Normal Splanchnic Blood Flow in a Patient with Severe Stenosis of the Celiac Artery and Superior Mesenteric Artery.

The diagnosis of chronic mesenteric ischaemia is typically based on angiographic findings along with a classic symptomatology. Only a few methods are available for functional testing to establish the diagnosis, such as indirect measurement of the splanchnic blood flow and hepatic vein oxygenation. The present case is a 76-year-old woman with weight loss and intermittent abdominal pain who was clinically suspected of chronic mesenteric ischaemia based on severe stenosis of the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery.

Comparable Effects of Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Basal Fuel Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity in Individuals with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

Aim: Bariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but there is a lack of data comparing the underlying metabolic mechanisms after the 2 most common surgical procedures Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). This study was designed to assess and compare the effects of RYGB and SG on fuel metabolism in the basal state and insulin sensitivity during a two-step euglycemic glucose clamp.

Materials And Methods: 16 obese individuals with T2D undergoing either RYGB ( = 9) or SG ( = 7) were investigated before and 2 months after surgery, and 8 healthy individuals without obesity and T2D served as controls.

Improvement of the splanchnic blood flow and hepatic vein oxygenation following revascularization in patients with chronic mesenteric ischaemia.

Objectives: Chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI) is an underdiagnosed but severe condition. Access to functional testing is often limited and the diagnosis is usually based primarily on symptoms and imaging. One of the functional tests available is measurement of the splanchnic blood flow (SBF).

NANOCIS®: Possible errors in the summary of product characteristics quality control method and a suggested alternative method.

Background: Determination of the radiochemical purity of [Tc]NANOCIS® was performed using the procedure described in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). In contrast to the clinical findings of thyroid gland accumulation indicating free [Tc] pertechnetate, the QC results showed no free [Tc]pertechnetate. This discrepancy prompted us to further investigate the described QC procedure.

The Laparoscopic Implantation of Neuroprosthesis Procedure Increases Leg Lean Mass in Individuals With Paraplegia Due To Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Objectives: We hypothesized that the laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis (LION) procedure would significantly alter the body composition of patients with chronic traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The objectives were to determine the effect of the LION procedure on lean mass (LM), fatty mass (FM), and bone mineral content (BMC) in patients with SCI.

Materials And Methods: Five consecutive patients underwent dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans before the LION procedure and at the one-year postoperative follow-up to determine changes in LM, FM, and BMC.

Intrathoracic Goiter Visualized on iodine-123 and technetium-99m Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography.

Goiter with an intrathoracic component is relatively common; however, it is less common to see extent outside the anterior or posterior mediastinum. We present a case of intrathoracic goiter of significant size and abnormal placement which is examined using both Tc-pertechnetate and iodine-123 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography.

Chronic mesenteric ischaemia: the importance of the individual mesenteric artery.

Background: Chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI) is a vastly underdiagnosed condition that typically leads to postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. The aim of the study was to explore the involvement of various mesenteric vessels in total splanchnic blood flow (SBF) and hepatic vein oxygenation.

Methods: Single-blinded comparative trial of 476 patients clinically suspected of CMI.

No association between subnormal serum vitamin B12 and anemia in older nursing home patients.

Purpose: Since evidence of an association between vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency and anemia in older people is limited and inconclusive, we wanted to investigate this association in old, frail nursing home patients.

Methods: The study includes patients admitted to short-term, post-acute care (n = 765) and residents in long-term care (LTC) (n = 1665), in the municipality of Bergen. Anemia was defined according to the WHO criteria: Hb < 13 g/dL in men and < 12 g/dL in women, and as Hb < 11 g/dL, in both sex (moderate/severe anemia).

Improvement in image quality of Tc-99m-based ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through pretest continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

Ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography performed using an aerosol of carbon-coated technetium is frequently used for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Certain patients may suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); for such patients, the formation of mucus clots in airways can cause accumulation of the aerosol in the larger airways. This centralized deposition of the aerosol leads to insufficient activity in peripheral lung segments and subsequently results in ventilation images of substandard or even nondiagnostic quality.

Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) Predicts Institutionalisation in an Intermediate Post-Acute Care Setting.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether nutritional status as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF) predicts level of care of the discharge destination after post-acute care in a nursing home.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Post-acute intermediate care nursing home, 19-bed unit with increased multidisciplinary staff.

Assessment of recovery in older patients hospitalized with different diagnoses and functional levels, evaluated with and without geriatric assessment.

Background: The objective of the present study was to investigate 1) the role of different admission diagnoses and 2) the degree of functional loss, on the rate of recovery of older patients after acute hospitalization. Furthermore, to compare the predictive value of simple assessments that can be carried out in a hospital lacking geriatric service, with assessments including geriatric screening tests.

Methods: Prospective, observational cohort study, including 961community dwelling patients aged ≥ 70 years, transferred from medical, cardiac, pulmonary and orthopedic acute hospital departments to intermediate care in nursing home.

Readmission and mortality one year after acute hospitalization in older patients with explained and unexplained anemia - a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Few studies have examined whether specific subtypes of anemia in older persons are more related to adverse outcomes such as hospital readmissions and death after acute hospitalization and post-acute care.

Methods: An observational prospective cohort study was conducted between 2011 and 2014. A total of 884 community-dwelling patients, ≥70 years of age were transferred from acute medical and orthopaedic hospital departments to a skilled nursing home where they were examined by comprehensive geriatric assessment and had laboratory tests taken for the investigation of anemia.

Effect of tighter glycemic control on cardiac function, exercise capacity, and muscle strength in heart failure patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized study.

Objectives: In patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and heart failure (HF), the optimal glycemic target is uncertain, and evidence-based data are lacking. Therefore, we performed a randomized study on the effect of optimized glycemic control on left ventricular function, exercise capacity, muscle strength, and body composition.

Design And Methods: 40 patients with T2D and HF (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 35±12% and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 8.

Three Different Outcomes in Older Community-dwelling Patients Receiving Intermediate Care in Nursing Home after Acute Hospitalization.

Objectives: To evaluate the recovery and outcome of older communitydwelling patients admitted to intermediate care (IC) in nursing homes after acute hospitalization, and to compare patients who were able and unable to return directly to their own homes.

Design: Prospective, observational, cohort study conducted between June 2011 and 2014.

Setting: A 19- bed IC unit in a nursing home with increased multidisciplinary staffing.

The influence of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver on cystatin C serum concentrations.

Objective: The purpose of this study in humans was to examine the influence of the gastrointestinal tract and liver on the serum concentrations of cystatin C.

Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers and 28 patients suspected of having chronic intestinal ischemia underwent catheterization of the abdominal aorta and the central hepatic vein. Blood samples were taken simultaneously from the abdominal aorta and the central hepatic vein 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the start of the investigation.

Chronic intestinal ischemia and splanchnic blood-flow: reference values and correlation with body-composition.

Aim: To determine the splanchnic blood flow and oxygen uptake in healthy-subjects and patients and to relate the findings to body-composition.

Methods: The total splanchnic blood flow (SBF) and oxygen uptake (SO₂U) were measured in 20 healthy volunteers (10 women) and 29 patients with suspected chronic intestinal ischemia (15 women), age 40-85 years, prior to and after a standard meal. The method is based on the Fick principle using the continuous infusion of an indicator (99mTechnetium-labelled mebrofenin) and catheterization of an artery and the hepatic vein.

Estimating the glomerular filtration rate using serum cystatin C levels in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between (51)chromium-ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetate ((51)Cr-EDTA) clearance, serum cystatin C (CysC), serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR(MDRD), MDRD stands for modification of diet in renal disease) based on the serum creatinine in patients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) and to develop and evaluate a GFR-estimating equation using serum CysC.

Settings: Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark.

Validation of ⁹⁹mTechnetium-labeled mebrofenin hepatic extraction method to quantify meal-induced splanchnic blood flow responses using a porcine model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement of the total splanchnic blood flow (SBF) using a clinical diagnostic method based on Fick's principle and hepatic extraction of 99mTc-mebrofenin (99mTc-MBF) compared with a paraaminohippuric acid (pAH) dilution method in a porcine model. Another aim was to investigate whether enterohepatic cycling of 99mTc-MBF affected the SBF measurement. Five indwelling catheters were placed in each pig (n = 15) in the portal, mesenteric, and hepatic veins, as well as in the aorta and the vena cava.

Samarium-153 treatment of bone pain in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Introduction: Painful bone metastases are common in advanced prostate cancer. We report the clinical outcome after administration of Samarium-153 ((153)Sm), an emitter of beta-particles that concentrates in the areas of enhanced osteoblastic activity.

Methods: Twenty-two patients (median age 73 years) with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer received a single bolus infusion of (153)Sm (37 MBq/kg).

Functional versus radiological assessment of chronic intestinal ischaemia.

Introduction: The diagnosis chronic intestinal ischaemia (CII) is based on the clinical symptoms postprandial pain and weight loss combined with abnormal findings during angiography. Despite the well-known poor correlation between symptoms and morphology, physiological tests are rarely performed.

Perspectives: It is possible to measure the total splanchnic blood flow (SBF) before and after a test meal, and the results supply additional information to the morphologic investigations.

Long-term cryopreservation of autologous stem cell grafts: a clinical and experimental study of hematopoietic and immunocompetent cells.

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation(ASCT) is used in the treatment of several malignancies.Harvesting sufficient peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) for a potential second autotransplantation at the time of relapse several years after diagnosis is becoming an increasingly common practice.

Study Design And Methods: Cryopreserved PBPCs were prepared with different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 2, 4, 5, and 10%) and stored for at least 5 years before the recovery of CD34+ cells and various T- and natural killer (NK)-cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry.

[Patient with hypertension and bilateral renal artery stenosis].

A patient story regarding a young man with hypertension and bilateral renal artery stenosis is presented. The value of renography/captopril renography in connection with selective renal vein renin sampling is discussed.