bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of vertical forces in normal greyhounds between force platform and pressure walkway measurement systems
Authors: Besancon M. F. , Derrick T. R. , Ritter M. J. , Conzemius M. G.
Published: March 2018

Peak vertical impulse (PVF) and vetical impulse (VI) data were collected from the left forelimbs and ipsilateral hind limbs of eight healthy adult Greyhound dogs ranging in mass from 27.30 to 36.36 kg. Walking velocity and acceleration were restricted to ranges of 0.9 to 1.1 m/s and −9.1 to 0.1 m/s2, resepctively. Data from the first 20 valid trials were analyzed for each dog on both systems. Forces were normalized and expressed as a percent of the dog’s body weight. Velocity and acceleration values were not statistically different in either set of trials. Evaluation of intra-dog variability via t-test revealed a statistical difference in two of 16 limbs (1/8 forelimb, 1/8 hind limb). The results indicate that the Tekscan walkway system is a viable alternative to the AMT1 model OR6-5 force platform for the generation of vertical impulse data. Statistically significant differences in peak vertical force values were noted between the two systems and were likely related to calibration times, but their clinical relevance appears negligible.
The influence of epidural anaesthesia on femoral overlap and Norberg angle in the hip joint of young dysplastic dogs
Authors: Janssens L. A. A. , Ballieu B. C. W. , Vandekerckhove P. M. F. P.
Published: March 2018

A retrospective study of 61 dogs that underwent triple pelvic osteotomy evaluated the effect of the epidural anaesthesia on the hip laxity as measured by the femoral overlap and Norberg angle before and after epidural anaesthesia. Both the femoral overlap and the Norberg angle measured on the non-operated hip decreased significantly after epidural anaesthesia. (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively).
Effects of unilaterally restricted carpal range of motion on kinematic gait analysis of the dog
Authors: Eward C. , Eward W. , Gillette R.
Published: March 2018

Decreased carpal range of motion is a common sequel to both disease and injury of the canine carpus; it is also encountered following therapeutic endeavours such as taping, bandaging, and arthrodesis. It was the aim of this study to define alterations of movement in dogs with artificially restricted carpal range of motion (ROM) by use of non-invasive, two-dimensional, computer-assisted kinematic gait analysis. Carpal taping was performed using strips of five centimetre adhesive porous bandage tape placed in circumferential, overlapping strips from mid-radius to just proximal to the metacarpal pad. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in angular displacement were observed, not only in the motion-restricted carpus, but also in the ipsilateral shoulder and contralateral stifle, demonstrating the need for monitoring of other joints when carpal ROM is restricted unilaterally either due to pathology, coaptation or arthrodesis.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the medial femoral trochlear ridge in two bulldog siblings
Authors: Marti J. , Chico A.
Published: March 2018

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial femoral trochlear ridge was diagnosed in two seven months-old bulldog puppies. The disease was suspected radiographically and confirmed at exploratory arthrotomy. Both dogs showed a concurrent Grade I patellar luxation in the affected stifle. Treatment of the two conditions consisted of a recession wedge sulcoplasty and removal of a large cartilage flap. The outcome of the surgery, after a long-term follow-up (22 months) was excellent. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of this type of OCD in the dog, its pathological findings and successful surgical treatment.
Erfolgreiche Monotherapie beim metastasiertem Brustkrebs: Mikrotubulin-Hemmer verbessert Gesamtüberleben
Authors: Grübler Beate
Published: March 2018

Die Monotherapie mit der neuartigen Substanz Eribulin kann das Leben von Frauen mit weit fortgeschrittenem Brustkrebs verlängern. Dies zeigen die Ergebnisse der zum ASCO vorgestellten EMBRACE-Studie. Der Mikrotubulin-Hemmer könnte noch in diesem Jahr die US-amerikanische Zulassung erhalten.
MDS-Patienten mit stabiler Erkrankung profitieren von kontinuierlicher Azacitidin- Therapie
Authors: Springer Günter
Published: March 2018

Patienten mit Myelodysplastischem Syndrom (MDS) und Krankheitsstabilisierung (SD) als erstes Ansprechen haben unter kontinuierlicher Behandlung mit Azacitidin (Vida-za®) gute Aussichten, noch ein Ansprechen gemäß Kriterien der International Working Group (IWG) und dadurch einen Überlebensvorteil zu erreichen. Zu diesem Ergebnis kam eine auf dem Kongress der American Society of Oncology (ASCO) vorgestellte Analyse der Zulassungsstudie AZA-001.
Cannabis, Hanf (Cannabis sativa)
Authors: Hübner Jutta
Published: March 2018

Cannabis oder Hanf wird im Freiland je nach Sorte zwischen ca. 50 cm bis 8 m hoch, in europäischen Breitengraden maximal ca. 4 m, wobei 2 m als realistisch angesehen werden sollten. Zur medizinischen Verwendung kommt meist der Indische Hanf (Cannabis sativa indica).
Selektive interne Radiotherapie (SIRT) bei malignen Leber tumoren: Therapieoption mit Zukunft
Authors: Bruns Christiane
Published: March 2018

Die selektive interne Radiotherapie (SIRT) ist eine viel versprechende Option zur lokalen Behandlung maligner Lebertumore. Über die bisherigen Ergebnisse und das Potenzial dieser Methode sprachen wir mit Prof. Dr. Christiane Bruns, Oberärztin an der Chirurgischen Klinik und Poliklinik Großhadern der LMU München.
Lungen- und Nasenkarzinom: Kontroverse um Risiko durch Nickel-Verbindungen
Authors: Hoc Siegfried
Published: March 2018

Seit Jahrzehnten werden Nickelverbindungen verdächtigt, potente Karzinogene zu sein und vor allem Lungen- und Nasenkarzinome bei den Arbeitern in der Nickelindustrie zu verursachen. Eine umfangreiche Analyse diesbezüglicher Berichte hat nun eine enge Korrelation zwischen wasserlöslichen Nickelsalzen und dem erhöhten Risiko für diese Karzinome aufgezeigt.
A Salter Harris type II fracture of the distal ulna in a fourteen month female neutered Great Dane
Authors: Langley-Hobbs S. J.
Published: March 2018

A displaced Salter Harris type II fracture of the distal ulna and a minimally displaced Salter Harris type II fracture of the distal radius were diagnosed in a fourteen month female neutered Great Dane dog. Fracture reduction was challenging but treatment was successful. Aetiology of the unusual fracture is discussed. Long bone physes may close later in giant breeds, early neutering can cause a further delay.
Cytokine profile in canine immune-mediated polyarthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Hegemann N. , Wondimu A. , Kohn B. , Brunnberg L. , Schmidt M. F. G.
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine the cytokine profile in 21 dogs with canine immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMA) and 15 dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) caused by cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). The mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were analysed in synovial fluid by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, while TNF-α protein was determined by L929 cytotoxicity assay. The frequency of lymphocytes was analysed using FACScan. Both disorders reveal a similar cytokine expression pattern, except for significant lower IL-1β expression in OA. Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ were detected, while IL-4 was nearly absent in IMA and OA. Furthermore, the bioassay demonstrates a significantly higher production of TNF-α in synovial fluid of dogs with IMA, compared to dogs with OA (p< 0.05). The frequency of CD4+, CD8+ and MHC class II+ cells was relatively higher in synovial fluids compared to peripheral blood in IMA. These findings reveal that the difference between the cytokine pattern of canine IMA and OA seems to be rather quantitative than qualitative. Both joint disorders show predominance of pro-inflammatory cytokines and absence of TH2 cytokine expression, indicating the potential of IL-4 for a gene therapeutic approach.
Spinal epidural abscess in a juvenile dog
Authors: Thomas W. B. , Schmiedt C. W.
Published: March 2018

A six-month-old, intact female, Miniature Pinscher was admitted with signs of progressive neurological deficits in the hind legs, an elevated rectal temperature, and spinal pain of 48 hours duration. A myelogram was performed which demonstrated a dorsal, left sided compressive lesion extending from T11-T13. A leftsided hemilaminectomy was performed from T11-T13. A friable, poorly organized, pale tan and red mass was identified within the epidural space. Cytopathological and histopathological analyses of the mass demonstrated marked, subacute, suppurative cellulitis. A culture of the purulent material revealed beta haemolytic Streptococcus sp.
Effect of durotomy on functional outcome of dogs with type I thoracolumbar disc extrusion and absent deep pain perception
Authors: Dewey C. W. , Ringwood P. B. , Pettigrew R. W. , Kent M. , Budsberg S. C. , Loughin C. A.
Published: March 2018

Spinal cord durotomy is performed as a diagnostic aid in determining spinal cord structural integrity, and this may be useful as an indicator of prognosis in cases with loss of deep pain perception (DPP). It has been suggested that a durotomy may relieve intramedullary compression but there is some debate about the therapeutic value. The purpose of this study was to compare ambulatory outcome of dogs that had loss of DPP treated with hemilaminectomy with durotomy versus hemilaminectomy without durotomy. Medical records of 81 dogs diagnosed with type I thoracolumbar IVD were reviewed. Dogs were included in the study if DPP was absent upon initial neurological examination and surgical decompression via hemilaminectomy was performed. Of the 81 cases, 48 were included in this study. The number of dogs that recovered ambulatory function were compared between durotomy and nondurotomy groups with a chi-squared test (p<0.05). No differences were found. The findings of this study suggest that durotomy is useful as a diagnostic modality and that performing a durotomy does not significantly affect post-operative recovery of voluntary motor function.
Diagnosis and treatment of hind limb muscle strain injuries in 22 dogs
Authors: Pluhar G. E. , Nielsen C.
Published: March 2018

The anamnesis was obtained from the medical records of 22 dogs diagnosed with hind limb muscle strain injury over a four-year period. The signalment, history, diagnostic imaging and clinical findings, treatment and outcome are described. The affected dogs were primarily from large breeds. Although only a few clients reported a specific injury, 11 dogs were admitted for an acute onset of lameness of unknown origin. The hip adductor muscles were affected in 21 dogs, and 11 dogs had previously undergone orthopaedic surgery of the affected limb. The dogs were primarily diagnosed by physical examination, although the diagnosis was confirmed with ultrasound imaging in the two most recent cases. Neither concurrent orthopaedic nor neurological disease was found during the study period in four of 22 dogs, and another three dogs had only mild radiographic coxofemoral osteoarthritis that did not cause any clinical signs during the study period. All of the dogs were treated medically with some combination of rest, physical therapy, methocarbamol, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The injury-associated lameness improved, or completely resolved, with conservative, non-surgical therapy in most dogs. Of the 15 dogs available for follow-up (mean 577 days), eight had complete resolution of their clinical signs, two showed significant improvement, and one showed some improvement. Muscle strain injury may be an under-diagnosed cause or contributor to acute hind limb lameness in large breed dogs, either alone or following orthopaedic surgery.
Anabolic effects of acellular bone marrow, platelet rich plasma, and serum on equine suspensory ligament fibroblasts in vitro
Authors: Ross M. W. , Smith R. K. W. , Smith J. J.
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of suspensory ligament fibroblasts (SLF) to in vitro stimulation using acellular bone marrow (ABM), platelet rich plasma (in vitro PRP), and serum as potential treatment modalities for suspensory desmitis. Blood, bone marrow, and suspensory ligaments were collected from five horses. SLF were harvested, grown until confluent, and stimulated with various concentrations of ABM, PRP, equine serum, foetal bovine serum, and medium (control). The responses to the treatments were assessed using a combination of radiolabeling for total protein synthesis and an ELISA for quantification of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) production. Addition of all of the samples resulted in significant increases in COMP and total protein synthesis over controls (P<0.001). ABM caused the greatest increase in both COMP and total protein synthesis by the SLF. Equine ABM, PRP, and serum contain anabolic factors that promote matrix synthesis by SLF in vitro, with ABM having the greatest effect. Application of bone marrow to injured ligaments may enhance healing by providing anabolic factors, other than or in addition to mesenchymal stem cells, which stimulate matrix production.
Load-Bearing in the Ovine Medial Tibial Condyle: Effect of Meniscectomy
Authors: Pickles D. M. , Bellenger C. R.
Published: March 2018

Total removal of a knee joint meniscus is followed by osteoarthritis in many mammalian species. Altered load-bearing has been observed in the human knee following meniscectomy but less is known about biochemical effects of meniscectomy in other species. Using pressure sensitive paper in sheep knee (stifle) joints it was found that, for comparable loads, the load-bearing area on the medial tibial condyle was significantly reduced following medial meniscectomy. Also, for loads of between 50 N and 500 N applied to the whole joint, the slope of the regression of contact area against load was much smaller. Following medial meniscectomy, the ability to increase contact area as load increased was markedly reduced.

The load bearing area on the medial tibial condyle was reduced following meniscectomy.
Measurements of Vertical Ground Reaction Force in Jumping Dogs
Authors: Hulse D. A. , Hogan H. A. , Slater Margaret , Longnecker M. T. , Yanoff Susan
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was: to quantitate the peak vertical ground reaction force acting on the forelimbs of dogs as they landed after jumping an obstacle; to compare that force at three heights; and to evaluate factors that may affect vertical ground reaction force. Thirteen military working dogs were studied. A strain gauge force plate was used to measure force. Three measurements were recorded for each dog at each height. The means of the medians of the three forces for each dog at each height were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Mean force at 63 cm was 986.9 ± 221.5 N, mean force at 79 cm was 1175.0 ±227.4 N, and mean force at 94 cm was 1366.1± 268.5 N. There was a significant difference in mean force at the three jump heights (p = 0.0002). The significance was unchanged when force was normalized for body weight. Statistical models were used to evaluate the effect of other independent variables. Factors that were found to effect force were body weight, breed, and sex of the dog. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

Vertical ground reaction force was measured in thirteen dogs landing on a force plate after jumping an obstacle. Three readings were taken for each dog at each of three heights, and the mean vertical ground reaction force was compared. Force readings were significantly different at each height, increasing as height increased. Factors that were found to effect vertical ground reaction force were body weight, breed, and sex.
Shaft Fractures of the Metacarpus and Metatarsus in Cattle
Authors: Iselin U. , Auer J. A. , Lischer C. J. , Steiner A.
Published: March 2018

This study describes the history, signalment, fracture configuration, methods of treatment and outcome of 58 cattle suffering from a shaft fracture of the metacarpus or metatarsus. For the purpose of describing the accuracy of fracture reduction and progress of healing, as defined by radiographs, a grading system was developed and is described.

Of the 58 animals, 17 (29.3%) were treated by means of a full-limb cast, seven (12.1%) by a walking-cast, 13 (22.4%) by a modified walking-cast, and 11 (19.0%) by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Ten animals (17.2%) were slaughtered, because of economic reasons, immediately after the diagnosis had been confirmed. The (modified) walking-cast techniques were more frequently used for treatment of complex fractures; full-limb cast and ORIF were more frequently used for the other fracture types. Radiographic long-term followup data revealed that ORIF provided significantly better long-term results than external coaptation. An angular limb deformity in the saggital plane (plantar bowing) occurred in three of four metatarsal, but not in metacarpal fractures treated by external coaptation. A significant correlation existed between the quality of fracture reduction and the long-term result. However, a correlation was not found between the age and body weight of the animals and the outcome, and between the time from trauma to treatment and the outcome.

Fifty-eight shaft fractures of the metacarpus and metatarsus in cattle were evaluated retrospectively using a new radiographic scoring system. Open reduction and internal fixation provided significantly better long-term results than external coaptation. A significant correlation was found between the quality of the fracture reduction and the long-term result; a correlation was not found between age and body weight of the animal and the outcome, nor between the time that elapsed from trauma to treatment and the outcome.
Static and Dynamic Histomorphometric Data in 9- to 11-Year-Old Ewes
Authors: Villanueva A.R. , Turner A.S.
Published: March 2018

The technique of trans-iliac biopsy and subsequent histomorphometrical examination in ewes is reported. Biopsies were obtained from 18 clinically normal ewes, aged 9 to 11 years which had been given tetracycline intramuscularly twice, 11 days apart, at a dose rate of 20 mg/kg. There were no complications associated with the administration of the tetracycline at this dose and at this site. The core of the biopsy consisted of cancellous bone between two cortices allowing complete histomorphometric analysis from undecalcified sections. Two clearly distinct and separate labels were visible under ultraviolet light with the labelling method used. Primary, surface, volume and dynamic data were measured or calculated and are reported. Certain static and dynamic histomorphometric variables from this study were compared to those of other workers who used aged (but slightly younger) ewes, and there were many similarities between the studies. A comparison was also made of absolute values of bone volume (BV/TV%), relative osteoid volume (OV/BV%) and mineral apposition rate (MAR, mcm/day) of this study, and those of men and pre- and postmenopausal women reported in recently published data, as well as parameters of 14 elderly normal women measured by one of us. It was concluded that iliac crest biopsy in the ewe is a safe effective method to quantitate skeletal changes and our data compares favorably with other workers in this species. Furthermore, the BV/TV%, OV/BV% and MAR; of ewes of this age resembled that of both men and postmenopausal women at least in their 6th or 7th decade of life. Therefore 9- to 11-year-old ewes may be a useful models for studies and therapeutic trials of both osteopenia and osteoporosis of the skeleton.

The article describes the technique of trans-iliac biopsy and subsequent histomorpho-metrical examination in aged ewes.
Ninety-Degree Torsional Contouring of Tibial Plate
Authors: Peterson S. W. , Johnson K. A.
Published: March 2018

Contouring of a plate with a ninety-degree twist, allowed the plate to be applied medially at the proximal end and cranially at the distal end in a severely comminuted intra-articular and diaphyseal tibial fracture.
Failure of Monoiodoacetate to Induce Lameness in Dogs
Authors: Stobie D. , Greer Nancy , Lipowitz A. J.
Published: March 2018

Intra-articular sodium monoiodoace-tate (MIA) has been shown to consistently induce a reproducible model of chronic arthritis in rats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits and horses. The purpose of this study was to determine if intra-articular injections of MIA would produce clinical signs of degenerative joint disease in dogs.

Two different doses of MIA were injected into the stifle joints of normal dogs. Changes in limb function were evaluated by physical examination and force platform gait analysis. The dogs were evaluated weekly for three weeks, after which the MIA injections were repeated. They were again evaluated weekly for an additional two weeks.

Significant changes in limb function were not found during any portion of the study as determined by physical examination of the injected joints and force platform gait analysis. Intra-articular MIA, at the doses used in this study, did not induce lameness nor clinical signs of degenerative joint disease.

This study evaluated the potential of intra-articular injections of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) to produce degenerative joint disease in dogs. Changes in the injected joints and limb function were evaluated by physical examination and force platform gait analysis. Intraarticular MIA at the doses used in this study did not induce lameness nor clinical signs of degenerative joint disease in dogs.
Internal Fixation with a Veterinary Cuttable Plate in Small Animals
Authors: Brüse Sabine , Dee J. , Prieur W. D.
Published: March 2018

63 cases (42 cats, 21 dogs) were treated with a newly developed plate that can be cut during surgery to the required length and may be sandwiched if one plate is not rigid enough. The plate is manufactured in lengths of 30 cm and in two different thicknesses, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm. The thinner plate is used with 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm Cortex screws and the thicker one with 2.0 or 2.7 mm Cortex screws. Healing was generally uneventful with the exceptions noted.
Arthrodesis of the Distal Two Tarsal Joints in the Horse Using Perforated Stainless Steel Cylinders and Cancellous Bone Graft
Authors: Archer R. M. , Schneider R. K.
Published: March 2018

Two perforated stainless steel cylinders and autogenous cancellous bone were implanted into each of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints of seven horses. In two control horses holes were drilled into each joint and autogenous cancellous bone was implanted without stainless steel cylinders. Horses which had cylinders implanted in the distal tarsal joints exhibited less lameness and were more comfortable following surgery than were the control horses. Fracture of the third tarsal, central tarsal, or third metatarsal occurred in five of the seven horses implanted with stainless steel cylinders within 45 days of surgery. Two implanted horses and two control horses were observed for five months after surgery. Partial fusion of the distal tarsal joints occurred in all four horses. Control horses were more lame than the implanted horses and developed a large bony exostosis over the medial distal tarsus.
Complications of Canine Tibial Tuberosity Avulsion Fractures
Authors: Johnson K. A. , Goldsmid Sarah
Published: March 2018

Seventeen dogs between three and 22 months of age were treated for avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity. The majority of dogs were greyhounds and bull terriers. Three cases had bilateral involvement. Eleven were treated surgically, four were treated conservatively and two were euthanatised. Lameness was resolved by the time of the last examination in 4/4 conservatively managed cases and 7/11 surgically treated cases. Postoperative complications were related to fracture fixation or growth abnormalities. Fixation complications included avulsion of the tuberosity from the implant, wire breakage, bending of a pin, mild patella luxation and a pin through the tibial plateau growth plate. Deformity of the proximal tibial plateau occurred in two dogs, and flattening of the tibial tuberosity with distal translocation developed in at least two other dogs.
Repair of a Salter IV Physeal Fracture of the Humeral Condyle in a Chow-Chow Using a Cannulated Screw
Authors: Elkins A. D. , Oakes M. G. , Lewis D. D.
Published: March 2018

A Salter IV physeal fracture of the humeral condyle in a three-month-old Chow-Chow was repaired using a cannulated screw to provide interfragmentary compression. The fracture was reduced and a Kirschner wire was placed at the level of the olecranon fossa. The AO/ASIF cannulated screw system facilitated screw placement directly over the Kirschner wire, and thus allowed the screw to be placed proximal to the distal humeral growth plate without interfering with elbow extension. Limb and elbow function were normal when the dog was examined eight weeks following surgery. Radiographic union of the fracture had occurred without complication.
Botulinumtoxin A bei der Migräne
Authors: Jost W. H.
Published: March 2018

Onabotulinumtoxin ist seit 2011 zur Therapie der chronischen Migräne zugelassen. Die Therapie hat sich bewährt und ist mittlerweile etabliert. Keine andere Therapie hat bei der chronischen Migräne eine Überlegenheit zeigen können. Die Zulassung orientiert sich an den PREEMPT-Zulassungsstudien und gibt Injektionsstellen und Dosierung vor. Weitere Untersuchungen sind notwendig, damit das Injektionsschema optimiert werden kann. Die Zulassung und die positiven Studiendaten beschränken sich auf die chronische Migräne.
Zerebralparesen und Botulinumtoxin
Authors: Berweck S. , Heinen F , Schroeder A. S.
Published: March 2018

Seit dem Erscheinen der interdisziplinären deutschen und europäischen Konsensus zum Thema Botulinumtoxin (BoNT) für Kinder mit Zerebraparese (CP) hat sich das fächerübergreifende, integrative Behandlungskonzept zur Förderung der motorischen Entwicklung zusehends etabliert. Neben der kondensierten tabellarischen Darstellung und Aktualisierung der Evidenz zu den wichtigsten Aspekten der Therapie, wurde 2009 eine grafische Darstellung der Therapieoptionen (Therapiekurven CP-Motorik) eingeführt. Diese grafische Darstellung der Therapieoptionen für die Förderung der motorischen Fertigkeiten bei Kindern mit CP ermöglicht eine strukturierte Beratung zu den Therapieoptionen und hat im Alltag seine Anwendertauglichkeit im Dialog mit den Familien bewiesen.

Insbesondere bei drei der zehn Domänen aus den Konsensus zur Behandlung mit BoNT haben sich neue Erkenntnisse ergeben: “therapeutische Anwendung/Versorgungsqualität”, “Sicherheit”, “Effekte der Botulinumtoxintherapie im Muskel”. Dieser Beitrag aus der Neuropädiatrie soll diese Punkte aus der klinischen Anwenderperspektive überprüfen und aus dem Blickwinkel der neu gewonnenen Erkenntnisse beleuchten.
Therapieoption mit Botulinumtoxin für Patienten mit Parkinson
Authors: Messner M. , Ceballos-Baumann A. , Fietzek U. M.
Published: March 2018

Im Schatten der anderen Therapieoptionen bei Parkinson-Syndromen hat sich die Injektion von Botulinumtoxin für eine Reihe von Indikationen zum unverzichtbaren Helfer gemacht. Hierzu gehören vor allem die Sialorrhoe des Parkinson-Patienten und therapierefraktäre Dystonien des Gesichtes (Blepharospasmus) sowie der Extremitäten (Off-Dystonien). Der Beitrag nennt die Indikation, die verfügbare Evidenz und eine pragmatische Herangehensweise. Die Empfehlung der Autoren zu jeder Indikation sowie deren Zulassungsstatus wird benannt.
Digital Mammography: A World without Film?
Authors: Jirotka M. , Simpson A. C. , Highnam R. P. , Gavaghan D. J. , Watson D. , Brady J. M. , Lloyd S.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
eDiaMoND is a next generation Internet (”Grid”) multidisciplinary research project funded by the UK e-Science Programme with the following objectives; the development of a next generation Internet enabled prototype to demonstrate the potential benefits of a national infrastructure to support digital mammography; the exploration of potential benefits for digital mammography systems, with particular emphasis being placed on selected applications, namely, screening, training, computer-aided detection and appropriate support for epidemiological studies.

Methods:
EDiaMoND has worked in conjunction with selected clinical partners to enable the collection of valuable mammography information and the design of applications based upon extensive requirements gathering exercises. The clinical partners validated both the immediate needs and assisted with defining future needs of such an architecture to support the UK Health Service.

Results:
The project has succeeded in invoking the interest of clinical partners and representatives of the UK NHS Breast Screening Programme in our vision of a world without film, albeit a long way off. The project has also succeeded in identifying the barriers to adopting this approach with the current limitations within the NHS, and has developed a blueprint for working towards this strategy.

Conclusions:
A UK national digital mammography archive has the potential to provide major benefits for the UK. For example, such an archive could: ensure that previous mammograms are always available, and could link up seamlessly the screening, assessment and symptomatic clinics; it could provide a huge teaching and training resource; it could be a huge resource for epidemiological studies.
GEMSS: Privacy and Security for a Medical Grid
Authors: Herveg J. A. M. , Crazzolara F. , Marvin D. , Poullet Y. , Middleton S. E.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
The GEMSS project is developing a secure Grid infrastructure through which six medical simulations services can be invoked. We examine the legal and security framework within which GEMSS operates.

Methods:
We provide a legal qualification to the operations performed upon patient data, in view of EU directive 95/46, when using medical applications on the GEMSS Grid. We identify appropriate measures to ensure security and describe the legal rationale behind our choice of security technology.

Results:
Our legal analysis demonstrates there must be an identified controller (typically a hospital) of patient data. The controller must then choose a processor (in this context a Grid service provider) that provides sufficient guarantees with respect to the security of their technical and organizational data processing procedures. These guarantees must ensure a level of security appropriate to the risks, with due regard to the state of the art and the cost of their implementation.

Our security solutions are based on a public key infrastructure (PKI), transport level security and end-to-end security mechanisms in line with the web service (WS Security, WS Trust and SecureConversation) security specifications.

Conclusion:
The GEMSS infrastructure ensures a degree of protection of patient data that is appropriate for the health care sector, and is in line with the European directives. We hope that GEMSS will become synonymous with high security data processing, providing a framework by which GEMSS service providers can provide the security guarantees required by hospitals with regard to the processing of patient data.
Empowering Humanitarian Medical Development Using Grid Technology
Authors: Gonzales J. , Pomel S. , Clot B. , Gutknecht J. L. , Irthum B. , Legré Y. , Breton V.
Published: March 2018

Background:
The training of local clinicians is the best way to raise the standard of medical knowledge in developing countries. This requires transferring skills, techniques and resources.

Objectives:
Grid technology opens new perspectives for preparation and follow-up of medical missions in developing countries as well as support to local medical centers in terms of teleconsulting, telediagnosis and patient follow-up. Indeed, grids allow to hide the complexity of handling distributed data in such a way that physicians will be able to access patient data while ignoring where these data are stored.

Methods:
To meet requirements of a development project of the French NPO Chain of Hope in China, we propose to deploy a grid-based federation of databases.

First Results and Conclusions:
A first protocol was established for describing the patients’ pathologies and their pre- and post-surgery states through a web interface in a language-independent way. This protocol was evaluated by French and Chinese clinicians during medical missions in the fall of 2003. The first sets of medical patients recorded in the databases will be used to evaluate grid implementation of services.
Modeling and Designing a Proteomics Application on PROTEUS
Authors: Cuda G. , Veltri P. , Cannataro M.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
Biomedical applications, such as analysis and management of mass spectrometry proteomics experiments, involve heterogeneous platforms and knowledge, massive data sets, and complex algorithms. Main requirements of such applications are semantic modeling of the experiments and data analysis, as well as high performance computational platforms. In this paper we propose a software platform allowing to model and execute biomedical applications on the Grid.

Methods:
Computational Grids offer the required computational power, whereas ontologies and workflow help to face the heterogeneity of biomedical applications. In this paper we propose the use of domain ontologies and workflow techniques for modeling biomedical applications, whereas Grid middleware is responsible for high performance execution. As a case study, the modeling of a proteomics experiment is discussed.

Results:
The main result is the design and first use of PROTEUS, a Grid-based problem-solving environment for biomedical and bioinformatics applications.

Conclusion:
To manage the complexity of biomedical experiments, ontologies help to model applications and to identify appropriate data and algorithms, workflow techniques allow to combine the elements of such applications in a systematic way. Finally, translation of workflow into execution plans allows the exploitation of the computational power of Grids. Along this direction, in this paper we present PROTEUS discussing a real case study in the proteomics domain.
Libraries of Strategies and Ontology-driven Subject Area Models as “Corner Stones” in Grid Development
Authors: Joutchkov A. , Yanovsky A. , Golitsin S. , Arnautov S. , Strizh I. , Tverdokhlebov N.
Published: March 2018

Series of experiments of Grid-based calculations by Monte-Carlo simulation of molecular conformations have shown that there are classes of problems that could be “gridified” in short time with reasonable efforts. That could awake serious interest in the Grid from the biophysics and biochemistry community. Experiments with scientific problems that include both intensive computations and intensive data interchange have shown that libraries of strategies could provide an effective tool to adapt Grid-node infrastructure to problem structure. Libraries of strategies on different levels of Grid hierarchy – from local clusters to regional segments – could provide an effective usage of Grid resources.

Ontologies provide a universal tool to link distributed databases. Besides, ontologies also allow for the formal construction of models of subject areas. These models are the tools to formalize information requests and to construct intellectual queries to information space. There should be a multi-level hierarchy of ontologies and a critical mass of low-level ontologies must be reached in order to build a knowledge space for a subject area.
The First Grid for the Oral and Maxillofacial Region and Its Application for Speech Analysis
Authors: Akiyama T. , Tamagawa H. , Kato S. , Mizuno-Matsumoto Y. , Nakagawa M. , Maeda Y. , Shimojo S. , Nozaki K.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
Introduction of a new grid-based method for analyzing speech functions which takes into account the related information of patients’ data and the oral air flow with pronouncing analyzed by computational fluid dynamics.

Methods:
An on-line speech analyzer was developed for clinical use utilizing GridPort2.3.1 based on glo-bus2.4.2, comprising several computational tools such as unified data storage, semantic data analysis, computational fluid dynamics analysis and three-dimensional visualization of calculated results from different hardware sources with various types of operation systems.

Results:
The power transportation layer between dental clinics and computational and storage resources could be provided by using a WWW-based portal. The back-end data management system could be constructed using a storage resource broker (SRB) and extensible mark up language (XML).

Conclusions:
The new method allows the construction of a data warehouse through this grid-based speech function analysis in order to extract the principal factors related to speech disorders.
An OGSA-based Integration of Life-scientific Resources for Drug Discovery
Authors: Tohsato Y. , Date S. , Matsuda H. , Shimojo S. , Kosaka T.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
The rapid progress of life-scientific research has the potential to dramatically change the paradigm of drug discovery. Efficient utilization of life-scientific resources, i.e., databases and analytic software tools, poses a challenging issue with regard to the reduction of time and cost in the drug discovery process. In this paper, a variety of heterogeneous Web-based life-scientific resources are integrated toward the improvement of drug discovery performance.

Methods:
For the integration of heterogeneous life-scientific resources, a database federation technique based on three-layer architecture has been utilized. With the federation technique, life-scientific resources are integrated step by step through database layers, database integration layers and analysis layers to encapsulate complexity and heterogeneity. In this study, we have taken advantage of the latest Grid technology based on OGSA (Open Grid Services Architecture) for the implementation of our approach.

Results:
The actual case of life-scientific resources for drug discovery demonstrates that our prototype system developed with the proposed technique works well for the identification process of candidate compounds to a target protein. In other words, the prototype system allows a researcher to retrieve candidate compounds with less effort than before.

Conclusions:
The usefulness of the prototypic system represents the ability of our approach to integrate heterogeneous life-scientific resources, which have the potential to dramatically improve efficiency in drug discovery, resulting in the shortening of drug development. On the other hand, the system requires further consideration from the aspect of practical use. Dynamic aggregation of the resources is one example of such a consideration.
Behavioral Interventions and the Role of Television in the Growing Epidemic of Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Thiagarajah K. , Fleming-Moran M.
Published: March 2018

Objective:
To test television exposure’s contribution to overweight (BMI> 95th percentile /age) status in 11.3% of 2001 YRBS respondents, when controlling for moderate/vigorous activity, and eating habits.

Methods:
Controlling for age, ethnicity, smoking, moderate/vigorous activity, and diet habits, gender-specific SUDAAN models estimate likelihood (O.R.) for overweight in teens watching 2+ hours of TV/day.

Results:
TV exposure independently increases odds of overweight by 50% for both genders (boys: OR 1.5 [1.2-1.8]; girls: OR 1.6 [1.2-2.0]), when other covariates are controlled. Low vigorous activity rate (1.39 [1.1-1.86]) and smoking independently promote obesity in girls, while boys with fewer fruit/ vegetable servings are less likely to be overweight (.76 [.60-.96]).

Conclusion:
Current school-based interventions promote environmental and curricular changes for healthier diets and increased activity rates. TV exposure, however, is rarely targeted as a separate risk factor, and requires attention at the individual, family, and community levels.
A Generic Concept for Large-scale Microarray Analysis Dedicated to Medical Diagnostics
Authors: Weninger F. , Merk S. , Kohlmann A. , Haferlach T. , Dugas M.
Published: March 2018

Background:
The development of diagnostic procedures based on microarray analysis confronts the bioinformatician and the biomedical researcher with a variety of challenges. Microarrays generate a huge amount of data. There are many, not yet clearly defined, data processing steps and many clinical response variables which may not match gene expression patterns.

Objectives:
To design a generic concept for large-scale microarray experiments dedicated to medical diagnostics; to create a system capable of handling several 1000 microarrays per analysis and more than 100 clinical response variables; to design a standardized workflow for quality control, data calibration, identification of differentially expressed genes and estimation of classification accuracy; and to provide a user-friendly interface for clinical researchers with respect to biomedical interpretation.

Methods:
We designed a database structure suitable for the storage of microarray data and analysis results. We applied statistical procedures to identify differential genes and developed a technique to estimate classification accuracy of gene patterns with confidence intervals.

Results:
We implemented a Gene Analysis Management System (GAMS) based on this concept, using MySQL for data storage, R/Bioconductor for analysis and PHP for a web-based front-end for the exploration of microarray data and analysis results. This system was utilized with large data sets from several medical disciplines, mainly from oncology (~ 2000 micro-arrays).

Conclusions:
A systematic approach is necessary for the analysis of microarray experiments in a medical diagnostics setting to get comprehensible results. Due to the complexity of the analysis, data processing (by bioinformaticians) and interactive exploration of results (by biomedical experts) should be separated.
Estimating the Number of Clusters in DNA Microarray Data
Authors: Azuaje F. , Bolshakova N.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
The main objective of the research is an application of the clustering and cluster validity methods to estimate the number of clusters in cancer tumor datasets. A weighed voting technique is going to be used to improve the prediction of the number of clusters based on different data mining techniques. These tools may be used for the identification of new tumour classes using DNA microarray datasets. This estimation approach may perform a useful tool to support biological and biomedical knowledge discovery.

Methods:
Three clustering and two validation algorithms were applied to two cancer tumor datasets. Recent studies confirm that there is no universal pattern recognition and clustering model to predict molecular profiles across different datasets. Thus, it is useful not to rely on one single clustering or validation method, but to apply a variety of approaches. Therefore, combination of these methods may be successfully used for the estimation of the number of clusters.

Results:
The methods implemented in this research may contribute to the validation of clustering results and the estimation of the number of clusters. The results show that this estimation approach may represent an effective tool to support biomedical knowledge discovery and healthcare applications.

Conclusion:
The methods implemented in this research may be successfully used for the estimation of the number of clusters. The methods implemented in this research may contribute to the validation of clustering results and the estimation of the number of clusters. These tools may be used for the identification of new tumour classes using gene expression profiles.
Statistical, Computational and Visualization Methodologies to Unveil Gene Primary Structure Features
Authors: Pinheiro M. , Afreixo V. , Moura G. , Freitas A. , Santos M. A. S. , Oliveira J. L.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
Gene sequence features such as codon bias, codon context, and codon expansion (e.g. tri-nucleotide repeats) can be better understood at the genomic scale level by combining statistical methodologies with advanced computer algorithms and data visualization through sophisticated graphical interfaces. This paper presents the ANACONDA system, a bioinformatics application for gene primary structure analysis.

Methods:
Codon usage tables using absolute metrics and software for multivariate analysis of codon and amino acid usage are available in public databases. However, they do not provide easy computational and statistical tools to carry out detailed gene primary structure analysis on a genomic scale. We propose the usage of several statistical methods – contingency table analysis, residual analysis, multivariate analysis (cluster analysis) – to analyze the codon bias under various aspects (degree of association, contexts and clustering).

Results:
The developed solution is a software application that provides a user-guided analysis of codon sequences considering several contexts and codon usage on a genomic scale. The utilization of this tool in our molecular biology laboratory is focused on particular genomes, especially those from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicansand Escherichia coli. In order to illustrate the applicability and output layouts of the software these species are herein used as examples.

Conclusions:
The statistical tools incorporated in the system are allowing to obtain global views of important sequence features. It is expected that the results obtained will permit identification of general rules that govern codon context and codon usage in any genome. Additionally, identification of genes containing expanded codons that arise as a consequence of erroneous DNA replication events will permit uncovering new genes associated with human disease.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Škvor J. , Čapek P.
Published: March 2018

Objectives:
Our research is a pilot study that specializes in the molecular genetic investigation of the TNNT2 gene in Czech patients with HCM/FHC disease. This study was initiated with exons 9 and 11 of TNNT2 because of their crucial role in the binding ability of cardiac troponin T to α-tropomyosin, and continued with analyses in other regions of the gene.

Methods:
Hundred and eighty-one Czech probands with HCM/FHC were enrolled in this study. The study group consisted of 24 families with FHC and probands without FHC history but with HCM diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis was based on echocardiography. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes and subsequently analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by DNA sequencing analyses, which were cross-sequenced.

Results:
The ΔGlu160 mutation was observed in a sequence of the TNNT2 gene in a patient with the severe form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. No sequence alteration was found in exons 9 and 11 of the TNNT2 gene found in the rest of the DNA samples.

Conclusion:
The ΔGlu160 mutation was observed in patients with severe forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This region is responsible for binding troponin T to α-tropomyosin. This mutation may lead to functional and structural effects on the troponin T protein. Mutations in this region are reported relatively rarely and therefore it was unique to observe the ΔGlu160 mutation in our study.