The growth of animals is influenced by various factors including genetics, nutrition, and environmental conditions. This study focuses on understanding the traditional growth phases of Iberian pigs raised in semi-free-range environments prior to the finishing period within the Mediterranean forest. Using a comprehensive dataset of 5329 pigs, we evaluated the abilities of several mathematical models to predict growth patterns during the early growing and pre-finishing phases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine the relationship between etiologically-based preterm birth sub-groups and early postnatal growth according to gestational age at birth.
Methods: Prospective, multinational, cohort study involving 15 hospitals that monitored preterm newborns to hospital discharge. Measures/exposures: maternal demographics; etiologically-based preterm birth sub-groups; very, moderate and late preterm categories, and feeding.
Extratropical cyclones (ETCs) are the focus of many open questions, spanning from weather to climate and from local to global scales. The relationship between moisture uptake and precipitation over different mesoscale ETC structures remains poorly understood. The availability of moisture parameters to the scientific community through tracer dispersion models benefits the representation of the processes involving moisture, the dynamics of ETCs and the understanding of the associated meteorological fields.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnvironmental temperature is increasing while natural populations are forced to adjust their life cycle to new conditions, resulting in the expression of new phenotypic traits. Still, the links between these new environmental conditions and the subsequent phenotypic expressions are not fully explored. Here, we conducted manipulative experiments with embryos of the marine gastropod to assess the effects of warmer temperatures upon shell form.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a potential biomarker of response to treatment in psychiatric disorders. As it plays a role in the pathophysiological development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it is of interest to study its role in predicting therapeutic responses in both conditions. We carried out a systematic review of the literature, looking for differences in baseline BDNF levels and the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism in these disorders between responders and non-responders, and found information showing that the Val/Val genotype and higher baseline BDNF levels may be present in patients that respond successfully to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
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