Effect of altitude on urinary,plasma and nail fluoride levels in children and adults in Nepal

IntroductionA greater prevalence of dental fluorosis has been reported in higher- versus lower-altitude communities. This study, for the first time, examined several aspects of fluoride metabolism in children, aged 4–5 years, and their parent, living at lower altitude (<78 m) and higher altitude (>1487) areas in Nepal.MethodsThe study assessed total daily fluoride intake (TDFI), 24 h urinary fluoride excretion (UFE), and fluoride concentrations of toe- and finger-nail (FC_toenail, FC_fingernail) in children and parents as well as fluoride concentration of plasma (FC_plasma) in parents. Fractional urinary fluoride excretion (FUFE) was calculated as the ratio between UFE and TDFI. FC_toenail, FC_fingernail and FC_plasma were normalised for TDFI by dividing the variables by TDFI and the ratio was reported as the percentage.ResultsIn total, 89 children and 80 parents took part in the study: 42 children and 41 parents from the lower altitude area; 47 children and 39 parents from the higher altitude area. Fluoride concentration of drinking water was significantly (P < 0.001) higher at lower altitude (0.395 mg F/l) than at higher altitude (0.104 mg F/l). TDFI was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in both children and parents living in lower altitude than those living at higher altitude.There was a statistically significant (p = 0.044) difference in the mean FUFE of children living at lower altitude (53%) and higher altitude (46%). However, no significant difference in FUFE was found between parents living at lower altitude (47%) compared with higher altitude (41%).In both children and parents, no statistically significant differences in normalised FC_toenail, FC_fingernail were found between the two altitude areas. However, normalised FC_plasma was statistically significantly (P = 0.005) higher in parents living at higher altitude (0.15%) compared with those living at lower altitude (0.11%).ConclusionThe results suggest that higher altitude living results in decreased urinary fluoride excretion, and consequently increased fluoride retention in children for a given dose (amount) of fluoride.     

Bearing the Burden: Portage Labor as an Adaptive Response to Predictable Food Deficits in Eastern Nepal

Wage work such as portage labor is one of several adaptive strategies by which rural households in Nepal supplement their subsistence agriculture. This study, conducted in the hills of eastern Nepal in 1997, surveyed the landholdings and household subsistence base of 50 commercial porters hired to transport loads from Jiri to various destinations in Solu Khumbu. A major goal was to test the hypothesis that porter households tend to have smaller landholdings than the average household in this region. An unexpected result was that porter households in this study owned nearly as much arable land (1.07 ha) as the mean of 1.15 ha for all hill families in eastern Nepal. Household grain sufficiency correlated significantly (P < 0.01) with farm size (r = 0.53). The majority of the porters lived in villages located at either the origin or the endpoint of their portage work. The study also examined several variables that might explain why portage labor is a full-time occupation for some Nepalis, but a part-time “casual” occupation for others. The most significant difference between households of full-time and part-time porters was the availability of workers at home for managing the household’s land and livestock resources. Households of full-time porters were better able to spare a family member for full-time wage labor because they had significantly more adult workers of either gender (P < 0.05) than households of part-time porters. Full-time and part-time porter households did not differ significantly with regard to family size, land ownership, or number of food-deficit months.     

Increases in body mass index during infliximab therapy in patients with Crohn's disease: an open label prospective study

In the past, the impact of infliximab therapy on nutritional status in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) has not been assessed. This prospective study was to investigate the effect of infliximab on nutritional status in CD patients. Fifty consecutive patients with active CD received infliximab (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2 and 6 as remission induction therapy, and then at 8 weeks intervals as maintenance therapy. Patients were followed for 60 weeks. CD activity index (CDAI) and body mass index (BMI) were monitored. A fall in CDAI by ?70 was defined as response to therapy, while CDAI <150 meant clinical remission. At week 10, 39 patients (78%) responded to infliximab induction therapy. BMI significantly increased during these 10 weeks (P < 0.0001). The mean increase in BMI was significantly higher in patients who responded to infliximab vs patients who did not (P = 0.03). Further, at weeks 30 and 60, 35 patients (70%) and 33 (66%) were in remission, respectively. The mean increase in BMI was significantly higher in patients who maintained remission vs patients not in remission (week 30, P = 0.02; week 60, P = 0.01). Patients with a low baseline BMI (<18.5) and those with small bowel involvement achieved a higher increase in BMI as compared to patients with BMI ?18.5 or patients without small bowel involvement. In this study, infliximab therapy was associated with improvement of patients’ nutritional status, notably patients who responded to this biologic. Additionally, in patients with malnutrition and small bowel involvement, the nutritional impact of infliximab was higher.     

Role of Breastfeeding and Complementary Food on Hemoglobin and Ferritin Levels in a Cambodian Cross-Sectional Sample of Children Aged 3 to 24 Months

Background

Iron deficiency derives from a low intake of dietary iron, poor absorption of iron, and high requirements due to growth as well as blood loss. An estimated number of about 50% of all anemia may be attributed to iron deficiency among young children in Cambodia.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural Cambodia in September 2012. Villages in pre-selected communes were randomly chosen using stunting as a primary indicator of nutritional status. In total, 928 randomly selected households with children aged 3–23 months were included. Hemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and retinol binding protein (RBP) were assessed from capillary blood samples. In addition, length/height and weight of mothers and children were taken and data on dietary diversity was collected. A child feeding index (CFI) was created. Associations between biomarkers of iron and vitamin A status and nutritional status or food intake were explored.

Results

Anemia prevalence was highest among 6- to 12-months-olds (71%). Ferritin and sTfR inversely correlated and were significantly associated with hemoglobin concentrations. The consumption of animal source foods (ASF) significantly impacts on the interaction between ferritin, sTfR and hemoglobin. Concentrations of RBP were significantly higher in children who had received a vitamin A supplement. The CFI was associated with sTfR and hemoglobin. Lower length and weight were associated with lower ferritin levels and showed an indirect effect on hemoglobin through ferritin.

Conclusion

Nutrition programs targeting children under 2 years of age need to focus on the preparation of complementary foods with high nutrient density to sustainably prevent micronutrient deficiency and generally improve nutritional status. Future assessments of the micronutrient status should include identification of hemoglobinopathies and parasitic infections to better understand all causes of anemia in Cambodian infants and young children.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00004379     

A comparison of the nutritional status and food security of drug-using and non-drug-using Hispanic women in Hartford,Connecticut

This study compared food insecurity, nutritional status (as measured through anthropometry and dietary intake), and food preparation patterns of low-income Puerto Rican female out-of-treatment drug users with that of low-income Puerto Rican women who reported no drug use. A convenience sample of 41 drug users was compared with 41 age-matched non-drug-users from inner-city Hartford, Connecticut. A culturally appropriate food frequency questionnaire was administered and anthropometric measurements were taken. The findings suggest a high degree of poverty among all study participants, but in particular among drug users. Drug users were more likely than the controls to be food insecure (P < 0.05) and to be exposed to increasingly severe food sufficiency problems. The daily frequency of consumption of vegetables was lower (P = 0.03) for drug users than non-drug-users. Conversely, the frequency of consumption for sweets/ desserts was significantly higher for drug users than the controls (P = 0.0001). Drug users, who were classified as food insecure were less likely to consume vegetables (P = 0.004) and fish (P = 0.03) than were controls who were food insecure. When comparing drug users with controls, the former group reported consuming fewer meals during a usual week than the latter group (P < 0.0001). Drug users were more likely to fry foods (P = 0.02) while the controls were more likely to bake (P = 0.005), boil (P = 0.02), and steam (P = 0.002) foods. All anthropometric measurements, except for height, were significantly lower for drug users. The results show that drug users generally maintain poorer nutritional status than non-drug-users. Nutrition interventions as part of drug treatment are needed. Am J Phys Anthropol 107:351–361, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Achievement and social mobility: Relationships among IQ score,education, and occupation in two generations

This research tests the hypothesis that change over time in women’s status leads to improvements in their children’s health. Specifically, we examine whether change in resources and empowerment in mother’s roles as biological mothers, caregivers, and providers and social contexts that promote the rights and representation of and investment in women are associated with better nutritional status and survival of young children. Analysis is based on a broad sample of countries (n = 28), with data at two or more points in time to enable examination of change. Key indicators of child health show improvement in the last 13 years in developing nations. Much of this improvement—90 percent of the increase in nutritional status and 47 percent of the reduction in mortality—is associated with improving status of women. Increased maternal education, control over reproduction, freedom from violence, access to health care, legislation and enforcement of women’s rights, greater political representation, equality in the education system, and lower maternal mortality are improving children’s health. These results imply that further advancement of women’s position in society would be beneficial.     

Effects of Winter-Feeding on Mule Deer in Northern Utah

Abstract: During severe winters, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) concentrated on ranges in poor condition can experience high mortality. Winter-feeding programs have been implemented to mitigate this mortality. We studied effects on body condition, mortality, fawn production, and migration of mule deer following winter-feeding in the Cache-Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah, USA. Fed deer exhibited 12% higher live body-condition indices both years (main effect feed: F_1,7.32 = 5.39, P = 0.052), lower mortality (33% vs. 55%: χ²₁= 4.58, P < 0.05), and produced more fawns (19 fawns:18 fed F vs. 11 fawns:12 nonfed F; t_27.2 = 2.20, P < 0.036) than nonfed deer. Fed deer migrated later in spring 2004 (x̄ = 13 Apr) than nonfed deer (x̄ = 24 Mar; t₃₄= 3.25, P = 0.003). Fed deer spent more time on winter range in 2003-2004 (x̄ = 157 d) than nonfed deer (x̄ = 121 d; t20 = 3.63, P = 0.002), and more time on winter range for both winters combined (fed deer x̄ = 321 d, nonfed deer x̄ = 257 d; t₂₇ = 3.29, P = 0.003). Concomitantly, wildlife managers need to recognize that any possible benefits accrued to mule deer populations in terms of increased nutritional status as a result of winter-feeding programs may be mitigated by altered timing of migration and increased duration of use of seasonal ranges by fed deer.     

Zinc nutritional status in obese children and adolescents

Studies in animals and humans have corroborated that zinc (Zn) metabolism is altered in obesity. The present work intends to evaluate the Zn nutritional status in obese children and adolescents by the determination of some biochemical parameters and analyses of the diets. The investigation was carried out in a group of obese children and adolescents (n=23) and compared to a control group (n=21), both between 7 and 14 yr of age. A software analyzed diet information from 3-d food records. Body composition was evaluated by body mass index, bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold measurements. Zinc nutritional status was evaluated by Zn determination in plasma, erythrocyte, and 24-h urine, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (γ=213.9 nm). Diets consumed by both groups had marginal concentrations of zinc. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were significantly lower in the obese group. Urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in the same group. The results allowed one to conclude that zinc nutritional status in obese individuals is altered.     

Child nutrition in the transition from nomadic pastoralism to settled lifestyles: individual, household, and community-level factors

The research reported here examines child nutrition in a population that is currently experiencing a transition in subsistence, shifting from nomadic pastoralism to a variety of settled lifestyles. We investigate the range of nutritional consequences of settlement both within and between communities by examining individual, household, and community-level predictors of child nutritional status. Data are drawn from the Rendille Demographic and Health Survey, which contains anthropometric data from 1,088 children ages 6 months to 10 years, as well as socioeconomic data from 640 households drawn from one nomadic and four economically and ecologically diverse settled communities. Comparisons allow us to test the widely held assumption that settlement results in nutritional improvements. The examination of individual and household-level factors highlights several important influences on child nutrition. We find a complex interaction between gender and birthorder, whereby firstborn sons have significantly higher weight-for-height scores than other children, potentially reflecting preference under a system of primogeniture. We also find a complex interaction between defacto female-headed households, where males are absent for over half of the year, and economic status. Young children from poor female-headed households have significantly lower weight-for-height than other children, possibly due to the fact that these households are amongst the poorest in the entire community. However, young children from economically sufficient female-headed households actually fare better than their counterparts in male headed households, suggesting that in households with any discretionary resources, female heads prioritize food acquisition relative to other concerns. Finally, our comparison of child nutritional status across communities, while controlling for individual and household-level variation, does not support the contention that settlement is associated with nutritional improvements. Rather, the effect of community, and its associated changes in subsistence and lifestyle, results in either no nutritional changes, or in the case of young children in the lowland desert community of Korr, diminished nutritional status. Our results underscore the importance of considering variation in sample composition and socioeconomic status when performing community comparisons, and highlight the central role of women in influencing the nutritional welfare of their families.     

Associations between height,body mass,and frequency of decayed,extracted, and filled deciduous teeth among two cohorts of Taiwanese first graders

In this study, heights, weights, and numbers of decayed, extracted, and filled (DEF) deciduous teeth of 300 first‐graders from a less affluent area of Taipei were compared with those of 277 first‐graders from a more affluent one. Parents of all children self‐identified as having ancestors from Fujian. This study tested the hypothesis that synergisms between under‐nutrition and disease form part of a causal pathway contributing to the risk of deciduous caries. Within the less affluent community significant inverse associations between height and body mass index, as proxies for nutritional status, and the frequency of DEF deciduous teeth were anticipated. These associations were not expected in the more affluent community where nutritional status was adequate. An alternative hypothesis, that parental behavior potentially correlated with parental education, occupational backgrounds, housing, or family size contributed independently to offspring nutritional status and caries risk, was evaluated with available data. Consistent with the primary hypothesis, regression analyses revealed significant negative slopes of height (P = 0.002) and log BMI (P = 0.036) on total DEF deciduous teeth in the less affluent group, but not in the more affluent one. Direct tests of slope coefficients in the two groups indicate a significant difference for height (P = 0.041) but not log BMI (P = 0.29). Inclusion of parental education, occupational categories, housing, and numbers of siblings in the regression model provided no support to the alternative hypothesis. Results suggest that improving nutritional status significantly lowers caries risk, though most variation is probably attributable to other factors. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Brief communication: Chronic undernutrition is associated with higher mucosal antibody levels among ariaal infants of northern kenya

The immune activation that occurs with infection diverts energy from growth and can contribute to poor nutritional outcomes in developing infants and children. This study investigates the association between salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and growth outcomes among Ariaal infants of northern Kenya. The Ariaal are a group of settled northern Kenyan pastoralists who are under considerable nutritional stress. Two hundred and thirty‐nine breastfeeding Ariaal infants were recruited into the study and underwent anthropometric measurement and saliva collection, with mothers providing individual and household characteristics for them via questionnaire. Infant saliva samples were analyzed with an ELISA for IgA in the United States. Infant anthropometric measurements were converted to height‐for‐age z‐scores (HAZ) using the WHO Child Growth Standards. Based on multivariate models performed in SAS 9.2 two main results emerge: 1) low HAZ, an indicator of chronic undernutrition, was significantly associated with higher IgA concentration (β = ?0.12, P = 0.050) and 2) boys had significantly higher IgA levels than girls (β = 0.25, P = 0.039). Although there was not a significant interactive effect between HAZ and sex, the two variables confound each other, with boys having significantly lower HAZ values than girls do. In addition, maternal breastmilk IgA was significantly associated with infant salivary IgA, indicating that maternal effects play a role in infant IgA development. Future research will unravel the three‐way association between sex, stunting, and immune function in the Ariaal community. Am J PhyAnthropol 2012. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Early Detrimental Metabolic Outcomes of rs17300539‐A Allele of ADIPOQ Gene Despite Higher Adiponectinemia

Minor allele A of single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 11391 G/A of ADIPOQ gene (rs17300539) has been consistently associated with higher adiponectin levels in adults and children. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic role of this variant in a large cohort of children of European origin. A total of 1,852 children from two general populations in Verona and in Fleurbaix–Laventie and from the Lille childhood obesity cohort, were genotyped and pooled together after checking for the absence of genetic heterogeneity for rs17300539 between Italian and French children. The genotype of rs17300539 was studied in relation to circulating adiponectin levels, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum insulin (FSI), insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA_IR)), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. After adjustment for known confounders, rs17300539 GA+AA carriers had 1.6 µg/ml higher adiponectin levels (P = 6 × 10^?8) than GG carriers. They also showed higher BMI (B = 0.97, P = 0.015) and higher prevalence of obesity (OR = 1.35 (1.06–1.85), P = 0.015) than GG carriers. Before adjusting for obesity status, GA+AA carriers had higher FSI (B = 1.10, P = 0.040) and higher HOMA_IR (B = 0.31, P = 0.020) than GG carriers. After adjustment for obesity status, they did not differ from GG carriers for any metabolic parameter, either among obese or nonobese children. The rs17300539‐A variant, though consistently associated with higher adiponectin levels, does not exert any appreciable protective metabolic effect in children, either in the presence or absence of obesity. In contrast, this SNP may increase the risk for childhood obesity and related insulin resistance.     

Prevalence and correlates of Helicobacter pylori infection among under-five children,adolescent and non-pregnant women in Nepal: Further analysis of Nepal national micronutrient status survey 2016

Most of the Helicobacter pylori infections occur in developing countries. The risk factors for H. pylori infections are poverty, overcrowding, and unhygienic conditions, which are common problems in under-privileged countries such as Nepal. Despite having a high risk of H. pylori infections, no national level study has been conducted to assess prevalence and correlates of H. pylori infection in Nepal. Therefore, we hypothesized that micronutrients such as iron, vitamin B12 deficiency, socio-economic status, and nutritional status correlate with the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Nepal.We studied prevalence and correlates of H. pylori infection among under-five children, adolescents aged 10–19 years and married non-pregnant women aged 20–49 years using data from the Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey 2016 (NNMSS-2016). H. pylori infection was examined in stool of 6–59 months old children and 20–49 years old non-pregnant women whereas the rapid diagnostic kit using blood sample was used among adolescent boys and girls.Prevalence of H. pylori infection was 18.2% among 6–59 months old children, 14% among adolescent boys and 16% among adolescent girls aged 10–19 years; and 40% among 20–49 years non-pregnant women. Poor socioeconomic status, crowding, and unhygienic condition were found to be positively associated with higher incidence of H. pylori infections. No significant correlation was observed between nutritional and micronutrients status (iron or risk of folate deficiency) with H. pylori infection.Findings from this study suggest that poverty-associated markers are primary contributors of H. pylori infections in Nepalese communities. To control acquisition and persistence of H. pylori infection in Nepal, we suggest improved management of safe drinking water and implementation of sanitation and hygiene programs, with a focus on those of lower socioeconomic status.     

The nutrition transition in amazonia: rapid economic change and its impact on growth and development in Ribeirinhos

The goal of this longitudinal study was to assess the impact of economic change and increased market integration on subsistence strategies, living conditions, growth, and nutritional status of Ribeirinhos living in the rural Amazon, Brazil. Data on weight, height, skinfolds, and circumferences, as well as data on economic strategies and living conditions were collected from 469 individuals in 2002 and 429 in 2009. Of these, 204 individuals were measured on both occasions. Independent and paired t‐tests were used to identify changes in nutritional status over time in the larger sample and smaller, longitudinal subsample, respectively. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between changes in economic/living conditions and nutritional status in the longitudinal subsample. Results indicate modest improvements in linear growth (HAZ) and among male children the observed increase was related to enrollment in the Brazilian conditional cash transfer program, Bolsa Família (P = 0.03). In terms of short‐term measures of nutritional status, we found a significant increase in ZTSF and a reduction in ZUMA in most age/sex groups. Among subadults, there was a negative relationship between ZUMA and access to electricity (P = 0.01) and positive relationship between ZUMA and the sale of the açaí fruit (P = 0.04). Significant changes in weight and BMI (P < 0.01) were found among adult females and both were negatively related to household cash income (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). Despite significant changes in economic strategies and lifestyle, changes in nutritional status were modest which may be explained by increased food insecurity documented during this early stage of transition. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

天山北坡植物土壤生态化学计量特征的垂直地带性

生态化学计量工作专注于植物与土壤的元素比例关系及其环境解释等问题上,还需要分析在连续环境梯度上元素比例关系的变化规律以进一步加深已有的认识。受水热梯度的影响,植被与土壤在天山北坡均存在明显的垂直地带性,这为探讨植物土壤生态化学计量特征的垂直带谱提供了有利条件。在天山中段北坡海拔1000—3840m范围内,按海拔梯度对植物和土壤分别采样,测定其C、N、P含量。结果表明:(1)随海拔的升高,植物C、N、P含量及其计量比变化规律各不相同,C含量随海拔变化保持不变,仅山地针叶林显著低于亚高山灌丛草甸、高山垫状植被和山前灌木(P0.05);N含量、C∶P、N∶P随海拔先升高后降低,山地针叶林和亚高山灌丛草甸显著高于山地荒漠草原、山地草原、高山垫状植被(P0.05);P含量、C∶N则是随海拔先降低后升高,高山垫状植被显著高于其他植被类型,山地荒漠草原、山前灌木和高山草甸显著高于山地草原、针叶林和亚高山灌丛草甸(P0.05)。(2)从生活型角度,乔木、灌木和草本C、N含量、C∶N差异不显著,灌木P含量、C∶P、N∶P显著高于草本(P0.05);乔木和灌木更受P限制,草本更受N限制。(3)随海拔的升高,土壤C、N、P含量、C∶P、N∶P均先升高后降低,其中山地针叶林和亚高山灌丛草甸均显著高于山地荒漠草原和山地草原(P0.05),土壤C∶N表现为一直降低,山地荒漠草原显著高于其他植被类型(P0.05)。(4)植物C、N、P及计量比与土壤相关性分析中,仅植物C∶P与土壤C∶P相关性显著,且植物C、N、P含量与土壤相关系数小于植物C∶P、N∶P与土壤相关系数。在垂直地带性上,土壤主要通过生态化学计量比影响植物的生长。     

Grades of undernutrition and socioeconomic status influence cognitive development in school children of Kolkata

Cognitive development of children is influenced by different environmental factors like nutritional and socio‐economic status. The objectives of the present study were to determine the influence of grades of undernutrition and socio‐economic status (SES) on the cognitive development of school children of Kolkata. Five hundred sixty six (566) school children having 5–12 years of age were selected from different schools of Kolkata. The cognitive development was measured by the scores of Raven's colored progressive matrices (RCPM). The chronic and acute nutritional statuses were measured from height‐for‐age (HAZ) and weight‐for‐age (WAZ) Z scores respectively with reference to the values of WHO. SES was determined by updated Kuppuswamy scale. The prevalences of undernutrition in the observed children were 57.95% (according to HAZ) and 52.82% (according to WAZ). The age dependent growth curve of RCPM scores of the observed children remains in between the 10th and 25th centile of British children. The children belonging to superior and intellectual deficit IQ classes were 21.55 and 36.40%, respectively of the total subjects. Most of the subjects belong to lower middle (39.93%) and upper middle (36.40%) class of SES. RCPM scores of school children were gradually decreased with the grades of undernutrition and SES. RCPM scores were significantly correlated with HAZ, WAZ, SES, age, and sex (P < 0.001) and strongly associated with HAZ, SES, age, and sex (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Present study indicates that cognitive development of school children of Kolkata is influenced by the grade of undernutrition and SES. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:274–285, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC DIVERGENCE BETWEEN LOW‐ AND HIGH‐ALTITUDE POPULATIONS OF TWO RECENTLY DIVERGED CINNAMON TEAL SUBSPECIES

Spatial variation in the environment can lead to divergent selection between populations occupying different parts of a species’ range, and ultimately lead to population divergence. The colonization of new areas can thus facilitate divergence in beneficial traits, yet with little differentiation at neutral genetic markers. We investigated genetic and phenotypic patterns of divergence between low‐ and high‐altitude populations of cinnamon teal inhabiting normoxic and hypoxic regions in the Andes and adjacent lowlands of South America. Cinnamon teal showed strong divergence in body size (PC1; P_ST= 0.56) and exhibited significant frequency differences in a single nonsynonymous α‐hemoglobin amino acid polymorphism (Asn/Ser‐α9; F_ST= 0.60) between environmental extremes, despite considerable admixture of mtDNA and intron loci (F_ST= 0.004–0.168). Inferences of strong population segregation were further supported by the observation of few mismatched individuals in either environmental extreme. Coalescent analyses indicated that the highlands were most likely colonized from lowland regions but following divergence, gene flow has been asymmetric from the highlands into the lowlands. Multiple selection pressures associated with high‐altitude habitats, including cold and hypoxia, have likely shaped morphological and genetic divergence within South American cinnamon teal populations.     

Comparison of pulmonary vascular response to endogenous nitric oxide inhibition in sheep and pigs living at 2,300 m

To compare the role of nitric oxide in an adaptive process to chronic hypoxia, we examined the effects of endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibition on pulmonary vascular tone in conscious sheep and pigs living at high altitude. Unanesthetized male sheep (n=6) and pigs (n=5), born and residing in the highlands of Qinghai Province, China (2,300–3,000 m a.s.l.) were studied at that altitude. Pulmonary artery pressure (P_pa), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (P_cwp), and cardiac output (CO) were measured. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated as (P_pa—P_cwp)/CO. Using a climatic chamber, hemodynamic measurements during exposures to atmospheric pressures corresponding to altitudes of 0, 2,300, and 4,500 m a.s.l. were performed with and without NO inhibition, using N^w-nitro-l-argine (NLA; 20 mg kg^–1), a potent stereospecific competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. P_pa and PVR at baseline (2,300 m) and during hypoxic exposure (4,500 m) were significantly higher in pigs than in sheep. After NLA administration, P_pa increased and CO decreased in both animals, resulting in significantly increased PVR at baseline and during hypoxic exposure. However, there were no significant differences in the percent increase in basal or hypoxic PVR after NLA administration between sheep and pigs. We conclude that augmented endogenous NO production could contribute to the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone at high altitude in sheep and pigs. However, it is unlikely that NO is responsible for the different pulmonary vascular tones between sheep and pigs at basal condition at moderately high altitude.Communicated by G. Heldmaier     

Hematology and blood microelements of sheep in south Bohemia

The efficiency of sheep is dependent on their health and well-being. The blood markers can be critical for improving of the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of sheep organism. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that the red and white blood cells and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) plasma contents are impacted by altitude and season. The ewes were kept at three farms. Blood samples were divided according to factors of altitude (550 m, 800 m, 950 m above sea level), season (spring, fall) and year. The lowest haemoglobin concentration and value of haematocrit were detected at the altitude of 550 m (66.95 g L⁻¹, 0.36 L L⁻¹) and the highest at the altitude of 950 m (117.96 g L⁻¹, 0.39 L L⁻¹) (P < 0.001). Spring values of haemoglobin and haematocrit were lower than fall values. The highest count of leucocytes was recorded at the altitude 950 m (9.57 G L⁻¹), higher counts were contained in spring (P < 0.001). The lowest percentage of eosinophiles was found at the altitude of 800 m (5.81%) and the highest at the altitude of 550 m (9.26%) (P < 0.01). Phagocytose activities were the highest at the altitude of 950 m (95.07%) and the lowest at the altitude of 550 m (85.04%) (P < 0.001). Phagocytose activities were higher in fall than in spring. The highest Cu concentration was found at the altitude of 550 m and the lowest at the altitude of 800 m (17.04 μmol L⁻¹ vs. 14.37 μmol L⁻¹). Zn levels were higher at altitudes of 950 m and 800 m than at the altitude of 550 m (17.81 μmol L⁻¹, 17.00 μmol L⁻¹ vs. 14.77 μmol L⁻¹). We concluded that hematological markers and trace mineral content in grazed sheep may be impacted by altitude and season.     

The Relation of Body Mass Index,Cardiorespiratory Fitness,and All‐Cause Mortality in Women

Objective: To examine the relation of body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and all‐cause mortality in women. Research Methods and Procedures: A cohort of women (42.9 ± 10.4 years) was assessed for CRF, height, and weight. Participants were divided into three BMI categories (normal, overweight, and obese) and three CRF categories (low, moderate, and high). After adjustment for age, smoking, and baseline health status, the relative risk (RR) of all‐cause mortality was determined for each group. Further multivariate analyses were performed to examine the contribution of each predictor (e.g., age, BMI, CRF, smoking status, and baseline health status) on all‐cause mortality while controlling for all other predictors. Results: During follow‐up (113,145 woman‐years), 195 deaths from all causes occurred. Compared with normal weight (RR = 1.0), overweight (RR = 0.92) and obesity (RR = 1.58) did not significantly increase all‐cause mortality risk. Compared with low CRF (RR = 1.0), moderate (RR = 0.48) and high (RR = 0.57) CRF were associated significantly with lower mortality risk (p = 0.002). In multivariate analyses, moderate (RR = 0.49) and high (RR = 0.57) CRF were strongly associated with decreased mortality relative to low CRF (p = 0.003). Compared with normal weight (RR = 1.0), overweight (RR = 0.84) and obesity (RR = 1.21) were not significantly associated with all‐cause mortality. Discussion: Low CRF in women was an important predictor of all‐cause mortality. BMI, as a predictor of all‐cause mortality risk in women, may be misleading unless CRF is also considered.