Metabolic profiles of six African cultivars of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) highlight bottlenecks of root yield

Open Access Article; Published online: 17 Jan 2020Cassava is an important staple crop in sub‐Saharan Africa, due to its high productivity even on nutrient poor soils. The metabolic characteristics underlying this high productivity are poorly understood including the mode of photosynthesis, reasons for the high rate of photosynthesis, the extent of source/sink limitation, the impact of environment, and the extent of variation between cultivars. Six commercial African cassava cultivars were grown in a greenhouse in Erlangen, Germany, and in the field in Ibadan, Nigeria. Source leaves, sink leaves, stems and storage roots were harvested during storage root bulking and analyzed for sugars, organic acids, amino acids, phosphorylated intermediates, minerals, starch, protein, activities of enzymes in central metabolism and yield traits. High ratios of RuBisCO:phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity support a C3 mode of photosynthesis. The high rate of photosynthesis is likely to be attributed to high activities of enzymes in the Calvin–Benson cycle and pathways for sucrose and starch synthesis. Nevertheless, source limitation is indicated because root yield traits correlated with metabolic traits in leaves rather than in the stem or storage roots. This situation was especially so in greenhouse‐grown plants, where irradiance will have been low. In the field, plants produced more storage roots. This was associated with higher AGPase activity and lower sucrose in the roots, indicating that feedforward loops enhanced sink capacity in the high light and low nitrogen environment in the field. Overall, these results indicated that carbon assimilation rate, the K battery, root starch synthesis, trehalose, and chlorogenic acid accumulation are potential target traits for genetic improvement

Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework

Pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) lack a universally accepted definition. Feeding disorders require comprehensive assessment and treatment of 4 closely related, complementary domains (medical, psychosocial, and feeding skill-based systems and associated nutritional complications). Previous diagnostic paradigms have, however, typically defined feeding disorders using the lens of a single professional discipline and fail to characterize associated functional limitations that are critical to plan appropriate interventions and improve quality of life. Using the framework of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, a unifying diagnostic term is proposed: “Pediatric Feeding Disorder” (PFD), defined as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate, and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction. By incorporating associated functional limitations, the proposed diagnostic criteria for PFD should enable practitioners and researchers to better characterize the needs of heterogeneous patient populations, facilitate inclusion of all relevant disciplines in treatment planning, and promote the use of common, precise, terminology necessary to advance clinical practice, research, and health-care policy

Risk Owners & Risk Managers: Dealing with the complexity of feeding children with neurodevelopmental disability

This paper illustrates negotiations around risk between lay people and clinicians in relation to gastrostomy interventions for disabled children. These negotiations centre on differing interpretations of what constitutes risk in relation to the safety of oral feeding and a child's need for a feeding tube between parents, carers and clinical specialties. Drawing on Heyman's distinction between risk managers and risk owners, we show that not only do clinicians act as risk managers and parents and carers as risk owners, but that these distinctions often become blurred either because of the shifting dynamics of relations of care or because of the specificity of clinical practice. Parents become risk managers in relation to carers' roles, while clinicians become risk owners in relation to particular procedures which define their practice. This has implications for lay and expert interactions as well as professional accountability for those caring for children with complex medical conditions. Although not an empirical article, we draw on empirical work in the UK. We analyse both parental and professional constructions of risk based on observations of co-ordinating a clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of gastrostomy surgery. We also examine the diverse value systems used by different groups of professionals and lay carers which inform judgements about risk and feeding. We conclude by arguing that issues of risk in contemporary health care are not just examples of ‘manufactured uncertainty’ or of ‘negotiated power’ but constitute a dialectical relationship which breaks down the essentialist dualism of lay and professional constructions of risk

Psychosocial aspects of feeding children with neurodisability

The psychosocial support needs of parents considering a gastrostomy feeding tube for their disabled child are often overlooked, yet there is a growing body of evidence that attests to the decisional conflicts parents, often mothers, experience. This may be in addition to the stress associated with feeding a disabled child. The support needs of families and caregivers should be assessed, including the values parents attach to oral and tube feeding. Structured support should be embedded within the care pathway and both professionals, and service users, with appropriate training should be identified to ensure parental information needs, and any emotional, practical and financial issues are addressed

Prevalencias de desnutrición global, desmedro, sobrepeso y obesidad: su evolución en niños de Azampay (Catamarca, Argentina)

This study assesses the evolution of underweight, stunting, overweight and obesity prevalence in schoolchildren from Azampay between 1995 and 2004. The sample includes children between 6 and 13 years of age (1995: 32; 2004: 42). The recorded variables were Age (A), Weight (W) and Height (H). Weight-for- age (W//A), Height-for-age (H//A) (WHO reference 2007, -2 SD) and body mass index (BMI) (The International Obesity Task Force, with the values set out therein), were estimated. Epi-Info 6.0 software was used for statistical evaluation (χ2 p ≤ 0.05%).We observed a drop in underweight to the present (from 11.54% to 3.45%). Likewise, stunting and overweight decreased (the former, from 6.25% to 0%, and the latter from 6.25% to 4.76%). Differences were not statistically significant. Obesity prevalence was zero. Overall, new strategies for survival due to the deterioration of traditional patterns of subsistence, have not adversely affected the growth of childrenEl objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la evolución de las prevalencias de desnutrición global, desmedro, sobrepeso y obesidad, en escolares de Azampay, desde 1995 hasta 2004. La muestra estuvo conformada por niños de 6 a 13 años (1995: 32; 2004: 42). Se registraron las variables Edad (E), Peso (P) y Talla (T), estimándose los índices P//E, T//E (referencia OMS-2007, -2DS) e Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) (referencia International Obesity Task Force, valores límite allí establecidos). Los resultados fueron evaluados estadísticamente con el Test χ2 de Pearson (p<0,05; Epi-Info-6.0). Se observó una disminución de la desnutrición global total hacia el presente (de 11,54% a 3,45%). Lo mismo ocurrió con el desmedro (de 6,25% a 0%) y el sobrepeso (de 6,25% a 4,76%). Las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas. No se observó obesidad. El advenimiento de nuevas formas de supervivencia no ha influenciado de manera negativa el crecimiento de los niños, sino todo lo contrario.O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a evolução da prevalência do baixo peso, baixa estatura, sobrepeso e obesidade em escolares de Azampay, de 1995 a 2004. A amostra foi composta de crianças de entre 6-13 anos de idade (1995, 32, 2004: 42). As variáveis registradas foram Idade (I), Peso (P) e Estatura (E), e foram estimados os índices P//E, T//E (referência OMS-2007, -2 DP) e o índice de massa corporal (IMC) (referência International Obesity Task Force, nos valores limites estabelecidos por eles). Os resultados foram avaliados estatisticamente com o Test χ2 de Pearson (p <0,05, Epi-Info 6.0). Observou-se uma diminuição da desnutrição global total atualmente (de 11,54% a 3,45%), da baixa estatura (de 6,25% a 0%) e do sobrepeso (de 6,25% a 4,76%). As diferenças não foram estatisticamente significativas. A obesidade não foi observada. O advento de novas formas de sobrevivência não influenciou negativamente o crescimento das crianças

Evaluación de la prevalencia estimada de sobrepeso y obesidad, en poblaciones de niños y adolescentes de la región chaqueña, con dos referencias internacionales

La evaluación de la situación nutricional de los niños, depende en gran medida de las curvas de crecimiento utilizadas. El objetivo de esta investigación es comparar las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad estimadas con dos referencias internacionales en una población de niños y adolescentes de la Región Chaqueña, a través del Índice de Masa Corporal. Se incluyeron 299 niños de 6 a 15 años (estudio transversal) pertenecientes a 7 poblaciones (2 criollas, 3 matacas, 1 mocovi y 1 toba). Las técnicas de medición se basaron en guías nacionales. Las referencias utilizadas fueron: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (&gt;Pc85: sobrepeso; &gt; Pc95: obesidad); 2. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) (valores límite sexo edad específicos). La prevalencia total de sobrepeso, considerando el conjunto de poblaciones, es mayor al aplicar la referencia del CDC en las mujeres, mientras que es levemente superior con IOTF en los varones. Por su parte, la prevalencia total de obesidad, considerando el conjunto de poblaciones, es igual con ambas referencias, en ambos sexos. La mayor parte de las unidades poblacionales evaluadas presentan sobrepeso, aunque la obesidad no parece ser, aún, un problema de salud. Las poblaciones más afectadas son las de Pozo de Maza, la de Criollos de Fortín Belgrano y la de Tobas de Vaca Perdida. </p

Evaluación de la prevalencia estimada de sobrepeso y obesidad, en poblaciones de niños y adolescentes de la región chaqueña, con dos referencias internacionales

La evaluación de la situación nutricional de los niños, depende en gran medida de las curvas de crecimiento utilizadas. El objetivo de esta investigación es comparar las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad estimadas con dos referencias internacionales en una población de niños y adolescentes de la Región Chaqueña, a través del Índice de Masa Corporal. Se incluyeron 299 niños de 6 a 15 años (estudio transversal) pertenecientes a 7 poblaciones (2 criollas, 3 matacas, 1 mocovi y 1 toba). Las técnicas de medición se basaron en guías nacionales. Las referencias utilizadas fueron: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (&gt;Pc85: sobrepeso; &gt; Pc95: obesidad); 2. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) (valores límite sexo edad específicos). La prevalencia total de sobrepeso, considerando el conjunto de poblaciones, es mayor al aplicar la referencia del CDC en las mujeres, mientras que es levemente superior con IOTF en los varones. Por su parte, la prevalencia total de obesidad, considerando el conjunto de poblaciones, es igual con ambas referencias, en ambos sexos. La mayor parte de las unidades poblacionales evaluadas presentan sobrepeso, aunque la obesidad no parece ser, aún, un problema de salud. Las poblaciones más afectadas son las de Pozo de Maza, la de Criollos de Fortín Belgrano y la de Tobas de Vaca Perdida.

Autonomía fiscal : el caso de los municipios de la provincia de Mendoza (1997-2016)

Fil: Molina, Raúl A.. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas.Fil: Ventura, Marianela Gisel. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo

Molecular versus morphological markers to describe variability in sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) for germplasm management and conservation

Sugarcane is one of the most important industrial crops in tropical and subtropical regions. INTA (Argentina) administrates a Sugarcane Germplasm Bank and carries out a breeding program. The current study was designed to assess the phenotypic and genetic diversity among 65 sugarcane accessions selected from the INTA. Clustering and ordination methods based on quantitative and qualitative morphological traits and SSR data were applied. Generalized Procrustes Analysis allowed evaluating the correlation between relationships established with both markers A good of fit between dendrograms and similarity matrices were revealed by high cophenetic coefficients (r=0.82, p&lt;0.0001; r=0.73, p&lt;0.0001; r=0.82, p&lt;0.0001 for phenotypic quantitative, phenotypic qualitative and molecular data respectively). The presence of different reliable population structure was observed when considering different data sources. Procrustes allowed finding those accessions that should have been responsible for the low correlation found between the individual configurations (73%). Both morphologic and molecular markers resulted discriminative enough to differentiate among accessions. It was not possible, however, to correlate associations of markers with the origin of materials. Phenotypic and genetic distances based on morphology and molecular information serves to assist conservation and organization of collection of materials, and the choice of parent combinations for breeding purposes. Highlights Although both morphologic and molecular markers resulted discriminative enough to differentiate among sugarcane accessions, it was not possible to correlate associations of markers with the origin of materials. The large number of pair-wise similarity coefficients with intermediate values determined a rather small number of nodes in clustering, which, reflects the near genetic origin of most of the materials investigated. Diversity detected for morphological descriptors is expected since they are not usually subjected to selection inbreeding.Sugarcane is one of the most important industrial crops in tropical and subtropical regions. INTA (Argentina) administrates a Sugarcane Germplasm Bank and carries out a breeding program. The current study was designed to assess the phenotypic and genetic diversity among 65 sugarcane accessions selected from the INTA. Clustering and ordination methods based on quantitative and qualitative morphological traits and SSR data were applied. Generalized Procrustes Analysis allowed evaluating the correlation between relationships established with both markers A good of fit between dendrograms and similarity matrices were revealed by high cophenetic coefficients (r=0.82, p&lt;0.0001; r=0.73, p&lt;0.0001; r=0.82, p&lt;0.0001 for phenotypic quantitative, phenotypic qualitative and molecular data respectively). The presence of different reliable population structure was observed when considering different data sources. Procrustes allowed finding those accessions that should have been responsible for the low correlation found between the individual configurations (73%). Both morphologic and molecular markers resulted discriminative enough to differentiate among accessions. It was not possible, however, to correlate associations of markers with the origin of materials. Phenotypic and genetic distances based on morphology and molecular information serves to assist conservation and organization of collection of materials, and the choice of parent combinations for breeding purposes. Highlights Although both morphologic and molecular markers resulted discriminative enough to differentiate among sugarcane accessions, it was not possible to correlate associations of markers with the origin of materials. The large number of pair-wise similarity coefficients with intermediate values determined a rather small number of nodes in clustering, which, reflects the near genetic origin of most of the materials investigated. Diversity detected for morphological descriptors is expected since they are not usually subjected to selection inbreeding