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Natural soft hydrogels are unique elastic soft materials utilized by living organisms for protecting delicate tissues. Under a theoretical framework derived from the Blob model, we chemically crosslinked high molecular weight hyaluronic acid at a concentration close to its overlap concentration (c*), and created synthetic soft hydrogels that exhibited unique rheological properties similar to a natural soft hydrogel: being dominantly elastic under low shear stress while being viscous when the stress is above a small threshold. We explored a potential application of the hyaluronic acid‐based soft hydrogel as a long‐acting ocular surface lubricant and evaluated its therapeutic effects for dry eye. The soft hydrogel was found to be biocompatible after topical instillation on experimental animals' and companion dogs' eyes. In a canine clinical study, twice‐a‐day ocular instillation of the soft hydrogel in combination with cyclosporine for 1 month improved the clinical signs in more than 65% of dog patients previously unresponsive to cyclosporine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adult silver arowana ( Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) presented with a 2-month history of acute onset ventral strabismus of the right eye associated with a cystic structure overlying the dorsal aspect of the globe. Aspiration of the cyst, removal of redundant conjunctival tissue, and apposition of the surgical edges of the conjunctiva did not correct the strabismus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and histopathology of the eye did not reveal significant differences between affected and unaffected eyes except for a more posterior dorsal rectus muscle insertion site in the affected eye. This case report documents and describes a syndrome well known among arowana hobbyists as 'drop eye'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To retrospectively evaluate the complications, graft clarity, and outcomes associated with the use of commercially available porcine urinary bladder submucosa ( ACell Vet™) alone for corneal reconstruction in dogs and cats. Procedures Dogs or cats receiving an ACell Vet™ graft for corneal reconstruction due to severe ulcerative keratitis or after a keratectomy to remove a corneal sequestrum were included. All received a single layer of ACell Vet™, bandage contact lens, and temporary tarsorrhaphy. Bandage contact lens and temporary tarsorrhaphy were removed after graft vascularization or epithelialization. Topical steroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus were started after epithelialization. Based on their last examination, outcomes were categorized into five groups based on the presence of corneal vessels, appearance of the scar, and the ability to visualize the posterior and/or the anterior segment through the grafted area. Results There were 82 eyes included in the study, with 68 eyes with sufficient follow-up time for final assessment. Scarring was minimal in 47 eyes, moderate but not enough to obscure visualization of the posterior segment in 12, and severe in nine. There were five eyes that developed phthisis bulbi, glaucoma or were enucleated and nine that were lost to follow up. Graft dehiscence occurred in 19 eyes. Twelve healed without additional surgical intervention while three required a second graft, two became phthisical, and two were enucleated. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Corneal reconstruction with ACell Vet™ alone is a viable alternative and results in minimal scarring and complications in cats. In dogs, scarring is more pronounced than in cats and graft dehiscence rate is higher compared to conventional techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the efficacy of a preoperative retrobulbar injection of bupivacaine to an intraoperative splash block of bupivacaine in controlling postoperative pain following enucleation in dogs. Animals studied Prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical study of 31 client owned dogs with end-stage ophthalmic disease requiring enucleation. Procedures Dogs admitted for unilateral enucleation were randomly assigned to receive bupivacaine 0.5% (1 mL/kg) into the retrobulbar space either via an inferior-temporal palpebral ( ITP) injection preoperatively or an intraoperative splash block. Pain was assessed prior to pre-anesthetic sedation and at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 6, 8, and 24 hours (H) after extubation by masked observers using a previously described subjective pain scoring system. Rescue analgesia was initiated if overall pain score was >9 or if the score in any category at any time point was >3. Results There were no adverse reactions. One of 15 dogs that received bupivacaine via a preoperative retrobulbar ITP injection required rescue analgesia. There was no significant difference between groups with regard to the need for rescue analgesia or pain scores at any time point or overall. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Pain control using an intraoperative orbital splash administration of bupivacaine is not significantly different to a preoperative retrobulbar injection of bupivacaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Compare the efficacy of canine serum, fresh frozen plasma ( FFP), freeze-thaw-cycled plasma ( FTCP), and Solcoseryl™ at inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 in vitro. Procedure Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activity in the presence of serum, FFP, FTCP, or Solcoseryl™ was assayed using a commercially available fluorogenic gelatinase activity kit. Results Matrix metalloproteinases 2 activity in the presence of serum, FFP, FTCP, and Solcoseryl™ was 20.84%, 5.76%, 8.10%, and 83.03%, respectively of uninhibited MMP 2 activity. MMP 9 activity in the presence of serum, FFP, FTCP, and Solcoseryl™ was 57.36%, 58.35%, 49.35%, and −8.69%, respectively of uninhibited MMP 9 activity. Conclusion Serum, FFP, and FTCP exhibit similar levels of MMP 2 and 9 inhibitions. Solcoseryl™ causes minimal MMP 2 inhibition, but profound MMP 9 inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For co-polyimides (PIs) of mellitic acid dianhydride, 1,3-aminophenoxybenzene and 4,4′- oxydiphthalic anhydride, Zr-pendent group content could be increased to 50% (mol) improving atomic oxygen (AO) resistance while retaining good film properties. Spectral data are consistent with expected structures. Intrinsic viscosities of 0.54-0.60 dL g-1 and average molecular weights of 111 000-122 000 gmol-1 estimated from gel permeation chromatography confirm the polymeric nature of co-polyamic acid precursors. Nuclear magnetic resonance integrations and amounts of thermogravimetric analysis residue verify pendent group concentrations. Increasing Zr-pendent group concentration from 10 to 50% (mol) caused glass transition temperatures to increase (198-245 °C), decomposition temperatures to decrease (518-455 °C), and the number of film layers able to be fabricated prior to crack formation to decrease (10 to 8). These numbers of layers were much higher than those for other PIs with comparable Zr-pendent group concentrations. Increased pendent group concentration caused the amount of protective oxide layer formed upon AO exposure to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]