Implantation of an Uncemented Total Hip Prosthesis Technique and Initial Results of 100 Arthroplasties

A porous-coated modular total hip system was developed for uncemented implantation in dogs. The operative technique was developed in cadaver bones and live animals. One hundred uncemented total hip arthroplasties were performed in 92 dogs. Results were successful in 98% of the joints during follow-ups of 3 months or more. Complications included three luxations of the prosthetic joint, two fissure fractures of the femoral cortex, and one complete displacement of the acetabular component from its bony bed. Four complications were resolved successfully.     

The structure of the upper atmosphere of mars: In situ accelerometer measurements from mars global surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) z-axis accelerometer has obtained over 200 vertical structures of thermospheric density, temperature, and pressure, ranging from 110 to 170 kilometers, compared to only three previous such vertical structures. In November 1997, a regional dust storm in the Southern Hemisphere triggered an unexpectedly large thermospheric response at mid-northern latitudes, increasing the altitude of thermospheric pressure surfaces there by as much as 8 kilometers and indicating a strong global thermospheric response to a regional dust storm. Throughout the MGS mission, thermospheric density bulges have been detected on opposite sides of the planet near 90 degreesE and 90 degreesW, in the vicinity of maximum terrain heights. This wave 2 pattern may be caused by topographically-forced planetary waves propagating up from the lower atmosphere.     

The occurrence and distribution of Myxidium giardi Cépède, 1906 in wild and cultured European eels, Anguilla anguilla L., in England

Abstract. Myxidium giardi was found in wild and cultured eels. The prevalence rate in elvers was 77% in the River Torridge (Devon), 80% in the River Parrett (Somerset) and 90% in the River Ouse (Yorkshire). Adult eels from the River Ouse had a prevalence rate of 53%, Cultured fingerlings and adults had a prevalence rate of 60% and 1% , respectively. There was an apparent age-related pattern in the organ location of the histozoic trophozoite: an initially high prevalence of kidney trophozoites which gradually decreased with age; in the gills of elvers there was a low prevalence of histozoic trophozoites which increased in the adult stage. Histozoic trophozoites were also found in the stomach and intestine of elvers and fingerlings. A qualitative estimate of trophozoite numbers in each organ of elvers is given. The coelozoic trophozoite of M. giardi in the gall bladder of elvers and fingerlings is also described for the first time.     

Transfer of Free Vascular Cutaneous Flaps by Microvascular Anastomosis Results in Six Dogs

Skin defects on the distal extremities of six dogs were reconstructed with free vascular cutaneous transfers by microvascular anastomosis. The donor flaps were based on the superficial cervical artery and vein. In five of the dogs, bone was exposed and skin was lost from half of the circumference of the limb. Two had infected fractures with sequestra and three had acute shearing injuries. The sixth dog had sensory denervation of the left antebrachium and a carpal acral lick granuloma. Before surgery, the patency of potential recipient vessels was confirmed with arteriography in five dogs and an ultrasonic doppler in one dog. Microvascular technique was used to reestablish circulation to the flaps after they were transferred to the recipient site. Total ischemic time of the flaps averaged 100 minutes. All flaps survived. Successful reconstruction of the cutaneous defects was achieved in these six cases.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA IN A DOG

A dog with aspiration pneumonia was examined by computed tomography (CT) with 8-mm continuous scans of the chest. The results demonstrated that CT is a useful procedure for evaluating pneumonia, although high cost prevents its routine use. A normal littermate was examined, and normal structures of the chest and chest wall were compared.     

Non-escaping frost tolerant QTL linked genetic loci at reproductive stage in six wheat DH populations

Reproductive stage frost poses a major constraint for wheat production in countries such as Australia.However,little progress has been made in identifying key genes to overcome the constraint.In the present study,a severe frost event hit two large-scale field trials consisting of six doubled haploid(DH)wheat populations at reproductive stage(young microspore stage)in Western Australia,leading to the identification of 30 robust frost QTL on 17 chromosomes.The major 18 QTL with the phenotype variation over 9.5%were located on 13 chromosomes including 2 A,2 B,2 D,3 A,4 A,4 B,4 D,5 A,5 D,6 D,7 A,7 B and7 D.Most frost QTL were closely linked to the QTL of anthesis,maturity,Zadok stages as well as linked to anthesis related genes.Out of those,six QTL were repetitively detected on the homologous regions on 2 B,4 B,4 D,5 A,5 D,7 A in more than two populations.Results showed that the frost damage is associated with alleles of Vrn-A1 a,Vrn-D1 a,Rht-B1 b,Rht-D1 b,and the high copy number of Ppd-B1.However,anthesis QTL and anthesis related genes of Vrn-B1 a and Ta FT3-1 B on chromosomes 5 B and 1 B did not lead to frost damage,indicating that these early-flowering phenotype related genes are compatible with frost tolerance and thus can be utilised in breeding.Our results also indicate that wild-type alleles Rht-B1 a and Rht-D1 a can be used when breeding for frost-tolerant varieties without delaying flowering time.     

Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Induced Tendinopathy in Horses: Histologic Evaluation

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the treatment of tendinopathy induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon (TFDS) of horses, by using histologic evaluation. Six healthy crossbred geldings aged 8 to 15 years (12 ± 3) were used. The TFDS tendinopathy was provoked in both forelimbs, by intratendinous administration of 2.5 mg collagenase (2.5 mg/mL), and this procedure was considered as the beginning of the experimental phase. At 12 days after induction of the tendinopathy, the animals were subjected to the following treatments: (1) in the lesion caused in the right superficial digital flexor tendon (PRP-treated group), 2.5 mL PRP activated with calcium chloride at 0.0125 mol/L at concentrations from 320,000 to 500,000 platelets/μL, were injected; (2) in the tendinopathy of the left SDFT (control group), 2.5 mL 0.9% saline solution was administrated. Thirty-six days after the treatments, a biopsy of the injured area was performed for histologic evaluation. In both groups, the histologic analysis showed an increase in the fibroblastic density, as well as the presence of neovascularization, lymphocytes, and plasmocytes infiltrate and tissue organization at variable intensity. In the PRP-treated group, the SDFT was more organized, with the collagen fibers and fibroblasts being better arranged on the tendon matrix. The numbers of the fibroblasts and blood vessels did not differ between the groups. Histologic evaluation 36 days after tendinopathy showed that injuries under a single PRP treatment present a more uniform and organized tissue repair when compared with the control group.     

Systemic Proteoglycan Deposition Is Not a Characteristic of Equine Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD)

Recently Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) has been proposed to be a disease characterized by systemic deposition of proteoglycan (PG) in connective tissues. To investigate this hypothesis, 6 clinically affected Peruvian Paso horses were compared to 2 unaffected quarterhorses and one unaffected standardbred. Histological sections of limb ligaments and tendons, nuchal ligaments, aortas, hearts, eyes, visceral organs and brains from both groups were stained with H&E as well as special stains for PG. Safranin-O stained sections were found to be optimal for elucidating the presence of PG. Although lesions characteristic of DSLD were present in suspensory ligaments of each clinically affected horse, including foci of chondroid metaplasia with abundant PG, a similar but less pronounced pattern of PG deposition was present in control horses. In contrast to findings of the previous study, PG deposition was not unique to DSLD horses, and PG deposition in aortas and nuchal ligaments of some control horses exceeded levels of PG present in similar tissue of DSLD horses. Furthermore, the “vascular lesion” described in the media of arteries as cellular separation and intercellular amorphous matrix deposition was within the spectrum of changes recognized in both affected and unaffected horses. We found no evidence that DSLD is a systemic PG deposition disease.