Objective: The purpose of the study reported here was to describe variables affecting thigh girth measurements preoperatively and 2 weeks after surgical stabilization of the stifle and to examine inter- and intra-observer reliability.Animals: Ten hound-type dogs with experimental, unilateral, cranial cruciate ligament transection, and surgical stabilization.Procedures: Dogs were placed in lateral recumbency for measurements of thigh circumference after the stifle was placed in flexed (F), estimated standing (S), and extended (E) positions. Measurements were made at 50 and 70% of thigh length (TL), with hair unclipped and then clipped prior to surgery, before and 2 weeks after cruciate ligament transection and stifle stabilization, and with and without sedation. A spring tension measuring tape was used to determine thigh girth that allowed a consistent amount of end-tension to be applied to the tape. All measurements were made by two blinded individuals in triplicate, data were recorded for each set of measurements and the mean of the three measurements for each condition was used for analysis.Results: Thigh girth was significantly greater at the more proximal site of 50% TL (36.7 ± 2.6 cm) when compared to the 70% TL (31.7 ± 2.7 cm) (P = 0.001). Sedation did not significantly affect thigh girth at any stifle position at the 70% and 50% TL. Although there were no differences in thigh circumference between the flexion and standing positions at 50% TL (F 38.2 ± 2.8 cm, S 38.1 ± 2.9 cm) and 70% TL (F 33.6 ± 1.6 cm; S 33.6 ± 1.8 cm), full extension of the stifle resulted in significantly less thigh girth (50% TL 36.6 ± 2.6 cm, P = 0.006; 70% TL 31.7 ± 2.6 cm, P = 0.006). Significant decreases in thigh girth were seen after surgery in all limb positions at both measurement sites. The highest correlations between Observer 1 (OB1) and Observer 2 (OB2) with least differences in measurements were with the stifle in the extended position. Agreement between two observers using standard measuring technique was significant at both the 50% (OB1: 34.10 ± 2.93 cm, OB2: 34.08 ± 2.65 cm, P = 0.007, ICC = 0.984) and 70% (OB1: 29.89 ± 2.43 cm, OB2: 30.04 ± 2.30 cm, P = 0.004, ICC = 0.981) TL positions with the stifle placed in extended position.Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Thigh girth measurement may be useful as an outcome measure when appropriate measuring technique is used. It is recommended that thigh girth be obtained at a distance of 70% thigh length, with the leg in an extended position while in lateral recumbency, and the dog relaxed or under sedation. Further studies should be performed in a variety of clinical situations.

This study focuses on the age adjustment of statures estimated with the anatomical method. The research material includes 127 individuals from the Terry Collection. The cadaveric stature (CSTA)-skeletal height (SKH) ratios indicate that stature loss with age commences before SKH reduction. Testing three equations to estimate CSTA at the age at death and CSTA corrected to maximum stature from SKH indicates that the age correction of stature should reflect the pattern of age-related stature loss to minimize estimation error. An equation that includes a continuous and linear age correction through the entire adult age range [Eq. (1)] results in curvilinear stature estimation error. This curvilinear stature estimation error can be largely avoided by applying a second linear equation [Eq. (2)] to only individuals older than 40 years. Our third equation [Eq. (3)], based on younger individuals who have not lost stature, can be used to estimate maximum stature. This equation can also be applied to individuals of unknown or highly uncertain age, because it provides reasonably accurate estimates until about 60/70 years at least for males.

Renal function studies and measurements of in vivo plasma renin activity (PRA), kidney renin content, and renin secretion by isolated, perfused kidneys were performed in spontaneously diabetic and nondiabetic BioBreeding/Worcester (BB/W) rats. Diabetic animals evidenced hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and plasma volume expansion. After dietary sodium deprivation, plasma volume fell to levels equivalent to those of sodium-deprived, nondiabetic rats. Dietary sodium deprivation evoked a larger proportional increase in PRA among diabetic than nondiabetic animals, although PRA before sodium restriction was equivalent in the two groups. Basal renin release (RR) was higher from isolated, perfused kidneys from diabetic rats than from nondiabetic kidneys. Diabetic kidneys, moreover, displayed increased kidney renin content (KRC). By contrast, while isoproterenol (10(-5) M) stimulated a nearly fivefold increment in RR from nondiabetic, perfused kidneys, a negligible effect was observed in diabetic kidneys. The dose-response curve of renin secretion (as a proportion of total renal content) in response to isoproterenol was shifted downward. Hence, while KRC and spontaneous RR by isolated, perfused kidneys were increased, the increment in PRA with salt depletion and the renin-secretory response to isoproterenol in vitro were impaired. We propose that specific defects in renin secretion, in particular, the response to beta-adrenergic stimulation, may be operative in diabetes.

Objective: To improve the accuracy of drilling during the repair of sacroiliac luxations (SILs) with a 3D-printed patient-specific drill guide (3D-GDT) compared to free-hand drilling technique (FHDT). Study design: Blinded, randomized, prospective ex vivo study.Sample population: Sixteen canine cadavers (20-25 kg). Methods: Dorsal, bilateral SILs were created. Pelvic CT was performed preand post-drilling. The FHDT was drilled followed by 3D-GDT. CT and 3D measurements of craniocaudal and dorsoventral angles were compared between FHDT and 3D-GDT, as well as deviations of entry and exit points relative to optimal trajectory. Results: Mean craniocaudal and dorsoventral angles for both CT-and 3Dmeasured 3D-GDT (CT 4.2 ± 3.9 and 3.9 ± 3.2 , respectively; 3D 5.1 ± 5.1 and 2.8 ± 2.3 , respectively p = .0006) were lower compared to FHDT (CT 11.8 ± 4.0 , p < .0001 and 8.9 ± 6.1 , p = .01; 3D 12.4 ± 5.9 , p = .0006 and 5.3 ± 5.24 , p = .05). Entry dorsoventral and end craniocaudal, dorsoventral, and 3D linear deviations were reduced with 3D-GDT. Sacral corridor disruption was present in 20% (3/15) for FHDT compared with 0% for 3D-GDT. CT and 3D analyses were in strong agreement (r = 0.77). Conclusion:Deviations of drill trajectories were minimized relative to optimal trajectories with 3D-GDT compared to FHDT in the dorsoventral and craniocaudal planes.Clinical significance: The use of 3D-GDT improves accuracy of sacral drilling compared with FHDT in canine cadavers. These results justify further evaluation in a clinical, prospective study.

There was no increased mortality rate in canine patients that presented with the suspected risk factors. The only risk factor that predicted mortality was the ATT score.