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Biomedical subjects

C R Bellenger

Publications and source records attributed to C R Bellenger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Evaluation of digestive proteinases from the Antarctic krill Euphasia superba as potential chemonucleolytic agents. In vitro and in vivo studies.

Chemonucleolysis is a therapeutic procedure whereby a degradative enzyme is injected intradiscally to reduce disc height/width by depolymerisation of extracellular matrix components. This process is considered to diminish disc pressure on inflamed nerve roots, resulting in the alleviation of sciatic pain. In the present study two krill (Euphasia superba) enzyme preparations, a proteinase and an esterase preparation, were evaluated for their potential as chemonucleolytic agents. Initially, their ability to degrade several protein (azocoll, casein, proteoglycans, PGs) and peptide (CBZ-arg-4-nitroanilide, CBZ-lys-thiobenzyl ester) substrates was assessed in vitro. The krill proteinase preparation rapidly converted azocoll, casein and PGs to small peptides. Furthermore, when this degradative enzyme preparation was evaluated in vivo, a relatively low intradiscal dose (0.54 mg/disc) was found to reduce intervertebral disc widths in beagles to 48% +/- 10.5% (mean +/- SEM) of their pre-injection values within 2 weeks of administration. Moreover, the discs injected with this proteinase had reconstituted up to 80% +/- 9% (mean +/- SEM) of their pre-injection widths at the termination of the experiment (32 weeks). These data suggest that the krill protease preparation has potential as a chemonucleolytic agent which would allow disc matrix reconstitution. Conversely, the krill esterase preparation also degraded PGs, but into relatively large fragments. This limited digestion of PGs indicates that the krill esterase would be a less effective chemonucleolytic agent than the corresponding proteinase.

Animals↗

Ventricular septal defect repair in a small dog using cross-circulation.

A haemodynamically significant ventricular septal defect was diagnosed in a 3-month-old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A median sternotomy was performed and the 6.5 kg dog placed on cardiopulmonary bypass using pump-assisted cross-circulation. A 10 mm diameter peri-membranous ventricular septal defect was closed using a continuous suture of 4-0 polypropylene, via a 2.5 cm incision in the right ventricular outflow tract. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 90 minutes. Complications in the immediate postoperative period were mild and easily managed.

Animals↗

Management of urinary incontinence in five bitches with incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism by colposuspension and a modified sling urethroplasty.

Urinary incontinence due to incompetence of the urethral sphincter mechanism was diagnosed in five neutered female dogs. After poor clinical responses to medical treatment, the five bitches were managed by a combination of colposuspension and sling urethroplasty. No major complications developed, although three bitches voided small volumes of urine more frequently for the first few days after surgery. The response to surgery was considered excellent in the two dogs which became continent and poor in the three which did not. In one of the dogs which responded poorly, the incontinence resolved after a revision of the colposuspension part of the procedure, and in the other two the incontinence became more responsive to medical management. The addition of a sling urethroplasty to colposuspension appeared to have little beneficial effect.

Animals↗

Congenital portosystemic shunts in Maltese and Australian cattle dogs.

Congenital portosystemic shunts were definitively diagnosed in 62 dogs over a period of 15 years. Maltese and Australian Cattle Dogs were significantly overrepresented, accounting for 14 and 13 cases, respectively. Maltese invariably had a single extrahepatic shunt derived from the left gastric or gastrosplenic vein, whereas Cattle Dogs usually had large intrahepatic shunts involving the right liver lobes. The clinical syndromes resulting from anomalous portosystemic communications were indistinguishable in the 2 breeds. Fasting blood ammonia concentration was elevated in 20 of 22 dogs tested, providing a minimally invasive and effective means of diagnosis. Complete or partial shunt attenuation was performed successfully in all 9 Maltese and in 2 of 6 Cattle Dogs in which it was attempted.

Ammonia↗

An experimental study of cross-circulation for cardiopulmonary bypass in dogs.

Cardiopulmonary bypass using cross-circulation was evaluated in dogs. In eight experiments a greyhound (the donor) was used to perfuse a small mongrel dog (the recipient). Recipients averaged 40 per cent of the donor's weight. Total cardiopulmonary bypass was successfully established in all eight experiments and maintained for 60 to 90 minutes. Haemodynamic values (mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output) and arterial blood gas tensions in the recipient and donor dogs remained at near-baseline levels for the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. Seven of the eight recipient dogs were successfully weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass at the end of the procedure.

Animals↗

Use of a modified open patch-graft technique and valvulectomy for correction of severe pulmonic stenosis in dogs: eight consecutive cases.

A modified open patch-graft technique was used to correct congenital pulmonic stenosis in 8 dogs. Pulmonary valve dysplasia was moderate to severe in all cases, based upon clinical and echocardiographic criteria, and 3 dogs were in right-sided congestive heart failure at the time of surgery. Seven of the 8 dogs survived the surgery. One surviving dog displayed cerebral cortical dysfunction, the remaining 6 had no detectable neurological sequelae. Right ventricular failure was alleviated in all 7 surviving dogs, but right ventricular dilatation persisted post-operatively. Pulmonary valvulectomy and open patch-grafting provides an effective means of alleviating signs of congestive heart failure caused by pulmonary valve dysplasia, even in the presence of severe infundibular hypertrophy and dynamic outflow obstruction.

Animals↗

Colorectal blood supply in dogs.

To determine blood supply in the area, dye or radioopaque contrast material was injected into the named arteries supplying the terminal colon and rectum in 10 dogs. The cranial rectal artery appeared to supply most of the blood to the terminal colon and rectum. The middle and caudal rectal arteries supplied variable and relatively insignificant amounts. The intrapelvic rectum had a less adequate blood supply than did the terminal colon or proximal rectum. A ventral midline laparotomy and pubic osteotomy were performed in an additional 11 dogs to provide access to the terminal colon and rectum. When the cranial rectal artery was ligated and the colorectal junction was transected and anastomosed, the intrapelvic rectum developed marked congestion, edema, and discoloration. Rectal fluorescence, after IV administration of fluorescein, was either poor or absent. Histologically, partial- to full-thickness mucosal necrosis was evident in most tissue specimens taken from the rectum, and muscle necrosis was evident in some. These findings suggest that, in dogs, the cranial rectal artery should be preserved if at all possible and, if the cranial rectal artery is ligated, most of the intrapelvic rectum should be resected to ensure adequate blood supply to the anastomosis.

Angiography↗

Calcifying tendinopathy of the biceps brachii in a dog.

Calcifying tendinopathy of the biceps brachii was associated with lameness in a 1.5-year-old Rottweiler. Lameness was relieved by excision of the calcified mass and suture repair of the partially ruptured tendon. Calcifying tendinopathy is not well described in dogs, but it is a recognized clinical syndrome in human beings. The etiopathogenesis of the condition in human beings and dogs is poorly understood. Wider recognition of calcifying tendinopathy in dogs should lead to a better understanding of the disease and development of appropriate clinical treatments.

Animals↗

Total venous inflow occlusion in the normothermic dog: a study of haemodynamic, metabolic and neurological consequences.

The acute haemodynamic and metabolic repercussions of total venous inflow occlusion were evaluated in six normal dogs, each of which underwent two four minute occlusions and one eight minute occlusion at normothermia. A further three dogs underwent a single eight minute period of occlusion and were allowed to recover from anaesthesia. Total venous inflow occlusion was well tolerated by all animals. They remained in sinus rhythm at the completion of occlusion, and unassisted haemodynamic recovery occurred rapidly. Recovery was quicker after four minutes than after eight minutes. There was no clinically detectable neurological impairment in three dogs which were allowed to recover.

Animals↗

A new technique for surgery of the caudal vena cava in dogs using partial venous inflow occlusion.

The haemodynamic and metabolic effects of caudal vena cava occlusion were evaluated in six normal anaesthetised dogs. Each animal underwent a single eight minute episode of caudal vena cava occlusion. The procedure was well tolerated by all the dogs. Systolic arterial pressure was reduced by 62 +/- 5 per cent and the heart rate increased by 11 +/- 3 per cent. There was rapid haemodynamic recovery after the release of occlusion, all cardiovascular parameters returning to normal spontaneously within five minutes. Caudal vena cava occlusion is therefore safe for periods of up to eight minutes in normal dogs. This technique allows repair of caudal vena caval lesions without necessitating systemic heparinisation and the use of cavoatrial conduits.

Animals↗

Suspected cranial migration of two sewing needles from the stomach of a dog.

Thoracic radiographs demonstrated a needle-like foreign body within the myocardium of a three-year-old male labrador retriever examined for an unrelated illness. Six months later the dog became lethargic and inappetent. The original foreign body had not moved, and a second needle was present in the stomach. Laparotomy and gastrotomy revealed a sewing needle which had perforated the lesser curvature of the stomach and was migrating cranially. An organised fibrous band extended through the diaphragm, and it is suspected that the original myocardial foreign body had migrated from the stomach by this route.

Animals↗