Associations between Feeding Patterns and Infant Health in China: A Propensity Score Matching Approach

Breastmilk is the optimal food for infants. Feeding pattern is closely related to physical development and health during infancy. Understanding the associations between feeding patterns and health status can inform related policy interventions and advocacy in China. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between infant feeding patterns and health status in China infants. The China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance 2013 was a national-representative cross-sectional study performed particularly for children aged 0–5 years. A total of 3974 infants aged under 1 year were included in the analysis, of whom 1082 (27.2%) made up the formula feeding group, and 2892 (72.8%) made up the breastfeeding group. The associations between feeding patterns and physical development and health were investigated using propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression models. Among breastfeeding and formula feeding infants aged 9–11 months old, weight-for-age z score was 1.1 ± 1.1 and 0.9 ± 1.3, respectively, and weight-for-length z score was 1.0 ± 1.3 and 0.7 ± 1.4, respectively. Hemoglobin in 0–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–11 months old breastfeeding infants was 121.4 ± 15.2 g/L, 117.1 ± 13.0 g/L, 113. 9 ± 11.9 g/L, and 114.4 ± 14.0 g/L, while in 0–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–11 months formula feeding infants was 116.3 ± 14.8 g/L, 120.4 ± 11.3 g/L, 119.8 ± 11.2 g/L, and 120.0 ± 11.5 g/L, respectively. Breastfeeding was associated with lower risk of respiratory disease (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.99) and diarrhea (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.98). Breastfeeding could slightly improve infant physical development, and had a protective effect on the diarrheal and respiratory diseases. Infants aged 3–11 months who were breastfeeding showed lower hemoglobin than that of formula-fed infants and thus should increase intake of iron rich complementary foods.

Aspects of the Feeding Ecology of Mallard and Black Swan in a Small Freshwater Lake

<p>Section 1. Limnological and waterfowl food supply characteristics of Pukepuke Lagoon are described. Emphasis is placed on describing how the balance between macrophytes and phytoplankton is established (these two forms of vegetation tend to dominate alternately in the lagoon). The question of whether heavy swan grazing may potentially shift this balance in favour of phytoplankton dominance is examined. Section 2. The year-round patterns of feeding exhibited by mallards are described on the basis of scan counts taken at one or two-hourly intervals from dawn to dusk. These feeding patterns, graphically depicted, are then interpreted and discussed against the background of what is known of the food content of the lagoon. Reference is made to the behavioural and physiological adaptability of the birds, and to the reserve capacity of the wetland complex - not just Pukepuke Lagoon - to sustain them. The relevance of these findings and interpretations, to New Zealand in general is discussed. Section 3. An hypothesis is developed to account for the way in which black swans use various waters in the Pukepuke-centred wetland complex.</p>

Aspects of the Feeding Ecology of Mallard and Black Swan in a Small Freshwater Lake

<p>Section 1. Limnological and waterfowl food supply characteristics of Pukepuke Lagoon are described. Emphasis is placed on describing how the balance between macrophytes and phytoplankton is established (these two forms of vegetation tend to dominate alternately in the lagoon). The question of whether heavy swan grazing may potentially shift this balance in favour of phytoplankton dominance is examined. Section 2. The year-round patterns of feeding exhibited by mallards are described on the basis of scan counts taken at one or two-hourly intervals from dawn to dusk. These feeding patterns, graphically depicted, are then interpreted and discussed against the background of what is known of the food content of the lagoon. Reference is made to the behavioural and physiological adaptability of the birds, and to the reserve capacity of the wetland complex - not just Pukepuke Lagoon - to sustain them. The relevance of these findings and interpretations, to New Zealand in general is discussed. Section 3. An hypothesis is developed to account for the way in which black swans use various waters in the Pukepuke-centred wetland complex.</p>

An Updated Review of the Invasive Aedes Albopictus in the Americas; Geographical Distribution, Host Feeding Patterns, Arbovirus Infection, and the Potential for Vertical Transmission of Dengue Virus

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus is a mosquito native to Southeast Asia. Currently, it has a wide distribution in America where natural infection with arboviruses of medical and veterinary importance has been reported. In spite of their importance in the transmission of endemic arbovirus, basic information of parameters affecting their vectorial capacity is poorly investigated. The aim of the work was to update the distribution range of Ae. albopictus in the Americas, review the blood-feeding patterns and compare the minimum infection rate (MIR) of the dengue virus (DENV) between studies of vertical and horizontal transmission. The current distribution of Ae. albopictus encompasses 21 countries in the Americas. Extensive review has been conducted for the blood-feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus. The results suggest that the mosquito is capable of feeding on 16 species of mammals and five species of avian. Humans, dogs, and rats are the most common host. Eight arboviruses with the potential to infect humans and animals have been isolated in Ae. albopictus. In the United States of America (USA), Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Keystone virus, La Crosse Virus, West Nile virus, and Cache Valley virus were isolated in the Asian mosquito. In Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica, DENV (all serotypes) has been frequently identified in field-caught Ae. albopictus. Overall, the estimated MIR in Ae. albopictus infected with DENV is similar between horizontal (10.95) and vertical transmission (8.28). However, in vertical transmission, there is a difference in the MIR values if the DENV is identified from larvae or adults (males and females emerged from a collection of eggs or larvae). MIR estimated from larvae is 14.04 and in adults is 4.04. In conclusion, it has to be highlighted that Ae. albopictus is an invasive mosquito with wide phenotypic plasticity to adapt to broad and new areas, it is highly efficient to transmit the DENV horizontally and vertically, it can participate in the inter-endemic transmission of the dengue disease, and it can spread zoonotic arboviruses across forest and urban settings.

An Updated Review of the Invasive Aedes albopictus in the Americas; Geographical Distribution, Host Feeding Patterns, Arbovirus Infection, and the Potential for Vertical Transmission of Dengue Virus

The aim of the work was to update the distribution range of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus Skuse in the Americas, review the blood-feeding patterns and compare the minimum infection rate (MIR) of the dengue virus (DENV) between studies of vertical and horizontal transmission. The current dis-tribution of Ae. albopictus encompasses 21 countries in the Americas. Extensive review has been conducted for the blood-feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus. The results suggest that the mosquito is capable of feeding on 16 species of mammals and five species of avian. Humans, dogs, and rats are the most common host. Eight arboviruses with the potential to infect humans and animals have been isolated in Ae. albopictus. In the United States of America (USA), Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Keystone virus, La Crosse Virus, West Nile virus, and Cache Valley virus were isolated in the Asian mosquito. In Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica, DENV (all serotypes) has been frequently identified in field-caught Ae. albopictus. Overall, the estimated MIR in Ae. albopictus infected with DENV is similar between horizontal (10.95) and vertical transmission (8.28). However, in vertical transmission, there is a difference in the MIR values if the DENV is identified from larvae or adults (males and females emerged from a collection of eggs or larvae). MIR es-timated from larvae is 14.04 and in adults is 4.04. In conclusion, it has to be highlighted that Ae. albopictus is an invasive mosquito with wide phenotypic plasticity to adapt to broad and new areas, it is highly efficient to transmit the DENV horizontally and vertically, it can participate in the inter-endemic transmission of the dengue disease, and it can spread zoonotic arboviruses across forest and urban settings.

Perbedaan Keragaman Pangan, Pola Asuh Makan, dan Asupan Zat Gizi Makro pada Balita dari Ibu Bekerja dan Ibu Tidak Bekerja

Background: Toddlers are a group that is vulnerable to experiencing nutritional problems. The nutritional status of toddlers is very dependent on the role of caregivers, especially mothers. Business women have less time together with toddlers so that it will have an impact on mothers' attention to the growth and development of toddlers, child feeding patterns, food diversity, and macro-nutrient intake of toddlers. Research in Padang states that business women have a 1,3 times risk of experiencing malnutrition in children. Purpose: Know the differences in child feeding patterns, food diversity, and macro nutrient intake in toddlers from business women and housewife. Method: The design of this study was an observational analytic with cross sectional approach. The research was conducted on medium socioeconomic housing in Banyumas Regency. The sample are toddlers aged 12-59 months as many as 78 toddlers, taken using total sampling techniques. Data were statistically tested using independent T tests. Results: The results of study showed no differences in child feeding patterns (p = 0.605), food diversity (p = 0.767), energy intake (p = 0.483), protein intake (p = 0.806), fat intake (p = 0.787) and carbohydrate intake (p = 0.337) in toddlers from business women and housewife. Conclusions: There were no differences in child feeding patterns, food diversity, and macro nutrient intake in toddlers from business women and housewife.

Prevalence of Dysphagia in Children with Cerebral Palsy”: A Multicenter Study in Lahore

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: A sample of 105 children with cerebral palsy age between four and sixteen years, were selected from cerebral palsy centers in Lahore. Out of these children almost all were with spastic cerebral palsy. Data was collected by using a questionnaire filled by the caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. This questionnaire constitutes questions regarding swallowing difficulty of CP child and their eating & feeding patterns to determine the prevalence of dysphagia. Results: Result indicated that out of 105 children’s caregiver with cerebral palsy 36(34.3%) responded affirmatively that their children have swallowing difficulty and 69(65.7%) responded negatively that their children have no swallowing difficulty. Conclusion: The findings suggested that prevalence of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy is 34.3% in Lahore city.