A Three-Year Longitudinal Study Comparing Bone Mass,Density, and Geometry Measured by DXA,pQCT, and Bone Turnover Markers in Children with PKU Taking L-Amino Acid or Glycomacropeptide Protein Substitutes

In patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), treated by diet therapy only, evidence suggests that areal bone mineral density (BMDa) is within the normal clinical reference range but is below the population norm. Aims: To study longitudinal bone density, mass, and geometry over 36 months in children with PKU taking either amino acid (L-AA) or casein glycomacropeptide substitutes (CGMP-AA) as their main protein source. Methodology: A total of 48 subjects completed the study, 19 subjects in the L-AA group (median age 11.1, range 5–16 years) and 29 subjects in the CGMP-AA group (median age 8.3, range 5–16 years). The CGMP-AA was further divided into two groups, CGMP100 (median age 9.2, range 5–16 years) (n = 13), children taking CGMP-AA only and CGMP50 (median age 7.3, range 5–15 years) (n = 16), children taking a combination of CGMP-AA and L-AA. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was measured at enrolment and 36 months, peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT) at 36 months only, and serum blood and urine bone turnover markers (BTM) and blood bone biochemistry at enrolment, 6, 12, and 36 months. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups for DXA outcome parameters, i.e., BMDa (L2–L4 BMDa g/cm²), bone mineral apparent density (L2–L4 BMAD g/cm³) and total body less head BMDa (TBLH g/cm²). All blood biochemistry markers were within the reference ranges, and BTM showed active bone turnover with a trend for BTM to decrease with increasing age. Conclusions: Bone density was clinically normal, although the median z scores were below the population mean. BTM showed active bone turnover and blood biochemistry was within the reference ranges. There appeared to be no advantage to bone density, mass, or geometry from taking a macropeptide-based protein substitute as compared with L-AAs.     

Efficacy of vaccination with StroVac for recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a comparative single-centre study

International Urology and Nephrology - To assess the efficacy of prophylaxis for urinary tract infections (UTI) in a two-year follow-up in women with StroVac compared to a therapy with...     

Factors Influencing the Sex Ratio at Birth in India: A New Analysis based on Births Occurring between 2005 and 2016

Previous research on sex ratio at birth (SRB) in India has largely relied on macro‐analysis of census data that do not contain the breadth of factors needed to explain patterns in SRB. Additionally, no previous research has examined the differentiation of factors associated with SRB across birth orders, a key determinant in societies affected by son preference. This study aims to fill these gaps using micro‐data related to 553,461 births occurring between 2005 and 2016 collected as part of the 2015–2016 National Family Health Survey. Analyses used multivariable logistic regressions stratified by birth order to examine associations with SRB at the national level. The SRB at birth order 1 was outside the biological normal limit, and generally increased with birth order. First births in households with wealth in the middle and richest quintiles, with mothers who desired a higher ideal number of sons than daughters, and in lower fertility communities had a higher probability of being male. Most SRB correlates were visible at birth orders 3 or higher. Programs and policies designed to address India's male‐skewed SRB must consider the diverse factors that influence SRB, particularly for higher order births.     

Study of congenital duodenal obstruction

A study of 23 neonates with congenital duodenal obstruction is reported. Their mean gestational age was 38 weeks and mean weight was 2.2 kg. Main clinical features observed were vomiting (100%), which was bilious in 74%, and epigastric fullness with visible peristalsis (74%). Plain X-ray abdomen confirmed the diagnosis in 78%. Associated congenital malformations were seen in 39% of cases. Eleven babies had an intrinsic defect, 11 had extrinsic defect and one baby had combination of intrinsic and extrinsic defect. Malrotations along with band was seen in 39% of cases. Reported mortality was 39%.     

The Effect of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on the Reversion of Omental Adipocytes from Lean and Obese Patients

Background: this study was designed to characterize some of the biochemical and molecular genetic changes during reversion of human fat cells. Methods: mature adipocytes were isolated from greater omental fat tissue of eight lean and 14 massively obese persons by established methodology. Results: at day 7 of adherence to Leighton tubes, there was appreciable depletion of triacylglycerol, as well as assumption of an elongated contour. Relatedly, there was an increase in the expression of β-actin mRNA and a significant decrease in the specific activity of cytosolic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The decrement in the specific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, after 7 days in culture, was significant at p < 0.001. Basic fibroblast growth factor at 10 ngml^-1 accelerated significantly (p < 0.03) the decrease in the specific activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in adipose cells from lean subjects. In contrast, basic fibroblast growth factor had no significant influence on cells from massively obese persons. Conclusion: such resistance may contribute to the intractability of massive obesity.     

Factors involved in the differential response to ethanol,barbital and pentobarbital in rats selectively bred for ethanol sensitivity

Two lines of rats, least affected (LA) and most affected (MA), had been selectively bred for their differential sensitivity to ethanol. Both males and females of the LA strain were observed to be less sensitive than their MA counterparts to the acute hypnotic and motor-impairing effects of ethanol. However, a lower ethanol metabolic rate of the MA males suggests that both CNS and metabolic factors contribute to their enhanced sensitivity to ethanol. By contrast, no differences were observed between the LA and MA males with respect to the hypnotic and subhypnotic effects of pentobarbital or to the clearance of this drug. MA females were more sensitive only to the hypnotic effects of pentobarbital, probably because of a smaller apparent volume of distribution. No strain difference was observed in the hypnotic effect or clearance of barbital. These observations suggest that, in spite of a differential sensitivity to ethanol, the LA and MA lines do not differ in their response to the barbiturates tested.     

Physical growth of primary school children of Lucknow

Conclusion From the above consideration we conclude that the stature of the boys and girls in all the age groups grew more rapidly than the other body segments under consideration. On the other hand, the arm girth grew very slowly. The mean values were progressively higher while the rate of growth and growth velocities were different in different age groups. The mean values of the lower extremity and biacromial indices were nearly constant in all the age groups which showed relatively equal growth of the stature in relation to lower extremity and shoulder breadth. From the Department of Anthropology, Lucknow University, Lucknow-226001.