BS Group Research Articles

POLARIMETRIC SAR DATA FROM SENTINEL-1A APPLIED TO EARLY CROP CLASSIFICATION

Abstract. This paper aims to map crops in two Brazilian municipalities, Luís Eduardo Magalhães (LEM) and Campo Verde, using dual-polarimetric Sentinel-1A images. The specific objectives were: (1) to evaluate the accuracy gain in the crop classification using Sentinel-1A multitemporal data backscatter coefficients and ratio (σ0VH, σ0VV and, σ0VH/σ0VV, denominate BS group) in comparison to the addition of polarimetric attributes (σ0VH, σ0VV, σ0VH/σ0VV, H, and α, denominate BP group) and; (2) to assess the accuracy gain in the earliest crop classification, creating new scenarios with the addition of the new SAR data together with the previous images for each date and group (BS and BP) during the crop development. For BS and BP groups, 13 e 10 scenarios were analyzed in LEM and Campo Verde, respectively. For the classification process, we used the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. In the LEM site, the best results for BS and BP groups were equivalent (overall accuracy: ∼82%), while for the Campo Verde site, the classification accuracy for the BP group (overall accuracy: ∼80%) was 2% higher than the BS group. The addition of new images during the crop development period increased the earliest crop classification overall accuracy, stabilizing from mid-February in LEM and mid-December in Campo Verde, after 10 and 8 images, respectively. After these periods, the gain in classification accuracy was small with the addition of new images. In general, our results suggest the backscattering coefficients and polarimetric attributes extracted from the Sentinel-1A imagery exhibited a great performance to discriminate croplands.

Haemato-immunological responses and effectiveness of feed-based bivalent vaccine against Streptococcus iniae and Aeromonas hydrophila infections in hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus \xd7 O. niloticus)

BackgroundStreptococcosis and Motile Aeromonad Septicemia (MAS) are important diseases of tilapia, Oreochromis spp. and causes huge economic losses in aquaculture globally. The feed-based vaccination may be an alternative to minimize major infectious diseases in tilapia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the haemato-immunological responses and effectiveness of a newly developed feed-based killed bivalent vaccine against Streptococcus iniae and Aeromonas hydrophila in hybrid red tilapia. A total of 495 hybrid red tilapia of 61.23 ± 4.95 g were distributed into 5 groups (each with triplicate). The fish were immunized orally through bivalent (combined S. iniae and A. hydrophila) spray vaccine (BS group), bivalent formulate vaccine (BF group), monovalent S. iniae vaccine (MS group), monovalent A. hydrophila vaccine (MA group) and unvaccinated as a control group. The vaccine was orally administered on days 0, 14 and 42 applied feed-based bacterin at 5% body weight. The blood and spleen samples were collected from all groups on 7, 21 and 49 days post-vaccination, and also 96 h post-infection to assess their haemato-immune responses.ResultsCompared with the unvaccinated group, leukocyte, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes counts in vaccinated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) increased on 21, 49 days post-vaccination and also 96 h post-infection, while erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit in vaccinated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced only 96 h post-infection. Additionally, the lysozyme and phagocytic activity and, serum antibody (IgM) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) against S. iniae and A. hydrophila in vaccinated groups compared to the unvaccinated group in the pre- and post-infection. Results from the challenge through co-infection with S. iniae and A. hydrophila showed the relative percent survival (RPS) in BF group was 76.67 ± 4.71%, which had the capacity to induce significant protection (P < 0.05) compared to others groups.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the bivalent formulate (BF) group could elicit significant non-specific and specific immunological responses with higher protection in hybrid red tilapia. In addition, this newly developed feed-based bivalent vaccination can be a promising technique for effective and large scale fish immunization in the aquaculture industry.

The protective effect and mechanism of lentinan on acute kidney injury in septic rats.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of lentinan (LNT) on acute kidney injury (AKI) in septic rats. A total 72 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups with 12 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, all groups, including the burn sepsis group (BS group), the positive drug control group (dexamethasone, 5 mg/kg, PC group), the LNT low-concentration group (LNT-L group) (50 mg/kg), the LNT medium-concentration group (LNT-M group) (100 mg/kg), and the LNT high-concentration group (LNT-H group) (200 mg/kg), were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of normal saline 30 min before injury. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α); the indexes of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr); and the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in renal tissue were detected 24 hours after the model was established. Compared with the sham group, the BUN and Cr of the other groups were significantly higher, while those of the LNT group with different concentrations were significantly lower than those of the BS group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the protein expression levels of NF-κB, iNOS, and ICAM-1 along with the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly increased, while the levels of anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10 were obviously lower in the BS group. Compared with the BS group, the protein expression levels of NF-κB, iNOS, and ICAM-1 along with the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased, while the levels of anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10 were obviously increased in the LNT group with different concentrations.. LNT has a certain protective effect on AKI in septic rats, and its mechanism may involve inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, which suppresses the expression of proinflammatory factors in turn, thus promoting the release of anti-inflammatory factors.

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis PB6 improves sow reproductive performance and reduces piglet birth intervals.

We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 (B. subtilis PB6) during late gestation and lactation on sow reproductive performance, antioxidant indices, and gut microbiota. A total of 32 healthy Landrace × Yorkshire sows on d 90 of gestation were randomly assigned to 2 groups, with 16 replicates per group, receiving basal diet (CON) or the basal diet + 0.2% B. subtilis PB6, containing 4.0 × 108 CFU/kg of feed (BS). The litter sizes (total born) and numbers of piglets born alive were larger in the BS group (P < 0.01), whereas the weights of piglets born alive and the piglet birth intervals were lower in the BS group (P < 0.05). Although the litter weights and piglet bodyweights (after cross-fostering) were lower after BS treatment (P < 0.05), the litter sizes, litter weights, lactation survival rate, and litter weight gains at weaning were higher in BS group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the sow sera at parturition were lower in the BS group (P < 0.01). The serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) at parturition and the serum catalase (CAT) concentrations on d 21 of lactation were higher in the BS group (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis PB6 (P < 0.05) reduced the serum endotoxin concentrations in the sows and the serum cortisol concentrations of the piglets at d 14 of lactation. The α-diversity indices of microbial were higher in the CON group (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundances of Gemmatimonadete and Acidobacteria (both P < 0.01) and reduced those of Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria (both P < 0.05). At the genus level, B. subtilis PB6 supplementation increased the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013 cc (P < 0.05) and reduced that of Streptococcus (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that adding 4.0 × 108 CFU/kg B. subtilis PB6 to sows’ feed during late gestation and lactation could shorten piglet birth intervals, enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets, and improve the gut health of sows during late gestation.

Matrix Metalloproteinases in Obesity After Gastric Bypass Surgery—an Experimental Study

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the modulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and adipocytes and preadipocyte differentiation. The pathophysiology of obesity has characterized by many cellular and molecular processes such as inflammatory processes, macrophage infiltration of adipose tissue, and remodeling of ECM via MMP. The purpose of the study was to determine if we can consider MMPs as a marker of effectiveness in bariatric surgery and if sulodexide administration pre- and postoperative has a benefit in terms of tissue remodeling of weight loss. An experimental study has performed using 40 obese Wistar rats (10 rats in the control group and 30 obese rats in study groups). Those in the study group were divided into three groups and underwent gastric bypass (B group), sulodexide administration (S group), gastric bypass, and sulodexide administration (BS group). Sulodexide was administered because of its antithrombotic effect in the procoagulant status of obese subjects. The pre- and postoperative weight, glucose level, cholesterol, triglycerides, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were analyzed. We compared the results to see if bariatric surgery modifies the MMPs status and if there is a correlation between the weight loss and the other parameters and also if sulodexide has any contribution to the results. The MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were detectable, but MMP-2 was significantly higher than MMP-9. MMP-2 correlates with body weight parameters before surgery and after surgery, after significant bodyweight reduction as a result of bariatric surgery (r = 0.478, p = 0.017). There is a strong correlation between the weight loss, glucose level, and cholesterol and the values of MMP-2 (r = 0.92, p = 0.022, respectively, r = 0.759, p = 0.033). MMP-9 is correlated with weight loss and triglycerides level. But it was not as sensitive as MMP-2. Sulodexide administration in group S had a positive influence on the MMP-2 and MMP-9 compared with the values of groups B and C but without statistical significance. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the two most important ECM enzymes involved in adipose tissue remodeling after bariatric surgery. The correlations between cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, weight loss, excess weight, and body mass index (BMI) parameters and MMPs level demonstrate the direct relationship of these enzymes in obesity. Although we believe that more in-depth studies are required, MMPs may be considered a marker of the effectiveness of bariatric surgery.

Endothelial Function in Obese Patients Treated with Bariatric Surgery.

PurposeBariatric surgery (BS) is becoming an increasingly frequent treatment option especially in people with morbid obesity, demonstrating that it is able to reduce total mortality and cardiovascular (CV) risk. Despite endothelial dysfunction is an essential requisite contributing to atherosclerosis and predicting CV events, only some studies have investigated the effects of BS on endothelial function with controversial results. In this study, the effects of weight loss on endothelial function were investigated in obese patients after BS and compared with patients after medical nutrition treatment (MNT).Patients and MethodsSeventeen obese patients who underwent BS procedures (9 adjustable gastric bands, 3 gastric by-passes and 5 biliopancreatic diversions) were included in the study and compared with 18 obese individuals who underwent MNT. Endothelial function was investigated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Also, carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) was measured as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.ResultsAt the end of follow-up, the mean weight loss was 18.8% in the BS group and 7.0% in the MNT group. After treatment, FMD significantly decreased in the BS group (mean ± SD before: 9.0 ± 4.7; after: 6.1 ± 2.9%; P= 0.04); however, no significant change was observed in the MNT group (before: 9.4 ± 5.8; after: 8.3 ± 5.3; P= 0.41). The modification of endothelial function was negatively correlated with c-IMT change in the BS group (r= −0.63; P <0.007).ConclusionA significant endothelial dysfunction occurred following BS but not after MNT. Furthermore, the decline of endothelial function observed in the BS group might have contributed to atherosclerosis.

Analysis of difference in oral bacteria flora in saliva among elderly people in longevity zone of Guangxi

Objective To investigate the bacterial species, characteristics and differences of oral bacteria flora of saliva in the longevous elderly between in Bama county and in Debao county in Guangxi, in order to explore the relationship between longevity and oral salivary bacteria flora in the elderly. Methods The saliva was taken from the longevous elderly in Bama county(BM group)and people aged over 60 years in Debao county(BS group)separately, and the total DNA was extracted.The 16S rDNA-V4 region was amplified by PCR and analyzed by sequencing.The main species and diversity of bacterial colonies were recorded for difference analysis. Results A total of 14 saliva samples were collected from 7 cases in BM group and 7 cases in BS group.A total of 369 OTUs were generated by cluster analysis of 14 samples.At the genus level, the dominant salivary bacteria flora were Ctinomyces, Capnocytophaga, Chryseobacterium, Fusobacterium, Haemophilus, Lactobacillus, Leptotrichia, Neisseria, Porphyromonas, Prevotella, Rothia, Streptococcus, Veillonella in both BM group and BS group.The OTU PCA analysis showed that some evidence for indeterminate differences was found, but statistically significant differences did not exist in the dominant components of oral flora between the two groups(P>0.05). Also, the same tendency toward the diversity(P>0.05)was presented.Similarly, the species annotation analysis and the heat map showed that there were no significant differences(P>0.05)in oral salivary flora composition between the two groups.Lactobacillu was always the prevailing flora in the Phylume, Class, Order, Family and Genus, but the abundance ratio was different between the two groups as following: Lactobacillus abundance in salivary bacteria flora was higher in BM Group than in the BS group, while Mycoplasma abundance was lower in BM Group than in the BS group(P<0.05). Conclusions The dominant salivary bacteria flora is Lactobacillus in both BM and BS group, while, the abundance of Lactobacillus is higher in the BM group than in the BS group, which indicates that the longevity of population in Bama county may be related to Lactobacillus. Key words: Longevity; Saliva; DNA, bacterial

Nebulized step-down budesonide vs. fluticasone in infantile asthma: A retrospective cohort study.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved budesonide in infantile asthma but nebulization of infants under budesonide has the risk of relapse of asthma. The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of fluticasone step-down treatment with budesonide step-down treatment in infantile asthma. The data of 778 infants with confirmed asthma were included in the analysis. Infants who had received nebulized 500 µg budesonide twice daily for 6 weeks followed by 250 µg budesonide twice daily for 6 weeks were included in the BS group (n=389), while infants who had received nebulized 250 µg fluticasone twice daily for 6 weeks followed by 125 µg fluticasone twice daily for 6 weeks were included in the FC group (n=389). The data of lung function tests and a safety study were collected and analyzed. Budesonide treatment achieved a reduced specific airway resistance (sRaw; 1.28±0.11 vs. 1.21±0.10 kPa/sec; P<0.0001, q=13.45) and improved forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1; 0.977±0.068 vs. 0.997±0.085 l/sec; P<0.0001, q=5.54). In addition, fluticasone treatment achieved a reduced sRaw (1.27±0.1 vs. 1.23±0.11 kPa/sec, P<0.0001, q=7.39) and improved FEV1 (0.971±0.069 vs. 0.992±0.085 l/sec; P=0.0003, q=5.46). Of note, the efficacy of budesonide to reduce sRaw (P=0.008, q=3.69) and improve FEV1 (P<0.0001, q=6.93) was greater than that of fluticasone. The budesonide treatment group had more post-treatment symptom-free days than the fluticasone treatment group (165.56±23.15 vs. 112.21±9.45 days; P<0.0001). The step-down approach of budesonide nebulization may better support the functional and clinical outcomes with an increased number of post-treatment symptom-free days compared with fluticasone in infantile asthma (level of evidence, 3).

Efficacy of fentanyl versus sufentanil for labour analgesia and its comparative evaluation with intramuscular tramadol

Introduction: Knowledge about relative merits and demerits of different techniques of administration of drugs through epidural route is needed for optimum management of labour pain. Primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of fentanyl and sufentanil for labour analgesia in comparison with intramuscular tramadol. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized control study included 90 primigravida parturients who were randomly allocated to three groups of 30 each; Fentanyl group (group BF) received 50 mg of epidural fentanyl with 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine, Sufentanil group (group BS) received 10mg epidural sufentanil with 10 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine and Tramadol group (group T), the control group received 100mg intramuscular tramadol with 50 mg repeat dose after 4 hours. Results: Epidural groups were comparable in their visual analogue scale (VAS) score satisfaction score, characteristics of sensory and motor blockade, mode of delivery, side effects, haemodynamic stability and neonatal outcome. Value of VAS did not exceed 3 in the epidural group during the entire study period. Onset of analgesia was early with sufentanil (10.52.1 mins, p used was also less (44.16 mg, p =0.002). Higher VAS scores (>4), delayed onset and decreased total duration of labour was seen in tramadol group. Epidural and tramadol group were comparable in mode of delivery and neonatal outcome. Conclusion: Quality of epidural analgesia with either fentanyl or sufentanil using intermittent bolus technique was comparable. Duration of first and second stage of labour was significantly prolonged in parturients receiving labour epidural analgesia. Keywords: Bupivacaine, Fentanyl, Sufentanil, Labour, Analgesia.

Barrier effect of improved porcine small intestinal submucosa absorbable membrane on early healing of mandibular defects in rabbits

Objective To evaluate the barrier effect of an absorbable barrier membrane made by small intestinal submucosa (SIS) compared with Bio-Gide collagen membrane. Methods 12 healthy New Zealand male white rabbits were randomly assigned. A or B round bone defects with a depth of 2 mm and a diameter of 5 mm or 8 mm was made in each rabbit's mandibular. The following treatments were given respectively: covered with SIS membrane (S), covered with Bio-Gide membrane (G) and blank control (O). Then we got six groups: AS, AG, AO, BS, BG, and BO (n=4). After 4 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed. The specimens were examined by naked-eye observation, new bone percentage (BV/TV) and bone mineralized density (BMD), which were measured and analyzed by Micro-CT. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results After 4 weeks, Bio-Gide membranes were fused with the surrounding tissue while SIS membranes held the form with no significant degradation. In the AS, BS and AG groups, the absorbable membranes smoothly covered on the new bone. While in the BG group, Bio-Gide membranes collapsed to the center of the bone defects. The 3D reconstruction of Micro-CT showed that a large number of newly formed trabeculae were found in the four groups of AS, BS, AG, and BG. In the central subsidence area of the BG group, the newly formed trabeculae were sparse. However only a small amount of new bone trabecula appeared at the bottom of the defects in groups AO and BO. Micro-CT quantitative results showed that BV/TV (39.10%±0.79%) and BMD [(517.73±11.22) mg/cm3] of AS group were significantly higher than those of AO group [26.67%±1.12%, (319.81±8.00) mg/cm3] (P 0.05). BV/TV (34.90%±1.35%) and BMD [(409.09±8.14) mg/cm3] of BS group were significantly higher than those of BO group [23.63%±2.07%, (171.00±16.24) mg/cm3] (P 0.05). HE staining analysis revealed that significant bone formation was achieved in the AS, AG, BS and BG groups, and trabecular bone of AS and AG groups were thicker and denser. In AO and BO group, there were scattered new bone tissues in edges of host bone, and no coarse trabecular bone formed. Conclusion In the early healing of two sizes bone defects in rabbit mandibular, SIS membrane and Bio-Gide membrane have a similar barrier effect in guided bone regeneration. And SIS membrane's ability to maintain space for bone regeneration seems to be better.

Effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on the growth, gut health and disease resistance of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study investigated the effects of the Streptococcus agalactiae antagonizing probiotics Bacillus cereus NY5 and Bacillus subtilis as feed additives for Nile tilapia in terms of growth performance, intestinal health and resistance to S. agalactiae. A total of 720 apparently healthy juvenile Nile tilapia (0.20 ± 0.05 g) were randomly divided into 4 equal groups with 3 replicates for each group. Fish were fed a basal diet (control check group, CK group) supplemented with B. subtilis (1 × 108 CFU/g feed, BS group), B. cereus NY5 (1 × 108 CFU/g feed, BC group), and B. subtilis + B. cereus NY5 (0.5 × 108 CFU/g feed of each probiotic, BS + BC group) for 6 wk, and the probiotic supplementation groups were then fed the basal diet for 1 wk to investigate the gut microbial community. The results of this study showed that BS + BC and BC treatments significantly increased weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and S. agalactiae resistance in Nile tilapia (P < 0.05). Gut microvilli length and density and c-type lysozyme (lyzc) gene expression were significantly increased by probiotic supplementation (P < 0.05). The results of high-throughput sequencing showed that the B. cereus NY5 and B. subtilis + B. cereus NY5-supplemented feed resulted in a significant improvement in tilapia autochthonous gut bacterial communities and had a stimulation effect on a variety of potential probiotics after 6 wk of feeding. After cessation of probiotic administration for 1 wk, the gut bacteria of the fish in the BS + BC and BC groups had minor changes and maintained a stable state. Consequently, it was inferred that, as a feed supplement, B. cereus NY5 and the mixture of B. subtilis and B. cereus NY5 at 1 × 108 CFU/g feed were able to promote growth and disease resistance, which may be associated with the supplement's effects on gut immune status, intestinal morphology, and intestinal microbial community composition.

Effects of laparotomy on cognitive function in rats with traumatic brain injury and the realationship with calcium overload

Objective To evaluate the effect of laparotomy on cognitive function in rats with traumatic brain injury and the relationship with calcium overload. Methods One hundred and fifty healthy male Wistar rats, aged 2~3 months, weighing 190~220 g, were assigned into 5 group (n=30 each) using a random number table: blank group(group B), surgery group of blank rats(group BS), surgery group of sham rats(group SS), traumatic brain injury rats group(group T), surgery group of traumatic brain injury rats(group TS). TBI model was made in rats of group T and TS by Feeney method.Rats in group SS were only treated with cranial bone window without crainocerebral impact.Both group B and BS were normal rats. Then the rats in group BS, SS and TS group underwent laparotomy under sevoflurane anesthesia (the operation time was about 3 hours) and the rats in group B and T inhaled pure oxygen for 3 hours after 20 days. One day before surgery, 3 and 7 d after surgery, 10 rats in each group were randomly selected for Morris water maze test. The hippocampus tissue of 10 rats were taken after the water maze test. The apoptosis rate and calcium concentration of hippocampal neurons were measured by flow cytometry, and the expression level of cleaved caspase-3 in hippocampal tissues was determined by Western blot. Results One day before surgery, compared with group B(the escape latency(9.8±0.8)s, the number of crossing platform (5.8±0.8), the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons (2.5±0.9)%, calcium ion concentration (2.3±0.2), the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (0.22±0.07) ), the escape latency of group T and group TS were prolonged (group T: (25.5±0.7)s, P<0.05; group TS: (25.1±1.1)s, P<0.05), the number of crossing platform decreased (group T: (2.7±0.8), P<0.05; group TS: (2.8±0.6), P<0.05), the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons increased (group T: (5.3±0.6)%, P<0.05; group TS: (5.2±1.0)%, P<0.05), calcium ion concentration increased (group T: (3.7±0.4), P<0.05; group TS: (3.6±0.5), P<0.05) and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 increased (group T: (0.45±0.07), P<0.05; group TS: (0.44±0.05), P<0.05), the differences were statistically significant. Compared with the group SS, the escape latency (3 d after surgery: group SS: (23.8±1.3)s, group TS: (56.4±2.5)s, P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group SS: (16.6±1.8)s, group TS: (38.1±2.1)s, P<0.05)of the rats in group TS were prolonged, the number of crossing platform decreased (3 d after surgery: group SS: (2.9±0.6) , group TS: (1.1±1.1) , P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group SS: (4.2±1.2) , group TS: (1.7±1.3), P<0.05), the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons (3 d after surgery: group SS: (4.8±0.6)%, group TS: (14.4±0.6)%, P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group SS: (3.8±1.1)%, group TS: (9.6±1.3)%, P<0.05), calcium ion concentration (3 d after surgery: group SS: (3.1±0.3), group TS: (6.4±0.5), P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group SS: (2.6±0.3), group TS: (4.8±0.4), P<0.05) , the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (3 d after surgery: group SS: (0.42±0.03), group TS: (0.88±0.08), P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group SS: (0.33±0.05), group TS: (0.63±0.06), P<0.05) in the hippocampus increased after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with the T group, the escape latency (3 d after surgery: group T: (18.6±2.0)s, group TS: (56.4±2.5)s, P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group T: (13.8±2.6)s, group TS: (38.1±2.1)s, P<0.05) of the rats in group TS were prolonged, the number of crossing platform (3 d after surgery: group T: (3.4±0.5), group TS: (1.1±1.1), P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group T: (4.3±1.2), group TS: (1.7±1.3), P<0.05) decreased, the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons (3 d after surgery: group T: (4.4±0.7)%, group TS: (14.4±0.6)%, P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: (3.3±1.3)%, group TS: (9.6±1.3)%, P<0.05), calcium ion concentration (3 d after surgery: group T: (3.4±0.4), group TS: (6.4±0.5), P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: group T: (3.0±0.3), group TS: (4.8±0.4), P<0.05), the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (3 d after surgery: group T: (0.40±0.04), group TS: (0.88±0.08), P<0.05; 7 d after surgery: (0.35±0.02), group TS: (0.63±0.06), P<0.05) in the hippocampus increased after surgery(P<0.05). Conclusion Laparotomy can aggravate the cognitive impairment of rats with traumatic brain injury and cause postoperative cognitive impairment, which may be related to the increased degree of calcium overload and the increased rate of hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Key words: Laparotomy; Traumatic brain injury; Postoperative complications; Cognitive impairment

Production of high quality gonads in the sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus (A. Agassiz, 1864) from a barren by feeding on the kelp Saccharina japonica at the late sporophyte stage

Gonad quality (color, texture, and taste) of adult Mesocentrotus nudus from a barren can be improved by feeding with the kelp Saccharina japonica. Fronds of cultivated S. japonica accumulate resources from May or June as they form zoospores (maturation). In this study, the effect of feeding cultivated S. japonica at the late sporophyte stage (May–July) on the gonad quality of M. nudus from a barren and cultured in cages suspended offshore in Shizugawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, was investigated. At the end of the culture period, gonad indices, hardness, color (L*, a*, b*), free amino acid (FAA) content in the gonads, the consistency of these traits among individuals, and sensory scores of the cultured sea urchins (CE) were compared to those of a natural population from a barren (BE), an Eisenia bicyclis bed (EE) (fishing ground), and urchins from the barren at the start of the culture period (BS). The CE group exhibited a higher gonad index and L* value, and lower gonad hardness and variation among individuals than those of the BS group. Sensory evaluation showed that gonad taste and overall quality of the CE group was more desirable than the EE group. The desirable taste is a result of sweetness due to a high alanine content, strong umami, and low arginine content. It is likely that increased gonad size and improved gonad quality and consistency among individuals were due to feeding the urchins with mature, nutritious S. japonica at the late sporophyte stage. Further research is required to identify the nutrient constituents of S. japonica at the late sporophyte stage that affect gonad taste.

Comparação de fentanil e dexmedetomidina como adjuvante à bupivacaína para raquianestesia unilateral em cirurgia de membros inferiores: estudo randômico

Background and objectivesOne of the disadvantages of unilateral spinal anesthesia is the short duration of post‐operative analgesia, which can be addressed by adding adjuvants to local anesthetics. The aim of current study was to compare the effects of adding dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, or saline to bupivacaine on the properties of unilateral spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing calf surgery. MethodsIn this double‐blind clinical trial, 90 patients who underwent elective calf surgery were randomly divided into three groups. The spinal anesthetic rate in each of the three groups was 1mL bupivacaine 0.5% (5mg). In groups BD, BF and BS, 5μg of dexmedetomidine, 25μg of fentanyl and 0.5mL saline were added, respectively. The duration of the motor and sensory blocks in both limbs and the rate of pain during 24h after surgery were calculated. Hemodynamic changes were also measured during anesthesia for up to 90min. ResultsThe duration of both of motor and sensory block was significantly longer in dependent limb in the BF (96 and 169min) and BD (92 and 166min) groups than the BS (84 and 157min) group. Visual Analog Scale was significantly lower in the two groups of BF (1.4) and BD (1.3), within 24h after surgery, than the BS (1.6) group. ConclusionsThe addition of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in unilateral spinal anesthesia can increase the duration of the motor and sensory block in dependent limb and prolong the duration of postoperative pain. However, fentanyl is more effective than dexmedetomidine.

Comparison of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine for unilateral spinal anesthesia in lower limb surgery: a randomized trial

Background and objectivesOne of the disadvantages of unilateral spinal anesthesia is the short duration of post-operative analgesia, which can be addressed by adding adjuvants to local anesthetics. The aim of current study was to compare the effects of adding dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, or saline to bupivacaine on the properties of unilateral spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing calf surgery. MethodsIn this double-blind clinical trial, 90 patients who underwent elective calf surgery were randomly divided into three groups. The spinal anesthetic rate in each of the three groups was 1mL bupivacaine 0.5% (5mg). In groups BD, BF and BS, 5μg of dexmedetomidine, 25μg of fentanyl and 0.5mL saline were added, respectively. The duration of the motor and sensory blocks in both limbs and the rate of pain during 24h after surgery were calculated. Hemodynamic changes were also measured during anesthesia for up to 90min. ResultsThe duration of both of motor and sensory block was significantly longer in dependent limb in the BF (96 and 169min) and BD (92 and 166min) groups than the BS (84 and 157min) group. Visual Analog Scale was significantly lower in the two groups of BF (1.4) and BD (1.3), within 24h after surgery, than the BS (1.6) group. ConclusionsThe addition of fentanyl and dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in unilateral spinal anesthesia can increase the duration of the motor and sensory block in dependent limb and prolong the duration of postoperative pain. However, fentanyl is more effective than dexmedetomidine.

PENGARUH KOMPENSASI FINANSIAL DAN KOMPENSASI NONFINANSIAL TERHADAP TENAGA KERJA PERUSAHAAN (STUDI PADA SPBU BS GROUP)

The increasing number of motorized vehicles from year to year triggers the high number of gas stations, and consequently, a more competitive sector. As service business, gas stations must pay attention to the workforce’s performance in order to excel in the competition. This research is conducted to determine the influence of financial and non-financial compensation on the workforce’s performance in BS Group. This research is a quantitative research. The population of this research is the entire operator department of BS Group. This research uses non-probability sampling method, or more specifically, saturated sampling, to select 83 respondents as samples. The questionnaires used as data collection method consist of three variables, namely financial compensation, non-financial compensation, and performance. Additionally, Multiple Linear Regression is used as data analysis technique. Research results indicate that both financial and non-financial compensations significantly affect the employee performance of BS Group. Keywords: Financial compensation, Non-financial compensation, Performance, Labor.

Effects of dietary supplementation with β-glucan and Bacillus subtilis on growth, fillet quality, immune capacity, and antioxidant status of Pengze crucian carp (Carassius auratus var. Pengze)

A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with prebiotics β-glucan (BG group) and probiotics Bacillus subtilis (BS group) on growth performance, fillet quality, immune response, and antioxidant status of Pengze crucian carp (Carassius auratus var. Pengze). The results showed that supplementation of B. subtilis significantly improved the growth performance than other groups whereas feed efficiency was unaffected by dietary treatments. The textures of muscle in terms of hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience were higher in BG and BS groups than Control group. Supplementation of β-glucan and B. subtilis acted as an hypolipidemic in terms of decreasing the total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein whereas, increased the immune responses in serum measured by acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and catalase activities. Dietary supplementation of β-glucan and B. subtilis significantly improved the fold height and microvillus height in contrast to basal diet. Moreover, β-glucan could significantly increase digestive capacity observed in terms of an increase in amylase and trypsase activities, and B. subtilis significantly increased amylase and lipase activities in intestine. β-glucan and B. subtilis supplementation enhanced the immunity and antioxidant capacity via an increase in acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, glutathione peroxidase, reduce glutathione, catalase, and total superoxide dismutase activities, accompanied by a significant reduction in malondialdehyde. Overall, the results indicated that B. subtilis improved the growth performance by increasing the digestive enzymes activities and improving the intestinal morphology. β-glucan and B. subtilis supplementation significantly improved the fillet quality, immune responses and antioxidant status of Pengze crucian carp.

Sardinian Folk Dance for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Among different exercise models proposed for individuals with Parkinson's disease (IwPD), the popularity of traditional forms of dance is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Sardinian folk dance (Ballu Sardu, BS) on functional performance and motor and nonmotor symptoms in IwPD. Single-blind, randomized controlled pilot trial. Outpatient health clinic. Twenty IwPD (13M, 7F; 67.4 ± 6.1 years) were randomly assigned to BS (n = 10) or usual care (n = 10). The dance program consisted of two sessions/week, 90-min/class, for 12 weeks. Motor and nonmotor symptoms, as well as functional performance, were evaluated using different questionnaires and tests such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part-III (UPDRS-III), 6-min walking test (6MWT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), Back Scratch Test (BST), Sit-and-Reach Test (SRT), instrumented gait analysis, Parkinson's Disease Fatigue Scale (PFS-16), Beck Depression Inventory, Starkstein Apathy Scale (SAS), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant Time × Group interactions for UPDRS-III and functional variables such as the 6MWT, BBS, FTSST, TUG (all, p < 0.001), BST (p = 0.04), and gait analysis parameters (stride length, p = 0.031; gait speed, p = 0.049; and gait fatigue index (GFI), p = 0.005). For nonmotor symptoms, significant Time × Group interactions for depression (p < 0.001), apathy (p = 0.016), and MOCA scores (p = 0.012) were observed. Of note, for GFI and SAS, the BS group only showed a trend toward improvement, while the condition of the controls worsened significantly. No between-group differences were observed for SRT and PFS-16. BS is an enjoyable activity, which has been proved to be superior to usual care alone in inducing changes in different motor and nonmotor symptoms associated with PD. Results show that BS can be considered a safe tool for contrasting impairments observed in IwPD due to the intrinsic nature of the neurodegenerative disease.

β-Sitosterol modulates macrophage polarization and attenuates rheumatoid inflammation in mice

Context: β-Sitosterol (BS), the primary constituent of plants and vegetables, exhibits multiple biological effects.Objective: This study explores its effect of immune-regulation on macrophages and its potential for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy.Materials and methods: In vitro, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were treated with 5, 25 and 50 μM BS in the M1 or M2 polarization conditions. In vivo, either i.p. injection with 20 or 50 mg/kg BS every 2 d after boost immunization of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) or adoptive transfer of 2 × 106 BS-treated BMDMs (BS-BMDMs) at the day before CIA were adopted in mice to test the therapeutic effect. IL-10 antibody depletion was used in the period of above treatments to discuss the underlying mechanism.Results: The phenotypes and function of BMDMs showed that 5, 25 and 50 μM BS significantly repressed the M1 polarization and augmented M2 polarization dependent upon concentration. The expression of iNOS, IL-1β, CD86 and MHCII in 25 μM BS-treated M1-polarized BMDMs was reduced by 50.2, 47.1, 87.1 and 31.3%, respectively. In contrast, the expression of arginase-1, IL-10, CD163 and CD206 in 25 μM BS-treated M2-polarized BMDMs was increased by 65.6, 107.4, 23.5 and 51.3%, respectively. In CIA mice, either i.p. injection with BS or adoptive transfer of BS-BMDMs could alleviate the symptoms of ankle swelling (vehicle group: 3.13 ± 0.102 mm; 20 mg/kg BS group: 2.64 ± 0.043 mm; 50 mg/kg BS group: 2.36 ± 0.084 mm; BMDMs group: 3.09 ± 0.174 mm; BS-BMDMs group: 2.43 ± 0.042 mm), reduce the levels of collagen-specific antibodies (IgG and IgG1, but not IgG2c, p < 0.05) and inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05). Depletion of IL-10 counteracted the effect of BS treatment (α-IL-10 vs. RatIgG1, p < 0.01 on day 16), highlighting the role of IL-10 in the anti-inflammatory response.Conclusions: These results suggested that BS could modulate the functions of macrophages and might be a promising agent for RA therapy.

869. Evaluation of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic De-Escalation in Patients with Health-Care Associated Pneumonia (HCAP) and No Microbiological Diagnosis

BackgroundBroad-spectrum (BS) antibiotics directed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are commonly used for health-care associated pneumonia (HCAP) treatment. Many patients with HCAP do not have a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of antibiotic de-escalation on clinical outcomes in patients with HCAP without a microbiological diagnosis.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of adult, non-ICU, medical patients hospitalized with HCAP between January 2016 and February 2018 at 46 Michigan hospitals. Exclusions included extrapulmonary infection, severe immune suppression, or clinical instability on day 4. Included patients: (1) lacked any positive culture (blood/sputum); (2) started on empiric anti-P. aeruginosa and anti-MRSA therapy by hospital day 2; (3) switched to a narrow-spectrum (NS) regimen (no anti-P. aeruginosa or anti-MRSA coverage) or maintained on BS antibiotics (anti-P. aeruginosa ± anti-MRSA) by therapy day 4 (Figure 1). Mortality, readmission, Clostridium difficile infection, and adverse events from antibiotics were compared between the BS and NS groups. Data were analyzed using logistic generalized estimating equation models and inverse probability of treatment weighting.ResultsOf 363 patients with HCAP included, 73 (20%) were switched to an NS regimen. Of 290 patients maintained on anti-PSA BS regimens, 47.6% also continued anti-MRSA therapy. The median age was 72 (IQR, 61–81) and Charlson comorbidity index was 4 (IQR, 2–6) of the entire cohort. Baseline characteristics were similar between BS and NS groups, except more patients had chronic kidney disease in the BS group. On multivariable analysis, no other baseline factors were found to be associated with use of BS antibiotics on day 4. Both total and IV antibiotic duration were longer in the BS group (10 vs. 8 days, P = 0.002, and 4 vs. 3 days, P < 0.001, respectively). On adjusted analysis, there were no differences in patient outcomes (Figure 2).ConclusionAmong patients with HCAP started on empiric MRSA and PSA coverage without microbiological diagnosis, clinical outcomes were similar in patients switched to an NS antibiotic and those maintained on BS antibiotics. Our findings suggest a potential role for antimicrobial stewardship in promoting antibiotic de-escalation in this population. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.