Time Of Birth Research Articles

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the circadian rhythm of cesarean section deliveries.

Circadian rhythms synchronize all biological functions, enabling humans to foresee and respond better to periodic environmental changes. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown regulations significantly changed the lighting conditions in pregnant women, leading to chronological disruption. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 on the circadian rhythm of cesarean deliveries. We investigated whether the circadian rhythm of cesarean section deliveries changed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital in Van Province, eastern Turkey. We analyzed the distribution of birth times for 1476 cesarean deliveries performed between March 01, 2020 and January 20, 2021 (1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic) and compared this information with data from 1194 cesarean deliveries performed during a similar period in the previous year. The primary outcome was the change in the circadian rhythm of cesarean deliveries. Secondary outcomes included cesarean section (CS) delivery rates, indications for CS, 1st and 5th minutes Appearance (skin color), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration scores, and anesthesia technique use rates. Regarding the time distribution of CS deliveries in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the maximum number of cesarean deliveries (n = 234, 16%) occurred between 14:00 and 16:00 (P = .112). Cesarean deliveries in pre-COVID-19 group were most frequently performed between 10:00 and 12:00, at a rate of 18% (n = 216) (P = .001). In both groups, the time point at which CS deliveries were the least performed was 04:00 to 06:00, and the rates were different (n = 35, 2% and n = 14, 1%, respectively) (P = .022). A 4-hour phase shift was detected at the peak of the birth time in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the previous year. These results suggest that the circadian rhythm of cesarean deliveries is affected by the pandemic.

Cord blood troponin I levels: biomarker evidence of fetal cardiac injury in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

BackgroundIntrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has been linked to sudden stillbirth. The suddenness of the stillbirths in these cases have led clinicians to suspect that the pathogenesis of stillbirth in women with ICP is not related to asphyxia but rather to an undefined etiology. One leading hypothesis relates certain bile acid metabolites to myocardial injury. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine whether cord blood troponin I levels are increased in fetuses born to mothers with the diagnosis of ICP. Study DesignA prospective case-control study was performed at a single institution between 2017-2019 which enrolled 87 pregnant patients with the diagnosis of ICP (total bile acids (TBA) ≥10μmol/L) as cases and 122 randomly selected pregnant patients (asymptomatic with intrapartum total bile acids <10μmol/L) as controls. Cord blood troponin I collection was performed at delivery in both groups using a commercially available chemiluminescent immunoassay. Values ≤0.04ng/ml were considered as negative. Values >0.04ng/ml were considered positive. The primary outcome was the presence of elevated troponin levels in both cases and controls as a surrogate marker for cardiac status. Our secondary outcomes included. NICU stay, low APGAR scores, neonatal acidosis and hypoxia represented by cord blood pH and base excess levels at time of birth. Chi square and t-tests were performed to compare social and obstetrical variables. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. A stratification by TBA range of <40μmol/L, 40-100μmol/L, and >100μmol/L was performed to assess the relationship between the different severities of ICP (by risk of fetal demise, with TBA of >100μmol/L considered most at risk) and the likelihood of a positive troponin I result. Finally, a logistic regression analysis was performed in order to determine if levels of ≥10μmol/L were associated with elevated troponin levels. ResultsThe mean gestational age of at delivery was 38.96±1.47 and 37.71±1.59 weeks of gestation in the controls and cases respectively (p value <0.001). The mean TBA value for was 5.2±1.28ng/ml and 43.2±40.62ng/ml in the controls and cases respectively (p value <0.001). Cord blood troponin I was positive in 15 of 122 (12.30%) controls and in 20 of 87 (22.99%) cases. (p<0.001). When further stratified by TBA levels of <40, 40-100, and >100, we found a positive correlation between higher TBA levels and a positive troponin I test (p=0.002). When controlling for gestational age at delivery, maternal age and BMI, higher TBA levels were associated with a positive troponin I level (aOR 1.015 95% CI 1.004,1.026). ConclusionElevated troponin I was more likely to be found in patients with ICP than those without ICP. When stratified by TBA levels, a positive troponin I level was more likely to be found with higher levels of TBA. Additionally, as TBA levels increased, they were more likely to be associated with a positive troponin I level. Though there were no stillbirths in our cohort, our findings suggest a potential relationship between cardiac injury and high levels of TBA demonstrated by the presence of elevated troponin I levels in cord blood at the time of birth.

#2200 Kidney stem/progenitor cells can be isolated from the urine of neonates independently of their gestational age at birth

Abstract Background and Aims In the human kidney, nephron structures derive from a population of SIX2 positive kidney stem/progenitor cells. These cells are only present during kidney development, which is reported to terminate at approximately 36 weeks of gestation. We have previously described a non-invasive strategy to isolate the native SIX2 positive kidney stem/progenitor cells from the urine of neonates born before 36 weeks of gestation, named the neonatal kidney/stem progenitor cells (nKSPC) [1]. In preterm neonates, nephrogenesis is still ongoing at the time of birth and continues postnatally, enabling isolation of kidney stem/progenitor cells from the voided urine. In this study, we aimed to determine the efficiency of nKSPC isolation from the urine of neonates and which gestational age (GA) results in the highest yield of nKSPC. We hypothesized that the lower the gestational age, the higher the probability of isolating nKSPC. Method 37 fresh urine samples were obtained from 36 neonates (9 female, 27 male) at day 1 after birth at the Neonatology department of University Hospitals Leuven. Five urine samples were collected from extreme preterm (&amp;lt; 28 weeks GA), 6 samples from very preterm (28–32 weeks GA), 18 samples from moderate to late preterm (32-37 weeks GA) and 8 samples from term neonates (&amp;gt;37 weeks). When a sample yielded cell growth, cell colonies were subcultured to achieve clonal expansion. Cell lines were characterized for the SIX2 stem cell marker using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. SIX2 positive cell lines were further evaluated for their potential to differentiate into kidney epithelial cells (i.e. proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) and podocytes) in 2D cultures using our previously established protocols [1]. Results From the 37 urine samples collected, 28 samples yielded cell growth (76%). After subcloning, 147 cell lines were characterized for the expression of SIX2, of which 42 were SIX2 positive. Four SIX2 positive cell lines were derived from extreme preterm, 12 from very preterm, 13 from moderate to late preterm and 13 from term neonates. SIX2 positive cell lines isolated from term neonates exhibited similar cells growth and differentiation potential compared to those isolated from extreme preterm neonates. Additionally, we observed a dose-response effect with regard to expression levels of SIX2 and the differentiation potential: cell lines with higher levels of SIX2 maintained their undifferentiated, uninduced state while lower levels of SIX2 enabled successful differentiation to PTEC and/or podocytes. Conclusion This study demonstrates that SIX2 positive nKSPC can be isolated from the urine of neonates, independently of their GA at birth. This could indicate that nephrogenesis persists longer than what has previously been reported (i.e. 36 weeks). Furthermore, the nKSPC exhibit a dose-response effect with regard to levels of SIX2 and induction of differentiation. This effect has previously been observed in an in vivo mice model [2]. To further investigate the timing of nephrogenesis cessation, we aim to perform a SIX2 staining on human fetal kidney tissue across different GA. Furthermore, we aim to further characterize in detail the isolated nKSPC using single cell RNA sequencing.

Time of Birth and the Risk of Adverse Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: To determine whether in a labor floor housed continuously by senior physicians the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcome is affected by time of delivery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at a tertiary medical center, assessed singleton term deliveries from 1 January 2011 to 30 January 2020. Participants were categorized based on delivery timing, correlating with nursing shifts, to evaluate perinatal outcomes. The primary endpoint included adverse maternal outcomes such as emergency Cesarean section, anal sphincter injuries, blood product transfusions, and postpartum surgeries (laparotomy/laparoscopy). Secondary outcomes focused on neonatal health indicators, including low Apgar scores, ICU admissions, respiratory issues, extended hospital stays, and neurological complications. Results: 87,863 deliveries were available for analysis with equal distribution during the day. The risk of adverse composite maternal outcome was highest during the evening (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.18-1.32) and lowest during the night (aOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88-0.99) compared to daytime deliveries. This difference was primarily driven by the highest rate of emergency CD in the evening. Neonatal outcomes were comparable, except for length of stay > 5 days, which was more frequent among newborns delivered during the evening and night shifts compared to the morning shift (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07-1.33 and aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.31, respectively). Conclusions: In term pregnancies, the evening shift is associated with the highest risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes despite physician seniority.

The Molecular Basis of the Augmented Cardiovascular Risk in Offspring of Mothers with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

The review examines the impact of maternal preeclampsia (PE) on the cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health of offspring. PE, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is responsible for 2 to 8% of pregnancy-related complications. It significantly contributes to adverse outcomes for their infants, affecting the time of birth, the birth weight, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity, lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin. Exposure to PE in utero predisposes offspring to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through mechanisms that are not fully understood. The incidence of CMD and CVD is constantly increasing, whereas CVD is the main cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A complex interplay of genes, environment, and developmental programming is a plausible explanation for the development of endothelial dysfunction, which leads to atherosclerosis and CVD. The underlying molecular mechanisms are angiogenic imbalance, inflammation, alterations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), endothelium-derived components, serotonin dysregulation, oxidative stress, and activation of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Moreover, the potential role of epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation and microRNAs as mediators of these effects is emphasized, suggesting avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.

Spatial variation of zero fruits/vegetables consumption and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: geographical weighted regression analysis.

After 6 months, nutrient-dense, varied diets containing fruits and vegetables are crucial to supplement breastfeeding. Like many other low-income countries, Ethiopia has very low FV consumption. Zero vegetable or fruit (ZVF) consumption has been shown to significantly raise the risk of non-communicable diseases and has been ranked among the top 10 risk factors for mortality. And it is associated with poor health, an increased risk of obesity, and a higher risk of non-communicable diseases. Thus, this study's goal was to investigate the spatial distribution of ZVF consumption and its spatial determinants among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 1,489 weighted samples were included from kids' datasets from the 2019 Ethiopian mini-demographic and health survey. STATA version 16, ArcGIS version 10.8, Kuldorff's SaTScan version 9.6, and MGWR version 2.0 software were used for analysis. Spatial regression analyses (geographical weighted regression and ordinary least squares analysis) were conducted. Models were compared using AICc and adjusted R2. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant spatial predictors, and the corresponding local coefficients were mapped. The spatial distribution of ZVF consumption among children aged 6-23 months was non-random in Ethiopia. Spatial scan analysis revealed a total of 120 significant clusters. Maternal education, wealth status, age of the child, place of delivery, number of under-five children in the house, and current pregnancy status were significant predictors of the spatial variation of ZVF consumption. Significant geographic variation in ZVF consumption was found in this study throughout Ethiopia's regions. Significant predictors of the spatial variation in ZVF consumption were maternal education, wealth status, child age, place of delivery, number of under-five children in the home, and status as a pregnant woman at the time of birth. Therefore, in order to improve children's adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, area-based interventions that can consider these significant factors into account are needed.

Complications of placenta previa: A retrospective observational study at tertiary care hospital

: Placenta previa (PP) is condition where the placenta is inserted completely or partially into the lower uterine segment, at or after 28 weeks of gestation. Maternal and fetal risks are antepartum haemorrhage (APH), postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), abnormal adherence of placenta, low birth weight (LBW), intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm births and congenital malformations. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of placenta previa, the demographics of patients, types- severity, complications and the feto-maternal outcome in patients of placenta previa.: After due permission of Institutional Review Board, this retrospective observational study was carried out at tertiary care teaching hospital from July 2020 to November 2022.Proportion of pregnancies with placenta previa was 0.3%. Majority 44(91.7%) patients were registered, 38(79.2%) of patients were in age group of 21-30 years, 38(79.1%) patients were multigravida, 41 (85.4%) had major degree of placenta previa, 29(60.4%) patients admitted after 37 weeks of gestation and 47(97.9%) of patients were delivered by caesarean section. Majority of patients, 20 (41.7%) had mild anemia. Major complications were bleeding episodes during antenatal period/APH in 23 (47.9%) and PPH in 22 (45.8%) patients. Maternal mortality occurred in 1 (2.1%) patient. All babies were live at time of birth and 44(91.7%) babies were alive at the time of discharge and neonatal death occurred in 4 (8.3%) preterm babies (28-33 week gestation). Majority of patients were multigravida. No patient was severely anaemic. Majority of patients were delivered by CS. APH and PPH were major complications. About two third of patients required blood transfusion in ante/intra/post-natal period. Obstetric hysterectomy was required in about one tenth of patients. Majority of babies were alive at the time of discharge due to higher number of registered patients who took regular antenatal care, hospital delivery and good NICU facilities. Once diagnosed, placenta previa and morbidly adherent placenta should be managed at tertiary care centre with multidisciplinary approach so as to lessen the feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. Prevention is better than cure. Multiparity increases the risk of placenta previa. Hence, family planning with an aim to reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions will help to reduce the chances placenta previa. CS increases the risk of development of placenta previa. Efforts should be made to reduce the primary caesarean section rate as it poses more risk of placenta previa, morbidly adherent placenta and its related complications in subsequent gestations.

Can Hemorrhagic Stroke Genetics Help Forensic Diagnosis in Pediatric Age (

When stroke occurs in pediatric age, it might be mistakenly interpreted as non-accidental head injury (NAHI). In these situations, a multidisciplinary approach is fundamental, including a thorough personal and familial history, along with accurate physical examination and additional investigations. Especially when the clinical picture is uncertain, it is important to remember that certain genetic conditions can cause bleeding inside the brain, which may resemble NAHI. Pediatric strokes occurring around the time of birth can also be an initial sign of undiagnosed genetic disorders. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation, including genetic testing, when there is a suspicion of NAHI but the symptoms are unclear. In these cases, a characteristic set of symptoms is often observed. This study aims to summarize some of the genetic causes of hemorrhagic stroke in the pediatric population, thus mimicking non-accidental head injury, considering elements that can be useful in characterizing pathologies. A systematic review of genetic disorders that may cause ICH in children was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. We selected 10 articles regarding the main genetic diseases in stroke; we additionally selected 11 papers concerning patients with pediatric stroke and genetic diseases, or studies outlining the characteristics of stroke in these patients. The disorders we identified were Moyamoya disease (MMD), COL4A1, COL4A2 pathogenic variant, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (E-D), neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1), sickle cell disease (SCD), cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and Marfan syndrome. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic disorders that could be tested in children when there is a suspicion of NAHI but an unclear picture.

Chemical Composition of Newborn Piglets with Different Weights at Birth in Sows with a High Reproductive Performance.

The present study aimed to quantify and update the data on the body composition (energy nutrients) of newborn piglets of different body weights at the time of birth, as well as of the placenta mass. Data were collected from newborn piglets (n = 25) from modern genetic lines which were stillborn or died within the first 24 h of life after being crushed to death with various body weights at birth (<0.8 kg (n = 5); 0.8-1.2 kg (n = 5); >1.2-1.6 kg (common birth weight, n = 10) and >1.6 kg (n = 5)). The placenta (n = 20) of sows from a conventional breeding farm were collected, too. The body composition of newborns of "normal" (>1.2-1.6 kg) and even lighter (0.8-1.2) weights still indicated a "normal" composition. In the case of a lower body weight of piglets <0.8 kg at birth, the crude ash (24.1%) and crude protein (8.21%) contents were higher, but the crude fat (16.1%), carbohydrate (57.4%), and gross energy (3.60%) contents were lower. The placental composition in comparison to the piglet body composition was characterized by higher crude protein contents (24.3%) and lower crude ash (31.6%), crude fat (9.08%), and carbohydrate (55.6%) contents. In conclusion, the energy and protein accumulation in the total mass of fetuses and placentas increased by 75% and 64%, respectively, in comparison to times in which the litter size varied around 10-12 piglets, essentially as a result of the larger fetal mass and not of a different body composition.

86 Assessment of sow hemoglobin concentration and its impact on farrowing duration

Abstract Prolonged farrowing duration may have detrimental effects on sows, leading to physical strain and potential complications post farrowing. Severe hypoxia experienced by piglets during farrowing can result in stillbirths or birth of weak piglets, increasing the likelihood of pre-weaning mortality. While the prevalence of anemia in sows has recently gained attention, the consequences of this condition are not yet well understood. Blood concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) has a role in oxygen carrying capacity and thus may influence the resilience of a sow during farrowing. Evaluating Hb in sows before farrowing could offer insights for improving sow welfare and reducing pre-weaning mortality. The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sow Hb and farrowing duration. A total of 57 sows (n = 5, 6, 29, and 17 of parity 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively) were monitored for Hb using a Hemocue Hb 201+ handheld Hb monitor where sow blood samples were collected before farrowing (on d 112) and between 40 and 48 h after farrowing (i.e., on d 2) from an ear vein using a 20 G needle. Sows were categorized as anemic (Hb &amp;lt; 10 g/dL) or non-anemic (Hb ≥ 10 g/dL) based on their Hb at d 112. Among sows that were evaluated, 25 were classified as non-anemic- and 32 were classified as anemic. Surveillance cameras were employed to record the farrowing process for each sow, accompanied by human observation. The time of birth for each piglet was recorded to calculate average birthing interval. Within 12 h of birth, all piglets were weighed individually. Stillborn piglets were identified using a lung flotation test conducted within 1 h of birth. The correlation between sow Hb, farrowing duration, stillborn piglets, and total piglets born was evaluated using the PROC CORR procedure and Proc Mixed in SAS was used to test the effect of Hb category on farrowing duration with total piglets born as a covariate. A negative correlation was observed between pre-farrow Hb and farrowing duration (r = -0.62, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). No correlation was observed between farrowing duration and total born (r = 0.22, P = 0.11). However, a significant weak correlation was found between farrowing duration and stillborn piglets (r = 0.32, P = 0.01). Anemic sows had prolonged farrowing duration (7.2 h ± 0.92 min, P = 0.0005) compared with non-anemic sows (3.5 h ± 0.88 min, P = 0.0005). There was no difference in litter size (16.41 ± 0.7 vs 16.3 ± 0.7) for anemic and non-anemic sows, respectively. These findings highlight the importance of sow Hb status at farrowing and indicate sows with decreased Hb may experience prolonged farrowing duration. Strategies to identify anemic sows before farrowing may reduce stillborn rate and improve sow resilience after farrowing.

Sensitivity and activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress response and apoptosis in the perinatal sheep heart.

Although the unfolded protein response (UPR) contributes to survival by removing misfolded proteins, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress also activates proapoptotic pathways. Changed sensitivity to normal developmental stimuli may underlie observed cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the healthy perinatal heart. We determined in vitro sensitivity to thapsigargin in sheep cardiomyocytes from four perinatal ages. In utero cardiac activation of ER stress and apoptotic pathways was determined at these same ages. Thapsigargin-induced phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (EIF2A) was decreased by 72% between 135 and 143 dGA (P = 0.0096) and remained low at 1 dPN (P = 0.0080). Conversely, thapsigargin-induced caspase cleavage was highest around the time of birth: cleaved caspase 3 was highest at 1 dPN (3.8-fold vs. 135 dGA, P = 0.0380; 7.8-fold vs. 5 dPN, P = 0.0118), cleaved caspase 7 and cleaved caspase 12 both increased between 135 and 143 dGA (25-fold and 6.9-fold respectively, both P < 0.0001) and remained elevated at 1 dPN. Induced apoptosis, measured by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, was highest around the time of birth (P < 0.0001). There were changes in myocardial ER stress pathway components in utero. Glucose (78 kDa)-regulated protein (GRP78) protein levels were high in the fetus and declined after birth (P < 0.0001). EIF2A phosphorylation was profoundly depressed at 1 dPN (vs. 143 dGA, P = 0.0113). In conclusion, there is dynamic regulation of ER proteostasis, ER stress, and apoptosis cascade in the perinatal heart. Apoptotic signaling is more readily activated in fetal cardiomyocytes near birth, leading to widespread caspase cleavage in the newborn heart. These pathways are important for the regulation of normal maturation in the healthy perinatal heart.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardiomyocyte apoptosis occurs even in the healthy, normally developing perinatal myocardium. As cardiomyocyte number is a critical contributor to heart health, the sensitivity of cardiomyocytes to endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to apoptosis is an important consideration. This study suggests that the heart has less robust protective mechanisms in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress immediately before and after birth, and that more cardiomyocyte death can be induced by stress in this period.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Antenatal Colostrum: A Case Study.

Introduction/Background: Some women produce antenatal colostrum during pregnancy and feed it to their baby after birth. However, the composition of antenatal colostrum and how it compares to postnatal colostrum and mature milk are not well described. In fact, there are currently no data on the composition of antenatal colostrum when it comes to human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), the third most abundant solid human milk component after lactose and lipids. Case Presentation: We report a case of a single healthy donor who collected antenatal colostrum and urine from 19 weeks of gestation all the way to mature milk at 3 months postpartum. We analyzed all samples for HMO composition using high-performance liquid chromatography and for lactose concentrations using an enzymatic assay. Results: The entire spectrum of HMOs typical of a nonsecretor was already present in antenatal colostrum at 19 weeks gestation with a total concentration of 7.5 mg/mL. The HMO concentration further increased to over 12.5 mg/mL at 30 weeks gestation and then declined throughout the remainder of pregnancy and continued to decline in the postpartum period with concentrations of less than 5 mg/mL at 12 weeks postpartum. Concentrations of some of the individual HMOs as well as lactose changed significantly at the time of birth. HMO composition in antenatal colostrum was different in time-matched urine samples. Conclusion: Measuring HMOs in maternal urine does not fully capture the composition of HMOs in antenatal colostrum. Feeding antenatal colostrum to the newborn baby provides the entire set of different HMOs at high concentrations.

Naming in Banten Community: An Anthroponymy Study

The name is a symbol of a culture. It represents a specific identity or affiliation that is deeply rooted in the cultural context. Names can be derived from various sources such as geographical features, mythological characters, or personal traits, which are often reflective of the cultural values and traditions of a society. The name of Banten community is a symbol of the Banten culture. Banten community generally uses two regional languages: Banten Javanese and Banten Sundanese. This study describes the influence of foreign languages on the names of Banten community. This study used a qualitative approach. The data was taken from the names of prospective students of SMAN 1 Pontang and SMAN 4 Pandeglang. The results showed that foreign languages influenced the name of the Banten community. The foreign languages are Arabic and English. The naming consists mostly of two words. The meaning of the name is based on Islam, famous figures, time of birth, hope, and month name.

Estimation of the growth curve in Colombian sheep using the Richards model

Objective. To describe growth in Colombian hair sheep (OPC) using the Richards model. Materials and methods. A total of 2086 records were obtained from weighing every 30 days in OPC sheep from birth to slaughter and weaning at 90 days. In addition, the sex (S), type of lambing (TP) and time of birth (Eponac) of the animals were considered. The data were analyzed with the Richards model using the NLIN procedure of SAS. Results. The asymptotic weight estimation indicated by parameter A for males was 7.8 kg higher than that of females; in the TP, this same parameter indicated a 22% superiority between single and multiple births; finally, in the Eponac variable, the best weight values corresponded to the rainy season with 5 kg more than the animals born in the dry season. For the K parameter, the reference values oscillate between 0.001 and 0.004 in the variables S, TP and Eponac; as well as the correlation between the A and K parameters, the values are between -0.98 and -0.99 in all the variables studied. Conclusions. The Richards model explained the development of the animals and allowed observing the effect of the variables S, TP and Eponac, evidencing in each of these a slow growth, but with high weights at maturity.

Preparation and validation of a predictive model of breastfeeding initiation in the first hour of life

ObjectiveThe objective was to develop and validate a predictive model of initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour after delivery. MethodsRetrospective cohort study on women who gave birth between 2013 and 2018 in Spain. For data collection, an ad hoc questionnaire was designed to be filled in by the mothers, which was distributed to the different Spanish breastfeeding associations which, in turn, shared it with their associate partners. The development of the predictive model was made on a cohort of 3218 women (2/3) and was validated on a cohort of 1609 women (1/3). Mothers whose children were admitted to hospital at the time of birth were excluded. A multivariate analysis was performed by means of logistic regression, and predictive ability was determined by areas under the ROC curve (AUC). Results81.0 % (2608) women started breastfeeding in the first hour in the derivation cohort, and 80.1 % (1289) in the validation cohort. The predictive factors in the final model were: the highest number of children and skin-to-skin contact at birth as flattering factors, while dystocic delivery reduced the likelihood of the onset of breastfeeding. The predictive ability (ROC AUC) in the derivation cohort was 0.89 (CI 95 %: 0.87–0.90), while in the validation cohort it was 0.89 (CI 95 %: 0.87–0.92). ConclusionsThis three-variable predictive model has excellent predictive ability in both the derivation cohort and the validation cohort. This model can identify women who are at high risk of non-initiating breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress response favors cardiomyocyte apoptosis near birth

INTRODUCTION: One-third of cardiomyocyte are lost just before birth in the normally developing heart. The underlying reasons for this cell loss are unknown. We studied the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in regulation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in perinatal sheep hearts. We hypothesized that the signaling balance from survival to apoptosis changes just before the cardiomyocyte numbers decline, and that the ER stress response contributes. METHODS: Snap-frozen left ventricular (LV) samples and cultured cardiomyocytes from normally-growing lambs at 135 d of gestational age (dGA; term=147 dGA), 143 dGA and 1 d postnatal age (dPN) were used for this study (n=6 each age).Gene and protein regulation was studied by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Parameters were compared by age by 1-way ANOVA followed, if justified, by Šídák's multiple comparisons test. RESULTS: In the LV, the ER stress master regulatory protein GRP78 was similar within fetal ages, but declined 32% between 143 dGA and 1 dPN (P= 0.0005), indicating less capacity for responding to misfolded proteins. eIF2α, downstream of GRP78, is critical for deciding the survival/apoptosis outcome following ER stress. Phosphorylation of eIF2α doubled between 135 dGA and 143 dGA (P=0.0015), implying increased ER stress in this period, and declined again at 1 dPN (p&lt;0.0001 vs. 143 dGA). Cleaved apoptosis effector caspase 3 protein peaked after birth; levels at 1 dPN were 1- to 2-fold higher than at other ages (p&lt;0.0001 vs. 135 dGA, P=0.002 vs. 143 dGA). Together, these data suggest that survival signaling in the ER stress pathway may be blunted between 135 and 143 dGA, as evidenced by diminished GRP78 expression and elevated eIF2α phosphorylation, resulting in activation of the apoptosis pathway. To better understand the mechanisms regulating dynamic perinatal changes in the ER stress response pathway, we studied sensitivity to ER stress (thapsigargin: 5 μM, 12 h) in cultured LV cardiomyocytes. In response to thapsigargin, GRP78 protein levels rose ~3-fold higher in cells from 135 dGA compared to 143 dGA or 1 dPN hearts (p&lt;0.0001), supporting diminishing survival signaling closer to the time of birth. Phosphorylation of eIF2α followed a similar pattern and was highest in 135 dGA cells (p&lt;0.0001 vs. 143 dGA and 1 dPN). This contrasts to the greater levels of phospho-eIF2α at 143 dGA in the tissue analysis. Thapsigargin stimulated 2-fold more cleavage of caspase 3 at 1 dPN than 135 dGA (P=0.0243), a similar timing as found in LV tissue. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that at two weeks before birth, heart and cardiomyocytes are resilient to ER stress and stimulation of apoptosis, whereas nearer the time of birth there is a blunted ER stress response and increased activation of apoptotic pathways. R01HL142483 (Jonker), Collins Foundation (Bose). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

A Retrospective Study on the Mortality Rate of Camel Calves, Leading Causes, and Associated Risk Factors in Borana Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Background: Camelus dromedarius (one-humped camel) is an important livestock species uniquely adapted to arid and hot environments. Purpose: This study aims to determine the mortality rate of camel calves and to investigate the potential risk factors associated with it. Methods: Retrospective data were collected through interviews with livestock owners using a semi-structured questionnaire from February 2020 to January 2021. During the study period, a total of 1,249 calves were born. This allowed for assessment of annual mortality rate and its main contributing factors. Results: The average annual mortality rate was 26% (1.29 ±1.77), while the overall mortality rate was 55% (1.30 ± 1.85). Malnutrition (5%), unexplained causes (6%), and diseases (24%) were the three leading causes of calf mortality. Diarrhea (57%), nonspecific diseases (45.4%), respiratory diseases (23%) were significant among the diseases. Mistakes in the management of young livestock included limiting access to colostrum and milk for human consumption, as well as poor care and health management. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the pastoral livestock production system used in Borena has a serious problem with calf mortality. The first month of life had the highest mortality rate of 26%. Diseases, starvation, and unexplained causes were the leading causes of calf mortality. In addition, calf mortality was associated with the timing of birth and colostrum feeding.

Racial, ethnic, and socio-economic disparities in neonatal ICU admissions among neonates born with cyanotic CHD in the United States, 2009-2018.

Disparities in CHD outcomes exist across the lifespan. However, less is known about disparities for patients with CHD admitted to neonatal ICU. We sought to identify sociodemographic disparities in neonatal ICU admissions among neonates born with cyanotic CHD. Annual natality files from the US National Center for Health Statistics for years 2009-2018 were obtained. For each neonate, we identified sex, birthweight, pre-term birth, presence of cyanotic CHD, and neonatal ICU admission at time of birth, as well as maternal age, race, ethnicity, comorbidities/risk factors, trimester at start of prenatal care, educational attainment, and two measures of socio-economic status (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC] status and insurance type). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to determine the association of maternal socio-economic status with neonatal ICU admission. A covariate for race/ethnicity was then added to each model to determine if race/ethnicity attenuate the relationship between socio-economic status and neonatal ICU admission. Of 22,373 neonates born with cyanotic CHD, 77.2% had a neonatal ICU admission. Receipt of WIC benefits was associated with higher odds of neonatal ICU admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.1-1.29, p < 0.01). Neonates born to non-Hispanic Black mothers had increased odds of neonatal ICU admission (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.35, p < 0.01), whereas neonates born to Hispanic mothers were at lower odds of neonatal ICU admission (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.93, p < 0.01). Maternal Black race and low socio-economic status are associated with increased risk of neonatal ICU admission for neonates born with cyanotic CHD. Further work is needed to identify the underlying causes of these disparities.

Birth timing: supporting female graduate students

ABSTRACT Women seeking higher education frequently do so during peak childbearing years and women with higher levels of education are more likely to postpone motherhood until a later age. Fertility rate, defined as the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime, has decreased globally. The decrease in birthrate has been partially attributed to women seeking educational opportunities. Understanding the experience of students in this realm would allow higher education institutions to better support students who are (or wish to be) mothers. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of research examining graduate women and the factors involved in their consideration of having a child while in school. We seek to fill this gap by examining the impact of fertility concerns (FC) and importance of on-time degree completion (DC) on the probability of having a biological child in graduate school (PC) among 469 female graduate psychology students in the USA. We found higher FC was associated with higher PC. In contrast, higher DC was associated with lower PC. Furthermore, FC had a significant unique relation to PC after accounting for the contribution of DC. We discuss how institutions and programs may help support and empower female graduate students by implementing educational policies and procedures that are supportive of graduate student mothers. This is particularly important because a large proportion of women pursue advanced degrees, and this number is projected to increase.

Serum Prolactin Levels as a Novel, Practical Marker for Predicting Malignant Diseases of the Breast.

Background and objective Prolactin (PRL) has a high specificity toward breast cancer (BC), making it a valuable marker in both diagnosis and prognosis. In this study, we aimed to compare serum PRL levels between pre- and post-menopausal women with BC, as well as normal reference values. We also investigated the association of various risk factors with PRL levels in women with BC. Methods The study involved adult women diagnosed with BC based on clinical features and tissue histopathology receiving treatmentat a tertiary care center in Pune, India. General and demographic information, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI), menstrual status (age at menarche and menopausal state), clinical presentation (signs and symptoms), duration of symptoms, and parity were recorded by using a pre-tested proforma based on hospital records or in-person interviews. Serum PRL was measured by the RIA method (sandwich assay). Results A total of 67 women (average age: 47.5 ± 11.8 years; 33 of them post-menopausal) with BC were included in the study. The participants had an average BMI of 24.9 ± 3.5 kg/m2,and 26 (39%) of them wereoverweight. The majority of women had BC stage IIA disease, involvement of the right side or upper outer quadrant, and had attained menarche after 14 years of age; 47 women had aBCduration of >3 months. Seven women were nulliparous, and the remaining had given birth to their first child before the age of 26 years. The average serum PRL level among the participants was 9.27 ± 7.62 ng/mL, with higher levels found in post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women (11.08 vs. 7.51 ng/mL, respectively; p=0.08). Women with a higher stageand greater duration of disease had significantly higher serum PRL levels (p<0.001 for both). When compared with reference values, pre-menopausal women showed significantly lower (6.25 vs. 10.9, respectively; p=0.001) and post-menopausal women showed significantly higher (8.55 vs. 5.95; p=0.004) serum PRL levels. A positive correlation was found between serum PRL and age at the time of birth of the first child (p=0.068). Conclusions Based on our findings, PRL is an important hormone in the development of BC in women. Therapeutic modulation of PRL may be a realistic and novel approach to curing human BC, either administered alone or in combination with conventional treatments.