Capnography-guided Endotracheal Intubation as an Alternative to Existing Intubation Methods in Rabbits.

Rabbits provide a unique challenge for routine endotracheal intubation in clinical practice because of various distinctive anatomic and physiologic features. Many previously proposed methods for endotracheal intubation in rabbits are limited by several factors, including the needs for expensive equipment and high levels of technical expertise. We evaluated capnography for its effectiveness in assisting endotracheal intubation in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 5 animals. In the first 2 groups, mainstream (nondiverting) or sidestream (diverting) capnography (MC and SC groups, re- spectively) was used; in the third group (LS group), a laryngoscope with a size 00 Miller blade was used to guide endotracheal tube placement. Anesthesia was induced through intramuscular administration of ketamine (10 mg/kg), medetomidine (0.1 mg/kg), and midazolam (1 mg/kg) mixed in the same syringe prior to administration. Intubation time was defined from the point of opening the jaws to the completion of the first capnogram after intubation. Intubation was accomplished successfully in all animals in both capnography groups, but 2 rabbits in the laryngoscopy group could not be intubated. Intubation time was compared among groups was compared by using one-way ANOVA, and posthoc Bonferroni testing was applied to isolate significant differences between groups. The intubation time (mean ± 1 SD) was 46.4 ± 12.6 s in the MC group, 147.2 ± 44.2 s in the SC group, and 385.0 ± 114.1 in the LS group, with intubation time significantly differing among all groups. In conclusion, both mainstream and sidestream capnography-guided endotracheal intubation techniques were more effective and efficient than conventional laryngoscope-guided endotracheal intubation in rabbits. Furthermore, mainstream capnography was preferred over sidestream capnography because mainstream capnography resulted in significantly shorter intubation times.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Aptamer Biosensor for Discriminating Pathogenic Bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

In this paper, whole-bacteria SELEX (WB-SELEX) strategy was adopted to isolate specific aptamers against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Round selection for V. parahaemolyticus was conducted 11 rounds, including two negative selection rounds. It was determined through real-time PCR amplification and post-SELEX experiment. The selected aptmers had high binding property and specificity to V. parahaemolyticus. Of 28 aptamers tested, VPCA-apta#1 had the highest binding affinity compared to other aptamer candidates obtained. To detect V. parahaemolyticus, aptamer based SPR biosensor platform was constructed and pathogenic bacteria sensing was conducted in two steps. The first step was to construct 5'-biotinylated VPCA-apta#1 binding probe. The second step was to incubate V. parahaemolyticus and test microbes in functionalized SA sensor chip in parallel. Our platform showed significant activity for detecting and discriminating V. parahaemolyticus from other enteric species such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Sigella sonnei, and Vibrio fischeri. This is the first report on the use of whole-SELEX to isolate DNA aptamers specific for V. parahaemolyticus. We demonstrated the feasibility of using aptamer platform for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus in various food supplies. It might be used in multiple points of care for diagnosing Vibriosis.

Prediction of arterial blood gas values from venous blood gas values in Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) anesthetized with intramuscular medetomidine and zolazepam-tiletamine.

The objective of this study was to measure differences between arterial and venous blood gas parameters and to evaluate whether arterial blood gas values can be estimated from venous blood in Asiatic black bears (ABBs). Twelve healthy captive ABBs (8 males and 4 females; 8-16 years; 76.8-220 kg) were included in this study. The bears were immobilized with medetomidine and zolazepam-tiletamine using a dart gun. Arterial and venous samples were collected simultaneously at 5 and 35 min after recumbency (5- and 35-min points). Partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-), total carbon dioxide (TCO2), oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SO2) and base excess (BEecf) were analyzed using a portable blood gas analyzer. There was no marked difference in measured and calculated variables over time in both venous and arterial blood except for PO2. However, arterial PO2, SO2 and pH were significantly higher and arterial PCO2, TCO2 and HCO3- were lower than those of venous samples at both 5- and 35-min points. In the regression analysis to estimate arterial values from venous values, PCO2, TCO2, HCO3-, BEecf and pH significantly showed over 0.45 in coefficient of determination value (R2), and there were little differences between actual and predicted arterial values. Although there were limits in venous gas values replaced those of arterial blood, if we could not get the arterial samples, the regression formulas for arterial values from venous blood in this study would be useful clinically, except for PO2 and SO2.

Proteomic Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Degradation and Detoxification in Sphingobium chungbukense DJ77.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly present xenobiotics in natural and contaminated soils. We studied three (phenanthrene, naphthalene, and biphenyl) xenobiotics, catabolism, and associated proteins in Sphingobium chungbukense DJ77 by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis. Comparative analysis of the growth-dependent 2-DE results revealed that the intensity of 10 protein spots changed identically upon exposure to the three xenobiotics. Among the upregulated proteins, five protein spots, which were putative dehydrogenase, dioxygenase, and hydrolase and involved in the catabolic pathway of xenobiotic degradation, were induced. Identification of these major multifunctional proteins allowed us to map the multiple catabolic pathway for phenanthrene, naphthalene, and biphenyl degradation. A part of the initial diverse catabolism was converged into the catechol degradation branch. Detection of intermediates from 2,3-dihydroxy-biphenyl degradation to pyruvate and acetyl-CoA production by LC/MS analysis showed that ring-cleavage products of PAHs entered the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and were mineralized in S. chungbukense DJ77. These results suggest that S. chungbukense DJ77 completely degrades a broad range of PAHs via a multiple catabolic pathway.

Immunologic properties of differentiated and undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.

The expression of immunogenic markers after differentiation of umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) has been poorly investigated and requires extensive in vitro and in vivo testing for clinical application. The expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) classes on UCB-derived MSC was tested by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and immunocytochemical staining. The undifferentiated MSC were moderately positive for HLA-ABC, but almost completely negative for HLA-DR. The MSC differentiated to chondrocytes expressed neither HLA-ABC nor HLA-DR. The proliferation of MSC was not significantly affected by the allogeneic lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A. The responder lymphocytes showed no significant decrease in proliferation in the presence of the MSC, but the apoptosis rate of the lymphocytes was increased in the presence of MSC. Taken together, these findings indicate that UCB-derived MSC differentiated to chondrocytes expressed less HLA class I and no class II antigens. The MSC showed an immunomodulatory effect on the proliferation and apoptosis of allogeneic lymphocytes. These data suggest that the differentiated and undifferentiated allogeneic MSC derived from umbilical cord blood can be a useful candidate for allogeneic cell therapy and transplantation without a major risk of rejection.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) infection, diagnosis and vaccination: A mini review.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a main etiology causing severe enteric disease in piglets with clinical signs of anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration resulting in loss of condition and death within a few days. Historically, PED is one of major causes of loss in swine and remains prevalent in some parts of the world. Even with increase in the available tests for PED diagnosis, which include histological diagnosis; virological diagnosis and serological diagnosis, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this disease yet. In this mini review, the overview and current situation of PED is described with updated techniques, in an effort to comprehensively discuss and understand the disease characteristics.

Comparison of the ability of veterinary medical students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy on live dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the feasibility of training veterinary medicine students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy in live dogs. DESIGN: Randomized prospective parallel-group experiment. POPULATION: 25 students completing the second year of their veterinary curriculum. PROCEDURES: Students were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive 14 hours of specific training in either open ovariectomy (n = 13) or laparoscopic ovariectomy (12). Confidence, basic surgical skills, and basic laparoscopic skills were evaluated before and after training, prior to live surgical procedures. RESULTS: Scores related to basic surgical skills were high in both groups and did not improve with either training program. Before live animal surgeries, student confidence and basic laparoscopic skills improved after training in laparoscopic ovariectomy and were higher than after training in open ovariectomy. Surgery time was higher for the students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (129 minutes; range, 84 to 143 minutes), compared with students who received training in open ovariectomy (80 minutes; range, 62 to 117 minutes). On a 55-point scoring system, ovariectomy scores were similar between students who received training in open ovariectomy (34.5; range, 16.5 to 45) and students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (34.5; range, 25 to 44.5). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The training programs were effective in improving student confidence and skills in laparoscopic ovariectomy. Results of this study suggested that veterinary medical students, with assistance from an instructor, may be taught to perform laparoscopic ovariectomies with performance equivalent to that for students performing open ovariectomies.

Cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of the combination of butorphanol, midazolam and alfaxalone in Beagle dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physiological variables, arterial blood gas values, induction of anesthesia quality, and recovery quality using the combination of butorphanol, midazolam and alfaxalone in dogs. ANIMALS: Ten healthy adult Beagle dogs weighing 8.3 ± 3.1 kg. METHODS: Rectal temperature (T), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (f(R)), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and arterial blood gases were measured and recorded prior to intravenous (IV) administration of butorphanol, prior to administration of both midazolam and alfaxalone IV 10 minutes later, then every 5 minutes for 20 minutes. M-mode echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) indices were measured before and 5 minutes after administration of alfaxalone. Qualitative scores for induction of anesthesia and recovery were allocated, duration of anesthesia and recovery were calculated, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Scores for induction and recovery quality were excellent. No significant adverse events were observed. Mean ± SD time from induction to extubation and to standing (full recovery) was 29 ± 6 and 36 ± 8 minutes, respectively. There were statistically significant changes in PR, f(R) and MAP after drug administration. Transient hypercarbia developed after alfaxalone injection. The echocardiographic LV indices were reduced after alfaxalone injection, although those changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of butorphanol, midazolam and alfaxalone provided excellent quality of induction of anesthesia and exerted minimal cardiopulmonary effects in healthy dogs.

The effect of epidural injection speed on epidural pressure and distribution of solution in anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of injection speed on epidural pressure (EP), injection pressure (IP), epidural distribution (ED) of solution, and extent of sensory blockade (SB) during lumbosacral epidural anesthesia in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental trial. ANIMALS: Ten healthy adult Beagle dogs weighing 8.7 ± 1.6 kg. METHODS: General anesthesia was induced with propofol administered intravenously and maintained with isoflurane. Keeping the dogs in sternal recumbency, two spinal needles connected to electrical pressure transducers were inserted into the L6-L7 and the L7-S1 intervertebral epidural spaces for EP and IP measurements, respectively. Bupivacaine 0.5% diluted in iohexol was administered epidurally to each dog via spinal needle at L7-S1 intervertebral space, at two rates of injection (1 and 2 mL minute(-1) groups), with a 1-week washout period. Epidural distribution was verified with computed tomography, and SB was evaluated after arousal by pinching the skin with a mosquito hemostatic forceps over the vertebral dermatomes. The results were analyzed according to each injection speed, using paired t- and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Mean ± SD of baseline EP and IP values were 2.1 ± 6.1 and 2.6 ± 7.1 mmHg, respectively. Significant differences were observed between 1 and 2 mL minute(-1) groups for peak EP (23.1 ± 8.5 and 35.0 ± 14.5 mmHg, p = 0.047) and peak IP (68.5 ± 10.7 and 144.7 ± 32.6 mmHg, p <0.001). However, the median (range) of the ED, 11.5 (4-22) and 12 (5-21) vertebrae, and SB, 3.5 (0-20) and 1 (0-20) dermatomes, values of the two groups were not related to injection speed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The EP profile during injection was measured by separating the injection and pressure monitoring lines. The increase in epidural injection speed increased the EP, but not the ED or the SB in dogs.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in dogs: an initial experience of 16 experimental procedures.

Left laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed in 16 dogs to describe the surgical techniques and initial experiences associated with operation time and surgery complications. The renal vein and artery were occluded by three ligating clips, respectively, and the ureter was sectioned after ligation with ligating clips at the level of the iliac vessels. A morcellation technique was used to remove the kidney from the abdominal cavity after placing it into a specimen retrieval bag. Total operation time and time spent for each different surgical stage in the first five operations were compared with those in the last five of the 16 operations. The factors that affected the differences of total operation time were examined, including sex, bodyweight, number of operations, incision length, and surgical stages. Six intra-operative complications occurred including splenic hemorrhage (3 cases), torn specimen retrieval bag during kidney morcellation (1 case), and subcutaneous emphysema (2 cases). Surgical time for laparoscopic nephrectomy was affected primarily by the time spent for renal vascular pedicle section and could be decreased as the number of cases increased. Thus, laparoscopic nephrectomy using ligating clips and morcellation for kidney removal could be considered where nephrectomy is indicated in dogs.

Evaluation of risk factors for development of corneal ulcer after nonocular surgery in dogs: 14 cases (2009-2011).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for development of corneal ulcers after nonocular surgery performed with general anesthesia in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS: 14 dogs with development of corneal ulcers after nonocular surgery and 718 control dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs evaluated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University from January 2009 to June 2011 were reviewed for assessment of risk factors for development of corneal ulcers. RESULTS: Among the 732 reviewed cases, 14 (1.9%) dogs of 6 breeds developed a corneal ulcer after nonocular surgery. Duration of anesthesia was significantly longer in dogs with ulcers than dogs without ulcers. The number of medications received and procedures performed were also significantly higher in dogs with ulcers than dogs without ulcers. Dogs with a small skull (OR, 8.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 70.90) and dogs that received neurosurgery (OR, 21.12; 95% CI, 5.77 to 77.25) were more susceptible to development of corneal ulcers. Also, postoperative application of a fentanyl patch was a risk factor for development of corneal ulcers (OR, 4.53; 95% CI, 1.05 to 19.60). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Several risk factors were identified for development of corneal ulcers after nonocular surgery was performed with general anesthesia in dogs. Perioperative eye protection strategies and postoperative ophthalmic examination are needed to reduce the occurrence of corneal ulcers and their progression, especially for high-risk dogs and procedures.

Sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine reduces early postoperative pain behavior and biochemical stress response after laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

This study investigated the use of sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine to relieve postoperative pain behavior and biochemical stress response after laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (LOVH) in dogs. Sixteen sexually intact female dogs were randomly assigned to two groups. The sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine (SIB) group received 4.4 mg/kg of sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine diluted to 0.25% with an equivalent volume of saline after pneumoperitoneum. The control group received 1.76 mL/kg of saline in a similar fashion. Both groups received preoperative periportal 5% bupivacaine (1 mL) before incision. Postoperative pain was measured using the short form of the Glasgow composite measures pain scale (CMPS-SF, 0-24). Serum cortisol and glucose concentrations were measured preoperatively and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively. The SIB group had significantly lower CMPS-SF compared to the control group 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12h after the operation. Cortisol concentrations were significantly increased from preoperative concentrations in the control group at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4h post operation and at 0.5 and 1h post operation in the SIB group. No significant differences were seen in serum glucose within each group. This report suggests that the use of sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine can be used as part of a multimodal approach for pain management after LOVH in dogs.

Involvement of c-Met- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase dependent pathways in arsenite-induced downregulation of catalase in hepatoma cells.

Catalase protects cells from reactive oxygen species-induced damage by catalyzing the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen and water. Arsenite decreases catalase activity; it activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its key downstream effector Akt in a variety of cells. The PI3K pathway is known to inhibit catalase expression. c-Met, an upstream regulator of PI3K and Akt, is also involved in the regulation of catalase expression. To examine the involvement of c-Met and PI3K pathways in the arsenite-induced downregulation of catalase, catalase mRNA and protein expression were analyzed in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 treated with arsenite and either an inhibitor of c-Met (PHA665752 (PHA)) or of PI3K (LY294002 (LY)). Arsenite treatment markedly activated Akt and decreased the levels of both catalase mRNA and protein. Both PHA and LY attenuated arsenite-induced activation of Akt. PHA and LY treatment also prevented the inhibitory effect of arsenite on catalase protein expression but did not affect the level of catalase mRNA. These findings suggest that arsenite-induced inhibition of catalase expression is regulated at the mRNA and post-transcriptional levels in HepG2 cells, and that the post-transcriptional regulation is mediated via c-Met- and PI3K-dependent mechanisms.

Cranial epidural spread of contrast medium and new methylene blue dye in sternally recumbent anaesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the spread of solution in the epidural space of sternally recumbent dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental trial. Animals Ten healthy adult Beagle dogs weighing 7.6 ± 1.1 kg. METHODS: Dogs were anaesthetized with total intravenous propofol infusion, and placed in sternal recumbency. A volume of 0.2 mL kg(-1) contrast medium (CM) containing 1% new methylene blue (MB) dye was administered into the lumbosacral epidural space. Left to right lateral radiographs using a horizontal beam were taken every 5 minutes for 45 minutes. The perpendicular height (PH) between floor of the epidural canal of the highest vertebra and that of lumbosacral spinal canal was measured on radiographs. The angle of slope from the injection point toward the highest vertebral floor was measured. Immediately after taking the last radiographic image, dogs were euthanized and a laminectomy was performed from the cervical to lumbar vertebrae for visual evaluation of MB spread. The spread of CM and of MB as counted in number of stained vertebra were compared, and each of these data sets were further compared to PH and angle, using linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The PH and angle were (mean ± SD) 3.8 ± 0.8 cm and 14.8 ± 2.8° respectively. The most cranial spread of CM was at 12.7 ± 5.7 (range: C6-L3) vertebrae, and at 14.0 ± 5.4 (range: C6-L2) vertebrae for MB staining. There were no significant correlations between PH and spread of CM (R(2) = 0.08) or MB (R(2) = 0.13), between angle and spread of CM (R(2) = 0.05) or MB (R(2) = 0.02), respectively. CM and MB demonstrated proportional relationship (R(2) = 0.82, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: No significant inhibitory effect of upward slope on cranial epidural spread of the solution was observed. Other factors may have greater effect on epidural spread in sternally recumbent dogs.

Minimum anesthetic concentration and cardiovascular dose-response relationship of isoflurane in cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus).

This study aimed to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) and dose-related cardiovascular effects of isoflurane during controlled ventilation in cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus). The MAC was determined for 10 cinereous vultures as the midpoint between the end-tidal isoflurane concentration that allows gross purposeful movement and that which prevents the movement in response to clamping a pedal digit. Immediately after the MAC was determined, the cardiovascular effects of isoflurane at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times the MAC were investigated in seven of the 10 birds. The MAC of isoflurane for 10 cinereous vultures during controlled ventilation was 1.06 +/- 0.07% (mean +/- SD). When the isoflurane concentration was increased to 1.5 and 2.0 times the MAC, there was significant dose-dependent decrease in the arterial blood pressure. However, the heart rate did not change over a range of 1.0 to 2.0 times the MAC.