<p>Grav språkstörning hos barn kan orsaka beteendeproblem. För barn med primärt grava språksvårigheter finns specialskola att tillgå, så kallad språkskola. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att mäta beteende hos barn på språkskola med hjälp av föräldraenkäten Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL, samt Child Health Questionnaire, CHQ, för att utesluta hälsopåverkan på svarsresultaten.</p><p>En specifik språkskola valdes ut och målsmännen till barnen kontaktades. Elva av dessa godkände deltagande i studien. Barnen var i åldrarna 6:11 till 15:5 år. Svaren från enkäterna sammanställdes, analyserades och jämfördes med normaldata. Problemområden och dess underkategorier som redovisades var inåtagerande och utåtagerande beteende samt en blandad kategori innehållande bland annat social problematik.  Resultatet redovisades deskriptivt.</p><p>Resultatet i föreliggande studie visade att fem barn av elva överskred normvärdet av totalpoängen i CBCL. Vissa av barnen föreföll ha social problematik samt uppmärksamhetssvårigheter. Ingen generell beteendemässig problematik kunde dock påvisas.</p>

Grav språkstörning hos barn kan orsaka beteendeproblem. För barn med primärt grava språksvårigheter finns specialskola att tillgå, så kallad språkskola. Syftet med föreliggande studie var att mäta beteende hos barn på språkskola med hjälp av föräldraenkäten Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL, samt Child Health Questionnaire, CHQ, för att utesluta hälsopåverkan på svarsresultaten. En specifik språkskola valdes ut och målsmännen till barnen kontaktades. Elva av dessa godkände deltagande i studien. Barnen var i åldrarna 6:11 till 15:5 år. Svaren från enkäterna sammanställdes, analyserades och jämfördes med normaldata. Problemområden och dess underkategorier som redovisades var inåtagerande och utåtagerande beteende samt en blandad kategori innehållande bland annat social problematik.  Resultatet redovisades deskriptivt. Resultatet i föreliggande studie visade att fem barn av elva överskred normvärdet av totalpoängen i CBCL. Vissa av barnen föreföll ha social problematik samt uppmärksamhetssvårigheter. Ingen generell beteendemässig problematik kunde dock påvisas.

Background: Asthma exacerbations are a leading cause of school absenteeism and time lost from work, affecting the quality of life (QOL) of children with asthma and their caregivers. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between measures of asthma severity and the QOL of children with asthma and their caregivers living in rural Saskatchewan. Methods: Data for this research was previously collected in 2005-2007 using a case-control study design. Children were recruited for the case control study following a cross-sectional school based survey of children aged 6-18 years. Cases with physician-diagnosed asthma (n=77) were then selected to examine associations between asthma severity and QOL, with respiratory information collected from a home visit, clinic visit and two-week home monitoring of diurnal peak flow variability (DPV). During the clinic visit, children underwent spirometry and completed the Pediatric Asthma QOL Questionnaire (PAQLQ). During the home visit, parents completed the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) and the Pediatric Asthma Caregiver QOL Questionnaire (PACQLQ) and were given instructions on how to complete the two-week diurnal peak flow home monitoring. Higher mean scores on measures of QOL questionnaires indicated better QOL. Asthma severity was measured by Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one Second (FEV1), and mean DPV. Linear regression was used to assess the association between the three QOL measures and measures of asthma severity (mean diurnal peak flow variability and percent predicted lung function adjusting for smoking, parental education and asthma medication use in the last 12 months). Results: The lowest QOL score on the PAQLQ completed by the children was being bothered by physical activity (mean = 5.8, standard deviation = 1.19) whereas the lowest mean score on the PACQLQ completed by parents was feeling helpless or frightened (mean = 6.1, standard deviation = 1.28). No significant relationships were found between QOL scales. When the PACQLQ and the PAQLQ were stratified by age groups, parents reported higher mean scores for children in the 13-17 age group (p = 0.01) on the total score of the PACQLQ and activity and emotional subscales (p = 0.003 and 0.03, respectively). No significant correlations were found between spirometry measurements and the three QOL measures. Significant negative correlations were found between mean DPV and the mean PAQLQ Total Score. In a post hoc analysis, examining minimum morning peak flow expressed as percent recent best and QOL, significant positive correlations were found between the minimum morning peak flow measurements and the mean PAQLQ Total Score and Activity subscale. Conclusions: While findings from this study suggest that the CHQ-PF50 could be used to assess emotional aspects of QOL in children with asthma, overall, it may not be a useful tool in assessing the QOL of children with asthma. Peak flow may be a better measure of asthma severity than spirometry when assessing QOL for children with asthma and their parents.

No description available.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the psychometric properties of Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50), Brazilian version, in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in this group against those of healthy people, considering the clinical types, severity of motor involvement and presence of epilepsy. The parents or guardians of children and adolescents 5 to 18 years old, with CP classified as spastic, extrapyramidal or ataxic, seen at AACD-MG, were asked to answer the CHQ-PF50 by self-administered technique, between December 2003 and April 2004. The scores were compared with those of healthy people and according to clinical types, severity of motor involvement and presence of epilepsy. The motor function was evaluated through the Gross Motor Function Measure. The motor severity was classified as mild, moderate and severe according to Gross Motor Function Classification System. The following psychometric properties were studied: missing data, floor effect, ceiling effect, item internal consistency, internal consistency reliability, item discriminant validity, discriminant validity, convergent validity, divergent validity, criterion validity, concurrent validity and construct validity. Ninety six parents or guardians answered the questionnaire. The patients age ranged from 5 to 17.9 years old (mean: 9.3). Psychometric properties were considered adequate. Patients scored significantly lower than healthy population in almost all scales, except on change on health, with large effect size in the summary of physical scores (4.4) and psychosocial scores (1.8). Summary of physical scores were significantly lower in quadriplegic patients, in severe form or in presence of epilepsy. There were no significant differences in the summary of psychosocial scores according to clinical types, severity level and presence of epilepsy. The results showed that CHQ-PF50 Brazilian version have adequate psychometric properties to be applied in patients with CP. By caregivers perception, CP had an important negative impact on HRQL in children and adolescents including physical, emotional and social well-being of patient and their families. The repercussion on physical construct is greater in quadriplegic patients, with severe form of CP or with epilepsy. / O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50) para crianças e adolescentes com Paralisia Cerebral (PC) e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) dessa população em relação aos seus controles saudáveis, aos diversos tipos de comprometimento motor e à presença de epilepsia. Representantes de crianças e adolescentes com idade entre 5 e 18 anos, com diagnóstico de PC do tipo espástico, extrapiramidal ou atáxico, em acompanhamento na AACD-MG, foram solicitados a responder o CHQ-PF50 através da técnica de auto-aplicação, durante o período de dezembro de 2003 a abril de 2004. Os escores obtidos foram comparados com os da população saudável e segundo os tipos clínicos, a gravidade do comprometimento motor e a presença de epilepsia. A função motora foi avaliada pelo Gross Motor Function Measure. O comprometimento motor foi classificado em leve, moderado e grave, conforme o nível funcional estabelecido pelo Gross Motor Function Classification System. As propriedades psicométricas foram avaliadas através da proporção de dados perdidos, efeito piso, efeito teto, consistência interna do item, confiabilidade da consistência interna, validade discriminante do item, validade discriminante, validade convergente, validade divergente, validade de critério, validade concorrente e validade de construto. Noventa e seis representantes responderam ao questionário. A idade dos pacientes variou de 5,0 a 17,9 anos (média: 9,3). As propriedades psicométricas avaliadas foram consideradas adequadas como um todo. As médias dos escores obtidos pelos pacientes foram significativamente menores que as da população saudável em todas as escalas, exceto na alteração de saúde, com tamanho do efeito grande no sumário do escore físico (4,4) e psicossocial (1,8). A média do escore pelo sumário físico foi significativamente menor no grupo com tetraparesia, nos pacientes com a forma grave e na presença de epilepsia. Não ocorreram diferenças significativas pelo sumário do escore psicossocial na comparação entre os pacientes segundo o tipo clínico, nível de gravidade e presença de epilepsia. Os resultados confirmam que a versão brasileira do CHQ-PF50 apresenta propriedades psicométricas adequadas para a sua utilização em pacientes com PC. A PC teve um importante impacto negativo na QVRS da criança e adolescente, incluindo o bem-estar físico, emocional e social, pela percepção do responsável. A repercussão no domínio físico foi maior nos indivíduos com tetraparesia, forma grave ou epilepsia. / Mestre em Ciências da Saúde

Pentachlorophenol, (PCP) is an organochlorine compound which was first developed in the 1930’s. PCP is said to be the most toxic of the chlorophenols and is classified as a hazardous substance and a probable human carcinogen. PCP has proven to be cytotoxic to a number of cell lines translating to its effect on various organs. The aim of the study was to assess organochlorine-induced hepatotoxicity in a mechanistic manner using an in-house developed procedure. Also, the possible hepatoprotective effect of methanolic extracts of the bark of two medicinal plants, Burkea africana (BA) and Syzygium cordatum (SC), as well as the known hepatoprotective agent, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), were investigated. In addition to PCP, two of its major metabolites, tetrachloro-1,2-hydroquinone (TCHQ) and tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (TCBQ) were also evaluated. A hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2) was used to investigate the effect of these compounds on different parameters of cellular function. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the neutral red uptake assay. Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) activity was determined using ethoxy-resorufin-O-deethylation as surrogate. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated by measuring dichlorofluorescein diacetate cleavage. Effects on mitochondrial membrane potential were determined using JC-1 staining, whilst necrosis was investigated by assessing plasma membrane integrity using propidium iodide (PI)staining. The degree of apoptotic death was determined by quantifying caspase-3 activity. Assays were repeated with an additional 1 h pre-treatment of the cells with either NAC, SC or BA in order to investigate whether these compounds were able to protect against the toxicity induced by PCP and its metabolites. The IC50 values of PCP, TCHQ and TCBQ were 68.0, 144.0 and 129.4 μM, respectively. All three test compounds induced CYP1A1 activity with PCP being the most potent. TCBQ produced extensive ROS generation. TCHQ also induced ROS generation, whilst PCP appeared to have no significant effect on ROS generation. All test compounds caused mitochondrial depolarization. None of the test compounds caused an increase in necrotic cell death. PCP, TCHQ and TCBQ had negligible effects on apoptosis. Both SC and BA alleviated the toxic effects observed in cells treated with PCP. Minor increases in viability occurred in cells pre-treated with plant extracts prior to exposure to both metabolites. NAC, as well as both plant extracts, greatly reduced CYP 1A1 activity induced by PCP. NAC, SC and BA exacerbated CYP1A1 induction in cells exposed to concentrations of TCBQ and TCHQ that initially produced little or no effect on CYP1A1 activity. Contrarily, decreased CYP1A1 activity was observed in cells exposed to concentrations of TCBQ and TCHQ where extensive induction of CYP1A1 occurred. NAC, as well as both plant extracts, suppressed ROS generation in cells exposed to all test compounds. In cells exposed to PCP and TCBQ more extensive mitochondrial depolarization was seen when pre-treated with NAC and plant extracts than when exposed to the compounds alone. Negligible effects were seen in pre-treated cells exposed to TCHQ. BA and SC caused increases in necrotic death in cells exposed to the test compounds. NAC, BA and SC had negligible effects on the changes in caspase-3 activity induced by the test compounds. From the results it is proposed that PCP induces its own metabolism by increasing CYP1A1 activity. It also causes mitochondrial insult which could lead to the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and subsequent release of cytochrome C, activation of caspases and eventually apoptotic cell death. With regard to TCHQ and TCBQ, results suggest that extensive ROS generation caused damage to various cellular macromolecules and that this could be the main cause of their toxicity. NAC, SC and BA appeared to alleviate toxicity in certain instances. Further investigation is required in order to assess them as possible hepatoprotective agents. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Pharmacology / unrestricted

Introduction: Medical advances have resulted in reduced mortality of pediatric patients with Intestinal Failure. Consequently, more patients go home on parenteral nutrition (PN) for extended durations. This time-consuming and complicated therapy necessitates persistent vigilance in monitoring and response to potential life-threatening side effects. These issues may impact quality of life (QOL) for patients, caregivers and families. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, mixed-methods analysis of multidimensional QOL used a quantitative battery assessment and a qualitative focus group. Questionnaire results were compared to published norms, published small bowel transplant (SBTx), and institutional SBTx patients. Results: Home PN proxy assessments scored children lower than published norms but similar to SBTx. The child self-reports were similar to both normative and SBTx populations, except lower general and overall health. Generic questionnaires did not capture disease-specific issues. Conclusion: QOL is compromised in children on home PN and caregivers compared to norms but is similar to SBTx.

Introduction: Medical advances have resulted in reduced mortality of pediatric patients with Intestinal Failure. Consequently, more patients go home on parenteral nutrition (PN) for extended durations. This time-consuming and complicated therapy necessitates persistent vigilance in monitoring and response to potential life-threatening side effects. These issues may impact quality of life (QOL) for patients, caregivers and families. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, mixed-methods analysis of multidimensional QOL used a quantitative battery assessment and a qualitative focus group. Questionnaire results were compared to published norms, published small bowel transplant (SBTx), and institutional SBTx patients. Results: Home PN proxy assessments scored children lower than published norms but similar to SBTx. The child self-reports were similar to both normative and SBTx populations, except lower general and overall health. Generic questionnaires did not capture disease-specific issues. Conclusion: QOL is compromised in children on home PN and caregivers compared to norms but is similar to SBTx.