New corneal neovascularization model in rabbits for angiogenesis research.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new experimental model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization (NV) for angiogenesis research. METHODS: The new model was created in the right eye of 20 New Zealand rabbits using 5 interrupted silk sutures following an inverted triangle pattern. At different time points after suture placement, calibrated photographs were taken to quantify the corneal surface covered by the sutures (SCS) and the corneal NV response. At the end of the experiment, the corneas were processed for histological study. RESULTS: Vascular sprouts were already observed on the 3rd day. On the 7th day, the mean corneal NV surface was 19.02 ± 4.65 mm(2). On the 14th day, the mean corneal NV surface increased up to 28.96 ± 6.33 mm(2), representing 112.18% of the SCS and 21.04% of the total corneal surface. Histological sections showed that the new vessels were located at the two anterior thirds of the corneal stroma with an intense inflammatory infiltration. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that this experimental model is effective, reliable and reproducible to induce corneal NV for angiogenesis research.

Multiple bone lesions resembling a metastatic origin. An unexpected diagnosis.

Lytic and blastic lesions have been associated to malignant tumours, such as solid cancer (breast cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, malignant melanoma or thyroid tumours). Although a mixed pattern with lytic and blastic lesions is due to metastatic tumour, this is not the only possible origin. The following case shows a systematic. This case report shows the number of tests that were made in order to discover the origin of osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions and it is notable that there is not an occult neoplasia on every occasion.

Pharmacokinetics of an ampicillin-sulbactam combination after intravenous and intramuscular administration to neonatal calves.

The pharmacokinetics of a 2:1 ampicillin-sulbactam combination after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injection at a single dose rate of 20 mg/kg bodyweight (13.33 mg/kg of sodium ampicillin and 6.67 mg/kg of sodium sulbactam) were studied in 10-day-old neonatal calves (n = 10). The plasma concentration-time data of both antibiotics were best fitted to an open two-compartment model after i.v. administration. After i.m. administration, an open two-compartment model demonstrated first order absorption. The apparent volumes of distribution of ampicillin and sulbactam, calculated by the area method, were 0.20+/-0.01 and 0.18+/-0.01 L/kg, respectively, and the total body clearances were 0.51+/-0.03 and 0.21+/-0.01 L/kg h. The elimination half-lives of ampicillin after i.v. and i.m. administration were 0.99+/-0.03 and 1.01+/-0.02 h, respectively, whereas for sulbactam the half-lives were 2.24+/-0.02 and 3.44+/-0.94 h. The bioavailability after i.m. injection was high and similar for both drugs (70.31+/-0.2% for ampicillin and 68.62+/-4.44% for sulbactam). The mean peak plasma concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam were reached at similar times (0.47+/-0.02 and 0.72+/-0.01 h, respectively) and peak concentrations were also similar but not proportional to the dose administered (17.88+/-0.91 mg/L of ampicillin and 12.92+/-0.79 mg/L of sulbactam). Both drugs had similar pharmacokinetic behaviour after i.m. administration. Since the plasma concentrations of sulbactam were consistently higher during the elimination phase of their disposition, consideration could be given to formulating the ampicillin-sulbactam combination in a ratio higher than 2:1.