Jorge Dias | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

Mapping the human blood-retinal barrier function.

The aim of the work herein presented is to map blood-retinal barrier function by measuring retinal fluorescein leakage from the blood stream into the human vitreous using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (CSLO). Existing methods for the assessment of fluorescein leakage into the human vitreous are based on the qualitative evaluation of fluorescein angiographies (FA) and on volume measurements, as performed by the Fluorotron Master. A new procedure is presented capable of measuring fluorescein leakage into the vitreous while simultaneously imaging the retina. The present methodology computes the fluorescein leakage in a fully automated way, based on the three-dimensional fluorescence distribution in the human eye by using a single data acquisition. The processing includes signal filtering, volume alignment and profile deconvolution. The deconvolved profile obeys the established physical model. Representative cases shown are: a healthy eye; an eye with drusen from a nondiabetic person; a photocoagulated eye; and an eye with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The results are in agreement with previous findings and go a step further by making possible its daily usage in a clinical setup based on currently available instrumentation.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Growth and hepatic acetyl coenzyme-A carboxylase activity are affected by dietary protein level in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

Two trials were undertaken with European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to estimate the protein requirements for maintenance and growth as well as the effect of dietary protein level on the activity of hepatic acetyl coenzyme-A carboxylase (ACoAC). Six diets were formulated to contain graded levels of protein (from 5 to 55% crude protein (CP)) at a constant (12%) lipid level. Three other diets were also formulated to contain 35, 45 and 55% CP, but with a higher lipid level (19%). Groups of 10 individually marked fish (IBW: 100 g) and groups of 8 fish (IBW: 160 g) were used in trial I and II, respectively. Fish were fed to visual satiety and intake was recorded. At the end of both studies, whole body, liver and plasma samples were withdrawn for analyses. Growth rate was improved with increasing dietary CP level. Despite not being the object of a statistical analysis, feed efficiency tended to be enhanced at higher dietary CP level and protein efficiency ratio tended to decrease with increased protein intake. The reduction of the dietary protein/energy ratio, due to the increase of dietary lipids further improved growth and feed utilisation. Data from both experiments indicate 4.5+/-0.5 g kg(-1) d(-1) as the daily protein intake for maximum N gain and 520+/-50 mg kg(-1) d(-1) as the maintenance needs for nitrogen balance. An increase of dietary CP level, up to 25%, increased ACoAC activity. A further increase in dietary CP level (35 to 55%) did not affect liver ACoAC activity. The increase in dietary lipid level depressed significantly liver ACoAC specific activity.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗