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Background Data on how baseline characteristics, acuity, morbidity, and nutrition work in combination to affect the growth of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants are limited. Objective We aimed to determine factors associated with in-hospital weight, length, and head circumference (HC) trajectories of VLBW infants. Methods VLBW infants (n = 316) from the GTA-DoMINO trial were included. Linear mixed-effects models assessed relations of baseline characteristics, acuity (at birth, across hospitalization), major morbidities, and nutrition (enteral feeding type, macronutrient/energy intakes) with changes in anthropometrics over hospitalization (days 1–8, 9–29, 30–75). Results Specific factors and the strength of their associations with growth depended on in-hospital time interval. Small-for-gestational-age infants experienced weight gain (4.3   g · kg−1 · d−1; 95% CI: 2.0, 6.5   g · kg−1 · d−1) during days 1–8, versus weight loss (−4.6     g · kg−1 · d−1; 95% CI: −5.6, −3.7     g · kg−1 · d−1) among appropriate-for-gestational-age infants (P < 0.001). Positive-pressure ventilation (versus oxygen/room air) was associated with slower weight (−1.8    g · kg−1 · d−1) and HC (−0.25 cm/wk) gain during days 9–29 (P < 0.001). Morbidities were negatively associated with growth after days 1–8, with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) showing negative associations with weight (−2.7     g · kg−1 · d−1), length (−0.11 cm/wk), and HC (−0.21 cm/wk) gain during days 9–29 (P < 0.001). Macronutrient/energy intakes were associated with weight across hospitalization (P ≤ 0.01), with greater weight gain (1.3–3.0 g  ·  kg−1  ·  d−1) among infants achieving macronutrient/energy recommendations during days 9–29 and 30–75. Macronutrient/energy intakes were associated with HC during the first month (P = 0.013–0.003), with greater HC gain (0.07–0.12 cm/wk) among infants achieving protein, lipid, and energy recommendations during days 9–29. Conclusions Baseline characteristics, acuity, morbidity, and nutrition factors were independently associated with VLBW infant growth. A focus on achieving macronutrient/energy recommendations and improving nutrient delivery to PDA-diagnosed infants may yield improvements to their growth. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN35317141.

Rock-shelter paintings of Bhimbetka world-heritage site near Bhopal, India have been investigated using a portable Raman spectrometer. These paintings in the rock shelters belong to periods starting from pre-historic to the 19th century AD (Gond period). In addition, tiny fragments of pigments (100-200 mm in size) extracted from some of the artworks were also studied in laboratory using a micro-Raman spectrometer and analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis for elemental composition. Based on the Raman spectra and the elemental analysis mineral-based pigments such as calcite, gypsum, hematite, whewellite, and goethite could be identified. A comparison of the spectra recorded on-site using a light-weight portable spectrometer with those using laboratory equipment is also made and discussed.

The aim of this study was to determine the aerobic contribution to upper body and lower body Wingate Anaerobic tests (WAnT). Eight nonspecifically trained males volunteered to take part in this study. Participants undertook incremental exercise tests for peak oxygen uptake and two 30-s WAnT (habituation and experimental) for both the upper and lower body. The resistive loadings used were 0.040 and 0.075 kg·kg body mass(-1), respectively. Peak power output (PPO) and mean power output (MPO) were calculated for each WAnT. The aerobic contribution of each WAnT was assessed using breath by breath expired gas analysis. Peak oxygen uptake was lower for the upper body when compared with the lower body (P = 0.001). Similarly, PPO and MPO were greater for the lower body (both P < 0.001). Absolute oxygen uptake during the upper body WAnT was lower than for the lower body (P = 0.013), whereas relative oxygen uptake (% peak oxygen uptake) was similar (P = 0.997). The mean aerobic contribution for the upper body WAnT (43.5% ± 29.3%) was greater than for the lower body (29.4% ± 15.8%; P < 0.001). The greater aerobic contribution to the WAnT observed for the upper body in comparison with the lower body is likely due to methodological differences in upper and lower body WAnT protocols and potentially differences in anaerobic power production and exercise efficiency. The results of this study suggest that differences may exist for the aerobic contribution of upper and lower body Wingate anaerobic tests.

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