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Fat-suppressed images are essential in clinical practice but are often affected by magnetic field inhomogeneity, resulting in poor image quality. We hypothesized that salt (99% sodium chloride [NaCl]) could be used as a magnetic field uniformity assist pad and verified whether salt pads improve magnetic field uniformity and the fat suppression effect in low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems.We conducted a small clinical study where coronal 2D fast spin-echo T2-weighted MRI with fat suppression was performed. The subjects were 10 healthy volunteers (six men and four women) with no surgical history, with a mean age of 20.5 years (range, 20-30 years). In the clinical study, we performed physical and visual evaluation by imaging a subject's knee with and without salt pads.The results of the clinical study indicated that the use of salt pads improved the magnetic field uniformity, thus increasing the fat suppression effect.Salt pads improved the homogeneity of the magnetic field and the fat suppression effect in low-field MRI systems.The use of salt pads in low-field MRI systems could provide more accurate fat suppression images.

Iatrogenic nerve injuries contribute significantly to postoperative morbidity across various surgical disciplines and occur in approximately 500,000 cases annually in the US alone. Currently, there are no clinically adopted means to intraoperatively visualize nerves beyond the surgeon’s visual assessment. Here, we report a label-free method for nerve detection using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Starting with an in vivo rat model, fiber- and imaging-based DRS independently identified similar wavelengths that provided optimal contrast for nerve identification with an accuracy of 92%. Optical property measurements of rat and human cadaver tissues verify that the source of contrast between nerve and surrounding tissues is largely due to higher scattering in nerve and differences in oxygenated hemoglobin content. Clinical feasibility was demonstrated in patients undergoing thyroidectomies using both probe-based and imaging-based approaches where the nerve were identified with 91% accuracy. Based on our preliminary results, DRS has the potential to both provide surgeons with a label-free, intraoperative means of nerve visualization and reduce the incidence of iatrogenic nerve injuries along with its detrimental complications.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is one of the most important seed legumes in the tropics and subtropics. It is an important staple in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the arid savannahs of West Africa. The present study conducted in the Kombé area (Brazzaville) aims to assess the impact of poultry droppings on the yield and mineral profile of cowpea. Seeds of three cowpea cultivars (C1, C2, C3) were sown in a completely randomised system in two plots. Prior to sowing, a treatment of one dose of poultry droppings was applied in one of the two plots, which was named fertilised plot containing treatments C1D1, C2D1 and C3D1. The plot without droppings was the control plot with treatments C1D0, C2D0 and C3D0. The biomass of leaves, pods and seeds was assessed by the harvesting method followed by drying and weighing. Chemical data of leaves and soils were obtained after laboratory analysis. The results show that leaf biomass, pod biomass and seed biomass ranged from 1.8 t DM/ha to 3.4 t DM/ha, 960.2 kg/ha to 1706 kg DM/ha and 563.4 kg DM/ha to 1263.7 kg DM/ha respectively. Treatments C1D1 and C3D1 were respectively the most productive in leaf biomass and pod and seed biomass. The nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the leaves do not seem to be influenced by the addition of poultry droppings. However, these contents are improved in the soil after the application of poultry droppings. Poultry droppings have a beneficial effect on yield in terms of leaf, pod and seed biomass. Poultry droppings may be useful as an organic fertilizer for cowpea cultivation.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for which there does not appear to be an approved cure, the primary treatment options consist of non-pharmacological preventive measures and supportive treatment that are aimed at halting the progression of the disease. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) presents a promising therapeutic opportunity to mitigate COVID-19-induced cytokine storm and reduce the risk of severe morbidity and mortality resulting from the disease. However, the effective clinical application of NFkB modulators in COVID-19 is hampered by a number of factors that must be taken into consideration. This paper therefore explored the modulation of the NFB pathway as a potential strategy to mitigate the severe morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. The paper also discusses the factors that form the barrier, and it offers potential solutions to the various limitations that may impede the clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. This paper revealed and identified three key potential solutions for the future clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. These solutions are pulmonary tissue-specific NFkB blockade, agents that target common regulatory proteins of both canonical and non-canonical NFkB pathways, and monitoring clinical indicators of hyperinflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 prior to using NFkB modulators.

The radiation hazards in each region depend on its surface distribution and activity of 232Th, 137Cs, 40K, and 238U radioactive elements. Due to the presence of personnel, professors, and students in the Graduate University of Advanced Technology (KGUT) environment, it is important to investigate the dose received due to 232Th, 137Cs, 40K, and 238U elements in the soil of this area. For this purpose, first, 44 soil samples were collected from different areas of the university, and the specific activity of 232Th, 137Cs, 40K, and 238U elements was obtained with the CsI (Tl) scintillation detector. Then, using radiation hazard equations, the distribution of radiation hazard parameters at the university zone has been calculated. The research results show that the average specific activity of 232Th, 137Cs, 40K, and 238U elements at the university zone is equal to 13.51, 4.53, 47.64, and 13.01 Bq/kg. The activities of 232Th, 40K, and 238U elements are below the permissible limit and 137Cs is higher than the permissible limit. Also, the average of Raeq, DY, Dout, Din, Dtot, Hex, Hin, Iγ, and ELCR radiation hazard quantities are 81.26 (Bq/kg), 72.31 (mGy/y), 0.088 (mGy/y), 0.088 (mGy/y), 0.17 (mGy/y), 0.11, 0.15, 0.18 and 0.62 respectively. According to the results the DY and Dout radiation hazards are more than the permissible limit and the rest of the radiation hazard parameters are less than the permissible limit. Results have shown that the Annual Effective Dose outside (soil) and inside (soil and granite) of the KGUT office building was (22 ± 0.22) μSv/y, (0.13 ± 0.0013) mSv/y. Finally, the distribution of natural radioactive elements and radiation hazards in different parts of the university shows that except for DY and Dout, all radiation hazard parameters in the administrative buildings and dormitories of the university are less than the permissible limit. Therefore, the annual presence of staff, students, and professors in the university are allowed.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly prevalent, chronic joint disorder, and it is a typical disease which can develop chronic pain. Our previous study has proved that endocannabinoid (2-AG)-CB1R-GABA-5-HT pathway is involved in electroacupuncture (EA) mediated inhibition of chronic pain. However, it is still unclear which among the 5-HT receptor subtype is involved in EA evoked 5-HT mediated inhibition of chronic pain in the dorsal spinal cord. 5-HT

Two field trials were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin in the 2012 and 2014 planting seasons to find out the effeciency of Trichoderma harzianum as a bio-control agent in controlling root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in two pepper varieties (F1 Nikita and Gianfranco Fuscello). A 2 × 2 factorial design fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with 5 replications. The T. harzianum filtrate significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, and yield. The control showed higher root galling and soil nematode population. Varietal differences showed that F1 Nikita performed significantly better than G. Fuscello. The combination of Trichoderma and F1 Nikita appears effective for managing root-knot nematodes.

Government of Indonesia has implemented various programs to increase cattle population and beef production. In 2020, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture has introduced Cattle Corporation Village Program (CCVP). The study aims to identify the capability of small-scale farmer group empowered by CCVP on good farming practices, availability of forage, utilization of infrastructure and colony cages, and corporate institution formed by farmers. The study was located at Cianjur District in 2022. The primary and secondary data were obtained by survey and interview that analyzed by qualitative descriptive. The results of the study indicate: (1) capability of farmer is encouraged to develop good farming practices with business scale; (2) the productivity of cattle should be supported by the sufficiency of forages and additional concentrate; (3) facilities has been provided by CCVP utilized by farmers, however the improvement of some facilities may required; and (4) CCVP is designed as profitable integrated corporation farming for small-scale farmers with upstream to downstream business integration. Through the CCVP, farmers are empowered and assisted in implementing good farming practices with business-scale. In addition, they will obtain some support from various institution and stakeholders to increase their income and welfare.

To determine whether the pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) can be predicted using 2-[Twenty-eight patients with PDAC who underwent only neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before surgery were enrolled in the study. All patients had F-18 FDG-PET examinations before NAC. The resected specimen was pathologically evaluated according to the Classification of Pancreatic Carcinoma (7The mean SUVmax of the response group was higher than that of the non-response group (9.00 ± 1.78 versus 4.26 ± 2.35; p0.001). The optimal cut-off value of SUVmax was 9.28 for distinguishing the two groups. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the prediction in the response group were 80%, 95.7%, and 92.9%, respectively.SUVmax on F-18 FDG-PET may be useful as a biomarker to predict the pathological response to NAC in patients with PDAC.

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) and concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) mediate the cellular uptake of nucleosides and nucleobases across the plasma membrane and play important roles in the salvage pathways of nucleotide synthesis. However, information about nucleoside transport systems in the lung alveolar epithelial cells is limited. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the function and expression of nucleoside transporters using primary cultured alveolar type II cells and transdifferentiated type I-like cells. The uptake of uridine, a substrate for ENTs and CNTs, in type II and type I-like cells was time, temperature, and concentration dependent, and was inhibited by other nucleoside transporter substrates such as adenosine. Uridine uptake in both cells was insensitive to nanomolar concentrations of NBMPR, a potent ENT1 inhibitor, while it was inhibited by higher concentrations of NBMPR, suggesting that ENT2, but not ENT1, is involved in uridine uptake in these cells. Additionally, uridine uptake was higher in the presence of Na

TPS7080 Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) are classified as a distinct category under the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms. MDS/MPN with RS and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T) and MDS/MPN, unclassifiable with > 15% bone marrow ring sideroblasts (MDS/MPN-U-RS) have similar clinical and pathological characteristics with symptomatic or transfusion-dependent anemia as the predominant morbidity. Luspatercept has been approved in myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) and MDS/MPN overlap syndromes, based on the phase 3 MEDALIST clinical trial which primarily included MDS-RS patients with an objective erythroid response rate of approximately 40 per cent. In this trial, some MDS-RS patients also experienced an increase in neutrophil and platelet counts. This raises a safety concern for MDS/MPN patients with elevated platelet or WBC counts such as MDS/MPN-RS-T and MDS/MPN-U-RS. Previous studies have shown clinical and biological differences between MDS-RS and MDS/MPN-RS-T, with the latter group at a significantly elevated risk for thrombotic events. Additionally, several MDS/MPN-RS-T patients are on hydroxyurea which may blunt the erythroid response of luspatercept. Therefore, it is imperative to establish the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in this patient group. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, prospective, phase II study of luspatercept in MDS/MPN overlap neoplasms with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis or unclassifiable with ring sideroblasts with 2 arms; hydroxyurea-independent (cohort A) and hydroxyurea-dependent (cohort B). Hydroxyurea and/or aspirin use is allowed as per investigator discretion. The primary goal is to study the efficacy and safety of luspatercept in MDS/MPN-RS-T or MDS/MPN-U-RS with symptomatic anemia. The primary endpoint is to assess erythroid response rate as per the 2015 International Working Group MDS/MPN response criteria. Secondary endpoints include response duration, time to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) transformation, thrombosis rate, AML-free and overall survival. Inclusion criteria include newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory adult patients with WHO-defined diagnosis of MDS/MPN-RS-T or MDS/MPN-U-RS with symptomatic or transfusion-dependent anemia and unlikely to respond (EPO level > 200 IU/L) or intolerant to erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) therapy. Prior therapy with lenalidomide, hypomethylating agents or immunosuppressive therapy is allowed. The overall plan is to enroll 54 patients across the three Mayo Clinic sites, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. Enrollment to the trial began in January 2022 with 1 patient enrolled at the time of abstract submission. Clinical trial information: NCT05005182.

Inadvertent nerve injury is a common complication during many surgical procedures. Intraoperative localization of nerves could reduce the risk of nerve injury and improve patients’ quality of life post-operation. To address this need, we combine diffuse reflectance and polarization imaging techniques into a single imaging system for in vivo nerve mapping. Both modalities successfully localize nerves within the field of view in an in vivo rat model and together provide enhanced contrast in relation to the surrounding tissues. The results of this study provide valuable insight into the future development of a real-time imaging system for clinical translation.

Background Multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells, endogenous reparative pluripotent stem cells, are defined as stage-specific embryonic antigen 3+ (SSEA3+) and CD105+ double-positive cells. We previously reported that intravenously injected Muse cells home to the damaged heart and differentiate into cardiomyocytes and vessels, and reduce the infarct size and improve cardiac function in a rabbit model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (Circ Res 2018), and that endogenous Muse cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood in the acute phase of patients with AMI, which improve left ventricular (LV) function and attenuate LV remodeling in the chronic phase at 6 months (Circ J 2018). However, whether Muse cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods Muse cells in the peripheral blood was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) as SSEA3+ and CD105+ double-positive cells in patients with coronary artery disease with 75% coronary stenosis who underwent PCI (n=18) with a mean age of 73.0±7.2 (14 male and 4 female). Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein in patients with coronary artery disease before, and 1 and 24 h after PCI. Since the majority of Muse cells were detected in the monocyte area and few Muse cells if any were detected in the lymphocyte area, we counted the Muse cells in the monocyte area by FACS. The number of Muse cells was expressed as cells per 100 μL of blood, as follows: absolute number of Muse cells (/100 μL) = white blood cells (/100 μL) × monocytes (%) × SSEA3+/CD105+ double-positive cells (%). Results Typical case of SSEA3+/CD105+ double-positive Muse cells measured by FACS shows that majority of Muse cells exist in the monocyte area (Fig, 1-A). The number of Muse cells in the peripheral blood was significantly greater (p Conclusion Muse cells, endogenous pluripotent stem cells, are mobilized into the peripheral circulating blood 1 h and 24 h after PCI in patients with coronary artery disease. Mobilized Muse cells after PCI might be contributing to repair the damaged coronary artery. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for which there does not appear to be an approved cure, the primary treatment options consist of non-pharmacological preventive measures and supportive treatment that are aimed at halting the progression of the disease. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) presents a promising therapeutic opportunity to mitigate COVID-19-induced cytokine storm and reduce the risk of severe morbidity and mortality resulting from the disease. However, the effective clinical application of NFkB modulators in COVID-19 is hampered by a number of factors that must be taken into consideration. This paper therefore explored the modulation of the NFB pathway as a potential strategy to mitigate the severe morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. The paper also discusses the factors that form the barrier, and it offers potential solutions to the various limitations that may impede the clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. This paper revealed and identified three key potential solutions for the future clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. These solutions are pulmonary tissue-specific NFkB blockade, agents that target common regulatory proteins of both canonical and non-canonical NFkB pathways, and monitoring clinical indicators of hyperinflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 prior to using NFkB modulators.

The anticancer effect of ribavirin, a purine nucleoside analogue, has been studied using cultured cancer cells such as the human myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. In order to exert its pharmacological effect, ribavirin has to enter cancer cells. However, there is little information concerning the transport mechanism of ribavirin into K562 cells. In this study, therefore, we examined the uptake mechanism of ribavirin in K562 cells. The uptake of ribavirin in K562 cells was time- and temperature-dependent, and was saturable with a Km value of 1.5 mM. Ribavirin uptake was inhibited by nucleosides such as adenosine and uridine, and by inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) such as S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine and dipyridamole in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of ENT1 mRNA in K562 cells was confirmed by real-time PCR. On the other hand, Na

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a highly prevalent, chronic joint disorder, and it is a typical disease which can develop chronic pain. Our previous study has proved that endocannabinoid (2-AG)-CB1R-GABA-5-HT pathway is involved in electroacupuncture (EA) mediated inhibition of chronic pain. However, it is still unclear which among the 5-HT receptor subtype is involved in EA evoked 5-HT mediated inhibition of chronic pain in the dorsal spinal cord. 5-HT2A is a G protein-coupled receptor and it is involved in 5-HT descending pain modulation system. We found that EA treatment at frequency of 2 Hz +1 mA significantly increased the expression of 5-HT2A receptor in the dorsal spinal cord and intrathecal injection of 5-HT2A receptor antagonist or agonist reversed or mimicked the analgesic effect of EA in each case respectively. Intrathecal injection of a selective GABAA receptor antagonist Bicuculline also reversed the EA effect on pain hypersensitivity. Additionally, EA treatment reversed the reduced expression of GABAA receptor and KCC2 in the dorsal spinal cord of KOA mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that intrathecal 5-HT2A receptor antagonist/agonist reversed or mimicked the effect of EA up-regulate of KCC2 expression, respectively. Similarly, intrathecal injection of PLC and PKC inhibitors prevented both anti-allodynic effect and up-regulation of KCC2 expression by EA treatment. Our data suggest that EA treatment up-regulated KCC2 expression through activating 5-HT2A-Gq-PLC-PKC pathway and enhanced the inhibitory function of GABAA receptor, thereby inhibiting chronic pain in a mouse model of KOA.

Summary Background & aims The associations between dietary magnesium intake and stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) incidences are inconsistent and not established in Asian. We aimed to determine the association between dietary magnesium intake and the risk of stroke and CHD in a Japanese population. Subjects/Methods We studied 85,293 Japanese subjects by questionnaire at baseline (age 45–74 years, without cardiovascular disease or cancer in 1995 and 1998 for Cohorts I and II, respectively). The participants were followed until the end of 2009 and 2010 in Cohorts I and II, respectively. Dietary magnesium intake was estimated from a self-administered 138-item food-frequency questionnaire. Results After 1,305,738 person-years of follow-up, 4110 strokes and 1283 cases of CHD were documented. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs, 95% confidence intervals, 95%CIs) of CHD for the fourth and fifth quintiles of dietary magnesium intake were 0.70 (0.50–0.99) and 0.66 (0.44–0.97) in men (P for trend = 0.036), respectively, and third quintile of dietary magnesium intake was 0.61 (0.39–0.96) in women (P for trend = 0.241), compared with the lowest quintile in men and women. We observed no decreased risks of incident stroke in men or women with higher dietary magnesium intakes. Conclusions Higher dietary magnesium intake was associated with a reduced risk of CHD in Japanese men.

A finding between dietary pattern and cancer may provide visions beyond the assessment of individual foods or nutrients. We examined the influence of dietary pattern with colorectal cancer (CRC) among a Japanese population.A total of 93,062 subjects (43,591 men, 49,471 women) who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study were followed from 1995-1998 to the end of 2012, during which 2482 cases of CRC (1514 men, 968 women) were newly identified. Dietary data was obtained from a validated food-frequency questionnaire between 1995 and 1998.Three dietary pattern was derived from principal components factor: prudent, westernized, and traditional pattern. After controlled for potential confounders, the prudent pattern showed a decreased association of CRC risk in men (HR for highest quintile vs lowest: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72-1.00; P trend0.05), slightly more strongly with distal colon cancer (P trend0.05); but an increased risk of rectal cancer in women (P trend0.05). The westernized pattern showed a significant positive linear trend for colon (P trend0.05) and distal cancer (P trend0.05) in women. There was no apparent association of traditional Japanese dietary pattern on the overall or any specific sites risk of CRC.A prudent dietary pattern showed an inverse association with CRC risk in men, and a westernized pattern was related with a higher risk of colon and distal cancer in women.

Resume Introduction L’hamartome chondromesenchymateux nasal (HCMN) est un hamartome benin extremement rare au niveau nasosinusien, concernant principalement des nourrissons et des jeunes enfants. Methodes Nous rapportons le cas d’un garcon de 3 ans atteint de HCMN avec extension a l’etage anterieur de la base du crâne. Resultat La tumeur a ete completement resequee piece par piece par voie endoscopique endonasale. Il n’y a aucune recidive a 3 ans apres la chirurgie. Conclusions Nous avons rapporte un cas d’HCMN s’etendant a la base du crâne qui a ete reseque avec succes par voie endoscopique endonasale.

As additive manufacturing (AM) continues to develop and become a standardized manufacturing method, there will be a continued need to provide in-situ monitoring during the manufacturing of polymer composite printed components. Thermal residual stress is a primary cause of failures such as interlayer disbonds or delamination, micro cracking, and dimensional instability, which can occur during or after the build. This study reports a novel digital image correlation (DIC) adaptation to monitor thermal residual stresses during the entire print process for large-scale AM. In this work, DIC has been investigated (a) by the natural speckle produced by the polymer surface for correlation, (b) to monitor AM build, and (c) to evaluate the effect of thermal residual stress on warpage of the printed component. The natural speckle pattern of the AM material resulted in a respectable 3.57% error compared to the traditional painted speckle pattern of 3.05% error. DIC measured a 190% increase in vertical displacement at the edge of the wall compared to the center, indicating warpage during AM. This work is a step towards a non-intrusive residual stress measuring technique using DIC for large-scale AM.

In this paper, design of high speed and area efficient finite field multiplier using factoring technique for communication is implemented. Data security plays very important role in present generation. Therefore, initially inputs and key are given to S-Box. The main intent of S-Box is to substitute the input data and key. After that input data and key are merged using S-Box merge. This data will be multiplied using finite field multiplier and to improve the performance along with that mix column technique is applied. Factoring technique will increase the speed of operation. After the data performs shift row operation. At last rounding is performed to the obtained data. At last simulation results shows that effective outcome in terms of delay, memory and security.

This study aims to analyze the barriers of farmers in adopting the utilization of rice straw waste as feed. The study was conducted in South Bontonompo District, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The type of research was a quantitative descriptive research using Factor Analysis tool. The variables measured in this study were 11 variables. Sample was drawn through simple random technique resulting in 55 farmers as respondents. The research data were collected by conducting a survey using the interview technique with a questionnaire. The results showed that the extraction of 11 variables indicated that all of them fulfilled the requirements for Factor Analysis, resulting in 3 formation factors. The variables included in factor 1 are knowledge about waste utilization (X5), waste management skills (X7), land ownership (X8), labor availability (X9), inability to pay for labor (X10) and age (X11). Variables included in factor 2 are difficulties in transporting feed (X3), non-intensive maintenance system (X4) and number of livestock ownership (X6). Meanwhile, the variables included in factor 3 are storage warehouse (X1) and processing equipment (X2). Factor 1 is named the intrinsic constraints because it is an internal part of breeders, factor 2 is named livestock business constraints because it is related to the situation of cattle farmers in carrying out cattle business activities, while factor 3 is named infrastructure constraints because it is a supporting factor in the cattle business.

Study aimed to identify the correlation of body sizes of Bali cattle with the pregnancy ability trait. Many studies gave attention to the body characters of beef cattle as the object being observed. Several types of research reported a strong correlation between some linear body sizes with some production traits. The pregnancy trait in beef cattle is very important, especially for smallholder farmers. A total of 100 cattle were measured body sizes, includes 50 pregnancy cattle and 50 non-pregnancy cattle. Three morphometric traits were measured on each animal. The parts measured were body length (BL), withers height (WH), heart girth (HG) and body condition scoring (BCS). The morphological traits were analysed using descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS Statistic 20 and Microsoft Excel. Relationship between HG and BCS on pregnant cow followed a regression equation Y= 0.0721X - 4.447 (R2 = 68,3%) and on an-pregnant cow followed Y= 0.0953X - 7.3978 (R2 = 68,3%). The relationship between heart girth and body condition scoring is very close and can be used to predict pregnancy ability in cows. The regression equation will greatly help smallholder farmers in the participatory breeding system.

Farmer behaviour is influenced by their social environment. The research objective was to determine the effect of subjective norms on farmer behaviour in using rice straw as feed. The research was conducted from January to March 2020 in Tompo Village, Barru Sub District, Barru District, which is one of the centers for developing Balinese cattle. The survey was conducted with farmers who used rice straw as feed by trained enumerators. The total population was 275 people and the number of respondents was 73 respondents which were determined by the simple random sampling method. Data analysis used the F test and t test using multiple linear regression models with the dependent variable of farmer behaviour in utilizing rice straw with criteria namely behaviour in hay storage, behaviour in processing and the technique of using straw as feed. The independent variables consist of extension agents influences (X1), family influences (X2), group influences (X3) and neighbour influences (X4). The results showed farmer dominantly stored their straw in a non-permanent warehouse. The technique of giving it to livestock was mixing salt and used it in the dry season. Factors that influence farmer behaviour in utilizing rice straw as feed are family (P

In Nigeria, there is paucity of information on the epidemiology of infections due to Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) especially among patients with febrile illness. Cases of febrile illness are usually associated with malaria and typhoid fever without considering the possibility of viral aetiology. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and identify other epidemiological parameters of CHIKV infections among outpatients with febrile illness attending University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Sera from 370 patients were tested for presence of CHIKV immunoglobin (Ig) IgM and IgG antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 370 sera tested, 39 (10.5%) were positive for presence of CHIKV antibodies. A total of 24 (6.5%) tested positive for CHIKV IgM only, while none (0.0%) was positive for the presence of CHIKV IgG only. Fifteen (4.1%) of the serum samples simultaneously reacted to both IgG and IgM antibodies. A significant difference (p

Introduction Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is an extremely rare benign hamartoma of the sinonasal tract, predominantly involving infants and young children. Methods We report the case of a 3-year-old boy of NCMH with extension to anterior skull base. Results The tumor was completely resected piece by piece via an endonasal endoscopic approach. There is no recurrence 3 years after operation. Conclusions We reported the case of NCMH extending to skull base was successfully resected by endonasal endoscopic approach.

Aims Coping strategies may be significantly associated with health outcomes. This is the first study to investigate the association between baseline coping strategies and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality in a general population cohort. Methods and results The Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study asked questions on coping in its third follow-up survey (2000–04). Analyses on CVD incidence and mortality included 57 017 subjects aged 50–79 without a history of CVD and who provided complete answers on approach- and avoidance-oriented coping behaviours and strategies. Cox regression models, adjusted for confounders, were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) according to coping style. Mean follow-up time was 7.9 years for incidence and 8.0 years for mortality. The premorbid use of an approach-oriented coping strategy was inversely associated with incidence of stroke (HR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73–1.00) and CVD mortality (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55–0.99). Stroke subtype analyses revealed an inverse association between the approach-oriented coping strategy and incidence of ischaemic stroke (HR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64–0.98) and a positive association between the combined coping strategy and incidence of intra-parenchymal haemorrhage (HR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.01–4.10). Utilizing an avoidance coping strategy was associated with increased mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) only in hypertensive individuals (HR = 3.46; 95% CI, 1.07–11.18). The coping behaviours fantasizing and positive reappraisal were associated with increased risk of CVD incidence (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03–1.50) and reduced risk of IHD mortality (HR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40–0.99), respectively. Conclusion An approach-oriented coping strategy, i.e. proactively dealing with sources of stress, may be associated with significantly reduced stroke incidence and CVD mortality in a Japanese population-based cohort.

This study aimed to determine the factors that influence small holder beef cattle farmer to adopt business insurance for cattle businesses. This research was conducted from February to March 2019, Bungaya sub-district, Gowa regency. The type of research was explanatory. The population in this study was all small holder beef cattle farmer in Bungaya district as many as 4,324 farmers. Samples were 98 farmers who adopted and did not adopt the cattle business insurance program. The data analysis used was logistic regression. The results showed that the factors affecting adoption of beef cattle business insurance, i.e. the number of family members, farmer attitudes, farmer subjective norms, assurance certainty, and dependence on cattle farming has an influence and is significant on the adoption of the cattle business insurance program.

Hypertension (HTN) remains the most common noncommunicable disease that constitutes the greatest public health problem worldwide, with the management involving pharmacological and nonpharmacological means. Therapeutic exercise is an important first-line intervention for a number of chronic diseases and has been recommended both as a measure for prevention and as an adjunctive nonpharmacological intervention for HTN, however; exercise prescription to hypertensive patients is still low, especially among primary healthcare professionals. This study examined from evidence-based literature the various aspects of therapeutic exercise and HTN to successfully stimulate the integration of exercise for HTN management in clinical settings, especially at the primary healthcare level. The paper reviewed published articles on exercise and HTN on Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect using search terms “exercise” and “hypertension.” Studies identified in this review were summarized to further enrich literature with data and provide an update to exercise prescribers on exercise and HTN. This study revealed and identified three key aspects that need to be strengthened for successful integration of exercise for HTN management in all clinical settings: adequate and routine pre-exercise screening and monitoring; well-informed prescription of therapeutic exercise by qualified exercise professionals; and sufficient knowledge about potential interaction between exercise and antihypertensive medications.

Three-dimensional architecture of the branchial artery and venous vasculature of Homarus americanus was studied by the method of corrosion cast or styrene cracking and by scanning electron microscopy. Four arteries, the epibranchial (EA) and hypobranchial arteries (HA) on the septal wall of the afferent and efferent vessels, respectively, and two lateral canal arteries (LCA), each in one of the paired lateral canals, run parallel to the gill axis. The EA directs dendroid branches to the spongy tissue in the afferent vessel wall far from the efferent, supplying oxygen to the otherwise oxygen-depleted tissue. The HA distributes the filament arteriole (FA) into the central channel of individual middle filaments via the LCA. The FA opens halfway at a position where the channel narrows. Thus, it is likely that venous hemolymph in the central channel flows from base to tip in the direction in which arterial hemolymph from the FA flows. This and the anatomy of venous vasculature suggest three probable patterns of perfusion from afferent to efferent vessels: double serial circulation via the outer and inner filaments and novel routes both through the middle filament, i.e., single circulation via the afferent and efferent channels of this filament and double serial circulation via the outer filament and then the central channel of the middle. On the basis of the physics of flow and known physiological data, we propose that switching of these routes that involves independently functional multiple double serial circulations can play an important role in controlling efficiency of gas exchange, particularly during hypoxia. J Morphol. 233:165-181, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has been developing a 300 L calibration bath to calibrate 24 oceanographic thermometers (OT) simultaneously and thereby reduce the calibration work load necessary to service more than 180 OT every year. This study investigated characteristics of the developed 300 L calibration bath using a SBE 3plus thermometer produced by an OT manufacturer. We also used 11 thermistor thermometers that were calibrated to be traceable to the international temperature scale of 1990 (ITS-90) within 1 mK of standard uncertainty through collaboration of JAMSTEC and NMIJ/AIST. Results show that the time stability of temperature of the developed bath was within $$\pm 1 \,\hbox {mK}$$ . Furthermore, the temperature uniformity was $$\pm 1.3 \,\hbox {mK}$$ . The expanded uncertainty ( $$k=2$$ ) components for the characteristics of the developed 300 L calibration bath were estimated as 2.9 mK, which is much less than the value of 10 mK: the required specification for uncertainty of calibration for the OT. These results demonstrated the utility of this 300 L calibration bath as a device for use with a new calibration system.

We aimed to validate the reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) among Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Japanese patients with SLE ( n = 233) completed the SF-36 and other related demographic questionnaires, and physicians simultaneously completed the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI). Patients were prospectively followed for a repeat assessment the following year. The SF-36 subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α of 0.85–0.89), and an overall good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.70). The average baseline SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for “bodily pain” were significantly lower than those of the Japanese general population ( p