Slightly acidic electrolyzed water as an alternative disinfection technique for hatching eggs.

Conventional chemical disinfectants used for egg disinfection could result in toxic residue and endanger hatchability, chick quality, and pullet growth performance. Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) is known as a novel disinfectant for egg sterilization due to its high efficiency and no residue. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of slightly acidic electrolyzed water and benzalkonium bromide solution (BBS) used in the disinfection channel was conducted to assess the microbial count, eggshell quality, and hatchability concomitantly. The results show that the sterilization efficiency of SAEW increased with an increase in available chlorine concentration (ACC), spraying volume, and sterilization duration. SAEW with an ACC of 150 mg/L and 10,000 mg/L benzalkonium bromide solution had the same sterilization rates of approximately 86.2% at a spraying volume of 0.5 mL/egg and sterilization duration of 180 s. Neither had significant effect on eggshell strength or thickness. The eggshell cuticle quality in the benzalkonium bromide group was significantly higher than the control group (no disinfection) and the 150 mg/L SAEW group. The embryo weight, relative embryo weight, hatchability, and embryonic mortality in the SAEW group had no significant differences of those in the benzalkonium bromide group. SAEW should be more popular because of its simple preparation, low cost, and no residue. Our results indicate SAEW is an alternative disinfectant for the sterilization of hatching eggs instead of conventional chemical disinfectants, such as benzalkonium bromide, and give a recommendation is using SAEW as a disinfectant with 150 mg/L ACC, 0.5 mL/egg spray volume, and disinfection for 180 s in the novel disinfection channel.

Virucidal efficacy of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) against African swine fever virus and avian influenza virus.

This study evaluated the virucidal efficacy of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) against African swine fever virus (ASFV) and avian influenza virus (AIV), according to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) guidelines for efficacy testing of veterinary disinfectants. AEW (pH 5.0-6.5) was prepared using a commercially available "Electrolyzed Water Generator" with a free chlorine concentration (FCC) of 5-140 ppm, and its efficiency in reducing the titer of ASFV and AIV was tested in a suspension under low- and high-level organic soiling. Under low-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥40 ppm was effective against ASFV; under high-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥80 ppm was effective against ASFV. Under low-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥60 ppm was effective against AIV; under high-level organic soiling conditions, AEW with FCC ≥100 ppm was effective against AIV. The virucidal effect of AEW seemed dependent on the FCC and the presence of organic soiling. Based on these data, we recommend the following minimum FCCs in AEW treatment for routine disinfection in veterinary field under low- and high-level organic soiling conditions: for ASFV, 50 ppm and 100 ppm; and for AIV, 75 ppm and 125 ppm, respectively. In conclusion, the virucidal effects of AEW against ASFV and AIV emphasize its potential utility as a disinfectant, and we suggest considering organic soiling conditions while using AEW for implementing effective control measures for field applications.

A description of blend electrolysis for treatment of canine distichiasis: 78 cases (2012-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To describe a population of dogs treated with blend electrolysis for distichiasis at The Royal Veterinary College and report the complications seen. METHODS: In part 1, records were reviewed from 2012 to 2017 and a population of 78 dogs with distichiasis treated using blend electrolysis (Sterex SX-B blend epilator) analysed. In part 2, 18 dogs treated with blend electrolysis were re-examined prospectively by a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO). RESULTS: In part 1, brachycephalic breeds accounted for 62 per cent. English bulldog was the most common breed (42 per cent). In this population, 88 per cent of dogs were successfully treated with one treatment of electrolysis (successful treatment defined as resolution of clinical signs). Forty-five dogs had recurrent distichia on follow-up, mostly fine distichia without clinical discomfort. Twelve per cent required repeat electrolysis. Complications were infrequent: five dogs had scarring or hypopigmentation of the eyelid margin. In part 2, 18 dogs were re-examined. Ten had distichia recurrence, six had eyelid scarring and five had depigmentation associated with electrolysis. Two dogs had occasional clinical signs thought to be related to distichiasis. All owners perceived their dogs' ocular comfort to be improved following blend electrolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Brachycephalic breeds, most notably English bulldogs, are over-represented in this population. Blend electrolysis appears an effective treatment for resolution of clinical signs.

Mecanismos moleculares de reparación mediante la técnica Electrólisis Percutánea Intratisular en la tendinosis rotuliana / Molecular repair mechanisms using the Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis technique in patellar tendonitis

Objetivo. Investigar los mecanismos moleculares de respuesta tisular tras el tratamiento con la técnica Electrólisis Percutánea Intratisular (EPI®) en la tendinosis inducida por colagenasa tipo i en ratas Sprague Dawley. Métodos. En una muestra de 24 ratas Sprague Dawley de 7 meses de edad y 300 g se indujo tendinosis mediante la inyección en el tendón rotuliano de 50 μg de colagenasa tipo i . Se procedió a dividir la muestra en 4 grupos: un grupo control, un grupo colagenasa y 2 grupos de tratamiento con técnica EPI® a 3 y 6 mA, respectivamente. Se aplicó una sesión de tratamiento EPI® y tras 3 días se procedió al análisis de los tendones mediante técnicas de inmunodetección y electroforesis. Se analizaron las proteínas citocromo C, Smac/Diablo, factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular y su receptor 2. También se analizó el factor de transcripción nuclear peroxisoma proliferador activado del receptor gamma. Resultados. Se observó un aumento estadísticamente significativo en la expresión del citocromo C, Smac/Diablo, factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular, su receptor 2 y peroxisoma proliferador activado del receptor gamma en los grupos a los que se les aplicó la técnica EPI® respecto al grupo control. Conclusiones. La técnica EPI® produce, en la lesión tendinosa inducida con colagenasa tipo i en ratas, un aumento de los mecanismos moleculares antiinflamatorios y angiogénicos (AU)

Objective. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of tissue response after treatment with the Intratissue Percutaneous Electrolysis (EPI®) technique in collagenase-induced tendinopathy in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods. Tendinopathy was induced by injecting 50 μg of type i collagenase into the patellar tendon of 24 Sprague Dawley rats of 7 months of age and weighting 300 g. The sample was divided into 4 groups: the control group, collagenase group, and two EPI® technique treatment groups of 3 and 6 mA, respectively. An EPI® treatment session was applied, and after 3 days, the tendons were analysed using immunoblotting and electrophoresis techniques. An analysis was also made of cytochrome C protein, Smac/Diablo, vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor 2, as well as the nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Results. A statistically significant increase, compared to the control group, was observed in the expression of cytochrome C, Smac/Diablo, vascular endothelial growth factor, its receptor 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in the groups in which the EPI® technique was applied. Conclusions. EPI® technique produces an increase in anti-inflammatory and angiogenic molecular mechanisms in collagenase-induced tendon injury in rats (AU)

Application of slightly acidic electrolyzed water for inactivating microbes in a layer breeding house.

Lots of microorganisms exist in layer houses can cause bird diseases and worker health concerns. Spraying chemical disinfectants is an effective way to decontaminate pathogenic microorganisms in the air and on surfaces in poultry houses. Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW, pH 5.0-6.5) is an ideal, environmentally friendly broad-spectrum disinfectant to prevent and control bacterial or viral infection in layer farms. The purpose of this work was to investigate the cleaning effectiveness of SAEW for inactivating the microbes in layer houses. The effect of SAEW was evaluated by solid materials and surface disinfection in a hen house. Results indicate that SAEW with an available chlorine concentration of 250 mg/L, pH value of 6.19, and oxygen reduction potential of 974 mV inactivated 100% of bacteria and fungi in solid materials (dusts, feces, feather, and feed), which is more efficient than common chemical disinfectant such as benzalkonium chloride solution (1:1,000 vol/vol) and povidone-iodine solution (1:1,000 vol/vol). Also, it significantly reduced the microbes on the equipment or facility surfaces (P < 0.05), including floor, wall, feed trough, and water pipe surfaces. Moreover, SAEW effectively decreased the survival rates of Salmonella and Escherichia coli by 21 and 16 percentage points. In addition, spraying the target with tap water before disinfection plays an important role in spray disinfection.

Electrolyzed water as novel technology to improve hygiene of drinking water for dairy ewes.

Tap water alone (TW) or treated with 3% of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) were used in this experiment to study its effect on water quality, blood biochemical parameters and milk yield and composition. Each type of water was supplied to one group of 10 milking ewes for 25 days. Weekly water samples from troughs were taken. On days 1, 12 and 25, milk yield was measured, and milk and blood samples were taken. SAEW reduced (P < 0.05) bacterial counts (aerobic mesophilic, total coliform and streptococcus). Blood gases, biochemical parameters and milk yield and its composition were not affected (P > 0.05). SAEW can be used at 3% rate as a powerful and economic agent for sanitizing drinking water for dairy ewes with no effects on animal performance.

Endoscopic perductal electrolytic ablation of the pancreas: experimental studies of morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Palliation of pancreatic cancer remains the only option for the majority of patients. Palliative techniques such as surgical bypass and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stenting are not ideal. The 'ideal' palliative technique would combine the efficacy of surgery with the minimal complications of an endoscopic procedure. Endoscopically delivered perductal electrolytic ablation of pancreatic lesions has the potential to meet these criteria. METHODS: Fifteen pigs were used. The pancreatic duct was cannulated with an electrolysis catheter. Animals were randomised to either: controls, treatment 2-week survivor or treatment 8-week survivor. An electrolytic dose was administered to the treatment animals. Post-operatively, serum amylase and leucocyte count were assessed. Pancreata were histologically examined to detect evidence of acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: Electrolysis was well tolerated. There was no difference in post-operative hyperamylasaemia and leucocyte count between the groups. Histological examination showed inflammation at the ablation site at 2 weeks, by 8 weeks this was replaced by scarring. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that endoscopic perductal electrolytic ablation of the pancreas is feasible and safe. Biochemical and histological findings indicate self-limiting localised inflammation of the pancreas. This technique may have a role in the palliation of pancreatic cancer and warrants further investigation.