Airway tapering: an objective image biomarker for bronchiectasis

Purpose: To estimate airway tapering in control subjects and to assess the usability of tapering as a bronchiectasis biomarker in paediatric populations. Methods: Airway tapering values were semi-automatically quantified in 156 children with control CTs collected in the Normal Chest CT Study Group. Airway tapering as a biomarker for bronchiectasis was assessed on spirometer-guided inspiratory CTs from 12 patients with bronchiectasis and 12 age- and sex-matched controls. Semi-automatic image analysis software was used to quantify intra-branch tapering (reduction in airway diameter along the branch), inter-branch tapering (reduction in airway diameter before and after bifurcation) and airway-artery ratios on chest CTs. Biomarkers were further stratified in small, medium and large airways based on three equal groups of the accompanying vessel size. Results: Control subjects showed intra-branch tapering of 1% and inter-branch tapering of 24–39%. Subjects with bronchiectasis showed significantly reduced intra-branch of 0.8% and inter-branch tapering of 19–32% and increased airway–artery ratios compared with controls (p < 0.01). Tapering measurements were significantly different between diseased and controls across all airway sizes. Difference in airway–artery ratio was only significant in small airways. Conclusion: Paediatric normal values for airway tapering were established in control subjects. Tapering showed to be a promising biomarker for bronchiectasis as subjects with bronchiectasis show significantly less airway tapering across all airway sizes compared with controls. Detecting les

Recent changes in monthly surface air temperature over Peru, 1964–2014

This study assessed changes in the maximum and minimum surface air temperatures across Peru during the period 1964–2014. For this purpose, we employed the most complete records of air temperature series that were also subjected to a rigorous quality control and homogenization protocol. Based on the homogenized series, we created a monthly gridded data set of maximum and minimum air temperatures at a 5 × 5 km grid spacing. The results suggest a general warming trend in surface air temperature across Peru, albeit with clear spatial and seasonal variation. Our results also reveal some differences in the detectable trends between maximum and minimum air temperatures. Maximum air temperature trends mainly increased during the austral summer (DJF), but cold season minimum air temperature trends showed an opposite pattern, with the strongest warming being recorded in the austral winter (JJA). In addition, maximum air temperature trends exhibited a clear elevation-warming dependency, with the strongest warming recorded at highly elevated sites. On the contrary, this dependency is weakened for minimum air temperature trends, as lower magnitudes of change and even a cooling trend were observed at high elevations during most months of the year. For mean air temperature trends, there are no clear spatial and temporal seasonal differences across Peru

Long-term evaluation of faecal calprotectin levels in a European cohort of children with cystic fibrosis

Objective: Intestinal inflammation with contradictory data on faecal calprotectin (fCP) levels is documented in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to longitudinally evaluate fCP in a cohort of children with CF and their relationship with clinical variables. Design: Prospective observational study to assess evolution of fCP levels, primary aimed at improving fat absorption. Along 1.5 years of follow-up (November 2016-May 2018) with four study visits pertaining to a pilot study (two of four) and to a clinical trial (two of four), the study outcomes were measured. Setting: Six European CF centres in the context of MyCyFAPP Project. Subjects: Children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency (2-18 years old). Main outcome measurements: fCP levels, pulmonary function (percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%)) and coefficient of fat absorption (CFA). Additionally, in the last two visits, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were evaluated through the PedsQL-GI Questionnaire. Linear mixed regression models were applied to assess association between fCP and FEV1, CFA and GI symptoms. Results: Twenty-nine children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency were included. fCP levels were inversely associated with total modified specific PedsQL-GI score (p=0.04) and positively associated with diarrhoea (p=0.03), but not with CFA. Along the four study visits, fCP significantly increased (from 62 to 256 μg/g) and pulmonary function decreased (from 97% to 87%), with a significant inverse association between the two study outcomes (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: In children with CF, fCP levels are inversely associated with pulmonary function and thus the specificity of fCP as a marker of intestinal inflammation in paediatric patients with CF warrants further investigation.</p

Long-term evaluation of faecal calprotectin levels in a European cohort of children with cystic fibrosis

Objective: Intestinal inflammation with contradictory data on faecal calprotectin (fCP) levels is documented in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to longitudinally evaluate fCP in a cohort of children with CF and their relationship with clinical variables. Design: Prospective observational study to assess evolution of fCP levels, primary aimed at improving fat absorption. Along 1.5 years of follow-up (November 2016-May 2018) with four study visits pertaining to a pilot study (two of four) and to a clinical trial (two of four), the study outcomes were measured. Setting: Six European CF centres in the context of MyCyFAPP Project. Subjects: Children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency (2-18 years old). Main outcome measurements: fCP levels, pulmonary function (percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%)) and coefficient of fat absorption (CFA). Additionally, in the last two visits, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were evaluated through the PedsQL-GI Questionnaire. Linear mixed regression models were applied to assess association between fCP and FEV1, CFA and GI symptoms. Results: Twenty-nine children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency were included. fCP levels were inversely associated with total modified specific PedsQL-GI score (p=0.04) and positively associated with diarrhoea (p=0.03), but not with CFA. Along the four study visits, fCP significantly increased (from 62 to 256 μg/g) and pulmonary function decreased (from 97% to 87%), with a significant inverse association between the two study outcomes (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: In children with CF, fCP levels are inversely associated with pulmonary function and thus the specificity of fCP as a marker of intestinal inflammation in paediatric patients with CF warrants further investigation.</p

Colesterol e composição dos ácidos graxos nas dietas para humanos e na carcaça suína Fatty acids concentration and level of cholesterol in diets for humans and present in swine carcasses

O colesterol é uma substância complexa do tipo lipídio-esteróide presente principalmente nas gorduras animais. Apresenta múltiplas funções no organismo, entretanto, problemas no metabolismo do colesterol no organismo podem acarretar aumento na sua concentração no sangue e conseqüentemente doenças coronárias como arterosclerose. Porém, já está comprovado que o consumo de colesterol é um fator de risco para pessoas que apresentam problemas genéticos de regulação do seu metabolismo. São pessoas que possuem níveis de colesterol acima de 200mg/dl e com concentração de HDL no sangue inferior a 35mg/dl. Apenas para estes indivíduos é importante o controle do colesterol através da dieta, na qual o consumo de carne suína, como de qualquer carne de outra espécie animal, deve ser considerada a composição dos ácidos graxos da gordura subcutânea e intramuscular. O fornecimento de dietas para suínos com maior concentração de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados apresentaram maior teor deste tipo de gordura nas suas carcaças. A suplementação destas gorduras de origem vegetal não pode ultrapassar a 4% nas dietas, devido à obtenção de carcaças com deficiência de conservação, apesar de originar uma carne mais benéfica à saúde do consumidor.<br>Cholesterol is a complex lipid-steroid like substance mostly present in animal fat, and it has many essencial functions in living organisms. However, in humans, any metabolic problems can increase blood cholesterol concentration and, consequently, increase the risk of coronary heart disease, such as arteriosclerosis. It is a known fact that cholesterol consumption is a risk factor for people who have genetic disorders in the metabolic regulation of cholesterol. These people have plasma levels of cholesterol above 200mg/dl and a plasma concentration of high density lipoprotein (HDL) under 35mg/dl. For these people, it is important to control the cholesterol level in the diet. The consumption of pork meat as well as any kind of meat, must be monitored for the fatty acid composition the intramuscular and subcutaneous fat. Swine that received diets with high concentration of polyunsaturated fats present higher concentrations of these fatty acids in the carcass. The supplementation of swine diets with polyunsaturated fatty acids of vegetable origin cannot be above 4%, due to the detrimental effect on the conservation of the carcasses, even though it results in healthier meat for human consumption