CW Group Research Articles

Differences in gut microbiota and metabolites between wrestlers with varying precompetition weight control effect.

This study intended to analyze the effects of body weight control by the diet, training adaptation, and gut microbiota metabolites of wrestlers in the week leading up to competition. According to the weight difference of wrestlers from the target weight 1 wk before the competition, those whose weight control effectiveness is less than 2 kg were classified as the CW group, whereas more than 2 kg were classified as the CnW group. The body weight, body composition, and diet of wrestlers were recorded; urine samples were taken for standard urine testing, and stool samples were collected for the analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites. The data showed that the relative values of carbohydrate and fat energy in the CnW group were significantly higher than those of the CW group, but the relative values of protein energy were significantly lower. The white blood cells, occult blood, and protein appeared in urine in the CnW group. The microbiota with higher abundance values in the CnW group were positively correlated with the relative value of carbohydrate energy, while the abundance value of Streptococcus was negatively correlated, and the functional prediction of differential bacteria was related to riboflavin and selencompound metabolism. The differential metabolites of CW/CnW group were functionally enriched in the processes of lipid and amino acid metabolism. Overall, the extent of weight control in wrestlers was correlated with sensible dietary patterns, adaptability to training load, and distinct gut microbiota and metabolites.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The purpose of this study is to observe the differences in precompetition diet structure, adaptability to training, gut microbiota, and metabolites of wrestlers with different weight control effects and analyze the correlation between them, aiming to provide scientific guidance and advice on weight control for wrestlers.

Effects of Early Weaning on Performance and Carcass Quality of Nellore Young Bulls.

This study compared early weaning (EW; 150 days) with conventional weaning (CW; 240 days) in Nellore young bulls, evaluating performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. A total of 74 non-castrated male calves were divided into two weaning strategies: EW (n = 37) and CW (n = 37). During the growth phase, which lasted 454 ± 14 d for EW calves and 359 ± 16 d for CW calves, animals received a protein-energy supplement at a ratio of 5 g per kg of body weight while grazing Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. The animals were managed for an 87d finishing phase in three collective feedlot pens, with a 3-week adaptation protocol, starting with corn silage to a concentrate ratio of 55:45 and reaching a ratio of 30:70 in the final diet. Body weight, average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (FE), carcass characteristics, and meat quality were evaluated. The EW group was approximately 44 kg lighter than the CW at the time of conventional weaning (p < 0.001). However, this weight difference did not influence ADG, DMI, and FE in the finishing phase. No significant differences were observed in carcass characteristics such as yield percentage, loin area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and meat quality, except for the weight of primal cuts, which was greater in the CW group (p < 0.001). Thus, although calves weaned early are lighter throughout subsequent production phases than those weaned conventionally, performance, efficiency, carcass yield, and meat quality are not affected.

The effects of cannabis abstinence on cognition and resting state network activity in people with multiple sclerosis: A preliminary study

We previously reported that people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) who have been using cannabis frequently over many years can have significant cognitive improvements accompanied by concomitant task-specific changes in brain activation following 28 days of cannabis abstinence. We now hypothesize that the default Mode Network (DMN), known to modulate cognition, would also show an improved pattern of activation align with cognitive improvement following 28 days of drug abstinence. Thirty three cognitively impaired pwMS who were frequent cannabis users underwent a neuropsychological assessment and fMRI at baseline. Individuals were then assigned to a cannabis continuation (CC, n = 15) or withdrawal (CW, n = 18) group and the cognitive and imaging assessments were repeated after 28 days. Compliance with cannabis withdrawal was checked with regular urine monitoring. Following acquisition of resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI), data were processed using independent component analysis (ICA) to identify the DMN spatial map. Between and within group analyses were carried out using dual regression for voxel-wise comparisons of the DMN. Clusters of voxels were considered statistically significant if they survived threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE) correction at p < 0.05. The two groups were well matched demographically and neurologically at baseline. The dual regression analysis revealed no between group differences at baseline in the DMN. By day 28, the CW group in comparison to the CC group had increased activation in the left posterior cingulate, and right, angular gyrus (p < 0.05 for both, TFCE). A within group analysis for the CC group revealed no changes in resting state (RS) networks. Within group analysis of the CW group revealed increased activation at day 28 versus baseline in the left posterior cingulate, right angular gyrus, left hippocampus (BA 36), and the right medial prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05). The CW group showed significant improvements in multiple cognitive domains. In summary, our study revealed that abstaining from cannabis for 28 days reverses activation of DMN activity in pwMS in association with improved cognition across several domains.

Brycon amazonicus larviculture cannibalism is reduced in biofloc systems

This study evaluated matrinxã Brycon amazonicus larviculture performance at different total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations in a biofloc technology (BFT) system, for 5 and 10 days. Larvae 24 h after hatching were used at a stocking density of 10 larvae L−1 for 10 days in four treatments: clear water (CW – control, 100% water renewal per day and no bioflocs), and three TSS concentrations in BFT systems: Low BFT (BFTL) - up to 200 mg L−1, Medium BFT (BFTM) - 200 to 350 mg L−1 and High BFT (BFTH) - 350 to 500 mg L−1. The matrinxã larvae were fed artemia nauplii until the 5th day and artemia nauplii plus mash feed containing 55% crude protein from the 6th to the 10 th day. Water quality, performance, morphology, and type II cannibalism (complete larvae ingestion) (n = 30) were evaluated after 5 and 10 days. Water quality, although altered, remained within the appropriate matrinxã limits in all treatments, with about a 90% water consumption decrease observed in the BFT systems. The BFT treatments resulted in larval survival increases of over 170% compared to the CW group, at 5 (p < 0.05) and 10 (p < 0.05) days of rearing, with CW = 31.4 and 17.9%; BFTL = 81.5 and 39.4%; BFTM = 88.9 and 59.9% and BFTH = 87 and 53.5% respectively. Larvae growth (p < 0.05) and morphological development (p < 0.05) at 5 days were lower in the BFTH treatment, due to the presence of more developed cannibalistic larvae compared to the other treatments, evidencing greater predation capacity. Cannibalism was observed after 5 and 10 days in all treatments, except for the BFTH group at 5 days and BFTM group at 10 days, proving the influence of high TSS levels and, consequently, turbidity, in reducing this behavior. The findings reported herein indicate matrinxã larviculture BFT system efficiency and suggest the use of TSS concentrations between 200 and 350 mg L−1 as an alternative to reduce cannibal behavior and increase matrinxã productivity, in addition to maintaining good quality and reducing water use.

Effect of pattern materials and fabrication techniques on the color of a pressed lithium disilicate ceramic: An in vitro study

Statement of problemPattern materials and their fabrication techniques have been reported to affect the marginal accuracy and internal fit of pressed lithium disilicate ceramic restorations. However, information regarding their effect on the color of such restorations is lacking. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color of a pressed lithium disilicate glass-ceramic fabricated from wax or resin patterns by using conventional and milling techniques. Material and methodsFifty-six Ø14×1.5-mm disk pattern specimens were divided into 4 groups based on the pattern material and fabrication technique: conventional wax pattern group (CW), conventional resin pattern group (CR), milled wax pattern group (MW), and milled resin pattern group (MR). Lithium disilicate specimens were fabricated by using the lost wax technique. The CIELab values were measured with a spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade Advance). The ΔE00 values were calculated and compared with perceptibility (ΔE00=0.8) and acceptability (ΔE00=1.8) thresholds to interpret the color differences. The 2-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were used to analyze data (α=.05). ResultsTwo-way ANOVA revealed that ΔE00 was significantly affected by the pattern material (P<.001), fabrication technique (P=.034), and their interaction (P<.001). The ΔE00 of the CW group (0.76 ±0.04) was clinically imperceptible. No significant difference in the ΔE00 values was found between the reference and the MW (1.48 ±0.13) and MR (1.51 ±0.15) groups (P=.926), which were both clinically perceptible and acceptable. The highest ΔE00 was that of the CR group (2.06 ±0.22). ConclusionsThe color of the pressed lithium disilicate ceramic was influenced by the wax and resin pattern materials fabricated by using conventional or computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) techniques. Only the CW pattern group showed color differences below the clinically perceptible threshold (ΔE00=0.8). The CR pattern group showed the highest color differences, which were not clinically acceptable.

Effects of early weaning on productive and reproductive performance of Nelore heifers

Abstract We aimed to evaluate the effects of early weaning on the productive and reproductive characteristics of Nelore heifer progeny. Ninety-five calves from primiparous (PRI) and multiparous (MUL) dams were assigned to one of two weaning strategies; 1) early weaning at 150 d (149 ± 1.97) of age (EW; n = 16 from PRI and 31 from MUL); or 2) conventional weaning at 240 d (247 ± 2.41) of age (CW; 16 from PRI and 32 from MUL). All heifers received ~5 g/kg of body weight (BW) of creep-feed as fed from 90 d of age until weaning. After weaning, each group of heifers was transferred to a Brachiaria spp. paddock and received 5 g/kg of BW of a protein-energy supplement until 12 mo of age. Then, heifers were confined and fed a diet with a ratio of 79:31 (corn silage: concentrate) for 4 mo, during which they were submitted to a hormonal protocol to induce puberty and timed artificial insemination (TAI). Reproductive tract score (RTS, 1 to 5 scale: 1 being infantile and 5 being cyclic) and endometrial thickness were determined at 12 mo of age, rump fat thickness (RFT), and BW every 28 ± 4 d through the breeding season, and plasma concentrations of IGF-I were evaluated at 12, 14, and 16 mo. At 15.6 mo of age heifers were submitted to a P4/E2 protocol for TAI at day 0 (D0), and a second TAI was performed at D22 in nonpregnant heifers. Ultrasound was used to determine the presence of corpus luteum on D10 and dominant follicle (DF) diameter and blood perfusion on D2 and D0. Data were analyzed using SAS by ANOVA or logistic regression. Though heifers from EW were lighter (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than CW at postweaning time points and CW presented a greater (P = 0.002) RFT than EW heifers from 11 to 15 mo, weaning strategy did not affect (P &amp;gt; 0.1) body condition score at TAI. Concentrations of IGF-I did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.1) between heifers weaned at 150 and 240 d. The proportion of pubertal heifers, endometrium tone and thickness, and RTS at 16 mo did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.1) between EW and CW groups. The diameter of DF on D2 and D0 and follicular blood perfusion on D0 were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for heifers in the CW group than EW group, but P/AI at first and second TAI did not differ (P &amp;gt; 0.1) between groups. In conclusion, early weaning in Nelore heifers moderately reduces postweaning growth but does not affect puberty and reproductive performance before the breeding season when submitted to confinement.

A Blumgart Anastomosis-Based Half-Invagination Pancreaticoenterostomy with Better Applicability to Laparoscopy and Lower Incidence of Pancreatic Leakage.

The Blumgart anastomosis (BA) is one of the safest anastomoses for pancreatic stump reconstruction. The incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and postoperative complications is low. However, how to make laparoscopic pancreaticoenterostomy easier and safer is still a topic to be discussed. The data of patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) from April 2014 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Half-invagination anastomosis was performed in 20 cases (HI group), and the Cattell-Warren anastomosis was carried out in 26 cases (CW group). The amount of intraoperative bleeding, operation time, and postoperative catheterization time in the HI group was significantly less than those in the CW group. Besides, the number of patients at the Clavien-Dindo grade III and above in the HI group was significantly less than that in the control group. Moreover, the incidence of POPF in the HI group was significantly lower than that in the CW group. Furthermore, fistula risk score (FRS) analysis showed that there was no high-risk group, and the highest risk in the medium-risk group was pancreatic leakage. In addition, the incidence of pancreatic leakage in the HI group and CW group was 7.7% and 46.67%, respectively, while the incidence of pancreatic leakage in the HI group was significantly lower than that in the CW group. The half-invagination pancreaticoenterostomy based on the Blumgart anastomosis should have good applicability under laparoscopy and could effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative pancreatic leakage.

Effects of chestnut wood extract and flubendazole on small intestinal morphometry and mucin layer and peripheral blood leukocytes in the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

The study examined leukocytes and subpopulation of lymphocytes in peripheral blood, lymphoproliferative activity, morphology of intestine including mucus barrier in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) after treatment with flubendazole (Flimabend®) and natural extract from sweet chestnut wood (Farmatan®). A total of 24 six-month-old female pheasants were divided into 4 groups (n = 6). The FL group received flubendazole per os 100 mg/g suspension in 1.43 mg of active substance/kg body weight during 7 days of experiment. The CW group received chestnut wood extract per os at a 0.2% concentration for 6 h per day during 5 days (experimental days from 3 to 7). The FL+CW group received a combination of doses administered in the same way as for the first two groups. The control C group received administration with no active substance. The results in our trial demonstrated a mild inflammatory effect on leukocytes, lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophils (P &lt; 0.05), and an increase of CD8+ cells in peripheral blood after administration of flubendazole (P &lt; 0.05). On the other hand, administration of chestnut wood extract containing tannins revealed an anti-inflammatory effect on immunocompetent cells (P &lt; 0.05). Enhanced lymphoproliferative activity of T and B lymphocytes was observed in chestnut wood extract groups (P &lt; 0.001). Increased total jejunal thickness of mucus (P &lt; 0.001) and increased production of MUC-2 (P &lt; 0.01) was found in the CW group. Body weight was not different between the trial groups. Results indicate that chestnut wood extract can be administered as a preventive immunomodulatory substance reducing inflammatory process as well as an adjuvant in treatment with anthelmintics in pheasants.

Decreased device related thrombus and enhanced neo-endocardial tissue maturation with a new generation left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device. An anticoagulation and antiplatelet free canin study

Abstract Introduction Device related thrombus (DRT) has been reported in up to 7% of patients post LAAC even while on anticoagulation. Clinical predictors of DRT are poorly understood and may be related to patient, procedural and device factors. A next generation WATCHMAN LAAC device (NG) is identical in shape and geometry to the current WATCHMAN FLX device (CW) but has a device coating designed to make it hemocompatible and less thrombogenic. Objective To evaluate the incidence and burden of WM surface thrombus formation as detected longitudinally by TEE and at necropsy in a canine model implanted with the NG device. Methods The study included 12 canine (6 implanted with CW and 6 implanted with NG) that underwent serial TEE follow up at 14, 28 and 45 days to evaluate surface thrombus on WM face. This was a challenged canine model designed to induce thrombus with no anticoagulation or antiplatelet use throughout the study. D-dimer levels were measured at 7 days and 45 days and compared to baseline measurements. Results All devices were successfully implanted. TEE follow up at 14 days showed noticeably reduced thrombus burden on the NG device compared to CW (fig.1) with even further diminution by 28 days in the NG (6/6) as compared to only in 1/6 in the CW group (fig.2). After 45 days in-life, the post-fixation trim en-face images show a smooth, glistening neoendocardial covering (absence of acute thrombus material) in all (6/6) NG compared to only 2/6 in the CW (fig.3). The CW had 3/6 devices with exuberant, bulging calcified thrombus mass one of which was considered to be a mobile DRT. D Dimer levels at 7 and 45 days were significantly lower relative to baseline in the NG compared to CW. Conclusion The NG device compared to the CW device was associated with markedly less thrombus formation at 14 days and no thrombus formation at 28 days post implant on no anticoagulant and no antiplatelet therapy along with a more mature uniform tissue coverage at 45 days. The WATCHMAN FLX Pro device coating is a promising step to reduce DRT even without the use of anticoagulation and antiplatelets and merits further investigation in human studies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Boston Scientific

Effects of Different Forage Types on Rumen Fermentation, Microflora, and Production Performance in Peak-Lactation Dairy Cows

Forages are vital in maintaining the dietary structures of ruminants, and reducing their costs is important for improving dairy production efficiency. Thus, this study investigated the effects of dietary forage types on dry matter intake, production, rumen fermentation, and the microbial profile in peak-lactating cows. Eight cows (600 ± 25 kg) with days in milk (60 ± 10 days) were assigned to four groups using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design: OG (oat hay + alfalfa hay + corn silage + concentrate), CW (Leymus chinensis + alfalfa hay + corn silage + concentrate), AS (alfalfa silage + oat hay + corn silage + concentrate), and AC (alkali-treated corn straw + alfalfa hay + corn silage + concentrate). The ruminal butyrate acid concentration was lower in the OG group than in the AS and AC groups post-feeding (12 h; p &lt; 0.05). Ruminal NH3-N content was higher in the AS group than in the AC and CW groups post-feeding (9 h; p &lt; 0.05). The percentage of ruminal Oscillospira and unknown microbes was higher in the CW group than in the other groups (p &lt; 0.05). The total rumination time and rumination time per dry matter intake of AC were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p &lt; 0.05). Milk lactose content in the AS group was highest among the groups (p &lt; 0.05), and milk fat content was higher in the OG group than in the CW group (all p &lt; 0.05). Overall, our results suggested that the butyrate acid content of forage from oat hay in rumen fermentation was significantly lower than that of calcium oxide and alfalfa silage sources when the dietary nutrition level was similar. The diet derived from L. chinensis increased the number of fibrillation helices related to fiber-decomposing bacteria and simultaneously increased unknown strains. Forage derived from alfalfa silage tended to increase milk protein levels. Alkali-treated corn straw could significantly increase the total rumination time and unit dry matter rumination time of dairy cows, which plays an important role in maintaining rumen health. The rational use of low-quality forage has broad prospects in China.

Spatio-temporal variation of bacterioplankton community structure in the Pearl River: impacts of artificial fishery habitat and physicochemical factors

BackgroundArtificial fishery habitat has been widely used in fishery resource protection and water habitat restoration. Although the bacterioplankton plays an important ecological role in fisheries ecosystems, the effect of artificial fishery habitat on bacterioplankton is not clear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing based on the 16S rRNA gene was carried out to study the characteristics of bacterioplankton community structure in artificial fishery habitat and to determine the principal environmental factors that shaped the composition, structure and function of bacterioplankton communities in an unfed aquaculture system.ResultsThe results indicated that the most dominant phyla were Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria), Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, which accounted for 28.61%, 28.37%, 19.79%, and 10.25% of the total abundance, respectively. The factors that cause the differences in bacterioplankton community were mainly manifested in three aspects, including the diversity of the community, the role of artificial fishery habitat, and the change of environmental factors. The alpha diversity analysis showed that the diversity and richness index of the bacterioplankton communities were the highest in summer, which indicated that the seasonal variation characteristics had a great influence on it. The CCA analysis identified that the dissolved oxygen, temperature, and ammonium salt were the dominant environmental factors in an unfed aquaculture system. The LEfSe analysis founded 37 indicator species in artificial structure areas (AS group), only 9 kinds existing in the control areas of the open-water group (CW group). Meanwhile, the KEGG function prediction analysis showed that the genes which were related to metabolism in group AS were significantly enhanced.ConclusionsThis study can provide reference value for the effect of artificial habitat on bacterioplankton community and provide fundamental information for the follow-up study of ecological benefits of artificial fishery habitat. It may be contributed to apply artificial fishery habitat in more rivers.

Discrepancy in the Distribution Patterns of Subchondral Bone Density Across the Ankle Joint After Medial Opening-Wedge and Lateral Closing-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

Background: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) changes the alignment and dynamics of the ankle joint; however, differences in the stress distribution of the ankle joint after opening-wedge HTO (OWHTO) and closing-wedge HTO (CWHTO) are not understood. It is believed that subchondral bone density of the articular surface reflects the pattern of cumulative stress distribution across the joint surface. Purpose: To clarify the effects of OWHTO and CWHTO on the distribution patterns of subchondral bone density across the ankle joint using computed tomography (CT)–osteoabsorptiometry. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Radiographic and CT data of 18 cases who underwent OWHTO (OW group), 12 cases who underwent CWHTO (CW group), and 11 cases with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury serving as controls were retrospectively reviewed. The subchondral bone density of the distal tibia was assessed in the 3 groups using CT-osteoabsorptiometry. The distal tibial surface of the ankle joint was divided into 4 parts in the coronal direction, and the percentage of the high-density area (%HDA) to each subregion was compared before and after HTO. Results: Preoperatively, comparing %HDA among the 3 groups, there were no significant differences in any regions. In the OW group, postoperative %HDA in the most medial region was significantly increased compared with preoperative %HDA (49.3% to 53.0%; P = .011), and postoperative %HDA in the most lateral region was significantly decreased (21.4% to 17.2%; P = .003). On the other hand, in the CW group, postoperative %HDA in the most medial region was significantly decreased (55.7% to 35.7%; P = .001), and %HDA in the second lateral region was significantly increased (23.6% to 29.2%; P = .002). Conclusion: The ankle distribution pattern of subchondral bone density shifted significantly medially after OWHTO without fibular osteotomy, whereas the distribution pattern shifted laterally after CWHTO with fibular osteotomy. When the OWHTO is performed for patients with medial ankle osteoarthritis, surgeons should pay attention to potential postoperative progression of ankle osteoarthritis due to medial shift of the stress distribution in the ankle joint.

Effect of organophosphorus pesticide exposure on the immune cell phenotypes among farm women and their children

Epidemiological studies suggest suppression of the lymphocytes function through cholinergic stimulation due to organophosphorus pesticide exposure. The study aimed to assess the alteration in the levels of immune cell phenotypes among farm women (FW) and farm children (FC) who were occupationally exposed to pesticides and age/gender-matched control subjects belonging to Rangareddy district (Telangana, India). A total of 129 FW, 129 FC and 268 age/gender-matched controls were recruited. Blood samples were collected from the selected subjects to estimate the levels of nine organophosphorus pesticide residues and CD (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+ and CD19+) cell markers using LC-MS/MS and flow cytometry, respectively. Independent t-test analysis was conducted to compare the immune cell phenotypes between exposed and control groups. Spearman’s rank correlation test was further carried out to identify any possible correlation between the pesticide residues and CD markers. The mean percentage for CD4+, CD8+ and CD16+ was found to be significantly low, while for CD19 + itwas significantly high in the FW as compared to the CW group (p < 0.01). Further, the residues of chlorpyrifos and monocrotophos among FW were found to be significantly correlating with the mean percentages of CD19+ and CD8+ markers, respectively. The cell marker subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ were significantly low in FC children 9–12 years and 13–15 years age groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Also, these levels were significantly correlating with the residues of malathion and monocrotophos. The present study could indicate an alteration in the lymphocytes’ subpopulations, which may thereby infer the toxicity in the first phase assessment of immunotoxicity. Therefore, further studies may be conducted to understand the suspected pesticides’ mechanism along with various other factors in causing immune suppression coupled with nutritional and other related disorders.

Functional status and quality of life of geriatric patients with wounds in acute hospitals : Acomparison between patients with acute and chronic wounds: across-sectional study

HintergrundGeriatrische Patienten sind alters- und krankheitsbedingt für das Auftreten einer Wunde, die den funktionellen Status und die Lebensqualität beeinträchtigt, prädisponiert. Dieser Aspekt wurde bisher in dieser Population wenig untersucht.ZielDas Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Einfluss von chronischer (cW) und akuter Wunde (aW) auf den objektiven funktionalen Status sowie auf die wundbezogene subjektive Lebensqualität bei hospitalisierten geriatrischen Patienten zu untersuchen.MethodeIn dieser explorativen Querschnittsanalyse wurden die Daten von 41 Patienten mit Wunden untersucht, die in der Studie „Transsektorales Interventionsprogramm zur Verbesserung der Geriatrischen Versorgung in Regensburg“ (TIGER) (n = 244) rekrutiert wurden. Je nach Art der Wunde wurden die Patienten der Gruppe der aW (n = 19) oder cW (n = 22) zugeteilt. Die beiden Gruppen wurden hinsichtlich Mobilität, Handkraft, Alltagsaktivitäten, Emotion, Kognition und Ernährung sowie der wundbezogenen Lebensqualität (Wound-QoL) und soziodemografischen Daten miteinander verglichen.ErgebnisseZwischen der aW- und der cW-Gruppe ergab sich ein signifikanter Unterschied hinsichtlich des Geschlechtes (p = 0,045) und der Wohnsituation (p = 0,047). Die Art der Wunde war mit dem Barthel-Index (p = 0,010) und dem Wound-QoL (p = 0,022) assoziiert.DiskussionIm Vergleich zu den aW-Patienten sind die cW-Patienten in den physischen und sozialen Dimensionen eingeschränkter und berichten von geringerer Lebensqualität. Die Wohnsituation von Alleinlebenden scheint dabei eine relevante Rolle zu spielen. Bei den Patienten der TIGER-Studie waren besonders alleinlebende Männer von cW betroffen. Die Betreuung dieser spezifischen Patientenpopulation sollte einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz verfolgen.Zusatzmaterial onlineDie Online-Version dieses Beitrags (10.1007/s00391-021-01975-8) enthält eine kurze Beschreibung der durchgeführten Testungen und deren Literaturverweise.Beitrag und Zusatzmaterial stehen Ihnen auf www.springermedizin.de zur Verfügung. Bitte geben Sie dort den Beitragstitel in die Suche ein; das Zusatzmaterial finden Sie beim Beitrag unter „Ergänzende Inhalte“.

Accurate and efficient pulmonary CT imaging workflow for COVID-19 patients by the combination of intelligent guided robot and automatic positioning technology

BackgroundThe ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put radiologists at a higher risk of infection during the computer tomography (CT) examination for the patients. To help settling these problems, we adopted a remote-enabled and automated contactless imaging workflow for CT examination by the combination of intelligent guided robot and automatic positioning technology to reduce the potential exposure of radiologists to 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection and to increase the examination efficiency, patient scanning accuracy and better image quality in chest CT imaging . MethodsFrom February 10 to April 12, 2020, adult COVID-19 patients underwent chest CT examinations on a CT scanner using the same scan protocol except with the conventional imaging workflow (CW group) or an automatic contactless imaging workflow (AW group) in Wuhan Leishenshan Hospital (China) were retrospectively and prospectively enrolled in this study. The total examination time in two groups was recorded and compared. The patient compliance of breath holding, positioning accuracy, image noise and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were assessed by three experienced radiologists and compared between the two groups. ResultsCompared with the CW group, the total positioning time of the AW group was reduced ((118.0 ± 20.0) s vs. (129.0 ± 29.0) s, P = 0.001), the proportion of scanning accuracy was higher (98% vs. 93%), and the lung length had a significant difference ((0.90±1.24) cm vs. (1.16±1.49) cm, P = 0.009). For the lesions located in the pulmonary centrilobular and subpleural regions, the image noise in the AW group was significantly lower than that in the CW group (centrilobular region: (140.4 ± 78.6) HU vs. (153.8 ± 72.7) HU, P = 0.028; subpleural region: (140.6 ± 80.8) HU vs. (159.4 ± 82.7) HU, P = 0.010). For the lesions located in the peripheral, centrilobular and subpleural regions, SNR was significantly higher in the AW group than in the CW group (centrilobular region: 6.6 ± 4.3 vs. 4.9 ± 3.7, P = 0.006; subpleural region: 6.4 ± 4.4 vs. 4.8 ± 4.0, P < 0.001). ConclusionsThe automatic contactless imaging workflow using intelligent guided robot and automatic positioning technology allows for reducing the examination time and improving the patient's compliance of breath holding, positioning accuracy and image quality in chest CT imaging.

The expression and significance of TET gene and 5hmC in chronic rhinosinusitis

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of TET gene and 5hmC in chronic sinusitis. Methods:Acquiring 20 cases of nasal polyps from chronic sinusitis with polyps（CW）, 20 cases of uncinate process tissues from chronic sinusitis without polyps（CS）, 10 cases of middle turbinate tissues from patients with nasal septum deviated as normal group（N）.The expression of TET gene and 5hmC in chronic sinusitis was measured by immunofluorescence, Western-Blot and Quantitative real-time PCR. Results:Both TET1/2/3 gene and 5 hmC were highly expressed in the CS group, but were lower in the CW group and the N group.There were statistically significant differences between the CS group and the CW group（P<0.05）, and between the CS group and the N group（P<0.05）.The expressions of TET1 and TET3 in the N group were higher than those in the CW group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. Conclusion:DNA demethylation plays an important role in the formation of nasal polyps.High expression of TET1, TET2, TET3 and 5hmC May reduce the risk of nasal polyps.Increased DNA demethylation in chronic sinusitis may reduce the risk of nasal polyp formation.When the degree of DNA methylation in chronic sinusitis is high and the degree of DNA demethylation is low, the disease may develop to CRSwNP, and when the degree of DNA methylation is low and the degree of DNA demethylation is high, the disease may develop to CRSsNP.

Invention and Evaluation of a Novel Air Leak Check System for Vacuum-type Patient Immobilization Device

We developed a novel system to measure air leakage in vacuum cushions, which are used in high-precision radiation therapy. The purpose of this study was to verify the usefulness of this system by evaluating the accuracy and the capability for detecting air leakage. The novel system was used to measure pressure in the cushion using a manometer. The advantage of this system was that we can measure the pressure without deformation of the cushion and check the pressure immediately. We confirmed that the pressure measured using this system is proportional to the reading in the reference manometer by the coefficient of 1.0. This system had a higher capability in the leak detection than the capability by checking softness in our sense of touch. We checked the leakage using this system against 18 cushions without air leakage (NL group) and 7 cushions that had problems regarding usage in patients due to the leakage (CW group). Average pressure variations in the NL group and the CW group were 22 kPa and 46 kPa, respectively. This was a significant difference in both groups. We could decide the criteria of pressure in the cushions that may cause troubles in the future use. We concluded that this system can detect air leakage in the cushions with a higher detectivity than our tactile sense.

Use of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells immortalized by the expression of telomerase in wound healing in diabetic rats.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with neural and micro- and macrovascular complications. Therapeutic options for these complications are limited and the delivery of mesenchymal stem cells into lesions have been reported to improve the healing process. In this work, the effects of the administration of a lineage of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells immortalized by the expression of telomerase (hBMSC-TERT) as a potential therapeutic tool for wound healing in diabetic rats were investigated. This is the first description of the use of these cells in diabetic wounds. Dorsal cutaneous lesions were made in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and hBMSC-TERT were subcutaneously administered around the lesions. The healing process was evaluated macroscopically, histologically, and by birefringence analysis. Diabetic wounded rats infused with hBMSC-TERT (DM-TERT group) and the non-diabetic wounded rats not infused with hBMSC-TERT (CW group) had very similar patterns of fibroblastic response and collagen proliferation indicating improvement of wound healing. The result obtained by birefringence analysis was in accordance with that obtained by the histological analysis. The results indicated that local administration of hBMSC-TERT in diabetic wounds improved the wound healing process and may become a therapeutic option for wounds in individuals with diabetes.

Long-term effects of a toddler-focused caries prevention programme among Northwestern US tribal children: The TOTS-to-Tweens study.

We sought to determine whether American Indian tribe-based interventions that successfully prevented toddler dental caries in a 2005 cohort study (the Toddler Overweight and Tooth Decay Prevention Study, or TOTS) influenced the prevalence of dental caries in children ages 11 to 13 in the same communities ten years later (the TOTS-to-Tweens study). We recruited original TOTS participants and conducted school- and community-based dental screenings at tribal communities that received family plus community-wide interventions (F+CW), community interventions only (CW) or were control communities. We also enrolled children who did not participate in TOTS, but were exposed to CW interventions or to the control environment. Trained clinicians examined children's teeth and recorded whether each tooth was decayed, missing or filled (DMFT). We calculated DMFT scores for each child and evaluated differences in DMFT incidence rate ratios (IRR) and components of DMFT by intervention group. We observed lower age- and sex-adjusted DMFT scores among F+CW children (a mean of 2.1 DMFT; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-2.7) and among CW children (2.2; 95% CI: 1.9-2.6), than control children (3.0; 95% CI: 2.3-3.7). The F+CW group had 32% lower DMFT scores than control children (IRR=0.68; 95% CI: 0.46-1.01), and CW children had 26% lower DMFT scores than control (IRR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.55-1.00). The proportion of children with filled teeth was higher in control than intervention communities (37.9% in F+CW, 47.1% in CW, and 67.1% in control, P=.002). Our findings suggest modest yet significant long-term effects of interventions that prevented toddler dental caries on the DMFT scores of tweens evaluated ten years later. Further study of effective interventions and their sustainability is clearly warranted among tribal children, who remain at high risk for dental caries.

Incorporation of the LETd-weighted biological dose in the evaluation of breast intensity-modulated proton therapy plans

Purpose To evaluate the LETd-weighted biological dose to OARs in proton therapy for breast cancer and to study the relationship of the LETd-weighted biological dose relative to the standard dose (RBE = 1.1) and thereby to provide estimations of the biological dose uncertainties with the standard dose calculations (RBE = 1.1) commonly used in clinical practice. Method This study included 20 patients who received IMPT treatment to the whole breast/chest wall and regional lymph nodes. The LETd distributions were calculated along with the physical dose using an open-source Monte Carlo simulation package, MCsquare. Using the McMahon linear model, the LETd-weighted biological dose was computed from the physical dose and LETd. OAR doses were compared between the Dose (RBE = 1.1) and the LETd-weighted biological dose, on brachial plexus, rib, heart, esophagus, and Ipsilateral lung. Results On average, the LETd-weighted biological dose compared to the Dose (RBE = 1.1) was higher by 8% for the brachial plexus D0.1 cc, 13% for the ribs D0.5 cc, 24% for mean heart dose, and 10% for the esophagus D0.1 cc, respectively. The LETd-weighted doses to the Ipsilateral lung V5, V10, and V20 were comparable to the Dose (RBE = 1.1). No statistically significant difference in biological dose enhancement to OARs was observed between the intact breast group and the CW group, with the exception of the ribs: the CW group experienced slightly greater biological dose enhancement (13% vs. 12%, p = 0.04) to the ribs than the intact breast group. Conclusion Enhanced biological dose was observed compared to standard dose with assumed RBE of 1.1 for the heart, ribs, esophagus, and brachial plexus in breast/CW and regional nodal IMPT plans. Variable RBE models should be considered in the evaluation of the IMPT breast plans, especially for OARs located near the end of range of a proton beam. Clinical outcome studies are needed to validate model predictions for clinical toxicities.