Impact of pulsating infrared and red monochromatic light treatment on wound healing in horses.

Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) is a treatment method where red light or near infrared (NIR) light is utilised for treating a variety of disorders including wounds. Wound healing in horses may be slow, especially on the distal limb, and there is an interest to shorten healing times. The purpose of the present study was to investigate how treatment with pulsating visible red light (λ≈637 nm) and NIR light (λ≈956 nm) affects wound healing time in healthy horses. A circular skin wound (Ø=2 cm) was created on each side of the neck in healthy horses (n=8). One of the wounds was treated using light treatment and the other was left untreated, serving as negative control. Treatment duration was 4 minutes and 40 seconds (red light 95 seconds, NIR light 185 seconds) and was performed once daily day 0-4, 7-11, 14-18 and 21-25. The irradiance was measured to 2.3 mW/cm2 for red light and 6.4 mW/cm2 for NIR light. The wounds were photographed and evaluated using digital planimetry day 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. The wound area did not differ between treated and control group on any day. The wounds where visually inspected daily and the time to complete healing was recorded. Control wounds were judged as completely healed after a mean time of 49,0 days (95%Ci=35,462,6) and treated wounds after 51,8 days (95%Ci=38,7-64,8). This is a significantly shorter time to complete healing for control wounds (p=0,026). The evaluators were blinded in respect to which wound was treated. The results of this study do not indicate any positive effect of light treatment on healing of experimental skin wounds in horses.Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) är en behandlingsmetod där rött ljus eller ljus i den nära infraröda (NIR) delen av spektrumet används, bland annat i syfte att förkorta sårläkningstider. Sårläkning på häst kan ta lång tid, särskilt på benens distala delar och ett intresse finns för metoder som kan förkorta läkningstiden. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka om behandling med pulserande rött synligt ljus (λ≈637 nm) och NIR ljus (λ≈956 nm) påverkar sårläkningshastigheten hos friska hästar. Ett cirkulärt sår (Ø=2 cm) stansades ut på vardera sida av halsen hos friska hästar (n=8). Den ena sidans sår ljusbehandlades och den andra sidan lämnades som negativ kontroll. Behandlingen varade i 4 minuter och 40 sekunder (rött ljus 95 sekunder, NIR ljus 185 sekunder) och utfördes en gång dagligen dag 0-4, 7-11, 14-18 och 21-25. Irradiansen för rött ljus mättes till 2,3 mW/cm2 och för NIR ljus till 6,4 mW/cm2. Såren fotograferades och utvärderades med digital planimetri dag 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 och 35. Sårarean skiljde inte mellan behandlings- och kontrollgrupp någon av dagarna. Såren inspekterades visuellt dagligen och tiden till fullständig läkning noterades. Kontrollsåren bedömdes fullständigt läkta efter i genomsnitt 49,0 dagar (95%Ci=35,4-62,6) och behandlade sår efter 51,8 dagar (95%Ci=38,7-64,8). Tiden till fullständig läkning var signifikant kortare för kontrollsåren (p=0,026). Personerna som utvärderade sårläkningen var blindade för vilka sår som var behandlade. Ljusbehandling hade ingen påskyndande effekt på läkning av experimentellt framkallade sår hos häst i denna studie

Upper respiratory disease caused by feline herpesvirus type 1 and feline calicivirus : laboratory diagnostics, epidemiology and immunoprophylaxis

De vanligaste orsakerna till kattsnuva är infektion med felint herpesvirus typ 1 (FHV-1) eller felint calicivirus (FCV). Båda virusen är vanligt förekommande även i den friska populationen och prevalensen är generellt högre i större djurgrupper. Efter infektion med FHV-1 lägger sig viruset ofta latent och kan återaktiveras av olika stressfaktorer. FCV kan utsöndras i flera år efter infektion och detta utan att katterna visar kliniska symtom. Smittspridning för FHV-1 sker främst via direktkontakt med akut sjuka djur eller intermittent utsöndrande djur. FCV smittar direkt från sjuka djur eller friska smittbärare men kan också smitta via ytor. I täta kattpopulationer är troligen smittspridning via ytor en viktig smittväg även för FHV-1. Polymeraskedjereaktion (PCR) och virusisolering (VI) används idag för att detektera virus från infekterade katter. En bra PCR kan upptäcka färre viruspartiklar än VI och är således både känsligare och snabbare. Eftersom det är vanligt med friska smittbärare betyder positivt testsvar inte säkert att viruset är sjukdomsorsakande hos individen. Serologi har inte visat sig användbart vid sjukdomsdiagnostisering, men höga antikroppstitrar kan tyda på att individen är skyddad från sjukdom. En korrelation mellan halten virusneutraliserande antikroppar (VNA) och skydd vid ”challenge” förekommer, men är inte fullständig. Individer utan VNA kan också vara skyddade, vilket tyder på att cell-medierad immunitet också är viktig. Prevalensstudier i Europa visar siffror för FHV-1 i friska populationer så låga som 0 % och så höga som 11 %. För FCV är motsvarande siffror mellan 2,6 % och 29 % i den friska populationen. Den stora skillnaden beror troligen på hur studiepopulationen valts men också på flera faktorer så som hur provet är taget och val av analysmetod. Vaccinering ger inget fullständigt skydd mot infektion och sjukdom men ger skydd genom en lindrigare symtombild vid infektion. Vaccinering ger också en minskad virusutsöndring, men prevalensstudier tyder på att den är otillräcklig för begränsning av smittspridning. FCV muterar ofta och antigeniciteten skiljer mycket mellan olika stammar, men alla anses tillhöra samma serotyp. Skillnaden i antigenicitet får till följd att olika immunitet bildas beroende på stam. Immunitet mot en stam ger bra skydd mot andra stammar om korsreaktiviteten mellan stammarna är hög. Val av vaccinstam kan således vara av betydelse för att skapa en så bra immunitet som möjligt mot fältstammar. Nya studier tyder på att bredare korsneutraliserande förmåga och bättre skydd kan fås genom att kombinera flera stammar i samma vaccin. Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att undersöka vilka laboratoriediagnostiska metoder som finns tillgängliga för att undersöka förekomst av sjukdom och sjukdomens epidemiologi samt belysa värdet av immunprofylax.The most common cause of upper respiratory disease in cats is infection with feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) or feline calicivirus (FCV). Both viruses are commonly found in the healthy cat population and the prevalence is usually higher in larger cat groups. Following FHV-1-infection the virus often becomes latent and may be reactivated by stress. FCV may be shed for several years post infection without the presence of clinical signs. Transmission of FHV-1 mainly occurs by direct contact with acutely ill animals or latently infected cats undergoing reactivation. FCV spreads mainly directly from sick cats or carriers, but may also spread via contaminated environment. Environmental contamination with FHV-1 is probably an important way of transmission in dense cat populations. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation (VI) are used for detecting virus in infected cats. A good PCR has the ability to detect smaller amounts of virions and is hence both more sensitive and faster. Since it is common with healthy cats shedding virus, a positive test does not automatically mean that the agent is disease-causing. Serology has not been found useful for diagnosing disease, but antibody level indicates if the cat is protected from disease or not. A correlation between virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA) and protection against challenge infection exists but cats without VNA may also be protected, indicating that cell-mediated immunity is an important factor. Prevalence studies in Europe show a prevalence of FHV-1 in the healthy cat population between 0 % and 11 %. Corresponding figures for FCV are 2,6 % to 29 %. The substantial differences in results are probably due to how the study population is chosen but also to factors such as sampling technique and the method used for analysis. Vaccination does not provide full protection against infection or disease but lessens the severity of clinical symptoms. Even though viral shedding is lower in vaccinated cats, prevalence studies indicate that this does not prevent transmission. FCV mutates quickly and the antigenicity differs between different strains, but all strains are considered to belong to the same serotype. The diverse antigenicity results in different immunity to the various strains. Immunity to one strain offers protection to other strains corresponding to the degree of antigenic similarity. The selection of vaccine strain may therefore be of importance to create the best possible immunity to field strains. Recent studies indicate that combining various strains in vaccines can attain a broader cross-protecting ability. The purpose of this literature review is to investigate which laboratory methods that are available for diagnosing disease and for investigating the epidemiology of the disease. In addition the value of immunoprophylaxis will be highlighted

Nitrofurantoin plasma- and urine exposure in eight healthy beagle dogs following standard nitrofurantoin dosing regimen

Bacterial cystitis is common in dogs and is usually treated with antibiotics. Nitrofurantoin is used for treatment of bacterial cystitis in humans and might provide a feasible treatment option in dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the nitrofurantoin plasma concentration-time course and potential adverse effects in dogs. Nitro-furantoin (4.4-5.0 mg/kg) was administered orally to eight healthy beagles every 8 h for five days before repeated plasma and urine samples were collected. An additional four beagles served as untreated controls. The nitrofurantoin plasma and urine concentrations were measured using ultra high precision liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometry and further analysed using a non-compartmental pharmacokinetic model. In plasma, the median C-max was 2.1 mu g/mL, t(max) was 2 h, the terminal rate constant was 0.9 per h and the terminal half-life was 0.8 h. In urine, median C-max was 56 mu g/mL, t(max) was 1 h and the terminal half-life was 4.3 h. No adverse effects were observed clinically or in haematology or biochemistry. The data presented in this study combined with in vitro sensitivity data from common urine pathogens and the lack of observed adverse effects suggest that nitrofurantoin in a standard dosing regimen could be effective in sporadic bacterial cystitis treatment in dogs. Further clinical studies are highly warranted to verify the effectiveness in clinical cases

Plasma atropine concentrations associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses

IntroductionAtropine is an essential part of the treatment protocol for equine uveitis. Topical atropine administration has been associated with decreased intestinal motility and abdominal pain in horses. Experimental studies have indicated that frequent dosing is associated with a higher risk than dosing every 6 h. Unfortunately, no quantitative pharmacodynamic data for inhibition of the equine gut are published. Materials and methodsEight standardbred horses were assigned to receive either atropine or saline (control) to be infused over 30 min in a two-treatment cross-over design. Atropine concentrations in plasma were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Intestinal motility was measured using borborygmi frequency and electrointestinography (EIG). Experimental data were analyzed using a non-linear mixed effects model. The model was then used to simulate different dosing regimens. ResultsAtropine significantly decreased borborygmi response and EIG response. Six horses developed clinical signs of abdominal pain. The pharmacokinetic typical values were 0.31, 1.38, 0.69, and 1.95 L/kg center dot h for the volumes of the central, the highly perfused, the scarcely perfused compartments, and the total body clearance, respectively. The pharmacodynamic typical values were 0.31 mu g/L and 0.6 and 207 nV(2)7 cpm for the plasma concentration at 50% of the maximum response and the maximum response and the baseline of cecal EIG response, respectively. Six different dosing regimens of topical atropine sulfate to the eye (0.4 and 1 mg every hour, every 3 h, and every 6 h) were simulated. ConclusionThe IV PK/PD data coupled with simulations predict that administration of 1 mg of topical atropine sulfate administered to the eye every hour or every 3 h will lead to atropine accumulation in plasma and decreased intestinal myoelectric activity. Administration every 6 h predicted a safe dosing regimen in full-sized horses. Clinical studies would be valuable to confirm the conclusions. For smaller equids and horses put at risk for colic due to othercauses, droplet bottles that deliver 40 mu l of 1% atropine sulfate per drop or less may be used to lower the risk further

Effect of infrared and red monochromatic light on equine wound healing

Background Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are commonly used for treating a variety of disorders in horses, including wounds. Despite its claim to shorten healing times, there is a lack of scientific documentation regarding its effects.Objectives To investigate if treatment with pulsating visible red light (lambda approximate to 637 nm) and near-infrared (NIR) light (lambda approximate to 956 nm) affects wound healing.Study design Randomised blinded controlled experimental study.Methods A circular skin wound (o = 2 cm) was created on each side of the neck in eight healthy horses. One randomly chosen wound received light treatment and the other served as an untreated control. Treatment duration was 4 minutes and 40 seconds (red light 95 seconds, 2.3 mW/cm(2); NIR light 185 seconds, 6.4 mW/cm(2)) and was performed once daily on day 0-4, 7-11, 14-18 and 21-25. The wounds were photographed and evaluated using digital photoplanimetry on day 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. The degree of swelling was assessed with diagnostic ultrasound on the same days except the last recording was performed on day 36 instead of 35. Days to total healing was recorded. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis (P < .05).Results The wound area (P = .2-.9) and degree of swelling (P = .2-1.0) did not differ between treated and control groups on any day. There was a significant difference (P = .03) in healing time between control (49.0, 95% CI = 35.4-62.6 days) and treated wounds (51.8, 95% CI = 38.7-64.8 days).Main limitations The wounds were treated until day 25 and this study does not investigate the effect of a longer treatment period than 25 days.Conclusions The results of this study do not indicate any clinically relevant positive effect of pulsating visible red light and NIR light on the healing of experimental skin wounds in horses, compared with no treatment

Relation between pain and skeletal metastasis in patients with prostate or breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to examine the relation between pain and bone metastases in a group of patients with prostate or breast cancer that had been referred for bone scintigraphy. Whole-body bone scans, anterior and posterior views obtained with a dual detector gamma camera were studied from 101 consecutive patients who had undergone scintigraphy (600 MBq Tc-99m MDP) because of suspected bone metastatic disease. At the time of the examination, all patients were asked whether they felt any pain or had recently a trauma. This information was correlated with the classifications regarding the presence or absence of bone metastases made by a group of three experienced physicians. In patients with prostate cancer, we found metastases in 47% (18/38) of the patients with pain, but only in 12% (2/17) of the patients without pain (p = 0·01). In patients with breast cancer, on the other hand, metastases were more common in patients without pain (71%; 10/14) than in patients with pain (34%; 11/32) (p = 0·02). In conclusion, a significant relation between pain and skeletal metastases could be found in patients with prostate cancer and a reverse relation in patients with breast cancer

Plasma atropine concentrations associated with decreased intestinal motility in horses

IntroductionAtropine is an essential part of the treatment protocol for equine uveitis. Topical atropine administration has been associated with decreased intestinal motility and abdominal pain in horses. Experimental studies have indicated that frequent dosing is associated with a higher risk than dosing every 6 h. Unfortunately, no quantitative pharmacodynamic data for inhibition of the equine gut are published. Materials and methodsEight standardbred horses were assigned to receive either atropine or saline (control) to be infused over 30 min in a two-treatment cross-over design. Atropine concentrations in plasma were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Intestinal motility was measured using borborygmi frequency and electrointestinography (EIG). Experimental data were analyzed using a non-linear mixed effects model. The model was then used to simulate different dosing regimens. ResultsAtropine significantly decreased borborygmi response and EIG response. Six horses developed clinical signs of abdominal pain. The pharmacokinetic typical values were 0.31, 1.38, 0.69, and 1.95 L/kg center dot h for the volumes of the central, the highly perfused, the scarcely perfused compartments, and the total body clearance, respectively. The pharmacodynamic typical values were 0.31 mu g/L and 0.6 and 207 nV(2)7 cpm for the plasma concentration at 50% of the maximum response and the maximum response and the baseline of cecal EIG response, respectively. Six different dosing regimens of topical atropine sulfate to the eye (0.4 and 1 mg every hour, every 3 h, and every 6 h) were simulated. ConclusionThe IV PK/PD data coupled with simulations predict that administration of 1 mg of topical atropine sulfate administered to the eye every hour or every 3 h will lead to atropine accumulation in plasma and decreased intestinal myoelectric activity. Administration every 6 h predicted a safe dosing regimen in full-sized horses. Clinical studies would be valuable to confirm the conclusions. For smaller equids and horses put at risk for colic due to othercauses, droplet bottles that deliver 40 mu l of 1% atropine sulfate per drop or less may be used to lower the risk further

A comparison of two imaging modalities for detecting lymphatic nodal spread in radiochemotherapy of locally advanced cervical cancer

Background and purpose: In uterine cervical cancer tumour spread reaching the para-aortic lymph nodes is the most significant independent pre-treatment predictor of progression-free survival. When introducing [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) in our clinic for patients with advanced cervical cancer planned for definitive radiochemotherapy, the purpose of this study was to quantify to what extent the added information lead to changes in radiotherapy planning. Material and methods: We included 25 consecutive patients with cervical cancer stages IB2 – IIIB planned for definitive radiochemotherapy between November 2010 and May 2012. The patients were examined both with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and FDG-PET/CT before treatment and after four weeks of treatment. Results: In 11/24 (46%) of the patients the FDG-PET/CT before treatment provided additional diagnostic information leading to changes in treatment planning compared to information from MRI. Seven of these eleven patients (64%) were alive and without evidence of disease at four-year follow-up. The MRI detected pelvic tumour spread not seen on the FDG-PET/CT in 2/24 patients. The disease-free four-year survival was 59%. Conclusions: Additional diagnostic information from FDG-PET/CT changed treatment strategy in almost half of the patients and may have increased chances of survival in this limited group of patients with locally advanced uterine cervical cancer. We recommend both modalities for nodal detection. Keywords: Cervical cancer, Nodal spread, Radiochemotherapy, FDG-PET/CT, MR