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This work was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia-FCT (Project PEst-OE/AGR/U10276/2014). Hemorrhagic shock (HS) induces a compensatory endocrine and cytokine response which aims to restore homeostasis. This response can be modulated by general anesthetics. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated if etomidate modulates this response in experimental HS. After being premedicated with buprenorphine (0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously), male Wistar rats were anaesthetized with 5% isoflurane and divided into three groups: G1 (control, n = 16), G2 (n = 13), and G3 (n = 14). G2 and G3 were subjected to HS by collecting 30% of their blood volume and resuscitated 90 min later with the collected blood and normal saline, in a 1:3 ratio, respectively. G3 received etomidate (1 mg/kg IV) before HS. Blood gas analysis, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone, and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA obtained through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were measured at 0, 90, 150, and 240 min after HS induction. Compared with G2, etomidate-treated animals had significantly lower corticosterone, PO2, PO2/FiO2, base excess and HCO3, and higher TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α mRNA levels (P

Background Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an evolving technology that is capable of delivering real-time, high-resolution images of tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using OCT for detecting airway pathology in a septic animal model. Methods The tracheas of New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated endobronchially with various concentrations of live Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. After the development of pneumonia/sepsis, the animals were killed. OCT tracheal images and corresponding histologic specimens from these experimental animals were compared to control rabbit tracheas for morphologic features and quantitative tracheal mucosal thickness measurements. Results The results revealed significant airway mucosal thickening in the experimental group that was consistent with tracheal edema. Morphologic changes, including epithelial denuding and mucosal sloughing, were evident in regions of the experimental tracheas. Conclusion This study suggests that OCT is a potentially valuable imaging modality that is capable of evaluating superficial airway pathology with high-resolution in vivo images. Numerous applications of OCT can be envisioned in the realm of pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery that may substantially increase the precision and accuracy of current bronchoscopic diagnostic and surgical techniques.

Summary The purpose of this study is to report the aterial blood gas findings in dogs with bacterial pneumonia. Arterial blood gas samples were collected from 62 dogs with culture-confirmed bacterial pneumonia. These results were compared with 46 normal dog arterial blood gas samples. Results demonstrated that respiratory acidosis was not a problem in dogs with pneumonia in this study. Significant evidence of hypoxemia was noted with abnormal mean values in PaO2 (P

Summary Apparent restihg energy expenditure (AREE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were determined by open flow indirect calorimetry in a group of 104 apparently resting, critically ill, postoperative and severely traumatized dogs. The evaluations were conducted in a calm, temperature-controlled environment after at least a 12-hour fast. Subjects were allowed to acclimilate to the monitoring equipment prior to beginning the study. The clinical patients were compared to a group of 20 clinically normal, apparently resting, client owned dogs (NC). The data was also compared to published normals (NP) for energy expenditure of apparently resting dogs. Measurements were indexed to actual body weight in kilograms (BW) as well as to metabolic body size(BW0.75). Measurements of VO2 (VO2/kg and VO2/kg0.75) and VCO2 (VCO2/kg and VCO2/kg0.75) were used to calculate the RQ and the AREE. Critically ill, postperative and severely lower RQ values AREE/kg or AREE/kg0.75 (p=0.39). The PO&T dogs did exhibit significantly lower RQ values (p

Purpose: Evaluate if etomidate modulates adrenal apoptosis and if this influences the development of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) in hemorrhagic shock (HS). Material and methods: Four groups of 16 male Wistar rats: G0 (control group anesthetized with isoflurane and mechanical ventilation), G1 (like G0, but with buprenorphine), G2 (like G1 with HS), and G3 (like G2 with etomidate 1 mg/kg, IV, before HS). HS induced by collecting 30% of blood volume. Resuscitation performed 90 min later with the collected blood and normal saline. Hemodynamic parameters, blood gas analysis, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CS), and TNF-α, IL6, IL10 were determined at 0, 90, 150, and 240 min post-HS induction (at the corresponding time points in G0 and G1). Apoptosis and necrosis were determined by TUNEL and caspase-3 immunofluorescence and a necrosis score, respectively. Results: HS groups had significantly higher levels of apoptosis and necrosis than G1 and G0. Compared with G2, etomidate-treated animals had significantly lower levels of CS (compatible with CIRCI), PO2, PO2/FiO2, BE, HCO3, apoptosis, and necrosis and significantly higher cytokine levels. Conclusions: Etomidate was associated with CIRCI. HS was associated with adrenal gland apoptosis and necrosis. The latter were decreased by etomidate, possibly by both direct and indirect mechanisms.

A phase-resolved polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) system was used to determine the burn depth of in vivo tissue non-invasively. The phase retardation information was obtained by processing the analytical interference fringe signals from two perpendicular polarization-detection channels. From the birefringence images for the four reference polarization states, the birefringence reduction in the rat skin due to thermal damage can be measured. The determined burn depth showed good agreement with histological result.

Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive operative endoscopic procedure designed for visual inspection of the thoracic cavity. The use of small, highly maneuverable, rigid telescopes allows visualization beyond what is possible by standard operative techniques. The use of a small video camera attached to a standard rigid telescope allows the operator and assistants to view a simultaneous, enlarged, and clear image. This article focuses on the basic diagnostic and surgical techniques used in veterinary video-assisted thoracoscopy.

Background: Pin tract infection is a common complication of external fixation. An antiinfective external fixator pin might help to reduce the incidence of pin tract infection and improve pin fixation. Methods: Stainless steel and titanium external fixator pins, with and without a lipid stabilized hydroxyapatite/chlorhexidine coating, were evaluated in a goat model. Two pins contaminated with an identifiable Staphylococcus aureus strain were inserted into each tibia of 12 goats. The pin sites were examined daily. On day 14, the animals were killed, and the pin tips cultured. Insertion and extraction torques were measured. Results: Infection developed in 100% of uncoated pins, whereas coated pins demonstrated 4.2% infected, 12.5% colonized, and the remainder, 83.3%, had no growth (p < 0.01). Pin coating decreased the percent loss of fixation torque over uncoated pins (p = 0.04). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the lipid stabilized hydroxyapatite/chlorhexidine coating was successful in decreasing infection and improving fixation of external fixator pins.