ABSTRACT
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are still discussed critically, as there is no consensus on whether these treatments could be the cause of risk factors for obstetric problems such as breech presentation. The aim of this study was to test the association between ART and breech presentation among 11920 singleton term births taking place in Vienna from 2010 to 2020. In this single-centre medical record-based study, data concerning the conception mode (spontaneous versus IVF or ICSI), child presentation, birth mode, newborn sex and size as well as age, height, weight, and reproductive history of the mother were included. Three hundred twenty-six newborns (2.7%) were conceived by IVF or ICSI, and 527 newborns (4.4%) were delivered in breech presentation. Breech presentation occurred in 7.6% of IVF/ICSI children but only in 4.3% of spontaneously conceived children (P = 0.019). ART increased the crude risk of breech presentation significantly (OR = 1.67; 95% CI 1.71 - 2.38). After adjusting for maternal age, height, number of previous births, smoking, and newborn sex, however, ART had no longer a significant impact on the risk of breech presentation. In contrast, breech presentation was significantly associated with higher maternal age as well as a lower number of previous births, but not with ART. This study shows that the adverse outcomes of IVF and ICSI pregnancies may not be due to the ART treatment alone but might also be due to the mostly higher age and lower parity of the mothers using ART.
ABSTRACT
Watershed land cover affects in-stream water quality and sediment nutrient dynamics. The presence of natural land cover in the riparian zone can reduce the negative effects of agricultural land use on water quality; however, literature evaluating the effects of natural riparian land cover on stream sediment nutrient dynamics is scarce. The objective of this study was to assess if stream sediment phosphorus retention and nitrogen removal varies with riparian forest cover in agricultural watersheds. Stream sediment nutrient dynamics from 28 sites with mixed land cover were sampled three times during the growing season. Phosphorus dynamics and nitrification rates did not change considerably throughout the study period. Sediment total phosphorus concentrations and nitrification rates decreased as riparian forest cover increased likely due to a decline in fine, organic material. Denitrification rates were strongly correlated to surface water nitrate concentrations. Denitrification rate and denitrification enzyme activity decreased with an increase in forest cover during the first sampling period only. The first sampling period coincided with the greatest connectivity between the watershed and in-stream processing, indicating that riparian forest cover indirectly decreased denitrification rates by reducing the concentrations of dissolved nutrients entering the stream. This reduction in load may allow the sediment to maintain greater nitrogen removal efficiency, because bacteria are not saturated with nitrogen. Riparian forest cover also appeared to lessen the effect of agriculture in the watershed by decreasing the amount of fine material in the stream, resulting in reduced phosphorus storage in the stream sediment.
Subject(s)
Phosphorus , Rivers , Agriculture , Environmental Monitoring , Forests , Nitrogen/analysis , Phosphorus/analysisABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease worldwide and mostly affects the knee joint (gonarthrosis). In treatment algorithms, technical aids in the form of laterally wedged insoles, valgizing knee braces and ankle-foot orthoses have an importance in the treatment of medial unicompartmental knee joint disease. However, national and international guidelines differ in their recommendations. INSOLES: Taking into account a great amount of scientific work, the measurable effect of laterally wedged insoles appears to be low, so that a justifying indication only exists at low gonarthrosis levels. KNEE BRACES: Valgizing knee braces have shown stronger biomechanical and clinical effects, but with a slightly increased complication potential and low compliance. Low to medium-grade arthrosis can be treated. ANKLE-FOOT ORTHOSES: Ankle-foot arthroses have not yet been conclusively examined. Initial work indicates biomechanical and clinical efficacy. The overall effects and indications appear comparable to knee braces, probably with less complication potential.
