The current study was conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility of α-1,3 galactosyltransferase knockout pig bone graft in a rat calvarial defect model. Porcine cancellous bones were harvested from general and alpha-gal KO pigs and washed with 70% ethanol solution and normal saline. Bone pieces of the alpha-gal KO pig underwent a chemical treatment process to delipidize and deproteinize the bone. Bone graft particles were freeze-dried and stored at −70°C until use. Each bone graft was implanted into the rat calvarial defect in a fresh general pig, fresh transgenic pig, and chemical-treated pig bone group. There was no systemic adverse effect on hematology or necropsy findings in all groups at 1 week and 4 weeks. In the microcomputed tomography analysis, bone volume increased significantly in the chemical-treated transgenic pig bone group, whereas bone mineral density decreased significantly in the fresh general pig bone group compared with other groups. Histological evaluation showed cellular infiltration located at the margin of the bone graft particles, especially in the fresh general pig bone group. These results indicate that fresh general pig bone can elicit a greater local inflammatory response than fresh transgenic pig bone. Further, chemical-treated transgenic pig bone graft was less immunogenic than fresh bone graft. In conclusion, transgenic pig bone is a more biocompatible graft material. In addition, chemical treatment can reduce bone graft immunogenicity by delipidizing and deproteinizing bone.

Male pseudohermaphroditism is not commonly reported in veterinary medicine. Here, a 3-year-old Maltese/poodle mixed dog presented with malformed external genitalia and episodic hematuria. Inspection and palpation of the external genitals showed a malformed penis, shortened prepuce, external urethral orifice, and cryptorchidism. There was no urethral meatus at the tip of the penis. The urethral opening was situated between the prepuce and the penis. The anterior half of the prepuce was absent, and the penis was free and exposed to both trauma and licking. Plain radiographic examination showed absence of an os penis in the penis. A double-contrast cystograph showed the suspected uterus as well as the cystic calculi. A hypoechoic space was seen at the dorsal portion of the urinary bladder. The space was suspected to be the uterus. A sagital ultrasonograph showed cystic calculi in the urinary bladder. During surgery to remove cystic calculi, hypoplastic testes as well as the uterus were observed. Histological examination of the testes showed the seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells. The sertoli cells and spermatogonia were adjacent to the basement membrane. No evidence of spermatogenesis was found. Striated squamous epithelial cells and smooth muscle cells were found in the uterus. This dog had vestigial oviducts as well as a uterus with male-appearing external genitals.

This study evaluated the possibility of clinical application using matrigel-based bioceramic/polymer scaffolds treated with bone morphogenetic protein, angiogenic factor, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for new bone formation. In the in vitro study, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) containing matrigel, which is a basement membrane gel, was injected into HA/PCL scaffolds to estimate the release rates of growth factors. In the in vivo study, BMP-2, VEGF, and MSCs with matrigel-based scaffolds were implanted into rat femoral segmental defects, and new bone formation was evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks. In the results, the release rates of BMP-2 and VEGF explosively increased by day 5. For the in vivo study results, radiological evaluation revealed that the matrigel-based HA/PCL scaffolds with BMP-2 and VEGF grafted (M+B+V) and matrigel-based HA/PCL scaffolds with BMP-2, VEGF, and MSC grafted (MSC) groups showed increased bone volume and bone mineral density. Moreover, in the histological evaluation, large new bone formation was observed in the M+B+V group, and high cellularity in the scaffold was observed in the MSC group. In conclusion, grafted matrigel-based HA/PCL scaffolds with BMP-2, angiogenic factor, and MSCs increased new bone formation, and in clinical cases, it may be effective and useful to enhance healing of delayed fractures.

The current study was conducted in order to investigate bone formation using matrigel and angiogenic factors with HA and poly ε-caprolactone (HA/PCL) in a rat calvarial defect model. Calvarial defect formation was surgically created in Sprague Dawley rats (n=36). Rats in the control group (CD group, n=6) did not receive a graft. The HA/ PCL scaffold was grafted with matrigel (M-HA/PCL group, n=6) or without matrigel (HA/PCL group, n=6); and 100 ng of vascular endothelial growth factor with HA/ PCL scaffold containing matrigel (VEGF100 group, n=6), 100 ng (PDGF100 group, n=6) and 300 ng (PDGF300 group, n=6) of PDGF with HA/PCL scaffold containing matrigel were grafted in calvarial defects, respectively. Four weeks after surgery, bone formation was evaluated with micro computed tomography (micro CT) scanning, and histologically. According to the results, bone mineral density was significantly increased in the VEGF100, PDGF100, and PDGF300 groups compared to the HA/PCL group, in which angiogenic factors were not applied. In histological evaluation, more new bone formation around scaffolds was observed in the PDGF100 and the PDGF300 groups, compared with the VEGF100 group. Thus, the results indicate that HA/PCL containing matrigel with VEGF and PDGF is an effective grafting material for enhancement of bone formation in critical-sized bone defects. Especially, due to its price and capacity for bone formation, PDGF may be more effective than VEGF.

This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of alcohol-free cetylpyridinium chloride drinking water additive and oral gel on clinical parameters related to periodontal disease in beagle dogs. This study was conducted with healthy 15 beagle dogs. Following a professional teeth cleaning procedure, dogs were divided into three groups. Dogs in the control group received nothing, those in the drinking water additive (DWA) group received 800 ml water with 15 ml of alcohol-free cetylpyridinium chloride drinking water additive daily, and those in the Oral gel (OG) group were treated with oral gel containing alcohol-free cetylpyridinium chloride and 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate daily. Clinical parameters, including plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), and gingivitis index (GI) were evaluated at two and four weeks. Dogs in the DWA and OG groups had significantly less plaque than dogs in the control group at two and four weeks (P<0.01, P<0.05). And, at four weeks, CI was significantly lower in the OG group compared to the control group (P<0.05). On GI, similar scores were recorded for all groups during the experimental period. No significant difference was observed between the DWA group and the OG group. The effect of alcohol-free cetylpyridinium chloride drinking water additive was similar to the result for alcohol containing cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash reported in a previous study. The effect in control of periodontal disease was better in the OG group because of additional chlorhexidine gluconate. However, use of drinking water additive will be more convenient for owners; thus, it will be more effective for achievement of long-term results.

Vital pulpotomy is a very useful method for disarming of canine tooth, tooth fracture, periodontitis, and malocclusion in veterinary dentistry. Calcium hydroxide is the material commonly used as a liner during vital pulpotomy. This creates a mineralized barrier by stimulating osteoblastic hard tissue repair, arrests the inflammatory response, and soothes dentin. However, the powder or mix type calcium hydroxide materials have many disadvantages due to complicated procedures for use and are hard to handle when vital pulpotomy is followed under general anesthesia in animals. This study was conducted in order to compare the effect of mix and premixed paste type calcium hydroxide as a liner in vital pulpotomy. Six beagle dogs underwent hemisection on the mesial root of the mandibular first molar and vital pulpotomy on the distal root of the first molar. On the distal root of the left and right mandibular first molar, mix type (DYCAL®, Dentsply, USA) and premixed paste type calcium hydroxide (VITAPEX®, Morita, Japan) were used as liners, respectively. Radiological evaluation was performed at immediate, 4, 12, and 20 weeks after vital pulpotomy. According to the results, all teeth had well-formed dentinal bridges, and there were no periradicular lucency, lamina dura loss, or anomalies of the pulp cavity. According to these results, on vital pulpotomy in animals, premixed paste type calcium hydroxide was easy to handle and decreased the anesthesia period due to a more convenient application procedure. A further study of many clinical cases is needed for evaluation of side effects and other problems.

Experiments were conducted in order to assess the healing effect of bee venom (BV) cream on full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits. BV cream was compared with silver sulfadiazine (SS) as a topical medicament against a control on experimentally created full-thickness wounds. Two wounds measuring 2 × 2 cm were created bilaterally (four wounds/rabbit) on the dorsolateral aspect of the trunk of seven New Zealand white rabbits. Wound treatments were evenly distributed on four sites, using a Latin square design. The contact layer of wounds was treated with physiological saline (control), SS cream, and BV cream over a period of 28 days. Assessment of wound healing was based on scab hardness, wound exudates, wound area, unepithelialized granulation tissue, and histopathological findings. Topical application of BV and SS creams to wounds resulted in reduced inflammation, debridement of necrotic tissue, and promoted granulation and epithelialization. Wound healing was faster, with statistical significance in BV and SS treatments, compared to the control (P<0.05). Treatment with BV evoked an anti-inflammation effect in a rabbit model. BV cream produced a wound healing effect similar to that of commercially available SS cream. Anti-inflammation effect as a topical treatment with BV cream appears to be better than that with SS cream. These results suggest that topical application of BV cream may be an alternative treatment for full-thickness skin wounds.

This study demonstrated that hyaluronic acid (HA) accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury to the common peroneal nerve in an experimental rabbit model. Ten male New Zealand White rabbits, weighing 1.8 to 2.0 kg, were used in this study. After creating the nerve crush model in every right leg, rabbits were divided into two groups. Animals in group A received application of HA into the area surrounding the crushed nerve, and group B was the sham control. Electrophysiological assessment was performed every week. After 10 weeks, nerve histological examination, muscle weight and muscle histology were used to evaluate regeneration of the injured common peroneal nerve. No differences in electrophysiological assessment were observed between the two groups. In peripheral nerve histology, myelinated nerve fibers were observed more frequently and less connective tissue was observed in the crushed nerve of group A. Fewer muscle degenerative changes, such as fibrosis, atrophy, and centrally located myonuclei, were detected in group A than in group B. In conclusion, HA could become a potential neuroprotective agent for improvement of peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury.

Peripheral nerve injuries are very common in clinics and often result in severe functional deficits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treadmill running and electro-acupuncture on nerve regeneration and functional recovery of muscle activity following sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model. A comparative study was conducted over 30 days on 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats grouped into sham control (C), electro-acupuncture (EA), treadmill (T), and treadmill plus electro-acupuncture (TEA). The left sciatic nerve was crushed for 30 sec using a hemostatic forceps and functional activity was evaluated with sciatic functional tests, nerve conduct velocity, muscle weight, and histology at 10, 20, and 30 days after injury. Muscle weight was significantly (P<0.05) increased between days 10 and 30 in the TEA group. In histology, the degree of damage was scored as C > TEA > T > EA, although necrosis and fibrosis of muscle was observed only in the TEA group. The EA and TEA groups showed rapid recovery with better myelinated axons on day 10. These results suggest that application of the TEA method with balanced exercise is a useful treatment option for peripheral nerve injury regeneration and muscle activity.

A nine-month-old male Pekingese weighing 5.7 kg was admitted to the Veterinary Medical Center at Chungbuk National University with a history of acute nonambulatory tetraparesis after minor trauma. A diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability with a dens axis fracture was based on examination of survey spinal radiographs and was confirmed during surgery. A modified ventral fixation technique using cortical screws was used for stabilization of the atlantoaxial joint. Serial evaluation based on radiographic and neurologic assessment was performed eight weeks after surgery. Symptoms of tetraparesis disappeared gradually, and arthrodesis of the atlantoaxial joint using a ventral fixation technique has maintained stable fixation.

A 14-year-old intact female, mixed dog was presented with hematuria and strangury. Mass in the abdominal cavity was seen on radiographs and ultrasound. On the cytological examination in the urethra, clusters of pleomorphic epithelial cell were found. Tissues of the urethra and the urinary bladder were obtained at the time laparotomy and determined the extent of the mass. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder was found in histopathologic characteristics. Urinary diversion after removal of a complete full section of the TCC in bladder wall was performed. Piroxicam, as a medical therapy for TCC, was orally administrated. Surgical operation and chemotherapy were selected with the goal of maintaining and improving quality of life.

A two-month-old male calf weighing 70 kg with congenital metacarpophalangeal flexural deformity was referred to the Veterinary Medical Center of Chugbuk National University. The calf could not stand and walk normally that walked with the dorsal surface of the hoof with contraction of fetlock joint. The both forelimbs had been casted two times during 45 days before presentation. Midline of the palmar surface of the feltlock joint was incised to cut superficial flexor tendon, deep flexor tendon and interosseus muscle. Both forelimbs are healed well returned to normal function after tenotomy.