Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of Plant Intake in Laying Hens: n-Alkanes as Predictive Fecal Markers for Dietary Composition Assessment.

The shift in animal welfare standards towards free-range housing for laying hens in the EU has raised questions about changes in dietary composition. Accurate assessment of outdoor plant material intake is crucial for effective feeding strategies. This study introduces an approach using n-alkanes as markers to determine plant intake in laying hens, involving n-alkane recovery rate assessment, discriminant analysis and linear equation-solving for both qualitative and quantitative assessment, respectively, considering systematic n-alkane combinations. Two diets: a standard commercial diet and a diet incorporating 1% alfalfa were tested. Chemical analyses showed an altered n-alkane profile due to alfalfa inclusion, resulting a recovery rates ranging from 30-44% depending on the n-alkane type and diet. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in recovery rates among the different alkanes for the same diets and between the diets for the same alkane, together with an interaction between n-alkane carbon chain length and initial concentration in the diet. The method accurately predicted plant inclusion, with a slight overestimation (2.80%) using the combination C25-C29-C33. Accurate qualitative classification of the animals based on fecal n-alkanes profiles was observed. The study successfully demonstrated the utility of n-alkanes for estimating dietary composition, providing a non-invasive approach for future free-range studies.

Assessment of buccal mucosa genotoxicity in insecticide-exposed urban fumigators in Cali, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate cytogenetic damage in the buccal mucosa of non-exposed subjects (N = 33) and insecticide-exposed fumigators (N = 31) in the urban area of Cali, Colombia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through a questionnaire sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, state of health, and lifestyle were collected. Buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay was using for evaluate cytogenetic damage. RESULTS: The study showed that all fumigators used adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and had low alcohol consumption. The authors did not find significant differences in BMCyt biomarkers between the groups (p > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed a 13% increase in micronucleus (MN) frequency for every year of increasing age (OR = 1.13, p = 0.029), and higher MN with the decrease in daily fruit consumption (OR = 4.71, p = 0.084), without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The results between groups could be related to healthy habits and PPE use among the subjects. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):128-37.

A framework for addressing health inequities in sexual and gender diverse populations by nurses.

There is a need to increase health equity in sexual and gender diverse (SGD) populations, a medically underserved group with widening health disparities. To better understand and address SGD health disparities, we have developed a multi-level conceptual framework for nurse scientists that incorporates the concepts of stigma, intersectionality, identify affirmation, and life course trajectory. Social determinants of health formed the background of our conceptual framework. Using this framework, we proposed recommendations to promote SGD health equity through nursing research, health care practice, health care education, and public health care policy. These recommendations align with the National Institute of Nursing Research's goals of dismantling structures that perpetuate racism and impede health inequity and the need to implement interventions that address social determinants of health. As a result, nurse scientists are poised to influence health care policy by translating effective interventions to reduce health disparities for the SGD population into practice.

Metabolic status is related to the effects of adding of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil on postprandial inflammation and lipid profile: Randomized, crossover clinical trial.

Sacha inchi oil (SIO) is an attractive source of polyunsaturated acids oil. A randomized crossover clinical trial was done to evaluate SIO effects on postprandial lipids and inflammatory state caused by a high-fat intake. Twenty metabolically healthy (MH) and 22 metabolically unhealthy (MU) subjects consumed a high-fat breakfast alone or supplemented with SIO. The biomarkers were measured in serum upon fasting, and after 1 and 4 hrs after breakfast. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression was determined in mononuclear cells. In the MH group, SIO reversed the cholesterol increase [iAUCHFM : 0.27 mmol/L/4 h (IQR: -0.07/0.81); iAUCHFM+S : -0.18 mmol/L/4 h (IQR: -0.49/0.31) p = 0.037] and decreased interleukin-6 concentration. In MU group, SIO attenuated lipopolysaccharides increase and interleukin-6 expression [(FCHFM  = -1.19 (IQR: -1.72/1.93) and FCHFM+S  = -1.83 (IQR: -4,82/-0.01), p = 0.017]. The effects of a high-fat meal on postprandial lipids and inflammation could be modified by the addition of SIO, but the outcomes are depending on the metabolic individual status. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The seeds of Plukenetia volubilis L., also known as Sacha inchi, Sacha peanut or Inca peanut are an attractive vegetable source of oil which includes a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the intake of Sacha inchi oil could improve the postprandial responses of a high-fat intake, and could be able to help to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Our results contribute to know the effects of this oil on postprandial inflammation and lipids. In addition, establishing how a person's basal metabolic status can determinate the metabolic response to this oil can help improve its use, and our results add evidence about the role of nutrition and diet in health and disease. At this time, the cultivation of Sacha inchi is being proposed as an agro-industrial alternative for the improvement of quality of living in Colombian rural areas.

The NT-ProBNP Test in Subjects with End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis Presenting with Acute Dyspnea: Is Knowing Worth the Cost?

Background. The NT-ProBNP/BNP test has been validated as a marker for determining the etiology of acute dyspnea. In the setting of end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (ESRD on HD), the utility of the NT-ProBNP/BNP test has not been validated. This study examines the clinical utility of the NT-ProBNP test in the setting of ESRD on HD patients presenting with acute dyspnea. Methods. A retrospective case series of 250 subjects were admitted to Cooper University Hospital, 07/2010-03/2011, with ESRD and HD presenting with dyspnea. The incidences of echocardiography, cardiology consultation, and NT-ProBNP elevated and normal were examined. Correlation coefficients were calculated for NT-ProBNP with age (years), estimated dry weight (kg), amount of fluid removed (L), and ejection fraction (EF in %) among other echocardiography parameters. Results. Of the total sample 235 patients had NT-ProBNP levels performed. Cardiology consults were placed in 68.8% and 58% who underwent echocardiography. Of those for whom an echocardiography was performed estimated mean EFs of 54.6%, 50.8%, and 61.7% were observed among the NT-ProBNP elevated group, normal group, and no NT-ProBNP group, respectively. No differences were detected in all other echocardiography measurements. No correlation was observed between NT-ProBNP and age (r = 0.05), baseline EDW (r = -0.09), amount of fluid removed (r = 0.07), or EF (r = 0.02). Conclusion. In the setting of ESRD on HD, the NT-ProBNP test has no clinical utility in determining the etiology of acute dyspnea. This can be demonstrated through echocardiographic and therapeutic parameters measured in this study.

[Direct cost of spinal cord injuries]. / Costo directo de las lesiones en la columna.

BACKGROUND: High prevalence and high costs in the treatment of spine injuries make a cost study necessary. The objective of this paper is to analyze, from the economic point of view, the behavior of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal pathologies in relation to hospital stay. METHODS: Analysis of economic cost per hospital stay (January 2000 to May 2010). RESULTS: 4,173 cases studied, 45% women and 55% men, predominantly elderly and a mean age of 48.9, standard deviation 16.8 years, with a notable increase in hospital expenses in prevalence and peak months: January, February and April; and a decrease in July, October and December. Total expenses for hospital stay were estimated as $85,565,288.00. Traumatic entities consumed $40,404,477.00, and degenerative $21,866,815.00. The months of highest spending were: April, $11,072,683.00, December, $8,423,773.00 and February $8,154,152.00; whereas July showed the lowest spending: $4,874,261.00. Inflation up to July 2011 remained at 3.55% on average, down 2.98 percentage points from 2008 figures. DISCUSSION: there is a clear increase in spending connected with spine condition treatment at hospitals, in particular those resulting from traumatic events. The definition of risk groups for preventive measures is also reflected in the spending records. Spending on hospital treatment of spinal conditions of the elderly reflects an increment in degenerative conditions. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to plan a timely resource distribution by month and year in order to achieve a better and more efficient scheme for health services. The epidemiological basis for the reorientation of the current models is now clear.

Usability evaluation of the interactive Personal Patient Profile-Prostate decision support system with African American men.

BACKGROUND: The Personal Patient Profile-Prostate (P4) program is an interactive Web-based decision support system that provides men with localized prostate cancer customized education and coaching with which to make the best personal treatment decision. This study assessed functionality and usability of the P4 program and identified problems in user-computer interaction in a sample of African American men. METHODS: Usability testing was conducted with 12 community-dwelling African American adult men. The health status of participants was not known or collected by the research team. Each participant worked with the P4 program and provided simultaneous feedback using the "think aloud" technique. Handwritten field notes were collated and assigned to 3 standard coded categories. Aspects of P4 program usability was made based on common issues in the assigned categories. Summary statistics were derived for types and frequency of usability issues noted in the coded data. RESULTS: Twelve participants reported a total of 122 usability comments, with a mean of 9 usability comments. The most common usability issue by participant was completeness of information content, which comprised 53 (43%) of the total issues. Comprehensibility of text and graphics was second, comprising 51 (42%) of the total issues. CONCLUSION: This study provided initial inventory of usability issues for community African American men that may potentially interfere with application of the P4 system in the community setting and overall system usability, confirming the need for usability testing of a culturally appropriate Internet-based decision support system before community application.

Islet graft assessment in the Edmonton Protocol: implications for predicting long-term clinical outcome.

The success of the Edmonton Protocol for islet transplantation has provided new hope in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. This study reports on the assessment of 83 human islet grafts transplanted using the Edmonton Protocol since 1999. Cellular composition, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, showed a lower islet purity (approximately 40%) than has been reported in previous studies using dithizone staining to quantitate islet equivalents. Furthermore, grafts were found to contain substantial populations of exocrine and ductal tissue. Total cellular insulin transplanted was 8,097.6 +/- 3,164.4 microg/patient, and was significantly lower in bottom gradient layer grafts than top gradient layer or whole/combined grafts (P < 0.0005). A static incubation test for islet function gave a stimulation index of 3-4, although this measure did not correlate with posttransplant metabolic outcome. Furthermore, we confirmed a previously reported trend in which donor age affects islet yield and purity. It is important to note that a significant positive correlation was observed between the number of islet progenitor (ductal-epithelial) cells transplanted and long-term metabolic success as assessed an by intravenous glucose tolerance test at approximately 2 years posttransplant. In summary, careful assessment of islet graft composition is needed in a clinical transplantation program to accurately estimate islet purity and assess the contribution of other cell types present, such as islet progenitor cells.

Color M-mode flow propagation velocity versus conventional Doppler indices in the assessment of diastolic left ventricular function in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Color M-mode flow propagation velocity (Vp) has been reported as a preload-independent measure of diastolic function. To study the effects of loading conditions on diastolic function assessment in patients on chronic hemodialysis, we measured Vp and conventional Doppler indices pre- and posthemodialysis. METHODS: Twenty hemodialysis patients with normal systolic function underwent measurement of Vp, early filling velocity (E), its deceleration time (DT), atrial contraction velocity (A), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), and pulmonary atrial flow reversal velocity (PFR) pre- and posthemodialysis. Twelve healthy controls underwent these same measurements. RESULTS: Hemodialysis patients had significantly slower Vp at baseline than normal controls, while E/A, DT, IVRT, and pulmonary flow reversal were not significantly different. E, IVRT, and PFR were affected by hemodialysis, while color M-mode flow propagation velocities, A, and DT were not. CONCLUSION: Color M-mode flow propagation velocity seems to be a preload-independent measure of diastolic function in chronic hemodialysis patients in whom isolated diastolic dysfunction appears prevalent.

La ecocardiografía en la valoración y seguimiento pre y postoperatorio de la insuficiencia aórtica crónica / Echocardiography in the evaluation and pre and post-operative follow-up of chronic aortic insufficiency

En la insuficiencia aórtica crónica (IAoC) es difícil precisar el momento en que la sobrecarga volumétrica determina el deterioro miocárdico que desencadena los síntomas. A través de la comparación pre y postoperatoria se pretende conocer la utilidad de la ecocardiografía para definir el momento operatorio de la IAoC. Se estudian 13 pacientes con IAoC (con gradiente sistólico ventrículo - aorta menor de 20 mmHg), operados para substitución valvular aórtica y con seguimiento promedio de 13.7 meses. Dos pacientes fallecieron en el postoperatorio inmediato. Todos los restantes mostraron disminución de la cardiomegalia y pasaron a clase funcional I. El ecocardiograma mostró en el postoperatorio, reducción significativa (P<0,01) de los diámetros del ventrículo izquierdo y aumento de la fracción de expulsión (P<0.05). El acortamiento fraccional (AF) y la velocidad media de acortamiento circunferencial no mostraron cambios significativos. El índice diámetro sistólico final sobre velocidad normalizada de la pared posterior (DSF/VNPP) disminuyó significativamente y la velocidad media de relajación circunferencial (VMRC) aumentó (P<0.001) después del tratamiento quirúrgico. En el preoperatorio el DSF/VNPP y la VMRC tuvieron buena correlación con la presión diastólica final del ventrículo izquierdo (r=0.891 y -0.885 respectivamente). No se observó diferencia en la evolución de los pacientes con AF disminuído. Se concluye que el índice DSF/VNPP y la VMRC permiten tener una mejor valoración del volumen residual, de la ley de Frank-Starling y de la distensibilidad como expresiones de la función ventricular y ambos son útiles para precisar el momento en que es conveniente el cateterismo preoperatorio de los pacientes con IAoC

Valoracion de la funcion miocardica por metodos externos de pacientes jovenes candidatos a substitucion protesica valvular mitral. / Evaluation of the miocardial function by external methods in young patients candidates for mitral valve replacement

En el Instituto Nacional de Pediatria DIF, se estudiaron 16 pacientes con substitucion protesica de la valvula mitral y evolucion postoperatoria de mas de 1 ano hasta dos y medio anos, para analizar la utilidad de los parametros fonomecanocardiograficos (FMCG) de valoracion de las presiones capilar y arterial pulmonar, asi como los indices de apreciacion del estado funcional del ventriculo izquierdo. Comparados los valores obtenidos por cateterismo y por FMCG se demuestra que estos ultimos son confiables (r=0.87, P < 0.01). Se observo disminucion post operatoria significativa de la presion arterial pulmonar (P < 0.01) y de la presion capilar pulmonar (P < 0.05). Los indices de funcion ventricular estuvieron dentro de lo normal en el pre-operatorio y se mantuvieron dentro de esos limites en el postoperatorio.Ademas, se observo mejoria clinica de todos los pacientes. Se concluye que el FMCG es util en el seguimiento pre y post operatorio de los pacientes con protesis valvular mitral; en especial en el estudio de la funcion ventricular, ya que la normalidad de estos parametros es un requisito indispensable para la indicacion operatoria