bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of veterinary conference attendees for evidence of zoonotic infection by feline retroviruses
Authors: Butera Salvatore T. , Brown Jennifer , Callahan Margaret E. , Owen S. Michele , Matthews Aprille L. , Weigner Drew D. , Chapman Louisa E. , Sandstrom Paul A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To examine exposure risks, possibility of zoonosis, and potential disease associations for feline retroviruses among a group of occupationally exposed individuals.

Design—Unlinked voluntary cross-sectional epidemiologic survey.

Sample Population—204 veterinarians, laboratory scientists, and other occupationally exposed individuals who attended a veterinary conference on feline geriatric medicine.

Procedure—Blood was collected from participants who also completed a 13-question survey requesting demographic, occupational, exposure, and health information. Blood specimens were fractionated into plasma and mononuclear cell components. Plasma was tested for antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline foamy virus (FeFV), as well as p27 antigen of FeLV. Mononuclear cell lysates were tested for FeLV provirus.

Results—Subjects reported extensive duration of work with cats (mean, 17.3 years) and multiple highrisk exposures (eg, cat bites, scratches, and injuries with sharp instruments) per year. However, neither serologic nor molecular evidence of zoonosis with any of the 3 feline retroviruses was detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Veterinarians encounter occupational exposures to animal material that place them at high risk for zoonoses. For feline retroviruses, the risk of zoonosis among healthy adult humans appears to be extremely small. However, potential for retroviral zoonosis, especially for viruses such as FeLV and FeFV that can replicate in human cells, cannot be eliminated, and universal precautions to reduce potential exposures should be used when handling sick cats. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:1475–1479)
Anemia, splenomegaly, and increased osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in Abyssinian and Somali cats
Authors: Kohn Barbara , Goldschmidt Michael H. , Hohenhaus Ann E. , Giger Urs
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine clinical and clinicopathologic features of a chronic intermittent severe hemolytic anemia characterized by erythrocyte osmotic fragility in Abyssinian and Somali cats.

Design—Case series.

Animals—13 Abyssinian and 5 Somali cats.

Procedures—History, pedigree information, and results of routine laboratory tests, special erythrocyte studies, and histologic evaluation of splenic and hepatic specimens were analyzed.

Results—Age at which clinical signs of anemia were first apparent ranged from 6 months to 5 years. Ten cats had splenomegaly. Most often, the PCV was between 15 and 25%, but it was as low as 5% at some times. The anemia was characterized by macrocytosis and mild to moderate reticulocytosis, but no poikilocytosis. Hyperglobulinemia, lymphocytosis, mild hyperbilirubinemia, and high hepatic enzyme activities were common findings. Results of Coombs tests and tests for infectious diseases were negative. The erythrocytic osmotic fragility was high in affected cats (mean osmotic fragility, 0.66 to 0.78%), compared with healthy cats (0.48 to 0.58). No specific membrane protein abnormality, erythrocyte enzyme deficiency, or hemoglobinopathy was identified. Histologic evaluation of splenic and hepatic specimens revealed extramedullary hematopoiesis and hemosiderosis. Four of the 5 Somali cats were closely related.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—On the basis of results of pedigree analyses, the apparent breed predilection, and the exclusion of other known causes of anemia in cats, we believe that the hemolytic anemia in these cats was likely a result of a novel hereditary erythrocyte defect. A genetic predisposition to immunemediated destruction of erythrocytes could not be ruled out. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:1483–1491)
Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs
Authors: Glickman Lawrence T. , Glickman Nita W. , Schellenberg Diana B. , Raghavan Malathi , Lee Tana
Published: December 2005

Objective—To identify non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) in large breed and giant breed dogs.

Design—Prospective cohort study.

Animals—1,637 dogs ≥ 6 months old of the following breeds: Akita, Bloodhound, Collie, Great Dane, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Standard Poodle, and Weimaraner.

Procedure—Owners of dogs that did not have a history of GDV were recruited at dog shows, and the dog's length and height and the depth and width of its thorax and abdomen were measured. Information concerning the dog's medical history, genetic background, personality, and diet was obtained from the owners, and owners were contacted by mail and telephone at approximately 1-year intervals to determine whether dogs had developed GDV or died. Incidence of GDV, calculated on the basis of dogyears at risk for dogs that were or were not exposed to potential risk factors, was used to calculate the relative risk of GDV.

Results and Clinical Relevance—Cumulative incidence of GDV during the study was 6% for large breed and giant breed dogs. Factors significantly associated with an increased risk of GDV were increasing age, having a first-degree relative with a history of GDV, having a faster speed of eating, and having a raised feeding bowl. Approximately 20 and 52% of cases of GDV among the large breed and giant breed dogs, respectively, were attributed to having a raised feed bowl. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:1492–1499)
Evidence of hypercoagulability in dogs with parvoviral enteritis
Authors: Otto Cynthia M. , Rieser Teresa M. , Brooks Marjory B. , Russell Michael W.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether dogs with naturally occurring canine parvoviral (CPV) enteritis have laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability.

Design—Case-control study.

Animals—9 dogs with naturally occurring CPV enteritis and 9 age-matched control dogs.

Procedure—Blood was collected from all dogs within 24 hours of admission for thromboelastography (TEG) and determination of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), antithrombin III (AT) activity, and fibrinogen concentration. Fibrin-fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) concentration, Ddimer concentration, and platelet count were obtained in dogs with CPV enteritis only. Records were reviewed for evidence of thrombosis or phlebitis.

Results—All 9 dogs with CPV enteritis had evidence of hypercoagulability, determined on the basis of significantly increased TEG maximum amplitude and decreased AT activity. Fibrinogen concentration was significantly higher in dogs with CPV enteritis than in control dogs. The aPTT was moderately prolonged in dogs with CPV enteritis, and FDP concentration was < 5 mg/ml in 7 of 9 dogs. No dogs had a measurable D-dimer concentration. Platelet counts were within reference range. Four of 9 dogs had clinical evidence of venous thrombosis or phlebitis associated with catheters. One dog had multifocal splenic thrombosis identified at necropsy.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Dogs with CPV enteritis have a high prevalence of clinical thrombosis or phlebitis and laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability without disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Thromboelastography may help identify hypercoagulable states in dogs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:1500–1504)
Use of lufenuron for treating fungal infections of dogs and cats: 297 cases (1997–1999)
Authors: Ben-Ziony Yair , Arzi Boaz
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate use of lufenuron for treating
cutaneous fungal infections in dogs and cats.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—156 dogs and 201 cats with dermatophytosis
or superficial dermatomycoses.

Procedure—Medical records were reviewed for dogs
and cats that had been treated for dermatophytosis or
other fungal infections by administration of lufenuron
and 18 dogs and 42 cats that were not treated and
served as a control group.

Results—Dogs were treated once by oral administration
of lufenuron tablets at doses ranging from
54.2 to 68.3 mg/kg (24.6 to 31.0 mg/lb) of body
weight. Samples of skin, scrapings, and hair were
obtained daily from 14 dogs with dermatophytosis;
mean durations from time of treatment to time of
negative fungal culture results and resolution of
gross lesions were 14.5 and 20.75 days, respectively.
In all treated dogs, gross lesions resolved within
approximately 21 days. Cats were treated once by
oral administration of lufenuron suspension in doses
ranging from 51.2 to 266 mg/kg (23.3 to 120.9 mg/lb).
Samples were obtained daily from 23 cats; mean
durations from time of treatment to time of negative
fungal culture results and resolution of gross lesions
were 8.3 and 12 days, respectively. Time to resolution
of lesions in most untreated control animals was
approximately 90 days. Adverse effects of treatment
were not detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of
this study suggest that lufenuron provides an effective,
convenient, and rapid method for treating fungal
infections in dogs and cats. (J Am Vet Med Assoc
2000;217:1510–1513)
Nutrient management practices among swine operations of various sizes
Authors: Hassinger II Wayne J. , Monahan Kelly A. , Scanlon Tiffany L. , Parsons Thomas D.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine feeding, cropping, and
manure-handling practices of swine operations of various
sizes.

Design—Producer survey.

Sample Population—85 sow units and 132 finish
floors.

Procedure—Swine producers were surveyed by mail
and during farm visits for information regarding herd
characteristics and management practices, with
emphasis on the 3 components of the nutrient cycle:
cropping, feeding and nutrition, and manure handling.
Farms were categorized by operation type as sow
units or finish floors and, subsequently, stratified by
size as small sow units (< 600 head), large sow units
(≥ 600 head), small finish floors (< 2,000 head), and
large finish floors (≥ 2,000 head).

Results—Large sow units and large finish floors were
approximately twice as likely to use environmentally
sound nutrient management practices as small sow
units or small finish floors. These large operations
were more likely to use progressive feeding practices,
to be aware of their nutrient flows, and to be capable
of using these nutrients properly.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—There is a
need for greater environmental awareness among all
swine producers, especially among small producers.
This provides a possible growth area for large-animal
veterinary consultants. Economy of scale and
increased governmental regulations allow large farms
to use environmentally sound practices. Thus, large
swine farms are not necessarily harmful to the environment.
(J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:1526–1530)
Biosecurity practices of beef cow-calf producers
Authors: Sanderson Michael W. , Dargatz David A. , Garry Franklyn B.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate biosecurity practices of cowcalf producers.

Design—Cross-sectional survey.

Sample Population—2,713 cow-calf operations were used in phase 1 of the study, and 1,190 cow-calf operations were used in phase 2.

Procedure—Producers were contacted for a personal interview between Dec 30, 1996 and Feb 3, 1997 regarding their management practices. Noninstitutional operations with 1 or more beef cows were eligible to participate in the study. Producers who participated in the first phase of the study and who had ≥ 5 beef cows were requested to continue in the study and were contacted by a veterinarian or animal health technician who administered further questionnaires. All contacts for the second phase of the study were made between Mar 3, 1997 and Apr 30, 1997. Additional data on use of various vaccines, testing of imported cattle for brucellosis,Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, bovine viral diarrhea, and tuberculosis as well as potential for feed contamination were collected during the second phase of the study.

Results—Producers commonly engaged in management practices that increased risk of introducing disease to their cattle such as importing cattle, failing to quarantine imported cattle, and communal grazing. Producers inconsistently adjusted for the increased risk of their management practices by increasing the types of vaccines given, increasing the quarantine time or proportion of imported animals quarantined, or increasing testing for various diseases in imported animals.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cow-calf herds are at risk for disease exposure from outside sources when cattle are introduced to the herd, and producers do not always adjust management practices such as vaccination schedules and quarantine procedures appropriately to minimize this risk. Veterinary involvement in education of producers regarding biosecurity risks and development of rational and economical biosecurity plans is needed. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:185–189)
Prevalence of odontoclastic resorption lesions and periapical radiographic lucencies in cats: 265 cases (1995–1998)
Authors: Lommer Milinda J. , Verstraete Frank J. M.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether odontoclastic resorption lesions were associated with radiographic evidence of periapical lucencies in cats.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—265 feline dental patients.

Procedure—Full-mouth radiographs were examined for evidence of odontoclastic resorption lesions, periapical lucencies, periodontitis, and fractured teeth.

Results—Odontoclastic resorption lesions affecting 567 teeth were identified in 161 (60.8%) cats. Periapical lucencies were identified in 53 teeth in 35 cats. Periapical lucencies were most commonly associated with fractured teeth (25 teeth with periapical lucencies) and severe periodontitis (21 teeth). None of the periapical lucencies appeared to be specifically associated with resorption lesions. Prevalence of periapical lucencies in cats with resorption lesions was not significantly different from prevalence in cats without.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that although odontoclastic resorption lesions are common in cats, pulpal involvement associated with these lesions does not appear to be associated with development of radiographically detectable periapical lucencies. Crown amputation with intentional root retention may, therefore, be a suitable alternative to extraction in selected cats with odontoclastic resorption lesions. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:1866–1869)
Diagnostic findings and prognosis following arthroscopic treatment of subtle osteochondral lesions in the shoulder joint of horses: 15 cases (1996–1999)
Authors: Doyle Patricia S. , White II Nathaniel A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine clinical, scintigraphic, radiographic, and arthroscopic findings and results of treatment in horses with lameness attributable to subtle osteochondral lesions of the shoulder joint.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—15 horses.

Procedure—Medical records were reviewed, and results of physical examination, scintigraphy, radiography, arthroscopy, and treatment were recorded.

Results—Severity of lameness ranged from grade 1 to 4. Response to shoulder flexion or extension was variable. Twelve horses had a narrow upright foot. Intra-articular anesthesia of the shoulder joint localized the cause of the lameness to the shoulder joint in 9 of 10 horses. Scintigraphic abnormalities were detected in 4 of 6 horses. Radiographic lesions were subtle and included glenoid sclerosis, focal glenoid lysis, small glenoid cysts, and alterations in the humeral head contour. Arthroscopic evaluation confirmed clefts in the glenoid cartilage, glenoid cysts, a humeral head cyst, fibrillation of the humeral head cartilage, cartilage fragmentation, or a nondisplaced fracture of the humeral head. After treatment, 12 horses returned to their previous level of performance, 1 was sound for light riding, 1 remained lame, and 1 was euthanatized because of chronic lameness.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that a combination of physical examination, scintigraphy, and radiography is necessary to diagnose subtle osteochondral lesions of the shoulder joint in horses. Arthroscopy can be used to confirm the diagnosis and treat cartilage and subchondral bone lesions. Young and middle-aged horses with subtle osteochondral lesions of the shoulder joints have a good prognosis for return to performance following arthroscopic treatment. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:1878–1882)
Effect of timing of blood collection on serum phenobarbital concentrations in dogs with epilepsy
Authors: Levitski Robin E. , Trepanier Lauren A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether there are therapeutically
relevant changes in serum phenobarbital
concentrations throughout a daily dosing interval in
epileptic dogs receiving phenobarbital for ≥ 3 weeks.

Design—Prospective study.

Animals—33 epileptic dogs receiving phenobarbital.

Procedure—Serum phenobarbital concentrations
were measured at 0 hour (trough), 3 hours, and 6
hours after oral administration of phenobarbital in
epileptic dogs that had received phenobarbital twice
daily for a minimum of 3 weeks. For each dog, trough,
3-hour, and 6-hour serum phenobarbital concentrations
were evaluated to determine whether they were
within the same therapeutic category (lower, middle,
or upper end of the therapeutic range of 15 to 45
µg/ml), or whether there was a > 30% change in
serum concentrations throughout the day.

Results—Ninety-one percent (30/33) of dogs had
trough, 3-hour, and 6-hour serum phenobarbital concentrations
in the same therapeutic category. Only
9% (3/33) of dogs had trough, 3-hour, and 6-hour
serum concentrations in different therapeutic categories
with a > 30% change in concentrations
throughout the day. Significant differences were not
detected among mean serum phenobarbital concentrations
when comparing the trough, 3-hour, and 6-
hour samples for all dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—There is no
therapeutically relevant change in serum phenobarbital
concentrations throughout a daily dosing interval in
most epileptic dogs. Therefore, timing is not important
when collecting blood samples to measure
serum phenobarbital concentrations in most epileptic
dogs treated long-term with phenobarbital. (J Am Vet
Med Assoc 2000;217:200–204)
Radiation treatment for incompletely resected soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs
Authors: McKnight Josephine A. , Mauldin G. Neal , McEntee Margaret C. , Meleo Karelle A. , Patnaik Amiya K.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate efficacy of radiation for treatment of incompletely resected soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs.

Design—Prospective serial study.

Animals—48 dogs with soft-tissue sarcomas.

Procedure—Tumors were resected to < 3 cm3prior to radiation. Tumors were treated on alternate days (three 3-Gy fractions/wk) until 21 fractions had been administered. Cobalt 60 radiation was used for all treatments.

Results—Five-year survival rate was 76%, and survival rate was not different among tumor types or locations. Four (8%) dogs developed metastases. Eight (17%) dogs had tumor recurrence after radiation. Development of metastases and local recurrence were significantly associated with reduced survival rate. Median survival time in dogs that developed metastases was 250 days. Median disease-free interval for all dogs was 1,082 days. Median time to recurrence was 700 days. Dogs that developed recurrence after a prolonged period responded well to a second surgery. Acute radiation toxicosis was minimal; osteosarcoma developed at the radiation site in 1 dog.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—An excellent long-term survival rate may be achieved by treating soft-tissue sarcomas in dogs with resection followed by radiation. Amputation is not necessary for longterm control of soft-tissue sarcomas in limbs. Development of metastases and recurrence of local tumors after radiation treatment are associated with decreased survival rate. Acute and delayed radiation toxicosis was minimal with the protocol used in this study. (JAm Vet Med Assoc2000;217:205–210)
Eclampsia in dogs: 31 cases (1995–1998)
Authors: Drobatz Kenneth J. , Casey Kim K.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To compare clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of dogs with eclampsia with those of dogs without eclampsia.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—31 dogs with eclampsia (affected) and 31 with dystocia (controls).

Procedure—Information on signalment, type of diet, reproductive history, litter size, time from whelping to eclampsia, body weight, clinical signs, results of physical examination and hematologic and biochemical analyses, response to calcium supplementation, and reccurrence was obtained from the medical records of all dogs with eclampsia evaluated between 1995 and 1998 and compared with information from medical records of 31 of 102 dogs with dystocia evaluated during the same period.

Results—Dogs with eclampsia weighed less, had a smaller body weight-to-litter size ratio, higher rectal temperature and heart and respiratory rates, and lower plasma total solids concentration than control dogs. Ionized calcium concentration was ≤ 0.8 mmol/L for all but 1 of the affected dogs; median concentration for the affected dogs was significantly less than that for control dogs. Six (19%) dogs did not manifest typical clinical signs associated with eclampsia. Twelve (39%) dogs with eclampsia had previous litters; none had a history of eclampsia. Affected dogs were discharged from the hospital within hours after admission, but 3 dogs returned 1 to 3 weeks later because of recurrence of eclampsia.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Eclampsia develops primarily in small-breed dogs with large litters. Plasma ionized calcium concentrations > 0.8 mmol/L in dogs with clinical signs typical of hypocalcemia may indicate that other causes of clinical signs should be considered. In addition, some dogs with eclampsia may have low ionized calcium concentrations and not manifest typical clinical signs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:216–219)
Fecal shedding of Salmonella spp by horses in the United States during 1998 and 1999 and detection of Salmonella spp in grain and concentrate sources on equine operations
Authors: Traub-Dargatz Josie L. , Garber Lindsey P. , Fedorka-Cray Paula J. , Ladely Scott , Ferris Kathy E.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To estimate prevalence of fecal shedding ofSalmonellaspp among horses in the US horse population and prevalence ofSalmonellaspp in grain or other concentrate used as horse feed on equine operations in the United States.

Design—Cross-sectional survey.

Sample Population—Horses on 972 operations in 28 states.

Procedure—Fecal samples were collected from horses resident at each operation. Only a single sample was collected from any individual horse; number of horses from which samples were collected on each operation was determined on the basis of number of horses on the operation. A single sample of grain or concentrate was also collected from each operation. All samples were tested forSalmonellaspp by means of bacterial culture.

Results—Overall, 0.8% (SE, 0.5) of resident horses shedSalmonellaspp in their feces. The overall prevalence of operations positive for fecal shedding ofSalmonellaspp (ie, operations with ≥ 1 horse sheddingSalmonellaspp in its feces) was 1.8% (SE, 0.7). Prevalence of grain or other concentrate samples positive forSalmonellaspp was 0.4%. Serotypes ofSalmonellaspp that were identified in grain or other concentrate were not those typically associated with clinical disease in horses.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that the national prevalence of fecal shedding ofSalmonellaspp by horses in the United States was 0.8%, and that prevalence ofSalmonellaspp in grain or other concentrate used for horse feed was 0.4%.(J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:226–230)
Arthroscopic removal of fracture fragments involving a portion of the base of the proximal sesamoid bone in horses: 26 cases (1984–1997)
Authors: Southwood Louise L. , McIlwraith C. Wayne
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine the outcome of horses with basal fractures of the proximal sesamoid bone from which a fracture fragment involving a portion of the base of the bone was removed arthroscopically and to determine whether fragment size was associated with outcome.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—26 horses.

Procedure—Dorsopalmar and axial-abaxial lengths of the fracture fragment were measured on the dorsopalmar and mediolateral radiographic views, respectively, and percentage of the base of the sesamoid bone involved was estimated. Fractures were classified as grade 1 (≤ 25% of the base involved) or grade 2 (> 25% but < 100% of the base involved). Outcome was classified as successful if the horse started at least 2 races or unsuccessful if the horse started only 1 race or failed to return to racing.

Results—There were 24 racehorses and 2 nonracehorses. Twelve (50%) of the racehorses returned to racing and started at least 2 races. Eight of 14 horses with grade-1 fractures and 4 of 10 horses with grade- 2 fractures had a successful outcome. Ten of 16 horses without associated articular disease had successful outcomes, compared with 2 of 8 horses with associated articular disease. However, fragment size and presence of associated articular disease were not significantly associated with outcome.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Horses with basal fractures of the proximal sesamoid bone from which a fracture fragment involving a portion of the base of the bone is removed arthroscopically have a fair prognosis for return to racing. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:236–240)
Heartworm infection in cats: 50 cases (1985–1997)
Authors: Atkins Clarke E. , DeFrancesco Teresa C. , Coats Julie R. , Sidley Jennifer A. , Keene Bruce W.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To characterize risk factors, clinical findings, usefulness of diagnostic tests, and prognosis in cats with naturally occurring heartworm infection (HWI).

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—50 cats withDirofilaria immitisinfection.

Procedure—Medical records, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiograms were reviewed and findings compared with appropriate reference populations.

Results—Findings suggested that male cats were not predisposed to HWI, domestic shorthair cats were at increased risk, and indoor housing was only partially protective. Fewer cases of HWI were identified in the final quarter of the year, compared with other periods, and prevalence is not apparently increasing. Signs of respiratory tract disease were most common, followed by vomiting. Infection was diagnosed incidentally in > 25% of cats; conversely, 10% of infected cats died suddenly without other clinical signs. Serologic tests were most useful for diagnosis, followed by radiography and echocardiography. Eosinophilia supported the diagnosis. Overall median survival time was 1.5 years but exceeded 4 years in cats surviving beyond the day of diagnosis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Sex does not appear to be a risk factor for HWI in cats, and indoor housing provides only incomplete protection. Signs of respiratory tract disease (dyspnea and cough) are the strongest indicators of HWI in cats, and some radiographic evidence of infection is detected in most cases. Antibody screening for HWI in cats is efficacious, and antigen testing and echocardiography are most useful for making a definitive antemortem diagnosis. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217: 355–358)
Pulmonary function and adrenal gland suppression with incremental doses of aerosolized beclomethasone dipropionate in horses with recurrent airway obstruction
Authors: Rush Bonnie R. , Raub Elizabeth S. , Thomsen Molly M. , Davis Elizabeth G. , Matson Charles J. , Hakala Joyce E.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate clinical response, pulmonary function, and adrenal gland response to incremental doses of beclomethasone dipropionate in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

Design—Crossover trial.

Animals—8 horses with recurrent airway obstruction.

Procedure—Horses randomly assigned to 4 groups were treated twice daily via aerosol administration of placebo or 500, 1,000, or 1,500 µg of beclomethasone dipropionate in a crossover design with a 10-day minimum washout period. Subjective assessment of airway obstruction, serum cortisol concentration, and maximum change in pleural pressure during tidal breathing (ΔPplmax) were determined daily prior to morning drug administration, and ΔPplmax was reevaluated 15 minutes after morning drug administration. Pulmonary resistance and dynamic compliance were determined at baseline and approximately 12 hours after the final treatment.

Results—An immediate treatment effect was not identified. Within 24 hours, ΔPplmax and airway obstruction were lower in horses receiving beclomethasone. Onset and magnitude of response was similar among the 3 beclomethasone dose regimens. Pulmonary resistance was improved only after administration of all 3 doses of beclomethasone, whereas dynamic compliance was improved after administration of 1,000 µg and 1,500 µg of beclomethasone. Reduction in serum cortisol concentration occurred with all 3 beclomethasone dose regimens; however, the magnitude of adrenal gland suppression was greater in horses receiving 1,000 or 1,500 µg of beclomethasone.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Low-dose (500 µg) beclomethasone administration caused similar improvement in pulmonary function, compared with high-dose beclomethasone (1,000 and 1,500 µg), with the exception of dynamic compliance, and caused less suppression of endogenous cortisol production. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2000;217:359–364)
Coronavirus-associated epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets
Authors: Williams Bruce H. , Kiupel Matti , West Keith H. , Raymond James T. , Grant Christopher K. , Glickman Lawrence T.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To characterize clinical signs and lesions
and identify the etiologic agent associated with epizootic
catarrhal enteritis in domestic ferrets.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—119 ferrets with epizootic diarrhea of presumed
viral cause and 5 control ferrets.

Procedure—Clinical records and biopsy or necropsy
specimens of ferrets with presumed epizootic
catarrhal enteritis were reviewed. Immunohistochemical
staining for coronavirus antigen was performed
on paraffin-embedded tissues from approximately
10% of affected ferrets to identify viral antigen
and determine its distribution. Transmission electron
microscopy was performed on fecal samples and sections
of jejunum. Virus isolation studies as well as
immunofluorescent tests for other similar viruses
were performed.

Results—Characteristic microscopic lesions consistent
with intestinal coronavirus infection (vacuolar
degeneration and necrosis of villus enterocytes; villus
atrophy, fusion, and blunting; and lymphocytic enteritis)
were consistently detected in affected ferrets.
Coronavirus particles were identified in feces and jejunal
enterocytes by use of transmission electron
microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining of jejunal
sections revealed coronavirus antigens. Antigen staining
was not detected in healthy ferrets or ferrets with
other gastrointestinal tract diseases. Virus isolation
was unsuccessful, and other similar viruses were not
detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results
strongly implicate a coronavirus as the causative
agent of epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets.
Diagnosis may be made on the basis of a combination
of historical, clinical, and microscopic findings. (J Am
Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:526–530)
Effect of split nursing on variation in pig growth from birth to weaning
Authors: Donovan Tara S. , Dritz Steve S.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine the effect of split nursing
(ie, removal of the larger pigs in a litter from the dam
for a short period within 24 hours after birth to allow
the smaller pigs in the litter uninhibited access to the
dam) on variation in growth from birth to weaning
among pigs.

Design—Clinical trial.

Animals—1,193 pigs in 118 litters.

Procedure—Litters were randomly assigned to 1 of 3
treatment groups: control group (pigs were not split
nursed), group 1 (heaviest 50% of pigs in the litter
were removed from the sow for 2 hours), or group 2
(heaviest 50% of pigs were removed from the sow
for 2 hours and, after the heaviest pigs were returned
to the sow, the lightest 50% of pigs were removed
for 2 hours). Birth weights and weaning weights were
measured.

Results—Significant differences in average daily gain
(ADG), weaning weight, or serum IgG concentration
among groups were not detected. However, significant
linear improvements in the SD and coefficient of
variation of the ADG were detected, but only for litters
with ≥ 9 pigs born alive. Percentages of pigs from
split-nursed litters that weighed < 3.6 kg (8 lb) at
weaning (1.3 and 1.6% for groups 1 and 2, respectively)
were lower than percentage of control pigs that
did (3%).

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest
that split nursing will decrease variation in ADG
of pigs from birth to weaning but only for pigs from litters
with ≥ 9 pigs born alive. (J Am Vet Med Assoc
2000;217:79–81)
Treatment of dogs infected with Hepatozoon americanum: 53 cases (1989–1998)
Authors: Macintire Douglass K. , Vincent-Johnson Nancy A. , Kane Curtis W. , Lindsay David S. , Blagburn Byron L. , Dillon Allen R.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine clinical and pathologic findings before and after short-term (group 1) and longterm (group 2) treatment in dogs with Hepatozoon americanuminfection.

Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—53 dogs withH americanuminfection.

Procedure—Medical records of dogs that were treated for hepatozoonosis diagnosed on the basis of meront or merozoite stages in skeletal muscle were reviewed.

Results—Circulating gametocytes ofH americanumwere identified in 12 of 53 dogs. Dogs were treated with various drugs, including toltrazuril, trimethoprimsulfadiazine, clindamycin, pyrimethamine, and decoquinate. Mean WBC counts prior to treatment were 85,700 and 75,200 cells/µl in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and 1 month after initiation of treatment were 12,600 and 14,600 cells/µl, respectively. Initial response to treatment was excellent in all dogs. Twenty-three of 26 dogs in group 1 relapsed at least once and died within 2 years; mean (± SD) survival time was 12.6 ± 2.2 months. Twenty-two of 27 group-2 dogs survived; 11 dogs had no clinical signs and were still receiving decoquinate (mean duration of treatment, 21 months), 11 dogs had no clinical signs after treatment for 14 months (range, 3 to 33 months; mean survival time, 39 months [range, 26 to 53 months]), 2 dogs were lost to follow-up, and 3 dogs were euthanatized because of severe disease.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although no treatment effectively eliminated the tissue stages ofH americanum, treatment with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine, clindamycin, and pyrimethamine followed by long-term administration of decoquinate resulted in extended survival times and excellent quality of life. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2001;218:77–82)
Findings from aCGH in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH): A possible locus for Fryns syndrome
Authors: Kantarci S. , Casavant D. , Prada C. , Russell M. , Byrne J. , Haug L. Wilkins , Jennings R. , Manning S. , Boyd T.K. , Fryns J.P. , Holmes L.B. , Donahoe P.K. , Lee C. , Kimonis V. , Pober B.R.
Published: December 2005

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a common and often devastating birth defect that can occur in isolation or as part of a malformation complex. Considerable progress is being made in the identification of genetic causes of CDH. We applied array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) of ∼1Mb resolution to 29 CDH patients with prior normal karyotypes who had been recruited into our multi‐site study. One patient, clinically diagnosed with Fryns syndrome, demonstrated a de novo 5Mb deletion at chromosome region 1q41–q42.12 that was confirmed by FISH. Given prior reports of CDH in association with cytogenetic abnormalities in this region, we propose that this represents a locus for Fryns syndrome, a Fryns syndrome phenocopy, or CDH. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 46,X,inv(Y) young woman with gonadal dysgenesis and gonadoblastoma: Cytogenetics, molecular, and methylation studies
Authors: Gimelli Giorgio , Giorda Roberto , Beri Silvana , Gimelli Stefania , Zuffardi Orsetta
Published: December 2005

Cytogenetic analysis of a young woman with gonadal dysgenesis and bilateral gonadoblastoma shared a male karyotype with a rearranged Y chromosome, interpreted as a pericentric inversion. The breakpoints, defined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), were located on the very distal short arm on band Yp11.31 and in the middle of the Yq12 long arm heterochromatic region. FISH analysis documented that the short arm breakpoint was 93 Kb distal to SRY and disrupted the CD99 gene, which was transposed to the distal portion of Yq12. The proposita's phenotype was similar to that of XY individuals with gonadal dysgenesis but without signs of Ullrich—Turner syndrome. There were no mutations in the SRY gene. Cytogenetic analysis in the proposita's father showed mosaicism of a normal Y chromosome and several different rearrangements, such as deletion of a heterochromatin portion at band Yq12.2, a fragile site at the same band, structural rearrangements between the Y‐chromosome and other autosomes, Y‐chromosome aneuploidies, and “Premature Centromere Division” (PCD) anomaly. The proposita's inverted Y chromosome appears to have originated from paternal Y chromosome instability. The patient's female phenotype could be due to SRY CpG methylation‐mediated positional effects (PEV). © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Overrepresentation of small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) from chromosome 6 origin in cases with multiple sSMC
Authors: Liehr Thomas , Starke Heike , Senger Gabriele , Melotte Cindy , Weise Anja , Vermeesch Joris Robert
Published: December 2005

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) in human are defined as additional centric derivatives smaller than chromosome 20. In the majority of the cases only one sSMC is present, leading to a more or less stable karyotype of 47,XX,+mar or 47,XY,+mar. In ∼1.4% of sSMC cases two or up to seven markers of different chromosomal origin are reported. According to the literature a sSMC(6) was present in 33% of the patients with multiple sSMC while sSMC(6) are observed in <1% of cases with a single sSMC. Currently there is no explanation for this striking observation. Here we report on one more unique case with two sSMC, one derived from #5 and the other from #6. Using microdissection/reverse painting, subcentromere‐specific multicolor FISH (subcenM‐FISH) and multicolor banding (MCB), they could be described as min or r(6)(::p11.1 → q11.1::) and r(5)(::p11.1∼12 → q10::q10 → p11.1∼12::), respectively. Reversed array CGH using the DNA of the microdissected sSMC as probe confirmed the FISH results and enabled the rapid mapping of the breakpoints. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of phenol–urea–formaldehyde resin by inline FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Poljanšek Ida , Šebenik Urška , Krajnc Matjaž
Published: December 2005

Phenol–urea–formaldehyde (PUF) resins were synthesized by a two‐step polymerization process. The first step was the synthesis of 2,4,6‐trimethylolphenol (TMeP) from phenol and formaldehyde, under alkaline conditions. In the second step PUF resins were synthesized by the reaction of TMeP with urea, under acidic and alkaline conditions. The influence of temperature on the synthesis of TMeP was investigated. The molar ratio between TMeP and urea was varied to study the composition effect on the second step of the PUF synthesis and final product properties. Synthesis of TMeP and PUF resins were monitored by inline FTIR‐ATR system. Analytical methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and infrared spectroscopy were used for characterization of TMeP and PUF resins. Obtained PUF resins were cured and tested on flexural strength. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Effect of organoclay on the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and surface wettability of injection‐molded ABS–clay nanocomposite materials prepared by melt intercalation
Authors: Yeh Jui‐Ming , Chen Chi‐Lun , Huang Chao‐Chen , Chang Fang‐Chia , Chen Shia‐Chung , Su Pao‐Lin , Kuo Chih‐Che , Hsu Jui‐Ting , Chen Boyang , Yu Yuan‐Hsiang
Published: December 2005

In this article, a series of polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials consisted of commercial thermoplastic ABS matrix and dispersing inorganic organoclay platelets were successfully prepared by melt intercalation through the twin‐roller mixer. The as‐prepared materials in the form of pellet were then shaped by injection‐molding machine and the as‐molded specimens were subsequently examined by chemical characterizations, through Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Effect of the organoclay on thermal stability, mechanical strength, and surface wettability of PCN materials, in both the form of standard dumbbell shape and pellet, was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, hardness test, and contact‐angle measurements, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99; 1576–1582, 2006
Preparation of flame‐retardant leather pretreated with pyrovatex CP
Authors: Mohamed O. A. , Abdel‐Mohdy F. A.
Published: December 2005

Resistance to burning is one of the most useful properties that can be imparted to leather. Pyrovatex CP is rich in phosphorus and nitrogen and has been successfully used as a flame‐retardant agent in the presence of etherified methylolated melamine (EMM). The effects of a finishing formulation containing Pyrovatex CP and EMM on the flame retardancy and other properties of modified leather have been studied under different conditions. The synergistic effect of the N/P ratio has been thoroughly investigated through the estimation of the nitrogen and phosphorus contents, and their impact on the flame retardancy, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the treated leather has been studied. An investigation of the different factors has led to the following conclusions: (1) the P and N percentages increase with increasing curing temperature and time, (2) increases in the Pyrovatex CP and EMM concentrations are accompanied by an enhancement of the P and N percentages, and (3) all samples exhibit loss in their tensile properties but within an acceptable range (20%). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Thermal and electrical conductivity of carbon–filled liquid crystal polymer composites
Authors: King Julia A. , Miller Michael G. , Barton Rodwick L. , Keith Jason M. , Hauser Rebecca A. , Peterson Karl R. , Sutter Lawrence L.
Published: December 2005

The thermal and electrical conductivity of resins can be increased by adding conductive carbon fillers. One emerging market for thermally and electrically conductive resins is for bipolar plates for use in fuel cells. In this study, varying amounts of five different types of carbon, one carbon black, two synthetic graphites, one natural flake graphite, and one calcined needle coke, were added to Vectra A950RX Liquid Crystal Polymer. The resulting composites containing only one type of filler were then tested for thermal and electrical conductivity. The objective of this work was to determine which carbon filler produced a composite with the highest thermal and electrical conductivity. The results showed that composites containing Thermocarb TC‐300 synthetic graphite particles had the highest thermal and electrical conductivity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99; 1552–1558, 2006
Characterization of poly(N‐(hydroxymethyl)methacrylamide‐ATU) hydrogels synthesized by γ radiation
Authors: Şahiner Nurettin , Çelikbıçak Ömür , Malcı Savaş , Kantoǧlu Ömer , Salih Bekir
Published: December 2005

Poly(N‐(hydroxymethyl)methacrylamide‐1‐allyl‐2‐thiourea), (poly(NHMMA‐ATU)) hydrogels were synthesized by γ radiation, using 60Co γ source at different radiation doses, to change the porosity and crosslinking density of the hydrogels. The percent of 1‐allyl‐2‐thiourea (ATU) in the monomer mixture before the irradiation was varied between 2.5% and 10.0%, to increase the content of ATU, which was involved in some different applications in the hydrogels. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, and the swelling experiments were used to characterize the poly(NHMMA‐ATU) hydrogels synthesized in this study. Characterization results of hydrogels showed that crosslinking density of the hydrogels was increased by the increasing radiation dose and ATU content in the irradiated mixture. Swellability of these hydrogels was found to be high enough to allow the metal ions and biomolecules getting inside the hydrogels to interact with all active groups on/in the hydrogels in the adsorption applications. Equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels at pH 0.5 is at least half of the equilibrium swelling ratio of the hydrogels at pH 7.0. Oscillatory swelling behavior of poly(NHMMA‐ATU) hydrogels between pH 0.5 and pH 7.0 showed that the hydrogels are quite stable at different pH conditions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1657–1664, 2006
Selected physical characteristics of polystyrene/high density polyethylene composites prepared from virgin and recycled materials
Authors: Joshi Jayant , Lehman Richard , Nosker Thomas
Published: December 2005

Mixtures of polystyrene and high density polyethylene were injection molded from recycled and virgin polymers to generate cocontinuous structures. The mechanical properties of these blends were evaluated to assess their conformance to rule of mixtures behavior in general and to identify areas of synergy or incompatibility in specific. Flexural and tensile data for recycled blends showed that generally the properties are not additive, except in a cocontinuous region of composition near 35/65 PS/HDPE that has been identified previously for recycled materials. Analysis of crystallinity in the HDPE phase of these blends by differential scanning calorimetry indicates a marked reduction in the level of HDPE crystallinity at the 35/65 PS/HDPE composition. Similar blends of virgin PS/HDPE polymer do not show the differing regions of incompatibility and synergy illustrated by the recycled materials, but rather show approximate conformance to the rule of mixtures. Furthermore, the virgin blends show virtually no crystallinity suppression and a more pronounced Tg shift in the polystyrene compared to recycled materials. Detailed characterization of the recycled materials in terms of polymer and particulate impurities should improve understanding of these differences and perhaps provide direction for obtaining enhanced synergistic behavior in virgin polymer blends. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006