Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Craniofacial Dysmorphology in Unilateral Coronal Synostosis Using Three-Dimensional Landmark-Based Analysis With Generalized Procrustes Superimposition

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Background: Geometric morphometric analysis with Procrustes superimposition is an advanced computational tool that can be used to quantify dynamic changes in complex three-dimensional structures. The present study couples high resolution CT imaging with a Geometric Morphometric approach in order to further understand the complex dysmorphology that occurs in unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS). Methods: Forty-one UCS patients and 41 age- and sex-matched controls received high-resolution CT imaging. Thirty-one anatomical landmarks were identified on each imaging set. A geometric morphometric workflow was used to perform a Procrustes superimposition to register landmarks into a common space. Procrustes-aligned landmarks were used to derive angle calculations, lengths, and other anatomical measurements. Three-dimensional coordinates were also used to perform a principal components analysis (PCA). Results: Unilateral coronal synostosis patients exhibited significant angular deviation at the levels of the inferior skull base, mid-posterior fossa, and vertex. Both left- and right-sided UCS patients showed increased lengthening in the transverse (left-right) dimension, exhibiting increased length between the left and right EAC (P = 0.047). Conversely, UCS patients revealed shortening in the midline AP dimension as evidenced by the decreased Nasal root-Lambda (P < 0.0001) and Nasal root-superior dorsum sellae (P = 0.01) distances compared with controls. PCA revealed that 25.26% of variation in shape among the patients sampled to be driven by flattening of the skull and that18.93% of variation was driven by right-sided deformity and mediolateral expansion. Conclusions: Significant dysmorphology between UCS patients and controls was quantified using Geometric Morphometric approach, which may be useful in further characterizing the dynamic craniofacial changes in UCS.
Bronchiectasis severity assessment on predicting hospital readmission: a single-center prospective cohort study

To the Editor: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disorder characterized by recurrent cough, sputum production, and respiratory infections. Management of bronchiectasis has got an increased emphasis in recent years. Patients with bronchiectasis should undergo routine monitoring in order to identify disease progression and modify treatment when necessary. In recent years, three composite disease-specific systems have been developed, which are verified for evaluating bronchiectasis severity and predicting prognosis: bronchiectasis severity index (BSI), FACED (F: forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted [FEV1%pred], A: age, C: presence of chronic colonisation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E: radiological extension[number of pulmonary lobes affected], D: dyspnoea) and FACED plus exacerbations in the previous year (E-FACED). All three scoring systems classify patients into low, moderate, and high risk groups by different thresholds, respectively. Study shows that BSI can better predict mortality, exacerbations, quality of life, respiratory symptoms, 6-min walk distance, and lung function decline in bronchiectasis. Updated in 2019, British Thoracic Society (BTS) guideline for bronchiectasis in adults emphasizes that the use of BSI and FACED scoring systems has increased ability to predict future morality in patients with bronchiectasis, as well as assisting in guiding the disease management. However, literature about these systems in predicting hospital readmission in patients with bronchiectasis is still limited. This study evaluated the prediction ability of BSI, FACED, and E-FACED on assessing the readmission risk of bronchiectasis patients, as well as making comparison of the prediction ability among the three systems.
Mild Cognitive Impairment in Retired Professional Football Players With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Investigation

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a known risk factor for neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer disease (AD); however, the potential risk of mild cases of TBI, such as concussions, remains unclear. Objective: To explore whether a small sample of retired professional athletes with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)—the prodromal stage of AD—and a history of multiple mild TBIs exhibit greater neuropsychological impairment than age-matched nonathletes with MCI and no history of TBI. Method: Ten retired National Football League players diagnosed with MCI and reporting multiple mild TBIs, and 10 nonathletes, also diagnosed with MCI but with no history of TBI, completed a standard neurologic examination and neuropsychological testing. Independent samples t tests were conducted to examine differences in neuropsychological performance between the two groups. Results: The retired athletes with a history of mild TBI obtained generally similar scores to the nonathlete controls on measures of verbal learning and memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed. However, the retired athletes scored lower than the controls on tests of confrontation naming and speeded visual attention. Conclusion: Retired athletes with MCI and a history of mild TBI demonstrated similar neuropsychological profiles as nonathlete controls despite lower scores on measures of confrontation naming and speeded visual attention. These findings suggest that a history of multiple mild TBIs does not significantly alter the overall neuropsychological profile of individuals with MCI; confirmation of this will require longitudinal research with larger sample sizes.
Percutaneous and Open Tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: The aim of this study was to report the safety, efficacy, and early results of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 and determine whether differences exist between percutaneous and open methods. Summary Background Data: Prolonged respiratory failure is common in symptomatic patients with COVID-19, the disease process caused by infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Tracheostomy, although posing potential risk to the operative team and other healthcare workers, may be beneficial for safe weaning of sedation and ventilator support. However, short- and long-term outcomes remain largely unknown. Methods: A prospectively collected database of patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheostomy at a major medical center in New York City between April 4 and April 30, 2020 was reviewed. The primary endpoint was need for continued mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, sedation weaning, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) level of care. Patient characteristics, perioperative conditions, and outcomes between percutaneous and open groups were analyzed. Results: During the study period, 67 consecutive patients underwent tracheostomy, including 48 males and 19 females with a median age of 66 years [interquartile range (IQR) 52–72]. Two surgeons alternated techniques, with 35 tracheostomies performed percutaneously and 32 via an open approach. The median time from intubation to tracheostomy was 23 days (IQR 20–26). At a median follow-up of 26 days, 52 patients (78%) no longer required mechanical ventilation and 58 patients (87%) were off continuous sedation. Five patients (7.5%) died of systemic causes. There were 11 total complications (16%) in 10 patients, most of which involved minor bleeding. There were no significant differences in outcomes between percutaneous and open methods. Conclusions: Tracheostomy under apneic conditions by either percutaneous or open technique can be safely performed in patients with respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Tracheostomy facilitated weaning from continuous intravenous sedation and mechanical ventilation. Continued follow-up of these patients to ascertain long-term outcome data is ongoing.
Mycoflora, Proteolytic Potential and Quality Implication of Dried Crayfish at Uyo Urban Market, Uyo Nigeria.

Smoke dried crayfish sold by heaping open in an urban market in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria was procured and taken to microbiology laboratory for selected microbial quality tests. Total bacterial count ranged from 4.2 x 10 2 to 4.4 x 10 2 cfu/g. Coliform count ranged from 2.0x10 2 to 2.8 x 10 2 cfu/g. Other organisms Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus polymyxra , Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium chrysogenum exhibited relatively higher proteolytic potential. The study revealed that smoke drying which is expected to preserve crayfish at post harvest, may not be effective in controlling proteolysis elaborated by these organisms under the existing handling method. Awareness on better post harvest handling of smoke dried crayfish among the rural retail traders in the markets for quality and safety is advocated. Key Words : Smoke-dried crayfish, microflora, proteolytic – potential.
Study on soil erosion and deposition of black soils on a sloping cultivated land using ~(137)Cs tracer method

Measuring the ~ ~137 Cs reference inventory in study area accurately and establishing quantitative models for converting ~~ ~137 Cs measurements to estimates of soil redistribution rates are two key questions. The spatial variation of erosion and deposition of Black Soils on a sloping cropland in Northeast China was studied using ~ ~137 Cs tracer technique. In filed, three transects perpendicular to the contour were set and five slope units for each transect were located, including a summit, shoulder-slope, back-slope, foot-slope and toe-slope, respectively. Field measurements and model simulating were used to estimate Bomb-derived ~ ~137 Cs reference inventory in study area. The rates of soil erosion and deposition were estimated using the mass balance model incorporating soil movement by tillage. In order to compare the sensitive of parameters, we discussed the relationships between percentage loss in ~ ~137 Cs inventory and erosion rate by the mass balance model for different values of various parameters. The results showed that: (1) the surveying value (2376.81±108.46Bq/m2) was very close to the predicted one(2318.4 Bq/m2) by the model for estimating bomb-derived ~ ~137 cs reference inventories; For the areas far away from nuclear proving ground of the Northwest China, the predicted conclusions were more reasonable. (2) The ~ ~137 Cs inventories in shoulder-slope and back-slope were the lowest among five geomorphic positions and soil suffer erosion seriously with the rate of erosion of 33.56t/(hm2·a) and 21.67t/(hm2·a); Foot-slope and toe-slope behaved soil deposition obviously and the rate of deposition were-4.93t/(hm2·a) and-24.61t/(hm2·a), respectively. (3) The model predicted erosion rates were positively related to both the plow depth d and relaxation depth H, but inversely related to both γ and the particle size correction factor P. moreover, the model was more sensitive to d and p than to H and γ.
Stability analysis for yield and its attributing traits in advanced genotypes of pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

The present investigation was carried out during kharif 2012 at the Agricultural Research Station, Gulbarga and other four locations located in north eastern dry zone (Zone 2) of Karnataka, to know the stability of the nineteen advanced genotypes of pigeonpea. Highly significant differences among genotypes were observed for all the characters except number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant. The variance due to Genotype x Environment found significant for the characters like days to 80% pod maturity and number of seeds per pod. Environment (linear) interaction component was significant for all the traits. The variance due to pooled deviation (non- linear) was highly significant for all the characters except for number of seeds per pod which reflect considerable genetic diversity in the material. Out of 19 genotypes studied two entries viz., GRG-109 and GRG-107 were consistent and high yielding compared to local checks.
The association between COVID-19 and preterm delivery: A cohort study with a multivariate analysis

Structured abstract Objective: To determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2, the cause of COVID 19 disease) exposure in pregnancy, compared to non exposure, is associated with infection related obstetric morbidity. Design and setting: Throughout Spain, 45 hospitals took part in the universal screening of pregnant women going into labour using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for COVID 19 since late March 2020. Methods: The cohort of exposed and unexposed pregnancies was followed up until 6 weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for known confounding variables, determined the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the association of COVID 19 exposure, compared to non exposure, with infection related obstetric outcomes. Main outcome measures: Preterm delivery (primary), premature rupture of membranes and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Results: In the cohort of 1,009 screened pregnancies, 246 were COVID 19 positive. Compared to non exposure, COVID 19 exposure increased the odds of preterm birth (34 vs 51, 13.8% vs 6.7%, aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32 3.36, p=0.002), premature rupture of membranes at term (39 vs 75, % vs 9.8%, aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.11 2.57, p=0.013) and neonatal intensive care unit admissions (23 vs 18, 9.3% vs 2.4%, aOR 4.62, 95% CI 2.43 8.94, p<0.001). Conclusion: This first prospective cohort study demonstrated that pregnant women infected with SARS CoV 2 have more infection related obstetric morbidity. This hypothesis merits evaluation of a causal association in further research.
Sleep quality in the chronic stage of concussion is associated with poorer recovery: A systematic review

Background Recovery from a concussion varies based on a multitude of factors. One such factor is sleep disturbances. In our prior review, it was observed that in the acute phase, sleep disturbances are predictive of poor outcomes following a concussion. The literature gap remains on how sleep in the chronic phase of recovery affects outcomes. Objective To examine the association between sleep quality during the chronic stage of concussion and post-concussion outcomes. Literature Survey: Literature searches were performed during 1 July to 1 August 2019 in selected databases along with searching grey literature. Out of the 733 results, 702 references were reviewed after duplicate removal. Methods Three reviewers independently reviewed and consented on abstracts meeting eligibility criteria (n = 35). The full-text articles were assessed independently by two reviewers. Consensus was achieved, leaving four articles. Relevant data from each study was extracted using a standard data-extraction table. Quality appraisal was conducted to assess potential bias and the quality of articles. Results One study included children (18–60 months) and three studies included adolescents and/or adults (ranging 12–35 years). The association between sleep and cognition (two studies), physical activity (one study), and emotion symptoms (one study) was examined. Sleep quality was associated with decreased cognition and emotional symptoms, but not with meeting physical activity guidelines six months post-concussion injury. Conclusions The heterogeneity in age of participants and outcomes across studies and limited number of included studies made interpretations difficult. Future studies may consider if addressing sleep quality following concussion will improve outcomes.
COVID-19 superspreading in cities versus the countryside

So far, the COVID-19 pandemic has been characterised by an initial rapid rise in new cases followed by a peak and a more erratic behaviour that varies between regions. This is not easy to reproduce with traditional SIR models, which predict a more symmetric epidemic. Here, we argue that superspreaders and population heterogeneity are the core factors explaining this discrepancy. We do so through an agent-based lattice model of a disease spreading in a heterogeneous population.We predict that an epidemic driven by superspreaders will spread rapidly in cities, but not in the countryside where the sparse population limits the maximal number of secondary infections. This suggests that mitigation strategies should include restrictions on venues where people meet a largenumber of strangers. Furthermore, mitigating the epidemic in cities and in the countryside may require different levels of restrictions.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF ICHNOCARPUS FRUTESCENS

Summary Leaves and roots of Ichnocarpus frutescens is considered to be an important drug in the indigenous system of medicine, used as a substitute of Indian Sarsaparilla. In the present study the anti-inflammatory activity of total hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of leaves of Ichnocarpus frutescens were investigated in various in vivo (carrageenan, dextran induced paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma assay) and in vitro (inhibition of protein denaturation and protease activity) anti-inflammatory models. The amounts of polyphenolic compounds were also determined. HAE was analyzed and compared with reference antioxidants (-tocopherol and BHT) for its in vitro antioxidative properties such as scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals, as well as inhibition of lipid peroxidation. HAE showed dose dependent antiinflammatory activity with maximum of 33.10 %, 30.13 % and 39.85 % in carrageenan, dextran induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma in rats, at a dose of 300 mg / kg body weight and the effect was comparable to the reference standard drug. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of HAE was examined on the basis of inhibition of albumin denaturation and protease activity. Different concentrations of HAE (50 – 250 µg/ml) also showed ability to inhibit protease activity and denaturation of proteins. Hydroethanolic extract was found to be significantly effective in scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl ( IC50 194.06 µg/ml) and hydroxyl radical (163.13 µg/ml). The antioxidant activities of HAE increase with increase amount of extracts (50250µg/ml). HAE showed different levels of inhibitory activities in various in vitro antiinflammatory and antioxidant models, thereby supporting its anti-inflammatory activity. It is concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens may prove to be useful antiinflammatory product in future.
Antagonistic effects of Trichoderma viride against anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum capsici

In spite of several studies on the antifungal effect of the biocontrol agents, Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride were reported to be effective in controlling the anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum capsici (6). ·· There is no report so far on the antifungal effects of non-volatile antibiotics extracted in chloroform (NVAC) of T. viride against C. capsici 1; hence the present study was undertaken. Most of the antibiotics were reported to affect nucleic acids and protein synthesis (9) of fungal pathogens; hence nucleic acids and protein metabolism were studied out in the present study.
Study on Flower and Fruit Characteristics of Offspring from the Crossing of Red-Flowered and White-Flowered Cultivars in Strawberry

The reciprocal crossing was carried out between a red-flowered strawberry cultivar "Pink Beauty"and two white-flowered cultivars"Sagahonoka"and"Allstar". The flower and fruit characteristics of the offspring were investigated. The results showed that fruit-setting rates of the two hybrid combinations,Sagahonoka × Pink Beauty and Allstar × Pink Beauty,were 82. 6% and 70. 8%respectively,while 24. 1% and 54. 2% respectively in their reciprocal crosses. The proportion of red-flowered seedlings and white-flowered seedlings in the offspring was 1 ∶ 3. 3. The flower color appeared white with little pink,light pink,pink,deep pink and red in the offspring. In the offspring of reciprocal crosses of "Sagahonoka"×"Pink Beauty",the range of the average single fruitweight was from 1. 6 g to 17. 0 g. The range of yield per individual was from 12. 4 g to 196. 8 g,two individuals with high yield of 196. 8 g and 190. 8 g respectively were selected. The hardness range was from 0. 11 kg /cm2to 0. 44 kg /cm2. The ranges of soluble solid content and titratable acidity content were 5. 0% —11. 0% and 0. 35% —1. 58% respectively. The range of vitamin C content was 14. 99—106. 37 mg /100g,and an individual with high Vitamin C content of 106. 37 mg /100g was obtained. The characteristics of flower and fruit were in line with both parents among the majority of offspring and a few were matroclinous,two excellent individuals with aromatic and whitefleshed fruit were selected.
A method for isolation of primordial germ cells in different stages of the chicken embryo

We compared both Ficoll densitYgradient centrifugation and EDT A trypsin collection methods for isolating primordial germ cells(PGCs) from chicken embryos at stage 14, 19 and 28, cultured the PGCs in TCM-199 medium containing 10% FCS without any growth factor under 38.5℃, 5% CO_(2) and saturation moisture to compare the survival time in vitro. The results showed that the survival duration of the PGCs at stage 1 4 was 72h, stagel9 was 88h, and stage 28 was 80h. The number of PGCs, and the viable PGCs with the EDTA trypsin treatment were more(2.71×10~(4), 65.12%)than that of Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation(1.78×10~(4), 45.24%)at stages 19 and 28. Comparison of results of culture of PGCs in vitro at those three development stages indicated that a large amount of PGCs had aggregated in the genital ridge at stage 19 made it convenient for isolation. This stage was suitable for isolation of PGCs from early chicken embryos using EDTA trypsin treatment.
Polystichum peishanii (sect. Haplopolystichum, Dryopteridaceae): A new fern species from a limestone area in Guizhou, China

Polystichum peishanii L. B. Zhang & H. He (sect. Haplopolystichum, Dryopteridaceae), from Guizhou Province, China, characterized by large pinnae with acute apices and entire margins, a combination of features not known in other species of Polystichum sect. Haplopolystichum, is described as new. Polystichum peishanii is similar to P. guangxiense W.M. Chu & H.G. Zhou, but differs in having the lamina contracted toward the base, the pinnae apically acute, chartaceous and much larger, and larger scales on the stipe. Polystichum peishanii also resembles P. deltodon (Baker) Diels, but is distinguishable by its oblongtriangular and much larger pinnae with entire margins. Polystichum peishanii is currently known from only three localities in southern Guizhou Province, near the border with Guangxi, China.
EXPERIMENTS ON THE CULTURE OF THE LARGE SNAKE-HEAD OPHICEPHALUS MARULIUS (HAMILTON)

Fishes of the genus Ophlcephalus, popularly known as' murrels' constitute about 5.64 per cent of the inland fisheries of Tamil Nadu ranking next in importance only to carps and catfishes (Chacko and George, 1958). Bulk of the fishery in the plains is composed of Ophlcephalus striatui (Bloch) and Ophlcephalus punctatus (Bloch).
Demographics, Den Use, Movements, and Absence of Leishmania mexicana in Southern Plains Woodrats (Neotoma micropus)

Southern plains woodrats (Neotoma micropus; n = 180) from 86 dens were trapped, tagged, and screened for Leishmania during 2,292 trap-nights conducted at the La Copita Research Area in southern Texas from May 1997 throughDecember 1998. None tested positive for Leishmania. Data on longevity, natality, sex ratio, and density of woodrats at this locality are presented along with an analysis of the changing occupancies of individual dens and apparent movements between dens by individual woodrats.