Passively scanned, single-fiber optical coherence tomography probes for gastrointestinal devices.

Background/objectives: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses low coherence interferometry to obtain depth-resolved tissue reflectivity profiles (M-mode) and transverse beam scanning to create images of two-dimensional tissue morphology (B-mode). Endoscopic OCT imaging probes typically employ proximal or distal mechanical beam scanning mechanisms that increase cost, complexity, and size. Here, we demonstrate in the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of unsedated human patients, that a passive, single-fiber probe can be used to guide device placement, conduct device-tissue physical contact sensing, and obtain two-dimensional OCT images via M-to-B-mode conversion.

[Stiff skin syndrome in a pediatric patient: a therapeutic challenge. Clinical case].

Stiff skin syndrome is a chronic, rare sclerosing disorder that occurs in childhood, characterized by progressive induration of the skin that can cause thoracic restrictions and respiratory distress, limitations in joint mobility and gait difficulties, with significant deterioration of the quality of life. Because their therapeutic options are scarce and ineffective it is essential to start an early physical therapy to prevent these complications and to continue studying this condition to be able to offer patients more and better treatments. We present the case of a 9-year-old patient with indurated skin syndrome and its therapeutic challenge.

Enhanced recovery pathways in colorectal surgery: a consensus paper by the Associazione Chirurghi Ospedalieri Italiani (ACOI) and the PeriOperative Italian Society (POIS).

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway is a multi-disciplinary, patient-centered protocol relying on the implementation of the best evidence-based perioperative practice. In the field of colorectal surgery, the application of ERAS programs is associated with up to 50% reduction of morbidity rates and up to 2.5 days reduction of postoperative hospital stay.

[Ocular and cutaneous rosacea in a child].

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease characterized by erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules in the central facial region. It most often affects adults and is rare in children. Rosacea can also present ocular involvement.

Essential oils from Zanthoxylum fagara Wild Lime, Ruta chalepensis L. and Thymus vulgaris L.: Composition and activity against Aedes aegypti larvae.

The dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti. Several plants are used to control this mosquito. In the present study the chemical composition of the essential oils of Ruta chalepensis, Zanthoxylum fagara and Thymus vulgaris were analyzed, and their activities against larvae of two A.

Supplementation with non-fibrous carbohydrates reduced fiber digestibility and did not improve microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed fresh forage of two nutritive values.

To determine whether non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) supplementation improves fiber digestibility and microbial protein synthesis, 18 Corriedale ewes with a fixed intake level (40 g dry matter (DM)/kg BW0.75) were assigned to three (n = 6) diets: F = 100% fresh temperate forage, FG = 70% forage + 30% barley grain and FGM = 70% forage + 15% barley grain + 15% molasses-based product (MBP, Kalori 3000). Two experimental periods were carried out, with late (P1) and early (P2) vegetative stage forage.

The effect of intravenous insulin infusion on renal blood flow in conscious sheep is partially mediated by nitric oxide but not by prostaglandins.

To test the effect of insulin on renal perfusion and the participation of NO and PG as mediators of this response, renal blood flow (RBF) was measured in sheep (n = 8) implanted with ultrasonic flow probes around renal arteries and with a systemic arterial pressure (SAP, n = 4) telemetry device. Three protocols were performed: 1) RBF and SAP were recorded (0800 to 1800 h) in fed and fasted sheep, with the latter receiving intravenous (i.v.

Evaluation of the serum fructosamine test to monitor plasma glucose concentration in the transition dairy cow.

The usefulness of the serum fructosamine (Fser) to monitor the retrospective glucose concentrations in transitional dairy cows (n=17) was evaluated. In weekly blood samples (3 weeks before to 5 weeks after calving) concentrations of plasma glucose and serum fructosamine, beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta OHB) and total proteins were determined. The observed Fser concentrations (271+/-55 mean value, range 152-423 mumol/l) were within the range reported in the literature, and showed a progressive and significant decrease after calving.

Roles of eating, rumination, and arterial pressure in determination of the circadian rhythm of renal blood flow in sheep.

To assess the roles of feeding behavior (eating and rumination) and systemic arterial pressure (SAP) on determination of the circadian rhythm of renal blood flow (RBF), 20 sheep fitted with ultrasonic flow-metering probes around both renal arteries and a submandibular balloon to monitor jaw movements (6 of them with a telemetry measurement system into the carotid artery for SAP recording), were successively assigned to 6 feeding patterns: once daily in the morning (0900 to 1100 h), afternoon (1700 to 1900 h), or evening (1900 to 2100 h); twice daily at 0900 to 1100 h and 1700 to 1900 h; ad libitum (food renewed each 2 h); and fasting (40 h). All protocols were carried out in autumn-winter, and the fasting pattern was repeated in spring-summer to evaluate the effect of the daylight length on RBF. In the once-daily feeding patterns, a rapid increase in RBF (P < 0.

Determination of parotid sulfate secretion in sheep by means of ultrasonic flow probes.

The bilateral output of sulfate in parotid saliva, the relationship with its plasma level and with parotid flow, and its variation according to feeding behavior were determined in ad libitum, normal-sulfate (0.28% DM)-fed sheep (n = 6) using a transit time ultrasonic flow meter system to measure salivary flow. Ultrasonic flow meter probes were bilaterally implanted, under general anesthesia, around parotid ducts previously fitted through their oral ends with nonobstructive sampling catheters.

Expression of urea transporter (UT-A) mRNA in papilla and pelvic epithelium of kidney in normal and low protein fed sheep.

The identification and cloning of the urea transporter (UT) in papilla and upper pelvic epithelium of sheep kidney and the effect of a 5-week-lasting low protein diet on UT mRNAs expression in these structures are reported. Using degenerate primers we cloned by RT-PCR a 770-base pairs UT-A cDNA fragment. The deduced amino acid sequence shared 92% and 93% identity with UT-A2 protein from rabbit and rat, and from human, respectively.

Effects of intravenous perfusion of glucagon on renal blood flow in conscious sheep.

The effect of glucagon on renal haemodynamics in sheep is controversial. In this study we have examined the effects of perfused glucagon on renal blood flow (RBF) in six conscious sheep bilaterally implanted with transit-time ultrasonic flow metering probes around the renal arteries. Glucagon was perfused intravenously over 90 min at doses of 3.

Microbial protein production determined by urinary allantoin and renal urea sparing in normal and low protein fed Corriedale sheep.

The aim of the present study was to compare the amount of microbial N entering the duodenum and the efficiency of N utilisation for microbial protein synthesis in normal (NP, 17.4 g N/d) and low protein (LP, 7.5 g N/d) fed Corriedale sheep.

Determination of parotid urea secretion in sheep by means of ultrasonic flow probes and a multifactorial regression analysis.

For determination of the dynamics of parotid urea secretion in conscious sheep, a previously standardized transit time ultrasonic flow metering system was used to measure bilateral parotid flow. Six ewes fed for ad libitum consumption were prepared under halothane anesthesia with ultrasonic probes around both parotid ducts; these ducts were also cannulated orally. After probe encapsulation (8 d), parotid flows were recorded during 24 h, and samples of saliva and blood for urea determination were obtained hourly.

Micropuncture study on urea movements in the kidney cortical tubules of low protein fed sheep.

Micropuncture studies of late proximal, early and late distal cortical tubules were carried out on kidneys of normal (NP) and low (LP) protein fed sheep in order to investigate the participation of these segments in the urea sparing induced by protein restriction in the diet. A low protein diet induced significant reductions in the fractional (-54%) and total (-84%) urea excretion, revealing an enhanced capacity for urea conservation. Micropuncture data did not show any difference in the proximal tubule functions between both groups of sheep.

Parotid secretion daily patterns and measurement with ultrasonic flow probes in conscious sheep.

Five sheep under halothane anesthesia were prepared with bilateral transit time ultrasonic flow probes around the parotid ducts. The ducts were fitted with non-obstructive sampling catheters through their oral ends. After probe encapsulation (8 days), salivary flows were continuously recorded (4-5 days, dual-channel ultrasonic flowmeter).

Renal response of sheep fed a low protein diet to intraportal infusion of arginine and glycine.

The renal effects of infusions of arginine and glycine into the portal vein were studied in the anaesthetized sheep with a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after 6 weeks of low dietary protein intake. Arginine significantly elevated urine flow (V), whole kidney GFR and the amount of urea excreted (UureaV) concomitantly with plasma urea level (P(urea)) without changes in fractional urea excretion (FEurea). Sheep infused with glycine showed significantly increased urinary flow only.

[Existence of an antidiuretic reflex in the sheep during food intake].

The effect of eating on glomerular filtration and urine flow was studied in the sheep. Glomerular filtration rate was reduced during eating but the effect disappeared when food was removed. Urine flow showed the same evolution but, after ingestion was stopped, it returned later than glomerular filtration to control values.

Urea recycling from the renal pelvis in sheep: a study with [14C]urea.

To test the hypothesis that urea can be recycled from the renal pelvis, [14C]urea diluted in native urine (1 microCi/ml) was perfused (0.5 ml/min) into one of the pelvises of sheep fed either normal (NP) or low (LP)-protein diets. Blood samples were obtained from the ipsilateral renal vein and from the carotid artery throughout the perfusions.

[Renal extraction of para-aminohippurate and inulin from sheep on low-protein diets].

In sheep fed low-protein diets, renal PAH and inulin extractions are not affected by the fall in plasma urea level or in the renal plasma flow itself. The noted reduction in glomerular filtration rate is not due to a preglomerular shunt of arterial blood since the filtration fraction does not vary by comparison to sheep on regular diets. Thus, the reduction in renal plasma flow (PAH clearance), induced by low protein rations, is not dependent on any change in PAH extraction.

[Diuresis, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration in conscious and anesthetized sheep: the effects of a diet deficient in proteins].

Determinations of renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine flow in sheep fed low protein diets have yielded controversial data. In the present experiment, 8 sheep were fed a regular diet and another 6 received a low protein ration. Water intake and urine output were measured over 10 days.

[Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration in conscious sheep: effect of a free-protein diet].

In conscious sheep fed a low protein diet, the urinary flow rate and glomerular filtration rate were reduced. This reduction was not linked to a low blood urea level.

[Augmentation of the urea retention capacity of the kidney in protein-deficient sheep: role of the kidney pelvis].

Sheep fed a low-protein diet reduced renal urea excretion. An important fraction of urea perfused into the renal pelvis via the ureter, is reabsorbed through the pelvic epithelium.

[Kidney retention of urea in sheep on a hypoprotein diet: study by retrograde perfusion of urea in the kidney pelvis].

In order to study the role of the renal pelvis on urea sparing in sheep fed low protein diets, the pelvis was perfused through the ureter with 1M and 3M urea solutions. Eight ewes were used: four on a regular diet (total nitrogen 188.7 g.