Canine Seventh Lumbar Vertebra Fracture: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Lumbosacral traumatic injuries are reported as 39% of canine vertebral lesions. This area is prone to fracture and luxation. Several surgical techniques were described from 1975 to 2021 to stabilize the traumatic injuries of the lumbosacral junction. This report aims to critically review the available literature focused on clinical presentation, surgical techniques, and follow-up of the lumbar vertebra fracture. (2) Methods: Three bibliographic databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used with a board search of Lumbosacral junction fracture AND, of L7 fracture AND (canine OR dog). The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for case reports and case series was applied for the studies included. (3) Results: A total of 432 reports yielded only nine that met the inclusion criteria. Non-ambulatory paraparesis/plegia, sciatic nerve involvement, faecal/urinary incontinence, and severe back lumbar pain were the most reported signs. Survey radiographs were the most reported technique to confirm the diagnoses. The surgical treatment was reported in all reports examined with a good long-term prognosis. (4) Conclusions: The seventh lumbar vertebra fracture, despite the different surgical techniques performed, had a favourable prognosis for long-term outcome and neurological recovery

Occurrence and fate of heavy metals in large wastewater treatment plants treating municipal and industrial wastewaters.

This paper deals with a detailed study on the occurrence and fate of heavy metals (plus As, Fe and Al) in five Italian large wastewater treatment plants treating municipal and industrial wastewaters. The study showed that some of the compounds (As, Hg and Cd) were present at trace levels, while others were dispersed in a broad range of concentrations and were sometimes under the detection limit. The occurrence followed the order Hg = As < Hg < Pb < Ni < Cu < Cr < Fe < Zn < Al. Metals were mainly present bound to particulate organic matter in municipal wastewaters while they were often present in soluble phase in industrial wastewaters. Some heavy metals, like Hg and Pb, showed clear correlations with Al and Fe, therefore the last could be used as control parameters. Metals were removed with good efficiency in the treatment works, with the order As < Cd = Cr = Zn < Pb < Hg < Ni = Al < Cu < Fe. Metals then concentrated in waste activated sludge and accumulated after sludge stabilisation because of volatile solids degradation, therefore some problems may arise with limit for agricultural application, in particular for Hg, Cd and Ni

Congenital deformity of the distal extremities in three dogs

Congenital limb deformities are very rare conditions and the knowledge about etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment is still poor. Moreover, many defects are still not reported in veterinary literature. This report documents clinical and radiographic findings in three dogs with congenital deformity involving the distal extremities. Case 1 was affected with bilateral aphalangia of the pedes, case 2 presented a combination of brachydactyly and syndactyly, whereas in case 3 a unilateral ectrodactyly was observed. To the authors’ knowledge, brachydactyly, as well as aphalangia, are very uncommon anomalies and have been rarely documented. Moreover, association between syndactyly and brachydactyly has still not been reported

Lateral patellar luxation in nine small breed dogs

The objective of this paper was to describe the clinical features, the management and the outcome of nine small breed dogs affected with lateral patella luxation referred during the period between January 2010 and December 2014. Patellar luxations were classified according to: breed, age, sex, weight, and grade of patellar luxation, as well as if unilateral or bilateral, and concurrent cranial cruciate ligament lesion. In affected dogs, surgical correction consisted in the combination of tibial tuberosity transposition and soft tissue procedure. Adjunctive condroplasty or trochleoplasty was performed as needing. The outcome was found positive after surgical management with low complication rate and complications have been easily managed with high success rate

Mature teratoma arising from an undescended testis in a horse: comparison between ultrasonographic and morphological features

Scant information is available on the ultrasonographic appearance of different testicular tumours in the stallion. Preoperative ultrasound imaging and gross and microscopic features of a testicular teratoma in a horse is described. An asymptomatic 4 years old cryptorchid Arabian horse was admitted for orchiectomy. Combined transabdominal and inguinal ultrasound examination revealed a large complex ovoid mass, containing both solid and cystic elements with internal echoes, located dorsally to the superficial inguinal ring. Two main hypoechoic cavities divided by a linear hyperechoic septum were evident, with a hyperechoic circular structure inside the lumen of the largest one. A tumour of the undescended testis was suspected. Ultrasound findings guided a provisional diagnosis of teratoma that was confirmed by histology following surgical removal of the tumour. Due to the correspondence between ultrasonographic and morphological features, trans-abdominal ultrasonography was conclusive in the preoperative planning

Traumatic lumbosacral joint dislocation in 3 dogs: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and short-term follow-up

Traumatic lumbosacral joint dislocation (TLSJD) without L7 vertebral body fracture is a rare injury in dogs. This report describes clinical presentation, therapy and outcome in 3 dogs. Three crossbreed dogs with non-ambulatory paraparesis and lumbar pain were referred. Radiographs confirmed TLSJD and dorso-ventral displacement (DVD) was measured pre and postoperatively. Case 1 was treated by percutaneous transilial pinning. Cases 2 and 3 were treated by internal fixation with pins and PMMA. Within 72h after surgery all dogs were able to stand and walk, and faecal incontinence resolved. To the author's knowledge this is the first description of a case series of TLSJD in the dog. The biomechanics of TLSJD in animals have not been investigated. It is likely that a single trauma severely hyper-extends L7-S1 causing disruption of the supra and inter-spinous ligaments with simultaneous shear and compression forces that cause ventral slipping of the sacrum. Pins and PMMA compared to percutaneous transilial pinning, provided more strength and stability. In conclusion, TLSJD requires appropriate surgical reduction and stabilization to allow fibrous healing of the L7-S1 junction, resulting in satisfactory neurological recovery

Data on before and after the traceability system of veterinary antimicrobial prescriptions in small animals at the university veterinary teaching hospital of Naples

Over recent decades, antimicrobial resistance has been considered one of the most relevant issues of public health. The aim of our study was to evaluate the differences related to the prescription of antimicrobials at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, before and after the mandatory use of veterinary electronic prescription (VEP). In particular, the consumption of antimicrobials was examined, especially taking into consideration the recommendations of prudent use. A comparison of data collected before and after the use of electronic prescription highlighted that during the period chosen for the study, the choice of antimicrobial molecules was appropriate, favoring those of “first” and “second line.” However, prescription and the use of some molecules not registered for veterinary medicine were observed in the period before VEP. Broad-spectrum antimicrobials, including penicillins with β-lactamase inhibitors, as well as first-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, were the most frequently prescribed compounds. There are few studies conducted in Italy aimed at investigating the use of antimicrobials in companion animals under field conditions and with particular regard to prudent use recommendations. This type of study underlines the importance of electronic medical recording in veterinary practice and, above all, its usefulness in monitoring the use of certain antimicrobial agents classified as of critical importance in human medicine

Outcome after Modified Maquet Procedure in dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture: Evaluation of recovery limb function by use of force plate gait analysis

Introduction Cranial cruciate ligament failure is one of the principal causes of canine lameness. Several surgical procedures were proposed to achieve joint stabilisation; among these, the Modified Maquet Procedure involves using a titanium foam wedge to achieve and maintain the tibial tuberosity advancement. The force-plate analysis provides to objectively assess normal and abnormal gait and the outcome of different surgical techniques. The study evaluates the outcome of limbs that underwent Modified Maquet Procedure using land-force plate analysis comparing the operated limb with its healthy contralateral one as a control. Materials and methods Thirty-five dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were evaluated. Outcome after surgery was assessed by orthopaedic and radiographic evaluations and force plate gait analysis performed before surgery, at 15, 30 and 90 days after surgery. For objective comparison of ground reaction forces, data of operated limb were compared to contralateral limb on each time control and Symmetry Index at 90 days was determined. Healing radiographic signs, minor and major complication were reported. Results A significant improvement in ground reaction forces was reached in all the treated limbs between set time intervals. The median percentage increase in ground reaction forces was constant from 15 to 90 days, with a Symmetry Index >9 in 54.2% of patients suggesting a normal gait symmetry. A complete bone healing was noticed at 90 days follow-up radiographic assessment. We experienced three major (8.5%) and one minor (2.8%) complications. Conclusions To the Authors' knowledge, this is the first study in the veterinary literature that assessed outcomes of dogs undergoing Modified Maquet Procedure for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture using force plate gait analysis and healthy contralateral limb as a control group. Our results confirm that Modified Maquet Procedure is an effective method to stabilise the stifle joint

Noninvasive Ultrasound Monitoring of Embryonic and Fetal Development in Chinchilla lanigera to Predict Gestational Age: Preliminary Evaluation of This Species as a Novel Animal Model of Human Pregnancy

Ultrasound is a noninvasive routine method that allows real-time monitoring of fetal development in utero to determine gestational age and to detect congenital anomalies and multiple pregnancies. To date, the developmental biology of Chinchilla lanigera has not yet been characterized. This species has been found to undergo placentation, long gestation, and fetal dimensions similar to those in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the use of high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and clinical ultrasound (US) to predict gestational age in chinchillas and evaluate the possibility of this species as a new animal model for the study of human pregnancy. In this study, 35 pregnant females and a total of 74 embryos and fetuses were monitored. Ultrasound examination was feasible in almost all chinchilla subjects. It was possible to monitor the chinchilla embryo with HFUS from embryonic day (E) 15 to 60 and with US from E15 to E115 due to fetus dimensions. The placenta could be visualized and measured with HFUS from E15, but not with US until E30. From E30, the heartbeat became detectable and it was possible to measure fetal biometrics. In the late stages of pregnancy, stomach, eyes, and lenses became visible. Our study demonstrated the importance of employing both techniques while monitoring embryonic and fetal development to obtain an overall and detailed view of all structures and to recognize any malformation at an early stage. Pregnancy in chinchillas can be confirmed as early as the 15th day postmating, and sonographic changes and gestational age are well correlated. The quantitative measurements of fetal and placental growth performed in this study could be useful in setting up a database for comparison with human fetal ultrasounds. We speculate that, in the future, the chinchilla could be used as an animal model for the study of US in human pregnancy

Differential DNA Methylation Encodes Proliferation and Senescence Programs in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adult adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) constitute a vital population of multipotent cells capable of differentiating into numerous end-organ phenotypes. However, scientific and translational endeavors to harness the regenerative potential of ASCs are currently limited by an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms that determine cell-lineage commitment and stemness. In the current study, we used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) analysis to identify epigenetic gene targets and cellular processes that are responsive to 5′-azacitidine (5′-AZA). We describe specific changes to DNA methylation of ASCs, uncovering pathways likely associated with the enhancement of their proliferative capacity. We identified 4,797 differentially methylated regions (FDR < 0.05) associated with 3,625 genes, of which 1,584 DMRs annotated to the promoter region. Gene set enrichment of differentially methylated promoters identified “phagocytosis,” “type 2 diabetes,” and “metabolic pathways” as disproportionately hypomethylated, whereas “adipocyte differentiation” was the most-enriched pathway among hyper-methylated gene promoters. Weighted coexpression network analysis of DMRs identified clusters associated with cellular proliferation and other developmental programs. Furthermore, the ELK4 binding site was disproportionately hyper-methylated within the promoters of genes associated with AKT signaling. Overall, this study offers numerous preliminary insights into the epigenetic landscape that influences the regenerative capacity of human ASCs