Childhood obesity is considered to be major concern that puts children at increased risk of poor cognitive functions, physical health and later in life they may develop many chronic diseases. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of obesity on children's developmental trajectories of cognitive functions (sustained attention, memory, logical thinking and executive functions) of the obese and normal Egyptian school-age children and to investigate if the BMI can be used as a predictor of cognitive performance in later adolescence and adulthood. This study is a cross-sectional prospective design. A sample of 463 healthy children of both sexes, of age ranged from 6-12 years, from elementary schools in Upper Egypt was recruited. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that the obese children made more errors than their normal-weight counterparts. Based on study's results, the obese children had lower cognitive performance than their normal-weight counterparts and the BMI can be used as a predictor for the future cognitive functions in executive functions and memory domains but not sustained attention and logical thinking.
Background
Acanthamoeba spp. are one of the free-living amoeba that spread worldwide causing keratitis. Owing to the increase in the use of lenses, whether for medical or cosmetic purposes, the incidence of disease increases every year. Contamination of the lenses with the Acanthamoeba trophozoites or cysts may lead to eye infection and cause sight-threatening keratitis in human. We isolated Acanthamoeba spp. from new lenses, used lenses, and contact lens disinfecting solutions and identified them based on morphological characteristics and molecular test.
Methods
New and used lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions were cultured on monogenic media. Light and scanning electron microscope was used to identify Acanthamoeba spp. morphological features. Genotype identification was also evaluated using PCR sequencing of 18S rRNA gene specific primer pair JDP1 and JDP2.
Results
A hundred samples were examined, 29 (29%) were infected with Acanthamoeba spp. That belonged to two strains of Acanthamoeba (Acanthamoeba 41 and Acanthamoeba 68). 18S rRNA of the Acanthamoeba 41 had 99.69% sequence identity to Acanthamoeba castellanii clone HDU-JUMS-2, whereas Acanthamoeba 68 had 99.74% similar pattern to that of Acanthamoeba sp. isolate T4 clone ac2t4 that are morphologically identified as Acanthamoeba polyphaga. The obtained data revealed that the isolated strains belong to T4 genotype that was evolutionarily similar to strains isolated in Iran.
Conclusions
Cosmetic lenses and disinfectant solutions are a major transmissible mode for infection. This genotype is common as the cause of Acanthamoeba keratitis. To avoid infection, care must be taken to clean the lenses and their preservative solutions and prevent contamination with the parasite.
http://eajbsz.journals.ekb.eg/ Bioactive Compounds of Ziziphus spina-christi Seeds Extract and Cellulase Enzyme Attenuates the Growth of Acanthamoeba polyphaga Isolated From Contact Lenses
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