bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medium‐dose‐rate brachytherapy for cancer of the cervix: Preliminary results of a designed schedule
Authors: HASHEMI Farnaz Amouzegar , KALAGCHI Bita , AGHILI Mehdi , FARHAN Farshid , OMRANIPOUR Ramesh 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAim:  This retrospective analysis aims to report results from patients with cervical cancer treated by external beam radiation (EBR) with telecobalt and medium‐dose‐rate (MDR) brachytherapy and to establish the magnitude of brachytherapy dose reduction.Methods:  Between June 2003 and September 2005, 77 patients with histological diagnosis of cervical carcinoma were treated with cobalt for external beam radiation, followed by one or two insertions of MDR with a dose rate from 220 ± 10 cGy/h. Median dose of EBR at whole pelvis was 50 Gy and the planned MDR schedule consisted of 1 or 2 insertions with 10–12 Gy to point A.Results:  77 patients were followed for median of 15 months (range: 1–33 months). Local control was achieved in 63 patients 81.8%. Local failure and overall failure rates were 11.7% and 19.5%, respectively. Overall incidence of rectal and bladder complication was 9.0% (7/77) and 7.8% (6/77), respectively.Conclusion:  Results of this series suggest that use of telecobalt for EBR together with MDR brachytherapy with a dose reduction around 20% in comparison with low‐dose‐rate (LDR) brachytherapy can be an acceptable technique, especially in developing countries.
Improved Bankfull Discharge Prediction Using 2‐Year Recurrence‐Period Discharge1
Authors: Wilkerson Gregory V. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract: Knowledge of bankfull discharge (Qbf) is essential for planners, engineers, geomorphologists, environmentalists, agricultural interests, developments situated on flood prone lands, surface mining and reclamation activities, and others interested in floods and flooding. In conjunction with estimating Qbf, regionalized bankfull hydraulic geometry relationships, which relate Qbf and associated channel dimensions (i.e., width, depth, and cross‐section area) to drainage basin area (Ada), are often used. This study seeks to improve upon the common practice of predicting Qbf using Ada exclusively. Specifically, we hypothesize that predictions of Qbf can be improved by including estimates of the 2‐year recurrence‐period discharge (Q2) in regression models for predicting Qbf. For testing this hypothesis, we used Qbf estimates from 30 reports containing data for streams that span 34 hydrologic regions in 16 states. Corresponding values of Q2 and Ada were compiled from flood‐frequency reports and other sources. By comparing statistical measures (i.e., root mean squared error, coefficient of determination, and Akaike’s information criterion), we determined that predicting Qbf from Q2 rather than Ada yields consistently better estimates of Qbf. Other principal findings are (1) data are needed for at least 12 sites in a region for reliable hydraulic geometry model selection and (2) an approximate range of values for Qbf/Q2 is 0.10‐3.0.
Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Single Radial Immunodiffusion, and Indirect Methods for the Detection of Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity in Dairy Calves
Authors: Lee S.‐H. , Jaekal J. , Bae C.‐S. , Chung B.‐H. , Yun S.‐C. , Gwak M.‐J. , Noh G.‐J. , Lee D.‐H. 
Published: December 2008

Background:Confirmatory tests for failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in dairy calves require direct measurements of the serum immunoglobulin G concentration. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has advantages over single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) in terms of cost and time.Objectives:To evaluate the agreement between ELISA and SRID, and to compare the diagnostic performance of ELISA with indirect methods, in the detection of FTPI in calves.Animals:One hundred and fifteen dairy calves (aged 0–10 days) from 23 calf‐rearing facilities.Methods:Prospective, observational study. The agreement between SRID and ELISA was determined by the Bland‐Altman method. Fixed bias (SRID − ELISA) was calculated. For comparison of the diagnostic performance of ELISA with indirect methods, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated at cut‐off values of 500 and 1,000 mg/dL.Results:The agreement between SRID and ELISA was 94%. Fixed bias (SRID − ELISA) was 140 ± 364 mg/dL. The AUC and sensitivity of ELISA at the cut‐off value of 1,000 mg/dL were higher than those of indirect methods (P<.004). The specificity of ELISA at the cut‐off value of 1,000 mg/dL was not higher than that of indirect methods, except for serum total protein concentration assay.Conclusion and Clinical Importance:ELISA exhibited good diagnostic performance and good agreement with SRID. ELISA is an adequate method for both screening and confirmatory tests for FTPI in dairy calves at the cut‐off value of 500 mg/dL.
Infectious Diseases of Dogs and Cats on Isabela Island, Galapagos
Authors: Levy J.K. , Crawford P.C. , Lappin M.R. , Dubovi E.J. , Levy M.G. , Alleman R. , Tucker S.J. , Clifford E.L. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Vaccination and importation of dogs and cats are prohibited in the Galapagos, resulting in a uniquely isolated population. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of infectious diseases of dogs and cats that impact their health, could spill over to native wildlife, or sentinel diseases of concern to humans.Hypothesis: The isolation of dogs and cats in the Galapagos protects them from diseases common in mainland populations.Animals: Ninety‐five dogs and 52 cats presented during a neutering campaign.Methods: A prospective cross‐sectional study was performed. Blood was collected for serological and DNA evaluation of a panel of infectious diseases.Results: Antibodies against parvovirus (100%), parainfluenza virus (100%), adenovirus 1/2 (66–67%), and distemper virus (22%) were present in dogs. Dirofilaria immitis was also common in dogs (34%), with lower prevalences of Wolbachia pipiens (22%), Bartonella sp. (13%), Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. (1%), and Mycoplasma haemocanis (1%) observed. Antibodies against panleukopenia virus (67%), Toxoplasma gondii (63%), calicivirus (44%), and herpesvirus 1 (10%) were detected in cats. Feline leukemia virus antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody, or coronavirus antibodies were not detected. Bartonella sp. (44%) infections were common in cats, but only one was infected with M. haemofelis.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Despite their relative seclusion from the rest of the world, cats and dogs of Isabela were exposed to many pathogens found in mainland South America. Parasite prophylaxis, neutering, and strict enforcement of animal movement restrictions would control a majority of the diseases. In the absence of vaccination, a reservoir of susceptible animals remains vulnerable to new disease introductions.
Detection of Bartonella henselae in the Blood of 2 Adult Horses
Authors: Jones S.L. , Maggi R. , Shuler J. , Alward A. , Breitschwerdt E.B. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Bartonella spp. are emerging zoonotic agents that have been found in a wide variety of domestic animals and wildlife and cause a number of clinical syndromes. Bartonella sp. infection has been identified in a growing number of animal species, including cats, rodents, porpoises, and canids, but has not been reported in horses.Objective: To document the presence of Bartonella sp. in the blood of horses.Animals: One horse with chronic arthropathy and 1 horse with presumptive vasculitis.Methods: Blood samples were tested for the presence of Bartonella sp. by a combination of multiplex real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enrichment culture technique.Results: Bartonella henselae was isolated or detected in the blood of both horses.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Bartonella henselae infection should be investigated as the cause of disease in horses.
Thromboelastographic Evaluation of Hemostatic Function in Dogs with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Wiinberg B. , Jensen A.L. , Johansson P.I. , Rozanski E. , Tranholm M. , Kristensen A.T. 
Published: December 2008

Background:There is considerable variation in the coagulation profile of dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), making it difficult to assess overall hemostatic function.Objectives:To characterize the overall hemostatic state in dogs with DIC, by use of tissue factor‐activated thromboelastography (TF‐TEG), and to determine whether there is an association between hemostasis and outcome.Animals:50 dogs with DIC.Methods:Dogs admitted to the intensive care units, with an underlying disease known to predispose to DIC, were prospectively assessed with TF‐TEG. Citrated blood samples were collected daily during hospitalization and an extended coagulation panel and TF‐TEG were performed. Diagnosis of DIC was based on expert opinion.Results:Hemostatic dysfunction was observed on the TF‐TEG profile in 33/50 of the dogs, of which 22/50 were hypercoagulable and 11/50 were hypocoagulable based on the TF‐TEGGvalue alone. There were significant differences ink, α, and MA values (P< .0001) among hypo‐, normo‐, and hypercoagulable dogs. There was a significant difference in case fatality rate between hypo‐ (64%) and hypercoagulable (32%) dogs (relative risk = 2.38;P= .04). Dogs that died had significantly lower antithrombin activity (P= .03) and higherd‐dimer concentration (P= .03) than survivors.Conclusions:The most common overall hemostatic abnormality in dogs diagnosed with DIC was hypercoagulability, and there was significant difference in survival between hyper‐ and hypocoagulable dogs. The results suggest TF‐TEG is valuable in the assessment of hemostatic function in dogs diagnosed with DIC.
A Novel Clinical Scoring System for Outcome Prediction in Dogs with Acute Kidney Injury Managed by Hemodialysis
Authors: Segev G. , Kass P.H. , Francey T. , Cowgill L.D. 
Published: December 2008

Background: No reliable tool to predict outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) exists.Hypothesis: A statistically derived scoring system can accurately predict outcome in dogs with AKI managed with hemodialysis.Animals: One hundred and eighty‐two client‐owned dogs with AKI.Methods: Logistic regression analyses were performed initially on clinical variables available on the 1st day of hospitalization for relevance to outcome. Variables with P≤ .1 were considered for further analyses. Continuous variables outside the reference range were divided into quartiles to yield quartile‐specific odds ratios (ORs) for survival. Models were developed by incorporating weighting factors assigned to each quartile based on the OR, using either the integer value of the OR (Model A) or the exact OR (Models B or C, when the etiology was known). A predictive score for each model was calculated for each dog by summing all weighting factors. In Model D, actual values for continuous variables were used in a logistic regression model. Receiver‐operating curve analyses were performed to assess sensitivities, specificities, and optimal cutoff points for all models.Results: Higher scores were associated with decreased probability of survival (P < .001). Models A, B, C, and D correctly classified outcomes in 81, 83, 87, and 76% of cases, respectively, and optimal sensitivities/specificities were 77/85, 81/85, 83/90 and 92/61%, respectively.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The models allowed outcome prediction that corresponded with actual outcome in our cohort. However, each model should be validated further in independent cohorts. The models may also be useful to assess AKI severity.
Association of Age and Heart Rate with Pulsed‐Wave Doppler Measurements in Healthy, Nonsedated Cats
Authors: Disatian S. , Bright J.M. , Boon J. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Associations of age and heart rate with blood flow velocities and durations assessed by pulsed‐wave (PW) Doppler echocardiography in cats are incompletely understood.Objectives: To determine the effects of age and heart rate on blood flow velocities and durations of cardiac events obtained by PW Doppler echocardiography in healthy, nonsedated cats.Animals: A convenience sample of 87 healthy, nonsedated cats aged 3 months to 19 years.Methods: Prospective, observational study. PW Doppler measurements were obtained by echocardiography. Association of age and heart rate with PW Doppler values was evaluated by simple and multiple linear regressions and ANCOVA.Results: Significant weak positive relationships were found between age and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (R2= 0.18; P≤ .001), and between age and duration of pulmonary venous retrograde flow (R2= 0.07; P= .041). There was a significant weak negative relationship between age and transmitral peak early diastolic velocity (R2= 0.19; P≤ .001). Age and heart rate were significantly related to pulmonary venous peak systolic velocity (R2= 0.13; P= .008). Heart rate affected transmitral peak late diastolic velocity (R2= 0.11; P= .006). After adjusting for heart rate effect, the PW Doppler variables that were significantly different between age groups were transmitral peak early diastolic velocity (P≤ .001), duration of transmitral late diastolic flow (P≤ .001), IVRT (P≤ .001), and the ratio of duration of transmitral late diastolic flow to duration of pulmonary venous retrograde flow (P= .029).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The association of several PW Doppler‐derived variables and age and heart rate is weak and not clinically important.
Treatment of Premature Calves with Clinically Diagnosed Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Karapinar T. , Dabak M. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been reported previously in premature calves. However, there have been no published data on the effect of surfactant replacement therapy in the treatment of premature calves with RDS.Hypothesis: Surfactant replacement therapy added to the standard treatment for premature calves clinically diagnosed with RDS would increase the viability of the calves.Animals: Twenty‐seven premature calves with clinically diagnosed RDS.Methods: Twenty calves were instilled intratracheally with bovine lung surfactant extract and provided with standard treatment for RDS (surfactant group). Seven calves were given only standard care for RDS without surfactant therapy and placed in the control group. Standard treatment for newborn calves with RDS includes warming, administration of intranasal oxygen, fluid replacement, administration of antibiotics, and immunoglobulin solution. Arterial blood samples were collected from the calves at 3 observation points, the first just before treatment (hour 0) and at 2 hours (hour 2) and 24 hours (hour 24) after treatment was started to determine if ventilation was adequate, improving, or deteriorating. Blood gases, pH, bicarbonate, and lactate concentrations were measured.Results: In the surfactant group, mean partial pressure of oxygen significantly increased at hours 2 and 24. Mean partial pressure of carbon dioxide decreased and mean arterial blood pH increased at hour 24 in the surfactant group compared with the control group (P < .05). Of the 20 calves in the surfactant group, 12 survived and 8 died. All 7 calves in the control group died.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The results of this study suggest that surfactant replacement therapy may reduce neonatal deaths in premature calves with clinically diagnosed RDS.
Differentiation of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccination, Infection, or Vaccination and Infection in Cats
Authors: Levy J.K. , Crawford P.C. , Kusuhara H. , Motokawa K. , Gemma T. , Watanabe R. , Arai S. , Bienzle D. , Hohdatsu T. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Serodiagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is complicated by the use of a formalin‐inactivated whole‐virus FIV vaccine. Cats respond to immunization with antibodies indistinguishable from those produced during natural infection by currently available diagnostic tests, which are unable to distinguish cats that are vaccinated against FIV, infected with FIV, or both.Hypothesis: An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detecting antibodies against formalin‐treated FIV whole virus and untreated transmembrane peptide will distinguish uninfected from infected cats, regardless of vaccination status.Animals: Blood samples were evaluated from uninfected unvaccinated cats (n = 73 samples), uninfected FIV‐vaccinated cats (n = 89), and FIV‐infected cats (n = 102, including 3 from cats that were also vaccinated).Methods: The true status of each sample was determined by virus isolation. Plasma samples were tested for FIV antibodies by a commercial FIV diagnostic assay and an experimental discriminant ELISA.Results: All samples from uninfected cats were correctly identified by the discriminant ELISA (specificity 100%). Of the samples collected from FIV‐infected cats, 99 were correctly identified as FIV‐infected (sensitivity 97.1%).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: With the exception of viral isolation, the discriminant ELISA is the most reliable assay for diagnosis of FIV. A practical strategy for the diagnosis of FIV infection would be to use existing commercial FIV antibody assays as screening tests. Negative results with commercial assays are highly reliable predictors for lack of infection. Positive results can be confirmed with the discriminant ELISA. If the discriminant ELISA is negative, the cat is probably vaccinated against FIV but not infected. Positive results are likely to represent infection.
Transvenous Electrical Cardioversion of Equine Atrial Fibrillation: Patient Factors and Clinical Results in 72 Treatment Episodes
Authors: McGurrin M.K.J. , Physick‐Sheard P.W. , Kenney D.G. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) has been developed for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses. The relationship among patient variables, treatment response, and outcome in a typical referral population has not been evaluated.Hypothesis: Patient variables such as age, sex, weight, and duration of arrhythmia affect prognosis for response to treatment and the energy level at which cardioversion occurs.Animals: TVEC was applied to 72 episodes of lone AF in 63 client‐owned performance horses, with the majority (54) being Standardbred racehorses.Methods: Catheterization of the right atrium (RA) and pulmonary artery (PA) through the jugular vein was used for electrode placement before horses were placed under general anesthesia. Biphasic, truncated exponential shock waves were delivered at incremental energy levels until cardioversion was achieved or a maximum single‐energy level of 300 J was reached (cumulative energy 50–1,960 J). A multivariate model was constructed to evaluate influence of patient factors on cardioversion energy.Results: Cardioversion was achieved in 71 of 72 episodes (62 of 63 horses) at a mean energy of 165.43 ± 8.75 J. Cardioversion energy was higher for females than for males, and for interaction terms, weight was negatively related to energy in females and positively related in males. Age was positively related to cardioversion energy in females. No relationship was identified between duration of arrhythmia before treatment and prognosis for response or cardioversion energy.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: TVEC is highly effective in the treatment of lone AF in horses. Although age and sex influence cardioversion energy level, duration of arrhythmia does not.
Holmium : YAG Laser Lithotripsy for Urolithiasis in Dogs
Authors: Grant D.C. , Werre S.R. , Gevedon M.L. 
Published: December 2008

Background:Laser lithotripsy has been used as an alternative to surgical removal of uroliths in a number of species.Objectives:To determine the effectiveness of laser lithotripsy for removing urocystoliths, urethroliths, or both in dogs, and to determine the influence of dog (chronological order of lithotripsy, endoscope type, sex, body weight) and urolith (total urolith and urocystolith number, presence or absence of urethroliths, largest urolith dimension, and urolith composition) factors on outcome.Animals:Twenty‐five client‐owned dogs with urocystoliths, urethroliths, or both were included. Male dogs were required to weigh ≥6.8 kg.Methods:A single‐arm prospective clinical trial. Laser lithotripsy was performed under general anesthesia. Main outcomes included procedure success and lithotripsy time. Predictors of procedure success and lithotripsy time were selected using logistic and linear regression modeling, respectively.Results:The procedure was successful in 21 of 25 dogs. The procedure was successful more often and in less time in female spayed than in male neutered dogs. Sex was identified as a predictor of success. Univariable analysis showed that sex, endoscope type, and chronological order in which the dog received lithotripsy were significantly associated with lithotripsy time. Stepwise linear regression modeling identified sex, body weight, >10 uroliths, and largest urolith dimension as predictors of lithotripsy time.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Laser lithotripsy is an effective procedure for the removal of urocystoliths, urethroliths, or both with rare important adverse effects and some limitations in male dogs.
Blood Arginine Vasopressin, Adrenocorticotropin Hormone, and Cortisol Concentrations at Admission in Septic and Critically Ill Foals and their Association with Survival
Authors: Hurcombe S.D.A. , Toribio R.E. , Slovis N. , Kohn C.W. , Refsal K. , Saville W. , Mudge M.C. 
Published: December 2008

Background:Sepsis is an important cause for neonatal foal mortality. The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis (HPAA) responses to sepsis are well documented in critically ill humans, but limited data exist in foals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the HPAA response to sepsis in foals, and to associate these endocrine changes with survival.Hypothesis:Blood concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and cortisol will be higher in septic foals as compared with sick nonseptic and healthy foals. The magnitude of increase in hormone concentration will be negatively associated with survival.Animals:Fifty‐one septic, 29 sick nonseptic, and 31 healthy foals of ≤7 days of age were included.Methods:Blood was collected at admission for analysis. Foals with positive blood culture or sepsis score ≥14 were considered septic. Foals admitted with disease other than sepsis and healthy foals were used as controls. AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were measured using validated immunoassays.Results:AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were increased in septic foals. Septic nonsurvivor foals (n = 26/51) had higher plasma ACTH and AVP concentrations than did survivors (n = 25/51). Some septic foals had normal or low cortisol concentrations despite increased ACTH, suggesting relative adrenal insufficiency. AVP, ACTH, and cortisol concentrations were higher in sick nonseptic foals compared with healthy foals.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Increased plasma AVP and ACTH concentrations in septic foals were associated with mortality. Several septic foals had increased AVP : ACTH and ACTH : cortisol ratios, which indicates relative adenohypophyseal and adrenal insufficiency.