Search

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo injection and post-hatch supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed on hatchability, growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune organs weight, and intestinal morphology of Cobb 500 broilers chickens. On day 18 of incubation, 450 fertile eggs were randomly allocated into three sets: non-injected group, 0.5 µg/ml Citrus aurantiifolia seed extract (CASE) group and 0.75 µg/ml CASE group. After hatch, each set was allocated into two groups (5 replicates of 10 birds/replicate each) and was fed on a standard diet with or without Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder (CASP) supplementation (5 g/kg). The groups were divided as follows: IoCA0-C, IoCA0-CA, IoCA5-C, IoCA5-CA, IoCA75-C and IoCA75-CA where IoCA0-C was: non-injected group fed standard diet (negative control group), IoCA0-CA: non-injected and fed CASP supplemented diet (positive control group), IoCA5-C: 0.5 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed standard diet, IoCA75-C: 0.75 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed standard diet, IoCA5-CA: 0.5 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed CASP supplemented diet and IoCA75-CA: 0.75 µg/ml of CASE-injected and fed CASP supplemented diet. The results revealed that the interaction between CASE in ovo injection at 0.5 µg/ml and dietary CASP supplementation at 5 g/kg in the diet increased body weight and weight gain (p < 0.001). The interaction between CASE in ovo injection and dietary CASP supplementation decreased the serum malondialdehyde concentration, the relative weight of the thymus and improved duodenum and ileum villus height (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in ovo injection and dietary supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder can improve growth performance and the intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. HIGHLIGHTS: In ovo feeding of Citrus aurantiifolia seed extract improves chick weight at hatch. In ovo feeding and post-hatch supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed improves feed utilisation. The supplementation of Citrus aurantiifolia seed in the diets of broilers enhances intestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder (CASP) on growth performance, ileal digestibility, blood profile, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. A total of 600 (43.54 ± 0.85 g) day-old mixed-sex Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 5 replicates each and 20 birds per replicate using a completely randomized design for 42 days. The treatments comprised negative control, T – (standard diet), positive control, T + (standard diet + oxytetracycline 50%) and a standard diet supplemented with 0.25% (T0.25%), 0.5% (T0.5%), 0.75% (T0.75%) or 1% (T1%) of CASP respectively. The results showed that birds in the T0.5% treatment had a significantly lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). The improvement in crude protein and phosphorus ileal digestibility were associated with increase in CASP. Beyond 0.5% of CASP, the serum glucose and protein decreased (P < 0.05). Cholesterol concentration decreased with CASP in the diet (P < 0.01). Supplementation of CASP improved (P < 0.01) total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase activities levels with best values for the T0.5% and T0.75% group. It was concluded that CASP at 0.5% and 0.75% in the diets of broiler chickens can enhance feed utilization and overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilises a combination of density functional theory (DFT) approach, 6-31G (d, p) basis set, and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The goal is to understand the relationship between the structure and properties of heterocyclic inhibitors and how they interact with Fe (110) surfaces. Furan, pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, indole, benzofuran, carbazole, quinolone, isoquinoline, and imidazole are the chemicals that were looked at in this study. The DFT calculations provide important insights into various properties of the inhibitors, such as molecular structure, dipole moments, electrostatic potential maps, Reduced Density Gradient (RDG), UV spectroscopy, and thermal characteristics. Carbazole has the smallest energy difference (4.789 eV) and the highest softness (0.209 eV−1), It also has the most chemical activity, Furthermore, the Monte Carlo models demonstrate that these derivatives have favourable adsorption energies on the Fe (110) surface. Among them, carbazole shows significant inhibitory potential. The study confirms that the carbazole compound with the biggest negative adsorption energy (−95.495) actually has the smallest energy difference and fits with the MC simulation for adsorption on Fe (110) when it is not charged. Carbazole has much stronger adsorption than oxazole, showing how the structure of a molecule affects how well an inhibitor works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare service quality depends on the service process and interactions between customers and service providers. Therefore, this study aimed to assess service quality in outpatient clinics in hospitals from patients, employees, and managers' perspectives. This cross-sectional study was conducted in six public teaching hospitals in Tehran in 2019. The study population consisted of 433 patients, 100 employees, and 15 managers. The standard SERVQUAL questionnaire was used to collect data. Nonparametric statistical analysis including Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were performed by using SPSS 23 software. The highest and lowest gaps from the patients' perspective were related to the dimensions of responsiveness (−1.70) and empathy (−1.42), from the employees' perspective, was related to tangibility (−1.22) and empathy (−0.49) and finally from the managers' perspective was related to tangibility (−1.73) and responsiveness (−0.41) Moreover, the highest gap in service quality was related to the patients' and managers' perception of the responsiveness dimension (Gap = −1.04, t = −6.08, P-value <0.001). Managers are recommended to develop appropriate workforce training programs focusing on effective interactions and timely services. Also, an investment in physical environment and equipment is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substituted thiocarbohydrazones were synthesized to study their complexation capability towards Cu(I), Co(II), and Ni(II) salts. The Cu(I) complexes showed ligation of one mole of Cu(I)Br to one of the synthesized ligands to form a cationic–anionic metal complex. Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes were determined due to the chelating of equal equivalents of both ligands and metal salts to form monodentate metal dihalogenated complexes. Metal complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry, IR, NMR, UV spectra, and elemental analyses. Theoretical calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP level with 6–31 + G(d) and LANL2DZ basis sets to access reliable results to the experimental values. The calculations were performed to obtain the optimized molecular geometry, charge density distribution, extent of distortion from regular geometry, the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital), the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital), the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), reactivity index (ΔE), dipole moment (D), global hardness (η), softness (σ), electrophilicity index (ω), and chemical potential. The calculations confirmed that the investigated complexes have a reliable geometry, agreeing with the experimental observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of anthropogenic radioisotopes in the environment may be due to inappropriate discards, nuclear tests and accidents, which requires and justifies constant monitoring to ensure the safety of nuclear applications. The radiometric analysis is a necessary condition for exporting sugar for world consumption. The investigation of 134Cs and 137Cs in a sugar matrix is required to predict radiometric anomalies. This work aimed to standardise a semi-empirical radiometric model to characterise and quantify caesium isotopes in sugar. The research was carried out with high-resolution gamma spectrometry, a non-destructive method. The results were applied to the analysis of different types of sugar for export. The models allowed us to determine with excellent resolution the minimum quantifiable activities of 0.74 Bq kg−1 and 0.48 Bq kg−1 for 134Cs and 137Cs, respectively, which are lower than 600 Bq kg−1, reference values adopted by the EU for isotopes in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the influence of Dalbergia palo-escrito hexane extract supplemented to rabbits on productive performance, blood biochemistry, haematology, carcase traits, meat characteristics and meatballs shelf-life. A hexane extract of D. palo-escrito was obtained from leaves of the tree. Average feed consumption daily gain, average daily weight gain, total weight gain and feed conversion ratio, length body, lumbar circumference, carcase traits, texture profile analysis, meat colour, antioxidant properties, water activity as well as shelf life of meatballs (Total viable bacterial counts, staphylococcus counts, enterobacteria counts, antioxidant activity, pH and water activity) were determined. Feed conversion rate was lower (p < 0.05) in group feed with hexane extract (1.89 and 1.54, for control and hexane extract, respectively). Also, hexane extract decreases feed intake and weight gain. Hot dressing percentage was higher (p < 0.05) in the hexane extract group (48%) than the control group (47%), but the main carcase cuts were similar (p > 0.05) between groups. L* value was lower (p < 0.05) in the hexane extract group (51.2 vs 49.4, for control and hexane extract, respectively). The meatballs prepared with the meat obtained from the hexane extract group showed a lower (p < 0.05) total viable bacterial count after 14 d of storage in refrigeration conditions (8.45 and 4.75 CFU.g−1, for control and hexane extract group, respectively). D. palo-escrito hexane extract decreases productive performance, it is possible that albumin: globulin rate indicates a liver damage, but there no was effect on carcase and meat quality and it increased the shelf life of meatballs. Extracts of Dalbergia palo-escrito have bioactive compounds Dalbergia palo-escrito could be used to feed rabbits Meatballs increase shelf-life [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Bushen Yiyuan recipe (BYR) is an effective Chinese prescription with antifatigue and antioxidation effects. Objective: The effects of BYR on testosterone synthesis in rat Leydig cells with exercise-induced low serum testosterone levels (EILST) are assessed. Materials and methods: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically trained for 6 weeks to establish an EILST model. EILST rats were divided into model (physiological saline), EFE (700mg/kg ethanol extract of Epimedii folium, the dried leaves of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim [Berberidaceae]), and BYR groups (350 and 700mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Expression of HMG-CoA, LDL-R, SR-BI, STAR and CYP11A1 were quantified by RT qPCR and Western blots. Results: Compared with the model group (115.52 ± 13.05 lg/dL; 67.83 ± 14.29; 0.32 ± 0.04; 0.33 ± 0.02; 0.38 ± 0.01), serum testosterone, testosterone/cortisol ratio, HMG-CoA, STAR and CYP11A1 relative protein expression significantly increased in low-dose BYR (210.60 ± 5.08 lg/dL; 119.38 ± 13.02; 0.47 ± 0.01; 0.46 ± 0.03; 0.46 ± 0.02), high-dose BYR (220.57 ± 14.71 lg/dL; 124.26 ± 14.79; 0.49 ± 0.02; 0.42 ± 0.03; 0.51 ± 0.02), and EFE groups (206.83 ± 5.54 lg/dL; 119.53 ± 25.04; 0.45 ± 0.02; 0.42 ± 0.02; 0.41 ± 0.02) (all p<0.01, except for CYP11A1 in EFE group). HMG-CoA, STAR and CYP11A1 mRNA relative expression significantly increased in low-dose and high-dose BYR group compared to model group (all p<0.01). Conclusions: BYR affects endogenous cholesterol synthesis and testosterone synthesis to prevent and treat EILST levels in rats. It can improve the body's sports ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high attrition rate in medical students has exacerbated the physician shortage in China. However, few studies have explored the risk factors of dropout intention in medical postgraduates. This study compared the prevalence of dropout intention and mental distress between medical and non-medical postgraduates in China and investigated risk factors for dropout intention. This study also explored the impact of medical postgraduates' perception of the Chinese healthcare environment on their mental status and dropout intention. This cross-sectional study was conducted using online questionnaires from October 2020 to April 2021. Convenience sampling was used to recruit postgraduates in different majors. Outcomes included dropout intention and potential risk factors, including mental distress, quality of life, and fatigue. Medical postgraduates were additionally assessed for healthcare environment satisfaction, burnout, career choice regret, and experiences of workplace violence. A logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the association between dissatisfaction, mental distress, and turnover intention. A total of 740 medical and 670 non-medical postgraduates participated in the survey. The rates of depression symptoms (33.8% vs. 39.0%, p < 0.001), anxiety symptoms (22.2% vs. 32.4%, p < 0.001), and somatic symptoms (34.7% vs. 42.4%, p = 0.004) were lower in medical postgraduates, while more medical postgraduates (58.4% vs. 48.4%, p < 0.001) reported dropout intention. Dissatisfaction with the healthcare environment (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–2.34, p = 0.005), career choice regret (OR: 6.23; 95% CI: 4.42–8.78, p < 0.001), and high perceived stress (OR: 2.74; 95%CI: 1.90–3.94, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with turnover intention. Mental distress is common among postgraduates, calling for timely interventions. Medical postgraduates reported higher turnover intention. Healthcare environment perception also affected the mental health and dropout intentions of medical students. A decent future income, reduced workload, shorter duration medical training, and better doctor-patient relationships are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing waste quantities are hampering the City of Johannesburg to prolong the lifespan of landfill sites while attempting to adopt an integrated solid waste management approach. Although all inhabitants need to play a meaningful role in reducing this burden, Millennials have an even more crucial contribution to make as they constitute 34.3% of the local population. By means of questionnaire-administered interviews, this case study investigated knowledge of recycling benefits, participation levels and reasons for non-participation among Millennials in Johannesburg. Five hypotheses were also tested to assess the relationship between recycling behaviour and socio-demographical attributes. It was found that although the majority of respondents understood the benefits of recycling, 61.1% were not involved in waste recycling. Also, the respondent's attributes did not influence their recycling behaviour. It is, therefore, recommended that the city's management should provide recycling facilities at accessible distances so that waste sorting and recovery rates can be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study of (Z)-5-benzylidene-3-N(4-methylphenyl)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation of rhodanine with an aromatic aldehyde in good to excellent yields. A variety of physicochemical techniques were employed for characterization of the synthesized compound including 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–VIS) spectroscopy. The geometry optimization, frontier molecular orbital energies and the energy gap of the title compound in the ground state have been investigated with density functional theory (DFT) method at different functionals (B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, M05-2X, PBE0, and ωB97X-D) in conjunction with different basis sets. We also calculate their dipole moment, linear polarizability, and first hyperpolarizability to elucidate the nonlinear optical (NLO) activity. The HOMO–LUMO energy gap obtained from the PBE0 functional agrees with the experimental data deduced from the UV–VIS measurement. The resulting compound shows a high hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) first hyperpolarizability, which makes it suitable for optoelectronic and optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenomenon: Little is known about how participation in disaster relief impacts medical students. During the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, New York Medical College School of Medicine students witnessed the attacks and then became members of emergency treatment teams at St. Vincent's Hospital, the trauma center nearest to the World Trade Center. To date, only two reports describe how 9/11 influenced the lives of medical students. This study was designed to characterize the short- and long-term effects on NYMC students and to compare those effects between students assigned to St Vincent's Hospital and classmates assigned to rotations at facilities more remote from the attack site. We hypothesized that participation in direct relief efforts by students assigned to the St. Vincent's site might have long-lasting effects on their lives and these effects might vary when compared to classmates assigned elsewhere. Approach: This was a retrospective, survey-based, unmatched cohort study. Participants included all school of medicine graduates who were St. Vincent's rotators on 9/11 (N = 22) and classmates (N = 24) assigned to other sites who could be contacted and agreed to participate. Our primary measure was whether the 9/11 experience affected the participant's life, defined as an affirmative response to the item which asked whether the 9/11 experience affected the participant's "life thereafter, career choice, attitudes toward life or attitudes toward practice." Secondary measures included self-reported effects on career, life, attitudes, health, resilience, personal growth, personality features, and the temporal relationship between the attack and stress symptoms. Findings: Completed surveys were received from 16/22 (73%) St. Vincent's and 18/24 (75%) non-Saint Vincent's participants: 62% male, 82% had children, 74% identified as Caucasian/white and 76% employed full-time. Overall, slightly more than half (58%) of respondents reported an effect of 9/11 on their life, with a greater but non-significant proportion of St. Vincent's rotators reporting life impact (67% versus 50% for St. Vincent's versus other locations, respectively). High post-9/11 stress levels, current marriage, and ability to make and keep family and social relationships were associated with an effect on life which approached statistical significance. Participants reported positive or no post 9/11 effects on empathy and altruism (50%), resilience (47%), attitudes toward medical practice and career (32%), and charitable giving (24%), while positive, negative, or no effects were reported for attitude toward life, family and social relations, physical health, and conscientiousness. Mental health was the only domain in which all participants reported unchanged or negative effects. Two St. Vincent's rotators but no students assigned elsewhere believed they experienced 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Insights: Just over half of New York Medical College School of Medicine students rotating at St. Vincent's Hospital on 9/11 or elsewhere reported significant life-effects as a result of direct/indirect experiences related to the attack. Perceived stress may have been a more important driver of this life-change than other factors such as geographic proximity to the disaster site and/or direct participation in relief efforts. Further study of medical school interventions focused on stress reduction among students who participate in disaster relief is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cottonseed produces oil for human consumption and protein meals for ruminant feed, and carbohydrate metabolism takes responsibility for seed oil and protein biosynthesis. Here, 6-BA and GA3 were evaluated by seed or foliar application for its effect on physiological and productive parameters of cottonseed in two-year field experiment. Results showed that 6-BA and GA3 significantly enhanced cottonseed yield because of increased boll number and seed index. Boll number was the dominant driver of yield increment for seed priming with 6-BA, and the increase was greater than GA3, resulting in higher yield for seed priming with 6-BA (18.8–20.1%) than with GA3 (10.7–14.5%) while the increase in yield was statistically at par between spraying of 6-BA and GA3. Although seed coat weight was not affected by 6-BA and GA3, embryo weight, oil and carbohydrate content were significantly increased by any given treatments. Higher carbohydrate content was attributed to increased sucrose, hexose and starch contents, which were closely associated with higher sucrose synthase, acid invertase, and sucrose phosphate synthase activities. Moreover, increases in the activities of these sucrose metabolism enzymes were larger for seed priming with 6-BA than GA3, accounting for the difference observed in sucrose content between 6-BA and GA3 seed application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the decolorization efficiency of seven microalgae isolates; Nostoc muscorum, Nostoc humifusum, Spirulina platensis, Anabaena oryzae, Wollea saccata, Oscillatoria sp. and Chlorella vulgaris was investigated for dye decolorization. The highest decolorization percentages of Brazilwood, Orange G, and Naphthol Green B dyes (99.5%, 99.5%, and 98.5%, respectively) were achieved by Chlorella vulgaris. However, the maximum efficiency for dye decolorization percentages of CV and malachite green dyes were exhibited by A. oryzae (97.4%) and W. saccata (93.3%). Ligninolytic enzymes activity assay was carried out for laccase and lignin peroxidase enzymes, which revealed a high efficiency of the C. vulgaris, A. oryzae and W. saccata to lignin containing compound degradation. The highest laccase production recorded by C. vulgaris with Brazilwood, Orange G, and Naphthol Green B dyes (665.0, 678.6, and 659.5 U/ml, respectively). Similarly, C. vulgaris gave a high lignin peroxidase enzyme production with the above three dyes respectively (306.00, 298.34, and 311.45 U/ml). In addition, A. oryzae and W. saccata showed the highest production of the laccase enzyme (634.6 and 577.45 U/ml, respectively) with CV and malachite green dyes. The degradation products have been characterized after decolorization and verified using FTIR analysis. The high decolorization percentages achieved by C. vulgaris, A. oryzae and W. saccata make them potential candidates for bioremediation and pre-processing to remove dyes from textile effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic doxorubicin administration is restricted as this anticancer drug may be cardiotoxic. The traditional Chinese medicine qiliqiangxin has been approved for clinical treatment of chronic heart failure. To explore the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of qiliqiangxin on doxorubicin-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) in rats. A CHF rat model was established via intraperitoneal DOX injections (2.5 mg/kg/week) for 6 weeks. The rats were randomly assigned to control, CHF, CHF + QL (1.0 g/kg/d), or captopril (3.8 mg/kg/d) treatment groups (n = 10) for 4 weeks. MicroRNA sequencing elucidated the molecular mechanisms of qiliqiangxin on doxorubicin-induced CHF in rats. Unlike in the CHF group, QL significantly reduced Bax:Bcl-2 (2.05 ± 0.23 vs. 0.94 ± 0.09, p < 0.05) and the levels of collagen I (0.19 ± 0.02 vs. 0.15 ± 0.01, p < 0.05), collagen III (0.19 ± 0.02 vs. 0.14 ± 0.02, p < 0.05), TGF-β1 (5.28 ± 0.89 vs. 2.47 ± 0.51, p < 0.05), Smad3 (1.23 ± 0.12 vs. 0.78 ± 0.09, p < 0.05), MMP-2 (0.89 ± 0.01 vs. 0.53 ± 0.05, p < 0.05), and TIMP-2 (0.24 ± 0.03 vs. 0.44 ± 0.03, p < 0.05). QL also upregulated TGF-β3 (0.65 ± 0.06 vs. 0.96 ± 0.10, p < 0.05) and Smad7 (0.09 ± 0.01 vs. 0.19 ± 0.023, p < 0.05). Moreover, Smad3 was a target of miR-345-3p. The beneficial effects of QL on DOX-induced CHF in rats are mediated by reduction in myocardial fibrosis, promotion of TGF-β3/Smad7, and inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad3. QL may also modulate specific miRNAs. These results provide evidence that QL might be an effective treatment for DOX-induced CHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research has shown that oxidative stress is strongly associated with aging, senescence and several diseases, including neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Oxidative stress is caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be counteracted by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. One of these antioxidant mechanisms is the widely studied methionine sulfoxide reductase system (Msr). Methionine is one of the most easily oxidized amino acids and Msr can reverse this oxidation and restore protein function, with MsrA and MsrB reducing different stereoisomers. This article focuses on experimental and genetic research performed on Msr and its link to brain diseases. Studies on several model systems as well as genome-wide association studies are compiled to highlight the role of MSRA in schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Genetic variation of MSRA may also contribute to the risk of psychosis, personality traits, and metabolic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the management and guideline adherence in children with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in emergency departments (ED) in the Netherlands. Methods: A multicentre cohort study was conducted, including children younger than 18 years with MTBI who presented within 24 hours after trauma in the ED of hospitals in the southwest region of the Netherlands, in 2014. Primary outcome measures for management were percentages of performed computed tomography (CT) scans and hospital admissions. Guideline adherence was defined as percentages of correctly following the guideline. Secondary outcome measures were differences in management and guideline adherence between hospitals. Results: About 563 patients were analysed. Hospital admission was the most frequently performed management type (49.2% hospital admission vs. 30.9% CT). In only 49.7% of patients, the guideline was followed correctly. A substantial overuse of hospital admission (35%) and underuse of CT (40.1%) were found. Percentages of hospital admission and CT varied between 39.4-55.6% and 23.3-44.1%, respectively, across hospitals. Percentages of correctly following the guideline varied between 39.2-64.9% across hospitals. Conclusion: These findings suggest that physicians in the participating hospitals prefer hospital admission of children with MTBI instead of CT despite the current recommendations of the national MTBI guideline in the Netherlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the growing field of medical education research, participant recruitment can be challenging. Incentives, either tangible or intangible, may be offered to encourage participation. This study aimed to understand these incentives and explore the relationship between study quality and incentives in medical education research.Methods: We reviewed research studies examining medical trainees published in five major journals in 2008. Tangible and intangible incentives used in recruitment were extracted by two researchers. For each quantitative article, medical education research quality instrument (MERSQI) score was calculated and citation counts for all articles were compiled.Results: Of 215 included articles, 8% explicitly reported incentives. Tangible incentives (value range $15-$60 USD) were offered in 7.9% of studies. Intangible incentives were identified in 30% of studies but only one specifically discussed their use. Tangible incentives correlated with a higher MERSQI score (p < 0.001) and with citations (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Most studies in medical education did not describe incentives for participation. Information regarding incentives should be reported in all studies to help inform future recruitment efforts and also to understand the study context including factors that may influence participants motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association of CYP3A5 gene polymorphisms with hypertension in the Chinese population is unknown. We explored the association between the CYP3A5 (rs776746) gene and hypertension in the Chinese Han population.Methods: Using a case-control design, 340 cases and 254 controls were enrolled from the Third Affiliated Hospital of South Medical University between July and December of 2015. We used a standardized questionnaire to collect data regarding age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of hypertension, and physical exercise. Height and weight were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated by weight/height2. Blood pressure was measured three times after 5 min of rest with at least 15 s between measurements, and the mean was considered the final BP. A Clinical examination was conducted.Results: A total of 594 participants, including 340 cases and 254 controls, were entered into the analyses. The genotype frequencies of the CYP3A5 G>A polymorphism did not deviate from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genotype frequencies among the cases were 38.8% (GA, 132 individuals), 42.9% (GG, 146 individuals), and 18.2% (AA, 62 individuals). The differences in genotype between the cases and the controls were statistically significant. The AA genotype was associated with an elevated risk of hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders in Model 2. There was no interaction between smoking and the CYP3A5 genotype, while the interaction between drinking and the CYP3A5 genotype was significant.Conclusion: The CYP3A5 gene may be associated with the risk of hypertension in the Chinese Han population, and this effect may be exacerbated by drinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methionine-S-sulfoxide reductase (MsrA) protects against high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance due to its antioxidant effects. To determine whether its counterpart, methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase (MsrB) has similar effects, we compared MsrB1 knockout and wild-type mice using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique. High-fat feeding for eight weeks increased body weights, fat masses, and plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and triglycerides to similar extents in wild-type and MsrB1 knockout mice. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test showed no difference in blood glucose levels between the two genotypes after eight weeks on the high-fat diet. The hyperglycemic-euglycemic clamp study showed that glucose infusion rates and whole body glucose uptakes were decreased to similar extents by the high-fat diet in both wild-type and MsrB1 knockout mice. Hepatic glucose production and glucose uptake of skeletal muscle were unaffected by MsrB1 deficiency. The high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in skeletal muscle and liver was not aggravated in MsrB1-deficient mice. Interestingly, whereas MsrB1 deficiency reduced JNK protein levels to a great extent in skeletal muscle and liver, it markedly elevated phosphorylation of JNK, suggesting the involvement of MsrB1 in JNK protein activation. However, this JNK phosphorylation based on a p-JNK/JNK level did not positively correlate with insulin resistance in MsrB1-deficient mice. Taken together, our results show that, in contrast to MsrA deficiency, MsrB1 deficiency does not increase high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the influence of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis on mammalian male and female reproduction and development of offspring and its potential impact on the identification of endocrine disruptive chemicals byin vivoassays. In the adult male rat and baboon, stress suppresses testosterone secretion via a direct inhibitory effect of elevated glucocorticoids on Leydig cells. In adult female sheep, stress disrupts reproductive function via multi-stage mechanisms involving glucocorticoid-mediated suppression of LH secretion, LH action on the ovary and the action of estradiol on its target cells (e.g., uterus). While physiological concentrations of endogenous glucocorticoids are supportive of fetal development, excessive glucocorticoidsin utero(i.e., maternal stress) adversely affect mammalian offspring by “programing” abnormalities that are primarily manifest postpartum. The influence of stress on reproduction and development can also be mediated by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), a bi-directional oxidative:reductive pathway, which governs the balance between biologically active (reduced) endogenous glucocorticoid and inactive (oxidized) metabolites. This pathway is mediated primarily by two isozymes, 11β − HSD1 (reductase) and 11β-HSD2 (oxidase) which act both in an intracrine (intracellular) and endocrine (systemic) fashion. The 11β-HSD pathway appears to play a variety of physiological roles in mammalian reproduction and development and is a target for selected xenobiotics. The effects of the HPA axis on mammalian reproduction and development are potential confounders forin vivobioassays in rodents employed to identify endocrine disruptive chemicals. Accordingly, consideration of the impact of the HPA axis should be incorporated into the design of bioassays for evaluating endocrine disruptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF) is recommended in the assessment of patients with asthma. However, the use of PEF involves multiple barriers, which have limited its use. Phonospirometry, as assessed by a novel Los Angeles phonospirometry technique, has shown good correlation to standard PEF measurements in a pilot study on symptomatic patients with asthma. We sought to develop a normogram for phonospirometry, and to validate the PEF normogram.Methods: A convenience sample of asymptomatic children ages 3–17 years old was approached for participation in the Emergency Department. Sample size calculations determined that at least 30 children per age group (n = 450) were needed. Children were asked to perform PEF measurements and phonospirometry, measured as the length of time (in s) the child was able to chant “lalala” in a single breath.Results: 510 children were enrolled. Spearman's rho between PEF and phonospirometry was 0.722. Phonospirometry correlated with both age and height, with a spearman rho of 0.697 and 0.696, respectively. This was slightly lower than the correlation of PEF with age and height with spearman rhos of 0.877 and 0.902, respectively. A normogram was developed for phonospirometry based on age and height.Conclusions: This study determined normal value ranges for the Los Angeles phonospirometry technique for age and height, and also showed that the technique has good correlation with PEF. This technique may be used to assess a pediatric patient with an acute asthma exacerbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) and no reversible cause are difficult to treat. While implantable defibrillators prolong survival, many patients remain symptomatic due to device shocks and syncope. To address this, there have been recent advances in the catheter ablation of VT and VF. For example, non-invasive imaging has improved arrhythmia substrate characterisation, 3D catheter navigation tools have facilitated mapping of arrhythmia and substrate and ablation catheters have advanced in their ability to deliver effective lesions. However, the long-term success rates of ablation for VT and VF remain modest, with nearly half of treated patients developing recurrence within 2-3 years, and this drives the ongoing innovation in the field. This review focuses on the challenges particular to ablation of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, and the strategies that have been recently developed to improve procedural efficacy. Patient sub-groups that illustrate the use of new strategies are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is one of the most common problems encountered in the primary care setting. Numerous secondary causes of hypertension exist and are potentially reversible. The ability to screen for such causes and manage them effectively may spare patients from prolonged medical therapy and hypertensive complications. Licorice can cause hypertension and hypokalemia due its effects on cortisol metabolism. We report a case of jelly bean ingestion that highlights the presentation, pathophysiology and management of licorice-induced hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The iron-rich bread (2.2 mg iron per 50 g slice) used in the study was developed using Eragrostis tef flour, naturally rich in iron. Iron deficiency is prevalent in pregnancy and compliance with supplements can be low. In this double-blind, randomized trial 34 Caucasian, primiparous antenatal patients were randomized to receive intervention bread or a placebo for 6 weeks. Women consumed on an average of 2.3 slices per day, providing a total of 5.0 mg iron. Using World Health Organisation (2001) haemoglobin cut-offs, 12% of participants eating the iron-rich bread were iron deficient by the end of the study compared with 27% in the control group. For other markers of iron status, these were improved in the placebo versus the treatment group. For example, a significant decline in serum iron and transferrin saturation was not observed in this group. Findings demonstrate that other modes of delivery, i.e. food fortification, may be needed to generate 'physiological effects', or further measures are taken to improve intervention compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new potentially hexadentate Schiff bases, [H2L1] and [H2L2], were prepared by condensation of 2-(3-(2-aminophenoxy)naphthalen-2-yloxy)benzenamine with 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde and o-vanillin, respectively. Reaction of these ligands with cobalt(II) chloride, copper(II) perchlorate, and zinc(II) nitrate gave complexes ML. The ligands and their complexes have been characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. The solid and solution state investigations show that the complexes are neutral. Molecular structures of [CuL1], [CoL1] · C7H8, and [ZnL2] · CH3CN, which have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, indicate that [CuL1] and [ZnL2] · CH3CN display distorted square planar and distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, respectively; the geometry around cobalt in [CoL1] · C7H8 is almost exactly between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. The synthesized ligands and their complexes were screened for their antibacterial activities against eight bacterial strains and the ligands and complexes have antibacterial effects. The most effective ones are [CuL2] against Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus subtilis, [H2L1] against S. subtilis, and [H2L2] against S. subtilis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Habitual iron intakes during pregnancy are typically lower than dietary guidelines, a risk for iron deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine whether regular consumption of bread naturally rich in iron could help women to achieve dietary targets. Thirty-three primiparous mothers were randomized to eat 3-4 slices of iron-rich or control bread daily for 6 weeks. Two 24-h-prompted (multiple-pass) dietary recalls were completed, and validated algorithms were used to determine the amount of 'available iron' from the diet. Regular consumption of iron-rich bread helped pregnant women to achieve UK dietary recommendations; the quantity of bread consumed by the participants contributed 27% versus 9% UK Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) (14.8 mg/d) in the intervention versus the control group. Levels of total 'available iron' were similar in both groups and correlated positively with total dietary iron ( r == 0.78, P == 0.0001), vitamin C ( r == 0.43, P == 0.017) and non-haem iron ( r == 0.77, P == 0.0001). Findings from this study show that iron-rich staple foods can help women reach dietary targets for iron. This is an area of great potential that could be of particular benefit to low-income/ethnically diverse population groups who have some of the lowest iron intakes. Further research using fortified staple foods containing higher levels of iron is now warranted to establish physiological benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep quality is a main indicator of health and well-being. Poor sleep indicates stress factors in the living environment or a health-compromising lifestyle with increases in the synthesis of C-reactive protein (CRP). We hypothesized that the level of CRP - a marker of stress and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) - increases as a function sleep deprivation. Randomly selected 2,105 subjects from the urban, rural (villages with electricity) and remote (villages without electricity) of Chhattisgarh, India were included in the study. Sleep behaviour was studied with the help of a questionnaire and EDS was quantified using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Average nocturnal sleeps of peoples living in remote, rural and urban areas were found to be 8:56 hr, 8:29 hr and 6:55 hr, respectively. A statistically significantly rise in the prevalence of EDS was observed as a function of habitat with 3% in remote, 7.8% in rural and 27.69% in urban areas. The salivary CRP level of people living in urban areas is significantly higher (6.0 ± 0.25 mg/dl) than rural (2.7 ± 0.53 mg/dl) or remote (2.1 ± 0.48 mg/dl) populations (p < 0.001). Further, a heightened association between intensity of sleepiness and level of CRP was also witnessed (p < 0.001). Elevated CRP contents among EDS subjects indicate a higher stress level in sleep-deprived individuals. The findings of the present study suggest that CRP levels may be an index of sleep deprivation and existence of excessive sleepiness during daytime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In veterinary species, little information about extrahepatic drug metabolism is actually available. 2. Therefore, the presence of foremost drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and related transcription factors mRNAs was initially investigated in cattle testis; then, their possible modulation following the in vivo exposure to illicit growth promoters (GPs), which represent a major issue in cattle farming, was explored. 3. All target genes were expressed in cattle testis, albeit to a lower extent compared to liver ones; furthermore, illicit protocols containing dexamethasone and 17β-oestradiol significantly up-regulated cytochrome P450 1A1, 2E1, oestrogen receptor-a and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α mRNA levels. 4. Overall, the constitutive expression of foremost DMEs and related transcription factors was demonstrated for the first time in cattle testis and illicit GPs were shown to affect pre-transcriptionally some of them, with possible consequences upon testicular xenobiotic drug metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

19-nor-progesterone (19-nor-P) has the characteristics of a potent mineralocorticoid in adrenalectomized or salt-loaded rats and is capable of causing hypertension. In human placenta, progesterone is converted to 19-hydroxy-progesterone, a precursor of 19-nor-P. In some states of pregnancy hypertension, 19-nor-P may inhibit renal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), thus allowing cortisol to bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Therefore, we investigated the ability of 19-nor-P to inhibit human 11β-HSD2. Fetal kidney cells (HEK 293) were transfected with human 11β-HSD2 and incubated with increasing concentrations of 19-nor-P, labelled and unlabelled cortisol. Steroids were extracted, separated by TLC, and radioactivity was measured using a TLC scanner. 19-nor-P treatment did not significantly reduce 11β-HSD2 activity (430 to 300 pmol/mg protein/h) in the range of tested concentrations. In conclusion, 19-nor-P did not inhibit human 11β-HSD2 and seems not to be involved in human hypertension. Nevertheless, 19-nor-P may be converted by extra-adrenal tissues into 19-nor-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) or 19-nor-corticosterone, which are potent mineralocorticoids and may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method was developed for the determination of total arsenic in foods using flow injection on-line sorption coupled with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) using a cigarette filter as the sorbent material. After reducing As(V) to As(III) by using L-cysteine, the determination of total arsenic was achieved through on-line formation and retention of the pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate arsenic complex (As(III)-PDC) on the cigarette filter, which was packed in the pre-concentration column and total arsenic was determined by HG-AFS. The analytes were eluted with 1.68 mol l-1 HCl from the sorbent material. With consumption of 22 ml of the sample solution, an enrichment factor of 25.6 was obtained at a sample throughput of 11.6 h-1. The detection limits (3 standard deviations) and the precision (relative standard deviation) in foods ranged from 2.5 to 9.9 ng g-1 and from 1.1 to 2.2%, respectively. The method was used to determine arsenic in carrot, mushroom, chicken tissue, cod fish, rice, common carp and shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction of salicylidene-2-aminopyridine (Hsap) with [M(CO)6], M = Cr, Mo and W, in THF under sunlight resulted in formation of dinuclear complexes [Cr2O4(sap)], 1, [Mo2O4(sap)], 2, and [W2O5(sap)2], 3. Elemental analysis, spectroscopic and magnetic studies of the reported complexes revealed the proposed structures. Magnetic studies of 1 and 2 suggested that the two metal centers have +3 and +6 formal oxidation states, while the tungsten complex 3 has +6 formal oxidation state with d0 electron configuration. The thermal properties of the complexes were investigated by thermogravimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chelating behavior of some hydrazones towards Cu(II) has been investigated. The isolated complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, spectra (electronic, IR and ms) and thermal measurements. The IR spectra showed that the ligands are deprotonated in the complexes as bidentate, tridentate and binegative tridentate. Protonation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of their Cu(II) complexes were calculated. Square-planar, square-pyramidal, tetrahedral and/or distorted octahedral structures are proposed. The TGA data help to confirm the chemical formula of the complexes and indicated the steps of their thermal degradations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the effect and utilization of deep placement 15N-labeled coated urea (CU) and lime nitrogen (LN) were investigated at various growth stages of soybean ( Glycine max [L.]). Soybean (cv. Enrei) plants were planted in a rotated paddy field in Niigata, Japan. 15N-labeled CU or LN (100 kg N ha−1) was supplied separately at a depth of 20 cm just below the seeding line. Deep placement of LN and CU significantly enhanced the dry weight and N content of the plants compared with the control treatment (Cont) without deep placement. As a result, the seed yield per plant in CU (67.2 g) and LN (70.6 g) was much higher than the Cont (37.1 g). 15N analysis of plants showed that the pattern of labeled N absorption tended to be lower with LN than CU at the R3 and R5 stages, but the recovery rate at R7 was higher in LN (70%) than CU (61%). Combining the 15N analysis with a relative ureide analysis, the N derived from nitrogen fixation ( Ndfa), from fertilizer ( Ndff) and from soil ( Ndfs) were evaluated. At the R7 stage, the amount of Ndfa was higher in CU (32.1 g m−2) and LN (31.1 g m−2) than in Cont (21.4 g m−2). This positive response for N2 fixation by the deep placement of CU and LN may result from the continuous supply of N from the lower parts of the roots, which promotes shoot growth and extends the photosynthetic activity of the green leaves, resulting in the promotion of nitrogen fixation and seed yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have shown in previous reports that a new fertilization method with deep placement of slow-release N fertilizers, such as coated urea and lime nitrogen (calcium cyanamide), at a depth of 20 cm promoted soybean growth and seed yield. In the present study, the effect of deep placement of lime nitrogen (which gave the highest yield in our previous experiment) was compared at various depths in a rotated paddy field at the Niigata Agricultural Research Institute. The objective of the present study was to analyze growth, N2 fixation activity and seed yield, and to examine visually the quality of soybean seeds cultivated at different depths with the slow-release fertilizer, lime nitrogen. In addition to the conventional basal application of mixed chemical fertilizer (including ammonium sulfate 16 kg N ha−1) in 0–10 cm soil layers, deep placement of lime nitrogen was conducted by applying at various depths (10 cm [D10], 15 cm [D15] and 20 cm [D20]) the same amount (100 kg N ha−1) in separate plots. 15N-labeled lime nitrogen fertilizers were also used for each of the above treatments to calculate N absorption in relation to fertilization depth. Soybean plant growth was periodically analyzed and the quality of harvested seeds was also visually examined (hereafter referred to as “visual quality”). The total seed yield was highest in the deep placement of lime nitrogen (100 kg N ha−1) at D20 (69 g plant−1) compared with D15 (59 g plant−1), D10 (57 g plant−1) and the control (48 g plant−1). The visual quality of harvested seeds showed that lime nitrogen (20 cm depth and 100 kg N ha−1) enhanced the quality of seeds compared with the other treatments, in which the good quality seeds (hereafter referred to as “good seeds”) based on dry weight were 24 g plant−1 (control), 37 g plant−1 (D10), 33 g plant−1 (D15) and 45 g plant−1 (D20). Thus, it appears that N fertilization management with particular reference to the depth of fertilizer placement is important for maximum yield and enhancement of seed quality of soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudohyperaldosteronism is characterized by a clinical picture of hyperaldosteronism with suppression of plasma renin activity and aldosterone. Pseudohyperaldosteronism can be due to a direct mineralocorticoid effect, as with desoxycorticosterone, fluorohydrocortisone, fluoroprednisolone, estrogens, and the ingestion of high amounts of glycyrrhetinic acid. A block of 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2 (11HSD2), the enzyme that converts cortisol into cortisone, at the level of epithelial target tissues of aldosterone, is involved in other cases. This mechanism is related either to a mutation of the gene, which encodes 11HSD2 (apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome and some cases of low renin hypertension) or to an acquired reduction of the activity of the enzyme due to glycyrrhetinic acid, carbenoxolone, and grapefruit juice. In other cases saturation of 11HSD2 may be involved as in severe Cushing's syndrome and chronic therapy with some corticosteroids. Recently, an activating mutation of the mineralocorticoid receptor gene has been described. Another genetic cause of pseudohyperaldosteronism is the syndrome of Liddle, which is due to a mutation of the gene encoding for β and γ subunits of the sodium channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metabolism of 4-[sup 14]C-d-aldosterone (at 3 nM) was studied in the primary target organ of the hormone, in renal cortical and medullary cell cultures obtained from Wistar rats. Larger amounts of aldosterone were metabolized in medullary cells than in cortical cells, as measured by a decreased 4-[sup 14]C-d-aldosterone radioactivity concentration (26±9% and 12±7% of the initial aldosterone added, respectively (n=5, p<0.05)). The 14C radiometabolites of aldosterone in both cultures co-chromatographed with 5α dihydro- (DHA) and 3α,3β tetrahydroaldosterone (THA). Aldosterone metabolism was totally inhibited by a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist canrenoat (Soldactone[sup R]) (at 10[sup -5] to 10[sup -3] M), while the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 38486 (Roussel UCLAF) (at 10[sup -5] to 10[sup -4] M) had no effect. Thus, the study confirmed that, in rat kidney, aldosterone can be converted to its reduced metabolites by a metabolism which is inhibited by a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. This indicated that the metabolism might play some role in modulation of the intracellular response to aldosterone in the kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]