Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of intrabursal administration of botulinum toxin type B on lameness in horses with degenerative injury to the podotrochlear apparatus.

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and short-term efficacy of intrabursal administration of botulinum toxin type B (BTXB) to alleviate lameness in horses with degenerative injury to the podotrochlear apparatus (PA). ANIMALS 10 Quarter Horses with degenerative injury to the PA. PROCEDURES Degenerative injury to the PA was confirmed with diagnostic analgesia and imaging. Then, BTXB (3.8 to 4.5 U/kg) was injected into the podotrochlear (navicular) bursa of each horse. Three horses were used in a safety evaluation. Subsequently, video recordings of lameness evaluations were obtained for 7 client-owned horses 5 days before (baseline) and 7 and 14 days after BTXB treatment and used to determine the effect of BTXB injection on lameness; 1 horse was removed from the study 8 days after BTXB treatment. Three investigators who were unaware of the treated forelimbs or time points separately reviewed the recordings and graded the lameness of both forelimbs of the horses. RESULTS Improvement in lameness of the treated forelimbs was detected at 1 or both time points after BTXB administration in all horses. However, all horses had some degree of lameness at the end of the study. Two horses developed transient increases in lameness 48 to 72 hours after treatment; lameness resolved uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Intrabursal injection of BTXB temporarily alleviated chronic lameness in horses with degenerative injury to the PA, without causing serious short-term adverse effects. Further investigation into the potential use of BTXB in horses affected by degenerative injury to the PA is warranted.
Performance of the Italian version of the mini‐mental state examination in day hospital geriatric medical patients

The criterion validity of the Italian version of the Mini‐Mental State Examination was tested in a group (114) of elderly medically ill day patients. Specificity was rather disappointing (66.3%) at the conventional threshold (23/24), as well as positive predictive value (32.7%). A lower threshold (21/22) offered the best compromise between sensitivity (93.8%) and specificity (80.6%). ROC analysis evidenced a good overall performance of MMSE (area under the curve 0.938). In those subjects not affected by dementia, age, low education and depressive illness had a significant effect on MMSE scores.
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA (MEN) TYPE 2A: IMPLEMENTATION OF MUTATION DETECTION IN RET ONCOGENE AND CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS

Introduction. Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2A (MEN 2A) is a rare genetic autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations of RET gene (Chr 10q11.21). Clinical features include medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) with 90-95% penetrance, pheochromocytoma (50% penetrance) and primary hyperparathyroidism (20-30%). Screening for RET gene mutation allows early identification of asymptomatic carriers who may benefit from prophylactic thyroidectomy, thus preventing morbidity and death. Aim. Implementation of RET mutation detection as screening procedure for Romanian MEN 2A families. Subjects and methods. We studied a three-generation MEN 2A Romanian family with one affected male (age 75) in the first generation, his affected descendants (one male-45y, one female-42y old) in the second generation and four asymptomatic subjects at risk (three males aged 15, 19 and 22y and one 18y old female) in the third generation. Mutation detection was performed by automated DNA sequencing of PCR-amplified exons 10 and 11 of RET gene. Results. A Cys634Arg (TGC/CGC) heterozygous mutation of RET gene was detected in affected individuals as well as in 3 asymptomatic male subjects, but was absent in one asymptomatic female. Sequencing results were confirmed by digestion of PCR products with HhaI restriction enzyme. Total thyroidectomy was proposed to all asymptomatic carriers, although this decision was postponed and patients continued biochemical screening. Conclusion. Despite success in implementation of mutation detection in clinical laboratory, this study illustrates the difficulty in acceptance of prophylactic thyroidectomy
Physical activity is the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with COPD: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Systemic effects of COPD are incompletely reflected by established prognostic assessments. We determined the prognostic value of objectively measured physical activity in comparison with established predictors of mortality and evaluated the prognostic value of noninvasive assessments of cardiovascular status, biomarkers of systemic inflammation, and adipokines. METHODS In a prospective cohort study of 170 outpatients with stable COPD (mean FEV(1), 56% predicted), we assessed lung function by spirometry and body plethysmography; physical activity level (PAL) by a multisensory armband; exercise capacity by 6-min walk distance test; cardiovascular status by echocardiography, vascular Doppler sonography (ankle-brachial index [ABI]), and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level; nutritional and muscular status by BMI and fat-free mass index; biomarkers by levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, fibrinogen, adiponectin, and leptin; and health status, dyspnea, and depressive symptoms by questionnaire. Established prognostic indices were calculated. The median follow-up was 48 months (range, 10-53 months). RESULTS All-cause mortality was 15.4%. After adjustments, each 0.14 increase in PAL was associated with a lower risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33-0.64; P < .001). Compared with established predictors, PAL showed the best discriminative properties for 4-year survival (C statistic, 0.81) and was associated with the highest relative risk of death per standardized decrease. Novel predictors of mortality were adiponectin level (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06-1.71; P = .017), leptin level (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99; P = .042), right ventricular function (Tei-index) (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04-1.54; P = .020), and ABI < 1.00 (HR, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.44-10.40; P = .007). A stepwise Cox regression revealed that the best model of independent predictors was PAL, adiponectin level, and ABI. The composite of these factors further improved the discriminative properties (C statistic, 0.85). CONCLUSIONS We found that objectively measured physical activity is the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with COPD. In addition, adiponectin level and vascular status provide independent prognostic information in our cohort.
Increased expression cysteine-rich61 (Cyr61) in patients with thyroid carcinomas

Cysteine-rich 61 (CYR61) is a key gene in transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) signaling pathway, which plays an important role in growth and development, and is critically involved in the genesis and development of some tumors. However, the roles of CYR61 in the development of thyroid carcinomas remain unclear. The aim of our study was to evaluate changes from CYR61 in 131 patients with thyroid carcinomas (benign tumor: 12; PTC: 109; FTC: 6; MTC: 4) by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry technology. The results demonstrated that CYR-61 was significantly up-regulated in cancer tissue in comparison to begnin thyroid tumor tissue on mRNA level (P < 0.05). On protein level, CYR61 was also highly increased in cancer tissue in comparison to begnin thyroid tumor and the expression of CYR61 had no significant correction on the age and gender ( p >0.05); however, it had significant association on the UICC stage and lymph node metastasis( p <0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that the expression of CYR61 is up-regulated in patients with thyroid carcinomas and our findings may have implications for targeted diagnosis and therapies in patients with thyroid carcinomas.
Indications for and short- and long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomy performed in standing horses: 82 cases (1995-2005).

OBJECTIVE To identify indications for and short- and long-term outcome of permanent tracheostomy performed in standing horses. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 82 horses undergoing permanent tracheostomy. PROCEDURES Data obtained from medical records included signalment, diagnosis, surgical technique, complications, use of the horse before and after surgery, and owner satisfaction. Follow-up information was obtained through a telephone questionnaire administered to owners. RESULTS Indications for permanent tracheostomy included nasopharyngeal cicatrix (n = 59), arytenoid chondropathy (55), and laryngeal hemiplegia (20); 54 horses had multiple indications for tracheostomy. Complications identified prior to discharge included partial dehiscence (n = 8), transient fever (10), and excessive swelling (13). Complications identified after discharge included partial dehiscence (n = 3), inversion of skin (2), and stenosis of the tracheostomy requiring repair (1). Long-term follow-up information was available for 64 horses. Fifty-seven of the 64 (89%) horses returned to their previous use, and owners of 63 (98%) horses reported being very satisfied with the results. The owner of 1 (2%) horse was unsatisfied with the results. The 1-year survival rate was 97% (95% confidence interval, 95% to 100%). Mean estimated truncated survival time (ie, failure-free period) was 9.7 years (95% confidence interval, 9.3 to 10.1 years). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that permanent tracheostomy can be safely performed in standing horses and was a viable treatment for horses with obstructive disease of the upper respiratory tract that was unresponsive to medical treatment or other surgical treatments.
Effects of preoperative administration of butorphanol or meloxicam on physiologic responses to surgery in ball pythons.

OBJECTIVE To characterize physiologic responses of ball pythons (Python regius) following a minor surgical procedure and investigate the effects of 2 commonly used analgesics on this response. ANIMALS 15 healthy ball pythons. PROCEDURES Snakes were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 treatments: meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb]; n = 5), butorphanol (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb]; 5), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (5) before catheterization of the vertebral artery. Plasma concentrations of catecholamines and cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood gas values were measured at various times for 72.5 hours after catheterization. The 72.5-hour point was defined as baseline. RESULTS Heart rate of ball pythons increased significantly during the first hour following surgery. Mean plasma epinephrine concentration increased slightly at 2.5 hours after surgery, whereas mean plasma cortisol concentration increased beginning at 1.5 hours, reaching a maximum at 6.5 hours. Mean blood pressure increased within the first hour but returned to the baseline value at 2.5 hours after surgery. After 24.5 hours, blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma hormone concentrations remained stable at baseline values. There were no significant differences in values for physiologic variables between snakes that received saline solution and those that received meloxicam or butorphanol. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Measurement of physiologic variables provides a means of assessing postoperative pain in snakes. Meloxicam and butorphanol at the dosages used did not decrease the physiologic stress response and did not appear to provide analgesic effects in ball pythons.
Efficacy and safety of cefovecin in treating bacterial folliculitis, abscesses, or infected wounds in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of administration of cefovecin, compared with cefadroxil, for treatment of naturally occurring secondary superficial pyoderma, abscesses, and infected wounds in dogs. DESIGN Multicenter, randomized, positive-controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS 235 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Dogs with clinical signs of skin infection confirmed via bacteriologic culture were randomly allocated to receive a single SC injection of cefovecin (8 mg/kg [3.6 mg/lb]) followed by placebo administered PO twice daily for 14 days or cefadroxil (22 mg/kg [10 mg/lb]) administered PO twice daily for 14 days following a placebo injection. Two 14-day treatment courses were permitted. Treatment success was defined as reduction of clinical signs to mild or absent at the final assessment. RESULTS Clinical efficacy achieved with cefovecin in dogs was equivalent to that observed with cefadroxil. At the final assessment, 14 days following the completion of treatment (on day 28 or 42), 92.4% (109/118) of the cefovecin group and 92.3% (108/117) of the cefadroxil group were treatment successes. There were no serious adverse events or deaths related to treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A single cefovecin injection (8 mg/kg) administered SC, which could be repeated once after 14 days, was safe and effective against naturally occurring skin infections in dogs and as effective as cefadroxil administered PO twice daily for 14 or 28 days.
Use of a balloon-expandable metallic stent for treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis in dogs and cats: six cases (2005-2007).

OBJECTIVE To determine outcome associated with use of a balloon-expandable metallic stent for treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis in dogs and cats. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 3 dogs and 3 cats. PROCEDURES All 6 animals had severe inspiratory stertor at initial examination. Two animals had no orifice present at the stenosis. Nasopharyngeal stenosis was diagnosed and stent size determined by use of computed tomography. A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon premounted with a balloon-expandable metallic stent was placed over a guidewire, advanced through the stenotic lesion under fluoroscopic and rhinoscopic guidance, and dilated to restore patency. RESULTS All animals had immediate resolution of clinical signs after stent placement. The procedure took a median of 38 minutes (range, 22 to 70 minutes). One animal with a stenosis located far caudally needed the tip of the stent resected because of hairball entrapment and exaggerated swallowing. Both animals without an orifice in the stenosis had tissue in-growth requiring a covered stent. All animals were reexamined 6 to 12 weeks after treatment via rhinoscopy, radiography, computed tomography, or a combination of techniques. All animals lacked signs of discomfort; 5 of 6 were breathing normally 12 to 28 months after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Transnasal balloon-expandable metallic stent placement may represent a rapid, safe, noninvasive, and effective treatment in animals with nasopharyngeal stenosis. If the stenosis is extremely caudal in the nasopharynx, serial balloon dilatation might be considered prior to stent placement. A covered stent should be considered initially if the stenosis is completely closed.
Cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia.

Chronic insomnia (symptoms for ≥ 6 months) is the most common sleep disorder, affecting 6% to 10% of adults in the general population, with even higher rates in patients with comorbid conditions (eg, hypertension, 44%; cardiac disease, 44.1%; breathing problems, 41.5%). Traditionally, chronic insomnia occurring with another condition has been considered secondary and rarely received direct treatment because treatment of the primary condition was expected to improve the insomnia. However, this approach often failed because chronic insomnia is maintained by behaviors, cognitions, and associations that patients adopt as they attempt to cope with poor sleep but that end up backfiring (eg, increasing caffeine, spending more time in bed, trying harder to sleep). Cognitive behavioral treatment of insomnia (CBTi) targets those behaviors, cognitions, and associations and is effective across a variety of populations, including those with medical and psychologic comorbidities. Thus, in 2005, a National Institutes of Health expert consensus panel on chronic insomnia recommended dropping the term "secondary insomnia" in favor of the term "comorbid insomnia. " Because CBTi does not carry the risks associated with some sleep medications (eg, dependency, polypharmacy, cognitive and psychomotor impairment), it is an attractive option for patients with other conditions. Through the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (www.behavioralsleep.org) and the American Board of Sleep Medicine (www.absm.org), it is possible to find practitioners with expertise in CBTi (as well as other aspects of behavioral sleep medicine) and other behavioral sleep resources. Given the currently limited number of trained practitioners, exploration of alternative delivery methods (eg, briefer protocols, self-help, Internet) to improve access to this highly effective treatment and expanded training in these treatments are warranted.
Medicinal cannabis: is Δ9–tetrahydrocannabinol necessary for all its effects?

Cannabis is under clinical investigation to assess its potential for medicinal use, but the question arises as to whether there is any advantage in using cannabis extracts compared with isolated Δ9‐trans‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9THC), the major psychoactive component. We have compared the effect of a standardized cannabis extract (SCE) with pure Δ9THC, at matched concentrations of Δ9THC, and also with a Δ9THC‐free extract (Δ9THC‐free SCE), using two cannabinoid‐sensitive models, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), and an in‐vitro rat brain slice model of epilepsy. Whilst SCE inhibited spasticity in the mouse model of MS to a comparable level, it caused a more rapid onset of muscle relaxation, and a reduction in the time to maximum effect compared with Δ9THC alone. The Δ9THC‐free extract or cannabidiol (CBD) caused no inhibition of spasticity. However, in the in‐vitro epilepsy model, in which sustained epileptiform seizures were induced by the muscarinic receptor agonist oxotremorine‐M in immature rat piriform cortical brain slices, SCE was a more potent and again more rapidly‐acting anticonvulsant than isolated Δ9THC, but in this model, the Δ9THC‐free extract also exhibited anticonvulsant activity. Cannabidiol did not inhibit seizures, nor did it modulate the activity of Δ9THC in this model. Therefore, as far as some actions of cannabis were concerned (e.g. anti‐spasticity), Δ9THC was the active constituent, which might be modified by the presence of other components. However, for other effects (e.g. anticonvulsant properties) Δ9THC, although active, might not be necessary for the observed effect. Above all, these results demonstrated that not all of the therapeutic actions of cannabis herb might be due to the Δ9THC content.
Subtotal or partial unilateral arytenoidectomy for treatment of arytenoid chondritis in five calves.

CASE DESCRIPTION 5 calves were evaluated for abnormal respiratory noise associated with variable degrees of respiratory distress. CLINICAL FINDINGS Tachypnea and inspiratory dyspnea were detected at initial evaluation in all calves. Endoscopic evaluation of the upper respiratory tract revealed enlarged and immobile arytenoids. Radiographic (n = 3) and computed tomographic (1) evaluation of the laryngeal area revealed images that were indicative of a large soft tissue mass at the level of the arytenoids obstructing the rima glottis. A presumptive diagnosis of arytenoid chondritis was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME A tracheostomy tube was placed in all calves. Medical treatment (with antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory drugs) was attempted in 4 calves after initial evaluation. Unilateral arytenoidectomy via a laryngotomy was performed under general anesthesia in all calves. Dysphagia and coughing were the most frequent postoperative complications. Three calves survived at least 6 months after the procedure. One calf died of a perforated abomasal ulcer 3 months after the surgery. Another calf died suddenly 1 month after the surgery of an undetermined cause. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Unilateral arytenoidectomy was a viable surgical treatment for arytenoid chondritis in calves. Further research in a larger number of affected cattle is needed to determine the advantages or disadvantages of this procedure over other surgical techniques.
Screening Research Methods for α-glucosidase Inhibitors and Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Fermented Soybean Products and Fermented Milk Products

A simple and highly sensitive assay method for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was devised and a microplate method using absorbance at 450 nm for angiotensin-converting enzyme activity was introduced. Successful examples using these methods are shown, in which active components from Chinese traditional fermented foods and Mongolian fermented milk products were identified. These traditional fermented foods are expected to elicit effective components against lifestyle-related diseases.
Comparison of self-report and biological measures for alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use in consecutive alcohol-dependent patients visiting a tertiary care centre

Background: Alcohol is a major drug of abuse in patients visiting treatment centres. The self-report is used by clinicians to collect information; however, alcohol-dependent patients may not provide reliable self-reports. Aim: The study aimed to assess the agreement between urinalysis and self-report for licit and illicit drug use in alcohol-dependent patients and to examine the relationship of biochemical measures with self-reported alcohol consumption. Methods: Consecutive patients (N = 199) with current alcohol use fulfilling Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria for alcohol dependence were included. Recent alcohol and drug use was enquired using a structured questionnaire. The biological measures included urine drug analysis and biochemical liver function tests. Results: Urinalysis revealed the use of opiates, cannabis, nicotine and benzodiazepines in 2.5%, 4.2%, 5.9% and 28.8%, respectively, even though patients reported no use of these drugs. Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was elevated in 95.2% of patients with self-reported heavy alcohol consumption, whereas it was raised in 60–62.5% of those with low to moderate alcohol use. In heavy drinkers, the biochemical liver markers appeared to corroborate with self-reported alcohol use. Conclusion: This study urges for the use of objective methods to validate the self-report in alcohol-dependent patients, especially for co-occurring nonprescription benzodiazepine and drug use.
Background factors in pregnant women with and without fear of childbirth

Late pregnant women were categorized, on the basis of a questionnaire, as ‘suffering’ or ‘not suffering’ from fear of childbirth. A wide range of negative life experiences, appearing in inconsistent combinations, were found to be associated with fear of childbirth. Negative experiences of childhood and of sexuality while growing up, together with a general proneness to anxiety, appeared to be significant background factors.