Search

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG-PET/CT) is routinely used for the pre-treatment staging of oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal junction cancers (EGEJC). The aim of this study was to identify objective 18FDG-PET/CT-derived parameters that can aid in predicting the patterns of recurrence and prognostication in patients with EGEJC. EGEJC patients referred for consideration of preoperative chemoradiation therapy were identified and clinicopathological data were collected. 18FDG-PET/CT imaging data were reviewed and correlated with treatment outcomes. Maximum standardised uptake value (SUV max), metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis were assessed and association with recurrence-free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LR-RFS), oesophageal cancer-specific survival (ECSS) and overall survival were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, as well as Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier models. In total, 191 EGEJC patients completed trimodality treatment and 164 with 18FDG-PET/CT data were included in this analysis. At the time of analysis, 15 (9.1%), 70 (42.7%) and two (1.2%) patients were noted to have locoregional, distant and both locoregional and distant metastases, respectively. The median RFS was 30 months (9.6–50.4) and the 5-year RFS was 31.1%. The 5-year overall survival and ECSS were both noted to be 34.8%. Pre-treatment MTV 25 > 28.5 cm3 (P = 0.029), MTV 40 > 12.4 cm3 (P = 0.018) and MTV 50 > 10.2 cm3 (P = 0.005) predicted for worse LR-RFS, ECSS and overall survival for MTV definition of voxels ≥25%, 40% and 50% of SUV max. 18FDG-PET/CT parameters MTV and total lesion glycolysis are useful prognostic tools to predict for LR-RFS, ECSS and overall survival in EGEJC. MTV had the highest accuracy in predicting clinical outcomes. The volume cut-off points we identified for different MTV thresholds predicted outcomes with significant accuracy and may potentially be used for decision making in clinical practice. • 18FDG-PET/CT is routinely used for staging oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal junction cancers. • Total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and metabolic tumour volume (MTV) are parameters useful for prognostication. • MTV can predict recurrence and survival patterns with significant accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety and feasibility of early ambulation was evaluated prospectively in 907 patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty and stenting with the use of 6Fr guiding catheters, low-dose heparin (5,000 IU), and immediate postprocedural sheath removal by comparing ambulation after 4 hours with immobilization for at least 12 hours. Because no excess in puncture site complications (2.3% vs 2.2%) could be demonstrated after 4-hour ambulation, it is concluded that early ambulation after 6Fr guiding catheter angioplasty by the femoral route with low-dose heparin is feasible, safe, and may facilitate a shorter hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rice bran has a very high content of phytic acid (IP6), which is a nutritional antagonist of Ca. Microbial phytase degrades IP6, but ruminal degradation of nutrients can be reduced by formaldehyde treatment. Milk fever in dairy cows can be prevented by reducing available dietary Ca to stimulate Ca homeostasis. In the present study, effects of formaldehyde treatment on ruminal degradation of IP6 in rice bran were investigated. Two samples of full-fat rice bran were treated with four levels of formaldehyde (i.e., 0, 1000, 2500 and 5000ppm fresh weight) and ruminally incubated in situ for 0, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 336h in three rumen fistulated lactating dairy cows. Dry matter (DM) disappearance was determined, residues were analysed for P and, for one of the products, also for inositol phosphate (IP) forms. Degradation parameters were calculated for DM, P, total IP, and IP6. The in situ washable fraction (W), undegradable fraction (U) and degradable fraction (D) were measured and the rate of degradation (kd) was calculated by exponential regression to the equation: Y(t)= U + D ×exp(−kd× t). HPLC analyses confirmed that most P in the original sample and residues was phytate, mostly IP6. DM and P degraded differently in the two rice brans and formaldehyde treatment reduced degradability, lowering W and increasing D and kd. The calculated rumen escape (kp=0.05/h) for P increased from 0.082 at 0ppm to 0.136, 0.284 and 0.398 at 1000, 2500 and 5000ppm of formaldehyde treatment, respectively. Degradation of total IP forms and IP6 corresponded with P disappearance. Formaldehyde treatment reduced W in total IP and IP6, proportionally increasing D, while U was 0 in both. kd decreased with formaldehyde treatment in total IP and IP6, which decreased from 0.309/h at 0ppm to 0.217, 0.116 and 0.071%/h as formaldehyde treatment level increased. The calculated rumen escape (kp=0.05/h) of IP6 were 0.079, 0.126, 0.229 and 0.318 for the increasing formaldehyde treatment levels. Formaldehyde treatment reduced rumen degradability of IP6 in rice bran. One kg of formaldehyde-treated rice bran could bind 7g of dietary Ca post-ruminally, making it a potentially feasible tool to decrease intestinal Ca availability to aid in the prevention of milk fever. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Moisture transport of brick-mortar combination is crucial for bioreceptivity. • The composition of the mortar strongly affects its bioreceptivity. • Lime-trass and, in lower extent, NHL binders show the best bioreceptivity. • A compromise is needed between bioreceptivity and mechanical strength. The effect of mortar and brick properties on the growth of ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) and yellow corydalis (Pseudofumaria lutea) has been investigated in laboratory. Different mortar compositions were designed and tested in combination with two different bricks. Highly porous bricks and mortars showed good bioreceptivity; mortars with lime-trass and, in lower extent, those with natural hydraulic lime binder, gave the best results in terms of bioreceptivity. The addition of vermiculite to the mortar was beneficial for plant growth. The brick-mortar combinations most favourable for plant growth were those with estimated low compressive and flexural bond strength values. Proposals are advanced for obtaining a compromise between mechanical strength and bioreceptivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]