Fibroblast growth factor-23 and Alpha-Klotho concentrations in dogs with canine Leishmaniasis.

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) and α-Klotho in healthy dogs and dogs at different stages of Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL), and investigate the changes of these parameters in relation to renal function and calcium­phosphorus metabolism. A total of 74 dogs (22 healthy and 52 with CanL) of varying ages, sexes, and medium-sized breeds were included. Dogs with CanL were categorized into different stages (Stage I-IV) based on Leishvet recommendations. In addition to routine hematological parameters, plasma FGF-23, serum α-Klotho, urea, creatinine, phosphorus, calcium, parathormone, vitamin D concentrations, and urine protein/creatinine ratio were measured. Data from healthy dogs were compared to dogs with CanL overall and by stage. Dogs with CanL exhibited higher concentrations of FGF-23 (p < 0.05), α-Klotho, and parathormone (p < 0.001), as well as lower concentrations of vitamin D and calcium (p < 0.001). FGF-23 concentration was particularly elevated in Stage IV compared to other stages. However, no significant differences in α-Klotho levels were observed among the stages. FGF-23 levels showed a weak positive correlation with urea and creatinine concentrations and a moderate positive correlation with urine protein/creatinine ratio. This study demonstrated increased levels of FGF-23 and α-Klotho in dogs with CanL for the first time. The increase in FGF-23 levels was more prominent in advanced stages of the disease and correlated with higher urea and creatinine concentrations. These findings may serve as a basis for future diagnostic and therapeutic investigations, contributing to the understanding of the pathophysiology of kidney disease in CanL.

Arginine, symmetric and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in canine leishmaniasis.

The study aimed to investigate the levels of arginine, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in dogs with canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and their relationship with some renal and cardiovascular parameters. A total of 60 dogs were enrolled, including 40 with CanL and 20 healthy controls. The CanL group was divided into four stages based on clinical and laboratory findings. The levels of plasma arginine, SDMA, and ADMA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data from the healthy group were compared with those from the CanL group, and according to the stages. In dogs with CanL, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma creatinine, cystatin-C, phosphorus, potassium, and low-density lipoprotein concentrations, the urine protein/creatinine ratio, the amount of nitric oxide, and creatine kinase-MB activity were higher, while the high-density lipoprotein concentration was lower compared to healthy controls. The concentration of arginine was low (p < 0.05) and the levels of ADMA (p < 0.001) and SDMA (p < 0.05) were high in dogs with CanL. There were no statistically significant differences in arginine concentration among the different stages of CanL. However, the concentration of plasma ADMA was higher in all stages of CanL compared to the healthy group, and the concentration of plasma SDMA was higher in Stage IV compared to the healthy group and Stage III. The present study demonstrates for the first time a decrease in arginine concentration and an increase in ADMA concentration in dogs with CanL. The increase in SDMA concentration in dogs with CanL was consistent with previous studies. However, compared to other renal parameters, SDMA exhibited limited performance distinguishing between clinical stages of CanL. These findings could be a source for future diagnostic and therapeutic studies to explain the renal and cardiovascular pathophysiology of CanL. Additional clinical studies that include treatment and patient follow-up with an assessment of the acute phase response are needed to provide a more detailed understanding of the changes observed in dogs with CanL.

Is This My Own Body? Changing the Perceptual and Affective Body Image Experience among College Students Using a New Virtual Reality Embodiment-Based Technique.

Body image disturbances (BIDs) have been widely studied using virtual reality (VR) devices that induce a full body illusion (FBI) and allow manipulation of the individual's perceptual and affective experiences of the body. This study aimed to assess whether the induction of the FBI over a virtual body would produce changes in body-related anxiety and BIDs using a new whole-body visuo-tactile stimulation procedure. Fifty non-clinical participants were randomly assigned to synchronous or asynchronous visuo-tactile groups. During the pre-assessment, all participants filled in BIDs and body-anxiety questionnaires. Then, they were embodied into two virtual bodies (VBs): firstly, with their real measurements, and secondly, with a larger-size body. Body image disturbances, body anxiety, fear of gaining weight, and FBI levels were assessed after exposure to each avatar. All participants in both conditions showed higher levels of BIDs and body anxiety after owning the larger-size VB than after owning the real-size VB (p < 0.05). The synchronous visuo-tactile group had higher scores, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. This study provides evidence of the usefulness of this new embodiment-based technique to induce changes in BIDs or body anxiety in a non-clinical sample, being suitable for use in future body image interventions.

Plasma citrulline, arginine, nitric oxide, and blood ammonia levels in neonatal calves with acute diarrhea.

BACKGROUND: Plasma citrulline (CIT) concentration is considered to be a reliable marker of functional enterocyte mass, primarily in humans. However, information about CIT levels along with related metabolites, arginine (ARG), nitric oxide (NO), and ammonia in neonatal calves are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare plasma CIT, ARG, NO, and whole blood ammonia concentrations in neonatal calves with acute diarrhea with those in healthy calves and to assess their possible relationships with diarrhea-related criteria. ANIMALS: Seventy neonatal calves (60 with acute diarrhea and 10 healthy). METHODS: Observational case-control study. Diarrheic calves were classified into subgroups on the basis of etiology, severity of diarrhea, degree of dehydration, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) status. Plasma CIT and ARG concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Plasma CIT (median [range]: 67.5 [61.9-75.4] vs 30.1 [15.0-56.1] µmol/L) and ARG (170.7 [148.5-219.5] vs 106.1 [54.4-190.7] µmol/L) were lower and plasma NO (4.42 [3.29-5.58] vs 6.78 [5.29-8.92] µM) and blood ammonia concentrations (28.7 [26.1-36.9] vs 59.8 [34.6-99.5] µmol/L) were higher in the neonatal calves with diarrhea (P < .001). Plasma CIT (ß = -0.29, P = .02), ARG (ß = -0.33, P = .01), NO (ß = 0.55, P < .001), and blood ammonia (ß = 0.63, P <.001) were affected by SIRS status. Except for ammonia (0.52), the effects sizes for severity of diarrhea and degree of dehydration were small (ηp2 ≤ 0.45) for CIT, ARG, and NO. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The changes in these variables might have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value in diarrheic neonatal calves.

Oxidative Status and Lipid Profile among Dogs at Different Stages of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the oxidative status and lipid profile among dogs at different stages of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). METHODS: Dogs with VL were divided into four groups according to the classification reported by the Leishvet group: stage I (n=9), stage II (n=11), stage III (n=6), and stage IV (n=6); these dogs were compared to healthy control dogs (n=14). The lipid profile [high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels) and oxidative status [total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity] were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to the control dogs, significant increases in the TOS and the LDL level and decreases in PON-1 activity and the HDL level were determined among the dogs at all stages of VL (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the TAC and the cholesterol and triglyceride levels among the groups. CONCLUSION: Increased oxidative stress and alterations in lipid profile were observed among dogs with VL. However, no significant differences were detected between dogs at different stages of the disease. Therefore, changes in the TOS, PON-1 activity, and HDL and LDL levels in dogs at all stages of VL should be considered in the diagnosis of the disease and planning of the treatment.

Impact of Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty acids enriched total parenteral nutrition on blood chemistry and inflammatory markers in septic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Lipid emulsions containing omega-3 are known to have positive effects on patient's prognosis due to anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 enriched total parenteral nutrition (TPN) emulsion containing omega-9 on biochemical parameters, inflammatory mediators in septic patients. METHODS: Thirty-two participants who were not fed orally for over five days and needing TPN support were included in this prospective, randomized and double-blind clinical study. Patients were randomly divided into control (n=16), treatment (n=16) groups. The treatment group received TPN containing 80% olive oil+20% soy oil additionally 10 g fish oil enriched TPN. Control group received only olive oil containing standard lipid emulsion (1.3±0.1 g/kg/day). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis on the 1(st) and 6(th) days of study. RESULTS: The serum albumin levels significantly increased (p<0.05) in both groups whereas total protein and prealbumin levels did not show any significant changes. In treatment group, significant decreases were determined in LTB4 and CRP levels (p<0.05) while decreases in IL-6, TNF-α and leukocyte levels were not significant. No statistically significant changes were found in LTB4, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and leukocyte levels of controls. CONCLUSION: RESULTS of the study have shown that omega-3 enriched TPN solution containing omega-9 contributes to decrease in the levels of inflammatory mediators and to improvement in the biochemical parameters in septic patients.