The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese children age 7–9 years and to analyze trends in body mass index (BMI) from 1970–2002. Data were collected from October 2002 to June 2003 in a random sample of Portuguese children. Height and weight were measured and BMI (Kg/m2) was calculated. The International Obesity TaskForce (IOTF) cutoffs to define overweight and obesity were used. In the total sample we found 20.3% of overweight children and 11.3% of obese children. These results indicate a prevalence of overweight/obesity of 31.5%. Girls presented higher percentages of overweight than boys except at age 7.5. Girls also showed a higher percentages of obesity than boys except at age 9. From 1970 to 1992 and 1992 to 2002, height, weight, and BMI increased at different velocities: weight increased faster than height, and, consequently, BMI increased more in the last period than in the first one, leading to an increase in obesity values. Compared to published data by IOTF on other European countries, who applied the same methods to define overweight and obesity, Portuguese children showed the second‐highest mean values in overweight/obesity. Italy showed the highest values (36%). The present study shows a very high prevalence of overweight/obesity (31.5%) in Portuguese children compared to other European countries. Portugal followed the trend of other Mediterranean countries like Spain (30%), Greece (31%), and Italy (36%). These high values require a national intervention program to control childhood obesity. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:670–678, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

ObjectiveIn this article we present a simplified algorithm-based approach to the thickening of the small and large bowel wall detected on routine computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen.BackgroundThickening of the small or large bowel wall may be caused by neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious, or ischaemic conditions. First, distinction should be made between focal and segmental or diffuse wall thickening. In cases of focal thickening further analysis of the wall symmetry and perienteric anomalies allows distinguishing between neoplasms and inflammatory conditions. In cases of segmental or diffuse thickening, the pattern of attenuation in light of clinical findings helps narrowing the differential diagnosis.ConclusionFocal bowel wall thickening may be caused by tumours or inflammatory conditions. Bowel tumours may appear as either regular and symmetric or irregular or asymmetric thickening. When fat stranding is disproportionately more severe than the degree of wall thickening, inflammatory conditions are more likely. With the exception of lymphoma, segmental or diffuse wall thickening is usually caused by benign conditions, such as ischaemic, infectious and inflammatory diseases.Key points• Thickening of the bowel wall may be focal (<5 cm) and segmental or diffuse (6-40 cm or >40 cm) in extension.• Focal, irregular and asymmetrical thickening of the bowel wall suggests a malignancy.• Perienteric fat stranding disproportionally more severe than the degree of wall thickening suggests an inflammatory condition.• Regular, symmetric and homogeneous wall thickening is more frequently due to benign conditions, but can also be caused by neoplasms such as well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and lymphoma.• Segmental or diffuse bowel wall thickening is usually caused by ischaemic, inflammatory or infectious conditions and the attenuation pattern is helpful in narrowing the differential diagnosis.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) presents several characteristics useful for forensic studies, especially related to the lack of recombination, to a high copy number, and to matrilineal inheritance. mtDNA typing based on sequences of the control region or full genomic sequences analysis is used to analyze a variety of forensic samples such as old bones, teeth and hair, as well as other biological samples where the DNA content is low. Evaluation and reporting of the results requires careful consideration of biological issues as well as other issues such as nomenclature and reference population databases. In this work we review mitochondrial DNA profiling methods used for human identification and present their use in the main cases of humanidentification focusing on the most relevant issues for forensics.

ObjectiveThis article reviews and illustrates the anatomy and pathology of the masticator space (MS).BackgroundPathology of the masticator space includes inflammatory conditions, vascular lesions, and tumours. Intrinsic tumours of this space can be benign and malignant, and they may arise from the mandibular ramus, the third division of the trigeminal nerve, or the mastication muscles. Malignant tumours may appear well defined and confined by the masticator fascia, without imaging signs of aggressive extension into neighbouring soft tissues. Secondary invasion of the masticator space can also occur with tumours of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, and parotid glands. Perineural tumour spread (PNS), especially along the trigeminal nerve, can also occur with masticator space malignancies.ConclusionMasses of the MS are difficult to evaluate clinically, and computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images are essential for the diagnosis and characterisation of these lesions. Malignant tumours may appear well defined and confined by the fascia. Thus, when a mass is identified, a biopsy should be done promptly. PNS may occur in tumours involving the MS and its recognition on imaging studies is essential to plan the appropriate treatment.Teaching points• Differentiating between intrinsic and extrinsic lesions is essential to the differential diagnosis• Infections of the MS may cross the fascia and mimic neoplasms on imaging studies• Malignant tumours may show no aggressive signs, such as bone erosion or violation of the fascia• Perineural spread (PNS) is often clinically silent and frequently missed at imaging and leads to tumour recurrence