Use of Precision Feeding during Lactation Improves the Productive Yields of Sows and Their Piglets under Commercial Farm Conditions.

Adequate nutritional management in maternities is one of the most challenging aspects of swine production. This study reports the results of two studies aiming to determine, under commercial farm conditions, the effects of precision feeding (electronic sow feeders, ESFs) on the production and economic yields of lactating sows and possible nutritional and metabolic differences when compared to a control group fed with traditional feeders. The first trial showed that sows fed with ESFs weaned heavier piglets than sows fed with traditional feeders.

Food Knowledge for Better Nutrition and Health: A Study among University Students in Portugal.

When students enter university, they suffer adaptations, including, usually, greater autonomy and responsibility for the choices they make. Therefore, it is crucial that they are well informed so as to make healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics, academic performance and lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol consumption) interfere with food literacy in university students.

A reflection on the essence of gratitude in palliative care: healing in severe disease and professional affirmation through accompanying patients until the end.

Background: Gratitude has sparked interest in the world of health. It is considered as a personality characteristic or as an emotion. However, little has been explored in the context of the interpersonal relationship of caring.

Palliative Professionals' Experiences of Receiving Gratitude: A Transformative and Protective Resource.

Providing palliative care can be both challenging and rewarding. It involves emotionally demanding work and yet research shows that burnout is lower than in other fields of health care. Spontaneous expressions of gratitude from patients and family members are not uncommon and are highly valued.

Use of a Meter With Color-Range Indicators and a Mobile Diabetes Management App Improved Glycemic Control and Patient Satisfaction in an Underserved Hispanic Population: "Tu Salud"-A Randomized Controlled Partial Cross-Over Clinical Study.

Objective: To demonstrate the clinical value of OneTouch (OT) Verio Flex glucose meter used in combination with a Spanish-language version of the OT Reveal mobile application (app) to support diabetes care and improve glycemic control in an underserved Hispanic population with type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Test subjects ( = 81) used the meter and app for 12 weeks, while a randomized control group ( = 39) used their own glucose meters without connection to an app. Thereafter, test subjects continued the same regimen for an additional 12 weeks to determine the durability of effect, and control subjects crossed over to use the new meter and app.

Preventing microalbuminuria with benazepril, valsartan, and benazepril-valsartan combination therapy in diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria: A prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study.

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prevent microalbuminuria in normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed whether combined therapy with the 2 medications may prevent microalbuminuria better than ACE inhibitor or ARB monotherapy.

Methods And Findings: VARIETY was a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial evaluating whether, at similar blood pressure (BP) control, combined therapy with benazepril (10 mg/day) and valsartan (160 mg/day) would prevent microalbuminuria more effectively than benazepril (20 mg/day) or valsartan (320 mg/day) monotherapy in 612 type 2 diabetic patients with high-normal albuminuria included between July 2007 and April 2013 by the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS and 8 diabetology or nephrology units in Italy.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients With Lung Cancer Treated in a Tertiary Hospital in Madrid.

Cancer patients represent a vulnerable population for COVID-19 illness. We aimed to analyze outcomes of lung cancer patients affected by COVID-19 in a tertiary hospital of a high-incidence region during the pandemic. We annotated 23 lung cancer patients consecutively diagnosed with COVID-19 at our institution (HGUGM; Madrid, Spain) between March 4th, 2020 and May 12th, 2020.

PET/CT of breast cancer regional nodal recurrences: an evaluation of contouring atlases.

Background: To validate the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) breast cancer nodal clinical target volumes (CTVs) and to investigate the Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness Consortium (RADCOMP) Posterior Neck volume in relation to regional nodal recurrences (RNR).

Methods: From a population-based database, 69 patients were identified who developed RNR after curative treatment for breast cancer. RNRs were detected with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT).

Cochlear implant in patients with single sided deafness: hearing results and communicative benefits.

Evaluate auditory results and communicative benefits in adult patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) treated with cochlear implantation. Observational descriptive case series. Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá.

Cardiac death after breast radiotherapy and the QUANTEC cardiac guidelines.

Background: Breast/chest wall irradiation (RT) increases risk of cardiovascular death. International Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) guidelines state for partial heart irradiation a "V25Gy <10% will be associated with a <1% probability of cardiac mortality" in long-term follow-up after RT. We assessed whether women treated with breast/chest wall RT 10-years ago who died of cardiovascular disease (CVD) violated QUANTEC guidelines.

Gratitude from patients and relatives in palliative care-characteristics and impact: a national survey.

Objectives: To explore the expressions of gratitude (EoG) received from patients and relatives and their influence on palliative care professionals (PCPs).

Methods: A national online survey was sent to a representative of PCPs of each service listed in the national directory of palliative care (PC) services (n=272) (ie, hospital PC support team, hospice, paediatrics, etc). The questionnaire was pilot tested with experts.

Pain response in a population-based study of radium-223 (Ra223) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Introduction: Clinical trials have shown that radium-223 (Ra223) can prolong survival and improve quality of life in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The objectives of this study were to evaluate pain responses with Ra223 at a population-based level and to determine if there is an association between pain response and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) response.

Methods: All patients from the Vancouver and Kelowna Cancer Centers (CC) in British Columbia who were treated with Ra223 between June 2015 and December 2016 were identified.

The Prevalence of Anti-Hexokinase-1 and Anti-Kelch-Like 12 Peptide Antibodies in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis Is Similar in Europe and North America: A Large International, Multi-Center Study.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is present worldwide. Autoantibodies, in particular anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) detected by indirect immunofluorescence assays or newer solid phase immunoassays can detect most, but not all individuals with PBC. Detection of antibodies to the anti-nuclear antigens sp100 and gp210 can identify additional PBC patients, but some seronegative patients remain, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.

The significance of gratitude for palliative care professionals: a mixed method protocol.

Background: In palliative care (PC) patients and relatives (P/R) often show their gratitude to the healthcare professionals (HP) who care for them. HP appreciate these displays of gratitude, although the impact of the same has not been examined in detail. Publications analysed tell personal experiences in which HP say that displays of gratitude create sensations of well-being, pride and increased motivation to carry on caring.

Effects of valsartan, benazepril and their combination in overt nephropathy of type 2 diabetes: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Aims: To evaluate whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) combination therapy is more nephroprotective than ACE inhibitor or ARB monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes and overt nephropathy.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, randomized, open, blind-endpoint phase III trial sponsored by the Italian Drug Agency, 103 consenting patients with type 2 diabetes, aged >40 years, with serum creatinine levels 159 to 309 μmol/L, spot morning urinary albumin-creatinine ratio > 1000 mg/g (or > 500 mg/g in those on ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy at inclusion) were stratified by centre and randomized to 4.5-year treatment with valsartan 320 mg/d (n = 36), benazepril 20 mg/d (n = 34) or halved doses of both medications (n = 33).

Gratitude between patients and their families and health professionals: A scoping review.

Aim: To synthesize existing evidence regarding gratitude in health care relationships, with a specific focus on expressions of gratitude from patients and their families to health professionals, including their meaning and impact.

Background: Studying expressions of gratitude by patients and their families within the scope of health care is an innovative way of identifying the most valuable elements of care.

Evaluation: A scoping review of three data bases was conducted using the terms gratitude and health professionals (1984-2016).

Safety of Iohexol Administration to Measure Glomerular Filtration Rate in Different Patient Populations: A 25-Year Experience.

Background/aim: In clinical research setting, accurate and precise measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is essential to overcome the limitations of GFR estimation with equations, which are often unreliable. In recent decades, a method for measuring GFR by plasma clearance of iohexol, a non-ionic radiocontrast agent, was developed. To evaluate the safety of the procedure, we aimed to review all immediate adverse reactions that could be related to iohexol administration in our group's 25 years worth of experience.

A population-based study of the use of radium 223 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: Factors associated with treatment completion.

Introduction: Radium 223 (Ra223) given for six cycles has proven efficacy in clinical trials, but its population-level generalizability has not been well-described. The objectives of this study were to describe population-based Ra223 use in the abiraterone and enzalutamide era and identify factors associated with completion.

Methods: All Ra223 patients at the British Columbia Cancer Agency between September 2013 and February 2016 were identified.

What are families most grateful for after receiving palliative care? Content analysis of written documents received: a chance to improve the quality of care.

Background: Family members are involved in the care of palliative patients at home and therefore, should be viewed as important sources of information to help clinicians better understand the quality palliative care service patients receive. The objective of the study was to analyse what is valued most by family carers undergoing bereavement of a palliative care home service in order to identify factors of quality of care.

Methods: Qualitative exploratory study based on documentary analysis.

Automatic Segmentation of Kidneys using Deep Learning for Total Kidney Volume Quantification in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited disorder of the kidneys. It is characterized by enlargement of the kidneys caused by progressive development of renal cysts, and thus assessment of total kidney volume (TKV) is crucial for studying disease progression in ADPKD. However, automatic segmentation of polycystic kidneys is a challenging task due to severe alteration in the morphology caused by non-uniform cyst formation and presence of adjacent liver cysts.

Retrospective analysis of skin complications related to bone-anchored hearing aid implant: association with surgical technique, quality of life, and audiological benefit.

Introduction: The bone-anchored hearing aid is an effective form of auditory rehabilitation. Due to the nature of the implant, the most common complications are skin related. A number of alternative surgical implantation techniques have been used to reduce the frequency and severity of skin complications, including the U-shaped graft and the linear incision.

Cochlear Implants Versus Hearing Aids in a Middle-Income Country: Costs, Productivity, and Quality of Life.

Objective: In Colombia there are three main treatment approaches for bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss, also known as profound deafness (PD): cochlear implants (CI), hearing aids (HA), and no treatment (NT). The objective of this study is to determine the optimal treatment approach for PD in terms of productivity and cost-effectiveness.

Study Design: Hearing levels and SES data were obtained from audiometric tests conducted on 100 patients with CI.

Efficacy of bosentan in patients with refractory thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger disease): A case series and review of the literature.

The cornerstone of therapy in thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is complete abstinence from tobacco. In addition to discontinuation of cigarette smoking, very few pharmacological and surgical options of controversial efficacy are available to date. New therapeutic options with greater efficacy are clearly needed to properly manage these patients.