Effects of twin pregnancy chorionic properties on fetal outcomes: a comparative study

Background: Twins carry significant risks to both mothers and babies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate chorionicity and its impact on perinatal outcomes in twins.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Government T. D. Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala. A total of 106 cases of twin pregnancies were included in the prospective descriptive study. Based on the ultrasound results and methods of the postpartum pathologic examination of the placental membranes, the cases were divided into the twin group with monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) and twin group with dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA group). The relationships of different chorionic properties and fetal outcomes were determined by comparing various fetal outcomes.Results: Among 106 twin pregnancies, 61.3% were DCDA twins, 38.7% were MCDA. Average maternal age of monochorionic twin was 25 and that of dichorionic twin was 27. Perinatal mortality of monochorionic twin was 14.7% when compared to 8.6% for dichorionic twin. The mean gestational age for monochorionic twin pregnancy was 34.78 weeks whereas it was 35.91 weeks for dichorionic pregnancy. Elective and emergency LSCS was done more for dichorionic twin pregnancies compared to monochorionic twin pregnancies. Low Apgar scores were seen in monochorionic twins compared to dichorionic twins.Conclusions: The incidence of fetal outcomes in the monochorionic group was inferior to those in the dichorionic group. The fetal outcomes may be improved by determining the chorionic properties in early pregnancy by using ultrasound and consequently planning for pregnancy monitoring and intervention

The Origins of Covid-19 — Why It Matters (and Why It Doesn’t)

When Health emergencies arise, scientists seek to discover the cause — such as how a pathogen emerged and spread — because this knowledge can enhance our understanding of risks and strategies for prevention, preparedness, and mitigation. Yet well into the fourth year of the Covid-19 pandemic, intense political and scientific debates about its origins continue. The two major hypotheses are a natural zoonotic spillover, most likely occurring at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, and a laboratory leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). It is worth examining the efforts to discover the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the political obstacles, and what the evidence tells us. This evidence can help clarify the virus’s evolutionary path. But regardless of the origins of the virus, there are steps the global community can take to reduce future pandemic threats

Combined Effect of PNF Stretching and Plyometric Exercises on Explosive Power and Flexibility among Football Players

The aim of this study was to find out the combined effect of PNF stretching and plyometric exercises on explosive power and flexibility among football players. 80 inter collegiate level football players in the age group of 19 to 23 were randomly selected as subjects for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups, experimental group I-high intensity plyometric training group , experimental group IIcombined group, experimental group III-PNF stretching and control group-IV consisting of 20 subjects in each group. The subjects were measured of their explosive strength using vertical jump test, flexibility using sit and reach test, which formed initial scores. After the experimental period of 12 weeks on the respective training, all the subjects were measured of their explosive power and flexibility which formed post test scores. The results proved that high intensity plyometric training improved vertical jump highest (4.05 cm), followed by combined group (3.95 cm) and then PNF stretching (3.00 cm). In flexibility, the combined group was found to improve flexibility most (2.80 cm), followed by PNF stretching (2.55 cm) and then high intensity plyometric training (2.20cm). These differences were not significant at any level between the three treatment groups. However, compared to control group, all the three groups significantly improved vertical jumping ability and flexibility of the football players. It was concluded that both PNF stretching and high intensity plyometric exercises can be used to improve vertical jumping ability and flexibility of the football players. And further researchers of required to find out the effect of combination of different exercises for the benefit of vertical jump and flexibility

An Alumni survey of the School of Social Work, Portland State University

The alumni survey conducted at Portland State University School of Social Work by second year students had two purposes. One purpose was to fulfill the research practicum requirements of a Masters of Social Work degree by providing experience in the area of applied survey research. The other was to provide a data base for future alumni research at the school

The EDGE-CALIFA Survey: Interferometric Observations of 126 Galaxies with CARMA

We present interferometric CO observations, made with the Combined Array for Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA) interferometer, of galaxies from the Extragalactic Database for Galaxy Evolution survey (EDGE). These galaxies are selected from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) sample, mapped with optical integral field spectroscopy. EDGE provides good-quality CO data (3σ sensitivity before inclination correction, resolution ∼1.4 kpc) for 126 galaxies, constituting the largest interferometric CO survey of galaxies in the nearby universe. We describe the survey and data characteristics and products, then present initial science results. We find that the exponential scale lengths of the molecular, stellar, and star-forming disks are approximately equal, and galaxies that are more compact in molecular gas than in stars tend to show signs of interaction. We characterize the molecular-to-stellar ratio as a function of Hubble type and stellar mass and present preliminary results on the resolved relations between the molecular gas, stars, and star-formation rate. We then discuss the dependence of the resolved molecular depletion time on stellar surface density, nebular extinction, and gas metallicity. EDGE provides a key data set to address outstanding topics regarding gas and its role in star formation and galaxy evolution, which will be publicly available on completion of the quality assessment.Fil: Bolatto, Alberto. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Wong, Tony. University of Illinois at Urbana; Estados UnidosFil: Utomo, Dyas. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Blitz, Leo. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Vogel, Stuart N.. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Sánchez, Sebastián F.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Barrera-Ballesteros, Jorge. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Cao, Yixian. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Colombo, Dario. Max Planck Institut Fur Radioastronomie; AlemaniaFil: Dannerbauer, Helmut. Universidad de La Laguna; EspañaFil: García-Benito, Rubén. Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía; EspañaFil: Herrera-Camus, Rodrigo. Max Planck Institute für Extraterrestrische Physik; AlemaniaFil: Husemann, Bernd. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; AlemaniaFil: Kalinova, Veselina. Max Planck Institut für Radioastronomie; AlemaniaFil: Leroy, Adam K.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Leung, Gigi. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; AlemaniaFil: Levy, Rebecca C.. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Mast, Damian. Observatorio Astronomico de la Universidad Nacional de Cordoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ostriker, Eve. University of Princeton; Estados UnidosFil: Rosolowsky, Erik. University of Alberta; CanadáFil: Sandstrom, Karin M.. University of California at San Diego; Estados UnidosFil: Teuben, Peter. University of Maryland; Estados UnidosFil: Van De Ven, Glenn. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; AlemaniaFil: Walter, Fabian. Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie; Alemani

Continued Benefits of Methylphenidate in ADHD After 2 Years in Clinical Practice:A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Discontinuation Study

Objective: The benefits of long-term use of methylphenidate treatment in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as frequently prescribed in clinical practice, are unclear. The authors investigated whether methylphenidate remains beneficial after 2 years of use. Methods: Ninety-four children and adolescents (ages 8-18 years) who had been treated in regular care with methylphenidate for more than 2 years were randomly assigned to double-blind continuation of treatment for 7 weeks (36 or 54 mg/day of extended-release methylphenidate) or gradual withdrawal over 3 weeks, to 4 weeks of placebo. The primary outcome measure was the investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS); secondary outcome measures were the investigator-rated Clinical Global Impressions improvement scale (CGI-I) and the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form (CTRS-R:S). Continuous ratings were analyzed with mixed model for repeated measures analyses, and the CGI-I with a chi-square test. Results: The mean ADHD-RS scores at baseline for the continuation and discontinuation groups, respectively, were 21.4 (SD=9.7) and 19.6 (SD=8.9); after 7 weeks, the mean scores were 21.9 (SD=10.8) and 24.7 (SD=11.4), with a significant between-group difference in change over time of 24.6 (95% CI=28.7, 20.56) in favor of the group that continued methylphenidate treatment. The ADHD-RS inattention subscale and the CTRS-R: S ADHD index and hyperactivity subscale also deteriorated significantly more in the discontinuation group. The CGI-I indicated worsening in 40.4% of the discontinuation group, compared with 15.9% of the continuation group. Conclusions: Continued treatment with methylphenidate remains effective after long-term use. Some individual patients may, however, be withdrawn from methylphenidate without deterioration. This finding supports guideline recommendations that patients be assessed periodically to determine whether there is a continued need for methylphenidate treatment

Effects of Discontinuing Methylphenidate on Strengths and Difficulties, Quality of Life and Parenting Stress

Objectives: To study the effects of discontinuation of long-term methylphenidate use on secondary outcome measures of strengths and difficulties, quality of life (QoL), and parenting stress. Methods: Ninety-four children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years who had used methylphenidate for over 2 years were randomly assigned to double-blind continuation of treatment for 7 weeks (36 or 54 mg extended release methylphenidate) or to gradual withdrawal over 3 to 4 weeks placebo. We used mixed models for repeated measures to investigate effects on parent, teacher, and child ratings of hyperactivity/inattention and comorbid symptoms with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), investigator- and teacher-rated oppositional symptoms (Conners Teacher Rating Scale-Revised: short form [CTRS-R:S]), and parent-rated aggression with the Retrospective Modified Overt Aggression Scale. QoL was assessed with the Revised Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents to record health-related quality of life and parenting stress with the Nijmegen Parental Stress Index. Results: Hyperactivity/inattention scores from the parent- and teacher-rated SDQ (difference in mean change over time of respectively: -1.1 [95% confidence interval, CI, -2.0 to -0.3]; p = 0.01; -2.9 [95% CI -2.9 to -0.7; p = 0.01]) and oppositional scores of the teacher-rated CTRS-R:S (difference in mean change -1.9 95% CI [-3.1 to -0.6; p <0.01]) deteriorated to a significantly larger extent in the discontinuation group than in the continuation group. We did not find effects on other symptom domains, aggression, QoL, and parenting stress after discontinuation of methylphenidate. Conclusion: Our study suggests beneficial effects of long-term methylphenidate use beyond 2 years for oppositional behaviors in the school environment. Similarly, beneficial effects were found on hyperactivity-inattention symptoms as rated by parent and teacher scales, confirming our primary study on investigator ratings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, discontinuation of methylphenidate did not appear to have impact on other comorbid problems or aspects of the child's or parental functioning