Measurement of articular cartilage stiffness of the femoropatellar, tarsocrural, and metatarsophalangeal joints in horses and comparison with biochemical data

OBJECTIVE: To determine normal cartilage stiffness values in different weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing areas of 3 different equine joints, and to evaluate the relationship between cartilage stiffness and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen content. STUDY DESIGN: Compressive stiffness of the articular cartilage was measured in 8 horse cadaver femoropatellar (FP), tarsocrural (TC), and metatarsophalangeal (MT) joints. Gross evaluation, collagen content, GAG content, and histologic appearance were assessed for each measurement location. ANIMALS: Eight equine cadavers (4 intact females, 4 castrated males; 7 Quarter Horse or Quarter Horse type, 1 Arabian; aged 4-12 years, weighing 400-550 kg). METHODS: The articular surfaces of 8 equine cadaver FP, TC, and MT joints were grossly evaluated for signs of articular cartilage pathology. Stiffness at preselected sites (FP joint-6 sites; TC joint-3 sites; MT joint-4 sites) was determined using an arthroscopic indentation instrument. Biochemical composition (collagen, GAG content) and histologic evaluation (modified Mankin score) were assessed for each measurement site. RESULTS: All cartilage from all sites evaluated was determined to be normal based on macroscopic and histologic assessments. No significant correlation between Mankin scores and cartilage stiffness values was observed. Site differences in cartilage stiffness were measured in all 3 joints (P<.001). GAG or collagen content had a significant positive correlation with stiffness values in 6 of 13 sites (P<.05, r>0.622, r2>0.387). CONCLUSION: Relative cartilage stiffness values measured in healthy equine joints are site dependent and can be measured using an indentation device intended for arthroscopic application. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An indentation instrument provided an objective means of determining relative compressive stiffness of articular cartilage. Further research needs to be performed to confirm the site and joint differences observed in this study in clinically normal horses and to determine if the tester can be used clinically to predict articular cartilage pathology.     

Trichophytobezoar duodenal obstruction in New World camelids

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical findings, surgical treatment, and outcome associated with trichophytobezoar duodenal obstruction in New World camelids. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Alpacas (7) and 1 llama. METHODS: Historical and clinical data were obtained from the medical records of New World camelids with a diagnosis of trichophytobezoar duodenal obstruction confirmed by surgical exploration or necropsy. RESULTS: Seven camelids were <1 year old. Abnormal clinical findings included anorexia, reduced fecal output, recumbency, colic, abdominal distension, regurgitation, decreased serum chloride concentration, increased serum bicarbonate concentration, and/or elevated first gastric compartment chloride concentration. Survey abdominal radiographs obtained (4 animals) revealed gastric distension (4) and/or visualization of the obstruction (2). Diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy (1) or surgery (7). Right paracostal celiotomy was performed on all animals and duodenotomy (3) or retropulsion of the trichophytobezoar combined with third compartment gastrotomy (4) was used to remove the obstruction. Six animals survived to discharge and 5 were healthy at follow-up, 8-20 months later. The remaining discharged alpaca was healthy at 12 months but subsequently died of unrelated causes. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of trichophytobezoar duodenal obstruction should be considered in juvenile New World camelids with abdominal distension and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. Right paracostal celiotomy can be used for access to the descending duodenum and third gastric compartment for surgical relief of obstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Duodenal obstruction from bezoars should be considered in New World camelids <1year of age with abdominal distension and hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. Surgical relief of the obstruction by right paracostal celiotomy has a good prognosis.     

Immunogenic and protective effects of a DNA vaccine for Mycobacterium marinum in fish

Mycobacteriosis, caused by numerous Mycobacterium spp., can be a devastating disease of both wild and cultured fishes. As no efficacious treatment exists, a vaccine against fish mycobacteriosis is essential for prevention and control of this disease. Thus, a DNA vaccine was constructed using the Mycobacterium marinum Ag85A gene that encodes one of the major secreted fibronectin-binding proteins of Mycobacterium spp., which was isolated and then subcloned into a commercially available eukaryotic expression vector. Juvenile hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops), a species known to be particularly susceptible to this disease, were immunized by i.m. and i.p. injection with the resulting construct and as a result produced specific immune responses towards the Ag85A. Increasing concentrations of humoral antibodies to the Ag85A antigen were generated in all DNA vaccine groups, while macrophage phagocytosis and respiratory burst functions failed to exhibit upregulation after vaccination. In addition, fish receiving the DNA vaccine developed a protective response to a live M. marinum challenge 90 days post-inoculation, as demonstrated by increased survival of vaccinated fish over control fish and by reduced splenic bacterial counts in vaccinated fish. Furthermore, humoral immune responses and protective effects were significantly increased at higher vaccine doses using the i.m. injection route.     

Evaluation of 2 cement techniques for augmentation of stripped 1.5 mm screw sites in the distal metaphysis of feline radii

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of 2 cement augmentation techniques on pullout strength of 1.5 mm screws placed in stripped 1.5 mm screw sites in the distal metaphysis of feline radii. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Feline radii (21 pairs). METHODS: Treatment groups (n=4) were allocated according to a Latin square design to 4 sites in each pair of radii. Positive and negative controls were a 1.5 mm screw and a screw of the same diameter in a previously stripped screw hole, respectively. Treatment groups were a 1.5 mm screw implanted in a previously stripped screw hole after injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or a bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement (CPC, Norian skeletal repair system (SRS)). The ultimate pullout strength was compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SEM) pullout strength of screws augmented with either bone cement was less than that of the positive control group and greater than that of the negative control. Injection of CPC or PMMA before screw implantation increased the pullout strength of the negative control by 86.8+/-22.9% and 104.1+/-32.1%, respectively. Holding power of the positive control screws differed from these 2 groups, and was 274.8+/-39.17% higher than that of the negative control. CONCLUSION: Injection of CPC or PMMA increases but does not restore the holding power of stripped 1.5 mm diameter screws. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of CPC (Norian SRS) augmentation of stripped 1.5 mm diameter screws warrants clinical investigation as it combines biomechanical results similar to PMMA with osteoconduction and resorbability.     

Cytotoxic chemotherapy: new players, new tactics

Veterinary clients often seek the same new and innovative cancer treatment options for their companion animals that they read about in the press or on the Internet. It is, therefore, necessary for the practitioner to have an understanding of the development of new and innovative cytotoxic drugs and delivery techniques. This article describes the drug development process and how a new product eventually finds its way into clinical use. Some of the newer drugs and delivery techniques applied to small animals are reviewed.     

Excretion and residues of the herbicides benzoylprop-ethyl flamprop-isopropyl and flamprop-methyl in cows,pigs and hens

Two wild oat herbicides, benzoylprop-ethyl and flamprop-methyl were administered to lactating cows at low dose levels (0.3–3.0 mg/kg in total diet) and the excretion of total metabolites in milk, urine and faeces was measured. Total residues in tissues were also determined. Similarly a third and related herbicide flamprop-isopropyl was fed to cows, pigs and hens (at 0.5 mg/kg in total diet) and the residues were determined in excreta and tissues, including eggs. The amounts of the compounds fed were equivalent to approximately 10–300 times the total residue found in cereal treated in the field. Residues in milk in most cases were well below 0.001 mg/kg; in muscle samples <0.003 mg/kg; and in eggs, 0.0008 mg/kg, decreasing by 50% in approximately 3 days to 0.0001 mg/kg 4 days after the termination of treatment. Elimination of the herbicides from the animals was rapid in every case and this, together with the low residue levels, was attributed to very efficient metabolic de-esterification to the parent carboxylic acid metabolites (benzoylprop and flamprop). These metabolites possess physical properties ideally suited for excretion via the kidneys and bile into urine and faeces and, conversely, unsuited for transport into milk and eggs.     

The successful use of work oxen in agricultural development of tsetse infested land in Ethiopia

Summary For the past five years a herd of work oxen, now numbering some 450 individuals, has been maintained under the protection of trypanocidal drugs on a settlement scheme in an area of western Ethiopia infested with tsetse. This paper describes the environmental conditions and the epizootiology of trypanosomiasis in the oxen and in the vector, Glossina morsitans. It is concluded that with the strategic use of drugs, oxen can be kept alive and perform useful agricultural work, in areas of high tsetse challenge, provided reasonable standards of veterinary supervision and management are maintained.

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El Uso Exitoso De Bueyes En El Desarrollo Agricola De Tierras Infestadas De Tsetse En Etiopia

Resumen Se ha mantenido un número aproximado de 450 bueyes, bajo el efecto de drogas contra la tripanosomiasis (quimioprofiláxis), en una concentración rural bajo el flagelo de la mosca tsetse, en el oeste de Etiopía. Este trabajo describe las condiciones ambientales y epizootiológicas de la tripanosomiasis en bueyes y vectores (Glossina morsitans). Se concluye, que el uso estrátegico de drogas preventivas proteje a los bueyes en áreas infestadas por tsetse, siempre y cuando se mantenga una supervisión veterinaria y de manejo animal aceptable.

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Succes De L'Utilisation Des Boeufs De Travail Dans Le Developpement De L'Agriculture D'Une Region D'Ethiopie Infestee De Tse-Tse

Résume Au cours des cinq dernières années, un troupeau de boeufs de travail, maintenant au nombre de quelque 450 têtes, a été maintenu sous protection de produits trypanocides à l'occasion d'un essai d'implantation du bétail dans une région de l'Ouest de l'Ethiopie infestée de tsé-tsé. Ce document traite des conditions de l'environnement, de l'épizootologie des trypanosomoses du bétail ainsi que du vecteur:Glossina morsitans. La conclusion est qu'avec l'utilisation des trypanocides, les boeufs peuvent vivre et donner les performances habituelles au niveau des travaux agricoles dans les zones à haute infestation glossinaire pourvu du'un encadrement vétérinaire et de gestion suffisant soit maintenu.

     

Thiobases in Escherchia coli Transfer RNA: 2-Thiocytosine and 5-Methylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil

Two new sulfur-containing pyrimidine nucleotides have been isolated from hydrolyzates of Escherichia coli transfer RNA. The structures, 2-thiocytosine and 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, have been assigned to the bases as a result of study of ultraviolet and mass spectra. An acid-degradation product, S-methylamino-methyluracil, has been synthesized and is identical to that derived from the natural product.