Comparison of 5 Surgical Techniques for Partial Liver Lobectomy in the Dog for Intraoperative Blood Loss and Surgical Time

Objective: To compare surgical time and intraoperative blood loss for 5 partial liver lobectomy techniques in the dog. Study Design: Experimental in vivo study. Animals: Dogs (n=10). Methods: Five surgical techniques (SurgiTie^?; LigaSure^?; Ultracision^® Harmonic Scalpel [UAS]; Suction+Clip; Suction+thoracoabdominal stapler [TA]) for partial liver lobectomy in dogs were evaluated and compared for total surgical time and intraoperative blood loss. Body weight, activated clotting time (ACT), heart rate, and intraoperative blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Blood loss was determined by adding the weight of the blood soaked sponges during surgery (1 g=1 mL) to the amount of suctioned blood (mL). Surgical time (in seconds) was determined from the start of the lobectomy until cessation of bleeding from the stump. Mean surgical time and mean blood loss for each technique were compared using a Tukey's multiple comparison test. Results: No significant differences were found between dogs for weight, ACT, heart rate, and intraoperative BP. No complications were seen with the SurgiTie^? technique in 9 of 10 cases. There was no significant difference in surgical time between techniques however there was a significant difference for blood loss; the Suction+Clip method had significantly more blood loss than the other techniques. Conclusions: Skeletonization of the lobar vessels before individually clipping them (Suction+Clip) resulted in a higher blood loss than using Suction+TA, UAS, SurgiTie^? or the LigaSure^? device. The SurgiTie^? appears to be an acceptable method for partial liver lobectomy. Clinical Relevance: Although skeletonization and individually clipping the vessels had the highest blood loss, it still was <7.5% of total blood volume. All 5 techniques should be safe for clinical use in small to medium sized dogs up to 26 kg.     

Relationships of Body Weight,Body Size,Subject Velocity,and Vertical Ground Reaction Forces in Trotting Dogs

Objective: To evaluate the relationship of body weight (BW) and size, dog velocity, and vertical ground reaction forces (GRF) from a large number of dogs of various sizes. Study Design: Clinical research. Animals: Orthopedically healthy dogs (n=129) Methods: BW and dog size, represented as height at the withers (WH), were obtained. Stance times (ST), vertical impulses (VI), and peak vertical forces (PVF) of thoracic and pelvic limbs were measured on a force plate at controlled trotting speed. They were evaluated against BW and WH using linear regression analysis in absolute (nonnormalized) values, and when normalized to BW and/or body size according to the theory of dynamic similarity. Relative velocities were calculated for each dog. Results: Absolute ST, VI, and PVF showed strong positive correlations with BW and/or body size. When GRFs were normalized to BW, correlations with body size were markedly reduced, but remained positive for VI, and turned negative for PVF. Normalizing the time‐dependent variables (ST and VI) also to WH eliminated most size influence. A small dependency of fully normalized GRF on body size remained that was because of differences in relative velocity between dogs of different sizes. Reference values for the fully normalized data are given. Conclusions: The inherent relationship between BW, body size, dog velocity, and vertical GRF was demonstrated. Clinical Relevance: BW, body size, and relative dog velocity must be accounted for when wanting to obtain GRF variables that are comparable between different dogs.     

Ex Vivo Comparison of Three Surgical Techniques to Stabilize Canine Cranial Cruciate Ligament Deficient Stifles

Objective— To quantify and compare canine stifle stability after 3 stabilization techniques. Study Design— Randomized controlled study. Sample Population— Adult canine cadaveric pelvic limbs. Methods— Total craniocaudal (CrCa) tibial translation quantified in stifles with the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) intact, transected, and stabilized with 1 of 3 techniques: (1) hamstring graft (HG); (2) modified retinacular imbrication (MRIT); (3) anatometric fascia lata translocation (AFLT). Tibial translation was quantified from radiographs generated during application of cranial and caudal forces to the tibia. After removal of all soft tissues except periarticular ligaments and fixation, CrCa tibial translation, as before, and medial–lateral rotation, via torsional loading, was quantified with an active motion analysis system. Total tibial translation was evaluated for effect of technique and cruciate status using mixed effect linear model with significance considered at P‐value <.05. Results— CrCa translation was not significantly different across stabilization techniques with CrCLs intact, transected, or after stabilization. Poststabilization translation was significantly less than posttransection for all techniques. Compared with the intact CrCL, CrCa translation poststabilization after HG was significantly greater whereas poststabilization after MRIT and AFLT was not significantly different. Tibial rotation exceeded instrumentation limits in 62.5% HG limbs, 20% MRIT limbs, and 60% AFLT limbs. Conclusions— All 3 stifle stabilization techniques confer comparable CrCa translational stability after CrCL disruption with that provided by the MRIT and AFLT techniques comparable to the intact CrCL. Clinical Relevance— The extra‐ and intracapsular techniques evaluated in this study reduced CrCa tibial translation in CrCL deficient stifles to varying amounts.     

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.     

Effect of Ergovaline Ingestion on Recovery of Horses Subjected to an Anaerobic Standard Exercise Test

The objective of this study was to determine whether consumption of tall fescue seed which contained high levels of ergovaline would affect post-exercise recovery of horses subjected to an anaerobic exercise test. Ten Quarter horses were separated into two groups and fed alfalfa hay, commercial sweet feed, and either endophyte-infected (E+) or endophyte-free (E−) ground tall fescue seed. Diets contained 11.8% seed, which resulted in 459 ppb of ergovaline for the E+ diet. During the first 28 days, horses in group A received E+ and group B received E−. Diets were reversed during the next 28 days (crossover design). Horses were ridden for 5 days per week. On day 14, 28 (period 1), 42, and 56 (period 2), they were subjected to a standardized exercise test (SET) that consisted of 41 turns in 4 minutes and was designed to raise the horse’s heart rate (HR) beyond the anaerobic threshold (150 bpm). There was a horse effect (P < .05) on post-SET respiration rate, HR, and post-exercise whole blood lactate level, but not rectal temperature (RT). For these variables or period effects, there was no horse × treatment, period × treatment, or period × horse interactions (P < .05). Treatment had no effect on whole blood lactate level, RT, or HR at any time measured. Respiration rate did not vary by treatment at rest or 1 minute after SET but was higher for the E+ treatment at 5 and 10 minutes after SET (P < .005). Consumption of diets that averaged 450 ppb of ergovaline caused the horses expend more respiratory effort in an attempt to recover to resting RT.     

Nitrogen Retention and Nutrient Digestibility in Geldings Fed Grass Hay,Alfalfa Hay,or Alfalfa Cubes

This study was conducted to determine whether feeding different physical forms of hay alters nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention (NR). Six Quarter Horse geldings were assigned to any one of three different dietary treatments in three 14-day periods. The diets included long-stem Bermuda grass hay (G), long-stem alfalfa hay (A), and alfalfa cubes (C). In the final 4 days of each period, horses were fitted with harnesses for total collection of urine and feces. Samples of feed, orts, feces, and urine were analyzed for dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nitrogen (N). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and N was greatest for A, intermediate for C, and smallest for G (P < .05). Digestibility of acid detergent fiber was greater (P < .05) for A than G or C, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility was greater (P < .05) for A or G than C. Nitrogen intake (NI) was greatest for A, intermediate for C, and smallest for G (P < .05). Fecal N excretion was not different between diets, but urine N excretion was greater (P < .05) for A and C as compared with G. When expressed as a percentage of NI, NR did not differ among diets. We concluded that NR in mature horses increases with NI, but N utilization is not significantly influenced by the physical form or crude protein content of the hay fed. Potential differences in fiber digestibility and daily fecal output are factors to consider when incorporating processed forages into feeding programs of horses.     

Effect of acidification on uptake of rubidium,potassium and ammonium ions by spruce

Four series of experiments were conducted to determine how pH affects the uptake of ions by spruce (Picea abies). Each series consisted of 12 plants growing in nutrient solutions with pHs of 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0, respectively. The uptake of Rb, K and NH4 was studied. The uptake of Rb and NH4 in relation to the uptake of K was pH dependent, plants chose Rb and NH4 before K, the reason explained with the aid of a model including binding energy, hydration energy and the charge on the carrier. This model could explain other patterns of uptake of ions according to changing pH as long as the same carrier is used. Furthermore, our results indicate that coniferous trees growing on low pH soils in areas with a heavy N load from the atmosphere could risk shortage of K. Additional field studies are needed for verification.     

An 11-ketotestosterone induced kidney-secreted protein: the nest building glue from male three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus

In male three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, the kidney hypertrophies during the breeding season and produces a glue which is used in nest-building. This hypertrophy is androgen dependent with 11-ketotestosterone (11 KT) being most effective. The aim of the present study was to characterize the protein composition of this glue. Threads of glue were collected from stickleback nests and glue material was sampled from the content of urinary bladders of male sticklebacks in breeding condition. The samples were investigated using sodium dodecyl sulphate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). One major glycoprotein dominated in both the nest-threads and urinary bladder samples. The identified glycoprotein had a molecular mass of approximately 203 kDa. After deglycosylation the molecular mass was approximately 200 kDa. The amino acid composition of the protein from urinary bladder content was almost identical to the amino acid composition of the protein from the nest-threads. The protein had a relatively high content of cysteine (7.6–8.0%). The glycoprotein was named spiggin. Spiggin was absent in the urinary bladder of untreated castrated fish, but spiggin was present in sham- operated fish and in castrated fish treated with 11 KT. These results demonstrate that spiggin is induced by 11 KT. Spiggin is so far the only protein known to be induced by 11KT and based on the present findings we suggest that spiggin represents a novel structural protein.     

Remediation of upstream passage for migrating Galaxias (Family: Galaxiidae) through a pipe culvert

Movement through streams is critical for the maintenance of diadromous fish populations. Numerous fish passage improvement techniques exist, and knowledge of their effectiveness is required to conserve target species. An existing 70‐m pipe culvert was considered a barrier to the passage success of young‐of‐year (YOY) Galaxias spp. as a result of high water velocity (0.9 m/s). Water velocity in the pipe culvert was reduced by installing a concrete weir downstream of the culvert. A lateral ridge rock‐ramp fishway was installed to provide for the passage of fish over the weir, and baffles were installed in the upstream portion of the culvert to provide refuge from higher water velocity at this location. A BACI design was used to determine whether passage success, measured using a mark–recapture technique, improved as a result of the remediation works. The probability of successful passage of YOY Galaxias spp. through the culvert increased from 0.03 to 0.41 following remediation works and was similar to levels observed at a control site (0.33). The success of the fishway and baffles at this culvert provides an important case study for managers to adopt this technique to improve fish passage on a broader scale and range of other sites.     

Cloning and sequencing of FSH-β and LH-β subunits and changes in their expression during the reproductive cycle in the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus

To achieve a better understanding of the role of gonadotropins (GTHs) in the stickleback we have cloned the full-length cDNAs of the β-subunits of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and analysed the expression during the seasonal cycle. In females, LH-β levels were low during winter and early spring, increased to a peak in late May and declined to low levels again in July. FSH-β expression peaked earlier, in January and declined spring. In males, LH-β expression peaked in May. During June–September, when spermatogenesis occurs, LH-β levels were very low. FSH-β expression peaked earlier, in January, and reached the lowest levels in July. Thus, when spermatogenesis starts, the expression of both GTH-β mRNAs display their lowest levels.