Background: Childhood obesity is a critical public health problem. There is a crucial need to identify environmental factors that either encourage or prevent obesogenic behaviors. The home food environment is one of the primary environments in which children are exposed to food. Therefore, it is crucial to study how the home food availability influences dietary intake and weight status. Objective: This study examines parental report of household food availability of fruits, vegetables, and milk, and its association with child weight status and child dietary intake of these foods. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, based on surveys from 489 students in grades 3-12 their parents in 2009. Child participants were Destination ImagiNation® finalists. Child data collection included surveys based on the Youth Risk Surveillance Survey and anthropometric measurements of height and weight used to calculate child z-BMI. Parents self-reported their heights and weights and home food availability. Descriptive statistics were conducted and multiple linear regression was used to predict whether or not a relationship existed between home food availability, child weight status, and dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, and milk. Results: Overall, 12.5% of participants were overweight and 6.7% were obese. Approximately26% of participants consumed 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day and 17% consumed 3 or more glasses of milk per day. However, a no significant relationship was found between home availability of fruits, vegetables, and milk and the reported intake of these foods. Although a significant association was also found between parent and child weight status, no significant association was found between home food availability and child weight status. Conclusions: Compared to national data, a larger proportion of this sample was classified as normal weight and consumed the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables and milk. Parents reported high availability of fruits, vegetables, and milk products. However, no significance was found between the reported availability of these foods and weight status or dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, or milk.

Neural prostheses are being developed to provide motor capabilities to patients who suffer from motor-debilitating diseases and conditions. These brain-computer interfaces (BCI) will be controlled by activity from the brain and bypass damaged parts of the spinal cord or peripheral nervous system to re-establish volitional control of motor output. Spike sorting is a technologically expensive component of the signal processing chain required to interpret population spike activity acquired in a BCI. No systematic analysis of the need for spike sorting has been carried out and little is known about the effects of spike sorting error on the ability of a BCI to decode intended motor commands. We developed a theoretical framework and a modelling environment to examine the effects of spike processing on the information available to a BCI decoder. Shannon information theory was applied to simulated neural data. Results demonstrated that reported amounts of spike sorting error reduce mutual information (MI) significantly in single-unit spike trains. These results prompted investigation into how much information is available in a cluster of pooled signals. Indirect information analysis revealed the conditions under which pooled multi-unit signals can maintain the MI that is available in the corresponding sorted signals and how the information loss grows with dissimilarity of MI among the pooled responses. To reveal the differences in non-sorted spike activity within the context of a BCI, we simulated responses of 4 neurons with the commonly observed and exploited cosine-tuning property and with varying levels of sorting error. Tolerances of angular tuning differences and spike sorting error were given for MI loss due to pooling under various conditions, such as cases of inter- and/or intra-electrode differences and combinations of various mean firing rates and tuning depths. These analyses revealed the degree to which mutual information loss due to pooling spike activity depended upon differences in tuning between pooled neurons and the amount of spike error introduced by sorting. The theoretical framework and computational tools presented in this dissertation will BCI system designers to make decisions with an understanding of the tradeoffs between a system with and without spike sorting. / Dissertation

The present study assessed the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and healthcare cost, utilization and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of type 2 diabetes patients using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database. Study subjects were at least 18 years of age, diagnosed with diabetes and taking ≥1 oral antidiabetic medication. Data were extracted over a 5-year period (01/01/2006-12/31/2010). The main study outcomes were healthcare costs and utilization and HRQoL. The study covariates were age, gender, race, smoking status, census region of residence, marital status, insurance status, Charlson comorbidity index score and additional bed days. Study objectives were addressed using generalized linear model, negative binomial and multivariate regression analyses. A final un-weighted sample size of 7,003 patients was obtained. Mean age (±SE) was 61.2 (±0.24) years, mean BMI (±SE) was 32.2 (±0.12), and 50.4% were males. The majority was white (77.4%), did not smoke (84.5%), and were married (60.4%). Based on BMI categories, 12.6% had normal weight (BMI: 18.0-24.9); 29.2% were overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9); 45.6% were obese (BMI: 30.0-39.9), and 12.6% were morbidly obese (BMI≥ 40.0). Compared to normal-weight patients; overweight, obese or morbidly obese patients had significantly higher (p<0.05) diabetes-related direct medical costs. However, overweight patients had significantly lower (p=0.021) all-cause direct medical costs. Furthermore, compared to normal weight patients, obese patients had a significantly higher (p=0.009) number of ambulatory care visits, while overweight patients had a significantly lower (p=0.035) number of emergency department visits. In addition, being obese or morbidly obese was associated with a significantly higher (p<0.0001) number of prescribed medicines compared to normal-weight patients. Compared to normal-weight patients; being obese or morbidly obese was also significantly (p<0.0001) associated with lower physical component summary (PCS-12) scores (i.e., worse quality of life) while being overweight was significantly (p=0.038) associated with higher mental component summary (MCS-12) scores (i.e., better quality of life). In conclusion, the present study suggests that among type 2 diabetes patients, being obese may be associated with negative consequences (in terms of healthcare costs, utilization and outcomes). Hence, there is the need to address obesity among type 2 diabetes patients in order to improve their health outcomes and significantly reduce healthcare costs and resource utilization. / text

In my work on the theme External Aspects Affecting Obesity Did shoot on obesity globally as a disease,which influences the life of patient and whole society too. The teoretical part my diploma work be concerned with the account of the notion of obesity, prevalence, classification and diagnostic of obesity, types of obesity, causes of obesity,prevention and treatment. There is also allusion to the organizations and institutions,which help persons try to find a solution this problem. The practical part is over the general cause of obesity with the specialization on the stress. The results are compere by obese people with normal people.

Ertapenem is an antibiotic commonly used to treat a broad spectrum of infections and is part of a broader class of antibiotics called carbapenems. Unlike other carbapenems, ertapenem has a longer half-life and thus only has to be administered once a day. Previously, a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to investigate the uptake, distribution, and elimination of ertapenem following a single one gram dose in normal height, normal weight males. Due to the absorption properties of ertapenem, the amount of fat in the body can influence how the drug binds, how quickly the drug passes through the body, and thus how effective the drug might be. Thus, we have revised the model so that it is applicable to males and females of differing body mass index (BMI). Simulations were performed to consider the distribution of the antibiotic in males and females with varying body mass indexes. These results could help to determine if there is a need for altered dosing regimens in the future.

Background In South Africa, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the leading cause of maternal mortality. More than 50% of anaesthesia-related deaths are attributed to complications of airway management. We compared the prevalence and risk factors for hypoxaemia (SpO2<90%) during induction of general anaesthesia in parturients with and without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We hypothesised that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with desaturation during tracheal intubation. Methods Data from 402 cases in a multicentre obstetric airway management registry were analysed. The prevalence of peri-induction hypoxaemia (SpO2<90%) was compared in patients with and without hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Quantile regression of SpO2 nadir was performed to identify confounding variables associated with, and mediators of hypoxaemia.Results In the cohort of 402 cases, hypoxaemia occurred in 19% with and 9% without hypertension (estimated risk difference, 10%; 95% CI 2% to 17%; P=0.005). Quantile regression demonstrated a lower SpO2 nadir associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as body mass index increased. Room-air oxygen saturation, Mallampati grade, and number of intubation attempts were associated with the relationship. Conclusions Clinically significant oxygen desaturation during airway management occurred twice as often in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, compounded by increasing body mass index. Intermediary factors in the pathway from hypertension to hypoxaemia were also identified.

Thesis (Masters)--College of Saint Elizabeth, 2010. / Typescript. Available at The College of Saint Elizabeth - Office of Graduate Programs. "March 2010."

Obesity has become a global pandemic that not only affects adults, but also children and adolescents. It has been found that obesity among children and adolescents has emotional, social, physical and psychological ramifications, one of which is bullying. Very little has been written on the effects obesity in early adolescence has on bullying behaviour in a South African context. For this reason the researcher deemed it necessary to study the perceptions of youths in early adolescence with regard to obesity and bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 early adolescents from the Brooklyn policing precinct in the east of Pretoria. The data were assessed through content and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Thus the researcher tried to capture the essence of each individual interview. Several themes emerged from the data analysis, of which the most noteworthy were what youths in early adolescence perceive as bullying; the influence of bullying on behaviour; a general overview of perpetrators and victims of bullying; and the correlation between an early adolescent’s body shape and victimisation. The findings give insight into how obese young adolescents are perceived and treated by their peers. Furthermore, the findings elucidate what early adolescents perceive as bullying and possible reasons for such behaviour. By identifying the perceptions held by early adolescents, programmes can be implemented to address these stereotypes, thus decreasing the potential victimisation of overweight/obese youths in early adolescence. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Introdução - A incidência das fendas lábio – palatinas, é de 1 para cada 700 nascidos vivos na população mundial, trata-se de uma má-formação congênita que pode ocorrer devido a fatores endógenos ou exógenos. Objetivo – Relacionar o índice de massa corporal (IMC) materno com o nascimento de bebês com fendas. Métodos – Trata-se de um estudo tipo caso-controle. Foram incluídas 800 mães com idade entre 18 e 35 anos, que não apresentaram suspeita ou confirmação de diabete mellitus ou gravídica e bebês com peso entre 2.500 e 4.500 gramas nascidos entre a 37ª e a 42ª semana de gestação que não apresentaram nenhum outro tipo de deficiência que não a estudada. Para a coleta dos dados aplicou – se questionários a 400 mães de crianças normais distribuídas em quatro postos de saúde da cidade de Santo André (controles), e 400 mães de bebês com fendas labiais e/ou palatinas que estavam em tratamento no FUNCRAF, que é um centro especializado no tratamento da deformidade estudada, nesta mesma cidade (casos). Resultados - Entre os casos encontrou - se 148 (37,00%) mulheres com IMC acima de 26 e entre os controles foram 132 (33,00%). Com relação ao uso de álcool/drogas observou-se que 82 (20,50%) mulheres entre os casos e 58 (14,50%) no grupo controle eram usuárias. Duzentas e onze (52,70%) mães de bebês com fendas relataram ter histórico de má - formação na família dela ou do pai da criança. Este número foi de 103 (25,70%) no grupo controle. No grupo controle observou-se que 330 (82,50%) eram brancas ou pardas, 43 (10,75%) negras e 27 (6,70%) amarelas, entre os casos foram 294 (73,50%) brancas ou pardas, 65 (16,25%) negras e 40 (10,00%) amarelas. Conclusões - O IMC alto não esteve relacionado ao nascimento de bebês com fendas. Ter sido usuária de álcool/drogas no primeiro trimestre de gestação relacionou-se ao nascimento de crianças com a má-formação. O risco de surgimento desta deformidade foi 3,6 vezes maior quanto existiu histórico de qualquer má-formação familiar; a raça/etnia da mãe também apresentou associação com a presença de fendas, a raça branca é a menos associada seguida pela parda e negra e, finalmente pela amarela que foi a que apresenta maior associação. / Introduction – The incidence of cleft lips and palate is 1 to 700 live births in the world population, it is a congenital malformation that can happens due to endogens or exogenesis factors. Objectives – Association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and the risk of cleft lips or palate. Methods – That is a case – control study. We include 800 mothers between 18 and 35 years old without suspicious of gestational or preexisting diabetes and babies between 2,500 e 4, 000 g was born between the 37 and 42 pregnancy week without other congenital malformation that is not the studied. Some questions were asked for 400 normal children’s mothers from four health centers from Santo André (controls), and 400cleft lips or palate children’s mothers from FUNCRAF that is a health center just to treatment of this malformation, from Santo André (cases). Results – Among the cases we have 148 (37.00%) mothers with BMI above 26 and among the controls it was 132 (33.00%). About alcohol and drugs use we have 82 (20.50%) women among cases and 58 (14.50%) on control group. Two hundred eleven (52.70%) malformations children’s mothers declare to have malformation parental history against 103 (25.70%) on control group. On control group we have 330 (82.50%) white , 43 (10.75%) black and 27 (6.70%) yellow, among the cases 294 (73.50%) white, 65 (16.25%) black and 40 (10.00%) yellow. Conclusions – The increase of BMI is not likely to be a risk factor for clefts, the consumption of alcohol/drugs is a risk factor for this malformation; the risk is 3.6 times highest for clefts when there is malformation history; a racial association with clefts was observed, the white women presents the lowest association and the yellow presents the highest one.

Objetivos: Analisar o ajuste alométrico para MC e altura entre indivíduos menores de 20 anos. Métodos: Dados de indivíduos de 0-20 anos de National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-1999-2013); Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde e Nutrição (PNSN-1989); Encuesta de Salud y Nutrición (2012); England Health Survei (2005-2014) e; Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-1998-2014). MC e de altura foram convertidos à escala logarítmica e modelados por regressão linear em 24 grupos etários, 2 sexos e os 5 países. O &#946; dessa regressão deu origem ao p valor que foi estimado em 2 etapas. 1) Todos os dados disponíveis nos inquéritos, excluíndo apenas os valores biologicamente implausíveis; e 2) O p foi calculado após a exclusão dos valores não esperados para idade (VNEI) de MC e altura. VNEI foi definido como casos ±2,0 DP(z) do resíduo da regressão de MC pela idade, altura pela idade e MC pela altura. Em seguida, os valores p definidos no pool de dados foram modelados por spline com 5 knots, para definição de um p internacional (ip). Após calculou-se o IA - Indice Alométrico para todos os individuos. Para análise da correlação entre os índices e a massa adiposa foram utilizadas medidas de Densiotometria (DXA), Impedância Bioelétrica (BIA), Circunferência de Cintura (CC) e Dobras Cutâneas (DC). As correlações com os indices foram estimada pelo coeficiente de Pearson(r). Em uma análise de efeitos mistos, estimou-se o coeficiente correlção intraclasses (CCI), entre os diferentes países e as diferentes fenótipos humanos para altura, MC, IMC e IA. Resultados: A exclusão de VNEI (8,5% da amostra) diminuiu a diferença do p entre os países. O p e o ip apresentoram valores próximos a 2 ao nascimento, aumentou para 3 a 3,5 (7 e 11 anos nas meninas e 8 a 12 nos meninos) e regrediu a 2 no final do crescimento. O IA apresentou r próximo de zero em relação a altura contra r proximos de 0,4 para o IMC durante a puberdade. A correlação da massa adiposa para os dois indices foi semelhante, sempre apresentando r acima de 0,85 para todas as formas de análise via DC, BIA, CC e DXA. IA apresentou menor correlação com massa muscular e densidade óssea. O CCI foi maior entre os paises e praticamente nulo entre as fenótipos humanos. A maior variação entre os paises ficou a cargo da altura, seguido da massa corporal e IMC. O IA foi a medida que se apresentou com menor variação entre os paises (3,6%) e entre fenótipos humanos (1,7%). Conclusões: A exclusão VNEI contribuiu para diminuir o efeito do estado nutricional sobre a alometria para se estimar o p valor. O ip mostrou-se uma valor promissor para uso internacional. O IA no conjunto de evidências apresenta uma vantagem em relação ao IMC, uma vez que tem correlção 0 com a altura, e uma correlação equivalente ao IMC com a massa adiposa além de apresentar o menor CCI entre fenótipos humanos e nacionalidades. A maior variação do CCI ficou a cargo do país em relação a altura, justificado pelos difentes contextos epidemiológicos. / Objectives: To analyze the allometric scalling for BM and the height under 20 years old. Methods: Individuals 0-20 years of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-1999-2013); Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde e Nutrição (PNSN-1989); Encuesta de Salud y Nutrición (2012); England Health Survei (2005-2014) and; Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-1998-2014). BM and height were converted to logarithmic scale and modeled by linear regression, in 24 age groups, 2 sexes and 5 countries. The &#946; of this regression gave the estimated p value in 2 steps. 1) All data available in the surveys, excluding only those biologically implausible values; and 2) The value was obtained after the exclusion of values not expected for age (VNEA) of MC and height. VNEA was defined as ± 2.0 SD (z) cases of regression of BM by age, height by age and MC by height. Then, the values were modeled by spline in 5 knots, to define an international (ip). After were calculated the AI - Allometric Index for all individuals. The Pearson correlation (r) between the indices and the fat mass was calculated used data dorm densitometry (DXA), Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), Waist Circumference (WC) and Skin Folds (SF). In an analysis of mixed effects, was estimated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), between countries and ethnicities for different dimensions for BM, BMI and AI. Results: Exclusion of VNEA (8.5% of the sample) decreased the difference between countries. The p and ip presented values close to 2 at birth, increased to 3 to 3.5 (7 and 11 years in girls and 8 to 12 in boys) and recorded 2 at the end of growth. AI was close to zero in correlation with height and for BMI was r= 0.4 during puberty. The correlation of the adipose mass for the two indices was similar, always presenting r above 0.85 for all forms of analysis via DC, BIA, CC and DXA. AI presented a lower correlation with muscle mass and bone density. ICC is larger among countries and is practically zero among ethnicities. The greatest difference between the groups was the height, the BM and the BMI. AI showed the smallest difference between the countries (3.6%) and between the ethnic groups (1.7%). Conclusions: A VNEA exclusion contributed to decrease the effect of nutritional status on allometry to estimate the p value. The value ip has proved to be a promising value for international use. The IA in the body of evidence has an advantage over BMI, since it has correlation 0 with height, and a correlation equivalent to the BMI with the adipose mass besides presenting the lowest CCI between ethnicities and nationalities. The greatest variation of ICC was borne by the country in relation to height, justified by the different epidemiological contexts.