Hyperglycemia in children after cardiac surgery can be treated with intensive insulin therapy, but hypoglycemia is a potential serious side effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the ...effects of reducing glucose intake below standard intakes to prevent hyperglycemia, on blood glucose concentrations, glucose kinetics and protein catabolism in children after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Subjects received a 4-hour low glucose (LG; 2.5 mg/kg per minute) and a 4-hour standard glucose (SG; 5.0 mg/kg per minute) infusion in a randomized blinded crossover setting. Simultaneously, an 8-hour stable isotope tracer protocol was conducted to determine glucose and leucine kinetics. Data are presented as mean ± SD or median (IQR); comparison was made by paired samples t test.
Eleven subjects (age 5.1 (20.2) months) were studied 9.5 ± 1.9 hours post-cardiac surgery. Blood glucose concentrations were lower during LG than SG (LG 7.3 ± 0.7 vs. SG 9.3 ± 1.8 mmol/L; P < 0.01), although the glycemic target (4.0-6.0 mmol/L) was not achieved. No hypoglycemic events occurred. Endogenous glucose production was higher during LG than SG (LG 2.9 ± 0.8 vs. SG 1.5 ± 1.1 mg/kg per minute; P = 0.02), due to increased glycogenolysis (LG 1.0 ± 0.6 vs. SG 0.0 ± 1.0 mg/kg per minute; P < 0.05). Leucine balance, indicating protein balance, was negative but not affected by glucose intake (LG -54.8 ± 14.6 vs. SG -58.8 ± 16.7 μmol/kg per hour; P = 0.57).
Currently recommended glucose intakes aggravated hyperglycemia in children early after cardiac surgery with CPB. Reduced glucose intake decreased blood glucose concentrations without causing hypoglycemia or affecting protein catabolism, but increased glycogenolysis.
Dutch trial register NTR2079.
Albuminuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate are manifestations of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that predict end-stage renal disease, acute kidney injury, cardiovascular disease and death. We ...hypothesized that SNPs identified in association with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) would also be associated with albuminuria. Within the CKDGen Consortium cohort (n= 31 580, European ancestry), we tested 16 eGFR-associated SNPs for association with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and albuminuria UACR >25 mg/g (women); 17 mg/g (men). In parallel, within the CARe Renal Consortium (n= 5569, African ancestry), we tested seven eGFR-associated SNPs for association with the UACR. We used a Bonferroni-corrected P-value of 0.003 (0.05/16) in CKDGen and 0.007 (0.05/7) in CARe. We also assessed whether the 16 eGFR SNPs were associated with the UACR in aggregate using a beta-weighted genotype score. In the CKDGen Consortium, the minor A allele of rs17319721 in the SHROOM3 gene, known to be associated with a lower eGFR, was associated with lower ln(UACR) levels (beta = -0.034, P-value = 0.0002). No additional eGFR-associated SNPs met the Bonferroni-corrected P-value threshold of 0.003 for either UACR or albuminuria. In the CARe Renal Consortium, there were no associations between SNPs and UACR with a P< 0.007. Although we found the genotype score to be associated with albuminuria (P= 0.0006), this result was driven almost entirely by the known SHROOM3 variant, rs17319721. Removal of rs17319721 resulted in a P-value 0.03, indicating a weak residual aggregate signal. No alleles, previously demonstrated to be associated with a lower eGFR, were associated with the UACR or albuminuria, suggesting that there may be distinct genetic components for these traits.
To investigate the relationship of glutamate and glutamate transporter expression in human gliomas and surrounding peritumoral brain to the presence of tumor-associated seizures (TAS).
We studied a ...retrospective (group 1: 190 patients) and then a prospective (group 2: 98 patients) cohort of patients who underwent a craniotomy for a supratentorial glioma. Tumor and peritumor tissue specimens were assayed for glutamate concentration and expression of glial glutamate transporters. Differences between the seizure (TAS) and seizure-free (non-TAS) groups were compared.
A total of 42% of patients had TAS, with 95% of seizures first occurring preoperatively. Clinical factors independently associated with risk of TAS were younger age, temporal lobe location, and tumors with oligodendroglial components. Molecular features in tumor specimens associated with TAS were higher glutamate concentrations, reduced EAAT2 expression, and increased system X(c)(-) expression. In group 2, these results were also replicated in the peritumor tissue. Logistic regression analysis identified raised glutamate concentrations in tumor and peritumor tissue, increased expression of peritumor system X(c)(-), younger age, temporal lobe location, and tumors with oligodendroglial components as independently predictive of preoperative seizures.
Relative increased glutamate concentration in gliomas, and altered glutamate transporter expression, are associated with the presence of TAS and may play a mechanistic role in their pathogenesis.
Streptococcus iniae
is a Gram-positive, opportunistically zoonotic bacterium infective to a wide variety of farmed and wild fish species worldwide. Outbreaks in wild fish can have detrimental ...environmental and cultural impacts, and mortality events in aquaculture can result in significant economic losses. As an emerging or re-emerging pathogen of global significance, understanding the coalescing factors contributing to piscine streptococcosis is crucial for developing strategies to control infections. Intraspecific antigenic and genetic variability of
S. iniae
has made development of autogenous vaccines a challenge, particularly where the diversity of locally endemic
S. iniae
strains is unknown. This study genetically and phenotypically characterized 11
S. iniae
isolates from diseased wild and farmed fish from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. A multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) scheme was developed to phylogenetically compare these isolates to 84 other strains of
Streptococcus
spp. relevant to aquaculture. MLSA generated phylogenies comparable to established genotyping methods, and isolates formed distinct clades related to phenotype and host species. The endothelial
Oreochromis mossambicus
bulbus arteriosus cell line and whole blood from rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
, Nile tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
, and white sturgeon
Acipenser transmontanus
were used to investigate the persistence and virulence of the 11 isolates using
in vitro
assays.
In vivo
challenges using an
O. niloticus
model were used to evaluate virulence by the intragastric route of infection. Isolates showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in virulence and persistence, with some correlation to genogroup, establishing a basis for further work uncovering genetic factors leading to increased pathogenicity.
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the capacity of Geographic Information System (GIS) procedure in the analysis of suitable site for rice farming in Bende Local Government Area (LGA), Abia ...State. Rice is one of the most important staple foods consumed in every household in Nigeria. Therefore, studies of this nature are highly needed as rice production in Nigeria is still below the consumption rate. The result from the suitability mapping of suitable farm location for rice production using GIS therefore will aid in optimizing its production by revealing the varying degrees of suitable location for rice production. The GIS suitability map will enable farmers to be aware of the best location for rice production. Optimal location is important for every business venture to thrive. The GIS-based suitability map will contribute to the call for the mechanization of rice to encourage increase in production rate from 5.4 million to 7.2 million tons. To achieve this aim, individual maps which represent factors that determine rice production such as soil, slope, nearness to river, and accessibility were developed and applied in analysis. These maps were re-classified and assigned suitability weight based on their relative importance. The soil was assigned the highest weight while accessibility (road) was assigned the lowest weight. The essence of re-classifying the maps and assigning weights to the individual maps was to generate individual factor suitability maps. Thereafter, the new re-classified and individual suitability maps were overlaid on each other using ArcGIS 10.4 weight overlay tool to generate the rice suitability map. The final suitability map showed that 13.16% of the area in Bende Local government Area is highly suitable for rice production, 34.67% is moderately suitable and 35.60% is marginally suitable. The other 15.94% is currently not suitable. This study recommended setting up field trials in the various suitability classes as identified in the study. This will allow for testing of the various management options for sustainable rice production in each of the suitability classes. The outcome of this study is important for policy makers and planners for efficient rice production.
Pain management in polycystic kidney disease. Pain is a common complaint in patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease, and a systematic approach is needed to differentiate the ...etiology of the pain and define an approach to management. A thorough history is the best clue to the multifactorial causes of the pain, superimposed upon an understanding of the complex innervation network that supplies the kidneys. The appropriate use of diagnostic radiology (especially MRI) will assist in differentiating the mechanical low back pain caused by cyst enlargement, cyst rupture and cyst infection. Also, the increased incidence of uric acid nephrolithiasis as a factor in producing renal colic must be considered when evaluating acute pain in the population at risk. MRI is not a good technique to detect renal calculi, a frequent cause of pain in polycystic kidney disease. If stone disease is a possibility, then abdominal CT scan and/or ultrasound should be the method of radiologic investigation. Pain management is generally not approached in a systematic way in clinical practice because most physicians lack training in the principles of pain management. The first impulse to give narcotics for pain relief must be avoided. Since chronic pain cannot be “cured,” an approach must include techniques that allow the patient to adapt to chronic pain so as to limit interference with their life style. A detailed stepwise approach for acute and chronic pain strategies for the patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is outlined.
Forests represent an important role in the control of atmospheric emissions through carbon capture. However, in forest fires, the carbon stored during photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere. ...The carbon quantification, in forest burning, is important for the development of measures for its control. The aim of this study was to quantify CO2 and CO emissions of forest fires in Western Amazonia. In this paper, results are described of forest fire experiments conducted in Cruzeiro do Sul and Rio Branco, state of Acre, and Candeias do Jamari, state of Rondônia, Brazil. These cities are located in the Western portion of the Brazilian Amazon region. The biomass content per hectare, in the virgin forest, was measured by indirect methods using formulas with parameters of forest inventories in the central hectare of the test site. The combustion completeness was estimated by randomly selecting 10% of the total logs and twelve 2 × 2 m2 areas along three transects and examining their consumption rates by the fire. The logs were used to determine the combustion completeness of the larger materials (characteristic diameters larger than 10 cm) and the 2 × 2 m2 areas to determine the combustion completeness of small-size materials (those with characteristic diameters lower than 10 cm) and the. The overall biomass consumption by fire was estimated to be 40.0%, 41.2% and 26.2%, in Cruzeiro do Sul, Rio Branco and Candeias do Jamari, respectively. Considering that the combustion gases of carbon in open fires contain approximately 90.0% of CO2 and 10.0% of CO in volumetric basis, the average emission rates of these gases by the burning process, in the three sites, were estimated as 191 ± 46.7 t ha−1 and 13.5 ± 3.3 t ha−1, respectively.
Display omitted
•Carbon emission of a major Amazonian forest fire experiments.•Biomass consumption of different biomass size materials.•Biomass consumption as function of deforested area.
D. C. Poole, T. I. Musch and C. A. Kindig
Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-5602, USA.
As muscles are stretched, blood flow and oxygen delivery are compromised,
and ...consequently muscle function is impaired. We tested the hypothesis that
the structural microvascular sequellae associated with muscle extension in
vivo would impair capillary red blood cell hemodynamics. We developed an
intravital spinotrapezius preparation that facilitated direct on-line
measurement and alteration of sarcomere length simultaneously with
determination of capillary geometry and red blood cell flow dynamics. The
range of spinotrapezius sarcomere lengths achievable in vivo was 2.17 +/-
0.05 to 3.13 +/- 0.11 microns. Capillary tortuosity decreased
systematically with increases of sarcomere length up to 2.6 microns, at
which point most capillaries appeared to be highly oriented along the fiber
longitudinal axis. Further increases in sarcomere length above this value
reduced mean capillary diameter from 5.61 +/- 0.03 microns at 2.4-2.6
microns sarcomere length to 4.12 +/- 0.05 microns at 3.2-3.4 microns
sarcomere length. Over the range of physiological sarcomere lengths, bulk
blood flow (radioactive microspheres) decreased approximately 40% from 24.3
+/- 7.5 to 14.5 +/- 4.6 ml.100 g-1.min-1. The proportion of continuously
perfused capillaries, i.e., those with continuous flow throughout the 60-s
observation period, decreased from 95.9 +/- 0.6% at the shortest sarcomere
lengths to 56.5 +/- 0.7% at the longest sarcomere lengths and was
correlated significantly with the reduced capillary diameter (r = 0.711, P
< 0.01; n = 18). We conclude that alterations in capillary geometry and
luminal diameter consequent to increased muscle sarcomere length are
associated with a reduction in mean capillary red blood cell velocity and a
greater proportion of capillaries in which red blood cell flow is stopped
or intermittent. Thus not only does muscle stretching reduce bulk blood
(and oxygen) delivery, it also alters capillary red blood cell flow
dynamics, which may further impair blood-tissue oxygen exchange.
Marijuana and many of its constituent cannabinoids influence the central nervous system (CNS) in a complex and dose-dependent manner. Although CNS depression and analgesia are well documented effects ...of the cannabinoids, the mechanisms responsible for these and other cannabinoid-induced effects are not so far known. The hydrophobic nature of these substances has suggested that cannabinoids resemble anaesthetic agents in their action, that is, they nonspecifically disrupt cellular membranes. Recent evidence, however, has supported a mechanism involving a G protein-coupled receptor found in brain and neural cell lines, and which inhibits adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent, stereoselective and pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. Also, the receptor is more responsive to psychoactive cannabinoids than to non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Here we report the cloning and expression of a complementary DNA that encodes a G protein-coupled receptor with all of these properties. Its messenger RNA is found in cell lines and regions of the brain that have cannabinoid receptors. These findings suggest that this protein is involved in cannabinoid-induced CNS effects (including alterations in mood and cognition) experienced by users of marijuana.
This study investigated food security governance in relation to taming the endemic starvation for peace and sustainable development in Africa. Food and nutrition security remain a multi-dimensional ...concept to ensure sustainability of the food system by 2030. It is a prerequisite to meaningful development as starving people are not capable of learning, innovating, nor prioritizing sustainable development. The COVID-19 preventive measures such as lockdowns and curfews, and persistent conflict in Africa, plunged deteriorating food insecurity into steep descent that necessitates collaborative efforts and partnerships to change the trajectory. The partnerships will restore livelihoods, and eliminate starvation, disease, abject poverty, wars and eventually restore peace. Data for the study were collected through systematic review of scholarly reviewed publications obtained from Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) database, University of Nairobi and Google search engines. The objectives of this paper, therefore, are to analyse underlying causes of persistent starvation in Africa, examine the factors that contribute to food security issues degenerating into conflict, and highlight the role of governance in finding lasting solutions to persistent starvation in the continent. However, it was revealed that, there is congruence that conflict and disease (COVID-19) may require more attention, with unanimous calls for the adoption of multilateralism in food governance as strategy to handle the nexus issues on food, water, energy, climate, economy, conflict and disease. Attention is also required to be focused on innovations supporting small-scale farmers, especially women farmers who are the most vulnerable, to benefit from autonomous measures (such as climate-smart agriculture practices) and adaptation to climate extremes. Conclusions are drawn on the best possible strategies available to mitigate endemic starvation in Africa, the urgent need for joint efforts to eliminate conflict –induced food insecurity, and emphasis on a systems approach to tackle nexus issues (Food-Water-Energy-Climate-Economy-Conflict and Disease) to ensure sustainable development. Key words: Food security, Starvation, Conflict, Peace, Sustainable development, Africa
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