Rice grain quality alteration through manipulation of parboiling procedures to affect the concentration of macro- and micro- nutrient elements, B-vitamins, inorganic toxicants, and bacterial contamination.

A Bangladesh village rice parboiling plant was used to investigate how to improve essential elements and B-vitamin content of rice, while reducing the toxicants arsenic and cadmium, and potential bacterial pathogens. A 2 -factorial experiment was conducted where husked and de-husked rice was parboiled at different pre-parboiling soaking times, pre-parboiling soaking temperatures, parboiled through either boiling or steaming, and parboiled for 2 different times. Three rice cultivars were used.

Brain and intracranial volumes are both enlarged and serve as potential risk factors in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a poorly understood neurodegenerative condition leading to gait impairment and ultimately dementia. Prior work has shown larger intracranial volume (ICV) among those with NPH which has been taken to establish a link to Benign external hydrocephalus of infancy (BEH) as a predisposing factor. These studies have not evaluated brain volume which we hypothesize will also be elevated in NPH and account for the increase in ICV.

Seed-Based Rehabilitation of -Infested Forest Sites.

The plant pathogen has significantly damaged the floristic diversity and community structure of the jarrah () forest in Western Australia. Complete eradication of the pathogen from infested sites is not possible. This study assessed the feasibility of rehabilitating -infested forest sites with native resistant species using various methods of seed deployment.

Automated Detection of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Using CT Imaging for Calculating the Ventricle-to-Subarachnoid Volume Ratio.

Background And Purpose: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a diagnostic challenge because its clinical symptoms and imaging appearance resemble normal aging and other forms of dementia. Identifying NPH is essential so that patients can receive timely treatment to improve gait distortion and quality of life. An automated marker of NPH was developed and evaluated on clinical CT images, and its utility was assessed in a large patient cohort.

High-throughput gene expression analysis with TempO-LINC sensitively resolves complex brain, lung and kidney heterogeneity at single-cell resolution.

We report the development and performance of a novel genomics platform, TempO-LINC, for conducting high-throughput transcriptomic analysis on single cells and nuclei. TempO-LINC works by adding cell-identifying molecular barcodes onto highly selective and high-sensitivity gene expression probes within fixed cells, without having to first generate cDNA. Using an instrument-free combinatorial indexing approach, all probes within the same fixed cell receive an identical barcode, enabling the reconstruction of single-cell gene expression profiles across as few as several hundred cells and up to 100,000 + cells per sample.

Unilateral hemicraniectomy with titanium cranioplasty for the treatment of high intracranial pressure in a pediatric patient with Camurati-Engelmann disease: illustrative case.

Background: Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED) is an extremely rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder that can cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP) secondary to cranial hyperostosis, which decreases intracranial volume. Surgical procedures to reduce ICP in medically refractory cases include intracranial volume expansion and ventriculoperitoneal shunting.

Observations: The authors present the case of a pediatric patient with CED and medically refractory increased ICP who underwent unilateral hemicraniectomy with titanium cranioplasty, resulting in a complete long-term resolution of symptoms.

Advances in molecular genetics have increased knowledge of Tuber species' life cycle and population genetic structure, indicating ways to improve yield.

Truffles are possibly the only high-value cultivated organisms for which some aspects of the habit and life cycle have only recently been elucidated or remain unknown. Molecular techniques have helped explain the biological basis for some traditional empirical management techniques, such as inoculating soil with ascospores to improve yield, and have enhanced the detection of competitive or pathogenic soil microorganisms. Improved precision of assessment of the quality of inoculated seedlings is now possible.

Sympathetic reinnervation in cardiac transplant recipients: Prevalence, time course, and association with long-term survival.

Background: Partial cardiac sympathetic reinnervation after cardiac transplant has been extensively investigated and evidenced. However, there have been no large-scale, long-term studies evaluating the prevalence, time-course, and association with long-term survival of sympathetic reinnervation of the heart.

Methods: Cardiac transplant recipients (n = 232) were recruited from outpatient clinic at a single transplant center in the United Kingdom.

Molecular Gene Expression Testing to Identify Alzheimer's Disease with High Accuracy from Fingerstick Blood.

Background: There is no molecular test for Alzheimer's disease (AD) using self-collected samples, nor is there a definitive molecular test for AD. We demonstrate an accurate and potentially definitive TempO-Seq® gene expression test for AD using fingerstick blood spotted and dried on filter paper, a sample that can be collected in any doctor's office or can be self-collected.

Objective: Demonstrate the feasibility of developing an accurate test for the classification of persons with AD from a minimally invasive sample of fingerstick blood spotted on filter paper which can be obtained in any doctor's office or self-collected to address health disparities.

High-throughput gene expression analysis with TempO-LINC sensitively resolves complex brain, lung and kidney heterogeneity at single-cell resolution.

We report the development and performance of a novel genomics platform, TempO-LINC, for conducting high-throughput transcriptomic analysis on single cells and nuclei. TempO-LINC works by adding cell-identifying molecular barcodes onto highly selective and high-sensitivity gene expression probes within fixed cells, without having to first generate cDNA. Using an instrument-free combinatorial-indexing approach, all probes within the same fixed cell receive an identical barcode, enabling the reconstruction of single-cell gene expression profiles across as few as several hundred cells and up to 100,000+ cells per run.

When is the radiology report of posterior fossa containing cyst/cystic-like CSF collection of clinical or surgical significance?

Objective: The nomenclature characterizing posterior fossa (PF) extraventricular (EV) CSF collections in radiological reports can be quite variable, leading to uncertainty about the subsequent clinical course that may result in multiple follow-up imaging studies that may not be needed and occasionally to operative intervention that is not warranted. The important factor is the mass effect of the PF EV CSF collection on adjacent structures, the presence of hydrocephalus, and the likelihood of the CSF collection increasing in size over time.

Methods: The authors respectively reviewed the imaging database at Children's Hospital Los Angeles to identify all radiological reports from 2000 to 2015 indicating the presence of an EV CSF collection in the PF that was characterized as containing an arachnoid cyst, being cystic, or being an abnormal CSF collection.

Quantitative noninvasive measurement of cerebrospinal fluid flow in shunted hydrocephalus.

Objective: Standard MRI protocols lack a quantitative sequence that can be used to evaluate shunt-treated patients with a history of hydrocephalus. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI), a quantitative MR sequence, to measure CSF flow through the shunt and demonstrate PC-MRI as a useful adjunct in the clinical monitoring of shunt-treated patients.

Methods: The rapid (96 seconds) PC-MRI sequence was calibrated using a flow phantom with known flow rates ranging from 0 to 24 mL/hr.

Surgical management of pediatric spinal aneurysmal bone cysts: patient series.

Background: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare, highly vascular osteolytic bone lesions that predominantly affect pediatric populations. This report evaluates the clinicopathological data of pediatric patients with spinal ABCs. The medical records for all patients at Children's Hospital Los Angeles with biopsy-proven ABCs of the spine between 1998 and 2018 were evaluated.

Preventing quality improvement drift: evaluation of efforts to sustain the cost savings from implementing best practice guidelines to reduce unnecessary electrocardiograms (ECGs) during the preadmisison testing evaluation.

Context: Medical professionals commonly fail to follow best practice guidelines. Drift, or a return to previous tendencies, is abundant in healthcare even when guidelines are followed initially. This "drift" was found internally at Temple University Hospital with preoperative electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Eliminating the need for manual segmentation to determine size and volume from MRI. A proof of concept on segmenting the lateral ventricles.

Manual segmentation, which is tedious, time-consuming, and operator-dependent, is currently used as the gold standard to validate automatic and semiautomatic methods that quantify geometries from 2D and 3D MR images. This study examines the accuracy of manual segmentation and generalizes a strategy to eliminate its use. Trained individuals manually measured MR lateral ventricles images of normal and hydrocephalus infants from 1 month to 9.

Early Ophthalmology Findings in Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis.

Craniosynostosis (CS) occurs 1 in 2500 births and surgical intervention is indicated partly due to risk for elevated intracranial pressure (EICP). Ophthalmological examinations help identify EICP and additional vision concerns. This study describes preoperative and postoperative ophthalmic findings in CS patients (N=314) from chart review.

Establishing ranked priorities for future hydrocephalus research.

Objective: The aim of this initiative was to develop a ranked list of hydrocephalus research priorities as determined by the hydrocephalus patient community in conjunction with the healthcare and scientific community.

Methods: Using the validated methodology published by the James Lind Alliance (JLA), the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) administered two surveys and hosted a final prioritization workshop. Survey One solicited open-ended responses from the community.

Pre-emptive intraoperative administration of PCC4 in cardiac surgery patients at high risk of bleeding: A pilot study.

Background: Four-factor prothrombin complex (PCC4), a concentrate of factors II, VII, IX, and X and proteins C and S, has been used selectively for reversal of oral anticoagulation before surgery. There is data to support PCC4 as opposed to supplemental fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to manage postoperative bleeding following cardiac surgery. The preemptive, intraoperative use of PCC4 in cardiothoracic surgery has not been studied though it may prevent postoperative bleeding, the need for blood transfusion and the risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury, volume overload, and right ventricular (RV) heart failure.

Accurate image-based CSF volume calculation of the lateral ventricles.

The size/volume of the brain's ventricles is essential in diagnosing and treating many neurological disorders, with various forms of hydrocephalus being some of the most common. Initial ventricular size and changes, if any, in response to disease progression or therapeutic intervention are monitored by serial imaging methods. Significant variance in ventricular size is readily noted, but small incremental changes can be challenging to appreciate.

Impact of Racial Disparities in Preoperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Background We investigated preoperative referral patterns, rates of cardiovascular testing, surgical wait times, and postoperative outcomes in White versus Black, Hispanic, or other racial or ethnic groups of patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. Methods and Results This was a single center retrospective cohort analysis of 797 consecutive patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery from January 2014 to December 2018; 86% (n=682) were Black, Hispanic, or other racial or ethnic groups. White versus Black, Hispanic, or other racial or ethnic groups had similar baseline comorbidities and were referred for preoperative cardiovascular evaluation in similar proportion (65% versus 68%, =0.

ProPACC: Protocol for a Trial of Integrated Specialty Palliative Care for Critically Ill Older Adults.

Background: Each year, approximately one million older adults die in American intensive care units (ICUs) or survive with significant functional impairment. Inadequate symptom management, surrogates' psychological distress and inappropriate healthcare use are major concerns. Pioneering work by Dr.

Changes to the Bacterial Microbiome in the Rhizosphere and Root Endosphere of (Avocado) Treated With Organic Mulch and a Silicate-Based Mulch or Phosphite, and Infested With .

Plant growth and responses of the microbial profile of the rhizosphere soil and root endosphere were investigated for avocado plants infested or not infested with and the changes were compared in plants grown with various soil additives or by spraying plants with phosphite. Soil treatments were organic mulches or silica-based mineral mulch. Reduction of root growth and visible root damage was least in the infested plants treated with phosphite or mineral mulch applied to the soil.

Perioperative outcomes and the effects of anesthesia in congenital central hypoventilation patients.

Purpose: Patients with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) have autonomic dysfunction and lack ventilatory responses to hypoxemia and hypercarbia and thus are prone to adverse events during general anesthesia. The objective of this study was to describe the perioperative outcomes of patients with CCHS who were undergoing diaphragm pacer (DP) implantation surgeries under general anesthesia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with CCHS who underwent DP implantation surgeries at CHLA between January 2000 and May 2016.