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An international round-robin experiment has been conducted to test procedures and methods for the measurement of angle-resolved light scattering. ASTM E2387-05 has been used as the main guide, while the experience gained should also contribute to the new ISO standard of angle-resolved scattering currently under development (ISO/WD 19986:2016). Seven laboratories from Europe and the United States measured the angle-resolved scattering from Al/SiO2-coated substrates, transparent substrates, volume diffusors, quasi-volume diffusors, white calibration standards, and grating samples at laser wavelengths in the UV, VIS, and NIR spectra. Results were sent to Fraunhofer IOF, which coordinated the experiments and analyzed the data, while ESA-ESTEC, as the project donor, defined conditions and parameters. Depending mainly on the sample type, overall good to reasonable agreements were observed, with largest deviations at scattering angles very close to the specular beam. Volume diffusor characterization unexpectedly turned out to be challenging. Not all participants provided measurement uncertainty ranges according to the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement; often, a single general scatterometer-related measurement uncertainty value was stated. Although relative instrument measurement uncertainties close to 1% are sometimes claimed, the comparison results did not support these claims for specular scattering samples as mirrors, substrates, or gratings.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cervical MR imaging has demonstrated a utility for detecting soft tissue injury in nonaccidental trauma. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and types of cervical spine injury on MR imaging in nonaccidental trauma and to correlate cervical spine injury with parenchymal injury on brain MR imaging and findings on head CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of children diagnosed with nonaccidental trauma in a tertiary referral pediatric hospital over 8 years was performed. Inclusion criteria were children younger than 5 years of age, a confirmed diagnosis of nonaccidental trauma, and cervical spine MR imaging within 1 week of presentation. Brain and cervical spine MR imaging, head CT, cervical radiographs, and skeletal surveys were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 89 patients included in this study (48 males; mean age, 9.1 months [range, 1-59 months]). Cervical spine injury on MR imaging was found in 61 patients (69%). Ligamentous injury was seen in 60 patients (67%), with interspinous ligaments being most commonly involved. Abnormal capsular fluid (atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial) was present in 28 patients (32%). Cervical spine injury on MR imaging was significantly associated with parenchymal restricted diffusion on brain MR imaging and parenchymal injury on head CT (P = .0004 and P = .0104, respectively). Children with restricted diffusion on brain MR imaging were 6.22 (point estimate) times more likely to have cervical spine injury on MR imaging. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of cervical spine injury in pediatric nonaccidental trauma. Positive findings may affect management and suggest a traumatic etiology.

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BACKGROUND: Anecdotal reports suggest a recent high prevalence of aspiration pneumonia in Irish wolfhounds, prompting further investigation into the incidence of the disease in this breed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibility that Irish wolfhounds have an increased incidence of aspiration pneumonia, and to consider possible predisposing causes in this breed. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records from the Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Sydney, from January 2008 to December 2012 inclusive to determine the total hospital incidence and individual breed incidences of aspiration pneumonia. RESULTS: The total hospital incidence of aspiration pneumonia was 0 · 5%. The Irish wolfhound had the highest breed incidence, with 9 of 25 dogs (36%) diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. Four of the Irish wolfhounds had a predisposing cause identified; one having a choking episode, one having gastric bloat, while two were diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis after it was specifically investigated because of clinical suspicion. Five had no underlying cause of their aspiration pneumonia determined. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: On the basis of the hospital population studied, the Irish wolfhound has a high incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Further investigation into the possible predisposing cause(s) in this breed is warranted.

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CASE REPORT: Metaphyseal osteopathy (MO) was diagnosed in three Australian Kelpie puppies that were presented for veterinary assessment of lameness. The three puppies were siblings. Each was from a different litter by the same breeding pair. The puppy in case one was seen by the authors, and the puppies in cases two and three were patients at other veterinary hospitals. However, the medical records and radiographs were examined and reviewed for this report. Radiographic investigation of the lameness revealed pathognomonic appearance of MO affecting the metaphyseal region of the long bones in all three puppies. The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology in one patient. CONCLUSION: MO is considered a disease of large and giant-breed dogs, being rarely reported in non-large-breed dogs, and has not been reported in the Australian Kelpie, which is considered a medium-breed dog. This case series suggests a previously unreported breed predisposition to MO in the Australian Kelpie.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine if differing gauge (G) needles used for venipuncture altered the automated platelet count and coagulation profile (prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)) in clinically healthy dogs. DESIGN: Prospective, observational, randomised, clinical study. METHODS: We enrolled 20 clinically healthy dogs. Blood was collected via direct venipuncture of the jugular veins with 21G, 23G and 25G needles in a random order. Automated haematology and automated coagulation times were performed on the blood samples. Values were analysed for differences among the needle gauges and also the order of sample collection. RESULTS: No difference was found in the automated platelet count or automated coagulation times for the three needle gauges used or the order in which the samples were collected. CONCLUSION: Venipuncture can be performed with a 21G, 23G or 25G needle to obtain blood from dogs for automated platelet count and PT/aPTT measurement without affecting the results.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that occurs primarily in women of reproductive age. The disease is characterized by exaggerated T-cell activity and abnormal T-cell signalling. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in the maintenance of T-cell tolerance that fails in patients with SLE. Oestrogen is a female sex hormone that binds to nuclear receptors and alters the rate of gene transcription. Oestrogen can also act through the plasma membrane and rapidly stimulate second messengers including calcium flux and kinase activation. In this study, we investigated whether oestrogen influences the activation of MAPK signalling through the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in activated SLE T cells. SLE and control T cells were cultured in serum-free medium without and with oestradiol (10(-7) M) for 18 h. The T cells were activated with phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for various time points (0-60 min), and the amount of phosphorylated ERK1/2 was measured by immunoblotting. There were no differences in ERK1/2 phosphorylation between SLE and control T cells at 5 and 15 min after the activation stimulus. However, comparison between the amount of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in SLE T cells from the same patients cultured without and with oestradiol showed a significant oestrogen-dependent suppression (P=0.48) of ERK1/2 in patients with inactive/mild systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) (0-2) compared with patients with moderate (4-6) or active (8-12) SLEDAI scores. These results suggest that the suppression of MAPK through ERK1/2 phosphorylation is sensitive to oestradiol in patients with inactive or mild disease, but the sensitivity is not maintained when disease activity increases. Furthermore, studies are now necessary to understand the mechanisms by which oestrogen influences MAPK activation in SLE T cells.

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This paper addresses the many forms of treatment for glaucoma. We studied particularly the topical drops and oral medications that are most frequently prescribed by ophthalmologists, specifically examining the reasons for the side effects experienced by certain patients taking topical drops and oral medications. Some of the side effects and interactions are discussed, and the importance of proper procedure for application of topical eye drops is stressed. Finally, we emphasize that proper drug usage is critical to the well being of the patient.

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