14 research outputs found
Description of a low‐cost picture archiving and communication system based on network‐attached storage
No full textHigh costs for installing, maintaining, and updating a standard picture archiving and communication system (PACS) can be prohibitive for small/medium‐sized veterinary facilities. The aims of this prospective, exploratory study were to describe the design, implementation, and author experiences for 1 year's use of a low‐cost PACS based on network‐attached storage. The system described here was easily installed and resiliently stored redundant copies of data. It excellently balanced data recovery, system speed, security, and available memory for storage. A virtual private network also allowed off‐site data review. This system can also be used for future off‐site backup of data in the cloud
Computed Tomographic Assessment of Pituitary Gland Dimensions in Domestic Short-Haired Cats
No full textThe detection of subtle changes in the pituitary dimensions has relevant clinical implications. In cats, a few studies have established the cut-off values of the pituitary gland’s dimensions using small and inhomogeneous samples. The aims of this study were: to determine by computed tomography (CT) the pituitary linear dimensions and the pituitary-to-brain (P:B) ratio in a sample of domestic short-haired (DSH) cats; to assess the effects of sex, age, and weight on pituitary dimensions; and to evaluate the inter- and intra-observer agreement for such measurements. All skull CTs of DSH cats performed over four years using a multidetector CT and a standardized protocol were retrospectively reviewed. The exclusion criteria were: clinical, laboratory, or CT alterations of the pituitary gland, brain diseases, fractures of the neurocranium, and diabetes. The pituitary dimensions and brain area were assessed by two different observers using multiplanar reconstructions and automated segmentation tools. Fifty-one cats were included in the final sample. The intraclass correlation coefficients for intra- and inter-observer reliability were good/excellent, and moderate/good, respectively. No differences between sexes were detected, and negligible correlations were found between age and weight. According to this study, a pituitary gland with a height > 4 mm or a P:B ratio > 0.49 mm should be considered enlarged
The heart to single vertebra ratio: A new objective method for radiographic assessment of cardiac silhouette size in dogs
No full textVertebral heart size (VHS) is widely determined in clinical practice as an objective method to assess the cardiac silhouette dimensions. However, a key limitation is that it is difficult to determine VHS in dogs with vertebral alterations. This retrospective, method comparison, observer agreement study sought to overcome this limitation by using the heart-to-single vertebra ratio (HSVR), by evaluating the level of agreement between VHS and HSVR, as well as the intra- and inter-observer agreement for HSVR. Three independent observers retrospectively evaluated thoracic radiographs obtained over a set time period. Exclusion criteria were the presence of alterations of the tho- racic spine and the inability to clearly outline the cardiac silhouette. The lengths of the vertebral bodies, from the fourth to eighth thoracic vertebra, and VHS were measured on each radiograph. The HSVR was calculated by dividing the sum of the cardiac long and short axes by the length of each vertebral body. Eighty dogs of different breeds were included in the final analysis. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients revealed strong correlations between VHS and HSVR (0.91–0.96), and the Bland–Altman plots showed low bias (0.01–0.2) between the methods. The mean absolute errors indicated low average magnitudes of error (0.11–0.28). The intraclass correlation coefficients showed good to excellent inter-observer (0.87–0.92; P = 0.000) and intra-observer (0.87–0.99; P < .001) agreement. In the authors’ opinion, this new method, which is less time consuming and more objective, could offer a valuable alternative to VHS
Retrobulbar Filling for Enophthalmos Treatment in Dogs: Technique, Description and Computed-Tomographic Evaluation. Preliminary Cadaveric Study
No full textA new therapeutic approach for enophthalmos may be retrobulbar lipofilling. This study aims to standardize the intraconal filling technique and to evaluate the degree of eyeball displacement by computed tomography (CT). Skull CT was performed on six dog cadavers before and after intraconal injection of two 5% iodinated, viscoelastic solutions, one per eye, using an ultrasound-guided supratemporal approach. The volume to be injected was calculated using formulas for retrobulbar cone anesthesia. After CT, the dogs underwent necropsy and histopathology to evaluate damages that eventually occurred to retrobulbar structures. Eyeball displacement was estimated using two CT-based methods, named M1 and M2. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed no significant difference between the two injected materials in both M1 (p > 0.99), and M2 (lateral p = 0.84 and rostral p = 0.84 displacement). A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and post-injection group M1 (p = 0.002), M2 (p = 0.004) for the lateral and (p = 0.003) for rostral displacement. Although the slight eyeball displacement, the retrobulbar filling can lead to enophthalmos resolution. Compared to M1, the M2 method has better-defined anatomical landmarks. Further, preclinical in vivo studies are necessary to assess retrobulbar filling efficacy and safety
The usefulness of kidney-to-aorta ratio in dogs with chronic kidney disease
No full textThe kidney length (KL) to aortic diameter (AoD) ratio (KL/AoD) has been
proposed as an ultrasonographic objective method to assess renal dimensions. However,
its wide range of normal values limits sensitivity. Of note, its clinical utility in detecting
renal disease has not been investigated. The main aim of this study was to assess the
sensitivity and specificity of KL/AoD in dogs with chronic kidney disease. Of the 227 dogs
in the final sample, 185 were healthy and 42 were diseased. The obtained cut-off values
for healthy dogs were similar to those previously reported. No differences were found
between the KL of healthy and diseased dogs; however, using the KL/AoD ratio, diseased
dogs showed a significantly smaller ratio (p = 0.0003), although a partial overlap between
the two groups’ values was present. Considering the Youden index at KL/AoD = 6.3,
the ROC curve displayed a specificity of 83.24% and a sensitivity of 41.67%, while for
KL/AoD = 5.6, the specificity was 97.57% and the sensitivity was 13.10%. The results of
this study provide clinical usefulness for the KL/AoD ratio method, revealing excellent
specificity but poor sensitivity
Automatic imitation of biomechanically possible and impossible actions: effects of priming movements versus goals
No full textRecent behavioral, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological research suggests a common representational code mediating the observation and execution of actions; yet, the nature of this representational code is not well understood. The authors address this question by investigating (a) whether this observation execution matching system (or mirror system) codes both the constituent movements of an action as well as its goal and (b) how such sensitivity is influenced by top-down effects of instructions. The authors tested the automatic imitation of observed finger actions while manipulating whether the movements were biomechanically possible or impossible, but holding the goal constant. When no mention was made of this difference (Experiment 1), comparable automatic imitation was elicited from possible and impossible actions, suggesting that the actions had been coded at the level of the goal. When attention was drawn to this difference (Experiment 2), however, only possible movements elicited automatic imitation. This sensitivity was specific to imitation, not affecting spatial stimulus–response compatibility (Experiment 3). These results suggest that automatic imitation is modulated by top-down influences, coding actions in terms of both movements and goals depending on the focus of attention
COVID-19 and myocarditis: a systematic review and overview of current challenges
No full textMyocardial inflammation in COVID-19 has been documented. Its pathogenesis is not fully elucidated, but the two main theories foresee a direct role of ACE2 receptor and a hyperimmune response, which may also lead to isolated presentation of COVID-19-mediated myocarditis. The frequency and prognostic impact of COVID-19-mediated myocarditis is unknown. This review aims to summarise current evidence on this topic. We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE and Cochrane Library (1/12/19–30/09/20). We also searched clinicaltrials.gov for unpublished studies testing therapies with potential implication for COVID-19-mediated cardiovascular complication. Eligible studies had laboratory confirmed COVID-19 and a clinical and/or histological diagnosis of myocarditis by ESC or WHO/ISFC criteria. Reports of 38 cases were included (26 male patients, 24 aged < 50 years). The first histologically proven case was a virus-negative lymphocytic myocarditis; however, biopsy evidence of myocarditis secondary to SARS-CoV-2 cardiotropism has been recently demonstrated. Histological data was found in 12 cases (8 EMB and 4 autopsies) and CMR was the main imaging modality to confirm a diagnosis of myocarditis (25 patients). There was a substantial variability in biventricular systolic function during the acute episode and in therapeutic regimen used. Five patients died in hospital. Cause-effect relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and myocarditis is difficult to demonstrate. However, current evidence demonstrates myocardial inflammation with or without direct cardiomyocyte damage, suggesting different pathophysiology mechanisms responsible of COVID-mediated myocarditis. Established clinical approaches should be pursued until future evidence support different actions. Large multicentre registries are advisable to elucidate further. © 2021, The Author(s)
Cochrane reviews’ authorship has become more gender-diverse but remains geographically concentrated: a meta-research study
No full textObjectives: The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of country, region, language, and gender diversity in the authorship of Cochrane reviews and compare it to non-Cochrane systematic reviews. Study Design and Setting: We retrieved all published articles from the Cochrane Library (until November 6, 2023) using a web crawling technique that extracted prespecified data fields, including publication date, review category, and author affiliations. For comparison, non-Cochrane systematic reviews were identified through PubMed using E-utility calls. We determined the country, region of affiliations and gender of the first, corresponding, and last authors for Cochrane reviews; the same fields were determined for first authors only for non-Cochrane reviews due to data availability. Trends in geographical and gender diversity over time were evaluated using logistic regression. Fisher's exact test was used for comparisons. Diversity trends between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews were explored through visual presentation, Pearson's product-moment correlation, and the Granger Causality Test. Results: This comprehensive analysis included 22,681 Cochrane reviews and 224,484 non-Cochrane reviews. Cochrane reviews showed increasing diversity in several areas: representation of first authors from non-English speaking countries rose substantially (from 16.7% in 1996 to 42.8% in 2023), and female first authorship more than tripled (from 15.0% in 1996 to 55.6% in 2023). Representation from lower-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) in Cochrane reviews has declined recently (from a peak of 23.2% in 2012 to 18.4% in 2023). Among Cochrane Review Groups, diversity varied notably, with Sexually Transmitted Infections achieving the highest representation from LMICs (68.1% of first authors). In 2023, non-Cochrane reviews showed higher representation from non-English speaking countries (56.9%) and LMICs (50.8%) compared to Cochrane reviews. The patterns of gender diversity between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews showed strong correlations for female first authorship (r = 0.829, P < .001), suggesting parallel evolution over time. Conclusion: Both Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews demonstrate important progress in author diversity, particularly in gender representation and inclusion of authors from non-English speaking countries. While non-Cochrane reviews show stronger representation from LMICs, both review sources reflect the evolving landscape of global evidence synthesis
Cochrane Reviews’ authorship has become more gender diverse but remains geographically concentrated:A meta research study
No full textObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the distribution of country, region, language, and gender diversity in the authorship of Cochrane reviews and compare it to non-Cochrane systematic reviews.Study Design and SettingWe retrieved all published articles from the Cochrane Library (until November 6, 2023) using a web crawling technique that extracted pre-specified data fields, including publication date, review category, and author affiliations. For comparison, non-Cochrane systematic reviews were identified through PubMed using E-utility calls. We determined the country, region of affiliations and gender of the first, corresponding, and last authors for Cochrane reviews; the same fields were determined for first authors only for non-Cochrane reviews due to data availability. Trends in geographical and gender diversity over time were evaluated using logistic regression. Fisher’s exact test was used for comparisons. Diversity trends between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews were explored through visual presentation, Pearson’s product-moment correlation, and the Granger Causality Test.ResultsThis comprehensive analysis included 22,681 Cochrane reviews and 224,484 non-Cochrane reviews. Cochrane reviews showed increasing diversity in several areas: representation of first authors from non-English speaking countries rose substantially (from 16.7% in 1996 to 42.8% in 2023), and female first authorship more than tripled (from 15.0% in 1996 to 55.6% in 2023). Representation from LMICs in Cochrane reviews has declined recently (from a peak of 23.2% in 2012 to 18.4% in 2023). Among Cochrane Review Groups, diversity varied notably, with Sexually Transmitted Infections achieving the highest representation from LMICs (68.1% of first authors). In 2023, non-Cochrane reviews showed higher representation from non-English speaking countries (56.9%) and LMICs (50.8%) compared to Cochrane reviews. The patterns of gender diversity between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews showed strong correlations for female first authorship (r=0.829, P<0.001), suggesting parallel evolution over time.ConclusionBoth Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews demonstrate important progress in author diversity, particularly in gender representation and inclusion of authors from non-English speaking countries. While non-Cochrane reviews show stronger representation from LMICs, both review sources reflect the evolving landscape of global evidence synthesis
Geographical and Gender Diversity in Cochrane and non-Cochrane Reviews Authorship: A Meta-Research Study
No full textBackground: Cochrane is a recognized source of quality evidence that informs health-related decisions. As an organization, it represents a global network of diverse stakeholders. Cochrane’s key organizational values include diversity and inclusion, to enable wide participation and promote access. However, the diversity of Cochrane review authorship has not been well summarized.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of country, region, language, and gender diversity in the authorship of Cochrane reviews.
Methods: We retrieved all published articles from the Cochrane Library (until November 6, 2023)—a web crawling technique that extracted pre-specified data fields, including publication date, review type, and author affiliations. We used E-utility calls to capture the data for non-Cochrane systematic reviews. We determined the country and region of affiliations and the gender of the first, corresponding, and last authors for Cochrane reviews, as well as the country and region of affiliations and the gender of the first authors for non-Cochrane reviews. Trends in geographical and gender diversity over time were evaluated using logistic regression. Fisher’s exact test was used for comparisons. The diversity of first authors between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews was explored through visual presentation, Pearson’s product-moment correlation, and the Granger Causality Test. We used R for data collection and analysis.
Results: A total of 22681 citations were retrieved. The United Kingdom had the highest first-author representation (33.2%), followed by Australia (11.6%) and the United States (7.0%). We observed an increase in the proportion of first authors from non-English speaking countries, from 16.7% in 1996 to 42.8% in 2023. Female first authorship increased steadily, from 15.0% in 1996 to 55.6% in 2023. The proportion of first authors from lower-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) was highest in 2012 at 23.2%. Since then, it has decreased to 18.4% in 2023. Similarly, the proportion of last authors from LMICs decreased over time (25.0% in 1996 vs. 16.2% in 2023). Among review groups, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Consumers and Communication were the most and least diverse groups with 68.1% and 1.6% of first authors from LMICs, respectively. In terms of gender diversity, Fertility Regulation had the highest percentage of female first authors (72.1%). Urology (28.1%) had the lowest percentage of female first authors. In 2023, over half of the non-Cochrane reviews had first authors from non-English-speaking countries (n=14,589, 56.9%), 50.8% (n=13,014) had first authors from LMICs, and 42.3% (n=10,841) had female first authors. The Pearson’s product-moment correlations between Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews’ trends were 0.265 (P=0.450) for LMICs, 0.823 (P<0.001) for non-English speaking, 0.634 (P<0.001) Spanish-speaking, and 0.829 (P<0.001) for female first authorship.
Conclusion: Overall, this study found positive trends, with an increase in first authorship by individuals who were female and from non-English speaking countries. However, the representation of first authors from non-high-income countries decreased. Future research could further explore these trends, identifying potential barriers influencing access and participation of individuals and groups and assessing strategies that help promote diversity and inclusion
