IVA for RV function analysis in TOF

Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is quite important in patients with surgically corrected tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). However, quantitative assessment of RV function remains challenging, mainly because of the complex RV geometry. This prospective study investigated isovolumic acceleration (IVA), a parameter of myocardial systolic function not influenced by either preload or afterload, using tissue Doppler imaging. We evaluated IVA measured on pulmonary annulus (PA-IVA) and tricuspid annulus (TA-IVA), because we considered that PA-IVA and TA-IVA correspond with systolic function of the RV outflow tract (RVOT) and RV basal function, respectively. Thirty-nine patients with surgically repaired TOF (TOF group) and 40 age-matched healthy children (control group) were enrolled in this study. No significant difference was seen between TA-IVA (2.5 ± 0.8 m/s2) and PA-IVA (2.4 ± 0.8 m/s2) in the control group. In the TOF group, PA-IVA (1.0 ± 0.5 m/s2) was significantly lower than TA-IVA (1.3 ± 0.6 m/s2, p < 0.05). Both TA-IVA and PA-IVA were significantly lower in the TOF group than in the control group (p < 0.05 each). We concluded that PA-IVA offers a useful index to assess RVOT function in TOF patients

Hidrodiplomacia: Consideraciones para una adecuada gestión integrada de recursos hídricos en el marco de la cooperación amazónica y sus implicancias para el Perú

La gestión de los recursos hídricos se ha convertido en un desafío global para el siglo XXI, debido a una creciente demanda que excede la oferta mundial. El Perú, el segundo país amazónico, es un Estado “despensa” posible ofertante de agua, gracias a la abundancia de los recursos hídricos en su territorio, en especial, en la Cuenca Amazónica. Esta última es compartida por ocho Estados sudamericanos, lo cual dificulta la cooperación interestatal, debido principalmente a una divergencia de intereses entre los Estados miembros de la Organización del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica. En tal sentido, la consolidación de la hidrodiplomacia en línea con los intereses de la política exterior peruana, representa una inmensa oportunidad para alcanzar su desarrollo sostenible, defender su soberanía y fortalecer el único mecanismo de cooperación amazónica. La geografía del Perú y sus recursos naturales deben ser vistos como una variable estratégica para la proyección de su política exterior. El establecimiento de una adecuada gestión de los recursos hídricos, principalmente en la Cuenca Amazónica, permitirá al Perú avanzar hacia su desarrollo sostenible y consolidar su proyección internacional como país amazónico-andino. Estas afirmaciones se sustentarán a lo largo de esta investigación, la misma, que propone recomendaciones para la implementación de una adecuada gestión integrada de los recursos hídricos en la Cuenca Amazónica.Tesi

Anti-Malassezia-Specific IgE Antibodies Production in Japanese Patients with Head and Neck Atopic Dermatitis: Relationship between the Level of Specific IgE Antibody and the Colonization Frequency of Cutaneous Malassezia Species and Clinical Severity

Atopic dermatitis of the head and neck (HNAD) is recognized as a separate condition. Malassezia, the predominant skin microbiota fungus, is considered to exacerbate atopic dermatitis (AD), especially HNAD. In the present study, we investigated the relationships between the levels of specific IgE antibodies, colonization frequency of eight predominant Malassezia species, and clinical severity in 61 patients with HNAD (26 mild, 24 moderate, and 11 severe cases). As clinical severity increased, the levels of specific IgE antibodies against eight Malassezia species also increased. Species diversity of the Malassezia microbiota in scale samples from patients was analyzed by nested PCR using species-specific primers. The clinical severity of HNAD was correlated with the total level of specific IgE antibodies against Malassezia species and the number of Malassezia species detected

A domesticação e sua influência na criação e bem-estar de hamsters: Revisão

Um animal é considerado saudável quando se encontra em um estado de bem-estar biopsicossocial. A domesticação e a forma de criação influenciam de maneira significativa na vida dos animais, determinando aspectos comportamentais e fisiológicos. Hamsters costumam ser criados em gaiolas, que são ambientes muito reduzidos em relação ao que esses roedores costumam viver quando livres na natureza. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as mudanças que ocorreram em hamsters devido a domesticação e, conforme isso, determinar qual é a melhor condição de criação para que esses animais vivam em bem-estar

The use of pelvic fins for benthic locomotion during foraging behavior in Potamotrygon motoro (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae)

Synchronized bipedal movements of the pelvic fins provide propulsion (punting) during displacement on the substrate in batoids with benthic locomotion. In skates (Rajidae) this mechanism is mainly generated by the crural cartilages. Although lacking these anatomical structures, some stingray species show modifications of their pelvic fins to aid in benthic locomotion. This study describes the use of the pelvic fins for locomotory performance and body reorientation in the freshwater stingray Potamotrygon motoro (Müller & Henle, 1841) during foraging. Pelvic fin movements of juvenile individuals of P. motoro were recorded in ventral view by a high-speed camera at 250-500 fields/s-1. Potamotrygon motoro presented synchronous, alternating and unilateral movements of the pelvic fins, similar to those reported in skates. Synchronous movements were employed during straightforward motion for pushing the body off the substrate as well as for strike feeding, whereas unilateral movements were used to maneuver the body to the right or left during both locomotion and prey capture. Alternating movements of the pelvic fins are similar to bipedal movements in terrestrial and semi-aquatic tetrapods. The pelvic fins showed coordinated movements during feeding even when stationary, indicating that they have an important function in maintaining body posture (station holding) during prey capture and manipulation. The use of pelvic fins during prey stalking may be advantageous because it results in less substrate disturbance when compared to movements generated by pectoral fin undulation. The range of pelvic fin movements indicates more complex control and coordination of the pelvic radial muscles. © 2015, Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia. All rights reserved

Morphology of lateral line canals in Neotropical freshwater stingrays (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae) from Negro River, Brazilian Amazon

The relationship between the distribution of the lateral line canals and their functionality has not been well examined in elasmobranchs, especially among Neotropical freshwater stingrays of the family Potamotrygonidae. The spatial distribution of the canals and their tubules and the quantification of the neuromasts were analyzed in preserved specimens of Potamotrygon motoro, P. orbignyi, Potamotrygon sp. "cururu", and Paratrygon aiereba from the middle Negro River, Amazonas, Brazil. The hyomandibular, infraorbital, posterior lateral line, mandibular, nasal and supraorbital canals were characterized and their pores and neuromasts quantified. The ventral canals are known to facilitate the accurate localization of prey items under the body, and our results indicate that the dorsal canals may be employed in identifying the presence of predators or potential prey positioned above the stingray's body. The presence of non-pored canals in the ventral region may be compensated by the high concentration of neuromasts found in the same area, which possibly allow the accurate detection of mechanical stimuli. The concentration of non-pored canals near the mouth indicates their importance in locating and capturing prey buried in the bottom substrate, possibly aided by the presence of vesicles of Savi. © 2010 Sociedade Brasileira de Ictiologia

Recognition of the "team medical-care" in medical field.

チーム医療に対して高い関心が寄せられていることから,チーム医療として認識される具体的な事柄や各職種に対する認識,その利点や職種間の認識の違いなどを明らかにする目的で,岡山県内の病院の看護師,診療放射線技師,臨床検査技師,計652名に対してアンケート調査を行った｡有効回答者数470名で,その内訳は看護師207名,診療放射線技師91名,臨床検査技師172名であった｡結果はチーム医療と認識される具体的な事柄については,異業種間カンファレンスがチーム医療を促進する事柄として認識されているが,整備･実施されていないことがうかがえた｡各職種に対する認識については,職種別･経験年数別にみても,医師,看護師,理学･作業療法士はチーム医療のメンバーとして認識されている割合が高かった｡また,経験年数別では,10～14年の人までは統計上ややばらつきがみられるが,経験年数15年以上の人はあらゆる職種をチーム医療のメンバーであると考え,その重要性を認識していることがわかった｡チーム医療の利点については,どの職種も共通して｢患者中心の医療｣と考えている割合が高かった｡Recently, the "team medical-care" has been received increasing attention in medical field. Therefore we have to develop a clear understanding of "team medical-care". The purpose of this study is to investigate things regarded as "team medical-care" by co-medical, recognition of other category of license, the advantages of "team medical-care" and recognition against the "team medical-care" by different category of license. Total 652 nurses, clinical radiological technologists and clinical laboratory technologists who are working at 8 hospitals in Okayama prefecture were examined by using questionnaire and 470 members (72.1%) responded to it. They were nurses 207 (44.0%), clinical radiological technologists 91 (19.4%), clinical laboratory technologists 172 (36.6%). Majority of respondents recognized that the medical conference consisted of different category of license promoted the "team medical-care", and ninety percent of participants prompted more frequent medical conference. In both by category of license and years of experience, they regarded doctor, nurse, physical therapist and occupational therapist as the menber of the "team medical-care" at high rate. The respondences which have over 15 years of experience regarded all category of license as the menber of the "team medical-care", while the respondences which have less than 10 to 14 years of experience showed disperision of the recongnition. The advantages of "team medical-care" were highly perceived as "patient-centered medical care" by all category of license

Isotope Composition and Chemical Species of Monthly Precipitation Collected at the Site of a Fusion Test Facility in Japan

The deuterium plasma experiment was started using the Large Helical Device (LHD) at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) in March 2017 to investigate high-temperature plasma physics and the hydrogen isotope effects towards the realization of fusion energy. In order to clarify any experimental impacts on precipitation, precipitation has been collected at the NIFS site since November 2013 as a means to assess the relationship between isotope composition and chemical species in precipitation containing tritium. The tritium concentration ranged from 0.10 to 0.61 Bq L−1 and was high in spring and low in summer. The stable isotope composition and the chemical species were unchanged before and after the deuterium plasma experiment. Additionally, the tritium concentration after starting the deuterium plasma experiment was within three sigma of the average tritium concentration before the deuterium plasma experiment. These results suggested that there was no impact by tritium on the environment surrounding the fusion test facility