Min-Su Kim

Effect of topical anesthesia on evaluation of corneal sensitivity and intraocular pressure in rats and dogs

OBJECTIVEnTo determine the effect of 0.5% proparacaine in tonometry by evaluating corneal touch threshold (CTT) and intraocular pressure (IOP).nnnANIMAL STUDIEDnu2002 Nine rats (18 eyes, Sprague-Dawley) and 10 dogs (20 eyes, Beagle)nnnPROCEDURESnThe IOP and CTT were measured in each eye before and after topical anesthesia with 0.5% proparacaine. The IOP was evaluated using Tonopen for dogs and Tonolab for rats. The corneal sensitivity was evaluated by CTT through a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer.nnnRESULTSnThe mean IOP was not significantly changed in rats or dogs before and after topical anesthesia. However, after application of proparacaine, CTT was significantly increased in both animal groups compared with that before application of proparacaine.nnnCONCLUSIONnu2002 From this study, topical anesthesia was found to significantly lower the corneal sensitivity but have little effect on IOP measurements. In ophthalmologic examination, topical anesthesia can be used to reduce corneal sensation without an effect on IOP.

Time-dependent low-field MRI characteristics of canine blood: an in vitro study

This study was conducted to assess time-sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) changes in canine blood using low-field MR. Arterial and venous blood samples were collected from eight healthy beagle dogs. Samples were placed in 5-mL tubes and imaged within 3 hours of collection at 1 day intervals from day 1 to day 30. The following sequences were used: T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and T2-star gradient-echo (T2*-GRE). Visual comparison of the images revealed that four relatively homogenous blood clots and twelve heterogeneous blood clots developed. The margination of the clot and plasma changed significantly on day 2 and day 13. On day 2, heterogeneous blood clots were differentiated into 2 to 3 signal layers in the T2W, T1W, and especially the STIR images. Hypointense signal layers were also detected in the blood clots in STIR images, which have T2 hypo, FLAIR hypo, and T1 hyper intense signals. In all images, these signal layers remained relatively unchanged until day 13. Overall, the results suggest that hematomas are complex on low-field MRI. Accordingly, it may not be feasible to accurately characterize hemorrhages and predict clot age based on low-field MRI.

Experimental infection of cows with newly isolated Akabane virus strain (AKAV-7) causing encephalomyelitis

Akabane virus (AKAV), an arthropod-transmitted bunyavirus, is a major cause of congenital abnormalities and encephalomyelitis in ruminants. In 2010, there was a major outbreak of encephalomyelitis in Korea and fifteen AKAV strains, including AKAV-7, were isolated from cows. To identify the neuropathogenicity of AKAV-7, we performed experimental infection of cows. Six-month-old female Korean Holstein dairy cattle were inoculated with AKAV-7 by various routes, including intracerebral (IC), intrasubarachnoid space (IS), subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV); a separate group was vaccinated before intravenous infection. Five of the six cows in the IC group and two of the six cows in the IS group showed clinical signs such as locomotor ataxia and paralysis of the hind limbs. Three of six cows died after IC infection 9–12xa0days post infection (dpi). Histopathologic changes such as nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis were confirmed in various parts of the central nervous system in the IC, IS and SC groups. Early onset of neutralizing antibodies in the serum and lower viral mRNA levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and various tissues in the vaccinated group was noticeable compared to the unvaccinated group (IV group). We suggest that the AKAV vaccine currently used in Korea may be partially effective for protection against AKAV-7 in cows.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—ENDOMETRIAL MINERALIZATION IN A DOG

A 9-year-old intact female mixed breed dog was presented for mammary gland tumor surgery, and preoperative radiographs showed a tubular soft tissue opacity mass with multifocal mineralization in the caudoventral abdominal cavity. Subsequent ultrasonography demonstrated uterine dilation with echogenic fluid and endometrial acoustic shadowing consistent with mineralization. Resection of mammary gland tumors and ovariohysterectomy were performed. Pyometra was diagnosed on cytologic examination of uterine fluid. Histopathology of the uterine tissue confirmed a diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia with uterine mineralization.

CHYLOUS ASCITES IN A HEDGEHOG (ATELERIX ALBIVENTRIS)

Abstract:u2003 An African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was diagnosed as chylous ascites with biliary cirrhosis. Abdomenocentesis revealed a milky fluid with a 324 mg/dl triglyceride level. On serum biochemical examination, the hedgehog had hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia, and high blood urea nitrogen. There was no cytologic or genomic evidence of infection, and a blood culture was negative. Histopathologic examination revealed a liver with proliferative bile ducts that were often surrounded by prominent septa of fibrous connective tissue. In the area of ductular reaction, proliferative cells positive for CD66, an embryogenic antigen of epithelial cells, were revealed. The potential association between chylous ascites and liver cirrhosis is undetermined but could be an aspect of future study. This is the first description of chylous ascites in a hedgehog.

OPHTHALMIC EXAMINATION IN COMMON KESTRELS (FALCO TINNUCULUS) FROM SOUTH KOREA

Abstract The purpose of this study was to establish reference ophthalmic findings in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Twenty healthy adult kestrels were included in this study. Ophthalmic examinations included slit lamp biomicroscopy, fundus exam, Schirmer tear test, conjunctival bacterial culture and isolation, corneal touch threshold, tonometry, and corneal diameter measurement. Mean tear production was 7.4 ± 3.27 mm/min, and mean intraocular pressure measured via applanation tonometry was 10.5 ± 3.15 mm Hg. In addition, the mean corneal touch threshold was 29.8 ± 20.1 mm, and the mean corneal diameter was 9.8 ± 1.1 mm. Of the 25 conjunctival swabs, 23 (92%) yielded bacterial growth. Most of these bacteria were gram positive (69.6%); the most predominant genus was Staphylococcus. This study presents reference values for ophthalmic examinations in common kestrels.

Experimental Infection of Goats with a Newly Isolated Strain of Akabane Virus that Causes Encephalomyelitis

In 2010, there was a large-scale outbreak of bovine encephalomyelitis in Korea, and 15 new strains of Akabane virus (AKAV) were isolated. To identify the pathogenicity of one of these strains, we infected adult goats with AKAV-7 via different routes. Twenty-five female goats were used in this study and were divided into five groups: intracerebral (IC) and intrasubarachnoid (IS) viral inoculation (nxa0=xa08 each), intravenous (IV) inoculation (nxa0=xa04), and vaccinated before IV inoculation (nxa0=xa04), in addition to a negative control animal. All animals inoculated with AKAV-7 had AKAV-neutralizing antibodies at 6-8xa0days post infection (dpi). During the experimental period, infected animals showed no clinical signs. In the IC group, 5/8 goats had non-suppurative encephalomyelitis affecting the cerebrum. Virus S RNA segments were detected in nearly all areas of the brain. In the IS group, 3/8 goats had encephalomyelitis affecting the cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord. At 7 and 21xa0dpi, virus S RNA segments were found mostly in the spinal cord, especially around the area of injection (L5-L6). Antibody titres in the serum of the vaccinated group had an early onset and slightly increased titre compared with the IV group. Histopathologically, there were no obvious lesions in the central nervous tissues in the vaccinated group, while one of four goats in the IV group showed encephalomyelitis in the parietal lobe of the cerebrum. The newly isolated AKAV-7 can cause encephalomyelitis in goats after experimental injection. The attenuated AKAV vaccine currently used in Korea may provide partial protective immunity against AKAV-7 infection, but the real effect of the vaccine requires further investigation in goats.

Diagnostic imaging features of normal anal sacs in dogs and cats

This study was conducted to provide normal reference features for canine and feline anal sacs using ultrasound, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiograph contrast as diagnostic imaging tools. A total of ten clinically normal beagle dogs and eight clinically normally cats were included. General radiography with contrast, ultrasonography and low-field MRI scans were performed. The visualization of anal sacs, which are located at distinct sites in dogs and cats, is possible with a contrast study on radiography. Most surfaces of the anal sacs tissue, occasionally appearing as a hyperechoic thin line, were surrounded by the hypoechoic external sphincter muscle on ultrasonography. The normal anal sac contents of dogs and cats had variable echogenicity. Signals of anal sac contents on low-field MRI varied in cats and dogs, and contrast medium using T1-weighted images enhanced the anal sac walls more obviously than that on ultrasonography. In conclusion, this study provides the normal features of anal sacs from dogs and cats on diagnostic imaging. Further studies including anal sac evaluation are expected to investigate disease conditions.

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of Ti‐Nb Based Composite with CPP Fabricated by Rapid Sintering

Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Extra low interstitial) alloy have been widely used as alternative bone due to its excellent biocompatibility, although it still has problems such as high elastic modulus and toxic element. Therefore, biomaterial with low elastic modulus and nontoxic has to be developed. In this study, the raw materials which are nontoxic elements such as Nb and Zr were mixed for 24h and milled for 1 to 6h using high energy ball milling machine. Ti-35wt%Nb-7wt%Zr-10wt%-X(5,10,20)wt%CPP (calcium pyrophosphate) composites were fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1000°C under 70MPa using mixed and milled powders. The effects of CPP contents and milling time on biocompatibility and mechanical property have been investigated. By X-ray diffraction (XRD), chemical reaction during the sintering was occurred and revealed new phases, Ti2O, CaO, CaTiO3, and TixPy. The results of in vitro (MTT) and in vivo (Implanted), the sintered Ti-35%Nb-7%Zr-10%CPP composite has better biocompatibility than Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy.

Use of an Aortic Stent Graft Extension for the Treatment of Urethral Stricture in a Dog

ABSTRACT A 2-year-old male mixed dog was referred to us for further evaluation and treatment of a 4-week-history of oliguria and abdominal distension after a surgical repair of urethral injury. To relieve the urethral stricture, we placed a self-expanding aortic stent graft extension with a partial coverage with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). After the placement of the stent, the dog presented with a normal urinary voiding, despite the presence of urinary incontinence. The current case indicates that the ePTFE-covered, self-expanding ASGE is an effective intervention for the treatment of severe urethral stricture in the dog.