Effective suckling in relation to naked maternal-infant body contact in the first hour of life: an observation study

Background Best practice guidelines to promote breastfeeding suggest that (i) mothers hold their babies in naked body contact immediately after birth, (ii) babies remain undisturbed for at least one hour and (iii) breastfeeding assistance be offered during this period. Few studies have closely observed the implementation of these guidelines in practice. We sought to evaluate these practices on suckling achievement within the first hour after birth. Methods Observations of seventy-eight mother-baby dyads recorded newborn feeding behaviours, the help received by mothers and birthing room practices each minute, for sixty minutes. Results Duration of naked body contact between mothers and their newborn babies varied widely from 1 to 60 minutes, as did commencement of suckling (range = 10 to 60 minutes). Naked maternal-infant body contact immediately after birth, uninterrupted for at least thirty minutes did not predict effective suckling within the first hour of birth. Newborns were four times more likely to sustain deep rhythmical suckling when their chin made contact with their mother’s breast as they approached the nipple (OR 3.8; CI 1.03 - 14) and if their mothers had given birth previously (OR 6.7; CI 1.35 - 33). Infants who had any naso-oropharyngeal suctioning administered at birth were six times less likely to suckle effectively (OR .176; CI .04 - .9). Conclusion Effective suckling within the first hour of life was associated with a collection of practices including infants positioned so their chin can instinctively nudge the underside of their mother’s breast as they approach to grasp the nipple and attach to suckle. The best type of assistance provided in the birthing room that enables newborns to sustain an effective latch was paying attention to newborn feeding behaviours and not administering naso-oropharyngeal suction routinely

Spatial Patterns of Aflatoxin Levels in Relation to Ear-Feeding Insect Damage in Pre-Harvest Corn

Key impediments to increased corn yield and quality in the southeastern US coastal plain region are damage by ear-feeding insects and aflatoxin contamination caused by infection of Aspergillus flavus. Key ear-feeding insects are corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, and brown stink bug, Euschistus servus. In 2006 and 2007, aflatoxin contamination and insect damage were sampled before harvest in three 0.4-hectare corn fields using a grid sampling method. The feeding damage by each of ear/kernel-feeding insects (i.e., corn earworm/fall armyworm damage on the silk/cob, and discoloration of corn kernels by stink bugs), and maize weevil population were assessed at each grid point with five ears. The spatial distribution pattern of aflatoxin contamination was also assessed using the corn samples collected at each sampling point. Aflatoxin level was correlated to the number of maize weevils and stink bug-discolored kernels, but not closely correlated to either husk coverage or corn earworm damage. Contour maps of the maize weevil populations, stink bug-damaged kernels, and aflatoxin levels exhibited an aggregated distribution pattern with a strong edge effect on all three parameters. The separation of silk- and cob-feeding insects from kernel-feeding insects, as well as chewing (i.e., the corn earworm and maize weevil) and piercing-sucking insects (i.e., the stink bugs) and their damage in relation to aflatoxin accumulation is economically important. Both theoretic and applied ramifications of this study were discussed by proposing a hypothesis on the underlying mechanisms of the aggregated distribution patterns and strong edge effect of insect damage and aflatoxin contamination, and by discussing possible management tactics for aflatoxin reduction by proper management of kernel-feeding insects. Future directions on basic and applied research related to aflatoxin contamination are also discussed

A critical review of the incidence and risk factors for finger injuries in rock climbing

Rock climbing is a popular sporting activity and indoor sport climbing has been shortlisted for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games. The aim of this article is to critically review research on the incidence and risk factors associated with injuries during rock climbing. A semi-systematic approach in reviewing literature on incidence and prevalence was applied. Articles were identified following searches of the following electronic databases: Discover, Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and ScienceDirect. Despite methodological shortcomings of the studies contained within the review the frequency of climbing-related injuries is high and can be challenging to diagnose. The fingers are the most common site of injury with previous injury a significant risk factor for reinjury. The annular pulleys of the fingers is the most commonly injured structured and evidence suggests epiphyseal fractures in adolescent sport climbers is increasing. A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm for climbing-related finger injuries is proposed

Improving the performance of solid polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries via plasticization with aqueous salt or ionic liquid

The goal of this dissertation is to investigate and enable polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for lithium batteries. Specifically, two different strategies to plasticize the PEO matrix for improving ion transport are explored. PEO has a propensity to crystallize below 60C, rendering ion motion too slow to be commercially competitive and constituting one of the main challenges of utilizing PEO SPEs as an alternative to organic liquid electrolytes. ILSPEs incorporating ionic liquids (ILs) were fabricated by blending PEO, IL, and corresponding lithium salt followed by hot-pressing the mixture into a homogenous film. Aqueous SPEs (ASPEs) were fabricated by blending a highly concentrated solution of lithium salt in water (aqueous salt) with PEO followed by hot-pressing in a similar manner. Thermal analysis and electrochemical characterization were carried out for both classes of SPEs to assess their suitability as electrolytes and to optimize their composition for performance. Additionally, engineering the interface between the SPE and electrodes remains challenging and is critical for achieving good cycling performance. Multiple approaches for quality interface creation are proposed and carried out. Optimized ILSPE compositions show resistance to oxidation and were able to achieve room temperature conductivity of 0.96 mS/cm at room temperature, a value suitable for commercial application, as well as good rate performance at room temperature cycling in Li/ ILSPE/ lithium iron phosphate configuration. ASPE compositions exhibit conductivities between 0.68 and 1.75mS/cm at room temperature, with proof-of-concept cycling in a LTO/ ASPE/ LMO configuration

An Approach to Selection for Relative Water-use Efficiency Through its Relationship to Other Plant Characters in Eight Oat Varieties

Excessive amounts of time and space required for water requirement measurements on individual genotypes indicate the need for a more practical method than that of direct selection for efficient water use by crop plants. The feasibility of using an indirect method of selection for this trait was examined in this study. Relative water requirements of eight oat verities, representing a wide range of adaptation, were determined. The relationship between water requirement and several commonly selected plant characters was also studied, to determine if changes in these characters could be expected to produce changes in water-use efficiency. Selections for the related characters were then made to find out whether genetic gains could be obtained in crosses among the genotypes. Highly significant differences were found among the eight verities tested for water requirement, indicating that sufficient variation existed for this character to warrant selectin for increased water-use efficiency. The strongest and most consistent relationships were found between water requirement and the two selected characters, yield (r = -.30 and -.64) and heading date (r = +.29 and +.64). In five crosses, using five of the eight verities as parents, mean contributions of yield components to yield of parents and crosses were 49.7%, 37.3%, and 13.0% for tillers per plant, seeds per tiller, and weight per seed respectively

Registration of the Maize Population Zapalote Chico 2451F

Zapalote Chico 2451F (ZC-2451F) (Reg. no. GP-370, PI 618810), a maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm population was released in April 2001 by the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA-ARS Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit. This population was released as a source of improved resistance to silk and ear feeding by larvae of the corn silk fly [Euxesta stigmatias Loew. (Diptera: Otitidae)], the fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)], and the corn earworm [Heliocoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. Zapalote Chico 2451F is distinct from Shrunken Zapalote Chico (ZC-sh2) (PI 612343), and the Zapalote Chico land race collected in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, in the late 1940s, and first acceded to the National Seed Storage Laboratory as PI 217413 (Scully et al., 2000; Anderson, 1959; Straub and Fairchild, 1970). PI 217413 was one of the earliest Zapalote Chico populations identified as a source of natural compounds with insecticidal properties (Wais et al., 1979;Wilson and Wiseman, 1988). Resistance in Zapalote Chico 2451F is also due to elevated levels of the flavone glycoside maysin that is found in fresh silk (Ellinger et al., 1980; Snook et al., development of new germplasms or parental lines. 1993, 1995). Maysin is synthesized in the flavonoid pathway W.L. Rooney and known to specifically confer antibiosis-based resistance to silk feeding (Byrne et al., 1996)

Heavy consumption of dental services; a longitudinal cohort study among Finnish adults

Peer reviewe

The Present and Future Role of Insect-Resistant Genetically Modified Maize in IPM

Commercial, genetically-modified (GM) maize was first planted in the United States (USA, 1996) and Canada (1997) but now is grown in 13 countries on a total of over 35 million hectares (\u3e24% of area worldwide). The first GM maize plants produced a Cry protein derived from the soil bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which made them resistant to European corn borer and other lepidopteran maize pests. New GM maize hybrids not only have resistance to lepidopteran pests but some have resistance to coleopteran pests and tolerance to specific herbicides. Growers are attracted to the Btmaize hybrids for their convenience and because of yield protection, reduced need for chemical insecticides, and improved grain quality. Yet, most growers worldwide still rely on traditional integrated pest management (IPM) methods to control maize pests. They must weigh the appeal of buying insect protection “in the bag” against questions regarding economics, environmental safety, and insect resistance management (IRM). Traditional management of maize insects and the opportunities and challenges presented by GM maize are considered as they relate to current and future insect-resistant products. Four countries, two that currently have commercialize Bt maize (USA and Spain) and two that do not (China and Kenya), are highlighted. As with other insect management tactics (e.g., insecticide use or tillage), GM maize should not be considered inherently compatible or incompatible with IPM. Rather, the effect of GM insect-resistance on maize IPM likely depends on how the technology is developed and used

Promoting breastfeeding through the use of a unique skin-to-skin intervention at an urban hospital

Improving breastfeeding rates is a healthcare priority. Skin-to-skin care after birth improves maternal and newborn outcomes and is an effective strategy to address the Joint Commission perinatal core measure for exclusive breast milk feeding at discharge. Optimal skin-to-skin begins immediately after birth and continues, uninterrupted, until after the first feeding. Skin-to-skin care often is not done, is interrupted, or is delayed until multiple procedures are completed (e.g., infant weights, episiotomy repair; cesarean surgery), despite evidence supporting the practice. We conducted a unique 5-day project to improve skin-to-skin care and measured the results. The project team (nurses from the Sweden, Massachusetts, and the study site, and a video-ethnographer) used the PRECESS method (Practice, Reflection, Education and training, Combined with Ethnography for Sustainable Success). This method involves educating clinicians on skin-to-skin care and support of newborns\u27 9 instinctive stages while skin-to-skin; expert mentoring, video-recording skin-to-skin care; interactively analyzing video-recordings; and, continued application of skills. We used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze results. Eleven mothers and babies participated in the PRECESS intervention; 5 (56%) of the 9 mothers who planned to breastfeed were exclusively breast milk feeding at hospital discharge; 5 (100%) of the babies who went through all 9 instinctive stages during skin-to-skin were exclusively breast milk feeding at discharge; staff identified and overcame barriers to skin-to-skin care; mothers who had cesarean section reported immediate skin to skin care reduced stress during surgery. Monthly rates of skin-to-skin improved (p\u3c0.000); rates among cesarean births improved (p\u3c0.000). The PRECESS intervention may be an effective method for improving skin-to-skin care in short periods of time. Babies who undergo all 9 stages during skin-to-skin care may be more likely to leave the hospital having been exclusively breastfed. Skin-to-skin care may reduce maternal stress during cesarean surgery. More research is needed to confirm these promising trends

A Public Platform for the Verification of the Phenotypic Effect of Candidate Genes for Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation and Aspergillus flavus Infection in Maize

A public candidate gene testing pipeline for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation or Aspergillus flavus infection in maize is presented here. The pipeline consists of steps for identifying, testing, and verifying the association of selected maize gene sequences with resistance under field conditions. Resources include a database of genetic and protein sequences associated with the reduction in aflatoxin contamination from previous studies; eight diverse inbred maize lines for polymorphism identification within any maize gene sequence; four Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping populations and one association mapping panel, all phenotyped for aflatoxin accumulation resistance and associated phenotypes; and capacity for Insertion/Deletion (InDel) and SNP genotyping in the population(s) for mapping. To date, ten genes have been identified as possible candidate genes and put through the candidate gene testing pipeline, and results are presented here to demonstrate the utility of the pipeline