Comparison of the effect of three intramuscular sedation protocols on packed cell volume and total protein in cats

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein following intramuscular preanesthetic sedation with one of three drug combinations in cats. Methods Thirty client-owned cats were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical study. A venous blood sample was obtained prior to administration of any sedation and PCV, total protein, electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl–, iCa2+), glucose and lactate were measured. Cats were randomly assigned to receive one of three intramuscular sedation protocols (n = 10 cats/protocol): methadone 0.2 mg/kg + acepromazine 0.02 mg/kg (MA), methadone 0.2 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg (MD) or methadone 0.2 mg/kg + midazolam 0.2 mg/kg + alfaxalone 2 mg/kg (MMA). Twenty-five minutes later, cats were assessed for level of sedation followed by another venous blood sampling to evaluate the same variables as above. Results There were no significant differences in demographics (age, weight, sex) between groups. Level of sedation was significantly higher in MMA cats. Within groups, after premedication, PCV and hemoglobin significantly decreased in all groups, total protein significantly decreased in the MA and MMA groups and glucose significantly increased in the MD group. For electrolytes, statistical changes were not clinically relevant; Cl– mean difference was significantly different between MA and MD; in the MD group Na+ and Cl– significantly decreased and in the MMA group Cl– significantly increased. Conclusions and relevance All three sedation protocols caused significant decreases in PCV and hemoglobin in healthy cats.

EGFR mutation status yield from bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma compared to a venous blood sample and tissue biopsy

Background In recent years, there has been a revolution in the genomic profiling and molecular typing of lung cancer. A key oncogene is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The gold standard for determining EGFR mutation status is tissue biopsy, where a histological specimen is taken by a bronchoscopic or surgical method (transbronchial biopsy, forceps biopsy, etc.). However, in clinical practice the tissue sample is often insufficient for morphological and molecular analysis. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a validated diagnostic method for pathogenic infections in the lower respiratory tract, yet its diagnostic value for oncogenic mutation testing in lung cancer has not been extensively investigated. This study aims to compare the prevalence of EGFR mutation status in bronchoalveolar lavage and peripheral blood referring to the gold standard - tissue biopsy in patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma. Methods Twenty-six patients with adenocarcinoma were examined for EGFR mutation from tissue biopsy, peripheral blood sample and bronchoalveolar lavage. Results Thirteen patients had wild type EGFR and the other 13 had EGFR mutation. EGFR mutation from a peripheral blood sample was identified in 38.5% (5/13) of patients, whereas EGFR mutation obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was identified in 92.3% (12/13). This study demonstrates that a liquid biopsy sample for EGFR status from BAL has a higher sensitivity compared to a venous blood sample.

Febrile Illness Evaluation in a Broad Range of Endemicities (FIEBRE): protocol for a multisite prospective observational study of the causes of fever in Africa and Asia

IntroductionFever commonly leads to healthcare seeking and hospital admission in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. There is only limited guidance for clinicians managing non-malarial fevers, which often results in inappropriate treatment for patients. Furthermore, there is little evidence for estimates of disease burden, or to guide empirical therapy, control measures, resource allocation, prioritisation of clinical diagnostics or antimicrobial stewardship. The Febrile Illness Evaluation in a Broad Range of Endemicities (FIEBRE) study seeks to address these information gaps.Methods and analysisFIEBRE investigates febrile illness in paediatric and adult outpatients and inpatients using standardised clinical, laboratory and social science protocols over a minimum 12-month period at five sites in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeastern and Southern Asia. Patients presenting with fever are enrolled and provide clinical data, pharyngeal swabs and a venous blood sample; selected participants also provide a urine sample. Laboratory assessments target infections that are treatable and/or preventable. Selected point-of-care tests, as well as blood and urine cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, are performed on site. On day 28, patients provide a second venous blood sample for serology and information on clinical outcome. Further diagnostic assays are performed at international reference laboratories. Blood and pharyngeal samples from matched community controls enable calculation of AFs, and surveys of treatment seeking allow estimation of the incidence of common infections. Additional assays detect markers that may differentiate bacterial from non-bacterial causes of illness and/or prognosticate illness severity. Social science research on antimicrobial use will inform future recommendations for fever case management. Residual samples from participants are stored for future use.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from all relevant institutional and national committees; written informed consent is obtained from all participants or parents/guardians. Final results will be shared with participating communities, and in open-access journals and other scientific fora. Study documents are available online (https://doi.org/10.17037/PUBS.04652739).

Comparative study of DIPSI and IADPSG criteria for diagnosis of GDM

GDM is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. The prevalence of GDM varies, widely based on the diagnostic criteria used and the ethnic group studied. It is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Incidence of GDM in India is 1-14%. There are several screening and diagnostic tests for GDM. It is important to diagnose early and treat to prevent these complications. The present study was done to compare Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India (DIPSI) with International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria for diagnosis of GDM and to assess the validity of these methods.Methods: It was a cross sectional study done in 144 pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They underwent non - fasting OGTT with 75 grams glucose which was given irrespective of the last meal. A venous blood sample was drawn two hours after glucose administration. They were advised to come two to three days later and repeated with 75 grams OGTT after an overnight fast of atleast 8 hours. Venous blood sample was drawn at fasting, one hour and two hours after load with 75 grams of glucose. Plasma glucose was measured by using an autoanalyzer by glucose - oxidase peroxidase (GOD - POD) technique.Results: The epidemiological parameters like Age, BMI, Parity and Gestational age did not have any difference between two groups. 17.4% was diagnosed by DIPSI criteria and 15.3% was diagnosed by IADPSG criteria and 6.9% was diagnosed by both. Sensitivity and specificity of DIPSI was 45% and87% and sensitivity and specificity of IADPSG was 40% and89% respectively. According to kappa statistics, the p-value is 0.000.Conclusions: In present study it was concluded that screening is very essential in all pregnant women due to high prevalence of GDM in India. By comparing these two criteria, sensitivity of DIPSI was found better than IADPSG criteria in diagnosing GDM. Though IADPSG is universally accepted for diagnosis, DIPSI has still got a place in low resource countries as it is easy, cost effective and non fasting test.

Environmental and genetic determinants of two vitamin D metabolites in healthy Australian children

Background:Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with adverse health outcomes. We examined genetic and environmental determinants of serum 25(OH)DMethods:The study sample consisted of 322 healthy Australian children (predominantly Caucasians) who provided a venous blood sample. A parental interview was conducted and skin phototype and anthropometry measures were assessed. Concentrations of 25(OH)DResults:Deseasonalised log 25(OH)DConclusions:Environmental factors and genetic factors contributed to both vitamin D metabolite concentrations. The intriguing finding that the higher ambient UVR contributed to higher 1,25(OH)