Association between childhood obesity and gut microbiota:16S rRNA gene sequencing-based cohort study

BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children(8-12 years old)using 16S rDNA sequencing.The research aimed to provide insights for mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.Thirty normal-weight and thirty age-and sex-matched obese children were included.Questionnaires and body measurements were collected,and fecal samples underwent 16S rDNA sequencing.Significant differences in body mass index(BMI)and body-fat percentage were observed between the groups.Analysis of gut microbiota diversity revealed lowerα-diversity in obese children.Differences in gut microbiota composition were found between the two groups.Prevotella and Firmicutes were more abundant in the obese group,while Bacteroides and Sanguibacteroides were more prevalent in the control group.AIM To identify the characteristic gut genera in obese and normal-weight children(8-12-year-old)using 16S rDNA sequencing,and provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic studies and prevention strategies for childhood obesity.METHODS Thirty each normal-weight,1:1 matched for age and sex,and obese children,with an obese status from 2020 to 2022,were included in the control and obese groups,respectively.Basic information was collected through questionnaires and body measurements were obtained from both obese and normal-weight children.Fecal samples were collected from both groups and subjected to 16S rDNA sequencing using an Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform for gut microbiota diversity analysis.RESULTS Significant differences in BMI and body-fat percentage were observed between the two groups.The Ace and Chao1 indices were significantly lower in the obese group than those in the control group,whereas differences were not significant in the Shannon and Simpson indices.Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in unweighted and weighted UniFrac distances between the gut microbiota of normal-weight and obese children(P<0.01),suggesting substantial disparities in both the species and quantity of gut microbiota between the two groups.Prevotella,Firmicutes,Bacteroides,and Sanguibacteroides were more abundant in the obese and control groups,respectively.Heatmap results demonstrated significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between obese and normal-weight children.CONCLUSION Obese children exhibited lowerα-diversity in their gut microbiota than did the normal-weight children.Significant differences were observed in the composition of gut microbiota between obese and normal-weight children.

Link between childhood obesity and gut microbiota

Childhood obesity is a critical global health concern with rising prevalence and significant long-term health implications.Recent studies have implicated gut microbiota in the development and progression of obesity.This editorial analyzes the research conducted by Li et al,who utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing to compare the gut microbiome of overweight and healthy-weight children.The study found significant differences in microbial diversity and composition between the two groups,with potential implications for understanding and managing childhood obesity.We analyzed the study’s advantages and drawbacks,proposing potential areas for future research to better understand the connection between gut microbiota and obesity.

Chelation therapy in liver diseases of childhood: Current status and response

Chelation is the mainstay of therapy in certain pediatric liver diseases.Copper and iron related disorders require chelation.Wilson’s disease(WD),one of the common causes of cirrhosis in children is treated primarily with copper chelating agents like D-penicillamine and trientine.D-Penicillamine though widely used due its high efficacy in hepatic WD is fraught with frequent adverse effects resulting discontinuation.Trientine,an alternative drug has comparable efficacy in hepatic WD but has lower frequency of adverse effects.The role of ammonium tetra-thiomolybdate is presently experimental in hepatic WD.Indian childhood cirrhosis is related to excessive copper ingestion,rarely seen in present era.DPenicillamine is effective in the early part of this disease with reversal of clinical status.Iron chelators are commonly used in secondary hemochromatosis of liver in hemolytic anemias.There are strict chelation protocols during bone marrow transplant.The role of iron chelation in neonatal hemochromatosis is presently not in vogue due to its poor efficacy and availability of other modalities of therapy.Hereditary hemochromatosis is rare in children and the use of iron chelators in this condition is limited.

Characterizing Diversity of Lactobacilli Associated with Severe Early Childhood Caries: A Study Protocol

Lactobacilli have been consistently associated with dental caries for decades;however, knowledge of this group of bacteria in the etiology of the disease is limited to quantitative elucidation. Nowadays, explicit identification of oral Lactobacillus species is possible, despite their taxonomic complexity. Here we describe a combined approach involving both cultivation and genetic methods to ascertain and characterize the diversity and abundance of the Lactobacillus population in the oral cavities of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). Eighty 3- to 6-year-old children (40 S-ECC and 40 caries free) who were seeking dental care at the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Bellevue Hospital in New York City were invited to participate in this study. Clinical data on sociodemographic information and oral health behavior were obtained from the primary caregiver. The data included a detailed dental examination, children’s medical history, and a questionnaire survey. Combined non-stimulated saliva and supragingival plaque samples were collected from each child and cultivated on selective media for quantitative measures of lactobacilli levels. The procedure for Lactobacillus species screening will include the random selection of 50 colonies per plate, ex- traction of DNA from each colony, and genotyping by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR). Each unique Lactobacillus AP-PCR genotype will be selected for taxonomic assessment by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Lactobacillus species will be identified by comparing the 16S rRNA sequences with the Ribosomal Database and the Human Oral Microbiome Database. Meanwhile, the same set of clinical samples will be independently subjected to genomic DNA isolation, 16S rRNA amplification with Lactobacillus genus-specific primers, sequencing, and taxonomic identification, both at genus and species levels with a customized pipeline. The distribution and phylogenetic differences of these Lactobacillus species will be compared between children with or without S-ECC. One of the main objectives of this study is to establish a study protocol for the identification and characterization of lactobacilli in the oral cavity. Future caries risk assessments can include lactobacilli counts (quantitative) and the presence/absence of specific cario- genic genetic signatures of a Lactobacillus species (qualitative) associated with S-ECC.

When the Childhood Event Unfolds Itself:On the Survivor’s Guilt in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

This short paper aims to discuss the unbearably-heavy weight of childhood memory and the survivor’s guilt as the symptoms in the novel,The Kite Runner,published in 2003,by an Afghan-American writer,Khaled Hosseini.It describes the ambivalent relationship between the father and the son against the background of political turmoil in Afghanistan—how they have a good life together in Afghanistan and afterwards how they are forced to leave their homeland like refugees to Pakistan and then to The United States for a new life with the survivor’s guilt after the tumultuous period of the Soviet military invasion.The narrator,Amir,treasures the memories of his old homeland,Afghanistan,the innermost remnants of his being,which has become as the specter haunting his present life in the United States.Amir has to return to his old homeland to meet his father’s closest friend,Rahim Khan,and to rescue Sohrad,the son of his half-brother,Hassan,from the Taliban regime.This ethical return to the past not only has unfolded certain secrecy of his father’s dishonor but also has healed his sense of survivor’s guilt because of his evil rivalry of jealousy against Hassan to fully possess his father’s love in his childhood.In my discussion of ethnic hierarchy and conflicts in Afghanistan described in the novel,Jacques Derrida’s and Giorgio Agamben’s theoretical concepts,such as the problematic of sovereignty,sovereign animality and bare life in The Beast&the Soveriegn and Homo Sacer,will be used to penetrate the deeper understanding of their traumatic past as haunting specters.

Conceptions of Childhood and the Educational Rights of the Child

Formulations of children＇s rights rest on assumptions about the nature of childhood yet conceptions of childhood are not stable across time and space. Such conceptions can be understood as placing different emphases among three different factors： the child as subservient to parents and ancestors （Child 1）, as a young person requiring special protection and having characteristics distinct from adults （Child 2） and as a novice （Child 3）. Different social arrangements place relatively different emphases on these three factors in their overall conceptions of childhood. Adopting the distinction between Will and Interest rights （Archard 2002）, the paper considers how an emphasis on Child 1, 2 or 3 presupposes and demands a distinctive consideration of children＇s rights. The argument concludes with a reflection on how children＇s rights might be construed if the nature of adulthood is problematised alongside that of childhood. In this case, capabilities （as means to enable functionings） may prove a more fruitful concept than rights （as actual or possible existential conditions）.

Analysis of the Writing Characteristics of the Title Music,Using“Scenes of Childhood”and“Children’s Garden”as Examples

In European thought and culture,there exists a group of passionate artists who are fascinated by the intention,passion,and richness of artistic expression.They strive to establish connections between different art forms.Musicians not only attempt to represent masterpieces through the language of music but also aim to convey subjective experiences of emotions and personal imagination to listeners by adding titles to their musical works.This study examines two pieces,“Scenes of Childhood”and“Children’s Garden”,and analyzes the different approaches employed by the composers in portraying similar content.

A case of recurrent rhabdomyolysis associated with childhood Sjogren’s syndrome

We report a 9-year-old Japanese girl who presented with muscle weakness and elevated serum levels of muscle-derived enzymes following mycoplasma infection. Rhabdomyolysis or myositis was suggested by magnetic resonance imaging and repeated four times within 4 years. Each episode developed following respiratory infection and spontaneously recovered. The diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome was made by decreased salivary secretion, MR sialography, lip biopsy, and positive anti-SSA/Ro antibody. Given the rarity of rhabdomyolysis/myositis, recurrent episode could be induced by infectious disease on the basis of underlying Sjogren’s syndrome. Conclusion: Sjogren’s syndrome should be considered as an underlying disease of recurrent infection-induced rhabdomyolysis/ myositis.

Babycare's International Cooperation in Early Childhood English Teaching

Established in 1998, Babycare Consulting Co. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Babycare) is a new-type enterprise offering early education to babies and children aged 0-6. In accordance with the law of physical and mental development of babies and children, the company develops courses such as healthy

A Famous Conductor's Childhood

A famous conductor(乐队指挥), Yu Feng was born in a small town in Ningbo. When he was a little boy, he was interested in music, but his parents wanted him to sing Beijing Opera(京剧).

My Mom’s Childhood

Everyone has their very special childhood.Today,I’ll tell you about my mom’s childhood.When my mom was a little girl,she used to swim in the river.One day,she caught a small fish with my uncle and her friend.They were very excited about it.On the way home,they talked about who ate the fish tail,fish head and fish body.

A Study of Health Prescribing for Children with Tourette’s Disorders in Children’s Health Education Specialty Care Clinics

Objective:This study designs and implements the health prescription of children’s health education specialized nursing clinic based on the physical and mental characteristics of children with Tourette’s syndrome.Methods:Applying the evidence-based nursing model and nursing intervention theory based on the survey research by searching China Knowledge Network,Wanfang Database and Wipro Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database,the study collected the literature on the health prescription intervention research in children’s Tourette’s disorders health education in children’s health education of specialized nursing outpatient clinic for review and combined with the specialty characteristics to formulate“Children’s Tourette’s Disorder Health Education Prescription.”Results:Tourette’s syndrome in children is a common pediatric neurological disorder,mainly manifested as involuntary,rapid and repeated muscle twitching and vocal tics,which brings serious psychological pressure and life disturbance to the affected children.Conclusion:For children with Tourette’s syndrome,healthcare professionals should give enough care and understanding to the children and their parents,provide timely and effective health education to them,help them improve their bad behavioral habits,establish correct cognitive attitudes,enhance self-confidence,improve patient compliance,reduce the frequency of recurrence,reduce the incidence of complications and promote children’s physical and mental health development.

GSTP1 A313G多态性与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病无关联--基于9篇病例对照研究的Meta分析

目的对GSTP1 A313G位点AG、GG、AG+GG基因型和G等位基因与儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)关联性进行Meta分析。方法检索Pub Med、EMBASE、OVID、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国知网和万方数据库(2000年1月至2014年6月)中的文献,收集GSTP1 A313G多态性与儿童ALL关联性的病例对照研究,应用Rev Man 5.3软件和Stata 12.0软件进行Meta分析,统计合并OR值及其95%CI。结果符合本文Meta分析纳入标准的文献有10篇,其中9篇文献具同质性(病例组1 476例,对照组1 905例)。Meta分析结果显示,GSTP1 A313G位点AG、GG、AG+GG基因型与儿童ALL发病风险无关联(AG基因型:OR=1.07,95%CI:0.93~1.24,P=0.35;GG基因型:OR=1.12,95%CI:0.86~1.45,P=0.41;AG+GG基因型:OR=1.08,95%CI:0.94~1.24,P=0.28),G等位基因与儿童ALL发病风险亦无关联性(OR=1.11,95%CI:0.96~1.28,P=0.16)。按种族、对照组来源、基因分型方法和样本量大小行分层分析,显示GSTP1 A313G位点上述基因型和等位基因与儿童ALL发病无关联。结论 GSTP1 A313G位点多态性与儿童ALL发病风险无关联。

Review of the evidence for the management of co-morbid Tic disorders in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents, with prevalence ranging between 5% and 12% in the developed countries. Tic disorders(TD) are common co-morbidities in paediatric ADHD patients with or without pharmacotherapy treatment. There has been conflicting evidence of the role of psychostimulants in either precipitating or exacerbating TDs in ADHD patients. We carried out a literature review relating to the management of TDs in children and adolescents with ADHD through a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane databases. No quantitative synthesis(meta-analysis) was deemed appropriate. Metaanalysis of controlled trials does not support an association between new onset or worsening of tics and normal doses of psychostimulant use. Supratherapeutic doses of dextroamphetamine have been shown to exacerbate TD. Most tics are mild or moderate and respond to psychoeducation and behavioural management. Level A evidence support the use of alpha adrenergic agonists, including Clonidine and Guanfacine, reuptake noradrenenaline inhibitors(Atomoxetine) and stimulants(Methylphenidate and Dexamphetamines) for the treatment of Tics and comorbid ADHD. Priority should be given to the management of co-morbid Tourette's syndrome(TS) or severely disabling tics in children and adolescents with ADHD. Severe TDs may require antipsychotic treatment. Antipsychotics, especially Aripiprazole, are safe and effective treatment for TS or severe Tics, but they only moderately control the co-occurring ADHD symptomatology. Short vignettes of different common clinical scenarios are presented to help clinicians determine the most appropriate treatment to consider in each patient presenting with ADHD and co-morbid TDs.

Association of Television Watching Practices of Mothers on Overweight and Obesity of Their Under-5 Offspring in Urban Bangladesh

Childhood overweight and obesity, is an emerging public health concern in developing countries like Bangladesh. However, regular television watching by child’s mother and its impact on excess weight gain or overweight and obesity to their offspring is not reported elsewhere. The aim of the present analysis was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics among overweight and obese children based on those mothers who watch television regularly and compare this finding with malnourished and well-nourished under-5 children. A total of 20,800 under-5 children were enrolled during 1996 to 2012 in the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System (DDSS) of Dhaka Hospital of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). Mean weight-for-age z-score (–1.61 vs. –2.30;mean difference: ?0.69;p < 0.001), height-for-age z-score (–1.42 vs. –1.99;–0.57;<0.001), weight-for-height z-score (–1.59 vs. –1.07;–0.53;<0.001), BMI-for-age z-score (–1.09 vs. –1.61, –0.52;<0.001) differed significantly between the children whose mother did and did not watch television regularly. Under-5 children whose mother watched television regularly (2%) compared to those who did not (1%), had 2.28 [(95% CI-1.61 - 3.24) p < 0.001] times increased odds of being overweight and obese. Television watching of mothers is associated with childhood overweight and obesity and is one of the most public health concerns in Bangladesh. These changes may be in part of better socio-economic condition, changes in life style behaviour and dietary pattern.

One Month Ongoing Intussusception: Case Report

The aim is to present a case operated due to one-month ongoing intussusception and diagnosed as lymphoma. A six years old boy was admitted to our emergency department with complaint of colicky abdominal pain and bilious vomiting for the last month. He was operated due to 3 cm intussusception at ileocecal part. A mass which is about 6 cm in diameter, hard, partly mobile and invaginate the intestine at its posterior aspect was found. Pathology was reported as Burkitt lymphoma. He received two cycles of chemotherapy at post-operative period. He is still event free for the last two years. One must remember that lymphoma can be the lead point in intussusception especially in elderly children.

Feminine Writings:Between Representations of Past and Present Femininity

The writers of this study are the Countess de Ségur,Louisa May Alcott and Maria Clarice Marinho Villac,from France,the United States and Brazil,respectively.It’s possible to identify a connection in their life trajectories―aristocratic and bourgeois families―and the ability to write their books.These publications address a specific audience,composed of children and young people,especially females.The representation of femininity in the narratives is related to the representation of family and religiosity,since it is up to the family to guide the girls in moral terms and this question is quite highlighted by religion.Analyzing the representation of femininity is due to the fact that the main books of female writers bring female protagonists,who exhibit a rebellious and mischievous behavior,which is observed and guided by adults.The representations of femininity is still valued and legitimized.For this reason,the narratives continue to be published and adapted to other languages,bringing to light these representations that remain until the 21st century in new clothing and updated vocabulary.Some adaptations for the Portuguese will also be analyzed,trying to identify longevity the works of these writers and their meaning in some epochs.

儿童哮喘α_1-抗糜蛋白酶杂合缺失研究

目的探讨α1 抗糜蛋白酶(α1 antichymotrypsin,α1 ACT)杂合缺失是否为儿童哮喘发病的遗传因素。方法应用火箭免疫电泳技术检测90例哮喘儿童、180例健康儿童及200例健康成人血浆α1 ACT含量 ,家系调查确定α1 ACT杂合缺失 ,统计学方法分析α1 ACT杂合缺失和非缺失患儿的有关临床资料。结果哮喘组、儿童对照组以及成人对照组α1 ACT杂合缺失频率依次为4.4 %、0、0.05 % ,哮喘组较成人对照组明显增高[Prevalenceradio(PR)=8.89, 2MH =5.68,95 %置信区间(1.47,53.60) ,P<0.05] ;且α1 ACT杂合缺失患儿哮喘初发年龄早、住院次数多、放射性过敏原吸附试验阳性率显著增高[PR=3.91, 2MH=10.190,95 %置信区间(1.69,9.03) ,P<0.01]。结论α1 ACT杂合缺失与儿童哮喘发病及其严重性存在一定的联系。

重症婴幼儿龋对儿童口腔健康相关生活质量的影响

目的:探讨重症婴幼儿龋(S-ECC)对儿童口腔健康相关生活质量(OHRQL)的影响。方法:随机选取来我院就诊的S-ECC及无龋儿童各95名,进行口腔健康状况检查,并采用学龄前儿童口腔健康影响量表(Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale,ECOHIS)调查儿童的OHRQL。比较S-ECC及无龋儿童的ECOHIS得分情况,分析ECOHIS得分与患龋状况的相关性。结果:S-ECC儿童的ECOHIS总分以及在各领域的得分均明显高于无龋儿童(P<0.05)。ECOHIS总分及各领域得分均与儿童的龋齿数和患龋牙面数呈正相关。S-ECC对儿童OHRQL的影响主要体现在儿童的口腔症状、口腔功能及家长内疚感3个领域。结论:S-ECC儿童的OHRQL低下,应引起广泛关注,并对其采取积极的治疗措施。

儿童乐园式住院环境对患儿康复影响的研究

为探讨儿童乐园式住院环境对促进患儿疾病的康复效果,对163例住院儿童进行心理行为问卷调查,比较住院环境改变前后医疗指标的变化。结果:住院环境改变后163例患儿在心理行为12项问题调查中选择经常发生的占2.3%,选择有时发生的占12.5%,选择未发生的占85.2%;住院人数上升318.4%,病人满意率提高4个百分点,平均住院日缩短2.82d,平均住院费用下降45.84元。提示,儿童乐园式住院环境对患儿的疾病康复有促进作用。