Search Results (304)

The morphological diversity of the domestic turkey is still an open question in poultry research. For this reason, a meta-analysis with 97 reports from 28 morphometric characterization studies covering 15 different turkey genotypes was carried out in the present study. Biometric measurements and indices collected from the articles were used as independent variables in three principal component analyses. The highest variance explaining power was achieved in the analysis including only biometric indices, with more than 70% in the first two principal components for both sexes. The ‘leg length’, ‘body mass’, ‘shape’, and ‘tarsus’ indices were those with higher explanatory power, the latter two particularly so in females. In addition, ‘head’ was such a high variance explaining body region, especially in males, while for females, the ‘leg’ showed high variability between breeds. The spatial representation of observations drew an interesting grouping pattern, proposing an ‘African’ and ‘Mediterranean’ trunk of turkeys based just on biometric traits. The correlation matrix showed positive and negative associations between the variables, especially stronger in females. Breast circumference was negatively correlated with weight and size traits, suggesting that turkey landraces differ in body conformation and environmental requirements. Despite data limitations, particularly in terms of available breed reports and measures taken, consistent results were obtained. The results of the present work could be common guidelines for the phenotypic characterization of turkey breeds worldwide. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maternal nutrition and pregestational BMI are critical determinants of pregnancy outcomes. This prospective multicenter observational study investigated the interplay between prepregnancy BMI, dietary patterns, and oxidative/inflammatory status in 153 Italian healthy pregnant women with normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), or obesity (OB). Methods: Detailed clinical, biochemical, placental, and neonatal data were measured at third trimester and delivery. Dietary intake was assessed via a validated questionnaire, and dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis. Results: OW and OB women had significantly higher levels of inflammatory (CRP, hepcidin) and oxidative stress biomarkers (DNA/RNA damage, catalase activity) than NW. Multivariate models confirmed independent associations between BMI and these biomarkers (CRP: β = 0.297, p = 0.000; hepcidin: β = 1.419, p = 0.006; DNA/RNA damage: β = 409.9, p = 0.000; catalase activity: β = 1.536, p = 0.000). Superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity were not associated with BMI. Nutritional intake across BMI groups was largely suboptimal relative to national recommendations, with insufficient levels of polyunsaturated fats and key micronutrients. Four dietary patterns were identified, with adherence varying by BMI. A “prudent-style” pattern (high plant, low animal) was positively associated with gestational age (β = 0.243, p = 0.033) and inversely with neonatal head circumference (β = −0.414, p = 0.050). A “Western-like” pattern (high sugars, snacks, animal fats) was linked to reduced maternal ferritin (β = −2.093, p = 0.036) and increased neonatal head circumference (β = 0.403, p = 0.036). However, not all deviations from the “prudent-style” pattern were metabolically equivalent: while Pattern 3 (high-protein, carbohydrate) may offer partial protective effects, Pattern 4 (moderate protein/plant/sugar) displayed elements of nutritional imbalance with signs of placental inefficiency (β = −0.384, p = 0.023). Conclusions: These findings underscore the dual impact of maternal BMI and diet quality on oxidative-inflammatory balance and perinatal outcomes, supporting the need for early, individualized nutritional strategies in pregnancy. This is further emphasized by the variability in dietary adherence across BMI categories. Full article

Background/Objectives: Maternal dietary behaviors, including meal frequency patterns, may influence fetal growth. This study examined the associations between maternal meal frequency patterns during pregnancy—categorized as structured, moderately irregular, or highly irregular—and neonatal anthropometric outcomes, including weight, length, head, chest, and abdominal circumferences, and Apgar score. A secondary objective was to assess whether maternal education and household income modify these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1025 mother–newborn pairs from a socioeconomically diverse Romanian cohort. Maternal meal frequency patterns were classified based on self-reported weekly consumption. Neonatal anthropometric outcomes were obtained from medical records. Multivariable linear regression models, adjusted for maternal and neonatal characteristics, assessed the associations between meal frequency patterns and birth outcomes. Interaction terms evaluated effect modification by maternal education and income. Results: Structured maternal meal frequency patterns were associated with a slight but significant reduction in neonatal length compared to highly irregular patterns (β = −0.36 cm; 95% CI: −0.68 to −0.04; p = 0.02). A borderline inverse association with birth weight was also observed (β = −63.82 g; 95% CI: −128.87 to 1.23; p = 0.05). No significant differences were found for other anthropometric indicators or Apgar score. Maternal education modified the association between moderately irregular patterns and chest circumference (β = 0.15 cm; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.25; p = 0.003), while household income modified the association with abdominal circumference (β = 0.14 cm; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.26; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Maternal meal frequency patterns were modestly associated with neonatal length, while socioeconomic factors modified specific anthropometric outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of considering social context in prenatal nutritional recommendations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Congenital microcephaly is a clinical manifestation with a heterogeneous etiology, and its epidemiological surveillance relies on the systematic identification of cases and investigation of their underlying causes to inform preventive strategies and improve prognostic assessments. In Latin America, despite the existence of congenital anomaly reporting programs since 1967, the surveillance of microcephaly only gained substantial attention following the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in 2015. Since then, efforts have predominantly concentrated on cases of infectious origin, often at the expense of recognizing endogenous etiologies, particularly those of genetic nature. This review aims to examine the role of genetic alterations in microcephaly pathogenesis and evaluates the limitations of current surveillance systems. Methods: A literature review centered on syndromic and non-syndromic genetic etiologies, alongside an analysis of Latin American surveillance frameworks (ECLAMC, RyVEMCE, ICBDSR, ReLAMC) was performed. Results: The findings reveal improved case detection and increased reported prevalence; however, the proportion of genetically attributed cases has remained stable. No systematic studies were found identifying the most common genetic causes; instead, genetic investigations were limited to isolated cases with a family history. Conclusions: While epidemiological surveillance systems in Latin America have advanced in the reporting of congenital microcephaly cases, substantial gaps remain in case ascertainment and etiological investigation, particularly concerning genetic contributions Full article

Monitoring fetal growth throughout pregnancy is essential for early detection of developmental abnormalities. This study developed a Taiwan-specific fetal growth reference using a web-based data collection platform and polynomial regression modeling. We analyzed ultrasound data from 980 pregnant women, encompassing 8350 prenatal scans, to model six key fetal biometric parameters: abdominal circumference, crown–rump length, estimated fetal weight, head circumference, biparietal diameter, and femur length. Quadratic regression was selected based on a balance of performance and simplicity, with R² values exceeding 0.95 for most parameters. Confidence intervals and real-time anomaly detection were implemented through the platform. The results demonstrate the potential for efficient, population-specific fetal growth monitoring in clinical settings. Full article

Background: Traditional neonatal assessments rely on anthropometric measures such as weight, body size, and head circumference. However, recent studies suggest that objective movement quantification may serve as a complementary clinical indicator of development in preterm infants. Methods: This study evaluates non-invasive computer vision-based quantification of neonatal movement using contactless pose tracking based on computer vision. We analyzed approximately 800,000 postural data points from ten preterm infants to identify reliable algorithms, optimal recording duration, and whether whole-body or regional tracking is sufficient. Results: Our findings show that 30 s video segments are adequate for consistent motion quantification. Optical flow methods produced inconsistent results, while distance-based algorithms—particularly Chebyshev and Minkowski—offered greater stability, with coefficients of variation of 5.46% and 6.40% in whole-body analysis. Additionally, Minkowski and Mahalanobis metrics applied to the lower body yielded results similar to full-body tracking, with minimal differences of 0.89% and 1%. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that neonatal movement can be quantified objectively and without physical contact using computer vision techniques and reliable computational methods. This approach may serve as a complementary clinical indicator of neonatal progression, alongside conventional measures such as weight and size, with applications in continuous monitoring and early clinical decision-making for preterm infants. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disease caused by imprinted gene dysfunction, typically involving deletion of the chromosome 15q11.2-q13 region, balanced translocation, or related gene mutations in this region. PWS presents with complex and varied clinical manifestations. Abnormalities can be observed from the fetal stage and change with age, resulting in growth, developmental, and metabolic issues throughout different life stages. Case Presentation: We report the prenatal characteristics observed from the second to third trimester of pregnancy in a neonate with PWS. Prenatal ultrasound findings included a single umbilical artery, poor abdominal circumference growth from 26 weeks, normal head circumference and femur length growth, increased amniotic fluid volume after 30 weeks, undescended fetal testicles in the third trimester, small kidneys, and reduced fetal movement. The male infant was born at 38 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 2580 g. He had a weak cry; severe hypotonia; small eyelid clefts; bilateral cryptorchidism; low responsiveness to medical procedures such as blood drawing; and poor sucking, necessitating tube feeding. Blood methylation-specific multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) showed paternal deletion PWS. Notably, this case revealed two previously unreported prenatal features in PWS: a single umbilical artery and small kidneys. Conclusions: Through literature review and our case presentation, we suggest that a combination of specific sonographic features, including these newly identified markers, may aid clinicians in the early diagnosis of PWS. Full article

Currently, the electroencephalogram (EEG) cap is limited to a finite number of sizes based on head circumference, lacking the mechanical flexibility to accommodate the full range of skull dimensions. This reliance on head circumference data alone often results in a poor fit between the EEG cap and the user’s head shape. To address these limitations, we have developed a four-dimensional (4D) adjustable EEG cap. This cap features an adjustable mechanism that covers the entire cranial area in four dimensions, allowing it to fit the head shapes of nearly all adults. The system is compatible with 64 channels or lower electrode counts. We conducted a study with numerous volunteers to compare the performance characteristics of the 4D caps with the commercial (COML) caps in terms of contact pressure, preparation time, wearing impedance, and performance in brain–computer interface (BCI) applications. The 4D cap demonstrated the ability to adapt to various head shapes more quickly, reduce impedance during testing, and enhance measurement accuracy, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and comfort. These improvements suggest its potential for broader application in both laboratory settings and daily life. Full article

Background: Antenatal ultrasonography measurements of the estimated fetal weight (EFW) are a critical point in the decision-making process of obstetric planning and management to preserve the safety of both the newborn and the mother. This study aims to investigate the accuracy of ultrasonography to measure the EFW in comparison with the actual birth weight (BW) measured immediately after delivery. Methods: In this retrospective study, electronic records of 270 newborns who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were retrieved. A structured data sheet was used to collect the EFW, calculated by the Hadlock A formula using real-time ultrasound imaging on the day of delivery or the day before, and the actual BW immediately after delivery. Results: Out of 270 fetuses, 53.7% (145) were female, and 46.3% (125) were male. The mean BW was 2918.1 ± 652.81 g (range: 880 to 5100). The mean EFW was 3271.55 ± 691.47 g (range: 951 to 4942). The mean gestational age was 38 ± 2.48 weeks (range: 29 to 42). Spearman’s rho correlation test revealed strong compatibility between EFW and BW (r = 0.82, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a strong correlation between EFW and BW (R = 0.875, R² = 0.766, and p < 0.001). The cross-tabulation test showed 86.8%, 78.4%, and 26.9% compatibility between measurements of EFW and the true BW in group-1 (<2500 g), group-2 (2500–4000 g), and group-3 (>4000 g) fetuses (p< 0.001). Conclusions: EFW using ultrasonography yields high compatibility with the actual BW. Despite the slight overestimation, ultrasonography provides high clinical value in obstetric assessment and subsequent management. Full article

According to research, intrauterine exposure to non-pathogenic maternal microorganisms during pregnancy is influenced by the mother’s nutritional, metabolic, and immunological status. This study investigates the association between maternal gut microbiota composition, fetal development, and neonatal microbiota, with the aim of exploring their interconnected health dynamics. A cohort-based correlational study was conducted involving 114 women (≥18 years old, ≤12 weeks of gestation) attending prenatal consultations at the ISSSTE General Hospital in Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo, México. Data were collected at four stages: before 11 weeks, at 11–14 weeks, at 20–24 weeks, and at 31 weeks of pregnancy. Assessments included anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, and intestinal microbiota analysis. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio positively correlated with venous duct flow and expected weight for gestational week (r = 0.02272, p = 0.0323; r = 0.2344, p = 0.0271). Bacteroidetes showed a positive correlation with birth weight (r = 0.2876, p = 0.0063), birth height (r = 0.5889, p < 0.001), and head circumference (r = 0.2163, p = 0.0418). Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between maternal and neonatal microbiota, particularly for Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. The findings suggest that maternal gut microbiota significantly influences fetal growth and neonatal microbiota composition. These insights underscore the importance of maternal health during pregnancy. Full article

Background: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to childhood growth. However, its effects on growth delay at different early life stages are not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and growth delay in Korean children, using data from the National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children. Methods: Data from 258,367 children born between 2014 and 2021 who underwent health screenings at both 18–24 and 30–36 months of age were analyzed. Maternal BMI within three years before childbirth was classified into five categories: <18.5, 18.5–22.9 (reference), 23–24.9, 25–29.9, and ≥30 kg/m². Growth delay was defined as measurements below the 10th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference. Adjusted relative risks (RRs) were estimated using regression models controlling for maternal age, comorbidities, and perinatal factors. Results: An increased risk of height growth delay was observed with higher maternal BMI, and this association persisted at both 18–24 and 30–36 months. In contrast, maternal underweight was not significantly associated with a height delay. Low maternal BMI was associated with underweight status in children. Head circumference growth delay was linked to both high and low maternal BMI; children of mothers outside the normal BMI range had an increased risk. Conclusions: Maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and underweight were associated with growth delays in height, weight, and head circumference in children up to 36 months of age. These findings underscore the importance of individualized weight management before pregnancy. Full article

Objective: The aim of our study was to develop current local anthropometric measurement percentiles for newborns and to compare these values with national and international growth chart percentiles. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the birth records of 17,693 infants born between 24 and 42 weeks of gestation at the Health Sciences University Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between January 2018 and December 2023. The following data were collected from the birth records: type of delivery, gender, gestational week, birth weight, birth length, head circumference, and the nationality of the infants. Percentile charts for weight, length, and head circumference were generated according to gender and gestational week. The 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of the local anthropometric measurement percentiles were compared with the national and the international growth charts. Results: The anthropometric measurements of 17,693 newborns were evaluated in this study. Of the included infants, 9589 (54.2%) were born by normal spontaneous delivery and 8104 (45.8%) by cesarean section. A total of 4955 (28%) of the infants were preterm and 12,738 (72%) were term; 8700 (49.2%) were female and 8993 (50.8%) male. When compared by gender, it was observed that the birth weights of boys were higher than girls at all gestational weeks, but the lengths and head circumferences of both genders were similar. When our weight, length, and head circumference percentiles by gestational week were compared with the Fenton growth charts, we found that our babies had higher average values in all percentiles. When compared with national growth charts, the weight, length, and head circumference measurements of our girls and boys were higher, especially under 38 weeks, and they had similar anthropometric measurements from 38 weeks onwards. When compared with the Fenton growth chart, the ranges of difference from the current values used in each week of pregnancy for the SGA cut-off values for girls and boys were found to be 30–290 g and 30–230 g, respectively, and those for the LGA cut-off values for girls and boys were 80–300 g and 95–230 g, respectively. Conclusions: Our study reveals the current birth weight, length, and head circumference percentile values in infants, including a large number of infants in our region. Notably, the generated regional growth curves differ from existing international standards, which may have significant implications for the accurate diagnosis and follow-up of SGA and LGA infants. We suppose that our current national data can serve as a valuable reference for future multicenter studies involving larger populations and contribute to the optimal assessment of growth parameters in pediatric health surveillance. Full article

A considerable number of organizations are working to improve food safety, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women due to the important influence of diet on fetal development. The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure to 11 food processing contaminants and their effects on maternal and fetal health. Online questionnaires during the first and third trimesters were used to analyze the intake and exposure to different food contaminants, estimated from the contaminants food database “CONT11”, in 84 pregnant women in Oviedo (Spain) and their influence on newborn anthropometric data. Exposure to certain contaminants, such as acrylamide or total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was found to have a significant impact on maternal and fetal health, particularly in relation to birth weight or head circumference. During the third trimester, pregnant women reported dietary improvement and reduced exposure to dietary contaminants. Identifying the foods and food groups that contribute most to exposure and the potential for health professionals will facilitate the development of basic exposure reduction strategies. This study is one of the few to assess the exposure of pregnant women to a wide range of contaminants and their impact on fetal health, providing a baseline for future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Head and neck lymphedema (HNL) is a common complication after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. Reliable and feasible assessment methods are essential for monitoring and management. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and clinical feasibility of three methods for assessing external HNL in HNC patients: local tissue water (%) using the MoistureMeterD Compact (MMDC), neck circumference using a tape measure, and dermal thickness using B-mode ultrasound. Methods: Thirty-three HNC patients with potential HNL were included. Measurements were performed on the same day, twice by the same rater and once by a different rater. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC^2,1), (relative) standard error of measurement ((%)SEM), smallest real difference (SRD), systematic differences across measurement occasions, and Bland–Altman plots with 95% limits of agreement were analyzed. Time efficiency and clinical limitations were assessed. As an exploratory analysis, Spearman correlations among methods were examined. Results: All methods demonstrated moderate to very strong reliability (ICCs^2,1 0.781–0.994), except dermal thickness (ICCs^2,1 0.136–0.354). Differences between raters and within one rater were not clinically meaningful. Neck circumference showed the highest reliability (ICCs^2,1 0.958–0.994) and was the fastest to perform with the fewest limitations. The methods showed weak correlations with each other. Conclusions: Neck circumference was the most reliable and time-efficient method assessing HNL in clinical practice but is limited to the neck region. For the head, local tissue water assessment seems the most reliable and feasible. The methods assess different aspects of HNL. Further research should confirm how these methods can complement each another. Full article

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a significant hypertensive disorder affecting 2–8% of pregnancies globally, significantly contributing to maternal/perinatal deaths. Early identification of at-risk patients is crucial for reducing these mortalities, yet first-trimester screening remains inaccessible in many low-resource settings. This study aims to develop a second-trimester risk stratification model based on clinical parameters to assist in managing pre-eclampsia in diverse healthcare contexts. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed medical records from 700 pregnancies (350 with preeclampsia, 350 controls) between January 2021 and August 2024 at a tertiary medical center in western Romania. Sample size was calculated to achieve 90% power with α = 0.05 for detecting clinically significant differences between groups. Data analysis focused on clinical variables such as maternal age, hypertension, diabetes, and socioeconomic factors. A scoring model was developed using logistic regression and validated for predictive accuracy using ROC curve analysis, with AUC as the primary metric. Calibration was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Results: The risk stratification model demonstrated an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.88–0.94), indicating high discriminative capability. The model showed good calibration (p = 0.78). Sensitivity was 74.4%, and specificity reached 97.8%. Patients were categorized into low (0–4 points), moderate (5–7 points), and high-risk (≥8 points) groups based on optimized cut-off values. High-risk patients showed significantly higher rates of adverse outcomes, including eclampsia (12.3% vs. 0% in low-risk, p < 0.001) and HELLP syndrome (8.7% vs. 0.5% in low-risk, p < 0.001). Neonates born to high-risk mothers had lower birth weight (mean difference: 486 g, p < 0.001), smaller head circumference (mean difference: 2.3 cm, p < 0.001), and lower APGAR scores (median difference: 2 points, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This novel model offers a practical second-trimester risk assessment tool that leverages routine clinical data available after 20 weeks of gestation. It facilitates targeted care and resource allocation, particularly benefiting settings lacking early screening access. Implementation of risk-stratified management protocols could significantly improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in diverse healthcare environments. Full article