A computer-derived protocol using recursive partitioning to aid in estimating prognosis of horses with abdominal pain in referral hospitals

In order to determine which variables are useful and accurate in estimating prognosis in horses with abdominal pain, data were analyzed from 231 horses presented at a veterinary teaching hospital. Using multiple stepwise discriminant analysis in a recursive partition model, we obtained a decision protocol that identified survivors and nonsurvivors. The prevalence of survivors was 61% in this population. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of this model were 71, 83, 87 and 65%, respectively. This decision protocol was validated by Jackknife classification and also by evaluation with a referral population of 100 horses in which the prevalence of survivors was 83%. This led to sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 83, 78, 94 and 50%, respectively.     

Seeking Mathematical Strategies in Sperm Function Analysis: Between Scylla and Charybdis?

During the last decades, essential progresses in reproductive biotechnology were achieved, implying development of special spermatological techniques. The major problem was to set up simple, rapid, precise and adequate evaluation methods. The key aspect to be considered in all assays of sperm fertilizing function is capacitation. As not all spermatozoa respond to fertilizing conditions in a similar manner, it seems to be logical to assess samples via their response to these specific conditions. For the spermatological practice, the sensitivity of methodology for assessment and analysis of data with respect to differences in individual response, in heterogeneity of the population, and proper temporal characterization of the response is crucial for the improvement of evaluation procedures. Currently, most used statistical analytical tools in spermatology do not always fulfil these essential sensitivity requirements. We structured our paper concerning different fields of mathematical science (distribution analysis, fractal geometry, functional approximation and differentiation) related to the modern insights in sperm function analysis. The spectrum of methods we are going to review in this paper is restricted to basic ideas to illustrate how the accuracy and sensitivity of sperm evaluation assays may be improved by applying adequate elementary tools of the mathematical analysis.     

Neonatal critical care.

The first few minutes after a neonate's birth may determine the quality of its entire life. Immediate care includes prevention of hypothermia, clearing of nasal and oral passages, stimulation of ventilation and oxygenation, and, in a few cases, advanced life support. Any additional stress during the first weeks of life can also result in neonatal morbidity and mortality. Care of the diseased newborn must focus not only on treatment of the underlying disease but on aggressive supportive care. A safe, warm, clean, proper environment and adequate nutrition are essential.     

Effects of acid,aluminium and lime additions on fish and invertebrates in a chronically acidic welsh stream

A chronically acidic stream, mean pH 5.2, in upland mid-Wales was subjected to an induced episode of acidity, during which acid, Al and limestone were added at different points along the stream length. An upstream reference zone (A), an acid zone (B), an acid plus Al zone (C) and a downstream zone of Al at low pH with added limestone to increase pH (D) were created for a 24 hr period. Four species of fish and 10 species of invertebrates were exposed in each zone and response criteria measured included mortality, metal uptake, feeding and the ability of stressed animals to recover. Fish mortalities were greater in zones B and C than in zone A and were greatly reduced by the addition of lime in zone D. Overall mortality was low amongst the invertebrate species found in acid waters. Greatest mortalities were recorded for Gammarus pulex. G. pulex infected with the acanthocephalan parasite Pomphorhynchus laevis exhibited greater mortality than uninfected animals. The feeding rate of G. pulex was suppressed in all zones during the dosing period; uninfected G. pulex consumed more than infected animals, and the feeding rate of all gammarids increased post-dosing but not to the level of unexposed animals. Aluminium concentrations in fish gills increased with time. Invertebrate body burdens of Al were greatest in zone D, with significant increases over the dosing period for both G. pulex and Isoperla grammatica. No significant patterns were observed in the concentration of Ca, Na or K for either fish or invertebrates.     

The Post‐Cervical Insemination does not Impair the Reproductive Performance of Primiparous Sows

The study evaluated the reproductive performance of primiparous sows submitted to post‐cervical insemination (PCAI) compared with cervical artificial insemination (CAI). Difficulty with catheter introduction, the occurrence of bleeding or semen backflow during insemination, and volume and sperm cell backflow up to 60 min after insemination were also evaluated. Sows were homogenously distributed, according to body weight loss in lactation, lactation length, weaned piglets, weaning‐to‐oestrus interval and total born in previous farrowing, in two treatments: PCAI (n = 165) with 1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells in 45 ml (2.4 ± 0.04 doses per sow) and CAI (n = 165) with 3 × 10⁹ sperm cells in 90 ml (2.5 ± 0.04 doses per sow). During PCAI, sows were inseminated in the absence of boars. Transabdominal real‐time ultrasonography was performed at oestrus onset, immediately before the first insemination and at 24 h after last insemination. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between treatments in farrowing rate (91.5% × 89.1%) and litter size (12.5 × 11.9 piglets born, respectively for PCAI and CAI sows). Successful passage of the intrauterine catheter in all the inseminations was possible in 86.8% (165/190) of sows initially allocated to PCAI treatment. Difficulty of introducing the catheter in at least one insemination did not affect the reproductive performance of PCAI sows (P > 0.05). Bleeding during insemination did not affect (P > 0.05) the farrowing rate in both treatments, but litter size was reduced in CAI and PCAI sows (P ≤ 0.06). Percentage of spermatozoa present in backflow within 1 h after insemination was greater in CAI than PCAI sows (P < 0.01). More than 85% of primiparous sows can be successfully post‐cervical inseminated with doses containing 1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells in the absence of the boar during insemination without impairing the reproductive performance.     

The effect of epidural morphine on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of 3 different doses of epidurally administered morphine sulphate on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in healthy cats. Five 4-year-old, spayed female cats weighing 4.7 ± 0.8 kg were allocated randomly to receive one of 3 doses of morphine on each study day. The 3 doses of morphine were 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg bwt and each cat was studied 3 times so that each cat received all doses. On each study day, cats were anaesthetised with isoflurane and instrumented. The MAC of isoflurane was determined in triplicate and morphine sulphate was administered via an epidural catheter chronically implanted prior to the study. Maximum MAC reduction was determined over the following 2 h. At the end of the study cats were allowed to recover. There was a significant reduction in MAC of isoflurane, with all doses of epidural morphine (P<0.05). The maximum reduction in MAC of isoflurane after 0.05 mg/kg bwt, 0.10 mg/kg bwt and 0.20 mg/kg bwt morphine was 21.4 ± 9.796, 30.8 ± 9.696, and 30.2 ± 6.8%, respectively, with no significant difference between doses. Systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial pH decreased significantly whereas arterial carbon dioxide tension increased significantly after morphine administration (P<0.05). The means for all variables returned to pre-morphine values when the end-tidal isoflurane concentration was reduced to the new MAC point. In conclusion, epidural morphine decreased the concentration of isoflurane required to prevent movement in response to noxious mechanical stimulation to the tail base. A similar effect may be seen clinically allowing lower doses of isoflurane to be used to provide surgical anaesthesia for procedures involving the hind limbs, pelvis and tail.     

Resolution of a Left Ureteral Stone Using Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy in a Thoroughbred Colt

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for evaluation of azotemia and anorexia. Physical examination revealed a ureterolith in the left ureter, approximately 10 cm from the bladder, which was thought to obstruct urine flow by approximately 90% when viewed cystoscopically. Ultrasonographic examination of both kidneys revealed indistinct corticomedullary junctions, and the right kidney was more hyperechoic. A percutaneous biopsy of the right kidney revealed chronic interstitial nephritis with marked interstitial medullary fibrosis. Medical therapy consisting of IV fluids, sodium chloride PO, and ammonium chloride PO was initiated. Ureteroscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy via a perineal urethrostomy was used to successfully remove the stone. Klebsiella oxytoca , which responded to oral enrofloxacin therapy, was cultured from the urine after surgery. Azotemia resolved and the horse resumed training.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of a ketamine hydrochloride/acepromazine combination in healthy cats.

The effect of a ketamine hydrochloride/acepromazine combination on the cardiopulmonary function of 11 healthy cats was studied. Test parameters included cardiac output, measured by thermodilution, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean) and arterial blood gas analysis. Values for systemic vascular resistance, cardiac index and stroke volume were calculated. The cardiac output, cardiac index, stroke volume, arterial blood pressure and arterial blood pH decreased significantly (p less than 0.006). The arterial CO2 increased significantly (p less than 0.006). All changes occurred during the five to 45 minute postinduction time period. The heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial O2 and systemic vascular resistance were not significantly altered. The anesthetic regime maintained an adequate plane of surgical anesthesia for 30-45 minutes.     

Changes in cell-mediated immune responses after experimentally-induced anaphylaxis in dogs.

Experimentally-induced type 1 hypersensitivities were induced in normal dogs to either ovalbumin or Ascaris antigen. In vitro and in vivo cell-mediated immune responses were measured before sensitization and again at 1 and 6 days after induction of anaphylaxis by intravenous challenge with antigen. Histamine-modulated lymphocyte functions, such as histamine-induced suppression, histamine co-mitogen induced blastogenesis and the in vivo cutaneous responses to intradermally injected mitogens decreased post anaphylaxis. Spontaneous suppression of the autologous mixed-lymphocyte reaction increased post anaphylaxis. Lymphocyte blastogenic response to Concanavalin A (Con A) decreased at 6 (but not at 1) days post anaphylaxis probably due to a mediator other than histamine. Blastogenesis of 24 h preincubated cells by suboptimal concentration of Con A, declined post anaphylaxis, but Con A-induced suppression was not significantly altered. Dogs with atopic dermatitis have some altered cell-mediated immune responses. Altered histamine-induced and spontaneous suppression, histamine suppression of mitogenesis and decreased contact sensitivity observed in this experimental type 1 hypersensitivity mimicked that of atopic dogs. Increased cutaneous response to mitogens observed in atopic dogs was not reproduced in the type 1 hypersensitive dogs. These findings suggest some of the altered cell-mediated immune functions observed in dogs with atopic dermatitis result from type 1 hypersensitivity. The other abnormalities may be intrinsic to the atopic state.     

Intestinal healing and methods of anastomosis

Optimal intestinal healing occurs when like layers of the intestinal wall are aligned. Hand-sewn, double-layer, end-to-end anastomosis that apposes the mucosa and produces slight inversion of the seromuscular layer is recommended to minimize adhesion formation and provide reasonable alignment of the intestinal layers. Stapled, everted, triangulated, end-to-end anastomosis is not recommended because of extensive adhesion formation and poor healing of the intestinal layers. The preferred stapled techniques create an inverting, side-to-side stoma between the bowel segments.