非小细胞肺癌术后并发乳糜胸对患者生活质量影响的研究

目的:探讨非小细胞肺癌术后并发乳糜胸对患者生活质量的影响。方法:采用生活质量测定量表(QLQ-C30)回顾性分析第四军医大学唐都医院胸外科自2013年至2016年中收治的1015例肺癌手术患者的生活质量,发生乳糜胸组记为A组,未发生乳糜胸组记为B组。对比术前和术后1、3、6和12个月的生活质量有无统计学差异。结果:(1)术后1月时,除了社会功能、便秘、腹泻以外,两组生活质量指标评分均显著低于术前,且B组均显著低于A组,有统计学差异(表3,P0.05)。在手术后3月及以后逐渐恢复,至12月时,各组指标与术前基本相同(表3,P0.05);(2)两组术后生活质量相比较,术后1、3月,除社会功能、便秘、腹泻以外,其余生活质量功能指标B组均显著优于A组,有统计学差异(表3,P0.05)。在手术后6月及以后,B组所有指标与A组无统计学差异(表3,P0.05)。结论:肺癌根治术后发生乳糜胸患者生活质量显著低于未发生乳糜胸患者,因此应合理选择手术方式,注意术中操作,降低乳糜胸发生率,提高肺癌患者术后的生活质量。     

Study of Saharan dust influence on PM10 measures in Sicily from 2013 to 2015

Nowadays, particulate matter, especially that with small dimension as PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM_1, is the air quality indicator most commonly associated with a number of adverse health effects. In this paper it is analyzed the impact that a natural event, such as the transport of Saharan dust, can have on increasing the particulate matter concentration in Sicily.Consulting the data of daily PM₁₀ concentration, acquired by air quality monitoring network belonging to “Agenzia Regionale Protezionedell’ Ambiente” (Environmental Protection Regional Agency), it was possible to analyze the trend from 2013 to 2015. The days, in which the limit value was exceeded, were subjected to combined analysis. It was based on three models: interpretations of the air masses back-trajectories, using the atmospheric model HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated trajectory); on the calculation of the concentration on the ground and at high altitude particulate applying DREAM model (Dust REgional atmospheric model) and on the calculation of the concentration of mineral aerosols according to the atmospheric optical thickness (AOT) applying NAAPS model (Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System).The daily limit value exceedances were attributed to the transport of Saharan dust events exclusively when the three models were in agreement with each other. Identifying the natural events, it was possible to quantify the contribution of the Saharan dust and consequently the reduction of the exceedances number. To quantify the contribution of Saharan dust on daily PM₁₀ concentration, it was calculated the regional background in according to precautionary approach recommended by “Guidance on the quantification of the contribution of natural sources under the EU Air Quality Directive 2008/50/EC”, when the application of the method cannot be validated with chemical analysis, as in this case. In this study is obtained, as the most important quantitative goal, the convergence of the three models to the same result. So, is evident that exceedances of the daily limit value that occurred from 2013 to 2015 in Sicily can be attributed, in most cases, to the Saharan dust intrusion.     

Introducing the vectorial Kappa: An index to quantify congruence between vectorial mosaics

This paper introduces the vectorial Kappa (κ_v) that one can utilize to assess congruence between two vectorial mosaics. The vectorial Kappa extends for vectorial mosaics the approach of the so-called Cohen's Kappa index, commonly used to compare raster mosaics. By comparing both approaches, we aim to demonstrate how efficient and convenient a vector-based congruence may be when working on vectorial mosaics.     

Characterization of eukaryotic-like kinase activity in Escherichia coli using the gene-protein database

Abstract The gene-protein database was used to obtain the two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel coordinates of proteins phosphorylated in extracts of Escherichia coli including those phosphorylated by eukaryotic-like kinase activities. These suggest that the phosphoproteins correspond to, or co-migrate with, the product of an open reading frame at 1.3 min (Orf80), Enzyme 1 of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (Ptsl), the tRNA synthetase for histidine (HisS), and proteins involved in the response to carbon starvation and quinone treatment.     

Exotic grass invasion impacts fitness of an endangered prairie butterfly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Icaricia icarioides fenderi</Emphasis>

Fender’s blue butterfly is an endangered species restricted to fragmented, grassland remnants that are becoming increasingly dominated by tall, invasive grasses in western Oregon, USA. I performed a removal experiment to assess the impacts of structural degradation accompanying the invasion of Arrhenatherum elatius, tall oat grass, on butterfly fitness and fitness related behaviors. Clipping of A. elatius to native grass sward height resulted in 2.5–5 times as many eggs laid per leaf of host plant. Both male and female butterflies basked more frequently in areas removed of A. elatius inflorescences and upon encountering the treatment edge butterflies had a high rate of return into a large area removed of the grass inflorescences. Although butterfly behavior appeared to be affected by the change in sward height on the treatment edge, there was no evidence for the edge causing a disproportionate egg load. Invasion and dominance by A. elatius appeared to diminish host plant apparency which may result in overloading of eggs on conspicuous host plants, increased incidence of emigration, and a decrease in the likelihood of colonization because female butterflies appeared indifferent to larval resources beneath A. elatius inflorescences. Dominance of natural shortgrass prairies by tall stature grasses like A. elatius may be an insidious form of habitat degradation for grassland Lepidoptera worldwide, but it may go largely unnoticed because larval and adult resources can persist under the unnaturally tall grass canopy.     

A half a century of measuring ungulate body condition using indices: is it time for a change?

From a literature review of five wildlife ecology journals since 1937, we document how using indices to monitor ungulate body condition is common practice, with the kidney fat index (KFI = weight of fat around the kidneys/weight of kidneys without fat × 100) as the favoured tool (82% of studies). In this context, we highlight the problems of using indices when underlying statistical assumptions are not met (isometry, parallel slopes between treatments). We show, with real and simulated data for two cervids with contrasting fat storage strategies, how results from analysis of variance of KFI values differ from analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of raw data. We conclude that the KFI is affected by the restrictions typically associated with derived index values, and as a consequence, statistical analysis of the KFI could generate spurious results leading to erroneous interpretations concerning variation in body condition of ungulate populations. Thus, we recommend analysing fat weight as an untransformed variable in ANCOVA (kidney weight as covariate) to describe body condition variation in ungulates. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Evaluation of different commercial feeds on grow-out silver black porgy,Sparidentex hasta (Valenciennes), for optimum growth performance,fillet quality,and cost of production

The objective of the study was to find a cost-effective feed from three commercial feeds, namely, Arasco (Saudi Arabia), Skretting (Turkey), and Biomar (Greece) for commercially producing silver black porgy (sobaity bream), Sparidentex hasta in Kuwait. For confidentiality, these feeds were randomly given code names, diets 1, 2, and 3, which were known only to the investigating staffs. The trash fish (diet 4) was used as the control. The experiment was conducted for 28 wk with grow-out sobaity bream (210.0 ± 0.51 g) using a flow-through system consisting of twelve 1-m³ tanks. There were three replicates for each treatment. Fish were fed two times daily at satiation level. The results showed that fish fed diet 2 resulted in significantly (P > 0.05) better growth performance, feed utilization, and higher fillet eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content compared to other diets. A comparison of fillet quality of cultured and wild sobaity bream showed no significant (P > 0.05) difference between sensory attributes, except that of ‘flavor’ in cooked fillets of wild sobaity bream. A simple economic analysis showed that the cost per kilogram of fish production was significantly (P > 0.05) the lowest in diet 2 (USD4.13), followed by diet 1 (USD5.70), diet 4 (USD6.33), and diet 3 (USD6.92). Thus, based on growth performance, feed utilization, cost of production, and nutritional quality of fillet, it is concluded that diet 2 may be recommended for commercial culture of sobaity bream in Kuwait. However, future research should focus on how to improve fillet quality of the cultured fish at par with wild fish by manipulating the feed formulation.     

Combined efficacy of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek and Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson on serum lipids in albino rats

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a major killer disease throughout the world. Dyslipidemia is a major contributor to the risk of CAD. Several dietary articles traditionally used in India and other South Asian countries reduced dyslipidemia. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the combined effect of Mung bean (Vigna radiata) and Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) on serum lipids and atherogenic indices in albino rats and to compare it with a standard drug Cholestyramine. Thirty healthy albino rats of both sexes (150–200 g) were randomized to 5 groups of 6 animals each. The grouping were done based on the following criteria: Group I: Normal Control Group, Group II: (Standard Group): Cholestyramine resin 5 mg/kg bw, Group III: (Half Dose Group): Drug powder at 540 mg/kg bw, Group IV: (Effective Dose Group): Drug powder at 1080 mg/kg bw, and Group V: (Double Dose Group): Drug powder at 2160 mg/kg bw. Lipid profile was estimated at the beginning and after 30 days of treatment. The Effective and Double doses of the drug reduced Total cholesterol along with levels of Triglycerides, Low density lipoprotein and Very low density lipoprotein levels significantly (p < 0.01) along with a significant (p < 0.01) increase in high density lipoproteins (HDL) in rats. There was also significant (p < 0.01) improvement in atherogenic indices like Castelli Risk Index I, Non HDL C/HDL, Castelli risk Index II, TG/HDL, Atherogenic coefficient and Atherogenic Index of Plasma. The combination of powdered sprouted mung bean and yam powder have excellent lipid lowering potential.     

Habitat quality predicts the distribution of a lizard in fragmented woodlands better than habitat fragmentation

Organisms often face a higher risk of local extinction in fragmented than in continuous habitat. However, whether populations are affected by reduced size and connectivity of the habitat or by changes in habitat quality in fragmented landscapes remains poorly investigated. We studied the regional distribution and microhabitat selection of the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus in a fragmented landscape where the existence of deciduous and evergreen woodlands brought about variation in habitat quality. Lizards never occupied any fragment smaller than 0.5 ha. However, above that limit fragment size no longer predicted lizard occurrence, which was explained by woodland type instead, with lizards being more frequently found in deciduous than in evergreen woodlands. Lizards selected microhabitats that had structural features favouring thermoregulation, foraging and predator avoidance, and we identified better conditions for thermoregulation and food acquisition in deciduous than in evergreen woodlands. Our results support the idea that variation in habitat quality can sometimes override the effect of habitat fragmentation on animal populations. We consider the implications of our study for the conservation of Mediterranean lizards, discussing our results in a broader context framed by previous studies conducted in nearby areas.