Innovative models for teaching reproduction in small animals: The experience at DIMEVET of Bologna University.

For a long time, the main way to acquire the skills necessary for good veterinary practice has been the traditional apprenticeship model (observe, assist, and perform under supervision). However, in the last years, more creative and innovative teaching models have been adopted by academic institutions and, parallelly, the opportunities to gain hands-on experience for clinical and surgical procedures are becoming more limited. For that reason, the introduction of the models can provide a potential solution to the ethical and legal implications related to the use of live animals for educational purposes and the biosafety risks deriving from the manipulation of human/animal cadavers. The activity on this topic at DIMEVET and, in particular, the experience about teaching reproduction includes in-house production and use of models for learning skills both for degree (fifth and third years of course) and post-graduate courses. Our models are designed on the basis of two fundamental aspect: the student level and the teacher target. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time in literature, how much the use of simulators impacts on practical teaching in degrees and post graduate courses at DIMEVET, considering different learners with different levels of knowledge and skills. Namely, effectiveness, adequacy and quality of simulators have been checked assessing students' learning experience and teacher's opinion by specific satisfaction questionnaires and considering the attendance at the training sessions and the results of a final examination (PHY group) and an in vivo test (POST group). The rate of satisfaction was high among the three groups considered and the participants that had used the models had a higher success, both in the final examination and in vivo test. Data collected have been useful in order to show an improvement in teaching at DIMEVET in the field of reproduction, despite the relatively short years of experience using simulation. With this study we demonstrate that the adequacy of the models is not correlated to how simulators is built, whether with basic materials or not faithfully in terms of anatomical appearance, but it is important that it is realistic in terms of psychomotor procedure. In conclusion, the use of models permits the student to gain the hand-eye coordination and dexterity necessary to perform certain skills and the models proposed are meeting the desired educational goals.

The Comparison of Latero-Medial versus Dorso-Palmar/Plantar Drilling for Cartilage Removal in the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint.

The aims of the present study were to compare the percentages of articular cartilage removed using a lateral drilling approach of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) and a dorsal drilling approach, and to assess the usefulness of digital fluoroscopy when performing a lateral drilling approach. Sixty cadaveric PIPJs were drilled using a surgical drill bit to remove the articular cartilage. The limbs were divided into three groups containing 10 forelimbs and 10 hindlimbs each. One group received the dorsal drilling approach, the second one received the lateral drilling approach and the last one received the lateral drilling approach under digital fluoroscopy guidance. The percentage of articular cartilage removed from each articular surface was assessed using Adobe Photoshop ® software. The percentages of removed cartilage turned out to be significantly higher with lateral approach, especially under fluoroscopic guidance, both in the forelimbs (p = 0.00712) and hindlimbs (p = 0.00962). In conclusion, the lateral drilling approach seems to be a minimally invasive technique with which to perform PIPJ arthrodesis, even more efficient than the previously reported dorsal approach.

The distribution of the jejunal arteries in the cat.

The arterial supply of the cat jejunum was studied by gross dissection and polyurethane corrosion cast. The results showed that the jejunal arteries, which originate from the cranial mesenteric artery, varied from 5 to 15 in number. Their number was independent of the length of the cranial mesenteric artery as well as of the length of the jejunum. These arteries divided into branches giving rise to a series of orders of division from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 7. The last orders of division terminated in a series of anastomosing arcades which resulted in a marginal artery coursing only a few millimeters from the mesenteric margin of the jejunum. This artery gave rise to straight arteries (vasa recta), whose mean number was 450 ± 60. According to their length, the vasa recta can be differentiated into short (vasa brevia) and long (vasa longa) branches. The vasa brevia ended branching into the mesenteric side of the jejunum whereas the vasa longa coursed beneath the serosa on the lateral jejunal surfaces, and reached the antimesenteric border. During their course, the vasa recta ramified and anastomosed with each other. Numerous antimesenteric anastomoses between opposing vasa longa were also observed. Based on the literature consulted, due to the large number of vasa recta (approximately one vessel per 2.9 mm of jejunal length) and the rich anastomotic network, the cat jejunum might have a better intramural distribution of blood flow and would seem less predisposed to ischemic phenomena than that of other mammals.

Anatomical study of the musculus deltoideus and musculus flexor carpi ulnaris in 3 species of wild birds.

Given the limited information regarding the anatomy of the thoracic limb in European avian species, we decided to investigate the related muscles in the grey heron (Ardea cinerea), in the eurasian buzzard (Buteo buteo), and in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Therefore we performed a stratigraphic dissection of the wing in 3 subjects. The pars major and minor of the musculus deltoideus, despite being roughly in line with those reported by other authors in other species, displayed unique features. Concerning the pars propatagialis of the musculus deltoideus, from what was observed in the grey heron, we believe this structure can contribute to maintain the propatagial tension. In this way vibrations of this structure, which could cause diminished lift, are avoided. Moreover the peculiarity evidenced in the distal insertion of the common kestrel could influence the control of the pronation-supination of the wing during hovering. With respect to the musculus flexor carpi ulnaris, we believe the presence of a sesamoid-like structure at the base tendon, found in the grey heron and in the eurasian buzzard, may help complete the articular surfaces of the elbow. This study shows interesting data on species not previously examined and provides a possible functional correlation between the peculiarity observed and the kind of flight of each species.

α-Transducin and α-gustducin immunoreactive cells in the stomach of common sole (Solea solea) fed with mussel meal.

Vertebrates perceive a variety of exogenous substances using two main chemosensory systems, taste and olfaction. The taste perception occurs through the interaction of taste receptors associated with specific G protein subunits such as α-transducin (Gαtran) and α-gustducin (Gαgust). Aquatic vertebrates are also provided with a chemosensory system consisting of solitary chemosensory cells distributed to the oropharynx and skin. In this study, we identified Gαtran and Gαgust-immunoreactive cells intermingled with non-labeled epithelial cells in the gastric mucosa of the common sole. A long-term diet with increasing concentrations of mussel meal in the protein component of a conventional fish meal-based diet induced a dose-dependent increase in the gastric epithelial area and density of Gαtran and Gαgust immunoreactive cells. These findings suggest that taste-related molecules are regulated by changes in diet formulation in common sole aquaculture.

A new method of producing casts for anatomical studies.

The objective of the present study was to verify if polyurethane foam is a suitable material to make accurate casts of vessels and viscera, and to develop a method based on its use for anatomical studies. This new technique has been tested primarily on the lungs of different animals, but also on the renal, intestinal and equine digital vessels. It consisted of three steps: specimen preparation, injection of the foam and corrosion of the cast. All structures injected with foam were properly filled. The bronchial tree and the vessels could be observed up to their finer branches. The method is inexpensive, simple and requires no special equipment. The pre-casting procedure does not require perfusion of the specimens with formalin, or prolonged flushing with carbon dioxide gas or air for drying. The polyurethane foam does not need a catalyst. It is simply diluted with acetone, which does not cause shrinkage of the cast due to evaporation during hardening. The foam naturally expands into the cavities without high pressure of the inoculum, and hardens in just 2 or 3 h at room temperature. Only two drawbacks were observed. The first is the fact that multiple injections cannot be made in the same cavity since the foam solidifies quickly; the second is the slight brittleness of the cast, due to the low elasticity of polyurethane foam. In conclusion, polyurethane foam was a suitable material for producing accurate casts of vessels and viscera.

Anatomy and histology of the Fibrocartilago humerocapsularis in some species of European wild birds.

The occurrence and structure of the fibrocartilago humerocapsularis (FHC) in the shoulders of 72 subjects of various species of wild birds were evaluated by gross dissection and histological examination with the purpose of increasing the body of knowledge regarding this structure and verifying the functional hypotheses submitted in the past in other species. The results showed that the FHC has a conical shape with a narrow cavity on the inside. The structure is heterogeneous in the various species and consists of different tissues, such as hyaline cartilage, fibrous cartilage, and bone. From the data obtained in this study, there does not appear to be any correlation between ossification and the weight of the prey lifted, wing shape, and aging. This study also provided interesting preliminary data regarding the ossification of the FHC. In fact, in the Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix), the ossification seemed to be correlated with the mechanical stimulation of flying. Additional studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.