Comparison of synchronisation and fertility after different modifications of the ovsynch protocol in cyclic dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of (1) double doses of PGF2α administration or (2) an exogenous progesterone (CIDR) applied concurrently with, or (3) the day after, first GnRH of Ovsynch (GnRH-1), on synchronisation and fertility during the Ovsynch protocol. All cows (n = 378) received the Ovsynch protocol (GnRH-7d-PGF2α-56h-GnRH-18h-TAI). The ‘OVS’ group (n = 105) received only the Ovsynch protocol. The ‘OVS-PGF’ group (n = 118, GnRH-7d-PGF2α-12h-PGF2α-44h-GnRH-18h-TAI) received an extra dose of PGF2α 12 h later on Day 7. The ‘OVS-7CIDR’ group (n = 78, GnRH+CIDR-7d-PGF2α-56h-GnRH-18h-TAI) received a CIDR for 7 days between GnRH-1 and PGF2α. In the ‘OVS-6CIDR’ group (n = 77, GnRH-24h-CIDR-6d-PGF2α-56h-GnRH-18h-TAI), CIDR was applied one day after GnRH-1 and removed 6 days later. When all cows were evaluated, the responses to GnRH-2 were higher (P = 0.005) in cows that responded to GnRH-1 (95.4%) compared to the cows that did not respond (87.6%). The pregnancy rates at 31 and 62 days for each group were 48.6% and 42.9% in the OVS, 54.2% and 52.5% in the OVS-PGF, 52.6% and 48.7% in the OVS-7CIDR, and 55.8% and 49.3% in the OVS-6CIDR groups. Thus, none of the three different treatments has an effect on increasing the out-comes of the Ovsynch protocol in cyclic lactating dairy cows

Ramelteon Protects Intestinal Tissue Against Injury Caused by Methotrexate Via Showing Anti-apoptotic, Antiinflammatory and Antioxidant Properties

Objective:Methotrexate (MTX), a drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancers, is a folic acid antagonist, but it has toxic effects on the gastrointestinal system (GIS). In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of Ramelteon (RAM), a melatonin receptor agonist, on the MTX-induced toxicity in the intestinal tissue of rats.Methods:Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; Control group, MTX group, MTX + RAM group, and RAM group. Single-dose 0.1 mL 20 mg/kg MTX, saline or 0.1 mL 10 mg/kg RAM orally was administered for 7 days. Animals were sacrificed at the end of 7 days after the last drug administration. Then, intestinal tissues were collected for biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses.Results:While normal histological findings and biochemical parameters were observed in the control and RAM groups, in the MTX group, mononuclear cell infiltrations, hemorrhagic areas, degenerations in the submucosa and Lieberkuhn crypts were observed in the intestinal sections. Caspase-3 (Cas-3) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expressions, total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) increased and total antioxidant status (TAS) decreased in the MTX group. RAM treatment decreased Cas-3 and TNF-α expressions, TOS, OSI levels and increased TAS levels.Conclusion:In this study, RAM showed anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on MTX-induced toxicity in intestinal tissue. Therefore, it was suggested that RAM might be used in MTX-like toxicities to alleviate the side effects on the GIS

Left Atrial Function Is Improved in Short-Term Follow-Up after Catheter Ablation of Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Complexes

Background: Association of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and efficacy of catheter ablation treatment have been demonstrated in studies. The role of left atrial (LA) mechanics in the etiopathogenesis of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PVC-CMP) as well as changes in LA mechanics with catheter ablation have not been studied before. Methods: A total number of 61 patients (Mean Age 43 ± 3) with idiopathic outflow tract (OT) PVCs undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled. ECG, 24 h Holter, and echocardiographic evaluation with left ventricular (LV) diastolic functions and LA volumetric assessments were performed before and three months after RFCA. Results: Along with a marginal increase in left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), improvement in diastolic functions and left atrial mechanics were observed in the study (LVEF 53 ± 7 versus 57 ± 6, p < 0.01) in short-term follow-up. The frequency of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) decreased with catheter ablation (n = 5 to 0, p = 0.02). The overall LA function improved. Left atrium passive and overall emptying fraction (LAEF) increased significantly (0.32 ± 0.04 to 0.41 ± 0.04, p < 0.05 and 0.62 ± 0.04 to 0.65 ± 0.004, p < 0.05, respectively). Active LAEF decreased significantly (0.29 ± 0.005 to 0.24 ± 0.006, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study are indicative of "PVC-induced atriomyopathy" which responds to RFCA in short-term follow-up. Atrial dysfunction might play a role in symptoms and etiopathogenesis of LVSD

Barriers to Formal Help-Seeking Behavior by Battered Turkish Women According to Sociodemographic Factors

Violence against women is a significant sociological problem that negatively affects society. Although violence against women is widespread worldwide, the help-seeking behavior of women exposed to violence remains underdeveloped. In this study conducted in Turkey, the formal help-seeking behavior of women exposed to violence was studied according to sociodemographic factors. Data were obtained from surveys on domestic violence against women from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT), which was held in 2008 and 2014. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses are used in this study. The dependent variable is determined as whether women who had experienced violence sought help from formal institutions. In order to explain the dependent variable, education, age group, region, and sociodemographic variables are used. According to the results, as the education level of women exposed to violence increases, help-seeking behavior through official means also increases. In addition, women with a personal income are more likely to seek formal help than those without, and the development of the sociocultural region inhabited affects the formal help-seeking behavior of women exposed to violence. Between 2008 and 2014, legal regulations on women&rsquo;s rights in Turkey were seen to positively affect formal help-seeking behavior. Although the formal help-seeking behavior of women subjected to violence in 2014 increased significantly compared to 2008, this improvement is not sufficient

Kedilerde medetomidin/ketamin ve ksilazin/ketamin anestezisinin ve bunların atipamezol ile etkilerinin ters çevrilmesinin oküler ve anestezi izlem parametreleri üzerindeki etkileri

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the general anesthetic drug ketamine and premedication agents medetomidine and xylazine, and their reversal by atipamezole, on monitored anesthesia care values and ocular parameters such as intraocular pressure, horizontal pupillar diameter, and Schirmer tear test in cats. A randomized, single-blinded study was conducted. Twenty intact female cats (weiging between 2.2 and 3.6 kg, and 0.5 to 5.5 years of age) referred for ovariohysterectomy (OHE) procedure by the owners at regular intervals over 4 months were included in the study. The cats were randomly divided into two groups containing 10 animals in each group. The cats were premedicated with medetomidine 80 µg/kg intramuscular in group 1 while the cats in the 2nd group were premedicated with xylazine hydrochloride 2 mg/kg intramuscular. After the OHE procedure was ended, anesthesia regimes were reversed by using atipamezole 200 µg/kg intramuscularly. Monitoring of respiration rate, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, peripheral arterial oxygen saturation, and body temperature were conducted using a patient monitor at T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4 time points. Both groups showed declines in intraocular pressure and increases in horizontal pupil diameter after anesthesia induction (T0 vs. T1, all, P<0.05); however, the chancing and recovery pattern of intraocular pressure and horizontal pupil diameter showed intergroup difference. In conclusion, xylazine/ketamine is more effective than medetomidine/ketamine in attenuating the intraocular pressure, increasing the horizontal pupil diameter, and alteration the monitored anesthesia care response in the general anesthesia.: Bu çalışmanın amacı, genel anestezik ilaç ketamin ve premedikasyon ilaçları medetomidin ve ksilazinin; ve bunların etkilerinin atipamezol ile tersine çevrilmesinin göz içi basıncı, yatay pupil çapı ve Schirmer gözyaşı testi gibi kedi oküler ve anestezi izlem parametreleri üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmaktı. Rastlantısal, tek tarflı kör bir çalışma yürütüldü. Sahipleri tarafından 4 aylık süre içerisinde ovaryohisterektomi operasyonu için başvurulan 20 erişkin dişi kedi (2,2 ila 3,6 kg ve 0,5 ila 5,5 yaş arasında) çalışmaya dahil edildi. Kediler, her grupta on kedinin olduğu iki gruptan birine rastlantısal olarak dahil edildi. Grup 1'de kediler kas içi 80 µg/kg medetomidin ile premedike edilirken grup 2 deki kediler kas içi ksilazin hidroklorür 2 mg/kg ile premedike edildi. Ovariohisterektomi işlemi bittikten sonra anestezik etki kasiçi atipamezol 200 µg/kg kullanılarak ters çevrildi. Solunum sayısı, kalp atım hızı, ortalama arter kan basıncı, periferik arteriyel oksijen düzeyi ve vücut ısının izlenmesi T0, T1, T2, T3 ve T4 zaman noktalarında hastabaşı monitör kullanılarak gerçekleştirildi. Her iki grup da anestezi indüksiyonundan sonra istatistiki olarak önemli olan göz içi basıncında düşüş ve yatay pupil çapında artış gösterdi (T0'a karşı T1, tümü, P<0,05); bununla birlikte, göz içi basıncı ve yatay pupil çapının anestezideki değişim ve başlangıç değerine dönüşler gruplar arası farklıydı. Sonuç olarak ksilazin/ketamin kombinasyonu, genel anestezide göz içi basıncını azaltmada, yatay pupil çapını artırmada ve izlenen anestezi bakım parametrelerini değiştirmede medetomidin/ketamin kombinasyonundan daha etkilidi

Dynamics of the spin-1 Ising Blume-Emery-Griffiths model by the path probability method

The dynamic behavior of the spin-1 Ising Blume-Emery-Griffiths model Hamiltonian with bilinear and biquadratic nearest-neighbor exchange interactions and a single-ion potential is studied by using the path probability method of Kikuchi. First the equilibrium behavior of the model is given briefly in order to understand the dynamic behavior. Then, the path probability method is applied to the model and the set of nonlinear differential equations, which is also called the dynamic or rate equations, is obtained. The dynamic equations are solved by using the Runge-Kutta method in order to study the relaxation of order parameters. The relaxation of the order parameters are investigated for the system which undergoes the first- and second-order phase transitions, especially near and far from the transition temperatures. From this investigation, the "flatness" property of metastable states and the "overshooting" phenomenon are seen explicitly. On the other hand, the solutions of the dynamic equations are also expressed by means of a flow diagram for temperatures near and far from the transition temperatures. The stable, metastable and unstable solutions are shown in the flow diagrams, explicitly and the role of the unstable points, as separators between the stable and metastable points, is described. The dynamic behavior of the model is also studied by using the kinetic equations based on the Zwanzig-Nakajima projection operator formalism and the variational principle. Finally, it is found that one can investigate the dynamic behavior of the system by the path probability method more comprehensively than via the kinetic equations based on the Zwanzig-Nakajima projection operator formalism and the variational principle. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)50714-4]

Dizel, Dizel-Biyodizel-Alkol Yakıt Karışımlı Sıkıştırma Oranı Değişen Bir Dizel Motorun Performans ve Emisyon Karakteristiklerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Bu çalışmada, sıkıştırma oranı değiştirilebilir dizel ve dizel-biyodizel-alkol karışımları kullanılan bir dizel motorun performans ve emisyon özellikleri ayrıntılı olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Yakıt karışımlarının performans ve emisyon karakteristik sonuçları, düşük kükürtlü dizel yakıt ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Deneysel çalışma, dizel yakıtlara biyodizel ve alkol ilavesinin motor performansını, yanma ve emisyon özelliklerini çok az etkilediğini göstermiştir. Sonuçlar, karışımdaki biyodizel oranı artışının, ısıl verimde azalışa ve özgül yakıt tüketiminde (SFC) ise ait artışa neden olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, alkol ve biyodizel yakıt ilavesinin karbon monoksit emisyonunu azalttığını ve NOx ve karbon dioksit emisyonlarını ise arttırdığını ortaya çıkarmıştırIn this study, performance and emission characteristics of a variable compression ratio (VCR) diesel engine fuelled with diesel fuel and diesel-biodiesel-alcohols blends have been evaluated in detail. The results of performance and emission characteristics of fuel blends were compared with low sulphur diesel fuel. Experimental study showed that biodiesel and alcohol addition to diesel fuels slightly affects the performance, combustion and emissions characteristics of the engine. The results showed that the increasing biodiesel ratio in the blend resulted in decrease of brake thermal efficiency and increment of specific fuel consumption (SFC). Furthermore, it was revealed that addition of alcohols and biodiesel fuel decreased carbon monoxide emission and increased NOx and carbon dioxide emission

The effect of acute L-arginine supplementation on repeated sprint ability performance

KILINC, FATMA/0000-0001-8297-958XWOS: 000460805800001Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of acute L-arginine supplementation on repeated sprint ability performance in football players aged between 18-21 years. Methods: The study was conducted on 20 volunteer healthy male football players playing in the under-21 football team in the 1st league of Turkey. General characteristics of football players were questioned and their anthropometric measurements were taken. The study was performed as a double-blind placebo-controlled design. Players were randomly given 0.15 g/kg/day relative dosage L-arginine or placebo with 500 ml of water 1 hour before repeated sprint ability test (RSAT). The 12x20m RSAT protocol was applied in the synthetic turf football field with a recovery interval of 30 seconds between each sprint and the photocell system was used to determine running time. Results: The mean age of the arginine group is 18.30 +/- 0.48 years and the mean age of placebo group is 18.33 +/- 0.50 years. 85% of the players never used L-arginine, and any dietary supplements. Only the ninth sprint time of the 12 sprints performed after the supplementation was 5.24% faster than the placebo group in the arginine group (p0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the supplementation of acute L-arginine administered to players had no significant effect on HR, blood pressure and RSAT total sprint time and sprint decrement score