Diameter and shunt act as an alleviator of pulmonary hypertension: an echocardiography assessment of patients with ostium secundum atrial septal defect

Background Ostium-secundum atrial septal defect (OS-ASD) increases pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PSAP) and eventually leads to pulmonary hypertension (PH). Nevertheless, whether the characteristics of OS-ASD could serve as an alleviator within chronic-volume overload in the right atrium (RA) is unclear. Aims To evaluate a potential interaction of OS-ASD diameter and the shunt (Qp/Qs ratio) on PSAP values in patients with secondary PH. Methods We designed a cross-sectional study of 63 adult patients with OS-ASD. A conventional transthoracic echocardiography was performed using Vivid 9X-clear equipment (GE Vingmed Ultrasound, Horten, Norway) to evaluate the OS-ASD diameter and the Qp/Qs ratio. The PSAP was calculated by tricuspid regurgitation velocity with continuous-wave Doppler in the apical four-chamber view. Polynomic adjusted correlations were performed between the RA volume and the PSAP; we evaluated a double and triple interaction-effect of the OS-ASD diameter and Qp/Qs ratio, respectively adjusted for age, sex and body surface area. Results In our study population, 78% (n=49) were female, with a mean age of 41.8 (±15) years. 44% (n=28) with mild-PH, 38% (n=24) with moderate-PH and 17% (n=11) with severe-PH. Mean echocardiographic parameters were: RA volume 58.8 (±26.4) mL, PSAP of 55.9 (±20.7) mmHg, OS-ASD diameter 30.1 (±7.8) mm and Qp/Qs 2.9 (±0.9). We observed a cubic relationship between RA volume and PSAP (r=0.354, p=0.006; Figure 1A). ASD-Diameter had a negative interaction effect (β=−0.0231 95% CI: −0.043 to −0.003, p=0.03) of the relationship between RA volume and PSAP (Figure 1B). Furthermore, the addition of Qp/Qs ratio displayed a positive triple interaction effect (β=0.021 95% CI: 0.001–0.043, p=0.048) on the previously mentioned variables (Figure 1C) after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions The increase in OS-ASD diameter and shunt decreases PSAP values. Our results could indicate that OS-ASD could potentially ameliorate chronic-volume overload in patients with secondary PH. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Local one-dimensional reggeon model of the interaction of pomerons and odderons

We propose the one-dimensional reggeon theory describing local pomerons and odderons. It generalizes the well-known one-dimensional theory of pomerons (the Gribov model) and includes only triple interaction vertices. The proposed theory is studied by numerical methods: the one-particle pomeron and odderon propagators and the pA amplitude are found as functions of rapidity by integrating the evolution equation.

ETHYL METHANESULPHONATE (EMS) INDUCES DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN MAIZE

THIS STudy was aimed to induce genetic variation toward drought tolerance after treatment with EMS as a mutagen to two maize inbred lines and their single hybrid. The experiment was carried out at Abo-Ghraib Research Station, Baghdad during the spring season of 2019. The experiment included three irrigation intervals 7, 9 and 11, four concentrations of EMS (0, 50, 60, and 70 mM) and three maize genotypes distributed in three replications using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split-split plot arrangement which included three irrigation intervals 7, 9 and 11 days occupied the main plot, while the sub plots included three maize genotypes, and four EMS concentrations which were distributed in sub-sub plots. Results were revealed significant differences among EMS treatments and irrigation interval treatments. The inbred line 5 in control treatment showed a significant increase in days for both anthesis and silking (70.11 and 71.94) days, respectively. Plants of Nahrain hybrid also showed a super performance in plant height, leaf area, and number of rows ear-1, with a mean of 154.47cm, 746.31cm2 and 17.83 row ear-1, respectively. The irrigation intervals of 9 and 11 days were significantly decreased the mean performance of genotypes, compared to the shortest irrigation interval (7 days) which had highest mean in most traits. None treated plants (0 mM EMS) had a significant effect on the performance of most studied traits, except the anthesis and silking time, which gave the highest values under the concentration 60 mM with 69.11 and 70.48 days, respectively. Hybrid plants interacted significantly with the EMS concentration of 0 mM producing the maximal means of plant height and leaf area (169.56cm and 759.78cm2 respectively). On the other hand, the hybrid was significantly interacted with the shortest irrigation interval in the mean traits of plant's height and leaf area (163.50 cm and 757 cm2, respectively). The triple interaction between hybrids, shortest irrigation interval and EMS concentration of 60 mM had significantly increased leaf area reached 769.67cm2, meanwhile the triple interaction between hybrid plants, shortest irrigation interval, and the EMS concentration of 0 mM recorded the highest value of plant yield (199.67g). It can be concluded from the current study that the genotypes differed in their response to 9 and 11 days irrigation intervals, with a negative effect of the later interval on the vegetative and yield traits of maize compared with shorter irrigation interval.

Investigation of the relationship of apelin hormone response with some physiological parameters in Maedi-Visna infected sheep

In this study, the objective was to assess the serological characteristics of sheep, during lactation and pregnancy periods, and rams belonging to the Red Karaman and White Karaman–Kangal race infected with maedi-visna infection and body condition score (BCS) of ≤2, 3- 3.5 and ≥4 (high) and to analyse the relationship between the level of apelin and its secretion. Apelin level in the blood serum samples obtained from the jugular veinof the sheeps was determined using ELISA method. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the level of apelin was statistically different between the races; between lactating sheep and pregnant sheep; and sheep and rams. There was no difference between the BCS groups (p > 0.05). Race and sex interaction as well as race, sex and BCS triple interaction effects were found significant (p < 0.05). It was observed that the sheep belonging to the White Karaman–Kangal race were 18 times more likely to be infected with the virus. A decrease in apelin level was observed in the sheep with infection, and it was found that the risk of infection was 0.37 times higher in rams than in lactating sheep (p < 0.05).

PSVI-21 Effect of preconditioning pre-shipment and injectable antioxidant trace elements and vitamins on growth, antioxidant status, and plasma metabolites and insulin concentration in weaned beef cattle

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weaning preconditioning and parenteral supplementation of minerals and vitamin on growth and plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), glucose, NEFA, and insulin concentrations, in calves at feedlot arrival. Sixty male Angus-cross calves were randomly assigned to 4 treatments (n=15/treatment). Treatments were arranged in a 2x2 factorial design; the main factors were mineral and vitamins supplementation (supplementation (S) vs no supplementation (NS)), and preconditioning (preconditioning (P) vs. not (NP)). Supplementation was applied subcutaneously on d -45, -26 and 0 and provided Cu, Mn, Se, Zn, and vitamins A and E (Adaptador Min-Vit ®, Biogénesis Bagó). Preconditioning consisted in a 26-day period between weaning and transportation at feedlot (d0) with the animals remaining in the same location. Blood samples were collected on d -26, 0 and 15. Animals were weighted on d-45, -26, 0, 8, 15 and 29. On d0 calves were load into a truck and drove for 5-hours to the feedlot. Data were analyzed using a mixed model as a 2x2 factorial, using repeated measurements. Body weight was greater on d 0, 8 15 and 29 group on groups NP, followed by S-P, and the lowest for NS-P (Triple interaction P &lt; 0.01). Treatment did not affect (P ˃ 0.1) plasma insulin and glucose concentrations. There was a triple interaction (P &lt; 0.08) for plasma TAS and NEFA concentration. Plasma TAS concentration was grater due to a decrease in its concentration for the S-P and NS-NP from d0 to d8, but not in the other treatments. Plasma NEFA concentration had the greater increase in the NP groups followed by S-NP on d0. In conclusion, 26-days precondition weaning decrease body weight compare with a traditional weaning. Mineral and vitamin supplementation in precondition weaning partially reduced that effect

PSVII-13 Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid and methionine supplementation during late gestation on offspring duodenal amino acid and peptides transporters in sheep

The intestine plays a crucial role in nutrient digestion and absorption, and its function is critical for animal growth and health. However, the effect of maternal nutrition on offspring’s intestine is not well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), methionine (M) or both to ewes during late gestation on offspring duodenal amino acid (AA) and peptides transporters. Twenty-four post-weaned lambs (6/treatment) born from ewes supplemented from day 100 (d100) gestation until lambing were used. Dam supplementation was: 1) no PUFA or M supplementation (CONT, NFA-NM); 2) supplementation with PUFA (PUFA-NM, 1 % StrataG113); 3) a source of M (NFA-MET, 0.1 % rumen protected methionine, Smartamine); and 4) PUFA and MET (PUFA-MET). At weaning (60 days of age) lambs were placed in 24 pens and fed a common finishing diet for 56 days. On d56, lambs were harvested and samples of the duodenum were collected to quantified amino acid (AA) and peptides transporters. Protein quantification of amino acid transporters was performed using Simple Western System. Offspring data was analyzed as a 2x2x2 factorial (FA, M, and sex). No triple interaction was found (P &gt; 0.15). Dam supplementation did not affect SLC38A2 and SLC38A10 expression. A trend was observed in MET*Sex interaction (P = 0.1), M-ewes and NM-wethers had a greater SLC6A19 expression compared with NM-ewes and M-wethers. Furthermore, SLC7A5 protein expression tended to decrease (P = 0.1) in M-ewes and NM-wethers when compared with M-wethers. There was an effect of FA supplementation, PUFA born animals had a greater SLC38A1 protein expression when compared to NFA born offspring. Maternal supplementation of M or PUFA led to a modification in the protein expression of duodenal AA transporters, and this modification could be influenced by the sex of the offspring.

Is too much help an obstacle? Effects of interactivity and cognitive style on learning with dynamic versus non-dynamic visualizations with narrative explanations

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of visual/verbal cognitive style and interactivity level in dynamic and non-dynamic multimedia learning environments. A group of 235 biology students learned about photosynthesis either from a computer-based animation or a series of static pictures with spoken explanatory text. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: with or without the possibility to pause, to play, or to fast-forward/rewind the learning environment (self-paced versus system-paced condition). Participants obtained better results when learning with the system-paced environment than with the self-paced one. A significant triple interaction between cognitive style, type of pacing, and type of visualization showed that highly developed visualizers learned poorer with self-paced static pictures than with system-paced static pictures. There were no significant effects regarding verbal cognitive style. Results shed more light on the relation between different levels of interactivity and visual cognitive style, when learning from static pictures.

Psychosocial Processes of Discrimination Against Women in the Workplace

This work aimed to analyze the influence of stereotypes on discrimination against women. Specifically, it investigated the effects of the candidate gender (man vs. woman), the status regarding parental leave (exercising the right vs. waiving the right), and the stereotypes of competence, sociability, and morality regarding this discrimination. Consistent with previous studies, the candidate gender and the parental leave status interact and together influence discrimination against women (Study 1, F(1, 229)=22.45, p<.001). In turn, the triple interaction of candidate gender, parental leave status, and the three dimensions of stereotypes (Study 2, F4, 587)=2.73, p=.030, ƞ²=.018) revealed that the woman who took parental leave received more positive evaluations in the three stereotypical dimensions, in comparison with to the woman who waived her right to the leave, and, at the same time, she was poorly assessed in the competence dimension, compared to the man who exercises the same right (Study 2, N=312)