Metformin as an adjunct to insulin for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes after CABG surgery: a randomized double blind clinical trial

Perioperative hyperglycemia is common in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and there is a direct relation between postoperative hyperglycemia and mortality rate in these patients. The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy of metformin on glycemic control in diabetic patients after CABG surgery. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 100 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted in open heart ICU after CABG surgery in Mazandaran Heart Center were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. Three hours after extubation, therapeutic antiglycemic regimens were applied in these two groups and continued for three days. Intervention group received regular insulin infusion along with two metformin 500 mg tablets per twelve hours while control group received regular insulin infusion with two placebo tablets per twelve hours. Blood glucose level and other parameters were measured and recorded in determined intervals. To analyze the data, independent T-test, paired T-test, Mann-Whitney and repeated measure ANOVA tests were employed. Mean blood glucose level was not significantly different in the two groups at the beginning of the ICU admission; however, mean glucose level in insulin-metformin group, twelve hours after the initiation of the study, was significantly lower than insulin group (p < 0.05). In addition, mean doses of potassium and insulin demand as well as mean number of episodes of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia and glucose levels out of the accepted range were significantly lower in insulin-metformin group (p < 0.05). Alterations in mean levels of lactate, BE, pH and creatinine were not statistically significant in these two groups. It seems that adding metformin to insulin leads to a better glycemic control in type two diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery without causing metabolic acidosis. Therefore, it might be a potential option in blood glucose control protocol in this group of patients.     

Adoption of leaf color chart for nitrogen use efficiency in rice: Impact assessment of a farmer-participatory experiment in West Bengal,India

Unbalanced and excessive use of N-fertilizers causes environmental pollution, lodging of plants and increased pest pressure, in addition to increased cost to farmers from excessively applied fertilizers and pesticides. N application at the right time and in right amount is critical for healthy plant and environment. Rice leaf color intensity is directly related to leaf chlorophyll content and leaf nitrogen status. The concept for the use of leaf color as an indicator to apply N in rice was crystallized during 1990s. The International Rice Research Institute and the Philippine Rice Research Institute developed a leaf color chart (LCC) that helps guide farmers for real-time nitrogen management in rice farming. The technology is inexpensive, and easily affordable by most resource poor rice farmers. In 2003 we initiated a farmer-participatory research to validate real-time N management in rice by the use of LCC in West Bengal state of India. After 3 years of validation research, a survey was conducted to assess the adoption and impact of LCC. The survey was conducted in both intervention and adjacent control villages and data were collected from 20% farm households selected randomly. In this paper, we report findings of the study on the determinants of adoption of LCC, and its effect on fertilizer and pesticides use.     

Effects of Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse

Electromagnetic fields with high energy same as ionizing radiation inserts their destructive effects via free radical production. Using antioxidants or herbal plants with antioxidants components could diminish hazardous effects of EMF. Polygonum aviculare has a high amount of phenolic and flavonoid and proved that has antioxidants effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Polygonum aviculare herbal extract on sperm parameters after EMF exposure in mouse. Twenty four male mice, 8 weeks divided to 4 groups (one control and three experimental groups). Control group didn't receive EMF exposure. EMF group mice received 3 mT EMF during 2 months, 4 h daily and 5 days weekly. Polygonum aviculare group received 50 mg kg(-1) herbal extract during 2 months and poly -EMF group received 3 mT EMF during 2 months, 4 h daily and 5 days weekly and 50 mg kg(-1) herbal extract during 2 months. After 2 months the mice sacrificed with cervical dislocation and sperm obtained from tail of epididymis and motility and morphology of them were analyzed. Sperm analysis results showed that in group with Polygonum aviculare, morphology and motility of sperm developed (p < 0.05). Present results showed that EMF can reduce motility of sperm and treatment of Polygonum aviculare after EMF exposure developed sperm quality after EMF exposure.     

Yield Components and Fatty Acids Variation of Canola Cultivars Under Different Irrigation Regimes and Planting Dates

To investigate the effect of different planting dates and irrigation regimes on six canola cultivars, a 2-year (2014–2016) experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute of Karaj. The experiments were conducted as the factorial split-plot in a randomized complete block design including six canola cultivars (Gabriella, Brutus, Triangle, Marathon, Danube, and Natali), two irrigation regimes (fully irrigated and irrigation termination at the flowering stage) and two planting dates (October 1 and November 1). The results showed that irrigation termination from the flowering stage prevented the supply of required material for filling the seeds and the metabolism of the seed compounds and reduced the growth period of the seed. Therefore, a reduction was observed in the content of oleic and linoleic acids and proline. Also, water deficit stress caused an increase in the glucosinolate content of the seed. The response of canola cultivars was different in terms of fatty acids, so that the Natali cultivar had higher palmitic, oleic acids, and proline content compared to the other cultivars at both planting dates. Fully irrigated treatment and planting date of October 1 produced the highest amount of seed and oil yield (4659 and 2073?kg ha^?1), palmitic acid (5.5%), and proline (22.7?μmol/g) content, and the lowest glucosinolate content (13.2?mg/g). Generally, the Natali cultivar and planting date of October 1 and the fully irrigated regime are highly recommended in the studied area regarding qualitative traits and yield of canola.

     

Enhancing the Reliability of Laboratory Phosphorus Filter Tests: Effect of Influent Properties and Interpretation of Effluent Parameters

The distribution of selected elements in individual fractions of organic matter from anthropogenically contaminated soils was investigated. The attention was paid especially at Hg. Furthermore, contents of S, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb were also measured. The decomposition of organic matter to particular fractions was carried out by the resin DAX-8. Ten soil samples were collected, and the Advanced Mercury Analyzer (AMA-254) was used for the determination of the total Hg content. The two highest Hg values reached up to the concentration 10.5 mg kg^?1, and in the highest one, it was almost 29 mg kg^?1. In each extract, mercury was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), for other elements, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was applied. Results of the analysis show that the Hg content bound to the humic acids is inversely proportional to the content of Mg, Mn, Fe and Cu. However, this dependence was not confirmed by the samples with the mercury content above 10 mg kg^?1. In the case of fulvic acids, the relationship between Hg and S was observed and has again an inverse character.     

Evaluation of Intelligence Models to Estimate the Least Limiting Water Range Using Conveniently Measurable Soil Properties

Eurasian Soil Science - Direct measurement of the least limiting water range (LLWR) is costly and time-consuming. In this study, genetic algorithm-based neural network (ANN-GA), artificial neural...     

Volatile components of Camellia sinensis inhibit growth and biofilm formation of oral streptococci in vitro

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of semi fermented and non fermented Camellia sinensis extracts (Black and Green tea) and comparison between them against Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, S. mitis ATCC 9811 and S. sanguis ATCC 10556 that are responsible for dental caries and bacteremias following dental manipulations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of both tea extracts were assessed by Well diffusion and Broth dilution methods and examination of cell adherence (Biofilm inhibitory concentrations) was observed on glass slides under phase contrast microscope and colony counts from glass beads. Concentration of 1 mg mL(-1) of semi fermented tea extract was completely biofilm inhibitor but biofilm formation by these bacteria was seen 7 days after treatment with 1 mg mL(-1) of non fermented Camellia sinensis on glass beads and BIC for oral streptococci treated with this extract was 1.5, 2.5 mg mL(-1) of semi fermented and 3 mg mL(-1) of non fermented extracts had bactericidal effect on these bacteria. Semi fermented and non fermented Camellia sinensis extracts were able to prevent growth of oral streptococci. Therefore dental caries significantly reduce and the efficiency of semi fermented tea was higher due to rich content of volatile components rather than non fermented extracts.     

Evaluation of clinical examination for differential diagnosis of lameness by navicular apparatus or heel pain in horses

To evaluation of clinical examination for differential diagnosis of navicular region pain from other forms of palmar heel pain in the forelimb in horses the present study was undertaken. Thirty four horses with lameness referable to the palmar aspect of the hoof based on their response to the palmar digital nerves analgesia were divided into 2 groups based on their response to both distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa analgesia. Horses that were profoundly improved by both analgesic blocks (distal interphalangeal joint and navicular bursa) were considered to have navicular region pain whereas, all other horses were considered to have other cause of palmar heel pain. The responses to various diagnostic tests such as hoof tester, distal limb flexion and toe wedge tests were compared between the groups. For all diagnostic tests, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values for navicular pain were calculated. According to the present study the single most accurate diagnostic test was analgesia of the distal interphalangeal joint for navicular region pain.     

棕榈在孟加拉乡村传统利用——一种可持续的生物多样性管理手段(英文)

采用多级采样的方法研究了孟加拉国农村耕作区内棕榈树的传统利用模式和当地的管理经验。农民管理棕榈主要为获取树液产品,生产以糖为主的次生品。树液可直接用作饮料,也可加工成糖蜜或酒精饮料。7块不同地块为棕榈提供生长环境,20.40%的棕榈种植在果园内。尽管中等级的农民拥有多数棕榈(33%),但是主要管理棕榈的是没有土地的农民,他们靠棕榈维持生计。这些农民将自己的智慧应用到棕榈管理当中,从种植到开孔取树液再到产品加工。如果能更科学地管理棕榈,加上农民的智慧,棕榈业将会对当地经济发展起到重要作用,也会丰富当地生物多样性。     

孟加拉无机肥料对几种农林作物生物固氮和种苗生长的影响(英文)

比较了不同浓度无机肥料(尿素和重过磷酸钙)对四种农林作物(楹树、雨豆树、相思树和印度田菁)生物固氮和种苗生长的影响。种子萌发一个月后利用不同浓度肥料(尿素:40kg·hm-2,80kg·hm-2;重过磷酸钙:40kg·hm-2,80kg·hm-2;(尿素 重过磷酸钙)40kg·hm-2和(尿素 重过磷酸钙)80kg·hm-2)处理种苗。结果表明:中等浓度无机肥料促进了种苗的生长,但较高浓度无机肥料也不利于种苗的生长。当施加尿素时根瘤菌的数量大小明显受抑制,但随着增加磷肥(重过磷酸钙)根瘤菌的数量大小增加。本研究有助于农业人员利用无机肥料改善土壤提高农林作物的生物固氮和种苗生长。图2表6参33。