The effects of dietary organic selenium on growth, body composition and hematological parameters of common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in recirculating aquaculture system.

A feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of different levels of dietary organic selenium (Se) on the growth, body composition, and hematological indices of common carp. Se element was supplemented to the basal diet at the rates of 0.0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mgkg-1. Fish were randomly stocked at a rate of 25 fish into 500L tanks in the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) system for 10 weeks. Weight gain, final body weight, and specific growth rate were significantly higher (p<0.05) in fish fed 0.5 mgkg-1 followed by 1 and 2 mgkg-1 treatment diets fish. The lowest growth rate values were detected in fish-fed basal diets. Feed consumption of fish fed Se was not significantly different (p>0.05), also the survival rate was similar among the treatment groups. Whole-body composition showed that fish fed 1 mgkg-1 had significantly higher (p<0.05) body moisture and protein as dry weight basis. The highest fiber content was in fish fed 2 mgkg-1, but ash was significantly higher in fish fed only 0.5 mgkg-1 and fat remained unaffected. Whole-body Se concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) increased with increasing Se levels in test diets. the red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly higher (p<0.05) in fish fed only 0.5mgkg-1 and the basal diet. The white blood cells increased in fish fed the basal and 2 mgkg-1 diet, but the lymphocyte percentage was increased (p<0.05) in fish fed basal and 0.5 mgkg-1. The study concludes that dietary Se has an overall positive effect on common carp. Growth performance, protein content in fish body, selenium deposition and some hematological parameters were observed in fish fed dietary organic selenium specifically in fish fed 0.5 and 1 mgkg-1. Therefore, inclusion of Se in the diet from 0.5 to 1 mgkg-1 would be an optimal level for common carp feed.

Chronically misdiagnosed Eagle's syndrome, treated through transoral styloidectomy: a rare case report.

The stylohyoid ligament begins when the styloid process extends from the petrous temporal bone in a thin bony protrusion. Eagle's syndrome (ES) is a condition related to either calcification of the calcifying the stylohyoid ligament or elongating styloid process The incidence of symptomatic ES is 0.16%, and it is more common in women. The reported study diagnosed ES and treated it surgically through transoral approach styloidectomy. Case presentation: A 39-year-old man who is a farmer and a driver was presented with complaints of ongoing, excruciating discomfort in the back of his left ear. Before the exam, he took a variety of drugs, various drugs 2 years without receiving a definitive diagnosis. Axial, coronal, and sagittal computed tomography scans of both petrous bones were analyzed, and the results showed aberrant styloid process elongation and calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. Discussion: ES, shares many symptoms with other regional illnesses. Physicians frequently misdiagnose cases of ES and treat them without providing a conclusive diagnosis or treatment. Conclusion: ES diagnosis can be difficult for otolaryngologists and primary care providers due to its similarity with other regional illnesses. However, surgical intervention can result in consistent and significant symptomatic improvement when correctly diagnosed. The case presented in the report was successfully diagnosed as ES and treated surgically through transoral approach styloidectomy.

Corrected QT Interval Prolongation, Elevated Troponin, and Mortality in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has risen to the level of a global pandemic. Growing evidence has proven the cardiac involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aims to evaluate the ability of cardiovascular complications determined by elevated troponin and electrocardiogram findings (e.g., corrected QT interval (QTc)) in predicting the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospitalized patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of medical records of 800 patients, admitted to Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY, and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020. A total of 339 patients met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in statistical analysis. RESULTS: Elevated serum troponin levels on admission statistically correlated with mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Prolonged QTc was shown to have an independent statistically significant association with mortality among patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: Growing concern for cardiovascular sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted many researchers to investigate the role of cardiovascular complications in mortality due to SARS-CoV-2. Obtaining a simple electrocardiogram for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 could provide an independent prognostic tool and prompt more coordinated treatment strategies to prevent mortality among patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Using Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) With Bone Graft in the Reconstruction of Alveolar Cleft, A Prospective Study.

Clefts of the lip, alveolus, and palate are the most common congenital malformation of the orofacial region. Bone grafting of the alveolar cleft is necessary for rehabilitation of oral function. Platelet rich fibrin (PRF), an autologous fibrin matrix is a second-generation platelet concentrate that has a positive effect on bone healing. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this prospective study is to investigate and evaluate the quality and quantity of the bone graft that mixed with PRF when used in reconstruction of alveolar cleft in terms of bone density and resorption rate of the bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with unilateral alveolar clefts were treated. The control group received bone grafts without PRF, while the remaining patients comprised the PRF group and received grafts with PRF. Postoperative bone graft density and rate of bone resorption were assessed by CBCT at 1 month and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Satisfactory bone bridging formation was observed in all patients and the mean of bone resorption in PRF group within 6 months after surgery lower than control group. The bone density of the PRF group was lower than that of the control group at 1st month, which later after 6 months increased to be more than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet rich fibrin that mixed with autogenous bone graft was significantly reduce postoperative bone resorption. PRF may provide a higher bone density in the long postoperative course.

Steroid-Induced Pancreatitis: A Challenging Diagnosis.

Drug-induced pancreatitis is uncommon among all cases of acute pancreatitis in the general population. The majority of reported cases are mild, but severe and even fatal cases have been also reported. Management of corticosteroid-induced acute pancreatitis requires withdrawal of the offending agent and supportive care. Our case describes a young patient, who was recently diagnosed with idiopathic immune purpura and was treated with steroids. Few days later, he returned to the hospital complaining of epigastric pain with nausea and vomiting and was diagnosed with steroid-induced pancreatitis after exclusion of other causes of pancreatitis.

Identification of a Pathogenic TGFBR2 Variant in a Patient With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare connective tissue genetic disorder that is caused by a pathogenic variant in genes of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta receptor 1 (TGFBR1), TGFBR2, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (SMAD2), SMAD3, TGFB2, or TGFB3. It is characterized by aggressive vascular pathology, aneurysms, arterial tortuosity, bifid uvula, hypertelorism, and cleft palate. Here we present a 42-year-old female patient with LDS. The patient underwent rapidly progressing artery aneurysms and life-threatening aortic dissection. Spontaneous fracture of the first metatarsal bone was noted in her medical record. Physical examination revealed a delayed wound healing on her left abdomen. Considering these clinical manifestations, we speculated that there was a genetic defect in the connective tissue, which provides strength and flexibility to structures such as bones, skins, ligaments, and blood vessels. Thus, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the proband and revealed a heterozygous missense pathogenic variant (c.1613T > C/p.Val538Ala) in TGFBR2, which was a de novo variant in the proband as confirmed by the segregation analysis in parental samples. Although this variant was discovered and associated with the phenotype of LDS previously, the pathogenicity of the variant had not been confirmed by cellular functional assay yet. To further validate the effects of the variant in vitro, we assessed the canonical TGF-ß signaling pathway in mutant cells. Our results showed that the p.Val538Ala variant significantly decreased TGF-ß-induced gene transcription and the phosphorylation of Smad2, which were consistent with other pathogenic variants of TGFBR2. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the p.Val538Ala pathogenic variant in TGFBR2 leads to aberrant TGF-ß signaling and LDS in this patient.

An Unusual Presentation of Insulinoma: Confusion With Psychiatric Symptoms.

Insulinoma is a rare but common functional neuroendocrine tumor that secretes an excess amount of insulin resulting in mostly fasting hypoglycemia but can also cause postprandial hypoglycemia. It usually presents with neuroglycopenic and autonomic sympathetic symptoms that resolve following the administration of dextrose. The patients may remain symptomatic from 1 week to as long as several decades before diagnosis. Insulinoma presenting with psychiatric symptoms has been documented in case/case series reports. Laboratory findings of elevated insulin and C-peptide level in the presence of hypoglycemia and absence of plasma sulfonylurea are suggestive of the diagnosis. Localization of the tumor is essential preoperatively. Surgery usually cures most of the patients, but a minority will have a recurrence especially with malignant insulinoma. The manuscript presents a case of insulinoma presenting with psychiatric symptoms without sympathetic symptoms that led to the delay of the diagnosis for 3 months as initially thought to be related to psychiatric problems. Pancreatic insulinoma was localized by computed tomography (CT) scan and confirmed with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The patient underwent successful resection of the tumor, and her symptoms were completely resolved.