Clinical reasoning in feline epilepsy: Which combination of clinical information is useful?

We sought to identify the association between clinical risk factors and the diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy (IE) or structural epilepsy (SE) in cats, using statistical models to identify combinations of discrete parameters from the patient signalment, history and neurological examination findings that could suggest the most likely diagnosis. Data for 138 cats with recurrent seizures were reviewed, of which 110 were valid for inclusion. Seizure aetiology was classified as IE in 57% and SE in 43% of cats. Binomial logistic regression analyses demonstrated that pedigree status, older age at seizure onset (particularly >7 years old), abnormal neurological examinations, and ictal vocalisation were associated with a diagnosis of SE compared to IE, and that ictal salivation was more likely to be associated with a diagnosis of IE than SE. These findings support the importance of considering inter-ictal neurological deficits and seizure history in clinical reasoning

On twisted Fourier analysis and convergence of Fourier series on discrete groups

We study norm convergence and summability of Fourier series in the setting of reduced twisted group $C^*$-algebras of discrete groups. For amenable groups, F{\o}lner nets give the key to Fej\'er summation. We show that Abel-Poisson summation holds for a large class of groups, including e.g. all Coxeter groups and all Gromov hyperbolic groups. As a tool in our presentation, we introduce notions of polynomial and subexponential H-growth for countable groups w.r.t. proper scale functions, usually chosen as length functions. These coincide with the classical notions of growth in the case of amenable groups.Comment: 35 pages; abridged, revised and update

Análise bioquímica do carbono foliar em plantas de eucalipto submetidas a estresses hídrico e nutricional.

Resumo: Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados preliminares das análises foliares de carbono não estrutural (açúcares, aminoácidos, ácidos orgânicos e amido) e estrutural (lignina e celulose) obtidas num plantio experimental de Eucalyptusgrandisde 3 anos de implantação. As árvores receberam dois níveis de adubação potássica (0 e 17,4 g K m-2 na forma de KCl) e foram submetidas a dois regimes hídricos (100% e 33% da precipitação). Abstract: This work presents the preliminary results about the foliar nonstructural carbon (sugars, aminoacids, organic acids and starch) and structural carbon content (lignin and cellulose) in a three years old Eucalyptus grandisexperimental area. The trees were subjected to two levels of potassium fertilization (0 and 17.4 g K m-2 applied as KCl) as well as two levels of water availability (100% and 33% of rainfall)

Demography and commonly recorded clinical conditions of Chihuahuas under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016

The Chihuahua, the world’s smallest dog breed, is a popular breed in the UK today. The VetCompass™ Programme collates de-identified clinical records from primary-care veterinary practices in the UK for epidemiological research. This study aimed to characterise the demography, age at death and common disorders of Chihuahuas under primary veterinary care during 2016 in the UK

Inter-observer agreement of canine and feline paroxysmal event semiology and classification by veterinary neurology specialists and non-specialists

Background: Advances in mobile technology mean vets are now commonly presented with videos of paroxysmal events by clients, but the consistency of the interpretation of these videos has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of agreement between vets (both neurology specialists and non-specialists) on the description and classification of videos depicting paroxysmal events, without knowing any results of diagnostic workup. An online questionnaire study was conducted, where participants watched 100 videos of dogs and cats exhibiting paroxysmal events and answered questions regarding: epileptic seizure presence (yes/ no), seizure type, consciousness status, and the presence of motor, autonomic and neurobehavioural signs. Agreement statistics (percentage agreement and kappa) calculated for each variable, with prevalence indices calculated to aid their interpretation. Results: Only a fair level of agreement (kappa = 0.40) was found for epileptic seizure presence. Overall agreement of seizure type was moderate (kappa = 0.44), with primary generalised seizures showing the highest level of agreement (kappa = 0.60), and focal the lowest (kappa = 0.31). Fair agreement was found for consciousness status and the presence of autonomic signs (kappa = 0.21-0.40), but poor agreement for neurobehavioral signs (kappa = 0.16). Agreement for motor signs ranged from poor (kappa = <= 0.20) to moderate (kappa = 0.41-0.60). Differences between specialists and non-specialists were identified. Conclusions: The relatively low levels of agreement described here highlight the need for further discussions between neurology experts regarding classifying and describing epileptic seizures, and additional training of non-specialists to facilitate accurate diagnosis. There is a need for diagnostic tools (e.g. electroencephalogram) able to differentiate between epileptic and non-epileptic paroxysms

Efeitos da disponibilidade hídrica e de potássio na alocação de carbono em plantas de eucalipto marcadas com 13C-CO2.

Resumo: Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados da alocação do carbono (C) recentemente assimilado em árvores de eucalipto submetidas a diferentes tratamentos com relação à disponibilidade hídrica (chuva normal e exclusão de 33%) e fertilização de potássio (0 e 4,5 Kmol ha-1 na forma de KCl), utilizando-se o método da marcação com 13C-CO2 (13C pulse labelling). Observou-se que o aumento da velocidade de crescimento das árvores aumenta a partição do C fixado na madeira e a implicação prática desta constatação, considerando-se a produção de uma quantidade fixa de madeira, é que o consumo de recursos será menor maximizando-se a produtividade numa pequena área, ao contrário de plantações pouco produtivas ocupando áreas maiores. Abstract: This work presents the results about the carbon allocation ( 13 C pulse labelling) in a three years old Eucalyptus grandis experimental area, where the trees were subjected to two levels of potassium fertilization (0 and 4.5 Kmol ha -1 applied as KCl) as well as two levels of water availability (normal rainfall and exclusion of 33% of rainfall). The observed increase in the growth velocity of the trees enhanced the C partition in the wood. Therefore the resources consumption for the production of a fixed amount of wood will be lower in a smaller and more productive area than in a less productive larger plantation