In vitro assessment of the long-term stability of the inhibitory effects of canine and feline plasma on MMP 2 and 9.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of increasing storage time on the inhibitory effects of canine and feline plasma on matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 in vitro. METHODS: Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 activity in the presence of canine plasma stored for 57, 155, 222, 316, 367, and 438 days, and feline plasma stored for 17, 198, 565, and 954 days was assayed using a commercially available colorimetric assay kit. RESULTS: For canine plasma, the MMP 2 activity for older samples was not significantly different than the 57-day sample (P = 0.2025-0.9033). Two canine samples had significantly lower MMP 9 activity than the 57-day sample (367 days: P = 0.0099, 438 days: P = 0.0348, others P = 0.0778-0.9928). For feline plasma, storage time did not significantly affect inhibition of MMP 2 and MMP 9 activity (ANOVA, P = 0.2688 and P = 0.2404, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing storage time does not significantly decrease the inhibiting activity of plasma on MMP 2 and 9 for up to 14 months in dogs and 31 months in cats.

Ophthalmic lesions in a population of cold-stunned sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys kempii, Caretta caretta).

OBJECTIVE: To document ocular lesions present in cold-stunned sea turtles and determine the impact of these lesions on their release. ANIMALS: All sea turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, and Lepidochelys kempii) presenting to rehabilitation centers in North Carolina over two cold stun seasons. PROCEDURES: Complete ophthalmic examination using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fluorescein stain, rebound tonometry, and occasionally binocular indirect funduscopy was performed within 1 week of presenting to the rehabilitation centers. A second examination was performed 2 weeks after the first examination in animals with ocular lesions and still present at the center. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four turtles (121 Chelonia mydas, 26 Lepidochelys kempii, 17 Caretta caretta) were evaluated over two cold stun seasons (2016-2017 and 2017-2018). Ocular or periocular lesions were identified in 78 of 164 (47.5%) turtles examined with 37 of 164 (22.5%) having bilateral disease. The most common ocular lesion was superficial corneal ulceration, accounting for 21.3% of all lesions. Adnexal lesions were also common, while intraocular abnormalities were overall rare. Most resolved uneventfully. Though some blinding lesions were noted, these were not present bilaterally in any one turtle, and thus, ocular findings did not affect release. CONCLUSION: Ocular lesions in cold-stunned sea turtles are common. Some of these lesions are potentially blinding or require appropriate care, so evaluation of cold-stunned turtles should include a complete ophthalmic examination.