T2 Day Research Articles

Expanded nursing roles to promote person-centred care for people with cognitive impairment in acute care (ENROLE-acute): study protocol for a controlled clinical trial, process and economic evaluation

BackgroundFor people with cognitive impairment, hospitalisation is challenging and associated with adverse events as well as negative outcomes resulting in a prolonged hospital stay. Person-centred care can improve the quality of care and the experience of people with cognitive impairment during hospitalisation. However, current care processes in German hospitals are rarely person-centred. To enable successful implementation of person-centred care on hospital wards, change agents within the interprofessional team are key. The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and initial effects of a newly developed complex person-centred care intervention for people with cognitive impairment provided by expanded practice nurses in acute care.MethodsWe will conduct an exploratory non-randomised controlled clinical trial with accompanying process and cost evaluation with three intervention and three control wards at one university hospital. The person-centred care intervention consists of 14 components reflecting the activities of expanded practice nurses within the interprofessional team on the intervention wards. The intervention will be implemented over a six-month period and compared with optimised care on the control wards. We will include people aged 65 years and older with existing cognitive impairment and/or at risk of delirium. The estimated sample size is 720 participants. The primary outcome is length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes include prevalence of delirium, prevalence of agitation, sleep quality, and person-centred care. We will collect patient level data at six time points (t1 admission, t2 day 3, t3 day 7, t4 day 14, t5 discharge, t6 30 days after discharge). For secondary outcomes at staff level, we will collect data before and after the intervention period. The process evaluation will examine degree and quality of implementation, mechanisms of change, and the context of the complex intervention. The economic evaluation will focus on costs from the hospital’s perspective.DiscussionThe ENROLE-acute study will provide insights into the effectiveness and underlying processes of a person-centred care intervention for people with cognitive impairment provided by expanded practice nurses on acute hospitals wards. Results may contribute to intervention refinement and evidence-based decision making.Trial registrationCurrent controlled trials: ISRCTN81391868. Date of registration: 12/06/2023. URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN81391868

Nicarbazin Residue in Tissues from Broilers Reared on Reused Litter Conditions.

Nicarbazin (NCZ) is a worldwide used anticoccidial in poultry farming to avoid coccidiosis disease when chickens are reared on conventional poultry litter. If proper dosage and withdrawal time are not followed, the component dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) of NCZ may be present in chicken tissues, therefore posing a risk to consumers if the residues are above 200 µg/kg. Litter reuse is a common and important practice in commercial chicken production. Literature is lacking about the influence of litter reuse on DNC deposition in chicken tissues and its impact on food safety. We aimed to evaluate DNC residues in breast and liver by LC-MS/MS from broilers from an experiment with 10 consecutive flocks during 2 years. The experiment included three treatments containing NCZ in the diet (T1 = 125 mg/kg, 1-21 d; T2 = 125 mg/kg, 1-32 d; T3 = 40 mg/kg, 1-32 d). DNC residues in chicken breast at 21 d in T1 ranged from 648.8-926 µg/kg, at 32 d in T2 and T3 varied, respectively, from 232-667 µg/kg and 52-189 µg/kg. Regarding liver, DNC residues at 21 days in T1 ranged from 11,754-15,281 µg/kg, at 32 days in T2 and T3 varied, respectively, from 10,168-15,021 µg/kg and 2899-4573 µg/kg. When NCZ was withdrawn from feed, DNC residues dropped to <LOQ at 42 d in all treatments. Therefore, the reuse of poultry litter does not compromise food safety regarding DNC residues in chicken tissues, as shown herein up to 10 flocks.

Prophylactic endovascular internal iliac balloon placement during cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum

The utility of prophylactic endovascular internal iliac balloon placement in the surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum is debated. In this study, we review outcomes of surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum with and without prophylactic endovascular internal iliac balloon catheter use at a single institution. This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive viable singleton pregnancies with a confirmed pathologic diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum undergoing scheduled delivery from October 2018 through November 2020. In the T1 period (October 2018-August 2019), prophylactic endovascular internal iliac balloon catheters were placed in the operating room before the start of surgery. Balloons were inflated after neonatal delivery and deflated after hysterectomy completion. In the T2 period (September 2019-November 2020), endovascular catheters were not used. In both time periods, all surgeries were performed by a dedicated multidisciplinary team using a standardized surgical approach. The outcomes compared included the estimated blood loss, anesthesia duration, operating room time, surgical duration, and a composite of surgical complications. Comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the Fisher exact test. A total of 30 patients were included in the study (T1=10; T2=20). The proportion of patients with placenta increta or percreta was 80% in both groups, as defined by surgical pathology. The median estimated blood loss was 875 mL in T1 and 1000 mL in T2 (P=.84). The proportion of patients requiring any packed red blood cell transfusion was 60% in T1 and 40% in T2 (P=.44). The proportion of patients requiring >4 units of packed red blood cells was 20% in T1 and 5% in T2 (P=.25). Surgical complications were observed in 1 patient in each group. Median operative anesthesia duration was 497 minutes in T1 and 296 minutes in T2 (P<.001). Median duration of operating room time was 498 minutes in T1 and 205 minutes in T2 (P<.001). Median surgical duration was 227 minutes in T1 and 182 minutes in T2 (P<.05). The median duration of time for prophylactic balloon catheter placement was 74 minutes (range, 46-109 minutes). The median postoperative length of stay was similar in both groups (6 days in T1 and 5.5 days in T2; P=.36). The use of prophylactic endovascular internal iliac balloon catheters was not associated with decreased blood loss, packed red blood cell transfusion, or surgical complications. Catheter use was associated with increased duration of anesthesia, operating room time, and surgical time.

Noninvasive Imaging Estimation of Myocardial Iron Repletion Following Administration of Intravenous Iron: The Myocardial-IRON Trial.

BackgroundIntravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) improves symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life in heart failure and iron deficiency. The mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to examine changes in myocardial iron content after FCM administration in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency using cardiac magnetic resonance.Methods and ResultsFifty‐three stable heart failure and iron deficiency patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous FCM or placebo in a multicenter, double‐blind study. T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences, noninvasive surrogates of intramyocardial iron, were evaluated before and 7 and 30 days after randomization using linear mixed regression analysis. Results are presented as least‐square means with 95% CI. The primary end point was the change in T2* and T1 mapping at 7 and 30 days. Median age was 73 (65–78) years, with N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, ferritin, and transferrin saturation medians of 1690 pg/mL (1010–2828), 63 ng/mL (22–114), and 15.7% (11.0–19.2), respectively. Baseline T2* and T1 mapping values did not significantly differ across treatment arms. On day 7, both T2* and T1 mapping (ms) were significantly lower in the FCM arm (36.6 [34.6–38.7] versus 40 [38–42.1], P=0.025; 1061 [1051–1072] versus 1085 [1074–1095], P=0.001, respectively). A similar reduction was found at 30 days for T2* (36.3 [34.1–38.5] versus 41.1 [38.9–43.4], P=0.003), but not for T1 mapping (1075 [1065–1085] versus 1079 [1069–1089], P=0.577).ConclusionsIn patients with heart failure and iron deficiency, FCM administration was associated with changes in the T2* and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance sequences, indicative of myocardial iron repletion.Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03398681.

Development of productive and reproductive potential of pregnant Red Chittagong cows through improved feeding in small scale dairy farm

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the productive and reproductive potential of pregnant Red Chittagong (RC) cows through improved feeding. A total of 30 pregnant RC cows from each of 30 farmers having six months pregnancy and between 2 and 3 parities old were used in the trial. The cows were randomly allocated to three dietary treatment groups, i.e., T0, T1 and T2. The cows of T0 group received farmers’ diet (63% of dry matter intake of cows according to ARC, 1995) without the supplementation and served as control. The cows of T1 group received farmer’s diet (63%) plus 25% supplementation of formulated concentrate diet for deficit of requirement of cows {(63 + 9.25) = 72.25% dry matter intake of cows according to ARC, 1995)} and T2 group received farmers diet (63%) plus formulated concentrate diet to meet 100% requirements of cows according to ARC (1995) {(63% +37%) = 100%}. The total live weight gain before calving of RC cows were observed significantly (P &lt;0.05) higher in T2 and T1 groups than T0 group. The calves birth weight was found significantly (P &lt;0.05) higher in T2group than T1 and T0 groups. The gestation length was increased approximately 3 and 2 days for T2 and T1 groups, respectively, compared to T0 group. Therefore, the farmer’s diet plus supplementation of formulated concentrate diet to meet 100% requirement of cows according to ARC (1995) {(63% +37%) = 100%} was a better improved feeding system of pregnant Red Chittagong cows.&#x0D; Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2019. 48 (1):42-47

The Effect of Seed Source and Pre-sowing Treatment on Germination of Canarium schweinfurthii [Engl] Seeds

This study examined the effect of seed source and pre-sowing treatment on germination of Canarium schweinfurthii [Engl] seeds. The seeds were sourced from Unubi in Anambra state (T1) and Jos in Plateau state (T2) in Nigeria. The experiment was conducted at the University of Benin and lasted for 14 weeks. It was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) pattern using 2x7 factorial combinations of 2 sources and 7 pre-sowing treatments.&#x0D; The pre-sowing treatments were complete removal of seed coat (CR), partial cracking (PC), burning under dry grass (BG), 70% H2S04 (7H), 80% H2S04 (8H), 3 days (72 hours) soaking in water (SW) and control (CT). Germination parameters investigated were days to germination, germination percentage, germination energy, germination period and germination value. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% significance and significant means were separated using LSD. There was no significant difference in the mean days to germination (20.7 days in T1 and 21 days for T2) and mean germination percentages (31.14% in T1 and 31.71% for T2) of the sources. The treatments days to germination were significantly different with CR being the first to germinate (12 days) while 7H germinated last (41 days). There was significant difference in the mean germination period (31.71 days in T1 and 23.57 days for T2), germination energy (1.24 in T1 and 2.38 for T2) and germination values (0.3 in T1 and 0.54 for T2) in the investigated sources, while the mean germination percentages of the pre-sowing treatments irrespective of source were significantly different. Treatments BG had the best mean germination percentage followed by treatment SW and CT while 8H had the poorest.&#x0D; It is therefore recommended that treatment BG is the best followed by SW for increase in germination percentage. But where seedlings are needed in little quantity within a short time, treatments CR and PC are recommended. Acid treatment is unsuitable for the seeds of Canarium schweinfurthii.

Artificially cooling of onion bulbs stored in brickwork-patterned vertical silos

ABSTRACT Onion is the third most consumed vegetable worldwide, such as potatoes and tomatoes. Its conservation is influenced by temperature and humidity, and greatest losses occur at postharvest due to lack of storage infrastructure. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of partial cooling in vertical silo on postharvest conservation of cured onion bulbs cultivar Bola Precoce. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six replicates, arranged in split plot scheme. Plots consisted of two storage conditions: onion bulbs stored in silo 1 at room temperature (T1) and bulbs stored in silo 2 with artificial cooling (T2). Subplots were two periods of bulb removal from storage (0 and 14 days). We evaluated peel color, using chroma (C*) and internal and external luminosity (L*); relative water content (TRA) of peel and pulp of bulbs and fresh mass loss (PMF) when the experiment was installed and after 14 days for both experiments and at 21 days for T2. The average temperatures obtained in both silos were 30.4 and 16.4°C, respectively. Bulbs of T1 had 14 days shelf life whereas, bulbs of T2 had a shelf life of 21 days. Bulbs of T1 showed lighter peel on day zero. The 14-day storage made the bulbs lighter in T2. In relation to pulp color, storage period made pulp lighter in both treatments. On day 14, bulbs of T1 showed lighter pulp color comparing to bulbs of T2. Both treatments showed similar behavior on day zero for internal chroma. After 14 days storage, internal and external chroma was higher in bulbs of T2. Storage period reduced internal hue only in bulbs of T2 which showed lower internal hue in both evaluation periods. TRA was higher in T1 in both evaluation periods. PMF was higher according to storage period; however loss did not differ between treatments. Storage of onion bulbs in cooled silos increased their viability in 7 days, in relation to storage without refrigeration.

Effects of aspirin on aquaponics tomato (Solanumly copersicum) production in laboratory condition

The experiment was conducted to visualize the effect of exogenous aspirin on tomato production in aquaponic system. Aspirin, a derivative of salicylic acid, acts as a potential non-enzymatic antioxidant and plant growth promoter, hence regulates plant physiology. The experiment employed three treatments (T) with three replications (R) each where, 60 ppm and 120 ppm aspirin were used in T1 and T2, respectively and Tcon was control with no aspirin. Media filled plastic containers (0.29m×0.30m×0.21m) as growbeds and plastic tanks of 120 liter capacity as fish tank were installed to construct each aquaponic systems indicating each replication. Tilapia, was stocked at 111 fish /m3 in the fish tank and fed commercial floating feed containing 30% protein at the rate of 3% body weight twice daily. In each replication, two tomato saplings were planted. Fish tank water was oxygenated with a 10 watt air pump, then waste water from tank was pumped to grow bed with a 12 watt submersible pump. Survival rates were 70, 85 and 50% in T1, T2 and Tcon respectively. While fish productions were 0.42, 0.34 and 40.49 (kg/m2/60 days) in T1, T2 and Tcon respectively. The water quality parameters were within the suitable ranges for tilapia as well as tomato in the aquaponic system. Foliar spray of aspirin was applied fortnightly. Tomato production was hampered with various diseases in all the treatments although the aspirin treated plant (T1 and T2) were free from few diseases. The highest tomato production was found 0.44 kg/m2/60 days in T2 followed by T1 (0.42 kg/m2/60 days) and Tcon (0.34 kg/m2/60 days). Noticeably, Plant growth and tomato production were higher in T2 and T1 with less disease prevalence than Tcon, suggesting positive impacts of aspirin on tomato. However, further research is needed to justify the aspirin doses at user level.&#x0D; Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2019, 5(1): 78-86

Effect of dietary sodium butyrate supplementation on growth, blood biochemistry, haematology and histomorphometry of intestine and immune organs of Japanese quail

New strategies must be developed to improve poultry performance and health. One of these strategies is the use of supplementations as sodium butyrate (SB) to improve the physiological status and then increasing the growth performance, but the best period of age in which the addition of SB is more effective on birds is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of SB supplementation through the first, second or whole growth period on some physiological indices and growth performance of growing Japanese quail. In total, 240 unsexed 1-day-old quail chicks were divided into four groups (three replicates per group of 20 chicks in each). The first group was fed basal diet without SB from 1 to 42 days (control, T1), while SB at a rate of 1 g/kg basal diet was mixed with the feed of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups of chicks from 1 to 21 days (SB 1 to 21, T2), 1 to 42 days (SB 1 to 42, T3) and 22 to 42 days (SB 22 to 42, T4) of age, respectively. The results stated that addition of SB significantly improved live BW at 21 days, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and BW gain (BWG) during 1 to 21 days in T2 and T3 groups compared to T1 and T4 groups. During the whole period, group T3 had higher BWG and better FCR than the other groups (T1, T2 and T4). At 21 days, no significant differences among all treatments were detected on haematology and serum biochemistry except total protein and cholesterol. At 42 days, SB supplementation significantly improved most serum constituents, haematological parameters, villus height and width of intestine and morphometry of immune organs. The group fed SB throughout the experiment (T3) showed the best results. In conclusion, it is recommended feeding quail on diets containing SB through the whole growth period to show its affirmative impact on the growth and physiological indices.

Transcriptional Responses of the Bacterium Burkholderia terrae BS001 to the Fungal Host Lyophyllum sp. Strain Karsten under Soil-Mimicking Conditions

In this study, the mycosphere isolate Burkholderia terrae BS001 was confronted with the soil fungus Lyophyllum sp. strain Karsten on soil extract agar plates in order to examine its transcriptional responses over time. At the initial stages of the experiment (T1—day 3; T2—day 5), contact between both partner organisms was absent, whereas in the final stage (T3—day 8), the two populations made intimate physical contact. Overall, a strong modulation of the strain BS001 gene expression patterns was found. First, the stationary-phase sigma factor RpoS, and numerous genes under its control, were strongly expressed as a response to the soil extract agar, and this extended over the whole temporal regime. In the system, B. terrae BS001 apparently perceived the presence of the fungal hyphae already at the early experimental stages (T1, T2), by strongly upregulating a suite of chemotaxis and flagellar motility genes. With respect to specific metabolism and energy generation, a picture of differential involvement in different metabolic routes was obtained. Initial (T1, T2) up- or downregulation of ethanolamine and mandelate uptake and utilization pathways was substituted by a strong investment, in the presence of the fungus, in the expression of putative metabolic gene clusters (T3). Specifically at T3, five clustered genes that are potentially involved in energy generation coupled to an oxidative stress response, and two genes encoding short-chain dehydrogenases/oxidoreductases (SDR), were highly upregulated. In contrast, the dnaE2 gene (related to general stress response; encoding error-prone DNA polymerase) was transcriptionally downregulated at this stage. This study revealed that B. terrae BS001, from a stress-induced state, resulting from the soil extract agar milieu, responds positively to fungal hyphae that encroach upon it, in a temporally dynamic manner. The response is characterized by phases in which the modulation of (1) chemotaxis, (2) metabolic activity, and (3) oxidative stress responses are key mechanisms.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antifungal Sensitivity Assay of Biofield Energy Treated Fungi

Fungi are the group of eukaryotic organisms such as yeast, mold, and mushrooms. The present work investigated the impact of biofield treatment on different pathogenic species of fungi in relation to antifungal sensitivity pattern. Each fungal sample was divided into three parts: C, control; T1, treatment (revived); T2 treatment (lyophilized). Treatment groups received the biofield treatment, and control group was remained as untreated. Mini-API ID32C strip employed for evaluation of antifungal sensitivity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed that sensitivity of Candida albicans in T1 cells was changed against itraconazole from intermediate (I) to resistance (R) on day 10. The Candida kefyr exhibited a change in susceptibility against itraconazole in T2 cell from S→I, on day 10. Likewise, Candida krusei showed the alterations in sensitivity against two antifungal drugs: fluconazole from S→I (T1 on day 10) and itraconazole S→I (T1 and T2 on all assessment days). The Cryptococcus neoformans changed from S→I in T1 cell on day 5 and 10, against itraconazole. Sensitivity of Candida tropicalis was also altered from I→R against flucytosine (T1 and T2, on all assessment days). Similarly, Saccharomyces cerevisae altered from S→I (T1) and S→R (T2) on day 10. The MIC values of antifungal drugs were altered in the range of 2-8 folds, as compared to the control. Fungal identification data showed the significant changes in species similarity of few tested fungi as C. albicans changed from 91.9% to 98.5 and 99.9% in T1 and T2 cells, respectively on day 10. C. krusei was changed from 97.9% to 85.9% (T2 day 10), and C. tropicalis was altered from 88.7% to 99.6% (T1 day 5) and 99.0% (T2). These findings suggest that biofield treatment could be applied to alter the susceptibility pattern of antifungal drug therapy in future.

Persistence of Pendimethalin in/on Wheat, Straw, Soil and Water.

Pendimethalin, a dinitroaniline group of organic herbicide compounds used as pre emergence weed control in wheat, onion and soyabean crops in India. The experiments were designed to study the harvest time residues of pendimethalin in wheat grain and straw its dissipation behaviour in soil and water. At harvest time, the residues of pendimethalin in wheat grain and straw were found to be below determination limit of 0.001mgkg(-1) following single application of the herbicide at the rate of 1 (T1/single dose) and 2 (T2/double dose)kga.i.ha(-1). Soil samples from the field were collected periodically and analysed by GC-ECD system. In soil, initial deposits of 4.069 and 10.473mgkg(-1) of pendimethalin persisted up to 90days and dissipation followed first order kinetics with half life period of 12.03days in T1 and 13.00days in T2. Residues of pendimethalin studied in water under laboratory conditions at 0.5 (T1) and 1.0 (T2) mgL(-1) levels persisted up to 90days. Dissipation kinetics followed first order kinetics with half-life values of 12.70 and 13.78days at single and double dose, respectively. Limit of determination in grain, straw and soil were 0.001mgkg(-1) and in water was 0.001mgL(-1). Application of the herbicide is considered quite safe from consumer and environmental point of view.

Enhancement of storability and quality maintenance of carambola (Averrhoa carambolaL.) fruit by using composite edible coating

Introduction . Our investigation aimed to examine the influence of eco-friendly edible coatings composed of sodium alginate, olive oil and green tea extract (GTE) on improving the shelf life and nutritional quality of carambola (A. carambola L.). Materials and methods . The combinations and concentrations of composite coatings tested were (2% sodium alginate + 0.1% olive oil) (T1), (2% sodium alginate + 0.2% olive oil) (T2) and (2% sodium alginate + 0.1% olive oil + 0.25% GTE) (T3), while the untreated fruit served as control (T4) and were stored at (25 ± 5) °C and (65 ± 5)% RH. All the stored fruit were subjected to physico-chemical and biochemical analysis at regular intervals of 4 days up to 16 days of their storage period. Results and discussion . Weight loss and decay occurrence were least in the fruit treated with T1 and T2 as compared with those of T3 and uncoated fruit (T4). The contents of total soluble solids, total sugars and changes in pigments were found to be least in fruit treated with T1 followed by those treated with T2 and T3. The addition of GTE (T3) to treated fruit during the storage helped enhance the antioxidants such as total phenols and ascorbic acid. Conclusion . The composite edible coatings tested in our study enhanced the shelf life of coated carambola fruit, i.e ., thirteen days for T1, sixteen days for T2, fourteen days for T3 and twelve days for control or untreated fruit (T4); the nutritional quality of carambola was enhanced with the treatment of edible coating containing GTE.

In Vitro Evaluation of Antifungal Sensitivity Assay of Biofield Energy Treated Fungi

Fungi are the group of eukaryotic organisms such as yeast, mold, and mushrooms. The present work investigated the impact of biofield treatment on different pathogenic species of fungi in relation to antifungal sensitivity pattern. Each fungal sample was divided into three parts: C, control; T1, treatment (revived); T2 treatment (lyophilized). Treatment groups received the biofield treatment, and control group was remained as untreated. Mini-API ID32C strip employed for evaluation of antifungal sensitivity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed that sensitivity of Candida albicans in T1 cells was changed against itraconazole from intermediate (I) to resistance (R) on day 10. The Candida kefyr exhibited a change in susceptibility against itraconazole in T2 cell from S→I, on day 10. Likewise, Candida krusei showed the alterations in sensitivity against two antifungal drugs: fluconazole from S→I (T1 on day 10) and itraconazole S→I (T1 and T2 on all assessment days). The Cryptococcus neoformans changed from S→I in T1 cell on day 5 and 10, against itraconazole. Sensitivity of Candida tropicalis was also altered from I→R against flucytosine (T1 and T2, on all assessment days). Similarly, Saccharomyces cerevisae altered from S→I (T1) and S→R (T2) on day 10. The MIC values of antifungal drugs were altered in the range of 2-8 folds, as compared to the control. Fungal identification data showed the significant changes in species similarity of few tested fungi as C. albicans changed from 91.9% to 98.5 and 99.9% in T1 and T2 cells, respectively on day 10. C. krusei was changed from 97.9% to 85.9% (T2 day 10), and C. tropicalis was altered from 88.7% to 99.6% (T1 day 5) and 99.0% (T2). These findings suggest that biofield treatment could be applied to alter the susceptibility pattern of antifungal drug therapy in future.

Dissipation kinetics of tetraconazole in three types of soil and water under laboratory condition

Laboratory experiment was conducted to understand the persistence behavior of tetraconazole in three soils of West Bengal (alluvial, red lateritic, and coastal saline) and also in water maintained at three different pH (4.0, 7.0, and 9.2) conditions. Processed soil samples (100 g) were spiked at two treatment doses: 2.5 μg/g (T₁) and 5.0 μg/g (T₂). Double distilled buffered water (200 ml) was spiked at two treatment doses: 1.0 μg/ml (T₁) and 2.00 μg/ml (T₂). The tetraconazole dissipation followed first-order reaction kinetics and the residual half-life (T₁/₂) values in soil were found to be in the range of 66.9-77.2 days for T₁ and 73.4-86.0 days for T₂. The persistence increased in the order red lateritic > new alluvial > coastal saline. Interestingly, the red lateritic soil exhibited the lowest pH (5.56) and organic carbon (0.52%) content as compared to other two soils. However, the dissipation of tetraconazole in case of water was not pH dependant. The T₁/₂ values in water were in the range of 94 to 125 days. The study indicated the persistent nature of tetraconazole in soil and water.

Comparison of Different Treatments for Oestrous Induction in Seasonally Anovulatory Mares

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different treatments for induction and synchronization of oestrus and ovulation in seasonally anovulatory mares. Fifteen mares formed the control group (C), while 26 mares were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Group T1 (n=11) were treated with oral altrenogest (0.044mg/kg; Regumate(®) ) during 11days. Group T2 (n=7) was intravaginally treated with 1.38g of progesterone (CIDR(®) ) for 11days. In group T3 (n=8), mares were also treated with CIDR(®) , but only for 8days. All mares received PGF2α 1day after finishing the treatment. Sonographic evaluation of follicles, pre-ovulatory follicle size and ovulation time was recorded. Progesterone and leptin levels were analysed. Results show that pre-ovulatory follicles were developed after the treatment in 88.5% of mares. However, the pre-ovulatory follicle growth was dispersal, and sometimes it was detected when treatment was not finished. While in mares treated with intravaginal device, the follicle was soon detected (1.5±1.2days and 2.3±2.0days in T2 and T3 groups, respectively), in T1 group, the pre-ovulatory follicle was detected slightly later (3.9±1.6days). The interval from the end of treatment to ovulation did not show significant differences between groups (T1=13.1±2.5days; T2=11.0±3.6days; T3=13.8±4.3days). The pregnancy rate was 47.4%, similar to the rate observed in group C (46.7%; p>0.05). Initial leptin concentrations were significantly higher in mares, which restart their ovarian activity after treatments, suggesting a role in the reproduction mechanisms in mares. It could be concluded that the used treatments may be effective for oestrous induction in mares during the late phase of the seasonally anovulatory period. Furthermore, they cannot synchronize oestrus, and then, it is necessary to know the reproductive status of mares when these treatments are used for oestrous synchronization.

Interaction of a di-nitro aniline herbicide (Trifluralin) with soil vegetation system under sub-tropic condition: A dissipation kinetics study

A field study was carried out to investigate persistence and dissipation kinetics of Trifluralin (48 EC) applied pre emergently in Green gram (Variety T-44) @ 1 Kg ai ha-1 (T1) and 2 Kg ai ha-1 (T2) for the control of broad leaf weeds during kharif 2006. The dissipation on 90 days was around 71.56 - 64.55% in T1 and T2. Kinetics studies revealed that dissipation of Trifluralin residues followed first order kinetics. The half life values observed were 60.21 days in T1 and 75.56 days in T2. Irrespective of any dose no residues were detected in cropped soil as well as plant samples at harvest.

Muscle δ13C change in Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus): Effects of growth and carbon turnover

The contribution of growth and turnover to the muscle δ 13C change process was investigated using mathematical models which associate δ 13C change to time of intake of a new diet or increase in body mass. Two groups of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus) were fed on diets based on C3 ( δ 13C = − 25.64 ± 0.06‰) or C4 ( δ 13C = − 16.01 ± 0.06‰) photosynthetic cycle plants to standardize the muscle δ 13C. After establishing the carbon isotopic equilibrium, fish (mean mass 24.12 ± 6.79 g) then received the other treatment diet until a new carbon isotopic equilibrium could be established, characterizing T1 (C3–C4) and T2 (C4–C3) treatments. No significant differences were observed in fish productive performance. Good fits were obtained for the models that associated the δ 13C change to time, resulting in carbon half-life values of 23.33 days for T1 and 25.96 days for T2. Based on values found for the muscle δ 13C change rate from growth (0.0263 day − 1 and 0.0254 day − 1 ) and turnover (0.0034 day − 1 and 0.0013 day − 1 ), our results indicate that most of the δ 13C change could be attributed to growth. The application of model that associated the δ 13C change to body mass increase seems to produce results with no apparent biological explanation. The δ 13C change rate could directly reflect the daily ration and growth rate, and consequently the isotopic change rates of carbon and other tissue elements can be properly used to assess different factors that may interfere in nutrient utilization and growth.

Negative influence of delayed surgery on survival after preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer

In Europe, until recently the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer was preoperative radiotherapy (RT). The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence on survival of intervals between diagnosis and treatment. The influence on survival of intervals between diagnosis and surgery (Dg-Surg), diagnosis and initiation of RT (Dg-Rad), and completion of RT and surgery (Rad-Surg) was evaluated in a retrospective series of patients treated with preoperative RT. Between 1991 and 1998, 102 patients received treatment with preoperative RT without concomitant chemotherapy at the René Gauducheau Cancer Center. Patients generally received 45 Gy (80%) in 25 fractions over 35 days for T2-T3-T4 N0-N1 M0 rectal adenocarcinoma located mainly (62.7%) in the lower third of the rectum (< or = 5 cm from anal margin). Thirty-five pN1 patients were treated with postoperative chemotherapy. Differences between survival were assessed by the log-rank test, and prognostic factors by the Cox test. Median time was 14.7 weeks for Dg-Surg, 4.6 weeks for Dg-Rad and 5.1 weeks for Rad-Surg. Median follow-up from diagnosis was 57.4 months. Five-year local relapse-free survival was 83.9%, metastasis-free survival 64% and overall survival 60.8%. No factor was predictive of tumour response to RT. Log-rank and multivariate analysis showed that overall survival was significantly influenced by lower-third tumours, pT, pN and Dg-Surg (poorer survival when > or = 16 weeks: OR = 2.59, P = 0.005). Metastasis-free survival correlated significantly with Dg-Surg (> or = 16 weeks: OR = 2.05, P = 0.05). An interval of more than 16 weeks between diagnosis and surgery may reduce overall survival of patients treated with preoperative RT for locally advanced rectal cancer. Surgery should be performed shortly after completion of RT for patients with no possibility of sphincter preservation, or a minimal risk of morbidity from an abdominoperineal excision.

Effect of goat milk and milk substitutes and sex on productive parameters and carcass composition of Creole kids

Sixty Creole kids were assigned to three groups, fed either goat milk only (T1) or a commercial calf milk substitute/replacer (T2) or a goat kid milk substitute/replacer (T3). Kids in all groups were maintained with their mothers until 5-day-old, then placed into individual pens. Milk and milk substitute intakes for T1, T2 and T3 until reaching 10 kg slaughter weights were 55, 79 and 68 kg, respectively. Dressing percentages (DP) for T1, T2 and T3 were 53, 50 and 51%, while the REAs were 4.25, 3.90 and 4.3 cm 2, respectively. The heaviest carcass component was the digestive tract, followed by head and skin, extremities, blood, liver, lungs and heart. HCWs represented 43–47% of slaughter weight and 50–53% of empty live weight (LW) in the three groups. T1 had better average daily gains (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency than T2 or T3, reaching slaughter weight earlier (63 days) ( P<0.05) than the other groups (88 and 78 days for T2 and T3, respectively). They also seemed to have better carcass characteristics ( P>0.05). Differences for male kids in growth rates, feed efficiency (FE) ratio, and carcass characteristics were statistically not significant. Profitability of either kid feeding system depends on local price conditions and needs further studies.