Evidence of altered Th17 pathway signatures in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Guillain Barré Syndrome.

Data indexing the contribution of various immuno-inflammatory components in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) towards the pathophysiology of Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) are limited. Th17 pathway plays crucial role in many immune mediated disorders of the nervous system. This study was aimed at exploring the role of Th17 pathway related cytokines in the CSF of patients with GBS. Levels of multiple key cytokines of Th17 pathway in CSF of patients with GBS (N = 37) and controls (N = 37) were examined in this prospective study using Bio-plex Pro Human Th17 cytokine assays in a Multiplex Suspension Array platform. The findings were correlated with clinical features and electrophysiological subtypes. Three key cytokines of Th17 pathway (IL-6, IL-17A and IL-22) were significantly elevated in CSF of patients with GBS as compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between the levels of IL-6 and IL-17A as well as between the levels of IL-17A and IL-22 in the CSF of patients with GBS. The CSF levels of IL-6 and IL-22 were negatively correlated with the duration of symptoms of GBS. None of the studied cytokines correlated with functional disability scores at admission to hospital or with the electrophysiological subtypes. Identification of Th17 pathway signatures in CSF sheds more insights into the pathogenic role of Th17 cells in GBS. These findings complement the contemporary knowledge and tender further support towards the involvement of Th17 pathway in GBS.

Food packaged with toys: an investigation on potential obesogenic effects in Indian children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, in a large pan Indian sample of school children, whether gadgets (toys) added to food increase food consumption, and if contemporary exposure to TV and/or advertising is a further promoting factor. METHODS: A total of 1,680 Indian children were first randomized to food exposure with or without toy and then to a five-level exposure to TV viewing and advertising according to a 2 × 5 full factorial ad libitum eating design study. The sample size was computed to detect a difference of 20 Kcal of caloric intake (assuming the same standard deviation of 20 Kcal in both groups) between "food with gadget" (Toy) and "food alone" (No Toy) groups in each level of the exposure to TV and advertising factor, given an alpha error equal to 0.05 and a power of 0.90. RESULTS: Mean caloric intake both in "Toy" and "No Toy" group was around 223 Kcal. When considering exposure to TV and advertising, mean values varied negligibly between 222 and 225 Kcal. According to linear models for the effect of gadget and exposure to TV and/or advertising on children's intake, no significant adjusted associations were found, neither as main effects nor as interactions. CONCLUSIONS: Food consumption by children is not influenced by the presence of added toys, even after adjustment for several potential confounding factors. The city where they live and age significantly influences Indian children's caloric intake.

Is my kid out of size? Indian mothers' desirability bias in evaluation of their children's weight.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify mothers' social desirability bias with respect to their children's weight in a cross-regional Indian setting. METHODS: The OBEY-AD was a cross-sectional study which has been realized in 7 Indian cities (Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and Surat), enroling 1,680 children aged 3-11 y of which 50% were females. Children's BMI scores were computed, standardized according to WHO growth charts and categorized as Normal, Overweight, Obese and Underweight. Mothers were asked to judge the weight status of their children through an iconographic test, indicating the shape, which better mirrors the size of their kids. Socio-demographic data, especially employment, income and education, was accessed by administrating a cross-sectional questionnaire to the mothers, involved for the study. RESULTS: Overall, 369 children resulted as obese or overweight (23.5%). Out of them, 75% (278) were not recognized as such by their mothers. Such figures range from up to 76% in Chennai and Surat down to 72% in Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai. Overall agreement between perceived and desired weight status of children was very poor (p < 0.001). Surprisingly, overall 10% of overweight/obese children were considered as even too lean by their mothers. Misperception of children's weight status seemed to be significantly related to urban differences and socio-economic status. CONCLUSIONS: This study quantifies the extent of the so-called social desirability bias, namely mother's unconscious attitude to adapt empirical evidence to more culturally legitimized ideal-types of what their children's weight status is expected to be. Its association with westernized representations of leanness as evaluation criteria for beauty has important policy implications.

Physical activity patterns among school children in India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of physical activity and its relation with socio-demographic variables and eating habits among school-aged children in India. METHODS: The study incorporated secondary analysis of anthropometric measurements and questionnaires on lifestyle and dietary habits of 1,680 school children aged between 3 and 11 y, obtained while carrying out the OBEY-AD project. The inventory contained questions about several variables concerning to physical activity, educational background, lifestyles and eating habits for both children and parents. Questions were organized along specific contents, which could be informative topics, picture choices and multiple answers choices. RESULTS: Prevalence of inactivity was 21% and exhibited significant variations between cities. Physical activity was significantly associated to socio-economic status and consumption of fruits and vegetables. No association could be revealed with children's BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Health-promotion interventions aimed at improving healthy lifestyles in Indian children should focus on population strata with low socio-economic status.