Electrical impedance tomography in anaesthetised chickens (Gallus domesticus).

The applicability of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) in birds is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the use of EIT in anaesthetised chickens in four recumbency positions. Four adult Hyline chickens were anaesthetised with isoflurane in oxygen, and intubated endotracheally for computed tomography (CT). A rubber belt was placed around the coelom caudal to the shoulder joint. A chicken-specific finite element (FE) model, which is essential to generate anatomically accurate functional EIT images for analysis, was constructed based on the CT images obtained at the belt level. Ten additional chickens were anaesthetised with the same protocol. An EIT electrode belt was placed at the same location. The chickens were breathing spontaneously and positioned in dorsal, ventral, right and left lateral recumbency in a randomised order. For each recumbency, raw EIT data were collected over 2 min after 13 min of stabilisation. The data were reconstructed into functional EIT images. EIT variables including tidal impedance variation (TIV), centre of ventilation right to left (CoVRL) and ventral to dorsal (CoVVD), right to left (RL) ratio, impedance change (ΔZ) and eight regional impedance changes including the dorsal, central-dorsal, central-ventral and ventral regions of the right and left regions were analysed. Four breathing patterns (BrP) were observed and categorised based on the expiratory curve. A linear mixed model was used to compare EIT variables between recumbencies. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the frequencies of breathing patterns for each recumbency. The ΔZ observed was synchronous to ventilation, and represented tidal volume of the cranial air sacs as confirmed by CT. Significant differences were found in CoVVD and regional impedance changes between dorsal and ventral recumbencies (P < 0.05), and in CoVRL, RL ratio and regional impedance changes between right and left recumbencies (P < 0.05), which suggested a tendency for the distribution of ventilation to shift towards non-dependent air sacs. No differences were found for TIV and respiratory rate between recumbencies. Recumbency had a significant effect on the frequencies of each of the four BrPs (P = 0.001). EIT can monitor the magnitude and distribution of ventilation of the cranial air sacs in different recumbencies in anaesthetised chickens.

Airsacculitis Caused by Enterobacteria and Occurrence of Eggs of the Superfamily Diplotriaenoidea in Feces of Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba) in the Amazon Biome.

This study aims to report the clinical signs, therapeutic strategy, necropsy results, and histopathological findings of airsacculitis caused by enterobacteria and the occurrence of eggs from the superfamily Diplotriaenoidea in the feces of Megascops choliba in the Amazon biome. A tropical screech owl nestling was rescued and admitted for hand-rearing. The animal was kept hospitalized for five months. It was fed a diet based on Zophobas morio larvae and thawed chicken breast meat with vitamin and mineral supplements. On the 37th day of hacking training for release, the owl showed weakness, lack of appetite, regurgitation, cachexia, dyspnea, ruffled feathers, dry droppings in the vent and pericloaca, and diarrhea. The parasitological examination showed eggs of the Diplotriaenoidea superfamily in the feces. The therapy employed included oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, mebendazole, Potenay, sodium chloride 0.9%, and Mercepton. However, five days after starting the treatment, the bird died. Upon necropsy, prominence of the keel, pieces of undigested food in the oral cavity and proventriculus, intestinal gas, and thickened and turbid air sacs were found. The microbiological analysis of air sacs identified Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Histopathological examination showed heterophilic bacterial airsacculitis.

A computed tomography-based survey of paramedullary diverticula in extant Aves.

Avian respiratory systems are comprised of rigid lungs connected to a hierarchically organized network of large, regional air sacs, and small diverticula that branch from them. Paramedullary diverticula are those that rest in contact with the spinal cord, and frequently invade the vertebral canal. Here, we review the historical study of these structures and provide the most diverse survey to date of paramedullary diverticula in Aves, consisting of observations from 29 taxa and 17 major clades. These extensions of the respiratory system are present in nearly all birds included in the study, with the exception of falconiforms, gaviiforms, podicipediforms, and piciforms. When present, they share connections most commonly with the intertransverse and supravertebral diverticula, but also sometimes with diverticula arising directly from the lungs and other small, more posterior diverticula. Additionally, we observed much greater morphological diversity of paramedullary airways than previously known. These diverticula may be present as one to four separate tubes (dorsal, lateral, or ventral to the spinal cord), or as a single large structure that partially or wholly encircles the spinal cord. Across taxa, paramedullary diverticula are largest and most frequently present in the cervical region, becoming smaller and increasingly absent moving posteriorly. Finally, we observe two osteological correlates of paramedullary diverticula (pneumatic foramina and pocked texturing inside the vertebral canal) that can be used to infer the presence of these structures in extinct taxa with similar respiratory systems.

Development of tracheotrocar cuff filling device and application effect in hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with tracheotomy cannula / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To design a tracheotomy cannula cuff filling device for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is convenient for clinical operation, improves work efficiency and reduces the incidence of aspiration pneumonia.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From July 2020 to June 2022, 90 patients with tracheotomy who were treated with hyperbaric oxygen in the First Hospital of Jiaxing were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into the experimental group and the control group, with 45 cases in each group. In the experimental group, the cuff pressure was maintained by the tracheotomy cannula cuff filling device, and in the control group, the traditional water injection method was used to maintain the cuff pressure. The operation time, infection index and incidence of aspiration pneumonia were compared between the two groups.Results:The operation time in the experimental group was (6.33 ± 1.31) s lower than that in the control group (40.96 ± 3.70) s, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-59.11, P<0.05). Body temperature, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin after treatment in the experimental group were (36.91 ± 0.83) ℃, (34.59 ± 16.25) mg/L, (1.57 ± 0.82) μg/L, respectively, lower than those in the control group (37.42 ± 0.72) ℃, (44.18 ± 18.10) mg/L, (2.45 ± 0.92) μg/L, the differences were statistically significant ( t=-3.09, -2.64, -4.73, all P<0.05). The difference of white blood cell count post-treatment between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The incidence of aspiration pneumonia in the experimental group was 11.11%(5/45) lower than 31.11%(14/45) in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.17, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of tracheotomy cannula cuff filling device can simplify the operation process, reduce the incidence of infection and aspiration pneumonia, and optimize the clinical work.

Cervical air sac oxygen profiles in diving emperor penguins: parabronchial ventilation and the respiratory oxygen store.

Some marine birds and mammals can perform dives of extraordinary duration and depth. Such dive performance is dependent on many factors, including total body oxygen (O2) stores. For diving penguins, the respiratory system (air sacs and lungs) constitutes 30-50% of the total body O2 store. To better understand the role and mechanism of parabronchial ventilation and O2 utilization in penguins both on the surface and during the dive, we examined air sac partial pressures of O2 (PO2 ) in emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) equipped with backpack PO2  recorders. Cervical air sac PO2  values at rest were lower than in other birds, while the cervical air sac to posterior thoracic air sac PO2  difference was larger. Pre-dive cervical air sac PO2  values were often greater than those at rest, but had a wide range and were not significantly different from those at rest. The maximum respiratory O2 store and total body O2 stores calculated with representative anterior and posterior air sac PO2  data did not differ from prior estimates. The mean calculated anterior air sac O2 depletion rate for dives up to 11 min was approximately one-tenth that of the posterior air sacs. Low cervical air sac PO2  values at rest may be secondary to a low ratio of parabronchial ventilation to parabronchial blood O2 extraction. During dives, overlap of simultaneously recorded cervical and posterior thoracic air sac PO2  profiles supported the concept of maintenance of parabronchial ventilation during a dive by air movement through the lungs.

Radiography and computed tomography of the heart and lower respiratory tract in toco toucans (Ramphastos toco).

This study aimed to evaluate normal features of the heart and lower respiratory tract in toco toucans by means of radiography and helical computed tomography (CT) scanner. Fifteen healthy adult toco toucans (Ramphastos toco), 10 females and 5 males, average body mass of 650 g were studied. CT examination as well as right lateral and ventrodorsal radiographic examinations of the coelomic cavity were performed under chemical restraint. Heart, lungs, air sacs, trachea and syrinx were analysed. The mean values of heart length, heart width and thoracic cavity in radiographs were, respectively, 23.76 mm, 25.94 mm and 48.87 mm. In both X-rays and CT scans, the lung parenchyma had honeycomb-like pattern. The topographic areas of the anterior and posterior air sacs were visualized as dark and air-filled spaces in X-rays. On CT evaluation, the air sacs occupied a larger area in the coelomic cavity compared to X-ray. In the lateral radiographic view, the cervical part of the trachea was positioned more ventrally in the transition from cervical to thoracic regions showing a V-shaped appearance. In all CT planes was visible division of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi at the level of 3rd thoracic vertebra. The syrinx was difficult to visualize in X-rays, but on CT it was easily identified in axial slice. In conclusion, the normal features of toco toucan's heart and lower respiratory tract that were determined on X-rays and CT scans are useful to compare with sick toco toucans, as well as other bird species.

Gross morphological features of the air sacs of the hooded crow (Corvus cornix).

Air sacs are considered to be one of the controlling factors of bird behaviour and habits in addition to their roles in ventilation, regulating body temperature, swimming and flight. As a scavenger and an omnivorous flight bird, air sacs of the hooded crow were the focus of this study. Eight healthy, adult hooded crows were used to examine the morphological characteristics of the air sacs, which were examined grossly and with latex and cast preparations. In general, the morphological overview of the hooded crow air sacs is similar to other avian species. We observed nine air sacs; four paired sacs (cervical, cranial thoracic, caudal thoracic and abdominal air sacs) and one unpaired sac; the clavicular air sac. The cervical air sac communicated to the lung through the medioventral bronchus and had three diverticula; intermuscular, subscapular and subcutaneous. The clavicular air sac communicated with lung through the medioventral bronchus and had subscapular, axillary, humeral, subpectoral and sternal diverticula. The cranial and caudal thoracic air sacs were communicated with lung through the lateroventral bronchi and the both sacs did not have any diverticula. The abdominal air sacs were posterior to the caudal thoracic air sacs. The left abdominal sac was the largest air sac. The right and left abdominal sacs gave off branches to diverticula that pneumatized synsacrum. The abdominal air sacs gave off femoral diverticula behind the hip joint as well as perirenal diverticula.

Adult Drosophila Lack Hematopoiesis but Rely on a Blood Cell Reservoir at the Respiratory Epithelia to Relay Infection Signals to Surrounding Tissues.

The use of adult Drosophila melanogaster as a model for hematopoiesis or organismal immunity has been debated. Addressing this question, we identify an extensive reservoir of blood cells (hemocytes) at the respiratory epithelia (tracheal air sacs) of the thorax and head. Lineage tracing and functional analyses demonstrate that the majority of adult hemocytes are phagocytic macrophages (plasmatocytes) from the embryonic lineage that parallels vertebrate tissue macrophages. Surprisingly, we find no sign of adult hemocyte expansion. Instead, hemocytes play a role in relaying an innate immune response to the blood cell reservoir: through Imd signaling and the Jak/Stat pathway ligand Upd3, hemocytes act as sentinels of bacterial infection, inducing expression of the antimicrobial peptide Drosocin in respiratory epithelia and colocalizing fat body domains. Drosocin expression in turn promotes animal survival after infection. Our work identifies a multi-signal relay of organismal humoral immunity, establishing adult Drosophila as model for inter-organ immunity.

Short-term clinical effect of paclitaxel drug-coated balloon catheter under intravascular ultrasound-guided in the treatment of 30 patients with coronary in-stent restenosis / 中国基层医药

Objective To summarize the effect and safety of paclitaxel drug-coated balloon in the treatment of patients with coronary in-stent restenosis.Methods From August 2015 to July 2018,30 patients with in-stent restenosis in Jinqiu Hospital of Liaoning Province were selected and they had undertook the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) with paclitaxel drug-coated balloon under intravascular ultrasound-guided.Results Intravascular ultrasound was done after PTCA with ordinary balloon before the paclitaxel drug - coated balloon angioplasty.The drug-coated balloon expansion continued to 30s-60s[(43 ± 11)s] in all in-stent restenosis,and the success rate of immediate intervention operation was 100%.The lesion degree of stenosis and lesions minimum diameter at postoperation and preoperation had statistically significant differences[(10.67 ± 5.53)% vs.(79.67 ± 9.28)% ,t= -33.797,P<0.01;(2.80 ± 0.44)mm vs.(0.64 ± 0.31)mm,t=22.039,P<0.01].There was one 89-year-old patient died because of respiratory failure from pneumonia,and two patients with angina pectoris after operation got relieve after one week drug treatment. There were no other adverse cardiovascular events during the duration of hospital stay after the intervention operation.Conclusion Paclitaxel drug-coated balloon is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with coronary in - stent restenosis lesions. It is one new method named " the intervention without once again permanent implant " that the paclitaxel drug - coated balloon expands under intravascular ultrasound-guided,but the long-term effect is uncertain yet.

Central European parasitic flatworms of the Cyclocoelidae Stossich, 1902 (Trematoda: Plagiorchiida): molecular and comparative morphological analysis suggests the reclassification of Cyclocoelum obscurum (Leidy, 1887) into the Harrahium Witenberg, 1926.

Cyclocoelidae Stossich, 1902 are medium-sized to large digenean bird parasites. Although these parasites bear few visible autapomorphic signs, and their diagnostic characters are unstable in response to the pressure applied during preparation, the numerous hitherto suggested re-classifications within the family have not been supported by any molecular analysis. We analyse here cyclocoelids found during the extensive examination of central European birds performed from 1962 to 2016, provide comparative measurements, host spectra, prevalence and intensity, and provide and analyse sequences of four DNA loci of five of the cyclocoelid species. Cyclocoleum Brandes, 1892 appears paraphyletic; thus we suggest the re-classification of Cyclocoleum obscurum (Leidy, 1887) as Harrahium obscurum (Leidy, 1887) Sitko and Heneberg comb. n. Molecular phylogenetics questioned also the validity of Cyclocoelinae Stossich, 1902 and Hyptiasminae Dollfus, 1948, which formed a single clade, whereas Allopyge Johnston, 1913, Prohyptiasmus Witenberg, 1923 and Morishitium Witenberg, 1928 formed another clade. Haematotrephinae Dollfus, 1948 are newly characterized as having a pretesticular or intertesticular ovary that forms a triangle with the testes. Analyses of non-European genera of the Cyclocoelidae and an examination of the position of families within Echinostomata La Rue, 1926 are needed.

Affection of high altitude aviation on the trachea cannula cuff / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of high altitude aviation on the pressure and diameter of the trachea cannula cuff after injecting air or water. Methods In the circumstance 5 km height and 795 hPa cabin pressure, the air injected cuffs were divided into two groups, one was under the ground circumstance, the other was in the high altitude aviation environment. The volumes of injected air were 5 ml, 7 ml, 9 ml, 11 ml, 13 ml, 15 ml, 17 ml, and the cuff pressure and its diameter were measured. The water injected cuffs were also divided into two groups of ground and high altitude aviation environment. The volumes of injected water were 10 ml, 12 ml, 14 ml, 15 ml, 16 ml, and the cuff pressure and its diameter were measured. The results were compared between the ground circumstance and high altitude aviation environment. Results The diameter of injection air group versus under the ground circumstance group had the statistical significance (t=5.000-9.449, P0.05), while different air volume injection had significant effect on pressure and diameter (F=5.132, 5.980, P<0.01). When the water volume was 10 ml, the cuff pressure was (24.00±4.62) cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa) , which was appropriate to the range of cuff pressure (20-30 cmH2O). Conclusions In high altitude aviation environment the trachea cannula cuff should adopt water injection, and the best water volume is about 10 ml.

[Radiographic findings in raptors affected with a mycosis of the respiratory tract]. / Röntgenzeichen bei an Mykose des Respirationstrakts erkrankten Greifvögeln.

OBJECTIVE: Summary of typical radiographic signs in birds of prey with aspergillosis compared to signs previously established in parrots. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of radiographs of 110 falcons (Falco spp.) with aspergillosis confirmed by endoscopy. RESULTS: Compared to parrots primarily subtle radiographic signs were detected in falcons (especially inhomogeneously increased radiodensities of the airsacs/lungs). Two typical signs for diseased falcons consisted of the poor delineation of the cardiac silhouette and the line-shaped increased radiodensity of the caudal lung border. Radiographic diagnosis of the lung is limited due to the strong flight musculature. CONCLUSION: The varying results between avian species can be explained by the different radiographic anatomy, husbandry conditions and x-ray technique (digital versus analog). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A pet bird-experienced practitioner should be aware of specific radiographic signs in birds of prey suspected of having aspergillosis.

Application of the double balloon device in labor induction for women with preeclampsia and eclampsia / 中国医师杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of labor induction by the double balloon device in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.Methods Labor induction was carried out in 37 women with preeclampsia and eclampsia from July 2011 to November 2012.All the labor inductions were performed using the double balloon device.Results The cervical Bishop scores of 37 cases of patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia were significantly lower before using double balloon device [(3.38 ± 0.50) scores] compared with after using double balloon device [(6.44 ± 0.63) scores] with a statistically significant difference (t =23.54,P ＜0.01).Blood pressure had no obvious change before and after using double balloon device [SBP(158.38 ± 13.89)mmHg vs (162.48 ± 12.56)mmHg,P ＞ 0.05,and SDP(112.71± 15.53) mmHg vs (108.19 ± 8.37) mmHg,P ＞ 0.05].The rate of vaginal delivery was 89.2％ (33/37),and the total hours of labor were (5.8 ± 0.63) h.Compared with selective cesarean section,vaginal delivery after double balloon to promote cervical mature had less blood loss (t =9.19,P ＜0.01),quicker postpartum recovery,shorter hospitalization time (t =11.18,P ＜ 0.01),lower birth body mass (t =2.96,P ＜0.01) and higher scores of 1 minutes Apgar score (t =2.34,P ＜0.05).Conclusions The double balloon device appeared to be a safe and effective method to induce labor in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.Wide scale studies and further use of the device for labor induction in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia were warranted.

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy for biliary and pancreatic diseases after complex gastrointestinal surgery / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To explore the endoscopic managements for biliary and pancreatic diseases in patients with the history of complex gastrointestinal surgery.Methods Data of four patients who underwent balloon-assisted enteroscopy after complex digestive surgeries (2 patients underwent Roux-en-Y reconstruction,2 others Whipple reconstruction) were retrospectively collected.One patient with bilio-intestinal anastomosis was explored by double-balloon enteroscope (DBE),and balloon-assisted enteroscopy combined with ERCP was used for other 3 patients.Results Therapeutic ERCP was successfully performed on one patient,and the diagnosis of 3 others were confirmed.No operation-related complications such as bleeding or perforation was observed.Conclusion Balloon-assisted enteroscopy combined with ERCP is an important diagnostic and therapeutic method for biliary and pancreatic diseases in the patients after complex gastrointestinal surgery.