A New Alternative Quac-Stick to Predict the Risk of Chronic Energy Deficiency in Malay Indonesian Women (18-49 Years)

BACKGROUND: Indicators to assess the nutritional status in women of reproductive age (WRA) in particular to identify chronic energy deficiency (CED) were still limited. Upper arm circumference (MUAC) and the Body Mass Index (BMI) had been used to assess the status of CED, but it still has its limitations. This study aimed to develop a new indicator QUAC-Stick (the ratio of MUAC to Upper Arm Length (UAL)) for the risk asesement of CED on WRA in Malay Indonesia women (18-49 years). SUBJECT AND METHODS: The cross sectional study design, used a part of data from National Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) 2013 and primary collecting data among 1009 WRA aged 18-49 years (not pregnant) in Makassar and Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi Province. Analysis used the ROC to get the optimal formula and the cut off point using BMI as the gold standard. RESULTS: MUAC/UAL (named UMMI index) with a cut-off point < 4.25 to detect the risk of CED, had better validity (Sn=80% (95% CI=70.8 to 87.3 ); Sp = 84% (95% CI = 81.4 to 86.3); PPV = 35% (95% CI = 29.2 to 42.0); NPV = 97% (95% CI = 96.1 to 98.4; ROC = 82% (95% CI = 80.0 to 86.1) compared to MUAC < 23,5 with the gold standard was BMI <18.5. Prevalence of CED on WRA 9.9% (BMI <18.5); 22.4% (MUAC/UAL< 4.25). The validity of MUAC < 23.5 was good (Sn = 76%, Sp = 87.2%), but the optimal cut-off point for screening was MUAC < = 24.0 cm (Sn = 90%, Sp = 77%). The correlation (r) between MUAC-weight = 0.82; UAL-Height = 0.45; MUAC-BMI = 0.82 and MUAC/UAL to BMI = 0.80 (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The new alternative indicator was MUAC/UAL <4.25 to assess the risk of CED on WRA in Malay Indonesia women (18-49 years). Further revalidation study is needed to be able applying the indicator to the wider population. Keywords: Ratio, MUAC, Women of reproductive, CED, Arm Lengt

A New Alternative Indicator for Chronic Energy Deficiency in Women of Childbearing Age in Indonesia

Background: Indicators for assessment of nutritional status in women of childbearing age (WCA) in particular to detect the risk of chronic energy deficiency (CED) were limited. Currently, we used mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a screening tool of CED and Body Mass Index (BMI) for CED status assessment, but have some limitations. This paper aims to develop a new indicator for the risk assessment of CED on WCA in Indonesia.Methods: The design was a cross sectional study. This analysis used a part of National Basic Health Health Research (Riskesdas) 2013 among 1009 WCA (18-49 years) in Makassar and Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi Province. ROC analysis was used to obtain the optimal formula and the cut off point with BMI &lt;18.5 as the gold standard.Results: The study found that the optimal formula was MUAC/√UAL &lt; 4.25 to detect a risk of CED, better validity (Sn = 80%; Sp= 84%) compared to MUAC &lt; 23,5 (Sn = 76%; Sp= 87.2 %) with the gold standard was Body Mass Index (BMI). Prevalence of CED on women of reproductive age 9.9% (BMI&lt;18.5); 22.4% (MUAC/√UAL &lt;4.25). Correlation MUAC to weightr = 0.82; UAL to height r = 0.45; MUAC to BMI r = 0.82 and ratio of MUAC/√UAL to BMI r = 0.80 (P = 0.000). Conclusion: The ratio of MUAC/√UAL &lt; 4.25 can be new alternative indicator that simple and effective for detecting CED on WCA (18-49 years) in Indonesia. (Health Science Indones 2014;2:54-9

Hedgerow Systems and Livestock in Philippine Grasslands: GHG Emissions

Hedgerow systems are widely adopted in the smallholder farms in the sloping grassland areas of Claveria, Mindanao, Philippines. The system is effective in addressing soil erosion problems and in conserving the topsoil. Gmelina arborea and Eucalyptus deglupta are two fast-growing timber species that are planted in hedgerow systems while maize is planted in the alley areas in between the hedgerows. Livestock holdings are widespread in Claveria, with 74% of the households having livestock. Cattle and carabao are the most common livestock in smallholder farms providing draught power for land preparation and transportation. In hedgerow systems, fodder tree leaves and crop residues are fed to livestock, while animal manure is added to the soil. Thus, these systems may serve as both a source and sink of methane and nitrogen oxides, depending on the management practices and component trees and crops of the system. This study aims to estimate methane emissions from livestock holdings and nitrogen oxide emissions through fertilization, tree litterfall and decomposition, maize residue incorporation and livestock manure from G. arborea and E. deglupta hedgerow systems

Parasitic Nematodes Modulate PIN-Mediated Auxin Transport to Facilitate Infection

Plant-parasitic nematodes are destructive plant pathogens that cause significant yield losses. They induce highly specialized feeding sites (NFS) in infected plant roots from which they withdraw nutrients. In order to establish these NFS, it is thought that the nematodes manipulate the molecular and physiological pathways of their hosts. Evidence is accumulating that the plant signalling molecule auxin is involved in the initiation and development of the feeding sites of sedentary plant-parasitic nematodes. Intercellular transport of auxin is essential for various aspects of plant growth and development. Here, we analysed the spatial and temporal expression of PIN auxin transporters during the early events of NFS establishment using promoter-GUS/GFP fusion lines. Additionally, single and double pin mutants were used in infection studies to analyse the role of the different PIN proteins during cyst nematode infection. Based on our results, we postulate a model in which PIN1-mediated auxin transport is needed to deliver auxin to the initial syncytial cell, whereas PIN3 and PIN4 distribute the accumulated auxin laterally and are involved in the radial expansion of the NFS. Our data demonstrate that cyst nematodes are able to hijack the auxin distribution network in order to facilitate the infection process

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations in bladder cancer: High frequency across stages, detection in urine, and lack of association with outcome

Background Hotspot mutations in the promoter of the gene coding for telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) have been described and proposed to activate gene expression. Objectives To investigate TERT mutation frequency, spectrum, association with expression and clinical outcome, and potential for detection of recurrences in urine in patients with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). D

Trend and status of air quality at three different monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Over the last decades, the development of the Klang Valley (Malaysia), as an urban commercial and industrial area, has elevated the risk of atmospheric pollutions. There are several significant sources of air pollutants which vary depending on the background of the location they originate from. The aim of this study is to determine the trend and status of air quality and their correlation with the meteorological factors at different air quality monitoring stations in the Klang Valley. The data of five major air pollutants (PM10, CO, SO2, O3, NO2) were recorded at the Alam Sekitar Sdn Bhd (ASMA) monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, namely Petaling Jaya (S1), Shah Alam (S2) and Gombak (S3). The data from these three stations were compared with the data recorded at Jerantut, Pahang (B), a background station established by the Malaysian Department of Environment. Results show that the concentrations of CO, NO2 and SO2 are higher at Petaling Jaya (S1) which is due to influence of heavy traffic. The concentrations of PM10 and O3, however, are predominantly related to regional tropical factors, such as the influence of biomass burning and of ultra violet radiation from sunlight. They can, though, also be influenced by local sources. There are relatively stronger inter-pollutant correlations at the stations of Gombak and Shah Alam, and the results also suggest that heavy traffic flow induces high concentrations of PM10, CO, NO2 and SO2 at the three sampling stations. Additionally, meteorological factors, particularly the ambient temperature and wind speed, may influence the concentration of PM10 in the atmosphere

Rural–Urban Migration and Experience of Childhood Abuse in the Young Thai Population

Evidence suggests that certain migrant populations are at increased risk of abusive behaviors. It is unclear whether this may also apply to Thai rural–urban migrants, who may experience higher levels of psychosocial adversities than the population at large. The study aims to examine the association between migration status and the history of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse among young Thai people in an urban community. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Northern Bangkok on a representative sample of 1052 young residents, aged 16–25 years. Data were obtained concerning: 1) exposures—migration (defined as an occasion when a young person, born in a more rural area moves for the first time into Greater Bangkok) and age at migration. 2) outcomes—child abuse experiences were assessed with an anonymous self report adapted from the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS). There were 8.4%. 16.6% and 56.0% reporting sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, respectively. Forty six percent of adolescents had migrated from rural areas to Bangkok, mostly independently at the age of 15 or after to seek work. Although there were trends towards higher prevalences of the three categories of abuse among early migrants, who moved to Bangkok before the age of 15, being early migrants was independently associated with experiences of physical abuse (OR 1.9 95%CI 1.1–3.2) and emotional abuse (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.3–3.0) only. Our results suggest that rural–urban migration at an early age may place children at higher risk of physical and emotional abuse. This may have policy implications for the prevention of childhood abuse particularly among young people on the move

Auxin transport through non-hair cells sustains root-hair development.

The plant hormone auxin controls root epidermal cell development in a concentration-dependent manner. Root hairs are produced on a subset of epidermal cells as they increase in distance from the root tip. Auxin is required for their initiation and continued growth, but little is known about its distribution in this region of the root. Contrary to the expectation that hair cells might require active auxin influx to ensure auxin supply, we did not detect the auxin-influx transporter AUX1 in root-hair cells. A high level of AUX1 expression was detected in adjacent non-hair cell files. Non-hair cells were necessary to achieve wild-type root-hair length, although an auxin response was not required in these cells. Three-dimensional modelling of auxin flow in the root tip suggests that AUX1-dependent transport through non-hair cells maintains an auxin supply to developing hair cells as they increase in distance from the root tip, and sustains root-hair outgrowth. Experimental data support the hypothesis that instead of moving uniformly though the epidermal cell layer, auxin is mainly transported through canals that extend longitudinally into the tissue

Migration and Health: A Framework for 21st Century Policy-Making

In the introductory article to a six-part PLoS Medicine series on Migration & Health, series guest editors Cathy Zimmerman, Mazeda Hossain, and Ligia Kiss outline a migratory process framework that involves five phases: pre-departure, travel, destination, interception, and return

Emigration, remittances, and the subjective well-being of those staying behind

© 2018, The Author(s). We offer the first global perspective on the well-being consequences of emigration for those staying behind using several subjective well-being measures (evaluations of best possible life, positive affect, stress, and depression). Using the Gallup World Poll data for 114 countries during 2009–2011, we find that having family members abroad is associated with greater evaluative well-being and positive affect, and receiving remittances is linked with further increases in evaluative well-being, especially in poorer contexts—both across and within countries. We also document that having household members abroad is linked with increased stress and depression, which are not offset by remittances. The out-migration of family members appears less traumatic in countries where migration is more common, indicating that people in such contexts might be able to cope better with separation. Overall, subjective well-being measures, which reflect both material and non-material aspects of life, furnish additional insights and a well-rounded picture of the consequences of emigration on migrant family members staying behind relative to standard outcomes employed in the literature, such as the left-behind’s consumption, income, or labor market outcomes