A retrospective analysis of stereotactic body radiation therapy for canine heart base tumors: 26 cases.

INTRODUCTION: This study retrospectively evaluated outcomes and adverse radiation effects (AREs) associated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for canine heart base tumors (HBTs). A secondary aim was to identify any demographic or echocardiographic factors that might determine which dogs would most benefit from SBRT. ANIMALS: Twenty-six dogs that received SBRT for an imaging-based diagnosis of a HBT were evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-three dogs were treated with three fractions of 10 Gy delivered daily or every other day. The remaining 3 dogs received variable protocols of one to five fractions. Demographic, echocardiographic, and radiographic information, AREs, and treatment responses were collected. Correlations of these data with survival time were evaluated. RESULTS: The median overall survival time was 404 days (95% confidence interval: 239-554 days). The majority of dogs experienced a partial response (25%) or stable disease (60%) for a median duration of 333 days (95% confidence interval: 94-526 days). Three dogs had progressive disease within six months of SBRT. Radiographic pneumonitis was identified in 7 of 23 dogs, and clinical pneumonitis was identified in 4 dogs. No other AREs were noted. The rate of distant metastasis was 13%. On multivariate analysis, it was found that vena caval obstruction, supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, clinical signs, and enlarged locoregional lymph nodes at presentation were negatively associated with survival time. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic body radiation therapy was delivered with a low rate and degree of normal tissue complications. Asymptomatic dogs with confirmed, progressive growth of a HBT may most likely benefit from SBRT.

Multilayering of Calcium Aerosol-OT at the Mica/Water Interface Studied with Neutron Reflection: Formation of a Condensed Lamellar Phase at the CMC.

Using specular neutron reflection, the adsorption of sodium and calcium salts of the surfactant bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (Aerosol-OT or AOT) has been studied at the mica/water interface at concentrations between 0.1 and 2 CMC. The pH dependence of the adsorption was also probed. No evidence of the adsorption of Na(AOT) was found even at the critical micelle concentration (CMC) while the calcium salt was found to adsorb significantly at concentrations of 0.5 CMC and above. This interesting and somewhat unexpected finding demonstrates that counterion identity may be used to tune the adsorption of anionic surfactants on anionic surfaces. At the CMC, three condensed bilayers of Ca(AOT)2 were adsorbed at pH 7 and 9 and four bilayers adsorbed at pH 4. Multilayering at the CMC of Ca(AOT)2 on the mica surface is an unusual feature of this surfactant/surface combination. Only single bilayer adsorption has been observed at other surfaces at the CMC. We suggest this arises from the high charge density of mica which must provide an excellent template for the surfactant.

Stereotactic radiation therapy for treatment of canine intracranial meningiomas.

The objective of this study is to determine the rate of toxicity, median survival time (MST) and prognostic factors in dogs with presumed intracranial meningiomas that were treated with stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). Patient demographics, neurological history, details of SRT plans and response to treatment (including toxicity and survival times) were examined for potential prognostic factors. Overall MST (MST) due to death for any cause was 561 days. There was a mild to moderate exacerbation of neurological symptoms 3-16 weeks following SRT treatments in 11/30 (36.7%) of dogs. This presumed adverse event was treated with corticosteroids, and improvement was seen in most of these dogs. Death within 6 months of treatment as a result of worsening neurologic signs was seen in 4/30 (13.3%) of dogs. Volume of normal brain that received full dose at a prescription of 8Gy × 3 fractions was predictive of death due to neurological problems within this 6-month period.

Mandibular osteopathy in a Hagerman horse, Equus simplicidens (Equidae, Mammalia), from Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (Idaho, USA).

Multimodality imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography, was utilized to examine a fossilized hemimandible of a probable female Hagerman horse (Equus simplicidens) with a large, ventrally located, osseous deformation. Utilizing comparative pathology to the modern day horse, it was determined that the most likely etiology of the pathologic bony swelling along the ventral hemimandible was abnormal tooth development that led to chronic osteomyelitis and subsequent osseous proliferation, sclerosis and deformation.

Complete bilayer adsorption of C16TAB on the surface of mica using neutron reflection.

We present neutron reflection data from an alkylammonium surfactant (C16TAB) at the mica/water interface. The system is studied in situ in a noninvasive manner and indicates the formation of a complete adsorbed bilayer with little evidence of defects. A detailed analysis suggests that the data are not consistent with some other previously reported adsorbed structures, such as micelles or cylinders.

Intensity-modulated and image-guided radiation therapy for treatment of genitourinary carcinomas in dogs.

BACKGROUND: External beam radiation therapy can be used to treat pelvic tumors in dogs, but its utility is limited by lack of efficacy data and associated late complications. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess local tumor control, overall survival, and toxicosis after intensity-modulated and image-guided radiation therapy (IM/IGRT) for treatment of genitourinary carcinomas (CGUC) in dogs. ANIMALS: 21 client-owned dogs. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed. Medical records of dogs for which there was intent to treat with a course of definitive-intent IM/IGRT for CGUC between 2008 and 2011 were reviewed. Descriptive and actuarial statistics comprised the data analysis. RESULTS: Primary tumors were located in the prostate (10), urinary bladder (9), or urethra (2). The total radiation dose ranged from 54-58 Gy, delivered in 20 daily fractions. Grade 1 and 2 acute gastrointestinal toxicoses developed in 33 and 5% of dogs, respectively. Grade 1 and 2 acute genitourinary and grade 1 acute integumentary toxicoses were documented in 5, 5, and 20% of dogs, respectively. Four dogs experienced late grade 3 gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicosis. The subjective response rate was 60%. The median event-free survival was 317 days; the overall median survival time was 654 days. Neither local tumor control nor overall survival was statistically dependent upon location of the primary tumor. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: IM/IGRT is generally well-tolerated and provides an effective option for locoregional control of CGUC. As compared with previous reports in the veterinary literature, inclusion of IM/IGRT in multimodal treatment protocols for CGUC can result in superior survival times; controlled prospective evaluation is warranted.

The spatial distribution and size of rook (Corvus frugilegus) breeding colonies is affected by both the distribution of foraging habitat and by intercolony competition.

Explanations for the variation in the number of nests at bird colonies have focused on competitive or habitat effects without considering potential interactions between the two. For the rook, a colonial corvid which breeds seasonally but forages around the colony throughout the year, both the amount of foraging habitat and its interaction with the number of competitors from surrounding colonies are important predictors of colony size. The distance over which these effects are strongest indicates that, for rooks, colony size may be limited outside of the breeding season when colony foraging ranges are larger and overlap to a greater extent.

Mapping nursing diagnosis nomenclatures for coordinated care.

PURPOSE: To map the problem or diagnosis terms from three nomenclatures, term to term, to determine commonalities and differences; and to determine whether it is possible to develop a single vocabulary that contains the best features of all. When different nomenclatures are used in different settings, continuity of care is hampered by the need to re-state problems and interventions. DESIGN: The sample for this descriptive analysis was 396 terms from three nursing diagnosis and problem nomenclatures recognized by the American Nurses Association: the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) Approved List, the Home Health Care Classification (HHCC), and the Omaha System. METHOD: Terms from each of the three nomenclatures were mapped to terms in each of the others. Consensus methods were used to resolve differences in mapping decisions. Terms were characterized as "Same," "Similar," "Broader," "Narrower," and "No Match." Validation of consistency and accuracy was done by reverse mapping, use of syllogisms, use of taxonomic groupings, and expert review. RESULTS: Of 396 terms, 21 concepts accounting for 63 terms were found to be the same or similar in all three nomenclatures; 91 terms were unique to the nomenclature in which they were found ("No Match"). The remaining 242 terms had a narrower or broader relationship to at least one term in another nomenclature. In all three nomenclatures, inconsistencies existed in level of abstractness of the diagnosis or problem terms, and in definition and placement of terms within their own taxonomic structure. CONCLUSION: Because of differences in structure and incompatible taxonomic arrangements, a master list of "preferred terms" taken from the three nomenclatures is not feasible. However, the mappings are useful for determining commonalities and the unique contributions of each nomenclature, which can facilitate the development of a uniform language for nursing diagnoses. The mapping can also form the basis for automatic translation of computer-stored nursing diagnoses from one setting to another when different nomenclatures are used.

The clinical teacher. A critical link in competence development.

Regardless of market conditions, staff development personnel are responsible for helping to meet the organization's need for competent staff. Collaboration between the organization's education and clinical staff is essential to effect a successful transfer from having knowledge to performing effectively. One organization's response to the challenge of competence development, and how a successful transfer of learning can be achieved by collaboration between clinical educators and clinical staff is reported.