Fruit flies damage guava more than tropical almond or mango -- African Crop Science Journal Vol.21 No.1

Today is the first in a series of posts on African Crop Science Journal. 

Featured today is vol.21 no.1, which includes "Assessment of Invasive Fruit Fly Infestation and Damage in Cabo Delgado Province, Northern Mozambique" by Jose et al. Fruit flies, common pests in households, are examined in this study, particularly the invasive fruit fly (Bactrocera invadens), which was first discovered in Africa in Kenya in 2003. The invasive fruit fly has been found in other countries, such as Mozambique, where it was discovered in 2007. This study aims to uncover the damage and infestation levels of the invasive fruit fly in Mozambique, where there is a lack of information and studies done on the subject. Different types of fruits were used in the study, and subsequently four species of fruit flies were found: Bactrocera invadens, Ceratitis rosa, Ceratitis cosyra and Ceratitis capitata, with Bactrocera invadens being the most commonly found species. Guava was the fruit that showed the highest amount of damage from fruit flies, followed by tropical almond and mango. The results also found that tropical almond had the highest amount of Bactrocera invadens per fruit and per kilogram.

This issue also includes "Energy use in citrus production of Mazandaran Province in Iran" by Zarini et al. This study aims to uncover how energy-efficient citrus production is in the Mazandaran Province in Iran by interviewing 155 farmers. The data collected from the interviews indicated that the total energy requirement in citrus production was 17,112.2 MJ ha^-1, in which 36.3% of energy was consumed due to fertilizers, and 33.6% was consumed due to pesticides. The results also indicated that 12% of total energy output was renewable. Researchers concluded that the current citrus production system is inefficient and needs to improve energy consumption as well as adopt a plan to use renewable energy.

The abstracts for this issue can also be found in French. For these articles and other articles from this issue, click here.

Prevalence of celiac disease is increased in children with epilepsy -- Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.24 No.3

Iranian Journal of Pediatrics vol.24 no.3 is being featured today. 

This issue includes "Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Turkish Children with Idiopathic Epilepsy" by Işikay et al. The study examines the prevalence of celiac disease in children with idiopathic epilepsy. For this study, 214 children with idiopathic epilepsy and 166 health children (the control group) were examined. It was found that over 55% of patients had generalized epilepsy and 45% (33 patients) had partial epilepsy. For the patients that had partial epilepsey, features were consistent with a diagnosis of childhood partial epilepsy with occipital paroxysms (CPEO). The study concluded that the prevalence of celiac disease is increased in children with epilepsy, but also noted that there is as high as 6% prevalence of celiac disease among children with CPEO.

This issue also includes "Prepregnancy Maternal Weight and Body Mass Index of Children with and without Congenital Heart Disease" by Ghaderian et al. This study examines the correlation between a mother being overweight or obese before and during pregnancy and congenital heart defects in their child. 164 infants with congenital heart defects and their mothers as well as 158 infants without congenital heart defects and their mothers (the control group) were evaluated between 2011 and 2012. All mothers were assessed for their age, height, weight and Body Mass Index. The results indicated that the age, weight and height for mothers in both the control group and mothers with infants with congenital heart defects did not differ significantly. The mothers in the control group did not have a significantly lower BMI than mothers with infants with congenital heart defects. The study concluded that there may not be a correlation between congenital heart defects in an infant and their mother being obese or overweight.

For the complete results of these studies and other articles from this issue, click here.

Lung ultrasounds and bronchograms show accuracy in diagnosing respiratory distress syndrome -- Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.24 No.2

We are continuing our posts on Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. 

Today we are featuring vol.24 no.2, which includes "The Role of Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Newborn Infants" by Liu et al., a study conducted to determine how lung ultrasounds can assist in diagnosing respiratory distress syndrome in newborn infants, and how valuable it is to the diagnosing process. The study was conducted from March 2012 to May 2013, with 100 newborn infants participating in two groups. One group was designated as the respiratory distress syndrome group and the other was the control group. Among the 100 infants, 10 infants were found to have grade II respiratory distress syndrome. 15 infants were found to have respiratory distress syndrome at the grade III level, and 25 at the grade IV level. Lung ultrasounds were performed on these infants, and some of the parameters measured were A-line, B-line, lung consolidation and air bronchograms. The results indicated that the lung ultrasounds consolidated with the bronchograms and prove to be an accurate and reliable tool for diagnosing respiratory distress syndrome. Because lung ultrasounds are low-cost and easy to perform at the patients' bed sides, its use is encouraged in the neonatal intensive care unit.

This issue also includes "The Association between Weight for Gestational Age and Kidney Volume: A Study in Newborns in India" by Mishra et al. This study aims to examine the correlation between the weight of an infant at a gestational age and its kidney volume. Using Lubchenco’s charts of weight for gestational age, 417 newborns were placed in two categories: appropriate for gestational age and small for gestational age. Their bilateral kidney dimensions were also measured. The results indicated that the mean combined kidney volume was significantly lower among newborns that were small for gestational age than newborns that were appropriate for gestational age.

For the complete results of these studies and other studies from this issue, click here.

Knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine is received from relatives and neighbours more than physicians -- Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.24 No.1

Today we are featuring Iranian Journal of Pediatrics vol.24 no.1. 

This issue includes "Risk Factors for Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Preschool Children in China" by Li et al., a study conducted to examine the factors related to recurrent respiratory infection in preschool children in Yiwu, China. 844 preschool children in Yiwu were examined between June 2009 and September 2010. 639 preschool children were part of the resident population while 205 were part of the floating population. The results indicated that asthma, food preference and rickets were among the factors affecting recurrent respiratory infections in preschool children who were part of the resident population. Infant feeding and snack were among the factors affecting recurrent respiratory infections in preschool children who were part of the floating population. The study concluded that the public should take health measures against these factors to prevent recurrent respiratory infection.

This issue also includes "Prevalence of Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children and Its Related Factors in East Iran" by Fesharakinia et al. This study examines the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) on children in east Iran and the factors for its use, its prevalence and where CAM providers obtain their information and knowledge regarding the practice. The study was conducted from April 2012 to June 2012, in which 300 mothers who had children admitted to the Vali-Asr Hospital in Birjand were interviewed. The results indicated that almost 36% of mothers used CAM as medication for their children in the previous year. Among the treatments used were medicinal herbs, oil rubs and prayer therapy. For information on CAM, 72% of mothers talked to relatives, 50% talked to neighbours and only 2% talked to physicians. The study concluded that physicians should learn more about CAM to provide knowledge about it, and the community as a whole should receive education about the different types and the possible side effects of CAM.

You can find these articles and other articles from this issue here.

Probiotic capsules could improve pulmonary function and quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis - Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.23 No.6

This is our second consecutive post on the Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. We will continue our posts on the journal in the next few weeks. Vol.23 no.6 was updated in July. 

This issue includes "Clinical Profile of Snake Bite in Children in Rural India" by Kshirsagar et al. As a result of a high rate of snake bite cases being reported, Kshirsagar et al. conducted a study on the frequency of snake bites and how they are treated in Maharashtra, India. 162 patients that had a snake bite less than 15 years ago were used for this study, in which their case records were examined for age, sex, complications and outcomes among other factors. The results indicated that 98 of the patients with snake bites were male. The results also indicated that in more than 90% of cases, the snake bites were vasculotoxic, and that in more than 9% of cases, the snake bites were neuroparalytic. More than 51% of cases occurred from July to September.

This issue also includes "Effects of Probiotics on Quality of Life in Children with Cystic Fibrosis; A Randomized Controlled Trial" by Jafari et al. This study aimed to examine the effects of probiotics in young children with cystic fibrosis, since probiotics have indicated to improve ntestinal and pulmonary functions. 37 children ages 2-12 with cystic fibrosis were put into two groups. One group was given probiotic capsules for one month and the other was given placebo capsules. The results indicated that pulmonary exacerbation was significantly reduced in the group that took probiotic capsules. The study concluded that probiotic capsules could improve pulmonary function and improve the quality of life in patients, particularly children, with cystic fibrosis.

For the complete results of these studies and other articles from this issue, click here.

The leading cause of death for infants with extremely low birth weight is respiratory failure in this study -- Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol.23 No.5

Today we are featuring Iranian Journal of Pediatrics vol.23 no.5. This is the first in a series of posts featuring the journal that will be on the blog in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned! 

This issue includes "Outcome of Very Low Birth Weight Infants Over 3 Years Report From an Iranian Center" by Afjeh et al. This study looks at the frequency of disease, survival rate and risk factors causing poor health and mortality in infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). The study was conducted from April 2007 to March 2010 on all neonates at the Mahdieh Hospital in Tehran. 564 of the infants had VLBW. Data and information from when the infant was born and details during the duration of their stay was collected and analyzed. The results indicated that overall survival rate of the infants was 70.9%, but only 33.3% in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW). A leading cause of mortality in infants with ELBW was respiratory failure from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The results also indicated that mechanical ventilation was also a factor for mortality.

Another article included in this issue is "Effect of Oral Ondansetron on Decreasing the Vomiting Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis in Iranian Children" by Golshekan et al. This article examines the effects of oral ondansetron in children to reduce vomiting from acute gastroenteritis. The study was conducted on 176 children from ages 1 to 10 years old. The oral ondansetron and a placebo were compared. 30 minutes after administration, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) was performed. Patients in both groups still had persistent vomiting. The results indicated that oral ondansetron greatly decreased ORT failure, however, further studies need to be conducted in order to determine its effectiveness.

These articles and other articles from this issue can be found here.

Cold narcosis affects locomotive skills and memory acquisition but not memory retrieval in honeybees -- Zoological Research Vol.35 No.2

There have been previous studies done on the memory of insects due to their easily identifiable cells in their small nervous systems¹. The issue of Zoological Research that we are featuring today, vol.35 no.2, includes "Effects of cold narcosis on memory acquisition, consolidation and retrieval in honeybees (Apis mellifera)" by Chen et al. This study used the proboscis extension response (PER) paradigm to assess how associative memories were affected by cold narcosis. Severe memory acquisition impairment was found after testing the honeybees 30 after cold narcosis compared to 1 hour. Locomotive impairment was also found after testing the honeybees 15 minutes after cold narcosis compared to 30 minutes. The results indicated that cold narcosis does affect locomotive skills and memory acquisition but not memory retrieval.

This issue also includes "Factors determining the average body size of geographically separated Arctodiaptomus salinus (Daday, 1885) populations" by Anufriieva et al. This study aimed to examine the factors affecting the populations of Arctodiaptomus salinus in Eurasia and Africa. The results indicated that in Crimean and African populations, there was a correlation between size of the Arctodiaptomus salinus and water temperature, which could also be influenced by water salinity. Arctodiaptomus salinus from temporary reservoirs had a smaller body weight than those living in permanent bodies of water.

For the complete results of these studies and other articles from this issue, click here.

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