No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (MAppSc (Medical Laboratory Sc)) --University of South Australia, 1993

Optimum feed ration was determined for riffleshell mussels (Epioblasma spp.) held in captivity. Mussels were fed one of four rations (0.49, 0.72, 1.28, or 1.73 mg dry wt/l) of algae Neochloris oleoabundans for 2-h trials in spring, summer, fall, and winter. The test ration resulting in the most feed absorbed per hour (net absorption rate, mg/h) was determined to be the optimum feed ration. Mussels absorbed the greatest amount of food when fed the highest ration. Suggested feed rations for captive adult Epioblasma species are 1.73 mg/l when held at moderate temperatures (i.e., 15-19C), and 1.28 mg/l when held at cool temperatures (i.e., near 11C). Seasonal utilization of protein by oyster mussel (E. capsaeformis) and rainbow mussel (V. iris) was examined with O:N ratios. Ratios were determined for mussels fed a low or high-protein diet (0.11, or 0.31 mg protein/mg dry algal feed), and for mussels held in a hatchery or in the Clinch River, in spring, summer, and winter. Significant differences in O:N ratios were not observed between mussels fed a low or high-protein diet (p > 0.05). The O:N ratios were significantly highest in spring and summer, and lowest in winter (p < 0.05). Mussels primarily utilized protein in spring and summer, and conserved protein in winter. A diet high in energy was suggested in spring and summer, and a diet high in protein was suggested in winter. / Master of Science

No description available.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-43).

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of micro- or macroalbuminuria among type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients and to examine the relationship with diabetes control parameters: haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), blood pressure (BP) and lipids. Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Setting and subjects: The study consisted of 754 patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, attending a diabetic clinic at the Kalafong Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. Outcome measures: Micro- or macroalbuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: Of all patients, 88.9% had HbA1C > 7%, and 81% had low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ≥1.8 mmol/l. Overall prevalence of micro- or macroalbuminuria was 33.6%. Logistic regression revealed that HbA1C, duration of diabetes, systolic BP, male sex and triglycerides predicted microalbuminuria. Conclusion: The prevalence of micro- or macroalbuminuria in this study falls within the ranges of what has been previously reported in Africa. In all patients, HbA1C and duration of diabetes were the strongest predictors of microalbuminuria, and age was the strongest predictor of a low eGFR. Diabetes was poorly controlled, making the progression to end-stage renal failure a real concern in these patients. / Dissertation (MPH)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / tm2015 / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / MPH / Unrestricted

IgA nephropathy is the world's most common primary glomerulonephropathy. Recent evidence in a rat model implicated excessive production of oxygen-free radicals in the pathogenesis and suggested that vitamin E-treatment ameliorated progression. We studied this antioxidant therapy on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), proteinuria and hematuria in biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy in children. The duration of treatment or placebo was 2 years, with vitamin E treatment consisting of 400 IU/day in children weighing <30 kg, and twice that dose for those >30 kg. We measured GFR at entry, midpoint and exit. At baseline and at 4-month intervals after randomization, urinary protein/creatinine ratios and urinalysis were examined. The mixed model procedure with log transformation was used in data analysis to test treatment difference as well as the potential time effect. Fifty-five patients were randomized and 38 completed at least 1 year of follow-up. At entry, the clinical characteristics were not different between the treatment and placebo groups. There was a trend toward better preservation of GFR in vitamin E-treated versus placebo patients, 127±50 vs. 112±31 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively (P=0.09). The urinary protein/creatinine ratio was significantly lower in the vitamin E-treated group vs. placebo; 0.24±0.38 vs. 0.61±1.37 (P<0.013). However, there was no difference in the prevalence of hematuria between the groups. Vitamin E treatment in our study patients was associated with significantly lower proteinuria, but no effect on hematuria. While there was a trend toward stabilization of GFR in the vitamin E-treated patients, longterm treatment and follow-up are needed to determine whether antioxidant therapy is associated with preservation of renal function in IgA nephropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fenoldopam on renal function in normal dogs subjected to bisection nephrotomy. In addition, effects of bisection nephrotomy on renal function in normal dogs were evaluated. Study Design: Controlled, randomized, blinded experiment Sample Population: Sixteen mixed breed adult dogs Methods: Dogs were paired for sex, body weight, and approximate age and were assigned to one of two groups: fenoldopam (F) or placebo (P). Baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), urinalysis (UA), and urine culture were performed prior to surgery. A left bisection nephrotomy was performed via a standard midline celiotomy. Dogs in Group F received perioperative intravenous infusion of fenoldopam (0.1 ìg/kg/min) for 90 minutes; dogs in Group P received 0.9 % saline (equivalent volume/kg) for 90 minutes. Body temperature, heart rate, respiration, direct arterial blood pressure, and urine volume were recorded during anesthesia. Renal function was assessed by measuring SCr, BUN, and GFR based on quantitative renal scintigraphy using 99mTc-DTPA at 1, 21, and 42 days after surgery. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in physiologic parameters assessed. There was no significant difference in GFR, BUN, or SCr between groups or between operated or control kidneys. Conclusions: Bisection nephrotomy in normal dogs with renal arterial occlusion of 15 minutes and a simple continuous capsular closure does not adversely affect renal function. Clinical Relevance: Further study investigating perioperative effects of fenoldopam in dogs with existing renal dysfunction is indicated. Bisection nephrotomy, as described in this study, does not decrease renal function as measured by BUN, SCr, or GFR. / Master of Science

Conclusion. The equations developed in this study provide a more accurate estimate of GFR, ranging from normal to renal impairment, in both Chinese diabetic and non-diabetic patients, compared to currently available GFR formulae. / Hypothesis/objectives. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major health burden associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as socio-economic impact. A rapid increase in disease prevalence has been reported and predicted in China and other Asian countries. Patients with low and declining GFR and microalbuminuria are at high CVD risk. A simple and precise predictive equation of GFR for Chinese diabetic patients is essential in the light of the growing epidemic of diabetes and CKD in Chinese population both for monitoring and treatment purposes. In this pilot study, a set of accurate, simple and clinically practical equations to predict GFR in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients was established. Their performance was validated using separate samples of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and compared with other widely used GFR formulae. / Methods. 202 type 2 diabetic patient and 46 non-diabetic patients were enrolled in the study. Of these 135 were randomly selected as the training sample; the remaining 67 diabetic patients and 46 non-diabetic patients constituted 2 validation groups. The prediction equation was developed by stepwise regression applied to the training sample. The equation was then tested and compared with other prediction equation including MDRD and CG equations in the validation samples. / Results. Independent factors associated with GFR included age, serum creatinine concentration, serum urea nitrogen level and serum albumin levels (P &lt; 0.005 for all factors). Two predictive formulae, sRFCD and RFCD, were established. Simplified Renal formula in Chinese Diabetes (sRFCD) Study (ml/min/1.73 m2) is: GFR (for men) = 90400 x (Age)-0.495 (yr) x [ SCr]-1.097 (mumol/l) GFR (for women) = 58983 x (Age)-0.542 (yr) x [SCr]-1.012 (mumol/l) and Renal formula in Chinese Diabetes (RFCD) Study (ml/min/1.73 m2) is: GFR (for men) = 11825 x (Age)-0.494 x [SCr]-1.059 (mumol/l) x [Alb]+0.485 (g/l) GFR (for women) = 34166 x ( Age)-0.489 x [SCr] -0.877 (mumol/l) x [SUN] -0.150 (mmol/l) The multiple regression model explained 89.9% and 89.4% respectively of the variance in the logarithm of GFR. Compared to other GFR formulae, the sRFCD and RFCD formulae showed less bias and were more precise and accurate in estimating GFR in diabetic patients whereas the sRFCD and MDRD formulae showed better performance in non-diabetic patients. / Leung Tak Kei. / "July 2006." / Adviser: Juliana C. N. Chan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-08, Section: B, page: 5117. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-180). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.