A systemic review of existing serological possibilities to diagnose canine osteoarthritis with a particular focus on extracellular matrix proteoglycans and protein

Extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components are important and their stabilization is significant in maintaining normal healthy joint environment. In osteoarthritis (OA), ECM components are altered and indicate disease progression. The joint ECM is composed of proteoglycans (aggrecan, perlecan, inter a-trypsin inhibitor), glycoproteins (fibronectin, lubricin, COMP) and collagen types (most abundantly collagen type II) which represent structural and functional transformation during disease advancement. ECM investigation revealed significant biomarkers of OA that could be used as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in different canine orthopedic diseases. This review deliberates our current findings of how the components of ECM change at the molecular level during disease progression in canine OA

Effectiveness of antihypertensive agents in stage I/II hypertensive patients with ace (I/D) gene polymorphism

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is the key enzyme, regulates the blood pressure which is encoded by 21kb gene that consists of 26 exons and is located on chromosome 17, contains a polymorphism in the form of either Insertion (I) or Deletion (D). The aim was to study the effect of antihypertensive drugs in patients of essential hypertension associated with ACE gene polymorphism. Methods: Hypertensive patients were recruited followed by genetic test was done for detecting ACE gene polymorphism, then patients were divided as Group-A & B. Group –A and B patients were treated with atenolol (25mg) and azilsartan (40 mg) for three months respectively. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was recorded in both the groups before and after commencement of treatment. Among 88 patients of newly diagnosed hypertension, majority of study population belongs to genotype D/D (38.63%) followed by I/D (31.81%) and II (29.54%) genotype. Significant difference was found in systolic blood pressure (p0.05). Conclusion: The rate of control of blood pressure was high in I/I genotype followed by D/D genotype irrespective of treatment group. Overall better prognosis was observed with azilsartan 40mg compared to atenolol 25mg treatment in patients with ACE gene polymorphisms

Vitamin D Status and Bone and Connective Tissue Turnover in Brown Bears (Ursus arctos) during Hibernation and the Active State

BACKGROUND: Extended physical inactivity causes disuse osteoporosis in humans. In contrast, brown bears (Ursus arctos) are highly immobilised for half of the year during hibernation without signs of bone loss and therefore may serve as a model for prevention of osteoporosis. AIM: To study 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) levels and bone turnover markers in brown bears during the hibernating state in winter and during the active state in summer. We measured vitamin D subtypes (D₂ and D₃), calcitropic hormones (parathyroid hormone [PTH], 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D [1,25(OH)₂D]) and bone turnover parameters (osteocalcin, ICTP, CTX-I), PTH, serum calcium and PIIINP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We drew blood from seven immobilised wild brown bears during hibernation in February and in the same bears while active in June. RESULTS: Serum 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (25OHD₃) was significantly higher in the summer than in the winter (22.8±4.6 vs. 8.8±2.1 nmol/l, two tailed p-2p = 0.02), whereas 25-hydroxy-ergocalciferol (25OHD₂) was higher in winter (54.2±8.3 vs. 18.7±1.7 nmol/l, 2p<0.01). Total serum calcium and PTH levels did not differ between winter and summer. Activated 1,25(OH)₂D demonstrated a statistically insignificant trend towards higher summer levels. Osteocalcin levels were higher in summer than winter, whereas other markers of bone turnover (ICTP and CTX-I) were unchanged. Serum PIIINP, which is a marker of connective tissue and to some degree muscle turnover, was significantly higher during summer than during winter. CONCLUSIONS: Dramatic changes were documented in the vitamin D₃/D₂ ratio and in markers of bone and connective tissue turnover in brown bears between hibernation and the active state. Because hibernating brown bears do not develop disuse osteoporosis, despite extensive physical inactivity we suggest that they may serve as a model for the prevention of this disease

A conservation roadmap for the subterranean biome

The 15th UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (COP15) will be held in Kunming, China in October 2021. Historically, CBDs and other multilateral treaties have either alluded to or entirely overlooked the subterranean biome. A multilateral effort to robustly examine, monitor, and incorporate the subterranean biome into future conservation targets will enable the CBD to further improve the ecological effectiveness of protected areas by including groundwater resources, subterranean ecosystem services, and the profoundly endemic subsurface biodiversity. To this end, we proffer a conservation roadmap that embodies five conceptual areas: (1) science gaps and data management needs; (2) anthropogenic stressors; (3) socioeconomic analysis and conflict resolution; (4) environmental education; and (5) national policies and multilateral agreements.Peer reviewe

Measurement of the femoral anteversion angle in medium and large dog breeds using computed tomography

To promote the development of an optimally functional total hip prosthesis for medium and large dog breeds, accurate measurements of the normal anatomy of the proximal femur and acetabular retroversion are essential. The aim of the current study was to obtain precise normal values of the femoral anteversion angle using computed tomography on cadavers of mature dogs with normal hip joints of both medium and large breeds. Based on the length of their femora 58 dogs were allocated either to group I: ≤195 mm or group II: >195 mm. In the study the femoral anteversion angle (FAA) was measured on each femur using multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT). The data were processed as multi-planar and three-dimensional reconstructions using Advantage Workstation software. The CT measurements showed that the mean ± standard deviation (SD) FAA of group I was 31.34 ± 5.47° and in group II it was 31.02 ± 4.95°. There were no significant mean difference associations between the length of the femur and the femoral neck angle in either group (P > 0.05). The data suggest that a prosthesis FAA of 31 degrees would be suitable for a wide range of dog sizes