Biomedical subjects

F S Shofer

Publications and source records attributed to F S Shofer.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Evaluation of an automated system for hemoglobin measurement in animals.

In veterinary medicine, PCV determined by centrifugation of blood in a microhematocrit tube is the most common clinical test used to initially assess and monitor anemic and polycythemic animals. In contrast, blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, rather than PCV, is generally determined in human patients. One automated system photometrically measures blood Hb concentration after conversion of Hb to azide methemoglobin without dilution and was found to be a simple and accurate instrument for use in human medicine. We evaluated the system for its accuracy in measuring blood Hb concentration in animals by comparing it with standard techniques and for its suitability in veterinary practice. Blood samples, anticoagulated with potassium EDTA, from 78 healthy animals (33 dogs, 17 cats, 13 horses, and 15 cows) and 58 dogs and 4 cats with various blood abnormalities (10 anemia, 11 polycythemia, 21 lipemia, 16 leukocytosis, and 6 icterus) were analyzed. In all species, blood Hb concentration of healthy animals determined by the system was comparable to that measured by standard cyanmethemoglobin methods (ie, an automated counter; rI = 0.987 to 0.998 and a hemoglobin kit, rI = 0.946 to 0.993). The aforementioned system also yielded similar values to those obtained by use of standard methods in anemic, polycythemic, and icteric dogs and cats. Moreover, the system reads the absorbance at 2 wavelengths to correct for turbidity, and therefore, accurately measured Hb concentration in blood samples with severe lipemia (triglycerides concentration > 500 mg/dl) and marked leukocytosis (> 50,000 WBC/microliter), whereas other standard Hb techniques are known to give falsely high results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Influence of parental serum immunoglobulins on morbidity and mortality of beagles and their offspring.

Serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations were determined for Beagle sires and dams of 717 matings to assess the relationship of parental immunoglobulins with the morbidity and mortality of their pups. A significant relationship was not found between parental immunoglobulins and pup mortality. Pups born to dams with low serum IgA (P less than 0.001) and IgM (P less than 0.02) concentrations, however, were found to have an increased incidence of sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. Thirty-eight percent of pups born to dams with IgA less than or equal to 40 mg/dl developed these same conditions during the first 18 weeks of life, compared with 32% of pups of dams with IgA of 41 to 65 mg/dl and 27% of pups of dams with IgA greater than 65 mg/dl. Similarly, 41% of pups born to dams with low IgM (less than or equal to 135 mg/dl) developed abnormal respiratory tract signs, compared with 34% and 30% of pups born to dams with medium (136 to 175 mg/dl) and high (greater than 175 mg/dl) IgM, respectively. Serum IgA concentrations of the sires were also associated with abnormal respiratory tract signs in pups, but this influence was evident only at 10 to 18 weeks of age. To determine biologic variability of serum IgA, 60 Beagle dams were selected from 3 serum IgA categories, low (10 to 21 mg/dl), medium (60 to 80 mg/dl), and high (125 to 210 mg/dl). A second serum IgA was determined from a sample taken 2 years later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Histopathologic and dietary prognostic factors for canine mammary carcinoma.

Histologic and dietary prognostic factors for survival following naturally occurring breast cancer were studied for 145 pet dogs. Information was collected from the dog's owner and veterinarian regarding medical and reproductive history, nutritional status, treatment, tumor recurrence, and length of survival. The usual intake of all dog and table foods consumed 1 year prior to diagnosis was obtained using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A histologic malignancy score was derived based on 7 histopathologic criteria. The mean age of the dogs was 10.4 +/- 2.5 years; 37% had been ovariohysterectomized prior to diagnosis. Product-limit estimates of survival indicated that 6 factors, namely body conformation 1 year prior to diagnosis (p = 0.03), histologic tumor type (p = 0.004), histologic malignancy score (p = 0.02), histologic invasion (p = 0.002), tumor recurrence (p less than 0.0001), and completeness of surgery (p = 0.01) were of prognostic significance. In addition, when dogs were characterized by the percent of total calories they derived from fat and protein, the median survival time for dogs in the low fat group (less than 39%) with protein greater than 27%, 23-27%, and less than 23% was 3 years, 1.2 years, and 6 months, respectively (p = 0.008). For dogs in the high fat group (greater than or equal to 39%), there was no difference in survival for the different intake levels of dietary protein (p = 0.84). When these data were fitted to a proportional hazards model, recurrence, histologic score, tumor type, percent of calories derived from protein, fat group, and a protein-fat group interaction term were statistically significant. Predicted 1 year survival for dogs on a low fat diet with 15%, 25%, and 35% of total calories derived from protein was 17%, 69%, and 93%, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Dental and occlusal characteristics of children with neuromuscular disease.

Seventy-nine pediatric patients with neuromuscular diseases were examined for dental and occlusal characteristics. Fifty-six patients suffered from primary muscle disease (myopathies) including 43 with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. The neuromuscular disorders in 19 patients were of neuropathic origin, while four were caused by a fault in the neuromuscular junction. Posterior crossbites occurred more often in the myopathies (57%) as compared with the neurogenic dystrophies (14%) (P less than 0.003). Although not statistically significant, the prevalence of open bite was also higher in the combined myopathies (21%) as compared with neurogenic disorders (9%). The Duchenne patients exhibited a statistically significant delay in dental emergence (1.06 years), unlike the other myopathies (0.31 years) and the neurogenic disorders groups (-0.03 years). This study emphasizes the influence of muscular environment on dental development in general. The dentition may be more affected in muscular dystrophies stemming from degenerative or inflammatory muscle damage than in those originating from nerve malfunction or disorder of the neuromuscular junction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Survey of serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations in a large beagle population in which IgA deficiency had been identified.

Concentrations of serum IgA, IgG, and IgM were determined for 829 adult Beagles from a commercial kennel in which several IgA-deficient dogs had been identified previously (index kennel). These values were compared with measurements of 100 adult dogs from another Beagle kennel (control kennel). After adjustment for differences in the ages and gender of the dogs, dogs from the index kennel had significantly (P less than 0.0001) lower IgA concentrations (mean, 46 mg/dl) than dogs from the control kennel (mean, 68 mg/dl). Regardless of kennel, males had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher IgA concentrations than did females. Dogs in the control kennel had significantly (P less than 0.04) higher IgG concentrations (mean, 2,649 mg/dl) than did dogs in the index kennel (mean, 2,478 mg/dl), and female dogs in the control kennel had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher IgM concentrations (mean, 189 mg/dl) than dogs of either sex in the index kennel (mean, 162 mg/dl) or male dogs in the control kennel (mean, 163 mg/dl). For both sexes, concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IgM increased with age.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1987

Zoonotic visceral and ocular larva migrans.

Infection of children with the larval stage of the dog roundworm Toxocara canis usually produces few, if any, clinical signs. In some children, however, the disease may be severe, with permanent ocular or neurologic sequelae. Because the prevalence of infection may exceed 10 per cent in some population subgroups, it is important to understand the modes of transmission and risk factors for infection. The clinical presentations of toxocariasis as well as recommendations for their prevention are described.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Visceral larva migrans in French adults: a new disease syndrome?

Visceral larva migrans is apparently an endemic disease among adults in southwest France. Thirty-seven adults living in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France were confirmed as having visceral larva migrans based on an increased specific antibody titer to Toxocara canis as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by the Western blot method. The disease was characterized clinically by weakness, pruritus, rash, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and pathologically by allergic manifestations including eosinophilia and increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels. Conditional logistic regression analysis using a control group of 37 hospital patients with other conditions who were individually matched to patients with visceral larva migrans by age and sex revealed an increased risk for visceral larva migrans associated with hunting or living in a household with a hunter (odds ratio (OR) = 9.0, p = 0.02) and with living in a village of less than 500 persons (OR = 5.7, p = 0.04). Owning two or more dogs compared with owning one or no dogs increased the risk of visceral larva migrans for hunting or living in a household with a hunter (OR = 9.6 vs. OR = 4.5) and for persons living in nonhunting households (OR = 2.1 vs. OR = 1.0). These findings, however, could not be duplicated when 60 age- and sex-matched neighbors were used as a second control group.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Adverse effect of splenectomy on the survival of patients with more than one kidney transplant.

Risk factors associated with death were identified in a cohort of patients who received 2 or more kidney transplants. Data on 19 variables were collected by chart review on 774 patients who received allografts between 1973 and 1980 at any one of 3 hospitals in Philadelphia. 124 of the patients received two or more transplants and were followed for a minimum of 1.5 years. Modified life table analyses of single variables indicated that 7 factors--splenectomy, donor source, age, transplant hospital, number of HLA mismatches, donor sex, and survival time of the prior graft--were significantly related to patient survival. Using all 19 variables, the proportional hazards model was fit to the data. The characteristics most related to survival were splenectomy (P less than .001), donor source (P = .0022), and age (P = .0015). The other 4 factors that were significant on univariate analysis were not significant in this multivariate analysis. The relative risk of death was 5.5 for patients who had had a splenectomy compared with those who had not had a splenectomy. Patients who had received more than one transplant were compared with patients who had received only one transplant, and a subset of recipients of primary transplants who returned to dialysis after primary graft failure. Survival of patients who had received one transplant was approximately the same as that of the retransplanted population. When the proportional hazards model was fit to the populations that received one transplant and compared with the model for the retransplanted group, only age and donor source were common to all three models. The effect of splenectomy on survival was significant for the total population of primary transplant recipients but had no effect on the survival of the subset of recipients whose kidney grafts had failed and were returned to hemodialysis. Infection accounted for 45% of the deaths among splenectomized, retransplanted patients. A higher percentage of septic deaths occurred in patients whose grafts were functioning at the time of death when compared with patients who had returned to dialysis after secondary graft failure. Although retransplantation alone is not associated with an increased mortality, retransplantation in splenectomized patients carries a high risk of death.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Cholinergic, adrenergic and purinergic response of sequential strips of rabbit urinary bladder.

In this study, we have characterized the response of five sequential segments of urinary bladder to cholinergic, adrenergic, and purinergic agonists. The results indicate that an abrupt alteration in pharmacological response between bladder body and base occurs at the level of the ureteral orifices. The bladder body responds preferentially to urecholine (muscarinic cholinergic), isoproterenol (beta adrenergic) and ATP (purinergic), whereas the bladder base responds perferentially to methoxamine alpha adrenergic). In parallel studies, the density of both muscarinic cholinergic receptors ([3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites) and beta adrenergic receptors were significantly higher in the body than in the base, whereas the concentration of alpha adrenergic receptors was greater in the bladder base than in the body. From these studies, we conclude that the differences in the response of the bladder base and body to cholinergic and adrenergic agents are primarily due to differences in the densities of the specific autonomic receptors. In addition, the response of the bladder to ATP (which is a putative neurotransmitter in the urinary bladder) can also be separated between body and base. The distribution is similar to that observed for urecholine.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1980

Estrogen-induced alterations in the autonomic responses of the rabbit urinary bladder.

The effect of estrogen administration on the autonomic innervation of the rabbit urinary bladder was studied. Immature female white rabbits were injected twice daily with estrogen (150 microgram/kg) for 4 consecutive days. Control animals received injections of vehicle. The response of bladder strips to the following agonists were determined for control and estrogen-treated animals: methoxamine (alpha adrenergic); isoproterenol (beta adrenergic); bethanechol (muscarinic cholinergic); ATP (purinergic); and potassium chloride (nonreceptor mediated). Additionally, the adrenergic and cholinergic receptor densities were determined by standard radioligand binding techniques. Estrogen induced a marked increase in the response to alpha adrenergic, muscarinic cholinergic and purinergic agonists in the bladder body and midbladder. No significant alterations were noted in the bladder base. In addition, no alterations were noted for isoproterenol or potassium chloride. The receptor densities paralleled closely the physiological responses. Estrogen induced a significant increase in alpha adrenergic and muscarinic receptors in the bladder body and midsection, whereas no change was noted in the receptor density of the bladder base. Estrogen did not alter the beta receptor density. These findings indicate that the urinary bladder responds as a target organ for estrogen-induced alterations in autonomic innervation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pullout properties of 3.5-mm AO/ASIF self-tapping and cortex screws in a uniform synthetic material and in canine bone.

OBJECTIVES--To compare the pullout properties of 3.5-mm AO/ASIF self-tapping screws (STS) to corresponding standard cortex screws (CS) in a uniform synthetic test material and in canine femoral bone. The influence of screw-insertion technique, test material, and test-material thickness were also assessed. STUDY DESIGN--In vitro experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION--Two independent studies: a uniform synthetic test material and paired femurs from mature dogs. METHODS-Mechanical testing was performed in accordance with standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials for determination of axial pullout strength of medical bone screws. Completely inserted STS, completely inserted CS, and incompletely inserted STS were tested in 3 groups of 10 test specimens each in 4.96-mm and 6.8-mm thick sheets of synthetic material. In the bone study, group 1 consisted of 24 completely inserted STS compared with 24 completely inserted CS, and group 2 consisted of 24 incompletely inserted STS versus 24 completely inserted CS. Comparisons were made between paired femurs at corresponding insertion sites. Pullout data were normalized, thereby eliminating the effect of test-material thickness on pullout properties. Mean values were compared using 2-way ANOVA. Statistical significance was set at P <.05. RESULTS--In both the 4.96-mm and 6.8-mm synthetic material, pullout testing of the completely inserted STS demonstrated significantly greater yield strength and ultimate strength than completely inserted CS. There was no significant difference between incompletely inserted STS and completely inserted STS. The 6.8-mm test material significantly increased yield strength and ultimate strength for all test groups compared with the 4.96-mm test material. In canine bone, there was no significant difference in yield strength of completely inserted STS and completely inserted CS. Yield strength of completely inserted STS and completely inserted CS were significantly greater than incompletely inserted STS. CONCLUSIONS--Pullout properties of completely inserted STS were significantly greater than corresponding CS in a uniform test material. In canine bone, the pullout strength of STS and CS were not different. Incomplete STS insertion resulted in an 18% reduction in holding power as compared with completely inserted CS and STS in canine bone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE--The length of STS used in canine bone should be such that the cutting flutes extend beyond the trans cortex to maximize pullout strength.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effects of perioperative hypothermia and the duration of anesthesia on postoperative wound infection rate in clean wounds: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of hypothermia and duration of anesthesia on the infection rate in clean wounds in dogs and cats. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Seven hundred seventy-seven dogs and cats undergoing clean surgical procedures. METHODS: Records of animals prospectively evaluated for postoperative wound infection were retrospectively evaluated for the prevalence of perioperative hypothermia. Body temperatures during the perioperative period and the duration of surgery and anesthesia were recorded. Data were analyzed to identify differences between animals with infected and uninfected wounds and multiple logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the independent contribution of risk factors to the incidence of postoperative wound infection. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the analysis of temperature data between animals with infected and uninfected wounds. Duration of anesthesia was significantly greater in animals with wound infections (P = .01). Multiple logistic regression modeling identified duration of anesthesia as a risk factor for postoperative wound infection independent of the duration of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In animals with clean surgical wounds, mild perioperative hypothermia is not a significant risk factor for postoperative wound infection. The duration of anesthesia, however, is a significant risk factor independent of the duration of surgery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To decrease the incidence of postoperative wound infection, the duration of anesthesia should be minimized. Surgical time, as well as the time required for ancillary diagnostic tests while under anesthesia should, therefore, be kept to a reasonable minimum.

Anesthesia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of spaying and timing of spaying on survival of dogs with mammary carcinoma.

The risk of developing mammary gland tumors in dogs is significantly decreased by ovariohysterectomy at an early age. However, previous studies have not found a benefit to ovariohysterectomy concurrent with tumor removal in dogs with established mammary gland tumors, suggesting that the progression of these tumors is independent of continued estrogen stimulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of spaying and of the timing of spaying on survival in dogs with mammary gland carcinoma. Signalment, spay status and spay age, tumor characteristics, treatment. survival, and cause of death of 137 dogs with mammary gland carcinoma were analyzed. The dogs were classified into 3 groups according to spay status and spay time: intact dogs, dogs spayed less than 2 years before tumor surgery (SPAY 1), and dogs spayed more than 2 years before their tumor surgery (SPAY 2). Dogs in the SPAY 1 group lived significantly longer than dogs in SPAY 2 and intact dogs (median survival of 755 days, versus 301 and 286 days, respectively, P = .02 and .03). After adjusting for differences between the spay groups with regard to age, histologic differentiation, and vascular invasion, SPAY 1 dogs survived 45% longer compared to dogs that were either intact or in the SPAY 2 group (RR = .55; 95% CI .32-.93; P = .03). This study reveals ovariohysterectomy to be an effective adjunct to tumor removal in dogs with mammary gland carcinoma and that the timing of ovariohysterectomy is important in influencing survival.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in healthy dogs and dogs with hemangiosarcoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a dimeric glycosylated polypeptide growth factor with potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability-enhancing properties specific for endothelial cells. In humans, VEGF seems to play a major role in tumor growth, and plasma concentrations correlate with tumor burden, response to therapy, and disease progression. This study compared plasma VEGF concentrations in healthy client-owned dogs (n = 17) to dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA; n 16). Dogs with HSA were significantly more likely to have detectable concentrations of plasma VEGF (13/17) compared to healthy dogs (1/17; P < .001). The median plasma VEGF concentration for dogs with HSA was 17.2 pg/mL (range, < 1.0-66.7 pg/mL). Plasma VEGF concentrations in dogs with HSA did not correlate with stage of disease or tumor burden, but 1 dog had undetectable VEGF during chemotherapy that subsequently increased with disease progression.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Canine red blood cell transfusion practice.

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in 307 dogs were reviewed. A total of 658 units of RBCs, including 474 (72%) units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) and 184 (28%) units of whole blood (WB), were administered. Reasons for transfusion included hemorrhage (n = 222), hemolysis (n = 43), and ineffective erythropoiesis (n = 42). The mean pretransfusion packed cell volume (PCV) of dogs with hemolysis (13%) was significantly lower (p less than 0.0001) than the mean pretransfusion PCVs of dogs with hemorrhage (21%) or ineffective erythropoiesis (18%). The mean total volume of PRBCs transfused was significantly greater (p less than 0.03) in dogs with hemolysis. Overall, 187 (61%) of 307 dogs were discharged from the hospital. Cause of anemia, pretransfusion PCV, and total volume of blood administered did not appear to influence survival. However, the mean adjusted posttransfusion PCV of dogs with hemorrhage was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in dogs that survived. Possible adverse events were observed during or shortly after RBC transfusion in 10 (3.3%) dogs; all reactions were mild and self-limiting, and none were hemolytic.

Anemia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for nonresectable feline fibrosarcoma.

A retrospective evaluation was performed on 12 cats with nonresectable, histopathologically confirmed fibrosarcomas that were treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. All of the tumors were located in sites potentially used for vaccination. Six cats had a greater than 50% decrease in gross tumor burden. However, the responses were not durable, with a median response duration of 125 days. All cats developed progressive disease. When animals that received other treatments after doxorubicin-based chemotherapy were eliminated from the analysis, median survival time was significantly longer for cats that responded to chemotherapy compared with the median survival time for nonresponders (242 and 83 days, respectively). These findings may serve as a basis for further evaluating the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of vaccine-associated sarcomas.

Animals↗