Independent contribution of parental migrant status and educational level to adiposity and eating habits in preschool children.

Background/Objective:Little is known about the precise role of parental migrant status (MS) and educational level (EL) on adiposity and various eating habits in young children. Therefore, we assessed their independent contribution in preschoolers.Subjects/Methods:Of 655 randomly selected preschoolers, 542 (5.1±0.6 years; 71% of parental MS and 37% of low parental EL) were analysed. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Eating habits were assessed using a semiqualitative food frequency questionnaire and analysed according to five messages developed by the Swiss Society for Nutrition, based on factors implicated in childhood obesity: (1) 'Drinking water and decreasing sweetened drinks', (2) 'Eating fruit and vegetables', (3) 'Decreasing breakfast skipping', (4) 'Reducing fatty and sweet foods' and (5) 'Reducing the intake of meals and snacks in front of television'.Results:Children of migrant and low EL parents had higher body fat, ate more meals and snacks while watching television and had more fruit and fatty foods compared with their respective counterparts (all P0.04). Children of low EL parents also consumed less water and vegetables compared with their counterparts (all P0.04). In most instances, we found an independent contribution of parental MS and EL to adiposity and eating habits. A more pronounced effect was found if both parents were migrants or of low EL. Differences in adiposity and eating habits were relatively similar to the joint parental data when assessed individually for maternal and paternal MS and EL.Conclusions:Parental MS and EL are independently related to adiposity and various eating habits in preschoolers.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 3 November 2010; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.248.

Genetic vulnerability factor for schizophrenia: association with glutamate cysteine ligase modifier gene and abnormal enzyme activity

Background: We previously reported in schizophrenia patients a decreased level of glutathione ([GSH]), the principal non-protein antioxidant and redox regulator, both in cerebrospinal-fluid and prefrontal cortex. To identify possible genetic causation, we studied genes involved in GSH metabolism. Methods: Genotyping: mass spectrometry analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified DNA fragments purified from peripheral blood. Gene expression: real-time PCR of total RNA isolated from fibroblast cultures derived from skin of patients (DSM-IV) and healthy controls (DIGS). Results: Case-control association study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from the GSH key synthesizing enzyme glutamate-cysteine-ligase (GCL) modifier subunit (GCLM) was performed in two populations: Swiss (patients/controls: 40/31) and Danish (349/348). We found a strong association of SNP rs2301022 in GCLM gene (Danish: c2=3.2; P=0.001 after correction for multiple testing). Evidence for GCLM as a risk factor was confirmed in linkage study of NIMH families. Moreover, we observed a decrease in GCLM mRNA levels in patient fibroblasts, consistently with the association study. Interestingly, Dalton and collaborators reported in GCLM knock-out mice an increased feedback inhibition of GCL activity, resulting in 60% decrease of brain [GSH], a situation analogous to patients. These mice also exhibited an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Similarly, under oxidative stress conditions, GCL enzymatic activity was also decreased in patient fibroblasts. Conclusions: These results at the genetic and functional levels, combined with observations that GSH deficient models reveal morphological, electrophysiological, and behavioral anomalies analogous to those observed in patients, suggest that GCLM allelic variant is a vulnerability factor for schizophrenia.

A comparison of the energy budgets of two freshwater Pulmonates: Lymnaea peregra (Müller) and Physa acuta (Drap.)

The energy budgets of two freshwater gastropds, Lymnae peregra and Physa acuta, were compared in similar experimental conditions (20ºC, fed ad libitum with 24h-decayed lettuce), and found to differ in several ways. 1) L. Peregra has a higher assimilation efficiency than P. acuta (72% vs 60%). 2) These species assimilate different components of the ingested food: P. acuta uses a smaller, but more energetic part (probably mainly bacteria), whereas L. peregra assimilate a larger, but less energetic part (probably mainly cellulose). 3) L. peregra allocates more of its assimilated energy to oxygene consumption and mucus production (maintenance investments), wheras P. acuta invest more in growth and reproduction (production investments). Such differences are relevant to the natural habitat of these two species: P. acuta colonizes warm, eutrophic and temporary pools, where decaying material constitue the main part of available resources, and where adult mortality is high and impredictible. By contrast, L. peregra is frequently found in colder, oligotrophic and predictible environements, where living primary producers constitute the main part of available resources, and where biotic interactions are important factors of mortality.

Why is the cladoceran Simocephalus vetulus (Müller) not a 'bang-bang strategist '? A critique of the optimal-body-size model

Lynch's (1980a) optimal-body-size model is designed to explain some major trends in cladoceran life histories; in particular the fact that large and littoral species seem to be bang-bang strategists (they grow first and the reproduce) whereas smaller planktonic species seem to be intermediate strategists (they grow and reproduce simultaneously). Predation is assumed to be an important selective pressure for these trends. Simocephalus vetulus (Müller) does not fit this pattern; being a littoral and relatively large species but an intermediate strategist. As shown by computer simulations, this species would reduce its per capita rate of increase by adopting the strategy predicted by the optimal-body-size model. Two aspects of the model are criticized: (1) the optimization criterion is shown to be incorrect and (2) the prediction of an intermediate strategy is not justified. Structural constraints are suggested to be responsible for the intermediate strategy of S.vetulus. Biotic interactions seem to have little effect on the observed life-history patterns of this species.

Appropriateness of therapy for active Crohn's disease: results of a multidisciplinary International Expert Panel (EPACT II)

Introduction: The development of novel therapies and the increasing number of trials testing management strategies for luminal Crohn's disease (CD) have not filled all the gaps in our knowledge. Thus, in clinical practice, many decisions for CD patients need to be taken without high quality evidence. For this reason, a multidisciplinary European expert panel followed the RAND method to develop explicit criteria for the management of individual patients with active, steroid-dependent (ST-D) and steroid-refractory (ST-R) CD. Methods: Twelve international experts convened in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2007, to rate explicit clinical scenarios, corresponding to real daily practice, on a 9-point scale according to the literature evidence and their own expertise. Median ratings were stratified into three categories: appropriate (7-9), uncertain (4-6) and inappropriate (1-3). Results: Overall, panelists rated 296 indications pertaining to mild-to-moderate, severe, ST-D, and ST-R CD. In anti-TNF naïve patients, budesonide and prednisone were found appropriate for mildmoderate CD, and infliximab (IFX) when those had previously failed or had not been tolerated. In patients with prior success with IFX, this drug with or without co-administration of a thiopurine analog was favored. Other anti-TNFs were appropriate in case of intolerance or resistance to IFX. High doses steroids, IFX or adalimumab were appropriate in severe active CD. Among 105 indications for ST-D or ST-R disease, the panel considered appropriate the thiopurine analogs, methotrexate, IFX, adalimumab and surgery for limited resection, depending on the outcome of prior therapies. Anti-TNFs were generally considered appropriate in ST-R. Conclusion: Steroids, including budesonide for mild-to-moderate CD, remain first-line therapies in active luminal CD. Anti-TNFs, in particular IFX with respect to the amount of available evidence, remain second-line for most indications. Thiopurine analogs are preferred to anti-TNFs when steroids are not appropriate, except when anti-TNFs were previously successful. These recommendations are available online (www.epact.ch). A prospective evaluation of these criteria in a large database in Switzerland in underway to validate these criteria.

Funções e ordem da razão dos nutrientes no estabelecimento de normas DRIS em laranjeira 'Valência'

O sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) tem sido uma boa alternativa para a avaliação do estado nutricional de diversas culturas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi calcular índices DRIS mediante o uso de três métodos (Beaufils, Elwali & Gascho e Jones) de cálculo das funções das razões dos nutrientes e de dois critérios (Letzch e Nick) para a escolha da ordem da razão dos nutrientes, em pomares comerciais irrigados de laranjeira 'Valência'. Informações sobre a produtividade, porta-enxerto e teor de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn e B em folhas de ramos não-frutíferos de cada talhão foram processadas nos anos de 1994 a 1998. O índice de balanço nutricional (IBN) foi calculado pela média da soma dos valores em módulo dos índices nutricionais e do índice de matéria seca. Os índices DRIS e IBN foram calculados e os valores de r² (produtividade em função de IBN) foram obtidos para cada método. O método Jones para cálculo do DRIS apresentou melhor correlação com a produtividade, e o critério Nick mostrou-se mais eficiente na escolha da ordem da razão dos nutrientes. Populações específicas, com pequeno número de observações, padronizadas quanto ao porta-enxerto e referentes a um ou dois anos de amostragem foliar e produção foram bancos de dados eficientes para a obtenção das normas DRIS.