Exposure to non-esterified fatty acids in vitro results in changes in the ovarian and follicular environment in cattle.

Negative energy balance (NEB) in the postpartum period of dairy cows is associated with reduced fertility to insemination later in lactation. We hypothesized that elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels that occur during NEB result in accumulation of fatty acids within the ovarian tissue and preantral follicles, causing changes in ovarian gene expression that would indicate a response to injury. We performed ovarian cortex culture and oocyte maturation in medium containing a combination of palmitic, oleic and stearic acid (NEFA).

Assessment of single-bolus contrast administration technique using hybrid dual-source ECG-gated thoracic and dual-source non-ECG-gated high-pitch abdominopelvic CT acquisitions for procedural planning before transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess vascular contrast opacification and homogeneity using single-bolus contrast administration with hybrid thoracic and abdominopelvic computed tomographic angiography in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Materials And Methods: Combination electrocardiogram-gated thoracic and dual-source, high-pitch abdominopelvic computed tomographic angiography examinations of 50 patients with severe aortic stenosis between December 2013 and March 2014 were reviewed. Contrast administration was individualized to patient-specific physiology.

Regional variation in prosthesis choice for aortic valve replacement in older patients.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The study aim was to investigate regional practice patterns regarding aortic valve replacement (AVR) by comparing bioprosthetic versus mechanical valve usage in patients aged > or = 65 years, and to determine whether the choice of valve type for AVR in these patients varied by geographic region.

Methods: The details were acquired of all mechanical and bioprosthetic AVRs performed in patients aged > or = 65 years between 1999 and 2006, as contained in the Florida State Inpatient Database. By using a small area analysis, the patients' zip codes were aggregated into hospital referral regions based on where they were most likely to receive AVR.

Geography or pathology? Regional variation in atrial septal defect closure rates and techniques.

Background: Since the introduction of percutaneous closure in the United States, rates of secundum atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closures have increased substantially. Whether or not closure rates are uniform or vary due to differences in regional practice patterns is unknown. We sought to investigate this by comparing regional rates of closure across Florida.

The impact of hybrid PET-CT scan on overall oncologic management, with a focus on radiotherapy planning: a prospective, blinded study.

Functional imaging using fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been increasing incorporated into radiotherapy planning in conjunction with computed tomography (CT). Hybrid FDG-PET/CT scanners allow these images to be obtained in very close temporal proximity without the need for repositioning patients, thereby minimizing imprecision when overlying these images. To prospectively examine the impact of hybrid PET/CT imaging on overall oncologic impact, with a focus on radiotherapy planning, we performed a prospective, blinded trial in 111 patients.