased number of CD8+ T cells in the thyroid tissue in comparison with that in the GD children and the controls. Plasma cells (31.65¡À9.11%) in this situation produced the antibodies involved in cytotoxic reactions against thyrocytes.
Conclusions: Graves' disease is characterized by the increased number of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by the low number of CD4+ T cells and increased number of CD8+ T cells. CD8+ T cells have cytotoxic properties only in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Key words: autoimmunity; lymphocytes; thyroid disorders
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):245-250 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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Association of serotonin transporter polymorphisms with responsiveness to adrenocorticotropic hormone in infantile spasm
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Xiu-Yu Shi, Li-Ping Zou, Guang Yang, Ying-Xue Ding, Bing He, Yan-Hong Sun, Fei-Yong Jia |
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Association of serotonin transporter polymorphisms with responsiveness to adrenocorticotropic hormone in infantile spasm
Xiu-Yu Shi, Li-Ping Zou, Guang Yang, Ying-Xue Ding, Bing He, Yan-Hong Sun, Fei-Yong Jia
Beijing, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China (Shi XY, Zou LP, Yang G); Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China (Ding YX); Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (He B); Department of Pediatrics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou 061001, China (Sun YH); Department of Pediatrics, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China (Jia FY)
Corresponding Author: Li-Ping Zou, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China (Tel: +86-10-66939770; Fax: +86-10-66939770; Email: zouliping21@hotmail.com).
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0420-6
Background: Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key regulator of the level of serotonergic neurotransmission. In the present study, the contribution of 5-HTT polymorphisms to the risk of infantile spasm (IS) and the responsiveness to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were investigated.
Methods: Two functional polymorphisms, the 44-bp insertion-deletion polymorphism in the promoter region (5-HTTLPR) and the variable number tandem repeat in the second intron (5-HTTVNTR), were genotyped in a Chinese case-control study involving 112 patients with IS and 120 controls.
Results: Genotyping yielded valid data in 111 patients and 118 controls for 5-HTTLPR and 110 patients and 118 controls for 5-HTTVNTR. The polymorphisms were not found to have an allelic or genotypic association with IS. However, responsiveness to ACTH was higher in patients who were homozygous for L (91%) than in those with S/L (56%) or S/S (60%) (P=0.017). Haplotype analysis did not improve the observed association.
Conclusions: The results suggest that the 5-HTTLPR genotype may influence the responsiveness to ACTH. This interpretation deserves further study.
Key words: genetic predisposition; infantile spasms; polymorphisms; serotonin transporter
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):251-255 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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Central adiposity and the risk of hypertension in Asian Indian girls
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Jyoti Ratan Ghosh, Arup Ratan Bandyopadhyay |
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Central adiposity and the risk of hypertension in Asian Indian girls
Jyoti Ratan Ghosh, Arup Ratan Bandyopadhyay
West Bengal, India
Author Affiliations: Department of Anthropology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan-731235, West Bengal, India (Ghosh JR); Department of Anthropology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India (Bandyopadhyay AR)
Corresponding Author: Jyoti Ratan Ghosh, Department of Anthropology, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan-731235, West Bengal, India (Email: jrghosh@rediffmail.com or jrghosh@visva-bharati.ac.in)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0424-2
Background: Elevated blood pressure during childhood is an established predictor of elevated blood pressure in adulthood. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship of general and central adiposity measures with hypertension and to find out the best adiposity measure in predicting hypertension.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 197 girls aged 5 to 16 years. Anthropometric measurements included stature, weight, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), waist hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CI) were calculated subsequently. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic bold pressure (DBP) were taken and hypertension was defined as age and stature adjusted SBP and/or DBP ¡Ý95th percentile. Linear and logistic regression analysis was made to determine the relationship of adiposity measure with blood pressure and hypertension and to find out the best adiposity measure in predicting hypertension.
Results: Both WC [odds ratio (OR)=2.20, 95% confidence interval, 1.32-3.69] and CI (OR=1.85, 95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.0) were significantly associated with hypertension. However, there was no significant association in BMI and WHR with hypertension.
Conclusion: WC is the best adiposity measure in predicting hypertension in girls.
Key words: anthropometry; girls; hypertension; waist circumference
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):256-260 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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Psycho-behavioral changes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
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Xiao-Ping Zheng, Shuo-Hui Chen |
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Psycho-behavioral changes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Xiao-Ping Zheng, Shuo-Hui Chen
Hangzhou, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics, Zhejiang University, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China (Zheng XP, Chen SH)
Corresponding Author: Shuo-Hui Chen, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhugan Xiang, Hangzhou 310003, China (Tel: +86-13588887709; Fax: +86-571-87033296; Email: sh89925@sina.com)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0428-y
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common type of diabetes in children. This study aimed to investigate psycho-behavioral changes in Chinese children with T1DM and to provide some advices for nurses, parents and other persons.
Methods: Forty-five patients with T1DM (26 boys and 19 girls with a mean age of 10.40¡À3.01 years) were enrolled. According to the glycosylated hemoglobin levels recommended by the American Diabetes Association, the patients were subdivided into a well-controlled group and a poorly-controlled group. Fifty-three healthy children served as a control group. Psycho-behavioral changes were investigated by using Achenbach's Child Behavior Check List.
Results: Compared with the control group, the patients with T1DM had significantly higher mean scores for withdrawal, anxiety/depression, attention problems, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems, and internalizing problems (P<0.017). Moreover, the mean scores for somatic complaints in the poorly-controlled subgroup were significantly higher than those in the well-controlled subgroup (t=3.582, P=0.001). Compared with the control group, the well-controlled subgroup had higher scores for withdrawal, anxiety/depression, and internalizing problems (P<0.017). But the poorly-controlled subgroup had higher scores for withdrawal, somatic complaint, anxiety/depression, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, externalizing and internalizing problems (P<0.017).
Conclusions: Children with T1DM may have some psycho-behavioral problems. Timely nursing interventions must be conducted to solve these problems.
Key words: behavior; Child Behavior Check List; psychology; type 1 diabetes mellitus
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):261-265 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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Hepatic CYP3A expression and activity in low birth weight developing female rats
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Zhi-Wei Zhu, Shao-Qing Ni, Xiu-Min Wang, Jue Wang, Su Zeng, Zheng-Yan Zhao |
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Hepatic CYP3A expression and activity in low birth weight developing female rats
Zhi-Wei Zhu, Shao-Qing Ni, Xiu-Min Wang, Jue Wang, Su Zeng, Zheng-Yan Zhao
Hangzhou, China
Author Affiliations: Department of Children's Health and Care (Zhu ZW, Zhao ZY), Department of Clinical Pharmacology, the National Clinical Trial Institute (Ni SQ, Wang J), Department of Endocrinology (Wang XM), Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Metabolism, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China (Zeng S)
Corresponding Author: Su Zeng, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Metabolism, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, No. 388 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China (Tel: +86 571 88208407; Email: nsqshc@163.com)
doi: 10.1007/s12519-013-0429-x
Background: We aimed to investigate the effects of low birth weight (LBW) on the hepatic expression of cytochrome P-450 3A (CYP3A) in developing female rats.
Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into two groups, a nourished group and an under-nourished group. The offspring of the nourished rats were defined as a normal weight, normal diet group (NN group). The offspring of the under-nourished rats were designated as a LBW, normal diet group (LN group). CYP3A mRNA expression, protein expression, protein localization and activity were determined.
Results: The CYP3A1 mRNA expression levels of the LN group on days 3, 21, and 56 were significantly higher than those of the same age in the NN group (P¡Ü0.01). The mRNA expression of CYP3A2 in the LN group on day 21 was higher than in rats of the same age in the NN group (P<0.01). The staining intensity and frequency of CYP3A1-positive hepatocytes were significantly lower on days 7 and 21 in the LN group than those of rats of the same age in the NN group (P<0.05). The staining intensity and frequency of CYP3A2-positive hepatocytes on days 14 and 21 were higher in the LN group than those on the same days in the NN group (P<0.05). The mean CYP3A activity of the LN group on day 3 was significantly higher than that of the NN group (P<0.001).
Conclusions: We found the effect of LBW on CYP3A activity was most prominent during the early days of life in rats. Investigators and clinicians should consider the effect of LBW on CYP3A in both pharmacokinetic study design and data interpretation, when prescribing drugs to LBW infants.
Key words: cytochrome P-450 3A; development; expression; low birth weight
World J Pediatr 2013;9(3):266-272 |
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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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