Mask-induced dermatoses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a questionnaire-based study in 12 Korean hospitals.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various adverse skin reactions to long-term mask wearing have been reported. AIM: To assess the clinical features of mask-induced dermatoses and to recommend prevention and treatment options. METHODS: From April to August 2020, questionnaires including topics such as demographic information, pre-existing skin disorders, reported mask-related symptoms, daily mask-wearing duration and frequency, types of masks used and whether the participant was a healthcare worker, were distributed to patients in 12 hospitals. Dermatologists assessed skin lesions, confirmed diagnosis and recorded treatments. RESULTS: Itchiness was the most frequent symptom, mostly affecting the cheeks. The most common skin disease was new-onset contact dermatitis (33.94%), followed by new-onset acne (16.97%) and worsening of pre-existing acne (16.97%). Daily wearing of masks was significantly (P = 0.02) associated with new-onset contact dermatitis. More than half of patients with pre-existing skin problems experienced disease worsening while wearing masks. Longer duration of wearing (> 6 h/day, P = 0.04) and use of cotton masks (P < 0.001) significantly increased acne flare-up. Healthcare workers had a higher incidence of skin disease. Skin lesions were generally mild and well tolerated with topical treatment. The study had some limitations: the effect of seasonal characteristics and other risk factors were not assessed, and the patients were visiting dermatological clinics and had interest in their skin status, thus, there may have been selection bias. CONCLUSION: Mask-induced/-triggered dermatoses contribute to increase the dermatological burden during the pandemic.

Technical note: Development and evaluation of a standardized technique to assess blood perfusion in teats of dairy cows using power Doppler ultrasonography.

Ample research has described the assessment of dimensional changes for different teat traits, whereas diagnostic techniques to reliably assess blood circulation in teats of dairy cows are limited. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of a scanning technique to quantify blood flow in teats of dairy cows using power Doppler ultrasonography. In 2 consecutive trials, 384 teat scans [trial 1, n = 256 (sagittal plane, n = 128; transverse plane, n = 128); trial 2, n = 128 (transverse plane)] from 16 cows were obtained by the same 2 operators. Perfusion intensity from single images (trial 1) and video images (trial 2) were assessed using a commercially available software program. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) were used to assess interoperator reproducibility (agreement between measurements performed by different operators) and intraoperator repeatability (agreement between measurements performed by the same operator). In trial 1, interoperator ICC and CCC indicated poor agreement (ICC ≤0.26, CCC ≤0.26). Intraoperator ICC and CCC demonstrated poor agreement between duplicate measurements within operators (ICC ≤0.19, CCC ≤0.19). Modifications after trial 1 included (1) a different ultrasound device, (2) analysis of video clips rather than single images, (3) restriction to 1 sectional plane (i.e., transverse), and (4) a scanning sequence such that repeated scans within operators were measured one after another. Through these modifications, intraoperator repeatability in trial 2 yielded fair to good agreement, with intraoperator ICC and CCC over both operators ranging from 0.44 to 0.70 and from 0.57 to 0.69, respectively, whereas interoperator ICC and CCC showed poor agreement (ICC = 0.35, CCC = 0.34). We conclude that repeatable measurements of blood perfusion intensity of teats in dairy cows can be attained with power Doppler ultrasonography. Power Doppler ultrasonography is a suitable tool to quantify slow flow in small vessels and may be an acceptable diagnostic technique to assess changes in blood circulation that result from machine milking in teats of dairy cows, although further research is necessary to validate this hypothesis.

Pyometra and unilateral uterine horn torsion in a sheep.

A 13-year-old Romanov sheep presented for evaluation of vaginal discharge, depression and anorexia. Blood work demonstrated mature neutrophilia and marked hyperlactatemia. Transrectal and transabdominal ultrasound revealed echogenic fluid (pus) within the uterus. Purulent uterine fluid culture yield Escherichia coli. A diagnosis of pyometra was made. After medical treatment without clinical improvement, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, and a 360-degree uterine left horn torsion was identified with the pyometra and multiple corpora lutea on both ovaries. Ovariohysterectomy was performed and the ewe recovered uneventfully.

Infertility associated with the absence of endometrial progesterone receptors in a bitch.

A three-year-old intact female Old English sheepdog was presented for evaluation of infertility. A uterine biopsy was performed during dioestrus, and the microscopic appearance was inconsistent with progesterone stimulation; the glands were sparse, simple and failed to show coiling, while the glandular epithelium was cuboidal instead of columnar. There was very little evidence of glandular activity. Due to the inappropriate appearance of the glands for the stage of the cycle, immunohistochemistry for progesterone receptors was performed. No progesterone receptor-positive immunoreactivity was identified in the endometrial luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium or stroma. Weak intranuclear immunoreactivity was identified within the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. The absence of progesterone receptors within the endometrial glands is the most likely explanation for the abnormal appearance of the endometrium and for this bitch's infertility. To our knowledge, this is the first report of endometrial progesterone receptor absence in a bitch.

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid isomers cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 on in vitro bovine embryo production and cryopreservation.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers can affect the lipid profile and signaling of cells and thereby alter their function. A total of 5,700 bovine oocytes were used in a structured series of experiments to test the effects of CLA cis-9,trans-11 and CLA trans-10,cis-12 in vitro. In experiment 1, high doses of each CLA isomer during in vitro maturation (IVM) were compared with high or low doses during the entire in vitro culture (IVC) of parthenogenetic embryos. High doses of the CLA isomers ranged from 50 to 200 µM and low doses were 15 and 25 µM. In experiment 2, the low doses of each CLA isomer were tested during IVM/IVC on embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF). Experiment 3 compared the effects of 15 µM doses of each CLA isomer during IVM or IVC of IVF embryos. In experiment 4, post-rewarming survival rates and blastomere counts were assessed for embryos supplemented with each CLA isomer during IVM or for 36 h before vitrification. In experiment 1, when either CLA isomer was provided only during IVM, we observed no effects on overall rates of maturation, cleavage, or blastocysts (92.2 ± 1.6%, 78.3 ± 4.1%, and 28.9 ± 5.1%, respectively). However, high doses of each CLA isomer, but not low doses, during the entire embryo culture period decreased blastocyst rates (5-20%) in a dose-dependent manner. Cleavage rates improved with 15 or 50 µM CLA trans-10,cis-12. Progesterone concentrations in maturation media were significantly increased by high doses of each CLA isomer compared with control, but low doses of CLA isomers had no effect. In experiment 2 with IVF embryos, low doses of each CLA isomer did not alter cleavage rates (average 84.9 ± 1.9%) and only 25 µM CLA trans-10,cis-12 during IVC reduced blastocyst rates below those of controls (25.5 ± 2.1 vs. 38.2 ± 2.3%). The lipid content of embryos was increased and relative expression of the BIRC5 (baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5) gene was depressed by CLA trans-10,cis-12. In experiment 3, low doses (15µM) of each CLA isomer during IVC significantly reduced blastocyst rates (20.6 ± 2.4% and 27.7 ± 1.2% vs. 34.18 ± 1.2% for CLA trans-10,cis-12 and CLA cis-9,trans-11 compared with control, respectively) with less effect of each CLA during IVM. In experiment 4, adding 100 µM CLA cis-9,trans-11 during the final 36 h of culture resulted in a high survival rate after rewarming and culture, and the higher embryo blastomere count was comparable to that of control embryos not undergoing vitrification. In conclusion, supplementation with either CLA isomer did not improve embryo production, but inclusion of CLA cis-9,trans-11 before vitrification improved the quality of bovine IVF embryos after rewarming and culture.

Effects of Hydrated Potato Starch on the Quality of Low-fat Ttoekgalbi (Korean Traditional Patty) Packaged in Modified Atmosphere Conditions during Storage.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of hydrated potato starch on the quality of low-fat ttoekgalbi (Korean traditional patty) packaged in modified atmosphere conditions during storage. The ttoekgalbi was prepared from 53.2% lean beef, 13.9% lean pork, 9.3% pork fat, and 23.6% other ingredients. Two low-fat ttoekgalbi treatments were prepared by substituting pork fat with hydrated potato starch; either by 50% fat replacement (50% FR) or 100% fat replacement (100% FR). Both 50% and 100% FR increased the moisture, crude protein, and decreased fat content, cooking loss, and hardness. For MAP studies, 200 g of ttoekgalbi were placed on the tray and filled with gas composed of 70% O2: 30% CO2 (70% O2-MAP) and 30% CO2: 70% N2 (70% N2-MAP), and were stored at 5°C for 12 d. During the storage time, both 50% and 100% FR showed higher protein deterioration, while no differences were found in CIE a*, CIE L*, lipid oxidation, and bacterial counts in comparison to control. The ttoekgalbi with 70% O2-MAP was more red, lighter in color, and showed higher TBARS values compared with 70% N2-MAP. The meat with 70% N2-MAP showed lower aerobic bacterial counts in control than those with 70% O2-MAP. The lower anaerobic bacterial counts were observed only in 50% FR and 100% FR packed with 70% N2-MAP in comparison with 70% O2-MAP. In conclusion, the fat replacement with hydrated potato starch showed no negative effects on the quality of low fat ttoekgalbi during storage and 70% N2-MAP was better than 70% O2-MAP for low-fat ttoekgalbi packaging.

Cow-level and herd-level risk factors for subclinical endometritis in lactating Holstein cows.

The objectives of this study were to obtain prevalence estimates for subclinical endometritis (SCE), determine cow- and herd-level risk factors, and evaluate the reproductive consequences of SCE. A cross-sectional study was used to determine prevalence and risk factors with cows followed in a prospective study to determine reproductive outcomes. Lactating Holstein cows were sampled between 40 and 60 d in milk using low-volume uterine lavage, and cytology was evaluated to determine SCE status. In total, 779 cows from 38 herds were used in the analysis. The cow-level prevalence of SCE was 25.9%. Within-herd level prevalence ranged from 4.8 to 52.6% (median 26.3%, interquartile range 15.6 to 33.3%). Cow-level risk factors identified were ketosis [odds ratio (OR) 3.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.82-8.07], acute metritis (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.05-3.30], and the interaction between milk production and parity. Primiparous cows that produced more milk had increased odds of having SCE, whereas multiparous cows that produced more milk had decreased odds of having SCE. Herd-level risk factors identified were housing early postpartum cows on bedded packs (herd-level SCE=36.1%), which increased herd prevalence of SCE by 16.7% (SE 5.58) compared with early postpartum cows housed in freestalls (herd-level SCE=19.4%), and straw bedding in the calving pen, which decreased herd prevalence of SCE by 10.7% (SE 3.59) compared with herds that used other bedding material. In this study, primiparous cows with and without SCE had similar reproductive performance; however, multiparous cows with SCE had median days open 44 d longer (159 d; 95% CI 126-186 d) compared with unaffected multiparous cows (115 d; 95% CI 106-132 d).

Association between interleukin-8 receptor-α (CXCR1) polymorphism and disease incidence, production, reproduction, and survival in Holstein cows.

The objective was to evaluate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism at position +735 in the interleukin-8 receptor-α (CXCR1) gene (CXCR1c.735) and disease incidence, milk production, reproductive performance, and survival in Holstein cows. Three-hundred fifty Holstein cows were enrolled. No association was found between CXCR1c.735 genotype and retained fetal membranes, metritis, or endometritis. Incidence rate of clinical mastitis was associated with CXCR1c.735 genotype; cows with genotypes CC and GC had a decreased incidence rate of clinical mastitis compared with GG cows. Milk yield was associated with CXCR1c.735 genotype; cows with genotype GC had greater milk yield than GG cows. Hazard of pregnancy was not associated with CXCR1c.735 genotype. Cows that had clinical mastitis had decreased hazard of pregnancy, and cows that had endometritis tended to have a decreased hazard of pregnancy. Hazard of death or culling was not associated with CXCR1c.735 genotype. Multiparous cows and cows that had mastitis had increased hazard of death or culling. In contrast to what we expected, cows with the genotype GG had an increased incidence rate of clinical mastitis and decreased milk yield.

Secretion of equine chorionic gonadotropin and its association with supplementary corpus luteum formation and progesterone concentration in Hokkaido native pony recipient mares.

The objectives of this study were to determine the plasma profile of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and its association with the formation of supplementary corpus luteum (CL) and plasma progesterone concentrations in embryo transfer Hokkaido native pony recipient mares. Blood samples and transrectal ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract were carried out weekly from the day of ovulation until week 32 of gestation (n = 4). Plasma concentrations of eCG and progesterone were measured by enzyme immunoassays. The eCG concentration was first detectable at week 5 for 2 mares and at week 6 for another 2 mares. Immediately after detection, the mean plasma eCG concentrations were observed to rise sharply and reach a peak at week 8. The concentrations then declined dramatically to a baseline (<0.5 IU/mL) by week 21. Plasma progesterone p=p concentrations increased in 2 phases. First, a sharp increase from 0.18 ± 0.05 ng/mL at ovulation to 15.9 ± 4.6 ng/mL at week 1 was observed, then a decrease to 9.69 ± 2.27 ng/mL by week 2, and maintained at this level until week 5 of gestation. The onset of the second rise occurred at week 6 and was observed to peak to 58.3 ± 21.8 ng/mL at week 10, then gradually declined to <10 ng/mL by week 26. The supplementary CLs were first detectable by pregnancy week 6 and 7 for 2 mares each. All supplementary and primary CLs regressed by week 26 for 3 mares and by week 30 for the remaining mare. The mean number of supplementary CL was 4.5 ± 0.8 and their formation in the right ovary (66.7%, 12/18) was higher (P < 0.05) than that in the left ovary (33.3%, 6/18). Among the mares, 1 mare that developed only 2 supplementary CL had 35% lower level of peak eCG and 65% lower concentration of peak progesterone compared with other 3 mares that had 5 or 6 supplementary CL. In conclusion, development of supplementary CL and blood concentrations of progesterone from around day 40 of gestation were associated with eCG concentration. The total number of supplementary CL formation in the present study in embryo transfer Hokkaido native pony recipient mares seemed higher than previously reported supplementary CL number in pregnant mares, with a greater rate in the right ovary than in left.

Androgen production in response to LH is impaired in theca cells from nonovulatory dominant follicles in early-postpartum dairy cows.

Most dairy cows develop a dominant follicle within two weeks postpartum, but 60% of these follicles fail to ovulate. In a previous study, we determined that cows destined to ovulate have higher LH pulse frequency and circulating estradiol. The latter characteristic provided a method for distinguishing ovulatory from nonovulatory follicles during development and we found that nonovulatory follicles have lower estradiol and androstenedione in their follicular fluid. We hypothesized that lower LH pulse frequency impairs androgen production by theca cells of nonovulatory cows, reducing their ability to make estradiol. In the present study, we applied our method for predicting follicle fate to collect dominant follicles from predicted ovulatory (n = 7) and nonovulatory (n = 3) follicles. Theca and granulosa cells were separated and cultured in the absence or presence of LH, FSH, and/or testosterone for three days, with daily collection of culture medium for steroid RIAs. Estradiol and progesterone production by granulosa cells were not different between ovulatory and nonovulatory follicles. By contrast, overall androstenedione production by theca cells from ovulatory follicles was significantly higher compared with nonovulatory follicles on all three days of culture and, as culture progressed, theca from nonovulatory follicles had increasingly poorer responses to LH. In the same cultures, the progesterone production by theca cells was similar in ovulatory and nonovulatory groups. In support of our hypothesis, the results show that estradiol production by granulosa cells from nonovulatory follicles is robust when androgen substrate is present, but that thecal androgen production in response to LH is impaired. This suggests that the initial defect in steroidogenesis in dominant follicles that fail to ovulate postpartum is lower production of androgen by theca cells.

Association between a visual and an automated locomotion score in lactating Holstein cows.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate visual locomotion scoring (VLS) and Stepmetrix locomotion scoring (SLS) in detecting painful digit lesions. In study 1, one veterinarian performed VLS. Cows with VLS > or = 3 were hoof trimmed and the presence or absence of a painful lesion (PL), defined as a reaction to digital pressure, was recorded. A strongly increasing pattern in the proportion of cows with PL was detected as VLS increased. The proportions of cows with painful lesions were 5.6% (n = 53), 20.1% (n = 78), 55.5% (n = 164), 79.9% (n = 159), and 100% (n = 5) for VLS 1 to 5, respectively. Study 2 was conducted on a different farm. The entire farm was visually locomotion scored by 3 veterinarians on the same day, and the cows were Stepmetrix locomotion scored by walking through the Stepmetrix system. Every cow was trimmed during the following 2 d by 1 of 8 professional hoof trimmers. The 3 veterinarians identified, scored, and recorded any PL. Interobserver agreement for the 3 veterinarians had a kappa coefficient of between 0.45 and 0.48 +/- 0.05. In total, 518 cows were used in the analysis, from which 11.2% were identified with a PL. Of the cows diagnosed with a PL, 32.8% were detected with a sole ulcer, 25.9% with white line disease, 13.8% with white line abscess, and 27.5% with other diseases. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed; the area under the curve was larger for VLS (0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.76 to 0.83) than SLS (0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.66). When performed by trained veterinarians, VLS performed better than SLS in detecting PL.

Evaluation of progesterone supplementation in a prostaglandin F2alpha-based presynchronization protocol before timed insemination.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of treatment with a controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) insert containing progesterone in a PGF2alpha-based presynchronization protocol on pregnancy rates at first service in lactating Holstein cows. A total of 1,318 (656 treatment and 662 control) cows from 5 farms were used in the analysis. Cows received a CIDR insert as part of the presynchronization protocol of 2 PGF2alpha injections given 14 d apart. The CIDR insert was applied during 7 d before the second PGF2alpha injection, whereas control cows received no CIDR insert. Serum progesterone concentrations were measured in samples collected at 37 +/- 3 d in milk (DIM; 7 d after the first PGF2alpha injection) and at 58 +/- 3 DIM, just before initiation of the Ovsynch protocol. According to serum concentrations of progesterone, cows were classified as having either high (> or = 1 ng/mL) or low (< 1 ng/mL) progesterone. The proportion of cows with low progesterone at 37 +/- 3 DIM was similar for cows treated later with the CIDR insert (60.7%; n = 654) and for control cows (59.2%; n = 657). In contrast, use of the CIDR insert resulted in fewer low-progesterone cows (17.4%; n = 402) compared with control cows (30.6%; n = 399) at 58 +/- 3 DIM. No significant effect of the CIDR insert was detected on overall pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates, as measured by the percentage of cows pregnant at 37 +/- 3 d post timed artificial insemination, for control cows having high or low progesterone at 58 +/- 3 DIM were 46.6 and 22.1%, respectively. For the CIDR group, pregnancy rates were 40.4 and 11.4%, respectively, for high- and low-progesterone cows at 58 +/- 3 DIM. Overall pregnancy rates were 36.4 and 34.5% for control cows and cows receiving the CIDR insert, respectively. A significant decreasing trend was observed in the proportion of cows having low progesterone as the body condition score increased, at 37 +/- 3 and 58 +/- 3 DIM. A significant increasing trend in the pregnancy rate was observed as body condition score increased. In conclusion, incorporation of CIDR inserts into a presynchronization protocol reduced the proportion of cows having low progesterone; however, the pregnancy rate did not differ between control cows and those receiving the CIDR insert. Earlier expression of estrus after the second PGF2alpha injection, and consequently improper timing of initiation of the Ovsynch protocol, could have negatively affected fertility in the CIDR-treated cows.

Effect of stillbirths on dam survival and reproduction performance in Holstein dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of stillbirth on survival and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. Data were collected from 2 different regions of the US calving-ease scores (CES) were recorded by farm personnel on a scale of 1 (no problem) to 5 (extreme difficulty). Stillbirths were recorded by farm personnel. The final analysis included 13,608 calvings of which 93.4% were live calves and 6.6% stillbirths. An increasing or decreasing trend in the incidence of stillbirth by parity and by CES was analyzed by Cochran-Armitage trend tests. A significant decreasing trend in the incidence of stillbirth by parity group was detected. The incidence of stillbirth increased as the CES increased. The incidence of stillbirths was 3.6, 11.2, 25.9, and 60.1% for CES score 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Dam survival in the herd and reproductive performance were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazards model. Variables that decreased dam survival time were stillbirths, primiparity, and CES of 3 and 4. The variables that reduced reproductive performance were stillbirths, multiparity, male calves, and CES of 3 and 4. Cows that had stillbirths had significantly increased risk of culling/death throughout the lactation and increased median days open by 88 d compared with cows that had live calves. In conclusion, losses from stillbirths are far greater than just the value of the calf.

Field technique for the resection of the distal interphalangeal joint and proximal resection of the deep digital flexor tendon in cows.

A modified technique for the resection of the distal interphalangeal joint and the proximal resection of the deep digital flexor tendon in cows is described. Septic arthritis of the joint was diagnosed in eight Holstein cows and treated in the field. Four of the cows were diagnosed with ascending tendonitis during the resection of the joint and their tendons were also resected. All the animals remained moderately to severely lame for two weeks postoperatively but quickly recovered and were sound within five months. Eight months after the last surgery only one cow had been culled, 321 days after its surgery, for reproductive failure. The other seven cows had survived for a mean period of 308 days, with a range from 235 to 392 days.

The effect of digit amputation or arthrodesis surgery on culling and milk production in holstein dairy cows.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of digit amputation and arthrodesis surgery performed in the field on culling and milk production during the early postsurgical period. Cows from 3 commercial dairy farms in New York State were recruited for the study. A total of 49 cows on which digit amputation (AMP) was performed were matched with 68 controls (MC-AMP), and 17 cows on which arthrodesis surgery (ARTHRO) was performed were matched with 20 controls (MC-ARTHRO) according to lactation, DIM, and lactation at the time of surgery. Performance was not directly comparable between the AMP and ARTHRO groups because cows were not randomly assigned to the 2 treatment groups. Therefore, each surgical group was evaluated relative to its respective matched control group. Cows with AMP had a significantly lower estimated median survival of 68 d (95% confidence interval; lower = 35 d, upper = 156 d) compared with 585 d (95% confidence interval; lower = 469 d, upper = 699 d) for the MC-AMP group. Total milk production for the first 60 d postsurgery was significantly lower for the AMP (1,533 +/- SE = 101 kg) group compared with the MC-AMP (2,121 +/- 101 kg) group and for the ARTHRO (1,883 +/- 86 kg) group compared with the MC-ARTHRO (2,250 +/- 88 kg) group. Septic arthritis of the distal interphalangeal joint was the most common condition treated by surgery, accounting for 70.5% of ARTHRO cases and 73.5% for AMP. Toe necrosis accounted for 14.3% of AMP cases, and retroarticular abscess made up the rest of the AMP (12.2%) cases and 29.5% of the ARTHRO cases. Results suggest that cows that had undergone ARTHRO had a lower culling rate and a faster return to production compared with those that had undergone AMP. Arthrodesis should be considered as a treatment option for deep sepsis of the bovine foot.

Airway management using a supraglottic airway device without endotracheal intubation for positive ventilation of anaesthetized rats.

Endotracheal intubation is often necessary for positive pressure ventilation of rats during open thoracic surgery. Since endotracheal intubation in rats is technically difficult and is associated with numerous complications, many techniques using various devices have been described in the scientific literature. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of airway management of a home-made supraglottic airway device (SAD), which is cheap to fabricate and easy to place with that of an endotracheal intubation tube in enflurane-anaesthetized rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-300 g) were randomly assigned to two equal groups for positive pressure mechanical ventilation using either the SAD or an endotracheal intubation tube. The carotid artery of each rat was cannulated for continuous blood pressure measurements and obtaining blood samples for determination of oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, and blood acidity before, during and after SAD placement or endotracheal intubation. Proper placement of the SAD was confirmed by observing chest wall movements that coincided with the operation of the mechanical ventilator. No complications and adverse events were encountered in the rats in which the SAD was placed, during SAD placement and immediate removal, during their mechanical ventilation through the SAD, and one week after SAD removal. From the results of blood gas analyses, we conclude that anaesthetized rats can be successfully ventilated using an SAD for open thoracic surgery.

Retrospective study on equine uterine fungal isolates and antifungal susceptibility patterns (1999-2011).

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Knowledge of commonly encountered fungi infecting the mare's reproductive tract and their respective drug susceptibilities should improve treatment efficacy in mares with fungal endometritis. This is particularly important when practitioners need to start empiric treatment before culture results are complete. OBJECTIVE: To report the spectrum of fungal isolates from uterine samples from mares with reproductive problems and their respective antifungal susceptibilities. METHODS: Equine uterine samples submitted to the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Centre for fungal culture between July 1999 and June 2011 were reviewed. Each mare's reproductive history, fungal culture results, antifungal susceptibilities and concurrent aerobic culture results were evaluated. Patterns of antifungal susceptibility and resistance were assessed over time. RESULTS: One hundred and two fungal isolates were cultured from 92 uterine samples from mares with reproductive problems. Yeast (69%) and mould with septated hyphae (26%) were the most common isolates. Ninety-five to 100% of all fungal isolates were susceptible to the polyenes, while response to the azoles varied with 47-81% of fungal isolates displaying susceptibility. Yeast isolates were 100% susceptible to the polyenes and least susceptible to miconazole (48%) while isolates of mould with septated hyphae were most susceptible to natamycin (100%) and least susceptible to fluconazole (0%). From July 1999 to June 2005 and July 2005 to June 2011, yeast demonstrated increasing resistance to miconazole, while mould with septated hyphae demonstrated increasing resistance to ketoconazole. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results from this study suggest that polyenes are effective against uterine fungal isolates in vitro and may be the empiric treatment of choice for fungal endometritis. Isolate resistance to specific azoles increased over time.

Effects of diagnostic low-volume uterine lavage shortly before first service on reproductive performance, culling and milk production.

The objective was to evaluate if uterine sampling by low-volume uterine lavage, done shortly before the end of the voluntary waiting period, affected reproductive performance, milk production, or culling. Approximately 20 cows (40 and 60 d postpartum) were sampled in each of 38 herds (total, 752 cows), whereas all remaining cows concurrently between 40 and 60 d were a non-sampled reference cohort (n = 2,252 cows). There was an interaction between parity and sampling for first-service conception, calving to conception interval, and milk production. When stratified by parity, there was a tendency for impaired reproductive performance in sampled primiparous cows compared with non-sampled primiparous cows (Odds Ratio for pregnancy to first-service = 0.78 (95% C.I. 0.58-1.04). The Hazard Ratio for pregnancy in sampled primiparous cows was 0.89 (95% C.I. 0.77-1.04) compared to non-sampled primiparous cows. Sampling did not affect first-service conception rate (Odds Ratio for pregnancy Odds ratio (OR) for pregnancy = 1.03; 95% C.I. 0.80-1.33) or calving-to conception interval in multiparous cows (Hazard Ratio = 1.04; 95% C.I. 0.91-1.18). Sampling did not affect culling risk (Hazard Ratio HR = 0.92; 95% C.I. 0.77-1.11) after accounting for covariates. After stratification by parity, milk production was not affected by sampling except in fourth- and fifth-parity cows where sampled cows produced more milk than non-sampled cows after controlling for first test-day milk production and days-postpartum at first test-day. In conclusion, sampling by low-volume uterine lavage did not have significant detrimental effects on reproduction, culling, or milk production. However, there was a tendency for lower first-service conception in sampled primiparous cows, but the procedure appeared to be benign in multiparous cows.

Use of reagent test strips for diagnosis of endometritis in dairy cows.

The use of leukocyte esterase (LE), protein, and pH tests were evaluated on widely available urinary test strips (Multistix 10 SG; Bayer Corporation, Elkart, IN, USA) on uterine lavage samples as a potential cow-side test for the diagnosis of cytologic endometritis. Uterine lavage samples of 563 lactating Holstein cows between 40 and 60 days postpartum from 28 herds were evaluated. Endometrial cytology was used as the reference for endometritis, with a cutoff point of ≥10% neutrophils. All three (LE, protein, and pH) were increased in cows with cytologic endometritis and the associations were highly significant. Optimal cutoff points determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis for LE, protein, and pH were ≥++, ≥300 mg/dL, and ≥7.0, respectively. Combining the results for LE and pH improved the performance of the test strip, but this resulted in a group of cows (20.6% of cows) which were approximately equally likely (46% with endometritis and 54% without endometritis) to have cytologic endometritis or not, and therefore could not be accurately classified. The direct relationship between reagent strip test and reproductive performance was also evaluated. Reproductive impairment due to endometritis was restricted to multiparous cows; significantly decreased reproductive performance was observed for multiparous cows with lavage fluid LE ≥+++ (154 vs. 115 median days not-pregnant), as well as cows with pH ≥ 7.0 (150.5 vs. 111.5 median days not-pregnant), but not in cows with high protein, even at the highest cutoff point. In conclusion, reagent strip test results were strongly associated with cytologic endometritis and reproductive impairment; however, in comparison with conventional cytology, the performance of reagent strip as an alternative test was relatively poor and may require further refinement.

Blind oral endotracheal intubation of rats using a ventilator to verify correct placement.

Endotracheal intubation in rats is challenging due to difficulties visualizing the epiglottis and vocal cords. No visualization of these structures results in repeated intubation attempts which can cause trauma to the oral cavity and/or oesophagus, and death of the animal due to respiratory failure. Here, we describe a simple blind oral tracheal intubation technique in the rat that decreases the frequency of repeated intubations using an intubation device that comprises a 16 G intravenous catheter and a modified 18 G epidural needle, and a rodent ventilator. The epidural needle is bent in such a way that it curves in conformity with the rat's oral airway in order to direct the catheter into the larynx, and the rodent ventilator is used to verify its correct placement. The first attempt success rate of endotracheal intubation using the blind oral tracheal intubation technique with a rodent ventilator was greater than the first attempt success rate using the blind oral tracheal intubation technique without using a rodent ventilator. Although this method is a simple modification of a previously described method of blind oral endotracheal intubation, our method is easy to learn, inexpensive and does not require specialized equipment.