Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Angiogenic Status in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

: Angiogenesis is involved in the pathogenesis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). VEGF, ANG2, TGFβ1, and ENG are the most studied angiogenic factors, but their clinical significance in blood samples is still not completely defined. The genetic study of HHT mutations is the test of choice for diagnosing the disease, but this route is expensive, and the causative mutation is not found in up to 10% of cases.

Reproductive Tract Microbiota of Mares.

The female reproductive tract microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that might be crucial in maintaining a healthy reproductive environment. Imbalances in the bacterial community (dysbiosis) and the reduction of beneficial organisms and pathogen proliferation are associated with disease. Endometritis is a common cause of fertility problems in mares, and it is still challenging to diagnose and treat based on routine culture results of certain microorganisms.

Vaginal and Uterine Microbiota of Healthy Maiden Mares during Estrus.

This descriptive cross-sectional study compared the microbiota of the uterus, vagina, clitoral fossa (CF), and perineal skin in healthy maiden mares during estrus. Twelve synchronized, healthy maiden mares (3-4 years old) from one single recipient mare herd were included. Microbial communities were characterized by amplifying the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform.

Structural and Functional Dynamics of the Ovary and Uterus during the Estrous Cycle in Donkeys in the Eastern Caribbean.

Eight non-bred, non-pregnant, regularly cycling Caribbean jennies were examined daily via transrectal ultrasound to define the ovarian and uterine dynamics during four consecutive estrous cycles. Blood samples were collected every other day for progesterone analysis. The mean (±SD) overall inter-ovulatory interval across all donkeys and cycles was 22.

Early Pregnancy in Jennies in the Caribbean: Corpus Luteum Development and Progesterone Production, Uterine and Embryo Dynamics, Conceptus Growth and Maturation.

We aimed to characterize early embryo development and changes in corpus luteum (CL) development and progesterone profile in pregnant vs. non-pregnant jennies. Eight jennies were enrolled in the study.

Contemporary Challenges for Veterinary Medical Education: Examining the State of Inter-Professional Education in Veterinary Medicine.

Educational training in professional programs forms the foundation for how a person problem-solves throughout their career. However, training focused on only one profession ignores the value realized through collaborations among multiple professions for solving health-related problems. This is at the core of inter-professional education (IPE).

Cytotoxic Natural Killer Subpopulations as a Prognostic Factor of Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a sign of advanced disease of poor prognosis. As natural killer (NK) cells are involved in the first line of tumour defence, we aimed to validate a new diagnostic and prognostic indicator for MPE based on NK subpopulations of pleural fluid (PF) and peripheral blood (PB).

Methods: NK subpopulations were determined in PF and PB in 71 patients with malignant, paramalignant or benign pleural effusion.

Prognosis and Follow-Up of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) with no known cause, is the most common and deadly of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. With a median survival of 3⁻5 years following diagnosis, IPF is characterized by a progressive decline in lung function and quality of life in most patients. Prognostic factors recognized classically that influence mortality include functional, clinical and radiological parameters.

Freedom from Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle in St. Kitts.

Trichomonosis is an endemic disease in cattle that are reared under extensive conditions and bred by natural mating. It causes profound economic losses to the producers by increasing calving interval, increasing embryo losses, and decreasing pregnancy rates. The aim of this study was to determine whether Tritrichomonas foetus infections were absent from cattle in St.

Predicting Malignant and Paramalignant Pleural Effusions by Combining Clinical, Radiological and Pleural Fluid Analytical Parameters.

Background: The usefulness of clinical, radiological and pleural fluid analytical parameters for diagnosing malignant and paramalignant pleural effusion is not clearly stated. Hence this study aimed to identify possible predictor variables of diagnosing malignancy in pleural effusion of unknown aetiology.

Methods: Clinical, radiological and pleural fluid analytical parameters were obtained from consecutive patients who had suffered pleural effusion of unknown aetiology.

[D-dimer testing in the emergency department: age adjustment, inappropriate use, and ability to predict the extension and severity of pulmonary embolism].

Objectives: To evaluate whether using D-dimer test results adjusted for age according to the formula proposed by Douma et al. improves diagnostic accuracy; to assess the appropriateness of ordering D-dimer tests on clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism; and to explore the association of test results with the extension and severity of the embolism.

Material And Methods: Retrospective observational study of 1833 cases in which D-dimer testing was ordered for patients in our hospital's emergency department in the course of a year.

Lung cancer diagnostic delay in a Havana hospital.

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and in Cuba, where its incidence and mortality are on the rise. Diagnostic delay is a variable linked to survival and prognosis. Quantifying this delay and comparing it with data from other national and international sources may lead to planning actions to reduce its impact.

Oral ketamine for the treatment of type I complex regional pain syndrome.

Ketamine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain. We present a case of severe complex regional pain syndrome type 1 that was treated with oral ketamine. The response and tolerability of this preparation suggest that further study is warranted.

Disease transmission in horses.

Bacterial, viral and protozoal infections may cause severe reproductive losses. The present paper reviews the risk factors, clinical signs and preventive measures for the most important venereal or potential sexually transmitted diseases in horses. The stallion and use of semen for artificial insemination represent major risk factors for the transmission of bacterial contaminants of the penis, including Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, known to cause endometritis and infertility in the mare.

[Body mass, dyspnea, and quality of life as success predictors in emphysema surgery for reduction of pulmonary volume].

Objectives: Lung volume reduction surgery has recently been proposed as a palliative treatment for advanced emphysema. Some patients improve and others remains the same, being debated at this time the factors that predict improvement. The purpose of this work is to find predictive factors for positive response in patients operated with this surgery.

[Four-year results after lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema].

Objectives: While the short-term results of lung volume reduction surgery are known, follow-up over several years has not often been described. The purpose of the present study was to describe results in terms of functional improvement, dyspnea, quality of life, and mortality over a 4-year period in patients with advanced emphysema.

Patients And Methods: Fourteen successive patients were enrolled between 1996 and 2000 and studied prospectively for 4 years.

Azoospermia associated with bilateral segmental aplasia of the ductus deferens in a stallion.

A 3-year-old Quarter Horse halter stallion was referred for routine semen evaluation. Physically, the stallion's reproductive organs appeared normal. Repeated semen evaluations did not reveal any spermatozoa.

[Pneumococcal pneumonia in hospitalized patients. Therapeutic implications of resistances to penicillin and erythromycin].

Background And Objective: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main etiological agent of community-acquired pneumonia. The aim of this work was to ascertain the resistance profiles of pneumococcus to penicillin and erythromycin and to analyse whether such profiles lead to different disease developments.

Patients And Method: A retrospective analysis was carried out in 75 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia corresponding to hospitalized patients.

[Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. A disease which may have a benign progression].

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLLM) is characterized by a benign proliferation of the smooth muscle around lymphatics, venulas and bronchiolus. It is usually fatal within 1 to 9 years. We present a case which remained with scarce symptoms despite receiving no treatment after at least 9 years of evolution of the disease.