Body image,body dissatisfaction and weight status of Pacific adolescents from different ethnic communities: a cross-sectional study in New Caledonia

ABSTRACT

Objective(s): The prevalence of adolescent obesity is high among the various ethnic groups native to the Pacific region (European, Melanesian and Polynesian). An important factor of weight gain or loss is body size satisfaction; however, little is known about adolescent body self-perception in the Pacific region.

Design: Body dissatisfaction was evaluated using the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale in a sample of 699 adolescents from rural and urban areas of New Caledonia. The socio-demographic factors associated with higher body dissatisfaction were determined by multiple linear regression modeling.

Results: Our results showed a high rate of body dissatisfaction (over 70%) in the adolescents. Body dissatisfaction was strongly related to the body mass index z-score. Melanesians boys had higher body dissatisfaction scores when they felt ‘too thin’ while Melanesian girls showed lower body dissatisfaction when they felt ‘too fat.’.

Conclusion: These results showed that social pressure for thinness or musculature may be different among adolescents living in New Caledonia. These results should be taken into account in education overweight prevention programs.     

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator enhances microglial cell recruitment after stroke in mice

The effect of recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) on neuroinflammation after stroke remains largely unknown. Here, we tested the effect of rtPA on expression of cellular adhesion molecules, chemokines, and cytokines, and compared those with levels of inflammatory cell recruitment, brain injury, and mortality over 3 days after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice. Mortality was dramatically increased after rtPA treatment compared with saline treatment during the first day of reperfusion. Among the animals that survived, rtPA significantly increased CCL3 expression, microglia recruitment, and cerebral infarction 6 hours after MCAO. In contrast, the extent of neutrophils and macrophages infiltration in the brain was similar in both saline- and rtPA-treated animals. Recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator induced Il1b and Tnf expression, 6 and 72 hours after MCAO, respectively, and dramatically reduced interleukin 6 (IL-6) level 24 hours after reperfusion. A dose response study confirmed the effect of rtPA on CCL3 and Il1b expressions. The effect was similar at the doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg. In conclusion, we report for the first time that rtPA amplified microglia recruitment early after stroke in association with a rapid CCL3 production. This early response may take part in the higher susceptibility of rtPA-treated animals to reperfusion injury.     

Successful heart transplantation after prolonged cardiac arrest and extracorporeal life support in organ donor–a case report

Previously designed intra-thoracic paraaortic counterpulsation device has limited stroke volume and may depress the lung to cause complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of an extra-thoracic paraaortic counterpulsation device (ETPACD) in comparison to intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) in an animal model with acute heart failure. The acute heart failure model was successfully induced by snaring branch of anterior descending coronary artery in sheep (weighting, 38-50 kg, n = 8). The ETPACD is a single port, 65-ml stroke volume blood chamber designed to be connected to descending aorta through a valveless graft and placed extra-thorax. In comparison, a standard clinical 40-ml IABP was placed in the descending aorta. The hemodynamic indices of both devices were recorded during counterpulsation assistance. Two of the sheep were allowed to survive for 1 week to examine the prolonged effect. Both ETPACD and IABP increased cardiac output with higher effect of ETPACD (13.52 % vs. 8.19 % in IABP, P < 0.05) and on mean diastolic aortic pressure (26.73 % vs. 12.58 % in IABP, P < 0.01). Both ETPACD and IABP also produced a greater reduction in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (26.77 % vs. 23.08 %, P > 0.05). The ETPACD increased left carotid artery flow more significantly the IABP (18.00 % vs. 9.19 % , P < 0.05). In two of the sheep allowed to survive for 1 week, the device worked well with no complications and there was no thrombus formation in the chamber of ETPACD. This study demonstrated that both ETPACD and IABP provided benefit of circulatory support in acute heart failure with better effect on hemodynamic parameters provided by ETPACD. Therefore, ETPACD with theoretical larger stroke volume may become a promising counterpulsation device for treatment of heart failure.     

Intravesical sustained release system of lidocaine and oxybutynin results from in vitro and animal study

International Urology and Nephrology - Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic debilitating condition of unknown etiology. Intravesical lidocaine demonstrated pain relief...     

Perinatal arrhythmias

Cardiac arrhythmias are very frequent in fetuses and newborns. The prognosis depends on the nature of the arrhythmias but is most often either spontaneously benign or following short-term medication administration. A correct diagnosis is essential for both management and prognosis. It is based on echocardiography during the fetal period and mainly on history, physical exam, and electrocardiogram after birth, but other modalities are available to record transient arrhythmic events. Irregular rhythms are mostly benign and rarely require therapy. In most fetuses and infants, tachyarrhythmias resolve spontaneously or require short-term administration of antiarrhythmics. Approximately one third of these may recur later on, especially during adolescence. Persistent bradyarrhythmias might require pacemaker implantation when associated with failure to thrive or with risk of sudden death. Conclusion: Arrhythmias in fetuses and infants are very common and mostly benign. History, physical exam, and recording of the arrhythmia are essential to make a correct diagnosis and establish an appropriate management for the rare potentially harmful arrhythmias.     

Safety and tolerance of a new extensively hydrolyzed rice protein-based formula in the management of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy

Guidelines recommend the use of extensively hydrolyzed cow’s milk protein-based formulas (eHF) in the treatment of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). Extensively hydrolyzed rice protein infant formula (eRHF) has recently become available and could offer a valid alternative. A prospective trial was performed to evaluate the hypo-allergenicity and safety of a new eRHF in infants with a confirmed CMPA. Patients were fed the study formula for 6 months. Clinical tolerance of the eRHF was evaluated with a symptom-based score (SBS) and growth (weight and length) was monitored. Forty infants (mean age, 3.4 months; range, 1–6 months) with CMPA confirmed by a food challenge were enrolled. All infants tolerated the eRHF and the SBS significantly decreased as of the first month of intervention. Moreover, the eRHF allowed a catch-up to normal weight gain as of the first month as well as a normalization of the weight-for-age, weight-for length, and BMI z-scores within the 6-month study period. Conclusion: In accordance with current guidelines, this eRHF was tolerated by more than 90 % of children with proven CMPA with a 95 % confidence interval. This eRHF is an adequate and safe alternative to cow milk-based eHF.