Characterizing candidate decompression rates for hypobaric hypoxic stunning of pigs. Part 1: Reflexive behavior and physiological responses.

Alternatives to carbon dioxide (CO) stunning for the commercial slaughter of pigs are urgently needed because there is robust evidence that exposing pigs to hypercapnic environments is associated with pain, fear, and distress. Hypobaric hypoxia (via gradual decompression, also known as Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning or LAPS) has been validated in poultry as a humane option, but its potential to improve the welfare of pigs at slaughter is unknown. We investigated the potential of hypobaric hypoxia to reliably elicit a non-recovery state in anesthetized weaner-grower pigs within a commercially viable timeframe.

Characterizing candidate decompression rates for hypobaric hypoxic stunning of pigs. Part 2: Pathological consequences.

Pigs are commonly stunned pre-slaughter by exposure to carbon dioxide (CO), but this approach is associated with significant welfare concerns. Hypobaric hypoxia, achieved with gradual decompression (also known as Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning or LAPS) may be an alternative, allowing the retention of welfare friendly handling approaches and group stunning. Although validated in poultry, the feasibility and welfare consequences of gradual decompression for pigs are unknown.

Cross-species efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy for CLN1 disease in mice and sheep.

CLN1 disease, also called infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) or infantile Batten disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder resulting from mutations in the CLN1 gene encoding the soluble lysosomal enzyme palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1). Therapies for CLN1 disease have proven challenging because of the aggressive disease course and the need to treat widespread areas of the brain and spinal cord. Indeed, gene therapy has proven less effective for CLN1 disease than for other similar lysosomal enzyme deficiencies.

In vivo application of an implantable tri-anchored methylene blue-based electrochemical pH sensor.

The development of robust implantable sensors is important in the successful advancement of personalised medicine as they have the potential to provide in situ real-time data regarding the status of health and disease and the effectiveness of treatment. Tissue pH is a key physiological parameter and herein, we report the design, fabrication, functionalisation, encapsulation and protection of a miniaturised, self-contained, electrochemical pH sensor system and characterisation of sensor performance. Notably for the first time in this environment the pH sensor was based on a methylene blue redox reporter which showed remarkable robustness, accuracy and sensitivity.

Noninvasive Detection of Ischemic Vascular Damage in a Pig Model of Liver Donation After Circulatory Death.

Background And Aims: Liver graft quality is evaluated by visual inspection prior to transplantation, a process highly dependent on the surgeon's experience. We present an objective, noninvasive, quantitative way of assessing liver quality in real time using Raman spectroscopy, a laser-based tool for analyzing biomolecular composition.

Approach And Results: A porcine model of donation after circulatory death (DCD) with normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) allowed assessment of liver quality premortem, during warm ischemia (WI) and post-NRP.

Feeding management before gastrointestinal studies in pigs.

Pigs are used to model humans in gastrointestinal (GI) studies because of their comparable size, physiology and behaviour: both are monogastric omnivores. A porcine surgical model for testing novel, tethered ultrasound capsule endoscopes (USCE) requires a clean, motile small intestine. Recommendations for human GI tract preparation before the mechanically similar process of video capsule endoscopy describe using oral purgatives, while high-carbohydrate drinks are recommended before colorectal surgery.

Modest and variable efficacy of pre-exposure hydroxocobalamin and dicobalt edetate in a porcine model of acute cyanide salt poisoning.

Dicobalt edetate and hydroxocobalamin are widely used to treat hydrogen cyanide poisoning. However, comparative and quantitative efficacy data are lacking. Although post-exposure treatment is typical, it may be possible to administer these antidotes before exposure to first attenders entering a known site of cyanide release, as supplementary protection to their personal protective equipment.

A Novel Translational Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Model for Human Lung Cancer.

cell line and murine models have historically dominated pre-clinical cancer research. These models can be expensive and time consuming and lead to only a small percentage of anti-cancer drugs gaining a license for human use. Large animal models that reflect human disease have high translational value; these can be used to overcome current pre-clinical research limitations through the integration of drug development techniques with surgical procedures and anesthetic protocols, along with emerging fields such as implantable medical devices.

Transcranial bioimpedance measurement in horses: a pilot study.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of transcranial bioimpedance (TCBI) measurement and variability of TCBI values in healthy conscious horses and to study effects of body position and time on TCBI in anaesthetized horses.

Study Design: Prospective, observational study.

Animals: A total of four research horses and 16 client-owned horses presented for surgery.

Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma: A Unique Model to Improve Lung Cancer Research.

Lung cancer represents a major worldwide health concern; although advances in patient management have improved outcomes for some patients, overall 5-year survival rates are only around 15%. studies and mouse models are commonly used to study lung cancer and their use has increased the molecular understanding of the disease. Unfortunately, mouse models are poor predictors of clinical outcome and seldom mimic advanced stages of the human disease.

In-Vivo Evaluation of Microultrasound and Thermometric Capsule Endoscopes.

Clinical endoscopy and colonoscopy are commonly used to investigate and diagnose disorders in the upper gastrointestinal tract and colon, respectively. However, examination of the anatomically remote small bowel with conventional endoscopy is challenging. This and advances in miniaturization led to the development of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) to allow small bowel examination in a noninvasive manner.

In Vivo Characterization of a Wireless Telemetry Module for a Capsule Endoscopy System Utilizing a Conformal Antenna.

This paper describes the design, fabrication, packaging, and performance characterization of a conformal helix antenna created on the outside of a capsule endoscope designed to operate at a carrier frequency of 433 MHz within human tissue. Wireless data transfer was established between the integrated capsule system and an external receiver. The telemetry system was tested within a tissue phantom and in vivo porcine models.

Anti-colchicine Fab fragments prevent lethal colchicine toxicity in a porcine model: a pharmacokinetic and clinical study.

Background: Colchicine poisoning is commonly lethal. Colchicine-specific Fab fragments increase rat urinary colchicine clearance and have been associated with a good outcome in one patient. We aimed to develop a porcine model of colchicine toxicity to study the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of ovine Fab.

Randomised crossover trial of rate feedback and force during chest compressions for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Objective: To determine the effect of visual feedback on rate of chest compressions, secondarily relating the forces used.

Design: Randomised crossover trial.

Setting: Tertiary teaching hospital.

Clinical effects of specialist and on-call respiratory physiotherapy treatments in mechanically ventilated children: A randomised crossover trial.

Objectives: The study investigated treatment outcomes when respiratory physiotherapy was delivered by non-respiratory on-call physiotherapists, compared with specialist respiratory physiotherapists.

Design: Prospective, randomised crossover trial.

Setting: Paediatric, tertiary care hospital in the United Kingdom.

Differences in delivery of respiratory treatments by on-call physiotherapists in mechanically ventilated children: a randomised crossover trial.

Objectives: To investigate differences, if any, in the delivery of respiratory treatments to mechanically ventilated children between non-respiratory on-call physiotherapists and specialist respiratory physiotherapists.

Setting: Paediatric, tertiary care hospital in the United Kingdom.

Participants: 93 children (aged between 3 days and 16 years), and 22 physiotherapists (10 specialist respiratory physiotherapists) were recruited to the study.

Near-fatal misuse of medical tape around an endotracheal tube connector during inhalation anesthesia in a horse.

A 7-year-old gelded Irish sports horse weighing 650 kg was anesthetized on 2 consecutive days for lavage of a septic right radio-carpal joint. On both occasions the endotracheal tube connector, which had been bound in medical tape to produce an airtight seal, functioned as a unidirectional valve during mechanical ventilation, retarding expiration, imposing positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and probably continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The equipment dysfunction was not identified on either occasion despite close inspection prompted by progressive increases in airway pressure and thoracic distension.

The unique contribution of manual chest compression-vibrations to airflow during physiotherapy in sedated, fully ventilated children.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify the specific effects of manual lung inflations with chest compression-vibrations, commonly used to assist airway clearance in ventilated patients. The hypothesis was that force applied during the compressions made a significant additional contribution to increases in peak expiratory flow and expiratory to inspiratory flow ratio over and above that resulting from accompanying increases in inflation volume.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Repeatability of physiotherapy chest wall vibrations applied to spontaneously breathing adults.

Objective: Chest wall vibrations are commonly used techniques that remain largely unquantified. In order to understand their effects, it is essential to measure the forces applied and their repeatability over time. This study investigated the repeatability of vibrations within and between test occasions.

Small size at birth and greater postnatal weight gain: relationships to diminished infant lung function.

Recent evidence suggests that impaired lung development is linked with diminished lung function and an increased risk of chronic obstructive airway disease in adulthood. To examine environmental influences on early lung development, we measured lung function in 131 normal-term infants aged 5-14 weeks. Adjusting for age at measurement, FEV at 0.