5,375 research outputs found
Complications and outcome of cats with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts treated with thin film: Thirty-four cases (2008-2017)
Background:
Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (CEHPSS) are rare in cats. Outcome after attenuation of CEHPSS with thin film has been described in a small number of cases.
Objectives:
To describe the clinical presentation, postoperative complications, and outcome of cats treated with thin film to attenuate CEHPSS.
Animals:
Thirtyâfour cats with CEHPSS were identified from the database of 3 institutions over 9âyears.
Methods:
Retrospective study. Medical records were reviewed to identify cats with a diagnosis of a CEHPSS that underwent surgical attenuation. Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts were suspected from clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, and diagnostic imaging, and confirmed at exploratory laparotomy. Cats treated with thin film band attenuation were included. Postoperative complications and followâup were recorded.
Results:
Complications were recorded in 11 of 34 cats. Deaths related to CEHPSS occurred in 6 of 34; 4 cats did not survive to discharge. Persistent seizures were the cause of death in 4 cats. Seizures were recorded in 8 of 34 cats after surgery; all these cats received preoperative antiepileptic drugs. Serum bile acid concentrations normalized in 25 of 28 of the cats for which data was available. Three cats had persistently increased serum bile acid concentrations and underwent a second exploratory laparotomy. One had a patent shunt, the other 2 had multiple acquired portosystemic shunts. Median followâup was 8âmonths (0.5â84âmonths).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance:
Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts attenuation using thin film in cats carries a good shortâ and midâterm prognosis if they survive the postoperative period. Seizures were the most common cause of death
Pharmacological effects of mitraphylline from Uncaria tomentosa in primary human monocytes: Skew toward M2 macrophages
© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Ethnopharmacological relevance Uncaria tomentosa (Willdenow ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. (Rubiaceae) is a Peruvian thorny liana, commonly known as >cat's claw>, and traditionally used in folk medicine to deal with several inflammatory diseases. Mitraphylline (MTP) is the most abundant pentacyclic oxindolic alkaloid (POA) from U. Tomentosa and has been reported to modify the inflammatory response. Herein, we have sought to identify the mechanisms underlying this modulatory effect of MTP on primary human monocytes and its ability to regulate differentiation processes on human primary monocyte and monocyte-derived macrophages. Material and methods In vitro studies with human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages were performed. Monocytes and M0 macrophages were exposed to MTP (25 ÎŒM) and LPS (100 ng/mL). M0 macrophages were polarized to M1 and M2 phenotypes in the absence or presence of MTP. The activation state of monocytes/macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry, gene expression and protein analysis of different specific markers. Results In human primary monocytes, the incubation of MTP for 24 h reduced the number of classical (CD14++CD16-) and intermediate (CD14++CD16+) subsets when compared to untreated or LPS-treated cells. MTP also reduced the chemotactic capacity of human primary monocytes. In addition, MTP promoted the polarization of M0 macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, the abrogation of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-6 or IL-1ÎČ, as well as the restoration of markers for M2 macrophages in LPS-treated M1 macrophages. Conclusions Our results suggest that MTP may be a key modulator for regulating the plasticity of monocytes/macrophages and the attenuation of the inflammatory response.This work was supported by the University of Seville, âV Own Research Planâ contract to BB and QA. MS has the benefit of a FPI fellowship (BES-2012â056104) of MICINN.Peer Reviewe
Beer or Ethanol Efects on the Body Composition Response to High-Intensity Interval Training. The BEER-HIIT Study
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is promoted as a time-effcient strategy to improve
body composition but concomitant beer intake, which is common among physically active individuals,
may interfere with these effects. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effects of a 10-week
(2 days/week) HIIT program on anthropometric and body composition measurements, and to assess
whether those effects are influenced by the moderate consumption of beer (at least 5 days/week),
or its alcohol equivalent. Young (24 ± 6 years old) healthy adults (n = 72, 35 females) volunteered for
a non-training group (Non-Training group) or for HIIT training. Those going for training choose
whether they preferred to receive alcohol or not. Those choosing alcohol were randomly allocated for
receiving beer (5.4%; T-Beer group) or the equivalent amount of alcohol (vodka; T-Ethanol group)
in sparkling water. Those choosing no-alcohol were randomly allocated for receiving alcohol-free
beer (0.0%; T-0.0Beer group) or sparkling water (T-Water group). From Monday through Friday,
men ingested 330 mL of the beverage with lunch and 330 mL with dinner; women ingested 330 mL
with dinner. Before and after the intervention, anthropometry and body composition, through
dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry, were measured. No changes in body mass, waist circumference,
waist/hip ratio, visceral adipose tissue or bone mineral density occurred in any of the groups.
By contrast, in all the training groups, significant decreases in fat mass together with increases in lean
mass (all p < 0.05) occurred. These positive effects were not influenced by the regular intake of beer
or alcohol. In conclusion, a moderate beer intake does not blunt the positive effect of 10-week HIIT
on body composition in young healthy adults.This research was partially funded by an unrestricted grant of the Centro de InformaciĂłn Cerveza y
Salud (CICS), Madrid, Spain. F.J.A.-G. and A.D.-l.-O are supported by a training grant from the Spanish Ministry
of Education (FPU14/04172 and FPU15/03960)
Fitness Assessment as an Anti-Aging Marker: A Narrative Review
Aging is a natural, physiological, and inevitable process, but it can be also influenced. Although aging is not a
disease, it has several characteristics that could indicate so, such as a functional decline at different levels, which
may determine clinical manifestations, and it is associated with several disease processes. Consequently, it is
essential to create and adopt strategies to delay the aging process. Nowadays, any strategy adopted without
including physical exercise seems inconceivable. Recent studies published in relation to this population have shown
that the maintenance of acceptable levels of physical fitness is associated with the prevention of many of premature
aging consequences, good rates of health, and quality of life of the person. cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular
strength (as physical fitness components) are excellent life expectancy and quality of life predictors. Therefore,
reaching a good fitness level is the most powerful clinical method to prevent and delay the aging process. Not only
their years to live increase, but also their quality, with health and without diseases or mobility dependence
Association of basal metabolic rate and fuel oxidation in basal conditions and during exercise, with plasma Sâklotho: the FITâAGEING study
Sâklotho, the shed form of αâklotho, is thought to be an ageing suppressor with functions related to the
physiology of energy metabolism. However, it remains unknown whether ageing biomarkers such as Sâklotho
and/or chronological ageing are associated in any way with basal metabolic rate (BMR) and fuel oxidation in
basal conditions and during exercise. The present work investigates the association of BMR and fuel oxidation
in basal conditions and during exercise, with plasma Sâklotho in middleâaged, sedentary adults. BMR was
measured by indirect calorimetry in 74 such subjects (53% women; age 53.7±5.1 years) following standard
procedures, and their fuel oxidation estimated via stoichiometric equations. The maximal fat oxidation during
exercise (MFO) and the intensity of exercise that elicits MFO (Fatmax) were determined using a walking graded
exercise test. No relationship was seen between BMR and plasma Sâklotho (P>0.1), although both basal fat
oxidation and MFO showed positive associations with this protein (both P<0.001); these relationships persisted
after controlling for age, sex and fat mass. However, no significant associations were seen between BMR, basal
fat oxidation or MFO and chronological age (all P>0.1). The present findings suggest that basal fat oxidation and
MFO are strongly associated with plasma Sâklotho in middleâaged sedentary adults. These results support the
idea that metabolic flexibility is a powerful predictor of biological ageing.The study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of
Education (FPU14/04172 and FPU15/03960), by the
University of Granada Plan Propio de InvestigaciĂłn
2016 (Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on
Exercise and Health [UCEES]), by the Junta de
AndalucĂa, ConsejerĂa de Conocimiento, InvestigaciĂłn
y Universidades, and the European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF), ref. SOMM17/6107/UGR
ObstrucciĂłn por cuerpos extraños localizados en esĂłfago : terapĂ©utica endoscĂłpica. Tres casos clĂnicos
Se presentan tres casos clĂnicos de obstrucciĂłn esofĂĄgica por cuerpos extraños en posiciĂłn precardial que son extraĂdos por tĂ©cnica endoscĂłpica con fibroencloscopio flexible.Three clinical cases of oesophagus obstruction due to foreign bodies in precardial position are described. These-foreign bodies have been removed by endoscopical technic with flexible fiberscope
Conducto arterioso persistente : un caso clĂnico
La persistencia del conducto arterioso con flujo izquierdo-derecho es una de las patologĂas cardĂacas congĂ©nitas mĂĄs frecuentes en el perro y con un tratamiento quirĂșrgico totalmente resolutivo. En el presente trabajo se describe un caso clĂnico con esta patologĂa, aprovechando para hacer una revisiĂłn sobre la fisiopatologĂa que provoca el fallo en el cierre del conducto y los mĂ©todos diagnĂłsticos para confirmar su existencia, asĂ como de la cirugĂa y las posibles complicaciones de la misma.The patent ductus arteriosus with left to right flow is one of the most frequent congenital heart diseases in the dog, but with a surgical treatment that produces a total recovery. In the present work, a clinical case of this kind is described, alone with a review of the physiopathology that causes the failure in the closing of the duct and the diagnostic methods to confirrn its existence, together with the surgery and possible complications that may arise
Fit-Fat Index is better associated with heart rate variability compared to fitness and fatness alone as indicators of cardiometabolic human health
ObjectivesCardiorespiratory fitness and fatness indicators have been related to heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. The Fit-Fat Index (FFI) is a single index combining cardiorespiratory fitness and fatness indicators. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have previously analyzed whether FFI are related to cardiac autonomic nervous system activity assessed through HRV parameters. This study aimed (i) to examine the association of cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness indicators, and FFI with HRV parameters; and (ii) to report what of the different fatness indicators included in FFI is better associated with HRV parameters in sedentary adults. MethodsOne hundred and fifty healthy adults (74 women; 76 men), aged between 18 and 65 years old, participated in this cross-sectional study. We measured cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen consumption) and fatness indicators (waist-to-height ratio [WHR], fat mass percentage [FM%] and visceral adipose tissue [VAT]). Three FFIs were calculated as the quotient between cardiorespiratory fitness and one out of three possible fatness indicators: Fit-Fat Index calculated waist-to-height ratio (FFIWHR), Fit-Fat Index calculated with FM% (FFIFM%), and Fit-Fat Index calculated with VAT (FFIVAT). HRV parameters were measured in resting conditions using a Polar RS800CX. ResultsFFI(WTHR), FFIFM% and FFIVAT were related to different HRV parameters (beta ranges between -0.507 and 0.529; R-2 ranges between 0.096 and 0.275; all p < .001) and the association was stronger with HRV parameters than the isolated fitness or fatness indicators (beta ranges between -0.483 and 0.518; R-2 ranges between 0.071 and 0.263; all p < .001). FFIVAT was the index more consistently associated with HRV parameters (beta ranges between -0.507 and 0.529; R-2 ranges between 0.235 and 0.275; all p < .001). ConclusionOur study suggests that compound FFIs are better predictors of HRV parameters than either cardiorespiratory fitness or fatness indicators alone. The FFIVAT was the best index in terms of its association to HRV.Spanish
Ministry of Education FPU16/02760, FPU14/04172United States Department of Health & Human Services
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA
U01 TR00200
Determining the structure of Ru(0001) from low-energy electron diffraction of a single terrace
While a perfect hcp (0001) surface has three-fold symmetry, the diffraction
patterns commonly obtained are six-fold symmetric. This apparent change in
symmetry occurs because on a stepped surface, the atomic layers on adjacent
terraces are rotated by 180 degrees. Here we use a Low-Energy Electron
Microscope to acquire the three-fold diffraction pattern from a single hcp Ru
terrace and measure the intensity-vs-energy curves for several diffracted
beams. By means of multiple scattering calculations fitted to the experimental
data with a Pendry R-factor of 0.077, we find that the surface is contracted by
3.5(+-0.9) at 456 K.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Corrected some typos, added more details.
Accepted for publication in Surface Science (Letters
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