Results of Screw/Wire/Polymethylmethacrylate Composite Fixation for Acetabular Fracture Repair in 14 Dogs

Objective- To assess the clinical results in dogs with acetabular fractures stabilized using a screw-wire-polymethylmethacrylate (SWP) composite fixation.
Study Design- A retrospective study of client-owned dogs with acetabular fractures.
Animals- Fourteen dogs ranging in age from 4 to 95 months (mean, 34 ±25 months; median, 25 months) and body weight from 8 to 39 kg (mean, 25 ±6 kg; median, 27 kg).
Methods- Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively evaluated to determine location of the fracture, presence of preexisting degenerative joint disease, accuracy of fracture reduction and complications associated with surgery. Long-term results were evaluated by subjective assessment of lameness, elicitation of pain and/or crepitus on manipulation of the coxofemoral joint, measurements of pelvic limb circumference, coxofemoral joint goniometric measurements, and radiographic evaluation.
Results- Fracture reduction was considered anatomic in 13 dogs. At the time of the last follow-up evaluation (mean, 347 ±261 days; median, 380 days) 10 dogs were sound on the affected limb, three dogs had a subtle weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb, and the remaining dog had a consistent non-weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb. Mild (n = 10) or moderate (n = 1) degenerative changes of the affected coxofemoral joint attributed to the acetabular fracture and its repair were noted on the follow-up radiographs in 11 dogs. Limb circumference of the affected limb ranged from -8.2% to +10.8% (mean, -0.8 ±4.2%; median, -0.7%) of the contralateral limb.
Conclusions- The SWP composite fixation consistently maintained anatomic reduction, was associated with few complications, and yielded satisfactory clinical results.
Clinical Relevance- The SWP composite fixation technique would seem to be an acceptable means of stabilizing acetabular fractures in dogs.     

Effect of Disk Fenestration on Sagittal Kinematics of the Canine C5-C6 Intervertebral Space

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect that ventral intervertebral disk fenestration has on the sagittal range of motion about the C5-C6 intervertebral space. STUDY DESIGN: A repeated measures in vitro mechanical study of spinal range of motion under controlled loading conditions before and after fenestration. SAMPLE POPULATION: A total of 10 canine cervical vertebral specimens (C4-C7) collected from clinically normal animals within 12 hours of euthanasia. METHODS: Specimens were loaded as cantilever beams fixed at C7. Weights (1 to 5 kg) were progressively applied to C4 to produce flexion or extension in the sagittal plane. Radiographs were taken at each load, 3 times before and 3 times after fenestration of the C5-C6 disk. The positions of radiodense markers embedded in the vertebrae were used to calculate flexion and extension angles and range of motion. RESULTS: Range of motion (difference between flexion and extension) and flexion and extension angles (individually) significantly increased after fenestration (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Ventral fenestration produces sagittal instability of the C5-C6 disk space. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In surgical fusion of caudal cervical intervertebral spaces in dogs, radiographically normal disks adjacent to the affected space are often fenestrated to facilitate distraction before surgical stabilization. This study shows that ventral fenestration produces instability of a caudal cervical intervertebral space in the model used. Such instability may contribute to the development of the secondary instability ("domino lesions") seen in some surgically treated dogs.     

A Biomechanical Comparison of Screw and Wire Fixation With and Without Polymethylmethacrylate Re-Enforcement for Acetabular Osteotomy Stabilization in Dogs

Objective— Compare the biomechanical characteristics of screw and wire fixation with and without polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) re-enforcement for acetabular osteotomy stabilization in dogs. Animals— Pelves removed from 8 adult mixed breed dogs weighing between 25 and 30 kg. Procedure— The pubic symphysis of each pelvis was split and a central transverse acetabular osteotomy was performed. One hemipelvis from each dog was stabilized with the composite fixation (interfragmentary Kirschner wire, two screws and a figure-of-eight orthopedic wire with PMMA). The contralateral hemipelves was stabilized with an interfragmentary Kirschner wire, two screws, and a figure-of-eight orthopedic wire without PMMA. All hemipelves were tested in bending by using a materials testing machine at a cross head speed of 5 mm/min. An extensometer was placed on the dorsomedial surface of the hemipelves centered over acetabular osteotomy to record distraction of the osteotomy during loading. A load/deformation curve and a load/distraction curve was produced for each hemipelvis. The slope for the initial linear portion of the load/deformation curve and the load/distraction curve, yield load and maximum load sustained were compared between repair groups using a paired t-test with P < .05 considered significant. Results— The slope of the load/deformation curve was significantly greater (P= .001 ) for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation (mean ± SD: 69 ± 18 N/mm) compared with hemipelves stabilized without PMMA (mean ± SD: 39 ± 8 N/mm). There was no significant difference (P= .593 ) between repair groups in the slope of the load/distraction curves as measured on the extensometer. Yield load was significantly greater (P= .0002 ) for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation (mean ± SD: 184 ± 25 N) compared to hemipelves stabilized without PMMA (mean ± SD: 74 ± 12 N). Maximum load sustained was also significantly greater (P= .013 ) for hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation (mean ± SD: 396 ± 71 N) compared to hemipelves stabilized without PMMA (mean ± SD: 265 ± 94 N). Failure of hemipelves stabilized with the composite fixation occurred primarily by ventrolateral bending of the cranial and caudal pelvic segments at the osteotomy site. Failure of hemipelves stabilized without PMMA occurred by ventrolateral bending of the cranial and caudal pelvic segments at the osteotomy site with pronounced concurrent ventrolateral rotation of the cranial pelvic segment. Conclusion— PMMA improves the mechanical characteristics of acetabular fracture fixation, at least in part by neutralization of rotational forces. The results of this study justify use of PMMA as a component of the composite fixation when repairing acetabular fractures.     

Holding Power of Threaded External Skeletal Fixation Pins in the Near and Far Cortices of Cadaveric Canine Tibiae

We compared the pin-bone interfaces at the near and far cortical penetration sites of positive-profile end-threaded external fixation pins in cadaveric canine tibiae. The holding power of the pins in each cortical surface was independently measured in 21 pin-bone sections. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to compare subjectively the microstructural appearance of the pin-bone interfaces at the near and far cortical penetration sites in eight pin-bone sections. The far cortical penetration site provided greater holding power than did the near cortical site. SEM evaluation suggested more bony microfractures and debris with less pin-bone interlock in the near cortical penetration sites than in the corresponding far cortical penetration sites. This study showed that after low-speed power insertion of positive-profile end-threaded pins in canine cadaveric tibiae, the near cortical penetration site contributes approximately 25% less to the overall holding power of the pin than does the far cortical penetration site.     

Bending Characteristics of Polymethylmethacrylate Columns,Connecting Bars of Carbon Fiber,Titanium, and Stainless Steel Used in External Skeletal Fixation and an Acrylic Interface

Objective: To (1) mechanically evaluate polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) columns of various sizes and compare them to connecting bar materials (carbon fiber composite, titanium, stainless steel) and (2) compare the properties of an intact PMMA column to those of an acrylic interface. Study Design: Experimental mechanical study. Sample Population: Experiment 1: 6 groups of 6 specimens each; experiment 2: 2 groups of 12 specimens each. Methods: All specimens were tested in 3‐point bending. Stiffness, yield strength, and ultimate strength values were calculated for each specimen. Results: PMMA 1 columns (23.25 mm) compared favorably to titanium or stainless‐steel bars. PMMA 3 columns (30.15 mm) and carbon fiber bars had similar yield strength but PMMA 3 columns were less stiff than carbon fiber bars. PMMA 3 columns had lower bending modulus and a higher variability in their mechanical properties than PMMA 1 or PMMA 2 (25.64 mm) columns. Acrylic interface specimens were less strong but as stiff as intact specimens. Conclusion: An acrylic interface was easily created and had acceptable biomechanical characteristics. Clinical Relevance: PMMA 2 and PMMA 3 columns are not recommended for clinical use at this time. Further tests are needed to analyze an acrylic patch in a more clinically relevant loading model.     

An In Vitro Comparison of Hollow Ground and Trocar Points on Threaded Positive-Profile External Skeletal Fixation Pins in Canine Cadaveric Bone

OBJECTIVE: To compare the microstructural damage created in bone by pins with lathe-cut and rolled-on threads, and to determine the peak tip temperature and damage created by positive-profile external fixator pins with either hollow ground (HG) or trocar (T) tips during insertion. STUDY DESIGN: An acute, in vitro biomechanical evaluation. SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty-seven canine tibiae. METHODS: Lathe-cut thread design with T point (LT-T), rolled-on thread design with T point (RT-T), and rolled-on thread design with HG point (RT-HG) pins were evaluated. Twenty pins of each type were inserted under constant drilling pressure into 12 canine tibiae (12 diaphyseal and 8 metaphyseal sites per pin type). Peak pin tip temperature, drilling energy, end-insertional pin torque, and pullout force were measured for each pin. For the histologic study, five pins of each type were inserted into cortical and cancellous sites in 15 additional tibiae. Entry and exit damage, and thread quality were assessed from 100 micron histologic sections by using computer-interfaced videomicroscopy. RESULTS: T-tipped pins reached higher tip temperature in both diaphyseal and metaphyseal bone compared with HG-tipped pins. RT-T pins had higher pullout strength (diaphyseal) and end-insertional torque compared with other combinations. No differences in drilling energy or insertional bone damage was found between the three pin types (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: T-tipped pins mechanically outperformed HG-tipped pins. Pin tip and thread design did not significantly influence the degree of insertional bone damage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T-tipped pins may provide the best compromise between thermal damage and interface friction for maximizing performance of threaded external fixator pins.     

复方参芩对犬细小病毒致心肌组织Bcl-2和Bax mRNA的影响

为了探讨复方参芩对犬细小病毒致犬心肌组织Bcl-2和Bax基因表达的影响,将丹参、黄芩、甘草等中药配伍并制备成为复方参芩针剂,人工感染犬细小病毒建立模型;将犬分为空白对照组、模型组、黄芪多糖组、复方参芩组;给药7d后,接种病毒,观察各组犬临床症状,取心肌组织,电镜观察心脏组织超微结构变化,采用荧光实时定量PCR法检测Bcl-2和Bax mRNA表达.结果表明,模型组犬死亡率高,心肌组织结构损伤严重,与空白对照组比较,心肌组织细胞Bcl-2 mRNA表达下调(P＜0.05),Bax mRNA表达增加(P＜0.01).复方参芩组犬存活率较高,心肌组织损伤轻,与模型组相比,心肌组织细胞Bax mRNA表达下调(P＜0.01),Bcl-2 mRNA表达上调(P＜0.01).通过本试验证明复方参芩可通过上调犬心肌组织细胞Bcl-2 mRNA表达,下调Bax mRNA的表达,抑制细小病毒引起的心肌细胞凋亡,保护犬心肌组织免受细小病毒损害.     

不同培养液及不同培养时间对犬卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

试验采集犬卵巢,用切割法回收卵泡中的卵母细胞,选取胞质均匀、2层或2层以上颗粒细胞、直径≥110μm的卵母细胞移入不同的培养液中:(A)M199+10%FBS+0.5μg/mL FSH+10 IU/mL hCG,(B)M199+0.1%PVA进行体外成熟培养。在培养不同时间(0,48,72 h)用1%醋酸地衣红染色,在显微镜下观察卵母细胞核成熟情况,探索适宜犬卵母细胞体外成熟的培养体系。结果表明:卵母细胞在A液中培养48 h MII期比例(7.84%)高于B液中的比例(P<0.01);在培养72 h MII期比例也是A液中(8.00%)高于B液,虽然二者差异不显著(P>0.05),但72 h卵母细胞退化比例高于48 h(P<0.01)。因此培养液中添加FBS,FSH和hCG有利于犬卵母细胞体外成熟,且在此培养液中培养48 h为最佳成熟时间。     

模拟增温对高寒草甸土壤性质的影响

全球变暖严重影响着草地生态系统碳氮循环,了解高寒草地生态系统碳氮循环对合理利用有限的草地资源有着极为重要的意义。为了探索全球气候变暖的背景下草地生态系统碳氮循环过程,本文采用开顶式增温小室（Open top champers,OTCs）连续四年模拟增温,对青藏高原高寒草地生态系统碳库（植物生物量碳库、土壤有机碳库和土壤微生物生物量碳库）动态变化及氮库（植物生物量氮库、土壤有机氮库和土壤微生物生物量氮库）动态变化进行研究。结果显示：模拟增温后,表层土壤年均温度增加了2.50℃,底层土壤年均温度增加了1.36℃。增温处理下植物-土壤-微生物生物量碳含量均高于对照,且土壤微生物生物量碳含量显著高于对照（P<0.05）。模拟增温处理下植物氮含量显著高于对照（P<0.05）。而土壤氮含量与微生物生物量氮含量均低于对照,差异不显著,说明高寒草甸碳氮对温度的响应较为明显。