Target Strength and swimbladder morphology of Mueller's pearlside (Maurolicus muelleri).

In the last few years, there has been increasing interest in the commercial exploitation of mesopelagic fish and a trawl-acoustic methodology has been recommended to make estimates of abundance of these resources. This study provides relevant information on the scattering properties of a key mesopelagic fish species in the Bay of Biscay, Mueller's pearlside (Maurolicus muelleri), necessary to convert the acoustic density into numerical abundance. The target strength (TS) of pearlside was estimated for the first time at five frequencies commonly used in acoustic surveys. A high-density filter was applied to reduce the bias derived from overlapping echoes erroneously assigned to single targets. Its relationship with fish length (b20) was also determined (-65.9 ± 2, -69.2 ± 3, -69.2 ± 2, -69.5 ± 2.5 and -71.5 ± 2.5 dB at 18, 38, 70, 120 and 200 kHz, respectively). Biomass estimates of pearlside in the Bay of Biscay during the four years of study (2014-2017) are given using the 38 kHz frequency. Morphological measurements of the swimbladder were obtained from soft X-ray images and used in the backscattering simulation of a gas-filled ellipsoid. Pearlside is a physoclist species, which means that they can compensate the swimbadder volume against pressure changes. However, the best fit between the model and the experimental data showed that they lose that capacity during the trawling process, when the swimbladder volume is affected by Boyle's law.

Aceleración secular de peso, talla e IMC. Estudios españoles transversales y longitudinales de crecimiento 2008 / Secular acceleration of weight, height and BMI. Cross-sectional and longitudinal Spanish studies on growth 2008

En España recientemente han finalizado estudios de crecimiento transversales que permiten evaluar la antropometría neonatal de recién nacidos prematuros y a término, y el crecimiento postnatal de niños y adolescentes. Además, disonemos de estudios longitudinales que permiten evaluar el crecimiento puberal diferenciado para cada grupo madurador. El peso y longitud al nacer fueron evaluados (1999-2002) en 9.362 recién nacidos, 26-42 semanas de edad gestacional, observándose dimorfismo sexual y un incremento en ambos parámetros respecto a estudios previos (1987-1992) particularmente en el grupo de recién nacidos pretérmino. El peso, talla e IMC fueron evaluados (2000-2004) en 32.064 niños y adolescentes (16.607 varones y 15.457 mujeres) de 0-24 años de edad, observándose aceleración secular en los tres parámetros respecto a estudios realizados hace 20 años. El incremento ponderal fue excesivo respecto al de talla, para los valores del IMC superiores al percentil 50. El estudio longitudinal (458 sujetos: 223 varones,235 mujeres, nacidos entre 1978 y 1982) permitió obtener patrones de crecimiento y de maduración puberal diferenciados para cada uno de los cinco grupos maduradores. La talla adulta en ambos estudios, es similar a la reportada en estudios europeos y americanos, aunque inferior a la alemana, sueca y holandesa. En varones el IMC fue superior al observado en países europeos y próximos al reportado en EE.UU. En mujeres el IMC fue similar al de países europeos e inferior al reportado en EE.UU (AU)

Cross-sectional and longitudinal growth studies have recently been conducted in Spain. Between 1999 and 2002, weight and vertex-heel length were evaluated in 9,362 new-borns (4,884 males, 4,478 females), 26-42 weeks of gestational age. Age increase in these values compared with previous Spanish studies (1987-1992) and sexual dimorphism were observed. Between 2000 and 204, height, weight and body mass index were evaluated in 32,064 subjects 816,607 males, 15,457 females) from birth to adulthood. A secular trend of growth was observed compared to data obtained 20 years ago, with a higher increase in BMI values above the 50 th percentile. A longitudinal growth study of 458 healthy subjects (223 boys, 235 girls) born between 1978 and 1982 yielded pubertal growth and maturity standards for each of the five pubertal maturity groups. Adult height was similar to that reported by European and American studies, but lower than that reported for German, Swedish and Netherlands populations. In males, BMI was higher than in other European population and near to the USA population. In females, BMI was similar to European populations and lower than in the USA population (AU)

Estudios españoles de crecimiento 2008. Nuevos patrones antropométricos / Spanish growth studies 2008. New anthropometric standards

En España, recientemente han finalizado estudios de crecimiento transversales que permiten evaluar la antropometría neonatal de prematuros y a término, y el crecimiento posnatal y de niños y adolescentes. Además, disponemos de un estudio longitudinal que permite evaluar el crecimiento puberal diferenciado para cada grupo madurador. El peso y la longitud al nacer fueron evaluados (1999-2002)en 9.362 recién nacidos (4.884 niños, 4.478 niñas), 26-42 semanas de edad estacional, y se observó dimorfismo sexual y un incremento en ambos parámetros respecto a estudios previos (1987-1992). El peso, la talla y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) fueron evaluados (2000-2004) en 32.064niños y adolescentes (16.607 varones y 15.457 mujeres) de 0-24 años de edad, y se observó aceleración secular en los 3 parámetros respecto a estudios realizados hace 20 años. El incremento ponderal fue excesivo respecto al de talla, para los valores del IMC superiores al percentil 50. El estudio longitudinal (458 sujetos: 223 varones, 235 mujeres, nacidos en1978-1982) permitió obtener patrones de crecimiento y de maduración puberal diferenciados para cada uno de los 5 grupos maduradores y datos de pliegues cutáneos, masa ósea y desarrollo intelectual desde el nacimiento a la edad adulta. La talla adulta, en ambos estudios, es similara la comunicada en estudios europeos y americanos, aunque inferior a la alemana, la sueca y la holandesa. En varones el IMC fue mayor que el observado en países europeos y próximo al de Estados Unidos. En mujeres el IMC fue similar al de países europeos e inferior al comunicado en Estados Unidos (AU)

Cross-sectional and longitudinal growth studies have recently been conducted in Spain. These studies have allowed neonatal anthropometry in premature and term neonates and postnatal growth in children and adolescents to be evaluated. Moreover, a longitudinal study that allows pubertal growth to be evaluated for distinct groups according to maturation has also been published. Between 1999 and 2002,birth weight and vertex-heel length were evaluated in 9,362 newborns (4,884 boys and 4,478 girls), with a gestational age of26-42 weeks. An increase in these values compared with previous Spanish studies(1987-1992) and sexual dimorphism were observed. Between 2000 and 2004, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 32,064 individuals (16,607males, 15,457 females) aged 0-24 years. An increasing secular trend was observed compared with data obtained 20 years previously. Increases in BMI exceeded those in height for BMI values above the50th percentile. A longitudinal growth study of 458 healthy individuals (223 boys,235 girls) born between 1978 and 1982yielded pubertal growth and maturity standards for each of the five pubertal maturity groups. In addition, data on skinfolds, bone mass and intellectual development from birth to adulthood were also provided. Adult height in both studies was similar to that reported by European and American studies, but was lower than that reported for German, Swedish and Dutch populations. In males, BMI was higher than in other European population sand was close to that of the US population. In females, BMI was similar to that in European populations and was lower than that in the US population (AU)

Spanish growth studies 2008. New anthropometric standards.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal growth studies have recently been conducted in Spain. These studies have allowed neonatal anthropometry in premature and term neonates and postnatal growth in children and adolescents to be evaluated. Moreover, a longitudinal study that allows pubertal growth to be evaluated for distinct groups according to maturation has also been published. Between 1999 and 2002, birth weight and vertex-heel length were evaluated in 9,362 newborns (4,884 boys and 4,478 girls), with a gestational age of 26-42 weeks. An increase in these values compared with previous Spanish studies (1987-1992) and sexual dimorphism were observed. Between 2000 and 2004, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 32,064 individuals (16,607 males, 15,457 females) aged 0-24 years. An increasing secular trend was observed compared with data obtained 20 years previously. Increases in BMI exceeded those in height for BMI values above the 50th percentile. A longitudinal growth study of 458 healthy individuals (223 boys, 235 girls) born between 1978 and 1982 yielded pubertal growth and maturity standards for each of the five pubertal maturity groups. In addition, data on skinfolds, bone mass and intellectual development from birth to adulthood were also provided. Adult height in both studies was similar to that reported by European and American studies, but was lower than that reported for German, Swedish and Dutch populations. In males, BMI was higher than in other European populations and was close to that of the US population. In females, BMI was similar to that in European populations and was lower than that in the US population.

Multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic use of recombinant growth hormone from mammalian cells in the treatment of growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction.

The efficacy and safety of a 12-month treatment with recombinant human growth hormone from mammalian cells (r-hGH, Saizen) in growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction (GHND) are evaluated in this study. r-hGH was administered subcutaneously, at a dosage of 0.5 IU/kg/week divided into 6 equal daily doses. A total of 16 (12 M and 4 F) poorly growing patients, height -2.3 SD or more below the mean for chronological age and sex, were included in the study. r-hGH therapy significantly increased the growth velocity; from 3.57 +/- 0.85 cm/year, before therapy, to 7.09 +/- 2.29 cm/year after 12 months (p less than 0.001). Patients' height SD score rose from -3.40 +/- 0.84 SDS to -2.98 +/- 0.69 SDS (p less than 0.01). Somatomedin C increased significantly from a baseline value of 0.59 +/- 0.32 U/ml to 1.26 +/- 0.66 U/ml after therapy (p less than 0.01). Finally, r-hGH therapy improved the pretreatment adult height prediction; from an initial prognosis of -2.66 +/- 0.79 SDS to -2.17 +/- 0.81 SDS after treatment (p less than 0.01). No side effects or adverse reactions were observed during treatment. Anti-r-hGH antibody formation was not found in any of the patients included in the study.

A new method for assessment of skeletal maturity in the first 2 years of life.

We present an original scoring method for assessing skeletal maturity in the first 2 years of life. We propose a lateral radiograph of the ankle and foot. Five different bony centers were examined: the calcaneus, the cuboid, the third cuneiform, the distal tibial epiphysis and the distal fibular epiphysis. The maturity scores given to the different stages of each bony center were calculated in proportion to the coefficients of regression between the skeletal maturity and a factor that expresses the influence of weight and head circumference as high multiple correlation coefficients of skeletal maturity with the factor were obtained (0.920 for boys and 0.929 for girls). Our method was standardized in a children population of less than two years of life in Biscaye, where 1,164 radiographs were taken. The distribution of scores in this study shows the discriminative ability of our method and its validity as an adequate method for skeletal maturity assessment in children less than 2 years of age.

Bayley-Pinneau, Roche-Wainer-Thissen, and Tanner height predictions in normal children and in patients with various pathologic conditions.

Bayley-Pinneau, Roche-Wainer-Thissen, and Tanner height predictions at various chronologic ages were compared with final adult height in 56 normal subjects and in 34 patients with abnormal growth pattern (11 with familial tall stature, 7 with idiopathic precicious puberty, 6 with Turner syndrome, and 10 with primordial small stature or Silver-Russell syndrome). The two recent methods (Roche-Wainer-Thissen and Tanner) gave very accurate results and were superior to the Bayley-Pinneau method in normal subjects and in patients with familial tall stature. However, they overestimated adult height grossly in precocious puberty and moderately in Turner syndrome and in primordial small stature. It is concluded that calculations based on coefficients and regression equations obtained from normal children (as in the Roche-Wainer-Thissen and Tanner methods) can only be used in normal children or in patients with normal growth potential under adequate treatment. Calculations based on percentages of adult height (as in the Bayley-Pinneau method) are preferable in conditions in which the growth potential in relation to bone maturation is inherently reduced and cannot be corrected by treatment.

Early detection of neonatal hypothyroidism by serial TSH determination in dried blood. Six months experience with a reliable, efficient and inexpensive method.

Mass newborn screening for primary hypothyroidism was introduced in Switzerland on January 1st, 1977, using a radioimmunoassay of TSH in dried blood spotted on filter paper. After incubation for 38 h at 20 degrees C, bound and free TSH is separated by double antibody precipitation. The filter paper discs of 6.5 mm diameter remain in the test tubes. At present, one TSH determination costs approx. SFr. 4.40. All reagents used are commercially available and their costs amount to not more than 15% of the total expenses. During the first 8 months of 1977, of 21862 newborns tested routinely on day 5 (together with the Guthrie-test), 7 infants with primary hypothyroidism were discovered owing to blood TSH values of greater than 100 muU/ml. Diagnosis was not recognized clinically although all of the infants showed some symptoms. Thyroxin therapy was started within the second week of life. The incidence of about 1 in 3000 newborns is higher than reported so far. It has to be shown whether this is due to genetic or geographic factors, to the occurrence of transitory forms, or to a higher efficiency of screening by the TSH (versus T4) assay.