Four-hour Period Research Articles

Optimization of Pressurized Alkaline Hydrolysis for Chemical Recycling of Post-Consumer PET Waste.

Addressing the environmental impact of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) disposal highlights the need for efficient recycling methods. Chemical recycling, specifically alkaline hydrolysis, presents a promising avenue for PET waste management by depolymerizing PET into its constituent monomers. This study focuses on optimizing the pressurized alkaline hydrolysis process for post-consumer PET residues obtained from packaging materials. Post-consumer PET packaging waste was chemically recycled by means of an alkaline hydrolysis reaction in a 2 L pressurized reactor under varying conditions of the NaOH/PET ratio and temperature. The reaction's progress was monitored by sampling the liquid phase hourly over a four-hour period. The obtained products were purified, with a focus on isolating terephthalic acid (TPA). Higher temperatures (150 °C) resulted in superior TPA yields (>95%) compared to lower temperatures (120 °C). The NaOH/PET ratio showed minimal influence on the TPA yield. The optimal conditions (T = 150 °C; NaOH:PET = 2) were identified based on TPA yield and reaction cost considerations. This study demonstrates the feasibility of pressurized alkaline hydrolysis for PET recycling, with optimized conditions yielding high TPA purity and efficiency.

A Case Report of Delayed Opioid Toxidrome After Administration of Naloxone.

Opioid use is an epidemic that plagues the United States. Patients frequently present to the emergency department (ED) after opioid toxicity, which can lead to respiratory failure, apnea, and death. Although there is an effective antidote, naloxone, the current guidelines surrounding post-naloxone administration monitoring are loosely defined. We present a case in which an individual was administered naloxone after an intentional opioid overdose and was monitored for four hours, as is standard in our institution. He remained in the ED for additional workup following this observation period and subsequently experienced signs of severe respiratory depression, requiring bag-valve-mask ventilation, naloxone, and admission. Had he been discharged, as is typical after a four-hour observation period, the consequences could have been fatal. We present multiple theories as to why his opioid toxidrome may have presented in a delayed manner, including ingestion of fentanyl analogues and variability in metabolization of both opioids and naloxone. We also explore alternative overdose antidote products approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, which may impact post overdose care. This case suggests that the correct amount of time to monitor patients after naloxone administration may be longer than originally thought. Our aim in this article was to further the discussion regarding the most appropriate observation period in cases of opioid toxicity.

The Reverberation of the Sacred Gurbani’s Vibrations at the Darbar Sahib: The Issue of Its Television Broadcasting

This essay will examine the contemporary issue of the television broadcasting of the sacred Gurbani from the Darbar Sahib to set the stage for understanding the historical context of the musical sessions (chauṅkīs) of devotional singing, followed by the process of decolonizing the musical performances in modern times, including religious aesthetics and sacred time and the processional chauṅkīs in the Darbar Sahib Complex. The continuous singing of the Guru’s hymns (Gurbani kirtan) resounds inside the Darbar Sahib (“the Divine Court”), popularly known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar. This special mode of worship consists of singing and listening to the hymns of the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. The heart of Sikh devotional experience lies in the performance of scriptural hymns in a congregational setting. Notably, different sessions of devotional singing go on day and night from 2.45 a.m. to 10.45 p.m. at the Golden Temple, following a celebrated tradition established more than four centuries ago by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan. Even during the four-hour period of cleaning the sanctum sanctorum at midnight, the devotees recite hymns from memory, thereby making the Darbar Sahib a unique place where vibrations of sacred sound reverberate continuously for twenty-four hours a day.

Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea) Condiment Extract Reversed Diarrhoeal Condition in Male Wistar Rats

Aims: The goal of the investigation is to verify the anti-diarrhoeal properties of bambara groundnut seed condiment.
 Study Design: The study involved thirty male Wistar rats divided into five groups. Rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 received different dosages of the methanol extract of Bambara groundnut condiment (BGNCE). Group 1 served as a control and received loperamide, a standard medication for treating diarrhoea, while group 5 received distilled water. The rats were subjected to castor oil to induce diarrhoea, and various parameters were evaluated over a four-hour period.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, and the Department of Biochemistry, College of Biosciences, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; between July 2017 and November, 2017.
 Methodology: The methodology involved administering castor oil to induce diarrhoea, evaluating various diarrhoea parameters over four hours, and analyzing serum concentrations of albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-) using standard methods.
 Results: The rats in group 1 (loperamide) showed the highest level of inhibition of diarrhoea (100%), while rats in group 5 (distilled water) had the least inhibition (21.85%). The treatment with bambara groundnut condiment extract improved kidney and liver functions in rats, as indicated by changes in blood urea nitrogen (18.80 mg/dl vs 10.67 mg/dl); creatinine (0.83 mg/dl vs 0.74 mg/dl); and albumin (2.01 vs 3.21 g/dl), for rat groups 4 and 1 respectively. BGNCE also up-regulated serum concentrations (mmol/L) of (K+, Na+, Cl-) ions close to control.
 Conclusion: The study concludes that Bambara groundnut condiment have anti-diarrhoeal potential, and untreated acute diarrhoea can impair liver and kidney functions in rats.

Development of a Same-Day Closed CAR-T Cell Manufacturing Process to Generate Lentivector Loaded Lymphocytes Ready for Subcutaneous Injection

Background: Adoptive T-cell therapies with CD19 chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) are now the standard of care for refractory/recurrent hematologic B-cell malignancies. However, challenges remain in delivering a more fit cell product that can be manufactured in a more timely and cost-effective manner. To address these challenges, a rapid same-day fully closed manufacturing process was developed to generate a more fit product for subcutaneous administration and to enable an efficient transition from early-phase clinical trials to commercial-scale production. Methods: A lentivector (LV) was designed with the capability of directly targeting and activating T cells simultaneously to enable manufacturing without prior T-cell selection. Experiments were performed to understand the kinetics of direct lentivector-induced T-cell activation, internalization, reverse transcription, and vector genome integration. After establishing critical process parameters for efficient loading of T cells with LVs, a closed manufacturing process was developed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) starting material derived from whole blood or apheresis. PBMCs were isolated in an automated closed system and exposed to LV for a four-hour incubation period. Cells were washed in an automated closed system to remove residual LV, formulated, and vialed with release testing for identity, potency, purity, and safety. Three full-scale engineering lots were manufactured from donor-derived apheresis in addition to three small-scale analytical lots with patient-derived PBMC. Results: For targeted gene delivery into T cells within PBMC, the CD19 CAR LV was designed to contain a CD3 targeting motif in its envelope to enable T-cell binding, activation, and viral entry into CD3+ T cells. The CD3-directed LV encoding a CD19-CAR and a novel synthetic driver co-stimulatory domain was manufactured in a chemically defined 25L clinical scale suspension-based process and vialed to a target unit potency for ease of cell loading. The purified CD3-directed LV is capable of inducing T-cell receptor internalization and activation through specific bioassays. In surrogate analytical cultures, following LV exposure and automated washing, viral entry into T cells was complete. Analytical cultures demonstrate the ability to successfully generate CAR+ cells with a unique CD3+CD56+CD45RA+CCR7+ T memory-stem cell with NK-like features and a vector copy number of less than 5 vector copies/transduced cell (1.95 +/- 0.58). In preparation for clinical investigation, full-scale runs were performed in GMP facilities with qualified methods for release testing against identity, potency, purity, and safety. Small-scale analytical processes utilizing B-cell lymphoma patient-derived PBMC from whole blood were evaluated for differences relative to donor-derived material. Conclusions: To address current challenges in the manufacturing of autologous cell products, a same-day closed manufacturing process was developed to produce cells with enhanced fitness. Qualification of this novel design included 1) completion of the production of the CD3-directed LV encoding a CD19 CAR with a novel synthetic co-stimulatory driver element at the 25L scale; 2) completion of three full-scale closed engineering runs along with the qualification of QC release testing for identity, potency, purity, and safety and 3) comparability studies utilizing patient-derived PBMC.

PSX-7 Determination of Tryptophan Requirements of Adult and Senior Labrador Retrievers Using the Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation Technique

Abstract Nutritional requirements vary across the life stages of canines, and the consumer demand for advanced diets that meet the age-appropriate needs of their pets has steadily increased. Availability of veterinary care and high-quality nutrition has led to a longer average lifespan in companion animals, and although senior dogs represent a significant proportion of the pet population, few studies have targeted the specific amino acid requirements of the aging canine. In this study, the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique was used to compare the tryptophan (Trp) requirements of young adult and senior Labrador retrievers. After 2-day adaptation to Trp-adequate basal diet (Trp = 0.256% dry matter), dogs underwent individual IAOO studies. In brief, all dogs were randomly fed one of six test diets with varying levels of tryptophan ranging from deficient to sufficient (final Trp content in experimental diets was 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.224, 0.25 and 0.256% dry matter). Test diet was divided into 13 equal meals; at the 5th meal, a tracer amino acid was supplied (a bolus L-[1-13C] Phe based on body weight was first given, followed by [1-13C] Phe doses every thirty minutes spanning a four-hour period), and breath samples were collected via respiration mask every 30 minutes. Total production of 13CO2 during isotopic steady state was determined by enrichment of 13CO2 in breath samples and total CO2 production measured via indirect calorimetry and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Results for IRMS were converted to atom percent excess (APE) and analyzed using segmented linear regression. The Four Rivers mean and population requirements for tryptophan were 377.7 ± 31.9 mg/1,000 kcal ME (mean ± 2SD) in the young adults and 362.9 ± 31.5 mg/1,000 kcal ME for senior dogs, which are greater than the currently recommended amounts by NRC and AAFCO. As the pet food industry offers more specialized diets for aging canines, updating the amino acid requirements for such animals is increasingly important.

Vancomycin and Gentamicin Removal with the HA380 Cartridge during Experimental Hemoadsorption

Introduction: Hemoadsorption has emerged as an adjunctive therapy for sepsis, but its impact on antibiotic levels remains poorly defined. We conducted an in vivo experimental study to investigate the removal of vancomycin and gentamicin during hemoadsorption using the HA380 cartridge, a novel styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer cartridge. Methods: Six surgically prepared sheep were administered 2 g of vancomycin and 400 mg of gentamicin over 30 min, followed by a continuous infusion of vancomycin (20 mg/h). Hemoadsorption was implemented with a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer HA380 cartridge at a blood flow of 120 mL/min. The removal ratio, sorbent-based clearance, and the mass removal rate were calculated for each time point. Results: The mean 10-min vancomycin removal ratio exceeded 90% and declined to 68.0% at 30 min; 52.8% at 60 min, and 28.0% by 4 h. Due to constant plasma flow, clearance varied proportionally with the removal ratio. Over 4 hours, the total mass removal was 556 mg (SD 106.3). For gentamicin, the mean 10-min removal ratio was 96.9% and the final ratio at 4 h remained 53.0%, with clearances changing proportionately. The total mass removal of gentamicin was 138 mg (SD 26.6) over 4 h. The sorbent-based clearance of vancomycin was significantly lower than that of gentamicin (P_group < 0.0001). Conclusion: The novel HA380 sorbent cartridge appears safe and achieves significant vancomycin and gentamicin removal over a four-hour period. This information can be used by clinicians to guide their prescription and consider the additional dosing of at least an extra 25–35% amount in patients receiving HA380 hemoadsorption therapy during sepsis.

NO Addition during Gas Oxygenation Reduces Liver and Kidney Injury during Prolonged Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of NO added to the sweep gas of the oxygenator during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on the liver and kidneys in pigs. Methods. An experiment was carried out on 10 pigs undergoing cardiac surgery using CPB. NO was added to the sweep gas of the oxygenator at a concentration of 100 ppm for the animals in the experimental group (CPB-NO, n = 5). Animals in the control group (CPB-contr, n = 5) did not receive NO in the sweep gas of the oxygenator. The CPB lasted 4 h, followed by postoperative monitoring for 12 h. To assess the injury to the liver and kidneys, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, creatinine, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were determined initially, at weaning from the CPB, and 6 and 12 h after weaning from the CPB. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was evaluated initially, at weaning from the CPB, and 6 and 12 h after weaning from the CPB. A pathomorphological study of the liver and kidneys was performed using semiquantitative morphometry. Results. The long four-hour period of CPB deliberately used in our experiment caused liver and kidney injury. In the CPB-contr group, an increase in the ALT concentration was found: 43 (34; 44) U/L at baseline to 82 (53; 99) U/L 12 h after CPB, p < 0.05. The AST concentration in the CPB-contr group increased from 25 (17; 26) U/L at baseline to 269 (164; 376) U/L 12 h after CPB, p < 0.05. We found no significant increase in the ALT and AST concentrations in the CPB-NO group. There were no significant differences in ALT and AST concentrations between the CPB-NO and CPB-contr groups at all the study time-points. In the CPB-contr group, an increase in the creatinine level was found from 131 (129; 133) µmol/L at baseline to 273 (241; 306) µmol/L 12 h after CPB, p < 0.05. We found no significant increase in creatinine level in the CPB-NO group. Creatinine levels in the CPB-NO group were significantly lower than in the CPB-contr group 12 h after weaning from CPB: 183 (168; 196) vs. 273 (241; 306) µmol/L; p = 0.008. The GFR in the CPB-NO group was significantly higher than in the CPB-contr group 6 h after weaning from CPB: 78.9 (77.8; 82.3) vs. 67.9 (62.3; 69.2) mL/min; p = 0.016. GFR was significantly higher in the CPB-NO group than in the CPB-contr group 12 h after weaning from CPB: 67.7 (65.5; 68.0) vs. 50.3 (48.7; 54.9) mL/min; p = 0.032. We found no significant differences between the study groups in the level of NGAL. We found several differences between the groups in the pathomorphological study. Conclusions. NO added to the sweep gas of the oxygenator reduces creatinine levels and increases GFR during prolonged CPB injury. Further research is required.

Microliter spotting and micro-colony observation: A rapid and simple approach for counting bacterial colony forming units

For enumerating viable bacteria, traditional dilution plating to count colony forming units (CFUs) has always been the preferred method in microbiology owing to its simplicity, albeit being laborious and time-consuming. Similar CFU counts can be obtained by quantifying growing micro-colonies in conjunction with the benefits of a microscope. Here, we employed a simple method of five to ten microliter spotting of a diluted bacterial culture multiple times on a single Petri dish followed by determining CFU by counting micro-colonies using a phase-contrast microscope. In this method, the CFU of an Escherichia coli culture can be estimated within a four-hour period after spotting. Further, within a ten-hour period after spotting, CFU in a culture of Ralstonia solanacearum, a bacterium with a generation time of around 2 h, can be estimated. The CFU number determined by micro-colonies observed for 106-fold dilutions or lower is similar to that obtained by the dilution plating method for 107-fold dilutions or lower. Micro-colony numbers observed in the early hours of growth (2 h in case of E. coli and 8 h in case of R. solanacearum) were found to remain consistent at later hours (4 h in case of E. coli and 10 h in case of R. solanacearum), where the visibility of the colonies was better due to a noticeable increase in the size of the colonies. This suggested that micro-colonies observed in the early hours indeed represent the bacterial number in the culture. Practical applications to this counting method were employed in studying the rifampicin-resistant mutation rate as well as performing a fluctuation test in E. coli. The spotting method described here to enumerate bacterial CFU results in reduction of labour, time and resources.

Determining the preferred liquid reward in adult C57BL/6 mice.

Using food rewards to motivate mice is commonplace in behavioural research. Using a reward which is highly desirable is of benefit, as it can reduce the need to food restrict animals and can encourage higher levels of consumption, allowing for changes in levels of consumption following an intervention to be easily determined. Here, we aimed to determine the preferred milk reward for adult male C57Bl/6 mice. Thirty male C57Bl/6 mice were provided with soya milk, chocolate milk, almond milk or water for a four-hour period in a cross-over design. When planning studies that involve the use of a palatable liquid reward, soya milk is the preferred option for adult male C57BL/6 mice. Providing a liquid reward of high value will give increased levels of consumption, with little or no food restriction required.

Cambodian American Listening as Memory Work

Cambodian American Listening as Memory Work

PSXI-12 Determination of Protein Requirements for Labrador Retriever Pups (&amp;gt; 14 wk-9 Mo) Using the Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation (Iaao) Technique

Abstract Providing protein to growing puppies in accurate amounts ensures that animals have enough energy and nutrients for depositing muscle, growing bones, and maintaining joint health. Inclusion amounts must be provided at correct doses, considering a diet with excess protein can lead to harmful outcomes such as hyperkalemia or acidosis. To determine the protein requirements in growing Labrador Retrievers, the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique was utilized in six puppies (&amp;gt;14 wk-9 mo). Dogs were supplied with constant dietary Phe across diets. The control diet was fed for two days, followed by a day in which the test diet was fed, a tracer amino acid was supplied, and breath samples were collected. On test day, a priming dose of L-[1-13C]phenylalanine (Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc.) based on the body weight of the subject was supplied, followed by [1-13C]Phe doses every 30 minutes, spanning a four-hour period. A respiration mask was placed on each subject every 30 minutes (Oxymax, Columbus Instruments), 13CO2 was collected, and enrichment was determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). IRMS results were converted to atom percent excess (APE) and analyzed using a segmented model of best fit (JMP Pro 16). The outcome of this experiment determines that if essential amino acids and non-essential amino acid nitrogen requirements are met, Labrador Retriever puppies will have mean and population safe requirements (mean±2SD) of 47.5 ± 1.325 g/1,000 kcal.

Reduction in Operating Room Airborne Particle Burden and Time-Dependent Contamination of Sterile Instrument Trays With the Use of a Novel Air Filtration System.

IntroductionPostoperative infections represent a substantial burden to patients and healthcare systems. To improve patient care and reduce healthcare expenditures, interventions to reduce surgical infections must be employed. The crystalline C-band ultraviolet (UV-C) air filtration technology (Aerobiotix Inc., Miamisburg, OH, USA) has been designed to reduce airborne bioburden through high-quality filtration and germicidal irradiation. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of a novel UV-C air filtration device to reduce airborne particle counts and contamination of surgical instrument trays in an operating room (OR) setting.Materials and methodsThirty sterile instrument trays were opened in a positive-air-flow OR. The trays were randomly assigned to one of two groups (UV-C or control, n=15 per group). In the UV-C group, the UV-C filtration device was used and in the control, it was not. All trays were opened with the use of a sterile technique and left exposed in the OR for four hours. Air was sampled by a particle counter to measure the numbers of 5µm and 10µm particles. Culture specimens were obtained from the trays to assess for bacterial contamination. Outcome data were collected at 30-minute intervals for the duration of the four-hour study period.ResultsUse of the UV-C device resulted in statistically significant reductions in the numbers of 5µm (average of 64.9% reduction when compared with the control, p<0.001) and 10µm (average of 65.7% reduction when compared with the control, p<0.001)-sized particles detectable in the OR. There was no significant difference in the overall rates of contamination (33.3% in the control group vs. 26.7% in the UV-C group, p=1.0) or the time to contamination (mean survival of 114 minutes in the control group vs. 105 minutes in the UV-C group, p=0.72) of surgical instrument trays with the use of the UV-C device.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that the UV-C filtration device can successfully reduce airborne bioburden in standard ORs, suggesting that it may have the potential to reduce the risk for wound and hardware infections. Further clinical trials are necessary to better determine the effect of this air filtration system on postoperative infection rates.

Normothermic Perfusion is Superior to Subnormothermic Perfusion in a Juvenile Porcine Transplantation Model of Ex-Situ Lung Perfusion

<h3>Purpose</h3> Ex-situ lung perfusion (ESLP) is used for the preservation, reconditioning, and treatment of marginal quality donor lungs to increase the donor pool. The ideal perfusion temperature has not been tested systematically in large animal models of ESLP. We report our results of prolonged normothermic vs subnormothermic ESLP with transplantation in a juvenile porcine model. <h3>Methods</h3> Twelve pig lungs underwent 12 hours of negative pressure ventilation (NPV)-ESLP with normothermic (38 Celsius, n=6) or subnormothermic (32 Celsius, n=6) perfusion temperatures. Three left lungs from each group were subsequently transplanted and assessed in-vivo over a four-hour period. Graft function was assessed via physiologic parameters, edema formation, cytokine profiles, and histopathologic analysis. <h3>Results</h3> Normothermic and subnormothermic lungs demonstrated stable and acceptable oxygenation during 12-hours of NPV-ESLP. While on ESLP, normothermic lungs demonstrated an improvement in compliance whereas subnormothermic lungs did not. Edema formation post-ESLP was significantly worse in the experimental group. Isolated left lung oxygenation 4 hours post-transplant was worse in the experimental group and trended towards significance. Left lung edema formation was not significantly different between groups post-transplant. Cytokine and histopathologic analysis are ongoing. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Normothermic perfusion of porcine lungs results in superior graft function compared to subnormothermic perfusion over 12-hours of NPV-ESLP and during acute in-vivo transplantation assessment.

The Frequency and Characteristics of Postsurgical Problems in Individuals who had got Neurosurgical Operations

Aim: The main aim of our current research was to assess occurrence and prevalence of postsurgical problems in individuals who had had neurosurgical operations. Methods: From January 2020 to December 2021 a descriptive study is conducted at Neurosurgery department Chandka Medical College, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana, most patients remained monitored surgically in post anesthesia care unit or critical care unit for up to four hours. The investigators noted relevant problems and clinical records on a standardized form. Respiratory, cardiovascular, nausea and vomiting, hypothermia, and other problems have been identified. Age, gender, ASA status, kind of surgery, elective or emergency surgery, in addition postoperative placement were all examined as lifestyle factors for the incidence of problems. Results: Six hundred patients treated studied monitored, although the trachea remained deeply sedated in 57 of them after the four-hour study period, hence they were eliminated from the postoperative effects assessment. At least one situation happened in 56.6 percent of the remaining 437 individuals. Respiratory issues occurred in 3.9 percent of cases, airway damage in 5.6 percent of cases, cardiovascular complications in 7.8 percent of cases, neurological abnormalities in 6.8 percent of cases, and nausea and/or vomiting in 39 percent of cases. The most patients had problems throughout spine (68%) and trauma (68%) surgery, comparing to tumor (48%) and other (47%) surgery, P 0.06. Other lifestyle factors for nausea and vomiting were being over 70 years old (P 0.01) and having elective spine also trauma surgery (P 0.002). Conclusion: In patients presenting, here had been very significant rate of early postoperative problems. The most prevalent issue included nausea and vomiting, that was more prevalent among young patients receiving elective spine surgery. Keywords: Occurrence and prevalence of postsurgical problems, neurosurgical operations.

Interaction of Salmonella Gallinarum and Salmonella Enteritidis with peripheral leucocytes of hens with different laying performance

Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovars Enteritidis (SE) and Gallinarum (SG) cause different diseases in chickens. However, both are able to reach the blood stream where heterophils and monocytes are potentially able to phagocytose and kill the pathogens. Using an ex vivo chicken whole blood infection model, we compared the complex interactions of the differentially host-adapted SE and SG with immune cells in blood samples of two White Leghorn chicken lines showing different laying performance (WLA: high producer; R11: low producer). In order to examine the dynamic interaction between peripheral blood leucocytes and the Salmonella serovars, we performed flow cytometric analyses and survival assays measuring (i) leucocyte numbers, (ii) pathogen association with immune cells, (iii) Salmonella viability and (iv) immune gene transcription in infected whole blood over a four-hour co-culture period. Inoculation of blood from the two chicken lines with Salmonella led primarily to an interaction of the bacteria with monocytes, followed by heterophils and thrombocytes. We found higher proportions of monocytes associated with SE than with SG. In blood samples of high producing chickens, a decrease in the numbers of both heterophils and Salmonella was observed. The Salmonella challenge induced transcription of interleukin-8 (IL-8) which was more pronounced in SG- than SE-inoculated blood of R11. In conclusion, the stronger interaction of monocytes with SE than SG and the better survivability of Salmonella in blood of low-producer chickens shows that the host–pathogen interaction and the strength of the immune defence depend on both the Salmonella serovar and the chicken line.

The Acute Effect of Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Mechanically Ventilated Children after the Norwood Operation.

Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions are commonly administered in pediatric patients following the Norwood operation. This study was conducted to determine the effect of PRBC transfusions on hemodynamic parameters in pediatric patients with single-ventricle physiology and parallel circulation. A single-center, retrospective chart review was conducted. Pediatric patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit after Norwood operation between 2017 and 2018 were identified. Hemodynamic parameters were collected within a four-hour period before and after a PRBC transfusion. Univariate analyses using paired t tests were conducted to compare blood gas values before and after PRBC transfusion. Next, multivariate regression analyses were conducted to model the impact of transfusion volume, change in hemoglobin levels, and change in FiO2 on the change in PaO2 and PaCO2. These analyses included data from 33 eligible patients who received a PRBC transfusion following a Norwood operation. The hemoglobin levels (p < 0.01) and the PaO2/FiO2 ratio (p = 0.04) were significantly increased, while arterial lactate levels (p = 0.03) were significantly decreased following the transfusion. Transfusion for a pre-transfusion hemoglobin of 12.4g/dL appears to provide greatest reduction in lactate, used as a surrogate marker for systemic oxygen delivery. No significant changes were found in arterial pH, PaO2, and PaCO2. PRBC transfusions following the Norwood operation may be a useful intervention to increase systemic oxygen delivery, improving PaO2/FiO2 ratio and improving serum lactate. The benefits of PRBC transfusions must be weighed against previously identified risks on a patient-specific basis. Further studies are warranted to further delineate the effects of such transfusions in this population.

Liposuction with consequences: what to consider when using prilocaine

Aetiologically, prilocaine-induced methaemoglobinaemia is a rare form of acquired methaemoglobinaemia, which occurs rarely in the first place. The following report highlights a potentially dangerous complication arising after application of prilocaine during liposuction.A young female visited the Accident and Emergency Department following a pre-syncopal fall. As a consequence of her fall, she experienced debilitating wrist pain and exhibited a laceration on her chin. She had undergone liposuction of the lower extremity as an outpatient approximately 12 hours earlier and received regional anaesthesia in the process. A large volume of an anaesthetic solution containing prilocaine had been injected into the tissue.The patient was normotensive and slightly tachycardic and had oxygen saturations of 90 % on room air. She was cyanotic and her lips were pale. Initial arterial blood gas analysis showed a methaemoglobin fraction, which was increased significantly to 10.9 %. Conventional radiography confirmed the presence of a minimally dislocated distal radius fracture. Following subsequent oxygen therapy over a four-hour period, the patient's methaemoglobin level dropped to 6 %, her lip cyanosis abated and her vital parameters stabilised. The laceration of her chin was sutured and her wrist immobilised in a split plaster brace. After a 12-hour hospital stay, the patient was discharged. At her six-week follow-up appointment, the fracture had healed and both the functional and cosmetic aspects of her chin wound were adequate. We hope that this report draws the attention of emergency care personnel to the possible diagnosis of prilocaine-induced methaemoglobinaemia after liposuction and encourages more general discussions around the use of prilocaine.

Distinct and Overlapping Patterns of Acute Ethanol-Induced C-Fos Activation in Two Inbred Replicate Lines of Mice Selected for Drinking to High Blood Ethanol Concentrations.

The inbred high drinking in the dark (iHDID1 and iHDID2) strains are two replicate lines bred from the parent HS/Npt (HS) line for achieving binge levels of blood ethanol concentration (≥80 mg/dL BEC) in a four-hour period. In this work, we sought to evaluate differences in baseline and ethanol-induced c-Fos activation between the HS, iHDID1, and iHDID2 genetic lines in brain regions known to process the aversive properties of ethanol. Methods: Male and female HS, iHDID1, and iHDID2 mice underwent an IP saline 2 3 g/kg ethanol injection. Brain sections were then stained for c-Fos expression in the basolateral/central amygdala (BLA/CeA), bed nucleus of the stria terminals (BNST), A2, locus coeruleus (LC), parabrachial nucleus (PBN), lateral/medial habenula (LHb/MHb), paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), periaqueductal gray (PAG), Edinger–Westphal nuclei (EW), and rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). Results: The iHDID1 and iHDID2 lines showed similar and distinct patterns of regional c-Fos; however, in no region did the two both significantly differ from the HS line together. Conclusions: Our findings lend further support to the hypothesis the iHDID1 and the iHDID2 lines arrive at a similar behavior phenotype through divergent genetic mechanisms.

Access to chewable materials during lactation affects sow behaviour and interaction with piglets

We investigated how providing chewable materials to piglets during the early weeks of life affect sow behaviour, sow and piglet interaction and sow health in pens with farrowing crates.We divided 59 pregnant sows into two treatment groups: the Control group (C, n = 29) and the Rope-Paper group (RP, n = 30). Piglets in the C group had the minimum enrichment required by Finnish legislation. For the RP group, we added sisal ropes and non-glossy newsprint paper. We recorded the behaviour of sows and their litters for a four-hour period during the first 7–18 days of life of the piglets. Skin and udder damage of the sow was recorded once a week five times. Behavioural data was divided into two categories according to the age of the litters. The first group contained litters aged from 7 to 13 days (n(RP) = 22 n(C) = 22) and the second group litters aged 14 days or older (n(RP) = 24 n(C) = 24).Younger piglets (age 7–13 days) in the RP group manipulated the udder more frequently (p < 0.01) and the duration of udder manipulation was longer than in the C group (p = 0.02). Further, the RP group had more udder contact events in which 20 % or less of the piglets took part and in which less than 50 % took part (p < 0.01 for both).Older piglets (age ≥ 14 days) in the RP group touched the sows’ body more frequently (p < 0.05).Sows in the C group were standing (p = 0.01), eating (p = 0.04) and performing oral-nasal manipulation (p < 0.01) more often.In the C group, repeated measures of skin lesions differed significantly between observation days (p = 0.00), sows tending to have a higher skin lesion score in observation week 5, with a median score of 1.5 (1–3), than in observation week 4, with a median score of 1 (1–2) (p = 0.06).In conclusion, piglets that had access to chewable materials after birth made more contact with the sow during lactation. However, sows in the C groupperformed more active behaviour. The behavioural mechanisms underlying these changes are not yet clear. Further investigations of the usage of chewable materials in farrowing units equipped with crates and their effects on the behaviour of sows and piglets are therefore warranted.