Normal Height Research Articles

Is The Probability of Tossing a Coin Really 50–50%? Part 2: Dynamic Model with Rebounds

In the first part of this paper, we considered several theoretical models, a static and four dynamic models without rebounds, of the throw of a fair coin landing on its edge, to demonstrate that the probability of heads or tails is less than 50%, depending on the initial toss conditions, the coin geometry and conditions of the coin and landing surfaces. For the dynamic model with rebounds that is the subject of this second part of the paper, it is found that the probability that a 50 Euro cent coin thrown from a normal height with common initial velocity conditions and appropriate surface conditions will end up on its edge is in the order of one against several thousand.

A Study of Demographic Factors and Clinical Profile of Varicose Veins in Adults

BACKGROUND
 Varicose veins in lower limbs cause a lot of morbidity in humans and a significant financial burden on the health care system. Varicose veins do not threaten life and are seldom disabling. A high prevalence of varicose veins has been documented in India. Hence, we decided to conduct a study on the demographic factors and clinical profile of varicose veins in adults.
 METHODS
 It is an observational study. 200 patients aged>12 years with varicose veins of the lower limbs were studied. Statistical Analysis was performed with help of Epi Info (TM) 7.2.2.2.
 RESULTS
 200 patients were studied, of whom 87.5 % were aged ≥ 35 Years; 74.5 % were males, 25.5 % were females; 70.0 % had normal BMI, 75.9 % were from the urban area, 11.5 % had a family history of varicose veins, 10.5 % had addictions, 57.0 % had a duration of standing >5 hours. 62.0 % were examined at OPD, 82.5 % were unilateral and 17.5 % bilateral. The heights of the patients were significantly higher than the normal height of average Indians. The most common symptoms were varicosities and pain present in 80.85 % and 71.49 % of cases respectively. Out of 235 lower limbs, 48.93 % had the involvement of only GSV, 18.72 % only SSV, 32.35 % both; incompetent saphenofemoral junction was present in 67.24 % clinically and 74.89 % radiologically; 150 mid-thigh, 62 above-knee, 55 below-knee, 106 calf, 72 ankle perforators were incompetent clinically; 165 mid-thigh, 80 above-knee, 65 below-knee, 118 calf, 95 ankle perforators were incompetent radiologically; 65 (27.66 %) belonged to C2 class, 60 (25.53 %) to C4 class and 60 (25.53 %) to C6 class.
 CONCLUSIONS
 Age > 35 years, male gender, tall height, and prolonged standing are associated with increased risk of varicose veins whereas obesity, family history and addictions do not have any association. Varicose veins are more commonly unilateral with the involvement of a great saphenous vein. Colour Doppler is better at detecting incompetent perforators compared to clinical assessment.

Linear Growth Impairment in Patients With Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

IntroductionLinear growth impairment (LGI) is one of the complications of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to assess the linear growth of patients with pediatric IBD and to detect the frequency and the possible risk factors of LGI.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional review of medical records of patients with pediatric IBD was conducted in the pediatrics department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, from 1984 to 2019. Demographic and anthropometric data were gathered. World Health Organization (WHO) standards and references were used to define LGI. According to WHO, stunting and severe stunting were defined as length/height for age of <-2 standard deviations and <-3 standard deviations from age and sex-specific reference means, respectively. To determine the possible risk factors for LGI, stunted patients were compared with normal height patients in regard to demographic data, clinical presentations, and treatment used.ResultsOut of 130 patients with pediatric IBD, 88 (67.7%) had anthropometric data available. Fifty-five (62.5%) were males. Forty-seven (53.4%) had Crohn’s disease and 41 (46.6%) had ulcerative colitis. The mean age at presentation was 10.7±3.8 years. The median age at the time of growth measurement was 14.2 (interquartile range=12.1-24.4) years. Fifteen (17%) patients were stunted, and seven (46.7%) of those stunted patients were severely stunted. Weight at presentation was lower in stunted patients (21.6±5.9 kilograms) compared to normal height patients (31±13.4 kilogram) (p=0.048). Sex, delivery type, birth weight, height at presentation, age at presentation, age at growth measurements, IBD type, disease duration, presence of extraintestinal manifestations, and prednisolone and biologic therapy use were not significant factors of stunting.ConclusionPatients with pediatric IBD have a high prevalence of LGI compared to the general population. Low weight at disease presentation is the only significant risk factor for LGI. This might indicate that IBD as a disease by itself is having the main negative impact on linear growth.

Is the Probability of Tossing a Coin Really 50–50%? Part 1: Static Model and Dynamic Models without Rebounds

Considering that a fair coin has two sides and a cylindrical edge, the probability that it would fall on its edge is calculated, yielding the probability of heads or tails of less than 50%. In this first part, the theoretical models for a static case and for five dynamic cases, without rebounds, show that there is a small probability that the coin does not fall on its head or tail, depending on the initial toss conditions, the coin geometry and conditions of the coin and landing surfaces. It is found that the probability that a 50 Eurocent coin thrown from a normal height with common initial velocity conditions and appropriate surface conditions will end up on its edge is in the order of one against several thousand. In the second part of the paper, the dynamic model with rebounds is investigated.

The Nutritional Status of Children with Asthma and Its Relationship with Acute Exacerbations

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. There is increasing international interests in the role of nutrition in asthma control. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the nutritional status of children with asthma using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference charts for height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) for age and to determine the relationship if any between nutritional status and frequency of acute asthmatic exacerbations. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study of children aged 6–17 years with asthma attending the pediatric respiratory clinic of a tertiary hospital from October 2017 to March 2019. All the values obtained were interpreted using the WHO reference growth charts z-scores. Results: A total of 71 children participated in the study. The study showed that 94% of the children with asthma were of normal height with 2.6% stunted and 2.6% severely stunted. There was no significant association between the height and the frequency of acute exacerbation. About 65% of the children had normal BMI. Those that were wasted/severely wasted were 19.7%, whereas 15.5% were overweight/at risk of overweight. There was no significant association between the BMI and the frequency of acute exacerbations (P &gt; 0.05). The odds of having more frequent exacerbations in children with either above normal or below normal BMI were 1.05 (0.11–10.44) and 0.81 (0.08–7.88), respectively. Conclusion: Majority of the children with asthma were of normal height. Despite the fact that there were more children who were wasted/severely wasted than overweight/risk of overweight, these findings were not significantly associated with more frequent acute exacerbations.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein and primary teeth eruption in stunting children

Stunting is a linear growth failure as an indicator of malnutrition status which is identified by comparing the height of children with normal height according to the same age and sex. Children are categorized as stunting if the child`s height is shorter than the average height of the same age and sex and has a standard deviation of below minus 2 according to the standard who. The cause of stunting is multifactorial, including disruption of hormone function, one of which is a parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein (PTHrP) plays a role in the tooth-eruption process. This literature review aims to study the role of PTHrP on the eruption rate of primary teeth in stunting children. Malfunction of the parathyroid glands in stunted children can cause a deficiency of PTHrP levels. PTHrP and vitamin D play a role in the maintenance and affect calcium levels. Deficiency levels of PTHrP and vitamin d can lead to decreased absorption of calcium in the blood. Calcium deficiency in children can cause osteoclasts and osteoblasts to decrease, which can affect bone growth and tooth eruption patterns. In stunting children, the level of PTHrP will decrease so that tooth eruption will be inhibited.

Features of the functional state of the autonomic nervous system of schoolchildren aged 10-16 with posture disorders

Analyzing the posture rating maps, we noted that all surveyed students have normal height and body weight relative to their age. The sums of points of indicators of a rating of a posture of schoolboys testify that pupils of fifth classes already have moderate infringements of separate characteristics of the musculoskeletal system. Quantitative indicators average 92.5 points (norm 110 points). The most common disorders involve the position of the head, the deviation of the neck from the midline, shoulders and shoulders are asymmetrical. The sum of the scores of the posture rating of seventh-graders is an average of 78.5 points. This is the lowest score in the ranking of students surveyed. In 40% there is a valgus position of the heels, in 62.5% – stooping and flat and flat-concave back. In the eighth grade, 56.2% of students who passed the posture test have deviations in almost all indicators of the posture rating map. In grades 9-11, 25% of students have postural defects according to 8-9 indicators of the map… and 50% of students, we noted incorrect positions of the head, neck, asymmetrically located shoulders and shoulders.&#x0D; The Kerdo index in schoolchildren of all groups characterized the predominance of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system: 62.1 ± 2.8% of people have a predominance of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system, 14.6 ± 1.5% of people – parasympathetic, others – functional balance.

Environmentally friendly grinding of C/SiCs using carbon nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication technology

The influences of dry grinding (DG), wet grinding (WG) and carbon nanofluid minimum quantity lubrication (CN-MQL) on the grinding performances of ceramic matrix composites are investigated in this paper. Thermal imager and thermocouple results show that the cooling effect of CN-MQL with a carbon concentration (C) of 5 g/L is not weaker than that of WG. The maximum temperature of 5 g/L CN-MQL is 250.41 °C, compared to 336.98 °C for DG. This configuration also results in the minimum surface roughness and grinding force. Normal grinding force Fn and surface maximum height difference Sz decrease from 44.9 N to 8.44 μm for DG to 20.3 N and 4.13 μm, respectively. The corresponding grinding performance is also substantially better than that of WG. The grinding surface morphology shows that CN-MQL is conducive to obtaining surface morphology with few surface defects. The specific grinding energy results show that the energy consumed by CN-MQL is significantly reduced when removing the same volume of material. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the grinding performance parameters, there is an optimal value of C. At lower values, a uniform and dense film cannot be formed between the abrasive tool and the workpiece. At higher values, the particles agglomerate, and the performance is reduced. The experimental results show that the optimal C is 5 g/L. Considering the high pollution and high cost of grinding fluids, CN-MQL technology has the advantages of a simple preparation process, green and pollution-free properties, and no professional disposal requirements. CN-MQL is also conducive to reducing energy consumption in the processing approach. This research shows that CN-MQL has good application prospects for grinding processes.

Estrogen replacement therapy: effects of starting age on final height of girls with chronic kidney disease and short stature

IntroductionWe investigated the age of starting Estrogen replacement therapy as a key parameter for reaching near normal Final Height (FH) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) girls with growth retardation.MethodThis open label, quasi-experimental designed and matched controlled clinical trial was performed on CKD girls with short stature and later onset of puberty or delayed puberty according to clinical and laboratory investigations. Participants of group 1 and 2 had been treated with Growth Hormone (GH), and Ethinyl Estradiol (EE). EE was administered from 11 and 13 yrs. old in groups 1 and 2 respectively. Group 3 was selected from patients that did not accept to start GH or EE till 15 years old. The effect of the age of starting EE on FH, GH therapy outcomes, bone density, and calcium profile were evaluated.ResultOverall, 16, 22, and 21 patients were analyzed in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Mean Mid-Parental Height (MPH) had no significant difference between the 3 groups. GH therapy significantly enhanced mean FH in groups 1 and 2 in comparison with group 3 (β = − 4.29, p < 0.001). Also, multivariable backward linear regression illustrated significant negative association between FH and age of starting EE (β = 0.26, p < 0.001). Mean Para Thyroid Hormone (PTH), mean femoral and lumbar bone density were significantly enhanced after GH and EE therapy (p value: < 0.001).ConclusionWe recommend starting EE from 11 yrs. old in CKD short stature girls who have no clinical and laboratory sign of sexual maturity at 11 yrs. to enhance the cost effectiveness of GH therapy.

Canopy condition: Health indicator of urban trees in the San Juan de Aragón Forest, Mexico City

Urban green areas provide various services to society and the environment. The Bosque San Juan de Aragón is one of the few green areas in the northeast of Mexico City and the current condition of its trees in terms of health is not known with precision. In the present study, the protocol for the crown condition indicator was implemented and adapted in 28 circular plots of 0.1 ha, randomly established in the aforementioned forest. All trees within each plot were measured for normal diameter (ND) and total height (TA), and their taxonomic classification, crown condition and plantation density were determined. For crown condition, six variables were measured: proportion of live crown (PLC), crown density (CD), crown transparency (CTR), dieback (DB), crown position (CP) and light exposure (LE). The first four were measured in 5% classes and the remaining two were measured on an ordinal scale. A total of 760 trees were evaluated, grouped into 10 families, 11 genera and 12 species. The average values for the crown variables were 56.37% PLC, 44.38% CD, 4.04% DB and 38.4% CTR. Only PLC reached the established standards of tree health found in other studies, while CD was low and CTR and DB values were high.

Skeletal and dental age discrepancy and occlusal traits in children with growth hormone deficiency and idiopathic short stature.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the dental and bone age delay and occlusal traits of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS). The study group included 46 patients aged 5 to 14years: 15with ISS, 17 with GHD before growth hormone treatment, and 14 with GHD during substitution therapy. The control group consisted of 46 age and sex-matched subjects of normal height. A calibrated dentist assessed all subjects in terms of dental age and occlusal characteristics. Bone age was evaluated only in GHD and ISS children as a part of a hospital's diagnostic protocol. The subgroup of GHD before treatment differed significantly concerning dental age delay from their healthy peers (- 0.34 and 0.83year, respectively, p = 0.039). Dental age delay in short stature children was less marked than bone agedelay (- 0.12 and - 1.76, respectively, p < 0.00001). Dental crowding was recorded in 57% of ISS patients and 53% of GHD children before treatment compared to only 22% of the control subjects (p = 0.027 and p = 0.021, respectively). Dental age was retarded in GHD children before growth hormone (GH) therapy, but the delay does not seem clinically significant. ISS children and GHD children before therapy showed marked bone age delay and tendency to crowding. The different pace of teeth eruption and skeletal growth in short stature children should be considered when planning their dental treatment.

Characteristics of Gut Microbiome and Its Metabolites, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, in Children With Idiopathic Short Stature.

BackgroundThe gut microbiome is important for host nutrition and metabolism. Whether the gut microbiome under normal diet regulate human height remains to be addressed. Our study explored the possible relationship between gut microbiota, its metabolic products and the pathogenesis of idiopathic short stature disease (ISS) by comparing the gut microbiota between children with ISS and of normal height, and also the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the gut microbiota.MethodsThe subjects of this study were 32 prepubescent children aged 4-8 years. The fecal microbial structure of the subjects was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The concentrations of SCFAs in feces were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsThe richness of gut microbiota in ISS group was decreased, and the composition of gut microbiota was significantly different between ISS group and control group. The relative abundance of nine species including family Ruminococcaceae and genera Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium, in ISS group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The relative abundance of 10 species, such as those belonging to genus Parabacteroides and genus Clostridium, in ISS group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The concentration of total SCFAs and butyrate in ISS group was significantly lower than that in control group. The correlation analysis among different species, clinical indicators, and SCFAs showed that the relative abundance of family Ruminococcaceae and genera Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium was positively correlated with the standard deviation score of height. Furthermore, the concentrations of total SCFAs and butyrate were positively correlated with serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-SDS. Disease prediction model constructed based on the bacteria who abundance differed between healthy children and ISS children exhibited high diagnostic value (AUC: 0.88).ConclusionsThe composition of gut microbiota and the change in its metabolite levels may be related to ISS pathogenesis. Strains with increased or decreased specificity could be used as biomarkers to diagnose ISS.

EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF THE ACCURACY OF DETERMINING THE NORMAL HEIGHTS OF POINTS ACCORDING TO GNSS OBSERVATIONS

The article considers the issue of determining the absolute coordinates of points usingmodern geodetic technologies. The list of networks of active reference stations of Ukraine thattransmit differential corrections has been updated. The article presents the results of experimentalverification of the accuracy of normal altitudes using dual-frequency GNSS ‒ receivers in RTK modebased on a stable network of leveling points located at the geodetic research site of the PoltavaGravimetric Observatory. The satellite data was transmitted through the Poltava Base PermanentStation (POLV), located on the territory of the geodetic landfill. The observations were based onSystem.net network. Determination of the quantitative characteristics of the vertical dynamics of thebenchmarks under the action of local hydrothermal factors was carried out relative to a stablebenchmark with a depth of 6 m geometric leveling using a level H-05. The normal heights of thepoints according to which further research was performed were adjusted in April 2021. The followingresults were obtained in the research: 21 % of measurements have gross deviations, 47 % - withinacceptable limits, 32 % of measurements have high geodetic accuracy. It was found that the use ofnetwork RTK has a number of advantages, such as ease and speed of removal, versatility and cost effectiveness, the ability to work in almost anywhere in Ukraine. However, gross deviations are likelyto occur due to a number of factors, such as ephemeris and time errors, satellite configurationgeometry, multipath, ionospheric and troposphere effects, and so on. The conditions of effective useof satellite geodetic receivers are investigated. It is noted that the use of GPS / GNSS receivers islimited in populated areas due to poor image quality. In built-up areas, the method of geometricleveling remains the most accurate for determining the heights of points.It is noted that today in Ukraine there is no current normative and instructive document, whichcontains provisions for the use of the latest geodetic technologies.

Comparison between orthometric, normal and spheroidal orthometric heights over South Africa

Comparison between orthometric, normal and spheroidal orthometric heights over South Africa

RARE-02. Craniopharyngiomas diagnosed as incidentalomas - results of KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007

Abstract PURPOSE: Childhood-onset craniopharyngiomas (CP) are diagnosed due to clinical symptoms (symCP) or incidentally (incCP). We investigated clinical manifestations and outcome in incCPs and symCPs. METHODS: IncCP were discovered in 4 (3m / 1f) and symCP in 214 (101m / 113f) CP recruited 2007–2014 in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007. Age, sex, height, body mass index (BMI), tumor volume, degree of resection, pre- and postsurgical hypothalamic involvement/lesions, pituitary function and outcome were compared between both subgroups. RESULTS: Reasons for imaging in incCP were cerebral palsy, head trauma, nasal obstruction, and tethered-cord syndrome, whereas headache (44%), visual impairment (25%), and growth retardation (17%) lead to imaging in symCP. Tumor volume at diagnosis was smaller in incCP (median 2.39 cm3; range: 0.14 – 4.10 cm3) when compared with symCP (15.86 cm3; 0.002 – 286.34 cm3). Age, gender, BMI, height, hydrocephalus, tumor location, and hypothalamic involvement at diagnosis of incCP were within the range of these parameters in symCP. Complete resections were achieved more frequently (3/4 patients) in incCP when compared with symCP (20%). Surgical hypothalamic lesions were distributed similar in incCP and symCP. Irradiation was performed only in symCP (33%). No noticeable differences were observed concerning survival rates, endocrine deficiencies, BMI, height, functional capacity and quality of life of the 4 incCP cases when compared with the symCP cohort. CONCLUSIONS: IncCP are rare (1.8%) and characterized by lack of endocrine deficiencies, resulting in normal height and BMI, no hydrocephalus, and smaller tumor volume at diagnosis when compared with symCPs. Outcome of the observed incCP is similar with symCP.

Early corticosteroid withdrawal is associated with improved adult height in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Catch-up growth after pediatric kidney transplantation (kTx) is usually insufficient to reach normal adult height. We aimed to analyze the effect of pre-transplant recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and corticosteroid withdrawal on linear growth in the first year after kidney transplantation and identify factors associated with final height (FH). Patients who underwent kTx between 1996 and 2018 at below 18years old in five Belgian and Dutch centers were included. We analyzed the differences between height Z-scores at kTx and 1year post-transplant (Δ height Z-score) in children with and without corticosteroids at 1year (CS + /CS -) and with and without rhGH treatment before kTx (rhGH + /rhGH -). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with height Z-score at 1year post-kTx, Δ height Z-score, and FH Z-score. A total of 177 patients were included, with median age 9.3years at kTx. Median height Z-scores pre-kTx and 1year later in the CS - /rhGH - , CS + /rhGH - , CS - /rhGH + , and CS + /rhGH + groups were - 1.42/ - 0.80, - 0.90/ - 0.62, - 1.35/ - 1.20, and - 1.30/ - 1.60 (p = 0.001). CS use 1year post-kTx was the only factor associated with Δ height (p = 0.003) on multivariable analysis. CS use at 1year was the only variable associated with FH (p = 0.014) in children with pre-transplant height Z-score below - 1 (n = 52). Increase in height Z-score in the first year post-kTx was highest in the CS - /rhGH - group and lowest in the CS + /rhGH + group. The use of corticosteroids at 1year post-kTx is associated with catch-up growth and in children with pre-transplant height Z-score below - 1 also with final height. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

The Effect of an Elimination Diet on Early Childhood Growth in Children with Egg and/or Cow’s Milk Allergies

Objective: Eliminating egg and/or cow’s milk during early childhood may affect the growth of food-allergic children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of elimination diets on anthropometric measurements and diet composition in children allergic to egg and/or cow’s milk. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric measurements and nutritional data were evaluated in children with cow’s milk and/or egg protein allergy during elimination diets. Their daily calorie, carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes were analyzed based on a 3-day diet log. Z-scores for weight, height, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated. The data were compared with pre-elimination values and with those of healthy controls. Results: The study included 77 food-allergic children and a control group of 50 healthy children. In the patient group, the median age was 14 months and 57.1% (n=44) were male. Age, gender, and z-scores for weight-for-age and height-for-age were similar between the groups. Comparisons with pre-elimination measurements revealed that 18.2% of children with short stature at the time of diagnosis achieved normal height after elimination diets (p=0.001) and 37.4% of the children had increased height z-score. However, weight-forage z-score decreased significantly (p<0.01). Although caloric intake was the same in both groups, the patient group consumed relatively less protein and more fat and carbohydrates. Conclusion: In elimination diets, even if the calorie intake is adequate, eliminating allergenic food items may cause a decrease in weight without causing malnutrition. The height may improve. Growth should be monitored with age-corrected measurements and on an individual basis.

Genetic Etiology of Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnamese Infants and Characteristics of Those With INS Gene Mutations

BackgroundNeonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare (1:90,000 newborns) but potentially devastating metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia combined with low levels of insulin. Dominantly-acting insulin (INS) gene mutations cause permanent NDM through single amino acid changes in the protein sequence leading to protein misfolding, which is retained within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), causing ER stress and β-cell apoptosis. Over 90 dominantly-acting INS gene mutations have been identified in individuals with permanent NDM.Patients and MethodsThe study included 70 infants diagnosed with NDM in the first year of life between May 2008 and May 2021 at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital. Sequencing analysis of all the genes known to cause NDM was performed at the Exeter Genomic Laboratory, UK. Clinical characteristics, molecular genetics, and annual data relating to glycemic control (HbA1c) and severe hypoglycemia of those with INS mutations were collected. The main outcomes of interest were HbA1c, daily insulin dose, growth, and cognitive/motor development.ResultsFifty-five of 70 infants (78.5%) with NDM harbored a mutation in a known disease-causing gene and of these, 10 had six different de novo heterozygous INS mutations. Mean gestational age was 38.1 ± 2.5 weeks and mean birth weight was 2.8 ± 0.5 g. They presented with NDM at 20 ± 17 weeks of age; 6/10 had diabetic ketoacidosis with pH 7.13 ± 0.26; plasma glucose level 32.6 ± 14.3 mmol/l and HbA1C 81 ± 15% mmol/mol. After 5.5 ± 4.8 years of insulin treatment, 9/10 have normal development with a developmental quotient of 80-100% and HbA1C 64 ± 7.3 mmol/mol, 9/10 have normal height, weight, and BMI on follow-up.ConclusionsWe report a series of Vietnamese NDM cases with dominant INS mutations. INS mutations are the third commonest cause of permanent NDM. We recommend screening of the INS gene in all children diagnosed with diabetes in the first year of life.

The effect of foot orthoses on gait biomechanics and pain among people with rheumatoid arthritis: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundFoot pain is frequent among people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Foot orthoses (FO) are commonly prescribed with the intention to reduce pain symptoms and improve function. Research questionHow do a custom-made FO affect pain, gait biomechanics and daily activity among people with RA? MethodsTwenty-five participants with RA and foot pain completed this quasi-experimental study using a control insole for four weeks and then a custom-made FO in the following four weeks. The foot orthoses were customized by plantar foot shape targeting optimal restoration of normal arch height. A visual analog scale was used to monitor changes in ankle/foot, knee, hip joints, and global arthritis pain. In addition, the perceived pain area was measured using a body chart analysis. Kinematics and kinetics of the hip, knee and ankle joints during gait were analyzed using 3D-motion capture. Daily steps were measured with a wrist-based activity tracker for both the control insole and custom-made FO period, respectively. ResultsIn comparison to the control insole, the custom-made FO reduced ankle/foot pain intensity (p < 0.001) in addition to a reduction of the perceived pain areas in the feet (p < 0.001), legs (p = 0.012), as well as the arms and hands (p = 0.014). Ankle plantar flexion and eversion moments were also reduced (p < 0.001). No difference in daily steps was observed between the two periods (p = 0.657). SignificanceThis study has demonstrated an ankle/foot pain-relieving effect in conjunction with alterations of the ankle joint moments in people with RA using custom-made FO. The pain relief is plausibly attributed to alterations of the ankle joint moments when using the custom-made FO. However, future studies are needed to explore further into therapeutic implication of custom-made FO in pain management of people with RA.

Reactions of rice varieties to Bakanae disease caused by Fusarium fujikuroi in Turkey

Bakanae disease has been a major problem in rice production throughout the world. The most common and virulent species is Fusarium fujikuroi. The high genetic variability and epidemic character of Fusarium fujikuroi causes very important problems control of the disease. The use of resistant varieties is preferred in many countries of the World. This study aimed at the reactions of both Turkish and Italian cultivars to Bakanae disease, which are the most cultivated in Turkey and preferred by farmers. The most observed symptoms were that afflicted plants were taller than the normal height, thin and yellowish-green, there was browning of the leaves in the progressing period, rot in the root and root collar. All the tested rice cultivars in the study were found susceptible to the disease. This shows that Turkish and Italian rice varieties, which are most preferred in the Turkish rice market, are extremely susceptible to this disease.