Risk factors associated with borderline intelligence in schoolchildren: a case-control study

To determine risk factors associated with borderline intelligence during intra-uterine life, delivery and the neonatal periods. In a case-control study, 200 school children in first grade, age six years were recruited. A standard intelligence quotient [IQ] test was used for psychometric testing. Cases had a borderline intelligence [70 to 84 score] and normal controls had an IQ of 85 or above scores. Cases and controls were matched for gender. Regression analysis showed that mother's illiteracy [Adjusted OR=2.7, 95% Cl, 1.6-4.2, p=0.001], familial history of mental retardation [AOR=2.1, 95% Cl, 1.4-3.5, p=0.002] and maternal drug consumption during pregnancy [AOR=1.7, 95% Cl, 1.1-2.5, p=0.003] were the main adjusted risk factors associated with borderline intelligence in childhood. No significant association was found between adverse birth outcomes including low birth weight and prematurity and borderline intelligence in children. Intelligence quotient [IQ] of schoolchildren is affected by both prenatal and postnatal factors as well as social determinants such as parental education. Controlling these factors has important implications for preventive strategies in psychological, maternal and child health programs worldwide

[Evaluation of L-Carnitine effect on the testis tissue of mature Exposed with Cadmium]

The evaluation of L-Carnitine effect on the testis tissue of mature rats exposed to Cadmium This research was carried out on 30 mature male rats, weighting about 180-240gr. Animals were divided into five groups. The first group [control group] received nothing. The second group [distilled water.0.3rn1] third group [L-Carnitine. 500 mglkg Body Weight] fourth group [Cadmium, lmg-kg B.W] and for the fifth group [L-Carnitine 500 mg/kg B.W and Cadmium 1mg/kg B.W] were injected intraperitoneally for 16 days at an interval of 48h between subsequent treatments. Animals were sacrificed on day 17 after the first treatment. For the evaluation of the sperm count the right cauda epididymis was removed and immidiately imrnei-sede into lOmI of the FIBSS. For the histological evaluation, the right testis was submerged into the 10% formaline. with innnuno-liistocheinical [Ki-67] staining, the number of ccll proliferation in the seminiferous tubes were evaluated, as well as the testicular histology evaluated by the Johosen Score. Following contamination with Cadmium the rats showed decrease in the number of cuda epididyniss sperm the number of cell proliferation and number of spernmtogenic cells in the seminiferous tubes. In addition L-Carnitine caused increase in the number of cuda epididymis sperm, the number of cell proliferation and number of spermatogenic cells in Cadmium induced group. Reasults demonstrated beneficial effects of L-Carnitine treatment in cadmium toxicity on number of cauda epididymis sperm and testicular tissue