Purpose
The purpose was to test the hypothesis that sex and fatigue effect of the early phase of skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation (StO
2
, %) desaturation rate as well as that strength matched ...adults may exhibit similar responses.
Methods
Twenty-four adults visited the laboratory twice to quantify this early phase of desaturation during vascular occlusion tests (VOT) while in a rested state. The second visit included a sustained handgrip task at 25% of maximal muscular strength until task failure. At failure, a post-task VOT was initiated. Muscle desaturation was defined as StO
2
and collected by a near-infrared spectroscopy device. The muscle size and adipose thickness were determined via ultrasonography. Linear regression was used to quantify the rates of desaturation during the VOTs as well as during the fatiguing handgrip.
Results
There were sex differences in the rate of desaturation pre- and post-handgrip, such that independent of fatigue, the men (
p
< 0.001) desaturated more rapidly than the women (pre:
b
= − 0.208 vs. − 0.123%∙s
−1
; post: − 0.079 vs. − 0.070%∙s
−1
). During the fatiguing handgrip, the transformed StO
2
values indicated that the males desaturated more rapidly than the females (
b
= − 0.070 vs. − 0.015). The matched pairs exhibited the same responses as the total sample.
Conclusion
Overall, muscle size and strength as well as adipose tissue were likely not the primary cause of the differences in rates of muscle desaturation. We hypothesized that differences in fiber type and mitochondria were the principle mechanisms provoking the differences in muscle oxygenation.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon (CSCC) is a rare subtype of colon cancer. This study aimed to evaluate treatment strategies and overall survival (OS).
Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and ...End Results program database from 2008 to 2019, patients aged 18 years with CSCC were identified. Treatment strategies and OS were summarized using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model ratios were calculated to evaluate the effect of confounding variables.
After exclusions, 153 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common treatment modalities included surgery alone (52.1%), surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy (12.9%), and no treatment (26.4%). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients who underwent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy had significant improvements in OS (log-rank P = .002). Cox regression analysis revealed tumor grade (hazard ratio HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.17–3.86) and receipt of chemotherapy (HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.23–5.76) as the only factors associated with improvements in OS.
Patients who underwent surgery in combination with chemotherapy had better OS than those who underwent surgery alone. Tumor grade and receipt of chemotherapy were independently associated with OS.
Recently published work has reported the development and application of a bottom-up proteomic approach to distinguish between human and animal blood (down to animal species level), by rapid screening ...using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (MALDI MS). In that study, it was additionally observed that intravenous animal blood exhibits different spectral profiles from blood collected within the animal chest cavity as well as from the diluted blood collected within packets of meat. In this follow-up study we explored the resulting hypothesis that, depending on how blood is shed or collected, protein biomarker profiles vary to the extent of systematically permitting a distinction between possible sources of blood (for example, flesh wound versus packaged meat). This intelligence may be important in reconstructing the dynamics of the crime. The combination of statistical analysis and tandem mass spectrometry has yielded additional animal blood markers as well as confirming the ability to correctly determine the animal species from which blood derived, regardless of the retailer selling it (amongst the five investigated). These data confirm the initial hypothesis and demonstrate the opportunity for the proteomics-MALDI combined approach to provide additional intelligence to the investigation of violent crimes when examining blood evidence.
There is a need in surgical oncology for contrast agents that can enable real-time intraoperative visualization of solid tumors that can enable complete resections while sparing normal surrounding ...tissues. The Tumor Paint agent BLZ-100 is a peptide-fluorophore conjugate that can specifically bind solid tumors and fluoresce in the near-infrared range, minimizing light scatter and signal attenuation. In this study, we provide a preclinical proof of concept for use of this imaging contrast agent as administered before surgery to dogs with a variety of naturally occurring spontaneous tumors. Imaging was performed on excised tissues as well as intraoperatively in a subset of cases. Actionable contrast was achieved between tumor tissue and surrounding normal tissues in adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, mast cell tumors, and soft tissue sarcomas. Subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas were labeled with the highest fluorescence intensity and greatest tumor-to-background signal ratio. Our results establish a foundation that rationalizes clinical studies in humans with soft tissue sarcoma, an indication with a notably high unmet need.
Women exhibit an attenuated exercise pressor reflex (EPR) when compared to men. The influence of sex-specific mechanisms related to the EPR and performance fatigability remain to be fully elucidated. ...The purpose was to determine the impact of oxygenation and metabolic efficiency on sex-specific performance fatigability and increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) resulting from a fatiguing isometric handgrip (IHG). Twenty-four adults volunteered to perform an IHG at 25% at maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs). Pre- and posttest MVICs were conducted to quantify performance fatigability. MAP was collected at 3 timepoints. A near-infrared spectroscopy device was attached to the forearm to derive the following signals: oxyhaem, deoxyhaem, totalhaem, and diffhaem. These values were normalized and examined across time in 5% segments of time-to-task-failure. Metabolic efficiency was defined as the ratio force:deoxyhaem. During the IHG, there was a decline in oxyhaem for the men (b = -0.075), whereas the women demonstrated an increase (b = 0.117). For the men, the diffhaem tracked the mean oxyhaem response, but there was no change for the women. The men exhibited greater declines in metabolic efficiency, yet there were no sex differences in PF (46.6 ± 9.7% vs. 45.5 ± 14.2%). For relative MAP, the men (24.5 ± 15.1%) exhibited a greater (p = .03) increase than the women (11.0 ± 17.6%). These results indicated the EPR was more prominent for the men, perhaps due to differences in mechanical stimuli and a lack of ability to maintain metabolic efficiency. However, these physiological differences did not induce a sex difference in performance fatigability.
Key Clinical Message
Acquired factor VIII inhibitors can be a rare cause of extensive intramuscular bleeding requiring fasciotomy. The subsequent postoperative period requires close monitoring due to ...high risk of fatal blood loss.
Acquired factor VIII inhibitors are a rare cause of often extensive bleeding and subsequently large hematomas. This disorder's overall mortality can reach 38%, largely due to immunosuppression and subsequent infections or an underlying cause such as malignancy. The patient in this case study presented with a hematoma and extensive ecchymosis of the hand and forearm, which continued to progress, precipitating compartment syndrome of the hand and forearm and ultimately requiring fasciotomy. The combination of factors led to significant blood loss in the postoperative period requiring major fluid resuscitation and intensive care unit (ICU) level care. Due to this disorder's rarity and overall mortality, we present this case report with a literature review for management of acquired hemophilia in the setting of urgent fasciotomy.
Trending the hemoglobin levels over the hospital course of a patient presenting with Acquired Hemophilia A who developed compartment syndrome secondary to intramuscular bleeding with subsequent emergent fasciotomy performed.
Objective
To evaluate whether formality of introduction differed between male vs female speakers at the 2018 American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) scientific meeting and identify other ...variables that predisposed introducers or chairs to informal introduction.
Study design
Observational study.
Sample population
Thirteen session chairs introducing 68 lectures (41 by females, 27 by males) by 63 speakers.
Methods
Observers recorded the session introducer, speaker, and whether speakers were introduced with a formal or informal title. Information evaluated included type of oral presentation; introducer gender, year, and country of graduation from veterinary school; speaker gender; whether the speaker was a resident; and speaker's year of graduation.
Results
Female speakers were introduced by their first name in 9 of 41 introductions compared to in 1 of 27 introductions for male speakers. This difference reached statistical significance when data independence was assumed (P = .043); however, this significance was narrowly lost when data clustering on session introducer was controlled for (P = .067).
Conclusion
In this study, female speakers were more likely than male speakers to be introduced by their first and last names rather than with their professional title at a recent ACVS scientific meeting.
Impact: Additional research is required to determine the effect of this type of subordinate language and gender bias in veterinary surgery.
Progressive disease is common following anal sacculectomy for apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA); additional therapy may prolong survival. Adherence to medical recommendations ...influences therapeutic success in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence to follow‐up recommendations in dogs with AGASACA. Medical records of patients that underwent anal sacculectomy for AGASACA, with or without iliosacral lymphadenectomy, between July 2015 and July 2018, were reviewed at eight referral institutions to assess post‐operative recommendations and owner adherence to recommendations. One hundred and seventy‐four dogs were included, of which 162 underwent unilateral anal sacculectomy, 12 underwent bilateral anal sacculectomy and 39 underwent concurrent iliosacral lymphadenectomy. Seventy‐six owners (44%) received recommendations for staging at the time of discharge, histopathology results or at the first follow‐up visit. One hundred and forty owners (80%) received recommendations for treatment following the initial surgery. Fifty of seventy‐six (66%) owners pursued at least one staging recommendation and 69 of 140 (49%) owners pursued some kind of adjuvant treatment recommendation. Overall, 16 of 76 (21%) were adherent to staging recommendations with 20 adherent for the first year following surgery (26%). Forty‐seven of 140 (34%) were adherent to treatment recommendations with 54 (39%) adherent for the first year. Owners that were adherent to restaging recommendations at 1 year following surgery were significantly more likely to pursue treatment for progressive disease (P = .014). Further work is required to assess owner motivation and evaluate strategies to improve adherence, given the potential impact on patient treatment.
Objective
Evaluate the effect of peritoneal lift location and tensile force on peritoneal volume.
Study Design
Complete randomized block design.
Animals
Eleven fresh canine cadavers.
Methods
Cadavers ...underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans after each treatment; 1) no lift, 2) umbilical lift with 15% body weight (BW) tension, 3) umbilical lift with 20% BW, 4) umbilical lift with 25% BW, 5) caudal lift with 15% BW, and 6) both umbilical and caudal lift with 15% BW shared equally between devices (dual lift). Isobaric pneumoperitoneal volume, instrument working distances, and transverse measures were calculated and normalized for each dog and compared across treatments.
Results
Increasing tensile force created a correspondingly larger pneumoperitoneal volume for the umbilical lift (0.34–0.40 total abdominal volume). Dual lifting created a larger pneumoperitoneal volume than either location alone at the same tension (0.39 total abdominal volume). Increasing lift tensions increased working distances, except to caudal abdominal structures. Increasing lift tensions at the umbilical location reduced the transverse diameter of the abdomen at the level of the kidney (0.92–0.86 total abdominal volume) and increased the transverse diameter at the midperitoneum (1.0–1.05 total abdominal volume).
Conclusions
Larger isobaric penumoperitoneal volumes are produced with increased tensile force, or with dual lifting at lower force. A caudal lift leads to a small pneumoperitoneal volume but equivalent working space to caudal abdominal structures. Using an umbilical lift with moderate tensile force is preferable, providing good visualization and working space. Caudal lifting may be utilized to access caudal abdominal structures.
Lentiviruses have recently attracted considerable interest for their potential as a genetic modification tool for dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we explore the ability of lentiviruses ...enveloped with alphaviral envelope glycoproteins derived from Semliki Forest virus (SFV) to mediate transduction of DCs. We found that SFV glycoprotein (SFV-G)-pseudotyped lentiviruses use C-type lectins (DC-SIGN and L-SIGN) as attachment factors for transduction of DCs. Importantly, SFV-G pseudotypes appear to have enhanced transduction towards C-type lectin-expressing cells when produced under conditions limiting glycosylation to simple high-mannose, N-linked glycans. These results, in addition to the natural DC tropism of SFV-G, offer evidence to support the use of SFV-G-bearing lentiviruses to genetically modify DCs for the study of DC biology and DC-based immunotherapy.
PDF
