Evaluation of Eosinopenia as a SIRS Biomarker in Critically Ill Horses

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a very common finding in critically ill patients. To accurately identify patients with SIRS and those who need intensive care, several markers have been evaluated, including cortisol, WBC or lactate. It is widely known that a stress leukogram includes eosinopenia as one of its main markers (neutrophilia, eosinopenia, lymphopenia and mild monocytes). It is known that cortisol concentration in plasma is the main stress biomarker and is strongly correlated with the severity of disease in horses. However, it is not possible to measure this parameter routinely in clinical conditions. Hence, in this study it was hypothesized that the eosinophil count could be a reliable parameter to identify critically ill horses. Horses included in this study were divided into three groups: Group A (sick horses received at the Emergency Unit which did not fulfil the criteria for SIRS), Group B (horses that meet two or more criteria for inclusion in the definition of SIRS) and a control group of healthy horses. In this study, horses with SIRS showed lower eosinophil counts than healthy horses. Moreover, non-surviving horses exhibited lower eosinophil counts than survivors. Eosinopenia could be used to identify horses with SIRS and can be useful as a prognostic marker

Acute upper airway obstruction due to retropharyngeal hematoma in a dog with Anaplasma species: a case study

Antecedentes: El hematoma retro-faríngeo es una rara afección que es difícil de diagnosticar y puede progresar rápidamente a la obstrucción de las vías respiratorias. Los autores reportan el primer caso conocido de la obstrucción aguda de la vía aérea superior resultante de hematoma retro-faríngeo en un perro. Causas documentadas en medicina humana han incluido coagulopatía, trauma, infección, adenoma paratiroideo ruptura, y la ingestión de cuerpo extraño. Síntomas vagos en los seres humanos como dolor de garganta, disfonía, disnea, disfagia y la hinchazón del cuello puede preceder a la obstrucción de las vías aéreas letales. Presentación de casos: Los autores presentan el caso de una paciente hembra Spaniel de agua, de 18 meses de edad, con trombocitopenia que desarrolló un gran hematoma retro-faríngeo y síntomas de compromiso de la vía aérea. El perro requiere intubación traqueal, seguida por la traque-ostomía quirúrgica. Radiografía cervical lateral y la resonancia magnética del cuello fue compatible con un hematoma retro-faríngeo comprometer la vía respiratoria. El hematoma retro-faríngeo fue gestionado de forma conservadora. Conclusión: El hematoma retrofaríngeo debe ser considerada en pacientes con dificultad respiratoria brusca. La resonancia magnética permite el diagnóstico específico de una rara afección que de otro modo es difícil de diagnosticar.Background: Retropharyngeal hematoma is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose and may progress rapidly to airway obstruction. The authors report the first known case of acute upper airway obstruction resulting from retropharyngeal hematoma in a dog. Documented causes in human medicine have included coagulopathic states, trauma, infection, parathyroid adenoma rupture, and foreign body ingestion. Vague symptoms in humans such as sore throat, shortness of breath, dysphonia, dysphagia, and neck swelling may precede lethal airway obstruction. Case presentation: The authors report a case of an 18-month-old, intact female water spaniel with thrombocytopenia that developed a massive retropharyngeal hematoma and symptoms of airway compromise. The dog required tracheal intubation followed by surgical tracheostomy. Lateral cervical radiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck was consistent with a retropharyngeal hematoma compromising the airway. The retropharyngeal hematoma was managed conservatively. Conclusion: Retropharyngeal hematoma should be considered in patients presenting with abrupt respiratory distress.Magnetic resonance imaging allowed specific diagnosis of a rare condition that is otherwise difficult to diagnose

Epidemiological study of canine mammary tumors: age, breed, size and malignancy

A retrospective study was carried out on 858 female canine patients who were attended at the Surgery Service of the Clinical Veterinary Hospital of the University of Extremadura (Spain), during a period of 5 years (2008-2012). This study aims to determine the incidence of mammary tumors in the canine species of this region together with the analysis of several epidemiological variables (breed, age, and size) and the histopathological variable tumor malignancy. Three groups of patients were considered: (I) general group including all patients (n=858), (II) oncological patients (n=376), and (III) patients with mammary tumors (n=227). Oncology represented the most common pathology for female dogs (n=376, 43.82%), with mammary tumors being the most frequent neoplasms (n=227, 60.37%). Mixed breed dogs were more likely than purebred dogs to suffer from mammary tumors, with these tumors being more frequently malignant. It was also found that large-sized patients show a greater predisposition to malignant mammary tumors. In patients with tumors, age at diagnosis was significantly associated with a higher malignancy rate. The results of the study confirm the importance of oncology in the veterinary clinic in the region. Mammary tumors represent the most frequently diagnosed neoplasia in female dogs. Old age, mixed breed and large size predispose to its development and represent risk factors for malignancy

Osteomielitis maxilar debido a Halicephalobus gingivalis y diseminación fatal en un caballo

En la presente comunicación se expone un caso de infestación parasitaria poco habitual causada por Halicephalobus gingivalis, cuya manifestación principal fue osteomielitis del hueso maxilar. El caballo mostraba inicialmente inflamación y dolor en la región de la cresta facial derecha. Las radiografías demostraron la presencia de osteolisis y ensanchamiento de la cresta facial. La biopsia del hueso mostraba inflamación granulomatosa y un gran número de larvas del nematodo. El caballo fue tratado con ivermectina. Inicialmente mejoraron los signos clínicos, pero dos meses y medio después el caballo desarrollo uveitis y fallo renal, por lo que fue eutanasiado. El estudio anatómico-patológico mostro múltiples granulomas parasitarios en los riñones y en la uvea. La infección por Halicephalobus gingivalis es poco frecuente en caballos y personas aunque presenta una distribución mundial. De acuerdo con los autores esta es la primera vez que se describe dicha infestación en un équido en España.This study reports a rare case of maxillary osteomyelitis in a horse caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis. The horse presented inflammation and pain in the region of the right facial crest and the radiographs detected osteolysis and widening of the facial crest. The biopsy revealed a granulomatous inflammation and a large amount of parasite larvae. The horse was treated with ivermectin but it developed uveitis and renal insufficiency 2.5 months later and was euthanised. The anatomopathological study found multiple parasitic granulomas in the kidneys and uveal tract. H. gingivalis is an infrequent infection in horses and people, and it has a worldwide distribution. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of H. gingivalis infection in an equid to be diagnosed in Spain.peerReviewe

Análisis del suministro eléctrico en obra y estudio de alternativas.

En el presente proyecto se desarrolla un análisis de la situación actual del suministro eléctrico durante la ejecución de obras de construcción de nuevas viviendas, señalando los principales problemas que se presentan y sus respectivas consecuencias tanto económicas como medioambientales. Se lleva a cabo una búsqueda de alternativas sostenibles profundizando en la energía solar fotovoltaica y se complementa con una alternativa administrativa.<br /

Análisis del suministro eléctrico en obra y estudio de alternativas.

En el presente proyecto se desarrolla un análisis de la situación actual del suministro eléctrico durante la ejecución de obras de construcción de nuevas viviendas, señalando los principales problemas que se presentan y sus respectivas consecuencias tanto económicas como medioambientales. Se lleva a cabo una búsqueda de alternativas sostenibles y una propuesta de alternativa administrativa.<br /

Total intravenous anaesthesia in a goat undergoing craniectomy

Fondo La coenurosis cerebral es una enfermedad del sistema nervioso central en ovejas y cabras, y suele ser mortal a menos que se proporcione alivio quirúrgico. La información sobre la neuroanestesia en medicina veterinaria en cabras es escasa. Presentación del caso Describimos el manejo anestésico de una cabra hembra intacta (2 años; 16 kg) presentada para una craneotomía. La cabra se sedó con xilazina (0,05 mg kg − 1, i.m.) y morfina (0,05 mg kg − 1, i.m.). La anestesia general se indujo 20 min más tarde con propofol y se mantuvo con una infusión a velocidad constante de propofol (0,2 mg kg − 1 min − 1). Se colocó un tubo endotraqueal con manguito y se conectó a un sistema de recirculación (círculo) y se inició la ventilación mecánica con oxígeno al 100%. Se administró un bolo de lidocaína (1 mg kg − 1), midazolam (0,25 mg kg − 1) y fentanilo 2,5 μg kg − 1 por vía intravenosa seguida inmediatamente de una infusión a velocidad constante de lidocaína (50 μg kg − 1 min− 1), midazolam (0,15 mg kg − 1 h − 1) y fentanilo (6 μg kg − 1 h − 1) administrados por vía intravenosa a lo largo de la cirugía. Se realizó craniectomía y la cabra se recuperó sin problemas. Conclusión La anestesia intravenosa total con propofol, lidocaína, fentanilo y midazolam podría ser una opción aceptable para la anestesia durante la cirugía intracraneal en cabras.Background Cerebral coenurosis is a disease of the central nervous system in sheep and goats, and is usually fatal unless surgical relief is provided. Information regarding neuroanaesthesia in veterinary medicine in goats is scant. Case presentation We describe anaesthetic management of an intact female goat (2 years; 16 kg) presented for craniectomy. The goat was sedated with xylazine (0.05 mg kg−1, i.m.) and morphine (0.05 mg kg−1, i.m.). General anaesthesia was induced 20 min later with propofol and maintained with a constant rate infusion of propofol (0.2 mg kg−1 min−1). A cuffed endotracheal tube was placed and connected to a rebreathing (circle) system and mechanical ventilation with 100% oxygen was initiated. A bolus of lidocaine (1 mg kg−1), midazolam (0.25 mg kg−1) and fentanyl 2.5 μg kg−1 was delivered via the intravenous route followed immediately by a constant rate infusion of lidocaine (50 μg kg−1 min−1), midazolam (0.15 mg kg−1 h−1) and fentanyl (6 μg kg−1 h−1) administered via the intravenous route throughout surgery. Craniectomy was undertaken and the goat recovered uneventfully. Conclusion Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol, lidocaine, fentanyl and midazolam could be an acceptable option for anaesthesia during intracranial surgery in goats.peerReviewe

La neumografia retroperitonealdirecta frente a otras técnicas radioloógicas de contraste negativo para la visualización del riñón en la especie canina

Proponemos el uso de una nueva técnica radiológica para la visualización de los riñones, la neumografia retroperitoneal directa, una técnica sencilla y segura, en la que se obtienen imágenes de gran calidad y que nos permite visualizar selectivamente uno o ambos riñones a partir de un único punto de insuflación. Desarrollarnos un modelo experimental en el que se compara esta técnica con la neumoperitoneografía y la neumografía retroperítoneal presacra, valorando la calidad de las imágenes, el grado de dificultad y la seguridad de las mismas.The use of a new radiological technique for kidneys visualization isproposed, the direct retroperitoneal pneumograpby; an easy and safe technique which gives high qua lity images, visualizing selectively one or both kidneys starting from only one insufflation point. An experimental model of comparison between the direct retroperitoneal pneumograpby, the pneumoperitoneograpby and the pararectal retroperitoneal neumography is carried out; estimating the images qua lity, the difficulty level and the security ofthis techniques

Computational flow cytometry reveals that cryopreservation induces spermptosis but subpopulations of spermatozoa may experience capacitation-like changes

[EN] The reduced lifespan of cryopreserved spermatozoa in the mare reproductive tract has been attributed to both capacitative and apoptotic changes. However, there is a lack of studies investigating both phenomena simultaneously. In order to improve our knowledge in this particular point, we studied in raw and frozen-thawed samples apoptotic and capacitative markers using a wide battery of test based in flow cytometry. Apoptotic markers evaluated were caspase 3 activity, externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), and mitochondrial membrane potential. Markers of changes resembling capacitation were membrane fluidity, tyrosine phosphorylation, and intracellular sodium. Conventional and computational flow cytometry using nonlinear dimensionally reduction techniques (t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE)) and automatic classification of cellular expression by nonlinear stochastic embedding (ACCENSE) were used. Most of the changes induced by cryopreservation were apoptotic, with increase in caspase 3 activation (P < 0.01), PS translocation to the outer membrane (P < 0.001), loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (P < 0.05), and increase in intracellular Na+ (P < 0.01). Average values of markers of capacitative changes were not affected by cryopreservation; however, the analysis of the phenotype of individual spermatozoa using computational flow cytometry revealed the presence of subpopulations of spermatozoa experiencing capacitative changes. For the first time advanced computational techniques were applied to the analysis of spermatozoa, and these techniques were able to disclose relevant information of the ejaculate that remained hidden using conventional flow cytometry.SIThe authors received financial support for this study from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad-FEDER, Madrid, Spain, grant AGL2013-43211-R, Junta de Extremadura-FEDER (GR 15029). PMM is supported by a pre-doctoral grant from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Madrid Spain FPU13/03991. COF is supported by a post-doctoral grant from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad “Juan de la Cierva” IJCI-2014-21671