Analysis of Financial Barriers Experienced by Prospective Genetic Counseling Students.

PURPOSE: High costs of applying to genetic counseling graduate programs (GCGPs) are likely a barrier to workforce diversification. We sought to determine application costs and assess differences between individuals of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds in medicine (hURM) and non-hURM applicants. METHODS: Applicants to GCGPs between 2005-2020 were surveyed about application history, related expenses, volunteer hours, and financial resources; 383 responses were analyzed. RESULTS: Median total application costs (MTAC) were $2,634, $4,762, and $5,607 (one, two, and three or more application cycles, respectively). Interview-related items (which includes travel) had the highest median cost (one application cycle: $879). Among those who applied to multiple cycles, hURM respondents had higher MTAC than those of non-hURM ($6,713 versus $4,762, p=0.03) and lower median total volunteer hours (246 versus 381, p=0.03). Parental education level differed by hURM status (p=0.04). Median financial contribution from parents with and without advanced degrees varied significantly (60% vs 2%, p=0.0009). CONCLUSION: Significant costs are incurred during the GCGP application process, but notable differences in costs and resources were observed between hURM and non-hURM applicants. Stakeholders within the profession should implement strategies to reduce financial barriers and the resulting inequities in the application process.

Prenatal exposure to vortioxetine and vilazodone: Impact on depressive- and anxiety-like behavioral manifestations in young rat offspring.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions of people worldwide, with women at a higher risk during the childbearing age. Vortioxetine (VOX) and Vilazodone (VLZ) are newer antidepressants with improved therapeutic profile commonly used, but their safety during pregnancy and long-term effects on offspring are poorly understood due to paucity of literature in preclinical and clinical studies. This study aimed to investigate whether prenatal exposure to VOX and VLZ impacts depressive- and anxiety-like neurobehavioral alterations in offspring, focusing on neurotransmitter-mediated mechanisms. Pregnant Wistar dams received either VOX or VLZ, 1 mg/day and 2 mg/day of the drug orally from gestation day (GD) 6-21. The dams naturally delivered their offspring and reared until they reached postnatal day (PND) 21. Offspring of both sexes were tested for display of depressive-and anxiety-like behaviors from PND 56-70. After PND 70, offspring were sacrificed, and their brains were collected to estimate neurotransmitter levels. As per protocol, controls were maintained simultaneously for each experimental design. Prenatal exposure to VOX or VLZ induced an increased state of depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in both male and female offspring. Additionally, neurotransmitter (serotonin, dopamine, and nor-epinephrine) levels in the prefrontal cortex region of the brain were substantially reduced in exposed offspring. No sex specific neurobehavioral and neurochemical implications were observed in the present study. Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to VOX and VLZ disrupts neurochemical balance in the fetal brain, leading to long-lasting neurobehavioral impairments in offspring of both sexes.

Review of scientific research on air quality and environmental health risk and impact for PICTS.

Air quality (AQ) significantly impacts human health, influenced by both natural phenomena and human activities. In 2021, heightened awareness of AQ's health impacts prompted the revision of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, advocating for stricter pollution standards. However, research on AQ has predominantly focused on high-income countries and densely populated cities, neglecting low- and middle-income countries, particularly Pacific Island Countries, Territories, and States (PICTS). This systematic review compiles existing peer-reviewed literature on AQ research in PICTS to assess the current state of knowledge and emphasize the need for further investigation. A systematic literature search yielded 40 papers from databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase. Among the 26 PICTS, only 6 (Hawai'i, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Pacific) have been subject to AQ-related research, with 4 considering the World Health Organization (WHO) parameters and 26 addressing non-WHO parameters. Analysis reveals AQ parameters often exceed 2021 WHO guidelines for PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and CO, raising concerns among regional governments. Studies primarily focused on urban, agricultural, rural, and open ocean areas, with 15 based on primary data and 14 on both primary and secondary sources. Research interests and funding sources dictated the methods used, with a predominant focus on environmental risks over social, economic, and technological impacts. Although some papers addressed health implications, further efforts are needed in this area. This review underscores the urgent need for ongoing AQ monitoring efforts in PICTS to generate spatially and temporally comparable data. By presenting the current state of AQ knowledge, this work lays the foundation for coordinated regional monitoring and informs national policy development.

Envirotype-based delineation of environmental effects and genotype × environment interactions in Indian soybean (Glycine max, L.).

Soybean is a rainfed crop grown across a wide range of environments in India. Its grain yield is a complex trait governed by many minor genes and influenced by environmental effects and genotype × environment interactions. In the current investigation, grain yield data of different sets of 41, 30 and 48 soybean genotypes evaluated during 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively across 19 locations and twenty years' data on 19 different climatic parameters at these locations was used to study the environmental effects on grain yield, to understand the genotype × environment interactions and to identify the mega-environments. Through analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was found that predominant portion of the variation was explained by environmental effects (E) (53.89, 54.86 and 60.56% during 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively), followed by genotype × environment interactions (GEI) (31.29, 33.72 and 28.82% during 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that grain yield was positively associated with RH (Relative humidity at 2 m height), FRUE (Effect of temperature on radiation use efficiency), WSM (Wind speed at 2 m height) and RTA (Global solar radiation based on latitude and Julian day) and negatively associated with VPD (Deficit of vapour pressure), Trange (Daily temperature range), ETP (Evapotranspiration), SW (Insolation incident on a horizontal surface), n (Actual duration of sunshine) and N (Daylight hours). Identification of mega-environments is critical in enhancing the selection gain, productivity and varietal recommendation. Through envirotyping and genotype main effect plus genotype by environment interaction (GGE) biplot methods, nineteen locations across India were grouped into four mega-environments (MEs). ME1 included five locations viz., Bengaluru, Pune, Dharwad, Kasbe Digraj and Umiam. Eight locations-Anand, Amreli, Lokbharti, Bidar, Parbhani, Ranchi, Bhawanipatna and Raipur were included in ME2. Kota and Morena constitutes ME3, while Palampur, Imphal, Mojhera and Almora were included in ME4. Locations Imphal, Bidar and Raipur were found to be both discriminative and representative; these test locations can be utilized in developing wider adaptable soybean cultivars. Pune and Amreli were found to be high-yielding locations and can be used in large scale breeder seed production.

Influence of Yb3+/Ho3+codoping on optical and thermal properties of TeO2-ZnO glass.

This paper reports the effect of incorporation of Yb3+ions on the frequency downconversion luminescence and thermal properties of triply ionised Ho3+doped zinc tellurite (TZ) glasses. The photoluminescence spectra of both the Ho3+/Yb3+doped and codoped glasses have been recorded and observed a green emission band corresponding to the5F4,5S2→5I8(∼550 nm) transition upon various excitations. In the downconversion (DC) emission process, the back energy transfer (BET) mechanism from Ho3+ions to Yb3+ions has also been explored. The colour emitted in the downconversion process is found to be non-tunable at different excitations. Thus, the Ho3+:TZ glass can be utilised for non-colour tunable optical devices under various UV excitations. Also the glass transition (Tg) and crystallisation (Tc) temperatures have been measured for both the doped and codoped glasses and found to be increased in the codoped glass. The singly Ho3+ions doped TZ glass shows better optical downconversion and glass forming ability.

Deciphering the genetic landscape of lumpy skin disease: Unraveling variable virulence through comprehensive genome sequence analysis in India.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a poxvirus disease affecting cattle, emerged in India in 2019 and intensified in 2022, resulting in significant economic losses for dairy farmers. There was unusual shift in mortality and morbidity patterns during the second wave. A comprehensive genetic study conducted, analyzing samples from 2019 to 2022 revealed circulation of two distinct subclades (subclade 1.2a and 1.2b) in India, with the latter showing a different pattern in morbidity and mortality. Notably, the Ankyrin repeats gene-based analysis could differentiate animals with varying clinical scores. Genetic variations were significant, with unique deletions identified, including a 12-nucleotide deletion in the GPCR gene in virus isolates collected during 2022 outbreaks, not reported earlier in Indian LSDV strains. A crucial finding was a significant 95-nucleotide deletion in the Functional Resolution Sequence (FRS) repeats of LSDV genomes from 2022 outbreaks, absent in 2019 samples. These deletions may have influenced the virus's virulence in India.

A microfluidic route for synthesis of scandium oxide microspheres, their characterization and neutron activation.

Radioactive scandium-46 microspheres have applications in mapping flow in a chemical reactor through a technique known as radioactive particle tracking (RPT). In the present study a novel microfluidic method has been developed for synthesis of controlled size scandium oxide microspheres. An inline/in-situ mixing of the scandium precursor and gelling agents was implemented which makes the microfluidic platform amenable for truly continuous operation. Microspheres of size varying from 937 to 666 µm were produced by varying O/A ratio from 10 to 30. Perfectly spherical and monodispersed (PDI <10 %) microspheres were obtained at O/A 15 and beyond. The morphology, elemental composition, and structure of the microspheres were analysed by SEM, EDS and XRD, respectively. Subsequently the microspheres were irradiated with thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor to obtain radioactive Sc-46 oxide microspheres. The activity produced on each Sc-46 microspheres with different sizes was in the range 19.5-34.0 MBq.

Recycling air conditioner-generated condensate water for microalgal biomass production and carbon dioxide sequestration.

Air conditioners alleviate the discomfort of human beings from heat waves that are consequences of climate change caused by anthropogenic activities. With each passing year, the effects of global warming worsen, increasing the growth of air conditioning industry. Air conditioning units produce substantial amounts of non-nutritive and (generally) neglected condensate water and greenhouse gases. Considering this, the study explored the potential of using air conditioner condensate water (ACW) to cultivate Chlorella sorokiniana, producing biomass, and sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). The maximum biomass production was obtained in the BG11 medium (1.45 g L-1), followed by ACW-50 (1.3 g L-1). Similarly, the highest chlorophyll-a content was observed in the BG11 medium (11 µg mL-1), followed by ACW-50 (9.11 µg mL-1). The ACW-50 cultures proved to be better adapted to physiological stress (Fv/Fm > 0.5) and can be suitable for achieving maximum biomass with adequate lipid, protein, and carbohydrate production. Moreover, C. sorokiniana demonstrated higher lipid and carbohydrate yields in the ACW-50 medium, while biomass production and protein yields were comparable to the BG11 medium. The lipid, protein, and carbohydrate productivity were 23.43, 32.9, and 23.19 mg L-1 d-1, respectively for ACW-50. Estimation of carbon capture potential through this approach equals to 9.5% of the total emissions which is an added advantage The results indicated that ACW could be effectively utilized for microalgae cultivation, reducing the reliance on freshwater for large-scale microalgal biomass production and reduce the carbon footprints of the air conditioning industry.

Effects of chlorpyrifos toxicity on brain, pseudobranchial neurosecretory system and swimming performance of a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

In the present study, it was aimed to evaluate the adverse effects of CPF on the histopathology of the optic tectum and cerebellum, pseudobranchial neurosecretory system (PNS), biochemical assays of brain tissue, and locomotory behavior in catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The fishes were exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of 0.09 and 0.192 mg/L of CPF for 7, 15, and 30 d. The CPF toxicity induced degenerative changes with significantly decreased cell size, number, and nucleo-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio of the PNS; and altered neuro-architectural pattern of optic tectum with degenerative changes in mononuclear and granular cells and necrotic variation in granular and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. The Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Catalase (CAT) activity in the CPF-exposed brain was significantly decreased, whereas Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly increased in comparison with control. In CPF-exposed fishes, the respiratory movements and locomotory behavioral pattern like swimming speed, total distance traveled, time mobile, absolute turn angle, head: distance traveled, maximum speed were significantly decreased, whereas time immobile and time freezing episodes were significantly increased as compared to control fishes. The present study concludes that environmentally relevant concentration of CPF may induce histopathological, biochemical, physiological, and behavioral disturbances in a non-target organism, H. fossilis.

Standards for clinical trials for treating TB.

BACKGROUND: The value, speed of completion and robustness of the evidence generated by TB treatment trials could be improved by implementing standards for best practice.METHODS: A global panel of experts participated in a Delphi process, using a 7-point Likert scale to score and revise draft standards until consensus was reached.RESULTS: Eleven standards were defined: Standard 1, high quality data on TB regimens are essential to inform clinical and programmatic management; Standard 2, the research questions addressed by TB trials should be relevant to affected communities, who should be included in all trial stages; Standard 3, trials should make every effort to be as inclusive as possible; Standard 4, the most efficient trial designs should be considered to improve the evidence base as quickly and cost effectively as possible, without compromising quality; Standard 5, trial governance should be in line with accepted good clinical practice; Standard 6, trials should investigate and report strategies that promote optimal engagement in care; Standard 7, where possible, TB trials should include pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic components; Standard 8, outcomes should include frequency of disease recurrence and post-treatment sequelae; Standard 9, TB trials should aim to harmonise key outcomes and data structures across studies; Standard 10, TB trials should include biobanking; Standard 11, treatment trials should invest in capacity strengthening of local trial and TB programme staff.CONCLUSION: These standards should improve the efficiency and effectiveness of evidence generation, as well as the translation of research into policy and practice.

Utilization of crop wild relatives for biotic and abiotic stress management in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.].

Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. (Indian mustard) is an economically important edible oil crop. Over the years, plant breeders have developed many elite varieties of B. juncea with better yield traits, but research work on the introgression of stress resilience traits has largely been lagging due to scarcity of resistant donors. Crop wild relatives (CWRs) are the weedy relatives of domesticated plant species which are left unutilized in their natural habitat due to the presence of certain undesirable alleles which hamper their yield potential, and thus, their further domestication. CWRs of B. juncea namely include Sinapis alba L. (White mustard), B. tournefortii Gouan. (African mustard), B. fruticulosa Cirillo (Twiggy turnip), Camelina sativa L. (Gold-of-pleasure), Diplotaxis tenuisiliqua Delile (Wall rocket), D. erucoides L. (White wall rocket), D. muralis L. (Annual wall rocket), Crambe abyssinica R.E.Fr. (Abyssinian mustard), Erucastrum gallicum Willd. (Common dogmustard), E. cardaminoides Webb ex Christ (Dogmustard), Capsella bursa-pastoris L. (Shepherds purse), Lepidium sativum L. (Garden Cress) etc. These CWRs have withstood several regimes of biotic and abiotic stresses over the past thousands of years which led them to accumulate many useful alleles contributing in resistance against various environmental stresses. Thus, CWRs could serve as resourceful gene pools for introgression of stress resilience traits into Indian mustard. This review summarizes research work on the introgression of resistance against Sclerotinia stem rot (caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Alternaria blight (caused by Alternaria brassicae), white rust (caused by Albugo candida), aphid attack, drought and high temperature from CWRs into B. juncea. However, various pre- and post-fertilization barriers due to different ploidy levels are major stumbling blocks in the success of such programmes, therefore, we also insightfully discuss how the advances made in -omics technology could be helpful in assisting various breeding programmes aiming at improvisation of stress resilience traits in B. juncea.

The yesterday, today and tomorrow of liver transplant.

With a very long history of setbacks and successes, organ transplantation is one of the greatest medical achievements of the twentieth century. Liver transplantation is currently the most effective method for treating end-stage liver disease. From humble beginnings, improvements in surgical technique, perioperative management, and immunosuppressive therapy have yielded excellent graft and patient outcomes. Most established 'liver transplant' (LT) centres have a 1-year survival rate exceeding 90%, and a 3-year survival rate of over 80%. With immense success, the need for hepatic grafts substantially exceeds their availability. This problem has been partially addressed by using split grafts, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and extended criteria grafts (ECG). This article reviews the immense progress made in various aspects of LT including evaluation, increasing donor pool, surgical advances, immunosuppression and anaesthesia related aspects and the way forward. With ongoing cutting edge research in technologies like artificial liver devices, tissue bioengineering and hepatocyte 'farms', the future of LT is more exciting than ever before.

Role of pinch in Argon impurity transport in ohmic discharges of Aditya-U Tokamak.

We present experimental results of the trace argon impurity puffing in the ohmic plasmas of Aditya-U tokamak performed to study the argon transport behaviour. Argon line emissions in visible and Vacuum Ultra Violet (VUV) spectral ranges arising from the plasma edge and core respectively are measured simultaneously. During the experiments, space resolved brightness profile of Ar1+ line emissions at 472.69 nm (3p44s 2P3/2-3p44p 2D3/2), 473.59 nm (3p44s 4P5/2-3p44p 4P3/2), 476.49 nm (3p44s 2P1/2-3p44p 2P3/2), 480.60 nm (3p44s 4P5/2-3p44p 4P5/2) are recorded using a high resolution visible spectrometer. Also, a VUV spectrometer has been used to simultaneously observe Ar13+ line emission at 18.79 nm (2s22p 2P3/2-2s2p2 2P3/2) and Ar14+ line emission at 22.11 nm (2s2 1S0-2s2p 1P1). The diffusivity and convective velocity of Ar are obtained by comparing the measured radial emissivity profile of Ar1+ emission and the line intensity ratio of Ar13+ and Ar14+ ions, with those simulated using the impurity transport code, STRAHL. Argon diffusivities ~ 12 m2/s and ~ 0.3 m2/s have been observed in the edge (ρ > 0.85) and core region of the Aditya-U, respectively. The diffusivity values both in the edge and core region are found to be higher than the neo-classical values suggesting that the argon impurity transport is mainly anomalous in the Aditya-U tokamak. Also, an inward pinch of ~ 10 m/s mainly driven by Ware pinch is required to match the measured and simulated data. The measured peaked profile of Ar density suggests impurity accumulation in these discharges.

Iron pill aspiration syndrome: A case report and literature review.

Aspiration of iron pill containing ferrous sulfate into the airway can induce fulminant chemical burn and necrosis of the airway mucosa. Acute chemical burn and inflammatory response can result in life-threatening airway compromise. It can also result in long-term sequelae including but not limited to fibrosis and airway stenosis. Considering the common use of iron supplements, and the potential severity of aspiration related airway injury, clinicians should be fully cognizant of the interaction between aspirated iron and airway passages. Herein, we present a case report with pertinent review of the literature.

In vitro comparative evaluation of physical and chemical properties of surface enamel after using APF and SDF with or without laser activation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the changes in physical and chemical properties of the enamel surface after application of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride (APF), LASER activated SDF and LASER activated APF. METHODS: Sample consisted of 72 freshly extracted healthy human premolar teeth, extracted for orthodontic purpose, free from caries, fracture or any anomalies. The selected samples were randomly divided into four groups (n = 18): Group 1 (SDF); Group 2 (APF); Group 3 (LASER activated SDF) and Group 4 (LASER activated APF). All samples were evaluated for values of DIAGNOdent at baseline, after demineralisation and after remineralisation. They were further divided and assessed for colour changes, surface alterations and fluoride content of surface enamel using Spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry respectively. The statistical analysis was done using One-Way ANOVA, Tukey's HSD test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis Test. RESULTS: Highest remineralising potential and maximum colour changes of surface enamel was exhibited by Group 3. Scanning Electron Micrographs of Group 3 and Group 4 exhibited regular globular structures of enamel whereas Group 1 and Group 2 showed irregular globular surface of the enamel at 2000× and 5000× magnification. Maximum fluoride uptake on the surface enamel was seen in Group 4 followed by Group 3. CONCLUSION: Use of LASER activated topical fluorides helps to achieve superior caries prevention. LASER activated APF can be used as an aesthetic alternative to SDF, as LASER activated APF showed higher uptake of fluoride on the enamel surface without discoloration effect.

Clinical standards for the management of adverse effects during treatment for TB.

BACKGROUND: Adverse effects (AE) to TB treatment cause morbidity, mortality and treatment interruption. The aim of these clinical standards is to encourage best practise for the diagnosis and management of AE.METHODS: 65/81 invited experts participated in a Delphi process using a 5-point Likert scale to score draft standards.RESULTS: We identified eight clinical standards. Each person commencing treatment for TB should: Standard 1, be counselled regarding AE before and during treatment; Standard 2, be evaluated for factors that might increase AE risk with regular review to actively identify and manage these; Standard 3, when AE occur, carefully assessed and possible allergic or hypersensitivity reactions considered; Standard 4, receive appropriate care to minimise morbidity and mortality associated with AE; Standard 5, be restarted on TB drugs after a serious AE according to a standardised protocol that includes active drug safety monitoring. In addition: Standard 6, healthcare workers should be trained on AE including how to counsel people undertaking TB treatment, as well as active AE monitoring and management; Standard 7, there should be active AE monitoring and reporting for all new TB drugs and regimens; and Standard 8, knowledge gaps identified from active AE monitoring should be systematically addressed through clinical research.CONCLUSION: These standards provide a person-centred, consensus-based approach to minimise the impact of AE during TB treatment.

Mid-circuit correction of correlated phase errors using an array of spectator qubits.

Scaling up invariably error-prone quantum processors is a formidable challenge. Although quantum error correction ultimately promises fault-tolerant operation, the required qubit overhead and error thresholds are daunting. In a complementary proposal, colocated, auxiliary "spectator" qubits act as in situ probes of noise and enable real-time, coherent corrections of data qubit errors. We used an array of cesium spectator qubits to correct correlated phase errors on an array of rubidium data qubits. By combining in-sequence readout, data processing, and feedforward operations, these correlated errors were suppressed within the execution of the quantum circuit. The protocol is broadly applicable to quantum information platforms and establishes key tools for scaling neutral-atom quantum processors: mid-circuit readout of atom arrays, real-time processing and feedforward, and coherent mid-circuit reloading of atomic qubits.

A novel microplate-based spectrophotometric method for the quantitative assessment of freshwater bacterial coaggregation kinetics.

Coaggregation, the specific recognition and adhesion of genetically distinct bacteria, is proposed to contribute to the development of freshwater biofilms. This work aimed to develop a microplate-based system to measure and model the kinetics of freshwater bacterial coaggregation. Blastomonas natatoria 2.1 and Micrococcus luteus 2.13 were evaluated for coaggregation ability using 24-well microplates containing novel dome shaped wells (DSWs) and standard flat-bottom wells. Results were compared to a tube-based visual aggregation assay. The DSWs facilitated the reproducible detection of coaggregation via spectrophotometry and the estimation of coaggregation kinetics using a linked mathematical model. Quantitative analysis using DSWs was more sensitive than the visual tube aggregation assay and subject to substantially less variation than flat-bottom wells. Collectively these results demonstrate the utility of the DSW-based method and improve upon the current toolkit for studying freshwater bacterial coaggregation.

Extended minimal enteral feeding and time to regain birth weight in extremely low-birth-weight infants.

BACKGROUND: Minimal enteral feeding after birth has been developed as a strategy to enhance the functional maturation of the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the duration of minimal enteral feeding and time to regain birth weight in extremely low-birth-weight infants. METHODS: This retrospective study included all extremely low-birth-weight infants born between January 2018 and December 2020. Infants with major congenital anomalies and conditions requiring surgery and those who died or received palliative care in the first 10 days of life were excluded from the analysis. Minimal enteral feeding courses were categorized as extended if the feeding was continued for > 72 hours and short if the feeding was < 72 hours. The primary measured outcome was the time taken to regain birth weight. RESULTS: Of 217 study infants, 180 received an extended minimal enteral feeding for > 72 h. The median time to regain birth weight was not significantly different between the extended and short minimal enteral feeding groups, median (IQR) was 10 (7-13) versus 8 (6-11), respectively (p = 0.15). Extended minimal enteral feeding is associated with a significant increase in the mean duration of the total parenteral nutrition, (21.3±10 versus 17.2±9.3 days; p = 0.021). Infants with prolonged minimal enteral feeding courses experienced non-significantly higher levels of necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, and retinopathy of prematurity. CONCLUSIONS: Extended minimal enteral feeding in extremely low-birth-weight infants may not affect the time taken to regain birth weight.