First Week Of Study Research Articles

Enhancing Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil from Kokori, Delta State, Nigeria Using Cow Dung as Biostimulant

This study was aimed at assessing the bioremediation of crude oil contaminated soil from kokori, Delta state, Nigeria by indigenous bacteria flora using cow dung as biostimulants. The activities of commercial agricultural investors, small-scale farmers, and the indigenous people of the Nigerian Niger Delta, whose livelihood has been heavily dependent on agriculture, have all been severely impeded and even destroyed by the crude oil spill. Therefore, a solution to the issue of oil spills in these places is required. Hydrocarbon contaminated soil was collected from a crude oil polluted sites and a non-contaminated soil was collected from Agricultural cultivable farmland in kokori, Delta state and its physicochemical properties were determined before the bioremediation period. The nutrients composition of cow dung used for the study was determined. After adding different amounts of cow dung to 200g of soil, the mixture was left to incubate at room temperature for six (6) weeks. Throughout the course of the experiment, measurements of the total petroleum hydrocarbon eliminated and the hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria count (HUB) were made at one-week intervals. Increased in the HUB counts with corresponding decrease in the amount of hydrocarbons were observed. While highest HUB count was observed for the various amendment at week six, 5g/kg cow dung treatments had the highest count (3.35 x103cfu/g) with residual hydrocarbon (519.56mg/kg) while treatments 2.5g/kg cow dung had 2.91x103cfu/g with residual hydrocarbon of 541.06mg/kg. The result further revealed the degree of degradation likewise the bioremediation efficiency with C having the highest degree of degradation of (49.04%) at week six and bioremediation efficiency of (75.26%) at the first week of study. The introduction of cow dung into soil that has been contaminated with hydrocarbons promotes the growth of naturally occurring bacteria that break down hydrocarbons, leading to a greater amount of hydrocarbon degradation.

Modulation of milking performance, methane emissions, and rumen microbiome on dairy cows by dietary supplementation of a blend of essential oils

Cattle represent a high contribution of the livestock's greenhouse gas emissions, mainly in the form of methane. Essential oils are a group of plant secondary metabolites obtained from volatile fractions of plants that have been shown to exert changes in the rumen fermentation and may alter feed efficiency and to reduce methane production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect on rumen microbial population, CH4 emissions and milking performance of a mixture of essential oils (Agolin Ruminant, Switzerland) incorporated daily in the ration of dairy cattle. Forty Holstein cows (644 ± 63.5 kg of BW producing 41.2 ± 6.44 kg/d of milk with 190 ± 28.3 DIM) were divided into two treatments (n = 20) for 13 wk and housed in a single pen equipped with electronic feeding gates to control access to feed and monitor individual DM intake (DMI) on a daily basis. Treatments consisted of no supplementation (Control) or supplementation of 1 g/d of a blend of essential oils (BEOs) fed in the TMR. Individual milk production was recorded using electronic milk meters on a daily basis. Methane emissions were recorded using sniffers at the exit of the milking parlour. At day 64 of the study, a sample of rumen fluid was collected from 12 cows per treatment after the morning feeding using a stomach tube. There were no differences in DMI, milk yield, or milk composition between the two treatments. However, cows on BEO exhaled less CH4 (444 ± 12.5 l/d) than cows on Control (479 ± 12.5 l/d), and exhaled less (P < 0.05) CH4/kg of DM consumed (17.6 vs 20.1 ± 0.53 l/kg, respectively) from the first week of study, with no interaction with time, which suggests a fast action of BEO of CH4 emissions. Rumen relative abundance of Entodonium increased, and those of Fusobacteria, Chytridiomycota, Epidinium, and Mogibacterium decreased in BEO compared with Control cows. Supplementing 1 g/d of BEO reduces CH4 emissions on absolute terms (l/d) and diminishes the amount of CH4 produced by unit of DM consumed by cows relatively soon after the first supplementation, and the effect is sustained over time without impacting intake or milking performance.

Transition as one step on a transformational journey

Developing a sense of belonging is intimately linked to a successful transition and to student. The pandemic has acerbated existing problems with students across the sector reporting difficulties connecting with each other and their universities. This paper reports a simple activity to encourage meaningful dialogue between students and teachers in the first weeks of study. The ‘My journey’ activity involves students and teachers discussing key points and decisions in their educational journeys. It has been successfully used in-class, and synchronously and asynchronously online. The journeys are also captured through an interactive map to celebrate diversity.

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics, and Hormonal and Biochemical Profile in Post-Pubertal and Postpartum Jaffrabadi Buffaloes

Jaffrabadi buffalo is one of the heaviest buffalo breeds of the world (800 kg) and is known for poor reproductive efficiency. There is a scarcity of normal physiological data regarding reproductive parameters of Jaffrabadi buffalo. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate ovarian follicular dynamics, hormonal and biochemical profiles in 10 post-pubertal heifers (n=5 each of age 42±2 and 48±2 months) and five &gt;90 days postpartum lactating buffaloes. Ultrasound monitoring of ovaries of animals was done at weekly interval and all follicles with diameter less than 4 mm (small follicles), 4-8 mm (medium follicles) and greater than 8 mm (large follicles) as well as CLs identified were recorded. Blood samples were also collected soon after each USG from all animals for assay of hormonal and biochemical profiles. The findings revealed that the average number of small, medium and large follicles, total number of follicles per ovary as well as diameters of largest and subordinate follicles varied greatly among periods between three groups. The size of corpus luteum ranged from 13.7 to 21.2 mm, 13.7 to 23.9 mm and 15.3 to 22.7 mm, respectively, in Group-I, II and III. In the first week of study, significantly higher (p less than 0.05) average numbers of small follicles in Group-I and III, and medium follicles and total numbers of follicles in Group-III were observed as compared to other groups. The diameter of largest follicles and subordinate follicles were non-significantly different among all groups at all periods of the study. Plasma estrogen levels were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in Group-I as compared to Group-III and Group-II on first and second week, however, it increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in Group-II and I on fourth week of study period. Plasma insulin concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.01) lower in buffaloes (Group-III) than in heifers (Group-I and II) throughout the study period, while plasma total cholesterol and total protein levels were higher in Group-III on 3rd to 5th weeks of study. Further, there were no significant differences in the plasma FSH, LH, progesterone and blood glucose levels in animals of three groups between periods at any of the week. The ultrasonographic and endocrine profile suggested establishment of cyclicity with silent ovulation. However, the behavioural estrus was still not manifested by these post-pubertal heifers and postpartum lactating buffaloes. These results are helpful to diagnose anovulatory conditions and/or true anestrus and initiate estrus synchronization protocols for early conception in Jaffrabadi buffaloes.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЯ ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЯ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ КУРСА «ХИМИЯ» СТУДЕНТАМИ ИНЖЕНЕРНО-СТРОИТЕЛЬНОГО ВУЗА)

The purpose of this article is to develop a forecasting technology that makes it possible to predict the learning outcomes of civil engineers’ students studying “Chemistry” during the first weeks of study. The method of cluster analysis of k-means was chosen as a diagnostic tool. The participants were the students of 19 academic groups of full-time bachelor's degree program. For the experiment, the results of current control group (with an accuracy of 0.5 points) were collected from 298 first-year students that were asked to predict (on a 100-point scale) their score for the course being studied. The developed technology allows predicting learning grades with satisfactory accuracy equal to 86.24%. Eight hypotheses were tested; the results can be divided into three clusters of students: those who received a positive score; those who achieved a satisfactory result; students who are required to pass the exam to obtain a “satisfactory” grade. The study contributes to the development of computer pedagogy. It can be useful for teachers (for recommending to visit consultations to students who cannot achieve good results on their own, for a more efficient distribution of exam session’s time). The results can be useful for students (as a motivation to put more efforts into studying some disciplines), and for tutors and deputy deans for academic affairs (to search for “problem” students and decrease possible academic failures early).

Elucidating Biodiversity Shifts in Ballast Water Tanks during a Cross-Latitudinal Transfer: Complementary Insights from Molecular Analyses.

In this study, the evolution of ballast water (BW) assemblages across different trophic levels was characterized over a 21 day cross-latitudinal vessel transit using a combination of molecular methods. Triplicate BW samples were collected every second day and size-fractionated (<2.7, 10, >50 μm). Measurements of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and metabarcoding of environmental nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) analyses, complemented by microscopy and flow cytometry, were performed on each sample. Measured ATP concentrations exhibited high variance between replicates and a strong negative trend in the large (≥50 μm) fraction over the voyage. In concert with microscopy, the metabarcoding data indicated a die-off of larger metazoans during the first week of study and gradual reductions in dinoflagellates and ochrophytes. The ATP and metabarcoding data signaled persistent or increased cellular activity of heterotrophic bacteria and protists in the BW, which was supported by flow cytometry. The metabarcoding showed the presence of active bacteria in all size fractions, suggesting that the sequential filtration approach does not ensure taxonomical differentiation, which has implications for BW quality assessment. Although our data show that ATP and metabarcoding have potential for indicative BW screening for BW compliance monitoring, further research and technological development is needed to improve representativeness of sampling and deliver the unequivocal response criteria required by the international Ballast Water Management Convention.

Abstract 3050: Multimeric IgM antibodies targeting DR5 are potent and rapid inducers of tumor cell apoptosis and cell death in vitro and in vivo

Abstract The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its functional receptors, death receptor 4 (DR4) and death receptor 5 (DR5) are attractive anti-tumor targets because of their ability to directly induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Though several agonistic IgG antibodies targeting DR5 have demonstrated evidence of preclinical efficacy, little evidence of clinical efficacy was observed likely due to insufficient receptor crosslinking in the tumor microenvironment. We have developed a novel multivalent IgM antibody targeting DR5 that effectively clusters the receptor and rapidly induces apoptosis and tumor cell cytotoxicity. In Colo205 colorectal tumor cells, anti-DR5 IgM induced caspase activation was detected within 30 minutes and by 2 hours nearly all cells had undergone apoptosis, demonstrating a more rapid and greater magnitude of apoptotic induction than anti-DR5 IgG. In an in vitro cytotoxicity screen of solid and hematologic tumor cell lines, an IgM antibody targeting DR5 ranged from 100-fold to greater than 10,000-fold more potent compared to IgG targeting DR5, and IgM was potent on cell lines resistant to IgG crosslinking mediated cell death. In vivo, anti-DR5 IgM induced tumor eradication in the Colo205 model, tumor regression in the IgG-resistant colorectal HCT15 model, and significantly extended overall survival in the B-cell leukemia model Nalm-6 even though dosing was only within the first week of study. In all in vivo studies the IgM was significantly more efficacious than IgG targeting DR5. The DR5 targeting IgM antibody was also efficacious in large established Colo205 tumors up to 600 mm3 in volume and in colorectal patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as well. When administered in conjunction with standard of care chemotherapy Irinotecan, anti-DR5 IgM induced durable tumor regression in the HCT15 colorectal carcinoma model with 14 out of 30 animals from 2 separate studies tumor free at the end of study (day 71); no animals dosed with IgG were tumor free. In a less sensitive pancreatic model BxPC3, combination of standard of care Gemcitabine with anti-DR5 IgM resulted in an additive effect, while the IgG plus Gemcitabine efficacy was more modest and not statistically significant compared to Gemcitabine alone. Taken together, these results demonstrate that efficient IgM clustering of DR5 is significantly more potent in vitro and in vivo than IgGs and support the development of a human IgM antibody therapeutic targeting DR5 with the potential to treat both solid and hematologic tumors. Citation Format: Beatrice Wang, Tasnim Kothambawala, Ling Wang, Avneesh Saini, Ramesh Baliga, Angus Sinclair, Bruce Keyt. Multimeric IgM antibodies targeting DR5 are potent and rapid inducers of tumor cell apoptosis and cell death in vitro and in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3050.

Using Guided Reflection to Link Cultural and Service Learning in a Study Abroad Course.

The literature indicates that service learning integrated into a study abroad course results in cultural learning, personal growth, and professional development. However, there are inadequate examples of strategies to achieve cultural learning in the context of study abroad. The purpose of this article is to briefly describe the authors' collaboration with leaders of an international health system in developing a faculty-led study abroad course and describe strategies to promote guided reflection to achieve cultural learning. The preparation phase of the course was delivered with two video conferences and an online learning management system for students on three campuses. Service learning with clinic nursing staff of the international health system and children in a residential home was purposefully incorporated in the study abroad phase of the course. During the first week of study abroad, specific prompts for daily journaling were introduced to the students to promote guided reflection as a critical component of service learning. During the second week, students discussed concepts that had been introduced during the preparation phase. The students wrote a final summary reflection paper with the guidance of additional prompts and an evaluation rubric. In summary, preparation phase learning activities, study abroad phase daily journaling and group discussion combined with a summary reflection paper were used as strategies to achieve cultural learning.

Pengaruh Ekstrak Tamarindus indica Terhadap Kenaikan Berat Badan Pada Tikus Rattus norvegicus Yang Diberi Diet Obesitas

Obesity is a health problem whose prevalence tends to increase in Indonesia. Obesity becomes a concern, because it is one of the parameters that often followed by impaired of glucose tolerance in the metabolic syndrome. In Indonesia, Tamarindus indica is believed as a body slimming substance so it has possibility to become an alternative therapy that is easily available and cheap for obesity. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of Tamarindus indica in inhibiting obesity. This experiment used 28 male Wistar strains in 2-3 months age that were divided into groups: group 1 (negative control, normal diet without Tamarindus indica), group 2 (positive control, obese diet without Tamarindus indica), group 3 (obese diet + Tamarindus indica 2700mg/kg BW), and group 4 (obese diet + Tamarindus indica 3600mg/kg BW). Measurement were performed in the first day after acclimization before treatment (day 8), and repeated weekly afterwards, ie at day 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43. Anova and Tukey Simultaneous statistics test were performed to see the differences in wight gain per week compared with the first week of study, then compared between groups. Furthermore, a virtual screening that called insilico bioinformatics analyzes was performed to test the binding activity between quercetin and rutin (compounds in Tamarindus indica) with fatty acid synthase, an enzym that plays a role in de novo synthesis of fatty acids. Tamarindus indica was shown to significantly inhibit weight gain in rats with obese diet food (P=0.000), but differences dose of Tamarindus indica did not appear to have significant effect to inhibit obesity (P=0.321). The ability of Tamarindus indica is due to the compounds quercetin and rutin, where these two ingredients estimated to have the ability to inhibit fatty acid synthase with high strength.

The importance of calf sensory and physical preferences for starter concentrates during pre- and postweaning periods

We performed 3 studies to evaluate the effects of feed sensory and form preferences in young calves on performance and rumen fermentation dynamics. In experiment 1, starter feeds containing wheat and soybean meal; wheat and canola meal; and oats and soybean meal were evaluated in 63 calves (9±0.9 d old). In experiment 2, 37 crossbreed female calves were used from 4 to 45 d of age (weaning) in a cafeteria study consisting of 4 different presentations of the same starter feed: meal, pellet, pellet mixed with whole-cereal grains (WHG), and pellet mixed with steamed-rolled cereal grains (SRG). In experiment 3, 63 Holstein male calves (10±1.03 d old) were randomly distributed to 2 treatments that consisted of feeding a pellet concentrate mixed with whole corn and barely grains (WHG) or the same pellet concentrate mixed with steamed-rolled corn and barley grains (SRG). In experiment 1, animals in all 3 treatments had similar intake and performance, and we found no differences in rumen fermentation parameters. In experiment 2, during the first week of study, calves had a greater preference for WHG; after the first week, calves had a greater preference for SRG. In experiment 3, starter concentrate intake was greater in WHG than in SRG concentrates between wk 5 and weaning. However, we observed no differences in growth or gain-to-feed ratio. Calves offered WHG concentrates had greater rumen pH and tended to have lower total rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations than those offered SRG concentrates. We concluded that preweaned calves preferred concentrates based on pellets mixed with steamed-rolled grains. When calves could not choose their starter feed, pellets mixed with steamed-rolled grains reduced concentrate intake and rumen pH compared to pellets mixed with whole grains, but performance was not impaired. Formulating starter concentrates according to calves’ sensory and physical preferences had little effect on performance.

Trace metal concentrations in post-hatching cuttlefish Sepia officinalis and consequences of dissolved zinc exposure

In this study, we investigated the changes of 13 trace metal and metalloid concentrations (i.e. Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, Zn) and their subcellular fractionation in juvenile cuttlefish Sepia officinalis reared in controlled conditions between hatching and 2 months post-hatching. In parallel, metallothionein concentrations were determined. Our results highlighted contrasting changes of studied metals. Indeed, As and Fe concentrations measured in hatchlings suggested a maternal transfer of these elements in cuttlefish. The non-essential elements Ag and Cd presented the highest accumulation during our study, correlated with the digestive gland maturation. During the 6 first weeks of study, soluble fractions of most of essential trace metals (i.e. Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Se, Zn) slowly increased consistently with the progressive needs of cuttlefish metabolism during this period.In order to determine for the first time in a cephalopod how metal concentrations and their subcellular distributions are impacted when the animals are trace metal-exposed, we studied previously described parameters in juveniles exposed to dissolved Zn at environmental (i.e. 50μgl−1) and sublethal (i.e. 200μgl−1) levels. Moreover, oxidative stress (i.e. glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, and lipid peroxidation (LPO)) was assessed in digestive gland and gills after 1 and 2 months exposures. Our results highlighted no or low ability of this stage of life to regulate dissolved Zn accumulation during the studied period, consistently with high sensitivity of this organism. Notably, Zn exposures caused a concentration-dependent Mn depletion in juvenile cuttlefish, and an increase of soluble fraction of Ag, Cd, Cu without accumulation modifications, suggesting substitution of these elements (i.e. Mn, Ag, Cd, Cu) by Zn. In parallel, metallothionein concentrations decreased in individuals most exposed to Zn. Finally, no perturbations in oxidative stress management were detected in gills, whereas modifications of GST, SOD and catalase activity levels were recorded in digestive gland, resulting in an increase of LPO content after a 6-week exposure to low Zn concentration. Altogether, these perturbations are consistent with previously described high sensitivity of juvenile cuttlefish towards Zn. Our results underlined the need to study deeply contamination impact on this animal at this stage of life.

Tools of the trade

The reality is that online learning can be a daunting and lonely experience. This is why icebreakers can be a rewarding practice for both students and educators. The use of icebreakers allows students studying online to introduce themselves and become familiar with other members of the group and/or community. Not only are these icebreakers used as a starter within the first weeks of study, but they are also used to help motivate students throughout the course. Highlighted in this paper are particular online (virtual) tools that can be used as icebreakers within an online learning environment and help shift the view of isolation associated with learning online and create a more engaged community of practice with effective learning.

Time development in the early history of social networks: link stabilization, group dynamics, and segregation.

Studies of the time development of empirical networks usually investigate late stages where lasting connections have already stabilized. Empirical data on early network history are rare but needed for a better understanding of how social network topology develops in real life. Studying students who are beginning their studies at a university with no or few prior connections to each other offers a unique opportunity to investigate the formation and early development of link patterns and community structure in social networks. During a nine week introductory physics course, first year physics students were asked to identify those with whom they communicated about problem solving in physics during the preceding week. We use these students' self reports to produce time dependent student interaction networks. We investigate these networks to elucidate possible effects of different student attributes in early network formation. Changes in the weekly number of links show that while roughly half of all links change from week to week, students also reestablish a growing number of links as they progress through their first weeks of study. Using the Infomap community detection algorithm, we show that the networks exhibit community structure, and we use non-network student attributes, such as gender and end-of-course grade to characterize communities during their formation. Specifically, we develop a segregation measure and show that students structure themselves according to gender and pre-organized sections (in which students engage in problem solving and laboratory work), but not according to end-of-coure grade. Alluvial diagrams of consecutive weeks' communities show that while student movement between groups are erratic in the beginnning of their studies, they stabilize somewhat towards the end of the course. Taken together, the analyses imply that student interaction networks stabilize quickly and that students establish collaborations based on who is immediately available to them and on observable personal characteristics.

Aerobic Exercise Improves Signs of Restless Leg Syndrome in End Stage Renal Disease Patients Suffering Chronic Hemodialysis

Background. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is one of the prevalent complaints of patients with end stage renal diseases suffering chronic hemodialysis. Although there are some known pharmacological managements for this syndrome, the adverse effect of drugs causes a limitation for using them. In this randomized clinical trial we aimed to find a nonpharmacological way to improve signs of restless leg syndrome and patients' quality of life. Material and Methods. Twenty-six patients were included in the study and divided into 2 groups of control and exercise. The exercise group used aerobic exercise during their hemodialysis for 16 weeks. The quality of life and severity of restless leg syndrome were assessed at the first week of study and final week. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results. The difference of means of RLS signs at the first week of study and final week was −5.5 ± 4.96 in exercise group and −0.53 ± 2.3 in control group. There was not any statistical difference between control group and exercise group in quality of life at the first week of study and final week. Conclusions. We suggest using aerobic exercise for improving signs of restless leg syndrome, but no evidence was found for its efficacy on patient's quality of life.

Effects of Chimeric Decoy Oligodeoxynucleotide in the Regulation of Transcription Factors NF‐κB and Sp1 in an Animal Model of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial and progressive disease in which the inflammatory reaction and inflammation-related factors play important roles at all stages. Modulation of NF-κB and Sp1 expression may be important targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease. To develop a novel therapeutic approach in atherosclerosis, we examined the simultaneous suppression of the transcription factors NF-κB and Sp1 which regulate inflammation. We employed chimeric decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) containing the consensus of NF-κB and Sp1-binding sites to suppress these transcription factors simultaneously and to test chimeric decoy for anti-atherogenic effects in an atherogenic diet-induced atherosclerotic mouse model with inflammatory stimulation. C57BL/6 mice were fed with an atherogenic diet (15% fat, 1.25% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid) for 12 weeks to induce atherosclerosis; lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected in the first week of study to simulate underlying infectious burden during development of atherosclerosis. Decoy ODNs were injected into tail vein at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after only three LPS injections in mice fed the atherogenic diet. Chimeric decoy ODN alleviated atherosclerotic changes and reduced serum cholesterol and inflammatory cytokines. In accordance with these results, the expressions of atherosclerotic markers were inhibited by chimeric decoy ODN. Chimeric decoy ODN modulates multiple pathogenic aspects of an atherogenic diet-induced atherosclerosis with inflammatory stimulation: hypercholesterolaemia and inflammation. Therefore, this study demonstrates the efficacy of chimeric decoy ODN on atherosclerosis with immunological complication.

Performance of dairy cows fed high levels of acetic acid or ethanol

Ethanol and acetic acid are common end products from silages. The main objective of this study was to determine whether high concentrations of ethanol or acetic acid in total mixed ration would affect performance in dairy cows. Thirty mid-lactation Holstein cows were grouped in 10 blocks and fed one of the following diets for 7wk: (1) control (33% Bermuda hay + 67% concentrates), (2) ethanol [control diet + 5% ethanol, dry matter (DM) basis], or (3) acetic acid (control diet + 5% acetic acid, DM basis). Ethanol and acetic acid were diluted in water (1:2) and sprayed onto total mixed rations twice daily before feeding. An equal amount of water was mixed with the control ration. To adapt animals to these treatments, cows were fed only half of the treatment dose during the first week of study. Cows fed ethanol yielded more milk (37.9kg/d) than those fed the control (35.8kg/d) or acetic acid (35.3kg/d) diets, mainly due to the higher DM intake (DMI; 23.7, 22.2, and 21.6kg/d, respectively). The significant diet × week interaction for DMI, mainly during wk 2 and 3 (when acetic acid reached the full dose), was related to the decrease in DMI observed for the acetic acid treatment. There was a diet × week interaction in excretion of milk energy per DMI during wk 2 and 3, due to cows fed acetic acid sustained milk yield despite lower DMI. Energy efficiency was similar across diets. Blood metabolites (glucose, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids, ethanol, and γ-glutamyl transferase activity) and sensory characteristics of milk were not affected by these treatments. Animal performance suggested similar energy value for the diet containing ethanol compared with other diets. Rumen conversion of ethanol to acetate and a concomitant increase in methane production might be a plausible explanation for the deviation of the predicted energy value based on the heat of combustion. Therefore, the loss of volatile compounds during the drying process in the laboratory should be considered when calculating energy content of fermented feedstuffs.

A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Pilot Study of Rifaximin 550 mg Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Travelers' Diarrhea in Mexico During the Dry Season: Table 1

Rifaximin has been shown to be effective in treating and preventing travelers' diarrhea (TD) during the summer season. The goal of this double-blinded multicenter trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of rifaximin 550 mg administered once daily for 14 days compared with placebo in the prevention of TD during the dry season in Mexico. There were 101 participants randomized. Overall, 25 participants developed TD during the 3 weeks of the study: 22% from the rifaximin group and 29% from the placebo group (p = 0.4). Mild diarrhea (defined as only one or two unformed stools during a 24-h period plus at least one abdominal symptoms) developed in only 3 (6%) participants taking rifaximin compared with 10 (21%) taking placebo during the first week of study (p = 0.03). No clinically significant or serious adverse events were reported. Antibiotic prophylaxis of TD in Mexico during the dry season needs to be further studied and its benefits weighed against the benefits of self-treatment.

Mehrsprachig leben und studieren. Die Sicht studentischer Migranten

Student migration, universities' institutionalized multilingual language policies and the use of English for academic purposes make academic environments increasingly multilingual. Biographical narratives may provide useful insights about the students' view on this development. In this paper, five narrative interviews with multilingual first year students of the Universita della Svizzera italiana (Lugano) have been analyzed, paying attention to the rhetorical organization of narrative and argumentative discourse. The university requires these students to learn Italian, a second Swiss national language and English. All students have acquired competences in several languages and have developed similar lay theoretical explanations of language acquisition. When it comes to the way the first period of studying at university has been experienced, however, the students' narratives and assessments differ. One student feels isolated and under strong time pressure because confronted with three foreign languages in top of the regular study program. The others consider one or two of the required languages as a first language and have satisfying social contacts, partly within groups of students having the same origin. Besides good linguistic competence in several languages, shared cultural experience appears to be a key resource for accessing social networks and informal learning situations in the first weeks of study.

Prediction of antigenic MHC binders of neurotoxin M14 protein from Buthus eupeus

Background: It is well known that allergen immunotherapy modifies the peripheral immunoglobulin profile down-regulating the Th2 cytokines. Notably CCR5 and CXCR3 are found on Th1 cells, CCR3 and CXCR4 on Th2 cells. Aim of the present study was to identify an immunological marker that correlates with the clinical effects among CXCR3, CCR3, CXCR4, CCR5 expression on PBMC. Materials and Methods: 18 patients were enrolled according to the following criteria: moderate/severe rhinoconjunctivitis, moderate asthma since at least 2 years, sensitization to Parietaria only, age between 18 and 55 years, no previous immunotherapy. After a one-week run-in period where an optimal asthma therapy was prescribed, patients were received either SLIT to parietaria (SLIT-ONE Alk-abello) or drug treatment for rhinitis. Control visits were carried out at 1, 2, 6, 10 and 16 weeks (follow-up visit). Quality of life was evaluated with a validated questionnaire (Rhinasthma). The immunological parameters assessed were: PBMC proliferation with specific allergen Par-j1, detection of CD4, CD8, CD3 and chemokines receptors CCR3, CXCR3, CXCR4, CCR5 before and after stimulation with Par-j1 Results: The symptom scores decreased in the control group since the first week of study whereas in the SLIT group a significant improvement versus baseline was seen after 6 weeks of treatment. Starting from 6 weeks there was no more difference in total symptom scores between the two groups. Quality of life significantly improved in the SLIT group if compared with controls from week 6. After 6 weeks SLIT group significantly decreased in drug doses for asthma treatment whereas no statistical difference in therapy dosage was seen in the control group until week 6 the SLIT group had a significant higher use of rescue medication if compared with control group after week 6 the uptake of rescue medications had an inverse trend with statistically significant higher intake in the control group. In the same period there was a decrease in CCR3 and an increase of CXCR3 in treated group these variations became significant at the end of the study from the baseline. No difference in CD4, CD8, CD3, CXCR4, CCR5 expression. Conclusions: This study demonstrates efficacy SLIT when compared to conventional therapy for persistent asthma and rhinitis, correlations between clinical scores and both CXCR3 and CCR3 seen after 6 weeks of immunotherapy in treated patients demonstrate an immunological shift towards Th1 lymphocyte pattern.

Ependymal epithelium disruption after vanadium pentoxide inhalation: A mice experimental model

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) protects the CNS against chemical insults. Regulation of blood–brain tissue exchange is accomplished by ependymal cells, which possess intercellular tight junctions. Loss of BBB function is an etiologic component of many neurological disorders. Vanadium (V) is a metalloid widely distributed in the environment and exerts potent toxic effects on a wide variety of biological systems. The current study examines the effects of Vanadium pentoxide (V 2O 5) inhalation in mice ependymal epithelium, through the analysis of the brain metal concentrations and the morphological modifications in the ependymal cells identified by scanning and transmission electron microscopy after 8 weeks of inhalation, in order to obtain a possible explanation about the mechanisms that V uses to enter and alter the CNS. Our results showed that V 2O 5 concentrations increase from the first week of study, stabilizing its values during the rest of the experiment. The morphological effects included cilia loss, cell sloughing and ependymal cell layer detachment. This damage can allow toxicants to modify the permeability of the epithelium and promote access of inflammatory mediators to the underlying neuronal tissue causing injury and neuronal death. Thus, understanding the mechanisms of BBB disruption would allow planning strategies to protect the brain from toxicants such as metals, which have increased in the atmosphere during the last decades and constitute an important health problem.