Search Results (25)

This study investigates the failure of a 750A dual-insulated pipeline, where cracks developed along the weld joints during heat supply resumption at the district heating facility. A comprehensive analysis was conducted through visual inspection, mechanical testing, microstructural characterization, finite element analysis (FEA), and electrochemical corrosion testing. The results indicate that cracks were generated in the heat-affected zone (HAZ), primarily caused by galvanic corrosion and thermal expansion-induced stress accumulation. Open circuit potential (OCP) measurements in a 3 M NaCl solution confirmed that the HAZ was anodic, leading to the most vulnerable position to corrosion. Furthermore, localized electrochemical tests were conducted for respective microstructural regions within the HAZ. The results reveal that coarse-grained HAZ exhibited the lowest corrosion potential, giving rise to preferential corrosion, promoting pit formation, and serving as initiation sites for stress concentration and crack propagation. FEA simulations demonstrate that pre-existing microvoids in the HAZ act as stress concentration sites, undergoing a localized stress exceeding 475 MPa. These findings emphasize the importance of controlling microstructural stability and mechanical integrity in welded pipelines, particularly in corrosive environments subjected to thermal stresses. Full article

This study investigates the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and proline, both individually and in combination, on the growth of oilseed rape under drought stress and following the resumption of irrigation. The goal was to determine whether the exogenous application of these compounds enhances the plants response to prolonged water deficit and, if so, to identify the biochemical processes involved in the plant tissue. The experiment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. After 21 days of plant cultivation, at the 3–4 leaf stage, seedlings were sprayed with aqueous solutions of GABA (0.1 mM) and proline (0.1 mM). The plants were then subjected to 8 days of severe drought stress, after which irrigation was resumed, and recovery was assessed over 4 days. The results showed that both amino acids alleviated the drought-induced stress as indicated by higher relative water content (RWC), increased levels of endogenous proline and photosynthetic pigments in leaves, and enhanced survival and growth recovery after drought. GABA-treated plants maintained membrane integrity and preserved plasma membrane (PM) ATPase activity during prolonged drought stress while reducing ethylene, H₂O₂, and MDA levels. Proline also influenced these biochemical responses, though to a lesser extent. The combination of GABA and proline facilitated better recovery of oilseed rape compared to the drought control group following rewatering. Notably, GABA treatment resulted in a significant increase in gene expression compared to the untreated control. Molecular analysis of drought-responsive genes revealed that the gene expression in plants treated with both proline and GABA was typically intermediate between those treated with proline alone and those treated with GABA alone. Based on these findings, we propose that GABA application could serve as an alternative to proline for improving oilseed rape’s drought tolerance, potentially increasing both crop yield and quality. Full article

In recent years, significant progress has been made in China in the field of deep-sea large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) farming. Compared with the traditional inshore aquaculture model, deep-sea culture of large yellow croaker enjoys a wider growing space with better water quality, thus enhancing fish quality. However, deep-sea aquaculture also faces challenges such as typhoons and strong currents, which often lead to prolonged starvation in fish. Therefore, in order to further promote the technological advancement of large yellow croaker in the field of deep-sea aquaculture, this experiment aimed to investigate the effects of varying starvation durations on the feeding rhythm and physiological state of large yellow croaker. With an initial body mass of 122.62 ± 11.08 g and a body length of (17.9 ± 1.04) cm as the samples, the experiment was divided into five groups, which were starved for 0 d (S0), 2 d (S2), 4 d (S4), 8 d (S8), and 16 d (S16) before resumption of feeding. The results were as follows: under starvation stress for 8 consecutive days, the total duration of feeding gradually decreased in large yellow croaker, but increased at starvation up to 16 days. Each replicate group had 50 large yellow croakers as test subjects, for a total of 750 large yellow croakers. Analyzing the linear regression equations of S0 with S2, S4, S8, and S16 groups, it was found that the trend of rate of change in feeding duration was consistent with the total duration of feeding, i.e., it decreased during 8 days and increased at 16 days. It indicated that the rate of feeding of large yellow croaker was accelerated within 8 days of starvation, while the rate of feeding was slowed down at 16 days of starvation. Furthermore, the blood glucose concentration of large yellow croaker decreased significantly after 8 days of starvation, while it rebounded significantly in the S16 group. Meanwhile, large areas of fatty degeneration were observed in the liver on the 8th day of starvation, followed by extensive hepatocyte necrosis on the 16th day. After resumption of feeding, there was some recovery within 4 days, but hepatocytes were still extensively edematous in the S8 and S16 groups. Meanwhile, the expression of inflammatory factor genes such as IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α in the liver increased with the prolongation of starvation time, in which both S8 and S16 groups in the liver were significantly different from the S0 group, and after resumption of feeding, the IL-1β and TNF-α genes of the S8 and S16 groups were significantly different from those of the normal feeding group (p < 0.05), while there was no differentiation for the IL-10 gene. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is recommended to limit the duration of starvation in the large yellow croaker to no more than 8 days. Full article

In many languages, a subject/non-subject Ā-extraction asymmetry can be observed: While non-subject extraction is unproblematic, long extraction of the subject requires repair strategies. This phenomenon is known as the that-trace effect. Two broad types of approaches to this effect have been proposed in the literature: (a) structural accounts that prohibit subject extraction in the syntax; (b) surface-oriented PF accounts according to which nothing blocks long subject movement in the syntax, but a surface filter prohibits the output string where a trace follows the complementizer. In this paper, we argue for a syntactic cause of the effect in Igbo (Benue-Congo, Nigeria). The empirical evidence centers around the distribution of resumptive pronouns in the language. We show that Igbo has all the ingredients required for a PF approach to the that-trace effect (viz., long Ā-movement and trace spell-out); nevertheless, it does not apply them to enable long subject extraction but rather resorts to prolepsis (among other strategies). Further evidence against a PF account comes from the impossibility of short subject extraction. Finally, we provide evidence from subextraction from subjects for an antilocality component underlying the subject extraction restriction in Igbo. Full article

Introduction: There is a lack of information on return to sport and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in amateur athletes after isolated spine injuries. Methods: A single-center cohort study in amateur athletes aged 18 to 60 with isolated spine injuries; clinical data collection and follow-up via telephone interview and standardized PROMs (Short-Form 36, Oswestry and Neck Disability Index, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Visual Analog Scale). Bivariate analyses of potential influencing factors on PROMs were conducted using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 80 included participants, 78% (n = 62) were active in sport at follow-up. PROMs were slightly worse than those described for the age-adjusted general population. There were consistent associations of better PROMs with having reached the subjective preinjury level of performance in sport, while injury severity and surgical or conservative therapy did not show consistent associations with PROMs. Conclusion: Most amateur athletes resume their sports activity after a spine injury. Better outcomes are associated with individuals’ resumption of sport and subjective level of performance, while injury severity and surgical or conservative therapy do not show consistent associations with PROMs, highlighting the importance of patient education, rehabilitation, and encouragement. Full article

The precise nature of Ā-dependencies that terminate in a pronoun has been a long-standing subject of cross-linguistic research. Traditionally, it has been assumed that there are two derivational strategies to form resumptive Ā-dependencies: movement and base generation. Island configurations have played a crucial role in determining which derivational strategy is employed in a given language, as islands effects are expected to arise from dependencies created by movement but not by base generation. The body of cross-linguistic research on resumption has shown that the situation is more complicated once other diagnostics are taken into account, as languages can have mixed resumption profiles. In this paper, we discuss resumption in Ā-dependencies in Akan, a Kwa language spoken in Ghana, and illustrate that, despite their general insensitivity to islands, resumptive dependencies also show many classic hallmarks of movement. We situate these findings in the broader context of a general understanding of resumption cross-linguistically and discuss how the conflicting diagnostics might be reconciled with a movement-based analysis. Full article

Weight cycling is a major challenge in obesity management. Caloric restriction is known to promote this phenomenon, but the impact of macronutrient changes during dieting remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of macronutrient changes in weight maintenance without caloric restriction by alternating between two hypercaloric diets: a high-carbohydrate, high-fat Western diet (WD) and a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (LCHDF). Obesity was induced in 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice by 10 weeks of WD feeding. Then, the mice were subjected to 12 weeks of LCHFD interspersed with WD (I-WD), 3 periods of 2-week LCHFD followed by 2 periods of 3-week WD, or 12 weeks of continuous WD (C-WD). C-WD and I-WD mice were compared to standard diet (SD) mice. In the I-WD group, each LCHFD period decreased weight gain, but mice regained weight after WD resumption. I-WD mice exhibited obesity, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance, similarly to the C-WD mice. I-WD mice also developed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, associated with an increase in type-III collagen gene expression and a decrease in FGF21 protein levels, in comparison with SD. I-WD mice developed weight cycling despite maintaining a high caloric consumption, suggesting that changes in macronutrients during dieting are also a trigger of weight regain. Full article

The use of local anesthetics for castration is both simple and cost-effective, and it may contribute to reducing the anesthetic requirements. Despite its common use in clinical practice, the literature regarding the effects of intratesticular lidocaine in rabbits is limited. In this study, nine rabbits per group were assigned to intratesticularly receive either 2% lidocaine (0.05 mL/kg into each testicle) or an equivalent volume of saline prior to elective orchiectomy. Anesthesia was induced by intranasal administration of ketamine, medetomidine, and butorphanol. During intraoperative assessment, no significant differences in vital parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, and peripheral saturation of oxygen) were observed between the groups. However, rabbits receiving intratesticular saline displayed a higher incidence of responses to surgical stimuli. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the composite Centro Animali Non Convenzionali Rabbit Scale (CANCRS), revealing a significantly lower score at the initial post-surgery assessment in rabbits treated with intratesticular lidocaine. All subjects exhibited rapid resumption of food intake and fecal output. While all rabbits demonstrated satisfactory perioperative performances, the use of intratesticular lidocaine was associated with a diminished response to surgical stimuli. Consequently, this practice has the potential to reduce the requirement for additional anesthetics or analgesics, promoting faster recovery. Full article

Background: To date, no standardized protocols nor a quantitative assessment of the near-infrared fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green (NIR-ICG) are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the timing of fluorescence as a reproducible parameter and its efficacy in predicting anastomotic leakage (AL) in colorectal surgery. Methods: A consecutive cohort of 108 patients undergoing minimally invasive elective procedures for colorectal cancer was prospectively enrolled. The difference between macro and microperfusion (ΔT) was obtained by calculating the timing of fluorescence at the level of iliac artery division and colonic wall, respectively. Results: Subjects with a ΔT ≥ 15.5± 0.5 s had a higher tendency to develop an AL (p < 0.01). The ΔT/heart rate interaction was found to predict AL with an odds ratio of 1.02 (p < 0.01); a cut-off threshold of 832 was identified (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.77). Perfusion parameters were also associated with a faster bowel motility resumption and a reduced length of hospital stay. Conclusions: The analysis of the timing of fluorescence provides a quantitative, easy evaluation of tissue perfusion. A ΔT/HR interaction ≥832 may be used as a real-time parameter to guide surgical decision making in colorectal surgery. Full article

The genus Salvia L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, contains more than 900 species distributed in various parts of the world. It is a genus containing aromatic plants used both in the culinary field and above all in the cosmetic area to produce several perfumes. Salvia fruticosa Mill., notoriously known as Greek Salvia, is a plant used since ancient times in traditional medicine, but today cultivated and used in various parts of Europe and Africa. Polar and apolar extracts of this plant confirmed the presence of several metabolites such as abietane and labdane diterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and some flavonoids, causing interesting properties such as sedative, carminative, and antiseptic, while its essential oils (EOs) are mainly characterized by compounds such as 1,8-cineole and camphor. The aim of this work concerns the chemical analysis by GC and GC-MS, and the investigation of the biological properties, of the EO of S. fruticosa plants collected in eastern Sicily. The gas-chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of 1,8-cineole (17.38%) and camphor (12.81%), but at the same time, also moderate amounts of α-terpineol (6.74%), β-myrcene (9.07%), camphene (8.66%), β-pinene (6.55%), and α-pinene (6.45%). To study the protective effect of EOs from S. fruticosa (both the total mixture and the individual compounds) on possible damage induced by heavy metals, an in vitro system was used in which a model organism, the liverwort Conocephalum conicum, was subjected to the effect of a mix of heavy metals (HM) prepared using values of concentrations actually measured in one of the most polluted watercourses of the Campania region, the Regi Lagni. Finally, the antioxidant response and the photosynthetic damage were examined. The exogenous application of the EO yields a resumption of the oxidative stress induced by HM, as demonstrated by the reduction in the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) content and by the increased activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Furthermore, plants treated with HMs and EO showed a higher F_v/F_m (maximal quantum efficiency of PSII in the dark) with respect to HMs-only treated ones. These results clearly indicate the protective capacity of the EO of S. fruticosa against oxidative stress, which is achieved at least in part by modulating the redox state through the antioxidant pathway and on photosynthetic damage. Full article

In this study, we investigated the outcomes of laparoscopic approaches for adrenal tumor resection in 67 patients from a single center with a median age of 51 (range 40–79). Predominantly comprising women, the majority of patients were overweight or obese. Adrenal tumors larger than 6 cm were mostly treated using the laparoscopic transperitoneal method (p < 0.001). Our results revealed that patients subjected to the retroperitoneal approach exhibited quicker recovery, as evidenced by faster resumption of oral intake and ambulation, along with reduced intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospitalization (p-value < 0.05). In contrast, patients subjected to the transperitoneal approach experienced minimal complications, though not statistically significant, despite the technique’s intricacy and slower recovery. These findings emphasize the significance of tailoring the surgical approach to individual patient characteristics, with particular emphasis on the tumor size. The choice between the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal methods should be informed by patient-specific attributes to optimize surgical outcomes. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as tumor characteristics and postoperative recovery when determining the most suitable laparoscopic approach for adrenal tumor resection. Ultimately, the pursuit of individualized treatment strategies will contribute to improved patient outcomes in adrenal tumor surgery. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has entailed consequences on any type of physical activities, mainly due to the social restriction measures applied to reduce the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. When public health policies progressively reduced limitations and resuming a normal life was possible, the return to previous physical activity and sports was not only requested by people who had deeply suffered from limitations, but was also recommended by experts as a means of reducing the physical and psychological consequences induced by the pandemic. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the available evidence on the return to play in children after SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting an algorithm for clinical practice and highlighting priorities for future studies. Criteria to identify subjects requiring laboratory and radiological tests before returning to physical activity are severity of COVID-19 and existence of underlying disease. Children of any age with asymptomatic infection or mild disease severity, i.e., the great majority of children with previous COVID-19, do not need a cardiologic test before resumption of previous physical activity. Only a visit or a telephonic contact with the primary care pediatricians should be established. On the contrary, children with moderate COVID-19 should not exercise until they are cleared by a physician and evaluated for resting electrocardiogram, exercise testing, and echocardiogram. Finally, in those with severe COVID-19, return to play should be delayed for several months, should be gradual and should be performed only after a cardiologist’s clearance. Further studies are needed to assess the risks of returning to sports activity in pediatric age, including careful age-adjusted risk stratification, in order to improve the cost–benefit ratio of specific screenings. Full article

Water deficit is one of the factors that most influence plant growth and yield. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of silicon and salicylic acid application and water deficit on the growth and photosynthetic and osmoregulatory metabolism of Talisia esculenta Radlk. seedlings and their recovery potential after the resumption of irrigation. Six treatments were performed: irrigation, irrigation suspension, irrigation suspension + silicon at 0.5 g L⁻¹, irrigation suspension + silicon at 1.0 g L⁻¹, irrigation suspension + salicylic acid at 50 mg L⁻¹, and irrigation suspension + salicylic acid at 100 mg L⁻¹. The evaluations were carried out at the beginning of the experiment, at 10 and 15 days after irrigation suspension, when the seedlings showed a photosynthetic rate close to zero, and at recovery. The plants were subjected to water restriction for up to 15 days, then re-irrigated until the recovery point, which was monitored based on the photosynthetic rate. Silicon application attenuated the harmful effects of water deficit on gas exchange and initial fluorescence, promoted proline accumulation in the leaf and root, and provided higher seedling quality. Salicylic acid application contributed to the maintenance of the relative water content of leaves during the water deficit period. Silicon and salicylic acid applications can attenuate the harmful effects of water stress, with silicon being the most effective agent in maintaining its growth and metabolism. Full article

Background: Total laryngectomy is an operation that involves numerous problems for the patient, especially in daily life: loss of the fact, loss of voice, evident scars and persistence of the tracheostoma. Much is known about rehabilitation programs involving the voice, swallowing, shoulder girdle rehabilitation; less explored is the field of sport and sports rehabilitation in the laryngectomized patient. Methods: We conduced systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement in order to evaluate the possibilities of practicing sports for the patient after total laryngectomy. Results: From an initial search of 4191 papers, we have come to include six papers for this literature review. We have also reported one of our clinical cases referring to a laryngectomized patient who swims competitively at an amateur level even after surgery with a particular device. The purpose of this work is to understand the role and importance of sport in rehabilitation and the possibilities that a frail patient like the laryngectomized patient has in practicing sport. Surely the best results are obtained in subjects who practiced sports before surgery. Conclusion: It is evident that sport is important in the psychological and motor recovery of the laryngectomized patient. There is still a lack of clear rehabilitation protocols, especially for water sports, which allow all laryngectomized patients to return to sports. We believe that early resumption of physical activity makes the experience of the disease less dramatic. Full article

Wheat plants are frequently exposed to combined herbicide and drought stress (HDS) which induces complex responses negatively, affects productivity, and is becoming more exacerbated with current climate change. In this work, we studied the influence of seed priming with endophytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis (strains 104 and 26D) on growth and tolerance of two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties (E70—drought tolerant; SY—drought susceptible) exposed to soil drought after application of selective herbicide Sekator^® Turbo in pot experiments under controlled conditions; 17-day-old plants sprayed with herbicide and after 3 days were subjected to soil drought by stopping irrigating the plants for 7 days with subsequent resumption of normal irrigation (recovery). Additionally, the growth of tested strains (104, 26D) in the presence of different concentrations of herbicide Sekator^® Turbo and drought (PEG-6000) were evaluated. It was established that both strains are herbicide and drought tolerant and capable to improve seed germination and early seedlings’ growth under different herbicide and drought stress degrees. The results of pot experiments showed that HDS exposure declined growth (plant length, biomass), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b), leaf area, and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and proline accumulation in plants, demonstrating higher damaging effects for SY variety. Strains 104 and 26D mitigated (in different levels) such negative impacts of HDS on growth of both varieties by increasing length of roots and shoots, biomass, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b), and leaf area, reducing stress-caused LPO (i.e., malondialdehyde), and regulating proline biosynthesis, as well as contributing to a faster recovery of growth, photosynthetic pigments, and redox-status of plants in post-stress period in comparison with non-primed plants. These ultimately manifested in forming a better grain yield of both varieties primed with 104, 26D, and exposed to HDS. Thus, both strains 104 and 26D (which are herbicide and drought tolerant) may be used as seed priming agents to improve wheat HDS tolerance and grain yield; however, strain 104 more effectively protected plants of E70, while strain 26D—plants of SY. Further research should be focused on understanding the mechanisms that determine the strain and variety-specificity of endophytic symbiosis and the role of bacteria in the modulation of physiological states of primed plants under stress conditions, including HDS. Full article