Dietary diversity score and cardiovascular risk factors in Tehranian adults

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between dietary diversity score (DDS) and cardiovascular risk factors in Tehranian adults. METHODS: In this population-based cross-sectional study, a representative sample of 581 subjects (295 males and 286 females) aged over 18 years, residents of Tehran, participated. Hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose concentration > or = 126 mg dl(-1) or 2-h post challenge glucose concentration > or = 200 mg dl(-1). Hypertension was defined on the basis of the sixth report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Dietary diversity was defined according to the Diet Quality Index revised. RESULTS: Mean (+/- standard deviation) DDS was 6.15 +/- 1.02. The probability of having diabetes (odds ratio (OR) among quartiles: 1.45, 1.26, 1.11 and 1.00, respectively; P for trend = 0.04) and hypertriglyceridaemia (OR = 1.41, 1.23, 1.05 and 1.00, respectively; P for trend=0.04) decreased with increasing quartile of the diversity score for whole grains. The probability of having obesity (OR among quartiles: 1.39, 1.06, 1.03 and 1.00, respectively; P for trend = 0.03), hypercholesterolaemia (OR = 1.46, 1.28, 1.11 and 1.00, respectively; P for trend = 0.03), hypertension (OR = 1.32, 1.17, 1.13 and 1.00, respectively; P for trend = 0.03) and high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR = 1.25, 1.12, 1.07 and 1.00, respectively; P for trend = 0.04) decreased with increasing quartile of the diversity score for vegetables. The probability of having hypercholesterolaemia, high LDL-C, hypertension and diabetes decreased with quartile of the DDS. But the probability of being obese increased with quartile of the DDS (P for trend = 0.03). CONCLUSION: DDS was inversely associated with cardiovascular risk factors in this cross-sectional study. Increased diversity scores of diets, to increase the variety score for vegetables, may be emphasised in programmes attempting to bring about changes in lifestyle.     

AFLP fingerprinting of tartary buckwheat accessions (Fagopyrum tataricum) displaying rutin content variation

In light of the economic importance of buckwheat as well as existence of enormous accessions of Fagopyrum species in the Himalayan regions of India, the characterization of tartary buckwheat for rutin content variation vis-à-vis DNA fingerprinting was undertaken so as to identify fingerprint profiles unique to high rutin content accessions. Rutin content analysis in mature seeds of 195 accessions of Fagopyrum tataricum showed a wide range of variation (6 μg/mg to 30 μg/mg D.W.) with most of the accessions (81%) containing 10-16 μg/mg of rutin followed by 14% accessions with significantly higher rutin content (17 μg/mg to 30 μg/mg) and 5% accessions with low rutin content (≤10 μg/mg). AFLP fingerprinting of 18 accessions having high (≥17 μg/mg) and low rutin content (≤10 μg/mg) with 19 EcoRI/MseI primer combinations yielded 136 polymorphic fragments out of total 907. The hierarchical and model-based cluster analyses of AFLP data strongly suggested that the 18 populations of F. tataricum were clustered into two separate groups. The high and low rutin content accessions were clustered into two separate groups based on AFLP fingerprinting. The AFLP fingerprints associated with high rutin content accessions of F. tataricum are expected to be useful for evaluation, conservation and genetic improvement of buckwheat.     

Comparison of the fecal microbiota of two monogastric herbivorous and five omnivorous mammals

Fecal microbiota in seven different monogastric animal species, elephant, horse, human, marmoset, mouse, pig and, rat were compared using the same analytical protocol of 16S rRNA metagenome. Fecal microbiota in herbivores showed higher alpha diversity than omnivores except for pigs. Additionally, principal coordinate analysis based on weighted UniFrac distance demonstrated that herbivores and pigs clustered together, whereas other animal species were separately aggregated. In view of butyrate‐ and lactate‐producing bacteria, predominant genera were different depending on animal species. For example, the abundance of Faecalibacterium, a known butyrate producer, was 8.02% ± 3.22% in human while it was less than 1% in other animal species. Additionally, Bifidobacterium was a predominant lactate producer in human and marmoset, while it was rarely detected in other omnivores. The abundance of lactate‐producing bacteria in herbivores was notably lower than omnivores. On the other hand, herbivores as well as pig possess Fibrobacter, a cellulolytic bacterium. This study demonstrated that fecal microbiota in herbivorous animals is similar, sharing some common features such as higher alpha diversity and higher abundance of cellulolytic bacterium. On the other hand, omnivorous animals seem to possess unique fecal microbiota. It is of interest that pigs, although omnivore, have fecal microbiota showing some common features with herbivores.     

Evaluation of the fertilizer values of stored and fresh human urine in experimental mixed culture of fish and prawn

With a view to closing the nutrient loop between sanitation and fish culture, advanced fry of different species of fish (rohu, bata, mrigal, common carp, tilapia, punti) and larvae of freshwater prawn were reared in twelve experimental tanks in a mixed culture system for 120 days using three treatments (fresh urine, stored urine and mix of fresh and stored human urine) and control in triplicate. The total weight for all the species of fish and prawn in the stored urine (420.0 g) was 18 and 27% higher compared to fresh (356.0 g) and mixed urine (332.0 g) treatments, respectively. Likewise, primary productivity of phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacterial load related to phosphate level of water were also highest and lowest in the stored urine (GPP—508 ± 39.87 mg C m^–2 h^–1; heterotrophic bacteria—38.38 cfu × 10³ mL^–1) and control system (GPP—214 ± 38.09 mg C m^–2 h^–1; heterotrophic bacteria—13.53 cfu × 103 mL^–1), respectively. The mean count of E. coli, on the other hand, did not differ between urine fed treatment and control. As a possible mechanism, it is suggested that stored urine upon transfer to aquaculture pond underwent degradation and mineralization that induced the autotrophic and heterotrophic food webs conducive to fish growth.     

Pre- and post-McDonald cerclage cervical length, width and funneling rate and their association with duration of pregnancy

Changes of cervical ultrasonographic physical parameters and their association with outcome of cerclage have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed at evaluating association between ultrasonographic physical cervical shapes before and after McDonald cerclage with the length of pregnancy. Cervical length, width and funneling rate were assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography before and after the procedure. Mean pre-cerclage cervical length, width and funneling rate were 29.28 +/- 5.54, 19.92 +/- 10.30 mm and 12.90 +/- 18.87%, respectively. The mean post-cerclage cervical length, diameter and funneling rate were 31.68 +/- 4.21, 9.78 +/- 13.86 and 4.32 +/- 10.89%, respectively (p < 0.001 for all pre- and post-cerclage changes). The mean post-cerclage duration of pregnancy was 19.78 +/- 5.94 weeks. There were significant direct correlations between the pre-and post-cerclage cervical lengths with pregnancy duration (r = 0.24, p = 0.04 and r = 0.44, p < 0.001, respectively). There were significant indirect correlations between the pre- and post-cerclage funneling rate with pregnancy duration (r = -0.30, p = 0.01 and r = -0.20, p = 0.01, respectively). Similar correlations were not significant for the cervical widths. This study showed that the pre- and post-cerclage ultrasonographically determined cervical length and funneling are good predictors of pregnancy duration.     

Exploitation of wild annual Cicer species for widening the gene pool of chickpea cultivars

Introgression of unadapted genes from the wild Cicer species could contribute to the widening of genetic base of important traits such as yield, yield attributes and resistance to major biotic and abiotic stresses. An attempt was made successfully to intercross two wild annual Cicer species with three cultivated chickpea cultivars. Four interspecific cross‐combinations were made, and their true hybridity was ascertained through morphological and molecular markers. These cross‐combinations were also studied for some important quantitative traits under real field conditions. The range, mean and coefficient of variation of agro‐morphological traits were assessed in the parental lines, their F₁ and F₂ generations to determine the extent of variability generated in cultivated chickpea varieties. A high level of heterosis was recorded for number of pods/plant and seed yield/plant in F₁ generation. Three cross‐combinations of ‘Pusa 1103’ × ILWC 46, ‘Pusa 256’ × ILWC 46 and ‘Pusa 256’ × ILWC 239 exhibited substantially higher variability for important yield‐related traits. The present research findings indicate that these wild annual Cicer species can be easily exploited to broaden the genetic base of cultivated gene pool for improving seed yield as well as adaptation.     

Induction of microspore embryos in a CMS line of Brassica juncea and formation of the androgenic plantlets

Anther culture of two wide hybrids (Diplotaxis erucoides × Brassica campestris) × B. juncea and (D. berthautii × B. campestris) × B. juncea, their CMS lines and the parent species elicited a range of responses highlighting the importance of the genotype. Androgenesis was expressed in cultured anthers of CMS (D. erucoides) B. juncea (22.8%), in restored pollen fertile plants of this CMS line (1.66%), and in the parent, B. juncea cv Pusa Bold (13.02%). AgNO₃ was essential for androgenic response in the CMS lines, and it markedly increased the frequency of androgenesis in the cultivated species. Multiple crops of microspore embryos were obtained from responsive anthers of CMS plants in anther recultures. As high as92% microspore embryos of the CMS line germinated on basal B₅medium and formed normal plantlets. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sunflower seed yield as influenced by some agronomic and seed characters

Summary An investigation was made to the interrelationships of agronomic and seed characters and their effect upon seed yield. Twenty genotypes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) from diverse origin were studied in spring and autumn season, 1989.Most of the studied characters exhibited different relationships in spring and autumn seasons. The correlations between plant height and oil content, 100-achene weight and number of achenes per head and plant height and head diameter were, however, consistent in both seasons and across the seasons. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified six relevant characters on which path analysis was done.Path analysis indicated that yield components like head diameter, number of achenes per head and 100-achene weight had comparatively smaller direct effects on seed yield (0.22, 0.15 and 0.23, respectively). Days to physiological maturity, plant height and oil content had relatively stronger direct effects on seed yield (0.33, 0.38 and 0.29, respectively). Days to physiological maturity, plant height and head diameter had considerable indirect effects. Head diameter, 100-achene weight and number of achenes per head were indentified as selection criteria for yield improvement.     

Seasonal variation in biomass and primary productivity of para grass (Brachiaria mutica) under a mixed tree stand and in an adjacent open area in northern India

Seasonal changes in biomass, net primary productivity and turnover of dry matter of para grass (Brachiaria mutica) under a mixed tree stand and in an adjacent open stand in northern India are presented. Both stands attained peak values of live shoot biomass in September with a higher value under mixed tree stand (665 g m^–2) than in the open stand (522 g m^–2). The net aboveground production was 590 and 527 g m^–2 yr^–1 under mixed tree stand and in the open, respectively. The belowground net primary production was also greater under mixed tree stand (100 g m^–2 yr^–1) than in the open (76 g m^–2 yr^–1). Maximum aboveground and belowground net primary productions in both stands were obtained during the rainy season. The total net primary production for para grass was about 15% higher under mixed tree stand than in the open. The turnover rates of total plant biomass were greatest in the rainy season and the least during the summer season. The system transfer functions showed that the production of para grass on both stands was aboveground-oriented, accounting for 85–87% of annual total net primary production.