Introduction of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a key factor in decreasing HbA1c in war refugee children with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Our aim was to describe the changes in therapy and diabetes control in Ukrainian war refugee children with diabetes (CwD) during the first year of their stay in Czechia. METHODS: A total of 124 CwD (62 male, 62 female) were enrolled into this observational study. Anthropometric, laboratory and diabetes management data were acquired at baseline and at 3 months intervals for 12 months. All CwD were offered a CGM device during their first visit. Generalized Estimating Equation models were fitted in order to estimate the dynamics of studied characteristics. RESULTS: Median baseline HbA1c was 58 mmol/mol (IQR [48; 73]mmol/mol) (7.5 %, IQR[6.5;8.8]%). The HbA1c decreased significantly throughout the course of the study at a pace of - 2.2 mmol/mol (-0.2 %pt.) per visit (P = 0.01, CI[-3.2;-1.1]). The pace of the decrease in the average HbA1c was significantly higher in the group of CwD who received CGM in Czechia than in those who already had it from Ukraine by 2.9 mmol/mol (0.27 %pt.) per visit (P < 0.001, CI [-4.4; -1.3]). CONCLUSIONS: The steepest decrease in HbA1c was observed in CwD with newly initiated CGM underlining its vital role in improving the glucose control of CwD regardless of their background.

Enriched environment exposure accelerates rodent driving skills.

Although rarely used, long-term behavioral training protocols provide opportunities to shape complex skills in rodent laboratory investigations that incorporate cognitive, motor, visuospatial and temporal functions to achieve desired goals. In the current study, following preliminary research establishing that rats could be taught to drive a rodent operated vehicle (ROV) in a forward direction, as well as steer in more complex navigational patterns, male rats housed in an enriched environment were exposed to the rodent driving regime. Compared to standard-housed rats, enriched-housed rats demonstrated more robust learning in driving performance and their interest in the ROV persisted through extinction trials. Dehydroepiandrosterone/corticosterone (DHEA/CORT) metabolite ratios in fecal samples increased in accordance with training in all animals, suggesting that driving training, regardless of housing group, enhanced markers of emotional resilience. These results confirm the importance of enriched environments in preparing animals to engage in complex behavioral tasks. Further, behavioral models that include trained motor skills enable researchers to assess subtle alterations in motivation and behavioral response patterns that are relevant for translational research related to neurodegenerative disease and psychiatric illness.

Residual ethanol content of donor sclera after storage in 95% ethanol and saline rinse of various durations.

PURPOSE: Some surgeons are wary of using alcohol-preserved sclera for allografts because they fear a toxic effect on surrounding tissue after placement. We set out to determine the amount of ethanol remaining in scleral allograft material after storage in 95% ethanol. METHODS: Sixty half scleras from 30 donors were preserved in 95% ethanol for an average of 31+/-14 days (range, 11 to 50 days). Rehydration was performed by soaking each half sclera in 4 ounces of balanced salt solution. Half scleras were randomly assigned to six groups of 10 each. Assays for ethanol were performed on the following groups: no balanced salt solution soak and balanced salt solution soak for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, and 50 minutes. Ethanol assay was performed by Headspace Gas Space Chromatography at ChemaTox Laboratory, Inc, Boulder, Colorado. RESULTS: The 10 half scleras without balanced salt solution soak had a mean ( SD) ethanol level of 175+/-14.1 mg per g of sclera. After 10 minutes of balanced salt solution s oak, the level decreased to 7.57+/-1.56 mg per g, then 3.77+/-3.02 mg per g at 20 minutes, 1.59+/-0.61 mg per g at 30 minutes, 1.07+/-0.30 mg per g at 40 minutes, and 0.96+/-0.26 mg per g at 50 minutes. Approximately 96% of the ethanol is leeched out of the half sclera by 10 minutes and 98% by 20 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: For sclera preserved in 95% ethanol, soaking in balanced salt solution for 20 minutes or longer leeches approximately 98% of the ethanol from the preserved donor sclera.

Aortic root geometry: pattern of differences between leaflets and sinuses of Valsalva.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY: Growing interest in aortic root replacement with the use of stentless auto-, homo- and xenografts, and new developments in aortic valve conservation demand a deeper understanding of the normal aortic root anatomy. METHODS: Ten cryopreserved human aortic roots were pressurized, fixed and measured directly (leaflet free edge and attachment) and using three-dimensional computed tomography imaging software (sinus of Valsalva height and volume). RESULTS: The mean of the measurements of all four parameters yielded a pattern in which the non-coronary sinus (N) structures had the greatest dimensions followed by the right (R) and then the left (L). Non-parametric ANOVA on each of these parameters also showed significant differences among the sinuses yielding a pattern of N > R > L. This pattern determined an angle of tilt between the plane at the base (annulus) and the plane intersecting the sinotubular junction with a mean value of 11 degrees. Linear regression indicated that this angle did not depend on the size of the base (annulus). CONCLUSIONS: The data showed a geometric pattern of the aortic root, with the structures of the non-coronary sinus being the largest followed by the right and then the left. The possible hemodynamic relevance and surgical implications of these findings need to be explored.