Clinical Use of Tailored Computed Tomography to Prevent Poststernotomy Dehiscence

Background Morphological and tissue density analysis of the sternum can be performed in the preoperative computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to analyze morphology and tissue density of sternum in CT and effect for comparison sternal instability. Methods Patients with sternal instability (n = 61) and sternal stability (n = 66) were enrolled in this study. All of the patients were studied using same thorax CT procedure. All the measurements were performed by one specific cardiovascular radiologist. The Hounsfield units (HUs) were measured in axial sections of the sternum trabecular bone. Results Sternal instability group mean HU was 75.36 ± 13.19 and sternal stability group HU was 90.24 ± 12.16 (p < 0.000). HU is the statically significant predictor of sternal instability. Conclusion Our study showed a significant correlation between the mean HU value of sternum and sternal instability. We think that it is important to evaluate the existing thorax CT while performing preoperative risk analysis for sternal dehiscence.

Effects of a Specific Core Stability Program on the Sprint and Change-of-Direction Maneuverability Performance in Youth, Male Soccer Players

Although it is recommended to use sport-specific training programs to optimize performance, studies analyzing the effects of the core stability training with high levels of sport-specificity on athletic performance are insufficient and unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of the level of specificity of a CORE stability program on specific soccer actions. Fourteen youth players were randomly assigned to the specific core stability group (SCS; n = 7) or the general core stability group (GCS; n = 7). The eight-week intervention consisted of two weekly training sessions added to the usual soccer training. Both groups performed four CORE stability tasks. The SCS group followed the principle of sports specificity, while the GCS group performed CORE stability commons. Ten-meter linear sprinting (Sprint) and change-of-direction maneuverability (V-cut) were evaluated before and after the intervention programs. A statistically significant improvement was obtained in Sprint (d = 0.84 95% CI (0.22, 1.45), p = 0.008) and V-cut (d = 1.24 95% CI (0.52, 1.93), p < 0.001). At posttest, statistically nonsignificant differences were obtained between groups in Sprint (d = 1.03 95% CI (−0.25, 2.30), p = 0.082) and V-cut (d = −0.56 95% CI (−1.89, 0.78), p = 0.370). In conclusion, sprint and change-of-direction maneuverability were improved, but there was no superiority of any type of training.

Long-term changes in body composition and their relationships with cardiometabolic risk factors: A population-based cohort study

The aim of the present study was to classify the latent body fat trajectories of Chinese adults and their relationships with cardiometabolic risk factors. Data were obtained from the China Health Nutrition Survey for 3,013 participants, who underwent six follow-up visits between 1993 and 2009. Skinfold thickness and other anthropometric indicators were used to estimate body composition. The latent growth model was used to create fat mass to fat-free mass ratio (F2FFMR) trajectory groups. Blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high- and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol were measured in venous blood after an overnight fast. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationships of F2FFMR trajectory with cardiometabolic risk factors. In men, four types of F2FFMR trajectory were identified. After adjustment for behavioral and lifestyle factors, age, and weight status, and compared with the Low stability group, the High stability group showed a significant association with diabetes. In women, three types of F2FFMR trajectory were identified. Compared to the Low stability group, the High stability group showed significant associations with diabetes and hypertension after adjustment for the same covariates as in men. Thus, in this long-term study we have identified three F2FFMR trajectory groups in women and four in men. In both sexes, the highly stable F2FFMR is associated with the highest risk of developing diabetes, independent of age and body mass. In addition, in women, it is associated with the highest risk of hypertension, independent of age and body mass.

Grain Yield Stability Analysis of Some Durum Wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) Genotypes Growing under Sub-humid Conditions

Background: Assessment of yield stability of durum wheat growing under different environments has been an important issue for wheat breeder. More Information about phenotypic stability is useful for the selection of adapted and stable genotypes which are suitable for wider range of planting.Methods: To calculate the parametric and non-parametric index, we use the program STABILITYSOFT. The aim of this study is the selection of adapted and stable genotypes based on the use of parametric and non-parametric index.Result: The graphic distribution of the genotypes tested based on the relationship between the mean grain yield and regression coefficient (bi), proved that the suitable genotypes for the tested conditions are Bidi17, Wahbi and Gta dur. The values of deviation from regression (S²di) classified the genotype Waha, as the most desirable genotypes. The Association between Wricke’s ecovalence (Wi²) indice and the grain yield proved that the best genotype for growing under these conditions are Bidi17, Wahbi and Gta dur. In addition, the non-parametric index confirmed the results which are registered by the selection based on the parametric index. Thus, the genotypes Bidi17 and Wahbi are the most stable genotypes. The classification based on the use of the principal component analysis classified the genotypes Wahbi and Bidi17 in dynamic stability group with highest grain yield. Therefore, genotypes with b values close to 1 (Wahbi, b = 0.95 and Bidi17, b = 0.98) are preferred since it is indicative of wide adaptation (dynamic stability), provided their mean yield is over the general mean. Overall, the uses of the parametric and non-parametric index are very suitable tools to select adapted and stable genotypes under sub-humid conditions.

Growth characteristics of common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Pallas, 1777) in captivity

The results of this study raveal the growth characteristics of civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Pallas 1777) in captivity. This study was carried out in Dong Nai Biotechnology Center and Thanh Long Wildlife Farm (Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City) from June, 2015 to June, 2017. The results showed that the civet with an average weight gain of 3 to 24 months was 5,14 g/head/day (for male civets) and 4,71 g/head/day (for female civets). The highest growth rate was from 9 -12 months old. The growth rate of the body length tends to decrease over the months. Growth stage of the body length was fastest in the period of 3-6 months with an absolute growth rate of 2,87 cm/head /month (for male civets) and 2,57 cm/head/month (for female civets). The average of tail length growth rate was 0,95 cm/head/month (for male civets) and 0,93 cm/head/month (for female civets). The absolute growth rate of the average breasts was 0,45 cm/head/month (for male civets); 0,39 cm/head /month (for female civets) and reached the highest in the 9 month period. The coefficient of variation of mass (period 9-24 months), tail length, body length and breasts of civet were in the high stability group (Cv% <10%).

Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, and Personality Stability Among Older Adults

There is contrasting evidence on personality stability in advanced age, and limited knowledge on the impact of cognitive impairment and dementia on trait stability. Group- and individual-level longitudinal analyses of the five major dimensions of personality assessed twice over 4 years ( N = 9,935) suggest that rank-order stability was progressively lower with advancing age (from rtt = 0.68 for age 50 to 60 years to rtt = 0.58 for age >80 years). Stability was low in the dementia group ( rtt = 0.43), and this was not simply due to lower reliability given that internal consistency remained adequate in the dementia group. Among individuals with no cognitive impairment or dementia, there was no association between stability and age ( rtt = 0.70 even for age >80 years). These results suggest that the lower personality stability in older adults is not due to age but cognitive impairment and dementia.