Intake of dietary magnesium and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults

Objective: Limited data suggest that people with the metabolic syndrome have lower intakes or circulating concentrations of magnesium than those who do not have the syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between dietary intake of magnesium and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Research Methods and Procedures: We used data for 7669 participants ≥20 years of age of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988 to 1994). The metabolic syndrome was defined using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Magnesium intake was determined from a single dietary 24‐hour recall. Results: The unadjusted prevalences of the metabolic syndrome were 29.0% (quintile of lowest magnesium intake), 27.5%, 25.8%, 23.9%, and 21.8% for increasing quintiles of magnesium intake (p for trend = 0.002). After multiple adjustment, the odds ratios for the second through the fifth quintiles (highest intake) of magnesium intake among all participants included in the analysis were 0.84 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58, 1.23], 0.76 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.07), 0.62 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.98), and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.92), respectively (p for trend = 0.029). The associations were similar for men and women. Discussion: Our results showing an inverse association between dietary magnesium intake and the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome add to the evidence that adequate magnesium intake or a diet rich in magnesium may be important for maintaining good cardiometabolic health.     

Identifying advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders in the general population: A national survey of New Zealand adults

The aim was to estimate the prevalence of, and identify independent risk factors for, Advanced (ASPD) and Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD) among Māori (indigenous New Zealanders) and non-Māori adults using a self-report questionnaire. The Munich Chronotype Questionnaire was mailed to a stratified sample of 9100 adults (5100 Māori and 4000 non-Māori) aged 20–59 years randomly selected from the electoral rolls (54% response rate). Different definitions for ASPD and DSPD were developed using combinations of symptoms including self-reported bed and rising times, current chronotype, and a desire to change sleep schedule. Logistic regression models were used to model the likelihood of reporting ASPD or DSPD separately after adjusting for ethnicity (Māori versus non-Māori), sex (males versus females), age (in decades), socio-economic deprivation (NZDep2006 deciles) and employment status (unemployed, night work versus employed with no night work). The prevalence of ASPD ranged from 0.25% to 7.13% whereas the prevalence of DSPD was 1.51 to 8.90% depending on the definition used. The prevalence of ASPD was higher among men and increased with age. The prevalence of DSPD was higher among those living in more deprived areas and decreased with age. After controlling for ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic deprivation and employment status, people with ASPD were more likely to report excessive daytime sleepiness, whereas those with DSPD were more likely to report poor or fair self-rated health. Reporting ASPD and DSPD were associated with self-reported night work. In this large sleep timing survey, we found no differences in the prevalence of self-identified ASPD and DSPD between Maori and non-Maori. This has implications for the development and provision of sleep health services and strategies for managing the significant impact of work patterns on sleep.     

Variation in habitat preference and population structure among three species of the Lake Malawi cichlid genus Protomelas

Several studies have demonstrated strong population structuring over small distances in the rocky-shore mbuna cichlid fishes from Lake Malawi, suggesting the potential for allopatric speciation. However, many endemic Lake Malawi cichlids are neither mbuna, nor confined to rocky shores. Using microsatellites, we investigated the population structure in three species of the non-mbuna genus Protomelas. The rocky-shore P. taeniolatus showed high levels of population structure even over distances of less than 1 km, while the sandy-shore species P. similis showed no significant structure over distances up to 21 km. Protomelas fenestratus, which is generally found at the interface between rocks and sand, also showed low levels of population structure. Our results suggest that the model of allopatric speciation based on habitat fragmentation within the current lake basin may be equally applicable to rocky-shore non-mbuna as to mbuna, but that an alternative model is required to explain speciation among sandy-shore species as well as the deep-water and pelagic species.     

Spatial and typological organization of the oribatid mite population in the Northeastern Altai

Major features of the spatial heterogeneity of the oribatid mite population in the Northeastern Altai are revealed from the data obtained in the field seasons of 2002 and 2006. The impact of environmental factors on the population appearance is evaluated.     

Growth characteristics of the heterotrophic bacterial population of water and bottom sediments in tanks under different trophic conditions

Treatment of single and double doses of fertilizers had a definite response on the bacterial population of water and bottom sediments in tanks after 7 days (F_2,21 3.61; P < 0.05), but did not cause any significant change after day 32 (F_2,18 1.67; P > 0.05). Although the generation time of water bacteria did not vary much in these treatments of trophic gradients (P > 0.05), there was always a distinct variation (P < 0.01) in the generation time of the bacterial population of bottom sediments. The population size of water bacteria was shown to maintain an inverse relationship with the diurnal variation of temperature (P < 0.05) and dissolved oxygen (P < 0.05) of the water. The changes in the size of the bacterial population of water were positively correlated with the variations of hardness (P < 0.05), chloride (P < 0.05) and ammonia nitrogen (P < 0.05) of water. Although the relationships between the heterotrophic bacterial population and the inorganic phosphate of water was not convincing (P > 0.05), an inverse relationship was established between the bacterial community of bottom sediments and the phosphate content of the water (P < 0.01).     

Genetic information improves the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events in the GENEMACOR population

The inclusion of a genetic risk score (GRS) can modify the risk prediction of coronary artery disease (CAD), providing an advantage over the use of traditional models. The predictive value of the genetic information on the recurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) remains controversial. A total of 33 genetic variants previously associated with CAD were genotyped in 1587 CAD patients from the GENEMACOR study. Of these, 18 variants presented an hazard ratio >1, so they were selected to construct a weighted GRS (wGRS). MACE discrimination and reclassification were evaluated by C-Statistic, Net Reclassification Index and Integrated Discrimination Improvement methodologies. After the addition of wGRS to traditional predictors, the C-index increased from 0.566 to 0.572 (p=0.0003). Subsequently, adding wGRS to traditional plus clinical risk factors, this model slightly improved from 0.620 to 0.622 but with statistical significance (p=0.004). NRI showed that 17.9% of the cohort was better reclassified when the primary model was associated with wGRS. The Kaplan-Meier estimator showed that, at 15-year follow-up, the group with a higher number of risk alleles had a significantly higher MACE occurrence (p=0.011). In CAD patients, wGRS improved MACE risk prediction, discrimination and reclassification over the conventional factors, providing better cost-effective therapeutic strategies.     

Association of preceding psychosis risk states and non‐psychotic mental disorders with incidence of clinical psychosis in the general population: a prospective study in the NEMESIS‐2 cohort

The validity and clinical utility of the concept of “clinical high risk” (CHR) for psychosis have so far been investigated only in risk‐enriched samples in clinical settings. In this population‐based prospective study, we aimed – for the first time – to assess the incidence rate of clinical psychosis and es­timate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of that incidence for preceding psychosis risk states and DSM‐IV diagnoses of non‐psychotic mental disorders (mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcohol use disorders, and drug use disorders). All analyses were adjusted for age, gender and education. The incidence rate of clinical psychosis was 63.0 per 100,000 person‐years. The mutually‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards model indicated that preceding diagnoses of mood disorders (hazard ratio, HR=10.67, 95% CI: 3.12‐36.49), psychosis high‐risk state (HR=7.86, 95% CI: 2.76‐22.42) and drug use disorders (HR=5.33, 95% CI: 1.61‐17.64) were associated with an increased risk for clinical psychosis incidence. Of the clinical psychosis incidence in the population, 85.5% (95% CI: 64.6‐94.1) was attributable to prior psychopathology, with mood disorders (PAF=66.2, 95% CI: 33.4‐82.9), psychosis high‐risk state (PAF=36.9, 95% CI: 11.3‐55.1), and drug use disorders (PAF=18.7, 95% CI: –0.9 to 34.6) as the most important factors. Although the psychosis high‐risk state displayed a high relative risk for clinical psychosis outcome even after adjusting for other psychopathology, the PAF was comparatively low, given the low prevalence of psychosis high‐risk states in the population. These findings provide empirical evidence for the “prevention paradox” of targeted CHR early intervention. A comprehensive prevention strategy with a focus on broader psychopathology may be more effective than the current psychosis‐focused approach for achieving population‐based improvements in prevention of psychotic disorders.     

稻飞虱迁飞种群的上灯行为节律研究

【目的】明确稻飞虱迁飞种群的上灯行为节律,以指导其大田迁入种群和迁出种群的发生预测与灾变预警。【方法】本研究运用逐时自动灯诱装置对2010和2011连续两年稻飞虱迁飞种群的上灯行为节律进行了系统研究。【结果】灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus迁飞种群上灯始见期和灯诱虫量年际间差异不明显,白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera和褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens迁飞过境种群上灯始见期和灯诱虫量年际间差异较大。此外,灰飞虱迁飞种群的特大高峰期和高峰期逐时灯诱虫量百分比与一般上灯期和零星上灯期相比突出了晨暮双峰型中的暮峰型上灯行为特点;白背飞虱迁飞种群特大高峰期逐时灯诱虫量百分比与高峰期和一般期相比突出了晨暮双峰型中的晨峰型生物学特性。【结论】稻飞虱迁飞种群的上灯行为节律存在种的特异性,这一行为节律除了受环境因素的影响外主要与其生物学特性有关。     

Incidence of ecological factors on the evolution of infant mortality in a Mediterranean population (La Alpujarra,SE Spain)

The infant mortality evolution in the present century has been analyzed in a rural Mediterranean population (La Alpujarra, SE Spain). The “conventional infant mortality rate” shows a decrease from 184.82, in 1900–1904, to 25.16, in 1975–1978. The sexual proportion for all period studied indicates a male supermortality about 1.13. The biometric analysis reveals an excess of exogenous mortality at the first half of the century, attributed to digestive problems, as has been found in other Mediterranean populations. The seasonal distribution presents an evolutionary change from a maximum in estival months to a maximum in winter ones.     

Age matters in the prevalence and clinical significance of ultra‐high‐risk for psychosis symptoms and criteria in the general population: Findings from the BEAR and BEARS‐kid studies

Early detection of psychosis is an important topic in psychiatry. Yet, there is limited information on the prevalence and clinical significance of high‐risk symptoms in children and adolescents as compared to adults. We examined ultra‐high‐risk (UHR) symptoms and criteria in a sample of individuals aged 8‐40 years from the general population of Canton Bern, Switzerland, enrolled from June 2011 to May 2014. The current presence of attenuated psychotic symptoms (APS) and brief intermittent psychotic symptoms (BLIPS) and the fulfillment of onset/worsening and frequency requirements for these symptoms in UHR criteria were assessed using the Structured Interview for Psychosis Risk Syndromes. Additionally, perceptive and non‐perceptive APS were differentiated. Psychosocial functioning and current non‐psychotic DSM‐IV axis I disorders were also surveyed. Well‐trained psychologists performed assessments. Altogether, 9.9% of subjects reported APS and none BLIPS, and 1.3% met all the UHR requirements for APS. APS were related to more current axis I disorders and impaired psychosocial functioning, indicating some clinical significance. A strong age effect was detected around age 16: compared to older individuals, 8‐15‐year olds reported more perceptive APS, that is, unusual perceptual experiences and attenuated hallucinations. Perceptive APS were generally less related to functional impairment, regardless of age. Conversely, non‐perceptive APS were related to low functioning, although this relationship was weaker in those below age 16. Future studies should address the differential effects of perceptive and non‐perceptive APS, and their interaction with age, also in terms of conversion to psychosis.     

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among males of the three largest Asian diasporas in the US, 2004–2013

BackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) have not been fully examined in the Asian diasporas in the US, despite certain Asian countries having the highest incidence of specific HNSCCs.MethodsNational Cancer Database was used to compare 1046 Chinese, 887 South Asian (Indian/Pakistani), and 499 Filipino males to 156,927 Non-Hispanic White (NHW) males diagnosed with HNSCC between 2004−2013. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association of race/ethnicity with two outcomes – site group and late-stage diagnosis. Temporal trends were explored for site groups and subsites.ResultsSouth Asians had a greater proportion of oral cavity cancer [OCC] compared to NHWs (59 % vs. 25 %; OR_adj =7.3 (95 % CI: 5.9–9.0)). In contrast, Chinese (64 % vs. 9%; OR_adj =34.0 (95 % CI: 26.5–43.6)) and Filipinos (47 % vs. 9%; OR_adj =10.0 (95 % CI: 7.8–12.9)) had a greater proportion of non-oropharyngeal cancer compared to NHWs. All three Asian subgroups had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed by age 40 (14 % Chinese, 10 % South Asian and 8% Filipino compared to 3% in NHW; p < 0.001). Chinese males had lower odds of late-stage diagnosis, compared to NHWs. South Asian cases doubled from 2004 to 2013 largely due to an increase in OCC cases (34 cases in 2004 to 86 in 2013).ConclusionAsian diasporas are at a higher likelihood of specific HNSCCs. Risk factors, screening and survival need to be studied further, and policy changes are needed to promote screening and to discourage high-risk habits in these Asian subgroups.     

镜湖萼花臂尾轮虫夏季种群等位酶分析以及克隆间的生殖差异

应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直板电泳技术和特异性染色方法,对采自芜湖市镜湖的萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionuscalyciflorus)夏季种群内的16个克隆进行了等位酶分析。在检测的6种等位酶系统中,依据葡萄糖磷酸异构酶(GPI)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)的酶谱在克隆间所存在的明显差异,将镜湖萼花臂尾轮虫夏季种群内的16个克隆划分为4个互不相同的克隆群。对由4个克隆群中分别随机选取的1个克隆(共4个克隆,分别命名为克隆A、克隆B、克隆C和克隆D)在4种斜生栅藻(Scenedesmusobliquus)密度(1.0,2.0,4.0和8.0×106cells/ml)下的孤雌生殖和有性生殖所作的研究发现,食物密度、克隆以及两者间的交互作用对轮虫的种群瞬时增长率、种群中的混交雌体百分率、混交雌体受精率和休眠卵产量等4项指标均有显著影响。4克隆中,克隆D的这4项指标均最高,而克隆B的种群瞬时增长率以及克隆A的其他3项指标均最低。克隆B的种群瞬时增长率、种群中的混交雌体百分率和混交雌体受精率均与食物密度间无显著的相关性;克隆A和C的种群瞬时增长率与食物密度间呈曲线相关,而其种群中的混交雌体百分率和混交雌体受精率均与食物密度间无显著的相关性;克隆D的种群瞬时增长率、种群中的混交雌体百分率和混交雌体受精率均与食物密度间呈曲线相关。这些结果表明:镜湖萼花臂尾轮虫夏季种群内存在“克隆共存”现象,且有些克隆间在生化遗传和生态特征方面具有明显的差异     

棉花黄萎病拮抗菌KF-43-1的鉴定与3种处理田间防治效果对比

【背景】棉花黄萎病具有棉花“癌症”之称,对棉花的产量和纤维质量造成较重危害,生物防治以绿色安全等优点成为防治棉花黄萎病应用领域的重点研究内容,因此开发新的生物菌剂防治棉花黄萎病对棉花生产工作具有重要意义。【目的】通过对具有拮抗棉花黄萎病菌作用的放线菌KF-43-1进行初步鉴定及生理生化测定,明确最佳使用方式,为开发新的防治棉花黄萎病生物菌剂提供支持。【方法】对菌株KF-43-1进行分子鉴定,观察其形态特征及生长特性,测定菌株KF-43-1对病原真菌的抑菌效果,明确菌株KF-43-1的生理生化特性,验证放线菌KF-43-1不同使用方式对棉花黄萎病的田间防治效果。【结果】培养特征和显微特征及分子鉴定结果将菌株KF-43-1鉴定为白浅灰链霉菌(Streptomyces albogriseolus);菌株KF-43-1对病原菌V991抑制效果达到82.05%,防效高于放线菌5406,对尖孢镰刀菌萎蔫专化型ST89抑制效果达到25.81%,低于放线菌5406的防效;菌株KF-43-1无荧光反应,能够使明胶液化、淀粉水解、甲基红试验阳性、可以产生黑色素,不具备分解纤维素的能力,菌株KF-43-1在pH 7.0-8.0时生长情况良好,在盐浓度为2%的高氏一号培养基上生长受到抑制并表现出一定的耐盐性,使用拮抗菌KF-43-1菌液制作种衣剂对棉花黄萎病的防效高于离心液包衣和离心液叶面喷施,说明拮抗菌KF-43-1在土壤中定殖后对棉花黄萎病暴发具有更好的抑制效果。【结论】棉花黄萎病拮抗放线菌KF-43-1作为一种新型生防菌,可为开发防治棉花黄萎病的生物菌剂提供生防菌资源,具有良好的开发价值和应用价值。     

猫眼尺蠖在三种女贞属植物上的实验种群两性生命表

【目的】猫眼尺蠖Problepsis superans是一种鳞翅目尺蛾科食叶害虫, 有报道称它只危害园林植物小叶女贞Ligustrum quihoui Carr., 关于其他寄主及其寄主对其生命特征的影响很少研究。开展本研究有助于了解小叶女贞及其可能寄主金叶女贞Ligustrum×vicaryi Hort.和女贞Ligustrum lucidum Ait.对猫眼尺蠖生长发育和繁殖的影响。【方法】在室内25±1℃, 相对湿度为75%±5%, 光周期为16L∶8D条件下, 组建了猫眼尺蠖在这3种植物上的实验种群年龄-龄期两性生命表。【结果】金叶女贞、小叶女贞和女贞对猫眼尺蠖幼虫历期、产卵量有明显影响, 对卵期、蛹期、产卵前期（指雌虫羽化至开始产卵）、雄虫存活时间等无显著影响。猫眼尺蠖取食金叶女贞幼虫历期（21.33 d）显著短于取食小叶女贞（23.46 d）和女贞(27.28 d), 产卵量（529.1粒/雌）显著高于在小叶女贞（442.5粒/雌）和女贞（339.7粒/雌）上。猫眼尺蠖在金叶女贞和小叶女贞上的内禀增长率(r)、周限增长率(λ)、净增殖率(R₀)无显著差异, 但两者都显著大于在女贞上。猫眼尺蠖在3种植物上的平均世代周期(T)差异显著, 它们从小到大为: 金叶女贞、小叶女贞、女贞, 在3种植物上总繁殖率(GRR)没有显著差异。【结论】金叶女贞和小叶女贞相比女贞提供了猫眼尺蠖较好质量的食物, 金叶女贞和女贞具备作为猫眼尺蠖的寄主或临时寄主的可能。     

华北二点委夜蛾种群动态监测及北京北部地区虫源性质分析

二点委夜蛾Proxenus lepigone是玉米生产中的一种新发害虫, 2011年曾在黄淮海夏玉米主产区全面暴发, 对夏玉米生产构成严重威胁。为了明确二点委夜蛾的种群动态, 探讨北京北部二点委夜蛾种群是否为迁入虫源, 2012年, 在华北地区的河北省栾城县、 北京市区和北京延庆县等地, 利用高空探照灯诱虫器、 垂直监测昆虫雷达等对二点委夜蛾成虫进行了监测, 并结合气象资料, 对北京延庆的虫源性质进行了综合分析。结果表明： 二点委夜蛾老熟幼虫作茧后可在北京延庆越冬。2012年, 北京延庆诱集二点委夜蛾累计33 951头, 可划分为3个世代。第1代成虫的诱集数量不符合正态分布, 且在姊妹灯下的数量差异符合迁飞种类的特点。在当地条件不适宜的情况下, 北京延庆监测点第1代成虫日均诱虫数量高于条件相对适宜的河北栾城。在北京延庆, 第1代成虫的逐日诱集数量与空中风向密切相关。雷达监测还表明二点委夜蛾可能是雷达回波的目标。综合以上证据表明, 北京延庆第1代成虫包含从周边迁飞而来的个体, 二点委夜蛾可能是一种兼性迁飞昆虫。本研究可为二点委夜蛾成虫能否远距离迁飞提供例证, 对今后提高其预测预报和防治水平具有重要意义。     

Comparative analysis of genetic variation among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthomonas axonopodis pv manihotis</Emphasis> isolated from the western states of Nigeria using RAPD and AFLP

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv manihotis is the causal agent of cassava bacterial blight (CBB) worldwide. CBB disease is a major constraint to cassava cultivation, and losses can be extremely severe in regions where highly susceptible cultivars are grown. To develop an efficient disease management policy, the genetic diversity of the pathogens population must be known. There is dearth of information on the genetic diversity of X. axonopodis pv manihotis population in Nigeria. We used RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism), a PCR-based technique, to characterize the X. axonopodis pv manihotis isolates from the western States of Nigeria. Thirteen strains Xam and 2 reference strains were tested with eight primers combination of AFLP and 4 RAPD primers. RAPD amplified DNA fragment data showed four major clusters at 80 % similarity coefficient level and two strains were not clustered by this analysis. Strains Kwa76A and Ond48A were also separated in the principal component analysis of the same data. Numerical analysis differentiated the AFLP patterns into four distinct clusters and grouped two strains separately at 66 % similarity. PCA assembly grouped the bacterial strains into 4 and one of the strains was singled out from the others. The two DNA analyses techniques seem to be complimentary to one another and informative on the genomic structure of Xam population in Western Nigeria. The genetic analysis presented here contributes to understanding of the Xam population structure in Western Nigeria.