The IL-6 G-174C polymorphism may be associated with ischaemic stroke in patients without a history of hypertension.

Background: Recent data suggest that inflammatory reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischaemia.

Aim: To investigate whether certain inflammatory genetic polymorphisms are associated with the occurrence of ischaemic stroke.

Methods: We investigated the prevalence of six polymorphisms in cytokine genes (IL-6, TNF-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-10, and IL-1Ralpha) in a group of ischaemic stroke patients (n = 105) and in a control population (n = 389).

Inflammatory bowel disease: the role of inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms.

The mechanisms responsible for development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have not been fully elucidated, although the main cause of disease pathology is attributed to up-regulated inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate frequencies of polymorphisms in genes encoding pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in IBD patients and controls. We determined genotypes of patients with IBD (n= 172) and healthy controls (n= 389) for polymorphisms in genes encoding various cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-10, IL-1 receptor antagonist).

Genomic polymorphic profiles in an Irish population with meningococcaemia: is it possible to predict severity and outcome of disease?

Patients with meningococcal disease have increased plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha, with higher levels associated with fatal outcome. This study investigated whether polymorphisms in genes encoding these cytokines, and in those encoding anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-1Ra, are associated with the outcome in patients with meningococcal disease. Seven polymorphisms were genotyped in 183 meningococcal disease patients and 389 controls.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms: association with psoriatic arthritis susceptibility and severity.

Objective: To determine whether functional cytokine gene polymorphisms influence disease susceptibility and phenotype in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: DNA was obtained from 147 PsA patients and 389 controls. Seven functional proinflammatory (interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] +3953, IL-6 -174, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha] -308, TNFbeta +252) and antiinflammatory (IL-10 -1082, IL-10 -592, IL-1 receptor antagonist [intron 2, 86 bp, variable-number tandem repeat]) gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays.

Lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery is associated with polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10 genes.

Background: Lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery is a manifestation of excess cytokine production. Cytokine-related genetic polymorphisms account for variability in cytokine response and may predispose to the development of lactic acidosis after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Routine postoperative cardiac surgery patients were studied.

The health of students in institutes of higher education: an important and neglected public health problem?

Background: A survey of students in three UK higher education establishments was undertaken to obtain information about students' physical and emotional well-being, their attitudes to, and beliefs about health, and the prevalence of risk factors for future ill health.

Methods: Health was measured by the prevalence of longstanding illness and by the SF-36 health status measurement tool. Survey results were compared with equivalent data for 18- to 34-year-olds in the local population.

Nonparametric linkage and family-based association studies of a simulated complex disorder.

Affected sibling pairs are widely used to identify chromosomal regions harboring genetic loci underlying common disease. We explore the utility of nonparametric sibling pair and family-based association methods to search for disease susceptibility loci in simulated pedigree data for a qualitative disease trait. Logistic regression was used to model gene x gene and gene x environment interactions when significant linkage and association were detected.

Flossing behaviour in English adolescents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between flossing behaviour and other health, cleanliness and social behaviours in adolescents. Data from a survey of 41142, 12-16-year-old children from 244 secondary schools throughout England were analysed to obtain information about flossing frequency, dental attendance and recalled advice about flossing, and some general cleanliness and social behaviours. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class during normal school hours.

Motivation for dental hygiene in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between some 'lifestyle' factors and motivation for toothbrushing in young people. Data from a questionnaire survey of 7770 children aged 14-15 years were analysed to obtain information about their main reason for toothbrushing, their toothbrushing frequency, smoking behaviour and social efficacy. In those who brushed their teeth less frequently, toothbrushing was performed more for cosmetic reasons, that is, having teeth that look and feel good and breath that smells fresh, in contrast to the avoidance of toothache and false teeth, which are health reasons.

Self-concept and dental health behaviours in adolescents.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relation between some dental health behaviours and 2 measures of self-concept in adolescents. Data from a survey of 41142, 12-16-year-old children from 244 secondary schools throughout England were analysed to obtain information about their frequencies of toothbrushing, use of dental floss and dental attendance, and whether they recalled advice about toothbrushing, in relation to self-esteem and health locus of control (HLOC). Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in school class.

Toothbrushing schedule, motivation and 'lifestyle' behaviours in 7,770 young adolescents.

Data from a survey of 7,770 14-15-year-old children from 131 secondary schools throughout England were analysed to obtain information about the times of day they brushed their teeth, their motivation for toothbrushing, and some 'lifestyle' variables. In the 19 per cent of respondents who reported brushing their teeth once per day, 75 per cent did so in the morning before school; only 23 per cent reported brushing before going to bed at night. In this group there was a marked association between reported readership of broadsheet newspapers and reported time of brushing in the daily schedule.

High and low exercisers among 14- and 15-year-old children.

To investigate ways in which young people's attitudes about, and motivation for, exercise vary with the levels of exercise they take, a self-completed questionnaire was given to 382 children aged 14-15 in two secondary schools in Devon. It was found that the high exercisers (defined by those in the highest quartile) had attitudes to exercise which were more favourable, received more encouragement to exercise and encouraged others to exercise more. The majority of low exercisers had positive beliefs about the value of exercise although approximately half in boys and one-third in girls were satisfied with the amount and kind of exercise they undertook.

Differential prediction of dental health behaviour by self-esteem and health locus of control in young adolescents.

A survey of 7770 schoolchildren, aged 14-15 years, from 131 secondary schools in England, was made in 1990 to obtain information about toothbrushing frequency, motivation for mouth care, frequency of dental visits, self-esteem and health locus of control (HLOC). The aim of the study was to compare self-esteem and HLOC as predictors of dental health behaviour. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class during normal school hours.

British parents' beliefs about the causes of three forms of childhood psychological disturbance.

Parents were asked to rate which of 40 items were likely causes of one of three types of psychological disturbance common among 9-year-old children, the symptoms of which were outlined in vignettes. Parents' accounts were consistent and coherent. Symptoms of hyperactivity were linked to poor diet, antisocial conduct to a lack of discipline and unhappiness at school, and emotional problems to breakdowns in interpersonal relations and unhappiness at school.

Everyday beliefs about sources of advice for the parents of difficult children.

Parents were asked which sources of advice families with difficult children should seek. The results suggested a similar hierarchy of agencies for both boys and girls with emotional and behavioural problems. Teachers, doctors, child psychiatrists and health visitors all received strong positive ratings, books about children with problems received moderate positive ratings, religious leaders received the strongest negative ratings and grandparents and friends received neutral ratings.

Serum lipids and blood pressure in relation to age and sexual maturity.

This study was designed to examine serum lipid profile and blood pressure in relation to age and sexual maturity. Written informed consent to participate was obtained from 42% of the eligible population of two Devon communities. The blood pressure of 343 boys and 336 girls, aged 11-16 years, was recorded and sufficient blood for analysis was obtained from 320 boys and 301 girls.

Cardiopulmonary Fitness, Physical Activity Patterns, and Selected Coronary Risk Factor Variables in 11- to 16-Year-Olds.

The peak oxygen uptake (VO) of 199 boys and 164 girls (mean age 13.2±1.3 yrs) was examined in relation to their body fatness, blood pressure, and serum cholesterol level.

Self-esteem as a predictor of toothbrushing behaviour in young adolescents.

A survey of 4075 14-year-old children from secondary schools throughout England was made to obtain information about toothbrushing frequency, motivation for mouth care, and self-esteem. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class. Toothbrushing frequency was found to increase significantly with increasing self-esteem in males (P less than 0.

The peak oxygen uptake of British children with reference to age, sex and sexual maturity.

The purposes of this study were to provide baseline data on the peak oxygen consumption (VO2) of British children, aged 11-16 years and to examine the peak VO2 of children in relation to their pubertal stage of development. The peak VO2 of 226 boys and 194 girls was determined during either treadmill running or cycle ergometry. The sexual maturity of 320 of the children was estimated using Tanner's indices.

Peak Oxygen Uptake and Physical Activity in 11- to 16-Year-Olds.

The present study examined the relationship between peak V̇O₂ and habitual physical activity in 11- to 16-year-old students. The peak V̇O₂ of 111 girls and 85 boys was determined using treadmill or cycle ergometry. Habitual physical activity was estimated from minute-by-minute heart rate monitoring over three 12-hr periods during normal school days.

Patterns of physical activity among 11 to 16 year old British children.

Objective: To examine the patterns of physical activity among British schoolchildren aged 11 to 16 and to assess whether the children experience the intensity and duration of physical activity that are believed to stress the cardiopulmonary system appropriately.

Design: Cross sectional study of a sample of children drawn from a larger survey of coronary risk factors in children. Continuous monitoring of heart rate for 12 hour periods on three school days and one Saturday.

Dental health related behaviour of Scottish and English secondary schoolchildren.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the dental health related behaviour of groups of 13-14-year-old English and Scottish schoolchildren, in order to explain the differences in caries experience demonstrated by the 1983 national children's dental health survey. The data-bank of health-reported behaviour of schoolchildren in the United Kingdom held by the Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU), Exeter University was used. Seventy-four secondary schools in England and 8 secondary schools in Scotland participated in the study.

Estimation of coronary risk factors in British schoolchildren: a preliminary report.

Surveys from several countries have identified the presence of risk factors known to be associated with coronary heart disease in children. Data on the distribution of coronary risk factor variables in British children are scarce. This study was therefore designed to test the feasibility of collecting coronary risk factor data from British children and to conduct a preliminary examination of the problem.

Bedtimes and family size in English schoolchildren.

Data from a survey of 3727 14-year-old children from 31 secondary schools in England in 1984-85 were analysed to obtain information about bedtimes and sleep duration in relation to the number of children in the family. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class. The modal bedtime was 22 30 and the modal time spent in bed was 9 h.