1,106 research outputs found
Apgar score or birthweight in Chihuahua dogs born by elective Caesarean section : which is the best predictor of the survival at 24 h after birth?
In the dog, the correct management of parturition and the prompt neonatal evaluation and assistance
can reduce the perinatal mortality rates that are particularly high in toy breeds. Newborn evaluation and factors
addressing prognosis are pivotal to guarantee the correct neonatal assistance. Assessment of the Apgar score with
viability classification and birthweight are recognized as predictors for neonatal survival in dogs, but breed-specific
data are needed for a more feasible application in the dog species, in which wide differences among breeds are
known. The present study aimed therefore to: (a) assess the role of Apgar score and birthweight as predictors for the survival of Chihuahua newborn puppies in the first 24 h of life; (b) to assess a cut-off of the Apgar score and birthweight values that can predict the survival of Chihuahua newborn puppies in the first 24 h after birth; (c) to assess the possible effect played by maternal parity, newborn gender and litter-size on Apgar score in Chihuahua newborn puppies, in order to provide breed-specific data for a better neonatal assistance..Data obtained from 176 normal developed Chihuahua puppies born by elective Caesarean section, showed that 62%, 28% and 10% of puppies were classified in the Apgar score classes 7\u201310, 4\u20136 and 0\u20133, respectively, with survival at 24 h after birth of 97%, 96%, 39%, in the three Apgar classes of viability, respectively. Apgar score was a better predictor for survival at 24 h after birth than birthweight (AUC 0.93, P < 0.0001; AUC 0.69, P < 0.01, respectively). Litter-size of 7 puppies/litter plays a negative effect on Apgar score. Apgar score is a better predictor of survival at 24 h than birthweight, and the best cut-off of Apgar score for survival at 24 h after birth is 4, with 96% sensitivity and 77%
specificity. The different proportion of \u201cnormal viable\u201d and \u201cless viable\u201d neonates in comparison to other studies
highlights that Chihuahua puppies born by elective Caesarean section should be carefully evaluated at birth to provide correct assistance
The concurrent COPD mortality doubles the mortality estimate from COPD as underlying cause in Lazio, Italy
n/
Barium alginate capsules for 3D immobilisation of living cells: morphology, membrane properties and permeability
Encapsulation in a barium alginate membrane is a promising strategy to obtain a three dimensional culture of living cells: membrane properties are crucial for a realistic clinical application. A one-step encapsulation technique, recently developed for controlled release of boar semen, was employed to prepare barium alginate and protamine-alginate membranes: permeability to two model molecules (haemoglobin and glucose) was evaluated. Capsules were evaluated for technological properties and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the external morphology of the capsules and the 3D distribution of the cells within the core. The results indicate that 3D arrangement and cell shape are maintained, capsule dimensions and mechanical properties can be modulated, as well as their permeability to model molecules such as haemoglobin and glucose
How stressful is maternity? Study about cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate coat and claws concentrations in female dogs from mating to 60 days post-partum
In dogs, the phase from mating to the end of weaning lasts about 120 days and encompasses many aspects that, interacting, contribute to increase the allostatic load. The coat and claws, useful for long-term change assessments, have the advantage of being collectable without invasiveness. In the present study, the Cortisol (C) and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) concentration monthly changes in the coat and claws were studied in female dogs from mating to the end of weaning to assess Hypothalamic\u2013Pituitary\u2013Adrenal (HPA) axis activation during pregnancy and the post-partum period. The results from 15 Dobermann Pinscher female dogs showed a trend of increase of the coat C from mating to 60 days post-partum, with significant changes between mating and parturition-60 days post-partum (p < 0.01) and between the 30-day pregnancy diagnosis (PD) and 30\u201360 days post-partum (p < 0.05). The claws C trend showed significant increases between mating and 30\u201360 days post-partum (p < 0.05) and between the PD and 60 days post-partum (p < 0.01). DHEA-S in both matrices showed non-significant changes. The results suggest that maternity could play a pivotal role in the HPA axis activation, with a subsequent chronic secretion of C determining an increase in the allostatic load in the mothers. Neither maternal parity nor litter size played a significant role in the accumulation of C and DHEA-S in both matrices
Association between a single measurement of progesterone and cortisol blood concentrations at two to one week before parturition, and number of fetuses in the Teramana goat
The Teramana goat is an at-risk breed, needing population protection and programs to increase their
numbers. The first step for a population increase is the best management of reproduction, leading to an as
high as possible number of healthy and viable kids born. To this purpose, beside the optimization of mating,
the best possible management of pregnancy and parturition is mandatory. The goat is a prolific farm animal
in which single, double, or triple ovulations can occur, leading to singleton, twin or triple pregnancies, and
the birth of multiple kids. Twins and triplets are associated to increased risk for perinatal mortality and need
a special surveillance and possible assistance at birth. Knowledge of the number of fetuses that have to be
delivered from each goat could be a practical tool for a better management of parturition. Among the methods
to define the number of fetuses in the goat, the measurement of blood progesterone (P4) concentrations have
provided inconsistent results. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the possible association between
the maternal concentrations of plasma P4 and cortisol (C), two hormones possibly associated to the number of
fetuses, measured only once at about two to one week before parturition in Teramana goats, and the number
of fetuses. The results, obtained from 23 does, showed that both plasma P4 and C are higher in does bearing
multiple fetuses than does with singleton pregnancies. However, the single measurement of plasma C, but not
P4, two to one week before the expected parturition in the Teramana goat is useful to distinguish between
does bearing singleton and triplet pregnancies for a better surveillance and assistance at delivery. Therefore,
it could represent a tool for the best management of reproduction in a breed population at risk for extinctio
Hair and Claw Dehydroepiandrosterone Concentrations in Newborn Puppies Spontaneously Dead within 30 Days of Age
The latest intrauterine fetal developmental stage and the neonatal period represent the most challenging phases for mammalian offspring. Toward the term of pregnancy, during parturition, and after birth, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) is a key system regulating several physiologic processes, through the production of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This study was aimed to assess DHEA concentrations in hair and claws of 126 spontaneously dead newborn puppies, classified as premature puppies (PRE-P), stillborn puppies (STILL-P) and puppies that died from the 1st to the 30th day of life (NEON-P). The possible influence of newborn sex, breed body size, and timing of death on DHEA concentrations in both matrices was evaluated. Claw DHEA concentrations were higher in the PRE-P group when compared to STILL-P and NEON-P puppies (p < 0.05), whilst no significant differences were found in hair for all the studied factors. The results confirm the hypothesis that higher amounts of DHEA are produced during the intrauterine life in dogs, also in puppies that will die soon after birth
Recommended from our members
Stream channel response to peak flows in a fifth-order mountain watershed
This investigation explored how the magnitude, style, and frequency of
channel adjustments vary spatially and over time within a 5th-order mountain
watershed. Historical data sets, including repeated cross section surveys spanning up
to 20 years at five sites on 2nd to 5th-order channels and streamflow records spanning
up to 50 years, were supplemented by mapping and field reconnaissance activities.
The study had two major parts. The first focused on two adjacent, contrasting
stream reaches to examine the influence of large woody debris (LWD) on channel
morphology and channel response to peak flows in a 3rd-order stream. The upper
reach flows through old-growth forest with abundant LWD, while the lower reach
was clearcut in 1964-65 and contains little LWD. A 25-year flood in 1996 caused
deposition upstream of LWD steps in the old-growth reach alternating with scour
between steps, resulting in no net gain or loss of sediment within the reach, while
extensive scour and coarsening of the bed occurred in the clearcut reach. These
observations suggest that reach-scale channel response was strongly influenced by
LWD abundance, but that response at finer scales depends critically on the details of
the location and arrangement of LWD.
The second part of the study examined the dynamics of channel response to
peak flows over two decades, and to two particular large floods during that period, in
different portions of the channel network. The cross section data show that the
streambed at the study sites is very stable, particularly in lower-order channels. Peak
flows that produced detectable change at 90% of cross sections-flows able to cause
significant channel adjustments-recur approximately three times as frequently
(every 6-7 years) in 4`" to 5`h-order Lookout Creek as in 3rd-order Mack Creek (20-25
years). Flows that produced detectable change at 25% of cross sections are estimated
to occur on average every 1.7 to 3.0 years at the study sites. It is estimated that if
peak flows of all sizes were increased by only 10% due to anthropogenic impacts
(e.g., logging) or climate change, the frequency of peak flows of a magnitude
observed to produce significant channel adjustments would increase by
approximately 30% in Lookout Creek and 60% in Mack Creek
Source extraction and photometry for the far-infrared and sub-millimeter continuum in the presence of complex backgrounds
(Abridged) We present a new method for detecting and measuring compact
sources in conditions of intense, and highly variable, fore/background. While
all most commonly used packages carry out the source detection over the signal
image, our proposed method builds from the measured image a "curvature" image
by double-differentiation in four different directions. In this way point-like
as well as resolved, yet relatively compact, objects are easily revealed while
the slower varying fore/background is greatly diminished. Candidate sources are
then identified by looking for pixels where the curvature exceeds, in absolute
terms, a given threshold; the methodology easily allows us to pinpoint
breakpoints in the source brightness profile and then derive reliable guesses
for the sources extent. Identified peaks are fit with 2D elliptical Gaussians
plus an underlying planar inclined plateau, with mild constraints on size and
orientation. Mutually contaminating sources are fit with multiple Gaussians
simultaneously using flexible constraints. We ran our method on simulated
large-scale fields with 1000 sources of different peak flux overlaid on a
realistic realization of diffuse background. We find detection rates in excess
of 90% for sources with peak fluxes above the 3-sigma signal noise limit; for
about 80% of the sources the recovered peak fluxes are within 30% of their
input values.Comment: Accepted on A&
Role of Quantum Confinement in Luminescence Efficiency of Group IV Nanostructures
Experimental results obtained previously for the photoluminescence efficiency
(PL) of Ge quantum dots (QDs) are theoretically studied. A
- plot of PL versus QD diameter () resulted in an
identical slope for each Ge QD sample only when . We
identified that above 6.2 nm: due to a changing
effective mass (EM), while below 4.6 nm: due to
electron/ hole confinement. We propose that as the QD size is initially
reduced, the EM is reduced, which increases the Bohr radius and interface
scattering until eventually pure quantum confinement effects dominate at small
Fabrication of Ankle-Foot Orthoses using Selective Laser Sintering Technology
Passive dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are often prescribed to improve gait performance for those with various neuromuscular disorders. Designs and materials used for AFOs range from simple polypropylene braces to advanced custom carbon fiber dynamic AFOs that passively store and release mechanical energy during gait. AFO designs vary in the shape and length of the foot component as well as the stiffness and length of the tibial component, depending on the desired functional outcomes. However, the current fabrication technology is not ideally suited for refined customization of AFO characteristics to optimize performance, or for rapid lowcost, high volume manufacturing and global distribution.
A promising engineering solution for producing customized dynamic AFOs is the application of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which is a versatile manufacturing technology that provides advantages over traditional methods and has already been successfully used to fabricate prosthetic sockets for lower limb amputees (e.g., Faustini et al., 2006). Thus, the primary objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of using an SLSbased design, analysis and manufacturing framework to produce subject-specific passive dynamic AFOs in a cost-effective manner
- …