Significant Difference In Boys Research Articles

Gender differences in tuberculosis incidence rates-A pooled analysis of data from seven high-income countries by age group and time period.

Gender differences in the incidence rates for tuberculosis are occasionally reported. However, the magnitude and consistency of the differences by age group, among different populations, and over extended periods of time are not clear. We obtained national data from seven countries from open-access internet sites or personal communications with official representatives. We computed the male-to-female incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by country and year for every age group and pooled these ratios using meta-analytic methods. Meta-regression analysis was performed to estimate the contribution of age, country, and calendar years to the variation in the IRRs. In the age groups of < 1, 1-4, 5-9, and 10-14, the pooled male-to-female IRRs (with 95% CI) were as follows: 1.21 (1.05, 1.40), 0.99 (0.95, 1.04), 1.01 (0.96, 1.06), and 0.83 (0.77, 0.89), respectively. In the age groups 15-44, 45-64, and 65+ years, incidence rates were significantly higher in men, with IRRs of 1.25 (1.16, 1.35), 1.79 (1.56, 2.06), and 1.81 (1.66, 1.96), respectively. Meta-regression analysis revealed that age significantly contributed to the variation in the IRRs. There were gender differences in the incidence rates for tuberculosis, with higher rates in boys aged less than one, no significant differences in boys of ages 1-9, and higher rates in boys/men older than 15. The only excess in female gender was in the age group 10-14 years. The age-related gender differences in tuberculosis incidence rates observed over several countries indicate the importance of including sex as a biological variable when assessing the risk factors for tuberculosis.

Physical fitness data monitoring of college students based on the internet of things and blockchain.

Contemporary college students are the pillars of the country and bear the responsibility of building a great country. College students should not only have smart brains, but also have strong bodies. The state has always attached great importance to the physical condition of college students and has promulgated a series of relevant policies and regulations to ensure the effective development of college students' physical health work. This paper aims to monitor and research college students' physical fitness data based on the Internet of Things and blockchain technology. This paper first introduces the data collection based on the Internet of Things, the Internet of Things data collection system has good versatility, ease of use, and quite rich functions, which can realize the collection and reliable transmission of different environmental data. Then focuses on the data collection and confidentiality technology based on blockchain. Each user in the blockchain system has a pair of public and private keys, and elliptic curve algorithms are usually used to generate public key cryptography. Finally, based on the Internet of Things and blockchain technology, the physical fitness data of college students is analyzed and researched. The experimental results of this paper show that, according to the data collection technology of the Internet of Things and blockchain, the analysis of variance is carried out on the data of male pull-ups and female sit-ups of 2019 students. The analysis of variance F of boys' pull-ups is 76.222, and the significance is about 0, that is, P < 0.01. The difference is very obvious, which proves that there is a significant difference in boys' pull-ups in the past 3 years. The analysis of variance F for girls' sit-ups is 89.187, and the significance is about 0. Similarly, it shows that there are significant differences in girls' sit-ups in the past 3 years. Therefore, the existing teaching mode is stabilized and physical exercise is enhanced. Meanwhile, to enhance the physical fitness of students, it is necessary to strengthen the strength of physical education teachers and increase the introduction of sports talents and business training.

Socioeconomic status is related to pubertal development in a German cohort

INTRODUCTION Current health literature suggests that there has been a decline in the age of pubertal onset and that pubertal onset/duration of puberty may, besides weight status, be influenced by socioeconomic context. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine whether pubertal onset/duration and puberty-triggering hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) vary according to socioeconomic status (SES). Moreover, we aimed to propose cutoff values of serum LH and FSH for predicting gonadarche in boys. METHODS 2,657 apparently healthy children and adolescents between 5.5 and 18 years from the area of Leipzig were recruited from the LIFE Child study. Age at pubertal onset/end of puberty was given in 738/573 children, respectively. Anthropometric parameters of puberty, blood measurements of LH and FSH, and questionnaires assessing SES were evaluated. RESULTS Lower SES was associated with earlier thelarche and longer duration of puberty in overweight/obese girls, whereas age of menarche was not affected. In boys with low SES, a trend versus earlier puberty onset can be seen. Lower SES was significantly associated with boys' age at mutation. No significant differences in boys' and girls' serum levels of LH and FSH during puberty according to SES were observed. Serum LH levels of 0.56 IU/L and serum FSH levels of 1.74 IU/L showed the best prediction of gonadarche in boys. CONCLUSION Puberty onset/duration and boys' age at mutation is affected by SES. The proposed cutoff levels for serum LH and FSH could provide a serological tool to determine gonadarche in boys.

Secular Change in Body Size and Somatotype of Indonesian Children aged 7–15 Years (1999–2019)

BACKGROUND: Secular changes assessment can help identifying the quality of health, wealth, and nutrition among populations and provide suggestions for policymakers. AIM: To examine the secular changes in weight, height, body mass index, and somatotype in Indonesian children between 1999 and 2019. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1999 and 2019 on 2021 children aged 7–15 years in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, humerus and femur breadths, circumferences of upper arm and calf; skinfold thickness of triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and calf were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as kg/m2. Somatotype components were defined by the Carter-Heath method. Statistical analyses used were three-ways ANOVA and least significant difference post hoc tests. RESULTS: Significant differences for boys and girls were found for height, weight, BMI, and three components of somatotype across the 2-time points. The boys in period 2019 were the tallest and girls were the heaviest, and for BMI, the highest value was observed in 2019 (girls). The children in the 1999 period had somatotype values 3.3 - 3.3 - 3.7 (boys) and 3.9 - 3.0 - 3.5 (girls), while in the 2019 period the somatotype values for boys were 3.5 - 4.5 - 3.0 and 4.3 - 4.1 - 2.4 for girls. CONCLUSION: In general, based on the order of age, there is a similar pattern between children in the two periods. Among Indonesian children from 1999 to 2019, there were positive trends in weight, BMI, endomorph, and mesomorph components, whereas a negative trend for the ectomorph component.

Socioeconomic Status Is Related to Pubertal Development in a German Cohort

Introduction: Current health literature suggests that there has been a decline in the age of pubertal onset and that pubertal onset/duration of puberty may, besides weight status, be influenced by socioeconomic context. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether pubertal onset/duration and puberty-triggering hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) vary according to socioeconomic status (SES). Moreover, we aimed to propose cutoff values of serum LH and FSH for predicting gonadarche in boys. Methods: 2,657 apparently healthy children and adolescents between 5.5 and 18 years from the area of Leipzig were recruited from the LIFE Child study. Age at pubertal onset/end of puberty was given in 738/573 children, respectively. Anthropometric parameters of puberty, blood measurements of LH and FSH, and questionnaires assessing SES were evaluated. Results: Lower SES was associated with earlier thelarche and longer duration of puberty in overweight/obese girls, whereas age of menarche was not affected. In boys with low SES, a trend versus earlier puberty onset can be seen. Lower SES was significantly associated with boys’ age at mutation. No significant differences in boys’ and girls’ serum levels of LH and FSH during puberty according to SES were observed. Serum LH levels of 0.56 IU/L and serum FSH levels of 1.74 IU/L showed the best prediction of gonadarche in boys. Conclusion: Puberty onset/duration and boys’ age at mutation is affected by SES. The proposed cutoff levels for serum LH and FSH could provide a serological tool to determine gonadarche in boys.

Sex-specific association of plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations with obesity in children.

Nesfatin-1, an anorexigenic peptide, has been associated with food intake and thermogenesis, with discordant findings in humans and scarce studies in children to date. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of obesity with nesfatin-1 levels in two cohorts of children. Plasma nesfatin-1 concentrations were analyzed in 6- to 9-year-olds (n=140) and 12- to 16-year-old children (n=96), including children with obesity and their sex- and age-matched normal-weight counterparts. Anthropometric measurements were assessed. Cholesterol and triglycerides were determined enzymatically, insulin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay using a commercial kit and nesfatin-1, leptin and hs-CRP concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits. Nesfatin-1 concentrations were significantly lower in younger (P=.001) and older (P=.009) girls with obesity than in their normal-weight counterparts, without showing significant differences in boys. Nesfatin-1 showed a negative significant (P<.010) correlation with weight and BMI in girls but not in boys. A significant positive correlation of nesfatin-1 levels with insulin, HOMA, and leptin levels appears in girls after adjusting by age and BMI. A significant positive correlation (P=.003) was observed between nesfatin-1 and fat mass in older children. Our study shows lower concentrations of nesfatin-1 related to obesity in girls but not in boys at two different ages. The existence of a sex-specific association between nesfatin-1 concentrations and presence of obesity highlights the need of an analysis by gender of the relationship of nesfatin-1 with obesity.

Effect of Low-Level Environmental Lead Exposure on the Onset of Male Puberty.

The objective of this study was to evaluate male pubertal changes associated with environmental low-level lead (Pb) exposure. The study was conducted on 180 boys aged 15 years divided into 3 equal size groups: group 1 from El-Newayrat village, group 2 from Al-Shorafaa (0.5 and 10 km, respectively, from an industrialized area), and group 3 from Talla (25 km). Blood Pb levels (BLLs) were measured and pubertal changes evaluated by measurement of testicular volume (TV), and estimation of the follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin. Blood Pb levels of children of El-Newayrat and Al-Shorafaa were significantly higher (6.38 [1.32] and 3.84 [0.79] μg/dL, respectively) than that of Talla children (1.85 [0.72]; P < 0.001), while height, weight, and TV were lower in boys in groups 1 and 2, compared to group 3. Genitalia and pubarche staging showed greatest retardation and marked bone growth delay in boys of group 1. Hormonal assays reported significant differences in boys of the industrialized areas when compared to that of Talla. Low-level Pb exposure in boys located near an industrial area was accompanied with altered male puberty indicators.

Association of exposure to Bisphenol A with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents

ABSTRACTIn this study, the association of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors was investigated on 132 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years living in Isfahan, Iran. Potential contributors to BPA exposure were assessed by a questionnaire. Total BPA was detected in urine samples of all participants without significant difference in boys and girls.The mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) increased significantly across the BPA tertiles (p for trend = < 0.001). Similar trend was documented for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as well as fasting blood sugar. The risk of obesity was 12.48 times higher in participants in the third tertile of BPA than in others (95% CI: 3.36–46.39, p < 0.001). The current study showed significant association between BPA exposure with obesity and some cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents, however, further longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical effects of this finding.Abbreviations: BMI: Body Mass Index; BPA: Bisphenol A; BSTFA: N, O-Bistrifluoroacetamide; CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CI: Circumference Interval; DBP: Diastolic Blood Pressure; DLLME: Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method; FBS: Fasting Blood Glucose; HDL: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were; LDL: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; OR: Odd Ratio; PA: Physical Activity; SBP: Systolic Blood Pressure; TC: total cholesterol; TG: triglycerides; WC: Waist Circumference.

Influence of education on ecological problems: a study

One of the best issues that the planet is facing these days is that of ecological problem, increasing with each passing year and inflicting grave and irreparable injury to the world. Ecology is the scientific study of the processes regulating the distribution and abundance of organisms and the interactions among them, and the study of how these organisms in term mediate the transport and of energy and matter in the biosphere (i.e. the study of design of ecosystem structure and functions). Ecology is the relationships between organisms and their environment. Some of the most pressing problems in human affairs-expanding population food scarcities environmental pollution including global warming, extinctions of plant and animal species and all the attendant sociological problems are to a great degree ecological. The word ecology was coined by the German zoologist Ernest Haeckel, who applied the term “OEKOLOGIE” to the relations of the animal both to its organics as well as its inorganic environment, “home” or “place to live”. Therefore there is no significant difference in boys and girls attitude towards in Forest conservation; Soil conservation; Water pollution; Air pollution; Sound pollution and Wild life conservation. Human being are usually capable of passing from one environment to another as well as of changing the conditions of giving environment to suit their own purposes, but they are not independent on environment which they live.

Inter-Segmental Foot Motions in Children and Adolescents Using a Three-Dimensional Multi-Segment Foot Model

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: In the last two decades, several multi-segmental foot models (MFMs) have been introduced for the in vivo analysis of dynamic foot kinematics. However, the literature has not yet sufficiently described normal gait patterns in normal children and adolescents. Normal range of gait pattern should be established before applying gait analysis clinically in order to assess and treat pathological gait patterns. The purpose of this study is to suggest normal foot kinematics of clinically normal children and adolescents using three dimensional multi-segment foot model (3D MFM). Using this data, we will be able to distinguish between normal and abnormal gait more precisely in pediatric population and to evaluate gait improvement by certain treatment methods. Methods: One-hundred fifteen children and adolescents without anatomical or functional abnormalities of foot were involved. Fifty-seven individuals were boys and 58 were girls. The mean age was 11.4 years (range: 7-17). We divided the pediatric subjects into two groups; age between 7 to 10 years (Prepuberty) when the foot is still growing and age of 11 or older (Puberty) when the gait pattern is thought to be similar with that of adults. The Difference of gait kinematics of the two groups was analyzed. Using 12 sets of 3D optical motion capture cameras, gait motion data were collected while the subjects were walking. In 5 separate experiments, gait analysis was performed for 3 different kinds of stride. Foot segment kinematics were measured and analyzed by Foot 3D Multi-Segment Software program (Motion Analysis Co., Santa Rosa. CA). We performed student’s t-test to analysis the difference between the groups. Results: The basic demographic data showed that there was no significant difference in proportion of stance phase among groups. There are some significant difference of foot motion between prepuberty and puberty (Figure 1). Both boys and girls in puberty showed approximately 4.5 degrees greater big toe motion in sagittal plane than in prepuberty. Mostly, increase of dorsiflexion angle was evident. Hallux valgus angles did not show significant difference in boys, but girls showed marked increase in puberty. In forefoot motion analysis, there were significant difference in sagittal, coronal and transverse plane between prepuberty and puberty girl, but did not show significant difference in boys. Sagittal plane of hindfoot motions increased in both boys and girls in puberty and coronal plane hindfoot motion showed increased pronation in puberty. Conclusion: The results suggest that sagittal motion of the great toe mainly involves plantar flexion and increase in hallux valgus angle is evidently greater in females than in males throughout growth development. Increase in sagittal plane motion and valgus angle of the big toe rapidly increased in puberty, while increase in sagittal motion of forefoot and hindfoot were gradual. In summary, authors identified children’s normal gait pattern and especially, difference between boys and girls and changes according to age groups in this study.

Relationship between body mass and dental and skeletal development in children and adolescents.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a relationship exists between body mass and dental and skeletal development in children and adolescents. A sample of 197 orthodontic patients (82 boys, 115 girls) was selected. Ethnicity was recorded, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to the standard equation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and then a BMI percentile according to sex and age was obtained. The panoramic radiographs were used to calculate the dental ages with an index. The chronologic ages were subtracted from the calculated dental ages to determine a "dental age difference" for each subject. The lateral cephalogram radiographs were analyzed for skeletal development using the cervical vertebral maturation stage method. The white population (60%) had an average BMI percentile of 53.6 and was statistically different from the Hispanic/black population (40%), which had an average percentile of 64.3. There were no significant differences for boys and girls for the BMI percentile and dental age difference, or for the BMI percentile and cervical vertebral stages. The multiple regression model showed that BMI percentile and ethnicity were statistically significant explanatory variables for the dental age difference. A relationship exists between body mass and dental and skeletal development. BMI percentile, dental age difference, and cervical vertebral stage are weakly correlated. No significant differences existed between boys and girls in any variables. BMI percentile and ethnicity are weak predictors of the discrepancy between dental age and chronologic age.

To Explore the Loneliness as It Related To Personality Traits among Emerging Adults Studing Medicine

Emerging Adulthood studying medicine, between the age of 18 and 25 as, a distinct developmental stage extending from adolescence to young adulthood. In literature, there is any study which includes the relationship between emerging adult’s loneliness and personality traits. Therefore, the relationship between emerging adults studying medicine loneliness and personality traits has to be investigated. This study examines the association between personality traits in terms of Neuroticism (N), Extraversion (E), Openness to experience (O), Agreeableness (A) and conscientiousness (C) and loneliness among emerging adults studying medicine. A total of 100 (50 boys and 50 girls) emerging adults completed the NEO-Five factor inventory (NEO-FFI) and the loneliness scale. Correlation Analysis showed that three Big five personalities dimension which Neuroticism (positively) and extraversion and agreeableness (negatively) correlated emerging adult’s loneliness. Further, t-test result showed that there is a significant difference in boys and girls studying medicine on loneliness, neuroticism, extraversion and agreeableness, whereas openness and conscientiousness the results showed no significant difference between two groups.

Prevalence of obesity in affluent school children of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Background: Childhood obesity is a state of over nutrition with long term complications such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and Type-2 diabetes. It also adversely affects psychological development causing poor body image and low self-esteem. Objective: The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of obesity in affluent school children of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: This study was carried out in affluent school children of four private schools in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Height and weight of each child weremeasured, and body mass index was determined according to Quetelet’s index. Results: Totally 816 school children of 6-11 years were examined with 528 boys and 288 girls. The overall prevalence of obesity was 7.4% without significant difference in boys (7.3%) and girls (7.6%). Prevalence of obesity was high at the age of 11 years both in boys (12.2%) and girls (11.5%). Conclusion: The present study revealed that obesity has a high prevalence reaching to epidemic proportions in the affluent school children of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Anxiety among Adolescents in relation to their Socio-Economic Status

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between anxiety and socio-economic status of adolescents of Amritsar city. The present study also examined the gender differences with respect to anxiety and socio-economic status among adolescents. For this, 200 respondents from Amritsar city of Punjab state were selected. The results of the study reveals no significant difference in boys and girls on all the measured variables i.e. anxiety and socio-economic status. The findings of the study further reveal no relationship between anxiety and socio-economic status.

Gender Differentials and the Mathematics Performance of Grade 10 to 12 Learners at the Dilanedi Schools

The aim of the study is to analyse how gender as a variable continues to have an impact on the performance of learners in Grade 10 to 12 mathematics, even at the Dinaledi Schools. The sample has the following characteristics: 592 Grade 10 learners, comprising 254 boys and 338 girls; 2 415 Grade 11 learners, comprising 1 018 girls and 1397 boys; and 1 636 boys and 611 girls in Grade 12. The study uses secondary data collected by means of a mathematics questionnaire on different cognitive levels to diagnose learners' difficulties in mathematics. The items of questionnaire were clustered into five constructs, Manipulative Procedural Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, Problem Solving, Number Concept and Function concept. The study employed the one-way analyses of variance and t-test, testing the hypothesis that there is no difference in the mean scores of boys and girls in the given construct. The results showed that there is no significant difference in boys’ and girls’ mean scores for all the constructs in both Grade 10 and 11. However, in the Grade 12 class there was a signification difference in the mean scores of boys and girls in manipulative procedural knowledge and function concept in favour of boys. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p1426

Examining physical activity and inactivity in 9–12 years old children

Information about children's daily physical activity in Eastern-Europe is essential because of the increasing prevalence in overweight and obesity. Sixty-three children (age=11.16 ± 1.10 years; 33 boys and 30 girls) from two public elementary schools had their physical activity objectively measured using uni-axial accelerometer every 5 seconds for five consecutive days (3 weekdays, 2 weekend days). After data cleaning, 10 children were excluded from database. There were no significant differences in boys' and girls' BMI (17.6 ± 2.2 vs. 17.1 ± 2.4) and BF% (18.0 ± 5.2 vs. 19.4 ± 5.0). Children engaged in more sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity and had higher counts per minute during weekdays compared to weekend days. There were no sex differences in moderate to vigorous physical activity (87.6 ± 22.4 vs. 93.5 ± 20.6 min and 53.6 ± 21.3 vs. 59.4 ± 22.0 min) during weekday and weekend days. Data indicated that 96% of the girls and 92% of the boys met the international physical activity guideline for children of 60 minutes of MVPA, on weekdays.

Preliminary study on normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in children

To explore the normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in Chinese children with magnetic resonance imaging. Two hundred and eighty Chinese children aged from 17 days to 14 years without any symptoms related to sinusitis were statistically analyzed in MRI features, including counting the number of paranasal sinus pneumatization and the maximum axial and sagittal area of the left maxillary. The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 85% in children aged from 0 to 1 years. Until 3 years the pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 95% and there was no significant difference in boys and girls (χ(2) = 0.741, P = 0.389). The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus reached 100% after 4 years old. The pneumatization rate of ethmoid sinus was 100% in this study. The pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus was 0 within 1 year old, 49% within 4 years old and 100% after 7 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus (χ(2) = 2.452, P = 0.117). The pneumatization rate of frontal sinus was 0 within 5 years old, 62% within 9 years old and 95% after 10 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of frontal sinus (χ(2) = 0.124, P = 0.724). The axial and sagittal maximum area of maxillary sinus was (689.28 ± 221.79) and (659.76 ± 263.31) mm(2) in girls and (668.13 ± 206.38) and (638.60 ± 207.67) mm(2) in boys. The differences were significant (t = -19.78, P < 0.001; t = -19.89, P < 0.001). The study of the development and normal aerification of paranasal sinuses of children can help radiologist make correct diagnosis of paranasal sinuses in children.

Metabolic Factors in Obesity

Obesity has a rising prevalence in children and adolescents, affecting 30% of the paediatric population in Portugal. Leptin is an important hormone involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and has been under investigation as a risk marker for future complications. 1. To evaluate the relation between serum leptin levels and body mass index (BMI) and height. 2. To compare leptin levels in obese and non-obese children. 3. To evaluate the relation between leptin levels and insulin resistance index. Cross-sectional study, using a sample of 70 obese children and a control group of 53 non-obese children. Obesity was defined as BMI standard deviation > 2 for age and sex. In the obese group we assessed sex, age, BMI SDS and height SDS for age and sex, and serum levels of glucose, insulin and leptin. In the control group were obtained BMI SDS and height SDS for age and sex and leptin levels. Data were analysed using SPSS 12. The mean age of obese and non-obese children was 10.3 +/- 2.9 versus 10.9 +/- 3.5 years. In the obese group, 32 (45.7%) were boys versus 18 (31.0%) in the non-obese group. BMI SDS in the obese group was 3.12 +/- 0.60 versus 0.20 +/- 0.99 in the non-obese group (p < 0.001). Leptin levels showed a positive correlation with BMI SDS (r = 0.69; p < 0.001) and height SDS (r = 0.31; p < 0.001). When comparing leptin levels between obese and non-obese groups, we found a significant difference in boys (50.7 +/- 27.3 versus 7.0 +/- 6.8 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and in girls (57.6 +/- 25.5 versus 16.5 +/- 10.3 ng/ml; p < 0.001). In the nonobese group, leptin levels were lower in boys. This difference was not seen in the obese group. Leptin showed a positive correlation with insulin resistance index in boys (r = 0.45, p = 0.05), but not in girls. This study has confirmed a positive correlation between leptin levels and BMI SDS. In obese children elevated leptin is associated with central resistance to its action. The positive correlation of leptin with insulin resistance index may suggest a major role of leptin in insulin resistance.

Health, health-compromising behavior, risk-taking behavior and sexuality in female and male high school students in vocational compared with theoretical programs in Sweden

The aim of the present study was to determine whether adolescents attending vocational high school programs in Sweden show unhealthy or risky behaviors to a higher extent than those attending theoretical programs, and whether there were gender differences. All eligible adolescents 16-18 years old, after exclusion of first- and second-generation immigrants, attending high school (1,332 pupils) in a medium-sized town in Sweden completed a validated in-depth questionnaire (Q90) with 165 questions in the classroom. In comparisons, adjustments were made for socio-demographic variables. A significant difference was found for the variable having at least one parent with university education (odds ratio (OR 0.28) for those attending vocational programs). In girls: have bullied (OR 2.01), eat breakfast all school days (OR 0.31), have shoplifted (OR 3.46), smoking (OR 5.69), and have had more than five sexual partners (OR 4.74) all differed significantly. Some variables with significant differences in boys were; eat fruit or vegetables every day (OR 0.55), feeling depressed (OR 0.62), sports activity at least once a week (OR 0.56), vandalizing (OR 2.11), regular alcohol use (OR 1.44), and contraceptive use at latest sexual intercourse (OR 0.47). The findings suggest that preventive interventional strategies, aimed at improving health maintenance among adolescents should take into consideration the differences between students in vocational and theoretical programs, including the cluster and accumulation of health-risk behaviors.

Effects of growth hormone deficiency and rhGH replacement therapy on the 6beta-hydroxycortisol/free cortisol ratio, a marker of CYP3A activity, in growth hormone-deficient children.

To determine the effect of both growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and rhGH replacement therapy on CYP3A activity as well as the potential influence of gender. The sample consisted of 35 GHD children (16 males and 19 females), aged 2.9-13.1 years, and a control group of 35 healthy children matched for age and sex. The urinary ratio 6beta-hydroxycortisol/free cortisol was used as a marker of CYP3A activity. In patients, urine samples were collected at two times, prior to starting rhGH replacement treatment and 30 days after beginning therapy. A significantly higher metabolic activity in GHD children was observed in relation to controls ( P=0.0001) without sex differences. Paired comparisons demonstrated a sexually dimorphic effect of rhGH therapy on the CYP3A activity. While boys displayed a significant decrease ( P=0.003), girls showed no significantly different values of CYP3A marker ( P>0.05). Unpaired comparison between controls and GHD children after therapy demonstrated absence of significant differences in boys ( P>0.05) and a strikingly higher activity in girls ( P=0.0001). The data suggests that: (a) GHD in children increases CYP3A activity in a non-sex-dependent manner, (b) rhGH treatment for 30 days to GHD children results in a sexually dimorphic effect on CYP3A activity, with a significant decrease in males toward normalization in relation to controls and non-significant changes in females. The results of this study may have important clinical implications for GHD children, since changes in CYP3A activity importantly affect the metabolism of both steroid hormones and CYP3A substrate drugs.