The effect of low pH on physiology, stress status and growth performance of turbot (Psetta maxima L.) cultured in recirculating aquaculture systems

We evaluated the effect of low pH and low and high total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations on the physiology, stress status and the growth performance of turbot in RAS. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, turbot (466 g) were grown at control (pH 7.5; TAN ~0.5 mg/L) or low pH and high TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~50 mg/L) for 55 days. In Experiment 2, turbot (376 g) were grown at control (pH 7.5; TAN ~0.5 mg/L), low pH and low TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~5 mg/L) or low pH and high TAN (pH 5.7; TAN ~50 mg/L) for 59 days. In Experiment 1, final body weight, feed intake and growth were significantly lower and FCR significantly higher in turbot exposed to low pH and high TAN. In Experiment 2, only growth was significantly lower in turbot exposed to treatment low pH and high TAN as compared to fish in the control treatment and low pH and low TAN. Osmoregulation and stress indicators measured were within normal levels. In conclusion, turbot grew equally well in a water pH of 7.5 or 5.7 provided a low TAN. In contrast, low pH combined with a high TAN impaired turbot performance.</p

Clinical condition at mid-to-late follow-up after transatrial–transpulmonary repair of tetralogy of Fallot

ObjectivesTo assess the clinical condition at mid-to-late follow-up in tetralogy of Fallot corrected by a transatrial–transpulmonary approach at a young age and to identify risk factors associated with right ventricular dilation/dysfunction and with decreased exercise tolerance.MethodsPatients with tetralogy of Fallot underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, maximal bicycle ergometry, electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, and spirometry. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine independent predictors for selected clinical parameters.ResultsFifty-nine patients (mean ± SD), age at repair 0.9 ± 0.5 years, interval since repair 14 ± 5 years, were included. The median pulmonary regurgitant fraction was 32% (0%-57%). Compared with published data on healthy controls, Fallot patients had significantly larger right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and smaller right ventricular and left ventricular ejection fractions. Maximum oxygen consumption was 97% ± 17% and maximum workload 89% ± 13% of predicted. Median QRS duration was 110 ms (82–161 ms). No important ventricular arrhythmias were found. Compared with patients without a transannular patch, patients with a patch had more pulmonary regurgitation, a larger right ventricle, worse right ventricular and left ventricular ejection fractions, but comparable exercise capacity. Multivariate regression analysis identified the following independent determinants for larger right ventricular volumes: longer interval since repair, longer QRS duration, and higher pulmonary regurgitation percentage. The following were independent determinants for smaller right ventricular ejection fraction: abnormal right ventricular outflow tract wall motion, longer interval since repair, and longer QRS duration. For smaller maximum oxygen consumption, the independent determinants were smaller right ventricular ejection fraction and longer QRS duration.ConclusionsAt mid-to-late follow-up, clinical condition in tetralogy of Fallot corrected according to contemporary surgical approaches appears well preserved. However, even these patients show right ventricular dilation and dysfunction associated with impaired functional capacity. Abnormalities relate to right ventricular outflow tract motion abnormalities, longer interval since repair, longer QRS duration, and more severe pulmonary regurgitation

Cardiac status after childhood growth hormone treatment of Turner syndrome

Context: In Turner syndrome (TS), GH treatment is well established. Data on cardiac status after discontinuation of treatment are scarce. This study aimed to assess biventricular size and function in TS at least 6 months after discontinuation of GH treatment. Methods: TS patients and healthy women prospectively underwen