Reference Range Research Articles

Select Venous Analytes and Fibrinogen Determination Using Two Methods in Brown Pelicans.

The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a species often affected by natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills, as well as general human activities; that subsequently receives medical care and rehabilitation. During rehabilitation, blood may be collected for various tests to help with diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. Reference intervals for this species are limited, dated, and typically from small sample sizes. Seventy-one presumed healthy brown pelicans were sampled as part of their pre-release examination from rehabilitation at the Wildlife Center of Texas after a large volume stranding from December 2014 to January 2015, and various venous analytes were measured to establish updated reference intervals for brown pelicans. Fibrinogen was measured via heat precipitation and the Abaxis VSPro equine fibrinogen cartridge to determine reference intervals and in an attempt to validate the VSPro for use in avian species. Abaxis VS2 Avian/Reptile Chemistry panel, iSTAT CG4+, and iSTAT Chem8+ results, in addition to body condition score, spun PCV, cloacal temperature, and fibrinogen were measured. Proposed reference intervals for brown pelicans are presented. Fibrinogen results were not comparable between the gold standard method and the VSPro, indicating that the VSPro is not appropriate for use in brown pelicans.

Enzymic Activity, Metabolites, and Hematological Responses in High-Risk Newly Received Calves for "Clinical Health" Reference Intervals.

Enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses for reference intervals (RIs) establish ranges of physiological normality, which are useful for diagnosing diseases and physiological alterations. Within the same species, RIs vary according to age, gender, productive and physiological states, and environmental factors including health management and nutrition. RIs have been extensively studied in dairy calves during a critical stage of life (from birth up to first 90 days of age). A critical stage for feedlot calves is their arrival at the feedlot, but no reports determine RIs for different enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses during their initial period at the feedlot. Consequently, a total of 461 high-risk crossbreed beef calves, received on three different dates, were examined upon arrival at the feedlot. Of these, 320 calves (148.3 ± 1.3 kg body weight) whose "clinical health" was evaluated were included in the study. Blood samples were taken upon arrival and on days 14, 28, 42, and 56 to determine the following parameters: enzymic activity, metabolites, electrolytes, white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Enzymic activity, metabolites, and complete blood count were determined by automated analyzers. The freeware Reference Value Advisor Software was used to calculate the non-parametric values of RIs. This study is the first to establish RIs for different enzymic activity, metabolites, and hematological responses in high-risk newly received calves during their initial period at the feedlot. This information will be useful for veterinary clinical practice and research related to the health and welfare of high-risk newly received calves during their initial period at the feedlot.

Plasma concentration of thrombopoietin in dogs with immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common cause of severe thrombocytopenia in dogs. The pathogenesis of nonassociative, primary ITP (pITP) appears complex, with ill-defined thrombopoietic response. Develop an immunoassay to measure plasma canine thrombopoietin (TPO) concentration and characterize TPO concentrations in dogs with pITP. Forty-one healthy dogs, 8 dogs in an induced ITP model (3 control, 5 ITP), and 58 pITP dogs. Recombinant canine TPO (rcTPO) was purchased and its identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. Monoclonal antibodies were raised to rcTPO and used to configure a sandwich ELISA using streptavidin-biotin detection. Assay performance, coefficients of variability, and healthy dog plasma TPO reference interval (RI) were determined, followed by assay of ITP samples. Assay dynamic range was 15 pg/mL (lower limit of detection) to 1000 pg/mL TPO, with limit of quantitation of 62 pg/mL. Plasma TPO RI was 0 to 158 pg/mL, with plasma TPO <62 pg/mL for 35/41 healthy dogs. All dogs with induced ITP developed marked increases in plasma TPO concentration. Peak values ranged from 515 to >6000 pg/mL. In contrast, only 2/58 pITP dogs had TPO values above RI. Plasma TPO concentration is paradoxically low at diagnosis for most dogs with pITP. This finding suggests that ineffective thrombopoiesis contributes to thrombocytopenia in pITP dogs and supports evaluating TPO receptor agonist treatment as used for pITP in humans. The TPO assay provides a new tool to study thrombopoiesis in pITP and other thrombocytopenic syndromes in dogs.

Clinical utility of personalized reference intervals for CEA in the early detection of oncologic disease.

Personalized reference intervals (prRI) have been proposed as a diagnostic tool for assessing measurands with high individuality. Here, we evaluate clinical performance of prRI using carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for cancer detection and compare it with that of reference change values (RCV) and other criteria recommended by clinical guidelines (e.g. 25 % of change between consecutive CEA results (RV25) and the cut-off point of 5 μg/L (CP5)). Clinical and analytical data from 2,638 patients collected over 19 years were retrospectively evaluated. A total 15,485 CEA results were studied. For each patient, we calculated prRI and RCV using computer algorithms based on the combination of different strategies to assess the number of CEA results needed, consideration of one or two limits of reference interval and the intraindividual biological variation estimate (CVI) used: (a)publicly available (CVI-EU), (b) CVI calculated using an indirect method (CVI-NOO) and (c) within-person BV (CVP). For each new result identified falling outside the prRI, exceeding the RCV interval, RV25 or CP5, we searched for records identifying the presence of tumour at 3 and 12months after the test. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive power of each strategy were calculated. PrRI approaches derived using CVI-EU, and both limits of reference interval achieve the best sensitivity (87.5 %) and NPV (99.3 %) at 3 and 12months of all evaluated criteria. Only 3 results per patients are enough to calculate prRIs that reach this diagnostic performance. PrRI approaches could be an effective tool to rule out new oncological findings during the active surveillance of patients.

Automated sex and age partitioning for the estimation of reference intervals using a regression tree model

Abstract Objectives Reference intervals (RI) play a decisive role in the interpretation of medical laboratory results. An important step in the determination of RI is age- and sex specific partitioning, which is usually based on an empirical approach by graphical representation. In this study, we evaluate an automated machine learning approach. Methods This study uses pediatric data from the CALIPER RI (Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals) study. The calculation of potential partitions is carried out using a regression tree model included in the rpart package of the statistical programming language R. The Harris &amp; Boyd method is used to compare the corresponding partitions suggested by rpart and CALIPER. For better comparability, the reference ranges of the partitions of both approaches are then calculated using reflimR. Results Most of the partitions suggested by rpart or CALIPER show sufficient heterogeneity among themselves to justify age- and/or sex-specific RI partitioning. With only few individual exceptions, both methods yield comparable results. The partitions of both approaches for albumin and γ-glutamyltransferase are very similar to each other. For creatinine rpart suggests a slightly earlier distinction between the sexes. Alkaline phosphatase shows the most pronounced differences. In addition to a considerable earlier sex split, rpart suggests different age intervals for both sexes, resulting in three partitions for females and four partitions for males. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the automated analysis provided by rpart yields results that comparable to traditional methods. Nevertheless, the medical plausibility of the automatic suggestions needs to be validated by human experts.

Serum concentration of ferroportin in women of reproductive age.

Ferroportin (Fpn) is the only known iron exporter and plays an essential role in iron homeostasis. Serum concentrations of Fpn in health and/or diseased states are still mostly unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the concentration of Fpn in the serum of women of reproductive age (WRA) for the first time, and to establish whether there is a difference in the concentration of Fpn according to ferritin status. This research included 100 WRA (18-45 years, C-reactive protein (CRP) < 5 mg/L, hemoglobin > 120 g/L). Serum Fpn was measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method on the analyzer EZ Read 800 Plus (Biochrom, Cambridge, UK). Reference interval was calculated using the robust method. The median concentration of Fpn in the whole study group was 9.74 (5.84-15.69) µg/L. The subgroup with ferritin concentration > 15 µg/L had a median Fpn concentration 15.21 (10.34-21.93) µg/L, which significantly differed from Fpn concentration in the subgroup with ferritin concentration ≤ 15 µg/L (5.93 (4.84-8.36) µg/L, P < 0.001). The reference limits for the Fpn were 2.26-29.81 µg/L with 90% confidence intervals (CI) of 1.78 to 2.83 and 25.37 to 34.33, respectively. The proposed reference interval could help in the future research on iron homeostasis both in physiological conditions and in various disorders, because this is the first study that measured Fpn concentration in a certain gender and age group of a healthy population.

Direct, age- and gender-specific reference intervals: applying a modified M-estimator of the Yeo-Johnson transformation to clinical real-world data

Abstract Objectives Reference intervals for the general clinical practice are expected to cover non-pathological values, but also reflect the underlying biological variation present in age- and gender-specific patient populations. Reference intervals can be inferred from routine patient data measured in high capacity using parametric approaches. Stratified reference distributions are obtained which may be transformed to normality via e.g. a Yeo-Johnson transformation. The estimation of the optimal transformation parameter for Yeo-Johnson through maximum likelihood can be highly influenced by the presence of outlying observations, resulting in biased reference interval estimates. Methods To reduce the influence of outlying observations on parametric reference interval estimation, a reweighted M-estimator approach for the Yeo-Johnson (YJ) transformation was utilised to achieve central normality in stratified reference populations for a variety of laboratory test results. The reweighted M-estimator for the YJ transformation offers a robust parametric approach to infer relevant reference intervals. Results The proposed method showcases robustness up to 15 % of outliers present in routine patient data, highlighting the applicability of the reweighted M-estimator in laboratory medicine. Furthermore, reference intervals are personalised based on the patients’ age and gender for a variety of analytes from routine patient data collected in a tertiary hospital, robustly reducing the dimensionality of the data for more data-driven approaches. Conclusions The method shows the advantages for estimating reference intervals directly and parametrically from routine patient data in order to provide expected reference ranges. This approach to locally inferred reference intervals allows a more nuanced comparison of patients’ test results.

A New Concept for Reference Change Values-Regression to the Population Mean.

Reference change values (RCV) are used to indicate a change in analyte concentration that is unlikely to be due to random variation in the patient or the measurement. Current theory describes RCV relative to a first measurement result (X1). We investigate an alternative view predicting the starting point for RCV calculations from X1 and its location in the reference interval. Data for serum sodium, calcium, and total protein from the European Biological Variation study and from routine clinical collections were analyzed for the effect of the position of X1 within the reference interval on the following result from the same patient. A model to describe the effect was determined, and an equation to predict the RCV for a sample in a population was developed. For all data sets, the midpoints of the RCVs were dependent on the position of X1 in the population. Values for X1 below the population mean were more likely to be followed by a higher result, and X1 results above the mean were more likely to be followed by lower results. A model using population mean, reference interval dispersion, and result diagnostic variation provided a good fit with the data sets, and the derived equation predicted the changes seen. We have demonstrated that the position of X1 within the reference interval creates an asymmetrical RCV. This can be described as a regression to the population mean. Adding this concept to the theory of RCVs will be an important consideration in many cases.

Age- and Gender-Specific Reference Intervals for the Fasting Serum Lipid Levels in a Pediatric Population Aged 0-＜15 Years in Nanjing, China.

The lipid reference intervals (RIs) that are currently used for children in China are not based on studies of the local population and normally do not consider age or gender differences. This study aimed to establish age- and sex-specific RIs for the fasting serum lipid levels in the pediatric population aged 0 - 15 years in Nanjing, China. 5,866 children aged 3 days to ＜15 years were recruited to establish serum lipid RIs, and the triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were analyzed using the Roche cobas702 automatic biochemical analyzer. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nHDL-C) levels were calculated (LDL-C=TC-HDL-C-TG/5, and nHDL-C=TC-HDL-C). Smoothed percentile curves for the boys and girls were generated using the LMS method. Age- and sex-specific RIs were the determined according to the methods recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute EP28-A3c guidelines. This study showed that the serum lipid levels varied considerably throughout childhood and adolescence, with sex differences, especially in infants aged less than 2 years and puberty. Based on the Harris-Boyd method, sex partitions were required for ages ＜6 months in the TC indicator and for ages ≤ 28 days in LDL-C and nHDL-C. Age partitions were also required for all serum lipid parameters. We established age- and sex-specific RIs for TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and nHDL-C parameters in children aged 0 days to ＜15 years in Nanjing, China. These data are thus considered to be useful for the screening of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents.

A preliminary retrospective evaluation of screening and diagnosis of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in high-risk patients at a referral center in Vietnam

IntroductionTo date, newborn screening (NBS) for proximal urea cycle disorders, including Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), was not recommended due to the lack of appropriate tests and insufficient evidence of the benefits. This study aimed to investigate the potential of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for OTCD screening and its value in guiding further investigation to obtain a final diagnosis in high-risk patients. MethodsThe study included patients with OTCD referred to the National Children's Hospital between April 2020 and November 2023. A retrospective evaluation of amino acid concentrations measured by MS/MS and their ratios in patients with early-onset and late-onset OTCD was conducted. ResultsWhile all ten early-onset cases had glutamine concentrations above the upper limit, only five of them had citrulline concentrations below the lower limit of the reference interval. Only two late-onset cases had elevated glutamine levels, while all had citrulline within reference intervals. The Cit/Phe ratio was decreased, and the Gln/Cit and Met/Cit ratios were increased in all early-onset OTCD cases, while they were abnormal in only one late-onset case. ConclusionsThe preliminary results suggest that hyperglutaminemia, in combination with low or normal citrulline concentrations and specific ratios (Gln/Cit, Met/Cit, and Cit/Phe), can serve as reliable markers for screening early-onset OTCD in high-risk patients. However, these markers proved less sensitive for detecting the late-onset form, even in symptomatic patients.

Paraneoplastic hypercalcemia in a canine patient with a mandibular salivary carcinoma.

To describe a novel presentation of paraneoplastic hypercalcemia caused by a canine salivary carcinoma. A 6-year-old intact male Husky with hypercalcemia and a spontaneous salivary carcinoma, stage III. The dog presented with polyuria, polydipsia, and hypercalcemia. Physical examination revealed a 37 X 43-mm firm mass in the ventrolateral aspect of the right-hand side of the neck, caudal to the temporomandibular joint. Incisional biopsy was suspicious of metastatic carcinoma to the mandibular lymph node. A full-body CT scan found a large, heterogenous, contrast-enhancing mass on the right ventrolateral neck that appeared to be originating from either the mandibular lymph node or right mandibular salivary gland. Parathyroid hormone-related protein was considered within normal reference intervals, and both parathyroid glands appeared ultrasonographically normal. The patient was treated with a marginal surgical excision of the mass, without immediate complications. Histopathology confirmed the presence of a salivary carcinoma with narrow margins of excision and invasion of the mandibular lymph node. Twenty-four hours after surgery, ionized calcium returned to normal reference values and clinical signs completely resolved. Hypercalcemia is an urgent pathology with important systemic implications requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention. In this case report, we identify the first salivary carcinoma associated with a paraneoplastic hypercalcemia, including this pathology as a new differential diagnosis. The hypercalcemia resolved with marginal surgical excision, but interestingly the parathyroid hormone-related protein was not overexpressed, meaning that this neoplasia could mediate hypercalcemia by another pathophysiological mechanism.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other markers of inflammation in cats tested for Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies

BackgroundIn endemic areas, Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) co-infection occurs in cats, and may favour a progressive course of feline leishmaniosis. Abnormalities in serum protein fractions have been reported, but inflammation markers have scarcely been studied. Erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation that is poorly used in veterinary medicine, but it has been evaluated in EDTA blood using a recently introduced automatic device. We studied ESR and a pool of feline markers of inflammation (MoI) in cats L. infantum (Li+) and/or FIV antibody-positive (Li+FIV+/FIV+) with the aims (a) to evaluate ESR as MoI in cats with the infectious and clinical conditions considered and (b) to provide data about a pool of MoI never investigated in the feline infections studied and in other cat diseases before.MethodsThis prospective controlled study included 35 study group cats (Li+, n = 20; FIV +, n = 8; Li+FIV+, n = 7) and ten healthy antibody-negative control cats. Clinical findings at physical examination and selected clinical pathological abnormalities related to inflammation were statistically analysed in relation to the infectious status and ESR values.ResultsESR values were higher in Li+, FIV+, and Li+FIV+ cats compared with control cats, and 40% of the study group cats had ESR values above the reference interval (RI). ESR positively correlated with some positive MoI and negatively with some negative MoI studied. Additionally, a higher prevalence of ESR values above the RI has been detected in cats with hypoalbuminemia or hypergammaglobulinemia and higher ESR values were measured in cats with serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) fraction abnormalities. Correlations were also found with erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and some erythrocyte indices. FIV+ and Li+FIV+ cats had a higher prevalence of increased ESR values, and almost all had SPE abnormalities and more severe clinical presentations compared with Li+ cats.ConclusionsAbnormal levels of MoI were found in almost all parameters studied, particularly in FIV+ and Li+FIV+ cats. Also, ESR can be used as a marker of inflammation in cats with L. infantum and/or FIV infection.Graphical

A Novel Tool for the Rapid and Transparent Verification of Reference Intervals in Clinical Laboratories.

Background/Objectives: We present a software package called reflimR (Version 1.0.6), which enables rapid and transparent verification of reference intervals from routine laboratory measurements. Our method makes it easy to compare the results with specified target values and facilitates the interpretation of deviations using traffic light colors. Methods: The algorithm includes three procedural steps: (a) definition of an appropriate distribution model, based on Bowley's quartile skewness, (b) iterative truncation, based on a modified boxplot method to obtain the central 95% of presumably inconspicuous results, and (c) extrapolation of reference limits from a truncated normal quantile-quantile plot. Results: All algorithms have been combined into one consolidated library, which can be called in the R environment with a single command reflim (x). Using an example dataset included in the package, we demonstrate that our method can be applied to mixed data containing a substantial proportion of pathological values. It leads to similar results as the direct guideline approach as well as the more sophisticated indirect refineR software package. As compared to the latter, reflimR works much faster and needs smaller datasets for robust estimates. For the interpretation of the results, we present an intuitive color scheme based on tolerance ranges (permissible uncertainty of laboratory results). We show that a relatively high number of published reference limits require careful reevaluation. Conclusions: The reflimR package closes the gap between direct guideline methods and the more sophisticated indirect refineR method. We recommend reflimR for the rapid routine verification of large amounts of reference limits and refineR for a careful analysis of unclear or doubtful results from this check.

Trace Elements in Hermann's Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) According to Sex, Season, and Sampling Region in Central Europe.

Some trace elements are essential for the health of vertebrates, but little is known about their function, the amounts required, and the factors influencing their metabolism in tortoises. The aim of this study was therefore to measure trace elements (chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn)) in heparinized blood plasma of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni) (n = 520) from March to September 2022 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and to establish specific reference intervals. Additionally, the influence of sex, season, and region of sample collection on the measured values were evaluated. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) sex-specific differences were found for Cu, Mg, and Mn; seasonal differences were found for Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, and Se; and the region in which the tortoises were kept significantly impacted Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mo, and Se levels. The results show that all of these factors should be consider when establishing and interpreting blood trace element levels in tortoises.

Utility of anthropometry in defining overweight and obesity in urban South Indian children.

Waist-based indicators of obesity are being used to detect central obesity and are predictive for metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the study is to assess the basic anthropometric indices in children, to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and to determine the association between various waist-based measurements and body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 10 to 15 years attending government corporation schools in Chennai. Basic anthropometric measurements were taken. BMI, waist circumference/height ratio (WHtR), and waist circumference/hip circumference ratio (WHR) were calculated. The percentiles (Indian reference cutoffs) were determined for waist circumference (WC) and BMI. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined and compared to waist-based parameters. Of 820 children, males constituted 47.1%. Stunting was seen in 9.8% and 7.8% were underweight. 8.2% had BMI less than the 3rd percentile. The prevalence of overweight and obese children was 9% and 3.2%, respectively, with female predominance. The majority had WC less than the 5th percentile. The prevalence of children under risk for MS based on WC >70th percentile was 4.5% and based on WHtR >0.5 was 8.2%. A significant association was identified between all waist-based anthropometric measurements to detect children at risk for MS and overweight/obese children as per BMI category. WHtR >0.5 was an indicator of overweight/obese children in logistic regression analysis. Early identification of children at risk of MS would require a combination of BMI to detect general obesity and waist-based anthropometric measurements to identify central obesity.

Determination of the reference interval for urinary klotho to creatinine ratio of healthy dogs.

For several years, alpha klotho has been considered as a candidate biomarker in chronic kidney disease (CKD), progression of CKD and CKD mineral bone disorders (CKD-MBD). The evidence on the relationship between klotho and kidney function is controversial in some areas. The aim of the study was to identify the influence of age, sex and breed on urinary alpha klotho, values in the early stages of CKD within the studied population and determine a reference interval in a group of healthy dogs. Significantly higher values were measured in older dogs over 6 years old (p = 0.026, p = 0.0007) and in the breed German Shepherd than Belgian Shepherd (p = 0.0401). On the basis of sex and in small breed dogs, no significant differences were noted. In dogs with CKD stage 2, alpha klotho values were significantly lower (p = 0.0135) than in healthy dogs. Within the studied population, a reference interval for urinary klotho to creatinine ratio (UrKl/Cr) was determined in the range of 3.94-23.55 pg/gCr. Since our findings show that alpha klotho is associated with older age, we assume that this may have influenced the results in the group of dogs with CKD stage 1 due to the presence of predominantly old dogs in this group. Future studies would be needed to consider age as a factor affecting urinary alpha klotho in dogs with CKD.

The use of serum paraoxonase-1 to assess inflammation in horses with colitis.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) has been suggested as a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress in horses and could potentially be used for prognostication in horses with colitis. Assessment of PON-1 in horses with colitis and comparison of two methods. Serum PON-1 was measured by two methods (paraoxon and p-nitrophenyl acetate) in 161 horses with colitis and 57 controls. Follow-up samples obtained during hospitalization were available from 106 horses with colitis. The two methods were compared. Serum PON-1 was significantly lower in horses with colitis than in healthy horses (P < .0001 for both methods) as well as in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (P = .0141 [paraoxon-based method] and P < .0001 [p-nitrophenyl acetate-based method]), but with marked overlap between groups. PON-1 activity did not change parallel to a change in inflammatory status in response to treatment when assessed at admission and in up to seven follow-up samples. Admission PON-1 activity could not reliably classify horses as survivors or nonsurvivors, with sensitivity and specificity ranging between 53.1% and 72.9%. Results from the two methods were comparable. Both methods reliably measured serum PON-1 activity. Significant differences in PON-1 activity were found between healthy horses and horses with colitis and between survivors and nonsurvivors. However, PON-1 activity varied considerably within groups. Both the proposed reference intervals as well as alternative cutoff values resulted in suboptimal diagnostic and prognostic performance, and the use of serum PON-1 in horses with colitis thus seems to add little to existing diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Reference limits for blood gas analysis performed from coccygeal vessels of multiparous Holstein dairy cows: Effects of stage of lactation and season of sampling

Blood gas analysis is a great support to the diagnostic process of critically ill patients. Its correct application to the medicine of dairy cows depends on the availability of specific reference intervals that are still difficult to find in the literature. They may vary according to the type of blood sampled, animals' age and production stage, and climatic conditions. This study aimed at calculating the reference limits for some blood gas parameters in the blood collected from the coccygeal vessels of multiparous Holstein dairy cows. This site of sampling implies the risk of withdrawing blood of unknown origin (venous, arterial, or mixed), but has a high practical interest for the easy and quick performance and the minimal animal restraint required. Data from 379 cows were used, and reference limits were produced for pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), bicarbonate concentration (HCO3), total carbon dioxide concentration (tCO2), oxygen saturation (sO2), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), base excess (BE), glucose, Na, K, and ionized calcium (iCa). The effects of stage of lactation (5 to 60 vs. > 60 DIM) and season of sampling (cold vs. hot) were investigated, and specific reference limits were produced for each variable and each level of the factors whenever a significant effect was detected. The pH, sO2, K, and iCa were not influenced by season or stage of lactation. All the other blood gas parameters were significantly affected by season of sampling, and Hb, Hct, glucose, and Na were also affected by stage of lactation. Reference limits provided in this study are specific to the site of sampling (coccygeal vessels) and the animal category considered. Further studies are needed to produce reference intervals for other blood gas parameters, cow categories, and blood types.

The time course of lactate and endocrine changes in dogs suffering from dog bite wounds.

The stress response after acute trauma in humans and animals has been well-recognised in the literature. However, data on temporal changes in endocrine parameters after acute trauma in previously healthy dogs are scant. To longitudinally track endocrine variables and lactate concentrations in dogs with canine bite wounds. Prospective study involving 20 dogs hospitalised after being bitten by another dog. Serum cortisol, thyroxine (total T4), thyrotropin (TSH), and lactate concentrations were measured on admission and every 8 hours after the recorded bite incident, for a 72-hour period. Median cortisol concentration was markedly elevated on admission (314.6 nmol/L; IQR 229.3-369.6) but returned to within the reference interval by 16 hours post-bite (99.5 nmol/L; IQR 48.7-225.4) and reached a nadir at 48 hours post-bite (38.5 nmol/L; IQR 32.1-115.9). Median total T4 concentration was within the reference interval on admission (20.6 nmol/L; IQR 12.7-27.9) but decreased below the reference interval by 8 hours (11.0 nmol/L; IQR 5.0-14.1) and reached a nadir 16 hours postbite (7.0 nmol/L; IQR 2.9-19.7), before gradually increasing after 64 hours to reach the reference range by 72 hours. The median TSH concentrations remained within the reference interval throughout the study period. Median lactate concentration was mildly elevated on admission (3.0 mmol/L; IQR 2.0-3.9). This study produced novel data on the temporal relationships of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamicpituitary- thyroidal axes alterations after an acute traumatic insult in dogs.

Field measurement study of indoor thermal environment of badminton halls in a hot summer and cold winter region in different seasons in China

The indoor thermal environment has a direct impact on human thermal comfort and health. In order to assess the status of the indoor thermal environment of typical sports buildings in hot summer and cold winter climate zones in China, 14 badminton halls in 10 cities in Hubei Province (including 5 venues in Wuhan) in this climate zone are chosen as research objects for field testing of indoor thermal environment parameters in 4 seasons. All the tested stadiums are naturally ventilated in non-event conditions. The results reveal that the average indoor temperature of badminton halls in summer is excessively high (i.e., 31.89 °C), which is higher than the regulation specified in JGJ31-2003 or GB-T18883-2022 on the reference interval of the indoor air temperature of venues in summer, (i.e., (26–28 °C) or (22–28 °C), respectively). The average indoor temperature of badminton halls in winter is too low (i.e., 12.95 °C), and it is lower than the recommendations of JGJ31-2003 or GB-T18883-2022 on the reference interval of the indoor air temperature of venues in winter (i.e., (16–18 °C) or (16–24 °C), respectively), relative humidity and air velocity are in the thermal comfort interval for all seasons, and the indoor thermal environment factors of badminton courts in spring and autumn meet the comfort requirements. The indoor and outdoor temperatures and the relative humidity of badminton courts are highly correlated. The indoor temperature and relative humidity vary according to changes in those factors outdoors, whereas the air velocity is not affected by outdoor changes. In the hot summer and cold winter climate zones, some discrepancies in the indoor temperature variation patterns of badminton halls at various altitudes are detectable. The results of this study aim to provide a solid basis for the development of indoor thermal-comfort standards for sports stadiums in China.