Cole Index Research Articles

ANALISIS KESESUAIAN LAHAN UNTUK KAWASAN PERMUKIMAN DI KECAMATAN DAU BERDASARKAN ARAHAN RTRW KABUPATEN MALANG TAHUN 2010-2030

Dau Sub-district is one of the sub-districts in Malang Regency that functions as a settlement development due to the urban development orientation of Malang City. This research aimed to assess the suitability of settlement land in existing conditions and based on the direction of the Malang District RTRW 2010-2030. This research was conducted using a GIS-based process with the AHP weighting method. The AHP parameters consisted of slope, rainfall, COLE index, land movement vulnerability, flood vulnerability, land use, and distance from roads. AHP processing was carried out using Expert Choice 11 software. The land suitability of Dau Sub-district settlements obtained results: S1 class covering 37,12%; S2 class 26,05%; S3 class 16,48%; N1 class 16,32%; and N2 class 4,03% of the study area. Land suitability for settlements in Dau Sub-district based on the 2010-2030 Malang Regency RTRW obtained results: S1 class covers 39,96%; S2 class 47,08%; S3 class 8,23%; N1 class 4,55%; and N2 class 0.18% of the research area. Referring to the RTRW map with existing conditions, the development of residential land has deviated by 39.25%. Areas with classes S1 and S2, which are suitable classes for the development of residential areas, dominate with an even distribution across all villages in Dau Sub-district. The main inhibiting factors affecting the suitability value are slope and disaster vulnerability.

Effect of elimination diets on the functioning of children with autism in the opinion of parents

Introduction. The autism spectrum disorder is more and more common in the world and is diagnosed in the early years of childhood. This disorder is impossible to cure, so parents are increasingly looking for the best therapies for their children. The most popular are the use of elimination diets, including gluten-free and casein-free diet. Material and methods. The study was conducted on a group of 95 people: 68 women and 27 men. The Cole index was used to assess the nutritional status of children with ASD. Taking into account the interpretation, it can be concluded that almost half of children with ASD have a normal nutritional status.There are 65 children with ASD who have complaints of impaired gastrointestinal function, the most common symptoms are gas, constipation, bloating and abdominal pain. Results. The most common and popular of the alternative treatment support methods for a child with ASD used by parents are elimination diets. Among the most commonly used can be a diet that is either casein-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, or a diet with elimination of specific ingredients. In our study, we found that there is a significant relationship between the use of an appropriate nutritional strategy and improved digestive functioning in a child with ASD. Conclusions. Based on the results, it was concluded that there is a significant correlation between the use of a gluten-free diet and / or a non-dairy diet, and the improvement in the functioning of the digestive system, quality of life and behavior of children with autism. According to the subjective opinion of parents, a gluten-free and dairy-free diet improves the quality of life and behavior of a child with ASD.

The relationship between chemerin, bone metabolism, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and bone mineral density in girls with anorexia nervosa

Based on recent studies in humans, chemerin has been classified as an adipokine that might be associated with osteoporosis and BMD. Bone loss is common in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Moreover, dysfunction in the production of chemerin has also been shown. Therefore, we carried out a comparative analysis between chemerin, bone metabolism, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and BMD in girls with AN. Plasma chemerin, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 75 girls with AN aged 12.6-17.8 years. BMD was assessed by DXA and expressed as Z-score according to the lumbar spine (s) and total body (TB) sites. According to the s-BMD- and TB-BMD Z-score, girls with AN were divided into two subgroups with parallel analyses used: normal (Z-score > -2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ -2.0) s-BMD, and normal (Z-score > -2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ -2.0) TB-BMD. Mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were markedly lower in the low s-BMD subgroup compared to the normal s-BMD subgroup. The s-Z-score values (both low and normal) correlated significantly and positively with the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Only in the low s-BMD subgroup did chemerin correlate significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. In the low TB-BMD subgroup the mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were lower than in the normal TB-BMD subgroup. The TB-Z-score values (both normal and low) correlated significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. The low TB-Z-score values correlated significantly and positively also with chemerin. In the low TB-BMD subgroup chemerin correlated significantly and positively with weight and BMI (expressed as absolute values), Cole index, the duration of the disease, and OPG/sRANKL ratio while its correlation with age was negative. Undernutrition and associated deficit of adipose tissue may result in inadequate chemerin production and skeletal disorders in girls with AN. Chemerin acts as a coordinator of the dynamic balance between bone metabolism and the OPG/RANK/RANKL system and, in turn, may contribute to the loss of bone mass in girls with AN. The cortical bone site seems to be more severely responsive to chemerin actions than the trabecular bone site.

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) in Kelud Volcano Using Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation

Mount Kelud eruption on February 2014 has a tremendous impact on the surrounding physical environment which ejected more than 200x106m3 of material. Thus, triggered secondary hazard such as landslides in the surrounding area. The purpose of this study is to map landslides susceptibility using Spatial Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) approach in Kelud mountainous area in particular within KRB 1 and 2. The identification of landslide occurrence was conducted based on remote sensing data and field observation along with four considerations criteria; topography, hydrology, soil, and environmental characteristics. Each factor then reduced into several sub-criteria such as slope, aspect, topographic position index, topographic wetness index, stream power index, rainfall, soil texture, soil structure, COLE index and land use. The SMCE method was also engaged with expert judgment provided by academic university’ view and the BPBD agencies. The result showed that the river channel and surrounding areas categorized as landslide high prone area. Furthermore, eruption material found as the sources of landslides occurrences.

Pedogenesis of Mt. Sumbing Volcanic Ash above The Alteration Clay Layer in The Formation of Landslide Susceptible Soils in Bompon Sub-Watershed

Numerous researches on landslides have been carried out by many researches. However, studies on soil physical properties related to landslides potential in volcanic area are still rare. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of soil physical properties on landslides potential. To collect the soil sample, sampling area method was applied. The soil type used in this study was the residual soil. The values of clay liquid limit, plasticity limit, plasticity index, water content, COLE index were used to measure the physical properties of the soil. Organic material was used as the supporting data. The results showed that the soil in the command area showed high value of clay which exceeded 50%. Such high level conditions in each profile affect the liquid limit; plasticity limit, plasticity index, water content, COLE index and organic material. Based on the results, it can be concluded that residual soils with significantly high clay values illustrated the risk of landslide fields formation in Bompon sub-watershed. The clay soil layer was the controlled factor of soil movement.

Neuropeptide B and neuropeptide W as new serum predictors of nutritional status and of clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus treated with the use of pens or insulin pumps.

IntroductionThe aim of our study was to determine the relationship between neuropeptide B (NPB), neuropeptide W (NPW), nutritional and antioxidant status and selected fat- and bone-derived factors in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treated using pens (T1DM pen group) or insulin pumps (T1DM pump group) in order to investigate the potential role of NPB and NPW in the clinical outcomes of T1DM.Material and methodsFifty-eight patients with T1DM and twenty-five healthy controls (CONTR) participated in the study. Assessments of NPB, NPW, total antioxidant status (TAS), leptin, adiponectin, osteocalcin, and free soluble receptor activator for nuclear factor κB (free sRANKL) were conducted.ResultsNPB, NPW, leptin, and TAS were lower (by 33%, p < 0.013; 34%, p < 0.008; 290%, p < 0.00004; 21%, p < 0.05; respectively), while adiponectin was by 51% higher (p < 0.006) in T1DM vs. CONTR, while osteocalcin and free sRANKL levels were similar in both groups. NPW was lower in the T1DM pen group both vs. the T1DM pump group (36% lower, p < 0.0009) and vs. the CONTR group (35% lower, p < 0.002). In the T1DM pen group, but not in the T1DM pump group or the CONTR group, the Cole index and TAS levels explain (besides NPB) the variation in NPW values. ROC curves showed that serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, NPB and NPW (but not osteocalcin or free sRANKL) were predictive indicators for T1DM.ConclusionsMeasurements of NPB and NPW, besides leptin and adiponectin, are worth considering in the detailed prognosis of nutritional status in T1DM, primarily in the T1DM pen-treated population.

Diagnostic significance of serum concentrations of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) in children with autoimmune thyroid disease

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess serum levels of sFasL as a marker of thyroid dysfunction in children with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Design: The group comprised 45 newly diagnosed children with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease versus euthyroid control group: 11 with hypothyroidism (10 girls and 1 boy, aged 12.2 ± 1.9 years), 19 children with hyperthyroidism (15 girls and 4 boys, aged 12.4 ± 4.9 years) and 15 healthy subjects (7 girls and 8 boys, aged 10.5 ± 4.8 years). Methods: Thyroid function (TSH, fT4, fT3), autoimmune (ATG, ATPO, TRAb) and anthropometric (weight, height, BMI, BMI-SDS, Cole index) parameters were evaluated. sFasL concentration was measured by ELISA. Nonparametric statistical test and ROC analysis were performed to assess the data. Results: We found no significant differences in serum concentrations of sFasL between boys and girls in the studied groups. Significantly higher sFasL levels (median 0.26 ng/ml) were identified in children with hypothyroidism compared with the control group (median 0.06 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and in comparison to a group of children with hyperthyroidism (median 0.14 ng/ml, p < 0.05). ROC analysis indicates that sFasL effectively discriminated hypothyroid and healthy children (area under the curve/AUC = 0.897; p < 0,001; sensitivity: 100%, specificity: 73.3%), as well as both clinically opposing states: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism among themselves (AUC = 0.833; p= 0,003; sensitivity: 94,7%, specificity: 72.7%). Conclusions: Our work shows that sFasL may be useful marker in the assessment of thyroid dysfunction in children with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Vaspin and selected indices of bone status in girls with anorexia nervosa.

In vitro studies indicate that vaspin may act as a regulator of bone metabolism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between vaspin and bone metabolism in girls with anorexia nervosa (AN), as well as the potential involvement of OPG and RANKL in this relationship. Serum vaspin, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 50 girls with AN and in 30 healthy controls aged 13 to 17 years. Girls with AN exhibited significant reduction in body weight, BMI, and Cole index as well as a significant increase in serum level of vaspin compared to healthy participants. These changes were associated with a significant decrease in serum OC and CTx levels and a significant increase in OPG and sRANKL, while the OPG/sRANKL ratio was significantly decreased. BMI and Cole index correlated negatively and significantly with CTx levels in the control group (C), girls with AN, and all study participants (C+AN). Girls with AN showed a significant negative correlation between BMI, the Cole index, and OPG levels. The combination group (C+AN) showed a significant positive correlation between BMI, Cole index, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. In this group of girls vaspin levels correlated positively and significantly with sRANKL and negatively with body weight, BMI, Cole index, and OPG/sRANKL ratio. Girls with AN showed a significant negative correlation between vaspin levels and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Undernourishment and associated deficit of adipose tissue may result in inadequate vaspin production and bone metabolism disorders in girls with AN. Vaspin acts as a coordinator of the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption processes; its action is affected by the cytokines of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system. Changes in the relationships between vaspin, bone markers, OPG, and RANKL might contribute to the development of osteoporosis in girls with AN. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (6): 599-606).

Food Preferences of Tarnów Primary School Children in the Context of the Occurrence of Obesity

Introduction: The problem of obesity concerns not only adults but also children and teenagers. It is one of the most frequent developmental disorders among children. Around 20% of children have excessive body mass, and one-third of this group are obese children. The aim of the study was the assessment of the occurrence of obesity among 5th-6th graders of primary school and check children’s knowledge about proper nutrition principles. Material and methods: The method of diagnostic survey was used a questionnaire addressed to children. The questions concerned the child’s diet and checked the knowledge about healthy diet. In the course of the research anthropometric measurements were taken, the Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as Cole index were calculated. The survey was conducted from 1 September to 30 October 2014, among 400 children attending the 5th and 6th grade, in 8 primary schools in Tarnów. Results: As a result of the analysis it was found out that boys in comparison with girls statistically significantly more frequently ate vegetables once a week (p&lt;0.001). Children’s diet influences their physical development, including body mass. The biggest observed body mass was 93 cm, and the smallest was 23.7 kg. The maximum difference between the body mass of individual children was 69.3 kg. The biggest value of BMI was 39.21, whereas the lowest BMI was 13.06. Conclusions: The level of knowledge about healthy lifestyle among the surveyed children is not sufficient to keep the proper body mass. The respondents most often snack sweets, cakes, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks between meals. The mentioned product should be replaced by vegetables, fruit and natural juices.

TGF-β1, bone metabolism, osteoprotegerin, and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand in girls with anorexia nervosa.

Numerous investigations, and especially in vitro studies, indicate that TGF-β1 may act as an important regulator of bone remodelling. Thus, it could be expected that disturbances of this cytokine production observed by several researchers might play a role in the mechanism leading to the development of osteoporosis in girls with anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of the study was to determine whether 1) girls with AN exhibited a relationship between TGF-β1 and bone metabolism (as assessed based on serum OC and CTx concentrations) and 2) whether OPG and sRANKL might modify the possible relationship between TGF-β1 and bone metabolism. Serum concentrations of TGF-β, OC, CTx, OPG, and its soluble ligand sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 60 girls with AN and in 20 healthy controls (C). All study participants were aged 13 to 17 years. Body weight, BMI, BMI-SDS and the Cole index, serum TGF-β1, OC, CTx, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were significantly reduced, while OPG and sRANKL levels were significantly increased, in girls with AN compared to healthy participants. BMI and the Cole index correlated negatively and significantly with serum CTx and OPG (AN group) or CTx only (groups C and C + AN). Girls with AN showed a positive and significant correlation between the Cole index and serum TGF-β1. The combination group (C + AN) showed a positive and significant correlation between BMI, the Cole index, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio and TGF-β1 concentration, while TGF-β1 correlated positively and significantly with OC concentrations and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. The Cole index and BMI were identified to be significant and independent predictors of CTx (C, AN, and C+AN groups) and OPG (AN group); the Cole index, BMI, and TGF-β1 independently predicted the OPG/sRANKL ratio (C, AN, and C + AN groups); TGF-β1 was found to be an independent predictor of OC (C + AN group). Changes in bone markers, OPG, and/or OPG/sRANKL ratio observed in girls with AN are associated with changes in serum TGF-β1 concentrations. TGF-β1 suppression in girls with AN might lead to disturbances in the relationship between bone metabolism and the OPG/sRANKL system, which, in turn, might compromise the mechanism compensating for bone remodelling disturbances. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (5): 493-500).

Shrinkage potential and pore shrinkage capacity of differently developed volcanic ash soils under pastures in southern Chile

AbstractThe drying process of volcanic ash soils often results in the formation of shrinkage cracks with consequences for their physical properties (i.e., decrease of water retention capacity) and land use management. This study presents the soil water characteristics and shrinkage behaviour (shrinkage phases in terms of void and moisture ratio), the shrinkage potential (COLE index), and the pore shrinkage capacity (PSI) for 5 and 20 cm depth of a Haplic Arenosol (tephric) and two Silandic Andosols under pasture management along a soil gradient from the Andean mountains to the coastal range in southern Chile. The main focus of the presented study is on the effect of soil development in conjunction with the weathering of volcanic ash soils on the shrinkage properties. The water retention and shrinkage curves were continuously determined for undisturbed soil samples (100 cm3) during a drying process under laboratory conditions. In addition, the shrinkage curve data were modelled to distinguish different shrinkage zones. The results suggest that the investigated soil properties vary depending on soil development. The more developed Andosols had higher total porosities (up to 70 cm3 cm−3) than the less developed Arenosol. The shrinkage behaviour of the Haplic Arenosol showed a wide structural shrinkage phase, whereas the Silandic Andosols revealed a more pronounced proportional shrinkage phase, which is related to the pore size distribution. In addition, wide and narrow coarse pores of the Haplic Arenosol and medium and fine pores of the Silandic Andosols determine the shrinkage potential (COLE) and the pore shrinkage capacity, respectively. The finer‐grained and organic matter‐rich Andosols indicate a higher COLE index (&gt; 0.03–0.09) compared to the Arenosol (≤ 0.03). The pore shrinkage index (PSI) of the total pores (TP) varied significantly (P &lt; 0.05) with values of 0.042–0.149 in 5 cm depth and 0.04–0.091 in 20 cm depth of sites 1–3, respectively.In summary, the shrinkage potential and pore shrinkage capacity are positively correlated to the organic carbon content and decrease with increasing dry bulk density. The study points out a higher risk of soil degradation due to irreversible drying processes for the more clayey and allophane containing Andosols than the Arenosol.

Assessment of serum CX3CL1/fractalkine level in Han Chinese girls with anorexia nervosa and its correlation with nutritional status: a preliminary cross-sectional study

The chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1), also named fractalkine (FKN), has been implicated in psychiatric disorders and functions as a novel adipocytokine. However, no attention has been paid to...

Ecological factors limiting occurrence of corticolous myxomycetes – a case study from Alaska

Abstract In search of decisive factors for the occurrence of corticolous myxomycetes we investigated a plot comprising 380 white spruce trees (Picea glauca) in the Denali National Park and Reserve, Alaska. Moist chambers were prepared from the bark of 260 trees and cultured for 77 d. Occurrence patterns of corticolous myxomycetes were related to tree position and eight environmental variables; among them are diameter at breast height (dbh), tree age and vitality, and bark pH. Tree age and dbh, but not vitality, are highly correlated with each other. Bark pH decreases with increasing diameter of a tree. Only two species of myxomycetes, Leocarpus fragilis (164 records) and Paradiacheopsis solitaria (72) were common. The first species fruits typically on litter; in the study it preferred small trees (low dbh) with a rather high bark pH and high vitality. The second species is known as truly corticolous and prefers thick (usually older) trees with a low pH and a lower vitality. The low and statistically insignificant Cole index for association between the two species (0.047) points to niche separation. For both species mark connection functions indicate a near-random spatial distribution among trees. L. fragilis could effectively colonize small trees (55% of all records occurred on trees below 15 cm dbh). P. solitaria seems to avoid small trees (92% of all records occurred on trees exceeding 15 cm dbh). Our data indicate that the occurrence of corticolous myxomycetes is not limited by dispersal capability but by habitat suitability.

Association between omentin-1, bone metabolism markers, and cytokines of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system in girls with anorexia nervosa.

Omentin-1, secreted by visceral adipose tissue, has been indicated in the regulation of bone metabolism in girls with anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between omentin-1 and bone metabolism in girls with AN as well as the potential involvement of OPG and RANKL in this relationship. Serum omentin-1, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 49 girls with AN and in 30 healthy controls, aged 13 to 17 years. Girls with AN exhibited significant reduction in body weight, BMI, and Cole index as well as a significant increase in serum omentin-1 levels, compared to healthy participants. These changes were associated with a significant decrease in serum OC and CTx levels and a significant increase in OPG and sRANKL while the OC/CTx and OPG/sRANKL ratios were significantly decreased. BMI and the Cole index correlated negatively and significantly with omentin-1 levels, positively with CTx levels and the OC/CTx ratio in the control group (C), girls with AN, and all study participants (C + AN). Girls with AN showed a significant negative correlation between BMI, the Cole index, and OPG levels. The combined group (C + AN) showed a significant positive correlation between BMI, the Cole index, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Omentin-1 levels correlated negatively and significantly with OC and CTx levels as well as with the OC/CTx and OPG/sRANKL ratios in the C, AN, and C + AN groups. The relationship between omentin-1, bone markers, and the OC/CTx and OPG/sRANKL ratios observed in girls with AN indicates the involvement of this adipokine in the regulation of dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption processes. Omentin-1 might exert a negative effect on bone remodelling in girls with AN by inhibiting both bone formation and resorption. The OPG/sRANKL system plays an important role in the latter.

Selected pro-inflammatory cytokines, bone metabolism, osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand in girls with anorexia nervosa.

It has been indicated that disturbances in the production of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines might contribute to the development of osteoporosis in girls with anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of the study was to determine whether girls with AN exhibited a relationship between IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, bone turnover markers (OC and CTx), OPG, sRANKL, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Serum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 59 girls with AN and in 17 healthy counterparts, aged 13 to 17 years. Girls with AN showed significant reduction in body weight, BMI, BMI-SDS, and Cole index compared to the controls. These changes were associated with a significant increase in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, OPG, and sRANKL concentrations and a decrease in bone markers and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Significant negative correlations were found between BMI, the Cole index and CTx, OPG (girls with AN); between BMI and OC, CTx as well as the Cole index and CTx (the control group - C); between BMI, the Cole index and IL-β1, IL-6, TNF-α, CTx in all study participants (group AN+C). The combined group AN+C also exhibited positive correlation between BMI, the Cole index, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Girls with AN showed positive correlations between IL-1β, IL-6, and CTx as well as between TNF-α and sRANKL whereas the correlation between TNF-α and the OPG/sRANKL ratio was negative (IL-6 and IL-1β were identified to be independent predictors of CTx, TNF-α and IL-6 independently predicted sRANKL while TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were independent predictors of the OPG/sRANKL ratio). The control participants exhibited negative correlations between IL-1β and OPG and positive correlations between IL-1β and sRANKL (IL-1β was found to be an independent predictor of OPG and sRANKL). In the AN+C group, IL-1β correlated negatively with OC and OPG and positively with sRANKL, while IL-6 and TNF-α positively correlated with CTx (IL-6 and TNF-α turned out to be independent predictors of CTx, IL-1β of OPG while IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were independent predictors of sRANKL and the OPG/sRANKL ratio). The relationship between the nutritional status and IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations as well as bone status indicators seems to indicate that abnormalities observed regarding the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bone remodelling in girls with AN might result from malnutrition. Correlations between IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, bone markers, OPG, its ligand sRANKL, and/or the OPG/sRANKL ratio suggest potential involvement of these cytokines in the mechanism underlying the lack of the expected bone mineral density increase in adolescent girls.

Spatial variability of some soil shrinkage indices in hilly calcareous region of western Iran

This study was conducted as a first one to explore the spatial variability of some soil shrinkage indices and their spatial correlations with soil chemical and physical properties in calcareous soils in western Iran. Ninety nine undisturbed clods were collected from 0 to 10cm soil depth in hilly calcareous regions of Cherlgerd watershed in western Iran. Soil shrinkage curve was measured, according to Archimedes’ principle, by covering the undisturbed clods with an acrylic resin which was slowly permeable to water vapor and impermeable to liquid water. Then, void ratio (e) vs. moisture ratio (ϑ) pairs were plotted and the shrinkage curve data were modeled using sigmoidal Peng and Horn (2005) model. Derivatives of Peng and Horn (2005) model were solved to discriminate different shrinkage zones and to derive shrinkage indices related to the different zones. Geostatistical technique was employed to evaluate spatial variability of soil shrinkage indices including relative void ratio changes, mean slopes at various shrinkage zones, COLE index, and total and relative shrinkage capacities. Spherical and exponential models were successfully fitted to experimental semi-variograms. The studied shrinkage indices showed moderate to strong spatial dependency in the studied area. Results of co-regionalization analysis showed that relative void ratio change in the proportional zone had inverse spatial pattern with relative void ratio change in the residual and zero shrinkage zones. Also, spatial pattern of shrinkage indices had superior agreement with spatial variability of some soil properties (i.e., particle size distribution and calcium carbonate equivalent) which predominantly affected soil shrinkage behavior in the study area. Comparing regression kriging (RK) using environmental variables with ordinary kriging (OK) showed that RK could improve the spatial prediction of relative shrinkages in the structural, proportional and zero shrinkage zones, and total and relative shrinkage capacities.

The nutritional status and factors contributing to malnutrition in children with chronic pancreatitis

Background/objectivesThe present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between etiological factors of CP, its clinical characteristics, and the severity of malnutrition. MethodsThe study included 208 children with CP (113 girls and 95 boys; mean age: 10.8 years, range: 1.6–18 years), hospitalized at our center between 1988 and 2012. The severity of malnutrition was graded on the basis of Cole's ratios, and its prevalence was analyzed according to the etiological factors of pancreatitis. Moreover, the analysis of discrimination was performed to identify the factors contributing to malnutrition among the following variables: age at CP onset, duration of CP, number of CP exacerbations, the number of ERCPs performed, the grade of pancreatic damage documented on imaging, co-occurrence of diabetes, and the results of 72-h fecal fat quantification. ResultsWe documented features of malnutrition in 52 (25%) children with CP, including 36 (17.3%) patients with moderate malnutrition, and 2 (0.96%) with severe malnutrition. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of malnutrition between groups of patients with various etiological factors of chronic pancreatitis. The age at CP onset showed the best discrimination ability of malnourished patients: the mean age at disease onset in a subgroup of malnourished children was significantly higher than in children with Cole's index >85%. ConclusionsA considerable percentage of children with CP can suffer from clinically significant malnutrition. Later age at CP onset predisposes to development of malnutrition.

Stan odżywienia dzieci z objawami alergii atopowej

IntroductionBronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) are chronic diseases potentially influencing the nutritional status. AimThe aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of children with atopic allergy symptoms including the clinical manifestation, severity and duration of the disease and the treatment. Material and methodsThe study covered 92 children aged 2 to 18 years. Atopic allergy was confirmed by positive skin tests results. The control group consisted of 124 healthy children. For both groups height, weight and thickness of the triceps, subscapular and abdominal skinfolds were performed. Based on this body mass index (BMI), Cole index and total of skinfolds were calculated. Additionally, for patients with asthma and for controls fat mass percent was estimated based on the bioelectrical impedance. ResultsIt was found that the nutritional status of children with asthma does not differ from the one observed in healthy peers. Children with atopic dermatitis aged 2 to 8 years presented worse nutritional status than the control group; however, no differences were shown between patients with AD aged 9 to 18 years and healthy children. No influence of disease severity on nutritional status of children with bronchial asthma was observed, but more advanced severity grading of AD had a negative effect on the nutritional status. No association between either disease duration or treatment and nutritional status of children with bronchial asthma was shown. Relation of treatment and nutritional status of children with AD was not observed. ConclusionChildren with AD need nutritional status monitoring.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Type 1 Diabetes Children and Adolescents Using 13C Urea Breath Test

There is a 10-30% prevalence of HP infection in the general pediatric population in Poland. This study aimed to determine its prevalence in T1DM children in Upper Silesia, Poland and estimate its influence on metabolic control of patients. We studied 149 (82 female) children with T1DM (duration > 12 months, mean HbA1c) and 298 (164 female) age-matched controls. In all cases height and weight z-scores and Cole's index were assessed. In T1DM patients additionally glycated hemoglobin A1c and T1DM duration were analyzed. Presence of HP infection was determined using 13C-isotope-labeled urea breath test (UBT) (fasting and 30 min after ingestion 75 mg of 13C urea). HP infection was present in 17 (11.4%) T1DM patients and in 49 (16.4%) controls (p > 0.05). T1DM patients presented higher values of anthropometric parameters than healthy controls (weight SDS 0.25[-0.46 divided by 0.84] vs. -0.25 [-1.06 divided by 0.26], height SDS 0.09 [-0.60 divided by 0.69] vs. -0.31[-1.17 divided by 0.48] and Cole's index 103% [93 divided by 111%] vs. 97% [86 divided by 106%]; for all p < 0001). Within both groups--T1DM children and controls--no differences regarding sex, age and any of the anthropometric parameters were determined. T1DM duration and HbA1c showed no relation to prevalence of HP infection. Prevalence of HP infection in pediatric T1DM patients is similar to that of healthy peers and shows no relation to glycemic control.

Epidemiologic Factors Affecting Plantar Arch Development in Children with Flat Feet

Foot problems are reported by approximately 70% to 80% of adults and 30% of children. One of the most important characteristics affecting its incidence is medial longitudinal arch. Assessing arch height provides valuable information for prescribing appropriate footwear that reduces the consequences of flatfoot. The main goals of this study were to explore epidemiologic factors that affect arch height and to predict arch height in children with flatfoot based on five variables using widely accessible, low-cost tools. This study examined plantar arch height in 80 children with flatfoot aged 7 to 15 years. The evaluation criteria included low arch height, correct knee and heel position, and correct body symmetry. To measure arch height, the children sat in a chair and placed their feet on level ground. A caliper was used to measure the height between the bottom of the navicular tuberosity and the floor. Using least mean square error scheme, a multivariable model was fitted to the plantar arch height for all of the participants using independent variables, including age, Cole index, sex, place of residence, and physical activity. Arch height increased as age increased in boys and girls in rural and urban areas. A significant increase in arch height occurred in 12- to 15-year-old boys and 10- to 15-year-old girls. In boys, arch height was 30% lower than in girls (P = .05). In children in cities, arch height was lower by 26% than in children in rural areas (P = .05). Arch height increased by 41.8% in inactive boys and by 115.2% in inactive girls in rural areas. It was reduced by 59.4% in boys and by 47.4% in girls as the Cole index increased from 82.2 to 152.0. The suggested model predicted arch height using the child's age, Cole index, sex, place of residence, and physical activity (r > 0.97, error < 0.04 mm [2%], P < .05). Flat feet in children may be affected by age, sex, Cole index, place of residence, and physical activity. The proposed model allows plantar arch heights in children with flat feet to be predicted without the need for sophisticated technology via controlling the child's weight and physical activity for prescribing appropriate footwear.