bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Establishing Organ Transplant Programs in Developing Countries: The Latin America and Caribbean Experience
Authors: Medina‐Pestana José Osmar , Duro‐Garcia Valter
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  The Latin America and Caribbean region is composed of 39 countries. It is remarkable the progress of transplantation in the region in despite of the low economic resources when compared to other regions. The criteria for brain death are well established and culturally accepted. The consent for retrieval is based on required family consent in most countries. The regulations for living donors are also well established, with restrictions to unrelated donors and prohibition of any kind of commerce. The access to transplant is limited by the model of public financing by each country, and those with public universal coverage have no financial restrictions to cover the costs for any citizen; in countries with restricted coverage, the access is restricted to the employment status. There is a progressive increment in the annual number of solid organ transplants in Latin America, reaching near 10  000 in 2004, accomplished by adequate legislation that is also concerned with the prohibition of organ commerce.
Prevention of Renal Disease Progression and Renal Replacement Therapy in Emerging Countries
Authors: Hafez Mohamed H. , Abdellatif Dina A. , Elkhatib Mohamed M.
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Chronic kidney disease is increasing in both developed and emerging countries with progressive encroachment on health services budgets. In spite of the lack of accurate registries, we tried to focus on the magnitude of the problem on different continents. Prevention of progression has been a remote but reachable goal. Many health foundations including the International Society of Nephrology gave recommendations for prevention and slowing progression, but these are again confronted by lack of resources. Integration of governmental, community, and expert efforts is necessary to set prevention priorities including affordable screening programs and increasing access to renal replacement therapy by different modalities.
Biomaterials and Strategies for Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Huang Yi‐Cheng , Huang Yi‐You
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Nerve regeneration is a complex biological phenomenon. Once the nervous system is impaired, its recovery is difficult and malfunctions in other parts of the body may occur because mature neurons do not undergo cell division. To increase the prospects of axonal regeneration and functional recovery, researches have focused on designing “nerve guidance channels” or “nerve conduits.” When developing ideal tissue‐engineered nerve conduits, several components come to mind. They include a biodegradable and porous channel wall, the ability to deliver bioactive growth factors, incorporation of support cells, an internal oriented matrix to support cell migration, intraluminal channels to mimic the structure of nerve fascicles, and electrical activities. This article reviews the factors that are critical for nerve repair, and the advanced technologies that are explored to fabricate nerve conduits. To more accurately mimic natural repair in the body, recent studies have focused on the use of various advanced approaches to create ideal nerve conduits that combine multiple stimuli in an effort to better mimic the complex signals normally found in the body.
Left Ventricular Mechanical Support With the Impella Recover Left Direct Microaxial Blood Pump: A Single‐Center Experience
Authors: Garatti Andrea , Colombo Tiziano , Russo Claudio , Lanfranconi Marco , Milazzo Filippo , Catena Emanuele , Bruschi Giuseppe , Frigerio Maria , Vitali Ettore
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  The Impella Recover left direct (LD) is a new intravascular microaxial blood pump, intended as a short‐term mechanical support especially in case of acutely reduced left ventricular function. From September 2002 to October 2004, Impella was used to support 12 patients: six patients were supported as bridge‐to‐heart transplant (HTx); three patients were treated for fulminant acute myocarditis, and three patients for postcardiotomy low‐output syndrome. Mean support time was 8.8 ± 2.3 days. Overall mortality was 50%. Four patients were successfully HTxed; two patients supported as bridge‐to‐HTx died on left ventricular assist device. Two patients with myocarditis died of septic shock; two patients in the group of postcardiotomy died of multiorgan failure. The latter two patients were slowly weaned from the device, and at 3‐months follow‐up showed good improvement of the left ventricular function. Our initial experience with Impella Recover LD as mechanical support for patients in cardiogenic shock of various etiology is promising, yielding a good survival in a population of particularly compromised patients.
Numerical Model of Flow in a Sac‐Type Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Avrahami *Idit , Rosenfeld †Moshe , Raz ‡Sagi , Einav ‡Shmuel
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  This article addresses the growing need for comprehensive tools to investigate the hemodynamics of ventricular assist devices (VADs) in general and sac‐type VADs in particular. Numerical simulations can be very helpful in these efforts. However, full simulation of flow inside sac‐type VADs poses several key problems, among them simulation of the mechanical heart valves and calculation of the motion of flexible walls. We present a simplified three‐dimensional (3D) numerical model of a sac‐VAD chamber. The walls in the simplified model are defined to move according to experimental measurements, and the valves are modeled in fully open or fully closed positions. The model is validated by comparison to a fully coupled fluid–structure interaction numerical simulation and to experimental measurements using continuous digital particle image velocimetry. Our results demonstrate that the flexible wall motion is sensitive to changes in pressure distribution inside the chamber. However, small variations in wall motion do not significantly affect the global features of flow inside the chamber. Therefore, the simplified model can be used to predict the 3D time‐dependent flow field in the VAD.
Gastrointestinal Motility During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Sonomicrometric Study
Authors: Gu Y. John , De Kroon Thom L. , Elstrodt Jan M. , Rakhorst Gerhard
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to impair the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. However, little is known about the movement behavior of the gastrointestinal tract during CPB. This study was aimed to assess the gastrointestinal motility with sonomicrometry, a distance measurement using ultrasound, in a porcine model of CPB. Twelve pigs weighing 70–112 kg were having a standard hypothermic CPB for 120 min either with the nonpulsatile flow (n = 6) or the pulsatile flow (n = 6). Before CPB, piezoelectric echo crystals were placed either along the longitudinal or the circular axis of the pylorus. Patterns of gut movement and the total sonomicrometric activity (TSA) were recorded at several time intervals during experiments as qualitative and quantitative parameters of gut motility. Results showed that the intact regular rhythmic pattern of gut movement was detected before CPB. This pattern changed little when CPB started, but it disappeared at 60 min when the body temperature lowered down to 32°C. During the same period, the TSA reduced significantly along the longitudinal as well as the circular directions of the pylorus. There was no significant difference between the nonpulsatile and pulsatile groups. Gut blood flow reduced significantly in both groups, but it was not associated with the reduced sonomicrometric activity. In conclusion, gastrointestinal motility during CPB can be measured qualitatively and quantitatively by sonomicrometry in a large animal model. Suppression of gut motility during CPB does not seem to be associated with the mode of perfusion but with the reduced body temperature during the hypothermic phase of CPB.
Large‐Pore Membrane Hemofiltration Increases Cytokine Clearance and Improves Right Ventricular–Vascular Coupling During Endotoxic Shock in Pigs
Authors: Lambermont Bernard , Delanaye Pierre , Dogné Jean‐Michel , Ghuysen Alexandre , Janssen Nathalie , Dubois Bernard , Desaive Thomas , Kolh Philippe , D’Orio Vincent , Krzesinski Jean‐Marie
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Hemodynamic improvement in patients suffering from both septic shock and renal failure who received hemofiltration suggested that an extrarenal epuration technique could be of interest in patients with septic shock alone. However, most of the studies using continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) in this setting evidenced neither cytokine clearance nor significant reduction in their plasma level. Lack of significant clearance was explained in part by the small size of the membrane pores. Therefore, we investigated the effects of large‐pore membrane hemofiltration (LPHF) during endotoxic shock in pigs on interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and interleukin 10 (IL‐10) clearances, and on right ventricular (RV)–vascular coupling. Thirteen anesthetized healthy pigs weighing 20–30 kg were divided into two groups. In the Endo group (n = 6), the pigs received a 0.5‐mg/kg endotoxin infusion over a period of 30 mins from T0 to T30. In the EndoHF group (n = 7), LPHF (cutoff = 80 kDa) and an ultrafiltration rate of 45 mL/kg/h were started 30 mins after the end of the endotoxin infusion, from T60 to T240. In this model of porcine endotoxic shock, LPHF was responsible for a significant clearance of IL‐6 (20 mL/min) and Il‐10 (14 mL/min), and for an improvement in RV–vascular coupling.
Hepcidin Is Down‐regulated in Alcoholic Liver Injury: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Bridle Kim R. , Cheung Ting‐Kin , Murphy Therese L. , Walters Margaret M. , Anderson Gregory J. , Crawford Darrell H. G. , Fletcher Linda M.
Published: July 2006

Background:Alcoholic liver disease is known to be associated with abnormal iron homeostasis, and iron metabolism itself is regulated by the liver‐derived peptide hepcidin. Both CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) have been shown to regulate hepcidin gene transcription.

Aim:To investigate mechanisms underlying alcohol‐induced disturbances in iron homeostasis by measuring the expression of hepcidin and C/EBPαmRNA using in vivo and in vitro models of alcoholic liver injury.

Methods:Male rats were pair‐fed an alcoholic liquid diet for 12 weeks. RT‐PCR was performed on liver tissue using specific primers for hepcidin and C/EBPα. The effect of alcohol on hepcidin and C/EBPαgene expression was also determined in isolated hepatocytes, HuH‐7 cells and HepG2 cells treated with 50 mM ethanol, 200 μM acetaldehyde, and/or 20 ng/ml IL‐6.

Results:Hepcidin and C/EBPαmRNA expression were significantly decreased in alcohol‐fed rats compared with pair‐fed controls (6‐foldp<0.001 and 2.2‐foldp<0.0002 reduction, respectively) and hepatic lipid peroxidation was increased by 32.5% (p<0.05) in alcohol‐fed rats compared with controls. Hepcidin gene expression was not altered significantly in cells cultured in the presence of 50 mM ethanol. Following 24 hour stimulation by IL‐6, there was a 4‐fold increase in hepcidin expression in hepatocytes and a 9‐fold increase in HuH‐7 cells. Ethanol (50 mM) attenuated the IL‐6‐induced increase in hepcidin expression in HuH‐7 cells (9‐fold to a 4‐fold increase) but not in hepatocytes. Acetaldehyde had no effect on hepcidin gene expression in cells in culture.

Conclusion:The down‐regulation of hepcidin and C/EBPαgene expression shown in vivo implies disturbed iron sensing contributing to the hepatosiderosis seen in alcoholic liver disease, possibly by mechanisms involving the IL‐6 signaling cascade.
Acute Ethanol Treatment Modulates Toll‐like Receptor‐4 Association with Lipid Rafts
Authors: Dolganiuc Angela , Bakis Genadyi , Kodys Karen , Mandrekar Pranoti , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: July 2006

Background: Alcohol, a substance that is most frequently abused, suppresses innate immune responses to microbial pathogens. The host senses pathogens via Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). Recent studies indicate that alcohol affects TLR signaling.

Methods: Here, we hypothesized that acute alcohol treatment may interfere with early steps of membrane‐associated TLR2 and TLR4 signaling at the level of lipid rafts. Human monocytes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, transfected with human TLR2, TLR4, or CD14, were stimulated with peptidoglycan (PGN, TLR2 ligand) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, TLR4 ligand) with or without alcohol (50 mM) and analyzed for cytokine production (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay), nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation (electrophoretic mobility shift assay), membrane fluidity (fluorescent pyrene eximer formation), and partition of cellular membrane into cholesterol‐rich, detergent‐resistant domains (DRMs; Western blot).

Results: We determined that both TLR2 and TLR4 were located outside the rafts; flotillin, a DRM marker, was resident in the rafts, while CD14 was equally distributed in and outside the rafts in a steady‐state condition. PGN forced TLR2 to migrate into DRMs. Engagement of TLR4 and CD14 with LPS induced their migration into the rafts. Alcohol prevented TLR4 partitioning; however, it did not affect TLR2 migration into the rafts. Furthermore, alcohol downregulated TLR4‐induced, but not TLR2‐induced, NF‐κB activation and cytokine production in monocytes. We found that alcohol increased membrane fluidity and depleted cellular cholesterol in CHO cells without affecting cell viability.

Conclusions: These data demonstrate for the first time that alcohol disturbs TLR4 and CD14 association with lipid rafts. We propose that alcohol‐induced effects on lipid rafts may contribute to modulation of TLR4‐CD14–triggered early cellular responses.
Developmental Differences in the Sensitivity of Spontaneous and Miniature IPSCs to Ethanol
Authors: Li Qiang , Wilson Wilkie A. , Swartzwelder H. S.
Published: July 2006

Background: Ethanol (EtOH) consumption by juveniles and adolescents is an important public health problem. Recent studies have indicated that adolescent animals are less sedated by EtOH than adult animals and experience less motor impairment. Thus, human adolescents may be able to consume more EtOH prior to sedation, putting them at greater risk for EtOH addiction and other negative consequences of EtOH use. However, the mechanisms underlying this developmental difference are unknown. One contributing factor may be gamma‐aminobutyric acid‐A (GABAA) receptor–mediated inhibition, which is known to produce sedation. We have shown that evoked, GABAA receptor–mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) are less powerfully enhanced by EtOH in neurons from juvenile or adolescent animals than in those from adult animals; however, the mechanisms of this developmental difference in sensitivity are unknown.

Methods: Using whole‐cell recording, we tested the response of spontaneous and miniature GABAA receptor‐mediated IPSCs (sIPSCs and mIPSCs) to EtOH in rat hippocampal slices from animals representing two distinct developmental stages: adolescent and adult.

Results: We found significantly greater EtOH‐induced enhancement of the frequency of sIPSCs in cells from adult animals compared to those from adolescent animals. Although EtOH also increased the frequency of mIPSCs, this effect was not age dependent. EtOH did not significantly affect the kinetics of mIPSCs.

Conclusions: We conclude that the sensitivity of GABAA receptor‐mediated inhibitory processes to EtOH increases with development from the adolescent period to adulthood, and that this is likely mediated by developmental changes in the effect of EtOH on interneuron excitation.
Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Increases Ethanol Reinforcement in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Nizhnikov Michael E. , Molina Juan Carlos , Varlinskaya Elena I. , Spear Norman E.
Published: July 2006

Background: Recent experimental findings indicate that newborn rats are quite susceptible to the reinforcing properties of ethanol (EtOH). The basis seems to be more pharmacological than gustatory, olfactory, or caloric as a single pairing of a surrogate nipple providing water with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of EtOH results in conditioned attachment to an empty surrogate nipple. The present study tested whether prenatal exposure to moderate EtOH during late gestation would alter the neonatal rat's susceptibility to this source of EtOH reinforcement and/or EtOH metabolism.

Methods: Pregnant females were given 1 g/kg EtOH or water intragastrically on gestational days (GD) 17 to 20 or were untreated. Rat pups delivered by cesarean section on GD 21 were exposed 3 to 4 hours later to a surrogate nipple providing water, either immediately following or 10 minutes before an i.p. injection of 0.0 (saline), 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 g/kg EtOH (12.6%, v/v). Ethanol reinforcement was indicated by a significant increase in time attached to an empty surrogate nipple compared with unpaired and saline controls. Testing was conducted 90 minutes after conditioning took place. Blood ethanol levels (BELs) were also taken from subjects injected with identical doses of i.p. EtOH at 5 or 95 minutes after injection.

Results: Initial response to a surrogate nipple with water did not differ between groups. For neonates prenatally exposed to EtOH, significant reinforcement by all 3 doses of i.p. EtOH (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75) was found, whereas only the dose of 0.5 g/kg EtOH was reinforcing for neonates in the prenatal water condition and only 0.25 g/kg was reinforcing for pups from untreated dams. Blood ethanol levels after conditioning also differed as a function of prenatal treatment.

Conclusions: These results suggest that prenatal EtOH exposure increases the range of EtOH doses capable of reinforcing effects. Intubations with water, however, eliminated the reinforcing strength of the lowest dose (0.25 g/kg) and shifted the dose–response curve to the right. This effect may be due to the stress of the intubation procedure. Ethanol metabolism was also affected by prenatal EtOH exposure. Pups derived from EtOH‐treated dams had slower elimination of EtOH from the blood than all other groups at both the 0.5 and 0.75 g/kg i.p. doses.
Follow‐up of 180 Alcoholic Patients for up to 7 Years After Outpatient Treatment: Impact of Alcohol Deterrents on Outcome
Authors: Krampe Henning , Stawicki Sabina , Wagner Thilo , Bartels Claudia , Aust Carlotta , Rüther Eckart , Poser Wolfgang , Ehrenreich Hannelore
Published: July 2006

Objective: (1) To perform a 9‐year study of abstinence, lapse, and relapse in 180 chronic alcoholic patients, participants of the Outpatient Longterm Intensive Therapy for Alcoholics (OLITA); (2) To investigate the role of supervised alcohol deterrents (AD) in relapse prevention and as an adjunct for maintenance of long‐term abstinence.

Method: This prospective open treatment study evaluates the long‐term course of drinking outcomes and AD use of 180 chronic alcoholics consecutively admitted from 1993 to 2002. Subsamples are compared for (1) sham‐AD versus verum‐AD (disulfiram/calcium carbimide), (2) coped lapses versus finally detrimental lapses versus malignant relapses, and (3) AD use for 13 to 20 versus >20 months.

Results: In this 9‐year study, the cumulative probability of not having relapsed was 0.52, and that of not having consumed any alcohol was 0.26. Despite long‐term use, disulfiram/calcium carbimide was well tolerated. Patients on sham‐AD (due to contraindications to verum‐AD) showed higher cumulative abstinence probability than patients on verum (S=0.86 vs. S=0.49, p=0.03). Detrimental lapses and malignant relapses occurred earlier than successfully coped lapses (p<0.001); patients with detrimental lapse and with malignant relapse had fewer days of AD intake and less subsequent days without AD than patients with coped lapse (p<0.001). The cumulative abstinence probability was S=0.75 for patients with long‐term intake compared with S=0.50 for patients who stopped AD between months 13 and 20 (p<0.001).

Conclusions: An abstinence rate of >50% in this 9‐year study strongly supports the concept of comprehensive, long‐term outpatient treatment of alcoholics. Supervised, guided intake of AD, also over extended periods, can be used as a predominantly psychologically acting ingredient of successful alcoholism therapy.
Immune Reactivity Is More Suppressed in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease than in Patients with Virus‐Induced Cirrhosis after CRH Stimulation
Authors: Eggers Verena , Pascher Andreas , Althoff Hilke , Thiele Stefanie , Mütze Juliane , Selignow Julia , Neuhaus Peter , Spies Claudia D.
Published: July 2006

Background: The most frequent diagnoses for liver transplantation are virus‐induced cirrhosis (VIC) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD), after an abstinence period of at least 6 months. Chronic ethanol consumption has been linked to an abnormal neuroendocrine‐immune axis and to an altered surgical stress response inducing an increased infection rate. Preoperative stress testing might be relevant to detect stress‐induced immune alteration. The aim of this study was to investigate the preoperative stress‐like response to corticotrophin‐releasing‐hormone challenge (CRH) of patients with ALD compared with patients with VIC and their immune sequelae.

Methods: Nine patients with ALD and 8 patients with VIC were included in this clinical study prior to transplantation. All patients received CRH in the morning. Blood samples were drawn before and after stress testing.

Results: In response to CRH, the ALD patients showed a significant decrease in the plasma interleukin (IL)‐6/IL‐10 ratio. After lipopolysaccharide stimulation of whole blood from CRH‐challenged ALD patients, IL‐10 increased significantly. The cytotoxic T1‐(Tc1) to cytotoxic T2 (Tc2) ratio was significantly decreased in ALD patients after the stress test. Infections occurred significantly more often in ALD patients within the past year before study inclusion.

Conclusions: ALD patients showed a stronger anti‐inflammatory immune status and response than VIC patients. This difference was associated with a higher infection rate despite a median alcohol abstinence time of 3.5 years. Although an altered immune response is well known among patients with actual alcohol‐use disorders, to the best of our knowledge, it is not described in patients after such a long abstinence time.
Crevice Corrosion of Implants Recovered After Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy in Dogs
Authors: CHARLES ALASDAIR E. , NESS MALCOLM G.
Published: July 2006

Objective— To describe corrosion discovered on implants recovered from dogs after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Study Design— Descriptive.

Animals— Dogs (n=4) that had TPLO (n=7) ∼3 years earlier.

Methods— Implants were recovered surgically and lightly cleaned before visual inspection, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX).

Results— Multiple corrosion sites were found on the recesses of each plate; invariably, there was a corroded area present on that part of the bone screw which had been in contact with a corrosion site on a plate. Most corroded regions featured attached, nonmetallic material believed to be a precipitate arising from interaction with the local environment during electrochemical corrosion. SEM examination of TPLO plates revealed surface porosity, particularly visible in the screw hole recesses.

Conclusions— Surface irregularities and porosity of TPLO plates—a consequence of the casting process—are initiation sites for corrosion which, in concert with the crevice geometry between the plate and screw, result in the observed corrosion defects.

Clinical Relevance— Implants used for TPLO, a commonly performed veterinary orthopedic procedures may corrode generating a number of chemical species that have the potential to cause disease.
Evaluation of the Norberg Angle Threshold: A Comparison of Norberg Angle and Distraction Index as Measures of Coxofemoral Degenerative Joint Disease Susceptibility in Seven Breeds of Dogs
Authors: CULP WILLIAM T. N. , KAPATKIN AMY S. , GREGOR THOMAS P. , POWERS MICHELLE Y. , MCKELVIE PAMELA J. , SMITH GAIL K.
Published: July 2006

Objective—To evaluate the thresholds of 2 radiographic methods used to determine coxofemoral joint laxity in 7 breeds of dogs.

Animals—Three hundred and fifty clinically normal dogs.

Study Design—Retrospective study.

Methods—Hip radiographs from 7 breeds of dogs were randomly selected from a database. None of the dogs had radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease (DJD). Distraction index (DI) and Norberg angle (NA) were measured on these radiographs and compared with DI and NA thresholds for diagnosing DJD susceptibility derived from the literature and from evaluated Borzois. Dogs with a NA<105° and a DI of ≤0.32 were considered false‐positives and dogs with a NA≥105° and a DI of >0.32 were considered false‐negatives.

Results—Mean age of all dogs was 22.9 months. Mean NA for all dogs was 99.37°, and mean DI for all dogs was 0.44. Borzoi mean DI of was significantly less than the mean DI of the other 6 breeds. The highest (most hip laxity) Borzoi DI was 0.32, and the lowest (most hip laxity) Borzoi NA was 99°. False‐positive and false‐negative diagnoses were identified in 6 of the 7 breeds.

Conclusions—Using the NA threshold of 105° (literature established threshold of susceptibility to DJD) resulted in a high percentage of false‐negative and false‐positive diagnoses. Breeds like the Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler would have large numbers of hip dysplasia susceptible dogs remain in the breeding population based on this NA threshold. False‐positive diagnoses were common in breeds like the Australian Shepherd, Borzoi, and German Shepherd effectively eliminating hip dysplasia nonsusceptible dogs from the breeding population.

Clinical Relevance—The NA was not an accurate predictor of DJD susceptibility in these 7 breeds of dogs when using a NA threshold of 105°.
Mechanical Evaluation of Two Loop Tensioning Methods for Crimp Clamp Extracapsular Stabilization of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament‐Deficient Canine Stifle
Authors: MOORES ANDREW P. , BECK ALISON L. , JESPERS KARIN J. M. , WILSON ALAN M.
Published: July 2006

Objectives— To describe a method of tightening nylon loops secured with a crimping system for extracapsular fabello‐tibial stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament‐deficient stifle and to compare this with a method using a commercially available tensioning device.

Study Design— In vitro mechanical testing.

Methods— Fourteen standardized nylon loops were tensioned using a tensioning device and secured with crimp clamps. Another 14 loops were tightened by partially securing the crimp clamp, followed by tightening of the loop by hand, before definitively securing the crimp clamp. Loops were loaded to failure in a materials testing machine.

Results— Mean ultimate loads for instrument‐tightened and hand‐tightened loops were 383.7 and 371.4 N, respectively. Mean stiffness values for instrument‐tightened and hand‐tightened loops were 59.7 and 59.3 N/mm, respectively. These differences were not significant.

Conclusions— The hand tightening method does not affect the mechanical properties of the loop.

Clinical Relevance— The hand tightening method described is a valuable technique for unassisted surgeons without access to tensioning devices.
A Clinical Evaluation of Pancarpal Arthrodesis in Nine Dogs Using Circular External Skeletal Fixation
Authors: LOTSIKAS PETER J. , RADASCH ROBERT M.
Published: July 2006

Objective—To report clinical outcome and complications after pancarpal arthrodesis using circular external skeletal fixation (CESF) in dogs.

Study Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—Dogs (n=9) with carpal injury.

Methods—Medical records including radiographs (10 limbs) with underlying severe carpal injury that had pancarpal arthrodesis with CESF were reviewed. Short‐term follow‐up (>6 months) was obtained by phone interview of owners.

Results—Mean weight was 24.5 kg (range, 10.1–69.5 kg). Mean duration until CESF removal was 110.6 days (range, 72–149 days). Complications in all dogs were mild postoperative edema of the distal aspect of the limb and initial mild serous discharge form exit points of CSEF wires. Follow‐up (mean, 328 days; range, 190–541 days) was available for 8 dogs. All owners reported limb function and cosmesis as being excellent, and perceived that their animals were pain free. Perception of fixator care difficulty, as reported by owners, varied significantly based on previous splint management experience; owners who had experienced splint management for >1 month found fixator care equal to or easier than splint management.

Conclusion—Pancarpal arthrodesis with a CESF produces a favorable clinical outcome with high owner acceptance.

Clinical Relevance—Pancarpal arthrodesis by use of CESF is a clinically applicable technique and may offer advantages over internal fixation with respect to postoperative complications.
BRAIN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS IN DOGS AND CATS WITH CONGENITAL PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS
Authors: TORISU SHIDOW , WASHIZU MAKOTO , HASEGAWA DAISUKE , ORIMA HIROMITSU
Published: July 2006

Animals with a portosystemic shunt (PSS) often have neurologic abnormalities. Diagnostic imaging, including brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, is not performed routinely in these animals. In this study, brain MR images were obtained in 13 dogs and three cats with a PSS, and in 15 dogs and five cats that were neurologically normal and used as controls. All animals with a PSS had widened sulci. In addition, 10 out of 13 dogs with a PSS and one out of three cats with a PSS had hyperintense focal areas in the lentiform nuclei on T1‐weighted (T1W) images, which did not enhance after intravenous gadolinium. Following surgical correction of the PSS, MR imaging examinations were repeated in one dog and one cat. The hyperintensity of the lentiform nuclei had decreased. This study indicates that MR imaging findings of widened sulci and hyperintensity of the lentiform nuclei on T1W images may be found in dogs and cats with a PSS.
MEASUREMENT OF INTERTHALAMIC ADHESION THICKNESS AS A CRITERIA FOR BRAIN ATROPHY IN DOGS WITH AND WITHOUT COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION (DEMENTIA)
Authors: HASEGAWA DAISUKE , YAYOSHI NAOKO , FUJITA YUKIHIRO , FUJITA MICHIO , ORIMA HIROMITSU
Published: July 2006

The criteria for brain atrophy in dogs have not yet been established, because of wide variation in the morphology of the ventricles and sulci of the brain depending on the breed and size. In this study, we examined the thickness of the interthalamic adhesion in a transverse magnetic resonance image to investigate normal, to examine the correlation with age, body weight, and breed, and to assess whether measurement would be a useful indicator of brain atrophy. The animals used in this study were of various breeds and weight, and had no identifiable intracranial lesion. They were divided into two groups: a normal group (0.6–15‐year‐old, n=66) and a demented aging group (12–18‐year‐old, n=12). The interthalamic adhesion thickness in both T1‐ and T2‐weighted transverse images were measured in all dogs. The interthalamic adhesion thickness in the normal and demented groups was 6.79±0.70 and 3.82±0.79 mm, respectively. The interthalamic adhesion thickness in the demented group was significantly smaller. In an analysis of the correlation of interthalamic adhesion thickness with age and weight in normal dogs, significant negative and positive correlation was recognized, respectively. However, the strength of these correlations was low. These results suggest that interthalamic adhesion thickness may be a good parameter for evaluating brain atrophy in dogs with cognitive dysfunction.
HEMATOMYELIA SECONDARY TO LUMBAR CEREBROSPINAL FLUID ACQUISITION IN A DOG
Authors: PLATT SIMON R. , DENNIS RUTH , MURPHY KATE , DE STEFANI ALBERTA
Published: July 2006

A 2‐year‐old male (Hungarian Vizsla) was evaluated for progressive discomfort of possible spinal origin. A minimum data base, thoracolumbar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examination and electrophysiologic investigation were all normal. Cerebellomedullary and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected. The fluid was unremarkable except for elevated total protein. Shortly, thereafter, the dog had progressive neurologic deterioration referable to a caudal lumbar spinal cord lesion. In a repeated MR examination there was a well‐circumscribed intramedullary lesion at the site where lumbar CSF was collected. The signal characteristics of the lesion were compatible with subacute hemorrhage, which was confirmed to be hematomyelia at the time of successful decompressive surgery.
DIAGNOSIS OF ARTERIOPORTAL FISTULAE IN FOUR DOGS USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY
Authors: ZWINGENBERGER A. L. , McLEAR R. C. , WEISSE C.
Published: July 2006

Arterioportal fistulae are rare congenital anomalies of the hepatic vasculature. Diagnosis is conventionally made by selective angiography or ultrasonography. This report describes use of a dual‐phase computed tomographic (CT) angiographic technique to diagnose arterioportal fistulae in four dogs. Advantages of this method include a noninvasive peripheral injection of contrast medium, ability to diagnose multiple acquired extrahepatic shunts, and observation of hemodynamic changes such as hepatofugal blood flow and reduced circulation to the caudal abdomen. The hepatic vasculature including arteries, veins, and portal veins can be completely evaluated. Dual‐phase CT angiography is a safe and minimally invasive method of diagnosing arterioportal fistulae in dogs.
URETERAL DUPLICATION IN A DOG
Authors: ESTERLINE MEREDITH L. , BILLER DAVID S. , SICARD GRETCHEN K.
Published: July 2006

A male neutered dog of unknown age had recurrent urinary tract infection and caudal abdominal pain. Using sonography, large dilated tubular structure filled with echogenic fluid was seen extending from the left kidney to the level of the bladder neck. In an excretory urogram there was left hydronephrosis with a normal ureter. Computed tomographic evaluation of the abdomen confirmed a large tubular structure extending from the kidney with a blind ending caudally. The left kidney, ureter, and associated tubular structure were surgically removed. No connection was found between the tubular structure and the ureter. Gross evaluation and histopathologic evaluation confirmed the tubular structure to be a ureter, consistent with a diagnosis of ureteral duplication.
MEASUREMENT OF NORMAL MIDDLE EAR CAVITY VOLUME IN MESATICEPHALIC DOGS
Authors: DEFALQUE VINCENT E. , ROSENSTEIN DIANA S. , ROSSER EDMUND J.
Published: July 2006

Water‐filling and serial computed tomographic (CT) imaging techniques were used to measure normal middle ear cavity volume (MECV) in 18 dogs (10 live dogs, eight cadavers; 36 ears in total). The specific aims of this study were to (1) compare MECV measurements by water‐filling and CT techniques and (2) define a model of MECV vs. body weight (BW) from CT values. There was a significant difference between the two techniques (P=0.02). The volume obtained by water filling was consistently greater than that obtained by computed tomography. MECV (expressed in ml) increased with BW (expressed in kg) according to the following formula: MECV=−0.612+0.757 (ln BW) (P<0.01,R2=0.74).
THREE‐DIMENSIONAL HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE LIVER IN FIVE DOGS
Authors: WINTER MATTHEW D. , KINNEY LINDA M. , KLEINE LAWRENCE J.
Published: July 2006

The objective of this study was to develop a simple, safe, minimally invasive protocol to evaluate the hepatic vasculature. Five purpose‐bred Beagle dogs underwent noncontrast‐enhanced computed tomographic scan of the entire abdomen. A dynamic, nonincremental computed tomography scan at the level of T11 was then performed using a test bolus of contrast medium to determine time to peak opacification and to aid in the calculation of scan delay. The time to peak arterial enhancement ranged from 2.0 to 7.0 s, with a median of 2.0 s. The time to peak portal venous enhancement ranged from 23.0 to 46.0 s, with a median of 32.0 s. Scan delay for arterial opacification ranged from 0 to 5.0 s, with a median of 0 s. Scan delay for the portal phase of opacification ranged from 6.0 to 21.0 s, with a median of 17.0 s. Using this information, two separate computed tomographic studies were used to image the arterial and portal venous phases of circulatory opacification, respectively. The dogs were hyperventilated to prevent breathing motion during the scan, each of which required approximately 20 s. A power injector was used to inject diatrizoate meglumine (128 mg I/kg) through an 18‐gauge cephalic vein catheter at a rate of 5 ml/s. Scanning was initiated after the appropriate scan delay to optimize the specific phase of vascular filling. Maximum intensity projections allowed clear delineation of the hepatic arteries and the portal venous system, while eliminating overlying structures that might interfere with image analysis. Time/density curves were generated, and the time needed for each study was recorded. Hepatic arteries and portal veins were clearly visualized in all dogs. Parenchymal opacification was also observed.
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF BRACHIAL PLEXUS TUMORS IN FIVE DOGS
Authors: ROSE SCOTT , LONG CRAIG , KNIPE MARGUERITE , HORNOF BILL
Published: July 2006

Five dogs with unilateral thoracic limb lameness, neurologic deficits, muscle atrophy, and pain, or a combination of these signs, were examined using ultrasonograghy. Large, hypoechoic tubular masses that displaced vessels and destroyed the normal architecture were found in each dog. The affected axilla of each patient was then imaged with computed tomography or magnetic resonance to fully assess the extent of the masses. We describe the use of ultrasound in screening patients for brachial plexus tumors.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC AND DOPPLER CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTOPERATIVE DUCTAL ANEURYSM IN A DOG
Authors: JACQUET JULIEN , NICOLLE AUDREY P. , CHETBOUL VALÉRIE , BEHR LUC , POUCHELON JEAN‐LOUIS
Published: July 2006

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was detected in a 10‐month‐old Pyrenean Shepherd. The PDA was occluded with hemostatic clips. One month after surgery, an aneurysmal dilatation of the ductus was diagnosed using Doppler echocardiography. The authors present the echo‐Doppler findings and the follow‐up of the ductus aneurysm. The pathogenesis and significance of such an aneurysm are discussed.
THYROID TO SALIVARY RATIOS DETERMINED BY TECHNETIUM‐99MPERTECHNETATE IMAGING IN THIRTY‐TWO EUTHYROID CATS
Authors: HENRIKSON TODD D. , ARMBRUST LAURA J. , HOSKINSON JAMES J. , MILLIKEN GEORGE A. , WEDEKIND KAREN J. , KIRK CLAUDIA A. , NACHREINER RAYMOND F.
Published: July 2006

Thyroid to salivary (TS) ratio is the most commonly used scintigraphic parameter for differentiating euthyroid and hyperthyroid cats. Studies to determine the normal TS ratio have been performed in small cat populations. In this study, the TS ratio was determined in 32 cats between 8 and 13 years of age. The study population was documented to be euthyroid based on normal initial and 6‐week follow‐up serum thyroid concentrations and normal T3 suppression tests. All images were obtained with a low‐energy all‐purpose collimator between 20 and 40 min after the injection of approximately 111 MBq (3.0 mCi) pertechnetate. Manual regions of interest (ROI) were made of the thyroid and salivary glands of the ventral image A 95% prediction interval based on the natural log of the TS ratio was computed to provide a normal range of 0.48–1.66. This range is similar to previous studies, but suggests a slightly higher upper limit than previously reported.
EVALUATION OF LYMPHOMA IN A CAT USING 99mTc‐SESTAMIBI
Authors: LENARD ZOĖ M. , ZUBER RICHARD M. , NICOLL ROBERT G. , O'HARA AMANDA J. , LESTER NOLA V.
Published: July 2006

This report describes the evaluation of cutaneous lymphoma in a cat using 99mTc‐sestamibi. A mass in the left pes with extension to the left popliteal lymph node was diagnosed as B‐cell lymphoma. Thoracic and abdominal radiography and abdominal ultrasound were unremarkable. Scintigraphy using 99mTc‐sestamibi confirmed the lesion was confined to the left hind leg, and the leg was amputated. The cat made a full recovery.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELECTED ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC VARIABLES BEFORE AND AFTER RADIOIODINE TREATMENT IN 91 HYPERTHYROID CATS
Authors: WEICHSELBAUM RALPH C. , FEENEY DANIEL A. , JESSEN CARL R.
Published: July 2006

Ninety‐one spontaneously hyperthyroid cats were studied by two‐dimensional and M‐mode echocardiography with in a week before and 2–3 months following oral radioiodine administration. A statistical search was made for a correlation between any of the linear echocardiographic variables (pre‐ or posttreatment) and the serum total thyroxine concentrations (pre‐ or posttreatment). No clinically useful relationships were found. Echocardiographic values were compared with a 95% confidence interval constructed from a previous multiinstitutional report on unsedated normal cats. Observed pretreatment abnormalities were primarily increases in interventricular septal and left ventricular wall thickness with reversion toward normal following treatment. The presence or absence of previous treatment with methimazole or concurrent treatment with cardiac‐related drugs (β‐adrenergic blocker, calcium channel blocker, or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor) had no statistically identifiable effect on the echocardiographic variables. About 37% of the cats had one or more echocardiographic variable(s) outside the calculated normal range before radioiodine treatment, but about 32% of the cats had one or more echocardiographic variable(s) outside that range after treatment (45% of these were normal before treatment). The conclusions are that pretreatment T‐4 assessment was not useful in determining which cats may have potentially relevant echocardiographic abnormalities, that some echocardiographic abnormalities may emerge after treatment, and that less than 10% of the pre‐ or posttreatment abnormalities would be considered clinically relevant.
Containment Criterion for Contaminant Isolation by Cutoff Walls
Authors: Neville Christopher J. , Andrews Charles B.
Published: July 2006

A rigorous solution is developed from first principles to guide the preliminary design of cutoff walls installed to contain the migration of contaminants from source zones. The full analytic solution is used to develop a criterion for determining the configuration and hydraulics of optimal wall designs. The solution is used to demonstrate the interaction between the properties of the wall, the Darcy flux, and the concentration of contaminants at the outside face of the well. For a particular wall design, the containment criterion can be used to estimate the long‐term concentration that will develop at the outside face of the wall. Alternatively, for a given concentration on the outside face of the cutoff wall, the containment criterion can be used to estimate the Darcy flux required to balance the outward diffusion of contaminants. The results of numerical simulations are presented to evaluate the analytic approach. The numerical results confirm that for a wall with known transport properties, a specified Darcy flux is associated with a unique outside contaminant concentration.
PROLONGATIONS OF GEOMETRIC OVERDETERMINED SYSTEMS
Authors: BRANSON THOMAS , ČAP ANDREAS , EASTWOOD MICHAEL , ROD GOVER A.
Published: July 2006

We show that a wide class of geometrically defined overdetermined semilinear partial differential equations may be explicitly prolonged to obtain closed systems. As a consequence, in the case of linear equations we extract sharp bounds on the dimension of the solution space.
REPEATABILITY OF TRAPEZIUS MUSCLE TONE ASSESSMENT BY A MYOMETRIC METHOD
Authors: VIIR RAGNAR , LAIHO KARI , KRAMARENKO JEVGENIJ , MIKKELSSON MARJA
Published: July 2006

The goal of this paper is to examine the trapezius muscle tone by measuring simultaneously using Myoton-2 myometer i.e., the natural oscillation frequency, stiffness and the elasticity of the trapezius muscle. With this method, the mechanical response of the muscle, to a short applied mechanical impulse, is registered by an acceleration probe. From the acquired damped natural oscillation waveform, the frequency (Hz), the stiffness (N/m) and the logarithmic decrement of damping (characterizing tissue's elasticity) are calculated, quantifying the functional state of the muscle. The trapezius muscle on both sides of the body was tested in twenty adult women by two investigators using the Myoton-2 myometer. During the measurements, the subjects were in a relaxed sitting position. The Bland and Altman graphical test, comparing the differences of the measurements of two investigators, was used for assessing the inter-observer repeatability. The registered values for the trapezius muscle tension, stiffness and elasticity are varying between the tested subjects, but the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was near 1 for three muscular properties, showing that the variation within the subject (due to the investigator) is negligible, compared with the variation between the subjects.
Improvements in clinical outcomes with the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: cross-fertilization between clinical and basic investigation
Authors: Pfeffer Marc A. , Frohlich Edward D.
Published: July 2006

The expanding clinical indications for the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors during the past three decades to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality across a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases have been the consequence of impressively productive interchanges between basic science and clinical medicine. In some areas, the initial discovery from animal investigations produced the hypotheses that were confirmed and expanded in patients with specific disease processes. In the development of ACE inhibitors, there are also important examples where an unexpected discovery from clinical trials spurred a host of laboratory investigations that uncovered novel mechanisms to underpin the clinical observations. Although developed as an antihypertensive agent, these effective interchanges, termed “translational research,” have collectively produced convincing data to demonstrate that ACE inhibitors can and should be used to slow progression of renal disease, prevent and treat heart failure, attenuate adverse left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction and improve prognosis, reduce atherosclerotic complications in patients with coronary artery disease, and, even more recently, reduce the incidence of Type II diabetes.