Application of Platelet-Rich Gel to Enhance Wound Healing in the Horse: A Case Report

A large torn wound of the dorsal elbow region was observed in a 17-year-old Arabian mare. Surgical reconstruction was performed with the horse in standing sedation, but suture dehiscence occurred 2 days later. Autologous platelet-rich gel (PRG) was then applied to the wound every 3 weeks for a total of 3 administrations to accelerate good-quality healing. The wound had healed rapidly and completely within 5 months of the first PRG treatment, without chronic effects or formation of exuberant tissue granulation and with minimum scarring. This case report suggests that topical treatment with autologous PRG, as additional therapy, might be considered beneficial in the management of large-wound healing in horses, and it can be regarded as safe and inexpensive treatment that can be used in field.     

Hyaluronic Acid as Capacitation Inductor: Metabolic Changes and Membrane‐Associated Adenylate Cyclase Regulation

The aim of this research was to study the effect of hyaluronic acid on bovine cryopreserved spermatozoa compared with heparin as regards the variation of capacitation induction, cellular oxidative metabolism and intracellular signal induced by membrane‐associated adenylate cyclase to propose hyaluronic acid as a capacitation inductor. Heparin or hyaluronic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine were used to induce sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, respectively. 2′,5′‐dideoxyadenosine was used as a membrane‐associated adenylate cyclase inhibitor. The highest percentages of capacitated spermatozoa and live spermatozoa with acrosome integrity were obtained by incubating sperm for 60 min using 1000 μg/ml hyaluronic acid. In these conditions, capacitation induced by hyaluronic acid was lower compared with heparin; nonetheless both glycosaminoglycans promote intracellular changes that allow true acrosome reaction in vitro induced by lysophosphatidylcholine in bovine spermatozoa. Oxygen consumption in heparin‐capacitated spermatozoa was significantly higher than in hyaluronic acid‐treated spermatozoa. With all treatments, mitochondrial coupling was observed when a specific uncoupler of the respiratory chain was added. The inhibition of membrane‐associated adenylate cyclase significantly blocked capacitation induction produced by hyaluronic acid, maintaining a basal sperm oxygen uptake in contrast to heparin effect in which both sperm parameters were inhibited, suggesting that the membrane‐associated adenylate cyclase activation is involved in the intracellular signal mechanisms induced by both capacitation inductors, but only regulates mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in heparin‐capacitated spermatozoa.     

A Novel Bioelectric Device Enhances Wound Healing: An Equine Case Series

The use of low-level microcurrents for accelerated wound healing is well documented. A case series was conducted to assess wound healing outcomes following the application of a wireless, current-generating bioelectric wound care device in 10 equines that presented with traumatic injuries in the lower extremity. Wounds were treated with a bioelectric device held in place with standard bandaging twice a week. At each follow-up visit, wounds were photographed and assessed for signs of epithelialization. All presented wounds were reduced in size or achieved complete wound closure, with an average 1.3% wound healing per day. The results of this case series demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a bioelectric device as a management option for traumatic lower-extremity wounds in equines and hold significant promise in promoting enhanced healing rates and improved aesthetic outcomes.     

Effects of Chlorhexidine Diacetate and Povidone-lodine on Wound Healing in Dogs

To correlate the results of an in vitro study with clinical response, the effects of 0.005 and 0.05% chlorhexidine diacetate and 0.1 and 1.0% povidone-iodine concentrations on wound healing were evaluated in five beagle dogs. Full-thickness skin wounds (2 X 2 cm) were irrigated once daily for 14 days with the antiseptic solutions or physiologic-buffered saline. Chlorhexidine diacetate 0.05% had significantly more bactericidal activity than povidone-iodine and saline, and both chlorhexidine diacetate concentrations had residual effects 6 hours after irrigation. Neither povidone-iodine nor saline had significant bactericidal activity. The percentages of unhealed wound area and wound contraction were calculated 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding. Healed wound area and contraction were similar in wounds treated with chlorhexidine diacetate and povidone-iodine. However, wounds treated with chlorhexidine diacetate had more healed wound area on days 7 and 14 and more contraction on days 7, 14, and 21 than saline-treated wounds. At the concentrations tested, chlorhexidine diacetate irrigations provided bactericidal activity and were more beneficial to wound healing than irrigations with saline alone. These results suggest that concentrations of chlorhexidine diacetate which are cytotoxic to tissue culture fibroblasts in vitro do not interfere with wound healing in vivo.     

透明质酸生理功能及其应用研究进展

透明质酸是一种在体内广泛分布的黏多糖,已成功用于骨科、眼科、整形美容、保健食品等领域,但仍有许多新的应用领域不断被开发。主要介绍了透明质酸的生理功能,并结合透明质酸的结构特性,综述了透明质酸在保健食品、化妆品、美容、骨科、眼科等几个方面应用的研究进展。     

蚕蛹壳聚糖复合水凝胶的抗菌性能及对创伤的愈合作用

以蚕蛹壳聚糖、蜂蜜和明胶等为基质制备医用复合水凝胶。对以不同配比制备的蚕蛹壳聚糖复合水凝胶、单纯蚕蛹壳聚糖水凝胶、蜂蜜水凝胶的抗菌性能进行比较试验,并以大耳白兔为受试动物,采用切片法检测蚕蛹壳聚糖复合水凝胶对烫伤伤口的愈合作用。结果表明:用质量分数为0.25%的蚕蛹壳聚糖和质量分数为20%的蜂蜜制成的复合水凝胶的杀菌作用明显高于市售烧伤膏和单纯蚕蛹壳聚糖或蜂蜜水凝胶,对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌24 h内的抑菌率均达到100%,且持久性好;大耳白兔烫伤伤口经0.25%蚕蛹壳聚糖+20%蜂蜜复合水凝胶处理后12 d可基本愈合,切片观察愈合的伤口表皮无溃疡,局部毛囊增生,且有新生表皮细胞生成。研究结果显示,蚕蛹壳聚糖复合水凝胶具有广谱抗菌性能,可用作创伤敷料。     

Campylobacter Cross‐Contamination of Chicken Products at an Abattoir

Consumption of raw or undercooked poultry products contaminated with Campylobacter has been identified as a risk factor for human campylobacteriosis. We determined whether slaughtering of Campylobacter‐positive flocks was associated with contamination of chicken products derived from Campylobacter‐negative flocks slaughtered at the same abattoir. The presence of Campylobacter was investigated in 22 broiler farms 1 week prior to slaughter and in one abattoir on nine separate slaughter days. A total of 600 bulk packed chicken products were tested, with 198 (33.0%) of the products found to be Campylobacter positive. Of the 350 chicken products originating from Campylobacter‐positive flocks, 180 (51.1%) were contaminated with the bacteria. In contrast, only 18 (7.2%) of 250 chicken products derived from Campylobacter‐negative flocks were contaminated. In 14 of these 18 products, the Campylobacter isolates were identical to isolates obtained from the flock slaughtered immediately prior to the Campylobacter‐negative flock. Notably, on 4/6 slaughter days, Campylobacter‐negative flocks were slaughtered prior to the positive flocks, and Campylobacter was absent from all chicken products originating from the negative flocks. These results suggest that implementation of logistic slaughter (where Campylobacter‐negative flocks are slaughter first) significantly decreases the prevalence of Campylobacter‐positive chicken products.     

The Relationship Between Post‐Thaw Sperm DNA Integrity and Non‐Return Rate Among Norwegian Cross‐Bred Rams

With the aim of investigating the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and non‐return rate (NRR) among Norwegian cross‐bred rams, semen from 15 individuals was examined by flow cytometry. Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) quantifies the proportion of spermatozoa with denatured DNA after in situ acid treatment, and the four parameters % DFI, % HDS, MEAN DFI and SD DFI are all different measures of DNA denaturation and maturation. Field fertility, reported as NRR 25 days after insemination was based on all inseminations from a large‐scale breeding programme and supplied by the Norwegian Association of Sheep and Goat Farmers. From each ram, four straws from four different weeks of the breeding season were analysed, and the associations between 25‐day NRR and the mean of the four SCSA parameters were tested using a logistic regression model. The results revealed no association between fertility and % DFI or % HDS, while SD DFI and MEAN DFI showed a significant negative association with NRR. Further, the SCSA values varied significantly between ejaculates within ram among some of the rams in the study. However, no significant association was seen between these intra‐individual differences in sperm DNA integrity and NRR. In conclusion, this study suggests an association between sperm DNA integrity and NRR for rams. However, further research must be conducted to confirm these findings and determine whether sperm DNA assessments can be applied to predict ram fertility.     

Reproductive Performance and Reconception of Nellore Cows According to Their Pure‐ or Cross‐Bred Calves

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the effect of a calf's genetic group on the productive and reproductive efficiency of its Nellore dam. Fixed‐time artificial insemination was applied to 800 cows using semen extracted from Nellore, Simmental and Angus Red bulls. Four hundred eleven cows calved, producing 119 Nellore, 103 ½Simmental–½Nellore and 189 ½Nellore–½Angus Red calves. The second mating period, which paired Nellore cows with Simmental bulls, was initiated 10 days after parturitions began and lasted for 5 months. Based on the two successive parturitions, the cumulative parturition rate for calving periods of 3, 4 and 5 months was calculated. Although no significant difference was observed for birth weight among the genetic groups, cross‐bred calves weighed, on average, 10% more than did pure‐bred calves at the age of 205 days. Nellore dams experienced a gestation period that was 7 days longer than did the cross‐bred dams, and the former showed a higher parturition rate at 90 and 120 days of the calving season, but not at 150 days (calving rates of 80.6, 76.4 and 76.2% for mothers of Nellore, ½Nellore–½Angus Red and ½Nellore–½Simmental, respectively, p > 0.05). At 90 and 120 days, Nellore dams produced more kg of calf per mated dam. In conclusion, in a short breeding season, Nellore dams nursing pure‐bred Nellore calves were found to have a higher biological efficiency compared with Nellore dams nursing cross‐bred calves.     

Wound Healing: The Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor Beta

Recent investigation into the mechanisms of wound healing has indicated the interaction of many substances, including several growth factors. The activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), are best defined. Both factors are secreted primarily from the alpha granules of platelets, but also from activated macro-phages and fibroblasts. Investigation implicates the platelet as the initiator of wound healing, secreting PDGF, TGF-β, and other factors that are chemotactic for monocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts. Although their mode of action and degree of effect are different, both PDGF and TGF-β increase the collagen content and early rate of gain of strength in wounds in normal and compromised tissue. In normal tissue, however, there is no long-term effect on wound outcome. The use of exogenous growth factors offers potential for chemical manipulation of the healing wound, particularly in tissues that are compromised, or where healing is abnormal.