Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of survival outcome in early versus late surfactant therapy in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome at a tertiary care centre: A randomized control trial (Open)

Introduction: Prematurity and RDS largely contribute to early neonatal morbidity and mortality. With adequate antenatal steroid and early CPAP, early surfactant therapy improve survival outcome. Material and Methods: Prospective interventional study included newborns with 24-28 weeks prematurity or 28-34 weeks(GA) with clinical RDS and birth weight(BW)>650gms. All subjects were preferably provided early surfactant therapy (within 2hours after birth). Surfactant (Curosurf) was delivered by INSURE technique (Intubate- Surfactant administration- Extubate) and only those who required further respiratory support were ventilated. Records on birth weight, gestational age, timing of therapy (early/late), duration of ventilation, sepsis, complications, and survival/death outcome were collected and data was analysed using SSPS version 17. Results: Out of 100 neonates (49 male, 51 female), 46 received early surfactant therapy and 54 obtained it late; significantly more indoor patients could be treated early (p<0.0001). Although high mortality was observed with both early (65.2%) and late therapy (85.2%), there was significantly higher survival with early therapy (p=0.018). Though no statistical differences of outcome were observed with different GA and BW in study groups; irrespective of timing of therapy, higher mortality occurred in lower BW/GA subgroups with least survival among extremely preterms <27wks (p=0.000057) and ELBW<1000gm(p=0.013). No difference was seen for need of re-intubation/ventilation, but duration of ventilation was more on late group (p=0.043). Culture positive sepsis was found in 68% with higher association with late therapy (p=0.033). Hypotension was frequent complication with late intervention (p=0.029), whereas there was no difference for pulmonary hemorrhage or apnea. Conclusion: Early surfactant administration improved survival with minimal complications in RDS except for extremely premature/LBW babies.
POST FIRE CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE WOODY VEGETATION OF A MESOTROPHIC CERRADO OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD (1997-2002) IN NOVA XAVANTINA, MT, BRAZIL

Two inventories in an area of cerrado stricto sensu of mesotrophic type, were carried out, the first in 1997 and the second in 2002 . The data were collected in 28 contiguous permanent plots with an area of 15 x 15 m each (0.63 ha) . All individuals with stems of diameter > 3 cm at 0.30 m above ground level were identified and measured . During the first inventory 1266 individuals belonging to 32 families, 55 genera and 72 species were recorded . While in the second there were 1045 individuals in 33 families, 55 genera and 71 species. The diversity index of Shannon was high in both samples (310 and 3.13 nats/ind., respectively). The results show that the fires affected relative species abundance but not overall richness . The families Fabaceae, Vochysiaceae, Malpighiaceae, Erythroxylaceae, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae and Malvaceae showed the highest floristic richness in both inventories . The largest mortality rate occurred in the smallest diameter classes (to about 13 cm), where species recruitment was not high enough to compensate for it. Three rare species were lost between the two inventories and two others appeared . The variations found are in agreement with the patterns of other studies in cerrado vegetation .
Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Mouse Plasma Fibronectin Concentration

The effect of vitamin C on plasma fibronectin levels was studied. Mice were fed 3 different doses of dietary ascorbic acid (0%, 1%, and 10%), and the plasma fibronectin concentration was determined by an enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal rabbit anti-mouse fibronectin antibodies. Compared to the control, the mice with a 10% ascorbic acid-containing diet for 2 months had a significantly elevated plasma ascorbic acid concentration, but no statistically significant difference was observed for mice with a 1% ascorbic acid diet. The 10% ascorbic acid group exhibited a significant increase in the plasma fibronectin concentration as well as in the hydroxyproline level. The results indicate that ascorbic acid can influence the blood concentration of fibronectin which may be related either directly or indirectly to collagen metabolism.
The influence of feed supplementation with acid ascorbic and sodium ascorbate on broilers, under thermal stress.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department Physiopathology, University of Science Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Splaiul Independentei no.105, 050097 Bucharest; 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department Clinical medicine and Hygiene, University Spiru Haret, Bucharest 3 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department Biochemistry, University of Science Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Splaiul Independentei no.105, 050097 Bucharest, Romania curca_fiziopat@yahoo.com
A highly modified stygobiont diving beetle of the genus Copelatus (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae): taxonomy and cladistic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

Abstract. We report the discovery of a new species of Copelatus that is morphologically highly modified for life in groundwater. Copelatus abditus sp.n. was collected from a 4 m deep bore in central Australia. It was placed in Copelatinae based on morphological evidence. This is the first known stygobiont diving beetle that does not belong to the subfamily Hydroporinae. Sequences from the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase 1, 16S rRNA, tRNAL and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 genes suggest that the species belongs to the subgenus Papuadytes, the morphological apomorphies of which are reduced in the new groundwater species. Copelatus (Papuadytes) abditus very much resembles other world stygobiont dytiscids, which all belong to the subfamily Hydroporinae. We suggest that this striking convergence is due to similar selective pressures imposed on all groundwater beetles. We suggest a scenario in which species from temporary habitats evade drought by entering the hyporheic zone, and may be driven to a subterranean existence by desertification of their ancestral habitats, as can be observed in Australia.
Northeast regional and state trends in anuran occupancy from calling survey data (2001-2011) from the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program

—We present the first regional trends in anuran occupancy from North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) data from 11 northeastern states using 11 years of data. NAAMP is a long-term monitoring program where observers collect data at assigned random roadside routes using a calling survey technique. We assessed occupancy trends for 17 species. Eight species had regional trends whose 95% posterior interval did not include zero; of these seven were negative (Anaxyrus fowleri, Acris crepitans, Pseudacris brachyphona, Pseudacris feriarum-kalmi complex, Lithobates palustris, Lithobates pipiens, and Lithobates sphenocephalus) and one was positive (Hyla versicolor-chrysoscelis complex). We also assessed state level trends for 103 species/state combinations; of these, 29 showed a decline and nine showed an increase in occupancy.
Benthic algal communities: recovery from experimental acidification.

Chemical recovery is hypothesized to promote rapid recovery of benthic algal communities in formerly acidified lakes; this expectation needs modification. We evaluated the hypothesis in a small lake (L302S) in the boreal forest of northwestern Ontario, Canada, during a decade of pH recovery following a prior decade of experimental acidification from pH 6.7 to 4.5. To account for regional changes during the study, we also studied a nearby reference lake (L239). Taxonomic changes in the epilithon (biofilm on rock surfaces) included persistently lower cyanobacterial biomass following its acidification-related decline and increases in both diatoms and greens. Epilithic metabolic recovery was incomplete because the acidification-induced increase in respiration continued, although the prior decline in photosynthesis was reversed. Unexpectedly, blooms of metaphytic filamentous green algae occurred at higher pH during recovery than during acidification. Although several community attributes recovered fully, recov.
Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance in Eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) during Summer and Rainy Season

Sixty three genotypes of eggplant were studied to estimate variability, heritability and genetic advance at the department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab. The PCV and GCV were high (during both seasons) for traits like fruits per plant, fruit weight, pseudo style flowers, long style flowers, short style flowers, medium style flowers, flowers per inflorescence, fruit setting and fruit length. Heritability and genetic advance were also high for all these traits indicating the possibility of selection to improve these characters. Hence it could be concluded that improvement by direct selection in eggplant was possible for the traits like fruits per plant, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, long style flowers, medium style flowers, seeds per fruit.
On the biology of Symbiocladius rhithrogenae (ZAVREL, 1924) (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Chornohora Mts., Ukraine

A metamorphosis of a parasitic chironomid Symbiocladius rhithrogenae (ZAVŘEL, 1924) infesting nymphs of mayflies of the genera Rhithrogena EATON, 1881 and Ecdyonurus EATON, 1868 in a stream of the Ukrainian Carpathians, is described and illustrated.
Oocyte Maturation in Starfish: Sequential Changes of Oocyte Shape Induced by 1‐Methyladenine Associated with Germinal Vesicle Breakdown

Observation of the early events of starfish oocyte maturation revealed a sequential change of the oocyte shape induced by 1‐methyladenine (1‐MeAde). The lengths of two diameters of the whole oocyte, one parallel to the egg axis (a–v diameter) and the other which is perpendicular to a–v diameter (e diameter) were measured by taking photographs successively. About 10 min after 1–MeAde administration, a sudden decrease of the a–v diameter (shortening of oocyte) occurred followed by a sudden increase (elongation of oocyte). Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) occurred when the a–v diameter suddenly increased. The change of the oocyte shape occurred differentially in the animal and vegital halves i.e. when the egg‐axis diameter shortened the surface of the vegital pole side shrank and the surface of the animal pole side expanded. GVBD was suppressed under hypertonic conditions and facilitated under hypotonic conditions. Cytological examination of the process of GVBD revealed (1) separation of the nuclear membrane from the granular cytoplasmic mass, (2) depression of several parts of the nuclear membrane and the increase of amorphous matrix on the outside of the nuclear membrane, and (3) disappearance (fragmentation) of nuclear membrane. The morphological changes were not the same along the egg‐axis temporally and spacially. These observations suggest firstly that the cytoplasm, which has been in a certain quiescent state with a certain rigidity before 1–MeAde administration, not only undergoes a decrease in stiffness but also acquires a contractile property after 1–MeAde administration, and secondly that contractile or cytoskeletal components do not evenly function or are not evenly arranged in the animal and vegital halves.
A PCR assay to detect trace amounts of soybean in meat sausages.

Summary Soybean proteins are the most widely used source vegetable proteins in the meat industry because of several interesting characteristics. As soybean is included in the group of ingredients potentially allergenic, if not declared, it can be considered a hidden allergen, representing a potential risk to sensitised individuals. The aim of this work was to optimise and apply DNA-based techniques for soybean detection in meat products, as alternative to the currently used protein-based methods. The optimised polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol targeting the soybean lectin gene enabled the detection of the addition of 0.1% and 0.5% of hydrated textured protein, which corresponded to 0.01% and 0.06% (w/w) of soybean protein in unprocessed and heat-processed pork meats, respectively. The established PCR technique, when applied to commercial meat sausages (eighteen samples), confirmed the presence of soybean declared in nine samples and indicated the presence of soybean in four samples with no labelled information about soybean. Additionally, the event-specific PCR detection of Roundup Ready® soybean was also performed, enabling the detection of transgenic DNA in three samples.
Investigating the Effects of Repeated Cocaine Exposure and Striatal Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor Antagonism on Reward, Aversion, and Approach-Avoidance Conflict Resolution

Exposure to psychostimulant drugs induces an enduring state of heightened drug-seeking motivation, as well as cross-sensitization to natural reinforcers, which has been attributed to a sensitized mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system. In the striatum, medium spiny neurons expressing D1 (D1R) or D2 receptors (D2R) are suggested to regulate reward and aversion, and are known to undergo changes in synaptic plasticity following drug exposure. However, it is not known how D1R and D2R signaling may contribute to situations in which reward and aversive information are in conflict with one another (approach-avoidance conflict) and how a state of cocaine sensitization may alter the ability to effectively resolve approach-avoidance conflict. The purpose of this dissertation was two-fold. The first aim investigated the effects of cocaine sensitization on approach-avoidance conflict and negative incentive motivation. The second aim investigated the roles of D1R and D2R in regulating cue-elicited approach-avoidance conflict in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsomedial (DMS), and dorsolateral striatum (DLS). In Chapter 3, rats were tested in a conflict scenario in which sucrose was paired with foot shock in the goal compartment of a runway apparatus. Cocaine sensitized rats displayed shorter goal
Phytochemical Screening and Nematicidal Activity of Cinnamon and Ginger Extracts Against Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) Infecting Tomato

The purpose of this work was to assess the nematicidal and antioxidant activities of different extracting solvents from cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) against Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato. Three solvents namely n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol were used. Phytochemical analysis of such extracts revealed the presence of more components in ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts than n-hexane extract of either cinnamon or ginger. The highest amount of total phenolics and flavonoids were detected in ethyl acetate extract of both ginger and cinnamon reaching 105.6; 93.6 mg gallic acid /g and 54.2; 45.1 mg quercetin/ g dry weight, respectively. Additionally, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of ginger exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH free radicals) reaching 90.0 and 89.1%, respectively. The efficacy of cinnamon and ginger using three solvents at two concentrations (50 and 10ul) on juveniles mortality of Meloidogyne incognita was studied in vitro. Ethyl acetate extracts gave better results than did methanol or hexane extracts. Ginger extracts gave promising results after 72hr of exposure compared to cinnamon ones. Hence, among ginger extracts the maximum mortality in nematode juveniles was achieved with ethyl acetate (68.0 %) followed by methanol (42.0%) and hexane extracts (30%) @ the concentration of 50μl after 72 hours of exposure. Ginger ethyl acetate (300 ppm) proved to be the best for enhancing total plant fresh weight with percentage of increase over control amounted to 196.0 %. Population densities, root galling and number of egg masses were significantly suppressed with such tested extracts. Leaves of tomato were assayed for NPK, total cholorophyll, proteins, and phenols. Activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxide oxidase (PO) were also evaluated in roots of tomato infected with M. incognita. PO activity was much greater in ginger ethyl acetate at lower concentration (100 ppm). Conversely, PPO activity was increased in cinnamon ethyl acetate (100 ppm). The present study revealed high potential antioxidants and nematicidal properties in both cinnamon and ginger. The biological activities of these plants might be attributed to the various kind of secondary metabolites.
Bio-efficacy of Beta-cyfluthrin, Lambda - cyhalothrin and imidacloprid against Earias vitella Fab. in Okra

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the bio-efficacy of beta-cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin and imidacloprid against shoot and fruit borer (Earias vitella) in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). All the insecticides recorded reasonably less shoot and fruit damage due to E. vitella in okra in comparison to untreated control. Lambda-cyhalothrin @ 30g a.i.ha−1 was significantly superior to all other treatments and on par with endosulfan @500 g a.i. ha−1 Maximum net benefit (Rs.7018 ha−1) was obtained with lambda-cyhalothrin (30g a.i.ha−1). In terms of incremental cost-benefit ratio (ICBR), lambda-cyhalothrin treatment @15g a.i. ha−1 recorded maximum cost-benefit ratio of 1:4.73 as compared to other treatments.
MAREK'S DISEASE AND LYMPHOID LEUCOSIS IN CHICKEN - A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SURVEY

M a r e k ’ s d i s e a s e ( M D ) i s a lymphoproliferative disease of chicken caused by cell associated MD herpes virus (MDV) and is characterized by multiple T-cell lymphoma formation in visceral organs, muscles, skin and lesions in peripheral nerves (Calnek and Witter, 1991). Clinical signs observed for MD vary from mild depression followed by ataxia and paralysis, skin nodular lesions, stunting and mortality (Santin et al., 2006). The avian leucosis virus induces a well studied lymphoma in chicken called lymphoid leucosis (Pizer and Humpheries, 1989).
Parámetros y tendencias genéticas para características de crecimiento predestete en la población mexicana de Simmental

Birth weight (18,383) and weaning weight (9,023) records from the Mexican Simmental beef cattle population were used to estimate genetic additive direct and maternal variances, heritabilities, genetic correlations, and genetic trends. Information came from 434 herds owned by members of the Mexican Simmental-Simbrah Association, and collected from 1980 to 1999. Contemporary groups were defined as herd-year-seasons. A two-trait animal model with additive direct and maternal effects was used to estimate genetic variances and genetic parameters, and to predict genetic values. Heritabilities for birth weight were 0.40 for additive direct and 0.12 for additive maternal, and the additive direct-maternal genetic correlation was -0.63. Weaning weight heritabilities were 0.33 for additive direct and 0.19 for additive maternal, and the additive direct-maternal correlation was -0.67. The only across-trait nonzero genetic correlation was between birth weight direct and weaning weight direct (0.73). Maternal heritabilities were lower than direct heritabilities, and negative correlations between additive direct and maternal effects existed for both traits. Genetic trends in the Mexican Simmental population were positive for additive direct, and negative for additive maternal genetic effects. These trends suggest that most of the selection emphasis was likely placed on additive direct genetic effects for weaning weight. Because of the negative correlation that existed between additive direct and maternal genetic effects in the Mexican Simmental population, selection programs for preweaning growth would need to strike an appropriate balance between these two types of effects.
Determinants of Risk Behaviour in Livestock Development Programs: Evidence from South Africa's Kaonafatso Yadikgomo (Kyd) Scheme

Risk plays a significant role in input use decisions and production of output in agricultural production. Understanding farmer risk attitudes and their responses to risk is significant in designing effective intervention programmes. Few studies have tried to identify how the introduction of a livestock programme has tended to influence farmer risk profile. The objective of the study was to highlight the determinants of risk behaviour in participants of a livestock development programme. The study was carried out in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa, utilising a purposive sample of 164 respondents who are part of the Kaonafatso Yadikgomo (KYD) Scheme. The cross-sectional survey collected data pertaining to the risk attitudes of the livestock farmers from an attitudinal scale as well as socio-economic and farm biophysical characteristics. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data. The results show that the livestock farmers were risk loving, with the risk attitude being influenced by the age of household head, monthly household income and experience in rearing cattle at the ð‘ < 0.1 level. Furthermore, the source of income, herd size, reason for slaughtering cattle distance to the nearest water source and access to a dip tank had significant influence of attitude towards risk at the ð‘ < 0.05 level. The study concludes that being part of a livestock development programme tends inflto uence the risk attitudes of the participants as the determinants were against a priori expectations.
Effects of feeding excess crude protein on growth performance and carcass traits of finishing pigs

A total of 176 pigs (88 barrows and 88 gilts, average initial BW of 209 lb) were used in a 33-d experiment to determine the effects of excess dietary CP on growth performance and carcass measurements of finishing pigs. Pigs were sorted by sex and ancestry and blocked by weight with 11 pigs per pen and 4 pens per treatment. Treatments were corn-soybean meal based and formulated to a minimum of 0.80% total lysine but with 12, 14, 16, and 18% CP. Feed and water were consumed on an ad libitum basis until pigs were slaughtered (average final BW of 275 lb) at a commercial abattoir. Increasing CP concentration had no effect (P > 0.20) on ADG, ADFI, F/G, and HCW. With HCW used as a covariate, there were linear decreases in dressing percentage (P < 0.01) and loin depth at the last rib (P < 0.04) as CP concentration in the diet was increased from 12 to 18%. However, fat thickness at the last rib and percentage carcass lean were not affected (P > 0.34) by CP treatment. Our results indicate that increasing CP from 12 to 18% in diets for late-finishing pigs does not affect growth performance or carcass leanness but has small negative effects on dressing percentage and loin depth. ; Swine Day, 2008, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 2008
Effect of seed rates, irrigation intervals and weed pressure on productivity of direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa)

A field investigation conducted during rainy seasons 2000 and 2001 on sandy loam soils of Gurdaspur, Punjab showed that seed rate of 100 kg/ha caused significant reduction in dry matter of weeds and significantly increased the grain yield over seed rate of 50 kg/ha in both years. Increasing irrigation interval from 2 to 3 days though increased die grain yield by 0.2 tonne/ha the effect was not significant. Integrated weed management comprising 2 hand-weedings in addition to application of 0.75 kg/ha pretilachlor caused significant reduction in dry matter of weeds and significantly increased grain yield through marked improvement in yield attributes over that of chemical control of weeds alone in bom the years. Interaction of seed rates and methods of weed control revealed that dry matter of weeds in case of integrated weed control with 50 kg/ha seed rate was significantly lower man that of chemical weed control with seed rate of 150 kg/ ha. Panicles/m and grains/panicle were significantly higher with 50 kg/ha seed rate in integrated compared to seed rate of 100 kg/ha in chemical weed control. Mean grain yield with seed rate of 100 kg/ha in integrated weed control (6.47 tonnes/ha) was significantly higher than with 150 kg/ha in chemical weed control (5.91 tonnes/ha).