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Construction and demolition waste (CDW) landfills around the city have caused serious damage to the ecological environment and menaced the public health. Restoration of closed CDW landfills is critical to compensate for the degraded ecosystem and ensure safety in further development and utilization. Vegetation restoration is an essential part of the restoration of CDW landfills, in which the use of spontaneous plants is the foundation of the nature-based strategy. In this study, Fenghuangshan CDW landfill in Suzhou, China, was selected as the research site, and the species composition and diversity of the spontaneous plants were analyzed. Moreover, the types of habitats and growth indexes of 8 species with high frequency and 18 species with medium frequency in the CDW landfill were investigated, and a comprehensive evaluation of growth rate and expansion capacity of the 26 species was conducted. The results showed that, herbs were the main type of the spontaneous plants in the CDW landfill. The species and quantities of the spontaneous plants in the CDW landfill were obviously fewer than those in the surrounding areas of the CDW landfill, and the Shannon–Wiener index and Pielou index of the spontaneous plants were lower compared with the surrounding areas of the CDW landfill. Meanwhile, the differences of dominant families and the distribution of origins, life forms and growth types between these two fields were insignificant. The heliophilous and drought tolerance species were widely distributed in the CDW landfill while the shade-tolerant or hygrophilous species were few. The relatively large comprehensive evaluation indexes of Elymus dahuricus, Daucus carota, Sonchus asper, Geranium carolinianum, Rumex acetosa, Metaplexis japonica, Carex breviculmis, Erigeron canadensis, Trigonotis peduncularis, Lamium amplexicaule reflected their high growth rates and strong expansion capacity, demonstrating their great potentiality in the vegetation restoration of CDW landfills as indispensable components of the nature-based solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the mandibular arch shape and the vertical skeletal pattern in growing patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 Caucasian patients (33 males and 40 females; mean age 9.4) were retrospectively enrolled from a pool of patients treated in chronological order at the Department of Orthodontics, University of Foggia, Italy, from April 2018 to December 2021. Each patient received a laterolateral radiograph and a digital scan of the dental arch. Eight cephalometric parameters (lower gonial angle, intermaxillary angle, divergence angle, Wits index, Jarabak ratio, OP-MP angle, PP-OP angle, and ANB) and five dental measurements (posterior mandibular arch width, anterior mandibular arch width, mandibular occlusal angle, posterior width on distobuccal molar cusps, and molar angle) were analyzed and then compared. A Spearman's rho correlation test between the cephalometric measurements and the dental measurements was performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A negative statistically significant correlation was found between the Jarabak ratio and the intermolar angle; a statistically significant correlation was also observed between the Wits index, the posterior mandibular width, and the occlusal mandibular angle; the ANB angle and the occlusal mandibular angle; the intermaxillary angle (PP-PM) and the mandibular occlusal angle, posterior mandibular width on the disto-vestibular cusp, and the intermolar angle; and the OP-MP angle and mandibular occlusal angle and the posterior mandibular width on the disto-vestibular cusp. Conclusions: The mandibular arch form may be related to certain predisposing features in craniofacial morphology, such as jaw divergence, the Jarabak ratio, and the intermaxillary angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to measure effect of hen body weight to the growth rate of native chicken. Ten native hens divided by two classifications (heavy and light body weight), 2 native roosters, 58 (from hen with heavy body weight) and 62 (from hen with light body weight) female day old chicks (DoC) use in this research. Hatching machine, communal cage, feeder tray, drinking jar, balance body weight and vernier calliper, were use in this research. Body weight and morphometric of female native chicken from DoC up to 10 week was measured. T-test analysis was used with help of SPSS 25. The results showed that the hen with heavy body weight resulted to the higher morphometric and body weight of female native chicken (P

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the mandibular arch shape and the vertical skeletal pattern in growing patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 73 Caucasian patients (33 males and 40 females; mean age 9.4) were retrospectively enrolled from a pool of patients treated in chronological order at the Department of Orthodontics, University of Foggia, Italy, from April 2018 to December 2021. Each patient received a laterolateral radiograph and a digital scan of the dental arch. Eight cephalometric parameters (lower gonial angle, intermaxillary angle, divergence angle, Wits index, Jarabak ratio, OP-MP angle, PP-OP angle, and ANB) and five dental measurements (posterior mandibular arch width, anterior mandibular arch width, mandibular occlusal angle, posterior width on distobuccal molar cusps, and molar angle) were analyzed and then compared. A Spearman’s rho correlation test between the cephalometric measurements and the dental measurements was performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A negative statistically significant correlation was found between the Jarabak ratio and the intermolar angle; a statistically significant correlation was also observed between the Wits index, the posterior mandibular width, and the occlusal mandibular angle; the ANB angle and the occlusal mandibular angle; the intermaxillary angle (PP-PM) and the mandibular occlusal angle, posterior mandibular width on the disto-vestibular cusp, and the intermolar angle; and the OP-MP angle and mandibular occlusal angle and the posterior mandibular width on the disto-vestibular cusp. Conclusions: The mandibular arch form may be related to certain predisposing features in craniofacial morphology, such as jaw divergence, the Jarabak ratio, and the intermaxillary angle.

The restoration and reconstruction of ecosystems is the basis of the landscape reconstruction of construction and demolition waste (CDW) landfills, in which landscape plants play a prominent role. To screen appropriate landscape plants that could survive and grow in a mixture of CDW and soils, the Fenghuangshan CDW landfill in Suzhou, China, was taken as an example to study restoration technology by plants. The growth and physiological parameters of ten herbaceous species with high ornamental values, healthy growth and easy maintenance in the green space of Suzhou were measured under a mixture of CDW and soils. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted with the membership function method. The results showed that Hemerocallis fulva, Panicum virgatum, Heliopsis helianthoides, Sedum aizoon and Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' were well adapted to the mixed environment of CDW and soil in Suzhou. Among them, Hemerocallis fulva ranked first with a comprehensive evaluation index of 0.87. It could be the best herbaceous species for landscape reconstruction of CDW landfills. The study is instructive for vegetation restoration in surrounding areas and provides a method for plant selection and evaluation for vegetation restoration of CDW landfills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple cultivar ´Antopa´ originated from a crossing of ´Angold´ and ´Topaz´ that has been realized in RBIP Holovousy in 1998. Apple cultivar ´Idapaz´ has emerged from a crossing HL 13 (HL 324 x ´Idared´) and ´Topaz´ that has also been carried out in RBIP Holovousy in 2001. Upon State variety trials, it was logged in 2013, and registered and legally protected in the Czech Republic since 2018. In this study, we compared their tree and fruit characteristics with the three standard cultivars ´Gala´, ´Golden Delicious´, and ´Jonagold´ growing in the same experimental orchard. The tree vigour of the novelty ´Antopa´ is similar to ´Gala´. ´Antopa´ with the longest storable fruits is resistant to scab. None of the new cultivars is susceptible to storage disorders. Fruits of both novelties are attractive and their taste is very good to excellent.

To determine if an automated superimposition method using six landmarks (Sella, Nasion, Porion, Orbitale, Basion, and Pterygoid) would be more suitable than the traditional Sella-Nasion (SN) method to evaluate growth changes. Serial lateral cephalograms at an average interval of 2.7 years were taken on 268 growing children who had not undergone orthodontic treatment. The T1 and T2 lateral images were manually traced. Three different superimposition methods: Björk's structural method, conventional SN, and the multiple landmark (ML) superimposition methods were applied. Bjork's structural method was used as the gold standard. Comparisons among the superimposition methods were carried out by measuring the linear distances between Anterior Nasal Spine, point A, point B, and Pogonion using each superimposition method. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors that could affect the accuracy of the superimpositions. The ML superimposition method demonstrated smaller differences from Björk's method than the conventional SN method did. Greater differences among the cephalometric landmarks tested resulted when: the designated point was farther from the cranial base, the T1 age was older, and the more time elapsed between T1 and T2. From the results of this study in growing patients, the ML superimposition method seems to be more similar to Björk's structural method than the SN superimposition method. A major advantage of the ML method is likely to be that it can be applied automatically and may be just as reliable as manual superimposition methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim was to compare the performances of the World Health Organization (WHO) and population‐based (PB) references in the screening for hydrocephalus in infants aged <2 years. Methods: We collected 341 longitudinal head circumference (HC) measurements of hydrocephalic infants and 120 181 measurements of 15 145 healthy infants from primary care. The measurements were converted into z‐scores, and a new screening parameter, change in HC standard deviation score (SDS) over time (ΔHC SDS), was calculated. Comparisons were made using receiver operating characteristics analysis and linear mixed models. Results: The mean HC SDSWHO was 3.5 and the mean HC SDSPB was 2.9 in the hydrocephalic infants, and in healthy children, those numbers were 1.0 SDSWHO and 0 SDSPB, respectively. The best screening accuracy was obtained with the PB reference in combination with the ΔHC SDS parameter (AUC 0.89). The accuracy of the WHO standard could be improved to a similar level by customising the screening cut‐offs of HC SDS according to the population and combining screening parameters. Conclusions: Auxology alone was not sufficient for the screening of hydrocephalus. The WHO standard should be validated in the population, and population‐specific cut‐offs for normality defined before its introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1)Background--In 2018, the total output value of the forestry industry has reached 7. 33 trillion yuan, which has been 22 times higher than that value of 318. 77 billion yuan in 2000. As a result, it is necessary to study the growth of the forestry industry, for which presents a huge development space and growth potential. (2)Methods--The financial data of 30 listed forestry companies from 2012 to 2018 are collected, and the main financial indicators affecting the growth of the companies are found by using factor analysis method, among which, profitability factor, solvency factor, operation factor and development factor are selected to construct the growth evaluation index system. (3)Results--From the result of factor analysis, the contribution of sample explanatory capacity to growth is from high to low in order of profitability, solvency, operation ability and development ability, among which the variance contribution rate of profitability is the highest. The result shows that the listed forestry companies have the strongest perception of net operating interest rate and net profit margin of total assets. In addition, from the perspective of the growth comprehensive score, only 15 of the 30 listed forestry companies have a growth score greater than zero, accounting for half of the total sample, which indicates that the growth of listed forestry companies is on the low side as a whole, and the maximum and minimum difference / maximum value of growth = 1.745, indicating that the growth differences between different companies are large and unbalanced. In the aspect of solvency ability, there are 9 positive listed companies, accounting for 30% of the sample number, 12 with a positive operating capacity factor score, accounting for 40％ of the total sample number, and 8 with a positive development capacity score, accounting for only 26% of the total sample number. Finally, The companies with a positive solvency factor, operating capacity factor and development capacity factor score are less than half of the total sample number, indicating that most of the forestry listed companies have poor growth. On the other hand, from the perspective of risk, 44% of the companies are at significant risk stage, 20% are at high risk stage, and 17% are at serious risk stage. (4)Conclusions and Discussions--First of all, for companies with weak profitability, it is necessary to establish a sound cost control system, strengthen cost management and product quality with the strong support of the national "Belt and Road" and "Internet plus" strategy. In addition, it is advisable to make full use of the preferential forestry policies given by the government and guide the development of products to the direction of intensive processing. Secondly, for companies with relatively weak solvency, enterprises need to adjust the term structure of liabilities. Through the establishment of a scientific financial early warning mechanism, reasonable arrangement of the source and term structure of liabilities, financing channels need to be diversified. Finally, for companies with poor development capacity, it is necessary to consider industrial transformation, change the traditional forest product manufacturing, actively transform from labor-intensive industry to technology-intensive industry, so as to form a reasonable industrial layout, and gradually reduce the dependence on forest resources. Moreover, efforts should be made to develop the forestry economy and the forestry medicine industry, and the forest recreation service and the forest health service should be taken as the priority objects to consolidate the non-wood forestry industry, cultivate the forest food industry, promote the industrial upgrading, shift the industrial focus to the forest tourism direction, and form the unique ecological tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) percentile and skeletal and dental maturation in Turkish adolescents.Materials and methods: A sample of 429 patients (171 males, 258 females aged between 7 and 17 years) was selected. Skeletal maturation was identified in the hand-wrist radiography by Björk, Grave and Brown (BGB), and the cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) method defined by Hassel and Farman in lateral cephalometric radiography. Dental maturation was determined by the Demirjian method. BMI was calculated by reference curves used for Turkish children. A regression model was used for the relationship between BMI percentile and skeletal and dental maturation.Results: There was no significant correlation between BMI and skeletal maturation of cervical vertebrae and dental maturation. A one-percentile increase in BMI percentile accelerates the increase of period (likelihood of being post-pubertal period) to 1.016 times (p < .05). Skeletal maturation of hand-wrist and cervical vertebrae and dental maturation were more prominent in females compared to males (p < .05). Males and females were not statistically significantly different in BMI percentile (p = .52).Conclusions: BMI may be considered before deciding to estimate the skeletal and dental maturation in an individual by the relevant methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the effect of arch coordination on the dentoskeletal jaw base relationship and the mandibular growth pattern in growing skeletal Class II patients. Leveling, aligning, and upper/lower arch coordination were done in 30 Class II/1 growing patients with preadjusted edgewise fixed appliances. After arch coordination was achieved without transverse discrepancy and occlusal interferences, the 6-month experimental passive observation period was started. The records were compared with 30 untreated patients who served as controls. The initial (T 0) and post-coordination+observation (T 1) cephalograms of two groups were analyzed and compared using standard cephalometric parameters, Pancherz analysis, and cranial base superimposition. Sagittal maxillary growth in the treated group was slightly restricted, in turn resulting in a decrease in profile convexity. Mandibular sagittal growth did not differ between groups, but the mandible rotated posteriorly in the treated and anteriorly in the control group. The upper incisors were retroclined and retruded in the treated group, resulting in overjet reduction. The lower incisors were intruded in the treated group, leading to overbite reduction. The cephalometric superimposition over the stable structures of the anterior cranial base showed higher prevalence for the forward rotation with forward pogonion position and increased vertical dimension in the control group. Upper and lower arch coordination alone does not seem to affect mandibular growth; however, because of a posterior rotation of the mandible, it does affect the direction of mandibular growth in some patients, although not in the desired therapeutic direction. (ClinicalTrials.in.th: TCTR20170706003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Circulating IGFBP-1b is a negative index of growth for juvenile chum salmon. • Growth status of juveniles in wild was assessed using IGFBP-1b and IGF-I. • The use of multiple indices may stabilize growth evaluation in the field. Abstract This study aimed to utilize circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1b as a negative index of growth to evaluate the growth status of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in the ocean. First, rearing experiments using PIT-tagged juveniles were conducted to examine the relationship of circulating IGFBP-1b with growth rate of the fish in May and in June. The serum IGFBP-1b level negatively correlated with fish growth rate in both months, suggesting its utility as a negative index of growth. Next, the growth status of out-migrating juveniles in northeastern Hokkaido, Japan, was monitored for 3 years using the growth indices. Serum levels of IGF-I, a positive index of growth, in fish collected from the nearshore zone were low in May and high in June of all years. Levels of serum IGFBP-1b showed a trend opposite to that of serum IGF-I. However, the IGF-I/IGFBP-1b molar ratios well reflected the seasonal and regional trends. These findings suggest that the juveniles in June left the nearshore area under better growth conditions. The present study also suggests that the use of multiple growth indices would improve the sensitivity and accuracy to evaluate the current growth status of out-migrating juvenile chum salmon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The present study was aimed to assess the amount and direction of growth in cranial base, jaws, and soft tissue of airway structures by cephalometric analysis in 9–11-years-old Iranian girls and boys. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four Iranian children with normal occlusion and class I molar relationships were recruited, and 2 lateral cephalograms were obtained from 9 and 11-year-old children Cephalometric variables included variables defining cranial base length and angle, maxillomandibular length and height, dental relationship, head and cervical position, soft palate and tongue, vallecula and hyoid position, and pharyngeal dimension. Normal distribution was confirmed by Kolmogorov–Smirnov analysis (P>0.05). Paired t-test was used for assessing growth changes. P value was set at 0.05. Results: Anterior, posterior, and total cranial base length were increased significantly. The increase in total and upper anterior, total and lower posterior facial heights, ramus height, and palatal inclination were statistically significant. Maxillomandibular length increased significantly with insignificant change in their position. Dental relationship and head and cervical posture were stable. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal anteroposterior dimension did not change. However, hypopharynx sagittal length increased significantly. Nasopharyngeal vertical dimension increased and hyoid moved anteriorly and inferiorly. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that cranial base and jaws grow anteriorly and inferiorly while maintaining dental occlusion and head posture. Most of the airway structures grow simultaneously with craniofacial components.

Estimation of children’s final height is of great interest for pediatric endocrinologists in diagnosing and evaluating the treatment of short stature. The current study was performed to characterize the feature of offsprings’ final heights by their parents’ heights by gender in Taiwan. Methods: Healthy participants aged 25–35 years who underwent health examinations were recruited for body height measurements with standard processes regulated by a protocol and were enquired about their parental peak adult heights in 2003–2004. Differential contributions from each parent to the tallest/shortest child’s height in the family were then assessed with simple linear regressions with scatter plots by gender. Meanwhile, statistical comparisons with the corrected midparental height method and final height for parental height model were performed. Results: A total of 1113 male and 1036 female participants were enrolled. The fathers’ height contributed the most to the tallest son’s height in the family (adjusted R2=0.20), and mother’s height contributed the most to the shortest daughter’s height in the family (adjusted R2=0.18). Specifically, the final height for parental height line worked better for the contribution of midparental height to the tallest son’s height in prediction. Conclusions: For clinical practice, our results provided a reasonable estimation of final heights among local Taiwanese population and are also applicable for the evaluation of growth hormone replacement therapies for patients with short stature of non-growth-hormone defect.

Growth curves models provide a visual assessment of growth as a function of time, and prediction body weight at a specific age. This study aimed at estimating tinamous growth curve using different models, and at verifying their goodness of fit. A total number 11,639 weight records from 411 birds, being 6,671 from females and 3,095 from males, was analyzed. The highest estimates of a parameter were obtained using Brody (BD), von Bertalanffy (VB), Gompertz (GP,) and Logistic function (LG). Adult females were 5.7% heavier than males. The highest estimates of b parameter were obtained in the LG, GP, BD, and VB models. The estimated k parameter values in decreasing order were obtained in LG, GP, VB, and BD models. The correlation between the parameters a and k showed heavier birds are less precocious than the lighter. The estimates of intercept, linear regression coefficient, quadratic regression coefficient, and differences between quadratic coefficient of functions and estimated ties of quadratic-quadratic-quadratic segmented polynomials (QQQSP) were: 31.1732±2.41339; 3.07898± 0.13287; 0.02689±0.00152; -0.05566±0.00193; 0.02349±0.00107, and 57 and 145 days, respectively. The estimated predicted mean error values (PME) of VB, GP, BD, LG, and QQQSP models were, respectively, 0.8353; 0.01715; -0.6939; -2.2453; and -0.7544%. The coefficient of determination (R²) and least square error values (MS) showed similar results. In conclusion, the VB and the QQQSP models adequately described tinamous growth. The best model to describe tinamous growth was the Gompertz model, because it presented the highest R² values, easiness of convergence, lower PME, and the easiness of parameter biological interpretation.

Introduction: The present study was aimed to assess the amount and direction of growth in cranial base, jaws, and soft tissue of airway structures by cephalometric analysis in 9-11-years-old Iranian girls and boys. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four Iranian children with normal occlusion and class I molar relationships were recruited, and 2 lateral cephalograms were obtained from 9 and 11-year-old children Cephalometric variables included variables defining cranial base length and angle, maxillomandibular length and height, dental relationship, head and cervical position, soft palate and tongue, vallecula and hyoid position, and pharyngeal dimension. Normal distribution was confirmed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis (P>0.05). Paired t-test was used for assessing growth changes. P value was set at 0.05. Results: Anterior, posterior, and total cranial base length were increased significantly. The increase in total and upper anterior, total and lower posterior facial heights, ramus height, and palatal inclination were statistically significant. Maxillomandibular length increased significantly with insignificant change in their position. Dental relationship and head and cervical posture were stable. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal anteroposterior dimension did not change. However, hypopharynx sagittal length increased significantly. Nasopharyngeal vertical dimension increased and hyoid moved anteriorly and inferiorly. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that cranial base and jaws grow anteriorly and inferiorly while maintaining dental occlusion and head posture. Most of the airway structures grow simultaneously with craniofacial components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Facial-type-associated variations in diagnostic features have several implications in orthodontics. For example, in hyperdivergent craniofacial types, growth imbalances are compensated by displacement of the condyle. When diagnosis and treatment planning involves centric relation (CR), detailed knowledge of the condylar position is desirable. The present study aimed to measure condylar displacement (CD) between CR and maximum intercuspation in three facial types of an asymptomatic orthodontic population. Methods: The study was conducted in 108 patients classified into three groups of 36 individuals each (27 women and 9 men; mean age, 20.5 years), based on the following facial patterns: hyperdivergent, hypodivergent, and intermediate. To quantify CD along the horizontal and vertical axes, the condylar position was analyzed using mounted casts on a semi-adjustable articulator and a mandibular position indicator. The Student f-test was used to compare CD between the groups. Results: Vertical displacement was found to be significantly different between the hyperdivergent and hypodivergent groups (p < 0.0002) and between the hyperdivergent and intermediate groups (p < 0.0006). The differences in horizontal displacement were not significant between the groups. In each group, vertical CD was more evident than horizontal displacement was. Conclusions: All facial types, especially the hyperdivergent type, carried a significantly high risk of CD. Therefore, the possibility of CD should be carefully evaluated and considered in the assessment of all orthodontic cases in order to accurately assess jaw relationships and avoid possible misdiagnosis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the prosperity and development of cultural industry, listed cultural enterprises are increasingly growing. The study analyzed relative literature of cultural enterprises and the growth, and constructed the evaluation index system in line with growth characteristics of cultural enterprises in China. Citing 34 listed cultural companies data from 2008 to 2010 as samples, it applied structural equation method to analyze the growth status quo of listed cultural enterprises. The empirical results showed that resources growth, capacity growth, strategic performance growth interacted mutually, and promote a positive contribution to the growth of cultural enterprises, the highest of which is capacity growth. Cultural growth steadily improved in the past three years, the scores were less volatile and credit growth. The growth level of cultural enterprises was existing difference, but the gap is shrinking, and becoming more balancedly distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Estimation of children’s final height is of great interest for pediatric endocrinologists in diagnosing and evaluating the treatment of short stature. The current study was performed to characterize the feature of offsprings’ final heights by their parents’ heights by gender in Taiwan. Methods: Healthy participants aged 25–35 years who underwent health examinations were recruited for body height measurements with standard processes regulated by a protocol and were enquired about their parental peak adult heights in 2003–2004. Differential contributions from each parent to the tallest/shortest child’s height in the family were then assessed with simple linear regressions with scatter plots by gender. Meanwhile, statistical comparisons with the corrected midparental height method and final height for parental height model were performed. Results: A total of 1113 male and 1036 female participants were enrolled. The fathers’ height contributed the most to the tallest son’s height in the family (adjusted R 2 =0.20), and mother’s height contributed the most to the shortest daughter’s height in the family (adjusted R 2 =0.18). Specifically, the final height for parental height line worked better for the contribution of midparental height to the tallest son’s height in prediction. Conclusions: For clinical practice, our results provided a reasonable estimation of final heights among local Taiwanese population and are also applicable for the evaluation of growth hormone replacement therapies for patients with short stature of non-growth-hormone defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a simple function for accurately estimating target height for use in evaluating growth and growth-promoting therapies in Taiwanese children. The heights of parents and their adult offspring born in the 1970s were determined in 1,229 healthy families who accompanied another family member to our pediatric clinic. We directly measured the heights of the population-based cohort of adult offspring. The heights of their parents were based on self-report. Both the parents and their offspring were healthy. The increases in height between the two generations were 1.49--3.19 cm for boys and 2.03-2.61 cm for girls. These increases lie between those reported for Chinese children in Hong Kong (4.2-4.8 cm) and children in Sweden (0.7-1.0 cm). Final height was underestimated using the corrected midparental height method and was overestimated using the final parental height model developed from Swedish data. We developed a new linear model by fitting our data: boy height = 79.3 + 0.56(midparental height); girl height = 35.2 + 0.76(midparental height). The intercept and slope of the model are similar to those reported for Swedish girls but not to those reported for Swedish boys. Use of the new equations derived from our data may increase the accuracy of estimates of target height in Taiwanese children. The intermediate position of our fairly representative Taiwanese sample in both final height and generational increases in final height may reflect an intermediate stage between the Swedes and Hong Kong Chinese in the secular trend of heights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare skeletal maturation as measured by hand-wrist bone analysis and by cervical vertebral analysis. Materials and Methods: A radiographic hand-wrist bone analysis and cephalometric cervical vertebral analysis of 30 patients (14 males and 16 females; 7-18 years of age) were examined. The hand-wrist bone analysis was evaluated by the Bjork index, whereas the cervical vertebral analysis was assessed by the cervical vertebral maturation stage (CVMS) method. To define vertebral stages, the analysis consisted of both cephalometric (13 points) and morphologic evaluation of three cervical vertebrae (concavity of second, third, and fourth vertebrae and shape of third and fourth vertebrae). These measurements were then compared with the hand-wrist bone analysis, and the results were statistically analyzed by the Cohen κ concordance index. The same procedure was repeated after 6 months and showed identical results. Results: The Cohen κ index obtained (mean ± SD) was 0.783 ± 0.098, which is in the significant range. The results show a concordance of 83.3%, considering that the estimated percentage for each case is 23.3%. The results also show a correlation of CVMS I with Bjork stages 1-3 (interval A), CVMS II with Bjork stage 4 (interval B), CVMS III with Bjork stage 5 (interval C), CVMS IV with Bjork stages 6 and 7 (interval D), and CVMS V with Bjork stages 8 and 9 (interval E). Conclusions: Vertebral analysis on a lateral cephalogram is as valid as the hand-wrist bone analysis with the advantage of reducing the radiation exposure of growing subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports stock improvement of silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus Bleeker) using selective breeding techniques and presents the results of three generations of growth performance between selected and nonselected control groups. The breeding program was initiated using two wild caught populations from Thailand and Indonesia and an existing local stock from Bangladesh. To produce the parental base population in 1996, the three unrelated founder stocks were mated through a complete 3×3 diallele crossing experiment to produce nine heterogeneous, outbred genetic groups. In 1997, the first generation (F1) trials were made. For each of the six reciprocal crosses, five to eight pairs were mated separately and the best three progeny groups were selected on the basis of egg fertilization rate, lack of deformities, healthy movement, and survival to make 18 full sib progeny lines. These were then communally stocked by mixing equal numbers of larvae from each family and grown until maturity in ponds. During the spawning season of 1998, the heaviest 20% of mature females and males were mass selected from the F1 communal crossbred group and mated to produce the F2 generation. In 1999, mass selection was again performed, selecting 15% of the best mature breeders from the F2 generation to produce the third generation (F3) for trials. In each generation, evaluation of growth performance was carried out through comparative trials between selected and nonselected control (existing stock of Bangladesh, B×B) groups. A 7.5% genetic gain in growth performance was attained by the F1 crossbred group over the nonselected control group. The F2 and F3 selected groups attained 2.3% and 12.1% cumulative weight gain, respectively, over two generations. The average gain per generation across two generations of selection for growth performance in weight was estimated as 7.2%. The weight gain values of the third generation of the selected group showed 21.9% superiority over the nonselected control. Present findings suggest that the method for improvement of silver barb through several generations of genetic selection might be a useful technique for other carp species in Bangladesh and elsewhere in Asia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Traditionally, measurement of plasma IGF-I and more recently of IGFBP-3 are used to distinguish GHD from idiopathic short stature in slowly growing children, using a single blood sample. In earlier studies it was claimed that IGFBP-3 was superior to IGF-I, but more recently doubts around this claim have arisen. The role of serum IGF-II has never been studied extensively. On theoretical grounds, it can also be hypothesized that molar ratios of these peptides might be of additional value. Design: Retrospective, multicentre, cohort study. Patients: 96 children evaluated for short stature. Methods: Serum IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-3 and various molar ratios were, after correction for age and sex using SD scores, compared to the maximum serum GH peak after two standard provocation tests using four different methods (t-test, χ[sup 2] , likelihood ratios and ROC curves). In addition, the correlations between these parameters and the short-term (1 year) and long-term (3 years) response to GH therapy were calculated. Results: IGF-I performed better than IGFBP-3, but the best results were achieved by the molar ratio IGF-I:IGF-II. However, IGFBP-3 correlated better with the short-term response to GH therapy than IGF-I or the ratios, and none of the parameters investigated was found to be related to the response of long-term GH therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-enterprises are critical to the national economy in many countries, although they have many limitations. Therefore, governments have proposed many policies and programs to generate and enhance micro-enterprises' growth to assure national economies' growth and sustainability. This study evolves an index to evaluate growth in science and technological innovation among micro-enterprises that participated in collaborative innovation through a counselling program. The results not only define growth indicators through a literature review but also examine evidence of growth among 10 micro-enterprises through interviewing subjects located in various regions in Taiwan and related to different industries. This study uses multiple case study methods and data statistics to verify growth indicators; this reveals that micro-enterprises focusing on collaborative technological innovation demonstrated an increasing trend toward this study's chosen growth indicators in a majority of cases. According to the survey results, nine indicators lead to positive growth. Finally, after establishing growth assessment indicators, the data collected from an empirical investigation proves the indicators' credibility. The study then discusses the chosen cases' experiences with growth and presents managerial implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifetal gestation pregnancies present a clinical challenge due to unique complications including growth issues, prematurity, maternal risk, and pathologic processes, such as selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence. If sIUGR is found, then management may involve some combination of increased surveillance, fetal procedures, and/or delivery. The combination of sIUGR with TTTS or other comorbidities increases the risk of pregnancy complications. Multifetal pregnancy reduction is an option when a problem is confined to a single fetus or when weighing the risks and benefits of a multifetal gestation in comparison to a singleton pregnancy., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To obtain the distribution of different maxilla-mandibular characteristics in Chinese skeletal class II mixed dentition patients and to compare the differences of cephalometric variables among different maxilla-mandibular types., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 skeletal class II patients in mixed dentition. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to SNA and SNB angle of the cephalogram. A total of 38 cephalometric measurements were measured on their cephalograms. Differences among groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance., Results: There were 34 (10.97%) patients in group I, 10 (3.23%) in group II, 4(1.29%) in group III, 69 (22.26%) in group IV, 133 (42.90%) in group V, and 60 (19.35%) in group VI. In all, 14.19% of the patients exhibited maxillary protrusion (MxP), and 62.26% exhibited mandibular retrusion (MnR) with either normal or retruded maxilla. Groups II and III were excluded for statistical comparison due to a limited sample size. Statistical differences were found in 25 cephalometric measurements among the other 4 groups. Patients with MnR (groups V and VI) exhibited bigger sella angle, gonial angle, Frankfort mandibular plane angle, and smaller mandibular body length and ramus height than patients without MnR ( p value < 0.05)., Conclusion: The most common etiology forming skeletal class II malocclusion in Chinese children was MnR, which was mainly caused by the small size and hyperdivergent growth direction of mandible., Clinical Significance: The study presents various cephalometric characteristics of Chinese skeletal class II malocclusions. The results indicated that for the early orthodontic treatment of Chinese class II children with mixed dentition, orthodontists might emphasize more importance to mandibular length augmentation and growth direction change in mandible.

Vibrio is a recognized fast-growing bacterial genus, which is considered to be attractive for the development of next-generation biotechnological workhorses. Here, three Vibrio strains FA1, FA2, and FA3, capable of growing rapidly in cost-effective media, are isolated and systematically evaluated. Genome sequencing and comparative genomic analyses are performed to reveal the underlying genetic differences between the strains and estimate their biotechnological potential. Studies of their phylogenetic tree, colinear visualization, and orthology uncover some difference in the gene content related to cell growth of the four Vibrio strains FA1, FA2, FA3, and ATCC 14048, which may explain growth superiority of the isolated strains. It is noted that there are more copies of several genes related to the DNA replication in the FA2 genome than in the other compared Vibrio strains. Furthermore, the genes responsible for amino synthesis are found, such as asD, within strains FA1 and FA2. Gene cluster cadABC, which relates to cell adaptation at acidic pH, only exists in strains FA1, FA2, and FA3. Finally, the wide spectra of substrates and genetic operability of these three isolated Vibrio strains are initially verified. This study provides excellent candidates for the development of next-generation fast-growing microbial workhorses, which may be very useful in synthetic biology., (© 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Mandible condyle remodeling is a great challenge on craniofacial growth studies. The great majority of the reports deals with growing period. However, there is a great necessity to clarify the importance of functional stimulation on adult mandible condyle remodeling. By using an adult mouse model, we investigated the influence of mandible forwarding on condyle remodeling and gene expression by bone forming cells. Tomographic and scintigraphic evaluations showed sagittal growth and cell activity enhancement. RT-PCR showed that Type I collagen, osteocalcin and osteonectin expression level can be altered. We showed that functional stimulation is necessary to maintain the regular gene expression by condyle bone forming cells in adult mice. It opens new frame for further investigations aiming new clinical approaches to temporomandibular joint problems treatment, as well as mandible retrusion treatment.