Endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland in a porcine model

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland in a porcine model. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, nonrandomized prospective study. METHODS: Twelve endoscopic submandibular gland resections were performed on seven Yorkshire adult pigs using a combination of balloon dissection and low-pressure CO2 insufflation. The operative time, blood loss, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, arterial blood gas values, and weight of the glands were measured. RESULTS: All 12 submandibular gland resections were successfully performed endoscopically, and no conversions to open resection were necessary. The procedures lasted 42 to 140 minutes (median duration, 59 min). The median estimated blood loss was 15 mL. The submandibular glands weighed 13.3 +/- 1.5 g. The arterial blood pH varied from a decrease of 0.08 to an increase of 0.09 units from the beginning to the end of the operation. Similarly, the arterial CO2 pressure at the end of the case varied from a decrease of 15.8 to an increase of 16.2 mm Hg from the starting value. The presence of normal glandular architecture and lack of trauma or thermal injury were confirmed histologically. There were no cases of pneumothorax or air embolism, and no animals had to be killed. In one animal, a modest amount of subcutaneous emphysema could be appreciated, which was confined to the area over the operative pocket. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland is possible by combining balloon dissection with low-pressure CO2 insufflation, thereby avoiding complications of high-pressure insufflation such as pneumothorax and air embolism.     

A novel tick antigen shows high vaccine efficacy against the dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Ticks are acaridae ectoparasites that, while taking a blood meal, can transmit viruses, bacteria, protozoa and filarial nematodes, which cause a variety of human and animal illnesses. The use of chemical pesticides constitutes the primary measure for control of these ectoparasites. However, the intensive use of these chemicals has drawbacks such as the contamination of food, environmental pollution and development of resistance by ectoparasites. Vaccination is considered a promising alternative for controlling infestations by ectoparasites. Although emerging tick proteins have been identified recently, and have been proposed as potential targets for generating protective molecules, only a limited number of them have been evaluated in vaccine trials. More than 80 proteins are found in eukaryotic ribosomes. The protein P0 is essential for the assembly of the 60S ribosomal subunit. We have identified an immunogenic region of the ribosomal protein P0 from Rhipicephalus sp. ticks that is not very conserved compared to host P0. The efficacy of a 20 amino acid synthetic peptide from this sequence was assayed as a vaccine antigen against Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestations in an immunization and challenge experiment on rabbits. A remarkable diminution in the viability of newly molted nymphs from larvae fed on vaccinated rabbits was observed. The number of adults and the number of eggs hatching were significantly reduced, with an overall efficacy of 90%. Our results demonstrated that immunization with an immunogenic peptide of tick protein P0 greatly reduced survival of ticks, suggesting that it has promise as an effective tick control agent.