A COMPUTERIZED WORD-BASED DATA SYSTEM FOR A VETERINARY RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Computer programs were developed to record and retrieve the diagnostic findings of a veterinary radiology department. The concluding statements of reports are abstracted into a data file. Records may be retrieved by the computer after selecting any of the following: owner's name, patient number, date, species, breed, sex, age, state of residence, imaging type and diagnosis (word or statement). Also, information retrieved from the hospital financial records (procedures performed) and medical record databases may be combined with imaging report information to provide a powerful tool for clinical research and teaching.     

FORENSIC RADIOLOGY AND IMAGING FOR VETERINARY RADIOLOGISTS

Imaging studies are often of evidentiary value in medicolegal investigations involving animals and the role of the veterinary radiologist is to interpret those images for courts as an expert or opinion witness. With progressing interest in prosecuting animal crimes and strengthening of penalties for crimes against animals, the participation of veterinary radiologists in medicolegal investigations is expected to increase. Veterinary radiologists who are aware of radiographic and imaging signs that result in animal suffering, abuse, or neglect; knowledgeable in ways radiology and imaging may support cause of death determinations; conversant in postmortem imaging; comfortable discussing mechanisms and timing of blunt or sharp force and projectile trauma in imaging; and prepared to identify mimics of abuse can assist court participants in understanding imaging evidence. The goal of this commentary review is to familiarize veterinary radiologists with the forensic radiology and imaging literature and with the advantages and disadvantages of various imaging modalities utilized in forensic investigations. Another goal is to provide background information for future research studies in veterinary forensic radiology and imaging.     

INVITED REVIEW: STUDY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH IN VETERINARY RADIOLOGY AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY

High quality clinical research is essential for advancing knowledge in the areas of veterinary radiology and radiation oncology. Types of clinical research studies may include experimental studies, method‐comparison studies, and patient‐based studies. Experimental studies explore issues relative to pathophysiology, patient safety, and treatment efficacy. Method‐comparison studies evaluate agreement between techniques or between observers. Patient‐based studies investigate naturally acquired disease and focus on questions asked in clinical practice that relate to individuals or populations (e.g., risk, accuracy, or prognosis). Careful preplanning and study design are essential in order to achieve valid results. A key point to planning studies is ensuring that the design is tailored to the study objectives. Good design includes a comprehensive literature review, asking suitable questions, selecting the proper sample population, collecting the appropriate data, performing the correct statistical analyses, and drawing conclusions supported by the available evidence. Most study designs are classified by whether they are experimental or observational, longitudinal or cross‐sectional, and prospective or retrospective. Additional features (e.g., controlled, randomized, or blinded) may be described that address bias. Two related challenging aspects of study design are defining an important research question and selecting an appropriate sample population. The sample population should represent the target population as much as possible. Furthermore, when comparing groups, it is important that the groups are as alike to each other as possible except for the variables of interest. Medical images are well suited for clinical research because imaging signs are categorical or numerical variables that might be predictors or outcomes of diseases or treatments.     

UNEXPECTED TOXICITY FOLLOWING USE OF GEMCITABINE AS A RADIOSENSITIZER IN HEAD AND NECK CARCINOMAS: A VETERINARY RADIATION THERAPY ONCOLOGY GROUP PILOT STUDY

Gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) was given intravenously twice weekly to 10 cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma and 15 dogs with nasal carcinoma undergoing radiotherapy as a radiosensitizing agent. The average total radiation dose was 50 Gy for dogs and 54 Gy for cats given Monday-Friday (planned dose of 54 and 57 Gy, respectively). Dogs received an average of five doses of gemcitabine beginning at 50 mg/m2, and cats received an average of five doses of gemcitabine beginning at 25 mg/m2. Twelve of 15 dogs and five of 10 cats required chemotherapy dose reduction or postponement because of hematologic or normal tissue toxicity. The results herein do not support the use of gemcitabine at the studied dose and schedule, as significant hematologic and local tissue toxicity was observed in the studied patients. Pharmacokinetic data are necessary to best define the efficacy and optimal dose and schedule of gemcitabine in combination with traditional radiotherapy.     

论动物生理学本科实验教学改革

从培养学生创新能力的角度，探讨了“动物生理学实验”独立设课的重要性，论述了在“动物生理学实验”课程定位、内容设计、技能训练的构建以及课程学习效果的评价等方面开展的研究与实践，提出了强化实验教学的若干要点和可操作性方案。     

DEFINING AIMS FOR A VETERINARY SCHOOL

The Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland has defined the aims of the Veterinary School for the future. The aims are to foster excellence in teaching, research, and other forms of professional activity in veterinary science. These aims are being used as a basis for future planning within the School.     

PREVALENCE OF CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA IN A VETERINARY TEACHING HOSPITAL POPULATION

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of canine HD in a population in which there was minimal or no prior screening of radiographs for the disorder. Patient information was obtained from the radiographic database at the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Teaching Hospital during the five-year period of 1991-1995. The coxofemoral joints on ventrodorsal radiographs of the pelvis were independently evaluated by three veterinary radiologists. A consensus evaluation of normal, borderline, or dysplastic was compiled. There were 2885 dogs identified representing 116 breeds and the mixbreds. There were 2236 purebred dogs (1071 males and 1165 females) and the prevalence of HD was 19.7%. There were 649 mixbred dogs (340 males and 309 females) and the prevalence of HD was 17.7%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of HD between sexes or between purebred and mixbred dogs (P = 0.16; P = 0.29). Degenerative joint disease (DJD) was the most common radiographic manifestation of HD and there appeared to be a threshold at 12 months of age after which the presence of DJD was the primary diagnostic criteria.     

家蚕卵电晕孵化法研究

利用电晕技术对即时浸酸处理的蚕种和冷藏浸酸处理的蚕种进行了刺激试验，发现蚕的孵化率和盐酸浸渍法相媲美。该方法所使用的仪器，结构简单、操作方便、成本低、劳动强度小，同时可以避免浸酸所带来的环境污染。     

A COMPLETE MOBILE RADIOLOGY LABORATORY FOR LARGE ANIMAL FIELD WORK

Because of the lack of a large animal hospital in Israel, and the need to provide radiology service to equine and bovine patients, a complete radiology mobile laboratory for field work was built. The laboratory was constructed in a van-type automobile and is equipped with a condenser-discharge x-ray unit, a tabletop automatic processor, and a dark room facility. The qualities of each of the components and the operation of the laboratory are discussed.     

桑树试验二分法研究及BASIC程序

桑树试验二分法为桑树田间试验提供一种试验统计方法.可有效地降低试验群体,减少试验误差,提高准确度和精确度,通过实例阐述了桑树试验二分法的原理与分析,并应用BASIC语言,编辑了微机程序.具有实用性.     

A VACUUM-FORMABLE MATTRESS FOR VETERINARY RADIOTHERAPY POSITIONING: COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL METHODS

This prospective study was undertaken to compare the positioning repeatability and setup time of a rigid immobilization device (Vac-Lok mattress) to conventional positioning methods (sandbags, tape, foam wedges) in the clinical veterinary radiotherapy setting. Positioning repeatability was determined by using port films to verify appropriate patient positioning. Setup time was determined by recording the time required to set up each patient using each positioning method. Sixty-seven patients receiving radiotherapy were positioned using both the Vac-Lok mattresses and conventional positioning methods during their treatments. Seventy-eight total sites were treated. Forty-eight were treated daily (Monday through Friday, 2 to 4 weeks) and 30 were treated once weekly (4 weeks). Patients were grouped according to the site treated: head (29), neck/body (24), and limb (25). Vac-Lok mattresses were similar to conventional means in positioning repeatability and setup time. Vac-Lok mattresses are potentially advantageous in specific situations, including use during pre-radiotherapy tumor imaging. These mattresses are not recommended for distal limb positioning.     

高校园艺专业实践教学模式初探

实践教学是高校教育的薄弱环节,特别对于实践性强的专业.文章就西南大学园艺园林学院园艺专业的实践教学提出一些新的模式和思路.几年的实践证明,这些模式行之有效,值得借鉴和推广.