scholarly journals Evaluation of Fresh and Thawed Semen of Pecari tajacu (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) in Yucatán Mexico

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Montes-Pérez Rubén ◽  
Mukul-Yerves Jose ◽  
Silva-Mena Carlos ◽  
Magaña-Monforte Juan
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Captive Populations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pecari Tajacu ◽  
Quasi Experimental

This research aimed to characterize the seminal properties of collared peccary Pecari tajacu before and after freezing, and to relate the morphometric measurements of the testes with sperm measurements before freezing. The study design was quasi-experimental in nature. The investigation was carried out at the Xmatkuil Wildlife Management and Conservation Unit and the Centennial Zoo in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, during the months of October to December 2001. Seventeen collared pecaries adult were electroejaculation from two captive populations. Macro and microscopic analyzes of fresh and thawed semen were carried out, also morphometric measurements of the testes, the data of sperm measurements were compared with Student´s  t-test, a linear regression model was adjusted between spermatic and morphometric variables of the testis. Logistic regression was performed between seminal freezability and spermatic and morphometric variables. The ejaculate volume was 0.96 ± 0.98 ml, with 62.08 ± 19.10% sperm motility, concentration of 558.61 ± 537.04 x 106 spermatozoa / ml of fresh semen and vigor of 3.7 ± 0.58 on a scale of 1 to 5. On thawing the motility sperm was 35 ± 17.18% and 2.75 ± 0.62 vigor. The measurements of the sperm cell segments did not show a significant difference between the individuals of the two populations. Testicular width and sperm concentration were fitted to the logistic regression model with freezability (1 = yes, 0 = no). It is concluded that testicular width is a factor significantly associated with sperm motility and seminal freezability.

A multifaceted stewardship intervention helps curb steroid overprescribing in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of COPD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Cole ◽  
Sarah E Smith
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Duration Of Therapy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Acute Exacerbations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Prospective Audit And Feedback

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Corticosteroid overprescribing is well documented in real-world practice. There is currently no evidence to guide best practices for steroid stewardship. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 3-part stewardship intervention strategy on inpatient steroid prescribing in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Summary Investigators implemented a 3-part stewardship initiative consisting of (1) an anonymous survey for providers on steroid prescribing in a simplified case of AECOPD, (2) face-to-face education and review of survey results, and (3) prospective audit and feedback from a clinical pharmacist. This was a quasi-experimental before-and-after study evaluating hospitalized adults diagnosed with AECOPD in two 12-month study periods before (April 2019-March 2020) and after (May 2020-April 2021) implementation. The primary outcome was mean inpatient steroid dosing. Secondary outcomes were duration of therapy, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmissions, 30-day mortality, and incidence of hyperglycemia. Per power analysis, there were 27 patients per cohort. The interventions resulted in a significant reduction in prednisone equivalents during hospitalization: 118 mg vs 53 mg (P = 0.0003). This decrease was similar in ICU (160 mg vs 61 mg, P = 0.008) and non-ICU (102 mg vs 49 mg, P = 0.004) locations. There was no significant difference in duration of therapy (8 days vs 7 days, P = 0.44), length of stay (3.3 days vs 3.9 days, P = 0.21), 30-day mortality (4% vs 7%, P = 0.55), 30-day readmissions (15% vs 7%, P = 0.39), or rate of hyperglycemia (48% vs 44%, P = 0.78). Conclusion A multifaceted stewardship intervention significantly reduced steroid dosing in hospitalized AECOPD patients. This reduction was not associated with known deleterious effects.

scholarly journals Correlation Between Ultrasonic Testicular Volume and Seminal Fluid Analysis in Men with Infertility

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-107
Author(s):  
Sadiq Abu ◽  
Hadijat O. Kolade-Yunusa ◽  
Terkaa Atim ◽  
F. Ehimatie Obakeye ◽  
Nuhu K. Dakum
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Testicular Volume ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Testicular Function ◽  
Semen Volume ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background: Infertility is a major cause of marital disharmony in Nigeria because of the high premium placed on childbearing. Unfortunately, the blame is on the woman most times in Nigeria. Seminiferous tubules comprise 80-90% of testicular mass. Thus, the testicular volume is an index of spermatogenesis. Therefore, accurate testicular volume will help in assessing testicular function if there is no obstruction. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between testicular volume, measured by ultrasound and conventional sperm parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology) in men with infertility presenting to Urology Division, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Abuja. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study, male subjects with infertility presenting to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital were recruited into the study. The testicular volume of all the subjects was measured by ultrasonography. The semen samples were collected by the process of masturbation on day five of sexual abstinence and analyzed according to WHO criteria 2010. Collated data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. P-value<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The average total testicular volume (TTV) of men with infertility was 19.83 ml while mean testicular volume (MTV) was 10.24 ml. There was a statistically significant difference between MTV and semen volume (r=0.391, p=0.000), and sperm concentration (r=0.639, p=0.000). There was a weak and insignificant correlation between MTV and sperm motility and MTV and morphology (r=0.216, p=0.055 and r=0.076, p=0.502) respectively. Linear regression analysis showed significant impact of MTV (P<0.001) on sperm concentration with a critical MTV of ≤10ml.0 indicating poor testicular function (severe oligospermia) Conclusion: The mean ultrasonic testicular volume in men with infertility in this study was 10.24ml and there was a significant positive correlation of MTV with semen volume and sperm concentration. Although, there was correlation of MTV with sperm motility and morphology, this was not significant. The critical mean ultrasonic testicular volume indicating poor testicular function (severe oligospermia) was found to be 10ml. This study has shown that the mean ultrasonic testicular volume can be a pointer to semen volume and sperm concentration in evaluating men with infertility.

scholarly journals The difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with fluoride containing toothpaste and without toothpaste

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Setiawan ◽  
Edeh Rolleta Haroen ◽  
Dede Hadidjah
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Salivary Ph ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Difference

In administering fluoride through drinking water there is the risk of overdose, higher cost and inadequate availability of drinking water containing fluoride in developing countries like Indonesia. A safe fluoride source is contained in toothpaste. The purpose of this research was to obtain data concerning difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride and without toothpaste. The research method used was the quasi-experimental method. Samples were collected by the way of purposive sampling, conducted on 43 male and female research subjects. The data were analyzed by statistical analysis using the t test at 95% confidence level. In this research a control group consisting of 43 people was used. Research results indicated that the average saliva pH before brushing was 7.174; after brushing with fluoride containing toothpaste salivary pH was 7.593. Result research of brushing without toothpaste showed an average saliva of 7.163 before brushing and 7.379 after brushing without toothpaste. The average changes in saliva pH before and after brushing using fluoride containing toothpaste was 0.216. The conclusion of this research was that there was significant difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride; there was significant difference in saliva pH before and after brushing without toothpaste, and there was significant difference in saliva pH before and after brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride and without toothpaste.

scholarly journals The Effect of Resource-Based Instructions on Pre-service Biology Teachers’ Attitudes towards Learning Biology

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 262-277
Author(s):  
Josiane Mukagihana ◽  
Catherine M Aurah ◽  
Florien Nsanganwimana
Keyword(s):  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Biology Teachers ◽  
Lecture Method ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Based Instruction ◽  
Teachers Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Towards Learning

A positive attitude correlates to successful learning; while a negative attitude leads to poor learning. The present study aimed to compare the pre-service biology teachers’ attitudes towards learning biology and assessing their attitudinal change before and after being taught by resource-based instructions (RBI) in Rwanda. A survey-research design was used, in combination with a quasi-experimental control group, and the equivalent time-series designs. Pre-service biology teachers were taught at a public university in three separate groups, with one control group and two experimental groups. Each group received a pre-attitude and a post-attitude assessment. In contrast, at a private university, they were taught as a single group, in a series of instructions, starting with the lecture method, followed by animation-based instruction and small- group laboratory activities, in which at each stage, the pre-service biology teachers received the same assessment. The biology Attitudinal Scale showed a Cronbach alpha reliability of 0.625 before its use. The data were analyzed quantitatively; and the results revealed no statistically significant difference between the public and the private pre-service teachers’ attitudes before learning microbiology. After the teaching interventions, the results revealed that both the traditional and the resource-based instructions improved the pre-service biology teachers’ attitudes towards learning biology, as a result of their improved maturity and their anticipated future teaching career.

scholarly journals USING JUMBLED LETTERS TO IMPROVE STUDENTS VOCABULARY MASTERY

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
Sri Wahyuni ◽  
Ali Wira Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Total Sample ◽  
Crossword Puzzle ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Tenth Grade ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Control ◽  
Listening And Speaking ◽  
Academic Year

Vocabulary considered one of the important things to learn for students, the vocabulary is basic thing that students must be mastered in foreign language lessons, especially in English. Without vocabulary students will have difficulty in mastering skills in English such as writing, reading, listening and speaking.  Therefore, it is very important to find out the solution to enhance students’ vocabulary. The objective of the research is to find out whether or not using Jumbled letters can improve the students vocabulary of the tenth grade students in MAN 2 Barru and to find out whether or not using Crossword puzzle can improve the students vocabulary of the tenth grade students in MAN 2 Barru. This research applied quasi-experimental group design with two groups experimental and control class. The population of this research was the tenth grade students of MAN 2 Barru in academic year 2018/2019. The Total sample of the research was taken by using clustering random sampling which consisted of 141 students. From two classes taken from the population of the tenth grade students of MAN 2 Barru, X MIA 1 as the experimental class consisted 29 students and X MIA 3 as the control class that consisted 29 students. The result of the data analysis showed that there was a significant difference of students’ vocabulary before and after teaching vocabulary through jumbled word letters. The value of t-test pre-test 2.09 was higher than t-table 2.000, and the value of post-test 4.62 was higher than t-table 2.000, at the level significance a =0.05 and degree of freedom (df) = 56. It can be concluded that jumbled word letters can enhance the vocabulary of the tenth grade students’ of MAN 2 Barru

scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF THREE PHASE TECHNIQUE ON STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 303
Author(s):  
Eko Saputra Nurdiansa
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Significant Degree ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Reading Technique ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sample Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental

The objective of the study is to know whether or not three phase technique   has   significant   effect   on   students’ reading comprehension. The design of this study was quasi experimental research. The population of the study were students who were taking Reading 1 class in English study program at Halu Oleo University in academic year of  2016-2017.  By  employing  purposive  sampling technique the researcher chose class A as the sample of this study. Instrument of study was reading comprehension test in form of multiple choices questions. The result of this study confirmed that the teaching reading  by  using  three  phase  reading  technique  could give significant effect on the students’ reading comprehension. Based on the Paired Sample Test, it was found that there was a significant difference of students’ reading comprehension score before and after they were given treatment by using three phase reading technique procedure in Reading 1 class with the significant degree of 0.013. Furthermore, there was also significant improvement in students' mean score (79.78). Therefore, the proposed hypothesis which stated “three phase reading technique has significant effect on students’ reading comprehension” was accepted. Keywords: Three Phase Technique, Reading Comprehension

scholarly journals Intratympanic Steroid Therapy for Advanced Ménière’s Disease: Are There Effects on the Vestibular System?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefani Maihoub ◽  
Andràs Molnàr ◽  
Làszló Tamàs ◽  
Àgnes Szirmai
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Vestibular System ◽  
Meniere’S Disease ◽  
Meniere's Disease ◽  
Ménière’S Disease ◽  
Baseline Characteristic ◽  
Menière's Disease ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ménière's Disease

Introduction: Ménière’s Disease (MD) is associated with rotatory vertigo, unstable levels of hearing, tinnitus, along with vegetative symptoms and postural instability. Progressive hearing loss can be treated in part successfully with Intratympanic Steroid (ITS) (dexamethasone) injection. Aim: To investigate the effects of ITS treatment on vestibular system in MD. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study, was conducted at Semmelweis University, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery during the period of January 2018 to March 2020.Study involved 120 patients data suffering from advanced MD. Thirty-eight patients suffering from advanced stage of MD received ITS treatment along with 82 patients with advanced MD that were treated with conservative treatment based on international guidelines. The results of vestibular function tests using ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography (US-COMP-CCG) before and after administration of ITS injection were compared, using Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic Regression. To analyse the baseline characteristic of the control and treated groups, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were applied. Results: Based on the comparison between the baseline characteristic of the control and ITS groups, there was no significant difference detected in case of the US-COMP-CCG parameters, nor was it when the distribution of age groups and gender were contrasted. When the distribution of US-COMP-CCG parameters before and after the steroid treatment were contrasted using boxplots, there was no obvious difference between the parameters, which was also strengthened by the non-significant statistical difference. In case of the parameters of stepping test the same outcome was detected. Comparing the boxplots of the parameters of both tests after the treatment and of the control group, no significant difference was detected. Long-term follow-up data analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier curve and Logistic Regression, and there was no statistically significant difference between the treated and nontreated groups {p=0.445; Odds ratio: 1.654 (95% CI: 0.166-0.197)}. Conclusion: Based on US-COMP-CCG, the ITS injection seems to have no impact on the vestibular system, although seems to be efficient in the management of some cases of MD.

scholarly journals Efficacy of standard- vs reduced-dose insulin for treatment of hyperkalemia: A quasi-experiment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Catherine Pearson ◽  
Kristin O’Connor ◽  
Kimberly Keller ◽  
T J Hodge ◽  
Ross Nesbit
Keyword(s):  
Glucose Level ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Treatment Pathway ◽  
Reduced Dose ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Hyperkalemia more commonly affects patients with a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL/min. Using intravenous (IV) insulin to shift potassium intracellularly may cause hypoglycemia, requiring additional treatment or longer hospitalization. Literature on insulin dosing in this context is limited, with one previous study indicating that 5 units of IV insulin might be as effective and result in less hypoglycemia than the standard dose of 10 units of IV insulin. The hyperkalemia treatment pathway at our institution was revised in May 2018 to include a reduced-dose option (5 units of insulin) for patients with end-stage renal disease. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of hypoglycemia between patients who received standard-dose vs reduced-dose IV insulin. Methods This single-center, retrospective, quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of revision of the hyperkalemia treatment pathway by assessing rates of hypoglycemia during the 6 months before and after implementation of the revised pathway. The primary endpoint was prevalence of hypoglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level of less than or equal to 70 mg/dL. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of hypoglycemia when comparing the pre- and postimplementation groups (36 [17.7%] patients vs 34 [18.7%] patients; P = 0.7924). The postimplementation group had a statistically significant lower reduction in potassium levels after treatment than the preimplementation group (mean [interquartile range], –0.9 [–1.3, –0.5] mEq/L vs –0.6 [–1.2, –0.2] mEq/L; P = 0.0095). Baseline potassium levels were similar between the groups. Conclusion Administration of reduced-dose IV insulin for treatment of hyperkalemia was significantly less effective in lowering serum potassium levels and did not decrease prevalence of hypoglycemia. When accounting for potential confounders, the only variable that was associated with hypoglycemia was pretreatment glucose level.

scholarly journals Peningkatan Status Perkembangan Anak Prasekolah dengan Stimulasi Perkembangan

JKEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-160
Author(s):  
Santun Setiawati ◽  
Agus Citra Dermawan ◽  
Raden Siti Maryam
Keyword(s):  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Good Growth ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Growth Status ◽  
Development Status ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Children Development

The children are not small adults, but have unique characteristics that are always growing and evolving since their conception until the end of adolescence. Good growth and development of children requires appropriate stimulation and accordance with the age such as developmental stimulation. The aim of this study was to determine the influence development simulations towards pre-school children’s growth status. This research was using the quasi-experimental design without control. The numbers of respondents were 30 children (with aged 60-72 month). The children with dubious developmental status had performed the development stimulations for 2 weeks for 3-4 housr a day and evaluated the development status. Developmental Pre-Screening Questionnaire (KPSP) instrument used in this research. The data analysis was using univariate analysis (frequency distributions), bivariate (Wilcoxon test) and multivariate (ANCOVA test). There was a significant difference in the children’s development status before and after development stimulation interventions (p= 0.000), but there was no children and mothers’ characteristic factors that affect the children development status. Stimulation associated with the value of child development, where the high category of stimulation is not found in children whose development category is slow. So it takes stimulation of children from an early age. Growth stimulations can be done routinely as a part of efforts to improve the children development status.

The effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on rat sperm quality and membrane integrity

2009 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Kheradmand ◽  
Majid Taati ◽  
Homayoon Babaei
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Plasma Membrane Integrity ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractAlthough ghrelin acts as a modulator of feeding behavior and energy metabolism in the central nervous system, recent studies have implicated the peripheral actions of ghrelin in reproductive tissues. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of ghrelin on the motility, plasma membrane integrity and concentration of rat spermatozoa. 45-d male Wistar rats were scheduled for the study and were divided into control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, 1 nmol of ghrelin was administered as sc injection for 10 consecutive days or vehicle (physiological saline) to the control rats. Sperm collection was achieved by killing of the rats on days 15, 25 and 50 after first injection. Total sperm motility and forward progressive movement did not exhibit significant difference during the experiment, although, there was a tendency for greater motion rate on d 15 and 25 in the treated rats compared to the control group. Plasma membrane integrity (HOS-reacted spermatozoa) was significantly higher in the treated animals, especially on day 15 as well as day 25, because of possible antioxidant properties of ghrelin. This value was statistically higher on day 15 than that of day 25 (P <0.05). Likewise, there was a significant correlation between the FPM (P <0.0001, r = 0.79) and TSM (P <0.01, r = 0.52) with the HOS test percentage in the treatment group. It was not observed statistically difference in the sperm concentration between groups during all of the experimental days. In conclusion, chronic administration of ghrelin (similar to induced by energy deficiency such as fasting) increased the integrity of sperm membrane, however, the sperm motility and concentration did not display any alterations.

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