Effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome and effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (RCCL) and injury to the medial meniscus in Labrador Retrievers. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 131 Labrador Retrievers with unilateral RCCL and injury to the medial meniscus and 17 clinically normal Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURE: Affected dogs had partial or complete medial meniscectomy and lateral suture stabilization (LSS), intracapsular stabilization (ICS), or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Limb function was measured before surgery and 2 and 6 months after surgery. Treated dogs were evaluated to determine the probability that they could be differentiated from clinically normal dogs and tested to determine the likelihood that they achieved improvement. RESULTS: No difference was found between LSS or TPLO groups, but dogs treated with ICS had significantly lower ground reaction forces at 2 and 6 months. Compared with clinically normal dogs only, 14.9% of LSS-, 15% of ICS-, and 10.9% of TPLO-treated dogs had normal limb function. Improvement was seen in only 15% of dogs treated via ICS, 34% treated via TPLO, and 40% treated via LSS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical technique can influence limb function after surgery. Labrador Retrievers treated via LSS, ICS, or TPLO for repair for of RCCL and medial meniscal injury managed with partial or complete meniscectomy infrequently achieve normal function. Results of LSS and TPLO are similar and superior to ICS.     

Applied island biogeography and the conservation of endangered island birds in the Indian ocean

There has been much interest and controversy over the application of island biogeographic theory to conservation planning, but few attempts have been made actually to apply theory to specific conservation programmes. This paper demonstrates how island biogeography might play an important role in developing programmes to preserve several endangered island birds on the island of Mauritius. Biogeographic theory suggests that the present avifauna of Mauritius contains an excessive number of species, in view of the much reduced area of forest that exists on the island today. Inter-island transfers of four endangered birds from Mauritius to nearby Réunion Island are proposed and justified by biogeographical and ecological studies.     

Raman spectroscopic evidence for two conformations of uncomplexed valinomycin in the solid state

Raman spectroscopy is applied for the first time to elucidate the different conformations of the carrier transport molecule, valinomycin. Splitting of the ester and amide carbonyl stretch vibrations is observed in the Raman spectrum of crystals of valinomycin grown from both n-octane and acetone. These observations support the contention that some ester carbonyl groups are intramolecularly hydrogen bonded. The Raman spectrum of valinomycin grown from o-dichlorobenzene does not display this feature.     

In vitro inhibition of Eimeria tenella invasion by indigenous chicken Lactobacillus species

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of indigenous chicken Lactobacillus species isolates from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract on Eimeria tenella invasion in vitro and to characterise the nature of inhibition, if any. The effects of competitive exclusion, steric interference and bacterial extracellular factors on E. tenella invasion were examined in an MDBK cell model. Several Lactobacillus species were initially isolated from chickens and identified by biochemical characteristics and 16S-rRNA. All Lactobacillus species isolates tested, significantly inhibited E. tenella invasion. Steric interference did not affect parasite invasion. Extracellular metabolic factors secreted by Lactobacillus species isolates into the surrounding media were shown to inhibit parasite invasion and these factors appeared to be heat stable. These results show that the natural microflora of poultry can provide a source of E. tenella-inhibiting Lactobacillus species in vitro, and thus may contribute to the control of Eimeria infection.     

Studies using Teladorsagia circumcincta in an in vitro direct challenge method using abomasal tissue explants

An in vitro direct challenge (IVDC) method in which abomasal tissue explants maintained at 37 degrees C in Hanks/Hepes solution (pH 7.6) in a high oxygen concentration (incubator gassed with pure oxygen and sealed prior to use) were-challenged with exsheathed third stage larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta has been used to investigate the tissue association phase of larval establishment. Studies using na?ve and recently challenged immune sheep and goat abomasal tissues have shown significant reductions (P < 0.05) in the numbers of tissue associated larvae in material from immune animals. The mechanisms that affect the tissue association process appear to be labile since more larvae were recovered from the tissue digests of previously infected sheep that had not been recently exposed to larval challenge in comparison to those that had been recently challenged (P < 0.05). The method has also been used to demonstrate the influence of protein nutrition on the establishment of larvae in abomasal tissues and region specific differences in the efficacy of exclusion mechanisms. The technique appears to have potential as a means of investigating the crucial first phase of the process of establishment.     

Evaluation of complications and prognostic factors associated with administration of total parenteral nutrition in cats: 75 cases (1994-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency and types of complications, prognostic factors, and primary diseases affecting clinical outcome associated with administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 75 cats that received TPN for > or = 12 hours. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and information was obtained on signalment, history, problems at initial evaluation, physical examination findings, weight and changes in weight while receiving TPN, duration in the hospital before initiation of TPN, the type of TPN catheter used, duration of TPN administration, and final diagnosis. Laboratory results obtained immediately prior to TPN and at 24 and 96 hours following initiation of TPN administration were compared. RESULTS: Reports of weight loss at initial evaluation, hyperglycemia at 24 hours, or diagnosis of chronic renal failure were significantly associated with increased mortality rate. Greater serum albumin concentrations prior to and at 96 hours following TPN administration were significantly associated with decreased mortality rate. Mechanical and septic complications were infrequent and not associated with increased mortality rate. Most cats had multiple diseases. The overall mortality rate was 52%; among 75 cats, 36 recovered, 23 were euthanatized, and 16 died as a result of their primary illness or complications associated with their illness. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated high mortality rate in cats maintained onTPN that had multiple concurrent diseases associated with a poor prognosis. Indicators of poor prognosis included a history of weight loss, hyperglycemia at 24 hours following TPN administration, hypoalbuminemia, and chronic renal failure.     

Infections of the subcutis and skin of dogs caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria

Nine dogs with panniculitis due to rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) were examined over 17 years. Dogs were two to 15 years; five were male, four were female. All were obese or in good condition. Antecedent injury, typically a dog bite or vehicular trauma, could be identified in some patients, while one bitch had hyperadrenocorticism. Infections involved different locations, although the cervicothoracic region, dorsum or flank were most often affected. Patients were systemically well, apart from one dog with pyrexia and two with pain or lameness. Cytology demonstrated pyogranulomatous inflammation, but in only one case was it possible to see acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in smears. Histology demonstrated chronic active pyogranulomatous panniculitis and dermatitis; AFB could be detected in only four specimens. Culture of aspirates or resected tissues demonstrated RGM in all cases, comprising six Mycobacterium smegmatis group and three Mycobacterium fortuitum group isolates. Resection of infected tissues, perioperative injectable antimicrobials and long courses of oral antimicrobials chosen according to susceptibility data generally effected a cure, although some cases recurred.     

Comment on "HST2 mediates SIR2-independent life-span extension by calorie restriction"

Calorie restriction (CR) increases life span in yeast independently of Sir2. Lamming et al. (Reports, 16 September 2005, p. 1861) recently proposed that Sir2-independent life-span extension by CR is mediated by the Sir2 paralogs Hst1 and Hst2. Contradictory to this, we find that CR greatly increases life span in cells lacking Sir2, Hst1, and Hst2, which suggests that CR is not mediated by Sir2, Hst2, or Hst1.