Population dynamics of mycorrhizal fungi in rhizosphere of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Soil samples collected from the rhizosphere of Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] to evaluate the population dynamics of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM). Root colonization by native VAM fungi was recorded minimum in early stages of plant growth which significantly increased with the age of plants and became highest at maturity. Maximum VAM colonization in different blocks of the district ranged between 71-86% during both the years. Spore population was recorded maximum in soil samples collected at early stage of plant growth which significantly decreased of VAM fungi belonging 4 genera (Glomus sclerocystis, Acaulospora endogen) were identified. Among these Glomus mosseae and Sclerocystis rubiformis were found most dominating and widely distributed in all the blocks followed by Acaulospora longula  and Sclerocystis clavispora  which were distributed only in 12 blocks of the district. Acaulospora spinosa and Glomus diaphanum were recorded only from two blocks and their prevalence were least. Colonization per cent have negative correlation with spore density at different crop growth stages

Mycorrhizal population of Indian mustard at different location of district Baharaich, Uttar Pradesh

Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.)Czern & Coss.] to evaluate the population dynamics of VA mycorrhizae. Root colonization in this crop varied from 27.53% to 43.53% at different places of district Baharaich of Uttar Pradesh, while spore population ranged between 100 to 380 per 100 g soil in different samples. Maximum colonization and spore population were observed in block Shivpur followed by Mihinpurwa and Huzurpur but these were at par. Sixteen species of VAM fungi belonging to 4 different genera were identified. Among these Glomus mosseae and Glomus fasciculatum were found most dominating and distributed in 10 blocks followed by Acaulospora longula and Sclerocystis rubiformis which were distributed only in 7 blocks of the district. VAM fungi  Acaulospora elegans and Acaulospora sporocarpa were found only in block Nanpara. Colonization per cent has significant and positive correlation with spore density. Physico-chemical properties of the soil specially pH, organic carbon, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium influence the population dynamics and colonization of VA mycorrhiza in mustard crops

Mental Health, Sleep, Physical Activity and Family Functioning in Adolescents with Narcolepsy

Background: Pediatric narcolepsy is a lifelong sleep disorder that is associated with depressive symptoms. The factors associated with depressive symptoms are unclear. Research on family functioning in pediatric narcolepsy is also limited. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate sleep and physical activity (PA) as factors associated with depression scores in adolescents with narcolepsy and controls. The secondary objective was to assess family functioning in pediatric narcolepsy Methods: Adolescents with narcolepsy and controls were recruited from the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto area respectively. Participants wore an actigraph and pedometer to measure sleep and PA respectively. Depression scores were evaluated with the Children’s Depression Inventory-2. Family Functioning was assessed using the PedsQL Family Impact Module Results: Sixty adolescents (30 narcolepsy; 30 controls) participated. Poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and low PA levels were associated with greater depression scores. Family functioning was impaired in pediatric narcolepsy patients.M.Sc

Psychometric properties of the DCD-Q-07 in children ages to 4-6

It is important to identify Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) early in a child's life to allow for proper and timely intervention and support, and to reduce the negative secondary consequences associated with this condition. In this study we assessed the psychometric properties (construct validity, concurrent validity, reliability and test accuracy) of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCD-Q-07) in preschool children. A community-based sample of children ages 4-6 ( n=181) were screened for motor difficulties using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC-2). Use of the M-ABC-2 resulted in the identification of 29 children below the 15th percentile, which we classified as probable DCD. Parents of these children concurrently completed the DCD-Q-07 to report their child's motor performance. The DCD-Q-07 demonstrated high internal consistency for both the full scale (alpha. =0.881) and each subscale: control during movement (alpha. =0.813), fine motor and handwriting (alpha. =0.869) and general coordination (alpha. =0.728). Moderate correlations ( r=0.47-0.63) were also seen between the subscales on the DCD-Q-07, the strongest correlation being between control during movement and general coordination ( r=0.63). Based on published age and sex cut points, the DCD-Q-07 showed poor sensitivity (20.7%) but high specificity (92.1%) against the M-ABC-2. Overall agreement with the M-ABC-2 was low using ROC analysis (area under the curve. =0.654). Although it is important to screen for DCD in young children, the DCD-Q-07 may not be the best choice as a screening tool for DCD in preschool children ages 4-6 due to its low test accuracy

Assessment of School Readiness in Chronic Cholestatic Liver Disease: A Pilot Study Examining Children with and without Liver Transplantation

Background. Assessment of school readiness evaluates physical, social-emotional, and neuropsychological domains essential for educational success. Cognitive testing of preschool aged children with chronic liver disease may guide more timely interventions and focused efforts by health care providers. Patients and Methods. Children with chronic cholestatic liver disease diagnosed as an infant and still with their native liver (NL) and children who received a liver transplant (LT) before age of 2 years underwent testing with a battery of well-validated pediatric psychometric measures. Results. Eighteen (13 LT, 5 NL) patients (median age of 4.45 and 4.05 years, resp.) were tested. Median Full-Scale IQ was 98 (range 102–116) for LT and 116 [(range 90–106), p=0.35, NS] for NL subjects. LT recipients had significantly greater visual based difficulties, poorer caregiver rated daily living skills (p=0.04), and higher levels of executive function based difficulties (e.g., inattention, inhibition). Conclusion. This pilot study highlights the risk of neuropsychological difficulties in early school age children who were under 2 years of age at time of LT. Comprehensive early school age assessment should integrate psychometric measures to identify children at greatest risk, thus allowing for proactive educational intervention

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging treatment for improving psychological well-being. Objective: To summarize research evaluating the effects of ACT on psychological well-being in children with special health care needs (SHCN) and their parents. Data Sources: An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid/EMBASE and PsycINFO (January 2000–April 2021). Study Selection: Included were studies that assessed ACT in children with SHCN (ages 0–17y) and/or parents of children with SHCN and had a comparator group. Data Extraction: Descriptive data were synthesized and presented in a tabular format, and data on relevant outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, stress, avoidance and fusion) were used in the meta-analyses to explore the effectiveness of ACT (administered independently with no other psychological therapy) compared to no treatment. Results: Ten studies were identified (child (7) and parent (3)). In children with SHCN, ACT was more effective than no treatment at helping depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −4.27, 95% CI: −5.20, −3.34; p < 0.001) and avoidance and fusion (SMD = −1.64, 95% CI: −3.24, −0.03; p = 0.05), but not stress. In parents of children with SHCN, ACT may help psychological inflexibility (SMD = −0.77, 95% CI: −1.07, −0.47; p < 0.01). Limitations: There was considerable statistical heterogeneity in three of the six meta-analyses. Conclusions: There is some evidence that ACT may help with depressive symptoms in children with SHCN and psychological inflexibility in their parents. Research on the efficacy of ACT for a variety of children with SHCN and their parents is especially limited, and future research is needed