Enhancing the radiological classification system from the distal femur to the proximal tibia

Introduction The inner diaphyseal diameter of the distal femur, at 20 cm from the lateral joint line, is the strongest risk factor for predicting aseptic loosening in total knee arthroplasty using rotating hinge prosthesis. In this context, the Citak classification has been introduced presenting three different types of the distal femur anatomy. The aim of the study is to develop a novel classification system for the proximal tibia. Materials and Methods Two-hundred patients with standard knee antero-posterior radiographs were included in this study. We measured the inner diameter of the tibia 16 cm distally from the tibial plateau and 3 cm distally from the tibial spine. The ratio between these two measurements was applied as the novel index ratio. Results According to the 25th and 75th percentiles, three groups can be clustered for each gender. A higher distribution of the type B pattern was found in female and male patients. However, type A with a narrow inner diaphyseal diameter was less common in female patients The median intra-observer reliability for rater 1 was 0.997. The inter-observer reliability was high (ICC 0.998). There was a moderate correlation between the AP diameter and height (r = 0,568); a low correlation between the AP diameter and weight (r = 0.376). The novel index shows no significant correlation between the index ratio and height (r = 0.082), weight (r = 0.014) or BMI (r= - 0.038). The novel index shows no statistically significant correlation between the index ratio and height (r = 0.082) or weight (r = 0.014) or BMI (r= - 0.038). Conclusion The novel classification presents three different types of tibia for each gender: type C has a wider inner diaphyseal diameter compared to type A with a narrow inner diaphyseal diameter. Type B has the widest distribution among the subjects.

The Precision of the Human Hand: Variability in Pinch Strength and Manual Dexterity

Changes in hand morphology throughout human evolution have facilitated the use of forceful pad-to-pad precision grips, contributing to the development of fine motor movement and dexterous manipulation typical of modern humans. Today, variation in human hand function may be affected by demographic and/or lifestyle factors, but these remain largely unexplored. We measured pinch grip strength and dexterity in a heterogeneous cross-sectional sample of human participants (n = 556) to test for the potential effects of sex, age, hand asymmetries, hand morphology, and frequently practiced manual activities across the lifespan. We found a significant effect of sex on pinch strength, dexterity, and different directional asymmetries, with the practice of manual musical instruments, significantly increasing female dexterity for both hands. Males and females with wider hands were also stronger, but not more precise, than those with longer hands, while the thumb-index ratio had no effect. Hand dominance asymmetry further had a significant effect on dexterity but not on pinch strength. These results indicate that different patterns of hand asymmetries and hand function are influenced in part by life experiences, improving our understanding of the link between hand form and function and offering a referential context for interpreting the evolution of human dexterity.

Role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin T in predicting right ventricular recovery in myocardial infarction

Objectives The determinants of right ventricular (RV) recovery after successful revascularization in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients are not clear. Besides, the relationship between Troponin T (TnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and improvement in RV function is also unknown. This study hypothesizes that a lower TnT and NT-proBNP level would be associated with RV recovery. Methods One hundred forty-eight STEMI patients were included in our study. Echocardiography were performed before and 12–18 weeks after discharge. Patients were divided into three groups according to the changes in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as 53 patients with ≥10% change, 41 patients with 1–9% change, and 54 patients ≤0% change. RV recovery was accepted as ≥10% TAPSE improvement and the predictors of RV recovery were investigated. Results RV recovery was detected in 35.8% of the patients. Low baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (OR: 0.91 [0.84–0.98], p=0.023), NT-proBNP (OR: 0.93 [0.89–0.98], p=0.014), TnT (OR: 0.84 [0.68–0.93], p=0.038), inferior myocardial infarction (OR: 2.66 [1.10–6.40], p=0.028), wall motion score index ratio (OR: 0.93 [0.88–0.97], p=0.002) and post-percutaneous coronary intervention TIMI flow 3 (OR: 5.84 [1.41–24.22], p=0.015) were determined as independent predictors of RV recovery. Being in the high TnT group 4.2 times, and being in the high NT-proBNP group 5.3 times could predict the failure to achieve RV recovery. Furthermore, when high TnT level was combined with high NT-proBNP level, the odds ratio of failure to achieve RV recovery was the highest (OR: 8.03 [2.59–24.89], p<0.001). Conclusions Lower TnT and lower NT-proBNP level was associated with better improvement in RV function in STEMI patients.

Grain carbon isotope composition is a marker for allocation and harvest index in wheat

The natural 13C abundance (δ13C) in plant leaves has been used for decades with great success in agronomy to monitor water use efficiency and select modern cultivars adapted to dry conditions. However, in wheat, breeding also implies looking for genotypes with high carbon allocation to spikes and grains, and thus with a high harvest index and/or low carbon losses via respiration. Finding isotope-based markers of optimal carbon partitioning to grains would be extremely useful since isotope analyses are inexpensive and can be performed routinely at high throughput. Here, we took advantage of a set of field trials made of more than 600 plots with several wheat cultivars and measured agronomic parameters as well as δ13C values in leaves and grains. We find a linear relationship between the apparent isotope discrimination between leaves and grain (denoted as Δδcorr), and the respiration use efficiency-to-harvest index ratio. It means that overall, efficient carbon allocation to grains is associated with a small isotopic difference between leaves and grains. Our results show that 13C natural abundance in grains has some potential to help finding genotypes with better carbon allocation properties and assisting current wheat breeding technologies

Development of technological solutions for canning small-fruited tomatoes

Small-fruited varieties of tomatoes have high taste and are significantly superior to large-fruited ones. The variety for the production of canned whole-fruit tomatoes primarily influences the shape and size of the fruit, shape index, ratio of the fruit parts, peel, pulp and seeds, peel condition, as well as the content of solids, carotenoids and their composition, which significantly affects the quality and color of the finished product. In this regard, the consumer and technological properties of 7 varieties of small-fruited tomatoes were studied. Based on the results obtained, a well-grounded conclusion was made that new varieties of small-fruited tomatoes are not inferior in terms of the studied indicators to large-fruited ones and can be recommended for expanding the range of a similar type of domestic canned production.

Evaluating of the Clinical Profile, Laboratory Parameters and Outcome of Covid-19 Patients in Najran City - Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Analysis

The unprecedented pandemic has been causing devastating damage to the human life and livelihood. The SARS CoV-2 viral strains are currently responsible for the serious of infection waves and high mortality rate. The management of disease requires well developed medical infrastructure such as central oxygen suction, ventilator facility to support the patients with severe complications. Therefore, early diagnosis and monitoring are mandatory in order to control the disease progression and its clinical complications. Current study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical parameters of the COVID-19 positive patients, and found that the body mass index ratio, oxygen saturation level and the neutrophil, lymphocyte ratio were continuously monitored. Any significant increase in the above said parameters may be correlated with adverse disease progression and patient mortality rate. In this way, developing countries could cut down the necessity for medical infrastructure.