Gate-Keeping and Feedback as Determinants of the Translation/Interpretation Process

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Digital microscopy: A useful technique for measuring root elongation in solution

Decreased root elongation and rupture of outer cells, major effects of soluble aluminum (Al), may be studied using digital microscopy with little interference by the experimental technique. Single roots of 3-d-old mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) or soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seedlings were marked with activated charcoal particles and grown for ca. 2 h in 500 mL 1 mM CaCl solution at pH 6, followed by the imposition of an Al treatment. A digital image at 25-time magnification was recorded every 5 min for up to 7 h. Examination of the digital images showed that Al exerted its rhizotoxic effects rapidly (ca. 20-50 min) by reducing cell expansion in the elongation zone. Rupture of epidermal and outer cortical cells occurred later (after≥4 h) and closer to the root tip. Digital microscopy has a number of inherent benefits and problems, but is overall a valuable technique that may find wide use in studies on root growth

Why do adult women in Vietnam take iron tablets?

BACKGROUND: Conducting iron supplementation programs has been a major strategy to reduce iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. However, only a few countries have reported improvements in the anemia rate at a national level. The strategies used for control of nutrition problems need regular review to maintain and improve their effectiveness. The objective of this study was to analyze the factors in compliance with taking iron tablets, where daily doses of iron (60 mg) and folic acid (400 μg) were distributed in rural Vietnamese communes. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted in Nghe An province, Vietnam in January, 2003. The study population was adult women aged less than 35 years who delivered babies between August 1(st )2001 and December 1(st )2002 (n = 205), of which 159 took part in the study. Data for the study were collected from a series of workshops with community leaders, focus group discussions with community members and a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: Improvements in the rate of anemia was not given a high priority as one of the commune's needs, but the participants still made efforts to continue taking iron tablets. Two major factors motivated the participants to continue taking iron tablets; their experience of fewer spells of dizziness (50%), and their concern for the health of their newborn baby (54%). When examining the reasons for taking iron tablets for at least 5–9 months, the most important factor was identified as 'a frequent supply of iron tablets' (OR = 11.93, 95% CI: 4.33–32.85). CONCLUSION: The study found that multiple poor environmental risk factors discouraged women from taking iron tablets continuously. The availability (frequent supply) of iron tablets was the most effective way to help adult women to continue taking iron tablets

Strategies in a metallophyte species to cope with manganese excess

The effect of exposure to high Mn concentration was studied in a metallophyte species, Erica andevalensis, using hydroponic cultures with a range of Mn concentrations (0.06, 100, 300, 500, and 700 mg L-1). At harvest, biomass production, element uptake, and biochemical indicators of metal stress (leaf pigments, organic acids, amino acids, phenols, and activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) were determined in leaves and roots. Increasing Mn concentrations led to a decrease in biomass accumulation, and tip leaves chlorosis was the only toxicity symptom detected. In a similar way, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a and b, and carotenoids) were affected by high Mn levels. Among organic acids, malate and oxalate contents in roots showed a significant increase at the highest Mn concentration, while in leaves, Mn led to an increasing trend in citrate and malate contents. An increase of Mn also induced an increase in superoxide dismutase activity in roots and catalase activity in leaves. As well, significant changes in free amino acids were induced by Mn concentrations higher than 300 mg L-1, especially in roots. No significant changes in phenolic compounds were observed in the leaves, but root phenolics were significantly increased by increasing Mn concentrations in treatments. When Fe supply was increased 10 and 20 times (7–14 mg Fe L-1 as Fe-EDDHA) in the nutrient solutions at the highest Mn concentration (700 mg Mn L-1), it led to significant increases in photosynthetic pigments and biomass accumulation. Manganese was mostly accumulated in the roots, and the species was essentially a Mn excluder. However, considering the high leaf Mn concentration recorded without toxicity symptoms, E. andevalensis might be rated as a Mn-tolerant speciesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of the food-based Lifelines Diet Score (LLDS) and its application in 129,369 Lifelines participants

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Many diet quality scores exist, but fully food-based scores based on contemporary evidence are scarce. Our aim was to develop a food-based diet score based on international literature and examine its discriminative capacity and socio-demographic determinants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Between 2006 and 2013, dietary intake of 129,369 participants of the Lifelines Cohort (42% male, 45 ± 13 years (range 18-93)) was assessed with a 110-item food frequency questionnaire. Based on the 2015 Dutch Dietary Guidelines and underlying literature, nine food groups with positive (vegetables, fruit, whole grain products, legumes&nuts, fish, oils&soft margarines, unsweetened dairy, coffee and tea) and three food groups with negative health effects (red&processed meat, butter&hard margarines and sugar-sweetened beverages) were identified. Per food group, the intake in grams per 1000 kcal was categorized into quintiles, awarded 0 to 4 points (negative groups scored inversely) and summed. Food groups with neutral, unknown or inconclusive evidence are described but not included. RESULTS: The Lifelines Diet Score (LLDS) discriminated well between high and low consumers of included food groups. This is illustrated by e.g. a 2-fold higher vegetable intake in the highest, compared to the lowest LLDS quintile. Differences were 5.5-fold for fruit, 3.5-fold for fish, 3-fold for dairy and 8-fold for sugar-sweetened beverages. The LLDS was higher in females and positively associated with age and educational level. CONCLUSIONS: The LLDS is based on the latest international evidence for diet-disease relations at the food group level and has high capacity to discriminate people with widely different intakes. Together with the population-based quintile approach, this makes the LLDS a flexible, widely applicable tool for diet quality assessment

Corrida em esteira e exercícios de força: efeitos agudos da ordem de realização sobre a hipotensão pós-exercício

Este estudo analisou as respostas de pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) após duas sessões de exercício concorrente realizado em diferentes ordens [aeróbio-força (AF), e força-aeróbio (FA)]. Quinze indivíduos normotensos foram submetidos a duas sessões de exercício realizadas em dias distintos na seguinte sequência AF e FA. A PAS e PAD foram medidas antes e a cada 15 min durante 60 min de recuperação pós-exercício. Houve hipotensão pós-exercício (HPE) para PAS, aos 30 min (-7,4 mmHg), 45 min (-12,14 mmHg) e 60 min (-15,14 mmHg) de recuperação na sessão AF. Já na FA houve HPE apenas aos 60 min (-8,34 mmHg) de recuperação. A variação da PAS e PAD entre as sessões revelou HPE maior aos 15 min, 45 min e 60 min na PAS; e aos 45 min na PAD comparando-se AF a FA. A realização de exercício aeróbio antes do de força resultou em maior HPE para adultos jovens