Risk factors and surgical outcomes in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease and ischemic colitis.

Introduction: This study investigates risk factors and surgical outcomes in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects (CHD) who develop ischemic colitis (IC). Previous research indicates a higher IC risk in very low birth weight neonates with CHD.

Methods: A retrospective analysis compared an IC-CHD group to a CHD-only group.

Murine scald models characterize the role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps in severe burns.

Introduction: Severe burns cause unique pathophysiological alterations especially on the immune system. A murine scald model was optimized as a basis for the understanding of immunological reactions in response to heat induced injury. The understanding of the roles of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and DNases will support the development of new surgical or pharmacological strategies for the therapy of severe burns.

Factors Influencing Performance in Laparoscopic Suturing and Knot Tying: A Cohort Study.

Background:  Laparoscopic suturing and knot tying are regarded as some of the most difficult laparoscopic skills to learn. Training is essential to reach proficiency, but available training opportunities are limited. Various techniques to improve training have been evaluated.

cfDNA and DNases: New Biomarkers of Sepsis in Preterm Neonates-A Pilot Study.

Introduction: An early and accurate diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and late onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) is essential to improve the outcome of this devastating conditions. Especially, preterm infants are at risk. Reliable biomarkers are rare, clinical decision-making depends on clinical appearance and multiple laboratory findings.

Comparison of health parameters in normal cats fed a limited iodine prescription food vs a conventional diet.

Objectives The objective was to compare the effect on thyroid function in healthy, adult cats fed a limited-iodine food or conventional diet for 24 months. Methods Cats in the limited-iodine group (n = 14) were fed a commercial, dry food containing 0.2 ppm iodine on a dry-matter basis (DMB).

Prospective Evaluation of Intra-Articular Dextrose Prolotherapy for Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Dogs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate intra-articular dextrose prolotherapy for osteoarthritis of the elbow or stifle in dogs in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective pilot study. Seventeen dogs were evaluated with 10 meeting inclusion criteria for this study. Evaluations included orthopedic exam, visual lameness scoring, Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), goniometry, kinetic gait analysis, and radiography.

Pre-operative fibrous osteodystrophy and severe, refractory, post-operative hypocalcemia following parathyroidectomy in a dog.

A 13-year-old dog exhibited dramatic, radiographic osteopenia consistent with fibrous osteodystrophy secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism. Following parathyroidectomy, the dog developed severe, prolonged hypocalcemia, but was successfully treated and discharged 32 d after surgery. A variety of factors may have contributed to this dog's hypocalcemia including hypoparathyroidism and hungry bone syndrome.

Ophthalmic Diagnostic Tests and Ocular Findings in a Flock of Captive American Flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ruber).

Seventeen adult captive American flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) (34 eyes) underwent a complete ocular examination, including assessment of menace response, pupillary light reflexes, dazzle reflex, palpebral and corneal reflexes, fluorescein staining, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and direct ophthalmoscopy. Birds were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups for tear production and intraocular pressure measurements. Tear production was measured by modified Schirmer tear test I (n = 9 birds) or phenol red thread test (n = 8 birds), and intraocular pressure was measured indirectly by applanation (Tonopen-XL) (n = 9 birds) or rebound (TonoVet) (n = 8 birds) tonometry.

Treatment of a maxillary fibrosarcoma in an adult alpaca.

Case Description: An approximately 5-year-old sexually intact male alpaca was evaluated because of a right-sided maxillary mass that had recurred after previous surgical debulking.

Clinical Findings: Clinical, radiographic, and CT examination revealed an approximately 1.5-cm-diameter soft tissue mass associated with expansile osteolysis of the maxillary alveolar bone, beginning at the level of the right maxillary third premolar tooth extending caudally to the level of the rostral roots of the second molar tooth.

Nephrectomy in an Asian small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus) with pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis secondary to ureteral obstruction.

A 10-yr-old, captive, intact male Asian small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus) with a history of bilateral nephrolithiasis was presented for acute-onset lethargy and inappetance of 5 days duration. On physical examination, the otter was about 8% dehydrated and a palpable fluid wave was present in the abdomen. An abdominal ultrasound revealed hydronephrosis of the left kidney and a hyperechoic structure present within the lumen of the left ureter, causing an obstruction.

Diagnosis and management of feline hyperthyroidism: current perspectives.

Previous and ongoing research has provided insights to the pathophysiology and diagnosis of hyperthyroidism as well as new treatment modalities. This paper reviews the etiology, clinical presentation, and clinicopathologic changes associated with hyperthyroidism, and provides a thorough explanation of confirmatory testing and treatment options.

Identification and effects of common errors and artifacts on the perceived quality of radiographs.

Objective: To identify common errors in film and digital radiographs provided by referring veterinarians and determine the effect of such errors on the perceived diagnostic quality of image sets.

Design: Prospective study.

Sample: 135 sets of radiographic images acquired by referring veterinarians for client-owned small animals evaluated at a university hospital.

Optimal copper supply is required for normal plant iron deficiency responses.

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) homeostasis are tightly linked across biology. Understanding crosstalk between Fe and Cu nutrition could lead to strategies for improved growth on soils with low or excess metals, with implications for agriculture and phytoremediation. Here, we show that Cu and Fe nutrition interact to increase or decrease Fe and/or Cu accumulation in leaves and Fe uptake processes.

Effects of observer on the diagnostic accuracy of low-field MRI for detecting canine meniscal tears.

Low-field MRI (lfMRI) has become increasingly accepted as a method for diagnosing canine meniscal tears in clinical practice. However, observer effects on diagnostic accuracy have not been previously reported. In this study, 50 consecutive stifle joints with clinical and radiologic evidence of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency were investigated by lfMRI and arthroscopy.

Comparison of three-view thoracic radiography and computed tomography for detection of pulmonary nodules in dogs with neoplasia.

Objective: To compare the detection of pulmonary nodules by use of 3-view thoracic radiography and CT in dogs with confirmed neoplasia.

Design: Prospective case series.

Animals: 33 dogs of various breeds.

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate in healthy cats using single-slice dynamic CT and Patlak plot analysis.

Commonly used clinical indicators of renal disease are either insensitive to early dysfunction or have delayed results. Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) indicates renal dysfunction before there is a loss of 50% of functional nephrons. Most tests evaluate global rather than individual kidney function.

Ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of an oropharyngeal wood penetrating injury in a dog.

A 5 yr old female intact English setter with a 17 day history of a penetrating oropharyngeal wound was referred for cervical swelling and pain. Physical examination revealed swelling at the left lateral aspect of the cranial cervical region. Pain was elicited upon flexion, extension, and leftward movement of the neck.

Effect of a collateral ligament sparing surgical approach on mechanical properties of equine proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis constructs.

Objective: To (1) compare the effect of a collateral ligament sparing surgical approach with an open surgical approach on mechanical properties of proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) arthrodesis, and (2) to determine the percentage of articular cartilage surface removed by transarticular (TA) drilling with different diameter drill bits.

Study Design: Randomized paired limb design.

Sample Population: Cadaveric equine limbs (n=76).

Fournier's gangrene syndrome in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

A 37-yr-old male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) was evaluated for intermittent diarrhea, scrotal swelling, and lethargy of 2 days duration. Physical examination revealed marked swelling of the scrotum and perineal tissues with mild pitting edema and crepitus. Computed tomography revealed a mixed gas and soft-tissue density extending from the caudal ventral subcutaneous tissues caudally to the scrotum and perineal tissues.

PACS and image storage.

Storage and retrieval of digital images is an integral component of any digital imaging system. A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) includes hardware and software that allows for display, storage, retrieval, and communication functions. PACS software allows for manipulation of the images to enhance interpretation by way of changes in contrast, brightness, magnification, and measurements, among others.

Digital radiographic artifacts.

Artifacts in radiography can be detrimental to interpretation by decreasing visualization or altering the appearance of an area of interest. Digital radiographs (DRs) have their own unique artifacts, and recognition of these artifacts is important to prevent misinterpretation and help identify the cause. A DR artifact can be categorized according to the step during which it was created.

Comparing types of digital capture.

Many digital radiography systems are available. These include both cassette-based and cassette-less systems. Understanding the pros and cons of each system is important prior to purchase.

Magnetic resonance imaging of bone marrow in the pelvis and femur of young dogs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of bone marrow in the pelvis and femur of normal, young dogs. Six greyhounds were imaged at 4, 8, 12, and 16 months of age. Sagittal images of the femur and dorsal images of the pelvis were obtained with T1-weighted, fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted, and short tau (T1) inversion recovery (STIR) sequences.

Artifacts in digital radiography.

Digital radiography is becoming more prevalent in veterinary medicine, and with its increased use has come the recognition of a number of artifacts. Artifacts in digital radiography can decrease image quality and mask or mimic pathologic changes. They can be categorized according to the step during which they are created and include preexposure, exposure, postexposure, reading, and workstation artifacts.