Obesity and cardiometabolic disease risk factors among US adolescents with disabilities

AIM: To generate prevalence estimates of weight status and cardiometabolic disease risk factors among adolescents with and without disabilities.METHODS: Analysis of the 1999-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data was conducted among 12-18 years old with(n = 256) and without disabilities(n = 5020). Mean values of waist circumference, fasting glucose, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and metabolic syndrome(Met S, ≥ 3 risk factors present) were examined by the following standardized body mass index(BMI) categories for those with and without disabilities; overweight(BMI ≥ 85th- 95 th percentile for age and sex), obesity(BMI ≥ 95 th percentile) and severe obesity(BMI ≥35 kg/m2). Linear regression models were fit with each cardiometabolic disease risk factor independently as continuous outcomes to show relationships with disability status. RESULTS: Adolescents with disabilities were significantlymore likely to be overweight(49.3%), obese(27.6%) and severely obese(12%) vs their peers without disabilities(33.1%, 17.5% and 3.6%, respectively, P ≤ 0.01 for all). A higher proportion of overweight, obese and severely obese children with disabilities had abnormal SBP, fasting lipids and glucose as well as Met S(18.9% of overweight, 32.3% of obese, 55% of severely obese) vs their peers without disabilities(9.7%, 16.8%, 36.3%, respectively). US adolescents with disabilities are over three times as likely to have Met S(OR = 3.45, 95%CI: 1.08-10.99, P = 0.03) vs their peers with no disabilities.CONCLUSION: Results show that adolescents with disabilities are disproportionately affected by obesity and poor cardiometabolic health vs their peers with no disabilities. Health care professionals should monitor the cardiometabolic health of adolescents with disabilities.     

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Novel P2X4 Receptor Antagonists,NC-2600 and NP-1815-PX,in a Murine Model of Colitis

Inflammation - The pharmacological blockade of P2X4 receptors has shown potential benefits in the management of several immune/inflammatory diseases. However, data regarding the involvement of P2X4...     

Antimicrobial activity of esomeprazole versus omeprazole against Helicobacter pylori

OBJECTIVE: Esomeprazole is an enantiomorph of omeprazole, which inhibits gastric acid secretion more effectively than omeprazole. As proton pump inhibitors also exert an antibacterial activity, we aimed to compare esomeprazole and omeprazole for their antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori in vitro. METHODS: We studied 52 H. pylori isolates obtained from gastric biopsies and inoculated onto agar plates containing the acid-converted drugs at different concentrations. The minimal concentrations that inhibited the growth of 50% and 90% of isolates were defined as MIC(50) and MIC(90). RESULTS: The MIC(50) and MIC(90) of esomeprazole were 16 and 32 mg/L; and those of omeprazole were 32 and 64 mg/L. Overall, 63.5% of isolates showed the same susceptibility to both drugs; 17 isolates were two- to 64-fold more susceptible to esomeprazole and two isolates were two-fold more susceptible to omeprazole. CONCLUSIONS: The increased antimicrobial activity in vitro of esomeprazole against H. pylori could contribute to improving the outcome of the eradication treatment of such an infection.     

Changes in serum fetuin-A and inflammatory markers levels in end-stage renal disease (ESRD): effect of a single session haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a single haemodialysis (HD) session on serum fetuin-A levels, considered a negative acute phase response marker; moreover, we evaluated the behaviour of fibrinogen and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as acute phase response and chronic/subclinical inflammation markers, respectively, after a single HD session. METHODS: Serum fetuin-A, albumin, hsCRP and fibrinogen were measured in 72 patients before and after a single HD session. RESULTS: After a single HD session, we observed a significant increase in fibrinogen levels, while fetuin-A levels decreased (p<0.05). Also, hsCRP levels were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease of fetuin-A levels after a single HD session is consistent with the hypothesis of HD-induced inflammation; activated acute phase response and fetuin-A deficiency might account for increased cardiovascular risk and accelerated atherogenesis in dialysis patients.     

Insulin-like growth factor-I can mediate autocrine proliferation of human small cell lung cancer cell lines in vitro.

The effect of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on growth of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines was studied. Western blot analysis of whole cell lysates of cell lines NCI-H345 and NCI-N417 demonstrated the presence of a 16-kD band consistent with an IGF-I precursor molecule. Scatchard plot analysis of cell line NCI-H345 using 125I-labeled IGF-I demonstrated two high affinity specific binding sites (Kd 1.3 and 4.0 nM with maximal rate (Bmax) 200 and 500 fmol/mg protein, respectively). The exogenous addition of IGF-I, IGF-II, or insulin resulted in marked proliferation of human SCLC cells as evaluated using an in vitro growth assay. These peptides stimulated the growth of SCLC cell lines NCI-H82, NCI-H209, NCI-H345, and NCI-N417. The concentration of IGF-I producing maximal SCLC cell growth was 10-100-fold less than that of insulin or IGF-II, whereas the maximal growth stimulated by the optimal concentration of these peptides were similar. An MAb that specifically binds to the IGF-I receptor (but not to the insulin receptor) mediates a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth in basal media as well as IGF-I, IGF-II, or insulin-supplemented media. The IGF-I receptor thus appears to be the common pathway for the mitogenic activity by IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin for human SCLC cell lines. The demonstration of an IGF-I precursor molecule, specific IGF-I receptor binding, IGF-I-mediated growth stimulation, and inhibition of basal cell growth by an MAb to the IGF-I receptor suggests that an IGF-I-like molecule can function in vitro as an autocrine growth factor for human SCLC cell lines.     

Recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum in an adult

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) is defined as the presence of free air in mediastinal space without any apparent cause. This rare entity is most likely to occur in young males often related to an episode of vomiting, asthma or sustained physical activity. SP usually resolves spontaneously in few days of treatment based on rest and analgesia. Complications are extremely rare. Its recurrence has been poorly reported but seems exceptional. We present a case of recurrent SP occurring in a 21-year-old male with a mental deficiency. The recurrence occurred after a free-interval of 12 months. We proposed a literature review.