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Greatest Decrease (greatest + decrease)
Selected AbstractsThyroid hormone responses to endurance exerciseEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006E. A. GRAVES Summary Reasons for performing study: Limited information exists about changes in circulating thyroid hormone concentrations during prolonged endurance exercise in horses. Objective: To examine the effects of prolonged exercise on serum iodothyronine concentrations in horses performing endurance exercise of varying distances. Methods: Serum concentrations of iodothyronines were measured in horses before and after completion of 40, 56, 80 and 160 km endurance rides (Study 1); daily during a 5 day, 424 km endurance ride (Study 2); and before and for 72 h after completion of a treadmill exercise test simulating a 60 km endurance ride (Study 3). Results: In Study 1, 40 and 56 km of endurance exercise had little effect on serum iodothyronine concentrations with the exception of a 10% decrease (P<0.05) in free thyroxine (FT4) concentration after the 56 km ride. In contrast, total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations all decreased (P<0.05) after successful completion of 80 and 160 km rides, with decreases ranging from 13,31% and 47,54% for distances of 80 and 160 km, respectively. Further, pre-ride T4 concentration was lower (P<0.05) and FT3 concentration was higher (P<0.05) in horses competing 160 km as compared to horses competing over shorter distances. In Study 2, serum concentrations of T4, T3 and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) progressively decreased (P<0.05) over the course of the multi-day ride. In Study 3, the greatest decrease (P<0.05) in all iodothyronines was observed at 12 h of recovery, ranging from 25% for FT4 to 53% for FT3, but all thyroid hormone concentrations had returned to the pre-exercise values by 24 h of recovery. Conclusion: Endurance exercise results in transient decreases in serum iodothyronine concentrations. Potential relevance: These data are important to consider when thyroid gland function is assessed by measurement of serum iodothyronine concentrations in endurance horses. [source] Saline Drainage Water, Irrigation Frequency and Crop Species Effects on Some Physical Properties of SoilsJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001Y. A. Al-Nabulsi This field study evaluated the effects of water quality, irrigation frequency and crop species on some physical properties of soils. The experiment had a split-split-plot design, with three irrigation water qualities (normal water, drainage water and a 1 : 1 mixture of freshwater and drainage water) as the main treatments, two irrigation frequencies (at 7- and 14-day intervals) as the subtreatments and two crops (barley and alfalfa) as the subsubtreatments. The soil infiltration rate was highest in the barley plot receiving freshwater irrigation at weekly intervals. The lowest soil infiltration rate was found in alfalfa plots receiving saline irrigation water at 14-day intervals. Bulk density and proportions of micropores [pore radius (r) < 1.4 µm] were higher and the proportion of macropores (r > 14.4 µm) was lower in barley than in alfalfa. Saline irrigation caused the greatest decrease in total porosity. The soil infiltration rate was higher with more frequent irrigation, and was highest in alfalfa plots receiving freshwater irrigation. The decrease in soil bulk density and infiltration rate was greater with saline drainage water, irrespective of the crop grown and the irrigation frequency. Salzhaltiges Drainagewasser, Bewässerungshäufig-keit und Kulturpflanzenarten mit Wirkung auf einige physikalische Eigenschaften des Bodens Eine Felduntersuchung wurde vorgenommen, um dem Einfluss der Wasserqualität, der Bewässerungshäufigkeit und Kulturpflanzenarten auf einige physikalische Eigenschaften von Böden zu untersuchen. Die Infiltrationrate mit Frischwasser in wöchentlichen Abständen unter Gerste war hoch. Eine Behandlung mit Salzwasser in 14 tägigen Abständen unter Luzerne zeigte eine geringere Infiltrationsrate des Bodens. Bodendichte und der Anteil der Mikroporen (Poren mit einem Radius von r < 1,4 mm) waren größer und der Anteil der Makroporen (r > 14,4 mm) war unter Gerste geringer. Bewässerung mit Salzwasser verursachte die stärkste Abnahme in der Gesamtporosität. Die Infiltrationsrate des Bodens nahm mit der Häufigkeit der Bewässerung zu und zeigte den höchsten Wert bei Luzerne und einer Frischwasserbewässerung. Die Abnahme in der Bodendichte und der Infiltrationseigenschaften waren bei Salzwasserdrainage unabhängig von der Kulturpflanzenart und der Bewässerungshäufigkeit höher. [source] Antioxidative Ability, Dioscorin Stability, and the Quality of Yam Chips from Various Yam Species as Affected by Processing MethodJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009Y.-M. Liu ABSTRACT:, The antioxidative ability, stability of storage protein dioscorin, and the quality of fried yam chips from different cultivars of Chinese yams influenced by various processing treatments were investigated. Total phenolic content and DPPH free radical scavenging effect were found to be the highest in Mingchien (MC) and the lowest in Keelung (KL) yam. Following processing, freeze-dried yams of all varieties showed the least decrease in total phenolic compounds and DPPH radical scavenging effect, while boiling caused the greatest decrease in both. Fresh yams of all varieties contained the highest dioscorin contents comparing with their counterparts. Boiling and deep-frying caused severe protein denaturation resulting in loss of dioscorin solubility after purification. Freeze-drying resulted in increase in protein surface hydrophobicity (So); nonetheless, it attained higher total phenol content, antioxidative capacity, and dioscorin stability of yams compared with other processing treatments. The peroxide values of all yam chips increased during the initial stage, then declined with advanced storage. Fracturability of all yam chips gradually decreased, due to the absorption of moisture, with increasing storage time. [source] Fatty Acid Composition of Beef Intermuscular, Sheep Tail, Beef Kidney Fats and Its Effects on Shelf Life and Quality Properties of KavurmaJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2009. Aksu ABSTRACT:, The effects of beef intermuscular (BIF), beef kidney (BKF), and sheep tail fats (STF) and storage time on fatty acid composition, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acids (FFA), pH and L*, a*, and b* values, and Enterobacteriaceae counts of sliced vacuum-packaged Kavurma were investigated. Kavurma was made from fresh beef which contained different amounts of melted BIF, BKF, STF, and salt as 10 groups. The Kavurma was sliced 3 to 4 cm thick and was vacuum packed and stored at 4 ± 0.5 °C for 360 d. Animal fat groups (BIF, STF, and BKF) had a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in terms of both fatty acid composition and total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Used animal fat types and levels in Kavurma production had a significant effect on unsaturated fatty acid composition (except for C18:1n9t) (P < 0.01). C18:1n9c was the dominant fatty acid in all Kavurma groups, and the highest C18:1n9c was determined for 50% STF + 50% BKF (group 6). TBARS and FFA values were affected by the treatment (P < 0.01) and storage time (P < 0.01). The lowest TBARS value was found in group 10 (30% BIF + 35% STF + 35% BKF). There was a significant (P < 0.01) difference in FFA content in Kavurma between 0 and 180 and 360 d, and this value increased during storage time. The a* values of Kavurma decreased during storage, and the greatest decrease was determined between days 0 and 180 of storage. Enterobacteriaceae counts were determined to be under the detectable level in all Kavurma groups during storage. [source] Assessing the effects of the introduction of the New Zealand Smokefree Environment Act 2003 on Acute Myocardial Infarction hospital admissions in Christchurch, New ZealandAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 6 2009Ross Barnett Abstract Objective: To examine trends in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) hospital admissions in Christchurch, New Zealand before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Smokefree Environments Act 2003 in December 2004. Methods: Data on AMI hospital admissions to Christchurch Public Hospital were extracted for the period 2003 to 2006. Poisson regression was used to calculate rate ratios by comparing for AMI rates of hospital admissions before (2003/04) and after (2005/06) the introduction of the Smokefree legislation, and to assess whether there was a significant change over time. Results: The introduction of the smokefree legislation was associated with a 5% reduction in AMI admissions. The 55-74 age group recorded the greatest decrease in admissions (9%) and this figure rose to 13% among never smokers in this group. Reductions were more marked for men. Adding the effects of area deprivation increased the reduction to 21% among 55-74 year olds living in more affluent (quintile 2) areas. Overall however, the statistical association of changing levels of AMI admissions with smoking status and with deprivation was not consistently significant. Conclusion: At this early stage following the smokefree legislation, there are hints emerging of a positive impact on AMI admissions but these suggestions cannot yet be treated with certainty. Further research could usefully evaluate the longer-term effects of smoking legislation on the prevalence of smoking and exposure to second hand smoke, especially in more deprived urban communities. [source] Plasma vitamin values and antiepileptic therapy: Case reports of pregnancy outcomes affected by a neural tube defectBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Mirande Candito Abstract BACKGROUND: Folic acid supplementation reduces the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs); however, it is not clear whether it protects against teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs. METHODS: We report the cases of four pregnant women receiving valproic acid therapy, who all had NTD-affected offspring, despite periconceptional 5 mg/day of folic acid supplementation (cases), and investigated homocysteine metabolism, linked with folate metabolism. Their plasma homocysteine, folates, and vitamin B6 and B12 results were compared with values of two other women, who were also receiving valproic acid and folic acid complement, but who had normal pregnancies (valproic acid controls), and values of 40 pregnant women who had normal pregnancies and were not receiving any therapy (controls without therapy). Because of the possible existence of a genetic susceptibility, polymorphisms in homocysteine metabolism were sought. RESULTS: Two cases showed a decreased phosphopyridoxal level, compared with levels in the controls not receiving therapy. The genotype TT (C677T) is an NTD genetic susceptibility, but it was observed in only one valproic acid control. Various polymorphisms were observed in the cases, but were also common in the controls. Several studies have reported that valproic acid therapy lowers vitamin B6 levels. Our case with the greatest decrease in plasma phosphopyridoxal, who was taking periconceptional folic acid plus pyridoxine therapy, had a normal second pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to folates, other vitamins, such as vitamin B6, may have played a role in NTDs in our patients taking an antiepileptic drug. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||