A novel translational model of atherosclerosis, the ex vivo pump-perfused amputated human limb model.

The preclinical study of atherosclerosis has traditionally centred around the use of small animal models, translating to large animal models, prior to first-in-man studies. We propose to disrupt this paradigm by designing an ex vivo pump perfused human limb model. The novel model consists of taking a freshly amputated limb and incorporating it into an ex situ pump-perfused bypass system (akin to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), circulating warmed, oxygenated blood.

The effect of aquapuncture at Pericardium 6 (PC-6) on dexmedetomidine-induced nausea and vomiting in cats.

Objective: To determine the effect of aquapuncture at acupuncture point Pericardium 6 (PC-6) on the incidence of dexmedetomidine-induced vomiting and nausea in cats.

Study Design: Randomized, prospective, crossover study.

Animals: A group of 22 cats, 14 females and eight males, aged 1-12 years and weighing 3.

Management of refractory bleeding post-cardiopulmonary bypass in an acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II renal failure patient who underwent urgent cardiac surgery with bivalirudin (Angiox) anticoagulation.

Acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) patients present a myriad of anticoagulation management challenges, in clinical settings where unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the traditional drug of choice. UFH use in cardiac surgery is a known entity that has been subject to rigorous research. Research has, thus, led to its unparalleled use and the development of well-established protocols for cardiac surgery.

Urinary and dialysate losses of vitamin D-binding protein in children on chronic peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in chronic kidney disease [CKD] patients. The aim of our study was to determine whether losses of vitamin D binding protein [VDBP] in urine and dialysate contribute to circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25OHD] levels in chronic peritoneal dialysis [PD] patients.

Methods: Dialysate, serum, and urine VDBP levels were measured in 16 children on PD and compared with serum and urine VDBP in ten CKD4-5 patients.