A toxicity study of low-dose rate half-body irradiation and chemotherapy in dogs with lymphoma

Thirteen dogs with previously untreated multicentric lymphoma were enrolled in a prospective study investigating the effects of low-dose rate total body irradiation (TBI) and chemotherapy. Dogs received either 6 or 8 Gy TBI in half-body fractions, 2 weeks apart. Toxicity consisted of mild to moderate haematological and gastrointestinal (GI) signs. One dog died from treatment complications. Anorexia was noted independent of dose. Haematological toxicity was more common and more severe after 8 Gy treatment. GI toxicity was more likely postcaudal half-body irradiation with 8 Gy. Other than leukotrichia, late effects from radiation were not observed. Results indicated that haematological and nonhaematological toxicity was dose dependent. However, the protocol was well tolerated and treatment intensification using a 2-week inter-radiation interval was possible in all dogs treated with 6 Gy. Preliminary survival data for these dogs were very encouraging, providing a strong rationale to analyse the efficacy of low-dose rate irradiation (LDRI) in canine lymphoma

Vocal Classification of Vocalizations of a Pair of Asian Small-Clawed Otters to Determine Stress

Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinerea) are a small, protected but threatened species living in freshwater. They are gregarious and live in monogamous pairs for their lifetimes, communicating via scent and acoustic vocalizations. This study utilized a hidden Markov model (HMM) to classify stress versus non-stress calls from a sibling pair under professional care. Vocalizations were expertly annotated by keepers into seven contextual categories. Four of these—aggression, separation anxiety, pain, and prefeeding—were identified as stressful contexts, and three of them—feeding, training, and play—were identified as non-stressful contexts. The vocalizations were segmented, manually categorized into broad vocal type call types, and analyzed to determine signal to noise ratios. From this information, vocalizations from the most common contextual categories were used to implement HMM-based automatic classification experiments, which included individual identification, stress vs non-stress, and individual context classification. Results indicate that both individual identity and stress vs non-stress were distinguishable, with accuracies above 90%, but that individual contexts within the stress category were not easily separable

Comparison of a human portable blood glucose monitor, a veterinary portable blood glucose monitor and an automated chemistry analyzer for measuring canine blood glucose concentration

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood glucose concentrations measured with 2 portable blood glucose meters (PBGMs) validated for use in dogs (PBGM-D) and humans (PBGM-H) and an automated chemistry analyzer. DESIGN: Validation study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 92 samples of fresh whole blood and plasma from 83 dogs with various diseases. PROCEDURES: Each PBGM was used to measure whole blood glucose concentration, and the automated analyzer was used to measure plasma glucose concentration. Passing-Bablok linear regression and Bland-Altman plots were used to determine correlations and bias between the PBGMs and the automated analyzer. Calculated acceptability limits based on combined inherent instrument imprecision were used with Bland-Altman plots to determine agreement. Clinical relevance was assessed via error grid analysis. RESULTS: Although correlation between results of both PBGMs and the standard analyzer was \u3e 0.90, disagreement was greater than could be explained by instrument imprecision alone. Mean difference between PBGM-H and chemistry-analyzer values was -15.8 mg/dL. Mean difference between PBGM-D and chemistry-analyzer values was 2.4 mg/dL. Linear regression analysis revealed proportional bias of PBGM-H (greater disagreement at higher glucose concentrations); no proportional bias was detected for PBGM-D. No constant bias was detected for either PBGM. Error grid analysis revealed all measurements from both PBGMs were within zones without an anticipated effect on clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Neither PBGM had exact agreement with the automated analyzer; however, the disagreement detected did not have serious clinical consequences. Our findings stressed the importance of using the same device for monitoring trends in dogs and using instrument-specific reference ranges

Screening Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients for Ocular Pathology using Telemedicine Technology in Rural West Virginia: A Retrospective Chart Review

Abstract: Purpose: There is a disparity between the number of people who need healthcare and availability of medical services in rural areas. This paper describes the experience of using telemedicine technologies for ophthalmologic evaluation in diabetic and hypertensive patients presenting to a community health center in rural West Virginia. Methods: A registered nurse at a community health center in McDowell County, WV was trained to use a retinal camera to capture high-resolution digital images of the retina. Patients with diabetes or hypertension were screened during their routine primary care visits. Retinal photos were transmitted to an ophthalmologist for review and reports from the screenings were returned with instruction for follow-up care or specialist referral when indicated. Findings: A retrospective chart review of 643 patients with diabetes or hypertension who were screened for ocular problems from October 2003 to December 2009 was completed. 44.8% of patients who were screened in the primary care center were identified as having 1 of 34 types of eye pathology that were previously unknown,of which 33% of patients were recommended to seek prompt attention by a retina consultant or glaucoma specialist for suspected ocular pathology. Conclusions: Our review demonstrates the actual benefits of telemedicine in the effective screening of diabetic and hypertensive patients for eye pathology,and our experience suggests that using distance medicine and telemedicine technologies is valuable for screening rural populations

Protein C Activity in Dogs: Adaptation of a Commercial Human Colorimetric Assay and Evaluation of Effects of Storage Time and Temperature

Objectives of this study were to adapt a commercial human protein C (PC) colorimetric assay for use in dogs and to investigate effects of various storage conditions. The human assay was modified by using pooled canine plasma for calibration and by increasing the activation time. PC activity was measured in fresh canine plasma and in plasma stored under various conditions. PC activity of some stored samples was significantly different from that of fresh plasma; however, differences were small. No difference was detected in samples stored under similar conditions but analyzed in different laboratories using similar methodology. Results of this study indicate that the human colorimetric assay is suitable for canine samples if pooled canine plasma is used for calibration, that Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute sample storage guidelines developed for testing in humans are appropriate for dogs, and that comparisons of results from laboratories using similar methodology are legitimate

Endocrine responses and acute mTOR pathway phosphorylation to resistance exercise with leucine and whey

Leucine ingestion reportedly activates the mTOR pathway in skeletal muscle, contributing to a hypertrophy response. The purpose of the study was to compare the post-resistance exercise effects of leucine and whey protein supplementation on endocrine responses and muscle mTOR pathway phosphorylation. On visit 1, subjects (X±SD; n=20; age=27.8±2.8yrs) provided baseline blood samples for analysis of cortisol, glucose and insulin; a muscle biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle to assess mTOR signaling pathway phosphorylation; and were tested for maximum strength on the leg press and leg extension exercises. For visits 2 and 3, subjects were randomized in a double-blind crossover design to ingest either leucine and whey protein (10g+10g; supplement) or a non-caloric placebo. During these visits, 5 sets of 10 repetitions were performed on both exercises, immediately followed by ingestion of the supplement or placebo. Blood was sampled 30 min post-, and a muscle biopsy 45 min post-exercise. Western blots quantified total and phosphorylated proteins. Insulin increased (α<.05) with supplementation with no change in glucose compared to placebo. Relative phosphorylation of AKT and rpS6 were greater with leucine and whey supplementation compared to placebo. Supplementation of leucine and whey protein immediately after heavy resistance exercise increases anabolic signaling in human skeletal muscle

Influenza-like Illness, the Time to Seek Healthcare, and Influenza Antiviral Receipt During the 2010–2011 Influenza Season— United States

Background. Few data exist describing healthcare-seeking behaviors among persons with influenza-like illness (ILI) or adherence to influenza antiviral treatment recommendations. Methods. We analyzed adult responses to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 31 states and the District of Columbia (DC) and pediatric responses in 25 states and DC for January–April 2011 by demographics and underlying health conditions. Results. Among 75 088 adult and 15 649 child respondents, 8.9% and 33.9%, respectively, reported ILI. ILI was more frequent among adults with asthma (16%), chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD; 26%), diabetes (12%), heart disease (19%), kidney disease (16%), or obesity (11%). Forty-five percent of adults and 57% of children sought healthcare for ILI. Thirty-five percent of adults sought care ≤2 days after ILI onset. Seeking care ≤2 days was more frequent among adults with COPD (48%) or heart disease (55%). Among adults with a self-reported physician diagnosis of influenza, 34% received treatment with antiviral medications. The only underlying health condition with a higher rate of treatment was diabetes (46%). Conclusions. Adults with underlying health conditions were more likely to report ILI, but the majority did not seek care promptly, missing opportunities for early influenza antiviral treatment

Comparación de citología mediante aspirado de aguja fina e histología en el diagnóstico de lipidosis hepática en bovinos de matadero

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar resultados de citología e histología en la detección de acúmulo de lípido hepatocelular en bovinos. La lipidosis hepática en ganado lechero es una enfermedad de gran importancia clínica y económica. La citología de aspirado de aguja fina (AAF) ha sido descrita como una técnica capaz de identificar lipidosis hepática en bovinos, sin embargo se carece de estudios que evalúen la exactitud del método. Este estudio corresponde a un primer paso para probar nuestra hipótesis de que la citología de AAF es un método de una exactitud razonable, económico y practicable para diagnosticar lipidosis hepática en bovinos. Se obtuvo 73 muestras a partir de hígados de matadero inmediatamente post mortem. Utilizando una escala de 1 a 4 se determinó la severidad de la lesión tanto para el porcentaje de células afectadas como para el promedio de citoplasma afectado. Se utilizaron muestras pareadas que representaron un espectro de las lesiones. La correlación entre el grado de afección de hepatocitos y citoplasma entre citología e histología fue altamente significativa. El puntaje dado para porcentaje de hepatocitos afectados fue diferente en ≤1 punto entre citología e histología en el 73% de los casos. Para el caso de porcentaje de citoplasma afectado esta diferencia de ≤1 punto entre ambas técnicas se presentó en el 95% de los casos. La prueba de concordancia de Kappa entre citología e histología fue adecuada. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la citología de aspirado de aguja fina puede ser un método aceptable para diagnosticar hígado graso en ganado bovino. Se requieren más estudios en animales vivos con sospecha clínica de lipidosis hepática

Changing the Custody of Children Whose Parents Have Been Divorced: A General View of the Process

The purpose of this project was to obtain a preliminary description, through study of the legal files, of that group of persons who appear before the Court of Domestic Relations for a reconsideration of the custody decision made initially, at the time of divorce. A sample of 92 cases heard in Multnomah County in 1965 was obtained. A survey of the literature revealed that much of what has been written on the subject of divorce and custody is primarily from a statistical or legalistic standpoint and very little bears directly on the granting or obtaining of custody or the problems encountered by the custodial or non-custodial parents and the children. A reading schedule was developed for the purpose of recording the information in the legal files maintained by the court. The characteristics of the sample group were tallied in an effort to obtain a statistical profile of that group requiring additional court appearances to settle the matter of custody. A number of hypotheses were developed and tested by means of Chi Square. Though this study was limited by the fact that no control group was used and no personal interviews were obtained, it clearly indicates the need for additional research in the area of divorce and custody and suggestions are made for future projects