The influence of obesity on the motor coordination in children between 6 and 9 years of age

ObjectiveObesity is the most common childhood illness in developed countries and its prevalence continues to increase. The objective was to analyze the influence of obesity on the motor coordination of children between 6 and 9 years old.Equipment and methodsA number of 52 pupils of both genders participated for evaluation of the prevalence of obesity using the measurement of the abdominal perimeter and the Body Mass Index (BMI) categorized as Normal-Weighted, Excess Weight and Obesity. The assessment of motor coordination was performed by the KTK test. SPSS (version 19.0) was used for statistical purposes.ResultsGirls had lower levels of performance rather than boys, and the pupils presented worse levels of motor performance as the age progressed. Regarding the prevalence of obesity, the two-gender obtained high mean values for the Normal-weighted category, whereas 25% is overweight. Regarding the level of motor coordination, 57.7% of the pupils had Normal Coordination and 40.4% had coordinative difficulties. Pupils with higher values of BMI and abdominal perimeter obtains lower results of motor coordination.     

Variation of circadian activity rhythm according to body mass index in children

Background/objectivesThis study aimed to examine the variations of circadian activity rhythm of children according to objective body mass index (BMI) values, using a novel statistical framework (ie, Functional Linear Modeling, FLM), separately for school- and weekend days.MethodsA total of 107 participants (60 females; mean age: 10.25 ± 0.48 years) wore an actigraph for seven days during a regular school-week. While valid actigraphic data during school days were available for each of these children, this number decreased to 53 (31 females; mean age: 10.28 ± 0.51 years) during weekend days.ResultsExamining the school days, significantly higher motor activity in participants with higher BMI was observed from around 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., with a peak about 5:00 a.m. On the contrary, applying the FLM to the weekend days actigraphic data, no significantly different variation of circadian activity rhythm was observed, according to BMI.ConclusionsIn this specific sample of children, during school days, higher BMI is associated with higher activity level in a specific time window in the second half of nocturnal sleep. The lack of significant findings during weekend days could be explained because of higher variability of get-up time and/or the reduced sample size. Future longitudinal studies could explore if the higher motor activity in that specific time window qualifies as a predictive marker of the development of overweight and obesity. If so, early preventive strategies directed towards those at higher risk could be effectively implemented.     

Obesity in pregnancy

The incidence of obesity in the UK is increasing, meaning more women booking for antenatal care are obese. Obesity poses many additional risks to the mother and fetus during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium. Care of obese women should aim to reduce these risks. This article will discuss the risks associated with obesity in pregnancy and the management of obese women, from preconception through to completion of the postnatal period.     

Land- versus water-walking interventions in older adults: Effects on body composition

ObjectivesIncreasing physical activity is a priority worldwide, including for older adults who may have difficulty performing traditional forms of exercise, and for whom retention of muscle mass is an important consideration. Water-based exercise may provide an alternative if benefits are comparable. We compared the impact on body composition of 24-week water- versus land-walking interventions in healthy but inactive older adults.DesignRandomised, controlled trial.Methods72 participants (62.5 ± 6.8 yr) were randomised to a land-walking (LW), water-walking (WW) or control (C) group in a supervised centre-based program. The exercise groups trained 3 times/week at matched intensity (%HRR), increasing from 40–45% to 55–65% heart rate reserve (HRR). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip girths were recorded; dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) provided fat and lean tissue masses. Participants were re-assessed 24 weeks after completion of the intervention.ResultsThere were no significant changes in body mass or BMI following either exercise protocol, however central adiposity was reduced in both exercise groups, and the WW group increased lower limb lean mass. These benefits did not persist over the follow-up period.ConclusionsExercise can confer beneficial effects on body composition which are not evident when examining weight or BMI. Both WW and LW improved body composition. Water walking can be recommended as an exercise strategy for this age group due to its beneficial effects on body composition which are similar to, or exceed, those associated with land-walking. For benefits to persist, it appears that exercise needs to be maintained.     

男性类风湿关节炎患者骨量减低的相关研究

目的探讨男性类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthriti,RA)患者骨量减低的相关情况及合并骨质疏松的危险因素。方法收集2013年8月至2019年5月在苏州大学附属常州市肿瘤医院诊治的男性类风湿关节炎患者38例,年龄(64. 39±9. 44)岁,对照组为40例健康正常人群,年龄(63. 53±8. 14)岁。通过双光能X线骨密度仪测定正位腰椎(L1～4)及左侧股骨近端(包括FN、Troch、Ward、Total)骨密度;运用电化学发光免疫分析法检测BAP、BGP、CTX;记录RA患者的ESR、CRP、关节肿胀及压痛数、RF以及CCP等情况。分析比较两组骨密度及骨生化指标的差异,并采用单因素分析和多因素Logistic回归分析调查类风湿关节炎患者合并骨质疏松的危险因素。结果两组间年龄、体质量指数(body mass index,BMI)差异无统计学意义(P0. 05)。类风湿关节炎组左侧股骨颈、整体髋骨BMD测量值较对照组减低(P0. 05);且类风湿关节炎组骨量减少、骨质疏松发生率较对照组显著增高(P0. 05);在骨生化指标方面,类风湿关节炎组CTX水平高于对照组(P0. 05)。单因素分析显示BMI、CRP、DAS28-ESR及CTX与男性类风湿关节炎患者继发骨质疏松相关(P0. 05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,BMI 18. 5 kg/m2(OR=0. 014),DAS28-ESR5. 1(OR=21. 433)及CTX0. 7 ng/m L(OR=25. 875)是男性类风湿关节炎继发骨质疏松的独立危险因素(P0. 05)。结论男性类风湿关节炎患者同样易合并骨质疏松的发生,BMI、DAS28及CTX等危险因素应高度重视。     

虫类药治疗乳腺癌骨转移思路探析

虫类药因其药性的猛烈,药物功效对症,成为治疗乳腺癌骨转移的常用药。相较于其他中药,虫类药对各类恶性肿瘤有较好的疗效,但在运用的同时还需注意,虫类药的毒性以及其对脏腑,尤其是肝脏的损伤,需动态关注患者各项生命体征变化,药用时间不宜过长,应严格遵守药物禁忌、配伍等规则,并要求临床医师辨证准确,密切观察患者病情变化。同时,虫类药的更多药物作用机制、临床方案的优化等,需进一步研究探讨。     

妊娠期附件包块的诊断策略

妊娠期附件包块包括生理性包块、炎性包块、良性肿瘤、恶性肿瘤等，近年来发生率有上升趋势。妊娠期卵巢生理性包块多在妊娠中、晚期或产后自行消失；卵巢良性肿瘤若无并发症出现，未阻塞产道，妊娠期可密切观察；而妊娠期卵巢恶性肿瘤危及母胎安全，需积极干预处理。因此，孕期对于卵巢恶性肿瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断具有重要的意义。在诊断过程中，影像学检查及肿瘤标志物的结果需考虑妊娠本身的影响。文章主要阐述妊娠期附件包块的诊断方法及特点。