In vivo effect of wood smoke on the expression of two mucin genes in rat airways.

A short-term, time-dependent smoke exposure of rats in a nose-only chamber to burning wood and 24-h recovery time revealed inflammation of the airways with varying degrees of injury from loss of cilia, degeneration of epithelium, and squamous metaplasia to submucosal edema. These histological changes were reflected in variable expression of the secretory Muc5AC and low expression of membrane-associated Muc4 mucin genes. 20-min smoke exposure in extended recovery experiments showed marked disorder of tracheal epithelium for up to 72 h of recovery with a return to normal by 7 days. Gene expressions were elevated at 24 and 48 h of recovery. 30-min smoke exposure showed a more severe degeneration of the epithelium and a longer recovery time. Muc5AC expression decreased after 72 h of recovery, while there was upregulation of Muc4 gene from 48 through 96 h. Because Muc4 upregulation and histological results correlate and it has reportedly been associated with epithelium renewal, Muc4 gene may be a useful marker for the regeneration of tracheal epithelium.

Pancreatic islet cell tumor in a domestic ferret.

A 5-year-old castrated male ferret began to exhibit signs of episodic lethargy, hindlimb weakness, and ataxia along with mild to moderate weight loss. Serial blood glucose measurements revealed persistent hypoglycemia. The animal was euthanized and a necropsy performed. Discrete pancreatic nodules were discovered and submitted for histopathologic analysis. One of the nodules was found to contain pancreatic islet cell tumors; other areas contained foci of islet cell and acinar hyperplasia. Pancreatic islet cell tumors, commonly referred to as insulinomas, are common tumors in ferrets and typically occur in middle-aged and older animals. These animals, when properly diagnosed, can be managed either medically or surgically or, often, by a combination of medical and surgical treatments, and their lives greatly extended.

Evaluation of Injectable Anesthetics for Major Surgical Procedures in Guinea Pigs.

Anesthetizing guinea pigs is difficult with varying outcomes. The primary purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate six injectable anesthetic regimens for use in guinea pigs and assess the depth of anesthesia and, thus, their effectiveness in terms of their use for major surgical procedures. Other variables that were measured and evaluated included time from injection until onset of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia, depth of anesthesia, and vital signs (i. e., respiratory rate, heart rate, and body temperature). Female Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs that were 9 to 12 weeks old were randomly assigned to receive one of the following anesthetic regimens: ketamine/xylazine (KX), ketamine/detomidine (KD), ketamine/medetomidine (KM), 4) tiletaminezolazepam/ xylazine (TX), tiletamine-zolazepam/detomidine (TD), or tiletamine-zolazepam/medetomidine (TM). All anesthetics were administered intramuscularly. Anesthesia was assessed by attempting to perform an ovariohysterectomy. Surgery could not be performed on any guinea pigs in the groups given ketamine or TD. There was a high rate of adverse effects in guinea pigs receiving detomidine. Four of six guinea pigs in the TD group died during or after the anesthetic episode. Fourteen of 30 (46.7%) guinea pigs given TX underwent successful surgery, and 23 of 29 (79.3%) given TM underwent successful surgery. A combination of tiletamine-zolazepam and xylazine or medetomidine was effective for inducing anesthesia and providing sufficient analgesia to perform a major surgical procedure on guinea pigs. However, TM was the most reliable regimen.