Assessing Pubic Symphysis Evolution in Guinea Pigs (Cavia procellus): Insights From Computer Tomography on Primiparous and Non-Breeding Females.

In guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), dystocia is a common occurrence. Several factors have been identified in the literature, including the ossification of the pubic symphysis following failure to breed before 9-12 months of age. The objective of this study was to investigate the ossification of pubic symphysis and its evolution during growth in two groups of females.

Nonfunctional Incomplete Infected Ureteral Duplication in a French Bulldog.

A 7 yr old female French bulldog exhibited recurrent purulent vulvar discharge following an episode of pyometra treated by ovariohysterectomy. The diagnosis of ureteral duplication was established through a combination of ultrasonography, computed tomography scanning, and cystoscopy/vaginoscopy. Despite initial medical intervention, the dog's clinical condition did not improve.

Ultrasound description of the coelomic cavity of the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) in a clinically healthy population: a pilot study.

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are extensively studied for their relevance in human medical research. Despite being critically endangered in the wild, they have gained popularity as household pets. Although they have been kept in captivity for over a century, detailed descriptions of their coelomic organ anatomy remain limited.

Automatic grading of intervertebral disc degeneration in lumbar dog spines.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration is frequent in dogs and can be associated with symptoms and functional impairments. The degree of disc degeneration can be assessed on T2-weighted MRI scans using the Pfirrmann classification scheme, which was developed for the human spine. However, it could also be used to quantify the effectiveness of disc regeneration therapies.

MicroRNA-targeting nanomedicines for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Low back pain stands as a pervasive global health concern, afflicting almost 80% of adults at some point in their lives with nearly 40% attributable to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). As only symptomatic relief can be offered to patients there is a dire need for innovative treatments.Given the accumulating evidence that multiple microRNAs (miRs) are dysregulated during IVDD, they could have a huge potential against this debilitating condition.

Variable flip angle T1 mapping and multi-echo T2 and T2* mapping magnetic resonance imaging sequences allow quantitative assessment of canine lumbar disc degeneration.

Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for diagnosing intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration in dogs. However, published methods for quantifying severity or progression of IVD degeneration are currently limited. Mapping MRI sequences are used in humans for quantifying IVD degeneration but have rarely been applied in dogs.

Rapport de cas Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings in a dog with suspected intracerebral hemorrhage.

A 1-year-old, intact female, mixed-breed dog (border collie and springer spaniel) was initially evaluated for lethargy, fever, and ataxia and subsequently evaluated 2.5 y later following the onset of seizures. Over a 3-year interval, the dog underwent 3 computed tomography (CT) and 1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations.

Tympanic bullae ultrasonography is feasible in nonsedated healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Objective: To assess the feasibility of ultrasonography of the tympanic bullae (TB) in live, nonsedated rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Animals: 40 healthy rabbits undergoing TB ultrasonography without sedation between September 2021 and May 2022.

Procedures: For each rabbit, fur was clipped over an area (3 X 3 cm) at the level of the angular process of each mandible, then 3 ultrasonographic planes of each TB were imaged via ventral approach, with measurement of the time taken to complete the examination.

Hypertrophic Osteopathy Associated with a Prostatic Adenocarcinoma in a Castrated Dog.

A 6-year-old mixed-breed male Papillon dog, castrated at the age of 7 months, presented for work-up of a difficulty walking associated with constipation and urinary incontinence. Ultrasonography and radiography were consistent with a tumor of the prostate and lymph node metastases. An irregular osteoproliferation of the ventral edges of L5-L6-L7 suggested tumor invasion.

Lipid nanocapsules for intracellular delivery of microRNA: A first step towards intervertebral disc degeneration therapy.

Approximately 40% of cases of lower back pain are caused by disc degeneration disease (DDD). It is well established that microRNA (miR) dysregulation is a key player in various diseases, and its impact on DDD has recently been highlighted. RNAi (miR in particular) is increasingly being considered as a novel therapeutic tool.

Comparison of MRI T1, T2, and T2* mapping with histology for assessment of intervertebral disc degeneration in an ovine model.

An easy, reliable, and time-efficient standardized approach for assessing lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration with relaxation times measurements in pre-clinical and clinical studies is lacking. This prospective study aims to determine the most appropriate method for lumbar IVD degeneration (IDD) assessment in sheep by comparing three quantitative MRI sequences (variable-flip-angle T1 mapping, and multi-echo T2 and T2* mapping), correlating them with Pfirrmann grading and histology. Strong intra- and interrater agreements were found for Nucleus pulposus (NP) regions-of-interest (ROI).

Ultrasound appearance of the duodenal papilla in clinically healthy cats.

Objectives: The duodenal papilla (DP) is an anatomical structure located in the duodenal wall, a few centimetres from the pylorus. In cats, the pancreatic and bile ducts merge as they enter the DP, and this explains why cats are more likely than dogs to have concomitant digestive, pancreatic and hepatic infections. Ultrasonography of the DP has been previously established in dogs but not in cats.

Vertebral Heart Scale for the Brittany Spaniel: Breed-Specific Range and Its Correlation with Heart Disease Assessed by Clinical and Echocardiographic Findings.

The vertebral heart scale (VHS) was proposed by Buchanan and Bucheler as an objective method for estimating heart size in dogs. However, several studies have reported significant variation between breeds. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the VHS and to suggest a useful upper limit for normal heart size in Brittany Spaniels.

Development of a standardized histopathology scoring system for intervertebral disc degeneration and regeneration in rabbit models-An initiative of the ORSspine section.

Background: The rabbit lumbar spine is a commonly utilized model for studying intervertebral disc degeneration and for the pre-clinical evaluation of regenerative therapies. Histopathology is the foundation for which alterations to disc morphology and cellularity with degeneration, or following repair or treatment are assessed. Despite this, no standardized histology grading scale has yet been established for the spine field for any of the frequently utilized animal models.

Collateral effects of targeting the nucleus pulposus via a transpedicular or transannular surgical route: a combined X-ray, MRI, and histological long-term descriptive study in sheep.

Purpose: In the context of regenerative medicine strategies, based in particular on the injection of regenerative cells, biological factors, or biomaterials into the nucleus pulposus (NP), two main routes are used: the transpedicular approach (TPA) and the transannular approach (TAA). The purpose of our study was to compare the long-term consequences of the TPA and the TAA on intervertebral disc (IVD) health through a longitudinal follow-up in an ovine model.

Methods: The TPA and the TAA were performed on 12 IVDs from 3 sheep.

A case of central diabetes insipidus associated with a congenital cyst of the sella turcica in a young cat.

Case Summary: A 1-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented for polyuria and polydipsia which had progressed since adoption, 7 months previously. On admission, clinical examination did not reveal any remarkable features. Urinalysis showed marked hyposthenuria and calculated plasma osmolality was high, suggesting diabetes insipidus.

Controlled release of biological factors for endogenous progenitor cell migration and intervertebral disc extracellular matrix remodelling.

The recent description of resident stem/progenitor cells in degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) supports the notion that their regenerative capacities could be harnessed to stimulate endogenous repair of the nucleus pulposus (NP). In this study, we developed a delivery system based on pullulan microbeads (PMBs) for sequential release of the chemokine CCL-5 to recruit these disc stem/progenitor cells to the NP tissue, followed by the release of the growth factors TGF-β1 and GDF-5 to induce the synthesis of a collagen type II- and aggrecan-rich extracellular matrix (ECM). Bioactivity of released CCL5 on human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), selected to mimic disc stem/progenitors, was demonstrated using a Transwell® chemotaxis assay.

Intra-CSF AAV9 and AAVrh10 Administration in Nonhuman Primates: Promising Routes and Vectors for Which Neurological Diseases?

The identification of the most efficient method for whole central nervous system targeting that is translatable to humans and the safest route of adeno-associated virus (AAV) administration is a major concern for future applications in clinics. Additionally, as many AAV serotypes were identified for gene introduction into the brain and the spinal cord, another key to human gene-therapy success is to determine the most efficient serotype. In this study, we compared lumbar intrathecal administration through catheter implantation and intracerebroventricular administration in the cynomolgus macaque.

A Self-Setting Hydrogel of Silylated Chitosan and Cellulose for the Repair of Osteochondral Defects: From Characterization to Preclinical Evaluation in Dogs.

Articular cartilage (AC) may be affected by many injuries including traumatic lesions that predispose to osteoarthritis. Currently there is no efficient cure for cartilage lesions. In that respect, new strategies for regenerating AC are contemplated with interest.

Genetic heterogeneity of polydactyly in Maine Coon cats.

Objectives: Polydactyly has been described in two breeds of domestic cats (Maine Coon and Pixie Bob) and in some outbred domestic cats (eg, Hemingway cats). In most cases, feline polydactyly is a non-syndromic preaxial polydactyly. Three variants located in a regulatory sequence involved in limb development, named ZRS (zone of polarising activity regulatory sequence), have been identified to be responsible for feline polydactyly.

Lessons learned from intervertebral disc pathophysiology to guide rational design of sequential delivery systems for therapeutic biological factors.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration has been associated with low back pain, which is a major musculoskeletal disorder and socio-economic problem that affects as many as 600 million patients worldwide. Here, we first review the current knowledge of IVD physiology and physiopathological processes in terms of homeostasis regulation and consecutive events that lead to tissue degeneration. Recent progress with IVD restoration by anti-catabolic or pro-anabolic approaches are then analyzed, as are the design of macro-, micro-, and nano-platforms to control the delivery of such therapeutic agents.