The treatment of NOE fractures has not changed dramatically in the last 5 years. Advanced surgical techniques, intraoperative computed tomography and absorbable plating hold promise requiring future research prior to broad implementation.

This study aimed to quantify the factors associated with the prevalence of the radiological signs of osteochondrosis (OC) and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) in South German Coldblood (SGC) horses. The prevalence of OC and OCD in fetlock and hock joints was analysed in 167 young coldblood horses with a mean age of 14 months. The presence of at least one osteochondrotic lesion (OC) in fetlock or hock joints was documented for 61.7% of the horses and 26.9% of the horses had osseus fragments. Osteochondrotic findings at the dorsal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone were seen in 53.9% of the horses and palmar/plantar osseous fragments in fetlock joints in 16.2% of the horses. Hock joint OC was found in 40.1% of the horses and hock OCD in 0.6%. Osteochondrotic findings in the distal part of the tibia were prevalent in 28.1% and in the lateral trochlea tali in 17.4% of the horses. The sex of the investigated horses significantly influenced the prevalence of OC in fetlock and hock joints, as well as the findings in the distal part of the tibia and lateral trochlea tali. Age at radiological examination was significant for the prevalence of OC in hock joints, palmar/plantar osseous fragments in fetlock joints and osteochondrotic findings in the distal part of the tibia. Female horses showed a 2-fold higher risk for OC in fetlock and hock joints than male horses. The distribution of the affected horses by age classes showed that radiographic signs of OC in fetlock and hock joints significantly increased at an age of about 1 year. We can conclude from our study that fetlock and hock OC is a prevalent radiographic finding in more than 1-year-old female and male SGC horses.

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The aim of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for osteochondrosis (OC) and palmar/plantar osseous fragments (POF) in fetlock joints in a whole-genome scan of 219 South German Coldblood horses. Symptoms of OC and POF were checked by radiography in 117 South German Coldblood horses at a mean age of 17 months. The radiographic examination comprised the fetlock and hock joints of all limbs. The genome scan included 157 polymorphic microsatellite markers. All microsatellite markers were equally spaced over the 31 autosomes and the X chromosome, with an average distance of 17.7 cM and a mean polymorphism information content (PIC) of 63%. Sixteen chromosomes harbouring putative QTL regions were further investigated by genotyping the animals with 93 additional markers. QTL that had chromosome-wide significance by non-parametric Z-means and LOD scores were found on 10 chromosomes. This included seven QTL for fetlock OC and one QTL on ECA18 associated with hock OC and fetlock OC. Significant QTL for POF in fetlock joints were located on equine chromosomes 1, 4, 8, 12 and 18. This genome scan is an important step towards the identification of genes responsible for OC in horses.

BackgroundCaspase-3 is one of the most downstream enzymes activated in the apoptotic pathway. In caspase-3 deficient mice, loss of cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion cells coincide closely with hearing loss. In contrast with the auditory system, details of the vestibular phenotype have not been characterized. Here we report the vestibular phenotype and inner ear anatomy in the caspase-3 deficient (Casp3-/-) mouse strain.ResultsAverage ABR thresholds of Casp3-/- mice were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared to Casp3+/- mice and Casp3+/+ mice at 3 months of age. In DPOAE testing, distortion product 2F1-F2 was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Casp3-/- mice, whereas Casp3+/- and Casp3+/+ mice showed normal and comparable values to each other. Casp3-/- mice were hyperactive and exhibited circling behavior when excited. In lateral canal VOR testing, Casp3-/- mice had minimal response to any of the stimuli tested, whereas Casp3+/- mice had an intermediate response compared to Casp3+/+ mice. Inner ear anatomical and histological analysis revealed gross hypomorphism of the vestibular organs, in which the main site was the anterior semicircular canal. Hair cell numbers in the anterior- and lateral crista, and utricle were significantly smaller in Casp3-/- mice whereas the Casp3+/- and Casp3+/+ mice had normal hair cell numbers.ConclusionsThese results indicate that caspase-3 is essential for correct functioning of the cochlea as well as normal development and function of the vestibule.

Heritabilities were estimated for osteochondrosis (OC) in fetlock and hock joints and palmar/plantar osseous fragments in fetlock joints of South German Coldblood (SGC) horses using Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) under a linear animal model. The analyses were based on the results of a standardized radiographic examination of 167 SGC horses with a mean age of 14 months. The heritabilities linearly estimated and transformed onto the liability scale were for OC in fetlock joints 0.16 and for OC in hock joints 0.04. Considering fetlock and hock OC together, results in a heritability of 0.17. Palmar/plantar osseus fragments of the fetlock joints showed a heritability of 0.48. We concluded that there is most likely a genetic component in the variation of the development of osteochondrosis in fetlock and hock joints as well as for palmar/plantar osseus fragments of fetlock joints of the investigated population of SGC horses.

The process of aging leads to countless bodily changes on both a macro- and microscopic scale. No organ system is unaffected; however, the nose is especially susceptible. Sun damage, hormone levels, regenerative capability, tissue elasticity, bone resorption, and the effects of gravity contribute to produce classic signs and symptoms. Rhinoplasty of the aging nose requires a comprehensive understanding of aging facial anatomy combined with surgical techniques designed to resist these ubiquitous remodeling forces over time.

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