Assessment of the hip reduction angle for predicting osteoarthritis of the hip in the Labrador Retriever

Hip palpation has been used to provide semiquantitative information regarding passive joint laxity and susceptibility to hip dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner repeatability of the hip reduction angle measured at 4 months of age by three examiners using manual goniometry and an electromagnetic tracking system; (2) compare the hip reduction angle measured with manual goniometry to the hip reduction angle measured with the electromagnetic tracking system; and (3) evaluate the hip reduction angle, distraction index and Ortolani manoeuvre at 4 months of age as predictors of the development of hip osteoarthritis at 12 months of age in 11 Labrador Retriever dogs. Intra- and inter-examiner repeatability was demonstrated for both the manual and electromagnetic goniometric measurement of the hip reduction angle (coefficient of variation < 4.3% and < 6.1%; and P = 0.163 and P = 0.836 respectively). The hip reduction angle measured by manual goniometry was moderately correlated to the hip reduction angle measured by the electromagnetic tracking system (r = 0.603, P < 0.0000). The hip reduction angle measured by manual and electromagnetic goniometry was a poor predictor of osteoarthritis at 12 months of age (r = 0.231, P < 0.062, and r = 0.321, P < 0.01). The distraction index was moderately correlated with the development of osteoarthritis by 12 months of age (r = 0.493, P < 0.0000). The Ortolani sign was sensitive (100%) but not specific (41%) for the development of osteoarthritis at 12 months of age. The hip reduction angle did not further quantify the Ortolani manoeuvre as a predictor of osteoarthritis in Labrador Retrievers.     

表皮生长因子的作用机理及对体外受精的影响

表皮生长因子(EGF)是一种重要的多肽类生长因子,它对卵母细胞的体外成熟和早期胚胎的发育具有明显的促进作用。大量研究表明:EGF能够以旁分泌(Paracrine)或自分泌(Autocrine)的形式作用于胚胎组织中的EGFR,刺激内细胞团(ICM)和滋养外胚层的增殖,从而调节早期胚胎的发育。     

小鼠上皮细胞培养及其在EOB研究中的应用

小鼠眼睑发育需要表皮角质形成细胞的增殖、分化、凋亡及迁移的协调作用。表皮角质形成细胞是研究眼睑闭合不全机制重要的细胞模型。表皮角质形成细胞培养时,贴壁差,增殖力低,生活力弱,生长条件要求高,传代次数有限。对近年来表皮角质形成细胞的体外培养方法及其在遗传性眼睑闭合不全研究中的应用进行综述,以期为表皮角质形成细胞的长期培养和研究人类先天性眼睑发育缺陷机制提供参考。     

Higher than optimum temperature under CO2 enrichment influences stomata anatomical characters in rose (Rosa hybrida)

There is little available information on the effects of temperature and CO₂ enrichment on stomata anatomical characteristics of plants. Effect of these two microclimates was studied on five rose (Rosa spp.) cultivars, viz. ‘First Red’ (used as check), ‘Arjun’, ‘Raktima’, ‘Raktagandha’ and ‘Pusa Pitamber’. Budded, single-stemmed rose cultivars having five lateral buds were grown in controlled environment growth cabinets under enriched CO₂ (1000 μmol mol⁻¹) and optimum (28/18 °C, T₀) or high (35/25 °C, T₁) temperature for 50 days. All observations were made on the abaxial leaf surface. Significant increases in stomatal density (68.7%), index (29.6%) and epidermal cell density (37.3%) were recorded in plants grown at high temperature over control with CO₂ enrichment. The cultivars responded differently in terms of length and width of guard cell and stoma (pore) under high temperature, however, the values averaged over treatments showed a significant reduction in these parameters. Further, number of stomata per leaf was higher (28.3%) in plants grown at high temperature, except First Red. A reduction in mean leaf area (26.7%) and dry mass (32.0%) was recorded at high rather than optimum temperature. The specific leaf area was maximum in Arjun (87%) while in First Red, a 14% reduction was noted at high temperature.     

Prevention of isinglass on the chronic atrophic gastritis in rats and its mechanism

AIM: To evaluate the effect of isinglass on chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG) in rats and its mechanism. METHODS: An animal model of CAG in accordance with the previous experience of combined administration of 60% ethanol, 20 mmol/L sodium deoxycholate and 0.1% ammonia water was established in SD rats. Isinglass was used as preventive therapy while we were establishing CAG rat model. Finally all the rats were executed and pathologic changes of the gastric mucosa were studied by gross appearance and microscopy and serum epidermal growth factor (EFG) and growth hormone(GH) contents were tested. RESULTS: In each isinglass prevention group, inflammation grade of gastric antrum was less than that in model group (P<0.01) while the mean ratio of the thickness of gastric mucosal gland and muscularis mucosa (L1/L2), the number of gastric glands in 1 mm lengths of mucosal layer in longitudinal sections were much better than those in model group (P<0.01).They were very close to normal control group (P>0.05). The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in gastric mucosa and serum EFG level were higher than those in model group (P<0.01, P<0.05), but serum GH content showed no different between isinglass prevention group and model group. CONCLUSION: Isinglass preventes the gastric mucosal atrophy in the CAG model. Its mechanism may be related to the effects of decreasing the gastric mucosal damage， promoting the cell proliferation and increasing of internal EFG secretion.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase is involved in the changes of intracellular free calcium concentration induced by wound exudate in cultured rat epidermal stem cells

AIM: To observe the effects of harvested wound exudate on intracellular free Ca²⁺ in epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in vitro, and to investigate the relationship between mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signal pathways and Ca²⁺ mobilization in this condition.METHODS: Wound exudate was harvested from the 80 full-thickness wounds produced on both sides of the back in 40 adult Wistar rats. ESCs were isolated, purified from neonatal Wistar rats by referring to the formerly records and binding our ideas. When the cultured cells showed up clone growing, they were divided into five groups as follows: group A: control group (no-treatment); group B: only treatment with wound exudate; group C: treatment with wound exudate and PD98059; group D: treatment with wound exudate and SB203580; group E: treatment with wound exudate, PD 98059 and SB203580. Then, the cells were incubated with fluorescence Ca²⁺ dye fluo-3/AM at 37 ℃ for 30 min, and measured by using laser scanning confocal microscope.RESULTS: The results showed that the fluorescent intensity of group B was higher than that in group A. A phenomenon of calcium oscillation was found in group C and group D. Furthermore, a rapid decrease of fluorescent intensity was observed in the cells that were preincubated with PD98059 and SB203580 at the same time. CONCLUSION: Based on above results, we propose that wound exudate can directly induce an increase in intracellular free Ca²⁺concentrations of ESCs. MAPKs signaling pathway has an important function of feedback regulation for free Ca²⁺ mobilization of ESCs in this condition, and also is capable of affecting the biological behaviour of epidermal stem cells.     

Effect of rhEGF activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase on the expression of Bcl-2 and p53 protein in human amniotic cells

AIM: To explore the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on the ERK1/2 pathway and its safety in use when the proliferation of cultured FL cells (human amnion epithelial cells) were promoted by rhEGF.METHODS: FL cells were stimulated by rhEGF at various concentrations.The proliferation rate of FL cells was evaluated by MTT assay.Western blotting was used to detect phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and the change of Bcl-2 and P53 protein.RESULTS: The proliferation rate FL cells reached the maximum when the concentration of rhEGF was 10 μg/L (42.4％，P<0.01).Western blotting showed that the activity of p-ERK1/2 increased significantly when rhEGF ranged in 10 μg/L to 60 μg/L.Level of Bcl-2 was unchanged in each groups.Level of P53 decreased significantly when the concentration of rhEGF was 60 μg/L.CONCLUSION: It is safe when rhEGF presents in optimization concentration of 10 μg/L.The capability of apoptosis may be depressed when rhEGF is in larger dose.     

Follicular Dysplasia in Adult Black and Red Doberman Pinschers

Abstract— Four black and two red Doberman Pinschers with a slowly progressive, dorsal hypotrichosis were studied. All six dogs developed the hair loss as adults and hypotrichosis was permanent. Skin biopsies showed changes compatible with follicular dysplasia.
Résumé— L'etude porte sur 4 Dobermans noirs et 2 Dobermans marrons présentant une hypotrichose dorsale d'extension progressive. L'hypotrichose dorsale d'extension progressive. L'hypotrichose s'est développée chez les 6 chiens à l'âge adulte et est permanente. Les biopsies cutanées ont montré des images compatibles avec le diagnostic de dysplasie folliculaire.
Zusammenfassung— Bei vier schwarzen und zwei roten Dobermännern wurde eine langsam fortschreitende dorsale Hypotrichose festgestellt. Alle 6 Hunde verloren als adulte Tiere permanent Haare. Die histologischen Untersuchungen zeigten Veränderungen, die einer Follikeldysplasie entsprechen.
Resumen  Se describe la presencia de una hipotricosis dorsal de progresión lenta en cuatro perros de raza Doberman color negro y dos perros de raza Doberman y color rojo. En los seis animales la hipotricosis se inició cuando eran adultos y se mantuvo de forma permanente. Las biopsias cutáneas mostraron cambios histopatológicos compatibles con una displasia folicular.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION OF DYSPLASIA AND PROGRESSION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN DOG ELBOWS PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED OFA GRADES 0 AND 1

Elbow dysplasia is a heritable disease that is a common cause of lameness and progressive elbow osteoarthritis in young large breed dogs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screens elbow radiographs, and assigns grades 0–3 based on presence and severity of bony proliferation on the anconeal process. Grade 1 is assigned when less than 3 mm is present and considered positive for dysplasia. We investigated the incidence of elbow dysplasia and progression of osteoarthritis in elbows with grades 0 and 1 in 46 elbows screened at least 1 year previously, using CT as a gold standard and with the addition of CT absorptiometry. The incidence of dysplasia based on CT was 62% in grade 0, and 75% in grade 1 elbows, all of which had medial coronoid disease. Progressive osteoarthritis at recheck was consistent with elbow dysplasia. The sensitivity and specificity of the OFA grade for elbow dysplasia compared to CT findings was 75% and 38%, respectively. Increased bone mineral density of the medial coronoid process as characterized by osteoabsorptiometry warrants further investigation with respect to elbow dysplasia. Proliferation on the anconeal process without CT evidence of dysplasia or osteoarthritis was present in 20% of the elbows, and is theorized to be an anatomic variant or enthesopathy of the olecranon ligament/synovium. Results of our study suggest that the “anconeal bump” used for elbow screening by the OFA is a relatively insensitive characteristic, and support the use of CT for identifying additional characteristics of elbow dysplasia.