Dietary tuna hydrolysate modulates growth performance, immune response, intestinal morphology and resistance to Streptococcus iniae in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer

This study investigated the effects of tuna hydrolysate (TH) inclusion in fishmeal (FM) based diets on the growth performance, innate immune response, intestinal health and resistance to Streptococcus iniae infection in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets were prepared with TH, replacing FM at levels of 0% (control) 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, and fed fish to apparent satiation three times daily for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish fed diets containing 5% and 10% TH had significantly higher final body weight and specific growth rate than the control. A significant reduction in blood glucose was found in fish fed 10%, 15% and 20% TH compared to those in the control whereas none of the other measured blood and serum indices were influenced by TH inclusion. Histological observation revealed a significant enhancement in goblet cell numbers in distal intestine of fish fed 5 to 10% TH in the diet. Moreover, fish fed 10% TH exhibited the highest resistance against Streptococcus iniae infection during a bacterial challenge trial. These findings therefore demonstrate that the replacement of 5 to 10% FM with TH improves growth, immune response, intestinal health and disease resistance in juvenile barramundi

Fluid and Salt Balance and the Role of Nutrition in Heart Failure

The main challenges in heart failure (HF) treatment are to manage patients with refractory acute decompensated HF and to stabilize the clinical status of a patient with chronic heart failure. Beyond the use of medications targeted in the inhibition of the neurohormonal system, the balance of salt and fluid plays an important role in the maintenance of clinical compensation in respect of renal function. In the case of heart failure, a debate of opinion exists on salt restriction. Restricted dietary sodium might lead to worse outcomes in heart failure patients due to the activation of the neurohormonal system and malnutrition. On the contrary, positive sodium balance is the primary driver of water retention and, ultimately, volume overload in acute HF. Some recent studies reported associations of decreased salt consumption with higher readmission rates and increased mortality. Thus, the usefulness of salt restriction in heart failure management remains debated. The use of individualized nutritional support, compared with standard hospital food, was effective in reducing these risks, particularly in the group of patients at high nutritional risk. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

DNA damage in a human population affected by chronic psychogenic stress

The effects of chronic psychogenic stress on the expression of DNA damage and cellular response to the damage were investigated. Using the comet assay, basal DNA damage was found to be similar in lymphocytes of both affected and non-affected Populations (n = 30 in both groups). The induction of DNA damage in lymphocytes by external factors (H2O2 and gamma-irradiation), was also investigated. In these Studies, cells were treated with 50, 100 and 150 muM H2O2 for 5 minutes or with 0.8, 2.5 and 4.2 Gy gamma-rays. A significant difference was found between the chronically stressed and the control populations, indicating the enhanced sensitivity of the former population. Cells were also held for 2 hours after the treatment, allowing time for the cells to deal with the induced DNA damage. Based on the level of residual DNA strand breaks, cells from the stressed population had more breaks than the controls. Gender does not alter these findings. In conclusion, our data indicate that cells from the stressed population were more sensitive to the induction of DNA damage and had higher level of residual damage. Therefore, stress conditions may cause the affected individuals to be susceptible to environmental mutagenic agents

Organ Donation Knowledge and Attitudes among Health Science Students in Greece: Emerging Interprofessional Needs

Background: The impact of presumed consent on donation rates has been widely debated. In June 2013 Greece adopted a 'soft' presumed consent law for organ and tissue donation, where relatives' approval is sought prior to organ removal. Aims: To report on the knowledge, attitudes and concerns of undergraduate students, enrolled in three health science disciplines, in regards to organ donation and presumed consent. Methods: Undergraduate junior and senior health science students [medical (MS), nursing (NS) and medical laboratory students (MLS)] were recruited from higher education settings in Thessaly, Greece. Dichotomous questions, previously used, were adopted to assess knowledge, attitudes and concerns towards organ donation, together with questions regarding the recent presumed consent legislation. Results: Three hundred seventy-one out of 510 students participated in the study (response rate: 72.7%). Only 3.6% of NS, 8.7% of MS and 3.2% of MLS carried a donor card. Although over 78% in all groups knew that it was possible to leave kidneys for transplant after death, only 10% to 39% considered themselves well-informed. NS were more likely to consider opting-out (21.5%), followed by MLS (17.9%) and MS (10.9%). Respondents were more likely to refuse organ removal upon death when expressing one of the following views: a) opposing a system making it lawful to take kidneys from an adult who has just died, unless forbidden while alive [Odds ratio (OR) 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.96 (1.48-5.93), p=0.002], b) worrying about their kidneys being removed after death [OR, 95% CI: 3.37 (1.75-6.49), p=<0.001] and c) believing that an intact body was needed after death [OR, 95% CI: 4.23 (2.15-8.31), p<0.001]. Conclusion: Health science students, soon to become healthcare professionals, demonstrated limited awareness in regards to the newly reformed organ donation system. Identified knowledge deficits and concerns could have far-reaching implications in terms of conveying a clear message and shaping the public's stand. The feasibility and effectiveness of a joint inter-professional curriculum on organ and tissue donation issues across all three health science disciplines, addressing common themes and concerns deserves further study

The role of ‘halo sign’ for the accurate quantification of atrial septal defect size with 3D TEE

In patients undergoing percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defect, the device selection is decided based on three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) measurements and two-dimensional balloon stretched diameter measurements; more importantly balloon sizing. The purpose of the study was to assess whether in patients with “halo-sign”, defined as increased tissue thickness at the edge of the ASD rims, there is an agreement between 3D TEE and 2D balloon stretched diameter aiming to avoidance of balloon sizing. Forty consecutive patients who underwent closure of a single, without complex anatomy ASD were included. 3D and 2D TEE datasets were acquired and analyzed offline. Planimetry was used to calculate circumference derived diameter of ASD from 3D datasets. Patients were classified according to the presence of the “halo sign” and the agreement between circumference derived diameter and balloon stretched diameter was examined. Forty consecutive patients who underwent closure of a single, without complex anatomy ASD were included. 3D and 2D TEE datasets were acquired and analyzed offline. Planimetry was used to calculate circumference derived diameter of ASD from 3D datasets. Patients were classified according to the presence of the “halo sign” and the agreement between circumference derived diameter and balloon stretched diameter was examined. Higher correlation and lower median absolute difference between 3D TEE measurements and 2D stretched balloon diameter was found in patients with “halo sign”. In patients with the “halo sign” mean diameter difference was non-significant. On the contrary statistically significant difference was found in patients without the “halo sign”. Significant difference was also found when comparing mean difference in the two patient groups. ASD sizing by 3D echocardiography, is accurate in patients with halo sign and it correlates well with the balloon sizing method. This study justifies further investigation concerning the reliability of 3D imaging for the selection of the ASD device size with a view to avoid balloon sizing, decrease procedural time and thus simplify the procedure. © 2020, Springer Nature B.V

Effect of dietary components on the gut microbiota ofaquatic animals. A never-ending story?

Artículo de publicación ISIIt is well known that healthy gut microbiota is essential to promote host health and well-being. The intestinal microbiota of endothermic animals as well as fish are classified as autochthonous or indigenous, when they are able to colonize the host's epithelial surface or are associated with the microvilli, or as allochthonous or transient (associated with digesta or are present in the lumen). Furthermore, the gut microbiota of aquatic animals is more fluidic than that of terrestrial vertebrates and is highly sensitive to dietary changes. In fish, it is demonstrated that [a] dietary form (live feeds or pelleted diets), [b] dietary lipid (lipid levels, lipid sources and polyunsaturated fatty acids), [c] protein sources (soybean meal, krill meal and other meal products), [d] functional glycomic ingredients (chitin and cellulose), [e] nutraceuticals (probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and immunostimulants), [f] antibiotics, [g] dietary iron and [h] chromic oxide affect the gut microbiota. Furthermore, some information is available on bacterial colonization of the gut enterocyte surface as a result of dietary manipulation which indicates that changes in indigenous microbial populations may have repercussion on secondary host-microbe interactions. The effect of dietary components on the gut microbiota is important to investigate, as the gastrointestinal tract has been suggested as one of the major routes of infection in fish. Possible interactions between dietary components and the protective microbiota colonizing the digestive tract are discussed