64-Channel multi-detector row CT angiographic evaluation of the micropigs for potential living donor lung transplantation

Micropigs are the most likely source animals for xenotransplantation. However, an appropriate method for evaluating the lung of micropigs had not been established. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of 64-channel multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) to measure the diameter of the pulmonary arteries and the lung volume in micropigs. The mean diameters of the trachea, and left and right bronchi were 1.6 ± 0.17, 1.18 ± 0.14, and 1.1 ± 0.11 cm, respectively. The mean diameters of the main, right, and left pulmonary arteries were 1.38 ± 0.09, 1.07 ± 0.26, and 0.98 ± 0.13 cm and the diameters of right, left, and common inferior pulmonary veins were 0.97 ± 0.20, 0.76 ± 0.20, and 1.99 ± 0.26 cm, respectively. The mean lung volume was 820.3 ± 77.11 mL. The data presented in this study suggest that the MDCT may be a noninvasive, rapid, and accurate investigational method for pulmonary anatomy in living lung donors.     

Potential risks,prognostic indicators,and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005–2008)

Objective – To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival. Design – Retrospective study. Setting – A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting. Animals – One hundred and twenty‐five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Dogs with presumptive AP identified by a review of medical records had an overall survival of 81.6% (102/125). Male large‐breed dogs (mean 24.9 kg; 82/125) were overrepresented and were more likely to develop AP in this study population. Recent anesthesia had been performed in 16% (20/125), and vomiting was reported in 64% (80/125). The most common radiographic findings were a predominantly alveolar pattern (187/272, [68.8%] total lung lobes) in the right middle lung lobe (80/115, [69.6%]). A mean of 2 lung lobes were involved radiographically, and the relationship between survival and the number of lung lobes affected was statistically significant (P=0.04). Neutrophilia with a left shift was common with no significant change on consecutive daily evaluations. The mean PaO₂ was 77.7 mm Hg (SD, 17.5 mm Hg) (range, 40.7–100 mm Hg) with a median alveolar‐arterial gradient of 41.1 mm Hg (range, 8.1–81.8 mm Hg). In this study population, 37.6% (47/125) of dogs had microbial cultures performed and of these, 76.6% (36/47) were positive for growth; Escherichia coli (38.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (21.3%), Pasturella spp. (19.1%), and Staphylococcus spp. (17%) were the most common isolates in either single or multiagent infections. No treatment modality was statistically associated with increased survival. Colloid therapy was a negative prognostic indicator. Conclusions – In this study the overall prognosis for AP was good. Patients with only 1 affected lung lobe appeared more likely to survive. Supportive treatment modalities are warranted for the hospitalized patient, although no individual treatment method was found to be clearly superior to others.     

马波沙星在健康小鼠和感染多杀性巴氏杆菌小鼠体内的药动学比较

【目的】建立小鼠肺部感染多杀性巴氏杆菌Pasteurella multocida模型,研究马波沙星在健康小鼠和肺部感染的小鼠体内的药动学,通过分析比较两者的药动学参数,优化临床给药。【方法】采用气管插管法对小鼠进行肺部感染,对感染小鼠和健康小鼠按体质量单剂量皮下注射2 mg·kg-1的马波沙星,用高效液相色谱法测定血浆中马波沙星的浓度。用Win Nonlin5.2.1软件提供的非房室模型处理血浆药物浓度-时间数据。【结果】马波沙星在感染小鼠体内得到的药时曲线下面积(AUC)为4.58μg·m L-1·h、峰质量浓度(Cmax)为0.97μg·m L-1、平均滞留时间(MRT)为5.62 h,均显著高于(P0.05)在健康小鼠体内得到的AUC(1.67μg·m L1·h)、Cmax(0.68μg·m L-1)、MRT(2.63 h),而表观分布容积(V/F)3.12 L·kg-1和体清除率(Cl/F)0.42 L·kg-1·h-1均显著低于(P0.05)健康小鼠体内的V/F(8.61 L·kg-1)和Cl/F(1.07 L·kg-1·h-1)。【结论】多杀性巴氏杆菌感染显著增加了马波沙星的AUC、Cmax、MRT,并降低了V/F、Cl/F,而其他药动学参数无显著性差异。     

Effects of p21-activated kinase 6 on invasion and migration of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells

AIM：To investigate the effects of p21-activated kinase 6 (PAK6) on the invasive and migratory abilities of human non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells. METHODS：The expression of PAK6 mRNA in A549 cells, human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells, non-small-cell lung cancer tissues and paired adjacent non-tumor tissues was measured by real-time PCR. After A549 cells were transfected with siRNA-PAK6 (siPAK6) or negative control (NC) for 48 h, the expression of PAK6 at mRNA and protein levels was measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The invasion and migration of A549 cells were detected by Matrigel invasion assay and Transwell migration assay. The cytoskeletal changes were observed with FITC-phalloidin staining under confocal microscope. RESULTS：The level of PAK6 mRNA in A549 cells was higher than that in HBE cells (3.50±1.16 vs 1.12±0.42, P<0.05). The level of PAK6 mRNA in non-small-cell lung cancer tissues was higher than that in paired adjacent non-tumor tissues (5.13±1.33 vs 1.08±0.37, P<0.05). The expression of PAK6 protein decreased by 72% in A549 cells transfected with siPAK6 (P<0.05), and the level of PAK6 mRNA significantly decreased in A549 cells transfected with siPAK6 (3.72±0.75 vs 0.69±0.21, P<0.05). Matrigel invasion assay and Transwell migration assay demonstrated that knockdown of PAK6 markedly attenuated the invasion and migration of A549 cells (P<0.05). The cytoskeletal actin remodeling and reduction of stress fibers in A549 cells transfected with siPAK6 were observed under confocal microscope. CONCLUSION：PAK6 may affect the invasive and migratory abilities of non-small-cell lung cancer cells by cytoskeletal actin remodeling.     

Role of sulfur dioxide in acute lung injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion of hind limbs in rats

AIM：To explore the role of endogenous and exogenous sulfur dioxide(SO2) in acute lung injury(ALI) induced by ischemia-reperfusion(IR) of limbs in rats. METHODS：The rat model of ALI was induced by ischemia and reperfusion of the hind limbs using a tourniquet. The rats(n=96) were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham, IR, sham+SO2, sham+hydroxamate(HDX), IR+SO2 and IR+HDX. The morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed under light microscope. Meanwhile, polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMN) in alveolar septum, lung coefficient, lung levels of malondialdehyde(MDA) and intercellular adhesion molecule(ICAM)-1, serum tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-1, the content of SO2 and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in the lung tissues, and 24 h survival rate of the rats were measured. RESULTS：IR of the rat limbs resulted in the damage of the lung tissues, and the increases in PMN in alveolar septum, lung coefficient, the lung levels of MDA and ICAM-1 and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1 were also observed with the reductions of SO2 content and AST activity. Pretreatment with SO2 donor Na2SO3/NaHSO3 alleviated the changes of the indicators above. HDX, an inhibitor of SO2-producing enzymes, aggravated the changes above. CONCLUSION：Down-regulation of AST/SO2 pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of limb IR-induced ALI. Administration of exogenous SO2 might attenuate lung injury through anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation.     

Unilateral uterine torsion secondary to an inflammatory endometrial polyp in the bitch

A 9-year-old bitch was presented because of lethargy and abdominal distension. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an enlarged, fluid-filled uterus and associated mass. Subsequent exploratory laparotomy revealed unilateral uterine torsion involving the mass. Recovery following ovariohysterectomy was uneventful and the histopathological diagnosis was of a benign endometrial inflammatory polyp. Reports of uterine torsion in the English-language literature are reviewed to identify factors associated with the incidence of uterine torsion. The aetiology of the cystic endometrial hyperplasia/pyometra complex and its possible role in the development of inflammatory polypoid lesions in the bitch is also discussed.     

犬胃扩张-肠扭转的风险因子和预防

胃扩张-肠扭转(Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus--GDV)又称为"臌"、"胃扭转"。GDV是一个极其严重,并应视为严重威胁犬生命的紧急事件,是仅次于癌症导致犬死亡的第二大杀手。24%的犬臌是由胃膨胀引起的。但是大多数的情况(75%)是由于胃扭转,弯曲和切断胃内容物的流入和流出。由于胃部膨胀,可旋转90°至360°,固定附着在食道和十二指肠之间缠绕。膨胀的胃妨碍腹部静脉、减少血液返回到心脏,丧失血液供应,导致低血压、胃缺血、休克、脏器损害,要在育种,饲养和管理上加强监管,有效的降低形成和促发GDV风险因子的条件,加强对GDV风险因子的预警和识别,以及发生后的及时发现和立即处理治疗。     

Pine branch of Araucaria angustifolia in horse bronchi: A series of four cases

Horses at pasture are susceptible to the aspiration of foreign bodies. In Curitiba, southern Brazil, four horses of different breeds and ages were examined with regards to a persistent cough that lasted for several months, fetid breath, and no fever. The animals were referred for bronchoscopic examination performed under sedation and tracheobronchial topical anaesthesia. Bronchoscopies in all four horses revealed a pine branch of the species Araucaria angustifolia, native to southern Brazil, in the lumen of a third to fifth generation bronchus. Complete removal of the branch was possible in one case using a polypectomy loop inserted through the biopsy channel of the bronchoscope. In two cases, partial removal was possible. In one case the branch was adhered to the swollen mucosa and could not be extracted; this animal is being kept at pasture with intermittent antibiotic treatment as necessary. In conclusion, foreign bodies consisting of pine branches in the tracheobronchial tree of horses may be more common than currently recognised, as Araucaria genus is present in other countries and should be suspected in horses with chronic coughing associated with fetid breath and a history of reoccurrence following symptomatic treatments.     

细胞凋亡抑制因子6(Api6)在高脂肺损伤中的作用研究

目的:了解单纯高脂饮食对小鼠肺组织形态学的影响及细胞凋亡抑制因子6(Api6)的表达情况.方法:将8周龄雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为2组,分别饲以普通饮食和高脂饮食,14周后获得上述2组小鼠的肺部组织切片,进行油红O染色、HE染色和免疫组化实验,观察单纯高脂饮食对小鼠肺组织形态学的影响;提取小鼠肺组织RNA,检测Api6在病变小鼠肺组织中的表达.结果:与普通饮食组小鼠肺组织相比,油红O染色可见高脂饮食组小鼠肺组织有明显的脂质沉积;HE染色和增殖期细胞核抗原(PCNA)免疫组织化学染色可见高脂饮食组肺组织肺泡间隔增宽,肺组织炎性细胞浸润,同时增殖期细胞明显增多;Api6在高脂饮食组小鼠肺组织中的表达明显升高.结论:高脂饮食可直接导致小鼠肺组织脂质蓄积和炎性损伤,Api6可能在其发病机制中发挥一定的作用.