Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated Detection of TMJ Osteoarthritis Based on Artificial Intelligence

The purpose of this study was to develop a diagnostic tool to automatically detect temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images with artificial intelligence. CBCT images of patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder were included for image preparation. Single-shot detection, an object detection model, was trained with 3,514 sagittal CBCT images of the temporomandibular joint that showed signs of osseous changes in the mandibular condyle. The region of interest (condylar head) was defined and classified into 2 categories—indeterminate for TMJOA and TMJOA—according to image analysis criteria for the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder. The model was tested with 2 sets of 300 images in total. The average accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score over the 2 test sets were 0.86, 0.85, 0.84, and 0.84, respectively. Automated detection of TMJOA from sagittal CBCT images is possible by using a deep neural networks model. It may be used to support clinicians with diagnosis and decision making for treatments of TMJOA.
EUS-through-the-needle microbiopsy forceps in pancreatic cystic lesions: A systematic review

Pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are being increasingly encountered in clinical practice, and sometimes, they can represent a diagnostic challenge. Recently, a through-the-needle micro forceps biopsy (MFB) device was introduced in the endosonography practice to facilitate EUS-guided sampling of PCLs. The aim was to perform a systematic review of studies evaluating the technical aspects, safety, and efficacy of the EUS-guided MFB for PCLs. A literature search was performed in three major databases, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in September 2019 using the search terms: “through-the-needle,” “biopsy forceps,” “microforceps,” “endoscopic ultrasound,” and “endosonography. ” Case reports and case series with <10 patients were excluded from the analysis. Altogether nine studies reporting on 463 patients were included in our systematic review. The mean age of the patients was 68.3 years, with a slight female predominance (60.9%). Most of the cysts were located in the body/tail of the pancreas (61.2%), with an overall mean size of 33 mm. The technical success of EUS-guided MFB was reported in 98.5%. The tissue acquisition yield reported was 88.2%, and the diagnostic accuracy was 68.6%. Adverse events were reported in 9.7%. EUS-guided MFB is technically feasible, safe, and has a high diagnostic accuracy for PCLs.
Functional and Genetic Analysis of Plant Transcription Factors Involved in the Plant Growth Under Various Environmental Conditions

Exogenous salt inhibits seedling development when applied after germination. We have identified several mutants that are hypersensitive to salt during seedling development. Three genes in GRAS family, SCARECROW (SCR), SHORT ROOT (SHR) and SCARECROW-LIKE 3 (SCL3) are involved in the salt-induced inhibition of seedling development. Transcription of the SCR and SHR genes is up-regulated by salt. There are differences in stress tolerance between genotypes or differences in stress tolerance at different developmental stages of a single genotype. This study also demonstrated the interaction among GRAS family genes (SCR, SHR and SCL3) and components (SOS1, SOS2 and SOS3) in SOS signaling pathway. The result indicated that SCR and SHR may play important roles in the salt-induced inhibition of seedling development via regulating transcription levels of SOS1, 2 and 3 in SOS signaling pathway.
Management of Alternaria Blight of Linseed

A disease of linseed, characterized by blighting of all or some of the aerial plant parts with Alternaria lini as a predominant pathogen of vegetative parts and A. linicola of reproductive parts, were of common occurrence in mid-eastern India. Highest intensity was recorded in 15 October sown crop followed by gradually declining disease intensity in later sown crops. Highest seed yield was obtained in 5 November sown crop followed by 25 October and 15 November sown ones. Out of200 genotypes tested, 6, namely, Accession No. 2921, Ayogi, BAD 610A, EC 44, EC 544 and ES 44 expressed consistent resistance to the disease. Iprodione 50 WP (0.2%) spray resulted in lowest foliar blight intensity of 22.4% and bud damage of 22.7% alongwith highest test weight of 6.5 g and seed yield of 1435 kg ha−1. It was closely followed by mancozeb 75 WP (0.25%) spray having a foliar blight intensity of 29.1%, bud damage of 24.4%, test weight of 6.1 g and seed yield of 1233.3 kg ha−1. Iprodione gave the highest net return of Rs. 6932.9 ha−1. Mancozeb with the most favourable cost-benefit ratio of 1:3.1, proved most economical.
Experimental Models in Neovascular Age Related Macular Degeneration

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (vAMD), characterized by the neo-vascularization of the retro-foveolar choroid, leads to blindness within few years. This disease depends on angiogenesis mediated by the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) and to inflammation. The only available treatments consist of monthly intravitreal injections of antibodies directed against VEGF or VEGF/VEGFB/PlGF decoy receptors. Despite their relative efficacy, these drugs only delay progression to blindness and 30% of the patients are insensitive to these treatments. Hence, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Experimental models of vAMD are essential to screen different innovative therapeutics. The currently used in vitro and in vivo models in ophthalmic translational research and their relevance are discussed in this review.
Reproductive fitness and pathogenicity of selected Radopholus populations on two banana cultivars

Ten populations of Radopholus similis from various locations and one population of Radopholus sp. from Indonesia were tested for their reproductive fitness and specific pathogenicity on Musa AAA, Cavendish cv. Poyo under controlled experimental conditions in a constant environment chamber. In addition, five of these populations were tested on Musa AAA, Ibota cv. Yangambi. Reproductive fitness of the populations tested on the two cultivars, measured as the ratio of the final number of nematodes per root system (P f ) to the number of nematodes inoculated (P i ), differed significantly. Greatest fitness was observed among R. similis populations collected from banana in different African countries (Cameroon, Uganda and the Ivory Coast) and one population from arecanut in Sri Lanka. In contrast, a population from tea in Sri Lanka and the population of Radopholus sp. from turmeric in Indonesia were the least fit. Specific pathogenicity was estimated at 8 weeks and 12 weeks after inoculation using three plant growth parameters: fresh root weight, fresh shoot weight and plant height, compared to uninfected control plants. Reduction in plant root weight was the best indicator of pathogenicity. While the R. similis populations from Uganda and the Ivory Coast were highly pathogenic, other populations with great reproductive fitness (i.e. isolates from Cameroon and Sri Lanka) did not significantly reduce root weight. In cv. Poyo, no linear correlation was found between final numbers of nematodes per gram of root (P f ) and the decrease of root weight.
Arachis hoehnei, the Probable B Genome Donor of Arachis hypogaea Based on Crossability, Cytogenetical and Molecular Studies

Cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is made up of two genomes, A and B. It is presumed that polyploidization event between diploid A and B genome species gave rise to cultivated tetraploid groundnut some 3500 years ago (Singh and Simpson 1994). There is no ambiguity regarding A. duranensis as the A genome donor of A. hypogaea (Gregory and Gregory 1979, Singh 1988, Kochert et al. 1991, Paik-Ro et al. 1992, Stalker 1992). Different species from the B genome pool have been proposed as the B genome donor. According to Singh (1998), A. batizocoi is the B genome donor. Based on RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) studies, Kochert et al. (1991) have suggested A. ipaensis as the B genome donor. According to Paik-Ro et al. (1992), A. batizocoi is not closely related to A. hypogaea and hence cannot be the B genome donor. Karyotype studies of Fernandez and Krapovickas (1994) support A. duranensis and A. ipaensis as the A and B genome donors of A. hypogaea.
Identification of palearctic coregonid fish species using mtDNA and allozyme genetic markers

Two types of molecular genetic markers were used for genetic identification of species and local stocks of palearctic coregonids (Coregonidae, Salmonifonnes, Teleostei). Seven nominate species of whitefishes and ciscoes Coregonus spp. of Eurasia Arctic Sea basin and inconnu Stenodus leucichthys nelma represented by specimens from North America were studied. Using restriction analysis Of PCR-amplified products of the ND-1 gene of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and allelic composition at several allozyme loci discrimination was successful between C. lavaretus pidschian Siberian whitefish, C nasus broad whitefish, C. autumnalis Arctic cisco, C. migratorius Baikal omul, C. peled peled, and C. sardinella least cisco. Muksun C. muksun was indistinguishable from Siberian whitefish. Creatine kinase (CK) isozyme patterns and Rsa I restriction patterns of ND-1 were the most effective markers allowing discrimination among species. Intra-specific differentiation in mtDNA was found in all species but was much less pronounced than inter-species variation. In several specimens composite haplotypes typical of another species were found that reflect probable gene introgression by hybridization. A combination of mtDNA and nuclear genetic markers is suggested for reliable identification of both typical species representatives and hybrids.
The productive and optical status of the oligotrophic waters of the Southern Aegean Sea (Cretan Sea), Eastern Mediterranean

Primary production, pigment concentrations and spectral measurements of downwelling irradiance were made at four stations in four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) during 1994 in the waters of the South Aegean Sea (Cretan Sea), Eastern Mediterranean. Rates of production were determined using in situ incubation techniques and included measurements at the surface micro- layer. Depth-integrated values averaged over season were 5.66 mg C nr2 h~' for primary production and the corresponding chlorophyll (Chi) a and phaeophytin (Phaeo) a values had means of 4.87 and 1.21 mg nr\ respectively. The assimilation ratio remained very low (mean over season: 1.19 mg C mg"1 Chi a h~'), as did the Phaeo a/Chl a ratio (mean over season: 0.24). The annual production for the area was estimated to yield 24.79 g C nr2 year"1. Primary production and Chi a estimates showed statistically significant seasonal, spatial and depth variations. The spectral values of the attenuation coefficient K6 (X) at 480 nm in the water column 0-50 m varied seasonally with higher values in spring (average 0.043 nr1) and winter (average 0.056 nr1). and lower values in summer (average 0.035 nr1) and autumn (average 0.026 nr1). The overall mean of this coefficient was 0.040 nr1, thus classifying the waters of the South Aegean Sea as Jerlov's Optical Type I. The results of the present investigation based on the productivity and light attenuation data demonstrate clearly that the South Aegean can be considered as one of the most oligotrophic areas of the Mediterranean Sea.
Pimasertib Versus Dacarbazine in Patients With Unresectable NRAS-Mutated Cutaneous Melanoma: Phase II, Randomized, Controlled Trial with Crossover

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of pimasertib (MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor) versus dacarbazine (DTIC) in patients with untreated NRAS-mutated melanoma. Phase II, multicenter, open-label trial. Patients with unresectable, stage IIIc/IVM1 NRAS-mutated cutaneous melanoma were randomized 2:1 to pimasertib (60 mg; oral twice-daily) or DTIC (1000 mg/m2; intravenously) on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. Patients progressing on DTIC could crossover to pimasertib. Primary endpoint: investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints: overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), quality of life (QoL), and safety. Overall, 194 patients were randomized (pimasertib n = 130, DTIC n = 64), and 191 received treatment (pimasertib n = 130, DTIC n = 61). PFS was significantly improved with pimasertib versus DTIC (median 13 versus 7 weeks, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.83; p = 0.0022). ORR was improved with pimasertib (odds ratio 2.24, 95% CI 1.00–4.98; p = 0.0453). OS was similar between treatments (median 9 versus 11 months, respectively; HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.61–1.30); 64% of patients receiving DTIC crossed over to pimasertib. Serious adverse events (AEs) were more frequent for pimasertib (57%) than DTIC (20%). The most common treatment-emergent AEs were diarrhea (82%) and blood creatine phosphokinase (CPK) increase (68%) for pimasertib, and nausea (41%) and fatigue (38%) for DTIC. Most frequent grade ≥3 AEs were CPK increase (34%) for pimasertib and neutropenia (15%) for DTIC. Mean QoL scores (baseline and last assessment) were similar between treatments. Pimasertib has activity in NRAS-mutated cutaneous melanoma and a safety profile consistent with known toxicities of MEK inhibitors. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01693068.
High Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Older Trauma Patients: A Pilot Study

Sarcopenia is related to adverse outcomes in various populations. However, little is known about the prevalence of sarcopenia in polytrauma patients. Identifying the number of patients at risk of adverse outcome will increase awareness to prevent further loss of muscle mass. We utilized data from a regional prospective trauma registry of all polytrauma patients presented between 2015 and 2019 at a single level-I trauma center. Subjects were screened for availability of computed tomography (CT)-abdomen and height in order to calculate skeletal mass index, which was used to estimate sarcopenia. Additional parameters regarding clinical outcome were assessed. Univariate analysis was performed to identify parameters related adverse outcome and, if identified, entered in a multivariate regression analysis. Prevalence of sarcopenia was 33.5% in the total population but was even higher in older age groups (range 60–79 years), reaching 82 % in patients over 80 years old. Sarcopenia was related to 30-day or in-hospital mortality (p = 0.032), as well as age (p < 0.0001), injury severity score (p = 0.026), and Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.001). Log rank analysis identified sarcopenia as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (p = 0.032). In conclusion, we observed a high prevalence of sarcopenia among polytrauma patients, further increasing in older patients. In addition, sarcopenia was identified as a predictor for 30-day mortality, underlining the clinical significance of identification of low muscle mass on a CT scan that is already routinely obtained in most trauma patients.
The impact of telemental health use on healthcare costs among commercially insured adults with mental health conditions

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of telemental health (TMH) use on total healthcare costs and mental health (MH)-related costs paid by a third party among adults with mental health conditions (MHC). Method This study employed a pre-post design with a non-equivalent control group. The cohort comprised adults with MHCs identified using diagnosis codes from de-identified claims data of the Optum Clinformatics DataMart (2010 January 01 to 2017 June 30). We identified mental health (MH) service users and TMH users (N = 348) based on procedure codes. Non-users (N = 238,595) were defined as those who only used in-person MH services. A Difference-in-Differences (DID) analysis was performed within a multivariable two-part model (TPM) framework to examine the impact of TMH use on adjusted standardized costs (2018 US $) of all healthcare services and MH services. Patient-level and state-level factors were adjusted in TPM. Results TMH use was associated with significantly higher MH-related costs [Marginal effect = $461.3, 95% confidence interval: $142.4–$780.2] and an excess of $370 increase in MH-related costs at follow-up as compared to baseline. However, TMH use was not associated with an increase in total third-party healthcare costs nor with changes in total costs from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions Despite having a higher likelihood of MH services use and MH-related costs, TMH users did not have higher total costs as compared to adults using only in-person MH services. Our findings suggest that TMH can increase access to MH care without increasing total healthcare costs among adults with MHC. Future studies exploring whether TMH use can lead to cost-savings over a longer period are warranted.
National and regional comparisons between Strahler order and stream size

Abstract Water-body size is one of the most important factors affecting the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. The categorical variable, Strahler stream order, is commonly used as a surrogate for stream size, perhaps because stream size is a multidimensional attribute that defies simple definition. Some stream-size attributes, including continuous variables, such as catchment area, distance to source, and model estimates of discharge also are available as geographic information system (GIS)-derived or modeled variables. These GIS measures are commonly used by stream ecologists along with field-derived attributes, such as discharge, stream cross-sectional area, width, and depth, which are more direct measures of stream size as experienced by aquatic organisms. Our objective was to quantify how well some commonly used stream-size attributes are predicted from Strahler order in the US as a whole and within major ecoregions and hydrologic landscape regions. We based our analysis on field-channel-survey and digital-stream-trace data (NHD-Plus) from 2162 US stream sites, ranging from 1st to 8th order (at 1∶100,000 scale). Strahler order provided a surprisingly useful approximation of the ranges of catchment size, distance to source, modeled mean annual discharge, and field-based low-flow and bankfull channel dimensions for most streams within a given Strahler order. However, even within geoclimatically and ecologically similar regions, site-specific predictions of stream size from Strahler order can have large errors. Correlations between Strahler order and the size measures considered here varied widely (r = 0.48–0.91). Within individual Strahler orders, the alternative size measures varied by 5 and 4 orders of magnitude at national and regional scales, respectively. The same size-measure value could occur in 1 to 7 different stream orders at the national scale and in some regions, with generally good agreement in mountains and poor agreement in plains. Therefore, we conclude that Strahler order is useful for relating information about stream size, but that researchers should base analyses on multiple, continuous measures of stream size and should communicate stream-size results or associations based on the size-related measurements. Two characteristics of Strahler order make it useful for selecting sites across the range of stream sizes encountered in regional and national surveys, as long as limitations are explicitly recognized. First, the number of Strahler orders is limited. Second, Strahler order is easy to extract from stream networks constructed from digital elevation data and from national hydrographic data sets.
High Incidence of Barotrauma in Patients with COVID-19 Infection on Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Background We observed a high number of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had barotrauma related to invasive mechanical ventilation at our institution. Purpose To determine if the rate of barotrauma in patients with COVID-19 infection was greater than other patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation at our institution. Methods In this retrospective study, clinical and imaging data of patients seen between 03/01/2020 and 04/06/2020 who tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced barotrauma associated with invasive mechanical ventilation were compared to patients without COVID-19 infection during the same period. Historical comparison was made to barotrauma rates of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from 02/01/2016 to 02/01/2020 at our institution. Comparison of patient groups was performed using categorical or continuous statistical testing as appropriate with multivariable regression analysis. Patient survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves analysis. Results 601 patients with COVID-19 infection underwent invasive mechanical ventilation (63 ± 15 years, 71% men). There were 89/601 (15%) patients with one or more barotrauma events, for a total of 145 barotrauma events (24% overall events) (95% CI 21-28%). During the same period, 196 patients without COVID-19 infection (64 ± 19 years, 52% male) with invasive mechanical ventilation had 1 barotrauma event (.5% 95% CI, 0-3%, p<.001 vs. the group with COVID-19 infection). Of 285 patients with ARDS over the prior 4 years on invasive mechanical ventilation (68 ± 17 years, 60% men), 28 patients (10%) had 31 barotrauma events, with overall barotrauma rate of 11% (95% CI 8-15%, p<.001 vs. the group with COVID-19 infection). Barotrauma is an independent risk factor for death in COVID-19 (OR=2.2, p=.03), and is associated with longer hospital length of stay (OR=.92, p<.001). Conclusion Patients with COVID-19 infection and invasive mechanical ventilation had a higher rate of barotrauma than patients with ARDS and patients without COVID-19 infection.
High parenteral support volume is associated with reduced quality of life determined by the Short Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life scale™ in non-malignant intestinal failure patients.

OBJECTIVE The aim was to investigate the association between quality of life (QoL), bowel-anatomy and the need for home parenteral support (HPS) volume in non-malignant short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients with intestinal failure (IF). DESIGN The SBS-QoL™ scale was used in a cross-sectional study of 95 non-malignant SBS-IF patients. Sum QoL scores (0 best, 170 worst) were calculated. Patients were defined as having a small-bowel ≤ 200 cm, and patients with jejuno- or ileostomy were sub-classified based on functional small-bowel length (cm) into the four anatomy subgroups 1a-1d (0-49; 50-99; 100-149; 150-200 cm, respectively). Multiple linear regression analyses explored associations between QoL, patient groups and HPS volume adjusting for age, sex, BMI and education. RESULTS Complete data were obtained from 60 patients. HPS volume was associated with a worse SBS-QoL score (L/day, β = 7.91; SE = 3.90, p = 0.048), but male sex with improvement (β = -26.28; SE = 11.06, p = 0.021). No differences in sum QoL were seen between the benign SBS-IF subgroups; 1a-d (p = 0.210). The multivariate regression analyses showed that in patients with a small bowel stoma, a small-bowel length of less than 50 cm was associated with a significantly worse/higher SBS-QoL score compared with the lengths of 50 cm or more. CONCLUSION In patients with benign SBS-IF high HPS volume was associated with poor QoL. Also, jejuno- or ileostomy with small-bowel length <50 cm was associated with impaired QoL. These findings support rehabilitation strategies that reduce fecal losses and decrease HPS needs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.