Endoscopic Training Model for Intranasal Transsphenoidal Hypophysis Surgery Using a Skull Model and Chicken Wings.

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of an experimentally designed model for training on endoscopic intranasal transsphenoidal hypophysis surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, a surgical training model for endoscopic transsphenoidal hypophysis surgery was designed to simulate real life surgical challenges, such as drilling through the sella turcica under endoscopic vision. This laboratory experiment was repeated at 1-week intervals and it was observed that surgeons improved their skills. The compatibility of the training model was evaluated as either poor, acceptable or perfect. RESULTS: The results revealed that according to earlier data, greater success occurred in tests conducted after 1 week. Three new specialist neurosurgeons also expressed that their self-confidence increased during the second procedure. CONCLUSION: This laboratory study will result in improved use of microsurgical instruments and understanding of the threedimensional surgical field, as well as the development of manual dexterity. We believe that this model will contribute to the practical training of endoscopic hypophysis surgery.

Use of a Compounded Poloxamer 407 Antibiotic Topical Therapy as Part of the Successful Management of Chronic Ulcerative Dermatitis in a Congo African Grey Parrot ( Psittacus erithacus).

A 23-year-old, 425-g male African grey parrot ( Psittacus erithacus) was evaluated for chronic ulcerative dermatitis of the axillary regions under both wings. Initial swab cultures of the sites had revealed a coagulase-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) with marked antibiotic resistance. A second swab culture obtained 8 weeks after the initial culture showed heavy growth of a coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species, which could not be speciated, but showed the same sensitivity as the previous culture. Previous treatment included systemic antibiotics and a topical antimicrobial cream, with variable response and only temporary resolution. On examination, full-thickness, ulcerative, necrotic dermatitis was present under both wings with intermittent bleeding and subdermal tissue exposure. Initial treatment included wound debridement, oral antibiotics, topical therapy, analgesics, and bandages. After a relapse, a poloxamer gel containing 2% doxycycline, 1% chloramphenicol, and 0.5% mupirocin was used in combination with oral antibiotics and analgesics. On follow-up examination, the skin lesions had completely resolved and the patient was doing well and remains normal 4 years later. This report emphasizes the importance of prompt, aggressive multi-modal therapy for MRSA and other dermal bacterial infections in pet birds that may represent zoonoses or have carrier-state zoonotic potential. Preparation by a compounding pharmacy of a transdermal poloxamer gel containing antibiotics shows promise for severe, infected, ulcerative skin lesions in birds when other therapies fail to achieve a cure.

A Rapid and Efficient Method to Dissect Pupal Wings of Drosophila Suitable for Immunodetections or PCR Assays.

Wing development in Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model for studying morphogenesis at tissue level. These appendages develop from a group of cells named wing imaginal discs formed during embryonic development. In the larval stages the imaginal discs grow, increasing its number of cells and forming monolayered epithelial structures. Inside the pupal case, the imaginal discs bud out and fold into bilayers along a line that becomes the future margin of the wing. During this process, the longitudinal primodia veins originate vein cells on the prospective dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing. During the pupal stage the stripes of vein cells of each surface communicate in order to generate tight tubes; at the same time, the cross-veins begin their formation. With the help of appropriate molecular markers, it is possible to identify the major elements composing the wing during its development. For this reason, the ability to accurately detect transcripts or proteins in this structure is critical for studying their abundance and localization related to the development process of the wing. The procedure described here focuses on manipulating pupal wings, providing detailed instructions on how to dissect the wing during the pupal stage. The dissection of pupal tissue is more difficult to perform than their counterparts in third instar larvae. This is why this approach was developed, to obtain rapid and efficient high quality samples. Details of how to immunostain and mount these wing samples, to allow the visualization of proteins or cell components, are provided in the protocol. With little expertise it is possible to collect 8-10 high quality pupal wings in a short amount of time.

Functional value of elytra under various stresses in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.

Coleoptera (beetles) is a massively successful order of insects, distinguished by their evolutionarily modified forewings called elytra. These structures are often presumed to have been a major driving force for the successful radiation of this taxon, by providing beetles with protection against a variety of harsh environmental factors. However, few studies have directly demonstrated the functional significance of the elytra against diverse environmental challenges. Here, we sought to empirically test the function of the elytra using Tribolium castaneum (the red flour beetle) as a model. We tested four categories of stress on the beetles: physical damage to hindwings, predation, desiccation, and cold shock. We found that, in all categories, the presence of elytra conferred a significant advantage compared to those beetles with their elytra experimentally removed. This work provides compelling quantitative evidence supporting the importance of beetle forewings in tolerating a variety of environmental stresses, and gives insight into how the evolution of elytra have facilitated the remarkable success of beetle radiation.

Synovial Sarcoma Associated With Indwelling Intramedullary Pin in a Peach-Faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis).

Sarcoma developing in association with a metallic orthopedic procedure is an uncommon but well-recognized complication in mammals. We report on a synovial sarcoma that developed at the site of an intramedullary pin after surgery to treat a bone fracture. A 17-year-old female peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) developed a spherical mass on the distal right dorsal wing at a site that was previously fractured and surgically repaired with an indwelling intramedullary pin. The right wing was amputated at the scapulohumeral joint. One year later, the bird died. Postmortem examination revealed metastases in the right lung, left thoracic wall, and proventricular serosa. Histologically, the tumor had a characteristic biphasic pattern. The tumor was immunohistologically and ultrastructurally identified as a synovial sarcoma. This is the first report of a suspected fracture-associated sarcoma in a bird.

Successful treatment of a radioulnar synostosis in a Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis).

A Mississippi kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) was presented to the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, for an inability to fly and was subsequently diagnosed with a minimally displaced, closed, simple, short oblique, diaphyseal fracture of the distal third of the right ulna. A figure-8 bandage was initially applied to the wing to stabilize the fracture. Over a 5-week period, the kite developed progressive reduction in wing extension, and serial radiographs revealed a bridging callus at the ulnar fracture site, as well as development of a radioulnar synostosis. To restore wing function and extension, surgical excision of the bony union between the radius and the ulna was performed, after which a polypropylene mesh implant was interposed between the 2 bones. Within 2 weeks after the surgical procedure, the kite had recovered normal wing extension and was able to fly without noticeable impairment. The bird was released 2 weeks after surgery. This case illustrates a common complication of external coaptation used as sole means of managing fractures of the avian ulna, radius, or both, which results from lack of interosseous soft tissue in the antebrachial area. On the basis of the successful outcome in this case, surgical excision of the interdiaphyseal callus and interposition of a polypropylene mesh could be a viable option for management of posttraumatic radioulnar synostosis in birds of prey.

Use of thermography and fluorescein angiography in the management of a Chilean flamingo with avascular necrosis of the wing.

A Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) was presented to the veterinary clinic at the North Carolina Zoological Park for evaluation of acute weakness of the right wing. Results of a physical examination revealed a lack of a palpable pulse in the radial artery, which suggested occlusion or obstruction of the vessel. Radiography, thermography, and fluorescein angiography confirmed right wing injury and vascular compromise. Based on the poor prognosis for return to function associated with irreversible vascular damage, the wing was amputated. After a period of observation and treatment, the bird was returned to public exhibit.

Successful rehabilitation of a severely injured peregrine falcon.

An 11-year-old male peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), known to have been a successful breeder in the wild with 31 offspring in 9 breeding seasons, was presented for evaluation of wing and leg injuries and for the purpose of rehabilitation. Four 13-day-old young were present in the nest at the time of injury. Aside from superficial trauma to the left leg and wing, a dorso-cranially luxated left coxofemoraljoint and a severely fragmented (7-8 fragments) left ulna were seen radiographically. The coxofemoral luxation was manually reduced and held in position by slinging the left leg, bandaged in flexion, to the body for 14 days. After removal of the sling and leg bandage, the falcon regained full use of the moderately contracted left leg within 2 days. The left wing was immobilized with a figure-of-8 bandage. The ulnar fragments were held in alignment by the intact left radius, which served as an internal biologic splint. To promote rapid healing with reestablishment of full biomechanical strength and normal function, the wing fracture was treated according to the concepts of biological fracture healing without surgical intervention. Complete healing of the ulna was achieved within 25 days. For strengthening of the wing and to assure prey capture capability, the falcon was reconditioned in a large flight chamber under the supervision of a licensed falconer. He was released into his home territory 4 months after his accident and continued his productive life for another 2 breeding seasons, in which 5 additional young were produced.

Training in microvascular surgery using a chicken wing artery.

OBJECTIVE: Microarterial anastomosis is now seldom performed for treatment of atherosclerotic occlusive cerebrovascular disease. However, a small but significant number of procedures still require this technique. When a surgeon's clinical experience is limited, regular practice is required to maintain and improve surgical skills. The present training system involves passage from suturing of synthetic materials (such as Silastic tubes) to practice with experimental living animals or cadavers. However, these methods are neither convenient nor practical for daily exercises and rehearsals. I present a unique training exercise for microarterial anastomosis, using a chicken wing artery. METHODS: A brachial artery can be extracted from a chicken wing. The artery is 5 to 6 cm long and measures approximately 1 mm in diameter. The artery can be used to practice end-to-end, end-to-side, or side-to-side anastomosis under the microscope. RESULTS: Several advantages are noted: the materials are cheap, convenient to manage, and easy to obtain, and neither specific facilities to maintain living animals nor anesthesia is needed. Moreover, the diameter and structure of the material are identical to those of human cortical vessels, making the rehearsal quite similar to the actual surgical experience. CONCLUSION: This exercise is useful not only for young surgeons who wish to learn microsurgical techniques but also for more experienced surgeons who need to maintain or improve their skills.

Coracoid fractures in wild birds: repair and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the surgical repair of the fractured avian coracoid and compare release rates back to the wild for birds treated surgically with those treated conservatively. DESIGN: Medical records of 17 birds presented to Healesville Sanctuary with fractured coracoids were examined retrospectively. Nine birds were treated conservatively and eight birds were treated surgically. Release rates back to the wild were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the nine birds treated conservatively two were released back to the wild. Of the eight birds treated surgically six were released back to the wild. CONCLUSIONS: In this study greater success at returning birds with fractured coracoids to the wild was achieved with surgical repair than conservative treatment. Surgical repair is recommended for birds intended to be released back into the wild.

Gnot1, a member of a new homeobox gene subfamily, is expressed in a dynamic, region-specific domain along the proximodistal axis of the developing limb.

Limb development endures as an excellent model for pattern formation in vertebrates. We have identified Gnot1 as a member of a new homeobox gene subfamily. Gnot1 is expressed in a dynamic temporospatial distribution in the developing limb, initially correlating with regions destined to form distal structures and then becoming progressively more restricted to specific regions determined to give rise to wrist and ankle. Micro-surgical alteration of the developmental program of the limb reveals that Gnot1 is expressed in a position- and fate-dependent manner, responding both to signals from the apical ridge and the polarizing zone. Furthermore, Gnot1 activation by polarizing signals occurs temporally downstream of Hoxd gene activation, but well before the first appearance of condensations that will give rise to the carpus of the wrist. The features of Gnot1 expression suggest a role for this gene in regulating pattern formation during limb development.

Evaluation of the chick wing territory as an equipotential self-differentiating system.

Harrison (1918: J. Exp. Zool. 25: 413-461) described a developmental field as an "equipotential self-differentiating system." The present study was undertaken to address the question: To what extent can be pre-limb territory of a chick embryo be considered a developmental field? To what extent is the chick pre-limb territory an equipotential self-differentiating system? Two sets of experiments were undertaken to address these questions: (1) Whole and half limb territories were explanted to the celoma of host embryos, and (2) portions of the wing territories were extirpated. The wing exhibited the quality of self-differentiation after stage 12, in that the isolated wing territory, grafted to a host celom, could form limbs beginning at stage 12 (however, complete wings formed only from wing territories of stage 16 and older). On the other hand, the chick wing territory did not appear to exhibit equipotentiality. No posterior half limb graft formed normal limbs, and only in two exceptional cases did anterior half limb grafts form limbs. If part or all of the wing territory was removed from chick embryos, normal limbs formed in less than 15% of the cases after stage 15, in about 30% of the cases at stages 13 and 14, but in over half the cases at stages 10-12. Wound healing and reinitiation of limb potential may be responsible for the higher incidence of limb formation at the younger ages.

[The problems of making birds unable to fly and questions of raising waterfowl in ponds from the viewpoint of animal welfare]. / Zur Problematik der Flugunfähigmachung von Geflügel und zu Fragen der Teichhaltung von Wassergeflügel aus der Sicht des Tierschutzrechts.

From the viewpoint of the current law on animal welfare, the methods of rendering birds flightless are described and evaluated. Besides the animal welfare, other law statutes are to be paid attention to obligatory when waterfowl is kept on ponds. The raising and fattening of ducks and geese without water to swim on, can also be advocated from the angle of animal welfare.

[Several surgical operations in animal husbandry for healthy birds required or implemented by animal welfare regulations]. / Einige von Tierhaltern geforderte oder durchgeführte Operationen an gesunden Vögeln unter tierschutz-rechtlichen Aspekten.

Trimming of the comb, devocalisation, trimming of claws, pinioning and caponisation of birds are procedures, which are often requested or carried out by keepers of animals. Surgery of this kind, however, has far-reaching consequences for the affected animal. A well considered range of indications is a basic requirement for the performing of the mentioned surgical procedures by a veterinarian.