MRI segmentation of tooth tissue in age prediction of sub-adults - a new method for combining data from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molars.

PURPOSE: We aimed to establish a model combining MRI volume measurements from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd molars for age prediction in sub-adults and compare the age prediction performance of different combinations of all three molars, internally in the study cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We examined 99 volunteers using a 1.5 T MR scanner with a customized high-resolution single T2 sequence. Segmentation was performed using SliceOmatic (Tomovision©). Age prediction was based on the tooth tissue ratio (high signal soft tissue + low signal soft tissue)/total. The model included three correlation parameters to account for statistical dependence between the molars. Age prediction performance of different combinations of teeth for the three molars was assessed using interquartile range (IQR). RESULTS: We included data from the 1st molars from 87 participants (F/M 59/28), 2nd molars from 93 (F/M 60/33) and 3rd molars from 67 (F/M 45/22). The age range was 14-24 years with a median age of 18 years. The model with the best age prediction performance (smallest IQR) was 46-47-18 (lower right 1st and 2nd and upper right 3rd molar) in males. The estimated correlation between the different molars was 0.620 (46 vs. 47), 0.430 (46 vs. 18), and 0.598 (47 vs. 18). IQR was the smallest in tooth combinations including a 3rd molar. CONCLUSION: We have established a model for combining tissue volume measurements from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd molars for age prediction in sub-adults. The prediction performance was mostly driven by the 3rd molars. All combinations involving the 3rd molar performed well.

Prediction of Age Older than 18 Years in Sub-adults by MRI Segmentation of 1st and 2nd Molars.

PURPOSE: To investigate prediction of age older than 18 years in sub-adults using tooth tissue volumes from MRI segmentation of the entire 1st and 2nd molars, and to establish a model for combining information from two different molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We acquired T2 weighted MRIs of 99 volunteers with a 1.5-T scanner. Segmentation was performed using SliceOmatic (Tomovision©). Linear regression was used to analyse the association between mathematical transformation outcomes of tissue volumes, age, and sex. Performance of different outcomes and tooth combinations were assessed based on the p-value of the age variable, common, or separate for each sex, depending on the selected model. The predictive probability of being older than 18 years was obtained by a Bayesian approach using information from the 1st and 2nd molars both separately and combined. RESULTS: 1st molars from 87 participants, and 2nd molars from 93 participants were included. The age range was 14-24 years with a median age of 18 years. The transformation outcome (high signal soft tissue + low signal soft tissue)/total had the strongest statistical association with age for the lower right 1st (p= 7.1*10-4 for males) and 2nd molar (p=9.44×10-7 for males and p=7.4×10-10 for females). Combining the lower right 1st and 2nd molar in males did not increase the prediction performance compared to using the best tooth alone. CONCLUSION: MRI segmentation of the lower right 1st and 2nd molar might prove useful in the prediction of age older than 18 years in sub-adults. We provided a statistical framework to combine the information from two molars.

Age prediction in sub-adults based on MRI segmentation of 3rd molar tissue volumes.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate tissue volumes measured by MRI segmentation of the entire 3rd molar for prediction of a sub-adult being older than 18 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We used a 1.5-T MR scanner with a customized high-resolution single T2 sequence acquisition with 0.37 mm iso-voxels. Two dental cotton rolls drawn with water stabilized the bite and delineated teeth from oral air. Segmentation of the different tooth tissue volumes was performed using SliceOmatic (Tomovision©). Linear regression was used to analyze the association between mathematical transformation outcomes of the tissue volumes, age, and sex. Performance of different transformation outcomes and tooth combinations were assessed based on the p value of the age variable, combined or separated for each sex depending on the selected model. The predictive probability of being older than 18 years was obtained by a Bayesian approach. RESULTS: We included 67 volunteers (F/M: 45/22), range 14-24 years, median age 18 years. The transformation outcome (pulp + predentine)/total volume for upper 3rd molars had the strongest association with age (p = 3.4 × 10-9). CONCLUSION: MRI segmentation of tooth tissue volumes might prove useful in the prediction of age older than 18 years in sub-adults.

Assessment of ecto and endo parasites of Schizothorax plagiostomus inhabiting river Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan / Avaliação de ecto e endoparasitas de Schizothorax plagiostomus habitantes do rio Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão

Abstract Fish provides main source of high quality protein to more than one billion people in the world. Fish parasites directly affect the productivity of fish and indirectly on human health. This research was aimed to assess the helminth parasites in Schizothorax plagiostomus (the snow trout) from river Panjkora, KP, Pakistan. A total of 88 fish samples (n= 88) were collected from the upper, middle and lower regions of the river through cast nets, hand nets and hooks. All the collected fish samples were examined in the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand for helminth parasites during July 2018 to February 2019.Among these fishes nematodes, trematodes, cestodes and acanthocephalan were isolated and identified. Overall prevalence of the fish parasites was 60.22% (53/88). The intensity of the parasite was observed from 1.7% to 4.61%. Highest prevalence was reported in summer season 86.36% while lowest in the winter season 36.36%. This study shows that summer season affects the fish business and result in poor quality fish meat with risk of zoonotic diseases. Adults were highly infected 82.25% while no infection was found in juvenile specimens. Female fish samples had higher prevalence 68.22% than males 48.22%. Fishes of the lower reaches had highest prevalence 60.22% than the upper reaches 40.0%. Fish samples with maximum length and weight were highly 76.92% infected than small sized fish with low body weight. Present study addresses that Rhabdochona schizothoracis in the intestine and Diplozoon paradoxum in gills of snow trout fish has a long term relationship and call as a natural infection in cyprinids and it is zoonotic threat to human.

Resumo O peixe é a principal fonte de proteína de alta qualidade para mais de um bilhão de pessoas no mundo. Contudo, parasitas afetam diretamente a produtividade de peixes e, indiretamente, a saúde humana. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar os parasitas helmintos em Schizothorax plagiostomus (truta da neve) do rio Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Foram coletadas 88 amostras de peixes (n = 88) dos trechos alto, médio e baixo do rio por meio de redes de arrasto, redes de mão e varas de pesca. Todas as amostras de peixes coletadas foram examinadas no Laboratório de Parasitologia do Departamento de Zoologia, da Universidade de Malakand, quanto a parasitas helmintos durante o período de julho de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019. Entre esses peixes, nematódeos, trematódeos, cestóideos e acantocéfalos foram isolados e identificados. A prevalência geral de parasitas de peixes foi de 60,22% (53/88). A intensidade do parasita foi observada de 1,7 a 4,61%. A maior prevalência (86,36%) foi relatada no verão, enquanto a menor (36,36%), no inverno. Este estudo mostra que a temporada de verão afeta o ramo da pesca e resulta em carne de baixa qualidade, com risco de doenças zoonóticas. Os adultos foram altamente infectados (82,25%), enquanto nenhuma infecção foi encontrada em jovens. As amostras de peixes do sexo feminino apresentaram maior prevalência (68,22%) do que as do sexo masculino (48,22%). Os peixes coletados no trecho baixo do rio tiveram maior prevalência (60,22%) do que os do trecho alto (40%). Amostras de peixes com comprimento e peso máximos foram altamente infectadas (76,92%) do que peixes de pequeno porte e baixo peso corporal. O presente estudo aborda que Rhabdochona schizothoracis no intestino e Diplozoon paradoxum em brânquias de peixes de truta da neve possuem uma estreita relação que causa uma infecção natural em ciprinídeos, sendo uma ameaça zoonótica ao ser humano.

Demographic modeling to fine-tune conservation targets: importance of pre-adults for the decline of an endangered raptor.

Large, long-lived species with slow life histories and protracted pre-breeding stages are particularly susceptible to declines and extinction, often for unknown causes. Here, we show how demographic modeling of a medium-sized raptor, the Red Kite Milvus milvus, can aid to refocus conservation research and attention on the most likely mechanisms driving its decline. Red Kites' survival and reproduction increased through three sequential stages for 1-2, 3-6, and 7-30 yr of age, mainly corresponding to individuals that are dispersing, attempting to gain a territory, and breeding. As typical of long-lived species, elasticities were highest for adult (≥7 yr old) survival, but this was high, with little scope for improvement. Instead, the declines were driven by an extremely low survival of pre-adults in their first years of life, which weakened the whole demographic system by nullifying the offspring contribution of adults and curtailing their replacement by recruits. For example, 27 pairs were necessary to generate a single prime age adult. Simulation of management scenarios suggested that the decline could be halted most parsimoniously by increasing pre-adult survival to the mean levels recorded for other areas, while only the synergistic, simultaneous improvement of breeding success, adult and pre-adult survival could generate a recovery. We propose three actions to attain such goals through selective supplementary feeding of both breeding and non-breeding individuals, and through mortality improvement by GPS remote-sensing devices employed as surveillance monitoring tools. Our results show how improving demographic models by using real, local vital rates rather than "best guess" vital rates can dramatically improve model realism by refocusing attention on the actual stages and mortality causes in need of manipulation, thus building precious time and resources for conservation management. These results also highlight the frequent key role of pre-adult survival for the management of long-lived species, coherent with the idea of demographic systems as integrated chains only as strong as their weakest link.

Assessment of ecto and endo parasites of Schizothorax plagiostomus inhabiting river Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract Fish provides main source of high quality protein to more than one billion people in the world. Fish parasites directly affect the productivity of fish and indirectly on human health. This research was aimed to assess the helminth parasites in Schizothorax plagiostomus (the snow trout) from river Panjkora, KP, Pakistan. A total of 88 fish samples (n= 88) were collected from the upper, middle and lower regions of the river through cast nets, hand nets and hooks. All the collected fish samples were examined in the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand for helminth parasites during July 2018 to February 2019.Among these fishes nematodes, trematodes, cestodes and acanthocephalan were isolated and identified. Overall prevalence of the fish parasites was 60.22% (53/88). The intensity of the parasite was observed from 1.7% to 4.61%. Highest prevalence was reported in summer season 86.36% while lowest in the winter season 36.36%. This study shows that summer season affects the fish business and result in poor quality fish meat with risk of zoonotic diseases. Adults were highly infected 82.25% while no infection was found in juvenile specimens. Female fish samples had higher prevalence 68.22% than males 48.22%. Fishes of the lower reaches had highest prevalence 60.22% than the upper reaches 40.0%. Fish samples with maximum length and weight were highly 76.92% infected than small sized fish with low body weight. Present study addresses that Rhabdochona schizothoracis in the intestine and Diplozoon paradoxum in gills of snow trout fish has a long term relationship and call as a natural infection in cyprinids and it is zoonotic threat to human.

Resumo O peixe é a principal fonte de proteína de alta qualidade para mais de um bilhão de pessoas no mundo. Contudo, parasitas afetam diretamente a produtividade de peixes e, indiretamente, a saúde humana. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar os parasitas helmintos em Schizothorax plagiostomus (truta da neve) do rio Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Foram coletadas 88 amostras de peixes (n = 88) dos trechos alto, médio e baixo do rio por meio de redes de arrasto, redes de mão e varas de pesca. Todas as amostras de peixes coletadas foram examinadas no Laboratório de Parasitologia do Departamento de Zoologia, da Universidade de Malakand, quanto a parasitas helmintos durante o período de julho de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019. Entre esses peixes, nematódeos, trematódeos, cestóideos e acantocéfalos foram isolados e identificados. A prevalência geral de parasitas de peixes foi de 60,22% (53/88). A intensidade do parasita foi observada de 1,7 a 4,61%. A maior prevalência (86,36%) foi relatada no verão, enquanto a menor (36,36%), no inverno. Este estudo mostra que a temporada de verão afeta o ramo da pesca e resulta em carne de baixa qualidade, com risco de doenças zoonóticas. Os adultos foram altamente infectados (82,25%), enquanto nenhuma infecção foi encontrada em jovens. As amostras de peixes do sexo feminino apresentaram maior prevalência (68,22%) do que as do sexo masculino (48,22%). Os peixes coletados no trecho baixo do rio tiveram maior prevalência (60,22%) do que os do trecho alto (40%). Amostras de peixes com comprimento e peso máximos foram altamente infectadas (76,92%) do que peixes de pequeno porte e baixo peso corporal. O presente estudo aborda que Rhabdochona schizothoracis no intestino e Diplozoon paradoxum em brânquias de peixes de truta da neve possuem uma estreita relação que causa uma infecção natural em ciprinídeos, sendo uma ameaça zoonótica ao ser humano.