Evaluation of traditional instruction versus a self-learning computer module in teaching veterinary students how to pass a nasogastric tube in the horse

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a self-learning computer module (SLCM) versus traditional instruction in teaching how to pass a nasogastric tube (NG) in the horse. DESIGN: A double-blind, monocentric study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 52 third-year students in the DVM program were randomly assigned to two groups: traditional instruction (N = 25) or SLCM instruction (N = 27). PROCEDURE: Traditional instruction consisted of an instructor and live demonstration; SCLM students were given a CD-ROM each. Both sessions lasted one hour. The students were then united in one session to practice passing the NG tube. Their performance was videotaped and evaluated by two evaluators. Students were then given a multiple-choice knowledge quiz. One week later, a second demonstration of the same procedure by the two methods was administered, and students were allowed to choose either method of instruction. A Likert-scale questionnaire about their comfort, their confidence, and the appropriateness of the teaching method was given after the second demonstration. Data were analyzed by non-parametric tests. A focus-group study was conducted to determine students' perception of each teaching method. Nine participants in the experiment volunteered for these focus-group sessions. The sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. RESULTS: Students in the SLCM group performed significantly better on the test of knowledge than traditionally instructed students. The questionnaire found significant perceived benefits to computer-based instruction, including a preference for the computer-based module, better learning, and greater preparedness. In hands-on skill, time to pass the NG tube on the successful attempt was significantly shorter in the SLCM group than in the traditionally instructed group. The data from focus-group sessions suggest that while participants expressed satisfaction with both modes of instruction, the SLCM group reported somewhat higher levels of confidence in their skills prior to performing the procedure. Whereas the traditional group reported a strong preference for continued live demonstrations of the procedure, the SLCM group stated that the computer-assisted module alone provided them with effective instruction. CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted learning is an acceptable and effective method of training students to pass an NG tube with potential welfare, proficiency, and knowledge advantages.     

N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide immunoreactivity in plasma of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is an important regulator of fluid homeostasis and vascular tone. We sought to compare N-terminal ANP immunoreactivity (ANP-IR) in plasma from cats with and without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Secondarily, we evaluated relationships between ANP-IR and echocardiographical variables in cats with HCM and healthy cats. Venous blood samples were obtained from 17 cats with HCM and from 19 healthy cats. Plasma ANP-IR concentration was determined by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Two cats with HCM had clinical evidence of congestive heart failure; the remainder had subclinical disease. Plasma ANP-IR concentration was higher in cats with HCM (3,808 +/- 1,406 fmol/L, mean +/- SD) than in control cats (3,079 +/- 1,233 fmol/L), but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -166 to 1,622). There was a significant, but modest correlation between plasma ANP-IR concentration and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r = 0.42; P = .01). Additionally, plasma ANP-IR concentration was weakly correlated with left atrial size (r = 0.35; P = .03). A linear regression model was developed to further explore these relationships. Atrial size and wall thickness were included in the model; the 2 explanatory variables had an interactive effect on plasma ANP-IR concentration (R2 = 0.27; P = .02). There was no appreciable correlation between plasma ANP-IR concentration and any other echocardiographical variable. In a population that included cats with subclinical disease, those with HCM did not have significantly higher plasma ANP-IR concentration than did healthy cats. An exploratory multivariable regression analysis suggested a linear relationship between ANP-IR concentration and atrial size, wall thickness, and their interaction.     

Lactobacillus GG does not affect D-lactic acidosis in diarrheic calves, in a clinical setting

D-lactate, produced by gastrointestinal fermentation, is a major contributor to metabolic acidosis in diarrheic calves. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG survives gastrointestinal transit in the neonatal calf and does not produce D-lactate. To determine whether this probiotic reduces gastrointestinal D-lactate production or severity of diarrhea or both, 48 calves (mean, 11 days old; range, 2-30 days) admitted to the clinic for treatment of diarrhea were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The experimental group was given Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1 x 10(11) cfu/d) PO, dissolved in milk or oral electrolyte solution, in addition to clinic treatment protocols; the other group served as a control. Serum and fecal samples were obtained at admission and at 24 and 48 hours after initial administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. All samples were analyzed for D- and L-lactate by using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Feces were also analyzed for pathogens, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG recovery, and dry matter. D-lactic acidemia (>3 mmol/L) was present in 37/48 calves at admission. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was recovered in the feces of 13 experimental calves and 0 control calves 24 hours after administration. No difference in serum or fecal D- or L-lactate between the groups was detected at any time point. After therapy, D-lactic acidosis was absent at 48 hours in all but 1 calf. No relation between fecal pathogen (viral, bacterial, or protozoal) and degree of D-lactic acidosis was observed. The reduction in mortality and greater fecal dry matter in Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG-treated calves was not statistically significant.     

Methyl jasmonate treatment of mature Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees increases the accumulation of terpenoid resin components and protects against infection by Ceratocystis polonica, a bark beetle-associated fungus

When conifers such as Picea abies Karst. (Norway spruce) are attacked by insects or pathogens, they often respond by producing increased quantities of terpenoid oleoresin. This response can be mimicked in young P. abies seedlings by treatment with methyl jasmonate (MJ). In this study, we determined the effects of MJ on terpenoids and other chemical defenses of mature P. abies, and investigated whether this treatment protected trees against attack by the blue-stain fungus Ceratocystis polonica (Siem.) C. Moreau, the most important fungal associate of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus L. Methyl jasmonate treatment induced the formation of traumatic resin ducts in the developing xylem, enhanced resin flow and stimulated increased accumulation of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and diterpene resin acids. However, only minor changes were detected in terpene composition in response to MJ treatment and no changes in soluble phenolic concentration were measured. There was much variability in the timing and degree of response to MJ among clones. The observed chemical and anatomical changes in response to MJ treatment were correlated with increased resistance to C. polonica, suggesting that terpenoid oleoresin may function in defense against this pathogen.     

A high-brightness source of narrowband, identical-photon pairs

We generated narrowband pairs of nearly identical photons at a rate of 5 x 10(4) pairs per second from a laser-cooled atomic ensemble inside an optical cavity. A two-photon interference experiment demonstrated that the photons could be made 90% indistinguishable, a key requirement for quantum information-processing protocols. Used as a conditional single-photon source, the system operated near the fundamental limits on recovery efficiency (57%), Fourier transform-limited bandwidth, and pair-generation-rate-limited suppression of two-photon events (factor of 33 below the Poisson limit). Each photon had a spectral width of 1.1 megahertz, ideal for interacting with atomic ensembles that form the basis of proposed quantum memories and logic.     

cis-Atracurium in dogs with and without porto-systemic shunts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug cis-atracurium in dogs with porto-systemic shunts, and to compare it in clinically normal animals. ANIMALS: Thirteen dogs of mixed breed and sex, aged between 3 and 31 months old, weighing 2.2-25.5 kg, with ASA physical status II-IV, and undergoing surgical attenuation of porto-systemic shunt. A control group of 11 bitches of mixed breed, between 8 and 60 months old, and weighing 4.5-41.0 kg, all ASA physical status I, undergoing routine ovarohysterectomy were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-anaesthetic medication was an opioid analgesic, given either alone or in combination with acepromazine. Following induction of general anaesthesia with intravenous (IV) propofol and oro-tracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained using isoflurane in either oxygen or oxygen and nitrous oxide. Ventilation was controlled. The train of four (TOF) technique was used to monitor neuromuscular blockade. An initial dose of 0.1 mg kg(-1)cis-atracurium was given IV and additional doses of 0.03 mg kg(-1)cis-atracurium were administered when at least one twitch of the TOF was present. RESULTS: Except for one dog that was killed during surgery because its anomaly was inoperable, all animals recovered satisfactorily from anaesthesia and surgery. In dogs with porto-systemic shunt, onset of neuromuscular blockade was 3.1 +/- 1.1 minutes (mean +/- SD) and in control dogs was 3.4 +/- 0.7 minutes (not significantly different). Neuromuscular blockade lasted 34 +/- 13 minutes in dogs with porto-systemic shunt and 29 +/- 17 minutes in control dogs (not significantly different). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of porto-systemic shunt did not affect the rate of onset or duration of action of cis-atracurium. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: cis-Atracurium may have a use in veterinary anaesthesia for producing neuromuscular blockade in dogs with hepatic insufficiency, including those with porto-systemic shunt.     

Progressive proliferative and dysplastic typhlocolitis in aging syrian hamsters naturally infected with Helicobacter spp.: a spontaneous model of inflammatory bowel disease

Helicobacter spp. have been implicated in a variety of gastrointestinal tract diseases, including peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in humans and animals. Although most models of IBD are experimentally induced, spontaneous or natural models of IBD are rare. Herein, we describe a long-term study of chronic, progressive lesions that develop in the distal portion of the large bowel of unmanipulated Syrian hamsters naturally infected with Helicobacter spp. Twenty-four Syrian hamsters of three age groups (group A, 1 month [n = 4], group B, 7-12 months [n = 12], group C, 18-24 months [n = 12]), underwent complete postmortem examination. Results of microbial isolation and polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses confirmed the presence of Helicobacter spp. infection in the distal portion of the large bowel of all animals. Additionally, confounding pathogens, such as Clostridium difficile, Lawsonia intracellularis, and Giardia spp. that can cause proliferative enteritis, were absent in the hamsters of this study. Histopathologic scores for inflammation (P < 0.01), hyperplasia (P < 0.01), and dysplasia (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the ileocecocolic (ICC) junction of animals in group C, relative to group A. Dysplastic lesions of various grades were detected in 5 of 11 hamsters in group C. Interestingly, the segment of the bowel that is usually colonized by Helicobacter spp. in hamsters had the most severe lesions. One hamster of group C developed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma, whereas another hamster developed a round cell sarcoma originating from the ICC junction. Thus, lesions in the distal portion of the large bowel of aging hamsters naturally colonized with Helicobacter spp. warrants developing the hamster as an animal model of IBD and potentially IBD-related cancer.     

Chemically induced fast solid-state transitions of omega-VOPO4 in vanadium phosphate catalysts

Vanadium phosphates are important catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes, and commercial catalysts comprise a complex range of V4+ and V5+ phosphates. We used three complementary in situ characterization methodologies-powder x-ray diffraction and laser Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies-to show that the metastable phase omega-VOPO4 is very sensitive to many of the reactants and products of butane oxidation. A rapid transformation from omega-VOPO4 to delta-VOPO4 occurs on exposure to butane at the reaction temperature, and hence the metastable omega-VOPO4 may play a role in the formation of commercial catalysts.