Radiographic measurement of the quadriceps angle in dogs

The direction of the force of the quadriceps muscle group is expressed by the value of the quadriceps angle, between the long axis of the muscle rectus femoris and the patellar ligament. This value is often modified in dogs with patellar luxation, a common orthopaedic disease of the stifle joint in both small and large dogs. The aims of the present study were to give a reference value for the quadriceps angle in healthy small and medium-large breed dogs. The medical records of healthy dogs and their pelvic limb radiographs (2014\ue2\u80\u932016) were reviewed. The radiographs were then divided into two groups: Group A (small dogs \ue2\u89\ua415 kg body weight) and Group B (medium-large dogs \ue2\u89\ua515 kg). The quadriceps angle of each pelvic limb was assessed using a digital software program in order to compare values between the two groups. The radiographs of 160 dogs, 80 per group were studied along with the assessment of the 320 pelvic limbs. The median quadriceps angle values obtained were in contrast with the literature: in Group A, it was 18.3 and, in Group B, it was 8.7; moreover, the quadriceps angle value for Group A was statistically higher than for Group B (p\ue2\u89\ua40.0001). No significant difference was present between males and females, or between right and left hindlimbs. In Group B, the Labrador Retriever breed influenced the quadriceps angle (p = 0.0005). The outcome of this survey provides an objective parameter, or additional information, to explain the different quadriceps mechanisms of small and medium-large dogs. In future studies the QA range values assessed in the two size groups may be useful in defining the magnitude of the malalignment of the extensor mechanism in both healthy dogs and ones with patellar luxation

Investigating on the occurrence of <i>Paracentrotus lividus</i> in rocky and <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> habitat

The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) is the most common grazer in the Mediterranean infralittoral that at high densities overgrazes complex algal assemblages turning them into barren areas. This study has the aim to investigate whether abundance and population structure of P. lividus is consistent between rocky boulders and Posidonia oceanica habitat. At this aim, we have sampled P. lividus at six sites in the Gulf of Alghero (North West Sardinia), 3 fished (sea urchin are harvested) and 3 controls (no harvest is allowed) and at each site the two habitats, 6-10 m deep, were considered. For each combination site x habitat 10 replicates were taken. Density of P. lividus was assessed using quadrats of 1 x 1 m. The size of 20 individual (test diameter without spines) per site was measured by means of a calliper (1#1 0.1mm). Sea urchins, finally were grouped into size classes to examine frequency distributions. Sampling was performed at the end of a harvesting period (April-May 2006). Analyses of data have highlighted a significant variability for both response variables among sites while in Posidonia oceanica habitat a lower density and a higher size were found rather than in rocky habitat. Further data collected at three types of Posidonia oceanica (patches close to rocky habitat, far from rocky habitat and patches bordered by sediment) suggest that the abundance of adults in the seagrass is probably sustained by immigration from the rocky habitat

The Effect of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture on Range of Motion in Dogs

open3noRange of motion (ROM) is a measure often reported as an indicator of joint functionality. Both the angle of extension and that of flexion were measured in 234 stifle joints of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between CCL rupture and alterations in the range of stifle joint motion and to determine whether there was a prevalence modification of one of the two angles. All the extension and flexion angles were obtained from clinical records and were analysed in various combinations. A significant relationship was found between normal angles and abnormal angles; concerning the reduction in the ROM, a significant prevalence in the alteration extension angle was found. Of the 234 stifles, 33 (13.7%) were normal in both angles. These results could offer important insights regarding the influence of CCL rupture on compromising the ROM. This awareness could be a baseline for understanding the ability of surgical treatment to restore one angle rather than another angle, to address the choice of treatment and to help physiotherapists in their rehabilitation program.openPinna, Stefania; Lanzi, Francesco; Tassani, ChiaraPinna, Stefania; Lanzi, Francesco; Tassani, Chiar

The Role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

In this research several aspects of the interaction between the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus were investigated. The 1st experiment was a descriptive study that had the aim to investigate whether protection has the same effect on the population structure of P. lividus occurring on rocky reef habitat and in P. oceanica. The 2nd is also a descriptive study that had the aim to estimate herbivory pressure of P. lividus on P. oceanica through indirect measures. Specifically, it was asked what portion of the seagrass leaf is attacked by the sea urchins, whether the abundance of grazing marks depend on the number of sea urchins and whether herbivory of P. lividus depends on shoot density of the seagrass. The 3rd experiment was done to estimate the daily migrations of P. lividus from a rocky habitat to P. oceanica patches and particularly if they depend on the size of sea urchins and the distance from the patch edge. It was postulated that P. lividus moves randomly to the seagrass patch and that the probability of reaching it could decrease with the distance. The 4th experiment had the purpose to investigate the role of P. oceanica structure on P. lividus distribution manipulating the seagrass structure and modifying the shoot density and leaf high. Also, in this experiment artificial (plastic) seagrass units mimicking natural seagrass have been used so that different combinations of shelter and food were provided

Habitat and scale shape the demographic fate of the keystone sea urchin <i>Paracentrotus lividus</i> in Mediterranean macrophyte communities

Demographic processes exert different degrees of control as individuals grow, and in species that span several habitats and spatial scales, this can influence our ability to predict their population at a particular life-history stage given the previous life stage. In particular, when keystone species are involved, this relative coupling between demographic stages can have significant implications for the functioning of ecosystems. We examined benthic and pelagic abundances of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus in order to: 1) understand the main life-history bottlenecks by observing the degree of coupling between demographic stages; and 2) explore the processes driving these linkages. P. lividus is the dominant invertebrate herbivore in the Mediterranean Sea, and has been repeatedly observed to overgraze shallow beds of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and rocky macroalgal communities. We used a hierarchical sampling design at different spatial scales (100 s, 10 s and &lt;1 km) and habitats (seagrass and rocky macroalgae) to describe the spatial patterns in the abundance of different demographic stages (larvae, settlers, recruits and adults). Our results indicate that large-scale factors (potentially currents, nutrients, temperature, etc.) determine larval availability and settlement in the pelagic stages of urchin life history. In rocky macroalgal habitats, benthic processes (like predation) acting at large or medium scales drive adult abundances. In contrast, adult numbers in seagrass meadows are most likely influenced by factors like local migration (from adjoining rocky habitats) functioning at much smaller scales. The complexity of spatial and habitat-dependent processes shaping urchin populations demands a multiplicity of approaches when addressing habitat conservation actions, yet such actions are currently mostly aimed at managing predation processes and fish numbers. We argue that a more holistic ecosystem management also needs to incorporate the landscape and habitat-quality level processes (eutrophication, fragmentation, etc.) that together regulate the populations of this keystone herbivore

Intra-articular replacement of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament using the Mini-TightRope in the dog: a preliminary study

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Protein Kinase CK2 Mutants Defective in Substrate Recognition PURIFICATION AND KINETIC ANALYSIS

Five mutants of protein kinase CK2 α subunit in which altogether 14 basic residues were singly to quadruply replaced by alanines (K74A,K75A,K76A,K77A; K79A, R80A,K83A; R191A,R195A,K198A; R228A; and R278A, K279A,R280A) have been purified to near homogeneity either as such or after addition of the recombinant β subunit. By this latter procedure five mutated tetrameric holoenzymes were obtained as judged from their subunit composition, sedimentation coefficient on sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation, and increased activity toward a specific peptide substrate as compared with the isolated α subunits. The kinetic constants and the phosphorylation efficiencies (Vmax/Km) of all the mutants with the parent peptide RRRADDSDDDDD and a series of derivatives, in which individual aspartic acids were replaced by alanines, have been determined. Three mutants, namely K74A,K75A,K76A,K77A; K79A,R80A, K83A; and R191A,R195A,K198A display dramatically lower phosphorylation efficiency and 8-50-fold higher Km values with the parent peptide, symptomatic of reduced attitude to bind the peptide substrate as compared with CK2 wild type. Such differences either disappear or are attenuated if the mutants R191A,R195A, K198A; K79A,R80A,K83A; and K74A,K75A,K76A,K77A are assayed with the peptides RRRADDSADDDD, RRRADDSDDADD, and RRRADDSDDDAA, respectively. In contrast, the phosphorylation efficiencies of the other substituted peptides decrease more markedly with these mutants than with CK2 wild type. These data show that one or more of the basic residues clustered in the 191-198, 79-83, and 74-77 sequences are implicated in the recognition of the acidic determinants at positions +1, +3, and +4/+5, respectively, and that if these residues are mutated, the relevance of the other acidic residues surrounding serine is increased. In contrast the other two mutants, namely R228A and R278A,K279A, R280A, display with all the peptides Vmax values higher than CK2 wild type, counterbalanced however by somewhat higher Kmvalues. It can be concluded from these data that all the five mutations performed are compatible with the reconstitution of tetrameric holoenzyme, but all of them influence the enzymatic efficiency of CK2 to different extents. Although the basic residues mutated in the 74-77, 79-83, and 191-198 sequences are clearly implicated in substrate recognition by interacting with acidic determinants at variable positions downstream from serine, the other basic residues seem to play a more elusive and/or indirect role in catalysis

A Protocol for microbiologically safe preparation, storage, and use of autologous serum eye-drops in low-income countries

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate whether the preparation, storage, and use of autologous serum in insulin syringes is microbiologically safe. Methodology: Blood samples (10 mL) were obtained from 10 volunteers. After centrifugation, the supernatant serum was removed and distributed in 5 sterile insulin syringes for each sample; syringes were numbered 0 to 4 and labelled with the subject’s details. Syringes were immediately transported to the microbiology laboratory and stored in a refrigerator at +4°C. The “0” labelled syringes were separated from the others and 100 μl of serum from each syringe was immediately seeded on chocolate and Sabouraud agar plates, which were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 96 hours to detect any bacterial and/or fungal contamination. In the next 4 days, the same procedure was repeated for the remaining syringes: on day 1, the “1” labelled syringes were analyzed; on day 2, the “2” labelled ones, and so on. In a second experiment, blood samples were obtained from 5 different volunteers. The same procedure as above was followed, but each syringe was used for repeated cultures at 2-hour intervals, for a total of 12 cultures/day. The needle was removed and replaced for each inoculation and the syringes were stored in the refrigerator after use. Results: Under these experimental conditions, none of the cultures showed microbial growth. Conclusions: Results suggest that, under the protocol described, preparation, storage and use of undiluted autologous serum in insulin syringes is inexpensive, fast, and microbiologically safe. This is of great importance for low-income countries.</br

Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine: A Tool for Evaluating the Healing Process After Surgical Treatment for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs

This study aims to validate a tool, the Bologna healing stifle injury index (BHSII), for the evaluation of the clinical picture and the healing after surgical treatment for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. The study included 158 client-owned dogs with CCL rupture and 20 healthy dogs. The BHSII is a questionnaire made up of 34 multiple-choice questions, divided into a part directed to the clinician and a part for the dog's owners. It was applied twice in the healthy dogs in order to test and retest the device. It was evaluated for reliability, validity, and responsiveness to clinical changes involving the dogs treated at the time of surgery, and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Statistical analyses were performed and the intraclass correlation coefficient test was ≥0.9 and the Cronbach-α was 0.84 suggesting good stability and good internal consistency of the tool. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was &gt;0.9, indicative of the high accuracy of this tool. The clinician survey correlated with the owner questionnaire. In dogs with CCL rupture, the scores of the BHSII increased significantly postoperatively as compared with baseline. In conclusion, this clinical study proved the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the BHSII. The results achieved from the BHSII provided an instantaneous, collective complete vision of the healing process of the stifle joints treated. It can be considered a valid tool for collecting data and for assessing successful surgical treatment in clinical practice

Distribution and density of the benthic microalga <i>Chrysophaeum taylorii</i> Lewis &amp; Bryan from Northern to central-Eastern Sardinian coasts = Distribuzione e densità della microalga bentonica <i>Chrysophaeum taylorii</i> Lewis &amp; Bryan dalle coste nord a quelle centro orientali della Sardegna

In August 2009 the distribution and density of the alien microalga Chrysophaeum taylorii Lewis &amp; Bryan (Pelagophyceae) were investigated on hard benthic substrates in seventeen sites from northern to central-eastern Sardinia, in order to estimate the distribution and abundance of this species in the area