Childhood Overweight - Predictors, Consequences and Prevention

Childhood overweight has become more prevalent during the past three decades. The aim of the present study was to examine possible predictors of childhood overweight and to evaluate the effect of individualised, biannual dietary and lifestyle counselling, with onset in infancy and primary aim at decreasing serum LDLcholesterol, on the development of overweight and related comorbidities. The study was part of the Special Turku coronary Risk factor Intervention Project (STRIP), in which 7-month-old children were randomised into an intervention group (N=540) or to a control group (N=522). The children in the control group were followed up along with the intervention group but they did not receive the individualised counselling. At the age of 15 years, 11.9 % of girls and 13.7 % of boys were overweight. The most important predictors of overweight at age 15 years were paternal weight status at the child’s age 7 months, rapid weight gain during the first two years of life, and early adiposity rebound. Leptin, a protein secreted by adipocytes, did not predict the development of overweight. Homozygosity for the overweight-associated FTO gene variant was associated with increased BMI and risk of overweight in children older than 7 years of age. The intervention given in the STRIP trial was not intense enough to overcome the effect of the FTO genotype. Although the intervention given in the STRIP trial had no significant effect on the proportion of overweight girls and boys, it did reduce the number and clustering of overweight-related cardiometabolic risk factors. This study showed that parental weight status, rapid weight gain early in life, and having two risk alleles in the FTO gene are strongly associated with overweight in adolescence. Biannual dietary and lifestyle counselling is not intense enough to prevent overweight but it has beneficial effects on the overweight-related cardiometabolic risk.

Investigation of the occurrence of pesticide residues in rural wells and surface water following application to tobacco

In this work the exposure of wells and surface water to pesticides, commonly used for tobacco cropping, was assessed. Water consumption wells and surface water flows were sampled at different times. After a preconcentration step with solid phase extraction (SPE), the selected pesticides were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) or high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). No pesticides were detected in the well water samples and surface water flow in the winter season. However, in the spring and summer higher concentrations of chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid were found in the water source samples. Atrazine, simazine and clomazone were also found. The occurrence of pesticides in collected water samples was related with the application to tobacco.

TCDI vs TCD for stroke risk prevention in children with sickle cell anemia: a cross-sectional study

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at increased risk of stroke. Elevated blood-flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery detected by Transcranial Doppler (TCD) are a good predictor of stroke risk in these children. Velocities obtained by TCD are measured by using a specific parameter, the time-averaged mean of the maximum velocity (TAMM). Children with TAMM velocities ≥200 cm/sec are at high risk of stroke, and transfusions as primary prevention might be done. Transcranial Doppler-imaging (TCDI) is now widely available and it allows the visualization of intracranial vessels.Few studies have compared the TAMM in TCD and TCDI, and no studies have established a cutoff point for TAMM in TCDI equivalent to the STOP criteria of “normal”, “conditional” and “abnormal”, which could predict a high risk of stroke in children with SCAObjectives: To compare the TAMM velocity obtained by TCDI with the TAMM velocity obtained with TCD in the middle cerebral artery, and to determine a cutoff point for TAMM in TCDI that could predict a high risk of stroke in children with SCAMethods: This study is a cross-sectional study of a diagnostic test. 78 children with sickle cell anemia between 2 to 16 years will be evaluated with both TCD and TCDI in order to determinate the TAMM with the two devices. Velocities obtained with both Doppler techniques will be compared using an intraclass correlation coefficient

Occurrence of agrochemicals in surface waters of shallow soils and steep slopes cropped to tobacco

Tobacco cultivation in shallow soils and steep landscape under intense use of agrochemicals contributes to environment degradation. In this study, we assessed the concentration of agrochemicals in draw wells used for human consumption and a creek in a small catchment predominantly cropped to tobacco. Chlorpyrifos, flumetralin, and iprodione were determined by gas chromatography with electron capture detection, while imidalcloprid, atrazine, simazine, and clomazone were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Considering all sampling sites, all agrochemicals were detected at least once, except for flumetralin. The occurrence of agrochemicals in tobacco crops is a consequence of their fast transfer to surface water.

Effects of single and double infections with Potato virus X and Tobacco mosaic virus on disease development, plant growth, and virus accumulation in tomato

The tomato cv. Fukuju nº. 2 was used for studying the effect of single and double infections with Potato virus X (PVX) and Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Mixed infection resulted in a synergistic increase of disease severity, where more growth reduction was seen with simultaneous inoculations than with sequential inoculations at four-day intervals. At five and 12 days post-inoculation, the increased severity of the disease coincided with enhancement of virus accumulation in the rapidly expanding upper leaves. The PVX concentration in leaves nº 5 to 7 of doubly infected plants was three to six fold that of singly infected ones, as determined by DAS-ELISA. Mixed infection with the L strain led to higher enhancement of PVX than with the TMV-L11A strain. The concentration of TMV-L was lower in double infection and significantly higher than TMV-L11A in both singly and doubly infected plants. Analyses of the PVX ORF2 by Western blot and Northern hybridization revealed the pattern of accumulation of the 25 kDa protein and the RNAs, respectively, following those of the virion and coat protein. The strain TMV-L11A overcame the resistance gene in cv. GCR 237 (Tm-1). In the upper leaf nº. 8, the concentration of PVX was three times higher in plants with mixed infection than with L11A. The concentrations of the L and OM (TMV strains) in both singly and doubly infected plants were at very low levels, and the synergistic effect on PVX concentration and disease severity was not observed.

Biological and molecular characterization of an isolate of Tobacco streak virus obtained from soybeans in Brazil

A virus was isolated from soybean (Glycine max) plants with symptoms of dwarfing and bud blight in Wenceslau Braz County, Paraná, Brazil. The host range and properties resembled those of Tobacco streak virus (TSV). The purified virus showed three peaks in a frozen sucrose gradient. Antiserum was produced and the virus was serologically related to TSV. Electron microscopy detected 28 nm spherical particles. Coat protein (CP) had a Mr of 29.880 Da. A fragment of 1028 nt was amplified, cloned and sequenced. One open reading frame with 717 nt was identified and associated to the CP. The CP gene shared 83% identity with the sequence of TSV CP from white clover (Trifolium repens) (GenBank CAA25133). This is the first report of the biological and molecular characterization of TSV isolated from soybeans. It is proposed that this isolate be considered a strain of TSV named TSV-BR.

Dental Health in Primary Teeth after Prevention of Mother-Child Transmission of Mutans Streptococci. A Historical Cohort Study on Restorative Visits and Maternal Prevention Costs

Mutansstreptokokkitartunnan ehkäisemisen pitkäaikaisvaikutukset maitohampaiden terveyteen. Kohorttitutkimus korjaavan hoidon määrästä ja kariesehkäisyn kustannuksista. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli selvittää varhaisen mutansstreptokokki (MS)-kolonisaation ehkäisyn pitkäaikaisvaikutuksia korkean kariesriskin omaavien lasten maitohampaistossa sekä tarkastella MS-tartunnan estämisen kustannuksia. Tiedot lasten hampaiden terveydestä ja hammashoitotoimenpiteistä syntymästä 10-vuotiaaksi sekä äiteihin kohdistuneen kariesehkäisyn kustannuksista kerättiin Ylivieskan terveyskeskuksen asiakirjoista. Tutkimuksessa oli mukana yhteensä 507 lasta, heistä 148 oli osallistunut aikaisempaan Ylivieskan äiti-lapsitutkimukseen, jossa verrattiin äitien käyttämän ksylitolipurukumin ja äidille tehtyjen fluori- tai klooriheksidiinilakkausten vaikutusta pikkulasten hampaiden terveyteen. Maitohammaskariesta esiintyi 10-vuotiaaksi asti merkitsevästi vähemmän lapsilla, jotka eivät olleet saaneet MS-tartuntaa alle 2-vuotiaana, heidän maitohampaansa säilyivät 3,4 vuotta kauemmin täysin ehjinä (p<0.001) ja he tarvitsivat vähemmän maitohampaiden korjaavaa hoitoa (p=0.005) kuin lapset, joiden hampaisto oli kolonisoitunut MS-bakteerilla jo 2-vuotiaana. Koska ksylitoliryhmän lasten MS-kolonisaatio oli vähäisintä, heidän maitohampaissaan oli vähemmän kariesta ja korjaavan hoidon tarvetta kuin kahden muun korkeariskisen ryhmän lapsilla. Äitien käyttämän ksylitolipurukumin kustannukset olivat yhteensä 116 euroa ja lapsen maitohampaiden säilyminen täysin ehjinä vuoden pidempään maksoi 37 euroa. Kun MS-tartunta oli saatu estettyä, korkean kariesriskin omaavien lasten hampaiden terveys oli samalla tasolla kuin keskimäärin koko ikäkohortilla. Lapsen maitohampaat säilyvät terveinä pidempään ja korjaavan hoidon tarve vähenee, kun MS-kolonisaatio alle 2-vuotiaana saadaan estettyä. Lapsen MS-kolonisaatio vähenee merkitsevästi, kun äiti käyttää ksylitolipurukumia lapsen ollessa 0-2 vuoden ikäinen, siten pikkulapsen äidin säännöllinen ksylitolipurukumin käyttö saattaa olla julkisen tereydenhuollon kannalta tarkoituksenmukainenterveyttä edistävä menetelmä.

Cianobactérias e algas reduzem os sintomas causados por Tobacco vosaic virus (tmv) em plantas de fumo

As algas e as cianobactérias produzem uma grande diversidade de compostos com atividade biológica direta sobre microrganismos ou agem como ativadores de mecanismos de resistência em plantas. Em vista disso, foi investigada a manifestação dos sintomas causados pelo Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) em plantas de fumo previamente tratadas com cianobactérias ou algas. Quando as folhas plantas de fumo foram tratadas dois dias antes da inoculação, foi verificado que suspensões de células dos isolados de cianobactérias 004/02, 008/02, Anabaena sp. e Nostoc sp. 61; e do isolado de alga 061/02, bem como as preparações do conteúdo intracelular do isolado 004/02 (4 C) e do filtrado do meio de cultivo do isolado 061/02 (61 M) apresentaram efeito na redução do número de lesões locais provocadas por TMV em folhas de plantas fumo, cultivar TNN. Além disso, foi observado que os isolados Anabaena sp., Nostoc sp. 21 (cianobactéria), Nostoc sp. 61 e 090/02 (alga) mostraram efeito direto sobre o vírus semi-purificado. Em vista disso, pode-se sugerir que os isolados estudados sintetizam compostos que agem diretamente sobre o TMV e/ou ativam o mecanismo de defesa de plantas contra fitopatógenos.

The analysis and mitigation of risks in FMCG supply chain: the case of British American Tobacco Eastern Europe

This work investigates the Bullwhip Effect, which is one of the most important phenomena in contemporary supply chain management. The author uses most recent theoretical apparatus to analyze operational activities of a leading FMCG company British American Tobacco Eastern Europe. This paper investigates and describes the process in BAT supply chain management and considers the impact of the Bullwhip Effect together with the potential risks threatening company's operations. Emergence of the Bullwhip Effect leads to supply chain inefficiency. This paper contains methodological supply chain risk mitigation recommendations, description of a real case study and an analytical study of internal and external supply chain processes

Targeting of caries prevention at preschool children, a practice based study

Aim and design: To evaluate an oral health program directed to expecting families and their children. The intervention was carried out in one of the four health care areas of the city of Turku. Another area acted as a control. Subjects and methods: Children (n = 1217), born between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 1999, in the respective health care areas were screened for mutans streptococci bacteria (MS), and their caretakers were interviewed when the child was 18 months old. MScolonization was used as the child’s risk indicator. Intensified health education and the use of xylitol lozenges targeted at the children at risk were the main elements of the program. Controls and the non-MS-colonized children received routine prevention –examination and education at the ages of three and five years. Altogether 794 subjects were followed for 42 months after receiving consent from their caretakers. Associations of oral-health-related factors with MS colonization and caries increment were studied inside the control group. Results: MS colonization associated with the occupation of the caretaker and ethnicity. The program was effective in white-collar families; prevented fraction being 67 %. In blue-collar families no effect was achieved. At the age of five years, caries increment was strongly related to the occupation of the caretaker, MS at 18 months, child’s sugar use, night feeding, use of thirst quencher at the age of 18 months, and father’s reported oral health. Conclusions: Programs targeted at MS-colonized children can reduce caries in whitecollar families. A program mainly based on activity at home seems to favor white-collar families, whereas different kind of support is needed for the blue-collar families.

Influenza in children – Diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Background: The burden of influenza on children is substantial. Although mortality rates are low, the incidence of influenza is highest in children, among whom also complications are frequent. A more accurate recognition of influenza in children could enable the rational use of antiviral drugs and help to avoid unnecessary courses of antibiotics. Limited data exists on the efficacy of oseltamivir treatment and the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) in children. Aims and methods: We sought for signs and symptoms that could help clinicians to diagnose influenza on clinical grounds in a case-control study in children <13 years of age. We further assessed the feasibility of different diagnostics methods during the early stage of the illness in children aged 1-3 years. The efficacy of early oseltamivir treatment (started <24h from the onset of symptoms) was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in children 1-3 years of age, and the effectiveness of TIV to prevent laboratory-confirmed influenza was determined in a prospective, observational cohort study conducted among children aged 9 months to 3 years of age. Results: Fever was the only symptom predicting influenza in children. The sensitivity of conventionally used laboratory methods to detect influenza during the first 24h of illness was 92%. The sensitivity of the influenza rapid test in the same setting was 90% for influenza A and 25% for influenza B. Early oseltamivir treatment shortened the duration of the illness in children with influenza A by 3.5-4.0 days, but no efficacy was observed against influenza B. The effectiveness of TIV was 84% against the wellmatched influenza A, while no effectiveness against the mismatched influenza B was observed. Conclusions: Laboratory diagnostics are needed for a reliable diagnosis of influenza in children and were found sensitive already during the early stage of the illness. Early oseltamivir treatment was highly effective against influenza A, but no efficacy was seen against influenza B. TIV is effective also in young children if a good match between the vaccine and circulating strain is achieved.

Several regulations in gravity table in quality of tobacco seeds

The use of gravity table can result in improved quality of seeds of several species, demonstrating the superiority of the quality attributes of seeds collected in the top positions in relation to the lower positions of the discharge zone of the gravity table. The availability of information on tobacco seeds, particularly on the action of gravity table, has not been addressed in the literature. The present study was to evaluate the influence of different regulations in the gravity table on the quality of tobacco seeds. The terminal edge of the machine of 50 cm width was divided into four parts plus the outlet for stones. The treatments were in the following fractions: original seed (obtained in the feed hopper), heavy seed (at the top), middle high, intermediate, and light seed (lower part), and the stones outlet of the gravity table. Each combination of regulation was in an independent adjustment with a total of seven adjusts. The gravity table, in the adjustments with high oscillation, was efficient in improving the physiological quality of seed lots of tobacco, by removing the fraction of light seeds discharged at the bottom of the terminal edge.

Tobacco experimental model to induce urinary bladder neoplasms

OBJECTIVE: to develop an experimental model of exposure to tobacco burning (cigarette) products to assess the effects of its chronic use in relation to cancers of the bladder. METHODS: the animals were chronically exposed to the burning tobacco products in a semi-open chamber to simulate smoking. Thirty young Wistar rats were divided into two groups: one with 20 animals simulating smoking for six months, and ten not exposed control animals for the same period. After exposure by inhalation of cigarette smoke, animals were euthanized and subjected to histopathological study of the bladder wall. RESULTS: no tumor was found but mild and non significant alterations. The studies of hemo-oximetry (carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin) and the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) confirm that the animals were exposed to high concentrations of tobacco smoke and its derivatives. CONCLUSION: no bladder mucosal neoplasia was found in the pathological study of animals. The developed experimental models were highly efficient, practical and easy to use and can be used in other similar studies to determine the harmful effects caused by smoking.