A high fat, sugar, and salt Western diet induces motor-muscular and sensory dysfunctions and neurodegeneration in mice during aging: Ameliorative action of metformin.

AIMS: To explore the novel linkage between a Western diet combining high saturated fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) and neurological dysfunctions during aging as well as Metformin intervention, we assessed cerebral cortex abnormalities associated with sensory and motor dysfunctions and cellular and molecular insights in brains using HFSS-fed mice during aging. We also explored the effect of Metformin treatment on these mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were fed with HFSS and treated with metformin from 20 to 22 months of age, resembling human aging from 56 to 68 years of age (an entry phase of the aged portion of lifespan). RESULTS: The motor and sensory cortexes in mice during aging after HFSS diet showed: (A) decreased motor-muscular and sensory functions; (B) reduced inflammation-resolving Arg-1+ microglia; (C) increased inflammatory iNOs+ microglia and TNFα levels; (D) enhanced abundance of amyloid-ß peptide and of phosphorylated Tau. Metformin attenuated these changes. CONCLUSION: A HFSS-combined diet caused motor-muscular and sensory dysfunctions, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, whereas metformin counteracted these effects. Our findings show neuroinflammatory consequences of a HFSS diet in aging. Metformin curbs the HFSS-related neuroinflammation eliciting neuroprotection.

Cost effectiveness of intraoperative pathology in the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to determine the cost effectiveness of rapid frozen section (RFS) for indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was conducted between January 2009 and June 2013 at a tertiary care institution. Main outcomes were number needed to treat, RFS efficacy, and cost-savings of avoiding second completion thyroidectomy. Cost-effectiveness was estimated using 2015 Medicare reimbursement rate. Results Out of 1,114 patients undergoing thyroid surgery, 314 had preoperative AUS/FLUS cytopathology and subsequent thyroid lobectomy with RFS. RFS identified 13 of the 32 patients with malignancy resulting in a total thyroidectomy. 19 of the 29 malignancies not detected by RFS were papillary microcarcinomas. Conclusions Completion thyroidectomy was avoided in 1 out of every 24 patients resulting in cost-savings of $ 80.04 per patient. In the era of outpatient thyroid surgery, intraoperative RFS for indeterminate thyroid nodules is cost-effective.

Cost effectiveness of intraoperative pathology in the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Objective This study aims to determine the cost effectiveness of rapid frozen section (RFS) for indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was conducted between January 2009 and June 2013 at a tertiary care institution. Main outcomes were number needed to treat, RFS efficacy, and cost-savings of avoiding second completion thyroidectomy. Cost-effectiveness was estimated using 2015 Medicare reimbursement rate. Results Out of 1,114 patients undergoing thyroid surgery, 314 had preoperative AUS/FLUS cytopathology and subsequent thyroid lobectomy with RFS. RFS identified 13 of the 32 patients with malignancy resulting in a total thyroidectomy. 19 of the 29 malignancies not detected by RFS were papillary microcarcinomas. Conclusions Completion thyroidectomy was avoided in 1 out of every 24 patients resulting in cost-savings of $ 80.04 per patient. In the era of outpatient thyroid surgery, intraoperative RFS for indeterminate thyroid nodules is cost-effective.

A Randomized Single-Blinded Trial of Ibuprofen- versus Opioid-Based Primary Analgesic Therapy in Outpatient Otolaryngology Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of pain control and opioid consumption between patients who receive opioid as primary analgesic therapy and those who receive ibuprofen. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SETTING: Tertiary care academic hospital. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Adult patients undergoing outpatient otolaryngology surgery were assigned to take hydrocodone/acetaminophen or ibuprofen for postoperative analgesia. Patient-recorded pain scores and analgesic consumption were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 185 recruits, 108 (58%) completed responses. Fifty-six patients (52%) received opioid medication for primary analgesic treatment versus 52 (48%) who received ibuprofen. There was no difference in reported pain scores between the treatment groups. Those who received ibuprofen as primary therapy reported a significantly lower consumption of opioid medication at 2.04 tablets/pills (95% CI, 0.9-3.1) versus 4.86 (3.6-6.1; P = .001). Based on multivariate analysis, male sex and older age exhibited lower reported pain scores, while older age and use of ibuprofen as primary therapy exhibited lower opioid requirements. CONCLUSION: For postoperative pain management in outpatient otolaryngology procedures, ibuprofen as primary therapy can provide equally effective pain control as compared with hydrocodone/acetaminophen while decreasing overall opioid requirement. Prescription pill counts are further described to help guide physician practices in the era of an opioid epidemic.

Outcomes of parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism with nonlocalizing preoperative imaging.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate our surgical experience in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) with nonlocalizing sestimibi and ultrasound scans. METHODS: A retrospective review of 521 patients treated from April 2005 to July 2017 at Loma Linda University Medical Center who received parathyroidectomy for PHPT. One hundred forty-seven patients (28%) had double negative localization (nonlocalizing sestamibi and ultrasound). RESULTS: Surgical cure for PHPT was 97.3% and 99.2% with nonlocalized and localized disease, respectively, and complication rates were similar between groups. Preoperative parathyroid hormone and gland weight were significantly lower with nonlocalization. The incidence of multigland disease (MGD) was greater in patients with nonlocalization on sestamibi and ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Nonlocalization of parathyroid glands was not associated with decreased cure rate or increased morbidity. The presence of MGD and requirement for more extensive surgery were greater in patients with nonlocalizing disease.

Six-Year Experience of Outpatient Total and Completion Thyroidectomy at a Single Academic Institution.

Outpatient thyroidectomy has become slowly accepted with various published reports predominantly examining partial or subtotal thyroidectomy. Concerns regarding the safety of outpatient total and completion thyroidectomy remain, especially with regard to vocal fold paralysis, hypocalcemia, and catastrophic hematoma. We aimed to evaluate the safety of outpatient thyroid surgery in a large cohort by retrospectively comparing outcomes in those who underwent outpatient (n = 251) versus inpatient (n = 291) completion or total thyroidectomy between February 2009 and February 2015. Outpatient completion and total thyroidectomy had lower rates of temporary hypocalcemia (6% vs 24.4%; P < 0.001) and no significant difference in rates of return to emergency department (1.2% vs 1.4%), hematoma formation (0.8% vs 0.7%), temporary (2% vs 4.1%) or permanent (0.4% vs 0.7%) vocal fold paralysis, or permanent hypocalcemia (0.4% vs 0%) compared with the inpatient group. Outpatients requiring calcium replacement had shorter duration of postoperative calcium supplementation (44.4 ± 59.3 days vs 63.3 ± 94.4 days; P < 0.001). Our data demonstrate similar safety in outpatient and inpatient total and completion thyroidectomy.

Management of Completion and Total Thyroidectomy Patients Based on 1-Hour Postoperative Parathyroid Hormone.

After thyroid surgery, protocols based on postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels may prevent symptoms of hypocalcemia, while avoiding unnecessary prophylactic calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation. We examined the value of an initial management protocol based solely on a single PTH level measured one hour after completion or total thyroidectomy to prevent symptomatic hypocalcemia by conducting a retrospective review of 697 consecutive patients treated from July 2003 to April 2015. The proportion of patients who developed symptomatic hypocalcemia was similar between those treated before (n = 155) and after (n = 542) implementation of this 1-hour PTH protocol (16.8% vs 15.9%; P = 0.786). Those in the 1-hour PTH groups had lower overnight observation rates (97.4% vs 53.7%; P < 0.001) and length of stay (1.98 ± 2.61 vs 0.89 ± 1.87 days; P < 0.001), and required less calcium (3.9% vs 0.8%; P = 0.015) and vitamin D (2.6% vs 0%; P = 0.002) supplementation one year after surgery. Less than 1 per cent of patients discharged on the day of surgery in accordance with the 1-hour PTH guidelines returned to the emergency room for symptomatic hypocalcemia; none experienced significant morbidity. This protocol facilitates early discharge of low-risk patients and results in a similar or improved postoperative course compared with traditional overnight observation.

Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy: Almost a Decade of Experience at an Academic Center.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has gained acceptance as an alternative to conventional thyroidectomy. This technique results in less bleeding, postoperative pain, shorter recovery time, and better cosmetic results without increasing morbidity. We retrospectively assessed outcomes in 583 patients having MIVAT from May 2005 to September 2014. The study population was divided into groups according to periods: 2005 to 2009 and 2010 to 2014. Operative data, complications, and length of stay were collected and compared. Total thyroidectomy was undertaken in 185, completion thyroidectomy in 49, and hemithyroidectomy in 349. Malignancy was present in 127 (21.8%). Mean incision was 3.4 ± 0.7 cm and estimated blood loss was 23.7 ± 21.7 mL. Mean operative time was 86.5 ± 39.3 minutes for all operations, 78.5 ± 37.0 minutes for hemithyroidectomy, 70.9 ± 30.1 minutes for completion thyroidectomy, and 106.8 ± 41.3 minutes for total thyroidectomy. Postoperatively, 56 (9.6%) had unilateral vocal cord dysfunction, which resolved except for one case (0.17%). Fifty-nine patients (10.1%) developed hypocalcemia, but only three cases (0.51%) became permanent. Only one patient required readmission. In conclusion, MIVAT results in short operative times, minimal blood loss, and few complications and is safely performed in an academic institution.

Noninvasive Free Flap Monitoring Using Eulerian Video Magnification.

Eulerian Video Magnification (EVM) can enhance subtle changes in videos to reveal what was once invisible to the naked eye. In this proof of concept study, we investigated using EVM as a novel form of free flap monitoring. Free flaps with skin paddles were filmed in the operating room with manipulation of their pedicles. In a representative 77-year-old female who received a latissimus dorsi-serratus-rib composite free flap, EVM was able to detect blockage of arterial or venous supply instantaneously, providing a visible representation through degree of color change in videos. EVM has the potential to serve as a powerful free flap monitoring tool with the benefit of being noninvasive, sensitive, easy-to-use, and nearly cost-free.