Serum malondialdehyde concentration, rectal temperature and excitability score in road transported rams administered with vitamins C + E combination and vitamin C

Experiment was done to investigate the effect of administration of vitamin C + E and vitamin C alone on serum malondialdehyde concentration, rectal temperature and excitability score in road transported rams. On experimental day, 7 rams (Group 1)were administered with vitamin C at the dose of 250 rug/kg dissolved in 10 ml of water and also vitamin E at the dose of 75 mg/kg, per os while another 7 rams (Group 2) was administered with vitamin C (250 mg/kg) only. The 3rd groups (7 rams), the control, were administered with 10 ml of sterile water. The RT was taken at 07:00,13:00 and 18:00 h, a total offive times, twice in a week and during the journey, at 1h, 4h and 8h, and also three consecutive day's post-transportation. Blood samples were taken a day before transportation, immediately after, on arrival and a 3 days after transportation in which the serum was harvested for MDA determination. Excitability scores was recorded before loading into the vehicle, and immediately after unloading. The results indicated that the rectal temperature (RT) value was lowest at 07:00 hr in the Group 1, and even maintained 13:00 hr which was significantly (P < 0,05) different. The RT value fluctuates during the journey however this values in group 1 and group 2. was not significantly (P > 0.05) different. The serum malondialdehyde concentration value rose in the first hour (2.13 ± 0.51 ng/ml) of the journey to 2.43 ± 0.22 ug/ml in the 8th hour in control group, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the values in the other groups. In conclusion, road transportation of ram is stressful but this was reduced 3- days post-transportation and also administration of antioxidants vitamins VE +VC, and VC, alleviated adverse effect of road transportation stress in rams.Keyword: Serum malondialdehyde, rectal temperature, excitability score, road transported ram, vitamin C vitamin E

Effective complexity of stationary process realizations

The concept of effective complexity of an object as the minimal description length of its regularities has been initiated by Gell-Mann and Lloyd. The regularities are modeled by means of ensembles, that is probability distributions on finite binary strings. In our previous paper we propose a definition of effective complexity in precise terms of algorithmic information theory. Here we investigate the effective complexity of binary strings generated by stationary, in general not computable, processes. We show that under not too strong conditions long typical process realizations are effectively simple. Our results become most transparent in the context of coarse effective complexity which is a modification of the original notion of effective complexity that uses less parameters in its definition. A similar modification of the related concept of sophistication has been suggested by Antunes and Fortnow.Comment: 14 pages, no figure

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals N-acetylaspartate reduction in hippocampus and cingulate cortex after fear conditioning

The fear conditioning in rodents provides a valuable translational tool to investigate the neural basis of learning and memory and potentially the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Neurobiological changes induced by fear conditioning have largely been examined ex vivo while progressive 'real-time' changes in vivo remain under-explored. Single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) of the hippocampus, cingulate cortex and thalamus of adult male C57BL/6N mice (N=12) was performed at 1 day before, 1 day and 1 week after, fear conditioning training using a 7T scanner. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a marker for neuronal integrity and viability, significantly decreased in the hippocampus at 1 day and 1 week post-conditioning. Significant NAA reduction was also observed in the cingulate cortex at 1 day post-conditioning. These findings of hippocampal NAA decrease indicate reduced neuronal dysfunction and/or neuronal integrity, contributing to the trauma-related PTSD-like symptoms. The neurochemical changes characterized by 1H MRS can shed light on the biochemical mechanisms of learning and memory. Moreover, such information can potentially facilitate prompt intervention for patients with psychiatric disorders. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.postprin

Vibration based damage identification of a scale-model steel frame structure subjected to bolt connection failures

Large-span steel frame structures prove to be an ideal choice for their speed of construction, relatively low cost, strength, durability and structural design flexibility. For this type of structure, the beam-column connections are critical for its structural integrity and overall stability. This is because a steel frame generally fails first at its connectors, due to the change in stress redistribution with adjacent members and material related failures, caused by various factors such as fire, seismic activity or material deterioration. Since particular attention is required at a steel frame’s connection points, this study explores the applicability of a comprehensive structural health monitoring (SHM) method to identify early damage and prolong the lifespan of connection points of steel frames. An impact hammer test was performed on a scale-model steel frame structure, recording its dynamic response to the hammer strike via an accelerometer. The testing procedure included an intact scenario and two damage scenarios by unfastening four bolt connections in an accumulating order. Based entirely on time-domain experimental data for its calibration, an Auto Regressive Average Exogenous (ARMAX) model is used to create a simple and accurate model for vibration simulation. The calibrated ARMAX model is then used to identify various bolt-connection related damage scenarios via R2 value. The findings in this study suggest that the proposed time-domain approach is capable of identifying structural damage in a parsimonious manner and can be used as a quick or initial solution

In vivo diffusion tensor imaging in rat model of chronic spinal cord compression

Session 64: Advanced Spinal Cord Imaging - Oral presentationWe have employed DTI to investigate the pathophysiology of chronic spinal cord compression in this study. Average diffusion characteristic curves and fiber tracking have been done to evaluate the lesion and intact regions. DTI is sensitive to the damage and it is potential to monitor the progressive structural and functional changes in such chronic spinal cord diseases.published_or_final_versionThe 17th Scientific Meeting & Exhibition of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Honolulu, HI., 18-24 April 2009. In Proceedings of ISMRM 17th Scientific Meeting & Exhibition, 2009, p. 63

A review of literature on family caregivers of cancer patients in mainland China

2012-2013 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Cesarean section and diabetes during pregnancy: An NSW population study using the Robson classification

© 2018 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the main contributors to cesarean section (CS) among women with and without diabetes during pregnancy using the Robson classification and to compare CS rates within Robson groups. Methods: A population-based cohort study was conducted of all women who gave birth in New South Wales, Australia, between 2002 and 2012. Women with pregestational diabetes (types 1 and 2) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were grouped using the Robson classification. Adjusted odd ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The total CS rate was 53.6% for women with pregestational diabetes, 36.8% for women with GDM and 28.5% for women without diabetes. Previous CS contributed the most to the total number of CS in all populations. For preterm birth, the contribution to the total was 20.5% for women with pregestational diabetes and 5.7% for women without diabetes. Compared to women without diabetes, for nulliparous with pregestational diabetes, the odds of CS was 1.4 (95% CI, 1.1–1.8) for spontaneous labor and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.7–2.3) for induction of labor. Conclusion: A history of CS was the main contributor to the total CS. Reducing primary CS is the first step to lowering the high rate of CS among women with diabetes. Nulliparous women were more likely to have CS if they had pregestational diabetes. This increase was also evident in all multiparous women giving birth. The high rate of preterm births and CS reflects the clinical issues for women with diabetes during pregnancy

In vivo diffusion tensor imaging of chronic spinal cord compression in rat model

Conference Theme: Engineering the Future of BiomedicineChronic spinal cord compression induced cervical myelopathy is a comon cause of spinal cord dysfunction. The exact mechanisms of underlying progressive cell death remain to be elucidated. In this study, in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been applied to investigate the microstructural changes of white matter (WM) in this neurodegenerative disease. Compared with conventional MRI techniques, DTI is believed to be more specific to pathological changes. Radial diffusivity (λ⊥) is higher in the ipilesional region, suggesting demyelination or axonal degradation may occur after prolonged compression. Near the epicenter of lesion, axial diffusivity (λ∥) is lower. Also, caudal-rostral asymmetry has been observed in λ∥. Feasibility of using DTI to detect microstructural changes in chronic disease has been demonstrated. ©2009 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC 2009), Minneapolis, MN., 3-6 September 2009. In Proceedings of the 31st EMBC, 2009, p. 2715-271

In utero exposure to breast cancer treatment: a population-based perinatal outcome study

© 2019, Cancer Research UK. Chemotherapy during a viable pregnancy may be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study to examine the perinatal outcomes of babies born following in utero exposure to chemotherapy in Australia and New Zealand. Over 18 months we identified 24 births, of >400 g and/or >20-weeks’ gestation, to women diagnosed with breast cancer in the first or second trimesters. Eighteen babies were exposed in utero to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy commenced at a median of 20 weeks gestation, for a mean duration of 10 weeks. Twelve exposed infants were born preterm with 11 by induced labour or pre-labour caesarean section. There were no perinatal deaths or congenital malformations. Our findings show that breast cancer diagnosed during mid-pregnancy is often treated with chemotherapy. Other than induced preterm births, there were no serious adverse perinatal outcomes

Neonatal outcomes of live-born term singletons in vertex presentation born to mothers with diabetes during pregnancy by mode of birth: A New South Wales population-based retrospective cohort study

© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. Objectives To investigate the association between the mode of birth and adverse neonatal outcomes of macrosomic (birth weight ≥4000 g) and non-macrosomic (birth weight <4000 g) live-born term singletons in vertex presentation (TSV) born to mothers with diabetes (preexisting and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)). Design A population-based retrospective cohort study. setting New South Wales, Australia. Patients All live-born TSV born to mothers with diabetes from 2002 to 2012. Intervention Comparison of neonatal outcomes by mode of birth (prelabour caesarean section (CS) and planned vaginal birth resulted in intrapartum CS, non-instrumental or instrumental vaginal birth). Main outcome measures Five-minute Apgar score <7, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or special care nursery (SCN) and the need for resuscitation. results Among the 48 882 TSV born to mothers with diabetes, prelabour CS was associated with a significant increase in the rate of admission to NICU/SCN compared with planned vaginal birth. For TSV born to mothers with pre-existing diabetes, compared with non-instrumental vaginal birth, instrumental vaginal birth was associated with increased odds of the need for resuscitation in macrosomic (adjusted ORs (AOR) 2.6; 95% CI (1.2 to 7.5)) and non-macrosomic TSV (AOR 3.3; 95% CI (2.2 to 5.0)). For TSV born to mothers with GDM, intrapartum CS was associated with increased odds of the need for resuscitation compared with non-instrumental vaginal birth in non-macrosomic TSV (AOR 2.3; 95% CI (2.1 to 2.7)). Instrumental vaginal birth was associated with increased likelihood of requiring resuscitation compared with non-instrumental vaginal birth for both macrosomic (AOR 2.3; 95% CI (1.7 to 3.1)) and non-macrosomic (AOR 2.5; 95% CI (2.2 to 2.9)) TSV. Conclusion: Pregnant women with diabetes, particularly those with suspected fetal macrosomia, need to be aware of the increased likelihood of adverse neonatal outcomes following instrumental vaginal birth and intrapartum CS when planning mode of birth