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The high complication rate of total elbow replacement in dogs may be due to failure to align implants with the axis of rotation (AOR) of the joint as seen in people. This study aimed to define the AOR in normal and diseased elbow joints in dogs. CT scans of 9 dogs’ forelegs with unilateral fragmented medial coronoid process (healthy legs served as control) were converted into 3D models and uploaded into the implant design program. A system of axes was embedded in the humeral condyle of all models. Four spheres were generated using the contours of the subchondral bone of the radius, ulna, trochlea, and capitulum. A circle was generated using the depression between the capitulum and trochlea. Four axes were generated using pairs of geometric shapes. Medial and lateral images showing the exit locations of the axes were captured and imported into ImageJ. Distances from the origin of the system of axes (OSOA) to the location where each axis exited the medial and lateral cortex, of healthy and pathologic joints, were measured and compared. In normal joints, the location of the AOR was cranial and distal to the (OSOA) on both sides of the humeral condyle. The size of the area on the medial and lateral aspect of the humeral condyle was 4.5 mm x 6.6 mm (lateral) and 4.3 mm x 7.7 mm (medial), respectively. The AOR of the elbow joint can be defined relative to landmarks on the humeral condyle. Described landmarks may facilitate accurate and consistent placement of elbow implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirocerca lupi (S. lupi) has a worldwide distribution. Aberrant nematode migration occurs to various organs and might cause thrombi, which obstruct the tributaries of the mesenteric arteries, causing local ischemia, intestinal segmental necrosis and subsequently peritonitis. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and clinico-pathologic parameters of dogs presenting with septic peritonitis associated with aberrant S. lupi migration (SL) and those with septic peritonitis of other gastrointestinal causes (SP). Records of dogs diagnosed with septic peritonitis associated with aberrant S. lupi migration and dogs with septic peritonitis due to other gastrointestinal (GI) causes during 2017-2020 were reviewed 46 dogs were included in this study, 21 dogs in the SL group and 25 dogs SP group. Eosinophils in the abdominal effusion were more common in the SL compared with the SP group (11/14 vs 0/15 dogs, respectively, P=0.001). Abdominal fluid total solids were also significantly higher in the SL compared to the SP group (5.2 g/dL, [3.0-7.0], vs. 3.4 g/dL, [2.0-5.0], respectively P=0.03). Median hospitalization time was significantly longer in the SL compared with SP group (3.5 days vs. 2.8 days, respectively; P=0.001). The Survival rate was significantly higher in the SL group compared to the SP dogs (17/19 dogs [90%], vs. 13/24 [54%], respectively; P=0.019). Presence of eosinophils and high TS in the abdominal effusion is highly suggestive S. lupi associated peritonitis. Although S. lupi associated septic peritonitis requires carries a favorable outcome, intensive care and long hospitalization might be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund  Mehrere Studien haben ergeben, dass Psychiater im Vergleich zu Psychologen negativere Einstellungen gegenüber Patienten mit Schizophrenie haben. Dies wirft die Frage auf, in welcher Weise unterschiedliche Krankheitsmodelle und Kontakterfahrungen die Einstellungen des Fachpersonals beeinflussen. Stichprobe und Methoden  Implizite und explizite Einstellungen, bisherige Kontakterfahrungen mit Personen mit Schizophrenie sowie subjektive Krankheitsmodelle der Schizophrenie wurden bei 60 Medizin- und 61 Psychologiestudenten erhoben. Ergebnisse  Medizin- sowie Psychologiestudenten wiesen ein hohes Maß an negativen Einstellungen auf. Kontakterfahrungen waren bei Medizinstudenten mit einem geringeren, bei Psychologiestudenten mit einem größeren Ausmaß an Vorurteilen assoziiert. Positivere Einstellungen waren bei Medizinstudenten mit biogenetischen und bei Psychologiestudenten mit psychosozialen Krankheitsmodellen verbunden. Schlussfolgerung  Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die Notwendigkeit zielgruppenspezifischer Antistigmakampagnen und weisen auf eine Überlegenheit multifaktorieller gegenüber monokausaler Ätiologiemodelle bei der Reduktion von Stereotypen hin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and purpose  Cerebral microdialysis is an invasive monitoring tool allowing analysis of various substances derived from the extracellular space in brain tissue such as glutamate, glycerol, lactate, and pyruvate. In order to assess the potential effects of hemicraniectomy, hypothermia and conservative therapy on these substances, we used neurochemical monitoring with microdialysis in large human stroke patients. Methods  This is an open, prospective observational study in 24 patients with large MCA infarction undergoing either hypothermia (33°C), hemicraniectomy, or maximum conservative therapy. Microdialysis probe placement was aimed at the peri-infarct tissue within 24 h after stroke onset. Glutamate, glycerol, pyruvate, and lactate were analyzed every 60 min. Measurements of two consecutive days were pooled for statistical analysis. Results  Average glutamate concentrations in patients treated with hemicraniectomy (5.3 ± 0.5 μmol/l, P n = 6) and hypothermia (14.5 ± 3.6 μmol/l, P n = 14) were significantly lower than in conservatively treated patients (68.3 ± 5.2 μmol/l; n = 4). Glycerol concentration was significantly lower in patients treated by hypothermia (111 ± 17 μmol/l; P P  Conclusion  Microdialysis allows bed-side monitoring of neuroprotective effects of stroke rescue therapies such as hypothermia and hemicraniectomy. Rescue of peri-infarct tissue and/or prevention of secondary ischemic injury could be associated with a lower mortality in invasively treated patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus with worldwide distribution. Primary infection with EBV occurs early in life and typically presents as infectious mononucleosis. The usual course of the disease is benign and most patients recover uneventfully. Severe infections are reported particularly in immunocompromised patients. Mild, asymptomatic pneumonitis is reported in about 5–10% of cases of infectious mononucleosis, but severe pneumonitis with hypoxemia is very rare in immunocompetent individuals. We report a young female adolescent in whom an acute EBV infection led to severe bilateral pneumonitis, a systemic inflammatory response and intracerebral bleeding. The clinical course and results of quantitative viral DNA determinations in plasma are presented.Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of poly(A)-binding protein is regulated at the translational level. We have investigated the binding of proteins to this mRNA on the premise that the protein(s) of the mRNP complex may be involved in regulating the expression of the mRNA. We found the first 243 nucleotides of the 5' untranslated region to contain sequences essential for RNP formation. A large, single-stranded bulge structure encompassing stretches rich in adenine nucleotides and a potential stem-loop domain appear to be the primary sites for protein binding. Removal of the 243-nucleotide segment results in a drastic reduction in protein binding and a concomitant increase in translational efficiency in vitro. We suggest that proteins binding to this region, including poly(A)-binding protein itself, may be essential for regulating translation of this mRNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To report both the efficacy and safety of interferon-α-2a (IFN-α) therapy in corticodependent uveitis of paediatric Behçets disease (BD). Methods. Data from seven children affected with corticodependent uveitis of BD and treated with IFN-α were reviewed retrospectively. IFN-α was injected sub-cutaneously thrice a week at dosages of 1.5–3 Mons IU according to the childrens weight. Efficacy was judged on the ability of IFN-α to induce a corticosteroid (CS)-sparing effect while maintaining remission. All adverse events (AE) were recorded. Results. The children included four boys and three girls. Mean age at onset of uveitis was 8.6 yrs and mean follow-up duration was 7.14 yrs. All children had a high level of corticodependence and five of them received additional DMARDs. A remarkable CS-sparing effect with remission maintenance was achieved in 5 out of 7 patients after a mean period of 14.6 months of IFN-α administration. The remission was sustained in four of the five patients (mean = 4.8 yrs), even after IFN-α was discontinued in three of them. The other patient relapsed 1.5 yrs after IFN-α discontinuation. The last two patients faced early severe adverse events attributed to IFN-α: retinal venous thrombosis and major depression. Conclusion. IFN-α has a potent CS-sparing effect in paediatric BD patients suffering from severe uveitis. However, the possibility of major side-effects with this treatment calls for careful monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporotic fractures can be a major cause of morbidity. It is important to determine the impact of fractures on health-related quality of life (HRQL). A total of 3,394 women and 1,122 men 50 years of age and older, who were recruited for the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos), participated in this cross-sectional study. Minimal trauma fractures of the hip, pelvis, spine, lower body (included upper and lower leg, knee, ankle, and foot), upper body (included arm, elbow, sternum, shoulder, and clavicle), wrist and hand (included forearm, hand, and finger), and ribs were studied. Participants with subclinical vertebral deformities were also examined. The Health Utilities Index Mark II and III Systems were used to assess HRQL. Past osteoporotic fractures varied in prevalence from 1.2% (pelvis) to 27.8% (lower body) in women and 0.3% (pelvis) to 29.3% (wrist) in men. Multivariate linear regression analyses [parameter estimates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI)] indicated that minimal trauma fractures were negatively associated with HRQL and that this relationship depends on fracture type and gender. The multi-attribute scores for the Mark II system were negatively related to hip (-0.05; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.01), lower body (-0.02; 95% CI: -0.03, -0.000), and subclinical vertebral fractures (-0.02; 95% CI: -0.03, -0.00) for women. The multi-attribute scores for the Mark III system were negatively related to hip (-0.09; 95% CI: -0.14, -0.03) and rib fractures (-0.06; 95% CI: -0.11, -0.00) for women, and rib fractures (-0.06; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.00) for men. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a negative association between osteoporotic fractures and quality of life in both women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene nanoribbons are fundamental components to the development of graphene nanoelectronics. At the nanoscale, electronic confinement effects and electronic edge states become essential to the properties of graphene. These effects depend critically on the ribbon width and the nature of the ribbon edge, the control of which at the atomic scale is a major challenge. Graphene nanoribbons have been largely studied theoretically, experimentally and with the perspective of electronic applications. We review the basic properties of graphene nanoribbons and recent progress in fabrication processes, focusing on the question of the electronic gap. We examine top–down and bottom–up approaches to fabricate graphene nanoribbons by lithographic, catalytic cutting, chemical assembly and epitaxial growth methods and compare their electronic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]