Evaluation of the subcapsular technique for primary closure castration in donkeys (Equus asinus)

AbstractThis study described the subcapsular technique for primary closure castration in donkeys with special regard to its efficiency and welfare impacts. The study was conducted on twelve adult male donkeys, allocated randomly into two groups; subcapsular castration (SC) and open castration (OC) groups, whether the donkeys were subjected to surgical castration either by subcapsular or open castration techniques, respectively. Testosterone, cortisol, lactate, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured before and after castration. Pain-associated behavioral activities were recorded post-castration. The SC was successfully performed in donkeys through a single paramedian scrotal incision. The SC was efficient as OC in reducing testosterone levels. The pain score decreased in the SC compared to the OC over time. The SC was an efficient and reliable technique for primary closure castration in donkeys with minimal postoperative complications and care and good cosmetic, physiological, and behavioral outcomes. It can be an alternative to other castration techniques in equines.

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Weekly Exercise Consistently Reinstates Positive Mood

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.3.4.271 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 271-280 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Hannah Steinberg ◽

Briony R. Nicholls ◽

Elizabeth A. Sykes ◽

N. LeBoutillier ◽

Nerina Ramlakhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Exercise ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Real Life ◽

Positive Mood ◽

Field Investigation ◽

Single Bout ◽

Before And After ◽

Exercise Class ◽

Negative Feelings ◽

Over Time

Mood improvement immediately after a single bout of exercise is well documented, but less is known about successive and longer term effects. In a “real-life” field investigation, four kinds of exercise class (Beginners, Advanced, Body Funk and Callanetics) met once a week for up to 7 weeks. Before and after each class the members assessed how they felt by completing a questionnaire listing equal numbers of “positive” and “negative” mood words. Subjects who had attended at least five times were included in the analysis, which led to groups consisting of 18, 20, 16, and 16 subjects, respectively. All four kinds of exercise significantly increased positive and decreased negative feelings, and this result was surprisingly consistent in successive weeks. However, exercise seemed to have a much greater effect on positive than on negative moods. The favorable moods induced by each class seemed to have worn off by the following week, to be reinstated by the class itself. In the Callanetics class, positive mood also improved significantly over time. The Callanetics class involved “slower,” more demanding exercises, not always done to music. The Callanetics and Advanced classes also showed significantly greater preexercise negative moods in the first three sessions. However, these differences disappeared following exercise. Possibly, these two groups had become more “tolerant” to the mood-enhancing effects of physical exercise; this may be in part have been due to “exercise addiction.”

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Melatonin Improves Lipid Profile and Ameliorates Lipid Peroxidation in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Al Mustansiriyah Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.32947/ajps.18.01.0360 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 38-45

Keyword(s):

Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Placebo Group ◽

Lipid Profile ◽

Kidney Diseases ◽

Oxidized Ldl ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Before And After ◽

Inhibit Lipid Peroxidation ◽

Controlled Clinical Study

Dyslipidemia and oxidative modifications of lipid are frequently associated in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and considered the most important risk factors for cardiovascular events. Melatonin is a well-known potent antioxidant and has beneficial effect on lipid metabolism. the study was designed to evaluate if Melatonin could improve lipid profile and ameliorates lipid peroxidation. This single blind placebo controlled clinical study carried out on 41 patients with CKD who were randomized into two groups, control groups (n=20) those who received placebo cap and melatonin group those who received 5mg melatonin (n=21). Lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C)] and parameters of lipid peroxidation [oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured before and after 12 weeks of the treatment. After 12 weeks of treatment, melatonin significantly increased HDL-C and decreased LDL-C compared to the initial value. The elevation in HDL-C and reduction in LDL-C were significantly different from that in placebo group. Also, both oxLDL and MDA levels significantly lowered by melatonin compared to the baseline and to the placebo group. Collectively, the results of our study showed that melatonin has advantageous effect on lipid profile and inhibit lipid peroxidation in patients with CKD.

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UK Fiscal Squeezes over a Century

10.1093/oso/9780198779612.003.0002 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Hood ◽

Rozana Himaz

Keyword(s):

Data Sources ◽

Fiscal Consolidation ◽

Financial Outcomes ◽

Financial Conditions ◽

Deficit Reduction ◽

Before And After ◽

The Uk ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Spending Cuts ◽

Over Time

This chapter draws on historical statistics reporting financial outcomes for spending, taxation, debt, and deficit for the UK over a century to (a) identify quantitatively and compare the main fiscal squeeze episodes (i.e. major revenue increases, spending cuts, or both) in terms of type (soft squeezes and hard squeezes, spending squeezes, and revenue squeezes), depth, and length; (b) compare these periods of austerity against measures of fiscal consolidation in terms of deficit reduction; and (c) identify economic and financial conditions before and after the various squeezes. It explores the extent to which the identification of squeeze episodes and their classification is sensitive to which thresholds are set and what data sources are used. The chapter identifies major changes over time that emerge from this analysis over the changing depth and types of squeeze.

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Oxidized LDL Modifies the Association between Proteinuria and Deterioration of Kidney Function in Proteinuric Diabetic Kidney Disease

Life ◽

10.3390/life11060504 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 504

Author(s):

Stefanos Roumeliotis ◽

Panagiotis I. Georgianos ◽

Athanasios Roumeliotis ◽

Theodoros Eleftheriadis ◽

Aikaterini Stamou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Disease ◽

Kidney Function ◽

Diabetic Kidney Disease ◽

Oxidized Ldl ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Diabetic Kidney ◽

Egfr Decline ◽

Over Time

Proteinuria is characterized by low accuracy for predicting onset and development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) because it is not directly associated with molecular changes that promote DKD, but is a result of kidney damage. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) reflects oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, both underlying the development of proteinuria and loss of kidney function in DKD. We aimed to investigate whether ox-LDL modifies the association between proteinuria and progression of DKD in a cohort of 91 patients with proteinuric DKD and diabetic retinopathy, followed for 10 years. The primary endpoint was a combined kidney outcome of eGFR decline ≥30% or progression to end-stage kidney disease. After the end of the study, we considered the percentage change of eGFR over time as our secondary outcome. Proteinuria was associated with both outcomes, and ox-LDL amplified the magnitude of this link (p < 0.0001 for primary and p < 0.0001 for secondary outcome, respectively). After adjustment for duration of diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease and serum albumin, ox-LDL remained a significant effect modifier of the association between proteinuria and eGFR decline over time (p = 0.04). Our study shows that in proteinuric DKD, circulating ox-LDL levels amplified the magnitude of the association between proteinuria and progression of DKD.

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Genetic variation of RNF145 gene and blood lipid levels in Xinjiang population, China

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85503-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jing Ming ◽

Xian Wei ◽

Min Han ◽

Dilare Adi ◽

Jialin Abuzhalihan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Ring Finger ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Blood Lipid ◽

Lipid Profiles ◽

Cholesterol Levels ◽

General Linear Model Analysis ◽

Confounding Variables ◽

Before And After ◽

Detection Response

AbstractDyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). The E3 ubiquitin ligase which is encoded by the ring finger protein 145 (RNF145) gene is very important in the mediation of cholesterol synthesis and effectively treats hypercholesterolemia. Thus, the purpose of the present research is to investigate the connection between the polymorphism of the RNF145 gene and cholesterol levels in the populations in Xinjiang, China. A total of 1396 participants (Male: 628, Female: 768) were included in this study for genetic analysis of RNF145 gene, and we used the modified multiple connection detection response (iMLDR) technology to label two SNPs (rs17056583, rs12188266) of RNF145 genotyping. The relationship between the genotypes and the lipid profiles was analyzed with general linear model analysis after adjusting confounding variables. Through the analysis of the two SNPs in RNF145 gene, we discovered that both rs17056583 and rs12188266 were related to total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (All P < 0.001). In addition, the association of rs17056583 and rs12188266 with lipid profiles concentrations is still statistically significant after multivariate adjustment of sex, age, smoking, obesity, drinking, diabetes, hypertension and lipid profiles. Meanwhile, we also found that rs17056583 was associated with high triglycerides concentrations before and after adjustment (All P < 0.001). Our study shows that both rs17056583 and rs12188266 SNPs of RNP145 gene are related to TC and LDL-C concentrations in Xinjiang population.

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Land Policy and Food Prices: Evidence from a Land Consolidation Program in Rwanda

Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization ◽

10.1515/jafio-2021-0010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 63-73

Author(s):

Aimable Nsabimana ◽

Fidele Niyitanga ◽

Dave D. Weatherspoon ◽

Anwar Naseem

Keyword(s):

Food Prices ◽

Land Policy ◽

Land Consolidation ◽

Easy Access ◽

Food Crops ◽

White Potato ◽

Before And After ◽

Price Differences ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

Abstract Rwanda’s “Crop Intensification Program (CIP)” is primarily a land consolidation program aimed at improving agricultural productivity and food security. The program, which began in 2007, focuses on monocropping and commercialization of six priority crops: maize, wheat, rice, white potato, beans, and cassava. CIP has facilitated easy access to improved seed stocks, fertilizer, extension services, and postharvest handling and storage services. Although studies have documented the impact of CIP on changes in farm yield, incomes, and productivity, less is known about its impact on food prices. In this study, we examine the crop-food price differences in intensive monocropped CIP and non-intensive monocropped CIP zones in Rwanda. Specifically, the study evaluates price variations of beans and maize along with complementary food crops in intensive and non-intensive monocropped zones before and after the introduction of the CIP policy. We find that the CIP policy is not associated with differences in CIP crop prices between the intensive and non-intensive monocropped zones. Over time, prices increased for CIP crops but generally, the crop prices in the two zones were cointegrated. Prices for non-CIP crops in the two different zones did show price differentials prior to the implementation of CIP, with the prices in intensive monocropped zones being greater than in the non-intensive monocropped zones. Moreover, the prices in intensive areas are cointegrated with prices in non-intensive areas for maize and beans and these prices are converging. This indicates that farmers who intensively produced one CIP crop were able to go to the market and purchase other food crops and that price differences between zones have decreased over time, potentially making the CIP intensive farmers better off.

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Treatment with Delipid Extracorporeal Lipoprotein Filter from Plasma after Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Single-Center Experience

Cerebrovascular Diseases Extra ◽

10.1159/000511050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 148-158

Author(s):

Yu Cui ◽

Zhong-He Zhou ◽

Xiao-Wen Hou ◽

Hui-Sheng Chen

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Before And After ◽

Prospective Trials ◽

Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Rate Of Improvement

Introduction: The delipid extracorporeal lipoprotein filter from plasma (DELP) has been approved for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by the China Food and Drug Administration, but its effectiveness and mechanism are not yet fully determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of DELP treatment on AIS patients after intravenous thrombolysis. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on AIS patients with no improvement within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis who were subsequently treated with or without DELP. Primary outcome was the proportion with a modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0–1 at 90 days. Secondary outcomes were changes in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score from 24 h to 14 days after thrombolysis, and the rate of improvement in stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). The main safety outcomes were the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. To investigate its mechanisms, serum biomarkers were measured before and after DELP. Results: A total of 252 patients were recruited, 63 in the DELP group and 189 matched patients in the NO DELP group. Compared with the NO DELP group, the DELP group showed an increase in the proportion of mRS 0–1 at 90 days (p = 0.042). More decrease in NIHSS from 24 h to 14 days (p = 0.024), a higher rate of improvement in SAP (p = 0.022), and lower mortality (p = 0.040) were shown in DELP group. Furthermore, DELP decreased levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, E-selectin, malondialdehyde, matrix metalloprotein 9, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and fibrinogen, and increased superoxide dismutase (p< 0.05). Conclusions: DELP following intravenous thrombolysis should be safe, and is associated with neurological function improvement, possibly through multiple neuroprotective mechanisms. Prospective trials are needed.

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How Collective-Action Failure Shapes Group Heterogeneity and Engagement in Conventional and Radical Action Over Time

Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/0956797620970562 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 095679762097056

Author(s):

Morgana Lizzio-Wilson ◽

Emma F. Thomas ◽

Winnifred R. Louis ◽

Brittany Wilcockson ◽

Catherine E. Amiot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Movements ◽

Collective Action ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Profile Analysis ◽

Social Identification ◽

Future Research ◽

Group Efficacy ◽

Before And After ◽

Using Data ◽

Over Time

Extensive research has identified factors influencing collective-action participation. However, less is known about how collective-action outcomes (i.e., success and failure) shape engagement in social movements over time. Using data collected before and after the 2017 marriage-equality debate in Australia, we conducted a latent profile analysis that indicated that success unified supporters of change ( n = 420), whereas failure created subgroups among opponents ( n = 419), reflecting four divergent responses: disengagement (resigned acceptors), moderate disengagement and continued investment (moderates), and renewed commitment to the cause using similar strategies (stay-the-course opponents) or new strategies (innovators). Resigned acceptors were least inclined to act following failure, whereas innovators were generally more likely to engage in conventional action and justify using radical action relative to the other profiles. These divergent reactions were predicted by differing baseline levels of social identification, group efficacy, and anger. Collective-action outcomes dynamically shape participation in social movements; this is an important direction for future research.

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354 Trends in the Drug-Sparing Effects for Benzodiazepines and Prescription Opioids among Insomnia Patients on Suvorexant in the US

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.353 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A141-A141

Author(s):

Hrishikesh Kale ◽

Rezaul Khandker ◽

Ruchit Shah ◽

Marc Botteman ◽

Weilin Meng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interrupted Time Series ◽

Charlson Comorbidity Index Score ◽

Prescription Opioid ◽

Prescription Opioids ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Before And After ◽

Prescription Opioid Use ◽

Incident Cohort ◽

Over Time ◽

Post Period

Abstract Introduction Use of benzodiazepines to treat insomnia has been associated with serious side effects and abuse potential. Insomnia patients are at high risk of opioid abuse and better sleep patterns may help to reduce opioid use. This study examined the trend in the use of benzodiazepines and prescription opioids before and after initiation of suvorexant in insomnia patients. Methods The study analyzed 2015–2019, Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. Insomnia patients, identified using ICD-9/10 codes and prescribed suvorexant were included. The study included incident (newly diagnosed) and prevalent cohorts of insomnia patients. The proportion of patients on benzodiazepines or prescription opioids were calculated for 12 monthly intervals before (pre-period) and after initiation of suvorexant (post-period). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was conducted to assess trends for use of benzodiazepine or prescription opioids over time. Results A total of 5,939 patients from the incident insomnia cohort and 18,920 from the prevalent cohort were included. For the incident cohort, mean age was 64.47 (SD: 15.48), 63% were females, 71% had Medicare Advantage coverage, 59% had Charlson comorbidity index score (CCI) ≥ 1, 27% had an anxiety disorder and 16% had substance abuse disorder. Prevalent insomnia cohort was similar but had higher CCI. Results from ITS suggested that at the beginning of the pre-period, 28% of incident insomnia patients used either opioids or benzodiazepines with the rate of use in the pre-period increasing by 0.11% per month. In the post-period, the rate of use decreased by 0.33% per month. About 26% patients used benzodiazepines or opioids at 12-month after suvorexant initiation. In the absence of suvorexant, this proportion would have been 31%. Similar findings were observed for the prevalent insomnia cohort. A larger decrease was observed for opioid use than benzodiazepines. Conclusion The rate of benzodiazepines or prescription opioid use decreased over time after the initiation of suvorexant. Suvorexant has the potential to reduce the use of opioids and benzodiazepines among insomnia patients. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. Support (if any) This study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

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Oral rehydration therapies in Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone: a spatial analysis of changes over time and implications for policy

BMC Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12916-020-01857-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kirsten E. Wiens ◽

Lauren E. Schaeffer ◽

Samba O. Sow ◽

Babacar Ndoye ◽

Carrie Jo Cain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sierra Leone ◽

Healthcare Access ◽

Scale Up ◽

National Policy ◽

Geostatistical Model ◽

Oral Rehydration ◽

Severe Diarrhea ◽

Before And After ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a simple intervention that can prevent childhood deaths from severe diarrhea and dehydration. In a previous study, we mapped the use of ORS treatment subnationally and found that ORS coverage increased over time, while the use of home-made alternatives or recommended home fluids (RHF) decreased, in many countries. These patterns were particularly striking within Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone. It was unclear, however, whether ORS replaced RHF in these locations or if children were left untreated, and if these patterns were associated with health policy changes. Methods We used a Bayesian geostatistical model and data from household surveys to map the percentage of children with diarrhea that received (1) any ORS, (2) only RHF, or (3) no oral rehydration treatment between 2000 and 2018. This approach allowed examination of whether RHF was replaced with ORS before and after interventions, policies, and external events that may have impacted healthcare access. Results We found that RHF was replaced with ORS in most Sierra Leone districts, except those most impacted by the Ebola outbreak. In addition, RHF was replaced in northern but not in southern Mali, and RHF was not replaced anywhere in Senegal. In Senegal, there was no statistical evidence that a national policy promoting ORS use was associated with increases in coverage. In Sierra Leone, ORS coverage increased following a national policy change that abolished health costs for children. Conclusions Children in parts of Mali and Senegal have been left behind during ORS scale-up. Improved messaging on effective diarrhea treatment and/or increased ORS access such as through reducing treatment costs may be needed to prevent child deaths in these areas.

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