Hemodynamic evaluation of the right portal vein in healthy dogs of different body weights

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Doppler ultrasonography is an important tool for evaluating hepatic portal hemodynamics. However, no study in dogs of different body weights, in the range encountered in routine clinical veterinary practice, has been reported. It can be difficult to obtain an ideal insonation angle when evaluating the main portal vein, so evaluation of the right portal vein branch has been described in humans as an alternative. The aim of this study was to analyze, through Doppler ultrasonography, the hemodynamics in the right portal vein branch in dogs of different body weights.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty normal dogs were divided in three groups by weight, in order to establish normal values for mean velocity, flow volume and portal congestion index of the right portal vein branch by means of Doppler ultrasonography.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all dogs ideal insonation angles were obtained for the right portal vein branch. The average velocity was similar in the three groups, but the portal congestion index and the flow volume differed, showing that the weight of the dog can influence these values.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Doppler ultrasonography for the evaluation of flow in the right branch of the portal vein could be a viable alternative, or complement, to examining the main vessel segment. This is especially so in those animals in which an ideal insonation angle for examination of the main portal vein is hard to obtain. In addition, the weight of the dog must be considered for the correct evaluation of the portal system hemodynamics, particularly for portal blood flow and the congestion index.</p

Using Image Analysis Technique for Predicting Light Lamb Carcass Composition

Over the years, numerous techniques have been explored to assess the composition and quality of sheep carcasses. This study focuses on the utilization of video image analysis (VIA) to evaluate the composition of light lamb carcasses (4.52 ± 1.34 kg, mean cold carcass weight ± SD). Photographic images capturing the lateral and dorsal sides of fifty-five light lamb carcasses were subjected to analysis. A comprehensive set of measurements was recorded, encompassing dimensions such as lengths, widths, angles, areas, and perimeters, totaling 21 measurements for the lateral view images and 29 for the dorsal view images. K-Folds stepwise multiple regression analyses were employed to construct prediction models for carcass tissue weights (including muscle, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, and bone) and their respective percentages. The most effective prediction equations were established using data from cold carcass weight (CCW) and measurements from both dorsal and lateral views. These models accounted for a substantial portion of the observed variation in the weights of all carcass tissues (with K-fold-R2 ranging from 0.83 to 0.98). In terms of carcass tissue percentages, although the degree of variation explained was slightly lower (with K-fold-R2 ranging from 0.41 to 0.78), the VIA measurements remained integral to the predictive models. These findings underscore the efficacy of VIA as an objective tool for assessing the composition of light lamb carcasses, which are carcasses weighing ≈ 4–8 kg.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the research unit CECAV, which was financed by the National Funds from FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), project number UIDB/00772/2020 (Doi:10.54499/UIDB/00772/2020). na Catharina Batista also acknowledges the financial support from the Brazilian agency CAPES—Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Ensino Superior (Process 1052/13-6).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.Background: Despite vitamin K antagonists (VKA) being the gold standard in the prevention of thromboembolic events in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), non-vitamin K antagonists oral anticoagulants/direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been used off-label. Objective: We aimed to perform a systematic review comparing DOACs to VKA regarding prevention of thromboembolic events, occurrence of bleeding events and mortality in patients with APS. Methods: An electronic database search was performed through MEDLINE, CENTRAL and Web of Science. After data extraction, we pooled the results using risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I². The outcomes considered were all thromboembolic events as primary, and major bleeding, all bleeding events and mortality as secondary. Evidence confidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: We included 7 studies and a total of 835 patients for analyses. Thromboembolic events were significantly increased in DOACs arm, compared with VKA-RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.62, I²-24%, n=719, 6 studies. In studies using exclusively rivaroxaban, which was the most representative drug in all included studies, the thromboembolic risk was increased threefold (RR 3.36, 95% CI 1.53 to 7.37). The risks of major bleeding, all bleeding events and mortality were not significantly different from control arm. The grade of certainty of our results is very low. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests DOACs use, particularly rivaroxaban, among patients with APS, is less effective than VKA since it is associated with 69% increased risk of thromboembolic events.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Human phenylalanine hydroxylase as the case study

Funding Information: Authors acknowledge Sofarimex, Indústria Química e Farmacêutica SA, Portugal, for all the support concerning freeze-drying studies. This work was supported by FEDER and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I. P. through iMED.ULisboa (Projects UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020), iNOVA4Health (UIDB/04462/2020, UIDP/04462/2020) and LS4FUTURE Associated Laboratory (LA/P/0087/2020) and research project PTDC/EBB-BIO/101237/2008 and research grant SFRH/BD/47946/2008 (to Paulo R. Lino). This work has also received funding from the National PKU Alliance, USA. The authors would like to thank Luís Miguel Ramos and Cátia Nascimento who contributed to the exploratory research that culminated in the work herein presented. Funding Information: Authors acknowledge Sofarimex, Indústria Química e Farmacêutica SA, Portugal, for all the support concerning freeze-drying studies. This work was supported by FEDER and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I. P. through iMED.ULisboa (Projects UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020), iNOVA4Health (UIDB/04462/2020, UIDP/04462/2020) and LS4FUTURE Associated Laboratory (LA/P/0087/2020) and research project PTDC/EBB-BIO/101237/2008 and research grant SFRH/BD/47946/2008 (to Paulo R. Lino). This work has also received funding from the National PKU Alliance, USA. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)The structural maintenance of therapeutic proteins during formulation and/or storage is a critical aspect, particularly for multi-domain and/or multimeric proteins which usually exhibit intrinsic structural dynamics leading to aggregation with concomitant loss-of-function. Protein freeze-drying is a widely used technique to preserve protein structure and function during storage. To minimize chemical/physical stresses occurring during this process, protein stabilizers are usually included, their effect being strongly dependent on the target protein. Therefore, they should be screened for on a time-consuming case-by-case basis. Herein, differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) and isothermal denaturation fluorimetry (ITDF) were employed to screen, among different classes of freeze-drying additives, for the most effective stabilizer of the model protein human phenylalanine hydroxylase (hPAH). Correlation studies among retrieved DSF and ITDF parameters with recovered enzyme amount and activity indicated ITDF as the most appropriate screening method. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of hPAH freeze-dried with ITDF-selected stabilizers and a long-term storage study (12 months, 5 ± 3 °C) showed that the selected compounds prevented protein aggregation and preserved hPAH structural and functional properties throughout time storage. Our results provide a solid basis towards the choice of ITDF as a high-throughput screening step for the identification of protein freeze-drying protectors.publishersversionpublishe

Dyadic dynamics of perceived social support in couples facing infertility

Is perceived social support from partner, family, and friends associated with increased infertility-related stress? While mens perceived support did not seem to influence their partners stress, womens perceptions of spousal and familial support can affect the way men deal with the challenge of infertility. Previous studies showed that low levels of social support are associated with poor psychosocial adjustment and treatment termination in women and men. Studies examining the impact of social support using the couple as unit of analysis are lacking. A cross-sectional sample of 613 Portuguese patients participated in the research, online over a 3-month period, and in a public fertility clinic over 11 months. The final sample comprised 213 married or cohabiting couples (191 from the fertility clinic) who were actively attempting to have a child, were seeking infertility treatment and had not undergone previous preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Perceived social support was assessed through the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and infertility-related stress was assessed with the fertility problem inventory. Hypotheses were tested by applying the actorpartner interdependence model using structural equation modeling. Couples had been living together for an average (SD) of 6 3.5 years, and attempting a pregnancy for 3.8 2.6 years. Nearly half of the couples had undergone infertility treatment (41.3). Infertility stress was found to be associated with low family support for women ( 0.27, P .003), and low partner support for both men ( 0.29, P .001) and women ( 0.45, P .006). Both women and mens perceived friend support were not significantly related to male or female infertility stress. Men infertility stress was also associated with their partners low levels of partner ( 0.24, P .049) and family support ( 0.23, P .001). No significant partner effects were observed for women. Despite being related to actor effects alone (female partner and family support), the explained variance of the model in womens fertility stress was greater (R-2 21) than that (R-2 15.6) for the combined actor and partner effects in mens fertility stress (male partner support, female partner and family support). The study data are cross-sectional and the generalizability of results is limited by self-selection. The characteristics of non-participants in both the clinical and online samples were not available, the perception of infertility-specific supportive behaviors was not assessed and differential analyses according to infertility diagnosis were not included in this study. Our data underline the importance of partner support in alleviating the burden of infertility. Men may experience infertility indirectly through the impact that it has on their partners. Our findings reinforce the need to involve the male partner throughout the whole treatment process and for couple-based interventions when providing infertility counseling. Further prospective research should be aimed at investigating the male experience of infertility. This research was supported by a PhD scholarship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology granted to M.M. (FCT, SFRH/BD/44232/2008). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare

CT volumetry performs better than nuclear renography in predicting estimated renal function one year after living donation

The evaluation of split renal function (SRF) is a critical issue in living kidney donations and can be evaluated using nuclear renography (NR) or computerized tomography (CT), with unclear comparative advantages. We conducted this retrospective study in 193 donors to examine the correlation of SRF assessed by NR and CT volumetry and compared their ability to predict remaining donor renal function at 1 year, through multiple approaches. A weak correlation between imaging techniques for evaluating the percentage of the remaining kidney volume was found in the global cohort, with an R2 = 0.15. However, the Bland-Altman plot showed an acceptable agreement (95% of the difference between techniques falling within - 8.51 to 6.11%). The predicted and observed eGFR one year after donation were calculated using the CKD-EPI, and CG/BSA equations. CT volume showed a better correlation than NR for both formulas (adjusted R2 of 0.42. and 0.61 vs 0.37 and 0.61 for CKD-EPI and CG/ BSA equations, respectively). In non-nested modeling tests, CT volumetry was significantly superior to NR for both equations. CT volumetry performed better than NR in predicting the estimated renal function of living donors at 1-year, independently from the eGFR equation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

XRD and FTIR analysis of Ti–Si–C–ON coatings for biomedical applications

Ti–Si–C–ON films were deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering using different partial pressure ratio of oxygen (pO2) and nitrogen (pN2). Compositional analysis revealed the existence of three different growth zones for the films; (I) N/Ti = 2.1 (high atomic ratio) and low oxygen content; (II) 0.76 < N/Ti < 2.1 (intermediate atomic ratio) and (III) N/Ti ≤ 0.12 (low ratio) and high oxygen content. For high N/Ti atomic ratio (N/Ti = 2.1) the XRD pattern exhibits reflections that correspond to a mixture of two different phases: a metallic-like Ti and a fcc NaCl type structure. Its electrical resistivity presents a metallic character and, consequently, has high infrared reflectivity. For the intermediate N/Ti ratio (0.76 < N/Ti < 2.1), the films crystallize in a B1-NaCl crystal structure typical for TiC0.2N0.8. Their FTIR spectra present C–N modes, besides the TiN ones, that indicate a progressive substitution of nitrogen by carbon atoms with increasing oxygen content (and lowering N/Ti ratio). For the highest oxygen content (and lower N/Ti ratio) the presence of the Ti–O–Ti stretching mode shows the formation of highly resistive Ti–O compounds consistent with the semiconductor character of this film. Biofilm formation as well as material cytotoxicity seemed to be related with the presence of the Ti

Influence of surface features on the adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Ag-TiCN thin films

Staphylococcus epidermidis has emerged as one of the major nosocomial pathogens associated with infections of implanted medical devices. The initial adhesion of these organisms to the surface of biomaterials is assumed to be an important stage in their colonization. The main objective of this work is to assess the influence of surface features on the adhesion of S. epidermidis to Ag–TiCN coatings deposited by dc reactive magnetron sputtering. The structural results obtained by x-ray diffraction show that the coatings crystallize in a B1-NaCl crystal structure typical of TiC0.3N0.7. The increase of Ag content promoted the formation of Ag crystalline phases. According to the results obtained with atomic force microscopy, a decrease on the surface roughness of the films from 39 to 7 nm is observed as the Ag content increases from 0 to 15 at.%. Surface energy results show that the increase of Ag promotes an increase in hydrophobicity. Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on coatings were assessed by the enumeration of the number of viable cells. The results showed that the surface with lower roughness and higher hydrophobicity leads to greater bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, highlighting that surface morphology and hydrophobicity rule the colonization of materials.IC acknowledges the financial support of FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through grant SFRH / BD / 67022 / 2009. The authors are grateful to Dr Tomas Polcar, Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic, for his assistance in carrying out the Raman spectroscopic analysis. This research was sponsored by FEDER funds through the program COMPETE-Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade-and by national funds through FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia-in the framework of the Strategic Projects PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011 and PEST-C/EME/UI0285/2011, and under the project PTDC/CTM/102853/2008

Rifabutin-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as a Tool in Oral Anti-Mycobacterial Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

Oral anti-mycobacterial treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD) is limited by the low aqueous solubility of drugs, along with the altered gut conditions of patients, making uncommon their clinical use. Hence, the aim of the present work is focused on the in vitro evaluation of rifabutin (RFB)-loaded Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), in order to solve limitations associated to this therapeutic approach. RFB-loaded NLC were prepared by hot homogenization and characterized in terms of size, polydispersity, surface charge, morphology, thermal stability, and drug payload and release. Permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers and cytotoxicity and uptake in human macrophages was also determined. NLC obtained were nano-sized, monodisperse, negatively charged, and spheroidal-shaped, showing a suitable drug payload and thermal stability. Furthermore, the permeability profile, macrophage uptake and selective intracellular release of RFB-loaded NLC, guarantee an effective drug dose administration to cells. Outcomes suggest that rifabutin-loaded NLC constitute a promising strategy to improve oral anti-mycobacterial therapy in Crohn’s diseaseThis research was funded by V-A POCTEP Program (0245_IBEROS_1_E) of EU (FEDER), Xunta de Galicia (Competitive Reference Groups, ED431C 2016/008 and ED431C2017/09-FEDER), as well as by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (under iMED.ULisboa project Pest-UID/DTP/04138/2019)S

The Health-Promoting Potential of Salix spp. Bark Polar Extracts: Key Insights on Phenolic Composition and In Vitro Bioactivity and Biocompatibility

Salix spp. have been exploited for energy generation, along with folk medicine use of bark extracts for antipyretic and analgesic benefits. Bark phenolic components, rather than salicin, have demonstrated interesting bioactivities, which may ensure the sustainable bioprospection of Salix bark. Therefore, this study highlights the detailed phenolic characterization, as well as the in vitro antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibitory effects, and biocompatibility of Salix atrocinerea Brot., Salix fragilis L., and Salix viminalis L. bark polar extracts. Fifteen phenolic compounds were characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection-mass spectrometry analysis, from which two flavan-3-ols, an acetophenone, five flavanones, and a flavonol were detected, for the first time, as their bark components. Salix bark extracts demonstrated strong free radical scavenging activity (5.58–23.62 µg mL−1 IC50 range), effective inhibition on angiotensin-I converting enzyme (58–84%), and S. aureus bactericidal action at 1250–2500 µg mL−1 (6–8 log CFU mL−1 reduction range). All tested Salix bark extracts did not show cytotoxic potential against Caco-2 cells, as well as S. atrocinerea Brot. and S. fragilis L. extracts at 625 and 1250 µg mL−1 against HaCaT and L929 cells. These valuable findings can pave innovative and safer food, nutraceutical, and/or cosmetic applications of Salix bark phenolic-containing fractions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio