Ex vivo investigation of the use of hydrothermal energy to induce chondrocyte necrosis in articular cartilage of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of hydrothermal ablation of articular cartilage for arthrodesis in horses through investigation of the effects of joint lavage with physiologic saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (80 degrees C) for various treatment times on chondrocyte viability in the articular cartilage of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints of cadaveric horse limbs. Sample Population-7 pairs of metacarpophalangeal and 8 pairs of metatarsophalangeal joints from 8 Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: The horses were euthanatized for reasons unrelated to musculoskeletal disease. On a random basis, 1 joint of each pair underwent intra-articular lavage for 5, 10, or 15 minutes with heated saline solution (80 degrees C); the other joint underwent sham treatment of similar duration with saline solution at 22 degrees C (control). Cartilage samples from the distal articular surface of metacarpus III (or metatarsus III), the proximal surface of the proximal phalanx, and the lateral and medial proximal sesamoid bones were assessed for chondrocyte viability via confocal microscopy and viability staining following enzymatic digestion. RESULTS: Compared with the control joints, findings of both viability assays indicated that the percentage of sites containing viable chondrocytes in heat-treated joints was decreased.Treatment hazard ratios of 0.048 (confocal microscopy) and 0.2 (digestion assay) were estimated. Histologically, periarticular soft tissues had minimal detrimental effects after heat treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ex vivo intra-articular lavage with saline solution at 80 degrees C resulted in the death of almost all articular chondrocytes in the joint. This technique may be a satisfactory method for extensive cartilage ablation when performing arthrodesis by minimally invasive techniques.     

Effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentration antibiotic levels and temperature on growth kinetics and outer membrane protein expression in Mannheimia haemolytica and Haemophilus somnus

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of 2 veterinary antibiotic preparations, chlortetracycline (CTC) and chlortetracycline-sulfamethazine (CTC + SMZ), on growth kinetics and outer membrane protein expression in Mannheimia haemolytica and Haemophilus somnus at normal and febrile body temperatures. Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of both antibiotics reduced the growth rates of M. haemolytica and H. somnus. Growth of both species was not inhibited when grown at 41 degrees C compared to 37 degrees C. There was no detectable consistent effect of antibiotic or temperature on outer membrane protein expression for either species. Our study indicates that sub-MIC levels of CTC and CTC + SMZ markedly impair growth of clinical M. haemolytica and H. somnus isolates, potentially allowing more effective host clearance during infection.     

Recreational angling markets to advance the conservation of a reach of the Western Ramganga River,India

• 1. Mahseer fishes of the genus Tor are ‘iconic species’ in Indian rivers, representing ‘flagship’ species for conservation purposes but with additional exploitable, cultural and economic values. Conservation action is required to address their vulnerability to numerous pressures on multiple habitats, and connections between them, across the extended aquatic ecosystems supporting different life stages.
• 2. Recreational angling for mahseer, along with associated wildlife and cultural tourism, is a growth industry dependent upon healthy river ecosystems.
• 3. A cyclic, ecosystem‐based model in which local people can benefit economically from sustainable mahseer exploitation through catch‐and‐release fisheries can form a basis for conservation of both mahseer and the wider river ecosystem.
• 4. Experience on the Western Ramganga River in the vicinity of the town of Bikhyasen, Uttarakhand State (in the Himalayas in northern India), demonstrates the importance of involving local people in the benefits associated with angling, wildlife and cultural tourism. This creates local incentives for river protection, and may be the most effective means for preventing destructive over‐exploitation in poor rural communities.
• 5. Recognition of this value and its recirculation to local people can form the basis for a ‘paying for ecosystems services’ (PES) market. This will benefit river ecosystems, local people, tour operators and visiting anglers, provided that local people benefit to a greater extent than through the killing of fish for non‐renewable consumption or sale.
• 6. This is the basis for a potentially transferable model which may support regional development through involving local people in markets for iconic species. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Assessing the role of federal community assistance programs to develop biomass utilization capacity in the western United States

As forest biomass utilization becomes cost effective to harvest, more areas at risk of catastrophic wildfire can be thinned of dense brush and small diameter trees. In an effort to increase biomass utilization, the USDA Forest Service granted more than $36 million in National Fire Plan-Economic Action Program funds in the western United States during fiscal years 2001 to 2003. Interviews with program coordinators and grant recipients were used to characterize the types of investment strategies used and to assess accomplishments relative to national fuels reduction objectives. Findings include a strong emphasis on grants leveraging other funding sources, coordination of resources to increase utilization capacity, and the need for technical assistance to facilitate project design and implementation. We conclude that community assistance programs may help to create the type of utilization capacity necessary to reduce hazardous fuels, but that sustained progress will depend on synergistic activities on multiple fronts and improved demonstration of program accomplishments.     

Chronic malignant catarrhal fever: a case in a sika deer (Cervus nippon)

A condition resembling chronic malignant catarrhal fever was seen in a 9-month-old pet sika hind (Cervus nippon). From an initial acute depression, pyrexia, and anorexia, the condition progressed to include hypopyon, keratitis, lethargy, loss of condition, sloughing of one hoof and eventually death after seven weeks. There were multiple, 5 to 8mm diameter dark-red nodules throughout the mesenteries and mediastinum, along abdominal organ ligaments, and about the uterus and kidneys. Histopathology showed the nodules to be organising vascular thrombi. Concurrent perivascular mononuclear infiltrations and intravascular thrombi in many tissues confirmed that the condition was malignant catarrhal fever.