Predisposing factors and outcome of hypernatremia in breastfed late preterm and term neonates

Background: Inadequate breastfeeding results in hypernatremia in otherwise healthy neonates. Objective: This study finds out the predisposing factors and clinical outcome of hypernatremia in breastfed late preterm and term neonates. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary hospital with retrospective data from July 2013 to June 2016. Babies with serum sodium ≥ 150 mEq/L were identified. Breastfed babies with little or no formula feeds, gestational age ≥ 34 weeks, and birth weight ≥ 2000 g were included. Babies with congenital anomalies, sepsis, prior parenteral fluid therapy and renal or endocrine diseases causing fluid and electrolyte disturbances were excluded. Total weight loss > 10% or daily weight loss > 5% from the birth weight were considered as excess weight loss. Results: A total of 201 babies were studied. Hypernatremia was significantly more common in babies of primiparous mothers (p < 0.01). There was no difference in incidence between vaginal born and cesarean‑born babies. Positive correlation was seen between age at presentation, percentage of weight loss (p = 0.001) and serum sodium (p = 0.01). Significantly more cases were seen in summer season (p < 0.01). Excess weight loss, jaundice, fever, and dehydration were the common symptoms. Complications observed were acute kidney injury, seizures, intracranial bleed, apnea, and bradycardia. Babies with complications mostly presented after 7 days of age, had > 25% weight loss and had serum sodium ≥ 170 mEq/L. There was no death. Three babies had neurodevelopmental problems on follow‑up. Conclusion: Breastfed babies of primiparous mothers and born in summer are predisposed to hypernatremia. Babies presenting at a later age had severe weight loss, severe hypernatremia, and complications

Advanced biohydrogen production using pretreated industrial waste: outlook and prospects

In order to address existing environmental concerns as a result of non-renewable energy sources and to meet future energy demands, biohydrogen offers a suitable alternative energy reserve. Discrete as well as integrative methods of biohydrogen production have been analyzed over time, optimized for achieving high yields. In addition, key process parameters such as temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time, substrate concentration etc., which influence the rate of production have been clarified. Several studies have exploited industrial waste as feed sources for the production of biohydrogen; however, lower yields from these add an additional requirement for suitable pretreatment methods. The present communication examines various pretreatment methods used to increase the accessibility of industrial wastewater/waste for biohydrogen production. Furthermore, a brief overview addresses challenges and constraints in creating a biohydrogen economy. The impacts of pretreating wastes on biohydrogen generation and the latest trends are also supplied. This study helps in the critical understanding of agro-industrial wastes for biohydrogen production, thereby encouraging future outcomes for a sustainable biohydrogen economy

Active background choice facilitates crypsis in a tropical crab

Animals can evade predators in multiple ways, one of the most effective of which is to avoid detection in the first place. We know much about the evolution of color patterns that match the visual background to avoid detection (i.e., crypsis), yet we know surprisingly less about the specific behaviors that have co‐evolved with these morphological traits to enhance or maintain crypsis. We here explore whether the match between body color and background in a seemingly well‐camouflaged tropical shore crab is a result of active background choice. Taking advantage of a coastal area in the Solomon Islands with variable sand color and a population of the pallid ghost crab Ocypode pallidula with varying carapace color, we experimentally tested whether individuals actively choose specific substrate that best matches their color patterns. We found that individuals taken from extreme sand colors chose substrate that maintained crypsis, with relatively darker crabs typically choosing dark sand and lighter crabs choosing light sand. Crabs of intermediate color pattern, in contrast, showed no clear preference for dark or light sand. Our results suggest that potential prey can actively choose specific backgrounds to enhance and maintain crypsis, providing insights into how behavior interacts with morphological traits to avoid predator detection

Data from: Active background choice facilitates crypsis in a tropical crab

Animals can evade predators in multiple ways, one of the most effective of which is to avoid detection in the first place. We know much about the evolution of color patterns that match the visual background to avoid detection (i.e., crypsis), yet we know surprisingly less about the specific behaviors that have co-evolved with these morphological traits to enhance or maintain crypsis. We here explore whether the match between body color and background in a seemingly well-camouflaged tropical shore crab is a result of active background choice. Taking advantage of a coastal area in the Solomon Islands with variable sand color and a population of the pallid ghost crab Ocypode pallidula with varying carapace color, we experimentally tested whether individuals actively choose specific substrate that best matches their color patterns. We found that individuals taken from extreme sand colors chose substrate that maintained crypsis, with relatively darker crabs typically choosing dark sand and lighter crabs choosing light sand. Crabs of intermediate color pattern, in contrast, showed no clear preference for dark or light sand. Our results suggest that potential prey can actively choose specific backgrounds to enhance and maintain crypsis, providing insights into how behavior interacts with morphological traits to avoid predator detection