Ultrasonic Doppler-guided catheterization of the dorsal pedal artery in dogs and cats under general anesthesia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Noninvasive blood pressure measurements are less accurate than direct measurements but arterial catheterization for direct blood pressure monitoring can be challenging especially in patients with a nonpalpable pulse. The purpose of this study is to describe a novel technique of locating the dorsal pedal arterial pulse using a portable ultrasonic Doppler for arterial catheter placement. KEY FINDINGS: Using the described technique in anesthetized dogs and cats with strong (n = 13) to weak dorsal pedal pulses (n = 6), the overall success rate of arterial puncture was 70% (19/27) with successful catheterization in 53% (10/19) of those. The overall success rate of arterial catheterization was 37% (10/27). The pulse strength did not significantly affect the success rate. Neither were patient weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and premedication significantly different between the 2 groups. SIGNIFICANCE: This study describes a novel technique for locating the dorsal pedal artery for arterial catheterization. Having another technique of pulse detection may increase the likelihood of arterial catheter placement for direct blood pressure monitoring and aid in arterial puncture for obtaining a sample for blood gas analysis in critical patients.

Ara h 6 complements Ara h 2 as an important marker for IgE reactivity to peanut.

The similarities of two major peanut allergens, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, in molecular size, amino acid sequence, and structure have made it difficult to obtain natural Ara h 6 free of Ara h 2. The objectives of this study were to purify natural Ara h 6 that is essentially free of Ara h 2 and to compare its IgE reactivity and potency in histamine release assays to Ara h 2. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the highly purified allergen (<0.01% Ara h 2) revealed a single 14.5 kD band, and the identity of Ara h 6 was confirmed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Ara h 6 showed a higher seroprevalence in chimeric IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (n = 54) but a weaker biological activity in basophil histamine release assays than Ara h 2. Purified Ara h 6 will be useful for diagnostic IgE antibody assays as well as molecular and cellular studies to investigate the immunological mechanisms of peanut allergy.

Context-dependent sensitization to ethanol in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

One of the most robust and readily measurable effects of moderate doses of ethanol on zebrafish behavior is locomotor hyperactivity. Two experiments were designed to examine the effects of repeated exposures to ethanol on ethanol-induced locomotor hyperactivity, and to determine whether these effects are context-dependent. Adult, wild-type zebrafish were given repeated exposure to ethanol in the presence of one contextual stimulus (A), while exposed to water in the presence of a second contextual stimulus (B). Exposure to ethanol consistently induced locomotor hyperactivity. After repeated exposures, animals tested with ethanol in the ethanol-paired context (A) showed sensitization of locomotor activity. When tested with ethanol in the unpaired context (B), however, sensitization was not observed. When tested in the absence of ethanol, there were no differences in responding to the paired and unpaired stimuli. This is the first demonstration of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in zebrafish. Moreover, this sensitization was context-specific, indicating that learning can modify drug-induced behaviors in zebrafish.