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The aim of this study was to investigate, whether the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in the serum of pregnant and non-pregnant bitches differs significantly. For this purpose, 81 blood samples were taken from pregnant bitches at days 5-13, 15-21, 24-31, 34-40 and 41-50 after mating, and 51 samples from non-pregnant animals at corresponding times. Relative enzyme activity, calculated as the percentage of serum enzyme activity on enzyme activity in a control sample, was determined with a commercially available assay after activation of serum MMPs with p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). In addition, serum oestradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) concentrations were measured with an enzymeimmunoassay (EIA). In the pregnant bitches, at days 5-13 and 15-21 after mating, the mean activity of both MMPs was significantly higher than in non-pregnant animals (28.5% vs 24.5% and 27.7% vs 22.6%; p < 0.01). Moreover, in the pregnant bitches, significant correlations were detected between the serum enzyme activity and the serum concentrations of E(2) (-0.900; p < 0.05) and P(4) (+0.667; p < 0.05).

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric solutions of bupivacaine or ropivacaine in xylazine-sedated calves undergoing surgery. Subarachnoid anaesthesia was performed with either 20 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine (bupivacaine group (BG), n=10) or 30 mg of hyperbaric ropivacaine (ropivacaine group (RG), n=10) into the lumbar dural space of 20 calves in a randomised, prospective clinical trial. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MBP) blood pressure, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, rectal temperature were recorded after sedation (time 0), and up to 120 minutes after injection. Onset, duration and magnitude of sensory block (scale 1-4) were determined using the pin-prick test throughout surgery. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and non-parametric tests (P<0.05). Bodyweight, age, duration of surgery, SBP, DBP, MBP, HR were not significantly different between groups. Onset of anaesthesia (mean±sd; BG, 5±1 minutes; RG, 7±1 minutes) and duration of anaesthesia (mean±sd; BG, 153±32 minutes; RG, 86±12 minutes) were significantly different between groups. Analgesic scores were significantly higher than baseline from 5 to 120 min, and from 7 to 85 min in BG and RG, respectively. Subarachnoid administration of hyperbaric solutions of bupivacaine produced faster onset and longer duration of anaesthesia than ropivacaine.

PURPOSE:To assess and compare the histopathological effects of ozone therapy and/or methylprednisolone (MPS) treatment on regeneration after crush type sciatic nerve injury. METHODS:Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Four groups received the following regimens intraperitoneally every day for 14 days after formation of crush type injury on sciatic nerve: Group I: ozone (20mcg/ml); Group II: methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group III: ozone (20 mcg/ml) and methylprednisolone (2mg/kg); Group IV: isotonic saline (0.9%). The histomorphological evaluation was made after biopsies were obtained from the sites of injury.RESULTS: Significant differences were noted between groups in terms of degeneration (p=0.019), nerve sheath cell atrophy (p=0.012), intraneural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p=0.002), perineural granulation tissue formation (p=0.019), perineural vascular proliferation (p=0.004), perineural inflammatory cellular infiltration (p<0.001) and inflammation in peripheral tissue (p=0.006).Degeneration was remarkably low in Group III, while no change in nerve sheath cell was noted in Group II. CONCLUSION:The combined use of methylprednisolone and ozone treatment can have beneficial effects for regeneration after crush type nerve injury.

One of problems after peripheral nerve injury and surgery is scar tissue formation. Although the continuity of axons is restored, often the axonal viability and recovery is blocked by scarring. For preventing from scar formation silicone tubes are widely used. In addition, in the present study was used hyaluronic acid, which prevents adhesion. The aim of the present study is to evaluate electrophysiological results on nerve regeneration obtained after incision and reconstruction of rat sciatic nerve using only silicone tubes and silicone tubes filled with hyaluronic acid. Electrophysiological measurements were performed at 30th and 60th days after surgery. The amplitude and latency of the compound muscle action potentials and nerve conduction velocities were calculated for each rat. Although sciatic nerve conduction velocities in all operated groups not reached control values, amplitude and latency values in group with silicone tube and in group with silicone tube filled with hyaluronic acid statistically achieved control values on day 60. Silicone tubes filled with hyaluronic acid had better results compared to the silicone tubes without hyaluronic acid. Hence, the use of silicone tubes and hyaluronic acid for the reconstruction of nerve injuries seems to give good results on axonal regeneration.

We present the second case of Klippel-Feil syndrome in association with a posterior fossa dermoid cyst extending through the occipital bone and presenting as a suboccipital subcutaneous mass. We describe its radiographic, CT, and MRI appearances as well as on MRI diffusion-weighted images. Posterior cranial fossa dermoid cysts and sinuses should be added to the list of congenital abnormalities which must be sought in patients with Klippel-Feil syndrome. Diffusion-weighted images of brain may differentiate these masses from cerebral spinal fluid collections.

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The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of intrathecal (IT) ketamine HCl anesthesia on clinical values and some haemodynamic and biochemical parameters in bitches. An IT ketamine (10 mg/kg) was administered to 30 bitches with a spinal needle (18-22 G) in the lumbosacral space. The haemodynamic parameters were monitored and some biochemical values were assessed (blood gase, oxygen-haemoglobin, and electrolyte levels). The length and depth of anaesthesia was determined with a pinprick test, touching to the ligamenta lata uteri and incision. Anaesthesia took effect in less than 1 min in all dogs and has lasted an average of 95.9 min. In spite of the fact that the dogs recovered completely from the effects of dissociative anaesthesia, the anaesthesia in the some extremities was observed to be continued for an average of 17 min longer. The use of IT ketamine HCl raised blood pressure and did not have a depressive effect on respiratory and cardiac functions. It was concluded that ketamine HCl could be an appropriate alternative for ovariohysterectomy operations in bitches when the quality of the anaesthesia and the prevention of bradycardia and hypotension are considered.