-
Journal of the American Veterinary... Nov 2023Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains a disease with little therapeutic advancement. Rapamycin modulates the mTOR pathway, preventing and reversing cardiac...
OBJECTIVE
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) remains a disease with little therapeutic advancement. Rapamycin modulates the mTOR pathway, preventing and reversing cardiac hypertrophy in rodent disease models. Its use in human renal allograft patients is associated with reduced cardiac wall thickness. We sought to evaluate the effects of once-weekly delayed-release (DR) rapamycin over 6 months on echocardiographic, biochemical, and biomarker responses in cats with subclinical, nonobstructive HCM.
ANIMALS
43 client-owned cats with subclinical HCM.
METHODS
Cats enrolled in this double-blinded, multicentered, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trial were allocated to low- or high-dose DR rapamycin or placebo. Cats underwent physical examination, quality-of-life assessment, blood pressure, hematology, biochemistry, total T4, urinalysis, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and cardiac troponin I at baseline and days 60, 120, and 180. Fructosamine was analyzed at screening and day 180. Echocardiograms were performed at all time points excluding day 120. Outcome variables were compared using a repeated measures ANCOVA.
RESULTS
No demographic, echocardiographic, or clinicopathologic values were significantly different between study groups at baseline, confirming successful randomization. At day 180, the primary study outcome variable, maximum LV myocardial wall thickness at any location, was significantly lower in the low-dose DR rapamycin group compared to placebo (P = .01). Oral DR rapamycin was well tolerated with no significant differences in adverse events between groups.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Results demonstrate that DR rapamycin was well tolerated and may prevent or delay progressive LV hypertrophy in cats with subclinical HCM. Additional studies are warranted to confirm and further characterize these results.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Cat Diseases; Heart; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular; Myocardium; Sirolimus; Delayed-Action Preparations
PubMed: 37495229
DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.04.0187 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Sep 2023Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare inherited disease affecting collagen-rich tissues. Ocular complications have been reported such as thin corneas, low ocular...
PURPOSE
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare inherited disease affecting collagen-rich tissues. Ocular complications have been reported such as thin corneas, low ocular rigidity, keratoconus, among others. The purpose of this study is to characterize corneal tomographic features in OI patients compared to unaffected patients, with particular focus on commonly studied keratoconus indices.
METHODS
Cross-sectional case-control study including 37 OI patients and 37 age-matched controls. Patients and controls underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examination including corneal Scheimpflug tomography with a Pentacam HR device (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) to analyse and compare topometric, tomographic, pachymetric and Belin-Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia Display III (BAD-D) data of both eyes of each patient.
RESULTS
Most OI patients had type I disease (n = 24; 65%) but type III-VII patients were also included. Two patients had clinically overt bilateral keratoconus. OI patients had significantly higher maximum keratometry (45.2 ± 2.1 vs. 43.7 ± 1.2; p = 0.0416), front and back elevation (3.0 ± 3.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.0201; 11.1 ± 8.2 vs. 5.0 ± 3.7, p < 0.0001), index of surface variance (25.5 ± 13 vs. 17.4 ± 8.3; p = 0.0016), index of vertical asymmetry (0.21 ± 0.14 vs. 0.15 ± 0.06; p = 0.0215), index of height asymmetry (9.2 ± 14 vs. 6.0 ± 4.5; p = 0.0421), index of height decentration (0.02 ± 0.01 vs. 0.01 ± 0.01; p < 0.0001) and average pachymetric progression (1.01 ± 0.19 vs. 0.88 ± 0.14; p < 0.0001) readings. Thinnest corneal thickness and maximum Ambrósio relational thickness were significantly lower (477 ± 52 vs. 543 ± 26; 387 ± 95 vs. 509 ± 49; p < 0.0001). Two-thirds of OI patients had corneas with a minimum thickness < 500 µm. BAD-D value was significantly higher in OI patients (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2; p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
OI patients showed significant changes in corneal profiles compared with healthy subjects. A high proportion of patients had tomographically suspect corneas when using keratoconus diagnostic indices. Further studies are warranted to assess the true risk of corneal ectasia in OI patients.
Topics: Humans; Keratoconus; Corneal Topography; Case-Control Studies; Corneal Pachymetry; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Dilatation, Pathologic; Cross-Sectional Studies; ROC Curve; Cornea; Tomography; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37074408
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06059-4 -
Medicine Oct 2023To investigate the effect blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on muscle size, strength and athletic performance in elite canoe athletes aged 18 to 25 years. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
To investigate the effect blood flow restriction (BFR) exercises on muscle size, strength and athletic performance in elite canoe athletes aged 18 to 25 years.
METHODS
This was a randomized controlled trial. The participants were divided into 2 groups: the intervention group (INT-gr) (n = 17, age: 18.59 ± 0.71 years) and the control group (CONT-gr) (n = 16, age: 18.81 ± 1.11 years). Anthropometric measurements, muscle size measured by ultrasound (US), strength measurements with an isokinetic dynamometer, and ergometer performance with an indoor ergometer were conducted before and after the exercise program. Knee flexion and extension and leg press one-repetition maximum (1 RM) tests were performed to determine the participants' training program. The INT-gr performed 1 RM 30% resistance training + BFR for 8 weeks, while the CONT-gr performed 1 RM 30% resistance training (RT) without BFR with their routine training program. US was used to measure the cross sectional area (CSA) and thickness of the quadriceps femoris (QF) and Hamstring (H) muscles in the pre-post design, and the isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the strength of bilateral 60˚/s and 300˚/s peak torque (PT) values of the QF and H. Sports performance was tested on an indoor ergometer at distances of 200, 500, and 1000 m.
RESULTS
The changes in bilateral rectus femoris (RF) CSA and VL thickness measurements in the INT-gr were significant (P < .05). Ergometer performance measurements showed a significant improvement over CONT-gr at all distances (P < .05). In terms of strength scores measured by the isokinetic dynamometer, the right QF and H 300˚/s and the left QF 60˚/s PT values were significantly in favor of INT-gr.
CONCLUSION
BFR exercises are effective to increase strength, muscle size, and ergometer performance in elite canoe athletes.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Muscle Strength; Blood Flow Restriction Therapy; Quadriceps Muscle; Resistance Training; Athletes
PubMed: 37832066
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035252 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023Hyperuricemia is reportedly associated with the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate of cardiovascular risks and events. However, factors... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Hyperuricemia is reportedly associated with the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate of cardiovascular risks and events. However, factors associated with carotid IMT progression in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia are largely unknown. In this post-hoc analysis of the multicenter, randomized PRIZE study, we analyzed data from a total of 326 patients who underwent carotid ultrasonography in a blind manner at baseline and 24 months to evaluate carotid IMT. Mean and maximum IMT at the common carotid artery (CCA) were measured at a central core laboratory. Factors related to the absolute change in mean and maximum IMT from baseline to 24 months were explored. Overall, the adjusted mean [0.0032 (- 0.0214 to 0.0278) mm] and maximum [0.0011 (- 0.0327 to 0.0351) mm] CCA-IMT increased numerically from baseline to 24 months. Multivariable analysis identified higher body mass index, history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and lower mean CCA-IMT at baseline as significant factors associated with the increase in mean CCA-IMT. In addition, older age and lower mean CCA-IMT at baseline were significant factors for an increased absolute change in the maximum CCA-IMT at 24 months. The present sub-analysis of the PRIZE study showed higher body mass index, history of ASCVD, and older age as significant factors associated with CCA-IMT progression in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. These factors may be considered when identifying the possible risk of atherosclerotic progression in this specific patient population of hyperuricemia.Trial registration: UMIN000012911 and UMIN000041322.
Topics: Humans; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Risk Factors; Hyperuricemia; Carotid Artery, Common; Atherosclerosis; Carotid Artery Diseases
PubMed: 37407666
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37183-0 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Jun 2023Rectal prolapse is a circumferential, full-thickness protrusion of the rectum through the anus. It is a rare condition, and only affects 0.5% of the general population.... (Review)
Review
Rectal prolapse is a circumferential, full-thickness protrusion of the rectum through the anus. It is a rare condition, and only affects 0.5% of the general population. Multiple treatment modalities have been described, which have changed significantly over time. Particularly in the last decade, laparoscopic and robotic surgical approaches with different mobilization techniques, combined with medical therapies, have been widely implemented. Because patients have presented with a wide range of complaints (ranging from abdominal discomfort to incomplete bowel evacuation, mucus discharge, constipation, diarrhea, and fecal incontinence), understanding the extent of complaints and ruling out differential diagnoses are essential for choosing a tailored surgical procedure. It is crucial to assess these additional symptoms and their severities using preoperative scoring systems. Additionally, radiological and physiological evaluations may explain some vague symptoms and reveal concomitant pelvic disorders. However, there is no consensus on or standardization of the optimal extent of dissection, type of procedure, and materials used for rectal fixation; this makes providing maximum benefits to patients with minimal complications difficult. Even recent publications and systematic reviews have not recommended the most appropriate treatment options. This review explains the appropriate diagnostic tools for different conditions and summarizes the current treatment approaches based on existing literature and expert opinions.
PubMed: 37383136
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i16.3680 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023In this study, CoFeBDy thin films were deposited using a direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique. The films were deposited on glass substrates with...
In this study, CoFeBDy thin films were deposited using a direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique. The films were deposited on glass substrates with thicknesses of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 nm, and heat-treated in a vacuum annealing furnace at 100, 200, and 300 °C. Various instruments were used to examine and analyze the effects of roughness on the magnetic, adhesive, and mechanical properties. From the low frequency alternating current magnetic susceptibility (χ) results, the optimum resonance frequency is 50 Hz, and the maximum χ value tends to increase with the increase in the thicknesses and annealing temperatures. The maximum χ value is 0.18 at a film thickness of 50 nm and an annealing temperature of 300 °C. From the four-point probe, it is found that the resistivity and sheet resistance values decrease with the increase in film deposition thicknesses and higher annealing temperatures. From the magnetic force microscopy (MFM), the stripe-like magnetic domain distribution is more obvious with the increase in annealing temperature. According to the contact angle data, at the same annealing temperature, the contact angle decreases as the thickness increases due to changes in surface morphology. The maximal surface energy value at 300 °C is 34.71 mJ/mm. The transmittance decreases with increasing film thickness, while the absorption intensity is inversely proportional to the transmittance, implying that the thickness effect suppresses the photon signal. Smoother roughness has less domain pinning, more carrier conductivity, and less light scattering, resulting in superior magnetic, electrical, adhesive, and optical performance.
PubMed: 37687687
DOI: 10.3390/ma16175995 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2023Thin-film antimony chalcogenide binary compounds are potential candidates for efficient and low-cost photovoltaic absorbers. This study investigates the performance of...
Thin-film antimony chalcogenide binary compounds are potential candidates for efficient and low-cost photovoltaic absorbers. This study investigates the performance of SbS and SbSe as photovoltaic absorbers, aiming to optimize their efficiency. The standalone SbS and SbSe sub-cells are analyzed using SCAPS-1D simulations, and then a tandem structure with SbS as the top-cell absorber and SbSe as the bottom-cell absorber is designed, using the filtered spectrum and the current matching technique. The optimal configuration for maximum efficiency is achieved by adjusting the thickness of the absorber layer. The results show that antimony chalcogenide binary compounds have great potential as photovoltaic absorbers, enabling the development of efficient and low-cost solar cells. A remarkable conversion efficiency of 22.2% is achieved for the optimized tandem cell structure, with absorber thicknesses of 420 nm and 1020 nm for the top and bottom sub-cells respectively. This study presents a promising approach towards high-performance tandem solar cells.
PubMed: 38114523
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49269-w -
PloS One 2023The purpose is to clarify the relationship between patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), maximal intima-media complex thickness (Max IMT), and N-terminal pro-brain...
The purpose is to clarify the relationship between patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), maximal intima-media complex thickness (Max IMT), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which is useful in assessing atherosclerosis. This was a retrospective observation, single center study. The patients were 86 RVO patients (male: female = 43:43, mean age 63.3 years), 25 with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and 61 with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), classified as ≧50 years old and <50 years old, Max IMT≧1.1 and less, NT-pro BNP≧55 and less. Results showed that Max IMT ≧1.1 was significantly more common in both the CRVO and BRVO groups at ≧50 years, and NT-pro BNP ≧55 was significantly more common in the CRVO group. Max IMT≧1.1 was seen in 80% of the BRVO group and in 85% of patients aged ≧50 years. Sixty-eight percent of patients in the CRVO group had Max IMT≧1.1, but none of those < 50 years had Max IMT≧1.1. Forty-eight percent of RVO patients had NT-pro BNP≧55, and significantly more patients had Max IMT≧1.1 than those who did not have NT-pro BNP more than 55 (p = 0.02). Multiple regression analysis with Max IMT as the dependent variable showed that age and NT-pro BNP were significantly associated with RVO (p = 0.015, 0.022). RVO patients were more likely to have a Max IMT≧1.1, which was associated with atherosclerosis. Max IMT and NT-pro BNP were also associated with RVO patients, so NT-pro BNP may be a marker of RVO.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Retrospective Studies; Atherosclerosis
PubMed: 38096214
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291456 -
Journal of Ophthalmology 2023To establish the diagnostic accuracy of corneal and epithelial thickness measurements obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in detecting...
AIM
To establish the diagnostic accuracy of corneal and epithelial thickness measurements obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in detecting keratoconus (KC) and suspect keratoconus (SKC).
METHODS
This retrospective study reviewed the data of 144 eyes separated into three groups by the Sirius automated corneal classification software: normal (N) ( = 65), SKC ( = 43), and KC ( = 36). Corneal thickness (CT) and epithelial thickness (ET) in the central (0-2 mm) and paracentral (2-5 mm) zones were obtained with the Cirrus high-definition OCT. Areas under the curve (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were compared across groups to estimate their discrimination capacity.
RESULTS
ROC curve analysis revealed excellent predictive ability for ET variables: minimum (Min) ET (0_2), minimum-maximum (Min-Max) ET (0_2), superonasal-inferotemporal (SN-IT) ET (2_5), Min-Max ET (2_5), and Min ET (2_5) to detect keratoconus (AUC > 0.9, all). Min-Max CT (0_2) was the only CT parameter with excellent ability to discriminate between KC and N eyes (AUC = 0.94; cutoff = ≤-32 m). However, both ET and CT variables were not strong enough (AUC < 0.8, all) to differentiate between SKC and N eyes, with the highest diagnostic power for Min-Max ET (2_5) (AUC = 0.71; cutoff = ≤-9 m) and central corneal thickness (CCT) (AUC = 0.76; cutoff = ≤533 m).
CONCLUSION
These results demonstrate that OCT-derived CT and ET are able to differentiate between KC and N eyes, with a high level of certainty. However, Min-Max ET (2_5) was the parameter with the highest ability to detect suspect keratoconus.
PubMed: 37842327
DOI: 10.1155/2023/6677932 -
Endoscopic Ultrasound 2023EUS-derived maximum tumor thickness (MTT) pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC) indicates...
EUS-derived maximum tumor thickness and tumor shrinkage rate as independent prognostic factors in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
EUS-derived maximum tumor thickness (MTT) pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC) indicates treatment response. However, the accuracy of predicting long-term survival remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the association between EUS-derived MTT pre- and post-NCRT and tumor shrinkage rate as well as long-term survival in patients with LA-ESCC receiving NCRT.
METHODS
We retrospectively enrolled patients with LA-ESCC who underwent EUS examination from 2017 to 2021. Tumor shrinkage rate was the ratio of the difference between pre- and post-MTT to pre-MTT. The most fitted cutoff values were determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to calculate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival. Data from another center were also used for external validation testing.
RESULTS
Two hundred thirty patients were enrolled. Of the patients, 178 completed the first EUS pre-NCRT and obtained pre-MTT, 200 completed the reexamined EUS post-NCRT and obtained post-MTT, and 148 completed both EUS and achieved tumor shrinkage. For all the patients, the 1- and 3-year OS rates were 93.9% and 67.9%, and progression-free survival rates were 77.7% and 54.1%, respectively. The median follow-up period was 30.6 months. Thinner post-MTT (≤8.8 mm) and EUS responder (tumor shrinkage rate ≥52%) were independently associated with better OS.
CONCLUSIONS
EUS-derived MTT and tumor shrinkage post-NCRT are independent prognostic factors for long-term survival and may be an alternative method for evaluating tumor response in patients with LA-ESCC after NCRT.
PubMed: 37795352
DOI: 10.1097/eus.0000000000000008