Deciphering proteomic mechanisms explaining the role of glutathione as an aid in improving plant fitness and tolerance against cadmium-toxicity in Brassica napus L.

Cadmium (Cd) hazard is a serious limitation to plants, soils and environments. Cd-toxicity causes stunted growth, chlorosis, necrosis, and plant yield loss. Thus, ecofriendly strategies with understanding of molecular mechanisms of Cd-tolerance in plants is highly demandable. The Cd-toxicity caused plant growth retardation, leaf chlorosis and cellular damages, where the glutathione (GSH) enhanced plant fitness and Cd-toxicity in Brassica through Cd accumulation and antioxidant defense. A high-throughput proteome approach screened 4947 proteins, wherein 370 were differently abundant, 164 were upregulated and 206 were downregulated. These proteins involved in energy and carbohydrate metabolism, CO2 assimilation and photosynthesis, signal transduction and protein metabolism, antioxidant defense response, heavy metal detoxification, cytoskeleton and cell wall structure, and plant development in Brassica. Interestingly, several key proteins including glutathione S-transferase F9 (A0A078GBY1), ATP sulfurylase 2 (A0A078GW82), cystine lyase CORI3 (A0A078FC13), ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase 1 (A0A078HXC0), glutaredoxin-C5 (A0A078ILU9), glutaredoxin-C2 (A0A078HHH4) actively involved in antioxidant defense and sulfur assimilation-mediated Cd detoxification process confirmed by their interactome analyses. These candidate proteins shared common gene networks associated with plant fitness, Cd-detoxification and tolerance in Brassica. The proteome insights may encourage breeders for enhancing multi-omics assisted Cd-tolerance in Brassica, and GSH-mediated hazard free oil seed crop production for global food security.

Proteome insights of citric acid-mediated cadmium toxicity tolerance in Brassica napus L.

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic substance that is uptake by plants from soils, Cd easily transfers into the food chain. Considering global food security, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and metal detoxification strategies are highly demandable for sustainable food crop production. The purpose of this study was to investigate how citric acid (CA) alleviates or tolerates Cd toxicity in Brassica using a proteome approach. In this study, the global proteome level was significantly altered under Cd toxicity with or without CA supplementation in Brassica. A total of 4947 proteins were identified using the gel-free proteome approach. Out of these, 476 proteins showed differential abundance between the treatment groups, wherein 316 were upregulated and 160 were downregulated. The gene ontology analysis reveals that differentially abundant proteins were involved in different biological processes including energy and carbohydrate metabolism, CO2 assimilation and photosynthesis, signal transduction and protein metabolism, antioxidant defense, heavy metal detoxification, plant development, and cytoskeleton and cell wall structure in Brassica leaves. Interestingly, several candidate proteins such as superoxide dismutase (A0A078GZ68) L-ascorbate peroxidase 3 (A0A078HSG4), glutamine synthetase (A0A078HLB2), glutathione S-transferase DHAR1 (A0A078HPN8), glutamine synthetase (A0A078HLB2), cysteine synthase (A0A078GAD3), S-adenosylmethionine synthase 2 (A0A078JDL6), and thiosulfate/3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase 2 (A0A078H905) were involved in antioxidant defense system and sulfur assimilation-involving Cd-detoxification process in Brassica. These findings provide new proteome insights into CA-mediated Cd-toxicity alleviation in Brassica, which might be useful to oilseed crop breeders for enhancing heavy metal tolerance in Brassica using the breeding program, with sustainable and smart Brassica production in a metal-toxic environment.

Label-free proteomics approach reveals candidate proteins in rice (Oryza sativa L.) important for ACC deaminase producing bacteria-mediated tolerance against salt stress.

The omics-based studies are important for identifying characteristic proteins in plants to elucidate the mechanism of ACC deaminase producing bacteria-mediated salt tolerance. This study evaluates the changes in the proteome of rice inoculated with ACC deaminase producing bacteria under salt-stress conditions. Salt stress resulted in a significant decrease in photosynthetic pigments, whereas inoculation of Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20 had significantly increased pigment contents under normal and salt-stress conditions. A total of 76, 51 and 33 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified in non-inoculated salt-stressed plants, bacteria-inoculated plants under normal and salt stress conditions respectively. The abundances of proteins responsible for ethylene emission and programmed cell death were increased, and that of photosynthesis-related proteins were decreased in non-inoculated plants under salt stress. However, bacteria-inoculated plants had shown higher abundance of antioxidant proteins, RuBisCo and ribosomal proteins that are important for enhancing stress tolerance and improving plant physiological traits. Collectively, salt stress might affect plant physiological traits by impairing photosynthetic machinery and accelerating apoptosis leading to a decline in biomass. However, inoculation of plants with bacteria can assist in enhancing photosynthetic activity, antioxidant activities and ethylene regulation related proteins for attenuating salt-induced apoptosis and sustaining growth and development.

Improved recipes provide better complementary feeding in young children: findings of community-based trials in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: In Bangladesh, only 34% of children receive minimum acceptable diets as complementary foods (CF) for appropriate age while the rest of them remain at the risk of growth faltering, micronutrient deficiency, compromised cognitive development, and increased morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to develop nutritious recipes for complementary feeding and provide necessary guidelines for improving complementary feeding practices for doctors, nutritionist and caregivers. METHODS: This qualitative study including a baseline survey and Trials of Improved Practices of recipes (TIPs) was conducted on families having 6-23 months old children selected by Multi-stage random sampling methods from 2010 to 2012 throughout seven divisions of Bangladesh. Thirty-five food recipes were developed from local food items based on the 'WHO indicators to assess the adequacy of CF practices' for the TIP. Thirty (30) cooked recipes were analyzed for 10 nutrients in an accredited laboratory in Bangladesh. RESULTS: The baseline survey found that energy density of local recipes was low and did not have the required diversity, adequacy, and nutrient density according to IYCF indicators established by WHO. The TIPs found that 28 recipes out of the 35 recipes were most acceptable by both mothers and children. A manual of improved complementary food recipes and a complementary feeding guideline has been developed with calculation of dietary diversity scores, energy and nutrient density. CONCLUSION: This report will provide evidence-based practical knowledge for training and serve as nutrition education tool for nutrition practitioners, policy makers, and academicians.

Proteome Changes Reveal the Protective Roles of Exogenous Citric Acid in Alleviating Cu Toxicity in Brassica napus L.

Citric acid (CA), as an organic chelator, plays a vital role in alleviating copper (Cu) stress-mediated oxidative damage, wherein a number of molecular mechanisms alter in plants. However, it remains largely unknown how CA regulates differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in response to Cu stress in Brassica napus L. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the proteome changes in the leaves of B. L. seedlings in response to CA-mediated alleviation of Cu stress. Exposure of 21-day-old seedlings to Cu (25 and 50 µM) and CA (1.0 mM) for 7 days exhibited a dramatic inhibition of overall growth and considerable increase in the enzymatic activities (POD, SOD, CAT). Using a label-free proteome approach, a total of 6345 proteins were identified in differentially treated leaves, from which 426 proteins were differentially expressed among the treatment groups. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways analysis revealed that most of the differential abundance proteins were found to be involved in energy and carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, protein metabolism, stress and defense, metal detoxification, and cell wall reorganization. Our results suggest that the downregulation of chlorophyll biosynthetic proteins involved in photosynthesis were consistent with reduced chlorophyll content. The increased abundance of proteins involved in stress and defense indicates that these DAPs might provide significant insights into the adaptation of Brassica seedlings to Cu stress. The abundances of key proteins were further verified by monitoring the mRNA expression level of the respective transcripts. Taken together, these findings provide a potential molecular mechanism towards Cu stress tolerance and open a new route in accelerating the phytoextraction of Cu through exogenous application of CA in B. napus.

Glutathione Restores Hg-Induced Morpho-Physiological Retardations by Inducing Phytochelatin and Oxidative Defense in Alfalfa.

Mercury (Hg) is toxic to plants, but the effect of glutathione in Hg alleviation was never studied in alfalfa, an important forage crop. In this study, Hg toxicity showed morphological retardation, chlorophyll reduction, and PSII inefficiency, which was restored due to GSH supplementation in alfalfa plants treated with Hg. Results showed a significant increase of Hg, but Fe and S concentrations substantially decreased in root and shoot accompanied by the downregulation of Fe (MsIRT1) and S (MsSultr1;2 and MsSultr1;3) transporters in roots of Hg-toxic alfalfa. However, GSH caused a significant decrease of Hg in the shoot, while the root Hg level substantially increased, accompanied by the restoration of Fe and S status, relative to Hg-stressed alfalfa. The subcellular analysis showed a substantial deposition of Hg in the root cell wall accompanied by the increased GSH and PC and the upregulation of MsPCS1 and MsGSH1 genes in roots. It suggests the involvement of GSH in triggering PC accumulation, causing excess Hg bound to the cell wall of the root, thereby reducing Hg translocation in alfalfa. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the MsPCS1 protein demonstrated one common conserved motif linked to the phytochelatin synthase domain (CL0125) with MtPCS1 and AtMCS1 homologs. These in silico analysis further confirmed the detoxification role of MsPCS1 induced by GSH in Hg-toxic alfalfa. Additionally, GSH induces GSH and GR activity to counteract oxidative injuries provoked by Hg-induced H2O2 and lipid peroxidation. These findings may provide valuable knowledge to popularize GSH-derived fertilizer or to develop Hg-free alfalfa or other forage plants.

Aetiology of nutritional rickets in rural Bangladeshi children.

OBJECTIVES: A high prevalence of rickets of unknown aetiology has been reported in Chakaria, Bangladesh. Classically, rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency but increasing evidence from Africa and Asia points towards other nutritional deficiencies or excessive exposure to some metals. The aim of this study was to investigate the aetiology of rickets in rural Bangladeshi children. METHODS: 64 cases with rickets-like deformities were recruited at first presentation together with age-sex-village matched controls. Data and sample acquisition included anthropometry, radiographs, fasted plasma and urinary samples, 24 h weighed dietary intake together with a 24 h urine collection, and 13C-breath tests to detect Helicobacter (H.) pylori infection. RESULTS: One child had active rickets and frank hypovitaminosis D (F, n = 1) and one had deformities with radiological features of Blount disease (M, n = 1). The remaining cases were grouped into those with active rickets, defined as a radiographic Thacher score ≥1.5 (Group A, n = 24, 12M, 12F) and rickets-like bone deformities but not active rickets (Group B, n = 38, 28M, 10F). All children had a low dietary calcium intake, but this was lower in Group A than their controls (mean (SD): 156 (80) versus 323 (249) mg/day, p = 0.005). Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was lower in Group A compared to controls; 63% of Group A and 8% of controls had a concentration <25 nmol/L (p ≤ 0.0001). There was, however, no evidence of differences in skin sunshine exposure. Group A had lower plasma calcium and phosphate and higher 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH). 88% of Group A and 0% of controls had undetectable plasma intact fibroblast growth factor (iFGF23), with c-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23) concentrations in the normal range. Urinary phosphate and daily outputs of environmental metals relative to creatinine were higher and tubular maximal phosphate reabsorption per unit glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) was lower in Group A compared to controls. Although less pronounced than Group A, Group B had higher alkaline phosphatase, 1,25(OH)2D and PTH concentrations than controls but similar calcium intake, TmP/GFR, iFGF23 and cFGF23 concentrations. Mean 25OHD concentrations were also similar to controls and there was no significant difference in the percentage <25 nmol/L (Group B: 13%, controls: 5%, p = 0.2) No group differences were seen in prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency or H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: Nutritional rickets in this region is likely to be predominantly due to low calcium intake in the context of poor vitamin D status and exposure to environmental metals, but not H. pylori infection, anaemia or iron deficiency.

Proteome characterization of copper stress responses in the roots of sorghum.

Copper (Cu) is a important micronutrient for plants, but it is extremely toxic to plants at high concentration and can inactivate and disturb protein structures. To explore the Cu stress-induced tolerance mechanism, the present study was conducted on the roots of sorghum seedlings exposed to 50 and 100 µM CuSO4 for 5 days. Accumulation of Cu increased in roots when the seedlings were treated with the highest concentration of Cu2+ ions (100 µM). Elevated Cu concentration provoked notable reduction of Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mn uptake in the roots of sorghum seedlings. In the proteome analysis, high-throughput two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF-TOF MS was performed to explore the molecular responses of Cu-induced sorghum seedling roots. In two-dimensional silver-stained gels, 422 protein spots were identified in the 2-D gel whereas twenty-one protein spots (≥1.5-fold) were used to analyze mass spectrometry from Cu-induced sorghum roots. Among the 21 differentially expressed proteins, 10 proteins were increased, while 11 proteins were decreased due to the intake of Cu ions by roots of sorghum. Abundance of most of the identified proteins from the roots that function in stress response and metabolism was remarkably enhanced, while proteins involved in transcription and regulation were severely reduced. Taken together, these results imply insights into a potential molecular mechanism towards Cu stress in C4 plant, sorghum.

Policy content and stakeholder network analysis for infant and young child feeding in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices are essential for nutrition of infants and young children. Bangladesh has one of the highest levels of malnutrition globally along with sub-optimal IYCF practices. A supportive policy environment is essential to ensure that effective IYCF interventions are scaled up. The objectives of our study were to assess the support for IYCF in the national policy environment through policy analysis and stakeholder analysis and in so doing identify opportunities to strengthen the policy environment. METHODS: We used a matrix developed by SAIFRN (the South Asian Infant Feeding Research Network) to systematically identify supportive national policies, plans and guidelines for IYCF. We adapted narrative synthesis and descriptive approaches to analyze policy content, based on four themes with a focus on support for mothers. We conducted three Net-Map interviews to identify stakeholders who influenced the policies and programs related to IYCF. RESULTS: We identified 19 national policy documents relevant to IYCF. Overall, there was good level of support for IYCF practices at policy level - particularly regarding general support for IYCF and provision of information to mothers - but these were not consistently supported at implementation level, particularly regarding specificity and population coverage. We identified gaps regarding the training of health workers, capacity building, the monitoring and targeting of vulnerable mothers and providing an enabling environment to mothers, specifically with respect to maternity leave for working women. Urban populations and providers outside the public sector remained uncovered by policy. Our stakeholder analysis identified government entities such as the National Nutrition Service, as the most influential in terms of both technical and funding support as they had the mandate for formulation and implementation of policies and national programs. Stakeholders from different sectors played important roles, demonstrating the salience of IYCF. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is strong supportive policy environment for IYCF, it is important that policies cover all populations. Our analysis indicated that opportunities to strengthen the policy environment include: expanding population coverage, increasing inter-sector coordination, improving translation of policy objectives to implementation-level documents, and the engagement of non-public sectors. In addition, we recommend explicit strategies to engage diverse stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of IYCF policies.

Leaf proteome characterization in the context of physiological and morphological changes in response to copper stress in sorghum.

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and development of plants; however, at elevated concentrations in soil, copper is also generally considered to be one of the most toxic metals to plant cells due to its inhibitory effects against many physiological and biochemical processes. In spite of its potential physiological and economical significance, molecular mechanisms under Cu stress has so far been grossly overlooked in sorghum. To explore the molecular alterations that occur in response to copper stress, the present study was performed in ten-day-old Cu-exposed leaves of sorghum seedlings. The growth characteristics were markedly inhibited, and ionic alterations were prominently observed in the leaves when the seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 µM) of CuSO4. Using two-dimensional gels with silver staining, 643 differentially expressed protein spots (≥1.5-fold) were identified as either significantly increased or reduced in abundance. Of these spots, a total of 24 protein spots (≥1.5-fold) from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves were successfully analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Of the 24 differentially expressed proteins from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves, 13 proteins were up-regulated, and 11 proteins were down-regulated. The abundance of most identified protein species, which function in carbohydrate metabolism, stress defense and protein translation, was significantly enhanced, while that of another protein species involved in energy metabolism, photosynthesis and growth and development were severely reduced. The resulting differences in protein expression patterns together with related morpho-physiological processes suggested that these results could help to elucidate plant adaptation to Cu stress and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of Cu responses in C4 plants.

Morpho-Physiological and Proteome Level Responses to Cadmium Stress in Sorghum.

Cadmium (Cd) stress may cause serious morphological and physiological abnormalities in addition to altering the proteome in plants. The present study was performed to explore Cd-induced morpho-physiological alterations and their potential associated mechanisms in Sorghum bicolor leaves at the protein level. Ten-day-old sorghum seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 µM) of CdCl2, and different morpho-physiological responses were recorded. The effects of Cd exposure on protein expression patterns in S. bicolor were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in samples derived from the leaves of both control and Cd-treated seedlings. The observed morphological changes revealed that the plants treated with Cd displayed dramatically altered shoot lengths, fresh weights and relative water content. In addition, the concentration of Cd was markedly increased by treatment with Cd, and the amount of Cd taken up by the shoots was significantly and directly correlated with the applied concentration of Cd. Using the 2-DE method, a total of 33 differentially expressed protein spots were analyzed using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Of these, treatment with Cd resulted in significant increases in 15 proteins and decreases in 18 proteins. Major changes were absorbed in the levels of proteins known to be involved in carbohydrate metabolism, transcriptional regulation, translation and stress responses. Proteomic results revealed that Cd stress had an inhibitory effect on carbon fixation, ATP production and the regulation of protein synthesis. Our study provides insights into the integrated molecular mechanisms involved in responses to Cd and the effects of Cd on the growth and physiological characteristics of sorghum seedlings. We have aimed to provide a reference describing the mechanisms involved in heavy metal damage to plants.

Profiling of mitochondrial proteome in wheat roots.

Mitochondria are important organelles for cellular respiration within the eukaryotic cell and have many important functions including vitamin synthesis, amino acid metabolism and photorespiration. To investigate the mitochondrial proteome of the roots of wheat seedlings, a systematic and targeted analysis were carried out on the mitochondrial proteome from 15 day-old wheat seedling root material. Mitochondria were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation; and extracted proteins were disassociated and analyzed by Tricine SDS-PAGE couple to LTQ-FTICR mass spectrometry. From the isolated the sample, 184 proteins were identified which is composed of 140 proteins as mitochondria and 44 proteins as other subcellular proteins that are predicted by the freeware sub-cellular predictor. The identified proteins in mitochondria were functionally classified into 12 classes using the ProtFun 2.2 servers based on biological processes. Proteins were shown to be involved in amino acid biosynthesis (17.1%), biosynthesis of cofactors (6.4%), cell envelope (11.4%), central intermediary metabolism (10%), energy metabolism (20%), fatty acid metabolism (0.7%), purines and pyrimidines (5.7%), regulatory functions (0.7%), replication and transcription (1.4%), translation (22.1%), transport and binding (1.4%), and unknown (2.8%). These results indicate that many of the protein components present and functions of identifying proteins are common to other profiles of mitochondrial proteins performed to date. These results are provided the extensive and noble clues, to our knowledge, of mitochondrial proteins from wheat roots.

Proteome analysis of roots of wheat seedlings under aluminum stress.

The root apex is considered the first sites of aluminum (Al) toxicity and the reduction in root biomass leads to poor uptake of water and nutrients. Aluminum is considered the most limiting factor for plant productivity in acidic soils. Aluminum is a light metal that makes up 7 % of the earth's scab dissolving ionic forms. The inhibition of root growth is recognized as the primary effect of Al toxicity. Seeds of wheat cv. Keumkang were germinated on petridish for 5 days and then transferred hydroponic apparatus which was treated without or with 100 and 150 µM AlCl3 for 5 days. The length of roots, shoots and fresh weight of wheat seedlings were decreased under aluminum stress. The concentration of K(+), Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) were decreased, whereas Al(3+) and P2O5 (-) concentration was increased under aluminum stress. Using confocal microscopy, the fluorescence intensity of aluminum increased with morin staining. A proteome analysis was performed to identify proteins, which are responsible to aluminum stress in wheat roots. Proteins were extracted from roots and separated by 2-DE. A total of 47 protein spots were changed under Al stress. Nineteen proteins were significantly increased such as sadenosylmethionine, oxalate oxidase, malate dehydrogenase, cysteine synthase, ascorbate peroxidase and/or, 28 protein spots were significantly decreased such as heat shock protein 70, O-methytransferase 4, enolase, and amylogenin. Our results highlight the importance and identification of stress and defense responsive proteins with morphological and physiological state under Al stress.

Protein Profiling Reveals Novel Proteins in Pollen and Pistil of W22 (ga1; Ga1) in Maize.

Gametophytic factors mediate pollen-pistil interactions in maize (Zea mays L.) and play active roles in limiting gene flow among maize populations and between maize and teosinte. This study was carried out to identify proteins and investigate the mechanism of gametophytic factors using protein analysis. W22 (ga1); which did not carry a gametophytic factor and W22 (Ga1), a near iso-genic line, were used for the proteome investigation. SDS-PAGE was executed to investigate proteins in the pollen and pistil of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). A total of 44 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the pollen and pistil on SDS-PAGE using LTQ-FTICR MS. Among the 44 proteins, a total of 24 proteins were identified in the pollen of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1) whereas 20 differentially expressed proteins were identified from the pistil of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). However, in pollen, 2 proteins were identified only in the W22 (ga1) and 12 proteins only in the W22 (Ga1) whereas 10 proteins were confirmed from the both of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). In contrary, 10 proteins were appeared only in the pistil of W22 (ga1) and 7 proteins from W22 (Ga1) while 3 proteins confirmed in the both of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). Moreover, the identified proteins were generally involved in hydrolase activity, nucleic acid binding and nucleotide binding. These results help to reveal the mechanism of gametophytic factors and provide a valuable clue for the pollen and pistil research in maize.

Nutritional status, dietary intake, and relevant knowledge of adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh.

This study estimated the levels and differentials in nutritional status and dietary intake and relevant knowledge of adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh using data from the Baseline Survey 2004 of the National Nutrition Programme. A stratified two-stage random cluster-sampling was used for selecting 4,993 unmarried adolescent girls aged 13-18 years in 708 rural clusters. Female interviewers visited girls at home to record their education, occupation, dietary knowledge, seven-day food-frequency, intake of iron and folic acid, morbidity, weight, and height. They inquired mothers about age of their daughters and possessions of durable assets to divide households into asset quintiles. Results revealed that 26% of the girls were thin, with body mass index (BMI)-for-age <15th percentile), 0.3% obese (BMI-for-age >95th percentile), and 32% stunted (height-for-age < or = 2SD). Risks of being thin and stunted were higher if girls had general morbidity in the last fortnight and foul-smelling vaginal discharge than their peers. Consumptions of non-staple good-quality food items in the last week were less frequent and correlated well positively with the household asset quintile. Girls of the highest asset quintile ate fish/meat 2.1 (55%) days more and egg/milk two (91%) days more than the girls in the lowest asset quintile. The overall dietary knowledge was low. More than half could not name the main food sources of energy and protein, and 36% were not aware of the importance of taking extra nutrients during adolescence for growth spurt. The use of iron supplement was 21% in nutrition-intervention areas compared to 8% in non-intervention areas. Factors associated with the increased use of iron supplements were related to awareness of the girls about extra nutrients and their access to mass media and education. Community-based adolescent-friendly health and nutrition education and services and economic development may improve the overall health and nutritional knowledge and status of adolescents.

Impact of pilot project of Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) on destitute women: CARE, Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: The rate of malnutrition among women in Bangladesh is high, but historically there has not been a specific program focusing on the improvement of the nutritional status of Bangladeshi women. OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in the nutritional status of destitute women of the Rural Maintenance Programme (RMP) by incorporating a health and nutrition intervention package with RMP ongoing activities. METHODS: An intervention study involving 1,275 poor destitute women was conducted from July 2004 to June 2005 in 17 districts in Bangladesh under two field offices, Mymensingh and Jessore, covering 8 and 9 districts, respectively. The respondents were divided into intervention, comparison, and control groups. All participants in the intervention and comparison groups were paid as part of the RMP and received weekly 30-minute nutrition interventions for 7 weeks in addition to routine training. The comparison group also received RMP training. The control group consisted of women with similar demographic characteristics to the intervention and comparison groups who did not receive pay or any intervention. The intervention was a unique combination of the three components of the UNICEF triangle model (food security, caring practices, and disease control). Data on socioeconomic and anthropometric characteristics, immunization, and vitamin A capsule intake were also collected with the use of a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean body weight had significantly increased by 1,333 g in the intervention group and had decreased by 277 g in the control group and 147 g in the comparison group. The body mass index of women in the intervention group had also significantly increased at the end of the study (p < .001). There was a significant increase in the intake of iodized salt in the intervention group as well as increased immunization coverage in all groups. Intake of the first vitamin A capsule by children increased (from 60% to 97%) in the intervention group only. CONCLUSIONS: The nutrition pilot intervention was highly effective in improving the nutritional status of women in the RMP.

Prevention of malnutrition among young children in rural Bangladesh by a food-health-care educational intervention: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: As a result of inappropriate feeding, poor health and hygiene, and poor caring practices, the nutritional status of many young infants deteriorates with advancing age. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of a nutrition education package to prevent malnutrition among young children. METHODS: A community-based, randomized, controlled trial was conducted among 605 normal and mildly malnourished children aged 6 to 9 months in 121 Community Nutrition Centers (CNCs) of the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project (BINP) in four regions of Bangladesh from 2000 to 2002. The intervention group received weekly nutrition education based on the nutrition triangle concept of UNICEF for 6 months, whereas the control group received regular BINP services. Both groups were observed for a further 6 months to assess the sustainability of the effects. Information on socioeconomic status, feeding patterns, morbidity, and anthropometric features was collected. RESULTS: A significant increase in the frequency of complementary feeding was observed in the intervention group as compared with the control group, and the increase was sustained throughout the observation period. The intervention group had a higher weight gain than the control group after the end of the intervention (0.86 vs. 0.77 kg, p = 0.053) and after the end of the observation period (1.81 vs. 1.39 kg, p < .001). The proportion of normal and mildly malnourished children was greater in the intervention group than in the control group after the end of the observations (88.9% vs. 61.5%, p < .001). Nutrition education successfully prevented malnutrition in all the areas. Variation in the outcome of nutrition education among the regions was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This culturally appropriate nutrition education package based on the nutrition triangle model effectively prevented growth faltering and malnutrition among young children.

Effect of zinc supplementation on immune and inflammatory responses in pediatric patients with shigellosis.

BACKGROUND: Several studies showed benefits of long-term zinc supplementation on the incidence, severity, and duration of diarrhea and on the incidence of respiratory infections. Prolonged zinc supplementation also improves cell-mediated immunity in severely malnourished children. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of short-term zinc supplementation on intrinsic and specific immune and inflammatory responses in moderately malnourished children with acute shigellosis. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Shigella-infected children aged 12-59 mo. Elemental zinc (20 mg) and a multivitamin containing vitamins A and D, thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide, and calcium at twice the recommended dietary allowance were given daily for 2 wk to the zinc group (n = 28), whereas the multivitamin alone was given to the control group (n = 28). Standard antibiotic therapy was given to all patients. RESULTS: Serum zinc concentrations increased in both groups during convalescence; however, zinc supplementation showed a significant effect. The lymphocyte proliferation response in the zinc group increased relative to that in the control group (P = 0.002), but no significant effects were seen on concentrations of cytokines (interleukin 2 and interferon gamma) released from mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cells or on concentrations of cytokines (interleukin 2, interferon gamma, and interleukin 1beta) in feces. Among the antigen [lipopolysaccharide and invasion plasmid-encoded antigen (Ipa)]-specific antibodies, plasma Ipa-specific immunoglobulin G responses at day 30 were significantly higher in the zinc group than in the control group. However, the 2 groups did not differ significantly in the other antigen-specific responses in plasma and stool. CONCLUSION: A 14-d course of zinc supplementation during acute shigellosis increases the lymphocyte proliferation response and the Ipa-specific immunoglobulin G response.