Linear Growth Pattern Research Articles

Human 2D (index) and 4D (ring) finger lengths and ratios: cross‐sectional data on linear growth patterns, sexual dimorphism and lateral asymmetry from 4 to 60 years of age

Human 2D : 4D ratios (measures of the relative lengths of index and ring fingers) attract considerable research interest because they exhibit sexual dimorphism and are associated with various morphological, physiological and behavioural traits as well as sporting abilities and medical conditions. In an attempt to identify potential confounding factors in such studies, we have examined how relative and absolute digit lengths vary with gender and tested whether they are influenced by age, right-left asymmetry and hand preference. Participants between 4 and 60 years of age were recruited from local educational sites. Hand photocopies and calliper measurement were used to obtain digit lengths. We employed linear regression analysis to examine the growth trajectories of individual digits, analyses of variance to isolate main and interaction effects of age, gender and hand preference, and paired t-tests to identify lateral asymmetries. Both digits exhibited biphasic growth with an early growth phase followed by a stable length phase. Digits in females attained their maximum length about 2.2 years (dextral subjects) or 5.1 years (sinistral subjects) earlier than those in males. Sexual dimorphism in 2D : 4D ratios was apparent by 4 years of age and age changes in ratios depended on gender, side and hand preference. Relative and absolute lengths displayed age, gender, hand-preference and age x gender interaction effects. Lengths tended to be greater in females in younger subjects and greater in males in older subjects. Ratios tended to be greater in sinistral subjects. In dextral subjects, significant lateral asymmetries in 2D lengths were seen at all ages but asymmetries in males and 4D lengths seemed to be age-dependent. We conclude that age, lateral asymmetry and hand preference are potential confounding factors and that future study designs should take account of these as well as other known confounders such as ethnicity, birth order, menstrual cycle phase and sexual preference.

MODELING THE GROWTH AND INVASION OF GLIOMAS, FROM SIMPLE TO COMPLEX: THE GOLDIE LOCKS PARADIGM

As with all mathematical modeling, the scope of the question to be explored determines the scope of the most appropriate model. The case is no different for the modeling of primary brain tumors (gliomas), ranging from too simple, not accounting for the major feature of gliomas (extensive invasion), to too complicated, with too many variables and no easy way to translate from culture media in vitro to brain tissue in vivo. We settle on a "just right" approach which utilizes currently available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to estimate two defining characteristics, net rates of proliferation (ρ) and diffusion (D). Most importantly, these parameters are predictive of clinical behavior, and can be tailored to individual patients in vivo and in real time. These two rates combine to generate a linear radial growth pattern of the MRI visible portion of each glioma. Further, we introduce a novel method for the calculation of glioma invasion through grey and white matter.

An Analysis of Early Numeracy Curriculum-Based Measurement

Three important features to examine for measures used to systematically monitor progress over time are (a) technical features of static scores, (b) technical features of slope, and (c) instructional utility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the technical features of slope of four early numeracy curriculum-based measures administered to kindergarten students. Approximately 200 students were assessed at the beginning and end of the school year, and a subset of students ( n = 55) was assessed three additional times during the year. Growth curve analysis was used to model growth over time. The contribution of slope to explaining variance on a criterion measure was examined for the curriculum-based measures that fit a linear growth pattern. Implications are discussed regarding monitoring progress in early mathematics.

Kindliche Blasenentwicklung

Human fetal bladder development starts in the 9th to 10th week of gestation. Smooth muscle cell formation is induced by Hedgehog proteins and their signaling in the surrounding mesenchyma of the fetal bladder cavity. Bladder wall thickness increases significantly with advancing gestation, mediated by linear growth patterns irrespective of the related sex. lt is the aim of this article to address new insights into bladder development to enhance our knowledge about normal and pathological conditions that occur when developmental processes are disturbed.

Sapphire (0 0 0 1) surface modifications induced by long-pulse 1054 nm laser irradiation

We have investigated modifications of sapphire (0 0 0 1) surface with and without coating, induced by a single laser pulse with a 1054 nm wavelength, 2.2 μ s duration, 7.75 mm spot and energy of 20–110 J. A holographic optical element was used for smoothing the drive beam spatially, but it induced small hotspots which initiated damage on the uncoated and coated surfaces. The individual damage effects of hotspots became less pronounced at high fluences. Due to high temperature and elevated non-hydrostatic stresses upon laser irradiation, damage occurred as fracture, spallation, basal and rhombohedral twinning, melting, vitrification, the formation of nanocrystalline phases, and solid–solid phase transition. The extent of damage increased with laser fluences. The formation of regular linear patterns with three-fold symmetry ( 〈 1 1 2 ¯ 0 〉 directions) upon fracture was due to rhombohedral twinning. Nanocrystalline α -Al 2O 3 formed possibly from vapor deposition on the coated surface and manifested linear, triangular and spiral growth patterns. Glass and minor amounts of γ -Al 2O 3 also formed from rapid quenching of the melt on this side. The α - to γ -Al 2O 3 transition was observed on the uncoated surface in some partially spalled alumina, presumably caused by shearing. The nominal threshold for laser-induced damage is about 47 J cm −2 for these laser pulses, and it is about 94 J cm −2 at the hotspots.

Growth deceleration of children on inhaled corticosteroids is compensated for after the first 12 months of treatment

Timing and duration of linear growth suppression in children on long-term inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are not entirely clear; we undertook a "pragmatic" study to determine growth of asthmatic children on long-term ICS managed by a flexible dosing step-down approach. Standard deviation scores of height (HSDS), height velocity (HVSDS), and body mass index (BMISDS) of pre-pubertal asthmatic children on maintenance therapy with either budesonide (BUD) or fluticasone propionate (FP) were calculated in a prospective open-label non-randomized study. Outcomes were recorded at initiation of ICS, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, as applicable, and 6 months after ICS treatment discontinuation. Three hundred twenty-two children on BUD and 319 on FP were enrolled after the completion of 6-month treatment. The median (range) daily dose at initiation was 400 mcg (400-1,200) and 200 mcg (200-500), the final maintenance 200 mcg (200-400) and 100 mcg (100-200), respectively. In the first 6-12 months, a decrease in HSDS of approximately 18% below baseline values was noted (P < 0.01) that was restored to almost baseline average levels by 24 months, and slightly increased to above baseline during the third year. HVSDS showed a linear increase in both treatment arms (P < 0.01). No differences were found between the two treatment arms regarding HSDS, HVSDS, and BMISDS at any time point over the course of the study. In conclusion, growth deceleration of asthmatic children on maintenance ICS is compensated for after the first 12 months of treatment. This effect does not differ between BUD and FP treatment, despite some variation in the pattern of linear growth.

Gender Specific Chronological and Morphometric Assessment of Fetal Bladder Wall Development

To enhance our understanding of sonographically visible alterations in bladder wall thickness, we delineated phenotypic changes occurring in developing smooth muscle cells of the fetal and postnatal bladder with respect to gender specific differences. Bladders of 30 male and 18 female fetuses and 4 stillborn infants were immunostained with an alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody. Morphological and morphometric assessment was performed with the assistance of an image analysis system. Alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in fetal bladder wall was detectable at 9 weeks of gestation. Bladder wall thickness and mean profile area of smooth muscle bundles increased significantly with advancing gestation, mediated by linear growth patterns. Fetal bladder wall development occurred uniformly, unrelated to gender. Although the lower urinary tract emerges in a gender specific way, our results suggest that in normal fetal growth detrusor muscle formation proceeds independent of genital sex.

Advice from a Medical Expert through the Internet on Queries about AIDS and Hepatitis: Analysis of a Pilot Experiment

BackgroundAdvice from a medical expert on concerns and queries expressed anonymously through the Internet by patients and later posted on the Web, offers a new type of patient–doctor relationship. The aim of the current study was to perform a descriptive analysis of questions about AIDS and hepatitis made to an infectious disease expert and sent through the Internet to a consumer-oriented Web site in the Spanish language.Methods and FindingsQuestions were e-mailed and the questions and answers were posted anonymously in the “expert-advice” section of a Web site focused on AIDS and hepatitis. We performed a descriptive study and a temporal analysis of the questions received in the first 12 months after the launch of the site. A total of 899 questions were received from December 2003 to November 2004, with a marked linear growth pattern. Questions originated in Spain in 68% of cases and 32% came from Latin America (the Caribbean, Central America, and South America). Eighty percent of the senders were male. Most of the questions concerned HIV infection (79%) with many fewer on hepatitis (17%) . The highest numbers of questions were submitted just after the weekend (37% of questions were made on Mondays and Tuesdays). Risk factors for contracting HIV infection were the most frequent concern (69%), followed by the window period for detection (12.6%), laboratory results (5.9%), symptoms (4.7%), diagnosis (2.7%), and treatment (2.2%). ConclusionsOur results confirm a great demand for this type of “ask-the-expert” Internet service, at least for AIDS and hepatitis. Factors such as anonymity, free access, and immediate answers have been key factors in its success.

Pattern of growth and adiposity from infancy to adulthood in atopic dermatitis

Impaired linear growth has been reported in children with atopic dermatitis (AD) but the pattern of growth in height and weight through childhood and adolescence has not been described. To define the pattern of linear growth and adiposity in AD from early childhood through to adult life. Growth measurements of 70 male and 40 female patients with AD followed through childhood and adolescence were studied retrospectively and compared with the 1990 U.K. normal values. Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were converted to standard deviation scores (SDS). Regression analysis examined whether the mean trend was different from zero. While dermatitis was the predominant atopic problem in all 110 patients, 92 had a history of asthma which was mild in 85 of 92. Regression analyses showed that the trends in height, weight and BMI SDS for AD patients were significantly different from zero and also different between males and females. Both sexes were short and relatively overweight from early childhood, a trend that was more pronounced in males than females. At 5 years (school entry), the 50th centile BMI of male (but not female) patients was 0.44 kg m(-2) higher than the reference population but height and weight were lower. The age at adiposity rebound in AD males and females was 0.8 year and 0.7 year later than the U.K. population (6.2 years vs. 5.4 years and 6.2 years vs. 5.3 years, respectively). AD patients attained peak height velocity later than the 1990 U.K. population (males 16.0 years vs. 13.5 years, P = 0.0002; females 13.4 years vs. 11.0 years, P = 0.008). In addition, males had greater mean gain in height during late adolescence (12.2 vs. 8.8 cm, P = 0.03) and were shorter as young adults (170.9 vs. 177.6 cm, P = 0.0005). Our patients with AD were relatively overweight very early but had a later adiposity rebound, were short in childhood and had a delayed adolescent growth spurt. Serial growth measurements should be done on all children with troublesome AD and can be helpful in counselling about the growth prognosis.

Distinguishing between linear and exponential cell growth during the division cycle: Single-cell studies, cell-culture studies, and the object of cell-cycle research

BackgroundTwo approaches to understanding growth during the cell cycle are single-cell studies, where growth during the cell cycle of a single cell is measured, and cell-culture studies, where growth during the cell cycle of a large number of cells as an aggregate is analyzed. Mitchison has proposed that single-cell studies, because they show variations in cell growth patterns, are more suitable for understanding cell growth during the cell cycle, and should be preferred over culture studies. Specifically, Mitchison argues that one can glean the cellular growth pattern by microscopically observing single cells during the division cycle. In contrast to Mitchison's viewpoint, it is argued here that the biological laws underlying cell growth are not to be found in single-cell studies. The cellular growth law can and should be understood by studying cells as an aggregate.ResultsThe purpose or objective of cell cycle analysis is presented and discussed. These ideas are applied to the controversy between proponents of linear growth as a possible growth pattern during the cell cycle and the proponents of exponential growth during the cell cycle. Differential (pulse) and integral (single cell) experiments are compared with regard to cell cycle analysis and it is concluded that pulse-labeling approaches are preferred over microscopic examination of cell growth for distinguishing between linear and exponential growth patterns. Even more to the point, aggregate experiments are to be preferred to single-cell studies.ConclusionThe logical consistency of exponential growth – integrating and accounting for biochemistry, cell biology, and rigorous experimental analysis – leads to the conclusion that proposals of linear growth are the result of experimental perturbations and measurement limitations. It is proposed that the universal pattern of cell growth during the cell cycle is exponential.

Growth Pattern Changes of Meningiomas: Long-term Analysis

Although tumors are generally expected to grow exponentially, it is not known whether meningiomas retain a constant growth rate or not because of the lack of long-term follow-up. We analyzed the long-term growth pattern of meningiomas. Twenty patients with a total of 31 meningiomas were radiologically followed for 4.1 to 18.3 years (median, 10.1 yr). Seven patients (including two neurofibromatosis cases) had incidental tumors. Another 13 patients with symptomatic tumors were followed after surgery. Their volumes were measured, and their time-volume curves were plotted. The growth curves of four atypical meningiomas fitted better to an exponential curve (R > 0.95). Two calcified tumors did not grow. Although the other benign tumors grew exponentially or linearly, their tumor volume doubling times in the initial phase were shorter than those in the later phase in most cases. Meningiomas without calcification tended to grow exponentially, whereas those with calcification were likely to reveal a linear growth pattern (P = 0.002, chi2 test). This was supported by the observation that in two patients, the tumor growth pattern changed from exponential to linear and from linear to no growth with progression of calcification. Three growth patterns of meningiomas were demonstrated. Atypical meningiomas grew exponentially. Conversely, benign meningiomas revealed exponential, linear, or no growth. The growth pattern of the latter may change with the appearance of calcification.

Ocular Growth in Premature Infants Conceived by In Vitro Fertilization versus Natural Conception

To evaluate the possible effect of in vitro fertilization (IVF) on early development of the eye in premature infants. Biometric and keratometric values, intraocular pressure, and retinal vascular status were assessed in a cohort of 133 premature infants. These values were compared between premature infants conceived by IVF or naturally, and the relationship between these parameters and postconceptional age and weight at examination were evaluated. The sample consisted of 133 premature infants, 62 (46.6%) born by IVF and 71 (53.4%) by natural conception. Postconceptional age at examination was 28 to 46 weeks. In both groups, axial length, anterior chamber depth, and corneal radius correlated with the postconceptional age and weight at examination and followed a linear growth pattern. Lens thickness changed very slightly. The rate of retinal vascularization correlated with the postconceptional age as well. No correlation was found between intraocular pressure and corrected age or weight at examination. There was no difference between the study and control groups in any of the biometric or keratometric parameters or in intraocular pressure, according to two-way analysis of variance. IVF apparently does not affect early ocular growth, intraocular pressure, changes in corneal curvature, or retinal vascularization in premature infants. These findings may aid ophthalmologists in assessing ocular dimensions in this patient population.

Short Stature

Short Stature

Postnatal growth in Myotis blythii (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

The length of the forearm, the body mass and the length of the total gap of the fourth metacarpal-phalangeal joint were measured in order to develop empirical growth curves for a free-ranging population of the lesser mouseeared bat Myotis blythii in a maternity colony in western Iran. Length of forearm and body mass followed a linear pattern of growth until day 14 (at mean rates of 1.44 mm/day and 0.43 g/day respectively), and subsequently decreased to reach a stable level. The length of the total gap of the metacarpalphalangeal joint increased up to 10 days and decreased when it closed at over 70 days. Initiation of flight occurred 3-4 weeks after birth. A method of estimation of age was derived from values of length of forearm and the total gap of the fourth metacarpal-phalangeal joint during the preflight and post flight periods.

Is one assessment enough? Patterns of helping alliance development and outcome

AbstractEarly therapeutic alliance is usually measured by the rating of a single session (between the third and the fifth sessions). However, there is a strong argument in favor of viewing early alliance as a developing process.This study examined the relationship between patient's rating of the helping alliance (HAq) at each session and therapy outcome. This comparison was repeated using patterns of alliance over the course of treatment. Patterns of therapeutic alliance development were detected by clustering ratings of a sample of N = 70 outpatients across four sessions of very brief psychotherapeutic intervention.Cluster analysis revealed two main patterns (shapes) of alliance development: (i) stable alliance, and (ii) linear growth pattern. These patterns are more predictive of symptom improvement and social adjustment than single ratings, whereas single ratings measuring the strength of alliance are more correlated with patient's satisfaction. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Changes in Thallus Weight and Size in the Green Alga Ulva fenestrata under Artificial Conditions

From August to October 2002, daily measurements of the thallus weight and area were taken in sporophytes and male and female gametophytes of Ulva fenestrata at similar developmental phases. The algae were reared in aquaria at a constant temperature (22 ± 0.5°C); illumination was applied for 12h a day at a photosynthetically active radiation intensity of 400 μE/(m2 s). All generations showed a linear increase in the thallus weight and area over time with the same relative daily increment (8 to 15%). Generations differed significantly in time to onset of sporogenesis or gametogenesis. The female gametophyte, sporophyte, and male gametophyte began to release gametes or spores in 7, 10, and 15 days, respectively. A scheme for the distribution of cells among age groups is proposed. The scheme seems to account for the linear pattern of thallus growth.

Postnatal Growth and Age Estimation in the Mehely's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi)

Empirical growth curves were derived by measuring length of forearms, body mass and length of the total gap of the fourth metacarpal-phalangeal joint in a free ranging population of the Mehely's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus mehelyi) in a maternity roost in western Iran. Length of forearm and body mass followed a linear pattern of growth until day 14 and subsequently decreased to reach a stable level. The length of the gap of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint showed an increase up to 10 days and decreased until it had closed at over 55 days. Initiation of flight occurred approximately four weeks after birth. During the first two weeks of postnatal growth, the body mass and the length of forearm of pups increased linearly at mean rates of 0.58 g/day and 1.55 mm/day, respectively. A method of estimation of age was derived from values of forearm length and the total gap of the four metacarpal-phalangeal joint during the preflight and post flight periods.

Growth, reproduction and possible recruitment variability in the abyssal brittle star Ophiocten hastatum (Ophiuroidea: Echinodermata) in the NE Atlantic

Growth was studied from skeletal growth markers in the cosmopolitan abyssal brittle star Ophiocten hastatm. Samples for analysis were taken at five sites located in the southern (2900 m) and central (2000 m) Rockall Trough, at ca. 3000 and 4000 m in the Porcupine Seabight, and at 4850 m on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Growth bands were assumed to reflect an annual cycle in skeletal growth. Band measurements on arm vertebrae, standardised to disc diameter, were used to provide size-at-age data and size-increment data that took into account overgrowth of early bands in older individuals. The Richards growth function marginally provides best fit to pooled size-at-age data, although the asymptote-less Tanaka function and the Gompertz growth function also provided good fit to size-at-age data which showed a rather linear growth pattern with little indication of a growth asymptote. Loge transformed size-increment data were linearised by applying the Ford–Walford method to approximate Gompertz growth so that growth could be compared at the five sites. Grouped linear regression and analysis of covariance showed no significant differences between growth at the sites and a common fitted regression. However, pairwise comparisons suggest growth differences with increasing bathymetric separation. Oocyte size frequencies measured from histological preparations of the gonad of specimens from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain indicate marked reproductive periodicity, with spawn-out in late winter that is likely followed by planktotrophic early development in spring with benthic settlement in summer. Although usually rare in the trawl and epibenthic sled samples, several years of successful recruitment followed by a period when recruitment was low or absent might explain size structure observed in a single unusually large sample from the Rockall Trough. This is consistent with previous observations during the late 1990s of a large population increase on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Analysis of growth bands of these specimens sampled in 1997 suggest the population increase derives from a single or small number of year classes recruited during the early 1990s.

Physiologic growth and development during adolescence.

1. David S. Rosen, MD, MPH* 1. *Editorial Board After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the inherent variability in puberty. 2. Describe the usual sequence of pubertal development in both boys and girls. 3. Describe the pattern of linear growth during puberty. 4. Identify pubertal abnormalities that require further evaluation. Adolescence is a complex and dynamic process characterized by simultaneous but asynchronous development within several development streams. These streams include physical development (puberty), cognitive and psychological development, and social development. Although puberty is only one component of adolescent development, it generally is considered to define the onset of adolescence and certainly is the most visible and tangible of all of the developmental changes occurring during this period. This article reviews the physiologic changes associated with normal puberty. Other developmental aspects are not considered here, and the many abnormalities of puberty that sometimes can occur are not discussed in detail. One of the hallmarks of puberty is its variability. The onset, timing, tempo, and magnitude of pubertal changes are influenced significantly by genetic factors as well as by general health and nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. The timing of pubertal milestones approximates a normal distribution. Studies correlating the timing of puberty between mothers and children or between twins support a strong genetic influence that has been estimated to account for 50% to 80% of the variance in the timing of pubertal onset. Racial and ethnic variations also are seen. For example, the onset of puberty occurs somewhat earlier in African-American children than it does in Caucasian children. The age of puberty and menarche has declined steadily over the past several generations, attributed to improvements in overall health and nutrition. Several large investigations have documented this secular trend, and it now generally is agreed that puberty often begins at younger ages than are reported in older texts. As a corollary, …

Growth, reproduction and possible recruitment variability in the abyssal brittle star Ophiocten hastatum (Ophiuroidea: Echinodermata) in the NE Atlantic

Growth was studied from skeletal growth markers in the cosmopolitan abyssal brittle star Ophiocten hastatm. Samples for analysis were taken at five sites located in the southern (2900 m) and central (2000 m) Rockall Trough, at ca. 3000 and 4000 m in the Porcupine Seabight, and at 4850 m on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Growth bands were assumed to reflect an annual cycle in skeletal growth. Band measurements on arm vertebrae, standardised to disc diameter, were used to provide size-at-age data and size-increment data that took into account overgrowth of early bands in older individuals. The Richards growth function marginally provides best fit to pooled size-at-age data, although the asymptote-less Tanaka function and the Gompertz growth function also provided good fit to size-at-age data which showed a rather linear growth pattern with little indication of a growth asymptote. Log e transformed size-increment data were linearised by applying the Ford–Walford method to approximate Gompertz growth so that growth could be compared at the five sites. Grouped linear regression and analysis of covariance showed no significant differences between growth at the sites and a common fitted regression. However, pairwise comparisons suggest growth differences with increasing bathymetric separation. Oocyte size frequencies measured from histological preparations of the gonad of specimens from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain indicate marked reproductive periodicity, with spawn-out in late winter that is likely followed by planktotrophic early development in spring with benthic settlement in summer. Although usually rare in the trawl and epibenthic sled samples, several years of successful recruitment followed by a period when recruitment was low or absent might explain size structure observed in a single unusually large sample from the Rockall Trough. This is consistent with previous observations during the late 1990s of a large population increase on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Analysis of growth bands of these specimens sampled in 1997 suggest the population increase derives from a single or small number of year classes recruited during the early 1990s.