Evaluation of the utility and accuracy of body fluids containing red blood cells to determine canine and feline blood types.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracy of using body fluids macroscopically suspected to contain erythrocytes to determine the blood type in dogs and cats by use of an immunochromatographic cartridge (ICC), compared to systemic blood as the reference standard. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Thirty client-owned dogs and 8 cats. INTERVENTIONS: Dogs and cats with a sanguineous or serosanguineous body fluid (SBF) that also required a blood sample were eligible for inclusion. PCV and blood type were determined in all blood and fluid samples. For body fluids with a low PCV and discordant blood type results compared to systemic blood, sample concentration and repeat blood typing from the fluid was performed when enough sample was available. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Body fluid samples consisted of 16 pleural (11 dogs; 5 cats), 12 peritoneal (10 dogs; 2 cats), and 4 canine pericardial effusions, 3 urine samples, and 1 each of feces and epistaxis from dogs and a seroma sample from a cat. Median (range) manual PCV of blood and fluid samples was 34% (14%-66%) and 6% (0.5%-70%) for dogs and 28% (14%-48%) and 14% (0.5%-19%) for cats, respectively. Dogs were correctly classified as being DEA 1 negative, DEA 1 positive, and DEA 1 weak positive when using body fluid for blood typing 13 of 14, 4 of 9, and 5 of 7, respectively. All reference blood type to fluid blood type (FBT) discordant results had a body fluid PCV equal to or below 2%. Subsequently concentrated body fluid samples had a PCV above 8% and repeat FBT matched reference blood type (RBT). All cats were classified as type A by all RBTs and FBTs. CONCLUSIONS: Body fluids containing erythrocytes may be utilized to blood type dogs if sufficiently concentrated and type A cats.

Retrospective evaluation of red blood cell distribution width as a prognostic factor in critically ill dogs (December 2016 to April 2017): 127 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between RBC distribution width (RDW) and in-hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, and leukocyte count in critically ill dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: One hundred and twenty-seven dogs admitted to the ICU from December 2016 to April 2017. Patients were included if they had a CBC performed within the first 24 h of admission. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 29% (37/127), and median length of hospital stay was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR], 5). The median RDW value was 13.8% (IQR, 1.6%; reference interval, 11.9%-14.5 %). The canine Acute Patient Physiologic and Laboratory Evaluation (APPLE) fast score was calculated in 81 of 127 (64%) patients; the median score was 24/50 (IQR, 9). There was no significant correlation between RDW and APPLE fast score (P = 0.163). Subgroup analysis was performed according to the following diagnostic categories: abdominal (36%; 46/127), hematological (13%; 16/127), respiratory (13%; 16/127), neurological (12%; 15/127), cardiovascular (11%; 14/127), integument (3%; 4/127), trauma (3%; 4/127), musculoskeletal (2%; 3/127), and others (7%; 9/127). Increased RDW was not associated with in-hospital mortality overall (P = 0.381) or in any individual subgroup analysis. No association was found between length of hospitalization and RDW values in either survivors (P = 0.548) or nonsurvivors (P = 0.083). The correlation between RDW and leukocyte count was nonsignificant (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, admission RDW was not associated with in-hospital mortality or length of hospitalization in critically ill dogs. The correlation between RDW and leukocyte count was nonsignificant.

Retrospective evaluation of negative-pressure pulmonary edema in dogs (2006-2018): 35 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in a population of dogs with negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) and to identify the main causes of the disease. To evaluate any associations with morbidity and mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Three university teaching hospitals and 2 private referral centers in the United Kingdom. ANIMALS: Thirty-five client-owned dogs presented with NPPE. INTERVENTIONS: None MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data collected included patient characteristics, clinical history, clinicopathological abnormalities, radiographic features, treatments, and outcomes. The median age was 4 months (range 2-90) and median weight was 7.1 kg (range 1.7-37.2). There were many causes of NPPE including leash tugs, near hanging, accidental choking, anatomical obstruction to airflow, and purposeful airway obstruction by people. The most common cause of NPPE was accidental choking (40% of cases). Dogs with an anatomical obstruction were older than 24 months. Hypoxemia with an increased alveolar-arterial gradient was common on presentation. The majority of thoracic radiographs (65.7%) showed an alveolar or interstitial pattern in the caudodorsal area as previously described in the literature. Oxygen therapy was administered to 33 (94.3%) dogs. Furosemide was administered to 18 (51.4%) dogs. The median length of hospitalization was 2 days (range 0-14). Twenty-eight (80%) dogs survived to discharge. Seven dogs were mechanically ventilated and only 2 of them (28.6%) survived to discharge. The requirement for mechanical ventilation was the only parameter associated with mortality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of NPPE occur in juvenile dogs. Different incidents associated with upper airway obstruction can produce an episode of NPPE. Choking on food or toys and near hanging have not been previously described in the veterinary literature as inciting causes of NPPE. The overall prognosis is good.

Training in Rhythmic Gymnastics During the Pandemic.

The pandemic caused by the COVID 19 Virus creates an unprecedented situation of global confinement altering the development of competition and sports training at all levels of participation and in all sports, including rhythmic gymnastics (RG). To avoid possible effects of physical, technical and psychological detraining, coaches looked for home training alternatives. The objectives of the study were to know how rhythmic gymnastics training developed during the lockdown period (the conditions, type of training, performance monitoring means, and determinants of gymnasts' participation) and to provide recommendations for a possible future lockdown. Three hundred and two RG coaches from twenty-six different countries throughout the five continents and four professional levels took part in the study: national team (28), international (26), national (172) and regional (75). The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of 39 closed questions structured in three dimensions: identification data of the coaches, training data during confinement and gymnast participation data. The independent variable was the gymnasts' performance levels and the dependent variables organized in four categories: the technical media used to conduct and monitor the training sessions, the type of training done, the mechanisms for monitoring training performance and the aspects that determined participation. Most coaches kept their gymnasts training during confinement, although 76.5% confirm abandonment of any of their gymnasts. The main means used were real-time video conferencing, although at the lower practice levels the media stand out in deferred time. The contents of the training were mainly body technique, physical preparation and body difficulties. For performance monitoring, challenges, physical, and technical tests were predominant. The determinants for the development of training in the confinement vary depending on the level of the gymnasts, connectivity and electronic resources at the highest level, and the availability of spaces and social distancing at lower levels. For future lockdowns, it is necessary to review the content of the trainings, as well as the performance evaluation and the means necessary for it.

Longitudinal Study of Individual Exercises in Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics.

The performance evolution in rhythmic gymnastics depends on changes in code of points. At the beginning of each Olympic cycle the code of points changes and therefore, the content of the competition exercises, as well. This study aimed to analyze - for each apparatus - the evolution of number of technical elements and final score over the last two decades (last 13 world championships), how they have been affected by changed code of points, and how the final score relates to the number of technical elements performed. The sample consisted of 416 exercises in five apparatus: ball (96), rope (40), hoop (96), ribbon (88), and clubs (96). The following variables were gathered: code of points, apparatus, technical group, total number of elements, final classification, and final score. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the effects on the number of elements and final score in each apparatus. The number of technical elements increased in all apparatus, between 7.4 and 20% over a 10-year period. There were mixed evolutions of final score between the different apparatus, between -6.3 and 14% over a 10-year period. There is small increase in number of elements in hoop and a small decrease in rope after a code change. There was a small decrease in final score in championships after a code change in hoop, moderate in clubs and ribbon, and large in rope. There was a negative relationship between number of elements performed and final score in clubs. In conclusion, the code change generally effects the final score negatively, but there were apparatus specific effects of code change on number of elements and relationship between number of elements and final score.

Urine dipstick precision with standard visual and automated methods within a small animal teaching hospital.

Urine dipstick results may vary between operators/methods. The magnitude of variation across the veterinary field is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the precision of urine dipstick results between standard direct visual and automated reading methods when performed by several operators. Urine samples were pooled and divided into three aliquots: one plain, one with glucose and one with serum. Final year students, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, blinded to each sample, were then asked to perform dipstick analysis with direct visualisation and an automated analyser, and their technique was observed. A subsequent session was undertaken with samples which had pH titrated to achieve an acidic, neutral or alkaline value. Sixty-four veterinary students, 20 veterinary surgeons and seven veterinary nurses performed the first (n=61) or second (n=30) part of the study. Precision was greater using the automated reader. The most common observed technique errors were: lack of sample mixing, for both visual and automated methods, and not timing readings as per manufacturer instructions when performing visual analysis. This study suggests that in an environment with multiple operators, as is the case in veterinary teaching or large private hospitals, automated urine dipstick reading improves precision of results.

Judging in Rhythmic Gymnastics at Different Levels of Performance.

This study aimed to analyse the quality of difficulty judging in rhythmic gymnastics, at different levels of performance. The sample consisted of 1152 difficulty scores concerning 288 individual routines, performed in the World Championships in 2013. The data were analysed using the mean absolute judge deviation from the final difficulty score, a Cronbach's alpha coefficient and intra-class correlations, for consistency and reliability assessment. For validity assessment, mean deviations of judges' difficulty scores, the Kendall's coefficient of concordance W and ANOVA eta-squared values were calculated. Overall, the results in terms of consistency (Cronbach's alpha mostly above 0.90) and reliability (intra-class correlations for single and average measures above 0.70 and 0.90, respectively) were satisfactory, in the first and third parts of the ranking on all apparatus. The medium level gymnasts, those in the second part of the ranking, had inferior reliability indices and highest score dispersion. In this part, the minimum of corrected item-total correlation of individual judges was 0.55, with most values well below, and the matrix for between-judge correlations identified remarkable inferior correlations. These findings suggest that the quality of difficulty judging in rhythmic gymnastics may be compromised at certain levels of performance. In future, special attention should be paid to the judging analysis of the medium level gymnasts, as well as the Code of Points applicability at this level.

[Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a low-prevalence urban area. Compliance and sputum conversion]. / Tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en un área urbana de baja prevalencia. Cumplimiento y negativización bacteriológica.

Several factors could be responsible for a delay in bacteriological conversion of sputum in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) even under proper treatment. We aimed to determine those factors associated with follow-up test compliance and bacteriologic conversion at month two of treatment in patients with pTB who were receiving directly controlled treatment (DOT) in an urban area with low TB burden (notification rate: 14.9 cases/100 000, 2010-2011). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, demographic, radiological, microbiological and therapeutic characteristics of 196 new smear-positive pTB cases. The proportion of patients who underwent bacteriological examination was 79.1% (155/196) and 74.7% (121/162) at the second and last month of treatment. Smear examinations were significantly more frequent in patients with co-morbidities or receiving DOT in health facilities with laboratory access. Diabetes (OR 17.4, 95% CI 2.0 - 27.0) and high smear grade (OR 13.8, 95% CI 1.8 - 108.0) were highly associated with persistent positive smears. Cavitation (OR 4.6, 95%, CI 1.1 - 20.5) and diabetes (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1 - 10.5) were associated with persistent positive cultures. Smear examination results at two months of treatment indicated a sensitivity of 63.9% (23/36) and a specificity of 82.4% (98/119) in relation to culture. The limited predictive value of smear examination relative to culture results indicated the need to find other markers for sputum conversion. Identification of risk factors associated with persistent sputum positivity could contribute to patient care and resource allocation. Prolonged infectiousness in patients with diabetes could indicate the need to review TB control strategies.

Tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en un área urbana de baja prevalencia: Cumplimiento y negativización bacteriológica / Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a low-prevalence urban area: Compliance and sputum conversion

Varios factores podrían relacionarse con la demora en la negativización bacteriológica de la tuberculosis pulmonar (TBp), aun con adecuado tratamiento. Para determinar su papel en la negativización bacteriológica al segundo mes de tratamiento, se analizaron retrospectivamente las características clínicas, demográficas, radiológicas, microbiológicas y terapéuticas de 196 casos nuevos de TBp con baciloscopia positiva bajo tratamiento directamente observado (TDO) en un área urbana de baja prevalencia de TB (tasa notificada: 14.9 casos/100 000 habitantes, 2010-2011). El porcentaje de pacientes con exámenes bacteriológicos fue 79.1% (155/196) al segundo mes y 74.7% (121/162) al final del tratamiento; aquellos con comorbilidades o que realizaban TDO en servicios con laboratorio tuvieron porcentajes significativamente mayores. La alta carga bacilar (OR 13.8, 95% IC 1.8-108.0) y la diabetes (OR 7.4, 95% IC 2.0-27.0) se asociaron a la persistencia de baciloscopia positiva; la presencia de cavernas (OR 4.6, 95% IC 1.1-20.5) y diabetes (OR 3.3, 95% IC 1.1-10.5) se relacionaron con la persistencia del cultivo positivo. La sensibilidad de la baciloscopia con respecto al cultivo positivo al segundo mes de tratamiento fue 63.9% (23/36) y su especificidad 82.4% (98/119); el limitado valor predictivo de la baciloscopia sobre los resultados del cultivo evidencia la necesidad de encontrar otros marcadores de esterilización del esputo. La identificación de los factores asociados a la persistencia de la infecciosidad contribuye al cuidado de pacientes y a la asignación de recursos. La prolongada infecciosidad de los pacientes diabéticos indicaría la necesidad de rever las estrategias de control de la TB.(AU)

Several factors could be responsible for a delay in bacteriological conversion of sputum in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) even under proper treatment. We aimed to determine those factors associated with follow-up test compliance and bacteriologic conversion at month two of treatment in patients with pTB who were receiving directly controlled treatment (DOT) in an urban area with low TB burden (notification rate: 14.9 cases/100 000, 2010-2011). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, demographic, radiological, microbiological and therapeutic characteristics of 196 new smear-positive pTB cases. The proportion of patients who underwent bacteriological examination was 79.1% (155/196) and 74.7% (121/162) at the second and last month of treatment. Smear examinations were significantly more frequent in patients with co-morbidities or receiving DOT in health facilities with laboratory access.. Diabetes (OR 17.4, 95% CI 2.0 - 27.0) and high smear grade (OR 13.8, 95% CI 1.8 - 108.0) were highly associated with persistent positive smears. Cavitation (OR 4.6, 95%, CI 1.1-20.5) and diabetes (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1-10.5) were associated with persistent positive cultures. Smear examination results at two months of treatment indicated a sensitivity of 63.9% (23/36) and a specificity of 82.4% (98/119) in relation to culture. The limited predictive value of smear examination relative to culture results indicated the need to find other markers for sputum conversion. Identification of risk factors associated with persistent sputum positivity could contribute to patient care and resource allocation. Prolonged infectiousness in patients with diabetes could indicate the need to review TB control strategies.(AU)

Tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en un área urbana de baja prevalencia: Cumplimiento y negativización bacteriológica / Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a low-prevalence urban area: Compliance and sputum conversion

Varios factores podrían relacionarse con la demora en la negativización bacteriológica de la tuberculosis pulmonar (TBp), aun con adecuado tratamiento. Para determinar su papel en la negativización bacteriológica al segundo mes de tratamiento, se analizaron retrospectivamente las características clínicas, demográficas, radiológicas, microbiológicas y terapéuticas de 196 casos nuevos de TBp con baciloscopia positiva bajo tratamiento directamente observado (TDO) en un área urbana de baja prevalencia de TB (tasa notificada: 14.9 casos/100 000 habitantes, 2010-2011). El porcentaje de pacientes con exámenes bacteriológicos fue 79.1% (155/196) al segundo mes y 74.7% (121/162) al final del tratamiento; aquellos con comorbilidades o que realizaban TDO en servicios con laboratorio tuvieron porcentajes significativamente mayores. La alta carga bacilar (OR 13.8, 95% IC 1.8-108.0) y la diabetes (OR 7.4, 95% IC 2.0-27.0) se asociaron a la persistencia de baciloscopia positiva; la presencia de cavernas (OR 4.6, 95% IC 1.1-20.5) y diabetes (OR 3.3, 95% IC 1.1-10.5) se relacionaron con la persistencia del cultivo positivo. La sensibilidad de la baciloscopia con respecto al cultivo positivo al segundo mes de tratamiento fue 63.9% (23/36) y su especificidad 82.4% (98/119); el limitado valor predictivo de la baciloscopia sobre los resultados del cultivo evidencia la necesidad de encontrar otros marcadores de esterilización del esputo. La identificación de los factores asociados a la persistencia de la infecciosidad contribuye al cuidado de pacientes y a la asignación de recursos. La prolongada infecciosidad de los pacientes diabéticos indicaría la necesidad de rever las estrategias de control de la TB.

Several factors could be responsible for a delay in bacteriological conversion of sputum in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) even under proper treatment. We aimed to determine those factors associated with follow-up test compliance and bacteriologic conversion at month two of treatment in patients with pTB who were receiving directly controlled treatment (DOT) in an urban area with low TB burden (notification rate: 14.9 cases/100 000, 2010-2011). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, demographic, radiological, microbiological and therapeutic characteristics of 196 new smear-positive pTB cases. The proportion of patients who underwent bacteriological examination was 79.1% (155/196) and 74.7% (121/162) at the second and last month of treatment. Smear examinations were significantly more frequent in patients with co-morbidities or receiving DOT in health facilities with laboratory access.. Diabetes (OR 17.4, 95% CI 2.0 - 27.0) and high smear grade (OR 13.8, 95% CI 1.8 - 108.0) were highly associated with persistent positive smears. Cavitation (OR 4.6, 95%, CI 1.1-20.5) and diabetes (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1-10.5) were associated with persistent positive cultures. Smear examination results at two months of treatment indicated a sensitivity of 63.9% (23/36) and a specificity of 82.4% (98/119) in relation to culture. The limited predictive value of smear examination relative to culture results indicated the need to find other markers for sputum conversion. Identification of risk factors associated with persistent sputum positivity could contribute to patient care and resource allocation. Prolonged infectiousness in patients with diabetes could indicate the need to review TB control strategies.

Tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en un área urbana de baja prevalencia. Cumplimiento y negativización bacteriológica. / [Treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a low-prevalence urban area. Compliance and sputum conversion].

Several factors could be responsible for a delay in bacteriological conversion of sputum in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) even under proper treatment. We aimed to determine those factors associated with follow-up test compliance and bacteriologic conversion at month two of treatment in patients with pTB who were receiving directly controlled treatment (DOT) in an urban area with low TB burden (notification rate: 14.9 cases/100 000, 2010-2011). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, demographic, radiological, microbiological and therapeutic characteristics of 196 new smear-positive pTB cases. The proportion of patients who underwent bacteriological examination was 79.1

(155/196) and 74.7

(121/162) at the second and last month of treatment. Smear examinations were significantly more frequent in patients with co-morbidities or receiving DOT in health facilities with laboratory access. Diabetes (OR 17.4, 95

CI 2.0 - 27.0) and high smear grade (OR 13.8, 95

CI 1.8 - 108.0) were highly associated with persistent positive smears. Cavitation (OR 4.6, 95

, CI 1.1 - 20.5) and diabetes (OR 3.3, 95

CI 1.1 - 10.5) were associated with persistent positive cultures. Smear examination results at two months of treatment indicated a sensitivity of 63.9

(23/36) and a specificity of 82.4

(98/119) in relation to culture. The limited predictive value of smear examination relative to culture results indicated the need to find other markers for sputum conversion. Identification of risk factors associated with persistent sputum positivity could contribute to patient care and resource allocation. Prolonged infectiousness in patients with diabetes could indicate the need to review TB control strategies.

Practical skills of rhythmic gymnastics judges.

The aim of this study was to analyze the practical skills of rhythmic gymnastics judges and to identify how their degree and experience influence the assessment of these skills. Sixty one rhythmic gymnastics judges participated in the study. A questionnaire was used for data collection. This tool was composed of 28 questions and divided into six categories: identification, experience, initial training, continuing education, skills and training needs. The results suggest that the most valued skills are those related to the sport's technical parameters and the ability to adapt to any level of competition with self-confidence and self-assuredness. Significant differences were found regarding the variables for: the ability to communicate (p = 0.002) and for the ability to observe, identify and register performance (p = 0.005). The results showed that experience was not a decisive factor in assessing skills. This study thus presents evidence that rhythmic gymnastics judges must implement and optimise a set of skills that contribute to the effectiveness of the assessment process. These findings might help in the design of programs and training models that contribute to effective professional development.