Treatment dosing of low-molecular-weight heparins and the dose cap dilemma: considerations for patients in Canada.

Background: In Canada, there is a dose cap for weight-based treatment with low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparins.

Objective: To review whether capping of LMW heparin doses is warranted for patients with obesity.

Methods: English-language publications concerning the use of LMW heparin in Canada were reviewed, and the literature regarding use of these drugs at treatment doses in patients with obesity was assessed.

A genetic linkage map for the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).

Background: Genome elucidation is now in high gear for many organisms, and whilst genetic maps have been developed for a broad array of species, surprisingly, no such maps exist for a crocodilian, or indeed any other non-avian member of the Class Reptilia. Genetic linkage maps are essential tools for the mapping and dissection of complex quantitative trait loci (QTL), and in order to permit systematic genome scans for the identification of genes affecting economically important traits in farmed crocodilians, a comprehensive genetic linage map will be necessary.

Results: A first-generation genetic linkage map for the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) was constructed using 203 microsatellite markers amplified across a two-generation pedigree comprising ten full-sib families from a commercial population at Darwin Crocodile Farm, Northern Territory, Australia.

Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in sheep. I. A new male framework linkage map and QTL for growth rate and body weight.

A male sheep linkage map comprising 191 microsatellites was generated from a single family of 510 Awassi-Merino backcross progeny. Except for ovine chromosomes 1, 2, 10 and 17, all other chromosomes yielded a LOD score difference greater than 3.0 between the best and second-best map order.

SMART: Sensitivity models for animals in response to training.

Trained responses are said to be under stimulus control when they appear reliably and exclusively on cue. The SMART system is a conceptual, three-dimensional graphic that uses four quadrants to chart a horse's responsiveness to various cues from two reins and the trainer's legs and seat. The current plots have been designed for ridden horses.

Molecular analysis of tammar (Macropus eugenii) mammary epithelial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid.

The immunological function of the metatherian mammary gland plays a crucial part in neonatal survival of the marsupial young. Marsupial pouch young do not develop adult like immune responses until just prior to leaving the pouch. The immune components of the maternal milk secretions are important during this vulnerable early post-partum period.

The infusion illusion.

Currently, the standard of care for high-risk peptic ulcer bleeding involves the use of a continuous intravenous proton pump inhibitor (PPI) infusion over 72 h. However, the article by Andruilli et al. details the results of a randomized controlled trial indicating that a less intensive regimen consisting of a once-daily bolus of PPI injection may lead to similar outcomes when compared to standard therapy.

Transcriptome analysis identifies pathways associated with enhanced maternal performance in QSi5 mice.

Background: Highly fecund mouse strains provide an ideal model to understand the factors affecting maternal performance. The QSi5 inbred strain of mice was selected for high fecundity and low inter-litter interval, and is very successful at weaning large numbers of offspring when compared to other inbred strains.

Results: Post-natal pup weight gain was used to estimate mammary gland output and to compare the performance of QSi5 mice to CBA mice.

Comparing risk-prediction methods using administrative or clinical data in assessing excess in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To compare results of statistical process-control analyses of in-hospital deaths of patients with acute myocardial infarction by using either administrative or clinical data sources and prediction models, and to assess variation in results according to selected patient characteristics.

Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study comparing variable life-adjusted display (VLAD) curves derived by using administrative or clinical prediction models applied to a single patient sample.

Participants And Setting: Data from 467 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Queensland, between 1 July 2003 and 31 March 2006, with a coded discharge diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Analysis of complications following surgical treatment of benign parotid disease.

Background: The objective of the study was to study the incidence of, and risk factors for developing complications following parotidectomy for benign disease, to improve preoperative patient counselling and better inform future surgical management.

Methods: An 11-year retrospective review of 162 parotidectomies for benign disease, collecting and analysing data about presentation, investigations, surgical treatment, postoperative facial nerve function, Frey's syndrome and other surgical complications.

Results: The mean age at presentation was 58 years.

Identification and transcript analysis of a novel wallaby (Macropus eugenii) basal-like breast cancer cell line.

Background: A wide variety of animal models have been used to study human breast cancer. Murine, feline and canine mammary tumor cell lines have been studied for several decades and have been shown to have numerous aspects in common with human breast cancer. It is clear that new comparative approaches to study cancer etiology are likely to be productive.

Genomewide analysis of secretory activation in mouse models.

Mouse models have been widely used to elucidate the biology of mammary gland development and secretory activation. Recent advances in the availability of genomic resources for mice will generate a renewed effort to define the genetic basis of lactation phenotypes and help identify candidate gene pathways. Specific aspects of these advances are relevant to the dairy industry and may provide a rationale for improving milk production in the dairy cow.

The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on behavioural responses of captive female hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas).

Female hormonal contraception is considered here as an alternative to vasectomy for population control in social groups of captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). While female hormonal contraceptive methods have been successful, behavioural effects of such agents represent a potential welfare concern. This study examined the effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; 3.

Quality-of-life effect of tonsillectomy in a young adult group.

Background: To examine the quality of life after tonsillectomy in a young adult group with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Methods: Retrospective survey of patients aged 15-25 years who underwent tonsillectomy for chronic or recurrent tonsillitis in 2002 or 2003. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory was mailed to patients who were selected from two private general otolaryngology practices.

Analysis of the expression of immunoglobulins throughout lactation suggests two periods of immune transfer in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

Marsupial young are born in an under-developed state without mature immune responses. Prior to the maturation of an immune system, marsupial young are heavily reliant upon immune factors secreted in the milk to defend them against potential microbial pathogens in the environment. In this study, we identified and characterized the immunoglobulin heavy chain constant regions, light chains, polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), J chain, neonatal Fc receptor (alpha chain) (FcRn) and the chemokine CCL28 from the model marsupial species, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: retrospective study of a renal replacement therapy cohort.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare the frequency of administration and cumulative dose of gadolinium-based contrast agent in dialysis-dependent patients who did and those who did not develop nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Materials And Methods: The ethics committees granted exempt status for this study and also waived the need for informed consent. A retrospective analysis was performed of all adult patients undergoing dialysis in the west of Scotland between January 1, 2000, and July 1, 2006.

Hypoxia-driven elimination of thiopurines from their nitrobenzyl prodrugs.

A novel bioreductive prodrug of 6-thioguanine, 2-amino-6-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-ylsulfanyl]-9H-purine, containing a gem-dimethyl thioether linkage, was synthesised and compared with its unsubstituted analogue. In A549 whole cell experiments hypoxia selective release of 6-thioguanine was observed with the substituted prodrug only.

A primary assembly of a bovine haplotype block map based on a 15,036-single-nucleotide polymorphism panel genotyped in holstein-friesian cattle.

Analysis of data on 1000 Holstein-Friesian bulls genotyped for 15,036 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has enabled genomewide identification of haplotype blocks and tag SNPs. A final subset of 9195 SNPs in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and mapped on autosomes on the bovine sequence assembly (release Btau 3.1) was used in this study.

Complete tracheal stenosis following percutaneous tracheostomy.

Percutaneous tracheostomy is an effective method of airway management in the critically ill patient, avoiding an open exposure of the trachea. This method is time and cost-efficient and is used in many intensive care units. However, we would like to draw attention to one serious potential complication of this technique.

Gastroprotective strategies among NSAID users: guidelines for appropriate use in chronic illness.

Objective: To review proper use of gastroprotective strategies in family medicine for patients requiring chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy.

Quality Of Evidence: Evidence of the efficacy and safety of strategies currently in use (prostaglandin analogues, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors) is derived from randomized controlled trials (level I evidence). The simultaneous use of multiple medications for very high-risk NSAID users is supported only by expert opinion (level III evidence).

Synthesis and biological properties of bioreductively targeted nitrothienyl prodrugs of combretastatin A-4.

Nitrothienylprop-2-yl ether formation on the 3'-phenolic position of combretastatin A-4 (1) abolishes the cytotoxicity and tubulin polymerization-inhibitory effects of the drug. 5-Nitrothiophene derivatives of 1 were synthesized following model kinetic studies with analogous coumarin derivatives, and of these, compound 13 represents a promising new lead in bioreductively targeted cytotoxic anticancer therapies. In this compound, optimized gem-dimethyl alpha-carbon substitution enhances both the aerobic metabolic stability and the efficiency of hypoxia-mediated drug release.

Validation of endogenous reference genes for expression profiling of RAW264.7 cells infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis by quantitative PCR.

Reference genes are frequently used to normalize between different biological samples the levels of mRNA measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression level of many commonly used reference genes has been shown to vary between tissues or cells, or following exposure to various treatments including infection with microbes. The selection of an appropriate reference gene for an individual experiment is therefore a crucial step in the process of accurately determining changes in gene expression.

Linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 6 in Australian Holstein-Friesian cattle.

We analysed linkage disequilibrium (LD) in Australian Holstein-Friesian cattle by genotyping a sample of 45 bulls for 15 closely-spaced microsatellites on two regions of BTA6 reported to carry important QTL for dairy traits. The order and distance of markers were based on the USDA-MARC linkage map. Frequencies of haplotypes were estimated using the E-M approach and a more computationally-intensive Bayesian approach as implemented in PHASE.

Effect of seminal plasma fractions from entire and vasectomized rams on the motility characteristics, membrane status, and in vitro fertility of ram spermatozoa.

Whole seminal plasma from ram semen collected before and after vasectomy was separated into 2 fractions, supernatant and pellet of vesicles, and their protein profiles characterized by one-dimensional (1D) gel electrophoresis. The effects of autologous whole seminal plasma and these fractions on motility characteristics (assessed subjectively and by computer-assisted sperm analysis), membrane status (assessed by chlortetracycline staining patterns), and in vitro fertility (assessed by fertilization success and timing of fertilization events) of washed frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa were studied. Regardless of vasectomy, whole seminal plasma and supernatant displayed similar protein patterns.