YouTube as a Source of Patient Information on External Cephalic Version: Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: With the global increase of cesarean deliveries, breech presentation is the third indication for elective cesarean delivery. Implementation of external cephalic version (ECV), in which the position of the baby is manipulated externally to prevent breech presentation at term, remains suboptimal. Increasing knowledge for caretakers and patients is beneficial in the uptake of ECV implementation. In recent decades, the internet has become the most important source of information for both patients and health care professionals. However, the use and availability of the internet also bring about concerns since the information is often not regulated or reviewed. Information needs to be understandable, correct, and easily obtainable for the patient. Owing to its global reach, YouTube has great potential to both hinder and support spreading medical information and can therefore be used as a tool for shared decision-making. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the available information on YouTube about ECV and assess the quality and usefulness of the information in the videos. METHODS: A YouTube search was performed with five search terms and the first 35 results were selected for analysis. A quality assessment scale was developed to quantify the accuracy of medical information of each video. The main outcome measure was the usefulness score, dividing the videos into useful, slightly useful, and not useful categories. The source of upload was divided into five subcategories and two broad categories of medical or nonmedical. Secondary outcomes included audience engagement, misinformation, and encouraging or discouraging ECV. RESULTS: Among the 70 videos, only 14% (n=10) were defined as useful. Every useful video was uploaded by educational channels or health care professionals and 80% (8/10) were derived from a medical source. Over half of the not useful videos were uploaded by birth attendants and vloggers. Videos uploaded by birth attendants scored the highest on audience engagement. The presence of misinformation was low across all groups. Two-thirds of the vloggers encouraged ECV to their viewers. CONCLUSIONS: A minor percentage of videos about ECV on YouTube are considered useful. Vloggers often encourage their audience to opt for ECV. Videos with higher audience engagement had a lower usefulness score compared to videos with lower audience engagement. Sources from medically accurate videos should cooperate with sources with high audience engagement to contribute to the uptake of ECV by creating more awareness and a positive attitude of the procedure, thereby lowering the chance for a cesarean delivery due to breech presentation at term.

The "Can Do, Do Do" Framework Applied to Assess the Association between Physical Capacity, Physical Activity and Prospective Falls, Subsequent Fractures, and Mortality in Patients Visiting the Fracture Liaison Service.

The "can do, do do" framework combines measures of poor and normal physical capacity (PC, measured by a 6 min walking test, can do/can't do) and physical activity (PA, measured by accelerometer, do do/don't do) into four domains and is able to categorize patient subgroups with distinct clinical characteristics, including fall and fracture risk factors. This study aims to explore the association between domain categorization and prospective fall, fracture, and mortality outcomes. This 6-year prospective study included patients visiting a Fracture Liaison Service with a recent fracture. Outcomes were first fall (at 3 years of follow-up, measured by fall diaries), first subsequent fracture, and mortality (at 6 years). Cumulative incidences of all three outcomes were calculated. The association between domain categorization and time to the three outcomes was assessed by uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis with the "can do, do do" group as reference. The physical performance of 400 patients with a recent fracture was assessed (mean age: 64 years; 70.8% female), of whom 61.5%, 20.3%, and 4.9% sustained a first fall, sustained a subsequent fracture, or had died. Domain categorization using the "can do, do do" framework was not associated with time to first fall, subsequent fracture, or mortality in the multivariate Cox regression analysis for all groups. "Can't do, don't do" group: hazard ratio [HR] for first fall: 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-1.23), first fracture HR: 0.58 (95% CI: 0.24-1.41), and mortality HR: 1.19 (95% CI: 0.54-6.95). Categorizing patients into a two-dimensional framework seems inadequate to study complex, multifactorial outcomes. A personalized approach based on known fall and fracture risk factors might be preferable.

Imminent fall risk after fracture.

RATIONALE: Adults with a recent fracture have a high imminent risk of a subsequent fracture. We hypothesise that, like subsequent fracture risk, fall risk is also highest immediately after a fracture. This study aims to assess if fall risk is time-dependent in subjects with a recent fracture compared to subjects without a fracture. METHODS: This retrospective matched cohort study used data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD. All subjects ≥50 years with a fracture between 1993 and 2015 were identified and matched one-to-one to fracture-free controls based on year of birth, sex and practice. The cumulative incidence and relative risk (RR) of a first fall was calculated at various time intervals, with mortality as competing risk. Subsequently, analyses were stratified according to age, sex and type of index fracture. RESULTS: A total of 624,460 subjects were included; 312,230 subjects with an index fracture, matched to 312,230 fracture-free controls (71% females, mean age 70 ± 12, mean follow-up 6.5 ± 5 years). The RR of falls was highest in the first year after fracture compared to fracture-free controls; males had a 3-fold and females a 2-fold higher risk. This imminent fall risk was present in all age and fracture types and declined over time. A concurrent imminent fracture and mortality risk were confirmed. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates an imminent fall risk in the first years after a fracture in all age and fracture types. This underlines the need for early fall risk assessment and prevention strategies in 50+ adults with a recent fracture.

Evidence-based practice strategies for faculty professional development in clinical translational research at Institutional Development Award (IDeA) state institutions in the Mountain West.

The Mountain West Clinical Translational Research - Infrastructure Network (MW CTR-IN), established in 2013, is a research network of 13 university partners located among seven Institutional Development Award (IDeA) states targeting health disparities. This is an enormous undertaking because of the size of the infrastructure network (encompassing a third of the US landmass and spanning four time zones in predominantly rural and underserved areas, with populations that have major health disparities issues). In this paper, we apply the barriers, strategies, and metrics to an adapted educational conceptual model by Fink (2013). Applying this model, we used four tailored approaches across this regional infrastructure network to: (1) assess individual faculty specific needs, (2) reach out and engage with faculty, (3) provide customized services to meet the situational needs of faculty, and (4) utilize a "closed communication feedback loop" between Professional Development (PD) core and MW CTR-IN faculty within the context of their home institutional environment. Summary statement results from participating faculty show that these approaches were positive. Grounded in best educational practice approaches, we have an opportunity to refine and build from this sound foundation with implications for future use in other CTR-IN networks and institutions in the IDeA states.

Effects of separated pair housing of female C57BL/6JRj mice on well-being.

In laboratory animal facilities, it is a common code of practice to house female mice in groups. However, some experimental conditions require to house them individually, even though social isolation may impair their well-being. Therefore, we introduced a separated pair housing system and investigated whether it can refine single housing of adult female C57BL/6JRj mice. Individually ventilated cages (IVC) were divided by perforated transparent walls to separate two mice within a cage. The cage divider allowed visual, acoustic, and olfactory contact between the mice but prevented interindividual body-contact or food sharing. Short- and long-term effects of the separated pair housing system on the well-being of the mice were compared with single and group housing using a range of behavioral and physiological parameters: Nest building behavior was assessed based on the complexity of nests, the burrowing performance was measured by the amount of food pellets removed from a bottle, and trait anxiety-related behavior was tested in the free exploratory paradigm. For the evaluation of the ease of handling, interaction with the experimenter's hand was monitored. Social interaction with unknown conspecifics and locomotor activity were investigated in a test arena. Moreover, body weight and stress hormone (metabolites) were measured in feces and hair. After the mice spent a day under the respective housing conditions, concentrations of fecal corticosterone metabolites were higher in separated pair-housed mice, and they built nests of a higher complexity when compared to single-housed mice. The latter effect was still observable eight weeks later. In week 8, separated pair-housed mice showed less locomotor activity in the social interaction arena compared to mice from the other housing systems, i.e., single and group housing. Regardless of the time of testing, pair housing improved the burrowing performance. Separated pair-housed mice were more difficult to catch than group-housed mice. Hair corticosterone, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations changed with increasing age independently of the housing system. There were no effects of the housing systems on trait anxiety-related behavior in the free exploratory paradigm, voluntary interaction with the experimenter's hand, and body weight. Overall, the transfer to the separated pair housing system caused short-term stress responses in female C57BL/6JRj mice. Long-term effects of separated pair housing were ambiguous. On one hand, separated pair housing increased nesting and burrowing behavior and may therefore be beneficial compared to single housing. But on the other hand, locomotor activity decreased. The study underlined that the effects of the housing conditions on physiological and behavioral parameters should be considered when analyzing and reporting animal experiments.

Prevalence of disorders in preweaned dairy calves from 731 dairies in Germany: A cross-sectional study.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of disorders in preweaned calves in 3 regions in Germany, exemplary for structural diversity in dairy farming. A farm visit was performed on a single occasion on 731 dairy farms in the northern, eastern, and southern regions of Germany between December 2016 and July 2019. Farms differed in herd size, geographical location, and management. In the northern region, the farms had a median of 90 milking cows and were often run as full-time family businesses, partly with external workers. The eastern region tended to have larger farms (a median of 251 milking cows), which were often large-scale agricultural enterprises with employees. In the southern region, the farms had a median of 39 milking cows and were often traditional family businesses, some of these being part-time businesses. Clinical examinations were performed on 14,164 preweaned dairy calves (median 12 calves per farm) by trained veterinarians. A complete data set was available for 13,656 calves. Almost half (42.0%) of the evaluated calves were classified as being affected by at least 1 of the common calf disorders. Omphalitis (O, 20.9%; n = 2,876) and diarrhea (D, 18.5%; n = 2,670) were the most frequently recorded diagnoses, whereas respiratory diseases (RD) were observed to a lesser extent (8.7%; n = 1,100). A striking feature was the fact that 7.1% (n = 987) of the calves were affected by more than 1 disorder at the same time (multimorbidity, M). The following combinations of disorders were frequently observed: O and D (n = 596), O and RD (n = 164), and D and RD (n = 140). Disorders such as O and D, as well as M, were predominantly observed in calves aged 2 wk. A gradual increase in the frequency of RD was observed with age. For all disorders except RD, male calves were more often affected than females. Omphalitis was predominantly diagnosed in the summer months, whereas RD, D, and M were more common in the fall. We detected several statistically significant differences in the prevalence of clinical signs and disorders in preweaned dairy calves between the 3 exemplary regions. The prevalence of RD was higher in the south (10.8%) than in the north (8.2%) and east (7.4%). In the north (33.2%), O was observed more frequently than in the other regions (east: 18.9%; south: 10.5%), whereas D was found less frequently in the north (13.8%) than in the east (21.6%) and south (20.0%).

[The roles of patients in healthcare provision, training and research: A French perspective]. / Rôles des patients dans le système de santé, la formation et la recherche en santé : une perspective française.

In 2002, patients were transformed into users of the French health system. As this opinion piece demonstrates, in 2021 they may at least potentially participate more actively than before. They can convey their knowledge of a disease and its treatments, and voluntarily share their experience. They can intervene in user representation and therapeutic patient education, the objective being to increase the autonomy of one and all, patients and public, in the training of professionals, clinical research and evolution of the health system. The rationale for the involvement of patients and their roles in provision of care, training and clinical research are analyzed from a French perspective. The obstacles to overcome and improvements to be achieved are reviewed, the objective being to promote enhanced health democracy through increased patient engagement. In 2021, however, the role of patients in the design and implementation of therapeutic patient education (TPE) and in the development of medical studies curricula remains limited if not restricted; this is due not only to a lack of information, but also to the resistance of health professionals and universities. Patients could and should assume a major role, fostering evolution toward a more just and effective health care system.

Desire for information and alternative therapies of pet owners is associated with empathy and partnership-building of veterinarians.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between the pet owners' desire for information and preference of alternative therapies and the veterinarians' ability to build partnership and communicate empathically was investigated using quantitative multifactorial analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an online survey, 1270 German pet owners were asked about their experience of veterinary appointments regarding communication and relationship building. Additional questions included the type and number of pets, years of animal husbandry, age, gender and education level. The factors associated with the pet owners' desire for further information and alternative therapies were analysed in two multivariable linear models. A recently published structural equation model consolidated the following as latent factors: veterinarian's empathic communication, veterinarian's partnership building, pet owners' desire for further information and pet owners' desire for alternative therapies (e.g. non-veterinary practitioners). RESULTS: The two veterinarian-related factors of empathic communication and partnership building were positively associated with each other, but negatively associated with the pet owners' desires. Dog owners and participants who owned animals for more than 2 years expressed less desire for further information. The desire for further information decreased with increasing age. The desire for alternative therapies was more among animal owners of more than 2 years and those visiting the same veterinary practice for over 2 years. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Veterinarians' empathic communication and partnership building are key factors that satisfy clients' desires for information and alternative therapies. This comprises communicational skills regarding information sharing, as well as emotional aspects.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine-A potential cardiac biomarker in horses.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a cardiac biomarker in humans, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) a renal biomarker in humans, cats, and dogs. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate if measuring serum ADMA and SDMA concentrations via ELISA allows detection of cardiac disease in horses in a routine laboratory setting. In this context, reference values in horses were established. ANIMALS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: Seventy-eight horses with no known medical history were compared to 23 horses with confirmed structural cardiac disease with/or without arrhythmias. Horses underwent physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography and venous blood sampling and were staged based on the severity of cardiac disease from 0 to II. Asymmetric dimethylarginine and SDMA were measured via ELISA and crosschecked using liquid chromatograph triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Reference intervals with 90th percent confidence intervals were evaluated and standard software was used to test for significant differences in ADMA, SDMA, and the l-arginine/ADMA ratio between groups. RESULTS: The reference ranges were 1.7-3.8 µmol/L and 0.3-0.8 µmol/L for ADMA and SDMA, respectively. Serum ADMA was higher in horses with heart disease compared to healthy horses (p < 0.01) and highest in horses with stage II heart disease (p = 0.02). The l-Arginine/ADMA ratio was significantly higher in healthy animals than those with cardiac disease (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for serum ADMA and SDMA using ELISA methods are presented in horses. This study confirms the association between heart disease and increased serum ADMA concentration as well as a decreased l-Arginine/ADMA ratio in horses.

Factors associated with calf mortality and poor growth of dairy heifer calves in northeast Germany.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on fifty German dairy farms to identify risk factors for high mortality and poor growth in calves. Between 2012 and 2014, farm visits took place and a questionnaire on farm management practices was completed by in-person interview. In addition, heart girth measurements of calves around weaning were performed to estimate average daily weight gain. Furthermore, blood and faecel samples of calves were collected and a score addressing calf welfare was determined. The epidemiological associations between risk factors and high mortality and poor growth were estimated using two regression models. The factors significantly associated with high calf mortality (> 5%) were a high rate of calves with failure of passive transfer (> 25%) and the metaphylactic use of halofuginone lactate. A small amount of concentrates consumed around weaning, relocating calves more than twice until weaning and a low incidence risk of milk fever (< 5%) were found to be significantly associated with poor growth (median: 675 grams). Although the fifty farms cannot be considered as a representative sample for North-East Germany, the results indicate that the farm management has a big impact on growth and survival of dairy calves and needs to be addressed more thoroughly when raising the future dairy cow.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in Early Detection and Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease Among Adults in Hawaii: A 10-Year Population Health Study.

INTRODUCTION: Native Hawaiian and Asian American populations are the most understudied racial/ethnic groups in chronic kidney disease (CKD) research. The objective of our study was to describe sociodemographic and comorbidity risk factors of chronic kidney disease among 2,944 community-dwelling Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and non-Hispanic white participants who attended the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii Kidney Early Detection Screening program during 2006-2017. METHODS: We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between age, sex, race/ethnicity, and the major risk factors for CKD (diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, overweight and obesity, and smoking) with elevated urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) among adults aged 18 or older in 5 racial/ethnic groups in Hawaii: Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and non-Hispanic white. RESULTS: In the age- and sex-adjusted model, Native Hawaiian participants were significantly more likely than non-Hispanic white participants to have an ACR of 30.0 mg/g or more (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.95; P = .003). In the model that adjusted for CKD risk factors, the difference between Native Hawaiian and non-Hispanic white participants became nonsignificant (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.96-1.69; P = .09]). The higher prevalence of chronic conditions among Native Hawaiians partially explained their higher risk of having an elevated ACR. Filipinos had significantly higher odds than non-Hispanic whites of elevated ACR in the age- and sex-adjusted model (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.14-1.84; P = .003) and after adjustment for CKD risk factors (OR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.06-1.74; P = .01). CONCLUSION: Culturally targeted interventions are needed to improve health outcomes among Native Hawaiians and Asian Americans, particularly Filipinos, with CKD. Such interventions should focus on early kidney disease management so that disease progression can be delayed.

Comparison of consumer knowledge about Campylobacter, Salmonella and Toxoplasma and their transmissibility via meat: results of a consumer study in Germany.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter is the most commonly reported causative agent of foodborne bacterial infection in Germany, and contaminated chicken meat is an important source of this zoonotic agent. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of consumers in Germany about Campylobacter, Salmonella and Toxoplasma and their transmissibility via meat. In addition, we investigated the level of knowledge between selected consumer groups and whether the results coincided with those of international studies. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1008 consumers in Germany via an online panel to record, analyse and evaluate the state of knowledge about Campylobacter, Salmonella and Toxoplasma. The participants were selected according to age, gender and federal states to be representative of the German population. RESULTS: Overall, 68.3% of the respondents had never heard of Campylobacter, 20.2% had heard of Campylobacter but did not know how to protect themselves, and only 11.5% knew how to protect themselves from Campylobacter infections. Slightly more than half (52.2%) of the respondents who had at least heard of Campylobacter knew that Campylobacter was transmissible via meat. Knowledge increased significantly with age. Participants over 60 years old knew about Campylobacter almost three times as often as the 16- to 19-year-old comparison group (OR = 2.982). Consumers who had at least a secondary school certificate were almost twice as likely to know about Campylobacter as those who had no school certificate or a lower secondary school certificate (OR = 1.899). Participants who were not actors in the food chain were significantly less frequently informed about Campylobacter than were those who were actors in the food chain. Consumer knowledge of Toxoplasma was better than that of Campylobacter. Consumers have the most knowledge about Salmonella. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers in Germany are predominantly poorly informed about Campylobacter and the transmission route via meat. General knowledge of Toxoplasma is better than that of Campylobacter. Among the three pathogens, consumers are best informed about Salmonella. This finding highlights the importance of making existing information materials more accessible to consumers in the future to increase their knowledge, with the objective of reducing the incidence of Campylobacter infections.

Pb-Pb ages and initial Pb isotopic composition of lunar meteorites: NWA 773 clan, NWA 4734, and Dhofar 287.

Constraining the duration of magmatic activity on the Moon is essential to understand how the lunar mantle evolved chemically through time. Determining age and initial isotopic compositions of mafic lunar meteorites is a critical step in defining the periods of magmatic activity that occurred during the history of the Moon and to constrain the chemical characteristics of mantle components involved in the sources of the magmas. We have used the in situ Pb-Pb SIMS technique to investigate eight lunar gabbros and basalts, including six meteorites from the Northwest Africa (NWA) 773 clan (NWA 2727, NWA 2700, NWA 3333, NWA 2977, NWA 773, and NWA 3170), NWA 4734, and Dhofar 287A. These samples have been selected as there is no clear agreement on their age and they are all from the dominant low titanium chemical group. We have obtained ages of 2981 ± 12 Ma for NWA 4734 and 3208 ± 22 Ma for Dhofar 287. For the NWA 773 clan, four samples (the fine-grained basalt NWA 2727 and the three gabbros NWA 773, NWA 2977, NWA 3170) out of six yielded isochron-calculated ages that are identical within uncertainties and yielding an average age of 3086 ± 5 Ma. The age obtained for the fine-grained basalt NWA 2700 is not precise enough for comparison with the other samples. The gabbroic sample NWA 3333 yielded an age of 3038 ± 20 Ma suggesting that two distinct magmatic events may be recorded in the meteorites of the NWA 773 clan. The present study aims to identify and assess all potential issues that are associated with different ways to date lunar rocks using U-Pb-based methods. To achieve this, we have compared the new ages with the previously published data set. The entire age data set from lunar mafic meteorites was also screened to identify data showing analytical issues and evidence of resetting and terrestrial contamination. The data set combining the ages of mafic lunar meteorites and Apollo rocks suggests pulses of magmatic activity with two distinct phases between 3950 and 3575 Ma and between 3375 and 3075 Ma with the two phases separated by a gap of approximately 200 Ma. The evolution of the Pb initial ratios of the low-Ti mare basalts between approximately 3400 and 3100 Ma suggests that these rocks were progressively contaminated by a KREEP-like component.

[Spider bite or infection caused by Panton Valentine leucocidin-producing Staphylococcusaureus?] / Morsure d'araignée ou infection à Staphylococcusaureus producteur de toxine de Panton Valentine ?

INTRODUCTION: Spiders, especially those of the genus Loxoceles such as L. rufescens, endemic in Mediterranean regions, are frequently reported as causes of venom poisoning in humans in the south of France. The most common signs consist of cutaneous necrosis presenting initially as inflammatory cellulitis and progressing towards the emergence of a necrotic centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report 4 cases, initially considered as spider bites due to their sudden occurrence and pain. Rigorous clinical examination coupled with collection of samples for laboratory analysis ultimately enabled the diagnosis to be corrected to one of suppurative skin infection caused by Staphylococcusaureus producing the cytotoxin Panton Valentine leucocidin. DISCUSSION: These observations highlight the potential for confusion between spider bites and infections with PVL-producing S. aureus.

Red blood cell alloimmunization and delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions in patients with sickle cell disease.

Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization is more common in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) than in any other studied patient population. The high prevalence of RBC alloimmunization is multi-factorial, likely involving the chronic hemolysis and inflammatory status of SCD itself, the transfusion burden of patients, and the RH genetic diversity of patients and blood donors, among other reasons. Antibody evanescence, or the decrease of RBC alloantibodies below levels detectable by blood bank testing, occurs frequently with fewer than 30% of alloantibodies estimated to be detected by current screening practices. Evanescence increases the likelihood that a patient with SCD will have a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction upon future RBC exposure, with previously undetected alloantibodies coming roaring back in an anamnestic manner after exposure to the cognate RBC antigen. A subset of patients having delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions go on to experience hyperhemolysis; some but not all cases of hyperhemolysis are associated with previously evanescent RBC alloantibodies. There is an increasing appreciation of the association between RBC alloantibodies and RBC autoantibodies, as well as involvement of the alternative complement pathway in some instances of hyperhemolysis. A case report in this manuscript describes a highly alloimmunized patient with SCD who experiences a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction with bystander hemolysis due to a previously evanescent, complement binding anti-M RBC alloantibody. Additional studies, including those involving multiple centers and countries, are needed to further understand RBC alloimmunization in patients with SCD and to develop strategies to prevent or mitigate potentially life-threatening hemolytic transfusion reactions.

Histological examination of the interspinous ligament in horses with overriding spinous processes.

The equine interspinous ligament (ISL) consists of an oblique crossing arrangement of collagenous bundles which are thought to counteract the tensile and rotational forces of distraction between the spinous processes (SPs) in the caudal thoracic and cranial lumbar spine. The aim of this controlled histological study was to assess the structural anatomy and innervation of the ISL in horses with clinically significant overriding (dorsal) SPs (ORSPs) and to compare the findings with the ISL of normal horses. Samples of the ISL were obtained from 10 horses that underwent subtotal ostectomy for treatment of ORSPs. Control samples were obtained from horses without spinal pathology. Histological staining of ISL sections with haematoxylin and eosin was performed to assess the morphology of the ligaments and with Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff to determine the proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan content. Immunohistochemistry for S100 was performed for quantitative evaluation of nerves within the ISL. The ISL in horses with ORSPs had an altered collagen fibre alignment and arrangement of the ligamentous layers when compared to healthy controls. A significant increase in fibrocartilaginous tissue with evidence of fibrocartilaginous metaplasia was detected (P=0.001). The number of nerves in the ISL samples was significantly higher in horses with ORSPs than in controls (P=0.017). Structural alterations of the ISL, including loss of fibre alignment and fibrocartilaginous metaplasia, are associated with ORSPs in the equine thoracolumbar spine. In addition, an increase in innervation of the ISL in horses with ORSPs, compared to normal, may explain the thoracolumbar pain experienced by some horses with ORSPs.

Retrospective analysis after endoscopic urethral injections of glutaraldehyde-cross-linked-collagen or dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer in bitches with urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of endoscopic injection of two different bulking agents, glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen and dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer into the urethral submucosa in female dogs with urinary incontinence caused by urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of records and follow-up communication with owners of dogs that received an endoscopically guided urethral bulking procedure. In each dog, either cross-linked collagen (2007 to 2011) or dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer (2012 to 2015) was used. At least three injections were made in a circular arrangement in the midurethral region until the urethral lumen was closed. RESULTS: Complete questionnaires were available from 50 of 100 pet owners. The mean interval between the treatment and interview was 67 (range: 57 to 114) months in the cross-linked collagen group and 19 (range: 2 to 48) months in the dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer group. The mean duration of continence was 45∙8 months (range: 12 to 84 months) in the cross-linked collagen group and 20∙5 months (range: 12 to 48 months) in the dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer group. The success rate at 6 months or more after the procedure was 71% after the injection of cross-linked collagen and 58% after injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer. One minor complication (transient haematuria) occurred in one dog. There were no major complications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Urethral injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer in bitches with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence is a useful alternative to cross-linked collagen injection, which is no longer available in the European market. Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical procedures and has a low complication rate.

Intracellular free magnesium concentration in healthy horses.

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a worldwide disease in horses that parallels human diabetes mellitus type 2. In both diseases, patients show an altered peripheral insulin sensitivity as a key feature. In humans, multiple studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of magnesium supplementation on insulin sensitivity. However, serum magnesium levels vary and are therefore not a reliable indicator of the patients' magnesium status. Determining the intracellular free magnesium concentration appears to be a more sensitive diagnostic indicator. In this study, the free intracellular magnesium concentration was measured using mag-fura 2 spectrophotometry in blood lymphocytes in 12 healthy, non-obese horses at 9 a.m., 12 a.m. and 4 p.m. to establish reference ranges according to a protocol designed for human blood lymphocytes. Additionally, the serum magnesium concentration was measured. In all horses, the total serum magnesium concentration was within the reference range. The mean free magnesium concentration in blood lymphocytes of all horses was 0.291 ± 0.067 mmol/L with no significant difference between the time points. The reference range for the free intracellular magnesium concentration in equine lymphocytes was set at 0.16-0.42 mmol/L. The established values are slightly lower than those in healthy humans. The designed protocol for the measurement of the intracellular free magnesium concentration might be an excellent research tool to assess the cellular magnesium status and to reliably diagnose an altered magnesium homeostasis in EMS. Further studies shall elucidate possible alterations in cellular magnesium status in horses with EMS.

[Study of satisfaction concerning the navel after abdominal dermolipectomy with transposition: A report of 96 cases]. / Ombilicoplastie en aile de mouette : technique et satisfaction ; à propos de 96 cas.

GOAL OF THE STUDY: The umbilicus has a major role in the aesthetics of the anterior abdominal wall. Many publications deal with abdominal dermolipectomies but few focus on umbilicoplasty. However, these are essential in assessing the aesthetic result. Umbilicoplasty in "aile de mouette" used in our service is reliable and easily reproducible. In this article, we evaluate the satisfaction of patients with abdominal dermolipectomy with this technique of transposition. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In the plastic surgery department of the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris, we carried out a retrospective study of patients undergoing abdominal dermolipectomy with transposition of the umbilicus, between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012. All patients were operated according to our technique of umbilicoplasty: disinsertion of the umbilicus in V, reinsertion of the umbilic in "aile de mouette", a degreasing periumbilical associated with a plication of the umbilical stem. The complications identified in patients medical records and satisfaction were assessed by a telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were included. No patient presented umbilical necrosis. The overall result of umbilical transposition was considered good to excellent for 92.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: Umbilicoplasty in gull wing has many advantages: it is a simple, easily reproducible, reliable technique, the patients of which are for the most part very satisfied.