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Screening genotypes based on grain yield stability in different ecological zones is a prerequisite for developing a widely adapted genotype. For this purpose, 16 chickpea desi genotypes' evaluation through cooperative yield trial commenced during 2019-2020 at nine diversified locations across Punjab, Pakistan. Data underwent genotype by environment interaction (G × E) and mega environment analysis. Genotype plus genotype × environment (GGE) biplot view for yield depicted that G-4 (CH-21/13) was the ideal and superior genotype for stability and yield potential. GGE biplot 'what-won-where' for yield formed an irregular polygon showing interconnection among G-3 (CH-2016), G-4 (CH-21/13), G-8 (D-17003), G-11(D-17019), G-13 (TG-1427), G-14 (TG-1430), and G-16 (TG-1510), indicating these genotypes were comparatively more stable. Graphical representation of the mega environment analysis illustrated that E-1 (Pulses Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan) was ideal and most discriminating for genotype screening. Results also revealed that the first mega environment's construction included the grouping of E-1 (Pulses Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan), E-2 (Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Faisalabad, Pakistan), E-3 (Gram Breeding Research Station, Kallurkot, Pakistan), and E-4 (Gram Breeding Research Station, Kallurkot, Barani, Pakistan), with G-4 (CH-21/13) as the winning genotype. Biplot also depicted that G-3 (CH-2016) was best in the second mega environment made by E-6 (Regional Agricultural Research Institute, Pakistan), and G-8 (D-17003) was a winner in E-4 (Gram Breeding Research Station, Kallurkot, Barani, Pakistan). Combined analysis showed that G-4 (CH-21/13), G-8 (D-17003), and G-13 (TG-1427) were the most stable and high-yielding; therefore, these genotypes may considerably be widely adaptive across environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we assessed the extent to which fractional anisotropy values in the dorsal (i.e., arcuate fasciculus; AF) versus ventral (i.e., inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus; IFOF) distinction of structural white matter pathways associated with selected reading processes, could be replicated in skilled adult readers (N = 17) and extended to adults with reading impairments (N = 13). In addition to the AF and IFOF, motor-based tracts (i.e., posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) and the frontal aslant tract (FAT)) were isolated to explore their role in reading performance. Several interesting relationships with reading performance emerged. First, orthographic awareness was related to the left IFOF in skilled readers, whereas orthographic awareness was related to left PLIC for impaired readers. Morphological awareness was related to left FAT for skilled readers, whereas morphological awareness was related to right AF, right IFOF and left PLIC for impaired readers. Overall, these findings support the notion that adult reading performance (both skilled and impaired) is related to the structural properties of the ventral white matter pathways. More consideration should be paid to motor pathways, particularly the PLIC, and their role in compensatory reading strategies in individuals with reading impairments.

Purpose: To shorten CEST acquisition time by leveraging Z-spectrum undersampling combined with deep learning for CEST map construction from undersampled Z-spectra., Methods: Fisher information gain analysis identified optimal frequency offsets (termed "Fisher offsets") for the multi-pool fitting model, maximizing information gain for the amplitude and the FWHM parameters. These offsets guided initial subsampling levels. A U-NET, trained on undersampled brain CEST images from 18 volunteers, produced CEST maps at 3 T with varied undersampling levels. Feasibility was first tested using retrospective undersampling at three levels, followed by prospective in vivo undersampling (15 of 53 offsets), reducing scan time significantly. Additionally, glioblastoma grade IV pathology was simulated to evaluate network performance in patient-like cases., Results: Traditional multi-pool models failed to quantify CEST maps from undersampled images (structural similarity index [SSIM] <0.2, peak SNR <20, Pearson r <0.1). Conversely, U-NET fitting successfully addressed undersampled data challenges. The study suggests CEST scan time reduction is feasible by undersampling 15, 25, or 35 of 53 Z-spectrum offsets. Prospective undersampling cut scan time by 3.5 times, with a maximum mean squared error of 4.4e-4, r = 0.82, and SSIM = 0.84, compared to the ground truth. The network also reliably predicted CEST values for simulated glioblastoma pathology., Conclusion: The U-NET architecture effectively quantifies CEST maps from undersampled Z-spectra at various undersampling levels., (© 2024 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal malignancy with a 5-year survival rate below 6% and about 500,000 deaths annually worldwide. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent form, is commonly associated with diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, obesity, and smoking, mainly affecting individuals aged 60 to 80 years. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of pancreatic cancer., Methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify clinical trials (Phases I-III) assessing immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer in PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, adhering to PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines. The final search was completed on May 25, 2024. Ongoing trials were sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Keywords such as "pancreatic," "immunotherapy," "cancer," and "clinical trial" were used across databases. Gray literature was excluded., Results: Phase I trials, involving 337 patients, reported a median overall survival (OS) of 13.6 months (IQR: 5-62.5 months) and a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.1 months (IQR: 1.9-11.7 months). Phase II/III trials pooled in a total of 1463 participants had a median OS of 12.2 months (IQR: 2.5-35.55 months) and a median PFS of 8.8 months (IQR: 1.4-33.51 months)., Conclusions: Immunotherapy shows potential for extending survival among pancreatic cancer patients, though results vary. The immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment and diverse patient responses underline the need for further research to optimize these therapeutic strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Goal attainment scaling (GAS), an established individualized, patient-centred outcome measure, is used to capture the patient's voice. Although first introduced ~60 years ago, there are few published guidelines for implementing GAS, and almost none for its use when caregivers GAS is implemented with caregiver input. We conducted a systematic review of studies that implemented GAS with caregiver input; and examined variations in GAS implementation, analysis, and reporting., Methods: Literature was retrieved from Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PsycInfo and CINAHL databases. We included randomized controlled trials (published between 1968 and November 2022) that used GAS as an outcome measure and involved caregiver input during goal setting., Results: Of the 2610 studies imported for screening, 21 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies employed GAS as a primary outcome. The majority (76%) had children as study participants. The most common disorders represented were cerebral palsy, developmental disorders, and dementia/Alzheimer's disease. The traditional five-point GAS scale, with levels from -2 to +2, was most often implemented, with -1 level typically being the baseline. However, most studies omitted essential GAS details from their reports including the number of goals set, number of attainment levels and whether any training was given to GAS facilitators., Conclusions: GAS with caregiver input has been used in a limited number of randomized controlled trials, primarily in pediatric patients and adults with dementia. There is a variability in GAS implementation and many crucial details related to the specifics of GAS implementation are omitted from reports, which may limit reproducibility. Here we propose catalog that may be utilized when reporting research results pertaining to GAS with caregivers to enhance the application of this patient-centered outcome measure., (© 2024. The Author(s).)