Comparative Evaluation of Two Surgical Scrub Preparations in Cattle

One hundred seventeen cattle that had undergone surgery were assigned randomly to two preoperative skin preparation protocols. Group 1 (60 animals) skin preparation was with povidone-iodine soap and isopropyl alcohol, whereas group 2 (57 animals) had skin preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol. Quantitative microbial culture plates were used to estimate the number of colony forming units (CFUs) before skin preparation (prescrub), after skin preparation (postscrub), after surgery (postoperative), and in room air (environment). A significant decrease in CFU occurred postscrub for both skin preparations ( P <.05). Chlorhexidine and alcohol preparation resulted in significantly fewer CFUs (LSMean ± SE = 2.79 CFU ± 1.74) and a greater percentage reduction in CFUs (98.64%± 2.01) postscrub than povidone and alcohol (LSMean ± SE = 10.27 CFUs ± 1.51, 93.29%± 1.85); ( P <.005). Group 2 had a significantly higher frequency of negative cultures postscrub (49.1%) compared with group 1 (18.3%) ( P <.001). The number of postoperative CFUs were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Wound infection frequency for clean surgical procedures was not significantly different between the two skin preparation protocols (group 1 = 9.8%, group 2 = 10.7%), however, infection frequency was significantly higher for surgical procedures with a ventral abdominal approach (5 of 14, 35.7%), compared with a flank approach (1 of 41, 2.4%) or other approaches (orthopedic procedures) (1 of 16, 6.3%) ( P <.05). Both skin preparation protocols were effective and safe in decreasing the skin microflora population of cattle before surgery and although preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate and alcohol resulted in less CFUs immediafly postscrub, the frequency of surgical wound infection was similar for both protocols.     

VERTEBRAL OSTEOSCLEROSIS IN A CAT SECONDARY TO RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

A 5–year–old cat was presented for pelvic limb weakness. Sclerosis of the vertebral body of T–10 was visible on thoracic radiographs. A compressive lesion at this area was noted on myelography. A tumor was partially removed at surgery, but the cat was killed because of poor postoperative response. Rhabdomyosarcoma was diagnosed at necropsy, with bone marrow necrosis and myelofibrosis, and new bone proliferation of the body of T–10. Causes of bone necrosis are discussed.     

ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT TO INCREASE QUALITY AND REDUCE RADIATION EXPOSURE IN THE EQUINE NUCLEAR MEDICINE LABORATORY

The construction of ancillary equipment used to improve image quality and reduce personnel radiation exposure in the equine nuclear medicine laboratory is illustrated. The devices include a self supporting lead sheet for shielding the distal limb or limb pair, a hanging lead sheet for shielding the proximal limb, a lead square for shielding the urinary bladder or jugular catheter, a restraining board for acquiring a palmar view of the foot, a head support to stabilize the head for imaging and a head support for stabilizing the neck for imaging. The restraining board and head supports decrease patient motion, improve image quality, and decrease the number of repeat acquisitions so that the time to perform the complete study is shortened. The self supporting shielding device allows the handlers to increase their distance from the horse which enhances radiation safety.     

Effects of administration of IH901, a ginsenoside intestinal metabolite,on muscular and pulmonary antioxidant functions after eccentric exercise

This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of IH901, a ginseng intestinal metabolite, ameliorates exercise-induced oxidative stress while preserving antioxidant defense capability in rat skeletal muscles and lung. Eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats per group were randomly assigned to the resting control, exercise control, resting with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (R/IH901), or exercise with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (E/IH901) group. The trained groups ran 35 min 2 days/week for 8 weeks. To analyze the IH901-training interaction, serum biochemical analysis, lipid peroxidation, citrate synthase, protein oxidation, antioxidant and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscles and lung tissue were measured. Compared to the exercise control group, animals that consumed IH901 had significantly increased exercise endurance times (p < 0.05) and decreased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05), while those in the E/IH901 groups had increased citrate synthase and anti-oxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, IH901 consumption in aging rats after eccentric exercise has beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation and up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes.     

A Comparison of Two Methods of Partial Pancreatectomy in the Dog

Partial pancreatectomy was performed in 9 dogs by dissection and ligation of the pancreatic ductule and blood vessels, and in 10 dogs by a suture fracture technique. The dogs were evaluated for detrimental effects by (1) monitoring clinical signs and serum amylase and lipase activities and (2) examining the excision sites grossly and histologically at necropsy. There were no clinically apparent detrimental effects with either technique. The suture fracture technique evoked more histologic inflammation than the dissection and ligation technique.     

CLINICAL USE OF 99mTC-MDP SCINTIGRAPHY IN THE EQUINE MANDIBLE AND MAXILLA

^99mTc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) radionuclide imaging examinations were done in four horses having clinical evidence of skull trauma or infection. Radiographs were made of each horse prior to scintigraphy. Four case histories are presented. In each instance, scintigraphy provided complementary information to that obtainable through radiography, which aided in accurately localizing and characterizing the site and extent of abnormalities, and which proved particularly valuable as an aid for therapeutic planning.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF PARAPROSTATIC CYSTS IN NINE DOGS

The ultrasonographic features of paraprostatic cysts in nine dogs are described along with historical, clinical, surgical and pathologic findings. Cysts occurred predominantly in older, large breed dogs (mean age 8 years, range 3–11 years). The most common presenting complaints were depression, inappetance, stranguria, tenesmus and bloody penile discharge. A palpable abdominal mass was the most common physical finding. Ultrasonographically, paraprostatic cysts were usually large anechoic structures; many contained internal septa. Moderately large anechoic cavities or cysts were also detected in the prostatic parenchyma of five dogs, and in two of these communication with the paraprostatic cyst was visualized. There were no clearly distinct ultrasonographic criteria to discriminate septic from nonseptic paraprostatic cysts.     

Renal cell carcinoma with bone metaplasia in a horse

A case of renal tubular carcinoma with bone metaplasia is reported in a 20-year-old male, mixed breed horse having a history of weight loss and hematuria. This report includes the clinical signs, macroscopic and microscopic lesions, and the immunohistochemical findings of this neoplasm.     

The expression of genes related to adipocyte differentiation in pigs

The purpose of this study was to detect differential expression of genes related to adipocyte differentiation in pigs by suppression subtractive hybridization. Adipocytes and stromal vascular cells (a fraction containing preadipocytes) from pig adipose tissue were isolated for mRNA extraction. The cDNA from preadipocytes was subtracted from the cDNA from adipocytes. The subtracted gene fragments were cloned into pGEM-T Easy TA cloning vector. We selected 384 clones for gene sequence determination and for further analysis. These genes were subjected to a differential screening procedure to confirm the differential expression of genes between the 2 cell types. We found that at least 36 genes were highly expressed in the adipocytes compared with preadipocytes. Among these, 6 genes including 2 novel genes with the greatest differences were selected and confirmed by Northern analysis. We found that angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein (ATM), calpain 1, and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) were highly expressed in adipocytes compared with preadipocytes (P < 0.05). The relative mRNA abundance of ACE, ATM, calpain 1, SCD1, and 2 novel genes discovered in the current study was increased at the later stages of adipocyte differentiation (P < 0.05). The results confirmed that the genes involved in lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation were highly expressed in porcine adipocytes. However, further investigation is needed to demonstrate specific functions of the novel genes discovered in the current study.