bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Companion animal veterinarians' use of clinical communication skills
Authors: McArthur ML , Fitzgerald JR 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo describe the communication techniques used by clients and veterinarians during companion animal visits in Australia.DesignA cross‐sectional descriptive study.MethodsA total of 64 veterinary consultations were audiotaped and analysed with the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS); clients completed appointment level measures, including their satisfaction and perceptions of relational communication.ResultsParticipants were 24 veterinarians and 64 clients. Statements intended to reassure clients were expressed frequently in the consultations, but in 59% of appointments empathy statements were not expressed towards either the client or the patient. In 10% of appointments, veterinarians did not used any open‐ended questions. Overall client satisfaction was high and veterinarians' expressions of empathy directed to the client resulted in higher levels of client satisfaction. Clients' perceptions of relational communication were related to several veterinarian and client nonverbal scales.ConclusionsA focus on developing evidence‐based clinical communication skills is expected to further enhance the veterinarian–client–patient relationship and associated clinical outcomes. Particular recommendations include the development of a broader emotion‐handling repertoire, increased emphasis on the use of open‐ended enquiry, including assessment of the client's perspective, as well as attention to aspects of nonverbal communication. The study provides preliminary evidence for the importance of verbal expressions of empathy during the companion animal consultation.
Tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomation in a horse
Authors: Cullimore AM , Lester GD , Swindells KL 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundA 7‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding presented with muscle fasciculation, reluctance to move, profuse sweating, tachycardia, tachypnoea and a localised, unilateral swelling on the muzzle. History and physical examination were suggestive of snake envenomation.MethodsA sandwich ELISA for the detection of snake venom was performed on serum and urine samples.ResultThe test performed on urine confirmed a diagnosis of tiger snake envenomation.ConclusionThe response to treatment with antivenom and supportive medical therapy was excellent.
Encephalomyocarditis virus infection in a splenectomised calf
Authors: Diallo IS , Carter PD , Storie G 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundEncephalomyocarditis (EMC) caused by EMC virus (EMCV) was diagnosed in a 5‐month‐old splenectomised calf, which died suddenly on an experimental farm that had a high infestation of rodents.ResultsAt postmortem examination, the lungs were dark purple and diffusely congested. On histological examination, the calf had severe necrotising myocarditis. EMCV was isolated from the heart. The polyprotein gene of the EMCV isolate was amplified by PCR and had 85–91% identity with published EMCV sequences, including 89% identity with isolates from Queensland. On phylogenetic analysis, the polyprotein gene had highest sequence identity with South Korean EMCV strain, CBNU.ConclusionThis is the first report of naturally occurring EMC in cattle in Australia and the first report of naturally occurring bovine EMC from which EMCV has been isolated.
Neospora caninum and reproductive wastage in extensively managed Queensland beef herds
Authors: Fordyce G , Holroyd RG , Taylor J , Kirkland PD 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo compare reproduction in extensively managed, tropically adapted beef cows that were either seropositive or seronegative to Neospora caninum.DesignLongitudinal study of cows within management groups.MethodsCompare pregnancy with weaning outcomes for 502 seropositive and 3255 seronegative cows in 25 management groups.ResultsWe found N. caninum in all herds, with an average of 20% of 2640 tested animals seropositive within management group; prevalence varied between 0% and 94%. At 7 of 10 sites assessed, there was evidence of horizontal transmission of N. caninum. There was no overall difference in pregnancy rate (79% vs 75%; P > 0.05), reproductive wastage after confirmed pregnancy diagnosis (11% vs 10%; P > 0.05) or weaning rate (67% vs 68%; P > 0.05) between seronegative and seropositive cows, respectively. In one herd where a combination of risk factors for N. caninum was present, a significant reduction in pregnancy rate occurred after the 6 months mating (85% vs 69%; P < 0.05). The fetal and calf losses observed were lowest in south‐east Queensland (4.3% of 117 pregnancies), highest in north‐west Queensland (15.5% of 413 pregnancies) and intermediate in north‐east Queensland (10.2% of 1625 pregnancies). Other infectious agents that are known to cause reproductive wastage were endemic in many herds, though none appeared to cause significant fetal or calf loss in this study.ConclusionDespite a high prevalence of N. caninum, there was no apparent effect on beef cattle reproduction, but there is potential to cause reproductive wastage if known risk factors to neosporosis are in effect.
Development of Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs – the Research and Development Process
Authors: Knowles Richard Graham 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe research and development process for novel drugs to treat inflammatory diseases is described, and several current issues and debates relevant to this are raised: the decline in productivity, attrition, challenges and trends in developing anti‐inflammatory drugs, the poor clinical predictivity of experimental models of inflammatory diseases, heterogeneity within inflammatory diseases, ‘improving on the Beatles’ in treating inflammation, and the relationships between big pharma and biotechs. The pharmaceutical research and development community is responding to these challenges in multiple ways which it is hoped will lead to the discovery and development of a new generation of anti‐inflammatory medicines.
Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression in adolescents
Authors: Ames Catherine S. , Richardson Jessica , Payne Susanna , Smith Patrick , Leigh Eleanor 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundMindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be effective in preventing relapse of depression in adults, but has not previously been applied to adolescents who have residual symptoms of depression following treatment.MethodAn 8‐week MBCT group was adapted for adolescents, and evaluated using qualitative and quantitative measures.ResultsParticipants report high levels of satisfaction with the group intervention. Qualitative analysis of semi‐structured interviews provides areas for future development of this intervention. Pilot data indicate reductions in depressive symptoms, alongside positive change in mindfulness skills, quality of life and rumination.ConclusionsPreliminary evidence for the use of MBCT with this group of adolescents is provided.
Toward the successful delivery of lysosomal enzymes across the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Urayama Akihiko 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe development of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been one of the most remarkable successes of translational studies, bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical settings. Although ERT is very effective in clearing peripheral tissue storage in many lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), negotiating the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) remains a key challenge in delivering corrective lysosomal enzymes into the brain. In recent years, brain delivery of lysosomal enzymes has been vigorously pursued for treating neurodegenerative LSD. Delivery strategies include high‐dose and long‐term treatment regimens, manipulation of receptor‐mediated transport, biochemical engineering of enzymes, use of transport vectors, and enzyme administration by alternative routes. Most studies have investigated biochemical or histological improvements in central nervous system (CNS) storage after treatment. Few studies, however, have directly focused on the mechanisms of lysosomal enzyme transport across the BBB. In previous studies, we discovered that the luminally expressed mannose 6‐phosphate/insulin‐like growth factor‐II receptor is a universal transporter of lysosomal enzymes. We and others have also successfully manipulated receptor‐mediated transport by using endogenous characteristics of the BBB. Interestingly, accumulating evidence indicates that some lysosomal enzymes employ multiple mechanisms for their transport across the BBB. This review provides a detailed discussion of the kinetics of lysosomal enzyme transport across the BBB, and the manipulation of transport characteristics based on studies of the transport of β‐glucuronidase, sulfamidase, arylsulfatase A and acid α‐glucosidase. Furthermore, recent achievements in treating abnormalities in CNS storage and their contribution to developing new therapeutic approaches are also discussed.
Does neuroinflammation induce systemic aging?
Authors: Nakahara Jin 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA recent article published in Nature presents intriguing data suggesting that the activation of neuronal nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) causes systemic aging through reduced secretion of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone, an anti‐aging hormone. Microglial inflammation in MBH also seems to induce neuronal NF‐κB. These results raise the possibility that neuroinflammation orchestrates systemic aging.
The Influence of Personality on a Group‐Level Process: Shy Hermit Crabs Make Longer Vacancy Chains
Authors: Briffa Mark 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAnimal personality has been investigated in a variety of contexts but few studies have investigated the effects of individual‐level traits on processes that occur at the group or population level. Vacancy chains describe sequences of linked vacancy moves in systems where individuals use discrete and reuseable resource units. When a new resource unit becomes available, this can cause a cascade of moves between resource units, beyond the first individual that encounters the new unit. Thus, vacancy chains can drive the distribution of resources through a population. Here, I investigate the effect of variation in boldness on movements between vacant gastropod shells in the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus. Boldness was quantified using the duration of a startle response, which varied consistently between individuals. In groups of five crabs, introduction of a single new shell led to aggregate benefits, in terms of improving shell quality, across all group members. Boldness did not influence the extent of these benefits or the extent to which they were distributed between crabs of different sizes. Initially, vacancy chains were longer, indicating that more individuals moved between shells, for bold groups compared with shy groups. After 24 h, however, the chain length was longer for shy groups. Thus, although participation in a vacancy chain may lead to similar benefits, these could be more widespread for groups comprising shy individuals that show long startle responses, low inquisitiveness and low aggression. Similar effects on resource acquisition could be present in other examples of animals that utilise reusable resource units and show consistent between‐individual differences in behaviour.
Synovial herniation as a complication of arthroscopy in a Thoroughbred yearling
Authors: Marshall K. M. , Adkins A. R. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThis paper reports the successful use of a half limb cast to treat prior failures in healing of a synovial hernia in a Thoroughbred yearling. The hernia was due to a nonhealing arthroscopy portal and was confirmed using ultrasonography and positive contrast arthrography to visualise the communication between the metacarpophalangeal joint and subcutaneous space. Surgery was performed 3 times, due to failure of healing of the joint capsule and recurrence of clinical signs. A half limb cast applied following the final surgery effected a repair. At 2 months post surgery there was no recurrence of the subcutaneous swelling and at 3 months post surgery a repeat positive contrast arthrogram confirmed healing of the hernia.
Insulin dysregulation
Authors: Frank N. , Tadros E. M. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryAbnormalities of insulin metabolism include hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance, and these problems are collectively referred to asinsulin dysregulationin this review. Insulin dysregulation is a key component of equine metabolic syndrome: a collection of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities associated with the development of laminitis in horses, ponies and donkeys. Insulin dysregulation can also accompany prematurity and systemic illness in foals. Causes of insulin resistance are discussed, including pathological conditions of obesity, systemic inflammation and pituitarypars intermediadysfunction, as well as the physiological responses to stress and pregnancy. Most of the discussion of insulin dysregulation to date has focused on insulin resistance, but there is increasing interest in hyperinsulinaemia itself and insulin responses to feeding. An oral sugar test or in‐feed oral glucose tolerance test can be performed to assess insulin responses to dietary carbohydrates, and these tests are now recommended for use in clinical practice. Incretin hormones are likely to play an important role in postprandial hyperinsulinaemia and are the subject of current research. Insulin resistance exacerbates hyperinsulinaemia, and insulin sensitivity can be measured by performing a combined glucose‐insulin test or i.v. insulin tolerance test. In both of these tests, exogenous insulin is administered and the rate of glucose uptake into tissues measured. Diagnosis and management of hyperinsulinaemia is recommended to reduce the risk of laminitis. The terminsulin dysregulationis introduced here to refer collectively to excessive insulin responses to sugars, fasting hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance, which are all components of equine metabolic syndrome.
Spatial and temporal variability of biomarkers and microbial diversity reveal metabolic and community flexibility in Streamer Biofilm Communities in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Schubotz F. , Meyer‐Dombard D. R. , Bradley A. S. , Fredricks H. F. , Hinrichs K.‐U. , Shock E. L. , Summons R. E. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractDetailed analysis of 16S rRNA and intact polar lipids (IPLs) from streamer biofilm communities (SBCs), collected from geochemically similar hot springs in the Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, shows good agreement and affirm that IPLs can be used as reliable markers for the microbial constituents of SBCs. Uncultured Crenarchaea are prominent in SBS, and their IPLs contain both glycosidic and mixed glyco‐phospho head groups with tetraether cores, having 0–4 rings. Archaeal IPL contributions increase with increasing temperature and comprise up to one‐fourth of the total IPL inventory at >84 °C. At elevated temperatures, bacterial IPLs contain abundant glycosidic glycerol diether lipids. Diether and diacylglycerol (DAG) lipids with aminopentanetetrol and phosphatidylinositol head groups were identified as lipids diagnostic of Aquificales, while DAG glycolipids and glyco‐phospholipids containing N‐acetylgycosamine as head group were assigned to members of the Thermales. With decreasing temperature and concomitant changes in water chemistry, IPLs typical of phototrophic bacteria, such as mono‐, diglycosyl, and sulfoquinovosyl DAG, which are specific for cyanobacteria, increase in abundance, consistent with genomic data from the same samples. Compound‐specific stable carbon isotope analysis of IPL breakdown products reveals a large isotopic diversity among SBCs in different hot springs. At two of the hot springs, ‘Bison Pool’ and Flat Cone, lipids derived from Aquificales are enriched in 13C relative to biomass and approach values close to dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) (approximately 0‰), consistent with fractionation during autotrophic carbon fixation via the reversed tricarboxylic acid pathway. At a third site, Octopus Spring, the same Aquificales‐diagnostic lipids are 10‰ depleted relative to biomass and resemble stable carbon isotope values of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), indicative of heterotrophy. Other bacterial and archaeal lipids show a similar variance, with values resembling the DIC or DOC pool or a mixture thereof. This variance cannot be explained by hot spring chemistry or temperature alone, but instead, we argue that intermittent input of exogenous organic carbon can result in metabolic shifts of the chemotrophic communities from autotrophy to heterotrophy and vice versa.
Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of furniture and bioenergy production from oil palm trunks
Authors: Rettenmaier Nils , Keller Heiko , Reinhardt Guido A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe palm oil industry constantly attempts to increase the sustainability along the entire palm oil value chain. One important strategy is to utilize all co‐products. Oil palm trunks, which become available upon replanting of existing plantations, represent an important and increasing flow of underexploited biomass. In recent years, innovative technologies are emerging to use them for producing furniture or plywood or providing bioenergy. We assessed the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of such products and the greenhouse gas emission savings due to replaced alternative products. Although challenging material properties result in a relatively high energy demand and related greenhouse gas emissions in the oil palm wood processing, substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can arise from producing furniture or bioenergy from oil palm trunks, especially if the process energy demand is met by the energy recovery from oil palm wood‐processing residues.
Improved Pharmacokinetics of Sumatriptan With Breath Powered™ Nasal Delivery of Sumatriptan Powder
Authors: Obaidi Mohammad , Offman Elliot , Messina John , Carothers Jennifer , Djupesland Per G. , Mahmoud Ramy A. 
Published: August 2013

Objectives.—The purpose of this study was to directly compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of 22‐mg sumatriptan powder delivered intranasally with a novel Breath Powered™ device (11 mg in each nostril) vs a 20‐mg sumatriptan liquid nasal spray, a 100‐mg oral tablet, and a 6‐mg subcutaneous injection.Background.—A prior PK study found that low doses of sumatriptan powder delivered intranasally with a Breath Powered device were efficiently and rapidly absorbed. An early phase clinical trial with the same device and doses found excellent tolerability with high response rates and rapid onset of pain relief, approaching the benefits of injection despite significantly lower predicted drug levels.Methods.—An open‐label, cross‐over, comparative bioavailability study was conducted in 20 healthy subjects at a single center in the USA. Following randomization, fasted subjects received a single dose of each of the 4 treatments separated by a 7‐day washout. Blood samples were taken pre‐dose and serially over 14 hours post‐dose for PK analysis.Results.—Quantitative measurement of residuals in used Breath Powered devices demonstrated that the devices delivered 8 ± 0.9 mg (mean ± standard deviation) of sumatriptan powder in each nostril (total dose 16 mg). Although the extent of systemic exposure over 14 hours was similar following Breath Powered delivery of 16‐mg sumatriptan powder and 20‐mg liquid nasal spray (area under the curve [AUC]0‐∞ 64.9 ng*hour/mL vs 61.1 ng*hour/mL), sumatriptan powder, despite a 20% lower dose, produced 27% higher peak exposure (Cmax 20.8 ng/mL vs 16.4 ng/mL) and 61% higher exposure in the first 30 minutes compared with the nasal spray (AUC0‐30 minutes 5.8 ng*hour/mL vs 3.6 ng*hour/mL). The magnitude of difference is larger on a per‐milligram basis. The absorption profile following standard nasal spray demonstrated bimodal peaks, consistent with lower early followed by higher later absorptions. In contrast, the profile following Breath Powered delivery showed higher early and lower late absorptions. Relative to the 100‐mg oral tablet (Cmax 70.2 ng/mL, AUC0‐∞, 308.8 ng*hour/mL) and 6‐mg injection (Cmax 111.6 ng/mL, AUC0‐∞ 128.2 ng*hour/mL), the peak and overall exposure following Breath Powered intranasal delivery of sumatriptan powder was substantially lower.Conclusions.—Breath Powered intranasal delivery of sumatriptan powder is a more efficient form of drug delivery, producing a higher peak and earlier exposure with a lower delivered dose than nasal spray and faster absorption than either nasal spray or oral administration. It also produces a significantly lower peak and total systemic exposure than oral tablet or subcutaneous injection.
Association of injecting drug use and late enrolment in HIV medical care in Odessa Region, Ukraine
Authors: Kiriazova TK , Postnov OV , Perehinets IB , Neduzhko OO 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesLate entry of HIV‐positive persons into specialized care is a significant challenge to limiting the spread of the HIV epidemic. In 2008–2010, only 54% of 108 116 persons who tested HIV positive enrolled in care at AIDS Centers in Ukraine, and almost half of new AIDS cases are found in patients with first‐time HIV diagnoses. We aimed to identify factors associated with delayed enrolment in HIV care in Odessa Region, Ukraine.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective data analysis of patients who enrolled in HIV care in 1995–2010, comparing patients on the basis of the reported route of HIV transmission (injecting drug use or sexual transmission). The nonparametric Mann−Whitney U‐test was used to compare the groups.ResultsDuring the period analysed, the delay in enrolment in HIV care among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Odessa Region was longer than that among people infected via sexual transmission. The mean delay in enrolment in care among PWID increased over time for men and women; their mean age at the time of enrolment also gradually increased. Urban residents accounted for the majority of HIV cases, with some growth in the proportion of rural residents.ConclusionsPeople who acquired HIV via injecting drug use showed later enrolment in HIV care compared with people infected via sexual transmission. There is an urgent need to improve HIV counselling and referral services, taking into account differences in the behaviour of drug‐using and non‐drug‐using populations.
Routine HIV testing in the emergency department: tough lessons in sustainability
Authors: Rayment M , Rae C , Ghooloo F , Doku E , Hardie J , Finlay S , Gidwani S , Atkins M , Roberts P , Sullivan AK 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesRoutine HIV testing in nonspecialist settings has been shown to be acceptable to patients and staff in pilot studies. The question of how to embed routine HIV testing, and make it sustainable, remains to be answered.MethodsWe established a service of routine HIV testing in an emergency department (ED) in London, delivered by ED staff as part of routine clinical care. All patients aged 16 to 65 years were offered an HIV test (latterly the upper age limit was removed). Meetings were held weekly and two outcome measures examined: test offer rate (coverage) and test uptake. Sustainability methodology (process mapping; plan‐do‐study‐act (PDSA) cycles) was applied to maximize these outcome measures.ResultsOver 30 months, 44 582 eligible patients attended the ED. The mean proportion offered an HIV test was 14%, varying from 6% to 54% per month over the testing period. The mean proportion accepting a test was 63% (range 33–100%). A total of 4327 HIV tests have been performed. Thirteen patients have been diagnosed with HIV infection (0.30%). PDSA cycles having the most positive and sustained effects on the outcome measures include the expansion to offer blood‐based HIV tests in addition to the original oral fluid tests, and the engagement of ED nursing staff in the programme.ConclusionsHIV testing can be delivered in the ED, but constant innovation and attention have been required to maintain it over 30 months. Patient uptake remains high, suggesting acceptability, but time will be required before true embedding in routine clinical practice is achieved.