Equine colic and coagulation disorders

The objective of this study was to investigate the coagulation disorders in drought horses suffering from colic. A total of (125) local drought male horse of different ages were investigated, among these animals (100) were suffering colicky sings and (25) clinically normal drought male horses served as control. Results indicated that colicky horses showed sings of pain which manifested by, restlessness, anxiety, sweating, lip curling, flank watching, pawing at the ground, kicking at the belly and rolling, more over body temperature, respiratory and heart rate, capillary refilling time were also increased, petechial hemorrhages were also detected on mucus membranes of the eyes. The statistical analysis appeared significant decrease (p<0.05) in the TRECs, Hb in horses suffering the recurrent type of colic compared with animals suffering the acute, mild type and control normal horses and PCV were significantly higher (p<0.05) in diseased horses than in normal control animals. Data concerning the indices of clotting factors of normal control and colicky horses showed that the platelet count and fibrinogen was lower significantly (p<0.05) in diseased horses than in control normal horses. This count was significantly lower in horses suffering the acute and recurrent type of colic than horses suffering the mild type. The platelet volume, platelet distribution width clotting time, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values were significantly higher (p<0.05) in diseased horses suffering the acute and recurrent type of colic than in diseased horses suffering the mild type and normal control animals. Results of biochemical changes indicated significant decrease (p<0.05) in total protein and albumen in colicky horses showed the mild and recurrent type of colic where as significant increase (p<0.05) of same values were seen in animals suffering the acute type, further more significant decrease (p<0.05) in calcium values were encountered in horses suffering the acute and recurrent type of clic.K.M. Alsaad and Abid-albar A Nor

Prevention of diabetic nephropathy in Ins2+/−AkitaJ mice by the mitochondria-targeted therapy MitoQ

Mitochondrial production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) is thought to be associated with the cellular damage resulting from chronic exposure to high glucose in long-term diabetic patients. We hypothesized that a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant would prevent kidney damage in the Ins2+/−AkitaJ mouse model (Akita mice) of Type 1 diabetes. To test this we orally administered a mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone (MitoQ) over a 12-week period and assessed tubular and glomerular function. Fibrosis and pro-fibrotic signalling pathways were determined by immunohistochemical analysis, and mitochondria were isolated from the kidney for functional assessment. MitoQ treatment improved tubular and glomerular function in the Ins2+/−AkitaJ mice. MitoQ did not have a significant effect on plasma creatinine levels, but decreased urinary albumin levels to the same level as non-diabetic controls. Consistent with previous studies, renal mitochondrial function showed no significant change between any of the diabetic or wild-type groups. Importantly, interstitial fibrosis and glomerular damage were significantly reduced in the treated animals. The pro-fibrotic transcription factors phospho-Smad2/3 and β-catenin showed a nuclear accumulation in the Ins2+/−AkitaJ mice, which was prevented by MitoQ treatment. These results support the hypothesis that mitochondrially targeted therapies may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. They also highlight a relatively unexplored aspect of mitochondrial ROS signalling in the control of fibrosis

Evaluating assumptions of scales for subjective assessment of thermal environments – Do laypersons perceive them the way, we researchers believe?

People's subjective response to any thermal environment is commonly investigated by using rating scales describing the degree of thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability. Subsequent analyses of results collected in this way rely on the assumption that specific distances between verbal anchors placed on the scale exist and that relationships between verbal anchors from different dimensions that are assessed (e.g. thermal sensation and comfort) do not change. Another inherent assumption is that such scales are independent of the context in which they are used (climate zone, season, etc.). Despite their use worldwide, there is indication that contextual differences influence the way the scales are perceived and therefore question the reliability of the scales’ interpretation. To address this issue, a large international collaborative questionnaire study was conducted in 26 countries, using 21 different languages, which led to a dataset of 8225 questionnaires. Results, analysed by means of robust statistical techniques, revealed that only a subset of the responses are in accordance with the mentioned assumptions. Significant differences appeared between groups of participants in their perception of the scales, both in relation to distances of the anchors and relationships between scales. It was also found that respondents’ interpretations of scales changed with contextual factors, such as climate, season, and language. These findings highlight the need to carefully consider context-dependent factors in interpreting and reporting results from thermal comfort studies or post-occupancy evaluations, as well as to revisit the use of rating scales and the analysis methods used in thermal comfort studies to improve their reliability

The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales

Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants' interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potential for further analysis in the areas of building design and operation, psycho-physical relationships between human perception and the built environment, and linguistic analyses

The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales

Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants’ interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potential for further analysis in the areas of building design and operation, psycho-physical relationships between human perception and the built environment, and linguistic analyses

Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas

Pancreatic serous neoplasms are rare but account for the most common type of pancreatic cystic neoplasms. The vast majority of serous cystic tumours are benign (serous cystadenoma). A few cases of clinically more aggressive and metastatic serous tumours have been reported in the literature, and designated as malignant (serous cystadenocarcinoma). Due to the rarity of malignant pancreatic serous neoplasms, their true incidence is still unclear. Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas can be a diagnostic challenge, since they exhibit overlapping clinical, radiological and even histological features with other pancreatic cystic lesions, namely mucinous cystic tumours and pseudocysts. Complete surgical resection is curative. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

My approach to superficial inflammatory dermatoses

Superficial inflammatory dermatoses are very common and comprise a wide, complex variety of clinical conditions. Accurate histological diagnosis, although it can sometimes be difficult to establish, is essential for clinical management. Knowledge of the microanatomy of the skin is important to recognise the variable histological patterns of inflammatory skin diseases. This article reviews the non-vesiculobullous/pustular inflammatory superficial dermatoses based on the compartmental microanatomy of the skin

Distinguishing diabetic nephropathy from other causes of glomerulosclerosis: an update

Diabetic nephropathy is a common cause of end‐stage renal disease worldwide. It is characterised by diffuse or nodular glomerulosclerosis, afferent and efferent hyaline arteriolosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis and atrophy. Diffuse and nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis share similar histological features with other clinical conditions. Immunofluorescence and electron microscopy studies, and clinicopathological correlation are essential to differentiate diabetic nephropathy from other conditions that result in diffuse and nodular glomerulosclerosis

Squamous cell carcinoma with rhabdoid phenotype and osteoclast‐like giant cells in a renal–pancreas transplant recipient

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the commonest non‐melanotic malignant skin tumour encountered after solid‐organ transplantation. In this setting it is associated with a worse prognosis than sun‐damage‐induced SCC. Rhabdoid cells and osteoclastic giant cells are infrequently seen in SCC. This case highlights the unusual occurrence of rhabdoid cells and osteoclastic giant cells in a post‐transplant SCC