Is routine biopsy of the lacrimal sac wall indicated at dacryocystorhinostomy? A prospective study and literature review

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether routine biopsy of the lacrimal sac wall at dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is indicated.

METHODS

A prospective study and literature review. In 193 consecutive endoscopic DCRs performed on 164 patients (108 females and 56 males) part of the medial wall of the lacrimal sac was sent for histological examination. The mean age of the patients was 64 years with a range of 2.5-89 years. Previous reported series were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 193 specimens, 44 (23%) showed normal histology, 146 (76%) showed varying degrees of non-specific chronic inflammation, and three (1.2%) showed specific pathology. Of the three specimens that showed specific pathology two showed sarcoidosis and one showed transitional cell papilloma. The two specimens with sarcoidosis were obtained from one patient who underwent bilateral surgery. In this and the six previous reported series only seven of 1294 specimens (0.5%) showed specific pathology, which was definitely not suspected preoperatively or intraoperatively, and only one of these (0.08%) was found to be malignant (a lymphoma).

CONCLUSIONS

Biopsy of the lacrimal sac wall at DCR is not indicated routinely and is only indicated if there is a reason to suspect pathology other than chronic inflammation preoperatively or intraoperatively.

Effects of acute bouts of endurance exercise on retinal vessel diameters are age and intensity dependent

Alterations of retinal vessel diameters are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate changes in retinal vessel diameters in response to acute dynamic exercise of different intensities and whether these changes are age dependent. Seventeen healthy seniors (median (IQR) age 68 (65, 69) years) and 15 healthy young adults (median (IQR) age 26 (25, 28) years) first performed a maximal treadmill test (MTT) followed by a submaximal treadmill test (SMTT) and a resting control condition in randomised order. Central retinal arteriolar (CRAE) and central retinal venular (CRVE) diameter equivalents were measured before as well as 5 (t5) and 40 (t40) minutes after exercise cessation using a static retinal vessel analyser. Both exercise intensities induced a significant dilatation in CRAE and CRVE at t5 compared to the control condition (P < 0.001). At t40, the mean increase in CRAE and CRVE was greater for MTT compared to that for SMTT (CRAE 1.7 μm (95 % confidence interval (CI) -0.1, 3.6; P = 0.061); CRVE 2.2 μm (95 % CI 0.4, 4.1; P = 0.019)). However, the estimated difference at t5 between seniors and young adults in their response to MTT compared to SMTT was 5.3 μm (95 % CI 2.0, 8.5; P = 0.002) for CRAE and 4.1 μm (95 % CI -0.4, 8.6; P = 0.076) for CRVE. Wider arteries and veins after maximal versus submaximal exercise for seniors compared to young adults suggest that myogenic vasoconstriction in response to exhaustive exercise may be reduced in seniors. Age-related loss of vascular reactivity has clinical implications since the arteriolar vasoconstriction protects the retinal capillary bed from intraluminal pressure peaks.

Relationships of total protein, specific gravity, viscosity, refractive index and latex agglutination to immunoglobulin G concentration in mare colostrum

A colostrum sample was collected within 24 h after foaling from 27 mares and from 10 other mares a milk sample was collected several weeks post partum. Immunoglobulin G concentrations were determined quantitatively by radial immunodiffusion and semi-quantitatively using a commercial latex agglutination test. Total protein, specific gravity, viscosity and refractive index were determined and their relationships to the immunoglobulin G concentration analysed. All parameters correlated with the immunoglobulin G concentration. The latex agglutination test divided the colostrum samples into three groups with different means for immunoglobulin G and total protein concentrations. Specific gravity and the latex agglutination test were found to be the methods best suited for on-farm evaluation of colostrum quality.

Lower Body vs. Upper Body Resistance Training and Arterial Stiffness in Young Men

Resistance training has been shown to increase arterial stiffness. The purpose of the present study was to examine and compare the systemic arterial stiffness responses to acute lower body (LRT) and upper body (URT) resistance training. 20 healthy young men [median age: 26 years (interquartile range 23, 32)] underwent LRT, URT and whole body resistance training (WRT). Before and immediately after, as well as 20, 40 and 60 min after each training session, we measured the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) using VaSera VS-1500 N. We used mixed models for repeated measurements to estimate the post-exercise differences in CAVI and baPWV between the 3 resistance training modes. Immediately after exercise cessation, both CAVI and baPWV were lower for LRT compared with URT [CAVI: - 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI] - 1.15, - 0.70); baPWV: - 2.08 m/s (95% CI - 2.48, - 1.67)]. Differences between LRT and URT gradually decreased during follow-up. Compared with WRT, LRT induced a decrease and URT an increase in arterial stiffness across all time points. In conclusion, LRT presents more favorable post-exercise arterial stiffness than URT. Our results suggest that LRT or WRT may be preferred over URT in individuals with impaired arterial stiffness.

Effects of partial maize silage substitution with microalgae on viscosity and biogas yields in continuous AD trials

The microalga Acutodesmus obliquus was investigated as a feedstock in semi-continuously fed anaerobic digestion trials, where A. obliquus was co-digested with pig slurry and maize silage. Maize silage was substituted by both 10% and 20% untreated, and 20% ultrasonicated microalgae biomass on a VS (volatile solids) basis. The substitution of maize silage with 20% of either ultrasonicated and untreated microalgae led to significantly lower biogas yields, i.e., 560 dm³ kg^-1 VS_corr in the reference compared to 516 and 509 dm³ kg^-1VS_corr for untreated and ultrasonicated microalgae substitution. Further, the viscosities in the different reactors were measured at an OLR of 3.5 g VS dm^-3 d^-1. However, all treatments with microalgae resulted in significantly lower viscosities. While the mean viscosity reached 0.503 Pa s in the reference reactor, mean viscosities were 53% lower in reactors where maize was substituted by 20% microalgae, i.e. 0.239 Pa s, at a constant rotation speed of 30 rpm. Reactors where maize was substituted by 20% ultrasonicated microalgae had a 32% lower viscosity, for 10% microalgae substitution a decrease of 8% was measured. Decreased viscosities have beneficial effect on the bioprocess and the economy in biogas plants. Nonetheless, with regard to other parameters, no positive effect on biogas yields by partial substitution with microalgae biomass was found. The application of microalgae may be an interesting option in anaerobic digestion when fibrous or lignocellulosic substances lead to high viscosities of the digested slurries. High production costs remain the bottleneck for making microalgae an interesting feedstock.

Medieval cattle from Bern (Switzerland): an archaeozoological, genetic and historical approach

This study deals with genetic analyses of an assemblage of mediaeval (13th century) cattle metapodials from Bern that had previously been osteometrically examined regarding sex, shape and wither height. The results from the genetic sexing of these small (height 100 to 120 cm) cattle correlate well with the osteometric interpretations. Some few exceptions we interpreted as cows used as draft animals with stouter bones and thus osteometrically determined as males. Two morphologically different groups of cow metatarsals however, we took as proof of the historical fact that Bern relied on livestock from different geographical origins: the town's vicinity and the alpine pastures with their favourable grazing conditions. It was not possible to distinguish them genetically. An analysis of one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) showed that predominant coat colour most likely was red-brown. Furthermore, an analysis of the SNP in the Y-chromosomal intron UTY19 that divide modern taurine cattle in two major haplogroups (Y1 and Y2) showed that the mediaeval cattle belonged to the haplogroup Y2 with one single exception of a Y1.

Differences in Blood Leukocyte Subpopulations in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Importance

This study aims to provide robust evidence to support or challenge the immune hypothesis of schizophrenia.

Objective

To conduct a meta-analysis of reports on blood leukocyte subpopulations in schizophrenia vs healthy controls, examining disease- and treatment-related differences as well as potential confounders.

Data Sources

Systematic database search for English and non-English peer-reviewed articles in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, with the last search in January 2024.

Study Selection

Cross-sectional, case-control, and longitudinal studies comparing leukocyte numbers in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. After duplicates were removed, 3691 studies were identified for screening.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Data were independently extracted by 2 authors and pooled using random-effects models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The planned primary outcomes were differences in leukocyte subpopulation counts between individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls to increase our understanding of the immune system dysfunction in schizophrenia.

Results

Sixty-four relevant articles were identified (60 cross-sectional/case-control studies and 4 longitudinal studies) with data on leukocyte numbers from 26 349 individuals with schizophrenia and 16 379 healthy controls. Neutrophils (g = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.89; Bonferroni-adjusted P < .001; n = 40 951 [47 between-group comparisons]) and monocytes (g = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.75; Bonferroni-adjusted P < .001; n = 40 513 [44 between-group comparisons]) were higher in schizophrenia compared with control participants. Differences were greater in first-episode vs chronic schizophrenia and in patients who were not treated vs treated with antipsychotic medication. There were no significant differences in eosinophils (g = 0.02; 95% CI, -0.16 to 0.20; Bonferroni-adjusted P > .99; n = 3277 [18 between-group comparisons]), basophils (g = 0.14; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.34; Bonferroni-adjusted P = .85; n = 2614 [13 between-group comparisons]), or lymphocytes (g = -0.08; 95% CI, -0.21 to 0.06; Bonferroni-adjusted P > .99; n = 41 693 [59 between-group comparisons]). Neutrophils decreased longitudinally (g = -0.30; 95% CI, -0.45 to -0.15; Bonferroni-adjusted P < .001; n = 896 [4 within-group comparisons]) and eosinophils increased longitudinally (g = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.71; Bonferroni-adjusted P < .001; n = 876 [3 within-group comparisons]) after successful treatment of acute psychosis.

Conclusions and Relevance

Our findings of increased blood neutrophils and monocytes support the immune hypothesis of schizophrenia, particularly highlighting the role of innate immune activation. As these effects were more pronounced in early disease stages and also reflected clinical improvement, they may pave the way for innovative treatment strategies based on immunological and inflammatory pathways and help revolutionize the treatment landscape for schizophrenia.

Glial cell deficits are a key feature of schizophrenia: implications for neuronal circuit maintenance and histological differentiation from classical neurodegeneration

Dysfunctional glial cells play a pre-eminent role in schizophrenia pathophysiology. Post-mortem studies have provided evidence for significantly decreased glial cell numbers in different brain regions of individuals with schizophrenia. Reduced glial cell numbers are most pronounced in oligodendroglia, but reduced astrocyte cell densities have also been reported. This review highlights that oligo- and astroglial deficits are a key histopathological feature in schizophrenia, distinct from typical changes seen in neurodegenerative disorders. Significant deficits of oligodendrocytes in schizophrenia may arise in two ways: (i) demise of mature functionally compromised oligodendrocytes; and (ii) lack of mature oligodendrocytes due to failed maturation of progenitor cells. We also analyse in detail the controversy regarding deficits of astrocytes. Regardless of their origin, glial cell deficits have several pathophysiological consequences. Among these, myelination deficits due to a reduced number of oligodendrocytes may be the most important factor, resulting in the disconnectivity between neurons and different brain regions observed in schizophrenia. When glial cells die, it appears to be through degeneration, a process which is basically reversible. Thus, therapeutic interventions that (i) help rescue glial cells (ii) or improve their maturation might be a viable option. Since antipsychotic treatment alone does not seem to prevent glial cell loss or maturation deficits, there is intense search for new therapeutic options. Current proposals range from the application of antidepressants and other chemical agents as well as physical exercise to engrafting healthy glial cells into brains of schizophrenia patients.