Treatment with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is accompanied by mild generalized and reversible edema. These changes may be due to increased capillary permeability. Therefore, we studied the effects of subcutaneous IGF-I treatment in healthy subjects on capillary permeability of the skin and the retina. Eight healthy subjects were treated with saline or recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) (10 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 s.c.) in a randomized crossover fashion. Transcapillary diffusion of sodium fluorescein (NaF) was quantitated by video densitometry in the skin in all subjects on the 4th treatment day. In seven subjects, plasma penetration of NaF at the blood-retinal barrier was investigated using vitreous fluorometry (VF) on days 3 and 5. Fluorescent light intensities of the skin and plasma penetration determined by VF were significantly higher during the IGF-I treatment as compared with those during the control situation. In conclusion, IGF-I treatment at the above dose is accompanied by increased transcapillary diffusion of NaF in skin and in retinal vessels.

No abstract

No abstract

With the increasing popularity of viscoelastic coagulation analyzers, such as rotational thromboelastometry [ROTEM] and thromboelastography, the need for standardized methodology for appropriate interpretation has become increasingly important. Viscoelastic analysis is heavily influenced by a multitude of pre-analytic factors, both in vivo and in vitro, leading to a large amount of variation between institutions. We investigated the effect of room temperature during a 30-min sample rest time on ROTEM, which analyzed both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. We also evaluated the feasibility of using ROTEM to assess coagulation in non-anesthetized domestic rabbits. Rabbits were selected because they are a common companion animal that could benefit from the use of viscoelastic analysis for various disease processes that could lead to coagulopathies. Citrated whole blood was collected from 10 rabbits and allowed to rest upright for 30 min either at room temperature (~ 21°C) or in a tube warmer (37°C) before analysis. There was no significant difference in results between room temperature and warmed samples, which suggests that allowing samples to rest at room temperature is acceptable clinically. Additionally, blood collection and analysis were feasible in all rabbits.

No abstract

The purpose of the present report is to describe feasibility and gross postmortem results of oblique prefemoral ovariectomy in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) performed by veterinarians in a teaching environment. Sixteen red-eared sliders were included in a teaching workshop. The turtles were anesthetized and placed in dorsolateral recumbency at an oblique 45-degree angle by use of folded towels. After prefemoral access to the celom and placement of a retractor with elastic bands, the ipsilateral follicles were exteriorized via gentle maneuvering with cotton tip applicators and excised after application of titanium clips and cautery with bipolar radiosurgery. On 14 of the 16 chelonians (87.5%) surgery was successfully completed. Of the two chelonians that did not have the surgical procedure completed, one had marked celomitis with adhesion of the ovaries to the liver and one had immature ovaries. At the end of the surgical procedures all chelonians were euthanized and postmortem was performed. The 14 chelonians that had surgery completed had no evident remaining ovarian tissue on gross postmortem. A survey completed by the attendants nine months after the workshop showed that a minority of the respondents (1/17) found the procedure difficult, and that one of the seven respondents that performed the surgery after the workshop was not able to complete the procedure. This report indicated that oblique prefemoral ovariectomy in mature red-eared sliders can be effectively taught to veterinarians during a workshop, and that if the procedure is completed the chances of leaving ovarian remnants are low.