Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using metagenomic sequencing.

Aims: Gastrointestinal disease is a leading cause of morbidity in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) under managed care. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) holds promise as a therapeutic tool to restore gut microbiota without antibiotic use. This prospective clinical study aimed to develop a screening protocol for FMT donors to ensure safety, determine an effective FMT administration protocol for managed dolphins, and evaluate the efficacy of FMTs in four recipient dolphins.

Acute hypernatremia and hypocalcemia after oral sodium phosphate administration to a dog.

A 15-year-old male neutered mixed breed dog weighing 28 kg presented to a referral center after developing severe tremors and altered mentation. There was hypocalcemia and hypernatremia after oral administration of sodium phosphate as a bowel cleansing agent in preparation for colonoscopy. The dog was treated intravenously with low sodium fluids and calcium gluconate.

Gastrointestinal infection in Italy during the Roman Imperial and Longobard periods: A paleoparasitological analysis of sediment from skeletal remains and sewer drains.

Objective: This study aims to investigate parasitic infection in Italy during the Roman period (27 BCE-476 CE) and subsequent Longobard (Lombard) period (6th-8th CE).

Materials: Sediment samples from drains and burials from Roman Imperial-period sites in Italy (Lucus Feroniae, Oplontis, Vacone, and Vagnari), Late Antique and Longobard-period burials at Selvicciola (ca. 4th-8th CE), and Longobard-period burials at Vacone and Povegliano Veronese.

Genomic signals of migration and continuity in Britain before the Anglo-Saxons.

The purported migrations that have formed the peoples of Britain have been the focus of generations of scholarly controversy. However, this has not benefited from direct analyses of ancient genomes. Here we report nine ancient genomes (∼ 1 ×) of individuals from northern Britain: seven from a Roman era York cemetery, bookended by earlier Iron-Age and later Anglo-Saxon burials.

Live Donor Renal Anatomic Asymmetry and Posttransplant Renal Function.

Background: Relationship between live donor renal anatomic asymmetry and posttransplant recipient function has not been studied extensively.

Methods: We analyzed 96 live kidney donors, who had anatomical asymmetry (>10% renal length and/or volume difference calculated from computerized tomography angiograms) and their matching recipients. Split function differences (SFD) were quantified with technetium-dimercaptosuccinic acid renography.

A Strategy to Reduce Heart Failure Readmissions and Inpatient Costs.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a disease management intervention on rehospitalization rates in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods: Patients treated with the TEACH-HF intervention that included Teaching and Education, prompt follow-up Appointments, Consultation for support services, and Home follow-up phone calls (TEACH-HF) from January 2010 to January 2012 constituted the intervention group (n = 548). Patients treated from January 2007 to January 2008 constituted the usual care group (n = 485).

Is "teach-back" associated with knowledge retention and hospital readmission in hospitalized heart failure patients?

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a chronic and costly condition that affects approximately 5.8 million people in the United States, with an additional 670,000 diagnosed yearly. With high 30-day hospital readmission rates, the importance of determining effective means of preventing readmissions is imperative.

Implementing a conceptually based training program to increase nurses' effectiveness in securing patient rescue.

In this article, the authors describe a conceptually based training program designed to improve staff nurses' ability to successfully rescue patients. The 4-hour program includes both didactic material and a minimum of 1-hour skills' sessions. It was taught entirely by senior staff nurses skilled in crisis communications.

Diagnosis of urinary bladder rupture using ultrasound contrast cystography: in vitro model and two case-history reports.

Because urinary bladder rupture can be life threatening, a simple, safe technique for evaluating patients is desirable. Current diagnostic protocols involve radiographic imaging, but ultrasound-based contrast techniques have not been methodically evaluated in veterinary patients with urologic trauma. Ultrasound contrast cystography (contrast cystosonography) involves infusion of microbubbled saline solution through a urinary catheter.