Quantification of Urine Elimination Behaviors in Cats with a Video Recording System.

BACKGROUND: Urinary disorders in cats often require subjective caregiver quantification of clinical signs to establish a diagnosis and monitor therapeutic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate use of a video recording system (VRS) to better assess and quantify urination behaviors in cats. ANIMALS: Eleven healthy cats and 8 cats with disorders potentially associated with abnormal urination patterns. METHODS: Prospective study design. Litter box urination behaviors were quantified with a VRS for 14 days and compared to daily caregiver observations. Video recordings were analyzed by a behavior analysis software program. RESULTS: The mean number of urinations per day detected by VRS (2.5 ± 0.7) was significantly higher compared with caregiver observations (0.6 ± 0.6; P < .0001). Five cats were never observed in the litter box by their caregivers. The mean number of urinations per day detected by VRS was significantly higher for abnormal cats (2.9 ± 0.7) compared with healthy cats (2.1 ± 0.7; P = .02); there were no apparent differences in frequency between these groups reported by caregivers (0.7 ± 1.0 and 0.5 ± 1.0, respectively). There were no differences in mean urination time between healthy and abnormal cats as determined by VRS or caregivers. Mean cover-up time determined by VRS was significantly longer in healthy cats (22.7 ± 12.9 seconds/urination) compared with abnormal cats (8.7 ± 12.9 seconds/urination; P = .03); differences in cover-up time were not detected by caregivers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Caregivers commonly underestimate urination frequency in cats when compared to video-based observations. Video recording appears to facilitate objective assessment of urination behaviors and could be of value in future clinical studies of urinary disorders in cats.

[Baroreflex sensitivity and chronic pain : Pathogenetic significance and clinical implications]. / Baroreflexsensitivität und chronischer Schmerz : Pathogenetische Bedeutsamkeit und klinische Implikationen.

The interaction of cardiovascular dynamics and pain perception is an important component of intrinsic pain regulation. In healthy subjects acute pain stimuli cause increased sympathetic arousal and increased mean arterial pressure. Arterial baroreceptors sense phasic blood pressure changes and relay the information to the lower brainstem via the dorsomedial nucleus tractus solitarius (dmNTS). Projections in the brainstem and also higher cortical areas result in elevation of blood pressure as part of the autonomic nervous system as well as modulation of sleep, anxiety and pain. In healthy subjects there is an inverse relationship between blood pressure and pain sensitivity but this relationship is impaired in chronic pain patients. Persistent stress, pain behavior and classical and operant conditioning mechanisms reduce baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and dmNTS activity in a subgroup of patients. This leads to a decrease of autonomic regulatory function as well as reduced pain inhibition. Importantly, baroreflex function can be modulated by cognitive and affective processes. This article reviews the role of the baroreflex arc as a possible crucial factor in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. The importance of learning mechanisms is described. Mechanism-based individualized treatment approaches for patients with hypertensive stress reactivity are also critically discussed.

[Airway function disturbances reversibility after mitral valve replacement]. / Odwracalnosc zmian czynnosciowych dróg oddechowych u chorych po operacyjnej korekcji wady mitralnej.

Dyspnea, cough, recurrent airway infection, hemoptysis are the most common pulmonary symptoms of mitral valve disease and heart failure. Pathophysiological mechanism of those disturbances is complex and airway status is one of the most important. The aim of the study was to assess airway function disturbances reversibility after mitral valve replacement. The study group consisted of 30 patients qualified to mitral valve surgery. Patients were assessed by clinical cardiac noninvasive investigation and airway function study. Post-operative study was performed minimum 6 months after mitral valve replacement (mean after 8 months) and again after minimum 3 years (mean after 40 months). In most of assessed--22 patients (74%) airway obstruction was noticed, in 8 patients without obstruction nonspecific histamine provocation test was performed. Increased airway reactivity was found in 4 patients only, in another 4 patients (13%) there was no airway function disturbances. After mitral valve replacement significant improvement in all cardiac parameters including NYHA functional class was observed. No airway function improvement occurred. Only small tendency to improve airway function was noticed as far as it concerns VC, FEV1, MEF50, MEF75 iTGV with exclusion of Raw. Analysis after dividing study group into 3 subgroups with increasing airway function disturbances (from predicted to hyperreactivity and obstruction) was also performed. The improvement in airways function was noticed only in 6 patient (20% studied). In patients with mitral valve disease airway function disturbances as obstruction and bronchial hyperreactivity persist in long term follow-up after mitral valve replacement.

[Analysis of airway function in patients with mitral valve disease in various stages of progression]. / Analiza stanu czynnosciowego dróg oddechowych u chorych z wada mitralna o róznym stopniu zaawansowania.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess an airway function in patients with mitral valve disease at different stages. The study group consisted of 105 consecutive patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease (21-20% pts with mitral stenosis and 84-80% with combined mitral valve disease with a stenosis prevalence). 77 (73%) females, 28 (27%) males, at a mean age 50.4 (28-68) years. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: aortic valve disease, ischemic left ventricular damage, uncontrolled hypertension, pulmonary and allergic diseases. Each patient was assessed by clinical, echocardiographic, X-ray chest, electrocardiographic examination and airway function studies. An airway obstruction was diagnosed when MEF50 < 60% of predicted value or Raw > 0.3 kPa/lxs-1. To assess airway obstruction reversibility test with fenoterol was performed. In the others nonspecific bronchial provocation test with 0.1% histamine was assessed. Similar number of patients was qualified to II (37%), III (33%) and IV (30%) NYHA functional class. Airway function disturbances were diagnosed in 98 patients (93.5% of all). In most of them airway obstruction was observed (70.5%). Bronchial hyperreactivity was detected in 24 patients (23%). Both airway function disturbances could enhance dyspnoea and fatigue. In the whole study group significant correlations between airway parameters indicating peripheral obstruction or restriction and some cardiological parameters were found. This suggests that peripheral obstruction is proportional to development of a valvular heart disease. Airway resistance which generally represents in 80-90% function of main bronchi was not correlated with any of the analysed cardiological parameters. We conclude that central obstruction is an additional and independent of development of valvular disease part of airway function disturbances.

[Activation of the antibacterial properties and neutrophil myeloperoxidase and acid phosphatase in patients with unstable angina pectoris]. / Pobudzenie wlasciwosci bakteriobójczych oraz aktywacja mieloperoksydazy i kwasnej fosfatazy w granulocytach obojetnochlonnych u chorych na niestabilna dlawice piersiowa.

Neutrophils are very important in pathogenesis of ischemic disease. They take part in the biomorphology of thrombus and also in the damage of myocardium ischemia in a course of unstable angina pectoris. We evaluated the functional status of neutrophils in peripheral blood, by measurement of bactericidal activity and activity of granulocyte's enzymes: myeloperoxidase (MPO) and acid phosphatase in the patients with unstable angina pectoris. We studied a group of 43 people at the age from 34 to 74 years. The blood for investigation was obtained during the first five hours from the moment of hospitalization. The control group were 40 healthy people. The number of granulocytes was significantly higher in patients with unstable angina pectoris and granulocytes were metabolically activated which was shown in the bigger activity of granulocyte's enzymes like MPO and acid phosphatase than in the control group. The activation of neutrophils is developed by many factors in the course of unstable angina pectoris. They take part in the processes of thrombogenesis and thrombolysis and they are a very important origin for active oxygen metabolites, which are responsible for damage of myocardium ischemia.

Ultrastructure of bone marrow megakaryocytes in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. I. Correlation between ultrastructure of MK nuclei and DNA ploidy.

The correlation was described between the ultrastructural picture and DNA mass content of MK nuclei in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. Significant disproportions were revealed between the morphological pictures and the ploidy of MK nuclei in the successive phases of the shock. Abnormalities of the maturation of marrow MK nuclei were found in the first hours of the shock, being most pronounced in the 24th hour.

Ultrastructure of bone marrow megakaryocytes in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. II. Correlation between ultrastructure of MK cytoplasm and thrombopoiesis.

Ultrastructural evaluation was performed of the MK cytoplasm in the successive phases of experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. Qualitative abnormalities were revealed in the intracytoplasmic structures of MK. Platelets in the circulating blood were evaluated. A correlation was found between the changes in the intracytoplasmic organelles and the number and biological activity of blood cells. The results obtained indicate significant disturbances in the functioning of the thrombopoietic system in experimental haemorrhagic shock, which are caused by alterations within the intracytoplasmic structures of MK and lead to platelet production from morphologically differentiated but functionally immature MK.

[Correlation of selected hemodynamic parameters of pulmonary circulation and indices of pulmonary function in patients with mitral stenosis]. / Zaleznosc wybranych parametrów hemodynamiczynych krazenia plucnego i wskazników mechaniki oddychania u chorych z dominujacym zwezeniem lewego ujscia zylnego.

The aim of this study was to test if the lung compliance and other indices of pulmonary function correlated with hemodynamic parameters in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension due to mitral stenosis. 36 patients (mean age 50 years) with mitral stenosis (mean mitral valve area-1.2 cm2), without history of lung diseases were analyzed in the study. 16 patients (group A) were in the II-nd and 20 patients (group B) were in the III-rd and IV-th NYHA class. All patients underwent Swan-Ganz catheterization with evaluation of pulmonary pressures, resistances and pulmonary veins compliance. Pulmonary function tests (spirometry, plethysomography, lung compliance) were also performed. In both analyzed groups the pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vein compliance correlated significantly with pulmonary compliance.

[Three month treatment with budesonide in patients with corticoid dependent bronchial asthma--personal experience]. / Trzymiesieczne leczenie budezonidem chorych na steroidozalezna dychawice oskrzelowa--doswiadczenia wlasne.

The experiment aimed at evaluating a three-month therapy of asthmatic patients with budesonide inhalations. The study involved 32 patients with long-lasting bronchial asthma depended on steroids. Therapy with budesonide (Pulmicort Astra) in a mean daily dose 1.6 mg enabled withdrawal of depot steroids and inhalation treatment only. In patients receiving prednisone in a mean daily dose 5.0 +/- 4.8 mg, budesonide therapy enabled a reduction of the oral dose by 50 percent. A significant improvement in the psychophysical status of patients has been noted despite a lack of significant differences in the results of lung functioning tests. Adverse reactions such as relaxation, insufficiency of the vocal cords at phonation and hoarseness were seen in 20 percent of patients, and in one of them required cessation of the drug. An increase in the number of Candida albicans colonies in throat swabs (over 20 colonies per plate) was seen in 7 treated patients but clinical symptoms which required an additional treatment were noted only in 1 patient.

Intravenous regional anaesthesia (Bier block): review of 20 years' experience.

Our experience with intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) in 1,906 patients over a period of 20 years has confirmed that this technique is safe and effective. IVRA may be used to provide anaesthesia for surgery involving both the upper and lower extremities. The need for supplemental medication is ordinarily minimal, so the technique is particularly suitable for short procedures in an ambulatory surgery centre. Yet, prolonged surgery may be performed using a "continuous technique." Although various local anaesthetic agents may be used to induce IVRA no drug has been demonstrated to be superior to lidocaine. The major cause of failure of the technique or serious adverse effects is technical error. A specific protocol for avoiding technical error is presented. Significantly, over a period of 20 years, there has not been any mortality or major morbidity. The incidence of adverse reactions was 1.6 per cent and consisted of minor events such as transient dizziness, tinnitus or mild bradycardia.

[Study of the effects of calcium antagonists on respiration mechanics in patients with occlusive ventilation impairment]. / Badania wplywu antagonistów wapnia na mechanike oddychania u chorych z obturacyjnym uposledzeniem wentylacji.

In 113 patients and 33 controls the bronchodilating effect of three most frequently used calcium channel blockers nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem was studied. The group comprised 76 men and 41 women aged 20 to 60 years, with bronchospastic conditions of various aetiology. The Jaeger Bodytest apparatus was used. The indices of bronchial patency determined in the study were: FEV1, MEF50, and Rt before and 30 and 120 minutes after one dose of nifedipine 20 mg, verapamil 80 mg and diltiazem 120 mg in various subgroups of patients. The criteria of bronchospasm reversibility were those accepted by SEPCR. It was shown that oral administration of one mean dose of calcium channel blocker causes improvement of the indices of bronchial patency in about one-third of cases contrary to the results in controls. The bronchodilating effect was greatest after nifedipine. The obtained results justify the trials of treatment with calcium channel antagonists in cases with reversible bronchospasm of various aetiology.

[Evaluation of the protective effects of nifedipine and verapamil in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity]. / Ocena ochronnego dzialania nifedypiny i verapamilu u chorych z nadreaktywnoscia oskrzeli.

The protective effect was studied of the drugs blocking the calcium channel on histamine-induced bronchospasm. In a group of 107 studied subjects with clinical suspicion of bronchial hyperreactivity in 37 cases hypersensitivity to histamine was diagnosed. The protective effect of one oral dose of nifedipine 20 mg and verapamil 1.6 mg administered by inhalation was assessed. A protective effect of nifedipine was observed in 61% and that of verapamil in 37% of cases. These drugs may be used in the prophylaxis and treatment of bronchospastic conditions.

Intestinal mucosa in diabetes: synthesis of total proteins and sucrase-isomaltase.

The effects of insulin deficiency on nitrogen metabolism in muscle and liver have been extensively studied with recent in vivo demonstration of impaired protein synthesis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Despite the significant contribution of small intestinal mucosa to overall protein metabolism, the effects of insulin deficiency on intestinal protein synthesis have not been completely defined. We studied the effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on total protein synthesis by small intestinal mucosa and on synthesis of a single enzyme protein of the enterocyte brush-border membrane sucrase-isomaltase. We used the flooding-dose technique of McNurlan, Tomkins, and Garlick (Biochem. J. 178: 373-379, 1979) to minimize the difficulties of measuring specific radioactivity of precursor phenylalanine and determined incorporation into mucosal proteins and sucrase-isomaltase 20 min after injection of the labeled amino acid. Diabetes did not alter mucosal mass as determined by weight and content of protein and DNA during the 5 days after injection of streptozotocin. Increased rates of sucrase-isomaltase synthesis developed beginning on day 3, and those of total protein developed on day 5. Thus intestinal mucosal protein synthesis is not an insulin-sensitive process.