Anthropometric evaluation of school-going native highlanders (4-19 years of age) from the Leh-Ladakh region in India.

BACKGROUND: The native population of the Ladakh region faces the unique challenges of a high-altitude environment with distinct physiological adaptations in comparison with lowlanders. However, no comprehensive data on standard anthropometric parameters for the school-going children in this populace is available. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the various anthropometric parameters in the school-going native highlander population and computed measures of central tendency. The nutritional status of the community was also be determined by comparing with World Health Organization (WHO) scores for height for age (HFA), weight for age (WFA) and body mass index (BMI) for age. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was devised to assess the anthropometric parameters. We measured height, weight, mid-upper circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness, sub-scapular skinfold (SSF) thickness, waist, hip and abdominal circumference. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the mean [±2 standard deviation (SD)], median, range, minimum and maximum. The z-scores for HFA, WFA and BMI for age was computed using WHO reference data. SUBJECTS: A total of 346 school-going native highlander children (4-19 years of age) were studied. RESULTS: Among the study population, the mean height was 141.17 ± 39.08 cm, the mean weight was 38.27 ± 25.40 kg. The gender difference in height, MUAC, sub-scapular skinfold (SSF) thickness, TSF thickness and the abdominal circumference was found to be statistically significant. Of the subjects 23.46% were stunted (i.e. HFA below -2 SD of the WHO standard) and 7.01% were underweight (WFA below -2 SD of the WHO standard). CONCLUSION: The nutritional status of the Ladakhi population was assessed by comparison with the WHO reference data. Nomograms for anthropometric data in school-going children (4-19 years of age) of Ladakh were created. These can be used for further studies and planning targeted intervention strategies on this geographically isolated and evolutionary distinct highland population.

Hematological Parameters in Native Highlanders of Ladakh Aged 4-19 Years.

Hematological adaptations to high altitude (HA) are long studied but are focused either on lowlanders visiting HA or native highlanders from Andes and Tibet. The literature on native highlanders from the Indian subcontinent or paediatric highlanders is scarce. We aimed at assessing hematological parameters in native highlanders of Ladakh, India, aged 4-19 years and derive nomograms in an age stratified manner specific to these native highlanders. A total of 335 self-reported healthy native highlanders of Ladakh, without any known comorbidities and not on hematinic nor any drugs in the age group of 4-19 years were included in the study. Complete hemogram including red cell indices was measured. R ver 3.4.0 was used to compare the hematological parameters based on gender/age stratification, pubertal and nutritional status. The hematological reference ranges were created for various parameters in the paediatric population. The mean (SD) haemoglobin (Hb) concentration was 14.74 (2.07) gm/dL. The mean hematocrit (Hct) was 40.43 (5.57%) %, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 81.87 (7.22) fL, white blood cell (WBC) count was 7596 (2172) cells/µL and platelets was 378.4 (152.8) × 103/µL. Hct and MCV increased with age. Hb concentration, Hct, and MCV in girls was significantly lower than boys. Severely underweight subjects (body mass index < 16) showed significantly higher platelet counts compared to their nourished counterparts. The hematological nomograms for the native paediatric highlanders from Ladakh, India have been reported in this study.

Structure-function studies on the amphibian peptide brevinin 1E: translocating the cationic segment from the C-terminal end to a central position favors selective antibacterial activity.

Brevinin 1E, which has the sequence FLPLLAGLAANFLPKIFCKITRKC, is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin secretions of the European frog Rana esculenta. Both the linear and the disulfide-bridged forms have relatively broad-spectrum antibacterial as well as hemolytic activities. The antibacterial and hemolytic activities and biophysical properties of synthetic peptides corresponding to brevinin 1E and its analog in which the segment CKITRKC has been transposed to a central location resulting in the sequence FLPLLAGLCKITRKCAANFLPKIF have been investigated. Our studies indicate that the analog peptide has antibacterial activity comparable with brevinin 1E, but with considerably reduced hemolytic activity. The linear variant of the analog has no hemolytic activity, unlike the linear form of brevinin 1E. The biological activities can be explained on the basis of relative affinities for anionic and zwitterionic lipids. A cluster of cationic amino acids flanked on one side by a hydrophobic stretch of amino acids and another side composed of apolar amino acids appears to favor preferential antibacterial activity.

Seminalplasmin and caltrin are the same protein.

The sequence of seminalplasmin, a basic antimicrobial and transcription-inhibitory protein from bovine seminal plasma, has been determined using an automated sequenator. This sequence is slightly different from that reported earlier by Theil and Scheit [(1983) EMBO J. 2, 1159-1163] and identical with that of caltrin, a Ca2+-transport-inhibitory protein of bovine seminal plasma. Caltrin and seminalplasmin are, therefore, the same protein.

Evaluation of domicilliary management of protein-calorie malnutrition.

An approach to tackle protein-calorie malnutrition through domiciliary management is described. Children suffering from moderate and severe protein-calorie malnutrition were managed using a food supplement containing low cost locally available foodstuffs and nutrition education. An evaluation showed that the anthropometric improvement was closely associated with better concepts in nutrition and improved dietary practices following nutrition education. Parents of children suffering from kwashiorkor had better knowledge and practice compared with those of marasmus.