Blood Of Children Research Articles

Lead Data Mapping to Prioritize US Locations for Whole-of-Government Exposure Prevention Efforts: State of the Science, Federal Collaborations, and Remaining Challenges.

For this state-of-science overview of geospatial approaches for identifying US communities with high lead-exposure risk, we compiled and summarized public data and national maps of lead indices and models, environmental lead indicators, and children's blood lead surveillance data. Currently available indices and models are primarily constructed from housing-age and sociodemographic data; differing methods, variables, data, weighting schemes, and geographic scales yield maps with different exposure risk profiles. Environmental lead indicators are available (e.g., air, drinking water, dust, soil) at different spatial scales, but key gaps remain. Blood lead level data have limitations as testing, reporting, and completeness vary across states. Mapping tools and approaches developed by federal agencies and other groups for different purposes present an opportunity for greater collaboration. Maps, data visualization tools, and analyses that synthesize available geospatial efforts can be evaluated and improved with local knowledge and blood lead data to refine identification of high-risk locations for prioritizing prevention efforts and targeting risk-reduction strategies. Remaining challenges are discussed along with a work-in-progress systematic approach for cross-agency data integration, toward advancing "whole-of-government" public health protection from lead exposures. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S7):S658-S669. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307051).

Risk prediction of autism spectrum disorder behaviors among children based on blood elements by nomogram: A cross-sectional study in Xinjiang from 2018 to 2019

BackgroundChanges of toxic metals and essential elements during childhood may be the risk factor of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research established an accurate personalized predictive model of ASD behaviors among children by using the blood element detection index of children in Xinjiang, China. MethodsA total of 1537 children (240 ASD behavior children and 1297 non-ASD behavior children) aged 0–7 were collected from September 2018 to September 2019 in Urumqi Children's Hospital and the health management institute of Xinjiang Medical University. For measuring the copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), 80 μL of blood was taken from each participant's ring finger. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to select predictors, then the multivariate logistic regression was used to establish the predictive model. The discriminability, calibration and clinical validity of the model were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsGender, concentrations of Pb, Ca and Zn in children's blood specimens were found to be the independent risk factors of ASD behaviors and were used to develop the nomogram model. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) in the development group (AUC = 0.778) and the validation group (AUC = 0.775) showed the model had discrimination ability. The calibration curve indicated the model was accurate, and the DCA proved its clinical application value. ConclusionThe nomogram model can be used as a reliable tool to predict the risk of ASD behaviors among children.

GAAGs, COMP, and YKL-40 as Potential Markers of Cartilage Turnover in Blood of Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Treated with Etanercept—Relationship with ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, and PDGF-BB

We quantified galactosaminoglycans (GAAGs), oligomeric cartilage matrix protein (COMP), and human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40) in blood obtained from juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) before and during 2-year treatment with etanercept (ETA), as potential biomarkers of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) dysfunction and indicators of efficacy of biologic therapy. We also evaluated the relationship of the mentioned markers with the factors that regulate their metabolism, disintegrin and thrombospondin motif metalloproteinases 4 (ADAMTS4), ADAMTS5, and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). Methods: We studied 38 children diagnosed with JIA and 45 healthy children. We quantified GAAGs by assessing the concentration of unsaturated disaccharide units formed by digestion of isolated glycosaminoglycans with chondroitinase ABC, while COMP, YKL-40, and PDGF-BB were quantified using immunoenzymatic methods. Results: Compared to the control group, GAAGs and COMP levels were significantly lower, while YKL-40 levels were higher in the blood of patients with aggressive JIA, qualified for ETA treatment. ETA therapy leading to clinical improvement simultaneously promoted normalization of COMP and YKL-40 levels, but not GAAGs. After 24 months of taking ETA, glycan levels were still significantly lower, relative to controls. GAAGs, COMP, and YKL-40 levels were significantly influenced by ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, and PDGF-BB levels both before and during ETA treatment. Conclusions: The dynamics of changes in marker concentrations during treatment seem to indicate that measurement of COMP and YKL-40 levels can be used to assess the chondroprotective biological efficacy of therapy. In contrast, changes in GAAGs concentrations reflect systemic extracellular matrix transformations in the course of JIA.

ПРЕДИКТОРЫ ПОТРЕБНОСТИ В ИСКУССТВЕННОЙ ВЕНТИЛЯЦИИ ЛЕГКИХ У НЕДОНОШЕННЫХ НОВОРОЖДЕННЫХ ДЕТЕЙ ПОСЛЕ МАЛОИНВАЗИВНОГО ВВЕДЕНИЯ БЕРАКТАНТА

The purpose of the study was to predict the ineffectiveness of the first injection of Beractant by a minimally invasive method in the first 6 hours of life and the use of artificial lung ventilation (ALV) in premature newborns with a gestational age (GA) of less than 32 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) at the age of 72 hours of life. Materials and methods of the research: a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study was carried out. Nine perinatal centers from different Russia regions took part in the research from July 1, 2019 till June 30, 2020. A total of 102 premature newborns at the GA of less than 32 weeks participated in the survey. The 100 mg/kg Beractant was used in the first and repeated injections of surfactant. The first injection was allowed at the age of not later than 6 hours of life. The authors have studied the methods of injection by a thin catheter represented by the term less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) or through an endotracheal tube using INSURE method, which consists of an intubation-surfactant-extubation sequence. The two comparison groups of patients were formed. Group 1 of 69 children “without ALV”: after the introduction of Beractant the patients had needed non-invasive respiratory support (non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)). Group 2 of 33 children “with ALV”: needed intubation trachea and invasive ALV during the first 72 hours of life. Results: both groups did not differ statistically significantly in terms of gender, GA, body weight and length at birth, as well as in the APGAR score. The statistically significant differences were found in the duration of the anhydrous interval (Me [Q1; Q3] in children “without ALV” 72.0 [27.0; 95.0] hours versus 15.0 [6.8; 59.2] hours in children “with ALV,” p=0.035) and by the level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the blood: the median (Me) maximum value in children “without ALV” was 8.0 [7.4; 10.0] mg/l versus 19.45 [11.2; 28.7] mg/l in in children “with ALV.” The risk of transfer to ALV in those children who were injected with Beractant using INSURE was 3,625 [1,137; 11,552] times higher than in those who were administered using LISA. Conclusion: the predictors for ALV in the first 72 hours of life in premature newborns with GA of less than 32 weeks are a short anhydrous period and a high level of CRP in the child's blood. The use of the INSURE method in comparison with LISA adds about 3.6 times higher risk of need for the ALV in patients with RDS in the first 72 hours of life (in the selection described in the article).

Extrapyramidal syndrome in a breastfed child, relevance of toxicological analysis

The passage of drugs in breast milk may be responsible for toxicity in breastfed children. We report here a case of passage of metoclopramide, an antiemetic neuroleptic, in breast milk, causing an extrapyramidal syndrome in the child, revealed in blood and hair. Case: a 21-week-old child was brought by his parents to the pediatric neurology department for consultation following two episodes of unexplained extrapyramidal syndrome. The little G., fed by mixed breastfeeding, presented a first episode of unexplained acute dystonia (generalized hypertonia with legs in extension and arms flexed against the chest, ceiling gaze, opisthonos) and two weeks later, a new episode of acute extrapyramidal syndrome, which resolved in a few hours. Both events required emergency hospitalization. During the second episode, diazepam 0.5 mg/kg IV was initiated, unsuccessfully. The anamnesis revealed that the mother had taken a rectal suppository of metoclopramide (10 mg) 48 hours before the first episode. An MRI was performed on arrival at the emergency room. Blood toxicology analysis was performed two days after the first episode. A 3-cm strand of brown hair was collected one month after the second episode. The entire sample (13 mg) was analyzed without segmentation. It should also be noted that the father had retractile capsulitis, treated with codeine paracetamol, and that the child had received paracetamol for teething. The child had no further episodes of dystonia since the second event. The MRI was normal. The child's blood toxicology analysis revealed the presence of metoclopramide at a concentration of 8 ng/mL. Hair analysis revealed metoclopramide at a relatively high concentration (1058 pg/mg), as well as paracetamol (31 ng/mg), lidocaine (34 pg/mg), diazepam (3 pg/mg) and its metabolite nordazepam (5 pg/mg), and codeine (16 pg/mg) in the analyzed hair of child G. The presence of diazepam and its metabolite can be explained by medical care. The low concentration of codeine without its metabolite morphine, may suggest an external contamination by the environment, contact with people who had consumed this molecule (bedding, caressing, etc.), especially the child's father. The presence of metoclopramide in the blood and hair is compatible with a passage of breast milk to the child. According to the literature, less than 5% of the maternal dose is found in the child. Adverse effects such as intestinal disorders, drowsiness, agitation, hypertonia have already been described in breastfed children (EMA. Metoclopramide Assessment report, 2013). This case illustrates the passage into breast milk of rectally administered metoclopramide in the mother and the toxic effects of this molecule in the child. The interpretation of hair analysis in infants remains nevertheless delicate to discriminate consumption from environmental contamination.

Increased allergic and asthmatic risks in children residing in industrial areas by surveying the pre-inflammatory (IgE, IL-4 and IL-13) biomarkers.

Toxic metal(loid)s can lead to high damages on human. This work was conducted to investigate the levels of metal(loid)s in PM2.5 and a total of 123 male children's (aged 6-9years) blood chosen from different areas in Ahvaz and their association with the pre-inflammatory (Immunoglobulin E and cytokines: IgE, IL-4 and IL-13) responses in serum cells. Six metal(loid)s (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel and lead) in three regions including industrial (Padad), vehicle traffic (Golestan) and reference (Kianpars) areas were studied. Results showed the concentrations of As, Cr, Cd, Ni and Hg in the ambient air of industrial area (Padad) (P < 0.001), and Pb in vehicle traffic area (Golestan) were higher (p < 0.001). Moreover, the mean levels of IgE (mean = 146.44pg/200landa, P < 0.003), IL-4 (mean = 548.23pg/200landa, P < 0.001) and IL-13 (mean = 53.21pg/200landa, P < 0.001) in Padad were higher than Golestan and Kianpars. Our results suggest that living in industrial areas leads to accelerated synthesis of IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 in blood. The spatial distribution of children's serum IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 concentrations showed an abnormal increase of 240 to 400pg/200landa for IgE, 950 to 1400pg/200landa for IL-4 and 90 to 128pg/200landa for IL-13. Our results indicate children in the industrial area are prone to asthma, allergy, miRNA mutation, and other chronic diseases.

Pemahaman Masyarakat Terhadap Ayat-Ayat Adopsi Anak

The Focus of this research is public understanding of the verses about child adoption in the Lubuk Barumun District, Padang Lawas Regency, with two problems, namely 1) haw to implement child adopsion in Lubuk barumun District Padang Lawas Regency, and 2) haw to public understanding of the verses about child adoption. This research that uses data collection techhniques, namely with observation, interviews, and documentation. Then take books related to this research such as jurnals, goverment publication, as well as other sites or sources that suppor this research. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of child adoption that occurs in the Lubuk Barumun District community is giving ransom to biological parents and helping relatives who cannot afford to pay for their children. There are several reasons why families adopt in Lubuk Barumun District, namely to make the adopted child their biological child and result in the child's blood relationship. And the family adopted a child because they had been married for a long time and had no children. There is also a reason that because of economic factors and because they do not have a son, so they are interested in adopting a boy with the aim of provoking the birth of a boy in their family. The understanding of the people of Lubuk Barumun District, Padang Lawas Regency regarding the verses about child adoption is that it is permissible to adopt a child but not to lose the original lineage. You may adopt a child but you may not be a guardian in your adopted child's marriage. You can adopt children but you can't inherit each other.

Wild-Blueberry Volatile and Phenolic Fractions Mitigate LPS-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Whole Blood of Children

Abstract Objectives The anti-inflammatory effects of berries have been attributed to their polyphenol content. In vitro models of activated murine macrophages have shown that volatiles in berries exert anti-inflammatory effects as well. However, human data in this area are scarce. To address this limitation we measured the effects of wild-blueberry phenolic (WBB-P) and WBB volatile (WBB-V) fractions in LPS-treated whole blood (WB) of children. Methods Fasting WB was collected (n = 19), and treated with high and low doses of either WBB-P (2 μg/mL or 0.02 μg/mL), WBB-V (2 ng/mL or 0.02 ng/mL), or culture medium (RPMI) as control and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C. To evaluate potential anti-inflammatory effects of WBB molecules, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.2 μg/mL or 1 μg/mL) was added to the wells, and samples incubated for 48 hours. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α supernatant concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One-factor ANOVA analysis with participant ID as random effect was used to compare cytokine concentrations (ng/ml) of WBB fraction treatments against their respective RPMI + LPS controls. Results Children (12.0 ± 0.6 years old) were predominantly white (79%), and with a BMI percentile of 51 ± 35. At both LPS levels, IL-6 concentrations were lower in the high-dose WBB-P and WBB-V treatments compared to the control group. LPS-High: WBB-P: 22.2 ± 6.7 vs. RPMI: 28.2 ± 8.3 (p = 0.005); WBB-V: 24.4 ± 7.2 vs. RPMI: 28.2 ± 8.3 (p = 0.013). LPS-low: WBB-P: 20.4 ± 5.5 vs. RPMI: 26.6 ± 7.7 (p = 0.001); WBB-V: 20.6 ± 6.5 vs. RPMI: 26.6 ± 7.7 (p &amp;lt; 0.0001). At the lowest LPS level, TNF-α concentration was 23% lower in the high-dose WBB-V treatment compared to the control group (WBB-V: 0.45 ± 0.06 vs. RPMI: 0.55 ± 0.12, p = 0.003). IL-1β, and IL-10 were not modified by WBB fraction treatments. Conclusions These preliminary results indicate that both WBB-P and WBB-V fractions mitigate inflammatory responses in LPS treated WB of children. Blueberry fractions do not impact IL-1β or IL-10 secretion by immune cells in WB. Funding Sources Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention NIH-NIGMS 5P20GM109096. USDA-ARS 6026–51,000-012–06S. The Arkansas Center for Advancing Pediatric Therapeutics NIH 8UG1OD024945.

Associations of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and blood pressure with the mediating role of cytokines: A panel study among children

Little was known regarding the relations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixture with children's blood pressure (BP) and its potential mechanism. We conducted a panel study with up to 3 visits across 3 seasons in 2017-2018 among 103 children aged 4-13 years. Urinary PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) were measured by gas chromatograph-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and serum cytokines were detected by Bio-Rad 48-Plex Screening Panel. We employed linear mixed-effects models to assess the relations of each urinary OH-PAH with BP, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression to evaluate associations of OH-PAHs mixture with BP, and mediation analyses for the role of serum cytokines. We found the consistently positive associations of 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPh) with systolic BP (SBP), 4-OHPh, and 9-OHPh with diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a dose-responsive manner. For instance, each 1-fold increment of 9-OHPh was related with increase of 0.92% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25%, 1.60%) in SBP, 1.32% (95%CI: 0.25%, 2.39%) in DBP, and 1.15% (95%CI: 0.40%, 1.88%) in MAP. Meanwhile, based on LASSO and WQS regression, OH-PAHs mixture was linked with increased DBP and MAP, to which 9-OHPh and 4-OHPh were the major contributors. Such relationships were modified by passive smoking status and 3-4 times stronger in passive smokers than non-passive smokers. A 1-fold increase in 9-OHPh was associated with an elevation of 3.51% in SBP among passive smokers while that of 0.55% in SBP among non-passive smokers. Furthermore, 4-OHPh and 9-OHPh were related to multiple cytokines elevation, of which platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) mediated 9.99% and 12.57% in 4-OHPh-related DBP and MAP elevation, respectively. Accordingly, urinary OH-PAHs dominated by 9-OHPh and 4-OHPh were dose-responsively associated with elevated BP whereby a mechanism partly involving PDGF among children.

Co-exposure to priority-controlled metals mixture and blood pressure in Chinese children from two panel studies

Metals may affect adversely cardiovascular system, but epidemiological evidence on the associations of priority-controlled metals including antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), cadmium, lead, and thallium with children's blood pressure (BP) was scarce and inconsistent. We conducted two panel studies with 3 surveys across 3 seasons among 144 and 142 children aged 4–12 years in Guangzhou and Weinan, respectively. During each seasonal survey, urine samples were collected for 4 consecutive days and BP was measured on the 4th day. We obtained 786 BP values and urinary metals measurements at least once within 4 days, while 773, 596, 612, and 754 urinary metals measurements were effective on the health examination day (Lag 0), and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day preceding BP measurement (Lag 1, lag 2 and lag 3), respectively. We used linear mixed-effect models, generalized estimating equations and multiple informant models to assess the associations of individual metal at each lag day and accumulated lag day (4 days averaged, lag 0–3) with BP and hypertension, and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression to evaluate the relations of metals mixture at lag 0–3 and BP outcomes. We found Sb was positively and consistently related to systolic BP (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and odds of having hypertension within 4 days, which were the strongest at lag 0 and declined over time. And such relationships at lag 0–3 showed in a dose-response manner. Meanwhile, Sb was the only contributor to the relations of mixture with SBP, MAP, and odds of having hypertension. Also, synergistic interaction between Sb and As was significant. In addition, modification effect of passive smoking status on the association of Sb and SBP was more evident in passive smokers. Accordingly, urinary Sb was consistently and dose-responsively associated with increased BP and hypertension, of which Sb was the major contributor among children.

The effect of characteristics and cool pack on reducing intensity of infustion pain in children in hospital

Background: Intravenous therapy is a type of therapy that is mostly given to pediatric patients who are treated with infusion. Giving this therapy will cause discomfort to the child by inserting a needle into the child's blood vessel which can cause pain. So that syringes are generally feared/hated by children when hospitalized. Untreated pain can have a detrimental impact on children, including anxiety, difficulty sleeping, helplessness and hopelessness. So it is necessary to have complementary therapy with cool packs (cold compresses) is one of the nursing actions that can reduce pain by providing a local anaesthetic effect on the area to be inserted infusion. This study aims to study the effect of cool packs (cold compresses) on pain during infusion in children. Methods: This study uses a Quasy experiment design with a two group Posttest design approach. This study was conducted on children before infusion by giving cold compresses in the infusion area with an intervention group of 15 respondents and a control group of 15 respondents. Pain measurement using the face, legs, activity, cry and consolability (FLACC) scala observation sheet. Data analysis in this study used univariate and bivariate statistical tests using independent t-test. Results: The results showed that the average pain scale for the intervention group with the cool pack was 3.93 with a standard deviation of 1.033, while in the control group the pain intensity was 7.40 with a standard deviation of 1.242. So we get the effect of Cool Pack on the intervention group and control group with a P value of 0.000. Conclusions: There is an effect of cool packs (cold compresses) on pain during infusion in children.

Tracking the source of contaminant lead in children's blood

Pb isotope ratios are used for apportioning the sources of Pb in the blood of children (ages 1–6) screened for high blood Pb levels (>5 μg/dL) surrounding urban areas of Kansas City, MO. We compared Pb isotope ratios measured in the child's blood with those of the most likely sources of Pb in that child's home environment. The environmental sources sampled consisted of topsoils, paints, occupational sources (e.g., oil rig workers' uniforms, mechanics' clothes), indoor air filters, dusts, and dietary sources (e.g., spices). Blood lead levels (BLL) ranged from 2.9 to 12.7 μg/dL in children from the five homes participating in this study. Measurements of 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb isotope ratios were made by multi-collector ICP-MS. Comparison of the Pb isotope ratios in home environment samples versus those in the child's blood in each home allowed the identification of possible sources of a child's Pb exposure in three homes. In five homes investigated, children's blood Pb levels were most likely to be derived from dusts inside, and topsoil outside, the homes, or a mixture thereof. In one case, blood Pb was derived from turmeric spice and, in another, the Pb was derived from paint. It is not always possible to directly link high BLLs to the environmental sources collected when Pb isotope ratios of the environmental samples did not overlap with those of the blood.

Head lice dispose of blood meal fluid through breathing tubules

The moment when you realize that your itchy child has an infestation of headlice can be an instant of pure horror suffused with relief. Horror at the thought of the hideous creatures dining on your child's blood, and relief that they can usually be cleared. It's a rite of passage. Most insects that feast on fluids pee large volumes as they process their liquid lunches. But not lice. In fact, they don't urinate at all, for fear of alerting their host to their presence. Yet they lose fluid and dehydrate rapidly if separated from their succulent host, desiccating within 24 h when unable to feed regularly. So how do these pernicious pests dispose of the large volumes of fluid they ingest each day? Headlouse expert Ian Burgess (Insect Research &amp; Development Ltd, UK) decided to find out.Fortunately, Burgess had access to a ready supply of fresh head lice: the school children of Cambridgeshire, UK. ‘Some of our regulars just give us a call when the kids next get lice’, says Burgess, who has been working with local schools and parents for 25 years, helping them to vanquish tenacious infestations. Fortunately, the larger and more robust human clothing louse (Pediculus humanus humanus) survives more easily in the lab, so Burgess was able to keep a colony content by simply offering them a rabbit to feed on once a day.Monitoring the insects’ masses before and after dining, Burgess recorded that the smaller head lice (P. h. capitis ∼0.68 mg) consumed ∼0.11 mg of blood, losing 75% of the mass they gained within 3 h. In contrast, the larger clothing lice (∼1.87 mg) downed more than 50% of their body mass in blood (∼0.98 mg), losing the mass more slowly. ‘Most head lice returned to their pre-feeding mass by approximately 4 h after feeding, compared with 17–24 h for clothing lice’, says Burgess, explaining that head lice dine little and often.However, when Burgess checked how fast the insects lost mass after feeding in air at different humidities, there was no difference in the rate of mass loss, even at 100% humidity. ‘If humidity affected the rate of water loss, then the lice exposed to a saturated atmosphere would have some difficulty eliminating water… through cuticular evaporation’, says Burgess. In other words, the lice must be actively pumping water out of their bodies instead of simply allowing it to evaporate like sweat. But which orifices were the insects losing water from?As insects breathe through a network of tubules (tracheae) that open at structures – spiracles – at the surface of the body, Burgess recorded the mass change of clothing lice as they excreted water after dining and found that the creatures lost 15% of their blood meal mass over the next 40 min. Then, after feeding the lice, he smeared Vaseline (petroleum jelly) over their spiracles and the thoracic spiracles turned out to be particularly critical: blocking them reduced the insects’ water loss by ∼50%. In addition, when Burgess blocked the spiracles by immersing the insects in water – which should allow them to lose water but without breathing air – the lice also failed to lose mass; they could no longer inhale oxygen to power water excretion through their spiracles.Most intriguingly, when Burgess coated the insects’ abdomens in Vaseline, that supercharged their ability to lose water. The partially smothered insects disposed of more than 25% of their blood meal through the remaining spiracles. Burgess suspects that blocking the abdominal spiracles stimulates a feedback mechanism that triggers each louse to work harder to excrete water, ‘with the result that it “overdoes” it’, he says.

Application of a pharmacokinetic model in characterizing sources of polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and determining threshold daily intakes for adverse health effects in infants and toddlers

Characterization of PCB exposure sources for vulnerable population groups is essential to minimize the health effects of PCB exposure. At the same time, it is important to consolidate the knowledge on threshold intakes of PCBs for infants and toddlers to prevent health effects. We estimated total PCB concentrations from birth to 2 years of age in children from Slovak and Czech populations, which continue to have high PCB concentrations in breast milk. Using a pharmacokinetic (PK) model, we characterized dominant PCB exposure sources and estimated new threshold estimated daily intakes (TEDI) (above which adverse effects cannot be excluded) for postnatal PCB exposure in infants and toddlers. In the PK model, concentrations of seven indicator PCBs in breast milk and cord blood samples from 291 mother-child pairs from the Slovak birth cohort, and 396 breast milk samples from Czech mothers we used, together with their physiological characteristics and PCB concentrations from other exposure sources (food, dust, air). The estimated total PCB concentrations in children's blood at different ages were compared with threshold PCB concentrations of 500, 700 and 1000 ng·glipid−1 in serum proposed by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the German Environment Agency (UBA), above which possible adverse health effects may be expected. We estimated that up to 20.6% of Slovak children and up to 45.7% of Czech children at two years of age exceeded the threshold value of 700 ng·glipid−1 in blood. Mean TEDIs leading to values of 500 ng·glipid−1 in blood for children up to two years ranged between 110 and 220 ng·kg−1·bw·day−1, varying according to breastfeeding duration. Breast milk and prenatal exposure contributed to 71%–85% of PCBs exposure at two years of age. In contrast, the contributions of PCBs from dust and indoor air were negligible.

Identification of autosomal cis expression quantitative trait methylation (cis eQTMs) in children's blood.

The identification of expression quantitative trait methylation (eQTMs), defined as associations between DNA methylation levels and gene expression, might help the biological interpretation of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS). We aimed to identify autosomal cis eQTMs in children's blood, using data from 832 children of the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) project. Blood DNA methylation and gene expression were measured with the Illumina 450K and the Affymetrix HTA v2 arrays, respectively. The relationship between methylation levels and expression of nearby genes (1 Mb window centered at the transcription start site, TSS) was assessed by fitting 13.6 M linear regressions adjusting for sex, age, cohort, and blood cell composition. We identified 39,749 blood autosomal cis eQTMs, representing 21,966 unique CpGs (eCpGs, 5.7% of total CpGs) and 8,886 unique transcript clusters (eGenes, 15.3% of total transcript clusters, equivalent to genes). In 87.9% of these cis eQTMs, the eCpG was located at <250 kb from eGene's TSS; and 58.8% of all eQTMs showed an inverse relationship between the methylation and expression levels. Only around half of the autosomal cis-eQTMs eGenes could be captured through annotation of the eCpG to the closest gene. eCpGs had less measurement error and were enriched for active blood regulatory regions and for CpGs reported to be associated with environmental exposures or phenotypic traits. In 40.4% of the eQTMs, the CpG and the eGene were both associated with at least one genetic variant. The overlap of autosomal cis eQTMs in children's blood with those described in adults was small (13.8%), and age-shared cis eQTMs tended to be proximal to the TSS and enriched for genetic variants. This catalogue of autosomal cis eQTMs in children's blood can help the biological interpretation of EWAS findings and is publicly available at https://helixomics.isglobal.org/ and at Dryad (doi:10.5061/dryad.fxpnvx0t0). The study has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-206) under grant agreement no 308333 (HELIX project); the H2020-EU.3.1.2. - Preventing Disease Programme under grant agreement no 874583 (ATHLETE project); from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 733206 (LIFECYCLE project), and from the European Joint Programming Initiative "A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life" (JPI HDHL and Instituto de Salud Carlos III) under the grant agreement no AC18/00006 (NutriPROGRAM project). The genotyping was supported by the projects PI17/01225 and PI17/01935, funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by European Union (ERDF, "A way to make Europe") and the Centro Nacional de Genotipado-CEGEN (PRB2-ISCIII). BiB received core infrastructure funding from the Wellcome Trust (WT101597MA) and a joint grant from the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and Economic and Social Science Research Council (ESRC) (MR/N024397/1). INMA data collections were supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CIBERESP, and the Generalitat de Catalunya-CIRIT. KANC was funded by the grant of the Lithuanian Agency for Science Innovation and Technology (6-04-2014_31V-66). The Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Ministry of Education and Research. The Rhea project was financially supported by European projects (EU FP6-2003-Food-3-NewGeneris, EU FP6. STREP Hiwate, EU FP7 ENV.2007.1.2.2.2. Project No 211250 Escape, EU FP7-2008-ENV-1.2.1.4 Envirogenomarkers, EU FP7-HEALTH-2009- single stage CHICOS, EU FP7 ENV.2008.1.2.1.6. Proposal No 226285 ENRIECO, EU- FP7- HEALTH-2012 Proposal No 308333 HELIX), and the Greek Ministry of Health (Program of Prevention of obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool children, in Heraklion district, Crete, Greece: 2011-2014; "Rhea Plus": Primary Prevention Program of Environmental Risk Factors for Reproductive Health, and Child Health: 2012-15). We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the "Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019-2023" Program (CEX2018-000806-S), and support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program. MV-U and CR-A were supported by a FI fellowship from the Catalan Government (FI-DGR 2015 and #016FI_B 00272). MC received funding from Instituto Carlos III (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness) (CD12/00563 and MS16/00128).

Effect of Sodium Valproate on Weight, Body Mass Index, Uric Acid, Vitamin D3, Blood Insulin, and Serum Lipid Profile in Children

Introduction: Due to the high prevalence of epilepsy and the use of sodium valproate as an antiepileptic drug by these patients, accurate recognition of its side effects and its effects on serum lipids profile, liver enzymes, uric acid level, and thyroid function tests, especially in cases that need long-term treatment seems essential. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium valproate on weight, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D3, blood insulin, uric acid level, and serum lipids profile in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was performed on 30 children between 3 and 8 years of age who suffered from newly diagnosed epilepsy and received sodium valproate as monotherapy. Data including demographic information (age, sex, height, weight, and waist and hip circumference of children), as well as clinical characteristics, such as liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALK-P), serum lipids level (TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C), thyroid tests (TSH, T4), fasting blood sugar (FBS), uric acid level, 25 OH Vitamin D3 (Vit-D3), and blood insulin level of children before and six months after the consumption of sodium valproate, were examined. Results: The mean weight of children before and six months after the start of sodium valproate treatment was 18.54±2.99 and 21.13±3.93 (kg), respectively. This difference was statistically significant (P=0.005). Also, the mean weight Z-score of children before and after taking sodium valproate was -2.497 and -2.293, respectively, which was statistically significant too. In addition to weight gain, there was also a significant increase in the abdominal and hip circumference of children after taking valproate, whereas the increase in mean BMI before and after valproate administration was not statistically significant (P=0.114). However, mean weight gain, as well as the increase in the waist and hip circumference, had no relationship with gender (P&gt; 0.05). Also, sodium valproate significantly increased the ALT level (P=0.046). Moreover, sodium valproate did not affect other liver function markers (AST), thyroid hormones (TSH, T4), fasting blood sugar (FBS), uric acid level, 25 OH Vit-D3, and the children's blood insulin levels (P&gt; 0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that sodium valproate is a good drug for children between 3 and 8 years of age, but it should be noted that taking this drug increases the chance of obesity in children. The main side effect of this drug is weight gain. Due to the significant increase in ALT enzyme, as observed in this study, it is recommended to check liver enzymes before, one, and six months after starting treatment as it can prevent the irreversible permanent side effects of this drug.

Decolonizing the Mind: Amari’s Quest towards Allyship in Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone

Decolonizing the Mind: Amari’s Quest towards Allyship in Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone Sylvia Barnes (bio) Colonization isn’t a thing that happens just geographically. It also affects the mindset of the colonized and the colonizer. In Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, Amari undergoes the process of decolonizing her mind. Once Amari can leave her home that she had been trapped inside, she is able to experience things from a different perspective and from a mindset that is not synonymous with the life that she had previously left. Amari’s relationship, or budding friendship, with Zelie is one that has growing pains. Zelie is quite hesitant and reluctant to get close to Amari, but as the novel progresses, their friendship sparks Amari’s transition from the mindset of a colonizer to one that instead considers the experiences of those who have been colonized. This is not a simple process for either Zelie or Amari. Zelie’s hesitancy towards Amari stems from being on the receiving end of the violence and the degradation that are imposed onto divîners from the Orïshans. The foundation for this violence is fear, which is connected to colonialism; however, fear is a double-edged sword. The colonizers have weaponized fear in order to make the colonized subordinates, yet at the same the colonizers themselves embody this fear; thus “colonial violence, seems to have given way to indirect violence, the colonial order has contaminated the land of the colonizers” (France 8). However, eventually it is actually this violence that allows Zelie and Amari to see that, despite their different backgrounds they in fact have more in common than not. Construction of the Novel Children of Blood and Bone was published in 2018 and created a world that captivated readers of various ages. The construction of Children of Blood and Bone itself is a large part of the allure of Adeyemi’s novel, with different chapters allowing for the voices of her characters, Amari, Inan, Tzain, and Zelie, to be heard individually in an overlapping fashion that emphasizes their different perspectives. It is through this overlapping and layering of first-person perspectives that the reader is able to see a shift in each of the character’s mindset. For example, Amari undergoes a process to free herself from the different restrictions that have been previously placed upon her by her father and his indoctrination. Her brother, Inan, will also undergo this shift in mindset. Whenever Inan witnesses Zelie being beaten and having the word “maggot” carved into her back by his father’s decree, he starts [End Page 50] to have both empathy and sympathy towards her. Thus, he will learn what truly happened and not blindly believe the information that his father has provided. This difference in perspective can be seen when Zelie explains to him the reality of how things are for those who are not of noble status: “You can’t. They built this world for you, built it to love you. They never cursed at you in the streets, never broke down the doors of your home. They didn’t drag your mother by her neck and hang her for the whole world to see” (Adeyemi 313). Zelie articulates her pain in this statement, thereby providing Inan with insight about her survived hardships and troubles based upon her status. At the moment of Inan and Zelie’s encounter, he has not been privy to this information. Given his noble status, he has only had access to information that has been censored by his father. Therefore, any information that contradicts his previous knowledge causes him to self-reflect. In the following chapter, the voice shifts from Zelie to Inan. Zelie states to Inan, “Fool yourself all you want, little prince, but don’t feign innocence with me. I won’t let your father get away with what he’s done. I won’t let your ignorance silence my pain” (315). Zelie uses her voice to articulate her opinion and her pain. She chooses to force herself, and her people, into the dominant narrative—a narrative that has created an image that is not entirely accurate...

A new approach to a legacy concern: Evaluating machine-learned Bayesian networks to predict childhood lead exposure risk from community water systems.

Lead in drinking water continues to put children at risk of irreversible neurological impairment. Understanding drinking water system characteristics that influence blood lead levels is needed to prevent ongoing exposures. This study sought to assess the relationship between children's blood lead levels and drinking water system characteristics using machine-learned Bayesian networks. Blood lead records from 2003 to 2017 for 40,742 children in Wake County, North Carolina were matched with the characteristics of 178 community water systems and sociodemographic characteristics of each child's neighborhood. Bayesian networks were machine-learned to evaluate the drinking water variables associated with blood lead levels ≥2μg/dL and ≥5μg/dL. The model was used to predict geographic areas and water utilities with increased lead exposure risk. Drinking water characteristics were not significantly associated with children's blood lead levels ≥5μg/dL but were important predictors of blood lead levels ≥2μg/dL. Whether 10% of water samples exceeded 2ppb of lead in the most recent year prior to the blood test was the most important water system predictor and increased the risk of blood lead levels ≥2μg/dL by 42%. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.792 (±0.8%) during ten-fold cross validation, indicating good predictive performance. Water system characteristics may thus be used to predict areas that are at risk of higher blood lead levels. Current drinking water regulatory thresholds for lead may be insufficient to detect the levels in drinking water associated with children's blood lead levels.

ASSUNNA' CULTURAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS (STUDY OF HEALTH ANTHROPOLOGY IN BONTORAMBA COMMUNITY, JENEPONTO REGENCY)

Male circumcision is beneficial and does not doubt health. So many studies show that male circumcision can prevent several diseases. In Jeneponto, some parents choose their children to practice Assunna' culture. The purpose of this study was to obtain information, examine and analyze in depth the health implications of Assunna' culture in the Bontoramba community, Jeneponto Regency. The research method used is qualitative with an ethnographic approach. Informants were drawn purposively with the snowball technique. The number of informants is 7 people (two regular informants, two supporting informants, and one key informant). The results showed that the Assunna' culture in the Bontoramba community was carried out by circumcision officers (hamlet priests). Circumcision officers do not wash their hands before starting the circumcision process. Chicken blood is smeared on the cut skin as a form of unification and followed by giving firewood ashes by sprinkling or smearing it directly. People who believe in taboo are not allowed to come out of the house and step on chicken manure and horse manure after being circumcised. When violated, will cause pain in the part that has been cut the skin. The circumcision process begins with sprinkling water on the genitals three times, reading a prayer and then blowing it into water which is believed to remove uncleanness and accelerate wound healing. The skin that is removed is only a little which is important to bleed so that the child's blood can be united with chicken blood. The pain experienced by the child lasts for one to two days. In conclusion, the health implications of Assunna' culture can lead to infection risk, disease prevention, and the concept of health and illness. It is hoped that collaboration between doctors/nurses and village priests in Assunna' cultural rituals is expected

Are the pandemic process and restrictions a risk factor for changes in eating habits and development of obesity in children in the late period?

Objective: This study aims to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic process and restrictions affect eating behaviors and habits in children in the late period and the late period effects of this process on childhood obesity. Method: The study group was composed of students living and continuing their education in the province of Malatya. The survey was conducted in May 2021 on 4324 students who agreed to participate in the study and met the inclusion criteria. The way of measuring height and body weight was described, and new communication technology was used with the Google survey platform. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Standards were used for the evaluation of height and body weight measurements. Results: 1839 (42.5%) of the participants were male. The ages of the students ranged from 9‐17, and their mean age was 13.38±2.06 years. The current mean body weight of the students was 51.56 ± 15.105 kg, and the mean bodyweight one year ago was calculated as 46.02 ± 13.728 kg. When the current body mass index percentiles of the students were evaluated according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards, 1.2% were found to be thin, 87.9% normal and 10.8% obese. When the percentiles of body mass index one year ago were evaluated, 2.5% were found to be thin, 89.6% normal and 7.9% obese. When the body weights of the previous year and current were compared, there was a significant difference between the thin patients (p<0.05) and the obese ones, as well (p0.05). In the development of obesity during the pandemic process and the restriction period, it was determined that the changes in their regular eating habits, the conditions of their place and home, the time spent with technological devices, the daily physical activity time, mother's education and working status, the time they spent asleep and the fear they experienced were effective (p<0.05). It was observed that this effect of pandemic process and restrictions increasing the development of obesity was independent of personal data such as the child's blood group, breastfeeding and nutritional status in infancy, chronic disease, and birth type (p>0.05). We found that during the pandemic process and the restriction period, their regular meal habits were negatively affected, their appetite increased, convenience food and fast food consumption did not increase significantly, and fruit and vegetable consumption increased (p <0.05). Conclusions: We determined that the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions triggered the development of obesity in children in the late period. It can be said that the effect on the development of obesity is due to the restriction of physical activities of children, changes in eating habits, increased time spent inactive by using technological devices more, and psychological effects related to the stress experienced.