Racial differences in selection of ideal body size by adolescent females

Cultural differences may partially account for the fact that more black women than white women are overweight in the United States. This study measured perceptions of ideal body size among 93 black and 80 white females, 14-17 years old, who were randomly selected from three public high schools in a southeastern state. The subjects' height and weight were measured along with their estimates of their mother's body size, weight control attitudes, and demographic variables. Blacks preferred a significantly larger body size than whites when asked to select ideal body size (p = 0.045). Subjects who estimated their mother's size to be larger, also selected a larger ideal body size (p = .047). Those who perceived themselves as too fat were more likely to skip meals to help control their weight, compared with those who perceived themselves as normal or too thin (p = .003). Approximately 30% of the sample was overweight or obese. There were not significant racial differences in weight or BMI. These results suggest that overweight is more acceptable among black females than among white females and may help explain why more black females are obese.     

Abnormal sweat test in patient with Diabetes Insipidus unresponsive to ADH

Increased sweat concentrations (92, 76 and 80 mEq/l) were observed in a 7-year-old boy with pitressin-resistant diabetes insipidus. All previous observations of elevated sweat electrolytes in diabetes insipidus have been in infants less than 10 months of age. The sweat test is an exceptionally reliable, sensitive and specific test for the diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis. Pitressin-resistant diabetes insipidus is one of the diseases associated with elevated sweat test results.     

Odontogenic osteomyelitis of the maxillary bone

The authors present the case of a two-year and eleven month old boy with gray skin who had chronic focal suppurative osteomyelitis diagnosed by clinical, surgical and histopathological examination. Its probable dental origin is commented as well as its therapeutics and evolution.     

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

A four years-old boy with Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis was surgically treated at the Pediatric Surgery Unit of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Maceió. Comments are made upon pathology, pre-operative diagnostic difficulties, differential diagnosis, and the rare occurrence in children.     

Muscarinic regulation of Ca2+ oscillation frequency in GH3 cells

The circadian timekeeping system exhibits many functional changes with aging, including a loss of sensitivity to time cues such as systemic injections of the serotonergic agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT). In order to elucidate the neurochemical mechanisms responsible for this age-related loss of sensitivity of the circadian pacemaker to serotonin agonists, the present study used quantitative autoradiography to determine whether aging decreases serotonin receptor populations in male Syrian hamsters. Four neuroanatomical regions that regulate circadian timekeeping were studied (the suprachiasmatic nuclei [SCN], the lateral geniculate nuclei [LGN], and the median raphe nucleus [MRN] and dorsal raphe nucleus [DRN]). The specific binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT to serotonin7 (5-HT7) and serotonin1A (5-HT1A) receptors was investigated by competitive inhibition with ritanserin and pindolol, respectively. The results showed that the SCN, IGL, MRN, and DRN of the male Syrian hamster exhibited specific binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT to both the 5-HT7 and 5-HT1A receptors, and that the latter receptor subtype is more abundant in all of these regions. At 17-19 months of age, a 50% decrease in 5-HT7 receptors was found in the DRN but not in any other regions. No significant age-related changes in 5-HT1A receptors were observed in any regions examined. The finding that a marked decrease in 5-HT7 receptors occurs in the DRN at the age previously characterized by loss of sensitivity to 8-OH-DPAT suggests that this region and this receptor subtype play important roles in 8-OH-DPAT induction of circadian phase shifts in vivo and that they constitute an important locus of aging in the circadian timing system.     

Ascaris–Trichuris association and malnutrition in Brazilian children

This work was designed to evaluate the role of intestinal parasites on nutritional status in three rural areas of Brazil. A total of 520 children aged 1–12 years were studied through a questionnaire concerning housing, socio-economic conditions and a 24-h food intake recall. Measurements of weight and height were also performed, and three stool samples were collected on consecutive days for parasitological analysis. Scores of the standard deviation (z-scores) for the weight-for-height and height-for-age were used to characterise the growth profile. A high prevalence of intestinal parasites was detected, with Giardia lamblia (44%), Endolimax nana (43%), Ascaris lumbricoides (41%) and Trichuris trichiura (40%) being the most prevalent. Eleven per cent of the children were classified as showing stunting. Inadequate daily caloric intake was observed in 78% of the population and the proportion of those with inadequate protein intake was 34%. Logistic regression analysis was employed for the multivariate study. Stunting was significantly associated with estimators of low economic income, inadequate protein intake and polyparasitism, especially the association between Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura .     

Correlation of activity of 2-(X-benzyloxy)-4,6-dimethoxyacetophenones with topological indices and with the Hansch equation.

The antispasmodic activities of the 2-(X-benzyloxy)-4,6-dimethoxyacetophenones (X = H, 4'-F, 4'-NO2, 4'-CH3, 4'-Cl, 3',4'-(CH3)2, 4'-OCH3, 4'-Br, 4'-C(CH3)3, 4'-OCH2C6H5) against acetylcholine-induced contraction of the guinea pig ileum were correlated with different topological indices. Good correlations were obtained through a simple regression equation with electrotopological state indices (Si) for the carbon atoms S(C1) and S(C6). Using multiple linear regression with two variables the best correlations were obtained with carbons in the 6- and 1-positions with sigma. Such results indicate that the corresponding carbon atoms play an important role in the biological activity. The equation of Hansch showed that the activity of these compounds increases when the ring substituent in the benzyloxy group are more highly electron-releasing and hydrophobic.     

Post-parotitis myocarditis: case report

In November, 1993,M.G., a 6 year and 11 month-old girl, was admitted at Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusm?o--Florianópolis, SC, Brazil--with post-parotitis myocarditis and congestive heart failure. Three days after admission it was evidenced, on an echocardiogram, a thrombus in the left ventricle apex which, despite of correct treatment, embolized to iliac and small mesenteric arteries. Epidemic parotitis (mumps) is very common, being endemic around the world. Complications are rare and myocarditis, one of them, is more common than diagnosed because of its poor and benign manifestations, generally transient abnormalities of cardiac rhythm and conduction. This case was astonishing because of its rare subsequent event, that is, the formation of a ventricular mural thrombus during an acute myocarditis.     

Bronchodilators in asthma: bypassing controversies

Inhaled bronchodilators are used in acute asthma for relief of airway obstruction. Continuous monotherapy with beta 2 adrenergic can increase hyperresponsiveness because these drugs do not control inflammation. Asthma mortality and morbidity have been related to an increased beta 2-agonists use. Epidemiologic data however do not show a cause/effect relationship. Until controversies are cleared on, beta 2-agonists should be used for relieving acute asthma attacks, for preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm and eventually on an as needed basis. Long acting beta 2-agonists can be effective in moderate/severe asthma. Daily short acting beta 2 use by inhalation, a partial clinical response and its overuse in acute asthma suggest the need for antiinflammatory treatment.