DCE-MRI of esophageal carcinoma using star-VIBE compared with conventional 3D-VIBE

To investigate the value of the star-VIBE sequence in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of esophageal carcinoma under free breathing conditions. From February 2019 to June 2020, 60 patients with esophageal carcinoma were prospectively enrolled to undergo dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) with the K-space golden-angle radial stack-of-star acquisition scheme (star-VIBE) sequence (Group A) or conventional 3D volumetric-interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE) sequence (Group B), completely randomized grouping. The image quality of DCE-MRI was subjectively evaluated at five levels and objectively evaluated according to the image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-noise ratio (CNR). The DCE-MRI parameters of volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep) and vascular extracellular volume fraction (Ve) were calculated using the standard Tofts double-compartment model in the post-perfusion treatment software TISSUE 4D (Siemens). Each group included 30 randomly selected cases. There was a significant difference in subjective classification between the groups (35.90 vs 25.10, p = 0.009). The study showed that both the SNR and CNR of group A were significantly higher than those of group B (p = 0.004 and < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in Ktrans, Kep or Ve between the groups (all p > 0.05). The star-VIBE sequence can be applied in DCE-MRI examination of esophageal carcinoma, which can provide higher image quality than the conventional 3D-VIBE sequence in the free breathing state.

The effect of treatment with pimobendan in dogs with preclinical mitral valve disease – a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover study

Background Pimobendan is a widely used medication for the treatment of dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and preclinical degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) with cardiomegaly. The benefit of a treatment in dogs with preclinical DMVD but without cardiomegaly has not yet been elucidated. Some positive effects concerning life quality and a decrease in cardiac biomarkers could be verified. This study aimed to further investigate these results using a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover design. Out of a total of 15 dogs, eight were allocated to sequence-group AB, in which dogs received pimobendan (A) during the first treatment period and placebo (B) during the second period. Accordingly, sequence-group BA was treated first with placebo followed by pimobendan. Each treatment period lasted six months and included a baseline investigation and follow-ups after 90 and 180 days. The investigations included a questionnaire completed by the owners, echocardiographic examination, and measurements of NT-proBNP, cTnI and lactate before and after a standardised submaximal exercise test. Results NT-proBNP values decreased significantly during the treatment period with pimobendan, and the post-exercise increase was attenuated at day 180. No significant treatment effects could be verified for cTnI and lactate, neither pre- nor post-exercise. Left ventricular size decreased under treatment, whereas no significant changes in left atrial size were detected. The owners described their dogs under treatment with pimobendan as being more active at day 90 (11/15) and day 180 (12/15). Those animals treated with placebo were described as being more active at day 90 (2/15) and day 180 (5/15). Conclusions Pimobendan had reducing effects on the concentrations of pre- and post-exercise cardiac biomarkers and the size of the left ventricle in dogs with DMVD ACVIM B1. Exercise testing in addition to an assessment of cardiac biomarkers might improve the decision when to initiate pimobendan treatment in dogs with DMVD.

Susceptibility Testing of Colistin for Acinetobacter baumannii: How Far Are We from the Truth?

Acinetobacter baumannii is involved in life-threatening nosocomial infections, mainly in the intensive care units (ICUs), and often colistin may represent the last therapeutic opportunity. The susceptibility to colistin of 51 epidemiologically typed A. baumannii strains isolated in 2017 from clinical samples of patients hospitalized in the ICU of a tertiary care academic hospital was investigated. All isolates were carbapenem-resistant due to the presence of the blaOXA-23 gene in sequence group 1 (international clonal lineage II) and sequence group 4 (related to international clonal lineage II) isolates, and to the blaOXA-24/40 gene in sequence group 2 (international clonal lineage I) isolates. Vitek®2, agar diffusion, and broth microdilution tests showed major discordancy (≥2 dilution factors) in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for colistin in 24 out of 51 isolates, resulting in erroneous reporting of qualitative susceptibility data for eight isolates. In growth kinetics experiments in the presence of colistin, five isolates grew with drug concentrations above the susceptibility breakpoint when incubated for >12 h, and three isolates showed the presence of heteroresistant subpopulations. This study highlights that the high frequency of isolation of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains in high-risk infectious wards requires an accurate application of methods for detecting susceptibility to antibiotics, in particular to colistin, so as to ensure a correct therapeutic approach.

Effectiveness of music therapy for alleviating pain during haemodialysis access cannulation for patients undergoing haemodialysis: a multi-facility, single-blind, randomised controlled trial

Background Repeated pain during haemodialysis access cannulations is a serious problem for haemodialysis patients even when prescribed oral or topical analgesics. Although some studies have observed the efficacy of music therapy for improving pain and anxiety, its effectiveness during haemodialysis access cannulations during dialysis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music therapy for pain when cannulating haemodialysis access for haemodialysis patients. Methods A prospective, multi-facility, single-blind, crossover, randomised controlled trial will be implemented. The intervention includes listening to Mozart, along with a white noise control condition. One hundred twenty haemodialysis patients will be enrolled across five facilities. Patients will be randomly allocated to either an Early-sequence group or a Later-sequence group. The Early-sequence group will receive cannulation while listening to Mozart’s Sonata for two pianos in D major (K.448) during the second week (Music period) and white noise during the fourth week (White noise period). The Later-sequence group will receive cannulation along with white noise first, followed by Mozart. All patients will also undergo cannulation during a no-sound period (wearing only headphones) during the first and third week (No-sound period). The music or no-music protocol will begin 8 min prior to the cannulating procedure, and participants will finish listening after starting haemodialysis during each period. The primary outcomes that will be assessed include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain during cannulation, and secondary outcomes are blood pressure, heart rate, VAS anxiety score, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, and salivary amylase activity. The operators who are in charge of haemodialysis access cannulation will be blind to the listening condition and VAS report. Discussion The proposed study has several methodological benefits. First, using white noise is a suitable control condition for addressing the role of sound in pain management. Additionally, using a crossover design with repeated measurements can help control individual differences between participants, which should better distinguish between- and within-participant variability. Overall, music therapy is a safe and inexpensive intervention that does not have the problematic side effects typically associated with pharmacological treatment. If effective, music therapy can be easily implemented for reducing pain and anxiety during cannulation. Trial registration This trial was prospectively registered to UMIN Clinical Trials Registry on 1 July 2018 (UMIN 000032850).

Effectiveness of Music Therapy for Alleviating Pain During Haemodialysis Access Cannulation for Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: A Multi-facility, Single-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Repeated pain during haemodialysis access cannulations is a serious problem for haemodialysis patients, even when prescribed oral or topical analgesics. While some studies have observed the efficacy of music therapy for improving pain and anxiety, its effectiveness during haemodialysis access cannulations during dialysis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music therapy for pain when cannulating haemodialysis access for haemodialysis patients. Methods A prospective, multi-facility, single-blind, crossover, randomised controlled trial will be implemented. The intervention includes listening to Mozart, along with a white noise control condition. One hundred twenty haemodialysis patients will be enrolled across five facilities. Patients will be randomly allocated to either an Early-sequence group or a Later-sequence group. The Early-sequence group will receive cannulation while listening to Mozart’s Sonata for 2 pianos in D major (K.448) during the second week (Music period) and white noise during the fourth week (White noise period). The Later-sequence group will receive cannulation along with white noise first, followed by Mozart. All patients will also undergo cannulation during a ‘no-sound period (only wearing headphones) during the first and third week (No-sound period). The music or no-music protocol will begin 8 minutes prior to the cannulating procedure, and participants will finish listening after starting haemodialysis during each period. The primary outcomes that will be assessed include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain during cannulation, and secondary outcomes such as blood pressure, heart rate, VAS anxiety score, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, and salivary amylase activity. The operators who are in charge of haemodialysis access cannulation will be blind to the listening condition and VAS report. Discussion The proposed study has several methodological benefits. First, using white noise is a suitable control condition for addressing the role of sound on pain management. Additionally, using a crossover design with repeated measurements can help control individual differences between participants, which should better distinguish between- and within-participant variability. Overall, music therapy is a safe and inexpensive intervention that does not have the problematic side effects typically associated with pharmacological treatment. If effective, music therapy can be easily implemented for reducing pain and anxiety during cannulation.

Effectiveness of Music Therapy for Alleviating Pain During Haemodialysis Access Cannulation for Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: A Multi-facility, Single-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Repeated pain during haemodialysis access cannulations is a serious problem for haemodialysis patients, even when prescribed oral or topical analgesics. While some studies have observed the efficacy of music therapy for improving pain and anxiety, its effectiveness during haemodialysis access cannulations during dialysis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music therapy for pain when cannulating haemodialysis access for haemodialysis patients. Methods A prospective, multi-facility, single-blind, crossover, randomised controlled trial will be implemented. The intervention includes listening to Mozart, along with a white noise control condition. One hundred twenty haemodialysis patients will be enrolled across five facilities. Patients will be randomly allocated to either an Early-sequence group or a Later-sequence group. The Early-sequence group will receive cannulation while listening to Mozart’s Sonata for 2 pianos in D major (K.448) during the second week (Music period) and white noise during the fourth week (White noise period). The Later-sequence group will receive cannulation along with white noise first, followed by Mozart. All patients will also undergo cannulation during a ‘no-sound period (only wearing headphones) during the first and third week (No-sound period). The music or no-music protocol will begin 8 minutes prior to the cannulating procedure, and participants will finish listening after starting haemodialysis during each period. The primary outcomes that will be assessed include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain during cannulation, and secondary outcomes such as blood pressure, heart rate, VAS anxiety score, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, and salivary amylase activity. The operators who are in charge of haemodialysis access cannulation will be blind to the listening condition and VAS report. Discussion The proposed study has several methodological benefits. First, using white noise is a suitable control condition for addressing the role of sound on pain management. Additionally, using a crossover design with repeated measurements can help control individual differences between participants, which should better distinguish between- and within-participant variability. Overall, music therapy is a safe and inexpensive intervention that does not have the problematic side effects typically associated with pharmacological treatment. If effective, music therapy can be easily implemented for reducing pain and anxiety during cannulation.

Effectiveness of Music Therapy for Alleviating Pain During Shunt Punctures for Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: A Multi-facility, Single-blind, Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Repeated pain during shunt vessel punctures is a serious problem for haemodialysis patients, even when prescribed external analgesics. While some studies have observed the efficacy of music therapy for improving pain and anxiety, its effectiveness during vessel punctures during dialysis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music therapy for pain when cannulating a shunt blood vessel for haemodialysis patients. Methods A prospective, multi-facility, single-blind, crossover, randomised controlled trial will be implemented. The intervention includes listening to Mozart, along with a white noise control condition. One hundred twenty haemodialysis patients will be enrolled across five facilities. Patients will be randomly allocated to either an Early-sequence group or a Later-sequence group. The Early-sequence group will receive puncture while listening to Mozart’s Sonata for 2 pianos in D major (K.448) during the second week (Music period) and white noise during the fourth week (White noise period). The Later-sequence group will receive puncture along with white noise first, followed by Mozart. All patients will also undergo puncture during a ‘no-sound period (only wearing headphones) during the first and third week (No-sound period). The music or no-music protocol will begin 8 minutes prior to the puncturing procedure, and participants will finish listening after starting haemodialysis during each period. The primary outcomes that will be assessed include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain during puncture, and secondary outcomes such as blood pressure, heart rate, VAS anxiety score, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, and salivary amylase activity. The operator will be blind to each listening condition and VAS report. Discussion The proposed study has several methodological benefits. First, using white noise is a suitable control condition for addressing the role of sound on pain management. Additionally, using a crossover design with repeated measurements can help control individual differences between participants, which should better distinguish between- and within-participant variability. Overall, music therapy is a safe and inexpensive intervention that does not have the problematic side effects typically associated with pharmacological treatment. If effective, music therapy can be easily implemented for reducing pain and anxiety during cannulation.

Increased Brain Derived Neurothropic Factor in the cerebrum and cerebellum of Rattus norvegicus newborn with exposure to Mozart's music in default sequence compared with the reversed sequence and without exposure during gestation

Objectives: To analyze the differences in the expression of Brain Derived Neurothropic Factor (BDNF) in Rattus norvegicus cerebrum and cerebellum of newborn between those exposed to Mozart's music composition in default sequence, reverse sequence, and without exposure in the womb.Materials and Methods: Analytical laboratory experimental study with randomized post test only control group design using animal models Rattus norvegicus. The animal models were divided into three groups: control group without any exposure, the treatment groups with exposure to Mozart's music in default sequence and another group in reverse sequence since day 10 of gestation. We used a comparison test in the analysis of BDNF expression.Results: We found significant difference in BDNF expression with p value 0.004 (mean 8.98±1.31 default sequence group, 5.58±3.08 reverse sequence group, 6.80±1.95 control) in the cerebrum. We found significant difference of BDNF expression with p value 0.003 (mean 9.48±1.41 default sequence group, 6.02±3.25 reverse sequence group, 7.14±2.54 control) in the cerebellum. In cerebrum dan cerebellum we found significant difference between standard Mozart’s music and control (cere-brum p=0.018, cerebellum p=0.001), and we found significant difference between standard Mozart’s music and reverse Mozart’s music (cerebrum p=0.001, cerebellum p=0.008) and no significant difference in reverse Mozart and control (cerebrum p=0.264, cerebellum p=0.490)Conclusion: Sequence in Mozart’s music is very important in increase expression of BDNF.

The docetaxel-abiraterone acetate sequence compared to the abiraterone acetate-docetaxel sequence in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with a response to previous castration superior to 12 months.

353 Background: With the approval of the multiple new life-prolonging treatments for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), the optimal sequencing of chemotherapy and androgen-receptor (AR) targeting agents remains unclear. Although response duration to castration could influence decision choice for second hormonal therapies, we do not know whether chemotherapy efficacy could be similar to AR targeting agents such as abiraterone acetate (AA). Methods: A retrospective analysis of mCRPC patients treated at Jolimont Hospital is reported. Patients included were castration-resistant PC with a response to castration superior to 12 months. They were treated with sequential docetaxel and AA, in either order. The combined progression-free survival (combined PFS: PFS1 + PFS2) of AA followed by docetaxel is compared to the reverse sequence (docetaxel followed by AA). Baseline characteristics are reported prior to the start of the first agent in the sequence. Results: Forty-two patients who started treatment for mCRPC between January 2013 and February 2017 were identified: 22 were in the docetaxel-AA sequence (Group A) and 20 were in the AA-docetaxel sequence (Group B). The median duration of response to castration was 16 months in Group A and 18 months in Group B. Proportion of Gleason > 8 was higher in group A (60% vs 50%). Visceral or lymph node disease was more important in group A (35% vs 16%). Median pre-treatment PSA was similar in the two groups (27 and 30). In the group A, PFS1 was 9 months and PFS2 was 8 months, resulting in a combined PFS of 17 months (range 5 to 47months). In the group B, PFS1 was 8 months and PFS2 was 7 months, resulting in a combined PFS of 15 months (range 4 to 45 months). Conclusions: We do not observe differences in clinical outcomes based on alternative sequencing of AA and docetaxel in men with mCRPC with a previous response duration to castration longer than 12 months.