Penn Veterinary Medicine | University of Pennsylvania

Description of Research Expertise

The Biostatistics Section of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine (New Bolton Center) has three focuses: 1) the application of mathematical modeling to the analysis and interpretation of biomedical and agricultural data, 2) the application of statistics to the design and investigation of clinical trials, and field experiments, and 3) the development of new computer methods for the management, processing and analysis of biomedical data, and for the instruction of students (particularly veterinary students) in clinical methods, epidemiological techniques, and disease pathologies.

At the heart of the efforts of members of this section is salvaging the knowledge derived from, often animal intensive, investigations and re-purposing, or re-packaging, it into environments that make it available for investigators from diverse areas to build upon. In this way veterinary students, agricultural producers and biomedical investigators can apply the knowledge confident that the application environment protects them against mis-application.

Selected Publications

Jill Beech, Raymond C. Boston, Dianne McFarlane, Sue Lindborg: Evaluation of plasma ACTH, a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and insulin concentrations during various photoperiods in clinically normal horses and ponies and those with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. JAVMA 235(6): 715-722, September 2009.

Boston RC, Pei D, Moate PJ: A numerical deconvolution method to estimate C-peptide secretion in humans after an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Metabolism 58(7): 891-900, Jul 2009.

Zedler ST, Embertson RM, Bernard WV, Barr BS, Boston RC: Surgical Treatment of Gastric Outflow Obstruction in 40 Foals. Vet Surg. 38(5): 623-30, Jul 2009.

Gilley RS, Beason DP, Snyder DM, Boston RC, Radin A, Kapatkin AS, Smith GK, Soslowski LJ.: External fixator clamp reuse degrades clamp mechanical performance. Vet Surg. 38(4): 530-6, Jun 2009.

Cohen JM, Richardson DW, McKnight AL, Ross MW, Boston RC.: Long-term outcome in 44 horses with stifle lameness after arthroscopic exploration and debridement. Vet Surg. 38(4): 543-51, Jun 2009.

Surwit RS, Lane JD, Millington DS, Zhang H, Feinglos MN, Minda S, Merwin R, Kuhn CM, Boston RC, Georgiades A.: Hostility and Minimal Model of Glucose Kinetics in African American Women. Psychosom Med. 71(6): 646-651, Jun 2009.

Rabuffo TS, Hackett ES, Grenager N, Boston R, Orsini JA: Prevalence of gastric ulcerations in horses with colic. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 29(6): 540-546, June 2009.

Wotman K, Wilkins PA, Palmer JE, Boston RC: Association of Blood Lactate Concentration and Outcome in Foals. J Vet Intern Med 23(3): 598-605, May 2009.

Southwood LL, Donlente BA, Linborg S, Russell G, Boston R: Short-term outcome equine emergency admissions at a university referral hospital. Equine Vet. J. 41(5): 459-464, May 2009.

Kalck KA, Frank N, Elliott SB, Boston RC: Effects of low-dose oligofructose treatment administered via nasogastric intubation on induction of laminitis and associated alterations in glucose and insulin dynamics in horses. Am J Vet Res 70(5): 624-32, May 2009.