Impact of salivary flow inhibition on masticatory behaviours in healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear how the salivary flow and the fat content of food affect bolus formation during mastication. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to clarify: (1) how hyposalivation affects jaw-closing and hyoid-elevating muscle activities in bolus formation, and (2) if the effect of hyposalivation on muscle activity depends on the fat content of food. METHODS: Eighteen healthy male volunteers were instructed to freely ingest four test foods: Plain, Fat without seasoning, Fat with seasoning, and Soft rice crackers. Masseter and suprahyoid electromyographic activities were recorded before and 30 min after the administration of atropine sulfate, a muscarinic receptor antagonist that induces hyposalivation. RESULTS: Hyposalivation extended the masticatory duration significantly in all the test foods except Fat with seasoning. Masticatory cycle time was significantly longer with vs without hyposalivation for the Soft (p = .011). Suprahyoid activity/cycle was significantly greater with vs without hyposalivation (p = .013). Masticatory cycle time was significantly longer at the late stage with vs without hyposalivation for the Soft (p < .001). Suprahyoid activity/cycle was significantly greater at the middle (p = .045) and late stages (p = .002) with vs without hyposalivation for the Soft and greater at the late stage with vs without hyposalivation for the Plain (p = .043). Changes in masticatory cycle time and suprahyoid activity/cycle for these foods had significantly positive relationship (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Hyposalivation-induced changes in masticatory behaviours resulted from the middle and late stage suprahyoid activity. Fat content and seasoning compensate for salivary flow inhibition.

Risk Factors for Contralateral Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Meta-analysis of Cohort and Case-control Studies.

BACKGROUND: Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is an important cause of hip pain and disability in pediatric patients. SCFE occurs bilaterally in 12% to 80% of cases, and the risk of contralateral SCFE is noted to be 2335 times higher than the index SCFE. Several studies have reported risk factors for contralateral SCFE; however, these studies have not been systematically analyzed. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to review and analyze risk factors for subsequent contralateral SCFE and identify the strongest risk factors for a subsequent slip. METHODS: A systematic review was performed of all observational studies focusing on risk factors for subsequent contralateral SCFE indexed in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Data extraction was performed and summarized using descriptive statistics. Meta-analysis was performed for risk factors with sufficient constituent study data. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and funnel plots were generated to assess publication bias. RESULTS: The initial search strategy identified 226 references, and after exclusions, 20 studies were included in this analysis. Demographic risk factors included age, sex, weight, body mass index, ethnicity, and urban/rural residence; clinical risk factors included endocrine abnormality, duration of symptoms, slip stability, and slip chronicity; and radiographic risk factors included slip angle, triradiate cartilage, alpha angle, posterior sloping angle (PSA), physeal sloping angle, modified Oxford score, and bone age. Younger patient age, body mass index≥95th percentile, presence of an endocrine abnormality, higher PSA of the unaffected hip, and lower modified Oxford score have been noted to be significant risk factors for contralateral SCFE. Meta-analysis showed that younger age (-0.9; confidence interval, -1.1, -0.6), and higher PSA (4.7 degrees; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-6.2 degrees) of the unaffected hip were predictive of subsequent contralateral SCFE. The majority of studies were of good quality. CONCLUSION: There are several risk factors for subsequent contralateral SCFE. On the basis of the available data, younger patients with a high PSA of the unaffected hip would most likely benefit from prophylactic fixation of the unaffected hip. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

The Effect of TNF Inhibition on Bone Density and Fracture Risk and of IL17 Inhibition on Radiographic Progression and Bone Density in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: a Systematic Literature Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Osteoporosis in axial spondyloarthritis may be modified by therapy. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe (i) the effect of TNFi on BMD, (ii) the effect of secukinumab on BMD, and (iii) the effect of secukinumab on radiographic disease progression in axSpA. RECENT FINDINGS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane using the following retrieval languages: spondyloarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, TNF, IL-17, x-rays, and osteoporosis. Twenty-nine studies were included; 27 re: TNFi and BMD, and 2 re: IL-17 blockers and x-ray progression. TNFi over 2-4 years increased BMD of the lumbar spine (3.2-14.9%) and hip (2.26-4.7%) without reducing vertebral fractures. Secukinumab reduced radiographic progression; none (73%) and minimal (79%) at 4 years. No data on IL-17 blockade and bone were found. TNFi therapy improves bone density but not vertebral fracture rates. Secukinumab improves symptoms and may slow radiographic progression. Data is lacking regarding the effects of secukinumab on BMD and fractures. These are important questions which may impact the choice of therapy.

Anaesthetic care of patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty: consensus recommendations from the International Consensus on Anaesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery group (ICAROS) based on a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based international expert consensus regarding anaesthetic practice in hip/knee arthroplasty surgery is needed for improved healthcare outcomes. METHODS: The International Consensus on Anaesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery group (ICAROS) systematic review, including randomised controlled and observational studies comparing neuraxial to general anaesthesia regarding major complications, including mortality, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, genitourinary, thromboembolic, neurological, infectious, and bleeding complications. Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, from 1946 to May 17, 2018 were queried. Meta-analysis and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was utilised to assess evidence quality and to develop recommendations. RESULTS: The analysis of 94 studies revealed that neuraxial anaesthesia was associated with lower odds or no difference in virtually all reported complications, except for urinary retention. Excerpt of complications for neuraxial vs general anaesthesia in hip/knee arthroplasty, respectively: mortality odds ratio (OR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-0.80/OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.60-1.15; pulmonary OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52-0.80/OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.58-0.81; acute renal failure OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.59-0.81/OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65-0.82; deep venous thrombosis OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.42-0.65/OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.64-0.93; infections OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67-0.79/OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.76-0.85; and blood transfusion OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.82-0.89/OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.82-0.87. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendation: primary neuraxial anaesthesia is preferred for knee arthroplasty, given several positive postoperative outcome benefits; evidence level: low, weak recommendation. RECOMMENDATION: neuraxial anaesthesia is recommended for hip arthroplasty given associated outcome benefits; evidence level: moderate-low, strong recommendation. Based on current evidence, the consensus group recommends neuraxial over general anaesthesia for hip/knee arthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRY NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42018099935.

The impact of an income-generating activities programme on children and mothers' undernutrition in extreme poor rural Bangladeshi households.

OBJECTIVE: The current study assessed changes in children and mothers' nutritional status before and after raising Bangladeshi households out of extreme poverty through an income-generating activities (IGA) programme. DESIGN: Extreme poor households took part in the IGA programme for 2 years and recruitment took place over four waves in annual cycles. Children and mothers were measured with regarding their nutritional status before and after the IGA programme commenced. SETTINGS: Rural Bangladesh. SUBJECTS: Three-hundred and eighty-two children under 5 years of age at recruitment, and their mothers. RESULTS: After 2 years of the IGA programme, the prevalence of stunting significantly declined from 40·3 % to 33·0 % (P = 0·003), anaemia declined from 51·6 % to 44·0 % (P = 0·020) while mothers' CED (Chronic Energy Deficiency) declined from 52·0 % to 42·7 % (P < 0·001), but no significant changes were found in children's wasting, declining from 25·4 % to 21·5 %, underweight which remained the same at 43·2 %, while mothers' anaemia rose from 39·3 % to 42·7 %. There were also highly significant improvements in household socio-economic status. Increases in socio-economic security (especially in relation to cash savings and net income) and improvements in food quantity and quality (indicated by greater food diversity and animal food intake) were associated with normal nutritional status, and cessation of open defecation was associated with reduction in mothers' and child anaemia. CONCLUSION: The IGA programme was associated with increased household socio-economic security, such as asset accumulation, food security and sanitation, and with improvements in the nutritional status of children and their mothers in extreme poor households.

Return to the operating room after patellofemoral arthroplasty versus total knee arthroplasty for isolated patellofemoral arthritis-a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are accepted treatments for end-stage isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). However, complications and re-operations have historically differed between the two procedures. We performed a systematic review to report on the re-operation rates between TKA and modern PFA for isolated PFOA. METHODS: Systematically identified publications reporting on patients that underwent either TKA or modern PFA for isolated PFOA were reviewed. Meta-analysis software was used to screen potential articles with at least one year follow-up that detailed reasons for re-operation. Data was extracted and analyzed for all re-operations. Survival of the implant was used as the primary outcome; return to the operating room (OR) for any reason was used as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: The weighted rate of either conversion or revision arthroplasty in the PFA group and the TKA group was 6.34 and 0.11, respectively. The weighted rate of return to the OR for bony and soft tissue procedures was 1.06 and 0.79, respectively. The weighted rate of manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) was 0.32 and 1.23, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo PFA may be more likely to return to the operating room for conversion to TKA and/or revision surgery than those who undergo TKA.

SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF UNDER-FIVE BANGLADESHI CHILDREN AND TREND OVER THE TWELVE-YEAR PERIOD 1996-2007.

The nutritional status of under-five-year-old children is a sensitive indicator of a country's health status as well as economic condition. The objectives of this study were to analyse trends in the nutritional status in Bangladeshi children over the period 1996-2007 and to examine the associations between nutritional and socioeconomic status variables. Bangladesh Demographic Health Surveys (BDHS) were the source of data, and a total of 16,278 children were examined. The Z-scores of the children were analysed as continuous as well as categorical variables (stunted, underweight and wasted). The socioeconomic status variables used were region, urban-rural residence, education and occupation of the parents, house type and household possession score. A series of General Linear Model and Sequential Linear and Binary Logistic Regression analyses were done to assess the relationship between demographic and socioeconomic variables and nutritional status. The trends of Z-scores were analysed by survey, as well as by child birth cohort. Region, house type, educational level of parents and household possession score showed significant associations with all three Z-scores of children after removing the effects of age, period of DHS and other explanatory variables in the model. No significant sex difference was observed between any of the Z-scores. There were improvements in mean WAZ and HAZ between 1996 and 2007 but deterioration in mean WHZ over this period. The obesity rate was below 2% in 2007, although the absolute numbers of obese children had nearly doubled in this 12-year period. Children from poorer households showed greater improvement than their better-off counterparts. The study reveals that over the years there has been substantial improvement in nutritional status of under-five children in Bangladesh and the main gains have been amongst the lower socioeconomic groups; it is also evident that malnutrition in Bangladesh is a multidimensional problem, like poverty itself, and warrants a proper policy mix and programme intervention.

Maternal nutritional status (as measured by height, weight and BMI) in Bangladesh: trends and socio-economic association over the period 1996 to 2007.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse trends in maternal nutritional status in Bangladesh over a 12-year period and to examine the associations between nutritional status and socio-economic variables. DESIGN: Maternal nutritional status indicators were height, weight and BMI. Socio-economic variables used were region, residency, education and occupation of the mothers and their husbands, house type, and possession score in the household. SETTING: Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (1996, 2000, 2004 and 2007) were the source of data. SUBJECTS: A total of 16 278 mothers were included. RESULTS: All of the socio-economic variables showed significant associations with maternal nutritional status indicators. Regional variation was found to be present; all three indicators were found to be lowest in the Sylhet division. Upward trends in maternal height, weight and BMI were evident from no possessions to four possessions in households, and for no education to higher education of women and their husbands. Bangladeshi mothers measured in 2007 were found to be on average 0·34 cm taller and 3·36 kg heavier than mothers measured in 1996. Between 1996 and 2007 maternal underweight fell from nearly 50 % to just over 30 % while overweight and obesity increased from about 3 % to over 9 % (WHO cut-offs) or from 7 % to nearly 18 % (Asian cut-offs). CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that over the 12-year period in Bangladesh there has been a substantial reduction in maternal underweight accompanied by a considerable increase in obesity. It is also evident that malnutrition in Bangladesh is a multidimensional problem that warrants a proper policy mix and programme intervention.

The light skin allele of SLC24A5 in South Asians and Europeans shares identity by descent.

Skin pigmentation is one of the most variable phenotypic traits in humans. A non-synonymous substitution (rs1426654) in the third exon of SLC24A5 accounts for lighter skin in Europeans but not in East Asians. A previous genome-wide association study carried out in a heterogeneous sample of UK immigrants of South Asian descent suggested that this gene also contributes significantly to skin pigmentation variation among South Asians. In the present study, we have quantitatively assessed skin pigmentation for a largely homogeneous cohort of 1228 individuals from the Southern region of the Indian subcontinent. Our data confirm significant association of rs1426654 SNP with skin pigmentation, explaining about 27% of total phenotypic variation in the cohort studied. Our extensive survey of the polymorphism in 1573 individuals from 54 ethnic populations across the Indian subcontinent reveals wide presence of the derived-A allele, although the frequencies vary substantially among populations. We also show that the geospatial pattern of this allele is complex, but most importantly, reflects strong influence of language, geography and demographic history of the populations. Sequencing 11.74 kb of SLC24A5 in 95 individuals worldwide reveals that the rs1426654-A alleles in South Asian and West Eurasian populations are monophyletic and occur on the background of a common haplotype that is characterized by low genetic diversity. We date the coalescence of the light skin associated allele at 22-28 KYA. Both our sequence and genome-wide genotype data confirm that this gene has been a target for positive selection among Europeans. However, the latter also shows additional evidence of selection in populations of the Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan and North India but not in South India.

Germ cells are not the primary factor for sexual fate determination in goldfish.

The presence of germ cells in the early gonad is important for sexual fate determination and gonadal development in vertebrates. Recent studies in zebrafish and medaka have shown that a lack of germ cells in the early gonad induces sex reversal in favor of a male phenotype. However, it is uncertain whether the gonadal somatic cells or the germ cells are predominant in determining gonadal fate in other vertebrate. Here, we investigated the role of germ cells in gonadal differentiation in goldfish, a gonochoristic species that possesses an XX-XY genetic sex determination system. The primordial germ cells (PGCs) of the fish were eliminated during embryogenesis by injection of a morpholino oligonucleotide against the dead end gene. Fish without germ cells showed two types of gonadal morphology: one with an ovarian cavity; the other with seminiferous tubules. Next, we tested whether function could be restored to these empty gonads by transplantation of a single PGC into each embryo, and also determined the gonadal sex of the resulting germline chimeras. Transplantation of a single GFP-labeled PGC successfully produced a germline chimera in 42.7% of the embryos. Some of the adult germline chimeras had a developed gonad on one side that contained donor derived germ cells, while the contralateral gonad lacked any early germ cell stages. Female germline chimeras possessed a normal ovary and a germ-cell free ovary-like structure on the contralateral side; this structure was similar to those seen in female morphants. Male germline chimeras possessed a testis and a contralateral empty testis that contained some sperm in the tubular lumens. Analysis of aromatase, foxl2 and amh expression in gonads of morphants and germline chimeras suggested that somatic transdifferentiation did not occur. The offspring of fertile germline chimeras all had the donor-derived phenotype, indicating that germline replacement had occurred and that the transplanted PGC had rescued both female and male gonadal function. These findings suggest that the absence of germ cells did not affect the pathway for ovary or testis development and that phenotypic sex in goldfish is determined by somatic cells under genetic sex control rather than an interaction between the germ cells and somatic cells.

Associations between intestinal mucosal function and changes in plasma zinc concentration following zinc supplementation.

OBJECTIVES: Subclinical environmental enteropathy is associated with malabsorption of fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins A, B12, and folate; however, little information is available on mineral absorption. We therefore investigated the relation between intestinal mucosal function (measured by the lactulose:mannitol permeability test and plasma citrulline concentration), and zinc (Zn) absorption, as estimated by the change in plasma Zn concentration (PZC) following short-term Zn or placebo supplementation. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, partially masked, placebo-controlled trial among 282 apparently healthy children 6 to 23 months of age in Burkina Faso. After completing baseline intestinal function tests, participants received either 5 mg Zn, as zinc sulfate, or placebo, daily for 21 days. RESULTS: At baseline, mean ± standard deviation PZC was 62.9 ± 11.9 µg/dL; median (interquartile range) urinary lactulose:mannitol (L:M) recovery ratio and plasma citrulline concentrations were 0.04 (0.03-0.07) and 11.4 (9.0-15.6) µmol/L, respectively. Change in PZC was significantly greater in the Zn-supplemented versus placebo group (15.6 ± 13.3 vs 0.02 ± 10.9 µg/dL; P < 0.0001), and was negatively associated with initial urinary L:M recovery ratio (-1.1 µg/dL per 50% increase in urinary L:M recovery ratio; P = 0.014); this latter relation did not differ between supplementation groups (P = 0.26). Baseline plasma citrulline concentration was not associated with change in PZC. CONCLUSIONS: Although altered intestinal permeability may reduce dietary Zn absorption, it likely does not undermine the efficacy of Zn supplementation, given the large increases in PZC following short-term Zn supplementation observed in this study, even among those with increased urinary L:M recovery ratios.

Surface plasmon resonance analysis of interactions between diacylglycerol acyltransferase and its interacting molecules.

To measure the interactions of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), we immobilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae DGAT2 encoded by DGA1 on a BIACORE sensor chip surface. We used N-terminally truncated Dga1p with a FLAG tag at the C-terminus, which was purified to apparent homogeneity, maintaining significant DGAT activity (Kamisaka et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 88, 105-115 (2010)). Truncated Dga1p with a FLAG tag was immobilized with an anti-FLAG antibody that had been coupled with an L1 chip surface consisting of a carboxymethyl dextran matrix with additional hydrophobic alkane groups. The Dga1p-immobilized chip surface was analyzed for interactions of Dga1p with oleoyl-CoA, its substrate, and anti-Dga1p IgG, its interacting protein, by SPR. The binding of these analytes with the Dga1p-immobilized chip surface was specific, because butyryl-CoA, which cannot be used as a substrate for DGAT, and anti-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase IgG, did not induce any signals on SPR. Furthermore, injection of organic compounds such as xanthohumol, a DGAT inhibitor, into the Dga1p-immobilized chip surface induced significant SPR signals, probably due to interaction with DGAT. Another DGAT inhibitor, piperine, did not induce SPR signals on application, but induced them due to piperine on application together with oleoyl-CoA, in which piperine can be incorporated into the micelles of oleoyl-CoA. The results indicate that the Dga1p-immobilized L1 chip surface recognized DGAT inhibitors. Taking all this together, SPR measurement using the Dga1p-immobilized L1 chip surface provided a useful system to elucidate the structure-function relationships of DGAT and screen DGAT inhibitors.

Gonadal sex differentiation and early ovarian/testicular development in cultured Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel).

Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT), Thunnus orientalis, is one of the most important species for aquaculture in Japan. Recently, the reduction in muscle fat content associated with sexual maturation in farmed PBT has become a serious problem. To develop technologies for inducing sterility, detailed and reliable data on gonadal development in PBT are needed. Here, we demonstrated the process of gonadal sex differentiation, and of early ovarian and testicular development during the immature stages in PBT. Gonadal sex differentiation was first characterized by the formation of the ovarian cavity in female and of the efferent ducts in male 57 days post hatching (dph). The gonads then differentiated into ovaries or testes according to the genotypic sex until 83 dph. During this period, primordial germ cells, oogonia, and type-A spermatogonia were solitarily distributed in the gonads, and the number of germ cells did not differ between sexes. After gonadal sex differentiation, gonads of PBTs developed in a sexually dimorphic manner: proliferation and differentiation of germ cells occurred earlier in the ovaries than in the testes. The oogonia in ovaries formed cysts at 185 dph, but the type-A spermatogonia were solitarily distributed in testes at this stage, and cysts of type-A spermatogonia were first observed at 247 dph. Moreover, the oogonia entered meiosis and differentiated into chromatin-nucleolus stage oocytes until 247 dph, and subsequently into peri-nucleolus stage oocytes until 285 dph, whereas the type-A spermatogonia differentiated into type-B spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa from 446 dph onwards. We believe the results of this study provide the necessary basis for future studies on sterile PBT production.

Peripheral nerve block anesthesia/analgesia for patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty: recommendations from the International Consensus on Anesthesia-Related Outcomes after Surgery (ICAROS) group based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based international expert consensus regarding the impact of peripheral nerve block (PNB) use in total hip/knee arthroplasty surgery. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis: randomized controlled and observational studies investigating the impact of PNB utilization on major complications, including mortality, cardiac, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal, thromboembolic, neurologic, infectious, and bleeding complications.Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library including Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, were queried from 1946 to August 4, 2020.The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess evidence quality and for the development of recommendations. RESULTS: Analysis of 122 studies revealed that PNB use (compared with no use) was associated with lower ORs for (OR with 95% CIs) for numerous complications (total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA/TKA), respectively): cognitive dysfunction (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.53/OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.80), respiratory failure (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.74/OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.75), cardiac complications (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.93/OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.86), surgical site infections (OR 0.55 95% CI 0.47 to 0.64/OR 0.86 95% CI 0.80 to 0.91), thromboembolism (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.96/OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.96) and blood transfusion (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.86/OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current body of evidence, the consensus group recommends PNB use in THA/TKA for improved outcomes. RECOMMENDATION: PNB use is recommended for patients undergoing THA and TKA except when contraindications preclude their use. Furthermore, the alignment of provider skills and practice location resources needs to be ensured. Evidence level: moderate; recommendation: strong.

Association between socio-economic status and childhood undernutrition in Bangladesh; a comparison of possession score and poverty index.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how much of the variation in nutritional status of Bangladeshi children under 5 years old can be attributed to the socio-economic status of the family. DESIGN: Nutritional status used reference Z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ). A 'possession score' was generated based on ownership of a radio, television, bicycle, motorcycle and telephone, and the availability of electricity, with categories of 0 to 4+ possessions. A five-point (quintile) 'poverty index' was created using principal component analysis. SETTING: The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2004 was the source of data. SUBJECTS: A sample of 4891 children aged <5 years was obtained. RESULTS: Some 57.8 % of the sample was either stunted, wasted or underweight (7.7 % were stunted, wasted and underweight). Of those stunted (48.4 %), 25.7 % were also underweight. Underweight and wasting prevalences were 40.7 % and 14.3 %, respectively. Mean WAZ, HAZ and WHZ did not differ by sex. Children of mothers with no education or no possessions were, on average, about 1 sd more underweight and stunted than those with higher educated mothers or with 4+ possessions. The possession score provided much greater discrimination of undernutrition than the poverty index. Nearly 50 % of children from households with no possessions were stunted, wasted or underweight (only 27 % in the poorest quintile), compared with only 3-6 % of children from households with 4+ possessions (over 13 % in the richest quintile). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal education and possession score were the main predictors of a child's nutritional status. Possession score was a much better indicator of undernutrition than the poverty index.

Author Correction: Targeted mutagenesis of the ryanodine receptor by Platinum TALENs causes slow swimming behaviour in Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis).

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Impact of intestinal permeability, inflammation status and parasitic infections on infant growth faltering in rural Bangladesh.

A longitudinal study of 298 rural Bangladeshi infants found evidence of growth faltering starting at 3 months of age. Anthropometric status declined substantially in the first 2 years of life, with weight-for-height (WHZ) falling from - 0.49 to - 1.75, weight-for-age (WAZ) from - 1.18 to - 2.87 and height-for-age (HAZ) from - 1.00 to - 1.88. Higher concentrations of the acute-phase protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and higher gut mucosal damage (as signified by raised lactulose:mannitol (L:M) ratios) were both associated with chronic malnutrition as indicated by poorer HAZ and WAZ scores (P = 0.011 and 0.005 for AGP and 0.039 and 0.019 for L:M ratio, respectively). Higher Hb levels were related to improved z-scores, while elevation of Giardia-specific IgM titre (GSIgM) was associated with poor WAZ and WHZ (P = 0.015 and 0.039, respectively). IgG did not show any significant association with z-scores and the L:M ratio did not correlate with any of the inflammation markers or Giardia infection. The prevalence of geohelminth infections was low (only 4 % in the total study period). However, the level of GSIgM indicated high endemicity of Giardia infection from early in life, although very few cysts were detected from stool samples. These findings suggest that rural Bangladeshi infants are being exposed to high levels of infection with concomitant gut damage and growth faltering.

A state-of-the-art review of surrogate propagation in fish.

Surrogate propagation is a systematic approach to producing donor-derived gametes using germline chimeras. In fish, the use of germline chimeras to study the development of germ cells was first conducted in the 1990s in the model fish species medaka (Oryzias latipes) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). More recently, surrogate propagation has been actively investigated as a means of efficient gamete production not only in model fish species but also in aquaculture species and endangered species. Surrogate propagation has the following components: combination of the donor and host species, host sterilization, donor cell preparation, transplantation of germ cells, and gametogenesis and gamete production in surrogate fish. In this review, we first provide a general overview of previous studies related to germ cell transplantation and the methodologies developed for different species, and consider how these have been applied in practice. Second, we consider the development of primordial germ cells in fish embryos, particularly the molecular biological approaches used for the visualization of germ cells and sterilization of host embryos. Finally, we discuss sex control in germline chimeras, which may be a key component of the use of surrogate production in aquaculture. We focus on techniques to produce sterile fish, as these are crucial to the exclusive production of donor gametes in a surrogate host. The advantages and disadvantages of various aspects of surrogate propagation are discussed, the potential use of surrogate propagation as a seedling production system is considered, and future perspectives for aquaculture are suggested.