The purpose of this study was to develop and to assess the psychometric characteristics of a mobility scale for dogs. The original ten questions were reduced using validation process. One hundred and twenty three dog owners were invited

Background: Hip osteoarthritis in canines is a common diagnosis. The prevalence in adult dogs is estimated to be 20 percent. The primary treatment is usually an NSAID. Acupuncture as treatment for pain conditions is commonly used within human medicine and is becoming more frequently used within veterinary medicine. Acupuncture studies that show the pain relieving effects in animals are few, which make it important to elucidate the effects of this treatment method. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acupuncture in relation to function, passive range of motion, thigh circumference and palpation for pain in a ten year-old German Shepard dog with x-ray verified left sided osteoarthritis of the hip. Materials and methods:The study was conducted with a single subject experimental ABA-design. Twice before the first treatment (A1-baseline) function, passive range of motion (PROM), thigh circumference and palpation for pain were assessed. The dog then received three acupuncture treatments, once a week (B1-3-intervention). The choice of points in order of insertion was Bai Hui intraspinal L7-S1, BL 25 bilateral, BL 23 bilateral, and GB 30 left. The needles were stimulated during insertion as well as before removal. During intervention, PROM was measured after each treatment. Seven days after the last acupuncture treatment the same examination that was conducted initially was conducted again (A2-evaluation). Data were analyzed with 2SD-line where all the results that orient above 2SD-line are significant. Celeration line shows the trend before, during and after the intervention. Results: The results showed decreased symptoms regarding limpness and rigidity and normalized functional tests, improved passive range of motion in the left hip joint (Fig. 3), decreased pain of the outer part of passive extension, increased thigh circumference bilaterally, and decreased pain with palpation. Conclusions: The single subject experimental design has great clinical applicability for the scientist-practitioner and can provide clinicians with useful information. This single subject experimental design indicates that acupuncture seems to have an effect on dogs with hip osteoarthritis. Further studies with larger study groups need to be conducted to be able to make evidence-based treatment decisions.

Introduction In order to play a wind instrument one must have a good breathing control with rhythm variation, control of inspiratory and expiratory volume as well as a good control of the airflow transmitted by the musician through the different mouthpieces. The pulmonary function of the different wind instrument players has been scarcely studied generating divergent conclusions. Objectives To characterize and compare lung function and functional capacity of musicians of different wind instruments. Methodology One hundred and one individuals from five philharmonic bands from Aveiro and Porto districts were studied. Smokers or ex-smokers for less than one year, respiratory pathology, history of chronic pulmonary or cardiac disease were exclusion criteria. The sample was divided into three groups: "Air reed", "Reeds" and "Metals". Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), Tiffeneau index (TI), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). Functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test (6-MWT). Data analysis was performed in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences with a 95% confidence interval. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Results All spirometric parameters with the exception of TI were increased in "Metals" group with significant decrease in the "Air reed" parameters of FEV1 (p = 0.045) and MVV (p = 0.004). A negative correlation between FEV1 and 6-MWT was noticed in male musicians (r=-0.291; p = 0.022). Conclusion Musicians from the “Metals” group showed better lung function when compared to other groups. There was no positive correlation between lung function and functional capacity of the studied musicians. However, there was a weak negative correlation between FEV1 of male musicians and their functional capacity.