Reference values for selected dry eye tests in normal Beagle dogs: a pilot study

Background@#Dry eye disease (DED) cannot be diagnosed by a single test because it is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface. Although studies on various dry eye tests (DETs) in dogs have been reported, standard criteria have not been established except for the Schirmer tear test 1 (STT-1). @*Objectives@#To establish reference values for DETs in dogs with normal STT-1 values (≥ 15 mm/min) and to analyze the correlation between DETs. @*Methods@#The STT-1 was performed in 10 healthy Beagle dogs (20 eyes). After 20 min, interferometry (IF) for estimating the lipid layer thickness (LLT) of the tear film, tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive tear breakup time (NIBUT), and meibomian gland loss rate of the upper eyelid (MGLRU) and lower eyelid (MGLRL), were measured using an ocular surface analyzer. @*Results@#Mean values for STT-1, TMH, and NIBUT were as follows: 21.7 ± 3.4 mm/min, 0.41 ± 0.21 mm, and 19.1 ± 9.5 sec, respectively. The most frequent LLT range, measured by IF, was 30–80 nm (11 eyes), followed by 80 nm (5 eyes) and 80–140 nm (4 eyes). MGLRU ≤ 25% was measured in 11 eyes and 26%–50% in 9 eyes; MGLRL ≤ 25% in 8 eyes and 26%–50% in 12 eyes. Besides positive correlation between TMH and NIBUT (P = 0.038), there were no significant associations between DETs. @*Conclusions@#Data obtained in this study provided normative references that could be useful for diagnosing DED and for further research into correlation between DETs in dogs with DED.

Assessment of the pigeon (Columba livia) retina with spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Background@#To assess the normal retina of the pigeon eye using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and establish a normative reference. @*Methods@#Twelve eyes of six ophthalmologically normal pigeons (Columba livia) were included. SD-OCT images were taken with dilated pupils under sedation. Four meridians, including the fovea, optic disc, red field, and yellow field, were obtained in each eye. The layers, including full thickness (FT), ganglion cell complex (GCC), thickness from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the outer nuclear layer (RPE-ONL), and from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the inner nuclear layer (RPE-INL), were manually measured. @*Results@#The average FT values were significantly different among the four meridians (p 0.05). @*Conclusions@#Measured data could be used as normative references for diagnosing pigeon retinopathies and further research on avian fundus structure.

Assessment of the pigeon (Columba livia) retina with spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Background@#To assess the normal retina of the pigeon eye using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and establish a normative reference. @*Methods@#Twelve eyes of six ophthalmologically normal pigeons (Columba livia) were included. SD-OCT images were taken with dilated pupils under sedation. Four meridians, including the fovea, optic disc, red field, and yellow field, were obtained in each eye. The layers, including full thickness (FT), ganglion cell complex (GCC), thickness from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the outer nuclear layer (RPE-ONL), and from the retinal pigmented epithelium to the inner nuclear layer (RPE-INL), were manually measured. @*Results@#The average FT values were significantly different among the four meridians (p 0.05). @*Conclusions@#Measured data could be used as normative references for diagnosing pigeon retinopathies and further research on avian fundus structure.

Development of dental hygiene gum for cats considering their anatomical features of dentition

The purpose of this study was to develop effective dental hygiene chews for cats based on the anatomical features of the dentition and patterns of chewing motion. All cats were volunteered for dental prophylaxis followed by dental impressions using yellow stone and alginate under general anesthesia. Twenty parameters related to dentition were defined in order to compare dental impressions using digital caliper. For the chewing motion study, patterns of chewing motion were identified based on recordings made with a digital camera. Ten cats (4 domestic shorthairs, 2 Russian blues, 1 American shorthair, 1 Persian, 1 Turkish Angora, and 1 Devon Rex) were recruited for the study. The parameters related to teeth and oral size were similar among the studied cats. Chewing motion can be described as more of a guillotine-like motion rather than a crushing motion, with cats chewing 3–7 times before swallowing. The chewing pattern of cats involves shearing for a short period of time followed by immediate swallowing. Therefore, the overall size of the dental hygiene chew could be determined based on the measurement of the oral size for inducing chewing. The surface details of the dental hygiene chew could be designed for prevention and removal of dental calculus and plaque in cats considering the anatomical teeth parameters. Dental hygiene chews customized for cats considering the different anatomical features of their teeth might be effective for oral care.

TiO2 nanotube stimulate chondrogenic differentiation of limb mesenchymal cells by modulating focal activity

Vertically aligned, laterally spaced nanoscale titanium nanotubes were grown on a titanium surface by anodization, and the growth of chondroprogenitors on the resulting surfaces was investigated. Surfaces bearing nanotubes of 70 to 100 nm in diameter were found to trigger the morphological transition to a cortical actin pattern and rounded cell shape (both indicative of chondrocytic differentiation), as well as the up-regulation of type II collagen and integrin beta4 protein expression through the down-regulation of Erk activity. Inhibition of Erk signaling reduced stress fiber formation and induced the transition to the cortical actin pattern in cells cultured on 30-nm-diameter nanotubes, which maintained their fibroblastoid morphologies in the absence of Erk inhibition. Collectively, these results indicate that a titanium-based nanotube surface can support chondrocytic functions among chondroprogenitors, and may therefore be useful for future cartilaginous applications.

Survey on the Relationship between Milk and Milk Product Consumption and Dietary Nutrient Intake among Korean Adolescents

This study was performed to investigate the relationship between milk and milk product consumption and dietary nutrient intake among Korean adolescents. Questionnaire survey and 3-day diet survey using the food record method were completed by a total of 664 subjects. Subjects were divided into three groups, Q1 (low group), Q2 (middle group), and Q3 (high group), according to dairy equivalent of calcium. Dairy equivalent of calcium was determined by the amount of calcium eaten from milk and milk products by individual subjects. As a result, the ratio of school milk service was higher in Q3 (PQ1 (PQ1 (P<0.05). The above results suggest that the school milk program is very helpful in encouraging adolescents to consume milk and milk products and consequently ensure their optimal nutrition. Therefore, we should try to encourage adolescents to participate in the school milk program more actively through nutritional education and government policy.