Are there differences in acute phase inflammation markers regarding the type of heart failure?

This study aimed to determine if there are differences in inflammatory markers in the acute phase between systolic heart failure and heart failure with preserved systolic function. One hundred and thirty-one patients with acute heart failure were recruited consecutively. At admission, plasma fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, sialic acid, von Willebrand factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6 and NTproBNP were all evaluated. If the ejection fraction was 45% or over patients were included in the HF-PSF group; the remaining patients were included in the SHF group. The HF-PSF patients were older (72±10 vs 63±12 years, P<0.001), presented a higher rate of atrial fibrillation (56.1 vs 21.3%, P<0.001), and had a lower rate of hemoglobin (12.2±2 vs 13.3±2.1 g/dL, P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in the inflammation markers analyzed among SHF and HF-PSF groups. In the acute phase of heart failure there is a marked elevation of inflammatory markers but there are no differences in the inflammatory markers analyzed between the two different types of heart failure

Sperm morphology in relation to semen cation concentration in Yankasa rams

The morphological appearance of sperm cells is a major criterion in semen evaluation. The optimal production of semen of high biological value is influenced by numerous factors. Therefore, a study was conducted to&nbsp; evaluate the relationship between sperm morphological characteristics and semen cation concentrations in 62&nbsp; rams of Yankasa breed of sheep. Semen samples were collected from each animal on weekly basis for 52 weeks&nbsp; with electroejaculator. The sperm morphological characteristics examined were: detached mid-piece and tail (DMT), detached head (DH), mid-piece droplet (MPD, coiled and bent tail (CBT) and acrosomal abnormality (ACR). The semen cation parameters measured were: sodium ion (Na+), potassium ion (K+) and calcium ion (Ca2+). Pearson correlation matrix of SAS was used to determine the relationships among and between the&nbsp; measured characteristics. The result of the study showed that correlations among the sperm morphological&nbsp; characteristics were low and not significant except that between DH and DMT which was perfect (p&lt;0.01; r = 1.00). On the other hand, semen cation concentrations were positively correlated but not significant among themselves except the correlation between Na+ and K+ (p&lt;0.01; r = 0.37) which was significant. Relating the semen cation concentration with sperm morphological characteristics, it was discovered that potassium ion (K+) measured was negatively and significantly correlated with all the morphological attributes (DMT &amp; DH, r= -0.36 @ p&lt;0.01; CBT &amp; ACR, r= -0.38 @ p&lt;0.05; MPD, r= -0.32 @ p&lt;0.05). It was concluded that DH is highly associated with DMT while Na+ concentration was an indicator for K+ level in the semen as shown in the result.&nbsp; Also, the higher the potassium ion in semen, the lower the level of sperm morphological abnormalities and vice versa in Yankasa rams. Keywords: Sperm morphological characteristics, semen cation concentrations, Yankasa ram

In vitro evaluation of nutritional quality of ensiled rice offal enhanced with nonprotein nitrogen sources and soybean meal residue

An experiment was conducted to assess the appearance, smell, texture, pH, temperature, chemical composition and energy content of ensiled Rice offal (RO) treated with non-protein nitrogen sources and soybean meal residue in a completely randomized design. Rice offal was treated with different proportions of Urea, Poultry litter (PL) and Soybean meal residue (SBMR) and ensiled. The treatment combinations were; A (100%RO), B (100%RO + Urea),C (75%RO + 25%PL), D (50%RO + 50%PL), E (75%RO + 25%SBMR) and F (50%RO + 50%SBMR). The treatments were ensiled for 21 days in triplicates. The results showed that silages were adequately fermented with sweet aroma. The silages were acidic (4.70 – 5.80) except for treatments C and D which had pH of 7.20 and 7.00, respectively. The temperatures of the silages were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different. The proximate composition of silages differed significantly (P&lt;0.05), being highest for %CP, %EE and ash in treatment B. Dry matter contents were also significantly different (P&lt;0.05) with treatment A having the highest (90.25%). Rice offal and Urea mixtures resulted in silages with highest NDF, HEM and Energy. Lowest NDF was obtained in treatment without additive (Treatment A) compared to all other treatments. Least ADF was obtained in Treatment E (75% RO + 25% SBMR). Enhancement of rice offal with urea, poultry litter and soybean meal residue has shown improvement in the silage physiochemical quality. Keywords: In vitro; Additives; Ensilage; Rice offal; Poultry litter; Fermentatio