bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computed Tomographic Angiography under Sedation in the Diagnosis of Suspected Canine Pancreatitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Adrian A.M. , Twedt D.C. , Kraft S.L. , Marolf A.J. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) is highly accurate for diagnosing pancreatitis in humans. The diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs is based on clinical signs, laboratory findings, and ultrasonographic (US) changes. There are, however, inherent limitations in relying on laboratory and ultrasound findings for the clinical diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesWe hypothesized thatCTangiography would be a rapid and reliable method to confirm pancreatitis in dogs compared to ultrasonography. The aim was to describe theCTcharacteristics and compare them to ultrasound findings and correlate theCTappearance to the severity of the patients' clinical course.AnimalsA prospective pilot case series; 10 dogs with pancreatitis were enrolled if the history, clinical signs, laboratory, and ultrasonographic findings were indicative of pancreatitis.MethodsA 3‐phase angiographic CT was performed under sedation. Afterward, each dog had US‐guided aspirates of the pancreas collected and blood drawn forcPLi assay. Images were evaluated for portion of visible pancreas, pancreatic size and margin, pancreatic parenchyma, presence of peripancreatic changes and contrast enhancement pattern. The results were compared with outcome.ResultsAn enlarged, homogeneously to heterogeneously attenuating and contrast‐enhancing pancreas with ill‐defined borders was identified in all dogs.CTidentified more features characterizing pancreatic abnormalities compared toUS. Thrombi were found in 3/10 dogs. Three dogs with heterogeneous contrast enhancement had an overall poorer outcome than those with homogenous enhancement.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCTangiography under sedation was used in dogs to confirm clinically suspected pancreatitis and identified clinically relevant and potentially prognostic features of pancreatitis in dogs.
Pharmacokinetics of metronidazole in foals: influence of age within the neonatal period
Authors: Swain E. A. , Magdesian K. G. , Kass P. H. , Edman J. E. , Knych H. K. 
Published: October 2014

Neonatal foals have unique pharmacokinetics, which may lead to accumulation of certain drugs when adult horse dosage regimens are used. Given its lipophilic nature and requirement for hepatic metabolism, metronidazole may be one of these drugs. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profiles of metronidazole in twelve healthy foals at 1–2.5 days of age when administered as a single intravenous (IV) and intragastric (IG) dose of 15 mg/kg. Foals in the intravenous group were studied a second time at 10–12 days of age to evaluate the influence of age on pharmacokinetics within the neonatal period. Blood samples were collected at serial time points after metronidazole administration. Metronidazole concentration in plasma was measured usingLC‐MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental analysis and compared between age groups. At 1–2.5 days of age, the mean peak plasma concentration after IV infusion was 18.79 ± 1.46 μg/mL, elimination half‐life was 11.8 ± 1.77 h, clearance was 0.84 ± 0.13 mL/min/kg and the volume of distribution (steady‐state) was 0.87 ± 0.07 L/kg. At 10–12 days of age, the mean peak plasma concentration after IV infusion was 18.17 ± 1.42 μg/mL, elimination half‐life was 9.07 ± 2.84 h, clearance was 1.14 ± 0.21 mL/min/kg and the volume of distribution (steady‐state) was 0.88 ± 0.06 L/kg. Oral approximated bioavailability was 100%. Cmax andTmaxafter oral dosing were 14.85 ± 0.54 μg/mL and 1.75 (1–4) h, respectively. The elimination half‐life was longer and clearance was reduced in neonatal foals at 1–2.5 days as compared to 10–12 days of age (P = 0.006,P = 0.001, respectively). This study warrants consideration for altered dosing recommendations in foals, especially a longer interval (12 h).
Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in mature swine after intravenous and oral administration
Authors: Pairis‐Garcia M. D. , Johnson A. K. , KuKanich B. , Wulf L. , Millman S. T. , Stalder K. J. , Karriker L. A. , Coetzee J. F. 
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in mature swine after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration. Six mature sows (mean bodyweight ± standard deviation = 217.3 ± 65.68 kg) were administered an i.v. or p.o. dose of meloxicam at a target dose of 0.5 mg/kg in a cross‐over design. Plasma samples collected up to 48 h postadministration were analyzed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) followed by noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Mean peak plasma concentration (CMAX) after p.o. administration was 1070 ng/mL (645–1749 ng/mL). TMAX was recorded at 2.40 h (0.50–12.00 h) after p.o. administration. Half‐life (T½ λz) for i.v. and p.o. administration was 6.15 h (4.39–7.79 h) and 6.83 h (5.18–9.63 h), respectively. The bioavailability (F) for p.o. administration was 87% (39–351%). The results of this study suggest that meloxicam is well absorbed after oral administration.
Pharmacokinetics of oral transmucosal and intramuscular dexmedetomidine combined with buprenorphine in cats
Authors: Porters N. , de Rooster H. , Bosmans T. , Baert K. , Cherlet M. , Croubels S. , De Backer P. , Polis I. 
Published: October 2014

Plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine after oral transmucosal (OTM) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of their combination in healthy adult cats were compared. According to a crossover protocol (1‐month washout), a combination of dexmedetomidine (40 μg/kg) and buprenorphine (20 μg/kg) was given OTM (buccal cavity) or i.m. (quadriceps muscle) in six female neutered cats. Plasma samples were collected through a jugular catheter during a 24‐h period. Plasma dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma concentration–time data were fitted to compartmental models. For dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine, the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and the maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were significantly lower following OTM than following i.m. administration. For buprenorphine, time to reach Cmax was also significantly longer after OTM administration than after i.m. injection. Data suggested that dexmedetomidine (40 μg/kg) combined with buprenorphine (20 μg/kg) is not as well absorbed from the buccal mucosa site as from the intramuscular injection site.
The effects of vessel approaches on the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Authors: Cowling Mary , Kirkwood Roger , Boren Laura , Sutherland Duncan , Scarpaci Carol 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAnimals that establish new sites near the edge of the species' range may be vulnerable to disturbance as they are low in numbers and are not tied to the sites. Pinniped distributions world‐wide are changing as many species are recolonizing areas of their former ranges and establishing new colonies. Little research is available on the impact that vessel presence may pose on pinnipeds at such sites. This study documents responses of New Zealand fur seals to vessels in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, at a recently established breeding colony. Fur seal behavior at the breeding location was recorded in the presence of vessels. GLMM and GAM analyses revealed that fur seal responses varied with month, time of day, duration of vessel exposure, and the distance to the vessel. Age and sex of the seals, and the number of seals present also influenced fur seal response. Fur seals at this site became disturbed when vessels approached to the 10–20 m distance category, and a precautionary minimum approach distance of 50 m has been suggested. This research provides direction for monitoring and minimizing impacts of vessels on fur seals, especially where new sites are being colonized.
Hypertrophic pachymeningitis and encephalitis in a patient with relapsing polychondritis
Authors: Nakamura Ken , Sugaya Keizo , Nakata Yasuhiro , Shima Sayuri , Mutoh Tatsuro , Nakano Imaharu 
Published: October 2014

AbstractRelapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune multisystem disease characterized by the inflammation of cartilaginous tissues. Neurological complications with relapsing polychondritis are extremely rare. We report an 81‐year‐old woman with relapsing polychondritis who subsequently developed encephalitis and cognitive impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed slightly high signal intensity in the bilateral frontal dura mater using fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery. T1‐weighted images with contrast enhancement showed abnormal enhancement of the dura mater, indicating hypertrophic pachymeningitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of relapsing polychondritis complicated by both hypertrophic pachymeningitis and encephalitis in the absence of other recognizable autoimmune diseases.
Performance obstacles of nurses in intensive care units of Greek National Health System hospitals
Authors: Aletras Vassilis H , Kallianidou Kyriaki 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTBackgroundNurses in intensive care units confront various challenges and problems during their everyday work that adversely affect performance and patient safety. Despite their importance, performance obstacles have been studied extensively only in the USA, with no validated instrument being available in the Greek setting for their measurement.Aims and objectivesTo develop a questionnaire that quantifies the obstacles nurses of intensive care units (ICUs) of Greek hospitals might be facing and examine its properties; to assess if such obstacles existed in selected Greek National Health System hospitals.MethodsA questionnaire was developed and administered to nurses who were working in intensive care units in Thessaloniki. Exploratory factor analysis was applied, and the reliability, validity and ceiling and floor effects of the constructed scales were evaluated. The potential influence of socio‐demographic characteristics on scale scores was assessed by independent sample t‐tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Summated mean and median scores were computed.ResultsTwo hundred and five nurses participated with a response rate of 65·3%. Resulting scales were ‘Space Adequacy’, ‘Staff Collaboration’, ‘Materials’ Suitability', ‘Time Inefficiencies’ and ‘Psychological Aggravation’. Cronbach's alpha values ranged between 0·67 and 0·86. Multi‐trait analysis confirmed construct validity. Ceiling effects were reasonable, whereas floor effects took acceptable values with the exception of the ‘Materials’ Suitability' scale. The medians of the scales ranged from 1·50 to 3·33. In terms of the measurement of performance obstacles per se, we found that considerable problems exist in the ICUs in all dimensions. Specifically, the suitability of hospital materials, the lack of appropriate spaces and facilities design and psychological distress were recorded as the most serious.ConclusionsThe questionnaire is a promising tool that can be exploited in the health care system to assess the obstacles faced by intensive care nursing staff. In fact, there is considerable room for performance improvement in hospitals in Northern Greece.RecommendationsNursing administrators and health care policy makers should administer the questionnaire in all Greek hospitals in order to quantify performance obstacles and identify potential managerial remedies.
Weaning from mechanical ventilation: factors that influence intensive care nurses' decision‐making
Authors: Tingsvik Catarina , Johansson Karin , Mårtensson Jan 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTAimThe aim of the study was to describe the factors that influence intensive care nurses' decision‐making when weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.BackgroundPatients with failing vital function may require respiratory support. Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a process in which the intensive care nurse participates in both planning and implementation.Design and methodA qualitative approach was used. The data were collected by means of semi‐structured interviews with 22 intensive care nurses. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis.FindingsOne theme emerged: ‘A complex nursing situation where the patient receives attention and which is influenced by the current care culture’. There was consensus that the overall assessment of the patient made by the intensive care nurse was the main factor that influenced the decision‐making process. This assessment was a continuous process consisting of three factors: the patient's perspective as well as her/his physical and mental state. On the other hand, there was a lack of consensus about what other factors influenced the decision‐making process. These factors included the care culture constituted by the characteristics of the team, the intensive care nurses' professional skills, personalities and ability to be present.Conclusions and relevance to clinical practiceThe individual overall assessment of the patient enabled nursing care from a holistic perspective. Furthermore, the weaning process can be more effective and potential suffering reduced by creating awareness of the care culture's impact on the decision‐making process.
Profile Identification Via Weighted Related Metric Scaling: An Application to Dependent Spanish Children
Authors: Albarrán Irene , Alonso Pablo , Grané Aurea 
Published: October 2014

SummaryDisability and dependence (lack of autonomy in performing common everyday actions) affect health status and quality of life; therefore they are significant public health issues. The main purpose of this study is to use classical multi-dimensional scaling techniques to design dependence profiles for Spanish children between 3 and 6 years old. The data come from the Survey about Disabilities, Personal Autonomy and Dependence Situations, 2008. Two distance (or dissimilarity) functions between individuals are considered: the classical approach using Gower's similarity coefficient and weighted related metric scaling. Both approaches can cope with different types of information (quantitative, multistate categorical and binary variables). However, the Euclidean configurations that are obtained via weighted related metric scaling present a higher percentage of explained variability and higher stability.
Complex dark‐field contrast and its retrieval in x‐ray phase contrast imaging implemented with Talbot interferometry
Authors: Yang Yi , Tang Xiangyang 
Published: October 2014

Purpose:Under the existing theoretical framework of x‐ray phase contrast imaging methods implemented with Talbot interferometry, the dark‐field contrast refers to the reduction in interference fringe visibility due to small‐angle x‐ray scattering of the subpixel microstructures of an object to be imaged. This study investigates how an object's subpixel microstructures can also affect the phase of the intensity oscillations.Methods:Instead of assuming that the object's subpixel microstructures distribute in space randomly, the authors’ theoretical derivation starts by assuming that an object's attenuation projection and phase shift vary at a characteristic size that is not smaller than the period of analyzer grating G2 and a characteristic length dc. Based on the paraxial Fresnel–Kirchhoff theory, the analytic formulae to characterize the zeroth‐ and first‐order Fourier coefficients of the x‐ray irradiance recorded at each detector cell are derived. Then the concept of complex dark‐field contrast is introduced to quantify the influence of the object's microstructures on both the interference fringe visibility and the phase of intensity oscillations. A method based on the phase‐attenuation duality that holds for soft tissues and high x‐ray energies is proposed to retrieve the imaginary part of the complex dark‐field contrast for imaging. Through computer simulation study with a specially designed numerical phantom, they evaluate and validate the derived analytic formulae and the proposed retrieval method.Results:Both theoretical analysis and computer simulation study show that the effect of an object's subpixel microstructures on x‐ray phase contrast imaging method implemented with Talbot interferometry can be fully characterized by a complex dark‐field contrast. The imaginary part of complex dark‐field contrast quantifies the influence of the object's subpixel microstructures on the phase of intensity oscillations. Furthermore, at relatively high energies, for soft tissues it can be retrieved for imaging with a method based on the phase‐attenuation duality.Conclusions:The analytic formulae derived in this work to characterize the complex dark‐field contrast in x‐ray phase contrast imaging method implemented with Talbot interferometry are of significance, which may initiate more activities in the research and development of x‐ray differential phase contrast imaging for extensive biomedical applications.
Clostridium ramosum Promotes High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Gnotobiotic Mouse Models
Authors: Woting Anni , Pfeiffer Nora , Loh Gunnar , Klaus Susanne , Blaut Michael 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

The intestines of obese humans and mice are enriched with
Erysipelotrichi
, a class within the
Firmicutes
.
Clostridium ramosum
, a member of the
Erysipelotrichi
, is associated with symptoms of the metabolic syndrome in humans. To clarify the possible obesogenic potential of this bacterial species and to unravel the underlying mechanism, we investigated the role of
C. ramosum
in obesity development in gnotobiotic mice. Mice were associated with a simplified human intestinal (SIHUMI) microbiota of eight bacterial species, including
C. ramosum
, with the SIHUMI microbiota except
C. ramosum
(SIHUMIw/oCra), or with
C. ramosum
only (Cra) and fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or a low-fat diet (LFD). Parameters related to the development of obesity and metabolic diseases were compared. After 4 weeks of HFD feeding, the mouse groups did not differ in energy intake, diet digestibility, gut permeability, and parameters of low-grade inflammation. However, SIHUMI and Cra mice fed the HFD gained significantly more body weight and body fat and displayed higher food efficiency than SIHUMIw/oCra mice fed the HFD. Gene expression of glucose transporter 2 (
Glut2
) in jejunal mucosa and of fatty acid translocase (
CD36
) in ileal mucosa was significantly increased in the obese SIHUMI and Cra mice compared with the less obese SIHUMIw/oCra mice. The data demonstrate that the presence of
C. ramosum
in SIHUMI and Cra mice enhanced diet-induced obesity. Upregulation of small intestinal glucose and fat transporters in these animals may contribute to their increased body fat deposition.

IMPORTANCE
Obesity is a growing health problem worldwide. Changes in the proportions of
Bacteroidetes
and
Firmicutes
, the two dominant phyla in the human and the murine intestinal tract, link the intestinal microbiota to obesity.
Erysipelotrichi
, a class within the
Firmicutes
, increase in response to high-fat feeding in mice.
Clostridium ramosum
, a member of the
Erysipelotrichi
, has been linked to symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. We hypothesized that
C. ramosum
promotes obesity development and related pathologies. Our experiments in gnotobiotic mice show that
C. ramosum
promoted diet-induced obesity, probably by enhancing nutrient absorption. Identification of obesogenic bacteria and understanding their mode of action enable the development of novel strategies for the treatment of this epidemic disease. Pharmaceuticals that target obesogenic bacteria or their metabolism could help to prevent and treat obesity and related disorders in the future.
Genomic Evidence for a Globally Distributed, Bimodal Population in the Ovine Footrot Pathogen Dichelobacter nodosus
Authors: Kennan Ruth M. , Gilhuus Marianne , Frosth Sara , Seemann Torsten , Dhungyel Om P. , Whittington Richard J. , Boyce John D. , Powell David R. , Aspán Anna , Jørgensen Hannah J. , Bulach Dieter M. , Rood Julian I. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Footrot is a contagious, debilitating disease of sheep, causing major economic losses in most sheep-producing countries. The causative agent is the Gram-negative anaerobe
Dichelobacter nodosus
. Depending on the virulence of the infective bacterial strain, clinical signs vary from a mild interdigital dermatitis (benign footrot) to severe underrunning of the horn of the hoof (virulent footrot). The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic relationship between
D. nodosus
strains of different phenotypic virulences and between isolates from different geographic regions. Genome sequencing was performed on 103
D. nodosus
isolates from eight different countries. Comparison of these genome sequences revealed that they were highly conserved, with >95% sequence identity. However, single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of the 31,627 nucleotides that were found to differ in one or more of the 103 sequenced isolates divided them into two distinct clades. Remarkably, this division correlated with known virulent and benign phenotypes, as well as with the single amino acid difference between the AprV2 and AprB2 proteases, which are produced by virulent and benign strains, respectively. This division was irrespective of the geographic origin of the isolates. However, within one of these clades, isolates from different geographic regions generally belonged to separate clusters. In summary, we have shown that
D. nodosus
has a bimodal population structure that is globally conserved and provide evidence that virulent and benign isolates represent two distinct forms of
D. nodosus
strains. These data have the potential to improve the diagnosis and targeted control of this economically significant disease.

IMPORTANCE
The Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium
Dichelobacter nodosus
is the causative agent of ovine footrot, a disease of major importance to the worldwide sheep industry. The known
D. nodosus
virulence factors are its type IV fimbriae and extracellular serine proteases.
D. nodosus
strains are designated virulent or benign based on the type of disease caused under optimal climatic conditions. These isolates have similar fimbriae but distinct extracellular proteases. To determine the relationship between virulent and benign isolates and the relationship of isolates from different geographical regions, a genomic study that involved the sequencing and subsequent analysis of 103
D. nodosus
isolates was undertaken. The results showed that
D. nodosus
isolates are highly conserved at the genomic level but that they can be divided into two distinct clades that correlate with their disease phenotypes and with a single amino acid substitution in one of the extracellular proteases.