Search

Length-weight relationship and condition factor play significant roles in fisheries management. The growth pattern and wellbeing of Parachanna obscura from Egbe Reservoir was evaluated employing length-weight relationship and Fulton’s Condition Factor (K). One hundred specimens of the fish were procured from artisanal fishermen between January and April, 2018. Fish were fixed in 10% Formalin and transported to the laboratory for data collection. Sex ratio for the fish samples was 1:1.33 in favour of male. The total length of the sampled fish ranged between 17.9 and 36.1cm. Fish weight ranged from 88.1 to 425.2g. The parameter ‘b’ for the fish was 2.359 in the Reservoir, denoting negative allometric growth pattern. The correlation coefficient (r2) was 0.571. Mean Condition Factor of the fish was found to be 0.938, thus indicating the suitability of the habitat to promote the wellbeing of the fish. Females appeared lengthier and heavier. Over seventy percent of the fish samples had lengths higher than the reported Lm50 for the species. The results of this study revealed that the fish appeared not threatened in the habitat and could therefore serve a basis for proposing management strategies for the exploitation of fisheries resources of the reservoir.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the population characteristics of spirlin, Alburnoides bipunctatus, in Serbia, since this small fish species is facing a severe decline in its abundance and its natural habitats in Europe. We investigated the spirlin population dynamics, including size, age structure, growth pattern, mortality, and exploitation rate. Additionally, we used the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection approach with the Decision Tree algorithm to investigate the influence of different environmental parameters on the population parameters to unveil which factors shape the abundance and distribution of spirlin. The results showed that the highest values of production, abundance, and biomass were estimated in sites with low temperature, optimal pH, and well-oxygenated water, even though we found them in heavily polluted waters with extremely high values of conductivity. Moreover, we observed a pattern of migratory behavior, in which spirlin migrate upstream to sites at a higher altitude in early summer and autumn. Despite the putative vulnerability and high sensitivity of spirlin populations, our results showed that the species was abundant, occurring in altered habitats (due to pollution, climate change, anthropogenic pressure, etc.).

This study examined the length-weight relation and condition factor of Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Nguru-Gashua wetlands, Northeast, Nigeria. A total of 375 specimens were purchased from local fishermen at the designated landing sites for six months. Results of morphometric characteristics showed that the body weight of male S. galilaeus ranged from 127-770 g (601.7±28.01) and females ranged from 272 – 704 g (711.3±38.12). Meristic features show that spinous anal fin rays were constant in both sexes while soft dorsal fin rays, pectoral fin rays, soft anal fin rays and spinous dorsal fin rays had the same range for both sexes. The sex ratio (1:2.18) observed in this study tends to favour male species but contrasts with the general assumption of a sex ratio of 1:1. Mean coefficient of determination was 0.89±0.07 and 0.87±0.07 for male and female S. galilaeus respectively indicating that length-weight relationship model is very reliable. This implies that the change in weight of the sampled fish was caused by 88.52% and 86.68% change in length of male and female S. galilaeus respectively. It was further revealed that both sexes (b = 2.86±0.18 and 2.88±0.35) had negative allometric growth patterns. The wetland's environmental conditions were within a tolerable range for cichlids.

The response of tropical trees to the change of light intensity has been reported to be varied among different species. Some reports argued that the growth was increasing parallel to the increasing of light intensity, but other reports mentioned that the sensitivity to the light intensity was depending on the species. Another environmental factor that has been scientifically proven to affect tree growth is humidity. While humidity itself also directly affected by the light intensity in the forest ecosystems. Therefore, it is possible that the growth pattern of trees under different light intensities is also affected by air humidity under the canopy. This research aimed to study the growth response of a light-demanding Alstonia scholaris and a shade-tolerant Eusideroxylon zwageri to the different levels of air humidity and light intensity. The experiment was conducted in Jambi, Indonesia from April to November 2019. The experiment was carried out using split plot design with factorial treatments. The main plot was the air humidity with three levels and the sub plots was light intensity with five levels. Four replicates were applied. In general, the A. scholaris tends to be more sensitive to the humidity and light intensity compared to E. zwageri. In particular, A. scholaris tends to be more sensitive to the light intensity while, E, zwageri is more sensitive to the humidity. However, there is also strong indication that the effects of light intensity to the growth, especially for A. scholaris, was affected by the humidity level.

The growth habit of natural gas hydrate in formation pores directly influences its occurrence and distribution, which are fundamental factors for macroscopic reservoir properties. In order to simulate the hydrate growth at pore scale and demonstrate the growth process directly, microscopic visualization experiments were carried out using glass etching model and high-resolution video microscope in this work. The crystal growth behavior of methane hydrate was observed clearly in real time, and fluid state and system pressure were analyzed. On this basis, hydrate growth patterns and corresponding control mechanisms were investigated. The results show that for a static methane–water system, the hydrate crystal grew rapidly about 10 min after perturbation. The solution gas crystallized with water, forming colorless, transparent and polygonal crystal with sharp edge and smooth surface. The free gas crystallized with water at the gas–water interface first, resulting in a quick formation of hydrate crust. Then water passed through the hydrate crust slowly and crystallized with the free gas trapped inside hydrate crust. The resulting hydrates seemed to rough and honeycomb aggregations of tiny and tightly packed crystal particles. The two kinds of hydrate with different morphologies represent two typical hydrate growth patterns. For the hydrate growth pattern of solution gas–water, solution gas, which migrates to the crystal growth front driven by the concentration gradient, is in direct contact with water, leading to a fast crystal growth rate. For the crystal growth pattern of free gas–water, the preferentially formed hydrate crust at the gas–water interface not only separates the free gas from the water phase, but also selectively obstructs the passage of gas and only allows water to pass slowly, which slows down the hydrate growth process. This research is helpful to further understand the experimental phenomena at the core and field scale, explain the existing problems, and provide support for the research on the dissociation and exploitation of natural gas hydrate.

Lahore, a metropolis and 2nd largest city of Pakistan, has been experiencing rapid urban expansion over the past five decades. The socio-economic development and growth of the urban population have caused the rapid increase of urban expansion. The increase in the built-up area of Lahore has seen remarkable growth during the past five decades. This study is aimed at detecting the Spatio-temporal changes in land use land cover and evaluating the urban expansion of Lahore since 1973. The conversion of land to other uses is primarily because of growth in urban population, whereas the increase in economic activities is the central reason for the land-use changes. In this study, temporal Landsat imageries were integrated with demographic data in the GIS environment to quantify the spatial and temporal dynamics of land use land cover (LULC) changes and urban expansion of Lahore city. The supervised image classification of maximum likelihood algorithm was applied on Landsat MSS (1973 and 1980), TM (1990), ETM+ (2000), TM (2010), and OLI/TIRs (2020) images, whereas a postclassification comparison technique was employed to detect changes over time. The spatial and temporal analysis revealed that during the past five decades, the built-up area of Lahore city has expanded by ~ 532 km2. It was found from the analysis that in Lahore city the urban expansion was primarily at the cost of loss of fertile agricultural land, vegetation, and other cultivable land use. The analysis further revealed that the structure and growth pattern of Lahore has mainly followed road network and linear expansion. The results indicate that this accretive urban expansion is attributed to socio-economic, demography, conversion of farmland, rural-urban migration, proximity to transportation routes, and commercial factors. This study envisions for decision-makers and urban planners to devise effective spatial urban planning strategies and check the growth trend of Lahore city.

A study on seasonal abundance, morphometric and meristic data, growth pattern, condition factor, sex ratio and gonadosomatic index of Liza falcipinnis (Valenciennes, 1836) from the Ojo axis of Badagry creek, Nigeria was conducted from May 2019 to March 2020. A total of 1012 species were randomly selected, having 499 females and 513 males. The length frequency analysis and length-weight relationships (LWR) were determined. Sex ratio was determined by Chi-square analysis. The results showed that morphometric data are: 0.5 - 2.5 mm for ED, 2.1 - 12 mm for HL, 1.7 - 8.1 mm for HD, 2.5 - 11.7 for BD, 2.6 - 233.3 mm for TL and 9.23 - 1006 g for BW for the combined sexes. The slope (b) shows an allometric growth pattern. The intercept ‘a’ and slope ‘b’ of the LWR (LogW = a + bLogL) were Log W=15.39+ 0.34 LogL (r= 0.54) for combined sexes, Log W= 12.49+ 0.02 log L (r= 0.38) for males and Log W= 18.23+ 0.01 log L (r=0.16) for females.The length frequency distribution indicated that species were dominated by two year classes (Ages 1 and 2). Condition factors were generally low. The values ranged between 0.68 - 0.85 for combined sexes. The gonadosomatic index for female was highest in August, 2019 (17.77%) with Mean±SD of 2.88±0.75; which indicated the peak of spawning period in the study area.Sex ratio difference was significant (P

The present study investigates for the first time some basic biological aspects such as sex ratio, size composition, length-length relationships (LLRs) and length-weight relationships (LWRs) of Alburnoides fasciatus inhabiting Borçka Dam Lake and its tributaries from the lower Çoruh River Basin located in the northeastern Türkiye. Fish samples were collected from February 2017 to June 2019. Totally 171 specimens ranging from 7.4 cm to 16.2 cm TL and 4.06 g to 46.56 g were sampled. The sex ratio (F:M) was calculated as 1.19:1.00 (χ2 test; P>0.05). The total length-weight relationships were determined as W= 0.008TL3.154 (r2=0.987, N=93) for females, as W= 0.007TL3.183 (r2=0.990, N=78) for males and as W= 0.007TL3.205 (r2=0.981, N=171) for combined sex. The b-values were significantly different from isometric growth (b=3) indicating positive allometric growth of Transcaucasian spirlin for all sexes (Pauly’s t-test; P˂0.05). The regression analysis of LWRs revealed that the coefficient of determination was r2>0.9 showing a highly significant correlation between total length and weight. Results of the LLRs indicated that the values of correlation coefficient were highly correlated (r2>0.9) for each sex and relationship. The differences in b values of the LWR were statistically significant for both sexes (ANCOVA; P, Bu çalışma, kuzeydoğu Türkiye'de yer alan aşağı Çoruh Nehri Havzası'ndaki Borçka Baraj Gölü ve kollarında yaşayan Alburnoides fasciatus'un cinsiyet oranı, boy kompozisyonu, boy-boy ilişkileri (LLRler) ve boy-ağırlık ilişkileri (LWRler) gibi bazı temel biyolojik yönlerini ilk kez araştırmaktadır. Balık örnekleri Şubat 2017 - Haziran 2019 tarihleri arasında toplanmıştır. 7,4 cm ile 16,2 cm TL ve 4,06 g ile 46,56 g arasında değişen toplam 171 örnek alınmıştır. Cinsiyet oranı (D:E) 1,19:1,00 olarak hesaplanmıştır (χ2 test; P>0.05). Toplam boy-ağırlık ilişkileri dişilerde W=0,008TL3,154 (r2=0,987, N=93), erkeklerde W=0,007TL3,183 (r2=0,990, N=78) ve tüm bireyler için W=0,007TL3,205 (r2=0,981, N=171) olarak belirlenmiştir. b-değerleri, izometrik büyümeden (b=3) önemli ölçüde farklıydı ve tüm cinsiyetler için Kafkas Noktalı İnci balığı pozitif allometrik büyüme göstermiştir (Pauly’s t-testi; P˂0.05). LWR'lerin regresyon analizi, r2>0,9 olduğunu ortaya koymuş ve toplam boy ve ağırlık arasında oldukça önemli bir korelasyon olduğunu göstermiştir. LLR'lerin sonuçları, her bir cinsiyet ve ilişki için korelasyon katsayısı değerlerinin yüksek düzeyde ilişkili olduğunu (r2>0,9) göstermiştir. LWR'nin b değerlerindeki farklılıklar her iki cinsiyet için de istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur (ANCOVA; P

Bu çalışmada Aşağı Çoruh Nehri Havzası'nda yer alan Borçka Baraj Gölü ve kollarında yaşayan Gobio artvinicus (Artvin Derekayası)'un bazı temel biyolojik parametreleri (cinsiyet oranı, kondisyonfaktörü (K), LWR'ler ve LLR'ler) ilk kez incelenmiştir. Haziran 2017'den Mayıs 2018'e kadar balık örnekleri toplanmış ve toplam boyları 8,1 cm ile 13,2 cm arasında değişen toplam 120 Artvin Derekayası örneklenmiştir. Cinsiyet oranı (D:E) dişiler lehine 1,18:1.00 olarak hesaplanmış, ancak beklenen 1:1 oranından sapma göstermemiştir (P˃0,05). Toplam boy-ağırlık ilişkileri dişilerde W=0,008TL3,159, erkeklerde W= 0.012TL 2.971 ve tüm bireyler için W= 0,009TL3.088 olarak belirlenmiştir. Vücut şeklini yansıtan b değerleri, dişiler ve tüm bireyler için pozitif allometrik (b˃3) olarak izometrik büyümeden önemli ölçüde farklı bulunurken (Pauly's t-test; P˂0,05), erkek bireylerin b değeri izometrik büyümeden (b=3) farklılık göstermemiştir (Pauly's t-test; P>0,05). Eğimler (b değerleri) her iki cinsiyet için de istatistiksel olarak farklı bulunmuştur (ANCOVA, P0.9) göstermiştir. Ortalama K değerleri, dişilerde 1,128±0,011 ve erkeklerde 1,102±0,008 olarak hesaplanmış ve tür için bu habitatta iyi bir büyüme durumuna işaret etmektedir. Bu çalışma, G.artvinicus'un bazı biyolojik parametreleri hakkında, balıkçılık yönetim otoritesi ve balıkçılık bilim adamlarına daha ileri araştırmalar için bir kılavuz sağlamak üzere bir temel oluşturacak ve FishBase veritabanı için bu türün LWR'leri ve LLR'leri hakkında bilinen ilk referansı sunacaktır. Ayrıca, rapor edilen sonuçlar bu türün bölgede korunmasına ve sürdürülebilirliğine katkıda bulunacaktır., In this study, some basic biological parameters (sex ratio, condition factor (K), LWRs and LLRs) of Gobio artvinicus (Artvin gudgeon) inhabiting Borçka Reservoir and its tributaries from the lower Çoruh River Basin were investigated for the first time. Fish specimens were collected from June 2017 to May 2018 and totally 120 Artvin gudgeon ranging from 8.1 cm to 13.2 cm in TL were sampled. The sex ratio (F:M) was calculated as 1.18:1.00 in favor of females but it did not deviate from the expected ratio of 1:1 (P˃0.05). The total length-weight relationships were determined as W=0.008TL3.159 for females, as W= 0.012TL2.971 for males and as W= 0.009TL3.088 for combined sex. While the b-values which reflect the body shape were significantly different from the isometric growth indicating positive allometric growth (b˃3) for females and combined sex (Pauly’s t- test, P˂0.05), however the b value of males did not differ from the isometric growth (b=3) pattern (Pauly’s t- test, P>0.05). The slopes (b values) were found statistically significant for both sexes (ANCOVA, P 0.9) for each sex and relationship. Mean K values were calculated as 1.128±0.011 for females and 1.102±0.008 for males indicating a good growth condition in this habitat. The present study will provide a baseline on some biological parameters of G. artvinicus to provide a guideline for the fisheries management authority and fisheries scientists for further investigations as well as presents the first known reference on the LWRs and LLRs of this species for the FishBase database. Furthermore, the reported results will contribute to the conservation and sustainability of this species in the area.

Background: Waanders’s hard-lipped barbs or scientifically known as Osteochilus waandersii belong to the family Cyprinidae with the potamodromous category. This fish can be found in the Tambatan river. It has the potential for commercial consumption or ornamental fish. Methods: This study was conducted in the Tambatan river from November to January 2021. The determination of three research stations was carried out using a purposive sampling method. Sampling was undertaken using cast nets. Furthermore, data analyzed were growth patterns, condition factors, and gonad maturity levels. Results: The growth patterns of male (1.944) and female (2.379) Osteochilus waandersii were in a negative allometric category. Besides, The Fulton's condition factor for male fish ranged from 0.42 - 3.43 with an average of 1.05, while that for female fish ranged from 0.59 - 3.67 with an average of 1.47. The result of the observation on the gonad maturity level for male and female O. waandersii in the Tambatan river indicated that they were dominated by fish with gonad maturity stage I (immature). Conclusions: Waanders’s hard-lipped barbs O. waandersii found were in the stage towards the mature level.

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of using an upper beak microstructure to estimate the age of purpleback flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis). From these microstructures, the age and growth of squid caught from January to March and May to August in 2018, 2019, and 2020 in the waters surrounding the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea were determined. We found three typical growth zones (the hood region, crest region, and axis), abnormal increments (checks), and erosion in the beak examination. The average dorsal mantle length (ML) of males and females was 112.13 (±15.23 mm) and 119.67 mm (±24.50 mm), respectively, and no squid were older than 10 months. The peak hatching dates, according to back calculations, were from October to January of the next year. All sampled squid belonged to the autumn/winter cohort. Significant sex differences were found in the relationship between ML and age in squid with similar growth patterns. Exponential models best described the relationships of ML with age and body weight (BW) for both sexes. However, a linear model best described the relationship between age and upper rostrum length (URL). The maximum absolute daily growth rates (AGR) of BW were reached during days 240–270 for both sexes. The maximum AGRs in ML were reached during days 180–210 and 240–270 for males and females, respectively. The period of 120–150 days (4–5 months) was considered the sub-adult stage of S. oualaniensis in the Xisha Islands waters of the South China Sea. This study confirmed that the beak microstructure provides good age estimates for purpleback flying squid (S. oualaniensis).

Dissertação de Mestrado em Biodiversidade e Biotecnologia Vegetal apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia Há muitos anos que os Países Baixos utilizam vegetação costeira como meio de preservação da costa face às forças hídricas. Este esforços e estudos têm tido cada vez mais importância devido às alterações climáticas que afectam todo o mundo, mas em particular os Países Baixos, onde aproximadamente um terço do país se encontra abaixo do nível médio do mar e quase sessenta por cento está susceptível a inundações devido a tempestades, as quais são também cada vez mais recorrentes.Como tal, os Países Baixos dedicam particular atenção em relação a vegetação costeira que apresente, simultaneamente, capacidade de travar a força do mar e capacidade de reter sedimentos.Este estudo concentra-se numa das espécies de plantas que apresenta tais capacidades, a espécie Spartina anglica, a qual tem vindo a ser utilizada no último século como uma importante aliada no combate ao avanço do mar.Apesar do seu uso intensivo para os efeitos descritos, há ainda relativamente pouca informação pormenorizada sobre o padrão de crescimento e características associadas, desta planta. Uma melhor compreensão destas características é fundamental para um planeamento adequado no uso desta espécie para retenção de sedimentos e controlo de avanços do mar, limitando simultaneamente as suas propriedades potencialmente menos benéficas.Com este estudo, pretende-se contribuir para uma melhor compreensão do padrão de crescimento de Spartina anglica num sapal representativo dos Países Baixos. Para isso, foi implementado um levantamento de campo, com o objectivo de avaliar (1) a forma como os tufos desta espécie crescem e (2) se reproduzem em função das características físicas e das condições do meio envolvente.Os resultados obtidos evidenciam os padrões de crescimento presentes em tufos de Spartina anglica que se encontram em expansão, onde é possível identificar estratégias distintas entre o centro e a periferia do tufo, bem como detectar que determinadas condições abióticas, como o tempo de inundação, estão relacionadas com a fisiologia do tufo. Com base nos resultados obtidos, avançam-se sugestões de práticas adequadas à protecção ou erradicação de populações de Spartina anglica conforme os objectivos desejos.É tido em análise as melhores formas de proteger ou erradicar populações de Spartina anglica conforme os resultados obtidos.Sugere-se também que no futuro sejam realizados estudos complementares para melhor avaliar a forma de expansão vegetativa desta planta, e subsequentemente, a estratégia de formação e organização dos rebentos ao longo do tufo. For several years, the Netherlands used coastal vegetation as a defence mechanism against the hydraulic power of the ocean. These efforts are more critical now than ever due to the climate changes taking effect all around the globe, but especially in the Netherlands where one-third of the country is below sea level and almost sixty per cent of the country is the risk zone for inundations due to storms, being this also more recurrent due to said climate changes. As so the Netherlands has shown considerable interest in coastal vegetation with the capacity to stop the water flow and decrease its hydraulic power, and at the same time increase sedimentation. This analysis focuses on one of the said plants, the species Spartina anglica which has been used for more than a century now as an important ally versus the sea. Although there aren´t many scientific studies regarding the species' characteristics and its growth pattern reason why many details are still unknown.Taking that in mind, this study was conducted to evaluate the growth patterns taking in mind the physical and environmental characteristics. The results obtained in this study explain the growth pattern existing in expansion tussocks, near the water shore. Where you can find differences between the strategies within the same tussock. An analyse was conducted to determine the best way to develop or eradicate Spartina anglica tussocks. This study also suggests that new studies should be conducted to understand the vegetative expansion better.

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares is one of the major species of tuna caught in the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 573 of the Indian Ocean. Its production contributed to 35.83% of the total production of tuna in 2013. The study was conducted to assess the population dynamics of this species in FMA 573, based on length-frequency data collected in 2013-2017, and was analysed using FiSAT II software. The results obtained show length-weight relationship of W = 0.000052 FL2.78, negative allometric growth and growth equation of Lt = 194.25 (1-e-0.51 (t + 0.1889)). The length at first capture was estimated at 140 cm FL. Recruitment season occurs between July and September, with a peak in August. The rate of total mortality (Z) was 2.32 yr-1, including natural mortality rate (M) of 0.69 yr-1 and fishing mortality rate (F) of 1.63 yr-1. The exploitation rates of yellowfin tuna were estimated to be 0.70, indicating that it has exceeded the optimum exploitation rate (E = 0.5) and that overexploitation had occurred. There is an obvious need for consistent monitoring and surveillance of fishing fleet, type and size of fishing gear, as well as the fish size and quantity of the catch., Žutoperajna tuna Thunnus albacares je jedna od glavnih vrsta tuna koje se love u području ribarskog upraljanja 573 Indijskog oceana. Njezina proizvodnja činila je 35,83% ukupne proizvodnje tune u 2013. godini. Ovo istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se procijenila dinamika populacije ove vrste u FMA 573, na temelju podataka o dužinskoj frekvenciji prikupljenih u razdoblju od 2013. do 2017. godine, koji su analizirani pomoću softvera FiSAT II. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju dužinsko-maseni odnos W = 0,000052 FL2.78, negativni alometrijski rast i jednadžbu rasta Lt = 194.25 (1-e-0.51 (t + 0.1889)). Pri prvom hvatanju procijenjena je duljina od140 cm FL. Sezona izlova bila je između srpnja i rujna, a vrhunac izlova bio je u kolovozu. Stopa ukupne smrtnosti (Z) iznosila je 2,32 godina-1, uključujući stopu prirodne smrtnosti (M) Procjenjuje se da su stope iskorištavanja žutoperajne tuna 0,70, što ukazuje da je premašila optimalnu brzinu iskorištavanja (E = 0,5) i da je došlo do prekomjernog iskorištavanja. Očigledna je potreba za dosljednim praćenjem i nadzorom ribolovne flote, vrste i veličine ribolovnog alata, kao i veličine i količine ulova.

The present study provides the first reference for the growth patterns and relative condition factor of Macrobrachium species from Sungai Batang River, Indonesia. A total of 328 specimens, caught by using wire-stage trap, consisted of 83 males (25%) and 245 females (75%) with the sex ratio of 1:3. Macrobrachium species showed a negative allometric growth pattern (b = 1.94-2.14). The highest percentage of catch falls between 90-94 mm TL (38.55%) and weighted between 9-10 g (46.99%). The average total length and body weight of male were 1.1 and 1.4 times greater than those of female computed by comparing the said body sizes of shrimp. Male had total length, carapace length, abdominal length and chelae length longer than female. The mean relative condition factor values ranged of 0.96 ± 0.17 and 1.01 ± 0.16, reflecting well-being of the species. Outcome of research could be useful for sustainable fisheries management and conservation measures for Macrobrachium species in this river. In addition, a new fishing method was also introduced to improve fishing efficiency.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that there is no positive correlation between skeletal Class II and mandibular morphology with pharyngeal dimensions in subjects with different growth patterns. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalograms of 60 patients were collected and divided into 2 groups, comprising of 30 in each group. Group 1 consisted of cephalograms of patients having Class I malocclusion, and was further divided into subgroups. 1a) Class I with normal growth 1b) Class I with vertical growth. Group 2 consisted of cephalograms of patients having class II malocclusion and was further divided into subgroups 2a) Class II with normal growth, 2b) Class II with vertical growth. Results: The results showed that the estimated marginal mean for upper pharyngeal width in class I malocclusion group was 8.56 mm, for class II malocclusion group was 7.80 mm, for normal growth individuals was 9.73 mm and that for vertical growth individuals was 6.63 mm. The estimated marginal mean for lower pharyngeal width in class I malocclusion group was 9.62 mm, in class II malocclusion group was 9.10 mm, in normal growth individuals was 8.95 mm and that in vertical growth individuals was 9.77 mm. The estimated marginal mean for pharyngeal area in class I malocclusion group is 330.13 sq.mm, in class II malocclusion group is 308.17 sq.mm, in normal growth individuals is 328.47sq.mm and that in vertical growth individuals is 309.83 sq.mm. Conclusions: The null hypothesis for this study, as per the statistical analysis, has been rejected.

This study aimed to elucidate the clinicopathological significance of spread through air space (STAS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through a meta-analysis. Using 47 eligible studies, we obtained the estimated rates of STAS in various histological subtypes of NSCLC and compared the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between NSCLC with and without STAS. The estimated STAS rate was 0.368 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.336–0.0.401) in patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, the STAS rates for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were 0.338 (95% CI, 0.273–0.411) and 0.374 (95% CI, 0.340–0.409), respectively. Among the histological subtypes of adenocarcinoma, micropapillary-predominant tumors had the highest rate of STAS (0.719; 95% CI, 0.652–0.778). The STAS rates of solid- and papillary-predominant adenocarcinoma were 0.567 (95% CI, 0.478–0.652) and 0.446 (95% CI, 0.392–0.501), respectively. NSCLCs with STAS showed a higher visceral pleural, venous, and lymphatic invasion than those without STAS. In addition, anaplastic lymphoma kinase mutations and ROS1 rearrangements were significantly more frequent in NSCLCs with STAS than in those without STAS. The presence of STAS was significantly correlated with worse overall and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.119; 95% CI, 1.811–2.480 and 2.372; 95% CI, 2.018–2.788, respectively). Taken together, the presence of STAS is useful in predicting the clinicopathological significance and prognosis of patients with NSCLC.

The feeding habit of Trachelyichthys exilis is described for the first time, with additional comments on its growth type and size at sexual maturity. We analyzed 42 specimens from the Amanã Reserve (Amazonas state, Brazil) collected with a seine net amidst stands of floating herbaceous vegetation during the dry season of 2002. Stomach contents revealed a predominantly carnivorous habit (tending to piscivorous), an isometric growth type, and size at maturity around 5.5 cm standard length. Based on the biological characteristics of the consumed prey, we presume that T. exilis forage actively during the twilight/night around and among the root tangle of herbaceous vegetation, preying upon nocturnally active animals such as small fishes and aquatic invertebrates, and/or close to the water surface, where diurnally active prey usually rests. Our findings provide essential information to fill knowledge gaps on the natural history of auchenipterid catfishes, especially on trophic ecology.

Resumen: Introducción: Las características del crecimiento recuperador en niños con muy bajo peso (MBP) al nacer no se han establecido con claridad. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el crecimiento recuperador de talla y factores asociados en una cohorte de niños con MBP al nacer (

Maria José Temido,1,2,* Rui Caetano Oliveira,3– 6,* Ricardo Martins,2,4,5,7 Marco Serôdio,2,7 Beatriz Costa,2,5,7 César Carvalho,7 Eva Santos,2,7 Luís Ferreira,7 Paulo Teixeira,3,8 Maria Augusta Cipriano,3 José Guilherme Tralhão,2,4,5,7 Henrique Alexandrino2,5,7 1Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-075, Portugal; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal; 3Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-075, Portugal; 4Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal; 5Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal; 6Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-319, Portugal; 7Department of Surgery, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-075, Portugal; 8Department Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, ESTeSC- Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra 3046-854, Portugal*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Maria José TemidoCentro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, Coimbra 3004-561, PortugalTel +351 910772166Email mariajosetemido@gmail.comPurpose: Hepatectomy (Hp) is an alternative approach for the treatment of gastric carcinoma liver metastases (GCLM). However, prognostic factors that may assist patient selection are still controversial. Several pathologic features, such as the growth pattern (GP), associated with prognosis in colorectal cancer liver metastases, were never investigated in GCLM. Our principal aim was to assess if the GP has prognostic impact on GCLM.Patients and Methods: Review of the clinical and pathological characteristics of 19 consecutive patients submitted to surgical resection of GCLM with curative intent at our department. Major potential prognostic factors considered were patients’ gender, age, timing and extent of Hp, postoperative course, as well as histopathological characteristics of primary and secondary tumors.Results: Major morbidity occurred in four patients, mortality in one. Median and 5-year overall survival were 17 months and 26.7%, respectively. Ten patients developed recurrent disease and two patients survived more than 10 years. Factors independently associated with overall survival were the absence of major morbidity, distal location of the primary tumor, and desmoplastic GP (p< 0.05).Conclusion: The selection of patients is crucial for the improvement of survival rates of GCLM. Consequently, we demonstrate for the first time that the desmoplastic GP of GCLM is associated with improved outcomes, prompting further research on tumor–host interactions.Keywords: liver metastases, gastric carcinoma, hepatectomy, growth pattern, prognosis

The green belt of Kyiv includes several rare forest biotopes ringing the city and experiencing numerous disturbances and stressors derived from both urbanization processes and climate changes. The arboreal species perform multiple ecological function and influence overall forested ecosystems vulnerability to natural or anthropogenic factors. We have developed the radial growth chronology of Tilia cordata, a common native species in Ukraine, to investigate its climate sensitivity in an urban forest in Kyiv. We assessed relationships between the radial growth of seven trees and hydrothermal variables derived from daily data sets aggregated in intervals from 14 to 180 days instead of the conventional monthly resolution. The studied trees demonstrated a weak intercorrelation, but high subsample signal strength allowed us to perform further analysis. The overall analyses spanned common for all studied trees chronologies period 1977–2015 shows that precipitation governed the growth of Tilia cordata in Kyiv's forest, and the influence was significant in the interval between December of the resting period and May in the growing season. Temperatures averaged for March–May of the prior growth period had a weaker but significant negative impact on Tilia cordata growth. The co-inertia analysis shows that despite low intercorrelation between trees chronologies, individual growth patterns highly correlated with growth-to-climate relationships patterns suggesting that precipitations synchronized trees growth even in various microsites conditions of the studied forest. The age of the oldest studied trees, which had a mean growth rate of 0.95 mm per year, reached 300 years.

Slender walking catfish (Clarias nieuhofii) is a consumption fish that has a fairly high economical value. Local market prices can reach IRD 50.000-70.000/kg. People love this fish because of the delicious taste of the meat, which very different from the aquaculture catfish. Until now the production relies only on natural catches and there have been no cultivation efforts. But in recent years these out catfish are increasingly difficult to find in nature. The conversion of land into plantation areas caused the loss of the fish's original habitat. Based on community information, the habitat of this fish is found in Pasir Putih Village, Silangkitang District, Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, and Bandar Tinggi Village, Bilah Hulu District, Labuhanbatu Regency, Indonesia. Differences in habitat conditions are known to affect fish growth patterns, including C. nieuhofii. This research aims to determine the pattern of the growth of the slender walking catfish in these different habitat conditions. Exploratory methods were used in this research and observation stations were determined through purposive sampling. Fish sampling was done using a fishing rod. The samples of fish captured were measured by the total length and weight. The results of the research show that the pattern of fish growth in Pasir Putih Village is negative allometric (W = 0.6944, b = 0.2463 and R2 = 0.9468) and in Bandar Tinggi Village shows negative allometric (W = 10.207, b = - 129.56, and R2 = 0.9711).

Length and weight data are useful in fisheries management and standard results of fish monitoring programs. Length-weight relationship (LWR) is used for estimating the weight corresponding to a given length, and the condition factor is used to compare the body condition, fatness or health of fish populations. This study aimed to estimate the LWR and the condition factor for 12 freshwater fish species from the Igarapé Fortaleza basin, a tributary of the Amazonas River system in the State of Amapá, eastern Amazon (Brazil). The coefficient of determination, the allometric condition factor and the allometric coefficient varied among species, and were compared with populations elsewhere. In 83.3% of the species, the allometric coefficient remained within the expected range. This was the first record of LWR parameters for Acestrorhynchus falcirostris.

Objective: Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is a routinely used surgical step for the correction of a class III with mandibular prognathism. Many factors influence the stability of the surgical correction achieved. This study was designed to access the role of growth pattern in the surgical stability after a BSSO correction. Materials and Methods: A total of 18 individuals (6 vertical growers, 6 horizontal growers, and 6 normal growing individuals) were considered for the study. Five parameters, horizontal plane (HP)–pogonion (POG) angle, HP-occlusal plane angle, POG height, POG depth, and Point B depth, were measured and compared postsurgically and in the follow-up phase. Result: Vertical growing individuals showed greater tendency for relapse and clockwise rotation of mandible postsurgically. No major difference was observed in the normal and horizontal growing individuals. When planning BSSO on vertical growing patient, utmost care should be taken to prevent posttreatment relapse to ensure better surgical stability.

Background Only a few earlier publications on intrasellar pressure (ISP) have not been able to fully clarify any association between ISP and pituitary adenoma size and growth pattern. The aim of the study was to determine if intrasellar pressure (ISP) is elevated in patients with pituitary adenoma, and if the pressure is associated with tumour size and growth pattern. Methods The study included 100 patients operated for suspected pituitary adenoma, who have had their ISP measured intraoperatively. All adenomas were classified on the basis of Knosp and SIPAP, from which further classification of invasiveness was performed. MRT examinations were used to calculate the tumour volume and diameter in three axes. Results After exclusions, 93 cases were analysed. The mean ISP was 23.0 ± 8.4 mmHg. There were positive correlations between ISP and tumour volume and tumour diameters along all three axes. Coronal tumour diameter showed the strongest correlation with ISP elevation in a multivariate effect test. Adenomas classified as parasellar invasive (Knosp grade 3–4) showed higher mean ISP than adenomas considered as non-invasive (Knosp 0–2). Conclusions ISP is affected by tumour anatomy and correlates positively with tumour volume. Tumour width, i.e. diameter in the coronal plane, appears to be the measure that most strongly affects the ISP. This is confirmed by the association between ISP elevation and parasellar growth.

Background: Frequent use of high-resolution ultrasound in daily pediatric diagnostics might clearly increase the detection rate of incidentally diagnosed small thyroid nodules. However, there is a lack of data available on these nodules making the diagnosis and the appropriate follow-up in regard to a potentially malignant disease of these incidentally diagnosed nodules challenging. Methods: To determine the natural nodule growth, its influencing factors and the malignancy rate of principally ultrasonographically detected thyroid nodules in children, a retrospective cohort study was performed focusing on initial diagnostic results and the follow-up of thyroid nodules of any size. Data of 111 patients (≤ 18 years) being recorded at two pediatric thyroid reference centers in Berlin during the observation period of May 1, 2012 to July 31, 2016 were analysed. Results: In total 154 thyroid nodules in 111 patients were included in the analysis. Thereof, 71.2 % were female, the median age was 13 years and the median nodule diameter amounted to 7 mm. In 93.7 % of the cases the nodules were detected incidentally by ultrasound. During follow-up, 78 children with 103 nodules were monitored for a median of 26.8 months. At the initial assessment, 6 nodules were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), while during follow-up, 3 more out of 103 nodules turned out to be malignant (PTC). Thus, a low malignancy rate of 5.8 % was recorded. Differences between malignant and benign nodules confirmed by histopathology could not be identified. A detailed growth analysis on 78 nodules during follow-up resulted in a remarkable variability of nodule growth which could not be explained by studied potential influencing factors. An extensive evaluation of individual growth-phases showed that a higher serum level of free thyroxine (fT4) was negatively correlated to nodule growth (p=0,018). Regarding nodule growth, 39.7 % of the nodules showed an absolute increase in size, while, when considering nodule size in relation to thyroid volume, only 23.1 % of the nodules revealed relative growth that was over-proportionate to thyroid volume increase. In total 15.4 % of the nodules disappeared during follow-up. Conclusions: Pediatric thyroid nodules which are incidentally detected by ultrasound rather than clinically (inspection/palpation) are smaller in diameter, have a lower malignancy rate and show in the majority no increase in size. Therefore, the here obtained data suggest that for incidentally detected pediatric thyroid nodules initially and during follow-up a cautious behavior is justified., Hintergrund: Der häufige Einsatz hochauflösender Ultraschalldiagnostik in der täglichen pädiatrischen Praxis könnte zu einem deutlich höheren Anteil an zufällig diagnostizierten kleinen Schilddrüsenknoten führen. Es existieren jedoch bisher kaum Studiendaten, welche diese Knoten erfasst und untersucht haben, sodass das diagnostische Prozedere sowie ein adäquates Follow-up, insbesondere im Hinblick auf eine mögliche maligne Erkrankung dieser zufällig diagnostizierten Knoten, eine Herausforderung darstellen. Methoden: Um den natürlichen Wachstumsverlauf, dessen Einflussfaktoren und die Malignitätsrate hauptsächlich sonographisch festgestellter Schilddrüsenknoten bei Kindern und Jugendlichen zu untersuchen, wurde eine retrospektive Kohortenstudie durchgeführt, die sich auf die initiale diagnostische Abklärung und das Follow-up von Schilddrüsenknoten jeglicher Größe bezog. Daten von 111 Studienteilnehmern (≤ 18 Jahre), die in zwei Referenzzentren für pädiatrische Schilddrüsenerkrankungen in Berlin im Zeitraum vom 01. Mai 2012 bis zum 31. Juli 2016 erfasst werden konnten, wurden ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt wurden 154 Schilddrüsenknoten bei 111 Patienten in die Analysen eingeschlossen. Hiervon waren 71,2 % weiblich, das mediane Alter lag bei 13 Jahren und der mediane Knotendurchmesser betrug 7 mm. In 93,7 % der Fälle wurden die Schilddrüsenknoten zufällig sonographisch als Inzidentalome entdeckt. Während des Follow-ups wurden 78 Kinder und Jugendliche mit 103 Knoten im Median 26,8 Monate nachbeobachtet. Im Rahmen der initialen diagnostischen Evaluation konnte bei 6 Knoten und im Follow-up bei 3 weiteren der 103 Knoten ein papilläres Schilddrüsenkarzinom (PTC) diagnostiziert werden. Es ergab sich somit eine niedrige Malignitätsrate von 5,8 %. Unterschiede zwischen histopathologisch bestätigten malignen und benignen Knoten konnten nicht festgestellt werden. Eine detaillierte Wachstumsanalyse von 78 Knoten im Follow-up zeigte sehr heterogene Wachstumsverläufe, die sich durch die untersuchten Einflussfaktoren nicht erklären ließen. Die umfangreiche Auswertung der einzelnen Wachstumsphasen der Knoten ergab, dass ein höherer Serumwert des freien Thyroxins (fT4) mit einem Knotenwachstum negativ korrelierte (p=0,018). Im Rahmen der Wachstumsanalyse wiesen 39,7 % der Knoten eine absolute Größenzunahme auf, während bei Betrachtung der Knotengröße in Relation zum Schilddrüsenvolumen nur 23,1 % der Knoten ein relatives Wachstum, überproportional zur Schilddrüsengrößenzunahme, zeigten. Insgesamt 15,4 % der Knoten waren im Verlauf nicht mehr nachweisbar. Schlussfolgerungen: Pädiatrische Schilddrüsenknoten, welche zufällig sonogaphisch diagnostiziert werden (Inzidentalome), haben im Gegensatz zu primär klinisch auffallenden Knoten (Inspektion/Palpation), einen geringeren Durchmesser, eine niedrigere Malignitätsrate und zeigen in der Mehrzahl keine Größenzunahme. Die hier ermittelten Daten legen daher nahe, dass bei pädiatrischen Inzidentalomen der Schilddrüse sowohl initial als auch im Follow-up ein eher abwartendes Vorgehen gerechtfertigt ist.

This research was conducted to determine the change of main growth parameters and growth pattern of camelina depending on the sowing time and genotype. The research was carried out during 2017 and 2018 and the treatments (1, 11, 21 and 31 May & PI-650142 and PI-304269 genotypes) were arranged in split-plot design and 3 replications. It was determined that NAR, LAI, RGR and DM were affected by the sowing times. In addition, NAR, LAI and RGR were significantly affected by genotypes at all growth stages, whereas DM was affected only in the pre-flowering stage. Depending on the sowing times and genotype, NAR was found 0.014-0.016, 1.65-1.96 and 4.10-15.51 mg mm(-2) day(-1) in pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering periods, respectively, while LAI was found 0.22-0.29, 0.23-0.33 and 0.100.23 mm(2) mm(-2), respectively. In pre-flowering, flowering, post-flowering and harvest period RGR was found 2.3-2.6, 3.3-4.4, 2.2-3.3 and 0.6-0.7 mg g(-1) day(-1) g(-1) day(-1), respectively, while DM was 0.233-0.283, 0.410-0.553, 0.646-0.944 and 0.939-1.003 g per plant, respectively. Also, depending on the sowing time, the seed yield was determined as 190.85-810.07 kg ha(-1) for the PI-650142 genotype and 190.94-360.65 kg ha(-1) for the PI-304269 genotype. Consequently, it can be suggested that PI-650142 genotype can be used for general sowing once date is adjusted to 1 May in conditions of Samsun. This could be contributed to optimum temperature and day length during the flowering, seed formation and filling stage., Ondokuz Mayis University, Turkey [ZRT.1904.17.044], Supported by the Ondokuz Mayis University, Turkey, Project No. PYO. ZRT.1904.17.044

Simple Summary In the era of immunotherapy, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has attracted special interest. However, colorectal liver metastases (CRC-LM) present histological peculiarities that could affect the interaction of immune and tumor cells such as fibrotic encapsulation and dense intratumoral stroma. We explored the spatial distribution of lymphocytic infiltrates in CRC-LM in the context of the histologic growth patterns using multispectral digital pathology providing data on three different scenarios, tumor periphery, invasive margin, and central tumoral areas. Our results illustrate a similar poor cell density of CD8(+) cells between different metastases subtypes in intratumoral regions. However, in encapsulated metastases, cytotoxic cells reach the tumor cells while remaining retained in stromal areas in non-encapsulating metastases. Some aspects are still unresolved, such as understanding the reason why most lymphocytes are largely retained in the capsule. Colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRC-LM) present differential histologic growth patterns (HGP) that determine the interaction between immune and tumor cells. We explored the spatial distribution of lymphocytic infiltrates in CRC-LM in the context of the HGP using multispectral digital pathology. We did not find statistically significant differences of immune cell densities in the central regions of desmoplastic ((d)HGP) and non-desmoplastic ((nd)HGP) metastases. The spatial evaluation reported that (d)HGP-metastases displayed higher infiltration by CD8(+) and CD20(+) cells in peripheral regions as well as CD4(+) and CD45RO(+) cells in (nd)HGP-metastases. However, the reactive stroma regions at the invasive margin (IM) of (nd)HGP-metastases displayed higher density of CD4(+), CD20(+), and CD45RO(+) cells. The antitumor status of the TIL infiltrates measured as CD8/CD4 reported higher values in the IM of encapsulated metastases up to 400 mu m towards the tumor center (p < 0.05). Remarkably, the IM of (d)HGP-metastases was characterized by higher infiltration of CD8(+) cells in the epithelial compartment parameter assessed with the ratio CD8(epithelial)/CD8(stromal), suggesting anti-tumoral activity in the encapsulating lesions. Taking together, the amount of CD8(+) cells is comparable in the IM of both HGP metastases types. However, in (d)HGP-metastases some cytotoxic cells reach the tumor nests while remaining retained in the stromal areas in (nd)HGP-metastases.

Background: small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns present a higher morbidity and mortality rate when compared to infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), as well as insufficient growth, with height far from their target and in some cases a low final height (-2 SDs). Objective: the aim of this study was to determine when catch-up growth (CUG) in height occurs in these children, and which factors are associated with lack of CUG. Material and methods: this is a retrospective study of SGAs born between 2011 and 2015 in a secondary hospital. Anthropometric measurements were taken consecutively until CUG was reached, and fetal, placental, parental, newborn, and postnatal variables were studied. Results: a total of 358 SGAs were included from a total of 5,585 live newborns. At 6 and 48 months of life, 93.6 % and 96.4 % of SGAs achieved CUG, respectively. By subgroups, symmetric SGAs performed worse than asymmetric SGAs with CUG in 84 % and 92 % at 6 and 48 months of life, respectively. The same occurred in the subgroup of preterm SGAs with respect to term SGAs, with worse CUGs of 88.2 % and 91.2 % at 6 and 48 months of life, respectively. Prematurity, symmetrical SGA, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), preeclampsia, previous child SGA, perinatal morbidity, and comorbidity during follow-up were associated with absence of CUG. Conclusions: the majority of SGAs had CUG in the first months of life. The worst outcomes were for preterm and symmetric SGAs.Antecedentes: el recién nacido pequeño para la edad gestacional (PEG) presenta mayor morbimortalidad que el recién nacido con peso adecuado (PAEG), así como un crecimiento insuficiente con talla alejada de la talla diana y, en algunos casos, talla final baja (-2 DE). Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar en qué momento se produce el crecimiento compensador (CUG) de la talla en estos niños y conocer qué factores se asocian a la falta de dicho crecimiento compensador. Material y métodos: estudio retrospectivo de los recién nacidos PEG entre los años 2011 y 2015 en un hospital secundario. Se tomaron medidas antropométricas de forma consecutiva hasta alcanzar el CUG y se estudiaron las variables fetales, placentarias, parentales, neonatales y posnatales. Resultados: se incluyeron 358 PEG de un total de 5585 recién nacidos vivos. A los 6 y 48 meses de vida alcanzaron el CUG el 93,6 % y 96,4 % de los PEG, respectivamente. Por subgrupos, los PEG simétricos obtuvieron peores resultados que los PEG asimétricos, con CUG del 84 % y 92 % a los 6 y 48 meses de vida, respectivamente. Lo mismo ocurrió en el subgrupo de PEG prematuros respecto de los PEG a término, con CUG peores del 88,2 % y 91,2 % a los 6 y 48 meses de vida, respectivamente. La prematuridad, el PEG simétrico, la restricción del crecimiento intrauterino, la preeclampsia, tener un hijo previo PEG, la morbilidad perinatal y la comorbilidad durante el seguimiento se asociaron a la ausencia de CUG. Conclusiones: la mayoría de los PEG alcanzaron el CUG en los primeros meses de vida. Los peores resultados fueron para los PEG prematuros y simétricos.

Treatment with Panax ginseng has been reported to elicit various biological effects in both animal and human models. Among the reported effects on animal are protein synthesis and growth promoting ability. For a better understanding, the current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of P. ginseng extracts (PGEs) on growth performance parameters of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 48 NZW male and female rabbits, with the average age of two months were used for the experiment, conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The rabbits were organized into 3 groups of 16 rabbits each (8 males and 8 females), on weight equalization basis and randomly assigned to 3 treatments: T1, T2 and T3, containing PGEs at 0.0, 200.0 and 400.0 mg/ml, respectively. Final body weight and total body weight gain of the male rabbits on T2 and T3 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of male rabbits on T1, while feed conversion ratio for the male rabbits recorded a higher (p < 0.05) value in T1 than in T2 and T3, which were similar (p < 0.05). Trunk length and breast girth of the male rabbits were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in T3 than in T1 and T2. Feed intake pattern was similar among the male rabbits, but different between males and females. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were not observed in all parameters measured among female rabbits, but all experimental rabbits followed the same pattern of body weight gain. Oral administration of Panax ginseng extracts at 200 and 400 mg/ml levels enhanced feed conversion ratio in male NZW rabbits, thereby increasing body weight gain, trunk length and breast girth, while feed intake patterns slightly differed between the male and female growing rabbits.

To overcome the challenges related to food security, digital farming has been proposed, wherein the status of a plant using various sensors could be determined in real time. The high-throughput phenotyping platform (HTPP) and analysis with deep learning (DL) are increasingly being used but require a lot of resources. For botanists who have no prior knowledge of DL, the image analysis method is relatively easy to use. Hence, we aimed to explore a pre-trained Arabidopsis DL model to extract the projected area (PA) for lettuce growth pattern analysis. The accuracies of the extract PA of the lettuce cultivar “Nul-chung” with a pre-trained model was measured using the Jaccard Index, and the median value was 0.88 and 0.87 in two environments. Moreover, the growth pattern of green lettuce showed reproducible results in the same environment (p &lt, 0.05). The pre-trained model successfully extracted the time-series PA of lettuce under two lighting conditions (p &lt, 0.05), showing the potential application of a pre-trained DL model of target species in the study of traits in non-target species under various environmental conditions. Botanists and farmers would benefit from fewer challenges when applying up-to-date DL in crop analysis when few resources are available for image analysis of a target crop.

A total of 1177 Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis were randomly collected from the northwest Indian Ocean from February between May 2019 and 2020 by lighting falling-net vessels. The age, growth, and population structure of S. oualaniensis were studied based on the statolith microstructure. The results showed that the range of mantle length (ML) was 123–562 mm for females and 88–273 mm for males, and the range of body weight (BW) was 78–6268 g for females and 82–518 g for males in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The hatching date extended from May to December, with the 2019 samples mainly composed of the autumn population, while the 2020 samples were mostly composed of the summer population. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that there were significant differences in the growth of ML–age and BW–age between sexes. In the growth model of the ML–age relationship, both females and males in 2019 were best described by s linear model, and 2020 was best described by a logarithmic model. The growth model of the BW–age relationship of females and males in 2019 was best described as linear and the growth model of the BW–age relationship of females and males in 2020 was described logarithmically and exponentially, respectively. The average absolute daily growth rate (AGR) and instantaneous growth rate (IGR) for ML of the 2019 samples were 0.85 mm/d and 0.40%/d, and the average AGR and IGR for ML of the 2020 samples were 0.65 mm/d and 0.18%, respectively. The growth of S. oualaniensis samples in 2019 was faster than that in 2020. This study provided basic information on the age, growth, and population of S. oualaniensis, which will supply a scientific basis for stock assessment and sustainable development.

Mulya MB, Jhon AH, Harahap ZA. 2021. Population dynamics of anchovy pekto (Stolephorus waitei) in the waters of Malacca Strait, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2693-2698. Anchovy pekto or Stolephorus waitei (Engraluidae: Clupeiformes) is one of the fish in the eastern coastal part of North Sumatra, occupying the waters of Malacca Strait. This research presents the population dynamics of S. waitei following its age, growth, mortality, and recruitment pattern based on the length-frequency data. Fork length (FL) and total weight (TW) data of S. waitei were collected at three sites from April to September 2018. A total of 1994 specimens with FL from 4.0 to 6.7 cm and TW from 0.2 to 2.3 g with the length-weight relationship of TW = 0.073FL3.0046 (R2=0.765) indicated a near isometric and positive allometric growth in the water region. The relative condition factor (Kn) ranged from 1.01 to 1.02, indicating an estimate of good condition of the fishes. The growth parameters based on von Bertalanffy was 6.56 cm (L?) with the growth coefficient (K) of 0.34 yr-1 and t0 (anchovy age at zero length ) of 0.6506. The total mortality (Z), natural mortality (F), and catch mortality (M) of S. waitei were 0.64, 1.39, and 0.75 yr-1 respectively, which suggest that the fishing activities of S. waitei are still in normal intensity. The recruitment pattern of S. waitei was stable between April and August with its peak in June by 14.21%. The fishing activities may then be limited during the spawning months (May to June) of S. waitei to maintain their population in the Strait of Malacca.

Colonies are the basic geometric building blocks of coral reefs. However, the forming regulations of both colonies and reefs are still not understood adequately. Therefore, in this study, we reconstructed 25 samples using high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography to investigate coral growth patterns and parameters. Our skeleton and canal reconstructions revealed the characteristics of different coral species, and we further visualized the growth axes and growth rings to understand the coral growth directions. We drew a skeleton grayscale map and calculated the coral skeleton void ratios to ascertain the skeletal diversity, devising a method to quantify coral growth. On the basis of the three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructions and growth parameters, we investigated the growth strategies of different coral species. This research increases the breadth of knowledge on how reef‐building corals grow their colonies, providing information on reef‐forming regulations. The data in this paper contain a large amount of coral growth information, which can be used in further research on reef‐forming patterns under different conditions. The method used in this study can also be applied to animals with porous skeletons., In this study, we use high‐resolution micro‐computed tomography to reconstruct 25 representative coral samples, indicating that there is a polyp network supported by the canal system within coral skeletons, which maintains coral growth. We visualized coral growth regulations to highlight the similarities and differences among different genera, and investigated different growth strategies by their skeleton‐forming patterns. Growth parameters of coral skeletons were obtained being on the gray scale of 3D reconstructions to reveal the mineralizing diversity among species.

9 pags., 9 figs., We study the growth of rare gases (Rg) Ne, Ar and Kr on coronene (Cor) molecules, Cor-(Rg). The study is taken up to sizes N=60, and we show the global energy minima for those clusters. Improved Lennard-Jones and atom-bond potentials are used to represent the Rg-Rg and Rg-Cor interactions, respectively. The Basin-Hopping (BH) global optimization technique is employed to locate the putative global energy minimum structures. Results are presented for Cor-(Ne), Cor-(Ar) and Cor-(Kr) systems. Both classical Cor-(Ar) and Cor-(Kr) clusters present the same “magic numbers” for N=3, 6, 10, 14, 19 and 38. This last number marks the first layer of solvation. For Cor-(Ne) clusters, we consider quantum effects adding the zero-point energy (ZPE) into the classical potential energy minima (BH-ZPE). This semiclassical approximation is compared with quantum diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) calculations up to N=20, obtaining a good agreement and showing that this approximation works reasonably well. In this BH-ZPE approach, high stability configurations for Cor-(Ne) clusters are obtained at N=6, 14, 42, 51 and 57. However, we have not found any evidence of a first solvation layer using either the semiclassical BH-ZPE or the classical BH one., This work has been supported by the Spanish “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación” with Grants PID2019- 105225GB-100 (J.B, J.H-R.), FIS2017-83157-P (T.G-L.), FIS2017- 84391-C2-2-P (J.C.-M, MI.H. E.G.-A). E.G-A thanks fnancial support from Comunidad de Madrid (Spain), under the “Garantía Juvenil” Program (PEJ-2019-AI/IND-14267). Computation time by “Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia” (CESGA) and cluster TRUENO (CSIC) is also acknowledge.

Objectives: Colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) are widely recognized owing to their structural characteristics. This study aims to clarify the histopathological characteristics of large colorectal LSTs according to growth pattern. Methods: We studied 297 colorectal LSTs measuring ≥20 mm in diameter. The LSTs were classified into four types: granular homogenous type (LST-G-H), granular nodular mixed type (LST-G-M), non-granular flat elevated type (LST-NG-F), and non-granular pseudo-depressed type (LST-NG-PD). Retrospectively collected data were examined to compare the histopathological characteristics of LSTs according to the growth pattern. Results: LST-G-M lesions (142 lesions) were most common, followed by LST-NG-F (74 lesions), LST-G-H (61 lesions), and LST-NG-PD (20 lesions). The mean tumor diameter of LST-G lesions (38.5 ± 17.2 mm) was significantly greater than that of LST-NG lesions (26.3 ± 7.0 mm, P < 0.001). In particular, 45% of LST-G-M lesions were ≥40 mm in diameter. Adenomas accounted for 54% of LST-G-H lesions compared with only 10% of LST-NG-PD lesions. Pathological T1 carcinomas accounted for 55% of LST-NG-PD lesions and were not found among LST-G-H lesions. Conclusions: The biological malignancy of colorectal LSTs differs considerably depending on the growth pattern even among large lesions and therefore should be considered when selecting treatment regimens.

Length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factors, and trophic level of Zenarchopterus buffonis from the coastal waters of Malaysia were evaluated between November 2013 and March 2014. Three hundred individuals of Z. buffonis ranging between 8.7−16.0 cm total length and 3.67−22.19 g body weight were investigated in this study. The length-weight relationship demonstrated that the parameter b values at Sungai Likas, Tanjung Belungkor, Langkawi, Klang, and Matang were 3.3114, 3.0534, 2.5442, 2.2018, and 2.8998, respectively, which suggested positive and negative allometric growth patterns for this species. Specimens from Matang recorded the lowest mean condition factor, K (0.2292±0.0578) whereas Tanjung Belungkor displayed the highest value of 0.6556±0.0526. Matang was discovered to display the lowest relative condition factor (Kn) of 0.0330±0.2336, whereas Klang had the highest Kn value of 3.5097±0.4232. The trophic level for Z. buffonis was analyzed based on 84 specimens. Gut content analysis revealed that Z. buffonis consume primarily insects (57%), followed by plant materials (33%), and crustaceans (10%). The calculated TROPH values (1−3.2) signified that Z. buffonis has an omnivorous feeding habit. This study provides the pioneer description of LWR parameters, condition factors, and diet preferences for Z. buffonis, which would be beneficial for the sustainable fishery management in the coastal waters of Malaysia and neighboring provinces.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine early hereditary endowment to establish a short-term feeding program.Methods: Hanwoo steers (n = 140) were equally distributed into four groups (35/group) based on genetic meat yield index (MYI) viz. the greatest, great, low, and the lowest at Jukam Hanwoo farm, Goheung. All animals were fed in group pens (5 animals/pen) with similar feed depending on the growth stage. Rice straw was provided ad libitum, whereas concentrate was fed at 5.71 kg during the growing period (6 to 13 mo) and 9.4 kg during the fattening period (13 to 28 mo). Body weight (BW) was measured at two-month intervals, whereas carcass weight was determined at slaughtering at about 31 months of age. The Affymetrix Bovine Axiom Array 640K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip was used to determine the meat quantity-related gene in the blood.Results: After 6 months, the highest (p

The objectives of the present study were to determine the size distribution, growth pattern, feeding habit and stomach fullness index of bullet tuna Auxis rochei in the Makassar Strait, West Sulawesi. The research was conducted for six months between March and August 2017. Sampling collection was carried out using the handline technique. A total of 2160 fish were caught. Their total length ranged from 15.8 to 28.5 cm and weight ranged from 52.3 to 366.5 g. The total length of male fish ranged from 18.5 to 28.5 cm and weight ranged from 77.5 to 366.5 g. The total length of female fish ranged from 15.8 to 27.5 cm and weight ranged from 52.3 to 328.8 g. The growth pattern of bullet tuna for both male and female fish was classified into a positive allometry (b>3); the type of food found in the fish gut consisted of crustacean (12.50% to 25.64%), chepalopods (7.32 to 34.80%) and unidentified (47.69 to 64.51%), respectively. Nonetheless, the predominant food condition was not identified and in the gut there was generally no food present. The stomach fullness index ranged from 1.13% to 7.18%, ¾ (12.11 to 15.74%), ½ (12.27 to 23.14%) and empty (59.26 to 65.74%). The length size distribution of male bullet tuna was larger than the female with a positive allometric growth pattern. However, the growth pattern of male and female bullet tuna statistically showed no difference.

Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most prevalent lethal chronic genetic and multivariate disease, widespread in Iranian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the condition of patients with CF from various dimensions in the last decades in Iran. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study the data were collected from disease registrydatabase of CF patients in Pediatric Respiratory Disease Research Center in Masih Daneshvari, Tehran, Iran. The patients were divided into female and male.The data were collected based on province, birthplace province, marital status, and degree of education, parental consanguinity ratio, age, and age of onset of symptoms, age of onset of diagnosis and body mass index (BMI). Results Majority of patients (n=169, 59.3%) were male, born in Tehran province (n=81, 28.4%), and live in Tehran province (n=102, 35.8%). Majority of parents (61.1%, n=174) had consanguineous relation and the rest (n=94, 33%) did not have any consanguineous relation. Results show that mean of age, age of diagnosis, mean for expression of first symptoms and mean of time interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of the disease were 14.52, 2.51, 6.57, and 4.07 years, respectively. Results showed that high percentage of patients (n=191, 67%) had lower BMI (25). Correlation coefficient also showed positive relation between start age of symptoms and diagnosis age of disease. Conclusion In Iran, CF is a multisystem disease and age for its expression is different. Since mean for time interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of the disease

Native poultry is a valuable genetic source with high resistance against diseases providing an important subject for breeding programs. The non-linear mathematical modeling of the growth pattern may partly explain the relationship between requirements and body weight to precise feeding that plays a vital role in the animal enterprises. A study was conducted to compare five non-linear models including Gompertz, Richards, Lopez, Logistic, and Von Bertalanffy describing the growth curve of Khazak native chickens. A total of 120 Khazak chickens (male and female) were individually weighed from 0 to 29 weeks under the same condition. The models were fitted on body weight data set and then evaluated by goodness-of-fit criteriaincluding root mean square error (RMSE), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), Akaike information criterion (AIC), and adjusted coefficient of determination (R2Adj). Based on goodness-of-fit criteria, Lopez model was the most suitable one for describing the growth curves in female and male chickens. The effect of sex was significantly important on curve parameters in all models (P< 0.05). The highest and lowest initial weight (W0) parameter was estimated by Logistic and Richards models, respectively, however, the other parameters of the growth curves were higher in Lopez model compared to others. Male chickens had higher values for age (ti), and weight (wi) at inflection point than females. Using an appropriate model to describe the growth curve in native Khazak chickens could increase the accuracy of selection for rapid growth at early stages of age.

Berryteuthis magister shevtsovi is a new subspecies in the Japan Sea, and thus, little is known about its fisheries biology, especially age and population structure. Based on the 296 samples collected by the Chinese commercial jigging vessel in December 2018 in the Japan Sea. The age, growth, and population structure of B. magister shevtsovi were studied based on the microstructure of the statolith. The results indicated that the range of mantle length (ML) was 90–148 mm for females and 94–141 mm for males, the body weight (BW) ranged from 49 to 116 g and 38 to 110 g for females and males, and the ages were estimated from 52 to 166 days for females and 51 to 143 days for males, respectively. The hatching date extended from March to October, with a peak from July to September, suggesting the presence of one spawning group (summer–autumn group). The ANCOVA showed that there was no significant sex difference between the ML and BW growth; however, there was a significant difference between the sexes in the relationship between ML–age and BW–age. The relationship between the ML and BW was best described by the power function, the ML–age relationship of females was best described by linear function; the ML–age relationship of males and BW–age relationships of females and males were best described by the exponential function. B. magister shevtsovi is a high-growing squid, and the growth rate seemed to be high at the young life stage and decreased after the subadult stage (60–120 days older). This study provided basic information on the age, growth, and population structure of B. magister shevtsovi.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between various dental anomalies and dental malocclusions/vertical growth patterns. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on panoramic radiographs of 756 patients with a mean age of 15.46 ± 4.52 years. 64.6% (n = 488) of the total patients were female and 35.4% (n = 268) were male. The panoramic radiographs of the patients were detected for the following dental anomalies: supernumerary tooth, agenesis, transposition, microdontia, dileseration and taurodontism. The obtained data were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher exact tests at a significance level of 5%. Results: Impaction (14.4%) and microdontia (8.5%) were the most common anomalies.The prevalence of dental anomalies were the highest in skeletal Class II malocclusion (9.9%) and hypodivergent (11.6%) growth pattern (p˂0.05). Conclusion:The presence of an association between skeletal malocclusion/vertical growth pattern and dental anomalies was observed for tooth agenesis, impaction, transposition and taurodontism. Supernumerary tooth, microdontia and dilaceration were not significantly different among malocclusion groups.

Key Clinical Message Consideration of growth pattern and occlusal plane is critical in orthodontic treatment planning to achieve optimal dentofacial esthetics and long‐term stability in adolescent patients, which is illustrated by success in orthodontic treatment of an adolescent Class II division 1 malocclusion with nonextraction., Consideration of growth pattern and occlusal plane is critical in orthodontic treatment planning to achieve optimal dentofacial esthetics and long‐term stability in adolescent patients, which is illustrated by success in orthodontic treatment of an adolescent Class II division 1 malocclusion with nonextraction.

Patterns of growth can be determined one of them through quantitative measurements, namely osteometry. The aim of this study was to determine the growth of patterns of Lohmann broiler chickens based on hindlimb osteometry at the age of 7, 21 and 35 days. This study used 30 Lohmann broiler chickens aged 7, 21 and 35 days. Osteometry techniques are performed on all the bones of hindlimb with variable Greatest length (GL), Breadth of the proximal end (Bp), Breadth of the distal end (Dd), Minimum breadth of diaphysis (Sd), Circular of the proximal end (Cp), Circular of corpus (Cc), and Circular of distal end (Cd). The data obtained is recorded in units of centimeters (cm). Data of body weight and weight of each bone are also recorded in grams (g). Data were analyzed by ANOVA test, if the result obtained with a significance of 5% then the test continued with Pos Hoc Duncan. The results showed that from 6 osteometry variables, body weight, and bone mass obtained significant differences (p

The morphological plasticity of bivalve species may impair their correct identification. Pisidium species (Sphaeriidae) are difficult to distinguish, notably the common pea clam, Pisidium casertanum (Poli, 1791), which is a polymorphic species, often misidentified and confused with other Pisidium species. This is especially true since this species is the most euryecious of the genus, being able to colonize very different habitats. In this study, elliptic Fourier Analysis, a geometric morphometric method, was used to assess intraspecific variation in P. casertanum. Sampling of specimens was done in three habitat types-springs, lakes and streams-in the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot region, using the Sebou basin in Morocco as a study area. In addition to the geometric morphometric method, linear measurements of the shell were used to assess growth patterns. Results revealed differences in the hinge plate, which is broader in shells collected from lakes, whereas it is higher in shells of springs. The geometric morphometric method clearly showed shape differences between individuals of the three habitats. Specimens of lakes were the most distinguishable, presenting more elongated shells than those from springs and streams, which are shorter but higher. Individuals from the three habitat types presented a negative allometric growth pattern whereby the shell of animals grows more slowly in height than in length. The use of linear and geometric morphometric methods led to conclude that the morphology of P. casertanum is, in fact, highly influenced by its environment, in particular, its habitat type., The authors would like to thank the High Commission for Water and Forests, Rabat (HCEFLCD) for granting permission to collect in the Moroccan basins. The authors are also grateful to the late Ulrich Bößneck for helping in the field and for fruitful discussions on Moroc can Sphaeriidae.

Background: Standard liver volume (SLV) is important in risk assessment for major hepatectomy. We aimed to investigate the growth patterns of normal liver volume with age and body weight (BW) and summarize formulae for calculating SLV in children.Methods: Overall, 792 Chinese children (Results: The growth patterns of liver volume with age (1 day−18 years) and BW (2–78 kg) were summarized. The volume grows from a median of 139 ml (111.5–153.6 in newborn) to 1180.5 ml (1043–1303.1 at 16–18 years). Liver volume was significantly correlated with BW (r = 0.95, P < 0.001), BH (r = 0.92, P < 0.001), and BSA (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). The effect of sex on liver volume increases with BW, and BW of 20 kg was identified as the optimal cutoff value. The recommended SLV formulae were BW≤20 kg: SLV = 707.12 × BSA1.09; BW>20 kg, males: SLV = 691.90 × BSA1.06; females: SLV = 663.19 × BSA1.04.Conclusions: We summarized the growth patterns of liver volume and provided formulae predicting SLV in Chinese children, which is useful in assessing the safety of major hepatectomies.

Limnocythere inopinata (Baird, 1843) is a Holarctic species, abundant in a number of Recent and fossil ostracod assemblages, and has many important taxonomic and (paleo)ecological applications. However, the life cycle and morphological characteristics of the living L. inopinata are still unclear. A bioculture experiment was designed to study life stages and morphological variations from stage A-8 to adult in this species. The living animals were collected from Lake Jiang-Co, in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Results reveal that this species possesses a special growth pattern with the maximum size increase occurring at the transition from the instars A-5 to A-4. The growth pattern deviates from Brooks’ rule and one population from Lake Dali, eastern Mongolian Plateau. This suggests that the life history of L. inopinata may be influenced by environmental factors. Some morphological differences between Lake Jiang-Co and European populations of L. inopinata are also uncovered. Therefore, a detailed morphological description of this population is provided, but refrain from erecting a new species at the present stage because those differences appear to be inconsistent.

Funding: Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Government of Canada. Variation in circulus spacing on scales of wild Atlantic salmon is indicative of changes in body length growth rate. We analyzed scale circulus spacing during the post‐smolt growth period for adult one sea‐winter salmon (n = 1947) returning to Scotland over the period 1993‐2011. Growth pattern of scales was subjectively and visually categorized according to the occurrence and zonal sequence of three inter‐circulus spacing criteria (“Slow”, “Fast” and “Check” zones). We applied hierarchical time‐series cluster analysis to the empirical circulus spacing data, followed by post hoc analysis of significant changes in growth patterns within the identified 20 clusters. Temporal changes in growth pattern frequencies showed significant correlation with sea surface temperature anomalies during the early months of the post‐smolt growth season and throughout the Norwegian Sea. Since the turn of millennium, we observed: (i) a marked decrease in the occurrence of continuous Fast growth, and increased frequencies of fish showing (ii) an extended period of initially Slow growth, and (iii) the occurrence of obvious growth Checks, or hiatuses. These changes in post‐smolt growth pattern were manifest also in decreases in the mean body length attained by the ocean midwinter, as sea surface temperatures have risen. Publisher PDF

Maria José Temido,1,2,* Rui Caetano Oliveira,3– 6,* Ricardo Martins,2,4,5,7 Marco Serôdio,2,7 Beatriz Costa,2,5,7 César Carvalho,7 Eva Santos,2,7 Luís Ferreira,7 Paulo Teixeira,3,8 Maria Augusta Cipriano,3 José Guilherme Tralhão,2,4,5,7 Henrique Alexandrino2,5,7 1Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-075, Portugal; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal; 3Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-075, Portugal; 4Biophysics Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal; 5Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-548, Portugal; 6Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-319, Portugal; 7Department of Surgery, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-075, Portugal; 8Department Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, ESTeSC- Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra 3046-854, Portugal*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Maria José TemidoCentro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, Coimbra 3004-561, PortugalTel +351 910772166Email mariajosetemido@gmail.comPurpose: Hepatectomy (Hp) is an alternative approach for the treatment of gastric carcinoma liver metastases (GCLM). However, prognostic factors that may assist patient selection are still controversial. Several pathologic features, such as the growth pattern (GP), associated with prognosis in colorectal cancer liver metastases, were never investigated in GCLM. Our principal aim was to assess if the GP has prognostic impact on GCLM.Patients and Methods: Review of the clinical and pathological characteristics of 19 consecutive patients submitted to surgical resection of GCLM with curative intent at our department. Major potential prognostic factors considered were patients’ gender, age, timing and extent of Hp, postoperative course, as well as histopathological characteristics of primary and secondary tumors.Results: Major morbidity occurred in four patients, mortality in one. Median and 5-year overall survival were 17 months and 26.7%, respectively. Ten patients developed recurrent disease and two patients survived more than 10 years. Factors independently associated with overall survival were the absence of major morbidity, distal location of the primary tumor, and desmoplastic GP (p< 0.05).Conclusion: The selection of patients is crucial for the improvement of survival rates of GCLM. Consequently, we demonstrate for the first time that the desmoplastic GP of GCLM is associated with improved outcomes, prompting further research on tumor–host interactions.Keywords: liver metastases, gastric carcinoma, hepatectomy, growth pattern, prognosis

The barrier properties of graphene coating are highly correlated with its microstructure which is then determined by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth history on metals. We demonstrate here an unrevealed selective area oxidation of copper under graphene, which is derived from the implicit-etching-controlled CVD growth mode of graphene. By charactering and analyzing the selective area patterns of Cu oxidation, an etched pattern trace with nano/microvoids during graphene growth has been proposed to account for this. Based on such selective oxidation of Cu, distributed galvanic corrosion will be triggered and proceed locally at the interface of graphene-Cu system to coalescence together under a continuous corrosion environment, eventually presenting a homogeneous oxidation of Cu and gradual decoupling of graphene-Cu system. This discovery will assist our understanding of the barrier properties of two-dimensional materials and can be extended to other applications related to quality monitoring of grown materials and defects-based chemical modifications.