A Review: Associations Between Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder,Physical Activity,Medication Use,Eating Behaviors and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

In the past few years we have become increasingly aware of strong associations between obesity and ADHD. Both conditions are major public health issues, affecting children, adolescents and adults alike.

Bayesian analysis of piecewise growth mixture models with skew-t distributions: Application to AIDS studies

A major problem in HIV/AIDS studies is the development of drug resistance to antiretroviral (ARV) drug or therapy. Estimating the time at which such drug resistance would develop is usually sought. The goal of this article is to perform this estimation by developing growth mixture models with change-points and skew-t distributions based on longitudinal data. For such data, following ARV treatment, the profile of each subject’s viral load tends to follow a ‘broken stick’ like growth trajectory, indicating multiple phases of decline and increase in viral loads. These multiple phases with multiple change-points are captured by subject-specific random parameters of growth curve models. To account for heterogeneity of drug resistance among subjects, the change-points are also allowed to differ by subgroups (subpopulations) of patients classified into latent classes on the basis of trajectories of observed viral loads. The proposed methods are illustrated using real data from an AIDS clinical study.     

Correlations between the activities of 19 anti-tumor agents and the intracellular glutathione concentrations in a panel of 14 human cancer cell lines: comparisons with the National Cancer Institute data

The aim of this work was 2-fold: (i) to identify correlations between the activities of pairs of 19 anti-tumor agents in a mini-panel of 14 human cancer cell lines of diverse origins with the goal of validating the panel, and (ii) to look for correlations between the activities of 19 standard anti-tumor agents and the intracellular concentrations of glutathione (GSH). Validation with analogous data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Developmental Therapeutics Program was made. The cell growth inhibition potencies of the anti-tumor agents [cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, DACH-Pt, melphalan, chlorambucil, thiotepa, busulfan, doxorubicin, etoposide, camptothecin, vinblastine, podophyllotoxin, colchicine, taxol, hydroxyurea, methotrexate, 5-azacytidine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] were estimated in 14 cancer cell lines by their GI50 values. An enzymatic assay based on the method of Tietze was employed to measure intracellular total GSH concentrations. The Delta method was used to compare pairs of anti-tumor agents; similarities and differences in activity profiles (mean graphs) were evaluated by regression analysis. Most, but not all, of the correlations could be explained based on similarities in the mechanisms of action and many correlations/non-correlations were also observed in the NCI data. Some correlations were unexpected however, and not seen in the NCI data. For example, strong positive correlations (P < 0.01) were found between the GI50 values of melphalan/chlorambucil and the anti-mitotic agents. Similarly unexpected, a strong positive correlation was observed between methotrexate and cisplatin (P < 0.01). Interestingly, moderate to strong negative correlations (P < 0.01-0.05) were found between the GI50 values of 5-FU and the anti-mitotic agents/melphalan/chlorambucil. Significant positive correlations between intracellular GSH concentrations and GI50 values were found only for thiotepa (P < 0.05) and doxorubicin (P < 0.01). Data from a NCI panel of 34 cancer cell lines showed no correlations between GSH levels and the GI50 values of the same 19 compounds. In conclusion, a panel of 14 human cancer cell lines of diverse origin was used to identify similarities and differences in the activities of standard anti-tumor agents. The level of significance was stronger with the 34 cell lines of the NCI, however. Our results indicate that GSH intracellular concentrations correlate with resistance only with doxorubicin and thiotepa in these cell lines.     

No correlation between GSH levels in human cancer cell lines and the cell growth inhibitory activities of platinum diamine complexes

Increases in the intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH) in cancer cells have been implicated in the development of acquired resistance to platinum antitumor agents. On the other hand, little information is available on the relationships between intracellular GSH levels in non-treated cancer cells and their response to platinum complexes. The present work investigated for possible correlations between concentrations of intracellular GSH/GSSG in 14 human cancer cell lines growing in vitro and the cell growth inhibitory activities of cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, and d,l-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-dichloro-platinum(II) (DACH-Pt).No statistically significant correlation between GSH levels and the activities of any of the four Pt-complexes could be found.     

Asthma in schoolchildren in Monroe county,Florida: school-based needs assessment

Objectives: Asthma is the most common chronic pediatric condition (14%) and the leading cause of school absenteeism in the USA. However, little is known about asthma prevalence and distribution in schoolchildren in the Florida Keys region (Monroe County). Thus, the objectives of this study were to assess asthma prevalence, symptoms, cost and distribution in schoolchildren in the Florida Keys region and to pinpoint where asthma management services are most needed. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data on asthma prevalence, symptoms and socio-demographics was collected and analyzed by race, sex, grade and zip code. A total of 2313 parents of schoolchildren in the Florida Keys completed the adapted Harlem Empowerment Zone Asthma Initiative Questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to school principals, who sent them home with students to be filled out by parents or caregivers. We also analyzed data from the online Monroe County 2012 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, the 2011 Florida CHARTS, the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey, and emergency departments (ED). Data were analyzed by race, sex, and grade. Results: In total 14.5% of respondents had been told their child had asthma and 9.6% reported their child had wheezing in the last 12 months. The prevalence was higher in the Lower Keys and Key West regions. Parents from households where anyone smoked cigarettes (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11–2.09) and those who had a male child (1.53, 1.17–2.00) more often reported that their child had asthma. The rate of asthma-related ED visits for Black non-Hispanic schoolchildren (1202 per 100?000) was substantially higher than the numbers for White (250.2 per 100?000) and Hispanic schoolchildren (325.1 per 100?000). Most of the direct cost of asthma was concentrated in children in grades four through seven ($1236.02–$2147.02 per child). Conclusions: The asthma prevalence in a sample of schoolchildren in the Florida Keys region was comparable to the nationwide prevalence. Black non-Hispanic schoolchildren had more asthma-related ED visits that White and Hispanic schoolchildren. Most of the direct cost of asthma is concentrated in children in late elementary through early middle school grades. Interventions are needed, particularly targeting Black schoolchildren in late elementary through early middle school grades in Lower Keys and Key West region.     

HIV risk and testing behaviors among pregnant women tested for HIV in Florida by site type, 2012

The numbers of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States have continued to decline, but the prevalence of female adults and adolescents living with diagnosed HIV infection continues to rise. Opportunities still exist to prevent mother-to child HIV transmission. The objective of this study was to identify demographics, HIV risk, and testing behaviors among pregnant women and to compare these characteristics by HIV testing site type. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine demographics, HIV risk, and testing behaviors among 24,836 records of pregnant women publicly tested for HIV in the state of Florida in 2012. The testing records indicated that Latina and non-Hispanic black (NHB) women had decreased odds of reporting partner risk compared to those from non-Hispanic white women (Latina: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.20, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.28; and NHB AOR 0.14, 95 percent CI: 0.10–0.21), and women tested in prisons/jails had higher odds of reporting previous HIV testing compared to those tested in prenatal care sites (AOR 1.86, 95 percent CI: 1.03–3.39). An understanding of HIV risk and testing behaviors among pregnant women by site type may enhance current targeted testing and prevention strategies for pregnant women and facilitate timely linkage to care.     

Twins born over weekends: are they at risk for elevated infant mortality?

Objective

To assess the impact of the day of birth on twin mortality in a population sample.

Methods

We analyzed weekend versus weekday twin births from the United States national twin birth data for the periods 1989–2002. We computed adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95?% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the association between infant mortality and weekday of birth using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The crude rates for all types of mortality were found to be significantly higher for twins born on weekends than on weekdays. After adjustment, only post-neonatal mortality risk was higher on weekends as compared to weekdays [Hazards ratio (HR)?=?1.19, CI: 1.04, 1.36]. Twins of white mothers were at greater risk for neonatal death (HR?=?1.16, CI: 1.08, 1.24) but were less likely to experience post-neonatal death (HR?=?0.68, CI: 0.64, 0.76) as compared to twins of black mothers. We found an interaction between maternal age and weekday of birth. Twins born on weekends to teenage mothers (age <18) had a 35?% greater risk for neonatal death (HR?=?1.35, CI: 1.06, 1.71) while those born on weekends to older mothers did not show elevated risk for any of the mortality indices.

Conclusion

Increased risks for post-neonatal death are significantly higher amongst twins born on weekends as compared to weekdays. Further research is required to identify the detailed differences in structure and procedures that result in the disadvantage associated with weekend birth.