Investigation of red blood cell and platelet indices in adult dogs suffered from myxomatous mitral valve disease with and without pulmonary hypertension

BackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of cardiopulmonary disease. In dogs, PH commonly occurs secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Red blood cell and platelet indices including mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), have previously been found to be indicators for predicting and prognosing PH in humans. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether these indices are associated with MMVD and/or PH in dogs.MethodsTwo hundred and forty-six dogs were retrospectively recruited for the study and classified into 4 groups: normal (n = 49), MMVD (n =102), PH (n =17), MMVD+PH (n =78). A sub-analysis was performed in dogs with MMVD without evidence of PH according to stage B1 (n =20), stage B2 (n =15), stage C (n =67). The data are expressed as median (interquartile range).Results and discussionNo significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in MCV, RDW and MPV among all groups (normal, MMVD, PH and MMVD+PH). However, decreases in MCH and MCHC were found in MMVD [22.40 (20.90-23.50) pg and 35.25 (33.08-36.90) g/dL], MMVD+PH [22.25 (20.85-23.98) pg and 35.65 (33.30-37.33) g/dL] and PH groups [21.20 (20.60-22.20) pg and 33.80 (32.75-35.70) g/dL] compared to the normal dogs [24.29 (23.55-24.90) pg and 38.20 (37.50-39.05) g/dL] (p < 0.001). Decreases in PDW were found in dogs in the MMVD+PH [15.10 (14.98-15.30) %] groups compared to dogs in the normal group [15.30 (15.10-15.50) %] (p = 0.004). Sub-analysis of MMVD dogs without PH showed a decrease in MCH in dogs with stage B2 MMVD [21.00 (20.50-22.90) pg] and stage C MMVD [22.40 (20.90-23.20) pg] compared to normal dogs [24.29 (23.55-24.90) pg] (p < 0.001). MCHC of dogs with stage B1 [36.55 (33.53-37.78) g/dL] (p = 0.004), B2 [32.90 (32.00-35.00) g/dL] (p < 0.001) and C MMVD [35.30 (33.30-36.80) g/dL] (p < 0.001) were lower than those of normal dogs [38.20 (37.50-39.05) g/dL]. PDW in the stage C MMVD group [15.10 (15.00-15.30) %] was reduced compared to the normal group [15.30 (15.10-15.50) %] (p  = 0.042) and the stage B1 MMVD group [15.35 (15.23-15.68) %] (p = 0.002). MCH, MCHC and PDW were negatively correlated with the left atrial and left ventricular size.ConclusionDecreases in MCH and MCHC are related to MMVD, precapillary PH and postcapillary PH while PDW are associated with MMVD severity but not with the presence of PH

A prospective safety and feasibility study of metered cryospray for patients with chronic bronchitis in COPD

BACKGROUND: No currently approved intervention counteracts airway metaplasia and mucus hypersecretion of Chronic Bronchitis (CB) in COPD. Metered Cryospray (MCS) delivering liquid nitrogen (LN2) to the tracheobronchial airways ablates abnormal epithelium and facilitates healthy mucosal regeneration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of MCS in CB. METHODS: Patients with a FEV1, 30-80% of expected, taking optimal medication were recruited. Primary outcomes: feasibility - completion of treatments; efficacy - 3-month change in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); safety - incidence of adverse events (AEs). SECONDARY OUTCOMES: lung function, exercise capacity, additional patient-reported outcomes (PROs). RESULTS: 35 patients, 19 male/16 female, aged 47-76 years, GOLD grade I (3), II (10) and III (22), underwent staggered LN2 treatments to the tracheobronchial tree.34 patients completed three treatments, each lasting 34·3±12·1 min, separated by 4-6 weeks: one withdrew after the first treatment. Approximately 1800 doses of MCS were delivered.Clinically meaningful improvements in PROs were observed at 3-months; ΔSGRQ -6·4 [95% CI -11.4, -1.3; p=0·01], COPD Assessment Test (CAT) -3·8 [95% CI -6.4, -1.3; p<0·01] and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) 21·6 [95% CI 7.3, 35.9; p<0·01]. CAT changes were durable to 6-months (-3·4 [95% CI -5.9, -0.9; p=0·01]), SGRQ and LCQ to 9-months (-6·9 [95% CI -13.0, -0.9; p=0·03] and 13·4 [95% 2.1, 24.6; p=0·02], respectively).At 12-months, 14 serious AEs were recorded in 11 (31·4%) subjects, 6 moderate (43%) and 8 severe (57%). 9 were respiratory-related: 6 exacerbations of COPD, 2 pneumonias, and 1, increased coughing, recovered without sequelae. None were serious device or procedure-related AEs. CONCLUSION: MCS is safe, feasible and associated with clinically meaningful improvements in multidimensional PROs

Assessment of microcirculation variables and endothelial glycocalyx using sidestream dark field videomicroscopy in anesthetized dogs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass

IntroductionTo evaluate microcirculation and endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) variables using sidestream darkfield (SDF) videomicroscopy in canine cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).MethodsDogs undergoing CPB for surgical correction of naturally-occurring cardiac disease were prospectively included. Variables collected included patient demographics, underlying cardiac disease, red blood cell flow (Flow), 4-25 μm vessel density (Density), absolute capillary blood volume (CBVabs), relative capillary blood volume (CBVrel) and eGC width assessed by perfused boundary region (PBR). Anesthetized healthy dogs were used as control. Microcirculation and eGC variables were compared at baseline under anesthesia (T0), on CPB prior to cross clamping (T1), after cross clamp removal following surgical correction (T2) and at surgical closure (T3).ResultsTwelve dogs were enrolled, including 10 with a complete dataset. Median Flow was 233.9, 79.9, 164.3, and 136.1 μm/s at T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively, (p = 1.00). Median Density was 173.3, 118.4, 121.0 and 155.4 mm/mm2 at T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively, (p = 1.00). Median CBVabs decreased over time: 7.4, 6.6, 4.8 and 4.7 103μm3 at T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively, (p &lt; 0.01). Median CBVrel increased over time: 1.1, 1.5,1.1, and 1.3 103μm3 at T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively, (p &lt; 0.001). Median PBR increased over time: 1.8, 2.1, 2.4, 2.1 μm at T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively, (p &lt; 0.001). Compared to control dogs (n = 8), CPB dogs had lower CBVabs at T0.ConclusionAlterations in eGC thickness and microvascular occur in dogs undergoing CPB for naturally-occurring cardiac disease

Automated UF6 Cylinder Enrichment Assay: Status of the Hybrid Enrichment Verification Array (HEVA) Project: POTAS Phase II

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) intends to automate the UF6 cylinder nondestructive assay (NDA) verification currently performed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at enrichment plants. PNNL is proposing the installation of a portal monitor at a key measurement point to positively identify each cylinder, measure its mass and enrichment, store the data along with operator inputs in a secure database, and maintain continuity of knowledge on measured cylinders until inspector arrival. This report summarizes the status of the research and development of an enrichment assay methodology supporting the cylinder verification concept. The enrichment assay approach exploits a hybrid of two passively-detected ionizing-radiation signatures: the traditional enrichment meter signature (186-keV photon peak area) and a non-traditional signature, manifested in the high-energy (3 to 8 MeV) gamma-ray continuum, generated by neutron emission from UF6. PNNL has designed, fabricated, and field-tested several prototype assay sensor packages in an effort to demonstrate proof-of-principle for the hybrid assay approach, quantify the expected assay precision for various categories of cylinder contents, and assess the potential for unsupervised deployment of the technology in a portal-monitor form factor. We refer to recent sensor-package prototypes as the Hybrid Enrichment Verification Array (HEVA). The report provides an overview of the assay signatures and summarizes the results of several HEVA field measurement campaigns on populations of Type 30B UF6 cylinders containing low-enriched uranium (LEU), natural uranium (NU), and depleted uranium (DU). Approaches to performance optimization of the assay technique via radiation transport modeling are briefly described, as are spectroscopic and data-analysis algorithms

Comparing aerosol number and mass exhalation rates from children and adults during breathing, speaking and singing

Aerosol particles of respirable size are exhaled when individuals breathe, speak and sing and can transmit respiratory pathogens between infected and susceptible individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the need to improve the quantification of the particle number and mass exhalation rates as one route to provide estimates of viral shedding and the potential risk of transmission of viruses. Most previous studies have reported the number and mass concentrations of aerosol particles in an exhaled plume. We provide a robust assessment of the absolute particle number and mass exhalation rates from measurements of minute ventilation using a non-invasive Vyntus Hans Rudolf mask kit with straps housing a rotating vane spirometer along with measurements of the exhaled particle number concentrations and size distributions. Specifically, we report comparisons of the number and mass exhalation rates for children (12–14 years old) and adults (19–72 years old) when breathing, speaking and singing, which indicate that child and adult cohorts generate similar amounts of aerosol when performing the same activity. Mass exhalation rates are typically 0.002–0.02 ng s(−1) from breathing, 0.07–0.2 ng s(−1) from speaking (at 70–80 dBA) and 0.1–0.7 ng s(−1) from singing (at 70–80 dBA). The aerosol exhalation rate increases with increasing sound volume for both children and adults when both speaking and singing

Vitamin D in the general population of young adults with autism in the Faroe Islands

Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a possible risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were examined in a cross-sectional population-based study in the Faroe Islands. The case group consisting of a total population cohort of 40 individuals with ASD (aged 15–24 years) had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 than their 62 typically-developing siblings and their 77 parents, and also significantly lower than 40 healthy age and gender matched comparisons. There was a trend for males having lower 25(OH)D3 than females. Effects of age, month/season of birth, IQ, various subcategories of ASD and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule score were also investigated, however, no association was found. The very low 25(OH)D3 in the ASD group suggests some underlying pathogenic mechanism

Comparisons of Aerosol Generation Across Different Musical Instruments and Loudness

Highlights•Aerosol number and mass concentrations measured during musical instrument playing.•A 1 dBA increase in sound pressure level yields ∼10% increase in number concentration.•Loudness of playing explains some but not all differences across instruments.•Musical instrument playing size distributions are consistent with those of breathing.•Simple songs sufficient to characterise aerosol emission during actual performance.AbstractRespiratory aerosols can serve as vectors for disease transmission, and aerosol emission is highly activity-dependent. COVID-19 severely impacted the performing arts due to concerns about disease spread by respiratory aerosols and droplets generated during singing and playing musical instruments. Aerosol generation from woodwind and brass performance is less understood compared to singing due to uncertainty about how the diverse range of musical instruments may impact respiratory aerosol concentrations and size distributions. Here, aerosol number and mass concentrations along with size distributions were measured for breathing, speaking, and playing four different woodwind and brass instruments by 23 professional instrumentalists. We find that a 1 dBA increase in sound pressure level corresponds to a ∼10% increase in aerosol number concentration. The aerosol size distribution is consistent with that of breathing. Differences in aerosol emission across musical instruments can be partly explained by the loudness of performance. Measuring aerosol generation from single notes or simple songs may be sufficient to characterise the aerosol emission range during actual performance, provided a range of loudnesses are accessed. These results provide insight into the factors contributing to aerosol emission during musical performance and facilitate risk assessments associated with infectious respiratory disease transmission in the performing arts