Microalgae: potential novel protein for sustainable human nutrition.

To support a global population of ~10 billion people in 2050, dietary protein demand is forecast to increase 32-78% compared to 2017, requiring significantly higher planetary resources. Microalgae are an attractive sustainable protein source compared with current plant and animal sources. Benefits include mass scalability, low CO2 emissions, and significantly reduced land and freshwater use per unit protein. Microalgae are already used as food products and numerous species exhibit high total protein contents and well-balanced essential amino acid (EAA) compositions for human dietary requirements. Microalgae proteins are also bioavailable for human digestion, and downstream processing steps are likely to further enhance protein digestibility. Species, cultivation, and process/product optimisation are actively being developed to enhance their nutritional, social, and environmental benefits.

The effect of two doses of fentanyl on chest wall rigidity at equipotent doses of isoflurane in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of two doses of fentanyl upon chest wall rigidity of dogs anesthetized at equipotent doses of isoflurane [1.3 minimum alveolar concentration (MACISO) of each dose of fentanyl]. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective crossover randomized study. ANIMALS: A group of eight male Beagle dogs, approximately 1 year old and weighing 12.1 ± 1.6 kg (mean ± standard deviation). METHODS: The dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane and instrumented for the measurement of esophageal pressure (PESO), flow (V˙) and volume (V). Chest wall elastance (ECW) was estimated by multiple linear regression of the model. PESO(t) = V˙(t) × RCW + V(t) × ECW + EEPESO where t is time, RCW is chest wall resistance and EEPESO is end-expiratory PESO. Chest wall compliance (CCW) was calculated as 1/ECW and normalized to the body weight of each dog (mL cmH2O-1 kg-1). Anesthesia was maintained at 1.3 MACISO for at least 15 minutes and CCW recorded (CCW-ISO). The dogs were randomly assigned to the lower fentanyl dose [loading dose (33 µg kg-1) and infusion (0.2 µg kg-1 minute-1)] or the higher fentanyl dose [loading dose (102 µg kg-1) and infusion (0.8 µg kg-1 minute-1)]. After 60 minutes of fentanyl infusion, CCW was recorded for each dose (CCW-FENT). During fentanyl infusion, the dogs were maintained at equipotent doses of isoflurane (1.3 MACISO for each fentanyl dose). A two-way analysis of variance followed by a Bonferroni test was used to compare CCW-ISO and CCW-FENT in both treatments and CCW-FENT between treatments. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Neither of the fentanyl doses decreased CCW and there was no difference in CCW-FENT between doses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fentanyl at the studied doses did not result in chest wall rigidity in dogs anesthetized with equipotent doses of isoflurane (1.3 MACISO).

Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of two doses of fentanyl in the presence or absence of bradycardia in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cardiopulmonary effects of low and high doses of fentanyl before and after the correction of bradycardia in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized crossover trial. ANIMALS: Eight healthy male Beagle dogs weighing 11.1 ± 1.3 kg [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and aged approximately 1 year. METHODS: The dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane [1.3 × minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)] on two occasions and fentanyl was administered intravenously; either low-dose fentanyl, loading dose (33 µg kg-1) and infusion (0.2 µg kg-1 minute-1) or a high-dose, loading dose (102 µg kg-1) and infusion (0.8 µg kg-1 minute-1). Cardiopulmonary variables were measured at three time points in equipotent isoflurane concentrations (1.3 MAC): before fentanyl administration (ISO), during fentanyl-induced bradycardia (ISO-F) and after administration of glycopyrrolate normalized heart rate (ISO-FNHR). Data are mean ± SD. RESULTS: Heart rate and cardiac index (CI) decreased and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) increased at ISO-F in both treatments. Bradycardia and vasoconstriction at ISO-F were greater in high than in low-dose fentanyl (42 ± 7 versus 57 ± 15 beats minute-1 and 3457 ± 1108 versus 2528 ± 968 dyne second cm-5 m-2), respectively. Oxygen delivery index (DO2I) decreased only during high-dose fentanyl. CI and DO2I were higher in both treatments at ISO-FNHR than at ISO-F; however, they were higher only during the high-dose fentanyl than at ISO. SVRI was higher at ISO-F than at ISO and ISO-FNHR in both treatments, and was higher at ISO-F in the high than in the low-dose treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An overall improvement in cardiovascular function of dogs anesthetized with equipotent isoflurane doses (1.3 MAC) was observed after the treatment of bradycardia only with the high-dose fentanyl.

Isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration sparing effects of fentanyl in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the isoflurane-sparing effects of a high and a low dose of fentanyl in dogs, and its effects on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized crossover trial. ANIMALS: Eight healthy male Beagle dogs weighing 12.1 ± 1.6 kg [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and approximate age 1 year. METHODS: Dogs were anesthetized using isoflurane and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined in duplicate by the bracketing method using an electrical stimulus on the tarsus. Animals were administered fentanyl: low dose (33 µg kg-1 loading dose, 0.2 µg kg-1 minute-1) or high dose (102 µg kg-1 loading dose, 0.8 µg kg-1 minute-1) and MAC was re-determined (MACISO-F). Blood was collected for analysis of plasma fentanyl concentrations before administration and after MACISO-F determination. All values are presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: Isoflurane MAC (MACISO) was 1.30 ± 0.23% in the low dose treatment, which significantly decreased to 0.75 ± 0.22% (average MAC reduction 42.3 ± 9.4%). MACISO was 1.30 ± 0.18% in the high dose treatment, which significantly decreased to 0.30 ± 0.11% (average MAC reduction 76.9 ± 7.4%). Mean fentanyl plasma concentrations were 6.2 and 29.5 ng mL-1 for low and high dose treatments, respectively. MAP increased significantly only in the high dose treatment (from 81 ± 8 to 92 ± 9 mmHg). HR decreased significantly in both treatments from 108 ± 25 to 61 ± 14 beats minute-1 with the low dose and from 95 ± 14 to 42 ± 4 beats minute-1 with the high dose. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fentanyl administration resulted in a dose-dependent isoflurane MAC-sparing effect with bradycardia at both doses and an increase in MAP only at high dose. Further evaluation is needed to determine the effects of fentanyl on the overall cardiovascular function.

Development and testing of a DVT risk assessment tool: providing evidence of validity and reliability.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolisms (PE) are preventable problems that can increase mortality. Early assessment and recognition of risk as well as initiating appropriate prevention measures can prevent DVT or PE. AIMS: The purpose of this research project was to develop a DVT risk assessment tool and test the tool for validity and reliability. METHODS: Three phases were undertaken in developing and testing the JFK Medical Center DVT risk assessment tool. Investigation and clarification of risk and predisposing factors for DVT were identified from the literature, expert nursing knowledge, and medical staff input. Second, item development and weighting were undertaken. Third, parametric testing for content validity measured the differences in mean assessment tool scores between a group of patients who developed DVT in the hospital and a demographically similar group who did not develop DVT. Interrater reliability was measured by having three different nurses score each patient and compare the differences in scores among the three. FINDINGS: The DVT group had significantly higher scores on the JFK DVT assessment scale than did those who did not experience DVT. Interrater reliability showed a strong correlation among the scores of the three nurses (.98). DISCUSSION: Providing a valid and reliable tool for measuring the risk for DVT or PE in hospitalized patients will enable nurses to intervene early in patients at risk. Basing DVT risk assessment on the evidence provided in this study will assist nurses in becoming more confident in recognizing the necessity for interventions in hospitalized patients and decreasing risk. IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can now evaluate patients at risk for DVT or PE using the JFK Medial Center's risk assessment tool.