Severe portal and systemic acidosis during CO-laparoscopy compared to helium or gasless laparoscopy and laparotomy in a rodent model: an experimental study.

Background And Aims: This experimental study assesses the influence of different gases and insufflation pressures on the portal, central-venous and peripheral-arterial pH during experimental laparoscopy.

Methods: Firstly, 36 male WAG/Rij rats were randomized into six groups (n = 6) spontaneously breathing during anaesthesia: laparoscopy using carbon dioxide or helium at 6 and 12 mmHg, gasless laparoscopy and laparotomy. 45 and 90 min after setup, blood was sampled from the portal vein, vena cava and the common femoral artery with immediate blood gas analysis.

The orbitofrontal cortex projects to the parvafox nucleus of the ventrolateral hypothalamus and to its targets in the ventromedial periaqueductal grey matter.

Although connections between the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)-the seat of high cognitive functions-the lateral hypothalamus and the periaqueductal grey (PAG) have been recognized in the past, the precise targets of the descending fibres have not been identified. In the present study, viral tracer-transport experiments revealed neurons of the lateral (LO) and the ventrolateral (VLO) OFC (homologous to part of Area 13 in primates) to project to a circumscribed region in the ventrolateral hypothalamus, namely, the horizontally oriented, cylindrical parvalbumin- and Foxb1-expressing (parvafox) nucleus. The fine collaterals stem from coarse axons in the internal capsule and form excitatory synapses specifically with neurons of the parvafox nucleus, avoiding the rest of the hypothalamus.

Efferent connections of the parvalbumin-positive (PV1) nucleus in the lateral hypothalamus of rodents.

A solitary cluster of parvalbumin-positive neurons--the PV1 nucleus--has been observed in the lateral hypothalamus of rodents. In the present study, we mapped the efferent connections of the PV1 nucleus using nonspecific antero- and retrograde tracers in rats, and chemoselective, Cre-dependent viral constructs in parvalbumin-Cre mice. In both species, the PV1 nucleus was found to project mainly to the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG), predominantly ipsilaterally.

Complement C3 in Bernese Mountain dogs.

Background: Previous research suggests that low serum concentrations of the third component of complement (C3) are associated with both the susceptibility to infectious agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi and the development of glomerular disease. We hypothesized that low levels of C3 are associated with the coincident occurrence of B. burgdorferi infection and glomerulonephritis in Bernese Mountain dogs.

Follow-up of Bernese Mountain dogs and other dogs with serologically diagnosed Borrelia burgdorferi infection: what happens to seropositive animals?

Background: Data on the long-term outcome of B. burgdorferi infections in adult dogs are sparse. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Bernese Mountain dogs with serological evidence of natural B.

Association of urine protein excretion and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Bernese Mountain dogs.

Bernese Mountain dogs (BMDs) are prone to develop a familial glomerulonephropathy and a pathogenic role of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in this disease has been suspected. Glomerular disease in many affected dogs is clinically inapparent and proteinuria is found incidentally. In this study, urine protein excretion was evaluated in 122 clinically healthy BMDs and 55 controls.

Guarded long-term prognosis in male cats with urethral obstruction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the course of urethral obstruction in cats. Forty-five male cats with urethral obstruction or lower urinary tract signs referable to urethral obstruction were included in the study. Follow-up information was gained by telephone interview in most cases and was available in 39 cats.

Increased prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi infections in Bernese Mountain Dogs: a possible breed predisposition.

Background: Glomerulonephritis in dogs has been associated with B. burgdorferi infections. In Bernese Mountain Dogs with glomerulonephritis antibodies against B.