Comparison of the effects of open-tube and evacuated tube-assisted sampling methods on thromboelastography variables for blood samples from healthy dogs.

Objective: To compare the effects of open-tube blood sampling with previously investigated blood sampling methods via evacuated tube on thromboelastography variables for blood samples from dogs.

Animals: 10 healthy Beagles from the research colony owned by the Clinic of Small Animal Internal Medicine, University Veterinary of Medicine, Vienna, were used.

Procedures: In this prospective study, blood was sampled from each dog serially into citrate solution-containing tubes via 20-gauge needle.

Aldosterone Is Positively Associated With Circulating FGF23 Levels in Chronic Kidney Disease Across Four Species, and May Drive FGF23 Secretion Directly.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied by increases in circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and aldosterone levels. Here, we tested the hypothesis that aldosterone may be one of the driving forces behind increased FGF23 secretion in CKD.

Methods: Using data from a prospective study in humans, a retrospective study in dogs and cats, and an experimental study in 5/6-nephrectomized mice, we analyzed the relationship between circulating FGF23 and serum aldosterone levels in CKD across four species.

Comparison of pulmonary deposition of nebulized technetium-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid through 3 inhalation devices in healthy dogs.

Background: Inhalation treatment frequently is used in dogs and cats with chronic respiratory disease. Little is known however about the performance of delivery devices and the distribution of aerosolized drugs in the lower airways.

Objective: To assess the performance of 3 delivery devices and the impact of variable durations of inhalation on the pulmonary and extrapulmonary deposition of nebulized technetium-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid ( Tc-DTPA).

Classes of depression symptom trajectories in patients with major depression receiving a collaborative care intervention.

Purpose: Collaborative care is effective in improving symptoms of patients with depression. The aims of this study were to characterize symptom trajectories in patients with major depression during one year of collaborative care and to explore associations between baseline characteristics and symptom trajectories.

Methods: We conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial in primary care.

[High-Quality Endoscopic Mucosal Resection - The Process Explained].

Colonoscopy with polypectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer development. It is considered a fundamental skill for all endoscopists who perform colonoscopy. A variety of polypectomy techniques and devices are available, and their use can vary greatly based on local availability and preferences.

Itraconazole-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for pulmonary treatment of aspergillosis in falcons.

Aspergillosis is the most common and most lethal disease in captive falcons, which is most effectively treated with the poorly soluble drug Itraconazole. To obtain a high drug concentration at the side of infection, the falcon's respiratory system, an isotonic, sterile, non-toxic NLC formulation loaded with Itraconazole was developed for pulmonary application. Itraconazole-loaded NLC had a particle size well in the nanometer range and possessed a narrow particle size distribution.

Preclinical evaluation of (99m)Tc labeled chondroitin sulfate for monitoring of cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis.

Purpose: In previous in-vitro and ex-vivo studies we proved the specific uptake of (99m)Tc radiolabeled chondroitin sulfate (CS) in human articular cartilage. As a logical next step for the clinical use for imaging osteoarthritis we investigated in-vivo uptake of (99m)TcCS in dogs.

Procedures: The radiolabeling of CS Condrosulf (IBSA, Lugano, Switzerland) was performed using 25mg of CS and 20-40MBq/kg body weight of (99m)Tc by means of the tin method.

Hypochloremia in cats - prevalence and associated diseases.

Objective: To describe the prevalence and possible causes of hypochloremia in the local hospital cat population.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study consisting of two parts. Data were collected from the local electronic medical records database using the search terms "chloride" and "cats" (part A), and "blood gas analysis" and "cats" (part B).

A modular approach to adaptive structures.

A remarkable property of nastic, shape changing plants is their complete fusion between actuators and structure. This is achieved by combining a large number of cells whose geometry, internal pressures and material properties are optimized for a given set of target shapes and stiffness requirements. An advantage of such a fusion is that cell walls are prestressed by cell pressures which increases, decreases the overall structural stiffness, weight.

Long-term effects of a collaborative care intervention on process of care in family practices in Germany: a 24-month follow-up study of a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aims of this study were (1) to assess the long-term effects of a collaborative care intervention for patients with depression on process of care outcomes, and (2) to describe whether case management was continued after the end of the original one-year intervention.

Methods: This 24-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial took place 12 months after the end of the 1-year intervention. Data collection occurred by means of self-rating questionnaires and from medical records.

Shape-changing shell-like structures.

Plants such as Dionaea muscipula (Venus Flytrap) can change the shape of their shell-like leaves by actively altering the cell pressures. These leaves are hydraulic actuators that do not require any complex controls and that possess an energy efficiency that is unmatched by natural or artificial muscles (Huber et al 1997 Proc. R.

Pressure-actuated cellular structures.

Shape changing structures will play an important role in future engineering designs since rigid structures are usually only optimal for a small range of service conditions. Hence, a concept for reliable and energy-efficient morphing structures that possess a large strength to self-weight ratio would be widely applicable. We propose a novel concept for morphing structures that is inspired by the nastic movement of plants.

Angiogenic markers in canine lymphoma tissues do not predict survival times in chemotherapy treated dogs.

Angiogenesis, which is essential for malignancies to progress, depends on various signalling proteins including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). Microvessel density (MVD) is frequently used to evaluate angiogenesis. This study assessed the relationship between expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, MVD and the survival time in dogs with lymphoma.

[Diagnostic efficacy of plasma ACTH-measurement by a chemiluminometric assay in canine hyperadrenocorticism].

This retrospective study was performed to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of the chemiluminometric ACTH-measurement to differentiate between pituitary and adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) in dogs. 49 dogs with pituitary HAC, 10 dogs with adrenal HAC and 1 dog with a combination of both pathologies were included. Dogs with HAC like symptoms, where HAC had been ruled out, served as controls (n = 18).

Concomitant liposomal doxorubicin and daily palliative radiotherapy in advanced feline soft tissue sarcomas.

Local recurrence of feline soft tissue sarcomas is common despite aggressive treatment. Liposomal doxorubicin might serve as a depot radiosensitizer if administered concomitantly with daily radiotherapy and thus improve tumor control. In this pilot study, the feasibility of concomitant liposomal radiochemotherapy was evaluated in a palliative setting in 10 cats with advanced soft tissue sarcomas.

Chemotherapy in canine acute megakaryoblastic leukemia: a case report and review of the literature.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in dogs is a rare disease with poor prognosis. In most subjects, palliative treatment or euthanasia is performed. A 3.

Ketone measurements using dipstick methodology in cats with diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To compare the results of urine and plasma ketone dip test in a group of diabetic cats with possible ketosis or ketoacidosis, using laboratory plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate measurements as the gold standard.

Methods: According to clinical examinations, plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate measurements and venous blood gas analysis, 54 cats with diabetes mellitus were classified as non-ketotic (n=3), ketotic (n=40) or ketoacidotic (n=11). Plasma and urine acetoacetate concentrations were determined using urine reagent strips.

Evaluation of biological variance of cystatin C in comparison with other endogenous markers of glomerular filtration rate in healthy dogs.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate and compare components of variance of endogenous markers of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in healthy dogs and impact on the interpretation of results.

Hypothesis: Cystatin C (cysC) in the dog is superior to creatinine (crea) and urea in detecting decreased renal function because of a high index of individuality (IoI). ANIMALS AND METHOD: Variance components of cysC, crea (2 methods: creaE, creaJ), urea, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) in plasma were determined in a longitudinal study over 6 months in 24 healthy dogs (6 German Shorthair Pointers, 18 Beagles).

The future of scientific ballooning.

This paper gives a brief overview of the historical development of scientific balloons and their capabilities. Furthermore, a recent programme by NASA is introduced that aims to develop balloons capable of carrying payloads of several tonnes to above 99% of the Earth's atmosphere for up to 100 days. It is shown that the currently investigated balloons suffer from instabilities that can be minimized using a different design paradigm for the cutting patterns.

The desmopressin stimulation test in dogs with Cushing's syndrome.

Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of the hypothalamic peptide vasopressin and binds to specific pituitary vasopressin (V3) receptors. The V3-receptor is overexpressed in pituitary corticotrope tumors and the injection of desmopressin induces a marked ACTH and cortisol release in human patients with pituitary- (PDH), but not adrenal tumor (AT) dependent hyperadrenocorticism. In this prospective study, we investigated the effects of desmopressin on serum cortisol levels in 80 dogs suspected of Cushing's syndrome.