Potential role of thoracolumbar fascia in younger middle-aged patients with chronic low back pain.

AIM: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and lumbar multifidus muscle through ultrasound imaging in younger-middle aged individuals, both those experiencing chronic low back pain (LBP) and those without LBP. Additionally, the study sought to explore the potential significance of these anatomical structures in relation to clinical and sonographic findings. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a cohort of 50 participants, divided into two groups: chronic LBP group (Group LBP, n = 30) and a group without LBP (Group control, n = 20). Participants from both groups underwent assessments pertaining to pain characteristics (intensity and quality), functional impairment, and kinesiophobia. The thicknesses of the thoracolumbar fascia and lumbar multifidus muscle were measured using ultrasonography. RESULTS: Among participants with chronic LBP, the thoracolumbar fascia displayed a statistically significant increase in thickness on the left side, whereas the lumbar multifidus muscle exhibited reduced thickness on the left side. Notably, positive correlations were observed between the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia and scores from the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity (r = 0.472, p = 0.008) as well as the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) (r = 0.547, p = 0.002). Moreover, a positive correlation was established between the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle and the modified Schober test (r = 0.174, p = 0.040). However, the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle demonstrated a negative correlation with age (r = -0.304, p = 0.032). Multiple logistic regression analysis did not identify any significant predictors for the presence of LBP based on demographic or clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals afflicted with chronic LBP exhibited pronounced thickening of the thoracolumbar fascia and attenuation of the lumbar multifidus muscle in comparison to asymptomatic counterparts. Notably, increased thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia corresponded to heightened pain intensity, while reduction in lumbar multifidus muscle thickness was associated with decreased lumbar flexion ability. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating tailored regimens targeting both fascial and muscular components in the rehabilitation of individuals with LBP.

Does intestinal obstruction influence hypo-albuminemia: assessment of the physio-pathogenesis of protein-losing enteropathy with literature review.

BACKGROUND: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use may cause diaphragm-like lesions in the bowel. Although NSAID-enteropathy is among the causes of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), intractable hypoalbuminemia is rare. CASE REPORT: Here, we discuss a case of NSAID-enteropathy with a diaphragm-like disease that presented with Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE) rather than obstruction. The hypoalbuminemia recovered immediately after resection of the obstructive segment, despite ongoing annular ulcerations in the early postoperative period. Thus, it was not clear whether obstructive mechanisms influenced resistant hypoalbuminemia besides the ulcers. We also reviewed the English-written literature for "diaphragm-type lesion, NSAID-enteropathy, obstruction, and protein-losing enteropathy". We noted that the role of obstruction in the pathophysiology of PLE was not clear. CONCLUSIONS: As our case and a couple of cases reported in literature, slow-onset obstructive pathology seems to contribute to well-known factors: inflammatory response, exudation, tight-junction dysfunction, and increase in permeability in the physiopathology of NSAID-induced PLE. Factors such as distention-induced low-flow ischemia and reperfusion, cholecystectomy-related continuous bile flow, bacterial overgrowth-related bile deconjugation and concomitant inflammation are among other potential influencers. The possible role of a slow-onset obstructive pathology in the physiopathology of NSAID-induced and other PLE needs to be further elucidated.

Short-term clinical and hormonal effects of a deslorelin implant on late-prepubertal bitches - Based on flare-up signs.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists offer an alternative to surgical sterilization in prepubertal dogs, preserving ovarian and uterine functions. However, the clinical and hormonal effects of GnRH agonist application during the late-prepubertal stage remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the clinical effect (flare-up) and hormonal changes, specifically serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) levels, in bitches treated with 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate (DA) implants (Suprelorin®, Virbac, F) during the late prepubertal period. Sixteen clinically healthy kangal cross-breed bitches, aged 7-8 months, with a mean body weight of 20.5 ± 0.8 kg, were implanted with DA. Estrus signs were monitored daily, and blood and vaginal cytological samples were collected every other day for four weeks. Cytological changes were analyzed for overall and superficial cell index. Six out of sixteen DA-treated bitches (EST group; n = 6) exhibited clinical proestrus 8.6 ± 0.6 days after implant insertion. The mean serum concentrations of P4 and E2 at the onset of estrus were 1.38 ± 0.32 ng/ml and 37.38 ± 10.07 pg/ml, respectively. Notably, all non-estrus (N-EST group; n = 10) bitches demonstrated an increase in superficial cell index, in addition to expected cytological changes observed in the EST group. On the 18th day post-implantation, the EST group exhibited a significantly higher number of superficial cells compared to the N-EST group (p < 0.001). DA implantation resulted in cytological profile alterations accompanied by a slight increase in estrogen concentrations in all dogs. However, the flare-up response exhibited significant variability, differing from that observed in adult dogs. This study highlights the importance of meticulous timing and breed-specific considerations when utilizing DA for puberty manipulation in late-prepubertal bitches. The observed cytological and hormonal changes in response to DA implants provide valuable insights, but the variability in flare-up responses warrants further investigation.

The impact of bariatric surgery on obesity-related infertility.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to investigate the effect of morbid obesity surgery on infertility using laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis from a prospectively collected database from May 2014 until December 2019. The mean age of the 23 morbidly obese women included in the study and followed-up for five years was 31.26 ± 5.06 years (minimum 24, maximum 43), mean duration of marriage was 9.3478 ± 4.76 years (minimum 4, maximum 23). Mean body mass index (BMI) values were 45.04 ± 3.43 (minimum 40, maximum 52) pre-LSG and 28.65 ± 3.14 (minimum 24, maximum 36) 12 months post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). RESULTS: Out of 23 infertile patients studied underwent LSG. Significant correlation was determined between the change in BMI, 12 months after LSG, compared to pre-LSG and having children after surgery (p=0.001). Conception occurred in 21 patients (91.3%) after surgery, but not in the remaining two (8.7%). CONCLUSIONS: LSG is an important surgical technique used in the treatment of obesity and in preventing obesity-related comorbidities. It can improve pregnancy and live birth rates by contributing to weight loss and hormonal regulation in obese infertile women.

Variability in training unlocks generalization in visual perceptual learning through invariant representations.

Stimulus and location specificity are long considered hallmarks of visual perceptual learning. This renders visual perceptual learning distinct from other forms of learning, where generalization can be more easily attained, and therefore unsuitable for practical applications, where generalization is key. Based on the hypotheses derived from the structure of the visual system, we test here whether stimulus variability can unlock generalization in perceptual learning. We train subjects in orientation discrimination, while we vary the amount of variability in a task-irrelevant feature, spatial frequency. We find that, independently of task difficulty, this manipulation enables generalization of learning to new stimuli and locations, while not negatively affecting the overall amount of learning on the task. We then use deep neural networks to investigate how variability unlocks generalization. We find that networks develop invariance to the task-irrelevant feature when trained with variable inputs. The degree of learned invariance strongly predicts generalization. A reliance on invariant representations can explain variability-induced generalization in visual perceptual learning. This suggests new targets for understanding the neural basis of perceptual learning in the higher-order visual cortex and presents an easy-to-implement modification of common training paradigms that may benefit practical applications.

Effects of heat stress on fattening performance, carcass traits, oxidant/antioxidant status, and hepatic heat shock protein 70 levels in different plumage colors of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of heat stress on production performance and oxidative stress in different plumage colors of Japanese quail. For this purpose, a total of 100 birds were used in this study. The 25 birds belonged to Wild-type (n=25, grey), Tuxedo (n=25, black), Golden (n=25, yellow) and Recessive white (n=25). The birds were reared for 42 days in an environmentally controlled room at 39°C and relative humidity of 60-65%. The body weight, body weight gain (g/bird/day), and feed conversion ratio were not different between the groups (p>0.05). However, the feed intake (g/bird/day) of the Wild-type had a higher value than the Tuxedo (black) group counterparts between 15 and 21 days different (p⟨0.05). There was no significant effect of heat stress on the carcass traits (p>0.05). Spleen weights were different between the groups (p⟨0.05). The yellow group had the highest spleen weight. The highest MDA level was found in the Recessive White variety, followed by Wild-type (grey), Golden (yellow) and Tuxedo (black), respectively. However, there were no statistical differences amongst the groups (p>0.05). There was also no statistical significance in glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (p>0.05). The heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) level was significantly different between the groups (p⟨0.001). The highest percentage was observed in the Golden (5.06%) and the lowest in the White (1.43%) variety. There was no superior color variety of Japanese quail regarding fattening performance and carcass traits. It is conceivable that when considering the stress response of the different colors, the Golden group is more sensitive to stress due to the hepatic and cellular level of HSP70.

Memory guidance of value-based decision making at an abstract level of representation.

Value-based decisions about alternatives we have never experienced can be guided by associations between current choice options and memories of prior reward. A critical question is how similar memories need to be to the current situation to effectively guide decisions. We address this question in the context of associative learning of faces using a sensory preconditioning paradigm. We find that memories of reward spread along established associations between faces to guide decision making. While memory guidance is specific for associated facial identities, it does not only occur for the specific images that were originally encountered. Instead, memory guidance generalizes across different images of the associated identities. This suggests that memory guidance does not rely on a pictorial format of representation but on a higher, view-invariant level of abstraction. Thus, memory guidance operates on a level of representation that neither over- nor underspecifies associative relationships in the context of obtaining reward.

TraceMontage: A method for merging multiple independent neuronal traces.

BACKGROUND: The ability to reconstruct neuronal networks, local microcircuits, or the entire connectome is a central goal of modern neuroscience. Recently, advancements in sample preparation (e.g., sample expansion and Brainbow labeling) and optical (e.g., confocal and light sheet) techniques have enabled the imaging of increasingly large neural systems with high contrast. Tracing neuronal structures from these images proves challenging, however, necessitating tools that integrate multiple neuronal traces, potentially derived by various methods, into one combined (montaged) result. NEW METHOD: Here, we present TraceMontage, an ImageJ/Fiji plugin for the combination of multiple neuron traces of a single image, either redundantly or non-redundantly. Internally, it uses graph theory to connect topological patterns in the 3-D spatial coordinates of neuronal trees. The software generates a single output tracing file containing the montage traces of the input tracing files and provides several measures of consistency analysis among multiple tracers. RESULTS AND COMPARISON TO EXISTING METHOD(S): To our knowledge, our software is the first dedicated method for the combination of tracing results. Combining multiple tracers increases the accuracy and speed of tracing of densely-labeled samples by harnessing collaborative effort. This utility is demonstrated using fluorescence microscope images from the hippocampus and primary visual cortex (V1) in Brainbow-labeled mice. CONCLUSIONS: TraceMontage provides researchers the ability to combine neuronal tracing data generated by either the same or different method(s). As datasets become larger, the ability to trace images in this parallel manner will help connectomics scale to increasingly larger neural systems.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension After Liver Transplantation.

Pulmonary hypertension is one of the problems that can be encountered before liver transplantation. It is not expected in cases with no additional disease in postoperative period. Herein, we report on a 43-year-old woman who developed idiopathic pulmonary hypertension in the early postoperative period. Further investigation both pathologically and clinically is needed in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation that may help to solve the problems such as pulmonary arterial hypertension before it occurs and manage complex hemodynamic changes successfully in the future.

Multispectral tracing in densely labeled mouse brain with nTracer.

SUMMARY: This note describes nTracer, an ImageJ plug-in for user-guided, semi-automated tracing of multispectral fluorescent tissue samples. This approach allows for rapid and accurate reconstruction of whole cell morphology of large neuronal populations in densely labeled brains. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: nTracer was written as a plug-in for the open source image processing software ImageJ. The software, instructional documentation, tutorial videos, sample image and sample tracing results are available at https://www.cai-lab.org/ntracer-tutorial. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Physical characterization of the hair of Mexican women.

Hairs collected from 257 Mexican women, residing in Mexico City, were characterized by instrumental measurements for comparison to more-commonly reported Caucasian, Asian and African hairs. Subjects were subdivided into five age groups and their hairs were characterized by fibre dimension, shape and tensile strength. Results show that Mexican hair appears to be intermediate of Asian and Caucasian hair in diameter and cross-sectional ellipticity. Such findings seem in line with the early and late ethnic origins of Mexican people. Results also illustrate and confirm the large intra- and inter-individual variability within any single hair property. Unexpectedly high levels of hair tensile damage were sometimes encountered.

Des cheveux prélevés sur 257 mexicaines, résidant dans la ville de Mexico, ont été mesurés et comparés avec des cheveux caucasiens, asiatiques et africains, généralement mieux connus. Les sujets ont été répartis en 5 catégories d'âge et leurs cheveux caractérisés selon la dimension de la fibre, leur forme et leur résistance mécanique. Les résultats montrent que les cheveux mexicains se situent, en termes de diamètre et d'ellipticité, entre les asiatiques et les caucasiens. Cela semble en cohérence avec les origines ethniques récentes et anciennes du peuple mexicain. Les résultats illustrent aussi et confirment la grande diversité intra et inter individu pour toutes les propriétés du cheveu. Des cheveux anormalement fragiles lorsque soumis à un test de tension ont parfois été rencontrés.

Expression of GnRH receptor in the canine corpus luteum, and luteal function following deslorelin acetate-induced puberty delay.

The goals of this study were as follows: (Experiment 1) to examine the basic capability of canine corpora lutea (CL) to respond to GnRH by assessing expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) in luteal samples collected throughout the luteal lifespan from non-pregnant dogs, and (Experiment 2) to investigate the effects of pre-pubertal application of the GnRH agonist deslorelin acetate on luteal function following the first oestrus. Mature CL were collected during the mid-luteal phase (days 30-45) from treated and control bitches. Transcript levels of several factors were determined: estrogen receptors (ESR1/ERα, ESR2/ERß), progesterone (P4)-receptor (PGR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), PGE2-synthase (PTGES) and PGE2 receptors (PTGER2/EP2, PTGER4/EP4), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) and VEGF receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2/PTGS2), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ßHSD). Additionally, levels of Kisspeptin 1 (Kiss1) and its receptor (KISS1-R) were evaluated. Although generally low, GnRH-R expression was time dependent and was elevated during early dioestrus, with a significant decrease towards luteal regression. In deslorelin-treated and control dogs, its expression was either low or frequently below the detection limit. EP2 and VEGFR1 were higher in the treated group, which could be caused by a feedback mechanism after long-term suppression of reproductive activity. Despite large individual variations, 3ßHSD was higher in the deslorelin-treated group. This, along with unchanged STAR expression, was apparently not mirrored in increased luteal functionality, because similar P4 levels were detected in both groups. Finally, the deslorelin-mediated long-term delay of puberty does not have negative carry-over effects on subsequent ovarian functionality in bitches.

Morphological, histological and molecular investigations on canine uterine tissue after ovariectomy.

In the present study, we investigated the course of atrophy in canine uterine tissue and the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) within 6 months after ovariectomy (OE). In nine primipar bitches of different breeds, bilateral OE and removal of one horn was performed. Six months after surgery, the remaining uterine tissue was removed. The tissue was examined for signs of inflammation and proliferation, and for expression of ER, PR and Ki67 by means of immunohistochemistry (IHC); furthermore transcription of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), epithelial growth factor (EGF), platelet activating factor (PAF), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and their specific receptors was determined by means of RT-qPCR. Serum concentrations of estrogen and progesterone were measured immediately before the first and second operation. Six month after OE, no inflammation was seen in any uterine tissue, the thickness of the stump was decreased in most bitches. Protein expression of Ki67 revealed high individual differences after the second operation. Concentration of both hormones was not significantly changed, the estrogen concentration always revealed high individual differences. The expression of ER was significantly decreased in stromal and smooth muscle cells of the uterine tissue (p < 0.01), and the expression of PR in stromal cells only (p < 0.05). The gene expression of growth factors did not change significantly between first and second operation. We conclude that complete atrophy did not occur within 6 months after OE, instead, a high percentage of uterine cells still expressed ER and PR, rendering the stump susceptible to hormone treatments.

Kisspeptin-10 and the G protein-coupled receptor 54 are differentially expressed in the canine pregnant uterus and trophoblast cells.

Uterine tissue was collected from bitches after ovariohysterectomy at different times after ovulation. Samples were assigned to four groups: metestrous non-pregnant, day 10-12, n = 4; pre-implantation, day 10-12, n = 9; post-implantation, day 18-25, n = 13; mid-gestation, day 30-40, n = 7. RT-qPCR detection was performed for kiss1 and the G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54, specific receptor for kisspeptin). In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed for detection of kisspeptin-10 (KP-10), GPR54, as well as pan-cytokeratin and vimentin. The latter two were included to differentiate the different placental cell types. The percentage of positive stained cells was evaluated, and an immunoreactivity score (IRS) was obtained by multiplying the labelling intensity score (0-3) with the percentage of immunolabelled cells (range: 0-300). In non-pregnant and pre-implantation tissues, gene expression was highly variable for kiss1 and GPR54. Expression of GPR54 was higher before embryo adhesion than during post-implantation and mid-gestation (p < .05), whereas there was no difference found between groups for kiss1. Except during the pre-implantation period, KP-10 expression was higher in the non-pregnant uterus compared to all gestational periods investigated, indicating a pregnancy-related downregulation. In the pre-implantation period, KP-10 was present in larger vessels only, whereas the presence of GPR54 in vessels was found in all samples, with most labelling in the post-implantation period. KP-10 was present in superficial uterine glands, GPR54 in superficial and deep uterine glands of the post-implantation uterus. In myocytes, the highest staining for KP-10 was seen in the non-pregnant uterus, whereas the highest staining for GPR54 was seen in post-implantation and mid-gestation. Syncytiotrophoblast cells stained for both KP-10 and GPR54 in post-implantation and mid-gestation, with maximum intensity for GPR54 in the latter. We conclude that KP-10 and GPR54 are expressed in the canine uterus and trophoblast cells. However, during pregnancy, expression of both proteins seems to be differentially regulated.

Effects of Intraoperative Magnesium Sulfate Administration on Postoperative Tramadol Requirement in Liver Transplantation: A Prospective, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blocker and is known to have analgesic effect. Hypomagnesemia can often be seen in liver transplantation and may be associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intraoperative magnesium sulfate administration on postoperative tramadol requirement in liver transplant patients. METHODS: Liver transplant patients >18 years of age were screened prospectively from October 2014 to April 2015. Of these, 35 randomly selected patients with normal blood magnesium level (≥1.8 mmol/L) were included in a control group and another 35 randomly selected patients with low magnesium level (<1.8 mmol/L) were given 50 mg/kg intravenous magnesium sulfate replacement in the last 30 minutes of the operation. All patients received standard anesthesia induction and maintenance. Patient's age, sex, body mass index, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, 24-hour tramadol requirement, mechanical ventilation duration, and time of 1st tramadol need were recorded. RESULTS: In the magnesium group, mean 24-hour total tramadol requirement (3.7 mg/kg/d) and duration of mechanical ventilation (6.3 h) were significantly lower and time of 1st tramadol need (17.5 h) was significantly higher than in the control group (P < .001 for each). In the multivariate analysis, duration of mechanical ventilation was decreased by the usage of magnesium sulfate (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative use of magnesium sulfate in liver transplantation reduces the need for postoperative tramadol and duration of mechanical ventilation and therefore it is a candidate to be adjuvant agent.

A discrete artificial bee colony algorithm for detecting transcription factor binding sites in DNA sequences.

The great majority of biological sequences share significant similarity with other sequences as a result of evolutionary processes, and identifying these sequence similarities is one of the most challenging problems in bioinformatics. In this paper, we present a discrete artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm, which is inspired by the intelligent foraging behavior of real honey bees, for the detection of highly conserved residue patterns or motifs within sequences. Experimental studies on three different data sets showed that the proposed discrete model, by adhering to the fundamental scheme of the ABC algorithm, produced competitive or better results than other metaheuristic motif discovery techniques.

GnRH and its receptor (GnRH-R) are expressed in the canine placenta and uterus.

In reproductive tissues, GnRH participates in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation by direct binding to the GnRH-R, which is essential for embryo implantation. However, there is no study on the expression and cellular localization of GnRH and GnRH-R in the canine uterus and placenta. Therefore, bitches were ovariohysterectomized 10 to 12 days after mating (vaginal cytology and progesterone measurement), the uteri were flushed, and if embryos were detectable, bitches were allocated to the embryo positive group (E-pos.; preimplantation, n = 5). Other bitches were operated at later stages and, dependent on the gestational age, either allotted to the post-implantation group (Day 18-25 after mating, n = 9), or the mid-gestation group (Day 30-40 after mating, n = 3). Dogs negative in embryo flushing served as controls (E-neg.; controls, n = 5). Samples of the entire uterine wall were taken from the middle of the horn in E-neg. and E-pos. groups, and from placental and interplacental uterine sites in post-implantation and mid-gestation groups. GnRH-R expression was localized at the mRNA and protein levels by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The expression of GnRH and GnRH-R mRNA was assessed by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, both GnRH and GnRH-R mRNA were expressed in all tissues examined until mid-gestation. Relative expression of GnRH was higher than that of GnRH-R (P < 0.05). During the post-implantation stage, GnRH-R expression was significantly higher in uteroplacental than in interplacental tissues. In the uterus, GnRH-R stained strongly in the surface and glandular epithelial cells, and seemed to be weaker in myometrium and stroma. Placental signals were predominantly localized in fetal trophoblast cells and to a lesser extent in maternal decidual cells. These findings suggest a local regulatory function of GnRH during early canine pregnancy.

Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicenter, prospective study. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III). SETTING: This study was conducted in rehabilitation centers of three hospitals in Turkey. METHODS: Two-hundred and four (n=204) consecutive patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) were included in the study. Each patient was examined by two physicians. Neurologic impairment was measured according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) 2000 revised criteria. Backward and forward translation of SCIM-III was performed by native speakers in both languages. To measure the validity of SCIM-III, the scores were compared with patients' AIS grades, total motor scores and the Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) subscale scores. SCIM-III was analyzed for test-retest reliability by the same rater on 49 patients during the follow-up evaluations. RESULTS: Total agreement values between raters changed between 75.9 and 100%. Kappa values were all above 0.6, and they were statistically significant. The Pearson's correlation values between the raters were very high and statistically significant. The Cronbach's α-values for the two consecutive raters were 0.865 and 0.896. Test-retest reliability was assessed by paired samples t-test, and no significant difference was observed. SCIM-III and SF-36 physical (r=0.339, P<0.005) and general health scores (r=0.200, P<0.005) showed correlation. All subscales of the SCIM-III, with the exception of self-care, had significant differences in comparison with the AIS grades. SCIM-III total and total motor scores showed correlation (r=0.585, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of SCIM-III was found to be valid and reliable.

Clinical use of deslorelin implants for the long-term contraception in prepubertal bitches: effects on epiphyseal closure, body development, and time to puberty.

Long-acting GnRH agonists have been used both for canine estrus induction and prevention. The objective of the study was to investigate the use of a deslorelin implant as a long-term and reversible contraceptive in prepubertal bitches with special regard to the time of epiphyseal closure. Thirteen healthy, crossbreed, medium-sized prepubertal female dogs were used in this study. An implant containing 9.4 mg (G1, n = 5) and 4.7 mg (G2, n = 4) deslorelin acetate (Suprelorin) or a placebo (sodium chloride 0.9%; G3, n = 4) was inserted subcutaneously in the interscapular region. Estrus was monitored once daily by physical and sexual behavioral changes. Body development, vaginal cytology, and serum progesterone and estradiol 17ß concentration were monitored weekly for the first 5 weeks, and then every 3 weeks throughout the treatment period. Radiographic examinations were performed monthly to determine the epiphyseal closure. Half of the deslorelin-treated bitches (G1: n = 2 and G2: n = 2) came into estrus during the 83-week observation period. All animals in the control group showed estrus between the 39th and 64th weeks of observation. Time to puberty averaged 82.7 ± 8.9 and 61.9 ± 9.7 weeks in the deslorelin-treated (G1 and G2) and the control bitches, respectively (P < 0.02). Both deslorelin implants (9.4 and 4.7 mg) can be used efficiently for the long-term prevention of estrus in prepubertal bitches; however, epiphyseal closure is clearly delayed which was without any clinical effect in the present study.