Application of Infrared Thermography in the Rehabilitation of Patients in Veterinary Medicine.

Infrared Thermography (IRT) has become an assistance tool in medicine and is used to noninvasively evaluate heat elimination during and after inflammatory processes or during the recovery period. However, its application in veterinary patients undergoing physiotherapy is a field that requires deep research. This review aims to analyze the application of IRT in the monitoring of animal physiotherapy, using the thermal changes that are present in patients undergoing gait or lameness issues (e.g., inflammation, pain, increased local temperature) as a neurobiological basis. Rehabilitation techniques such as acupuncture, physical therapies, thermotherapy, photo-biomodulation, and electrostimulation have been reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect that decreases the amount of local heat production, which is heat that can be recorded with IRT. Therefore, IRT could be used as a complementary tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy, and it is suggested that further studies evaluate the accuracy, sensibility, and sensitivity of IRT.

Intrauterine Transmission of Zika and Vertical Transfer of Neutralizing Antibodies Detected Immediately at Birth in Oaxaca, Mexico: An Analysis in the Context of Microcephaly.

Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause neurological issues in infants. To provide protection, neutralizing antibodies should be transferred from the mother to the infant. We conducted a study at the Hospital General de Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico. Samples were collected from mothers (blood and breast milk) and infants (saliva and dried blood spots) within the first 12 postnatal hours (December 2017 to February 2018) and tested for ZIKV total and neutralizing antibodies as well as ZIKV-PCR. Microcephaly was evaluated according to INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Maternal IgG seroprevalence was 28.4% with 10.4% active infection, while infant IgG seroprevalence was 5.5% with 2.4% active infection. There were two cases of virolactia, and 6.3% of the infant saliva samples tested positive for ZIKV. Additionally, 18.3% of the infants were in a cephalic perimeter percentile lower than 10 and had an association between microcephaly and serology or a PCR between 8.6 and 60.9%. The infant blood samples had neutralizing antibodies, indicating intrauterine protection. Microcephaly was correlated with serology or PCR, but in our study population, non-ZIKV factors may be involved as well. Low ZIKV infection values in breast milk mean that breastfeeding is safe in most of the mothers and infants of the endemic area studied.

Uterine dynamics, blood profiles, and electronic fetal monitoring of primiparous and multiparous bitches classified according to their weight.

Perinatal mortality occurs in all species. In dogs, mortality rates have been reported to range from 5 to 35%. Electronic fetal and uterine monitoring has recently been used in domestic animals to monitor the mother and newborn before and during parturition. In this way, the fetal heart rate and uterine dynamics can be monitored. This study evaluated the uterine dynamics of bitches with different weights and parity. Ninety-six bitches and their 476 puppies were divided into four experimental groups containing 24 individuals each (12 primiparous bitches and 12 multiparous bitches), according to body weight: G1 (4-8 kg), G2 (8.1-16 kg), G3 (16.1 to 32 kg), and G4 (32.1 to 39.6 kg). The fetal heart rate decelerations (dip 2 patterns), uterine dynamics, and bitches' blood profiles were evaluated, including levels of glucose, lactate, pCO2, pO2, pH, HCO3-, and Ca++. The dam weight can affect the vitality of newborns and the uterine dynamics, with differences in the frequency, intensity, and duration of myometrial contractions. The expulsion interval between puppies was longest in primiparous bitches with low weight and shortest in multiparous bitches with high weight. The expulsion interval and the number of stillborn females were higher in primiparous bitches with high weight. Newborn male puppies were significantly heavier than newborn females.

Caffeine Administration in Piglets with Low Birthweight and Low Vitality Scores, and Its Effect on Physiological Blood Profile, Acid-Base Balance, Gas Exchange, and Infrared Thermal Response.

Intrapartum asphyxia, fetal hypoxia, and their consequences (e.g., acidosis, hypercapnia, hypoglycemia, and hypothermia) are the main factors related to physio-metabolic imbalances that increase neonatal mortality in piglets, particularly in piglets with low birthweight and low vitality scores. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different doses of caffeine (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) administered orally to 480 newborn piglets with low birthweight and low vitality scores. Blood gas parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2, and HCO3-), physio-metabolic profile (Ca++, glucose, and lactate), and the thermal response assessed through infrared thermography in four thermal windows (ocular, auricular, snout, and hindlimb) and rectal temperature were evaluated during the first 24 h of life. Doses of 30 mg/kg resulted in significant differences at 24 h for all evaluated parameters, suggesting that caffeine administration improved the cardiorespiratory function and metabolic activity of piglets by reducing acidosis, restoring glycemia, and increasing surface and rectal temperature. In conclusion, caffeine at 30 mg/kg could be suggested as an appropriate dose to use in piglets with low birthweight and low vitality scores. Future research might need to study the presentation of adverse effects due to higher caffeine concentrations.

Cardiorespiratory and Neuroprotective Effects of Caffeine in Neonate Animal Models.

Caffeine is widely used to improve neonatal health in animals with low vitality. Due to its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, caffeine stimulates the cardiorespiratory system by antagonism of adenosine receptors and alteration in Ca+2 ion channel activity. Moreover, the availability of intracellular Ca+2 also has positive inotropic effects by increasing heart contractibility and by having a possible positive effect on neonate vitality. Nonetheless, since neonatal enzymatic and tissular systems are immature at birth, there is a controversy about whether caffeine is an effective therapy for newborns. This review aims to analyze the basic concepts of caffeine in neonatal animal models (rat and mouse pups, goat kids, lambs, and piglets), and it will discuss the neuroprotective effect and its physiological actions in reducing apnea in newborns.

The Role of Brown Adipose Tissue and Energy Metabolism in Mammalian Thermoregulation during the Perinatal Period.

Hypothermia is one of the most common causes of mortality in neonates, and it could be developed after birth because the uterus temperature is more elevated than the extrauterine temperature. Neonates use diverse mechanisms to thermoregulate, such as shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis. These strategies can be more efficient in some species, but not in others, i.e., altricials, which have the greatest difficulty with achieving thermoneutrality. In addition, there are anatomical and neurological differences in mammals, which may present different distributions and amounts of brown fat. This article aims to discuss the neuromodulation mechanisms of thermoregulation and the importance of brown fat in the thermogenesis of newborn mammals, emphasizing the analysis of the biochemical, physiological, and genetic factors that determine the distribution, amount, and efficiency of this energy resource in newborns of different species. It has been concluded that is vital to understand and minimize hypothermia causes in newborns, which is one of the main causes of mortality in neonates. This would be beneficial for both animals and producers.

Vitality in Newborn Farm Animals: Adverse Factors, Physiological Responses, Pharmacological Therapies, and Physical Methods to Increase Neonate Vigor.

Vitality is the vigor newborn animals exhibit during the first hours of life. It can be assessed by a numerical score, in which variables, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membranes' coloration, time the offspring took to stand up, and meconium staining, are monitored. Vitality can be affected by several factors, and therapies are used to increase it. This manuscript aims to review and analyze pharmacological and physical therapies used to increase vitality in newborn farm animals, as well as to understand the factors affecting this vitality, such as hypoxia, depletion of glycogen, birth weight, dystocia, neurodevelopment, hypothermia, and finally, the physiological mechanism to achieve thermostability. It has been concluded that assessing vitality immediately after birth is essential to determine the newborn's health and identify those that need medical intervention to minimize the deleterious effect of intrapartum asphyxia. Vitality assessment should be conducted by trained personnel and adequate equipment. Evaluating vitality could reduce long-term neonatal morbidity and mortality in domestic animals, even if it is sometimes difficult with the current organization of some farms. This review highlights the importance of increasing the number of stock people during the expected days of parturitions to reduce long-term neonatal morbidity and mortality, and thus, improve the farm's performance.

The effect of birth weight and time of day on the thermal response of newborn water buffalo calves.

During the 1st days of life, water buffalo calves, especially those with low birth weight, are susceptible to hypothermic mortality due to scarce energy reserves provided by fats. This means that monitoring the thermal state of newborns is essential. The objectives of the present study were to apply infrared thermography (IRT) in 109 buffalo calves to detect differences in the surface temperatures of six thermal windows -lacrimal gland, lacrimal caruncle, periocular region, nostrils, ear canal, pelvic limbs-, and determine their association to birth weight during the first 6 days of life. The calves were divided into four categories according to their weight (Q1, 37.8-41.25 kg; Q2, 41.3-46.3 kg; Q3, 46.4-56.3 kg; Q4, 56.4-60.3 kg). The thermographic images were recorded in the morning and afternoon. Results showed that the animals in Q4 registered the highest temperatures in all the thermal windows, and that these were higher in the afternoon (p < 0.0001). When considering the thermal windows, those located in the facial region recorded the highest temperatures; in contrast, the temperatures at the pelvic limbs remained below the average values of the other windows (33.41 and 33.76°C in the morning and afternoon, respectively). According to these results, the birth weight of water buffaloes is a factor that alters their thermoregulation during the 1st days of life, a condition that can be partially compensated by colostrum intake to promote development of an efficient thermoregulatory mechanism in water buffalo calves.

Thermal Imaging as a Method to Indirectly Assess Peripheral Vascular Integrity and Tissue Viability in Veterinary Medicine: Animal Models and Clinical Applications.

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a technique that indirectly assesses peripheral blood circulation and its resulting amount of radiated heat. Due to these properties, thermal imaging is currently applied in human medicine to noninvasively evaluate peripheral vascular disorders such as thrombosis, thromboembolisms, and other ischemic processes. Moreover, tissular damage (e.g., burn injuries) also causes microvasculature compromise. Therefore, thermography can be applied to determine the degree of damage according to the viability of tissues and blood vessels, and it can also be used as a technique to monitor skin transplant procedures such as grafting and free flaps. The present review aims to summarize and analyze the application of IRT in veterinary medicine as a method to indirectly assess peripheral vascular integrity and its relation to the amount of radiated heat and as a diagnostic technique for tissue viability, degree of damage, and wound care.

Gut colonization and subsequent infection of neonates caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The gut microbiota harbors diverse bacteria considered reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance genes. The global emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) significantly contributes to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We investigated the presence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-PEco) and ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-PKpn) in neonatal patients' guts. Furthermore, we identified the factors contributing to the transition towards ESBL-PEco and ESBL-PKpn-associated healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The study was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020, in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Rectal samples were obtained upon admission, on a weekly basis for a month, and then biweekly until discharge from the neonatology ward. Clinical data, culture results, and infection information were gathered. We conducted antimicrobial tests, multiplex PCR assay, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile and genetic relationships. A comparison between the group's controls and cases was performed using the Wilcoxon and Student t-tests. Of the 61 patients enrolled, 47 were included, and 203 rectal samples were collected, identifying 242 isolates. In 41/47 (87%) patients, colonization was due to ESBL-PEco or ESBL-PKpn. And nine of them developed HAIs (22%, 9/41). ESBL-PEco resistance to cephalosporins ranged from 25.4% to 100%, while ESBL-PKpn resistance varied from 3% to 99%, and both bacteria were susceptible to carbapenems, tigecillin, and colistin. The prevalent bla CTX-M-group-1 gene accounted for 77.2% in ESBL-PEco and 82.2% in ESBL-PKpn, followed by bla TEM 50% and bla OXA-1 43.8% in ESBL-PEco and bla TEM 80.2% and bla SHV 76.2% in ESBL-PKpn. Analysis of clonality revealed identical colonizing and infection isolates in only seven patients. Significant risk factors included hospital stay duration, duration of antibiotic treatment, and invasive device usage. Our findings suggest high ESBL-PEco and ESBL-PKpn rates of colonization often lead to infection in neonates. Attention should be paid to patients with ESBL-PE.

Thermoregulation mechanisms and perspectives for validating thermal windows in pigs with hypothermia and hyperthermia: An overview.

Specific anatomical characteristics make the porcine species especially sensitive to extreme temperature changes, predisposing them to pathologies and even death due to thermal stress. Interest in improving animal welfare and porcine productivity has led to the development of various lines of research that seek to understand the effect of certain environmental conditions on productivity and the impact of implementing strategies designed to mitigate adverse effects. The non-invasive infrared thermography technique is one of the tools most widely used to carry out these studies, based on detecting changes in microcirculation. However, evaluations using this tool require reliable thermal windows; this can be challenging because several factors can affect the sensitivity and specificity of the regions selected. This review discusses the thermal windows used with domestic pigs and the association of thermal changes in these regions with the thermoregulatory capacity of piglets and hogs.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Animal Models: Inflammatory Process, Apoptosis, and Surfactant Inactivation.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome is a condition that causes respiratory distress in newborns due to occlusion and airway inflammation, and surfactant inactivation by meconium. This condition has been described in animal species such as canids, sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, and marine mammals. In its pathogenesis, the pulmonary epithelium activates a limited inflammatory response initiated by cytokines causing leukocyte chemotaxis, inhibition of phagocytosis, and pathogen destruction. Likewise, cytokines release participates in the apoptosis processes of pneumocytes due to the interaction of angiotensin with cytokines and the caspase pathway. Due to these reactions, the prevalent signs are lung injury, hypoxia, acidosis, and pneumonia with susceptibility to infection. Given the importance of the pathophysiological mechanism of meconium aspiration syndrome, this review aims to discuss the relevance of the syndrome in veterinary medicine. The inflammatory processes caused by meconium aspiration in animal models will be analyzed, and the cellular apoptosis and biochemical processes of pulmonary surfactant inactivation will be discussed.

Congenital hearing loss: a literature review of the genetic etiology in a Mexican population.

Hearing loss is the most frequent sensory disorder, with an incidence of 1:1500 live newborns. In more than 50% of patients, it is associated with a genetic cause, while in up to 30% of cases, it is related to syndromic entities. We performed a literature review of studies on congenital hearing loss of genetic origin in the Mexican population. We identified eight reports that showed that the pathogenic variants most frequently associated with hearing loss are related to the GJB2 gene, although in a low percentage (3%). Other mutations were identified in the GJB6, SLC26A4, or CHD23 genes. On this basis, a possible diagnostic strategy in Mexican patients with hearing loss is to consider an initial screening of these three genes. If these genes were negative for pathogenic variants, the following steps would be to consider second-generation sequencing analysis focused on panels of genes associated with hearing loss, isolated or syndromic, and if necessary, to perform exome or whole-genome analysis. Establishing an etiologic cause is critical in clinically evaluating patients with congenital hearing loss and their families. It can help determine rehabilitation strategies, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants and provide information on disease progression and genetic counseling in this population.

La pérdida auditiva es la alteración sensorial más frecuente, con una incidencia de 1:1500 recién nacidos vivos. En más del 50% de los pacientes se asocia con una causa genética, mientras que en más del 30% de los casos se asocia con entidades sindrómicas. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura de las investigaciones sobre la pérdida auditiva congénita de origen genético en la población mexicana. Se identificaron ocho reportes en los que se demostró que las variantes patogénicas más frecuentemente asociadas con pérdida auditiva se encuentran en el gen GJB2, aunque en un porcentaje bajo (3%). Se identificaron otras mutaciones en los genes GJB6, SLC26A4 o CHD23. Con base en esta información, una posible estrategia diagnóstica en pacientes mexicanos con pérdida auditiva es considerar un primer paso en el tamiz diagnóstico con los tres genes mencionados. Si estos genes fueran negativos para variantes patogénicas, el siguiente paso sería considerar el análisis por secuenciación de segunda generación enfocado en paneles de genes asociados con pérdida auditiva, tanto aislada como sindrómica, y en caso necesario, realizar el análisis del exoma o del genoma completo. Establecer una causa etiológica es un componente crítico en la evaluación clínica de los pacientes con pérdida auditiva congénita, ya que puede ayudar a determinar las estrategias de manejo y rehabilitación, como el uso de auxiliares auditivos o implantes cocleares, proporcionar información sobre la progresión de la enfermedad y dar asesoramiento genético en esta población.

Neonatal infrared thermography images in the hypothermic ruminant model: Anatomical-morphological-physiological aspects and mechanisms for thermoregulation.

Hypothermia is one factor associated with mortality in newborn ruminants due to the drastic temperature change upon exposure to the extrauterine environment in the first hours after birth. Ruminants are precocial whose mechanisms for generating heat or preventing heat loss involve genetic characteristics, the degree of neurodevelopment at birth and environmental aspects. These elements combine to form a more efficient mechanism than those found in altricial species. Although the degree of neurodevelopment is an important advantage for these species, their greater mobility helps them to search for the udder and consume colostrum after birth. However, anatomical differences such as the distribution of adipose tissue or the presence of type II muscle fibers could lead to the understanding that these species use their energy resources more efficiently for heat production. The introduction of unconventional ruminant species, such as the water buffalo, has led to rethinking other characteristics like the skin thickness or the coat type that could intervene in the thermoregulation capacity of the newborn. Implementing tools to analyze species-specific characteristics that help prevent a critical decline in temperature is deemed a fundamental strategy for avoiding the adverse effects of a compromised thermoregulatory function. Although thermography is a non-invasive method to assess superficial temperature in several non-human animal species, in newborn ruminants there is limited information about its application, making it necessary to discuss the usefulness of this tool. This review aims to analyze the effects of hypothermia in newborn ruminants, their thermoregulation mechanisms that compensate for this condition, and the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to identify cases with hypothermia.

Congenital hearing loss: a literature review of the genetic etiology in a Mexican population / Pérdida auditiva congénita: revisión de la etiología genética en la población mexicana

Abstract Hearing loss is the most frequent sensory disorder, with an incidence of 1:1500 live newborns. In more than 50% of patients, it is associated with a genetic cause, while in up to 30% of cases, it is related to syndromic entities. We performed a literature review of studies on congenital hearing loss of genetic origin in the Mexican population. We identified eight reports that showed that the pathogenic variants most frequently associated with hearing loss are related to the GJB2 gene, although in a low percentage (3%). Other mutations were identified in the GJB6, SLC26A4, or CHD23 genes. On this basis, a possible diagnostic strategy in Mexican patients with hearing loss is to consider an initial screening of these three genes. If these genes were negative for pathogenic variants, the following steps would be to consider second-generation sequencing analysis focused on panels of genes associated with hearing loss, isolated or syndromic, and if necessary, to perform exome or whole-genome analysis. Establishing an etiologic cause is critical in clinically evaluating patients with congenital hearing loss and their families. It can help determine rehabilitation strategies, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants and provide information on disease progression and genetic counseling in this population.

Resumen La pérdida auditiva es la alteración sensorial más frecuente, con una incidencia de 1:1500 recién nacidos vivos. En más del 50% de los pacientes se asocia con una causa genética, mientras que en más del 30% de los casos se asocia con entidades sindrómicas. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura de las investigaciones sobre la pérdida auditiva congénita de origen genético en la población mexicana. Se identificaron ocho reportes en los que se demostró que las variantes patogénicas más frecuentemente asociadas con pérdida auditiva se encuentran en el gen GJB2, aunque en un porcentaje bajo (3%). Se identificaron otras mutaciones en los genes GJB6, SLC26A4 o CHD23. Con base en esta información, una posible estrategia diagnóstica en pacientes mexicanos con pérdida auditiva es considerar un primer paso en el tamiz diagnóstico con los tres genes mencionados. Si estos genes fueran negativos para variantes patogénicas, el siguiente paso sería considerar el análisis por secuenciación de segunda generación enfocado en paneles de genes asociados con pérdida auditiva, tanto aislada como sindrómica, y en caso necesario, realizar el análisis del exoma o del genoma completo. Establecer una causa etiológica es un componente crítico en la evaluación clínica de los pacientes con pérdida auditiva congénita, ya que puede ayudar a determinar las estrategias de manejo y rehabilitación, como el uso de auxiliares auditivos o implantes cocleares, proporcionar información sobre la progresión de la enfermedad y dar asesoramiento genético en esta población.

Strategies for Hypothermia Compensation in Altricial and Precocial Newborn Mammals and Their Monitoring by Infrared Thermography.

Thermoregulation in newborn mammals is an essential species-specific mechanism of the nervous system that contributes to their survival during the first hours and days of their life. When exposed to cold weather, which is a risk factor associated with mortality in neonates, pathways such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) are activated to achieve temperature control, increasing the circulating levels of catecholamine and cortisol. Consequently, alterations in blood circulation and mechanisms to produce or to retain heat (e.g., vasoconstriction, piloerection, shivering, brown adipocyte tissue activation, and huddling) begin to prevent hypothermia. This study aimed to discuss the mechanisms of thermoregulation in newborn domestic mammals, highlighting the differences between altricial and precocial species. The processes that employ brown adipocyte tissue, shivering, thermoregulatory behaviors, and dermal vasomotor control will be analyzed to understand the physiology and the importance of implementing techniques to promote thermoregulation and survival in the critical post-birth period of mammals. Also, infrared thermography as a helpful method to perform thermal measurements without animal interactions does not affect these parameters.

Lung Ultrasound Characteristics in Neonates With Positive Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for SARS-CoV-2 on a Tertiary Level Referral Hospital in Mexico City.

Introduction: Acute respiratory syndrome secondary to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection has been declared a pandemic since December 2019. On neonates, severe presentations are infrequent but possible. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been shown to be useful in diagnosing lung involvement and following up patients, giving more information, and reducing exposure compared to traditional examination. Methods: LUS was performed after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection with respiratory Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction RT-PCR with portable equipment protected with a silicone sleeve. If hemodynamic or cardiology consultation was necessary, a prepared complete ultrasound machine was used. Ten regions were explored (anterior superior and inferior, lateral, and posterior superior and inferior, right and left), and a semiquantitative score (LUSS) was calculated. Disease severity was determined with a pediatric modified score. Results: Thirty-eight patients with positive RT-PCR were admitted, 32 (81%) of which underwent LUS. Included patients had heterogenous diagnosis and gestational ages as expected on a referral neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (median, ICR: 36, 30-38). LUS abnormalities found were B-line interstitial pattern 90%, irregular/interrupted/thick pleural line 88%, compact B-lines 65%, small consolidations (≤5 mm) 34%, and extensive consolidations (≥5 mm) 37%. Consolidations showed posterior predominance (70%). LUSS showed a median difference between levels of disease severity and ventilatory support (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.001) and decreased with patient improvement (Wilcoxon signed-rank test p = 0.005). There was a positive correlation between LUSS and FiO2 needed (Spearman r = 0.72, p = 0.01). The most common recommendation to the attending team was pronation (41%) and increase in positive end expiratory pressure (34%). Five patients with comorbidities died. A significant rank difference of LUSS and FiO2 needed between survivors and non-survivors was found (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.005). Conclusion: LUS patterns found were like the ones described in other series (neonatal and pediatrics). Eighty-eight percent of the studies were performed with handheld affordable equipment. While there is no specific pattern, it varies according to gestational age and baseline diagnosis LUS, which were shown to be useful in assessing lung involvement that correlated with the degree of disease severity and respiratory support.

Pathophysiology of Perinatal Asphyxia in Humans and Animal Models.

Perinatal asphyxia is caused by lack of oxygen delivery (hypoxia) to end organs due to an hypoxemic or ischemic insult occurring in temporal proximity to labor (peripartum) or delivery (intrapartum). Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the clinical manifestation of hypoxic injury to the brain and is usually graded as mild, moderate, or severe. The search for useful biomarkers to precisely predict the severity of lesions in perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a field of increasing interest. As pathophysiology is not fully comprehended, the gold standard for treatment remains an active area of research. Hypothermia has proven to be an effective neuroprotective strategy and has been implemented in clinical routine. Current studies are exploring various add-on therapies, including erythropoietin, xenon, topiramate, melatonin, and stem cells. This review aims to perform an updated integration of the pathophysiological processes after perinatal asphyxia in humans and animal models to allow us to answer some questions and provide an interim update on progress in this field.

Parturition in Mammals: Animal Models, Pain and Distress.

Parturition is a complex physiological process and involves many hormonal, morphological, physiological, and behavioural changes. Labour is a crucial moment for numerous species and is usually the most painful experience in females. Contrary to the extensive research in humans, there are limited pain studies associated with the birth process in domestic animals. Nonetheless, awareness of parturition has increased among the public, owners, and the scientific community during recent years. Dystocia is a significant factor that increases the level of parturition pain. It is considered less common in polytocous species because newborns' number and small size might lead to the belief that the parturition process is less painful than in monotocous animal species and humans. This review aims to provide elements of the current knowledge about human labour pain (monotocous species), the relevant contribution of the rat model to human labour pain, and the current clinical and experimental knowledge of parturition pain mechanisms in domestic animals that support the fact that domestic polytocous species also experience pain. Moreover, both for women and domestic animal species, parturition's pain represents a potential welfare concern, and information on pain indicators and the appropriate analgesic therapy are discussed.

Caffeine: cardiorespiratory effects and tissue protection in animal models.

The aim of this review is to analyze the cardiorespiratory and tissue-protective effects of caffeine in animal models. Peer-reviewed literature published between 1975 and 2021 was retrieved from CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus. Extracted data were analyzed to address the mechanism of action of caffeine on cardiorespiratory parameters (heart rate and rhythm), vasopressor effects, and some indices of respiratory function; we close this review by discussing the current debate on the research carried out on the effects of caffeine on tissue protection. Adenosine acts through specific receptors and is a negative inotropic and chronotropic agent. Blockage of its cardiac receptors can cause tachycardia (with arrhythmogenic potential) due to the intense activity of ß1 receptors. In terms of tissue protection, caffeine inhibits hyperoxia-induced pulmonary inflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokine expression in animal models. The protection that caffeine provides to tissues is not limited to the CNS, as studies have demonstrated that it generates attenuation of inflammatory effects in pulmonary tissue. It inhibits the effects of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevents functional and structural changes.