Clustering of Gastrointestinal Microorganisms in Human Stool Samples from Ghana.

The study was conducted to identify cluster patterns of enteric microorganisms with potential etiological relevance for infectious gastroenteritis in stool samples of individuals from Ghana, which is a known high-endemicity setting for infectious gastroenteritis. These patterns were compared to previous observations with specimens from Colombian indigenous people in order to assess potentially stable clustering for temporally and spatially distinct populations from high-endemicity regions. By doing so, the study aimed to identify stable clusters as markers of microbial interaction with potential importance for etiological relevance assignment in cases of multiple enteric pathogen detections.

Screening for Resistant Bacteria, Antimicrobial Resistance Genes, Sexually Transmitted Infections and spp. in Tissue Samples from Predominantly Vaginally Delivered Placentae in Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Medical complications during pregnancy have been frequently reported from Western Africa with a particular importance of infectious complications. Placental tissue can either become the target of infectious agents itself, such as, e.g.

Trajectories of maternal ante- and postpartum depressive symptoms and their association with child- and mother-related characteristics in a West African birth cohort study.

Background: The vast majority of research on mental health has been undertaken in high income countries. This study aimed at investigating the long-term course of maternal depressive symptoms and its association with various mother- and child-related characteristics in two West African lower middle income countries with focus on the relationship with long-term anxiety symptoms.

Methods: In the Child Development Study, a prospective birth cohort study in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was answered by N = 776 women 3 months antepartum, and 3, 12, and 24 months postpartum between April 2010 and March 2014.

Longitudinal course of ante- and postpartum generalized anxiety symptoms and associated factors in West-African women from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Little is known about the course of perinatal anxiety, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study aimed at examining trajectories of ante- and postpartum generalized anxiety symptoms in West-African women and their associations with mother and child characteristics.

Methods: 778 women from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana were investigated between 04/2010 and 03/2014.

Saccharomyces boulardii to Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background.  Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) are common complications of antibiotic use. Data on the efficacy of probiotics to prevent AAD and CDAD are unclear.

Screening for depression in pregnant women from Côte d׳Ivoire and Ghana: Psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Background: Major depression in antepartum women is a considerable health problem. This article aims at exploring the psychometric properties of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in West African pregnant women.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, the PHQ-9 was administered to n=639 Ivorian and n=389 Ghanaian women in their last trimester of pregnancy (gestational age range: 28-40 weeks) in 2010-11.

Mental health related determinants of parenting stress among urban mothers of young children--results from a birth-cohort study in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: There are limited data on the parenting stress (PS) levels in sub-Saharan African mothers and on the association between ante- and postnatal depression and anxiety on PS.

Methods: A longitudinal birth cohort of 577 women from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire was followed from the 3rd trimester in pregnancy to 2 years postpartum between 2010 and 2013. Depression and anxiety were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) at baseline, 3 month, 12 month and 24 month postpartum.

No association between antenatal common mental disorders in low-obstetric risk women and adverse birth outcomes in their offspring: results from the CDS study in Ghana and Côte D'Ivoire.

Background: Evidence linking common mental disorders (CMD) in pregnant women to adverse birth outcomes is inconsistent, and studies often failed to control for pregnancy complications. This study aimed to explore the association between antenatal depression and anxiety symptoms and birth outcomes in a low-obstetric risk sample of mother/child dyads in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods: In 2010-2011, a prospective cohort of 1030 women in their third trimester in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire was enrolled.

Antepartum depression and anxiety associated with disability in African women: cross-sectional results from the CDS study in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Common mental disorders, particularly unipolar depressive disorders, rank among the top 5 with respect to the global burden of disease. As a major public health concern, antepartum depression and anxiety not only affects the individual woman, but also her offspring. Data on the prevalence of common mental disorders in pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce.

Influence of the leptin G-2548A polymorphism on leptin levels and anthropometric measurements in healthy Spanish adolescents.

Polymorphisms in the leptin gene (LEP) have been associated with leptin levels and obesity in some studies in adults though this link has scarcely been investigated in children. In our study, we examined the relationship of the LEP G-2548A polymorphism with leptin levels, anthropometric variables and body composition in a population-based sample of pubescent children. Our study included 880 healthy schoolchildren (419 males and 461 females), 12-16 years of age.

Leptin and adiponectin levels in pubertal children: relationship with anthropometric variables and body composition.

Background: Adipocytokines play an important role in controlling energy homeostasis, and in various metabolic processes related to obesity. The aim of this study was to describe serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations in a sample of pubertal Spanish children and to evaluate their association with anthropometric parameters and body composition.

Methods: The study included 833 pubertal boys and girls.

Reduction in cardiovascular risk by sodium-bicarbonated mineral water in moderately hypercholesterolemic young adults.

The effects of drinking sodium-bicarbonated mineral water on cardiovascular risk in young men and women with moderate cardiovascular risk were studied. Eighteen young volunteers (total cholesterol levels >5.2 mmol/L) without any disease participated.

Sex hormone-binding globulin levels and metabolic syndrome and its features in adolescents.

Background: Low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in men and women, and it has been suggested that SHBG could be a useful marker for MS risk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of SHBG levels with MS and its components in Spanish adolescents.

Methods: The sample population of this cross-sectional study was comprised of 386 male and 429 female adolescents, aged 12-16 yr.

Fat intake influences the effect of the hepatic lipase C-514T polymorphism on HDL-cholesterol levels in children.

Polymorphisms in the hepatic lipase gene have been associated with variability in plasma HDL-C concentrations, but contradictory results have been reported regarding the effect of diet on this association in adults. In our study, we examined whether dietary fat intake modified the association between lipid levels and the C-514T polymorphism in the hepatic lipase gene (LIPC C-514T) in prepubescent children. The LIPC C-514T polymorphism was determined by PCR and restriction analysis in 1260 healthy school children, aged 6-8.

Genetic determinants of plasma HDL-cholesterol levels in prepubertal children.

Introduction: Genetic determinants have been related to variation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, but the extension of this association remains controversial. In our study, we analyzed the contribution of several polymorphisms on HDL-C-related genes to variation of plasma HDL-C in prepubertal children.

Methods: We studied 1269 (641 males and 628 females) 6-8 years old healthy children, who participated in a cross-sectional study examining cardiovascular risk factors in Spain.

An oily fish diet increases insulin sensitivity compared to a red meat diet in young iron-deficient women.

Beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on a variety of physiological functions have been reported, but information related to the effects of oily fish consumed within a varied diet on glucose metabolism and diabetes risk is scarce. The objective of the study was to compare the effects of a diet rich in oily fish to those of a diet rich in red meat on lipid profile, oxidative status, glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in young, iron-deficient women. The study was designed attending the CONSORT statement guidelines.

Hormone levels in 12- to 15-year-old boys and girls in Spain and their relationship with anthropometric variables.

Objective: To determine hormone levels in a population-based sample of pubertal children and evaluate their association with anthropometric parameters.

Methods: Sex steroid levels were assessed using RIA and IRMA.

Results: In boys, changes in weight and height across the period were accompanied by changes in testosterone and SHBG.

Sodium-bicarbonated mineral water decreases aldosterone levels without affecting urinary excretion of bone minerals.

Unlabelled: AIM To assess in healthy postmenopausal women the influence of consuming sodium-bicarbonated mineral water on postprandial evolution of serum aldosterone and urinary electrolyte excretion.

Methods: Eighteen postmenopausal women consumed 500 ml of two sodium-bicarbonated mineral waters (sodium-bicarbonated mineral water 1 and sodium-bicarbonated mineral water 2) and a low-mineral water with a standard meal. Postprandial blood samples were taken at 60, 120, 240, 360 and 420 min and aldosterone concentrations were measured.

Sodium bicarbonated mineral water decreases postprandial lipaemia in postmenopausal women compared to a low mineral water.

The role of bicarbonated mineral waters on lipid metabolism and lipoprotein concentrations in man has scarcely been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate whether drinking sodium bicarbonated mineral water affects postprandial cholesterol and triacylglycerol metabolism in postmenopausal women. In a three-way, randomised, crossover study, eighteen healthy postmenopausal women consumed two sodium bicarbonated mineral waters (bicarbonated mineral water 1 and bicarbonated mineral water 2) and a low mineral water (500 ml of each) with a standard fat-rich meal (4552 kJ; 75.

Bone remodelling is not affected by consumption of a sodium-rich carbonated mineral water in healthy postmenopausal women.

This study was designed to investigate the possible effects of consuming Na-rich carbonated mineral water on bone remodelling and urinary mineral excretion in postmenopausal women. Women (n 18) included were amenorrhoeic (>1 year), healthy and not obese (BMI <30 kg/m2). No woman was taking oestrogen replacement therapy, mineral and vitamin supplements, phyto-oestrogens or medications known to affect bone and lipid metabolism.

A sodium-rich carbonated mineral water reduces cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.

This study was designed to investigate the possible beneficial effects of consuming a sodium-rich carbonated mineral water on lipoprotein metabolism and to determine whether consumption of this water influences endothelial dysfunction (ED) in postmenopausal women. Women included in the study were amenorrheic (>1 y), healthy, and not obese (BMI < 30 kg/m(2)). The subjects did not take estrogen replacement therapy; supplements of vitamins, minerals, and phytoestrogens; or other medications known to affect bone and lipid metabolism.