Group W1 Research Articles

Effects of oral carbohydrate loading in patients scheduled for painless bidirectional endoscopy: a prospective randomized controlled trial

PurposeTraditional fasting causes considerable discomfort without added assurance of security, whereas oral carbohydrate beverage offers an alternative to improve medical experience. This study aims to explore the impact of different types and dosages of oral fluids loading before painless bidirectional endoscopy on the gastric emptying and wellbeing.Methods180 patients arranged for bidirectional endoscopy with intravenous anesthesia were randomized: patients in the control group (Group C) obeyed standard fasting; the 200 mL carbohydrate group (Group P1), 400 mL carbohydrate group (Group P2), 200 mL water group (Group W1) and 400 mL water group (Group W2) respectively consumed 200 mL or 400 mL corresponding clear liquids 2 h before the procedure. Gastric emptying metrics under ultrasound, subjective comfort indexes, periprocedural blood glucose and vital signs were contrasted among the groups.ResultsNo significant differences were detected in the gastric emptying including CSA (cross-sectional area), GV (gastric volume), cGV (corrected gastric volume) and the three-point grading system among groups, and none had a cGV > 1.5 mL/kg before anesthesia. Participants in Group P2 experienced less preprocedural thirst and mouth dryness, so as the postprocedural thirst, mouth dryness and hunger. Periprocedural blood glucose and MAP had the similar trend in all groups. The occurrence of hypotension, bradycardia, hypoxia, and the required norepinephrine was comparable among the groups.ConclusionsOral beverage loading with 200 mL or 400 mL can be safely applicated 2 h before painless bidirectional endoscopy without increasing the gastric volume. 400 mL carbohydrate solution effectively relieves the discomfort and could serve as a consideration.Trial registrationRegistered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on December 5, 2023 (ChiCTR2300078319).

Investigation of a Pyramid-like Optical Absorber with High Absorptivity in the Range of Ultraviolet A to Middle Infrared

In this study, a simple pyramid-like ultra-wideband absorber was designed to explore high absorptivity across a wide bandwidth. The absorber consisted of eight layers organized into four groups, and each group comprised a metal layer followed by an oxide layer, both of which were square with equal side lengths. Specifically, the chosen oxides, arranged from bottom to top, included SiO2 (t7 layer), Al2O3 (t5 layer), SiO2 (t3 layer), and Al2O3 (t1 layer). In the initial design phase, the thickness of the t8 Ti layer was set to 50 nm and assigned initial values to the thicknesses of the t7-t1 layers, and the widths of the four groups w4, w3, w2, and w1, decreased successively from bottom to top, creating a structure reminiscent of a pyramid. Comsol (version 6.0) was utilized to simulate and systematically vary one parameter at a time, ranging from the thicknesses of the t7-t1 layers to the widths of w4-w1, in order to identify the most suitable structural parameters. Our analyses demonstrated that multimode resonance arose due to the emergence of absorption peaks at lower wavelengths between larger and smaller areas. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance and interference effects between various layers and materials were attributed to the alternating arrangement of metal and oxide layers. The enhancements in the electric field observed at different resonance peak wavelengths illustrated the Fabry–Perot cavity effect, while the impedance matching effect was observed through variations in the real and imaginary parts of the optical impedance with respect to the wave vector. After simulating using these optimally found thicknesses and widths, the aforementioned effects manifested in the pyramid-like ultra-wideband absorber we designed, with its absorptivity surpassing 0.900 across the spectrum from ultraviolet A (335 nm) to middle infrared (4865 nm).

An Intelligent Early Warning System for Harmful Algal Blooms: Harnessing the Power of Big Data and Deep Learning.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a significant ecological threat and economic detriment to freshwater environments. In order to develop an intelligent early warning system for HABs, big data and deep learning models were harnessed in this study. Data collection was achieved utilizing the vertical aquatic monitoring system (VAMS). Subsequently, the analysis and stratification of the vertical aquatic layer were conducted employing the "DeepDPM-Spectral Clustering" method. This approach drastically reduced the number of predictive models and enhanced the adaptability of the system. The Bloomformer-2 model was developed to conduct both single-step and multistep predictions of Chl-a, integrating the " Alert Level Framework" issued by the World Health Organization to accomplish early warning for HABs. The case study conducted in Taihu Lake revealed that during the winter of 2018, the water column could be partitioned into four clusters (Groups W1-W4), while in the summer of 2019, the water column could be partitioned into five clusters (Groups S1-S5). Moreover, in a subsequent predictive task, Bloomformer-2 exhibited superiority in performance across all clusters for both the winter of 2018 and the summer of 2019 (MAE: 0.175-0.394, MSE: 0.042-0.305, and MAPE: 0.228-2.279 for single-step prediction; MAE: 0.184-0.505, MSE: 0.101-0.378, and MAPE: 0.243-4.011 for multistep prediction). The prediction for the 3 days indicated that Group W1 was in a Level I alert state at all times. Conversely, Group S1 was mainly under an Level I alert, with seven specific time points escalating to a Level II alert. Furthermore, the end-to-end architecture of this system, coupled with the automation of its various processes, minimized human intervention, endowing it with intelligent characteristics. This research highlights the transformative potential of integrating big data and artificial intelligence in environmental management and emphasizes the importance of model interpretability in machine learning applications.

Assessment of flax and hemp fibres in terms of their impact on the growth performance and health status of weaned piglets

Weaning is a critical phase in intensive piglet production marked by the frequent occurrence of digestive disorders posing health and economic burden. To stave off such weaning-related problems, antibiotics and supplements containing high levels of ZnO are often used. In this study, we investigated whether natural fibres obtained from two plants known for their dietary fibre profile and antioxidant properties: flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), can serve as a health-promoting diet supplement. The study was conducted on a total of 191 Polish Large White piglets from 18 L, from their birth to 56 days of age. Piglets were divided by litters into six groups: W1.5, F1.5, H1.5, W2.0, F2.0, and H2.0. Groups W1.5, F1.5, and H1.5 received feed supplemented with 1.5% fibre from wood cellulose (W), flax (F), and hemp (H), respectively, while groups W2.0, F2.0, and H2.0 received feed with a higher 2.0% content of the same fibres. Flax and hemp fibres were characterised by a complex composition, antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic acids, and low risk of mycotoxin contamination. Flax fibre resulted in best weight gains and feed conversion ratio (P ≤ 0.05) of piglets, while hemp fibre had higher positive effect on antioxidant status (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the other two fibre additives. Neither flax nor hemp fibres had any adverse effect on the haematological and biochemical blood parameters. Piglets receiving a diet with 1.5% added fibre showed better growth performance, while diet supplementation with 2% fibre had a beneficial effect on the content of butyric acid in the small intestinal chyme (P ≤ 0.05). The results suggested that both flax and hemp fibres can be innovative feed additives for weaned piglets. However, further studies should be conducted in commercial farms, as the effects of dietary fibre could vary in more challenging environmental conditions.

Optimized neural network to predict the experimental minimum period of coal spontaneous combustion.

The harmful gases produced from coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) can cause the environmental pollution. Being able to predict the experimental minimum period of CSC (EMPCSC) is essential in controlling CSC and effectively reducing harmful gas emissions. To obtain high prediction accuracy, we used three optimization algorithms, namely the genetic algorithm (GA), ant colony algorithm (ACO), and particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), to optimize the backpropagation neural network (BPNN). R2, MSE, RMSE, and MAPE were used as evaluation indexes to determine the most accurate prediction model for EMPCSC. Data of 424 coal samples from 15 regions in China were analyzed, with 207 and 217 samples having a spontaneous combustion period of less than 40days (W) and more than 40days (V), respectively. The two groups were further distributed between low-temperature slow oxidation (W0 and V0) and low-temperature fast oxidation (W1 and V1). The results indicated that the prediction performance of the BPNN model optimized using PSO (PSO-BPNN) was better than that of the GA-BPNN and ACO-BPNN models. After optimization through PSO, the goodness of fit (R2) of groups W0, W1, V0, and V1 increased from 0.9180, 0.8746, 0.9987, and 0.9782 to 0.9857, 0.9639, 0.9997, and 0.9994, respectively. Therefore, the results can provide a theoretical reference for selecting the optimal neural network model to predict EMPCSC with high accuracy.

Determine The Genetic Variation of Phenotypic Groups of Quail (Different With Feathers Color ) Using The Chain Polymerase Reaction Technique (PCR)

The main objective of this research was to specify the hereditary variation associated with the plumage color in three local genotypes of Japanese quail which bred in two geographical locations. The birds distributed on six treatments with five birds for each depending on the feather's color and geographical locations. DNA extraction was executed from the blood samples of each treatment and amplified by thermo cycler apparatus and the electrophoresis was done using 1.5% agarose gel for DNA bands exhibiting. Genotype influence has been shown that the black color quail B1 of the agricultural research station in the city of Mosul showed maximum genetic similarity with the Black quail B2 of Tikrit University with a value of 0.9549, the highest genetic similarity between different colors found between B1 and W2 that amounted to 0.9391 based on the similarity index (band sharing). While, the least genetic similarity observed between B2 and W1, which went down to 0.8468. Genetic difference values among studied quail groups showed that the groups B2 and W1 in the higher genetic variation, whereas the least genetic difference found between B1 and B2 groups. The average of dissimilarities for each group with all others varied between the values 0.1203 - 0.0851. The present work prove that the effectiveness of RAPD markers in knowing the similarity and specify the inherited relationship within the quail varieties.

Effects Of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells Injected Intramuscularly On Myostatin Signaling Skeletal Muscle In Rats After Eccentric Exercise

PURPOSE: To observe the effect of adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) on myostatin signal of skeletal muscle in rats at different time points after eccentric exercise, and to explore the mechanism of ASCs injection on skeletal muscle injury and repair after eccentric exercise. METHODS: Phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were injected into the gastrocnemius muscle in the left leg, and ASCs were injected into the gastrocnemius muscle of the right leg of SD rats after eccentric exercise. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: one day D1, three days D3, seven days W1 and fourteen days W2 after exercise. Skeletal muscle ultrastructure was observed by electron microscopic. The content of serum creatine kinase (CK), skeletal muscle troponin I (sTnI), myostatin (MSTN), follistatin (FST) were measured by ELISA. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expressions of MSTN, ACVR2B, FST mRNA in skeletal muscle. The expression of MSTN, ACVR2B, FST, p-Smad2/3 were detected by Western Blot. RESULTS: Compared with group PBS, adipose mesenchymal stem cell injection significantly promoted the repair of muscle fibers. Compared with group D1, the level of CK in group W2 was significantly decreased, the content of sTnI level in group D3 and group W1 were remarkably increased, the serum MSTN contents in group W1 were significantly decreased, which in group W2 was remarkably increased. Compared with group PBS, the relative expression quantities of MSTN mRNA were significantly decreased at time point D3 and which were extremely significantly down-regulated at time point W2. Compared with group PBS, the expression of MSTN protein were significantly decreased at time point D3, the expression of ACVR2B protein were remarkably increased at time point D1,D3 and W1, however, which was significantly decreased at time point W2. Compared with group PBS, the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 shown significantly decreased at the time point W2 of group ASCs. CONCLUSIONS: After eccentric exercise, allogeneic adipose mesenchymal stem cells injected intramuscularly can decreased the transcription of MSTN in skeletal muscle. Adipose mesenchymal stem cells injected intramuscularly may improve the regeneration and repair of skeletal muscle after eccentric exercise through affecting the downstream signaling pathway of MSTN.

Quantification of liver lipid deposition and melano-macrophages in lesser guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris submitted to different feeding cycles

The objective of this study was to evaluate and quantify the fat storage in the liver of lesser guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris submitted to different periods of restriction and refeeding. In a water recirculation system, 21 animals were divided into three groups: control (n=7), fed every day; W1 (n=7), with one week of restriction and two of refeeding and W2 (n=7), with two weeks of restriction and two of refeeding. After 76 days, the animals were euthanized and liver samples were collected, paraffin embedded, stained with PAS and evaluated with stereological procedures and histopatological changes were recorded. The area occupied by fat in the liver of control group was higher than that found in groups W1 and W2 (p<0.001). Melano-macrophage center areas and diameters have risen with increased fasting period while there were swollen and necrotic hepatocytes. These results pointed to physiological adaptations and liver lesions caused by free radicals during fasting periods. Similarly to teleost fish, there was a consumption of lipid reserves while enhancing the gluconeogenesis during fasting.

Study on EOR method in offshore oilfield: Combination of polymer microspheres flooding and nitrogen foam flooding

Nitrogen foam flooding and polymer microsphere flooding have been applied for improving the developmental effect of the high water-cut period in offshore oilfields in recent years. The combination of polymer microsphere flooding and nitrogen foam flooding as a novel technology for enhanced oil recovery was developed in offshore oilfields, due to their injectability, propagation and in-depth plugging property. The goal of the current research was to evaluate the performance of polymer microspheres, screen the appropriate nitrogen foam system, determine the displacement effect of the combination technology by performance measurements and displacement experiments in a laboratory, then the mechanism of profile control and oil displacement was concluded. The experimental results indicated that the polymer microspheres were suitable to inject into the formation due to their swelling and plugging abilities, and the plugging rate of polymer microspheres could reach 96% at 2000 mg/L. The foam system was composed of a 5000 mg/L foaming agent, S2, and a 1000 mg/L stabilizer, P1, the optimal gas-liquid ratio was 1:1, and the best foam slug combination was alternating injections with multiple slugs. In addition, the oil recovery increment of the combined technology (24.65%) was larger than those of the microsphere flooding (12.35%) and foam flooding (18.3%) alone, especially for the low permeability layer. According to the laboratory results, a pilot test was conducted at well group W1 in the Bohai A oilfield, and the test showed that the combined technology can attain the oil increment of 64461 bbls. Therefore, the combination of polymer microsphere flooding and nitrogen foam flooding can help to enhanced the oil recovery more efficiently.

Effects of land-use pattern and physiochemical conditions on phytoplankton communities in a German lowland catchment

To understand the lowland riverine phytoplankton community (of species and functional groups), and to investigate the effects of abiotic factors on phytoplankton variance during the high-flow season, 59 sites of the Treene catchment, northern Germany, were visited in December 2014, where 327 species belonging to six taxonomic groups and 21 phytoplankton functional groups were observed. Bacillariophyta, especially benthic pennales (corresponding to the functional group TB), were dominant in most of the study area. Cyanobacteria (specifically indicated by the functional groups M and S1), which are typically found in lake environments, were also found in the main stream of the River Treene. Furthermore, Euglenophyta (represented by the functional groups W1 and W2) showed a higher percentage in the headwaters. A redundancy analysis indicates that the land-use pattern and physiochemical condition co-contributed to the phytoplankton community variance. The total explained variance (68.4 %) of phytoplankton data was partitioned into three parts: purely physiochemical factors contributed to 24.1 % of the explanation, followed by land-use characteristics (15.6 %), and their shared effects (28.7 %). The functional groups W1 and W2 exhibited a strong positive correlation to the percentage of agricultural land use. The percentages of urban land use and phosphate concentration in the stream were interrelated with the functional groups Lo and M, which indicates mesotrophic to eutrophic water conditions. The unexplained variance (31.6 %) may result from hydrological regimes, which will be taken into account in subsequent studies.

Phytoplankton Functional Groups Variation and Influencing Factors in a Shallow Temperate Lake.

The present study was carried out in Luoma Lake, a shallow lake in temperate eastern China. Based on a two-year study, the dynamics of phytoplankton functional groups and influencing factors were analyzed. A total of 178 taxa were identified and sorted into 20 codons, according to the phytoplankton functional group classification. In order to find the environmental factors driving phytoplankton variations, fifteen groups were analyzed in detail using redundancy analysis. Groups P (Fragilaria crotonensis), X2 (Chlamydomonas globosa, C. microsphaera and Chroomonas acuta), and MP (Navicula rotaeana) were dominant during low temperature periods, whereas groups X2, S1 (Pseudanabaena limnetica), and W1 (Euglena sp.) were dominant during high temperature periods. Water temperature, total phosphorus, and ammonium were the significant driving factors explaining phytoplankton succession. Furthermore, total phosphorus and ammonium could be broadly used in risk management for potential algal blooms in Luoma Lake.

Effects Of Wrist Cooling On Balance And Cognitive Performance In The Heat

Many cooling modalities exist in the literature claiming to improve performance in the heat; however, there’s a paucity of literature regarding wrist cooling’s effects on balance and cognitive performance after a bout of exercise in the heat. PURPOSE: To examine if wrist cooling influences balance and cognitive performance after a bout of cycling exercise in the heat. METHODS: Fourteen male participants (age, 22±4 years; height, 182±7 cm; body mass, 75.4±8.7 kg; body fat %, 10.7±3.4%) were analyzed. In an environmental heat chamber (39.5±0.9°C, 38.6±5.2% RH) participants underwent three randomized 135-minute cycling trials, which included: one wrist cooling device (W1), two wrist cooling devices (W2), and no wrist cooling device (W0) during exercise. Cognitive measures (Balance Error Scoring System [BESS], Letter Digit Substitution Test [LDST], Trail Making Test [TM]) were conducted immediately post-exercise, and delta scores were calculated from a baseline familiarization session. Rectal temperature (TREC) was taken every 15 minutes during exercise. A group x time repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to determine group differences, and paired samples t-tests were used to determine mean differences. RESULTS: No statistical difference between groups W1 and W2 occurred, therefore their data were pooled (WP). No statistically significant difference was observed in TREC between W0 and WP (n=28; p=0.69). Additionally, no significant differences were observed in the LDST (n=27, p=0.21) and TM (n=26, p=0.64) delta scores between W0 and WP. Significant differences were noted in BESS delta scores between W0 and WP, specifically for the single leg foam stance (0±2 vs. 1±2, respectively; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Wrist cooling during exercise in the heat did not have an effect on TREC, LDST, and TM scores; however, it did significantly improve single leg foam stance of the BESS testing post-exercise. Further research is warranted to investigate the potential link of body cooling and balance performance, as well as the effectiveness of wrist cooling on cognitive measures after exercising in the heat.

The nutritive value of edible elements of the carcasses of broiler chickens fed mixtures with faba bean

Background. The nutrition of chickens is an important factor which influences not only rearing indicators but also the quality of meat, including its nutritional value. The aim of the study was to determine the content of basic nutrients (protein, fat, ash) and the energy value in the muscles and liver of chickens fed mixtures with faba bean. Material and methods. The experiment was conducted in a two-factor design on four groups (N1, N2, W1, W2) of broiler chickens. The birds were fed a mixture of maize and soybean with the following shares of low-tannin beans: 8/15% (group N1) and 16/22% (group N2), in Starter//Grower mixtures, respectively, and they were fed mixtures with the same shares of high-tannin faba beans in groups W1 and W2. The chickens were reared for 5 weeks. Next, 12 standardised birds were chosen from each group and they were slaughtered. Samples of chickens’ muscles and liver were collected during the slaughter analysis in order to measure the content of basic nutrients and calculate the energy value. Results. The nutrition did not affect the slaughter yield, the share of breast and leg muscles or hearts and stomachs in chicken carcasses. However, it significantly (P < 0.05) modified the share of skin with subcutaneous fat and total edible viscera, including the liver. The higher share of faba bean (regardless of the content of tannins) decreased the share of skin with subcutaneous fat, but it simultaneously increased the share of the liver. The breast muscles of the birds fed mixtures with a higher proportion of faba bean (regardless of the variety) contained significantly less protein and more intramuscular fat (P < 0.05), whereas the leg muscles had higher content of crude ash (P < 0.05). The feeding model did not affect the content of the abovementioned components in the liver or the energy value of edible elements assessed. Conclusion. To sum up, faba bean (regardless of the variety) can be recommended for feeding broiler chickens, even at the respective proportion of 16/22% in the Starter/Grower mixtures, because it does not affect most meat and liver nutritional value parameters.

On equivariant homeomorphisms of boundaries of CAT(0) groups and Coxeter groups

In this paper, we investigate an equivariant homeomorphism of the boundaries ∂X and ∂Y of two proper CAT(0) spaces X and Y on which a CAT(0) group G acts geometrically. We provide a sufficient condition and an equivalent condition to obtain a G-equivariant homeomorphism of the boundaries ∂X and ∂Y as a continuous extension of the quasi-isometry ϕ:Gx0→Gy0 defined by ϕ(gx0)=gy0, where x0∈X and y0∈Y. In this paper, we say that a CAT(0) group G is equivariant (boundary) rigid, if G determines its ideal boundary by the equivariant homeomorphisms as above. As an application, we introduce some examples of (non-)equivariant rigid CAT(0) groups and we show that if Coxeter groups W1 and W2 are equivariant rigid as reflection groups, then so is W1⁎W2. We also provide a conjecture on non-rigidity of boundaries of some CAT(0) groups.

Inter-population variation for Wolbachia induced reproductive incompatibility in the haplodiploid mite Tetranychus urticae.

Recent studies have revealed diverse patterns of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) induced by Wolbachia in the two spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch). The mechanism of CI consists of two steps: modification (mod) of sperm of infected males and the rescue (resc) of these chromosomes by Wolbachia in the egg, which results in female embryonic mortality (FM), male development (MD) or no CI. Our study reports that Wolbachia infections were highly prevalent infecting all T. urticae populations from various crops in 14 commercial greenhouses in Korea, with two Wolbachia strains expressing distinctive phenotypic effects on hosts. Analyses for wsp gene sequences obtained from collected mite populations revealed all sequences were categorized into two groups (group W1 and W2) discriminated by three diagnostic nucleotides while all Wolbachia strains belonged to the subgroup Ori in Wolbachia supergroup B. Host plants of each mite population were also generally correlated this grouping. Various mating experiments with two mite populations from each group showed that CI patterns and host plants of the mite populations were completely matched with the grouping; no CI (mod(-)resc(+)) for group W1 and mixed pattern of FM and MD (mod(+)resc(+)) for group W2. No distinct changes in fecundity or sex ratio due to Wolbachia infections were observed in four mite populations regardless of Wolbachia grouping. Our study suggests a potential correlation between phenotypic effect of Wolbachia infection and its genetic diversity associated with host plants in Korean mite populations.

Assessment of probiotics supplementation via feed or water on the growth performance, intestinal morphology and microflora of chickens after experimental infection with Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella

In this study, the effect of probiotic supplementation via drinking water or feed on the performance of broiler chickens experimentally infected with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina (5 × 104), Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella (2 × 104 each one) at 14 days of age was evaluated. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were separated into eight equal groups with three replicates. Two of the groups, one infected with mixed Eimeria oocysts and the other not, were given a basal diet and served as controls. The remaining groups were also challenged with mixed Eimeria species and received the basal diet and either water supplemented with probiotic (three groups) or probiotic via feed (two groups); the probiotic used consisted of Enterococcus faecium #589, Bifidobacterium animalis #503 and Lactobacillus salivarius #505 at a ratio of 6:3:1. Probiotic supplementation was applied either via drinking water in different inclusion rates (groups W1, W2 and W3) or via feed using uncoated (group FN) or coated strains (group FC). The last group was given the basal diet supplemented with the anticoccidial lasalocid at 75 mg/kg. Each experimental group was given the corresponding diet or drinking water from day 1 to day 42 of age. Throughout the experimental period of 42 days, body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly and feed conversion ratios were calculated. Seven days after infection, the infected control group presented the lowest weight gain values, while probiotics supplied via feed supported growth to a comparable level with that of the lasalocid group. Probiotic groups presented lesion score values and oocyst numbers that were lower than in control infected birds but higher than in the lasalocid group. In the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the highest villous height values were presented by probiotic groups. In conclusion, a mixture of probiotic substances gave considerable improvement in both growth performance and intestinal health in comparison with infected control birds and fairly similar improvement to an approved anticoccidial during a mixed Eimeria infection.

Effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist on mechanical ventilation-induced lung injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist Wy14643 on mechanical ventilation-induced lung injury in rats.Methods Thirty-two healthy male SD weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups(n = 8 each): group Ⅰ control(group C);group Ⅱ mechanical ventilation(group V)and group Ⅲ,Ⅳ pretreated with different doses of Wy14643(group W1 ,W2).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 3% pentobarbital 30 mg/kg and tracheostomized.The femoral artery and external jugular vein were cannulated for blood sampling and drug administration.Group C received no mechanical ventilation.In group V,W1 and W2 the animals were mechanically ventilated for 2 h(VT 40 ml/kg,RR40 bpm,I:E=1:2,FiO2 21%).In group W1 and W2 Wy14643 1 and 3 mg/kg were administered iv at 1 h before mechanical ventilation.Arterial blood samples were collected at 1 and 2 h of mechanical ventilation for determination of PaO2/FiO2.Serum SOD activity and MDA concentration were measured at the end of 2 h mechanical ventilation.The animals were then killed and the lungs removed for microscopic examination,lung lavage and W/D lung weight ratio.The MIP-2 and TNF-α concentrations in BALF were measured.Results Two hour mechanical ventilation significantly decreased serum SOD activity and increased serum MDA concentration,W/D lung weight ratio and TNF-α and MIP-2 concentrations in BALF as compared with group C.Wy14643 pretreatment significantly attenuated these mechanical ventilation-induced changes in group W1 and W2 in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion Wy14643 can attenuate mechanical ventilation induced lung injury in rats and it is related to the dose. Key words: PPAR alpha; Respiratory distress syndrome,adult; Respiration,artificial

Distribuição vertical da comunidade fitoplanctônica do lago dos Tigres (Goiás, Brasil)

Tigres Lake is a blocked valley lake, with no registered studies of phytoplankton vertical distribution for that lake type; as such, our work assumes a pioneering nature. The aim of this study was to recognize temporally and spatially the vertical patterns of phytoplankton community attributes, to detect the dominant and descriptive phytoplankton functional groups, and relate them to limnological characteristics. Tigres Lake was characterized as a warm polymictic lake, featuring occasional thermal stratification in deeper stations. The dry and early rainy seasons presented limnological (evidenced by PCA) and biological (observed by CCA) differences. The dry months presented more nutrient concentrations and greater transparency level; on those months, phytoplankton functional groups Lo, Y, N and W1 were predominant; while the rainy months featured higher temperatures and lower transparency levels, and the predominant phytoplankton functional groups were S1, T and N. By jointly evaluating limnological characteristics, biovolume and phytoplankton functional groups, it can be concluded that the vertical profile of Tigres lake is oligo-mesotrophic

Protective effects of hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) against ischemia reperfusion injury of kidney: experiment with rats

To explore the protective effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES)(130/0.4) against ischemia reperfusion injury of kidney and its impact on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Forty SD rats underwent resection of the right kidney and clamping of the left renal artery for 60 min to establish renal ischemia reperfusion model, and then were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: Group S, undergoing infusion of normal saline 20 mg/kg 20 min before the reopening of the renal artery, Group W1, undergoing infusion of HES 5 mg/kg 20 min before the reopening of the renal artery, Group W2, undergoing infusion of HES 10 mg/kg, and Group W3, undergoing infusion of normal saline 20 mg/kg. Ten rats underwent sham operation and were used as controls (Group C). 24 h after reperfusion arterial blood samples were collected to detect 6 the levels of serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and then the rats were killed with their kidneys taken out to undergo pathological examination and calculation of Paller's score. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The levels of BUN and Cr of Group S were 152 +/- 22 and 3.17 +/- 1.00 mmol/L respectively, both significantly higher than those of Group C, and the levels of BUN and Cr of Groups W2 and W3 were 99 +/- 23 and 1.82 +/- 0.86 mmol/L and 92 +/- 28 and 1.57 +/- 0.70 mmol/L respectively, all significantly lower than those of Group S (P < 0. 05 or P < 0.01). The Paller's scores of W2 and W3 were 33.6 +/- 16.6 and 29.2 +/- 12.3 respectively,both significantly lower that of Group S (43.2 +/- 15. 8, both P < 0.05). The absorption levels of ICAM-1 of Groups W2 and W3 were 182 +/- 22 and 161 +/- 25 respectively, both significantly lower than that of Group S (212 +/- 32, P < 0.01). Infusion of 10-20 ml/kg HES (130/0.4) significantly alleviates the ischemia-reperfusion injury, probably by reducing the ICAM-1 expression.

Randomised, controlled walking trials in postmenopausal women: the minimum dose to improve aerobic fitness?

Background: The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 20–60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to five days a week at an intensity of 40/50–85% of maximal aerobic power (Vo2max) reserve,...