The association of weight, weight variability and socioeconomic situation among children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We studied the association of body weight and weight variability among populations from different geographic, historic and socioeconomic background. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We reanalyzed data from 833 growth studies of 78 different countries from 1920 to 2013. We used data from two age groups-infants (age 2 years) and juvenile (age 7 years)-and divided the studies into two geographic-socioeconomic groups. RESULTS: Multiple regressions showed significant interactions between weight, sex, historic year of study, continent and within-study standard deviation. Multiple regression revealed R(2)=0.256 (P<0.001) at age 2 years and R(2)=0.478 (P<0.001) at age 7 years. Although infants and juveniles in more affluent countries are heavier than children in less affluent countries (P<0.001), the within-study standard deviation of the two geographic-socioeconomic groups differs at age 7 years (P<0.001) but not at age 2 years (P>0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The general impression that prosperous conditions lead to growth improvements in height and weight appears to be true only at a large scale: wealthy countries have tall and heavy children. At small scale, the situation is different. Whereas economic and nutritional improvements can exhibit substantial effects in weight gains, the discrepancy between the within-population variation in height and weight strongly suggests that height gains and weight gains are subject to different regulations.

Multi-platform metabolomics analyses of a broad collection of fragrant and non-fragrant rice varieties reveals the high complexity of grain quality characteristics.

The quality of rice in terms not only of its nutritional value but also in terms of its aroma and flavour is becoming increasingly important in modern rice breeding where global targets are focused on both yield stability and grain quality. In the present paper we have exploited advanced, multi-platform metabolomics approaches to determine the biochemical differences in 31 rice varieties from a diverse range of genetic backgrounds and origin. All were grown under the specific local conditions for which they have been bred and all aspects of varietal identification and sample purity have been guaranteed by local experts from each country. Metabolomics analyses using 6 platforms have revealed the extent of biochemical differences (and similarities) between the chosen rice genotypes. Comparison of fragrant rice varieties showed a difference in the metabolic profiles of jasmine and basmati varieties. However with no consistent separation of the germplasm class. Storage of grains had a significant effect on the metabolome of both basmati and jasmine rice varieties but changes were different for the two rice types. This shows how metabolic changes may help prove a causal relationship with developing good quality in basmati rice or incurring quality loss in jasmine rice in aged grains. Such metabolomics approaches are leading to hypotheses on the potential links between grain quality attributes, biochemical composition and genotype in the context of breeding for improvement. With this knowledge we shall establish a stronger, evidence-based foundation upon which to build targeted strategies to support breeders in their quest for improved rice varieties.

Comprehensive metabolomics to evaluate the impact of industrial processing on the phytochemical composition of vegetable purees.

The effects of conventional industrial processing steps on global phytochemical composition of broccoli, tomato and carrot purees were investigated by using a range of complementary targeted and untargeted metabolomics approaches including LC-PDA for vitamins, (1)H NMR for polar metabolites, accurate mass LC-QTOF MS for semi-polar metabolites, LC-MRM for oxylipins, and headspace GC-MS for volatile compounds. An initial exploratory experiment indicated that the order of blending and thermal treatments had the highest impact on the phytochemicals in the purees. This blending-heating order effect was investigated in more depth by performing alternate blending-heating sequences in triplicate on the same batches of broccoli, tomato and carrot. For each vegetable and particularly in broccoli, a large proportion of the metabolites detected in the purees was significantly influenced by the blending-heating order, amongst which were potential health-related phytochemicals and flavour compounds like vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, glucosinolates and oxylipins. Our metabolomics data indicates that during processing the activity of a series of endogenous plant enzymes, such as lipoxygenases, peroxidases and glycosidases, including myrosinase in broccoli, is key to the final metabolite composition and related quality of the purees.

Comparison of the chemical composition of three species of smartweed (genus Persicaria) with a focus on drimane sesquiterpenoids.

The genus Persicaria is known to include species accumulating drimane sesquiterpenoids, but a comparative analysis highlighting the compositional differences has not been done. In this study, the secondary metabolites of both flowers and leaves of Persicariahydropiper, Persicariamaculosa and Persicariaminor, three species which occur in the same habitat, were compared. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of extracts, overall 21/29 identified compounds in extracts were sesquiterpenoids and 5/29 were drimanes. Polygodial was detected in all species, though not in every sample of P. maculosa. On average, P. hydropiper flowers contained about 6.2 mg g FW(-1) of polygodial, but P. minor flowers had 200-fold, and P. maculosa 100,000 fold lower concentrations. Comparatively, also other sesquiterpenes were much lower in those species, suggesting the fitness benefit to depend on either investing a lot or not at all in terpenoid-based secondary defences. For P. hydropiper, effects of flower and leaf development and headspace volatiles were analysed as well. The flower stage immediately after fertilisation was the one with the highest content of drimane sesquiterpenoids and leaves contained about 10-fold less of these compounds compared to flowers. The headspace of P. hydropiper contained 8 compounds: one monoterpene, one alkyl aldehyde and six sesquiterpenes, but none were drimanes. The potential ecological significance of the presence or absence of drimane sesquiterpenoids and other metabolites for these plant species are discussed.

Adolescent growth: genes, hormones and the peer group. Proceedings of the 20th Aschauer Soiree, held at Glücksburg castle, Germany, 15th to 17th November 2013.

The association between poverty, malnutrition, illness and poor socioeconomic conditions on the one side, and poor growth and short adult stature on the other side, is well recognized. Yet, the simple assumption by implication that poor growth and short stature result from poor living conditions, should be questioned. Recent evidence on the impact of the social network on adolescent growth and adult height further challenges the traditional concept of growth being a mirror of health. Twenty-nine scientists met at Glücksburg castle, Northern Germany, November 15th - 17th 2013, to discuss genetic, endocrine, mathematical and psychological aspects and related issues, of child and adolescent growth and final height.

Developing differential height, weight and body mass index references for girls that reflect the impact of the menarche.

AIM: Growth is both a matter of amplitude and tempo. We aimed to develop references for body height, body weight and body mass index (BMI) with respect to tempo of maturity. METHODS: Data obtained from the German KiGGS study (2003-2006) on body height, body weight and presence or absence of the menarche were re-analysed in 3776 girls, aged 10-17 years. We developed smoothed centiles for BMI-, body-height- and body-weight-for-age using the LMS method for premenarcheal and postmenarcheal girls. RESULTS: Body height, body weight and BMI differed significantly between premenarcheal and postmenarcheal girls. On average, postmenarcheal girls aged 11-17 years were 5.3 cm taller and 9.7 kg heavier, and their BMI was 2.9 kg/m² higher than in premenarcheal girls of the same calendar age. CONCLUSION: Adolescent BMI rises with calendar age and biological age. New reference charts for adolescent girls aged 10-18 years were generated to be inserted into the currently used references to avoid misclassifying underweight and overweight pubertal girls.

The predatory legs of Philonthus marginatus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae): functional morphology and tarsal ultrastructure.

Representatives of the staphylinid beetle Philonthus marginatus are characterized by highly modified raptorial forelegs which are used to strike prey in a particularly fast manner. Beetles ready to capture prey remain in a characteristic precapture ambush posture characterized by lifted and folded forelegs. Triggered by sensory input from the antenna or other parts of the fore body, the actual strike is released, essentially taking the form of a rapid (about 9 ms) depression of the unfolding forelegs towards the prey. This movement is based on the presence of a coxo-trochanteral catch mechanism and a particularly wide angle of rotation in the coxo-trochanteral joint. It is made possible by the specific mechanics of this joint which probably also involves a co-contraction of the antagonistic trochantero-femoral flexor and extensor muscles suggesting a spring-loaded system. This phase of the strike is immediately followed by fixation of the prey by the ventral adhesive tarsal setae supported by a grasp of the flexing last tarsomere and the claws. After withdrawal of the forelegs together with the prey, the sequence eventually results in the formation of a capture-basket formed frontally by the perpendicularly flexing head and laterally by the spiny inner sides of the coxae.

A research note: an analysis of RIA and GC/MS split hair samples from the New Orleans Pretrial Diversion Program.

This paper compares the outcomes of hair analysis for cocaine conducted by two different, independently developed analytical methods, one using radioimmunoassay and the other GC/MS chemical ionization. In this study two hair samples were collected from each subject and a sample was sent simultaneously to each laboratory. The assays were done independently with each laboratory being unaware of the results of the other laboratory. The laboratories each developed their own cutoff criteria, and did not utilize the same cutoff criteria. Analysis of the comparative performance shows a strong correlation between the two procedures, although the GC/MS method, which used a lower cutoff value, identified more positive specimens than did the RIA method. Additionally, there were no cases in which the RIA procedure identified a positive sample which was negative according to GC/MS, although a number of GC/MS positive assays were reported as negative by the RIA laboratory.

Effect of calcium source, dietary calcium concentration, and gestation phase on various bone characteristics in gestating gilts.

Sixty gravid crossbred gilts were allotted to a 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: two Ca sources (sun-cured alfalfa meal and CaCO3), three dietary concentrations of Ca (50, 75, and 100% of NRC requirements), and two phases of gestation (55 and 105 d). The objectives were to determine the effect of Ca source, dietary Ca concentration, and gestation phase on bone characteristics (bone breaking strength, bone ash percentage, bone density, and bone ash density in the rib, thoracic, and coccygeal bones), to correlate bone responses to determine relative bone activity, and to determine reliability of the coccygeal bones as indicators of Ca status in the body. At 55 d, rib strength and coccygeal ash content were lower (P < .01) than at 105 d of gestation. A gestation phase x Ca concentration (P < .05) interaction occurred. As Ca concentration increased, thoracic strength and rib ash responded quadratically during each gestation phase, for which at 55 d a minima and at 105 d a maxima was produced at 75% of NRC. A Ca source x Ca concentration (P < .05) interaction occurred. Gilts fed alfalfa had the lowest rib bone and ash density when fed 75% of NRC for Ca, whereas gilts fed CaCO3 were highest at this level of Ca compared with the other concentrations. Generally, all bones were positively correlated with respect to their response to dietary Ca concentration. Few negative correlations were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bioavailability of calcium in sun-cured alfalfa meal and effect of dietary calcium concentration on bone and plasma characteristics during two phases of gestation in gilts.

A study was conducted with gravid gilts to determine the bioavailability of Ca in sun-cured alfalfa meal (AM) and the effect of dietary Ca concentration on bone and blood characteristics during two phases of gestation. Two Ca sources (AM and CaCO3), three dietary concentrations of Ca (50, 75, and 100% of the NRC requirement), and two gestation phases (55 and 105 d) were used in a 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arrangement in a randomized design with five replications (60 gravid gilts). Response criteria were as follows: 1) plasma Ca, P, and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) measured at the onset and at 25-d intervals and 2) metacarpal (MC) and metatarsal (MT) bone breaking strength (kilograms), ash content (percentage), density (grams/cubic centimeter), and ash density (grams of ash/cubic centimeter) at the conclusion of the experiment. Plasma Ca, P, and AKP concentrations were similar between Ca sources. Because the response between Ca sources was similar, the data were pooled among sources. There was a linear decline in plasma P and AKP (P < or = .05) as dietary Ca concentration increased. As gestation progressed from 0 to 100 d, there was a decline (P < .05) in plasma Ca and P. There were no differences in bone breaking strength and ash between Ca sources in either the MC or MT. No differences in bone strength between gestation phases occurred. A gestation phase x dietary Ca concentration interaction (P < .05) was observed for bone ash in both bones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Choosing plant cultivars based on the probability of outperforming a check.

A major consideration in most plant breeding programs is the development of cultivars that have high probabilities of outperforming the check cultivar in a broad range of environments. Methods are presented for estimating and testing hypotheses regarding these probabilities, which are termed reliabilities. Reliabilities are shown to be directly related to several commonly used stability parameters. Data from international maize yield trials are used to illustrate and evaluate the repeatability of the approach. Results indicate that reliabilities can be useful aids to plant breeders since they (1) are easy to understand and compute, (2) are indices that weigh the importance of the difference in performance relative to stability, and (3) are potentially useful as genetic parameters since they are generally repeatable across randomly sampled sets of environments.

Heterosis among populations of maize (Zea mays L.) with different levels of exotic germplasm.

Thirteen maize (Zea mays L.) populations including five adapted, five adapted x exotic, two composites of adapted and exotic, and one exotic selected for adaptability were crossed in a diallel mating system. The parents and 78 crosses and nine check hybrids were evaluated for grain yield and plant height in five environments. The Gardner-Eberhart model Analysis II indicated that additive and nonadditive gene effects accounted for 60 and 40% of the total variation among populations, respectively, for grain yield and 86% and 14% of the total variation, respectively, for plant height. Components of heterosis were significant in the combined analysis for both traits. Adapted Corn Belt populations tended to have higher performance in crosses and greater values of variety heterosis than 50% adapted populations. 'Nebraska Elite Composite', 'Corn Belt' x 'Mexican', and 'Corn Belt' x 'Brazilian' showed high mean yields in crosses, however, they were not among those with high estimates of variety heterosis. One exotic population ('Tuxpeno' x 'Antigua Grupo 2') and three adapted populations ['307 Composite', 'NB(S1)C-3', and 'NK(S1)C-3'] might be combined together to form a high-yielding population. It may be possible to synthesize two useful populations for reciprocal recurrent selection by grouping 'Tuxpeno' x 'Antiqua Grupo 2', 'NB(S1)C-3', and 'NS(FS)LFW-8' into one population and 'NK(S1)C-3', 'Krug'x'Tabloncillo', and '307 Composite' in the other one.

Influence of hepatic cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide.

After rapid intravenous injection of furosemide 40 mg (Fu), plasma levels were determined in 7 healthy volunteers, 8 patients with liver cirrhosis with ascites and 7 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The diuretic response was evaluated by measuring the urinary excretion of sodium and potassium and the urine volume. The mean elimination half life (t 1/2 beta) of Fu averaged 51 +/- 7.7 (+/- SD) min in healthy subjects, 52 +/- 7.7 min in cirrhosis and 200 +/- 57 min in ESRD. The non-renal clearance (Clnr) in healthy subjects (56 +/- 28 ml/min) corresponds to the total plasma clearance in functionally anephric patients (54 +/- 18 ml/min). In cirrhosis there was no significant change in the disposition parameters of Fu in comparison to the healthy volunteers, but there was a significant reduction in urine sodium and volume, whereas potassium excretion remained unchanged. Fu "excretion rate--response" curves showed diminished tubular sensitivity to Fu in cirrhosis.