Size at sexual maturity estimation for 36 species captured by bottom and mid-water trawls from the marine habitat of Balochistan and Sindh in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan, using maximum length (Lmax) and logistic (L50) models / Estimativa do tamanho na maturidade sexual de 36 espécies capturadas por redes de arrasto de fundo no hábitat marinho do Baluchistão e Sindh, no Mar Arábico, Paquistão, usando modelos de comprimento máximo (Lmax) e logístico (L50)

The aim of this study was to estimate the size at first sexual maturity (Lm) for 36 species belonging to 24 families from the marine habitat of Balochistan and Sindh in Arabian Sea, Pakistan through maximum length based an empirical and logistic model using commercial catch during June 2020 to May 2021. Individual total length (TL) was noted up to 0.1 cm using measuring broad. The Lm was calculated using two formulae; (i) log (Lm) = - 0.1246 + 0.9924 * log (Lmax) for Elasmobranchs and (ii) log (Lm) = -0.1189 + 0.9157* log (Lmax) for ray-finned fishes. The minimum Lm was recorded as 10.27 cm TL for Caranx malabaricus and 108.38 cm TL for Isurus oxyrinchus, respectively. Around Lm with 58.33% species were ranges from 19.00 cm to 25.00 cm TL. This study was estimated 16 newly Lm which is globally absent and rest 20 Lm are absent in the Arabian Sea (Pakistan coastal habitats). Therefore, the results will be helpful for the sustainable management and conservation of these marine fishes through the establishment of mesh size of trawl nets based on the size at sexual maturity (Lm).

O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o tamanho na primeira maturidade sexual (Lm) para 36 espécies pertencentes a 24 famílias do hábitat marinho do Baluchistão e Sindh, no Mar Arábico, Paquistão, por meio de modelo empírico e logístico com base no comprimento máximo usando captura comercial, durante junho de 2020 e maio de 2021. O comprimento total individual (TL) foi anotado até 0,1 cm usando medição ampla. O Lm foi calculado por duas fórmulas; (i) log (Lm) = - 0,1246 + 0,9924 * log (Lmax) para elasmobrânquios; e (ii) log (Lm) = - 0,1189 + 0,9157* log (Lmax) para peixes com nadadeiras raiadas. O Lm mínimo foi de 10,27 cm de TL para Caranx malabaricus, e o máximo, de 108,38 cm de TL para Isurus oxyrinchus. Em 58,33% das espécies com Lm foram encontradas faixas de 19,00 cm a 25,00 cm de TL. Este estudo estimou que 16 espécies com Lm estão globalmente ausentes e as 20 espécies restantes com Lm estão ausentes no Mar Arábico (hábitats costeiros do Paquistão). Portanto, os resultados serão úteis para o manejo sustentável e a conservação desses peixes marinhos por meio do estabelecimento da malhagem das redes de arrasto com base no tamanho na primeira maturidade sexual (Lm).

Size at sexual maturity estimation for 36 species captured by bottom and mid-water trawls from the marine habitat of Balochistan and Sindh in the Arabian Sea, Pakistan, using maximum length (Lmax) and logistic (L50) models.

The aim of this study was to estimate the size at first sexual maturity (Lm) for 36 species belonging to 24 families from the marine habitat of Balochistan and Sindh in Arabian Sea, Pakistan through maximum length based an empirical and logistic model using commercial catch during June 2020 to May 2021. Individual total length (TL) was noted up to 0.1 cm using measuring broad. The Lm was calculated using two formulae; (i) log (Lm) = - 0.1246 + 0.9924 * log (Lmax) for Elasmobranchs and (ii) log (Lm) = -0.1189 + 0.9157* log (Lmax) for ray-finned fishes. The minimum Lm was recorded as 10.27 cm TL for Caranx malabaricus and 108.38 cm TL for Isurus oxyrinchus, respectively. Around Lm with 58.33% species were ranges from 19.00 cm to 25.00 cm TL. This study was estimated 16 newly Lm which is globally absent and rest 20 Lm are absent in the Arabian Sea (Pakistan coastal habitats). Therefore, the results will be helpful for the sustainable management and conservation of these marine fishes through the establishment of mesh size of trawl nets based on the size at sexual maturity (Lm).

Deep learning in multimedia healthcare applications: a review.

The increase in chronic diseases has affected the countries' health system and economy. With the recent COVID-19 virus, humanity has experienced a great challenge, which has led to make efforts to detect it and prevent its spread. Hence, it is necessary to develop new solutions that are based on technology and low cost, to satisfy the citizens' needs. Deep learning techniques is a technological solution that has been used in healthcare lately. Nowadays, with the increase in chips processing capabilities, increase size of data, and the progress in deep learning research, healthcare applications have been proposed to provide citizens' health needs. In addition, a big amount of data is generated every day. Development in Internet of Things, gadgets, and phones has allowed the access to multimedia data. Data such as images, video, audio and text are used as input of applications based on deep learning methods to support healthcare system to diagnose, predict, or treat patients. This review pretends to give an overview of proposed healthcare solutions based on deep learning techniques using multimedia data. We show the use of deep learning in healthcare, explain the different types of multimedia data, show some relevant deep learning multimedia applications in healthcare, and highlight some challenges in this research area.

The Risk of Incarceration During Nonoperative Management of Incisional Hernias: A Population-based Analysis of 30,998 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to quantify the risk of incarceration of incisional hernias. BACKGROUND: Operative repair is the definitive treatment for incisional ventral hernias but is often deferred if the perceived risk of elective operation is elevated secondary to comorbid conditions. The risk of incarceration during nonoperative management (NOM) factors into shared decision making by patient and surgeon; however, the incidence of acute incarceration remains largely unknown. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of adult patients with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision or Tenth Revision diagnosis of incisional hernia was conducted from 2010 to 2017 in 15 hospitals of a single healthcare system. The primary outcome was incarceration necessitating emergent operation. The secondary outcome was 30-, 90-, and 365-day mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine independent predictors of incarceration. RESULTS: Among 30,998 patients with an incisional hernia (mean age 58.1 ±â€Š15.9 years; 52.7% female), 23,022 (78.1%) underwent NOM of whom 540 (2.3%) experienced incarceration, yielding a 1- and 5-year cumulative incidence of 1.24% and 2.59%, respectively. Independent variables associated with incarceration included: age older than 40 years, female sex, current smoker, body mass index 30 or greater, and a hernia-related inpatient admission. All-cause mortality rates at 30, 90, and 365 days were significantly higher in the incarceration group at 7.2%, 10%, and 14% versus 1.1%, 2.3%, and 5.3% in patients undergoing successful NOM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Incarceration is an uncommon complication of NOM but is associated with a significant risk of death. Tailored decision making for elective repair and considering the aforementioned risk factors for incarceration provides an initial step toward mitigating the excess morbidity and mortality of an incarceration event.

Multilocus sequence typing of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains circulating in poultry farms of Bangladesh.

Salmonella is one of the most important foodborne zoonotic pathogens, and becoming multidrug-resistant (MDR), which represents a serious public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to identify the circulating MDR strains of Salmonella through cutting edge molecular techniques including gene specific PCR, RAPD-PCR, ribosomal gene sequencing, and multilocus sequence types (MLST) in the poultry industry of Bangladesh. Two hundred Salmonella isolates were retrieved from 154 samples comprising droppings (n = 60), cloacal swabs (n = 60), feeds (n = 14), feeding water (n = 14), and handler's swab (n = 6) from 14 commercial layer farms of Bangladesh. The isolates were confirmed as Salmonella through invA gene specific PCR, and further genotyping was done by RAPD-PCR, and 16S rRNA sequencing. The isolates were distributed into 18 different genotypes according to RAPD typing. The phylogenetic analysis identified three diverging phylogroups such as S. enterica Litchfield, S. enterica Enteritidis and S. enterica Kentucky with 11, 8, and 6 strains, respectively. The in vitro antibiogram profiling the Salmonella isolates through disc diffusion method using 13 commercially available antibiotics revealed highest resistance against doxycycline (91.5%) followed by tetracycline and ampicillin (86.0%, in each), and 72.0% isolates as MDR, being resistant to ≥ 5 antibiotics. The MLST typing was carried out based on the PCR amplification of seven housekeeping genes (aroC, hisD, hemD, purE, secA, thrA, and dnaN). MLST typing also revealed three sequence types (STs) such as ST11, ST198, and ST214 in these isolates, and eBURST analysis showed ST11 as the founder genotype. The three STs were highly resistant to tetracyclines and quinolone group of antibiotics, and all of the isolates harboring S. enterica Litchfield showed the highest resistance. Circulating common MLSTs with MDR properties in different farms confirmed the possibility of a common route of intra-farm transmission. We report for the first time of the association serovar Litchfield (ST11) in avian salmonellosis with MDR properties which is an urgent public health concern in Bangladesh.

Genome-wide genetic marker analysis and genotyping of Escherichia fergusonii strain OTSVEF-60.

Poultry originated Escherichia fergusonii (POEF), an emerging bacterial pathogen, causes a wide range of intestinal and extra-intestinal infections in the poultry industry which incurred significant economic losses worldwide. Chromosomal co-existence of antibiotics and metal resistance genes has recently been the focal point of POEF isolates besides its pathogenic potentials. This study reports the complete genome analysis of POEF strain OTSVEF-60 from the poultry originated samples of Bangladesh. The assembled draft genome of the strain was 4.2 Mbp containing 4503 coding sequences, 120 RNA (rRNA = 34, tRNA = 79, ncRNA = 7), and three intact phage signature regions. Forty-one broad range antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) including dfrA12, qnrS1, blaTEM-1, aadA2, tet(A), and sul-2 along with multiple efflux pump genes were detected, which translated to phenotypic resistant patterns of the pathogen to trimethoprim, fluoroquinolones, ß-lactams, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and sulfonamides. Moreover, 22 metal resistance genes were found co-existing within the genome of the POEF strain, and numerous virulence genes (VGs) coding for cit (AB), feo (AB), fep (ABCG), csg (ABCDEFG), fliC, ompA, gadA, ecpD, etc. were also identified throughout the genome. In addition, we detected a class I integron gene cassette harboring dfrA12, ant (3″)-I, and qacEΔ-sul2 genes; 42 copies of insertion sequence (IS) elements; and two CRISPR arrays. The genomic functional analysis predicted several metabolic pathways related to motility, flagellar assembly, epithelial cell invasion, quorum sensing, biofilm formation, and biosynthesis of vitamin, co-factors, and secondary metabolites. We herein for the first time detected multiple ARGs, VGs, mobile genetic elements, and some metabolic functional genes in the complete genome of POEF strain OTSVEF-60, which might be associated with the pathogenesis, spreading of ARGs and VGs, and subsequent treatment failure against this emerging avian pathogen with currently available antimicrobials.

Colonization factors among enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from children with moderate-to-severe diarrhea and from matched controls in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS).

BACKGROUND: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) encoding heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) alone or with heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) cause moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) in developing country children. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) identified ETEC encoding ST among the top four enteropathogens. Since the GEMS objective was to provide evidence to guide development and implementation of enteric vaccines and other interventions to diminish diarrheal disease morbidity and mortality, we examined colonization factor (CF) prevalence among ETEC isolates from children age <5 years with MSD and from matched controls in four African and three Asian sites. We also assessed strength of association of specific CFs with MSD. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: MSD cases enrolled at healthcare facilities over three years and matched controls were tested in a standardized manner for many enteropathogens. To identify ETEC, three E. coli colonies per child were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect genes encoding LT, ST; confirmed ETEC were examined by PCR for major CFs (Colonization Factor Antigen I [CFA/I] or Coli Surface [CS] antigens CS1-CS6) and minor CFs (CS7, CS12, CS13, CS14, CS17, CS18, CS19, CS20, CS21, CS30). ETEC from 806 cases had a single toxin/CF profile in three tested strains per child. Major CFs, components of multiple ETEC vaccine candidates, were detected in 66.0% of LT/ST and ST-only cases and were associated with MSD versus matched controls by conditional logistic regression (p≤0.006); major CFs detected in only 25.0% of LT-only cases weren't associated with MSD. ETEC encoding exclusively CS14, identified among 19.9% of 291 ST-only and 1.5% of 259 LT/ST strains, were associated with MSD (p = 0.0011). No other minor CF exhibited prevalence ≥5% and significant association with MSD. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Major CF-based efficacious ETEC vaccines could potentially prevent up to 66% of pediatric MSD cases due to ST-encoding ETEC in developing countries; adding CS14 extends coverage to ~77%.

Missed opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia in a Mexican American population, Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, 2003-2008.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia are common chronic diseases among Hispanics, a group projected to comprise 30% of the US population by 2050. Mexican Americans are the largest ethnically distinct subgroup among Hispanics. We assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for undiagnosed and untreated diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia among Mexican Americans in Cameron County, Texas. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data collected from 2003 to 2008 in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, a randomly selected, community-recruited cohort of 2,000 Mexican American adults aged 18 or older, to assess prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia; to assess the extent to which these diseases had been previously diagnosed based on self-report; and to determine whether participants who self-reported having these diseases were receiving treatment. We also assessed social and economic factors associated with prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS: Approximately 70% of participants had 1 or more of the 3 chronic diseases studied. Of these, at least half had had 1 of these 3 diagnosed, and at least half of those who had had a disease diagnosed were not being treated. Having insurance coverage was positively associated with having the 3 diseases diagnosed and treated, as were higher income and education level. CONCLUSIONS: Although having insurance coverage is associated with receiving treatment, important social and cultural barriers remain. Failure to provide widespread preventive medicine at the primary care level will have costly consequences.

Germination and initial growth of tree seedlings on deforested and natural forest soil at Dulhazara, Bangladesh.

The destruction of natural forest is increasing due to urbanization, industrialization, settlement and for the agricultural expansion over last few decades, and studies for their recovery need to be undertaken. With this aim, this comparative study was designed to see the effects of deforested soil on germination and growth performance of five different tree species. In the experiment, five species namely Gmelina arborea, Swietenia mahagoni, Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Acacia auriculiformis and Syzygium grande were germinated for six weeks on seedbeds and raised in pots (25cm diameter, 30cm height), that were filled with two soil and type of land use: deforested and adjacent natural forest of Dulhazara Safari Park. Growth performance of seedling was observed up to 15 months based on height, collar diameter and biomass production at the end. Our results showed that the germination rate was almost similar in both type of land uses. Height growth of D. turbinatus, G. arborea and S. mahagoni seedlings was almost similar and A. auriculi formis and S. grande lower in deforested soil compared to natural forest soil, while collar diameter ofA. auriculi formis, G. arborea, S. grande and S. mahagoni lower and D. turbinatus similar in deforested soil compared to natural forest soil. After uprooting at 19 months, S. mahagoni seedlings were showed significantly (p< or =0.05) higher oven dry biomass, D. turbinatus and A. auriculiformis higher, while G. arborea showed significantly (p< or =0.05) lower and S. grande almost similar oven dry biomass in deforested soil compared to natural forest soil. Oven dry biomass of D. turbinatus seedlings at 19 month age in deforested soil was 21.96g (n=5) and in natural forest soil 18.86g (n=5). However, differences in germination rate and growth performance for different tree species indicated that soil are not too much deteriorated through deforestation at Dulhazara and without any failure such deforested lands would be possible to bring under forest through plantation.

SU-E-T-483: Delay Treatment or Switch to Different Machines? Dosimetric Effect and Tumor Control Probability.

PURPOSE: If the Linac is unavailable during the IMRT treatment schedule, the patient can be switched to a different Linac or prostpond treatment until the origonal Linac is available. The resulting dosimetric difference is estimated and the compromise in the TCP is estimated for both scenarios. This work investigates the feasibility and rationale of switching patients between different accelerators for IMRT in contrast to prostponing the treatment. METHODS: We performed Monte Carlo simulations of photon beams from different Linac models and vendors. Prostate and head and neck treatment plans for Siemens Primus, Primart, Artiste and Varian-21Ex/IX accelerators are studied in this work. Dose distributions for given plans are recalculated using different beam data with the same nominal energy from different Linacs. We have compared DVHs, the maximum, the minimum and the mean dose to the target and critical structures due to switching accelerators. In the process of switching a treatment plan to a different accelerator, there are issues, such as optimum penumbra compensation, dose distribution at the boundary of target and critical structures and multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf width effects, needed to be considered and verified with measurements. In making the final decision whether to switch machines, the TCP based on a linear-quadratic model with time factor is considered. RESULTS: Two DVHs of two plans from Varian and Siemens models are delivered on different machines. Slight dose coverage differences have been observed. TCP estimation with both delayed and without delayed treatments is calculated. Undesired drop of TCP is observed with treatment gap. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the analyses done in this work, it is therapeutically more beneficial to switch a patient to a different machine than to postpone a treatment until the original machine is available, especially for fast growing tumors such as head and neck cancers.

SU-E-I-65: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Prostate: A Phantom Study of Metabolite Concentrations.

PURPOSE: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) of the prostate is not used in radiotherapy departments on a regular basis due to a number of issues. The indication and severity of prostate cancer is related to the presence of choline in the prostate, in particular, the ratio of choline (plus creatine) to citrate. In-vivo data supports this theory only marginally but lacks strong correlation with biopsy data. The situation is further complicated by the lack of precise spatial information in biopsy, variation of magnetic susceptibility, and spatial dependence of MRS data on the distance from the endo-rectal coil. The latter also cause low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We intend to understand how the level of metabolite concentrations and spatial dependences determine what is observed in MRS. METHODS: A spherical phantom is filled with water solutions containing various amounts of metabolites. It is placed on top of an endo-rectal coil with the balloon filled with per fluorocarbon. MRS data is acquired on a GE 1.5 T MR scanner. The metabolite values, their ratios etc as reported in GE software, FuncTool are studied as functions of metabolite concentrations in the phantom. RESULTS: Analysis of the phantom data indicates that the metabolite ratio reported in FuncTool is approximately linearly correlated to the metabolite concentrations used in the phantom to a certain point and then saturates whereas the largest metabolite value is well correlated with its concentration in the phantom. All metabolite values become weaker and SNR lower as we move away from the coil. CONCLUSIONS: This work indicates the potential of using metabolite values directly provided their spatial dependences on the distance of the voxels from the endo-rectal coil can be accommodated.

SU-E-T-554: PTV to Skin Proximity for Head and Neck IMRT Treatment Planning.

PURPOSE: The goal of this work was to evaluate measured vs. calculated surface dose as a function of PTV-to-skin proximity and calculation matrix oxel size, determine effects on plan quality, and provide parameters and levels of uncertainty for clinical use. METHODS: A right-sided CTV with the lateral border 5mm from the surface was delineated on the CT data of a head and neck phantom. A 5mm PTV was generated except laterally where distances of 0-5mm were used. A 7-field IMRT plan was generated using the Eclipse TPS. Optimization was performed where 95% of the PTV receives the prescription dose using a matrix size of 2mm3 . Dose calculations were repeated for grid sizes of 1, 3 and 5mm3 . For each plan nine point dose values were obtained just inside the phantom surface, corresponding to a 2cm2 grid near the central target region. Nine ultra-thin TLDs were placed on the phantom surface corresponding to the grid. Measured and calculated dose values were compared. Conformality, homogeneity and target coverage were compared. RESULTS: Surface dose is over-estimated by the TPS by 21 and 8% for 5 and 3mm3 voxels, respectively and accurately predicted for 2mm3 voxels. A voxel size of 1mm3 results in underestimation of 13%. Conformality improves with increasing PTV to skin distance and a CI of unity results for grid sizes of 1-3mm3 between 4 and 4.5mm. Hot spot decreases as the PTV moves away from the surface and falls below 110% at 4mm. Underdosage worsens as the PTV approaches the skin. CONCLUSIONS: For decreasing PTV-to-skin distance with this TPS, isodose conformality decreases, 'hot spot' increases, and target coverage degrades. Surface dose is accurately predicted for a 2mm3 voxel size, while choosing a finer or coarser grid results in underestimation or overestimation, respectively. All of the above appear to hold for VMAT.

Effect of plastic mulch on growth and yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

In this work a field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of coloured plastic mulch on growth and yield of chilli from October 2005 to April 2006. The plastic mulches were transparent, blue, and black and bare soil was the control. Different mulches generated higher soil temperature and soil moisture under mulch over the control. Transparent and blue plastic mulches encouraged weed population which were suppressed under black plastic. Plant height, number of primary branches, stem base diameter, number of leaves and yield were better for the plants on plastic. At the mature green stage, fruits had the highest vitamin-C content on the black plastic. Mulching produced the fruits with the highest chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b and total chlorophyll contents and also increased the number of fruits per plant and yield. However, mulching did not affect the length and diameter of the fruits and number of seeds per fruit. Plants on black plastic mulch had the maximum number of fruits and highest yield. Thus, mulching appears to be a viable tool to increase the chilli production under tropical conditions.

Socioeconomic status and prevalence of obesity and diabetes in a Mexican American community, Cameron County, Texas, 2004-2007.

INTRODUCTION: Mexican Americans are at increased risk for obesity and diabetes. We established a cohort on the United States-Mexico border to determine the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in this Mexican American population and to see whether minor economic advantages had any effect on health. METHODS: We randomly selected and extensively documented 810 people aged 35 to 64 years. Weighted data were analyzed to establish prevalence of obesity and diabetes and other markers of poor health such as elevated glycated hemoglobin levels. RESULTS: Rates of obesity (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2)) were 57% in the first (lower) of 4 socioeconomic strata by income and were 55.5% in the third (higher). People in the higher socioeconomic stratum were significantly less likely to have undiagnosed diabetes (2% vs 9%). Among people aged 55 to 64 years, rates of diabetes were significantly higher among those in the lower socioeconomic stratum than among those in the higher stratum. Rates of undiagnosed diabetes had similar differences. Approximately three-fourths of the respondents reported having no health insurance, and we found no difference between people in different socioeconomic strata. CONCLUSION: Rates of obesity and diabetes in this border community are among the highest in the United States. Belonging to the lower socioeconomic stratum significantly increased the likelihood of having undiagnosed diabetes and, in patients too young to be eligible for Medicare, the overall risk of developing diabetes. Modest improvement in income has a beneficial effect on health in this racial/ethnic minority community.

Further studies of the terpenoid content in the gorgonian Eunicea succinea: 12,13-bisepieupalmerin, a new cembranolide.

In a continuing comparative study of the sesquiterpenoid and diterpenoid content of the gorgonian Eunicea succinea from different locations, a new cembranolide, 12,13-bisepieupalmerin (6), was isolated (structure by X-ray analysis) from specimens from St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 12,13-Bisepieupalmerin possesses the correct stereochemistry to be a biosynthetic precursor for the related cembranolides eunicin (1a) and jeunicin (2). The latter compounds were found to occur with 6 in E. succinea from St. Croix. Eunicin and its acetate (1b) were obtained from a South Caicos collection. E. succinea from St. Croix, U.S.V.I. and South Caicos contain complex mixtures of hydrocarbons in which (-)-germacrene-A, (+)-beta-elemene, (+)-beta-epibourbonene, (+)-beta-copaene, and (+)-alpha-muurolene were identified.