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A dog from Paris (France) was referred with a 2-week history of dry cough, intermittent acute onset of dyspnoea, and acute abdominal pain. A generalised bronchoalveolar infiltrate with a patchy distribution was observed at chest x-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans. Negative results were obtained through several faecal examinations for cardiorespiratory nematodes by using the Baermann technique and at two blood analysis with a commercially available test for the detection of A. vasorum antigen (the first one at the first visit and second one at the control visit, one month later). PCR methods for the identification of A. vasorum and C. vulpis were also accomplished. At the control visit, nematode L1s were found during direct microscopic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Thus, a different antigen-based assay for the detection of A. vasorum was performed with a positive result. Moreover, based on morphology, isolated larvae were identified as Filaroides hirthi. The dog was treated with fenbendazole (50 mg/kg per os once daily) for two consecutive weeks. After five months, the dog was referred again for the intermittent acute onset of dyspnoea and was found to be still positive for F. hirthi larvae at BALF examination. A 15-day treatment regimen with fenbendazole in combination with three subcutaneous injections of ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg, once every two weeks), was then performed. No larvae were detected at two BALF microscopical examinations performed one month apart. Results from this case report underline the importance of including F. hirthi infections in the differential diagnosis of dog bronchopneumonia.

Rationale: Dopamine is important for enabling organisms to overcome work-related response costs. One way of investigating this function has been with concurrent choice procedures using food reinforcement. In the present study, rats were given a choice between pressing a lever for preferred Bioserve pellets, or approaching and consuming a less-preferred laboratory chow that was concurrently available. In previous work with this task, dopamine antagonists and accumbens dopamine depletions decreased lever pressing but increased chow consumption. Objective: The present study assessed three drugs (two dopamine antagonists and one appetite suppressant) using the lever pressing/chow feeding task. Results: Under baseline conditions, rats pressed the lever at high rates (1,300–1,500 responses) to obtain the preferred food, and little of the laboratory chow was eaten (1–2 g). Selective D1 and D2 antagonists (SKF 83566 and raclopride) reduced fixed ratio 5 lever pressing, but substantially increased chow consumption. In contrast, the serotonergic appetite suppressant fenfluramine reduced both lever pressing and chow consumption. With the dopamine antagonists, lever pressing and chow consumption were inversely correlated across treatments, while these two measures were unrelated in the fenfluramine experiment. Conclusions: Dopamine antagonists and accumbens dopamine depletions do not simply reduce appetite. Rats with accumbens dopamine depletions, or rats treated with low doses of selective or non-selective dopamine antagonists, remain directed toward the acquisition and consumption of food. These results demonstrate that fundamental aspects of food reinforcement are left intact after treatment with low doses of dopamine antagonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the paper "Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Hip Fracture Patients," by G. Iolascon et al. is presented.

Background: Dorsomedian nasopharyngeal masses with benign macroscopic appearance are frequently observed during retrograde nasopharyngoscopy, particularly in brachycephalic breeds, but are not well described., Hypothesis/objectives: To characterize these masses, assess their frequency, and identify the potential factors associated with their presence., Animals: Dogs that underwent retrograde nasopharyngoscopy at a private hospital., Methods: Medical records between November 2019 and October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs were included if suitable nasopharynx images were available for review. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with these masses., Results: One-hundred ninety-eight dogs met the inclusion criteria of which 47.9% (95/198) had a dorsal nasopharyngeal mass. The masses measured <10%, 10%-30%, and >30% of the nasopharyngeal height in 64.2% (61/95), 28.4% (27/95), and 7.4% (7/95) of cases, respectively. Univariable analysis identified associations between the presence of a nasopharyngeal mass and several factors: brachycephalic conformation (P < .001), sleep disturbances (P = .04), presence of laryngeal collapse (P = .01), and aberrant caudal turbinates (P = .04). However, according to the multivariable analysis, only the association between the presence of a mass and brachycephalic conformation was significant (odds ratio = 2.3 [1.1; 5.0], P = .03)., Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Dorsomedian nasopharyngeal masses were common in the studied dog population. These masses are mostly small and have the same appearance across breeds. Brachycephalic conformation appears to be associated with the presence of a mass., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Background and Aims: Stroke patients may exhibit low thyroid hormone (TH) levels and disease-related malnutrition, both potentially affecting clinical status; their relationships remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate TH concentrations in subacute stroke patients and investigate the relationships between TH levels, nutritional risk, and functional status., Methods and Results: Early subacute stroke patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit were assessed using various nutritional screening tools (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index-GNRI, Prognostic Nutritional Index-PNI, and Controlling Nutritional Status-CONUT score) and with the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), free Tetraiodothyronine-Thyroxine (fT4) and free Triiodothyronine (fT3) levels were determined. Functional and cognitive status was evaluated using different scales. Associations between altered THs and nutritional status were examined through univariate/multivariate analyses and ROC analyses. Among 264 patients (age 72.0 ± 10.5 yrs), significant correlations emerged between fT3 and nutritional risk and functional tests (mostly p < 0.001). The prevalence of high nutritional risk determined by GNRI, PNI and CONUT increased from higher to lower fT3 tertiles. Lower fT3 levels were observed in patients at high nutritional risk and with GLIM-based malnutrition. fT3 exhibited reasonable predictive power for high nutritional risk (particularly PNI: AUC 0.769, 95%CI 0.702-0.836, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression identified nutritional risk (p < 0.001) and time from stroke onset as predictors of low fT3 values., Conclusion: Altered fT3 levels in early subacute stroke patients correlate with high nutritional risk and poor functional status. Low fT3 values upon admission for stroke rehabilitation may serve as a further parameter to be considered in patients at high nutritional risk., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Trichuris vulpis is a parasite of the large intestine of canids and has a global distribution. Despite its well-established epidemiology, the question of its pathogenicity in dogs remains debated. It has been suggested that younger age and concurrent infection with Ancylostoma caninum may be responsible for more severe clinical presentations. This retrospective study aimed to describe the clinical and diagnostic features of T. vulpis -infected dogs and to compare these findings with dogs infected with both T. vulpis and other intestinal parasites (poly-infected dogs). Forty-five dogs were included, with twenty-five being solely infected by T. vulpis and twenty poly-infected dogs. Only weight loss was more frequent ( p = 0.006) in poly-infected dogs compared to T. vulpis mono-infected dogs. No significant differences were observed in laboratory abnormalities between mono-infected and poly-infected dogs. Only diarrhea was more frequent ( p = 0.007) in younger dogs compared to adults. The egg shedding pattern was significantly higher ( p = 0.04) among adult dogs compared to young ones, and there was a significant positive correlation between egg shedding and age (r = 0.41; p = 0.005). These findings suggest that T. vulpis might be responsible for both clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities in dogs, irrespective of the host's age and the presence of other intestinal parasites.

Considering that malnutrition (undernutrition) is common in stroke patients and may negatively impact body function, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between nutritional risk and functional status in stroke patients at admission to a rehabilitation unit. Nutritional risk was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Functional status was assessed using the Barthel Index, the modified Rankin Scale, the Trunk Control Test and the Sitting Balance Scale, and cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and D-dimer were also evaluated as established prognostic biomarkers. Stroke patients (n = 245; age 69.7 ± 12.8 years; 47%, women; 82% ischemic stroke) at admission to a rehabilitation unit were included in this study. A high prevalence of nutritional risk was detected with each tool and was found to be greater using the GNRI and in patients aged ≥75 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age and dysphagia were independent predictors of high nutritional risk. High risk groups performed worse on all functional tests compared to the low-risk groups ( p < 0.05). Nutritional risk with each tool was associated with functional and cognitive statuses (with the highest correlation being with the Trunk Control Test). Significant associations were also found with C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and D-dimer. In conclusion, a high nutritional risk, as evaluated with the GNRI, the PNI and the CONUT score, was detected in stroke patients at admission to a rehabilitation unit. High nutritional risk was associated with functional status and with predictors of clinical outcomes (and specifically in older patients).

Standard visual urine dipstick analysis (UDA) is performed routinely in veterinary medicine; results can be influenced by both the operator and the method. We evaluated the agreement of results for canine and feline urine samples analyzed using a 10-patch dipstick (Multistix10SG; Siemens), both visually under double-anonymized conditions by students and a laboratory technician, and with an automated device (AD; Clinitek Status, Siemens). The mean concordance for semiquantitative urinalysis results between students and the technician and between students and the AD was fair (κ0.21-0.40) in dogs and cats; concordance was moderate between the technician and the AD (κ0.41-0.60) in dogs and good (κ0.61-0.80) in cats. For pH, the mean concordance between students and the technician and between the technician and the AD was good (ρ0.80-0.92) in dogs and cats; concordance was good between students and the AD (ρ0.80-0.92) in dogs and moderate (ρ0.59-0.79) in cats. Repeatability was higher ( p  < 0.001) for the technician and the AD than for a student. We found good agreement between UDA performed by an experienced operator and an AD in dogs and cats but found low reproducibility and low repeatability for urinalysis performed by an inexperienced operator.

Objective: To report a case of rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria following single induction dose of propofol in a dog., Case Summary: A 5-year-old intact male Shih-Tzu dog was presented for pigmenturia occurring a few hours following anesthesia for comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment. After premedication with IV diazepam (0.5 mg/kg), anesthesia was induced with IV propofol (4 mg/kg) and maintained with isoflurane vaporized in oxygen. A few hours following recovery from anesthesia, the dog developed rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria associated with increased serum alanine aminotransferase and C-reactive protein concentrations, as well as mild hypokalemia and euglycemic glycosuria. Approximately 48 hours after IV fluid therapy, the dog was clinically normal, and myoglobinuria progressively resolved., New or Unique Information Provided: This is the first case description of rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria following a single dose of injectable propofol., (© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2022.)

Single institutional review board (IRB) review of multisite research increased in frequency over a decade ago with a proliferation of master IRB reliance agreements supporting statewide and regional consortia and disease- and population-specific networks. Although successful, the increasing number of agreements presented significant challenges and illuminated potential benefits of a single, nationwide agreement. Anticipated changes in federal regulations highlighted the need to systematize and simplify IRB reliance. To address these challenges, the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences funded a project to establish a national IRB reliance network that would support national adoption of single IRB (sIRB) review. The Streamlined, Multisite, Accelerated Resources for Trials (SMART) IRB Platform launched in July 2016 to facilitate dissemination, adoption, and implementation of a collaboratively developed master IRB reliance agreement and supportive tools and resources. More than 580 institutions have joined SMART IRB's Master Common Reciprocal Institutional Review Board Authorization Agreement and begun using the SMART IRB platform to support sIRB arrangements. Here, we describe the tenets of the agreement and operational benefits and challenges of its use. SMART IRB's early success affirms the utility of collaborative, flexible, and centralized approaches to supporting sIRB review while highlighting the need for further national harmonization., (© The Association for Clinical and Translational Science 2019.)

Prevalence and species composition of intestinal parasites were evaluated in dogs affected by high-grade multicentric lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy and in control healthy dogs. Obtained data were statistically analyzed. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 33.3%. In lymphoma dogs, the prevalence of protozoa infections (46.7%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of helminth infections (6.7%) and Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Neospora caninum, Cystoisospora ohioensis-complex, Entamoeba sp. and Spirocerca lupi were identified. In the control group, only 3/15 dogs (20%) were found positive and no statistically significant differences emerged regarding helminth (hookworms and Toxocara canis) and protozoa (G. duodenalis) infections. Results from this study may suggest a potential higher prevalence of opportunistic intestinal protozoa, including some potentially zoonotic species, in dogs affected by high-grade multicentric lymphoma, emphasizing the need to monitor lymphoma-affected dogs for these protozoa, especially those undergoing chemotherapy., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus are important causes of potentially life-threatening diseases in several animal species and humans. Angiostrongylus vasorum affects the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary arteries in dogs, red foxes and other carnivores. The diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis may be challenging due to the wide spectrum of clinical signs. Ocular manifestations have been seldom reported but have serious implications for patients., Methods: The clinical history of three cases of infection with A. vasorum in dogs diagnosed in UK, France and Italy, was obtained from clinical records provided by the veterinary surgeons along with information on the diagnostic procedures and treatment. Nematodes collected from the eyes of infected dogs were morphologically identified to the species level and molecularly analysed by the amplification of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene., Results: On admission, the dogs were presented with various degrees of ocular discomfort and hyphema because of the presence of a motile object in the eye. The three patients had ocular surgery during which nematodes were removed and subsequently morphologically and molecularly identified as two adult males and one female of A. vasorum., Conclusions: Three new cases of canine ocular angiostrongylosis are reported along with a review of other published clinical cases to improve the diagnosis and provide clinical recommendation for this parasitic condition. In addition, the significance of migratory patterns of larvae inside the host body is discussed. Veterinary healthcare workers should include canine angiostrongylosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular diseases.

Background: The prevalence of IgE reactivity against genuine walnut and hazelnut allergens is poorly defined., Objective: The IgE response to walnut and hazelnut was investigated in Italian patients with primary allergy to these nuts., Methods: Sera from 36 patients allergic to hazelnut and/or walnut, not reactive to PR-10, profilin, and LTP, underwent immunoblot analysis with extracts of both nuts., Results: Most patients had a history of systemic symptoms following the ingestion of the offending food(s). Twelve patients were sensitized to both walnut and hazelnut, and 13 were sensitized to other nuts and seeds (cashew, peanut, sesame, pine nut, almond, Brazil nut, and pistachio). On walnut immunoblot, the 7 sera which scored positive showed much variability in their IgE profile. Two reacted uniquely at 10 kDa, and the others at 35 , 40, 45, 50, 67, and > 67 kDa. The profiles obtained under reducing and non-reducing conditions showed several differences. The 7 sera positive on hazelnut immunoblot under reducing conditions recognized sera at 10 kDa and at <10 kDa (n=1), 20 kDa (n=4), at about 22, 24, 30, 40, 43, 58, 60, and 90 kDa, and higher m.w. in other cases. Under non-reducing conditions IgE reactivity at 20, 28, 35, 40, 45, 60, 90, and 100 kDa, was detected. Only two sera scored positive under both conditions and showed an IgE profile that partly changed from one assay to another., Conclusion: The current list of walnut and hazelnut allergens is far from being complete. Both reducing and non-reducing conditions are needed to detect IgE reactivity in individual patients.

Hip fractures most frequently occur in the elderly population. They are mainly caused by falls from standing position. The presence of several comorbidities, in particular neuropsychiatric disorders, are related to high percentages of falls, disability and mortality rates. Delirium and depression are the two most common mental disorders in this population.Delirium is strongly related to an increase of functional limitation in activities of daily living, a decline in walking autonomy, and a higher rate of nursing home placement or death. A multi-factorial intervention program, consisting of oxygen supplementation, intravenous fluid supplementation and extra-nutrition, accurate monitoring of vital signs, adequate pain treatment, daily delirium screening, reduction in drug use, and modification in peri-operative management, should always be performed in good clinical practice.Patients who undergo surgery frequently experience depression that can worsening functional outcome. An early detection and an adequate intervention based on psychological support and pharmacological treatment can give good results.We propose a simple flow chart for the management of elderly hip fracture patients that should be used in both Orthopaedics and Rehabilitative settings.

Genotype-phenotype association studies often require investigators to collaborate across institutions and research disciplines. However, the relevant data are often inaccessible, heterogeneous, and difficult to correlate. Our query aggregator allows an investigator to compose a query, broadcast it to Autism Consortium databases and aggregate the query results in near-real-time. This collaborative infrastructure enables integrative investigations across disciplines, institutions and modalities, and may drive new hypotheses for the genetic basis of disease.

Blood lymphocyte subset evaluation was performed before after oral challenge with 10 mg of Ni, in 9 healthy women and in 15 allergic to Ni. Following challenge, 7 allergic showed a flare up of eczema and/or urticaria. In the controls, CD4+ lymphocytes were modified 24 hours after Ni challenge: CD4+/CD44RO- "virgin" cells were reduced while CD4+/CD45RO+ "memory" cells increased. The allergic women, not sensitive to oral Ni, showed an increase of B lymphocytes after the test. On the contrary, the oral Ni reacting patients presented a reduction of monocytes 4 hours after Ni ingestion and marked reduction (ranging from 20 to 50%) of T and B lymphocytes after 24 hours. These significant T and B lymphocytes changes suggest a migration of the cells in peripheral tissues, likely skin and GUT mucosa.

Lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in 31 men working in a plant producing plastic materials in relation with control groups of similar age and smoking habit. 8 workers (group A) were exposed to solvents (mainly methylethylketone and dimethylformamide), 8 men (group B) to dust containing particles of calcium carbonate, polyvinylchloride, phtalates, unsaturated oils, paraffin wax, iron oxides, titanium bioxides, barium, zinc and lead and 15 men (group C), working in the same department as group B, were studied after a period of 16 months during which lead chromate was employed in the preparation of colors. The lymphocyte subpopulations were normal in group A, while in B there was a significant increase of HLA-DR + cells (monocytes, B and activated T lymphocytes). In group C, T helper/inducer lymphocytes (mainly CD4(+)-CD45RO- "virgin" lymphocytes), CD19+ B lymphocytes, CD3-HLADR+ and CD3-CD25+ (activated B lymphocytes and monocytes) were significantly reduced without changes of serum IgM, IgG and IgA. Highly significant correlation was found between B lymphocytes (reduced in the workers about 40%) and CD4(+)-CD45R0+ "memory" lymphocytes (reduced about 20%). Moreover, blood lead (correlated with urinary chromium) showed a highly significant negative correlation with the B lymphocytes. This study demonstrates that combined exposure to toxic agents produces specific modifications in the lymphocyte subsets without changes in immunoglobulins and confirms the results of previous researches showing that the exposure to lead or chromate induces reduction of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.

In six subjects with intrinsic asthma in clinical remission, time-structure of ventilatory parameters has been evaluated in order to evaluate: 1) which indexes present statistically significant circadian fluctuations; 2) if phase-shifts occur in comparison with normal subjects. After a period of synchronization of 7 days (L/D: 07.30-23.00; meal timing at 08.00, 13.00 and 20.30) all subjects have been studied by spirometry, flow-volume loop and Raw determination 6 times in a 24-hr period at constant intervals of 4 hrs. The results have been evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic analysis statistical significant fluctuations have been shown in these functional indexes: MEF50, Raw, SRaw, SGaw, FRC and RV; no phase-shifts occurred in comparison with normal subjects. On the contrary a circadian rhythm has not been shown in FVC, FEV1, and PEF. Therefore only the effort-independent test should be used to study correctly the bronchial tone.

The aim of the investigation was to demonstrate the existence of cyclic variations of bronchial tone, correlated with the increase of vagal tone during nocturnal hours and with the increase of adrenergic tone in the late morning and afternoon. Twenty-five healthy subjects were tested, utilizing forced expiration curve (V/V loop), Raw and SGaw. We did not detect a statistically significant rhythm for FVC, FEV1, PEF, because they are effort-dependent parameters. On the contrary, we demonstrated significant fluctuations for V max50, FEF25.75 (acrophase in the later morning and early afternoon), for Raw (acrophase in late evening) and for SGaw (Acrophase in antiphase with Raw); these parameters are effort-independent as well as direct and sensitive indexes of the tone of peripheral and central airways.

We had intended to study functional respiratory patterns of a sponge-divers group from the Island of Kalymnos (Greece). Such a group constitutes a very homogeneous sample for dietary habits and underwater activity, handed down from father to son. Some of these sponge-divers dives holding his breath; others use "narghilè", a special apparatus consisting in a nosepiece connected to an air compressor placed in the boat. As their activity is continuative and prolonged for several months in the years with repeated dives from dawn to dusk, and because air output of narghilè is nearly constant, it is possible to deduce that in these subjects functional respiratory modifications are occurred. After evaluated three groups (skindivers, narghilè-divers and control-group) we didn't notice any particular change of static and dynamic pulmonary volumes. Only Expiratory Reserve Volume is higher in spite to Knudson's values; this is probably due to psychological and emotional factors.