Musculoskeletal ultrasound scanning of some canine limb joints: A comparison of scanning techniques

In the past diagnostic ultrasound was a relatively under utilised technique in the particular field of musculoskeletal imaging. This can be mainly attributed to the low frequency transducers available at that time which were inadequate for imaging of superficial structures because of their limited resolution. The presence of bones in the joint regions also inhibited the imaging of small and physically slight structures due to the limited access through small acoustic windows and non through transmission of sound waves at bony surfaces. More recent developments in transducer technology have managed to overcome many of the problems by the construction of ultra high frequency probes with conveniently sized footprints. Their increased resolution has produced considerably better image quality, which has led to the detection of many anatomical structures, that had not been readily visible in the past. In addition the advanced postprocessing software of the new generation of ultrasound scanners has resulted in the ability to produce panoramic images over considerable lengths of the body surface displaying the topography of many of the underlying structures leading to the development of the extended field of view imaging modality. Reconstructed three dimensional presentations of various organs or body areas on screen constitutes a very recent capability that has the potential of detecting abnormalities and placing them in their anatomical context. The aim of this study has been to present what has been accomplished to date with ultrasound in the small animal musculoskeletal field using conventional ultrasonographic technology. Using the regions of the shoulder, stifle and tarsal joint of live dogs, the aim was to investigate the potential of using very high frequency transducers, extended field of view imaging and three dimensional technology with a view of identifying the anatomical structures involved and also conduct repeated individual measurements with the use of specific anatomical landmarks to see if an increase in consistency of results could be achieved. Normal adult Greyhound cadavers were initially used with a colour marker echocontrast agent to verify that structures imaged were indeed the real anatomical structures, but subsequent studies were on live normal Greyhounds and some clinical cases with lameness problems. The results of the project proved that the quality of images obtained with the use of a 16 and a 22 MHz transducers were superior to the ones acquired by conventional scanning so that identification of previously difficult structures was successfully carried out on screen. Furthermore, the extended field of view modality was a contributor to solving problems of topography and repeated identification of landmarks, whereas three dimensional imaging revealed in some areas the component structures in multiplanar detail. The conducting of repeated individual measurements of some anatomical structures with conventional ultrasound has proved that there was poor consistency, so that it would be difficult to estimate differences in size that could lead to diagnosis of various physiological or pathologic conditions. The use of the ultra high frequency transducers did not contribute to the accuracy, because the problems concerning the anglulation of the transducer and the narrow acoustic window of the joint remained. Measurements obtained with the use of the extended field of view modality when calling up images of specific parts of the structure proved to be more accurate and could offer a future potential for the monitoring of pathologic and healing processes. Three dimensional imaging appears as an exciting and most promising technique that could offer accuracy to measurements but needs to be further investigated

Changes of blood biochemistry in the rabbit animal model in atherosclerosis research; a time- or stress-effect

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rabbits are widely used in biomedical research and especially as animal models in atherosclerosis studies. Blood biochemistry is used to monitor progression of disease, before final evaluation including pathology of arteries and organs. The aim of the present study was to assess the consistency of the biochemical profile of New Zealand White rabbits on standard diet from 3 to 6 months of age, during which they are often used experimentally.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>Eight conventional male 3-month-old New Zealand White rabbits were used. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 1, 2 and 3 months later. Plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol concentrations, and alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase activities and malondialdehyde were measured. Statistically significant time-related changes were observed in glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol, which were not correlated with aortic lesions at 6 months of age. Similarly, hepatic enzyme activity had significant time-related changes, without a corresponding liver pathology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Age progression and stress due to single housing may be the underlying reasons for these biochemistry changes. These early changes, indicative of metabolic alterations, should be taken into account even in short-term lipid/atherosclerosis studies, where age and standard diet are not expected to have an effect on the control group of a study.</p

Differential effect of Pistacia vera extracts on experimental atherosclerosis in the rabbit animal model: an experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lipid-enriched diets and oxidative stress are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. The effects of the methanolic (ME) and cyclohexane (CHE) extracts of the <it>Pistacia vera </it>nut, often included in the Mediterranean diet, were studied in the rabbit model of atherosclerosis.</p> <p>Methods and results</p> <p>Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits received atherogenic diet (Control Group), supplemented with ME (Group ME) or CHE (Group CHE) for 3 months. Previously, a GC-MS and a UHPLC LC-DAD-ESI(-)-HRMS/MS method were developed to investigate the extracts' chemical profiles. Blood samples at baseline and monthly determined lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and liver function. The aorta, myocardium and liver were examined histologically at 3 months.</p> <p>Groups ME and CHE had significantly higher HDL- and non-significantly lower LDL-cholesterol median % changes from baseline than the Control Group. Triacylglycerol was significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. MDA values were significantly lower in Group ME vs. Control and CHE. ALT and AST were significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. γ-GT was lower in Group ME vs. Control. Aortic intimal thickness was significantly less in Groups ME and CHE vs. Control; Group ME atherosclerotic lesions were significantly less extensive vs. Groups Control and CHE. Only Group CHE had significant liver fatty infiltration.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>During short-term administration concomitantly with atherogenic diet, both <it>P. vera </it>extracts were beneficial on HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and aortic intimal thickness. The ME additionally presented an antioxidant effect and significant decrease of aortic surface lesions. These results indicate that <it>P. vera </it>dietary inclusion, in particular its ME, is potentially beneficial in atherosclerosis management.</p

A study for the effect of the administration of pistacia vera extract in the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis in an animal model

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the industrialised part of the world and arterial atherosclerosis is its primary manifestation. Lipid-enriched diets, as well as oxidative stress, are risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Plant-derived antioxidants and especially polyphenols have been shown to inhibit the atherosclerotic process. The effects of the cyclohexane (oil) and methanolic extract of the Pistacia vera nut, indigenous to the Mediterranean region and often included in the local diet, are reported in this study, for the first time to our knowledge, in the rabbit animal model of atherosclerosis. Thirty-two New Zealand White rabbits divided in four groups were administered either standard laboratory rabbit diet (Group A), atherogenic diet (Group B), atherogenic diet and P. vera cyclohexane extract (Group C) and atherogenic diet and P. vera methanolic extract (Group D) for a period of 3 months. Blood samples were taken from all animals at baseline and once every month for assessment of lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and liver function tests. Α GC-MS and a UHPLC LC-DAD-ESI(-)-HRMS/MS method were developed to investigate the extracts’ chemical profiles. All animals were euthanized after 3 months of diet administration and the aorta, myocardium and liver were examined histologically. Changes in lipid profile of Groups B, C and D were as expected according to the literature, with Group B having statistically significant higher values of total, HDL- and LDL- cholesterol and triglycerides than Group A. Groups B and D did not show any statistically significant differences in total cholesterol. Groups C and D had significantly higher HDL- and non-significantly lower LDL-cholesterol median % changes from baseline than Group B.Triacylglycerol was significantly higher in Group C vs. B. MDA values were significantly lower in Group D vs. B and C. Furthermore, ALT and AST values were significantly higher in Group C vs. B, while Group D was shown to have significantly increased values and a decrease of γ-GT in comparison to Group B. In the meantime, Group C was presented with statistically significant rise in glucose and liver enzymes. Finally, a statistically significant increase of glucose serum levels was observed among Group A rabbits. Aortic intimal thickness was significantly less in Groups B and C vs. A; Group B atherosclerotic lesions were significantly less extensive vs. Groups A and C. Only Group C had significant liver fatty infiltration.There were no statistically significant changes in the myocardial and liver tissues between these groups. Minimal non-significant atherosclerotic lesions of stage I were present in the aortas of the rabbits of group A examined post mortem. In conclusion, during short-term administration concomitantly with atherogenic diet, both P. vera extracts were beneficial on HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and aortic intimal thickness. The methanolic extract additionally presented an antioxidant effect and significant decrease of aortic surface lesions. These results indicate that P. vera dietary inclusion may be beneficial in atherosclerosis management.Οι καρδιαγγειακές νόσοι αποτελούν την κυριότερη αιτία θνησιμότητας στη σύγχρονη κοινωνία, ενώ η αθηρωμάτωση είναι ο κυριότερος παθογενετικός μηχανισμός. Διατροφή πλούσια σε λιπαρές ουσίες καθώς και το οξειδωτικό stress, ενέχονται ως παράγοντες κινδύνου για τη δημιουργία και ανάπτυξη αθηρωματικών πλακών. Αντιοξειδωτικές ουσίες που παράγονται από φυτά και κυρίως οι πολυφαινόλες έχει αποδειχτεί ότι αναστέλλουν την εξέλιξη της αθηρωμάτωσης. Οι επιδράσεις του Φιστικιού Αιγίνης (Pistacia vera), εγχώριου προϊόντος της Μεσογείου και ειδικά της Ελλάδας, που συχνά συμπεριλαμβάνεται στο διαιτολόγιό μας, αναφέρονται στην παρούσα έρευνα, για πρώτη φορά εξ’ όσων γνωρίζουμε, χρησιμοποιώντας ως ζωικό πρότυπο της αθηρωμάτωσης τον κόνικλo. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 32 κόνικλοι φυλής New Zealand White, οι οποίοι χωρίστηκαν στις ακόλουθες τέσσερις ομάδες, με βάση το διαιτητικό πρωτόκολλο, που εφαρμόστηκε: κυλινδροποιημένη ξηρά τροφή (Ομάδα ΕΛ), τροφή εμπλουτισμένη με χοληστερόλη περιεκτικότητας 1% (Ομάδα ΧΟΛ-1%), τροφή εμπλουτισμένη με χοληστερόλη περιεκτικότητας 1% και έλαιο P. vera 5% (Ομάδα ΧΟΛ-1%+Λ), και, τέλος, τροφή εμπλουτισμένη με χοληστερόλη περιεκτικότητας 1% και μεθανολικό εκχύλισμα P. vera 1%, για χρονικό διάστημα τριών μηνών (Ομάδα ΧΟΛ-1%+ΕΚΧ). Για την ανάλυση των εκχυλισμάτων του κυκλοεξανίου και της μεθανόλης αναπτύχτηκαν αναλυτικές μέθοδοι αέριας χρωματογραφίας (GC-MS) και υγρής χρωματογραφίας LC-DAD-ESI(-)-MS/MS. Δείγματα αίματος των ζώων ελήφθησαν στην αρχή της έρευνας αλλά και μία φορά κάθε μήνα, για την εκτίμηση του λιπιδαιμικού προφίλ και της υπεροξείδωσης των λιπιδίων. Όλα τα ζώα ευθανατώθηκαν μετά το πέρας των 3 μηνών, ενώ η αορτή, το ήπαρ, τα επινεφρίδια, το μυοκάρδιο και οι νεφροί εξετάστηκαν ιστολογικά. Μεταβολές στο προφίλ των λιπιδίων των ομάδων ΧΟΛ-1%, ΧΟΛ-1%+Λ και ΧΟΛ-1%+ΕΚΧ ήταν αναμενόμενες σύμφωνα με τη βιβλιογραφία, ενώ στατιστικά υψηλότερες ήταν οι συγκεντρώσεις της ολικής χοληστερόλης, της HDL- και LDL χοληστερόλης και των τριγλυκερίδιων των ομάδων ΧΟΛ-1%+Λ και ΧΟΛ-1%+ΕΚΧ. Οι ομάδες ΧΟΛ-1% και ΧΟΛ-1%+ΕΚΧ δεν παρουσίασαν στα­τιστικά σημαντικές μεταβολές στην ολική χοληστερόλη και στην LDL-χοληστερόλη. Η χορήγηση του ελαίου και του εκχυλίσματος είχε ως αποτέλεσμα τη σημαντική αύξηση της HDL χοληστερόλης και τη μη σημαντική μείωση της LDL-χοληστερόλης (% ποσοστιαία μεταβολή) στις ομάδες ΧΟΛ-1%+Λ και ΧΟΛ-1%+ΕΚΧ σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα ΧΟΛ-1%. Οι τιμές των τριγλυκεριδίων της ομάδας ΧΟΛ-1%+Λ ήταν αυξημένες με στατιστική σημαντικότητα σε σχέση με την ομάδα ΧΟΛ-1% καθ’όλη τη διάρκεια της μελέτης. Οι τιμές της μαλονοδιαλδεύδης (MDA) ήταν σημαντικά χαμηλότερες στην ομάδα ΧΟΛ-1%+ΕΚΧ σε σχέση με τις ομάδες ΧΟΛ-1% και ΧΟΛ-1%+Λ. ................

Greek Pig Farmers’ Perceptions and Experiences of Tail Biting and Tail Docking

Tail biting is both an important economic and a welfare problem. The primary preventive measure, almost on a routine basis throughout Europe, remains tail docking following a risk analysis. This study aimed to get insight on the perceptions of Greek pig farmers towards tail docking, intervention measures, and risk factors of tail biting, as well as opinions on pig welfare themes. Eighty-two farmers answered a questionnaire provided online and in printed form. In the case of a tail-biting outbreak, the most important intervention measure is the removal of the bitten pig (victim), while feed quality, air movements, and stocking density were ranked as the highest risk factors (p ≤ 0.05). Chains are the most common type of enrichment by 67% followed by plastic objects by 29.5%. Almost half of the farmers reported having no tail-biting problem on their farm, while 64.4% of the respondents have already tried at least once to raise pigs with intact tails. To reduce routine tail docking, it is essential to apply specific farm-oriented solutions effectively. To succeed in this aim, it is important to consider farmers’ concerns and practices. This study is the first step in that direction

Impact of 6 Weeks of Treatment With Low-Dose Metformin and Atorvastatin on Glucose-Induced Changes of Endothelial Function in Adults With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Blind Study

Background: Statin treatment has been reported to improve survival in patients with atherosclerosis, partly by improving vascular endothelial function. Elevation of blood glucose concentrations impairs endothelial function and promotes atherogenesis, but the effect of statins on glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction is unknown. Endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) measured by gauge-strain plethysmography in the forearm is considered to be a reliable marker of endothelial function in forearm resistance vessels. Objective: This study examined the combined effects of metformin and atorvastatin treatment on glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction (as EDD) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed DM were recruited and were randomly assigned to receive metformin 850 mg/d or metformin 850 mg/d + atorvastatin 10 mg/d for 6 weeks in a single-blind study. All patients underwent glucose loading (75 g oral glucose after 12 hours of fasting) at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Blood samples were obtained at baseline before glucose loading and 3 hours after loading to determine serum concentrations of cholesterol, lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin. EDD was evaluated at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after loading. The investigators were blinded to the treatment group assignments, and all analyses were performed in a blinded manner. Adverse events (eg, gastrointestinal disorders, myopathy, liver disorders) were monitored based on reported symptoms or signs (eg, myalgias, muscle cramps), clinical examination, and laboratory parameters (eg, increased liver and muscle enzymes). Results: Thirty-two white patients with newly diagnosed type 2 DM were randomly assigned to receive metformin 850 mg/d (n = 17 [12 men]; mean [SD] age, 53.88 [45] years; body mass index [BM], 28.7 [4.5] kg/m(2)) or metformin 850 mg/d + atorvastatin 10 mg/d (n = 15 [6 men]; mean age, 52.53 [37] years; BMI, 28.5 [2.1] kg/m(2)). At baseline, EDD was reduced land 2 hours after glucose loading in both study groups (P &lt; 0.01). Glucose loading was associated with an elevation of blood glucose concentrations at 1 and 2 hours (P &lt; 0.01 vs resting levels before loading), and concentrations returned to resting levels at 3 hours, in both groups at baseline and after treatment. Metformin alone or in combination with atorvastatin was associated with a significant reduction in resting glucose concentrations after 6 weeks (both, P &lt; 0.05 vs baseline), but only the combination of metformin + atorvastatin partly prevented the glucose-induced elevation of serum glucose at 1 hour after loading and the glucose-induced decrease in EDD (both, P &lt; 0.01 vs baseline). Conclusions: Glucose loading blunted endothelial function, with a deterioration in EDD, in these patients with newly diagnosed type 2 DM. However, combined treatment with metformin and atorvastatin for 6 weeks partly prevented the glucose-induced impairment of EDD in these patients, with a significant difference compared with monotherapy with metformin. (Clin Ther 2010;32:1720-1728) (C) 2010 Excerpta Medica Inc

Assessable learning outcomes for the EU Education and Training Framework core and Function A specific modules: Report of an ETPLAS WORKING Group

Article 23(2) of the European Union Directive 2010/63/EU, which regulates welfare provisions for animals used for scientific purposes, requires that staff involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes be adequately educated and trained before they undertake any such work. However, the nature and extent of such training is not stipulated in the Directive. To facilitate Member States in fulfilling their education and training obligations, the European Commission developed a common Education and Training Framework, which was endorsed by the Member States Competent Authorities. An Education & Training Platform for Laboratory Animal Science (ETPLAS) Working Group was recently established to develop further guidance to the Learning Outcomes in the Framework, with the objective to clarify the levels of knowledge and understanding required by trainees, and to provide the criteria by which these Learning Outcomes should be assessed. Using the Framework document as a starting point, assessment criteria for the Learning Outcomes of the modules required for Function A persons (carrying out procedures on animals) for rats, mice and zebrafish were created with sufficient detail to enable trainees, providers and assessors to appreciate the level of knowledge, understanding and skills required to pass each module. Adoption and utilization of this document by training providers and accrediting or approving bodies will harmonize introductory education and training for those involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes within the European Union, promote mutual recognition of training within and between Member States and therefore free movement of personnel