North-south pathways, emerging variants, and high climate suitability characterize the recent spread of dengue virus serotypes 2 and 3 in the Dominican Republic.

We employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating genomics and epidemiology, to uncover recent dengue virus transmission dynamics in the Dominican Republic. Our results highlight a previously unknown north-south transmission pathway within the country, with the co-circulation of multiple virus lineages. Additionally, we examine the historical climate data, revealing long-term trends towards higher theoretical potential for dengue transmission due to rising temperatures. These findings provide information for targeted interventions and resource allocation, informing as well towards preparedness strategies for public health agencies in mitigating climate and geo-related dengue risks.

Attitudes to noise in young adults and associated factors: adaptation of the youth attitude to noise scale into Spanish using item response theory analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the attitudes to noise in young adults and the possible effects of gender, age, and a positive history of auditory symptoms related to recreational noise exposure on the attitudes to noise in this population. DESIGN: The Youth Attitude to Noise (YANS) and the hearing symptom description (HSD) scales were adapted into Spanish to be used with young adults. The validity was determined using factor analyses and Item Response Theory (IRT) models. Linear regression models were used to determine whether the YANS scores were associated with gender, age, and auditory symptoms. STUDY SAMPLE: Both instruments were given to a sample of 728 Chilean young adults. Data obtained from this sample was used to determine the YANS and HSD scales' validity and to assess the effects of gender, age, and auditory symptoms on attitudes. RESULTS: Our results showed that the YANS and HSD scales had adequate validity and reliability. Differences in the items' capacity to discriminate attitudes to noise were noted using the IRT model. Auditory symptoms were significantly associated with the YANS scores. CONCLUSIONS: The attitudes to noise in Chilean young adults are influenced by self-perception of auditory symptoms, age, and gender.

Correlates of Client-Perpetrated Violence Against Female Sex Workers in Bogotá.

This paper aims to estimate the prevalence of client-perpetrated violence against female sex workers (FSWs) in Bogotá and to understand what structural and environmental factors are associated with such victimization. The project used secondary data from interviews with 2,684 FSWs. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to test for associations with client-perpetrated violence. Findings reveal that factors such as experiencing police harassment and social stigma were positively associated with client-perpetrated violence. Situational factors such as providing services in motels, hotels, on the street, and in cars were also associated with increased odds of becoming a victim of violence.

Diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis by optically detecting two virulence factors on extracellular vesicles in blood samples.

Sensitive and specific blood-based assays for the detection of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis would reduce mortality associated with missed diagnoses, particularly in children. Here we report a nanoparticle-enhanced immunoassay read by dark-field microscopy that detects two Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence factors (the glycolipid lipoarabinomannan and its carrier protein) on the surface of circulating extracellular vesicles. In a cohort study of 147 hospitalized and severely immunosuppressed children living with HIV, the assay detected 58 of the 78 (74%) cases of paediatric tuberculosis, 48 of the 66 (73%) cases that were missed by microbiological assays, and 8 out of 10 (80%) cases undiagnosed during the study. It also distinguished tuberculosis from latent-tuberculosis infections in non-human primates. We adapted the assay to make it portable and operable by a smartphone. With further development, the assay may facilitate the detection of tuberculosis at the point of care, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Endolymphatic hydrops in the unaffected ear of patients with unilateral Ménière's disease.

PURPOSE: Current studies show that frequency tuning modification is a good marker for the detection of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with Ménière's disease (MD). The purpose of the present study is to analyze the auditory and vestibular function with audiometric and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) responses, respectively, in both the affected and unaffected ears of patients with unilateral MD using MRI as diagnostic support for the degree of EH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 76 consecutive patients with unilateral definite MD (age 55 (28-75); 39 women, 37 men). MRI was used through intravenous gadolinium administration, audiometry, and VEMPs. Functional tests were performed up to a week after the MRI. All were followed up one year after imaging utilizing clinical, auditory, and vestibular testing to rule out bilateral involvement. RESULTS: In the unaffected ear, the mean pure-tone average is normal even in cases with hydrops and, for a similar severity of hydrops is significantly lower than in the affected ear. Significant differences for the amplitude of the response at 0.5 kHz, at 1 kHz between the affected and unaffected ears were found to be lower in the affected ears. The relative amplitude ratio (1 Kz-0.5 kHz) was significantly lower in the affected ear and in the case of the oVEMP response depends on the degree of EH. The response in the unaffected ear was not modified by the presence or the degree of hydrops. CONCLUSION: In the unaffected ear, hydrops is not associated with hearing deterioration. For a similar degree of hydrops, hearing loss is significantly greater in the affected ear. The endolymphatic hydrops in the vestibule induces a frequency bias in the VEMP response only in the affected ear and not in the unaffected ear. Because of these findings we consider that hydrops does not represent an active disorder in the unaffected ear.

Presentaciones atípicas de COVID-19: Serie de casos / COVID-19 atypical presentations: Case series

Resumen El objetivo del presente trabajo fue presentar una serie de casos de COVID-19 con manifestaciones atípicas de la enfermedad. Los casos fueron atendidos por un equipo interdisciplinario de personal de la salud de una clínica de cuarto nivel en Barranquilla, Colombia, y posteriormente los investigadores tomaron los datos de las historias clínicas. Se evaluaron tres casos: el primero tuvo evolución tórpida y coinfección con virus de la influenza H1N1 y los otros dos, manifestaciones gastrointestinales como debut de la enfermedad; todos tuvieron desenlace satisfactorio. La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 cada día cobra más vidas, por lo que para identificar oportunamente a los infectados y tomar medidas tanto terapéuticas como de prevención y así evitar la propagación de la enfermedad y lograr su control, es necesario realizar reportes de caso en donde se evidencie la diversa variedad de presentaciones de COVID-19.

Abstract The objective of this work is to present a series of cases of COVID-19 with atypical manifestations of the disease. The cases were evaluated by an interdisciplinary team of health personnel from a fourth-level clinic in Barranquilla, Colombia, and the data was subsequently taken from the clinical history of each patient. Three cases were evaluated, initially the first case with torpid evolution, coinfection with H1N1 influenza virus, however, with satisfactory outcome, and cases two and three with gastrointestinal manifestations as disease debut, with satisfactory evolution. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic takes more lives every day, so it is necessary to describe the cases and their diverse variety of presentation, to identify the infected and take both therapeutic and preventive measures. To prevent the spread of the disease and achieve its control.

Cohort profile: Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico.

PURPOSE: Puerto Rican children experience high rates of asthma and obesity. Further, infants born in Puerto Rico are more at risk for being born prematurely compared with infants on the mainland USA. Environmental exposures from multiple sources during critical periods of child development, potentially modified by psychosocial factors, may contribute to these adverse health outcomes. To date, most studies investigating the health effects of environmental factors on infant and child health have focused on single or individual exposures. PARTICIPANTS: Infants currently in gestation whose mother is enrolled in Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) cohort, and infants and children already born to mothers who participated in the PROTECT study. FINDINGS TO DATE: Data collection and processing remains ongoing. Demographic data have been collected on 437 mother-child pairs. Birth outcomes are available for 420 infants, neurodevelopmental outcomes have been collected on 319 children. Concentrations of parabens and phenols in maternal spot urine samples have been measured from 386 mothers. Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development mothers have significantly higher urinary concentrations of dichlorophenols, triclosan and triclocarban, but lower levels of several parabens compared with reference values from a similar population drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. FUTURE PLANS: Data will continue to be collected through recruitment of new births with a target of 600 children. Seven scheduled follow-up visits with existing and new participants are planned. Further, our research team continues to work with healthcare providers, paediatricians and early intervention providers to support parent's ability to access early intervention services for participants.

The Role of Time as a Prognostic Factor in Pediatric Brain Tumors: a Multivariate Survival Analysis.

There is no evidence that prolonged pre diagnostic symptomatic intervals (PSI) increases the risk of death in pediatric brain tumors. When investigating the role of time previous research had not controlled for confounding variables or measured the pretreatment interval (PTI). We use the term global delay interval (GDI) to describe the sum of PSI and PTI. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether there was a decrease in the probability of survival in children with brain tumors due to a prolonged PSI, PTI and GDI, using a multivariate survival analysis. We retrospective review 127 clinical records labeled with the diagnosis of CNS tumors attended at a specialized pediatric center in Mexico City from January 2008 to December 2012. Patients with PSI and GDI diagnosed between 3 and 6 months showed statistical lower probability of surviving that those with intervals <3 months even when adjusting for age, sex, localization and tumor grade. When stratified for the place of residency and adjusted for sex, age, localization, grade of tumor, type of surgery and coadjuvant therapy, a GDI between 3 and 6 months showed to be a risk factor for the overall survival of brain tumors compared with an interval < 3 months. When analyzing the interaction, high grade tumors are at more risk of dying when GDI was between 3 and 6 months compared to <3 months. Prolonged PSI and GDI showed to be a potential prognostic factor for survival in CNS tumors, especially in high grade tumors. Future prospective research should measure the PSI, PTI and GDI and adjust for covariates in order to properly infer the effect of time in pediatric brain tumors.

A New and Faster Method to Assess Vestibular Compensation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Characterize the state of vestibular compensation of subjects diagnosed with acute unilateral vestibulopathy (AUV) of peripheral origin according to the temporal organization pattern of the refixation saccades (Perez and Rey (PR) score). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study using previously collected clinical data from a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Following the vestibular compensation criteria defined by Eisenman, we used the video head impulse test as the main vestibular function test and compared the results with other traditional tests: rotatory chair test (ROT), caloric test, videonystagmography, clinical situation (CLIN), and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire from 28 subjects (17 men, 11 women), average age 60.21 years, who were in a compensated and noncompensated vestibular situation. We used the PR score to measure the differences between the study groups. A cluster was developed to define a cutoff point that objectively distinguishes the vestibular compensation status. RESULTS: Significant differences in the PR score were found in the state of vestibular compensation in the ROT test (P = .01), DHI (P = .04), and CLIN (P = .023). The vestibular compensation criteria that groups the original variables (PR-CLUSTER) cutoff point was 55 (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: The PR score is a measure of temporal organization of the refixation saccades that enables us to distinguish clearly and objectively the vestibular situation of subjects with AUV. We suggest its clinical application. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 2020.

Dark septate endophytic fungi increase the activity of proton pumps, efficiency of 15N recovery from ammonium sulphate, N content, and micronutrient levels in rice plants.

Plants colonised by dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi show increased uptake of nutrients available in the environment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of DSE fungi on the activity of proton pumps, nitrogen (N) recovery from ammonium sulphate, and nutrient accumulation in rice plants. Treatments consisted of non-inoculated plants and plants inoculated with two isolates of DSE fungi, A101 and A103. To determine N recovery from the soil, ammonium sulphate enriched with 15N was added to a non-sterile substrate while parameters associated with the activity of proton pumps and with NO3- uptake were determined in a sterile environment. The A101 and A103 fungal isolates colonised the roots of rice plants, promoting 15N uptake, growth, and accumulation of nutrients as compared with the mock control. A103 induced the expression of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) isoforms OsA5 and OsA8, the activity of the PM H+-ATPase and H+-pyrophosphatase. Our results suggest that the inoculation of rice plants with DSE fungi represents a strategy to improve the N recovery from ammonium sulphate and rice plant growth through the induction of OsA5 and OsA8 isoforms and stimulation of the PM H+-ATPase and H+-pyrophosphatase.

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Increase Green Manure-15N Recovery Efficiency, N Contents, and Micronutrients in Rice Grains.

An understanding of the interaction between rice and dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi, under green fertilization, may lead to sustainable agricultural practices. Nevertheless, this interaction is still poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the accumulation of macro- and micronutrients, dry matter, and protein and N recovery efficiency from Canavalia ensiformis (L.)-15N in rice inoculated with DSE fungi. An experiment under greenhouse conditions was conducted in a randomized complete block design comprising split-plots, with five replicates of rice plants potted in non-sterilized soil. Rice (Piauí variety) seedlings were inoculated with DSE fungi, A101 and A103, or left uninoculated (control) and transplanted into pots containing 12 kg of soil, which had previously been supplemented with dry, finely ground shoot biomass of C. ensiformis enriched with 2.15 atom % 15N. Two collections were performed in the experiment: one at 54 days after transplanting (DAT) and one at 130 DAT (at maturation). Growth indicators (at 54 DAT), grain yield, nutrient content, recovery efficiency, and the amount of N derived from C. ensiformis were quantified. At 54 DAT, the N content, chlorophyll content, and plant height of inoculated plants had increased significantly compared with the control, and these plants were more proficient in the use of N derived from C. ensiformis. At maturation, plants inoculated with A103 were distinguished by the recovery efficiency and amount of N derived from C. ensiformis and N content in the grain and shoot being equal to that in A101 inoculation and higher than that in the control, resulting in a higher accumulation of crude protein and dry matter in the full grain and panicle of DSE-rice interaction. In addition, Fe and Ni contents in the grains of rice inoculated with these fungi doubled with respect to the control, and in A103 inoculation, we observed Mn accumulation that was three times higher than in the other treatments. Our results suggest that the inoculation of rice with DSE fungi represents a strategy to improve green manure-N recovery, grain yield per plant, and grain quality in terms of micronutrients contents in cropping systems with a low N input.

Contribution of dark septate fungi to the nutrient uptake and growth of rice plants

ABSTRACT The use of dark septate fungi (DSE) to promote plant growth can be beneficial to agriculture, and these organisms are important allies in the search for sustainable agriculture practices. This study investigates the contribution of dark septate fungi to the absorption of nutrients by rice plants and their ensuing growth. Four dark septate fungi isolates that were identified by Internal transcribed spacer phylogeny were inoculated in rice seeds (Cv. Piauí). The resulting root colonization was estimated and the kinetic parameters Vmax and Km were calculated from the nitrate contents of the nutrient solution. The macronutrient levels in the shoots, and the NO3--N, NH4+-N, free amino-N and soluble sugars in the roots, sheathes and leaves were measured. The rice roots were significantly colonized by all of the fungi, but in particular, isolate A103 increased the fresh and dry biomass of the shoots and the number of tillers per plant, amino-N, and soluble sugars as well as the N, P, K, Mg and S contents in comparison with the control treatment. When inoculated with isolates A103 and A101, the plants presented lower Km values, indicating affinity increases for NO3--N absorption. Therefore, the A103 Pleosporales fungus presented the highest potential for the promotion of rice plant growth, increasing the tillering and nutrients uptake, especially N (due to an enhanced affinity for N uptake) and P.

Contribution of dark septate fungi to the nutrient uptake and growth of rice plants.

The use of dark septate fungi (DSE) to promote plant growth can be beneficial to agriculture, and these organisms are important allies in the search for sustainable agriculture practices. This study investigates the contribution of dark septate fungi to the absorption of nutrients by rice plants and their ensuing growth. Four dark septate fungi isolates that were identified by Internal transcribed spacer phylogeny were inoculated in rice seeds (Cv. Piauí). The resulting root colonization was estimated and the kinetic parameters Vmax and Km were calculated from the nitrate contents of the nutrient solution. The macronutrient levels in the shoots, and the NO3--N, NH4+-N, free amino-N and soluble sugars in the roots, sheathes and leaves were measured. The rice roots were significantly colonized by all of the fungi, but in particular, isolate A103 increased the fresh and dry biomass of the shoots and the number of tillers per plant, amino-N, and soluble sugars as well as the N, P, K, Mg and S contents in comparison with the control treatment. When inoculated with isolates A103 and A101, the plants presented lower Km values, indicating affinity increases for NO3--N absorption. Therefore, the A103 Pleosporales fungus presented the highest potential for the promotion of rice plant growth, increasing the tillering and nutrients uptake, especially N (due to an enhanced affinity for N uptake) and P.

Impact of the Z potential technique on reducing the sperm DNA fragmentation index, fertilization rate and embryo development.

BACKGROUND: In assisted reproduction procedures, we need to develop and enhance new protocols to optimize sperm selection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of the Z potential technique to select sperm with intact DNA in non-normospermic patients and evaluate the impact of this selection on embryonic development. METHODS: We analyzed a total of 174 human seminal samples with at least one altered parameter. We measured basal, post density gradients, and post density gradients + Z potential DNA fragmentation index. To evaluate the impact of this technique on embryo development, 54 cases were selected. The embryo development parameters evaluated were fertilization rate, cleavage rate, top quality embryos at the third day and blastocysts rate. RESULTS: We found significant differences in the study groups when we compared the sperm fragmentation index by adding the Z potential technique to density gradient selection vs. density gradients alone. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the embryo development parameters between the low sperm fragmentation index group vs. the moderate and high sperm fragmentation index groups, when selecting sperms with this new technique. CONCLUSIONS: The Z potential technique is a very useful tool for sperm selection; it significantly reduces the DNA fragmentation index and improves the parameters of embryo development. This technique could be considered routine for its simplicity and low cost.

Ecuadorian honey types described by Kichwa community in Rio Chico, Pastaza province, Ecuador using Free-Choice Profiling

Abstract Pastaza is the largest and least populated province in Ecuador, with seven native indigenous nationalities. The Kichwas from the Rio Chico community live near to the capital city Puyo, are recognized for their knowledge on stingless honey bees. From the 400 species of Neotropical Meliponini that make honey in cerumen pots, almost 100 thrive in Southern Ecuador, and confer such biodiversity to pot-honey. In this study sensory characteristics of Ecuadorian false and genuine honeys with diverse entomological origin: Apis mellifera - light amber and amber, Geotrigona leucogastra, Melipona grandis and Scaptotrigona sp. (S. ederi np Schwarz) were investigated with Kichwa assessors (four female and four male, aged 18-62 years old). The panel was asked to taste and to identify sensory attributes of honey (appearance, taste, smell, aroma, mouthfeel, other tactile sensations), and to score their intensities in 10 cm unstructured line scales anchored with the words weak and strong, using the Free-Choice Profile methodology The Generalized Procrustes Analysis was used on the data. The first and second dimensions accounted for by 61.1% of the variance. In the descriptive sensory evaluation, darker honeys (amber A. mellifera, false and Geotrigona) were separated from (light amber A. mellifera, Melipona and Scaptotrigona) by the first dimension; whereas thicker honeys (A. mellifera and false) were discriminated from thinner honeys (Geotrigona, Melipona and Scaptotrigona) by the second dimension. The assessors were able to evaluate and differentiate honey types without previous sensory training. Remarkably, two Kichwa ladies immediately spit out the false honey, in contrast to an acceptance study on 18-honeys, where the false honey was scored among the preferred ones by 58 participants of the First Congress on Apiculture and Meliponiculture in Ecuador. Therefore, results suggest that Ecuadorian native Kichwas keep a sensory legacy of ancestral knowledge with forest products such as honey.

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Help Tomato to Acquire Nutrients from Ground Plant Material.

Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi are facultative biotrophs that associate with hundreds of plant species, contributing to their growth. These fungi may therefore aid in the search for sustainable agricultural practices. However, several ecological functions of DSE fungi need further clarification. The present study investigated the effects of DSE fungi inoculation on nutrient recovery efficiency, nutrient accumulation, and growth of tomato plants fertilized with organic and inorganic N sources. Two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in a randomized blocks design, with five replicates of tomato seedlings grown in pots filled with non-sterile sandy soil. Tomato seedlings (cv. Santa Clara I-5300) inoculated with DSE fungi (isolates A101, A104, and A105) and without DSE fungi (control) were transplanted to pots filled with 12 kg of soil which had previously received finely ground plant material [Canavalia ensiformis (L.)] that was shoot enriched with 0.7 atom % 15N (organic N source experiment) or ammonium sulfate-15N enriched with 1 atom % 15N (mineral N source experiment). Growth indicators, nutrient content, amount of nitrogen (N) in the plant derived from ammonium sulfate-15N or C. ensiformis-15N, and recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K by plants were quantified 50 days after transplanting. The treatment inoculated with DSE fungi and supplied with an organic N source showed significantly higher recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K. In addition, the 15N, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn content, plant height, leaf number, leaf area (only for the A104 inoculation), and shoot dry matter increased. In contrast, the only positive effects observed in the presence of an inorganic N source were fertilizer-K recovery efficiency, content of K, and leaf area when inoculated with the fungus A104. Inoculation with A101, A104, and A105 promoted the growth of tomato using organic N source (finely ground C. ensiformis-15N plant material).

Perfil bioquímico en sangre de cordón en prematuros extremos y crecimiento fetal / Intrauterine growth and biochemical levels in cord blood samples in infants less than 31 weeks gestation

Introducción: Con mayor aporte de proteínas y energía en la primera semana se ha observado hipofosfemia en prematuros extremos. Los menores niveles de fósforo se han presentado en prematuros con antecedentes de restricción de crecimiento intrauterino. Objetivos: Caracterizar los niveles plasmáticos bioquímicos en el cordón de prematuros extremos, nacidos adecuados (AEG) y pequeños para edad gestacional (PEG) y la relación con calcemia y fosfemia en la primera semana de vida. Pacientes y método: Estudio clínico realizado en Neonatología del Hospital Doctor Sótero del Río, en los años 2013 y 2014. Se analiza el perfil bioquímico en el cordón y la calcemia y fosfemia en los primeros 7 días de vida, registrados en la ficha clínica según fueran AEG o PEG, según las curvas de Alarcón-Pittaluga. Análisis con significación de p < 0,05. Resultados: Los niveles de colesterol, transaminasas, albúmina y creatinina fueron similares para los PEG y AEG. Los niveles de pH, fósforo, calcio, y fosfatasas alcalinas fueron menores en los PEG. El nitrógeno ureico, el ácido úrico y los triglicéridos fueron mayores en los PEG. Los PEG muestran marcada reducción de fosfemia en la primera semana, la calcemia tiende a subir proporcionalmente al descenso de la fosfemia. Conclusiones: En prematuros extremos la desnutrición intrauterina se expresa en modificación de los niveles plasmáticos de calcio, fósforo, fosfatasas alcalinas, nitrógeno ureico, ácido úrico y triglicéridos. Posnatalmente, al recibir aporte nutricional, se manifiesta una disminución de la fosfemia y un aumento de calcemia, concordante con aportes insuficientes de fósforo durante el período.

Introduction: The use of greater amounts of protein and energy during the first week of life is associated with hypophosphataemia in extreme preterm babies. The lowest phosphorus levels are described in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) babies. Objectives: To describe biochemistry levels in cord blood plasma in extreme premature, adequate and small for gestational age babies (AGA/SGA) and their relationship with plasma calcium and phosphorus levels during the first week of life. Patients and method: A descriptive clinical study was performed in the Neonatology Service at Hospital Dr. Sótero del Río during 2013 and 2014. A biochemical analysis of cord blood was performed on 43 premature babies, as well as plasma calcium and phosphorus levels during the first week. The adequacy for gestational age was obtained using Alarcón- Pittaluga growth curves. Statistical significance was P < .05. Results: Cholesterol, transaminases, albumin and creatinine levels were similar for both AGA and SGA babies. Levels of pH, phosphorus, calcium and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lower in SGA babies. Urea nitrogen, uric acid and triglycerides levels were higher in SGA. The analysis during the first week showed a strong reduction in phosphorus levels, as well as an increase in calcium levels in proportion to the decrease in phosphorus in the SGA sub- group. Conclusions: Intrauterine malnutrition in preterm babies is expressed in the modulation of plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, urea nitrogen, uric acid and triglycerides. During post-natal life, when nutritional intake begins, a decrease in phosphorus and an increase in calcium levels appear, consistent with insufficient phosphorus intake during this period.