Mathematical models to describe the growth curves of Vietnamese Ri chicken / Modelos matemáticos para descrever as curvas de crescimento do frango Ri vietnamita

Ri chicken is the most popular backyard chicken breed in Vietnam, but little is known about the growth curve of this breed. This study compared the performances of models with three parameters (Gompertz, Brody, and Logistic) and models containing four parameters (Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek) for describing the growth of Ri chicken. The bodyweight of Ri chicken was recorded weekly from week 1 to week 19. Growth models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the models having four parameters showed better performance than the ones with three parameters, and the Richards model was the best one for males and females. The lowest and highest value of asymmetric weights (α) were obtained by Bridges and Brody models for each of sexes, respectively. Age and weight estimated by the Richard model were 8.46 and 7.51 weeks and 696.88 and 487.58 g for males and for females, respectively. Differences in the growth curves were observed between males and female chicken. Overall, the results suggested using the Richards model for describing the growth curve of Ri chickens. Further studies on the genetics and genomics of the obtained growth parameters are required before using them for the genetic improvement of Ri chickens.

O frango Ri é a raça de frango de quintal mais popular do Vietnã, mas pouco se sabe sobre a curva de crescimento dessa raça. Este estudo comparou o desempenho de modelos com três parâmetros (Gompertz, Brody e Logistic) e modelos contendo quatro parâmetros (Richards, Bridges e Janoschek) para descrever o crescimento do frango Ri. O peso corporal do frango Ri foi registrado semanalmente da semana 1 à semana 19. Os modelos de crescimento foram ajustados usando o pacote minpack.lm no software R e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC); critério de informação bayesiano (BIC) e erro quadrático médio (RMSE) foram usados para comparação de modelos. Com base nesses critérios, os modelos com quatro parâmetros apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os com três parâmetros, sendo o modelo de Richards o melhor para homens e mulheres. O menor e o maior valor dos pesos assimétricos (α) foram obtidos pelos modelos Bridges e Brody para cada um dos sexos, respectivamente. A idade e o peso estimados pelo modelo de Richard foram de 8,46 e 7,51 semanas e 696,88 e 487,58 g para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Diferenças nas curvas de crescimento foram observadas entre frangos machos e fêmeas. No geral, os resultados sugeriram o uso do modelo de Richards para descrever a curva de crescimento de frangos Ri. Mais estudos sobre a genética e genômica dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos são necessários antes de usá-los para o melhoramento genético de frangos Ri.

Mathematical models to describe the growth curves of Vietnamese Ri chicken

Abstract Ri chicken is the most popular backyard chicken breed in Vietnam, but little is known about the growth curve of this breed. This study compared the performances of models with three parameters (Gompertz, Brody, and Logistic) and models containing four parameters (Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek) for describing the growth of Ri chicken. The bodyweight of Ri chicken was recorded weekly from week 1 to week 19. Growth models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaikes information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the models having four parameters showed better performance than the ones with three parameters, and the Richards model was the best one for males and females. The lowest and highest value of asymmetric weights () were obtained by Bridges and Brody models for each of sexes, respectively. Age and weight estimated by the Richard model were 8.46 and 7.51 weeks and 696.88 and 487.58 g for males and for females, respectively. Differences in the growth curves were observed between males and female chicken. Overall, the results suggested using the Richards model for describing the growth curve of Ri chickens. Further studies on the genetics and genomics of the obtained growth parameters are required before using them for the genetic improvement of Ri chickens.

Resumo O frango Ri é a raça de frango de quintal mais popular do Vietnã, mas pouco se sabe sobre a curva de crescimento dessa raça. Este estudo comparou o desempenho de modelos com três parâmetros (Gompertz, Brody e Logistic) e modelos contendo quatro parâmetros (Richards, Bridges e Janoschek) para descrever o crescimento do frango Ri. O peso corporal do frango Ri foi registrado semanalmente da semana 1 à semana 19. Os modelos de crescimento foram ajustados usando o pacote minpack.lm no software R e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC); critério de informação bayesiano (BIC) e erro quadrático médio (RMSE) foram usados para comparação de modelos. Com base nesses critérios, os modelos com quatro parâmetros apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os com três parâmetros, sendo o modelo de Richards o melhor para homens e mulheres. O menor e o maior valor dos pesos assimétricos () foram obtidos pelos modelos Bridges e Brody para cada um dos sexos, respectivamente. A idade e o peso estimados pelo modelo de Richard foram de 8,46 e 7,51 semanas e 696,88 e 487,58 g para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Diferenças nas curvas de crescimento foram observadas entre frangos machos e fêmeas. No geral, os resultados sugeriram o uso do modelo de Richards para descrever a curva de crescimento de frangos Ri. Mais estudos sobre a genética e genômica dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos são necessários antes de usá-los para o melhoramento genético de frangos Ri.

Mathematical models to describe the growth curves of Vietnamese Ri chicken / Modelos matemáticos para descrever as curvas de crescimento do frango Ri vietnamita

Abstract Ri chicken is the most popular backyard chicken breed in Vietnam, but little is known about the growth curve of this breed. This study compared the performances of models with three parameters (Gompertz, Brody, and Logistic) and models containing four parameters (Richards, Bridges, and Janoschek) for describing the growth of Ri chicken. The bodyweight of Ri chicken was recorded weekly from week 1 to week 19. Growth models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaike's information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the models having four parameters showed better performance than the ones with three parameters, and the Richards model was the best one for males and females. The lowest and highest value of asymmetric weights (α) were obtained by Bridges and Brody models for each of sexes, respectively. Age and weight estimated by the Richard model were 8.46 and 7.51 weeks and 696.88 and 487.58 g for males and for females, respectively. Differences in the growth curves were observed between males and female chicken. Overall, the results suggested using the Richards model for describing the growth curve of Ri chickens. Further studies on the genetics and genomics of the obtained growth parameters are required before using them for the genetic improvement of Ri chickens.

Resumo O frango Ri é a raça de frango de quintal mais popular do Vietnã, mas pouco se sabe sobre a curva de crescimento dessa raça. Este estudo comparou o desempenho de modelos com três parâmetros (Gompertz, Brody e Logistic) e modelos contendo quatro parâmetros (Richards, Bridges e Janoschek) para descrever o crescimento do frango Ri. O peso corporal do frango Ri foi registrado semanalmente da semana 1 à semana 19. Os modelos de crescimento foram ajustados usando o pacote minpack.lm no software R e o critério de informação de Akaike (AIC); critério de informação bayesiano (BIC) e erro quadrático médio (RMSE) foram usados ​​para comparação de modelos. Com base nesses critérios, os modelos com quatro parâmetros apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os com três parâmetros, sendo o modelo de Richards o melhor para homens e mulheres. O menor e o maior valor dos pesos assimétricos (α) foram obtidos pelos modelos Bridges e Brody para cada um dos sexos, respectivamente. A idade e o peso estimados pelo modelo de Richard foram de 8,46 e 7,51 semanas e 696,88 e 487,58 g para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Diferenças nas curvas de crescimento foram observadas entre frangos machos e fêmeas. No geral, os resultados sugeriram o uso do modelo de Richards para descrever a curva de crescimento de frangos Ri. Mais estudos sobre a genética e genômica dos parâmetros de crescimento obtidos são necessários antes de usá-los para o melhoramento genético de frangos Ri.

Birth weight curves of singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks and their regional differences in 11 cities of China: an analysis of 93 720 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To develop the birth weight curve of singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks, and to investigate the regional differences of the birth weight curve.@*METHODS@#A total of 11 maternal and child health hospitals with more than 7 000 neonates delivered annually were selected in 11 cities of China (Haikou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou, Guilin, Quanzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Ningbo, and Lianyungang), and all live singleton neonates delivered in the 11 hospitals from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled for the development of birth weight curves.@*RESULTS@#A total of 93 720 singleton neonates with a gestational age of 24-42 weeks from the 11 cities were included in the study. The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities were established, and the birth weight percentile curves were drawn. The birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Shenzhen and Quanzhou was almost the same as the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Haikou, Guangzhou, Guilin, and Liuzhou was slightly lower than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Chongqing, Chengdu, and Changsha was slightly higher than the average level of the 11 cities; the birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in Ningbo and Lianyungang was higher than the average level of the 11 cities. The average birth weight curve level of singleton neonates in the 11 cities were very close to that of China Neonatal Cooperation Network in 2011-2014.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The reference values of the 3rd-97th percentiles of birth weight of singleton neonates for the total of the 11 cities and for each of the 11 cities are developed, which can be used as a reference for evaluating the intrauterine growth of singleton neonates in the region. The level of intrauterine growth of neonates in some cities is different from the national level.

Inhibitory effect of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 in vitro / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @# To investigate the inhibitory effect of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 in vitro.@*Methods @#The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 was determined by the liquid multiple dilution method combined with the OD600 value measured by microplate. The OD600 value of Streptococcus mutans UA159 in different concentrations of baicalin was measured by an enzyme mapping instrument. A growth curve was drawn, and the adhesion rate and adhesion inhibition rate were calculated. The effect of baicalin on the formation of Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms was observed by the crystal violet quantitative method and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of baicalin on the total number of Streptococcus mutans UA159 bacteria was observed by scanning electron microscopy.@*Results@#The MIC of baicalin on Streptococcus mutans UA159 was 12 mg/mL. With increasing baicalin concentration, the growth rate of Streptococcus mutans UA159 was slowed, the adhesion rate of Streptococcus mutans UA159 decreased and the adhesion inhibition rate increased（P < 0.05）. The results of crystal violet quantitative method showed that compared with the bacterial control group, the biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans UA159 was significantly reduced after adding baicalin at 0 h, 6 h and 12 h (P < 0.001). Under a scanning electron microscope, the total number of bacteria decreased significantly after adding baicalin at 0 h, 6 h and 12 h.@*Conclusion@# baicalin ; natural medicine ; Streptococcus mutans UA159 ; caries ; minimum inhibitory concentration ; growth curve ; adhesion rate ; adhesion inhibition rate ; biofilm formation ; in vitro study

Assessment of growth pattern of preterm infants up to a corrected age of 24 months / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To assess the growth of preterm infants up to a corrected age of 24 months, and to understand the growth trend and pattern of preterm infants.@*METHODS@#A preterm infant follow-up database was established based on the Internet Plus follow-up system. A total of 3 188 preterm infants who were born from April 2018 to April 2021 were enrolled. Their length, weight, and head circumference were recorded at birth and at the corrected ages of 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. The preterm infants were grouped by perinatal factors. The growth curves of these infants were plotted and compared with the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century (INTERGROWTH-21st) standard and World Health Organization (WHO) standard.@*RESULTS@#The weight, length, and head circumference curves of each group of preterm infants grouped by various perinatal factors all rose rapidly within the corrected age of 6 months, but the growth rate slowed down after the corrected age of 6 months. Based on the actual age for the groups of preterm infants with different gestational ages (<28 weeks, 28-31@*CONCLUSIONS@#The physical growth rate of preterm infants is faster within the corrected age of 6 months, and the growth rate slows down after the corrected age of 6 months. Preterm infants with a smaller gestational age need longer time to catch up in weight and head circumference. More attention should be paid to the physical growth of extremely preterm infants, extremely low birth weight infants, and small-for-gestational-age infants.

Inteligência fluida como preditora do desempenho acadêmico em língua portuguesa e matemática / Fluid intelligence as a predictor of academic performance in portuguese and mathematic / La inteligencia fluida como predictor del rendimiento académico en portugués y matemática

A presente pesquisa correlacionou dados provenientes da aplicação do teste de Inteligência BPR-5 com uma avaliação escolar de matemática e língua portuguesa em uma amostra de 679 alunos do nono ano do ensino fundamental de quatro escolas de uma rede particular de ensino. Os resultados dessas avaliações se mostraram fortemente correlacionados e estatisticamente significativos com escores dos testes de QI (r =,58, p < 0,01), evidenciando elevadas cargas em Inteligência Fluida (Gf). Uma análise longitudinal (5° ao 9° ano) foi aplicada através do Modelo de Curva de Crescimento Latente que investigou a média da variância inicial (intercepto) e a média de crescimento (slope) no desempenho acadêmico (DA) dos sujeitos, em dois modelos (com e sem a variável independente BPR), com o objetivo de investigar a capacidade preditiva de Gf no DA. Quando inserida a variável BPR, seu impacto no intercepto foi estimado em 20,288 e no slope, 6,381. Essas estimativas indicam o acréscimo no desempenho inicial e no crescimento no DA em razão de cada ponto a mais no escore em BPR. A diferença entre o intercepto e o slope foi negativa e estatisticamente significativa (-224,156, p < 0,01), sinalizando que os sujeitos que apresentaram desempenho inicial mais baixo no DA, obtiveram um crescimento maior no período avaliado. Assim, a capacidade preditiva de Gf sobre o DA foi demonstrada, corroborando os resultados da literatura.

The present search studies the correlation between data of the BPR-5 Intelligence test with a school assessment of mathematics and portuguese language and from a sample of 679 ninth grade students from four elementary private schools. The results indicate a strong correlation and statistically significant with IQ test scores (r =, 58, p < 0.01), showing high loads on Fluid Intelligence (Gf). A longitudinal analysis (5th to 9th grade) was applied using the Latent Growth Curve Model, which investigated the average initial variance (intercept) and the average growth (slope) in the subjects' academic performance (AP), in two models (with and without the independent variable BPR), aiming to investigate the predictive capacity of Gf in AP. When the variable BPR was inserted, its impact on the intercept was estimated at 20,288 and on the slope, 6,381. These outcomes indicate the increase on initial performance and growth in AP due to each additional point in the BPR score. The difference between the intercept and the slope was negative and statistically significant (-224,156, p < 0.01), indicating that the subjects who presented lower initial AP had a higher growth in the evaluated period. Thus, the Gf's predictive ability on AP was demonstrated, which corroborates with the literature results.

La presente investigación correlacionó datos de la aplicación de la prueba de inteligencia BPR-5 con una evaluación escolar de matemáticas y portugués en una muestra de 679 estudiantes en el noveno grado de la escuela primaria de cuatro escuelas en una red privada. Se demostró que los resultados de estas evaluaciones están fuertemente correlacionados y son estadísticamente significativos con los puntajes de las pruebas de CI (r =, 58, p < 0.01), mostrando altas cargas en Inteligencia fluida (Gf). Se aplicó un análisis longitudinal (5º a 9º año) utilizando el Modelo de curva de crecimiento latente que investigó el promedio de la varianza inicial (intercepción) y el promedio de crecimiento (pendiente) en el rendimiento académico (RA) de los sujetos, en dos modelos (con y sin la variable independiente BPR), con el fin de investigar la capacidad predictiva de Gf en AD. Cuando se insertó la variable BPR, su impacto en la intersección se estimó en 20,288 y en la pendiente, 6,381. Estas estimaciones indican un aumento en el rendimiento inicial y el crecimiento en RA debido a cada punto adicional en el puntaje BPR. La diferencia entre la intersección y la pendiente fue negativa y estadísticamente significativa (-224,156, p < 0.01), lo que indica que los sujetos que tuvieron un rendimiento inicial más bajo en RA, tuvieron un mayor crecimiento en el período evaluado. Por lo tanto, se demostró la capacidad predictiva de Gf en AD, corroborando los resultados de la literatura.

Importancia de los modelos de regresión no lineales en la interpretación de datos de la COVID-19 en Colombia / Importance of nonlinear regression models in the interpretation of data from COVID-19 in Colombia

Introducción: Debido a los nocivos efectos económicos y sociales propiciados por el confinamiento de las personas, las entidades gubernamentales de Colombia, planean una cuarentena inteligente, basados en la interpretación del comportamiento de la curva de los datos, de la cual afirman ha presentado un reducción durante los últimos días. Objetivo: Destacar la importancia del análisis de los métodos de correlación no lineal y todos sus procedimientos de inferencia estadística para el diseño de un modelo matemático que permita la predicción de los datos basados en las edades de los casos positivos de COVID-19 en Colombia. Material y Métodos: Los resultados diarios se basan en el sitio web oficial del Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia. Todos los datos se analizan a través del software libre R-Kward® (Biblioteca R). El propósito de los análisis es evidenciar el valor de la matriz de correlación, la prueba de hipótesis, r2 y el modelo de correlación ideal, a través del cual se realiza una predicción. Resultados: Con un R2 de 0,9969 muy cercano a 1, y una prueba de hipótesis que garantiza la veracidad de la hipótesis alternativa, el modelo matemático de regresión que más se aproxima al comportamiento real de los datos de crecimiento de la COVID-19 es cuadrático. Conclusiones: El modelo cuadrático es positivo y creciente, mientras el número de contagios siga creciendo, por lo tanto, este momento no es ideal de hablar de un aplanamiento de la curva. Si el crecimiento es constante, el modelo podría tener una tendencia exponencial(AU)

Introduction: Due to the harmful economic and social effects caused by the confinement of people, the Colombian government entities have planned an intelligent quarantine based on the interpretation of the behavior in the curve data, from which they affirm that it has shown a reduction during the last days. Objective: To highlight the importance of the analysis of non-linear correlation models and all the statistical inference procedures for the design of a mathematical model that allows the prediction of data based on the age of positive cases of COVID-19 in Colombia. Material and Methods: The daily results are based on the information obtained from the official website of the Colombian National Institute of Health. The total data are analyzed through the R-Kward free software (R Library). The aim of the analysis is to show the value of the correlation matrix, hypothesis test, r2 and the ideal correlation model, with which prediction is made. Results: With an R2 value of 0.9969 very close to 1 and a hypothesis test that guarantees the veracity of the alternative hypothesis, the ideal mathematical model that aligns the growth data of COVID-19 is quadratic. Conclusions: The quadratic model is positive and increasing as long as the number of infections continue to grow; therefore, it is not an ideal moment to speak of a flattening of the curve. If the growth is constant, the model could have an exponential trend(AU)

The Estimation of Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters of Growth Curve Traits in Sirohi Goat Using Brody Function

The objectives of this study were to investigate growth patterns of Sirohi goat applying the Brody function and estimated the parameters of growth curve including genetic evaluation of growth curve traits. The data used in this study, collected in All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on goat improvement, Livestock Research Station, Vallabhnagar, Udaipur, India from year 2009 to 2017 and were included 340 male and 715 female kids body weight measured at birth to 12th month of age in every three months interval. Least-squares means for growth curve parameters of A (Asymptotic weight), B (folding point of growth) and K (maturity rate) were 26.18±3.11 (kg), 0.88±0.00 (kg) and 0.16±0.00 (days), respectively. Fixed effects (cluster, year and season of birth, sex, and type of birth) were significantly influenced the parameters of growth curve. The heritability estimates ranged from 0.02±0.01 (“K”) to 0.40±0.05 (“A”). The genetic correlation between A-K and B-K was negative, which might be due to the compensatory growth effect

Growth parameters of the invasive gastropod Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda, Thiaridae) in a semiarid region, Northeastern Brazil

Melanoides tuberculata has invaded several aquatic ecosystems in the Neotropical region. This species shows high adaptive capacity and plasticity, establishing itself in several basins, promoting negative impacts on environments and native species. Here, we determine the growth parameters and the population structure of this species, in a semi-arid environment, in Northeast Brazil (Pernambuco state). Monthly captures were conducted at three types of substrate: site 1: soft bottom with macrophytes, site 2: soft bottom without macrophytes, and site 3: gravel and rocks. Shells were classified as occupied or empty, and their shell length (SL) and opening width (SW) were measured. The growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy’s model were estimated from the size-length frequency distribution using the ELEFAN I. Also, the maturity was verified, through the size at onset of maturity (SOM - 14.85 mm SL) proposed in the literature. A total of 1,013 individuals were collected, with shells varying from 7 to 39 mm SL and mean density of 84.42 (± 3.86) individuals m-2. The substrate with the largest number of mollusks was the site 1. Largest amount of empty shells was detected at site 3. Growth of M. tuberculata indicates rapid increment, with k = 0.56, L∞ = 42 mm and t0 = -0.26 years. The mean estimated age for the species was 0.95 years. According to the SOM, 86% of individuals sampled were considered mature.

Nutritional assessment for 0-6-month old infant / 中国实用儿科杂志

Accurate nutritional assessment is the premise to get nutritional diagnosis,nutritional treatment,and optimal clinical outcomes. Traditional nutritional assessment "ABCDE" approach includes anthropometry,biochemistry,clinical assessment,dietary assessment,and environment and family information,which need to be comprehensively evaluated by the pediatricians or clinical dietitians with clinical experience. For 0-6-month old infants,nutritional assessment should be made based on "ABCDE" approach,focusing on the individual longitudinal growth curve change according to the WHO growth charts. If possible,body composition measurements may provide a more accurate evaluation.

Optimization of noni callus induction and establishment of callus suspension system / 生物工程学报

The aim of the study was to obtain the secondary metabolites in the stem segment of noni and to establish genetic transformation system. The stem segments (no axillary buds) of noni were used as explants to induce the callus, and then to establish the cell suspension system. The factors affecting callus induction and cell suspension were studied. The results showed that the optimal culture medium for induction was MS with 1.0 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and 0.1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and the optimum culture medium for suspension was MS with 1.0 mg/L 6-BA and 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D, 3% sucrose and the pH of 5.85, with the initial inoculation amount of 37.5 g/L, and the speed of 110 r/min and 25±2 °C applying darkness culture. The suspension cells grew well and showed the maximum growth rate. The growth curve of the suspension cells from the stem segment of noni was in "S-typed" trend, and it should be transformed to the fresh medium between 12 and 20 d. During the culture, the pH of the culture medium decreased and then slowly increased, and the optimum pH for the suspension cells culture of callus from noni's stem segments was 4.5-5.0. In this study, the stable cell suspension system of the stem segment of noni was successfully established.

Changes in quality of life and acceptance of disability of burn patients in rehabilitation treatment stage and the influencing factors / 中华烧伤杂志

Objective@#To explore the development trajectories of quality of life and acceptance of disability of burn patients in the rehabilitation treatment stage and the influencing factors.@*Methods@#Totally 207 burn patients, including 157 males and 50 females, aged (40±13) years, who were in the rehabilitation treatment stage were selected by convenient sampling method from October 2016 to July 2017 in the Department of Burns of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital for this longitudinal study. At discharge and 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, the patient′s quality of life and acceptance of disability were scored using the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief and Chinese Version of Acceptance of Disability Scale-Revised respectively. Taking the intercept, the slope, and the curve slope as latent variables, the latent second growth curve model was constructed for the quality of life and the acceptance of disability. The robust maximum likelihood estimation (MLR) method was used to estimate the mean, the variance, and the covariance, so as to analyze the discharge level, the growth rate, the acceleration, and the correlation among them. Taking the acceptance of disability, the gender, the cause of burn, the severity of burn, the existence of complications, the payment way, and the education level as covariates, the latent second growth curve model was constructed for the quality of life. The MLR method was used to estimate the influence of covariates on the discharge level, the growth rate, and the acceleration of the quality of life.@*Results@#At discharge and 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, the quality of life scores of patients were (102±36), (111±36), (118±37), and (122±37) points respectively, and the acceptance of disability scores were (73±17), (75±17), (77±17), and (78±18) points respectively. The estimated mean intercept of the quality of life and the acceptance of disability were 101.680 and 72.993 respectively at discharge, both of which showed a curve increasing trend in 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge (estimated mean slope=11.024, 3.086, t=15.376, 7.476, P<0.01), and the increasing rate (acceleration) gradually slowed down (estimated mean curve slope=-1.393, -0.426, t=-13.339, -4.776, P<0.01). There were significant individual differences in the discharge level and the acceleration of quality of life of patients (estimated intercept variance=1 174.527, t=9.332; estimated curve slope variance=2.379, t=6.402; P<0.01). There were significant individual differences in the discharge level, the growth rate, and the acceleration of patients′ acceptance of disability (estimated intercept variance=267.017, t=9.262; estimated slope variance=32.264, t=2.356; estimated curve slope variance=0.882, t=2.939; P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no significant correlation among the discharge level, the growth rate, and the acceleration of the quality of life and those of the acceptance of disability of patients (estimated intercept and slope=37.273, -1.457, t=0.859, -0.131; estimated intercept and curve slope=-6.712, -0.573, t=-1.089, -0.248; estimated slope and curve slope=-5.494, -5.988, t=-0.930, -2.512; P>0.05). Among the time-constant covariates, only the severity of burn and the presence of complications had a significant impact on the quality of life of patients at discharge (estimated intercept=-10.721, 5.522, t=-6.229, 1.977, P<0.05 or P<0.01). At discharge and 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, the level of acceptance of disability had a positive impact on the quality of life of patients (standardized regression coefficient=0.616, 0.669, 0.681, 0.678, t=18.874, 21.660, 22.824, 22.123, P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#The initial levels of quality of life and acceptance of disability of burn patients in the rehabilitation treatment stage are relatively low, both with a curve increasing trend over time, and the increasing rate gradually slows down. Patients with complications and serious burns have poor quality of life at discharge, while the acceptance of disability has a positive impact on the quality of life.

Study on differences in antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts from chicory roots and stems against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis / 中国药理学通报

Aim: To analyze the antibacterial effects of 95% ethanol extract of chicory roots and stems from Xinjiang on Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, and provide reference data for identifying the better antibacterial efficacy parts of chicory. Methods: The diameters of the inhibition zone of roots and stem extracts were determined by the Oxford Cup method; the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of roots and stem extracts on the bacteria were determined by the half - dilution method; the roots and stem extracts to observe the effects on bacterial proliferation were determined by the growth curve method; and the concentration of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in bacterial extracellular solution enzyme was determined by labeling method. Results: The 95% ethanol extract of chicory roots and stems had significant inhibitory effects on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Chicory roots' minimum inhibitory concentration to both bacteria was 64 g · L-1, and the minimum inhibitory concentration of chicory stems to both bacteria was 50g· L-1,64g· L-1, respectively. And the 95% ethanol extract of chicory stems had better inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, while the 95% ethanol extract of chicory roots had better inhibitory effect on Enterococcus faecalis; the ethyl acetate extract of chicory roots had better antibacterial effect on both bacteria than extract of 95% ethanol did (P <0. 01). Conclusions: The 95% ethanol extract of chicory roots and stems can significantly inhibit the proliferation of both bacteria, and the inhibitory effect of chicory stems on Staphylococcus aureus is more obvious, and the inhibitory effect of chicory roots on Enterococcus faecalis is better; the best antibacterial effect of chicory roots is ethyl acetate extraction.

Antibacterial spectrum of silibinin and isomers and its antibacterial effect with antibiotics / 中草药

Objective To investigate the in vitro antibacterial spectrum of silibinin and its isomers and the combined antibacterial effect of silibinin and commonly-used clinical antibiotics. Methods Micro-broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of silibinin and its isomers against six standard strains and six clinical isolates (74 strains) of common bacteria infections. Plate count method was used to measure the growth inhibition curves of different concentrations of silibinin against six standard strains. Checkerboard micro-broth dilution method was used to carry out the combined susceptibility test of silibinin and clinical antibiotics. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was calculated to determine the combined antibacterial effect of silibinin and antibiotics. Results The MICs of silibinin against standard strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium were between 50 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL, and those of silibinin for standard strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were both greater than 400 μg/mL. The MICs of silibinin for clinical strains, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium were all within the range of 100 μg/mL to 400 μg/mL, and MICs of silibinin against clinical strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were greater than 400 μg/mL. The MICs of other isomers of silibinin against six standard strains were greater than or equal to 400 μg/mL. Silibinin had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth curve of standard strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium, which increased with increasing drug concentration, and it had no effect on that of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The FIC of silibinin combined with penicillin/erythromycin for gram-positive test bacteria was in the range of 0.5 2 or 1 < FIC ≤ 2. Conclusion Silibinin has a notable antibacterial activity to gram-positive bacteria with the best inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis. The antibacterial activities of silibinin is higher than those of other isomers. The combined antibacterial effect of silibinin and penicillin/erythromycin is mainly additive and irrelevant, while that of silibinin and ciprofloxacin or gentamicin is mainly antagonistic or irrelevant.

Progress on evaluating premature infants by growth curve / 国际儿科学杂志

Monitoring and evaluating the growth of premature infants is one of the most important assignments for neonatologists.The growth curve is an important tool to evaluate the development of infants.There are over 100 different growth curves in the world,such as Fenton growth chart,gestation-related optimal weight and INTERGROWTH-21 st project.Choosing the appropriate growth curve to evaluate the growth of premature infants and perinatal risks is crucial.The progress on evaluating premature infants by growth curve is reviewed in the article.

Role of Ectodermal-neural cortex 1 protein in human glioma progression, identification of a peptide internalized by human glioblastoma cells and development of an alternative method to generate growth curves of adherent cultures / Papel da proteína Ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1) na progressão de glioma humano, identificação de um peptídeo internalizado por células de glioblastoma humano e desenvolvimento de um método alternativo para gerar curvas de crescimento celular

Gliomas are the most common form of primary intracranial malignancy, among which astrocytomas are the most frequent. Ectodermal-cortex protein 1 (ENC 1), also known as Nuclear Restricted Protein/Brain (NRP/B), was first characterized as a protein which interacts with the cytoskeleton by binding to actin through Kelch-like domains, being related to neural fate specification during development of the nervous system. The first chapter of this thesis confirms ENC1 as a tumor suppression properties by a genomic edition approach, analyses ENC1 expression in a set of patient glioma samples and describes the correlation these data with patients survival and progression-free survival, concluding that ENC1 expression may constitute a biomarker for glioma aggressiveness. The second chapter refers to the identification and in vitro characterization of the LHTNELQ peptide, which was selected by the Phage Display method using human glioblastoma cells. This new peptide is able to be internalized by these cells and features as a new tool for the development of glioma therapeutics. The third chapter report an alternative method to generate growth curves of adherent cell cultures, which is based on the CFSE fluorescence decay over time. It is an alternative method to determine growth curves of cultured cells, with smaller variation among technical replicates than that of counting-based methods

Gliomas são a forma mais comum de malignidades primárias intracranianas, dentre os quais os astrocitomas são os mais frequentes. A proteína Ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1), também conhecida como Nuclear Restricted Protein/Brain (NRP/B), foi primeiramente caracterizada como uma proteína que interage com o citoesqueleto por meio de ligação à actina através de domínios Kelch-like, sendo relacionada com diferenciação neuronal durante o desenvolvimento do sistema nervoso. O primeiro capítulo desta tese descreve confirmação da capacidade supressora tumoral de ENC1 por abordagem de edição genômica, analisa a expressão de ENC1 em um conjunto de amostras de pacientes com gliomas e correlaciona esses dados com tempo de sobrevida geral e sobrevida livre de progressão tumoral nos pacientes, concluindo que a expressão de ENC1 pode ser utilizada como um biomarcador da agressividade do glioma. O segundo capítulo apresenta a identificação e caracterização in vitro do peptídeo LHTNELQ, que foi selecionado pela metodologia de Phage display utilizandose de células de glioblastoma humano. Este novo peptídeo é capaz de internalizar-se nestas células e figura como uma nova ferramenta para o desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas para glioblastomas. No terceiro capítulo propõe-se um método alternativo para gerar curvas de crescimento celular de cultura aderente, o qual é baseado no decaimento da fluorescência do reagente CFSE ao longo do tempo. Tratase de um método alternativo para a determinação de curvas de crescimento de culturas aderentes, com menor variação entre as réplicas técnicas do que os métodos baseados em contagem das células

Birth weight, physical growth and body composition in children: A longitudinal study / Peso ao nascer, crescimento físico e composição corporal de crianças: um estudo longitudinal

ABSTRACT Objective To describe children's physical growth (body mass and height) velocity and body composition (fat percentage and Fat Free Mass); to investigate the magnitude of interindividual differences according to age, gender and birth weight categories, as well as to examine the differences in the average trajectories of children with Low Birth Weight and Normal Weight according to international references. Methods The sample consisted of 534 children (279 boys and 255 girls, 7 to 10 years old) evaluated in the first year of study and followed for 3 years with overlap between the ages of 7 and 9 years. Physical growth and body composition measurements included: height, body mass, fat percentage (%Fat) and Fat Free Mass. Multilevel Modelling was used. Results Birth weight was not associated with physical growth and body composition markers at 7 years old or with the velocity of their changes (p>0.05). There were significant interindividual differences in the trajectories of physical growth (height and body mass; p<0.001) and body composition (%Fat and Fat Free Mass; p<0.001). In plotting on international percentile charts, the trajectories of growth and body composition were within expected values for age and gender, regardless of birth weight. Conclusion There are significant differences in the dynamics of stature growth, body mass and Fat Free Mass, and Low Birth Weight has no influence on this trajectory. In addition, values are within the expected range for age and sex.

RESUMO Objetivo Este artigo teve por objetivo descrever a velocidade do crescimento físico (massa corporal e estatura) e a composição corporal (percentual de gordura e massa isenta de gordura) de crianças; investigar a magnitude das diferenças interindividuais em função da idade, gênero e categoria do peso ao nascer; e examinar a diferenciação das trajetórias médias das crianças com Baixo Peso ao Nascer e com Peso Adequado ao Nascer, relativamente às referências internacionais. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 534 crianças (279 meninos e 255 meninas, na faixa etária entre 7 e 10 anos de idade), avaliadas no primeiro ano de estudo e seguidas por três anos, com sobreposição de idade entre 7 e 9 anos. Foram medidas a estatura e a massa corporal, e estimados o percentual de gordura (%Gord) e a Massa Isenta de Gordura. As análises foram realizadas com a Modelagem Multinível. Resultados O peso ao nascer não apresentou associação com as variáveis de crescimento físico e composição corporal aos 7 anos de idade, bem como com seus incrementos dos 7 aos 10 anos (p>0,05). Há diferenças interindividuais significativas nas trajetórias de crescimento físico (estatura, massa corporal; p<0,001) e composição corporal (%Gord e Massa Isenta de Gordura; p<0,001). Na plotagem realizada em cartas percentílicas internacionais, independentemente do peso ao nascer, as trajetórias do crescimento e composição corporal encontram-se dentro dos valores esperados para idade e gênero. Conclusão O estudo concluiu que existem diferenças significativas no dinamismo do crescimento estatural, massa corporal e Massa Isenta de Gordura, e o Baixo Peso ao Nascer não exerce nenhuma influência nessa trajetória. Ademais, os seus valores estão dentro do expectável para idade e gênero.

Trypanosoma cruzi transcriptome during axenic epimastigote growth curve

BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi is an important protozoan parasite and the causative agent of Chagas disease. A critical step in understanding T. cruzi biology is the study of cellular and molecular features exhibited during its growth curve. OBJECTIVES We aimed to acquire a global view of the gene expression profile of T. cruzi during epimastigote growth. METHODS RNA-Seq analysis of total and polysomal/granular RNA fractions was performed along the 10 days T. cruzi epimastigote growth curve in vitro, in addition to cell viability and cell cycle analyses. We also analysed the polysome profile and investigated the presence of granular RNA by FISH and western blotting. FINDINGS We identified 1082 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 220 were modulated in both fractions. According to the modulation pattern, DEGs were grouped into 12 clusters and showed enrichment of important gene ontology (GO) terms. Moreover, we showed that by the sixth day of the growth curve, polysomal content declined greatly and the RNA granules content appeared to increase, suggesting that a portion of mRNAs isolated from the sucrose gradient during late growth stages was associated with RNA granules and not only polyribosomes. Furthermore, we discuss several modulated genes possibly involved in T. cruzi growth, mainly during the stationary phase, such as genes related to cell cycle, pathogenesis, metabolic processes and RNA-binding proteins.

Weight and morphometric growth of Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), Tambaqui (Colossoma macropumum) and their hybrids from spring to winter / Peso e crescimento morfométrico de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropumum) e seus híbridos da primavera ao inverno

This study aimed to evaluate weight and morphometric growth of the products of the complete diallel cross-breeding between pacu and tambaqui during the period from the end of spring to the beginning of winter. Was used 400 pacu, tambaqui, tambacu and paqui. 20 fish from each group were collected, weighed and submitted to morphometric evaluation every 28 days. The Logistic function adjusted better to describe the growth in body weight and the morphometric measures for age on all the genetic groups. The studied groups presented similar behavior of growth for body weight and morphometric measures. There were significant differences between the genetic groups regarding parameters A (asymptotic value) and B (integration constant) for body weight and for all the morphometric measures evaluated. For the parameter K (maturity rate), there were significant difference between groups for body weight, head length and body height. The groups possibly were affected the decrease of temperature. The Tambacu was superior to the Paqui in all the variables evaluated for the parameter A, and was also superior to the pure breed, except for head length and body width.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o peso e crescimento morfométrico dos produtos do cruzamento dialélico completo entre pacu e tambaqui. 20 peixes de cada grupo foram coletados, pesados e submetidos à análise morfométrica a cada 28 dias. O modelo que obteve o maior coeficiente de determinação e que melhor se ajuste ao método de Akaike foi verificado. A função logística foi ajustada para melhor descrever o crescimento do peso corporal e as medidas morfométricas para a idade em todos os grupos genéticos. Os quatro grupos estudados apresentaram comportamento semelhante para o peso corporal, bem como para as medidas morfométricas. Houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos genéticos sobre os parâmetros A (valor assintótico) e B (constante de integração) para o peso corporal e para todas as medidas morfométricas avaliadas. Para o parâmetro K (taxa de maturação), houve diferença significativa entre os grupos para o peso corporal, comprimento da cabeça e altura do corpo. Os grupos possivelmente foram afetados pela diminuição da temperatura. O tambacu foi superior ao Paqui em todas as variáveis avaliadas para o parâmetro A, e também foi superior para a raça pura, exceto para o comprimento e largura do corpo de cabeça.(AU)