Study of the efficacy of low-level laser in myocardial perfusion of patients with chronic stable angina

A sizable portion of patients with angina pectoris secondary to underlying coronary artery disease [CAD] can be effectively treated. Anti-anginal medication has proven efficacious in most patients, and percutaneous coronary revascularization or coronary artery bypass grafting can successfully treat the rest. Low-level laser therapy [LLLT] via its direct, heat-independent effect on the process of tissue repair may play a significant role in the treatment of patients with advanced CAD. We aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of LLLT in advanced multi-vessel CAD patients not suitable for myocardial revascularization. We evaluated various clinical parameters as well as the results of laboratory tests to seek the indices of the potential impact of laser therapy on the study population. Twenty-two patients [mean age, 61 years old and male gender, 68.1%] with advanced CAD and a history of myocardial infarction underwent two series of irradiation therapy, each series comprising 10 sessions of LLLT and conducted with a three-month interval. In each series, LLLT was administered every other day for 20 minutes per session [excluding one session that lasted only 10 minutes]. The pre-laser evaluation consisted of blood pressure, heart rate, basic biochemical test, electrocardiogram [ECG], six-minute walk test, transthoracic echocardiography, and ECG-gated single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] perfusion imaging. Three months later, the pre-laser evaluation was repeated. No side effects associated with laser biostimulation or performed clinical tests were noted. An improvement in functional class, and distance covered in the six-minute walk test and decrease in systolic blood pressure was observed. There was also a significant change in the myocardial perfusion of most anterior segments of the heart according to SPECT [visually and by computer software, P<0.05]. There was no significant change in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction by transthoracic echocardiography, and ECG gated SPECT. LLLT resulted in an improvement in functional capacity and myocardial perfusion as well as a reduction in the frequency of angina symptoms during the six-minute walk test. There were no significant changes, however, in the left ventricular function according to transthoracic echocardiography and ECG-gated SPECT. In the short term, LLLT proved to be a safe method. These encouraging results should be confirmed by larger, placebo-controlled studies

Radiographic comparison of five different techniques for injection into the distal sesamoid bursa in cattle

Numerous techniques for injection into the distal sesamoid bursa [navicular bursa] have been described, especially in equine, but there are few specific descriptions regarding this practice being done in cattle. Five different techniques were compared for injection into the distal sesamoid bursa in cattle including distal plantar approach parallel with the coronary band, proximal plantar approach, distal plantar approach parallel with the sole, abaxial approach, and distal interphalangeal joint injection. The results revealed that the numbers of needle insertion until proper placement is significantly less in the DIPJ and the DPPS techniques compared to the others [P<0.05]. Also, based on the times of contrast agent injection after the correct successful needle insertion, there were significant differences between DIPJ with DPPCB, PP30 and the Ab45 techniques [P<0.05]. According to the absence of direct communication between the distal sesamoid bursa and distal interphalangeal joint, the placement of the needle through distal plantar approach parallel with the sole was suggested

Congenital penile urethral aplasia in a 4-day-old bull calf

A 4-day-old Holstein bull calf with considerable oedema of the belly [water belly] was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University. The owner did not observe any urination since birth. Rupture of the urethra was suspected. Perineal urethrotomy was performed. Subsequently, catheterization of urethra revealed the obstruction near the external urethral orifice. Urethrotomy showed a three cm long rupture of urethra proximal to the penile orifice. Surgical exploration showed the penile urethral aplasia which confirmed by histopathological findings. Permanent perineal urethrostomy was the surgical treatment of choice. Fluid and antibiotic therapy were administrated postoperatively. Postoperative follow-up showed a healthy calf without any signs of water belly