Changes in periodontal conditions of children and adolescents from Araraquara, Brazil: 1995-1998.

The aim of this study was to compare the periodontal conditions in 7-15-year-olds from Araraquara, SP, Brazil in 1998 with data from 1995. A systematic random sample was drawn from the population of children and adolescents enrolled in all public schools in 1998. The survey was conducted by trained examiners using the CPITN and WHO diagnostic criteria. Results showed an increase in the percentage of students of all ages with healthy periodontal conditions (from 14% in 1995 to 33% in 1998; p < 0.01). An increase in the mean number of healthy sextants (from 3.2 to 4.4; p < 0.0001), a decrease in the mean number of bleeding sextants (from 2.5 to 1.2; p < 0.0001) and no difference in the mean number of sextants with calculus were also observed. At the age of 15, 54% of the students had 5-6 healthy sextants in 1998 compared to 19% in 1995 (p < 0.01). Despite the improvement observed in the periodontal conditions, efforts must be increased in order to achieve the WHO goal for the year 2010 of no more than one sextant affected by bleeding or calculus at the age of 15.

Human rights of migrant children and the children of migrants

Includes bibliography

The relationship between visceral fat thickness and bone mineral density in sedentary obese children and adolescents

Background: Among adults, obesity has been positively related to bone mineral density. However, recent findings have pointed out that abdominal obesity could be negatively related to bone density. The above mentioned relationship is not clear among pediatric populations. Therefore, this cross-sectional study analyzed the relationship between thickness of abdominal adipose tissue and bone mineral variables in sedentary obese children and adolescents.Methods: One hundred and seventy five obese children and adolescents (83 male and 92 female) with ages ranging from 6 to 16 years-old were analyzed. Bone mineral content and density were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasound equipment which estimated the thickness of the abdominal adipose tissue. Pubertal stage was self-reported by the participants.Results: The mean age was 11.1 (SD = 2.6). Thickness of the abdominal adipose tissue was negatively related to bone mineral density (r = -0.17 [r95%CI: -0.03;-0.32]), independent of gender, pubertal stage and other confounders (β = -0.134 ± 0.042 [β95%CI: -0.217; -0.050]).Conclusions: In sedentary obese children and adolescents abdominal obesity is negatively related to bone mineral density, suggesting a potential link between abdominal obesity and osteoporosis. © 2013 Júnior et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

MGMT and MLH1 methylation in Helicobacter pylori-infected children and adults

AIM: To evaluate the association between Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and MLH1 and MGMT methylation and its relationship with microsatellite instability (MSI). METHODS: The methylation status of the MLH1 and MGMT promoter region was analysed by methylation specific methylation-polymerase chain reaction (MSPPCR) in gastric biopsy samples from uninfected or H. pylori -infected children (n = 50), from adults with chronic gastritis (n = 97) and from adults with gastric cancer (n = 92). MLH1 and MGMT mRNA expression were measured by real-time PCR and normalised to a constitutive gene (β actin). MSI analysis was performed by screening MSI markers at 4 loci (Bat-25, Bat-26, D17S250 and D2S123) with PCR; PCR products were analysed by single strand conformation polymorphism followed by silver staining. Statistical analyses were performed with either the χ 2 test with Yates continuity correction or Fisher's exact test, and statistical significance for expression analysis was assessed using an unpaired Student's t -test. RESULTS: Methylation was not detected in the promoter regions of MLH1 and MGMT in gastric biopsy samples from children, regardless of H. pylori infection status. The MGMT promoter was methylated in 51% of chronic gastritis adult patients and was associated with H. pylori infection (P < 0.05); this region was methylated in 66% of gastric cancer patients, and the difference in the percentage of methylated samples between these patients and those from H. pylori -infected chronic gastritis patients was statistically significant (P < 0.05). MLH1 methylation frequencies among H. pylori -infected and non-infected chronic gastritis adult patients were 13% and 7%, respectively. We observed methylation of the MLH1 promoter (39%) and increased MSI levels (68%) in samples from gastric cancer patients in comparison to samples from H. pylori -infected adult chronic gastritis patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). The frequency of promoter methylation for both genes was higher in gastric cancer samples than in H. pylori -positive chronic gastritis samples (P < 0.05). The levels of MLH1 and MGMT mRNA were significantly reduced in chronic gastritis samples that were also hypermethylated (P < 0.01). MGMT promoter region was analysed by methylation specific methylation-polymerase chain reaction (MSPPCR) in gastric biopsy samples from uninfected or H. pylori -infected children (n = 50), from adults with chronic gastritis (n = 97) and from adults with gastric cancer (n = 92). MLH1 and MGMT mRNA expression were measured by real-time PCR and normalised to a constitutive gene (β actin). MSI analysis was performed by screening MSI markers at 4 loci (Bat-25, Bat-26, D17S250 and D2S123) with PCR; PCR products were analysed by single strand conformation polymorphism followed by silver staining. Statistical analyses were performed with either the χ 2 test with Yates continuity correction or Fisher's exact test, and statistical significance for expression analysis was assessed using an unpaired Student's t -test. RESULTS: Methylation was not detected in the promoter regions of MLH1 and MGMT in gastric biopsy samples from children, regardless of H. pylori infection status. The MGMT promoter was methylated in 51% of chronic gastritis adult patients and was associated with H. pylori infection (P < 0.05); this region was methylated in 66% of gastric cancer patients, and the difference in the percentage of methylated samples between these patients and those from H. pylori -infected chronic gastritis patients was statistically significant (P < 0.05). MLH1 methylation frequencies among H. pylori -infected and non-infected chronic gastritis adult patients were 13% and 7%, respectively. We observed methylation of the MLH1 promoter (39%) and increased MSI levels (68%) in samples from gastric cancer patients in comparison to samples from H. pylori -infected adult chronic gastritis patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). The frequency of promoter methylation for both genes was higher in gastric cancer samples than in H. pylori -positive chronic gastritis samples (P < 0.05). The levels of MLH1 and MGMT mRNA were significantly reduced in chronic gastritis samples that were also hypermethylated (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In summary, MGMT and MLH1 methylation did not occur in earlier-stage H. pylori infections and thus might depend on the duration of infection. © 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.

Aspectos demográficos de la infancia y de la juventud en la América Latina = Demographic aspects of infancy and youth in Latin America

Incluye Bibliografía

La familia frente a las necesidades de los niños y adolescentes en el desarrollo nacional = The family vis-a-vis the needs of children and adolescents in national development

Incluye Bibliografía

Rights of children and adolescents with disabilities

Rights of children and adolescents with disabilities Until not long ago, children with disabilities were made fun of, hidden away and, all too often, the victims of violence. Fortunately, this state of affairs has improved thanks to changes in the way disability is viewed and to the ratification, by 23 countries in the region, of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Children and HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean

In Latin America, around 36,000 children under 15 have HIV, and in the Caribbean estimates are of 11,000 children living with the virus. Although some progress has been made in the region in the care and treatment of adults that is not the case with children. This issue number 7 of Challenges is devoted to the latest information on the vertical transmission (mother-to-child) of HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how children are accessing life-saving treatment in the region.

The right of children and adolescents to a healthy environment. A diagnosis from Latin America and the Caribbean

Healthy environment: unresolved debts that affect childhood and adolescenceIn this new edition, we point out the right of children and adolescents to live in a healthy environment with emphasis on adequate access to drinking water and sanitation, including diagnosis as well as policy perspective. It is our contribution to the challenges set out by the Millennium Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Children and international migration in Latin America and the Caribbean

Child migration in the region has many contradictory aspects, as reported in the feature article of this bulletin. On the positive side, there are better educational opportunities in countries of destination and, in countries of origin, greater well-being thanks to remittances; greater protection gained by migrating away from situations of violence and social risk; and new horizons for broadening life experiences. On the negative side, there are precariousness and heightened family environment risks when the parents migrate and the children are left behind in the care of others; exposure to abuse and violation of rights during migratory processes; and possibly lower citizen status in receiving countries.