Age-specific reference intervals for routine biochemical parameters in healthy neonates,infants, and young children in Iran

Age and sex need to be considered in the establishment of reference intervals (RIs), especially in early life when there are dynamic physiological changes. Since data for important biomarkers in healthy neonates and infants are limited, particularly in Iranian populations, we have determined age-specific RIs for 7 laboratory biochemical parameters. This cross-sectional study comprised a total of 344 paediatric participants (males: 158, females: 186) between the ages of 3 days and 30 months (mean age: 12.91 ± 7.15 months). Serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, calcium, phosphate, vitamin D and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured using an Alpha classic-AT plus auto-analyser. We determined age-specific RIs using CLSI Ep28-A3 and C28-A3 guidelines. No sex partitioning was required for any of the biomarkers. Age partitioning was required for kidney function tests and phosphate. The serum concentration of urea and creatinine increased with age, while phosphate and uric acid decreased with age. Age partitioning was not required for serum calcium, vitamin D, and hs-CRP, which remained relatively constant throughout the age range. Age-specific RIs for 7 routine biochemical markers were determined to address critical gaps in RIs in early life to help improve clinical interpretation of blood test results in young children, including neonates. Established age partitions demonstrate the biochemical changes that take place during child growth and development. These novel data will ultimately better disease management in the Iranian paediatric population and can be of value to clinical and hospital laboratories with similar populations.     

Age‐specific reference intervals for routine biochemical parameters in healthy neonates,infants, and young children in Iran

Age and sex need to be considered in the establishment of reference intervals (RIs), especially in early life when there are dynamic physiological changes. Since data for important biomarkers in healthy neonates and infants are limited, particularly in Iranian populations, we have determined age‐specific RIs for 7 laboratory biochemical parameters. This cross‐sectional study comprised a total of 344 paediatric participants (males: 158, females: 186) between the ages of 3 days and 30 months (mean age: 12.91 ± 7.15 months). Serum levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid, calcium, phosphate, vitamin D and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) were measured using an Alpha classic‐AT plus auto‐analyser. We determined age‐specific RIs using CLSI Ep28‐A3 and C28‐A3 guidelines. No sex partitioning was required for any of the biomarkers. Age partitioning was required for kidney function tests and phosphate. The serum concentration of urea and creatinine increased with age, while phosphate and uric acid decreased with age. Age partitioning was not required for serum calcium, vitamin D, and hs‐CRP, which remained relatively constant throughout the age range. Age‐specific RIs for 7 routine biochemical markers were determined to address critical gaps in RIs in early life to help improve clinical interpretation of blood test results in young children, including neonates. Established age partitions demonstrate the biochemical changes that take place during child growth and development. These novel data will ultimately better disease management in the Iranian paediatric population and can be of value to clinical and hospital laboratories with similar populations.     

Pediatric Continuous Reference Intervals of Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Levels in a Healthy Chinese Children Population – Based on PRINCE Study

ObjectivesWe aimed to establish age- and sex-dependent reference intervals for insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) based on the measurements of healthy Chinese children from the pediatric reference intervals in China study and to investigate whether body mass index (BMI) and height affect IGF-1 levels.MethodsA total of 3753 individuals with eligible blood specimens resampled from the pediatric reference intervals in China population were enrolled as reference individuals. IGF-1 levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay kit. The lower limit and upper limit values of the reference individuals were calculated by defining the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. The skewness-median-coefficient of variation method was used to calculate the standard deviation score (SDS) of serum IGF-1, and cubic spline curves were applied to depict a smoothed curve for each age- and sex-specific stratification of the L, M, and S parameters.ResultsSerum IGF-1 levels increased with age from the age of 1 year, peaking at around the age of 13 years in girls and 15 years in boys and then began to decline (both P <.001). Before 14 years, IGF-1 levels were higher in girls than in boys at the same age, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05), but there was no significant difference in the IGF-1 levels between girls and boys aged 14 to 16 and 18 years. The Spearman correlation coefficients of height SDS, weight SDS, and BMI SDS with IGF-1 SDS were 0.29, 0.33, and 0.20, respectively (P < .001).ConclusionThis study established age- and sex-specific normative IGF-1 data for Chinese children and adolescents between the ages of 1 and 19 years. The BMI and height SDS had no effect on IGF-1 levels in healthy children.     

Genetic Analysis and Mapping of Biochemical Markers in an F2 Intercross of Two Inbred Strains of the Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A total of 40 biochemical and four immunological markers found to be polymorphic in the rabbit in previous studies were screened in the AX/JU and IIIVO/JU inbred strains. Although the strains are considered unrelated, only eight (biochemical) markers were found to be polymorphic between the two strains. These eight markers were analyzed in an F₂ intercross population. Linkage was found for Est-5 and C on chromosome 1 and for Es-1, Est-2, Est-4, Est-6 and HP on linkage group VI. Two polymorphic markers, Es-3 and Mhr-1 could not be linked to any of the other markers.     

Beyond the 'Village' Rhetoric: Creating Healthy Communities for Children and Adolescents

In this article, we explore the intertwining of moral identity and the social and cultural context. First, we review existing research on moral identity that has considered the role of social others and the cultural environment. Then we pose questions to further research in this area and offer a 3-level framework with which to understand how the cultural world influences moral identity development. Central to this framework is an analysis of the cultural practices within which moral identities develop, as well as the institutional contexts that support these practices and the social interactions that comprise them. Finally, we illustrate the components of framework using examples of data from 2 studies-1 focused on how an inner city Muslim school worked to foster the moral identities of students and the other on the development of civic identities among urban teens in a community action program.     

脓毒症诊断与预后的血清学标志物研究进展

脓毒症可引起患者的多器官功能衰竭,从而导致严重烧伤、手术后、孕产妇、重症监护病房和新生儿监护病房的患者死亡。缺乏脓毒症急性相反应的患者病死率更高。寻找快速、简洁、敏感性和特异性高的脓毒症实验室诊断指标,已成为临床实验室长期以来的研究课题。     

Esterase Isoenzymes as Markers for the VA 1 Gene of Zea mays and for the B Linkage Group of Tripsacum dactyloides

It is suggested that cathodal esterase isoenzyme (E₁) might be used as a marker for the VA 1 gene on 7 S maize chromosome and for the B linkage group of Tripsacum dactyloides in Zea mays L. ×T. dactyloides L. hybrids. The latter genic zones have a regulatory effect on fertility and on the apomictic mode of reproduction.     

Self-Esteem and Obesity in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review

The relationship between self-esteem and obesity has not received a great deal of empirical evaluation using strong research methodologies. Thus, it is not clear whether self-esteem is consistently related to obesity, whether the relationship is global or specific to physical appearance, whether the relationship differs by demographic variables such as age, gender or race/ethnicity, or whether self-esteem moderates weight changes during weight loss treatment programs. This review examines these questions using empirical evidence from 35 studies on the relationship between self-esteem and obesity in children and adolescents. Thirteen of 25 cross sectional studies clearly showed lower self-esteem in obese adolescents and children. Five of the six cross-sectional studies that included a measure of body esteem found lower body esteem in obese compared to normal weight children and adolescents. Results from two prospective studies examining initial self-esteem and later obesity were inconsistent. Results from six of eight treatment studies showed that weight loss treatment programs appear to improve self-esteem. However, it is unclear whether increases in self-esteem are related to enhanced weight loss. Many studies were methodologically weak primarily due to small and select samples and lack of appropriate comparison groups. Implications for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity are discussed.     

鲤TRAP分子标记反应体系的建立与优化

针对鲤(Cyprinus carpio)这一主要水产养殖品种设计了靶位区域扩增多态性(target region amplified polymorphism,TRAP)分子标记的反应体系,对影响TRAP反应体系的各参数,包括Mg2+、dNTPs、TaqDNA聚合酶、模板DNA和引物浓度进行了优化,建立了适合鲤的、稳定、可重复的TRAP-PCR反应体系。在15μlPCR反应体系中,Mg2+浓度为1.5mmol/L、dNTPs浓度为0.35mmol/L、两个随机引物浓度均为3pmol/L、固定引物浓度为10pmol/L、含DNA模板60ng、TaqDNA聚合酶1.0U。鲤的TRAP反应程序为:94℃4min,1个循环;94℃45s,35℃45s,72℃1min,5个循环;94℃45s,53℃45s,72℃1min,35个循环;72℃10min,1个循环。这一优化体系的建立为今后进行鲤群体遗传多样性、种质鉴定、遗传连锁图谱及亲缘关系分析等方面的研究提供了新的分子标记。     

Accurate Confidence Intervals for the Ratio of Specific Occurrence/Exposure Rates in Risk and Survival Analysis

Transformation and computer intensive methods such as the jackknife and bootstrap are applied to construct accurate confidence intervals for the ratio of specific occurrence/exposure rates, which are used to compare the mortality (or survival) experience of individuals in two study populations. Monte Carlo simulations are employed to compare the performances of the proposed confidence intervals when sample sizes are small or moderate.     

肿瘤标志物CEA、CA199对结直肠癌TNM分期的预判价值

目的:探讨肿瘤标志物CEA、CA199浓度变化在结直肠癌TNM分期中的预判价值。方法:回顾我院2010年1月~2013年10月收治的经手术治疗的结、直肠癌患者(共96例)的有关资料,分析其术前CEA、CA199浓度水平与术后病理确定TNM分期结果的相互关系,进行相应的统计学检测。结果:结直肠癌Ⅰ~Ⅳ期CEA浓度依次为4.28±1.78、6.92±2.01、23.99±6.49和362.64±158.80 ng/mL,CA199浓度依次为12.58±2.98、13.37±2.62、36.84±10.33和238.71±103.69 U/mL,肿瘤标志物CEA、CA199的浓度随TNM分期升级而增高,通过Kruskal-Wallis秩检验分析及Spearman秩相关分析,表明CEA、CA199的血清浓度与TNM分期明显相关(P0.01)。结论:CEA、CA199血清浓度与TNM分期呈正相关,而年龄与CEA、CA199在各期中的浓度无明显相关性。因此,应用CEA、CA199的血清学测定在一定程度上具有预判结直肠癌TNM分期的价值。     

Biochemical polymorphism in the rat: Genetics of three electrophoretic variants and characterization of inbred strains

Nine inbred strains of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) were screened for differences in electrophoretically detectable proteins. Interstrain variation was observed for 7 of 26 proteins. Three of these variants have not been described previously: leucine aminopeptidase (Lap-1), major urinary protein (Mup-1), and seminal vesicle protein (Svp-2). Genetic analysis revealed two autosomal alleles for each of these polymorphisms. The loci Lap-1, Mup-1, and Svp-2 are linked neither to one another nor to the previously described Svp-1 and Es-4 loci. Each of the nine strains can be identified now by a specific set of monogenic markers.     

Stressors,Supports and the Social Ecology of Displacement: Psychosocial Dimensions of an Emergency Education Program for Chechen Adolescents Displaced in Ingushetia,Russia

This study explored the psychosocial benefits of an emergency education intervention serving adolescents displaced by the war in Chechnya. It set out to describe key stressors and sources of social support available to youth served by the International Rescue Committee's (IRC) emergency education program. Interviews were conducted with 57 Chechen adolescents living in spontaneous settlements in Ingushetia, Russia in the fall of 2000. Of particular interest was the degree to which the education program addressed specified psychosocial goals. Findings indicated that young people and their families faced a number of physical and emotional stressors. The data indicated that the emergency education program provided benefits by enriching sources of social support, providing meaningful activity and a sense of hope for the future, and creating a space for young people to spend time and connect to others. However, the contrast between the desire of adolescents “to live like other kids” and the options available to them presented a dilemma for the emergency education program: adolescents craved normalcy, but for any intervention to be delivered, it had to first begin with creative and adaptive strategies that were by no means a complete replacement for formal, mainstream education. The programmatic and policy implications of these findings are presented here.     

植物与病原真菌互作的形态变化及其生理、生化机制和基因调控

本文从生理、生化、酶学及基因调控等方面对植物与病原真菌互作过程中的形态变化进行了综述,以期为植物抗病方面的研究提供参考     

Focus: Preventive Medicine: Firearm Injury Among Children and Adolescents in Nigerian Civilian Trauma Setting: Prevalence,Pattern, and Implications for Prevention

Firearm injury in children and adolescents and the morbidity associated with it is an appreciable burden in resource-limited settings, though it is under-reported. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and pattern in Nigerian civilian trauma setting. We undertook a retrospective study of all the patients with firearm injury aged 19 years or under who visited the Emergency Department (ED) of two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria over a period of 15 years. Of the 46,734 children and adolescents seen in the ED, firearm injury was the reason for the visit in 56 of them, giving a prevalence of 1.2 per 1000 ED attendance (95% CI: 0.9-1.6). The male-to-female ratio was 1.8:1, and the mean age was 13.98 ± 5.6 years. The preponderance of firearm injury was in the rural areas, during the dry season, at home, and in the daytime. Armed robbery (20, 35.7%) and communal clash (7, 12.5%) were the two topmost incidents leading to gunshot wounds. Armed robbery-related gunshot occurred mostly on the roads and at nighttime and involved predominantly 15-19-year-olds. Lower extremity was the topmost anatomical region involved. The majority (67%) had no pre-hospital care; the mean and median injury-hospital arrival interval respectively was 352 hrs and 4.2 hrs. Wound infection was the topmost complication. The mean hospital length of stay was 22.6 days. One (1.8%) of the patients died on the third day of hospital admission. Educational campaigns for prevention intensified during the dry season should highlight the risk of firearm injury to this age group and emphasize the importance of proper supervision and guidance of vulnerable children and adolescents. Improving the rates of pre-hospital care and early presentation of victims to the hospital should be considered in tertiary injury prevention strategies.     

21个野生,培育及地方猪种免疫及生化遗传标记基因位点的遗传分化研究

分析了亚,欧,美,非２１个野生,培育及地方猪种４个免疫遗传标记基因位点（Ｅ,Ｆ,Ｇ,Ｌ系统）和３人生化遗传标记基因位点（Ｃｐ,Ａｍ和Ｔｆ）的遗传多态性,认为Ｅ＾ａｅｇ,Ｆ＾ａ,Ｔｆ＾ｃ基因在亚洲猪种与欧美猪种间存在显著差异,是亚洲猪种３个重要的遗传标记基因,根据Ｆ＾ａ基因频率在亚,欧,美,非猪种的变化规律分析了其基因流向特点,证明欧美猪的育种过程中利用了中国地方猪种的血缘,计算了所测猪种间的Ｎｅｉ     

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Biofeedback Therapy for Asthma: A Report of 20 Unmedicated Pediatric Cases Using the Smetankin Method

This multiple case study describes pulmonary function changes in 20 asthmatic children from 30 consecutive cases undergoing biofeedback training for increasing the amplitude of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). The Smetankin protocol was used, which, in addition to RSA biofeedback, includes instructions in relaxed abdominal pursed-lips breathing. Ten individuals were excluded, including 6 who had been taking asthma medication, 2 who developed viral infections during the treatment period, and 2 who dropped out prior to completing treatment. Patients each received 13 to 15 sessions of training. Asthma tended to be mild, with mean spirometric values close to normal levels. Nevertheless, significant improvements were noted in 2 spirometry measures taken during forced expiratory maneuvers from maximum vital capacity: FEV₁ and FEF50. These preliminary uncontrolled data suggest that the Smetankin protocol warrants further evaluation as a nonpharmacological psychophysiological treatment for this condition, although these data could not definitively prove that the method is effective.     

Sociodemographics of Pet Ownership among Adolescents in Great Britain: Findings from the HBSC Study in England,Scotland, and Wales

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pet ownership among adolescents in Great Britain and identify any sociodemographic differences between pet owners and non-pet owners. A total of 14,328 11-to 15-year-old adolescents from England, Scotland, and Wales were included in the analysis. Results revealed 15-year-old adolescents were significantly more likely than 11-year-old adolescents to own dogs (OR = 1.146, p < 0.001) but less likely to own fish, reptiles, or amphibians (OR = 0.629, p < 0.001), and small mammals (OR = 0.630, p < 0.001). Thirteen-year-olds were significantly more likely than 11-year-olds to own dogs (OR = 1.240, p = 0.021) and birds (OR = 1.299, p = 0.010), but significantly less likely to own fish, reptiles, or amphibians (OR = 0.795, p < 0.001). No gender differences were found. White adolescents were more likely than non-white adolescents to own all pet types. Those living in single-parent families were significantly more likely than those living with two parents to own dogs (OR = 1.186, p = 0.013) and cats (OR = 1.319, p < 0.001). Furthermore, those who reported living in stepfamilies were also more likely to own cats (OR = 1.428, p < 0.001). Adolescents with siblings were more likely to own cats (OR = 1.391, p = 0.001), fish, reptiles, or amphibians (OR = 1.220, p = 0.037) than adolescents without siblings. Adolescents with employed parents (both or one) were significantly more likely than those with unemployed parents to own dogs (OR = 1.414, p = 0.002) and birds (OR = 1.523, p = 0.018). Adolescents from high-affluence families were less likely than adolescents from low-affluence families to own dogs (OR = 0.888, p = 0.037), small mammals (OR = 0.832, p = 0.005), and birds (OR = 0.801, p = 0.046). Furthermore, family affluence differences were found in different pet types. Differences in all pet types and siblings were also found in a proxy measure of attachment to pets. This study provides evidence that pet ownership is related to several sociodemographic factors. These are relevant to take into account when performing HAI studies on adolescents.