Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Significance of vascular endothelium growth factor testing in exhaled breath condensate of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to observe and investigate the clinical significance of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: An improved EcoScreen condenser was used to collect EBC from 31 ARDS patients on mechanical ventilation and from 22 healthy subjects. Serum and EBC VEGF levels were analyzed with ELISA. VEGF levels in the EBC of patients with different grades of lung injuries were analyzed. The correlation between VEGF levels and clinical indicators was analyzed. RESULTS: Serum and EBC VEGF levels were linearly and positively correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.694 (P< 0.01). The VEGF level in the EBC of ARDS patients was significantly lower than that in the control group (P< 0.01). The VEGF level in the EBC of the mild ARDS group was higher than that in the moderate-severe ARDS group (P< 0.01). The VEGF level in the EBC of the survival group was higher than that in the mortality group. The VEGF level in the EBC of ARDS patients was positively correlated with PaO2/FiO2 and PaO2 and was negatively correlated with lung injury score (LIS) and A-aDO2/PaO2. CONCLUSION: The changes in VEGF levels in the EBC of ARDS patients can Respiratory Medicine, reflect the severity of lung injury. Therefore, VEGF level in EBC can be used as an auxiliary index for judging the severity and prognosis of ARDS patients.
Long-term effects of feeding diets without mineral phosphorus supplementation on the performance and phosphorus excretion in high-yielding dairy cows

The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of feeding a diet with no mineral phosphorus (P) supplementation on performance and P excretion in high-yielding dairy cows. In exp. 1, 24 primiparous (PP) and 40 multiparous (MP) Holstein cows were allocated to one of two treatments at calving: (1) regular corn silage and alfalfa haylage based milking cow total mixed ration (TMR; 0.42% P diet) or (2) milking cow total mixed ration (TMR) without supplemental mineral P (0.35% P diet) in a completely randomized design. The trial lasted until after two lactations were completed or the cow was culled. In exp. 2, eight MP Holstein cows (108 ± 8.0 d in milk) were used to determine P digestibility and retention in a completely randomized block design. In exp. 1, the 0.35% P diet cows had lower body weight, body condition score and milk urea nitrogen and higher faecal P than the 0.42% P cows. The dry matter intake (DMI) of PP cows on the 0.35% P diet was lower than that of PP cows on the 0.42% P diet.
The effect of cell wall degrading enzymes or formic acid on fermentation quality and on digestion of grass silage by cattle

A first cut of timothy, treated with water (untreated), formic acid (FA), cellulase + lactic acid bacteria (CB), cellulase + hemicellulase (CH) or cellulase + hemicellulase + a lignin-modifying enzyme (CHL), was ensiled in pilot-scale silos. Silages, except CB, were fed to four male cattle, each equipped with a rumen and duodenal cannula, in a digestibility trial designed as a 4 × 4 Latin square. The animals were fed a diet of 400 g of concentrate and 600 g of silage at a level of 70 g DM kg−1 live weight (LW0·75). All enzyme-treated silages were well-preserved with a more extensive fermentation than in FA silage. The quality of untreated silage was poorer as indicated by higher pH and ammonia-N content. The amount of effluent from enzyme-treated silages ranged from 116 to 127 g kg−1; for FA and untreated silages values were 101 g kg−1 and 80 g kg−1, respectively. Total DM losses from enzyme-treated silages were higher than from FA silage (P < 0·05). No significant differences were noticed between silages in the apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), acid-detergent fibre (ADF) or nitrogen (N). The apparent digestibility of cellulose was higher with enzyme-treated silages than with FA silage (P < 0·05). The values for microbial N flow at the duodenum were 80·0, 91·9, 80·7 and 70·5g N d−1, and for the efficiency of rumen microbial N synthesis 38·6, 47·6, 36·9 and 32·5 g N kg−1 OM apparently digested in the rumen for untreated, FA, CH and CHL silages, respectively. In the rumen the molar proportion of propionate was higher (P < 0·01) and that of butyrate lower (P < 0·01) with enzyme-treated silages when compared with FA silage. The proportion of butyrate was also lower with untreated than with other silages (P < 0·01). The rumen residence time of NDF and ADF was longer (P < 0·05) with enzyme-treated silages than with FA silage.
Phytate Hydrolysis by Phytase in Cereals; Effects on In Vitro Estimation of Iron Availability

Phytate (inositol hexaphosphate) hydrolysis by endogenous and exogenous phytases was studied for their effect on increasing iron availability in cereals. Wheat bran and whole meal flours of rye and oats were soaked at optimal conditions for phytase activity (55°C, pH 5) for different time intervals. Phytate and its degradation products were determined by HPLC and related to iron solubility under simulated physiological conditions. Small amounts of phytate (< lμmol/g) had a strong negative effect on iron solubility. When inositol hexa- and pentaphosphates of wheat bran and rye flour were completely hydrolyzed by activating endogenous phytase, iron solubility under simulated physiological conditions increased from 3 to 53% (wheat) and 5 to 21% (rye). Addition of wheat phytase to uncooked oatmeal increased iron solubility from 4 to 11 and in precooked to 18%, while endogenous phytase of uncooked oatmeal had less effect on phytate digestion and iron solubility.
The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Perceived Stress and Total Health Care Cost

Background: Chronic stress can lead to hypertension, tachycardia, and increased inflammatory markers, which put individuals at risk for chronic diseases. Mindful meditation not only decreases perceived stress but also has the potential to decrease the risk of chronic diseases and health care cost. Purpose: The purpose of this mindfulness meditation project is to reaffirm that mindfulness meditation decreases perceived stress scores and to determine whether mindfulness meditation decreases health care cost. Theoretical Model: The relation of mindfulness meditation, lowered stress levels, and chronic diseases can be explained by the social cognitive theory (SCT). Applying SCT, meditation’s goal is to alter one’s environment and personal cognitive and affective factors in order to decrease stress and to influence one’s persona to respond appropriately to emotional and maladaptive behavior. Project Design: The quasi-experimental mindfulness meditation project analyzed the preversus postperceived stress scores and claims data. Data collection was accomplished through perceived stress score surveys and claims data retrieval for demographic data, chronic diseases, and cost of health care. Results: 36 participants in three mindfulness meditation groups completed the program. Of these, 22 participated in private sessions, 7 participated in group sessions, and 7 participated in both private and group sessions. A total of 13 participants within the sample population had complete claims data 6 months pre-program and 6 months post-program. Participants reported significant decreases in perceived stress after participating in the mindfulness meditation program (t = 7.346, p < .05) with a large effect size (r=0.779). Participant’s total health care cost retrieved from claims data did not show a significant difference in cost after participating in the mindfulness meditation program (p>.05). Discussion: The study reaffirmed participation in a mindfulness meditation program as an effective strategy to decrease perceived stress. This EFFECT OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION 3 finding is consistent with the literature that mindfulness training should increase one’s ability to respond mindfully to daily life experiences, which in turn should lead to improvements in the person’s ability to adapt to stress. No significant change in health care cost occurred within 6 months of program completion. Future studies could analyze the effect of mindfulness meditation on participant health care cost over a longer period of time.
Pacemaker Implantation After Balloon‐ or Self‐Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Aortic Stenosis

Background The incidence of conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with early and later generation prostheses remains debated. Methods and Results Based on the administrative hospital‐discharge database, we collected information for all patients treated with TAVR between 2010 and 2019 in France. We compared the incidence of PPI after TAVR according to the type and generation of valve implanted. A total of 49 201 patients with aortic stenosis treated with TAVR using the balloon‐expandable (BE) Edwards SAPIEN valve (early Sapien XT and latest Sapien 3) or the self‐expanding (SE) Medtronic CoreValve (early CoreValve and latest Evolut R) were found in the database. Mean (SD) follow‐up was 1.2 (1.5 years) (median [interquartile range] 0.6 [0.1–2.0] years). PPI after the procedure was reported in 13 289 patients, among whom 11 010 (22.4%) had implantation during the first 30 days. In multivariable analysis, using early BE TAVR as reference, adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for PPI during the first 30 days was 0.88 (0.81–0.95) for latest BE TAVR, 1.40 (1.27–1.55) for early SE TAVR, and 1.17 (1.07–1.27) for latest SE TAVR. Compared with early BE TAVR, the adjusted hazard ratio for PPI during the whole follow‐up was 1.01 (0.95–1.08) for latest BE TAVR, 1.30 (1.21–1.40) for early SE TAVR, and 1.25 (1.18–1.34) for latest SE TAVR. Conclusions In patients with aortic stenosis treated with TAVR, our systematic analysis at a nationwide level found higher rates of PPI than previously reported. BE technology was independently associated with lower incidence rates of PPI both at the acute and chronic phases than SE technology. Recent generations of TAVR were not independently associated with different rates of PPI than early generations during the overall follow‐up.
Effects of inoculum density, wetness duration, and temperature on control of Botrytis cinerea by Gliocladium roseum in raspberry

Control of Botrytis cinerea by Gliocladium roseum was investigated in detached raspberry shoots maintained in high humidity. Sporulation incidence of B. cinerea in leaf disks, stem segments, stamens, and pistils respectively from shoots inoculated with 103, 104. 105, and 106 conidia of the pathogen mL-1 increased from 13 to 100%, 7 to 100%, 38 to 100%, and 6 to 94%. When shoots were challenge-inoculated after 24 h with 104 to 108 conidia of G. roseum mL-1, in all combinations, sporulation of the pathogen was suppressed completely in leaves, and by > 97% in stems when density of the antagonist was 107 conidia mL-1. Sporulation of the pathogen in stamens and pistils was suppressed more effectively when density of the antagonist was proportionately high. G. roseum developed more extensively in leaves and stamens when postinoculation wetness lasted at least 12 to 24 h at 20 to 30°C, and controlled sporulation of B. cinerea more effectively when conditions allowed the antagonist to establish endophytically. Po.
A randomized trial of Lactobacillus rhamnosus IDCC 3201 tyndallizate (RHT3201) for treating atopic dermatitis

Probiotic therapies, mainly live bacteria, have been proven to be effective in treating atopic dermatitis (AD) with some controversies. Killed probiotics or postbiotics would have immunomodulatory effect in allergic diseases including AD. This study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of tyndallized Lactobacillus rhamnosus (IDCC 3201, isolated from the feces of a Korean breastfed infant, repeated heat‐treated and incubated, RHT3201) in children with AD.
The effect of a comprehensive mobile application program (CMAP) for family caregivers of home-dwelling patients with dementia: A preliminary research.

AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a comprehensive mobile application program in managing behavior and psychological symptoms of home-dwelling patients with dementia in South Korea. METHODS A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was conducted. A total of 26 family caregivers participated in this study. The application program consists of understanding of dementia, interventions, communication skills, coping methods, and bulletin boards. Data collection was performed from July 9, 2018, to October 4, 2018. Family caregivers' fatigue, sleep, and burden and patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia were measured. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, independent t tests, Mann-Whitney U test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and Friedman test were used. RESULTS The application program offered environmental management in an intervention using communication skills and coping methods, depending on the behavioral and psychological symptom type. The results showed significant differences between the two groups in family caregivers' fatigue (F = 11.24, p = .003) and burden (χ2 = 10.55, p = .005). CONCLUSION The findings showed the application program improved family caregivers' fatigue and burden. It also suggested there is a need to develop a wandering persons location program to improve family caregivers' stress and patients' behavioral problems in future studies.
Theoretical Expected Genetic Gains for Among‐and‐Within‐Family Selection Methods in Perennial Forage Crops

Genetic gains in forage yield lag far behind the gains made in grain yield of cereal crops, partly because of the use of ineffi cient selection methods that make little use of additive genetic variance within half-sib or full-sib families. The objectives of this study were (i) to compute expected genetic gains for among-and-withinfamily (AWF) selection methods, (ii) to compare these selection methods to standard family and progeny-test selection methods, and (iii) to defi ne the conditions under which AWF selection methods may be superior to progeny-test selection. Among-and-within-family selection is equal to or better than family selection under all circumstances provided the within-family selection criterion (X or Y) is heritable and has a positive genetic correlation with the desired trait (Y). Among-and-within-family selection is favored over progeny-test selection by (i) high heritability on an individual-plant basis (relative to heritability on a family-mean basis), (ii) withinfamily selection intensity ≥ among-family selection intensity, and (iii) possibly a shorter cycle time (for some species and some breeding programs). These conditions are more frequently achieved for half-sib mating systems due to the greater partitioning of additive genetic variance within families, but AWF selection can also be heavily favored in a full-sib mating system under conditions that are a bit more restrictive.
Clinical study on screw loosening in dental implant prostheses: a 6-year retrospective study

Objectives In this study, we determined the incidence and pattern of screw loosening in patients who received dental implants. Materials and Methods Patients who received implants between January 2008 and October 2013 and completed their prosthetic rehabilitation were evaluated for the incidence, frequency, and onset of screw loosening using dental charts and radiographs. The association between each factor and screw loosening was analyzed using the chi-square test and a multivariate analysis with binary logistic regression models (P<0.05). Results Total 1,928 implants were placed in 837 patients (448 males, 389 females), whose follow-up period after loading varied from 0.25 to 70 months (mean period, 31.5 months). Screw loosening occurred in 7.2% of implants. Most cases occurred less than six months after loading. Among those, 22.3% experienced recurrent screw loosening. Screw loosening was most common in the molar region (8.5%) and frequently associated with an implant diameter of ≥5 mm (14.2%). External implant–abutment connections (8.9%) and screw-retained implant prostheses (10.1%) showed higher incidence of problems than internal implant–abutment connections and cement-retained implants, respectively. Screw loosening was most common in implant prostheses with single crowns (14.0%). Conclusion Within the limits of the current study, we conclude that the incidence of screw loosening differs significantly according to the position of implant placement, the type of implant and manufacturer, implant diameter, the type of implant–abutment connection, the type of retention in the implant prosthesis, and the type of implant prosthesis.
Achados ultrassonográficos nos testículos e epidídimos de carneiros deslanados jovens e clinicamente sadios

This study aimed to describe ultrasonographic findings in the testis and epididymis of young sheep. Evaluations of the development of weight, measurements of biometric characteristics of the tests and ultrasound examinations of the tests and epididymis were performed from 140 to 280 days of age, each 28 days. The testicular parenchyma showed homogeneous echogenicity (low to moderate) and increased with the age. The mediastinum echogenicity and thickness increased with age and the epididymis tail showed hypoechoic appearance in relation to the testicular parenchyma. Mild calcification was observed in the testis parenchyma of five lambs. In conclusion, ultrasonographic exams help to monitor testes and epididymis of young hair rams.
The generic placement and identity of Ichneumon punctum Shaw (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), and designation of a neotype

Ichneumon punctum Shaw, 1798, currently the type species of Anaphes, is shown to be a species of Camptoptera and is transferred to that genus as Camptoptera punctum Shaw, comb. n. A neotype from England, the type locality, is designated and described in order to defi ne the species objectively and thus settle over two centuries of doubt about the species identity. Camptoptera punctum is compared to C. foersteri Girault, newly reported from the UK, and C. saintpierrei, the only other species so far reported from the UK. All three species are illustrated. Camptoptera aula, Debauche, syn. n. , is synonymized under C. foersteri, whose host is likely Cis sp. , possibly boleti Scopoli (Coleoptera: Ciidae).
Feed and Water Withdrawal Time Relationship to Processing Yield and Potential Fecal Contamination of Broilers

Abstract Trials were conducted to determine feed and water withdrawal times for broilers prior to slaughter which would result in lowest loss in eviscerated yield and lessen potential for fecal contamination of carcasses. Percent loss in live weight expressed as shrink showed a linear relationship with time. Loss at the twenty-four hour period was approximately double that at the twelfth hour. Eviscerated yield when based on initial weight showed a tendency for loss in yield with increasing withdrawal time whereas the opposite trend was shown when yield was based on weight at time of slaughter. Least differences were noted from the eighth to tenth hour of holding. Fecal contents were lowest at the eighth to tenth hour of withdrawal. This would be conducive to a lessened possibility for fecal contamination. The data points out the need for more precise scheduling of withdrawal and holding period prior to slaughter to reduce losses due to yields and fecal contamination of carcasses.
Response of fish and plankton to nutrient loading reduction in eight shallow Danish lakes with special emphasis on seasonal dynamics

Summary 1. For 13 years the response of the plankton and fish community to a decline in external phosphorus loading was studied in eight lakes with a mean depth <5 m. We conducted chi-square analyses of sign of slope (positive or negative) of bimonthly averages of plankton variables for the eight lakes versus time. For fish, we compared results from two periods, i.e. 1989–1994 versus 1994–2001 as less data were available. 2. Fish community structure tended to respond to the lowered concentration of total phosphorus (TP), although not all changes were significant. While catch per unit effort (multi-mesh sized gill nets) of cyprinids (especially bream, Abramis brama and roach, Rutilus rutilus) was highest in the first 5-year period, the quantitative importance particularly of perch (Perca fluviatilis), pike (Esox lucius) and rudd (Scardinius erythropthalmus), a littoral species, increased significantly after 1994. 3. No changes occurred in zooplankton biomass, except for an increase in November and December. Biomass of small cladocerans, however, declined during summer and autumn, and the proportion of Daphnia to cladoceran biomass also increased. Average body weight of Daphnia and that of all cladocerans increased. The proportion of calanoids among copepods decreased in summer and the average body weight of cyclopoids and calanoids decreased during summer and autumn/early winter. 4. Total biovolume of phytoplankton declined significantly in March to June and tended to decline in November and December as well, while no significant changes were observed during summer and autumn. Non-heterocystous cyanobacteria showed a decreasing trend during summer and autumn, while heterocystous cyanobacteria increased significantly in late summer. An increase in late summer was also evident for cryptophytes and chrysophytes, while diatoms tended to decline during most seasons. 5. We conclude that phytoplankton, and probably also fish, responded rapidly to reduced loading, whereas the effect on zooplankton was less pronounced. However, increases in body weight of cladocerans and the zooplankton to phytoplankton biomass ratio during summer indicate reduced top-down control on zooplankton and enhanced grazing on phytoplankton. This conclusion is supported by a tendency for fish biomass to decline and a shift towards greater dominance by piscivores and, thus, an increased likelihood of predator control of zooplanktivorous cyprinids.
Growth and yield response of field-grown tropical rice to increasing carbon dioxide and air temperature

Although the response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to increasing atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentration and air temperature has been examined at the greenhouse or growth chamber level, no field studies have been conducted under the tropical, irrigated conditions where the bulk of the world`s rice is grown. At the International Rice Research Institute, rice (cv. IR 72) was grown from germination until maturity for the 1994 wet and 1995 dry seasons at three different CO{sub 2} concentrations (ambient, ambient + 200, and ambient + 300 {mu}L L{sup {minus}1}) resulted in a significant increase in total plant biomass (+31%, +40%) and crop yield (+15%, + 27%) compared with the ambient control. The increase in crop yield was associated with an increase in the number of panicles per square meter and a greater percentage of filled spikelets. Simultaneous increases in CO{sub 2} and air temperature did not alter the biomass at maturity (relative to elevated CO{sub 2} alone), but plant development was accelerated at the higher growth temperature regardless of CO{sub 2} concentration. Grain yield, however, became insensitive to CO{sub 2} concentration at the higher growth temperature. Increasing both CO{sub 2} and air temperature also reduced grain quality (e.g., protein content). Themore » combination of CO{sub 2} and temperature effects suggests that, in warmer regions (i.e., >34{degrees}C) where rice is grown, quantitative and qualitative changes in rice supply are possible if both CO{sub 2} and air temperature continue to increase. 24 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs. « less