bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and visual outcome of non‐traumatic suprachoroidal haemorrhage in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Lu‐Chun , Yang Chung‐May , Yang Chang‐Hao , Huang Jen‐Sheng , Ho Tzyy‐Chang , Lin Chang‐Ping , Chen Muh‐Shy 
Published: July 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and visual outcomes of non‐traumatic suprachoroidal haemorrhage (SH) in Taiwan.Methods:  We report a retrospective, non‐comparative, interventional case series study carried out in an institutional setting. Thirty‐nine eyes with non‐traumatic SH were studied using a new system for grading the severity of SH. The aetiologies of SH were analysed. The correlations between grades and prognoses of SH were studied. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with final visual outcome.Results:  Conditions causing SH in the eyes considered in this study included cataract surgery (43.59%), age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) (17.95%), filtering operation and vitrectomy (both 10.26%), scleral buckling (5.13%) and others. Twelve eyes (12/39, 30.77%) had a final visual outcome of no light perception. Only 12 eyes (12/39, 30.77%) had final visual acuity (VA) > 4/200. Grade of SH correlated significantly with need for surgical drainage and with final visual outcome (Spearman rank correlations 0.313 and − 0.408, p = 0.010 and p = 0.00317, respectively). ‘Good’ and ‘poor’ final VA was significantly associated with VA at the time of SH (multiple logistic regression coefficients 2.132 and − 2.809, p = 0.015 and p = 0.008, respectively), as well as initial retinal detachment (multiple logistic regression coefficients − 2.267 and 2.223, p = 0.036 and p = 0.006, respectively). Higher grades of SH and increased age were associated with poor final visual outcome (multiple logistic regression coefficients − 1.332 and − 0.122, p = 0.013 and p = 0.022, respectively).Conclusions:  Suprachoroidal haemorrhage is a devastating ocular problem. Complications of intraoperative surgery and AMD are common causes. The new SH grading system provides a simple method for evaluating the need for drainage and for predicting visual prognosis. Visual acuity and retinal detachment at the time of SH are major factors associated with good and poor final VA, respectively.
Long‐term visual prognosis of corneal and ocular surface surgery in patients with congenital aniridia
Authors: De La Paz María Fideliz , Alvarez de Toledo Juan , Barraquer Rafael Ignacio , Barraquer Joaquín 
Published: July 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the long‐term visual prognosis of corneal and ocular surface surgery in patients with congenital aniridia.Methods:  Retrospective comparative interventional case series on 88 eyes of 45 patients with congenital aniridia treated and/or operated on from 1956 to present. Corneal and ocular surface findings were identified and patients were classified into operated (group I) or not operated (group II). Long‐term best‐ever best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), final BCVA and long‐term delta BCVA (long‐term best‐ever BCVA – final BCVA) were recorded and compared between the two groups, and between the limbal transplant (LT) (group I‐A) and the penetrating keratoplasty (PK) (group I‐B) patients. Postoperative results were also compared.Results:  Limbal insufficiency was present in 58% of eyes and dense central corneal opacities were present in 27% of eyes. As a primary surgery, limbal allograft was performed in 10 eyes and PK in 13 eyes. The mean long‐term follow‐up times were 23 years in group I and 16 years in group II. The mean long‐term delta BCVA was 0.032 in group I and 0.028 in group II. Comparisons of the VA means were insignificant (long‐term best‐ever, final BCVA and long‐term delta BCVA). When comparing the LT and PK groups, mean long‐term delta BCVA was 0.0328 in group I‐A and 0.0382 in group I‐B. Mean postoperative delta BCVA was 0.028 in group I‐A and 0.048 in group I‐B. We found no statistical significance between the LT and the PK groups as regards long‐term postoperative BCVA results.Conclusion:  Long‐term visual prognosis does not differ whether or not the patient undergoes surgery for aniridic keratopathy. LT and PK have comparable results over 5 years of follow‐up because of the eventual failure of transplanted allografts.
Macular microcirculation in hypertensive patients with and without branch retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Noma Hidetaka , Funatsu Hideharu , Sakata Kumi , Harino Seiyo , Mimura Tatsuya , Hori Sadao 
Published: July 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  Our purpose was to determine whether a reduction in blood flow velocity (BFV) in the perifoveal capillaries is involved in the pathogenesis of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in patients with hypertension.Methods:  Subjects included hypertensive patients with (n = 12) and without (n = 16) BRVO and healthy volunteers (n = 16). Perifoveal BFV was measured by the tracing method using fluorescein angiography and a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors that influenced the presence or absence of BRVO.Results:  Mean BFV showed a significant decrease across the three groups (healthy controls: 1.49 ± 0.11 mm/second; hypertensive patients without BRVO: 1.36 ± 0.12 mm/second; hypertensive patients with BRVO: 1.16 ± 0.24 mm/second; ptrend < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BFV was a significant risk factor for the presence of BRVO.Conclusions:  Perifoveal capillary BFV is reduced in hypertensive patients with and without BRVO. It is possible that a decrease in BFV may be involved in the occurrence of BRVO. Measurement of perifoveal capillary BFV may be useful for investigating the pathogenesis and progression of BRVO.
Molecular Survey ofRickettsiaspp. in Sick Dogs in Italy
Authors: Solano‐Gallego L. , Trotta M. , Caldin M. , Furlanello T. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence ofRickettsiaspp. DNA in the blood of sick dogs from Italy. Canine blood samples (n = 650) submitted for molecular testing ofRickettsiaspp. to a diagnostic laboratory from February 2003 to March 2006 were studied. TheRickettsiaspp. DNA detection was performed by Light Cycler real‐time PCR using hybridization probes separately conducted with specific primers and probes. The total percentage ofRickettsiaspp.‐positive dog samples was 1.5% (10 out of 650). The percentage ofRickettsiaspp.‐positive dog samples submitted from north, central and southern Italy were 0.4% (1/248), 1.4% (3/219) and 3.3% (6/183), respectively. Five out of 138 dogs (3.6%) from Sicily were positive onRickettsiaPCR testing. A statistical difference was found between the percentages of positive samples from the Yorkshire terrier group (10.7%) compared with the mixed breed group (0.7%). No statistical differences were found between seasonal period, region and gender. Based on molecular data, there is infrequent rickettsiemia in dogs.
Acute administration of sildenafil enhances hepatic cyclic guanosine monophosphate production and reduces hepatic sinusoid resistance in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Lee Kuei‐Chuan , Yang Ying‐Ying , Wang Ying‐Wen , Hou Ming‐Chih , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Lin Han‐Chieh , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: July 2008

Aim:  In liver cirrhosis, the increased production of nitric oxide (NO) contributes to increased systemic and splanchnic vasodilatation. The inhibition of phosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5), an enzyme responsible for the degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), is widely used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The aim of our study is to evaluate the overall effects of PDE‐5 inhibitor administration on splanchnic, pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients.Methods:  Sildenafil, a specific PDE‐5 inhibitor, was administrated orally to cirrhotic patients (n = 7) to see the hemodynamic changes. A control group receiving a placebo was used as a point of comparison (n = 6).Results:  Compared to the control group, the hepatic vein NO and cGMP levels were significantly increased after sildenafil administration in the sildenafil group (NO from 112.3 ± 43.5 to 325.3 ± 117.5 nM, P = 0.018; cGMP from 7.3 ± 0.4 to 19.2 ± 4.2 pmol, P = 0.018). The hepatic venous pressure gradient in the sildenafil group did not differ from that of the control group. However, a significantly decreased hepatic sinusoidal resistance in the sildenafil group (1999 ± 1243 vs. 1563 ± 1014 dyne/s/cm−5, P < 0.05) was noted. The study also found that the right arterial pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were reduced at 60 min after administration, compared with the basal parameters in cirrhotic patients receiving sildenafil (RAP1.3 ± 2.0 vs −0.6 ± 1.3 mmHg, MPAP 14.1 ± 11.3 vs 11.7 ± 9.5 mmHg, PCWP 4.6 ± 1.7 vs 2.9 ± 1.6 mmHg, P < 0.05 respectively).Conclusions:  An oral administration of 50 mg of sildenafil significantly decreased the mean pulmonary arterial pressure and hepatic sinusoid resistance with a significant increase in hepatic NO and cGMP production, and did not worsen portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients.
Frequencies of feline blood types in the Rio de Janeiro area of Brazil
Authors: Medeiros Miguel A. S. , Soares Ana Maria , Alviano Daniela S. , Ejzemberg Regina , Da Silva Maria Helena , Almosny Nádia Regina 
Published: July 2008

Background:The distribution and frequency of blood types in cat populations vary according to geographic region and breed. Frequencies of feline blood types in Rio de Janeiro city, as well as in other Brazilian areas, are unknown, and the risk of unmatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis has not been estimated.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of feline blood types in the area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Methods:EDTA blood samples were obtained from 172 nonpedigreed domestic shorthair (DSH) cats (92 female, 80 male, 3 months–20 years old) in different sites of Rio de Janeiro city. Blood typing was performed by agglutination assays usingTriticum vulgarislectin and feline anti‐A serum. The hemagglutination results for type B and AB cats were confirmed by high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) of erythrocyte membrane gangliosides.Results:The majority (163/172, 94.8%) of cats were type A, 2.9% were type B, and 2.3% were type AB. High‐titer anti‐A serum agglutinated RBCs from all cats in type A and type AB blood groups, with 3+ to 4+ agglutination. The probability that a type A cat would receive type B or AB blood in a first random transfusion was calculated as 2.25% and 2.20%, respectively. HPTLC analysis of glycolipids yielded a chromatographic profile characteristic of feline gangliosides for all blood groups.Conclusions:These results indicate a high prevalence of type A cats in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a low frequency of type B and AB cats, consistent with what has been observed for DSH cats in other regions of the world.
Plateletcrit is superior to platelet count for assessing platelet status in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Authors: Tvedten Harold , Lilliehöök Inger , Hillström Anna , Häggström Jens 
Published: July 2008

Background: Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) dogs are affected by an autosomal recessive dysplasia of platelets resulting in fewer but larger platelets. The IDEXX Vet Autoread (QBC) hematology analyzer directly measures the relative volume of platelets in a blood sample (plateletcrit). We hypothesized that CKCS both with and without hereditary macrothrombocytosis would have a normal plateletcrit and that the QBC results would better identify the total circulating volume of platelets in CKSC than methods directly enumerating platelet numbers.Objectives: The major purpose of this study was to compare the QBC platelet results with platelet counts from other automated and manual methods for evaluating platelet status in CKCS dogs.Methods: Platelet counts were determined in fresh EDTA blood from 27 adult CKCS dogs using the QBC, Sysmex XT‐2000iV (optical and impedance), CELL‐DYN 3500, blood smear estimate, and manual methods. Sysmex optical platelet counts were reanalyzed following gating to determine the number and percentage of normal‐ and large‐sized platelets in each blood sample.Results: None of the 27 CKCS dogs had thrombocytopenia (defined as <164 × 109 platelets/L) based on the QBC platelet count. Fourteen (52%) to 18 (66%) of the dogs had thrombocytopenia with other methods. The percentage of large platelets, as determined by regating the Sysmex optical platelet counts, ranged from 1% to 75%, in a gradual continuum.Conclusions: The QBC may be the best analyzer for assessing clinically relevant thrombocytopenia in CKCS dogs, because its platelet count is based on the plateletcrit, a measurement of platelet mass.
Acute phase protein response in dogs with experimentally induced gastric mucosal injury
Authors: Bayramli Goksel , Ulutas Bulent 
Published: July 2008

Background: The acute phase response is part of the innate defense system of an animal against trauma, inflammation, and infection.Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the acute phase response in dogs with acetylsalicylic acid‐induced gastric mucosal injuries and to determine its potential diagnostic significance.Methods: Ten, healthy, cross‐breed dogs (6 females and 4 males) were given oral acetylsalicylic acid in a single oral dose of 200 mg/kg for the experimental model of acute gastric mucosal injury. Heparinized blood samples were collected before (day 0) and on days 1, 4, and 7 after acetylsalicylic acid administration to determine plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid‐A (SAA), haptoglobin, fibrinogen, total protein, albumin, and iron concentrations. Total WBC counts were done in whole blood. Endoscopy was done on each of the selected days, and gastric lesions were scored and localized.Results: Hemorrhagic linear erosions were found in all dogs on day 1, concurrent with significant increases in CRP, SAA, haptoglobin, and fibrinogen concentrations, and in WBC counts; however, iron concentration was decreased. Peak haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations occurred on day 4, at which time only nonhemorrhagic lesions were observed endoscopically. On day 7, results for all analytes except haptoglobin had returned to baseline levels, along with resolution of most gastric lesions.Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that a rapid acute phase protein response occurs after induced gastric mucosal injury in dogs and may be potentially useful together with gastroscopy in the diagnosis and monitoring of gastric injury.
Automated flow cytometric cell count and differentiation of canine cerebrospinal fluid cells using the ADVIA 2120
Authors: Becker Martina , Bauer Natali , Moritz Andreas 
Published: July 2008

Background: Microscopic cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are time‐consuming and prone to imprecision. The recently introduced automated hematology analyzer ADVIA 2120 offers an automated cell count and differential for CSF in the veterinary software mode based on laser light scatter and absorbance measurements.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the precision, linearity, and accuracy of the ADVIA 2120 CSF assay.Methods: Sixty‐seven CSF samples were analyzed on the ADVIA 2120 and total nucleated cell counts (TNCC) and RBC counts were compared with the hemocytometer results. In 21 samples with TNCC >5/μL, ADVIA 2120 results were compared with 100–300 cell manual differentials performed on cytocentrifuged preparations. Statistical analysis included Spearman's rank correlation, Passing–Bablok regression, and Bland–Altman analysis.Results: Repeatability (intra‐assay) coefficients of variation (CVs) ranged from 4.19% to 25.94%. Interassay CVs ranged from 2.56% to 28.67%. Accurate results within 30% were achieved for TNCC up to 4000/μL. Except for low TNCC, deviation from the expected value was higher (TNCC of 8/μL instead of 4/μL). The following correlation coefficients (r) and biases were achieved compared with the reference method: r=.90 and bias 2.3/μL for TNCC; r=.88 and bias 32.0/μL for RBC counts; r=.86 and bias ±13.4% for mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell percentages; r=.88 and bias −6.1% for lymphocyte percentage; r=.56 and bias 19.4% for monocyte percentage; and r=.75 and bias −9.7% for neutrophil percentage.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the automated ADVIA 2120 CSF assay generally compares well with reference methods although there are some limitations for the automated monocyte count and for samples with only mild pleocytosis.
Evaluation of urine specific gravity and urine sediment as risk factors for urinary tract infections in cats
Authors: Bailiff Nathan L. , Westropp Jodi L. , Nelson Richard W. , Sykes Jane E. , Owens Sean D. , Kass Philip H. 
Published: July 2008

Background:It has been suggested that diseases that promote isosthenuria predispose to urinary tract infections because of a lack of the common bacteriostatic properties present in concentrated urine.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to assess the clinicopathologic risk factors for positive urine culture outcome in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus (DM), uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (HT), or lower urinary tract disease (LUTD).Methods:For this retrospective study, medical records of all cats in which a urinalysis and aerobic bacterial urine culture were performed between January 1995 and December 2002 were reviewed. Signalment, body weight, and clinicopathologic data were recorded. Based on the medical records, cats were diagnosed with CKD, DM, HT, or LUTD. Prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression. Multivariate models were created for each variable of interest while controlling for the confounding effect of disease group.Results:Six hundred fourteen cats met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Overall, positive urine cultures were identified in 16.9% of cats with CKD, 13.2% of cats with DM, 21.7% of cats with HT, and 4.9% of cats with clinical signs of LUTD. Decreasing urine specific gravity was not associated with positive urine culture when controlled for disease but pyuria, bacteriuria, and hematuria were all associated with positive urine culture outcome. Persians, females, increasing age, and decreasing body weight were all associated with positive urine culture outcome.Conclusions:Performing a urine culture sample based solely on the presence of isosthenuria does not seem warranted. Further studies are warranted to help identify host predisposing factors for urinary bacterial colonization in cats with these diseases.
Occupational exposures and risk of oesophageal cancer by histological type: a case–control study in eastern Spain
Authors: Santibañez M , Vioque J , Alguacil J , Barber X , García de la Hera M , Kauppinen T ,   for the PANESOES Study Group
Published: July 2008

Objective:To explore the relationship between occupations and specific occupational exposures and oesophageal cancer (OC) by histological type.Methods:A multicentre hospital-based case–control study was conducted in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain. Occupational, sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected from 185 newly diagnosed male oesophageal cancer patients (147 squamous cell, 38 adenocarcinoma) and 285 frequency matched controls. Occupation was coded according to the Spanish National Classification of Occupations 1994. Occupational exposure to a selection of carcinogenic substances was assessed by the FINJEM job exposure matrix. Odds ratios were calculated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, education, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking.Results:For the squamous cell variety, statistically significant associations were found for waiters and bartenders (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.98 to 33.75) and miners, shotfirers, stone cutters and carvers (OR 10.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 93.7) in relation to other occupations. For the adenocarcinoma variety, statistically significant associations were observed for carpenters and joiners (OR 9.69), animal producers and related workers (OR 5.61) and building and related electricians (OR 8.26), although these observations were based on a low number of cases. Regarding specific exposures, the study found a statistically significant increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma for ionising radiation, and of adenocarcinoma for high exposure to volatile sulphur compounds (OR 3.12) and lead (OR 5.30). For all histological types of OC combined, a three-fold increase in risk was found with a significant trend for asbestos exposure (OR 3.46, 95% CI 0.99 to 12.10).Conclusions:The data suggest that some occupational exposures may specifically increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, while other exposures such as asbestos may increase the overall risk of OC.
Sickness absence as a prognostic marker for common chronic conditions: analysis of mortality in the GAZEL study
Authors: Kivimäki M , Head J , Ferrie J E , Singh-Manoux A , Westerlund H , Vahtera J , Leclerc A , Melchior M , Chevalier A , Alexanderson K , Zins M , Goldberg M 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:To determine whether sickness absence is a prognostic marker in terms of mortality among people with common chronic conditions.Methods:Prospective occupational cohort study of 13 077 men and 4871 women aged 37–51 from the National Gas and Electricity Company, France. Records of physician-certified sickness absences over a 3-year period were obtained from employers’ registers. Chronic conditions were assessed in annual surveys over the same period. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality (803 deaths, mean follow-up after assessment of sickness absence: 13.9 years).Results:In Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic position and co-morbidity, >28 annual sickness-absence days versus no absence days was associated with an excess mortality risk among those with cancer (hazard ratio 5.4, 95% CI 2.2 to 13.1), depression (1.7, 1.1 to 2.8), chronic bronchitis or asthma (2.7, 1.6 to 4.6) and hypertension (1.6, 1.0 to 2.6). The corresponding hazard ratios for more than five long (>14 days) sickness-absence episodes per 10 person-years versus no such episodes were 5.4 (2.2 to 13.1), 1.8 (1.3 to 2.7), 2.0 (1.3 to 3.2) and 1.8 (1.2 to 2.7), respectively. Areas under receiver operating characteristics curves for these absence measures varied between 0.56 and 0.73, indicating the potential of these measures to distinguish groups at high risk of mortality. The findings were consistent across sex, age and socioeconomic groups and in those with and without co-morbid conditions.Conclusion:Data on sickness absence may provide useful prognostic information for common chronic conditions at the population level.