ABSTRACT
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a prevalent condition in horses, affecting up to 93% of racehorses. Comprising the equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and the equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), EGUS poses significant health challenges. Saliva, a non-invasive and easily obtainable sample, is increasingly recognized for its potential as a source of biomarkers in horses. This study investigates changes in saliva analytes using automated assays before and after EGUS treatment, aiming to identify biomarkers indicative of treatment success or failure. A total of 28 horses diagnosed with EGUS were treatment with omeprazole for six weeks and further divided into successful (n = 15) or unsuccessful (n = 13) treatment group. Saliva samples were collected before and after treatment, and analytes related to enzymes, metabolites, proteins, redox biomarkers, and minerals were measured using an automated chemistry analyzer. Results revealed that horses with successful treatment, indicated by reduced EGGD and ESGD scores, showed significant increases in bicarbonate and urea, and decreases in adenosine deaminase (ADA), and creatine kinase (CK). Conversely, horses with non-successful treatment showed no significant changes in salivary analytes. These analytes have the advantages of an easy and fast measurement and the possibility of being applied in routine. Further studies with larger populations should be performed to establish the possible practical application of these analytes as biomarkers of treatment.
ABSTRACT
Cystatin C, ammonia, and bicarbonate have been described to be biomarkers of sepsis and inflammation in humans. The saliva of pigs can be used to detect a wide range of pathogens but also many biomarkers that can be analyzed to evaluate different conditions such as stress (i.e., cortisol and alpha amylase), immune system (i.e., ADA, S100 proteins), inflammation (i.e., acute phase proteins), redox status (i.e., various antioxidants and oxidants), and general metabolism or the status of different organs and tissues. However, there is a lack of assays for the possible measurement and use of cystatin C, ammonia, and bicarbonate in saliva as biomarkers of sepsis or inflammation in pigs. The objective of this study was to validate commercially available automated assays for the measurement of cystatin C, ammonia, and bicarbonate in the saliva of pigs, having the advantage of using a noninvasive sample that is easy to collect. The assays were precise and accurate, and the recommended storage condition for the saliva samples was -80 °C. In addition, cystatin and ammonia showed significant increases in the saliva of pigs with S. suis infection, whereas bicarbonate decreased. Further studies would be recommended to increase knowledge about the possible potential applications of the measurements of these three analytes in the saliva of pigs as biomarkers to evaluate the animals' health and welfare.
ABSTRACT
Ammonia (NH3) and bicarbonate (HCO3) have been related to gastric ulcers in humans. Ammonia is considered a possible cause of gastric ulcers, whereas bicarbonate has a protective function. The presence of ulcers in the stomach of horses is defined as Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS), which is a frequent disease in this species, and it has been associated with changes in saliva composition, such as in analytes related to inflammation, immune system and oxidative stress. The objectives of this study were (1) to perform an analytical validation of two automated spectrophotometric assays, one for ammonia and one for bicarbonate, in the horses' saliva and (2) to evaluate their possible variations with EGUS. Analytical validation of the automated assays for ammonia and bicarbonate in the saliva of horses showed that both assays were precise and accurate. In addition, significantly higher values of ammonia and lower values of bicarbonate were found in the saliva of horses with EGUS compared to healthy horses. It can be concluded that ammonia and bicarbonate can be measured in the saliva of horses and that ammonia increases and bicarbonate decreases in this sample type could be related to the presence of EGUS in this species.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since SARS-CoV2 pandemic, many specialties have introduced virtual assessments within clinical practice. Conducting an online geriatric assessment, or relying on self-reported questionnaires, may be more challenging than a conventional medical appointment. This review aims to discuss the state of research on virtual assessment and self-reported questionnaires in the general geriatric population and specifically in Oncology. RECENT FINDINGS: Virtual assessment of older adults has been the focus of two separate position papers. Aside from videoconferences or phone appointments, self-reported questionnaires have emerged in recent years as reliable tools to screen for frailty and triage patients who would benefit from a comprehensive in-person assessment, with adequate correlation with in-person tests, good acceptance by the respondents and being well received by healthcare providers. Although some have been tried in geriatric oncology, many still lack validation, and their widespread use may be limited by digital literacy, cognitive impairment, and social supports. SUMMARY: The development, validation and adoption of self-reported questionnaires and virtual assessment in the care of older adults with cancer may overcome the staffing limitations and time constrains that frequently hampers the widespread evaluation of this population to improve their care.
Subject(s)
Frailty , Neoplasms , Aged , Humans , Frailty/diagnosis , Frailty/epidemiology , RNA, Viral , Frail Elderly , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Geriatric AssessmentABSTRACT
Introducción: Recientes estudios muestran que el síndrome de burnout puede aparecer en estudiantes de medicina antes incluso de empezar su vida laboral y puede tener potenciales consecuencias, tanto en la salud de los futuros médicos como en la calidad asistencial. Objetivo: Analizar la prevalencia de burnout en los estudiantes de medicina del grado conjunto UPF/UAB y su relación con características demográficas y personales. Sujetos y métodos: Se llevaron a cabo dos estudios transversales en estudiantes de medicina de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud y de la Vida (UPF/UAB) en Barcelona, en 2018 y 2019. Se recogieron datos demográficos, personales y de burnoutmediante cuestionarios que incluían el Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey. Resultados: La prevalencia de burnout fue del 33,6% en la cohorte de 2018 y del 38% en la de 2019. Se observó un incremento estadísticamente significativo en los estudiantes de sexto curso (60,5%) respecto a los estudiantes de primero (20,6%). No se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre el burnouty las variables demográficas y personales estudiadas. Los cursos académicos más elevados mostraron un incremento significativo de la prevalencia del síndrome en ambas cohortes. Conclusiones: Existe una alta prevalencia de burnout entre los estudiantes de medicina del grado conjunto UPF/UAB. Aunque no se relacionó con las variables estudiadas, los resultados del presente estudio muestran que la prevalencia del síndrome de burnout en los estudiantes se incrementa significativamente a medida que se avanza en los estudios de medicina
Introduction: Recent studies show that burnout syndrome can appear in medical students even before starting their working life, and it can have potential consequences, both in the health of future doctors and in the quality of care. Aim: To analyze the prevalence of burnout in medical students of the UPF/UAB joint degree and its relationship with demographic and personal characteristics. Subjects and methods: Two cross-sectional studies were carried out in Medicine students of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (UPF/UAB) in Barcelona, in 2018 and 2019. Demographic, personal and burnout data were collected through questionnaires which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey. Results: The present study shows that the prevalence of burnout was 33.6% in the 2018 cohort and 38% in the 2019 cohort. A statistically significant increase was observed in sixth grade students (60.5%) with respect to first-year students (20.6%). No significant associations were found between burnout and the demographic and personal variables studied. The highest academic courses showed a significant increase in the prevalence of the syndrome in both cohorts. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of burnout among UPF/UAB medical students. Although it was not related to the variables studied, the results of the present study show that the prevalence of burnout syndrome in students significantly increases with advancing academic course
