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Abstract Background To assess the feasibility of biventricular SAPPHIRE T1 mapping in vivo across field strengths using diastolic, systolic and dark-blood (DB) approaches. Methods 10 healthy volunteers underwent same-day non-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3 T. Left and right ventricular (LV, RV) T1 mapping was performed in the basal, mid and apical short axis using 4-variants of SAPPHIRE: diastolic, systolic, 0th and 2nd order motion-sensitized DB and conventional modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI). Results LV global myocardial T1 times (1.5 T then 3 T results) were significantly longer by diastolic SAPPHIRE (1283 ± 11|1600 ± 17 ms) than any of the other SAPPHIRE variants: systolic (1239 ± 9|1595 ± 13 ms), 0th order DB (1241 ± 10|1596 ± 12) and 2nd order DB (1251 ± 11|1560 ± 20 ms, all p

This paper provides a comparative analysis of two sets of alternative joint lot-sizing models for the general one-vendor, many-nonidentical-purchasers case. Specifically, the basic joint economic lot size (irJELS) and individually responsible and rational decision (IRDD) models, and the simultaneous setup cost and order cost reduction versions are explored. Models for the latter situation are derived by the use of classical optimization techniques. A numerical example is presented which provides the basis for comparison of the models with the results of independent optimization (IO). For the basic models the previously reported advantages of IRRD are refuted. In the simultaneous investment case both the vendor and the purchasers realize significant savings over IO when the JELS policy is followed. This is not true for IRRD. This suggests that when an environment of co-operation between the parties has been established the JELS is a superior policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infertility affects up to 15% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide, with male factor being detected in 40%-50% of the cases. Proper sperm production is associated with the establishment of appropriate epigenetic marks in developing germ cells. Several studies have demonstrated the association between abnormal spermatogenesis and epigenetic disturbances with the major focus on DNA methylation. Imprinted genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner, and the role of their DNA methylation in proper spermatogenesis has been documented recently. The existing evidence along with the absence of relevant data in south of Iran prompted us to study the methylation of H19 imprinted gene in spermatozoa of idiopathic infertile patients (males with abnormalities in sperm parameters) and healthy controls by Combined Bisulfite Restriction Analysis. According to our results, the lowest methylation percentage of H19 imprinted gene belongs to three cases with sperm characteristics under normal range (two cases Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and one case Oligoteratozoospermia). However, our results show that the median of methylation percentage for H19 is not statistically significant between case and control groups. Our results and those of others introduce DNA methylation as a potential marker of fertility and should be investigated with more patients in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The T 1 Mapping and Extracellular volume (ECV) Standardization (T1MES) program explored T 1 mapping quality assurance using a purpose-developed phantom with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Conformité Européenne (CE) regulatory clearance. We report T 1 measurement repeatability across centers describing sequence, magnet, and vendor performance. Methods Phantoms batch-manufactured in August 2015 underwent 2 years of structural imaging, B 0 and B 1, and “reference” slow T 1 testing. Temperature dependency was evaluated by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology and by the German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. Center-specific T 1 mapping repeatability (maximum one scan per week to minimum one per quarter year) was assessed over mean 358 (maximum 1161) days on 34 1.5 T and 22 3 T magnets using multiple T 1 mapping sequences. Image and temperature data were analyzed semi-automatically. Repeatability of serial T 1 was evaluated in terms of coefficient of variation (CoV), and linear mixed models were constructed to study the interplay of some of the known sources of T 1 variation. Results Over 2 years, phantom gel integrity remained intact (no rips/tears), B 0 and B 1 homogenous, and “reference” T 1 stable compared to baseline (% change at 1.5 T, 1.95 ± 1.39%; 3 T, 2.22 ± 1.44%). Per degrees Celsius, 1.5 T, T 1 (MOLLI 5s(3s)3s) increased by 11.4 ms in long native blood tubes and decreased by 1.2 ms in short post-contrast myocardium tubes. Agreement of estimated T 1 times with “reference” T 1 was similar across Siemens and Philips CMR systems at both field strengths (adjusted R 2 ranges for both field strengths, 0.99–1.00). Over 1 year, many 1.5 T and 3 T sequences/magnets were repeatable with mean CoVs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sublethal Co toxicity on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout were exposed to Co and selected parameters were evaluated at intervals of 1, 15 and 30 days. Fish exposed to higher levels of Co grew slower than fish exposed to lower levels of Co. Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) decreased linearly with the increase of cobalt in the water. The body condition factor (CF) of fish reared in water with low cobalt concentration decreased substantially but this decrease was not significant for fish exposed to higher cobalt concentration. The values of the feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased in fish exposed to higher levels of Co. Co significantly changed the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and decreased at day 30, and in both cases this decrease was more remarkable at day 15 so that the level of AST and ALT reached the control value at day 30. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level also showed a remarkable 15-day decline. There was a significant increase in glucose (G) concentration in both Co-exposed groups on day 15. However, serum cholesterol (Chl) was significantly reduced on day 15 and increased on day 30; there were no significant differences in both exposed Co-groups. The triglyceride (TG) level also decreased substantially. There was no regular pattern of total protein (TP) in the serum, so that no significant differences were found in the level of TP between low and high-exposed fish. In summary, this study suggests that exposure of essential trace elements such as cobalt may change growth and biochemical parameters, and that measurement of these parameters may be used in toxicological studies to determine the general health status of fish.

The complex formation between Zn, Cd and Pb ions with macrocyclic ligand, tetrathia12-crown-4 (12S4) was studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-nitrobenzene binary mixtures at different temperatures using conductometric and H NMR methods. In all cases, 12S4 found to form 1:1 complexes with these cations. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1 complexes in different solvent mixtures were determined by computer fitting of the resulting molar conductance- and chemical shift-mole ratio data. There is an inverse relationship between the complex stability and the amount of DMSO in the solvent mixtures. The stability of the resulting M-12S4 complexes found to decrease in the order Pb > Cd > Zn. The values of ∆H°, ∆S° and ∆G° for complexation reactions were evaluated from the temperature dependence of formation constants via van't Hoff method. The obtained results revealed that, in all cases, the complexes are enthalpy stabilized, but entropy destabilized and the values of ∆H° and ∆S° are strongly depend on the nature of medium. There is also a linear relationship between all ΔH° and TΔS° values indicating the existence of entropy-enthalpy compensation in complexation of the three cations and ligand in the solvent systems studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro and in vivo A. ligtu hybrid seed germination tests were conducted at different treatments: soaking in gibberellic acid (GA3) or salicylic acid (SA) (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg.l-1) and Potassium nitrate (KNO3) (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8%) with and without stratification in 5±1 °C. Stratification had a significant effect on seed germination (p < 0.05). Maximum germination (86.67%, 96.50% after 16.44, 15.05 days under in vivo and in vitro conditions, respectively) was found in 100 mg.l-1 GA3 + 21 days of stratification and was followed by 0.8% KNO3 and 100 mg.l-1 SA along with 21 days of stratification. Mean germination time (MGT) decreased with duration of stratification and GA3, SA and KNO3 application, respectively. The present results indicated that, GA3, SA and KNO3 stimulated various growth aspects of Alstroemeria seedlings growth in both under in vitro and in vivo, but seeds treated in 100 mg.l-1 GA3 soulation was more effective. Seeds treated with SA and KNO3 without stratification and control had no germination. A.ligtu hybrid species probably exhibits a combination of physiological dormancy. Stratification at 5±1 °C for 21 days or GA3 + 21 days of stratification overcame seed dormancy and increased the germination percentage of A.ligtu hybrid seeds. Seedlings growth in vivo conditions was higher as compared with in vitro conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world's population ages, chronic and degenerative diseases are rising. This scenario demands the development of new treatment techniques with lower costs, which are as efficient as the existing ones. Hypodermoclysis is the infusion of fluids into the subcutaneous tissue with a butterfly needle. This technique may be used for isotonic fluid replacement and to administer cytosine arabinoside, clodronate, antibiotics and narcotic analgesics. This review evaluates the evidence supporting the use of hypodermoclysis to treat elderly patients with dehydration and patients with terminal cancer, and discusses its indications, adverse effects and perspectives. A MEDLINE search of the last 30 years was done to recover all available literature. Hypodermoclysis therapy is a safe and effective method to provide fluids and narcotic analgesic therapy in elderly patients that are mild and moderate dehydrated and in patients with cancer. It seems a good option to provide antibiotics, but there is a need for more studies to evaluate this indication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosa damascena is very important for essential oil production, medicinal properties and it is also widely cultivated as a garden rose. The Rose species is mainly propagated by stem cutting. In the present study, the effect of different levels of 0, 500 and 1,000 mg l-1 (quick dip method for 20 s) of indole butyric acid (IBA) on the rooting of 12 wild genotypes (including: Kurdistan 1 to Kurdistan 12) of R. damascena was investigated. The results show that the rooting ability of R. damascena differs significantly between the twelve genotypes. The highest rooting (79.56%) and callus production (69.08%), number of roots (8.33), root fresh and dry weights (361.80 and 244.74 mg, respectively) were recorded in Kurdistan 5 genotype with 1,000 mg l-1 IBA. The maximum root length (5.84 cm) was observed in Kurdistan 5 genotype with 500 mg l-1 IBA that showed a significant difference compared to the control treatment (0.96 cm). The highest number of leaves per bud (7.33 at 500 mg l-1 IBA) and number of buds (5.00 at 1,000 mg l-1 IBA) were recorded in Kurdistan 1 genotype. The current study demonstrated that the different genotypes of R. damascena were in a difficult-toroot state, which suggests that cutting treatment with 1,000 mg l-1 IBA overcame the problem of the difficult-to-root state, and it can also enhance the rooting percentage in the studied genotypes.

In the present study, multiplication efficiency of Alstroemeria ligtu hybrid was investigated. Bases of the first seedling leaves grown in vitro were used as initial explants. The explants were cultured in the MS media containing 3% sucrose, 0.7% agar at pH 5.8, five N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg·1-1) and three indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations (0, 0.1 and 0.2 mg·1-1). The cultures were incubated at 21 ± 2 °C under photoperiod 16/8. After three subculturings (3 weeks-long each) the number of rhizome, shoots, buds, leaves, and roots, length of shoots and roots were recorded. Adventitious shoots formed directly on the leaf bases without callus intervention. Their number was affected by BAP concentrations. The highest shoots number, six per explants, was obtained at 1 mg·1-1 BAP and 0.1 mg·1-1 IBA. The shoot length decreased with the increasing concentration of BAP. The highest root number (2.7) was formed on shoots cultured on the MS medium containing 0.5 mg·1-1 α- naphthalene acetic acid, and the highest rhizome number (2.2) was formed on the medium with 0.5 mg·1-1 BAP. In vitro rooted plantlets were able to survive and acclimatize in the greenhouse.

INTRODUCTION: Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a high prevalence of chronic disease and disability among the elderly. Given Brazil's rapid aging process and the obvious consequences of the growing number of old people with chronic diseases and associated disabilities for the provision of health services, a need was felt for a study that would overcome the limitations of cross-sectional data and shed some light on the main factors determining whether a person will live longer and free of disabling diseases, the so-called successful aging. The methodology of the first follow-up study of elderly residents in Brazil is presented. METHOD: The profile of the initial cohort is compared with previous cross-sectional data and an in-depth analysis of nonresponse is carried out in order to assess the validity of future longitudinal analysis. The EPIDOSO (`Epidemiologia do Idoso') Study conducted a two-year follow-up of 1,667 elderly people (65+), living in S. Paulo. The study consisted of two waves, each consisting of household, clinical, and biochemical surveys. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In general, the initial cohort showed a similar profile to previous cross-sectional samples in S. Paulo. There was a majority of women, mostly widows, living in multigenerational households, and a high prevalence of chronic illnesses, psychiatric disturbances, and physical disabilities. Despite all the difficulties inherent in follow-up studies, there was a fairly low rate of nonresponse to the household survey after two years, which did not actually affect the representation of the cohort at the final household assessment, making unbiased longitudinal analysis possible. Concerning the clinical and blood sampling surveys, the respondents tended to be younger and less disabled than the nonrespondents, limiting the use of the clinical and laboratory data to longitudinal analysis aimed at a healthier cohort. It is worth mentioning that gender, education, family support, and socioeconomic status were not important determinants of nonresponse, as is often the case.

The protein concentrate of fish from minced carp meat was obtained during three stages of using the solvent (isopropanol), pressed and dried using a dry temperature (60°C), and this concentrate had 93% protein, which according to aquatic protein sources have a high nutritional value and are used to enrich other food products. Given that current pasta products are from carbohydrate sources and lacking in the lysine and threonine amino acids, this gives the opportunity to be used to enrich and enhance its nutritional quality. In this research, 5 and 15 percent of fish protein concentrates were used for enrichment of pasta and samples were prepared in three replicates and stored at ambient temperature for 3 months and tested for nutritional value and amino acids, with a control sample (no concentrate) were compared. According to the results of experiments, it was determined that in terms of nutritional value and amino acid profile, the treatment with fish protein concentrate was better and in the overall evaluation of concentrate-enriched treatment fish protein was 5% better than other samples and had a significant difference (p