Respectful

Objective: To determine the effects of genomic breeding values (GBV) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on the total number of piglets born (TNB) in 3 pig breeds (Berkshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire). Methods: After collecting genomic information (Porcine SNP Beadchip) and phenotypic TNB records for each breed, the effects of GBV and SNP were estimated by using single step best linear unbiased prediction (ssBLUP) method. Results: The heritability estimates for TNB in Berkshire, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds were 0...

Objective: The aim of this study was to create a set of microsatellite markers with high polymorphism for the genetic monitoring and genetic structure analysis of local goose populations. Methods: Novel microsatellite markers were isolated from the genomic DNA of white Roman geese using short tandem repeated probes. The DNA segments, including short tandem repeats, were tested for their variability among four populations of geese from the Changhua Animal Propagation Station (CAPS)...

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect different grinding levels of corn grain on ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites in Holstein steers fed TMR as a basal diet in order to provide fundamental data of corn grain for cattle in Korea. Methods: Four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (BW 592 ± 29.9 kg) fed TMR as a basal diet were used and housed individually in an auto temperature and humidity modulated chamber (24ºC and 60% for 22 h/d)...

Objective: A 14-d trial was conducted to determine the effects of feeding corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility, serum hormones levels and gene expression of Na+, K+-ATPase in ducklings. Methods: A total of 704 ducklings were blocked on the basis of sex and body weight, and then allocated randomly to 1 of the following 2 treatments: 1) CON, basal diet and 2) AFB1, diets with 100% of normal corn replaced with AFB1 contaminated corn...

Objective: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate vitamin D₃(VD₃) administration to nursery pigs by injection or in drinking water on serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD₃) concentrations. Methods: At weaning, 51 pigs (27 and 24 pigs in experiments 1 and 2, respectively) were allotted to VD₃ treatments. Treatments in experiment 1 were: 1) control (CON), no vitamin administration beyond that in the diet, 2) intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 40,000 IU of VD₃ at weaning, and 3) water administration, 5,493 IU of VD₃/L drinking water for 14 d postweaning...

Objective: The fresh sugarcane has been a new roughage source for ruminant's in semiarid region, in function of the decadence of sugar and alcohol industry in the last years. However, the date published for lambs fed sugarcane associated with spineless cactus is scared. This study evaluated the effect of sugarcane replacement with spineless cactus (0, 33, 66, and 100%) in the diet of Santa Inês lambs on carcass characteristics. Methods: Thirty-six non-castrated Santa Ines lambs at four months of age and an initial body weight of 22 ± 2...

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of milk, fat, and protein yields within and across lactations in Tunisian Holsteins using a random regression test-day model. Methods: A random regression multiple trait multiple lactation test-day (TD) model was used to estimate genetic parameters in the Tunisian dairy cattle population. Data were TD yields of milk, fat, and protein from the first three lactations. Random regressions were modeled with third-order Legendre polynomials for the additive genetic, and permanent environment effects...

Purpose: This study aimed to measure the level and determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults in Kermanshah province, the western region of Iran. Methods: Convenience sampling was employed to derive a sample of 998 adults 18 years and older (646 males and 352 females) in Kermanshah city. A two-part self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The first part designed to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status and life style factors...

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery markedly reduces fat mass with beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by a variety of cells, including adipocytes, and may mediate some of these benefits. However, the effects of bariatric surgery on circulating EVs are unclear. METHODS: Concentration of plasma EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation at baseline, 1 and 6 months post-bariatric surgery (n = 20) was established using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis...

Rapid immunohistochemistry (R-IHC) has been developing mainly as a support technique in the rapid diagnosis of central nervous system tumors; however, there have been problems regarding instability in specimen preparation and immunostaining. To overcome the weakness of this technology, the instability of immunostaining, we developed a modified R-IHC. This was achieved by switching to 4% paraformaldehyde as the fixative solution and utilizing a commercially available Polymer Refine Detection Kit, as a high-sensitivity kit, in place of the secondary antibodies...

The effectiveness of essential oils (EOs), fluconazole (FLU) and mupirocin (MUP) used alone or in combination against mono-species and mixed Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus biofilms was examined. An experimentally established dual-species biofilm model, verified by fluorescence microscopy and viable cell counting, was used. Selected commercial EOs were tested: geranium, citronella and clove oils, which have been chemically characterized and found to differ in the content of the main components (qualitative and quantitative)...

A potent fluorescence 'turn-on' receptor (HL) based on rhodamine and coumarin moieties for the detection of Hg(2+) and Al(3+) is synthesized by condensation of rhodamine 6G hydrazide and 4-hydroxy-3-acetylcoumarin. In presence of Al(3+) and/or Hg(2+) the receptor (HL) exhibits deep pink colouration and a sharp band at 528 nm is appeared in UV-vis titration. Upon gradual addition of Al(3+) and/or Hg(2+) to the solution of HL significant enhancement of fluorescence intensity is observed at 564 nm in MeCN:H2O (1:5, v/v) medium...

PURPOSE: Surprisingly, the activation characteristics of the neck inspiratory muscles as a function of key inspiratory mechanical parameters have yet to be demonstrated experimentally under well-controlled conditions. This study aimed to elucidate the muscle activation patterns of the neck inspiratory muscles by strictly controlling flow rate and lung volume. METHODS: Thirteen healthy subjects matched their inspiratory flow rate at approximately 20-100% of peak flow rate (PFR) as steady as possible during inspiration...

This study aimed to evaluate whether targeting clinical remission is appropriate for suppressing physical dysfunction in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Subjects were all 75 early RA patients (within 2 years of onset) who were continuously treated with biologics for 12 months at our hospital. We evaluated the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) and Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ-DI) at 3, 6, and 12 months from the initiation of biologics therapy. Rates of functional remission (HAQ-DI ≤ 0...

Background Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that is recommended by clinical practice guidelines to be used in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who still have persistent symptoms despite optimal medical therapy. However, this recommendation is based on limited and old trial data. Moreover, pharmacoepidemiologic studies are important in determining the prevalence of digoxin use and factors influencing this. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the predictors of digoxin utilization among patients with HFrEF with or without atrial fibrillation (AF) in Qatar...

Mining and smelting areas in Hezhang have generated a large amount of heavy metals into the environment. For that cause, an evaluative study on human exposure to heavy metals including Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cr, As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Bi, Be, and Hg in hair and urine was conducted for their concentrations and correlations. Daily exposure and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk were estimated. Sixty-eight scalp hair and 66 urine samples were taken from participants of different ages (6-17, 18-40, 41-60, and ≥ 65 years) living in the vicinity of an agricultural soil near mine and smelting areas...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between serum estradiol (E2) levels during artificial autologous frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles and ongoing pregnancy/live birth rates (OP/LB). METHODS: A historical cohort study was conducted in an academic setting in order to correlate peak and average estradiol levels with ongoing pregnancy/live birth rates for all autologous artificial frozen embryo transfer cycles performed from 1/2011 to 12/2014...

The current study aimed to enhance the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration using a biodegradable porous neural guidance conduit as a carrier to transplant allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs). The conduit was prepared from polyurethane (PU) and gelatin nanofibrils (GNFs) using thermally induced phase separation technique and filled with melatonin (MLT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The prepared conduit had the porosity of 87.17 ± 1.89%, the contact angle of 78.17 ± 5.30° and the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus of 5...

Early death is the main obstacle for the cure of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). We have analyzed risk factors of early death from 526 consecutive newly diagnosed APL patients between 2004 and 2016. The overall incidence of early death was 7.2% (38/526). The peak hazard of early death occurred in the first 0-3 days. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated white blood cell (WBC) counts [odds ratio (OR) = 1.039; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.024-1.055; P < 0.001], age (OR = 1...

Organochlorine contaminants were measured in livers of wild mink (Neovison vison) trapped in the lower Great Lakes basin from 1998 to 2006. To assess exposure and potential risk in mink feeding on Great Lakes biota, concentrations of contaminants were compared in mink trapped within 7.8 km of the shoreline as well as at inland sites (i.e., 8-40 km). Overall, significant spatial variation in mean hepatic concentrations of sum PCBs and seven other organochlorines was found in mink from 13 Great Lakes sites, many of which are within the Great Lakes Areas of Concern...