Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in infants in a rural population: longitudinal data over the first six months

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increasing numbers of infants are receiving prescription medications for symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux. Our aim was to prospectively measure reported gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in healthy term infants for the first six months of life.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a prospective cohort study in the rural Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 128 consecutive maternal-infant pairs were followed for six months and administered the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire Revised (I-GERQ-R) at the one-month, two-month, four-month, and six-month well-child visits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The I-GERQ-R scores decreased with age. Average scores were 11.74 (SE = 5.97) at one-month, 9.97(4.92) at two-months, 8.44(4.39) at four-months, and 6.97(4.05) at six months. Symptoms associated with colic were greatest at one month of age.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux as measured by the I-GERQ-R decrease with age in the first six months of life in otherwise healthy infants; however the I-GERQ-R may have difficulty differentiating gastroesophageal reflux disease from colic in those under 3 months of age.</p

Computed tomography scanning as a tool for linking the skeletal and otolith‐based fossil records of teleost fishes

Micro‐computed tomography (μCT) scanning now represents a standard tool for non‐destructive study of internal or concealed structure in fossils. Here we report on otoliths found in situ during routine μCT scanning of three‐dimensionally preserved skulls of Palaeogene and Cretaceous fishes. Comparisons are made with isolated otolith‐based taxa to attempt correlations between the body fossil and otolith fossil records. In situ otoliths previously extracted mechanically from specimens of Apogon macrolepis and Dentex laekeniensis match our μCT models. In some cases, we find a high degree of congruence between previously independent taxonomic placements for otolith and skeletal remains (Rhinocephalus, Osmeroides, Hoplopteryx). Unexpectedly, in situ otoliths of the aulopiform Apateodus match isolated otoliths of Late Cretaceous age previously interpreted as belonging to gempylids, a group of percomorph fishes that do not appear in the body fossil record until the Palaeogene. This striking example of convergence suggests constraints on otolith geometry in pelagic predators. The otoliths of Apateodus show a primitive geometry for aulopiforms and lack the derived features of Alepisauroidea, the lizardfish clade to which the genus is often attributed. In situ otoliths of Early Cretaceous fishes (Apsopelix and an unidentified taxon) are not well preserved, and we are unable to identify clear correlations with isolated otolith morphologies. We conclude that the preservation of otoliths suitable for μCT scanning appears to be intimately connected with the taphonomic history, lithological characteristics of surrounding matrix, and syn‐ and postdepositional diagenetic effects.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144669/1/pala12349.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144669/2/pala12349_am.pd

BLASTING OUT: EXPLOSIVES PRACTICES IN QUEENSLAND METALLIFEROUS MINES, 1870-1920

The use of explosives in mines in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was notoriously unsafe. In Queensland's underground metalliferous mines, explosive practices could be dangerous not only because of the attitudes of miners and managers, but because of problems inherent to the technology, conditions underground, economic fluctuations, and the persistence of outmoded practices. Some limited specialisation of labour occurred in the interests of safety, and although newer technology had the potential to deskill the work of miners, these developments were quite dissimilar to the highly specialised work practices that were adopted for large-scale mining in the United States during the same period