Different Drug Mobilities in Hydrophobic Cavities of Host-Guest Complexes between ß-Cyclodextrin and 5-Fluorouracil at Different Stoichiometries: A Molecular Dynamics Study in Water.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides able to form noncovalent water-soluble complexes useful in many different applications for the solubilization, delivery, and greater bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. The complexation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with natural or synthetic cyclodextrins permits the solubilization of this poorly soluble anticancer drug. In this theoretical work, the complexes between ß-CD and 5-FU are investigated using molecular mechanics (MM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in water. The inclusion complexes are formed thanks to the favorable intermolecular interactions between ß-CD and 5-FU. Both 1:1 and 1:2 ß-CD/5-FU stoichiometries are investigated, providing insight into their interaction geometries and stability over time in water. In the 1:2 ß-CD/5-FU complexes, the intermolecular interactions affect the drug's mobility, suggesting a two-step release mechanism: a fast release for the more exposed and hydrated drug molecule, with greater freedom of movement near the ß-CD rims, and a slow one for the less-hydrated and well-encapsulated and confined drug. MD simulations study the intermolecular interactions between drugs and specific carriers at the atomistic level, suggesting a possible release mechanism and highlighting the role of the impact of the drug concentration on the kinetics process in water. A comparison with experimental data in the literature provides further insights.

A Multicenter Experience of Three Different "Iliac Branched" Stent Grafts for the Treatment of Aorto-Iliac And/Or Iliac Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of 3 different commercial iliac branch devices (IBDs): the Zenith Branch Iliac Endovascular Graft; the Gore Excluder Iliac Branch System and the E-liac Stent Graft System for the treatment of aorto-iliac or iliac aneurysms. METHODS: From January 2017 to February 2020, a retrospective reviewed was conducted on a total of 96 patients. Primary endpoint was IBD instability rate at 24 months. Secondary endpoints included onset of any endoleaks, buttock claudication, IBD-related reintervention and all-death rates, postoperative acute kidney, and changes in maximum diameter from baseline of the aortic aneurysmal sac. RESULTS: At 24 months, the branch instability rate was similar among the 3 IBDs employed [Jotec 1/24 (4.1%), Gore 1/12 (8.3%), Cook 6/47 (12.7%), P-value = 0.502]. As well, no statistical difference in terms of branch occlusion and branch-related endoleaks was observed. The Jotec group showed a significant decrease in maximum diameter from the baseline of the aortic aneurysmal sac when compared to the Gore group alone. No other differences were found relevant to the onset of any endoleaks, reinterventions, and all-death rates. At 24 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival freedom from any branch instability was 95.8%, 91.6%, and 86.8% for Jotec, Gore and Cook groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IBDs represents a safe method for preserving patency of the IIA during treatment of aorto-iliac or iliac aneurysms providing a low rate of IBD instability.

Care of suspected long bone fractures in the emergency department: Families' perspectives and priorities.

OBJECTIVE: Despite growing interests in patient-reported outcomes, youth and families are rarely involved in designing quality improvement measures. Few quality indicators exist for the care of children with injuries in the Emergency Department (ED) and extremity fractures are among the most common injuries in children. This study's aim was to identify both parents' and youth's perspectives about ED care in the context of a suspected long-bone fracture. METHODS: Youth (10-18 years old) and their parents were surveyed prospectively during their ED visit. Participants were asked: 1) to identify their main concerns, 2) to identify quality measures that were most important to them, and 3) to evaluate the ED care they received. Descriptive analyses present participants' responses. Continuous data was analyzed using a Student t-test and categorical data using a Chi-square test. RESULTS: Over 15 months, 350 families met eligibility criteria and were approached to participate, of which 300 participants consented and 249 surveys were completed (71% response rate): 148 parents and 101 youth (median age: 12) completed their respective surveys. Participants placed a high importance on several themes: pain management, short length of stay, and quality interactions with ED clinicians. Youth as a group prioritized their overall wellbeing and the ED environment (e.g., waiting room comfort, signage), while parents focused on accurate diagnoses and treatments. The following items were less prioritized: that radiology be close to the ED, to see the radiograph, to have access to a wheelchair, to know the identities of clinicians on the team, and to have access to entertainment. Parents and youth within the same family often did not share the same priorities. Ninety-two percent of parents reported their child's pain was treated, while 81% and 63% of youth reported their pain was treated sufficiently and quickly, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Parents and youth can identify their priorities for ED care and should be engaged in efforts to improve and report on the quality of care in the ED. Youths' and parents' perspectives are complimentary and may not align, even within families. The priorities identified in this study can help inform quality improvement initiatives and personalized patient care.

SOMAscan Proteomics Identifies Novel Plasma Proteins in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex disease characterized by the interplay of genetic and environmental factors for which, despite decades of intense research, diagnosis remains rather delayed, and most therapeutic options fail. Therefore, unravelling other potential pathogenetic mechanisms and searching for reliable markers are high priorities. In the present study, we employ the SOMAscan assay, an aptamer-based proteomic technology, to determine the circulating proteomic profile of ALS patients. The expression levels of ~1300 proteins were assessed in plasma, and 42 proteins with statistically significant differential expression between ALS patients and healthy controls were identified. Among these, four were upregulated proteins, Thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine, metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 and nidogen 1 and 2 were selected and validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in an overlapping cohort of patients. Following statistical analyses, different expression patterns of these proteins were observed in the familial and sporadic ALS patients. The proteins identified in this study might provide insight into ALS pathogenesis and represent potential candidates to develop novel targeted therapies.

Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Silica-Polycaprolactone-Chlorogenic Acid Hybrids by Sol-Gel Route.

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials were synthesized by a sol-gel route, using silicon alkoxide together with low molecular weight polycaprolactone and caffetannic acid. The synthesized hybrids were characterized by scanning Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and their surface morphology was acquired by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The hybrids were investigated for their antiradical capacity using the DPPH and ABTS tests, while the Kirby-Bauer test was used to evaluate their effects on the growth of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, a biologically active hydroxyapatite layer has been observed to form on the surface of intelligently synthesized materials. The MTT direct test showed that the hybrid materials are biocompatible with NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells, while they were cytotoxic towards colon, prostate, and brain tumor cell lines. These results shed new light on the suitability of the synthesized hybrids in the medical field, thus affording knowledge on the features of the bioactive silica-polycaprolactone-chlorogenic acid hybrids.

Antibacterial and Chemical Characterization of Silica-Quercetin-PEG Hybrid Materials Synthesized by Sol-Gel Route.

This paper aims to synthesize, via the sol-gel method, a biomaterial usable in the medical field. Here, the silica-PEG-quercetin system was evaluated in relation to the different concentrations of PEG (0, 6, 12, 24, 50 wt%) and quercetin (0, 5, 10, 15 wt%), respectively. In addition, Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Kirby-Bauer analyses were performed. FT-IR was used to evaluate the hybrid formation and the influence of both PEG and Quercetin in the hybrid synthesized materials, SEM was used to evaluate the morphological properties, while the Kirby-Bauer test was used to understand the ability of the materials to inhibit the growth of the assayed bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus).

A cross-sectional study evaluating hospitalization rates for chronic limb-threatening ischemia during the COVID-19 outbreak in Campania, Italy.

The expansion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prompted measures of disease containment by the Italian government with a national lockdown on March 9, 2020. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of hospitalization and mode of in-hospital treatment of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) before and during lockdown in the Campania region of Italy. The study population includes all patients with CLTI hospitalized in Campania over a 10-week period: 5 weeks before and 5 weeks during lockdown (n = 453). Patients were treated medically and/or underwent urgent revascularization and/or major amputation of the lower extremities. Mean age was 69.2 ± 10.6 years and 27.6% of the patients were women. During hospitalization, 21.9% of patients were treated medically, 78.1% underwent revascularization, and 17.4% required amputations. In the weeks during the lockdown, a reduced rate of hospitalization for CLTI was observed compared with the weeks before lockdown (25 vs 74/100,000 inhabitants/year; incidence rate ratio: 0.34, 95% CI 0.32-0.37). This effect persisted to the end of the study period. An increased amputation rate in the weeks during lockdown was observed (29.3% vs 13.4%; p < 0.001). This study reports a reduced rate of CLTI-related hospitalization and an increased in-hospital amputation rate during lockdown in Campania. Ensuring appropriate treatment for patients with CLTI should be prioritized, even during disease containment measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar conditions.

Management and outcomes of paediatric ileocolic intussusception at a paediatric tertiary care hospital: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid reduction of ileocolic intussusception is important to minimize the compromise in blood flow to the affected bowel segment. This study aimed to quantify the potentially modifiable time between diagnosis and initiation of pneumatic reduction, identify factors associated with delays, and characterize the outcomes of pneumatic reduction in a recent cohort. METHODS: This retrospective observational study occurred at a tertiary care paediatric hospital with a consecutive sample of all children with ileocolic intussusception September 2015 through September 2018. The primary outcome was the time between ultrasound diagnosis of intussusception and the beginning of pneumatic reduction. Independent variables were age of the patient, time of day of arrival, transfer from another facility, and intravenous access prior to ultrasound. Outcomes of pneumatic reduction were expressed as proportions. RESULTS: There were 103 cases of ileocolic intussusception (among 257,282 visits) during the study period. The median time between diagnostic confirmation and initiation of reduction was 36 minutes. This was shorter for transferred patients and children with intravenous access prior to ultrasound. One perforation was identified at the beginning of reduction, without hemodynamic instability. Six children (5.8%) underwent either open (n=4) or laparoscopic surgery (n=2) for reduction failure. CONCLUSION: The median delay between diagnosis and initiation of reduction at this paediatric hospital was short, especially among patients transferred with a suspicion of intussusception and children with intravenous access prior to diagnosis. Complications from pneumatic reduction were infrequent.

Impact of wait time during a first pediatric emergency room visit on likelihood of revisit in the next year.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric emergency departments (ED) develop strategies to decrease wait time. Yet, lowering wait times may incite patients to come back, and increase patient volume. We aim to determine if wait time in a first visit influenced the likelihood of a revisit to the same setting. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of children with a first visit to a single pediatric ED between November 1st 2016, and October 31st 2017. First visit was defined as no visit in the same ED in the previous 12 months. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a revisit at the same ED within 12 months of the first visit. Our main predictor was the wait time at the first visit for primary evaluation by a physician. We used multivariable logistic regression models to adjust for potential risk factors (age, triage level, day of visit and disposition). RESULTS: Among 85,844 ED visits during the study period, 36,844 were first visits and fulfilled inclusion/exclusion criteria. Median wait time was 101 min (interquartile range: 56-177 min). Among those with a first visit, 11,351 (30.8%) had a revisit within 12 months. In multivariable analysis, each one hour increase in wait time was associated with a lower probability of revisit (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.91-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Shorter wait time was associated with higher likelihood of a revisit to the same ED in the following 12 months. Strategies to reduce wait times should take into consideration possible concomitant increase in patient volume.

Motor neuron degeneration, severe myopathy and TDP-43 increase in a transgenic pig model of SOD1-linked familiar ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neural disorder gradually leading to paralysis of the whole body. Alterations in superoxide dismutase SOD1 gene have been linked with several variants of familial ALS. Here, we investigated a transgenic (Tg) cloned swine model expressing the human pathological hSOD1G93A allele. As in patients, these Tg pigs transmitted the disease to the progeny with an autosomal dominant trait and showed ALS onset from about 27 months of age. Post mortem analysis revealed motor neuron (MN) degeneration, gliosis and hSOD1 protein aggregates in brainstem and spinal cord. Severe skeletal muscle pathology including necrosis and inflammation was observed at the end stage, as well. Remarkably, as in human patients, these Tg pigs showed a quite long presymptomatic phase in which gradually increasing amounts of TDP-43 were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Thus, this transgenic swine model opens the unique opportunity to investigate ALS biomarkers even before disease onset other than testing novel drugs and possible medical devices.

Differentiated thyroid cancer in children: Heterogeneity of predictive risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate clinical and pathological characteristics at diagnosis with patient long-term outcomes and to evaluate ongoing risk stratifications in a large series of paediatric differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of clinical and pathological prognostic factors of 124 paediatric patients with DTC (age at diagnosis <19 years) followed up for 10.4 ± 8.4 years. Patients with a follow-up >3 years (n = 104) were re-classified 18 months after surgery on the basis of their response to therapy (ongoing risk stratification). RESULTS: Most patients had a papillary histotype (96.0%), were older than 15 years (75.0%) and were diagnosed because of clinical local symptoms (63.7%). Persistent/recurrent disease was present in 31.5% of cases during follow-up, but at the last evaluation, only 12.9% had biochemical or structural disease. The presence of metastases in the lymph nodes of the lateral compartment (OR 3.2, 95% CI, 1.28-7.16, P = 0.01) was the only independent factor associated with recurrent/persistent disease during follow-up. At the last evaluation, biochemical/structural disease was associated with node metastases (N1a, N1b) by univariate but not multivariate analysis. Ongoing risk stratification compared to the initial risk classification method better identified patients with a lower probability of persistent/recurrent disease (NPV = 100%). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the aggressive presentations at diagnosis, paediatric patients with DTC show an excellent response to treatment and often a favourable outcome. N1b status should be considered a strong predictor of persistent/recurrent disease which, as in adults, is better predicted by ongoing risk stratification.

Pharmacokinetics of rectal levetiracetam as add-on treatment in dogs affected by cluster seizures or status epilepticus.

BACKGROUND: Levetiracetam can be used for seizure control alone or in combination with other antiepileptic medications. A previous study achieved the minimum targeted serum drug concentration after rectal administration of levetiracetam in healthy dogs. The purpose of the present study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of rectal LEV in dogs presented for cluster seizures or status epilepticus and potentially in treatment with other anti-epileptic drugs. Furthermore, preliminary information on response to this treatment as add-on to the standard treatment protocol is reported. RESULTS: Eight client-owned dogs were enrolled. Plasma levetiracetam concentrations (measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 360, 720, and 1440 min after drug administration) reached the minimum target concentration (5 µg/ml) at 30 min in all but one patient. At T1 (30 min) the mean concentration was 28.2 ± 15.5 µg/ml. Plasma concentrations remained above the targeted minimum concentration in all patients until 240 min and in 7/8 until 360 min. Six out of eight patients experienced no seizures in the 24-h period after hospitalization and were classified as "responders". CONCLUSIONS: Minimum plasma levetiracetam concentration can be reached after rectal administration of 40 mg/kg in dogs affected by cluster seizures and status epilepticus and concurrently receiving other antiepileptic drugs. These preliminary results may encourage the evaluation of rectal levetiracetam as an additional treatment option for cluster seizures and status epilepticus in a larger number of dogs.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis associated with an MFSD8 mutation in Chihuahuas.

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are hereditary neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive declines in neurological functions, seizures, and premature death. NCLs result from mutations in at least 13 different genes. Canine versions of the NCLs can serve as important models in developing effective therapeutic interventions for these diseases. NCLs have been described in a number of dog breeds, including Chihuahuas. Studies were undertaken to further characterize the pathology of Chihuahua NCL and to verify its molecular genetic basis. Four unrelated client owned Chihuahuas from Japan, Italy and England that exhibited progressive neurological signs consistent with a diagnosis of NCL underwent neurological examinations. Brain and in some cases also retinal and heart tissues were examined postmortem for the presence of lysosomal storage bodies characteristic of NCL. The affected dogs exhibited massive accumulation of autofluorescent lysosomal storage bodies in the brain, retina and heart accompanied by brain atrophy and retinal degeneration. The dogs were screened for known canine NCL mutations previously reported in a variety of dog breeds. All 4 dogs were homozygous for the MFSD8 single base pair deletion (MFSD8:c.843delT) previously associated with NCL in a Chinese Crested dog and in 2 affected littermate Chihuahuas from Scotland. The dogs were all homozygous for the normal alleles at the other genetic loci known to cause different forms of canine NCL. The MFSD8:c.843delT mutation was not present in 57 Chihuahuas that were either clinically normal or suffered from unrelated diseases or in 1761 unaffected dogs representing 186 other breeds. Based on these data it is almost certain that the MFSD8:c.843delT mutation is the cause of NCL in Chihuahuas. Because the disorder occurred in widely separated geographic locations or in unrelated dogs from the same country, it is likely that the mutant allele is widespread among Chihuahuas. Genetic testing for this mutation in other Chihuahuas is therefore likely to identify intact dogs with the mutant allele that could be used to establish a research colony that could be used to test potential therapeutic interventions for the corresponding human disease.

Potential Pathogenetic Role of Bovine Herpesvirus 4 in Two Dairy Cows with Dermatitis-Pyrexia-Hemorrhagic Syndrome.

Dermatitis, pyrexia, and hemorrhagic syndrome (DPHS) is a rare bovine syndrome of unclear etiology. We describe two DPHS cases, the first to occur in Italy, with clinicopathological findings suggesting a potential pathogenetic role of bovine herpesvirus-4 (BoHV-4).

Long-term durability of discarded cork-based composites obtained by geopolymerization.

Geopolymers are amorphous aluminosilicate inorganic polymers synthesized by alkaline activation characterized by a lower carbon footprint, greater durability, and excellent mechanical properties compared to traditional concrete, making them promising building materials for sustainable construction. To develop sustainable lightweight geopolymer-based building materials useful as fire resistant thermal insulation materials, we added 5 and 10 wt% of discarded cork dust, a readily available industrial by-product, to metakaolin before and after the alkaline activation with sodium hydroxide 8 M and sodium silicate solutions. We followed the chemical, microstructural, antibacterial, and physical properties of the resulting composites for up to 90 days in order to monitor their long-term durability. The presence of cork does not interfere with the geopolymerization process and in fact reduces the density of the composites to values around 2.5 g/cm3, especially when added after alkaline activation. The composites resulted in chemically stable matrices (less than 10 ppm of cations release) and filler (no hazardous compounds released) with a bacterial viability of around 80%. This study provides valuable insights into the tailoring of discarded cork-based composites obtained by geopolymerization with a porosity between 32 and 48% and a mechanical resistance to compression from 15 to 5 MPa, respectively, suggesting their potential as durable interior panels with low environmental impact and desirable performance.

Assessing lung consolidation in goats using different ultrasonographic techniques.

Goats are often affected by respiratory diseases and, despite ultrasonography can assess lung consolidations in several species, it is rarely used in these animals. So, this study evaluated the effectiveness of on-farm lung ultrasonography in detecting lung consolidations on 27 goats. The goats, scheduled for slaughter, underwent complete clinical examinations and lung ultrasonography. For the latter, both sides of the thorax were divided in four quadrants and examined using convex and linear probes before and after shaving the hair. Each quadrant was classified based on presence/absence of lung consolidation and maximum consolidation's depth (4-point scale: 0 healthy; 1 depth < 1 cm; 2 depth < 3 cm; 3 depth > 3 cm). The lungs were examined at necropsy, 66% of goats exhibited lung consolidations and sensitivity (83%-89%), specificity (100%), and κ coefficient values (0.67-0.72) were high with all techniques. An higher (p ≤ 0.01) percentage of class 1 lesions were found at necropsy compared to all the ultrasonographic techniques. All the ultrasonographic techniques effectively detected lung consolidation deeper than 1 cm. So, ultrasonography seems an effective tool for lung examination in goats with chronic pneumonia. The examination using the linear or the convex probes without shaving the hair could be a promising tool for the on-field diagnosis of pneumonia, although further research on larger sample sizes are necessary to validate these findings.

Changes in glial cell activation and extracellular vesicles production precede the onset of disease symptoms in transgenic hSOD1G93A pigs.

SOD1 gene is associated with progressive motor neuron degeneration in the familiar forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Although studies on mutant human SOD1 transgenic rodent models have provided important insights into disease pathogenesis, they have not led to the discovery of early biomarkers or effective therapies in human disease. The recent generation of a transgenic swine model expressing the human pathological hSOD1G93A gene, which recapitulates the course of human disease, represents an interesting tool for the identification of early disease mechanisms and diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we analyze the activation state of CNS cells in transgenic pigs during the disease course and investigate whether changes in neuronal and glial cell activation state can be reflected by the amount of extracellular vesicles they release in biological fluids. To assess the activation state of neural cells, we performed a biochemical characterization of neurons and glial cells in the spinal cords of hSOD1G93A pigs during the disease course. Quantification of EVs of CNS cell origin was performed in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of transgenic pigs at different disease stages by Western blot and peptide microarray analyses. We report an early activation of oligodendrocytes in hSOD1G93A transgenic tissue followed by astrocyte and microglia activation, especially in animals with motor symptoms. At late asymptomatic stage, EV production from astrocytes and microglia is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid, but not in the plasma, of transgenic pigs reflecting donor cell activation in the spinal cord. Estimation of EV production by biochemical analyses is corroborated by direct quantification of neuron- and microglia-derived EVs in the cerebrospinal fluid by a Membrane Sensing Peptide enabled on-chip analysis that provides fast results and low sample consumption. Collectively, our data indicate that alteration in astrocytic EV production precedes the onset of disease symptoms in the hSODG93A swine model, mirroring donor cell activation in the spinal cord, and suggest that EV measurements from the cells first activated in the ALS pig model, i.e. OPCs, may further improve early disease detection.

Thromboelastometry in veal calves to detect hemostatic variations caused by low doses of dexamethasone treatment.

BACKGROUND: The illegal administration of hormones, steroids, ß-agonists and other anabolic agents to productive livestock in the European Union continues, despite the long-term ban on their use and despite the measures provided under the directives to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in the interest of protecting consumer health and animal wellbeing. Often administered in low doses in the form of a drug cocktail, these compounds escape detection by common analytical techniques. The aim of this study was to determine whether low-dose dexamethasone administration (0.4 mg orally per day, for 20 days) in white-meat calves produced variations in blood coagulation, as measured by thromboelastometry. A second aim was to determine whether such variations could be valid in detecting illicit low-dose dexamethasone treatment. RESULTS: The study population was 42 Friesian calves kept under controlled conditions until 6 months of age. The calves were subdivided into 2 groups: a control group (group A, n = 28) and a group treated with dexamethasone (group B, n = 14) for 20 days beginning at 5 months of age. When compared against the age-matched control group, the dexamethasone-treated calves showed a significant increase in alpha angle, maximum clot firmness and a significant decrease in clot formation time on all thromboelastometric profiles (P < 0.05). The clotting time was significantly decreased on the in-TEM® profile but increased on the ex-TEM® and fib-TEM® profiles (P <0.05). The Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, plotted for the Maximum Clot Elasticity (MCE), had a cut-off value ≥ 488.23 mm for in-TEM® MCE [Se 85.7%, (95% CI 57.2-98.2); Sp 100% 96.43% (95% CI 81.7-99.9] and a cut-off value ≥ 63.94 mm for fib-TEM® MCE [Se 92.8 (95% CI 66.1-99.8); Sp 89.3% (95% CI 71.8-97.7)]. In order to increase the sensitivity of the test two parameters (in-TEM® and fib-TEM® MCE) were used as two parallel tests; subsequently, the sensitivity rose to a point value of 99% (95% CI 85.4-99.9). CONCLUSIONS: Thromboelastometry identified a state of hypercoagulability in the dexamethasone-treated subjects. Furthemore, the results of this preliminary study suggest that TEM may be useful in the detection of illicit low-dose dexamethasone treatment.

A case of oculo-cerebral B-cell lymphoma in a cat.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of a cat with primary B-cell lymphoma affecting the eye and brain and which shared features similar to oculo-cerebral lymphoma in humans. METHODS: A 13-year-old castrated male Persian cat presented with clinical signs of anterior uveitis and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye (OS). A complete diagnostic work-up was declined, and left-eye enucleation was performed. The globe was submitted for histopathology. One week after surgery, the cat became inappetent, hypothermic, and aggressive. Euthanasia was requested by the owner, and a necropsy was permitted. RESULTS: Histopathology of the enucleated globe revealed an extensive neoplastic infiltration consistent with large-cell lymphoma, affecting the anterior uvea, neuroretina and optic nerve. At necropsy, all organs were unremarkable except for the brain, where there was a neoplastic cell population consistent with that described in the left eye, infiltrated and expanded meninges, and perivascular spaces. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for B-cell marker (CD20) and negative for T-cell marker (CD3). Histology and immunophenotyping suggested a diagnosis of primary central nervous system and ocular large B-cell lymphoma. DISCUSSION: The lymphoma in this cat resembled oculo-cerebral lymphoma in humans, sharing similar clinical features and histopathological findings, including the perivascular pattern of neoplastic cell infiltration. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a primary oculo-cerebral B-cell lymphoma in a cat.

Ocular Ultrasonography in Healthy Calves with Different Transducers.

Ocular ultrasonography is seldom performed in cattle. Here, we compared three ultrasound probes (linear, convex, transrectal gynecological) for the measurement of eight eye biometry parameters on vertical and horizontal scans. The sample population was 20 healthy calves (n = 10 Holstein, n = 10 Piedmontese breed). Intragroup (same probe for vertical vs. horizontal scanning) and intergroup (different probes measuring the same biometric parameter) comparisons were performed using Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Intragroup comparison revealed few significant differences. Ultrasound examination with the convex transducer detected more differences than either of the two other probes on vertical (linear six out of eight; transrectal gynecological four out of eight) and horizontal (linear six out of eight; transrectal gynecological six out of eight) scans. Similar results were obtained for both breeds. More non-valuable parameters on the horizontal (77 out of 320, 24%) and the vertical (85 out of 320, 26%) (p ≤ 0.001) scans were obtained with the convex transducer. Both linear transducers were found comparable for ocular ultrasonography in field conditions. However, given its widespread application in the field, the transrectal gynecological transducer may offer veterinarians the added advantage of familiarity and ease-of-use without any additional costs.