Tools and techniques for classifying behaviours in canine epilepsy

Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in dogs. Similar to humans, dogs with epilepsy often experience behavioural comorbidities such as increased fear, anxiety, and aggression, as reported by their caregivers. Investigations of behaviour in canine epilepsy have yet to untangle interictal and pre and postictal behaviours, prodromal changes, and seizure-precipitating factors. Under-recognition of absence and focal seizures further complicates these assessments. These complex behavioural presentations in combination with caring for an epileptic animal have a significant negative impact on the dog’s and caregiver’s quality of life. Despite the growing recognition of behavioural comorbidities and their impact on quality of life in dogs with epilepsy, few objective research methods for classifying and quantifying canine behaviour exist. This narrative review examines the strengths, limitations, and granularity of three tools used in the investigation of canine behaviour and epilepsy; questionnaires, electroencephalography, and actigraphy. It suggests that a prospective combination of these three tools has the potential to offer improvements to the objective classification and quantification of canine behaviour in epilepsy

Survey of electroencephalography usage and techniques for dogs

BackgroundCanine epilepsy is a chronic common neurologic condition where seizures may be underreported. Electroencephalography (EEG) is the patient-side test providing an objective diagnostic criterion for seizures and epilepsy. Despite this, EEG is thought to be rarely used in veterinary neurology.ObjectivesThis survey study aims to better understand the current canine EEG usage and techniques and barriers in veterinary neurology.MethodsThe online Qualtrics link was distributed via listserv to members of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Neurology Specialty and the European College of Veterinary Neurology (ECVN), reaching at least 517 veterinary neurology specialists and trainees worldwide.ResultsThe survey received a 35% response rate, for a total of 180 participant responses. Fewer than 50% of veterinary neurologists are currently performing EEG and it is performed infrequently. The most common indication was to determine a discrete event diagnosis. Other reasons included monitoring treatment, determining brain death, identifying the type of seizure or epilepsy, localizing foci, sleep disorders, for research purposes, and post-op brain surgery monitorization. Most respondents interpreted their own EEGs. Clinical barriers to the performance of EEG in dogs were mainly equipment availability, insufficient cases, and financial costs to clients.ConclusionThis survey provides an update on EEG usage and techniques for dogs, identifying commonalities of technique and areas for development as a potential basis for harmonization of canine EEG techniques. A validated and standardized canine EEG protocol is hoped to improve the diagnosis and treatment of canine epilepsy

Seizure frequency discrepancy between subjective and objective ictal electroencephalography data in dogs

Background Many studies of epilepsy in veterinary medicine use subjective data (eg, caregiver-derived histories) to determine seizure frequency. Conversely, in people, objective data from electroencephalography (EEG) are mainly used to diagnose epilepsy, measure seizure frequency and evaluate efficacy of antiseizure drugs. These EEG data minimize the possibility of the underreporting of seizures, a known phenomenon in human epileptology. Objective To evaluate the correlation between reported seizure frequency and EEG frequency of ictal paroxysmal discharges (PDs) and to determine whether seizure underreporting phenomenon exists in veterinary epileptology. Animals Thirty-three ambulatory video-EEG recordings in dogs showing >= 1 ictal PD, excluding dogs with status epilepticus. Methods Retrospective observational study. Ictal PDs were counted manually over the entire recording to obtain the frequency of EEG seizures. Caregiver-reported seizure frequency from the medical record was categorized into weekly, daily, hourly, and per minute seizure groupings. The Spearman rank test was used for correlation analysis. Results The coefficient value (r(s)) comparing reported seizure to EEG-confirmed ictal PD frequencies was 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.048-0.64, P = .03). Other r(s) values comparing history against various seizure types were: 0.36 for motor seizures and 0.37 for nonmotor (absence) seizures. Conclusions and Clinical Importance A weak correlation was found between the frequency of reported seizures from caregivers (subjective data) and ictal PDs on EEG (objective data). Subjective data may not be reliable enough to determine true seizure frequency given the discrepancy with EEG-confirmed seizure frequency. Confirmation of the seizure underreporting phenomenon in dogs by prospective study should be carried out.Peer reviewe

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 26 dogs with canine osseous-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy.

The potential link between degenerative changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in osseous-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (OA-CSM) and clinical signs has not been explored. Our goal was to retrospectively evaluate MRI findings, while investigating potential correlations between these changes, signalment, and clinical signs. Twenty-six dogs diagnosed with OA-CSM were included in the study. Clinical signs were converted into a Modified Frankel Score (MFS) and MRI findings were assessed and graded. Giant breeds had multiple compressed sites and presented at a younger age than large breeds, suggesting a different underlying pathophysiology. Spinal cord compression, most commonly bilateral, was present in 36.8% of intervertebral spaces. Synovial fluid loss and articular process sclerosis were the most common degenerative changes. Most dogs showed identical MFS scores, and no significant correlations were found between MFS and MRI changes. More detailed functional scales should be used to investigate this in the future

Spontaneous thoracolumbar hematomyelia secondary to hemophilia B in a cat

Case summary A 10-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat presented for evaluation of acute onset of paraplegia with loss of nociception and thoracolumbar spine hyperesthesia and no history of trauma. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was markedly prolonged, and specific coagulation factor testing revealed a factor IX level of 4% of normal activity, confirming the presence of mild hemophilia B. Prior abnormal bleeding had occurred at the time of castration as a kitten, as well as with laceration to a toe. Advanced imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracolumbar spine, confirmed the presence of multifocal intradural and intramedullary spinal cord hemorrhage through demonstration of focal ring enhancement on CT and multifocal areas of signal void on gradient echo T2* images on MRI. Despite factor IX supplementation through the use of fresh frozen plasma transfusions and normalization of the aPTT time, the cat’s neurological status did not improve. Owing to repeated urinary tract infections, with increasing resistance to antibiotic therapy, the cat was ultimately euthanized. Post-mortem examination showed no evidence of another underlying primary pathology for the hematomyelia. Relevance and novel information To our knowledge, this case demonstrates the first reported occurrence of spontaneous hematomyelia secondary to hemophilia B in a cat

Los juegos en la Educación Primaria : Primer Ciclo (seis a ocho años)

No publicadoSe presenta un proyecto educativo realizado por un grupo de profesores especialistas en Educación Física de León. Son una serie de juegos enfocados a alumnos de Educación Primaria, con edades comprendidas entre los seis y los ocho años. Las actividades colectivas cobran una especial importancia e interés en este estadio. Los niños se agrupan para jugar de forma espontánea, considerándose unos a otros como elementos del grupo con los mismos derechos y obligaciones. Surge una relación de equidad entre ellos, marginando a los adultos e independizándose de éstos. El niño intenta de mostrar su valía en su propio mundo infantil. De estos deseos de valorización nacen los juegos de proeza. Estos son juegos tradicionales en los que los niños se asocian en busca de un triunfo frente a otro grupo. Estas actividades afirman el yo del niño, favorecen la aparición del razonamiento y le proporcionan una mayor objetividad en sus valoraciones. En este estadio, el juego va a pasar de su desarrollo exclusivo en el ambiente familiar, a su adaptación en el ámbito escolar, más abierto, más inestable y más amplio.Esta es la transición fundamental que impulsa la socialización y el perfeccionamiento educativo del niño. Los materiales a utilizar son cartulinas, pelotas, sacos, globos, cuerdas, piedras, etc. La evaluación constaría de una fase inicial, abarcando todos los aspectos del desarrollo madurativo del niño (tests de motricidad, de esquema corporal, de lateralidad, rapidez y conducta respiratoria); y de una fase final o evaluativa, donde se analizarían los resultados en función de los objetivos propuestos..CEP de LeónCastilla y LeónES

The effect of nanoparticles on the self-healing capacity of high performance concrete

The development of self-healing high performance concretes (HPC) is mainly based on the necessity to guarantee durable concrete structures under extreme environmental and/or operating conditions. The implementation of self-healing HPC can be an efficient solution to these special situations avoiding or reducing future rehabilitations. These special concretes can significantly reduce the maintenance costs although the initial cost of the concrete infrastructure is expected to increase. Due to their special composition, HPC have certain self-healing capacity but it must be improved by using engineered additions in order to heal wider cracks or to have a faster response. However, although the use of nanoparticles is significantly increasing in the construction industry, only few works can be found in the literature focused on the exploitation of nanoparticles for improving the self-healing performance of HPC. In the present chapter, the main publications related to this issue are described, as well as the modifications that the inclusion of these self-healing systems based on nanoparticles causes in the microstructural, physico-mechanical, and durable performance of the corresponding HPC. Additionally, an overall idea concerning the modifications promoted in certain properties by self-healing systems not based on nanoparticles in HPC is also given

Data_Sheet_2_Feasibility of in-home electroencephalographic and actigraphy recordings in dogs.PDF

IntroductionIdiopathic epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disease in dogs. Dogs with epilepsy often present with behavioral comorbidities such as aggression, anxiety, and fear. These behaviors are consistent with pre, post, or interictal behaviors, prodromal changes, seizure-precipitating factors, or absence and focal seizures. The overlap in behavior presentations and lack of objective research methods for quantifying and classifying canine behavior makes determining the cause difficult. Behavioral comorbidities in addition to the task of caring for an epileptic animal have a significant negative impact on dog and caregiver quality of life.MethodsThis pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a novel technology combination for behavior classification and epileptic seizure detection for a minimum 24-h recording in the dog's home environment. It was expected that combining electroencephalography (EEG), actigraphy, and questionnaires would be feasible in the majority of trials. A convenience sample of 10 community-owned dogs was instrumented with wireless video-EEG and actigraphy for up to 48 h of recording at their caregiver's home. Three questionnaires (maximum 137 questions) were completed over the recording period by caregivers to describe their dog's everyday behavior and habits.ResultsSix of the 10 included dogs had combined EEG and actigraphy recordings for a minimum of 24 h.DiscussionThis shows that in-home EEG and actigraphy recordings are possible in community-owned dogs and provides a basis for a prospective study examining the same technology combination in a larger sample size.</p