Which clip? A prospective comparative study of retention rates of endoscopic clips on normal mucosa and ulcers in a porcine model.

Background/aim: There are currently no data on the relative retention rates of the Instinct clip, Resolution clip, and QuickClip2Long. Also, it is unknown whether retention rate differs when clips are applied to ulcerated rather than normal mucosa. The aim of this study is to compare the retention rates of three commonly used endoscopic clips.

Extracorporeal fetal support: a new animal model with preservation of the placenta.

Background: Previous models of support for premature sheep fetuses have consisted of cesarean delivery followed by catheterization of umbilical or central vessels and support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The limitations of these models have been insufficient blood flow, significant fetal edema, and hemorrhage related to anticoagulation.

Methods: We performed a gravid hysterectomy on 13 ewes between 135 and 145days gestational age.

A modified heterotopic swine hind limb transplant model for translational vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) research.

Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) such as hand and face transplants represent a viable treatment option for complex musculoskeletal trauma and devastating tissue loss. Despite favorable and highly encouraging early and intermediate functional outcomes, rejection of the highly immunogenic skin component of a VCA and potential adverse effects of chronic multi-drug immunosuppression continue to hamper widespread clinical application of VCA. Therefore, research in this novel field needs to focus on translational studies related to unique immunologic features of VCA and to develop novel immunomodulatory strategies for immunomodulation and tolerance induction following VCA without the need for long term immunosuppression.

Modeling of the renal kinetics of the AT1 receptor specific PET radioligand [11C]KR31173.

Purpose: The radioligand [(11)C]KR31173 has been introduced for PET imaging of the angiotensin II subtype 1 receptor (AT1R). The purpose of the present project was to employ and validate a compartmental model for quantification of the kinetics of this radioligand in a porcine model of renal ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR).

Procedures: Ten domestic pigs were included in the study: five controls and five experimental animals with IR of the left kidney.

Comparison of peritoneal adhesion formation in bowel retraction by cotton towels versus the silicone lap pak device in a rabbit model.

Objective: Manipulation of cotton operating room towels within the abdominal cavity in open abdominal surgery has been associated with the formation of peritoneal adhesions. In a rabbit model, the use of standard cotton operating room towels is compared to the Lap Pak, a silicone bowel-packing device, to determine the potential for reducing the risk of adhesions.

Methods: Thirty rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups.

Large quantities of Abeta peptide are constitutively released during amyloid precursor protein metabolism in vivo and in vitro.

The metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) has been extensively investigated because its processing generates the amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ), which is a likely cause of Alzheimer disease. Much prior research has focused on APP processing using transgenic constructs and heterologous cell lines. Work to date in native neuronal cultures suggests that Aβ is produced in very large amounts.

Infection during natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: a randomized, controlled study in a live porcine model.

Background: Currently reported natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures in animals have been done in heterogeneous milieus ranging from nonsterile to sterile procedures, with mixed results, including no infection in those performed in nonsterile settings.

Objective: To establish the potential frequency of infection during NOTES, comparing sterile to nonsterile approaches.

Setting: Survival experiments on sixteen 50-kg pigs.

Successful diagnostic and therapeutic intrauterine fetal interventions by natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (with videos).

Background: Despite advances in the development of fetal surgery, morbidity and mortality are substantial. A natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)-guided approach to the gravid uterus may offer a less-invasive technique.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of NOTES for diagnostic and therapeutic intrauterine fetal interventions.

Refinement of canine pancreatitis model: inducing pancreatitis by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

The causes and treatments of pancreatitis have been studied in diverse species, but the canine pancreatitis model has been used most often due to its similarities to the condition in humans. Although pancreatitis in dogs can be induced readily by numerous methods, managing these dogs can be difficult because they often develop severe abdominal pain, vomiting, inappetance, and lethargy. In an effort to study pancreatitis, we performed a pilot study to determine whether an endoscopic pancreatic procedure would be possible in a dog and whether, through various manipulations, a new method of inducing pancreatitis could be developed.

Fas-mediated apoptosis regulates the composition of peripheral alphabeta T cell repertoire by constitutively purging out double negative T cells.

Background: The Fas pathway is a major regulator of T cell homeostasis, however, the T cell population that is controlled by the Fas pathway in vivo is poorly defined. Although CD4 and CD8 single positive (SP) T cells are the two major T cell subsets in the periphery of wild type mice, the repertoire of mice bearing loss-of-function mutation in either Fas (lpr mice) or Fas ligand (gld mice) is predominated by CD4(-)CD8(-) double negative alphabeta T cells that also express B220 and generally referred to as B220+DN T cells. Despite extensive analysis, the basis of B220+DN T cell lymphoproliferation remains poorly understood.

Etanercept, a TNF-alpha binding agent, is ineffective in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in canines.

Context: The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis is 1-22%. It continues to be a difficult problem for endoscopist and patient. Uncovering an agent that may be used to prevent its occurrence is critical.

Cervicovaginal evaluation in macaques used as a model for topical microbicide safety studies.

Introduction: Macaques are a commonly used non-human primate (NHP) model to evaluate safety and efficacy of topically applied vaginal microbicides. Cervicovaginal evaluation for topical microbicide safety studies requires proper technique, equipment, supplies, and sequence of sample collection.

Materials And Methods: Eleven rhesus macaques received a comprehensive sequential cervicovaginal examination under sedation before treatment and 24 hours post-instillation of test material.

Effects of bedding substrates on microsomal enzymes in rabbit liver.

Previous studies have reported that housing rats and mice on softwood beddings induce microsomal enzymes. To date, no published studies investigate effects of softwood beddings on microsomal induction in rabbits. The purpose of this study was to determine whether microsomal enzymes, primarily cytochromes P450 3A and 2B, were induced in rabbits exposed to commonly used bedding substrates.

Complete blood count, clinical chemistry, and serology profile by using a single tube of whole blood from mice.

Clinical pathology is a valuable means for assessing specific organ pathology and a screening tool for general animal health. Routine clinical pathology evaluation in mice usually includes whole blood for a complete blood count (CBC) and a clinical biochemistry analysis. Acquisition and analysis of these samples can be problematic due to the small volumes of blood that can be obtained from a mouse.

Determination of serum organic acids in puppies with naturally acquired parvoviral enteritis.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the acid-base status and the serum concentration of organic acids in puppies with naturally occurring canine parvoviral enteritis. Between July 1999 and July 2000, 25 client-owned puppies admitted to the St. Louis Animal Emergency Clinic South for treatment of enteritis caused by parvovirus infection were used in our study.