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Abstract Background TRACK (Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids) questionnaire is an instrument developed and validated in English to evaluate the control of respiratory symptoms in children under 5 years of age. Objective To validate the Portuguese version of the TRACK questionnaire. Methods The validation was done in an observational, prospective and multicenter evaluation (six centers in Brazil) in children with recurrent respiratory symptoms. Children were classified according to symptoms, GINA criteria and medical evaluation. Parents and doctors rated child respiratory symptom control in the last month (VAS). Approval from the Institutional Review Board was obtained in each centre, and written informed consent was obtained from parents. Results Data from 299 children were obtained at baseline, and 195 at follow-up. The median score of the TRACK questionnaire was 65 and Cronbach’s α was 0.70. TRACK scores showed significant correlation with the medical and family opinions about symptom control (r: 0.74 and r: 0.61). TRACK scores were significantly lower in children who had used systemic steroids (median [IQR]: 45 [30–65] vs 75 [55–80]; p

To evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in reducing gingivitis following professional dental prophylaxis in dogs in a prospective, randomly controlled, double-blind study. The study included 47 dogs (male n = 23, female n = 24), with a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.6 years and a bodyweight of 28.9 ± 5.3 kg. Breeds included: Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs (n = 23), German Shepherd Dogs (n = 14), Labrador Retriever (n = 4), and Dutch Shepherd Dogs (n = 3). The left side of the mouth was treated by performing dental prophylaxis (control group). The right side received dental prophylaxis and a single session of PBMT using a Class IV therapeutic laser (treatment group). Each side was graded individually for periodontal disease (PD), gingivitis, and calculus. Follow-up observations were conducted on days 1, 3, 8, and 15 post-treatment. Results were compared using a Mann-Whitney Test. Multiple regression was run to predict PD, gingivitis, and calculus scores using age, sex, and breed. A p < .05 was considered significant. The PBMT group (PG) showed significantly lower gingivitis scores from day 1 to 15 post-treatment. PD had an increasing prevalence with age. Age and breed contributed to the prediction of PD, gingivitis, and calculus grading. This study showed that PBMT significantly reduced the grade of gingivitis following dental prophylaxis, and may be a useful adjuvant procedure following dental prophylaxis.

To describe the weight-bearing compensation in working dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA), 50 police working dogs were evaluated with a weight distribution platform at the initial evaluation and after intra-articular treatment (a negative control - 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl), a platelet concentrate, Hylan G-F 20, triamcinolone hexacetonide or stanozolol). Six evaluation sessions were performed, over a 180-day period. Results were compared by breed, age, sex, weight and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip grade scores with the Independent Samples T-Test, repeated samples Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient, P < .05. Animals had a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.2kg. No significant differences were observed when comparing weight-bearing for different breeds, sex, hip grades or weight during the initial evaluation. Significant differences were observed in deviation (P < .01) and symmetry index (P < .01) between the control and treatment groups during the follow-up period. A weight shift from pelvic to thoracic limbs was observed, with a weak, although a significant, correlation between a pelvic limb and the opposing contralateral thoracic limb. Labrador Retrievers showed higher symmetry index and deviation from normal values during the follow-up period than German Shepherd Dogs and Dutch Shepherd Dogs. Male dogs also showed higher symmetry index and deviation compared with females. At this period, the symmetry index showed a weak, although significant, correlation with body weight. Weight-bearing of all limbs correlated with the remaining limbs, reflecting a more balanced weight distribution than the initial evaluation. The weight distribution platform can be used to evaluate patients, at the initial presentation and during the assessment of response to treatment., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)