During life, bone is continually optimized for its load-bearing role by a process of functionally adaptive (re)modelling. This process, which is more active in growing bone, is dominated by high-magnitude, high-rate strains, presented in an unusual distribution. Adaptation occurs at an organ level, involving changes in whole bone architecture and bone mass. The repetitive coordinated bone loading associated with habitual activity may have little role in the preservation of bone mass, and may even reduce the osteogenic potential of an otherwise highly osteogenic stimulus. Cells of the osteocyte/osteoblast network are best placed to appreciate mechanical strain. Among the strain-related responses they show, is a reduced rate of apoptosis. This may serve to regulate and target osteoclast activity. A more complete understanding of the stimuli and pathways involved in both the physiology and pathology of this structural homeostatic mechanism will allow the design of more appropriate exercise regimens and targeted pharmacological interventions to limit morbidity and mortality by reducing bone fragility.
To characterise the presenting signs and pathological changes of canine bacterial infective arthritis in 31 dogs, and to document the response to different treatment regimens. Risk factors that may predispose joints to bacterial infective arthritis and influence the success of treatment were also investigated.A retrospective review of cases of bacterial infective arthritis that were presented to three university veterinary referral hospitals over a five-year period (January 1997 to January 2002) was performed.The elbow joint (38 per cent) and stifle joint (44 per cent) were most commonly affected. Radiographic changes consistent with pre-existing osteoarthritis were identified in 14 joints, which had no history of previous surgery (articular or periarticular) or penetrating wound. No significant difference (P = 0.78) was identified between the outcome of combined surgical and medical management, and medical management alone. There were trends for poorer outcomes with increased bodyweight of the dog, longer duration of lameness and a higher nucleated cell count of the affected joint fluid at presentation. The overall infection rate for articular surgical procedures at one institution was 1-3 per cent.Medical and/or surgical management were usually successful in resolving infection (94 per cent). However, they were frequently unsuccessful in restoring full joint function; this may in part have been due to the nature of the underlying joint
Abstract OBJECTIVE To investigate in vitro effects of triclosan coating of suture materials on the growth of clinically relevant bacteria isolated from wounds in dogs. SAMPLE 6 types of suture material and 10 isolates each of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , methicillin-resistant S pseudintermedius , Escherichia coli , and AmpC β-lactamase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing E coli from clinical wound infections. PROCEDURES Isolates were cultured on Mueller-Hinton agar with 3 types of triclosan-coated suture, uncoated counterparts of the same suture types, and positive and negative controls. Zones of inhibition (ZOIs) were measured after overnight incubation. Sustained antimicrobial activity assays were performed with susceptible isolates. The ZOI measurements and durations of sustained antimicrobial activity were compared among suture types and isolates by statistical methods. Suture surface characteristics and bacterial adherence were evaluated qualitatively with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS ZOIs were generated only by triclosan-coated materials; triclosan-coated suture had sustained antimicrobial activity (inhibition) for 3 to 29 days against all tested pathogens. The ZOIs around triclosan-coated suture were significantly greater for S pseudintermedius isolates than for E coli isolates. Bacterial adherence to uncoated polyglactin-910 was greatest, followed by triclosan-coated polyglactin-910, and then uncoated monofilament sutures, with least adherence to coated monofilament sutures. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Surface characteristics of suture materials may be as important or more important than triclosan coating for microbial inhibition; however, triclosan coating appeared to affect bacterial adherence for multifilament sutures. Triclosan-coated, particularly monofilament, sutures inhibited pathogens commonly isolated from wounds of dogs, including multidrug-resistant bacteria. Further studies are required to assess clinical efficacy of triclosan-coated suture materials in vivo.
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