Significant Negative Linear Relationship Research Articles

Maternal blood endometase level as a predictive biomarker for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

Preeclampsia (PE) occurs due to inadequate spiral artery/trophoblast remodeling in early pregnancy. Endometases are involved in the remodeling of spiral arteries and placental trophoblasts. This study aimed to investigate differences in blood endometase levels between pregnant women with hypertensive disorders (PE and gestational hypertension [GHT]) and healthy pregnant women and to evaluate whether plasma endometase values ​​could play a predictive role in PE or GHT diagnosis. A total of 90 pregnant women (n(PE) = 30, n(GHT) = 30, n(healthy pregnant) = 30) who presented at the hospital between December 2023 and May 2024 and were 26–32 years of age and > 20 weeks pregnant were included in the study. The endometase levels in all pregnant women were determined in maternal blood plasma via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The endometase values were recalculated according to albumin values, and corrected endometase (cEndo) values were determined. No significant differences in blood endometase levels were observed between the groups (p > 0.05). The cEndo value was significantly lower in the PE and GHT groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the cEndo values between the PE and GHT groups (p > 0.05). A statistically significant negative linear relationship was detected between cEndo values and mean systolic blood pressure and mean diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). The cEndo values in the PE and GHT groups at early (≤ 32 weeks 3 days) and late pregnancy were compared, and no statistically significant difference was detected (p > 0.05). Maternal blood cEndo values may play a successful role in distinguishing hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (PE + GHT) from healthy pregnant women. cEndo does not play an effective role in the differential diagnosis between pregnant women with PE and those with GHT. Studies with larger patient populations are needed.

Nighttime Applications of Germicidal UV Light to Suppress Cercospora Leaf Spot in Table Beet.

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Cercospora beticola, is a destructive disease affecting table beet. Multiple applications of fungicides are needed to reduce epidemic progress to maintain foliar health and enable mechanized harvest. The sustainability of CLS control is threatened by the rapid development of fungicide resistance, the need to grow commercially acceptable yet CLS-susceptible cultivars, and the inability to manipulate agronomic conditions to mitigate disease risk. Nighttime applications of germicidal UV light (UV-C) have recently been used to suppress several plant diseases, notably those caused by ectoparasitic biotrophs such as powdery mildews. We evaluated the efficacy of nighttime applications of UV-C for suppression of CLS in table beet. In vitro lethality of UV-C to germinating conidia increased with increasing dose, with complete suppression at 1,000 J/m2. Greenhouse-grown table beet tolerated relatively high doses of UV-C without lethal effects despite some bronzing on the leaf blade. A UV-C dose >1,500 J/m2 resulted in phytotoxicity severities greater than 50%. UV-C exposure to ≤750 J/m2 resulted in negligible phytotoxicity. Older (6-week-old) greenhouse-grown plants were more susceptible to UV-C damage than younger (2- and 4-week-old) plants. Suppression of CLS by UV-C was greater when applied within 6 days of C. beticola inoculation than if delayed until 13 days after infection in greenhouse-grown plants. In field trials, there were significant linear relationships between UV-C dose and CLS control and phytotoxicity severity, and a significant negative linear relationship between phytotoxicity and CLS severity at the final assessment. Significant differences between UV-C doses on the severity of CLS and phytotoxicity indicated an efficacious dose near 800 J/m2. Collectively, these findings illustrate significant and substantial suppression by nighttime applications of UV-C for CLS control on table beet, with potential for incorporation in both conventional and organic table beet broadacre production systems.

Characteristics of life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions of arterial highway maintenance and the influencing factors

With the focus of highway development transitioning from construction to maintenance, a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and influencing factors of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from highway maintenance activities is crucial for formulating effective strategies to promote the low-carbon development of road infrastructure. However, the quantitative relationships between CO2 emissions from highway maintenance schemes and factors such as pavement deterioration, traffic volume, and road grade remain unclear owing to a lack of comprehensive, multi-category, and real data. Using real maintenance data from 340 arterial highway segments in China, this study conducts the life cycle assessment (LCA) to estimate CO2 emissions from maintenance activities and examines the primary emission sources among various structural layers and materials. Furthermore, multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis is conducted to investigate the impact of traffic volume, road grade, and pavement deterioration on CO2 emissions from maintenance projects, and factors influencing the early-stage degradation of pavement performance. The results demonstrate that average CO2 emissions from heavy rehabilitation projects are 6.97 times higher than those from medium rehabilitation projects. Emissions from heavy rehabilitation projects exhibit a significantly negative linear relationship with the riding quality index (RQI) before maintenance (p < 0.05), and emissions from medium rehabilitation projects show a significant negative linear relationship with the pavement condition index (PCI) before maintenance (p < 0.05). Emissions from heavy and medium rehabilitation projects are significantly positively correlated with heavy vehicle traffic volume before maintenance (p < 0.05). Moreover, the early-stage degradation of PCI after heavy rehabilitation and RQI after medium rehabilitation exhibit significantly negative linear relationships with their respective indicators before maintenance (p < 0.05). The early-stage degradation of RQI after heavy rehabilitation is significantly positively correlated with CO2 emissions from the base course and cushion layers (p < 0.05). The findings emphasize that timely maintenance and reduction of CO2 emissions from asphalt mixing equipment are essential for mitigating emissions from road maintenance. This study offers valuable insights for advancing the low-carbon development of highways in temperate regions.

Evaluating the yield of surviving plants from early‐season hail damage in corn: A field survey

AbstractEconomic losses due to hailstorms across US corn fields occur every year. Hailstorms result in leaf defoliation, decreasing photosynthetic area and impairing carbon assimilation and crop yield for all corn (Zea mays L.) development stages. However, more attention is often given to stand reductions rather than damage to stems or leaf defoliation. During the 2014 growing season, a natural hail event affected many areas of eastern Nebraska. Twelve affected corn fields were surveyed and included in this study. An injury score scale (1–5) was developed based on various injury and severity levels before the V6 (6‐leaf corn growth stage) (six‐collared leaves). Scores were assigned to affected fields approximately 10–15 days after the hailstorm. At the end of the growing season, ears were harvested, and grain yield per plant was determined. The highest grain yield (p &lt; 0.05) was recorded with plants that were affected but retained a main stem in good condition, albeit defoliation was present (score 1, lowest damage category). In contrast, when the main stem was cut and the plant had poor regrowth (score 3), yields were reduced by approximately 53% compared to plants with an injury score of 1. A significant negative linear relationship (R2 = 0.63, p &lt; 0.01) between injury score and yield was observed (higher injury score from hail events resulted in lower yields). Based on these results, corn yield reduction due to plant injury from hail events before V6 should not be only attributed to stand reductions. Our findings indicate an opportunity to adjust the US evaluation standards for early‐season hail damage events in corn fields.

A Comparative Study on Levels of hs-CRP and Lipid Profile in Prediabetic and Normal Population.

This study aimed to compare high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and lipid profile levels between prediabetic and normal populations and explore correlations between hs-CRP and lipid profile in prediabetic individuals. The study was conducted among Group A comprising 75 prediabetic individuals, and Group B, which included 75 non-diabetic controls from the general population. Results showed that the mean hs-CRP level in Group A (1.717) significantly exceeded that of Group B (0.917) (p = 0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive linear relationships between hs-CRP and lipid profile parameters, indicating that as total cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) increased, hs-CRP also increased. A significant negative linear relationship was observed between hs-CRP and HDL. Moreover, a positive linear relationship existed between hs-CRP and glycemic parameters (fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), and Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)). It is concluded that elevated hs-CRP, an inflammatory marker, correlated with dysregulated lipid profiles, and glycemic parameters, indicating its potential role in assessing inflammation in prediabetic individuals and its association with dyslipidemia and glucose metabolism.

Association between Hematocrit and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Hematocrit is found an independent risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) in certain patients, but this effect in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear. We aim to identify the relationship between hematocrit and AKI in patients with AMI. The patient data for the discovery and validation cohorts were extracted from the electronic Intensive Care Unit database and the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database, respectively, to identify the relationship between hematocrit and AKI. With normal hematocrit as the reference, patients were divided into five groups based on the initial hematocrit value. The primary outcome was AKI during hospitalization. A multivariable logistic regression and a marginal effect analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between hematocrit and AKI. In this study, a total of 9692 patients diagnosed with AMI were included, with 7712 patients in the discovery cohort and 1980 patients in the validation cohort. In the discovery cohort, hematocrit in 30-33%, 27-30% or 27% were independent risk factors for AKI in the multivariate logistic analysis, with odds ratio (OR) of 1.774 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.203-2.617, p = 0.004), 1.834 (95% CI: 1.136-2.961, p = 0.013) and 2.577 (95% CI: 1.510-4.397, p 0.001), respectively. Additionally, in the validation cohort, low hematocrit levels independently contributed to an increased risk of AKI among patients with AMI. During the analysis of marginal effects, a significant negative linear relationship between hematocrit levels and AKI was observed. Decreased hematocrit was an independent risk factor for AKI in patients with AMI. The relationship between hematocrit and AKI was negative linear.

The Impact of Culturally Responsive Leadership Traits on Alabama K-12 Teachers’ Intention to Leave and Job Satisfaction

Previous research has shown that culturally responsive leadership leads to improvements in teachers’ performance and job satisfaction. The goal of the current research study is to examine if there is a linear relationship between the Alabama state high school teachers’ perception of their school principals’ Culturally Responsive Leadership Traits upon the dependent variables of job satisfaction and turnover intention. Based on a sample of 95 Alabama state high school teachers, the key findings of this research study showed that school principals’ providing professional development had a marginally statistically significant negative linear relationship with school teacher self-reported total job satisfaction along with the statistically significant relationship between the increasing level of a school teacher’s intention to leave their job due to the increasing amounts instructional resources that are being offered to them by their school principals. In contrast, fostering the Culturally Responsive Leadership Trait of Maximizing the Instruction Time for subordinate teachers by school principals in the state of Alabama can be a cornerstone to build upon for future school principals’ professional development to further improve job satisfaction among their subordinate Alabama K-12 school teachers.

Amplicon-based metagenomics to study the effect of coir age and wood biochar on microbiome in relation to strawberry yield

In the UK, strawberry is mostly grown in coconut coir substrate under protection. Coir substrate is usually used only for one or two cropping seasons because the continuous reuse of coir without any treatment leads to yield decline. In this study, we investigated the changes in bacterial and fungal communities in strawberry roots and bulk coir in relation to (i) the coir substrate age (cropping seasons) and (ii) oak or beech biochar amendment at planting. Coir age did not affect fungal/bacterial alpha (within-sample) diversity but affected beta (between-sample) diversity. Amendment with either oak or beech biochar did not lead to significant changes in either alpha or beta diversity for both fungi and bacteria, but it did alter the relative abundance of 13 fungal ASVs. This study identified six bacterial and 20 fungal ASVs with a significant positive linear relationship with coir age and also eight bacterial and 22 fungal ASVs with a significant negative linear relationship with coir age. Notably, the observed strawberry yield decline in reused coir substrate could be associated with a generalist root pathogen, Ilyonectria destructans (ex. Cylindrocarpon destructans), of which the abundance increased annually by 225% and 426% in strawberry root and bulk coir, respectively. Future research is needed to confirm the role of I. destructans in reused coir on strawberry plant health and fruit productivity and then to identify management strategies for yield decline mitigation.

The Influence of Parental Conflict on Primary School Students' Academic Self-Efficacy

Parental conflict refers to the disputes and conflicts caused by the difference of parents' views in a family environment. This will have a negative influence on the child's psychology and behavior. Academic Self-efficacy (ASE) refers to students' overall belief in their capacity to cope with many different types of academic challenges in school and is an important prerequisite for well-being and academic performance. Parental conflict not only affects children's emotional development, but also their behavior and sense of academic self-efficacy. This experiment uses the method of questionnaire to study the effect of parental conflict on the academic self-efficacy of primary school children, hoping to provide some enlightenment and suggestions for educators and parents. The average score of academic self-efficacy was 70.95. The average parental conflict was 109.33. The intensity dimension was 15.57 and the frequency dimension was 14.04. The mean value of academic self-efficacy is slightly lower than the median, the mean value of parental conflict, the mean value of intensity and the mean value of frequency are much higher than the median. The results show that parental conflict frequency has a significant negative linear relationship with academic self-efficacy, there is no significant relationship between parental conflict intensity and academic self-efficacy. And there is a significant negative linear relationship between parental conflict and academic self-efficacy. The more parental conflict occurs, the lower children's academic self-efficacy will be. Parents should reduce conflict and ensure that children have a high sense of academic self-efficacy.

Tahap Burnout dan Kepuasan Kerja dalam Kalangan Pensyarah Kolej Komuniti Kuala Langat

This study aims to identify the level of burnout and job satisfaction among Kuala Langat Community College lecturers. The objective of this study is to measure and identify the relationship between the level of burnout and job satisfaction among lecturers. The study sample was carried out involving 92 respondents. Questionnaires Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Job Descriptive Index (JDI) were used as research instruments. Data has been analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 19. The findings show burnout levels among lecturers is at medium level for personal achievement subscale and a low level for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization subscale. The level of job satisfaction is at a moderate level. The results of the correlation analysis test also found that there is a significant negative linear relationship between the level of burnout and level of job satisfaction but in a weak context in which Pearson Correlation (r) value is 0.321 which is in the weak correlation range (r = -0.321, p &lt; 0.01). Hence, the findings of this study can be used by the Human Resource Development Division to carry out strategies for mitigating burnout and increasing job satisfaction among lecturers.

Preservation of bone organic fraction is not predictive of the preservation of bone inorganic fraction when assessing stable isotope analysis sample quality control measures

Stable isotope analysis of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) of archaeological bone has become an increasingly common research method for interpreting human behavior in the past. However, diagenesis of skeletal material can invalidate stable isotope ratios, thereby compromising interpretations. We examine patterns of bone diagenesis using infrared spectroscopy of bone bioapatite samples in relation to indicators of organic preservation quality indicators. We assess crystallinity, an indicator of bioapatite preservation, using the infrared splitting factor (IR-SF) and carbonate content (carbonate to phosphate ratio, C/P) calculated from infrared spectra. We then test the assumption that if the organic fraction of bone is preserved, the mineral fraction will also be unaffected by postmortem chemical alteration. We analyzed 454 bone bioapatite and extracted bone organic sample pairs from modern, historic, and prehistoric humans. Consistent with previous studies, we observed a strong, statistically significant negative linear relationship between IR-SF and C/P (r = −0.855, p < 0.001). Modern bone bioapatite samples unaltered by diagenesis have low IR-SF and high C/P values. There was no significant association between the collagen yield or atomic C:N ratio and IR-SF or C/P values. The range of variation in IR-SF and C/P values for samples with organic yields between 0 and >20 percent spanned the range of modern bone bioapatite unaltered by diagenesis as well as bone bioapatite significantly affected by diagenesis. The lack of predictive patterning between bone inorganic and organic diagenesis suggests that the depositional context and site formation history play critical and independent roles in the organic and mineral fraction of bone. Thus, the preservation of the organic fraction of bone is not predictive of the preservation of the inorganic fraction (e.g., bioapatite).

Output Current and Efficacy of Pulsed Radiofrequency of the Lumbar Dorsal Root Ganglion in Patients With Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Lumbar radicular pain (LRP) is a common but challenging clinical symptom. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), a neuromodulation technique that uses short pulses of radiofrequency current, is effective in treating various pain disorders. However, few studies have been conducted on the effects of PRF and its modifying parameters. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to determine the intraoperative parameters of PRF of the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that are related to clinical effects in patients with LRP unresponsive to transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial, pilot study. SETTING: Single medical center in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: Patients were allocated to one of 2 groups, high-voltage (60 V) or standard-voltage (45 V), according to the preset maximum voltage at which the active tip temperature does not exceed 42°C. Intraoperative parameters, such as output current, sensory threshold, and impedance, were measured. The primary outcomes were radicular pain intensity, physical functioning, global improvement and satisfaction with treatment, and adverse events. The assessments were performed up to 3 months postprocedure. RESULTS: The patients in the standard-voltage group showed significant improvements in the Numeric Rating Scale pain score (P = 0.007) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (P = 0.008) scores at 3 months post-PRF; however, no difference was observed in the high-voltage group. Among the intraoperative parameters, the output current showed a significant negative linear relationship with analgesic efficacy. The output current also showed a significant association with pain intensity (P = 0.005, R2 = 0.422) and ODI score (P = 0.004, R2 = 0.427) at 3 months postprocedure in a multiple regression analysis. The optimal cut-off value of the output current to lower pain intensity after 3 months was 163.5 mA with a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 100%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.92 (95% CI. 0.76 – 1.00). LIMITATIONS: Limitations of our study include an imbalance of baseline characteristics, small sample sizes, and short follow-up periods CONCLUSIONS: Lower output currents during PRF application to the lumbar DRG were associated with greater analgesic effects in patients who did not respond to therapeutic TFESI. KEY WORDS: Lumbar radicular pain, pulsed radiofrequency, dorsal root ganglion

Meta-Analytic Modeling of the Severity-Yield Relationships in Soybean Frogeye Leaf Spot Epidemics.

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by Cercospora sojina, is an important foliar disease affecting soybean in the United States. A meta-analytic approach including 39 fungicide trials conducted from 2012 to 2021 across eight states (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee) was used to assess the relationship between FLS severity and soybean yield. Correlation and regression analyses were performed separately to determine Fisher's transformation of correlation coefficients (Zr), intercept (β0) and slope (β1). Disease pressure (low severity, ≤34.5; high severity, >34.5%) and yield class (low, ≤3,352; high, >3,352 kg/ha) were included as categorical moderators. Pearson's [Formula: see text], obtained from back-transforming the [Formula: see text]r estimated by an overall random-effects model, showed a significant negative linear relationship between FLS severity and yield ([Formula: see text] = -0.60). The [Formula: see text]r was affected by disease pressure (P = 0.0003) but not by yield class (P = 0.8141). A random-coefficient model estimated a slope of -19 kg/ha for each percent severity for a mean attainable yield of 3,719.9 kg/ha. Based on the overall mean (95% CI) of the intercept and slope estimated by the random-coefficients model, the estimated overall relative damage coefficient was 0.51% (0.36 to 0.69), indicating that a percent increase in FLS severity reduced yield by 0.51%. The best model included yield class as a covariate, and population-average intercepts differed significantly between low (3,455.1 kg/ha) and high (3,842.7 kg/ha) yield classes. This highlights the potential impact of FLS on soybean yield if not managed and may help in disease management decisions.

Reduced ascorbate pool and its maintenance are important determinants of O3 damage to net photosynthetic rate in Fagus crenata under elevated CO2 and soil N supply

Many studies have reported modification in the degree of O3 damage to photosynthesis by elevated CO2 and soil N supply. However, the mechanism underlying the modification is unclear. To clarify the important determinants in the degree of O3 damage to net photosynthetic rate (A) in the leaves of Fagus crenata (Siebold's beech) under elevated CO2 and with different soil N supply, F. crenata seedlings were grown for two growing seasons under combinations of two O3 levels (low concentration at approximately 4 nmol mol−1 and two times the ambient concentration), two CO2 levels (ambient and 700 μmol mol−1), and three levels of soil N supply (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha−1 year−1). During the second growing season, we determined A, stomatal conductance for calculating phytotoxic O3 dose (POD), antioxidant concentrations, and antioxidative enzyme activities in the leaves for evaluating O3 detoxification capacity. We calculated the O3-induced reduction in mean A (ΔAmean) during the second growing season using the data reported in our previous study and plotted it against mean daily POD without flux threshold (POD0). There was no significant linear nor non-linear relationship, suggesting that not only POD0 but also O3 detoxification capacity are important determinants of ΔAmean under elevated CO2 and N supply. We found significant negative linear relationships of ΔAmean per unit POD0 (ΔAmean/POD0) with reduced ascorbate concentration in the low O3 treatment, and with percentage of O3-induced change in activity of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR). In addition, the ΔAmean/POD0 was positively and significantly correlated with the activity ratio of ascorbate peroxidase to MDAR. These results suggest that reduced ascorbate pool and its maintenance through the action of MDAR could be important determinants in the degree of O3 damage to net photosynthesis under elevated CO2 and soil N supply.

Effects of immersive virtual reality on sensory overload in a random sample of critically ill patients.

Sensory overload and sensory deprivation have both been associated with negative health outcomes in critically ill patients. While there is a lack of any clear treatment or prevention strategies, immersive virtual reality is a promising tool for addressing such problems, but which has not been repetitively tested in random samples. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how critically ill patients react to repeated sessions of immersive virtual reality. This exploratory study was conducted in the mixed medical-surgical intermediate care unit of the University Hospital of Bern (Inselspital). Participants (N = 45; 20 women, 25 men; age = 57.73 ± 15.92 years) received two immersive virtual reality sessions via a head-mounted display and noise-canceling headphones within 24 h during their stay in the unit. Each session lasted 30-min and showed a 360-degree nature landscape. Physiological data were collected as part of the participants' standard care, while environmental awareness, cybersickness, and general acceptance were assessed using a questionnaire designed by our team (1 = not at all, 10 = extremely). During both virtual reality sessions, there was a significant negative linear relationship found between the heart rate and stimulation duration [first session: r(43) = -0.78, p < 0.001; second session: r(38) = -0.81, p < 0.001] and between the blood pressure and stimulation duration [first session: r(39) = -0.78, p < 0.001; second session: r(30) = -0.78, p < 0.001]. The participants had a high comfort score [median (interquartile range {IQR}) = 8 (7, 10); mean = 8.06 ± 2.31], did not report being unwell [median (IQR) = 1 (1, 1); mean = 1.11 ± 0.62], and were not aware of their real-world surroundings [median (IQR) = 1 (1, 5); mean = 2.99 ± 3.22]. The subjectively reported decrease in environmental awareness as well as the decrease in the heart rate and blood pressure over time highlights the ability of immersive virtual reality to help critically ill patients overcome sensory overload and sensory deprivation. Immersive virtual reality can successfully and repetitively be provided to a randomly selected sample of critically ill patients over a prolonged duration.

Correlation of Ora Test and Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Index (CAST) to Evaluate Caries Activity in 5-to-8-Year-Old Children.

Objectives: Dental caries is a common chronic disease amongst children and are typically evaluated using the DMFT/deft index (decayed, missing, and filled teeth for permanent dentition/decayed, extracted, and filled teeth for primary dentition). To address the limitations associated with these indices, alternative assessment tools such as the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index and Ora test have been developed. These methods aim to estimate caries activity within the oral cavity more accurately. The objective of our study was to evaluate and correlate caries activity in 5-to-8-year-old children using Ora test and CAST index. Materials and Methods: Thirty schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 8 years were selected and allocated into two groups (n=15) with DMFT/deft scores of <5 (group A) and >5 (group B). Two separate blinded examiners administered the assessments by first determining CAST scoring, which was followed by Ora test. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation test and significance was set at P≤0.05. Results: The mean time for color change of Ora test, was 118.53±23.28 minutes in group A and 53.33±15.07 minutes in group B. CAST severity scores were 3.67±2.08 and 15.7±9.70 for groups A and B, respectively. Time taken for color change in Ora test and CAST scores showed a significant negative linear relationship (P=0.039). Conclusion: Based on the negative correlation between CAST scores and Ora test, it may be postulated that microbial activity is directly related to caries activity in 5-to-8-year-old children.

Effect of the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique on Pain Level and Sleep Quality of Patients After Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the 4-7-8 breathing exercise on pain and sleep quality of patients after laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Methods: A randomized controlled study was performed. Forty participants each were assigned to two groups: experimental and control groups. While routine care was applied to the control group, the experimental group was given 4-7-8 breathing training. A Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) were used for data collection. Results: The mean VAS and RCSQ total scores of the experimental group were 4.62 ± 0.92 and 80.62 ± 7.72, respectively. The mean VAS and RCSQ total scores of the control group were 7.10 ± 0.77 and 67.02 ± 12.6, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean VAS and RCSQ scores of the experimental and control groups. There was a statistically significant positive linear relationship between the mean VAS score and age in the experimental group (r = 0.352). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant negative linear relationship between the mean age and RCSQ and mean VAS scores in the experimental group. Conclusions: The 4-7-8 breathing exercise significantly affected the patient's pain and sleep quality by reducing pain and improving sleep quality after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Triazine herbicides exposure, natural immunoglobulin M antibodies, and fasting plasma glucose changes: Association and mediation analyses in general Chinese urban adults

The effects of triazine herbicides on glucose metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to assess the associations between serum triazine herbicides and glycemia-related risk indicators in general adults, and to evaluate the mediating role of natural immunoglobulin M antibodies (IgM) in the above associations among uninfected participants. We measured the concentrations of atrazine, cyanazine, and IgM in serum, as well as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and fasting plasma insulin in 4423 adult participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort baseline population, enrolled in 2011–2012. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the associations of serum triazine herbicides with glycemia-related risk indicators, and mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the mediating role of serum IgM in the above associations. The median levels of serum atrazine and cyanazine were 0.0237 μg/L and 0.0786 μg/L, respectively. Our study found significant positive associations of serum atrazine, cyanazine, and Σtriazine with FPG levels, risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), abnormal glucose regulation (AGR), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Additionally, serum cyanazine and Σtriazine were found to be significant positive associated with the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels. Significant negative linear relationships were observed in associations of serum IgM with serum triazine herbicides, FPG, HOMA-IR levels, the prevalence of T2D, and AGR (P < 0.05). Furthermore, we observed a significant mediating role by IgM in the associations of serum triazine herbicides with FPG, HOMA-IR, and AGR, with the proportions ranging from 2.96% to 7.71%. To ensure the stability of our findings, we conducted sensitivity analyses in normoglycemic participants and found that the association of serum IgM with FPG and the mediating role by IgM remained stable. Our results suggest that triazine herbicides exposure is positively associated with abnormal glucose metabolism, and decreasing serum IgM may partly mediate these associations.

Video-capillaroscopy, a promising tool for the clinical evaluation of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

The cutaneous microangiopathy plays a key role in the development of the skin clinical lesions of venous insufficiency. Capillaroscopy allows a non-invasive observation of the superficial skin capillaries of the lower leg, which have previously been shown to be altered in patients with advanced venous disease. As it is now available in a friendly, easy to handle way through modern video devices, we report our findings in a short series of patients with C3-C5 chronic venous disorders using this technique. A total of 21 patients with venous insufficiency (C3-C5 on at least one leg) underwent a capillaroscopic examination of both legs and pictures recorded from the sites of the most severe venous skin lesions. This was performed with a CapXview handheld video-capillaroscope (×100 magnification), allowing easy manual measurement of maximum capillary bulk diameter and capillary density. Dramatic changes in capillary density, size, and shape were easily observed at the site of the venous skin lesions. A significant negative linear relationship was found between capillary density and the "C" classes (r = -0.45; P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was also found between capillary density and bulk diameter (r = -0.52; P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for the mathematical prediction of venous skin changes by capillary density was 0.842, which shows the strength of the link between the microvascular and the clinical status. Video-capillaroscopy allows a direct observation of the cutaneous venous microangiopathy and provides the possibility to measure capillary density which allows its quantification. This simple to use technique shows the potential for a more precise follow-up and treatment evaluation of the cutaneous consequences of venous disease, which remains to be further investigated.

Weed Control Using Allelopathic Properties of Rapeseed Residues and Crop Management

Planting date, density and allelopathic properties are important tools of crop management in controlling weeds in crops. Allelopathy refers to any direct or indirect inhibitory or stimulating effect of one plant on another through the production and release of secondary metabolites in the environment. Two experiments performed separately, in order to investigate the effect of allelopathic properties of rapeseed residues and crop management on the control of rapeseed weeds and its yield. The first experiment was conducted during two agricultural years (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) in a factorial form of a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at the Qarakhil agricultural research station (QaemShahr). The treatments were included: planting date in 3 treatment levels (October 17, November 6 and November 26), seed rate in 3 treatment levels (3, 5 and 7 kg per hectare) and weed management in 2 treatment levels presence of weed (no control) and the absence of weed (control). The second experiment was conducted as a factorial in the form of a completely random design in three repetitions in the research laboratory of the Islamic Azad University, QaemShahr branch in 2020. The experimental treatments included weeds [wild oat (Avena fatua), darnel regrass (Lolium temulentum), phalaris (Phalaris minor)] and charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis)) different concentrations of rapeseed root and stalk extracts (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%). The results of the first experiment showed that, in general, the rapeseed seed yield was affected by the planting date and density, so that the rapeseed seed yield on the delayed planting date (November 26) decreased compared to the first planting date (October 17) by 49 and 59 percent, respectively in the first and second year of the experiment, and this decrease was more intense in the second year. Also, the results showed that the highest dry weight of weeds was obtained in both years at a density of three kilograms per hectare and in the cultivation of November 26 (except for the highest dry weight of wild oats that was observed in the cultivation of October 17). While the highest weight of seed yield was obtained in both crop years at a density of 7 kg per hectare. The results of the second experiment showed that the extract obtained from the root and stem of the rape plant had a negative and significant effect on the speed, percentage and inhibition of germination in all weeds. However, no significant difference was observed between the concentration of root and stem extracts at the 5% level. A significant negative linear regression relationship was observed between the concentration of the extract (root and stem) with the percentage and speed of germination. Also, a significant positive linear regression relationship was observed between inhibition percentage and extract concentration (root and stem). Therefore, the germination and seedling growth of the seeds of all three weed species had a negative reaction to the concentration of rapeseed extract, but the highest sensitivity was observed in wild oat seeds. Therefore, according to the results, rapeseed extract can be used in the biological control of weeds. In general, the results of two experiments showed that the planting date, density and rapeseed residues can be used effectively in controlling weeds in rapeseed fields.