Mandatory Custody Mediation: The Debate Over its Usefulness Continues

Published in cooperation with the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolutio

How useful is abdominal ultrasonography in dogs with diarrhoea?

Retrospective cross‐sectional study based on a referral population of dogs with diarrhoea. Associations between the clinical signs, use of abdominal ultrasonography, results of abdominal ultrasonography and subsequent work‐up were examined. The utility of abdominal ultrasonography was scored as high, moderate, none or counterproductive based on review of medical records

Establishing canine clinical chemistry reference values for the Hitachi ® 912 using the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) recommendations

The aim of this study was to establish population-based canine clinical chemistry reference values for the Hitachi 912 (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Germany) with regard to age, sex, breed, housing and intended use. Reference biochemistry values for 22 variables are presented from 308 clinical healthy dogs, 145 females and 163 males, approximately 1 month to 13 years of age and of various breeds. For each variable the data were examined for homogeneity and, when suspected, outliers were excluded using the range test. Non-parametric analysis was used to calculate the conventional central 95% interval. Then the two-sided non-parametric 0.9 confidence interval of each percentile was determined. Finally, the effects of subgrouping were examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test and p <0.05 was considered significant. Significant age influences were found for 20 of the 22 variables, 14 showing clinical relevance. Significant breed effects could be found for 10 of the 22 parameters, including clinically relevant lower total protein concentrations for retrievers, lower lipase activity for sled dogs, lower total bilirubin concentrations for terriers and higher total bilirubin for Molossians. Differences between male and female were present for six of the 22 variables but had no clinical relevance. Housing and intended use influenced some of the values, but these differences were of no clinical significance. We successfully established canine clinical chemistry reference values for the Hitachi 912. The IFCC Recommendations on Reference Values offered a good framework for establishing standardised reference values, and make it possible for several laboratories to share the same values. Our results clearly indicate that subgrouping according to age and breed is necessary to obtain accurate reference value

Canine Genetics and Epidemiology is now Canine Medicine and Genetics

From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: registration 2020-07-17, online 2020-07-27, pub-electronic 2020-07-27, collection 2020-12Publication status: Publishe

Time-Dependent Internalization of Polymer-Coated Silica Nanoparticles in Brain Endothelial Cells and Morphological and Functional Effects on the Blood-Brain Barrier

Nanoparticle (NP)-assisted procedures including laser tissue soldering (LTS) offer advantages compared to conventional microsuturing, especially in the brain. In this study, effects of polymer-coated silica NPs used in LTS were investigated in human brain endothelial cells (ECs) and blood-brain barrier models. In the co-culture setting with ECs and pericytes, only the cell type directly exposed to NPs displayed a time-dependent internalization. No transfer of NPs between the two cell types was observed. Cell viability was decreased relatively to NP exposure duration and concentration. Protein expression of the nuclear factor k-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and various endothelial adhesion molecules indicated no initiation of inflammation or activation of ECs after NP exposure. Differentiation of CD34+ ECs into brain-like ECs co-cultured with pericytes, blood-brain barrier (BBB) characteristics were obtained. The established endothelial layer reduced the passage of integrity tracer molecules. NP exposure did not result in alterations of junctional proteins, BBB formation or its integrity. In a 3-dimensional setup with an endothelial tube formation and tight junctions, barrier formation was not disrupted by the NPs and NPs do not seem to cross the blood-brain barrier. Our findings suggest that these polymer-coated silica NPs do not damage the BBB

CT characterisation and classification of feline temporomandibular joint trauma : a case series of 79 cats

Research Areas: Veterinary SciencesObjectives The aim of this study was to characterise and describe patterns of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries occurring in cats using CT. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in adherence with the STROBE guidelines. Among the medical and CT records of 79 cats, 158 TMJs were reviewed in a collaborative study between six institutions. Results TMJ injuries were most commonly unilateral, representing 70.9% of cases. The mandibular condyle was fractured in 88 cases (55.7%) of the 158 TMJs observed. Of those, 84.0% were intra-articular condyle fractures, with the medial half of the mandibular condyle over-represented. Luxations occurred in 32.9% of cases, which was 19.0% of all evaluated TMJs. Rostrodorsal luxations were most common representing 87.0% of all luxations. Temporal bone fractures were observed in 30.4% of all cases, which was 18.4% of TMJs. The majority of fractures were of an unknown cause. When the cause was determined, road traffic accident (RTA) was the most frequent, followed by animal interaction, other external forces (sharp or blunt force) and high-rise trauma. Bilateral injuries were 13.1 times more likely to occur in high-rise trauma (P=0.01) and temporal bone fracture was significantly associated with RTAs (P=0.016). No other significant associations were observed between cause of injury and the resulting TMJ injury pattern. Conclusions and relevance Various TMJ injury patterns can occur in cats as a result of trauma. Intra-articular fractures of the medial half of the mandibular condyle occur most commonly. Although unilateral injuries are more frequent, high-rise trauma tends to present with bilateral lesions. Further studies with a larger sample size should be performed to better understand TMJ patterns of injury and how they relate to possible causes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A comprehensive pathological survey of duodenal biopsies from dogs with diet-responsive chronic enteropathy

Background: The detailed pathological phenotype of diet-responsive chronic enteropathy (CE) and its modulation with dietary therapy remain poorly characterized. Hypothesis/Objectives: Key mucosal lesions of diet-responsive CE resolve with dietary therapy. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of 20 dogs with diet-responsive CE. Endoscopic duodenal biopsies collected before and 6 weeks after the start of a dietary trial were assessed by means of qualitative and quantitative histopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural criteria. Control duodenal biopsies were obtained from 10 healthy Beagle dogs on 1 occasion. Results: Compared with control dogs, the CE dogs had higher villus stunting scores and higher overall WSAVA scores, a lower villus height-to-width ratio, and higher lamina propria density of eosinophils. The CE dogs also had ultrastructural lesions of the mitochondria and brush border. In common with other studies in which the disease and control populations are not matched for breed, age, sex, and environment, these comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Comparing biopsies collected at presentation and 6 weeks after starting the dietary trial, mean lamina propria mononuclear cell score and lamina propria densities of eosinophils and mononuclear cells decreased. Dietary therapy also improved ultrastructural lesions of the mitochondria and brush border, eliciting a decrease in intermicrovillar space and an increase in microvillus height. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In dogs with diet-responsive CE, the remission of clinical signs with dietary therapy is associated with subtle decreases in lamina propria density of eosinophils and mononuclear cells, and resolution of ultrastructural lesions of the enterocyte. © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Commentary on key aspects of fecal microbiota transplantation in small animal practice

The gastrointestinal tract of dogs, cats, and other mammals including humans harbors millions of beneficial microorganisms that regulate and maintain health. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a procedure involving the administration of a fecal infusion from a healthy individual (donor) to a patient with disease to help improve health. Despite the effectiveness of FMT to treat intestinal disorders in humans, in particular recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, there is a paucity of scientific data regarding the application of FMT in veterinary patients. Here, we outline key aspects of FMT in small animal practice

Erratum: Author Correction: System immunology-based identification of blood transcriptional modules correlating to antibody responses in sheep.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0078-0.]