Lyon Lee

Sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine reduces early postoperative pain behavior and biochemical stress response after laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

This study investigated the use of sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine to relieve postoperative pain behavior and biochemical stress response after laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy (LOVH) in dogs. Sixteen sexually intact female dogs were randomly assigned to two groups. The sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine (SIB) group received 4.4 mg/kg of sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine diluted to 0.25% with an equivalent volume of saline after pneumoperitoneum. The control group received 1.76 mL/kg of saline in a similar fashion. Both groups received preoperative periportal 5% bupivacaine (1 mL) before incision. Postoperative pain was measured using the short form of the Glasgow composite measures pain scale (CMPS-SF, 0-24). Serum cortisol and glucose concentrations were measured preoperatively and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively. The SIB group had significantly lower CMPS-SF compared to the control group 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12h after the operation. Cortisol concentrations were significantly increased from preoperative concentrations in the control group at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4h post operation and at 0.5 and 1h post operation in the SIB group. No significant differences were seen in serum glucose within each group. This report suggests that the use of sprayed intraperitoneal bupivacaine can be used as part of a multimodal approach for pain management after LOVH in dogs.

Minimum anesthetic concentration and cardiovascular dose-response relationship of isoflurane in cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus).

Abstract:  This study aimed to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) and dose-related cardiovascular effects of isoflurane during controlled ventilation in cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus). The MAC was determined for 10 cinereous vultures as the midpoint between the end-tidal isoflurane concentration that allows gross purposeful movement and that which prevents the movement in response to clamping a pedal digit. Immediately after the MAC was determined, the cardiovascular effects of isoflurane at 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 times the MAC were investigated in seven of the 10 birds. The MAC of isoflurane for 10 cinereous vultures during controlled ventilation was 1.06 ± 0.07% (mean ± SD). When the isoflurane concentration was increased to 1.5 and 2.0 times the MAC, there was significant dose-dependent decrease in the arterial blood pressure. However, the heart rate did not change over a range of 1.0 to 2.0 times the MAC.

Cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of the combination of butorphanol, midazolam and alfaxalone in Beagle dogs

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the physiological variables, arterial blood gas values, induction of anesthesia quality, and recovery quality using the combination of butorphanol, midazolam and alfaxalone in dogs. ANIMALS Ten healthy adult Beagle dogs weighing 8.3 ± 3.1 kg. METHODS Rectal temperature (T), pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (f(R)), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and arterial blood gases were measured and recorded prior to intravenous (IV) administration of butorphanol, prior to administration of both midazolam and alfaxalone IV 10 minutes later, then every 5 minutes for 20 minutes. M-mode echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) indices were measured before and 5 minutes after administration of alfaxalone. Qualitative scores for induction of anesthesia and recovery were allocated, duration of anesthesia and recovery were calculated, and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS Scores for induction and recovery quality were excellent. No significant adverse events were observed. Mean ± SD time from induction to extubation and to standing (full recovery) was 29 ± 6 and 36 ± 8 minutes, respectively. There were statistically significant changes in PR, f(R) and MAP after drug administration. Transient hypercarbia developed after alfaxalone injection. The echocardiographic LV indices were reduced after alfaxalone injection, although those changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The combination of butorphanol, midazolam and alfaxalone provided excellent quality of induction of anesthesia and exerted minimal cardiopulmonary effects in healthy dogs.

Comparison of the ability of veterinary medical students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy on live dogs

OBJECTIVE To compare the feasibility of training veterinary medicine students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy in live dogs. DESIGN Randomized prospective parallel-group experiment. POPULATION 25 students completing the second year of their veterinary curriculum. PROCEDURES Students were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive 14 hours of specific training in either open ovariectomy (n = 13) or laparoscopic ovariectomy (12). Confidence, basic surgical skills, and basic laparoscopic skills were evaluated before and after training, prior to live surgical procedures. RESULTS Scores related to basic surgical skills were high in both groups and did not improve with either training program. Before live animal surgeries, student confidence and basic laparoscopic skills improved after training in laparoscopic ovariectomy and were higher than after training in open ovariectomy. Surgery time was higher for the students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (129 minutes; range, 84 to 143 minutes), compared with students who received training in open ovariectomy (80 minutes; range, 62 to 117 minutes). On a 55-point scoring system, ovariectomy scores were similar between students who received training in open ovariectomy (34.5; range, 16.5 to 45) and students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (34.5; range, 25 to 44.5). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The training programs were effective in improving student confidence and skills in laparoscopic ovariectomy. Results of this study suggested that veterinary medical students, with assistance from an instructor, may be taught to perform laparoscopic ovariectomies with performance equivalent to that for students performing open ovariectomies.

Cranial epidural spread of contrast medium and new methylene blue dye in sternally recumbent anaesthetized dogs

OBJECTIVE To examine the spread of solution in the epidural space of sternally recumbent dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective experimental trial. Animals  Ten healthy adult Beagle dogs weighing 7.6 ± 1.1 kg. METHODS Dogs were anaesthetized with total intravenous propofol infusion, and placed in sternal recumbency. A volume of 0.2 mL kg(-1) contrast medium (CM) containing 1% new methylene blue (MB) dye was administered into the lumbosacral epidural space. Left to right lateral radiographs using a horizontal beam were taken every 5 minutes for 45 minutes. The perpendicular height (PH) between floor of the epidural canal of the highest vertebra and that of lumbosacral spinal canal was measured on radiographs. The angle of slope from the injection point toward the highest vertebral floor was measured. Immediately after taking the last radiographic image, dogs were euthanized and a laminectomy was performed from the cervical to lumbar vertebrae for visual evaluation of MB spread. The spread of CM and of MB as counted in number of stained vertebra were compared, and each of these data sets were further compared to PH and angle, using linear regression analyses. RESULTS The PH and angle were (mean ± SD) 3.8 ± 0.8 cm and 14.8 ± 2.8° respectively. The most cranial spread of CM was at 12.7 ± 5.7 (range: C6-L3) vertebrae, and at 14.0 ± 5.4 (range: C6-L2) vertebrae for MB staining. There were no significant correlations between PH and spread of CM (R(2)  = 0.08) or MB (R(2)  = 0.13), between angle and spread of CM (R(2)  = 0.05) or MB (R(2)  = 0.02), respectively. CM and MB demonstrated proportional relationship (R(2)  = 0.82, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS No significant inhibitory effect of upward slope on cranial epidural spread of the solution was observed. Other factors may have greater effect on epidural spread in sternally recumbent dogs.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in dogs: An initial experience of 16 experimental procedures

Left laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed in 16 dogs to describe the surgical techniques and initial experiences associated with operation time and surgery complications. The renal vein and artery were occluded by three ligating clips, respectively, and the ureter was sectioned after ligation with ligating clips at the level of the iliac vessels. A morcellation technique was used to remove the kidney from the abdominal cavity after placing it into a specimen retrieval bag. Total operation time and time spent for each different surgical stage in the first five operations were compared with those in the last five of the 16 operations. The factors that affected the differences of total operation time were examined, including sex, bodyweight, number of operations, incision length, and surgical stages. Six intra-operative complications occurred including splenic hemorrhage (3 cases), torn specimen retrieval bag during kidney morcellation (1 case), and subcutaneous emphysema (2 cases). Surgical time for laparoscopic nephrectomy was affected primarily by the time spent for renal vascular pedicle section and could be decreased as the number of cases increased. Thus, laparoscopic nephrectomy using ligating clips and morcellation for kidney removal could be considered where nephrectomy is indicated in dogs.

Evaluation of risk factors for development of corneal ulcer after nonocular surgery in dogs: 14 cases (2009-2011)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for development of corneal ulcers after nonocular surgery performed with general anesthesia in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 14 dogs with development of corneal ulcers after nonocular surgery and 718 control dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs evaluated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University from January 2009 to June 2011 were reviewed for assessment of risk factors for development of corneal ulcers. RESULTS Among the 732 reviewed cases, 14 (1.9%) dogs of 6 breeds developed a corneal ulcer after nonocular surgery. Duration of anesthesia was significantly longer in dogs with ulcers than dogs without ulcers. The number of medications received and procedures performed were also significantly higher in dogs with ulcers than dogs without ulcers. Dogs with a small skull (OR, 8.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 70.90) and dogs that received neurosurgery (OR, 21.12; 95% CI, 5.77 to 77.25) were more susceptible to development of corneal ulcers. Also, postoperative application of a fentanyl patch was a risk factor for development of corneal ulcers (OR, 4.53; 95% CI, 1.05 to 19.60). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Several risk factors were identified for development of corneal ulcers after nonocular surgery was performed with general anesthesia in dogs. Perioperative eye protection strategies and postoperative ophthalmic examination are needed to reduce the occurrence of corneal ulcers and their progression, especially for high-risk dogs and procedures.

Heterogeneous expression of Chlamydia pneumoniae antigen candidates and high-level soluble expression of its inclusion membrane proteins in Escherichia coli

Chlamydia pneumoniae is an intracellular bacterium associated with several acute respiratory diseases and is an obligate intracellular parasite in eukaryotic cells. Heterogeneous and overexpression of virulence-associated C. pneumoniae “effector” proteins with structurally designed epitope-focused antigens in recombinant forms in Escherichia coli is a prerequisite in the study of the organism’s pathogenic mechanisms and for use in medical applications such as vaccine and therapeutics development. In this study, seven antigen candidates from C. pneumoniae TW-183 (OmpH, Omp11, Eno, ArtJ, IncA, IncB and IncC) were screened in silico genome. Immunogenicity of the heterogeneously overexpressed antigen candidates in E. coli BL21 (DE3) was investigated by Western blot analysis using in sera from C. pneumoniae infected individuals. The soluble forms of three inclusion membrane proteins (IncA, IncB and IncC), carrying unique bilobal hydrophobic domains, were also successfully expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) through truncation of their membrane bound transmembrane domains.

Aptasensor for environmental monitoring

Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides (DNA or RNA) capable of folding into well-defined structures and motifs that allow them bind to various target molecules with high specificity and affinity. The crucial ability of aptamers is interaction with a given target from small ions to molecular level that makes them useful in many applications for specific detection of various analytes. Nowadays aptamer is an effective tool not only for in vitro research in diagnostic methods, drug delivery and treatment therapy, but also for the development of nucleic-acid-based sensors in industrial waste management, pollution control and environmental toxicology. This mini review is focused on discussion and updating about the global researches in nucleic-acid-based sensors for environmental issues.

Proteomic Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Degradation and Detoxification in Sphingobium chungbukense DJ77.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are commonly present xenobiotics in natural and contaminated soils. We studied three (phenanthrene, naphthalene, and biphenyl) xenobiotics, catabolism, and associated proteins in Sphingobium chungbukense DJ77 by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis. Comparative analysis of the growth-dependent 2-DE results revealed that the intensity of 10 protein spots changed identically upon exposure to the three xenobiotics. Among the upregulated proteins, five protein spots, which were putative dehydrogenase, dioxygenase, and hydrolase and involved in the catabolic pathway of xenobiotic degradation, were induced. Identification of these major multifunctional proteins allowed us to map the multiple catabolic pathway for phenanthrene, naphthalene, and biphenyl degradation. A part of the initial diverse catabolism was converged into the catechol degradation branch. Detection of intermediates from 2,3-dihydroxy-biphenyl degradation to pyruvate and acetyl-CoA production by LC/MS analysis showed that ring-cleavage products of PAHs entered the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and were mineralized in S. chungbukense DJ77. These results suggest that S. chungbukense DJ77 completely degrades a broad range of PAHs via a multiple catabolic pathway.