The purpose of the present research is to develop a reliable and valid scale to distinguish and measure the three environmental factors of dynamic structural framework, control of workplace decisions, and fluidity in information sharing that are conceptually related to and affect an employee's perception of empowerment. By quantifying the environmental factors that facilitate empowerment through a valid and reliable scale human resource departments will be provided with information that will suggest environmental changes they can implement to improve perceptions of empowerment on the part of employees. Strengths and weaknesses of the scale developed, the organizational empowerment scale, are also discussed.

Objective: To review the principles and practice of cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) in veterinary medicine, and to incorporate recommendations from the human International Guidelines 2000 Conference on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Data sources: Both clinical and experimental studies from the human and veterinary literature were reviewed for this manuscript. Summary: Cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation consists of basic life support measures, advanced life support measures, and post-resuscitation care. Part I of this article introduced the evidence-based recommendations from human medicine and reviewed basic life support. Part II of this article reviews advanced life support, including drug therapy and electrical defibrillation based upon the electrocardiographic rhythm present at the time of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA). Post-resuscitation care is discussed, with a particular focus on optimizing perfusion to the brain, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. Several currently investigational methods that may improve future patient outcomes are also addressed. Conclusions: Advanced life support techniques provide methods to augment CPCR efforts. As with basic life support, recent recommendations to improve advanced life support in humans may be also be applied to veterinary patients. However, clinical research evaluating these interventions in veterinary CPCR is necessary. Post-resuscitation care requires vigilant monitoring and aggressive support to ensure vital organ perfusion and maximize patient outcomes.(J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2003; 13(1): 13±23)

A novel cardiac surgical technique has been developed. This approach with cardiac isolation and retrograde delivery of vector through the coronary sinus results in efficient myocyte transduction in an adult large animal in vivo.

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Intraluminal tracheal stenting has the potential to be a viable option for the treatment of tracheal obstruction in cats and perhaps for similar disease processes in other veterinary patients.

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Objective: To compare the effect of a balanced isotonic crystalloid solution with that of 0.9% sodium chloride on the acid–base and electrolyte status of cats with urethral obstruction. Design: Randomized prospective clinical trial. Setting: Academic veterinary emergency room. Animals: Sixty‐eight cats with naturally occurring urethral obstruction. Interventions: Cats were randomized to receive either a balanced isotonic crystalloid solution (Normosol‐R, n=39) or 0.9% sodium chloride (n=29) for fluid therapy. Baseline venous blood gas and blood electrolyte values were obtained at the time of admission and at intervals during the course of therapy. Measurements and main results: Baseline values were similar between groups. Cats receiving Normosol‐R had a significantly higher blood pH at 12 hours, a significantly greater increase in blood pH from baseline at 6 and 12 hours, as well as a significantly higher blood bicarbonate concentration at 12 hours and a significantly greater increase in blood bicarbonate from baseline at 6 and 12 hours. Conversely, the increase in blood chloride from baseline was significantly higher at 2, 6, and 12 hours in cats receiving 0.9% sodium chloride. There were no significant differences in the rate of decline of blood potassium from baseline between groups. Subgroup analysis of hyperkalemic cats (K+>6.0 mmol/L) and acidemic cats (pH<7.3) yielded similar findings. Conclusions: While both crystalloid solutions appear safe and effective for fluid therapy in cats with urethral obstruction, the use of a balanced electrolyte solution may allow more rapid correction of blood acid–base status within the first 12 hours of fluid therapy. The use of a potassium‐containing balanced electrolyte solution does not appear to affect the rate of normalization of blood potassium in treated cats with urethral obstruction.