An Adaptable, Open-Access Test Battery to Study the Fractionation of Executive-Functions in Diverse Populations.

The umbrella-term 'executive functions' (EF) includes various domain-general, goal-directed cognitive abilities responsible for behavioral self-regulation. The influential unity and diversity model of EF posits the existence of three correlated yet separable executive domains: inhibition, shifting and updating. These domains may be influenced by factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) and culture, possibly due to the way EF tasks are devised and to biased choice of stimuli, focusing on first-world testees. Here, we propose a FREE (Free Research Executive Function Evaluation) test battery that includes two open-access tasks for each of the three abovementioned executive domains to allow latent variables to be obtained. The tasks were selected from those that have been shown to be representative of each domain, that are not copyrighted and do not require special hardware/software to be administered. These tasks were adapted for use in populations with varying SES/schooling levels by simplifying tasks/instructions and using easily recognized stimuli such as pictures. Items are answered verbally and tasks are self-paced to minimize interference from individual differences in psychomotor and perceptual speed, to better isolate executive from other cognitive abilities. We tested these tasks on 146 early adolescents (aged 9-15 years) of both sexes and varying SES, because this is the age group in which the executive domains of interest become distinguishable and in order to confirm that SES effects were minimized. Performance was determined by Rate Correct Scores (correct answers divided by total time taken to complete blocks/trial), which consider speed-accuracy trade-offs. Scores were sensitive to the expected improvement in performance with age and rarely/inconsistently affected by sex and SES, as expected, with no floor or ceiling effects, or skewed distribution, thus suggesting their adequacy for diverse populations in these respects. Using structural equation modeling, evidence based on internal structure was obtained by replicating the three correlated-factor solution proposed by the authors of the model. We conclude that the FREE test battery, which is open access and described in detail, holds promise as a tool for research that can be adapted for a wide range of populations, as well as altered and/or complemented in coming studies.

Effects of storage over a 36-month period on coagulation factors in a canine plasma product obtained by use of plasmapheresis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate stability of coagulation factors in canine plasma obtained by use of plasmapheresis and stored over a 36-month period. SAMPLE: Canine plasma obtained by use of plasmapheresis acquired from a commercial blood bank. PROCEDURES: Coagulation testing for fibrinogen concentration and activity of factors II, V, VII, VIII, and IX and von Willebrand factor was performed on canine plasma obtained by use of plasmapheresis. Samples were obtained for testing at 6-month intervals from plasma stored for up to 36 months. RESULTS: A simple mixed linear regression model was created for each analysis. Median value for the fibrinogen concentration was > 150 mg/dL for all time points, except at 467, 650, and 1,015 days of storage. Median value for factor VIII was > 70% only at 650 days. Median value for factor V was > 50% through 650 days. Median value for factors VII and X was > 50% through 833 days, and median value for factors II and VII was > 50% through 1,015 days. Median value for von Willebrand factor was > 50% for the entire study (1,198 days). Median value for factor X was always < 50%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Coagulation factors degraded over time at variable rates, and all labile factors remained at > 50% activity for longer than 1 year. Plasma collected by plasmapheresis potentially offers prolonged life span of some clotting factors. Plasmapheresis is an acceptable form of canine plasma collection for transfusion purposes, and further studies should be performed to determine all of its benefits.

Current trends in the management of canine traumatic brain injury: An Internet-based survey.

This study characterized trends in management of canine traumatic brain injury (TBI) among 182 small animal veterinarians grouped as follows: Board-certified specialists at a veterinary teaching hospital (BCS-VTH), Board-certified specialists in private practice (BCS-PP), non-specialists at a teaching hospital (DVM-VTH), and non-specialists in private practice (DVM-PP). The BCS-VTH, BSC-PP, and DVM-VTH groups were more comfortable using the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) than the DVM-PP group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.009, respectively). All respondents chose the following diagnostics most frequently: packed cell volume/total solids (95.6%), blood glucose (96.7%), and blood pressure (95.0%). The DVM-VTH group chose the following more frequently than the DVM-PP group: computed tomography (19.4% versus 4.5%; P = 0.027), venous or arterial blood gas (83.9% versus 46.3%; P < 0.001), electrocardiography (71.0% versus 44.8%; P = 0.018), lactate (87.1% versus 59.7%; P = 0.009), and brief thoracic ultrasound (87.1% versus 62.7%; P = 0.017). BCS-PP chose hypertonic saline more frequently than DVM-PP (94.1% versus 74.6%; P = 0.005). The DVM-PP group chose corticosteroid therapy and anticonvulsant therapy more frequently than BCS-PP (10.4% versus 0.0%; P = 0.019; 73.1% versus 43.1%; P = 0.004, respectively). This study highlights variability in management of canine TBI.

Tendances actuelles dans la gestion des traumatismes cérébraux canins : sondage sur Internet. Cette étude a caractérisé les tendances dans la gestion des traumatismes cérébraux canins (TC) parmi 182 médecins vétérinaires pour petits animaux regroupés de la façon suivante : spécialistes agréés par un conseil dans un hôpital d'enseignement vétérinaire (BCS-VTH), spécialistes agréés en pratique privée (BCS-PP), non-spécialistes dans un hôpital d'enseignement vétérinaire (DVM-VTH) et non-spécialistes en pratique privée (DVM-PP). Les BCS-VTH, les BSC-PP et les DVM-VTH étaient plus à l'aise lors de l'utilisation de l'échelle de Glasgow modifiée (MGCS) que les DVM-PP (P < 0,001, P < 0,001 et P = 0,009, respectivement). Tous les répondants ont choisi les diagnostics suivants le plus fréquemment : valeur d'hématocrite/solides totaux (95,6 %), glycémie (96,7 %) et tension artérielle (95,0 %). Le groupe DVM-VTH a choisi les éléments suivants plus fréquemment que le groupe DVM-PP : tomodensitométrie (19,4 % contre 4,5 %; P = 0,027), gaz du sang veineux ou artériel (83,9 % contre 46,3 %; P < 0,001), électrocardiographie (71,0 % contre 44,8 %; P = 0,018), lactate (87,1 % contre 59,7 %; P = 0,009) et une brève échographie thoracique (87,1 % contre 62,7 %; P = 0,017). Le groupe BCS-PP a choisi la solution saline hypertonique plus fréquemment que le groupe DVM-PP (94,1 % contre 74,6 %; P = 0,005). Le groupe DVM-PP a choisi la thérapie corticostéroïde et une thérapie anti-convulsivante plus fréquemment que le groupe BCS-PP (10,4 % contre 0,0 %; P = 0,019; 73,1 % contre 43,1 %; P = 0,004, respectivement). Cette étude souligne la variabilité dans la gestion des TC canins.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

The use of intravenous lipid emulsion as an antidote in veterinary toxicology.

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of IV lipid emulsion (ILE) for the treatment of toxicities related to fat-soluble agents; evaluate current human and veterinary literature; and to provide proposed guidelines for the use of this emerging therapy in veterinary medicine and toxicology. DATA SOURCES: Human and veterinary medical literature. HUMAN DATA SYNTHESIS: Human data are composed mostly of case reports describing the response to treatment with ILE as variant from mild improvement to complete resolution of clinical signs, which is suspected to be due to the variability of lipid solubility of the drugs. The use of ILE therapy has been advocated as an antidote in cases of local anesthetic and other lipophilic drug toxicoses, particularly in the face of cardiopulmonary arrest and unsuccessful cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation. VETERINARY DATA SYNTHESIS: The use of ILE therapy in veterinary medicine has recently been advocated by animal poison control centers for toxicoses associated with fat-soluble agents, but there are only few clinical reports documenting successful use of this therapy. Evidence for the use of ILE in both human and veterinary medicine is composed primarily from experimental animal data. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ILE appears to be a safe therapy for the poisoned animal patient, but is warranted only with certain toxicoses. Adverse events associated with ILE in veterinary medicine are rare and anecdotal. Standard resuscitation protocols should be exhausted before considering this therapy and the potential side effects should be evaluated before administration of ILE as a potential antidote in cases of lipophilic drug toxicoses. Further research is waranted.

A comparison of normative data for the Trail Making Test from several countries: equivalence of norms and considerations for interpretation.

The Trail Making Test may not be equivalent across cultures, i.e., differences in the scores across different cultures may not reveal real differences in the ability of the subjects on the construct being measured. In order to assess this hypothesis, normative samples from ten different countries were compared. Age decade subgroups across samples were ranked based on mean time taken to complete each part of the task. Large Z scores differences were found between these samples when comparing the first with the second, and the last in the rank. These differences were significant even when age and education were comparable across samples. Following Van de Vijver & Tanzer (1997), several possible sources of bias were identified. Incomparability of samples and administration differences were the most likely factors accounting for differences. Because of the lack of validity studies in the countries considered, no firm conclusions could be obtained regarding construct bias. Although the TMT may be measuring visual scanning, psychomotor speed and mental flexibility, normative data from different countries and cultures are not equivalent which might lead to serious diagnostic errors.

Chronic alcohol ingestion alters claudin expression in the alveolar epithelium of rats.

Previously we determined that chronic alcohol ingestion (6 weeks) in rats increases lung epithelial permeability in vivo approximately 5-6-fold and promotes flooding of the alveolar airspaces with proteinaceous fluid in response to stresses such as sepsis. In parallel, alveolar epithelial cells isolated from alcohol-fed rats fail to form tight monolayers in vitro, even when cultured for up to 8 days in the absence of alcohol. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced permeability are unknown. Claudins are key components of tight junctions that restrict the paracellular movement of water, proteins, and solutes across cellular barriers including the alveolar epithelium. In this study, we examined the expression of multiple members of the claudin protein family in the lungs of alcohol-fed versus control-fed rats (Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet with either 36% of calories as alcohol or an isocaloric substitution with maltin-dextrin for 6 weeks). We determined that chronic alcohol ingestion affected the expression of multiple claudins; most striking were decreases in claudin-1 and claudin-7, and an increase in claudin-5, in the whole lung and in alveolar epithelial monolayers derived from alcohol-fed rats. In parallel, immunocytochemistry of alveolar epithelial monolayers from alcohol-fed rats revealed abnormal intracellular accumulation of claudin-7 protein and relatively decreased localization to cell membranes. Claudin-1 and claudin-7 are relatively specific to alveolar epithelial type I pneumocytes that form the vast majority of the alveolar epithelial barrier in vivo, and increases in claudin-5 have been associated with increased epithelial permeability in other systems. Therefore, these findings suggest that changes in claudin expression in the alveolar epithelium produce a "leakier" phenotype that renders the alcoholic lung susceptible to alveolar flooding during acute inflammatory stresses.

Chronic ethanol ingestion in rats decreases granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor expression and downstream signaling in the alveolar macrophage.

Although it is well recognized that alcohol abuse impairs alveolar macrophage immune function and renders patients susceptible to pneumonia, the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Alveolar macrophage maturation and function requires priming by GM-CSF, which is produced and secreted into the alveolar space by the alveolar epithelium. In this study, we determined that although chronic ethanol ingestion (6 wk) in rats had no effect on GM-CSF expression within the alveolar space, it significantly decreased membrane expression of the GM-CSF receptor in alveolar macrophages. In parallel, ethanol ingestion decreased cellular expression and nuclear binding of PU.1, the master transcription factor that activates GM-CSF-dependent macrophage functions. Furthermore, treatment of ethanol-fed rats in vivo with rGM-CSF via the upper airway restored GM-CSF receptor membrane expression as well as PU.1 protein expression and nuclear binding in alveolar macrophages. Importantly, GM-CSF treatment also restored alveolar macrophage function in ethanol-fed rats, as reflected by endotoxin-stimulated release of TNF-alpha and bacterial phagocytosis. We conclude that ethanol ingestion dampens alveolar macrophage immune function by decreasing GM-CSF receptor expression and downstream PU.1 nuclear binding and that these chronic defects can be reversed relatively quickly with rGM-CSF treatment in vivo.