bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a vitamin and mineral bolus on beef heifer feedlot performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and liver mineral concentrations1
Authors: McCarthy Kacie L , Underdahl Sarah R , Dahlen Carl R 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Crossbred beef heifers (n = 23; initial body weight [BW] = 370 ± 12 kg) housed at the North Dakota State University Beef Cattle Research Complex in Fargo, ND, were used to evaluate the effects of a 250-d slow-release vitamin and mineral bolus on feedlot performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and liver mineral concentrations. Heifers were assigned to one of two treatments: 1) received no supplemental mineral or vitamin (CON, n = 12) or 2) received two boluses on day 0 (minimum of 3,740 mg Ca, 16,456 mg Mg, 112 mg Na, 11,220 mg Cu, 2,995 mg I, 2,805 mg Mn, 505 mg Se, 48,620 mg Zn, 468 mg Co, 824,296 IU vitamin A, 173,102 IU vitamin D3, and 4,121 IU vitamin E bases on company analysis; Reloader 250 Mineral Bolus, Cargill Inc., Minneapolis, MN; MIN, n = 11). Heifers were fed a total mixed ration containing corn silage, grass hay, dried distillers grains with solubles, and dry-rolled corn (16.05% crude protein, 1.44 Mcal/kg NEg) with no added vitamin or mineral supplement. Feed intake and number and time of visits were recorded for each heifer using the Insentec feeding system (Hokofarm Group B.V., the Netherlands) during the feeding period. Liver biopsies were collected from heifers on days 0, 69, and 134 of the feeding period for analysis of mineral concentrations and analyzed as repeated measures. Heifers were slaughtered after 150 or 169 d on feed, and carcass characteristics were determined. Final BW, average daily gain, dry matter index, gain:feed, and carcass characteristics were not influenced (P &gt; 0.19) by treatment. Control heifers visited feeders more but spent less time per visit and ate less per visit compared with MIN heifers (P &lt; 0.03). No differences (P &gt; 0.06) in liver mineral concentrations were observed between treatments, and concentrations of Se, Cu, Mo, Mn, and Co decreased (P &lt; 0.05) over the feeding period. In this experiment, the slow-release vitamin and mineral bolus evaluated failed to increase liver mineral concentrations during the finishing period or influence heifer performance and carcass characteristics.
Growing-rod Graduates With Idiopathic Early-onset Scoliosis Have Comparable Exercise Tolerance to Patients With Surgically Treated Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Celebioglu Ebru , Yataganbaba Alper , Bekmez Senol , Oncel Asli , Degirmenci Ceren , Tekin Fatih , Demirkiran Gokhan , Yalcin Ebru , Demir Ahmet U. , Yazici Muharrem 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Growing-rod (GR) treatment is the current standard for progressive idiopathic early-onset scoliosis (I-EOS) in young children. Despite good radiographic outcomes, the impact of scoliosis treatment on pulmonary functions is not well-defined in this patient population. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary functions and exercise tolerance in I-EOS patients graduated from GR treatment and to compare them with age-matched, surgically treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and healthy controls.

Methods:
Eight GR graduates with I-EOS with pulmonary function tests and complete radiographic results were compared with a group of 9 thoracic AIS patients at least 2 years out from posterior fusion. Both groups were also compared with a set of 10 healthy individuals. All subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and spirometry to evaluate pulmonary function.

Results:
Age, sex, height, arm span, weight, residual deformity, and level of instrumentation in GR and AIS patients were similar. In the GR group, forced vital capacity % and forced expiratory volume in 1 second % values were reduced compared with the healthy controls and AIS group (P<0.001, <0.001 and 0.036, 0.046, respectively). Breathing reserve index at lactate threshold (BRILT) was higher in GR and AIS patients (P=0.001 and 0.002, respectively), and was similar between GR and AIS patients (P=0.916). Heart rate at lactate threshold was higher in GR and AIS groups compared with controls (P<0.001 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions:
AIS and GR patients demonstrated reduced pulmonary reserve and exercise tolerance compared with their peers with no spinal deformity. However, exercise tolerance of I-EOS patients treated with the GR method was similar to that of operated AIS patients. These results suggest a positive impact of GR treatment in children with I-EOS.

Level of Evidence:
Level III—cross-sectional comparative study.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum Masquerading as Necrotizing Infection after Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Park Tae Hwan , Fan Kenneth L. , Zolper Elizabeth G. , Song David H. , Del Corral Gabriel 
Published: April 2020

Summary:
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a diagnostic dilemma when it presents with a superimposed infection and previous surgery without subsequent inflammatory infection. In this setting, PG is not at the forefront of the surgeon’s mind. Furthermore, the treatment for PG, systemic steroids, may cause serious morbidity if the necrotizing infection is the actual culprit. We present an autologous breast reconstruction patient with previous uncomplicated surgery and no personal history of inflammatory disease. Important clinic clues to aid the surgeon in diagnosis include irregular violaceous undermined border, purulence limited to the skin, bilateral involvement, the involvement of the abdominal wound, sparing of the mastectomy site, and relative sparing of the nipples and umbilicus.
Hemi-tongue Allograft Transplantation in Dogs
Authors: Isomura Emiko Tanaka , Nakagawa Kiyoko , Mitsui Ryo , Shogen Yosuke , Fujita Takeshi , Kogo Mikihiko 
Published: April 2020

Background:
When complete recovery of tongue function following tumor excision is desired, reestablishment of the complex movements of the tongue is necessary. However, currently available methods for recovery of tongue function, such as flap surgery or prosthesis insertion, are inadequate. In the current study, we investigated the effects of transplantations of tongue allografts.

Methods:
Hemi-tongue allotransplantation procedures were performed with 8 pairs of sex-blind and unrelated beagle dogs. In each donor, the right side of the tongue, including the lingual and hypoglossal nerves, extrinsic muscles of the tongue, mucous membrane of the oral floor, lingual artery, and vein were exposed. A vascularized transplantation method was used with manual anastomosis of the blood vessels and nerves.

Results:
Survival of the grafted tongue was only noted in 1 dog that died 5 days after transplantation. We suspected that the death was due to nutritional deficiency or dehydration, rather than hyperacute rejection of the transplant or technical failure of the microsurgical anastomosis. The grafted tongue was partially connected to the side of the recipient tongue, and lymphocyte infiltration was observed in this dog.

Conclusions:
Postoperative management is difficult in dogs. Even if tongue allograft including nerves and extrinsic muscles is performed, it seems to take a long time before the tongue recovers its functions. Furthermore, expansive tongue allograft was too invasive a treatment for animals. If we want to adapt this procedure to humans, the first trial in a human will be done without animal experiments, as was the case with face transplantations.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Flat Times Versus Standard Care in Pediatric Patients Post Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Raic Rebecca , Steurer Lisa M. , Balakas Karen , Ercole Patrick M. 
Published: April 2020

Background
Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures are required to lie flat for 4 hours for femoral venous access and 6 hours for femoral arterial access. Authors of research in adults suggest the flat time for the same access can be safely reduced to 1.5 to 2 hours post procedure. No literature was found that flat times could be safely reduced for pediatric patients.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to determine whether decreased flat time for the post–cardiac catheterization pediatric patient would impact the incidence of site bleeding, additional sedation, and the need for a critical care admission.

Methods
A randomized controlled trial was designed and participants were randomly assigned to experimental or control group. The experimental group reduced flat times to 2 hours for venous and 4 hours for arterial. The control group was standard care of 4 hours for venous and 6 hours for arterial.

Results
A total of 119 participants were enrolled, 60 in the experimental group and 59 in the control group. Results suggest no difference in the incidence of site bleeding (P = .999), additional sedation (P = .653), or need for a critical care admission.

Conclusions
For pediatric patients undergoing arterial or venous cardiac catheterizations, flat times can safely be reduced without increasing site bleeding, additional sedation, or critical care admissions.
Otoprotective Effects of α-lipoic Acid on A/J Mice With Age-related Hearing Loss
Authors: Huang Shanshan , Xu Ang , Sun Xiumei , Shang Wenjing , Zhou Bingxin , Xie Yi , Zhao Mengmeng , Li Ping , Lu Peng , Liu Tingyan , Han Fengchan 
Published: April 2020

Objective:
A/J mice are a mouse model of age-related hearing loss (AHL) with progressive degeneration of outer hair cells (OHCs), spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), and stria vascularis. This study was carried out to observe the otoprotective effects of α-lipoic acid on A/J mice.

Methods:
A/J mouse pups at postnatal day 7 were randomly distributed into the untreated group, the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, and the α-lipoic acid + DMSO group. α-lipoic acid was given to the mice intraperitoneally at a dosage of 50 μg/g body weight every other day. Time course auditory-evoked brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were tested. OHC loss was counted and the densities of SGNs and the width of stria vascularis were measured at 4 and 8 weeks of age.

Results:
Measurement of the ABR thresholds revealed that hearing loss in A/J mice was attenuated by α-lipoic acid at age from 3 to 8 weeks. Moreover, preservation effects of OHCs, SGNs, and stria vascularis by α-lipoic acid were observed in the cochleae of A/J mice at 4 and 8 weeks of age.

Conclusion:
Hearing loss in A/J mice can be attenuated by α-lipoic acid. The otoprotective effects of α-lipoic acid on A/J mice may be obtained by preserving OHCs, SGNs, and stria vascularis in the cochleae. The oxidative damage related to gene mutations may be a potential target for AHL prevention and therapy.
Subjective and Objective Effectiveness of Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilatation for Patients With Eustachian Tube Dysfunction—Evaluation in a Pressure Chamber
Authors: Jansen Stefanie , Peters Nele , Hinkelbein Jochen , Klußmann Jens Peter , Beutner Dirk , Meyer Moritz Friedo 
Published: April 2020

Introduction:
The Eustachian tube plays a crucial role in pressure equalization between the middle ear and ambient pressure for fast and large pressure differences. In patients with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, Eustachian tube balloon dilatation is increasingly used as surgical therapy. Subjectively, many patients report an improvement of the symptoms postoperatively. Hence, there is a need to objectively measure this effect.

Methods:
The objectivity of Eustachian tube balloon dilatation was evaluated using a precise method of measuring Eustachian tube function. In a hypo/hyperbaric pressure chamber, 23 ears in 13 patients were exposed to a standardized profile of compression and decompression before Eustachian tube balloon dilatation and 4 weeks afterwards. Standardized parameters of Eustachian tube function were determined and statistically compared before and 4 weeks after intervention. In addition, an Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 (ETDQ7) questionnaire was completed beforehand and 4 weeks postoperatively to determine subjective surgical success.

Results:
The results from the ETDQ7 questionnaire showed a significant improvement in symptoms after Eustachian tube balloon dilatation (p = 0.0002). Objective measurements results showed a significant reduction of the Eustachian tube opening pressure during pressure decrease 4 weeks after intervention (p = 0.0012).

Conclusion:
Eustachian tube balloon dilatation significantly reduced Eustachian tube opening pressure, in addition to subjective improvement of symptoms determined by ETDQ7.
Association between effective hepatic blood flow and the severity and prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related acute on chronic liver failure
Authors: Chen Dabiao , Wen Shihua , Wu Zebin , Gu Yurong , Chen Youming , Chen Xiaotong , Zhang Yanyan , Lin Binliang , Peng Liang , Zheng Yubao , Gao Zhiliang 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Hepatic inflammation resulted in hepatocyte necrosis and microcirculatory dysfunction in acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) with cirrhosis or not. The influence of effective hepatic blood flow (EHBF) on the severity of liver failure has not been fully elucidated.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the EHBF and the severity and the prediction of 90-day mortality rate of hepatitis B virus-related ACLF (HBV-ACLF).

Methods:
In this retrospective study, patients hospitalized for HBV-ACLF or decompensated cirrhosis and who underwent an indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test between June 2016 and July 2018 were enrolled. EHBF was measured by the ICG clearance test and patients were categorized into the ACLF without cirrhosis (HBV-ACLF-no-Cir), ACLF with cirrhosis (HBV-ACLF-Cir) and decompensated cirrhosis (HBV-De-Cir).

Results:
A total of 522 patients (HBV-ACLF-no-Cir: 84, HBV-ACLF-Cir: 111 and HBV-De-Cir: 327) were enrolled. The mean EHBF in the HBV-De-Cir was significantly higher than that in the HBV-ACLF-no-Cir and HBV-ACLF-Cir (0.36 vs. 0.21 vs. 0.20 L/min, P < 0.001). EHBF was significantly correlated with the total bilirubin, prothrombin activity and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) in the HBV-ACLF-no-Cir. The predicted 90-day mortality rate using the MELD, EHBF, ICG-retention rate at 15 min (R15%) and EHBF-R15% scores were similar. The sensitivity and specificity of the EHBF varied between 68.5–80.2% and 45.8–73.7%, respectively. The EHBF-MELD score had the highest specificity.

Conclusion:
EHBF was significantly lower in the patients with ACLF compared to decompensated cirrhosis. The EHBF were closely related to the severity of HBV-ACLF and can be used for predicting the 90-day mortality rate of HBV-ACLF.
Clinical outcomes of 177lutetium-prostate-specific membrane antigen therapy in advanced prostate cancer—a prospective pilot study in an Asian population
Authors: Thang Sue Ping , Lam Winnie Wing Chuen , Tong Aaron Kian Ti , Allen John Carson , Ler Anna Siah Lee , Tay Young Soon , Somanesan Soma , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Wong Alvin Seng Cheong , Ng David Chee Eng 
Published: April 2020

Objective
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers are aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. Prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted radionuclide therapy is a potential treatment for these patients. Here, we report our initial experience in Singapore.

Methods
Twenty men (median age 70) with progressive disease were prospectively recruited. Prostate-specific membrane antigen and fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography were performed to confirm high prostate-specific membrane antigen-expression. Up to four cycles of 177lutetium-prostate-specific membrane antigen-I&T at 6–8 weekly intervals were administered. Patients were restaged 3 months following treatment. Primary endpoints were prostate-specific antigen decline ≥50% and treatment-related toxicity. Additional endpoints included radiological and clinical response as well as progression-free survival and overall survival from first cycle.

Results
Sixty-seven cycles were administered (median 4 cycles per patient, mean 6.5 GBq per cycle). Sixty five percent had ≥1 line of prior chemotherapy, 90% abiraterone, enzalutamide or both, and 30% radium-223 radionuclide therapy. All had bone metastases and 35% had visceral metastases. Prostate-specific antigen decline ≥50% was achieved in 50%. Grade 3–4 hematotoxicity was seen in up to 15%. Grade 3–4 non-hematotoxicity was not observed. Eleven patients had restaging scans 3 months post-treatment (5 = partial response, 6 = progressive disease). Fifty-seven percent (4/7) with bone pain had pain improvement. Median progression-free survival was 5.9 months and median overall survival 13.1 months. Patients with prostate-specific antigen decline ≥50% had longer progression-free survival and overall survival.

Conclusion

177Lutetium-prostate-specific membrane antigen-I&T therapy is effective with tolerable side effects in our local setting. Prostate-specific antigen decline ≥50% is associated with longer progression-free survival and overall survival.
The use of multiparametric 18F-fluoro-l-3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine PET/MRI in post-therapy assessment of patients with gliomas
Authors: Fraioli Francesco , Shankar Ananth , Hyare Harpreet , Ferrazzoli Valentina , Militano Vincenzo , Samandouras George , Mankad Khsitij , Solda Francesca , Zaccagna Fulvio , Mehdi Elnur , Lyasheva Maria , Bomanji Jamshed , Novruzov Fuad 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
To determine the utility of 18F-fluoro-l-3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine (18F-DOPA) PET/MRI versus cross-sectional MRI alone in glioma response assessment and identify whether the two techniques demonstrate different tumour features.

Methods

18F-DOPA PET/MRI studies from 40 patients were analysed. Quantitative PET parameters and conventional MRI features were recorded. Tumour volume was assessed on both PET and MRI. Using dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging, maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) were obtained. Within volume of tumours of tumour features and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) drawn on MRI, standardised uptake value (SUV)max, CBF and CBV were recorded. Presence of residual active tumour was assessed by qualitative visual assessment. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed univariately and on parameter combination to analyse ability to determine presence/absence of disease. Reference standard for presence of viable tissue was biopsy or clinical follow-up.

Results
Median SUVmax was 3.4 for low-grade glioma (LGG) and 3.3 for high-grade glioma (HGG). There was a significant correlation between PWI parameters and WHO grade (P < 0.001), but no correlation with SUVmax. Median 18F-DOPA volume was 8216.88 mm3 for HGG and 6284.94 mm3 for LGG; MRI volume was 6316.57 mm3 and 5931.55 mm3, respectively. SUVmax analysis distinguished enhancing and nonenhancing components from necrosis and NAWM and demonstrated active disease in nonenhancing regions. Visually, the modalities were concordant in 37 patients. Combining the multiparametric PET/MRI approach with all available data-enhanced detection of the presence of tumour (area under the curve 0.99, P < 0.01).

Conclusion
MRI and 18F-DOPA are complementary modalities for assessment of tumour burden. Matching 18F-DOPA and MRI in assessing residual tumour volume may better delineate the radiotherapy target volume.
Radionuclide esophageal transit scintigraphy in chronic indeterminate and cardiac forms of Chagas disease
Authors: Dumont Sandra Monetti , Costa Henrique Silveira , Chaves Ana Thereza , Nunes Maria do Carmo Pereira , Marino Viviane Parisotto , Rocha Manoel Otávio da Costa 
Published: April 2020

Objectives
This study was designed to investigate digestive and heart associations, using esophageal transit scintigraphy in three different groups: patients exclusively with the dilated cardiac form of Chagas disease (DCCh), an indeterminate form of Chagas disease, and healthy controls. As a hypothesis, we assumed that autonomic chagasic denervation is a global process.

Materials and methods
Twenty healthy controls and 75 outpatients with Chagas disease, divided into indeterminate form (n = 33) and (DCCh, n = 42), underwent esophageal scitigraphy. The esophageal transit time (ETT) and percentage of esophageal emptying (%EE) were analyzed by group and correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results
ETT alterations were found in 57% of indeterminate form and 80% of DCCh. The observed values of ETT and %EE in Chagas disease groups were significantly different from the controls (P-value <0.001). The lowest median ETT was observed for the controls (median = 8.0), followed by indeterminate form (median = 16.5) and DCCh (median = 60.0). Regarding %EE, a higher median value was observed for the controls (median = 92.3), followed by indeterminate form (median = 86.7) and DCCh (median = 56.9). In the DCCh group, ETT and %EE were significantly correlated with LVEF values (r = 0.398; P = 0.015) and (r = 0.475; P = 0.003), respectively.

Conclusion
An association between left ventricular systolic dysfunction and functional esophageal alterations was observed which was interpreted as indirect evidence of concomitance of gastrointestinal and cardiac disorders. We also found that the greater the impairment of the esophagus’s autonomic function, the worse the cardiac dysfunction.
In the evaluation of patients with skull base osteomyelitis, does 18F-FDG PET CT have a role?
Authors: Kulkarni Smita Chinmay , Padma Subramanyam , Shanmuga Sundaram Palaniswamy 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
To evaluate the diagnostic performance of regional fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) and to compare with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) whenever available.

Materials and methods
A total of 77 patients (male:female = 56:21; mean age 66.4 ± 9.4 years) with clinically suspected SBO, who underwent regional 18F-FDG PET-CT were included in this retrospective study. 18F-FDG PET-CT images were analyzed for presence, localization and intensity of FDG uptake. Diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET-CT was analyzed based on histopathology, culture, and clinical/imaging follow-up. The agreement analysis between 18F-FDG PET-CT and MRI findings was performed in 56 patients.

Results
The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET-CT for diagnosing SBO were 96.7, 93.3, 98.3, 87.5, and 96.1%, respectively. The average SUVmax of the lesions was 5.9 ± 3.5. The SUVmax of the fungal lesions was lower than that of bacterial lesions with P-value of <0.001. On comparing variables like C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and SUVmax for prediction of recurrence/progression, by plotting an ROC curve, the SUVmax was found to be an independent prognostic marker. 56 out of 77 patients had undergone both 18F-FDG PET-CT and MRI. The agreement analysis between the modalities showed almost perfect agreement for delineation of soft tissue and bony involvement with κ values of 0.82 and 0.81, respectively.

Conclusion

18F-FDG PET-CT is a sensitive tool in evaluation of patients with SBO. It shows a very good agreement with the MRI. It plays a critical role in treatment response evaluation.