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The application of a no-touch technique to create an autologous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula might improve the patency rate. In the present report, we have expanded the concept of the no-touch technique by introducing a modified no-touch technique in which we preserve the perivenous vascular tissue, followed by a functional end-to-side anastomosis to create a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula with early maturation for hemodialysis.

Click-evoked auditory-brainstem-response (ABR) is widely used for hearing screening in neonates and infants. However, their normative values are based on small studies. This retrospective study was done at a tertiary-care centre where click-ABR based screening is done in all newborns. ABR records (Nihon-Kohden machine, model MEB-9400K) of 420 healthy neonates (preterm 75; full-term 32) and infants (113) done over a period 4 years (2014–2018) were analysed retrospectively. Sick neonates and those with Wave V threshold > 40 dbnHL were excluded. Infants were divided into four groups based on post-conceptual age, Group A (75): 34–36 weeks; Group B (44): 37–40weeks; Group C (188):41 weeks-1 month; and Group D (113): 1–6months. The mean absolute latencies for wave I, wave III, and wave V varied from 1.45–1.56 milliseconds (ms), 4.14–4.37 ms, and 6.36–6.81 ms respectively. Interpeak latencies for I–V and I–III varied from 4.91 ms to 5.22 ms and 2.69 ms to 2.81 ms respectively. Older infants had lower absolute and interpeak latencies. Late preterm babies were not different from term babies suggesting early maturation of brainstem pathways.

To determine the sperm retrieval rates (SRRs) and predictive factors of patients with a history of undescended testis after testicular sperm extraction (TESE).A total of 311 patients were diagnosed with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and underwent TESE were included in this study. These patients were divided into 2 groups: an undescended group consisting of 62 patients who had a history of undescended testes and an idiopathic group consisting of 249 patients. Of the 62 patients with a history of undescended testes, 26 had a history of bilateral orchidopexy, 15 had a history of unilateral orchidopexy, and 21 had no history of surgery.The testicular spermatozoa were found in 134 (53.8%) and 31 (50%) patients in the idiopathic NOA and undescended testes groups, respectively. Similar to patients with idiopathic NOA, the overall SRRs were strongly associated with histopathology for patients with a history of undescended testes. These SRRs were 34.2%, 33.3%, 71.4%, 100%, and 100% for Sertoli Cell Only, late maturation arrest, early maturation arrest, hypospermatogenesis, and normal spermatogenesis, respectively (P.001). In the undescended group, the SRRs of patients who underwent orchidopexy were not different than patients without a history of orchidopexy. However, patients who underwent unilateral orchidopexy had a higher SRR than those who underwent bilateral orchidopexy (P = .031).TESE is a successful treatment modality for men with NOA associated with or without a history of undescended testis. The testicular histopathology and unilateral undescended testis were identified as independent predictors of SRRs for men with a history of undescended testis.

Background: The objective of this study is to accomplish a systematic review of the literature describing the associationbetween pubertal maturation and health risk behaviors among adolescents. Methods: It was used the database from MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scopus, Lilacs and Web of Science. The terms used in the research, with its variations, were “puberty”, “maturation”, “maturity”, “risk behaviors”, “risk factors”,“adolescent” and “student”. There were included studies that considered: 1) pre-teens and teenagers aged from 10 to 19 years old; 2) have at least one aspect in regards to pubertal maturation, and at least one behavior of risk (or the data that shows prevalence); 3) observational, transversal and longitudinal studies, and evaluate an association between pubertal maturation and behaviors of risk; 4) be published in scientific journals in the English language; and 5) be published until July, 2015. The quality of the scientific papers was assessed based on the Downs & Black scale. Results: Out of 838 manuscripts found in the databases, after the sorting and applied the eligibility criteria, remained in this systematic review 13 articles. Early maturation was associated significantly with the use of alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs, early sexual initiation, sedentary behaviors and involvement in fights, where girls showed higher prevalence. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicates that a pubertal maturation is associated to health risk behaviors among adolescents. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Dexamethasone is administered to pregnant women with high risk of preterm delivery, but his impact during intrauterine development can program progression of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia and a tendency to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The aim of the study was to determine the changes of the nuclear-cytoplasmic relations (NCR) of cardiomyocytes (CMC) in the myocardium in the postnatal period after intrauterine administration of dexamethasone. 144 hearts of laboratory rats were studied from 1 to 45 days of life, which were divided into 3 groups: first — intact group, animals of second group were injected by 0.05 ml dexamethasone solution on the 18th day of intrauterine development, and III — control group. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Statistical evaluation was carried out with Mann-Whitney U-test. p

Exploring the developing brain is a major issue in understanding what enables children to acquire amazing abilities, and how early disruptions can lead to a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. MRI plays a key role here by providing a noninvasive way to link brain and behavioral changes. Several modalities are used in newborns and infants to characterize the properties of the developing brain, from growth, morphology to microstructure and functional specialization. Recent multimodal studies have sought to couple complementary MRI markers to provide a more integrated view of brain development. In this chapter, we describe successively how these approaches have made it possible to assess the early maturation of brain tissues, to link different aspects of structural development, and to compare structural and functional brain development.

International audience; Many animal populations are subject to hunting or fishing in the wild. Detailed knowledge of demographic parameters (e.g. survival, reproduction) and temporal dynamics of such populations is crucial for sustainable management. Despite their relevance for management decisions, structure and size of exploited populations are often not known, and data limited. Recently, joint analysis of different types of demographic data, such as population counts, reproductive data and capture-mark-recapture data, within integrated population models (IPMs) has gained much popularity as it may allow estimating population size and structure, as well as key demographic rates, while fully accounting for uncertainty. IPMs built so far for exploited populations have typically been built as age-structured population models. However, the age of harvested individuals is usually difficult and/or costly to assess and therefore often not available. Here, we introduce an IPM structured by body size classes, which allows making efficient use of data commonly available in exploited populations for which accurate information on age is often missing. The model jointly analyzes size-at-harvest data, capture-mark-recapture-recovery data and reproduction data from necropsies, and we illustrate its applicability in a case study involving heavily hunted wild boar. This species has increased in abundance over the last decades despite intense harvest, and the IPM analysis provides insights into the roles of natural mortality, body growth, maturation schedules and reproductive output in compensating for the loss of individuals to hunting. Early maturation and high reproductive output contributed to wild boar population persistence despite a strong hunting pressure. We thus demonstrate the potential of size-class-structured IPMs as tools to investigate the dynamics of exploited populations with limited information on age, and highlight both the applicability of this framework to other species and its potential for follow-up analyses highly relevant to management.

There is a growing interest in knowing the relationship between biological maturation and sport performance-related variables of young athletes. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between biological maturation, physical fitness, and kinanthropometric variables of athletes during their growing period, according to their sex. The systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and the search protocol was registered in PROSPERO, code: CRD42020208397. A search through the PubMed, Web of Sciences, and EBSCO databases was performed. A total of 423 studies were screened and 13 were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis was completed by using the mean and standard deviation of each variable according to each maturation status (early, on time, or late). Differences depending on maturation were found on physical fitness, with better results in the advanced maturational groups in the male population (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.17–2.31; p < 0.001–0.05). Differences depending on maturation were found for kinanthropometric variables in males (SMD = 0.37–2.31; p < 0.001–0.002) and height and body mass in females (SMD = 0.96–1.19; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the early maturation group showed higher values in kinanthropometric variables and better results in physical fitness, highlighting the importance of the maturational process in the talent selection programs. Despite that, more research is needed to clarify the relationship of maturation with the other variables on female populations and the changes in the muscle and bone variables during the maturation processes of both sexes.

OBJECTIVEThe acquisition and refinement of cognitive and behavioral skills during development is associated with the maturation of various brain oscillatory activities. Most developmental investigations have identified distinct patterns of low-frequency electrophysiological activity that are characteristic of various behavioral milestones. In this investigation, the authors focused on the cross-sectional developmental properties of high-frequency spectral power from the brain’s default mode network (DMN) during goal-directed behavior.METHODSThe authors contrasted regionally specific, time-evolving high gamma power (HGP) in the lateral DMN cortex between 3 young children (age range 3–6 years) and 3 adults by use of electrocorticography (ECoG) recordings over the left perisylvian cortex during a picture-naming task.RESULTSAcross all participants, a nearly identical and consistent response suppression of HGP, which is a functional signature of the DMN, was observed during task performance recordings acquired from ECoG electrodes placed over the lateral DMN cortex. This finding provides evidence of relatively early maturation of the DMN. Furthermore, only HGP relative to evoked alpha and beta band power showed this level of consistency across all participants.CONCLUSIONSRegionally specific, task-evoked suppression of the high-frequency components of the cortical power spectrum is established early in brain development, and this response may reflect the early maturation of specific cognitive and/or computational mechanisms.

The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) for the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP), especially in girls, has increased rapidly in recent years. In the context of a secular trend towards earlier puberty onset, many girls now treated for CPP are healthy children experiencing puberty onset within the early end of the normal range. Justifications for GnRHa treatment include the preservation of adult height (AH) potential and the alleviation of presumed distress of early maturation and menarche. With a case of a family requesting treatment for an 8-year-old girl in early puberty as a background, studies of the effect of untreated CPP and of GnRHa treatment of CPP on AH are reviewed. In addition, the limited evidence relating CPP to significant psychological distress – in part due to early menses, and for the amelioration of such distress by GnRHa treatment – is discussed. Taken together, current information suggests that for girls with mildly early onset of puberty (ages 7–9 years), an informed assent discussion with the family should include the consideration of reassurance and observation for many girls who might otherwise receive 2–4 years of GnRHa treatment for a poorly defined benefit and at a cost of at least $20–30,000 per year.

Background. Malaria during pregnancy may threaten the mother’s health and cause serious structural damage to the internal architecture of the placenta, which subsequently affects the pregnancy outcome. A better understanding of the impact of malaria parasites on the placenta morphology is crucial for better management of pregnant women and their babies.Aim. To assess by stereology the histomorphology of selected placental structures in placenta malaria compared with normal placentae at term.Method. A total of 10 placentae comprising 5 controls and 5 cases were selected from 50 placentae that were collected at term (38 weeks ± 2 weeks) from the maternal delivery suit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Blood from the placentae was collected for both rapid diagnostic test and microscopic examinations. Samples collected were examined forPlasmodiumparasites, after which they were classified as study group (Plasmodiumpositive) or control (Plasmodiumnegative). Stereological quantification using systematic uniform random sampling technique with test point and intersection counting of photomicrographs were employed to estimate the mean volume densities of syncytial knots, syncytial necrosis, foetal capillaries, and intervillous spaces of the placentae on a total of 1,600 photomicrographs.Results. Out of the fifty placental samples from the maternal side tested forPlasmodium,six representing 12% were found to be infected with the parasite by both rapid diagnostic test and microscopy. On stereological assessment, the mean volume density of syncytial knots was significantly higher in the placental malaria group compared with the control placentae at term (P = 0.0080), but foetal capillaries (P = 0.7813), intervillous spaces (P = 0.8078), and syncytial necrosis (P = 0.8249) were not significantly different.Conclusion. This preliminary result indicates that placental malaria may cause significant increase in the syncytial knots but not foetal capillaries, intervillous spaces, or syncytial necrosis. This finding signifies early maturation of the placenta and may be crucial in understanding perinatal outcomes.

Interest in land-based farms using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for market-size Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) continues to grow, and several commercial facilities are already rearing fish. Performance data for commercially available mixed-sex, all-female, and triploid all-female Atlantic salmon reared to market-size in freshwater land-based facilities, however, are limited, particularly for European strain fish. Accordingly, eight groups of European-sourced Atlantic salmon (five groups of diploid mixed-sex, two groups of diploid all-female, and one group of triploid all-female fish) were reared from eyed egg to market-size in a semi-commercial scale land-based aquaculture systems over five separate production cycles to quantify performance metrics. Fish reached market-size (4−5 kg) in 24.7–26.3 months post-hatch. Fish were reared at a mean water temperature of 12.3–13.7 °C from first feeding to a mean size of 466–1265 g, then 13.3–15.1 °C during growout. On average, all-female groups grew faster than mixed-sex groups; however, environmental conditions and performance of individual cohorts varied. In a comingled production cycle, diploid all-female salmon grew faster than triploid counterparts. Early maturation rates ranged from 0 % to 67 %, with a mean maturation rate of 34 % for diploid mixed-sex fish and 67 % and 13 % for two diploid all-female groups, respectively. Triploid all-female Atlantic salmon did not mature. This research confirms biological and technological feasibility of growing Atlantic salmon to market-size in land-based systems but controlling early maturation of diploid salmon remained a challenge under the conditions utilized in these trials. This research provides important data inputs to optimize operational and financial projections for existing and potential land-based Atlantic salmon farms.

A field experiment was conducted with thirty hybrids of eleven parents (six lines and five testers in ‘Line x Tester’ mating design) along with a check variety ‘MDU 1’. The aim is to estimate the magnitude of economic heterosis which is considered for exploitation of hybrid vigour for higher yield and early maturity. Negative heterosis for three traits viz., plant height, days to 50 % flowering and days to maturity is desirable for early maturation of crop. Based on experimental results of this investigation four crosses viz ., MDU 1/ VBN (Bg) 6, MDU 1/ PU 31, MDU 1/ Mash-114 and MDU 1/ Uttara had exhibited higher positive significant standard heterosis for eight yield and yield attributing traits in positive direction and negative heterosis for two traits viz ., days to 50 % flowering and days to maturity. The presence of magnitude of standard heterosis was higher in these crosses for yield and yield attributes. Hence, exploitation of hybrid vigour could be done in these crosses and it might be helpful in the improvement of this crop.

Sexual maturation of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, is a complex process, with many variables having the capacity to influence the timing and prevalence of maturation and acting as promoters and/or inhibitors of sexual development. Precocious maturation has the capacity to seriously impact production in commercial aquaculture settings, and in response there has been a significant amount of research devoted to understanding this issue in order to develop remedial strategies. Very little research has been conducted specifically examining salmon maturation in land-based, closed containment water recirculation aquaculture systems, which have recently received attention as an alternative technology for the sustainable production of market-size Atlantic salmon. Unfortunately, the nascent closed containment salmon industry has thus far experienced high levels of precocious maturation, for reasons that are presently unclear. Given the economic challenges facing the closed containment industry's expansion, it is imperative that best management practices be developed to reduce economic losses from early maturation, in order to assist the sustainable growth of farmed Atlantic salmon production. This review provides a brief summary of published research on factors associated with early salmonid maturation, as well as information from research examining maturation and growout performance of Atlantic salmon in closed containment aquaculture systems.

Background: For over 100 years, the medical community has assumed that promoting higher birth weight, faster growth, early maturation and taller height assures better health and longevity. In 2005, this assumption was challenged and a hypothesis was proposed that the obesity epidemic is driven by higher birth weight, rapid growth rate, early sexual maturity and excessive height. Over the last 10 years, much research has evolved that supports this alternative hypothesis. Objectives: To provide additional evidence to support the hypothesis that the obesity epidemic and various health problems are due to increasing birth weight, rapid growth, early sexual maturation and excessive height growth. Materials and Methods: A collection of over 5000 papers, reports and books provided a variety of findings for this report. Publications dealing with the issues discussed in the original 2005 paper were obtained from this collection of documents. Additional material was obtained from internet sources, such as on-line journals and reports. Results: Scores of research and review papers provide substantial support for an alternative hypothesis on obesity and human health. The research supports the dangers of the modern diet that promotes greater birth weight and accelerated childhood growth. Evidence is also presented that early sexual maturity and bigger body size promote health problems and reduce longevity. In addition, data based on millions of deaths, indicates that taller height is related to reduced longevity under similar nutrition and lifestyle conditions. Conclusions: It is recommended that traditional assumptions be re-evaluated on the risks related to higher birth weight, rapid growth, early maturity and increased height and weight.

Background: Early puberty is a common worldwide problem. Different parameters as genetics, metabolic diseases, obesity, as well as environmental factors may affect the age of puberty. This systematic review aims to survey the related literature on the effects of environmental pollutants and especially organohalogens and phthalates on early puberty. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of papers published in the English language was completed in January 2014. Studies on the associations of organohalogens and phthalates with the puberty time were included. A literature search was conducted in EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from 1995 to January 2014; moreover manual search through references of relevant manuscripts was considered. The literature search identified 212 papers, of which 13 papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the current study. Two reviewers independently identified relevant papers for potential inclusion and assessed the methodological quality. Results: This review included 6572 participants in nine countries from three continents (Europe, North America, and Asia). Different studies determined the effects of pollutants on maturation signs and pubertal stages and confirmed the association of organohalogens and phthalates with early puberty. Conclusion: Based on the studied literature, environmental pollutants surround and accumulate in human societies and their adverse health effects are well documented. It can be concluded that organohalogens and phthalates are disturbing the normal process of puberty timing; especially their influence on early maturation in girls should be underscored. Key words: Early puberty, organohalogens, phthalates, systematic review

Structured AbstractObjectives Studies have shown that the mandibular permanent first molar (M1inf) in young children with isolated cleft palate is characterized by delay in maturation and has reduced crown width. Consequently, it is of interest to investigate the early maturation and width of the follicle and crown of M1inf in children with combined cleft lip and palate. Design Retrospective, longitudinal study. Cephalometric X-rays of 47 consecutive Danish children with UCCLP (37 males; 10 females) and 44 with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL) (29 males; 15 females) examined at 2 and 22 months of age. UICL served as control group. Maturation (according to Haavikko), width of follicle (FW) and crown (CW) of M1inf were assessed. Results The maturation of the first mandibular molar was delayed in both genders at 2 and 22 months of age. FW and CW were smaller in children with UCCLP at both 2 and 22 months of age. There was a positive correlation between maturation and FW. Conclusions Maturation of the first mandibular molar is delayed in both genders, and FW and CW were reduced in UCCLP compared to controls. Maturation was correlated with FW.

1 Senior Lecturer; Department of Orthodontia; AMC Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 2 The Dean and Head of the Department; Department of Orthodontia; AMC Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India __________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract: Introduction: Recognizing dental and skeletal developmental stages from cephalometric and panoramic radiographs is very useful to assess physiologic maturity without resorting to any special radiograph. Objectives: 1. Dental age determination from panoramic radiograph using Demirjian method. 2. Skeletal age determination from lateral cephalometric radiograph using Hassel and Farman method. 3. To evaluate the nature of interrelationship between Chronological, Dental and Skeletal age. Methods: The sample for study consisted of 160 radiographs (80 panoramic radiographs and 80 cephalometric radiographs) of 40 boys and 40 girls randomly selected from various schools of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India in the age group of 6 to 13 years known chronological age. Data was collected and analyzed. Results: A strong correlation exists between Chronological and assessed Dental age in both genders of 7-12age. (r = 0.8) A moderate correlation exists between Chronological and assessed Skeletal age in both genders of 9-13age (r =0.4) A moderate correlation exists between assessed Skeletal and Dental age in both genders of 9-13age (r =0.6) Conclusions: Significant strong correlation was found among Chronological and assessed Dental age. Girls showed an early maturation over boys of the same age group.

Assessment of growth status of dentofacial skeleton is important during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning procedures particularly in young children having skeletal malocclusion. ′Genetic and epigenetic factors have a marked effect on the growth status of a child thus the need for the orthodontist to use various skeletal maturation indices to determine period of accelerated growth. Aims and objective: In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the level of skeletal maturation and period of accelerated growth in 70 boys and 70 girls between the ages (8+) and (14+) years using CVMS index. Materials and methods: Lateral cephalogram of 140 individuals were selected, i.e. 70 girls and 70 boys, each of age group from 8+ to 14+ years. It is observed that CVMS index used is highly significant for this purpose. It is observed that this index is highly effective for this purpose. Conclusion: Females′ vertebrae mature earlier than males at each stage. The maturation rate is not constant between the various stages and period of accelerated growth is experienced at different ages and levels in males and females. Need arises to confirm that early maturation in females is not because of their smaller sized vertebra. Further, the time duration recorded between the two subsequent stages is different not because the changes required to be done by nature is different. Longitudinal growth studies of the jaws proper are desired to be conducted for this purpose.

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 280–285 Background. Based on measurements on dental casts, smaller permanent teeth in children with cleft palate have previously been reported in the literature; however, the early maturation of teeth and the size of the follicles and crowns have not been investigated. Hypothesis. The maturation of the mandibular permanent first molar (M1inf) is delayed, and the mesiodistal diameters of the follicle and crown of M1inf, respectively, are reduced in children with isolated cleft palate (ICP). Design. Retrospective, longitudinal. Cephalometric X-rays were available for 2 and 22 months old children with clefts (64 children with ICP, and a control group of 38 children with unilateral incomplete cleft lip). The width of the follicle and the crown of M1inf, and the maturation of M1inf were assessed. Intra-observer error was acceptable. Results. M1inf maturation was delayed in children with ICP at both 2 and 22 months of age. The mesiodistal diameter of the crown of M1inf in the ICP group was reduced. Thus, the two hypotheses could not be refuted. Conclusions. Children with ICP showed smaller dimensions of the M1inf, and in addition, the maturation of M1inf was delayed.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar dez famílias RB (República do Brasil) de irmãos germanos de cana-de-açúcar com potencial de produção e precocidade na maturação, visando à seleção de indivíduos para uso no melhoramento e comercial. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em área agrícola localizada em Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brasil, durante o ano agrícola de 2009/2010. Foram avaliados caracteres morfoagronômicos e tecnológicos na cultura aos dez meses após o plantio. A análise multivariada foi utilizada para quantificar a divergência genética, e a distância generalizada de Mahalanobis foi empregada como medida de dissimilaridade. O método hierárquico de ligações médias e o método de otimização de Tocher também foram aplicados, além da estimativa das análises de trilha fenotípicas. Em vista de suas características agroindustriais superiores, as famílias FA-2, FA-3, FA-5, FA-8 e FA-9 podem ser selecionadas para produção de cana e açúcar. Os resultados relacionados à porcentagem aparente de sólidos solúveis indicaram as famílias FA-4, FA-5, FA-6 e FA-10 com tendência para maturação precoce. A variável número médio de colmos pode ser utilizada na seleção indireta de famílias mais produtivas, uma vez que teve efeito direto positivo e elevado sobre tonelada de cana por hectare. The aim of the present study was to evaluate ten RB (Republic of Brazil) families of full-sib sugarcane with production potential and early maturity to select individuals for use in breeding programs and for commercialization. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four replicates. The experiment was carried out in Igarassu, Pernambuco, Brazil, during the 2009/2010 crop season. Morphological and technological traits were evaluated ten months after planting. Multivariate analysis was used to quantify genetic divergence and Mahalanobis distance was used as the dissimilarity measure. The hierarchical mean connection method and Tocher's optimization method were applied and phenotypic path analysis was performed. Considering the agro-industrial traits, the families FA-2, FA-3, FA-5, FA-8 and FA-9 can be selected for sugar production. The results regarding the apparent percentage of soluble solids indicate that the families FA-4, FA-5, FA-6 and FA-10 have a tendency towards early maturation. The mean number of culms can be used for indirect selection of more productive families, as this variable has a substantial direct positive effect on tons of sugarcane per hectare.

Purpose Although arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) are currently the preferred mode of permanent hemodialysis access they do have significant problems due to initial non-maturation and a later venous stenosis. These problems appear to have been exacerbated following a push to increase AVF prevalence in the US. The reasons for both AVF non-maturation and the later venous stenoses are unclear but are thought to be related to abnormal hemodynamic wall shear stress (WSS) profiles. This technical note aims to describe the successful development of measurement techniques that can be used to establish a complete hemodynamic profile in a pig model with two different configurations of AVF. Methods and results The curved and straight AVF configurations were created in an in vivo pig model. Flow and pressure in the AVFs were measured using the perivascular flow probes and Doppler flow wires while the pressure was recorded using a pressure transducer. The anatomical configuration was obtained using two different approaches: a) combination of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and angiograms, (b) 64 slice CT angiography. 3D models were reconstructed using image processing and computer modeling techniques. Numerical calculations were then performed by applying the measured flow and pressure data into the configurations to obtain the hemodynamic WSS profiles. Conclusion The described methodologies will allow the calculation and optimization of WSS profiles in animal models. This information could then be translated to the clinical setting where it would have a positive impact on improving the early maturation rates of AVFs as well as reducing the late venous stenoses.

Objective To examine the relationship between pubertal timing and physical activity. Study design A longitudinal sample of 143 adolescent girls was assessed at ages 11 and 13 years. Girls' pubertal development was assessed at age 11 with blood estradiol levels, Tanner breast staging criteria, and parental report of pubertal development. Girls were classified as early maturers (n = 41) or later maturers (n = 102) on the basis of their scores on the 3 pubertal development measures. Dependent variables measured at age 13 were average minutes/day of moderate to vigorous and vigorous physical activity as measured by the ActiGraph accelerometer. Results Early-maturing girls had significantly lower self-reported physical activity and accumulated fewer minutes of moderate to vigorous and vigorous physical activity and accelerometer counts per day at age 13 than later maturing girls. These effects were independent of differences in percentage body fat and self-reported physical activity at age 11. Conclusion Girls experiencing early pubertal maturation at age 11 reported lower subsequent physical activity at age 13 than their later maturing peers. Pubertal maturation, in particular early maturation relative to peers, may lead to declines in physical activity among adolescent girls.

Zinc (Zn) nutrition is of special practical importance in infants and young children, however relatively little is known about maturation and comparative aspects of Zn absorption. The principal objective of this paper is to compare Zn absorption of term infants, preterm infants, and adults on low phytate diets. Existing data derived from using Zn stable isotopes as extrinsic labels for an entire day were modeled with saturation kinetic analysis (saturable response model). When adjusted for differences in length of small intestine, the efficiency of Zn absorption for both term (4 months) and preterm (33 weeks post-conception) infants was comparable with that for adults, suggesting early maturation of mechanisms that regulate absorption. However, infant intestinal lengths were shorter, and Zn absorptive capacity was proportionately less. Reduced capacity was matched by lower Zn requirements for normal term infants. This favorable match, however, did not occur in the preterm infant because of relatively high Zn requirements. Although intestinal conservation of endogenous Zn in these preterm infants was appropriate in relation to the quantity of Zn absorbed, it was not optimal for achieving the retention required. Normal homeostatic mechanisms in the premature infant prevented efficient absorption of the quantity of Zn required or/and optimal conservation of endogenous Zn.

The premature eruption of a mature mandibular permanent canine is described in a healthy 5-year-old boy with developmental absence of the primary predecessor. The effects of early loss or missing primary teeth on eruption timing of the permanent successors are discussed. The very early maturation of the permanent canine appears to be a unique oddity, and there are no reports in the literature of eruption of this type of secondary tooth at such an early chronological age.

Using a time-efficient psychophysical procedure, 4–6-, 7–9-, and 10–11-week-old human infants were tested with chromatic stimuli which fell directly on adult protanopic (LWS cone-deficient) and deuteranopic (MWS cone-deficient) confusion axes, as well as with off-axis stimuli. Ten to eleven week olds discriminated all stimuli, but performance diminished substantially with decreasing age, especially with on-axis stimuli. This suggests that in addition to general immaturities within the visual system, early vision is constrained by limitations within the two primary classes of retinal cone.

Successful outcomes in cutaneous surgery depend on a variety of factors, including preoperative assessment of the patient's health and expectations, intraoperative skill and attention to detail, and managing the postoperative period. Once the procedure is complete, careful selection of dressings, provision of adequate analgesia, judicious management of complications and monitoring the phases of early maturation while providing patient education improve the likelihood of long-term patient and physician satisfaction.

To evaluate the effect of changes in aerobic fitness and physical activity on changes in lipoproteins, we measured body composition, peak V̇O2, vigorous and sedentary activity, maturation, and lipoproteins in 125 children (mean baseline age, 10.5 years) for 5 years. Change in variables was analyzed using the slopes of the regression line obtained by plotting the data for each child. No predictor variables were significant for girls. In boys, predictors of favorable changes in lipoproteins included decreases in fatness, increases in fitness, early maturation, and increases in fat-free body mass (FFM). Multivariable analysis, adjusted for baseline age, indicated that change in FFM explained 21% of the variability in change in LDL-C. Results suggest that during puberty, changes in activity and fitness do not predict changes in lipoproteins.

Se estudia la cantidad de líquido amniótico midiendo altura de pozos en milímetro, por medio de ultrasonografía en 625 gestantes; normales, entre 6 y 40 semanas de edad gestacional, embarazo sin complicaciones, fecha de última menstruación normal bien precisada, con fetos únicos de desarrollo normal; con placentas de apariencia normal y sin maduración precoz. La altura del pozo varía desde las 6 hasta las 20 semanas de gestación entre límites de 15 y 74 mm, aumentando de acuerdo a la edad gestacional. En la segunda mitad, estos límites tienden a estacionarse entre 41 y 87 mm, lo que corrobora lo estudiado por otros autores.

This paper presents case-study results and aggregate data to evaluate the impact of research in African agriculture. Of 32 case studies, all but eight report annual returns over 20% and many are far higher, with most gains arising in the late 1980s and 1990s. Spurred by policy reforms and changing incentives, these innovations have led to sustained growth in aggregate cereal crop yields since 1985. Africa's belated 'green revolution' is based on new varieties (often with early maturation for drought escape), complemented by new management techniques (typically labor-intensive efforts to conserve soil moisture and build soil fertility). © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Salmonid culture in Tasmania experiences high rates of early maturation due to the rapid growth rates achieved under favorable environmental conditions. The present study investigates the use of artificial photoperiod to recondition previously mature Atlantic salmon to provide a larger fish with higher market value. Individual groups of previously mature female Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were put under 24 hour artificial light from either May, June, July or maintained under ambient conditions during the austral winter. Fish maintained under lights attained a reversion from dark skin pigmentation, typical of mature individuals, to a silver sea-going coloration more rapidly than the control group. In addition flesh pigmentation, ovarian absorption and body wall thickness was significantly greater than that of the control fish resulting in a higher market price. The study demonstrates that artificial lights can facilitate the reconditioning of previously mature Atlantic salmon under southern hemisphere conditions.

Objective To examine changes in insulin sensitivity (SI), compensatory acute insulin response (AIR), and β-cell function/disposition index (DI) across puberty in overweight Latino boys and girls. Study design Latino children (n = 253) were followed annually for up to 5 years. Longitudinal modeling was used to examine changes in SI, AIR, DI, and fasting and 2-hour glucose and insulin across Tanner stage. Results In boys, SI decreased in early puberty with a recovery by late puberty. The compensatory increase in AIR was appropriate in early maturation, but after Tanner stage 3, AIR declined by more than that predicted from the recovery in SI. For girls, SI decreased in early puberty and across all stages of maturation. In early maturation, there was an appropriate compensatory increase in AIR, but after Tanner stage 3, AIR decreased. Thus, DI deteriorated across puberty in boys and girls. Conclusions In overweight Hispanic youth, compensatory changes in insulin secretion fails after Tanner stage 3 in both sexes, indicating β-cell deterioration during this critical period of development, thus increasing risk for type 2 diabetes.

Background The plantar reflex has been reported to be predominantly flexor in African infants and in African subjects with lesions of the corticospinal tracts. This study was done to determine the incidence of extensor plantar reflex in healthy full-term newborns in an indigenous African population. Methods Healthy term newborns with Apgar score of 8 and above at one minute were recruited into the study consecutively in a maternity hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. The plantar reflex was elicited by stroking the lateral side of the sole with firm pressure, between 24 - 48 hours after delivery. Results Of 461 newborns, the plantar reflex was extensor in 85, flexor in 374, and absent in two. The cumulative incidence of extensor plantar reflex was 18 % (95 % CI 15 - 22), while the standardised incidence ratio was 25 % (95 % CI 22 - 27). Conclusion This study shows that the plantar reflex is predominantly flexor in this indigenous African population. Although the physiological basis of this finding is not known, it may indicate early maturation of the corticospinal tracts in African newborns. But Le but de l\'etude est de determiner l\'incidence du reflexe cutane plantaire chez des nouveaux nes Africains en bonne sante. Methode Les nouveaux nes a terme avec un score d\'Apgar de 8 ou plus ont ete inclus dans une etude consecutive realisee dans la maternite d\'Ibadan au Nigeria. Le reflexe cutane plantaire a ete recherche selon les regles, 24 et 48h apres la delivrance. Resultats Sur 461 nouveaux nes le reflexe cutane a ete observe en extension dans 85 cas et en flexion dans 374 cas et absent dans 2 cas. L\'incidence cumulative du reflexe cutane plantaire etait de 18% (95% CI 15-12), tandis que le ratio de l\'incidence standard etait de 25% (95% CI 22-27) Conclusion Cette etude montre que le reflexe cutane plantaire est predominant en flexion dans cette population africaine autochtone. Bien que les bases physiologiques de ce constat ne soit pas connu, il pourrait indiquer la precoce maturation du tractus cortico spinal chez le nouveau ne africain Keywords : plantar reflex, Babinski, African, neonate, Afrique, nouveau-ne, examen neurologique, reflexes, reflexes cutane plantaire African Journal of Neurological Sciences Vol. 24 (1) 2005: pp. 25-28

In recent years, historians such as Lyle Dick and Paul Voisey have begun to explore western Canadian settlement and land tenure patterns. Their studies demonstrate that an analysis of land ownership and utilisation is an important first step towards a historical understanding of western Canadian agricultural society. This paper examines settlement and land tenure in one township in the Peace River country. Special problems of settlement in the Peace country, including the homestead system, timing, the Soldier Settlement Board, marginal lands, and distance from market, led to the early maturation of the community. Combined with the post First World War depression, these problems caused an early rationalisation of the population in the township leading to long term stability. This study provides another example of the varied agricultural experience in the west.

Transient flash VEPs allow objective assessment of visual function and are easily recorded in young infants. However, due to their high variability, they are an insensitive surrogate marker of visual development. The aim of our study was to investigate the early maturation of temporal characteristics of steady-state flicker VEPs. Data from 53 VEP sessions were analyzed in term-born infants between birth and 20 months of age. The stimulus was a square-wave modulated luminance flicker with 80% modulation depth at temporal frequencies of 4.7, 7.5, 12.5, and 19 Hz. A total of 18 healthy adults aged between 21 and 54 years served as controls. Contingent on the stimulus frequency, we found pronounced changes of the flicker VEP with age. Regression lines fit to the first harmonic VEP magnitude as a function of age between 3 and 88 weeks of age indicated increases at 7.5 (P = 0.004), 12.5 (P < 0.001), and 19 Hz (P = 0.07) and a non-significant decrease at 4.7 Hz (P = 0.3). The magnitude of the second harmonic increased for all frequencies (4.7 (P = 0.05), 7.5 (P = 0.01), 12.5 (P = 0.13), and 19 Hz (P = 0.18)). Over the whole infant age range, the flicker VEP was dominated by the first harmonic, in contrast to adults, where the response was typically shifted to a higher harmonic at low stimulus frequencies. The optimal stimulus frequency, defined as the frequency eliciting the highest magnitude for F1, shifted to higher rates with age. Due to the difference from adult responses, further developmental changes of the temporal properties must be assumed to occur after the age of 20 months. Changes in temporal characteristics of the flicker VEP with age may be useful as an indicator of visual system maturation and a useful tool to detect visual delay.

Conclusions: Greater P300 reactivity was associated with smoking cues, particularly in LOS. Differential P300 reactivity profiles between LOS and EOS may be related to differences in compensatory signaling neuroadaptations resulting from smoking during early maturation. Preliminary findings suggest that late onset smoking may alter neurophysiological signaling systems involved in responding to smoking-related pictures, which could have important implications for designing smoking cessation interventions. Financial support: NIDA K01 grant DA034028 (YM).

Objective We investigated phrenic neurogram patterns during eupnea (normal breathing) and severe hypoxia (gasping) during early maturation in the piglet. Methods We used continuous wavelet transform and short time Fourier transform methods to examine the similarity of breathing patterns in both time and frequency domains during early maturation. The phrenic neurogram was recorded during eupnea, severe hypoxia, and recovery from severe hypoxia in piglets in three different age groups: 3–6 days, 10–15 days and 29–35 days. Results During the first week of postnatal age, respiratory patterns of phrenic activity were marked by frequency components between 30 and 300 Hz during both the early (first half) and late (second half) phases of the neurogram signals during eupnea. The results suggest that there is little difference between the respiratory patterns in both time and frequency domains during eupnea compared to gasping for the first week of postnatal age in piglets. After the first week of postnatal age, the duration of the phrenic neurogram burst significantly increases and the patterns during the early phase of the phrenic neurogram are different from those observed for gasping. However, the patterns that mark the late phase of the phrenic neurograms are still the same as those of gasping. Conclusion Our most significant finding is that hypoxia silences the neural activity in the early phase of phrenic neurogram regardless of maturation.

In this paper, we investigate the influence of hypercapnia on the dynamics of the phrenic neurogram in the piglet in two different age groups: 3-7 days (n = 11) and 10-16 days (n = 9). The phrenic neurogram was recorded from 17 piglets (3-16 days old) during control (40% O(2) with 3-5% end-tidal CO(2)), mild hypercapnia (40% O(2) with 7% CO(2)) and severe hypercapnia (40% O(2) with 15% CO(2)) and analyzed using the approximate entropy (ApEn) method. The mean values of the approximate entropy (complexity) of phrenic neurograms during the first 7 days of the postnatal age were 1.56 +/- 0.1 (standard deviation) during normal breathing, 1.51 +/- 0.1 during mild hypercapnia and 1.37 +/- 0.08 during severe hypercapnia. These values for the 10-16 days age group were 1.51 +/- 0.1 during control, 1.49 +/- 0.11 during mild hypercapnia and 1.38 +/- 0.05 during severe hypercapnia. The mean values of phrenic neurogram durations during the first 7 days of the postnatal age were 0.82 +/- 0.03 (standard deviation) s during normal breathing, 0.85 +/- 0.007 s during mild hypercapnia and 0.65 +/- 0.05 s during severe hypercapnia. These values for the 10-16 days age group were 0.97 +/- 0.09 s during control, 1.10 +/- 0.05 during mild hypercapnia and 0.78 +/- 0.05 s during severe hypercapnia. Our results show that the complexity values of the phrenic neurogram were significantly decreased when the CO(2) concentration was shifted from control or mild to severe hypercapnia (p0.05) for both the 3-7 days old and the 10-16 days old groups. In addition, the duration of the phrenic neurogram decreased when the concentration was shifted from control or mild to severe hypercapnia (p0.05). But no significant changes in the duration of the phrenic neurogram were observed between control and mild hypercapnia concentration. These results suggest that severe hypercapnia can be characterized with a significant decrease of the complexity values and durations of the phrenic neurogram during inspiration during early maturation.

Our objectives were to compare: (1) conception rates (in early postpartum Japanese Black beef cows) to timed-artificial insemination (timed-AI) among Ovsynch and Ovsynch plus CIDR protocols, and a protocol that used estradiol benzoate (EB) in lieu of the first GnRH of the Ovsynch plus CIDR; and (2) the effects of these protocols on blood concentrations of ovarian steroids. Cows in the control group (Ovsynch; n=35) underwent a standard Ovsynch protocol (GnRH analogue on Day 0, PGF(2 alpha) analogue on Day 7 and GnRH analogue on Day 9), with timed-AI on Day 10, approximately 20 h after the second GnRH treatment. Cows in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (n=31) received a standard Ovsynch protocol plus a CIDR for 7 days (starting on Day 0). Cows in the third treatment group (EB+CIDR+GnRH; n=41) received 2mg of EB on Day 0 in lieu of the first GnRH treatment, followed by the same treatment as in the Ovsynch+CIDR protocol. The conception rate tended to be greater in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (67.7%, P

Most animal pare,~ts find caring for offspring to be costly, whether in terms of increased vigilance against predators or higher grocery bills. Most parasitologists know that defense against pathogens is costly as well, requiring elaborate physiological and biochemical mechanisms to recognize and destroy the invader. In both cases, the parent or host can be seen as making a trade-off, allocating energy to one task, such as protection of the young or production of macrophages, at the expense of another, such as feeding oneself or devoting energy to growth rather than ~mmune defense. Trade-offs in life history traits are much studied in evolutionary biology and ecology: examples include the choice between early maturation and growth ~2, the production of a few large offspring vs many smaller ones ~.2, or the investment in reproducing this year rather than saving some resour,:es for a later season ~,2. Only recently, however, has the notion of a life history trade-off been linl

Children underwent motor and sensory testing during each of 3 consecutive years beginning at kindergarten entrance. Children were assigned to either a motor-normal or motor-delayed group based on results from testing during the 1st year of the study. Motor-normal subjects (n = 17) had standard scores on a global motor-sensory test that fell within one standard deviation of the mean. Motor-delayed subjects (n = 12) had a global motor-sensory test standard score indicating greater than one standard deviation of motor delay and, in addition, were delayed by a minimum of one standard deviation on four of five of the motor-sensory test subtests. At the conclusion of the 3-year study, the mean standard score of the motor-delayed group remained greater than one standard deviation below the performance of the motor-normal group as measured by the global motor-sensory test. Statistical analysis using repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the motor-delayed group made gains but did not close the gap between themselves and the motor-normal group during the 3-year study. Group x time interaction effects showed that during the study, significant gain was made by the motor-delayed group on the motor coordination subtest of the motor-sensory test. The study supports the conclusion that motor-delayed children without early intervention fail to outgrow their motor delays by age 8 years. (J Child Neurol 1993;8:323-329).

This study was undertaken to reveal detailed changes in fluoride distribution at different developmental stages of upper incisor enamel under various fluoride administration regimes. Four groups of Wistar rats received water containing 0, 25, 50 and 100 parts/10 6 fluoride respectively for 10 weeks. Five different enamel specimens were removed from the developing enamel, excluding the matrix-formation stage. Fluoride distribution in each specimen was analysed from the surface to the enamel-dentine junction using an abrasive microsampling technique. Fluoride concentration was invariably highest at the surface and decreased sharply towards the interior at every site in both control and experimental groups. The concentration throughout the tissue increased with fluoride intake at each stage of development. The fluoride-gradient curves were similar at each of the different sites of tooth development. However, the fluoride concentration of the enamel interior was significantly higher at early maturation than at the other four sites.

While the association of young maternal age with low birthweight (LBW) is well known, the contribution of early menarche to this association has never been studied. We examined the effects of early menarche (less than or equal to 11 years) on LBW and its two major underlying causes: pre-term delivery and smallness-for-gestational-age (SGA). Results represent a narrow chronological age range, 17-18 years, of a larger geographically based cohort of 2789 pregnant adolescents. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) indicated that early menarche was significantly associated with an increased risk of LBW which was specific to SGA. The attributable risk of SGA with early menarche exceeded 20%. Early age at menarche is also correlated with an earlier onset of sexual activity, pregnancy, and childbearing. Consequently, adolescents with early menarche are over-represented in a sample limited to young gravidae or a sample that contains a stratum of young gravidae. This may have previously obscured the effects or early menarche on foetal growth and attributed them to a more frequently measured characteristic, young maternal age. Thus, effects of secular change in age at menarche may not be wholly benign. Improvements in maternal fertility and nutritional status appear to be offset by intrauterine growth retardation in the offspring.

This study was undertaken to determine the changes in the dissolution rate of enamel in acid at different developmental stages of rat incisor enamel. Four groups of Wistar rats received water with 0, 25, 50, and 100ppm fluoride, respectively, for 10 weeks. Six windows were prepared on the enamel surface of the maxillary incisors, corresponding to the developmental stages of (A) matrix formation, (B) early maturation, (C) late maturation, (D) pigmented enamel against alveolar bone, (E) enamel attached to gingivae, and (F) erupted enamel. The acid dissolution rates were determined at each site using a slightly modified version of the procedure described by Nakagaki (J. Dent. Hlth 28; 498-518, 1979).The results are summarized as follows.1) The rate of enamel dissolution in every group was the highest in the matrix formation stage and decreased as the enamel developed.2) The acid dissolution rate of enamel dropped sharply in a stepwise fashion between sites A and B and then again between sites C and D.3) The dissolution rate at sites B and C in the maturation stage decreased significantly with increasing intake of fluoride.4) The dissolution rate at sites D and E, where enamel was pigmented, increased significantly with fluoride intake. The iron pigmentation and porosity in this region of fluorosed enamel might be responsible for the change in the dissolution rate of the pigmented enamel.

This study was undertaken to reveal the changes in the fluoride distribution in the developing enamel of rat upper incisors with varying fluoride administration. The work was carried out on four groups of Wistar rats, which received water containing 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm fluoride, respectively, for 10 weeks. Six sites were selected in the developing enamel, corresponding to the stages of (A) matrix formation, (B) early maturation, (C) late maturation, (D) pigmented enamel in contact with alveolar bone, (E) enamel attached to gingivae and (F) erupted enamel. Five different enamel specimens were removed from each site except site A. The fluoride distribution in each specimen was analyzed from the enamel surface to the EDJ.The following results were obtained;1) The fluoride concentration was invariably highest at the surface and decreased sharply towards the interior of the enamel at every site in both control and experimental groups. The rat incisor enamel had a clear fluoride-gradient from surface to interior.2) The fluoride concentration increased with fluoride intake throughout the tissue and at each stage of development.3) The fluoride-gradient curves resembled each other at the different sites of tooth development. However, the fluoride concentration of the enamel interior was significantly higher at site B than it was at the other four sites.

Isometric tension was measured in arterial strips from neonatal lambs and adult sheep, after stimulation by angiotensin II. During the early maturation period immediately following birth (3 weeks) there was a progressive increase in sensitivity to the agent.

Publisher Summary Clupeoid populations have undergone striking increases, followed by precipitous and catastrophic declines, which have caused the collapse of the fishing industry. These fluctuations have been caused by great natural variability in recruitment and by its interaction with fishing policy and economics. A probable combination of overfishing and natural changes also caused declines in other clupeoid stocks during the past few decades. Most clupeoids have a short life span; they recruit at 1-3 years of age and rarely live beyond 5-10 years of age except for some herring stocks, especially the Atlanto-Scandian herring. Early maturation implies that the asymptotic length (L∞) is reached rapidly and growth is not very significant in older fish. As a result most overfishing of clupeoids is classed as “recruitment” rather than “growth” overfishing. Nevertheless some classic cases exist of particular year-classes dominating a fishery for several years. In such cases, the importance of the year-class lies in its numbers rather than in the weight increase as the fish becomes older. The aim of this chapter is to describe the present status of knowledge on the behavior and physiology of clupeoids with particular reference to their ecology. Some of the advances have been made possible by improvements in the ability to rear larval stages and to catch, transport and keep the older stages in captivity, and by greatly improved techniques such as aerial photography, video systems, sampling gear, and apparatus.