"Veterinary medicine is not finished when I have diagnosed an incurable disease, that's when it starts for me." A qualitative interview study with small animal veterinarians on hospice and palliative care.

In the wake of recent medical developments in small animal practice, curing animals of their illnesses and restoring their health can be realized better than ever before. However, the growing medical possibilities are also leading to an increase in demand for better care for patients suffering from terminal illnesses. Consequently, the field of animal hospice and palliative care has become increasingly available, enabling veterinarians to optimize the quality of life of patients, such as dogs and cats, who no longer have a prospect of full recovery. Using qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 20 small animal veterinarians involved in hospice and palliative care, we investigated the factors that motivate veterinarians to become involved in hospice and palliative care and explored the importance of relationships, communication, time and infrastructure in this area. Findings show that personal experiences with their own pets or during training or work life motivated veterinarians to provide this service. Although veterinarians highlighted the importance of empathetic-driven relationships, they were aware that keeping an emotional distance from the patient and caregiver is significant to provide successful care. Further, veterinarians emphasized their high investment of time that resulted primarily from the increased frequency and provided opportunities to communicate with caregivers. The overall conclusion is that having time for patients and the patients' caregivers is one of the most important aspects of work in this field. However, as it will be also shown, veterinarians must consider aspects of self-care management by reflecting on their own time and energy resources while caring for animals and their caregivers.

Ulnocarpal arthrodesis as a new treatment for ectrodactyly in a dog and a cat.

CASE HISTORY: A 4-month-old male Shih Tzu dog (Case 1) and an 11-month-old female Devon Rex cat (Case 2) were referred to specialist veterinary hospitals for evaluation of right thoracic lameness and growth abnormality in the distal aspect of the forelimb. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Non-weight-bearing lameness and decreased range of motion were noted in the affected limbs of both cases. Case 1 had a plantigrade stance, and a cleft separation between the first and second digits extending upwards to the distal third of the antebrachium. There was no pain on palpation, and the affected limb was shorter than the contralateral. Radiographic examination revealed cleft separation between metacarpal bones I and II, and carpal bone fusion (I, II, III), and the distal radius ended freely and was attached to the first metacarpal bone.Case 2 had a small cleft medial to metacarpal III. The limb was consistently held in abduction and had marked carpal varus. The limb had never been used for weight bearing. Radiographic examination showed agenesis of metacarpal bone II and separation of metacarpals I and III. The radius and ulna were separated and the radial head did not articulate normally at the elbow, leading to marked elbow incongruity. DIAGNOSIS: Ectrodactyly in both cases. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Amputation of the radius followed by ulnocarpal arthrodesis were performed in both cases. Follow-up evaluations up to 1 year (Case 1) and 10 weeks (Case 2) after surgery indicated satisfactory arthrodesis fusion, owner satisfaction, and a good clinical outcome. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ectrodactyly is a rare congenital deformity of the forelimb with a heterogeneous character, requiring an individualised treatment plan. These are the first cases reported in the literature of ectrodactyly in small animals that were treated successfully with ulnocarpal arthrodesis. This case series therefore provides evidence in support of this treatment option for this heterogeneous congenital deformity.

The Omentum-A Forgotten Structure in Veterinary Surgery in Small Animals' Surgery.

The greater and lesser omentum are derived from embryonic mesogastrium. The expansive greater omentum in dogs covers intestinal coils, while in cats, it is smaller. Comprising distinct portions, the greater omentum is rich in lymphatics and blood vessels. Conversely, the lesser omentum spans the liver, stomach, and duodenum. Studies on canine omentum reveal unique immune cell composition and regenerative potential attributed to adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs). These cells hold promise in regenerative medicine, showing enhanced abilities compared with ADSCs from other sources. The omentum is critical in tissue repair and pathology, making it invaluable in veterinary surgery across various medical fields. The aim of this article was to research current knowledge about the applications of the omentum in veterinary surgery and the possibilities of using this structure in the future.

Electrochemotherapy in dogs and cats-A review.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a treatment modality that combines the electroporation of cell membranes with chemotherapy to facilitate the transport of non-permeant molecules into cells. Several canine and feline studies have shown promising results, suggesting that ECT can be a valid adjuvant or alternative treatment option for some tumours. The objective of this paper is to provide a bibliographic review of the principles and applications of ECT in veterinary medicine and to compare to its use in human medicine.

Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and its activity in cats with chronic kidney disease.

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) played an important role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and it was proved to be renoprotective in renal disease. Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (uACE2) has been shown to reflect renal injury in human and experimental studies, but its role in feline kidney disease remains unknown. Aims: Our objectives involve comparing uACE2 concentrations and activities in cats across CKD stages with healthy controls, investigating the relationship between uACE2 concentrations, activities, and clinicopathological data in feline CKD patients, and assessing the predictive abilities of both for CKD progression. Methods: A retrospective, case-control study. The concentration and activity of uACE2 were measured by commercial ELISA and fluorometric assay kits, respectively. The concentration was adjusted to give uACE2 concentration-to-creatinine ratios (UACCRs). Results: In total, 67 cats consisting of 24 control and 43 chronic kidney disease (CKD), including 24 early-stage CKD and 19 late-stage CKD, were enrolled in this study. UACCR values were significantly higher in both early-stage (2.100 [1.142-4.242] x 10-6) and late-stage feline CKD (4.343 [2.992-5.0.71] x 10-6) compared to healthy controls (0.894 [0.610-1.076] x 10-6; p < 0.001), and there was also significant difference between-early stage group and late-stage group (p = 0.026). Urinary ACE2 activity (UAA) was significantly lower in CKD cats (1.338 [0.644-2.755] x pmol/min/ml) compared to the healthy cats (7.989 [3.711-15.903] x pmol/min/ml; p < 0.001). UACCR demonstrated an independent, positive correlation with BUN (p < 0.001), and UAA exhibited an independent, negative correlation with plasma creatinine (p < 0.001). Both UACCR and UAA did not yield significant results in predicting CKD progression based on the ROC curve analysis. Conclusion and clinical importance: uACE2 concentration and activity exhibit varying changes as renal function declines, particularly in advanced CKD cats.

Radiographic identification of challenging gastrointestinal tract foreign bodies: a descriptive study of how appearance varies in air versus water to aid interpretation.

OBJECTIVE: To provide veterinarians with updated radiographic descriptions of select radiolucent foreign material in a simulated gastrointestinal environment. SAMPLE: 368 veterinarian respondents from the US. METHODS: An online survey was administered between June 18, 2023, and July 2, 2023, through a private veterinarian-based social media group. Representative commonly ingested foreign bodies were radiographed surrounded by air and water to simulate being within the gastrointestinal tract. Two examiners evaluated and qualified the opacity of the objects for each environment. RESULTS: The private social media group had a total of 3,900 members including veterinarians from all disciplines. A total of 362 small animal veterinarians (9.3% of the group) responded to the study reporting a total of 123 foreign objects that were not causing mechanical obstruction at the time of initial presentation. Sixty-eight foreign bodies were reported greater than or equal to 5 times and grouped as balls (n = 4), food (9), fabric (14), wood (3), soft plastic (14), hard plastic (18), or other (6). Most (98.5% [67/68]) objects were easily identifiable in air. In water, 23.5% (16/68) of the objects were obscured, and 39.7% (27/68) had inversion of the major opacity when compared to the opacity in air. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The opacity of some ingested radiolucent material can invert relative to air or fluid, which may reflect substantial differences in detection following repositioning. When known dietary indiscretion occurs, radiographing a sample of the material in air and water will improve the accuracy of assessment.

Human and Small Animal Detection Using Multiple Millimeter-Wave Radars and Data Fusion: Enabling Safe Applications.

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) radars attain high resolution without compromising privacy while being unaffected by environmental factors such as rain, dust, and fog. This study explores the challenges of using mmWave radars for the simultaneous detection of people and small animals, a critical concern in applications like indoor wireless energy transfer systems. This work proposes innovative methodologies for enhancing detection accuracy and overcoming the inherent difficulties posed by differences in target size and volume. In particular, we explore two distinct positioning scenarios that involve up to four mmWave radars in an indoor environment to detect and track both humans and small animals. We compare the outcomes achieved through the implementation of three distinct data-fusion methods. It was shown that using a single radar without the application of a tracking algorithm resulted in a sensitivity of 46.1%. However, this sensitivity significantly increased to 97.10% upon utilizing four radars using with the optimal fusion method and tracking. This improvement highlights the effectiveness of employing multiple radars together with data fusion techniques, significantly enhancing sensitivity and reliability in target detection.

Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats.

Malassezia are members of the mycobiome of dogs and cats. In the presence of an underlying disease, these yeasts can proliferate, attach to the skin or mucosa to induce a secondary Malassezia dermatitis, otitis externa or paronychia. Since allergic dermatitis is one of the most common underlying causes, diagnostic investigation for allergy is often indicated. Cats may suffer from various other underlying problems, especially where Malassezia dermatitis is generalised. Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats is chronic, relapsing and pruritic. Direct cytology from dermatological lesions and the ear canal, showing "peanut-shaped" budding yeasts, facilitates a rapid and reliable diagnosis. Topical treatment includes antiseptic and antifungal azole-based products. Systemic treatment with oral antifungals is indicated only in severe or refractory disease. Identification and treatment of the underlying cause is essential for an optimal response. In this evidence-based narrative review, we discuss the clinical presentation of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs and cats, underlying comorbidities, and diagnostic considerations. Treatment is discussed in light of emerging evidence of antifungal resistance and the authors' clinical experience.

Radionuclide Reporter Imaging to Visualize Tumor Hypoxia Ex Vivo and In Vivo.

In vitro studies using cell culture, including three-dimensional cultures without the involvement of tumor vessels, have limitations in simulating complex intratumoral hypoxic conditions in live subjects. To generate experimental hypoxic conditions closer to those observed in humans in clinical settings, in vivo studies are necessary. In addition, visible light generated via bioluminescence and fluorescence is generally unsuitable for in vivo experiments because of low tissue penetration. Furthermore, near-infrared light (NIR), which has the highest tissue penetration among lights of different wavelengths, cannot be assessed precisely in vivo because of the difficulty in correcting tissue absorption and scatter. For in vivo quantitative analyses, imaging modalities that use high tissue-penetrating signals, such as computed tomography (CT) using X-rays, radionuclide imaging using γ-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using electromagnetic waves, are ideal.Therefore, as an advanced protocol for this research purpose, we provide ex vivo and in vivo methods to investigate the genetic response of multiple copies of hypoxia response elements (HREs) to tumor hypoxia in terms of intensity and intratumoral distribution using a human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) reporter gene and radionuclide reporter probes (radioiodine and its chemical analog Tc-99m) based on our previous research. This protocol includes cloning an hNIS reporter construct with multiple copies of HREs, establishing stable cell lines of the reporter construct, preparing a mouse subcutaneous xenograft model, and evaluating the genetic response of multiple HREs to tumor hypoxia using digital autoradiography (ARG) ex vivo and using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) in vivo.

Impact of glioma peritumoral edema, tumor size, and tumor location on alternating electric fields (AEF) therapy in realistic 3D rat glioma models: a computational study.

Objective.Alternating electric fields (AEF) therapy is a treatment modality for patients with glioblastoma. Tumor characteristics such as size, location, and extent of peritumoral edema may affect the AEF strength and distribution. We evaluated the sensitivity of the AEFs in a realistic 3D rat glioma model with respect to these properties.Approach.The electric properties of the peritumoral edema were varied based on calculated and literature-reported values. Models with different tumor composition, size, and location were created. The resulting AEFs were evaluated in 3D rat glioma models.Main results.In all cases, a pair of 5 mm diameter electrodes induced an average field strength >1 V cm-1. The simulation results showed that a negative relationship between edema conductivity and field strength was found. As the tumor core size was increased, the average field strength increased while the fraction of the shell achieving >1.5 V cm-1decreased. Increasing peritumoral edema thickness decreased the shell's mean field strength. Compared to rostrally/caudally, shifting the tumor location laterally/medially and ventrally (with respect to the electrodes) caused higher deviation in field strength.Significance.This study identifies tumor properties that are key drivers influencing AEF strength and distribution. The findings might be potential preclinical implications.

Technical note: A small animal irradiation platform for investigating the dependence of the FLASH effect on electron beam parameters.

BACKGROUND: The recent rediscovery of the FLASH effect, a normal tissue sparing phenomenon observed in ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) irradiations, has instigated a surge of research endeavors aiming to close the gap between experimental observation and clinical treatment. However, the dependences of the FLASH effect and its underpinning mechanisms on beam parameters are not well known, and large-scale in vivo studies using murine models of human cancer are needed for these investigations. PURPOSE: To commission a high-throughput, variable dose rate platform providing uniform electron fields (≥15 cm diameter) at conventional (CONV) and UHDRs for in vivo investigations of the FLASH effect and its dependences on pulsed electron beam parameters. METHODS: A murine whole-thoracic lung irradiation (WTLI) platform was constructed using a 1.3 cm thick Cerrobend collimator forming a 15 × 1.6 cm2 slit. Control of dose and dose rate were realized by adjusting the number of monitor units and couch vertical position, respectively. Achievable doses and dose rates were investigated using Gafchromic EBT-XD film at 1 cm depth in solid water and lung-density phantoms. Percent depth dose (PDD) and dose profiles at CONV and various UHDRs were also measured at depths from 0 to 2 cm. A radiation survey was performed to assess radioactivation of the Cerrobend collimator by the UHDR electron beam in comparison to a precision-machined copper alternative. RESULTS: This platform allows for the simultaneous thoracic irradiation of at least three mice. A linear relationship between dose and number of monitor units at a given UHDR was established to guide the selection of dose, and an inverse-square relationship between dose rate and source distance was established to guide the selection of dose rate between 20 and 120 Gy·s-1 . At depths of 0.5 to 1.5 cm, the depth range relevant to murine lung irradiation, measured PDDs varied within ±1.5%. Similar lateral dose profiles were observed at CONV and UHDRs with the dose penumbrae widening from 0.3 mm at 0 cm depth to 5.1 mm at 2.0 cm. The presence of lung-density plastic slabs had minimal effect on dose distributions as compared to measurements made with only solid water slabs. Instantaneous dose rate measurements of the activated copper collimator were up to two orders of magnitude higher than that of the Cerrobend collimator. CONCLUSIONS: A high-throughput, variable dose rate platform has been developed and commissioned for murine WTLI electron FLASH radiotherapy. The wide field of our UHDR-enabled linac allows for the simultaneous WTLI of at least three mice, and for the average dose rate to be modified by changing the source distance, without affecting dose distribution. The platform exhibits uniform, and comparable dose distributions at CONV and UHDRs up to 120 Gy·s-1 , owing to matched and flattened 16 MeV CONV and UHDR electron beams. Considering radioactivation and exposure to staff, Cerrobend collimators are recommended above copper alternatives for electron FLASH research. This platform enables high-throughput animal irradiation, which is preferred for experiments using a large number of animals, which are required to effectively determine UHDR treatment efficacies.

Antibiotic Use in Dental Care of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits in Sweden.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the largest threats to global health. In society as well as in healthcare facilities, antimicrobial resistance is rapidly increasing with the main reason being overuse and misuse of antibiotics combined with inadequate infection prevention. For humans, dental care accounts for about 10% of all antibiotic prescriptions, making it an important target for antibiotic stewardship interventions. Corresponding figures for veterinary care are currently lacking but dental disease is frequently diagnosed in small animals. An important first step in the work towards prudent use of antibiotics is to understand antibiotic prescription habits and through that estimate the adherence to veterinary antibiotic guidelines as well as the need for education, training, and improved policies. The aim of this article is to present the results of a multicentre point prevalence survey sent to Swedish IVC Evidensia practices during autumn 2021 to recognize the use of antibiotics associated with dental treatments in dogs, cats, and rabbits. During the study period, 4.4% of the dental patients in Swedish IVC Evidensia small animal veterinary practices received antibiotics. The most used antibiotics prescribed were ampicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin indicating an overall high level of compliance to veterinary dental guidelines. This article demonstrates that Swedish veterinarians use antibiotics prudently in small animal dentistry and the results may be used as a future global benchmark.

Ketogenic diets: A systematic review of current scientific evidence and possible applicability in dogs and cats.

Ketogenic diets (KD) have been used in the treatment of epilepsy in humans for around a century and, more recently, they have been implanted for cancer patients, as well as in the treatment of obesity. This type of diet consists of high-fat levels, an adequate amount of protein and restricted carbohydrates, or high medium-chain triglycerides. Recently, the ketogenic diet has gained attention in veterinary medicine and studies were published evaluating the effects of KD in dogs with epilepsy. The objective of this review was to highlight recent studies about the application of KD in dogs and cats, to describe the neurobiochemical mechanisms through which KD improves epilepsy crisis, and their adverse effects. Studies were identified by a systematic review of literature available on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. All cohort and case-control studies were included, and all articles were exported to Mendeley® citation manager, and duplicates were automatically removed. Seven articles and three conference abstracts conducted with dogs were included in the present study. There is evidence that the consumption of diets with medium-chain triglycerides increases the concentration of circulating ketone bodies and improves epilepsy signs, although these diets have higher carbohydrate and lower fat content when compared to the classic KD.

Perfil dos casos suspeitos de intoxicação exógena em cães e gatos atendidos no hvu ufpi de Teresina-Pi no período de 2017 a 2021 / Profile of suspected cases of exogenous intoxication in dogs and cats treated at the hvu ufpi in Teresina-Pi from 2017 to 2021 / Perfil de los casos sospechosos de intoxicación exógena en perros y gatos atendidos en el hvu ufpi de Teresina-Pi de 2017 a 2021

Os casos suspeitos de intoxicações exógenas são frequentes na clínica de cães e gatos. O presente trabalho objetivou realizar um estudo retrospectivo dos casos suspeitos de intoxicação em cães e gatos atendidos no Hospital Veterinário Universitário da UFPI, localizado em Teresina PI, durante o período de 2017 a 2021. Os casos foram classificados por agente tóxico suspeito, espécie, idade e ano de ocorrência. No total foram registrados 324 casos, sendo 58 em 2017, 88 em 2018, 94 em 2019, 50 em 2020 e 34 em 2021. A maioria dos casos ocorreu em 2019 (29,01%) tendo como causa principal a intoxicação medicamentosa (16,04%), seguida da intoxicação por agrotóxicos (10,80%). A maior prevalência foi em animais com idade inferior a cinco anos (87,03%); machos (56,79%); cães (68,20%). Foram observados: elevado número de casos sem agente tóxico identificado (28,08%) e de fichas de atendimento não preenchidas (8,33%) pelos médicos veterinários em atendimento. A prevenção, a educação continuada dos tutores e a capacitação dos médicos veterinários são destacadas como essenciais para a redução dos casos de intoxicações exógenas em cães e gatos.(AU)

Suspected cases of exogenous poisoning are frequent in the clinic of dogs and cats. The present study aimed to perform a retrospective study of suspected cases of intoxication in dogs and cats treated at the University Veterinary Hospital of UFPI, located in Teresina PI, during the period from 2017 to 2021. The cases were classified by suspected toxic agent, species, age and year of occurrence. A total of 324 cases were recorded, being 58 in 2017, 88 in 2018, 94 in 2019, 50 in 2020 and 34 in 2021. Most cases occurred in 2019 (29.01%) with drug intoxication (16.04%) as the main cause, followed by pesticide intoxication (10.80%). The highest prevalence was in animals less than five years old (87.03%); males (56.79%); dogs (68.20%). It was observed: high number of cases without identified toxic agent (28.08%) and unfilled attendance forms (8.33%) by the attending veterinarians. Prevention, continued education of guardians and training of veterinarians are highlighted as essential for the reduction of cases of exogenous poisoning in dogs and cats.(AU)

Los casos sospechosos de intoxicaciones exógenas son frecuentes en la clínica de perros y gatos. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar un estudio retrospectivo de los casos sospechosos de intoxicación en perros y gatos tratados en el Hospital Veterinario Universitario de la UFPI, ubicado en Teresina PI, durante el período de 2017 a 2021. Los casos se clasificaron por agente tóxico sospechoso, especie, edad y año de ocurrencia. Se registraron un total de 324 casos, 58 en 2017, 88 en 2018, 94 en 2019, 50 en 2020 y 34 en 2021. La mayoría de los casos se produjeron en 2019 (29,01%) siendo la intoxicación por fármacos la principal causa (16,04%), seguida de la intoxicación por plaguicidas (10,80%). La mayor prevalencia se dio en animales menores de cinco años (87,03%); machos (56,79%); perros (68,20%). Se observó un elevado número de casos sin agente tóxico identificado (28,08%) y de formularios asistenciales no cumplimentados (8,33%) por los veterinarios asistentes. Se insiste en que la prevención, la educación continuada de los propietarios de animales de compañía y la formación de los veterinarios son esenciales para reducir los casos de intoxicación exógena en perros y gatos.(AU)

A Rotation Alar Fold Flap for Cosmetic Nasal Plane Reconstruction: Description of the Technique and Outcome in Three Dogs.

Nasal planum reconstruction is a surgical challenge, and several surgical techniques have been described. The objective of this study was to describe the rotation alar fold flap technique and to report clinical outcomes in a short case series. The feasibility of the technique was first assessed in a canine cadaveric model. The rotation alar fold flap was obtained by a single sharp horizontal incision of the dorsolateral nasal cartilage, preserving the caudal mucosal attachment to the ventral nasal concha. The flap was then rotated ventro-medially for the reconstruction of the ventral aspect of the nasal planum unilaterally or bilaterally. The rotation alar fold flap technique was used following a subtotal or partial planectomy for excision of a squamous cell carcinoma or mast cell tumors in three dogs. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Superficial surgical site infection was reported in two cases and minor dehiscence was reported in one case. However, survival of the flap was not affected. The cosmetic and functional outcomes were considered very satisfactory in all cases. The rotation alar fold flap technique offers a safe, valuable, feasible, functional and aesthetically satisfactory alternative surgical option for selected cases of localized tumor involving the central and ventral planum.

Locking conical coupling plates in small animal orthopedics: A review.

Conical coupling locking plates (CCP) have become an interesting alternative in veterinary orthopedics and traumatology. Available data in this regard, however, must be interpreted with caution, and several studies are still required to reach definitive conclusions on the clinical use of these implants. In this context, this review aims to discuss CCP applications and mechanical aspects in small animals and summarize in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo study results.

Electric field distributions in realistic 3D rat head models during alternating electric field (AEF) therapy: a computational study.

Objective.Application of alternating electrical fields (AEFs) in the kHz range is an established treatment modality for primary and recurrent glioblastoma. Preclinical studies would enable innovations in treatment monitoring and efficacy, which could then be translated to benefit patients. We present a practical translational process converting image-based data into 3D rat head models for AEF simulations and study its sensitivity to parameter choices.Approach.Five rat head models composed of up to 7 different tissue types were created, and relative permittivity and conductivity of individual tissues obtained from the literature were assigned. Finite element analysis was used to model the AEF strength and distribution in the models with different combinations of head tissues, a virtual tumor, and an electrode pair.Main results.The simulations allowed for a sensitivity analysis of the AEF distribution with respect to different tissue combinations and tissue parameter values.Significance.For a single pair of 5 mm diameter electrodes, an average AEF strength inside the tumor exceeded 1.5 V cm-1, expected to be sufficient for a relevant therapeutic outcome. This study illustrates a robust and flexible approach for simulating AEF in different tissue types, suitable for preclinical studies in rodents and translatable to clinical use.

Electroacupuncture-driven endogenous circulating serum exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis poses a serious threat to human life and health, with limited options for current clinical treatments. Acupuncture plays an active role in treating sepsis. However, previous studies have focused on the neuromodulatory effect of acupuncture, neglecting its network modulatory effect. Exosomes, as a new way of intercellular communication, may play an important role in transmitting acupuncture information. This paper explores the possibility of electroacupuncture-driven endogenous circulating serum exosomes and their carried miRNAs as a potential treatment for sepsis. METHODS: The sepsis mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (12 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg), and EA (continuous wave, 10 Hz, intensity 5) or intraperitoneal injection of Acupuncture Exosomes (Acu-exo) were performed before the model establishment. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by survival rate, ELISA, H&E staining and lung wet/dry weight ration (W/D). In vivo imaging of small animals was used to observe the accumulation of Acu-exo in various organs of sepsis mice. LPS was used to induce macrophages in cell experiments, and the effect of Acu-exo on macrophage inflammatory cytokines was observed. In addition, The miRNA sequencing method was further used to detect the serum exosomes of normal and EA-treated mice, and combined with network biology analysis methods to screen possible key targets. RESULTS: EA and Acu-exo reduced the W/D and lung tissue damage in sepsis mice, down-regulated the expression of serum inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and increased the survival rate of sepsis mice. In vivo imaging of small animals found that Acu-exo were accumulated in the lungs of sepsis mice. Cell experiments proved that Acu-exo down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß to alleviate the inflammatory response induced by LPS in macrophages. MiRNA sequencing revealed 53 differentially expressed miRNAs, and network biology analysis revealed the key targets of Acu-exo in sepsis treatment. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture-driven endogenous circulating serum exosomes and their carried miRNAs may be a potential treatment for sepsis.

Improved right ventricular strain estimation in rats using anisotropic diffusion filtering.

Calculating cardiac strains through speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has shown promise as prognostic markers linked to functional indices and disease outcomes. However, the presence of acoustic shadowing often challenges the accuracy of STE in small animals such as rodents. The shadowing arises due to the complex anatomy of rodents, with operator dexterity playing a significant role in image quality. The effects of the semi-transparent shadows are further exacerbated in right ventricular (RV) imaging due to the thinness and rapid motion of the RV free wall (RVFW). The movement of the RVFW across the shadows distorts speckle tracking and produces unnatural and non-physical strains. The objective of this study was to minimize the effects of shadowing on STE by distinguishing "out-of-shadow" motion and identifying speckles in and out of shadow. Parasternal 2D echocardiography was performed, and short-axis B-mode (SA) images of the RVFW were acquired for a rodent model of pulmonary hypertension (n = 1). Following image acquisition, a denoising algorithm using edge-enhancing anisotropic diffusion (EED) was implemented, and the ensuing effects on strain analysis were visualized using a custom STE pipeline. Speckles in the shadowed regions were identified through a correlation between the filtered image and the original acquisition. Thus, pixel movement across the boundary was identified by enhancing the distinction between the shadows and the cardiac wall, and non-physical strains were suppressed. The strains obtained through STE showed expected patterns with enhanced circumferential contractions in the central region of the RVFW in contrast to smaller and nearly uniform strains derived from the unprocessed images.

A Spanish Survey on the Perioperative Use of Antimicrobials in Small Animals.

Appropriate use of perioperative antimicrobials can significantly reduce the risk of post-operative infections. However, inappropriate antimicrobial use can result in the creation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, increased costs, host flora disruption, side effects and increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. This survey evaluated the current perioperative use of antimicrobials in small animals by Spanish veterinarians using a web-based questionnaire. Responses were represented using descriptive statistics and a statistical analysis of the association between demographic data and perioperative antimicrobial use was performed. Pre-operative antimicrobials were administered in clean surgery by up to 68.3% of participants, 81.0% in clean-contaminated surgery and 71.3% in dirty surgery, while in the post-operative period, antimicrobials were administered by up to 86.3% of participants in clean surgery, 93.2% in clean-contaminated surgery and 87.5% in dirty surgery. Factors considered "very important" for antimicrobial selection were the degree of wound contamination, patient immunosuppression and use of prosthesis. The most frequently used antimicrobial was beta-lactamase-resistant (or potentiated) penicillin. Post-operative antimicrobial use was associated with participants without specific surgical postgraduate training. This study highlights an overuse of antimicrobials in perioperative procedures in small animal surgery in Spain. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines and further education regarding the correct use of antimicrobial prophylaxis are recommended.