The synergistic effect of prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants on dogs with chronic kidney disease

The use of probiotics, prebiotics and antioxidants could be found beneficial for dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of our case-control study is to evaluate the synergistic effect of a diet integrated with a supplement containing probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus), prebiotics (fructoligosaccharides) and antioxidants (Olea Europaea extract) on the nutritional status and on serum and urinary parameters of dogs with CKD. A total of 30 dogs classified with IRIS CKD stage 3 were enrolled and randomly assigned to a control (CG, n = 15) and a treated (TG n = 15) group. The trial consisted in a 7-days adaptation period, followed by 90 days where animals in the TR group received the supplement, while in the CG group the placebo. No significant changes in body weight and body condition score were recorded. We recorded a significant improvement of the protein plasmatic level and a decrease in blood phosphorus, systolic pressure, BUN, proteinuria and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio throughout the trial in the TG compared to the CG group. Furthermore, the parameters related to inflammation and oxidative stress (C-reactive protein and Reactive Oxygen Metabolite- derived compound, respectively) were lower in the TG than in the CG group throughout the study. Our results showed that the supplement allows to maintain the correct nutritional status and to improve blood and kidney parameters in dogs with advance stage of CKD. This supplement could be considered as a new nutritional approach for treating this condition.HIGHLIGHTS Diet supplemented with prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants is safe for dogs with CKD. The synergic effect of prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants included in the supplement under study shows the maintenance of a good nutritional status and the improvement of blood and urinary parameters in dogs with CKD

Management of feline hyperthyroidism and the need to prevent oxidative stress: What can we learn from human research?

Feline hyperthyroidism is a clinical syndrome related to an excessive production of thyroid hormones, and it is considered as a spontaneous animal model for human thyrotoxicosis. Many shared features between the feline and the human disease have been identified so far, including pathogenesis, clinical signs, and treatment options. Although methimazole is considered the first-choice drug in both species, several side effects have been described. Furthermore, methimazole could interfere with the oxidative status, already perturbated by the disease. It has been reported in humans that dietary management, mainly through antioxidant supplementation, could mitigate this oxidative burden. The purpose of the review is to describe current therapeutic options in the course of feline hyperthyroidism and to summarize the state of the art relationship between dietary antioxidants administration and the reduction of methimazole side-effects in humans to support the use of this approach also in cats

Evidence of a thermo-diffusion pinch on particle transport in FTU discharges close to density limit

Abstract In FTU, the density profile in the presence of large MARFE becomes more and more peaked with increasing density, forming strong density gradients close to the radial region affected by the MARFE. The temperature at the edge drops to few eV, driving a drop of the whole profile. The estimated particle source cannot justify the change of the density gradient, which instead is well-explained by a change of the pinch. A thermo-diffusion term well-describes the pinch evolution and the experimental behavior of the density at those radii where temperature measurements are reliable

Cross-code comparison of the edge codes SOLPS-ITER, SOLEDGE2D and UEDGE in modelling a low-power scenario in the DTT

As reactor-level nuclear fusion experiments are approaching, a solution to the power exhaust issue in future fusion reactors is still missing. The maximum steady-state heat load that can be exhausted by the present technology is around 10 MW m-2. Different promising strategies aiming at successfully managing the power exhaust in reactor-relevant conditions such that the limit is not exceeded are under investigation, and will be tested in the Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) experiment. Meanwhile, the design of tokamaks beyond the DTT, e.g. EU-DEMO/ARC, is progressing at a high pace. A strategy to work around the present lack of reactor-relevant data consists of exploiting modelling to reduce the uncertainty in the extrapolation in the design phase. Different simulation tools, with their own capabilities and limitations, can be employed for this purpose. In this work, we compare SOLPS-ITER, SOLEDGE2D and UEDGE, three state-of-the-art edge codes heavily used in power exhaust studies, in modelling the same DTT low-power, pure-deuterium, narrow heat-flux-width scenario. This simplified, although still reactor-relevant, testbed eases the cross-comparison and the interpretation of the code predictions, to identify areas where results differ and develop understanding of the underlying causes. Under the conditions investigated, the codes show encouraging agreement in terms of key parameters at both targets, including peak parallel heat flux (1%-45%), ion temperature (2%-19%), and inner target plasma density (1%-23%) when run with similar input. However, strong disagreement is observed for the remaining quantities, from 30% at outer mid-plane up to a factor 4-5 at the targets. The results primarily reflect limitations of the codes: the SOLPS-ITER plasma mesh not reaching the first wall, SOLEDGE2D not including ion-neutral temperature equilibration, and UEDGE enforcing a common ion-neutral temperature. Potential improvements that could help enhance the accuracy of the code models for future applications are also discussed

Решение оптимизационных задач для систем массового обслуживання с отказами в условиях неопределенности

Построены математические модели расчета показателей качества функционирования вычислительных сетей, которые можно представить в виде сетей массового обслуживания с отказами. Сформулированы задачи оптимизации показателей качества функционирования таких сетей при заданных ограничениях на максимальную пропускную способность каналов связи и на выделяемые для модернизации сети ресурсы. Построены алгоритмы, которые позволяют решать поставленные оптимизационные задачи в рамках оговоренных ограничений

Innovative Crop Productions for Healthy Food: The Case of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is an ancient crop from Central America which has been recently rediscovered as a source of ω-3 and nutraceuticals in seeds. Besides traditional seed consumption, innovative uses of the plant seeds and leaves have been proposed based on the high protein content and the production of mucilage which lends itself to a range of applications. This chapter reviews research on the plant’s genetics and breeding, quality, and uses. Agronomic studies which have only recently started worldwide are also presented along with results from case studies in Basilicata

Jugar es Jugarse. Trabajos comunitarios con niñxs y adultxs en una villa cordillerana mendocina

Realizamos un proyecto de extensión universitaria aprobado por el Programa “Mauricio López” de la UNCuyo. Ejecución en un año entre marzo y noviembre del 2012 y cuenta con financiamiento.  El objetivo principal es el trabajo comunitario en una villa cordillerana de la provincia de Mendoza. El trabajo se realiza sobre la base de la reflexión comunitaria y el aprendizaje mutuo, en el paradigma de la educación popular latinoamericana,  básicamente en dos líneas: la primera con actividades lúdicas con niñxs y la segunda en la participación con vecinxs organizados de la villa. Realizamos encuentros quincenales con niñxs y vecinxs de la localidad de Villa Cacheuta en el Departamento de Luján de Cuyo, provincia de Mendoza. La Villa se encuentra en la precordillera central, a 35 km de la ciudad de Mendoza. A pesar de su relativa cercanía se encuentra aislada de los centros urbanos. No cuenta con instituciones educativas, cuenta con un servicio muy básico de salud y con medios de transporte público con escasa frecuencia. En la Villa viven 60 familias y más de 50 chicxs en edad escolar. El grupo trabaja desde la perspectiva y metodología propia de la Educación Popular y de la Investigación-Acción Participativa, buscando realizar actividades planificadas y propuestas por los extensionistas y lxs niñxs. El trabajo participativo pretende incorporar contenidos no abordados en la educación formal, tendiendo al equilibrio con la naturaleza, el trabajo comunitario y al conocimiento del espacio propio. Desde los extensionistas se pretende aprender y recuperar conocimientos de la comunidad. Los talleres con lxs niñxs tienen como eje actividades de tipo lúdicas, recreativas, y artísticas para desarrollar  el conocimiento y reflexión crítica en relación al medio donde viven, y su contexto sociocultural. Se basan fundamentalmente en juegos y rondas participativas sobre temáticas propias del lugar: leyendas,  narraciones populares, representaciones teatrales, murgas, juegos colectivos, películas, entre otros.  Al mismo tiempo, en instancias diferentes, se busca promover un espacio de contención, integración y socialización de lxs vecinxs, donde se visibilice la importancia de la labor comunitaria, el trabajo en equipo, y se despierte la inquietud sobre la situación de vulnerabilidad de lxs chicxs. Se aborda la necesidad de recuperar el espacio público, el diálogo y la participación inter-generacional. El equipo extensionista está compuesto por 14 personas: un docente, una graduada y 11 estudiantes, principalmente de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales. Se trabaja con reuniones semanales de autoevaluación y planificación de próximas actividades.