Evaluation of an arthroscopic stifle lever for stifle joint distraction in toy breed dogs

Arthroscopy has become an attractive modality in the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases in toy breed dogs. However, the application of arthroscopy is limited by small joint space. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a stifle lever for joint distraction during stifle arthroscopy in toy breed dogs. Paired stifles (n = 32 each) collected from 16 cadavers of toy breed dogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the stifle lever group or the external manipulation group. All stifles underwent arthroscopic cranial cruciate ligament transection, and the visualization of the medial meniscus was evaluated. Medial meniscal release (MMR) was then performed. Following arthroscopic examination, the success rates of MMR and damages of tibial and femoral cartilages were evaluated. Visualization of the medial meniscus was significantly better, and meniscal probing was significantly easier, in the stifle lever group than in the external manipulation group (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for MMR success or articular cartilage damage. Using the stifle lever on arthroscopic examination improved visualization and probing on the medial meniscus in toy breed dogs. The stifle lever can be used as a good modality in assessing medial meniscal pathology in toy breed dogs.

Generation of CD2+CD8+ NK Cells from c-kit+ Bone Marrow Cells in Porcine

Natural killer (NK) cells provide one of the initial barriers of cellular host defense against pathogens, in particular intracellular pathogens. Because bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), lymphoid protenitors, can give rise to NK cells, NK ontogeny has been considered to be exclusively lymphoid. Here, we show that porcine c-kit+ bone marrow cells (c-kit+ BM cells) develop into NK cells in vitro in the presence of various cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, IL-15, IL-21, stem cell factor (SCF), and fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (FLT3L)]. Adding hydrocortisone (HDC) and stromal cells greatly increases the frequency of c-kit+ BM cells that give rise to CD2+CD8+ NK cells. Also, intracellular levels of perforin, granzyme B, and NKG2D were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis. It was found that of perforin, granzyme B, and NKG2D levels significantly were increased in cytokine-stimulated c-kit+ BM cells than those of controls. And, we compared the ability of the cytotoxicity of CD2+CD8+ NK cells differentiated by cytokines from c-kit+ BM cells against K562 target cells for 28 days. Cytokines-induced NK cells as effector cells were incubated with K562 cells as target in a ratio of 100:1 for 4 h once a week. In results, CD2+CD8+ NK cells induced by cytokines and stromal cells showed a significantly increased cytotoxicity 21 days later. Whereas, our results indicated that c-kit+ BM cells not pretreated with cytokines have lower levels of cytotoxicity. Taken together, this study suggests that cytokines-induced NK cells from porcine c-kit+ BM cells may be used as adoptive transfer therapy if the known obstacles to xenografting (e.g. immune and non-immune problems) were overcome in the future.

Multiple congenital anomalies in a Korean native calf (Bos taurus coreanae) / 대한수의학회지

Supernumerary ectopic limb(s) (SEL) is a congenital anomaly defined as the presence of accessory limb(s) attached to various body regions. This paper describes a case of SEL with ectopic lung and ectopia cordis in a newborn calf, based on macroscopic, microscopic and radiographic findings. External features of multiple congenital anomalies included an ectopic lung growing over the middle of the backbone and covered with normal haired skin. Ectopia cordis was found in the abdominal cavity and attached to the liver. Two extra abnormal limbs originated separately from within the ectopic lung. Most of the abdominal organs were exposed to the outside through the opened abdominal cavity. Microscopically the ectopic lung tissue had edema in the connective tissue around the bronchus and artery. Changes in other organs included congestion of the renal medulla, infiltration of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes and eosinophils) around the hepatic portal tract, and edema surrounding blood vessels and neurons in the brain. The rudimentary humerus of the forelimb was attached to the thoracic spine, as viewed radiographically. The hindlimb was consisted of an irregularly shaped femur, short tibia and fibula, two tarsal bones, one metatarsal bone, and three phalanges. This is the first description of congenital anomalies involving the SEL, ectopic lung and ectopia cordis in a calf.