Effect of Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy on Femorotibial Contact Mechanics and Stifle Kinematics

Objective— To evaluate the effects of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on femorotibial contact mechanics and 3-dimensional (3D) kinematics in cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifles of dogs.
Study Design— In vitro biomechanical study.
Animals— Unpaired pelvic limbs from 8 dogs, weighing 28–35 kg.
Methods— Digital pressure sensors placed subjacent to the menisci were used to measure femorotibial contact force, contact area, peak and mean contact pressure, and peak pressure location with the limb under an axial load of 30% body weight and a stifle angle of 135°. Three-dimensional static poses of the stifle were obtained using a Microscribe digitizing arm. Each specimen was tested under normal, CrCL-deficient, and TPLO-treated conditions. Repeated measures analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test ( P <.05) was used for statistical comparison.
Results— Significant disturbances to all measured contact mechanical variables were evident after CrCL transection, which corresponded to marked cranial tibial subluxation and increased internal tibial rotation in the CrCL-deficient stifle. No significant differences in 3D femorotibial alignment were observed between normal and TPLO-treated stifles; however, femorotibial contact area remained significantly smaller and peak contact pressures in both medial and lateral stifle compartments were positioned more caudally on the tibial plateau, when compared with normal.
Conclusion— Whereas TPLO eliminates craniocaudal stifle instability during simulated weight bearing, the procedure fails to concurrently restore femorotibial contact mechanics to normal.
Clinical Relevance— Progression of stifle osteoarthritis in dogs treated with TPLO may be partly the result of abnormal stifle contact mechanics induced by altering the orientation of the proximal tibial articulating surface.     

CD3+ and BLA.36+ cells do not occur in the epidermis and adnexal epithelia of normal equine skin

A small population of resident T lymphocytes is present in the healthy human and murine epidermis. However, resident epidermal lymphocytes have not been reported in normal skin of the horse. Skin biopsy specimens from the normal skin of 27 horses were examined histologically and immunohistochemically for the presence of lymphocytes, CD3+ cells and BLA.36+ cells in epidermis and adnexal epithelia. All examinations were negative. It appears that lymphocytes occur rarely, if at all, in the epidermis and adnexal epithelia of normal horse skin. Hence, the presence of lymphocytes in these structures should be considered abnormal.     

DYNAMIC CONTRAST‐ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF CANINE BRAIN TUMORS

We evaluated dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) in canine brain tumors. Magnetic resonance data sets were collected on seven canine intracranial tumors with a 3 T magnet using a T1‐weighted fast spin echo fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequence after an IV bolus injection (0.2 mmol/kg) of Gd‐DTPA. The tumors were confirmed histopathologically as adenocarcinoma (n=1), ependymoma (n=1), meningioma (n=3), oligodendroglioma (n=1), and pituitary macroadenoma (n=1) The data were analyzed using a two‐compartment pharmacokinetic model for estimation of three enhancement parameters, E_R (rate of enhancement), K_el (rate of elimination), and K_ep (rate constant), and a model‐free phenomenologic parameter initial area under the Gd concentration curve (IAUGC) defined over the first 90 s postenhancement. Pearson's correlations were calculated between parameters of the two methods. The IAUGC has a relatively strong association with the rate of enhancement E_R, with r ranges from 0.4 to 0.9, but it was weakly associated with K_ep and K_el. To determine whether any two tumors differed significantly, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used. The results showed that there were statistical differences (P<0.05) between distributions of the enhancement pattern of each tumor. These kinetic parameters may characterize the perfusion and vascular permeability of the tumors and the IAUGC may reflect blood flow, vascular permeability, and the fraction of interstitial space. The kinetic parameters and the IAUGC derived from DCE‐MRI present complementary information and they may be appropriate to noninvasively differentiate canine brain tumors although a larger prospective study is necessary.     

The relative resistance of wheat, rye and triticale to take-all caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis

In seven field experiments conducted over 6 years with a wide range of disease severities, triticale was intermediate in resistance to Gaeumannomyces graminis between wheat (susceptible) and rye (resistant). Use of triticale is suggested as an immediately available means of introducing take-all resistance into cereal cultivation.
Octoploid triticale was slightly more susceptible than hexaploid triticale. There was little evidence of consistent variation in resistance among wheat or rye cultivars but a few hexaploid triticale cultivars varied in resistance. The resistance of triticale was not reliably expressed in the glasshouse tests used, so selection for resistance to take-all in a breeding programme would need to be conducted in the field. Individual pairs of rye chromosomes added to wheat did not significantly reduce its susceptibility. The feasibility of transferring the resistance of rye to wheat is considered.     

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Nasal Lesions in Two German Shepherd Dogs

Résumé— Un épithélioma spinocellulaire s'est développé sur des lésions chroniques incontrôlées de lupus erythémateux discoïde chez deux chiens bergers allemands. Les chiens n'avaient reçu ni traitement ni photoprotection pour leurs lésions de lupus discoïde durant les 4 à 6 ans précédant l'apparition clinique d'épithéliomas spinocellulaires. [Scott, D.W., Miller, W.H., Jr. Squamous cell carcinoma arising in chronic discoid lupus erythematosus nasal lesions in two German Shepherd Dogs (Un épithélioma spinocellulaire suivenant sur des lesions de lupus erythémateux discoïde chroniques chez deux bergers allemands).
Resumen— Dos perros de raza Pastor Alemán desarrollaron carcinomas de células escamosas en lesiones crónicas del tipo lupus eritematoso discoide. Estos animales no habian recibido tratamiento ni protección solar del cuadro de lupus eritematoso discoide en los 4 a 6 años previos al desarrollo del carcinoma escamoso. [Scott, D.W., Miller, W.H., Jr. Squamous cell carcinoma arising in chronic discoid lupus erythematosus nasal lesions in two German Shepherd Dogs (Carcinoma de células escamosas a partir de lesiones crónicas nasales del tipo lupus eritematoso discoide en dos perros Pastor Alemán).
Abstract— Squamous cell carcinoma developed in the chronic, uncontrolled nasal lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus in two German Shepherd Dogs. The dogs had received no treatment nor photoprotection for their discoid lupus erythematosus for 4–6 years prior to the clinical onset of squamous cell carcinoma.     

Some effects of canopy structure and microclimate on infection of tall and short wheats by Septoria nodorum

The results of three kinds of field experiment were consistent with the hypothesis that the canopies of taller wheat varieties generate a less favourable microclimate for development of S. nodorum from standard inoculum. (1) Measurements of photosynthetic area per unit volume of space occupied by canopies showed that taller varieties had lower canopy densities than shorter varieties. (2) Less disease developed in artificially thinned canopies of tall and short varieties. (3) Less disease developed in plots raised on mounds and more developed in plots sunk in trenches, relative to plots at ground level.
The results of three further kinds of field experiment were consistent with the hypothesis that reduced leaf surface wetness contributes to the tendency for taller varieties to be less infected by S. nodorum. (1) Continuous electrical measurement showed that leaf surface wetness (mainly dew) on two tall resistant varieties lasted for a shorter time than that on a short susceptible variety. (2) Instantaneous estimation of dew by weighing showed that less was deposited on taller and more resistant varieties than on shorter and more susceptible varieties. (3) For 10 sister lines from the same cross, selected only for their variation in height, there were correlations of duration of surface wetness with height (negative), amount of S. nodorum with height (negative), and amount of .V. nodorum with duration of surface wetness (positive). There was also genetic variation in surface wetness that was independent of height.
Nevertheless, a microclitnatic effect is thought to be only one of several mechanisms that contribute to the tendency for taller varieties to be more resistant. In addition, there is much genetic variation in resistance that is independent of height.     

The Influence of Oral Corticosteroids or Declining Allergen Exposure on Serologic Allergy Test Results

Abstract— Twenty-seven proven atopic dogs had a serologic allergy test performed on the day of skin testing and again after either a 21-day course of corticosteroid treatment or 60 days without therapy during which time exposure to botanical aeroallergens was reduced or absent. There was no statistical difference in preand post-corticosteriod treatment results. There were significantly more positive scores recorded in the 60-day follow-up samples in the untreated dogs. Résumé— Vingt-sept chiens ayant une atopie prouvée ont subi des tests sérologiques d'allergie avant et 21 jours après une corticothérapie ou 60 jours sans traitement et sans exposition pollinique. Il n'y avait pas de difference statistiquement significative avant et après le traitement corticoïde. Il y avait beaucoup plus de résultats positifs à 60 jours chez les animaux ne subissant aucun traitement. Zusammenfassung— Bei 27 Hunden mit nachgewiesener Atopie wurde ein serologischer Allergietest am selben Tab wie der Hauttest und erneut entweder nach 21-tägiger Kortikosteroidbehandlung oder nach 60 Tagen ohne Therapie durchgeführt. Bei der zweiten Gruppe wurde die Exposition gegenüber pflanzlichen Aeroallergenen reduziert oder fehlte. Es gab keinen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied bei den Ergebnissen vor und nach Korikosteroidtherapie. Es trat eine statistch signifikant höhere Zahl positiver Reaktionen in den Proben der nicht behandeltentiere nach 60 Tagen aug. Resumen Veinti-siete perros en los que se había diagnosticado previamente atopía, se hizo un test serológico de alergia simultáneamente con tests de inyecciones intradérmicas durante el mismo día, volviendose a repetir a los 21 días despues del tratamiento con corticosteroides, o después de 60 días sin ningun tipo de medicacion, durante en cual exposición a aero-alergenos botánicos fué minima o inexistente. No se observó diferencia de tipo estadístico en animales antes o despues del tratamiento con corticosteroides. En los animales que no recibieron medicación, después de 60 días se observó un aumento significativo de respuestas positivas.     

Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus in Four Dogs

Abstract— A skin disease resembling inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus is reported in four dogs. Three of the dogs were related cocker spaniels. Linear, pigmented verrucous lesions were noted most commonly on the lateral trunk, foot pads and ears. Histologic findings included focal areas of marked epidermal thickening by ortho-and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and acanthosis, both in epidermis and follicular infundibular epithelium. This was associated with follicular distention and papillomatosis. Both hyper-and hypogranulosis were noted in association with parakeratosis. Improvement was noted in the three dogs administered isotretinoin and/or etretinate. Résumé— Une maladie cutanée ressemblant à un névus épidermique verruqueux linéaire inflammatoire est décrite chez quatre chiens. Trois de ces animaux sont des Cocker Spaniels. Les lesions verruqueuses, linéaires sont localisées le plus souvent sur les faces latérales du tronc, aux coussinets plantaires et aux oreilles. Les observations histologiques mettent en évidence des zones focales d'épaississement épidermique provoqué par une acanthose et une hyperkérathose ortho et parakératosique. Ceci est associéà une papillomatose et une distension folliculaire. On note à le fois une hyper et une hypogranulose associées à la parakératose. L'administration d'isotrétinoïne et/ou d'étritinate a entrainé une amélioration chez trois chiens. Zusammenfassung— Es wird über eine Hauterkrankung bei vier Hunden berichtet, die dem entzündlichen linearen vérrukösen epidermalen Naevus ähnelt. Drei der Hunde waren miteinander verwandte Cock-erspaniel. Lineare pigmentierte verruköse Hautveränderungen wurden am häufigsten lateral am Rumpf, an den Pfotenballen und an den Ohren festgestellt. Die histologischen Befunde beinhalten herdförmige Bezirke mit deutlicher Epidermisverdickung durch ortho-und parakeratotische Hyperkeratose und Akanthose, beides in der Epidermis und im Epithel des Haarbalginfundibulum. Letztere waren mit einer Ausweitung und Papillomatose der Haarbälge vergesellschaftet. In Verbindung mit der Parakératose wurden sowohl Hyperals auch Hypogranulose festgestellt. Nach Verabreichung von Isotretinoin und/oder Etretinate konnte bei den drei Hunden eine Verbesserung erzielt werden. Resumen El presente artículo trata de un caso dermatológico que asemeja a un nevus epidérmico infalmatorio linear verrucoso, reportado en cuatro perros. Tres de los perros eran cocker spaniels que estaban emparentados. En la región lateral del tronco, almohadillas plantares y orejas, se advirtieron lesiones verrucosas pigmentadas, de formal linear. Exámenes histológicos demostraron la presencia de foco de epidermis engrosada, asi como hiperqueratosis orto y paraqueratótica y acantosis, tanto en la epidermis, como en el infundíbulo folicular de la misma. Este hallazgo se asoció con distension folicular y papilomatosis. Tambien se encontró hiper e hipogranulosis en asociación con paraqueratosis. En los tres perros a los que se les administró isotretinoina/o etretinato, se advirtió una mejora considerable.     

Use of tilmicosin in a severe outbreak of respiratory disease in weaned beef calves

Severe respiratory disease, associated with seroconversion to bovine respiratory syncitial virus (BRSV), caused the death of two cattle and necessitated antibiotic treatment of 70 calves (rectal temperature of 39.6°C or greater) from a group of 96 (73%) during an 8-day period. Tilmicosin injection resulted in a reduction in median rectal temperature from 40.3°C to 39.2°C and 39.0°C for the first and second days after treatment. The rectal temperature was 39.5°C or lower in 72% (48 of 67) and 96% (64 of 67) of cattle 1 and 2 days after tilmicosin treatment, respectively. Ten cattle were re-treated with tilmicosin 6 to 16 days after the first treatment. Our study demonstrated that bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection could cause severe respiratory disease in a beef herd that had no previous history of BRSV-related disease. Secondary bacterial invasion after BRSV infection was controlled effectively by tilmicosin treatment but repeat antibiotic treatments were occasionally necessary due to bacterial re-infection of the respiratory tract.     

Production and characterization of single-spore isolates of Plasmodiophora brassicae

An improved procedure for inoculating Brassica seedlings with single resting spores of Plasmo-diophora brassicae is described. Using this procedure, eight out of a total of 600 seedlings inoculated with single spores developed severe symptoms of clubroot disease. Seven isolates of P. brassicae derived from single spores were characterized using the European Clubroot Differential (ECD) series. Four distinct pathotypes were obtained. The original populations of P. brassicae were shown t o be heterogeneous; this supports the findings of other workers. The isolates have been used to establish a reference collection of single-spore isolates of P. brassicae of known pathotype for use in Brassica breeding.