Effect of a Low Frequency Pulsating Magnetic Field on the Healing of Rat Skin Wounds

The ability of a pulsing magnetic field to accelerate wound healing was tested in rats. Full-thickness skin defects were created surgically in rats. A magnetoelectric coil applicator was used to deliver two 15 minute episodes of pulsing magnetic treatment daily to the rats at a level of 80 Gauss and 60 Hr. Healing was evaluated grossly and by light microscopy 7, 14, 22, 29, 42, and 56 days following wound creation.
No significant change in rate of wound contracture or epithelialization was seen nor was there any microscopic evidence of enhanced collagen formation or cellular organization as compared with untreated wounds.     

The Effects of Mx1 Locus on Immunity Tracts Components in Large White×Meishan F2 Offspring

The mouse Myxovirus resistance protein 1 (Mx1) is known to be sufficient to confer resistance to influenza viruses, and genes encoding Myxovirus resistance protein 1 (Mx1) is, therefore, an interesting candidate gene for disease resistance in farm animals. The porcine Mxl gene has already been identified and characterized based on its homology with mouse Mxl; the full-length coding region of the pig Mxl gene spans 2 545 bp (M65087) and is organized into 17 exons compared with the human ortholog mRNA. In this study, the exons 9, 10, 11 and introns 6, 9 of the porcine Mxl gene were cloned and sequenced; two SNPs were identified in exons 9, 10, 11 but none of the SNPs led to an amino acid exchange, and the other eleven variants were detected in introns 6 and 9, respectively. Differences in allele frequency among Meishan, Large White, Tibetan, Tongcheng, Huainan, and Duroc pigs were observed within intron 9, of which an A → G substitution at position 186 was detected as an Msp Ⅰ PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The association analysis using the Large White×Meishan F2 offspring suggested that the Mxl genotype was associated with variation in several immunity traits that are of interest in pig breeding. However, further investigations in more populations are needed to confirm the above concept.     

Syncope secondary to transient atrioventricular block in a German shepherd dog with dilated cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation

This case report describes transient atrioventricular block as the etiology for syncopal events in a 6-year-old male German shepherd dog with atrial fibrillation and dilated cardiomyopathy. The arrhythmia diagnosis was obtained via Holter monitoring. Medical treatment with a sustained-release preparation of theophylline, as an additive to the standard congestive heart failure treatment (benazepril, furosemide and pimobendan) may have contributed to temporary remission of the syncopal events. However, the congestive heart failure progressed and the dog was euthanized. Veterinarians should be aware of the possibility of transient atrioventricular block causing syncope in dogs with DCM and AF and should be careful in empirically lowering the ventricular response rate if these dogs present with syncopal episodes.     

Evaluation of an air ionizer unit and its effects on cellular respiratory defense in racing thoroughbreds

A double crossover trial, consisting of two three-week periods, was conducted to evaluate an air ionizer unit and its effects on cellular respiratory defenses in racing Thoroughbreds. Each week, samples of the stable air were taken and horses were sampled for hematological and blood biochemical analyses. At the end of both three-week periods, blood neutrophil and bronchopulmonary lavage immune cellular responses were assayed and bronchopulmonary lavage samples were cultured aerobically and anaerobically. The air ionizer unit had no significant effects on the parameters assayed.     

Evaluation of 5 Types of Fishing Material, 2 Sterilization Methods, and a Crimp-Clamp System for Extra-Articular Stabilization of the Canine Stifle Joint

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mechanical properties of 5 types of fishing material, 2 sterilization methods, and a commercially designed crimp-clamp system for the extra-articular repair of the canine stifle joint. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Animals were not used in this study. METHODS: Two brands of monofilament nylon fishing line and 3 brands of monofilament nylon leader line were used to determine the effect of steam and ethylene oxide sterilization on strength and elongation of the material. A strand of 36-kg test monofilament nylon fishing material was wrapped around 2 rods or knotted to form a loop around 2 rods on a materials-testing machine. Ten trials of each brand of unsterilized, steam-sterilized, and ethylene oxide-sterilized fishing material were tested. A strand of each material was elongated to failure at a constant displacement of 1,000 mm/min to determine strength. A strand of each material was cycled 10 times to a load of 50 N to determine percent elongation. The brand of fishing material with the greatest strength and least elongation was crimped to form a loop around 2 rods on a materials-testing machine and tested as described above. ANOVA was used to determine the effect of sterilization method, brand of material, knot, wrap, and crimp on strength and elongation of the material, and a post-hoc t test was used when significant differences were found. A Student t test was used to compare fixation techniques (wrap, knot, and crimp). RESULTS: Sterilization by steam or ethylene oxide had no significant effect on the strength of the nylon fishing material. Steam sterilization resulted in significant increases (2- to 4-fold) in elongation of most nylon fishing material when compared with unsterilized material. Ethylene oxide sterilization had minimal effect on elongation of the fishing material. Mason leader line showed no significant change in strength or elongation regardless of sterilization method. Significantly less strength and significantly less elongation were demonstrated in Mason leader line that was crimped as compared with Mason leader line that was knotted. CONCLUSION: Ethlylene oxide was the preferred method of sterilization to preserve strength and minimize elongation of the fishing material. Of the materials tested, Mason leader line had the least elongation and the greatest preservation of strength when ethylene oxide was used as the sterilization method. Mason leader line and Sufix fishing line were comparable choices when steam was used as the sterilization method. Significantly less elongation was demonstrated in crimped Mason leader line as compared with knotted Mason leader line. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Of the materials tested, Mason leader line and Sufix fishing line had the best mechanical properties for extracapsular stabilization of the canine stifle joint. Crimping is an attractive alternative to knotting and results in a reduction in elongation of the nylon fishing material.