Field castration in horses.

Routine equine surgical procedures don’t mean complications can develop. Castration, It’s one of the most common elective surgical procedures performed in the field, but sometimes things go wrong. Veterinarians must be prepared well in advance to manage any postoperative problems, which for gelding can range from mild swelling to devastating intestinal prolapse. Previous studies the researchers reported a complication rate of about 10%, Of those, the vast majority were considered mild, about 20% were considered moderate, and just 3% were considered severe. But severe can mean death in some cases, so knowing how to respond is crucial. Preventing complications is preferable to having to manage them, hence the following tips on castrating was given at the 2015 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Convention, held Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas by P.O. Eric Mueller, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, professor and director of equine programs at the University of Georgia's College of Veterinary Medicine, in Athens, reviewed how practitioners can prevent and manage castration complications in the field.(Read more ; horse.com) 1) First, be familiar with the pertinent reproductive anatomy and how to perform the procedure properly. 2) Get an extensive history on the patient, including any previous surgeries or congenital inguinal hernias especially those the foal was born with in which intestines have burst through the inguinal canal, a natural opening in the body wall of the horse’s groin area, and into the scrotum or tissue around the sheath. 3)Conduct a physical exam prior to surgery, including a thorough evaluation of the horse’s testes and inguinal areas. “The absence of one or both descended testes, a history of congenital inguinal hernia, or abnormal swelling or enlargement of the inguinal ring (there’s one at each end of the inguinal canal) should alert the practitioner to an increased risk of postoperative complications, at which time they should strongly consider referral to a surgery facility,”. 4) Apply the emasculators (a castration tool that cuts through the spermatic cord, crushing the vessels providing blood to the testicles) properly, checking for hemorrhage before releasing the cord after emasculation. 5) Ensure the patient is up-to-date on tetanus vaccination. Following surgery, keep the horse on stall rest for 24 hours to allow for close observation. Horses should have short periods of forced exercise (lunging or trotting, for example) for four to five days to help reduce edema (swelling). Don’t just turn them out in the pasture, as it won’t necessarily ensure the horse will move enough to keep the swelling down.

Locals eating radioactive food 30 years after Chernobyl: Greenpeace tests | NewsDaily

Locals eating radioactive food 30 years after Chernobyl: Greenpeace tests | NewsDaily

Colorado hospital sued over exposure to disease from ex-surgical technician.

A Colorado hospital has been sued by three former surgery patients who say they were among nearly 3,000 people possibly exposed to a blood-borne disease carried by a drug-addicted former medical technician, court records showed on Tuesday. The Swedish Medical Center in suburban Denver is accused of negligence in its hiring and supervision of a surgical technologist who was caught trying to switch a syringe containing the powerful opiate fentanyl citrate with another substance during a patient’s surgery in January. The technician, Rocky Allen, 28, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver last month on one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by deceit, both felonies. The civil complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in Denver, said federal authorities in the criminal case testified at a criminal hearing last month that Allen is a carrier of an unspecified “blood-borne pathogen.” The incident prompted the hospital to notify some 2,900 patients who underwent surgery at the facility from August 2015 to January 2016 during Allen’s employment to be screened for HIV, and hepatitis B and C. The three patients suing underwent surgery during that time frame and are seeking monetary damages for emotional distress. Read more at http://newsdaily.com/2016/03/colorado-hospital-sued-over-exposure-to-disease-from-ex-surgical-tech/#t1FagQ3xblyXSisC.99

Antibiotics use affects the abundance of resistant bacteria in soil: The use of animal manure increases the soil content of antibiotic-resistant genes

Antibiotics use affects the abundance of resistant bacteria in soil: The use of animal manure increases the soil content of antibiotic-resistant genes: When a certain type of antibiotic is phased in, the abundance of resistant genes in soil increases, new investigations show. When the antibiotic is phased out again, the abundance of resistant genes drops - and this happens relatively quickly. The scientists also found a correspondence in time between the first detection of antibiotic resistance in the health service and the detection of such genes for resistance in soil that had received applications of animal manure.

Synthetic biology approach for a new antidote to coral snake venom.

Coral snake venom carries significant neurotoxicity and human injuries can be severe or even lethal. Despite this, antivenom treatments are scarce due to challenges collecting adequate amounts of venom needed to produce anti-elapidic serum. Currently, coral snake antivenom is produced by immunizing horses with the venom and collecting the anti-elapidic serum produced. Despite its high toxicity, venom yield from coral snakes is very low, and the snakes are difficult to keep in captivity. Since 2003, the only FDA-approved coral snake antivenom has been discontinued, leading to patients being hospitalized for treatment while the effects of the venom wear off. A new approach is therefore urgently needed to produce antivenom more efficiently and cheaply. The researchers identified 5 toxins within the snake venom and used a technique called SPOT-synthesis to identify the sections of the toxin (epitopes) that are recognized by coral snake antivenom antibodies. They then designed two DNA strings that coded for these epitopes and used them to genetically immunize different groups of mice. The serum collected from the animals, which contained antibodies to the five toxins, was then tested for antivenom capabilities -- by mixing with coral snake venom before being administered to healthy mice -- and was found to neutralize venom by 40%. To improve on this result, the researchers used recombinant DNA techniques to generate purified recombinant proteins from the designed multiepitope DNA strings, and gave the mice a series of protein booster shots to increase their immune response. This approach resulted in a final serum with 60% neutralization against coral snake venom. The use of synthetic DNA bypasses the need to capture and keep snakes, a difficult and expensive process. Story culled from science daily.

Urgent need to transform key food producing regions in Africa by 2025

Urgent need to transform key food producing regions in Africa by 2025: Agriculture in parts of sub-Saharan Africa must undergo significant transformation if it is to continue to produce key food crops, according to a new study. The study shows that maize, beans and bananas are most at risk from climate change.

Cancer cells eat their neighbors' 'words': Cancer cells capable of using information packets as energy source

Cancer cells eat their neighbors' 'words': Cancer cells capable of using information packets as energy source: Cancer cells are well-known as voracious energy consumers, but even a veteran cancer-metabolism researcher was surprised by their latest exploit: Experiments in his lab show that some cancer cells get 30-60 percent of their fuel from eating their neighbors' 'words.'