scholarly journals IMPACT OF THE INVASIVE CUSCUTA CAMPESTRIS ON VEGETATIVE COVER AND PLANT BIODIVERSITY IN HOMA- BAY COUNTY

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45
Author(s):  
Orwah Akoth ◽  
Okeyo Owuor ◽  
D Nyamai
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Biodiversity ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cuscuta Campestris ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This research paper focused on the impact of Cuscuta campestris on vegetative cover and plant biodiversity in Homa-Bay County. The specific objective was to investigate the impact on plant growth and development with indicator as photosynthetic capacity of preferred host plants and chlorophyll content and leaf weight as the parameters. Methodology: The study was conducted in hot-spot areas of invasion, Rachuonyo North, Homa Bay town and Suba North using Completely Randomized Experimental Block Design. The data was collected through field observation and laboratory analysis. The study used descriptive and correlation data analysis procedures to show the impact on photosynthetic capacity, ANOVA to determine statistical significant difference among the obtained results for each parameter of the infected and uninfected samples. Variance analysis were conducted using SPSS 20 (IBM Corp. Armonk, NY, USA) and differences between means tested by ANOVA. Values of P ≤ 0.05 were considered significantly different. Findings: The results showed that the invasion was more intense in Theveta peruvinia and Euphorbia tirucalli species. Mean leaf amounts of chlorophyll were observed to decline with chlorophyll a from 3.97 to 1.59 mg/g and chlorophyll b from 2.65 to 1.18 mg/g and total chlorophyll value from 6.62 to 2.76 mg/g on infection resulting to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and low organic material formation. Leaf wet and dry weight significantly decreased in both infected varieties. The mean wet weight of 17.61g in infected was significantly different, F (1, 4) = 235.74, p< .05, from the mean wet weight of 24.23g in the uninfected Yellow Oleander while the mean dry weight of 5.55g in infected was significantly different, F (1, 4) = 159.72, p< .05, from mean dry weight of 7.87g in uninfected Yellow Oleander. Similarly, significant difference, F (1, 4) = 714.64, p< .05, was observed in Calliandra calothyrsus variety. These demonstrated how C. campestris is detrimental causing ecological impacts with direct effects on plant biodiversity by reducing growth and development of infected host plant and even leading to death. Unique Contributions to Theory, Practice and Policy: The paper recommends intense sensitization of the community on the impacts of dodder from the findings for an enhanced understanding and need for management and control. The findings to be disseminated through workshops involving farmers, NGOs and community based organisations, academic conferences and publications to help create awareness on the impacts and mobilize the entire public on management and possible total eradication. Further research to investigate on nutrients of attraction in the preferred host plants with an aim of permanent solution for total eradication in order to restore the vegetative cover and plant biodiversity.

(Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Banasik ◽  
Dariusz Jemielniak ◽  
Wojciech P?dzich
Keyword(s):  
Medical Condition ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Life Duration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Academic Teachers ◽  
Length Of Life ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND There have been mixed results of the studies checking whether prayers do actually extend the life duration of the people prayed for. Most studies on the topic included a small number of prayers and most of them focused on people already struggling with a medical condition. Intercessory prayer’s influence on health is of scholarly interest, yet it is unclear if its effect may be dependent on the number of prayers for a named individual received per annum. OBJECTIVE We sought to examine if there is a noticeable increased longevity effect of intercessory prayer for a named individual’s well-being, if he receives a very high number of prayers per annum for an extended period. METHODS We retrieved and conducted a statistical analysis of the data about the length of life for 857 Roman Catholic bishops, 500 Catholic priests, and 3038 male academics from the US, France, Italy, Poland, Brazil, and Mexico. We obtained information for these individuals who died between 1988 and 2018 from Wikidata, and conducted an observational cohort study. Bishops were chosen for the study, as they receive millions of individual prayers for well being, according to conservative estimates. RESULTS There was a main effect for occupation F(2, 4391) = 4.07, p = .017, ηp 2 = .002, with pairwise comparisons indicating significant differences between the mean life duration of bishops (M=30489) and of priests (M=29894), but none between the academic teachers (M=30147) and either of the other groups. A comparison analysis between bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses showed no significant difference t(67.31)=1.61, p = .11. Our main outcome measure is covariance of the mean length of life in each of the categories: bishops, priests, academic teachers, controlled for nationality. CONCLUSIONS The first analysis proved that bishops live longer than priests, but due to a marginal effect size this result should be treated with caution. No difference was found between the mean length of life of bishops from the largest and the smallest dioceses. We found no difference between bishops and male academics. These results show that the impact of intercessory prayers on longevity is not observable.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 infection on hip fracture 30-day mortality

Trauma ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 146040862094972
Author(s):  
Ahmed Fadulelmola ◽  
Rob Gregory ◽  
Gavin Gordon ◽  
Fiona Smith ◽  
Andrew Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Hip Fractures ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Time To Death ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mean Time

Introduction: A novel virus, SARS-CoV-2, has caused a fatal global pandemic which particularly affects the elderly and those with comorbidities. Hip fractures affect elderly populations, necessitate hospital admissions and place this group at particular risk from COVID-19 infection. This study investigates the effect of COVID-19 infection on 30-day hip fracture mortality. Method: Data related to 75 adult hip fractures admitted to two units during March and April 2020 were reviewed. The mean age was 83.5 years (range 65–98 years), and most (53, 70.7%) were women. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality associated with COVID-19 infection. Results: The COVID-19 infection rate was 26.7% (20 patients), with a significant difference in the 30-day mortality rate in the COVID-19-positive group (10/20, 50%) compared to the COVID-19-negative group (4/55, 7.3%), with mean time to death of 19.8 days (95% confidence interval: 17.0–22.5). The mean time from admission to surgery was 43.1 h and 38.3 h, in COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative groups, respectively. All COVID-19-positive patients had shown symptoms of fever and cough, and all 10 cases who died were hypoxic. Seven (35%) cases had radiological lung findings consistent of viral pneumonitis which resulted in mortality (70% of mortality). 30% ( n = 6) contracted the COVID-19 infection in the community, and 70% ( n = 14) developed symptoms after hospital admission. Conclusion: Hip fractures associated with COVID-19 infection have a high 30-day mortality. COVID-19 testing and chest X-ray for patients presenting with hip fractures help in early planning of high-risk surgeries and allow counselling of the patients and family using realistic prognosis.

The Impact of Medical Comorbidities on Patient Satisfaction in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110157
Author(s):  
Amarbir S. Gill ◽  
Joshua Hwang ◽  
Angela M. Beliveau ◽  
Jeremiah A. Alt ◽  
Edward Bradley Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽  
Medical Comorbidities ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comorbidity Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Therapy Compliance ◽  
The Impact

Background: Patient satisfaction has a significant bearing on medical therapy compliance and patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to (1) describe patient satisfaction, as characterized by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18), in the care of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and (2) analyze the impact of comorbidities on satisfaction using the functional comorbidity index (FCI). Methods: Patient demographics, disease severity measures, and PSQ-18 scores for patients with CRS presenting to a tertiary rhinology clinic between November 2019 and April 2020 were collected and analyzed. FCI was calculated retrospectively using the electronic medical record; individual comorbidities were tabulated. Spearman’s correlations followed by multivariate regression was used to assess the relationship between medical comorbidities and PSQ-18. Results: Sixty-nine patients met criteria for analysis. There were no significant differences in age, gender, and Sinonasal Outcomes Test-22 scores between CRS patients with (CRSwNP) and without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps. There was no significant difference in the mean FCI for patients with CRSwNP versus CRSsNP (5.1 and 4.3, respectively) ( P = .843). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean sum PSQ-18 score (78/100 in both) between these cohorts ( P = .148). The mean sum PSQ-18 score was not significantly associated with anxiety ( P = .728), depression ( P = .624), or FCI ( P = .282), but was significantly associated with hearing impairment ( P < .001). Conclusion: Patient satisfaction in the care of CRS is generally high with a diagnosis of comorbid hearing impairment demonstrating a negative association with satisfaction in this cohort.

Normal levels of vitamin A in tissues of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) determined colorimetrically

1988 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Robinson ◽  
A. M. Verrinder Gibbins ◽  
M. H. Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Syrian Hamster ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
A Value ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Mean

Vitamin A levels in tissues of 20 normal adult hamsters on a standard diet were measured colorimetrically. No significant difference between male and female animals was found for any of the tissues sampled. The mean vitamin A value for blood plasma in 20 animals was 53·4 μg/dl. Mean values for liver, kidneys, flank skin and cheek pouch were 813, 1·29, 1·84 and 1·31 mg/g wet weight, respectively. The vitamin assay was less suitable for small organs such as trachea.

THE EFFECT OF INGESTED CHLORTETRACYCLINE ON SOME HYDROLASES AND ORGANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS IN GROWING PIGS: II. PROTEASE, AMYLASE, AND GELLULASE ACTIVITY OF THE CONTENTS OF THE SMALL INTESTINE AND OF THE CECUM; WEIGHTS OF SMALL INTESTINE AND MUCOSA

1957 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. A. Vonk ◽  
L. W. McElroy ◽  
R. T. Berg
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Cellulase Activity ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Weanling Pigs ◽  
Intestinal Contents ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ad Libitum

Four treatments, involving differences in method of feeding and interval between last feed and slaughter, were employed in a study of the effect of dietary chlortetracycline on protease, amylase, and cellulase activity in the intestinal and cecal contents of 16 pairs of weanling pigs. Most consistent results were obtained with six pairs which were limited pair-fed except for the final feeding during which feed was available ad libitum for a 4-hour period ending 18 hours before slaughter. The mean total activities of all three hydrolases in the contents of the small intestines and of the ceca of the antibiotic-fed animals of these six pairs were significantly greater than in those of the control animals. Expressed as activity per gram dry matter of intestinal contents, significantly higher values for protease and amylase, but not for cellulase, were observed in the pigs that had received chlortetracycline. When the combined results obtained from all 16 pairs of the experimental animals were analyzed, the results showed that on a basis of activity per gram dry matter of intestinal contents, ingested chlortetracycline was associated with significant increases in amylase and cellulase but not in protease activity. Protease, amylase, and cellulase activities per gram dry matter of cecal contents were higher for pigs fed the antibiotic than for their controls. The mean wet weight of the empty small intestine and the mean dry weight of the mucosa scraped from the anterior 3-meter section of the small intestine were lower for the chlortetracycline-fed animals, but the differences were not statistically significant.

scholarly journals Impact of Remote Teaching on Japanese Medical University Students' Sleeping Habits : a Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reiko Hori ◽  
Eiji Shibata ◽  
Iwao Okajima ◽  
Masahiro Matsunaga ◽  
Tomohiro Umemura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Delayed Sleep Phase ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Delayed Sleep ◽  
Sleeping Habits ◽  
Medical University ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed our daily life. Owing to the imposed restrictions, many educational facilities have introduced remote teaching. This study aims to understand the impact of remote teaching on Japanese university students' sleeping habits.Methods: The participants were medical university students. We used data from an ongoing longitudinal sleeping habits survey. For 684 participants who enrolled in the university during 2018–2020, multilevel analyses of sleep duration during weekdays and weekends across 3 years were conducted, adjusting for gender, grade, place of stay, sleep problems and lifestyle habits. Results: Among the participants, 356 male (mean ± standard deviation: 22 ± 3, 18–37 years old) and 288 female (22 ± 3, 18–32 years old) students in 2018, 365 male (24 ± 3,18–36 years old) and 284 female (22 ± 2, 18–33 years old) students in 2019, and 226 male (20 ± 3,18-36 years old) and 167 female (21 ± 2, 18–34 years old) students in 2020 answered the questionnaire. The mean sleep duration during weekdays (in minutes) was 407.6 ± 60.3 in 2018, 406.9 ± 63.0 in 2019, and 417.3 ± 80.9 in 2020. The mean sleep duration during weekends (in minutes) was 494.5 ± 82.5 in 2018, 488.3 ± 87.9 in 2019, and 462.3 ± 96.4 in 2020. The analysis showed that sleep duration during weekdays was associated with the place of stay and survey year. Moreover, students reported significantly longer sleep duration during weekdays in 2020 than 2019, but no significant difference in sleep duration between 2018 and 2019. Sleep duration during weekends was found to be associated with the survey year, gender and always doing something before going to bed. Sleep duration during weekends was shorter in 2020 than 2019 and longer in male students and students who always do something before going to bed. Ten students were reported to have a delayed sleep phase in 2020. Conclusions: Students' sleep duration increased during weekdays and decreased during weekends in 2020. This difference could be explained by the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of remote teaching.

Abstract 321: Impact Of Chronic Kidney Disease On Heart Failure Outcomes In A Minority Cohort

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
TAOPHEEQ MUSTAPHA ◽  
VARIJA BHOGIREDDY ◽  
HARTMAN MADU ◽  
ADU BOACHIE ◽  
ABDUL OSENI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
African American ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Prognostic Impact ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Ckd Stage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) and Chronic kidney disease (CKD) are major public health problems that often co-exist with a resultant high mortality and morbidity. Most of the studies evaluating their reciprocal prognostic impact have focused on mortality in majority populations. There is limited literature on the impact of CKD on HF morbidities in ethnic minorities. AIMS: Our study seeks to compare HF outcomes in patients with or without CKD in an African-American predominant cohort. METHODS: We obtained data from the NGH at Meharry Heart Failure Cohort; a comprehensive retrospective HF database comprised of patient care data (HF admissions, non-HF admissions, and emergency room visits) were assessed from January 2006 to December 2008. The study group consist of 306 subjects with a mean age of 65±15 years. 81% were African-American (AA), 19% Caucasian and 48.5% are females. Following the NKF KDOQI guidelines, 5 stages of CKD were outlined based on GFR. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CKD in this population is 54.2%. CKD stage 1 was most prevalent with 45.8%, prevalence for stages 2-5 are 21.6%, 18.3%, 9.5% and 4.9% respectively. The comparison of the mean of ER visits, non HF hospitalizations and HF hospitalizations between normal and CKD patients was done using independent t-test and showed no significant difference in the mean number of ER visits (p=0.564), or HF hospitalizations(p=0.235). However, there is a statistically significant difference in the mean number of non -HF hospitalizations between normal and CKD patients (p=0.031). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the prevalence of CKD in this minority -predominant HF cohort is similar to prior studies in majority populations. However, only the non-HF hospitalizations were significantly increased in the CKD group. Future prospective studies will be needed to define the implications of this in the management of HF patients with CKD.

scholarly journals Effects of β-Fructans Fiber on Bowel Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan De Vries ◽  
Cindy Le Bourgot ◽  
Wim Calame ◽  
Frédérique Respondek
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Bowel Function ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Stool Consistency ◽  
Unpublished Studies ◽  
Bowel Movements ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of β-fructan supplementation on bowel function in healthy volunteers and patients. The search process was based on the selection of publications listed in the Pubmed and EUPMC database until December 2017, plus two unpublished studies, to identify studies evaluating the impact of β-fructans on bowel movement and stool parameters. Forty-seven publications were selected for inclusion. Primary parameter was frequency of bowel movements, evaluated by the number of defecations per day during the study period. Secondary outcomes were stool consistency, stool dry and wet weights, and transit time. Short-chain (DP < 10) β-fructans contributed to increased stool frequency (0.36 defecation +/− 0.06 per day; p < 0.001), while no significant effect was reported with long-chain (DP ≥ 10) β-fructans (−0.03 +/− 0.11, p = 0.82). A minimal increase in stool wet weight was also statistically demonstrated with short-chain β-fructans. Moreover, the meta-analysis highlighted significant differences in stool consistency in contrast to fecal dry weight after β-fructan supplementation. This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that short-chain β-fructan supplementation has a positive effect on bowel function by significantly increasing the frequency of bowel movements.

scholarly journals USE OF A WASHER DOES NOT AFFECT THE RATE OF IMPLANT REMOVAL OR ELBOW MOTION AFTER FIXATION OF MEDIAL EPICONDYLE FRACTURES

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0018
Author(s):  
Neeraj M. Patel ◽  
Christopher R. Gajewski ◽  
Anthony M. Ascoli ◽  
J. Todd Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Screw Fixation ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Medial Epicondyle ◽  
Implant Removal ◽  
Hardware Removal ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Background: The use of a washer to supplement screw fixation can prevent fragmentation and penetration during the surgical treatment of medial epicondyle fractures. However, concerns may arise regarding screw prominence and the need for subsequent implant removal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of washer utilization on the need for hardware removal and elbow range of motion (ROM). Methods: All surgically-treated pediatric medial epicondyle fractures over a 7-year period were queried for this retrospective case-control study. Patients were only included if their fracture was fixed with a single screw with or without a washer. Per institutional protocol, implants were not routinely removed after fracture healing. Hardware removal was performed only if the patient experienced a complication or implant-related symptoms that were refractory to non-operative management. Full ROM was considered flexion beyond 130 degrees and less than a 10-degree loss of extension. Univariate analysis was followed by creation of Kaplan-Meier (one minus survival) curves in order to analyze the time until full ROM was regained after surgery. Curves between patients with and without a washer were compared with a log rank test. Results: Of the 137 patients included in the study, the mean age was 12.2±2.3 years and 85 (62%) were male. A total of 31 (23%) patients ultimately underwent hardware removal. A washer was utilized in 90 (66%) cases overall. There was not an increased need for subsequent implant removal in these patients compared to those that underwent screw fixation alone (p=0.11). The mean BMI of patients that underwent hardware removal (19.1±2.5) was similar to that of children who did not (20.4±3.5, p=0.06). When analyzing a subgroup of 102 athletes only, there was similarly no difference in the rate of implant removal if a washer was used (p=0.64). Overall, 107 (78%) patients regained full ROM at a mean of 13.9±9.7 weeks after surgery (Figure 1). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportions of patients with and without a washer that achieved full ROM (p=0.46). Full ROM was achieved at a mean of 14.1±11.0 weeks in those with a washer compared to 13.6±6.2 weeks in those without one (p=0.21). Conclusions: Use of a washer did not affect the need for subsequent implant removal or elbow ROM after fixation of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures, even in thinner patients or competitive athletes. If there is concern for fracture fragmentation or penetration, a washer can be included without concern that future unplanned surgeries may be required.

Effects of Prodiamine on Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Rooting

1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 736-740
Author(s):  
Sangwook Han ◽  
Thomas W. Fermanian ◽  
Thomas B. Voigt
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Root Dry Weight ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Maximum Root Length ◽  
Maximum Root ◽  
The Mean

With the increased development of new tall fescue cultivars used in turf, it is important to understand their individual response to herbicide treatment. The effect of prodiamine on tall fescue root dry weight and root length of selected tall fescue cultivars was studied in the greenhouse in 1.3-m-deep pots of calcined clay. Prodiamine at 0.8 kg ai/ha did not significantly affect either root dry weight or root length. However, the mean root dry weight and maximum root length averaged over all cultivars were significantly reduced at 4 wk after treatment with 1.7 kg/ha. When the prodiamine treatments were repeated in a second experiment, both rates caused a significant reduction in the mean root dry weight and maximum root length but there was no significant difference between prodiamine rates. Single degree of freedom contrasts between the untreated and treated turfs for each cultivar had some differential response in root dry weight. The reduction in root dry weight in the prodiamine treatments was more pronounced in the second study because the turf was less mature. ‘Olympic’ and ‘Rebel’ tall fescue had significantly reduced root dry weight at the 1.7 kg/ha rate in first study; whereas, ‘Amigo,’ Olympic, ‘Sundance,’ and ‘Taurus' tall fescue had significant reduction in root dry weight at both 0.8 and 1.7 kg/ha prodiamine rates. ‘Midnight’ Kentucky bluegrass had significantly reduced root length at both prodiamine rates in the second experiment but in general there was little difference among tall fescue cultivars treated with prodiamine.

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