Abstract
Context
The natural history of benign thyroid nodules is typically characterized by slow growth and minimal risk of malignant transformation. Available data have, to date, been unable to ...elucidate the diversity of benign nodule growth patterns over time nor predictive of which patients follow which pattern.
Objective
We aimed to better define the diverse patterns of benign nodule behavior and their predictors.
Methods
We prospectively studied 389 consecutive patients with solitary, solid, cytologically benign thyroid nodules ≥1 cm and follow-up ultrasound for at least 4 years. Demographic, sonographic, biochemical data were collected at initial evaluation, and subsequent growth patterns were identified over the follow-up. Predictors of growth at initial evaluation and 3 years of follow-up were defined.
Results
The mean (±SD) follow-up was 7.7 (±2.7) years. Three distinct growth patterns were identified: A) stagnant nodules with average growth rate < 0.2 mm/year; B) slow-growing nodules with a rate 0.2 to 1.0 mm/year; and C) fast-growing nodules increasing > 1.0 mm/year. Fast-growing nodules represented 17.2% of the cohort, and were more frequent in patients younger than 50 years (OR 2.2 1.2-4.1, P = 0.016), and in larger nodules (2.0-2.9 cm, OR 3.5 1.7-7.1, P = 0.001; >3.0 cm, OR 4.4 1.8-10.4, P = 0.001 vs reference 1-1.9 cm). In a multiple regression model, nodule growth at 3 years at an average growth rate over 0.2 mm/year over 3 years since initial evaluation was an independent predictor of longer-term fast nodule growth, even after adjusting for age, biological sex, TSH level, and nodule size (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The natural history of benign nodule growth is diverse, with over 80% of nodules demonstrating minimal to no growth long-term. Nearly 20% of cytologically benign nodules may exhibit a fast, continued growth pattern, which can be predicted by the 3-year growth rate pattern. These findings can help inform decision making for tailored benign nodule follow-up and monitoring.
Predictive models of thyroid nodule cancer risk are presently based upon nodule composition, echogenicity, margins, and the presence of microcalcifications. Nodule shape has shown promise to be an ...additive factor helping determine the need for nodule biopsy.
We sought to determine if calculation of a nodule's spherical shape independently associates with cancer risk.
This prospective cohort study, conducted at a single large academic healthcare system in the United States, included patients with 1 or 2 clinically relevant thyroid nodules (predominantly solid and over 1 cm) presenting for diagnostic evaluation. Thyroid ultrasound, cytological evaluation with fine-needle biopsy, and/or histopathological examination on occasion of thyroid surgery were performed. We calculated the nodule's long to short ratio (spherical shape), and its association with tissue proven benign or malignant endpoints.
The long to short nodule ratio was significantly lower in malignant compared to benign nodules indicating greater risk of malignancy in more spherical nodules (1.63 ± 0.38 for malignant nodules vs 1.74 ± 0.47 for benign, P < 0.0001). The risk of malignancy continually increased as the long to short ratio approached a purely spherical ratio of 1.0 (ratio > 2.00, 14.6% cancer; ratio 1.51-2.00, 19.7%; ratio 1.00-1.50, 25.5%, P < 0.0001). In multiple regression analysis, younger age, male sex, and nodule's spherical shape were each independently associated with cancer risk.
The more a thyroid nodule is spherically shaped, as indicated by a long to short ratio approaching 1.0, the greater its risk of malignancy. This was independent of age, sex, and nodule size. Incorporating a nodule's sphericity in the risk stratification systems may improve individualized clinical decision making.
Se presenta una revisión del estado de las aplicaciones informáticas para la gestión de repositorios digitales. Los gestores de repositorios disponen de distintas alternativas, al margen de las que ...han alcanzado una mayor popularidad en el área de los repositorios académicos, en particular DSpace o EPrints, que han evolucionado sustancialmente en sus últimas versiones. Esta evolución responde principalmente a la adopción de nuevos estándares diseñados en el contexto de la web semántica y los datos abiertos enlazados, y a la necesidad de incorporar a los productos funciones para la preservación digital. Se describe la evolución y las novedades incorporadas en las últimas versiones de los principales programas de código abierto u open source de gestión de repositorios atendiendo a los puntos anteriores. La selección se ha completado a partir de los datos disponibles en sitios de referencia como la Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC), Digital Curation Center (DCC), National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) y la Open Preservation Foundation. Las conclusiones señalan que una estrategia de archivo y preservación digital exige la utilización conjunta de distintos softwares, pues ninguno integra todos los componentes necesarios para implementar una estrategia de archivo digital y preservación efectiva.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A review of software applications for managing digital repositories is presented. Information managers have at their disposal several alternatives beyond those that have achieved greater popularity ...in the area of academic repositories: DSpace and EPrints. Existing alternatives have evolved and implemented mayor improvements in their more recent versions, with the aim of adopting the latest standards for the semantic web and linked data. This paper provides a description of the new features incorporated into the latest versions of the most popular open-source products. The selection has been made using as a reference the information offered by the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC), Digital Curation Center (DCC), National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA), and Open Preservation Foundation. The conclusions of the study indicate that the combined use of different tools is needed to support a complete archive and digital preservation program, as no single application seems to be able to provide the features required for an effective strategy.
Resumen
Se presenta una revisión del estado de las aplicaciones informáticas para la gestión de repositorios digitales. Los gestores de repositorios disponen de distintas alternativas, al margen de las que han alcanzado una mayor popularidad en el área de los repositorios académicos, en particular DSpace o EPrints, que han evolucionado sustancialmente en sus últimas versiones. Esta evolución responde principalmente a la adopción de nuevos estándares diseñados en el contexto de la web semántica y los datos abiertos enlazados, y a la necesidad de incorporar a los productos funciones para la preservación digital. Se describe la evolución y las novedades incorporadas en las últimas versiones de los principales programas de código abierto u open source de gestión de repositorios atendiendo a los puntos anteriores. La selección se ha completado a partir de los datos disponibles en sitios de referencia como la Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC), Digital Curation Center (DCC), National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) y la Open Preservation Foundation. Las conclusiones señalan que una estrategia de archivo y preservación digital exige la utilización conjunta de distintos softwares, pues ninguno integra todos los componentes necesarios para implementar una estrategia de archivo digital y preservación efectiva.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is an excellent forage legume to be included in sheep diets as fresh forage, but its inclusion in concentrates fed to indoor lambs reared has been scarcely studied. ...This study evaluated the effects of including different levels of dehydrated sainfoin in the concentrates fed to light lambs during the finishing period on animal performance, ruminal fermentation, and carcass traits. Twenty–six weaned male Rasa Aragonesa lambs (14.0 ± 0.49 kg body weight) were randomly grouped and individually fed ad libitum with isoproteic and isoenergetic pelleted concentrates containing 0% (0SF; n=9), 20% (20SF; n=9) or 40% sainfoin (40SF; n=8) for 40 days, from weaning to slaughter. In addition, an in vitro assay was carried out to evaluate the concentrates. The 40SF lambs had a higher dry matter intake (P < 0.01) and tended to show an improvement in average daily gain (P < 0.10). The diet had no effect on carcass weight, dressing percentage, rectus abdominis color or subcutaneous caudal fat color (P > 0.05). Regarding the rumen study, the diet did not affect most ruminal fermentation parameters (P > 0.05), except for pH, which was greater in 40SF lambs than in 20SF lambs (P < 0.05), and the proportion of acetic acid and the acetic:propionic ratio, both of which were higher in 40SF and 20SF lambs than in 0SF lambs (P < 0.01). The results from the in vitro assay showed that the 40SF diet decreased the in vitro dry matter degradability, increased propionic, and decreased butyric proportion compared to 0SF concentrate (P < 0.05), but no effect was obtained for gas, methane, total volatile fatty acids, and ammonia formation among diets (P > 0.05). The lack of detrimental effects on lamb performance and carcass traits suggests that the inclusion of up to 40% sainfoin in the concentrate of light lambs reared indoors would be advisable to promote the use of local forages.
•Lambs' fattening concentrates with 0, 20 or 40% of sainfoin were evaluated.•Lambs fed 40% sainfoin increased the intake and tended to grow more.•No effects were observed on carcass parameters.•Sainfoin inclusion increased ruminal acetic acid with no effect on total VFA.•Sainfoin can be included up to 40% in the lamb concentrate with good results.
Carbonate reservoirs are characterized by strong permeability heterogeneity mainly linked to the predominant pore type. In this work, we present a case study focused on a shallow borehole (160 m ...depth) located at the eastern end of the Betic Cordillera, SE of Spain. This borehole sampled a marly seal (deep marine marls rich in planktonic organisms from Messinian – upper Tortonian) on top of a carbonate reservoir (algae limestone from Miocene - upper Tortonian). Laboratory analysis show that most of the samples from the reservoir correspond to grainstone and packstone limestone types, and that the quality of this reservoir is controlled mainly by its detritic composition and a high content of bioclasts. The aim of this work is to show the suitability of using standard geophysical logging to assess permeability supported by laboratory and Lugeon tests. Two approaches have been used based on Kozeny's equation (pseudo-k log) and Mari et al. (2011) work (Ik-Seis log). Both ways require obtaining specific surface which is an indicator of pore type. This calculation is based on porosity and Vp/Vs relations. Porosity has been obtained from resistivity and sonic logs constrained by laboratory measurements. Shear wave velocity has been inferred from Stoneley wave velocity since this formation is considered as slow (Vs lower than 1500 m/s). Pseudo-K and Ik-Seis logs have been scaled using the Lugeon tests results. Both logs reproduce the heterogeneities found in the in-situ test. Finally, an analysis of the dependence of different seismic attributes to the specific surface has been performed to check the suitability of using solely sonic measurements to assess permeability. This can be useful for boreholes were laboratory or field tests are not available.
•Full Wave sonic constrained by standard lab measurements and Lugeon test can be useful to assess permeability in carbonates.•A combination of different seismic attributes can be also suitable to estimate permeability and detect permeable zones•Conventional logs can provide valuable information for reservoir characterization in a wide range of applications
Sainfoin (
) is a forage legume with a medium content of proanthocyanidins (PAC), which may affect animal performance and product quality. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect ...of PAC from sainfoin fed to dams, using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a blocking agent, on the performance and carcass and meat quality of their suckling male lambs. After lambing, twenty lactating dams were fed fresh sainfoin
plus 200 g per day of barley; ten were orally dosed with water (Sainfoin), and ten were dosed orally with a water dilution of 100 g PEG (Sainfoin + PEG). Their lambs (4.1 ± 0.64 kg at birth) suckled
until they reached the target slaughter weight of 10-12 kg. The presence of PAC in the dams' diet did not affect the growth, blood metabolites and carcass weight and fatness of the suckling lambs but decreased the lightness of caudal fat (
< 0.05) and increased the weight of the digestive compartments (
< 0.05). Regarding the meat characteristics, PAC only decreased polyphenols content (
< 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of PAC in the dams' diet had not significant effects on the performance and product quality of their suckling lambs.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The use of pea (
) has been recommended to replace soybean meal in the diet of ruminants, but it may affect meat quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the proportion of pea ...(0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) in fattening concentrates fed to light lambs for 41 days on carcass colour and on the meat quality. Pea inclusion affected neither the colour of the lamb carcasses nor affected most of the parameters of the meat quality. However, the inclusion of pea affected the cholesterol content, and the 20%pea concentrate yielded meat with greater cholesterol contents than the 30%pea concentrate did (
< 0.05). The inclusion of pea had minor effects on individual FAs but affected the total saturated fatty acids (
< 0.01) and the thrombogenicity index (
< 0.05). A greater total saturated fatty acid content was recorded for the 20%pea concentrate than for the rest of the concentrates, and a greater thrombogenicity index was recorded for the 20% concentrate than for the 10%pea concentrate. The results indicated the viability of the inclusion of pea in the fattening concentrate of light lambs without impairing meat quality, with the 30%pea concentrate being the most suitable to reduce the soya-dependency.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The inclusion of different proportions of field pea (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) for partially replacing soybean in the fattening concentrate of lambs was studied for its impact on apparent digestibility ...and performance during fattening. In the in vivo digestibility trial, 12 lambs (33 kg body weight) were placed in metabolic crates for two periods and received restricted amounts of concentrate and straw. The performance trial involved 54 lambs (13.4 kg body weight) that received concentrate plus straw ad libitum from weaning to slaughter. The intake of crude protein was higher in the 0% pea group than in the other groups (
0.05). The inclusion of field pea did not affect the digestibility, N retained or blood metabolites. In the performance trial, most traits were not affected, although a cubic effect of field pea inclusion on hot carcass weight and dressing percentage was observed (
0.05). The inclusion of field pea did not affect total protein, urea or β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations but it affected creatinine and cholesterol concentrations (
0.05). In conclusion, field pea can constitute up to 30% of the fattening concentrate of lambs without deleterious effects on the digestibility and performance during fattening, and with minor effects on carcass characteristics.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Bouguer anomaly maps are powerful cartographic tools used mainly by geoscientists and natural resources' companies (oil, mining, etc.) since they reflect rock density distribution at different ...depths, allowing the identification of different tectonic features. At upper crustal levels, Bouguer anomaly maps can help, for instance, in characterizing possible ore deposits, ground water reservoirs, petroleum resources, CO
2
storage sites and sedimentary basins; at deeper crustal levels they can help to further refine seismic velocity models or other integrated geophysical models and thus help in deciphering the lateral density variations within the crust and the geometry of the base of the crust. This new Bouguer anomaly map at a 1:1,500,000 scale is based on the compilation of 210,283 gravity stations covering the Iberian Peninsula (c. 583,254 km
2
). The new map upgrades previous maps in two ways: (1) it is built up from a database with a 15% more spatial coverage than previous compilations and (2) it is freely available. This map show shorter wavelengths than previous published maps thus allowing investigation of smaller geological features.
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