Relative Length Research Articles

The pedicled ventricular mucosal flap to prevent anterior glottic web after transoral laser surgery in T1b glottic cancer.

To introduce a novel technique utilizing a pedicled ventricular mucosal flap (PVMF) following one-stage, radical resection of T1b glottic cancer with anterior commissure involvement by transoral laser surgery, and to explore the oncological and functional outcomes, as well as its efficacy in preventing postoperative anterior glottic web formation. Twelve patients diagnosed with T1bN0M0 glottic cancer involving anterior commissure underwent one-stage, radical resection of tumor by transoral laser surgery combined with PVMF between January 2021 and June 2023. The relative vocal fold length and Voice Handicap Index-10(VHI-10) scores at 6 months postoperatively were measured. The 1-year local control rate was measured. The median age was 64.5 years (range, 50-85). The median follow-up time was 19.5 months (range, 12-37 months). The 1-year local control rate was 100%. The healed pedicled ventricular mucosal flap exhibited the appearance of a mucosal eminence with smooth surface at the anterior part of the glottic region. The mean relative vocal fold length was 0.80 ± 0.23. At 6 months postoperatively, 50% (6/12) had no anterior glottic web formation. The median VHI-10 scores preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively was 19.3 ± 3.9 (range, 11-24) and 10.0 ± 7.3 (range, 3-28) respectively, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). Transoral laser surgery combined with PVMF is an effective, stent-less, one-stage surgical approach for selective T1bN0M0 glottic cancer with anterior commissure involvement, effectively reducing the risk of anterior glottic web formation. The oncological outcomes in the cohort are promising, with 1-year local control rate of 100%; however, long-term follow up is still necessary.

Understanding the Influence of Early-Life Stressors on Social Interaction, Telomere Length, and Hair Cortisol Concentration in Homeless Kittens

The early postnatal period is a critical neurodevelopmental stage characterized by rapid neural maturation and is adversely affected by early-life stressors. This study explored the behavioural, physiological, and epigenetic consequences of early-life stress in a population of homeless rescue kittens. This longitudinal study included 50 kittens rescued and placed into foster care by the Prince Edward Island Humane Society. They underwent behavioural testing at 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age. Hair cortisol concentration was measured at 8 weeks and served as a physiological marker of the previous 3 months’ cumulative stress response, which, for these kittens, included the late gestation period. A blood sample for relative telomere length measurement was taken at 10–12 weeks to estimate epigenetic changes as young kittens. Data were analyzed with respect to age and performance in all repeated measures tests, status as a stray or a surrender, and the presence of the dam in their foster homes. As expected, the performance of kittens in all tests changed over the 5 weeks of testing. Kittens separated from their mothers exhibited significantly higher hair cortisol concentrations (p = 0.02) and elongated relative telomere lengths (p = 0.04). No correlation was found between hair cortisol concentration and relative telomere lengths (p = 0.99). These results support the need for further study on the effects of epigenetics and early-life stress, both in kittens and across species.

Ulnar variance detection from radiographic images using deep learning

Ulnar variance is a relative length difference in the wrist between the ulna and radius bones. It is a critical factor in helping to diagnose wrist disorders. The typical standard classification of length difference (ulnar variance) is divided into three major types: positive ulnar variance, negative ulnar variance, and neutral ulnar variance. Conventional or manual methods of measuring ulnar variance are long and time-consuming. With the urgent need for high efficiency and high speed, achieving more accurate diagnoses has become essential. In this paper, a deep learning-based methodology is used to automatically detect ulnar variance from radiographic images. Advanced Convolutional Neural Networks are exploited instead of traditional manual methods. Specifically, U-Net is used in the segmentation of ulna and radius bones, while DenseNets are applied to classify the type of ulnar variance. The essential contribution of this work is collecting a dataset of fully annotated wrist radiographs that are specific to this topic, which can be used as a resource to train and validate our models. Another contribution of this paper is optimizing the DenseNets model's hyperparameters to enhance its performance. Our model achieved a segmentation accuracy of 97.7% and an ulna variance classification accuracy of 92.1%. It outperformed previous deep learning-based methods in automatically segmenting the ulna and radius. This advancement not only reduces diagnosis time but also improves result reliability.

Impact of trainability on telomere dynamics of pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris): An explorative study in aging dogs.

This research studied the impact of various factors (including social and physiological parameters) on telomere dynamics in pet dogs. Telomeres, essential for maintaining genomic integrity, undergo shortening with each cell division, leading to cellular senescence. Previous studies in humans have linked cognitive and social factors with telomere dynamics but in animals, such associations remain understudied. This study is based on a previous study, where behavioral and cognitive changes in aging pet dogs were investigated. Together with standard variables (sex, age, body weight, diet), behavioral predictors that were assessed in the "Modified Vienna Canine Cognitive Battery" were used. This study aimed to investigate the influence of these factors on telomere dynamics in aging pet dogs. The relative telomere length of 63 dogs was measured, using a qPCR method and a model selection approach was applied to assess which variables can explain the found telomere patterns. Results revealed a strong association of the behavioral factor called trainability and telomere change. Trainability was the best predictor for telomere change over time and was the only predictor having a relative variable importance (RVI) above 0.7. This finding suggests that higher trainability positively affects telomere dynamics in aging dogs and factors like age, sex, diet, and other cognitive parameters are less important. The study sheds light on the potential role of cognitive factors in canine aging and offers insights into improving the quality of life for aging dogs, but further research is needed to comprehensively understand the interplay between behavior, cognition, and telomere dynamics in dogs.

Telomere Length, Oxidative Stress, and Kidney Damage Biomarkers in Fabry Nephropathy

Fabry nephropathy is a life-threatening complication of Fabry disease characterized by complex and incompletely understood pathophysiological processes possibly linked to premature aging. We aimed to investigate leukocyte telomere length (LTL), oxidative stress, and kidney damage biomarkers in relation to kidney function. The study included 35 Fabry patients and 35 age and sex-matched control subjects. Based on the estimated slope of the glomerular filtration rate, the patients were divided into two groups. Relative LTL was quantified by qPCR, urinary biomarkers 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by UHPLC-MS/MS, and kidney damage biomarkers by flow cytometry. There was no statistically significant difference in LTL between Fabry patients and controls. However, a significant difference was observed in male patients compared to their matched control subjects (p = 0.013). Oxidative stress biomarkers showed no differences between patients and controls, while significant differences were observed in urinary IGFBP7, EGF, and OPN levels between Fabry patients with stable kidney function and those with progressive nephropathy (FDR = 0.021, 0.002, and 0.013, respectively). Significant differences were also observed in plasma levels of cystatin C, TFF3, and uromodulin between patients with progressive nephropathy and controls (all FDR = 0.039). Along with these biomarkers (FDR = 0.007, 0.017, and 0.010, respectively), NGAL also exhibited a significant difference between the two patient groups (FDR = 0.017). This study indicates accelerated telomere attrition, which may be related to disease burden in males. Furthermore, analyses of urinary oxidative stress markers revealed no notable disparities between the different kidney function groups, indicating their limited utility. However, promising differences were found in some biomarkers of kidney damage in urine and plasma.

Critical factors in enhancing the correction efficacy for varus talar tilt in patients with varus ankle osteoarthritis: relative fibular shortening to the tibia and syndesmotic widening.

Relative fibular shortening compared to the tibia and syndesmotic widening are recognized contributors to the valgus tilt of the talus. This study aimed to assess: (1) the impact of fibular shortening relative to the tibia; and (2) the influence of syndesmotic widening, in correcting a large varus talar tilt (TT) associated with advanced ankle osteoarthritis through medial opening wedge valgization supramalleolar osteotomy (SMO). We retrospectively reviewed the clinico-radiographic findings of 41 patients with a preoperative TT of 8 degrees or more who underwent SMO for varus ankle osteoarthritis, with a minimum follow-up of more than two years. We compared several clinico-radiographic parameters between the three groups based on postoperative TT changes (decreased TT by 2 degrees or more, no TT changes [TT change between - 2 and 2 degrees], and increased TT by 2 degrees or more). In total, 18, 16, and 7 patients were included in the groups with postoperative decreased TT, no TT changes, and postoperative increased TT, respectively. The postoperative talocrural angle was greater in the postoperative increased TT group than in the postoperative decreased TT group (P =.036). The postoperative tibiofibular clear space was greatest in the postoperative decreased TT group (P =.037), whereas the other two groups were not significantly different (P =.260). In the postoperative increased TT group, postoperative tibial plafond inclination was the lowest among the three groups (P =.048 and 0.023, respectively), indicating the greatest plafond valgus inclination to the ground. All postoperative clinical parameters were significantly lower in the postoperative increased TT group (P <.05). When performing SMO for varus ankle osteoarthritis, TT correction might be associated with the relative length of the fibula to the tibia and the role of the syndesmosis, implying the need for fibular shortening/valgization and syndesmotic widening. Additionally, excessive correction during SMO that places the tibial plafond in a valgus position relative to the ground floor can paradoxically increase TT and exacerbate ankle osteoarthritis. Level III.

Food and Feedings of Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822) from Nagavali River, Andhra Pradesh, India

Small indigenous fish species perform vital role in indigenous people food habitat and their empowerment. Mystus tengara is a well-known and commonly available food fish species, and one of the candidate ornamental fish species in ornamental fish firms. A total of 145 specimens of Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822) species were collected from a small distributary of Nagavali River of Andhra Pradesh. 35 food items were observed in the gut of Mystus tengara. The present study has been performed on the food and feeding habits, Gastro Somatic Index, Relative Length of Gut, Fullness and feeding Intensity, and Gut Content Analysis of Mystus tengara. Present study results very close to the earlier studies and revealed that Mystus tengara is a carnivorous fish and zooplankton is the basic food group for this fish species and observed food and feeding indicating sustainable growth and development in different river environments.

Effects of water acidifiers on the growth performance, intestinal function and gut microflora in broilers

ABSTRACT 1. This study evaluated the effect of acidified drinking water on the gastrointestinal function and intestinal health of broilers. 2. A total of 630 one-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acre) were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: drinking water treatment (CON), drinking water + 0.5 ml Selko pH®/L (Selko pH), or + 0.85 ml Forticoat®/L (Forticoat) treated groups. Performance data, gut and digesta samples were collected from the broilers at the age of 21 and 42 d. 3. The results showed that acidifying drinking water had no significant effect on body weight or average daily gain (ADG). However, addition of Forticoat significantly increased (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) throughout the experimental period and significantly increased (p < 0.05) pepsin activity on d 21. The Selko pH supplemented drinking water significantly increased (p < 0.05) the relative length of the duodenum and jejunum on d 21. The relative length of the jejunum and caecum on d 42 compared to birds receiving CON. The addition of the Forticoat to drinking water significantly increased (p < 0.05) the relative length of the jejunum and caecum on d 42 than for samples from birds in the CON group. In the caecal chyme, abundance of Blautia, Bifidobasterium, Faecalibacterium, Limosilactobacillus and Akkermania spp. on d 21 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the caecum of birds receiving Selko pH than those in CON group and the number of Escherichia Shigella in Selko pH and Forticoat group were significantly lower (p < 0.05). 4. Overall, adding Seiko pH and Forticoat to drinking water improved pepsin activity, reduced the number of caecal pathogens, increased the number of beneficial bacteria and improved intestinal health in broilers.

Machine learning-based prediction for airflow velocity in unpressured water-conveyance tunnels

Spillway and drainage tunnels have an open-channel flow pattern when operating under unpressured condition, above which air flow is driven and resisted by water flow, wall friction, and pressure difference. Unpressured tunnels present many airflow-related safety and environmental issues, including water flow fluctuation, gate vibration, shaft cover blow-off, and odor emission; therefore, it is valuable to study and predict their airflow velocity. Given the difficulty in accurate prediction of airflow velocity in unpressured tunnels and complicated influences of hydraulic, structural, and boundary pressure parameters, this study focuses on establishing high-performance prediction models and understanding the importance and independent and coupled influences of each parameter using machine learning. It is found that the water Froude number, ratio of free-surface width to unwetted perimeter, relative ventilation area, and relative tunnel length are four key parameters. By including these parameters in the input parameter combination, the machine learning models can well predict the airflow velocity in unpressured tunnels, achieving significantly higher performance than the existing empirical and theoretical models. Among these models, the models built by Random Forest and XGBoost demonstrate best performance with R2 ≥ 0.911. The interpretability analysis reveals the highest importance of the water Froude number and the ratio of free-surface width to unwetted perimeter, increases in which generally result in enhancement of the airflow velocity. The water Froude number plays a dominant role when it is ≤11.5, and a continuous increase exhibits a significantly marginal effect. The relative ventilation area and relative length of tunnels have close importances, with an increase in either generally promoting the airflow velocity. To help researchers and engineers unfamiliar with machine learning to easily and accurately predict the airflow velocity in unpressured tunnels, GPlearn algorithm is employed to establish explicit expressions, which is validated to have good performance with R2 close to 0.900.

The role of telomere shortening in ambient ozone exposure-related insulin resistance

Ozone (O3) exposure and telomere shortening are associated with insulin resistance (IR). However, the role of telomere shortening in ambient O3 exposure-related IR is largely unclear. The Henan Rural Cohort recruited participants and performed a random forest method to estimate residential O3 concentration. IR was reflected by homeostasis model assessment-IR, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, triglyceride and glucose index, etc. Generalized linear model, quantile regression model, and mediation effects analysis were utilized to assess the associations of O3 exposure and relative telomere length (RTL) with longitudinal IR markers and their change rates. Furthermore, the role of telomere homeostasis in O3-exposure-induced IR in vivo and in vitro experiments was verified. O3 exposure was positively associated with longitudinal IR. The proportions of RTL mediated associations between O3 exposure and longitudinal IR markers ranged from 11.92% to 60.36%. O3-exposed mice exhibited a higher glucose load, upregulation of GSK-3β and G-6-Pase expression at mRNA levels, glycogen accumulation reduction, telomere shortening, and decreased telomerase reverse transcriptase activity relative to air-exposed mice. In vitro experiments reveal that overexpression of TERT in HepG2 cells up-regulated G-6-Pase mRNA expression level. Impaired telomere homeostasis may be involved in O3 exposure-related IR via inhibition of glycogen synthesis and acceleration of gluconeogenesis and the specific mechanisms are still further elucidated.

Supplementing high-fiber olive pomace and multi-enzymes to broiler chicken's diet can improve health and performance.

This study assessed the effects of high-fiber olive pomace (OP) and exogenous multi-enzymes (phytase, cellulase and xylanase) on broiler chickens' growth performance, internal organs, intestinal morphology, blood traits, serum lipid profile and health. A total of three hundred one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated into six treatments using a 2 × 3 factorial design involving 0 and 0.5 g/kg multi-enzymes and 0, 5, and 10% olive pomace. The diet was primarily based on corn and soybean meal. The experiment was carried out in three stages: starter, grower and finisher. The results indicated that including OP at 5% and 10% levels did not negatively impact broilers' performance (P > 0.05). However, supplementing the diet with multi-enzymes significantly increased feed consumption, body weight, and weight gain (P < 0.05). Furthermore, chickens offered with 10% OP + multi-enzymes exhibited the best performance compared to other experimental groups. The mortality rate also showed a non-significant decline of almost 5% (P > 0.05). Additionally, administration of OP and multi-enzymes or a combination of them to the broilers' diet improved serum lipid profile and liver enzyme activity (P < 0.05) and did not affect the relative weight and length of internal organs and intestinal histomorphology (P > 0.05). In conclusion, using multi-enzymes and a diet containing olive pomace could improve the serum lipid profile, liver enzyme activity, and overall health without adversely affecting broiler performance.

Leptin modulates ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis by regulating telomerase activity and telomere length in polycystic ovary syndrome

Leptin (LEP) is implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study investigates the mechanism of LEP in PCOS. The baseline information of 80 PCOS patients and matched controls was analyzed, with serum and follicular fluid (FF) LEP and LEP receptor (LEPR) levels, telomerase activity, and relative telomere length (TL) measured. The correlation of FF LEP with telomerase activity and TL was analyzed. The viability and apoptosis of KGN cells (the ovarian granulosa cells) treated with gradient LEP were assessed. LEP-LEPR interaction was examined. LEPR, v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-MYC), and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels and c-MYC protein expression in the TERT promoter region were determined. Nuclear c-MYC translocation was detected. LEP was upregulated in sera and FF of PCOS patients. FF LEP positively correlated with telomerase activity and TL. Low-concentration LEP facilitated KGN cell proliferation, and high-concentration LEP dose-dependently suppressed cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, upregulated LEPR, and increased telomerase activity and relative TL. LEP-LEPR interaction upregulated c-MYC and facilitated its nuclear accumulation. c-MYC enrichment in the TERT promoter region upregulated TERT, altering telomerase activity and TL and inducing cell apoptosis. Briefly, LEP/LEPR activates c-MYC, modulates TERT expression, and increases telomerase activity and TL, thus inducing ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis and participating in PCOS.

Quality Consistency Evaluation of Chemical Composition and Pharmacology of Pheretima aspergillum Dispensing Granules and Traditional Decoction Based on HPLC, GC-IMS, and Animal Experiments.

This study investigates the consistency of quality between the traditional decoction (TD) of Pheretima aspergillum and its dispensing granule decoction (DGD) by examining their chemical composition and antithrombotic efficacy. We first determined the nucleoside components, protein content, and volatile compounds in 10 batches of TD and 9 batches of DGD sourced from three manufacturers using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV-vis spectrophotometry, and gas chromatography ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). Next, we assessed antithrombotic efficacy by measuring the relative length of tail thrombosis and calculating the thrombus inhibition rates at 24 and 48h. Our comprehensive analysis revealed that the concentrations of hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, adenosine, and proteins in TD were significantly higher than those in DGD. Moreover, the types and concentrations of volatile compounds in TD and DGD exhibited substantial differences, with 19 volatile compounds identified as differentially present between the two decoctions. Despite these compositional differences, both decoction types demonstrated equivalent antithrombotic efficacy. Overall, the quality of DGD from manufacturers A and B aligned closely with that of TD. However, TD exhibited a higher overall quality compared to DGD, while both decoctions maintained consistent antithrombotic efficacy.

Jointed tails enhance control of three-dimensional body rotation.

Tails used as inertial appendages induce body rotations of animals and robots-a phenomenon that is governed largely by the ratio of the body and tail moments of inertia. However, vertebrate tails have more degrees of freedom (e.g. number of joints and rotational axes) than most current theoretical models and robotic tails. To understand how morphology affects inertial appendage function, we developed an optimization-based approach that finds the maximally effective tail trajectory and measures error from a target trajectory. For tails of equal total length and mass, increasing the number of equal-length joints increased the complexity of maximally effective tail motions. When we optimized the relative lengths of tail bones while keeping the total tail length, mass and number of joints the same, this optimization-based approach found that the lengths matched the pattern found in the tail bones of mammals specialized for inertial manoeuvring. In both experiments, adding joints enhanced the performance of the inertial appendage, but with diminishing returns, largely due to the total control effort constraint. This optimization-based simulation can compare the maximum performance of diverse inertial appendages that dynamically vary in a moment of inertia in three-dimensional space, predict inertial capabilities from skeletal data and inform the design of robotic inertial appendages.

Digit ratio in the common spadefoot toad Pelobates fuscus (Anura: Mesobatrachia: Pelobatidae): patterns and correlations

Digit ratio (DR or 2D:4D), an indicator based on the relative length of the second and fourth digits, has been linked to embryonic sex hormone levels and is regarded as a biomarker for ontogenetic changes and evolutionary traits across species. While DR patterns often display a sex bias, they vary among taxa: in most mammals and tailed amphibians, females exhibit higher 2D:4D ratio than males, whereas in birds and reptiles, the trend is reversed. However, data on DR in Anuran amphibians remains limited, particularly within the Mesobatrachia, a relatively primitive group. This study investigates DR in the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), a little-studied and secretive species, using 68 archival specimens, and two analytic approaches. In the simple correlation approach, there were no significant sex differences in DR in this species. However, when DRs were adjusted allometrically by digit length, regression analysis showed significant effects of both sex (male) and snout–vent length (SVL). Males had significantly larger DRs, mainly 2D:4D and 3D:4D, in all limbs, while SVL had a significant negative effect on most DRs. Further research is needed to clarify the factors influencing DR in amphibians.

Altitudinal Variation of Limb Size of a High-Altitude Frog

Geographical variation in morphological traits represents a significant ecological phenomenon. According to Allen’s rule, animals inhabiting cooler environments typically exhibit shorter extremities compared to those in warmer regions. While Allen’s rule has been extensively validated along latitudinal gradients, its applicability to altitudinal variation in morphological traits remains less well understood. In this study, we analyzed morphological data—including forelimb length and hindlimb length—from 492 individuals of Rana kukunoris from 26 populations to assess whether relative limb size in both sexes declines with altitude, aligning with Allen’s rule. However, this pattern exhibited geographical regional variation. In the northern and central regions, relative limb length consistently followed the predictions of Allen’s rule. In contrast, the southern region showed no significant altitudinal variation in limb proportions. These results highlight that the applicability of Allen’s rule may be modulated by regional environmental factors and altitude vertical differences, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of how local contexts influence morphological adaptations.

Shorter telomere length in COPD cases secondary to biomass-burning smoke exposure

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction and destruction of lung tissue, primarily attributed to tobacco smoking. However, other factors like biomass-burning smoke (BS) exposure are also implicated. COPD has been described as an accelerated aging disease, and telomere length is a biomarker of aging.MethodsThis study examined telomere length in 189 Mexican individuals, from which 93 developed COPD secondary to BS exposure (BE-COPD); the rest of the participants were exposed to BS but did not develop the disease. Lung function parameters were measured by spirometry, and relative telomere length (rTL) from peripheral blood DNA was determined using multiplex qPCR.ResultsResults showed rTL to inversely correlate with age (R2=-0.207, p = 0.006) and with the hours-a-day of BS exposure (R2=-0.297, p < 0.001). Within BE-COPD cases, rTL was associated with daily BS exposure, and BE-COPD individuals exhibited a reduced rTL compared to controls (1.39 ± 0.45 vs. 0.89 ± 0.50; p < 0.001). When compared by rTL length in BE-COPD cases, longer telomeres were associated with decreased COPD risk (β = 0.134, 95% CI = 0.053–0.339; p < 0.001). However, no significant relationship was found between rTL and clinical or lung function parameters in the BE-COPD group.ConclusionsThis is the first study to document that individuals with COPD secondary to biomass smoke exposure present shorter telomeres than BS-exposed subjects who did not develop the disease.

A supplementary description of Euseius talinga (Pritchard & Baker) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Egypt

ABSTRACT Euseius talinga (Pritchard and Baker) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a species previously misidentified as E. finlandicus (Oudemans) in Egypt, is reported for the first time for the Egyptian fauna. Its original description was not very detailed with simple drawings and an absence of diagnostic characters including measurements of dorsal setae. In addition, there is an inconsistency between its redescription and the original description, regarding the relative length of seta s4 in comparison with other dorsal setae, such as z4 and z2. Furthermore, we observed a modified seta (al subulate) on trochanter I of this species. We also examined the type materials of E. spermahyphus (Ueckermann and Loots) and concluded that this species is a junior synonym of E. talinga. Therefore, the important diagnostic characters of E. talinga are reviewed to facilitate species delimitation, and its supplementary description along with new illustrations are provided based on female specimens collected from Arundo donax L. (Poaceae) in Seidah village, Giza, Egypt.

Risk prediction for elderly cognitive impairment by radiomic and morphological quantification analysis based on a cerebral MRA imaging cohort.

To establish morphological and radiomic models for early prediction of cognitive impairment associated with cerebrovascular disease (CI-CVD) in an elderly cohort based on cerebral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). One-hundred four patients with CI-CVD and 107 control subjects were retrospectively recruited from the 14-year elderly MRA cohort, and 63 subjects were enrolled for external validation. Automated quantitative analysis was applied to analyse the morphological features, including the stenosis score, length, relative length, twisted angle, and maximum deviation of cerebral arteries. Clinical and morphological risk factors were screened using univariate logistic regression. Radiomic features were extracted via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The predictive models of CI-CVD were established in the training set and verified in the external testing set. A history of stroke was demonstrated to be a clinical risk factor (OR 2.796, 1.359-5.751). Stenosis ≥ 50% in the right middle cerebral artery (RMCA) and left posterior cerebral artery (LPCA), maximum deviation of the left internal carotid artery (LICA), and twisted angles of the right internal carotid artery (RICA) and LICA were identified as morphological risk factors, with ORs of 4.522 (1.237-16.523), 2.851 (1.438-5.652), 1.373 (1.136-1.661), 0.981 (0.966-0.997) and 0.976 (0.958-0.994), respectively. Overall, 33 radiomic features were screened as risk factors. The clinical-morphological-radiomic model demonstrated optimal performance, with an AUC of 0.883 (0.838-0.928) in the training set and 0.843 (0.743-0.943) in the external testing set. Radiomics features combined with morphological indicators of cerebral arteries were effective indicators for early signs of CI-CVD in elderly individuals. Question The relationship between morphological features of cerebral arteries and cognitive impairment associated with cerebrovascular disease (CI-CVD) deserves to be explored. Findings The multipredictor model combining with stroke history, vascular morphological indicators and radiomic features of cerebral arteries demonstrated optimal performance for the early warning of CI-CVD. Clinical relevance Stenosis percentage and tortuosity score of the cerebral arteries are important risk factors for cognitive impairment. The radiomic features combined with morphological quantification analysis based on cerebral MRA provide higher predictive performance of CI-CVD.

Effects of rosemary extract and its residue on production, immune performance, and gut microbiota in geese.

To explore the effects of rosemary extract (RE) and its residue (RR) on the production, immune performance, and gut microbiota of geese. We treat 28-day-old Sichuan white geese (n = 180) with three diets: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet supplemented with 0.02% RE, and (3) basal diet supplemented with 15% RR for 42 days. On day 70, compared with control treatment, the final body weight, average daily gain and lysozyme levels in the RE treatment increased significantly (p < 0.05). In the RE and RR treatments, there was a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase, globulin, and high-density lipoprotein levels compared to the control treatment, and there was also a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05). Moreover, for both RE and RR treatments, semi-eviscerated, eviscerated weights, and calcium apparent digestibility increased significantly, along with a decrease in the duodenal index (p < 0.05). Compared with RE treatment, those in the RR treatment had significantly higher duodenal and jejunum relative lengths, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels, and decreased chest depth, chest angle, neck length, semi-eviscerated and eviscerated weights, crude protein digestibility, and levels of globulin, triglyceride, and lysozyme (p < 0.05). There were no differences in gut microbiota α or β diversities among treatments (p > 0.05). Compared to the control treatment, the relative abundance of Turicibacter significantly increased in the RR and RE treatments, and the relative abundance of Sporobacter, Alistipes, and Barnesiella significantly increased in the RR treatment (p < 0.05). Rikenellaceae, Succinivibrionaceae, and Aeromonadales were enriched in the RR treatment, and Lachnospiraceae, Turicibacteraceae, Fusobacteriaceae, and Enterobacteriaceae were enriched in the RE treatment. While we demonstrate the RR diet to be less effective than the RE diet, it did improve production and the gut microbiota of geese to a certain extent.