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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) are common causes of chronic gastrointestinal signs in cats and include different diseases such as food-responsive enteropathy (FRE),...
Feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) are common causes of chronic gastrointestinal signs in cats and include different diseases such as food-responsive enteropathy (FRE), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and low-grade intestinal T-cell lymphoma (LGITL). Although changes in intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolites have been reported in dogs and humans with chronic enteropathy, research in cats has been limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the fecal microbiota and lipid-related fecal metabolites in cats with FCE to a clinically healthy comparison group (CG). A total of 34 cats with FCE (13 FRE, 15 IBD, and 6 LGITL) and 27 cats in the CG were enrolled in this study. The fecal microbiota was evaluated by the qPCR-based feline Dysbiosis Index (DI). The feline DI in cats with CE (median: 1.3, range: -2.4 to 3.8) was significantly higher ( < 0.0001) compared to CG (median: - 2.3, Range: -4.3 to 2.3), with no difference found among the FCE subgroups. The fecal abundances of Faecalibacterium ( < 0.0001), ( < 0.0001), ( = 0.0398), Bifidobacterium ( = 0.0004), and total bacteria ( = 0.0337) significantly decreased in cats with FCE. Twenty-seven targeted metabolites were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, including long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs), sterols, and bile acids (BAs). Fecal concentrations of 5 of 12 LCFAs were significantly increased in cats with FCE compared to CG. Fecal concentrations of zoosterol ( = 0.0109), such as cholesterol ( < 0.001) were also significantly increased in cats with FCE, but those of phytosterols were significantly decreased in this group. No differences in fecal BAs were found between the groups. Although no differences were found between the four groups, the fecal metabolomic pattern of cats with FRE was more similar to that of the CG than to those with IBD or LGITL. This could be explained by the mild changes associated with FRE compared to IBD and LGITL. The study showed changes in intestinal microbiota and alteration of fecal metabolites in FCE cats compared to the CG. Changes in fecal lipids metabolites suggest a dysmetabolism of lipids, including LCFAs, sterols, and unconjugated BAs in cats with CE.
PubMed: 38933703
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1401592 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Heart failure is the most costly cardiovascular disorder. New treatments are urgently needed. This study aims to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and...
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, HEC95468, in healthy volunteers: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 1 trial.
Heart failure is the most costly cardiovascular disorder. New treatments are urgently needed. This study aims to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic profile of HEC95468, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, in healthy volunteers. Sixty-two, eighteen, and forty-eight participants were enrolled in the single ascending dose (SAD) study, the food effect (FE) study, and the multiple ascending dose (MAD) study, respectively. The study conforms to good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki. Overall, HEC95468 was safe and tolerable; a higher proportion of HEC95468-treated participants reported mild headaches, dizziness, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and gastrointestinal-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), similar to the sGC stimulators riociguat and vericiguat. In terms of pharmacokinetic parameters, the maximum observed plasma concentration (C) and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) were dose-proportional over the dose range. Moderate accumulation was observed after multiple administrations of HEC95468. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure decreased, while 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration in plasma increased and heart rate was induced. Vasoactive hormones (renin, angiotensin II, and norepinephrine) in plasma were compensatorily elevated after oral administration. These data supported further clinical trials of HEC95468 in the treatment of heart failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension. http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn, identifier CTR20210064.
PubMed: 38933676
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1359939 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2024Oleuropein, a phenolic compound derived from olives, has known glucoregulatory effects in mammalian models but effects in birds are unknown. We investigated effects of...
Oleuropein, a phenolic compound derived from olives, has known glucoregulatory effects in mammalian models but effects in birds are unknown. We investigated effects of dietary supplementation and exogenous administration of oleuropein on broiler chick feed intake and glucose homeostasis during the first 7 days post-hatch. One hundred and forty-eight day-of-hatch broiler chicks were randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments with varying oleuropein concentrations (0, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg). Body weight and breast muscle and liver weights were recorded on day 7. In the next experiment, chicks received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of oleuropein at doses of 0 (vehicle), 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg on day 4 post-hatch, with feed intake and blood glucose levels measured thereafter. Lastly, chicks fed a control diet were fasted and administered intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of oleuropein at doses of 0, 50, 100, or 200 μg, after which feed intake was recorded. Results indicated that IP and ICV injections led to decreased feed intake, primarily at 60 min post-injection, with effects diminishing by 90 min in the IP study. Blood glucose levels decreased 1-h post-IP injection at higher oleuropein doses. These findings suggest that oleuropein acts as a mild appetite suppressant and influences energy metabolism in broiler chickens.
PubMed: 38933363
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1409211 -
Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Dergisi Apr 2024This study aimed to assess intraoperative cerebral hemodynamic responses and embolic events during transcarotid artery revascularization via transcranial Doppler,...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to assess intraoperative cerebral hemodynamic responses and embolic events during transcarotid artery revascularization via transcranial Doppler, near-infrared spectroscopy, and bispectral index monitoring.
METHODS
Twelve patients (7 males, 5 females; mean age: 72.8±9.0 years; range, 63 to 91 years) undergoing transcarotid artery revascularization with simultaneous transcranial Doppler, near-infrared spectroscopy, and bispectral index monitoring were analyzed in this retrospective study between September 2017 and December 2019. The mean flow velocity and pulsatility index of the middle cerebral artery, alongside near-infrared spectroscopy and bispectral index values, before flow reversal, during flow reversal, and after flow reversal phases were investigated. The presence and frequency of high-intensity transient signals were recorded to evaluate embolic incidents.
RESULTS
Significant reductions in middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity were noted during flow reversal (40.58±10.57 cm/sec to 20.58±14.34 cm/sec, p=0.0004), which subsequently returned to and exceeded baseline values after flow reversal cessation (53.33±17.69 cm/sec, p=0.0005). Near-infrared spectroscopy (71±4.4% to 66±6.2%) and bispectral index (45.71±8.5 to 40.14±8.1) values mirrored these hemodynamic changes, with notable decreases during flow reversal, and recoveries after flow reversal. The highest concentration of high-intensity transient signals was observed during stent deployment, signifying a critical embolic phase. No perioperative neurological complications or other significant adverse events were documented.
CONCLUSION
Transcranial Doppler, near-infrared spectroscopy, and bispectral index effectively monitor cerebral hemodynamics and embolic potential during transcarotid artery revascularization, providing real-time data crucial for optimizing perioperative management. These findings underscore the clinical value of multimodal monitoring in improving patient outcomes in transcarotid artery revascularization procedures.
PubMed: 38933319
DOI: 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2024.25700 -
Fundamental Research May 2024Extreme precipitation is exacerbating the burden of infectious diarrhea in the context of climate change, it is necessary to identify the critical and easy-to-intervene...
Extreme precipitation is exacerbating the burden of infectious diarrhea in the context of climate change, it is necessary to identify the critical and easy-to-intervene intermediate factors for public health strategies. Water quality may be the most important mediator, while relevant empirical evidence is limited. This study aimed to examine the role of water quality in the process of infectious diarrhea caused by extreme precipitation. Weekly infectious diarrhea cases, meteorological factors and water quality data in Yangtze River Basin in China between October 29, 2007 to February 19, 2017 were obtained. Two-stage statistical models were used to estimate city-specific extreme precipitation, water quality and infectious diarrhea relationships that were pooled to derive regional estimates. A causal mediation analysis was used to assess the mediation effect of water quality. In Yangtze River Basin, extreme precipitation events had a significant impact on infectious diarrhea (Incidence Rate Ratios [IRR]: 1.027, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.013∼1.041). After extreme precipitation events, the dissolved oxygen (DO) in surface water decreased (-0.123 mg/L, 95%CI: -0.159 mg/L∼-0.086 mg/L), while the un-ionized ammonia (NH(3)-N) increased (0.004 mg/L, 95%CI: 0.001 mg/L∼0.006 mg/L). The combined overall effect of DO and NH(3)-N on infectious diarrhea showed that both low and high concentrations were associated with an increased risk of infectious diarrhea. The causal mediation analysis showed that the mediation proportion of the two water quality indexes (DO and NH(3)-N) is 70.54% ( < 0.001). To reduce the health effects of extreme precipitation, in contrast to current population-oriented health strategies, those that take into account more direct and easy-to-intervene water quality indicators should be encouraged by future policies.
PubMed: 38933184
DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.05.019 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024The coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) poses a significant health concern globally, with their convergence presenting a considerable...
BACKGROUND
The coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) poses a significant health concern globally, with their convergence presenting a considerable challenge to healthcare systems. Previous research has highlighted that comorbidities can mutually influence and exacerbate immune disorders. However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of DM on immunological features and treatment responses in the TB population in China.
METHODS
From January 2020 to June 2022, 264 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis patients (82 DM patients and 182 non-DM patients) hospitalized in our center were selected. 80 patients with TB with DM (TB-DM) and 80 patients with TB without DM (TB-NDM) were enrolled into the final analysis by propensity score matching for age, gender and involved lung field at a ratio of 1:1. The clinical characteristics, immunological features and treatment response were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
After propensity score matching, no differences in the general features such as age gender, involved lung field, the incidence of retreatment and WBC count were found between the two groups. Compared to TB-NDM group, the TB-DM group exhibited a higher positive rate of sputum smear and incidence of cavitary lesions. Immunological features analysis revealed that the TB-DM patients had higher levels of TNF-α [pg/ml; 8.56 (7.08-13.35) vs. 7.64 (6.38-10.14) = 0.033] and IL-8 [pg/ml; 25.85 (11.63-58.40) vs. 17.56 (6.44-39.08) = 0.003] but lower CD8+ T lymphocyte count [cells/mm3; 334.02 (249.35-420.71) 380.95 (291.73-471.25) = 0.038]. However, there was no significant difference in serum IL-6 concentration and CD4+ T lymphocyte count between the two groups. After 2 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment, 39 (24.4%) cases had suboptimal treatment response, including 23 (28.7%) TB-DM patients and 16 (20%) TB-NDM patients. There was no difference in suboptimal response rate (SRR) was found between the two groups ( = 0.269). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that retreatment for TB [AOR: 5.68 (95%CI: 2.01-16.08), = 0.001], sputum smear positivity [AOR: 8.01 (95%CI: 2.62-24.50), = 0.001] were associated with SRR in all participants, and in TB-DM group, only sputum smear positivity [AOR: 16.47 (1.75-155.12), = 0.014] was positive with SRR.
CONCLUSION
DM is a risk factor for pulmonary cavity formation and sputum smear positivity in TB population. Additionally, TB-DM patients is characterized by enhanced cytokine responses and decreased CD8+ T lymphocytes. The retreatment for TB and sputum smear positivity were associated with the occurrence of suboptimal treatment response.
PubMed: 38933114
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1386124 -
RSC Advances Jun 2024Silica aerogel (SA), recognized as an efficient insulating material, is characterized by its extremely low thermal conductivity (TC) and high porosity, presenting...
Silica aerogel (SA), recognized as an efficient insulating material, is characterized by its extremely low thermal conductivity (TC) and high porosity, presenting extensive application potential in aerospace and building energy conservation. In this study, the thermal transport properties of gas-filled SA are explored using molecular dynamics (MD) methods. It is found that an increase in porosity leads to a significant decrease in TC, primarily due to enhanced phonon scattering and reduced material stiffness. Additionally, the TC of SA influenced by gas exhibits a pattern of initial decrease, followed by an increase, and then a decrease again, driven by complex interactions between gas molecules and pore walls, phonon localization, and scattering mechanisms. At a gas concentration of 80%, the TC in confined spaces is significantly increased by nitrogen, attributed to enhanced intermolecular interactions and increased collision frequency. The impact of gases on the TC of gas-solid coupled composite materials is also investigated, revealing that gas molecules serve as a "bridge" for phonons, playing a crucial role in reducing interfacial scattering and enhancing low-frequency vibrational modes, thus further enhancing heat transfer efficiency. The TC of these composite materials is primarily regulated by the gas-phase TC in response to temperature, while the response to strain is predominantly governed by variations in the solid-phase TC. These results provide essential theoretical support and design guidelines for the development and design of new high-efficiency insulating materials.
PubMed: 38932978
DOI: 10.1039/d4ra03706e -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024originated during the Oligocene in Eurasia and has become one of the most diverse bat genera, with over 140 species. In the case of neotropical , there is a high degree...
originated during the Oligocene in Eurasia and has become one of the most diverse bat genera, with over 140 species. In the case of neotropical , there is a high degree of phenotypic conservatism. This means that the taxonomic and geographic limits of several species are not well understood, which constrains detailed studies on their ecology and evolution and how to effectively protect these species. Similar to other organisms, bats may respond to climate change by moving to different areas, adapting to new conditions, or going extinct. Ecological niche models have become established as an efficient and widely used method for interpolating (and sometimes extrapolating) species' distributions and offer an effective tool for identifying species conservation requirements and forecasting how global environmental changes may affect species distribution. How species respond to climate change is a key point for understanding their vulnerability and designing effective conservation strategies in the future. Thus, here, we assessed the impacts of climate change on the past and future distributions of two phylogenetically related species, and . The results showed that the species are influenced by changes in temperature, and for , precipitation also becomes important. Furthermore, appears to have been more flexible to decreases in temperature that occurred in the past, which allowed it to expand its areas of environmental suitability, unlike , which decreased and concentrated these areas. However, despite a drastic decrease in the spatial area of environmental suitability of these species in the future, there are areas of potential climate stability that have been maintained since the Pleistocene, indicating where conservation efforts need to be concentrated in the future.
PubMed: 38932963
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11419 -
Ecology and Evolution Jun 2024is one of the most notorious invasive aquatic snail, capable of influencing various aquatic organisms through their secretions. and are the most prevalent and...
is one of the most notorious invasive aquatic snail, capable of influencing various aquatic organisms through their secretions. and are the most prevalent and powerful bioturbators in aquatic ecosystems. However, the mechanism of 's secretions affecting bioturbators remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 's secretion on and . and were treated for 24 h with and the native species secretions at different densities (1 or 20). The migration numbers and aggregation rate of indicated that secretion caused to become alert and migrate away from the nucleus community, resulting in poor population identification, especially at high concentrations. Moreover, the antioxidant enzymatic activity, lipid peroxidation, intestinal microbial diversity, and composition of the two bioturbators were analyzed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were elevated following secretion treatment, indicating oxidative damage. Furthermore, the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota of and were changed. The abundance of functional microbiota decreased, and pathogenic bacteria such as became dominant in the intestines of both bioturbators. The current research evaluates the effects of secretion on the behavior, oxidative stress, and intestinal microbial composition and diversity of two bioturbators, providing new insights into the assessment of post-invaded ecosystems.
PubMed: 38932957
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11591 -
Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic... Jun 2024Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a set of risk factors that contribute to the development of chronic and cardiovascular diseases, increasing the mortality rate....
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises a set of risk factors that contribute to the development of chronic and cardiovascular diseases, increasing the mortality rate. Altered lipid metabolism is associated with the development of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, obesity, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome; however, there is a lack of knowledge about lipids compounds and the lipidic pathways associated with this condition, particularly in the Latin-American population. Innovative approaches, such as lipidomic analysis, facilitate the identification of lipid species related to these risk factors. This study aimed to assess the plasma lipidome in subjects with MetS.
METHODS
This correlation study included healthy adults and adults with MetS. Blood samples were analyzed. The lipidomic profile was determined using an Agilent Technologies 1260 liquid chromatography system coupled to a Q-TOF 6545 quadrupole mass analyzer with electrospray ionization. The main differences were determined between the groups.
RESULTS
The analyses reveal a distinct lipidomic profile between healthy adults and those with MetS, including increased concentrations of most identified glycerolipids -both triglycerides and diglycerides- and decreased levels of ether lipids and sphingolipids, especially sphingomyelins, in MetS subjects. Association between high triglycerides, waist circumference, and most differentially expressed lipids were found.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate dysregulation of lipid metabolism in subjects with Mets, supporting the potential utility of plasma lipidome analysis for a deeper understanding of MetS pathophysiology.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01423-5.
PubMed: 38932852
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-024-01423-5