Electrochemotherapy (ECT) and irreversible electroporation (IRE) are being investigated for treatment of hepatic tumours. The liver is a highly heterogeneous organ, permeated with a network of macro- and microvasculature, biliary tracts and connective tissue. The success of ECT and IRE depends on sufficient electric field established in whole target tissue; therefore, tissue heterogeneity may affect the treatment outcome. In this study, we investigate electroporation in the liver using a numerical mesoscale tissue model. We numerically reconstructed four ECT experiments in healthy porcine liver and computed the electric field distribution using our treatment planning framework. We compared the computed results with histopathological changes identified on microscopic images after treatment. The mean electric field threshold that best fitted the zone of coagulation necrosis was 1225 V/cm, while the mean threshold that best fitted the zone of partially damaged liver parenchyma attributed to IRE was 805 V/cm. We evaluated how the liver macro- and microstructures affect the electric field distribution. Our results show that the liver microstructure does not significantly affect the electric field distribution on the level needed for treatment planning. However, major hepatic vessels and portal spaces significantly affect the electric field distribution, and should be considered when planning treatments.

In the obese, the evidence for the choice of the optimal emergency front-of-neck access technique is very limited and conflicting. We compared cannula and scalpel-bougie emergency front-of-neck access techniques in an anaesthetised porcine model with thick pretracheal tissue. Cannula and scalpel-bougie cricothyroidotomy techniques were performed in 11 and 12 anaesthetised pigs, respectively. Following successful tracheal access, oxygenation was commenced and continued for 5 min using Rapid-O2 device for cannula and circle breathing system for scalpel-bougie study groups. The primary outcome was a successful rescue oxygenation determined by maintenance of arterial oxygen saturation >90% 5 min after the beginning of oxygenation. Secondary outcomes included success rate of airway device placement, time to successful airway device placement, and trauma to the neck and airway. The success rate of rescue oxygenation was 18% after cannula, and 83% after scalpel-bougie technique (P = 0.003). The success rate of airway device placement was 73% with cannula and 92% with scalpel-bougie technique (P = 0.317). Median (inter-quartile-range) times to successful airway device placement were 108 (30–256) and 90 (63–188) seconds (P = 0.762) for cannula and scalpel-bougie emergency front-of-neck access, respectively. Proportion of animals with iatrogenic trauma additional to the procedure itself was 27% for cannula and 75% for scalpel-bougie technique (P = 0.039). Thus, in the porcine model of obesity, the scalpel-bougie technique was more successful in establishing and maintaining rescue oxygenation than cannula-based technique; however, it was associated with a higher risk of severe trauma.

The aim of this study was to assess the personal experience and attitudes of Slovenian pet owners regarding cannabinoid (CBD) use and to identify the predictors of the first use and reuse of CBDs in dogs and cats. We hypothesized that positive attitudes toward CBDs, postmodern health values, and personal experience would be significant predictors of CBD use in animals. An open online survey targeted randomly selected Slovenian dog and cat owners, regardless of their experience with cannabis products. The questionnaire consisted of six sections related to demographic data and personal experience with CBD use, information about the participant's animal, experience with CBD use in the participant's animal, reasons for not using CBDs in their animal, attitudes toward CBD use in dogs and cats, and postmodern health values. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze demographics, personal experience with CBD use, and experience with CBD use in dogs and cats. Hierarchical multiple regression using the enter method was performed to analyze the important predictors of CBD use. A total of 408 completed questionnaires were included in the statistical analysis. A substantial proportion (38.5%) of owners had already used CBDs to treat their animal. Positive attitudes and previous personal experience were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of first use and reuse of CBDs in pets, while postmodern health values were not. In conclusion, the decision to use CBDs for medicinal purposes is based on acquired information and personal experience. Veterinarians should be informed and familiar with CBDs as a treatment option. However, further research is essential to establish the use of CBDs in veterinary medicine. Improved laws and regulations are also needed to ensure that only high-quality medications are prescribed to dogs and cats.

Background: Antioxidants located in both the hydrophilic and lipophilic compartments of plasma act as a defence system against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive production of ROS during anaesthesia affects the antioxidant capacity of plasma and may result in oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of lipid- (ACL) and water-soluble (ACW) antioxidants in client-owned dogs diagnosed with periodontal disease and early-stage myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) and anaesthetised for a dental procedure with propofol and sevoflurane or with propofol only. Results: Dogs with MMVD were anaesthetised with propofol and sevoflurane (MMVD/PS, n = 8) or with propofol only (MMVD/P, n = 10). Dogs with no evidence of MMVD (PS, n = 12) were anaesthetised with propofol and sevoflurane. Blood samples for determination of ACL and ACW were collected before and 5 min, 60 min and 6 h after induction to anaesthesia. In MMVD/PS dogs, ACL was significantly higher at all sampling times when compared to PS dogs. Compared to basal values, only anaesthesia maintained with propofol significantly increased ACL at 60 min in dogs with MMVD. In MMVD/P dogs, ACW increased after induction to anaesthesia and remained elevated up to 6 h after anaesthesia. Compared to basal values, anaesthesia maintained with sevoflurane significantly increased ACW only at 60 min in both dogs with and without MMVD. The only difference between propofol and propofol/sevoflurane anaesthesia in dogs with MMVD was significantly higher ACW at 60 min after induction to anaesthesia in the propofol group. Conclusions: Regarding antioxidant capacity, propofol could be a better choice than sevoflurane for anaesthesia of dogs with early-stage MMVD, although further studies are necessary to clarify the advantage of this antioxidant capacity.