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The effect of lyophilised oral faecal microbial transplantation on functional outcomes in dogs with diabetes mellitus
Get PDFObjectives: We aimed to determine if oral faecal microbiota transplantation improves indices of glycaemic control, changes the faecal dysbiosis indices, alters faecal short-chain fatty acid and bile acid profiles and increases serum glucagon-like-peptide 1 concentrations in diabetic dogs.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot study, we recruited nine diabetic dogs (five faecal microbiota transplantation and four placebo) and nine healthy controls.
Results: Compared to healthy dogs, diabetic dogs had altered faecal short-chain fatty acid and bile acid profiles. In the first 30 days, the faecal microbiota transplantation group had a more rapid decline in interstitial glucose; however, the mean interstitial glucose of the faecal microbiota transplantation recipients did not differ from the placebo recipients at the end of the study. Compared with placebo, faecal microbiota transplantation recipients had a decreased 24-hour water intake at day 60 and increased faecal abundance of Faecalibacterium.
Clinical Significance: This study provides a proof of concept for faecal microbiota transplantation in canine diabetes, and its data could inform the design of future large-scale studies. Further investigation is required to determine whether faecal microbiota transplantation would have any role as an adjunctive therapy in canine diabetes and to elucidate the mechanisms by which faecal microbiota transplantation may provide a beneficial clinical effect in canine diabetes.fals
Characterisation of proteases and lipases produced by Paenibacillus spp. and analysis of heat stability of these enzymes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Food Technology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
Get PDFThe aim of this study includes the isolation of Paenibacillus species from raw milk, investigation of Paenibacillus species that produces protease and lipase, investigation of the effect of temperature, growth medium and inoculum conditions (fresh and chilled) on the production of protease and lipase by Paenibacillus species and the heat stability of protease and lipase produced by Paenibacillus species. The isolation of Paenibacillus species from raw milk was carried out by using milk plate count agar and the isolated species were identified using Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysisThere were none Paenibacillus species isolated from raw milk therefore pre-isolated Paenibacillus species obtained from Massey University microbiology lab culture collection were used for further experiments. The production of protease and lipase were tested using milk agar and tributyrin agar plates respectively. Seven out of 26 isolates were strong positive for protease at 37 °C. Only 2 isolates were positive for proteolysis at 30 °C and 2 isolates were strongly positive for proteolysis at 30 °C. The effects of inoculum conditions (fresh and chilled) were tested by comparing the ability of isolated Paenibacillus species at day 1 (fresh) and day 31 (chilled) of storage and there were no obvious differences. The effect of medium was tested by growing Paenibacillus in TSB, 10% TSB and 1% skim milk. Paenibacillus produced more proteolysis in full strength Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB), 10% TSB and 1% skim milk. The enzyme activities were further investigated by using azocasein and p-nitrophenol palmitate assays. Seven isolates produced obvious amounts of proteolysis, and the highest amount of proteolysis produced was 72 U/mL. There was no proteolysis and lipolysis found after heat treatment at 100 °C for 10 minutes which indicated no production of heat-stable enzymes by the Paenibacillus isolates. In conclusion, the investigation of enzyme activities of species provides new insights for the dairy industry with no heat-stable enzymes produced by the Paenibacillus isolates tested. Further studies are required for medium effect on enzyme production and heat stability of enzyme produced by testing different medium of growth and different temperature conditions for the enzyme produced
Gastric protein digestion of cow, goat, and sheep milk is not reflected in the amino acid appearance in the blood of suckling piglets
No full textStructural changes in milk during gastric digestion are a key driving factor for the rate of digestion of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the influence of gastric coagulation behavior on the kinetics of protein digestion of raw cow, goat, and sheep whole milk in the stomach was investigated using the 3-wk-old suckled male piglet as an animal model for human infants. Piglets received a single meal of fresh raw milk normalized for protein content, and were slaughtered at 0, 30, 90, 150, or 210 min postprandially. Gastric chyme and cardiac blood samples were collected. Gastric pepsin activity, rate of protein hydrolysis, and gastric emptying of AA were determined along with how these changes influence the appearance of AA in the plasma. The disappearance rates of individual proteins (especially β-LG and αS-CN), total digested proteins entering the small intestine, as well as the gastric emptying of some AA (proline, leucine) were (or tended to be) greater for goat and sheep milk than for cow milk. Differences in plasma concentrations for some AA (e.g., leucine) were observed across milk types, but they did not directly reflect changes in gastric protein digestion and the gastric emptying of AA. In conclusion, a combination of protein (and AA) composition, susceptibility of specific proteins to hydrolysis, and the nature of the curd structure formed influenced the digestion behavior of milk proteins in the stomach and their subsequent release into the small intestine.fals
Establishment of a stable isotope database for New Zealand fur seal breeding colonies using δ13C and δ15N in pup vibrissae
No full textThe New Zealand fur seal/kekeno (Arctocephalus forsteri, NZFS) is native to Aotearoa/New Zealand. Its original range included the entire coast of mainland New Zealand, and offshore and subantarctic islands. The NZFS has gradually recolonised much of its former range after being almost extirpated by hunting, however, little is known about species dispersal in the non-breeding season. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) can trace foraging ecology and migration in marine mammal species. Isotopic niche width can be described statistically and provides ecologically relevant information on diet and potentially foraging location. Otariid pup vibrissae (whiskers) can be used as proxies for maternal foraging as they provide a sequential record of nutrient intake derived from maternal milk. In this study, vibrissae from NZFS pups were collected from seven established breeding areas around the coast of New Zealand. A stable isotope database of δ13C and δ15N was established for each breeding colony, and isotopic niche widths estimated. Isotopic niche widths were largest at Open Bay Islands and Cape Foulwind. Results were discussed in light of previous oceanographic and NZFS diet and foraging studies. Colonies are not likely to be sufficiently isotopically distinct for pups to be identified to their colony of origin.fals
3D Robotic Control of Micro-Scale Optical Swarms at an Interface
No full textOptical force-induced assembly is a promising yet scarcely explored approach for developing functional tools and objects at the microscale, with a wide range of potential applications. Our previous work was the first to investigate the manipulation of these assemblies in the XY plane. Here, we expand on these techniques by systematically exploring optical trap manipulation with the addition of Z-axis control. Manipulation of the Z-axis is referred to as axial displacement and is a viable approach for actively manipulating the assembly morphology. Experiments are conducted for the first time to explore and detail the response of the assembly during active 3D trap manipulation, informing the development of an autonomous control algorithm over the 2D area of the assembly during motion. This control presents techniques to increase assembly stability or alter the area of the assembly for tasks such as passing through constrictions. This work aims to develop the control techniques required to create a unique micromanufacturing approach inspired by the Kilobot thousand-robot swarm.fals
Probing structural modification of milk proteins in the presence of pepsin and/or acid using small- and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering
Get PDFAcid- and pepsin-induced milk protein coagulation plays a crucial role in the gastric digestion of milk. Real-time structural evolution at a nano- (e.g. colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) and micelle) and micro- (gel network) level of unheated and heated (85 °C for 30 min) bovine milk was examined under acidic conditions and at low and high concentrations of pepsin using ultra-small- and small-angle neutron scattering (USANS and SANS), small-amplitude oscillatory rheometry and confocal scanning laser microscopy. Milk was treated with glucono-δ-lactone (GDL), pepsin or a combination of GDL and pepsin to induce coagulation. Heat-treated milk showed a faster increase in elastic storage modulus (G′) and scattering intensity (USANS and SANS) compared with unheated milk when coagulated with GDL or the combination of GDL and pepsin. At pH 6.3, heat treatment retarded pepsin (1.10 U/mL)-induced milk coagulation, with slower increases in G′ and scattering intensity. At a high concentration of pepsin (2000 U/mL) that mimics the concentration found in the stomach, general proteolysis followed coagulation. Heat treatment retarded coagulation but accelerated curd proteolysis. This study demonstrates how time-resolved USANS and SANS can be used to investigate the structural evolution of protein coagulation and degradation under gastric environment conditions at nano- and micro-metre length scales.fals
Dual-network hydrogel capsules for controlled molecular transport via pH and temperature responsiveness
Get PDFWe have developed innovative core-shell hydrogel capsules with a dual-network shell structure designed for precise control of molecular transport in response to external stimuli such as pH and temperature. The capsules were fabricated using a combination of microfluidic electrospray techniques and water-in-water (w/w) core-shell droplets templating. The primary network of the shell, calcium alginate (Ca-Alg), with a pKa around 3.4, exhibits sensitivity to pH. The secondary network of the shell, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA), undergoes a volume phase transition near 60 °C. These properties enable precise molecular transport control in/out of the capsules by modulating the surface charges through varying pH and modifying pore size through temperature changes. Moreover, the dual-network shell structure not only significantly enhances the mechanical strength of the capsules but also improves their stability under external stimulus, ensuring structural integrity during the transport of molecules. This research lays the groundwork for further investigations into the multimodal stimuli-responsive hydrogel systems to control molecular transport, important in applications such as sensors and reactors for chemical cascade reactions.fals
Medication compliance by cat owners prescribed treatment for home administration.
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Most veterinary literature examining medication compliance has described the phenomenon in dogs. The evidence available regarding factors affecting cat owner medication compliance is limited. OBJECTIVES: Identify and describe factors associated with cat owners' noncompliance with veterinary recommendations for pet medications, as well as client-reported barriers and aids to administering medications prescribed by primary care veterinarians.
SUBJECTS: Cat owners presenting their animals for veterinary examination and treatment.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of cat owners' compliance with veterinary medication recommendations was performed from January 9, 2019, to July 18, 2020. A convenience sample of owners prescribed medication for their pets by veterinarians during or after elective veterinary examination was recruited to respond to questions regarding medication administration experience and compliance. Follow-up was obtained from owners to determine if the course of medication had been completed. Compliance data were analyzed descriptively, and logistic regression was performed.
RESULTS: Medication noncompliance was recorded for 39% (26/66) of cat owners. A quarter (16/66) reported challenges in administering medication to their pets; the most commonly cited reason was a resistant pet. Oral administration of antibiotics was significantly associated with noncompliance (P = .01). Clients with limited pet ownership experience were less likely to be noncompliant (P = .04).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clients' inability to medicate their cats PO may have implications for clinical outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship. Alternatives to direct PO administration of solid-form medications in cats should be considered. Demonstrating administration techniques to all clients may improve compliance and influence clinical outcome.fals
Dropping the baton: Cognitive biases in emergency physicians.
Get PDFIntroduction
Clinical medicine is becoming more complex and increasingly requires a team-based approach to deliver healthcare needs. This dispersion of cognitive reasoning across individuals, teams and systems (termed “distributed cognition”) means that our understanding of cognitive biases and errors must expand beyond traditional “in-the-head” individual mental models and focus on a broader “out-in-the-world” context instead. To our knowledge, no qualitative studies thus far have examined cognitive biases in clinical settings from a team-based sociocultural perspective. Our study therefore seeks to explore how cognitive biases and errors among emergency physicians (EPs) arise due to sociocultural influences and lapses in team cognition.
Methodology
Our study team comprised four EPs of different seniorities from three different institutions and local and international academics who provided qualitative methodological guidance. We adopted a constructivist paradigm and employed a reflexive thematic analysis approach which acknowledged our researcher reflexivity. We conducted seven focus group discussions with 25 EPs who were purposively sampled for maximum variation. Our research question was: How do sociocultural factors lead to cognitive biases and medical errors among EPs?
Results
Our themes coalesce around sociocultural pressures related to team psychology. In theme one, the EP is compelled by sociocultural pressures to blindly trust colleagues. In the second, the EP is obliged by cultural norms to be “nice” and neatly summarise cases into illness scripts during handovers. In the last, the EP is under immense pressure to follow conventional wisdom, comply with clinical protocols and not challenge inpatient specialists.
Conclusion
Cognitive biases and errors in clinical decision-making can arise due to lapses in distributed team cognition. Although this study focuses on emergency medicine, these pitfalls in team-based cognition are relevant across the entire continuum of care and across all specialties of medicine. The hyperacute nature of emergency medicine merely exacerbates and condenses these into a compressed timeframe. Indeed, similar relays are run every day in every discipline of medicine, with the same unified goal of doing the best for our patients while not committing cognitive errors and dropping the baton.fals