Unique Presentation of Microscopic Polyangiitis: Hearing and Vision Loss, Dysphagia, and Renal Dysfunction.

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an autoimmune small-vessel vasculitis often positive for perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA), or anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO), that classically affects the lungs, kidneys, and skin. Several atypical presentations of MPA involving other organs have also been reported in the literature. We report a unique case of a patient who presented with rare presentations of MPA: hearing and vision loss, dysphagia, renal dysfunction.

Ruminal Fermentation of Anti-Methanogenic Nitrate- and Nitro-Containing Forages In Vitro.

Nitrate, 3-nitro-1-propionic acid (NPA) and 3-nitro-1-propanol (NPOH) can accumulate in forages and be poisonous to animals if consumed in high enough amounts. These chemicals are also recognized as potent anti-methanogenic compounds, but plants naturally containing these chemicals have been studied little in this regard. Presently, we found that nitrate-, NPA-, or NPOH-containing forages effectively decreased methane production, by 35-87%, during in vitro fermentation by mixed cultures of ruminal microbes compared to fermentation by cultures incubated similarly with alfalfa.

Comparison of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Patterns in Patients With Intradialytic Hypertension and Hemodialysis Controls.

Background/aims: Intradialytic hypertension (IH) patients have higher mortality risk than other hemodialysis patients and have been shown to have higher ambulatory blood pressure (BP). We hypothesized that interdialytic BP patterns would differ in IH patients and hypertensive hemodialysis controls.

Methods: We consecutively screened hemodialysis patients at our university-affiliated units.

Randomized controlled trial on the impact of music therapy during cardiac catheterization on reactive hyperemia index and patient satisfaction: the Functional Change in Endothelium After Cardiac Catheterization, With and Without Music Therapy (FEAT) study.

Objectives: To determine the impact of music intervention on endothelial function, hemodynamics, and patient anxiety before, during, and after cardiac catheterization.

Background: The effect of music therapy during cardiac catheterization on endothelial function and patient satisfaction has received limited study.

Methods: Seventy patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization were randomized to music therapy (n=36) or no music therapy (n=34).