bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salmonellosis in garden birds in Scotland, 1995 to 2008: geographic region, Salmonella enterica phage type and bird species
Authors: Pennycott T. W. , Mather H. A. , Bennett G. , Foster G. 
Published: October 2010

Salmonellosis was diagnosed in garden birds from 198 incidents in Scotland between September 1995 and August 2008. Salmonellosis was essentially a disease of finches in the north of Scotland, but in the south of Scotland it was also a problem in house sparrows. Almost all of the incidents were caused by Salmonella Typhimurium phage types 40 or 56/variant, but regional variation in phage types was observed. In the north of Scotland, one phage type (DT 40) predominated, but in the south of Scotland two phage types were commonly isolated (DTs 40 and 56/variant, with the latter the more common of the two phage types). This regional difference was statistically significant for salmonellosis in greenfinches, chaffinches and ‘other garden birds’, but not for house sparrows. Different temporal patterns for different species of bird and different phage types were also observed within regions. These findings suggest that the epidemiology of salmonellosis in garden birds varies depending on the phage type of Salmonella and the species of garden bird, with additional regional differences depending on the wild bird populations and the phage types of Salmonella in circulation. An awareness of these differences will help when formulating guidelines aimed at reducing the impact of salmonellosis in garden birds.
Effects of adding butorphanol to a balanced anaesthesia protocol during arthroscopic surgery in horses
Authors: Caure S. , Cousty M. , Tricaud C. 
Published: October 2010

Three groups of horses scheduled for arthroscopic surgery were premedicated with 0.025 mg/kg acepromazine, 88 μg/kg romifidine and 25 mg/kg guaifenesin, and anaesthesia was induced with 2.2 mg/kg ketamine. In group 1 (14 horses), anaesthesia was maintained by halothane vaporised in oxygen, with supplementary doses of 20 μg/kgromifidine and 0.5 mg/kg ketamine every 20 minutes. The 17 horses in group 2 were maintained as for group 1; however, an additional dose of 0.05 mg/kg butorphanol was administered before the first incision. The 14 horses in group 3 were maintained as for group 2, except that the dose of romifidine was halved to 10 μg/kg. The mean (sd) dose of vaporised halothane (6.5 [1.1], 4.8 [1.3] and 4.8 [1.3] μl/kg/minute, for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively), vaporiser dial setting (2.3 [0.2], 1.6 [0.4] and 1.3 [0.1] per cent) and dose of dobutamine administered to correct episodes of hypotension (0.16 [0.08], 0.07 [0.09] and 0.0 [0.0] μg/ kg/minute) were all significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1 (71 [3], 74 [5] and 80 [5] mmHg, for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively).
Effects of short‐term oral administration of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole on Schirmer II tear test results in clinically normal rabbits
Authors: Shirani D. , Selk Ghaffari M. , Akbarein H. , Haji Ali Asgari A. 
Published: October 2010

Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in a study to determine whether oral administration of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole affects the rate of tear secretion in healthy rabbits. Ten rabbits received 40 mg/kg trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole orally twice a day for 14 days; the other five rabbits were used as a control group and received a placebo during the study. The Schirmer II tear test (STT‐II) was performed in both groups during administration of the drugs or placebo on the first, third, seventh and 14th days. Significant decreases in STT‐II values were observed in the treatment group on the 14th day of the study in comparison with baseline values (P<0.001).
Severity and outcome of equine pasture‐associated laminitis managed in first opinion practice in the UK
Authors: Menzies‐Gow N. J. , Stevens K. , Barr A. , Camm I. , Pfeiffer D. , Marr C. M. 
Published: October 2010

Data from 107 cases of pasture‐associated laminitis were obtained from first opinion practices to study factors associated with severity, survival and return to ridden exercise. There were 43 mares and 64 geldings, with a median age of 11 years. Of the 107 animals, 33 were small ponies, 45 were large ponies/cobs, 17 were small horses and 12 were large horses. Ninety‐seven animals were categorised as having laminitis as defined by Cripps and Eustace 1999): 76 had mild (Obel grade 1 or 2) laminitis and 31 had severe (Obel grade 3 or 4) laminitis. Forty‐three animals had previously had laminitis, and were significantly less likely (P=0.02) to have severe laminitis than those that had not. Eighty‐nine animals were overweight, and there was a trend (P=0.09) towards severe laminitis cases having a higher body mass index. Eight weeks after disease onset, 102 animals were alive. Lower bodyweight, optimal body condition, mild laminitis and category of acute/chronic founder as defined by Cripps and Eustace (1999) were significantly associated with survival. There was a trend (P=0.06) towards treatment with acepromazine being associated with survival. Of the 81 animals that were used for riding, 48 were being ridden again; this was 2.6 times more likely in animals without previous laminitis. The clinical outcome was judged by a panel of three veterinarians as ‘good’ in 77 of 107 of cases. Clinical outcome was significantly associated (P=0.03) with horse type: the outcome was ‘bad’ in none of the small horses, compared with 15 of 45 large ponies/cobs, 11 of 33 small ponies and three of 12 large horses.
Thymus atrophy and regeneration following dexamethasone administration to beef cattle
Authors: Cannizzo F. T. , Spada F. , Benevelli R. , Nebbia C. , Giorgi P. , Brina N. , Bollo E. , Biolatti B. 
Published: October 2010

Thymus atrophy and regeneration were studied in 13‐ to 22‐month‐old beef calves treated with dexamethasone (DMT), using anabolic dosages and implementing different withdrawal times. Two trials were conducted. In trial 1, group A (n=6) received 0.7 mg/day DMT orally for 40 days, group B (n=6) received 1.4 mg/day orally for 40 days and group C (n=6) was the control. In trial 2, group D (n=6) received 0.7 mg/day DMT orally for 40 days, group E (n=6) received 1.4 mg/day orally for 40 days and group K (n=6) was the control. DMT withdrawal times before slaughter were six days (groups A and B) and 26 days (groups D and E). At slaughter, thymus atrophy was severe and progressive in animals from groups A and B. In contrast, thymus weight and volume of the animals from groups D and E were almost normal. Slight atrophy was also detected in the calves in these groups. Histological changes and Ki67 immunostaining revealed a large number of positive lymphoid cells, mostly in the cortical area, associated with higher expression of apoptosis in the medulla compared with controls. This demonstrated that the thymus of beef cattle is still able to regenerate following DMT administration.
Comparison of toltrazuril and sulphadimethoxine in the treatment of intestinal coccidiosis in pet rabbits
Authors: Redrobe S. P. , Gakos G. , Elliot S. C. , Saunders R. , Martin S. , Morgan E. R. 
Published: October 2010

Treatment of intestinal coccidiosis was studied in domestic pet rabbits. In 45 rabbits aged four months or more, coccidial oocysts were observed in the faeces of 35 rabbits at a mean density of 806 opg (range 50 to 6800 opg). Eimeria magna was the dominant species, with Eimeria media and Eimeria intestinalis also being common. The presence of the hepatic species Eimeria stiedae was not recorded. A single oral dose of 2.5 mg/kg or 5.0 mg/kg toltrazuril, or a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg sulphadimethoxine followed by its inclusion in drinking water at 1 g/4 l for nine days, were all found to significantly reduce the faecal oocyst count by 73 to 99 per cent. The extent of oocyst reduction in the faeces was not dependent on the dose of toltrazuril. Oocyst counts began to rise again in the days after treatment ceased.
Height measurement in horses and ponies: optimising standard protocols
Authors: Curtis G. C. , Grove‐White D. , Ellis R. N. W. , Argo C. M. 
Published: October 2010

Standard and modified measuring sticks were used to record height at the withers and a ‘non‐contact’ laser was used to measure withers and loin heights. Sixty horses and ponies, ranging in height (115 to 155 cm) and body condition score (BCS) (moderate to obese) were measured by each method at 10‐minute intervals for 40 minutes. Measurement series were repeated over three successive days. Unique regression models were constructed for method‐specific data. Coefficients of variation were similar for stick and laser methods (0.002 to 0.004 per cent). Models were not influenced by day of measurement or BCS. Withers height decreased significantly (0.48 cm, 95 per cent confidence intervals ‐0.61 to ‐0.36 cm, P<0.001) over the first 20 minutes. In living animals, laser‐derived measurements of withers height at T20 exceeded stick measurements by approximately 1 cm (P<0.001). Loin height remained similar across time. Some alteration in relaxed withers height is an inevitable consequence of changes in muscle tone at the scapulothoracic synsarcosis.
Use of liquid carbon dioxide for whole‐house gassing of poultry and implications for the welfare of the birds
Authors: Sparks N. H. C. , Sandilands V. , Raj A. B. M. , Turney E. , Pennycott T. , Voas A. 
Published: October 2010

The use of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) was evaluated as a means of culling a flock of five‐week‐old pullets in situ. It took five minutes and 20 seconds for sufficient liquid CO2 to be injected (3.24 tonnes) to achieve the target concentration of 45 per cent CO2. Although very low ambient temperatures were recorded (below ‐80°C) during gassing, on the basis of postmortem reports and other data it is inferred that the birds died within minutes of exposure to the gas and before experiencing the extremely low temperatures recorded in the house.
Mitomycin C, with or without surgery, for the treatment of ocular squamous cell carcinoma in horses
Authors: Malalana F. , Knottenbelt D. , McKane S. 
Published: October 2010

Ocular lesions in horses, confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma, were treated topically with mitomycin C. Fourteen horses with confirmed ocular squamous cell carcinoma, three of which were affected bilaterally, were included in the study. Eight of the affected eyes were treated topically with mitomycin C alone; in the other nine eyes, the tumours were surgically removed and topical treatment with mitomycin C was then applied. The treatment protocol consisted of 0.2 ml of 0.04 per cent mitomycin C instilled into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye, every six hours, in rounds of seven days of treatment followed by seven days without treatment. This was repeated until full regression of the tumour occurred (up to four rounds of treatment with mitomycin C). Of the eight eyes treated with mitomycin C alone (without surgery), clinical resolution occurred in six cases. Of the nine eyes treated with a combination of surgery and topical mitomycin C, clinical resolution occurred in seven cases. No complications were observed.
Use of a saline chaser to reduce the dose of contrast material for dynamic CT in cattle
Authors: Lee K. , Shimizu J. , Iwasaki T. , Miyake Y. , Yamada K. , Ikeo S. , Kishimoto M. 
Published: October 2010

To investigate the effectiveness of a saline chaser in reducing the required dose of contrast material while carrying out dynamic CT scans in cattle, six clinically normal Holstein calves were subjected to CT scans of the head in a study using a crossover design. The calves were studied as three groups: group A received only contrast material (600 mgI/kg); group B received a 30 per cent lower dose of the same contrast material followed by 50 ml of saline solution; and group C received a 40 per cent lower dose of the same contrast material followed by 50 ml of saline solution. In all the animals, a power injector was used for administering the contrast material, with an injection rate of 4 ml/s and a pressure of 4.7 to 5.7 kg/cm2. Attenuation values were obtained from the right and left maxillary arteries and dorsal sagittal sinus. There were no significant differences in the maximum enhancement value (MEV) of the maxillary arteries and dorsal sagittal sinus between groups A and B. The MEVs of the maxillary arteries and dorsal sagittal sinus in groups A and B were significantly greater than the MEV in group C (P<0.05). The use of a saline chaser allowed a 30 per cent reduction in the dose of contrast material without decreasing vascular enhancement.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal glands in dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism or mimicking diseases
Authors: Wenger M. , Mueller C. , Kook P. H. , Reusch C. E. 
Published: October 2010

The adrenal glands of 30 dogs with primary adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenocorticism) were measured ultrasonographically and compared with those of 14 healthy dogs and those of 10 dogs with diseases mimicking hypoadrenocorticism. Thickness and length of the adrenals were measured on abdominal ultrasonography and the results for each group were compared. Dogs with primary hypoadrenocorticism had significantly thinner adrenals compared with the other two groups, and their left adrenal glands were also significantly shorter than those of healthy dogs. Adrenal ultrasonography may be of diagnostic value in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of primary hypoadrenocorticism, as a left adrenal gland measuring less than 3.2 mm in thickness is strongly suggestive of the disease.
Clinical and clinicopathological features of non‐suppurative meningoencephalitis in young greyhounds in Ireland
Authors: Shiel R. E. , Mooney C. T. , Brennan S. F. , Nolan C. M. , Callanan J. J. 
Published: October 2010

The clinical and clinicopathological features of non‐suppurative meningoencephalitis in 30 greyhounds were reviewed. The dogs were from 21 separate litters, comprised both sexes (16 males and 14 females) and ranged in age from five to 18 months. In 14 (66.7 per cent) litters, more than one case was suspected or confirmed, and the number of siblings affected within individual litters ranged from one to seven. Clinical signs were progressive and varied from five days to 12 months in duration; 12 dogs had signs of two weeks' duration or less. The rate of progression of signs was variable. Common features included dullness or lethargy (22), altered behaviour (21), proprioceptive and postural reaction deficits (18), circling (17), ataxia (17), decreased appetite (15) and weight loss (13). No consistent haematological or biochemical abnormalities were identified and serology failed to implicateToxoplasma gondiiorNeospora caninum. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed mild or moderate mononuclear pleocytosis in 12 (70.6 per cent) of 17 dogs. No definitive antemortem diagnosis could be made in any affected dog.
Circulating MicroRNA-208b and MicroRNA-499 Reflect Myocardial Damage in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Corsten Maarten F. , Dennert Robert , Jochems Sylvia , Kuznetsova Tatiana , Devaux Yvan , Hofstra Leon , Wagner Daniel R. , Staessen Jan A. , Heymans Stephane , Schroen Blanche 
Published: October 2010

Background—
Small RNA molecules, called microRNAs, freely circulate in human plasma and correlate with varying pathologies. In this study, we explored their diagnostic potential in a selection of prevalent cardiovascular disorders.

Methods and Results—

MicroRNAs were isolated from plasmas from well-characterized patients with varying degrees of cardiac damage: (1) acute myocardial infarction, (2) viral myocarditis, (3) diastolic dysfunction, and (4) acute heart failure. Plasma levels of selected microRNAs, including heart-associated (miR-1, -133a, -208b, and -499), fibrosis-associated (miR-21 and miR-29b), and leukocyte-associated (miR-146, -155, and -223) candidates, were subsequently assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Strikingly, in plasma from acute myocardial infarction patients, cardiac myocyte–associated miR-208b and -499 were highly elevated, 1600-fold (
P
<0.005) and 100-fold (
P
<0.0005), respectively, as compared with control subjects. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.94 (
P
<10
−10
) for miR-208b and 0.92 (
P
<10
−9
) for miR-499. Both microRNAs correlated with plasma troponin T, indicating release of microRNAs from injured cardiomyocytes. In viral myocarditis, we observed a milder but significant elevation of these microRNAs, 30-fold and 6-fold, respectively. Plasma levels of leukocyte-expressed microRNAs were not significantly increased in acute myocardial infarction or viral myocarditis patients, despite elevated white blood cell counts. In patients with acute heart failure, only miR-499 was significantly elevated (2-fold), whereas no significant changes in microRNAs studied could be observed in diastolic dysfunction. Remarkably, plasma microRNA levels were not affected by a wide range of clinical confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, kidney function, systolic blood pressure, and white blood cell count.

Conclusions—
Cardiac damage initiates the detectable release of cardiomyocyte-specific microRNAs-208b and -499 into the circulation.
Iopromide-induced encephalopathy following coronary angioplasty
Authors: Kocabay Gonenc , Karabay Can Yucel 
Published: October 2010

Non-ionic agents have pharmacological side effects, such as seizure, alteration of cerebral function, confusion, short-term memory loss, mental aberrations and ophthalmoplegia. In this report, we present two cases that developed contrast-induced encephalopathy following coronary angioplasty by the non-ionic contrast agent, iopromide (Ultravist® ). As a result, we concluded that iopromide-induced encephalopathy may occur during angioplasty in patients with no particular predispositions. In addition to that, contrast-induced encephalopathy should be considered as a new-onset neurological disorder.
The relationship between objectively and subjectively measured activity levels in people with chronic low back pain
Authors: van Weering MGH , Vollenbroek-Hutten MMR , Hermens HJ 
Published: October 2010

Objective: To compare self-report measures of daily activities with objective activity data to determine whether patients with chronic lower back pain report their activity levels as accurately as controls do. Design: A cross-sectional study was performed in patients and controls. Setting: The study was carried out in the daily environment of the subjects. Subjects: Thirty-two chronic lower back pain patients with symptoms more than three months and 20 healthy controls from the Netherlands, aged 18–65 years. Main measures: A tri-axial accelerometer was worn for five weekdays and the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire was filled in. Pearson’s correlation was calculated to get insight in the awareness of patients and controls. Comparisons of the relationship between the objective and subjective scores of each individual patient with those of the group of controls were used to allocate each patient into subgroups: overestimators, underestimators and aware patients. Physical and psychological characteristics of these groups were explored. Results: Patients showed weak correlations between the objective and subjective scores of physical activity and appear to have problems in estimating their activity levels ( r = −0.27), in contrast to controls who showed strong correlations between the objective and subjective scores ( r = 0.66). Comparison of the individual relationships of patients with those of controls showed that 44% of the patients were not aware of their activity level. There were relatively more underestimators (30%) than overestimators (14%). Physical characteristics between the three groups tended to be different. Conclusions: Patient self-reports about their activity level are relatively inaccurate when compared to objective measurements.
Higher-intensity treadmill walking during rehabilitation after stroke in feasible and not detrimental to walking pattern or quality: a pilot randomized trial
Authors: Kuys Suzanne S , Brauer Sandra G , Ada Louise 
Published: October 2010

Objective: To determine whether higher-intensity treadmill walking during rehabilitation in those newly able to walk after stroke is feasible, is detrimental to walking or is beneficial. Design: A single-blind, randomized trial. Setting: Two rehabilitation units. Participants: Thirty people with first stroke. Interventions: Experimental group received 30 minutes of higher-intensity treadmill walking, three times per week for six weeks, in addition to usual physiotherapy. Control group received usual physiotherapy only. Main outcome measures: Feasibility was measured by examining compliance and adverse events. Detriment to walking was measured by examining pattern and quality. Benefit to walking was measured as capacity using six-minute walk test and speed, at baseline (Week 0), immediately after (Week 6) and at three months (Week 18). Results: Overall compliance was 89%, with no adverse events reported. There was no between-group difference in walking pattern and quality. By Week 6, the experimental group improved walking capacity by 62 m (95% confidence interval (CI) 10 to 114), comfortable walking speed by 0.18 m/s (95% CI 0.07 to 0.29) and fast walking speed by 0.18 m/s (95% CI 0.03 to 0.35) more than the control group. By Week 18, the experimental group was still walking 0.26 m/s (95% CI 0.12 to 0.41) faster than the control group. Conclusions: Higher-intensity treadmill walking during rehabilitation after stroke is feasible and not detrimental to walking pattern and quality in those newly able to walk. 94 participants are required to detect a between-group difference of 75 m on six-minute walk test (α 0.05, β 0.90) in future trials. Trial registration: ACTRN12607000412437
Internet intervention for increasing physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Motl Robert W , Dlugonski Deirdre , Wójcicki Thomas R , McAuley Edward , Mohr David C 
Published: October 2010

Background:Physical activity has been associated with improvements in walking mobility and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), and yet this population is largely sedentary and inactive compared with the general population. Objectives:We conducted a pilot, randomized controlled trial (RCT) for examining the effect of an Internet intervention based on social cognitive theory (SCT) for favorably increasing physical activity among persons with MS. We further examined variables from SCT as possible mediators of the Internet intervention. Methods:We randomly allocated 54 persons with MS into either an Internet intervention condition or a waitlist control condition. The participants completed measures of physical activity, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, functional limitations, and goal setting before and after the 12-week period. Results:The intervention group reported a statistically significant ( p = 0.01) and large increase in physical activity over time ( d = 0.72), whereas the control group had a small ( d = 0.04) and non-significant change in physical activity ( p = 0.71). The intervention group further reported a statistically significant ( p = 0.001) and large increase in goal setting over time ( d = 0.97), whereas the control group had a small ( d = −0.13) and non-significant change ( p = 0.17). The change in goal setting over time mediated the effect of the Internet intervention on physical activity behavior. Conclusions:This pilot study sets the stage for a subsequent RCT that includes a larger sample of persons with MS, longer intervention period along with a follow-up, objective measure of physical activity, and secondary outcomes of walking mobility and QOL.