Effect of exogenous calcium on seed germination and seedling physiological characteristics of Lycium ruthenium / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to get the method for improving the salt resistance of Lycium ruthenium seeds and seedlings under NaCl stress, the seed germination and physiological characteristics of L. ruthenium seedlings was studied.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Several physiological indexes of L. ruthenium seeds under NaCl stress, such as the germination rate (Gr), germination vigor (Gv), germination index (Gi), vigor index (Vi), and relative salt damage rate were measured. Other indexes of the seedlings like relative water contents (RWC) , chlorophyll contents, soluble protein contents, electrolyte leakage, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), and peroxidase (POD) were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>NaCl at lower concentration could promote the seed germination but inhibit the seed germination at higher concentration. After the treatment by CaCl2 at the different concentrations, all germination indexes were increased. With the increase of salt concentration, the relative water contents and the contents of chlorophyll were decreased, the content of MDA and electrolyte leakage were increased. The change trend of POD activity showed the first increase and then decrease with the increase of salt concentration, which was similar to that of the soluble protein. After the treatment by CaCl2, relative water contents, chlorophyll and POD activities were decreased more slowly, and also electrolyte leakage and MDA contents increased slowly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The CaCl2 could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium under NaCl stress, and promote the salt resistance to the seeds and seedlings of L. ruthenium.</p>

Dietary patterns are associated with physical growth among school girls aged 9-11 years

The purpose of this study was to identify dietary patterns among Korean elementary school girls based on the change in body mass index (BMI), body fat, bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) during 22 months and to explore the characteristics of dietary patterns identified. Girls aged 9-11 years were recruited and 3-day dietary data were collected four times. Subjects with a diet record of 8 or more days and anthropometric data measured at baseline and 22 months later were included (n = 198). Reduced rank regression was utilized to derive dietary patterns using a change in BMI, body fat, and calcaneus BMD and BMC as response variables. Two dietary patterns were identified: the "Egg and Rice" dietary pattern and "Fruit, Nuts, Milk Beverage, Egg, Grain" (FNMBEG) dietary pattern. Subjects who had high score on the FNMBEG pattern consumed various food groups, including fruits, nuts and seeds, and dairy products, whereas subjects in the "Egg and Rice" dietary pattern group did not. Both dietary patterns showed a positive association with change in BMI and body fat. However, subjects who had a higher score on the "Egg and Rice" dietary pattern had less of a BMC increase, whereas subjects who had a higher score on the FMBEG dietary pattern had more increased BMC over 22 months after adjusting for age, body and bone mass, and Tanner stage at baseline. Our results provide evidence that a well-balanced diet contributes to lean body mass growth among young girls.

Comparison of Dietary Intakes and Body Composition by Tanner Stages in Korean Girls

To compare the dietary intakes and body composition in the stage of puberty, this study was conducted with 360 girls aged 9 to 12 years in Seoul Korea. Girls's general information and 3-day diet records were collected, fat mass was measured by Inbody 3.0, bone mass at right calcaneus was measured by PIXI and pubertal development was self-assessed by picture of Tanner stages. The results are as follows: Girls who had breast development were 79.7% and 15.8% had pubic hair development. Mean of BMI, BMC and BMD were significantly higher at breast stage3+ (19.6 kg/m2, 1.62 kg, 0.47 g/cm2) than at the breast stage2 (18.2 kg/m2, 1.47 kg, 0.44 g/cm2) or breast stage1 (16.3 kg/m2, 1.32 kg, 0.39 g/cm2)(p < 0.001). Percent body fat of breast stage1, 2, and 3+ were 19.7%, 23.1%, 25.3% respectively and significantly increased during the puberty (p < 0.001). The mean of energy intake was 1629 kcal in stage1, 1664 kcal in stage2 and 1577 kcal in stage3+ showed significant difference in the breast stages (p < 0.05). Energy adjusted sodium intakes and crude fiber intakes were significantly higher in breast stage3+ than other breast stages. For zinc and iron, proportions of subjects with intake levels less than 75% of Korean RDA was over 40% and significantly higher in breast stage3+ than other stages (p < 0.05); for protein and vitamin E, the proportions of subjects with intake levels more than 125% RDA was significantly higher in the stage1. The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for protein and phosphorous was significantly lower in breast stage3+ than other stages. The food groups of seed and nut were 4.7 g/day, 2.3 g/day, 1.8 g/day, respectively, and was significantly higher in breast stage1. In summary, mean of BMI, BMD, BMC and percent of body fat were increased with pubertal development, and those who had higher breast developmental stage showed a lower amount of consumption level in energy, seeds and nuts, and also showed a higher amount of consumption level in energy adjusted sodium and fiber among Korean girls.