Evaluation of Joint Toxicity of Enrofloxacin and Three Antimicrobials on MRC-5 Cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined toxicity of enrofloxacin with each of three antimicrobials (ciprofloxacin,florfenicol and sulfamethazine).MRC-5 cells were used as a cell model to simulate the damage of lung cells caused by mixed contamination of antimicrobials.Multiple concentration gradients and mixing ratios were set.CCK-8 method was used to determine the inhibition rate of cell growth caused by four antimicrobials and the inhibition rate of cell growth caused by enofloxacin mixed with three antimicrobials,respectively.Then Chou-Talalay method was used to fit the median effect plot and to calculate the combination index (CI) value.The results showed that the growth inhibition rates of MCR-5 cells caused by four single drugs went up in a step-like manner with the increase of drug concentration in the tested concentration range,among them,the growth inhibitory rate of MCR-5 cells by florfenicol was low (<4.5%).The combined toxicity of the three binary combinations showed a concentration-dependent and mixing-ratio dependence.Mixing enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin showed synergistic toxicity (CI<1) on MRC-5 cells at high and middle concentration groups,and antagonistic toxicity (CI>1) at the very-low-concentration groups.Mixing ciprofloxacin and florfenicol mainly showed an inhibited toxicity (CI>1).Binary combination enrofloxacin and sulfamethazine might present either a synergistic joint toxicity (CI<1) or an antagonistic joint toxicity (CI>1) as the concentration and mixing ratio changing.This study showed that it was necessary to assess the combined toxicity of antimicrobials in the toxicity evaluation of antimicrobials.Using Chou-Talalay method,the joint toxicity of multiple antimicrobials could be quickly and efficiently determined at cellular level.     

INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LAMENESS IN DOGS IN THE YEARS 1980–1985

The causes of lameness in dogs were analyzed on the basis of radiologic examinations performed in the years 1980–1985. From 1982, there was an increase in the frequency of secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism and eosinophilic panosteitis and a decrease in frequency of osteochondrosis. The pathogenesis of these diseases is discussed in relation to alternations in diet during this time.     

Accuracy of the TurfTrax Racing Data System for determination of equine speed and position

Reasons for performing study: The speed and position data collected by TurfTrax Racing Data Limited during UK Thoroughbred racing have potential to benefit equine science and welfare. The size (the 2006 data set alone consists of 30,932 individual horse starts across 2667 races) and nature (speed and 2D position for each horse at 4 updates per second) of the data make it a unique resource for questions in equine safety, welfare, performance, and animal locomotion. Objective: To determine the accuracy of the TurfTrax tracking system in estimating the speed and position of horses during racing. Methods: Measurements from the TurfTrax wireless tracking system were compared with those of a survey‐grade global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Results: The TurfTrax system was found to give position measurements to within ± 11 and ± 64 cm in the fore‐aft and lateral directions, respectively, averaging ± 38 cm (interquartile range) and speed to within 0.15 m/s. Potential relevance: The data collected by the TurfTrax system are of sufficient accuracy to inform new diagnoses, training regimens and basic locomotor scientific studies. The position data can provide the precise distance, going, inclination, rate of turn and pack positioning through which each horse has raced. The speed profile can be used to examine the level of exertion, effect of training regimens and influence of racecourse features on performance. A first clinical application would be to analyse retrospectively these factors on occurrence of injury to compare with past training regimens, levels of exertion, and/or racecourse conditions.     

Computed tomographic (CT) arthrogram contributes to the diagnosis of an osteochondroma of the distal calcaneus in a horse

Osteochondromas in the horse are most commonly found as a solitary lesion affecting the distal radial metaphysis. In this location, diagnosis is reliant on radiographic and ultrasonographic examination and confirmed with post-operative histopathology. This case report describes the additional benefit of performing a CT arthrogram to aid the diagnosis of an osteochondroma in an atypical location.     

Synovial fluid and plasma concentrations of ceftiofur after regional intravenous perfusion in the horse

OBJECTIVE: To determine radiocarpal (RC) joint synovial fluid and plasma ceftiofur concentrations after regional intravenous perfusion (RIP) and systemic intravenous (IV) administration. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental cross-over study. ANIMALS: Five normal adult horses. METHODS: One RC joint was randomly selected for RIP and the contralateral RC joint was sampled to determine intrasynovial ceftiofur concentrations after IV administration. Wash-out between IV and RIP was > or = 14 days. After surgical introduction of an intraarticular catheter, ceftiofur (2 g) was administered under general anesthesia either IV or by RIP after tourniquet application. Plasma and synovial fluid were collected over 24 hours. Samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and the results were statistically analyzed using a linear mixed effect model. RESULTS: Mean synovial fluid ceftiofur concentrations were consistently higher after RIP than after IV administration and were > 1 mug/mL (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] for common pathogens) for >24 hours. Mean synovial fluid peak concentration of ceftiofur after RIP and IV administration was 392.7+/-103.29 microg/mL at 0.5 hours postinjection (HPI) and 2.72+/-0.31 mug/mL at 1 HPI, respectively. Large variations in synovial fluid and plasma ceftiofur concentrations were observed between horses regardless of administration technique. RIP did not cause adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Under the present experimental conditions RIP with ceftiofur (2 g) induced significantly higher intraarticular antibiotic concentrations in the RC joint in comparison with IV administration. Moreover, after RIP, synovial fluid ceftiofur concentrations remain above the MIC for common pathogens (1 microg/mL) for > 24 hours. No adverse effects from the technique or the antibiotic were observed. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RIP with high doses of ceftiofur may be a beneficial adjunctive therapy when treating equine synovial infections which are caused by cephalosporin susceptible microorganisms.     

Unipodal stance influences radiographic evaluation of foot balance in horses

Lifting the contralateral forelimb (unipodal stance) is often used as a method of restraint in horses. This experimental one group pretest, posttest study was conducted to evaluate the effects of unipodal stance on quantitative radiographic parameters in equine forefeet. Seven nonlame horses were randomly selected. Lateromedial (LM) and dorsopalmar (DP) projections were acquired for both forefeet, squarely placed on blocks, using two X‐ray generators. Radiographs of each foot were acquired first in a bipodal stance, immediately followed by the same radiographic projections obtained in a unipodal stance. The following measurements were recorded for each stance: distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) space width on both projections; mediolateral joint balance as the difference between lateral and medial DIPJ space widths on DP projections; extensor process‐to‐middle phalangeal condyle distance; and deep digital flexor tendon angle on LM projections. A matched pairs design and Student's t‐test with a 95% confidence level were used to test for statistical significance. Compared to a bipodal stance, lateral DIPJ space width was significantly reduced on unipodal DP views, whereas mediolateral joint imbalance and to a lesser extent medial DIPJ space width were significantly increased. On unipodal LM views, there was a significant higher degree of DIPJ flexion. These findings suggest that stance should be carefully taken into consideration when measuring radiographic parameters in equine forefeet, especially if assessing foot balance and conformation, as unipodal stance significantly affects the mediolateral balance of the DIPJ on DP radiographs and significantly alters the phalangeal axis on LM radiographs.     

不同脱钙液对兔膝关节组织切片染色的影响

探讨不同脱钙液对新西兰大白兔膝关节切片染色效果的影响,为膝关节关节软骨及基质多糖的观察奠定试验基础。取正常新西兰大白兔膝关节,10%中性福尔马林溶液充分固定,流水冲洗后,分别浸入10%硝酸脱钙液、3%硝酸脱钙液、改良AF硝酸脱钙液及改良30%盐酸脱钙液中进行充分脱钙后,流水冲洗,制作石蜡切片,苏木精—伊红(HE)、奥尔辛蓝及沙红O染色,显微镜检观察并评价其效果。结果表明:①HE染色效果,3%硝酸组＞30%盐酸组＞10%硝酸组及改良AF硝酸组;②奥尔辛蓝及沙红O染色效果,3%硝酸组及改良AF硝酸组优于其他各组。     

THE EFFECT OF POSITIONING ON THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF CAUDODORSAL MEDIASTINAL MASSES IN THE DOG

In this prospective study, the effect of thoracic positioning on the visibility and size of caudal esophageal masses caused by spirocercosis was investigated. Dorsoventral (DV), ventrodorsal (VD) as well as left lateral recumbent (LLR) and right lateral recumbent (RLR) thoracic radiographs of 28 dogs, diagnosed endoscopically with spirocercosis, were evaluated. The radiographic findings were compared with those of esophageal endoscopy. Masses were seen equally well in left vs. right recumbency as well as in DV vs. VD positions but in DV/VD views 86% of masses were detected whereas in lateral views only 50% of masses were identified. In spirocercosis-endemic areas DV and RLR views are advised as they also allow for better visualization of descending aorta aneurysms and to avoid interpreting the potentially normally visible esophagus in LLR in large dogs as a mass.