Defining the segmental tension generated in a vertebral body tethering system for scoliosis.

Vertebral body tethering (VBT) uses a flexible tether affixed across the curve convexity with tension applied at each segment to treat scoliosis. Intraoperative tether tension may be achieved directly with a counter-tensioner or with an extension spring tube. The purpose of this study was to quantify the force generated with and without the extension spring tube using current FDA-approved VBT instrumentation, to understand the variation between surgeons using the same instrumentation, and to define the force range that is generated intra-operatively.

Urban stormwater nutrient and metal removal in small-scale green infrastructure: exploring engineered plant biofilter media optimisation.

The present study evaluated engineered media for plant biofilter optimisation in an unvegetated column experiment to assess the performance of loamy sand, perlite, vermiculite, zeolite and attapulgite media under stormwater conditions enriched with varying nutrients and metals reflecting urban pollutant loads. Sixty columns, 30 unvegetated and 30 Juncus effusus vegetated, were used to test: pollutant removal, infiltration rate, particulate discharge, effluent clarity and plant functional response, over six sampling rounds. All engineered media outperformed conventional loamy sand across criteria, with engineered attapulgite consistently among the best performers.

Questions and Controversies in the Clinical Application of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors to Treat Patients with Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Expert Perspectives.

Notwithstanding regulatory approval of lenvatinib and sorafenib to treat radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (RAI-R DTC), important questions and controversies persist regarding this use of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). RAI-R DTC experts from German tertiary referral centers convened to identify and explore such issues; this paper summarizes their discussions. One challenge is determining when to start TKI therapy.

Metals removal from automobile workshop stormwater runoff using rice husk, GAC and gravel filtration.

The efficiency of combined filtration media consisting of rice husk (RH), granular activated carbon (GAC) and gravel (GR) for the removal of metals cadmium, copper, lead and iron from stormwater runoff emanating from automobile workshops in Nigeria was investigated. Stormwater runoff samples were collected from five sites over a period of nine (9) weeks and filtered using two filter combinations, GAC - RH, GR - GAC as well as a RH-only filter. All the filters removed metals.

The TB vaccine development pathway - An innovative approach to accelerating global TB vaccine development.

Two proof of concept clinical trials with TB vaccines demonstrate that new approaches can prevent sustained TB infection in adolescents (BCG revaccination) and TB disease in adults (M72/ASO1) (Nemes et al., 2018; Tait et al., 2019) [1,2].

Interim PET Evaluation in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Using Published Recommendations: Comparison of the Deauville 5-Point Scale and the ΔSUV Method.

The value of interim F-FDG PET/CT (iPET)-guided treatment decisions in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been the subject of much debate. This investigation focuses on a comparison of the Deauville score and the change-in-SUV (ΔSUV) approach-2 methods to assess early metabolic response to standard chemotherapy in DLBCL. Of 609 DLBCL patients participating in the PET-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas trial, iPET scans of 596 patients originally evaluated using the ΔSUV method were available for post hoc assessment of the Deauville score.

Comparison of five point-of-use drinking water technologies using a specialized comparison framework.

Three novel and two commercially available low-cost point-of-use (PoU) water treatment technologies were comparatively evaluated using a specialized comparison framework targeted at them. The comparison results and specialized framework have been discussed. The PoU systems were evaluated principally in terms of performance, flow rate and cost per volume of water treated (quantitatively), ease of use, potential acceptability and material availability (qualitatively) with main focus on rural and suburban settings.

Antimicrobial properties of chitosan and whey protein films applied on fresh cut turkey pieces.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of edible films made from a mixture of whey proteins and chitosan, supplemented with cranberry or quince juice, and then applied on fresh cut turkey pieces. Films were used to wrap fresh cut turkey pieces inoculated with S. typhimurium, E.

Low cost drinking water treatment using nonwoven engineered and woven cloth fabrics.

The study investigated two engineered fabrics and five cloth fabrics for low cost drinking water treatment. An optimized fabric filtration method has been developed and tested. Numerical models for predicting particulate removal efficiency have been developed for each fabric as support tools for selecting optimal process configuration.

Six versus eight doses of rituximab in patients with aggressive B cell lymphoma receiving six cycles of CHOP: results from the "Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas" (PETAL) trial.

Standard first-line treatment of aggressive B cell lymphoma comprises six or eight cycles of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) plus eight doses of rituximab (R). Whether adding two doses of rituximab to six cycles of R-CHOP is of therapeutic benefit has not been systematically investigated. The Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (PETAL) trial investigated the ability of [F]-fluorodesoxyglucose PET scanning to guide treatment in aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Positron Emission Tomography-Guided Therapy of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (PETAL): A Multicenter, Randomized Phase III Trial.

Purpose Interim positron emission tomography (PET) using the tracer, [F]fluorodeoxyglucose, may predict outcomes in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We assessed whether PET can guide therapy in patients who are treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP). Patients and Methods Newly diagnosed patients received two cycles of CHOP-plus rituximab (R-CHOP) in CD20-positive lymphomas-followed by a PET scan that was evaluated using the ΔSUV method.

Residual thymic tissue and lymph node involvement by acute myeloid leukaemia presenting as mediastinal, strongly FDG-PET-positive masses.

We report on a multidisciplinary management of a 68-year-old AML patient presenting with a PET-positive mediastinal tumour typical for lymph node metastasis. It was removed via minimally invasive thoracoscopic intervention and was identified as a thymus residual infiltrated by AML. Follow-up PET-CT scan after resection and remission induction chemotherapy was completely normal.

Association between probiotics and enteral nutrition in an experimental acute pancreatitis model in rats.

Background/objectives: Recently, a randomized controlled trial showed that probiotic prophylaxis was associated with an increased mortality in enterally fed patients with predicted severe pancreatitis. In a rat model for acute pancreatitis, we investigated whether an association between probiotic prophylaxis and enteral nutrition contributed to the higher mortality rate.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to four groups: 1) acute pancreatitis (n = 9), 2) acute pancreatitis and probiotic prophylaxis (n = 10), 3) acute pancreatitis and enteral nutrition (n = 10), and 4) acute pancreatitis, probiotic prophylaxis and enteral nutrition (n = 11).

The effect of chitosan and whey proteins-chitosan films on the growth of Penicillium expansum in apples.

Background: Penicillium expansum causes a major post-harvest disease of apples. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibition effect of chitosan and whey proteins-chitosan films containing different amounts of quince and cranberry juice against P. expansum on the simulation medium and on apples.

Resveratrol attenuates NF-κB-binding activity but not cytokine production in mechanically ventilated mice.

Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) can result in inflammation and subsequent lung injury. Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and NF-κB are proposed to play a crucial role in the MV-induced inflammatory response. Resveratrol (RVT) exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo supposedly by interfering with TLR4 signaling and NF-κB.

Mechanical ventilation of mice under general anesthesia during experimental procedures.

Mechanical ventilation is frequently used in patients under general anesthesia during invasive procedures. Invasive animal experiments similarly require the maintenance of normal hemodynamic and pulmonary parameters during long-term general anesthesia. The authors describe a method for mechanical ventilation of mice.

Is there an optimal scan time for 6-[F-18]fluoro-L-DOPA PET in pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas?

Purpose: To define the appropriate scan time for fluorine-18-labeled dihydroxyphenylalanine (F-18 DOPA) PET in oncological imaging of pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

Materials And Methods: F-18 DOPA PET examinations were performed in 9 patients with 7 pheochromocytomas and 4 head and neck paragangliomas using a dedicated PET scanner. The acquisition started with a dynamic single-bed scan in the tumor region over the first 60 minutes after tracer injection followed by a late time whole-body scan at approximately 130 minutes.

First clinical evidence that imaging with somatostatin receptor antagonists is feasible.

Unlabelled: Preclinical studies have indicated that somatostatin receptor (sst)-expressing tumors demonstrate higher uptake of radiolabeled sst antagonists than of sst agonists. In this study, we evaluated whether imaging with sst antagonists was feasible in patients.

Methods: Biodistribution and tumor uptake of the sst antagonist (111)In-DOTA-pNO(2)-Phe-c(DCys-Tyr-DTrp-Lys-Thr-Cys)DTyrNH(2) ((111)In-DOTA-BASS) were studied in 5 patients with metastatic thyroid carcinoma or neuroendocrine tumors.

Sentinel lymph node detection in patients with vulvar carcinoma; Feasibility of intra-operative mapping with technetium-99m-labeled nanocolloid.

Aims: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping appears to be feasible in patients with primary vulvar cancer. Previous protocols describe the injection of the technetium-99m-nanocolloid at least 3 h before surgery which involves two invasive procedures for the patient. In this study, we assessed the feasibility, safety, and accuracy of an intra-operative rather than preoperative SLN mapping in patients with primary vulvar cancer.

Comparison of C-11 methionine and C-11 choline for PET imaging of brain metastases: a prospective pilot study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was the comparison of C-11 methionine (MET) and C-11 choline (CHO) in the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of brain metastases in correlation to the histopathology findings in stereotactic biopsy.

Methods: In all, 8 patients underwent MET and CHO PET and magnetic resonance imaging, in 7 of these, the metastases were previously treated by radiation therapy. Histopathologic diagnosis was made for each patient by frame-based stereotactic serial biopsy.

Evaluation of FDG-PET for detecting lymph node metastasis in uterine corpus cancer.

Background: In order to decrease surgery-related morbidity, we evaluated the reliability of the evaluation of lymph node metastasis in patients with uterine corpus cancer by positron-emission tomography (PET) with 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) before surgical staging.

Materials And Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed uterine corpus cancer scheduled for surgical staging, including lymphadenectomy, underwent PET imaging within 30 days before surgery. PET results and postoperative histopathology were compared for each patient and each nodal site.

Long-term benefit of intracardiac delivery of autologous granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor-mobilized blood CD34+ cells containing cardiac progenitors on regional heart structure and function after myocardial infarct.

Background Aims: Starting from experimental data proposing hematopoietic stem cells as candidates for cardiac repair, we postulated that human peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells mobilized by hematopoietic growth-factor (G-CSF) would contain cell subpopulations capable of regenerating post-ischemic myocardial damages.

Methods: In a phase I clinical assay enrolling seven patients with acute myocardial infarct, we directly delivered to the injured myocardium autologous PB CD34+ cells previously mobilized by G-CSF, collected by leukapheresis and purified by immunoselection. In parallel, we looked for the eventual presence of cardiomyocytic and endothelial progenitor cells in leukapheresis products of these patients and controls, using flow cytometry, reverse transcription-quantitative (RTQ)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cell cultures and immunofluorescence analyzes.

Isoflurane attenuates pulmonary interleukin-1beta and systemic tumor necrosis factor-alpha following mechanical ventilation in healthy mice.

Background: Mechanical ventilation (MV) induces an inflammatory response in healthy lungs. The resulting pro-inflammatory state is a risk factor for ventilator-induced lung injury and peripheral organ dysfunction. Isoflurane is known to have protective immunological effects on different organ systems.