Estimating Body Fat from Anthropometry and Isotopic Dilution: A Four‐Country Comparison

Objective: The goal was to assess the ability of BMI to predict body fat (BF) among youths in four countries and identify the degree to which additional anthropometric measures improve this prediction. BMI is widely recommended as an indicator of overweight. However, whether BMI adequately estimates BF and has the same meaning in different ethnic groups and youths has been questioned. Research Methods and Procedures: Data come from 456 Filipino, Chinese, Russian, and black South African youths, 6 to 16 years old. Percentage BF and fat mass index (FMI) were estimated by the deuterium dilution method. Skinfold thicknesses (triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac) and weight and height measures were collected. Percentage BF was regressed first on BMI and age and then with the addition of the skinfold measures. Linear models were run separately by country and sex. The models were repeated with FMI as the outcome. Results: The R² values from the percentage BF models ranged from 0.13 to 0.69 in the first models to 0.38 to 0.81 in the full models. The values were lowest among Russian males ≥ 13 years and Russian females ≥ 13 years of age in the reduced and full models, respectively, and were highest among Chinese females. Using FMI as the outcome did not meaningfully change the results. Discussion: The ability of BMI to adequately predict BF and the additional predictivity of anthropometric measures varied widely across the samples, making its uniform use as a proxy for BF in youths from different countries questionable.     

Integrating evidence-based treatments for common mental disorders in routine primary care: feasibility and acceptability of the MANAS intervention in Goa,India

Common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, pose a major public health burden in developing countries. Although these disorders are thought to be best managed in primary care settings, there is a dearth of evidence about how this can be achieved in low resource settings. The MANAS project is an attempt to integrate an evidence based package of treatments into routine public and private primary care settings in Goa, India. Before initiating the trial, we carried out extensive preparatory work, over a period of 15 months, to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the planned intervention. This paper describes the systematic development and evaluation of the intervention through this preparatory phase. The preparatory stage, which was implemented in three phases, utilized quantitative and qualitative methods to inform our understanding of the potential problems and possible solutions in implementing the trial and led to critical modifications of the original intervention plan. Investing in systematic formative work prior to conducting expensive trials of the effectiveness of complex interventions is a useful exercise which potentially improves the likelihood of a positive result of such trials.     

猫视网膜多巴胺能无长突细胞发育的中央—周边梯度

本文报道用酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫细胞化学方法标记猫视网膜多巴胺(DA)能无长突细胞发育的中央—周边梯度。TH阳性反应的I型DA能无长突细胞在发育成熟过程中呈现时空顺序的中央—周边梯度:(1)P_1时期分化较高的细胞,即染色深,胞体大,具有2—4支树突,分枝分布于内网状层(IPL),最外缘的星状Ⅰ_1类细胞大都集中于视网膜的中央部位;而分化较低的细胞,即染色淡,胞体小,具有1—2支树突,分枝分布于IPL外层和中层的不规则形Ⅰ_3类细胞大都集中于视网膜的周边部位;介于两者之间的Ⅰ_2类细胞散在分布于整个视网膜。它们形成了空间分布上的中央—周边分化成熟梯度。(2)随着发育进程,Ⅰ_1类细胞数增多,分布区逐渐从中央向四周扩展,由占视网膜总面积的30%(P_1时)增至65%(P_6时),P_(13)时达97%。开眼后P_(13)时,由于Ⅰ_1类细胞分布已扩展至周边,中央区和周边区间细胞平均直径和树突发育成熟程度的差别逐渐缩小,Ⅰ型DA能无长突细胞发育成熟的中央—周边梯度明显减弱。至P_(23)时,周边区细胞对TH抗体免疫反应强度以及形态学上成熟程度均相似中央区者,上述中央—周边梯度特征则完全消失。I型DA能无长突细胞发育成熟过程中呈现时空顺序的中央—周边梯度特征是视网膜个体发育过程中的暂时现象,它与视网膜中一些神经发生过程存在平行关系。它在视网膜神经发生中的作用,文中进行了讨论。     

Potential Mechanisms Involved in the Negative Coupling Between Serotonin 5-HT1A Receptors and Carbachol-Stimulated Phosphoinositide Turnover in the Rat Hippocampus

Serotonin 5-HT1A receptors have been reported to be negatively coupled to muscarinic receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in the rat hippocampus. In the present study, we have investigated further the pharmacological specificity of this negative control and attempted to elucidate the mechanism whereby 5-HT1A receptor activation inhibits the carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide response in immature or adult rat hippocampal slices. Various 5-HT1A receptor agonists were found to inhibit carbachol (10 microM)-stimulated formation of total inositol phosphates in immature rat hippocampal slices with the following rank order of potency (IC50 values in nM): 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (11) greater than ipsapirone (20) greater than gepirone (120) greater than RU 24969 (140) greater than buspirone (560) greater than 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (1,500) greater than methysergide (5,644); selective 5-HT1B, 5-HT2, and 5-HT3 receptor agonists were inactive. The potency of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists investigated as inhibitors of the carbachol response was well correlated (r = 0.92) with their potency as inhibitors of the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in guinea pig hippocampal membranes. 8-OH-DPAT (10 microM) fully inhibited the carbachol-stimulated formation of inositol di-, tris-, and tetrakisphosphate but only partially antagonized (-40%) inositol monophosphate production. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT on carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover was not prevented by addition of tetrodotoxin (1 microM), by prior destruction of serotonergic afferents, by experimental manipulations causing an increase in cyclic AMP levels (addition of 10 microM forskolin), or by changes in membrane potential (increase in K+ concentration or addition of tetraethylammonium). Prior intrahippocampal injection of pertussis toxin also failed to alter the ability of 8-OH-DPAT to inhibit the carbachol response. Carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in immature rat hippocampal slices was inhibited by the protein kinase C activators phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (10 microM) and arachidonic acid (100 microM). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT on the carbachol response was blocked by 10 microM quinacrine (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) but not by BW 755C (100 microM), a cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor. These results collectively suggest that 5-HT1A receptor activation inhibits carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover by stimulating a phospholipase A2 coupled to 5-HT1A receptors, leading to arachidonic acid release. Arachidonic acid could in turn activate a gamma-protein kinase C with as a consequence an inhibition of carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover. This inhibition may be the consequence of a phospholipase C phosphorylation and/or a direct effect on the muscarinic receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Catecholamine Concentration in the Developing Rat Brain after γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid

The effect of the GABA receptor agonist γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) on brain catecholamine concentration was investigated in 1 to 28 day old rats. The infant rats were given GHBA in various doses (375–1500 mg/kg) and the effects on whole brain or regional brain concentration of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) were measured. Brain DA concentration increased in a dose-dependent way already from two days of postnatal age. In the regional brain study of the 14- and 28-day-old animals the increase in DA concentration was found to be almost exclusively located in the striatal region. Generally, no changes in NA concentration were found in the whole brain or various brain regions at any of the ages after GHBA. It is concluded that the inhibitory striatal-nigral neurons, utilizing GABA as a transmitter, are functionally developed during early postnatal age.     

The potential for constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and reuse in developing countries: a review

Constructed wetlands are among the recently proven efficient technologies for wastewater treatment. Compared to conventional treatment systems, constructed wetlands are low cost, are easily operated and maintained, and have a strong potential for application in developing countries, particularly by small rural communities. However, these systems have not found widespread use, due to lack of awareness, and local expertise in developing the technology on a local basis. This paper summarizes information on current methods used for wastewater treatment in developing countries, and briefly gives basic information on wetlands. The paper further examines the potential of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and reuse in developing countries by looking at the results of current research initiatives towards implementation of the technology in these countries. Future considerations in choosing constructed wetlands as wastewater treating systems in developing countries are highlighted.     

The effect of ammonia and pH on brain γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in young rats

Acute hyperammonemia, induced by two consecutive injections of ammonium acetate (550 and 450 mg per kg b.wt.), decreased the activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in most brain regions of 18- and 30-day-old rats. This decrease in the brain GGT activity was more pronounced in younger than in older rats. After the addition or NH₄Cl to the incubation medium, the inhibitory action of NH₄⁺ on this enzyme activity was also demonstrated in crude synaptosomal membranes at pH 7.4, but in a range of NH₄⁺ concentrations many-times higher then those found in the plasma or brains of young hyperammonemic rats. Because similar concentrations of NH₄⁺ stimulated the activity of the purified enzyme from rat kidney (mainly at pH 9.0), the inhibition of GGT activity in the young rat brain is probably mediated indirectly and not by a direct interaction of ammonia with the enzyme molecules.     

Morningness orientation is an important determinant to circadian misalignment and tolerance: an Asian perspective

ABSTRACT

Diurnal preferences refers to one’s preference of performing timely activities where one may prefer for late timings and the other for earlier, which account for their chronotype that is controlled partly by genetic factors and are also influenced by environmental factors. Individual’s circadian preference can be drawn using questionnaire tools as well as can be externally validated by studying various physiological parameters that has a rhythmicity. Determination of chronotype is well studied worldwide but mostly in European and American countries. Asia being the largest continent, comprising so many countries still did not have widespread studies over chronotype assessment and its implications. This review aims at jotting down the available literature regarding the chronotype evaluation and the various contributing factors in Asian perspectives such that there can be huge cross-cultural studies emphasizing environmental, geographical differences, lifestyle habits, work schedule, and other contributing factors regarding the understanding of circadian preference of humans, which is really hard to define. The dearth in studies regarding diurnal preferences and physiological altercations, which is in turn influenced by the work schedule and the resultant sleep-wake pattern disorientation, needs further investigation worldwide and this available literature may put some light in the path of future research scope.     

Comparing naturalized alien plants and recipient habitats across an east–west gradient in the Mediterranean Basin

Aim To investigate alien plant species invasion levels in different habitats and alien species traits by comparing the naturalized flora in different areas of the same biogeographical region. Location Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. Methods Comparison of floristic composition, species traits and recipient habitats of naturalized alien neophytes across an east–west gradient comprising four countries in the European Mediterranean basin. Results A total of 782 naturalized neophytes were recorded; only 30 species were present in all four countries. Although floristic similarity is low, the four alien floras share the same patterns of growth form (mostly herbs), life cycle (mostly perennials) and life form (mostly therophytes, hemicryptophytes and phanerophytes). The majority of the recipient habitats were artificial. Wetlands were the natural habitats, with the highest numbers of naturalized species. Floristic similarity analyses revealed: (1) the highest floristic similarity between Italy and Spain, both of which were more similar to Greece than to Cyprus; (2) two groups of floristic similarity between habitat categories in each country (Greece–Cyprus and Italy–Spain); (3) a higher degree of homogenization in the plant assemblages in different habitats in Greece and Cyprus and a lower degree of homogenization in those in Italy and Spain; and (4) a higher degree of homogenization in artificial and natural fresh‐water habitats than in the other natural habitats. Main conclusions The floristic similarity of naturalized neophytes between the four countries is low, although the overall analysis indicates that the western group (Italy–Spain) is separated from the eastern group (Greece–Cyprus). Similar patterns emerged regarding the life‐history traits and recipient habitats. The artificial habitats and the natural wet habitats are those that are invaded most and display the greatest homogenization in all four countries. Coastal habitats display a lower degree of homogenization but a high frequency of aliens. Dry shrubs and rocky habitats display a lower degree of homogenization and a low frequency of aliens.     

中国孢粉学的研究进展与展望

中国古生物学会孢粉学分会今年迎来了学会成立30周年纪念.本文就中国孢粉学的发展历程作了简要的回顾,重点列举中国孢粉学在地层孢粉学、第四纪孢粉学、孢粉形态学和应用孢粉学等方面所取得的成就和研究进展,并对中国孢粉学的今后发展提出展望,呼吁中国孢粉工作者不断开拓,利用当前孢粉学良好的发展机遇,开创新的辉煌.