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Cervical relaxation (CR) was performed in ewes during diestrus, to prospect a feasible protocol for non-surgical embryo transfer (NSET). In Trial 1, naturally mated ewes (n=13) received CR protocols with estradiol benzoate (EB, 1 mg on D6) and oxytocin (OT, 50 IU on D7) only (G-EB+OT) or associated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 300 IU on D7, G-EB+OT+hCG) and were compared to non-hormonally treated (G-control) ewes. Estradiol concentration increased (P<0.05) from D6 to D7 in G-EB+OT and G-EB+OT+hCG, then decreased (P<0.05) on D8. The G-EB+OT had reduced (P<0.05) progesterone on D8, and 0% (0/5) pregnancy, while G-control had 100% (3/3) conception rate. The treatment with hCG mitigated the progesterone drop on D8 and resulted in 50% (2/4) conception rate. In Trial 2, cervical transposing success after treatment with EB, OT, and hCG on D6 and D7 was assessed in nulliparous (n=25) and multiparous (n=30) ewes. The EB+OT+hCG protocol allowed efficient cervical transposition (~78% of cervical transposition success into ~5 min) in nulliparous and multiparous females and did not alter total and blood perfusion areas of corpora lutea (CL). The use of EB+OT+hCG was efficient to ensure effective cervical transposing in nulliparous and multiparous ewes, with no apparent deleterious effect on CL function, and may contribute to animal welfare, allowing a less invasive NSET procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical records from three veterinary referral centres and a university veterinary teaching hospital in Australia and the USA were reviewed to identify dogs with a diagnosis of distal gastrocnemius musculotendinous junction rupture (DGMJR) that were treated without surgery between 2007 and 2020. All dogs (n = 11) presented with unilateral, pelvic limb lameness and bruising, swelling or pain on palpation at the distal musculotendinous junction. The diagnosis was confirmed with ultrasound or MRI in six dogs; radiographs were used to excluded stifle and tarsus pathology in four dogs; and five dogs were diagnosed on physical examination findings. All dogs were managed conservatively, either with complete confinement alone (n = 10; median 9 weeks), external coaptation alone (n = 1), or a combination of both (n = 4). Sporting dogs (n = 7) were completely confined (median 22 weeks) for longer periods than companion dogs (n = 3; median 5 weeks). A good to excellent outcome was achieved for all cases in this cohort. The seven sporting dogs achieved an excellent outcome; returning to their previous level of sport, with complete resolution of lameness and recovery of a normal tibiotarsal stance. The four companion dogs achieved a good outcome; returning to their previous level of activity but with persistently increased tibiotarsal standing angle compared to the contralateral limb. Conservative treatment represents a viable treatment option for dogs with a rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle at its distal musculotendinous junction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bupivacaine (BUP) is an anesthetic from the family of aminoacyl anesthetics and has the highest myotoxicity among other groups of anesthetics. Intramuscular injection of BUP first causes acute libriform lysis and subsequently with the regeneration process, stronger myofibrils are formed within 3–4 weeks. Satellite cells, which are actually myogenic stem cells, are preserved in the early stage and during the destruction of muscle fibers. In fact, these cells are responsible for the subsequent regeneration of fibers. BUP is one of the few medicines that is able to increase muscle strength. In animal studies on rabbits, a decrease has been observed in the diameter of the global layer in the first week and an increase in type-I myosin occurs after 60 days, especially in the global muscle layer. There are numerous studies according to BUP injection for the non-surgical management of horizontal strabismus. To intensify the effects of the injection, botulinum toxin injection can also be used simultaneously in the antagonist muscles. In general, although the rate of improvement in strabismus varied among different studies, BUP injection alone corrects about 5–8 prism diopters. Together with botulinum toxin, BUP corrects about 15 prism diopters. The stability of this improvement is up to 10 years after injection. No significant difference has been observed in response rate between patients with esotropia and exotropia. Unlike the large molecule of botulinum toxin, which spreads slowly to its site of action, the BUP molecule is small and must be in direct contact with myofibrils before absorption into the bloodstream to exert its effect. Therefore, the injection volume should be about 3 cc with a concentration of 0.75 g per deciliter. Although BUP is promising non-surgical strabismus management, especially in small angle and residual horizontal strabismus, however, it has its own limitations. The need for direct infusion of a relatively large volume of BUP may be one of its major drawbacks that limits its usage in an office method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint with an increasing number of people with shoulder pain undergoing surgical repair each year. The relationship between rotator cuff tendon tears and shoulder pain remains equivocal due to the high prevalence of tears in people without symptoms, which suggests that a proportion of people will undergo surgery on tissues not related to their symptoms. As a result there have been suggestions to initially manage atraumatic tears non-surgically. Objectives: The objective of this narrative review was to present current evidence regarding the assessment and management of full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Major findings: To date, three randomised controlled trials have compared surgical with non-surgical management of rotator cuff tears. Outcomes show a small but non-significant effect in favour of surgery. Only one study has looked at long-term outcomes of greater than one year. Overall 129 subjects have completed a course of non-surgical management and therefore low participant numbers may not be sufficient to draw firm conclusions. Conclusions: Current evidence currently supports the consideration of a non-surgical approach in the management of people with shoulder symptoms and identified rotator cuff tears, for a period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assessed the relationship between time, power and ablation size using a novel high-frequency 14.5 GHz microwave applicator in ex vivo human hepatic parenchyma and colorectal liver metastases. Previous examination has demonstrated structurally normal but non-viable cells within the ablation zone. This study aimed to further investigate how ablation affects these cells, and to confirm non-viability. Materials and methods: Ablations were performed in ex vivo human hepatic parenchyma and tumour for a variety of time (10-180 s) and power (10-50 W) settings. Histological examination was performed to assess cellular anatomy, whilst enzyme histochemistry was used to confirm cellular non-viability. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the subcellular structural effects of ablation within these fixed cells. Preliminary proteomic analysis was also performed to explore the mechanism of microwave cell death. Results: Increasing time and power settings led to a predictable and reproducible increase in size of ablation. At 50 W and 180 s application, a maximum ablation diameter of 38.8 mm (±1.3) was produced. Ablations were produced rapidly, and at all time and power settings ablations remained spherical (longest:shortest diameter <1.2). Routine histological analysis using haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) confirmed well preserved cellular anatomy despite ablation. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated marked subcellular damage. Enzyme histochemistry showed complete absence of viability in ablated tissue. Conclusions: Large spherical ablation zones can be rapidly and reproducibly achieved in ex vivo human hepatic parenchyma and colorectal liver metastases using a 14.5 GHz microwave generator. Despite well preserved cellular appearance, ablated tissue is non-viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Physical trauma is the third leading cause of facial nerve damage, which can disrupt communication, social interaction and emotional expression. The objective of this report was to investigate the effects of facial muscle exercise as a stand-alone treatment in a young adult with unilateral facial nerve damage 13-years post-onset. Method: This single case study examines the long-term results of a 7-week intensive facial exercise programme followed by a 16-week moderate facial exercise programme. Results: Intensive exercise increased facial strength and upper lip elevation on the affected side and upper and lower lip strength on the affected and non-affected sides. With subsequent moderate exercise followed by 24 weeks of rest, strength was maintained but not increased. Conclusion: With intensive facial exercise, muscle weakness resulting from facial nerve damage sustained during childhood can be improved years after injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many animal models of neuropathic pain involve both surgery and neural trauma. Chacur et al described the surgical placement of perisciatic gelfoam and a cannula through which zymosan was introduced after healing. We report a simpler percutaneous technique by which to deliver zymosan to the sciatic nerve and in the rat. Using a nerve stimulator we located the sciatic nerve and delivered either zymosan in incomplete Freunds (IFA) or IFA alone. Animals were tested for tactile allodynia at baseline and for up to 12 days post-treatment. Mean baseline withdrawal values did not differ between groups. Zymosan-treated rats showed decreased paw withdrawal thresholds (PWT) from day 3 [day 0: 14.3 ± 0.52 g; day 3: 8.5 ± 0.42 g; p < 0.05]. At day 12 there was bilateral tactile allodynia in animals that received zymosan [ipsilateral PWT: 4.9 ± 1.01 g; contralateral: 7.2 ± 1.35 g]. Statistically significant changes were observed only for zymosan-treated rats. We extended the observations to approximately 70 days, at which time allodynia was still robust. Both astrocyte activation and IL-1â expression in the ipsilateral spinal cord of persistently allodynic rats appeared to be greater than that in their counterparts that had recovered. This approach represents a simple, non-surgical procedure by which to induce chronic inflammatory neuritis. It thus lends itself to the study of both chronic pain and the prodromal phase. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]