Dynamics of postnatal bone development and epiphyseal synostosis in the caprine autopod.

Bones develop to structurally balance strength and mobility. Bone developmental dynamics are influenced by whether an animal is ambulatory at birth (, precocial). Precocial species, such as goats, develop advanced skeletal maturity in utero, making them useful models for studying the dynamics of bone formation under mechanical load.

Ultrasound-guided perineural injection of the saphenous nerve in goat cadavers.

Background: Surgery of the goat stifle joint requires good perioperative analgesia, ideally without affecting motor function in the postoperative period.  The objective of this study was to describe an ultrasound-guided technique for saphenous nerve block in goats. Eleven fresh female goat cadavers from two different age groups were used: seven of them were four years old with a mean ± SD body weight of 65.

Bone formation by human paediatric marrow stromal cells in a functional allogeneic immune system.

Allogeneic stem-cell based regenerative medicine is a promising approach for bone defect repair. The use of chondrogenically differentiated human marrow stromal cells (MSCs) has been shown to lead to bone formation by endochondral ossification in immunodeficient pre-clinical models. However, an insight into the interactions between the allogeneic immune system and the human MSC-derived bone grafts has not been fully achieved yet.

Incorporating strontium enriched amorphous calcium phosphate granules in collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite osteochondral scaffolds improves subchondral bone repair.

Osteochondral defect repair with a collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite (Col/Col-Mg-HAp) scaffold has demonstrated good clinical results. However, subchondral bone repair remained suboptimal, potentially leading to damage to the regenerated overlying neocartilage. This study aimed to improve the bone repair potential of this scaffold by incorporating newly developed strontium (Sr) ion enriched amorphous calcium phosphate (Sr-ACP) granules (100-150 μm).

A Translational Model for Repeated Episodes of Joint Inflammation: Welfare, Clinical and Synovial Fluid Biomarker Assessment.

This study investigates repeated low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injections in equine joints as a model for recurrent joint inflammation and its impact on animal welfare. Joint inflammation was induced in eight horses by injecting 0.25 ng of LPS three times at two-week intervals.

Preclinical to clinical translation for intervertebral disc repair: Effects of species-specific scale, metabolism, and matrix synthesis rates on cell-based regeneration.

Background: A significant hurdle for potential cell-based therapies is the subsequent survival and regenerative capacity of implanted cells. While many exciting developments have demonstrated promise preclinically, cell-based therapies for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration fail to translate equivalent clinical efficacy.

Aims: This work aims to ascertain the clinical relevance of both a small and large animal model by experimentally investigating and comparing these animal models to human from the perspective of anatomical scale and their cellular metabolic and regenerative potential.

Effectiveness of BMP-2 and PDGF-BB Adsorption onto a Collagen/Collagen-Magnesium-Hydroxyapatite Scaffold in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Osteochondral Defect Bone Repair: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation.

Despite promising clinical results in osteochondral defect repair, a recently developed bi-layered collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite scaffold has demonstrated less optimal subchondral bone repair. This study aimed to improve the bone repair potential of this scaffold by adsorbing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and/or platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) onto said scaffold. The in vitro release kinetics of BMP-2/PDGF-BB demonstrated that PDGF-BB was burst released from the collagen-only layer, whereas BMP-2 was largely retained in both layers.

Evaluation of a co-culture of rapidly isolated chondrocytes and stem cells seeded on tri-layered collagen-based scaffolds in a caprine osteochondral defect model.

Cartilage has poor regenerative capacity and thus damage to the joint surfaces presents a major clinical challenge. Recent research has focussed on the development of tissue-engineered and cell-based approaches for the treatment of cartilage and osteochondral injuries, with current clinically available cell-based approaches including autologous chondrocyte implantation and matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation. However, these approaches have significant disadvantages due to the requirement for a two-stage surgical procedure and an in vitro chondrocyte expansion phase which increases logistical challenges, hospital times and costs.

Spatial patterning of phenotypically distinct microtissues to engineer osteochondral grafts for biological joint resurfacing.

Modular biofabrication strategies using microtissues or organoids as biological building blocks have great potential for engineering replacement tissues and organs at scale. Here we describe the development of a biofabrication strategy to engineer osteochondral tissues by spatially localising phenotypically distinct cartilage microtissues within an instructive 3D printed polymer framework. We first demonstrate that immature cartilage microtissues can spontaneously fuse to form homogeneous macrotissues, and that combining less cellular microtissues results in superior fusion and the generation of a more hyaline-like cartilage containing higher levels of sulphated glycosaminoglycans and type II collagen.

Tendinopathy: sex bias starts from the preclinical development of tendon treatments. A systematic review.

Tendinopathies are common overuse disorders that arise both in athletes and the general population. Available tendon treatments are used both for women and men without distinction. However, the existence of a sex-based difference in tendon biology is widely demonstrated.

Promoting endogenous articular cartilage regeneration using extracellular matrix scaffolds.

Articular cartilage defects fail to heal spontaneously, typically progressing to osteoarthritis. Bone marrow stimulation techniques such as microfracture (MFX) are the current surgical standard of care; however MFX typically produces an inferior fibro-cartilaginous tissue which provides only temporary symptomatic relief. Here we implanted solubilised articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) derived scaffolds into critically sized chondral defects in goats, securely anchoring these implants to the joint surface using a 3D-printed fixation device that overcame the need for sutures or glues.

Effects of two alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (sustained inflation and stepwise) followed by positive end-expiratory pressure on cardiac output (measured with lithium dilution), invasive blood pressure and arterial oxygen tension in isoflurane-anaesthetised goats.

Alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (ARM) performed during general anaesthesia improve oxygenation; however cardiovascular depression may be observed. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of sustained inflation (SI) and stepwise ARMs on cardiac output (CO), mean arterial blood pressure and arterial oxygen tension (PaO) in ten mechanically ventilated goats anaesthetised with isoflurane. In the SI ARM, peak inspiratory presure (PIP) was increased to 30 cmHO and sustained for 20 s.

Treatment Effects of Intra-Articular Allogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome in an Equine Model of Joint Inflammation.

Background: Allogenic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome is a novel intra-articular therapeutic that has shown promise in and small animal models and warrants further investigation.

Objectives: To investigate if intra-articular allogenic MSC-secretome has anti-inflammatory effects using an equine model of joint inflammation.

Study Design: Randomized positively and negatively controlled experimental study.

Bilayered extracellular matrix derived scaffolds with anisotropic pore architecture guide tissue organization during osteochondral defect repair.

While some clinical advances in cartilage repair have occurred, osteochondral (OC) defect repair remains a significant challenge, with current scaffold-based approaches failing to recapitulate the complex, hierarchical structure of native articular cartilage (AC). To address this need, we fabricated bilayered extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived scaffolds with aligned pore architectures. By modifying the freeze-drying kinetics and controlling the direction of heat transfer during freezing, it was possible to produce anisotropic scaffolds with larger pores which supported homogenous cellular infiltration and improved sulfated glycosaminoglycan deposition.

Lithium dilution cardiac output measurements in isoflurane-anaesthetised goats: Jugular versus cephalic lithium chloride administration.

The administration of lithium chloride (LiCl) for cardiac output (CO) measurement via a peripheral instead of a central vein has been described previously as a valid alternative route in pigs and dogs. The aim of the study was to compare CO measurements after administration of LiCl using two peripheral veins, cephalic or jugular, in goats. Ten adult, female, experimental goats undergoing bilateral stifle arthrotomy were recruited for the study.

Chondrogenically Primed Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Persist and Undergo Early Stages of Endochondral Ossification in an Immunocompetent Xenogeneic Model.

Tissue engineering approaches using progenitor cells such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) represent a promising strategy to regenerate bone. Previous work has demonstrated the potential of chondrogenically primed human MSCs to recapitulate the process of endochondral ossification and form mature bone , using immunodeficient xenogeneic models. To further the translation of such MSC-based approaches, additional investigation is required to understand the impact of interactions between human MSC constructs and host immune cells upon the success of MSC-mediated bone formation.

The development and structure of the mesentery.

The position of abdominal organs, and mechanisms by which these are centrally connected, are currently described in peritoneal terms. As part of the peritoneal model of abdominal anatomy, there are multiple mesenteries. Recent findings point to an alternative model in which digestive organs are connected to a single mesentery.

Systematic Comparison of Biomaterials-Based Strategies for Osteochondral and Chondral Repair in Large Animal Models.

Joint repair remains a major challenge in orthopaedics. Recent progress in biomaterial design has led to the fabrication of a plethora of promising devices. Pre-clinical testing of any joint repair strategy typically requires the use of large animal models (e.

The Feasibility of Equine Field-Based Postural Sway Analysis Using a Single Inertial Sensor.

(1) Background: Postural sway is frequently used to quantify human postural control, balance, injury, and neurological deficits. However, there is considerably less research investigating the value of the metric in horses. Much of the existing equine postural sway research uses force or pressure plates to examine the centre of pressure, inferring change at the centre of mass (COM).

Treatment effects of intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide in an equine model of recurrent joint inflammation.

Background: Intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide is a widely used treatment for joint inflammation despite limited scientific evidence of its efficacy.

Objectives: To investigate if intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide has sustained anti-inflammatory effects using an equine model of repeated joint inflammation.

Study Design: Randomised controlled experimental study.

3D printing of fibre-reinforced cartilaginous templates for the regeneration of osteochondral defects.

Successful osteochondral defect repair requires regenerating the subchondral bone whilst simultaneously promoting the development of an overlying layer of articular cartilage that is resistant to vascularization and endochondral ossification. During skeletal development articular cartilage also functions as a surface growth plate, which postnatally is replaced by a more spatially complex bone-cartilage interface. Motivated by this developmental process, the hypothesis of this study is that bi-phasic, fibre-reinforced cartilaginous templates can regenerate both the articular cartilage and subchondral bone within osteochondral defects created in caprine joints.

Allogeneic Chondrogenic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Alter Helper T Cell Subsets in CD4+ Memory T Cells.

Implantation of chondrogenically differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) leads to bone formation through the process of endochondral ossification. The use of allogeneic MSCs for this purpose may be a promising new approach to replace the current gold standard of bone regeneration. However, the success of using allogeneic cells depends on the interaction between the implanted cells and the host's endogenous immune cells.

Irish Equine Industry Stakeholder Perspectives of Objective Technology for Biomechanical Analyses in the Field.

Wearable sensing technologies are increasingly used in human and equine gait research to improve ecological validity of research findings. It is unclear how these tools have penetrated the equine industry or what perspectives industry stakeholders' hold in relation to these relatively new devices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Irish equine industry stakeholders to understand their perception of objective tools for biomechanical analysis in the field.

Pediatric Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Immunomodulatory Properties Toward Allogeneic T and B Cells Under Inflammatory Conditions.

Mesenchymal stem cells from pediatric patients (pMSCs) are an attractive cell source in regenerative medicine, due to their higher proliferation rates and better differentiation abilities compared to adult MSCs (aMSCs). We have previously characterized the immunomodulatory abilities of pMSCs on T cells under co-culture. It has also been reported that aMSCs can inhibit B cell proliferation and maturation under inflammatory conditions.

Research trends in equine movement analysis, future opportunities and potential barriers in the digital age: A scoping review from 1978 to 2018.

Background: Since Muybridge's 'horse in motion', researchers in the equine movement analysis field continue to improve objective analysis and performance monitoring while ensuring representative data capture. However, subjective evaluation remains the primary method of equine gait analysis in the applied setting, despite evidence highlighting the unreliability of this approach.

Objectives: To map research trends, limitations and opportunities across the diverse equine gait analysis literature.