Screen interaction behavior in companion dogs: results from a dog owner survey.

Despite availability of video content marketed for dog (Canis familiaris) entertainment, there is little information on dog behaviors when viewing content, nor describing which content is engaging. The aims of this study were to define demographics of dogs that engage with screens, owner observed behaviors, and perceived content interest. A digital survey was distributed to dog owners (03/2022-03/2023). We collected demographics, home environment, owner-rated behaviors, content interest, and interest in 4 presented videos. We compared the representation of dogs from different purebred dog groups (categorized by job/purpose by the American Kennel Club) with the estimated general purebred dog population. Most respondents (total n=1,246) lived in the USA (89%). Median age was 4 years, 54% were purebred, 51% were female. Most (86%, n=1,077) stated their dog watched screen content. Excitement behaviors were often described: 78% of dogs approached the screen, 76% vocalized. Many owners played videos for their dogs when left alone. Dogs most frequently engaged with animal content; dogs were the most popular animal. Age and visual status influenced the frequency of perceived interaction; age and breed influenced content interest. Within purebred dogs that were stated to watch content, there was a relative over-representation of "sporting" and "herding"-type breeds. A dog's age, visual status, and breed type may influence their interest in video content at home. Because many owners reported excitement in their dogs in reaction to screen content, owners may wish to determine whether video content would be suitable for use when their dogs are left alone.

[Sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of morbid obesity. Study results and first experiences with the transvaginal hybrid NOTES technique]. / Schlauchmagenbildung in der Behandlung der morbiden Adipositas : Studienergebnisse und erste Erfahrungen mit der transvaginalen Hybrid-NOTES-Technik.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for morbid obesity is also becoming more important in Germany. Besides standard procedures such as the Roux-en-Y (RNY) bypass, sleeve gastrectomy seems to be a new option which is mainly related to gastric restriction, neurohumoral changes and other unknown factors. The results of sleeve gastrectomy have to be compared with other established procedures such as the RNY bypass according the complication rate, weight loss and improvement of weight-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2008 and August 2009 sleeve gastrectomy was performed in a total of 200 patients (136 female and 64 male) with an obesity grade II-III. The average age of the patients was 43 years (range 21-72 years) and the average BMI 47.9 kg/m(2) (range 35.5-75.3 kg/m(2)). Of the patients 70 (35%) were diabetics and 96 (48%) suffered from hypertension. In 14 cases the operation was planned using the transvaginal assisted (hybrid NOTES) technique. RESULTS: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was possible in all patients. Of the patients 3 (1.5%) suffered from postoperative complications, such as leakage from the suture line in 2 (1%) cases and in 1 case (0.5%) with hemorrhaging from the abdominal wall and subsequent pulmonary embolism resulting in a mortality rate of 1% (2 cases). In the 197 cases without complications the mean hospital stay was 3.5 days (range 2-9 days). Using the transvaginal technique the number of trocars could be reduced by 1-2 and in all cases the resected stomach was retrieved transvaginally. No complications occurred due to the vaginal access. Antidiabetic medication was stopped 3 months after the operation in 45 (64%) out of 70 diabetics and the need for antihypertension drugs was also reduced. The mean weight loss after 3, 6 and 12 months was 27.3%, 41% and 58%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeve gastrectomy seems to be an effective surgical option for the treatment of morbid obesity with a low complication rate. During the first year after the operation weight loss was excellent and weight-related comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension improved significantly. The transvaginal hybrid NOTES technique can be performed but there is still need for additional trocars through the abdominal wall. Long-term results with respect to a durable weight loss and obesity-associated comorbidities are still lacking. The results of sleeve gastrectomy are at present comparable to those of a RNY bypass.

Laparoscopic marsupialization of lymphocele after combined pancreas-kidney transplantation.

Early definitive treatment of symptomatic posttransplant lymphoceles offers good results with fewer graft losses and reduced morbidity. If interventional therapy fails, laparoscopic internal marsupialization to the peritoneal cavity may be performed with excellent results and at low cost. In combined pancreas-kidney transplantation the transperitoneal laparoscopic access may be difficult due to adhesions caused by the intraabdominal positioning of the pancreatic graft and posttransplantation pancreatitis. Both posttransplantation lavage of the abdominal cavity as well as immunosuppression reduce formation of intraabdominal adhesions subsequent to combined pancreas-kidney transplantation. Thus, posttransplant lymphoceles may be treated safely even after combined kidney-pancreas transplantation.

Secretion of protein and epidermal growth factor (EGF) by transplanted human pancreas.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been localized in human salivary and Brunner's glands and found to stimulate the proliferation of gastrointestinal and pancreatic tissues in animals, but little is known about EGF in human pancreas. This study was designed to determine the distribution and release of EGF in the pancreas and to assess the secretion of EGF and protein by the transplanted human pancreas. The peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical method with anti-hEGF showed that EGF was restricted mainly to the excretory cells lining pancreatic ducts. The EGF immunoreactivity in the pancreatic tissue averaged about 15 +/- 0.5 micrograms/g of tissue wt. The concentration and output of EGF in the pancreatic juice were, respectively, about 3.4 +/- 0.7 ng/mL and 68 + 12 ng/h in basal secretion collected from the whole pancreatic transplant. A significant increase in EGF release from this transplant started about 2 h after its reperfusion and was accompanied by a parallel increase in protein output. Injection of iv secretion (1 U/kg) resulted in a transient rise in EGF output, probably as a result of washout by increased vol flow, whereas HCCK (1 U/kg) caused more prolonged release of EGF accompanied by a marked stimulation of protein secretion. Ingestion of a mixed meal caused an immediate and sustained increment in EGF output, and protein output showed a more protracted increase, reaching its peak in the second postprandial hour. Fractionation of an extract of pancreatic juice on G-5O Sephadex superfine column revealed that EGF immunoreactivity emerged as a major peak in the same position as authentic human EGF (hEGF).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of a synthetic oligonucleotide probe for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infections.

A radiolabeled synthetic oligonucleotide was evaluated as a diagnostic probe specific for Plasmodium falciparum using blood samples lysed directly on nitrocellulose filters. The probe technique successfully diagnosed malaria in experimentally infected chimpanzees that had 0.001% parasitemias (50 parasites/microliter) as determined by blood smears, and in 1 chimpanzee whose blood smear was negative, but whose blood was culture-positive for P. falciparum. In a double blind study of 50 patient samples from the Philippines, the probe results correlated well with blood smear results when the autoradiographs were read after 4-8 hr exposure. The results indicate that the oligonucleotide probe may be useful in the rapid and specific diagnosis of P. falciparum infection.

In vitro activity of aztreonam in combination with newer beta-lactams and amikacin against multiply resistant gram-negative bacilli.

The in vitro synergistic activity of aztreonam in combination with piperacillin, moxalactam, cefotaxime, cefoperazone, and amikacin was examined against multiply resistant isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Aztreonam in combination with amikacin demonstrated synergy against 71% of the isolates, whereas combinations of aztreonam plus a second beta-lactam demonstrated synergy against 42% of the isolates.