Increment In Growth Research Articles

A prospective longitudinal study of growth in twin gestations compared with growth in singleton pregnancies. II. The fetal limbs.

The assessment of fetal growth is crucial in twin gestations, since the information gained often has an impact on pregnancy management. The measurement of the fetal anatomy by ultrasound enables us to follow the growth and development of the fetus. However, the pattern of fetal growth in twin gestations has not yet been precisely characterized in prospective studies. In this light, we initiated a prospective longitudinal study and sonographically examined 35 patients with twin gestations every 3 weeks from the 15th week until delivery. Multiple biometric parameters were measured, including the femur length, humerus length, ulna length, and tibia length. The results of our study showed that growth of these long bones was not significantly different between twins A and B throughout gestation and that the growth velocity between twins and singletons was not significantly different. The incremental growth, although significantly less in twins than in singletons, was so small that it was judged not to be of clinical importance to warrant the generation of separate nomograms for the evaluation of growth in twin gestations.

Ultrasonic characteristics of the uterus and ovaries in relation to pubertal development and serum LH, FSH, and estradiol concentrations

Ultrasound was used to evaluate uterine and ovarian volume and morphology and these findings were related to serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), assessed by a highly sensitive immunofluorometric assay, and estradiol, assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Fifty healthy premenarcheal schoolgirls, 15 postmenarcheal girls, and 15 adult women comprised the study groups. Uterine volume did not change, whereas ovarian volume slightly increased from 7 to 9 years. With the onset of puberty, at about 10 years of age, the uterus started to grow rapidly and ovarian volume increased further. The number of follicles ≥5 mm in diameter increased significantly from 7 to 9 years of age. At 10–12.5 years, the ovaries were multifollicular in the majority of the girls. Uterine and ovarian volume and LH, FSH, and estradiol levels correlated with age and with each other (p < 0.001). Below 10 years of age, only ovarian volume and FSH concentrations correlated with age (p < 0.05) and with each other (p < 0.05). The increment in follicular growth detected by ultrasound was related to the prepubertal FSH levels and it may represent a sign anticipating the onset of puberty. Sonographic evaluation of the uterus and ovaries reflects functional changes and appears useful for assessment of gonadal development during puberty.

Growth increment ofAlnus glutinosa upon dual inoculation with effective and ineffectiveFrankia strains

Investigations on the ecological function of ineffectiveFrankia strains and their behaviour in competition with effectiveFrankia strains indicated an enhanced plant growth upon dual inoculation with increasing amounts of effective (i.e. N2-fixing)Frankia strains and simultaneous inoculation with a constant amount of an ineffectiveFrankia strain. Enhanced plant growth was measured as increase in plant height and total dry weight at constant shoot/root ratio. The stimulating effect of the ineffective strain was independent of the plant clone and was obtained with bothAlnus glutinosa clones W I and B II, which were resistant and susceptable, respectively, to the ineffective strain. Stimulation was also independent of the nodulation conditions. Short-term studies (7 weeks) under axenic conditions and greenhouse experiments during 3 months showed comparable results, not only in plant growth but also in nodule formation. Increment in plant growth was not necessarily correlated to higher nodule formation with the effectiveFrankia strains.

Sonographic Assessment of Growth of the Fetal Head in Diabetic Pregnancies Compared with Normal Gestations

A longitudinal ultrasound study was conducted in 45 insulin-dependent diabetic patients who maintained good glycemic control (mean plasma glucose less than 120 mg/dl) throughout most of their pregnancy in order to assess growth of the fetal head in the presence of euglycemia. Patients with and without vasculopathy were found to be comparable with regard to their glycemic control, medical and obstetric complications, as well as incremental growth and the velocity of growth of the fetal biparietal diameter (BPD). When compared with the control group, the velocity of growth of the BPD was not significantly different throughout pregnancy. However, the actual increment in BPD growth remained less than that of the control fetuses, especially during the second trimester when a significant statistical difference was found. Possible explanations may include delayed ovulation, reduced growth velocity in the first trimester, or constitutionally smaller embryos among the diabetic group. The pattern of BPD growth among diabetics was best described by a third degree polynomial regression equation. These results demonstrate that in well-controlled diabetics, although the increment in BPD was less than controls, the growth pattern of the fetal BPD was similar among the White classes B to FR, and the velocity of growth of the BPD was similar among diabetics and nondiabetics.

Root Versus Shoot Biomass: Responses to Water, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Applications for Agave lechuguilla

Shoot and root growth of Agave lechuguilla, a Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) succulent widespread in the Chihuahuan Desert, was examined under natural conditions and with two watering regimes, five treatments involving N application to the soil surface, and three treatments involving P application. Under natural conditions roots of A. lechuguilla made up only 3.7% of the total plant dry weight, suggesting that this species may be especially sensitive to changes in soil resources. Over the 2-yr study period, increasing the availability of soil water by weekly irrigation increased shoot dry weight of A. lechuguilla by 40% and root dry weight by 75%, which represented a doubling of the increment in plant growth compared with control plants receiving only rainfall. This doubling is consistent with changes in the Water Index (a relative measure of net CO2 uptake that has a maximum value of unity under wet conditions), which was predicted to be twice as large for the irrigated condition. The greater enhance...

Growth Hormone Treatment in Short Children ‐Short‐Term and Long‐Term Effects on Growth

Short children with normal GH responses to arginine-insulin provocation testing and various amounts of spontaneously secreted GH over 24 hours participated in an ongoing study with GH, 0.1 IU/kg/day. A total of 40 prepubertal children have been treated for 1 year. Their mean height velocity increased from 4.6 to 7.5 cm/year. The children with the slowest pretreatment height velocity showed the best increment. An inverse relationship was found between the endogenous GH secretion and the increment in growth; 80% of the children had an endogenous GH secretion of less than 300 milliunits/litre/24 hours, estimated as area under the curve above the calculated baseline. They all showed an increment in height above 2 cm. The remaining 20% all had an endogenous GH secretion of more than 300 milliunits/litre/24 hours, estimated as area under the curve above the calculated baseline. Twenty-four of the children were prepubertal for the following 4 years, and their GH therapy continued. Their height velocity changed from 4.2 cm/year before therapy to 8.1, 6.7, 6.0 and 4.9 cm/year for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years on treatment. Many of them have passed their expected final height, but have still not stopped growing. Those children who were in early puberty when GH treatment started went into a rapid growth spurt and have now stopped growing. They have all reached but not improved their expected final height. In 15 of the children GH treatment was stopped after 1-3 years. Their mean height velocity for the first post-treatment year was 5.1 cm/year; thus, for the group as a whole no 'catch down' was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

GROWTH HORMONE TREATMENT IN CHILDREN AFTER CRANIAL TRRADIATION

Growth response to treatment with GH 0,1 IU/kg s.c.x7 (Crescormon later changed to Somatonorm) was evaluated in 9 prepubertal children who had received cranial irradiation mean 4 years before when treated for a cranial tumor (braintumor, retinoblastoma or rhabdomyosarcoma of the epipharynx). The children were totally GH-deficient or with subnormal GH-secretion based on provocative tests. All had a markedly disturbed 24-h-GH-profile. No other hormonal deficits were present at the start of GH-treatment. During the first year on GH-treatment a catch up in growth volocity was seen with an increment from mean 3 cm/year to 8,5 cm/ year (mean -2,2 SDS to +3,5 SDS). During the second year growth velocity decreased somewhat but still remained at an increased speed corresponding to +1,9 SDS. The actual mean height of the children increased from -1,6 SD to -0,4 SD after two years treatment . The increment in growth in these children corresponds well with that seen in partially GH-deficient children of other etiology and is somewhat less than catch up growth seen in totally GH-deficient children. Our results are however better than previously reported for irradiated children. This might be due to the higher dose and frequency of GH-administration in this study.

ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF MENTAL/MOTOR DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN CHILDREN AFTER SUCCESSFUL LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

We measured anthropometries, intellectual and motor functioning in 18 children (8 months - 15 years) before and one year after liver transplant. Depending on age at testing, we obtained Bayley Mental (MDI) and Psychomotor (PDI) Development Indices, or Stanford Binet IQ and Motor Age (MA), or Wechsler Verbal (VIQ) Performance (PIQ), and Full Scale (FSTQ) IQs on each subject. Weight (W), height (H), and head circumference for age (H/A, HC/A), and W for H (W/H) were expressed as percent of median (NCHS standards). Relevant findings were (Means): No significant differences were found in mean development scores before and after transplant. However, for subjects with scores <80 before transplant, there was a trend towards improvement after transplant. Older subjects consistently improved in visual attention and fine motor speed. We conclude that there were significant increments in weight and head growth but no increase in linear growth. Intellectual and motor development remain unchanged for the group as a whole, although the most delayed made meaningful improvement. Long-term follow-up studies are indicated to determine ultimate intellectual outcome.

Multilineage, non-species specific hematopoietic growth factor(s) elaborated by a feline fibroblast cell line: enhancement by virus infection.

In studies designed to determine the role of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in the pathogenesis of marrow failure in the cat, we tested medium conditioned by uninfected and FeLV-infected feline embryonic fibroblasts (FEA) for its effect on hematopoietic colony growth in culture. As opposed to an inhibitory effect, we found that the conditioned medium (CM) from FEA or FEA/FeLV increased the in vitro growth of multiple hematopoietic progenitor cell types including erythroid burst-forming cells (BFU-E), granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming cells, megakaryocytic colony-forming cells, and mixed-cell colony-forming cells. Furthermore, CM enhanced the growth of progenitors in cultures of mouse or human marrow cells, as well as cat marrow cells. Stimulation of feline BFU-E was most marked with an increment in growth of 400% over control. The human burst promoting activity (BPA) of the CM was equivalent or better than other CM available in our laboratory. The evidence suggest that the growth-promoting activity is a constitutive product(s) released by FEA which was enhanced eightfold with virus infection. Studies with non-adherent and T-lymphocyte-depleted human marrow cells and human peripheral blood cells suggest that the growth factor(s) acts directly on progenitor cells and not through readily identified accessory cells. These findings are consistent with the concept that mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts have the capacity to release hematopoietic growth factor(s) capable of acting on primitive hematopoietic progenitors. The results provide an example of how injury of such cells, through virus infection, may enhance growth factor(s) release and influence the hematopoietic microenvironment.

Embryonic, foetal and placental development in the Common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)

Embryonic. foetal and placental samples were taken at hysterotomy from timed and estimated stages of pregnancy. Timed pregnancies were sampled at least every 10 days, between days 30 and 140 of the 144‐day gestationTwo placental discs of similar size were present in all cases. Placental growth followed a sigmoid curve with the most rapid growth being found between 60 and 90 days. Placentae from triplet pregnancies were larger and heavier than those from twin pregnancies. A description of the external characteristics of embryos and foetuses showed clear‐cut differences between each 10‐day interval. Foetal body weight was measured after day 70 and the body weight increased most rapidly after day 100. Twins were heavier than triplets during late pregnancy and at birth. The major organs were weighed after day 80 and the largest increase in weight gain was usually found between days 120 and 140. Fifty percent of the birth (is. 140‐day) weight was achieved by day 70–80 for the placenta and by day 120–130 for the body and organ weights. With the exception of the brain and adrenals, the body and organ weights at birth were 10–20° of their ultimate adult weight. The crown‐rump length (C.R.L.) was measured after day 50. The maximum increments in growth were found between days 70 and 110 and there was no difference between twins and triplets during pregnancy or at birth. Nineteen other trunk, limb and head measurements were taken after day 90 of pregnancy and the maximum increments in growth were found between 90 and 120 days. At birth, the trunk and limb measurements were 40° and the head was 68° of the adult size. In all weight and linear measurements, the rate of growth, which is the increment per unit of weight or length. was most rapid during the earliest time‐period measured.

335 CARDIAC DEVELOPMENT IN THE PERINATAL PERIOD

In early extrauterine life the heart undergoes rapid anatomic development. The underlying biochemical events responsible for this change are poorly understood. We investigated the mechanism of myocardial growth in fetal and neonatal animals. Piglet hearts from 0.9 gestation(0.9G), one day(l DPP), 5 day(5 DPP) and 10 day(10 DPP) old animals were divided into left ventricular free wall(LVFW), right ventricular free wall(RVFW) and intraventricular septum(IVS). Between 0.9G and 10 DPP total heart weight increased from 3.63 ± 0.23 to 13.63 ± 0.47g. During this period, LVFW weight increased 5-fold (1.34 ± 0.11: 6.70 ± .18g) and IVS increased almost 4-fold (0.93 ± 0.06: 3.71 ± 0.16g). RVFW demonstrated an approximate 2.5-fold increment in growth (1.31 ± 0.08: 3.22 ± .17g). Total protein content parallels total RNA content of each myocardial structure at every age studied. Nuclear hyperplasia was greater in the LVFW and IVS than in the RV (DNA levels (μg): RVFW 313 ± 34 VS 554 ± 44; LVFW 342 1± 25 VS 1036 ± 53; IVS 255 ± 11 VS 630 ± 26). Cellular hypertrophy was likewise greater in LV and IVS than in RV as indicated by changes in protein/DNA content (LV .46 ± .02 VS .93 ± .05 IVS: .45 ± .01 VS .86 ± .04: RV .51 ± .03 VS 0.80 ± .06) however hypertrophy did not occur in RV beyond 1 DPP. These data indicate the importance of hypertrophy as well as hyperplasia in early neonatal cardiac development and that changes in protein synthesis of each myocardial structure are due to changes in RNA levels at this age.

Na regulates growth of kidney epithelial cells induced by lowering extracellular K concentration.

Accelerated kidney growth and increased tissue Na content have been observed in rats fed a K-deficient diet. These observations suggest that enhanced Na influx could mediate renal growth, a hypothesis that was tested in cultures of kidney epithelial cells of the BSC-1 line. Reduction of the K concentration in the culture medium from 5.4 to 3.2 mM augmented cell growth and induced a transient increase in the cellular content of Na and a decrease in that of K. That low-K-induced growth was Na dependent was shown by decreasing the medium Na concentration from 155 to 150 mM, which abolished the increases in both growth and cell Na content in a concentration-dependent manner. The stimulation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PD) activity that occurs in cells exposed to low-K medium for 1 h was similarly prevented by decreasing the medium Na concentration. Thus decreased availability of extracellular Na prevented the increase in cell Na content, stimulation of G3PD activity, and accelerated growth induced by low-K medium. The hypothesis was also tested by adding vasopressin to cultures of BSC-1 cells exposed to low-K medium; the hormone prevented the increments in cell Na content, G3PD activity, and growth to the same extent as did decreased availability of extracellular Na. These results are consistent with the interpretation that transient accumulation of Na is a critical determinant of the initiation of kidney epithelial cell growth.

希釈した海水が異なる生育段階のメロンの耐塩性に及ぼす影響

Muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) were grown in diluted sea water from transplanting to harvest in order to determine the salt tolerance at 3 growth stages-stage I (transplanting to pollination), stage II (pollination to fruit net development) and stage III (fruit net development to harvest). Treatment solutions contained 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1, 000ppm Cl in sand and soil cultures, and 0, 1, 000, 2, 000, 3, 000 and 4, 000ppm Cl in nutrient solution culture. Whole plant dry weight and fruit fresh weight at harvest decreased with increasing sea water concentrations in all cultures. The increment in growth at stages II and III was less at higher sea water concentrations. Growth was reduced more in sand than in soil culture. Slightly visible salt injury symptoms appeared at stages II and III at 1, 000ppm Cl in sand culture and at the beginning of stage I at 3, 000 and 4, 000ppm Cl in solution culture. Cl and Na increased, while SO4 and osmotic potential decreased in leaves at the end of stage III in all cultures as sea water concentrations increased. Cl and Na in leaves tended to be higher in sand than in soil culture at all stages. Cl was especially high at stage I. More accumulation of Cl and/or Na in leaves at stage I in sand than in soil culture may be one of the causes for greater growth suppression in sand culture.

Effect of Temperature on Total Nitrogen Distribution in Pennisetum Americanum

Total N uptake and distribution and relative accumulation of N and dry matter were studied from 26 days after sowing until 50% anthesis in two genotypes of Pennisetum americanum growing at day/night temperatures ranging from 18/13 to 30/25°C. Nitrogen was taken up throughout growth and there was no indication of a net loss of N from the whole plant or from individual organs. Rate of N uptake was closely correlated with dry weight increments until stem elongation: there was a single relationship between uptake and dry weight increment over the three temperatures and two genotypes (41 mg N per g whole-plant dry weight increment). Relative rates of N accumulation and dry weight increment were higher at high temperature and again a single equation related relative accumulation of N to dry weight over all treatments. However, in contrast to the constancy of N uptake per unit dry weight, N distribution within the plant was affected by temperature. Low temperatures resulted in high root N concentrations and relatively high NO3 concentrations in root and stem apices. Temperature did not affect the proportional distribution of N between organs of the top. The results are interpreted as showing that activity of components of the nitrogen pathway are adjusted to maintain a constant rate of N uptake per unit dry weight increment in vegetative growth, but that N distribution within pearl millet is sensitive to temperature.

Some effects of exogenous gonadotropins and prolactin on photostimulated and photorefractory White-crowned Sparrows

Subcutaneous injection of ovine luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones in photoperiodically stimulated female White-crowned Sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii, was followed by significant increments in growth of the ovary and oviduct and a significant depression in the level of assayable pituitary gonadotropins. Simultaneous injections of ovine prolactin did not significantly alter the effects of treatment with gonadotropins, nor did they modify the rate of photoperiodically induced growth of the ovary. It appears that plasma gonadotropins and/or ovarian hormones exert an inhibitory feedback effect on the hypothalamohypophysial system. In photorefractory females 10 daily injections of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones caused a small, but significant, growth of the ovaries that was unaffected by simultaneous injections of prolactin. The level of pituitary gonadotropins was not affected by these injections of hormones. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that photorefractoriness is a neural or hypophysial phenomenon.

Growth of Dictyosphaerium, Selenastrum, and Scenedesmus (Chlorophyceae) in a dilute algal medium

Abstract Cultures were maintained in dilute laboratory media for weeks by frequent transfer of cells. Single strains of Scenedesmus and Dictyosphaerium were cultured in a medium with 28.5 mg/l total inorganic salts, with growth at the rate of 1 + doublings/day. Growth of a Selenastrum was compared in one experiment. Bristol's medium was also used for comparison. Routinely, an actively growing inoculum was used, sufficient to give an initial cell concentration of approximately 2 × 105 cells/ml; this was adequate for colorimeter readings. Diurnal light of 3200 lux intensity was used throughout. Each day, after a determination of growth, the culture was transferred, by dilution to the original cell number. Some cultures have been grown in this way for several weeks, and a uniform daily increment in growth is reported here for 10-day experiments. Using this technique we record similar growth rates in sterile-filtered river water used as a medium. Stock cultures can be held in dilute media for several weeks, b...

Neonatometer: A New Infant Length Measurer

A new instrument for measuring crown-heel length in infancy is described. Reproducibility data show it to be capable of detecting the small increments in linear growth that might be expected at this age, with an accuracy and reliability certainly adequate for any conceivable purpose at the present time.

Cognitive changes in the adolescent slow learner.

SUMMARYThis investigation tends Co support the Clarke hypothesis that subjects from “adverse” environments arc likely to show greater cognitive growth than persons from “less adverse” homes. However, the present study indicates that increments in cognitive growth are not necessarily dependent on removal from the “adverse” environment. Explanation may involve maturation, in the form of secondary and compensatory growth, and change from school to work environments. Because of large increments in intelligence in children from “less adverse” homes leaving comprehensive schools there may be reason to suggest that school environment may play an important though at present limited role in cognitive development.

Promotion of Crown-Gall Tumor Growth by Lysopine, Octopine, Nopaline, and Carnosine

The growth of crown-gall tumors on primary bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. "Pinto") was promoted by the addition of d-lysopine, d-octopine, l-carnosine, or nopaline. Assayed on tumors induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain B6, the relative activity was octopine = carnosine > lysopine >> nopaline; assayed on tumors induced by A. tumefaciens strain T-37, which induces tumors which form nopaline, the relative activity was nopaline = octopine = carnosine > lysopine. From one to three applications of carnosine or octopine gave equal additive increments in tumor growth, showing that a continual supply of these substances is required to maintain an increased rate of growth. At concentrations above 0.1 mm, pairs of these growth-promoting substances were less active than when applied singly. Inhibition of octopine-induced growth was obtained by applying 0.01 mm carnosine with 1 mm octopine and partial inhibition was obtained when carnosine was added 10 hr after octopine. Equimolar mixtures of lysopine, octopine, and carnosine, however, were at least as active in promoting tumor growth as any of the compounds added singly at equivalent concentrations. The activity of 0.1 to 0.5 mm lysopine, octopine, and carnosine was inhibited, respectively, by 1 mml-lysine, l-arginine, and l-histidine and this inhibition was limited in each case to the basic amino acid corresponding to that of the growth factor. Arginine fully inhibited octopine-induced tumor growth when applied as much as 6 hr after octopine, indicating that this inhibition was not due to prevention of octopine uptake. Although four separate substances were found which promoted tumor growth, the molecular specificity required for activity of each compound was high. Evidence is presented which suggests that a tumor growth-promoting substance extracted from tumorous leaves is a carnosine-like derivative of l-histidine.

Single versus serial assessment of skeletal age: either, both or neither?

AbstractAssessments of skeletal age are a valuable adjunct to the clinical evaluation of physical maturity but are more meaningful when considered in relation to chronological age, especially over time, than as separate entities.Data on 51 girls from the Child Research Council study series gave a correlation coefficient of 0.51 between skeletal age (SA) at menarche and chronological age (CA) at menarche — a value in close agreement with data reported from other studies. With a range in SA of 11.58 to 14.89 years, these data were examined further for changes in SA related to timing of adolescence. SA was greater than CA in each of the nine girls whose menarche occurred between 10.5 and 12 years of age. SA was equal to CA in one girl, greater than CA in eight girls and less than CA in 11 girls with menarche between 12.15 and 13.4 years. Of the 22 girls with menarche after 13.5 years, one had SA = CA at 14.89 years and the other 21 all had SA less than CA. An r of 0.84 was calculated between the values of CA minus SA at menarche and CA at menarche. Similar relationships were found between SA and CA at age of maximum increment in growth in height for these girls and for 53 boys in the study series.Longitudinal data for height, weight and SA for four boys and five girls demonstrate the problems of prediction of the timing of adolescence and of adult size from skeletal ages in the childhood years.