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Comparative evaluation of effect and efficacy of three different premedication protocols in dwarf rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) undergoing orchiectomy
No full textRabbits have a higher anaesthesiological risk than other small animals, with a percentage of mortality of about
1.39% compared to dogs (0.17%) and cats (0.24%) [1]. The aim of this study is to identify a suitable and effective
premedication protocol for elective surgery, reducing anaesthetic complications and perioperative stress in this species. Fifteen male dwarf rabbits, classified as ASA I, were selected for this prospective, clinical study. All patients were randomized into three groups (5 rabbits per group), which were administered three different premedication protocols: MDM (midazolam = 0.2 mg/kg, dexmedetomidine = 25 mcg/kg and methadone = 0.2 mg/kg), DKM
(dexmedetomidine = 25 mcg/kg, ketamina = 20 mg/kg and methadone = 0.2 mg/kg) and MKM (midazolam = 0.2 mg/kg, ketamine = 20mg/kg and methadone = 0.2mg/kg). During the preoperative period, heart rate (HR),
respiratory rate (RR) and sedation score (0 = normal; 11 = deep sedation) were monitored 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after premedication (T5, T10, T15, T20, respectively). Subsequently, the auricular vein was cannulated and the V-
GEL mask was positioned in order to administer oxygen and isoflurane. In this preoperative phase, ataxia,
incoordination and reactions to manual stimulation were registered. During the intraoperative period, the main cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were monitored 10 minutes before the start of surgery (BASE), during
skin incision (SKIN), traction of the funiculus (TESTIS) and suture (SUTURE). Intraoperative nociception was assumed if HR or MAP increased by > 20% from baseline, in which case a bolus of fentanyl (5 μg/kg) was
administered. At the end of the surgery, HR, RR and temperature (T°) were monitored 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes after extubation (Post10, Post20, Post30, Post40, Post50, Post60, respectively). The quality of recovery (QR)
was assessed at each postoperative time using a specific score (1 = excellent; 6 = very bad). Cardinal data were compared between the groups and at each time of the study with the ANOVA and the Tukey-Kramer tests; scores
data were analysed with the Dunn test (P<0.05). In the preoperative period, at T5 (MKM = 72±35.09; DKM = 104.8±60.3; MDM = 115.2±43.9 breath/min), T10 (MKM = 39.2±16.8; DKM = 69.6±52.8; MDM = 96.4±49.6
breath/min), T15 (MKM = 35.2±16.09; DKM = 50±30.1; MDM = 65.6±26.6 breath/min), and T20 (MKM = 35.2±18.4a;
DKM = 43.2±21.4; MDM = 64.8±30.2 breath/min), RR was significantly lower in all groups compared to T0 (MKM =
135.2±58.6; DKM = 129.6±14.8; MDM = 151.6±12.3 breath/min). Moreover, in DKM group [9 (8-9)], sedation score (SS) was higher than the other two groups at T10 [MDM=7 (6-8), MKM=6 (6-6)]. However, in DKM group, 4/5 patients showed signs of ataxia and incoordination. During the post-operative phase of the study, the QR, in MDM
group [2.5 (1-3)], was already better at Post10 compared to the other two groups [DKM=4 (3-5); MKM=4 (4-4)]. Results of our study showed that the three protocols are valid and safe for routine surgery in rabbits; however, the premedication protocols that include ketamine cause severe ataxia and incoordination, that persist also in the postoperative period [2]. We assume that in short-term surgeries such as orchiectomy (about 20 minutes), ketamine
is not the drug of choice as its duration of action is longer than surgical times. In conclusion, considering the sensitivity of the rabbit to the stress and the need to quickly feed and resume large organ functions, protocols
including ketamine do not appear to be suitable for rabbit orchiectomy, and, in general, for short-term procedures, compared to protocols that include dugs as benzodiazepines and alpha2-agonists
Acquisitions and evaluation of beehive parameters through an electronic system
Full text linkThis study highlights the management of the hive superorganism, with the help of technology. Precision beekeeping is today a growing sector, used as apiary management strategy, based on the constant monitoring of families, minimization of consumption of resources and maximizing of productivity. Thanks to the scales and a probe placed inside each hive, we obtained data relating to winter 2021 and spring 2022, where we had flowerings 30 days in advance of the seasonality. The fluctuation of temperatures entailed the early start of laying of the queen with fresh brood to feed and heat, even when temperatures dropped drastically, having to draw on pollen and honey stocks massively. The role of the beekeeper becomes crucial, to avoid compromising the annual production and to help the survival of the colony. To know the situation inside the hive without opening it and administering an adequate nutrient supply at the right time is not always easy, and the death of beehives due to hunger is typical of the spring period. Climate changes are increasingly affecting the survival of bees and remote monitoring of beehives is becoming increasingly important to ensure their survival and productivity
A NEW ELISA METHOD TO EVALUATE THE HUMORAL HOST RESPONSE TO MACRORHABDUS ORNITHOGASTER PROVENTRICULAR INFECTION IN BIRDS
Full text linkIn several species of birds, the infection with Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (MO) and the associated proventriculitis has long been known1,2. To date, no study has shown whether MO infection induces a specific immune response in affected birds. Positive aviaries of canaries and budgerigars have been identified and blood collections have been performed randomly in apparently healthy and symptomatic birds. Sera were preliminarily screened for a potential presence of specific antibodies, using of an immunohistochemical test performed with sections of heavily infected proventriculi as target antigen, incubated with the collected sera used as primary antibodies. Positive and negative control sera were then used to setting-up an indirect ELISA test, which was the first achievement of our study. After determination of a specific and titratable humoral response to the infection by affected birds, we determined some protein and glycolipid fractions that represent the most important antigens to which the antibody response occurs, using a Western Blotting test. In this analysis, proteins belonging to whole MO sonicated cells were separated by electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane, in order to be used as antigen substrate and incubated with previously screened hyper immune sera. As a result, it was demonstrated that antigens belonging to MO cells (a cluster of proteins with molecular weight between 35 and 21 kDa) are recognized by sera of budgerigars and canaries heavily infected by this yeast. Further studies will be necessary in order to characterize these proteins, essential for the realization of subsequent immunization trials
Sidestream-dark field videomicroscopy for the in vivo evaluation of the pulmonary alveoli and microcirculation in mechanically ventilated pigs
Full text linkIntroduction: Under mechanical ventilation, the pulmonary microcirculation can be affected by the expansion or collapse of alveoli, resulting in a change in pulmonary vascular resistance. Sidestream-dark field (SDF) videomicroscopy has been used in animal models to assess pulmonary microcirculation in vivo. This study aimed to evaluate whether different mechanical ventilation settings could affect the alveolar size and pulmonary vessels in a porcine model. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in four healthy pigs on mechanical ventilation under general anesthesia. The ventilation was initially set at a tidal volume (VT) of 8 mL/kg, PEEP 5 cmH2O, and FiO2 50%. Access to the thoracic cavity was obtained through surgical thoracotomy. The subpleural pulmonary microcirculation was assessed using SDF videomicroscopy at different ventilator settings: VT 8 mL/kg, PEEP 5 cmH2O, FiO2 50%; VT 12 mL/kg, PEEP 5 cmH2O, FiO2 50%; VT 8 mL/kg, PEEP 12 cmH2O, FiO2 50%; VT 8 mL/kg, PEEP 5 cmH2O, FiO2 100%. We calculated the diameter of the alveoli and extra-alveolar microvessels. Results: Comparing VT 8 mL/kg and VT 12 mL/kg, we observed a significant increase in alveolar diameter (89 [70.6–114.7] μm vs. 94.6 [78.3–115] μm, p = 0.04) and a significant decrease in vessels diameter (10.4 [8.6–12.7] μm vs. 9.2 [7.6–11.2] μm, p < 0.01). We did not observe a significant difference in alveolar and vessels diam- eters after changing the PEEP from 5 to 12 cmH2O. Increasing the FiO2 from 50 to 100%, the alveolar diameter significantly raised (86.7 [69.6–112.6] μm vs. 94 [72.7–122.5] μm, p = 0.03) as well as the vessels diameter (10.4 [8.5–12.5] μm vs. 12.2 [10.3–14.7] μm, p < 0.01). Subpleural pulmonary microcirculation is shown in the Figure. Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation affects alveolar and pulmonary vessel size. SDF microscopy represents a valid tool to assess the sub- pleural pulmonary microcirculation in vivo in porcine models
Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
Full text linkBackground:
Rodents are commonly used as models in experimental procedures, and researchers often need to perform rapid manipulations involving sedation and analgesia.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the combination of xylazine and ketamine in association with buprenorphine in experimental rats undergoing short-term surgical procedures.
Methods:
Twenty-six male rats were enrolled in experiments. Thirty minutes before the start of the procedure, buprenorphine (0.05 mg/Kg) was administered subcutaneously. The sedative protocol included intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 70 mg/Kg ketamine and 10 mg/Kg xylazine. Additionally, at the end of the procedure, all rats received 0.1 mg/Kg of atipamezole IP. Immediately before sedation and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after atipamezole administration, the main cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded. In addition, induction time, depth of anesthesia, duration of the procedure, recovery time, and pain score were recorded.
Results:
The mean induction time was 2.29 ± 0.95 minutes. At the time of surgery, all subjects showed a deep anesthetic plane (score ≥ 3), and no response to skin incision was observed (score = 0). The time to recovery from the righting reflex after atipamezole administration was 3.66 ± 1.09 minutes. No rats showed signs of pain based on the rat Grimace scale.
Conclusion:
Our results suggested that the association of opioids with the xylazine/ketamine protocol ensures rapid induction and good analgesia during short procedures with mild/moderate painful stimulation. Furthermore, the administration of atipamezole facilitates rapid recovery and resumption of motor activity. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(3.000): 1370-1378
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Improvements in contactless wound area measurement using an app for mobile digital smart devices in veterinary medicine
No full textThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the metrological performances of a contactless digital planimetry app (imitoMeasure) for cutaneous wound area measurement. Precision, accuracy, agreement and reliability of six different combinations of smart devices (smartphone or tablet), calibration mode (manual mode or marker mode) and tracing mode (manual finger tracing or digital pencil tracing) were tested and compared with standard method on already known wound area shapes traced on transparent sheets. The imitoMeasure app showed excellent metrological characteristics in contactless wound area measurement. The use of the tablet with digital pencil tracing has proven to be a noteworthy improvement in the wound measurement process
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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