Increase In Weight Research Articles

Associations between maternal early pregnancy depression and longitudinal fetal growth

BackgroundThe impacts of maternal depression during mid-to-late pregnancy on fetal growth have been extensively investigated. However, the association between maternal depression during early pregnancy and fetal intrauterine growth are less clear. MethodsA prospective study comprised 23,465 eligible pregnant women and their offspring was conducted at a hospital-based center in Shanghai. Prenatal depression was assessed used using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) before 14 gestational weeks. Differences in fetal growth trajectory of different maternal depressive statuses during three periods (16–23, 24–31, and 32–41 gestational weeks) were compared using a multilevel model with fractional polynomials. ResultsWomen with depressive symptoms during early pregnancy had higher longitudinal fetal trajectories, with an estimated increase in fetal weight (β = 0.33; 95 % CI, 0.06–0.61), compared to those without depressive symptoms. Increases in fetal abdominal circumference among women with depressive symptoms were observed before 23 gestational weeks. Offspring born to mothers with early pregnancy depression had a significantly higher birth weight of 14.13 g (95 % CI, 1.33–27.81 g) and an increased risk of severe large size for gestational age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.64; 95 % CI, 1.32–2.04) and macrosomia (aOR, 1.21; 95 % CI, 1.02–1.43). LimitationsSelf-rated scale was used to assess depressive symptoms rather than clinical diagnosis. And Long-term effects of early pregnancy depression on offspring were not explored. ConclusionsThe study revealed an association between maternal depression during early pregnancy and increased fetal biometrics, higher birth weight, and an elevated risk of severe large size for gestational age and macrosomia.

Role of the Soft and Hard Segments Structure in Modifying the Performance of Acrylic Adhesives Modified by Polyurethane Macromonomers.

Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives, modified by polyurethane (PU), achieve selective optimization through the designability of polyurethanes. In this paper, PU macromonomers were prepared by a two-step synthesis method, using polypropylene glycol or polyethylene glycol with different molecular weights as soft segments and different types of diisocyanates: isophorone diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethylmethane diisocyanate (HMDI), 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and chain extenders as hard segments. After being terminated by capping agents, a series of PU macromonomers of different molecular weights and structures were obtained and used to modify the acrylic base adhesives. Compared to unmodified adhesives, acrylic adhesives modified by PU macromonomers have improved adhesion performances and heat resistance and show an increasing trend with the increase of molecular weight of diols. Diols with a molecular weight of 600 have the best effect. Diisocyanates containing benzene rings can better improve the thermal performance of adhesives, where P MDI containing a biphenyl ring is the best, while aliphatic isocyanate groups have a greater improvement in adhesion performance, and the adhesion performance of P HDI with a long carbon chain is the best.

Effect of Liposomal Protium heptaphyllum (Alb.) March Extract in the Treatment of Obesity Induced by High-Calorie Diet.

Obesity, a chronic disease, resulted from excessive consumption of high-calorie foods, leading to an energy imbalance. Protium heptaphyllum (P. heptaphyllum) was used in folk medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. The association of the extract from P. heptaphyllum with nanotechnology was innovative for combining high technology with active ingredients that are easily accessible in the Amazon region. This study evaluated the effect of liposomes containing the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude extract of P. heptaphyllum leaves on obesity. Male Wistar rats treated with a high-calorie diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity received treatment with the liposome formulation containing P. heptaphyllum extract (1 mg/kg/day, via gavage) for 14 days. Morphological, metabolic, redox status, immunological, and histological parameters were evaluated in the adipose and liver tissue of the animals. The groups were divided as follows: C: control; P: liposomes containing extract; O: obese, and OP: obese + liposomes containing extract. The obesity model resulted in increases in body weight, caloric intake, body fat weight, and in the lipid profile. In adipose tissue, P decreased SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity in obese animals. In the liver, a positive modulation of the extract was observed in relation to glucose, amino acids, lactate, hepatoprotective action, and anti-inflammatory activity, with a decrease in interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in obese animals. The results showed an improvement in the functional and inflammatory aspects, but the treatment was not effective in alleviating general changes related to obesity, such as weight gain, fat, glucose, triglycerides, and inflammation in adipose tissue, highlighting the complexity of responses in different organs during obesity and treatment with P. heptaphyllum.

Assessing the role of field isolated Pseudomonas and Bacillus as growth‐promoting rizobacteria on avocado (Persea americana) seedlings

AbstractIntroductionThis research aims to assess the efficacy of two genera of rhizobacteria from avocado field isolated: Pseudomonas and Bacillus, as plant growth‐promoting microorganisms in Hass avocado trees grafted onto Zutano rootstock.Materials and MethodsThe siderophore‐producing and phosphate‐solubilizing capacity of each isolated strain was determined and plant growth‐promoting activity, nutrient accumulation, and nutrient use efficiency in Zutano variety avocado seedlings were evaluated. Molecular identification was carried out by amplification of the 16S rDNA gene of the isolated strains.ResultsPseudomonas putida, Lysinibacillus macroides, Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, were identified as the PGPR of the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera, predominant in the avocado rhizosphere. There was found 11 phosphate solubilizing strains and 2 siderophore‐producing strains. The phosphate‐solubilizing strains, B. subtilis and P. plecoglossicida, stimulated the growth of Zutano seedlings, increasing their root dry weight (g), stem dry weight (g), leaf dry weight (g) and leaf area (cm2). Significant differences were found in nutrient uptake efficiency between inoculated plants and noninoculated plants. The increase in root biomass responded to greater phosphorus and potassium absorption in plants inoculated with P. plecoglossicida, due to this strain's high phosphate solubilization efficiency (266%).ConclusionsThe highest plant growth promotion strains were Bac F (B. subtilis), Bac M (P. plecoglossicida) and P1 (P. putida), which achieved the highest increase in root and leaf dry weight, as well as the highest nutrient extractions and nutrient uptake efficiency.

Predictors of membrane oxygenator failure in pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) is increasingly utilized in pediatric patients. Failure to recognize membrane oxygenator failure can lead to critical complications due to rapid deterioration of membrane oxygenator function. Therefore, identifying the predictors for membrane oxygenator exchange is crucial. However, risk factors for membrane oxygenator exchange in pediatric V-A ECMO remain unclear; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate these risk factors. This retrospective cohort study enrolled all pediatric patients aged <18 years who received V-A ECMO between August 2018 and July 2023 at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital in Japan. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the predictors of membrane oxygenator failure within 72 h after initiation. During the study period, membrane oxygenator failure occurred in 18/55 (32.7%) children within 72 h; membrane oxygenator failure within 72 h occurred in 4/29 (13.8%) and 14/26 (53.8%) in the groups with ratio of blood flow divided by the blood flow limit of the membrane oxygenator (B/L) of <0.5 and ≥0.5, respectively (adjusted hazards ratio, 4.97 [95% confidence interval, 1.33-18.5]; p = 0.017). After adjusting for delta pressure of the oxygenator, an increase in body weight and aspartate aminotransferase levels were associated with an increase in early membrane oxygenator failure. This retrospective study demonstrated that a B/L ratio >0.5, an increase in body weight, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase were independent risk factors for early membrane oxygenator failure in pediatric V-A ECMO. However, a prospective multicenter study with an appropriate sample size is warranted to mitigate potential bias, and enhance generalizability for further investigation of the association between a B/L ratio and early membrane oxygenator failure.

Hubungan Healthy Eating Index Dengan Kenaikan Berat Badan Ibu Selama Kehamilan Di Sumatera Barat

AbstractObjective: To determine the association between the healthy eating index of pregnant women and maternal weight gain during pregnancy in West Sumatra.Methods: Research with a cross-sectional design in West Sumatra on 110 pregnant women.This research is an analysis of secondary data from the study "Giving Dadiah on pregnancy and birth outcomes in West Sumatra".The study used data from 24-hour recall of pregnant women in the first trimester, second trimester and third trimester and pregnant women's weight data.Results: The study showed that there was a relationship between the HEI of pregnant women and the increase in maternal weight during pregnancy with p = 0.049 with a value of r = 0.188.Conclusion: There is a relationship between the healthy eating index of pregnant women and the increase in maternal weight during pregnancy.Keywords: healthy eating index; weight gain; pregnant woman

Caloric and time restriction diets improve acute kidney injury in experimental menopausal rats: role of silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 and transforming growth factor beta 1.

Estrogen has a protective impact on acute kidney injury (AKI); moreover, reducing the daily intake of calories impedes developing diseases. The present study aimed to determine the effects of calorie restriction (CR) and time restriction (TR) diets on the expression of silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and other indicators in the presence and absence of ovaries in AKI female rats. The female rats were divided into two groups, ovariectomized (OVX) and sham, and were placed on CR and TR diets for eight weeks; afterward, AKI was induced by injecting glycerol, and kidney injury indicators and biochemical parameters were measured before and after AKI. After AKI, the levels of urine albumin excretion rate, urea, and creatinine in serum, and TGF-β1 increased, while creatinine clearance and SIRT1 decreased in kidney tissue. CR improved kidney indicators and caused a reduction in TGF-β1 and an increase in SIRT1 in ovary-intact rats. Moreover, CR prevented total antioxidant capacity (TAC) decrease and malondialdehyde (MDA) increase resulting from AKI. Before AKI, an increase in body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC), and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed in OVX rats compared to sham rats, but CR prevented these changes. The effects of TR were similar to those of CR in all indicators except for TGF-β1, SIRT1, urea, creatinine, and albumin. The present study indicated that CR is more effective than TR in preventing AKI, probably by increasing SIRT1 and decreasing TGF-β1 in ovary-intact animals.

Effect of macromolecular sodium polyacrylate on the molecular structure and properties of polyvinyl butyral synthesized deep eutectic solvent

AbstractSodium polyacrylate (PAAS), a macromolecule surfactant, was employed in the synthesis of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) as the catalyst. Contrasting with traditional low molecular weight surfactants, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis has confirmed that PAAS enhanced the uniformity of PVB granules while minimizing PAAS residuals, facilitating the production of films with superior transparency and resistance to yellowing. Investigations into the effects of varying molecular weights, dosages of PAAS, and aging times on the properties of PVB revealed that an increase in PAAS molecular weight correspondingly raised the acetal degree (AD) of PVB without affecting the molecular weight of PVB itself. Furthermore, yhe dosage of PAAS significantly impacted the properties of PVB, whereas aging time exhibits minimal influence on the AD of PVB. 1H‐NMR analysis indicated that the structural stability of PVB is due to the dominance of meso acetal isomers, which improved its mechanical properties when synthesized with PAAS3 (molecular weight 60,000 g/mol), containing 91.5% hexamethylene cycloacetal. Notably, compared to PVB synthesized using sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), PVB synthesized with PAAS3 exhibits superior mechanical properties, with significantly improved tensile strength and elongation. This phenomenon is further elucidated by SEM images. A comparison between the optimized self‐made PVB and commercial PVB shows that the self‐made PVB performs better, highlighting the critical role of macromolecular PAAS in enhancing the structure and mechanical properties of PVB.

Poor Eating Habits and Low Physical Activity Contribute to Weight Excess and Increase Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents Practicing Soccer as a Recreational Sport.

Monitoring anthropometry, dietary intake, and physical activity (PA) is essential to prevent/counteract childhood obesity. This study examined dietary intake, PA, and anthropometric characteristics in young boys practicing soccer as a recreational sport. A cross-sectional study included 226 boys aged 8 to 13 years participating in soccer as a recreational activity in football academies located in Tunis, Tunisia. Anthropometric measures allowed the calculation of body mass index, fat mass, and peak height velocity as markers of biological maturity. A three-day food record and a food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake and eating habits. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to estimate the PA level of the participants. It was found that a high percentage of the children had excess weight (54%) and excess fat mass (47%). The total energy, carbohydrate, and saturated fat intake of the children exceeded the recommended levels by approximately 10%, 15%, and 30%, respectively. However, the intake of unsaturated fat was below the estimated requirements, particularly in obese children. In addition to the unbalanced macronutrient intake, the children also showed an insufficient intake of many essential micronutrients. Around 60% to 70% of the children in all three groups had a low intake of magnesium, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and vitamins B9, B12, and D. Moreover, 20% to 35% of the children in the three groups had an insufficient intake of vitamins A and C. Insufficient vitamin E intake was found in 63% of obese children and 35% of non-obese children. It was observed that the PA level was lower in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal-weight group (p < 0.005). More than three-quarters of overweight/obese children had low PA levels, about 20% were moderately active, and only 1 to 2% were highly active. Conversely, normal-weight children showed moderate to high PA levels. Poor eating behavior, an unbalanced diet, and a low PA level are prevalent in Tunisian boys practicing recreational sports. Such a combination is responsible for a disparity between energy intake and expenditure, contributing to weight excess and increased cardiometabolic risk. The study findings provide meaningful information for practitioners and authorities on applying a balanced diet and adequate PA to prevent and fight against obesity and improve cardiometabolic health in youth.

Dihydropyridopyrazine Functionalized Xanthene: Generating Stable NIR Dyes with Small-Molecular Weight by Enhanced Charge Separation.

Near-infrared region (NIR; 650-1700 nm) dyes offer many advantages over traditional dyes with absorption and emission in the visible region. However, developing new NIR dyes, especially organic dyes with long wavelengths, small molecular weight, and excellent stability and biocompatibility, is still quite challenging. Herein, we present a general method to enhance the absorption and emission wavelengths of traditional fluorophores by simply appending a charge separation structure, dihydropyridopyrazine. These novel NIR dyes not only exhibited greatly redshifted wavelengths compared to their parent dyes, but also displayed a small molecular weight increase together with retained stability and biocompatibility. Specifically, dye NIR-OX, a dihydropyridopyra-zine derivative of oxazine with a molecular mass of 386.2 Da, exhibited an absorption at 822 nm and an emission extending to 1200 nm, making it one of the smallest molecular-weight NIR-II emitting dyes. Thanks to its rapid metabolism and long wave-length, NIR-OX enabled high-contrast bioimaging and assessment of cholestatic liver injury in vivo and also facilitated the evalua-tion of the efficacy of liver protection medicines against cholestatic liver injury.

Dihydropyridopyrazine Functionalized Xanthene: Generating Stable NIR Dyes with Small‐Molecular Weight by Enhanced Charge Separation

Near‐infrared region (NIR; 650–1700 nm) dyes offer many advantages over traditional dyes with absorption and emission in the visible region. However, developing new NIR dyes, especially organic dyes with long wavelengths, small molecular weight, and excellent stability and biocompatibility, is still quite challenging. Herein, we present a general method to enhance the absorption and emission wavelengths of traditional fluorophores by simply appending a charge separation structure, dihydropyridopyrazine. These novel NIR dyes not only exhibited greatly redshifted wavelengths compared to their parent dyes, but also displayed a small molecular weight increase together with retained stability and biocompatibility. Specifically, dye NIR‐OX, a dihydropyridopyra‐zine derivative of oxazine with a molecular mass of 386.2 Da, exhibited an absorption at 822 nm and an emission extending to 1200 nm, making it one of the smallest molecular‐weight NIR‐II emitting dyes. Thanks to its rapid metabolism and long wave‐length, NIR‐OX enabled high‐contrast bioimaging and assessment of cholestatic liver injury in vivo and also facilitated the evalua‐tion of the efficacy of liver protection medicines against cholestatic liver injury.

Microbial quality and macronutrient of vermicompost produced by Eisenia fetida in dairy wastewater solids

Abstract. Marlina ET, Hidayati YA, Harlia E, Badruzzaman DZ, Meynadhea N, Rahayu NA. 2024. Microbial quality and macronutrient of vermicompost produced by Eisenia fetida in dairy wastewater solids. Biodiversitas 25: 2729-2737. Dairy Wastewater Solids (DWS) contain enough nutrients for the growth of earthworms and utilize the nutritional requirements of livestock waste for growth. The growth of earthworms affects the quality of vermicompost or castings that are useful as organic fertilizers. This research aimed to determine the growth of Eisenia fertida using DWS as a growth medium, and its effect on the quality of vermicompost produced. The organic material decomposed in DWS by indigenous microorganisms and earthworms can convert DWS into organic fertilizer through composting. Rice straw was added as a carbon source to obtain the ideal C/N ratio for the growth of decomposing microorganisms. Good growth of decomposer microorganisms can increase the availability of nutrients in DWS as a source of plant nutrition. E. fetida was used in vermicomposting for 14 days after the initial decomposition phase had passed. This research used the experimental method of Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three stocking density treatments (T1: 6.6 g/L; T2: 13.3 g/L; T3: 20.0 g/L ) and six replications. The results showed that higher stocking density promoted an increase in the biomass weight of earthworms. Various indigenous microorganisms act as decomposers and work with earthworms to convert organic matter into inorganic matter as a plant nutrient. The stocking density treatment had no significant effect on vermicompost production, total nitrogen content, and P2O5 vermicompost but had a significant effect on K2O, Ca, Mg, population of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria (NFB) and Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB). Vermicomposting, DWS, and rice straw mixture produced vermicompost with high functional microbial and macronutrient concentrations.

Trend in physical growth among Chinese urban students: Results from five national successive cross-sectional surveys within the past two decades.

To examine the orientation, magnitude, and pace of secular trends in body height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) among Chinese urban students aged 7-18 years from 2000 to 2019. Data were extracted from Chinese urban students aged 7-18 years from the Chinese National Surveillance on Students' Constitution and Health in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014, and 2019. The height, weight, and BMI of 548 419, 548 408, and 548 365 urban students aged 7-18 years, respectively, were tested. The mean differences across survey years were tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The pace of secular trends is expressed as the change every 5 years between every two adjacent survey years. Height increments between 1.9 and 6.2 cm, weight increments between 2.7 and 8.6 kg, and BMI increments between 0.9 and 1.9 kg/m2 were observed in boys. For girls, height increments between 1.5 and 4.9 cm, weight increments between 2.2 and 6.0 kg, and BMI increments between 0.7 and 1.7 kg/m2 were observed. The pace of secular trends in height decreased in the last 5 years, and the secular trends in weight and BMI have accelerated in the last 9 years compared with the previous 10 years. Although the secular trend in height among Chinese urban students has slowed, it has not yet reached its genetic potential and continues to increase. The rapid increase in weight and BMI was a cause for concern. Our findings provide a basis for the future formulation of public health interventions in China.

MicroRNA-21 modulates brown adipose tissue adipogenesis and thermogenesis in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women, is associated with increased obesity, hyperandrogenism, and altered brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. MicroRNAs play critical functions in brown adipocyte differentiation and maintenance. We aim to study the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in altered energy homeostasis and BAT thermogenesis in a PCOS mouse model of peripubertal androgen exposure.MethodsThree-week-old miR-21 knockout (miR21KO) or wild-type (WT) female mice were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or vehicle for 90 days. Body composition was determined by EchoMRI. Energy expenditure (EE), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured by indirect calorimetry. Androgen receptor (AR), and markers of adipogenesis, de novo lipogenesis, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and thermogenesis were quantified by RT-qPCR and/or Western-blot.ResultsMiR-21 ablation attenuated DHT-mediated increase in body weight while having no effect on fat or BAT mass. MiR-21 ablation attenuated DHT-mediated BAT AR upregulation. MiR-21 ablation did not alter EE; however, miR21KO DHT-treated mice have reduced VO2, VCO2, and RER. MiR-21 ablation reversed DHT-mediated decrease in food intake and increase in sleep time. MiR-21 ablation decreased some adipogenesis (Adipoq, Pparγ, and Cebpβ) and extracellular matrix remodeling (Mmp-9 and Timp-1) markers expression in DHT-treated mice. MiR-21 ablation abolished DHT-mediated increases in thermogenesis markers Cpt1a and Cpt1b, while decreasing CIDE-A expression.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that BAT miR-21 may play a role in regulating DHT-mediated thermogenic dysfunction in PCOS. Modulation of BAT miR-21 levels could be a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of PCOS-associated metabolic derangements.

Metabolic Profiling Changes Induced by Fermented Blackberries in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice Utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic changes associated with the anti-obesity effects of fermented blackberry extracts in the liver tissues of high-fat-diet-fed mice using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis. C57BL/6J mice were divided into eight groups: normal-diet-fed mice, high-fat-diet-fed mice, high-fat diet treated with blackberry extract, high-fat-diet mice treated with blackberry fermented by L. plantarum, and high-fat diet with blackberry fermented by L. brevis. After 12 weeks, the high-fat-diet group exhibited a greater increase in liver weight compared to the control group, and among the groups, the group administered with blackberry fermented with L. plantarum showed the most pronounced reduction in liver weight. As the primary organ responsible for amino acid metabolism, the liver is crucial for maintaining amino acid homeostasis. In our study, we observed that the levels of several essential amino acids, including isoleucine and valine, were decreased by the high-fat diet, and were recovered by administration of blackberry extract fermented with L. plantarum. Our results demonstrated the potential of blackberry extract fermented with L. plantarum as a functional material for metabolic disorders by restoring some of the amino acid metabolism disturbances induced by a high-fat diet.

Aripiprazole dose associations with metabolic adverse effect: Results from a longitudinal study

ObjectiveWeight gain, blood lipids and/or glucose dysregulation can follow aripiprazole treatment onset. Whether aripiprazole dosage is associated with an increase in these metabolic parameters remains uncertain. The present study investigates aripiprazole dose associations with weight change, blood glucose, lipids, and blood pressure. Methods422 patients taking aripiprazole for a minimum of three weeks to one year were selected from PsyMetab and PsyClin cohorts. Associations between aripiprazole dose and metabolic outcomes were examined using linear mixed-effect models. ResultsAripiprazole dose was associated with weight change when considering its interaction with treatment duration (interaction term: −0.10, p < 0.001). This interaction resulted in greater weight gain for high versus low doses at the beginning of the treatment, this result being overturned at approximately five months, with greater weight increase for low versus high doses thereafter. LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were associated with aripiprazole dose over five months independently of treatment duration, with an average of 0.06 and 0.02 mmol/l increase for each 5 mg increment, respectively (p = 0.033 and p = 0.016, respectively). Furthermore, mean dose increases were associated with greater odds (+30 % per 5 mg increase) of clinically relevant weight gain (i.e., ≥7 %) over one year (p = 0.025). ConclusionAripiprazole dose was associated with one-year weight changes when considering its interaction with treatment duration. Increasing its dose could lead to metabolic worsening over the first five months of treatment, during which minimum effective doses should be particularly preferred.

Wheat yield and grain-filling characteristics due to cultivar replacement in the Haihe Plain in China.

The Haihe Plain plays an important role in wheat production and food security in China and has experienced continuous cultivar replacement since the 1950s.This study assessed the evolution of the yield and grain-filling characteristics of the main winter wheat cultivars in the Haihe Plain over the last seven decades (1950s to date). Cultivar characterization indicated that the increase in yield was negatively affected by spike number and positively affected by the number of kernels per spike before the 2000s and kernel weight after the 2000s. Field trials were conducted across two ecological zones over two consecutive wheatgrowing seasons. The results showed that genetic gains in grain yield, spike number, and kernel weight during 1955 to 2021 were 0.629%, 0.574%, and 0.332% year-1 on a relative basis or 39.12 kg ha-1, 24,350 hm-2, and 0.15 g year-1 on an absolute basis, respectively. However, the increase in the kernel number per spike was not significant. Moreover, cultivar replacement explained 25.6%, 12.8%, and 37.5% of the total variance in grain yield, spike number, and kernel weight, respectively. In summary, during the initial grain-filling stage, wheat cultivar replacement led to the shortening of grain-filling duration and rapid grain-filling rate. However, a longer active grain-filling duration was produced by prolonged durations of rapid and late grain-filling. Additionally, the experimental year had a greater effect on the kernel number, which explained 53.2% of the total variance. Ultimately, modern wheat cultivars had a greater kernel weight. Although the increase in kernel weight has affected grain yield during cultivar replacements in the Haihe Plain, the potential for further yield increase through kernel weight enhancement alone is limited. Consequently, future breeding efforts and cultivation practices should focus on improving spike traits and canopy architecture to enhance productivity.

THE SCALE SIMULATION APPLICATION IN THE MILITARY VEHICLES ARMORING

The armoring of the civilian vehicles during martial law requires the search for new parameters selecting methods that provide the required indicators of dynamic properties. The additional armored sheets installation on ordinary civilian vehicles leads to the weight increase, the center of mass position change and dynamic properties deterioration. Therefore, the ordinary civilian vehicles armoring can also be considered from the perspective of large-scale modeling. One of the ways to ensure the necessary dynamic indicators of the ordinary civilian vehicles when armoring is to use the theory of large-scale modeling due to the use of the mass scale as the main scale. In the study, using the theory of similarity, a system of scale coefficients was developed for choosing the main design parameters of armored vehicles. The dependences of engine power, wheel diameter and rigid suspension and tires, engine and transmission torques on the car reservation coefficient are obtained. The value of the indicator of the relevant parameters of the vehicle degree is given. The higher the degree indicator, the higher the sensitivity of the vehicle parameter to increase when armoring. It was determined that different physical (mechanical) quantities have different sensitivity to the increase in the weight of the vehicle. The greatest sensitivity is the value of the engine torque, and the least is the linear dimension. These dependencies can be used in the process of designing a car armoring. In addition, it was determined that there is a relationship between the maximum permissible parameter measurement error during dynamic tests of full-scale models and the maximum permissible parameter measurement error during full-scale machine testing. Іmproved requirements for the dynamic parameters measurement accuracy during armored vehicles tests are considered. During armored vehicles tests, the maximum permissible error of dynamic parameters measuring increases, which makes it possible not to use more complex measuring and recording equipment.

Genetic causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

ObjectPrevious research has suggested an association between placental tissue abnormalities and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This study aims to explore the causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder. MethodsThis study employed Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the potential causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder. The study design involved two sample populations, with data for the exposed population sourced from previous studies focusing on PW, and data for the outcome population obtained from the Integrative Psychiatric Research and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium study. To ensure the robustness of the results, three sensitivity analyses were performed, including heterogeneity testing, pleiotropy testing, and a leave-one-out analysis. The inverse variance weighted method served as the gold standard for the Mendelian randomization analysis. ResultsThe results of the first analysis revealed a significant correlation between an increase in placental weight and an elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (p = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis detected heterogeneity and outliers. After removing two outlier SNPs in the second round of analysis, the results still supported a genetic causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder (p = 0.01). The second-round sensitivity analysis did not reveal any heterogeneity or outliers. ConclusionOur study provides compelling evidence supporting a causal relationship between elevated placental weight and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. These findings underscore the significance of placental development in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder and propose a potential early predictive indicator for autism spectrum disorder.

Hepatic transcriptomic assessment of Sprague Dawley rats in response to dietary perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) ingestion

Perfluorobutane sulfonate is a short-chain PFAS that is a less toxic replacement for the rather more toxic long-chain perfluorooctane sulfonate. PFBS is widespread in the environment and has raised environmental and health concerns. The study goal was to investigate whether dietary ingestion of PFBS would induce hepatic damage. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three PFBS treatment groups for 11 weeks followed by clinical markers analyses in the serum and liver. There was a significant increase in liver and body weights of PFBS rats. Total antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced in the PFBS-treated group. ALT levels increased based on concentration ingested. Close to 1000 gene transcripts were differentially expressed. Further, transmembrane transport and oxidation-reduction processes were the most up-regulated biological processes. Inflammatory genes were up-regulated in the exposed group and those associated with oxidative damage were down-regulated. In conclusion, PFBS ingestion produced mild effects in the liver of Sprague Dawley rats.