Articles

This study aimed to investigate the effects of colchicine treatment on the reproductive traits and grain yield of two species of Acha, Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua. Colchicine, a mitotic inhibitor, is known for inducing polyploidy and altering plant characteristics. The study focused on evaluating number of spikes, spike length, number of seeds per spike, and grain yield per hectare. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment groups included colchicine-treated plants at varying concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 g/dL) and control plants (untreated). The colchicine treatment involved the soaking of both Acha species in the colchicine solution for a period of 24 hours. While the control groups were soaked in distilled water. The results showed that colchicine treatment significantly affected the agronomic traits and grain yield of both Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua. Colchicine treatment led to an increase in the number of spikes (5.80 and 9.90 for D. exilis and D. iburua respectively), spike length (13.60 cm and 19.50 cm for D. exilis and D. iburua respectively), and number of seeds per spike (168.30 and 253.30 for D. exilis and D. iburua respectively), compared to the control group. Additionally, the grain yield per hectare was significantly higher (427.80gha-1 and 2126.70gha-1 for D. exilis and D. iburua respectively) in the colchicine-treated group. These findings suggest that colchicine treatment can effectively enhance the agronomic traits and grain yield of both Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua. The induced polyploidy through colchicine treatment likely contributed to the observed improvements in plant productivity. Further research is warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and to optimize the colchicine treatment protocol for Acha cultivation and improvement.

The study is based on the characterization of different AI models applied in the public furniture design analyzing the conditions of risk, materiality, and integration of variables in two AI generative modeling algorithms. As risky since they contain flood-prone areas, low vegetation coverage, and underdevelopment of infrastructure; therefore, these characterizations are tested through artificial simulation. The experimental method is applied through laboratory tests of various material components and their structuring in 3D simulators to check their resistance and risk scenarios. The case study of one of the most risky and populated areas of the informal settlement area of the Northwest of Guayaquil, such as the Coop, is analyzed. Sergio Toral is the focal point for on-site testing. It is concluded that the generation of a planned scheme of ecological furniture with different materials responds more effectively to the territory and that through artificial simulation an advantage can be obtained in terms of execution time and results, thus demonstrating that artificial intelligence is an ideal tool. To generate furniture design proposals that are more diverse, innovative, and functional with the environment, but it generates a minimum level of error for specific designs in the experimental model_01 of 0.1% to 3% and a high level in the experimental model_02 with an increasing error from 20% to 70%. As a future line of research, it is proposed to generate a simulated system of all the new informal settlements in Guayaquil and establish focal points for the implementation of new ecological furniture.

Evening and weekend imaging services at outpatient radiology centers offer extended access to diagnostic imaging, potentially increasing patient satisfaction and accessibility, especially for underserved populations. This review explores the benefits and challenges associated with these after-hours operations, focusing on health equity, patient satisfaction, economic considerations, energy and cost savings, and the impact on healthcare professionals. Findings indicate that while after-hours operations can enhance patient satisfaction and access, they also pose challenges such as increased operational costs and staff fatigue. Strategies for improvement include optimizing shift schedules, leveraging technology for better scheduling and communication, and enhancing patient-centered care. Collaborative efforts among imaging centers can further improve service delivery and efficiency.

Just as an individual is expected to control his/her debt-to-asset ratio, so is a government expected to control its national debt as a function of the country’s wealth, measured e.g. by its gross domestic product/GDP [1]. 

This study assesses air pollution in Sichuan Province, China, from January 2019 to December 2023 using Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite data. The analysis reveals distinct seasonal variations in levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), and Ozone (O₃), with urban areas experiencing higher concentrations due to industrial and vehicular emissions. CO and O₃ frequently exceeded WHO guidelines, particularly in winter and summer, indicating significant health risks. While most pollutant levels remained within safety limits, the findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted mitigation strategies to improve air quality and safeguard public health, especially in urban environments.

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to affect 58 million people worldwide and around 700,000 individuals in Brazil. Various non-invasive markers of hepatic fibrosis have been proposed, such as transient hepatic elastography (THE) using FibroScan®. However, the reliability of the performance, by operators in the training phase is undetermined, which hinders its applicability in clinical practice. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of training an inexperienced operator to perform the examinations using FibroScan® in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Specifically, the frequency of unreliable results throughout the training was assessed. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection including compensated chronic hepatitis C patients who underwent the examinations using FibroScan® between March 2014 and December 2016, performed by two researchers. Included patients were divided into two groups based on the operator's experience in the examination: the Experienced Examiner (EE) group and the Examiner in Training (ET) group, with the latter divided into two phases: phase 1, consisting of the first 100 examinations, and phase 2, comprising subsequent examinations. For the reliability analysis, parameters such as success rate (SR), interquartile range (IQR) to median (Md) ratio (IQR/Md), and reliability criteria of Castéra, et al. and Boursier, et al. were used. Results: Between March 2014 and December 2016, 771 adult HCV-infected individuals were evaluated and divided into EE group (n = 161), ET phase 1 (n = 100), and ET phase 2 (n = 158), showing similar demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. SR and IQR/Md ratios were similar among EE, ET phase 1, and ET phase 2 groups. The proportion of reliable results was comparable in all three groups, using Castéra, et al. reliability criteria (92.5%, 92.0%, and 97.5%, respectively) and Boursier, et al. criteria (96.9%, 95.0%, and 98.1%, respectively). Conclusion: A short training period (up to 100 examinations) seems to be sufficient for them to have good clinical applicability in the hands of an operator with initial experience in the method

Introduction: Childhood obesity is one of the current themes of medical research, being considered not so much a multidimensional condition but primarily a real problem of worldwide interest.The aim of our randomized study was to evaluate and compare the effects of physical exercise associated with an educational program on clinical-functional status in overweight and obese children.Material and method: Participants were children hospitalized, through the emergency service, in the Pediatric Department, Craiova Municipal Clinical Hospital, between June and November 2023. 93 overweight and obese children, aged between 2 and 16 years, were evaluated (clinical, paraclinical and functional) by a multidisciplinary team and randomized into the control group (group C – 63 children) and the study group (group S – 30 children). After the resolution of the acute digestive or respiratory disease, the children in group S underwent a program to restore their functional status, based on educational measures (following the 5-2-1-0 rule) and physical exercises, for 12 weeks. Anthropometric data were measured (height, weight, body mass index); physical performance wasevaluated by gait analysis (we used the BTS G – WALK / BTS G – SENSOR 2 system, BTS Bioengineering Corp, Italy) with the determination of four parameters – the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, the symmetry index, the walking test six minutes (6 MWT) and walking cadence or average cadence (steps/min) in both groups of children.The results were obtained by analyzing the differences in values obtained in the two moments T1 (initial) and T2 (after three months). The proportion of girls and boys was approximately equal within obesity class in each study group. Although we did not obtain statistically significant differences between the monitored parameters, between the two groups, for the two evaluation moments, the children in Group S had a clearly favorable evolution for physical performance parameters, whose average value was improved in T2. Anthropometric data did not change.Conclusion: The present study confirms the effectiveness of the multimodal (educational-kinetic) program for the physical performance of overweight/obese children. The sustained running of the program at home, with the involvement of the family and the school environment, is essential for the well-being of these children, with a favorable impact on the quality of life later.

Background: Sinonasal myxomas are exceptionally rare benign tumors in pediatric patients. This report presents the case of a 4-year-old boy diagnosed with a sinonasal myxoma extending into the right orbit.Case presentation: The patient’s clinical presentation included moderate-angle esotropia and ocular torticollis. Advanced imaging revealed an expansile lesion in the right posterior ethmoid cavity with orbital involvement. The differential diagnosis considered included malignancies such as rhabdomyosarcoma and lymphoma, as well as benign neoplasms and inflammatory changes. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of sinonasal myxoma. The patient underwent a wide local resection performed by a multidisciplinary team, leading to a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of sinonasal myxoma.Conclusion: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and the importance of thorough clinical and radiologic evaluation in pediatric patients with unusual ocular symptoms. The report underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach in managing rare neoplasms such as sinonasal myxomas.

In sports medicine, the recovery process for injuries to the musculoskeletal system has been well established, including the recovery time until the athlete can compete again to prevent relapses. These decisions support the sports physician in acting with greater confidence. However, there are no clear criteria and protocols for other systemic diseases. In the following study, we report our experience and suggest an action protocol for a professional basketball team.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation may be an alternative to liver transplantation for patients with end-stage liver disease. A 24-year-old patient with Hepatic Encephalopathy due to alcoholic liver cirrhosis underwent UCMSC transplantation because there were no donors available for liver transplants involving adult deceased and living individuals. The patient was given allogeneic Umbilical cord-derived MSCs, which were then cultured following accepted practices. Subsequently, the UCMSCs were infused through the intravenous route 3 times at the interval of 30 days. Serum bilirubin, globulin, and ammonia levels were improved after the infusion and the morphology of the liver and spleen had also improved.