Ad libitum ice slurry ingestion and half-marathon performance in a hot environment: A study comparing the effects of the amount and moment of ingestion between ice slurry and water at 37 °C.

Ice slurry ingestion during prolonged exercises may improve performance in hot environments; however, the ideal amount and timing of ingestion are still uncertain. We determined whether ad libitum ice slurry ingestion influences physiological and perceptual variables and half-marathon performance while comparing the effects of the amount and moment of ingestion between ice slurry and water at 37 °C. Ten trained participants (28 ± 2 years; mean and SD) were required to run two half marathons while consuming either ice slurry (-1 °C; Ad-1) or water (37 °C; 37 CE) ad libitum. They then performed two other half marathons where, during one, they were required to ingest an amount of water equivalent to the amount consumed during the Ad-1 trial (Pro37), and in the other, to ingest ice slurry in the amount consumed during the 37 CE trial (Pro-1). During the half marathons, dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity were controlled at 33.1 ± 0.3 °C and 60 ± 3%, respectively. Ad-1 ingestion (349.6 ± 58.5 g) was 45% less than 37 CE ingestion (635.5 ± 135.8 g). Physical performance, heart rate, perceived exertion, body temperatures, and thermal perception were not influenced by the temperature or amount of beverage ingestion. However, a secondary analysis suggested that lower beverage ingestion was associated with improved performance (Ad-1 + Pro37 vs. 37 CE + Pro-1: -4.0 min, Cohen's d = 0.39), with a significant relationship between lower beverage ingestion and faster running time (b = 0.02, t = 4.01, p < 0.001). In conclusion, ice slurry ingestion does not affect performance or physiological or perceptual variables during a half marathon in a hot environment. Preliminary evidence suggests that lower beverage ingestion (ice slurry or warm water) is associated with improved performance compared to higher ingestion.

Thoracoscopy Approach in Prone Position for Esophagoplasty in Children.

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a very rare clinical condition found in 1 per 25,000 to 50,000 live births. There are three histological types of CES described: tracheobronchial remnants, fibromuscular stenosis (FMS), and membranous stenosis. The first-line treatment in most cases is the conservative treatment (dilatation with a Savary bougie or balloon), but in some CES types, dilatation may be ineffective or result in esophageal perforation with serious complications or lethal outcome. Resection of the stenotic segment and end-to-end esophageal anastomosis was formerly presented as the most common surgical treatment option for CES. However, esophagoplasty is a safe and feasible alternative for surgical treatment of esophageal stenosis in children. Our aim is to report two cases of FMS submitted to thoracoscopic esophagoplasty. Both cases started with dysphagia and refusal after transition to solid diet, at 6 months old, and the radiological examination showed stricture of the distal esophagus. Esophagoplasty was performed with the patients in prone position. The stenotic esophageal wall was incised longitudinally and transverse synthesis was performed. After surgery, the patients had prompt recovery, without recurrent stenosis, remaining asymptomatic, with good diet acceptance.

Hematological and biometric traits of tuvira Gymnotus inaequilabiatus (Valenciennes, 1839) (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae) from the Brazilian Pantanal

ABSTRACT This study describes the hematological and biometric characteristics of male and female Gymnotus species from the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Fifty adult specimens of Gymnotus inaequilabiatus were weighed, measured, and then euthanized. Blood was collected by puncturing the celiac mesenteric vein to determine the hematocrit, hemoglobin content, number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, glucose level, absolute value of leukocytes, and relative value of leukocytes and thrombocytes. Body weight and relative condition factor did not differ (P > 0.05) between the sexes, as well as erythrogram and the blood glucose values. Hematocrit ranged from 18.0% to 54.0%; hemoglobin from 1.1 to 14.7 g dL-1; number of erythrocytes from 0.2 × 106 to 3.8 ×106 µL-1; MCV from 24.2 to 321.7 fL; and MCHC from 4.2 to 44.5 g dL-1. In the differential count were identified thrombocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, immature leukocytes, and PAS-positive granular leukocyte (PAS-GL). Females had a higher percentage of immature leukocytes (P < 0.05) than males. Glucose levels, erythrogram, leukogram, and the morphology of defense cells are comparable to other fish species of the Pantanal. Thrombocytes were the most frequent defense cells, followed by lymphocytes and neutrophils.

Hematological and biometric traits of tuvira Gymnotus inaequilabiatus (Valenciennes, 1839) (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae) from the Brazilian Pantanal.

This study describes the hematological and biometric characteristics of male and female Gymnotus species from the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Fifty adult specimens of Gymnotus inaequilabiatus were weighed, measured, and then euthanized. Blood was collected by puncturing the celiac mesenteric vein to determine the hematocrit, hemoglobin content, number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, glucose level, absolute value of leukocytes, and relative value of leukocytes and thrombocytes. Body weight and relative condition factor did not differ (P > 0.05) between the sexes, as well as erythrogram and the blood glucose values. Hematocrit ranged from 18.0% to 54.0%; hemoglobin from 1.1 to 14.7 g dL-1; number of erythrocytes from 0.2 × 106 to 3.8 ×106 µL-1; MCV from 24.2 to 321.7 fL; and MCHC from 4.2 to 44.5 g dL-1. In the differential count were identified thrombocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, basophils, immature leukocytes, and PAS-positive granular leukocyte (PAS-GL). Females had a higher percentage of immature leukocytes (P < 0.05) than males. Glucose levels, erythrogram, leukogram, and the morphology of defense cells are comparable to other fish species of the Pantanal. Thrombocytes were the most frequent defense cells, followed by lymphocytes and neutrophils.