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Knowledge regarding the ligament footprints in the canine stifle is essential for biomechanical modeling of the joint and patient-specific surgical planning for anatomical ligament reconstruction. The present study aimed to establish and evaluate deformable shape templates (DSTs) of the femur and tibia with footprints of the cruciate and collateral ligaments embedded for the noninvasive estimation of ligament footprint positions. To this end, a data set of computed tomography (CT)-derived surface models of the femur and tibia were established and used to build statistical shape models (SSMs). The contours of the stifle ligaments were obtained from CT scans of 27 hindlimb specimens with radio-opaque markings on the ligament footprints. The DST, constructed by embedding averaged footprint contours into the SSM, was used to estimate subject-specific ligament footprints in a leave-one-out cross-validation framework. The DST predictions were compared with those derived from radio-opaque-marked footprints. The results showed that the averaged Euclidean distances between the estimated and reference footprint centroids were less than 1.2 mm for the cruciate ligaments and 2.0 mm for the collateral ligaments. The DST appeared to provide a feasible alternative approach for noninvasively estimating the footprints of the stifle ligaments in vivo.

Background Accurate femoral tunnel placement is essential for successful anatomical intra-articular reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL), a standard treatment for anterior cruciate ligament disease in humans. Surgical outcomes are influenced by multiple factors related to tunnel placement, including ligament footprint restoration, tunnel length, and graft bending angle (GBA), among others. However, no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal placement of the femoral tunnel for CrCL reconstruction in dogs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of various femoral tunnel entry (FTE) points on these key parameters to determine favourable tunnel locations for canine CrCL reconstruction. Methods The influences of various FTE points were evaluated based on six parameters: footprint coverage, footprint overhang, footprint similarity, tunnel length, tunnel‐face angle, and GBA. Three‐dimensional femoral models reconstructed from CT scans of 25 canine cadaveric hindlimbs were used to simulate tunnel placement. In addition, tibiofemoral kinematic data from 13 client-owned dogs during treadmill gait were analysed to quantify the GBA associated with each simulated tunnel. Results A more proximal extracapsular tunnel aperture relative to Blumensaat's line provided greater footprint coverage, improved similarity, and longer tunnel length. However, along the cranial-caudal axis, a trade-off emerged between these factors and GBA, suggesting that a mid-range position may offer the most balanced compromise. Conclusion Placing the FTE point proximally is preferable, while a mid-range cranial-caudal position may best balance key factors affecting postoperative outcomes in dogs.

Feline injection‐site sarcomas (FISSs) are highly invasive malignant mesenchymal neoplasms that arise from injection sites in cats. Although the tumorigenesis of FISSs is still uncertain, there is a consensus that FISS is associated with chronic inflammation caused by irritation of injection‐related trauma and foreign chemical substances. Chronic inflammation can provide a proper microenvironment for tumour development, which has been known as one of the risk factors of tumorigenesis in many tumours. To investigate the tumorigenesis of FISS and screen for its potential therapeutic targets, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), an inflammation‐enhancing enzyme, was selected as a target for this study. In vitro experiments using FISS‐ and normal tissue‐derived primary cells and robenacoxib, a highly selective COX‐2 inhibitor, were performed. The results demonstrated that expression of COX‐2 could be detected in formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded FISS tissues and FISS‐derived primary cells. Cell viability, migration and colony formation of FISS‐derived primary cells were inhibited, and cell apoptosis was enhanced by robenacoxib in a dose‐dependent manner. However, susceptibility to robenacoxib varied in different lines of FISS primary cells and was not completely correlated with COX‐2 expression. Our results suggest that COX‐2 inhibitors could be potential adjuvant therapeutics against FISSs.

Background Canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is predominantly an immune-mediated disease. Current therapy of canine KCS is mainly by immunosuppressant, but the effectiveness was limited in some patients. In the past few years, some studies showed the results of the use of mesenchymal stem cells in treating canine KCS via periocular injections. However, the periocular injection procedure requires sedation or general anesthesia, and may lead to iatrogenic or incidental injury during the injection process. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of topical allogenic canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAD-MSCs) in clinical patients of canine KCS. Results The cAD-MSCs used in this study were characterized for their capability of tri-lineage differentiation and immunomodulatory properties. In addition, preparation methods for eye drops of cAD-MSCs was developed and its optimal preservation was tested. The canine KCS patients were recruited for clinical trial and divided into two groups based on their history of previous treatment. All patients received topical cAD-MSCs treatment once per week for 6 consecutive weeks and complete ophthalmic examinations were performed 1 week before treatment (week 0) and at 3rd, 6th, 9th weeks, respectively. The results showed that the quantity and quality of tears have improved significantly following topical cAD-MSCs treatment based on Schirmers tear test-1 and tear break-up time. More than half of all patients were found improved in the tear quantity. In particular, 56.5% of the patients that were unresponsive to prior immunosuppressant therapy had an effective increase in tear volume. The severity of clinical signs was also ameliorated according to the numeric rating scale score from both patient owners and the clinician. Conclusion To sum up, topical cAD-MSCs may be beneficial especially in KCS patients with poor owner compliance for frequent daily use of eye drops or those who are unresponsive to immunosuppressant therapy.

Abstract Background The term big kidney-little kidney syndrome in cats has been used for many years, but the definitions are not consistent and relevant research is limited. Objective To determine the factors that differ between normal and BKLK cats, as well as to develop models for predicting the 30-day survival of cats with ureteral obstruction (UO). Animals Sixteen healthy cats and 64 cats with BKLK. Methods Retrospective study. To define BKLK by reference to data from clinically healthy cats. The demographic and clinicopathological data among groups were statistically analyzed. Results Big kidney-little kidney syndrome cats had higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (median [interquartile range] 69 [28-162] vs 21 [19–24] mg/dL, P < .001), creatinine (5.6 [1.9-13.3] vs 1.3 [1.05-1.40] mg/dL, P < .001), and white blood cells (10 800 [7700-17 500] vs 6500 [4875-9350] /μL, P < .001) and lower hematocrit (32.8 [27.1-38.4] vs 39.1 [38.1-40.4]%, P < .001), urine specific gravity (1.011 [1.009-1.016] vs 1.049 [1.044-1.057], P < .001) and pH (5.88 [5.49-6.44] vs 6.68 [6.00-7.18], P = .001) compared to the control cats. A lower body temperature (BT; 38.1 [37.9-38.2] vs 38.7 [38.3-39.2]°C, P = .009), higher BUN (189 [150-252] vs 91 [36-170] mg/dL, P = .04), and creatinine (15.4 [13.3-17.4] vs 9.0 [3.1-14.2] mg/dL, P = .03) were found among the UO cats that were not 30-day survivors. A combination of BUN, phosphorus, and BT can predict 30-day survival among UO cats with an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.863. (P = .01). Conclusion An increase in the length difference between kidneys can indicate UO, but cannot predict outcome for BKLK cats.

Background Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs. The extracapsular stabilization (ECS) utilizing bone anchors and monofilament nylon leader was an alternative treatment for CCL-deficient (CCLD) dogs. However, the biomechanical response of the canine stifle to such a surgical repair strategy in conjunction with the use of recently reported quasi-isometric anchoring points remains unclear. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the mobility and stability of CCL-intact, CCLD, and CCLD stifles repaired with ECS at two different pairs of quasi-isometric points (quasi-IPs). Methods Twelve stifle specimens from 7 dogs underwent mobility and stability tests under 4 different conditions, namely, CCL-intact, CCLD, and ECS-repaired at 2 different pairs of quasi-IPs (referred to as ECS-IP1 and ECS-IP2). The mobility tests evaluated 6 degrees-of-freedom stifle kinematics during flexion and extension. The stability tests involved cranial drawer and tibial internal rotation (IR) tests at various stifle opening angles and quantifying the cranial tibial translation (CTT) and tibial IR angles under constantly applied loadings. Results The ECS repaired at quasi-IPs was shown to restore cranial instability of the stifles with averaged CTT magnitudes < 1.4 mm. During the tibial IR test, the ECS treatments resulted in significantly less tibial IR compared to those in intact CCL stifles. The mobility tests showed similar results. Conclusion The 2 chosen pairs of quasi-IPs were shown to effectively correct the excessive CTT caused by CCLD stifles, whereas the excessive tibial external rotation in comparison to those of intact stifles should be considered for its subsequent influence on joint alignment and the contact pressure applied to the stifle joint.

Intracapsular reconstruction (ICR) has long been recommended as a treatment for cranial cruciate ligament deficiency (CCLD) in dogs, but it has fallen out of favor due to its inferior long-term functional outcomes. These outcomes may be attributed to the poor stiffness and strength of the graft in the early period before ligamentization is completed. Additional placement of extracapsular sutures to mechanically protect the graft during the ligamentization process may be a viable method to address this problem. However, the biomechanical effect of this combined surgical approach remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the 3D kinematics of the CCLD stifle in dogs in response to ICR and combined extra- and intracapsular reconstruction (CEICR). Twelve hindlimbs were collected from nine cadavers of mature dogs. The limbs were tested using a custom-made testing apparatus that reproduces their sagittal plane kinematics during the stance phase. Four statuses of stifle joints were tested, namely, (a) cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) intact; (b) CCLD; (c) CCLD stifle stabilized by CEICR; and (d) CCLD stifle stabilized by ICR only. Three-dimensional stifle kinematics at the 5 instances of the stance phase were measured with an optoelectronic system. The results showed that ICR marginally corrects the increased adduction, internal rotation, and caudodistal stifle joint center displacement that occur as a result of CCLD. CEICR led to better restoration of the stifle kinematics, especially with respect to the internal rotation and cranial translation stabilities. Furthermore, CEICR only resulted in minor excessive restraints on other motion components. The findings indicated that the additional lateral fabellotibial suture offers immediate stability to the stifle, consequently lowering the risk of graft over-elongation in the short term postoperatively. Considering the propensity for the extracapsular suture to degrade over time, further in vivo studies are warranted to explore the long-term effects of the CEICR procedure.

Bacillus licheniformis-fermented products (BLFP) are probiotics with antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can improve growth performance. This study aimed to compare the fecal microbiota of diarrheal cats with chronic diarrhea (n = 8) with that of healthy cats (n = 4) from the same household using next-generation sequencing, and evaluate the effectiveness of oral administration of BLFP in relieving clinical signs and altering the intestinal microbiota in diarrheal cats. Six out of eight diarrheal cats showed clinical improvement after BLFP administration for 7 days, and the stool condition of the other two was normal. A higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was noted in the feces of diarrheal cats without clinical improvement as compared with those in the healthy cats and in the diarrheal cats with clinical improvement after receiving BLFP. The phylum Bacteroidetes and class Bacteroidia decreased significantly in diarrheal cats regardless of BLFP administration. Blautia spp., Ruminococcus torques, and Ruminococcus gnavus, which belong to the Clostridium cluster XIVa and have been reported as beneficial to intestinal health, increased significantly in feces after treatment. Furthermore, Clostridium perfringens also significantly decreased in diarrheal cats after BLFP administration. Overall, BLFP could be a potential probiotic to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and improve fecal microbiota in cats with chronic diarrhea.

Skin marker-based motion analysis has been widely used to evaluate the functional performance of canine gait and posture. However, the interference of soft tissues between markers and the underlying bones (soft tissue artefacts, STAs) may lead to errors in kinematics measurements. Currently, no optimal marker attachment sites and cluster compositions are recommended for canine gait analysis. The current study aims to evaluate cluster-level STAs and the effects of cluster compositions on the computed stifle kinematics. Ten mixed-breed healthy dogs affixed with 19 retroreflective markers on the thigh and shank were enrolled. During isolated stifle passive extension, the marker trajectories were acquired with a motion capture system, and the skeletal poses were determined by integrating fluoroscopic and CT images of the bones. The cluster-level STAs were assessed, and clusters were paired to calculate the stifle kinematics. A selection of cluster compositions was useful for deriving accurate sagittal and frontal plane stifle kinematics with flexion angles below 50 per cent of the range of motion. The findings contribute to improved knowledge of canine STAs and their influence on motion measurements. The marker composition with the smallest error in describing joint kinematics is recommended for future applications and study in dogs during dynamic gait assessment.

Background Three-dimensional joint kinematics during canine locomotion are commonly measured using skin marker-based stereophotogrammetry technologies. However, marker-related errors caused by the displacement of the skin surface relative to the underlying bones (i.e., soft tissue artifacts, STA) may affect the accuracy of the measurements and obscure clinically relevant information. Few studies have assessed STA in canine limbs during kinematic analysis. The magnitudes and patterns of the STA and their influence on kinematic analysis remain unclear. Therefore, the current study aims to quantify the in vivo STA of skin markers on the canine thigh and crus during passive joint motion. The stifle joints of ten dogs were passively extended while the skin markers were measured using a motion capture system, and skeletal kinematics were determined using a CT-to-fluoroscopic image registration method. Results The skin markers exhibited considerable STA relative to the underlying bones, with a peak amplitude of 27.4 mm for thigh markers and 28.7 mm for crus markers; however, the amplitudes and displacement directions at different attachment sites were inconsistent. The markers on the cranial thigh and lateral crus closer to the stifle joint had greater STA amplitudes in comparison to those of other markers. Most markers had STA with linear and quadratic patterns against the stifle flexion angles. These STA resulted in underestimated flexion angles but overestimated adduction and internal rotation when the stifle was flexed to greater than 90°. Conclusions Marker displacements relative to the underlying bones were prominent in the cranial aspect of the thigh and the proximal-lateral aspect of the crus. The calculated stifle kinematic variables were also affected by the STA. These findings can provide a reference for marker selection in canine motion analysis for similar motion tasks and clarify the relationship between STA patterns and stifle kinematics; the results may therefore contribute to the development of STA models and compensation techniques for canine motion analysis.