Breaking Rate Research Articles

Genomic Adaption and Mutational Patterns in a HaCaT Subline Resistant to Alkylating Agents and Ionizing Radiation.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can damage DNA via alkylation and oxidative stress. Because of its genotoxicity, SM is cancerogenic and the progenitor of many chemotherapeutics. Previously, we developed an SM-resistant cell line via chronic exposure of the popular keratinocyte cell line HaCaT to increasing doses of SM over a period of 40 months. In this study, we compared the genomic landscape of the SM-resistant cell line HaCaT/SM to its sensitive parental line HaCaT in order to gain insights into genetic changes associated with continuous alkylation and oxidative stress. We established chromosome numbers by cytogenetics, analyzed DNA copy number changes by means of array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (array CGH), employed the genome-wide chromosome conformation capture technique Hi-C to detect chromosomal translocations, and derived mutational signatures by whole-genome sequencing. We observed that chronic SM exposure eliminated the initially prevailing hypotetraploid cell population in favor of a hyperdiploid one, which contrasts with previous observations that link polyploidization to increased tolerance and adaptability toward genotoxic stress. Furthermore, we observed an accumulation of chromosomal translocations, frequently flanked by DNA copy number changes, which indicates a high rate of DNA double-strand breaks and their misrepair. HaCaT/SM-specific single-nucleotide variants showed enrichment of C > A and T > A transversions and a lower rate of deaminated cytosines in the CpG dinucleotide context. Given the frequent use of HaCaT in toxicology, this study provides a valuable data source with respect to the original genotype of HaCaT and the mutational signatures associated with chronic alkylation and oxidative stress.

Design, development and testing of an auger‐assisted semi‐automatic coconut husking machine

AbstractCoconut husking is the primary and most difficult post‐harvesting operation among coconut processing. The physical properties of the coconuts such as length, diameter, perimeter, weight and husk thickness at the apex, at the pedicel end, at the ¼ from pedicel end, at the ½ from the pedicel end and at the ¾ from the pedicel end and the husk‐separating‐forces are calculated to design machine components. A prototype of an auger‐assisted semi‐automatic coconut husking machine (ASCHM) have designed, constructed, tested and its husking rate, husking effectiveness, husking efficiency, percent of nut breaking, and capacity of the machine has evaluated. The machine comprises mainly of a pair of upright blades; held juxtaposed for manual impaling, and an electrically‐driven auger. The mean time required for complete husking of green coconut and dry coconut have been found to be 12.6 s and 13.6 s respectively. The husking efficiency of ASCHM was found as 100% with no nut breaking with a capacity of 242 nuts/hr for green coconuts and 229 nuts/hr for dry coconuts. Further, performance of the developed tool has been compared with that of CPCH and KAU coconut husking tool.Practical ApplicationsMain contribution of this work is to design, development and testing of a semi‐automatic coconut husking machine and to analyze the performance of the same in terms of husking rate, husking effectiveness, husking efficiency, and percentage of nut breaking and capacity of the machine was evaluated. The results are then compared with those obtained for a manual and fully automated husking machine as well. Husk separating force calculation have been done considering the relevant physical properties of the coconut like size, shape, weight, and so forth. The observations are further then used for the design of machine components and the selection of a power source. The information deduced can be used as a database for future modifications as well as development of coconut husking machines.

Optimization and experiment on key structural parameters of no-tillage planter with straw-smashing and strip-mulching

Accelerate the quality of smashed-straw laying and enhance the effect of seed-bed arranging for no-tillage planter with straw-smashing and strip-mulching in full stubble covered paddy have become imperative in implementing modern conservation tillage. Considering the perfect operating performance (passability and stability) of the developed no-tillage planter, this study intends to optimize the structure design of smashed-straw diversion device and strip-rotary tillage device. Dynamics equations of smashed straw and kinematics models of rotary blades were established through theoretical analysis, and the principal factors that affecting straw strip-laying quality and seed-bed arranging effect were specified. The influence of out-enlarge angle (η) and slide-push angle (γ) of the diversion device on the coefficient of variation (ζ1) of cover-straw width, and the influence of rotary tillage-blade number (N) and configuration in a single rotary plane on the broken rate (ζ2) of strip soil were completely analyzed. And then, based on the systematic analysis and integrated scheme, operating performance and field verification tests using the optimized no-tillage planter were thoroughly performed. The results of the performance tests indicated that the out-enlarge angle (η) had a highly significant influence on the coefficient of variation (ζ1), and the slide-push angle (γ) had a significant influence on (ζ1). The rotary tillage-blade number (N) had a highly significant influence on the broken rate (ζ2), and the slide-push angle (γ) had a significant influence on (ζ2). The obtained optimal combination of these key structure parameters through comprehensive analysis was η = 45°, γ = 40°, and N = 4. Field verification test results indicated that the optimized no-tillage planter achieved mean values of ζ1 = 10.47% and ζ2 = 90.95%, which satisfied the relevant operation quality and cultivation agricultural requirement of conservation tillage equipment, and provided technical references for developing the similar no-tillage planter of straw crushing and returning. Keywords: no-tillage planter, smashed-straw laying, strip rotary tillage, optimization test DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20211403.5887 Citation: Shi Y Y, Wang X C, Hu Z C, Gu F W, Wu F, Chen Y Q. Optimization and experiment on key structural parameters of no-tillage planter with straw-smashing and strip-mulching. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2021; 14(3): 103–111.

Influence of Low and High-density Diets with Yeast Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Egg Production and Egg Quality in Hy-line Brown Laying Hens

A total of 432 laying hens (40 weeks old) were used in a 10- weeks feeding trial. The birds were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with 18 replications (6 birds per replication) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with low-density diet (LD), and high density (HD) diets supplemented with or without (0.1 %) of yeast. Laying hens feed intake during the 5th, 6th and 10th weeks has significantly increased (p<0.05) in LD diet and HD diet supplemented with (0.1 %) of yeast supplementation. However, egg production and broken rate was not affected with or without yeast and density diet. The quality of egg and shell color during the 5th, 6th, and 7th weeks has significantly reduced (p<0.05) by yeast supplementation with HD and LD diet. Eggshell strength was significantly improved at week 4, moreover albumin height was also significantly improved by yeast supplementation diets at week 5. During week 1 and 2 the yolk color was higher in LD diet and HD diet compared with yeast supplementation. However, eggshell strength was significantly improved on HD diets than LD diets during the 4th and 7th weeks. Eggshell color and albumen height were significantly decreased in laying hens fed HD or LD diets during week 5 and 6. The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), and Energy was not affected (p<0.05) by laying hens fed with or without yeast and HD than LD diets. In summary, 0.1% of yeast supplementation proved a positive impact on feed intake and egg quality of layer chicken.

Peculiarities of deformation of thin-sheet TRIP steel under static and fatigue loading

The features of the deformation of austenitic-martensitic thin-sheet TRIP steel under static and fatigue loading with varying parameters of the breaking rate as well as the maximum cycle stress under cyclic loading were studied. The ten-fold increase in the tensile rate led to the decrease in the ultimate strength by ≈ 6% and the relative elongation δ from 32% to 21%, which is due to a decrease in the intensity of the formation of deformation martensite. The nature of hardening during deformation of steel under static and repeated tension is almost the same. The effect of the greatest TRIP - strengthening under loading to the yield-point stress level and physical fatigue limit were found. Preliminary fatigue loading up to σmax = 1550 MPa with N = 3000 led to the increase in the yield strength and ultimate strength by ≈200 MPa and ≈100 MPa, respectively; the relative elongation decreased by a factor of 2.

Design and experiment of bionic stubble breaking-deep loosening combined tillage machine

Under the conditions of straw returning operation, there are three major technical bottlenecks in the Phaeozem region of northeast China, namely low stubble breaking rate, poor tillage depth consistency and high fuel consumption. In this research, a bionic stubble-deep loosening combined tillage machine (BSD) was designed through bionic prototype analysis, coupled bionic analysis, coupled bionic design, theoretical analysis and application of intelligent control techniques. It consists of a bionic stubble breaking device and a bionic self-excited vibratory deep loosening device. Based on the unique biting pattern of locust mouthparts on maize rootstocks, the bionic stubble breaking device adopted a new multi-segment serrated bionic structure and a symmetrical rotational motion, which could significantly increase the stubble breaking rate (p<0.05) and reduce the resistance to stubble breaking operations (p<0.05). Based on the unique biology of the hare's paws, toes and nails, the bionic self-excited vibration deep loosening device adopted a new series-parallel composite bionic elastic system and an intelligent tilling depth control system with a fuzzy algorithm, which significantly improved the tilling depth consistency (p<0.05). The operational performance of the BSD was verified at different operating speeds through comparative experiments and reveals the mechanism of its excellent performance through theoretical analysis. The final experiment results showed that, at the same operating speed, the BSD improved the stubble breaking rate by 9.62% and 10.67%, reduced the stubble breaking torque by 28 N·m and 33 N·m, reduced the tillage depth coefficient of variation by 12.73% and 13.48%, and reduced the specific fuel consumption by 36 g/km·h and 40 g/km·h compared to the two most common models. The operating performance of the three kinds of machines will decrease with the increase of operating speed, and the BSD has the least decrease. Keywords: bionics, stubble breaking, deep loosening, combined tillage machine DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20211404.6473 Citation: Zhao J L, Lu Y, Guo M Z, Fu J, Wang Y J. Design and experiment of bionic stubble breaking-deep loosening combined tillage machine. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2021; 14(4): 123–134.

PERFORMANCE PREDICTION OF HYDRAULIC BREAKERS IN EXCAVATION OF A ROCK MASS

The demand for the usage of hydraulic rock breakers in excavating rock masses has increased recently for environmental and economic reasons. The conventional method (i.e., drill and blasting technique) has many restrictions due to environmental aspects. In this paper, we propose a methodology for the prediction of the performance of hydraulic rock breakers in the excavation of a rock mass. The case study area is located in Northwest Egypt on the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea. Extensive site investigation was implemented using exploration boreholes showing that the majority of the site is limestone with lenses of sands. Based on the collected rock properties, mapping of both the rock quality (RQD) and the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) for the rock mass was conducted. Such mapping of the mechanical properties helps in the zoning of a rock mass and grouping the similar rock zones of nearly matched properties. Due to economic and machinery availability concerns, this study focuses on very small, small, and medium capacity hydraulic breakers. For each type of rock breaker, calculations of the net breaking rate (NBR) are implemented for each group of the rock with similar properties. The challenge of this methodology is that the excavation of the rock mass shall be implemented in a very limited time frame (only one year ≈ 300 workdays). Therefore, two scenarios of light-duty and medium rock breakers are applied providing the number of machines required with specifications and working days. The first scenario is assigned to medium duty machines, while the second scenario concerns very small to small rock breakers. In general, such a sequence could be adopted for other cases with different rock mass properties, hydraulic breakers specifications and any desired time frame.

Accurate performance prediction model for impact hammer developed using customized evolutionary algorithm

In past decades, impact hammers have played a key role in underground construction. Simply in Istanbul, impact hammers have been used to excavate more than 20 km of metro tunnels. Thus, determining the instantaneous breaking rate (IBR) of an impact hammer is attracting increasing attention. A number of IBR prediction models have been developed for impact hammers. However, there is still a demand for models that require a smaller number of easy-to-obtain rock properties as inputs and provide a reasonable level of accuracy, a wide range of applications, and high reliability. This study had the goal of developing such a prediction model based on an investigation of two subway tunnels built in Istanbul. In order to enhance the results generated by multiple linear regression analysis, a customized tool was developed for the non-linear analysis of a relatively large set of data collected for the present research. Gene expression programming (GEP) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) were merged to create a non-linear analysis tool. The GEP–PSO algorithm was trained using 80% of the available data, with the remaining 20% reserved to validate the results. The output of the algorithm was presented in the form of a mathematical equation that predicted the IBR using the uniaxial compressive strength, rock quality designation, Schmidt hammer rebound value, and machine power as input parameters. The predicted IBR values were in remarkable agreement with the recorded values. In order to verify the efficiency of the proposed prediction model, it was successfully tested against previously developed models for which input parameters were available. In addition, the proposed model was investigated under hypothetical circumstances to ensure that it legitimately described the performance changes due to changes in the input parameters. The model developed in this research is proposed as an accurate and reliable tool for predicting the performance of impact hammers over a wide application range.

Study on the Plugging System of the Lower Ancient High Loss Zone in Changqing Gas Field

At present, in the workover operations of old gas wells in the Changqing Gas Field, due to years of exploitation in the production layer, pressure deficits, and general leakage during the well killing, the well must be plugged before the well can be killed. In particular, the fracture-cavity type fractures of the lower paleocarbonate reservoirs have serious leakage. Traditional plugging materials and traditional plugging materials and methods have some limitations in dealing with leakage problems. Therefore, a composite plugging system using polymer solution as the base carrier fluid, multi-particle size rigid particles, expandable particles and modified fibers is developed. Its formula is: water + 2% polyacrylamide + 0.1% N, N-methylene bisacrylamide polymer gel is the base carrier fluid; the formulation of the particle plugging agent was continuously optimized through the CDL-II high temperature and high pressure dynamic and static plugging ability to plug the core. The final formulation of the plugging agent is: 1) 20% rigid particles (5 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm CCP-3 ratio 4:2:1) + 1% 3 mm expanded particles SMK-1 + 1% 1 - 2 mm fiber SRXW-10; 2) 20% rigid particles (3 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.05 mm CCP-3 ratio 3:2:1) + 1% 3 mm expanded particles SMK-1 + 1% 1 - 2 mm fiber SRXW-10. The water swelling multiples of the granular plugging agent in salt water are all above 7 times, which meets the requirements of leak-proof plugging operations under high salinity; 3% HCl is selected as the gel breaker, and the plugging system has a gel breaking rate of 95%; through the water plugging and profile control experimental system, the sand-filled pipe is used to simulate the plugging effect under high temperature and high pressure, and the plugging system can be sealed for 5 days at a high temperature of 110°C and a high pressure of 20 MPa to achieve a good plugging of the formation. It is expected that the developed plugging system has a good application prospect in future workover operations.

Rail breaks arrival rate prediction: A physics-informed data-driven analysis for railway tracks

Rail breaks frequently cause service interruptions and are a leading cause of train derailments. In this study a new method for predicting the arrival rate of rail breaks is developed. The proposed model incorporates Finite Element Modeling, into an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) framework to predict the arrival rate of rail breaks in a US Class I railroads. The developed model is an improved version of the prediction model earlier proposed by Ghofrani et al. in [1]. The results of the proposed model show that the arrival rate of rail breaks is majorly associated with higher speed, weight of rail, geometry defects, inspection and grinding frequency. Moreover, the findings imply that inducing the mechanics of rail defects into a data-driven model outperforms the traditional pure data-driven models by over 25%. The proposed model also outperforms the earlier version introduced in [1] by 5%.

Effects of monobutyrin supplementation on egg production, biochemical indexes, and gut microbiota of broiler breeders

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of monobutyrin supplementation on egg production, biochemical indexes, and gut microbiota of broiler breeders at the late stage of production. A total of 180 healthy Qingyuan partridge broilers were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 1) corn–soybean meal–based diet and 2) basal diet supplemented with 250 mg monobutyrin/kg. Each treatment group had 6 replicates/cages with 15 birds within each replicate. The experiment started at week 33 and lasted for 8 wk. Egg production rate, feed conversion rate, shell breaking strength, and shell thickness were not different between control and treatment groups. Supplementation of monobutyrin increased egg weight and tended to decrease egg breaking rate of Qingyuan partridge chickens. Supplementation of monobutyrin did not affect any of the biochemical indexes except total protein concentration. The 4 antioxidant parameters measured were not affected either. Alpha diversity indexes (Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, Ace, and Good’s Coverage) and composition of cecal microbiota were not affected by monobutyrin supplementation. Overall, supplementation of monobutyrin at 250 mg/kg level improved egg quality, but its effect on cecal microbiota composition was limited.

Short-term outcomes of treatment of active stage of Charcot foot in outpatient setting

Background: Treatment options in patients with an acute Charcot foot is not well standardized and still challenging.Aims: To evaluate the results of the non-operative treatment of patients with active stage of diabetic charcot arthropathy in outpatient foot clinic and to identify factors influenced on treatment results.Materials and methods: Medical files of 141 patients with unilateral ulcer-free active charcot arthropathy were reviewed. 78 patients agreed for treatment (total contact cast or walker), 63 patients refused of treatment (follow-up only). The time of resolution of the acute stage, severity of final deformities and foot-related complications were evaluated. Refusers were asked about the cause of their decision.Results: Mean delay of the diagnosis was 3,2±2,8 months. Main causes of the refuse were: mistrust to doctor - 38%, problems with employment - 33%, home/family problems - 18%, medical reasons - 11%. Median healing times (months) in the treatment group vs controls: 9 (6 - 19) 15 (13 - 25) (p=0,001) and progression of the initial deformity: 14% and 35%, respectively (p=0,01). Foot-related complications: 17,5% in the treatment group and in 55,6% of controls (including 6 amputations) (p=0,001). Frequency of breaking the cast/walker - 32%/16,6%. Foot lesions due to cast/walker: 13,6%/41,7% (p&lt;0,01). Median healing times (months) with walkers - 13 (11 - 19), with casts - 9 (6 - 15) months (р=0,02). The use of crutches shortened healing time.Conclusions: The significant delay of diagnosis was revealed. The refuse rate in our cohort was high and main causes of the refuse were social and psychological. Neglect of treatment leads to high frequency and severity of foot-related complications. We noticed high rate of breaking of walkers and casts and device-related foot lesions. Total contact casts were more effective and safe compared with walkers.

Self‐Healing Epoxy and Reversible Diels‐Alder Based Interpenetrating Networks

AbstractDual networks, containing Diels‐Alder (DA) based reversible and epoxy networks, are studied as self‐healing thermoset materials. The thermoreversible DA network acts as a healing agent at healing procedure and the epoxy network (E) keeps the material integrity. Two types of the dual networks are investigated, the interpenetrating networks (IPN) and the DA‐epoxy copolymers. The rate of bonds breaking and reformation is monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. Two healing steps are followed: the sealing of the notch by microscopy and recovery of the structure by tensile tests. The factors governing the healing efficiency are determined and analyzed. The fraction of the sol generated at healing is found to be the crucial parameter. The novel architecture of the IPN with a high content of the DA network is designed. This IPN generates a high amount of the sol at healing and shows the healing efficiency approaching to 100%.

Backsheet with dramatically enhanced durability for photovoltaic modules

In this paper, the durability (weatherability) of a novel backsheet material used in photovoltaic (PV) modules is reported. The backsheet (code: FF-backsheet) consists of a special-grade poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film and protective layers with different functionalities, which are directly coated onto the surface of the PET film without adhesives. The durability of the backsheet was evaluated through accelerated degradation tests (ADTs) under extreme conditions, including intense UV irradiation, high temperature, and high humidity by an international certification authority (China Quality Certification Centre). After an ADT for 4000 h, the backsheet partly maintained its original properties of elongation at break, tensile strength, yellowness index, breakdown voltage, and water vapor transmission rate. Consequently, the FF-backsheet was certified to have the highest level of durability (class 1). In contrast, conventional backsheets, in which protective films are attached to a normal-grade PET film using adhesives, were prominently embrittled. The outstanding durability of the FF-backsheet was also certified through a more severe ADT by another international certification authority (TÜV SÜD China Shanghai). Here, we propose the reaction mechanisms for the hydrolytic and photo-induced degradation of the PET layer and discuss the relationship between the toughness of the film and its yellowing behavior. Module-imitated samples were prepared via lamination of the backsheets with glass plates and were evaluated their durability via an original ADT (125 °C, 100% relative humidity). We used conventional backsheets as reference samples, all of which exhibited many cracks in the PET layers after the ADT. In contrast, no damage (cracking, foaming, and delamination) was observed in the PET layers of the FF-backsheet. These results suggested that the FF-backsheet has unprecedentedly high durability.

Relationship between Stalk and Cob Mechanical Strength during the Late Growth Stage of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The stalk strength of maize (Zea mays L.) has a significant effect on stalk lodging and harvesting loss, and the cob mechanical strength affects the grain broken rate in mechanical grain harvesting. Clarifying the relationship between maize stalk strength and cob mechanical strength could provide a theoretical basis for the selection of cultivars with high lodging resistance and high suitability for mechanical grain harvesting. In 2017 and 2018, 64 maize cultivars were planted in four locations to investigate the changes in the bending strength of stalks and cobs using the three-point bending method during the late growth stage. The results showed that, in the late growth stage, with increasing number of days after physiological maturity, the stalk bending strength (SBS) of the fifth internode above the soil gradually decreased, the cob bending strength (CBS) decreased first and then increased, and it was lowest at about six to eight days after physiological maturity. In the same experimental site and sampling period, there was no significant correlation between the SBS and the CBS of different maize cultivars. Cluster analysis showed that most of the investigated maize cultivars showed low stalk strength during the late growth stage. However, a few of the maize cultivars were suitable for mechanical grain harvesting due to their characteristics of high stalk bending strength and moderate cob bending strength during the late growth stage.

Isolating the effects of oxidizer characteristics and catalytic additives on the high-pressure exponent break of AP/HTPB-Composite propellants

AP/HTPB-composite propellants are widely used in the field of energetics due to their burning rate controllability using a variety of formulation variables. At higher pressures, the burning rate becomes less controllable as it experiences a transition regime often referred to as an “exponent break” typically between 20.7 and 34.5 MPa. The pressure exponent drastically increases to values greater than 1, making the burning rate extremely sensitive to pressure fluctuations. This study systematically evaluated the effects of catalysts on the exponent break and high-pressure burning rates of AP/HTPB-composite propellants containing a variety of AP particle sizes, distributions, and concentrations. The burning rates of seven formulations with varying AP characteristics and either Mach I iron oxide or titania nanoparticles or in-situ titania as a catalyst were evaluated between pressures of 6.89 MPa and 68.9 MPa. All formulations with the exception of two, 46.0-µm AP with Mach I titania and 138.9-µm AP with 0.50% in-situ titania, showed an exponent break. For the others, the characteristic pressure where the exponent break occurred changed with the inclusion of the catalysts, increasing it to 34.5 MPa and higher. The characteristic pressure was found to be dependent on the corresponding baseline burning rates, occurring where the additive burning rate curve intersected with its respective baseline burning rate curve. Additionally, all the burning rates fell above the AP deflagration rate curve, corroborating the existence of an AP barrier and the general theory in the literature that AP decomposition dominates in the very-high-pressure regime. This study adds new data to the severely limited database for very-high-pressure, AP-based, composite propellant burning rates in the open literature and provides one of the first fundamental studies on the exponent break feature with emphasis on the role of mixture variables and catalytic additives on the characteristic break pressure and the post-break pressure exponent.

State of watermain infrastructure: a Canadian case study using historic pipe break datasets

Over the last two decades, a variety of reports have suggested that watermains in Canada are deteriorating, and break rates are increasing. However, these reports are often limited as the years of break records being utilized are brief; this paper revisits those assessments using over 45 years of break records and shows that three of the five utilities investigated are experiencing significant decreases in break rates over the past 10 years while the two other utilities are maintaining consistent break rates. These results indicate that these utilities are effectively managing their watermain infrastructure, and suggest watermain infrastructure throughout Canada may be performing better than suggested by cross-sectional survey results. Analyses indicate that on average, 22% of the watermains analyzed have exceeded the 0.125 breaks per km per year break rate threshold and may be considered for pipe replacement or rehabilitation. In particular, 50% of cast iron pipes installed post-WWII have exceeded a break rate threshold of 0.125 brks/km/year, suggesting large pipe replacement or rehabilitation of this pipe cohort is required.

Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) extract improved in vitro development of vitrified-warmed mouse germinal vesicle oocytes: assessment of possible mechanism.

Oocyte banking is a vital step for safekeeping and spreading genetic resources of animals. It is also used for fertility preservation of human. Oocyte vitrification is closely related to the lower developmental competence which includes the cryo-injury arisen during vitrification. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the maturation, embryonic development and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of mice oocytes following the supplementation vitrification media with different concentrations of Ceratonia siliqua (carob) extracts. In this experimental study, germinal vesicle oocytes collected from 8 to 10week-old female NMRI mice (30-40gr) were randomly divided into six groups of vitrification media supplemented with 0 (control), 5, 10, 20, 30 and 50µg/ml C. siliqua. After thawing, oocytes were put in an in vitro maturation medium (IVM) (α-MEM: Alpha Minimum Essential Medium). 3-4 and 24h (hr) later, the oocyte nuclear maturity was checked. Standard invitro fertilization was performed on the matured oocytes (MII), and embryonic development was followed. Extra- and intra-cellular ROS was measured in IVM medium after 24h of oocyte incubation. The addition of 20 and 30μg/ml C. siliqua extract to vitrification media improved normal morphology of warmed germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes, rate of germinal vesicle break down (GVBD), and metaphase 2 (MII) oocyte formation significantly (p < 0.05). Fertilization rate, (embryonic development to 2 cells stage, 4-8 cells stage, and > 8 cells stage increased in the 30μg/ml C. siliqua group significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, supplementation of 30μg/ml C. siliqua in vitrification media significantly decreased extra- and intra-cellular of ROS as well as embryonic fragmentation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of GV oocyte vitrification media with carob extract improved maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development rate and decreased extra- and intra-cellular ROS levels.

Stroke and Thromboprophylaxis in the Era of COVID-19

Stroke and Thromboprophylaxis in the Era of COVID-19

Effect of benzoic acid on production performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, and cecal microbial community of laying hens

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplemental dietary benzoic acid on production performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbiota of laying hens. A total of seven hundred twenty 45-wk-old Lohman pink-shell laying hens were randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments: control (CON), diet supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA1), and 2,000 mg/kg benzoic acid (BA2). Each treatment included 10 replicates of 24 hens; laying hens were monitored for 16 wk. Overall, the results indicate that benzoic acid supplementation had no effect on laying rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and breaking rate; however, a decrease in egg weight (P < 0.01) was observed in the BA2 group. Albumen height and Haugh unit (HU) were also linearly increased in the BA1 and BA2 groups (linear effect, P < 0.05). An increase in duodenum villus height (V) (quadratic effect, P = 0.041) and crypt depth (C) (linear effect, P = 0.012) was observed in the BA2 group, whereas an increased jejunum C and decreased V/C (quadratic effect, P < 0.05) in the BA1 group. Moreover, an increase in ileum V and C (quadratic effect, P < 0.05) was observed in the BA1 group. Microbial richness and diversity were reduced in the BA2 group (P < 0.01). An increase in the abundance of Clostridia (class), Clostridiales (order), Ruminococcaceae (family), and Lachnospiraceae (family) was noted in the BA1 group, whereas an enrichment of Bacteroides caecicola (species) was observed in the BA2 group. The HU positively correlated with genus Sphaerochaeta and Enorma (r = 0.56, 0.56; P < 0.05) but negatively correlated with Romboutsia, Subdoligranulum, Helicobacter, and Mucispirillum (r = −0.58, −0.49, −0.48; −0.70; P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with benzoic acid had no effect on production performance, but it significantly improved egg quality. In addition, 1,000 mg/kg benzoic acid positively modulated intestinal health by improving intestinal morphology and enriching microbial composition.