Characterization of an intravenous lipopolysaccharide inflammation model in calves with respect to the acute-phase response

Our objective was to develop a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflammation model in calves to evaluate the acute-phase response with respect to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, fever development and sickness behaviour. Fourteen 4-week-old male Holstein Friesian calves were included and randomly assigned to a negative control group (n = 3) and an LPS-challenged group (n = 11). The latter received an intravenous bolus injection of 0.5 μg of LPS/kg body weight. Blood collection and clinical scoring were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 28, 32, 48, 54 and 72 h post LPS administration (p.a.). In the LPS group, the following clinical signs were observed successively: tachypnoea (on average 18 min p.a.), decubitus (29 min p.a.), general depression (1.75 h p.a.), fever (5 h p.a.) and tachycardia (5 h p.a.). Subsequent to the recovery from respiratory distress, general depression was prominent, which deteriorated when fever increased. One animal did not survive LPS administration, whereas the other animals recovered on average within 6.1 h p.a. Moreover, the challenge significantly increased plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, with peaking levels at 1, 3.5, 24 and 18 h p.a., respectively. The present LPS model was practical and reproducible, caused obvious clinical signs related to endotoxemia and a marked change in the studied inflammatory mediators, making it a suitable model to study the immunomodulatory properties of drugs in future research.     

Hunting For Tularaemia – A Review of Cases in North Carolina

Human infections with Francisella tularensis can be acquired via numerous routes, including ingestion, inhalation, arthropod bite or direct contact with infected animals. Since 1991, there have been 25 reported cases of tularaemia in North Carolina, most of which were associated with rabbit hunting or cat bites. We present two adults cases of pulmonary and oropharyngeal tularaemia and review the reported cases since 1991–2013. We also present the fifth case of pulmonary empyema. While cavitary pneumonias are primarily treated with drainage, we illustrate a case of cavitary pneumonia associated with tularaemia successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin after drainage. Tularaemia should be considered in patients with a perplexing radiographic image, animal exposure and lack of response to conventional empiric broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Even in serious cases of pneumonic tularaemia, fluoroquinolones may provide a suitable alternative to aminoglycosides.     

Strangulation of the small intestine by an anomalous congenital band in a yearling

Strangulating obstruction of the small intestine by anomalous mesenteric bands is an uncommon cause of colic in horses. The most commonly reported bands are mesodiverticular bands that are embryological remnants of the vitelline arteries. Despite the congenital nature of the anomaly, a wide age range of horses can be affected. This report describes a case of small intestinal strangulating obstruction caused by an unusual, anomalous congenital band attached to the ileocaecal fold in a yearling colt. Information including case background, history, clinical, laboratory, surgical and pathological findings is described.     

Potassium antagonizes damage of coronary artery induced by high salt intake

AIM：To investigate the effect of potassium treatment on coronary arterial impairment induced by high salt intake. METHODS：Sprague-Dawley rats (4-week-old, n=10 in each group) received distilled water (NS), water containing 1.5% NaCl (HS), or 1.5% NaCl and 0.5% KCl (HS+HP) for 16 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was determined by tail plethysmography every 2 weeks. After 16 weeks of treatment, vascular remodeling, superoxide production, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and gp91 expression in the coronary arteries were detected. RESULTS：After 16 weeks of salt loading, the rats in HS group was divided into salt sensitive subgroup and salt resistance subgroup according to the tail-cuff blood pressure. In this experiment, the salt-sensitive rats were selected as HS group. In HS group, salt loading significantly increased SBP, serum MDA and gp91 expression, decreased serum NO and eNOS expression in the coronary arteries, and induced the coronary artery remodeling compared with NS group. In salt-loaded SD rats, 16-week potassium treatment abrogated the effects induced by salt loading. CONCLUSION：High salt may affect structural and functional changes in coronary arteries by activating oxidative stress. Potassium treatment antagonizes the effect of high salt intake.     

Intermedin inhibits pulmonary collagen synthesis in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow

AIM: To explore the regulatory effect of intermedin (IMD) on pulmonary collagen synthesis and accumulation in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow.METHODS: Healthy male SD rats (n=20) were randomly divided into control group (n=7), shunt group (n=7) and shunt with IMD group (n=6). The shunting of abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava was produced in rats of shunt group and shunt with IMD group. After 8 weeks, IMD was administered into the rats of shunt with IMD group subcutaneously by mini-osmotic pump for 2 weeks. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), relative medial thickness (RMT) of pulmonary arteries, contents of hydroxyproline, collagen type I and III, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and the mRNA expression of procollagen I and III in lung tissues were measured and compared. RESULTS: Compared with control group, mPAP and RMT of medium and small pulmonary arteries in the rats of shunt group were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the lung hydroxyproline, collagens I and III and BMP-2 contents, and the mRNA expression of lung procollagen I and III were all significantly increased compared with control group. However, IMD significantly decreased mPAP, alleviated the changes of pulmonary vascular micro-structure, decreased the collagen accumulation and pulmonary tissue homogenate BMP-2 contents, and inhibited the mRNA expression of procollagen I and III in the lung tissue of shunting rats.CONCLUSION: IMD plays a protective role in the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular structural remodeling induced by high blood flow by inhibiting pulmonary collagen synthesis and accumulation, possibly in association with the BMP-2 pathway.     

HALO AND REVERSE HALO SIGNS IN CANINE PULMONARY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

The halo sign (HS) and reverse halo sign (RHS) are radiologic signs identified on pulmonary computed tomography (CT) in people. The HS is described as a circular area of ground‐glass attenuation surrounding a pulmonary nodule or mass. The RHS is defined as a focal, rounded area of ground‐glass attenuation surrounded by a more or less complete ring of consolidation. These signs have been identified in a variety of diseases in people. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if the HS and RHS occur in dogs with pulmonary disease and to determine if they are associated with a particular disease process. In addition, the appearance of the HS and RHS was correlated with the histopathologic changes. Our results indicate that the HS and RHS are not common signs identified in dogs with pulmonary disease with an HS noted in five cases and an RHS in 4 of the 33 dogs that met the inclusion criteria. An association between the HS (P‐value 0.8163) or RHS (P‐value 0.5988) and neoplasia, infectious/inflammatory, and other disease processes was not identified using a Fisher's exact test. The HS was identified in neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory conditions, with the RHS identified in neoplastic and infectious diseases and a lung lobe torsion. Histologically, the HS and RHS were caused by tumor extension, necrosis, and/or hemorrhage of the pulmonary parenchyma.     

妊娠山羊宫内胎儿脐动脉插管手术方法的研究

为了优化山羊胎儿脐动脉插管模型,本试验采用医用硬膜外导管对单胎妊娠120日龄的山羊进行胎儿脐动脉插管手术,对其手术途径、导管类型、插管方法、麻醉和术后护理进行研究。术后可顺利采集胎儿血液样本,1周后母山羊正常分娩。本试验建立的山羊胎儿脐动脉插管模型的手术方案,可为胎儿疾病的诊断及临床用药等提供试验基础。     

Cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane in Holstein calves

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane in calves. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Six, healthy, 8–12‐week‐old Holstein calves weighing 80 ± 4.5 (mean ± SEM) kg were studied. Methods Anesthesia was induced by face‐mask administration of 7% sevoflurane in O₂. Calves tracheae were intubated, placed in right lateral recumbency, and maintained with 3.7% end‐tidal concentration sevoflurane for 30 minutes to allow catheterization of the auricular artery and placement of a Swan‐Ganz thermodilution catheter into the pulmonary artery. After instrumentation, administration of sevoflurane was temporarily discontinued until mean arterial pressure was > 100 mm Hg. Baseline values were recorded and the vaporizer output increased to administer 3.7% end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration. Ventilation was controlled to maintain normocapnia. The following were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 minutes after collection of baseline data and expressed as the mean value (± SEM): direct systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures; cardiac output; mean pulmonary arterial pressure; pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure, heart rate; and pulmonary arterial temperature. Cardiac index and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance values were calculated using standard formulae. Arterial blood gases were analyzed at baseline, and at 15 and 45 minutes. Differences from baseline values were determined using one‐way analysis of variance for repeated measures with post‐hoc differences between mean values identified using Dunnet's test (p < 0.05). Results Mean time from beginning sevoflurane administration to intubation of the trachea was 224 ± 9 seconds. The mean end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration at baseline was 0.7 (± 0.11)%. Sevoflurane anesthesia was associated with decreased arterial blood pressure at all sampling times. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from a baseline value of 112 ± 7 mm Hg to a minimum value of 88 ± 4 mm Hg at 5 minutes. Compared with baseline, arterial pH was decreased at 15 minutes. Pulmonary arterial blood temperature was decreased at 15, 30 and 45 minutes. Arterial CO₂ tension increased from a baseline value of 43 ± 3 to 54 ± 4 mm Hg (5.7 ± 0.4 to 7.2 ± 0.3 kPa) at 15 minutes. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure was increased at 30 and 45 minutes. Pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure increased from a baseline value of 18 ± 2 to 23 ± 2 mm Hg at 45 minutes. There were no significant changes in other measured variables. All calves recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. Conclusion We conclude that sevoflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia was effective and reliable in these calves and that neither hypotension nor decreased cardiac output was a clinical concern. Clinical relevance Use of sevoflurane for mask induction and maintenance of anesthesia in young calves is a suitable alternative to injectable and other inhalant anesthetics.