Liviu Oana

Influence of Electroacupuncture on the Soft Tissue Healing Process

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bipolar electroacupuncture (EA) on a soft tissue defect in rabbits. Ten clinically healthy New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups: the control group (Group C, n = 5) and the experimental (EA) group (Group T, n = 5). During neuroleptanalgesia, defects of soft tissue (skin and muscle) were made at the dorsum site on the rabbits in both groups, and those defects were stimulated using EA. The biopsy samples were collected on Day 2, Day 4, and Day 6, prepared for histology, and examined microscopically. On the 2(nd) day, in Group C, the inflammatory degree was higher than it was in Group T; on subsequent days, low or identical degrees of inflammation were observed in both groups. Proliferative fibrous activity was increased on Day 4 for Group T and identical for both groups on Day 6. The dynamics of the epidermal thickness were characterized by a high rate on Day 2, Day 4, and Day 6 for Group T. EA facilitates a low tissue mechanical stress and has a positive effect on the healing of muscular defects. EA enhances the healing process, with no side effects.

An unusual case of a mature teratoma on the left perineal region of a young cat: surgical treatment and pathological description.

A 10-month-old intact male cat with a clinical history of a large mass in the left perineal region was submitted to the surgery department. The mass had reportedly been present as a small swelling after birth. Cytological evaluation using a fine-needle aspirate showed eosinophilic keratinaceous debris, and was not convincing for the definitive diagnosis. Complete surgical excision was performed. Postoperative function and aesthetics were excellent. Based on gross and histological features the definitive diagnosis of the tumor was mature teratoma with ectodermal and endodermal components. After a follow-up period of 4 months, no signs of recurrence were evident. Surgical excision of the teratoma in our case was considered curative. A perineal location has not been previously reported in the cat and should be considered a rare condition in this species.

Influence of Electroacupuncture on Thermal Changes in a Soft Tissue Defect

This study investigated thermal changes in the skin at locations where soft tissue defects existed and acupuncture needles stimulated by using bipolar electroacupuncture (EA) had been inserted. Under general anesthesia (GA), experimental defects were made at the dorsum site of five New Zealand rabbits. Bipolar EA was used for 20 minutes to stimulate the experimental defects, and the skin temperature was monitored at the sites where the acupuncture needles had been inserted and the soft tissue defects existed. The initial thermography of those defects had the same trend as that of the negative pole of EA stimulation at the first acupoint. Skin thermography during the first 3 minutes of bipolar EA indicated a centrifugal vasoconstriction and a vasodilatation at the negative and positive poles, respectively. After that, the thermal change in soft tissue undergoing EA stimulation was not modified by a different EA polarity. The local temperature at the defect and its surroundings under both positive and negative electric loads was increased by 0.2-0.3 °C for vasodilatation. This study indicates that EA influences sympathetic modulation of soft tissue defects and that selective sympathetic modulation caused by bipolar EA is responsible for the clinical perception.

Use of clinical and computed tomography findings to assess long-term unsatisfactory outcome after femoral head and neck ostectomy in four large breed dogs

Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHNO) is a salvage surgical procedure intended to eliminate hip joint laxity associated pain in the immature dog, or pain due to secondary osteoarthritis in the mature dog. The outcome of the procedure is associated with the size of the dog but the cause of a generally poorer outcome in larger breeds has not been determined. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term results of FHNO associated with unsatisfactory functional outcome by means of clinical examination and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Four large mixed breed dogs underwent FHNO in different veterinary clinics. Clinical and CT scanning evaluations were carried out long time after the procedures had been done. Hip pain, muscle atrophy, decreased range of motion and chronic lameness were observed at clinical examination. Extensive remodelling, unacceptable bone-on-bone contact with bony proliferation involving the femoral neck and acetabulum, but also excessive removal with bone lysis were observed by CT scanning. Revision osteotomy was performed in one dog. Deep gluteal muscle interposition was used, but no improvements were observed postoperatively. This is the first report on the evaluation of three-dimensional CT reconstructions of the late bone remodelling associated with poor clinical outcome in large dogs. The study shows that FHNO could lead to severe functional deficits in large breed dogs. An extensive follow-study is necessary to more accurately determine the frequency of such complications.

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of endodontic intracanal medications

Background and aims The sterilization of the entire root canal system represents the main goal of every endodontist, given the fact that the control of the microbial flora is the key point of every root canal treatment. The diversity of microorganisms found inside the root canal and also the resistance of some bacterial species to intracanal medications led to a continuous development of new endodontic products. The present study focuses on the comparison of the antibacterial and antifungal properties of different endodontic products, two commercially available, one experimental plant based extract, and two control substances. Methods The disc diffusion assay was used to determine the antibacterial and antifungal properties of chlorhexidine, calcium hydroxide, a mix extract between Arctium lappa root powder and Aloe barbadensis Miller gel, Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and Fluconazole (as control substances). Two of the most common microorganisms found in endodontic infections were chosen: Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Candida albicans ATCC(10231). Results All tested substances showed inhibition zones around the discs, for Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans, including the experimental mix extract of Arctium lappa root powder with Aloe vera gel. Conclusion The experimental mix extract of Arctium lappa root powder and Aloe vera gel is able to inhibit very resistant microorganisms, like Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans.

Comparative immunohistochemical assessment of the effect of repetitive anesthesia with isoflurane and sevoflurane on rat liver

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Inhalation anesthetics are used in human, as well as veterinary medical practice. In the present study we investigated the effect of isoflurane and sevoflurane on rat hepatocytes. METHODS A total of 40 Wistar female rats were used in this study. Animals were divided in groups of 5 rats. Groups IM, SM served as control groups. Groups I1, I2, I3 were used to study isoflurane and S1, S2, S3 for sevoflurane study. They were anesthetized 3 times, for 2h long, at 2 days interval with a concentration of: 1.5% isoflurane (I1, I2, I3) and 2% sevoflurane (S1, S2, S3). The oxygen supply throughout the anesthesia was 1LO2/min. Groups IM, IS, I1, S1 were sacrificed immediately after the last anesthesia. Groups I2, S2 were sacrificed 6h after the last anesthesia, and groups I3, S3, 24h post-anesthesia. Liver samples were harvested to highlight caspase-3 in apoptotic hepatocytes. RESULTS Following isoflurane administration, there were less than 1% cells in apoptosis highlighted in rat livers from groups IM, I1 and I2. At 24h post-anesthesia (group I3), a small number of apoptotic hepatocytes was highlighted (around 3.23% cells in apoptosis), with a strictly periacinar disposition, randomly distributed in a small number of hepatic lobules. After sevoflurane administration, less than 1% apoptotic hepatocytes were identified at all control moments throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the anesthetics do not present a considerable hepatotoxicity. The comparative assessment of the two anesthetics shows that sevoflurane is superior to isoflurane.

Diagnosis and surgical management of malignant ovarian teratoma in a green iguana (Iguana iguana).

BackgroundOvarian tumors in reptiles are uncommonly reported in the literature and for green iguanas previously reported cases include teratomas, one adenocarcinoma and one papillary cystadenocarcinoma. The present report is the first of a malignant ovarian teratoma in a green iguana. Complete and detailed pathological features, differential diagnosis and surgical management of malignant ovarian teratoma are discussed in this paper.Case PresentationA 9-year-old intact female green iguana (Iguana iguana) with a clinical history of persistent anorexia and progressive abdominal distension was referred to the surgery department. On physical examination, a presumptive diagnosis of follicular stasis was established. Radiographic evaluation showed a large radioopaque mass within the abdomen, which was visible both in latero-lateral and ventro-dorsal exposures. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a large intra-abdominal mass, with numerous cyst-like structures filled with liquid and a heterogeneous aspect with hypoechoic areas. Exploratory laparatomy was thus suggested and the mass was removed surgically. The histologic findings of the neoplasm were consistent with those of ovarian malignant teratoma. Surgical excision of the mass in our case was considered curative and after a follow-up period of 6 months the animal has recovered completely.ConclusionsA malignant ovarian teratoma has not been previously reported in green iguana and should be included in the list of differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors in this species. This report will contribute to a better understanding of the pathology of this rare tumor in green iguanas.

Paraclinical Investigations of Electroacupuncture Analgesia in a Rabbit Ovariohysterectomy

The aim of this study is to investigate paraclinical changes in glycemia, serum cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) due to electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) in a rabbit undergoing an ovariohysterectomy. Seven clinically healthy New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Local and systemic analgesia was represented by EAA. Blood samples were collected at preoperative, operative, and postoperative times. At the operative time, increased cortisolemia does not promote a proportional increase in glycemia even though it is correlated with an increased level of ACTH. EAA follows the stress mechanism, which is coordinated by neuroendocrine activity. EAA in a rabbit ovariohysterectomy underscores the crucial involvement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis with a direct influence on paraclinical changes, including changes in glycemia, cortisol, and ACTH, which are specific for stress changes.

Vaginal prolapse with urinary bladder incarceration and consecutive irreducible rectal prolapse in a dog

BackgroundTrue vaginal prolapse is a rare condition in dogs and it is occasionally observed in animals with constipation, dystocia, or forced separation during breeding. If a true prolapse occurs, the bladder, the uterine body and/or distal part of the colon, may be present in the prolapse.Case presentationA 2-year-old intact non pregnant Central Asian Shepherd dog in moderate condition, was presented for a true vaginal and rectal prolapse. The prolapses were confirmed by physical examination and ultrasonography. Herniation of the urinary bladder was identified within the vaginal prolapse. The necrotic vaginal wall was resected, the urinary bladder was reduced surgically and fixed to the right abdominal wall to prevent recurrence. Rectal resection and anastomosis was necessary to correct the rectal prolapse. Recurrence of the prolapses was not observed and the dog recovered completely after the surgical treatment.ConclusionsIn our opinion, extreme tenesmus arising from constipation may have predisposed to the vaginal prolapse with bladder incarceration and secondarily to rectal prolapse. In the young female dog, true vaginal prolapse with secondary involvement of the urinary bladder and irreducible rectal prolapse is an exceptionally rare condition.

The Technique of Ovariohysterectomy in Female Rabbit

Spaying female rabbits is indicated to prevent unwanted pregnancy and pseudopregnancy, modify sexually related behaviour such as territorial aggression and prevent or treat neoplasia of the uterus or pyometra and other uterine disorders. 10 female domestic rabbits were taken in study. After a general anaesthesia using xylazine and ketamine and a careful preparation of the ventral abdomen, the uterus was easily accessible through a 1–2 cm midline incision approximately half way between the umbilicus and the pubic symphysis. After gentle tractions, the ovaries were exteriorized and resorbable ligatures (polyglycolic acid) were placed around ovarian pedicle. A Pean forceps was applied between the suture and the ovary and the transection were performed between the ligature and the forceps. The transfixing cervical ligatures were placed above the cervix in 5 females, on each uterus and below the cervix in 5 females. No intraoperative and postoperative complications were noted. Clinically, we did not observe differences between the two female groups. Anyway, regarding the technique, we recommend the placement of ligatures above the cervix, because the ligature placed below the cervix is less secure due to the flaccid nature of vaginal tissue.