Respiratory Rate Values Research Articles

Evaluation of clinical parameters of cats during service at University Veterinary Clinic - UFT, Araguaína

. Cats, having a very low stress threshold, show altered vital parameters during consultations. on the physiology of stress in which it addresses the main changes that can be found at the expense of this phenomenon. The present study evaluated the clinical parameters of heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature of cats, under natural stress conditions, treated in an outpatient setting at the University Veterinary Clinic of the Federal University of Tocantins and correlated them with the variables room temperature, room humidity and time measurement of these clinical parameters (beginning or end of the consultation). There was no significant correlation between body temperature and room temperature, which may suggest a good adaptation of cats that live in the region of Araguaína at high temperatures. The respiratory rate showed mean values higher than those described in the literature (P < 0.05). When evaluating the results, it was concluded that higher respiratory rate values should be considered in healthy cats, under stress conditions during outpatient care. Regarding the assessment of the correlation between body temperature and room temperature, there was no significance.

Relationship between ventilatory pattern and peak VO2 and area M regulates the respiratory system during exercise

BackgroundExertional dyspnea is a major symptom of heart failure. We investigated the tidal volume (TV)-the respiratory rate (RR) regulation according to the peak O2 uptake (VO2) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for clarifying exercise ventilatory pattern. MethodsWe enrolled 1111 patients (66±13 years old, 68% men) who had undergone CPET at our hospital. We investigated the relationship between TV and RR and drew the TV/height-RR figure according to the %peak VO2. ResultsDuring exercise, TV was greater, illustrated as higher %peak VO2. However, RR was weakly correlated with %peak VO2. Adjusted with age, height, sex, each point of RR, and %peak VO2, TV during exercise highly correlated with age, height, each point of RR, and % peak VO2 (R=0.726 to 0.821, p<0.01). In the figure, regardless of the %peak VO2, TV/height and RR values were linearly related at rest, as well as at the point of anaerobic threshold, respiratory compensation, and peak exercise point, with each of these lines converging onto a single area (area M). The TV-RR slope values at early phase were also lower at lower %peak VO2. ConclusionsWe identified three ventilatory regularities during exercise. First, TV increases as greater %peak VO2. Second, the line relating TV/height and RR at each reference point during the incremental exercise test converged onto area M. Finally, the TV-RR slope at the early exercise phase was lower in patients with a lower %peak VO2. These ventilatory regularities may assist in elucidating the excise ventilatory pattern and help the diagnosis of exertional dyspnea.

Development of a nomogram to predict 30-day mortality of patients with sepsis-associated encephalopathy: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundSepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is related to increased short-term mortality in patients with sepsis. We aim to establish a user-friendly nomogram for individual prediction of 30-day risk of mortality in patients with SAE.MethodsData were retrospectively retrieved from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC III) open source clinical database. SAE was defined by Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) < 15 or delirium at the presence of sepsis. Prediction model with a nomogram was constructed in the training set by logistic regression analysis and then undergone internal validation and sensitivity analysis.ResultsSAE accounted for about 50% in patients with sepsis and was independently associated with the 30-day mortality of sepsis. Variables eligible for the nomogram included patient’s age and clinical parameters on the first day of ICU admission including the GCS score, lactate, bilirubin, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), mean value of respiratory rate and temperature, and the use of vasopressor. Compared with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Logistic Organ Dysfunction System (LODS), the nomogram exhibited better discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.763 (95%CI 0.736–0.791, p < 0.001) and 0.753 (95%CI 0.713–0.794, p < 0.001) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The calibration plot revealed an adequate fit of the nomogram for predicting the risk of 30-day mortality in both sets. Regarding to clinical usefulness, the DCA of the nomogram exhibited greater net benefit than SOFA and LODS in both of the training and validation sets. Besides, the nomogram exhibited acceptable discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness in sensitivity analysis.ConclusionsSAE is related to increased 30-day mortality of patients with sepsis. The nomogram presents excellent performance in predicting 30-day risk of mortality in SAE patients, which can be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients with SAE and may be more beneficial once specific treatments towards SAE are developed.

Chest-based Real-Time Pulse and Respiration Monitoring Based on Bio-Impedance.

Pulse wave and respiration are two important vital signals in diagnosing and treating diseases. In this paper, we investigated a Bio-impedance (BImp) based respiration and pulse wave monitoring system. The BImp signal is successfully extracted from a wearable device placed on the shoulder. Using the rate calculation algorithm, heart rate (HR), and respiration rate (RR) values are extracted accurately. The data is collected during different steps of breathing including slow, fast, deep, hold, and normal from 10 volunteers. The accuracy of HR results is compared to that of extracted from PPG with considering ECG based HR as reference. The extracted RR values are investigated against TCo2 sensor's output. The estimation of both RR and HR extracted from the BImp signal has higher accuracy compared to the other methods.

A Smart Mandibular Advancement Device for Intraoral Cardiorespiratory Monitoring.

We propose a smart mandibular advancement device (MAD) that can monitor cardiorespiratory parameters intraorally. The device comprises a flexible hybrid wireless monitoring platform integrated with a MAD. This monitoring platform is based on acquiring the intraoral photoplethysmography (PPG) signals. It is designed on a double-sided flexible polyimide substrate. Our experimental measurements show that the PPG signals captured intraorally are highly correlated with the conventional PPG signals received from the fingertip. Intraoral PPG signals have vital information as well as adequate quality to be utilized for estimation of multiple-physiological parameters, such as heart-rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), respiration pattern (RP) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The estimated values of HR, RR, and SpO2 from the intraoral PPG signals recorded by our smart MAD show an accuracy of over 96% with reference to the conventional monitoring techniques.

The Effect of the Open and Closed System Suctions on Pain Severity and Physiological Indicators in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

ObjectiveTracheal suctioning can cause pain and physiological indicator variations in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of the present study was to compare pain severity and physiological indicator variations during the closed tracheal suction system (CTSS) and open tracheal suction system (OTSS) in patients with TBI.MethodsThis study was a clinical trial. Samples included all ventilated patients with TBI. The patients were randomly divided into the OTSS and CTSS groups. In both groups, the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) and physiological indicators were recorded by three nurses prior to suctioning, the end of suctioning and 5 min after suction completion. Data were analysed using the independent t-test and repeated measurement tests.ResultsA total of 112 patients participated in the present study. Before the interventions, the mean value of the Glasgow Coma Scale was 6.45±1.13, blood pressure 128.33±20.54, saturated oxygen in arterial blood (SpO2) 96.74±2.76, respiratory rate (RR) 15.06±3.98, end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) 36.2±21.98, heart rate 82.18±42.33 and CPOT-based pain 0.43±0.94 in the patients. Independent t-test was used to compare CTSS and OTSS, suggesting significant differences with respect to the mean values of SpO2, RR and EtCO2 immediately after suctioning. This test showed significant differences between the two groups with respect to pain intensity at all three points of measurement. The two groups were also found to be significantly different with respect to RR measured 5 min after suctioning (p<0.05).ConclusionCompared to OTSS, CTSS can cause higher reductions in pain levels during and after suctioning in patients with head traumas and can also cause higher improvements in physiological indicators, such as RR, O2 saturation and EtCO2.

Respiratory rate is an early predictor of clinical deterioration in children.

To assess the value of respiratory rate (RR) as a predictor of clinical deterioration in children, compared with other vital sign measurements. A retrospective case-control study, comparing children who deteriorated, requiring admission to critical care with children who did not deteriorate. RR, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) measurements were collected from each patient for a 48-hour duration. The 95th centile was identified for each and 5% to 30% thresholds above the 95th centile were calculated. For each threshold the sensitivity, specificity, odds ratio, positive, and negative predictive value for deterioration was calculated. Forty cases (age range 7 weeks-15 years) and 40 control patients matched for age, gender, and hospital location were recruited. In 30/40 patients who deteriorated at least one RR ≥ 30% above the 95th centile for their age was recorded in the 48 hours before deterioration, compared with 10/40 controls, regardless of clinical diagnosis. Only 3/40 children that deteriorated had a HR > 30% greater than the 95th centile, compared with 2/40 controls. An elevated RR was the only vital sign whose odds ratios were significant at each threshold level above the 95th centile. Maximum RR occurred 16.8 hours before deterioration. RR is a more accurate predictor of clinical deterioration in children than other vital signs. Greater weighting and importance should be placed on RR, which is often omitted in children due to difficulties with its measurement.

Prognostic value of plasma microRNA-30b-5p combined with extravascular lung water index in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

To evaluate the prognostic value of plasma microRNA-30b-5p (miR-30b-5p) combined with extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 120 ARDS patients admitted to Danzhou People's Hospital from January 2016 to June 2019 were enrolled. The gender, age, body mass index (BMI), underlying diseases, etiology and baseline values of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygenation index (OI), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score were collected. According to the survival outcome during hospitalization, the patients were divided into survival group and death group. According to OI, the patients were divided into mild-moderate group (OI > 100 mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) and severe group (OI ≤ 100 mmHg). The expression of plasma miR-30b-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and EVLWI was measured. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the value of plasma miR-30b-5p and EVLWI in predicting the death of patients with ARDS. Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlation between miR-30b-5p and EVLWI in ARDS patients with different prognosis during hospitalization. 120 patients with ARDS were enrolled in the analysis, with 42 patients in the death group, and 78 in the survival group; with 67 patients in the mild-moderate group, and 53 in the severe group. APACHE II score in the death group was higher than that in the survival group, but there was no significant difference in gender, age, BMI, underlying diseases, etiology or baseline values of HR, RR, OI, or PaCO2 between the two groups. The expression of plasma miR-30b-5p and EVLWI level in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group [miR-30b-5p (2-ΔΔCt): 2.28±0.74 vs. 0.52±0.06, EVLWI (mL/kg): 15.38±4.60 vs. 10.24±2.15,both P < 0.01]. The expression of plasma miR-30b-5p, EVLWI and mortality during hospitalization in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the mild-moderate group [miR-30b-5p (2-ΔΔCt): 2.05±0.65 vs. 0.93±0.17, EVLWI (mL/kg): 14.65±4.20 vs. 11.36±2.28, mortality during hospitalization: 58.5% (31/53) vs. 16.4% (11/67), all P < 0.01]. ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off value of plasma miR-30b-5p and EVLWI in predicting the death during hospitalization of ARDS patients were 1.62 and 13.28 mL/kg, respectively. Moreover, the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the combination of two parameters was significantly higher than that of the two alone (0.897 vs. 0.827, 0.785), with high sensitivity and specificity, 90.5% and 84.2%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that plasma miR-30b-5p in dead ARDS patients was significantly positively correlated with EVLWI (r = 0.768, P < 0.01), but the correlation was not found in surviving patients (r = 0.118, P > 0.05). The expression of plasma miR-30b-5p and EVLWI are related to the severity and prognosis of patients with ARDS, and the combination of the two has certain evaluation value for the prognosis of ARDS patients.

Changes in Pulse Rate, Respiratory Rate and Rectal Temperature in Working Dogs before and after Three Different Field Trials.

Physiological changes (pulse rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature) induced by exercise are usually studied as physical fitness indices. The aim of this study was to investigate how these physiological parameters could be modified in a group of trained working dogs during three different field trials (rubble, search on field, obedience), in order to assess which parameter would be more useful to detect the dog response to exercise. Nine dogs were included in this study. The animals were monitored at rest, immediately before and after the working session. Pulse rate values increased significantly in all the phases compared to rest status. Respiratory rate values increased significantly after the competition, while rectal temperature was significantly increased only after search on rubbles and obedience activities. Reference values for specific competitions need to be stablished in order to promptly identify poor performance or exercise intolerance.

A novel T177P missense variant in the HSPA8 gene associated with the low tolerance of Awassi sheep to heat stress.

This study was conducted to identify the association of coding variations in the HSPA8 gene with heat stress in two different breeds of sheep. All the coding regions of the HSPA8 gene of Awassi and Arabi sheep were covered by amplifying nine exons. A single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) was utilized to assess the genetic variations in both breeds. The possible association of the observed genotypes with rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), and heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) was analyzed in different seasons. While all the coding regions of both sheep were monomorphous, a remarkable heterogeneity was observed in exon 4, of which two SSCP patterns, a normal TT and a mutant TG, were detected. The TG genotype was characterized by a missense variant of T177P with frequencies of 77% in Awassi and 54% in Arabi. Cumulative in silico tools indicated extremely deleterious consequences for T177P on protein structure, function, and stability. Results indicated that sheep with the TT genotype had significantly (P< 0.05) lower RT, RR, and HTC values than sheep with the TG genotype. Therefore, a significant association of T177P with a lower tolerance of Awassi to higher temperature conditions was revealed. In conclusion, the identified T177P may have damaging effects in the HSPA8, which affects the ability of Awassi sheep to cope up with elevated temperatures compared with Arabi sheep. This manuscript describes a novel description of a highly deleterious missense variant in the HSPA8 gene that may reduce the ability of sheep to withstand high-temperature conditions.

Evaluation of cardiorespiratory parameters in dogs undergoing laparoscopic versus open gonadectomy with spontaneous ventilation anaesthesia: a pilot study

This pilot study aims to compare cardiorespiratory parameters in female dogs that underwent either laparoscopic or open elective gonadectomy with spontaneous ventilation anaesthesia. Records of 77 client-owned female dogs were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: laparoscopic surgery (L group, n 47) and open abdominal surgery (O group, n 30). The end-tidal carbon dioxide, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, non-invasive arterial blood pressure and length of procedure were recorded and statistically evaluated. Once normality of the sample data has been assessed, equality between the groups was analysed with two-sample Student’s or Welch’s t-test, whether the hypothesis of variance equality, through an F-test, was verified or not. A value of p &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. No statistically significant difference was found between groups regarding the end-tidal carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, heart rate, systolic and medium arterial pressure values. Mean diastolic pressure was lower in the L group. The procedure length between the two groups was statistically different: laparoscopy was shorter than open surgery. In spontaneously ventilating female dogs, the cardiorespiratory parameters evaluated seem not to be affected by the presence of pneumoperitoneum when intrabdominal pressure is kept between 8 and 10 mmHg. The pilot nature of the study and the shorter laparoscopic surgery length could bias these results. However, in the author’s opinion, these findings confirm the interest of laparoscopy and the small impact of this mini-invasive technique in healthy patients.

Temporal changes in clinical and radiographic variables in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease: The EPIC study.

BackgroundThe Evaluation of pimobendan in dogs with cardiomegaly caused by preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease (EPIC) study monitored dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) as they developed congestive heart failure (CHF).ObjectivesTo describe the changes in clinical and radiographic variables occurring as dogs with MMVD and cardiomegaly develop CHF, compared to similar dogs that do not develop CHF.AnimalsOne hundred and thirty‐five, and 73 dogs that did or did not develop CHF, respectively.Materials and methodsThe following variables were evaluated in 2 groups of dogs (dogs that did or did not develop CHF): Heart rate (HR), clinic respiratory rate (RR), home‐measured resting respiratory rate (RRR), rectal temperature (RT), body weight (BW), and vertebral heart sum (VHS). Absolute value and rate of change of each variable were calculated for each day a dog was in study. Daily means were calculated and plotted against time. The onset of CHF or last visit before leaving the study were set as reference time points.ResultsThe most extreme values and rate of change occurred in variables immediately before onset of CHF. Vertebral heart sum increased earliest. Heart rate, RR, and RRR also increased. Rectal temperature and BW decreased. Increases in RR and RRR were most extreme and occurred immediately before CHF.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDogs with MMVD and cardiomegaly experience increases in HR, RR, RRR, and VHS, and decreases in BW and RT as they develop CHF. The variables with highest absolute change and rate of change were RR and RRR. These findings reinforce the value of RR and RRR as indicators of impending or incipient CHF.

Effects of high altitude on respiratory rate and oxygen saturation reference values in healthy infants and children younger than 2 years in four countries: a cross-sectional study

SummaryBackgroundIn resource-limited settings, pneumonia diagnosis and management are based on thresholds for respiratory rate (RR) and oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) recommended by WHO. However, as RR increases and SpO2 decreases with elevation, these thresholds might not be applicable at all altitudes. We sought to determine upper thresholds for RR and lower thresholds for SpO2 by age and altitude at four sites, with altitudes ranging from sea level to 4348 m.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we enrolled healthy children aged 0–23 months who lived within the study areas in India, Guatemala, Rwanda, and Peru. Participants were excluded if they had been born prematurely (<37 weeks gestation); had a congenital heart defect; had history in the past 2 weeks of overnight admission to a health facility, diagnosis of pneumonia, antibiotic use, or respiratory or gastrointestinal signs; history in the past 24 h of difficulty breathing, fast breathing, runny nose, or nasal congestion; and current runny nose, nasal congestion, fever, chest indrawing, or cyanosis. We measured RR either automatically with the Masimo Rad-97, manually, or both, and measured SpO2 with the Rad-97. Trained staff measured RR in duplicate and SpO2 in triplicate in children who had no respiratory symptoms or signs in the past 2 weeks. We estimated smooth percentiles for RR and SpO2 that varied by age and site using generalised additive models for location, shape, and scale. We compared these data with WHO RR and SpO2 thresholds for tachypnoea and hypoxaemia to determine agreement.FindingsBetween Nov 24, 2017, and Oct 10, 2018, we screened 2027 children for eligibility. 335 were ineligible, leaving 1692 eligible participants. 30 children were excluded because of missing values and 92 were excluded because of measurement or data entry errors, leaving 1570 children in the final analysis. 404 participants were from India (altitude 1–919 m), 389 were from Guatemala (1036–2017 m), 341 from Rwanda (1449–1644 m), and 436 from Peru (3827–4348 m). Mean age was 7·2 months (SD 7·2) and 796 (50·7%) of 1570 participants were female. Although average age was mostly similar between settings, the average participant age in Rwanda was noticeably younger, at 5·5 months (5·9). In the 1570 children included in the analysis, mean RR was 31·9 breaths per min (SD 7·1) in India, 41·5 breaths per min in Guatemala (8·4), 44·0 breaths per min in Rwanda (10·8), and 48·0 breaths per min in Peru (9·4). Mean SpO2 was 98·3% in India (SD 1·5), 97·3% in Guatemala (2·4), 96·2% in Rwanda (2·6), and 89·7% in Peru (3·5). Compared to India, mean RR was 9·6 breaths per min higher in Guatemala, 12·1 breaths per min higher in Rwanda, and 16·1 breaths per min higher in Peru (likelihood ratio test p<0·0001). Smooth percentiles for RR and SpO2 varied by site and age. When we compared age-specific and site-specific 95th percentiles for RR and 5th percentiles for SpO2 against the WHO cutoffs, we found that the proportion of false positives for tachypnoea increased with altitude: 0% in India (95% CI 0–0), 7·3% in Guatemala (4·1–10·4), 16·8% in Rwanda (12·9–21·1), and 28·9% in Peru (23·7–33·0). We also found a high proportion of false positives for hypoxaemia in Peru (11·6%, 95% CI 7·0–14·7).InterpretationWHO cutoffs for fast breathing and hypoxaemia overlap with RR and SpO2 values that are normal for children in different altitudes. Use of WHO definitions for fast breathing could result in misclassification of pneumonia in many children who live at moderate to high altitudes and show acute respiratory signs. The 5th percentile for SpO2 was in reasonable agreement with the WHO definition of hypoxaemia in all regions except for Peru (the highest altitude site). Misclassifications could result in inappropriate management of paediatric respiratory illness and misdirection of potentially scarce resources such as antibiotics and supplemental oxygen. Future studies at various altitudes are needed to validate our findings and recommend a revision to current guidelines. Substantiating research in sick children is still needed.FundingUS National Institutes of Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Differences of Respiratory Rate Between Salbutamol and Aminofilin in Exacerbation Asthma

Exacerbation of asthma is a progressive step in progressive breathing, coughing, wheezing, breathing. In Indonesia salbutamol nebulation is used for the therapy of the first exacerbation attack. In addition, intravenous aminophylline is also recommended as a therapy, even if the use of aminophylline abroad is reduced due to its smaller effectiveness and often leads to greater unwanted reaction events. The effectiveness of asthma exacerbation therapy needs to be monitored and one of the monitoring parameters that is easily seen is the rate of breath.The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in respiratory rate values using salbutamol nebulisation and intravenous aminophylline in patients with asthma exacerbations in hospitals in Surabaya. The research was conducted by using quasi experimental method and data collection by purposive sampling. Analysis of the data to be used is a independent t-test. The results showed that the salbutamol group decreased respiratory rate by 50.00%, there were also patients who experienced an increase of breath rate of 13.64%. In the aminophylline group experienced a decrease in respiratory rate of 43.75% with an increase of breath rate of 18.75%. From the results of the study, it is necessary to monitor the effectiveness and the need to monitor the unwanted reactions of both treatments so that the therapies produced in the treatment of asthma exacerbations are more effective.Key words: Aminophylline, exacerbation asthma, respiratory rate, salbutamol

Cardiovascular Risk Indices and Their Impact on Outcome in Patients with Hyperglycaemic Emergencies in a Nigerian Hospital

BackgroundHigh sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are recognised independent novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Few studies have assessed cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hyperglycaemic emergencies (HE), despite it being a major cause of death in diabetics. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine cardiovascular risk indices in patients with hyperglycaemic emergencies and related these with outcome. MethodsThis cross sectional study involved 45 patients that presented with HE and 45 age and sex matched diabetics without HE who served as controls. Historical features, physical findings and laboratory parameters including hsCRP and PAI-1 were compared between subjects and controls. ResultsThe mean values of serum hsCRP and PAI-1 were significantly higher in patients with HE compared to diabetic control. (49.52 ± 13.6 vs. 2.4 ± 1.35, 51.2 ± 28.7 vs. 33.2 ± 10.7 respectively). Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as HbA1c, Atherogenic Index and microalbuminuria were also significantly higher in them. Mortality was associated with increasing age, higher values of waist circumference, pulse rate, respiratory rate, hsCRP, Atherogenic index and lower blood pressure and HDL values. ConclusionCardiovascular risk indices are higher in patients with HE.

Carting capacity of mules during trotting in arid region

Two mules weighing 391±22.67 kg were used in carting to pull load equal to two and three times of their live weight including the weight of the operator. The weight of the cart was 170.0 kg. Mules carried each load for three days. The mules walked 5 km in first stretch and then rest of 20 min was given. After rest, mules again walked for 5 km and thus completed a total of 10 km, during the work. The mules were not walking but trotting. All physiological indices (pulse rate, respiration rate, and rectal temperature) increased significantly after work and resumed normal by the next morning. The mean values of pulse rate (PR), respiration rate (RR), and rectal temperature (RT) before work during two times (x2) load were 32.67±0.88, 26.67±0.49, and 36.49±0.30. The mean values of PR, RR, and RT after completion of 5 km and 10 km distance were 74.33±3.56, 51.67±3.02, 38.35±0.09 and 75.67±0.56, 50.00±1.06, 38.31±0.20, respectively. The mean values of PR, RR, and RT observed after 20-minute rest after completion of 5 and 10 km were 33.83±1.17, 29.00±2.45, 37.52±0.22 and 36.67±0.88, 31.50±0.43, 38.20±0.09, respectively. The mean values of PR, RR, and RT before work during three times (x3) load were 33.5±0.76,26.83±0.48, and 36.72±0.07, respectively. The mean values of PR, RR, and RT after completion of 5 km and 10 km distance were 81.5±0.76, 61.67±1.33, 38.63±0.05 and 91.33±1.99, 68.83±3.53, 38.65±0.0, respectively. The mean values of physiological indices observed after 20-minute rest after completion of 5 and 10 km were 41.00±0.36, 34.83±0.48, 37.57±0.07 and 45.17±0.95, 36.67±0.99, 38.08±0.05, respectively. Biochemical indices and fatigue symptoms indicated that mules carrying two times of their body weight were able to carry the load without stress, whereas, under the three times of body weight, mules were fatigued as indicated by biochemical indices and fatigue symptoms.

Access to shade reduces DNA damage of Holstein cows under mild heat stress

Context The effect of heat stress on the production and physiology of lactating dairy cows is well documented in literature. However, little is known about the effect of the provision of shade on DNA damage. Aims The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of shade provision on physiological, oxidative-stress, and DNA-strand damage in dairy cows exposed to mild heat stress. Methods The study was conducted at Lages, SC, Brazil, during 15 days in a southern hemisphere summer (January and February), with 14 lactating Holstein (n = 10) and Holstein × Jersey crossbreed (n = 4) dairy cows. Animals were randomly allocated to two groups of seven animals each (named as shaded and unshaded). These two groups were evaluated in the following three different periods: pre-stress period (5-day duration), stress period (4-day duration) and post-stress period (6-day duration). Shaded cows had free access to shade throughout the study; unshaded cows were prevented from accessing shade only in the stress period. Physiological (rectal temperature, heart and respiratory frequencies and panting score) and DNA-damage parameters (through Comet assay), as well as oxidative stress (in blood: carbonyl content, nitrite:nitrate ratio, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) were evaluated. Key results In the stress period, shade deprivation resulted in higher values of respiratory rate, indicating that cows were under heat stress. In addition, DNA-damage levels were higher in this circumstance, probably due to inhibition of the DNA-repair systems by the thermal stress as well as thermal stress acting as a DNA-damage agent. Conclusions In a high-altitude subtropical region, during the hot season, shade provision decreases solar radiation heating effects and, thus, reduces DNA damage and the negative effects on cow metabolism and cell structure. Implications Shade effects on cow metabolism and cell structure must be taken into consideration in the planning of dairy farms and our results suggest that shade availability must not be disregarded, even in situations of mild heat stress.

Intranasal premedication with dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for pediatric patients in ophthalmic surgery: a randomized controlled study

Background Excessive anxiety has a bad implication on anesthetic practice in pediatric anesthesia; therefore, decreasing anxiety by premedication is an important issue. Intranasal administration of various drugs is an easy route with rapid onset of action allowing administration of variable drugs such as midazolam and dexmedetomidine used in pediatric preoperative sedation. Patients and methods A total of 64 pediatric patients who were subjected to elective ophthalmic surgeries received either 0.5 mg/kg midazolam or 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine intranasally. Basal heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, sedation score, and oxygen saturation were recorded initially and every 5 min till the transfer to the operating room. Sedation score was also assessed at 30 min after drug administration. Postoperative monitoring was continued, and any postoperative complications were recorded. Results Oxygen saturation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate values showed insignificant differences when both groups were compared together but showed significance differences when compared with the basal value in each group separately after 30 min. Sedation score was faster and child–parents separation score was higher in dexmedetomidine group when compared with midazolam group, and also both groups showed significant sedation score less than 3 when compared with the basal value at 15, 20, 25, and 30 min. Conclusion Midazolam and dexmedetomidine were nearly equally effective as intranasal premedication for pediatric patients subjected to elective ophthalmic surgery with minimal adverse effects, and we recommend the use of midazolam owing to its safety, effectiveness, and lower cost.

Physiological responses in weaned water buffalo calves with different separation strategies

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three distinct weaning strategies on physiological responses in water buffalo calves. Forty Murrah calves (20 males, 20 females) between 7–8 months of age (229.05 ± 54 kg) were assigned to one of four groups with ten animals each: NW: non-weaned, AW: abruptly weaned on day 0, NFW: calves fitted with nose-flaps on day −7. At day 0 devices were removed and calves were separated permanently from their mothers, FENW: calves separated from their mothers by a fence-line on day -7. At day 0 calves were separated permanently from their mothers. All physiological indicators; heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), skin surface temperature (SST), rectal temperature (RT), gas exchange, acid-base balance, hydric and mineral balance and energy metabolism were recorded at days −7, −6, −4, 0, 1 and 3. Results show that calves in FENW had higher HR, RR, RT and glucose values (P<0.05) between days −7 and −6 than the other groups, while the AW calves had higher HR, RR, RT, glucose and lactate values between days 0 and 1 (P<0.05). No changes were found for the effect of group in relation to blood gases, acid-base balance, or hydric and mineral balance (P>0.05). Study results demonstrate that abrupt weaning by a fence-line in the early post-separation stage generates changes in physiological and energy metabolism possibly associated with the moment of separation from their mothers. The changes found for effect of weaning strategies in the parameters measured could provide a reference for weaned buffalo calves on their physiology.

Evaluation of Clinically and Physiologically Atypical Asthma: If It Doesn’t Wheeze It May Still Be Asthma

Investigators in this study (1) evaluated the relationship between the lack of clinical wheeze and lack of wheeze during positive bronchial challenge testing (BCT) in children suspected of having asthma and (2) evaluated the diagnostic value of provocation concentration respiratory rate (PCRR), oxygen saturation (PCO2-SAT), and wheezing (PCwheeze) and whether the value of these measures was influenced by age.Participants (n = 724) were recruited from children ages 3 months to 18 years without a diagnosis of asthma or conditions causing bronchial hyperresponsiveness or obstruction who were referred for possible asthma from 2009 to 2016.BCT was performed with methacholine (sensitive) to distinguish presence or absence of asthma or adenosine (specific) to distinguish asthma from other conditions. A positive BCT result was determined by the provocation concentration that resulted in a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in children able to perform spirometry (group B) or a 50% increase in respiratory rate, a 5% decrease in oxygen saturation, or appearance of wheezing in those unable to perform spirometry (group A).BCT results were positive for 507 out of 724 children; 89 (17.6%) in group A (median age: 3 [interquartile range: 2.5–3.7] years) were unable to perform spirometry, and 418 (82.4%) in group B (median age: 10.7 [interquartile range: 6.8–15.6] years) were able to perform spirometry. Children without physician-documented wheeze in the whole population (groups A plus B) were more likely (65.5%) to have a positive BCT result without wheeze compared with those with physician-documented wheeze (41.0%, P < .001). In group A, adding PCRR and PCO2-SAT increased BCT sensitivity by 23.6%.Many children in both groups did not wheeze despite reaching BCT endpoints. Most children without physician-documented wheeze did not wheeze on BCT. In young children, adding PCRR and PCO2-SAT substantially increased BCT sensitivity.By documenting the possibility of absent wheezing during bronchial hyperresponsiveness diagnosed by positive BCT results, researchers in this study demonstrated that the presence of wheezing is not essential for a diagnosis of asthma. Inclusion of tachypnea and decreased oxygen saturation improved the sensitivity of asthma diagnosis in children too young to perform spirometry. Corresponding changes in specificity were not described, and the relative benefits of a sensitive or specific asthma definition in young children should be considered, depending on the circumstances. In children able to perform spirometry, a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second remained the more-sensitive measure. The combination of different BCT methods was a possible study limitation, despite similarities of the outcomes.