Autotransplantation of pancreatic islets without separation of exocrine and endocrine tissue in totally pancreatectomized dogs.

The aims of this study were to determine whether diabetes could be ameliorated in dogs by autotransplantation of pancreatic fragments to the spleen and to determine the optimal time of collagenase digestion for pancreatic tissue dispersal. Forty-eight dogs were made diabetic by total pancreatectomy. Fifteen dogs not further treated survived 7.0+/-1.1 (SE) days with a mean plasma glucose of 401+/-5 (SE) mg/100 ml 2 days after pancreatectomy. The pancreases of 33 dogs were distended with Hanks' solution, minced, digested with collagenase (600 microns/ml of tissue), for 0 to 25 minutes, and autotransplanted to the splenic pulp. The incidence of permanent normoglycemia (fasting plasma glucose less than 150 mg/100 ml) and the K value of glucose tolerance tests (GTT) performed 2 and 10 weeks after transplant were determined in experimental groups divided according to the length of collagenase digestion. All five dogs receiving undigested tissue remained hyperglycemic. One of seven dogs receiving tissue digested for 10 minutes became normoglycemic. In contrast, seven of eight, seven of seven, and six of six dogs receiving tissue digested for 15, 20, and 25 minutes, respectively, became normoglycemic (followed for 6 months). K values at 2 weeks were 1.20+/-1.19 (SE)% 1.60+/-0.25 (SE)%, and 0.78+/-0.08 (SE)% in the normolgycemic dogs of the 15, 20, and 25 minute digestion groups, respectively. The K value of normal dogs was 3.30+/-0.27 (SE)%. The glucose tolerance curves of the 20 minute group at 2 and 10 weeks most nearly approximated the curves of normal dogs. K values improved in all recipient dogs. Diabetes recurred immediately and death occurred at a mean of 4.8+/-1.5 days in 12 recipient dogs following splenectomy. We conclude that pancreatic fragments can be successfully autotransplanted to the spleen without separation of endocrine and exocrine tissue and that 20 minutes is the optimal period of collagenase digestion for tissue preparation.

Electrical stimulation effects on tenderness of five muscles from Hampshire x Rambouillet crossbred lambs with the callipyge phenotype.

The objective of this study was to determine effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on muscle quality and sensory traits of 12 Hampshire x Rambouillet callipyge lambs. One side of each carcass was randomly assigned to an ES treatment of 550 V and 60 Hz of electricity for 2 s on and 2 s off 15 times. The other side was a nonstimulated control (NES). Heated calpastatin, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI), Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS), and trained sensory panel values were measured on the semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), longissimus (ML), supraspinatus (SP), and triceps brachii (TB) muscles. Electrically stimulating the carcass sides induced a more rapid (P = .001) pH decline in the longissimus muscle, and ES sides had a brighter (P = .001) red color of loineye than nonstimulated sides. At d 14 of storage (2 degrees C), the TB had the highest (P < .05) MFI value, indicating more protein degradation, and the ST and ML muscles had the lowest MFI (P = .008). Regardless of ES treatment, SM and ML had the highest (P < .05) WBS values. The ST muscle had higher (P < .05) WBS values than the SP but did not differ (P > .05) from the TB muscle. Electrical stimulation had no effect on WBS or any trained sensory panel values (P > .05). The percentage of loin chops rated slightly tender or better was improved 30 to 34% by electrical stimulation (P < .05). The ML muscle was scored lower (P < .05) in sustained juiciness compared with the SM, SP, and TB but did not differ (P > .05) from the ST muscle. The SM and ML muscles were rated lower (P < .05) in initial and sustained tenderness scores than other muscles. Tenderness scores were higher (P < .05) for the TB than for the SP but did not differ (P > .05) from the ST muscle. Electrically stimulating callipyge carcasses improves the tenderness of loin chops by increasing the percentage of chops rated from slightly tough to slightly tender.

Placement of 10-gauge catheter by cutdown for rapid fluid replacement.

The establishment of immediate venous access and rapid fluid administration remains of paramount importance in the treatment of hypovolemic shock. We describe a technique for placement of a recently available 10-gauge catheter via venous cutdown. This technique is simpler and quicker than placing intravenous tubing directly into the vein, and we show that flow rates through the catheter with both saline and blood are equivalent to rates obtained through intravenous extension tubing. In addition, our studies show that the use of wide-bore intravenous tubing (urology irrigating tubing) instead of standard intravenous tubing allows for much higher infusion rates through the 10-gauge catheter. With the wide-bore tubing and pressure infusion, it is possible to administer 1,200 cc of blood per minute through this catheter.

Rapid volume replacement for hypovolemic shock: a comparison of techniques and equipment.

The achievement of a very rapid fluid infusion rate may be critical in the resuscitation of the patient in hypovolemic shock. We studied flow rates of crystalloid and whole blood through various intravenous catheters and tubing systems. The 10-gauge Angiocath and the 8 Fr pulmonary artery introducer catheter provide flow rates equivalent to intravenous tubing (3.2 mm I.D.) inserted directly into the vein. Substantially higher flow rates can be achieved with the use of large-bore intravenous tubing (5.0 mm I.D.) connected to these catheters in place of standard intravenous tubing, allowing the infusion of 1,200-1,400 cc/minute of crystalloid and whole blood into the patient in hypovolemic shock through one intravenous catheter. Clinical trials with larger bore intravenous tubing are probably indicated.