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ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between plasma metabolites, biochemical analytes, diagnostic imaging findings, and the histologic diagnosis of hepatic lipidosis in bearded dragons. To assess the effects of gemfibrozil therapy on hepatic lipid accumulation and associated diagnostic tests.AnimalsFourteen bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) with varying severity of hepatic lipid accumulation (with and without hepatic lipidosis) were included.ProceduresAnimals underwent coelomic ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, and coelioscopic hepatic biopsies. Clinical pathology tests included lipidologic tests, hepatic biomarkers, and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Animals were medicated with gemfibrozil 6mg/kg orally once a day for 2 months in a randomized blinded clinical trial prior to repeating previous diagnostic testing.ResultsHounsfield units on CT were negatively associated with increased hepatic vacuolation, while ultrasound and gross evaluation of the liver were not reliable. Beta-hydroxybutyric-acid (BHBA) concentrations were significantly associated with hepatic lipidosis. Metabolomics and lipidomics data found BHBA and succinic acid to be potential biomarkers for diagnosing hepatic lipidosis in bearded dragons. Succinic acid concentrations were significantly lower in the gemfibrozil treatment group. There was a tendency for improvement in the biomarkers and reduced hepatic fat in bearded dragons with hepatic lipidosis when treated with gemfibrozil, though the improvement was not statistically significant.ConclusionsThese findings provide information on the antemortem assessment of hepatic lipidosis in bearded dragons and paves the way for further research in diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The aims of this study were to i) estimate the occurrence of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) meat in modern commercial Ontario broiler flocks, ii) determine the effects of the chilling method (water vs. air) on PSE meat, and iii) investigate a new inexpensive colorimeter (10% of the price of traditional color meters), the Nix Color Sensor, as an objective color measurement of chicken meat. Between June 2019 to March 2020, a total of 17 different broiler flocks were processed. The color of 1,700 boneless skinless Pectoralis major muscles was randomly measured (100/flock), where 255 samples were also measured for pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), cooking loss, and penetration force. In addition, a traditional Minolta colorimeter was used to measure random 95 samples from a single water-chilled flock and subsequently compared the values obtained with the Nix Color Sensor. Strong correlations of L* values (rho = 0.75; P < 0.001), a* values (rho = 0.72; P < 0.001), and b* values (rho = 0.80; P < 0.001) were observed. When an L* value of 43 was used as the cut-off for the Nix, 12.5% of fillets were classified as PSE meat. Statistical differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the air and water-chill methods for L*, pH, and WHC. However, there were no significant differences observed between the 2 methods for cooking loss and penetration force values. The study indicated that PSE meat is still a challenge in Ontario broilers, and that the L*, pH, and WHC of breast meat (all indicate meat quality) are affected by the chilling method. In addition, the Nix was found to be an affordable, objective, and convenient sensor for measuring chicken meat color.

The combined effects of different severities of Wooden Breast (WB), White Striping (WS), and Spaghetti Meat (SM) were examined in 300 chicken breast fillets from 10 flocks. Severity (0 = absent, 1 = mild, noticeable upon close inspection, 2 = severe), noticeably altered from normal breast fillet (NB). Results showed that any combination of myopathies and severity resulted in significantly elevated compression force, pH and peak counts measured by the shear force test. With the exception of mild WB + mild WS, all combinations resulted in significantly higher drip loss, cooking loss and lightness value. Overall, the quality of fillets was affected the least by WS, while negatively affected the most by SM. There were limited effects on fillet quality from mild WB but major deleterious effects from severe WB.

Reading is a fundamental activity for the development of linguistic comprehension. To the aim of investigating the relationship between reading practice and comprehension, a systematic review of the literature was conducted, taking into account empirical research studies. The totality of the studies found positive effects on comprehension. The results also revealed that this area of study is mostly focused on the primary school age group. Indeed, it is nearly always related to other aspects of language development but also to the promotion of a positive attitude towards reading, motivation, socialization, emotional skills and understanding of reality. Little heed seems to be paid to the optimal way of reading. The results suggest the need for a greater reflection on this practice and a more precise identification of how to implement reading aloud in order to identify concrete actions to support reading, both in scholastic and extra-scholastic contexts.

A 34-year-old female greater sulfur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita galerita) was referred for suspected left globe rupture. Ophthalmic examination revealed effacement of the anterior chamber and cornea by a large mass. The left eye was enucleated due to suspicion of globe rupture, secondary to a neoplastic process or chronic trauma. Histopathological examination revealed complete effacement of the internal ocular structures by a neoplasm morphologically consistent with an iridociliary adenoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by Periodic acid-Schiff histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for S100, Melan-A/PNL2, and vimentin antigens. The cockatoo recovered well from surgery, with appropriate healing of the enucleation site, and no evidence of recurrence at 1-year follow-up. Key clinical message: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of iridociliary adenoma in a greater sulfur-crested cockatoo, and the third report of such a neoplasm in a psittacine species with a description of the use of immunohistochemistry to confirm a diagnosis of a rare tumor in a bird species.

In psittacine birds, round cell neoplasms that originate from lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes, or mast cells are sporadic and poorly described. The lack of morphological and immunohistochemical diagnostic criteria or grading schemes make specific diagnoses and prognoses challenging. We assessed cases of psittacine birds diagnosed with round cell neoplasia from 3 North American veterinary diagnostic laboratories to describe the diagnostic features of these tumors. For all cases, demographic data, anatomic distribution, histological features, and immunoreactivity for T (CD3) and B (Pax5 and MUM-1) cell markers were assessed using tissue microarrays and whole slide mounts. Thirty-eight psittacine birds representing 14 species were included. Tumors were mainly infiltrative and multicentric, were composed of homogenous sheets of round to polygonal cells, and commonly presented with a high mitotic count (average 21 mitoses per high-power field). Based on Pax5 immunoreactivity, B-cell lymphoma was most common (19/38 [50%]), and was significantly associated with involvement of the gastrointestinal and urogenital systems. Of the 38 cases, 6 (16%) were consistent with T-cell lymphoma, 3 (8%) with plasma cell tumor, and 3 (8%) were double-reactive for both B- and T-lymphocyte markers. This is the first study to describe morphologic and immunohistochemical features of round cell neoplasia in a large number of psittacine birds, and provides benchmark data for future studies aimed at elucidating the diagnosis and prognosis of these neoplasms. These data also provide useful information about reactivity of commercially available antibodies as lymphocyte markers in tissues of multiple psittacine species.

Background: Exercise training provides benefits for individuals with cystic fibrosis; however, the optimal program is unclear. High-intensity interval training is safe and effective for improving ‘functional capacity’ in these individuals with peak rate of O2 uptake typically referenced. The ability to adjust submaximal rate of oxygen uptake (V̇O2 kinetics) might be more important for everyday function because maximal efforts are usually not undertaken. Moreover, the ability of high-intensity training to accelerate V̇O2 kinetics for individuals with cystic fibrosis could be enhanced with O2 supplementation during training. Methods: Nine individuals with cystic fibrosis completed incremental cycling to limit of tolerance followed by 8 weeks of high-intensity interval cycling (2 sessions per week x ~ 45 min per session) either with (n = 5; O2+) or without (AMB) oxygen supplementation (100%). Each session involved work intervals at 70% of peak work rate followed by 60s of recovery at 35%. For progression, duration of work intervals was increased according to participant tolerance. Results: Both groups experienced a significant increase in work-interval duration over the course of the intervention (O2+, 1736 ± 141 v. 700 ±154 s; AMB, 1463±598 v. 953±253s; P=0.000); however, the increase experienced by O2+ was greater (P=0.027). During low-intensity constant-work-rate cycling, the V̇O2 mean response time was shortened post compared to pre training (O2+, 34±11 v. 44±9s; AMB, 39±14 v. 45±17s; P= 0.000) while during high-intensity constant-work-rate cycling, time to exhaustion was increased (O2+, 1628 ± 163 v. 705 ±133s; AMB, 1073±633 v. 690±348s; P=0.002) and blood [lactate] response was decreased (O2+, 4.5±0.9 v. 6.3 ± 1.4 mmol. L−1; AMB, 4.5 ±0.6 v. 5.2 ±1.4mmol. L−1; P=0.003). These positive adaptations were similar regardless of gas inspiration during training.

Aves polyomavirus 1, psittacine beak and feather disease virus, and psittacid herpesvirus 1 are important pathogens of psittacine birds with the potential to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Using publically available nucleotide sequences, we developed and validated a triplex real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay to rapidly detect these 3 viruses. The assay had high analytical sensitivity, detecting <6 copies of viral DNA per reaction, and 100% analytical specificity, showing no cross-reactivity with 59 other animal pathogens. Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from psittacine birds diagnosed at postmortem as infected with each of the viruses as well as virus-negative birds were used to validate the utility of the assay. Birds were selected for the positive cohort if they showed histologic evidence of infection (i.e., characteristic inclusion bodies in tissues); birds in the negative cohort had final diagnoses unrelated to the pathogens of interest. The triplex rtPCR assay confirmed 98% of histopathology-positive cases, and also identified subclinical infections that were not observed by histologic examination, including coinfections. Birds that tested positive only by rtPCR had significantly higher cycle threshold values compared to those with histologic evidence of infection. Positive, negative, and overall percentage agreements as well as the kappa statistic between the results of the assay and histopathology were high, demonstrating the usefulness of the assay as a tool to confirm disease diagnoses, and to improve detection of subclinical infections.

This manual provides guidance to healthcare professionals and managers working in clinical settings on how to empower patients and their relatives, hospital visitors and healthcare professionals towards healthier choices. Chapter 1 provides recommendations based on the highest level of evidence, resulting from overviews of high quality systematic reviews (AMSTAR score higher than 8) including randomised controlled trials testing interventions aimed at modifying behaviours known to be associated with non communicable chronic diseases. Chapter 2 offers guidance to translate evidence into practice and to organise empowering activities. This chapter includes essential activities such as policy management, individual risk profling, designing and managing empowering initiatives and preparing a sustainability plan. Chapter 3 describes how to integrate empowerment activities and initiatives offered at the hospital and those available in the hospital jurisdiction. This chapter also suggests how to involve stakeholders and to manage their contributions according to the WHO ‘Health in all’ principles.

Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah Kepengawasan ini bertujuan: 1) Melaksanakan dan membuat laporan upaya peningkatan kompetensi penelitian dan pengembangan oleh guru baik secara mandiri maupun terprogram; 2) Menyusun perangkat pembelajaran untuk satu mata pelajaran lengkap; 3) Menyusun laporan observasi pembelajaran di kelas terhadap beberapa guru dalam upaya mencapai standar kompetensi lulusan; 4) Mengembangkan model penilaian yang secara umum dapat dipandang lebih baik dari apa yang telah dikembangkan di sekolah, baik yang menyangkut mekanisme, prosedur, dan instrumen penilaiannya; 5) Melaksanakan pengkajian terhadap program kepengawasan di Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Pasuruan (SMP Negeri 1 Tutur) berkenaan dengan implementasi 8 standar nasional pendidikan (SI, SKL, Proses, Penilaian, Pengelolaan, Sarpras, Tendik, Pembiayaan). Dengan telah dilaksanakannya kegiatan Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah mulai awal sampai akhir pelaksanaan kegiatan, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis sebagai pengawas sekolah dapat meningkat, kompetensi guru dalam mengembangkan perangkat pembelajaran (silabus dan RPP) meningkat, dengan melaksanakan supervisi guru dan kepala sekolah, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis semakin meningkat, meningkatnya kompetensi penulis dalam menyusun perangkat pembelajaran

Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah Kepengawasan ini bertujuan: 1) Melaksanakan dan membuat laporan upaya peningkatan kompetensi penelitian dan pengembangan oleh guru baik secara mandiri maupun terprogram; 2) Menyusun perangkat pembelajaran untuk satu mata pelajaran lengkap; 3) Menyusun laporan observasi pembelajaran di kelas terhadap beberapa guru dalam upaya mencapai standar kompetensi lulusan; 4) Mengembangkan model penilaian yang secara umum dapat dipandang lebih baik dari apa yang telah dikembangkan di sekolah, baik yang menyangkut mekanisme, prosedur, dan instrumen penilaiannya; 5) Melaksanakan pengkajian terhadap program kepengawasan di Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Pasuruan (SMP Negeri 1 Tutur) berkenaan dengan implementasi 8 standar nasional pendidikan (SI, SKL, Proses, Penilaian, Pengelolaan, Sarpras, Tendik, Pembiayaan). Dengan telah dilaksanakannya kegiatan Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah mulai awal sampai akhir pelaksanaan kegiatan, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis sebagai pengawas sekolah dapat meningkat, kompetensi guru dalam mengembangkan perangkat pembelajaran (silabus dan RPP) meningkat, dengan melaksanakan supervisi guru dan kepala sekolah, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis semakin meningkat, meningkatnya kompetensi penulis dalam menyusun perangkat pembelajaran

Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah Kepengawasan ini bertujuan: 1) Melaksanakan dan membuat laporan upaya peningkatan kompetensi penelitian dan pengembangan oleh guru baik secara mandiri maupun terprogram; 2) Menyusun perangkat pembelajaran untuk satu mata pelajaran lengkap; 3) Menyusun laporan observasi pembelajaran di kelas terhadap beberapa guru dalam upaya mencapai standar kompetensi lulusan; 4) Mengembangkan model penilaian yang secara umum dapat dipandang lebih baik dari apa yang telah dikembangkan di sekolah, baik yang menyangkut mekanisme, prosedur, dan instrumen penilaiannya; 5) Melaksanakan pengkajian terhadap program kepengawasan di Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Pasuruan (SMP Negeri 1 Tutur) berkenaan dengan implementasi 8 standar nasional pendidikan (SI, SKL, Proses, Penilaian, Pengelolaan, Sarpras, Tendik, Pembiayaan). Dengan telah dilaksanakannya kegiatan Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah mulai awal sampai akhir pelaksanaan kegiatan, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis sebagai pengawas sekolah dapat meningkat, kompetensi guru dalam mengembangkan perangkat pembelajaran (silabus dan RPP) meningkat, dengan melaksanakan supervisi guru dan kepala sekolah, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis semakin meningkat, meningkatnya kompetensi penulis dalam menyusun perangkat pembelajaran

Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah Kepengawasan ini bertujuan: 1) Melaksanakan dan membuat laporan upaya peningkatan kompetensi penelitian dan pengembangan oleh guru baik secara mandiri maupun terprogram; 2) Menyusun perangkat pembelajaran untuk satu mata pelajaran lengkap; 3) Menyusun laporan observasi pembelajaran di kelas terhadap beberapa guru dalam upaya mencapai standar kompetensi lulusan; 4) Mengembangkan model penilaian yang secara umum dapat dipandang lebih baik dari apa yang telah dikembangkan di sekolah, baik yang menyangkut mekanisme, prosedur, dan instrumen penilaiannya; 5) Melaksanakan pengkajian terhadap program kepengawasan di Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Pasuruan (SMP Negeri 1 Tutur) berkenaan dengan implementasi 8 standar nasional pendidikan (SI, SKL, Proses, Penilaian, Pengelolaan, Sarpras, Tendik, Pembiayaan). Dengan telah dilaksanakannya kegiatan Penelitian Tindakan Sekolah mulai awal sampai akhir pelaksanaan kegiatan, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis sebagai pengawas sekolah dapat meningkat, kompetensi guru dalam mengembangkan perangkat pembelajaran (silabus dan RPP) meningkat, dengan melaksanakan supervisi guru dan kepala sekolah, maka kompetensi supervisi akademik penulis semakin meningkat, meningkatnya kompetensi penulis dalam menyusun perangkat pembelajaran

Aims: To investigate the effect of 16 weeks of aerobic training performed at two different intensities on nitric oxide (tNOx) availability and iNOS/nNOS expression, oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation in obese humans with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Twenty-five sedentary, obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) males (52.8 ± 7.2 years); 12 controls versus 13 T2DM were randomly allocated to four groups that exercised for 30 min, three times per week either at low (Fat-Max; 30–40 % VO2max) or moderate (T vent; 55–65 % VO2max) intensity. Before and after training, blood and muscle samples (v. lateralis) were collected. Results: Baseline erythrocyte glutathione was lower (21.8 ± 2.8 vs. 32.7 ± 4.4 nmol/ml) and plasma protein oxidative damage and IL-6 were higher in T2DM (141.7 ± 52.1 vs. 75.5 ± 41.6 nmol/ml). Plasma catalase increased in T2DM after T vent training (from 0.98 ± 0.22 to 1.96 ± 0.3 nmol/min/ml). T2DM groups demonstrated evidence of oxidative damage in response to training (elevated protein carbonyls). Baseline serum tNOx were higher in controls than T2DM (18.68 ± 2.78 vs. 12.34 ± 3.56 μmol/l). Training at T vent increased muscle nNOS and tNOx in the control group only. Pre-training muscle nNOS was higher in controls than in T2DMs, while the opposite was found for iNOS. No differences were found after training for plasma inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Exercise training did not change body composition or aerobic fitness, but improved OS markers, especially when performed at T vent. Non-diabetics responded to T vent training by increasing muscle nNOS expression and tNOx levels in skeletal muscle while these parameters did not change in T2DM, perhaps due to higher insulin resistance (unchanged after intervention).

Background and Aims: Nitric oxide (NO) exerts key regulatory functions including vasodilation and glucose uptake. Thus reduced NO levels are associated with insulin resistance and hypertension. In this preliminary work we aimed to measure the levels of NO• metabolites in serum and skeletal muscle of obese and non-obese subjects, with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Fifteen sedentary male participants [7 obese controls (C) vs 5 obese and 3 non-obese T2DM; age 54 ± 9 years] were selected according to their BMI (> 30 kg/m2 for obese and 23–27 kg/m2 for non-obese participants) and evaluated for fasted values of blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, serum CRP (C-reactive protein), erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) metabolism, plasma adiponectin, leptin and cytokines (TNF-α and INFγ), serum and skeletal muscle nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite and nitrates; tNOx) and skeletal muscle nNOS and iNOS expression. Body composition was measured by whole body DEXA and muscle microbiopsy was performed in the vastus lateralis. Results: We found that serum tNOx (total nitrite/nitrate; μmol/L) was lower in obese T2DM group (12.7 ± 3.5) when compared with their controls (21.1 ± 2.4), although the non-obese group presented higher concentration of tNOx (33.8 ± 7.2). Skeletal muscle nNOS was higher in obese controls, lower in non-obese T2DM and undetected in obese T2DM. On the other hand, expression of iNOS had an inverse relationship with nNOS, showing higher expression in obese T2DM, decrease in non-obese T2DM and absence in obese control group. tNOx levels (μmol/mg protein) were decreased in the non-obese T2DM group (12.07 ± 0.59) when compared with the obese control (21.68 ± 6.2) and the obese T2DM group (26.3 ± 7.26).Conclusion: We conclude that the decreased serum NO production in obese T2DM patients seems to be associated with adipose mass as lower adiposity was associated with normal NO which was reduced in the skeletal muscle of the non-obese T2DM patients. We su

At exercise steady state, the lower the arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), the lower the O2 return $$(\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}\bar{{\text{v}}} {\text{O}}_{2}).$$ A linear relationship between these variables was demonstrated. Our conjecture is that this relationship describes a condition of predominant sympathetic activation, from which it is hypothesized that selective β1-adrenergic blockade (BB) would reduce O2 delivery $$(\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}{\text{aO}}_{2} )$$ and $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}\bar{{\text{v}}} {\text{O}}_{2} .$$ To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of BB on $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}{\text{aO}}_{2}$$ and $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}\bar{{\text{v}}} {\text{O}}_{2} $$ in exercising humans in normoxia and hypoxia. O2 consumption $$(\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{V}{\text{O}}_{2} ),$$ cardiac output $$(\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}, CO_{2}\; \hbox{rebreathing}),$$ heart rate, SaO2 and haemoglobin concentration were measured on six subjects (age 25.5±2.4years, mass 78.1±9.0kg) in normoxia and hypoxia (inspired O2 fraction of 0.11) at rest and steady-state exercises of 50, 100, and 150W without (C) and with BB with metoprolol. Arterial O2 concentration (CaO2), $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}{\text{aO}}_{2},$$ and $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}\bar{{\text{v}}} {\text{O}}_{2} $$ were then computed. Heart rate, higher in hypoxia than in normoxia, decreased with BB. At each $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{V}{\text{O}}_{2} ,$$ $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}$$ was higher in hypoxia than in normoxia. With BB, it decreased during intense exercise in normoxia, at rest, and during light exercise in hypoxia. SaO2 and CaO2 were unaffected by BB. The $$\ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{Q}{\text{aO}}_{2} $$

peer-reviewed, The aim of this study is to explore participants’ views and experiences of an eHealth phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) intervention: Physical Activity Towards Health (PATHway). Sixty participants took part in the PATHway intervention. Debriefs were conducted after the six-month intervention. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed with Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Forty-four (71%) debriefs were conducted (n = 34 male, mean (SD) age 61 (10) years). Five key themes were identified: (1) Feedback on the components of the PATHway system, (2) Motivation, (3) Barriers to using PATHway, (4) Enablers to using PATHway, and (5) Post programme reflection. There were a number of subthemes within each theme, for example motivation explores participants motivation to take part in PATHway and participants motivation to sustain engagement with PATHway throughout the intervention period. Participant engagement with the components of the PATHway system was variable. Future research should focus on optimising participant familiarisation with eHealth systems and employ an iterative approach to development and evaluation.