XENOTRANSFUSION IN AN ISLAND FOX (UROCYON LITTORALIS CLEMENTAE) USING BLOOD FROM A DOMESTIC DOG (CANIS LUPUS FAMILIARIS).

Successful xenotransfusion in an island fox ( Urocyon littoralis clementae) has not been previously reported but may be necessary in an emergency. An 11-yr-old male, intact, captive island fox was exhibiting clinical signs of rattlesnake envenomation including hypoperfusion, tachypnea, facial edema, and multifocal facial and cervical ecchymosis. Blood work revealed severe thrombocytopenia (18 K/µl) and anemia (Hct 15.8%). A presumptive diagnosis of rattlesnake ( Crotalus sp.) envenomation was made. Initial treatment included oxygen therapy, fluid therapy, antibiotics, antacids, pain medications, and polyvalent crotalid anti-venom. Emergency xenotransfusion using whole blood (45 ml) from a domestic dog was used due to worsening clinical signs from anemia. No acute or delayed transfusion reactions were observed in the fox and the patient made a full recovery 5 days later. Successful xenotransfusion in an island fox using whole blood from a domestic dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) is possible and may be lifesaving.

Assessing the Mental Model State of Emergency Responders in the Context of Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) Incidents: A Multi-state Study.

ABSTRACT: Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Technicians' notions of mental model, or cognitive representations of their understanding and beliefs regarding Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDDs) incidents, have not been previously explored. A prior study developed an Expected Mental Model State (EMMS) framework specific to RDD incident response for HAZMAT technicians. The work herein presents the development of a derivative of this framework, the EMMS Diagnostic Matrix, to evaluate the actual Mental Model State (MMS) of HAZMAT technicians in the context of RDD incidents. The EMMS Diagnostic Matrix was administered via a survey and simulation activity in four U.S. states representing the Northeast, West, South, and Midwest regions. Data were collected and coded using grounded theory methodology. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to identify themes across related areas where the notions of mental model for the HAZMAT technician responders' actual MMS differed from the EMMS. The analysis of the collected data revealed four significant themes representing incomplete notions of the mental model spanning various EMMS conceptual domains: Overestimation of Radiation Dose and Health Effects, indicating misunderstandings about the health impacts of radiation exposure, Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), particularly in the lower range of radiation doses; Overreliance on Responder Protection [personal protective equipment (PPE)/self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)], highlighting gaps in understanding radiation principles and radioactive material dispersal properties from a radiological dispersal device; Misunderstanding Radiation Detection and Units, signifying confusion about radiation units and differentiation between dose rate and accumulated dose; and Incomplete Understanding of Radiation Characteristics and Dispersal Properties, outlining a limited grasp of inhalation risks from radiation and the dispersal traits of a radiological dispersal device. The interconnectedness of these technical misunderstandings can guide the development of a strategic plan to evaluate and modify existing training, aiming at these specific themes to improve the efficiency of HAZMAT technicians in emergency situations and to identify areas for further research.

Anticoagulant effects of low-molecular-weight heparins in healthy cats.

BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has potential benefit in cats at risk for thromboembolic disease. However, LMWH pharmacokinetics has not been characterized in the cat. Drug effect with LMWH may be evaluated with analysis of factor Xa inhibition (anti-Xa) or thromboelastography (TEG). HYPOTHESIS: Administration of LMWH at previously recommended dosages and schedules to healthy cats will result in inhibition of factor Xa and hypocoagulable TEG. ANIMALS: In vivo research with heparin was performed in 5 purpose-bred cats. METHODS: In a prospective study with randomized crossover design, heparin or placebo was administered. Treatments were unfractionated heparin (UFH), 250 IU/kg q6h; dalteparin, 100 IU/kg q12h; enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg q12h; or 0.9% saline, 0.25 mL/kg q6h. Each drug was administered for 5 consecutive days followed by a minimum washout of 14 days. Baseline and post-treatment analyses included anti-Xa, TEG, and prothrombin time/activated partial thromboplastin time. RESULTS: Mean anti-Xa activity 4 hours after enoxaparin (0.48 U/mL) approached the human therapeutic target (0.5-1.0 U/mL); however, mean trough anti-Xa activity was below detection limits. Mean anti-Xa activity 4 hours after dalteparin was lower, and only 1 cat attained therapeutic target at a single time point. Cats receiving UFH attained target anti-Xa activity and changes in TEG at trough and 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Cats have rapid absorption and elimination kinetics with LMWH therapy. On the basis of pharmacokinetic modeling, cats will require higher dosages and more frequent administration of LMWH to achieve human therapeutic anti-factor Xa activity of 0.5-1 U/mL. Peak anti-Xa activity is predicted at 2 hours after administration of LMWH.

Bicavitary effusion secondary to liver lobe torsion in a dog.

We described the diagnosis and successful treatment of pleural and peritoneal effusion secondary to liver lobe torsion in a dog. A 12-year-old female spayed Borzoi dog was referred for heart failure. Emergency room thoracic and abdominal ultrasound showed a large volume of pleural effusion with mild peritoneal effusion and an abdominal mass. Pleural fluid analysis classified the effusion as exudative. A complete ultrasound revealed mild peritoneal effusion and decreased blood flow to the right liver lobe. Other causes of bicavitary effusion were ruled out based on blood work, ultrasound, echocardiogram, and computed tomography. The patient was taken to surgery and diagnosed with caudate liver lobe torsion and had a liver lobectomy. At the 2-week postoperative recheck, the patient was doing well and there was complete resolution of the pleural effusion. Liver lobe torsion is a rare occurrence in dogs and can be difficult to diagnose. Clinical signs are nonspecific for liver lobe torsion and patients may present in respiratory distress with significant pleural fluid accumulation. When assessing patients with pleural and peritoneal effusion, liver lobe torsion should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Severe blunt trauma in dogs: 235 cases (1997-2003).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate population characteristics, injuries, emergency diagnostic testing, and outcome of dogs with blunt trauma requiring intensive care in an urban hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective study 1997-2003. SETTING: All data obtained from the University of Pennsylvania - Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital. ANIMALS: Dogs admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment following blunt trauma. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 235 dogs that met inclusion criteria, 206 (88%) survived and 29 (12%) did not survive. Blunt vehicular trauma accounted for 91.1% of cases. Mild hyperglycemia and hyperlactatemia was common in both survivors and nonsurvivors. The chest was the most common region traumatized and the prevalence of polytrauma was 72.3%. Initial weight, vital signs, PCV, total plasma protein, BUN, glucose, lactate, acid-base status, and electrolytes did not differ between survivors and nonsurvivors. Nonsurvivors were significantly more likely to have had head trauma (P=0.008), cranium fractures (P<0.001), recumbency at admission (P<0.001), development of hematochezia (P<0.001), clinical suspicion of acute respiratory distress syndrome (P<0.001), disseminated intravascular coagulation (P<0.001), multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (P<0.001), development of pneumonia (P<0.001), positive-pressure ventilation (P<0.001), vasopressor use (P<0.001), and cardiopulmonary arrest (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Outcome of severe blunt trauma in dogs treated with intensive care is very good. Despite the high survival rate, several features associated with poor outcome were identified. Neither admission lactate nor glucose was able to predict outcome.

Stability and folding kinetics of a ubiquitin mutant with a strong propensity for nonnative beta-hairpin conformation in the unfolded state.

A F45W mutant of yeast ubiquitin has been used as a model system to examine the effects of nonnative local interactions on protein folding and stability. Mutating the native TLTGK G-bulged type I turn in the N-terminal beta-hairpin to NPDG stabilizes a nonnative beta-strand alignment in the isolated peptide fragment. However, NMR structural analysis of the native and mutant proteins shows that the NPDG mutant is forced to adopt the native beta-strand alignment and an unfavorable type I NPDG turn. The mutant is significantly less stable (approximately 9 kJ mol(-1)) and folds 30 times slower than the native sequence, demonstrating that local interactions can modulate protein stability and that attainment of a nativelike beta-hairpin conformation in the transition state ensemble is frustrated by the turn mutations. Surprising, alcoholic cosolvents [5-10% (v/v) TFE] are shown to accelerate the folding rate of the NPDG mutant. We conclude, backed-up by NMR data on the peptide fragments, that even though nonnative states in the denatured ensemble are highly populated and their stability further enhanced in the presence of cosolvents, the simultaneous increase in the proportion of nativelike secondary structure (hairpin or helix), in rapid equilibrium with nonnative states, is sufficient to accelerate the folding process. It is evident that modulating local interactions and increasing nonnative secondary structure propensities can change protein stability and folding kinetics. However, nonlocal contacts formed in the global cooperative folding event appear to determine structural specificity.