Canine Myofascial Kinetic Lines: A Descriptive Dissection Study Including Related Function and Locomotion and Comparison of the Human and Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines

Aim: This dissection study was conducted to verify if the Myofascial kinetic lines, outlined in detail in humans and recently documented in horses, were present in dogs. These dynamic lines present rows of interconnected muscles, myofascia and other fascia structures, which influence the biomechanics of the spine and limbs. Methods: Forty-two dogs of different breeds and genders were dissected, imaged, and videoed. Results: Similar kinetic lines were verified in the dog, as described in humans and horses, and additionally, three new branches of the lines were discovered. The kinetic lines described were three superficial lines: Dorsal, Ventral, and Lateral, which all started in the hindlimb and ended in the temporal and occipital regions. These lines act respectively in spinal extension, flexion, and lateral flexion. Three profound lines, which started in the tail and ended in the head. The Deep Dorsal Line followed the transversospinal myofascia. The Deep Ventral Line showed an additional start deep in the medial hind limb, continued in the hypaxial myofascia, and enveloped all the viscera. Also, the Deep Lateral Line started in the hindlimb but parted along the trunk in the deep lateral myofascial structures. Two helical lines crossed the midline two or three times and served to rotate the spine. The Functional Line established a sling from the axilla to the contralateral stifle and presented a new ipsilateral branch. The Spiral Line connected the head and the ipsilateral tarsus and additionally presented a new straight branch. The four front limb lines describe their motion: the Front Limb Protraction and Retraction, Adduction, and Abduction Lines. Conclusion: The canine lines mirrored the equine and human lines with exceptions due to differences in anatomy, foot posture, lumbosacral flexibility, and their biomechanical constitution as predator versus prey animals. Additionally, three new canine branches were verified and described.

Etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases

Theories explaining the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） have been proposed ever since Crohn＇s disease （CD） and ulcerative colitis （UC） were recognized as the two major forms of the disease. Although the exact cause（s） and mechanisms of tissue damage in CD and UC have yet to be completely understood, enough progress has occurred to accept the following hypothesis as valid： IBD is an inappropriate immune response that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals as the result of a complex interaction among environmental factors, microbial factors, and the intestinal immune system. Among an almost endless list of environmental factors, smoking has been identified as a risk factor for CD and a protective factor for UC. Among microbial factors, no convincing evidence indicates that classical infectious agents cause IBD, while mounting evidence points to an abnormal immune response against the normal enteric flora as being of central importance. Gut inflammation is mediated by cells of the innate as well as adaptive immune systems, with the additional contribution of non-immune cells, such as epithelial, mesenchymal and endothelial cells, and platelets.

Prevalence of intestinal helminthes in owned dogs in Kerman city,Iran

ObjectiveTo survey the prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminthes in dogs presented to the Veterinary faculty of the University of Kerman between May and November 2011.MethodsA total of 70 fecal samples were evaluated by the fecal sedimentation method.ResultsThe prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes was 7.14%. The parasites most frequently detected were Toxocara canis (T. canis) (4.3%); Toxascaris leonina (T. leonina) (1.4%) and Teania spp. (1.4%). The age distribution of intestinal parasites in dogs showed that the dog less than 1 year old had a higher overall prevalence than those dogs over 12 months of age but there was not significant (P>0.05). Also there was no significant difference in the prevalence between male (7.7%) and female (6.5%) dogs (P>0.05).ConclusionsIt is thought that the reduction in the frequency of the dogs with those helminthes may be mainly a result of the improvement in breeding environment and the routine use of antihelmintics. The significance of zoonotic diseases caused by intestinal helminthes makes it necessary for us to know the infection status of domestic dogs and to take measures for further control. It is concluded that veterinarians have an important role in educating dog owners of these potential risks and means for preventing or minimizing zoonotic transmission.

Platelets in Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis

Platelets are anucleate cells generated from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. After being released into the blood,platelets play essential roles in hemostasis and preserving vessel wall integrity. However,the processes of platelet adhesion,activation,and aggregation at the site of vascular injury may also cause vessel occlusion,and lead to thrombotic diseases.

Antibacterial Effects of Water Extracts of Various Broadleaf Wild Leeks （Allium ampeloprasum）

There are numerous reports regarding the antimicrobial effects of herbal extracts on bacteria and fungi. We have prepared water extracts of Wild Leek （A. ampeloprasum var. porrum）, Kurrat （A. ampeloprasum var. kurrat） and Elephant Garlic （A. ampeloprasum var. ampeloprasum） by rotary vacuum distillation. As a result, the extraction was carried out in 40 ℃ thus omitting any risk of loss of anti-bacterial activity due to high temperatures reported in prior similar studies [ 1]. The five bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus were tested against the extracts. While some extent of inhibition was observed when the bacteria were cultured in presence of the leek and kurrat extracts, elephant garlic was determined to possess an extreme inhibitory quality against all the aforementioned bacteria, completely inhibiting the growth of the bacteria after 24 hrs of culture in exposure to the extract. We propose that elephant garlic extract could be an effective alternative to chemical antibiotic treatments and disinfectants in hospital and other settings in which infections are common.

Comparison of Two Chemically-Induced Colitis-Models in Adult Zebrafish, Using Optical Projection Tomography and Novel Transcriptional Markers

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)—are chronic conditions with an inadequately understood pathogenesis. Employing a set of novel molecular markers in a gene expression assay (qPCR), we have used adult zebrafish to investigate two acute inflammatory models, induced by the haptenizing agents oxazolone and TNBS. In addition, goblet cell dynamics in the scales and intestine and 5-HT (serotonin) in intestinal tissues were investigated through optical projection tomography. Gene expression studies revealed a distinct and significant upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, acute-phase reactants and metalloprotease 9 in both chemical models, primarily after 72 hours. In comparison, transcription factors and cytokines associated with Th1 and Th17 (Crohn’s) and Th2 (ulcerative colitis) were mainly not affected in this acute setting. However, elevated transcript levels were detected in Foxp3, IL-10 and T-bet, which are linked with tolerance and Tregs in mammals. Goblet cells in scales were depleted in both chemical models and in the intestine of oxazolone-treated fish. A marked 5-HT signal was noted in intestinal tissue of some chemically treated zebrafish. In conclusion, a distinct acute inflammatory reaction was induced in both chemical models. Further, oxazolone and TNBS did not result in clear-cut Th2 and Th1/Th17 pathway signaling at this early timepoint, but the applied molecular tools may provide further insight to the IBD pathogenesis and translational value of the IBD zebrafish model.

Controlling cellulitis in broilers

1 DefinitionCellulitis is inflammation under the skin, inthe tissue between the skin and the underlyingmuscle. The cellulitis that is seen in broiler chick-ens at the processing plant is caused by a localizedbacterial infection, almost always Escherichia coli(E. coli or coliforms). The bacteria get under theskin through injuries (usually scratches from thetoe nails of other chickens). Because the infectionis localized and occurs most frequently under theskin of the posterior abdomen,it rarely causes ill-ness. It is difficult to see in live birds but is obvi-ous following scalding and defeathering.

Flip the switch: BTG2–PRMT1 protein complexes antagonize pre-B-cell proliferation to promote B-cell development

B lymphocytes are vital components of vertebrate adaptive immune systems.However,B-cell dysfunction can promote autoimmunity and immunodefi-ciency,and errors in development can cause B-lineage lymphoid malignancies.B-cell development requires RAG1/RAG2(RAG)endonuclease-mediated assembly of immunoglobulin(Ig)genes.The assembly of Ig heavy chain(IgH)genes in G1-phase pro-B cells produces IgH proteins that pair with VpreB/λ5 to form pre-B-cell receptor(pre-BCR)complexes.In pro-B cells,pre-BCR signaling inhibits Rag1/Rag2 transcription,stabilizes Cyclin D3 to drive cellular proliferation and promotes differentiation of large pre-B cells.

The Antinociceptive Effect of Sympathetic Block is Mediated by Transforming Growth Factor β in a Mouse Model of Radiculopathy

Although sympathetic blockade is clinically used to treat pain,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.We developed a localized microsympathectomy(mSYMPX),by cutting the grey rami entering the spinal nerves near the rodent lumbar dorsal root ganglia(DRG).In a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy model,mSYMPX attenuated pain behaviors via DRG macrophages and the anti-inflammatory actions of transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)and its receptor TGF-βR1.Here,we examined the role of TGF-βin sympathetic-mediated radiculopathy produced by local inflammation of the DRG(LID).Mice showed mechanical hypersensitivity and transcriptional and protein upregulation of TGF-β1 and TGF-βR1 three days after LID.Microsympathectomy prevented mechanical hypersensitivity and further upregulated Tgfb1 and Tgfbr1.Intrathecal delivery of TGF-β1 rapidly relieved the LID-induced mechanical hypersensitivity,and TGF-βR1 antagonists rapidly unmasked the mechanical hypersensitivity after LID+mSYMPX.In situ hybridization showed that Tgfb1 was largely expressed in DRG macrophages,and Tgfbr1 in neurons.We suggest that TGF-βsignaling is a general underlying mechanism of local sympathetic blockade.

The ESCRT protein CHMP5 escorts αβ T cells through positive selection

αβ T lymphocytes are critical for host protection against pathogens and are notable for their recent use as immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of human cancer.However,their dysfunction is associated with a variety of disease states,including autoimmune and immunodeficient syndromes that frequently result from improper αβT cell development in the thymus.After thymic egress,mature αβ T cells are activated when their surface T-cell receptor(TCR)engages peptide antigens displayed by major histocompatibility complex(MHC)proteins expressed on antigenpresenting cells.In the thymus,each developing αβ T cell(thymocyte)recombines its TCRβ and TCRαgenes in an attempt to assemble and express a unique functional αβ TCR。

Computed tomography characteristics and complete resection of large thymoma in a cat

Thymoma is an intrathoracic malignant tumor occurring rarely in cats. Although surgery is the treatment of choice in feline thymomas,complete resection may be difficult in cases that the large vessels are involved into the mass.Therefore,diagnostic imaging techniques including computed tomography( CT) are essential for the treatment of feline thymomas. This report aimed to present the CT characteristics and successful removal of very large thymoma in a cat with exfoliative dermatitis.An 8-year-old spayed mongrel cat was referred to our hospital with chief complaints of chronic anorexia,alopecia,and desquamation. Tachypnea,tachycardia,and exfoliative dermatitis were observed in the first presentation. Thoracic radiography showed a very large mass in the craniomediastinal region. In the CT findings,the mass included multiple small cysts,and forced up the intrathoracic trachea,cranial vena cava,brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian artery as well as heart and lungs.On the 6th day after,the patient underwent a median sternotomy and diaphragmatic incision to expose the mass. The mass was completely resected with right phrenic nerve by using cautery and LigaSure. No postoperative complications were observed. The histopathologic diagnosis was made as a thymoma. Postoperative progress of the patient was excellent without the exfoliative dermatitis.Extremely enlarged thymoma could be completely resected in this patient,and the exfoliative dermatitis was postoperatively controlled. The paraneoplastic immune disorder was suggested to cause the dermatitis. CT has a great impact on the indication of surgery for the feline thymomas.