EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

Variability and grain yield potential of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under irrigated condition in central Sudan

Abstract. These experiments were conducted in two different sites to study the genetic variability and the mean performance of the elite different origin maize genotypes under irrigated condition in central region of Sudan during rainy season of 2015. The experiments were arranged in randomized complete block design with three replicates, the data were collected on days to 50% tasseling and silking, plant and ear height, ear length and diameter and grain yield. The analysis of variance for each site and cross sites showed a significant variability among tested genotypes for grain yield, days to 50% tasseling and silking, plant and ear height, ear length and diameter. Also significant differences were observed for genotypes, site and a cross site for most of the studied traits such as for grain yield, days to 50% tasseling and silking, plant and ear height, ear length and diameter. The combined results for genotypic coefficients of variability and broad sense heritability estimates grain yield, ear length and ear diameter varied significantly among the tested genotypes

Влияние гуминовой и нафталинуксусной кислоты на вегетативный рост и качество плодов томатов Lycopersicon esculentum

The study aimed to improve fruit set and plant performance to increase tomato productivity by studying the effect of plant growth regulators on tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum). A specific experiment has been carried out to study the effect of plant growth regulators Hemo bles (humic acid, 850g/kg) at applied doses (250, 500 and 700 ppm) and Magictone (naphthalene acetic acid and naphthalene acetamide, 5…12.5 g/kg) at applied doses (250, 500 and 700 ppm) on growth and physiological characteristics of tomato plants (Big Beef F1). The experimental design was a Complete Randomized Blocks Design. Both Hemo bles and Magictone were applied three times (spraying on plants at 30 days after planting (DAP), 60 DAP and 90 DAP). The obtained results showed that, applying Ener-850 humic acid caused the highest significant plant height (264.6 cm), number of leaves/plant (45), stem diameter (1.9 cm) and fruit weight (137 g) during the two seasons. In addition, applying Magictone resulted in the highest significant flower number (48.1), fruit number (35.1) and flower clusters number in the plant (13.6). Additionally, humic acid significantly increased dry weight (75.1 g) of arial parts with improving of tomato fruit quality via enhancing the concentrations of ascorbic acid, level of vitamin C and carotenoid content. The results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test with α = 0.05 with the help of MINITAB (v. 19.0) program.С целью повышения продуктивности исследовали влияние регуляторов роста на растения томата Lycopersicon esculentum. Изучено влияние регуляторов роста Hemo bles (с содержанием гуминовой кислоты 850 г/кг) в концентрации 250, 500 и 700 ppm и Magictone (с содержанием нафталинуксусной кислоты и нафталин ацетамида 5…12,5 г/кг) в концентрации 250, 500 и 700 ppm на рост и физиологические параметры растений томата сорта Биг Биф F1. Опрыскивание растений регуляторами роста Hemo bles и Magictone проводили три раза (через 30, 60 и 90 дней после посадки). Полученные результаты показали, что применение препарата Ener-850 с гуминовой кислотой в течение двух сезонов оказало наилучшее влияние на показатели роста растений: высоту побегов (264,6 см), количество листьев на 1 растении (45 шт.), диаметр стебля (1,9 см), массу плодов (137 г). Использование препарата Magictone способствовало образованию большого числа цветков (48,1), плодов (35,1) и соцветий (13,6) на одном растении. Гуминовая кислота также оказывала положительное влияние на качество плодов томата, увеличивая долю сухих веществ (75,1 г) надземной массы растений, в результате чего возрастало количество аскорбиновой кислоты, витамина С и каротиноидов (4,82 мг/100 г). Результаты были проанализированы с использованием однофакторного дисперсионного анализа (ANOVA) с последующим HSD-тестом Тьюки с α = 0,05 с помощью программы MINITAB (v. 19.0)

Nutritional, antimicrobial and medicinal properties of Camel’s milk: A review

Camel’s milk is an important part of staple diet in several parts of the world, particularly in the arid and semi-arid zones. Camel’s milk is rich in health-beneficial substances, such as bioactive peptides, lactoferrin, zinc, and mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These substances could help in the treatment of some important human diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, gastrointestinal diseases, and jaundice. Camel’s milk composition is more variable compared to cow’s milk. The effects of feed, breed, age, and lactation stage on milk composition are more significant in camel. Region and season significantly change the ratio of compounds in camel’s milk. Camel’s whey protein is not only composed of numerous soluble proteins, but also has indigenous proteases such as chymotrypsin A and cathepsin D. In addition to their high nutritional value, these whey proteins have unique characteristics, including physical, chemical, physiological, functional, and technological features that are useful in the food application. The hydrolysis of camel’s milk proteins leads to the formation of bioactive peptides, which affect major organ systems of the body and impart physiological functions to these systems. The camel’s milk has antioxidant, antimicrobial, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides, antidiabetic as well as anticholesterol activities

Ways to minimize bacterial infections, with special reference to Escherichia coli, to cope with the first-week mortality in chicks: An updated overview

On the commercial level, the poultry industry strives to find new techniques to combat bird's infection. During the first week, mortality rate increases in birds because of several bacterial infections of about ten bacterial species, especially colisepticemia. This affects the flock production, uniformity, and suitability for slaughter because of chronic infections. Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes various disease syndromes in poultry, including yolk sac infection (omphalitis), respiratory tract infection, and septicemia. The E. coli infections in the neonatal poultry are being characterized by septicemia. The acute septicemia may cause death, while the subacute form could be characterized through pericarditis, airsacculitis, and perihepatitis. Many E. coli isolates are commonly isolated from commercial broiler chickens as serogroups O1, O2, and O78. Although prophylactic antibiotics were used to control mortality associated with bacterial infections of neonatal poultry in the past, the commercial poultry industry is searching for alternatives. This is because of the consumer's demand for reduced antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Despite the vast and rapid development in vaccine technologies against common chicken infectious diseases, no antibiotic alternatives are commercially available to prevent bacterial infections of neonatal chicks. Recent research confirmed the utility of probiotics to improve the health of neonatal poultry. However, probiotics were not efficacious to minimize death and clinical signs associated with neonatal chicks' bacterial infections. This review focuses on the causes of the increased mortality in broiler chicks during the first week of age and the methods used to minimize death

Improvement the physico-chemical characteristics of diesel fuel using gamma irradiation

The effect of gamma irradiation on physico-chemical properties of petro-diesel fuel using different rate and absorbed doses has been studied. The diesel fuel samples were exposed to gamma radiation for 1.3 h using different absorbed doses: 3, 6, 10, and 15 kGy, with dose rates 2.27, 4.5, 7.4, and 11.15 kGy/h, respectively. Physico-chemical characteristics of diesel fuel were determined according to the standard test methods assigned by ASTM, characteristics are: cetane number, distillation recovery points, flash point, calorific value, density, and kinematic viscosity. The effect of gamma irradiation doses on organic compounds of diesel fuel was study using GC/MS technique. Experimental results show that the density, distillation, kinematic viscosity and flash point were decreased at absorbed doses 3, 6 and 15 kGy whereas increases at 10 kGy, corresponding with rate doses. Cetane number of diesel fuel increased after exposure to 3, 6, and 15 kGy but decreased at 10 kGy. These results can be attributed to the broken and formed bonds as a result of the high applied energy. The formed fragments at (10 kGy; 7.5 kGy/h) made a new compounds that have physical parameters affected negatively on the overall properties of diesel fuel. The formed fragments in diesel fuel after exposed to 3, 6, and 15 kGy (2.27, 4.5, and 11.15 kGy/h) have converted some of cyclic, aromatic, and branched organic compounds to linear hydrocarbons, which supported increasing of cetane number to 54. All characteristics have been improved within limits assigned by ASTM. ©2021, Sociedad Química de México

Ammonia emissions in poultry houses and microbial nitrification as a promising reduction strategy

High ammonia (NH3) levels (>25 ppm) in poultry houses reduce the body weight gain, feed conversion, survival ability, carcass conviction rate, and immune system of birds. High NH3 levels can also cause pain, eye-inflammation, and increased oxidative stress. The volatility rate of NH3 in poultry litter depends on the pH, humidity, ventilation rate, air velocity, manure nitrogen (N) content, and temperature. The litter's pH is a major factor regulating the volatilization of NH3because it specifies the volatile ammonium (NH4+)/NH3 ratio between their ionic and nonvolatile forms. High NH3 levels damage birds' respiratory systems' mucous membranes, thereby increasing their susceptibility to respiratory infections, particularly to Escherichia coli infection. In this review, the existing knowledge on soil-nitrifying bacteria and NH3 nitrification approaches for advancing poultry manure microbial nitrification and environmental implications of using various NH3 emission control techniques were summarized. Although few studies have focused on reducing NH3 volatilization by nitrification, nitrification is deemed a sustainable approach for reducing N excretions and controlling NH3 emissions in poultry houses. However, further studies are required to determine the most suitable soil nitrification bacteria to increase microbial nitrification

Induced electron radiation effect on the performance of inter-satellite optical wireless communication

This paper provides the details of a study on the effects of electron radiation on the Performance of Inters-satellite Optical Wireless Communication (IsOWC). Academia and industry focus on solutions that can improve performance and reduce the cost of IsWOC systems. Spacecraft, space stations, satellites, and astronauts are exposed to an increased level of radiation when in space, so it is essential to evaluate the risks and performance effects associated with extended radiation exposures in missions and space travel in general. This investigation focuses on LEO, especially in the near-equatorial radiation environment. Radiation experiments supported with simulations have made it possible to obtain and evaluate the electron radiation impact on optoelectronics at the device level and system level performances. The electron radiation has induced a system degradation of 70%. This result demonstrates the importance of such an investigation to predict and take necessary and suitable reliable quality service for future space missions