Growth impairment in sickle disease has been a consistent finding in published reports. Hydroxyurea (HU) decreases vasoocclusive events and increases hemoglobin levels, which may improve growth. However, HU may adversely affect growth in young children by its effect on DNA synthesis.

Height, weight, and head circumference were normal in HU-treated children in the study as compared with the World Health Organization standards. Height, weight, and BMI z scores were similar in placebo and treatment groups. There were no harmful effects of HU on growth. (Read the full article)

Stimulant medications are indicated for treatment of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there is concern that stimulants may negatively affect growth. However, no longitudinal, population-based studies have examined height into adulthood for childhood ADHD cases.

This longitudinal, population-based study shows that neither childhood ADHD itself nor treatment with stimulants is associated with significant deficits in height into adulthood. (Read the full article)

Preterm birth and faster infant growth have been identified as independent risk factors for autism-spectrum disorders (ASD). However, associations between prematurity and ASD-related traits as a continuum and effects of infant growth among those born preterm are still little studied.

VLBW young adults reported higher levels of ASD-related traits, particularly traits related to poorer social skills. Within the VLBW group, faster growth in weight, height, and head circumference from birth to term was associated with lower levels of ASD-related traits. (Read the full article)

Lead is an ubiquitous environmental pollutant, and no safe threshold for blood lead level in children has been discovered yet. Prenatal lead exposure affects growth of children.

Low level of prenatal lead exposure of <5.0 μg/dL affects postnatal children’s growth, which was further intensified by low calcium intake. (Read the full article)

Infants with Prader-Willi syndrome suffer from hypotonia, muscle weakness, and motor developmental delay and have increased fat mass combined with decreased muscle mass. Growth hormone improves body composition and motor development.

Ultrasound scans confirmed decreased muscle thickness in infants with Prader-Willi syndrome, which improved as result of growth hormone treatment. Muscle thickness was correlated to muscle strength and motor performance. Catch-up growth in muscle thickness was related to muscle use independent of growth hormone. (Read the full article)

Syndrome-specific standardized growth curves are not currently available for non–growth hormone–treated subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and are required for monitoring growth and development in this rare obesity-related disorder.

Standardized growth curves were useful in monitoring growth and development in these subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome and for the management of growth hormone treatment of both genders, particularly those aged 3 to 18 years. (Read the full article)

Previous trials reported no significant effect of triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray on growth velocity of children with perennial allergic rhinitis. However, they did not conform to Food and Drug Administration guidelines for evaluating effects of intranasal corticosteroids on growth.

This is the first published study consistent with the 2007 Food and Drug Administration–recommended study design evaluating growth velocity in children aged 3–9 years with perennial allergic rhinitis treated with triamcinolone acetonide or placebo for 12 months. (Read the full article)

Micronutrient deficiencies, including deficiencies of vitamin B-12 and folate, are common worldwide and may be a contributing factor to the estimated 165 million stunted children.

Routine supplementation of vitamin B-12 improved linear and ponderal growth in subgroups of young Indian children. We provide evidence that vitamin B-12 deficiency is a contributor to poor growth in low- and middle-income countries. (Read the full article)

Microcephaly is known to be associated with neurocognitive disorders and increasing head size with hydrocephalus. Head circumference is widely measured in childhood, but its practical value as a screening test is unclear.

Measured head size is not a stable characteristic and centile shifts occur very commonly, mostly reflecting measurement error or regression to the mean. Even where head size was consistently extreme, it was not a good predictor of later developmental problems. (Read the full article)

Postnatal growth failure is common for very low birth weight infants. Although many of the major morbidities experienced by these infants during their initial NICU stays have decreased in recent years, it is unclear whether growth has improved.

For infants weighing 501 to 1500 g, average growth velocity increased and postnatal growth failure decreased from 2000 to 2013. Still, in 2013, half were discharged with a weight below the 10th percentile for postmenstrual age. (Read the full article)

Infants born very prematurely or with a very low birth weight are known to have an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results concerning late preterm children are controversial and studies examining fetal growth represented by weight for gestational age are scarce.

We demonstrate that each declining week of gestation increases the risk of ADHD. Also, late preterm infants have an increased risk. Furthermore, as weight for gestational age becomes smaller than 1 SD below the mean, the risk of ADHD increases. (Read the full article)

Children with Down syndrome (DS) grow differently from other children. Advances in medical care, access to care, and improved life expectancy suggest that contemporary growth patterns may have improved over recent decades for children with DS in the United States.

New growth charts are presented for length/height, weight, head circumference, and BMI for children with DS (birth to 20 y). Weight gain in children <36 months, and stature for males are improved compared with older growth charts. (Read the full article)

Teaching students the science of how their brains change over time can help them see intelligence as something they can develop, rather than innate and unchangeable.

As we continue to build the leaders of the future, we must ensure their own belief in their abilities. This is the only way we can ensure their successful futures and ours.

When students begin to value their own improvement, and see their weaknesses as opportunities, the grades will come, writes teacher Stephanie Curtis.

A national study of nearly 12,500 9th graders finds that two sessions of a 25-minute exercise on “growth mindset” can boost students’ grades and their willingness to take on challenging classes.

Academic gender gaps in reading and math follow different paths as American students move from their school years into adulthood, according to new federal data.

The human diseases caused by the fungal pathogens Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are associated with high indices of mortality, and toxic and/or cost-prohibitive therapeutic protocols. The need for affordable antifungals to combat cryptococcal disease is unquestionable. Previous studies suggested benzimidazoles as promising anti-cryptococcal agents combining low cost and high antifungal efficacy, but their therapeutic potential has not been demonstrated so far. In this study, we investigated the antifungal potential of fenbendazole, the most effective anti-cryptococcal benzimidazole. Fenbendazole was inhibitory against 17 different isolates of C. neoformans and C. gattii at a low concentration. The mechanism of anti-cryptococcal activity of fenbendazole involved microtubule disorganization, as previously described for human parasites. In combination with fenbendazole, the concentrations of the standard antifungal amphotericin B required to control cryptococcal growth were lower than those required when this antifungal was used alone. Fenbendazole was not toxic to mammalian cells. During macrophage infection, the anti-cryptococcal effects of fenbendazole included inhibition of intracellular proliferation rates and reduced phagocytic escape through vomocytosis. Fenbendazole deeply affected the cryptococcal capsule. In a mice model of cryptococcosis, the efficacy of fenbendazole to control animal mortality was similar to that observed for amphotericin B. These results indicate that fenbendazole is a promising candidate for the future development of an efficient and affordable therapeutic tool to combat cryptococcosis.

Stock markets plunged on Thursday after economic growth data confirmed fears of Covid-19's bruising impact on the world economy.

Deep losses were recorded across most European benchmarks except the FTSE 100 which managed to trade relatively flat on the day.

New research has found that inequality in SA has increased, with wealth becoming ever more concentrated among the rich.

Philip M. Farrell
Jan 1, 2001; 107:1-13
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Cesar Gomes Victora
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Richard A. Ehrenkranz
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Richard A. Ehrenkranz
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Cynthia L. Ogden
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Former Vice President Joe Biden has approved a series of new hires that will significantly expand his campaign ahead of the general election fight with President Trump.

The reason young people fail to vote is not because they don't care about politics or policy, but because they don't know how to translate their ideals into action, a new book argues.

Somerset West stands out as one of the fastest growing property areas – commercial, residential and industrial - in the Western Cape, according to a new report on the state of the property sector in the Western Cape.

House prices in SA could increase on average by 2.3% this year, but a more pessimistic scenario could see them decline by 1.3%, according to analytics company Lightstone.

Mosbach, Germany :: New crewmembers participate in OM’s GO Conference in Mosbach, Germany before heading for the ship.

Apple reported a whopping $65 billion in revenue in Q3. The tech giant's growth is largely due to its Apple Watch and AirPods sales, along with recurring subscriptions from its ever-expanding portfolio of services.

Brazil’s mission training programme provides practical experience and cross-cultural knowledge for participants heading overseas.

Although cash should still be seen as a "trashy" asset class, investors do not have many other places to park their money, says an analyst.

The two funds are designed to spur job growth in Delaware Community and business leaders came together today to celebrate the success of a small business initiative which began in Wilmington a few years ago and to announce a complimentary effort that will support small businesses and job growth throughout Delaware. Facilitated by West End […]

NEWARK, DE – Up-and-coming Delaware small businesses will now have a potential new source of capital to help them expand. As part of National Small Business Week (May 5 to May 11), the Division of Small Business on Monday launched a competitive, matching grant program to assist Delaware entrepreneurs who want to grow their small […]

As tough taskmasters, challenges have a way of helping us expand the horizons of what we believe to be possible, and put our creativity to the best use while navigating around a tense situation.

Indian tea brands want a piece of this steaming hot business.

Analysts across the board have been certain about the heavy economic toll that the pandemic will take on the country.

Delaware One Stop is a convenient, centralized transactional platform created to help business owners work through the necessary steps to begin operation in Delaware.

Governor Jack Markell unveiled a balanced budget proposal that invests in jobs, education and the safety and well-being of our children. His budget keeps the focus on core commitments such as healthcare and public safety and ensures continued fiscal responsibility.

Delaware jockeys are continuing their support of a nutrition program to help improve jockey health and safety on the state’s racetracks with a recent donation.

More than 30 Delaware farmers have Christmas trees available for First State merrymakers this holiday season, with firs, spruces and pines in abundance – and easy to find and buy with the Delaware Fresh mobile app. The app and a related website, de.gov/christmastrees, feature locations, hours and other shopping information.

Delaware growers are the first on the East Coast able to take advantage of a new online tool that helps protect sensitive crops from pesticides that may drift due to wind or weather. Delaware is the newest participant in the DriftWatch program, which allows growers of certain crops or commercial beekeepers to alert pesticide applicators of sensitive areas before they spray.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Perdue Farms Chairman & CEO Jim Perdue, and DuPont Pioneer representatives celebrated a venture today that is increasing economic opportunity for Delaware farmers and creating healthier foods for consumers. In remarks at the Delaware Department of Agriculture's Education Building, officials and company executives shared the successes and plans for future growth of DuPont Pioneer's Plenish brand high-oleic soybean oil, a soy-based trans fat-free alternative for food companies and for foodservice operators.

More than 30 Delaware farmers have Christmas trees available for First State families this holiday season, with local firs, spruces and pines in abundance – and easy to find and buy with the Delaware Fresh mobile app and the Delaware Buy Local guide, de.gov/buylocal.

Farmers and agricultural professionals attending Delaware Ag Week 2015 can now get even more business advice and expertise, as the Delaware Department of Agriculture is expanding its popular direct marketing workshop to a full day.

Delaware fruit and vegetable growers can now receive financial support in obtaining a third party audit to verify they are following effective food safety practices. The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is extending its Food Safety Audit Cost-Share Program for growers to include any third party food safety audit, not just USDA Harmonized GAP audits.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that they are seeking applications for this year’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, with nearly $359,000 allocated to assist in increasing the competitiveness of Delaware-grown specialty crops. Applications will be accepted through April 22, 2019.