BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive method used in diagnosis and treatment of many disorders in animals, however, its application in smaller species is limited in literature which can be contributed to the challenges faced while performing a minimally invasive procedure in smaller mammals. OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the feasibility and ideal port placement considering heart as the target organ in rabbit. Also, the impact of ventilation protocol on rate of mortality was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were used in this experiment. Approaches used for the introduction of the camera were Para-xiphoid and intercostal space, the optimal spot for insertion of the second trocar relative to the camera was also evaluated, lung damage and rate of mortality were assessed under two different mechanical ventilation modes of pressure-controlled and volume-controlled. RESULTS: Surgical view gained through the para-xiphoid approach is rather panoramic and spatial than the direct intercostal view, maneuver on the heart with an instrument is easier when the 5th intercostal space is used for the second trocar. With the help of PCV, lungs sustain less damage and atelectasis can be avoided till the end of the procedure and therefore, less mortality is experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Para-xiphoid approach and the correct ventilation protocol provides sufficient working space under good vison, which makes the rabbit thoracoscopic heart model a practical model that can be used in many cardiac experiments.

Fluid gels already proposed to deliver flavors and nutrients safely. In this paper, our earlier research was applied for mechanical, rheological and release evaluation of the vitamin encapsulated alginate-whey protein microcapsules. The results indicated that the size distribution of alginate-whey protein microcapsules depended on the whey protein concentration, alginate concentration, and emulsification method; the mean diameters of these microcapsules slightly increased as the whey protein and alginate concentration increased. The microcapsules containing riboflavin and biotin showed significant changes in mean diameter volume, but vitamin stability did not change during 30 days at 4 ° C. The micro-gels emulsified by ultrasound exhibited a decrease in stiffness than those produced by high-shear blending. The vitamin encapsulated alginate-whey protein microcapsules emulsified by ultrasound were quite stable compared to microcapsule emulsified with the agitator. These micro-gel suspensions exhibit a fluid-like behavior. We founded that the release from these microcapsules mainly occurred by diffusion mechanisms. In summary, this research suggested that alginate-whey protein microcapsules can protect the active and bioactive agent against stomach condition. Our developed vesicular system could be used to nutrient delivery or controlled nutrient release.

In this study, a controlled released delivery drug system designed and synthesized by loading curcumin and selenium nanoparticles (SeNaPs) on chitosan hydrogel, and while evaluating the physicochemical properties of the prepared drug delivery system, the tissue changes caused by the local implant of that system in rats with experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) were investigated. For this purpose, 100 adult female rats were randomly divided into five equal groups which are: Control group without any treatment for SCI, chitosan group that received chitosan hydrogel, curcumin group that received curcumin-loaded hydrogel, SeNaP group that received chitosan loaded with SeNaPs and SeNPCur group that received chitosan loaded with SeNaPs and curcumin. On the 3rd and 7th days of the study, severe infiltration of leukocytes, especially lymphocytes, as well as axon swelling and hemorrhagic necrosis at the lesion sites were observed in all groups, especially the control group. On the 7th day, the severity of these injuries decreased in the SeNPCur group and the highest number of astrocytes was observed in this group. In addition, on the 14th and 21st days of the study, the lowest severity of nerve tissue damage and the lowest presence of inflammatory cells along with the highest number of astrocytes were seen in the SeNPCur group. The glial fibrillary acidic protein study also confirmed the presence of more and significant astrocytes in the SeNPCur, curcumin and SeNP groups at different times of the study, respectively. The histopathological results showed the neuroprotective effects of chitosan hydrogel loaded with selenium and curcumin.

Background: Nowadays, the use of mechanical ventilation devices has a vital use in the treatment of patients hospitalized in intensive care units, while different modes of mechanical ventilation devices had different outcomes, thus this study aimed at comparing two modes of mechanical ventilation, that is the outcome of pressure regulated volume-controlled (PRVC) and Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) on hemodynamic changes and time taken to separate the patient from the device in the intensive care unit. Methods: This study is a single-blind randomized clinical trial conducted in Alzahra hospital during 2018-2019. The research population of the study included 74 patients admitted to the intensive care unit who were selected by convenience sample. The patients were ramdomly divided into two groups. The device parameters were adjusted on PRVC mode for the first group and ASV mode for the second group. The data were compared between two groups using. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests, T-test, and repeated measures of ANOVA and ANCOVA. Findings: There was no significant difference between the two groups at different intervals in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, pH and HCO3, RAMSY score. The analysis of variance with repeated observations showed that both, the group and time had significant effects on SPO2 and PCO2. The average length of time connected to the mechanical ventilation device and the duration of hospitalization in the ASV group was significantly lower than the PRVC Group. Conclusion: The ASV mode more than PRVC mode decreased the length of stay and need for ventilation of hospitalized patients in intensive care units.