Height Growth Research Articles

Height growth and biomass partitioning during secondary succession differ among forest light strata and successional guilds in a tropical rainforest

In closed‐canopy systems globally, plants exhibit intense competition for light, prioritizing vertical growth to attain elevated positions within the canopy. Light competition is especially intense in tropical rainforests because of their dense shaded stands, and during forest succession because of concomitant changes in vertical light profiles. We evaluated how the height growth of individual tree differs among forest light strata (canopy, sub‐canopy and understorey) and successional guilds (early, mid‐ and late successional species) during secondary succession in a Mexican rainforest. Fourteen secondary forest stands differing in time since agricultural abandonment (1–25 years) were monitored for seven consecutive years. For each stand and census year we estimated relative light intensity (RLI) for each height and categorized trees into forest light strata: understorey (RLI ≦ 33.3%), sub‐canopy (33.3% ≦ RLI ≦ 66.6%) and canopy (RLI ≧ 66.6%), and into successional guilds based on the literature. We estimated two measures of height growth: absolute height growth (HGabs, cm year−1) calculated as the difference in tree height between two consecutive censuses, and biomass partitioning to height growth (HGbp, in kg kg−1 × 100) calculated as the percentage of total aboveground biomass growth partitioned to height growth. Earlier in succession, trees for all strata had greater HGabs and HGbp, resulting in rapid vertical forest development. HGabs was fastest for canopy trees, followed by sub‐canopy and understorey trees. These differences in HGabs among strata, combined with their inter‐specific variation and continuous recruitment of small individuals, lead to a rapid differentiation in tree sizes and increase stand structural heterogeneity. HGbp was greater for understorey and sub‐canopy trees than for canopy trees, reflecting ontogenetic changes in the light competition strategy from growth to persistence. With succession, both HGabs and HGbp decreased, most strongly for canopy trees, probably because of an increased exposure to drought stress. These successional changes stabilize stand size structure and reduce the rate of development.

Growth in height and its association with overweight and obesity in Mexican children: an evaluation based on a nationally representative sample (ENSANUT 2018).

Chronological age and height records (7,097 boys and 6,167 girls) were obtained from the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition database. Height growth curves were fitted using the Preece-Baines 1 (PB1) model and the LMS method. Age at peak height velocity (APHV) was 12.4 and 12.7 years for overweight-obese and normal-weight boys, respectively, and was 9.6 and 10.4 years for overweight-obese and normal-weight girls, respectively. Growth velocity was higher at the age of take-off (TO) in overweight-obese children than in normal-weight children (5.2 cm/year vs. 5 cm/year in boys and 6.1 cm/year vs. 5.6 cm/year in girls); nevertheless, the growth velocity at APHV was higher for normal-weight children than for overweight-obese children (7.4 cm/year vs. 6.6 cm/year in boys and 6.8 cm/year vs. 6.6 cm/year in girls, respectively). Distance curves developed in the present study and by the World Health Organization (WHO) using LMS showed similar values for L and S parameters and a higher M value compared with the WHO reference values. This study concluded that overweight-obese children had earlier APHV and lower PHV than normal-weight children. Furthermore, Mexican children and adolescents were shorter than the WHO growth reference by age and sex.

Productivity of local Norway spruce clones relates to weather sensitivity of height increment in the eastern Baltic region

In the eastern Baltic region, Norway spruce (Picea abies) is predicted to decrease in abundance, resulting in substantial economic consequences. Such predictions have been based on distribution, as well as the sensitivity of growth, largely neglecting the adaptive potential of local populations. Under such circumstances, information on growth sensitivity and its genetic control, as well as productivity-sensitivity relationships is necessary to evaluate the adaptability of populations. Radial increment, which is highly sensitive to local conditions has been mainly used for weather-growth analysis, while height increment, which is a better proxy of productivity due to lower dependence on local density, has been neglected due to laborious gathering of data. Long-term weather sensitivity of annual height increment to weather fluctuations and anomalies (extremes) was estimated by the time series decomposition and multiple regression techniques. Clones of plus-trees from a local population differing by productivity at the age of 55 years growing in an experimental plantation in Latvia were studied. Meteorological conditions prevailingly had carry-over effects on height increment. Thermal regime in winter was the primary driver of height increment with moisture availability in summer showing secondary effects, presuming a positive effect of warming on growth. Abrupt changes in annual increment were related to the co-occurrence of a few weather anomalies, suggesting robustness of height growth. Height increment showed explicit sensitivity-productivity relationships with more productive genotypes being more tolerant and resistant to weather fluctuations. Considering that narrow spatial scale and climatic gradient were analysed, linear and nonlinear responses to weather conditions were estimated implying local adaptation and varying phenotypic plasticity of the genotypes, thus suggesting the persistence of adaptive potential of the local non-marginal population.

Endogenous Phytohormone and Transcriptome Analysis Provided Insights into Seedling Height Growth of Pinus yunnanensis

Plant height plays a crucial role in both the structure and quality of plants. Pinus yunnanensis is a distinctive species of the forest found in Southwest China, where the height of the plants significantly influences both yield performance and plant architecture. Although the phenotypes of P. yunnanensis seedlings with different plant heights were quite different at their seedling stage, the molecular mechanisms controlling the seedling differentiation remain poorly understood. This study is aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of P. yunnanensis seedling differentiation using phenotypic, transcriptomic, and endogenous phytohormone analyses. The P. yunnanensis seedlings were categorized into three grades, i.e., Grades A, B, and C, by mean ± 1/2 standard deviation method (H ± 1/2σ), and the seedling height and ground diameter were measured. We conducted the measurements of endogenous hormone levels in the young shoot apexes of seedlings at different grades during the fast-growth period (March). The DEGs were identified through transcriptome sequencing and analyzed by qRT-PCR validation. Significant differences were observed in the content and ratio of endogenous phytohormones among various grades of P. yunnanensis seedlings (p < 0.05). The ABA content in Grade A was prominently more than that in Grades B and C, and the order of the content of auxins was Grade B > C > A. Furthermore, when compared to Grade A, the ratios of auxins/CTKs, auxins/ABA, CTKs/ABA, and (auxins + CTKs)/ABA exhibited significant increases in Grades B and C. Moreover, GO functional annotation analysis indicated the more pronounced enrichment of DEGs in molecular functions. KEGG metabolic pathway analysis revealed notable differences in enrichment pathways between the pairwise comparisons. The “plant hormone signal transduction” pathway exhibited enrichment in the two groups, followed by “plant–pathogen interaction” pathway in the organism system that was enriched in the three groups. In addition, the results for endogenous phytohormone metabolism pathways indicate a significant up-regulation in the expression of AUX1, while AHP and PP2C exhibited significant down-regulation. To sum up, we aimed at investigating the underlying mechanisms of P. yunnanensis seedling differentiation using phenotypic, transcriptomic, and endogenous phytohormone analyses. The results suggested that individual phytohormones have a limited capacity to regulate gene expression, and seedling differentiation results from the combined regulation of multiple hormones. In addition, several candidate genes associated with phytohormone biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways were identified, including AUX1, GH3, AHP, B-ARR, PP2C, etc., which provided candidate genes for the following hormone-related gene overexpression and knockout experiments. These findings provide insights into the molecular genetic control of seedling height growth of P. yunnanensis.

Control of Plant Height and Lateral Root Development via Stu-miR156 Regulation of SPL9 Transcription Factor in Potato.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous, non-coding small-molecule RNAs that usually regulate the expression of target genes at the post-transcriptional level. miR156 is one of a class of evolutionarily highly conserved miRNA families. SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factor is one of the target genes that is regulated by miR156. SPL transcription factors are involved in regulating plant growth and development, hormone response, stress response, and photosynthesis. In the present study, transgenic potato plants with overexpressed miR156 were obtained via the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method. The results showed that the expression levels of the target gene, StSPL9, were all downregulated in the transgenic plants with overexpressed Stu-miR156. Compared with those of the control plants, the plant height and root length of the transgenic plants were significantly decreased, while the number of lateral roots was significantly increased. These results revealed that the miR156/SPLs module was involved in regulating potato plant height and root growth.

Analysis of the Growth Response of Cassava Plants (Manihot Esculenta) to Variability in Water Availability

In recent decades, there has been a very pronounced climate change on earth. Reduced rainfall and the occurrence of long droughts are direct impacts that can trigger other problems in the agricultural sector such as crop failure and weakening food security. This will also have an impact on the process of growth and agricultural production in the Lampung Province area, especially on cassava plants. Water often limits the growth and development of cultivated plants. The response of plants to lack of water can be seen in their metabolic activity, morphology, growth rate, or productivity. Cell growth is the function of plants that are most sensitive to water shortages. Lack of water will affect cell turgor so that it will reduce cell development, protein synthesis, and cell wall synthesis. The cassava clones used in this study were Garuda Clones with 5 treatment levels, namely the first treatment (P1) 0L, the second treatment (P2) 0.5L, the third treatment (P3) 1L, the fourth treatment (P4) 1.5L, the fifth treatment (P5) 2L. The result of this study is that there is a cassava growth response to water availability in each treatment except for the variable number of shoots. In the variable plant height, significant response variations are obtained, and it is known that the availability of water needed is directly proportional to the response to plant height growth that also increases.

Extended finite element-based cohesive zone method for modeling simultaneous hydraulic fracture height growth in layered reservoirs

In this study, a fully coupled hydromechanical model within the extended finite element method (XFEM)-based cohesive zone method (CZM) is employed to investigate the simultaneous height growth behavior of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures in layered porous reservoirs with modulus contrast. The coupled hydromechanical model is first verified against an analytical solution and a laboratory experiment. Then, the fracture geometry (e.g. height, aperture, and area) and fluid pressure evolutions of multiple hydraulic fractures placed in a porous reservoir interbedded with alternating stiff and soft layers are investigated using the model. The stress and pore pressure distributions within the layered reservoir during fluid injection are also presented. The simulation results reveal that stress umbrellas are easily to form among multiple hydraulic fractures’ tips when propagating in soft layers, which impedes the simultaneous height growth. It is also observed that the impediment effect of soft layer is much more significant in the fractures suppressed by the preferential growth of adjoining fractures. After that, the combined effect of in situ stress ratio and fracturing spacing on the multi-fracture height growth is presented, and the results elucidate the influence of in situ stress ratio on the height growth behavior depending on the fracture spacing. Finally, it is found that the inclusion of soft layers changes the aperture distribution of outmost and interior hydraulic fractures. The results obtained from this study may provide some insights on the understanding of hydraulic fracture height containment observed in filed.

Early Growth Performance and Genetic Variation of Araucaria cunninghamii in Bondowoso, East Java Province, Indonesia

Araucaria cunninghamii is a coniferous tree that has high commercial value for tropical and sub-tropical regions and is used as an alternative raw material for the pulp and paper industry. In order to get a good yield from this species, a progeny test was established in Bondowoso, East Java, and the variation in growth was investigated. This trial included 6 populations, 80 families, and 4 replications of 4-tree row plots spaced 4 m x 2 m. A range of percent survival of 98.81%–99.41%, with an average of 99.20%, was reported for adaptability, showing no significant variations between populations or between families. Significant differences existed between populations and between families in terms of growth in height, diameter, and volume. The best diameter was from the Manokwari population (4.93 cm), while the best height and volume characteristics were from the Jayapura population (5.32 m; 0.0051 m3). Height, diameter, and volume characters have moderate to high heritabilities. The genetic and phenotypic relationships between height and diameter, height and volume, and diameter and volume features were all high and positive. With the family selected at a 30% proportion, the predicted genetic gain for height, diameter, and volume were 3.14%, 5.79%, and 0.00073%, respectively.

Effect of Fish-Based Diet on Malnourished Children: A Systematic Review.

Malnutrition in children is mainly caused by the lack of protein and fat intake which harms their ability to grow and survive. Accurate data on the benefits of fish-based foods on the nutritional status of children is limited. The present systematic review aimed to provide an overview of published articles on the nutritional value of fish-based foods for children. A systematic review was performed during 2000-2021 by searching Science Direct, Cochrane Library, PubMed, ProQuest, and Wiley Online Library databases. The full text of selected articles in English was screened based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included articles were all experimental studies (randomized control trial, quasi-randomized trial) or mixed methods studies involving malnourished children. The study was reported under the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. A total of 330,859 articles were screened, out of which eight articles were included in the systematic review. Interventions included fish-based foods and beverages such as wafer bars, Jemawut-tuna cookies, Amizate in chocolate drink, dried fish powder, flaxseed oil supplemented with fish oil capsules, and porridge fortified with fish powder. Primary or secondary outcomes were the determination of zinc level, height growth, erythrocyte n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content, safety and acceptability, intestinal integrity, and cognitive development. The results showed that dried fish powder produced the most significant effect on body weight. The consumption of dried fish powder had positive effects on the recovery of malnourished children.

Growth diversity, heritability, and genetic correlation of 2-year-old of manglid (Manglietia glauca Bl.) progeny test in Candiroto, Temanggung, Central Java

Manglid, an Indonesian flora, is highly sought after due to its high public interest in planting it. It is necessary to develop superior seed sources to increase the plant’s productivity. This study aimed to determine variations in plant growth, heritability, and genetic correlation of Manglid plants in a 2-year-old progeny test in Candiroto. A Randomized Completely Block Design with two components population and family used in this study. Families are nested within the population. There are 3 populations and 100 families; 15 of the 100 families were from Tasikmalaya, 10 were from Sumedang, and 75 were from Sukabumi. Plant height and stem diameter were measured. The analysis revealed a significant relationship between population, family, and family within the population and plant height and stem diameter development. Sumedang populations had the best height and diameter at 4.19 meters and 6.15 centimeters, with 27 differences in height growth and 24 variances in diameter growth at the family level. The estimated individual heritability for height was 0.21, while for stem diameter it was 0.17. The family heritability for height and stem diameter was 0.52 and 0.49, respectively. A 0.83 genetic correlation was found between height and diameter.

Performance of seedlings and yield of soybean genotypes under soil compaction

AbstractThe identification of soybean genotypes tolerant to soil compaction makes it possible to reduce productivity loss under stress conditions. Added to this, the prior selection of these genotypes will result in greater assertiveness in the positioning of cultivars in the field. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the susceptibility of soybean genotypes to compaction in greenhouse and field conditions; verify which characteristics of seedlings under high resistance to root penetration are correlated with crop production in compacted soil; and to validate the substrate mechanical impedance method for evaluating the susceptibility of plant genotypes to soil compaction. Seeds of 20 genotypes were sown in a substrate mechanical impedance system under controlled conditions. The characteristics evaluated were total root length, total root surface area, mean root diameter, total root volume, taproot length, shoot length, root dry matter and seedling shoot dry matter. In the field experiment, half of the planting area was compacted, constituting two treatments, soil with and without compaction. The percentage of seedling emergence, initial plant height, stem diameter, number of nodes, internode length, number of lateral branches, shoot dry matter, final plant height, absolute and relative growth rate, number of pods, weight of 100 seeds and grain yield. In addition, the number of days between soybean sowing until plant flowering and grain harvest was recorded according to genotype and soil compaction level. In a controlled environment, genotypes tolerant to soil compaction show greater plasticity of root characteristics and smaller alterations in the shoot of seedlings. In the field, these genotypes show smaller reductions in growth rate, height, number of pods and grain yield. The shoot dry matter and the root dry matter of soybean seedlings in a mechanical impedance system present a positive and negative correlation, respectively, with soybean yield in compacted soil, indicating that the genetically determined susceptibility to soil compaction stress was similar throughout ontogenesis. The substrate mechanical impedance system used to evaluate the performance of soybean seedlings under stress, facilitates the decision‐making in breeding programs focused on identifying genotypes expressing soil compaction tolerance.

Hand skeletal features of children and adolescents with different growth statuses and periods.

The hand skeletal features of children and adolescents at different growth statuses and development periods, and the correlation between these skeletal features and hand asymmetric force are currently unclear. Thus, this study sought to investigate the hand skeletal features of children and adolescents at different growth statuses and at different periods of development, and the correlation between these skeletal features and asymmetric force in hands. A retrospective study was performed on subjects aged 4-20 years with good growth status (group A) or short stature (group B). Additional subjects aged 4-20, 21-40, and >40 years were enrolled in groups C, D, and E, respectively. All the subjects underwent left-hand posteroanterior X-ray radiography. Brachymesophalangia-V (BMP-V), conical epiphysis, epiphysis/metaphysis symmetry of the proximal phalanx (ESP), and the angle of the metacarpal-phalangeal axis were analyzed. Of the 654 children and teenagers aged 4-20 years (median: 11 years) enrolled in the study, 432 were allocated to group A, of whom 237 (54.9%) were male and 195 (45.1%) were female, and 222 matched cases were allocated to group B, of whom 112 (50.5%) were male and 110 (49.5%) were female. The first to third ESPs were significantly (P<0.05) greater in group A than in group B, while the first to third angles of the metacarpal-phalangeal axis were significantly (P<0.05) smaller in group A than in group B. The correlation analysis revealed a highly significant (P<0.01) negative correlation between the ESP and angle of the metacarpal-phalangeal axis (r=-0.948, -0.926, -0.940, -0.885, and -0.848, respectively). The incidence of BMP-V was 15.4% in all patients, while that of conical epiphysis was 19.5%. The incidence of BMP-V and conical epiphysis was significantly (P<0.05) smaller in group A than in group B (11.1% vs. 23.8% for BMP-V and 16.6% vs. 25.2% for conical epiphysis, respectively). Additionally, 216 subjects were enrolled in group C (108 male and 108 female), 185 subjects were enrolled in in group D (93 male and 92 female), and 176 subjects were enrolled in in group E (104 male and 72 female). The second to fifth ESPs in group C were significantly (P<0.05) smaller than those in both groups D and E, while the second to fifth angles of the metacarpal-phalangeal axis were significantly (P<0.05) larger in group C than in both groups D and E. A BMP-V was present in 35 (16.2%) patients in group C, 8 (4.3%) in group D, and 2 (1.1%) in group E, and the difference among the three groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The epiphyseal symmetry of the proximal phalanges is poor in short stature children and adolescents, and the angle between the metacarpal and phalangeal axes is larger in children and adolescents with short stature than those with normal height and good growth status. A negative correlation was found between the epiphyseal symmetry of the proximal phalanges and asymmetrical stress.

Fracture Height Quantification from Vertical and Horizontal Section Fiber Measurements: A Comprehensive Study Using LF-DAS Measurements from HFTS-2 Data Set

Summary Understanding fracture height growth is critical for optimizing hydraulic fracture treatments and field development. In recent years, low-frequency distributed acoustic sensing (LF-DAS) has become a popular tool for monitoring strain changes during hydraulic fracturing. While LF-DAS data from vertical monitoring wells (VMWs) can be used to determine fracture height, measurements from the vertical section of horizontal wells may have the potential to capture fracture height growth. The objectives of this study are (1) to apply three methods—(a) using the vertical section of horizontal fiber measurements, (b) using the vertical fiber measurements, and (c) using the horizontal section of horizontal fiber measurements—to determine the fracture height using the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS-2) data set and (2) to demonstrate the reliability of using LF-DAS measurements from the vertical section of horizontal fibers for fracture height determination. In an effort to determine the fracture height from the HFTS-2 data set using the three methods, we demonstrate the reliability of the height prediction using strain measurements in the vertical section of the horizontal monitoring well (VS-HMW). First, we analyze the measurements from the vertical section of the horizontal fiber (B3H) during the stimulation of the heel-most stages of the horizontal wells (B1H, B2H, and B4H). Second, we analyze the measurements from the VMW (B5PH) during the stimulations of B1H, B2H, and B4H. Third, we use a geomechanical inversion algorithm to obtain height estimates from the horizontal section of the LF-DAS measurements at B3H during B1H, B2H, and B4H stimulations. The fracture height is determined based on the transition of the extension-compression zone in the LF-DAS measurements from the vertical sections. The height estimates obtained using the three methods are compared and found to be consistent in the six well pairs we analyzed. The LF-DAS measurements from the vertical well B5PH provide a complete height profile, while measurements from the vertical section capture fracture growth from the upper tip of the fracture to the landing depth of the horizontal well. The fracture height estimates obtained from our inversion algorithm represent the average height value of all fracture hits at the chosen stage. This study demonstrates the potential to determine fracture height growth using LF-DAS measurements in the vertical section of a horizontal well, thus avoiding the cost associated with drilling VMWs to obtain fracture heights.

Light Quality Effect on Internal N Retranslocation in Podocarpus macrophyllus Precultured with Exponential Nutrient Loading.

Streetlamp light is inevitable in the night landscape of a city and may affect the phenology of newly planted ornamental plants, but it has rarely been fully examined. Newly transplanted ornamental plants probably suffer periodic shocks, which mainly result from the inefficient reuse of internal nutrients for new growth. Exponential nutrient loading (ENL) is well known for its ability to overcome transplant shocks by promoting retranslocation for the reuse of strengthened nutrients from internal reserves in precultured seedlings. Transplantation to urbanized lands is distinct from that of montane areas; this is mainly due to a high frequency of exposure to the artificial illumination of night lighting. It is suspected that this lighting modifies vegetative phenology and generates potential risks by increasing reliance on internal nutrient retranslocation. In this study, Podocarpus macrophyllus seedlings were cultured with ENL at low and high rates of nitrogen (N) deliveries (40 and 120 mg N seedling-1, respectively), and the high-rate treatment was identified as being able to trap seedlings within toxic states. A labeled 15N isotope was pulsed to transplanted seedlings exposed to simulated light qualities in red, green, and blue light spectra. The seedlings harvested at one month showed rare responses to the interactive spectra and preculture treatments, but most of them responded to the low-rate N preculture treatment with stronger abilities in terms of the reuse of internal N and the synthesizing of photosynthetic pigments. In conclusion, it was verified that night light enforces the effect on newly transplanted plants; the red light invoked internal N for reuse, and the blue light promoted the uptake of the current N. The internal N reserve established through preculture ENL rarely made a contribution to the night light effect, except for the enhancement of height growth in the red light. The red light spectrum was recommended for the exposure of newly transplanted seedlings due to its effect on the enhancement of the retranslocation of internal N and the induction of a steady state of uptake from the current N input.

Agroforestry system construction in eastern coastal China: Insights from soil–plant interactions

AbstractAgroforestry, as a phytoremediation measure, shows great potential for mitigating land degradation by constructing multidimensional and efficient agroforestry composite systems through regulating the microenvironment of agroforestry sites and improving soil properties. However, the effects of different agroforestry composite management modes on saline soils and the interactions between soil–plant systems under salt stress conditions in coastal areas remain largely unexplored. In this study, two salt‐tolerant tree species (Sapium sebiferum (Linn.) Roxb and Zelkova serrata (Thunb.) Makino) and four crop species (Medicago sativa, Sesbania cannabina, Sorghum bicolour, and Avena sativa) were selected for intercropping in eight composite patterns via field experiments, with dynamics of soil physicochemical properties and crop photosynthesis observed. The results showed that treatments intercropped with M. sativa had the highest soil bulk density range (1.41–1.48 g cm−3). The dynamics of topsoil (0–10 cm) chemical properties showed similar change patterns among treatments, whereas those of the 10–40 cm soil chemical properties (especially soil pH, soil organic matter [SOM], and total nitrogen [TN]) showed heterogeneity. Moreover, planting S. sebiferum (L.) Roxb under the same crop conditions increased tree height growth rate and survival rate by 75%–114% and 14%–33%, respectively, relative to planting Z. serrata (T.) Makino. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between soil moisture with crop intercellular CO2 concentration (λ = −0.77), while significant positive correlations were found between crop net photosynthetic rate (Pn) with soil TN (λ = 0.71), as well as SOM with atmospheric CO2 content (λ = 0.72). Structural equation modeling showed significant direct effects between tree height growth rate with soil TN and SOM. Soil moisture (λ = 0.47) and tree height growth rate (λ = 0.53) were dominant drivers of crop Pn. Our findings provide useful information for the prevention of coastal saline soil degradation and sustainable development of agroforestry.

Skeletal stability of inter-molar mandibular distraction osteogenesis in growing patients

IntroductionThe aim of this retrospective study was to firstly assess the stability of surgical advancement using inter-molar mandibular distraction osteogenesis (IMDO) and secondly to assess the impact of the surgical intervention on subsequent mandibular growth in patients with residual growth.MethodsThe sample consisted of 17 (13F and 4M) consecutively treated patients who underwent IMDO and orthodontic treatment. Cephalometric analysis was performed at three time points: T0 prior to distraction; T1 post-distraction immediately prior to surgical removal of the distractors; and T2 following completion of orthodontic treatment when the final lateral cephalogram was taken (0.86–4.37 years after T1). Statistical comparison of lower facial height, mandibular length, growth, condylar position and anterior mandibular rotation was performed.ResultsNo association was found between changes in any of the cephalometric measurements and the length of the follow-up interval. The anterior mandibular segment underwent clockwise rotation during distraction and recovered to near its pre-distraction angulation during remodelling. An increase in the lower facial height of 1.88 ± 2.81mm also occurred during distraction (T0–T1) and was maintained during the follow-up period (T1–T2). Post-distraction (T1–T2) growth of lower facial height (p value 0.872) and mandibular length (p value 0.251) showed no association when compared to an untreated control group and an overall reduction in growth was reported.ConclusionsIMDO was highly stable within a follow-up period of 2.3 ± 0.9 years; however, growth appears to have been inhibited.

Waterlogging Hardening Effect on Transplant Stress Tolerance in Pinus densiflora

Waterlogging induces oxidative damage by accumulation of reactive oxygen species due to stomatal closure. Plants alter their physiological and molecular mechanisms to reduce and adapt to oxidative stress. This mechanism of adaptation to stress, known as hardening, can support future stress tolerance. Pinus densiflora seedlings were grown under waterlogging treatment for three years and then transplanted to another site to identify the waterlogging hardening effect on transplanting. Transcriptome analysis was conducted before and after transplanting, and physiological factors were measured after transplanting. After transplanting, wounding stress is the main cause of transplant stress, and 13 genes related to phenylpropanoid were upregulated for the recovery of wounded roots in waterlogged hardened seedlings. The leaf starch and soluble sugar content of the waterlogged hardened seedlings were 50.3% and 40.5% lower due to the formation of cell walls. However, auxin-related genes were downregulated in waterlogging hardened seedlings, resulting in a lower tendency for height growth in hardened waterlogged seedlings. Waterlogging hardening mitigated transplant stress by wounding more than non-hardening, whereas waterlogging hardening may negatively affect seedling height. Our study provides evidence for the hardening effect of long-term waterlogging on transplanted P. densiflora seedlings.

The Growth of Anglonema Dus Anjamani Plants Due to the Composition of the Growing Medium and Different Water Intervals

This research investigates the influence of planting media and watering intervals on the growth of Aglaonema. The study utilizes a Randomized Group Design (RAK) with various compositions of planting media, including husk charcoal, chicken manure bokashi, and eggshell flour, in ratios M1=1:2:1, M2=2:1:2, M3=3:2:1. Watering time intervals were set as I1=once every 2 days, I2=once every 4 days, and I3=every 6 days. There were 27 experimental units, each combination repeated thrice. Statistical analysis, including Sidik Ragam and Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT), revealed a significant interaction effect between planting media and watering intervals on plant height, leaf number, leaf length, and leaf width of Aglaonema. Notably, the composition 3:2:1 showed the highest growth in plant height (5.03cm), leaf number (4.53 strands), leaf length (4.83cm), and leaf width (4.13cm). This composition did not significantly differ from 1:2:2 with a 2-day watering interval and 3:2:1 with a 2 and 6-day watering interval, but it significantly outperformed other treatments. The findings contribute valuable insights into optimizing Aglaonema growth conditions for enhanced quality and productivity.

Long-term Catch-up Growth and Risk Factors for Short Adult Height After Pediatric Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Study.

Children requiring liver transplantation generally have severe growth retardation. Recipients experience posttransplantation catch-up growth, although some show short adult heights. We aimed to determine decades-long catch-up growth trends and risk factors for short adult height following liver transplantation. We analyzed long-term height Z scores and risk factors for short adult height in a single-center retrospective cohort of 117 pediatric liver transplantation recipients who survived >5 y, with 75 of them reaching adult height. Median age at transplantation was 1.3 y, and the most common primary diagnosis was biliary atresia (76.9%). Mean height Z scores pretransplantation and 1, 3, and 8 y after transplantation were -2.26, -1.59, -0.91, and -0.59, respectively. The data then plateaued until 20 y posttransplantation when mean adult height Z score became -0.88, with a median follow-up of 18.6 y. Nineteen recipients did not show any catch-up growth, and one quarter of recipients had short adult height (<5th percentile of the healthy population). Multivariate analysis identified old age (odds ratio, 1.22 by 1 y; P = 0.002), low height Z scores at transplantation (odds ratio, 0.46 by 1 point; P < 0.001), and posttransplantation hospital stay ≥60 d (odds ratio, 4.95; P = 0.015) as risk factors for short adult height. In contrast, prolonged steroid use after transplantation was not considered a significant risk factor. Although tremendous posttransplantation catch-up growth was observed, final adult height remained inadequate. For healthy physical growth, liver transplantation should be performed as early as possible, before growth retardation becomes severe.

Differences in spine growth potential for Sanders maturation stages 7A and 7B have implications for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

This study aimed to clarify the differences in spine and total body height growth and curve progression between Sanders maturation stage (SMS) 7A and 7B in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This retrospective case-control study involving patients with AIS at SMS 7 evaluated the differential gains in the spine (T1-S1) and total body height and curve progression between SMS 7A and 7B. A validated formula was used to calculate the corrected height, accounting for height loss due to scoliosis. A multivariable non-linear and logistic regression model was applied to assess the distinct growth and curve progression patterns between the SMS 7 subtypes, adjusting for potential confounders. A total of 231 AIS patients (83% girls, mean age 13.9 ± 1.2years) were included, with follow-up averaging 3.0years. Patients at SMS 7A exhibited larger gains in spine height (9.9mm vs. 6.3mm) and total body height (19.8mm vs. 13.4mm) compared with SMS 7B. These findings remained consistent even after adjustments for curve magnitude. Non-linear regression models showed continued spine and total body height increases plateauing after 2years, significantly greater in SMS 7A. More SMS 7A patients had curve progression over 10°, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.31. This study revealed that patients staged SMS 7A exhibited more spine and total body growth and a greater incidence of substantial curve progression than those at 7B. These findings imply that delaying brace discontinuation until reaching 7B could be beneficial, particularly for those with larger curves. Level III (Case-control study).