Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in children from the Cufada Lagoon Natural Park, Guinea-Bissau.

Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis in African countries is relatively scarce. The global understanding of Giardia epidemiology is reinforced when more data are available from highly endemic countries. In the present study, 50 fecal samples collected from children from Guinea-Bissau were screened for Giardia infection. Amplification of the Giardia ssu-rRNA fragment was achieved for 28 samples (28/50, 56.0 %) of which 23 (23/50, 46.0 %) positive samples for Giardia were detected through microscopy. Eighteen samples previous amplified for the ssu-rRNA locus were amplified for the bg gene fragment. Sequence analysis was performed in 26 and 17 samples for the ssu-rRNA and bg gene fragment, respectively. Our results revealed a predominance of assemblage B (22/26, 84.6 %), sequences with high genetic polymorphism among isolates belonging to this assemblage, making impossible the subassemblage determination. Assemblage A was identified in three isolates (3/26, 11.5 %), and our results strongly suggest that two isolates belong to subassemblage A2. This study provides information about G. duodenalis genotypes in a rural area of Guinea-Bissau and may contribute for a better understanding of giardiasis epidemiology in this country.

Maternal weight gain during pregnancy and overweight in Portuguese children.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess the association between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and childhood overweight. DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: The data were derived from a community-based survey of children from primary schools of Portugal. SUBJECTS: The study was performed in a sample of 6-12-year-old Portuguese school children (2445 girls and 2400 boys; age was 8.5+/-0.91 years). MEASUREMENTS: Height and weight were measured according to international standards, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The definition of overweight was based on average centiles according to the International Obesity Task Force cutoffs. Children's parents completed a self-administered questionnaire, which provided information on general family background characteristics, maternal weight gain during pregnancy and children's physical activity. The response rate was 70.6%. Children's dietary intake was measured using a 24-h dietary recall. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the magnitude of the association between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and overweight in their children, adjusting for confounders (gender, age, birthweight, order of birth, breastfeeding, smoking during pregnancy, physical activity, parental BMI, parental education, calcium to protein ratio and energy intake). RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was 29% in boys and 33% in girls. The odds favouring overweight (including obesity) increased significantly for those women who gained > or =16 kg during pregnancy, compared to those with <9 kg , even after adjustment for confounders (crude odds ratio (OR)=1.53, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.27-1.84, P-trend <0.001; Adjusted OR=1.27, CI 95% 1.01-1.61, P-trend=0.038). CONCLUSION: Large maternal weight gain during pregnancy (> or =16 kg) was significantly associated with higher risk of overweight in Portuguese children.

Dietary calcium and body mass index in Portuguese children.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess nutritional intake in school children (7-9-y-old) and relate calcium intake to body mass index (BMI). DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: The data were derived from a community-based survey of children from primary schools of Portugal. SUBJECTS: In all, 3044 Portuguese children (1503 girls and 1541 boys) from a community-based sample of 7-9-y-olds. METHODS: Height and weight were measured according to international standards, and BMI was calculated. Children's parents completed a self-administered questionnaire that provided information on general family background characteristics and children's physical activity. Children's dietary intake was measured using a 24-h dietary recall. Calcium intake was expressed as the calcium-to-protein ratio, and regression analysis was used to estimate the association between calcium intake and BMI, adjusting for energy intake and confounders. RESULTS: The prevalence of children with calcium intake below the Dietary Reference Intake was higher in girls (36.4 vs 33.0%, P = 0.053). Calcium-to-protein ratio predicts BMI only in girls (beta = -0.052, P = 0.002), even after adjusting for age, energy intake, parental education, and physical activity. CONCLUSION: We found an inverse relationship between calcium intake and BMI only in girls. These data reinforce the need for controlled trials to assess the effects of dietary calcium on body mass in each gender.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in 7-9-year-old Portuguese children: trends in body mass index from 1970-2002.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese children age 7-9 years and to analyze trends in body mass index (BMI) from 1970-2002. Data were collected from October 2002 to June 2003 in a random sample of Portuguese children. Height and weight were measured and BMI (Kg/m(2)) was calculated. The International Obesity TaskForce (IOTF) cutoffs to define overweight and obesity were used. In the total sample we found 20.3% of overweight children and 11.3% of obese children. These results indicate a prevalence of overweight/obesity of 31.5%. Girls presented higher percentages of overweight than boys except at age 7.5. Girls also showed a higher percentages of obesity than boys except at age 9. From 1970 to 1992 and 1992 to 2002, height, weight, and BMI increased at different velocities: weight increased faster than height, and, consequently, BMI increased more in the last period than in the first one, leading to an increase in obesity values. Compared to published data by IOTF on other European countries, who applied the same methods to define overweight and obesity, Portuguese children showed the second-highest mean values in overweight/obesity. Italy showed the highest values (36%). The present study shows a very high prevalence of overweight/obesity (31.5%) in Portuguese children compared to other European countries. Portugal followed the trend of other Mediterranean countries like Spain (30%), Greece (31%), and Italy (36%). These high values require a national intervention program to control childhood obesity.

Positive and negative syndromes in chronic schizophrenic inpatients.

This study considered whether chronic schizophrenics with positive and negative syndromes represent distinct subtypes. From a survey of 47 schizophrenic inpatients, 18 showed preponderance of productive or deficit features, and four were mixed. The discrete groups were compared on clinical symptoms, cognitive tests, demographic and historical data, and drug side effects. They were significantly distinguished on most criterion symptoms and affect scales but, otherwise, essentially comparable in psychopathology and extrapyramidal symptoms. The tests revealed similar levels of intellectual impairment and visual-motor deficit, yet the negative patients displayed more primitive cognitive mode and greater psychomotor retardation. They also proved older, less educated, more often born in winter-time, hospitalized later in life, and less heavily medicated. The results supported the validity of the positive-negative dimension for identifying schizophrenic subtypes and suggested etiological implications regarding developmental deficiency.

[Topical treatment of various dermatosis with difluocortolone valerianate. (ointment) Double blind comparative study]. / Tratamiento tópico de algunas dermatósis con valerianato de diflucortolona (ungüento) Estudio doble ciego comparativo

The trial preparation, diflucortolone valerate, was tested clinically in the form of fatty ointment on 27 patients: 4 with psoriasis, 4 with neurodermatitis, 4 with contact dermatitis, 2 with actinodermatitis, 10 with eczema, 2 with cutaneous reticulosis and 1 with radiodermitis. In 89% of the cases the results were good; in 11% were they regular.

[Topical treatment of dermatoses with difluocortolone valerate fatty ointment]. / Topische Behandlung von Dermatosen mit Diflucortolonvalerianat in Fettsalbenform

The aim of the study was to compare the therapeutic effect of the new corticoid, diflucortolone valerate, with the effect of fluocinolone acetonide. The study was conducted as a randomised double-blind trial in 60 patients with various dermatoses. The results were good in 89% of the cases treated with diflucortolone valerate fatty ointment, while the same result was achieved in only 63.5% of the cases treated with fluocinolone acetonide ointment. No side effects were observed during the use of diflucortolone valerate fatty ointment, while local side effects occurred in 2 cases during the use of fluocinolone acetonide ointment.