bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Efficacy of Phenobarbitone versus levetiracetam in the initial treatment of neonatal seizure
Authors: Khan Md Tafazzal Hossain , Rahman Mohammed Mahfuzur , Banerjee Manisha , Uddin Md Zahir , Nahar Nurun , Akhter Mahfuza
Published: March 2020

Neonatal seizures are common in the first month of life and may impair neurodevelopmental outcome. Phenobarbitone (PB) currently represents the anti epileptic drug (AED) of choice, despite related to cognitive impairment in human subjects and limited efficacy. Intravenous levetiracetam is increasingly being used in the neonatal period to treat seizures. Presently, insufficient data about the efficacy and safety of intravenous levetriacetam in neonates, we have structured a randomized control trial with levetiracetam in the initial treatment of acute neonatal seizure.

Objective: To find out the efficacy of levtiraracetam for controlling the convulsions in acute neonatal seizures compared to phenobarbitone.

Methodology: The study was a randomized control trial. A total of 100 neonates from 0 day to 28 days of age irrespective of sex with clinical presentation of neonatal seizures admitted in the special care baby unit (SCABU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital were included in the study and were randomly assigned to either levetiracetam or Phenobarbitone group after matching inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome variables were seizure control, times taken to be seizure free, and hospital stay. Outcome was evaluated through routine monitoring up to 48 hours and followed up to discharge or death.

Result: The study groups were almost similar with respect to their demographic characteristics like age, sex and gestational age. According to maternal obstetric data i.e- antenatal care (ANC), modes of delivery in the both groups were statistically not significant. Seizures status was nonsignificant in both groups. The study demonstrated that controlling the seizure with levetiracetam & Phenobarbitone were 66.0% and 34.0% respectively. Length of the hospital stay was shorter in levetiracetam group. Eventually the phenobarbitone group required more than one drug to control seizures.. But immediate adverse effect was not significant in both groups.

Conclusion: The study concluded that levetiracetum significantly control the convulsion in comparison to phenobarbitone as first line antiepileptic drug in the initial treatment of acute neonatal seizures. Both the modalities of treatment were found to have no adverse effect.

J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 27, No.2, October, 2018, Page 182-189
Disk diffusion Method in Enriched Mueller Hinton agar for determining susceptibility of Candida isolates from various clinical specimens
Authors: Mahboob Nabeela , Iqbal Hasina , Ahmed Mushtaque , Magnet Md Mehedi Hasan , Mamun Kazi Zulfiquer
Published: March 2020

Background: Candida species are responsible for various clinical infections ranging from mucocutaneous infection to life threatening invasive diseases. Recently there is a serious concern with increased resistance of antifungal drugs and its consequences. Thus, identification of Candida and its antifungal susceptibility testing has a paramount significance in the management of Candidal infections. The aim of the study was to determine antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida by Mueller-Hinton agar media supplemented with glucose and methylene blue for disk diffusion testing of fluconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, amphotericin B and nystatin.

Methods: A total of 35 Candida species was isolated from 2000 clinical specimens over 6 month’s period from July 2016 to December 2016. Growths on Blood agar and chromogenic agar were evaluated for colony appearance and microscopic examination. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion using Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with glucose and methylene blue.

Results: Candida species were more sensitive to clotrimazole (88.58%) and amphotericin B (88.58%) followed by nystatin ((77.14%), miconazole (74.29%) whereas fluconazole showed the highest level of resistance (60%).

Conclusions: The increase in resistance to fluconazole is of serious concern as it is the most commonly used azole for candidiasis. The sensitivity profile of Candida isolates will be helpful to choose appropriate antifungal agents, thus decreasing patient’s morbidity and mortality.

J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 28, No.1, April, 2019, Page 28-33
Efficacy of Bortezomib plus dexamethasone as a first line treatment in newly diagnosed cases of Multiple Myeloma: A Single Centre Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Sharmin Mahbuba , Islam Mohammad Manirul , Aziz Abdul , Shah Salauddin , Rahman Md Jalilur , Kabir ASM Anwarul , Kabir Amin Lutful , Hasan Md Rashedul , Rahman Farzana , Kabir SM Humayun , Azad Khan Abul Kalam
Published: March 2020

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) accounts for 1% of malignant tumors and 10%–15% of hematopoietic neoplasms. Bortezomib, a first in class proteasome inhibitor, induces apoptosis and growth arrest and reverse chemoresistence in Myeloma cell and has demonstrated no irreversible adverse effect on haemopoietic stem cell. Dexamethasone increases the response rate. Thus, Bortezomib plus dexamethasone represent highly effective regimen for previously untreated Multiple Myeloma cases and significantly higher response rates approximately 70%– 90% have been observed.This combination thus may serve the basis of future strands of care in Multiple Myeloma patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy , safety and tolerability of Bortezomib in newly diagnosed cases of Multiple Myeloma patients in Bangladesh.

Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the Haematology department of BSMMU from June 2017 to December 2018. Patients received inj. Bortezomib (1.3mg/m2 ) 4 cycles as an intravenous bolus on days 1,4,8,11 in a three week cycle (twice weekly administration) in indoor and same patients as day care basis in outpatients department. Dexamethasone at 40 mg was given intravenously or orally on the day of and day after inj Bortezomib.A self administered questionnaire containing different set of questions regarding Multiple Myeloma were used for data collection.

Results: Among the study population, 93% of patients had anaemia followed by bone pain (86%) and renal impairment (39%). Out of 25 patients,complete response achieved in 13 patients (52%), where 4 patients(16%) showed partial response,6 (24%) showed very good partial response and 2 (8%) patients showed no response. The overall response rate was 92% belonged to partial,very goofd partial and no respone respectively. Death occurred in 3 cases (12%). 5 patients (20%) developed Bortezomib induced peripheral neuropathy.Life threatening intracranial haemorrhage occurred in two patients (8%). Death occurred in 3 cases (12%),2 patients due to intracranial haemorrhage and another from cardiac arrest. In this study,S. creatinine, â2 microglobulin and bony lesion variables showed significant association with treatment response.

Conclusion: Bortezomib plus dexamethasone is a highly effective and safe regimen for previously untreated multiple myeloma patients. This novel therapy in myeloma represent a new trearment paradigm targeting both tumor and microenvironment which has markedly improve overall response(OR), long progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)across in all risk groups. Moreover,it can be administered safely in the outpatient setting provided by clinicians.

J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 28, No.1, April, 2019, Page 34-41
Comparison of Talc Pleurodesis versus Bleomycin in Malignant Pleural Effusion
Authors: Goni Mohammad Osman , Islam Mohammad Aminul , Alam Kamrul , Hossain Mohammad Zaid , Islam Tazul , Islam Kazi Saiful , Mahmud Hossain Al , Kabir Md Alamgir
Published: March 2020

Back ground: Malignant pleural effusion can cause significant morbidity to terminal patients. Drainage and control pleural effusion can provide great palliation and improve the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which agent, bleomycin or talc pouring for pleurodesis is superior in terms of effectiveness, safety and cost.

Methods: It is a prospective randomized clinical trial from January 2013 to December 2014. A series of 38 patients entered in this trial. Inclusion criteria was diagnosed case of malignant pleural effusion either by fluid cytology or by pleural biopsy. Exclusion criteria was trapped lung, loculated effusions and life expectancy <1 month. Five grams of talc in 50ml of normal saline or 1 unit per kg body weight of bleomycin mixed in 50 ml of normal saline, was administered via chest tube thoracostomy after minimum drainage <100 ml daily in each patient. Treatment success was defined as the absence of recurrent pleural effusion on the chest radiography 1 month after pleurodesis.

Results: Treatment success was achieved in 16 out of 18 patients (89%) in talc slurring group versus 14 out of 20 patients (70%) in the bleomycin group (p=0.154). Fever, pain and hypersensitivity were the side effects of pleurodesis.

Conclusions: These results reflect that talc use was more effective than bleomycin in preventing early recurrence of malignant pleural effusions. Pleurodesis with talc instate of bleomycin can result in significant cost effective.

J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 28, No.1, April, 2019, Page 42-48
Prevalance and association of Helicobater Pylori with gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions in patients with dyspepsia
Authors: Siddique Abu Raihan , Hossain Liakat , Rana Mushtaque Ahmad , Banerjee Probir Kumar , Rahman Anisur , Chowdhury Md Asraf Uddin , Sina Hashmi , Yeasmin Sabiha , Siddique Abu Tanvir
Published: March 2020

Helicobacter Pylori a very common worldwide infection is responsible for number of upper GIT lesions like gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. On the other hand, dyspepsia is a wide spectrum of nonspecific upper GIT symptoms for which patients very frequently visit gastroenterology clinics. The objective of the study was to find prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori among the patients with dyspeptic symptoms who had gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions on upper GIT endoscopy and also if there is any association between these two variables. 164 cases of dyspepsia were done index upper GIT endoscopy as per inclusion and exclusion criteria from April 2018 to December 2018 in Seikh Sayera Khatun Medical College Hospital, Gopalganj. Two gastric biopsies (from antrum and body) were taken and immediately placed in a commercial RUT (rapid urease test) kit. Positive test (rapid urease test) was indicated by change in the color of the kit from yellow to pink or red within 24 hours. Out of 164 patients, 62 (37.8%) patients had gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions and rest(62.2%) showed normal upper GIT at endoscopy. Among the 62 patients highest (38) number of the patients endoscopy showed gastritis and least (3) showed gastric ulcer. Among 62 patients with endoscopic gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions, 36 patients were infected with Helicobacter Pylori. On the contrary 27 patients out of 102 subjects who had normal upper GIT at endoscopy recorded infected with Helicobacter Pylori. Statistically analysis was done using chi-square test with the help of SPSS software windows version 25. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. In our study it was observed that statistically there was significant relation of Helicobacter Pylori with gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions as P value was less than 0.05. In this study, we found that Helicobacter Pylori was significantly associated with gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions among the patients with dyspeptic symptoms. So, our suggestion will be to confirm H. pylori infection if anybody has gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions if a subject does upper GIT endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms.

J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 28, No.1, April, 2019, Page 100-104
Acoustic tracking of a large predatory marine gastropod, Charonia tritonis, on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Schlaff A , Menéndez P , Hall M , Heupel M , Armstrong T , Motti C
Published: March 2020

Crown-of-thorns starfishAcanthaster planci(COTS) outbreaks are a major cause of coral cover loss on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), with manual culling having only localised success. The endangered giant triton snailCharonia tritonisis a natural predator of COTS, although aquarium and field observations indicate the intensity of direct predation may be inadequate to significantly mediate outbreaks. However, their mere presence can elicit a chemically induced sensory behavioural response which may suppress COTS populations when in non-outbreak status. While there is increasing knowledge of the sensory biology of both species, little is known regarding giant triton snail numbers on the GBR or about how they move and occupy space, making it difficult to determine their true zone of influence and thus their capacity to disrupt COTS behaviour. We used passive acoustic telemetry to establish short-term activity space and movement patterns of giant triton snails on the GBR. Individuals were tracked for up to 41 d, were observed to travel 234.24 m d-1, with a mean total cumulative distance travelled at night (1923.19 m) nearly double that observed during the day (1014.84 m). These distances encompass those reported for COTS (10.3 m d-1) and align with COTS nocturnal behaviour. Space utilisation distributions (UDs) revealed a mean (±SD) home range of 1179.40 ± 659.40 m2(95% UD) and a core area of 195.68 ± 141.31 m2(50% UD). Revealing the short-term movement patterns of this natural COTS predator within a reef environment advances knowledge of its spatial ecology and will provide information for its future conservation and for COTS management efforts.
Electrospun nanofibers as support for the healing of intestinal anastomoses
Authors: Kralovic M. , Vjaclovsky M. , Kestlerova A. , Rustichelli F. , Hoch J. , Amler E.
Published: March 2020

The breakdown of intestinal anastomosis is a serious postsurgical complication. The worst complication is anastomotic leakage, resulting in contaminated peritoneal cavity, sepsis, multi-organ failure and even death. In problematic locations like the rectum, the leakage rate has not yet fallen below 10 %. Such a life-threatening condition is the result of impaired healing in the anastomotic wound. It is still vital to find innovative strategies and techniques in order to support regeneration of the anastomotic wound. This paper reviews the surgical techniques and biomaterials used, tested or published. Electrospun nanofibers are introduced as a novel and potential material in gastrointestinal surgery. Nanofibers possess several, unique, physical and chemical properties, that may effectively stimulate cell proliferation and collagen production; a key requirement for the healed intestinal wound.
Secondary Metabolites Produced by Macrophomina phaseolina Isolated from Eucalyptus globulus
Authors: Salvatore Maria Michela , Félix Carina , Lima Fernanda , Ferreira Vanessa , Naviglio Daniele , Salvatore Francesco , Duarte Ana Sofia , Alves Artur , Andolfi Anna , Esteves Ana Cristina
Published: March 2020

In the course of investigations on the role of secondary metabolites in plant-microbe interactions, the production of secondary metabolites by Macrophomina phaseolina isolates from Eucalyptus globulus, was studied. This fungus is responsible for several plant diseases which affect crop productivity and industry. Although secondary metabolites may play a role in disease development, there are very few reports on M. phaseolina metabolomics and, as far as we know, isolates from eucalypts have not been investigated for secondary metabolites production. In the present paper, metabolites typical of fungi, from the family Botryosphaeriaceae, were identified for the first time as products of M. phaseolina. Furthermore, the isolate under examination was grown in the presence and absence of host stem tissue, and metabolite profiles were compared. Five products are reported for the first time in this species and azelaic acid was exclusively produced in the presence of eucalypt stem. Finally, phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity tests of culture filtrates and crude organic extracts were also performed. Key Contribution: Lipophilic metabolites produced by M. phaseolina might play a role in the plant-fungus interactions responsible for serious diseases of E. globulus.
The Combined Effect of Drought Stress and Nitrogen Fertilization on Soybean
Authors: Basal Oqba , Szabó András
Published: March 2020

Soybean is one of the most important crops worldwide; however, its production and produced seed quality are challenged by the increasingly reported drought waves because of its relative susceptibility to drought stress conditions. Nitrogen (N) is a major macronutrient that has distinctive influence on soybean, especially if applied in correct rates. Moreover, N has an additive importance under drought stress conditions. An experiment was carried out in Debrecen, Hungary in 2017, 2018, and 2019 to investigate the sole and the combined effects of N application under different irrigation regimes on soybean physiology, yield, and its components in addition to the quality of the produced yield. Results showed that the morpho-physiological traits, in addition to the yield component traits were influenced by both fertilization rates and irrigation regimes. Most importantly, high N rate is not recommended with the absence of drought conditions as, compared to low rate, it decreased flower and pod number per plant, plant height, and seed yield. On the other hand, high N rate enhanced most traits under drought stress conditions. 100-seed weight had the highest correlation with yield, followed by flower and pod number per plant, plant height, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
Fidelity of Sugarcane Crosses Assessed with SSR Markers
Authors: Todd James , Pan Yong-Bao , Boykin Deborah
Published: March 2020

Sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids spp.) is a wind-pollinated species that bears very small yet complete flowers. During crossing, a lack of pollen control (trimming off dehisced florets and hot water treatment) may result in both self-pollination (selfs) and unintentional pollination from stray pollen (off-types). Due to this uncertainty, it is important to estimate the percentage of intentional paternal hybridizations to better understand and possibly improve the crossing process. In this study, six pairs of simple sequence repeats (SSR) primers were used to assess the fidelity of 343 bi-parental crosses made at three U.S. breeding stations in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. By comparing the SSR fingerprints between the two parents and 20 random progenies, three types of progenies were identified, namely, hybrids, selfs, and off-types. Hybrids had only SSR fingerprints found in either parent; selfs had only SSR fingerprints of the maternal parent; and off-types had SSR fingerprints that were not found in either parent. The fidelity of the 343 crosses fluctuated from 100% hybrids to 100% off-types. Multinomial analysis indicated that the ratio of hybrids from intentional hybridization to selfs and off-types fluctuated by year and location. Selfing rates (−30.5%) and off-type rates (−9.2%) were lower in crosses from which superior progenies were selected and advanced through 10-year field evaluation and testing, but off-type rates were not significant indicating that selfing may reduce advancement rates more than the off-types. Hot water treatment reduced off-types by 27% and selfing by 20%. This research demonstrates the utility of SSR markers for measuring hybridization rates and highlights the importance of pollen control measures through trimming and hot water treatment of sugarcane flowers.
Maternal and Early Postnatal Diet Supplemented with Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers Affect Lipid Profile in Hearts of Offspring Rats with Mammary Tumors
Authors: Białek Małgorzata , Białek Agnieszka , Czauderna Marian
Published: March 2020

Linking the early life environment with later health status is known as “developmental programming”. This study aimed to assess whether the introduction of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) into the maternal diet affects the content fatty acids (FAs), conjugated FAs (CFAs), cholesterol, oxysterols, malondialdehyde (MDA) and tocopherols in the hearts of their female offspring treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and if offspring supplementation enhanced the effect of maternal supplementation. FA, cholesterol and oxysterol contents were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, while contents of CFAs and MDA were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode detection. The supplementation of mothers with CLAs significantly decreased the amount of atherogenic saturated FAs and enhanced the level of eicosapentaenoic FA in the hearts of offspring. Continuous progeny supplementation decreased the content of arachidonic acid in hearts. Supplementation of the maternal diet with CLAs and its continuation during the postnatal period increased the ratio of hypo to hypercholesterolemic FAs. Significantly fewer oxysterols were detected in the hearts of progeny of dams fed with CLAs as compared to the offspring of mothers receiving safflower oil. Both fetal and postnatal CLA intake significantly reduced 7β-hydroxycholesterol accumulation. It can be concluded that CLA supplementation during the fetal and postnatal period may be an effective method of maintaining the cardiac health status of newborns.
MiRNAs and mRNAs Analysis during Abdominal Preadipocyte Differentiation in Chickens
Authors: Ma Xiangfei , Sun Junwei , Zhu Shuaipeng , Du Zhenwei , Li Donghua , Li Wenting , Li Zhuanjian , Tian Yadong , Kang Xiangtao , Sun Guirong
Published: March 2020

The excessive deposition of abdominal fat has become an important factor in restricting the production efficiency of chickens, so reducing abdominal fat deposition is important for improving growth rate. It has been proven that miRNAs play an important role in regulating many physiological processes of organisms. In this study, we constructed a model of adipogenesis by isolating preadipocytes (Ab-Pre) derived from abdominal adipose tissue and differentiated adipocytes (Ab-Ad) in vitro. Deep sequencing of miRNAs and mRNAs expressed in Ab-Pre and Ab-Ad groups was conducted to explore the effect of miRNAs and mRNAs on fat deposition. We identified 80 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) candidates, 58 of which were up-regulated and 22 down-regulated. Furthermore, six miRNAs and six mRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR, and the results showed that the expression of the DEMs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two groups was consistent with our sequencing results. When target genes of miRNA were combined with mRNA transcriptome data, a total of 891 intersection genes were obtained, we predicted the signal pathways of cross genes enrichment to the MAPK signal pathway, insulin signal pathway, fatty acid metabolism, and ECM–receptor interaction. Meanwhile, we constructed miRNA and negatively correlated mRNA target networks, including 12 miRNA–mRNAs pairs, which showed a strong association with the abdominal adipocyte differentiation (miR-214−ACSBG2, NFKB2, CAMK2A, ACLY, CCND3, PLK3, ITGB2; miR-148a-5p−ROCK2; miR-10a-5p−ELOVL5; miR-146b-5p−LAMA4; miR-6615-5p−FLNB; miR-1774−COL6A1). Overall, these findings provide a background for further research on lipid metabolism. Thus, we can better understand the molecular genetic mechanism of chicken abdominal fat deposition.
Reconstruction and Analysis of Cattle Metabolic Networks in Normal and Acidosis Rumen Tissue
Authors: Gholizadeh Maryam , Fayazi Jamal , Asgari Yazdan , Zali Hakimeh , Kaderali Lars
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study was to develop a system-level understanding of acidosis biology. Therefore, the genes expression differences between the normal and acidosis rumen epithelial tissues were first examined using the RNA-seq data in order to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the disease and then their corresponding metabolic networks constructed. A number of 1074 genes, 978 isoforms, 1049 transcription start sites (TSS), 998 coding DNA sequence (CDS) and 2 promoters were identified being differentially expressed in the rumen tissue between the normal and acidosis samples (p < 0.05). The functional analysis of 627 up-regulated genes revealed their involvement in ion transmembrane transport, filament organization, regulation of cell adhesion, regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, ATP binding, glucose transmembrane transporter activity, carbohydrate binding, growth factor binding and cAMP metabolic process. Additionally, 111 differentially expressed enzymes were identified between the rumen epithelial tissue of the normal and acidosis steers with 46 up-regulated and 65 down-regulated ones in the acidosis group. The pathways and reactions analyses associated with the up-regulated enzymes indicate that most of these enzymes are involved in the fatty acid metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, pyruvate and carbon metabolism while most of the down-regulated ones are involved in purine and pyrimidine, vitamin B6 and antibiotics metabolisms. The degree distribution of both metabolic networks follows a power-law one, hence displaying a scale-free property. The top 15 hub metabolites were determined in the acidosis metabolic network with most of them involved in the fatty acid oxidation, VFA biosynthesis, amino acid biogenesis and glutathione metabolism which plays an important role in the stress condition. The limitations of this study were low number of animals and using only epithelial tissue (ventral sac) for RNA-seq.
In Vitro Efficiency of Antimicrobial Peptides against Staphylococcal Pathogens Associated with Canine Pyoderma
Authors: Jarosiewicz Małgorzata , Garbacz Katarzyna , Neubauer Damian , Kamysz Wojciech
Published: March 2020

The emergence of staphylococcal canine pathogens resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents is a growing and urgent problem in veterinary practice. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem to be a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of selected AMPs against pathogenic staphylococcal strains, including multidrug- and methicillin-resistant strains isolated from canine pyoderma cases. Seven antimicrobial peptides (aurein 1.2, CAMEL, citropin 1.1, protegrin-1, pexiganan, temporin A and uperin 3.6) synthesized by the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) solid-phase method were tested. The minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) were determined by the broth microdilution method. The study showed that analyzed AMPs exerted an extensive effect against canine pathogens, with the most active peptide being uperin 3.6. The tested AMPs were equally efficient against both resistant- and susceptible staphylococcal strains and were more efficient against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius than against Staphylococcus aureus strains. Our findings are particularly interesting from a clinical perspective, as they point to AMPs as potential therapeutic topical agents in canine pyoderma cases associated with antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci.
Maternal Exposure to T-2 Toxin Affects Puberty Genes and Delays Estrus Cycle in Mice Offspring
Authors: Perveen Aneela , Shen Jiakun , Ali Kaka Niaz , Li Chunmei
Published: March 2020

Among foodborne toxicities, the T-2 toxin is the most toxic member of trichothecenes mycotoxins, which has been shown to impair the development and reproductive efficiency of animals. Pups are particularly more quickly prone to programming the effects of the maternal diet during the gestational and lactation periods. Few studies have reported the maternal toxic effect on the next generation. Dams were served the T-2 toxin at a dose of 0.005 and 0.05 mg/kg body weight/day and control group 0 mg/kg from gestation day 14 to lactation day 21. Female mice offspring were selected at the weaning age. Our observations indicate that age during the vaginal opening and di-estrus stage increased and the length of the estrus cycle, first di-estrus, and regular estrus cycling were delayed with prolonged di-estrus in the 0.05 mg/kg group compared to the 0.005 mg/kg and control group. Transcription level analysis showed that mice at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg exhibited a decrease in hypothalamic mRNA expression of Gnrh and Gnrhr, Lhb, and Fshb in the pituitary gland, with a significant decrease of Fshr and Lhr in the ovaries. Present findings report that postnatal exposure to the T-2 toxin delayed puberty age in female mice and induced oxidative stress, ovarian damage, and reduced vaginal epithelium wall majorly in the 0.05 mg/kg group, and showed fewer effects in the 0.005 mg/kg group.
A Novel 65-bp Indel in the GOLGB1 Gene Is Associated with Chicken Growth and Carcass Traits
Authors: Fu Rong , Ren Tuanhui , Li Wangyu , Liang Jiaying , Mo Guodong , Luo Wen , He Danlin , Liang Shaodong , Zhang Xiquan
Published: March 2020

Golgin subfamily B member 1 (GOLGB1) gene encodes the coat protein 1 vesicle inhibiting factor, giantin. Previous study showed that mutations of the GOLGB1 gene are associated with dozens of human developmental disorders and diseases. However, the biological function of GOLGB1 gene in chicken is still unclear. In this study, we detected a novel 65-bp insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphism in the chicken GOLGB1 intron 5. Association of this indel with chicken growth and carcass traits was analyzed in a yellow chicken population. Results showed that this 65-bp indel was significantly associated with chicken body weight (p < 0.05), highly significantly associated with neck weight, abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat percentage and the yellow index b of breast (p < 0.01). Analysis of genetic parameters indicated that “I” was the predominant allele. Except for the yellow index b of breast, II genotype individuals had the best growth characteristics, by comparison with the ID genotype and DD genotype individuals. Moreover, the mRNA expression of GOLGB1 was detected in the liver tissue of chicken with different GOLGB1 genotypes, where the DD genotype displayed high expression levels. These findings hinted that the 65-bp indel in GOLGB1 could be assigned to a molecular marker in chicken breeding and enhance production in the chicken industry.
Effects of Doubling the Standard Space Allowance on Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Sheep Experiencing Regular and Irregular Floor Motion during Simulated Sea Transport
Authors: Navarro Grisel , Col Ramazan , Phillips Clive J.C.
Published: March 2020

Transporting livestock at high stocking density by ship presents significant risks to their welfare, especially if it is over long distances. Previous research has investigated small variations in density for long periods or a moderate variation for short periods. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a doubling of space allowance during two types of simulated ship movement, regular and irregular floor motion, on the welfare of sheep for a short one-hour period. Six 25 kg sheep were restrained in pairs in a crate on a programmable platform that generated roll and pitch motion typical of that experienced on board ship. Sheep were subjected to regular or irregular movement or a control treatment at high and low stocking densities (0.26 and 0.52 m2/sheep) in a multilevel changeover design. Irregular movement was programmed as a sequence of 30 different amplitude and duration values for pitch and roll movements, which were randomly selected by computer software controlling the movement. Regular movement was the mean of these values, which represented approximately 33% of the recommended maximum tolerance for livestock carriers. Behaviour was recorded by six cameras positioned around the crate. The low space allowance increased sheep pushing each other (Low: 4.51 events/h, High: 1.37 events/h, p < 0.001), affiliative behaviour, with their heads one on top of the other (Low 8.64, High 3.75 s/h, p = 0.02) and standing supported by the crate (Low 96, High 3.2 s/h, p < 0.001). Sheep stepped more frequently when more space was provided, particularly in the forward (Low 6.4, High 8.4 steps/h, p = 0.02) and left (Low 4.0, High 4.7 steps/h, p = 0.03) directions. The low space allowance group also had i heart rates, providing evidence of physiological stress. Irregular movement reduced rumination (Irregular 288, Control 592, Regular 403 s/h, p = 0.02), which was evidence of reduced welfare, but balance corrections by stepping were more common if the motion was regular. Thus, there was evidence that the low space allowance increased interactions between sheep and was stressful, and that irregular floor motion in simulated ship transport limited balance control and reduced welfare.
Mechanical Transmission of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus by Stomoxys spp. (Stomoxys calsitrans, Stomoxys sitiens, Stomoxys indica), Diptera: Muscidae
Authors: Issimov Arman , Kutumbetov Lespek , Orynbayev Mukhit B. , Khairullin Berik , Myrzakhmetova Balzhan , Sultankulova Kulyaisan , White Peter J.
Published: March 2020

Samples collected for PCR from recipient animals tested positive in 5 out of 6 cases, while the virus was isolated from 4 of 6 animals. The clinical signs exhibited by recipient animals were mostly moderate in nature with only one severe case. To our knowledge, this is the first time that transmission of LSDV by three Stomoxys species has been demonstrated, and their role as mechanical vectors of LSDV is indicated.
Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated with Oxidative Stress and Proinflammatory State
Authors: Monserrat-Mesquida Margalida , Quetglas-Llabrés Magdalena , Capó Xavier , Bouzas Cristina , Mateos David , Pons Antoni , Tur Josep A. , Sureda Antoni
Published: March 2020

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. MetS is also characterized by an increase of oxidative stress which contributes to impaired inflammation, vascular function, and atherosclerosis. The aim was to assess the oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in plasma and PBMCs in adults with or without MetS. Antioxidant and inflammatory parameters were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 80 men and 80 women over 55 to 80-years-old residing in the Balearic Islands without previously documented cardiovascular disease. Circulating leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, and monocytes were higher in MetS subjects with respect to those without MetS. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were higher in MetS subjects in both genders, but the superoxide dismutase activity was lower. The myeloperoxidase plasma activity was higher in the MetS male subjects. Higher activities and protein levels of catalase and glutathione reductase in PBMCs were observed in MetS subjects in both genders. Obtained data show that MetS is associated with oxidative stress and a proinflammatory state and with high antioxidant defenses in PBMCs probably derived from a pre-activation state of immune cells.
SAHA: A String Adaptive Hash Table for Analytical Databases
Authors: Zheng Tianqi , Zhang Zhibin , Cheng Xueqi
Published: March 2020

Hash tables are the fundamental data structure for analytical database workloads, such as aggregation, joining, set filtering and records deduplication. The performance aspects of hash tables differ drastically with respect to what kind of data are being processed or how many inserts, lookups and deletes are constructed. In this paper, we address some common use cases of hash tables: aggregating and joining over arbitrary string data. We designed a new hash table, SAHA, which is tightly integrated with modern analytical databases and optimized for string data with the following advantages: (1) it inlines short strings and saves hash values for long strings only; (2) it uses special memory loading techniques to do quick dispatching and hashing computations; and (3) it utilizes vectorized processing to batch hashing operations. Our evaluation results reveal that SAHA outperforms state-of-the-art hash tables by one to five times in analytical workloads, including Google’s SwissTable and Facebook’s F14Table. It has been merged into the ClickHouse database and shows promising results in production.
Fluid Flow in Nanosilver-Impregnated Heat-Treated Beech Wood in Different Mediums
Authors: Taghiyari Hamid R. , Hosseini Ghane , Tarmian Asghar , Papadopoulos Antonios N.
Published: March 2020

Specific gas permeability of beech wood was determined and compared with values obtained after nanosilver-impregnation and heat-treatment in three mediums of air, water, and water steam at 150 °C for four durations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Separate sets of specimens for each group were prepared and impregnated with a 400 ppm aqueous nanosilver suspension. The results revealed that the effect of heat treatment in hot-air depended on the duration of treatment. Hydrothermal treatment generally increased gas permeability, this was attributed to the dissolving of extractives in the hot water medium, although lower duration of one hour did not significantly change permeability. Hygrothermal treatment increased gas permeability at all four durations, revealing its effectiveness as a pre-treatment to improve penetration of preservatives and fire-retardants into wood texture in wood preservation industry. High thermal conductivity of silver nanoparticles intensified the effects of heat treatment in all mediums.
Strong and Thermostable Boron-Containing Phenolic Resin-Derived Carbon Modified Three-Dimensional Needled Carbon Fiber Reinforced Silicon Oxycarbide Composites with Tunable High-Performance Microwave Absorption Properties
Authors: Sun Yu , Sun Yuguo
Published: March 2020

This paper focuses on the preparation of boron-containing phenolic resin (BPR)-derived carbon modified three-dimensional (3D) needled carbon fiber reinforced silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) composites through a simple precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process (PIP), and the influence of PIP cycle numbers on the microstructure, mechanical, high-temperature oxidation resistance. The electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption properties of the composites were investigated for the first time. The pyrolysis temperature played an important role in the structural evolution of the SiOC precursor, as temperatures above 1400 °C would cause phase separation of the SiOC and the formation of silicon carbide (SiC), silica (SiO2), and carbon. The density and compressive strength of the composites increased as the PIP cycle number increased: the value for the sample with 3 PIP cycles was 0.77 g/cm3, 7.18 ± 1.92 MPa in XY direction and 9.01 ± 1.25 MPa in Z direction, respectively. This composite presented excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance and thermal stability properties with weight retention above 95% up to 1000 °C both under air and Ar atmosphere. The minimal reflection loss (RLmin) value and the widest effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) value of as-prepared composites was −24.31 dB and 4.9 GHz under the optimization condition for the sample with 3 PIP cycles. The above results indicate that our BPR-derived carbon modified 3D needled carbon fiber reinforced SiOC composites could be considered as a promising material for practical applications.
Effect of Vaneless Diffuser Shape on Performance of Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Zhang Qian , Huo Qiuhong , Zhang Lei , Song Lei , Yang Jianmeng
Published: March 2020

The influence of four different vaneless diffuser shapes on the performance of centrifugal compressors is numerically studied in this paper. One of the studied shapes was a parallel wall diffuser. Two others had the width reduced only from hub and shroud and the rest had the width reduced from hub and shroud divided evenly. Then the numerical simulation was employed and the overall compressor aerodynamic performance was studied. The detailed velocity and pressure distribution and energy loss within the centrifugal compressor with different diffuser geometries and different operating conditions were analyzed. The results revealed that shroud pinch significantly improved the overall compressor aerodynamic performance more than any other pinch types, and the best performance can be achieved by pinched diffusers under the design condition compared with pinched diffusers under the near surge condition or choking condition. The range of energy loss, namely the static entropy area in the compressor, become reduced with the above three pinches diffusers.
Weather-Aware Long-Range Traffic Forecast Using Multi-Module Deep Neural Network
Authors: Ryu Seungyo , Kim Dongseung , Kim Joongheon
Published: March 2020

This study proposes a novel multi-module deep neural network framework which aims at improving intelligent long-term traffic forecasting. Following our previous system, the internal architecture of the new system adds deep learning modules that enable data separation during computation. Thus, prediction becomes more accurate in many sections of the road network and gives dependable results even under possible changes in weather conditions during driving. The performance of the framework is then evaluated for different cases, which include all plausible cases of driving, i.e., regular days, holidays, and days involving severe weather conditions. Compared with other traffic predicting systems that employ the convolutional neural networks, k-nearest neighbor algorithm, and the time series model, it is concluded that the system proposed herein achieves better performance and helps drivers schedule their trips well in advance.
Electric Vehicle Relay Lifetime Prediction Model Using the Improving Fireworks Algorithm–Grey Neural Network Model
Authors: Pang Xuelian , Li Zhuo , Tseng Ming-Lang , Liu Kaihua , Tan Kimhua , Li Hengyi
Published: March 2020

The relay reliability has an impact on the reliability of the entire electric vehicle system. This paper contributes to propose the improving fireworks algorithm optimizing the grey neural network model to predict the relay lifetime. This paper shows how the mutation operation and mapping operation in the fireworks algorithm are used to improve the convergence ability and running speed; the convergence performance and running speed of improved fireworks algorithm are tested with standard test function and compared with fireworks algorithm; and the grey neural network model–improved fireworks algorithm is used to predict the relay life and compared with grey model, grey neural network, and grey neural network model–fireworks algorithm. The results show that the convergence accuracy of the improved fireworks algorithm is better than the fireworks algorithm. The running time of improved fireworks algorithm is the shortest; the improved fireworks algorithm–grey neural network model has the best prediction effect and the root mean square error value is 6.75% smaller than the fireworks algorithm–grey neural network model.
A Dynamic Coarse Grain Discrete Element Method for Gas-Solid Fluidized Beds by Considering Particle-Group Crushing and Polymerization
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Chen Kai , Kang Ting , Ouyang Jie
Published: March 2020

The discrete element method (DEM) coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used extensively for the numerical simulation of gas-solid fluidized beds. In order to improve the efficiency of this approach, a coarse grain model of the DEM was proposed in the literature. In this model, a group of original particles are treated as a large-sized particle based on the initial particle distribution, and during the whole simulation process the number and components of these particle-groups remain unchanged. However, collisions between particles can lead to frequent crushing and polymerization of particle-groups. This fact has typically been ignored, so the purpose of this paper is to rationalize the coarse grain DEM-CFD model by considering the dynamic particle-group crushing and polymerization. In particular, the effective size of each particle-group is measured by a quantity called equivalent particle-group diameter, whose definition references the equivalent cluster diameter used by the energy-minimization multi-scale (EMMS) model. Then a particle-group crushing criterion is presented based on the mismatch between the equivalent diameter and actual diameter of a particle-group. As to the polymerization of two colliding particle-groups, their velocity difference after collision is chosen as a criterion. Moreover, considering the flow heterogeneity induced by the particle cluster formation, the EMMS drag force model is adopted in this work. Simulations are carried out by using a finite volume method (FVM) with non-staggered grids. For decoupling the Navier-Stokes equations, the semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations revised (SIMPLER) algorithm is used. The simulation results show that the proposed dynamic coarse grain DEM-CFD method has better performance than the original one.
Medical Gas Plasma Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer—Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Berner Julia , Seebauer Christian , Sagwal Sanjeev Kumar , Boeckmann Lars , Emmert Steffen , Metelmann Hans-Robert , Bekeschus Sander
Published: March 2020

Despite progress in oncotherapy, cancer is still among the deadliest diseases in the Western world, emphasizing the demand for novel treatment avenues. Cold physical plasma has shown antitumor activity in experimental models of, e.g., glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, breast carcinoma, osteosarcoma, bladder cancer, and melanoma in vitro and in vivo. In addition, clinical case reports have demonstrated that physical plasma reduces the microbial contamination of severely infected tumor wounds and ulcerations, as is often seen with head and neck cancer patients. These antimicrobial and antitumor killing properties make physical plasma a promising tool for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Moreover, this type of cancer is easily accessible from the outside, facilitating the possibility of several rounds of topical gas plasma treatment of the same patient. Gas plasma treatment of head and neck cancer induces diverse effects via the deposition of a plethora of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that mediate redox-biochemical processes, and ultimately, selective cancer cell death. The main advantage of medical gas plasma treatment in oncology is the lack of adverse events and significant side effects compared to other treatment modalities, such as surgical approaches, chemotherapeutics, and radiotherapy, making plasma treatment an attractive strategy for the adjuvant and palliative treatment of head and neck cancer. This review outlines the state of the art and progress in investigating physical plasma as a novel treatment modality in the therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.