Association between blood pressure and angiotensin-converting enzymes activity in prepubertal children ∗.

OBJECTIVES: Angiotensin-converting enzymes' (ACEs) relationship with blood pressure (BP) during childhood has not been clearly established. We aimed to compare ACE and ACE2 activities between BMI groups in a sample of prepubertal children, and to characterize the association between these enzymes' activities and BP. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 313 children aged 8-9 years old, included in the birth cohort Generation XXI (Portugal). Anthropometric measurements and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring were performed. ACE and ACE2 activities were quantified by fluorometric methods. RESULTS: Overweight/obese children demonstrated significantly higher ACE and ACE2 activities, when compared to their normal weight counterparts [median (P25-P75), ACE: 39.48 (30.52-48.97) vs. 42.90 (35.62-47.18) vs. 43.38 (33.49-49.89) mU/ml, P for trend = 0.009; ACE2: 10.41 (7.58-15.47) vs. 21.56 (13.34-29.09) vs. 29.00 (22.91-34.32) pM/min per ml, P for trend < 0.001, in normal weight, overweight and obese children, respectively]. In girls, night-time systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) increased across tertiles of ACE activity ( P < 0.001 and P  = 0.002, respectively). ACE2 activity was associated with higher night-time SBP and DBP in overweight/obese girls ( P  = 0.037 and P  = 0.048, respectively) and night-time DBP in the BMI z-score girl adjusted model ( P  = 0.018). Median ACE2 levels were significantly higher among nondipper girls (16.7 vs. 11.6 pM/min per ml, P  = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Our work shows that obesity is associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, with significant increase of ACE and ACE2 activities already in childhood. Also, we report sex differences in the association of ACE and ACE2 activities with BP.

The Norberg angle is not an accurate predictor of canine hip conformation based on the distraction index and the dorsolateral subluxation score.

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a common complex trait characterized by abnormal hip joint development. Hip joint laxity, an early characteristic of CHD, results in degeneration of the joint due to mechanical trauma, which is a clinical problem mostly in medium to large breed dogs. Clinical signs include pain, decreased activity and lameness. A retrospective, multi-center, cross sectional study of 437 dogs was performed to determine if a Norberg angle (NA) ≥105° accurately predicts a non-dysplastic hip based on a distraction index (DI) cut-off of ≤0.3 or a dorsolateral subluxation (DLS) score cut-off of ≥55%. The predictive capacity of the NA against a DI ≤0.3 or a DLS score ≥55% was assessed using area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The ROC curve of NA for the prediction of a DI ≤0.3 was 0.59 (95% CI=0.50-0.69) and for the prediction of DLS score ≥55% was 0.69 (95% CI=0.63-0.75). Optimizing the specificity of the NA to ≥80% for prediction of a DI ≤0.3 and a DLS score ≥55% gave a cut-point for the NA of ≥112° and 108.7°, respectively. In conclusion, at the cut-point of 105°, the NA is not an accurate measurement to score normal or abnormal hips, based on the DI or DLS score. Application of screening methods for CHD based on hip laxity, such as the DI or the DLS score, would help to remove additional dysplastic dogs from the breeding pool or the NA criterion should be higher when selecting unaffected dogs for breeding.

Intervención psicológica en la comunidad en hombres condenados por violencia de género / Efficacy of different treatment modalities in men convicted of intimate partner violence

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos en un programa de intervención psicológica dirigido a hombres condenados por violencia contra la pareja. La muestra se compone de 62 hombres que se distribuyen en tres condiciones de tratamiento: Terapia Grupal Abierta (N = 15); Terapia Grupal Estructurada (N = 16); Terapia Individual (N = 16) y un grupo de control (N = 15). La evaluación del efecto del programa se lleva a cabo mediante un diseño cuasi experimental y medidas antes y después de la intervención. En relación con las variables analizadas, los resultados no son concluyentes, si bien se identifican diferencias entre las condiciones de tratamiento. Los resultados muestran diferencias pre y post-tratamiento en la valoración de los logros de los participantes entre los formatos individual y grupal. En el formato grupal, la condición de Terapia Grupal Estructurada muestra valores de cambio más significativos en los cuestionarios administrados. Por otra parte, en el post-tratamiento, aumentan en la condición de Terapia Individual las medias en las siguientes variables del SCL-90-R (Sensibilidad interpersonal, Depresión, Hostilidad, IGS, PSDI y TP). Se discute la pertinencia del uso de cuestionarios de autoinforme en la evaluación de este tipo de programas (AU)

The results obtained in a psychological intervention program for men convicted of intimate partner violence are presented in this study. The sample consists of 62 men distributed into three treatment modalities: un-structured group therapy (N = 15); structured group therapy (N = 16); individual therapy (N = 16), and control group (N = 15). A quasi-experimental design with pre and post intervention assessment is used to measure the effect of the treatment modality. Although the results obtained are not conclusive in the variables analysed, some differences between treatment options are observed. Pre and post differences are observed between individual and group therapy regarding participants’ goal achievements. When comparing the two group formats, the structured therapy group shows more significant values of change in the administered questionnaires. In the individual therapy format, post treatment measures show higher values in the following scores of the SCL-90-R (Interpersonal Sensitivity, Depression, Hostility, GSI, PSDI and PST). We discuss the relevance of using self-report questionnaires in evaluating such programs (AU)