Primary Body Research Articles

Risk Indicators and Treatment Needs of Children 2-5 Years of Age Receiving Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia in Saskatchewan.

Background: When compared to national averages in Canada, Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) and average costs per child. Thus, the purpose of this cross-sectional study is to explore the risk indicators and treatment needs of children receiving dental treatment under GA in Saskatchewan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited caregivers of children between 24 and 71 months of age in Saskatoon, Canada. Caregivers completed a 40-item questionnaire, which was supplemented with clinical data and then subject to statistical analysis (independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA). Results: A total of 90 caregiver/child dyads were enrolled with the mean age for children being 49.5 ± 12.3 months. The mean age of a child’s first dental visit was 34.7 ± 15.3 months with only 37.9% of children having a dental home. The mean deft index was 11.7 ± 3.4, with an average of 10.9 ± 3.5 teeth receiving treatment. Additionally, location of primary residence (p = 0.03), family income (p = 0.04), family size (p = 0.01), parental education (p = 0.03), dental home (p = 0.04), and body mass index (p = 0.04) had a statistically significant association with a higher mean deft. Conclusions: Our cross-sectional study confirms that children who require dental treatment under GA have a high burden of disease. While individual risk indicators such as diet and oral hygiene play a role in the progression of early childhood caries (ECC), we also demonstrate that children who do not have access to early preventive visits or a dental home are at a higher risk. In addition to improving motivation for oral hygiene at home and nutritional education, improving access to oral health care should be addressed in strategies to reduce ECC.

Spatio-temporal variation with influencing factors for fish functional groups in East Lake Taihu after the net removal

通过2019年4、7、10月对网围拆除后东太湖原网围养殖区和非养殖区鱼类资源的调查监测，构建“营养-运动”复合功能群，分析探讨鱼类功能群的时空分布特征及其与环境因子的关系.结果表明：网围拆除后东太湖鱼类群落监测到39种，鲤科鱼类占比66.67%，与太湖相当（66%）.采集到的鱼类可构建为4个营养功能群和5个运动功能群，共计11个复合功能群，其中“杂食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”功能群占比最大，比例为41.34%；其次为“初级肉食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”、“植食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”、“次级肉食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”功能群，占比分别为28.70%、13.46%、13.40%，其他功能群占比较少.在季节变化上，4—10月，原网围养殖区一直以“杂食-强纺锤”鱼类功能群为主，非养殖区则是从“杂食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”+“植食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”功能群为主向“初级肉食性-纺锤体型且运动能力强”功能群为主演变；空间分布上原网围养殖区杂食性、次级肉食性、植食性鱼类功能群密度大于非养殖区，初级肉食性功能群密度小于非养殖区.环境因子中氨氮是影响原网围区鱼类功能群结构分布的显著影响因子，且与所有鱼类功能群分布呈负相关.pH、总磷、总氮、溶解氧等也是影响鱼类功能群分布的主要环境因子，但其影响并未达到显著水平.鱼类功能群分析表明网围拆除对东太湖鱼类群落恢复及生态系统修复具有积极作用，但仍需对网围拆除后鱼类群落及自然环境的演变规律进一步探讨和分析.;Based on the investigation and monitoring of fish resources in the original net enclosure (ONE) and no net enclosure (NNE) areas of East Lake Taihu after the removal of net enclosure (RNE) in April, July and October 2019, the trophic-locomotion combined functional group was constructed, and their spatio-temporal distribution characteristics and their relationship with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that 39 species of fish were detected in East Lake Taihu after the RNE, and the proportion of Cyprinidae fish was 66.67%, which was similar to that in Lake Taihu (66%). The collected fish could be divided into 4 trophic and 5 locomotion groups, with a total of 11 combined groups, among which the group omnivorous, spindle body type with the strong locomotor ability accounted for the largest proportion (41.34%). The followed functional groups were primary carnivorous-spindle body type and strong locomotor ability, plant carnivorous-spindle body type and strong locomotor ability, secondary carnivorous-spindle body type and strong locomotor ability, accounting for 28.70%, 13.46% and 13.40%, respectively. In terms of seasonal change, the omnivorous, spindle body type with strong locomotor ability group was dominant in the ONE, while in the NNE, the dominant functional group evolved from omnivorous-spindle body type with strong locomotor ability + herbivores-spindle body type with the strong athletic ability to primary carnivorous-spindle body type with the strong locomotor ability. Spatially, the density of omnivorous, secondary carnivorous and herbivorous fish in the ONE was higher than that in the NNE, while the functional group density of primary carnivorous fish was lower than that in the NNE. Among the environmental factors, ammonia nitrogen was the significant factor affecting the distribution of functional groups of fish in the ONE and was negatively correlated with the distribution of all functional groups. pH, total phosphorus, total nitrogen and dissolved oxygen were also the main environmental factors, but not significantly affecting the distribution of fish functional groups. The RNE has a positive effect on the restoration of the fish community and ecosystem remediation in East Lake Taihu. However, the evolution of the fish community and the natural environment after the RNE still needs to be further assessed.

Pressure ulcer prevention knowledge, practices, and their associated factors among nurses in Gurage Zone Hospitals, South Ethiopia, 2021.

A pressure ulcer is a localized skin injury and underlying tissue, usually as a result of friction or pressure against the surface of the skin. The global mortality rate of pressure ulcers was above 60% for hospitalized patients who wait 1 year of hospital stay. Nurses are the primary responsible body and forefront line care providers for the prevention of pressure ulcers, so nurses’ knowledge and practices are the major rollers to handling this preventable problem.Objective:To assess pressure ulcer prevention knowledge, practices, and their associated factors among nurses in Gurage Zone Hospitals, South Ethiopia, 2021.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gurage Zone hospitals from May to June 2021. Data were collected using a structured self-administered paper questionnaire from 372 participants using a simple random sampling procedure, and the collected data were checked for their completeness and entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis.Results:In this study, 176 (49%) of nurses have good knowledge and 210 (58.5 %) of nurses have good practices. Variables having masters and above (adjusted odds ratio = 2.075; confidence interval: 1.886, 4.861), using guideline (adjusted odds ratio = 1.617; confidence interval: 1.017, 2.572), and cooperativeness of patients (1.859; confidence interval: 1.066, 3.242) was significantly associated with nurses prevention knowledge. Being divorced (adjusted odds ratio = 3.002; confidence interval: 1.023, 4.219), degree nurse (adjusted odds ratio = 2.639; confidence interval: 1.388, 3.051), workload (adjusted odds ratio = 0.480; confidence interval: 0.245–0.939), unproportioned nurse to patient ratio (adjusted odds ratio = 0.480; confidence interval: 0.158–0.747), patient cooperativeness (adjusted odds ratio = 1.859; confidence interval: 1.066–3.242), and nurses having good knowledge (adjusted odds ratio = 1.684; confidence interval: 1.078–2.632) statistically significant with prevention practices.Conclusion:The overall level of pressure ulcer prevention knowledge and practice of nurses were good. Qualification of nurses’ degree and above, use of pressure ulcer prevention guidelines, over workload, unproportionate nurse-to-patient ratio, and patient cooperativeness were statistically significant factors for pressure ulcer prevention knowledge and practices. Therefore, health managers should provide continuous professional development, and ensure proportionated nurse-to-patient ratio allocation policy.

Cuticle melanization and the expression of immune-related genes in the honeybee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) adult workers.

The global decline of bee populations has several factors, including pathogens, which need overcome the insect defenses such as the physical barriers, the body cuticle and peritrophic matrix (primary defenses), as well as the secondary defenses with antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the enzyme lysozyme. The regulation of immune defenses according to the infection risks raises questions about the immunity of social bees due to their exposition to different pathogens pressures during the adult lifespan and tasks performed. This study evaluated the primary (body cuticle melanization, peritrophic matrix and cpr14 expression) and secondary (AMPs and lysozyme expression) defenses of the honeybee Apis mellifera workers according to the age and tasks. The expression of malvolio was used to detect precocious forage tasks outside the colony. Forager workers have higher amount of cuticular melanization in the body cuticle than nurse, but not when the age effect is retired, indicating the gradual acquisition of this compound in the integument of adult bees. The relative value of chitin in the peritrophic matrix and cpr14 mRNA are similar in all bees evaluated, suggesting that these components of primary defenses do not change according to the task and age. Differential expression of genes for AMPs in workers performing different tasks, within the same age group, indicates that the behavior stimulates expression of genes related to secondary immune defense. The expression of malvolio gene, accelerating the change in workers behavior, and those related to immune defense suggest the investment in secondary defense mechanisms when the primary defense of the body cuticle is not yet completed.

Preoperative Body Composition Combined with Tumor Metabolism Analysis by PET/CT Is Associated with Disease-Free Survival in Patients with NSCLC.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between preoperative primary tumor metabolism and body composition in patients with NSCLC and analyze their effects on DFS. Method A retrospective study was conducted on 154 patients with NSCLC. All patients were scanned by baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT. SUVmax (maximum standard uptake value) of primary tumor, liver SUVmean (mean standard uptake value), and spleen SUVmean were measured by AW workstation. The skeletal muscle area (SMA), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), skeletal muscle radiation density (SMD), visceral fat area (VFA), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), and skeletal muscle visceral fat ratio (SVR) were measured by ImageJ software. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate the impact of the above parameters on DFS. Results Compared with the low SUVmax group of primary tumors, the mean values of SMA, VFA, and VATI in the high SUVmax group were significantly higher. In addition, there were obvious differences in histopathological type, pathological differentiation, AJCC stage, and T stage between the two groups. Univariate analysis of DFS showed that VFA, VATI, pathological differentiation, tumor SUVmax, AJCC stage, tumor T stage, and N stage all affected the DFS of patients except for the parameters reflecting skeletal muscle content. Multivariate regression analysis showed that only VFA and SUVmax were associated with DFS. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that high SUVmax, low VFA, high T stage, and high N stage were related to the decrease of DFS. Conclusion：Preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT could comprehensively evaluate the primary tumor SUVmax, skeletal muscle, and visceral fat in patients with NSCLC. The combination of primary tumor SUVmax and visceral fat area can well evaluate the prognosis of patients with NSCLC.

Free flow electrophoresis allows quick and reproducible preparation of extracellular vesicles from conditioned cell culture media

Aim: Despite intensive research during the last decade, it remains challenging to prepare extracellular vesicles (EVs) of high purity, especially from primary body liquids or protein-rich conditioned media. For now, time-consuming combinations of at least two orthogonal methods, e.g., density and size separation, are required to enrich EVs to high purity, often at the expense of processing time. Therefore, novel technologies are required that allow EV preparation in acceptable time intervals and to fair purities. Free-flow electrophoresis (FFE) constitutes a well-established semi-preparative method to separate and prepare analytes, e.g., by inherent differences in their electric charges. FFE combines a flow-driven longitudinal transport of sample material with vertical electrophoresis and allows the separation of sample components into up to 96 different fractions. It was our aim to evaluate the potential of FFE for the separation of EVs from other sample components of EV-containing protein-rich conditioned cell culture media. Methods: Exemplarily, conditioned media of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells raised in the presence of EV-containing 10% human platelet lysate were processed. We analyzed the obtained fractions by different technologies, including imaging flow cytometry, western blot and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Results: We demonstrate that FFE quickly and reproducibly separates EVs from a huge proportion of molecules included in the original sample. Conclusion: Our results qualify FFE as a feasible, quick and reproducible technology for the preparation of bona fide EVs.

Retracted] Assessment of College Entrepreneurship and Innovation Education Effect for Sci‐Tech Service Industry

Based on the analysis of the importance and necessity of evaluating the college entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I) education effect for the sci‐tech service (STS) industry, from four aspects of top‐layer design, college environment, faculty and learner assessment, an assessment index system for the effect of college E&I education is constructed. Through analytic hierarchy process (AHP), this paper also makes a comprehensive and objective assessment and analysis on the effect of college E&I education, which is oriented to the STS industry. Among the primary layer indicators, the weight coefficient of learner assessment is 0.4444, followed by the faculty, and the weight coefficient is 0.3061. Additionally, this proves that lecturers and learners are the focus and primary body of E&I education activities in colleges for STS industry. The theoretical concept and practical ability of learners is the most important index to test the assessment of E&I education effect. Lecturers’ teaching methods and their own experience are important for the effect assessment of E&I education, and the environment of E&I education is important for the effect assessment of education. The construction of innovative and entrepreneurial lecturers is critical to education effect assessment.

Approximate solution of spacecraft motion with an inward constant radial acceleration

This Short Communication analyzes the motion of a spacecraft whose primary propulsion system generates an inward, radial propulsive acceleration of constant magnitude. Starting from the classical literature results regarding the more common outward radial-thrust case, the proposed mathematical model uses a set of modified non-singular orbital elements to describe the spacecraft motion around a generic primary body. Assuming a circular parking orbit and a small propulsive acceleration magnitude, a perturbation method, based on an asymptotic series expansion truncated at second order, is used to obtain analytical expressions of the spacecraft propelled trajectory. The obtained results are applied to an orbital targeting problem and, in this context, the resulting spacecraft trajectory is accurately approximated through analytical functions. The proposed procedure is also able to well estimate the thrust level and the swept angle required to reach the target state.

The role of Xenopus developmental biology in unraveling Wnt signalling and antero-posterior axis formation

Wnt signalling plays an eminent role in development, stem cell growth, and tissue homeostasis. Much of what we know about Wnt signalling, we owe to research in developmental biology. Here I review some salient discoveries in the older literature, beginning with the Lithium experiments in sea urchin by Curt Herbst in the 1890ies, when unknown to him he observed the gradual effects of Wnt overactivation upon embryonic axis formation. After revisiting key discoveries into Wingless signalling in Drosophila, I examine the role that the Xenopus embryo has played as model system in this regard. Not only were components of the Wnt cascade dissected and secreted Wnt antagonists discovered in Xenopus, but it also played a key role in unveiling the evolutionary conserved role of Wnt signalling in primary body axis formation. I conclude that Xenopus developmental biology has played a major role in elucidating the mechanisms of embryonic Wnt signalling.

Justice, Transparency and the Guiding Principles of the UK\u2019s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the UK’s primary healthcare priority-setting body, responsible for advising the National Health Service in England on which technologies to fund and which to reject. Until recently, the normative approach underlying this advice was described in a 2008 document entitled ‘Social value judgements: Principles for the development of NICE guidance’ (SVJ). In January 2020, however, NICE replaced SVJ with a new articulation of its guiding principles. Given the significant evolution of NICE’s methods between 2008 and 2020, this study examines whether this new document (‘Principles’) offers a transparent account of NICE’s current normative approach. It finds that it does not, deriving much of its content directly from SVJ and failing to fully acknowledge or explain how and why NICE’s approach has since changed. In particular, Principles is found to offer a largely procedural account of NICE decision-making, despite evidence of the increasing reliance of NICE’s methods on substantive decision-rules and ‘modifiers’ that cannot be justified in purely procedural terms. Thus, while Principles tells NICE’s stakeholders much about how the organisation goes about the process of decision-making, it tells them little about the substantive grounds on which its decisions are now based. It is therefore argued that Principles does not offer a transparent account of NICE’s normative approach (either alone, or alongside other documents) and that, given NICE’s reliance on transparency as a requirement of procedural justice, NICE does not in this respect satisfy its own specification of a just decision-maker.

Associations of particulate matter with atopic dermatitis and chronic inflammatory skin diseases in South Korea

Particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in air, which originates from industrial plants or vehicle emissions. Although the skin is the primary body area of contact with air pollutants, the associations between PM and chronic inflammatory skin diseases has not been well established. To investigate associations between PM and atopic dermatitis (AD) and between PM and other chronic inflammatory dermatoses, using data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Monthly disease statistics from the seven largest cities in South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan) and from Jeju Island (in total, a population of 23 288 000 for all eight areas) were included. Based on daily air pollution level and weather forecast from 2015 to 2019, multivariate negative binomial regression analysis was conducted to estimate monthly visits of AD with respect to outdoor air pollutants: coarse PM with a diameter of ≤ 10 μm (PM10) and fine PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) ozone (O3 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO2 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). Increases in the levels of PM2.5, PM10, SO2 and CO were associated with significant increases in monthly patient visits for AD. Every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10 resulted in patient visit increases of 2.71% (95% CI 0.76-4.71; P < 0.01) and 2.01% (95% CI 0.92-3.11, P < 0.001), respectively, while every 1 part per billion (ppb) increase in SO2 and every 100 ppb increase in CO resulted in visit increases of 2.26% (95% CI 1.35-3.17; P < 0.001) and 2.86% (95% CI 1.35-4.40; P < 0.001), respectively. O3 and NO2 were not associated with increased patient visits for AD. Increases in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were also significantly associated with increases in patient visits for psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and rosacea. Our data suggest that PM is associated with AD and other chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Primary tissues dominated ground-level trunk diameter in Sigillaria : evidence from the Wuda Tuff, Inner Mongolia

Arborescent lycopsid stumps are typically fossilized as casts, so that proximal anatomy is rarely available for study. This presents a roadblock for empirically reconstructing their early ontogeny, which requires knowledge of proximal tissue proportions. Here, we describe nine upright, in situ stump casts of Sigillaria from the earliest Permian Wuda Tuff, Inner Mongolia, China that preserve traces of internal anatomy. From these specimens, we interpret thin vasculature and periderm and a broad primary cortex within c . 50 cm of ground level in the living plant. These specimens support recent arguments that periderm production was limited in arborescent lycopsids and that the primary body reached its mature diameter close to ground level rather than distally further up the trunk. Supplementary material : Additional figures of specimens and data regarding where measurements were made are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5558620

Reduced serum albumin as a risk factor for poor prognosis in critically ill patients receiving renal replacement therapy

BackgroundAlbumin is the primary body protein, which can predict the poor prognosis of several critical diseases. However, there are a few scientific studies on the relationship between albumin and the prognosis of dialysis patients. This study aims to explore the impact of hypoalbuminemia on the prognosis of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).MethodsThis was a secondary study. Clinical, biochemical, and 28-day and 90-day mortality rates for critical patients with AKI who received CRRT between 2009 and 2016 were searched from the database to determine the effect of hypoalbuminemia on poor outcomes by univariate, multivariate, smooth curve fitting, and subgroup analysis.ResultsA total of 837 participants were enrolled in this study. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia was associated with both 28-day and 90-day mortality risks after full adjustment for confounding variables, with an adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.63 (0.50–0.80) and 0.63 (0.51–0.78), respectively for each 1 g/dL increase of albumin. Stratified analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia was not associated with poor prognosis in oliguria.ConclusionHypoalbuminemia is associated with poor prognosis in critically ill AKI patients with CRRT; therefore, measuring albumin may be helpful for predicting the prognosis. However, in those with oliguria, this conclusion is not valid.

The pericardium of Oikopleura dioica (Tunicata, Appendicularia) contains two distinct cell types and is rotated by 90 degrees to the left

The planktonic Oikopleura dioica belongs to Tunicata, the probable sister taxon to Craniota, and might show plesiomorphic characters, conserved from the common lineage of Tunicata and Craniota. In O. dioica a pericardium in a position similar to other chordates but also to the heart and pericardium of craniates is found. Surprisingly, little is known about the ultrastructure of the pericardium in O. dioica. Here, we show based on electron microscopy that the pericardium is completely lined by a single layer of 16 epithelial cells: 6 epithelial myocardial cells on the left side of the pericardium and 10 peritoneal cells constituting the right side. One of the peritoneal cells, situated at the ventral border between peritoneal cells and myocardial cells has an extension that anchors the pericardium to the basal lamina beneath the latero-ventral epidermis. The primary body cavity of O. dioica appears quite uniformly clear in electron microscopic aspect but several sheets, resembling the basal lamina of the pericardium cross the larger spaces of the body cavity and connect to the pericardial basal lamina. This is the first detailed description of two distinct cell types in the epithelial lining of the pericardium of O. dioica. In comparison with other chordates, we conclude that two cell types can be reconstructed for the last common ancestor of Chordata at least. The position of the pericardium at the intersection of trunk and tail in combination with the basal-lamina like sheets spanning the hemocoel is probably of importance for the function of the circulation of the hemocoelic fluid. Similar to the tail, the axis of the pericardium is shifted through 90 degrees to the left as compared to the main body axis of the trunk and we infer that this shift is an apomorphic character of Appendicularia.

Studying evolution of the primary body axis in vivo and in vitro.

The metazoan body plan is established during early embryogenesis via collective cell rearrangements and evolutionarily conserved gene networks, as part of a process commonly referred to as gastrulation. While substantial progress has been achieved in terms of characterizing the embryonic development of several model organisms, underlying principles of many early patterning processes nevertheless remain enigmatic. Despite the diversity of (pre-)gastrulating embryo and adult body shapes across the animal kingdom, the body axes, which are arguably the most fundamental features, generally remain identical between phyla. Recently there has been a renewed appreciation of ex vivo and in vitro embryo-like systems to model early embryonic patterning events. Here, we briefly review key examples and propose that similarities in morphogenesis and associated gene expression dynamics may reveal an evolutionarily conserved developmental mode as well as provide further insights into the role of external or extraembryonic cues in shaping the early embryo. In summary, we argue that embryo-like systems can be employed to inform previously uncharted aspects of animal body plan evolution as well as associated patterning rules.

Analysis of Primary Iris and Ciliary Body Cysts in Chinese Patients With Primary Angle Closure Disease.

Aim: To investigate the incidence and clinical features of primary iris and ciliary body cysts in Chinese primary angle closure disease (PACD). Patients were evaluated by measuring and analyzing the cysts with an ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM).Methods: The data of patients diagnosed with PACD were reviewed. Demographic data were collected, and the cyst number, size, location, and trabecular-iris angle (TIA) were measured, with the size including the longest diameter (LD) and its corresponding vertical diameter (CVD).Results: A total of 1,334 cases (2,317 eyes) were reviewed, and 409 cysts were found in 131 cases (168 eyes), with an average of 2.43 ± 3.14 cysts per eye. The ages of the patients with cysts ranged from 25 to 80 years, with an average age of 55.24 ± 12.22 years. The detection rate was 7.3%, and the majority of cysts were located in the iridociliary sulcus. Among the 131 patients, 94 had monocular cysts, while binocular cysts occurred in 37 patients. The locations of the cysts in both eyes were mainly in the inferior and temporal quadrants (42.5 and 34.0%, respectively). The cysts were mainly of medium size (49.9%), followed by small cysts (33.3%), large cysts (14.7%) and giant cysts (2.2%). The average LD was 0.68 ± 0.33 mm, and the average CVD was 0.45 ± 0.23 mm. There were no statistically significant differences in the TIA between the cyst area and unaffected area.Conclusions: The incidence of cysts is 7.3% in the PACD population. The cysts are mainly monocular, medium in size, and located in the iridociliary sulcus. Additionally, the cysts were located mainly in the inferior and temporal quadrants. These cysts have little effect on the anterior chamber angle.

Method comparison of beta-hydroxybutyrate point-of-care testing to serum in healthy children.

Ketone production is a physiological phenomenon that occurs to avoid irreversible neurological damage from hypoglycemia, thereby serving as a marker of metabolic stress. The primary ketone body, beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), guides the diagnostic evaluation and management of many hypoglycemic disorders. Serum and point‐of‐care (POC) BHB values were not been compared in children without diabetes or metabolic disorders. We aim at comparing the serum and point‐of‐care BHB values in healthy children after an overnight fast. Eligible participants were ≤18 years of age prospectively recruited from elective procedures through our surgery centers. Exclusion criteria included a history of diabetes, hypopituitarism, adrenal, metabolic or inflammatory disorders, dietary restrictions, trauma, or use of medications that might affect blood glucose. The main outcome measure was comparing serum and POC BHB levels after a period of fasting. Data from 94 participants (mean age 8.29 ± 5.68 years, 54.3% male, 45.7% female, BMI mean 19.28 ± 5.25 kg/m2) were analyzed. There was a strong correlation between serum BHB (mean 0.25 ± 0.23 mmol/L) and POC BHB (mean 0.18 ± 0.20 mmol/L) (r s = 0.803, p < 0.0001). The majority (96.81%) of values for serum BHB compared with POC BHB fell within 0.1 ± 0.1 mmol/L. The average of difference between serum and POC BHB (the bias) was 0.064 mmol/L (95% CI 0.047–0.081), and percentage error was 3.19%. Point‐of‐care BHB is accurate and comparable to serum BHB levels in our cohort of children after an overnight fast.SynopsisPoint‐of‐care BHB agrees with serum values in healthy children.

Ontogeny, anatomical structure and function of lobed stems in the evolution of the climbing growth form in Malvaceae (Byttneria Loefl.).

Byttneria is one of the few climbing genera in Malvaceae. Some Byttneria are known for their lobed stems. We explore the development of these stems, how they have evolved within the group and their relevance in the evolution of the climbing growth form in Malvaceae. We combine developmental anatomical work with phylogenetic comparative methods. We use Byttneria divaricata and B. filipes as models in the anatomical work, a review of herbarium vouchers, and the most recent phylogeny of Byttneria and allies to elucidate how these stems evolved within the clade under maximum-likelihood and Bayesian approaches. We use Pagel94 tests to analyse the correlated evolution of lobed stems and prickles. Each lobe coincides with one of the five vascular bundles. By augmented activity of the fascicular cambium in the lobes coupled with reduced activity of the interfascicular cambium in the interlobes, secondary growth increases the lobulation already present during primary growth. Within Byttneria and allies, lobed young stems appeared at least three times, once in Ayenia and twice in the paraphyletic Byttneria. Lobed adult stems were conserved in Byttneria s.s., where lobed adult stems in combination with prickles were shown to have evolved as a climbing mechanism within the group; prickles were lost once within Byttneria s.s., in a shrubby subclade. Byttneria Clade 2 comprises climbers with twining cylindrical adult stems and no prickles, which constitutes a different climbing mechanism in the group. We provide evidence of one of the few cambial variants known whose secondary body reflects the primary body vasculature and show that lobed adult stems and prickles in Byttneria could be used in the new delimitation of genera in the group. Lobed stems independently appeared in climbing Grewia, suggesting a convergence favouring the climbing growth form.

Form, function, and divergence of a generic fin shape in small cetaceans.

Tail flukes as well as the dorsal fin are the apomorphic traits of cetaceans which appeared during the evolutionary process of adaptation to the aquatic life. Both appendages present a wing-like shape associated with lift generation and low drag. We hypothesized that the evolution of fins as lifting structures led to a generic wing design, where the dimensionless parameters of the fin cross-sections are invariant with respect to the body length and taxonomy of small cetaceans (Hypothesis I). We also hypothesized that constraints on variability of a generic fin shape are associated with the primary function of the fin as a fixed or flapping hydrofoil (Hypothesis II). To verify these hypotheses, we examined how the variation in the fin's morphological traits is linked to the primary function, species and body length. Hydrodynamic characteristics of the fin cross-sections were examined with the CFD software and compared with similar engineered airfoils. Generic wing design of both fins was found in a wing-like planform and a streamlined cross-sectional geometry optimized for lift generation. Divergence in a generic fin shape both on the planform and cross-sectional level was found to be related with the fin specialization in fixed or flapping hydrofoil function. Cross-sections of the dorsal fin were found to be optimized for the narrow range of small angles of attack. Cross-sections of tail flukes were found to be more stable for higher angles of attack and had gradual stall characteristics. The obtained results provide an insight into the divergent evolutionary pathways of a generic wing-like shape of the fins of cetaceans under specific demands of thrust production, swimming stability and turning control.

Quasi circular orbits around prolate bodies

ABSTRACT Recent observations of stellar occultations have revealed rings of particles around non-planetary bodies of the Solar system. These bodies are irregular and can be modelled by ellipsoids. In the context of numerical integrations for the study of studying the region close to these ellipsoidal bodies, it is known that the use of geometric initial conditions is necessary when the central object is significantly oblatened. In this paper, we show that for elongated bodies there is also a need for the adaptation of the initial velocity ($\nu _{C_{22}}$) so that equatorial periodic orbits of the first kind around this body have smaller radial variations since the circular Keplerian velocity produces a high oscillating eccentricity and radial variation. We describe an empirical method to obtain the velocity $\nu _{C_{22}}$ of a set of simulations where we vary the physical parameters of the central body. With the obtained data, developed empirical equations that allow the calculation of the orbital eccentricity, the initial velocity and an adapted Kepler’s Third Law as a function of the ellipticity coefficient and the semimajor axis. In addition, we identify an important change in the location of the primary body in relation to the elliptical orbit. In the cases of the orbits with minimal radial variation found in our study, the body starts to occupy the centre of the elliptical orbit. Finally, we include the rotation of the central body in the studied systems and analyse its implications for the dynamics of these orbits of low radial variation.