Long-Term Assessment of Bone Regeneration in Nonunion Fractures Treated with Compression-Resistant Matrix and Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 in Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess bone density, bone architecture and clinical function of canine nonunion distal appendicular long bone fractures with a defect treated with fixation, compression-resistant matrix and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with dogs at least 1-year post treatment. Computed tomography was performed and quantitative measurements from previous fracture sites were compared with measurements from contralateral limbs. Subjective evaluation included gait assessment and palpation. RESULTS: Six patients met the inclusion criteria. The rhBMP-2 treated bone exhibited higher density at the periphery and lower density in the centre, similar to the contralateral limb. All patients were weight bearing on the treated limb and all fractures were healed. CONCLUSION: The rhBMP-2-treated bone underwent restoration of normal architecture and density. Acceptable limb function was present in all patients. The results of this study can serve as a basis for long-term response in treating nonunion fractures in veterinary patients.

Canine mitral valve size as measured by computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the mitral annulus in dogs. Our hypothesis was that mitral measurement would be possible and consistent among observers using CT. SAMPLE: Thoracic CT scans of dogs without known heart disease. PROCEDURES: Five trained investigators measured 4 aspects of the mitral valve and the fourth thoracic vertebrae (T4) length using multiplanar reformatting tools. Ten randomly chosen animals were measured by all investigators to determine interobserver reliability. RESULTS: There were 233 CT scans eligible for inclusion. Dogs weighed 2 to 96 kg (mean, 28.1 kg), with a variety of breeds represented. Golden Retrievers (n = 28) and Labrador Retrievers (n = 37) were overrepresented. The intraclass correlations were all greater than 0.9, showing excellent agreement between observers. The means and SDs of each measurement were as follows: trigone-to-trigone distance, 17.2 ± 4.7 mm; the remaining circumference, 79.0 ± 17.5 mm; commissure-to-commissure distance, 30.8 ± 6.5 mm; septal leaflet-to-lateral leaflet distance, 26.3 ± 6.0 mm; T4 length, 16.9 ± 3.1 mm; and the total circumference normalized by T4, 5.7 ± 0.7 mm. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides information that may help in the development of future treatment for mitral valve dysfunction and subsequent annular enlargement.

Carpal Extension Angles in Agility Dogs Exiting the A-Frame and Hurdle Jumps.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the mean carpal extension angles in dogs participating in the A-frame and hurdle jumps, and to determine if the use of a carpal brace changed the carpal extension angle. STUDY DESIGN: Data from 13 healthy agility dogs were included. Approximately 1 cm square adhesive tape markers placed on both forelimbs served as anatomic landmarks for carpal angle measurement. Each dog was filmed landing after jumping over a bar and exiting the A-frame. Five valid trials on each obstacle were collected. The carpal braces were then applied and the dogs were allowed to navigate obstacles for 10 minutes. Once acclimated to the brace, an additional five valid trials were collected. Carpal extension was measured from the videos collected using a video analysis software. RESULTS: Without the carpal brace, the mean carpal extension angles ± standard deviations in dogs participating in the A-frame and hurdle jumps were 124.7 ± 11.9 degrees and 123.3 ± 6.3 degrees, respectively. With the carpal brace, the mean carpal extension angles ± standard deviations were 129.1 ± 11.4 degrees and 125.3 ± 7.3 for the A-frame and hurdle jumps, respectively. There was no clinically significant reduction as defined (>10 degrees) in carpal extension measurements with and without the brace. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The brace used in this study did not show a clinically significant reduction in carpal extension. However, multiple avenues for future research have been identified using these data.

Afectaciones Psicológicas, Estrategias de Afrontamiento y Niveles de Resiliencia de Adultos Expuestos al Conflicto Armado en Colombia / Psychological Symptoms, Coping Strategies and Resilience in Adults Exposed to the Colombian Armed Conflict / Afetações Psicológicas, Estratégicas de Enfrentamento e Níveis de Resiliência de Adultos Expostos ao Conflito Armado na Colômbia

Se determinaron las afectaciones psicológicas, estrategias de afrontamiento y niveles de resiliencia de 677 adultos expuestos al conflicto armado en un municipio colombiano. Los participantes del estudio fueron seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio por afijación proporcional. Se aplicaron el cuestionario de síntomas, prueba de estrés postraumático y escalas de estrategias de afrontamiento y resiliencia. Las principales afectaciones psicológicas encontradas son el sentimiento de que alguien trata de hacerle daño, consumo de alcohol, alteraciones del estado de ánimo y síntomas de estrés postraumático. Las estrategias de afrontamiento más empleadas son la religión y esperar que las cosas se arreglen solas. El nivel de resiliencia es moderado. La percepción de salud es baja y la necesidad de atención es alta.

The psychological symptoms, the coping strategies and the resilience levels of 677 adults exposed to armed conflict in a Colombian town were evaluated. The participants of the study were selected via random sampling by proportional allocation. A questionnaire of symptoms, a test of posttraumatic stress disorder, and several scales of coping strategies and resilience were applied. The main psychological symptoms found were the feeling that someone wanted to harm the participant, alcohol consumption, mood disorders, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress. The coping strategies most employed were religion and waiting until things straightened out by themselves. The level of resilience is moderate. The perception of health is low and the need for health care is high.

Neste estudo, foram determinados as afetações psicológicas, as estratégias de enfrentamento e os níveis de resiliência em 677 adultos expostos ao conflito armado num município colombiano. Os integrantes do estudo foram selecionados mediante amostragem aleatória por alocação proporcional ao tamanho do estrato amostragem. Aplicaram-se o questionário de sintomas, o teste de estresse pós-traumático e as escalas de estratégias de enfrentamento e resiliência. As principais afetações psicológicas achadas são o sentimento de que alguém tenta fazer-lhe mal, consumo de álcool, alterações do estado de ânimo e sintomas de estresse pós-traumático. As estratégias de enfrentamento mais empregadas são a religião e esperar que as coisas sejam ajustadas sozinhas. O nível de resiliência é moderado. A percepção de saúde é baixa, e a necessidade de atenção, alta.