111 research outputs found
Gallbladder mucocoele : a review
Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated
bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be
predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific
and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia.
Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually
reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well
described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the
therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being
66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM
becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in
canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining
to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and
the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the
development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease
is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment
of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201
Gallbladder mucocoele : a review
Gallbladder mucocoele (GBM) is an abnormal, intraluminal accumulation of inspissated
bile and/or mucous within the gallbladder. Older, small- to medium-breed dogs seem to be
predisposed, but no sex predilection has been identified. Clinical signs are often non-specific
and include vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, abdominal pain, icterus and polyuria–polydipsia.
Results of a complete blood count may be unremarkable, but serum biochemistry usually
reveals increased liver enzymes. The ultrasonographic appearance is diagnostic and well
described in the literature. Surgical intervention for the treatment of GBM remains the
therapeutic gold standard, with short- and long-term survival for biliary surgery being
66%. The worst outcome is seen in those dogs requiring cholecystoenterostomy. With GBM
becoming an apparently increasingly common cause of extrahepatic biliary disease in
canines, it is essential that clinicians become familiar with the current literature pertaining
to this condition. Numerous predisposing factors are highlighted in this review article and
the role of certain endocrinopathies (e.g. hyperadrenocorticism and hypothyroidism) in the
development of GBM is touched upon. Furthermore, the aetiopathogenesis of this disease
is discussed with reference to the latest literature. Cholecystectomy remains the treatment
of choice, but other options are considered based on a current literature review.http://www.jsava.co.zaam201
DVD Versus Physiotherapist-Led Inhaler Education: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Correct technique with inhalers is vital for therapeutic effect. Efficacy of DVD inhaler instruction was investigated. Secondary aims were to examine feasibility of an inhaler technique outcome measure, and to compare knowledge and self-efficacy after DVD or individual education. This was a randomised controlled trial conducted in a regional hospital paediatric ward, involving new or existing paediatric inhaler users. Inhaler technique was assessed pre-education in existing inhaler users. Participants were then randomised to message equivalent education by DVD or individually with a physiotherapist. Inhaler technique, self-efficacy and knowledge were assessed immediately post- and three months after education. Twenty one participants received DVD or individual education. There were no significant differences between groups for technique, self-efficacy or knowledge at any time. The outcome measure was feasible for use in a research study. DVD education was equivalent to individual instruction to teach parents how to use inhalers with their child
A qualitative analysis of nonoffending partners’ experiences and perceptions following a psychoeducational group intervention
The present research is a qualitative study analysing therapeutic letters written by the nonoffending partners of men who have perpetrated child sexual abuse, after completion of a psychoeducational group intervention. It sought to identify themes relating to their experiences post-intervention. Findings indicated that the intervention contributed to women having increased insight into sexual offending, and feeling more confident and empowered. In addition, they displayed an awareness of risk issues, and an intention to play a role in helping to manage their partner’s future risk. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed
Adiposity is Associated with Regional Cortical Thinning
BACKGROUND: Although obesity is associated with structural changes in brain grey matter, findings have been inconsistent and the precise nature of these changes is unclear. Inconsistencies may partly be due to the use of different volumetric morphometry methods, and the inclusion of participants with comorbidities that exert independent effects on brain structure. The latter concern is particularly critical when sample sizes are modest. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between cortical grey matter and body mass index (BMI), in healthy participants, excluding confounding comorbidities and using a large sample size. SUBJECTS: A total of 202 self-reported healthy volunteers were studied using surface-based morphometry, which permits the measurement of cortical thickness, surface area and cortical folding, independent of each other. RESULTS: Although increasing BMI was not associated with global cortical changes, a more precise, region-based analysis revealed significant thinning of the cortex in two areas: left lateral occipital cortex (LOC) and right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). An analogous region-based analysis failed to find an association between BMI and regional surface area or folding. Participants' age was also found to be negatively associated with cortical thickness of several brain regions; however, there was no overlap between the age- and BMI-related effects on cortical thinning. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the key effect of increasing BMI on cortical grey matter is a focal thinning in the left LOC and right vmPFC. Consistent implications of the latter region in reward valuation, and goal control of decision and action suggest a possible shift in these processes with increasing BMI.We thank all the participants and the staff of the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre. This work was supported by the Bernard Wolfe Health Neuroscience Fund (NM, HZ, ISF, PCF), the Wellcome Trust (RGAG/144 to N.M, RGAG/188 to ISF, RNAG/259 to PCF) and the Medical Research Council (G0701497 to KDE).This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.42
Network Structure Implied by Initial Axon Outgrowth in Rodent Cortex: Empirical Measurement and Models
The developmental mechanisms by which the network organization of the adult cortex is established are incompletely understood. Here we report on empirical data on the development of connections in hamster isocortex and use these data to parameterize a network model of early cortical connectivity. Using anterograde tracers at a series of postnatal ages, we investigate the growth of connections in the early cortical sheet and systematically map initial axon extension from sites in anterior (motor), middle (somatosensory) and posterior (visual) cortex. As a general rule, developing axons extend from all sites to cover relatively large portions of the cortical field that include multiple cortical areas. From all sites, outgrowth is anisotropic, covering a greater distance along the medial/lateral axis than along the anterior/posterior axis. These observations are summarized as 2-dimensional probability distributions of axon terminal sites over the cortical sheet. Our network model consists of nodes, representing parcels of cortex, embedded in 2-dimensional space. Network nodes are connected via directed edges, representing axons, drawn according to the empirically derived anisotropic probability distribution. The networks generated are described by a number of graph theoretic measurements including graph efficiency, node betweenness centrality and average shortest path length. To determine if connectional anisotropy helps reduce the total volume occupied by axons, we define and measure a simple metric for the extra volume required by axons crossing. We investigate the impact of different levels of anisotropy on network structure and volume. The empirically observed level of anisotropy suggests a good trade-off between volume reduction and maintenance of both network efficiency and robustness. Future work will test the model's predictions for connectivity in larger cortices to gain insight into how the regulation of axonal outgrowth may have evolved to achieve efficient and economical connectivity in larger brains
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