bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing Pay-for-Performance in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Profit Jochen , Zupancic John A. F. , Gould Jeffrey B. , Petersen Laura A.
Published: May 2007

Pay-for-performance initiatives in medicine are proliferating rapidly. Neonatal intensive care is a likely target for these efforts because of the high cost, available databases, and relative strength of evidence for at least some measures of quality. Pay-for-performance may improve patient care but requires valid measurements of quality to ensure that financial incentives truly support superior performance. Given the existing uncertainty with respect to both the effectiveness of pay-for-performance and the state of quality measurement science, experimentation with pay-for-performance initiatives should proceed with caution and in controlled settings. In this article, we describe approaches to measuring quality and implementing pay-for-performance in the NICU setting.
Health Insurance Across Vulnerable Ages: Patterns and Disparities From Adolescence to the Early 30s
Authors: Adams Sally H. , Newacheck Paul W. , Park M. Jane , Brindis Claire D. , Irwin Charles E.
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. Young adults have the lowest rate of insurance coverage of any age group. Little is known about insurance patterns from adolescence through the early 30s. The objective of this study was to assess patterns and disparities in health insurance from adolescence through the early 30s.

DESIGN. We analyzed data from the 2002 and 2003 National Health Interview Survey (ages 13–32; N = 48827). We examined public and private insurance coverage and conducted logistic regression to evaluate racial/ethnic and income disparities in coverage. Outcomes were insurance coverage at ages 13 to 32.

RESULTS. Insurance patterns follow a U-shaped curve across the age categories. Rates are highest at ages 13 to 14, lowest at ages 23 to 24, and then increase gradually. Private rate patterns are similar; however, public coverage decreases across ages. In bivariate analyses, black and Hispanic groups had lower coverage rates than the white group, and the low- and middle-income groups had lower rates than the high-income group. After adjustment for confounding variables, all disparities remained significant except for differences between the black and white groups.

CONCLUSIONS. After age 18, all groups are vulnerable to lack of insurance. Rate increases beyond age 25 to 26 years are attributable to increases in private coverage, whereas decreases in public coverage account for the lack of a full recovery to the higher rates seen in adolescence. The safety net of public programs that cover adolescents disappears in young adulthood, leaving young adults vulnerable, a problem that persists into the 30s for those who are in poverty and those who are of Hispanic origin.
Aminoglycoside-Based Triple-Antibiotic Therapy Versus Monotherapy for Children With Ruptured Appendicitis
Authors: Goldin Adam B. , Sawin Robert S. , Garrison Michelle M. , Zerr Danielle M. , Christakis Dimitri A.
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare the use of triple therapy versus monotherapy for children and adolescents with perforated appendicitis and to determine whether there has been a transition to monotherapy within the freestanding children's hospitals that contribute to the Pediatric Health Information System database.

METHODS. We used the Pediatric Health Information System database, which includes billing and discharge data for 32 children's hospitals in the United States, to examine the trend in antibiotic usage and whether the postappendectomy antibiotic regimen was associated with differences in complication-related readmissions, length of stay, or charges in a population of children and adolescents with ruptured appendicitis and discharge dates between March 1, 1999, and September 30, 2004. Pairwise regression analyses were performed to compare the most common monotherapy regimens with the triple therapy.

RESULTS. A total of 8545 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 58%, over the entire study period, received the aminoglycoside-based triple antibiotic therapy on postoperative day 1. There was, however, a notable transition over this 6-year period, from 69% to 52% of surgeons using aminoglycoside-based combination therapy. There were no significant differences in the odds of readmission at 30 days except for the group receiving ceftriaxone, which was associated with significantly decreased odds. The subgroup receiving piperacillin/tazobactam monotherapy demonstrated significantly decreased length of stay (−0.90 days) and total hospital charges, and the group receiving cefoxitin demonstrated significantly decreased length of stay (−1.89 days), as well as decreased pharmacy and total hospital charges.

CONCLUSIONS. Single-agent antibiotic therapy in the treatment of perforated appendicitis is being used with increasing frequency, is at least equal in efficacy to the traditional aminoglycoside-based combination therapy, and may offer improvements in terms of length of stay, pharmacy charges, and hospital charges.
The Effect of Breastfeeding on Cardiorespiratory Risk Factors in Adult Life
Authors: Rudnicka Alicja R. , Owen Christopher G. , Strachan David P.
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. Nutrition in the first weeks of life may program disease risk in adulthood. We examined the influence of initial infant feeding on cardiorespiratory risk factors in adulthood.

PATIENTS AND METHODS. A total of 9377 persons born during 1 week in 1958 in England, Scotland, and Wales were followed-up periodically from birth into adulthood. Infant feeding was recorded from a parental questionnaire at 7 years old as never breastfed, breastfed partially or wholly for <1 month, or breastfed for >1 month. Height; waist circumference; hip circumference; waist/hip ratio; body mass index; blood pressure; forced expiratory volume; total, high-density, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; triglycerides; hemoglobin A1c; fibrinogen; fibrin D-dimer; C-reactive protein; von Willebrand factor; and tissue plasminogen activator antigen were measured at 44 to 45 years of age.

RESULTS. Breastfeeding for >1 month was associated with reduced waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, von Willebrand factor, and lower odds of obesity compared with formula feeding after adjustment for birth weight, prepregnancy maternal weight, maternal smoking during pregnancy, socioeconomic position in childhood and adulthood, region of birth, gender, and current smoking status. Infant feeding status was not associated with other cardiorespiratory risk factors after adjustment, except for lower fibrinogen and C-reactive protein levels in women.

CONCLUSIONS. The inverse associations of breastfeeding for >1 month with measures of central obesity and inflammatory markers in the current study are small and of little public health importance. Although there was no substantial long-term protective effect of breastfeeding for >1 month on other cardiorespiratory risk factors in adult life, further studies with contemporaneous data on exclusive breastfeeding are needed to confirm these findings.
Adverse Associations of Infant and Child Sleep Problems and Parent Health: An Australian Population Study
Authors: Martin Joanna , Hiscock Harriet , Hardy Pollyanna , Davey Belinda , Wake Melissa
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. Infant sleep problems are strongly associated with poorer maternal mental health. It is not known whether they are also associated with poorer paternal mental health, nor whether sleep problems in older children are associated with maternal or paternal mental health. We aimed to examine relationships between child sleep problems and maternal and paternal mental health and general well-being in each of the infant and preschool-aged groups.

METHODS. Participants of this cross-sectional survey included families of infants (n = 5107) and preschool-aged children (n = 4983) participating in the first wave of the nationally representative Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, surveyed March through November 2004. The primary outcomes were mother and father serious psychological distress (measured by the Kessler-6) and general health (parent report of general health taken from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey and dichotomized into poor versus good health). A primary caregiver's report of the child's sleep problem was dichotomized into moderate/severe versus none/mild.

RESULTS. The prevalence of severe psychological distress ranged from 3% to 5%, and prevalence of poor general health ranged from 8% to 11%. Moderate to severe sleep problems affected 17% of infants and 14% of preschool-aged children. Infant sleep problems were associated with poor general health in mothers and with poor general health in fathers. Preschool sleep problems were associated with poor maternal general health. In mothers with no past history of depression, infant sleep problems had a greater effect on severe psychological distress compared with mothers with a past history of depression.

CONCLUSIONS. Sleep problems are common in infants and preschool-aged children. Infant sleep problems, in particular, are associated with poorer health in both parents, especially the mental health of mothers with no past history of depression.
Sleep Duration and Overweight in Adolescents: Self-reported Sleep Hours Versus Time Diaries
Authors: Knutson Kristen L. , Lauderdale Diane S.
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. Studies of children have found an inverse association between sleep duration and overweight on the basis of parental report of sleep duration. Studies in adolescents have been inconsistent but used varied measures of sleep. We used a nationally representative sample of adolescents that included 2 different measures of sleep duration (24-hour time diaries and self-reported usual sleep hours) to examine whether the association with overweight is sensitive to how sleep is measured in a single study population. We expected that the 2 measures of sleep would be strongly correlated and that the time-diary sleep would be more strongly associated with overweight risk because it is likely the more accurate measure of sleep.

METHODS. In 2001–2002, adolescents from the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics completed 24-hour time diaries on a random weekday and weekend. Adolescents also self-reported average sleep duration. Both sleep measures were categorized into quartiles. Height and weight were measured, and a BMI z score for age and gender was calculated. Overweight was defined as above the 95th percentile.

RESULTS. The final sample included 767 male and 779 female subjects who were aged 10 to 19 years. Mean time-diary sleep was nearly 9 hours on weekdays and >10 hours on weekends. Mean self-reported sleep duration was 8 hours. Time-diary sleep and self-reported sleep were weakly correlated. Time-diary sleep was not significantly associated with overweight. Self-reported sleep was associated with overweight, but the association was not linear. When both sleep measures were included in the same model, their effects on overweight were independent.

CONCLUSIONS. The weak correlation between self-reported sleep and time-diary sleep and the independence of their associations with overweight raise questions about what different measures of sleep duration in adolescents represent.
A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Benchmarking and Multimodal Quality Improvement to Improve Rates of Survival Free of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia for Infants With Birth Weights of Less Than 1250 Grams
Authors: Walsh Michele , Laptook Abbott , Kazzi S. Nadya , Engle William A. , Yao Qing , Rasmussen Maynard , Buchter Susie , Heldt Gregory , Rhine William , Higgins Rose , Poole Kenneth ,   for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. We tested whether NICU teams trained in benchmarking and quality improvement would change practices and improve rates of survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia in inborn neonates with birth weights of <1250 g.

METHODS. A cluster-randomized trial enrolled 4093 inborn neonates with birth weights of <1250 g at 17 centers of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. Three centers were selected as best performers, and the remaining 14 centers were randomized to intervention or control. Changes in rates of survival free of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were compared between study year 1 and year 3.

RESULTS. Intervention centers implemented potentially better practices successfully; changes included reduced oxygen saturation targets and reduced exposure to mechanical ventilation. Five of 7 intervention centers and 2 of 7 control centers implemented use of high-saturation alarms to reduce oxygen exposure. Lower oxygen saturation targets reduced oxygen levels in the first week of life. Despite these changes, rates of survival free of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were all similar between intervention and control groups and remained significantly less than the rate achieved in the best-performing centers (73.3%).

CONCLUSIONS. In this cluster-randomized trial, benchmarking and multimodal quality improvement changed practices but did not reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia rates.
Effectiveness of Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole for Children With Chronic Active Otitis Media: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: van der Veen Erwin L. , Rovers Maroeska M. , Albers Frans W. J. , Sanders Elisabeth A. M. , Schilder Anne G. M.
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to determine the clinical effectiveness of prolonged outpatient treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for children with chronic active otitis media.

METHODS. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 101 children (1–12 years of age) with chronic active otitis media (defined as otorrhea for ≥12 weeks). In addition to a short course of steroid and antibiotic eardrops, children were assigned randomly to receive 6 to 12 weeks of orally administered trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (18 mg/kg, 2 times per day) or placebo and were monitored for 1 year.

RESULTS. At 6 weeks, 28% of children in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group and 53% of children in the placebo group had otomicroscopic signs of otorrhea. At 12 weeks, these values were 32% and 47%, respectively. At 1 year, the numbers of children with otorrhea were similar in the 2 groups (25% and 20%, respectively). One child in the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group developed a skin rash. Vomiting or diarrhea was reported for 9% of the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group and 2% of the placebo group. Pure-tone hearing levels and health-related quality of life improved during the study but did not differ between the trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole group and the placebo group. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated bacteria in the otorrhea samples from both groups.

CONCLUSIONS. A 6- to 12-week course of high-dose, orally administered trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole therapy is beneficial for children with chronic active otitis media. The treatment effect is most pronounced with the shorter course and disappears if administration of the medication is discontinued.
Determinants of Outcomes After Head Cooling for Neonatal Encephalopathy
Authors: Wyatt John S. , Gluckman Peter D. , Liu Ping Y. , Azzopardi Denis , Ballard Roberta , Edwards A. David , Ferriero Donna M. , Polin Richard A. , Robertson Charlene M. , Thoresen Marianne , Whitelaw Andrew , Gunn Alistair J. ,   for the CoolCap Study Group
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of factors that may determine the efficacy of treatment with delayed head cooling and mild systemic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy.

METHODS. A total of 218 term infants with moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy plus abnormal amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic recordings, assigned randomly to head cooling for 72 hours, starting within 6 hours after birth (with the rectal temperature maintained at 34.5 ± 0.5°C), or conventional care, were studied. Death or severe disability at 18 months of age was assessed in a multicenter, randomized, controlled study (the CoolCap trial).

RESULTS. Treatment, lower encephalopathy grade, lower birth weight, greater amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic amplitude, absence of seizures, and higher Apgar score, but not gender or gestational age, were associated significantly with better outcomes. In a multivariate analysis, each of the individually predictive factors except for Apgar score remained predictive. There was a significant interaction between treatment and birth weight, categorized as ≥25th or <25th percentile for term, such that larger infants showed a lower frequency of favorable outcomes in the control group but greater improvement with cooling. For larger infants, the number needed to treat was 3.8. Pyrexia (≥38°C) in control infants was associated with adverse outcomes. Although there was a small correlation with birth weight, the adverse effect of greater birth weight in control infants remained significant after adjustment for pyrexia and severity of encephalopathy.

CONCLUSIONS. Outcomes after hypothermic treatment were strongly influenced by the severity of neonatal encephalopathy. The protective effect of hypothermia was greater in larger infants.
The Nature of Feeding in Infants with Unrepaired Cleft Lip and/or Palate Compared with Healthy Noncleft Infants
Authors: Masarei A. G. , Sell D. , Habel A. , Mars Michael , Sommerlad B. C. , Wade A.
Published: May 2007

Objective:

Feeding difficulties are reported widely in infants with cleft lip and/ or palate. There is, however, a paucity of objective information about the feeding patterns of these infants. This study compared patterns of feeding in infants with unrepaired cleft lip and palate with healthy noncleft infants of a similar age.

Setting:

North Thames Regional Cleft Centre. The noncleft cohort was recruited from West Middlesex University Hospital, a general hospital with similar demographics.

Participants:

Fifty newborn infants with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate or a cleft of the soft and at least two thirds of the hard palate who were referred to the North Thames Regional Cleft Centre participated. Parents of 20 randomly selected, noncleft infants agreed to participate.

Main Outcome Measures:

Feeding patterns were rated using the Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale. Additional objective information was collected using the Great Ormond Street Measurement of Infant Feeding (Masarei et al., 2001; Masarei, 2003).

Results:

Infants with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate or a cleft of the soft and at least two thirds of the hard palate had less efficient sucking patterns than their noncleft peers had. They used shorter sucks (mean difference, 0.30 second; p < .0005), a faster rate of sucking (mean difference, 34.20 sucks/second; p < .0005), higher suck-swallow ratios (mean difference, 1.87 sucks/swallow; p < .0005), and a greater proportion of intraoral positive pressure generation (mean difference, 45.97% positive pressure; p < .0005).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that the sucking patterns of infants with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate or a cleft of the soft and at least two thirds of the hard palate differ from those of their noncleft peers.
Three-Dimensional Computerized Anthropometry of the Nose: Landmark Representation Compared to Surface Analysis
Authors: Ferrario Virgilio F. , Mian Fabrizio , Peretta Redento , Rosati Riccardo , Sforza Chiarella
Published: May 2007

Objective:

To compare three-dimensional nasal measurements directly made on subjects to those made on plaster casts, and nasal dimensions obtained with a surface-based approach to values obtained with a landmark representation.

Methods:

Soft-tissue nasal landmarks were directly digitized on 20 healthy adults. Stone casts of their noses were digitized and mathematically reconstructed using nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS) curves. Linear distances, angles, volumes and surface areas were computed using facial landmarks and NURBS-reconstructed models (surface-based approach).

Results:

Measurements on the stone casts were somewhat smaller than values obtained directly from subjects (differences between −0.05 and −1.58 mm). Dahlberg's statistic ranged between 0.73 and 1.47 mm. Significant (p < .05) t values were found for 4 of 15 measurements. The surface-based approach gave values 3.5 (volumes) and 2.1 (surface area) times larger than those computed with the landmark-based method. The two values were significantly related (volume, r = 0.881; surface, r = 0.924; p < .001), the resulting equations estimated actual values well (mean difference, volume −0.01 mm3, SD 1.47, area 0.05 cm2, SD 1.44); limits of agreement between −2.89 and 2.87 mm3 (volume); −2.88 and 2.78 cm2 (area).

Conclusions:

Considering the characteristics of the two methods, and for practical purposes, nasal distances and angles obtained on plaster models were comparable to digital data obtained directly from subjects. Surface areas and volumes were best obtained using a surface-based approach, but could be estimated using data provided by the landmark representation.
Evaluation of an accelerometer for at-home monitoring of spontaneous activity in dogs
Authors: Hansen Bernard D. , Lascelles B. Duncan X. , Keene Bruce W. , Adams Allison K. , Thomson Andrea E.
Published: May 2007

Objective—To determine the correlation between activity as measured by an accelerometer and videographic measurements of movement and mobility in healthy dogs.

Animals—4 healthy dogs.

Procedures—After determination that accelerometers had good agreement, 5 identical accelerometers were used simultaneously to test their output at 8 locations (rotated among collar, vest, and forelimb stocking locations) on each dog. Movement and mobility for each dog were recorded continuously with a computerized videography system for 7-hour ses-sions on 4 consecutive days. Accelerometer values were combined into 439 fifteen-minute intervals and compared with 3 videographic measurements of movement and mobility (distance traveled, time spent walking > 20 cm/s, and time spent changing position by > 12% of 2-dimensional surface area during 1.5 seconds).

Results—96% of values compared between the most discordant pair of accelerometers were within 2 SDs of the mean value from all 5 accelerometers. All mounting locations provided acceptable correlation with videographic measurements of movement and mobility, and the ventral portion of the collar was determined to be the most convenient location.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Use of an accelerometer was adequate for at-home activity monitoring, an important end point in clinical trials of treatment for chronic disease, and provided information about daily activity that is unattainable by other methods.
Plasma concentration and local anesthetic activity of procaine hydrochloride following subcutaneous administration to horses
Authors: Kuchembuck Natasha L. , Colahan Patrick T. , Zientek Keith D. , Pirman David A. , Wegner Kirsten , Cole Cynthia A.
Published: May 2007

Objective—To determine the durations of the local anesthetic effect and plasma procaine concentrations associated with 5- and 10-mg doses of procaine hydrochloride (with or without 100 μg of epinephrine) administered SC over the lateral palmar digital nerves of horses.

Animals—6 healthy adult horses.

Procedures—The hoof withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL) period was determined by use of a focused heat lamp before and after administration of procaine with and without epinephrine. Blood samples were collected immediately before determination of each HWRL period to assess plasma concentrations of procaine via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry–mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS).

Results—10 but not 5 mg of procaine alone and 5 and 10 mg of procaine administered with epinephrine significantly prolonged the HWRL period (mean durations of effect, 5, 120 and 180 minutes, respectively), compared with baseline values. Plasma procaine concentrations did not correlate well with local anesthetic activity; for example, although the HWRL was prolonged to the maximum permitted duration of 20 seconds at 60 to 180 minutes following administration of the 5-mg dose of procaine with epinephrine in certain horses, plasma procaine concentrations were less than the limit of quantitation of the LC-MS-MS assay.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Small doses of procaine coadministered with epinephrine provided long-lasting local analgesia and resulted in plasma procaine concentrations that were not always detectable via LC-MS-MS. On the basis of these results, the use of regulatory limits or thresholds for procaine concentration in equine plasma samples obtained after racing should be seriously reconsidered.
Effects of vertebral mobilization and manipulation on kinematics of the thoracolumbar region
Authors: Haussler Kevin K. , Hill Ashley E. , Puttlitz Christian M. , McIlwraith C. Wayne
Published: May 2007

Objective—To measure passive spinal movements induced during dorsoventral mobilization and evaluate effects of induced pain and spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) on passive vertebral mobility in standing horses.

Animals—10 healthy adult horses.

Procedures—Baseline vertical displacements, applied force, stiffness, and frequency of the oscillations were measured during dorsoventral spinal mobilization at 5 thoracolumbar intervertebral sites. As a model for back pain, fixation pins were temporarily implanted into the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae at 2 of the intervertebral sites. Vertebral variables were recorded again after pin placement and treadmill locomotion. In a random-ized crossover study, horses were allocated to control and treatment interventions, separated by a 7-day washout period.The SMT consisted of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts applied to the 3 non–pin-placement sites. Control horses received no treatment.

Results—The amplitudes of vertical displacement increased from cranial to caudal in the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column. Pin implantation caused no immediate changes at adjacent intervertebral sites, but treadmill exercise caused reductions in most variables. The SMT induced a 15% increase in displacement and a 20% increase in applied force, compared with control measurements.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The passive vertical mobility of the trunk varied from cranial to caudal. At most sites, SMT increased the amplitudes of dorsoventral displacement and applied force, indicative of increased vertebral flexibility and increased tolerance to pressure in the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column.
Evaluation of serum cardiac troponin I concentration in Boxers with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Baumwart Ryan D. , Orvalho João , Meurs Kathryn M.
Published: May 2007

Objective—To evaluate serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in Boxers with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), unaffected (control) Boxers, and control non-Boxers.

Animals—10 Boxers with a clinical diagnosis of ARVC defined by ≥ 1,000 ventricular premature complexes (VPCs)/24 h on an ambulatory ECG, 10 control Boxers assessed as normal by the presence of < 5 VPCs/24h, and 10 control non-Boxers.

Procedures—Serum was extracted from a blood sample from each dog. Analysis of serum cTnI concentrations was performed.

Results—Mean ± SD serum cTnI concentration was 0.142 ± 0.05 ng/mL for Boxers with ARVC, 0.079 ± 0.03 ng/mL for control Boxers, and 0.023 ± 0.01 ng/mL for control non-Boxers. A significant difference in serum cTnI concentrations was observed among the 3 groups. In the combined Boxer population (ie, Boxers with ARVC and control Boxers), a significant correlation was found between serum cTnI concentration and number of VPCs/24 h (r = 0.78) and between serum cTnI concentration and grade of ventricular arrhythmia (r = 0.77).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Compared with clinically normal dogs, Boxers with ARVC had a significant increase in serum cTnI concentration. For Boxers, correlations were found between serum cTnI concentration and number of VPCs/24 h and between concentration and the grade of arrhythmia. Because of the overlap in serum cTnI concentrations in control Boxers and Boxers with ARVC, future studies should evaluate the correlation of serum cTnI concentration with severity of disease in terms of degree of myocardial fibrofatty changes.
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns and antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes for coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates from pustules and carriage sites in dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis
Authors: Pinchbeck Lauren R. , Cole Lynette K. , Hillier Andrew , Kowalski Joseph J. , Rajala-Schultz Päivi J. , Bannerman Tammy L. , York Steven
Published: May 2007

Objective—To determine whether coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates that are genotypically the same strain obtained from pustules and carriage sites of individual dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis have the same antimicrobial susceptibility phenotype.

Animals—40 dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis.

Procedures—Samples were obtained from 3 pustules and 3 carriage sites (ie, anus, nonlesional axillary skin, and nasal mucosa) for bacterial culture, morphologic identification, Gram staining, catalase and coagulase testing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, speciation, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results—223 isolates from pustules and carriage sites were included. Seventeen susceptibility phenotypes were found among isolates. One hundred twenty-eight (100%) isolates from pustules and 95 (100%) isolates from carriage sites were susceptible to cephalothin; 128 (100%) isolates from pustules and 94 (98.9%) isolates from carriage sites were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid; 114 (89.1%) isolates from pustules and 82 (86.3%) isolates from carriage sites were susceptible to erythromycin and lincomycin hydrochloride; and 103 (80.5%) isolates from pustules and 70 (73.7%) isolates from carriage sites were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In 37 of 39 (94.9%) dogs, isolates with the same PFGE pattern from multiple pustules had the same susceptibility phenotype. In 21 of 33 (63.6%) dogs, isolates from multiple carriage sites with the same PFGE pattern had the same susceptibility phenotype.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs with superficial bacterial folliculitis, most coagulase-positive staphylococcal isolates from pustules that are genotypically the same strain will have the same susceptibility phenotype and treatment may be based on empiric antimicrobial selection or susceptibility testing of 1 lesional isolate.
Effect of vaccination with a modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus vaccine on dynamics of homologous viral infection in pigs
Authors: Cano Jean Paul , Dee Scott A. , Murtaugh Michael P. , Trincado Carlos A. , Pijoan Carlos B.
Published: May 2007

Objective—To determine effects of vaccination protocols with modified-live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine on persistence and transmission of virus in pigs infected with a homologous isolate and determine clinical and virologic responses following heterologous viral challenge.

Animals—Four hundred forty 6- to 8-week-old PRRSV-naïve pigs.

Procedures—Pigs were allocated into 5 groups. Groups A to D were inoculated with wild-type PRRSV VR2332. Group A (positive control pigs) received PRRSV only. Groups B, C, and D received modified-live PRRSV vaccine (1, 2, or 3 doses). Group E served as a negative control group. To evaluate viral transmission, sentinel pigs were introduced into each group at intervals from 37 to 67, 67 to 97, and 97 to 127 days postinoculation (DPI). To evaluate persistence, pigs were euthanized at 37, 67, 97, or 127 DPI. To assess clinical and virologic response after challenge, selected pigs from each group were inoculated at 98 DPI with a heterologous isolate (PRRSV MN-184).

Results—Mass vaccination significantly reduced the number of persistently infected pigs at 127 DPI. Vaccination did not eliminate wild-type PRRSV; administration of 2 or 3 doses of modified-live virus vaccine reduced viral shedding after 97 DPI. Previous exposure to wild-type and vaccine virus reduced clinical signs and enhanced growth following heterologous challenge but did not prevent infection.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggest that therapeutic vaccination may help to reduce economic losses of PRRSV caused by infection; further studies to define the role of modified-live virus vaccines in control-eradication programs are needed.
Evaluation of lidocaine treatment and risk factors for death associated with gastric dilatation and volvulus in dogs: 112 cases (1997–2005)
Authors: Buber Tali , Saragusty Joseph , Ranen Eyal , Epstein Ana , Bdolah-Abram Tali , Bruchim Yaron
Published: May 2007

Objective—To determine clinical features, outcome, risk factors for death, and efficacy of IV administration of lidocaine as a prophylactic treatment for ischemic reperfusion injury in gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) in dogs.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—112 dogs with GDV.

Procedures—Data pertaining to breed; time lag to admission; clinical, clinicopathologic, and surgical findings; lidocaine treatment; and postoperative complications were assessed for association with outcome.

Results—German Shepherd Dogs (28.6%) and Great Danes (17%) were significantly over-represented. Risk factors for death included time lag (≥ 5 hours vs < 5 hours) from onset of clinical signs to admission (46.0% vs 11.3%), rectal temperature (≤ 38°C vs > 38°C [< 100.4°F vs > 100.4°F]) at admission (40.0% vs 14.9%), presence or absence of ARF (67.0% vs 23.3%), presence or absence of suspected gastric wall necrosis (59.3% vs 16.0%), and untreated gastric wall necrosis, compared with treated gastric wall necrosis (100% vs 47.6%). Overall mortality rate was 26.8%; no significant differences were detected in mortality rate or postoperative complications between dogs that received lidocaine IV prior to surgical intervention (52.0%) and dogs that did not (48.0%). Mean ± SD hospitalization time was longer in the lidocaine treatment group (3.5 ± 1.9 days vs 2.5 ± 1.4 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Presence of the identified risk factors should warrant aggressive treatment. Lidocaine treatment was not associated with mortality rate or postoperative complications, but was associated with prolonged hospitalization time.
Evaluation of transfixation casting for treatment of third metacarpal, third metatarsal, and phalangeal fractures in horses: 37 cases (1994–2004)
Authors: Lescun Timothy B. , McClure Scott R. , Ward Michael P. , Downs Christopher , Wilson David A. , Adams Stephen B. , Hawkins Jan F. , Reinertson Eric L.
Published: May 2007

Objective—To evaluate clinical findings, complications, and outcome of horses and foals with third metacarpal, third metatarsal, or phalangeal fractures that were treated with transfixation casting.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—29 adult horses and 8 foals with fractures of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone or the proximal or middle phalanx.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed, and follow-up information was obtained. Data were analyzed by use of logistic regression models for survival, fracture healing, return to intended use, pin loosening, pin hole lysis, and complications associated with pins.

Results—In 27 of 35 (77%) horses, the fracture healed and the horse survived, including 10 of 15 third metacarpal or metatarsal bone fractures, 11 of 12 proximal phalanx fractures, and 6 of 8 middle phalanx fractures. Four adult horses sustained a fracture through a pin hole. One horse sustained a pathologic unicortical fracture secondary to a pin hole infec-tion. Increasing body weight, fracture involving 2 joints, nondiaphyseal fracture location, and increasing duration until radiographic union were associated with horses not returning to their intended use. After adjusting for body weight, pin loosening was associated with di-aphyseal pin location, pin hole lysis was associated with number of days with a transfixation cast, and pin complications were associated with hand insertion of pins.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that transfixation casting can be successful in managing fractures distal to the carpus or tarsus in horses. This technique is most suitable for comminuted fractures of the proximal phalanx but can be used for third metacarpal, third metatarsal, or middle phalanx fractures, with or without internal fixation.
Fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus in horses: 15 cases (1986–2004)
Authors: Mez Jason C. , Dabareiner Robin M. , Cole Robert C. , Watkins Jeffery P.
Published: May 2007

Objective—To determine clinical and radiographic abnormalities in and outcome of horses with fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus and to develop a radiographic technique for obtaining a cranioproximal-craniodistal oblique projection of the proximal portion of the humerus in standing horses.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—15 horses.

Procedures—Data collected from medical records included signalment, history, horse use, severity and duration of lameness, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome.

Results—All horses had a history of acute, unilateral lameness. Twelve of 15 had visual or palpable abnormalities in the shoulder region. In 6 of 8 horses, the fracture could be seen on a cranioproximal-craniodistal projection of the proximal portion of the humerus. In 2 horses, this was the only projection on which the fracture could be seen, and in an additional 2, this was the projection on which the fracture could be seen most reliably. Ten horses underwent surgery (fragment removal, 7; open reduction and internal fixation, 2; and exploration without fragment removal, 1), and 5 were treated with variable periods of stall rest and turnout. Eleven horses returned to athletic use, including 9 of the 10 treated surgically and 2 of the 5 treated without surgery.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that horses with fractures of the greater tubercle of the humerus can return to athletic soundness following treatment and emphasized the need for obtaining a cranioproximal-craniodistal radiographic projection of the proximal portion of the humerus in horses suspected to have an injury in this region.
Reduced threshold for cortical spreading depression in female mice
Authors: Brennan Kevin C. , Romero‐Reyes Marcela , López Valdés Héctor E. , Arnold Arthur P. , Charles Andrew C.
Published: May 2007

The prevalence of migraine is much greater in female than male individuals. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is thought to be a fundamental mechanism of migraine, and CSD in rodents is used as a model for migraine. We used optical intrinsic signal imaging and electrophysiological techniques to investigate CSD in C57Bl/6 mice. Using two different methods for induction of CSD, we found that female mice had a significantly reduced threshold for induction of CSD compared with male mice. These results suggest an increased cortical excitability in female mice that may be independent of the estrous cycle. Ann Neurol 2007
Anticipation and intergenerational repeat instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type 17
Authors: Rasmussen Astrid , De Biase Irene , Fragoso‐Benítez Marcela , Macías‐Flores Marco Antonio , Yescas Petra , Ochoa Adriana , Ashizawa Tetsuo , Alonso María Elisa , Bidichandani Sanjay I.
Published: May 2007

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is caused by expansion of a CAG/CAA repeat in the TBP gene. Most pathogenic alleles are interrupted and are stably transmitted from parent to offspring without anticipation. We identified three SCA17 families with expansion of uninterrupted alleles, thus greatly increasing the number of known intergenerational transmissions of such alleles. We found that uninterrupted SCA17 alleles are unstable, associated with anticipation, and show a paternal expansion bias that increases with age. Even small increments in repeat length resulted in inordinate increases in anticipation. Anticipation was also associated with childhood presentation. Sequencing of all SCA17 alleles is required for effective genetic counseling. Ann Neurol 2007
Aqueous reactive polyurethane prepolymer with poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether side chains for the hydrophilic finishing of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabrics
Authors: Yen Meng‐Shung , Huang Ching‐Nan , Hong Po‐Da
Published: May 2007

In this study, a series of aqueous polyurethane (PU) prepolymers were synthesized with 4,4‐methylene bis(isocyanatocyclohexane), poly(ethylene glycol) or polycaprolactone diol (PCL), methyl ethyl ketoxime, and dispersing centers produced by isophorone diisocyanate, N‐diethanol amine, and poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether (PEO), containing different hydrophobic groups (CH3 and C6H4C9H19) at the end. The thermal properties of the prepolymers and the characteristics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)‐treated fabrics were investigated. The glass‐transition temperature was the highest in the CC prepolymer containing a benzene ring (C6H4C9H19) and a long PEO side chain, and it was the lowest in the CA prepolymer having a longer PEO side chain. The CB prepolymer containing a shorter PEO side chain did not produce a melting point of PEO, although a heat endothermic peak of the PCL crystal appeared. The melting point and enthalpy from PEO of the CA prepolymer were larger than those of the CC prepolymer. With respect to the hydrophilic finishing effects of aqueous PU prepolymers for PET fabrics, the fabric treated with the CB prepolymer had higher add‐on and washing durability than the fabrics treated with the CA prepolymer, which was followed by the CC prepolymer with the lowest, but the opposite trend was found for the hydrophilic properties. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Kinetics and equilibrium of cobalt ion adsorption on cross‐linked polyethylenimine membrane
Authors: Shentu Baoqing , Zhu Qing , Liu Qun , Weng Zhixue
Published: May 2007

The kinetics and equilibrium of cobalt ion adsorption on crosslinked polyethylenimine (PEI) membrane were studied by the spectroscopic method in terms of time, cobalt ion concentration, and temperature. It was found that the adsorption of cobalt ion on crosslinked PEI membrane obeyed the pseudofirst‐order kinetic model and the equilibrium adsorption amount of cobalt ion on crosslinked PEI membrane was closely related to the initial cobalt ion concentration. The equilibrium adsorption amount increased with the decrease of temperature and obeyed a Langmuir isotherm to give the equilibrium constant for the adsorption of cobalt ion on crosslinked PEI membrane under various temperatures. Based on Van't Hoff equation the enthalpy and entropy of the adsorption of cobalt ion on crosslinked PEI membrane were determined to be −12.9 kJ mol−1 and −107 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Polymer clay self‐assembly complexes on paper
Authors: Ou Runqing , Zhang Jianguo , Deng Yulin , Ragauskas Arthur J.
Published: May 2007

Layer‐by‐layer (LBL) self‐assembly was used to form polymer/clay complexes on paper to enhance its wet strength properties. Initially, alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and Kaolin clay were sequentially deposited on quartz substrate and characterized by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy as a model system. The same procedure was then applied to a paper test sheet to form multilayered coatings, which were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The wettability of the LBL coated paper test sheet was shown to change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with increased number of multilayers and if the terminating layer was Kaolin clay. The wet strength of the coated test sheet was improved by more than 270% over the uncoated test sheet with 16 bilayers of PAH/kaolin complex on the surface. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Effects of clay dispersion and content on the rheological, mechanical properties, and flame retardance of HDPE/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Lee Y. H. , Park Chul B. , Sain M. , Kontopoulou M. , Zheng Wenge
Published: May 2007

Full exfoliation of clay/high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites was successfully achieved with the aid of maleated HDPE (PE‐g‐MAn), by melt blending in a twin‐screw extruder employing a long residence time configuration. The morphology of the composites was determined using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of clay content and state of clay dispersion on the rheological, tensile properties, and flame retardancy of nanocomposites containing very small amounts of clay, in the range of 0.05–1.0 wt %, were investigated in this study. It was demonstrated that achieving a higher degree of exfoliation for nanosized clay particles is key to enhancing the rheological, mechanical, and flame retarding properties even when small amounts of clay (less than 1%) are used. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Formation of microporous membrane of isotactic polypropylene in dibutyl phthalate‐soybean oil via thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Chen Gang , Lin Yakai , Wang Xiaolin
Published: May 2007

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) microporous membranes were prepared via the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process with the diluents being dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and soybean oil mixture. By changing the weight ratio of DBP to soybean oil systematically, it was determined experimentally that the cloud‐point curves were influenced to a great extent, while the crystallization curves showed much less dependence on the diluents composition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the resulting membrane morphologies changed significantly by varying the composition of the diluents, i.e., by changing the interaction parameter and other characteristics of diluents, the interwoven or celluar structure can be fabricated successfully at a fixed polymer concentration under the same cooling conditions. Different growth rates of iPP spherulite were obtained in the diluents with different composition. It is shown that the spherulites growth rates may be also attributed to the great variations of the final microporous morphology to a certain extent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Imaging buried landforms using down‐hole susceptibility data and three‐dimensional GPR visualization software
Authors: Dalan Rinita A. , Goodman Dean
Published: May 2007

A recently developed down‐hole magnetic susceptibility instrument, the Bartington MS2H sensor, coupled with Multitsus FieldPro software provide a minimally invasive, rapid, and cost‐effective means for high‐resolution mapping of vertical variations in magnetic susceptibility across archaeological landforms. This technology was applied at the Dahnke‐Reinke site (32CS29), a multicomponent prehistoric site located in North Dakota, USA. A grid of down‐hole tests, each measuring susceptibility at 2‐cm vertical intervals to a maximum depth of 130 cm, was placed over a 40 m by 50 m area to map and thus understand spatial relationships between buried soils and cultural deposits previously identified in widely spaced test excavations.

The susceptibility measurements were imported into GPR‐SLICE software to aid in interpretation. Two and three‐dimensional images and animations allowed buried palaeosols to be traced across the landform and revealed areas of focused human activity on these stable surfaces, demonstrating the potential of such an approach for visualizing landscape use and change over time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.