Rice leaves undergo a rapid metabolic reconfiguration during a specific stage of primordium development

Leaf development is crucial to establish the photosynthetic competency of plants. It is a process that requires coordinated changes in cell number, cell differentiation, transcriptomes, metabolomes and physiology. However, despite the importance of leaf formation for our major crops, early developmental processes for rice have not been comprehensively described. Here we detail the temporal developmental trajectory of early rice leaf development and connect morphological changes to metabolism. In particular, a developmental index based on the patterning of epidermal differentiation visualised by electron microscopy enabled high resolution staging of early growth for single primordium metabolite profiling. These data demonstrate that a switch in the constellation of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites defines a narrow window towards the end of the P3 stage of leaf development. Taken in the context of other data in the literature, our results substantiate that this phase of rice leaf growth, equivalent to a change of primordium length from around 5 to 7.5 mm, defines a major shift in rice leaf determination towards a photosynthetically defined structure. We speculate that efforts to engineer rice leaf structure should focus on the developmental window prior to these determining events.

Using the Newcomb–Benford law to study the association between a country’s COVID-19 reporting accuracy and its development

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred controversies related to whether countries manipulate reported data for political gains. We study the association between accuracy of reported COVID-19 data and developmental indicators. We use the Newcomb–Benford law (NBL) to gauge data accuracy. We run an OLS regression of an index constructed from developmental indicators (democracy level, gross domestic product per capita, healthcare expenditures, and universal healthcare coverage) on goodness-of-fit measures to the NBL. We find that countries with higher values of the developmental index are less likely to deviate from the Newcomb-Benford law. The relationship holds for the cumulative number of reported deaths and total cases but is more pronounced for the death toll. The findings are robust for second-digit tests and for a sub-sample of countries with regional data. The NBL provides a first screening for potential data manipulation during pandemics. Our study indicates that data from autocratic regimes and less developed countries should be treated with more caution. The paper further highlights the importance of independent surveillance data verification projects.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes after Congenital Heart Disease Surgery in Infancy: A 2-Year Serial Follow-Up

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the neurodevelopmental status of infant patients who underwent cardiac surgery in infancy and to investigate the factors affecting the neurodevelopmental status. Methods: This retrospective study included 108 patients who underwent cardiac surgery before the age of one. We used the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II to evaluate the neurodevelopmental status. All patients were analyzed according to the presence of the syndrome. Patients without the syndrome were analyzed according to the presence of brain lesions. Results: The mean mental developmental index (MDI) and the mean psychomotor developmental index (PDI) were 76.11 ± 20.17 and 65.95 ± 18.34, respectively, in the first evaluation, and 73.98 ± 22.53 and 69.48 ± 20.86, respectively, in the second evaluation. In the subgroup analysis, no significant difference was observed between the first evaluation and the second evaluation. Conclusions: No significant difference was observed in the degree of development of the patients in the two evaluation periods. Although the presence of syndrome, brain lesion, or gestational age affected the degree of developmental delay, more than half of the patients had developmental delay in the two evaluation periods in any of the subgroup. Therefore, the necessity of early screening and early rehabilitation intervention is emphasized.

Role of Natural Capital Economics for Sustainable Management of Earth Resources

Natural capital is the wealth of nations that determine their economic status. Worldwide, vulnerable people depend on natural capital for employment, salaries, wealth, and livelihoods and, in turn, this determines the developmental index of the nation to which they belong. In this short review, we have tried to sum up the ideas and discussions over natural capital’s role in ascribing economic status to countries as well as the need for natural resource management and sustainability. This paper aimed to discuss how humanity’s prosperity is intertwined with the services that ecosystems provide, and how poor natural resource management (NRM) has adversely affected human well-being. Our preselected criteria for the review paper led us to evaluate 96 peer-reviewed publications from the SCOPUS database, which is likely the most comprehensive archive of peer-reviewed scientific literature as well as WoS, PUBMED, and Google Scholar databases. Our review revealed that the availability of ecological services is crucial for clean water and air, food and fodder, and agricultural development. We further discussed important concepts regarding sustainability, natural capital and economics, and determinants of human well-being vis-à-vis the intergenerational security of natural wealth. To ensure current and future human well-being, we conclude that an in-depth understanding of the services that ecosystems provide is necessary for the holistic management of the Earth system.

Long-Term Outcome after Asphyxia and Therapeutic Hypothermia in Late Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study

Therapeutic hypothermia (THT) is the recommended treatment for neuroprotection in (near) term newborns that experience perinatal asphyxia with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The benefit of THT in preterm newborns is unknown. This pilot study aims to investigate long-term outcomes of late preterm asphyctic infants with and without THT compared to term infants. The single-center, retrospective analysis examined medical charts of infants with perinatal asphyxia born between 2008 and 2015. Long-term outcome was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development 2 at the age of (corrected) 24 months. Term (n = 31) and preterm (n = 8) infants with THT showed no differences regarding their long-term outcomes of psychomotor development (Psychomotor Developmental Index 101 ± 16 vs. 105 ± 11, p = 0.570), whereas preterm infants had a better mental outcome (Mental Developmental Index 105 ± 13 vs. 93 ± 18, p = 0.048). Preterm infants with and without (n = 69) THT showed a similar mental and psychomotor development (Mental Developmental Index 105 ± 13 vs. 96 ± 20, p = 0.527; Psychomotor Developmental Index 105 ± 11 vs. 105 ± 15, p = 0.927). The study highlights the importance of studying THT in asphyctic preterm infants. However, this study shows limitations and should not be used as a basis for decision-making in the clinical context. Results of a multicenter trial of THT for preterm infants (ID No.: CN-01540535) have to be awaited.

The role of early-onset-sepsis in the neurodevelopment of very low birth weight infants

Aims The study investigated a putative association between early-onset-sepsis (EOS) and poor neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years corrected age in very low birth weight infants. Methods This was a single-center cohort study on infants weighing less than 1500 g with a gestational age below 35 weeks at birth born between 2008 and 2011. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at follow-up with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. EOS was defined as either culture-proven EOS or clinical EOS using blood culture, CrP levels, and clinical symptoms and treatment. Neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) was defined as one or more of the following: Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and/or Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) scores lower than 70; presence of cerebral palsy. Results Of 405 eligible newborns in the study period 166 were included. Two had culture-proven and 29 clinical EOS. Median MDI scores in patients with EOS were 96 (IQR: 86–106) and in the control group 94 (84–106, p = 0.77). PDI scores in patients with EOS were 96 (86–106) and in the control group 99,5 (92–103, p = 0.03). Of infected patients 7/31 (24%) showed NDI as defined, whereas only 11/135 (8%) showed NDI in the control group (OR 3.3, p = 0.03). Multiple regression analyses identified chorioamnionitis and poor CRIB-Scores as individual risk factors for MDI or PDI values < 70. Conclusion In our study, EOS among VLBW-infants significantly impaired the neurodevelopment at 2 years corrected age. As shown in previous reports infection continues to be a problem and strategies for a reduction need further improvement.

Risk Factors of Growth Retardation and Developmental Deficits in Very Preterm Infants in a German Tertiary Neonatal Unit

Over the last two decades, improvements in perinatology have led to increased survival rates of preterm infants. A large number of studies and meta-analyses have investigated of preterm infants and/or the influence of developmental care. However, the combined influence of the most frequent risk factors and developmental care on the long-term somatic, motor, and cognitive outcome of preterm infants remains unclear. This retrospective, single-center cohort study includes 256 children treated in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Rostock, Germany, between 2008 and 2013. Follow-up examinations (somatic, psychomotor, and mental development) were performed at (corrected) 24 months using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II). Developmental care was carried out according to the legal framework and national guidelines (physiotherapy and/or early education). Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and an exclusive formula feeding showed a 2.8–4.6-fold higher risk (95% Confidence Interval: Mental Developmental Index 1.73–7.58; Psychomotor Developmental Index 1.44–14.54; body length 1.20–6.41) for developmental deficits (mental and psychomotor developmental index; body length). Developmental care after discharge according to national guidelines did not prevent this. Since this is a retrospective pilot study, no recommendations can be made based on this analysis. Therefore, future research should evaluate whether standard developmental care should be extended by tailored measures depending on individual risk factors.

Maternal methylmercury exposure through rice ingestion and child neurodevelopment in the first three years: a prospective cohort study in rural China

Background Rice is an important dietary source for methylmercury; however, rice does not contain the same beneficial nutrients as fish. Our main objective was to assess associations of prenatal methylmercury exposure through rice ingestion with child neurodevelopment in rural China. Methods Eligible peripartum women were enrolled (n = 391), provided peripartum hair samples, and children’s neurodevelopment was assessed at 12 months (n = 264, 68%) and 36 months (n = 190, 48%) using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd Edition, including the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and the Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI). Associations between prenatal methylmercury exposure during the third trimester [log2 maternal hair total mercury (THg)] and child’s neurodevelopment were assessed using linear mixed models for repeated measures. Results In adjusted models, a doubling in maternal hair THg corresponded to a 1.3-point decrement in the MDI score [95% confidence interval (CI): − 2.6, − 0.14], and a 1.2-point decrement in the PDI score (95% CI: − 2.6, 0.14). Overall, adverse associations between maternal hair THg and MDI scores attenuated over time. However, associations were robust and stable over time among children whose primary caregiver was their parent(s). During the study follow-up, an increasing proportion of children were raised by grandparents (12 months: 9% versus 36 months: 27%), a trend associated with rural-to-urban parental migration for work. Conclusions For young children living in rural China, a biomarker of prenatal methylmercury exposure was associated with decrements in cognitive function assessed between 12 and 36 months of age. Changes in the family structure over the study follow-up time interval potentially impacted children’s sensitivity to prenatal methylmercury exposure.

Neurodevelopment correlates with gut microbiota in a cross-sectional analysis of children at 3 years of age in rural China

We investigated cross-sectional associations between children’s neurodevelopment and their gut microbiota composition. Study children (36 months of age) lived in rural China (n = 46). Neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 2nd Edition, yielding the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI). Children's gut microbiota was assessed using 16S rRNA gene profiling. Microbial diversity was characterized using alpha diversity patterns. Additionally, 3 coabundance factors were determined for the 25 most abundant taxa. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to examine the relationships between Bayley scores (MDI and PDI) and children's gut microbiota. In adjusted models, MDI and PDI scores were not associated with alpha diversity indices. However, in adjusted models, MDI and PDI scores were positively associated with the first coabundance factor, which captured positive loadings for the genera Faecalibacterium, Sutterella, and Clostridium cluster XIVa. For an interquartile range increase in the first coabundance factor, MDI scores increased by 3.9 points [95% confidence interval (CI): 0, 7.7], while PDI scores increased by 8.6 points (95% CI 3.1, 14). Our results highlight the potential for gut microbial compositional characteristics to be important correlates of children's Bayley Scales performance at 36 months of age.

Economics of the Natural Capital and The Way Forward

Natural capital is the wealth of nations that give them the economic status they represent. Worldwide, vulnerable people depend on natural capital for employment, salaries, wealth, and livelihoods and, in turn, determine the developmental index of the nation to which they belong. The availability of ecological services is crucial for clean water and air, food and fodder, and agricultural development. In this short commentary, we have tried to sum up the ideas and discussions over natural capital's role in ascribing economic status to countries. We have discussed how the prosperity of humans is intertwined with the services ecosystems provide and how poor natural resource management (NRM) has adversely cost human well-being. The paper concludes that to ensure the current and future human well-being, an in-depth understanding of the services ecosystems provide, is essential.