Clinical evaluation of an end-tidal target-controlled infusion closed-loop system for isoflurane administration in horses undergoing surgical procedures

A new volatile anaesthetic agent delivery system was tested in 15 horses undergoing scheduled surgical procedures. The delivery system consisted of a laptop computer (with dedicated software), a computer-controlled syringe driver (loaded with liquid isoflurane) connected to the inspiratory arm of a large-animal circle breathing system and a respiratory gas monitor, providing isoflurane end-tidal concentrations (ET(measured)) every 20 s to the computer. Following induction and connection to the breathing system, mechanical ventilation was started. The bodyweight (BW), fresh gas flow, breathing system and ventilator volume, and end-tidal isoflurane target (ET(target)) were entered into the computer. Using Lowe's equation, the software calculated the prime dose to be delivered by the syringe driver over 2 min. After this, the system delivered each minute the amount of isoflurane as determined by the following equation: Isoflurane (mL) = {2 × λ(B/G) × (200 × BW(0.75)) × (ET(target) - ET(measured)) + (fresh gas flow - (BW(0.75) × 0.07)) × (ET(measured))}/206. A fresh gas flow of 4 L oxygen min(-1) was administered until the inspired fraction of oxygen reached 0.7, and was then decreased. A target of 1.5% end-tidal isoflurane was initially used and subsequently adjusted to the clinical requirements. The system performance was evaluated using the median prediction error (MDPE) and the median absolute performance error (MDAPE), which were -3.6% and 5.29%, respectively. It was concluded that this system was useful to achieve end-tidal target-controlled infusion of isoflurane during equine anaesthesia.     

The incidence of spontaneous movements (myoclonus) in dogs undergoing total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol

ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of myoclonus (involuntary movements during anaesthesia, unrelated to inadequate hypnosis or analgesia, and of sufficient severity to require treatment) in dogs anaesthetized with a TIVA of propofol with or without the use of fentanyl.Study designRetrospective clinical study.AnimalsDogs, undergoing general anaesthesia for clinical procedures between January 2012 and January 2013 and subject to TIVA with propofol.MethodsA retrospective analysis reviewed the medical and anaesthetic records. Animals with existing or potential neurological or neuromuscular pathology in the anamnesis or upon clinical examination and cases with incomplete clinical records were excluded. Myoclonus was considered as involuntary muscle contractions which did not cease following a bolus administration of propofol or fentanyl and, due to their intensity and duration, made continuation of the procedure impracticable without other drug administration. Tremors, paddling or muscle spasms, explicable as insufficient hypnosis or analgesia, and transient excitatory phenomena only present during the awakening phase, were not considered as myoclonus.ResultsOut of a total of 492 dogs undergoing anaesthesia, six mixed breed dogs (1.2%), one male and five females, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, median (range) weight 20.5 (7–37) kg and age 1.5 (1–5) years had myoclonus according to the aforementioned definition. In all subjects, myoclonus appeared within 20 minutes after induction of anaesthesia, and mainly involved the limb muscles. All subjects appeared to be in an adequate plane of anaesthesia before and during myoclonus.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis study shows that 1.2% of dogs, undergoing TIVA with propofol with or without fentanyl administration, developed myoclonus, which required to be, and were treated successfully pharmacologically. The cause of this phenomenon is yet to be determined.     

Bending affects phenolic content of William pear leaves

Abstract

The effect of branch bending on the phenolic content in pear leaves was investigated. Leaves were sampled from the tree branches which were bent in summer 2003 (1 September), in spring 2004 (15 May), and from unbent trees. Samplings were made during the growing season May to October 2004, on the following dates: 1st sampling, 15 May; 2nd sampling, 11 June; 3rd sampling, 9 July; 4th sampling, 6 August; 5th sampling, 2 September; and 6th sampling, 1 October. The leaves contained caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, sinapic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, epicatechin and catechin. The lowest contents of phenolics were found on the first occasion. After that, in the sequence of sampling dates, an increase was noticed at first, but after reaching their highest point, the contents of phenolics decreased. In most cases fewer contents of phenolic compounds were found in leaves from bent branches (especially from branches bent in summer), and the highest ones in leaves from the control group. For all phenolics, apart from the caffeic and vanillic acids, significant differences were evident among treatments, with the highest contents in the control group and almost the lowest in the summer treatment. It is suggested that the change in branch angle caused the physiological response of pear tree, with different contents of phenolic compounds in its leaves from bent and non-bent branches.     

Influence of foliar fertilization with P and K on chemical constituents of grape cv. 'Cardinal'

The foliar fertilization has been used as an important agrotechnical measure to avoid deficiencies and to improve quality. During the two consecutive years, a study has been performed on Vitis vinifera L. (cv. 'Cardinal') to examine whether a grape berry quality has been affected by the foliar application of PK fertilizer. A liquid mineral fertilizer containing 15% P2O5, 20% K2O with 0.1% B, 0.1% Mn and 0.01% Mo (% w/w) has been sprayed three times at rate of 8 L ha(-1) every 14-15 days starting at about 15 days before veraison. The sugars, organic acids and flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols and flavan-3-ols) have been analyzed by the high performance liquid chromatography in the grape berries. The foliar fertilization of grapevine can accelerate the accumulation of sugars and anthocyanins, whereas climatic factors and yearly fluctuations influence the content of sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds in general. The effect of fertilizer spraying on flavonols and flavan-3-ols has not been found.     

Fruit quality of Redhaven and Royal Glory peach cultivars on seven different rootstocks

Two peach cultivars, Redhaven and Royal Glory, grafted on seven different rootstocks (Adesoto, Barrier 1, GF 677, Ishtara, Monegro, Penta, and peach seedling) were analyzed for tree vigor and yield. Fruit of similar ripeness (fruit firmness) was analyzed in terms of pomological (fruit weight, soluble solids content) and biochemical parameters (individual sugars, organic acids, phenolic acids in the flesh and peel, as well as flavonols and anthocyanins in the peel). A uniform effect of rootstock on tree size was evident in the cases of both cultivars. The Ishtara rootstock induced weak tree growth; Adesoto, Penta and peach seedling semivigorous growth; and Barrier 1, GF 677, and Monegro vigorous tree growth. We recorded higher yields in the Redhaven cultivar, while no significant differences in yield in the fourth growing season were found among the rootstocks for each cultivar. Rootstock had no effect on soluble solids in the Redhaven cultivar, while in the Royal Glory it did. Penta yielded the highest soluble solids content levels, while Adesoto and Monegro were associated with low levels. In the fruit from both cultivars, the rootstock had a significant influence on individual sugars, organic acids, and phenolic acids in the pulp. We also found that phenolic acids in the pulp and skin were more affected by the rootstock than other secondary metabolites analyzed, regardless of the cultivar.     

Phenolic acids, syringaldehyde, and juglone in fruits of different cultivars of Juglans regia L

Phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, ellagic, and syringic acid) as well as syringaldehyde and juglone were identified in ripe fruits of 10 walnut cultivars: Adams, Cisco, Chandler, Franquette, Lara, Fernor, Fernette, Alsoszentivani 117 (A-117), Rasna, and Elit. Analyses were done using a high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a diode array detector. Significant differences in the contents of identified phenolics were observed among cultivars. Phenolics were determined separately in the kernel and in the thin skin of the walnut, termed the pellicle. Not only in the kernel but also in the pellicle did syringic acid, juglone, and ellagic acid predominate (average values of 33.83, 11.75, and 5.90 mg/100 g of kernel; and 1003.24, 317.90, and 128.98 mg/100 g of pellicle, respectively), and the contents of ferulic and sinapic acid (average values of 0.06 and 0.05 mg/100 g of kernel and 2.93 and 2.17 mg/100 g of pellicle, respectively) were the lowest in all cultivars. The highest differences in the sum of all identified phenolics were observed between Rasna and Fernette fruits; in Rasna there were >2-fold higher contents of identified phenolics in both kernel and pellicle. It was found that the walnut pellicle is the most important source of walnut phenolics. The ratio between the contents in pellicle and kernel varied by at least 14.8-fold for caffeic acid (cv. Adams) and by up to 752.0-fold for p-coumaric acid (cv. Elit).     

Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing magnetic resonance imaging compared to horses undergoing surgery

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Patient positioning and long anaesthetic duration required for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may result in a higher frequency of post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy syndrome (PAMNS) as compared to horses undergoing anaesthesia for surgery. HYPOTHESIS: Equine anaesthesia for MRI is associated with a higher frequency of PAMNS than anaesthesia for nonemergency, nonabdominal surgery. METHODS: Anaesthetic and medical records of horses (n = 633) undergoing MRI or surgery between January 2001 and January 2005 (inclusive), were reviewed. Information obtained included patient details (breed, sex, age, bodyweight), area of body scanned or involved in surgery, body position, anaesthetic and inotropic agents administered, anaesthetic duration, adverse events during anaesthesia and outcome at 7 days. Data were examined by cross tabulation and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test of association. The influence of individual variables was examined by univariant and multivariant analysis models. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in parameters examined, except that horses in the MRI group were heavier (P<0.0001) and anaesthetic duration longer in the surgery group (P<0.004). Eight horses (2.3%, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.2) in the MRI group had clinical signs of PAMNS in the post anaesthetic period, whereas only 2 horses (0.98%, 95% CI: 0.2-2.8) in the surgery group were affected. This was not statistically significantly different (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.8-13, P = 0.3). Two horses undergoing MRI were subjected to euthanasia due to the severity of PAMNS. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the occurrence of PAMNS between the 2 groups. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The risk of performing general anaesthesia for diagnostic procedures such as MRI may not be greater than that for a surgical procedure. However, the benefits should be carefully weighed against the risks involved.     

Disposition of suprofen enantiomers in the cat.

Suprofen (SPF) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which belongs to the 2-arylpropionic acids subclass. As a result of their chiral characteristics, these compounds have shown a marked enantioselective behaviour with a high degree of interspecies variation. They are mainly eliminated by glucuronidation. Plasma, biliary and urine disposition of SPF was investigated in the cat after intravenous administration of the racemate (dose 2 mg/kg). Both enantiomers exhibited similar disposition profiles in plasma with no evidence of chiral inversion. During bile sampling time, recovered acylglucuronides of R (-) and S (+) SPF were less than 1% of the total dose administered. Only free SPF was recovered in the urine, representing 0.12% of the administered racemic SPF dose. The results indicate that neither chiral inversion nor glucuronidation predominate in SPF disposition in cats. Copyright Harcourt Publishers Ltd.     

Plasma hormones in neotropical and domestic cats undergoing routine manipulations

Many neotropical felines are threatened with extinction and information on their physiology is required to assist in conservation. Their reproduction in captivity is poor, particularly for the smaller species. Several factors may be responsible, but stress is probably the most important. We assayed cortisol, LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone in single blood samples obtained under sedation from seven neotropical species and, for comparison, in stressed and unstressed domestic cats. Cortisol was also assayed in serial blood samples obtained after ACTH administration in Leopardus tigrinus, L. wiedi and domestic cats. While, in general, the results were fairly consistent, there were some statistically significant differences between species that were large enough to be of practical importance.