Evaluating workplace protection factors (WPFs) of different firefighter PPE interface control measures for select volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Structural firefighters are exposed to a complex set of contaminants and combustion byproducts, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, recent studies have found structural firefighters' skin may be exposed to multiple chemical compounds via permeation or penetration of chemical byproducts through or around personal protective equipment (PPE). This mannequin-based study evaluated the effectiveness of four different PPE conditions with varying contamination control measures (incorporating PPE interface design features and particulate blocking materials) to protect against ingress of several VOCs in a smoke exposure chamber. We also investigated the effectiveness of long-sleeve base layer clothing to provide additional protection against skin contamination. Outside gear air concentrations were measured from within the smoke exposure chamber at the breathing zone, abdomen, and thigh heights. Personal air concentrations were collected from mannequins under PPE at the same general heights and under the base layer at abdomen and thigh heights. Sampled contaminants included benzene, toluene, styrene, and naphthalene. Results suggest that VOCs can readily penetrate the ensembles. Workplace protection factors (WPFs) were near one for benzene and toluene and increased with increasing molecular weight of the contaminants. WPFs were generally lower under hoods and jackets compared to under pants. For all PPE conditions, the pants appeared to provide the greatest overall protection against ingress of VOCs, but this may be due in part to the lower air concentrations toward the floor (and cuffs of pants) relative to the thigh-height outside gear concentrations used in calculating the WPFs. Providing added interface control measures and adding particulate-blocking materials appeared to provide a protective benefit against less-volatile chemicals, like naphthalene and styrene.

Retrospective analysis of co-occurrence of congenital aortic stenosis and pulmonary artery stenosis in dogs.

The study has focused on the retrospective analysis of cases of coexisting congenital aortic stenosis (AS) and pulmonary artery stenosis (PS) in dogs. The research included 5463 dogs which were referred for cardiological examination (including clinical examination, ECG and echocardiography) between 2004 and 2014. Aortic stenosis and PS stenosis were detected in 31 dogs. This complex defect was the most commonly diagnosed in Boxers - 7 dogs, other breeds were represented by: 4 cross-breed dogs, 2 Bichon Maltais, 3 Miniature Pinschers, 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs, 2 French Bulldogs, and individuals of following breeds: Bichon Frise, Bull Terrier, Czech Wolfdog, German Shepherd, Hairless Chinese Crested Dog, Miniature Schnauzer, Pug, Rottweiler, Samoyed, West Highland White Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. In all the dogs, the murmurs could be heard, graded from 2 to 5 (on a scale of 1-6). Besides, in 9 cases other congenital defects were diagnosed: patent ductus arteriosus, mitral valve dysplasia, pulmonary or aortic valve regurgitation, tricuspid valve dysplasia, ventricular or atrial septal defect. The majority of the dogs suffered from pulmonary valvular stenosis (1 dog had supravalvular pulmonary artery stenosis) and subvalvular aortic stenosis (2 dogs had valvular aortic stenosis). Conclusions and clinical relevance - co-occurrence of AS and PS is the most common complex congenital heart defect. Boxer breed was predisposed to this complex defect. It was found that coexisting AS and PS is more common in male dogs and the degree of PS and AS was mostly similar.

The effect of macrogol administration on the quality of macroscopic images and transit time in canine capsule endoscopy.

The present experiment evaluated the quality of macroscopic images and the mean time of capsule passage through different sections of the gastrointestinal tract in dogs subjected to different preparation protocols before capsule endoscopy. In the first examination, the colonoscopy prepara- tion protocol was applied, and in the second examination, the animals were administered macrogol. The study revealed that macrogol administration before capsule endoscopy significantly improved the quality of macroscopic images. The colonoscopy preparation protocol may not support accurate visualization of the large bowel mucosa and, in selected patients, also the small bowel mucosa. Macrogol administration had no effect on capsule transit time through the alimentary canal. Capsules used in endoscopic evaluations of the small bowel in humans may have limited applications in macro- scopic examinations of large bowel mucosa in dogs.

Cytokines in canine inflammatory bowel disease.

Canine inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic enteropathies characterized by persistent or recurring gastric symptoms with an unknown etiology which are related to histopathological changes in the mucosa of the small and large bowel in the form of cellular infiltration in the mucosal lamina propria. Recent years have witnessed a growing number of investigations into the role of the immune system and, in particular, cytokines in the development of IBD. In this article, the expression of pro-inflammatory (IL-1, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) was compared in canine patients with IBD based on clinical presentation, breed, lamina propria cell infiltrate and histopathological grade. Only selected studies confirmed higher mRNA expression levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-12p40, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta in dogs with IBD in comparison with healthy subjects. GSD were strongly represented in most study populations. Dogs with LPE were characterized by elevated levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta. The present studies of canine patients with LPC revealed the mRNA expression of cytokines IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta. In the reviewed studies, the progression of IBD was not accompanied by changes in the mRNA express-

A correlation between the canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index score and the histopathological evaluation of the small intestinal mucosa in canine inflammatory bowel disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the degree of correlation between the intensity of clinical symptoms and the macroscopic and histopathological evaluation of the small intestinal mucous membrane in dogs. The results point to a statistically significant correlation between the values of the CIBDAI index and the histopathological assessment of the duodenum mucous membrane in patients with minor and moderate intensity of the disease. The lowest correlation coefficient was obtained for the indicator comparing macroscopic and histopathological evaluations. A positive correlation between the CIBDAI score and the histopathological index offers a base for applying it in the monitoring and treatment of mild, moderate and severe cases of canine inflammatory bowel disease.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs and cats.

The treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) possesses numerous difficulties owing to the unclear etiology of the disease. This article overviews the drugs used in the treatment of IBD depending on the intensity of clinical symptoms (Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index and Canine Chronic Enterophaty Clinical Activity Index). Patients demonstrating mild symptoms of the disease are usually placed on an appropriate diet which may be combined with immunomodulative or probiotic treatment. In moderate progression of IBD, 5-aminosalicylic acid (mesalazine or olsalazine) derivatives may be administered. Patients showing severe symptoms of the disease are usually treated with immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics and elimination diet. Since the immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease, the advancements in biological therapy research will contribute to the progress in the treatment of canine and feline IBD in the coming years.

Usefulness of laparoscopy guided renal biopsy in dogs.

Renal biopsies were carried out in 25 mixed-breed dogs of both sexes, aged 6 to 11 years, using an automatic, laparoscopy-guided method. The aim of the study was to apply and evaluate the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of renal pathologies in dogs. Twenty biopsy specimens were obtained from the right kidney and five--from the left kidney. As many as 24 of the 25 effectively collected biopsy specimens were classified as excellent (96%). Significant histopathological changes were found in 23 of the 25 biopsies performed. The results of histopathological analyses show a predominance of glomerular lesions over interstitial lesions, mostly mesangial glomerulonephritis, membranous and membrane-proliferative glomerulonephritis. The study confirmed that laparoscopy-guided biopsy of the kidney in dogs is a safe and a highly useful diagnostic technique. The results of histopathological analyses of biopsy specimens correlated with clinical history, clinical examination results, blood and urine tests and ultrasound examination results have a great diagnostic value and they significantly affect treatment and prognosis. Laparoscopy-guided biopsy supports the diagnosis and differentiation of glomerular and interstitial lesions and renal neoplasia in dogs.

Macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with mesalazine.

The objective of this study was to carry out a macroscopic and histopathological examination of the gastric mucosa in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease and to evaluate the effect of mesalazine therapy on histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa. The treatment was performed on 18 dogs with histopathologically confirmed inflammation of the duodenum and the jejunum. The animals were administered mesalazine at 12.5 mg/kg b.w. bid over a six-week period. The dogs investigated were diagnosed with chronic catarrhal gastritis with intense lymphocytic/plasmocytic infiltration. In 83% of the dogs, intestinal metaplasia had been noted in bioptates before examination. The results of macroscopic and microscopic examinations revealed that the applied treatment had a positive effect on gastric mucosal morphology. Cellular infiltration of the gastric mucosa was significantly inhibited, most probably, due to the anti-inflammatory effect of mesalazine.

Prospects for the use of probiotic bacteria in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in dogs.

Probiotic bacteria have been known for over a century. Probiotics are defined as direct feed microbials or microbial cell preparations with a beneficial effect on the health and well-being of the host. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus strains are used most frequently as probiotics. In recent years, their use has increased significantly in both human and veterinary medicine. These bacteria play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Lactobacillus and Enterococcus are capable of colonizing the alimentary tract in dogs. As a result, probiotic bacteria take an important part in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in the dog.

The usefulness of endoscopic examination for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic enteritis in dogs was determined in this study. It was demonstrated, based on a clinical case, that endoscopy is essential for IBD diagnosis in dogs. Endoscopy also helps to estimate the efficiency of the treatment strategy applied. Nonspecific clinical examination results as well as a predominating lack of deviation in laboratory parameters make endoscopy the basic examination technique in mild and moderately advanced forms of chronic enteritis in the dog.