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Fluid Analysis (fluid + analysis)
Kinds of Fluid Analysis Selected AbstractsBudd,Chiari-like syndrome in a dog with a chondrosarcoma of the thoracic wallJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 2 2007Megan F. Whelan DVM Abstract Objective: To describe a dog with Budd,Chiari-like syndrome secondary to caudal vena cava compression from a thoracic wall chondrosarcoma. Case summary: A 9-year-old spayed female Shetland Sheepdog cross with a recent history of non-productive cough developed severe abdominal distension and dyspnea. Marked ascites and enlarged hepatic veins were identified with ultrasonography. At surgery, a right thoracic wall mass was found to be compressing the caudal vena cava. Fluid analysis of the ascites revealed a modified transudate with elevated protein concentration, consistent with Budd,Chiari-like syndrome. Clinical signs resolved following thoracotomy and complete resection of the mass. New or unique information provided: Obstruction of venous blood flow can result from compression exerted by a space-occupying thoracic wall mass on the caudal vena cava. Clinical resolution can be achieved with return of adequate venous circulation by removal of the mass and alleviation of the external pressure. [source] Psychiatric epidemiology of old age: the H70 study , the NAPE Lecture 2003ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2004I. Skoog Objective: To describe methodological issues and possibilities in the epidemiology of old age psychiatry using data from the H70 study in Göteborg, Sweden. Method: A representative sample born during 1901,02 was examined at 70, 75, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 90, 92, 95, 97, 99 and 100 years of age, another during 1906,07 was examined at 70 and 79 years of age, and samples born between 1922 and 1930 were examined at 70 years of age. The study includes psychiatric examinations and key informant interviews performed by psychiatrists, physical examinations performed by geriatricians, psychometric testings, blood sampling, computerized tomographies of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid analyses, anthropometric measurements, and psychosocial background factors. Results: Mental disorders are found in approximately 30% of the elderly, but is seldom detected or properly treated. Incidence of depression and dementia increases with age. The relationship between blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease is an example of how cross-sectional and longitudinal studies yield completely different results. Brain imaging is an important tool in epidemiologic studies of the elderly to detect silent cerebrovascular disease and other structural brain changes. The high prevalence of psychotic symptoms is an example of the importance to use several sources of information to detect these symptoms. Dementia should be diagnosed in all types of studies in the elderly, as it influences several outcomes such as mortality, blood pressure, and rates of depression. Suicidal feelings are rare in the elderly and are strongly related to mental disorders. Conclusion: Modern epidemiologic studies in population samples should be longitudinal and include assessments of psychosocial risk factors as well as comprehensive sets of biologic markers, such as brain imaging, neurochemical analyses, and genetic information to maximize the contribution that epidemiology can provide to increase our knowledge about the etiology of mental disorders. [source] Is varicocelectomy indicated in subfertile men with clinical varicoceles who have asthenospermia or teratospermia and normal sperm density?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2007Linus Okeke Objective: Varicocele is the most common treatable cause of male infertility and is associated with progressive decline in testicular function. Varicocelectomy, a commonly performed operation, is indicated in infertile males with varicoceles who have oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia or a combination of these factors. It is not clear if varicocelectomy is indicated if the patients have normal sperm density associated with asthenospermia or teratospermia. Methods: We reviewed 167 patients with varicocele-associated male infertility over a 7-year period (December 1999,November 2005). Pre- and post-varicocelectomy seminal fluid analyses, assessed using the World Health Organization criteria, were obtained at intervals of 4,6 months. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to evaluate for statistical significance and P , 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the patients and their spouses were 35 and 28 years, respectively. The mean duration of infertility was 3.2 years (range, 1.5,7.5). Oligospermia, teratospermia, asthenospermia, oligospermia, asthenospermia and teratospermia (OAT) syndrome and azoospermia were found preoperatively in 106 (63.5%), 58 (34.7%), 154 (92%), 118 (71%) and 15 (9%) patients, respectively. Overall, significant improvements in semen volume (P < 0.001), sperm density (P < 0.001), sperm motility (P < 0.001) and sperm vitality (P < 0.001) were obtained after varicocelectomy. There was, however, no significant improvement in sperm morphology after varicocelectomy (P = 0.220). When patients with preoperative oligospermia (sperm density, <20 million/mL) were considered separately, varicocelectomy led to significant improvement in all the semen parameters except the sperm morphology (P = 0.183). Conversely, when varicocele patients with a sperm density of ,20 million/mL (normospermia) associated with asthenospermia and/or teratospermia were considered separately, they did not show significant improvement in any of the semen parameters after varicocelectomy (P > 0.05). In addition, azoospermic patients did not show significant improvement in any of the semen parameters (P > 0.05) Conclusion: No significant improvement in semen parameters may be obtained in patients with clinical varicocele and preoperative normospermia. It is possible that only patients with preoperative oligospermia may benefit from varicocelectomy. Larger multi-institutional studies are needed to determine more definitively if asthenospermia or teratospermia in normospermic subfertile males with clinical varicoceles are in fact indications for varicocelectomy. [source] Usefulness of reagent strips for checking cure in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis after short-course treatmentALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2010J. CASTELLOTE Summary Background, The usefulness of reagent strips to check cure of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis have not been evaluated to date. Aim, To assess the usefulness of ascitic fluid analysis by means of reagent strips to check cure after a 5-day antibiotic course. Methods, We prospectively included all cirrhotic patients diagnosed with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. On day 5, conventional and reagent strip ascitic fluid analyses were performed. Results, Fifty-three episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 51 cirrhotic patients were included. Five patients died before the fifth day and in two patients, the control paracentesis yielded no ascitic fluid. In nine out of 46 cases (19.6%), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had not resolved by day 5. In 32 out of 33 cases in which the ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear count was <250/,L at day five, the reagent strips was negative. The negative predictive value of the reagent strip at fifth day was 97% and the LR, 0.13. Conclusions, Almost 20% of episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis do not resolve with a short-course of antibiotic treatment. In view of the high negative predictive value and low likelihood ratio for a negative test, reagent strips analysis may be an alternative to conventional cytology if a 5-day antibiotic therapy is planned. [source] Early diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis by cerebrospinal fluid analysis and determination of 16s rRNA gene sequenceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2007D. Bengel A 40-year-old diabetic woman was diagnosed with rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Cerebral mucormycosis is an acute life-threatening disease, which is caused by fungi of the class Phycomycetae. Clinical suspicion and detection of the fungal hyphae in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) led to early diagnosis, subsequently confirmed by immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis of fungal RNA. Early infiltration of the infectious agent into the central nervous system resulted in septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus, mycotic meningoencephalitis, brain infarctions as well as intracerebral and subarachnoidal hemorrhages. Despite immediate high-dose antimycotic treatment, surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, and control of diabetes as a predisposing factor, the woman died 2 weeks after admission. Although fungal organisms are rarely detectable in CSF specimens from patients with mycotic infections of the central nervous system, comprehensive CSF examination is beneficial in the diagnosis of rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Furthermore, a concerted team approach, systemic antifungal agents and early surgical intervention seem to be crucial for preventing rapid disease progression. [source] Guidelines on routine cerebrospinal fluid analysis.EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2006Report from an EFNS task force A great variety of neurological diseases require investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to prove the diagnosis or to rule out relevant differential diagnoses. The objectives were to evaluate the theoretical background and provide guidelines for clinical use in routine CSF analysis including total protein, albumin, immunoglobulins, glucose, lactate, cell count, cytological staining, and investigation of infectious CSF. The methods included a Systematic Medline search for the above-mentioned variables and review of appropriate publications by one or more of the task force members. Grading of evidence and recommendations was based on consensus by all task force members. It is recommended that CSF should be analysed immediately after collection. If storage is needed 12 ml of CSF should be partitioned into three to four sterile tubes. Albumin CSF/serum ratio (Qalb) should be preferred to total protein measurement and normal upper limits should be related to patients' age. Elevated Qalb is a non-specific finding but occurs mainly in bacterial, cryptococcal, and tuberculous meningitis, leptomingeal metastases as well as acute and chronic demyelinating polyneuropathies. Pathological decrease of the CSF/serum glucose ratio or increased lactate concentration indicates bacterial or fungal meningitis or leptomeningeal metastases. Intrathecal immunoglobulin G synthesis is best demonstrated by isoelectric focusing followed by specific staining. Cellular morphology (cytological staining) should be evaluated whenever pleocytosis is found or leptomeningeal metastases or pathological bleeding is suspected. Computed tomography-negative intrathecal bleeding should be investigated by bilirubin detection. [source] Brain MRI in late-onset multiple sclerosisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2005J. de Seze Multiple sclerosis (MS) with clinical onset after 50 years of age is unusual (between 1 and 6%) and is frequently misdiagnosed. Furthermore, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities are frequently observed in subjects over 50 years of age. The aim of this study was to describe brain MRI in late-onset MS to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of radiological MS criteria in patients aged over 50 years. We evaluated the brain MRI of 20 patients with onset of MS after 50 years of age. We compared these MRI with 26 controls matched for age, sex and vascular risk factors. MRI were blindly analysed by two neuroradiologists according to Paty et al.'s [Neurology38 (1988) 180] criteria, Fazekas et al.'s [Neurology38 (1988) 1822] criteria and Barkhof et al.'s [Brain120 (1997) 2059] criteria. The mean age at MRI scanning was 58 years. Sensitivity was 90% for Paty et al.'s criteria, 80% for Fazekas et al.'s criteria and 85% for Barkhof et al.'s criteria. Specificity was 54% for Paty et al.'s criteria, 69% for Fazekas et al.'s criteria and 65% for Barkhof et al.'s criteria. Barkhof et al.'s criteria are less specific in older patients than in young patients. We suggest that spinal cord MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis should be systematically performed in suspected late-onset MS in order to increase the specificity of the diagnosis. [source] QOS and call admission control of multimedia traffic in a PCS networkINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 6 2004Duan-Shin Lee Abstract In this paper we study the quality of service of integrated voice and data services in a wireless network. The voice traffic is transmitted in circuit-switched mode and data traffic is transmitted in packet-switched mode. Voice traffic has high transmission priority and data packets are transmitted only when there are available channels not used by the voice traffic. Otherwise, the data packets wait in a data buffer. We consider two schemes to reduce the forced termination probability for the handoff voice calls. The two schemes are the reserved channel scheme and the queueing priority scheme. We apply a fluid analysis to study the performance of the data buffer under the two handoff schemes and the basic system in which there is no arrangement to reduce the forced termination probability of handoff calls. From this analysis, we derive admission controls for voice traffic as well as for data traffic. This analysis also enables us to conclude that the reserved channel scheme not only is more effective in reducing the forced termination probability of handoff calls, it is also more effective in providing the QOS guarantee for the data traffic. Another contribution of this paper is to develop a perturbation analysis to solve the fluid models efficiently and quickly. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Ciclosporin use in multi-drug therapy for meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology in dogsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 9 2007P. F. Adamo Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ciclosporin therapy alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or ketoconazole in dogs with diagnosis of meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology. Methods: Medical records of 10 dogs diagnosed with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology and treated with ciclosporin therapy alone or in combination with corticosteroids and/or ketoconazole were reviewed at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Laboratory abnormalities, side effects, clinical and cerebrospinal fluid responses to treatment and association between blood ciclosporin level and response to treatment were evaluated. Histopathological diagnosis was available in three patients. Results: No significant abnormalities were detected on serial complete blood count and serum chemistry panel in any of the dogs. Side effects of ciclosporin therapy included excessive shedding, gingival hyperplasia and hypertrichosis. Overall median survival time for all dogs in the study was 930 days (range, 60 to more than 1290 days). In all dogs, serial cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a marked improvement in the inflammation. Clinical Significance: Results suggest that ciclosporin either alone or in combination with ketoconazole may be a safe and effective treatment for meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown aetiology in dogs. [source] Usefulness of reagent strips for checking cure in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis after short-course treatmentALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2010J. CASTELLOTE Summary Background, The usefulness of reagent strips to check cure of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis have not been evaluated to date. Aim, To assess the usefulness of ascitic fluid analysis by means of reagent strips to check cure after a 5-day antibiotic course. Methods, We prospectively included all cirrhotic patients diagnosed with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. On day 5, conventional and reagent strip ascitic fluid analyses were performed. Results, Fifty-three episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 51 cirrhotic patients were included. Five patients died before the fifth day and in two patients, the control paracentesis yielded no ascitic fluid. In nine out of 46 cases (19.6%), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis had not resolved by day 5. In 32 out of 33 cases in which the ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear count was <250/,L at day five, the reagent strips was negative. The negative predictive value of the reagent strip at fifth day was 97% and the LR, 0.13. Conclusions, Almost 20% of episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis do not resolve with a short-course of antibiotic treatment. In view of the high negative predictive value and low likelihood ratio for a negative test, reagent strips analysis may be an alternative to conventional cytology if a 5-day antibiotic therapy is planned. [source] Biochemical Analysis of Pericardial Fluid and Whole Blood in Dogs with Pericardial EffusionJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2005Armelle M. de Laforcade Studies evaluating pericardial fluid analysis in dogs to determine the etiology of pericardial effusions have yielded conflicting results. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, glucose, and lactate of pericardial fluid to peripheral blood from dogs with pericardial effusion and to compare these variables between dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial effusion. Acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, glucose, hematocrit, urea nitrogen, and lactate concentrations were evaluated in peripheral blood samples and in pericardial effusion samples of 41 client-owned dogs with pericardial effusion. Common abnormal findings in the peripheral blood of dogs with pericardial effusion included hyperlactatemia (n = 38 [of 41]; 93%), hyponatremia (n = 25/41; 61%), hyperglycemia (n = 13/41; 32%), and hypermagnesemia (n = 13/41; 32%). Bicarbonate, sodium, ionized calcium, glucose, and hematocrit were all significantly lower in the pericardial fluid compared with peripheral blood, whereas lactate, chloride, and PCO2 were significantly higher in the pericardial fluid. When comparing the concentrations of variables in the pericardial fluid of dogs with neoplasia (n = 28) to those without neoplasia (n = 13), pH, bicarbonate, and chloride were significantly lower in dogs with neoplasia, whereas lactate, hematocrit, and urea nitrogen were significantly higher in the pericardial fluid of dogs with neoplasia. The difference between peripheral and pericardial glucose concentrations was significantly larger in dogs with neoplasia than in dogs without neoplasia. Although differences between variables in dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial effusion were documented, clinical relevance is likely limited by the degree of overlap between the 2 groups. [source] Clinical spectrum of tuberculous pleural effusion in childrenPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2007CHIH-YUNG CHIU Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and potentially diagnostic specimens of pediatric patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) to make a prompt diagnosis. Methods: Children who had TPE from September 1997 to December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed at a tertiary pediatric facility in northern Taiwan. Results: There were seven boys and six girls and their ages ranged from 10 to 17 years (average, 14.6 years). Tuberculosis contact history was identified in only six patients (46%). Fever (12/92%), cough (9/69%) and malaise (6/46%) were the most common symptoms. Normal leukocyte count was found in 12 patients (92%). Chest radiograph review showed unilateral pleural effusion in 12 patients (92%) but parenchymal involvement was found in nine patients (69%). Most of the pleural fluid analysis showed a lymphocytic exudative effusion (5/6). The acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stain of sputum, gastric washing, and pleural aspirate was positive in six of 11 (55%), two of seven (29%), and one of five (20%) patients, respectively. Culture of sputum, gastric washing, and pleural aspirate yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in four of 11 (36%), two of seven (29%), and two of five (40%) patients, respectively. A total of 6 to 9 months of multiple-drug therapy for tuberculosis was successful without sequale. Conclusions: Tuberculous pleural effusion usually presents as an acute illness and should always be considered in the differential diagnosis for older children and adolescents with pneumonia. A normal leukocyte count with a lymphocytic exudative effusion may provide a clue to the correct diagnosis of TPE. Diagnostic specimen of sputum seems more effective and sensitive in childhood TPE, especially those having pulmonary involvement. [source] Calcification of articular cartilage in human osteoarthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 9 2009M. Fuerst Objective Hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation is a key step in endochondral ossification that produces basic calcium phosphates (BCPs). Although chondrocyte hypertrophy has been associated with osteoarthritis (OA), chondrocalcinosis has been considered an irregular event and linked mainly to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and composition of calcium crystals in human OA and analyze their relationship to disease severity and markers of chondrocyte hypertrophy. Methods One hundred twenty patients with end-stage OA undergoing total knee replacement were prospectively evaluated. Cartilage calcification was studied by conventional x-ray radiography, digital-contact radiography (DCR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and synovial fluid analysis. Cartilage calcification findings were correlated with scores of knee function as well as histologic changes and chondrocyte hypertrophy as analyzed in vitro. Results DCR revealed mineralization in all cartilage specimens. Its extent correlated significantly with the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score but not with age. FE-SEM analysis showed that BCPs, rather than CPPD, were the prominent minerals. On histologic analysis, it was observed that mineralization correlated with the expression of type X collagen, a marker of chondrocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, there was a strong correlation between the extent of mineralization in vivo and the ability of chondrocytes to produce BCPs in vitro. The induction of hypertrophy in healthy human chondrocytes resulted in a prominent mineralization of the extracellular matrix. Conclusion These results indicate that mineralization of articular cartilage by BCP is an indissociable process of OA and does not characterize a specific subset of the disease, which has important consequences in the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with OA. [source] Antemortem diagnosis of canine neural angiostrongylosis using ELISAAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003J LUNN A 5-month-old female Kelpie developed paraparesis, hind limb ataxia and spinal hyperaesthesia 4 days after ovariohysterectomy. Neurological examination demonstrated upper motor neuron signs in the pelvic limbs with lower motor neuron signs in the tail. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated an increased protein concentration and marked eosinophilic pleocytosis. The dog was known to have eaten rats, snails and slugs. A tentative diagnosis of neural angiostrongylosis was made and later confirmed using an ELISA based on soluble antigens obtained from larval 4 Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Antibody titres from the patient's serum and CSF were 800 and 6400, respectively. The dog was treated successfully with prednisolone. ELISA testing of serum may provide a non-invasive means for diagnosing neural angiostrongylosis in dogs. [source] Determination of acyclovir in horse plasma and body fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with fluorescence detection and heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometryBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2009A. Maes Abstract Two methods are presented for the determination of ,respectively' the plasma protein unbound and total concentration of acyclovir in horse plasma and body fluids: first, a liquid,liquid extraction was performed on plasma, combined with HPLC-fluorescence detection for the total plasma concentration; second a more sensitive method using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HESI-MS/MS) was described for plasma and for body fluids analysis. To obtain the unbound concentration of acyclovir in plasma, a simple deproteinization step using a Microcon® filter was performed. Ganciclovir was used as an internal standard. Analysis was carried out on an Inertsil 5 ODS-3 column for the HPLC-fluorescence method. For the LC-HESI-MS/MS method a PLRP-S column was used. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for the total concentration was set at 50 and 2 ng mL,1 for the HPLC-fluorescence method and the LC-HESI-MS/MS method, respectively. The limit of quantification for the unbound concentration was set at 5 ng mL,1 and at 2 ng mL,1 for body fluids. The methods were successfully used to perform pharmacokinetic and clinical studies in horses after intravenous and oral dosage of acyclovir and its prodrug valacyclovir. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] |