1,233 research outputs found
Linkage disequilibrium and within-breed genetic diversity in Iranian Zandi sheep
No full textThis research aimed to measure the extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD), effective population size (Ne), and runs of homozygosity (ROHs) in one of the major Iranian sheep breeds (Zandi) using 96 samples genotyped with Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip. The amount of LD (r2) for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) pairs in short distances (10-20 kb) was 0:21±0:25 but rapidly decreased to 0:10±0:16 by increasing the distance between SNP pairs (40-60 kb). The Ne of Zandi sheep in past (approximately 3500 generations ago) and recent (five generations ago) populations was estimated to be 6475 and 122, respectively. The ROH-based inbreeding was 0.023. We found 558 ROH regions, of which 37% were relatively long (<10 Mb). Compared with the rate of LD reduction in other species (e.g., cattle and pigs), in Zandi, it was reduced more rapidly by increasing the distance between SNP pairs. According to the LD pattern and high genetic diversity of Zandi sheep, we need to use an SNP panel with a higher density than Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip for genomic selection and genome-wide association studies in this breed
Lifestyle approach against obesity in menopause: role of the new short questionnaire to assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet andnutritional sustainability MedQ-Sus
No full textINTRODUCTION: The changing hormonal milieu in post-menopausal women (PMW) predisposes them to increase cardiovascular (CV) risk, due to a constellation of risk factors, suchas visceral obesity, atherogenic dyslipidaemia and arterial hypertension. Our ongoing study aims to evaluate the impact of dietary changes in CV risk in PMW by means of a newMediterranean Diet (MD) adherence questionnaire "MedQ-Sus" (1) which excludes alcohol consumption and introduces a sustainability score.
METHODS: For 1 year, 65 PMW with BMI 24-39 Kg/m2 and at least another CV risk factor were followed-up (FU) each 3 months. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure weretaken. Questionnaires on medical history, lifestyles, food frequency (FFQ) and adherence to MD such as MEDAS and MedQ-Sus were administered. Balanced low-calorie dietary planwith quantitative advice were released. Repeated measures ANOVA at 1 year were performed
RESULTS: We observed at 1 year a significant increase (p195 g/day from 33.9% to 52.3%) and fresh fruit (>300 g/day from 24.6 to 26.2%) and reduction in consumption of dairy products (<180 g/dayfrom 10.8% to 18.4%). No change was observed with MEDAS questionnaire due to the significant reduction in the consumption of wine (≥7 glasses/week from 21.5% to 10.8%) andsautéed (≥ 2 times/week from 40% to 29.2%). One-year sustainability score assessed with MedQ-Sus was significantly increased (from 4 to 4.9 points; p<0.05). If we considered tertilesof MedQ-Sus score at baseline (Fig. 1), the MD adherence significantly increased at 1 year in the first and second tertiles while stable in the third. Those changes were mainly due to adecreased consumption of animal proteins (Δ= -5.3%) and an increased consumption of plant protein (Δ= +5.3%), reduction in fats consumption of animal origin (Δ= -8.4 g/day) and inparticular of saturated fatty acids (Δ= -5.0%). We observed at 1 year significant reductions (p<0.01) in weight (Δ=-4.3 Kg), BMI (Δ=-1.6 Kg/m2), waist (Δ=-4.1cm) and hips (Δ=-3.0cm)circumferences, subscapular (Δ=-5.2mm), suprailiac (Δ=-2.9mm) and triceps (Δ=-4.5mm) skinfolds, adipose area of the arm (AFA) (Δ=-6.4cm2) and fat mass (Δ=-4.2kg) withoutvariation of the lean mass (Δ=-0.2 kg, p=0.48). All those reductions were followed by change in the obesity prevalence (-21.1%), in the fat mass distribution with 10% reduction inabdominal and truncular obesity, and in systolic (Δ=-7.4mmHg) and diastolic (Δ=-3.6mmHg) BP (Fig 2).
CONCLUSIONS: The study underlines the medium-term utility of a 1 year balanced low-calorie diet in PMW with elevated CV risk factors. Furthermore, the new MedQ-Susquestionnaire is effective in evaluating and monitoring adherence to MD and the sustainability of DM, allowing a better counseling in menopausal women.
1) Ruggeri S et al. New Validated Short Questionnaire for the Evaluation of the Adherence of Mediterranean Diet and Nutritional Sustainability in All Adult Population Groups. Nutrients2022, 14, 5177
REDUCTION OF URIC ACID LEVELS IN A DIETARY INTERVENTION STUDY IN POST-MENOPAUSE WOMEN WITH A CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTOR
No full textBACKGROUND: Serum uric acid (SUA) levels in women remain low until menopause, when SUA levels begin to increase and reach levels similar to those found in men due to the loss of the uricosuric effect of estrogen. During menopause, other factors influence SUA levels such as hormone replacement therapy which reduces them and dietary factors which increase levels (meat, seafood, fructose, alcohol and sodium) or decrease them (coffee and ascorbic acid). In particular, the Mediterranean diet can reduce SUA levels in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
AIM: To evaluate the impact of dietary changes on SUA levels in post-menopausal women free from hormone replacement therapy in a dietary intervention study.
METHODS. Postmenopausal women with a BMI between 24 and 39 kg/m2 and at least one additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor followed for two years with a quarterly follow-up. Anthropometric measurements were carried out including waist and hip circumferences, waist-hip ratio and skin fold measurement, blood pressure measurement in triplicate and assessment of body composition using bioimpedance measurement; Questionnaires on medical history, physical activity and food frequency (FFQ) were administered. Participants were placed on a balanced, low-calorie diet designed to meet their specific needs and goals. Biochemical tests at baseline and follow-up included uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed at the end of the one-year period to analyze changes in anthropometric measurements, BP, biochemical parameters, and other variables.
RESULTS. At one-year, significant reductions (p<0.01) in weight (-4.3 kg), BMI, waist circumferences (-4.1 cm), subscapular (-5.2 mm), suprailiac (- 2.9 mm) and triceps (-4.5 mm), of the fat mass obtained by skinfold measurement (-4.2 kg) without reduction in lean mass (-0.2 kg), systolic (-7.4 mmHg) and diastolic (-3.6 mmHg) BP associated with a reduction in uric acid levels (0.38 mg/dl).
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the importance of dietary interventions in menopausal women in managing SUA levels and related health risks
sj-docx-1-icl-10.1177_10541373211022002 - Supplemental material for Meaning-Making Coping With COVID-19 in Academic Settings: The Case of Sweden
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-icl-10.1177_10541373211022002 for Meaning-Making Coping With COVID-19 in Academic Settings: The Case of Sweden by Fereshteh Ahmadi, Önver A. Cetrez, Sharareh Akhavan and Saeid Zandi in Illness, Crisis & Loss</p
Effect of controlled internal drug release device and progesterone sponge on short-term estrus synchronization in Zandi ewes during the breeding season
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device and progesterone
sponge on the short-term estrus synchronization in Zandi ewes during the breeding season. Sixty Zandi ewes were selected and
divided into 3 groups at the beginning of breeding season. The first group was the control group. The second group received
insertion of a CIDR device and 1.5 ml of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on day 0, 1.5 ml of natural prostaglandin on day 6, and
2.5 mg of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin with removal of the CIDR device on day 7. In a third group, the same treatment
was used, but a medroxyprogesterone acetate-impregnated sponge was inserted instead of the CIDR device. All of the ewes
mated naturally. There were significant differences in estrus, fertility, and pregnancy rates between the second group and the
control group (P<0.05). The CIDR device is recommended due to relative improvement of some reproductive parameters
Laparoscopy for colectomy accelerates restoration of bowel function when using patient controlled analgesia
No full textPurpose: A standardized care plan incorporating patient-controlled analgesia with iv morphine and a non-accelerated feeding schedule following colectomy was used to compare return of bowel function and hospital discharge times following surgery done by laparoscopy or laparotomy. Methods: Thirty-eight patients were assigned to undergo either laparoscopic or laparotomy colon resection. Postoperative analgesia was achieved with patient-controlled analgesia with iv morphine. General anesthesia and perioperative care were standardized, and a traditional surgical and nursing care program was implemented. Gastrointestinal function (time from surgery to return of passage of flatus and presence of bowel movements), pain intensity (visual analogue scale) at rest, on coughing and on mobilization, amount of morphine used, and criteria for discharge and length of hospital stay were recorded. Results: Bowel movements resumed earlier in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05), but not passage of flatus. No significant relationship was found between the amount of morphine used and return of bowel function. Cumulative morphine consumption during the first two postoperative days was similar in both groups. Where a trend towards lower postoperative visual analogue scale scores was observed in the laparoscopic group, visual analogue scale scores on coughing were lower in the laparoscopic vs laparotomy group only during the first 24 hr (P < 0.05). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05), although times to meet discharge criteria were similar in both groups. Conclusions: When patient-controlled analgesia with morphine and a traditional perioperative program are used, a laparoscopic approach to colon surgery promotes earlier restoration of bowel function and more rapid hospital discharge in comparison to resection by laparotomy
sj-docx-1-jte-10.1177_00224871221130742 – Supplemental material for Teachers’ Conceptions of Fairness in Classroom Assessment: An Empirical Study
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-jte-10.1177_00224871221130742 for Teachers’ Conceptions of Fairness in Classroom Assessment: An Empirical Study by Amirhossein Rasooli, Abdollah Rasegh, Hamed Zandi and Tahereh Firoozi in Journal of Teacher Education</p
Man’s Journey Through Space, Time and Logos. Reflections of Narcissus’ Myth in Solarium by Jordan Zandi
No full textThe paper is meant to be a text analysis of the poem Solarium by Jordan Zandi in point of the significance of space, time and logos dimensions. The pragma-stylistic perspective adopted will allow us to identify how Narcissus’ myth is reflected in Zandi’s poem by comparing it to the complex reference text which is Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Book III). Like Narcissus, the poetic voice in Solarium makes a journey through time and space. Primordial elements (fire, air, water, earth) with their infinite concrete manifestations are symbols of the continuous change chain that life and death are part of. Man himself becomes not only the (gradually aware) subject, but also the symbolic expression, of a total metamorphosis of matter into conscience through logos
N-methyl-D-aspartate antibody encephalitis: temporal progression of clinical and paraclinical observations in a predominantly non-paraneoplastic disorder of both sexes
No full textAntibodies to the N-methyl-d-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptor have been associated with a newly-described encephalopathy that has been mainly identified in young females with ovarian tumours. However, the full clinical spectrum and treatment responses are not yet clear. We established a sensitive cell-based assay for detection of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid, and a quantitative fluorescent immunoprecipitation assay for serial studies. Although there was marked intrathecal synthesis of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies, the absolute levels of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies were higher in serum than in cerebrospinal fluid. N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies were of the immunoglobulin G1 subclass and were able to activate complement on N-methyl d-aspartate receptor-expressing human embryonic kidney cells. From questionnaires returned on 44 N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibody-positive patients, we identified a high proportion without a detected tumour (35/44, 80%: follow-up 3.6-121 months, median 16 months). Among the latter were 15 adult females (43%), 10 adult males (29%) and 10 children (29%), with four in the first decade of life. Overall, there was a high proportion (29%) of non-Caucasians. Good clinical outcomes, as defined by reductions in modified Rankin scores, correlated with decreased N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibody levels and were associated with early (<40 days) administration of immunotherapies in non-paraneoplastic patients (P < 0.0001) and earlier tumour removal in paraneoplastic patients (P = 0.02). Ten patients (23%) who were first diagnosed during relapses had no evidence of tumours but had received minimal or no immunotherapy during earlier episodes. Temporal analysis of the onset of the neurological features suggested progression through two main stages. The time of onset of the early features, characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms and seizures preceded by a median of 10-20 days, the onset of movement disorders, reduction in consciousness and dysautonomia. This temporal dichotomy was also seen in the timing of cerebrospinal fluid, electroencephalographic and in the rather infrequent cerebral imaging changes. Overall, our data support a model in which the early features are associated with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis, and the later features with appearance of oligoclonal bands. The immunological events and neuronal mechanisms underlying these observations need to be explored further, but one possibility is that the early stage represents diffusion of serum antibodies into the cortical grey matter, whereas the later stage results from secondary expansion of the immunological repertoire within the intrathecal compartment acting on subcortical neurons. Four patients, who only had temporal lobe epilepsy without oligoclonal bands, may represent restriction to the first stag
Lifetime Prediction of Current-and Temperature-Induced Degradation in Silicone-Encapsulated 365 nm High-Power Light-Emitting Diodes
No full textWe report on the degradation mechanisms and dynamics of silicone encapsulated ultraviolet A (UV-A) high-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs), with a peak wavelength of 365nm. The stress tests were carried out for a period of 8665 hours with forward currents between 350mA and 700mA and junction temperatures up to 132°C. Depending on stress condition, a significant decrease in optical power could be observed, being accelerated with higher operating conditions. Devices stressed at a case temperature of 55 °C indicate a decrease in radiant flux between 10-40% varying with measurement current, whereas samples stressed at higher case temperatures exhibit crack formation in the silicone encapsulant accompanied by electromigration shorting the active region. The analyzed current and temperature dependency of the degradation mechanisms allows to propose a degradation model to determine the device lifetime at different operating parameters. Additional stress test data collected at different aging conditions is used to validate the model's lifetime predictions.</p
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