Standard Growth Curves Research Articles

The post-IR IRSL dating of an ancient dammed lake upstream of the Ganglai gorge in the upper-middle reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo

The middle reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo, situated on the southern Tibetan Plateau, have experienced extensive river damming events due to glacier advances, resulting in the formation of several ancient dammed lakes. These palaeolakes offer invaluable insights into past hydrological and geomorphological dynamics on the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we reported a newly identified ancient dammed lake, named the Xiaru palaeolake, located upstream of the Ganglai Gorge in the uppermost segment of the middle reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo, and conducted a pioneer chronological investigation of the lake using K-feldspar post-IR IRSL (pIRIR) dating. Quartz minerals from most lacustrine and fluvial sediments can not provide reliable ages characterized with low intensity and large inter-aliquot scatter in equivalent doses (De). In contrast, the K-feldspar exhibited much greater luminescence intensity and narrower De distribution using the pIRIR225 dating protocol. Residual, dose recovery, and fading tests demonstrated that the pIRIR225 signals are well bleached with a relatively low fading rate, making it a more suitable dosimeter for dating applications in the study area. The pIRIR225 ages, derived through single aliquots, standard growth curve (SGC), and single grain measurements, reveal a major phase of the Xiaru Lake between 24.1 ± 1.0 ka and 15.8 ± 1.1 ka, that commenced aligning with the global Last Glacial Maximum. Furthermore, one lacustrine sample dated to 29.9 ± 2.2 ka suggests the possibility of multiple damming events in Ganglai Gorge during the last glacial period, although further evidence is required for a comprehensive interpretation.

Age is not just a number: How incorrect ageing impacts close-kin mark-recapture estimates of population size.

Population size is a key parameter for the conservation of animal species. Close-kin mark-recapture (CKMR) relies on the observed frequency and type of kinship among individuals sampled from the population to estimate population size. Knowledge of the age of the individuals, or a surrogate thereof, is essential for inference with acceptable precision. One common approach, particularly in fish studies, is to measure animal length and infer age using an assumed age-length relationship (a 'growth curve'). We used simulation to test the effect of misspecifying the length measurement error and the growth curve on population size estimation. Simulated populations represented two fictional shark species, one with a relatively simple life history and the other with a more complex life history based on the grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos). We estimated sex-specific adult abundance, which we assumed to be constant in time. We observed small median biases in these estimates ranging from 1.35% to 2.79% when specifying the correct measurement error standard deviation and growth curve. CI coverage was adequate whenever the growth curve was correctly specified. Introducing error via misspecified growth curves resulted in changes in the magnitude of the estimated adult population, where underestimating age negatively biased the abundance estimates. Over- and underestimating the standard deviation of length measurement error did not introduce a bias and had negligible effect on the variance in the estimates. Our findings show that assuming an incorrect standard deviation of length measurement error has little effect on estimation, but having an accurate growth curve is crucial for CKMR whenever ageing is based on length measurements. If ageing could be biased, researchers should be cautious when interpreting CKMR results and consider the potential biases arising from inaccurate age inference.

Head-to-head comparison of appropriate use criteria for knee arthroplasty: A multicenter cohort study

ObjectiveTo determine, in a head-to-head comparison, which of two RAND-based knee replacement appropriateness criteria is optimal based on comparison to an externally validated method of judging good versus poor outcome. DesignLongitudinal data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) and the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) were combined to produce a dataset of 922 persons with knee arthroplasty, 602 of which had adequate data for RAND classification and had their surgery within one year prior to a study visit. Data were used to determine appropriateness classification (i.e., Appropriate, Inconclusive, Rarely Appropriate) using modified versions of the first-generation and second-generation Escobar system. Growth curve analyses and multivariable regression were used to compare the two systems. ResultsNeither system associated with the gold standard measure of good versus poor outcome. Distributions of appropriateness categories for the second-generation system were inconsistent with current evidence for knee arthroplasty outcome. For example, 16% of participants were classified as Appropriate and 64% as Rarely Appropriate for pain outcome. Distributions for the first-generation system aligned with current evidence. ConclusionThe first-generation modified version of the Escobar appropriateness system is superior to the newer version but neither version associated with our gold standard growth curve analyses. Both systems only differentiate between patient classification groups preoperatively and up to ten months following surgery. Reliance on appropriateness criteria to inform long-term outcome is not warranted.

Pathogenesis study of blood disease bacterium in local bananas of Malaysia

Banana blood disease (BBD), a banana wilt disease caused by blood disease bacterium (BDB), Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis (RSC), was first reported in Malaysia in 2007. BDB results in wilting appearance and internal bleeding-like symptoms, which eventually leads to entire crop loss including ready-harvested fruit bunch. Understanding the pathogenesis of BDB in local common banana cultivars provides good foundation to tailor disease management plan to mitigate BBD. To address this need, our study was performed to characterize BDB isolated from locally grown banana plants and to compare the pathogenesis of the bacterium in four most common local banana cultivars. In this study, BDB isolated from Malaysia's plantation was identified and characterized via the molecular and phenotypic method. The pathogenicity of characterized virulent BDB isolate was determined in four local banana cultivars via disease rating that was newly developed specifically for BDB-infected bananas. The identity of the isolated strains was first confirmed as Blood Disease Bacterium using Sanger sequencing analysis of 16s rRNA gene. Standard biochemical tests and growth curve study showed that the BDB isolates were Gram-negative, non-motile rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterium, and had an optimum growth rate at 35 °C. The pathogenicity of a selected virulent BDB isolate was then determined via Koch's Postulates in four local banana cultivars. Recognizing the lack of a specific disease rating scale to quantify the pathogenesis of BDB in bananas, we developed a disease rating scale specifically to BDB-infected bananas in this study. Based on the pathogenicity test, local banana cultivars (cv.) in Malaysia included cv. Berangan, cv. Nipah, cv. Awak and cv. Nangka demonstrated disease severity index (DSI) higher than 95%, indicating their susceptibility towards to BDB. In conclusion, our results showed that the four most common banana cultivars in Malaysia were highly susceptible to infection by virulent BDB.

Isolasi dan Uji Aktivitas Selulolitik Bakteri Asal Limbah Bagas

Bagasse is one of the by-products of granulated sugar industries or processed beverages that become waste in the environment. The bagasse will be overgrown by cellulolytic bacteria that produce cellulase enzymes. This study aims to isolate, characterize, and measure bacterial cellulase activity qualitatively and quantitatively. The research phase included isolation and characterization of bacteria, qualitative cellulase activity test, preparing standard curves and bacterial growth curves, crude extract cellulase production, constructing standard glucose curves, quantitative enzyme activity tests, and data analysis. Six isolates with macroscopic characteristics varied in color, elevation, margins, and colony shape; three bacillus isolates, one short bacillus isolate, and two cocci isolates were obtained. All isolates showed positive test results of amylum, triple sugar iron agar, and catalase; five citrate-positive isolates, and three motile-positive isolates. From the cellulase qualitative test, two bacterial isolates had the highest cellulolytic index, namely AT1 (1.79) and BAW3 (1.72) on 0.5% CMC media. The quantitative cellulase test results of the two selected isolates were 0.01176 U/mL for AT1 and 0.01170 U/mL for BAW3, both of which are still classified as low degradation capabilities.
 
 Keywords: cellulase activity, cellulolytic index, Sugarcane waste

Reference values and growth curves of length for weight and head circumference for weight among Chinese newborns

Objective: To establish the reference values and growth curves of length for weight and head circumference for weight among Chinese newborns in order to provide a reference for the assessment of body proportionality at birth. Methods: A cross-sectional design was applied. A total of 24 375 singleton live birth newborns with gestational ages at birth of 24+0 to 42+6 weeks were recruited from June 2015 to November 2018 from 13 cities including Beijing, Harbin, Xi'an, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Kunming, Tianjin, Shenyang, Changsha, and Shenzhen, excluding those with maternal or newborn conditions that may impact the establishment of the reference values. The generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape was employed to establish reference values in terms of percentile and growth curves of length for weight and head circumference for weight for male and female newborns. The random forest machine learning method was employed to analyze the importance of variables between the established reference values in this study and the previous published weight/length, body mass index (BMI), ponderal index (PI), weight/head circumference, length/head circumference in the assessment of symmetrical and asymmetrical small for gestational age (SGA) newborns. Results: A total of 24 375 newborns with 13 197 male infants (preterm birth 7 042 infants and term birth 6 155 infants) and 11 178 female infants (preterm birth 5 222 infants and term birth 5 956 infants) were included in this study. The reference values in terms of percentile (P3, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P97) and growth curves of length for weight and head circumference for weight were obtained for male and female newborns with gestational ages of 24+0 to 42+6 weeks. The median birth lengths corresponding to the birth weights of 1 500, 2 500, 3 000, and 4 000 g were 40.4, 47.0, 49.3 and 52.1 cm for males and 40.4, 47.0, 49.2, and 51.8 cm for females, respectively; the median birth head circumferences were 28.4, 32.0, 33.2 and 35.2 cm for males and 28.4, 32.0, 33.1, and 35.1 cm for females, respectively. The differences of length for weight between males and females were minimum, with the difference range of -0.3 to 0.3 cm at P50; the differences of head circumference for weight between males and females were minimum, with the difference range of 0 to 0.2 cm at P50. Based on the match between birth length and birth weight for classifying symmetrical and asymmetrical SGA, length for weight and PI contributed the most, accounting for 0.32 and 0.25, respectively; based on the match between birth head circumference and birth weight, head circumference for weight and weight/head circumference contributed the most, accounting for 0.55 and 0.12, respectively; based on the match between birth length or head circumference with birth weight, head circumference for weight and length for weight contributed the most, accounting for 0.26 and 0.21, respectively. Conclusion: The establishment of the new standardized growth reference values and growth curves of length for weight and head circumference for weight among Chinese newborns are useful for clinical practice and scientific research.

Gold Ions Hyperpolarize Bacteria

Background: The study of bacterial electrophysiology is important for understanding antibacterial resistance, biofilm formation, and fundamental questions of cell growth and division. These experiments require new tools to modulate the resting membrane potential of bacteria. The use of potassium and magnesium ions, antibiotics, short exposures to blue light, and electric field have been used to hyperpolarize or depolarize bacteria. Our research characterizes the cellular response to a new reagent, gold ions, using single-cell imaging. Methods: We use fluorescence microscopy to monitor, in real time, the change to the membrane potential when Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are exposed to gold ions. Membrane potential is measured with two different Nernstian dyes, thioflavin T and tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester. Gold ions are introduced to cell by adding gold salt solutions or through the electrochemical generation of gold ions. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used to determine the concentration of gold ions generated electrochemically. Standard growth curves are used to study the effect of gold ions on bacterial growth. Results: Single cell fluorescence imaging shows that a solution of gold ions hyperpolarizes B. subtilis and E. coli in a concentration-dependent manner. ICP-MS confirms that applied voltage and frequency controls the concentration of gold ions generated electrochemically. Electrochemically generated gold ions diffuse through the imaging chamber creating a wave of hyperpolarization. The speed of the hyperpolarization wave can be modulated by voltage and frequency. Conclusions: Our research describes a new tool, gold ions, for the hyperpolarization of bacteria. Gold ions can be introduced to bacteria as a salt solution or generated electrochemically, providing spatial and temporal control of bacterial membrane potential. Beyond this work, it is possible that hyperpolarization may play a role in the use of gold as an antibacterial agent.

Multivariable Analysis of Wasting Incidents in Children Under the Age of 5 in Kupang Regency

Wasting is the condition of a child whose weight decreases over time until the total body weight is far below the standard growth curve or weight for height is low (thin) and shows weight loss (acute) and is severe. East Nusa Tenggara, the frequency of acute and chronic nutrition ranks highest in Indonesia with the prevalence of wasting still above the national average. The prevalence of wasting in NTT will increase from 7.5% in 2021 to 8.0% in 2022. Kupang Regency is one of the districts in NTT that experienced the highest increase in the percentage of wasting under five, namely 11 % and in absolute terms under five with wasting nutrition problems 42 under five in Year 2021 (NTT Provincial Health Office, 2021). This research is an observational analytic study. The approach is carried out by case control and using a multivariable model which is one of the analytical techniques to determine the relationship between various variables in health. The research will be carried out using simple random sampling. Kupang Regency is one of the districts in NTT that experienced the highest increase in the percentage of wasting under five, namely 11 % and in absolute terms under five with wasting nutrition problems 42 under five in Year 2021 (NTT Provincial Health Office, 2021). The results of this study indicate that the factors causing wasting are exclusive breastfeeding (41.9%), Basic Sanitation (56.3%), Parenting (88.2%), and Parents Income (42.9%). The results of this study indicate that the causes of wasting based on these variables have a significant difference (p <0.05). Recommendations from this study are expected for policy makers both in health services to carry out socialization and counseling about exclusive breastfeeding, parenting, sanitation and parents income. Keyword: Basic sanitation, Exclusive breastfeeding, Parenting, Parents income, Wasting

Describing the growth and nutritional status of sickle cell disease children and adolescents with reference to WHO growth standards in Cameroon

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic disease with many complications among which is growth retardation. Here, we described the growth and nutritional status patterns of children with SCD and adolescents living in Douala, Cameroon.MethodsThis cross-sectional study took place at the sickle cell treatment center of Douala Laquintinie Hospital from November 2015 to April 2016. The sociodemographic and anthropometric information of each SCD patient was determined, and then used for computing z-score indexes (weight for age, weight for height, body mass index for height, and height for age). The different indexes were used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition forms (stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight/obesity) and compared to WHO standards by gender and age.ResultsA total of 208 children and adolescents participated in the study. The mean age was 8 years (±5) and the median age was 7 years. Males accounted for 53.4% of cases, giving a sex ratio of 1:1.1. The proportions of wasting, stunting, underweight, and overweight/obesity in the overall population were 7.1% (n = 15), 9.1% (n = 19), 3.6% (n = 5) and 3.3% (n = 7) respectively. In children under 5, wasting, stunting, underweight, and overweight/obesity were noted in 1.4% (n = 1), 9.5% (n = 7), 1.4% (n = 1), and 5.4% (n = 4) respectively. In patients aged 5 years and above, a proportion of 10.5% (n = 14) was wasted, 9.0% (n = 12) were stunted, 5.9% (n = 4) were underweight and 2.2% (n = 7) were overweight/obese. The growth curve of children under five in our study was superimposable to the WHO standard growth curve. In children older than 5 years, the left shift for stunting was more pronounced for boys compared to girls.ConclusionNine percent of children and adolescents with SCD are stunted. The growth deficit appeared to be higher in patients aged 5 years and above, more particularly in boys than girls. Overweight/obesity was uncommon in our series. More robust research designs and statistical analyses are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Growth hormone responses during arginine and clonidine stimulation test: Correlations with patients' auxological and metabolic parameters in a single centre study

BackgroundChildren with auxological parameters defining a ‘short stature’ is routinely subjected to various blood tests and, if necessary, to growth hormone stimulation test (GHST) for differentiating GH deficiency (GHD) and other causes of stunted growth. AimThis retrospective monocentric study aimed to evaluate any correlations between GH peaks during GHST in children assessed for short stature and their auxological/metabolic parameters, highlighting differences between GHD and idiopathic short stature. Patients and methodsWe reviewed the medical records of 74 children with short stature (height lower than the third percentile according to standardized growth curves for the Italian population) managed at the Pediatric Day Hospital of our Department of Life Sciences and Public Health in Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, who performed at least two GHSTs, using arginine and clonidine as stimulants, for assessment of GH secretion. The results of a total number of 161 GHSTs, performed in 42 children diagnosed with GHD and in 32 children with other causes of short stature, were analyzed. ResultsWe found significantly lower serum levels of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in children with GHD, without other metabolic differences in comparison to children with other causes of short stature. There was also a correlation between triglycerides and GH peak during arginine test, while fT4 and LDL concentrations correlated with GH peak during the third test, if performed. Pre-test BMI (rho −0.274, p = 0.01) and weight (rho −0.251, p = 0.03) have influenced GH peak during clonidine stimulation test. Metabolic and auxological parameters could influence GH peak during clonidine and arginine stimulation tests and must be taken into account when interpreting GHST results.

A study of the MAYV replication cycle: Correlation between the kinetics of viral multiplication and viral morphogenesis

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is mainly found in Central and South America and causes a febrile illness followed by debilitating arthritis and arthralgia similar to chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Infection leads to long-term sequelae with a direct impact on the patient's productive capacity, resulting in economic losses. Mayaro fever is a neglected disease due to the limited epidemiological data. In Brazil, it is considered a potential public health risk with the number of cases increasing every year. Most of our knowledge about MAYV biology is inferred from data obtained from other alphaviruses as well as more recent studies on MAYV. Here, we analyzed the kinetics of viral replication through standard growth curves, quantification of intracellular and extracellular particles, and RNA quantification. We compared transmission electron microscopy data during different stages of infection. This approach allowed us to establish a chronological order of events during MAYV replication and its respective timepoints including cell entry through clathrin-mediated endocytosis occurring at 15-30 min, genome replication at 2-3 h, morphogenesis at 4 hpi, and release at 4-6 hpi. We also present evidence of uncharacterized events such as ribosome reorganization as well as clusters of early viral precursors and release through exocytosis in giant forms. Our work sheds new and specific light on the MAYV replication cycle and may contribute to future studies on the field

Testing the potential of a standardized growth curve approach for improving the applicability and performance of fading correction

Following a general trend in paleo-environmental research, a considerable and still growing number of luminescence dating studies have been focusing on sediment archives providing information on environmental conditions beyond the last glacial-interglacial cycle. This trend caused a revival of IRSL-based dating approaches using feldspar minerals. As a consequence, the long-known but still poorly understood problem of anomalous fading and various correction methods are gaining increasing importance. In order to cope with the challenge of fading, several new measurement protocols aiming at reducing or completely avoiding fading were proposed. However, these approaches are either still experimental (e.g., infrared radiofluorescence), have only been applied to a limited number of natural samples (e.g., infrared photoluminescence) or are the subject of ongoing scientific discussions (e.g., postIRIR-protocols). Anomalous fading therefore remains a severe problem for feldspar-based luminescence measurements, and fading correction will thus be of crucial importance for reliable age calculations. Some of the proposed correction methods require fully-constructed dose response curves (DRCs) to accurately constrain D 0 -and saturation values, which is indispensable for mathematically accurate corrections. Recording such DRCs requires the consideration of high-dose points for a large number of aliquots, corresponding to long-lasting measurement times that pose challenges for resources in routine dating applications. The concept of standardized growth curves (SGC) might provide a promising solution for this problem. Here, we present results obtained from a comprehensive study assessing the potential of SGC-based approaches for improving the applicability and performance of fading correction procedures. In particular, our study is focusing on the fading correction model proposed by Kars et al. (2008), which is fundamentally based on the findings published by Huntley (2006). The applied performance test comprises various natural samples representing a variety of fading rates and covering different locations as well as sedimentary environments.

Comparing neonatal outcome of late preterm: Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) average for gestational age infants

Comparing Neonatal outcome of late preterm -Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) vs Average for Gestational age (AGA) infants.Background: Individuals who had IUGR experience a range of poorer developmental outcomes, encompassing cognitive, socioemotional, and behavioral domains, compared with individuals who were born appropriate for gestational age (AGA).The primary aim was to evaluate neonatal outcome in late preterm IUGR and SGA infants and comparing them.Methods: Out of 3256 total live births, late preterm births are 341(10.4%). Incidence of IUGR in late preterm infants is 71/341(2.15%) and AGA is 170/341(8.25%). We analysed 100 singleton pregnancies, 50 infants with birth weight less than 10th percentile, control group with 50 infants with birth weight between 11-89 percentile at 34-36+6 weeks gestational age. The control group consisted of spontaneous preterm delivery at the same gestational age.Birth weight percentiles were based on the standard growth curve of Alexander et al. Results: There was a significant difference in mean birth weight between the two groups (IUGR: 1720g and AGA: 2495g). The frequency of cesarean sections was 64% in the IUGR group and 26% in the AGA group. 3 neonates of the IUGR group and one of the AGA infants presented Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes. The length of stay of the newborn in the nursery, as well as the need for and duration of hospitalization in the NICU, differed significantly between the two groups. TTN, Neonatal sepsis and hyperbilirubinemia didnot differ between groups but phototherapy required for IUGR group is more.Conclusion: Late-preterm IUGR infants present a significantly higher risk of neonatal complications and a significantly longer NICU and hospital stay when compared to late-preterm AGA infants.

Testing the use of continental standardized growth curves (SGCs) for De estimation on coarse quartz grains from Lake Woods, Northern Australia

Using continental SGCs built by Fu et al. (2020) can save significant machine time for constructing SGCs when compared to traditional SGC methods, which need significantly more time for building sample-specific or regional SGCs. In this study, the reliability of continental SGCs is tested using coarse quartz grains (180–212 µm) from Lake Woods in Northern Australia. De values obtained by continental SGCs are consistent with De values obtained by regional SGCs and by the SAR procedures.

Do-it-Yourself Mock Community Standard for Multi-Step Assessment of Microbiome Protocols.

Microbiomes provide critical functions that support animals, plants, and ecosystems. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has become an essential tool for the cultivation-independent study of microbiomes found in diverse environments, but requires effective and meaningful controls. One such critical control is a mock microbial community, which is used as a positive control for nucleic acid extraction, marker gene amplification, and sequencing. While mock community standards can be purchased, they can be costly and often include only medically relevant microbial strains that are not expected to be major players in non-human microbiomes. As an alternative, it is possible to design and construct a do-it-yourself (DIY) mock community, which can then be used as a positive control that is specifically customized to the protocol needs of a particular study system. In this article, we describe protocols to select appropriate microbial strains for the construction of a mock community. We first describe the steps to verify the identity of community members via Sanger sequencing. Then, we provide guidance on assembling and storing the DIY mock community as viable whole cells. This includes steps to create standard growth curves referenced to plate counts for each member, so that the community members can be quantified and later compared in terms of their "expected versus returned" relative contributions after sequencing. We also describe appropriate methods for the cryostorage of the fully assembled mock community as viable whole cells, so that they can be used as a unit in a microbiome analysis, from the lysis and nucleic acid extraction steps onwards. Finally, we provide an example of returned data and interpretation of DIY mock community sequences, discussing how to assess possible contamination and identify protocol biases for particular members. Overall, DIY mock communities serve to determine success and possible bias in a cultivation-independent microbiome analysis. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Strain identification and verification using Sanger sequencing Basic Protocol 2: Creation of glycerol stocks of each mock community strain for long-term cryostorage Basic Protocol 3: Assessment of strain freezer viability without cryoprotectant Basic Protocol 4: Creation of standard curve to determine CFU/ml of a liquid culture as a function of optical density Basic Protocol 5: Full mock community assembly using community concentration calculations and standard curves.

Impact of growth curve and dietary energy-to-protein ratio of broiler breeders on offspring quality and performance

The impact of growth curve (GC) and dietary energy-to-protein ratio of broiler breeder hens on chick quality and broiler performance was investigated. Pullets (n = 1,536) were randomly allotted to 24 pens and assigned to 1 of 8 treatments from hatch onwards, according to a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with 2 GC (standard growth curve = SGC or elevated growth curve = EGC, +15%) and 4 diets, differing in energy-to-protein ratio (96%, 100%, 104%, and 108% AMEn diet). At 28 and 36 wk of age, 60 hatching eggs per maternal pen were selected for incubation and 768-day-old broilers were assigned to 32 pens according to maternal treatment.Broilers from EGC breeders were 1.9 g heavier at hatch (P < 0.001) and 36 g heavier at slaughter (P = 0.001) than broilers from SGC breeders due to a 1.0 g/d higher growth rate (P = 0.003) and 1.5 g/d higher feed intake (P = 0.006) from hatch to 32 d of age. An increase in breeder dietary energy-to-protein ratio resulted in a linear decrease in embryonic mortality in the first 3 d of incubation (β = -0.2% per % AMEn; P = 0.05). At hatch, broiler BW decreased with an increasing breeder dietary energy-to-protein ratio (β = -0.1 g per % AMEn; P = 0.001), whereas at slaughter broiler BW increased with an increasing breeder dietary energy-to-protein ratio (β = 3.2 g per % AMEn; P = 0.02). This was due to a linear increase in growth rate (β = 0.1 g/d per % AMEn; P = 0.004) and feed intake (β = 0.1 g/d per % AMEn; P = 0.02). Additionally, an increase in breeder dietary energy-to-protein ratio resulted in a linear decrease in body weight corrected feed conversion ratio (β = -0.002 per % AMEn; P = 0.002). Overall, it can be concluded that a higher GC of breeders and an increase in breeder dietary energy-to-protein ratio enhances offspring performance.

Effect of pre-conceptional nutrition and season on fetal growth during early pregnancy in sheep

Gestational age in sheep can be closely predicted through ultrasonographic measurement of fetal bones when correlated to standardized fetal growth curves. However, these standardized curves do not account for factors that are known modulators of fetal growth, such as maternal nutrition or health status. Despite being seasonal breeders, and studies reporting an effect of season on birth weight, the influence of season on fetal growth has not been well characterized. In this study, we hypothesized that season of conception will affect fetal growth curves during mid-gestation and that pre-conceptional nutrition would have no effect. We investigated this by provisioning treatments of low, control, and high planes of nutrition during the lactation and flushing pre-conceptional periods to multiparous Dorset x Polypay and Dorset ewes over two seasons (the optimal breeding season [n = 97] and the suboptimal breeding season [n = 104]). Females were mated naturally with mating dates recorded, fetal biparietal diameter measured via ultrasound between gestational days 35–71, and newborn weights recorded at lambing. Pre-conceptional nutritional treatments did not affect fetal biparietal diameter. However, low vs. high nutrition in the pre-conceptional lactation (but not flushing) period resulted in reduced lamb birth weights (P < 0.001). Early fetal growth tended to be faster in the suboptimal breeding season than in the optimal breeding season (P < 0.061) with lambs being heavier at birth in the optimal breeding season (P < 0.001). There was no effect of fetal sex or litter size on fetal biparietal diameter during the first half of pregnancy, however both sex and litter size influenced lamb birth weight (P < 0.001) with males being heavier than females and singletons being heavier than twins and triplets. Mating date within the flushing period had a significant effect on lamb birth weight regardless of season and independent of treatment, with ewes that conceived later in the flushing period having heavier lambs at birth (P = 0.007). These findings suggest that pre-conceptional under- or overnutrition resulting in substantial changes in body condition does not affect fetal growth during the first half of pregnancy. However, the reduction in lamb birth weight indicates that pre-conceptional maternal nutrition during the previous lactation period may affect fetal growth later in pregnancy.

Impact of growth curve and dietary energy-to-protein ratio of broiler breeders on egg quality and egg composition

Egg characteristics have an impact on embryonic development and post-hatch performance of broilers. The impact of growth curve (GC) and dietary energy-to-protein ratio of broiler breeder hens on egg characteristics was investigated. At hatch, 1,536 pullets were randomly allotted to 24 pens in a 2 × 4 factorial dose-response design with 2 GC (standard growth curve = SGC or elevated growth curve = EGC (+ 15%)) and 4 diets, differing in energy-to-protein ratio (defined as 96%, 100%, 104% and 108% AMEn diet). Feed allocation per treatment was adapted weekly to achieve the targeted GC and to achieve pair-gain of breeders within each GC. Breeders on an EGC produced larger eggs (∆ = 2.3 g; P < 0.001) compared to breeders on a SGC. An exponential regression curve, with age (wk) of the breeders, was fitted to describe the impact of GC and dietary energy-to-protein ratio on egg composition. Yolk weight was 0.8 g higher for eggs from EGC breeders than from SGC breeders (, where was 22.1 and 22.9 for SGC and EGC, respectively; R2 = 0.97; P<0.001). An interaction between GC and dietary energy-to-protein ratio on albumen weight was observed (P = 0.04). Dietary energy-to-protein ratio did not affect albumen weight in SGC breeders (; R2 = 0.89), but for EGC breeders, a higher dietary energy-to-protein ratio resulted in a 0.9 g lower albumen weight from 96% AMEn to 108% AMEn (, where was 43.4, 43.2, 42.8, and 42.5 for 96% AMEn, 100% AMEn, 104% AMEn, and 108% AMEn, respectively; R2 = 0.86). Albumen DM content decreased linearly with an increased dietary energy-to-protein ratio, but this was more profound in EGC breeders (β = −0.03 %/% AMEn) than in SGC breeders (β = −0.01 %/% AMEn; P = 0.03). Overall, it can be concluded that an EGC for breeders led to larger eggs with a more yolk and albumen, whereas dietary energy-to-protein ratio had minor effects on egg composition.

Multi-method pIRIR dating of sedimentary sequences at the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert, NW China and its palaeoenvironmental implications

The Gurbantunggut Desert is the second-largest desert in China, located in the westerly-dominated region of north-western China. Previous understanding of palaeoclimate of this desert was mostly based on lake and loess records from the Junggar Basin and Tian Shan Mountains, whilst direct dating of sedimentary records from the desert was very limited. This study applies high-resolution post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) dating to three sedimentary profiles at the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert, which contain aeolian sand and water-lain sediments, recording palaeoenvironmental changes at the desert margin since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Different pIRIR dating procedures were applied for samples with different ages. For Holocene-aged samples, a single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) pIRIR procedure based on a three-stepped pIRIR measurement at 110 °C, 140 °C and 170 °C was used, and a standard growth curve (SGC) procedure yields an equivalent dose (De) similar to that of the full-SAR procedure; thus, is applicable for accelerating De measurement. For samples much older than the Holocene, a multi-aliquot regenerative-dose (MAR) pIRIR procedure based on a three-stepped pIRIR measurement at 150 °C, 200 °C and 250 °C was found to be the optimal dating procedure, because a SAR procedure would yield underestimated ages due to uncorrected initial sensitivity change. pIRIR dating results of the investigated profiles reveal a substantial sand accumulation during the LGM, an intensification of aeolian deposition at ∼12 ka and a wetter depositional environment at ∼10–8 ka. A rapid fluvial deposition is dated at ∼20–19 ka, corresponding to the deglaciation period. The sedimentary records from the desert margin show some correlation with lake and loess records in the same region and suggest a complex response of the desert environment to different climatic factors.

Anthropometric Parameters of Children with Congenital Zika Virus Exposure in the First Three Years of Life.

Little is known about the impact of congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure on growth in the first years of life. In this prospective cohort study,201 ZIKV antenatally-exposed children were followed at a tertiary referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eighty-seven were classified as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) patients and 114 as not congenital Zika syndrome (NCZS); growth parameters were described and compared between groups and with WHO standard growth curves. Thirty-four (39%) newborns with CZS and seven (6%) NCZS were small for gestational age (p < 0.001). NCZS mean weight measures ranged from −0.45 ± 0.1 to 0.27 ± 0.2 standard deviations (SD) from the WHO growth curve median during follow-up, versus −1.84 ± 0.2 to −2.15 ± 0.2 SD for the CZS group (p < 0.001). Length mean z-scores varied from −0.3 ± 0.1 at 1 month to 0.17 ± 0.2 SD between 31 and 36 months in the NCZS group, versus −2.3 ± 0.3 to −2.0 ± 0.17 SD in the CZS group (p < 0.001). Weight/height (W/H) and BMI z-scores reached -1.45 ± 0.2 SD in CZS patients between 31 and 36 months, versus 0.23 ± 0.2 SD in the NCZS group (p < 0.01). Between 25 and 36 months of age, more than 50% of the 70 evaluated CZS children were below weight and height limits; 36 (37.1%) were below the W/H cut-off. Gastrostomy was performed in 23 (26%) children with CZS. During the first three years of life, CZS patients had severe and early growth deficits, while growth of NCZS children was normal by WHO standards.