Biocompatibility of mussel-inspired water-soluble tissue adhesives.

Wound closure in surgeries is traditionally achieved using invasive methods such as sutures and staples. Adhesion-based wound closure methods such as tissue adhesives, sealants, and hemostats are slowly replacing these methods due to their ease of application. Although several chemistries have been developed and used commercially for wound closure, there is still a need for better tissue adhesives from the point of view of toxicity, wet-adhesion strength, and long-term bonding.

Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Veterinary Surgeons-A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in veterinary surgeons using an online survey.

Study Design:  An online survey was distributed to 1,031 diplomates of American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Responses were collected with data regarding surgical activities, experience with various types of MSS in 10 different body sites and attempts to reduce MSS.

Characterizing Exposure to Physical Risk Factors during Veterinary Surgery with Wearable Sensors: A Pilot Study.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSVeterinarians provide comprehensive health services for animals, but despite exposure to similar occupational and safety hazards as medical physicians, physical risk factors for these doctors and healthcare teams have not been characterized. In this pilot study, we used wearable sensor technology and showed that veterinary surgeons commonly experience static and demanding postures while performing soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries. Observations showed that muscle activation was highest in the right trapezius.

Sheep as a Potential Model of Intradiscal Infection by the Bacterium .

The anaerobic bacterium has been increasingly linked to the development of degenerative disc disease (DDD), although causality is yet to be conclusively proven. To better study how this organism could contribute to the aetiology of DDD, improved animal models that are more reflective of human disc anatomy, biology and mechanical properties are required. Against this background, our proof-of concept study aimed to be the first demonstration that could be safely administered percutaneously into sheep intervertebral discs (IVDs) for in vivo study.

Development of a simple method to measure static body weight distribution in neurologically and orthopedically normal mature small breed dogs.

Background: Objective outcome measures capable of tracking different aspects of functional recovery in dogs with acute intervertebral disc herniation are needed to optimize physical rehabilitation protocols. Normal, pre-injury distribution of body weight in this population is unknown. The aims of this study were to quantify static weight distribution (SWD) using digital scales and to establish the feasibility of different scale methods in neurologically normal, mature, chondrodystrophic small breed dogs predisposed to intervertebral disc herniation.

Collagen Type I and II Blend Hydrogel with Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Scaffold for Articular Cartilage Defect Repair.

Collagen type II is a promising material to repair cartilage defects since it is a major component of articular cartilage and plays a key role in chondrocyte function. This study investigated the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) embedded within a 3:1 collagen type I to II blend (Col I/II) hydrogel or an all collagen type I (Col I) hydrogel. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production in Col I/II hydrogels was statistically higher than that in Col I hydrogels or pellet culture, and these results suggested that adding collagen type II promoted GAG production.

Transference of reference intervals for variables of instrumented gait analysis in walking dogs.

Objective: To use the small data approach of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) to evaluate the transferability of reference intervals (RIs) for kinetic variables obtained with instrumented gait analysis (IGA) in dogs from an RI-originator laboratory to another laboratory that used the same data acquisition and analytic techniques for IGA in walking dogs.

Animals: 27 adult client-owned dogs without evidence of lameness.

Procedures: Dogs were individually walked at their preferred velocity on a pressure-sensing walkway for IGA at the Colorado State University Animal Gait Laboratory (CSU-AGL), and 6 valid trials were analyzed for each dog.

The Effect of Increasing Fracture Site Stiffness on Bone-Pin Interface Stress and Foot Contact Pressure within the Equine Distal Limb Transfixation Cast: A Finite Element Analysis.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine how increasing stiffness of fracture site tissues distal to the pins in an equine distal limb transfixation cast influences stress at the bone-pin interface, within the bones distal to the transcortical pins, and contact pressure between the foot and the cast.

Study Design:  A transfixation cast finite element model was used to compare the bone-pin interface stress, pin stress, bone stress distal to the pins and contact pressure between the foot and the cast, using six stiffness values for a composite tissue block representing progressive stages of fracture healing.

Results:  Increasing stiffness of the composite tissue block resulted in a decrease in the maximum stresses at the bone-pin interface, an increase in stresses distal to the transcortical pins and a decrease in the maximum pin stresses.

Finite Element Analysis of Six Transcortical Pin Parameters and Their Effect on Bone-Pin Interface Stresses in the Equine Third Metacarpal Bone.

Objective:  The objectives of this study were to validate a finite element model of the equine distal limb transfixation cast and to determine the effect of six transcortical pin parameters on bone-pin interface (BPI) stresses in the third metacarpal bone.

Study Design:  A transfixation cast finite element model was developed from a computed tomography scan of the third metacarpal bone and modelled pin elements. The model was validated by comparing strain measured around a 6.

Effects of a surgical sealant on leakage pressure and circumference of fresh canine cadaver small intestinal anastomoses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a bovine albumin-derivatized glutaraldehyde (BA-DG) biopolymer sealant on leakage pressures of intestinal anastomoses in jejunal tissue collected from fresh canine cadavers and to evaluate changes in circumference and cross-sectional area of the anastomotic site resulting from sealant application. SAMPLE 24 jejunal anastomoses from 4 fresh canine cadavers. PROCEDURES Jejunal tissue specimens were collected, and adjacent segment anastomoses were created within 12 hours after euthanasia of each dog.

Evaluation of 25% Poloxamer As a Slow Release Carrier for Morphine in a Rat Model.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate poloxamer as a slow release carrier for morphine (M) and potential tissue irritation after subcutaneous poloxamer-morphine (PM) injection in a rat model. Based on the result of a previous work, 25% poloxamer, with and without morphine, and saline were administered in 14 rats' flanks. Blood for morphine concentrations was automatically sampled at multiple preprogrammed time points using the Culex™ unit for 48 h.

In Vivo Evaluation of Biodegradability and Biocompatibility of Fe30Mn Alloy.

Objectives:  This study aims to evaluate the biodegradability and biocompatibility of an alloy of iron and manganese (Fe30Mn) in a bone model in vivo.

Methods:  Resorption of a Fe30Mn wire was compared with traditional permanent 316L stainless steel (SS) wire after bilateral transcondylar femoral implantation in 12 rats. Evaluation of biodegradation over 6 months was performed using radiography, post-mortem histology and microscopic implant surface analysis.

Determination of baseline bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in Suffolk-Dorset hybrid ewes.

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has the ability to rapidly and non-invasively measure bone mineral density and is the most widely accepted method for quantitative assessment of bone mineral status There is scarce information available on the baseline bone mineral density (BMD) values in adult intact Suffolk Dorset ewes (5-7 years), a frequently used animal model for the study of post-menopausal osteoporosis. The objective of the present study was to determine the baseline bone mineral density values in 26 adult intact Suffolk-Dorset hybrid ewes using a Lunar Prodigy DPX x-ray bone densitometer. The DEXA scans of the femur, lumbar spine (L3-L6) and calcaneus were obtained.

Effects of denervation of the hip joint on results of clinical observations and instrumented gait analysis in dogs with sodium urate crystal-induced synovitis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of selective hip joint denervation on gait abnormalities and signs of hip joint pain in dogs. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult hound-type dogs. PROCEDURES Minimally invasive denervation was performed on the right hip joint of each dog.

In Vivo Cellular Infiltration and Remodeling in a Decellularized Ovine Osteochondral Allograft.

Interest in decellularized tissues has steadily gained as potential solutions for degenerative diseases and traumatic events, replacing sites of missing tissue, and providing the relevant biochemistry and microstructure for tissue ingrowth and regeneration. Osteoarthritis, a progressive and debilitating disease, is often initiated with the formation of a focal defect in the otherwise smooth surface of articular cartilage. Decellularized cartilage tissue, which maintains the structural complexity of the native extracellular matrix, has the potential to provide a clinically relevant solution to focal defects or large tissue damage, possibly even circumventing or complementing current techniques such as microfracture and mosaicplasty.

Development of a model to induce transient synovitis and lameness in the hip joint of dogs.

Objective: To develop a model of hip joint synovitis on the basis of intra-articular injection of a sodium urate suspension in dogs and to characterize associated gait changes.

Animals: 6 healthy adult dogs.

Procedures: Each dog was sedated, and synovitis was induced by injection of 1 mL of a sodium urate suspension (20 mg/mL) into the right hip joint under ultrasonographic guidance.

A preliminary evaluation of the reliability of a modified functional scoring system for assessing neurologic function in ambulatory thoracolumbar myelopathy dogs.

Background: The objective of this study was to develop and assess the reliability of a modified scoring system for evaluating the function of the two pelvic limbs separately, in ambulatory thoracolumbar myelopathy dogs. A previously established neurologic score scale for dogs with T3-L3 lesions was modified in order to provide a separate score for each pelvic limb.

Results: Seventeen ambulatory dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathies were evaluated.

Genome-wide survey indicates involvement of loci on canine chromosomes 7 and 31 in patellar luxation in Flat-Coated Retrievers.

Background: Patellar luxation is an orthopedic disorder in which the patella moves out of its normal location within the femoral trochlea of the knee and it can lead to osteoarthritis, lameness, and pain. In dogs it is a heritable trait, with both environmental and genetic factors contributing to the phenotype. The prevalence of patellar luxation in the Dutch Flat-Coated Retriever population is 24%.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of orthopedic interface repair using a tissue scaffold with a continuous hard tissue-soft tissue transition.

Tendon tears produce pain and decrease joint stability; each year, over 1.1 million rotator cuff tendon surgical procedures are performed worldwide. However, surgical success is highly variable, and the inability of the procedure to drive the regeneration of the normal tendon-bone interface has been identified as a key factor in surgical failure.

In vivo response to electrochemically aligned collagen bioscaffolds.

Collagen-based biomaterials are a viable option for tendon reconstruction and repair. However, the weak mechanical strength of collagen constructs is a major limitation. We have previously reported a novel methodology to form highly oriented electrochemically aligned collagen (ELAC) threads with mechanical properties converging on those of the natural tendon.

Comparison of temporospatial and kinetic variables of walking in small and large dogs on a pressure-sensing walkway.

Objective: To compare temporospatial variables (TSVs) and kinetic variables (KVs) for fore-limbs and hind limbs of small and large dogs of various breeds during walking and to determine associations among body weight (BW), TSVs, and KVs in these groups.

Animals: 12 adult dogs with no evidence of lameness.

Procedures: Dogs (grouped according to BW as small [< 10 kg; n = 6] or large [> 25 kg; 6]) were walked in a straight line at their preferred velocity on a wooden platform with an embedded pressure-sensing walkway.

Comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional systems for kinematic analysis of the sagittal motion of canine hind limbs during walking.

Objective: To test the hypotheses that kinematic data of the sagittal motion of canine hind limbs during walking obtained with a 2-dimensional (2-D) system correlate well with those obtained with a 3-dimensional (3-D) system and that the data obtained with the 2-D system are repeatable.

Animals: 6 adult dogs with no evidence of lameness.

Procedures: Hind limb motions of 6 walking dogs were recorded via 2-D video and 3-D optoelectric systems simultaneously.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common adolescent hip disorder. The etiology of SCFE includes biomechanical and biochemical factors. SCFEs are classified as stable and unstable and are more common in boys than girls and in certain racial groups; most children with SCFEs are obese.