Daily Counting Research Articles

Connecting with fetus: the use of app-based fetal movement counting and experiences during pregnancy and birth

BackgroundPregnant people are often introduced to fetal movement counting to monitor the health of their fetus. This study aims to examine the impacts of app-based fetal movement counting on experiences during pregnancy and birth. MethodThis study used two types of secondary data including individual user's app use and their end of pregnancy survey data collected on the Count the Kicks (CTK) app. CTK is a free mobile app providing a virtual platform for pregnant people to conduct their daily kick counting. The study sample includes 1,147 pregnant people. Descriptive analyses were used to examine the number of kick counts using CTK and pregnant women's experiences with the app, their pregnancy, and childbirth. Bivariate analyses were used to examine the relationships between the frequency of kick counts and pregnant people's experience with their pregnancy and birth. Logistic regressions were used to model pregnant people's experiences: anxiety level related to their pregnancy and bonding with their baby. FindingsThe study found that there is inadequate compliance with daily fetal movement counting recommendations in third trimester among pregnant people. However, results showed that frequent use of fetal movement counting is associated with lower anxiety level related to their pregnancy, and more bonding with their baby. These positive pregnancy experiences are associated with healthy birth. ConclusionTo benefit from the impacts of fetal movement counting on positive pregnancy and birth experience, the app developers and public health agencies need to develop strategies to increase daily use of fetal movement counting.

Association of physical activity patterns with nocturnal hypoglycemia events in youth with type 1 diabetes.

This study sought to elucidate the interactions among physical activity (PA) patterns, mean glucose concentrations, and the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia events in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, examining the moderating influence of daily dosage on these associations. Eighty-two participants aged 6 to 18 years (43.9% girls) from the Diactive-1 Cohort Study, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, were included. Data collection involved continuous glucose monitoring, accelerometry to assess real-world PA, as well as documentation of daily insulin doses and carbohydrate counting over the same seven days. A total of 19 participants experienced at least one nocturnal hypoglycemia event over a span of 574 measurement days (106 days with and 451 days without nocturnal hypoglycemia). Higher levels of vigorous PA (VPA) were associated with lower same-day mean glucose levels (p = 0.014). Additionally, higher levels of moderate PA (p = 0.023), VPA (p = 0.011), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.010) were associated with a greater number of nocturnal hypoglycemia events. Specifically, a significant association was identified between VPA and nocturnal hypoglycemia events when the daily insulin dose were at or above 1.04 units per kilogram of body weight per day (p = 0.016). Daily VPA is associated with glucose reductions, potentially leading to more hypoglycemic episodes, particularly when there's an excess of daily insulin. This highlights the need for careful insulin management in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes engaging in VPA.

Effect of Time-Restricted Eating on Weight Loss in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Time-restricted eating (TRE) has become increasingly popular, yet longer-term randomized clinical trials have not evaluated its efficacy and safety in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). To determine whether TRE is more effective for weight reduction and glycemic control than daily calorie restriction (CR) or a control condition in adults with T2D. This 6-month, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was performed between January 25, 2022, and April 1, 2023, at the University of Illinois Chicago. Participants were aged 18 to 80 years with obesity and T2D. Data analysis was based on intention to treat. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: 8-hour TRE (eating 12 to 8 pm only, without calorie counting), CR (25% energy restriction daily), or control. The primary outcome measure was change in body weight by month 6. Secondary outcomes included changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and metabolic risk factors. Seventy-five participants were enrolled with a mean (SD) age of 55 (12) years. The mean (SD) body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) was 39 (7) and the mean (SD) HbA1c level was 8.1% (1.6%). A total of 53 participants (71%) were women. One participant (1%) was Asian, 30 (40%) were Hispanic White, 40 (53%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 4 (5%) were non-Hispanic White. Participants in the TRE group were adherent with their eating window on a mean (SD) of 6.1 (0.8) days per week, and 17 (68%) in the CR group were adherent with their prescribed calorie goals over 6 months. The mean (SD) reduction in energy intake was -313 (509) kcal/d for TRE, -197 (426) kcal/d for CR, and -16 (439) kcal/d for controls. By month 6, body weight decreased significantly in the TRE group (-3.56% [95% CI, -5.92% to -1.20%]; P = .004) but not the CR group (-1.78% [95% CI, -3.67% to 0.11%]; P = .06), relative to controls. Levels of HbA1c decreased in the TRE (-0.91% [95% CI, -1.61% to -0.20%]) and CR (-0.94% [95% CI, -1.59% to -0.30%]) groups, relative to controls, with no differences between the TRE and CR groups. Time in euglycemic range, medication effect score, blood pressure, and plasma lipid levels did not differ among groups. No serious adverse events were reported. This randomized clinical trial found that a TRE diet strategy without calorie counting was effective for weight loss and lowering of HbA1c levels compared with daily calorie counting in a sample of adults with T2D. These findings will need to be confirmed by larger RCTs with longer follow-up. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05225337.

Investigation of the prophylactic and therapeutic effectiveness of oral thyme extract in rats experimentally infected with cryptosporidium parvum.

In this study, the prophylactic and therapeutic activities of thyme extract at different concentrations against experimental Cryptosporidium parvum infection in immunosuppressed rats were investigated. Thyme extract was prepared at four different concentrations (10%, 30%, 50%, and 100%) and administered as a single oral dose of 1 mL for evaluation of its prophylactic efficacy. Five consecutive days after infection was detected in all rats, therapeutic evaluations were also performed. According to the results obtained by daily counting of oocysts in stools, the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of thyme extract administration were significant in comparison to the control group (P˂0.01). Oocyst shedding continued in the control group at high numbers from the beginning to the end of the study, while oocyst counts in the prophylaxis groups remained low throughout the study. On the other hand, oocyst excretion rates were high in the therapeutic groups and decreased rapidly after thyme extract administration. At the end of the study, oocyst excretion had completely stopped for some rats administered thyme extract. There was no group in which oocyst shedding ceased for all rats. No significant differences were observed in the therapeutic or prophylaxis groups regarding the doses administered (P > 0.01). Renal and hepatic functions were monitored by measuring urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels ​​before and after thyme extract administration. As a result, it was concluded that oral thyme extract administration at the doses applied in this study is effective and safe in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of experimental cryptosporidiosis in rats.

Physiological, morphological, and biochemical characterization of <i>Cratylia argentea</i> (Desv.) Kuntze seeds

Cratylia argentea is a shrub legume native to tropical regions of South America where it is used for animal feed and green manure. In the absence of germination guidelines, the key aim of this study was to define the most suitable temperature for conducting germination and accelerated aging tests. The biochemical attributes of seeds were also assessed. Seeds with 10% moisture from 4 different seed lots were germinated using the between paper method in a germinator at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C and alternating temperatures of 20/30 °C (16 h:8 h), with daily counting until germination was stable (seven days without germination). For the accelerated aging test, two temperatures (41 and 45 °C) and six aging periods (0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h) for seeds with between 10–40 % moisture content were used. Carbohydrates (%), ethereal extract (%), crude protein (%) and macro and micronutrient contents of the seeds were measured. Results showed that C. argentea seeds consist predominantly of starch (22.67 %) and protein (26.45 %) reserves with a low percentage of lipids. For the germination test, the temperature of 30 °C is recommended, allowing greater percentage and speed of germination, with seedling evaluation at 10 and 20 days. For the accelerated aging test, aging for 48 h at 41 °C is recommended to discriminate C. argentea seed lots in terms of quality.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ОПУХОЛЕВЫХ КЛЕТОК ЧЕЛОВЕКА ЛИНИИ HeLa,ВЫЖИВШИХ И ДАВШИХ УСТОЙЧИВЫЙ РОСТ ПОСЛЕ ОСТРОГО РЕНТГЕНОВСКОГО ОБЛУЧЕНИЯ

Purpose: The evaluation of the repair efficiency of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB), proliferative activity and the yield of cytogenetic disorders in human tumor HeLa cells which survived and gave stable growth after acute irradiation at a dose of 15 Gy. Material and methods: HeLa human tumor cell line (cervical carcinoma) was used. Cells were irradiated on an X-ray biological installation RUST-M1 (Russia), equipped with two X-ray emitters, at a dose rate of 0.85 Gy / min, a voltage of 200 kV, a total current of 10 mA, and a 1.5 mm Al filter. To obtain clones of surviving cells (HeLaRR), after acute irradiation at a dose of 15 Gy, cell cultures were incubated under standard CO2 incubator conditions (37 °C, 5 % CO2) for several weeks until well proliferating cells were obtained. Immunocytochemical staining of the foci of the phosphorylated H2AX protein (γH2AX) was used to quantitatively evaluate the residual foci of DNA DSB repair. The micronuclei number was assessed in cytochalasin-B cytokinesis-blocked binucleated cells stained with acridine orange with luminescence microscopy. The doubling time of the cell population was analyzed by the cell growth curves obtained by daily cell counting for five days. The cell cycle stages distribution was assessed by flow cytometry using the propidium iodide dye. All quantitative indicators of the studies were processed using the Student’s t-test for independent samples and the Kolmogorov – Smirnov test. Results: It was revealed that acute irradiation at a high dose leads to the selection of cells with a higher reparative capacity which is confirmed by the low yield of residual foci of DNA DSB repair and MN after testing irradiation at doses of 5 and 10 Gy. A significant decrease in the proliferative activity of cells that survived after acute X-ray irradiation at a dose of 15 Gy was revealed. The doubling time of the population of unirradiated cells at the stage of exponential growth was ~18 hours while for cells that survived after irradiation at a dose of 15 Gy ~42 hours. A change in the cell cycle phases distribution was observed. Conclusion: Thus, acute irradiation at a high dose leads to the selection of cells with a higher reparative capacity which is confirmed by the low yield of residual γH2AX foci and MN after testing irradiation at doses of 5 and 10 Gy. The decrease in proliferative activity was accompanied by a change in the cell cycle phases distribution.

Higher frequency of administration of biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH decreases parasitemia and increases survival in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

Introduction: The study of the effect of different ways of treatment using highly diluted substances is rare in the literature. Some authors consider the dose irrelevant, justifying that the action of the medication highly diluted is qualitative [1-3]. Others emphasize the importance of quantity and frequency of administration of the highly diluted substance for a successful treatment [4,5]. The model of murine infection by T. cruzi is widely studied and it is an excellent tool to study the effect of highly diluted substances.
 
 Aim: To evaluate, in vivo, the effect of different amounts and frequency of administration of the biotherapic 17 dH T. cruzi in the evolution of the parasitemia curve and survival of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
 
 Materials and methods: A blind randomised controlled trial was performed, using 30 swiss male mice, aged 28 days, divided into groups according to treatment: CONTROL - mice treated with 7% water-alcohol solution diluted in water given ad libitum in an amber bottle; GAVAGE – mice treated with medication highly diluted 17 DH T. cruzi from 4 th to 9 th day of infection by gavage; WATER - mice treated with highly diluted medication 17 DH T. cruzi in water ad libitum offered in an amber bottle until the end of the study period. The groups were infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi, intraperitoneal, 1400 blood trypomastigotes. The medicines was handled according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [6] with microbiological test according to RDC n°. 67 and in vivo biological risk. Parasitemic curve was determined by daily counting of the parasites [7], the total parasitemia, peak parasites and survival. Data were compared using the BioEstat 5.0, ANOVA, with significance of 5%. The experiment was approved under the protocol n° 030/2008 - Ethics in Animal Experimentation of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá.
 
 Results: Animals treated with the medication highly diluted in water had lower level of total parasitemia and a lower peak of parasites compared to animals treated by gavage, or control group of infection (p = 0.0103 p = 0.0008). In the group treated by gavage both the total parasitemia and the peak of parasites were higher than the control group. Survival was greater in animals treated with biotherapic diluted with water (p = 0.0003) and by gavage (p = 0.0016) when compared with the control group.
 
 Among the different ways of treatment the use of medication diluted in water increased the survival of animals (p = 0.0013). The treatment by gavage once a day until the 9th day of infection increase the parasitemia and survival. The medication diluted in water showed better results with significant reduction of parasitemia and an increase of survival. This result may be related to the frequency with which the medication diluted in water was ingested by each animal, and the lower stress that this form of administration provides the animals.
 
 Figure 1: Parasitemic curve of animals infected with Y strain of T. cruzi and treated with medication highly diluted 17DH T. cruzi. CONTROL: mice treated with alcohol 7%; GAVAGE: treated with medication highly diluted 17DH T. cruzi by gavage; WATER: treated with medication highly diluted 17dH T. cruzi in water.
 
 Conclusion: There is a difference in the effect of the medication highly diluted depending on the way of treatment used. For mice, the use of drug diluted in water offered frequently, results in better benefits. The clinical use of these results in humans, should consider the allometric system medication dosage which takes into account the metabolic rate of each organism.

Biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH when continuously used clinically improves mice infected with T. cruzi.

Introduction: In Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the pathogenesis is the result of a rupture in the host - parasite relationship [1]. This rupture is related to the imbalance of the vital force of the host, expressed through signs and symptoms, defined by Hahnemann (1995)[2] as being the source of the disease. There is no research in the literature about the clinical evolution of mice experimentally infected with T. cruzi and treated in different ways using biotherapic. Therefore, this is an area to be studied in the future.
 
 Aim: To evaluate the effect of different ways of treatment using biotherapic T. cruzi 17 DH on clinical evolution of mice experimentally infected with T. cruzi.
 
 Materials and methods: A blind randomized controlled trial was performed, using 30 swiss male mice, aged 28 days, divided into groups according to the treatment: CONTROL - animals treated with 7% water-alcohol solution diluted in water given ad libitum in an amber bottle; GAVAGE – animals treated with medication highly diluted T. cruzi 17 DH from 4th to 9th day of infection by gavage; WATER -animals treated with highly diluted T. cruzi 17 DH in water ad libitum offered in an amber bottle until the end of the study period. The groups were infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi, intraperitoneal, 1400 blood trypomastigotes. The medicine was handled according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia [3] with microbiological test according to RDC n° 67 and in vivo biological risk. Parasitemic curve was determined by daily counting of the parasites [4]. Were measured temperature, weight, intake of water and feed, the ruffle fur and survival of mice. Statistical analysis was performed using the tests Fisher Exact and Log-Rank, with a significance of 5%. The experiment was approved under the protocol n° 030/2008 - Ethics in Animal Experimentation of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá.
 
 Results: The mice under different treatment ways using biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH showed differences in the clinical evolution. The treatment using biotherapic diluted in water initially shows hypothermia, with subsequent recovery of normal temperature (p=0.05) (Fig1). The weight curve shows a better evolution in mice treated with water compared to control groups (p=0.055) and the groups treated by gavage (p=0.0064). Feed and water intake did not differ among the groups. While the mice that were treated with biotherapic diluted in water showed a slight level of ruffled fur, the mice in control groups and the ones treated by gavage showed a more intense level of ruffled fur (p=0.00001). The difference in the evolution of mortality among the groups was significant (p=0.034), while in the group treated with biotherapic diluted with water, the mortality rate started later, reaching the maximum of 90%. This group showed a better clinical result, expressed by the smaller extent of ruffled fur, a better evolution of the temperature curve and higher gain of weight. This is an important result because the Y strain of T. cruzi has a mortality rate of 100% in mice, showing once again the good performance of biotherapic in this model of infection. 
 
 Conclusion: The use of biotherapic T. cruzi 17DH for a long period causes clinical improvement of the infected mice with Trypanosoma cruzi. The clinical use of these results in human beings should consider the allometric medicine dosage which takes into account the metabolic rate of each organism.

7500 steps per day is associated with lower cardiovascular risk in rural residents with a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Sedentary lifestyle is one of the modifiable risk factors that account for the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the rural areas.1,2 Daily step counting, using wearable devices, is increasingly used to monitor physical activity levels in interventions targeting CVD risk reduction in the rural areas.3,4 However, there is a lack of evidence to support a daily step count threshold that may reduce CVD risk among rural residents. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between daily step count cut-points and CVD risk. Methods This secondary analysis included 312 adults living in the rural areas in the southern United States. Daily step counts from pedometers were collected for 14 consecutive days. Established cut-points were used to categorize participants into groups based on mean daily step count as sedentary (≤ 5000 steps/day), less active (5000 -7499 steps/per), and physically active (≥7500 steps/day).5-7 CVD risk was measured with the Framingham risk score. Generalized additive models were used to examine differences among the 3 activity groups in Framingham risk score, controlling for educational level, perceived physical health status, depressive, marital status, and years of residence in a rural county. Results Among the participants (75% female, mean age 50.1 (±13.6) years), 40.7% were sedentary, 35.2% were less active, and 24.0% were physically active. The average Framingham risk score was 11.2% (±9.4%). Framingham risk scores were 1.7% lower in the less active compared to the sedentary group, but the effect was not significant (p < .11), and 2.6% lower in the physically active compared to the sedentary group (p < .04). The model accounted for 22% of the variation in Framingham risk scores. Conclusion These findings indicate that rural residents who averaged 7500 steps or more per day had lower CVD risk, and the difference is clinically significant.

Use of Environmental Enrichment as a Clinical Methodology During Acute Experimental Infection by Trypanosoma Cruzi

One critial point in the Laboratory Animal Science (CAL) is the non-invasive evaluation of Animal Welfare (BEA). The detection (predictive or diagnostic) of the presence of suffering in mice when used for scientific purposes is a gap. The manuscrip aim to create a technical-scientific form to preditive presence of suffering in mice lab, based on the principle of Refinement of the 3Rs and BEA monitoring. Our methodology was based in usual environmental enrichment the objects, the trapeze. From these observations, our study hypothesis emerged, which was, the creation of the #1 Trap prototype and the measurement through the daily counting of the number of trapeze use during 15 minutes. Experimental acute infection by Trypanosoma cruzi was experimental model in Swiss Webster mice. Our results described that, after division into four groups: [N] without infection and [Inf] mice infected and without treatment. The predictive statistical difference was observed on the 11th day post infection (dpi) when compared ([N]: 72±18.5 Events number/15min) and ([Inf]: 32±13.1 Events number/15min) (p ≤ 0.05). The 21st dpi was the most severe time point ([N]: 75±17.3 and [Inf]: 11±5.1 Events number/15min, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). So, our results suggest the #1 Trap prototype has predictive and monitoring capacity for experimental disease course. It makes it possible to prevent suffering and preservation of mice welfare during acute T. cruzi experimental model.

Egg data validation in quantitative monitoring of Aedes albopictus in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy

ABSTRACT The monitoring of Aedes urban species is usually conducted by ovitraps, which can provide a good estimate of population density at low cost and relatively easy management. When the monitoring network is managed by many operators, as in the case of the Emilia-Romagna regional plan, it becomes necessary to develop a quality control methodology capable of highlighting the possible data incoherency and ensuring that the monitoring system provides reliable data. This paper presents the procedure applied in the egg counting phase as developed in Emilia-Romagna in order to check the data quality and validate the data before being included in the database. Several steps have been identified and protocols developed to serve quality control such as training of technicians and intralaboratory quality check, daily random double counting of Masonite paddles and interlaboratory periodic comparison. The qualitative test showed that all operators were able to distinguish Aedes albopictus eggs from other mosquito species eggs. The quantitative test showed significant differences between the 11 operators, with a relative error resulting in the range of 0.1–25.8%. The daily internal double counting of randomly extracted Masonite slides was performed by the coordinator showing a relative error in the range 2.47–2.63% without statistical differences, confirming a good alignment of the operators with the coordinator throughout the monitoring period. The interlaboratory comparison trial produced an average relative error of 7.20% showing a sufficient alignment between the three laboratories. Moreover a new time-saving methods in egg counting was developed and tested in real condition.

Use of Stochastic Volatility Models in Epidemiological Data: Application to a Dengue Time Series in São Paulo City, Brazil

Background: A study on the dengue daily counting in São Paulo city in a fixed period of time is assumed considering a new regression model approch. Methods: Under a Bayesian approach, it is introduced a polynomial linear regression model in presence of some covariates which could affect the counts of dengue in São Paulo city considered in the logarithm scale, combined with existing stochastic volatility models usually assumed in financial data analysis. Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods are used to get the posterior summaries of interest. Results: The new model approach showed some advantages when compared to other existing times series models usually used to model epidemics data. Conclusion: The use of the polynomial regression model combined with existing volatility models under a Bayesian approach showed that it is possible to get very accurate fit for the counting dengue data in São Paulo city where it is possible to jointly model the means and volatilities (variances) of the epidemiological dengue time series.

Role of Lactoferrin in Chronic Telgon Effluvium

Abstract Background Telogen effluvium (TE) is a widely prevalent hair condition and the second most common cause of hair loss after androgenetic alopecia. It presents as a nonpatterned increase in shedding of terminal hairs, diffusely over the entire scalp that can produce an apparent thinning of hair in severe cases. Both genders can experience telgon effluvium but females are the greater proportion of those who complain. Acute telgon effluvium is a form of non scarring alopecia with sudden conversion of large numbers of actively growing anagen to telogen hair leading to diffuse hair shedding. It is usually seen after severe illness, surgery, nutritional deficiency specially iron deficiency, postpartum, thyroid disease and in association with medications such as retionids, captopril and propranolol. It is reversible once the initiating factor is eliminated. Chronic TE (CTE) is a primary or idiopathic generalized telogen hair shedding from the scalp lasting more than 6 months without any apparent cause. It is characterized by insidious onset and fluctuating course. On examination, the hair appears normal in thickness with shorter re-growing hairs in the frontal and a bitemporal area, the hair pull test is commonly positive. Objectives The aim of this work was to assess the correlation between serum iron, ferritin and lactoferrin in chronic telgon effluvium with different clinical severities further supporting the notion for iron and lactoferrin supplementation in treatment of chronic telgon effluvium. Patients and Methods This study included 48 randomly selected patients suffering from chronic telogen effluvium attending outpatient clinics of Cairo hospital for dermatology and venerology (Al Haud Al Marsoud) and 40 control subjects, both cases and controls were age & sex matched. Laboratory assessment of CBC, serum iron, serum ferritin and lactoferrin in both cases and control groups. Results This study comprised of 48 patients with chronic telogen effluvium and 40 control subjects. Patients aged from 19-37 years old (mean 23.4 ± 5.4). 6 patients (12.5%) were males and 42 patients (87.5%) were females. The 40 control subjects involved in our study; aged from 20-36 years (mean 27.6 ± 5.4). 62.5% of patients had positive family history of similar condition; mean duration of disease was 25.4±14.9 months while associated androgenetic alopecia (diagnosed by trichoscopy) was seen in 56.3% of patients. Regarding severity, mean hair shedding visual scale was 4.38±1.47, while mean manual daily counting was 257.94±149.4. Conclusion Serum ferritin and lactoferrin were significantly lower in chronic telogen effluvium patients compared to controls while no significant difference in hemoglobin and serum iron was recorded.

Field assessment in single-housed cats of litter box type (covered/uncovered) preferences for defecation

Cats living without any outdoor access have to use litter boxes to eliminate. A lack of cleanliness is one of the main reasons for which cat owners consult their veterinarian. What has been identified as one of the major causes for this problem is an inappropriate spot for elimination which does not fit the cats' needs. The following measures are generally agreed about litter boxes: easily accessible in a quiet spot, appropriate size, sufficient number for the size of the home, and the number of cats. The choice of the litter box is mainly influenced by cat owners themselves as much as by commercial availability, rather than by scientific recommendation. The purpose of the present study was to assess which litter box type would be chosen by single-housed cats: a covered (closed) or an uncovered (open) litter box. A field test has been set up to analyze the cats' preferences, and two 4-week studies were conducted. During the first study, which included 13 cats, both litter boxes had the same surface area, whereas in the second study, which included 12 cats, the covered litter boxes had a surface area which was 17% larger than the uncovered ones. The cat's preference was assessed by daily counting of the feces in the boxes. When the surface area was the same, a tendency was in favor of the covered litter boxes with a significant difference at 10% threshold (P = 0.085) but not at a 5% threshold. This difference becomes significant at a 5% threshold (P = 0.011) in the second study in which the 17% difference in surface area clearly favored the covered litter boxes. Cats may prefer commercially available covered litter boxes as opposed to uncovered ones, if they have a larger surface area.

Mathematics As a Common Language to Our Civilisation

Mathematics surrounds us and it starts in ancient times. Numerals began from the daily conceptual counting. Then symbols appeared for the memorisation. Later they were simplified and transformed into notations. The collection of these symbols/notations became words gradually developed language. Indeed, mathematics can be acted as a rational instrumental tool for linking all kinds of knowledge, thus it is known as the language of science. Besides, in our history, mathematics had connections with all past human endeavour. But these achievements are composed to form our cultures. Hence, mathematics is certainly part of them. In addition, our modern civilisation has only one common type of mathematics that in terms of symbols to depict our world’s natural phenomena. It is therefore for us to believe Mathematics is the common area (language) for different nations’ cultures. When one moves a step further, this implies human beings have only one creator, God - Jehovah.

Decanethiol functionalized silver nanoparticles are new powerful leishmanicidals in vitro.

We evaluated, for the first time, the leishmanicidal potential of decanethiol functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNps-SCH) on promastigotes and amastigotes of different strains and species of Leishmania: L. mexicana and L. major isolated from different patients suffering from localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and L. mexicana isolated from a patient suffering from diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). We recorded the kinetics of promastigote growth by daily parasite counting for 5 days, promastigote mobility, parasite reproduction by CFSE staining's protocol and promastigote killing using the propidium iodide assay. We also recorded IC50's of promastigotes and amastigotes, therapeutic index, and cytotoxicity by co-culturing macrophages with AgNps-SCH or sodium stibogluconate (Sb) used as reference drug. We used Sb as a reference drug since it is used as the first line treatment for all different types of leishmaniasis. At concentrations 10,000 times lower than those used with Sb, AgNps-SCH had a remarkable leishmanicidal effect in all tested strains of parasites and there was no toxicity to J774A.1 macrophages since > 85% were viable at the concentrations used. Therapeutic index was about 20,000 fold greater than the corresponding one for Sb treated cells. AgNps-SCH inhibited > 80% promastigote proliferation in all tested parasites. These results demonstrate there is a high leishmanicidal potential of AgNps-SCH at concentrations of 0.04 µM. Although more studies are needed, including in vivo testing of AgNps-SCH against different types of leishmaniasis, they can be considered a potential new treatment alternative.

Combined effect of temperature and ammonium addition on fermentation profile and volatile aroma composition of Torrontés Riojano wines

The effects of process temperature and ammonium supplementation on fermentation profile, volatile aroma composition and wine sensory characteristics were evaluated in Torrontés Riojano (Vitis vinifera L.) wines from Mendoza (Argentina). To do so, musts were fermented at two different temperatures (14 y 22 °C), with and without addition of 200 mg/L of yeast assimilable nitrogen, using ammonium salt. The fermentation profile was obtained by daily monitoring weight loss and counting viable yeasts. HS-SPME-GC-MS procedure was applied in order to determine the aromatic profile of wines. Two-way ANOVA and PCA analysis revealed that the treatment fermented at low temperature and with nutrition (14AN) showed the maximal concentration of terpenes and lower levels of pH and volatile acidity, obtaining a better quality wines. However, the treatment fermented at higher temperature and with nutrition (22AN) was identified by the sensory panel as the most aromatic wine, finding notes of pineapple and banana related with its greater amounts of higher alcohol acetates. Low temperature displayed slow fermentations and the nitrogen salts were hardly consumed by yeast in this process condition. Ammonium addition and high temperature increased the maximal fermentation rate producing shorter fermentation times and greater amounts of higher alcohols acetates.

PERKEMBANGAN POPULASI TIKUS SAWAH PADA LAHAN SAWAH IRIGASI DALAM POLA INDEKS PERTANAMAN PADI 300

As the main pest in rice crop, the rice field rats have to be controlled to anticipate yield loss. A specific study was conducted in ICRR field station in the period of August 2007-August 2008 within a 150 ha of intensified cropping area. The aim of this research was to study the population growth of the rice field rat in this intensified cropping system. The planting date was scheduled in such a way, so there will be three times of harvesting within a year. Rat population sampling was performed by using Trap Barrier System (TBS) and Linear Trap Barrier System (LTBS). Seven units of TBS (25 m x 25 m) were set randomly either in their main habitats or the edge of the rice cropping area. A single unit of 10,000 m LTBS supported with 150 traps was erected surrounding all through the area. A regular daily counting was done to estimate the rat population based on the number of rat captured from TBS and LTBS. The level of rat damage and yield loss were other variables have been recorded. The results depicted that there was a significant increase of rat population growth which started from the first planting season through the next seasons (Planting season-2 and planting season-3). The rat captured from TBS increased significantly from 224 individuals during the planting season-1 to 492 and 677 animals during the next two planting seasons, respectively. The same figures were also performed from the rat captured from the LTBS, which increased from 429 rats in the plating season-1 to 1,423 and 1,733 individuals in the planting season-2 and 3, respectively. Rat attack within the three planting seasons were classified as light damage (<20%) and the average of rice yield was around 5.54-7.83 t/ha.

Abstract 514: Genetic load in cancer cell populations

Abstract Populations accumulate deleterious mutations that have yet to be removed by natural selection. This mutated portion of the population that does not contribute to its fitness is called the genetic load and is proportional to the deleterious mutation rate. Given the genomic instability of cancer cells, the genetic load could be substantial if the instability indeed leads to loss of cell fitness. We hypothesize that because aneuploidy and copy number variations (CNVs) are the most common forms of genome instability, their fitness consequences may determine the genetic load in cancer cells. To test this hypothesis, we randomly selected single cells from a HeLa cell line and measured the cell growth rate via daily cell counting and an MTT cell proliferation assay. We then measured the genetic changes and resulting growth rate variation. We observed rapid generation of heterogeneity in the growth rate within the population. The growth rate of different progeny cells was stable indicating that it is genetically determined. Next, using whole genome sequencing of recently descended clones of a single HeLa cell, we found that cells with fewer newly acquired CNVs have higher proliferation rates vice versa. This indicated that CNV accumulation decreased cell fitness systematically. We next estimated the rate of CNV mutation by measuring the growth rate of two daughter cells from single proliferation and found that there is approximately 1 deleterious mutation in every 4 cell divisions. We speculated that due to a high, deleterious CNV mutation rate, tumor cells inevitably accumulate deleterious CNVs and a large percentage of tumor cells are genetically defective. Accordingly, we observed that the average growth rate of tumor cell populations decreased in the short term since defective cells accumulated in the population and the variation of cellular growth rates within the population increased. By modeling the process of mutation accumulation and measuring cell growth rate, we estimated that the deleterious mutation rate in HeLa cells is about 0.26-0.31 per cell division, and that HeLa cells reduce roughly 5%-6% of fitness for every cell division. The observations of a high proliferation rate and high genetic load in this representative tumor cell line indicates a “high risk, high reward” evolution strategy for tumor cells and suggests that increasing the level of genomic instability may cause the meltdown of tumor cell population by forcing cells to accelerate the cell cycle. Citation Format: Yuezheng Zhang, Xu Shen, Yawei Li, Tianqi Zhu, Yong Tao, Tao Li, Di Wang, Xueying Li, Qin Ma, Xuemei Lu, Hurng-Yi Wang, Chung-I Wu. Genetic load in cancer cell populations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 514. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-514

Fetal Movement Counting and Maternal Depression: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: The women in pregnancy and postpartum are susceptible to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. Many studies conducted on postpartum depression, but few studies have examined the depression in pregnancy and have focused on ways to treat it. Objectives: The purpose of present study was to detect the fetal movement counting on depression of mother in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: In a Randomized controlled trial, 66 women with a singleton pregnancy and mild and moderate depression based on Beck Inventory Scale, were randomly allocated either to perform daily fetal movement counting from 28 week to 37 (n = 32) or control group (n = 34). Analysis was performed with SPSS 16 and a P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In the intervention group, the mean of depression scores was 14.56 ± 4.66 at 28 weeks and 13.65 ± 4.00 at 37 weeks and the difference was significant. The mean difference was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.52 - 1.28, P < 0.001). Also a significant difference was found in the control group between the 28 and 37 weeks of gestation with a mean difference of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.01 - 0.62, P < 0.001). There was not a significant difference in the mean of depression scores between the intervention and control group at 28 weeks. Also the difference was not significant at 37 weeks of gestation. Conclusions: The level of depression was decreased at 37 weeks of gestation in the fetal movement counting and control group and the difference was not significant. The mother concern for reducing of fetal movements was similar in both groups.