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PubMed2001

Quantum yield study of the photodegradation of hydrophobic dyes in the presence of acetone sensitizer.

The photodegradation of hydrophobic disperse dyes with different chromophores in the presence of acetone (ACE) was investigated. In this study, the photodecay of dyes was carried out in the Rayonet RPR-200 merry-go-round photoreactor, with 253.7 nm monochromatic ultraviolet (UV) lamps. A typical azo disperse dye (CI disperse yellow 7--DY7) and an anthraquinone disperse dye (CI disperse orange--DO11) were used as the probe compounds. The results demonstrate that the addition of acetone increases the solubility of hydrophobic disperse dyes and enhances the photosensitization reaction simultaneously. More than ten times of quantum yield enhancement is observed in the presence of ACE photosensitizer than in water alone. The photodegradation of DY7 and DO11 is dominated by photoreduction, which follows pseudo first-order decay, and the rate constants strongly depend on the solvent system (i.e., ACE/H2O ratios) and the initial pH levels. The decay quantum yields of dyes are normally observed with the increase of the ACE/H2O ratio. The optimum quantum yields of DY7 and DO11 were determined at 0.5 (v/v) and 0.25 (v/v), respectively, in alkaline conditions. A further increase in the ACE/H2O ratio reduces the quantum yields, possibly due to light attenuation by excess acetone.

Acetone↗
PubMed2003

The effects of tropospheric ozone and elevated carbon dioxide on potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) growth and yield.

An open-top chamber experiment with field grown potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) was performed in the south-west of Sweden in 1998. The experiment was aimed to investigate individual and interactive impacts of elevated ozone (O(3)) and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) on potato growth and yield. Treatments were ambient and elevated CO(2) with or without the addition of 20 nmol mol(-1) O(3). In addition, plants were grown in ambient air plots. Plants grown in elevated CO(2) and O(3) had a reduced tuber yield, compared to control, by 2% and 8%, respectively. These effects were, however, not statistically significant. Elevated CO(2) caused a significantly larger number of tubers of lower average size, while elevated O(3) induced significantly lower tuber dry matter content. The number of tuber initials (tubers <15 mm) found at harvest was significantly lower in elevated O(3). Visible O(3) leaf injury appeared earlier and the number of yellow leaves 89 days after emergence was significantly larger in elevated O(3). In elevated CO(2), haulm dry weight was significantly (15%) lower at harvest and the haulm/tuber ratio was significantly reduced. There were significant interactive effects of O(3) and CO(2) on the final number of leaves and on stem height. Plants in elevated CO(2) reached final stem height earlier than in the other treatments. In summary, it was concluded: (a) that anticipated future O(3) levels are likely to have a negative impact on potato growth, although tuber yield effects may be hard to demonstrate experimentally in this plant due to large variation; (b) that whether any possible beneficial effect of elevated CO(2) on the magnitude of tuber yield will be expressed, depend on the climatic conditions prevailing; and (c) that potato growth responses to CO(2) and O(3) are not simply additive.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed2001

Effect of culture system on the yield and quality of bovine blastocysts as assessed by survival after vitrification.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a bovine in vitro culture system on blastocyst yield and quality after vitrification. In Experiment 1, IVM/IVF zygotes were cultured in either synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF) in 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2; or TCM199-granulosa cells (TCM199-GCM) in 5% CO2 in air. In vivo blastocysts were used as a control. Culture in SOF resulted in a significantly higher blastocyst yield on both Day 7 (31.3 vs 13.2%, P < 0.001) and 8 (36.8 vs 23.7%, P < 0.001) than did culture in TCM199-GCM. After vitrification, survival at 72 h of in vivo blastocysts was significantly higher than both in vitro groups, while significantly more blastocysts produced in TCM199-GCM survived compared to those produced in SOF (0, 43.5, 78.3% for SOF, TCM199-GCM and in vivo, respectively P < 0.01). In Experiment 2, SOF-GCM proved to be the best post-warming culture system of those tested and was adopted as the post-warming medium for all subsequent experiments. In Experiment 3, zygotes were cultured in SOF or SOF-GCM, in either 5% CO2 in air, or 5% CO2, 5% O2, 90% N2. In agreement with Experiment 1, culture in SOF in 5% O2 resulted in significantly more blastocysts at Day 7 (26.4 vs 17.3%, P < 0.01) and Day 8 (31.5 vs 23.2%, P < 0.01) than did culture in SOF-GCM. However, survival at 72 h post vitrification was significantly higher for SOF-GCM (44 vs 8.3%, P < 0.001). Increasing the O2 concentration to 20% significantly reduced the blastocyst eld from SOF (31.5 vs 17.3%, P < 0.001). In addition, the quality of blastocyst produced was reduced in terms of survival post vitrification (8.3 vs 0%, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no difference in blastocyst yield (23.2 vs 25.2%) or survival (44.0 vs 36.9%) in SOF-GCM, irrespective of O2 concentration. Experiment 4 examined the duration of exposure to GCM necessary to acquire improved blastocyst quality. Zygotes were cultured in SOF; SOF until Day 3, followed by SOF-GCM for the remainder of the culture; SOF until Day 5, followed by SOF-GCM for the remainder of the culture; or SOF-GCM for the entire culture. Survival at 72 h post vitrification was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Groups 2 (50.0%, 13/26) and 4 (55.3%, 26/47) than in Groups 1 (21.7%, 10/46) and 3 (10.8%, 4/37). In conclusion, culture system can affect blastocyst yield and quality and crytolerance is a useful indicator of blastocyst quality.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effect of mating system, flushing procedure, progesterone dose and donor ewe age on the yield and quality of embryos within a MOET program in sheep.

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) has the potential to increase the rates of genetic improvement in sheep. However, better realization of this potential requires a higher yield of transferable embryos. Thus we investigated some factors that may contribute to high embryo yield and quality under field conditions, as part of an ongoing MOET program. Comparison of the effects of 2 breeding systems (natural service plus laparoscopic intrauterine AI vs natural service only) on embryo yield and quality indicated that while AI did not affect embryo recovery, it significantly (P < 0.05) improved fertilization rate and embryo quality, and increased (P < 0.05) embryo survival rate after transfer to recipients. Two flushing procedures (the original semi-laparoscopic and a modified version) were compared for effects on embryo recovery. The modifications made to the original collection method increased (P < 0.001) embryo recovery from 69.0 +/- 2.4 to 83.2 +/- 0.6%. The effects of the progestagen priming dosage during superovulatory treatment and ewe age on MOET outcome were also investigated. Donor ewes primed with 30-mg progestagen sponges came into estrus 1.9 h earlier (P < 0.05) than those primed with 45-mg sponges, but there was no difference in ovulation rate or embryo recovery, or in embryo survival after transfer between the 2 regimens. However, Chi-square analysis indicated a significant benefit in favor of the higher progesterone dose on both fertilization (P < 0.01) and embryo quality (P < 0.001). Age of donor ewe did not significantly affect the timing of estrus, fertilization rate or embryo survival after transfer. While adult ewes had higher (P < 0.05) ovulation rates and embryo yields, shearling ewes produced a much higher proportion of Grade 1 embryos (P < 0.05).

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Loss in milk yield and related composition changes resulting from clinical mastitis in dairy cows.

Relationships between clinical mastitis and milk yield and composition in dairy cows were reviewed. Requirements for inclusion were: data had to be collected after 1975; dependent variables for milk yield and milk composition had to be defined at the cow level; mastitis cases had to be defined by clinical signs, and at least 250 lactations had to be considered. Twenty studies dealing with milk-yield loss and, for four of them, also with related composition changes were selected. Study populations, design of data collection, and analysis methods differed widely between studies. As expected from these differences--but also due to structural-variation factors such as type of pathogen, animal and production level--estimates for milk-yield losses differed in average magnitude and pattern. Literature data regarding changes in milk-fat % and total-protein % changes were contradictory. Critiques of materials and methods allowed us to propose some final recommendations for values to be used as basic inputs in economic calculations of losses caused by mastitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Influence of Trypanosoma evansi infection on milk yield of dairy cattle in northeast Thailand.

Effect of subclinical Trypanosoma evansi infection on the milk yield of newly introduced Holstein Friesian dairy cattle were investigated. Five hundred pregnant heifers were introduced in Loei Province, northeast Thailand and a total of 168 blood samples were collected at 20 farms during 6 visits over 2 years. Trypanosomes were found in cattle in June and November 1996, after which the parasite was rarely seen. On the other hand, the infection prevalences by antigen-detection ELISA (Ag-ELISA) were around 40% from the first sampling through October 1997; then, antigenemic cattle decreased to 20% by June 1998. Milk yields of the cattle with detectable parasitaemia in June and November 1996 were significantly lower than those of the non-infected cattle by Student's t-test. Similarly, the milk yields of Ag-ELISA positive cattle were lower than those of negative cattle at every sampling and significant differences were observed during the first year and in February, 1998 (tested by 2-way ANOVA; T. evansi status and herd as factors). This study suggested that subclinical trypanosomosis caused decrease in milk yield of newly introduced dairy.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2001

Dairy cows' fear of people: social learning, milk yield and behaviour at milking.

We examined the effects of the presence of an unfamiliar, a gentle or an aversive handler during milking on behaviour and milk yield, and whether cows can learn to approach or avoid a handler by observing the neighbouring cow's responses. In Experiment 1, Danish Friesian cows (n=16) were treated gently (offering hay and concentrates) by one handler and aversively (hit every 15s on the head with the hand) by another handler for six periods of 2min each. The two handlers wore different coloured overalls, and each cow received either gentle or aversive treatment in the first week and the other treatment the following week. All cows kept a longer distance to the aversive than to the gentle handler in a 1min test after treatment. Milk yield and residual milk did not differ when the aversive or the gentle handler was standing in front of the cow during milking, although the cows moved their legs and tail less when the aversive handler was present. When an unfamiliar person was standing in front of the cows during milking, behaviour and milk yield did not differ from control milkings. Cows and heifers (n=10) that had observed their neighbours receiving gentle treatment by one handler and aversive treatment from another handler did not differ in the distance they kept from these two handlers. In Experiment 2, cows (n=15) that had observed the neighbours receiving a gentle treatment (eight times for 2min) kept a shorter distance to that handler after treatment of their neighbours, and the distance they kept was correlated with the distance kept by the neighbouring cows. This suggests that responses of observer cows may be affected by the responses of the cows being treated. The cows rapidly learned to avoid an aversive handler, but although the cows showed clear avoidance response to the aversive handler there was no effect on milk yield when the aversive handler was present at milking.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

The diagnostic yield of transbronchial needle aspiration in superior vena cava syndrome.

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) requires a timely histopathological diagnosis for appropriate management. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic yield and complications of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) among patients with SVCS in a tertiary care university hospital. From February 1996 to April 2000, 27 consecutive patients referred with clinical SVCS without a prior diagnosis underwent flexible bronchoscopy and TBNA. The ultimate diagnoses were small cell carcinoma (SCLC) in 15 patients, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in 11, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in one patient. TBNA was diagnostic in all 26 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, but not in lymphoma, which was subsequently diagnosed via thoracotomy. The overall diagnostic yield of TBNA was 96%, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of diagnostic yield was 80-100%. TBNA solely provided the diagnosis in nine patients with NSCLC (82%), and in seven with SCLC (47%), and confirmed the diagnosis established via forceps biopsy in ten patients. Age, gender, radiological involvement and TBNA site were comparable in cases with and without forceps biopsy. There was no major complication related to either flexible bronchoscopy or TBNA. We concluded that TBNA is safe and has a high diagnostic yield in SVCS caused by bronchogenic carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of high-yield criteria for chest radiography in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of abnormal chest radiographs and to test the validity of previously developed high-yield criteria. There is disagreement about the need for chest radiography in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, although high-yield criteria have been developed. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review study. SETTING: County-owned, university-affiliated, urban emergency department. PARTICIPANTS: ED patients seen between January 1988 and July 1991 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. RESULTS: Eight hundred forty-seven ED visits were identified; medical records were available for 742. Radiographs were not taken in 8%, leaving 685 ED visits in the study. One hundred nine patients (16%) had significant abnormalities, including 88 new infiltrates, two new lung masses, one pneumothorax, and 20 episodes of pulmonary edema. A history of congestive heart failure and fever was associated with abnormalities, as were findings of rales, pedal edema, and jugular venous distension. There was no association with WBC count, temperature, coronary artery disease, chest pain, or sputum production. Previously published high-yield criteria had a sensitivity of .76; specificity, .41; positive predictive value, 20; negative predictive value, .90; and accuracy, .47. CONCLUSION: Radiographic abnormalities are common findings in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We found that almost one fourth of radiographic abnormalities are not predictable on the basis of previously developed high-yield criteria. Routine chest radiography should be considered in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to diagnose treatable, radiographically apparent abnormalities.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Effects of oxidants on soybean growth and yield in the Pakistan Punjab.

Plants of soybean (Glycine max L.) were grown with and without the ozone protectant EDU (N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-n2 phenylurea) at a suburban site, a remote rural site and a rural roadside site around the city of Lahore, Pakistan. The development and yield of the plants was determined in two experiments--one immediately post-monsoon and one in the following spring (pre-monsoon). Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and photochemical oxidants were measured at each site. The effect on yield of EDU at the suburban site (47 and 113% increase in seed weight per plant relative to the untreated plants in the post- and pre-monsoon experiments, respectively) was similar to the effects of filtration on yield on soybean in a parallel open-top chamber study at the same site (77% increase relative to plants subjected to unfiltered air for the pre-monsoon experiment). Effects of EDU on yield were greater at both rural sites than at the suburban site in both experiments, and greater in the spring experiment (182% at the remote rural site and 285% at the rural roadside site) than in the post-monsoon experiment (94% at the remote rural site and 170% at the rural roadside site); oxidant concentrations were also greater at the rural sites than at the suburban site, and greater in the spring experiment than the post-monsoon experiment. The results imply that ozone may be causing significant crop losses in rural areas around Lahore; however, the geographical extent of the problem, and the implications for peri-urban agriculture around other cities of south Asia are uncertain.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Effects of past sewage sludge additions on heavy metal availability in light textured soils: implications for crop yields and metal uptakes.

The effect of heavy metal additions in past sewage sludge applications on soil metal availability and the growth and yield of crops was evaluated at two sites in the UK. At Gleadthorpe, sewage sludges enriched with salts of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) had been applied to a loamy sand in 1982 and additionally naturally contaminated Zn and Cu sludge cakes in 1986. At Rosemaund, sewage sludges naturally contaminated with Zn, Cu, Ni and chromium (Cr) had been applied in 1968-1971 to a sandy loam. From 1994 to 1997, the yields of both cereals and legumes at Gleadthorpe were up to 3 t/ha lower than the no-sludge control where total topsoil Zn and Cu concentrations exceeded 200 and 120 mg/kg, respectively, but only when topsoil ammonium nitrate extractable metal levels also exceeded 40 mg/kg Zn and 0.9 mg/kg Cu. At Rosemaund, yields were only decreased where total topsoil Cu concentrations exceeded 220 mg/kg or 0.7 mg/kg ammonium nitrate extractable Cu. These results demonstrate the importance of measuring extractable as well as total heavy metal concentrations in topsoils when assessing likely effects on plant yields and metal uptakes, and setting soil quality criteria.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed2000

Interactive effects of elevated ozone and carbon dioxide on growth and yield of leaf rust-infected versus non-infected wheat.

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Turbo) was grown from seedling emergence to maturity (129 days) in chambers simulating the physical climate and ozone pollution of a field site in Northern Germany from 1 April to 31 July with a mean 1-h daily maximum of 61.5-62.4 nl l(-1) ozone compared to a constant low level of 21.5-22.8 nl l(-1) ozone. The two ozone levels were combined with either a current (374.1-380.2 microl l(-1)) or enriched (610.6-615.0 microl l(-1)) CO(2) atmosphere. Additionally, a leaf rust epidemic (Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici) was induced at tillering stage by repeated re-inoculations with the inoculum formed on the plants. Leaf rust disease was strongly inhibited by ozone, but largely unaffected by elevated CO(2). Ozone damage on leaves was strongly affected by CO(2) and infection. On infected plants, ozone lesions appeared 2-4 weeks earlier and were up to fourfold more severe compared to non-infected plants. Elevated CO(2) did not delay the onset of ozone lesions but it significantly reduced the severity of leaf damage. It also enhanced the photosynthetic rate of flag leaves and increased the water use efficiency, biomass formation and grain yield. The relative increases in growth and yield induced by CO(2) were much larger on ozone-stressed than on non-stressed plants. Both ozone and fungal infection reduced biomass formation, number of grains per plant, thousand grain weight and grain yield; however, adverse effects of leaf rust infection were more severe. Elevated CO(2) largely equalized the negative effects of ozone on the photosynthetic rate, growth and yield parameters, but was not capable of compensating for the detrimental effects of fungal infection. The data imply that the impact of ozone in the field cannot be estimated without considering the predisposing effects deriving from fungal infections and the compensating effects deriving from elevated CO(2).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Yield comparisons and unique characteristics of the dwarf wheat cultivar 'USU-Apogee'.

Extremely short, high yielding cultivars of all crop plants are needed to optimize the food production of bioregenerative life support systems in space. In the early 1980's, we examined over a thousand wheat genotypes from the world germplasm collection in search of genotypes with appropriate characteristics for food production in space. Here we report the results of 12 years of hybridization and selection for the perfect wheat cultivar. 'USU-Apogee' is a full-dwarf hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar developed for high yields in controlled environments. USU-Apogee was developed by the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and released in April 1996. USU-Apogee is a shorter, higher yielding alternative to 'Yecora Rojo' and 'Veery-10', the short field genotypes previously selected for use in controlled environments. The yield advantage of USU-Apogee is 10 to 30% over these other cultivars, depending on environmental conditions. USU-Apogee (45-50 cm tall, depending on temperature) is 10 to 15 cm shorter than Yecora Rojo and 1 to 4 cm shorter than Veery-10. USU-Apogee was also selected for resistance to the calcium-induced leaf tip chlorosis that occurs in controlled-environments. Breeder seed of USU-Apogee will be maintained by the Crop Physiology Laboratory and seed is available for testing on request.

Calcium↗
PubMed2003

[Transbronchial needle aspiration in bronchogenic carcinoma with visible lesions: diagnostic yield and cost].

BACKGROUND: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a bronchoscopic technique whose usefulness in diagnosing endobronchial lesions has not yet been clearly established. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether the diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy could be increased, without a negative impact on diagnostic costs, if TBNA were used in combination with conventional diagnostic techniques (bronchial washings and bronchial brushings and forceps biopsy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cases of 130 patients diagnosed with bronchogenic carcinoma with endoscopically visible lesions were analyzed retrospectively. All had undergone conventional diagnostic procedures; TBNA was also performed if the bronchoscopist considered it was indicated. The final cost was calculated in euros for each diagnosis as the sum of the cost of the procedures needed to reach the diagnosis, including both endoscopic procedures and others (transthoracic needle aspiration, lymph node biopsy). Diagnostic yield and costs in cases diagnosed using only conventional techniques were compared to the yield and costs in cases in which both conventional techniques and TBNA were used. RESULTS: TBNA was performed in 49 patients and provided the diagnosis in 85.7%. Conventional techniques led to cytological and histological diagnosis in 80.2% of the cases, and the combination of conventional techniques and TBNA gave a diagnosis in 89.7% (P=.01). Significant differences were observed in extrinsic compression (conventional 37.5%; conventional+TBNA 100%; P=.01), submucosal infiltration (conventional 54.6%; conventional+TBNA 85%; P=.03), and exophytic mass with necrosis (conventional 80%; conventional+TBNA 100%; P=.01). The mean (SD) cost of diagnosis was euros 381.60 (euros 156.53) using conventional techniques and euros 413.25 (euros 112.91) for conventional techniques in combination with TBNA. By adding TBNA, costs decreased for diagnoses of submucosal infiltration, exophytic mass with necrosis and extrinsic compression, although the saving was significant only for extrinsic compression. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic yield of TBNA is high for endoscopically visible bronchial anomalies suggesting neoplasm, particularly when the lesion is due to extrinsic compression, submucosal infiltration, or exophytic mass with necrosis.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed2002

Relationships among milk progesterone, concentrate allocation, energy balance, milk yield and conception rate in Norwegian cattle.

Relationships among milk progesterone, concentrate allocation, energy balance (EB), milk yield and conception rate were studied in 146 lactations in 94 moderate yielding cows. All animals were of the dual purpose breed Norwegian cattle, and were monitored through their first and second lactations. The cows were assigned three different concentrate allocations and had free access to grass silage. Energy balance was estimated by subtracting energy required for maintenance and lactation from energy intake. Milk progesterone concentration was determined three times weekly from calving until pregnancy. The cumulative progesterone concentration was calculated as area under the progesterone curve for the first three luteal phases postpartum. The conception rate increased linearly by rising milk progesterone for values of cumulative progesterone in the lowest third of the range, whereas the likelihood of conception did not differ between milk progesterone concentrations within the upper two-thirds. This implies that the progesterone values were below a threshold value for optimal reproductive success in one-third of the services performed in this study. Milk progesterone concentrations during the third luteal phase postpartum were low when the high-energy diet was fed. Negative EB was associated with reduced values for milk progesterone during the third luteal phase in second parity cows. Likewise, milk yield was inversely related to progesterone levels during both the first and third luteal phases postpartum in second parity cows. Energy balance was higher and milk yield lower during peak lactation among second parity cows that conceived compared to cows that remained open after the first artificial insemination. The present study have demonstrated an association between likelihood of conception and the energy coverage in Norwegian cattle. This relationship is possibly mediated through progesterone deficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[What perception have smokers of nicotine and tar yields of cigarettes?].

INTRODUCTION: Advertising information on cigarette package participate to the reduction of health risks from smoking. Impact on smokers has been poorly studied. This study intended to determine the smoker perception of nicotine and tar yields of cigarettes. METHODS: Consulting in an outpatient smoking cessation clinic, 171 smokers answered freely and spontaneously to a questionnaire evaluating their perception of nicotine and tar yields, cigarette consumption (number and brand), nicotine dependence. Simultaneously, biological tobacco markers were measured. RESULTS: The number of cigarettes, nicotine dependence and specific tobacco markers were not significantly different according to the cigarette type: "full savour", "light" or "ultra light". Women smoked less than men and 54% preferred "light" cigarettes versus 37% of men. These smokers were entering a tobacco cessation program, it was assumed they had lead a prior reflection about their smoking habits. Only 8% of them gave the correct values of nicotine and tar yields and 14% gave approximate values. Tar levels were highly underestimated. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that smokers have actually no interest for nicotine and tar yields. As the new decree which modifies manufacture's obligation concerning the legal mentions, is applicable in January 2004 in France; our conclusion may change in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Etiologic yield of cerebral palsy: a contemporary case series.

Cerebral palsy is an established symptom complex that results from heterogeneous etiologies. Our understanding of the relative contribution of underlying etiologies to the occurrence of cerebral palsy is largely derived from studies lacking systematic neurologic evaluation or the application of contemporary imaging modalities. Throughout a 10-year inclusive period, the case records of all consecutive patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy in a single pediatric neurology practice were reviewed with reference to clinical features and diagnostic yield. A total of 217 cases of cerebral palsy were identified (129 male, 88 female): 77 (35.5%) spastic quadriplegic, 68 (31.3%) spastic hemiplegic, 39 (18%) spastic diplegic, five (2.7%) spastic monoplegic, 12 (5.5%) mixed, 12 (5.5%) ataxic-hypotonic, two (0.9%) dyskinetic, two (0.9%) Worster-Drought syndrome. Overall etiologic yield was 82.0%, varying according to type of cerebral palsy: 50% dyskinetic, 59% diplegia, 80% monoplegia, 80.9% hemiplegia, 90.9% quadriplegia, 91.7% ataxic hypotonia, and 100% mixed/Woster-Drought. The top five etiologic entities identified were periventricular leukomalacia, 24.9%; intrapartum asphyxia, 21.7%; cerebral dysgenesis, 17.1%; intracranial hemorrhage, 12.9%; and vascular, 9.7%. Although a single etiology was apparent in 144 (66.4%) of the cases, multiple etiologies were believed to be contributory in 34 (15.6%) of the cases. The etiologic profile varied according to such features as the type of cerebral palsy, gestational age, and the source (high-risk neonatal population or not) of the patients. Features of the child's cerebral palsy, such as microcephaly, neonatal difficulties, prior or coexisting epilepsy, and high-risk source, were found to be predictive of eventual etiologic yield. This contemporary evaluation of cerebral palsy etiologic yield suggests that it is much higher than previously reported and varies, depending on key clinical features.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed2001

Seasonal variation in the biomass and agar yield from Gracilaria cervicornis and Hydropuntia cornea from Brazil.

Seasonality of biomass and agar yield from two agarophytes (G. cervicornis and H. cornea) was determined. The biomass from G. cervicornis was higher (390 g m-2) during the dry season and lower during the rainy season (129 g m-2). The data analysis for G. cervicornis revealed a significant seasonal variation (P < 0.05). H. cornea did not show a clear seasonal variation and was present only from March to August. The peak in biomass for this species was recorded in April (383 g m-2) and was significantly different from the other months (P < 0.05). The agar yield for G. cervicornis varied from 11% to 20%, with generally higher values recorded during the dry season. The agar yield showed a highly significant variation (P < 0.001). Agar yield from H. cornea ranged from 29% to 41%, with a peak recorded in June. The results above indicate that H. cornea can be considered a good candidate for commercial use.

Agar↗