Circannual rhythms in the blood picture of laboratory rats

Circannual rhythms of the erythrocyte, total leucocyte, absolute segmented neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in laboratory Wistar rats were found. The highest mean counts occurred in autumn and at the begining of winter. The lowest counts werte recorded in spring and at the begining of summer. A similar circannual rhythm of absolute eosinophil counts in females was also found, but it was not present in males. Circannual rhythms of the relative lymphocyte, segmented neutrophil and eosinophil were not found. The course of seasonal variations in erythrocyte, total leucocyte, absolute segmented neutrophil and lymphocyte counts of males was similar to those of females.     

Changes in hematologic values in 11 months after birth in the cynomolgus monkeys

Changes in hematological values were studied with 131 healthy cynomolgus monkeys aged less than 11 months. The parameters measured were erythrocyte count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leucocyte count (WBC), and differential leucocyte count. No remarkable change was found with RBC during the whole period of this study. Relatively high values were obtained with Ht, MCV, and Hb in the newborns aged 0 to 7 days. These values continued to decrease until 3 months of age, after which the values increased again attaining approximately adult levels at 11 months of age. WBC was very high at birth and then decreased to the minimum level at 3 days of age. It was followed by gradual increase until about 4 months of age at which a nearly adult level was attained. Lymphocyte counts were smaller than neutrophil counts on the day of birth. However, this numerical relation was inverted 2 days after birth and the lymphocyte counts became markedly larger than the neutrophil counts about 1 week after birth. Additionally, the values obtained from the cord blood of 6 Cesarean-delivered newborns were compared with those from the blood taken 5 hours after cesarean delivery.     

Physical growth and nutritional status of Car Nicobarese and Moplah children of Andaman–Nicobar Islands in India

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess growth and nutritional status of Car Nicobarese children and compare it with Moplah children, who live in a similar environment. A total of 436 Car Nicobarese children and 438 Moplah children, aged 6–10 years, were selected for the study. The anthropometric measurements included stature, body weight, sitting height, bi-acromial breadth, bi-iliac breadth, mid-upper arm circumference, skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps and subscapular region. 50th percentile (median) growth curves were calculated among the studied children and compared with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2000 reference. Z scores of weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ) and BMI for age (BMIZ) were computed using growth references of the CDC 2000.It was observed that the Car Nicobarese children were shorter but heavier than Moplah children of both sexes all through the age range, which was also reflected in median value of anthropometric variables. Car Nicobarese children were nutritionally better compared to Moplah children based on the nutritional indices. The major differences between Car Nicobarese and Moplah children were found in their arm muscularity rather than arm adiposity. Overall, Car Nicobarese children were nutritionally in normal and better condition than Moplah children. However, present dietary change (intake of high calories and fat diet) of Car Nicobarese population may be reflected in the form of childhood obesity in the recent future, which has already been observed in their adult population.     

Short and plump physique of Mexican-American children

Mexican-American children are shorter but relatively heavier than non-Hispanic whites and blacks. The objectives of this paper are to assess the extent to which this "short and plump" physique occurs in data collected in two national surveys (HANES I and II); to determine variations by age, sex, and socioeconomic status; and to investigate the anthropometric characteristics that may account for the overweight. Three groups, defined on the basis of reported ancestry and observed race, are studied: Mexican-Americans (MEXAME), non-Hispanic Whites, (EURAME), and blacks (BLACK). Short stature was clearly associated with the poverty index (PI) in all three groups. MEXAMEs with a PI greater than 1.6 were similar in stature to EURAMEs at the same income level at ages 1-11 years but not at 12-17 years. On the other hand, MEXAMEs were shorter than BLACKs at all ages and income levels. The body mass index (kg/cm2) and poverty were unrelated. With respect to the anthropometric characteristics examined that are related to the body mass index, MEXAMEs and EURAMEs were similar in sitting height as a proportion of total height, arm muscle and fat areas, and triceps skinfold but different in the following ways: MEXAMEs had narrower elbow but broader bitrochanteric breadths and larger chest circumferences and subscapular skinfolds. Greater upper body dimensions and fatfolds seem to best describe the physique of MEXAMEs. However, in multiple regressions, these anthropometric characteristics failed to account fully for the greater relative weight of MEXAMEs as compared to EURAMEs.     

Normal hematologic values in the cynomolgus monkeys aged from 1 to 18 years

Normal hematological values including erythrocyte count (RBC), hematocrit value (Ht), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leucocyte count (WBC), and differential leucocyte count were determined with 206 healthy cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) aged in 1 to 18 years. These animals were born and reared at Tsukuba Primate Center for Medical Science, NIH, Japan. Additionally, 32 cynomolgus monkeys of wild origin estimated to be 5 or more years old were examined for their hematology. The presence or absence of sex- and age-related differences in the values was statistically analysed. As regards infant and juvenile monkeys, there were no significant differences in RBC, Ht and Hb between males and females. However, these values became significantly larger in males than in females after sexual maturation. Lymphocyte count was larger than neutrophil count until 3 to 4 years of age after birth, but this relation was inverted in adult monkeys aged more than 5 years. Segmentation of the nucleus was a prominent finding in neutrophils. Neither sex- nor age-related difference in the number of nuclear segmentation was noted.     

Influence of diet on the hematology and serum biochemistry of zinc-intoxicated mallards

Changes in hematological and serum biochemistry parameters in female zinc (Zn)-dosed farm-raised mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) fed four different diets were examined. Sixty ducks received an average dose of 0.97 g of Zn in the form of eight, 3.30-mm diameter shot pellets containing 98% Zn and 2% tin, and another 60 ducks were sham-dosed as controls. Fifteen ducks from each of the two dosing groups were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: corn only, corn with soil, commercial duck ration only, or commercial duck ration with soil. Shot-pellet dissolution rates ranged from 7 mg/Zn/day to 27 mg/Zn/day. Regardless of diet, the Zn dose resulted in mortality; incoordination; paralysis and anorexia; decreased body, liver, pancreas, gonad, and gizzard weight; increased kidney weight; and macroscopic lesions. Zn-dosed ducks had a lower mean erythrocyte packed cell volume (PCV), higher mean reticulocyte count, and a greater number of individuals with immature and/or abnormal erythrocytes, than did control mallards. Mean total leucocyte counts were higher in Zn-dosed ducks than in controls. Zn-dosed ducks that had soil available had higher leucocyte counts than those without soil. Zn-dosed ducks were characterized by a marked heterophilia and relative lymphopenia. In Zn-dosed ducks, the mean lymphocyte count was highest in those provided a commercial duck ration, and lowest in those fed corn. In control ducks, the mean lymphocyte count was highest in ducks fed corn, and lowest in those provided soil along with a commercial duck ration. Zn-dosed mallards had higher serum aspartate aminotransferase and amylase levels, and lower alkaline phosphatase activities than control ducks. Serum phosphorus and uric acid concentrations were higher, and calcium, glucose, and total protein levels lower, in Zn-dosed ducks than in control ducks. Diet did affect serum calcium, phosphorus, total protein, and uric acid concentrations. Differences in erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters, serum enzyme activities, and metabolite concentrations were associated with dose and diet effects. Diets high in protein and other organic matter and calcium and phosphorus did not prevent or substantially alleviate Zn toxicosis in farm-raised mallard ducks.     

Does habitat fragmentation cause stress in the agile antechinus? A haematological approach

Although the vertebrate stress response is essential for survival, frequent or prolonged stress responses can result in chronic physiological stress, which is associated with a suite of conditions that can impair survivorship and reproductive output. Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and degradation are potential stressors of free-living vertebrates, and in theory could result in chronic stress. To address this issue, we compared haematological indicators of stress and condition in agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis) populations in 30 forest fragments and 30 undisturbed, continuous forest sites (pseudofragments) in south-eastern Australia over 2 years. In peripheral blood, the total leucocyte count was lower and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and percentage of eosinophils in the total leucocyte population was higher in fragment than pseudofragment populations, indicating that fragment populations were probably experiencing higher levels of stress hormone-mediated and/or parasite infection-related chronic physiological stress. The total erythrocyte count and haematocrit were higher and mean erythrocyte haemoglobin content was lower in fragment than pseudofragment populations. This suggests that fragment populations showed possible signs of regenerative anaemia, a syndrome associated with elevated hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis mediated stress. However, mean erythrocyte volume was also lower in fragments, and red blood cell distribution width did not differ between the study populations, findings which were not consistent with this diagnosis. Whole blood and mean cell haemoglobin concentrations were similar in fragment and pseudofragment populations. We suggest that where anthropogenic activity results in habitat fragmentation and degradation, chronic stress could contribute to a decline in agile antechinus populations. The broader implication is that chronic stress could be both symptomatic of, and contributing to, decline of some vertebrate populations in anthropogenically fragmented and degraded habitats.     

哈萨克族学生体质发育状况的10年比较分析

报道新疆阿勒泰地区1995年2589名城镇7—18岁哈萨克族(哈族)中小学生身高、体重、胸围、坐高、肩宽、骨盆宽6项体质发育指标的调查结果。男女生体质发育指标随年龄增加而增长,各项指标的年均增长值皆为男生大于女生。与1985年比较,哈族学生的身高、体重、胸围皆有不同程度增长。哈族男女生的身高突增年龄仍分别为14岁和10岁,但是其身高增长却不伴有相应比例的坐高增长,女生部分年龄组的肩宽和男女生各年龄组的骨盆宽呈现负增长,提示哈族学生的体型与10年前相比已经开始有所改变。     

Significant effects of birth-related biological factors on pre-adolescent nutritional status among rural Sundanese in West Java, Indonesia

The Sundanese inhabiting West Java, the second largest ethnic group in Indonesia, are characterized by a high prevalence of child malnutrition, together with high fertility. Based on an anthropometric measurement and interview survey of 310 children aged 5-12 years in a rural Sundanese village, this study examined the relative significance of the effects of eight biological, eight socioeconomic status (SES) and four health behavioural factors on their Z scores for height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) in particular. Three biological factors, i.e. birth interval, birth weight and mother's body weight, and one SES factor, i.e. mother's occupation, were selected as the predictors of the two Z scores by regression analysis, indicating more significant effects of the biological factors than the other factors. This pattern is judged to occur in less-developed and high-fertility populations. Since these two Z scores were worse in the subject children than in the under-5-year-old children from the same village, more attention should be paid to the long-lasting effects of birth-related biological factors up to pre-adolescent ages, as an insufficient nutritional status tends to damage growth and health in adolescence and adulthood.     

Web‐based Weight Loss in Primary Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Evidence is lacking regarding effective and sustainable weight loss approaches for use in the primary care setting. We conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial to evaluate the short-term efficacy of a web-based weight loss intervention among 101 primary care patients with obesity and hypertension. Patients had access to a comprehensive website that used a moderate-intensity weight loss approach designed specifically for web-based implementation. Patients also participated in four (two in-person and two telephonic) counseling sessions with a health coach. Intent-to-treat analysis showed greater weight loss at 3 months (−2.56 kg; 95% CI −3.60, −1.53) among intervention participants (−2.28 ± 3.21 kg), relative to usual care (0.28 ± 1.87 kg). Similar findings were observed among intervention completers (−3.05 kg; 95% CI −4.24, −1.85). High rates of participant retention (84%) and website utilization were observed, with the greatest weight loss found among those with a high frequency of website logins (quartile 4 vs. 1: −4.16 kg; 95% CI −1.47, −6.84). The intervention's approach promoted moderate weight loss at 12 weeks, though greater weight loss was observed among those with higher levels of website utilization. Efficacious web-based weight loss interventions can be successfully offered in the primary care setting.     

Cross-cultural correlations of childhood growth and adult breast cancer

International differences in breast cancer incidence and mortality, and studies on Japanese migrants to the United States, point to the importance of environmental factors, including diet and nutrition, in the etiology of breast cancer. Some studies have suggested that dietary patterns in early life are important to the long-term risk of breast cancer. Given that human growth is partially a function of early dietary intake, cross-cultural correlations between breast cancer rates and anthropometric variables measured at different times in childhood provide additional information about the association of early nutrition and cancer. In this study, the associations between food consumption and anthropometric variables, and childhood growth patterns (attained size at age) and adult breast cancer rates, were considered. Data from cross-sectional growth studies conducted during the years 1956-1971 on children aged 6-18 years were obtained for age-specific stature, sitting height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness, arm and chest circumferences, and biacromial and biiliac diameters. National food consumption data were obtained from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and socioeconomic status indicators from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Cancer incidence data for the years 1972-1977 were obtained from regional cancer registries reported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and mortality data for 1978 were obtained from national cancer registries around the world. Significant correlations were seen between national food consumption data and childhood growth (attained size at age); between cancer incidence and age-specific stature (r = 0.68), weight (r = 0.59), triceps skinfold thickness (r = 0.78), and biacromial width (r = 0.84); and between mortality and age-specific stature (r = 0.77), weight (r = 0.75), and biacromial width (r = 0.78). In general, the correlation coefficients of the observed anthropometric variables with breast cancer increase with increasing age and become highly significant at ages 13-14 years, reflecting cumulative childhood nutritional intake.     

北京市幼儿园2—6岁儿童生长情况

1985年5月—8月,作者对北京市幼儿园833名2—6岁儿童进行了人体测量调查,并对所获得的数据进行了统计分析。结果表明2—6岁儿童身高增长较快,平均每年增加70毫米,身体各部分的长度变化基本与身高的增长相协调;围度的变异范围大于长度的变异范围。同1975年调查结果相比,儿童的体重、身高、胸围等项目数值都有所增加,但身高的增加速度已减慢。     

Growth profile of rural Meitei children of Manipur state of India

Patterns of growth in 10 anthropometric measurements among the rural Manipuri children (N=425), aged 5 to 14 years, with poor socio-economic backgrounds are reported. The anthropometric dimensions include weight, stature, sitting-height, head, chest and midupper-arm circumferences, biepicondylar widths of humerus and femur, and triceps and biceps skinfolds. Except skinfolds, the boys measured more than the girls in all measurements at all ages, except from 10 to 12 years in weight, stature, sitting-height, and chest and mid-upper-arm circumferences. Across all ages, the girls had thicker fat folds. Up to 12 years, the children lie approximately on the 10th centile of NCHS in stature and weight. The arm circumferences was below the 3rd centile of the Dutch children, until 11 years. The triceps fat fold fluctuated between 10th and 25th centiles of US whites. The rural Meiteis were taller and heavier than rural Burmese and urban Meiteis. The overall growth performance of the rural Meitei children was poor as compared to US, Urban Chinese, and well-nourished Indian children.     

Femur/stature ratio and estimates of stature in children.

The present study examines the relationship between femur length and stature in children between the ages of 8 and 18 years. In previous investigations, my colleagues and I reported the surprising finding that femur length bears a nearly constant relationship to stature in adult humans regardless of ethnicity or gender. This earlier study revealed that the femur/stature ratio averages 26.74% in adult humans, and that using the ratio to predict stature from femur length yields remarkably accurate estimates. The current study shows that femur/stature ratios of children between the ages of 8 and 11 differ significantly from their older counterparts. Between the ages of 12 and 18, there are no significant differences due to age in the femur/stature ratio; however, there are significant differences in this age group attributable to gender. This study also shows that the worldwide average adult femur/stature ratio does not adequately describe children in this age range. This study strongly documents the adolescent growth spurt in the femur/stature ratios of both males and females at the precise time one would expect to see the spurt occur (10-12 in females; 12-14 in males). This growth follows a nearly identical trajectory in both genders, with relative femur growth dominating before the peak years of the growth spurt, and relative stature growth dominating afterward. This accounts for the ratio's rise to maximum values just before peak growth, and its decline toward the adult ratio thereafter. These findings require us to use separate adolescent femur/stature ratios of 27.16 (females) and 27.44 (males) to estimate the stature of children between the ages of 12 and 18. Preliminary testing shows these ratios to be more accurate in estimating stature than the properly selected Trotter and Gleser adult regression equation. Use of the adolescent male ratio with the Homo erectus juvenile WT 15000 results in a lower stature estimate (157.4 cm) than previously reported. It is suggested that continued testing of the ratio occur, but that the values herein derived may be useful in routine forensic cases involving children in this age range, and with subadult paleontological specimens.     

Immunomodulatory effects of alcbholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Moringa olifera Lam leaves

Effects of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of M. olifera were studied on various immune paradigms like delayed type hypersensitivity reaction using SRBC as an antigen, determination of antibody titer, neutrophil adhesion test as an indicator for neutrophil index, total leucocyte count in cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed animals and carbon clearance assay as a measure of phagocytic activity. Hydro-alcoholic extract of M. olifera substantially enhanced cellular immune response, humoral immune response, neutrophil index and phagoctic activity in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. The ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg body weight) was efficient in improving immune response. The results suggest that M. olifera has a significant role to play as an immune stimulator.     

Comparative quantitative investigations on brains of wild cavies (Cavia aperea) and guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus). A contribution to size changes of CNS structures due to domestication

Intraspecific allometric calculations of the brain to body size relation revealed distinct differences between 127 (67; 60) ancestral wild cavies and 82 (37; 45) guinea pigs, their domesticated relatives. The dependency of both measures from one another remained the same in both animal groups but the brains of guinea pigs were by 14.22% smaller at any net body weight. Consistent with results in other species the domestication of Cavia aperea is also characterized by a decrease of brain size. Fresh tissue sizes of the five brain parts medulla oblongata, cerebellum, mesencephalon, diencephalon and telencephalon were determined for 6 cavies and 6 guinea pigs by the serial section method. Additionally the sizes of 16 endbrain structures and those of the optic tract, the lateral geniculate body and the cochlear nucleus were measured. Different decrease values resulted for all these structures concomitant with domestication as was calculated from the amount of total brain size decrease and average relative structure values in the wild as well as the domesticated brain. The size decrease of the entire telencephalon (−13.7%) was within the range of the mean overall reduction as similarly was the case for the total neocortex (−10.7%) whereas the total allocortex (−20.9%) clearly was more strongly affected. The size decrease of the olfactory bulb (−41.9%) was extreme and clearly higher than found for the secondary olfactory structures (around −11%). The primary nuclei of other sensory systems (vision, audition) were decreased to less extent (lateral geniculate: −18.1%; cochlear nucleus: −12.6%). Mass decreases of pure white matter parts were nearly twice as high in contrast to associated grey matter parts (neocortex white versus grey matter; tractus opticus versus lateral geniculate body). The relatively great decrease values found for the limbic structures hippocampus (−26.9%) and schizocortex (−25.9%) are especially notable since they are in good conformity with domestication effects in other mammalian species. The findings of this study are discussed with regard to results of similar investigations on wild and domesticated gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), the encephalization of the wild form, the special and species-specific mode and duration of domestication and in connection with certain behavioral changes as resulted from comparative investigations in ethology, socio-biology, endocrinology and general physiology.     

Pattern of adolescent growth among the Brahmin girls--rural-urban variation

A cross-sectional study of adolescent growth was undertaken among the Brahmin girls residing in rural and urban areas of Sagar districts, Madhya Pradesh to evaluate the urban-rural differences. Six anthropometric measurements, such as weight, stature, sitting height, head circumference, upper arm circumference and chest girth are taken into consideration. Though the urban girls show consistently higher values of weight, stature, sitting height and chest girth than the rural girls, but in case of head circumference and upper arm circumference they show consistently lower values. The maximum increment occurs between the ages 13 and 14 years in all the six measurements in both rural and urban girls.     

Haematological health state indices of reproducing Great Tits: a response to brood size manipulation

1. A brood size manipulation experiment was performed in two Great Tit ( Parus major L.) populations in order to evaluate the effect of raising different numbers of nestlings on parental health state.
2. Brood enlargement resulted in elevated heterophile:lymphocyte ratios and decreased lymphocyte number in the peripheral blood, indicating that increased reproductive effort causes immunosuppression.
3. Haematocrit increased in response to brood enlargement, suggesting a response to the requirement of elevated oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood during increased work load.
4. Parental body mass revealed a tendency to decrease in response to brood enlargement.
5. No effect of brood size manipulation on total leucocyte count, heterophile count, intensity of Haemoproteus blood parasite infection or plasma proteins could be detected.
6. Health state indices were more sensitive to brood size manipulation in the Great Tits breeding in a rural habitat than urban birds.     

Growth pattern of the Kamars--a primitive tribe of Chhattisgarh,India

A cross sectional study of the physical growth status was made on 655 Kamar children (341 boys and 314 girls), aged 5 to 18 years, in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. The study aimed to find out the growth pattern of the Kamar children, which is considered to be a primitive tribe of Chhattisgarh, India and was compared with another Indian tribe and the official data for all India (ICMR). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, sitting height, biacromial diameter, biilliocrystal diameter, upper arm circumference, calf circumference and measurements of the triceps and subscapular skinfolds. All anthropometric measurements except skinfold thickness exhibit uniform increase with age in both sexes. However, when height and weight of the Kamar boys and girls were compared with the data for other tribes and for all India, the Kamar children (both boys and girls) indicated lower weight and height and the difference showed to be significant, for almost all ages. Kamar boys showed higher anthropometric values than girls in almost all measurements except in biilliocrystal diameter and in measured skinfolds. Poor socio-economic status of this primitive tribe may be one of the reasons for this poor growth pattern. However, in-depth study is necessary in order to arrive at any basic conclusions and to recommend any policy and interventions.     

Effect of Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation on the Circulatory Lymphocyte Count: Studies in Normals and in Patients with Chronic Airflow Obstruction

In eight non-allergic patients with chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) and eight age and sex matched, healthy control subjects the circadian variation in circulatory lymphocyte count was studied in relation to serum Cortisol and urinary epinephrine levels. In addition, we investigated the effect of the beta-adrenergic agent terbutaline on the lymphocyte count in two ways: as a long-term effect after 8 days of oral slow-release terbutaline with constant diurnal and nocturnal serum levels in patients, and as a short-term effect by a constant rate infusion of 0.2μg/min over 4hr in normals. Both patients and controls showed similar circadian patterns of urinary epinephrine excretion and lymphocyte counts. Patients with CAO, however, had significantly lower epinephrine levels and significantly higher lymphocyte counts at all hours of observation (every 4 hr from 0800 to 0800 hr the next day), as compared with normal controls. After 8 days of slow-release terbutaline the lymphocyte count in the patient group decreased to levels not significantly different from that of normals. The circadian rhythm of the lymphocytes, however, persisted under terbutaline therapy. No correlation existed between the lymphocyte count modulating factor, serum Cortisol and the lymphocyte count over 24 hr. On placebo infusion in the control persons an increase of lymphocytes over 4hr occurred, as a consequence of circadian rhythmicity. On terbutaline infusion a significant increase of lymphocytes after 1hr was follwed by a decrease to levels significantly below those on the placebo day. The same pattern was found in the leucocyte count. From this study it is concluded that beta-adrenergic stimulation corrects the relative lymphocytosis to counts comparable with normals. Other coinciding factors must regulate, however, the circadian rhythmicity.