Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and weight status in children: the role of parental feeding practices

Abstract

The study examines Parental Feeding Practices (PFP) in relation to adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and children’s weight status. It’s a cross-sectional study of 402 parents (68.4% mothers), with children aged 2–12 years. Parents completed the Comprehensive Parental Feeding Questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED), evaluating children’s adherence to the MD. Logistic regression showed that in children aged 2–<6 years, “emotion regulation/food as reward” and “pressure” decrease MD adherence (OR?=?0.186, p?<?0.0001 and OR?=?0.496, p?=?0.004), and “monitoring” decrease excess body weight (OR?=?0.284, p?=?0.009). In older children (6–12 years), “healthy eating guidance” and “monitoring” increase MD adherence (OR?=?3.262, p?=?0.001 and OR?=?3.147, p?<?0.0001), “child control” decreases MD adherence (OR?=?0.587, p?=?0.049), “pressure” decrease excess body weight (OR?=?0.495, p?<?0.0001) and “restriction” increase excess body weight (OR?=?1.784, p?=?0.015). “Healthy eating guidance” and “monitoring” seem to be the best PFP employed, in terms of children’s MD adherence and weight status.     

Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis) and male infertility

Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis) is an endemic parasitic disease of a major source of morbidity and mortality for developing countries. It is caused by different species of blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma, the most important of which are S. haematobium which infests the genitourinary tract and S. mansoni and S. japonicum which infest the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of schistosome‐induced male infertility is not known and probably underestimated being overshadowed by the more severe and often fatal urinary and gastrointestinal complications. Several causes may contribute to schistosomiasis‐induced male infertility, such as hormonal imbalance, testicular tissue damage and genital ductal system obstruction, in addition to decreased libido and erectile dysfunction due to associated hormonal imbalance and prostatic infestation. Demonstration of the schistosome ova in seminal plasma or testicular tissue confirms the diagnosis. Treatment of schistosomiasis‐induced male infertility depends on clinical evaluation and includes, besides anthelmintic treatment, hormonal replacement and assisted reproduction (IVF/ICSI) in cases of severe oligozoospermia and or obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia.     

Widespread higher fractional anisotropy associates to better cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis

In schizophrenia patients, cognitive functions appear linked to widespread alterations in cerebral white matter microstructure. Here we examine patterns of associations between regional white matter and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. One hundred and sixteen individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis and 49 matched healthy controls underwent 3 T magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging and cognitive assessments. Group differences on fractional anisotropy were tested using tract‐based spatial statistics. Group differences in cognitive functions, voxel‐wise as well as regional fractional anisotropy were tested using univariate general linear modeling. Multivariate partial least squares correlation analyses tested for associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions. Univariate analyses revealed significant impairments on cognitive functions and lower fractional anisotropy in superior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulate gyrus in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. Partial least squares correlation analysis revealed different associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis compared to healthy controls. Widespread higher fractional anisotropy was associated with better cognitive functioning for individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis, but not for the healthy controls. Furthermore, patterns of cognitive functions were associated with an interaction‐effect on regional fractional anisotropy in fornix, medial lemniscus, uncinate fasciculus, and superior cerebellar peduncle. Aberrant associations between patterns of cognitive functions to white matter may be explained by dysmyelination.     

Neurological adverse events post allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: major determinants of morbidity and mortality

Journal of Neurology - Despite advances in the field, diagnosis and management of the wide spectrum of neurological events post allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) remain...