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OBJECTIVE To determine usefulness of skin turgor and capillary refill time (CRT) for predicting changes in hydration status of working dogs after a 15-minute exercise period. ANIMALS 9 exercise-conditioned working dogs between 8 and 108 months of age. PROCEDURES Skin tent time (SkTT; time for tented skin on the forehead to return to an anatomically normal position) and CRT (time for occluded mucous membrane capillary vessels to return to the color visible before occlusion) were measured on dogs in a field setting and by video review. Body weight (BW), SkTT, CRT, and core body temperature were measured before and after a 15-minute exercise period. Exercise challenge was performed on days 1 and 8. RESULTS Time (day 1 vs day 8) did not significantly affect results; therefore, data were pooled for the 2 trial days. Mean ± SE BW decreased (but not significantly) by 0.83 ± 0.27% after exercise. The SkTT increased significantly (both field setting and video review) after exercise. Correlation between SkTT results for the field setting and video review (r = 0.68) was significant. The CRT decreased (but not significantly) after exercise. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Dogs became mildly dehydrated (mean BW loss, 0.83%) during a 15-minute exercise period, and the mild dehydration was evident as a visually detectable change in skin turgor. Monitoring the SkTT appeared to be a useful strategy for predicting small shifts in hydration status of dogs during exercise. The CRT decreased and was not a significant predictor of a change in hydration status.

Objective: Identify nursing care performed by nurses to evaluate, prevent, and treat cutaneous xerosis in the elderly. Materials and Methods: Descriptive study with quantitative approach, conducted with 101 care nurses working in the medical clinic and in the intensive care units of four hospitals in Paraíba, Brazil. The data collection took place between July and September 2018 through an instrument composed of sociodemographic variables and by items related with nursing care. The statistical analysis was performed by distribution and frequency calculations, central tendency measures, standard deviation, and chi-squared test for categorical variables. Results: The majority stated always considering the age range (84.2 %), assessing skin color (83.2 %), evaluating skin turgor and elasticity (64.4 %), looking for the existence of skin fissures (53.5 %), and noticing the existence of lesions on the skin (90.1 %). Of the participating professionals, 83.2 % reported never having used imported equipment to evaluate skin hydration. Conclusions: The study showed that nurses emphasized the importance of considering age range, assessing skin color, being aware of areas with hyperemia, and noticing the existence of lesions, as well as the need for continuing education to improve the quality of care. RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar los cuidados de Enfermería realizados por enfermeros para evaluar, prevenir y tratar la xerosis cutánea en personas ancianas. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo, con enfoque cuantitativo, realizado con 101 enfermeros asistenciales que ejercen actividades en la clínica médica y la unidad de terapia intensiva de cuatro hospitales de Paraíba, Brasil. La recolección de los datos ocurrió entre julio y septiembre del 2018 por medio de un instrumento compuesto por variables sociodemográficas y por ítems relacionados con los cuidados de Enfermería. El análisis estadístico se realizó por cálculos de distribución y frecuencia, medidas de tendencia central, desviación estándar y prueba chi-cuadrado para variables categóricas. Resultados: la mayoría afirmó siempre considerar el rango de edad (84,2 %), evaluar la coloración de la piel (83,2 %), evaluar la hinchazón y la elasticidad de la piel (64,4 %), buscar la existencia de hendiduras (53, 5 %), observar la existencia de lesiones en la piel (90,1 %). De los profesionales participantes, el 83,2 % dijo nunca haber usado equipo importado para evaluar la hidratación de la piel. Conclusiones: el estudio encontró que los enfermeros enfatizaron la importancia de considerar el grupo de edad, evaluar la coloración de la piel, estar atento a áreas con hiperemia y observar la existencia de lesiones, así como la necesidad de la educación continuada para mejorar la calidad del cuidado. RESUMO Objetivo: identificar os cuidados de Enfermagem realizados por enfermeiros para avaliar, prevenir e tratar a xerose cutânea em pessoas idosas. Materiais e métodos: estudo descritivo com abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 101 enfermeiros assistenciais que exercem atividades na clínica médica e na unidade de terapia intensiva de quatro hospitais da Paraíba, Brasil. A coleta dos dados ocorreu entre julho e setembro de 2018 por meio de um instrumento composto por variáveis sociodemográficas e por itens relacionados aos cuidados de Enfermagem. A análise estatística realizou-se por cálculos de distribuição e frequência, medidas de tendência central, desvio-padrão e teste qui-quadrado para variáveis categóricas. Resultados: a maioria afirmou sempre considerar a faixa etária (84,2 %), avaliar a coloração da pele (83,2 %), avaliar o turgor e a elasticidade da pele (64,4 %), buscar a existência de rachaduras (53,5 %), observar a existência de lesões na pele (90,1 %). Dos profissionais participantes, 83,2 % disseram nunca ter usado equipamento importado para avaliar a hidratação da pele. Conclusões: o estudo demonstrou que os enfermeiros enfatizaram a importância em considerar a faixa etária, avaliar a coloração da pele, estar atento a áreas com hiperemia e observar a existência de lesões, bem como a necessidade da educação continuada para melhorar a qualidade do cuidado.

Biology and Reproduction Due to their size and anatomical similarity to humans, baboons make an excellent model for reproductive studies. Baboons have a simple short cervix, muscular uterus, ovaries just lateral to the uterus and similar vasculature to that of humans. Because of the size of the animals, instruments designed for use in women can be readily used on baboons. Noninvasive determination of phase of estrous cycle is readily made by observation of changes in perineal sexual skin turgor and color. Advantages Some advantages of use of baboons compared to other nonhuman primates is that they are nonseasonal breeders allowing for studies to be conducted year round, have minimal infectious disease risks to humans as they do not carry Herpes B and have a social structure allowing for easy group formation. Baboons serve as good models for many conditions in humans and should be considered for studies investigating reproductive issues.

OBJECTIVES: As airway management specialists, thoracic surgeons should be familiar with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. To optimize the learning curve, we propose a home-made pig model obtained from a slaughterhouse for training residents in the technical aspects of performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. The satisfaction of the residents' training experience using this model was compared with that using a standard manikin model. METHODS: Fifty residents participated in the present study. At the end of the session, each participant completed a questionnaire assessing the pig model and the manikin by assigning a score (ranging from 1 to 4) to five specific characteristics including (i) reality of skin turgor; (ii) landmark recognition; (iii) feasibility of the procedure; (iv) reality of the model and (v) preference of each model. The differences between models were statistically analysed. RESULTS: Forty-five participants completed the study. The pig model, compared with the manikin model, presented a higher value regarding the reality of skin turgor (1.7 ± 0.5 vs 0.4 ± 0.8; respectively, P < 0.0001); landmark recognition (3.8 ± 0.5 vs 2.0 ± 0.5; respectively; P < 0.0001) and reality of the model (3.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 1.0; respectively; P < 0.0001). No difference was found regarding the feasibility of the procedure (3.7 ± 0.6 vs 3.5 ± 0.5; respectively, P = 0.1). The pig model was preferred to the manikin (3.2 ± 0.7 vs 1.6 ± 1.0; respectively, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our pig model allowed residents to develop the skills required for successful percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. In particular, they developed confidence with certain manoeuvres such as needle and guide-wire placement, dilatation of the trachea and insertion of a cannula, before attempting the procedure on a live patient. OBJECTIVES: As airway management specialists, thoracic surgeons should be familiar with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. To optimize the learning curve, we propose a home-made pig model obtained from a slaughterhouse for training residents in the technical aspects of performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. The satisfaction of the residents' training experience using this model was compared with that using a standard manikin model.METHODS: Fifty residents participated in the present study. At the end of the session, each participant completed a questionnaire assessing the pig model and the manikin by assigning a score (ranging from 1 to 4) to five specific characteristics including (i) reality of skin turgor; (ii) landmark recognition; (iii) feasibility of the procedure; (iv) reality of the model and (v) preference of each model. The differences between models were statistically analysed.RESULTS: Forty-five participants completed the study. The pig model, compared with the manikin model, presented a higher value regarding the reality of skin turgor (1.7 +/- 0.5 vs 0.4 +/- 0.8; respectively, P < 0.0001); landmark recognition (3.8 +/- 0.5 vs 2.0 +/- 0.5; respectively; P < 0.0001) and reality of the model (3.0 +/- 0.8 vs 1.3 +/- 1.0; respectively; P < 0.0001). No difference was found regarding the feasibility of the procedure (3.7 +/- 0.6 vs 3.5 +/- 0.5; respectively, P = 0.1). The pig model was preferred to the manikin (3.2 +/- 0.7 vs 1.6 +/- 1.0; respectively, P < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS: Our pig model allowed residents to develop the skills required for successful percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. In particular, they developed confidence with certain manoeuvres such as needle and guide-wire placement, dilatation of the trachea and insertion of a cannula, before attempting the procedure on a live patient.

Yeasts utilize different mechanisms to release ascospores of different lengths from bottle-shaped asci. Using electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and digital live imaging, the individual release of oval ascospores from tight-fitting narrow bottle-necks, is reported in the yeast Dipodascus albidus. These ascospores are surrounded by compressible, oxylipin-coated sheaths enabling ascospores to slide past each other when forced by turgor pressure and by possible sheath contractions towards the narrowing ascus-neck. In this paper, the release mechanisms of ascospores of various lengths from bottle-shaped asci and produced by different yeasts are compared. We suggest that different release mechanisms, utilizing compressible sheaths or geared-alignment, have possibly evolved to compensate for variation in ascospore length. Alternatively, sheaths and ridges might be two evolutionary solutions to the same biomechanical problem, i.e. to release ascospores irrespective of length from bottle-shaped asci.

The purpose of this study was to determine the dominant factor that clinically influent the occurrence of dehydration in goats aged 10-14 days old, in order to enhance the accuracy in diagnoinge the state of hydration. Ten native kacang goatlings were used as research objects. Kacang goatlings were dehydrated until loss 10% of their bodyweight by inducing diuretics furosemide (2mg/kg body weight every 4 hours) using intramuscularly, orally administration of spironolactone (50 mg every 8 hours) and hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg every 8 hours). Regression analysis was used to verify the correlation between clinical factors that considered potential, which are enopthalmus, skin turgor (back, neck and upper eyelid), capillary refill time, pulsus, breath, and body temperature. The results showed that enopthalmus, skin turgor on back and eye region has close correlation with dehydration occurrence with coefficient determinant R2 are 0.92; 0.90 and 0.81 respectively. It can be concluded that these three parameters can be used as predictor towards dehydration occurrence.

Yeasts use different mechanisms to release ascospores of different lengths from bottle-shaped asci. Round to oval-shaped ascospores are enveloped in oxylipin-coated compressible sheaths, enabling ascospores to slide past each other when they reach the narrowing ascus neck. However, more elongated ascospores do not contain sheaths, but are linked by means of oxylipin-coated interlocked hooked ridges on the surfaces of neighboring ascospores, thereby keeping them aligned while they are pushed towards the ascus tip by turgor pressure. In this study, we found elongated, oxylipin-coated sheathed ascospores in Dipodascus geniculatus that are released effectively from bottle-shaped asci without alignment. This is possible because the ascus neck and opening have a diameter that is the same as the length of the ascospore, thus allowing the ascospores to turn sideways without blocking the ascus when they are released. We found that increased concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid inhibit both ascospore release and 3-hydroxy oxylipin production in this yeast, thereby implicating this oxylipin in sexual reproduction.

Report by O Fayomi, Specialist Registrar Accident & Emergency Medicine, Wycombe General Hospital Search checked by I Maconochie, R Body, Consultant Paediatric Accident & Emergency Medicine; Clinical Research Fellow St Mary’s Hospital, London A short cut review was carried out to establish whether skin turgor is a reliable indicator of hydration status in children. 478 papers were found in Medline and 107 in Embase using the reported searches, of which 4 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and …

I was delighted to read the critique of the recent Best Evidence Topic (BET) summary on the reliability of skin turgor as a method for assessing dehydration in children,1 and would like to accept your invitation to respond. My contribution, as third author for this paper, was to check and update the search strategy and to review the final manuscript. While I am sorry that the BET did not provide Dr Smith with the information he desired regarding the diagnostic accuracy of skin turgor in assessing dehydration in children, I fear that he may perhaps be looking in the wrong …

A rhythm was found in protein synthesis accompanying rhythmic leaflet opening and closing in the dark in the plant Albizzia. More protein was synthesized during the opening of the leaflets than during the closing. Furthermore, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, cycloheximide, prevented rhythmic opening of leaflets but had no effect on rhythmic closing. It is suggested that protein synthesis is involved in the movement across membranes of K+ ions that cause turgor changes and leaflet movement.

SINCE AUGUST 1959 MORE than half of the 115 patients admitted to our intensive burn care unit in Saint Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee received intravenous fluids during their initial phase of treatment. In the first 48 hours after injury, they received amounts, ranging from less than 946 cc. up to 13,500 cc. From the outset we adopted a policy of giving fluids to each patient according to his individual requirements. Careful attempts were made to regulate the rate of administration of fluids according to the patient's clinical course-his general appearance, skin turgor, thirst, pulse, blood pressure, and, especially, hourly urine output. The course of fluid therapy developed at Brooke Army Hospital was followed for almost every patient in the first 48 hours of care(1). On evaluation of this phase of therapy in survivors and nonsurvivors, clinically and at autopsy, we found that none of the failures could be attributed to overor under-hydration. Thus, we continue to order fluids according to this basic plan, modifying it as necessary. According to the Brooke formula, an adult patient receives an infusion of 0.5 cc. of colloid solution plus 1.5 cc. of electrolyte solution for each percent of body surface burned per kilogram of his body weight. In addition he receives 2000 cc. of glucose in water. All this is administered