3,975 research outputs found
Skin malformations in a neonatal foal tested homozygous positive for Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome
BACKGROUND:
Skin malformations that resembled manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos-Syndrome were described in a variety of domestic animals during the last century as cutis hyperelastica, hyperelastosis cutis, dermatosparaxis, dermal/collagen dysplasia, dermal/cutaneous asthenia or Ehlers-Danlos-like syndrome/s. In 2007, the mutation responsible for Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) in Quarter Horses was discovered. Several case reports are available for similar malformations in other breeds than Quarter Horses (Draught Horses, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds) including four case reports for Warmblood horses. Since 2013, a genetic test for the Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome Type 1 (WFFS), interrogating the causative point mutation in the equine procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1 (PLOD1, or lysyl hydroxylase 1) gene, has become available. Only limited data are available on the occurrence rate and clinical characteristics of this newly detected genetic disease in horses. In humans mutations in this gene are associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type VI (kyphoscoliotic form).
CASE PRESENTATION:
This is the first report describing the clinical and histopathological findings in a foal confirmed to be homozygous positive for WFFS. The Warmblood filly was born with very thin, friable skin, skin lesions on the legs and the head, and an open abdomen. These abnormalities required euthanasia just after delivery. Histologic examination revealed abnormally thin dermis, markedly reduced amounts of dermal collagen bundles, with loosely orientation and abnormally large spaces between deep dermal fibers.
CONCLUSION:
WFFS is a novel genetic disease in horses and should be considered in cases of abortion, stillbirth, skin lesions and malformations of the skin in neonatal foals. Genetic testing of suspicious cases will contribute to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of clinical WFFS cases and its relevance for the horse population
The Operative management in Bariatric Acute abdomen (OBA) Survey: long-term complications of bariatric surgery and the emergency surgeon\u27s point of view.
Background: The number of bariatric procedures is increasing worldwide. No consensus or guidelines about the emergency management of long-term complications following bariatric surgery are currently available. The aim of this study is to investigate by a web survey how an emergency surgeon approaches this unique group of patients in an emergency medical scenario and to report their personal experience.
Method: An international web survey was sent to 197 emergency surgeons with the aim to collect data about emergency surgeons\u27 experience in the management of patients admitted in the emergency department for acute abdominal pain after bariatric surgery. The survey was conceived as a questionnaire composed by 26 (multiple choice and open) questions and approved by a steering committee.
Results: One hundred seventeen international emergency surgeons decided to join the project and answered to the web survey with a response rate of 59.39%.
Conclusions: The aim of this WSES web survey was to highlight the current management of patients previously submitted to bariatric surgical procedures by ES.Emergency surgeons must be mindful of postoperative bariatric surgery complications. CT scan with oral intestinal opacification may be useful in making a diagnosis if carefully interpreted by the radiologist and the surgeon.In case of inconclusive clinical and radiological findings, when symptoms fail to improve, surgical exploration for bariatric patients presenting acute abdominal pain, by laparoscopy if expertise is available, is mandatory in the first 12-24 h, to have good outcomes and decrease morbidity rate
In Silico Predicted Antifungal Peptides: In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Candida Activity
It has been previously demonstrated that synthetic antibody-derived peptides could exert a significant activity in vitro, ex vivo, and/or in vivo against microorganisms and viruses, as well as immunomodulatory effects through the activation of immune cells. Based on the sequence of previously described antibody-derived peptides with recognized antifungal activity, an in silico analysis was conducted to identify novel antifungal candidates. The present study analyzed the candidacidal and structural properties of in silico designed peptides (ISDPs) derived by amino acid substitutions of the parent peptide KKVTMTCSAS. ISDPs proved to be more active in vitro than the parent peptide and all proved to be therapeutic in Galleria mellonella candidal infection, without showing toxic effects on mammalian cells. ISDPs were studied by circular dichroism spectroscopy, demonstrating different structural organization. These results allowed to validate a consensus sequence for the parent peptide KKVTMTCSAS that may be useful in the development of novel antimicrobial molecules
Local Kinematics and the Local Standard of Rest
We re-examine the stellar kinematics of the Solar neighbourhood in terms of
the velocity of the Sun with respect to the local standard of rest. We show
that the classical determination of its component V_sun in the direction of
Galactic rotation via Stroemberg's relation is undermined by the metallicity
gradient in the disc, which introduces a correlation between the colour of a
group of stars and the radial gradients of its properties. Comparing the local
stellar kinematics to a chemodynamical model which accounts for these effects,
we obtain (U,V,W)_sun = (11.1 +/- 0.74, 12.24 +/- 0.47, 7.25 +/-0.37) km/s,
with additional systematic uncertainties of ~ (1,2,0.5) km/s. In particular,
V_sun is 7 km/s larger than previously estimated. The new values of solar
motion are extremely insensitive to the metallicity gradient within the disc.Comment: 5 pages, submitted to MNRA
Methodology for cost-effective energy and carbon emissions optimization in building renovation (Annex 56)
"Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme, March 2017"Buildings are responsible for a major share of energy use and have been a special target in the global actions for climate change mitigation, with measures that aim at improving their energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy use. The IEA-EBC Annex 56 project «Cost-Effective Energy and Carbon Emissions Optimization in Building Renovation» intends to develop the basics for future standards, which aim at maximizing effects on reducing carbon emissions and primary energy use while taking into account the cost-effectiveness of related measures. The IEA EBC Annex 56 project pays special attention to cost effective energy related renovation of existing residential buildings and low-tech office buildings (without air conditioning systems).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Simplified Models for Dark Matter and Missing Energy Searches at the LHC
The study of collision events with missing energy as searches for the dark
matter (DM) component of the Universe are an essential part of the extensive
program looking for new physics at the LHC. Given the unknown nature of DM, the
interpretation of such searches should be made broad and inclusive. This report
reviews the usage of simplified models in the interpretation of missing energy
searches. We begin with a brief discussion of the utility and limitation of the
effective field theory approach to this problem. The bulk of the report is then
devoted to several different simplified models and their signatures, including
s-channel and t-channel processes. A common feature of simplified models for DM
is the presence of additional particles that mediate the interactions between
the Standard Model and the particle that makes up DM. We consider these in
detail and emphasize the importance of their inclusion as final states in any
coherent interpretation. We also review some of the experimental progress in
the field, new signatures, and other aspects of the searches themselves. We
conclude with comments and recommendations regarding the use of simplified
models in Run-II of the LHC.Comment: v2. references added, version submitted to journal. v1. 47 pages, 13
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Neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves exercise tolerance in patients with advanced heart failure on continuous intravenous inotropic support userandomized controlled trial
Objective: To evaluate the impact of a short-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation program on exercise tolerance in hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure who have suffered an acute decompensation and are under continuous intravenous inotropic support. Design: A randomized controlled study. Subjects: Initially, 195 patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure were recruited, but 70 were randomized. Intervention: Patients were randomized into two groups: control group subject to the usual care (n=35)neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n=35) received daily training sessions to both lower extremities for around two weeks. Main measures: The baseline 6-minute walk test to determine functional capacity was performed 24hours after hospital admission, and intravenous inotropic support dose was daily checked in all patients. The outcomes were measured in two weeks or at the discharge if the patients were sent back home earlier than two weeks. Results: After losses of follow-up, a total of 49 patients were included and considered for final analysis (control group, n=25 and neuromuscular electrical stimulation group, n=24). The neuromuscular electrical stimulation group presented with a higher 6-minute walk test distance compared to the control group after the study protocol (29334.78m vs. 265.8 +/- 48.53m, P<0.001, respectively). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation group also demonstrated a significantly higher dose reduction of dobutamine compared to control group after the study protocol (2.72 +/- 1.72 mu g/kg/min vs. 3.86 +/- 1.61 mu g/kg/min, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: A short-term inpatient neuromuscular electrical stimulation rehabilitation protocol improved exercise tolerance and reduced intravenous inotropic support necessity in patients with advanced heart failure suffering a decompensation episode.Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Hosp, Cardiol & Cardiovasc Surg Discipline, Rua Napoleao de Barros,715,3 Andar, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Carlos, Cardiopulm Physiotherapy Lab, Sao Carlos, BrazilUniv Illinois, Coll Appl Hlth Sci, Dept Phys Therapy, Chicago, IL USAUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Physiotherapy Sch, Dept Human Mot Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Hosp, Cardiol & Cardiovasc Surg Discipline, Rua Napoleao de Barros,715,3 Andar, BR-04024002 Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc
The Operative management in Bariatric Acute abdomen (OBA) Survey: long-term complications of bariatric surgery and the emergency surgeon's point of view
Background: The number of bariatric procedures is increasing worldwide. No consensus or guidelines about theemergency management of long-term complications following bariatric surgery are currently available. The aim ofthis study is to investigate by a web survey how an emergency surgeon approaches this unique group of patientsin an emergency medical scenario and to report their personal experience. Method: An international web survey was sent to 197 emergency surgeons with the aim to collect data aboutemergency surgeons\u2019experience in the management of patients admitted in the emergency department for acuteabdominal pain after bariatric surgery. The survey was conceived as a questionnaire composed by 26 (multiplechoice and open) questions and approved by a steering committee. Results: One hundred seventeen international emergency surgeons decided to join the project and answered tothe web survey with a response rate of 59.39%. Conclusions: The aim of this WSES web survey was to highlight the current management of patients previouslysubmitted to bariatric surgical procedures by ES.Emergency surgeons must be mindful of postoperative bariatric surgery complications. CT scan with oral intestinalopacification may be useful in making a diagnosis if carefully interpreted by the radiologist and the surgeon.In case of inconclusive clinical and radiological findings, when symptoms fail to improve, surgical exploration forbariatric patients presenting acute abdominal pain, by laparoscopy if expertise is available, is mandatory in the first12\u201324 h, to have good outcomes and decrease morbidity rate
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