Open-comminuted mid humeral fracture in a long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) – case report

A 2-year-old long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) was presented to the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia for a traumatic injury to the left arm. Physical examination findings revealed a lacerated wound of 2 cm x 1 cm with distal humeral bone segment was protruding out from the muscles and skin. There were delayed pain sensation and withdrawal reflex of the left upper arm. Radiographic findings revealed discontinuity of the left humerus at the mid-shaft with a single fragment from the distal segment at the fracture site. The fracture was repaired with an open reduction and fixation technique with a combination of intramedullary pinning and cerclage wire. The patient regained motor function of the arm after six weeks of intramedullary pin implantation. Here we describe the severity of each grading system and the principles of open fracture management in macaques

Detection of leptospirosis in a dog shelter

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease of worldwide distribution with more than one million human cases reported annually in the world. Limited study has been conducted on canine leptospirosis in Malaysia despite they may have high risk of transmitting the disease to human. The purpose of this study was to detect the canine leptospirosis and possible serovars involved in a dog shelter in Johor, Malaysia. Blood samples were collected from 73 dogs consisted of 50 vaccinated dogs and 23 non-vaccinated dogs. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to screen the serum samples for anti-leptospiral antibodies. At the cut –off titer of 1:80, two out of 73 dogs (2.7%) were seropositive for Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Javanica. Another two out of 73 dogs (2.7%) were seropositive for L.interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrgahiae and one out of 73 dogs (1.4%) showed antibody titers against L.interrogans sv. Australis. The overall seroprevalence was 6.8% (n=5/73) in the 73 dogs studied. All seropositive dogs are vaccinated, consisting of 80% females and 20% males. The seropositive status of these shelter dogs showed that they could be potential disease disseminator to human and other animals warrant further investigation for their potential epidemiological role in leptospirosis

Surface modification of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) nanocomposite polymer as a stent coating for enhanced capture of endothelial progenitor cells

An unmet need exists for the development of next-generation multifunctional nanocomposite materials for biomedical applications, particularly in the field of cardiovascular regenerative biology. Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of a novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU) nanocomposite polymer with covalently attached anti-CD34 antibodies to enhance capture of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). This material may be used as a new coating for bare metal stents used after balloon angioplasty to improve re-endothelialization. Biophysical characterization techniques were used to assess POSS-PCU and its subsequent functionalization with anti-CD34 antibodies. Results indicated successful covalent attachment of anti-CD34 antibodies on the surface of POSS-PCU leading to an increased propensity for EPC capture, whilst maintaining in vitro biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. POSS-PCU has already been used in 3 first-in-man studies, as a bypass graft, lacrimal duct and a bioartificial trachea. We therefore postulate that its superior biocompatibility and unique biophysical properties would render it an ideal candidate for coating medical devices, with stents as a prime example. Taken together, anti-CD34 functionalized POSS-PCU could form the basis of a nano-inspired polymer platform for the next generation stent coatings

Biomarkers for predicting future metastasis of human gastrointestinal tumors (Review)

The recent advances in surgery and radiation therapy have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with primary cancer, and the major challenge of cancer treatment now is metastatic disease development. The 5-year survival rate of cancer patients who have distant metastasis at diagnosis is extremely low, suggesting that prediction and early detection of metastasis would definitely improve their prognosis because suitable patient therapeutic management and treatment strategy can be provided. Cancer cells from a primary site give rise to a metastatic tumor via a number of steps which require the involvement and altered expression of many regulators. These regulators may serve as biomarkers for predicting metastasis. Over the past few years, numerous regulators have been found correlating with metastasis. In this review, we summarize the findings of a number of potential biomarkers that are involved in cadherin-catenin interaction, integrin signaling, PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and cancer stem cell identification in gastrointestinal cancers. We will also discuss how certain biomarkers are associated with the tumor microenvironment that favors cancer metastasis. © 2013 Springer Basel.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex