Eva A. Sartin

Evaluation of fibrin sealants in cutaneous wound closure

Human fibrin sealant (HFS) and bovine fibrin sealant (BFS) were delivered as preformulated fibrinogen-thrombin mixtures that are light activated. These formulations were evaluated in the healing of incised cutaneous wounds in beagle dogs. Four groups were differentiated by sealant type and study duration with group: BFS for 10 days, HFS for 10 days, BFS for 30 days, and HFS for 30 days. Healing was evaluated by noting incidences of open wounds, laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), planimetry, breaking strength, and histopathology. In the absence of tension, both sealants tended to hold wound edges together; however, HFS tended to be better than its controls and BFS. Both sealants augmented suture closure, necessitating fewer sutures for wound closure. At 5 and 30 days BFS wounds had more perfusion than HFS wounds, indicating more inflammation. At 10 and 30 days BFS wounds had larger scar areas than their controls, while scar areas of HFS wounds were smaller than either BFS wounds or controls. Breaking strengths indicated that HFS wounds were stronger than their controls and BFS wounds. Histologically, mild to moderate chronic-active inflammation was observed in wounds receiving either sealant, and this persisted longer in BFS wounds. Overall, HFS had positive qualities, thus showing potential for functional and cosmetic wound closure.

Malignant Neoplasia in Four Alpacas

Malignant neoplasia in 4 alpacas was characterized by acute onset of clinical signs and rapidly deteriorating condition. Postmortem examination revealed metastatic or multicentric neoplasia in the abdominal organs of alpacas 1, 3, and 4 and an extensive thoracic mass in alpaca 2. Immunohistochemical stains supported a diagnosis of B-cell lymphosarcoma in alpacas 1–3 and a neuroendocrine neoplasm in alpaca 4.

Gastric squamous cell carcinoma in three llamas.

Asa SL: 1993, The endocrine pancreas and its tumors. Endocr Pathol 4:120-130. Feldman EC, Nelson RW: 1987, Gastrointestinal endocrinology. In: Canine and feline endocrinology and reproduction, ed. Pedersen D, pp. 375-398. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA. Happe RP, van der Gaag I, Lamers CBHW, et al.: 1980, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in three dogs. Vet Pathol 17:177-186. Hawkins KL, Summers BA, Kuhajda FP, Smith CA: 1987, 5.

Bioelastic membranes for topical application of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor for protection of skin from pressure injury: a preliminary study.

A previous study showed that topical exposure to bioelastic‐thromboxane synthetase inhibitor‐matrix resulted in local tissue concentrations of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor sufficient for thromboxane synthetase inhibition. The objective of this research was to use an animal model to determine if a dressing having controlled release of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (dazmegrel) could be used to prevent tissue breakdown over pressure points, i.e., lesion at the assistive device–skin interface. The animal model studies utilized the greyhound, a dog that has thin skin, angular conformation, limited body fat and is predisposed to pressure ulcers similar to those occurring in humans. The model uses a short‐limb walking cast on one pelvic limb with the severity of the dermal pressure lesions induced over the medial malleolus controlled by the amount of padding in the cast and length of time the cast is in place. The bioelastic matrix loaded with dazmegrel provided protection from shearing and pressure skin injury over the medial malleolus, as evidenced by a decrease in epidermal abrasion/ulceration as measured with planimetry. Histopathologic evaluation of the skin over the medial malleolus indicated a protective function of the bioelastic matrix as measured as lower numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and decreased collagen density compared to such numbers when no bioelastic matrix was present. These studies provided evidence that bioelastic‐thromboxane sythetase inhibitor‐ matrix helps in preventing or reducing the severity of pressure lesions, e.g., assistive device–skin interface wounds.

Malignant Ovarian Tumors in Two Heifers

Granulosa cell tumors (GCTS) are the most common ovarian tumor of cattle. Although there is some disagreement on the clinical behavior of these neoplasms, they are typically composed of well-differentiated cells, and malignancy in unselected bovine populations is uncommon. This report describes poorly differentiated, malignant ovarian tumors with extensive peritoneal spread in 2 heifers. Two heifers from different farms were presented with marked abdominal distention. Heifer 1 was a weak, recumbent, emaciated, 180-kg, 9-month-old Holstein with poor growth and body condition. Heifer 2 was a lethargic, 454kg, 2-year-old Charolais heifer in fair condition. Clinical examination of both animals revealed a large abdominal mass, suspected to be an abscess, palpable per rectum. No abnormalities in sexual behavior had been noted. A poor prognosis was given, and the heifers were euthanized and necropsied. In both animals, 1 ovary was replaced by a large, dark red, solid to multiloculated cystic mass containing serosanguineous fluid and red-black, coagulated necrotic material. In heifer 1, a 30-cm-diameter mass was present at the tip of the right uterine horn (Fig. 1). The contralateral ovary was small (3.0 x 1.0 x 0.5 cm) and inactive. In heifer 2, a 26 x 12 x 12-cm mass was present at the tip of the left horn. Her right ovary contained a corpus luteum, and the right uterine horn contained a 15-cm fetus. Multiple (20 to 30) similar but smaller coalescing masses (5-15-cm diameter) were attached to the mesentery and abdominal serosa of both animals. One bronchial lymph node of heifer 2 was approximately 20 times normal size and contained a cystic mass similar to the abdominal masses. No other lesions were noted in either heifer. Selected tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and prepared routinely for histology. The avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase method was used to stain deparaffinized tumor sections from heifers 1 and 2 with antibodies to cytokeratin (dilution 1:250) and vimentin (dilution 1:160) following standard techniques and appropriate controls, using an automated immunostainer. Additional tumor sections from heifer 2 were stained with antibodies from a routine diagnostic panel including ovarian carcinoma-associated antigen (CA 125, dilution 1:10), leukocyte common antigen (LCA, dilution 1:200), -smooth muscle actin (1A4, dilution 1:320), desmin (dilution 1:300), HMB45 (melanoma, dilution, 1:400), and S-100 (dilution 1:7,200). Positive controls were employed as follows: colonic adenocarcinoma for