LE Groups Research Articles

Radiofrequency Lesion in the Atrial Wall: How Variable Is It? 9.4 Tesla MRI Analysis of Radiofrequency Lesion Volume in a Swine Model.

Background/Objectives: Most data on radiofrequency (RF) effects come from ex vivo or in vitro studies that quantify lesions using width and/or depth, while electrophysiologists use manufacturers' indirect indices. The objective of this study was to evaluate RF lesion volume by high-resolution MRI of excised lesions in an in vivo porcine model, comparing a low-energy long-duration (LE) (20 W, 50 s) RF application strategy with a high-energy short-duration (HE) (50 W, 20 s) one. Methods: Eighteen piglets were divided into LE (n = 9) and HE groups (n = 9). RF applications were performed at four locations in both atria. Animals were sacrificed after 5-7 days, and RF lesion specimens were excised, fixed, and analyzed by 9.4 Tesla MRI. RF lesion volume, variability (variance), depth, and any extracardiac lesions were compared between the groups. Results: Seventy RF applications were performed (36 LE, 34 HE). MRI analyzed 26 LE and 28 HE samples. The HE group showed 35% higher volume than the LE group (100.2 mm3 (±81.2) in LE vs. 178.3 mm3 (±163.7) in HE, p = 0.033). RF volume variance was 6.6 mm3 in LE and 40.3 mm3 in HE. The HE group had more complications (seven vs. zero, p = 0.02) and extracardiac lesions (18 vs. 14, p = 0.613). Conclusions: There was large and unpredictable variability in RF injury on the atrial wall, even under controlled conditions, which could explain arrhythmia recurrences. The greatest lesion variability was found during HE applications. The dose/effect relationship of RF needs careful study for treating cardiac arrhythmias.

Effect of Grinding and Polishing Protocols on Surface Roughness, Flexural Strength, and Phase Transformation of High-Translucent 5 mol% Yttria-Partially Stabilized Zirconia

Abstract Objectives This study evaluated surface roughness, biaxial flexural strength, and phase transformation of 5Y-PSZ after grinding and polishing with different protocols. Material and Methods Two commercial 5Y-PSZ, Lava Esthetic (L) and Cercon xt (C), were used and divided into 3 groups: LC and CC represented unpolished control groups; LE and CE were polished with protocol I (EVE DIASYNT® PLUS HP following with EVE DIACERA RA); and LJ and CJ were polished with protocol II (Superfine diamond bur following with Jota ZIR Gloss polishing kit). Surface roughness was evaluated after polishing step-by-step with a contact-type profilometer. After high-gross polishing, the specimens were subjected to biaxial flexural strength test, crystallographic microstructure analysis using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and surface micro-topography using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical Analysis Surface roughness differences after each step and biaxial flexural strength between groups were evaluated with one-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc analysis. Changes in surface roughness across four different time points within groups were assessed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc analysis. Results After high-gross polishing, both polishing protocols showed significantly lower surface roughness than the grinding group (p < 0.05). The LE and CE groups exhibited the highest surface roughness values, which were significant differences from the LJ and CJ groups (p < 0.05). The LE group showed significantly lower biaxial flexural strength compared to the LC group (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the CE and CJ groups compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Furthermore, all polishing protocols did not change the phase transformation of zirconia. Conclusion Polishing protocol II provided a smoother surface than the protocol I after high-gross polishing, while the biaxial flexural strength of materials remained unaffected.

Influence of epinephrine reactivity to stress on meat quality in goats.

The magnitude of physiological responses to a stressor can vary among individual goats within a herd; however, whether these differences can differentially affect meat quality is not known. This study was conducted to determine the influence of the magnitude of epinephrine response (ER) to acute stress on muscle metabolome and meat quality in goats. Male Spanish goats (6 mo old) were transported for 180min. (N = 75 goats; 25 goats/d) to impose stress. Blood samples were obtained after transport for analysis of physiological responses. Goats were slaughtered using humane procedures and samples were collected for muscle metabolomics and meat quality analyses. The data obtained from blood and muscle/meat analysis were then categorized based on epinephrine concentrations into low (LE), medium (ME), and high (HE) ER groups (n = 12/ER group). The physiological and meat quality variables were analyzed as a Completely Randomized Design in SAS, and metabolomics data were analyzed using R software. Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly high in the HE group, low in the LE group, and intermediate in the ME group (P < 0.05). However, leukocyte counts and cortisol, norepinephrine, blood urea nitrogen, and creatine concentrations were not different among the ER groups. Muscle (Longissimus dorsi) glycogen concentrations (15min postmortem) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the ME and LE groups than in the HE group. However, postmortem Longissimus muscle pH and temperature (15min and 24h), 24h calpastatin and desmin levels, and rib chop color (L*, a*, and b*), cooking loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force values were unaffected by ER. Targeted metabolomics analysis of Longissimus muscle (15min) revealed that diacyl phosphatidylcholines (C38:0; 40:6) and sphingomyelin (C20:2) were significantly different (P < 0.05) among the ER groups, with the concentrations of these metabolites being consistently high in the LE group. These differential muscle metabolite concentrations suggest that ER can influence biochemical pathways associated with cell membrane integrity and signaling. ER had a significant effect on dopamine concentrations, with the levels increasing with increasing levels of ER. The results indicate that differences in epinephrine reactivity can influence selected physiological responses and muscle metabolites; however, it does not significantly influence meat quality attributes.

Effect of duration of estradiol exposure on embryo survival and endometrial gene expression in anestrous embryo recipient mares

Previous studies indicate a positive correlation between the duration of estrus prior to ovulation and likelihood of pregnancy in embryo recipient mares. However, the mechanisms by which the duration of estrus before may affect fertility remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of different durations of estradiol exposure, prior to progesterone administration, on embryo viability in anestrous recipient mares, and endometrial expression of genes thought to influence embryo survival. Three groups of anestrous recipient mares treated with different duration of estradiol were used: long (LE), short (SE) and no treatment (NE). Day 8 embryos were transferred into recipient mares four days after long-acting progesterone administration and recovered 48h later to examine embryo growth and viability. The endometrial gene expression profile of selected genes was also investigated. The likelihood of recovering an embryo 48h after transfer was 46.1% (6/13), 62.5% (5/8) and 85.7% (6/7) for recipient mares from the NE, SE and LE groups, respectively (P = .09). Embryos recovered from the different groups of recipients did not, however, differ in size, morphology or the proportion of nuclei undergoing mitosis (P > .05). Abundance of mRNA for uterocalin (P19) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) were increased in the LE compared to the NE group, while fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), progesterone receptor (PGR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) transcript abundances were increased (P < 0.05) in the NE group compared to both SE and LE groups. In conclusion, a longer exposure of the endometrium to estradiol before progesterone tended to improve embryo survival within 48h of transfer. However, the grade, growth rate, and proportion of mitotic cells in surviving embryos did not differ among groups. If embryos are destined to fail in a suboptimal endometrial environment, they die and disappear quickly. Moreover, a more adequately estradiol-primed uterus, before the progesterone rise, seems to create a uterine environment, in terms of P19, IGF1, FGF2 and PGR gene expression, more conducive to embryo survival and further development.

Genomic Profiling Reveals Immune-Related Gene Differences in Lung Cancer Patients Stratified by PD1/PDL1 Expression: Implications for Immunotherapy Efficacy.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of global cancer-related mortality, and the exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches, such as PD1/PDL1 immunotherapy, is critical. This study leverages comprehensive data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to investigate the differential expression of PD1/PDL1 in lung cancer patients and explores its implications. Clinical data, RNA expression, somatic mutations, and copy number variations of 1017 lung cancer patients were obtained from TCGA. Patients were categorized into high (HE) and low (LE) PD1/PDL1 expression groups based on mRNA levels. Analyses included differential gene expression, functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction networks, and mutational landscape exploration. The study identified 391 differentially expressed genes, with CD4 and PTPRC among the upregulated genes in the HE group. Although overall survival did not significantly differ between HE and LE groups, enrichment analysis revealed a strong association with immunoregulatory signaling pathways, emphasizing the relevance of PD1/PDL1 in immune response modulation. Notably, TP53 mutations were significantly correlated with high PD1/PDL1 expression. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of PD1/PDL1 expression in lung cancer, uncovering potential biomarkers and highlighting the intricate interplay between PD1/PDL1 and the immune response. The identified upregulated genes, including CD4 and PTPRC, warrant further investigation for their roles in the context of lung cancer and immunotherapy. The study underscores the importance of considering molecular heterogeneity in shaping personalized treatment strategies for lung cancer patients. Limitations, such as the retrospective nature of TCGA data, should be acknowledged.

The Impact of Switching to a Second Antifibrotic in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Retrospective Multicentre Study From the EMPIRE Registry

IntroductionMost patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treated with antifibrotics (AF) have progressive disease despite treatment. A switch of AF may improve survival, but evidence from randomised controlled trials is missing. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an AF switch on survival and FVC decline in patients from the European MultiPartner IPF registry (EMPIRE). MethodsThe study included 612 patients who discontinued the first antifibrotic therapy. Patients were grouped and analysed from two perspectives: (1) whether they had received a second antifibrotic treatment after the discontinuation of the first therapy, and (2) a reason for discontinuation of the first AF – “lack of efficacy” (LE) and “intolerance” (INT). ResultsWhile 263 (43%) of 612 patients received no second AF (“non-switched”), 349 (57%) patients switched. Overall survival was higher in patients who received a second AF (median 50 vs. 29 months; adjusted HR 0.64, P=0.023). Similarly, the annual FVC decline was significantly reduced in switched patients: −98ml/y in switched and −172ml/y in non-switched patients (P=0.023), respectively. The switched patients had similar risk for mortality in both LE and INT groups (adjusted HR 0.95, P=0.85). The high impact of switching on survival was demonstrated in LE patients (adjusted HR 0.27, P<0.001). ConclusionThe patients without a second AF had significantly shorter overall survival. Our analysis suggests the importance of switching patients with an ineffective first AF therapy to a second AF therapy.

Effects of different energy levels and two levels of temperature–humidity indices on growth, blood metabolites, and stress biomarkers in Korean native calves

This study investigated the effects of dietary energy levels on growth, blood metabolites, and stress biomarkers in Korean native calves subjected to heat stress (HS). Twenty-four calves (BW: 221.5 ± 24.9 kg; age: 162 ± 4.8 d) were randomly housed in climate-controlled chambers using 3 × 2 factorial design. There were three treatment groups including low energy (LE = 2.53), medium energy (ME = 2.63), and high energy levels (HE = 2.72 Mcal/kg of DM) and two stress levels (threshold: THI = 70–73; severe: THI = 89–91). The calves were adapted to 22 °C for 7 days, then to the target THI level for 14 days. Energy intake, average daily gain, and gain to feed ratio were determined to decline (p < 0.05) under severe HS compared with threshold. Under severe HS, rectal temperature was increased 0.67 °C compared with threshold. Severe HS increased glycine, ammonia, and 3-methylhistidine concentrations compared with threshold (p < 0.05). Gluconeogenic AAs in the blood were increased among the various energy levels regardless of HS. In PBMCs the expression of HSP70 gene was increased in the LE group (p < 0.05), and the HSP90 gene expression was increased in LE and ME groups (p < 0.05) under severe HS. However, the expression of genes HSP70 and HSP90 in HE group did not differ under severe HS (p > 0.05). It has been suggested that HE intake may have a beneficial effect on PBMCs by mitigating ATP depletion. No differences in growth performance were found when increasing energy intake with high protein (CP 17.5%) under HS. However, the increase in energy levels resulted in increased gluconeogenic AAs but decreased urea and 3-methylhistidine in blood. In conclusion, increased energy levels are thought to improve HS adaptability by inhibiting muscle degradation and glucose production using gluconeogenic AAs in Korea native calves under HS condition.

Estradiol treatment prior to progesterone favors embryo survival in anestrous recipient mares

Previous studies have shown a positive correlation between the length of estrus prior to ovulation and fertility in cyclic donors and embryo recipient mares. Furthermore, higher endometrial expression of Uterocalin (P19) was found in anestrous mares treated with a 5 day estradiol protocol, compared to recipient mares with a short or no estradiol priming. However, it is not known how this extended estradiol exposure influences embryo survival. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different lengths of estradiol treatment on embryo survival, growth and proportion of mitotic cells. Three experimental groups of anestrous recipient mares were used: (1) mares treated with long-acting progesterone (LA P4) only (NE); (2) mares treated with a single administration of 2.5mg of estradiol benzoate (SE) 2 days before LA P4; and (3) mares treated with 8mg of estradiol split into increasing doses for 5 consecutive days (LE) ending 3 days before LA P4 treatment. Embryos were recovered from donor mares 8 days after ovulation, and embryo diameter and grade were recorded. Only grade I and II expanded blastocysts were used for this study; they were transferred into recipient mares using a modified Wilsher's technique 4 days after LA P4. Embryo recovery was performed 2 days after transfer by uterine lavage to examine embryo survival and growth rate inthe three experimental groups. After a positive recovery, embryos were evaluated for grade, size and fixed in 1% paraformaldehyde for subsequent staining with Hoechst 33342 for nuclear evaluation by confocal microscopy. The proportion of mitotic cells was assessed for 4 areas (10,000µm2) per embryo. The likelihood of recovering an embryo 2 days after transfer was 46.1% (6/13), 62.5% (5/8) and 85.7% (6/7) for recipient mares from the NE, SE and LE groups, respectively (p =.09). The embryos recovered from the three different groups of recipients 48h after transfer did not, however, show any differences in size, morphology or in the proportion of nuclei undergoing mitosis (p>0.05). In conclusion, the duration of estradiol treatment before progesterone administration tended to influence embryo survival in anestrous recipients within 2 days of transfer. However, the grade and growth rate of surviving embryos did not differ among groups. This may indicate that if the endometrial environment is not optimal to support embryo development following transfer, the embryo dies and disappears relatively quickly, i.e. within 48 h, whereas surviving embryos continue to develop normally.

Different Diet Energy Levels Alter Body Condition, Glucolipid Metabolism, Fecal Microbiota and Metabolites in Adult Beagle Dogs.

Diet energy is a key component of pet food, but it is usually ignored during pet food development and pet owners also have limited knowledge of its importance. This study aimed to explore the effect of diet energy on the body condition, glucolipid metabolism, fecal microbiota and metabolites of adult beagles and analyze the relation between diet and host and gut microbiota. Eighteen healthy adult neutered male beagles were selected and randomly divided into three groups. Diets were formulated with three metabolizable energy (ME) levels: the low-energy (Le) group consumed a diet of 13.88 MJ/kg ME; the medium-energy (Me) group consumed a diet of 15.04 MJ/kg ME; and the high-energy (He) group consumed a diet of 17.05 MJ/kg ME. Moreover, the protein content of all these three diets was 29%. The experiment lasted 10 weeks, with a two-week acclimation period and an eight-week test phase. Body weight, body condition score (BCS), muscle condition score (MCS) and body fat index (BFI) decreased in the Le group, and the changes in these factors in the Le group were significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The serum glucose and lipid levels of the Le and He groups changed over time (p < 0.05), but those of the Me group were stable (p > 0.05). The fecal pH of the Le and He groups decreased at the end of the trial (p < 0.05) and we found that the profiles of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs) changed greatly, especially secondary BAs (p < 0.05). As SCFAs and secondary BAs are metabolites of the gut microbiota, the fecal microbiota was also measured. Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing found that the Me group had higher α-diversity indices (p < 0.05). The Me group had notably higher levels of gut probiotics, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bacteroides plebeius and Blautia producta (p < 0.05). The diet-host-fecal microbiota interactions were determined by network analysis, and fecal metabolites may help to determine the best physical condition of dogs, assisting pet food development. Overall, feeding dogs low- or high-energy diets was harmful for glucostasis and promoted the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, while a medium-energy diet maintained an ideal body condition. We concluded that dogs that are fed a low-energy diet for an extended period may become lean and lose muscle mass, but diets with low energy levels and 29% protein may not supply enough protein for dogs losing weight.

High energy diet of beef cows during gestation promoted growth performance of calves by improving placental nutrients transport.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of dietary energy level during gestation on growth performance and serum parameters in offspring using beef cattle as research objects. Additionally, the gene expressions associated with nutrients transport in the placenta were evaluated. Eighteen Simmental crossbred cows (body weight = 338.44 ± 16.03 kg and 760 ± 6 days of age) were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatment groups: low energy (LE, metabolic energy = 8.76 MJ/kg), medium (ME, 9.47 MJ/kg) and high (HE, 10.18 MJ/kg). The dietary treatments were introduced from day 45 before expected date of parturition. The pre-experiment lasted for 15 days and formal experiment lasted for 30 days. Growth performance data and blood samples of calves were collected at birth and day 30 post-birth. The placental tissue was collected at parturition. The results indicated that the birth weight and average daily gain of calves in HE group were higher (P < 0.05) than those in LE group. After parturition, the serum contents of glucose, total protein, cortisol and leptin in neonatal calves were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with the elevation of dietary energy levels. At 30 days postpartum, the glucose, glutathione peroxidase, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor 1 and leptin concentrations of HE group were significantly increased (P < 0.05) as compared with LE group, while the serum amyloid protein A displayed an opposite trend between two groups. With the increase of dietary energy concentration, placental mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor A, glucose transporter 1 and 3 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the amino acid transporter solute carrier family 38 member 1, hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 2, insulin-like growth factor 1 and 2 mRNA expressions of HE group were higher (P < 0.05) than those of LE and ME groups. In conclusion, the improved growth performance of calves from the high energy ration supplemented beef cows may be attributed to the increased placental nutrients transport, which may lead to the increased nutrient supply to the fetus.

The Levels of Physical Activity and Work Experience Among Construction Workers: A Preliminary Study

Injuries and health problems related to musculoskeletal disorders are common among construction workers. Physically active people have good postural stability which is correlated with less injuries. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of physical activity against work experience in construction workers. 36 healthy men aged 20-60 years were divided into two groups based on their work experience: less experience (LE, n = 12), and more experience (ME, n = 24). Physical activity at work, through sports, and associated with leisure were assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. The results found that there was no significant difference between the LE and ME groups in the level of physical activity (p = 0.146 for work, p = 0.515 for sport, and p = 0.821 for leisure). Nevertheless, both the LE and ME groups had a higher level of physical activity at work than at sport and leisure (p &lt; 0.0001). This preliminary study indicated that construction workers have a high workload which impedes them from other activities during leisure time. Further studies are needed to investigate the correlation between the physical activity level and postural stability among construction workers.&#x0D; Keywords: physical activity, construction workers, work experience

Effects of losartan and exercise on muscle mass and exercise endurance of old mice.

This study evaluated the effects of angiotensin II type I receptor blocker (ARB) on muscle mass and exercise capacity in healthy older animals. The effects of combined ARB and exercise training were also determined. Eighty 18-month-old mice were randomized into the control group (C), exercise group (E), losartan group (L) and losartan plus exercise group (LE). Mice in the L and LE groups received losartan from drinking water every day. Mice in the E and LE groups trained on a treadmill 30min per day, 3days per week for 4months. Exercise endurance and spontaneous physical activity of mice were measured at baseline and monthly for 4months. After 4months of intervention, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, muscle mass, and muscle fiber cross sectional area (CSA) were measured. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation and IL-6 levels were determined in quadriceps. We found that exercise endurance only increased in the E and LE groups. Muscle TAC levels of E, L, and LE groups were greater than that in the C group. Serum IL-6 and lipid peroxidation levels were not different among groups. LE group, but not E and L groups, had greater muscle mass, larger muscle fiber CSA, and greater muscle IL-6 levels than that in the C group after 4months of intervention. These results suggest that losartan promotes the adaptions of muscle mass with exercise training in healthy older animals.

Effects of different swimming exercises on alcoholic fatty liver formation in mice

Objective: To investigate the effects of 7-week swimming exercise with different loads on the improvement of liver lipid metabolism in mice with alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and its relationship with the regulation of miR-34a/PPARα. Methods: Fifty male KM mice were randomly divided into control group (K, n=10) and alcoholic fatty liver group (AFLD, n=40). The AFLD model was constructed after feeding with 50% alcohol for 7 weeks with 1 d rest per week. After successful model construction, the mice were divided into a model group (M), a 30-min swimming exercise group (LE), a 60-min swimming exercise group (ME), and a 90-min loaded swimming exercise group (HE, 5% of body mass as tail lead load), with 10 mice in each group, for a total of 7 weeks of intervention. After completion, the serum and liver tissues were collected, the liver index, visceral fat ratio, hepatocyte injury indicators, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high/low density lipoprotein cholesterol (H/LDL-C) content were measured; HE staining was used to observe the changes in liver structure, Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of PPARα, FAS and TNF-α in liver tissues, and mRNA expression profiles were analyzed by sequencing After RT-PCR, the mRNA expressions of miR-34a, PPARα, FAS, TNF-α and CPT-1 were verified. Results: Compared with K group, the hepatic cord disorder, focal lipid vacuum, obvious lipid droplet vacuolation, abnormal ectopic nucleus were observed in AFLD group ; liver function was decreased significantly. Compared with the M group, the liver functions of the ME and HE groups were improved significantly, the serum levels of TG, TC and LDL-C were decreased, while the HDL-C level was increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the liver index and visceral fat ratio were decreased (P< 0.01 or P<0.05), the focal lipid droplet degeneration of hepatocytes was decreased, and the structure of the hepatic cord was clearer; and the ME group showed a more significant intervention effect. Compared with the M group, the expression levels of PPARα protein in the liver tissues of the LE, ME, and HE groups were increased, while the protein expression levels of FAS and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Based on Illumina high-throughput sequencing and mRNA differential expression analysis, there are 38 differentially expressed genes in the PPARα pathway, including 9 up-regulated genes and 29 down-regulated genes, which are involved in liver fatty acid oxidation, lipid metabolism, and apoptosis inhibition. Compared with group M, the gene levels of miR-34a, FAS, and TNF-α in LE, ME, and HE groups were decreased, and the gene levels of PPARα and CPT-1 were increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion: Swimming with different loads can improve liver functions in AFLD mice, promote lipid droplet degradation, and regulate liver lipid metabolism. The mechanism may be related to the activation of miR-34a/PPARα, and the intervention effect of moderate-load swimming is better.

Radical vs. Local Excision in Rectal Carcinoma T1N0M0: Recurrence and Mortality Rates.

Local transanal excision of early rectal carcinoma is an appealing treatment because of its low morbidity rates and better functional results than radical resection. However, this treatment approach is controversial due to its association with local recurrence when compared to the latter. This review aims to compare the local recurrence and mortality rates of local vs. radical excision in patients with T1N0M0 rectal carcinoma, based on data in the literature in the last 20 years. A PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar search of published literature in the last 20 years was performed. A total of 12 studies were identified. Three were prospective, one was a population-based propensity matching study, one was a nationwide cohort study, one was a meta-analysis, and the remaining studies were retrospective/observational.The mean local recurrence rate within five years from the studies selected for local excision (LE: 12.8%) was nearly double that of radical excision (RAD: 5.0%). The five-year mean survival rate for both LE and RAD groups from the studies selected was 86%, which was equal for both groups. The main predictors of poor outcomes were older age and the presence of two or more comorbid conditions.There is a consensus amongst studies that LE is associated with inferior oncological outcomes such as postoperative complications and recurrence when compared to RAD. The higher local recurrence rates in LE are attributed to occult lymph node disease and inadequate adjunctive therapy due to suboptimal staging. There is no difference in the five-year survival rate when compared to RAD. A longer follow-up period is needed to determine whether the survival rates diverge after five years.

Intratracheal Lidocaine Reduces Incidence of Cough During Extubation and Sore Throat After Tonsillectomy Surgery

Abstract Background: The incidence of cough during extubation occurs in 40–76% of patients. One effort to reduce this incidence is the use of lidocaine. This study aims to further investigate the benefits of intratracheal lidocaine in reducing the incidence of cough during extubation and sore throat after tonsillectomy surgery. Materials and Methods: This study is a single-blind clinical trial. The research subjects were taken by consecutive sampling. A total of 51 subjects who met inclusion and exclusion criteria will be divided into three groups: lidocaine intubation group (Group LI); lidocaine extubation group (Group LE), and control group. Comparison of cough scores during extubation and sore throat scores on the 1st and 6th hours after tonsillectomy surgery in the three groups was analyzed. Results: In this study, the results showed the cough scores and sore throat scores on the 1st and 6th hours postoperatively between the LI and LE groups when compared with the control group were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.001). The cough scores between the LI group and the LE group were not significantly different (P = 0.234). Likewise, comparison of sore throat scores on the 1st and 6th hours postoperatively between the LI group and the LE group was not significantly different (P = 0.728 and P = 0.537, respectively). Conclusion: Lidocaine intratracheal given just before intubation or just before extubation significantly reduced the incidence of cough during extubation and sore throat on the 1st and 6th hours postoperatively when compared with placebo in the post-tonsillectomy surgery.

Association of Early Pubertal Onset in Female Rats With Inhalation of Lavender Oil.

BackgroundCentral precocious puberty (CPP) is caused by early activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis but its major cause remains unclear. Studies have indicated an association between chronic environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pubertal onset. Essential oil is widely used in homes worldwide for relief of respiratory symptoms, stress, and/or sleep disturbance.MethodsTo evaluate this association, we compared the hormone levels and timing of vaginal opening (VO) in female rats exposed to lavender oil (LO) through different routes (study groups: control, LO nasal spray [LS], and indoor exposure to LO [LE]) during the prepubertal period. The body weights of the animals were also compared every 3 days until the day of VO, at which time gonadotropin levels and internal organ weights were assessed.ResultsThe LS group showed early VO at 33.8 ± 1.8 days compared with the control (38.4 ± 2.9 days) and LE (36.6 ± 1.5 days) groups. Additionally, luteinizing hormone levels were significantly higher in the LE and LS groups than those in the control group. Body weights did not differ significantly among the groups.ConclusionInhalation exposure to an exogenic simulant during the prepubertal period might trigger early pubertal onset in female rats. Further evaluation of exposure to other endocrine-disrupting chemicals capable of inducing CPP through the skin, orally, and/or nasally is warranted.

Effect of Pre-conditioning of Endurance Training with Different Intensities on Soleus Muscle Atrophy in a Period of Inactivity: The Role of PGC-1α4 Gene

Background: This study aimed to measure PGC-1α4 soleus muscle and to investigate the effect of endurance training pre-conditioning with different intensities on the atrophy response of the soleus muscle to a period of inactivity. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into equal groups of control (C), control inactivity (CI), high-intensity endurance training group (HE) (treadmill speed 30 km/h), and low-intensity endurance training (LE) (treadmill’s speed: 10 km/h). After two weeks of familiarization, the endurance training group ran on a treadmill for two weeks (five sessions each week). The animal’s lower limbs were then immobilized for seven days. Then the soleus muscle was extracted, and after weighting, the expression of the PGC-1α4 gene was measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (realtime PCR) technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 24. Results: The expression of the PGC-1α4 gene was significantly higher in the HE group than the CI group. However, compared to the C group, all groups with inactivity intervention showed significantly lower PGC-1α4 gene levels. The ratio of muscle mass to body weight in the C group was significantly higher than the LE and CI groups, and higher in the HE group than the CI group. Conclusion: Endurance training seems to be able to reduce the destructive effects of inactive atrophy. The higher intensity of these exercises was more effective, which was associated with increased expression of the PGC-1α4 gene.

Dietary Energy Levels Affect Carbohydrate Metabolism-Related Bacteria and Improve Meat Quality in the Longissimus Thoracis Muscle of Yak (Bos grunniens).

The effects of different dietary energy levels on the ruminal bacterial population, selected meat quality indices, and their relationship in yak longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle were assessed in this study. A total of 15 castrated yaks were randomly assigned to three groups with low- (NEg: 5.5 MJ/Kg, LE), medium- (NEg: 6.2 MJ/Kg, ME), and high- (NEg: 6.9 MJ/Kg, HE) dietary energy levels and occurred in the cold season (March to May). All yaks from each treatment group were humanely slaughtered and sampled on the day of completion of their feeding treatment. The results showed that the water content and crude fat levels of the LT muscle were markedly elevated in the HE group (P < 0.05), while the shear force was drastically reduced (P = 0.001). Methionine, aspartic acid, and glycine levels in the LT muscle were higher in the LE group compared with the ME and HE groups (P < 0.05). The glutamic acid level in the ME group was greater in comparison to the LE and HE groups (P < 0.05), while the histidine level in the ME group was higher than that in the HE group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the HE diet significantly elevated (P < 0.05) the abundance of carbohydrate metabolism-associated bacteria including Prevotella_1, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, U29_B03, Ruminiclostridium_6, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_013 in the rumen. The results of the Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that the abundance of uncultured_bacterium_f_vadinBE97 and uncultured_bacterium_f_Lachnospiraceae showed a significant influence on the indicator of IMF and SF. In conclusion, a high dietary energy level improved the meat quality in the LT muscle of yak mainly by increasing the relative abundance of ruminal amylolytic bacteria to provide substrates for fatty acid synthesis.

Evaluation of Resin Bonding to Tetragonal and Gradient-Shaded Cubic Zirconia Ceramics After Air-Abrasion.

Self-assembled nano-layering resulting from combined ionic and hydrogen-bonding interactions of phosphate functional monomers with zirconia have been proposed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bond strengths of two phosphate monomer-containing adhesive resin cements (Panavia F 2.0 and RelyX U200) to a conventional tetragonal zirconia (Lava Plus, LP) and a new cubic zirconia (Lava Esthetic, LE), with three different shade zones, after air-abrasion. The structures of the zirconia surfaces were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the surfaces were also evaluated using a hardness tester. After air-abrasion (with 50 µm Al₂O₃ at a pressure of 0.25 MPa), the surface roughness was measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and the resin cements were bonded (diameter: 2.38 mm) to the surfaces. All bonded specimens were stored in water at 37 °C for 24 h before performing the shear bond strength (SBS) test (n = 15). In the SEM images, the LP group showed a finer grain size than the LE groups. The XRD patterns confirmed that LP and LE had tetragonal and cubic phases, respectively. Although there were no significant differences in Vickers hardness among the four groups (p = 0.117), the three LE groups revealed inferior fracture toughness to the LP group (p < 0.001). However, neither the surface roughness of the air-abraded zirconia surfaces nor SBS values of each resin cement bonded to them were significantly different (p > 0.05). In conclusion, no significant difference in SBS value was detected between the tetragonal and cubic zirconia within each resin cement used, probably due to the similar surface roughness of the air-abraded zirconia ceramics.

Artificial Long Estrus Protocols Administered Prior to Progesterone Increase Endometrial Uterocalin Expression in Anestrous Mares

Uterocalin (P19) is a lipocalin protein that has binding activity for the provisioning of the embryo with lipids, including those essential for morphogenesis and pattern formation. Therefore, it is thought that P19 plays an important role in supporting the survival of the early embryo. Previous research has shown that the endometrium from acyclic mares expressed more P19 following a simulated long estrus: treatment of 8 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) split over five consecutive days, followed by long-acting progesterone administration (LA-P4) 72 hours later, when compared to a single 2.5 mg EB treatment. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if a new long estrus protocol, with fewer EB administrations, also increases endometrial uterocalin expression. Fifteen mares were assigned to three groups: long estrus 5 administrations (LE5; a total of 8 mg of EB in increasing doses was given over five consecutive days, Day −7 to Day −3); long estrus 2 administrations (LE2; 3 and 5 mg EB were given on Day −7 and Day −4); and short estrus (SE; a single dose of 2.5 mg EB was administered on Day −2). All groups received LA P4 on day 0 (D0). Daily ultrasonography and blood collections were performed to assess uterine edema and estradiol and progesterone plasma concentrations, respectively. Endometrial biopsies were collected on Day 4 to evaluate P19 expression by RT-qPCR. There were no differences in P19 expression between groups LE2 and LE5. However, P19 expression was higher (P < .05) in the LE groups than in the SE group. Both LE protocols produced high uterine edema (score 2–3) for at least 6 days. There was no effect of group (LE2 or LE5) on overall estradiol and progesterone concentrations (P > .1). In conclusion, the two EB administrations protocol is more feasible for preparing acyclic recipient mares at field conditions. However, a positive effect of the LE protocols on embryo survival and viability in anestrous treated mares still needs to be confirmed.