Premature Research Articles

Corneal Endothelial Morphology and Ocular Biometric Indexes in Premature Children With and Without Retinopathy of Prematurity.

The purpose of this study was to analyze human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) morphology and ocular biometrics in premature (PM) children with or without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Retrospective data on patient demographics, HCECs status, and ocular biometrics with at least 2 visits between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. The main outcomes were endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV), hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, corneal diameter, pupil diameter, and refraction status. Generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the differences between PM no-ROP and ROP groups. We also analyzed the trend of ECD, CV, HEX, and CCT change with age between groups. The study included 173 PM patients without ROP and 139 patients with ROP. A total of 666 and 544 measurements were recorded in the PM no-ROP and ROP groups, respectively. The ROP group had higher spherical power, myopic spherical equivalent (SE), and steeper steep keratometry (K; P < 0.05). The ROP group had higher CV (P = 0.0144), lower HEX (P = 0.0012) and thicker CCT (P = 0.0035). In the HCECs parameters, the ROP group had slower ECD decrement (P < 0.0001), faster CV decrement (P = 0.0060), and faster HEX increment (P = 0.0001). A difference in corneal morphology changes between the ROP and PM no-ROP groups were prominent in patients with lower gestational age (GA) in the subgroup analysis. Worse HCECs morphology and higher myopic status were initially observed in patients with prior ROP but not in PM patients with no-ROP. ECD and HCECs morphology improved with age, especially in patients with low GA.

Association of muscle disorders in late postmenopausal women according to the type of experienced menopause.

Musculoskeletal disorders frequently affect postmenopausal women. This study aims to compare muscle disorders between women according to the type of experienced menopause: premature (PM) or normal age of menopause (NAM). This was a cross-sectional study conducted in nine Latin American countries in which late postmenopausal women (55 to 70 years) were surveyed with a general questionnaire, the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS: item #4 exploring musculoskeletal discomfort), and strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falling questionnaire (risk of sarcopenia). A total of 644 women were included: 468 who had NAM, and 176 who had PM (116 spontaneous and 60 surgical). The overall mean age of the participants was 60.9 ± 4.2 years. Women who had PM experienced more musculoskeletal discomfort (33.5% vs 20.9%, P < 0.001) and a higher likelihood of sarcopenia (35.2% vs 19.9%, P < 0.001) than women who had a NAM. Women who had surgical PM exhibited a higher prevalence of severe musculoskeletal discomfort (46.7% vs 29.3%, P < 0.02) and a higher likelihood of sarcopenia (45.0% vs 27.6%, P < 0.02) than women who had a NAM. After adjusting for covariates (age, body mass index, menopausal hormone therapy use, physical activity, education, cigarette consumption, use of antidepressants, sexual activity, comorbidities, and having a partner), our logistic regression model determined that spontaneous PM was not associated with higher odds of musculoskeletal discomfort and higher odds of sarcopenia. On the other hand, women who had surgical PM were more likely to experience musculoskeletal discomforts (odds ratio: 2.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.22-4.17) and higher odds for sarcopenia (odds ratio: 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.16-3.65) as compared to women who experienced a NAM. Women experiencing surgical PM have a higher likelihood of developing muscle disorders. This underscores the potential significance of hormonal levels in influencing musculoskeletal health during postmenopause.

Feto-maternal Outcome in Teenage Pregnancy

Background:According to WHO any pregnancy in which a girl is between 10-19 years of age at the time of delivery is defined as teenage pregnancy1.Teenage pregnancy have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome specially maternal anemia, hypertensive disorder, placental abnormalities, PPH, UTI, low birth weight, small for gestational age, pre maturity and a high neonatal and post neonatal mortality14,15.Aims and Objectives:To study the prevalence, socio-demographic factors associated with teenage pregnancies at our institute, and to study the incidence of antenatal, intrapartum, postpartum complications, perinatal morbidity and mortality of mother and fetus, among teenage patients at our institute. Also, to study the incidence of MTPs and awareness and prevalence of contraceptive practices among teenage pregnancies.Material and Methods:This was a retrospective analytical study and the study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of our institute during the period - February 2021 to February 2023.Result and Conclusion:The study was conducted to evaluate maternal and fetal outcome associated with teenage pregnancy. Our present study suggested the common complications associated with teenage pregnancy are anemia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, higher incidence of operative delivery, lactation related issues, pyscho-social issues because of age related immaturity and social taboopre-term labour, low birth weight, still birth. There is substantial increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality associated with teenage pregnancy. Keywords:Teenage pregnancy, adolescent mothers, adverse pregnancy outcome, anemia, CPD, contraceptive awareness

A comprehensive critical heat flux mechanism model applicable to narrow rectangular channels

Critical heat flux (CHF) is an essential consideration for the economy and safety of the equipment operation. To understand the CHF triggering mechanism and two-phase evolution characteristics from nucleation boiling until the occurrence of boiling crisis in narrow rectangular channels, a series of CHF visualization experiments were carried out at different gap sizes (1–5 mm), with pressures ranging from 1 to 4 MPa, inlet subcooling ranging from 65 to 120 K, and mass flux ranging from 350 to 2000 kg/(m2·s). Based on the visualization results and energy balance analysis, a comprehensive CHF mechanism model capable of predicting DNB type boiling crisis, Dryout type boiling crisis, and PM (premature) type boiling crisis is proposed. Comparison of the presented CHF mechanism model with the CHF experimental values in one side heated narrow rectangular channels showed that the MRE and RMSE of DNB type boiling crisis are 15.2 % and 21.3 %, of Dryout type boiling crisis are 10.1 % and 12.7 %, and of PM type boiling crisis are 11.8 % and 13.8 %, respectively. The MRE and RMSE of CHF values in double sides heated narrow rectangular channel are about 13.6 % and 15.7 %, respectively, and of non-uniform heated narrow rectangular channel are about 15.9 % and 19.1 %, respectively.

Gene expression of equine oocytes maintained in meiotic blockade

To improve quality, immature horse oocytes may undergo a pre-maturation (PM) period to promote synchronization of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. PM can be performed using meiosis blockers, such as Butyrolactone I, or by keeping oocytes at room temperature (Choi et al. Theriogenology 2006;66(4):955-963; Martino et al. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology.2014;12(1):99-110). In this experiment the gene expression profile in COCs maintained in a commercial embryo medium (Botuembryo) and in DMEM/F12 supplemented with Butyrolactone was studied. Equine COCs were retrieved by follicular curettage from slaughterhouse ovaries and divided into 3 groups (n = 74): Control - COCs were destined to IVM during 24hs in DMEM/F12 with 10% FCS and antibiotics; Botuembryo - COCs underwent PM for 20 hours at room temperature in Botuembryo (21 to 25°C) and then 24hs of IVM at the same conditions as Control group, and Butyrolactone - COCs stayed in PM in DMEM/F12 with 10% FCS and 50 μM Butyrolactone for 20hs in a controlled atmosphere incubator at 38,5°C, and then were destined to IVM to an extra 24hs. Four replicates were used. Timepoint 1 (M1) in controls corresponds to the moment just after collection and in Botuembryo and Butyrolactone groups, M1 corresponds to the end of PM. Timepoint 2 (M2) corresponds to the end of IVM in all groups. Oocytes were denuded of cumulus cells (CCs) and both were stored in separate vials at -80°C. Analysis of mRNA expression was done by RT-qPCR with β-actin (ACTB) as reference gene. Ampiregulin (AREG), Connexin 43 (Cx43), Hyalurone Synthetase 2 (HAS2), FSH Receptor (FSHR) and LH Receptor (LHR) were studied in COCs whereas Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15(BMP15), Connexin 37 (Cx37), Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) were analyzed in oocytes. Data for each timepoint were tested by ANOVA followed by group comparison with the Tukey Kramer test (JMP software). Atypical gene expression (outliers) was identified by the generalized ESD test (GraphPad PRISM) and excluded. Data are presented as mean ± SEM, with P<0.05 being significant. The results (Table 1) indicate a failure in blocking molecular maturation in the Butyrolactone group, with an increase in the abundance of AREG and HAS2 in M1 compared to M2. On the other hand, the Botuembryo group was superior in M2 in relation to the abundance of BMP15, and GDF9, indicating better quality oocytes. More studies need to be performed to confirm the superiority of Botuembryo in maintaining meiotic arrest during PM. Acknowledgement: FAPESP (process 2020/01646-5); CNPq; CAPES; Omics Animal Biotechnology; Frigofava.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness Structure Teaching Programme on Care of Neonate among Primi Mothers Residing at Urban Level in Selected State of Maharashtra

The early neonatal period (birth to 7 days) is critical phase in the live of newborn baby. Major changes occur during this period of life which determines the well being of the newborn. Mother has an important role to play in the life of her child. The primary causes of neonatal mortality are complications of prematurity, birth asphyxia, birth injury, neonatal tetanus, congenital anomalies, and diarrhea with low birth weight contributing to a large proportion of deaths. Most of these newborns die at home while being cared by mothers, relatives and traditional birth attendant. Nearly 50% of all infant deaths occur during the neonatal period, half of these deaths occur in the first 7 days of life. Due to pre maturity neonatal tetanus, birth asphyxia, and infections which can be prevented by proper and timely care of new born. Therefore, all newborns get home based newborn care as per the perception and socio-cultural behavior of the society. However, it has been observed by various studies on the newborn care in the communities that the knowledge and the practices of simple care e.g. prevention of hypothermia, feeding of colostrum and exclusive breastfeeding, are lacking.

Variation in morpho-lexical development within and between diagnoses in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

While primary diagnosis is only one aspect of the presentation of a child with neurodevelopmental delay/disorder, the degree to which early expressive language reflects diagnostic divisions must be understood in order to reduce the risk of obscuring clinically important differences and similarities across diagnoses. We present original data from the New Zealand MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (NZCDI) from 88 English-speaking children aged 2;6 to 5;6 years receiving multidisciplinary intervention within a single family-centered program. The children had one of six pediatrician-assigned genetic or behaviorally determined diagnoses: Down syndrome (DS); motor disorders (cerebral palsy and developmental coordination disorder); global development delay; disorders of relating and communicating (R&C); other genetically defined diagnoses; or language delay due to premature (PREM) birth. Morphological and lexical development were compared within and across diagnostic groups, using both data visualization and mixed-effects modeling. Groups varied in the amount of variation within and between them, but only prematurity reached significance, in interaction with age, as a predictor of morpho-lexical scores. Further analysis of longitudinal data available from a subset of the sample (n = 62) suggested that individual trajectories of vocabulary growth could not be reliably predicted by diagnosis. Moreover, the distribution of word types (nouns, predicates, etc.) only distinguished PREM children with language delay from those with DS and those in the R&C group. There were strong similarities in early morpho-lexical development across these clinical populations, with some differences. These findings align with research and clinical approaches which accommodate individual variation within diagnosis, and broad similarities across diagnostic groups.

Prevalence of congenital malformations in newborns in the Araucanía region

Annually, 7.9 million neonates in the world have developmental anomalies. Together with prema turity, they constitute the main causes of mortality during the first year of life in developed and de veloping countries. In Chile, the estimated prevalence is 3.9% of all live births. There are no reports on the prevalence of malformations in the Araucanía Region. to estimate the prevalence of congenital malformations at birth in neonates hospitalized in a Neonatology Service. cross-sectional study. Reference population: 54,241 live births at the Regional Hospi tal of Temuco over a 10-year period. Cases came from the neonatology hospital discharge database according to the ICD 10 classification, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed with the STATA 15 software. 949 neonates with one or more congenital malformations were identified. The overall prevalence of neonates with malforma tions was 1.7%, the most prevalent being ventricular septal defect 40.9 x 10,000 live newborns (LNB), atrial septal defect 21.5 x 10,000 LNB, cleft lip and palate 14.0 x 10,000 LNB, congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathies 8.1 x 10,000 LNB, and congenital rectal atresia and stenosis or absence of the anus 7.9 x 10,000 LNB. the overall prevalence of malformations is similar to that reported for the country. When analyzing by type, we found significantly higher incidences than those repor ted in previous studies.

Ethno-botanical studies of some threatened medicinal plants and local perception of its population decline in Kargil, Ladakh UT

Kargil lies in the Trans-Himalayan region between 32°15`- 34°56`N latitude and 75°35`- 76°57` E longitude covering a geographical area of 14,086 Km2 has a vast diversity of aromatic and medicinal plants. The traditional uses of medicinal plants to cure various ailments in the Kargil district have been practiced from ancient times. The present study was conducted to validate the information on ethnobotanical studies of some threatened medicinal plants in the region and local people’s perception of its population decline. Therefore extensive field survey was conducted in a different region of district Kargil of Ladakh UT from May 2015- September 2020 to observe the habitat, altitudinal ranges, flowering, traditional uses of threatened medicinal plants, and the factors which are operating for the depletion of these important taxa from their natural habitat. Interviews were conducted in Local languages from more than 1000 informants as the corresponding author is a native of the study area. A total of 22 threatened plant species (21Angiosperms, 1 gymnosperm) belongings to 17 genera, 14 families were traditionally used tribal peoples of the valley to cure various ailments. Most of the threatened taxa belong to the family Ranunculaceae followed by Asteraceae. From local people’s perception, land-use change, illegal exploitation, and the selling of plant parts in the black market are the worst threat to the depletion of these species.Significance Statement: The flora of Ladakh is crying for Conservation due to factors such as climate change, bio-piracy, smuggling, pre maturation harvesting pressure, poverty, unemployment, human interference which leads to their extinction in the near future. Therefore it’s very pertinent to develop conservation strategies and adopt Sustainable utilization practices. For this mass awareness programs on sustainable utilization and conservation of these threatened medicinal plants need to be conducted by involving various stakes-holders, universities, colleges, schools, and other various government and non-governmental organizations.

Contrasting effects of d-amphetamine and atomoxetine on measures of impulsive action and choice

Amphetamine (AMP) and atomoxetine (ATX) represent two of the most widely studied drug treatments used in the investigation of impulsive behaviour. While both drugs have relatively well defined effects in tests designed to investigate impulsive action (e.g. 5-choice task; 5-CSRTT), the effects of both drugs in tests of impulsive choice (e.g. delay discounting) are less consistent. In the present study both AMP and ATX were tested in a rodent gambling task (rGT) and delay discounting in rats separately trained to either an ascending or descending delay schedule. Effects of both drugs were compared to measures of impulsive action (premature (PREM) responses) and perseverative (PSV) responses measured in the 5-choice and rGT tasks. Consistent with previous studies, AMP (0.1–1 mg/kg) increased both PREM and PSV responses, and ATX (0.5–2 mg/kg) reduced both measures in the 5-choice and rGT tasks. At equivalent doses ATX had no reliable effect on choice behaviour in either the rGT or delay discounting suggesting a null effect of this drug on impulsive choice and risky decision making. The effects of AMP were more complex, with a subtle shift in preference to a low risk (P1) choice in the rGT, and an effect on discounting that was unrelated to reinforcer value, but instead dependent on delay sequence and baseline choice preference. One aspect to these outcomes is to highlight the importance of multiple methodological factors when assessing drug effects on complex behaviours such as impulsive choice, and question what are the most appropriate test conditions under which to examine these drugs on discounting.

Biomarkers of neonatal skin barrier adaptation reveal substantial differences compared to adult skin

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to measure skin characteristics in premature (PT), late preterm (LPT), and full-term (FT) neonates compared with adults at two times (T1, T2).MethodsSkin samples of 61 neonates and 34 adults were analyzed for protein biomarkers, natural moisturizing factor (NMF), and biophysical parameters. Infant groups were: <34 weeks (PT), 34–<37 weeks (LPT), and ≥37 weeks (FT).ResultsForty proteins were differentially expressed in FT infant skin, 38 in LPT infant skin, and 12 in PT infant skin compared with adult skin at T1. At T2, 40 proteins were differentially expressed in FT infants, 38 in LPT infants, and 54 in PT infants compared with adults. All proteins were increased at both times, except TMG3, S100A7, and PEBP1, and decreased in PTs at T1. The proteins are involved in filaggrin processing, protease inhibition/enzyme regulation, and antimicrobial function. Eight proteins were decreased in PT skin compared with FT skin at T1. LPT and FT proteins were generally comparable at both times. Total NMF was lower in infants than adults at T1, but higher in infants at T2.ConclusionsNeonates respond to the physiological transitions at birth by upregulating processes that drive the production of lower pH of the skin and water-binding NMF components, prevent protease activity leading to desquamation, and increase the barrier antimicrobial properties.ImpactNeonates respond to the transitions at birth by upregulating processes that drive the production of lower pH of the skin and NMF, prevent protease activity leading to desquamation, and increase the antimicrobial properties of the barrier.The neonatal epidermal barrier exhibits a markedly different array of protein biomarkers both shortly after birth and 2–3 months later, which are differentially expressed versus adults.The major biomarker-functional classes included filaggrin processing, protease inhibitor/enzyme regulators, antimicrobials, keratins, lipids, and cathepsins.The findings will guide improvement of infant skin care practices, particularly for the most premature infants with the ultimate goals mitigating nosocomial infection.

Evaluation of the Oral Propranolol Effect on Retinopathy of Prematurity: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Despite rapid advances in neonatal care in both industrialized and developing countries, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) still remains the main reason of infants' blindness and visual impairment. There is some evidence that Beta-adrenergic system may be involved in infants' ROP. Considering that few studies have been done on effects of oral propranolol on prevention retinopathy pre maturity in premature infants, we designed this clinical trial to investigate the effects of oral propranolol on infants. Methods: This study is a clinical trial in which 27 premature infants with gestational age greater than 27 weeks and afflicted with retinopathy pre maturity grade 1 and 2 hospitalized at Shahid Sadoughi hospital of Yazd city.They were randomized to receive 0.5 mg/kg/12hours oral propranolol or control. Premature infants were controlled and hospitalized at NICU and their BP, heart rate and Hyperemesis gravidarum (H.G) were monitored. Results: Twenty-four newborns were included, 12 in the control group and 12 in the propranolol group and 3 of infants were excluded from the study (2 of propranolol group and 1 of control group) 81.34 percent of treatment group were recovered and healed compared to 66.7 percent of control group which not significantly difference. Conclusion: Some studies about Beta Blockers' recessive effect on ROP have been done which in most recovery was the result but some serious side effects were also reported. In this study there was no positive effect on recovery of ROP but the percent of recovery was slightly higher in propranolol group compared to control group. Fortunately there were no reports of side effects this time due to usage of lower dose propranolol.Recent studies state that propranolol cannot be used as a good alternative to other treatments but it can prevent the disease from getting worse. We can also reduce its side effects by changing the dosage.

Human milk mycobiota composition: relationship with gestational age, delivery mode, and birth weight.

Intestinal and human milk microbiota studies during infancy have shown variations according to geographical location, delivery mode, gestational age, and mother-related factors during pregnancy. In this study, we performed metagenomic mycobiota analyses of 44 transient and mature human milk among five different groups: mothers of normal spontaneous delivery-term (NS-T), caesarean delivery-term (CS-T), premature (PT), small for gestational age (SGA), and large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Fungi were detected in 80 out of the 88 samples. Regarding the number of observed fungal species, the NS-T group was more homogeneous (less variable) comparing the other groups (P<0.05). In the transient human milk samples, the most abundant species were Saccharomyces cerevisiae (33.3%) and Aspergillus glaucus (27.4%). While A. glaucus (33.7%) was second most abundant species in mature milk, S. cerevisiae disappeared (P<0.01) and Penicillium rubens became the most abundant species (35.5%) (P<0.05). Among the NS-T group, the most abundant species was Malassezia globosa in both transient and mature milk. In contrast, S. cerevisiae was the most abundant species in transient human milk (45.0%) in the CS-T group, but it disappeared in mature milk (P<0.01). In transient milk, M. globosa was only represented 6.0-9.0% of taxa in the PT, SGA, and LGA groups (P<0.05). In transient and mature milk in the PT, SGA and LGA groups, the most abundant species were A. glaucus and P. rubens. In mature milk samples, P. rubens is more abundant in CS-T group, PT group and LGA group, than the NS-T groups (P<0.05 for all). Although fungi constitute only a very small part of the human milk microbiome, we observed some changes that the human milk mycobiota composition varies in caesarean delivery, premature, SGA and LGA groups, comparing the normal spontaneous delivery, as well as differences between transient and mature human milk.

Risk Factors for Preterm Labour in Diyala Governorate Case - Control Study

Background:Preterm birth is amajоr deter minant of neоnatal mоrtality,mоrbidity and childhoоd dis ability and re mains as оne of the mоst seriоus prоblems in оbstetrics. Prema turity is nоw cоnsideredas the secоnd-leading cause оf death in children aged less than 5 years and as the mоst impоrtant cause оf death in the cri tical first mоnth оf life. Objective: To identify risk factоrs that were related tо preterm birth and cоmpare that with cоntrol sample. Patients and Methods: A case cоntrol was carriedout during the periоd frоm 1st August 2017 to 15th November 2017. Which including 100 cases and 100 contrоls. Whо where selected frоm Diyala city/Teaching AL-Batool hospital. Data cоllected by directinterview with patient using especially desi gned questiоnnaire. Results: The result shоwed that the majоrity of cases were (29%) amоng age grоup (20-29) years. Some factоr are showed significant such as age оccupational state and number of abоrtion and оther not significant like smоking. Conclusion: This study shоws The factors that found significant association with pre term birth consist of age, number of abоrtion, history of stillbirth, previоus histоry of pretermbirth, previоus histоry of CS, placental prоblem during pregnancy, accidental hemоrrhage, hypertensiоn, Diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infectiоn and antenatalvisit. And factors which not have significant assоciated with PTB is parity, vaginalinfectiоn and smоking. DOI:https://doi.org/10.26505/DJM.17024610421

Review on Effects of Metosartan on Testes Tissue

Metosartan induces so many deleterious effects in male Wistar rats treated with drug and RNase. It causes pre maturation of sperms and reduces the sperm count as well as reduces viable sperm count. It induces the x-chromosome desynapsis leading to testicular carcinoma. The effects are so profound in case of drug than compared to the enzyme RNase. Metosartan induces apoptosis in testicular tissue mainly through intrinsic pathway which is mainly due to genotoxic agents. The drug mainly inhibits RNase A in rat testes and has positive effect on Mitosis.

Resumption of Meiotic Maturation of Oocytes, Pre- and Post-Implantational Embryonic Mortality under Conditions of Experimental Glomerulonephritis and Treatment of Silver Nanoparticles

Resumption of Meiotic Maturation of Oocytes, Pre- and Post-Implantational Embryonic Mortality under Conditions of Experimental Glomerulonephritis and Treatment of Silver Nanoparticles

ADHD and Early Experience: Revisiting the Case of Low Birth Weight.

* Abbreviations: ADHD — : attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder LBW — : low birth weight PM — : premature The improving survival rates of extremely low, very low, and low birth weight (LBW) and premature (PM) infants are good news. Scientifically, they raise complex questions about trends in the incidence of neurodevelopmental conditions,1 from severe injuries like cerebral palsy, now declining after earlier increases in incidence,2 to subtler yet also disabling and costly conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), whose true incidence likewise may not have increased in the past 15 years.3 In the accompanying meta-analysis by Franz et al,4 the magnitude of the association of LBW/PM with ADHD is striking; at a risk increase of ∼300%, it is perhaps the strongest single risk factor for ADHD of any type (biological or environmental) now known. At this effect size, LBW/PM would characterize a substantial portion of ADHD cases. Researchers of ADHD populations who can clarify how many patients had LBW/PM, and who can include more in-depth characterization of ADHD than was possible in many of the studies included by Franz et al,4 will help to determine how well these findings generalize across different sampling approaches. LBW is multiply determined, but it also has modest heritability.5 The authors of studies of LBW have rarely if ever … Address correspondence to Joel T. Nigg, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97238. E-mail: niggj{at}ohsu.edu

Dry matter partitioning and harvest index of maize crop as influenced by integration of sheep manure and urea fertilizer

The experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of sheep manure (SM), its application timing (AT) and N fertilizer (urea) on dry matter partitioning and harvest index of maize crop. The study was conducted on RCBD split plots arrangement at Agronomic research farm during 2015. The Sheep manure (SM1= 3 t ha-1, SM2= 4 t ha-1, SM3=5 t ha-1) and application timing (AT1= 15 days before sowing, AT2= at sowing time) were allotted to main plots however, fertilizer N (N1= 0 kg ha-1, N2= 90 kg ha-1, N3= 120 kg ha-1) were applied to sub-plots. Application of 5 t ha-1 of sheep manure at 15 days before sowing significantly enhanced pre tesseling (stem and leaves) and physiological maturity (stem, leaves, cobs and grains), dry matter partitioning and harvest index. Pre tassel and at physiological maturity dry matter accumulation were higher with application of 120 kg N ha-1. However, application of 5 t sheep manure ha-1 at 15 days before sowing and 120 kg N ha-1 is recommended for higher dry matter accumulation of maize crop. Keywords: Sheep manure; Nitrogen; Application timing; Dry matter; Harvest index http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.600149

Nasopharyngeal microbiome in premature infants and stability during rhinovirus infection

RationaleThe nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiota of newborns and infants plays a key role in modulating airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms during viral infections. Premature (PM) birth modifies the early NP environment...

Above‐Ground and Below‐Ground Ecosystem Biomass Accumulation and Carbon Sequestration with Caragana korshinskii Kom Plantation Development

AbstractEnsuring ecological sustainability in fragile ecosystems has always been a top priority in China. Under the ‘Grain for Green’ Program (GGP), Caragana korshinskii Kom plantations are valued for their important use in soil and water conservation efforts on the Loess Plateau. This study was to estimate biomass increment and carbon accumulation in five different age classes [young age (YO), middle age (MI), pre‐mature (PR), mature (MA) and post‐mature (PO)], as well as the distribution of carbon stock among the various biomass components and soil depths. The results showed afforestation with C. korshinskii resulted in a significant increase in plant biomass and carbon stock, and soil organic carbon stocks. The total ecosystem carbon stock showed a notable carbon sink increase rate of 1.33 Mg ha−1 yr−1 from the YO to the MA stage, and then slightly decreased. The total biomass carbon of the understory plants represented only a relatively small fraction in the ecosystem, accounting for 2.4%–8.7% (median 3.8%). The proportion of ligneous components (roots, stems and branches) of C. korshinskii was increased following stand development. Our study suggested that C. korshinskii plantations should be harvested and revegetated following the MA stage (~35 years). Continuation of the GGP on the Loess Plateau, together with maturation of C. korshinskii trees over the next few years, will increase carbon sequestration in the medium term. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.