Weight Deficit Research Articles

Danhong Injection Protects Hemorrhagic Brain by Increasing Peroxiredoxin 1 in Aged Rats.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe cerebrovascular disease with a high incidence, mortality and disability rate. Danhong injection (DHI) is beneficial for ischemic stroke, but is prohibited for ICH due to risk of bleeding. The present study aims to explore the potential therapeutic time window and molecular mechanism of DHI in a collagenase-induced ICH model in aged rats. DHI administration after ICH could significantly improve body weight and neurological deficits, and reduce the hematoma volume and brain water content when compared to the vehicle control. Furthermore, the protective effect of DHI administration on days 1–3 after ICH was superior to those on days 3–5 or 7–9 after ICH. DHI remarkably increased the Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) expression in astrocytes and reduced the expression of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-β (IL-1β) after ICH. The immediate treatment of Prx1 inhibiter chelerythrine (Che) after ICH abolished the protective effect of DHI. Furthermore, the Che treatment reduced the expression of Prx1 in astrocytes, but increased the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β after ICH. DHI treatment could not reverse these changes. Therefore, the earlier DHI is administered, the better the neuroprotective effect. DHI exerts antioxidative and anti-inflammatory function by increasing Prx1 in astrocytes. These present results may change the established understanding of DHI, and reveal a novel treatment approach for ICH.

The association between secondhand smoke exposure and growth outcomes of children: A systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTIONThe strong relation between maternal smoking and maternal secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and the growth of newborn infants has been proven. However, the effect of SHS on growth outcomes of older children is not well defined. Through a systematic literature review, we sought to determine whether a relationship exists between SHS exposure and growth outcomes of children up to 8 years of age.METHODSA systematic review was performed, including articles published between 2004–2019, related to SHS exposure (prenatal and postnatal) and children’s growth (weight, length/height, and head circumference). The relevant articles were identified from Science Direct, ProQuest, Sage Publication, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (via EBSCOhost) and Google search.RESULTSSeventeen articles were identified, of which three categories of growth measurements were extracted, comprising weight (weight, WAZ, WHZ, and BMI), height (height/length and HAZ) and head circumference. SHS exposure both pre or postnatally was inversely associated with weight (deficit in weight, risk of underweight, risk of wasting) and height (lower length and risk of stunting) and elevated BMI of children. Furthermore, prenatal SHS exposure was associated with a lower head circumference.CONCLUSIONSThe current review identified that exposure to SHS may be associated with adverse growth outcomes in children. It is crucial that active smokers, specifically those who live with children or with a pregnant partner, are made aware of the potential effects of SHS exposure on non-smokers. Further assessment of the association between exposure to SHS and other growth outcomes in other age groups is needed.

Double Burden of Excess Weight and Anemia in Latin American Children up to 2019.

The double burden of malnutrition is the coexistence of two different conditions, mainly reflected as excess or deficit in weight. Anemia is a specific nutritional deficit not always included in the double burden assessment. We reviewed overweight and/or obesity (OW/OB) and anemia studies from Latin-American Children over the last ten years up to 2019. Two authors evaluated the MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and LILACS databases. A scale of ten questions was used to assess the risk of bias in prevalence studies. Fourteen studies were selected. The population studies' size ranged from 147 to 20,342 children with different socio-economic backgrounds, such as urban, peri-urban and rural settings, socio-economic status, schooling, population (ethnic minorities and indigenous), and environmental differences (sea level or high altitude). The prevalence of OW/OB ranged from 4.9% to 42%. The prevalence of anemia was from 3.4% to 67%. The double burden, including OW/OB and anemia, ranged from 0.7% to 67%. A higher prevalence of excess weight and anemia was found in rural and high altitude above sea level environments, extreme poverty, low education level, and indigenous communities. These heterogeneous data, before the 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic), reflect the vast inequities between countries and within each country. Food insecurity linked to poverty and the induced change in eating habits and lifestyles threaten optimal child nutrition in ongoing and future scenarios. The existence of OW/OB and anemia and their simultaneous coexistence in the community, home, and individual levels, indicates that interventions should be comprehensive to face the double burden of malnutrition.

Intergenerational Influence of Antenatal Betamethasone on Growth, Growth Factors, and Neurological Outcomes in Rats.

Antenatal steroids suppress growth in the fetus and newborn. Although weight deficits are regained by weaning, studies show that intrauterine growth restriction with postnatal "catch-up" growth is a risk factor for hypertension, insulin resistance, and ischemic heart disease in adult life, with multigenerational consequences. We tested the hypothesis that fetal exposure to betamethasone suppresses fetal growth in the F1 pups and their untreated F2 offspring. Timed pregnant rats received a single two-dose course of intramuscular betamethasone (0.25mg/kg/day) on days 17 and 18 of gestation. Matched controls received equivalent volumes sterile normal saline. The first-generation (F1) offspring were studied at term, P21, and P70, or mated at P60 to produce the following subgroups: (1) saline male/saline female (SM/SF), (2) betamethasone (B) male/BFemale (BM/BF), (3) BM/SF, and (4) SM/BF. The unexposed second-generation (F2) offspring were examined at birth and P70. Growth, neurological outcomes, and growth factors were determined. At birth, the F1 pups exposed to B were significantly growth suppressed compared with the controls, with correspondingly lower blood glucose, insulin, IGF-I, corticosterone, and leptin levels and delayed neurological outcomes. Catchup growth occurred at P21, surpassing that of the control group. By P70, growth was comparable, but glucose was higher, insulin was lower, and memory was retarded in the B group, and transmitted to the unexposed F2 offspring of B-exposed rats. Antenatal betamethasone has sustained metabolic and neurological effects that may impact the unexposed offspring. Whether these intergenerational effects reverse in future generations remain to be determined.

Morphofunctional aspects of the adaptation of foreign students to the conditions of the sharply continental climate of the Volgograd region

The problems of monitoring of morphofunctional changes in the process of human adaptation to the changed climatic and geographic conditions of living and study are considered in the article. Various mechanisms of adaptive rearrangements of the organism are described. Changes in the morphofunctional status occur when foreign students adapt to the conditions of the sharply continental climate of the Volgograd region. Those changes cause multidirectional reactions of the cardiovascular system. A satisfactory adaptation response was found in 58.8% of cases: reduction of body weight deficit, load on the myocardium, and increase in the functional capabilities of the cardiovascular system. In a risk group of students with a deficit of body weight, in 30.0% of cases, the reserve potential of the functioning of the cardiovascular system was spent. This corresponds to maladaptation reactions. It is necessary to take into account the obtained results for organizing the measures of conserve and preserve the health of foreign students coming to Russia for higher education.

NUTRITIONAL RISK SCREENING IN GASTROENTEROLOGICAL PATIENTS AT THE RIJEKA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CENTRE.

SUMMARYMalnutrition is usually related to some diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, chronic liver disease and malignant tumors. It is characterized by weight loss, protein deficiency, and deficit of specific nutrients. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of nutritional risk among 160 gastrointestinal patients by use of the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) score at hospital admission and discharge. The patients stayed in the hospital between 5 and 15 days or longer. Results showed that 40% of patients at admission and 36.2% at discharge were malnourished. There were 53.1% of patients with recognized malnutrition at admission that received nutritional support, whereas at discharge 34.4% of patients at risk were not dietary supported. Malnourished patients were significantly older, had lower body mass index, longer hospital stay and higher rate of malignant diseases than properly nourished patients. Regular screening for malnutrition should be conveyed in hospitals as to provide appropriate dietary support for all patients at risk.

Зміни рівня пулу вісцеральних білків у дітей з різними формами дихальної недостатності

Malnutrition has substantial clinical and socioeconomic significance. Early nutritional disturbances may adversely affect the course of existing lung diseases in early childhood and increase the risk of lung disease in adults. Early diagnosis with combination of clinical examination, anthropometric and laboratory methods in children with acute respiratory failure help to improve results of treatment, and laboratory markers which quickly respond to changes in nutrition will provide optimal monitoring for patients and conditions for immediate correction of these disorders by physicians. The aim of the study was to determine the features of visceral proteins pool (albumin and transthyretin) in children with different types of respiratory failure and duration of their stay in the intensive care unit depending on the plan of nutritional disorders monitoring and correction. Material and Methods. We conducted a prospective cohort single-center study at the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at Lviv Regional Children's Clinical Hospital "OHMATDYT". We included 237 patients aged from 1 month to 18 years and distributed them into a control group, Group I, and Group II. In Groups I and II patients with acute respiratory failure were included who were mechanically ventilated for more than 2 days. Group I included patients who received lung-protective ventilation strategy and assessment of nutritional status; Group II included patients who received diaphragm-protective in addition to lung-protective ventilation strategy; the results of nutritional status assessment were taken into account as well. The atients were divided into age subgroups: 1st subgroup - children from1 month to 1 year of age; 2nd subgroup - children of 1 - 3 years; 3rd subgroup - children of 3 - 6 years; 4th subgroup - children of 6 - 13 years; 5th subgroup - children of 13 - 18 years. The stages of the study were the following: 1st day (d1), 3rd day (d3), 5th day (d5), 7th day (d7), 9th day (d9), 14th day (d14), 28th day (d28). The primary endpoint was the duration of stay in the intensive care department. The additional assessment criteria included serum albumin and transthyretin levels, the frequency of transfusions of albumin solution, and the frequency of changes in nutritional therapy procedure. The statistical analysis of the study results was performed using MS Excel 2017 with the calculation of the median [IQR - interquartile range], and p-values calculations. Results and Discussion. As a result of the analysis of data on the visceral pool of proteins, it should be noted that the most common disorders were found in patients of the 1st, 2nd and 5th age subgroups: in 1st age subgroup there were disorders related to albumin and transthyretin level; in 2nd age subgroup -to transthyretin level, in 5th age subgroup -to albumin. This might be explained in terms of malnutrition impact on development of body weight deficit and lower body mass index in children of 1st and 2nd age subgroups. On the other hand, in 5th age subgroup nutritional deficiency might be the basis for the emergence of serious diseases that are directly related to nutritional status (severe bacterial infections) and lead to their severe course. The analysis of the frequency of transfusions of albumin solution found that it was performed: in the 1st age subgroup - in 50% of patients of Group I and 0% patients of Group II; in the 2nd age subgroup there were no patient received albumin solution; in the 3rd age subgroup - in 30% of patients of I group and in 0% of patients of II group; in the 4th group - in 20% of patients in Group I and in 0% patients in Group II; in 5th age subgroup - in 0% patients of Group I and in 50% of patients in Group II. The change in the procedure of the nutritional therapy was carried out: in 1st age subgroup - 18% in Group I, 0% in Group II; in 2nd age subgroup - 0% patients in Group I and 30% patients of Group II; in 3rd age subgroup - 0% patients in Group I and 33% patients of Group II; in 4th age subgroup - 40% in Group I and 50% in GroupII; in 5th age subgroup - 0% in Group I and 43% in Group II. Conclusions. It was found that the duration of stay in the intensive care unit depends on principles of monitoring and correction of nutritional disorders in children with respiratory failure. A reliable twofold decrease of the time spent in the intensive care unit was achieved in Group II in comparison with Group I and in the 2nd age subgroup; the time of ICU stay also decreased 2.3 times in 5th age subgroup (p<0.05). Keywords: visceral proteins, children, acute respiratory failure

Features of physical development of schoolchildren in modern conditions

The objective was to examine of morphological and functional indicators of physical development of schoolchildren in Kharkov.Materials and methods. The study involved 3278 schoolchildren of 6—17 years old who are studying in Kharkiv schools, among them 1585 boys and 1693 girls. We studied somatometric (height, weight, chest circumference) and physiometric (forced vital capacity, muscle strength of the hands) physical development indicators. To assess the strength of the arms, the Strength Index (ІS) was calculated. Statistical data processing was performed using the SPSS 17.0 and the Microsoft Excel software packages.Results and discussion. Among the study participants, the percentage of harmonically developed children was: boys — 54.2 ± 1.25 %, girls — 59.78 ± 1.19 % (p ≤ 0.05). The disharmony of the physical development of boys was more pronounced and significantly differs from girls due to a large body weight deficit (2.21 ± 0.37 % vs 0.35 ± 0.14 % in girls) and due to overweight (11.74 ± 0.81% vs 7.50 ± 0.64 % in girls). There were significant differences in the performance of dynamometry between girls and boys, with the best performance in latter. Thus, boys of 9, 11 and 13—17 years old were statistically significantly stronger than girls of their age (p < 0.05).Conclusions. Among the children of 6—17 years old, there were significantly more harmonically developed girls than boys (p ≤ 0.05) due to fluctuations in body weight in boys. It has been proven that from the age of 14 and older, height and weight in boys and girls acquire a significant difference. Note that the indicators of dynamometry in boys from the age of 13 are significantly higher than in girls (p < 0.05).

Perinatal Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroidism Impaired Motor Coordination in Adult Female Offspring

Thyroid hormone (TH) play crucial roles in the growth and development of brain. Efficiency of TH during the perinatal period results in severe mental and physical retardation, known as cretinism in humans. Animal models have largely focused on mild and severe hypothyroidism associated with deficits in body weight, developmental delays, and cognitive deficits. Although various behavioral analyses have been reported, the effect of perinatal hypothyroidism in adult female mice has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to examine whether propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism could impair motor coordination in female offspring. We used C57BL/6j mice and divided them into three groups based on the dose of PTU which was applied during perinatal period (embryonic day-14 to postnatal day-14); control, 5 ppm, and 50 ppm groups. We observed motor coordination function and additional nociceptive test in female offspring. We found that motor coordination and nociceptive threshold were affected in 50 ppm groups. We concluded that the moderate hypothyroidism could impair motor coordination in adult offspring.

STUDYING THE WAYS OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS SUPPLEMENTATION IN PRETERM INFANTS

STUDYING THE WAYS OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS SUPPLEMENTATION IN PRETERM INFANTS

Synthetic high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles for the treatment of Niemann\u2013Pick diseases

BackgroundNiemann–Pick disease type C is a fatal and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol in late endosomes and lysosomes. We sought to develop new therapeutics for this disorder by harnessing the body’s endogenous cholesterol scavenging particle, high-density lipoprotein (HDL).MethodsHere we design, optimize, and define the mechanism of action of synthetic HDL (sHDL) nanoparticles.ResultsWe demonstrate a dose-dependent rescue of cholesterol storage that is sensitive to sHDL lipid and peptide composition, enabling the identification of compounds with a range of therapeutic potency. Peripheral administration of sHDL to Npc1 I1061T homozygous mice mobilizes cholesterol, reduces serum bilirubin, reduces liver macrophage size, and corrects body weight deficits. Additionally, a single intraventricular injection into adult Npc1 I1061T brains significantly reduces cholesterol storage in Purkinje neurons. Since endogenous HDL is also a carrier of sphingomyelin, we tested the same sHDL formulation in the sphingomyelin storage disease Niemann–Pick type A. Utilizing stimulated Raman scattering microscopy to detect endogenous unlabeled lipids, we show significant rescue of Niemann–Pick type A lipid storage.ConclusionsTogether, our data establish that sHDL nanoparticles are a potential new therapeutic avenue for Niemann–Pick diseases.

Perinatal protein restriction with postnatal catch-up growth leads to elevated p66Shc and mitochondrial dysfunction in the adult rat liver.

Epidemiological data suggest an inverse relationship between birth weight and long-term metabolic deficits, which is exacerbated by postnatal catch-up growth. We have previously demonstrated that rat offspring subject to maternal protein restriction (MPR) followed by catch-up growth exhibit impaired hepatic function and ER stress. Given that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various metabolic pathologies, we hypothesized that altered expression of p66Shc, a gatekeeper of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function, contributes to the hepatic defects observed in MPR offspring. To test this hypothesis, pregnant Wistar rats were fed a control (20% protein) diet or an isocaloric low protein (8%; LP) diet throughout gestation. Offspring born to control dams received a control diet in postnatal life, while MPR offspring remained on a LP diet (LP1) or received a control diet post weaning (LP2) or at birth (LP3). At four months, LP2 offspring exhibited increased protein abundance of both p66Shc and the cis-trans isomerase PIN1. This was further associated with aberrant markers of oxidative stress (i.e. elevated 4-HNE, SOD1 and SOD2, decreased catalase) and aerobic metabolism (i.e., increased phospho-PDH and LDHa, decreased complex II, citrate synthase and TFAM). We further demonstrated that tunicamycin-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells led to increased p66Shc protein abundance, suggesting that ER stress may underlie the programmed effects observed in vivo. In summary, because these defects are exclusive to adult LP2 offspring, it is possible that a low protein diet during perinatal life, a period of liver plasticity, followed by catch-up growth is detrimental to long-term mitochondrial function.

Methyl Donor Deficiency during Gestation and Lactation in the Rat Affects the Expression of Neuropeptides and Related Receptors in the Hypothalamus.

The micronutrients vitamins B9 and B12 act as methyl donors in the one-carbon metabolism involved in transmethylation reactions which critically influence epigenetic mechanisms and gene expression. Both vitamins are essential for proper development, and their deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with a wide range of disorders, including persisting growth retardation. Energy homeostasis and feeding are centrally regulated by the hypothalamus which integrates peripheral signals and acts through several orexigenic and anorexigenic mediators. We studied this regulating system in a rat model of methyl donor deficiency during gestation and lactation. At weaning, a predominance of the anorexigenic pathway was observed in deficient pups, with increased plasma peptide YY and increased hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA, in line with abnormal leptin, ghrelin, and insulin secretion and/or signaling during critical periods of fetal and/or postnatal development of the hypothalamus. These results suggest that early methyl donor deficiency can affect the development and function of energy balance circuits, resulting in growth and weight deficits. Maternal administration of folic acid (3 mg/kg/day) during the perinatal period tended to rectify peripheral metabolic signaling and central neuropeptide and receptor expression, leading to reduced growth retardation.

MON-PO596: Comparison of Different Methods of Revealing Body Weight Deficit in Children with Cerebral Palsy

MON-PO596: Comparison of Different Methods of Revealing Body Weight Deficit in Children with Cerebral Palsy

The impact of electronic devices on the physical growth and development of modern youth and recommendations on their safe use

The impact of excessive exposure to electronic devices (ED) on youth health remains understudied. There is a pressing need to develop recommendations for the safe use of stationary and mobile ED aimed at minimizing health risks. In this work, we assess the effect of ED on the physical growth and development of high-school and university students and provide recommendations for preventing the negative impact of prolonged screen time on health. The study recruited 460 high-school and 598 university students. Standard anthropometric measurements were taken. The psychological and emotional state of the participants was evaluated using the Test Anxiety Inventory by Spielberg (modified by Khanin). To estimate daily and weekly exposure to ED the participants were asked to fill out standardized questionnaires. In high school students, the average screen time was 7 h a day; in university students, 8.5 to 10 h a day. Only 60% of the participants, regardless of their place of residence or the type of educational institution they were attending, were physically healthy. We conclude that prolonged and frequent exposure to ED is one of the factors that can interfere with normal physical growth and development in youth. Regular daily use of stationary ED increases the risk of developing body weight deficit by 24% and gaining excess body weight by 10%. We recommend that students should eliminate computers, laptops and stationary ED from their daily activities for at least one day at the weekend and reduce total screen time to 3 hours a day.

Selective Sexual Dimorphisms in Musculoskeletal and Cardiopulmonary Pathologic Manifestations and Mortality Incidence in the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Transgenic Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

To examine and quantify the sexual dimorphism in pathologic features manifested in the musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems and incidence of mortality in the tumor necrosis factor-transgenic (TNF-Tg; Tg3647 strain) mouse model of inflammatory erosive arthritis. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were determined in male and female Tg3647 mice and sex-matched wild-type (WT) littermate mice. Longitudinal and cross-sectional pathologic outcomes in the musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary systems were assessed via ultrasound, micro-computed tomography, grip strength measurements, histologic and serologic analyses, flow cytometry, and skeletal muscle physiologic measures. Compared to male Tg3647 mice (n = 30), female Tg3647 mice (n = 34) had significantly shorter lifespans (P < 0.001) and exhibited the following pathologic features (n = 4-6 per group; P < 0.05 versus male Tg3647 littermates): gross deficits in body mass and muscle weight, early-onset inflammatory arthritis with severity of end-stage arthritis that was as severe as that seen in male transgenic mice, and early onset and increased severity of inflammatory interstitial lung disease (ILD). Histologically, the ILD observed in Tg3647 mice was characterized by inflammatory cell accumulation and pulmonary arteriole thickening, which was concomitant with the presence of right ventricular hypertrophy, a feature that was also more severe in the female compared to male Tg3647 mice (P < 0.05). No sexual dimorphisms in TNF-induced deficient grip strength, axial skeletal growth, or bone loss were found. Globally, the extent of the pathologic changes observed in female Tg3647 mice was greater than that observed in male Tg3647 mice when each group was compared to their sex-matched WT littermates. These findings indicate that TNF selectively drives the early onset of arthritis and progression of pathologic changes in the cardiopulmonary system in female Tg3647 mice. These results in the Tg3647 mouse identify it as a suitable model to better understand the mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism and cardiopulmonary disease in the setting of inflammatory arthritis and other connective tissue diseases.

Early Excision and Skin Graft versus Delayed Skin Grafting for Patients with Deep Thermal Burn Up to 15% of the Body Surface Area: A Prospective Comparative Study

Background: The innovation of early burn surgery takesvery long time to be well established may be due to improperexplanations of burn pathophysiology and unpredicted complicationsof such surgery [1]. Janzekovic work in the 1970searly allows early surgery of burns to achieve greater acceptancethrough tangential excision [2]. Delayed skin graftingtechnique include its relative selectivity and the fact that itis not based on diagnosis, usually involves less surgicalintervention, and is simple to practice [3].Objective: The outcomes of the two modalities of deepthermal burn management up to 15% of the body surface areawere compared.Patients and Methods: A prospective study was performedon 30 patients with recent burn who were divided into twogroups; group of early surgery: 15 patients were operatedusing early excision and skin grafts and group of delayedsurgery: 15 patients were operated using delayed skin grafts.Patients were evaluated during preoperative period for (fever,WBCs count, hemoglobin level, albumin level, blood andplasma transfusion), intraoperative blood transfusion andpost-operative (graft take, numbers of the operations, functionaldeformity, psychotherapy drug needs, nosocomial infection,weight deficit and hospital stays).Results: It was found that the incidence of fever andtransfusion requirements were significantly higher in groupof delayed surgery. There were no significant differenceregarding intraoperative blood transfusion and graft take. Asregarding the numbers of operations, the functional deformity,the need for psychotherapy drugs, the incidence of nosocomialinfection, the incidence of weight loss and hospital stay weresignificantly less in group of early surgery.Conclusion: Early excision and skin grafting in patientswith thermal burn up to 15% of body surface area was associatedwith decreasing incidence of fever, nosocomial infection,decrease transfusion requirements, improve functional outcome,decrease rate of burn associated major psychologicalstress, decrease incidence of weight loss, decrease numbersof operations and decrease hospital stay.

Features of physical development of children of elementary school age during adaptation to educational activity

The objective of the study was to determine the age­gender characteristics of the physical development of primary school students when adapting to educational activities, depending on the type of educational institution and the educational and pedagogical training program.Materials and methods. Under supervision, there were 180 students (87 boys and 93 girls) from two general Kharkov’s educational institutions, during primary school education from the first to the third grade.An assessment of physical development carried out at the beginning and the end of a school year, during three years of primary school education. We measured anthropometric parameters (height, body weight, circumference of the thorax), physiometric indices (dynamometry of strength and endurance, spirometry). The harmony of physical development of schoolchildren was determined. An assessment of the percentile distribution of the body mass index (BMI) was performed. Statistical data processing was performed using the SPSS­17 software using parametric methods (Student’s criterion) and non­parametric statistics.Results and discussion. In the experimental classes of the educational complex at the beginning of the first class, the proportion of children with harmonious development was larger than in the experimental classes of the gymnasium (62.1 and 60.6 %; 65.4 and 65.4 %, respectively). The number of children with harmonious development in the primary school decreased to 57.7 %, and in education complex, it restored to its original value (62.1 %). Among the boys in education complex, at the beginning of the third year of study, a tendency observed for an increase in the number of children with harmonious physical development (from 54.8 to 58.1 %). In their peers from the comparison group, after the first class, the level of harmonious development gradually diminished (from 60.6 to 46.7 %), suggesting a lack of compensatory and adaptation opportunities during this period of the educational process.Conclusions. In the study of the dynamics of qualitative indicators of physical development, an increase in the number of schoolchildren with disharmonious physical development, at the expense of children with a deficit of body weight, overweight and obesity, who study in the gymnasium conditions, has been established. There were no associations of these changes with the curriculum. In our opinion, these changes are the result of the impact of unfavorable environmental factors and the intensity of adaptation processes in primary school students.

Early alterations in a mouse model of Rett syndrome: the GABA developmental shift is abolished at birth

Genetic mutations of the Methyl-CpG-binding protein-2 (MECP2) gene underlie Rett syndrome (RTT). Developmental processes are often considered to be irrelevant in RTT pathogenesis but neuronal activity at birth has not been recorded. We report that the GABA developmental shift at birth is abolished in CA3 pyramidal neurons of Mecp2−/y mice and the glutamatergic/GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs) ratio is increased. Two weeks later, GABA exerts strong excitatory actions, the glutamatergic/GABAergic PSCs ratio is enhanced, hyper-synchronized activity is present and metabotropic long-term depression (LTD) is impacted. One day before delivery, maternal administration of the NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist bumetanide restored these parameters but not respiratory or weight deficits, nor the onset of mortality. Results suggest that birth is a critical period in RTT with important alterations that can be attenuated by bumetanide raising the possibility of early treatment of the disorder.

The features of the functional condition of the GH—IGF­1 system in adolescent boys with different course of puberty and nontoxic diffuse goiter

Objective — to assess the production of growth hormone(GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF­1) in adolescent boys taking into account the state of the thyroid system and the course of puberty.Materials and methods. In 233 adolescents 14—17 years old, the state of the thyroid system was studied, the degree of sexual and physical development was assessed. The following groups were identified: the control group — healthy adolescents; adolescents with a normal volume of the thyroid gland and delayed sexual development (DSD); adolescents with nontoxicdiffuse goiter (NDG) and normal sexual development; adolescents with NDG and DSD. In the blood serum, the level of GH, IGF­1 and sex hormones was determined by the radioimmunoassay; thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine by enzyme immunoassay. Mathematical processing of the obtained results was carried out using the SPSS Statistics 17.0 and Excel software packages with the description of the main statistical parameters of the series.Results and discussion. Adolescents with NDG and normal sexual development had a level of GH ((3.65; 1.00—8.15) IU/l) and IGF­1 ((290.80; 157.00—370.00) ng/ml), which was not significantly different from the control, due to a wide range of values. In adolescent boys with low growth, delayed sexual development and NDG, the lowest level of basal GH and IGF­1 was determined. Among adolescents with NDG, low growth and DSD, the lowest level of basal IGF­1, GH and reduced reserve capacity of somatotrophs were recorded. The close relationship between the functional state of the GH—IGF­1 system, thyroid and sex hormones was confirmed by regression analysis, and the nature of the relationship between them depended on the course of puberty and the presence of goiter.Conclusions. In adolescents with delayed sexual development and nontoxic diffuse goiter there is a decrease in the functional activity of the GH—IGF­1 system, which leads to a slower growth rate and the formation of a body weight deficit.