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Protein C activity, a novel prognostic marker, was evaluated in patients with gastric dilatation and volvulus in relation to mortality and severity of the disease. Data on the mortality, duration of clinical signs, degree of gastric torsion, gastric necrosis, splenectomy and occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy were recorded. Blood samples were obtained at selected time periods: T0 = no longer than 30 min before surgery; T1 = first day after surgery; T2 = second day after surgery. In addition to protein C activity assessment, haematological and haemostaseological analysis was also performed. The mean protein C activity was the lowest at T1 and the highest at T2. No significant relationship between protein C activity and mortality, duration of clinical signs, degree of gastric torsion, gastric necrosis, splenectomy and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy was found in patients with gastric dilatation and volvulus. All patients that died during hospitalisation after surgery were patients with decreased protein C activity at T1. Although protein C activity was not found to be a reliable preoperative prognostic marker in patients with gastric dilatation and volvulus, the study results show it might be a promising marker in postoperative monitoring of these patients.

Biosensors are dynamically developing analytical devices for the detection of substrates or other bioactive substances. They can be used for quick gas or liquid analyses and the construction of sensitive detection systems. This review highlights the advances and development of biosensors suitable for human and veterinary medicine and, namely, a novel contribution of nanotechnology for ultrasensitive diagnosis and personalized medicine. The synergic effect of nanotechnology and biosensors opens a new dimension for effective treatment and disease detection at their early stages.

This study evaluated selected biochemical indices in blood/peritoneal fluid in dogs with and without gastrointestinal tract damage. Blood and peritoneal fluid samples of 29 dogs presented to the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno were obtained as a part of the diagnostic approach and were subsequently biochemically analysed. The biochemical indices analysed were potassium, total protein, glucose, lactate and creatinine. Effusion-to-blood concentration ratios of selected indices were obtained for higher data validity and this ratio was then compared between two groups: patients with gastrointestinal tract damage and patients without gastrointestinal tract damage. There were 11 dogs in the study group of patients with gastrointestinal tract damage and 18 dogs in the study group of patients without gastrointestinal tract damage. Subsequent statistical data analysis did not show any significant difference between these two groups in any of the selected indices. According to our study results, selected biochemical indices cannot be considered as decisive for diagnosing gastrointestinal tract damage.

The hypothesis that dogs can detect malignant tumours through the identification of specific molecules is nearly 30 years old. To date, several reports have described the successful detection of distinct types of cancer. However, is still a lack of data regarding the specific molecules that can be recognized by a dog’s olfactory apparatus. Hence, we performed a study with artificially prepared, well-characterized urinary specimens that were enriched with sarcosine, a widely reported urinary biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa). For the purposes of the study, a German shepherd dog was utilized for analyses of 60 positive and 120 negative samples. Our study provides the first evidence that a sniffer dog specially trained for the olfactory detection of PCa can recognize sarcosine in artificial urine with a performance [sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 95%, and precision of 90% for the highest amount of sarcosine (10 µmol/L)] that is comparable to the identification of PCa-diagnosed subjects (sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 91.6%). This study casts light on the unrevealed phenomenon of PCa olfactory detection and opens the door for further studies with canine olfactory detection and cancer diagnostics.

Carcinoma of the prostate is a commonly occurring malignant tumour in men and is a common cause of death. Early diagnosis and therapy is crucial for the successful treatment of this serious disease. It is therefore desirable to develop a sufficiently reliable, minimally invasive, and inexpensive method of diagnosing prostate cancer, which would usefully supplement the diagnostic techniques currently in common use (digital rectal examination, measuring the prostate-specific antigen level in serum, transrectal ultrasonography). This article describes in detail the methodology of a new technique for intensive training aimed at developing the dog’s olfactory abilities to diagnose carcinoma of the prostate in men while the animal is still young. At the same time, the rate of success in establishing the diagnosis of prostate cancer in men using this method was evaluated based on the identification of urine samples from patients in whom the disease was histologically confirmed. The results of our study demonstrate that the diagnosis of prostate cancer in men using the olfactory abilities of a specially trained dog can be considered a reliable, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive method of diagnosing carcinoma of the prostate.

The study deals with mechanical testing of newly developed material polyethylene terephtalate coated with polycaprolactone nanofibers in combination with biodagradable Hexalon ACL/PCL screws as a new possibility of intra-articular reinforcement of partially ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. Four groups of ex vivo models of pig stifle joints were prepared and tested: a model with intact CCL (group 1), a model with partial CCL rupture (group 2), a model with CCL rupture stabilized with 7 mm Mersilene strip (group 3), and a model with CCL rupture stabilized with 5 mm PET/PCL biomaterial strip (group 4). The models were loaded in the standing angle of 100deg and the maximum load (N) and the shift (mm) were monitored. The mean maximum peak power and the shift were 1266.0 +/- 146.9 N and 13.7 +/- 2.5 mm for group 1, and 1164.7 +/- 228.2 N and 1 6.8 +/- 3.3 mm for group 2, respectively. In all cases after reaching the maximum load, a tibial fracture occurred but never a CCL rupture. In groups 3 and 4, the initial fixation failure occurred in the mean values of 375.7 +/- 81.5 and 360.4 +/- 52.0 N, respectively, and with a bigger shift of 52.3 +/- 11.9 mm and 39.4 +/- 14.6 mm, respectively, compared to group 1. A critical point of failure was the anchoring in the bone. It can be concluded that the PET/PCL substitute in the ex vivo model has mechanically comparable properties with the clinically used Mersilene, and based on its proven ability to carry stem cells it could be appropriate for partially ruptured CCL protection. The study deals with mechanical testing of newly developed material polyethylene terephtalate coated with polycaprolactone nanofibers in combination with biodagradable Hexalon ACL/PCL screws as a new possibility of intra-articular reinforcement of partially ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. Four groups of ex vivo models of pig stifle joints were prepared and tested: a model with intact CCL (group 1), a model with partial CCL rupture (group 2), a model with CCL rupture stabilized with 7 mm Mersilene strip (group 3), and a model with CCL rupture stabilized with 5 mm PET/PCL biomaterial strip (group 4). The models were loaded in the standing angle of 100deg and the maximum load (N) and the shift (mm) were monitored. The mean maximum peak power and the shift were 1266.0 +/- 146.9 N and 13.7 +/- 2.5 mm for group 1, and 1164.7 +/- 228.2 N and 1 6.8 +/- 3.3 mm for group 2, respectively. In all cases after reaching the maximum load, a tibial fracture occurred but never a CCL rupture. In groups 3 and 4, the initial fixation failure occurred in the mean values of 375.7 +/- 81.5 and 360.4 +/- 52.0 N, respectively, and with a bigger shift of 52.3 +/- 11.9 mm and 39.4 +/- 14.6 mm, respectively, compared to group 1. A critical point of failure was the anchoring in the bone. It can be concluded that the PET/PCL substitute in the ex vivo model has mechanically comparable properties with the clinically used Mersilene, and based on its proven ability to carry stem cells it could be appropriate for partially ruptured CCL protection.

Radiofrequency ablation is a tumour destruction method, widely used in human as well veterinary medicine. Recently, it has been applied to pancreatic disorder treatment. However, little is known about healing of the pancreatic parenchyma after radiofrequency ablation as it is important for the prevention of complications and treatment strategy. The aim of this experimental in vivo study on pigs was to evaluate the pancreatic parenchyma healing dynamics after damage by radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablations of the duodenal lobe of the pancreas were performed on 8 cross-bred laboratory pigs. They were euthanized in pairs at seven, fourteen, forty and eighty days after the procedure. Histological and cytological changes of the ablated zone were evaluated after autopsy. It was proved that pancreatic necrosis after radiofrequency ablation heals by means of fibrotic scar. There was no sign of exocrine and endocrine regeneration, respectively, during 80 days after the procedure. This is the first study verifying that the healing process of an ablation zone in the pancreatic parenchyma after radiofrequency ablation is similar to healing in the liver, lung, heart and other parenchymal organs.

The study deals with the possibility of substituting time- and material-demanding mechanical testing of a bone defect fixation by mathematical modelling. Based on the mechanical model, a mathematical model of bone-implant construct stabilizing experimental segmental femoral bone defect (segmental ostectomy) in a miniature pig ex vivo model using 4.5 mm titanium LCP was created. It was subsequently computer-loaded by forces acting parallel to the long axis of the construct. By the effect of the acting forces the displacement vector sum of individual construct points occurred. The greatest displacement was noted in the end segments of the bone in close proximity to ostectomy and in the area of the empty central plate hole (without screw) at the level of the segmental bone defect. By studying the equivalent von Mises stress SIGMAeqv on LCP as part of the tested construct we found that the greatest changes of stress occur in the place of the empty central plate hole. The distribution of this strain was relatively symmetrical along both sides of the hole. The exceeding of the yield stress value and irreversible plastic deformations in this segment of LCP occurred at the acting of the force of 360 N. These findings are in line with the character of damage of the same construct loaded during its mechanic testing. We succeeded in creating a mathematical model of the bone-implant construct which may be further used for computer modelling of real loading of similar constructs chosen for fixation of bone defects in both experimental and clinical practice. Studie se zabývá možností náhrady časově i materiálově náročného mechanického testování implantátu fixujícího defekt kosti matematickým modelováním. Na základě mechanického modelu byl vytvořen matematický model segmentálního ostektomického defektu diafýzy femuru miniaturního prasete fixovaného přemosťující 4,5 mm LCP (konstrukce kost-implantát), který byl následně computerově zatížen silami působícími paralelně s dlouhou osou konstrukce. Účinkem působících sil došlo k vektorovému posunu jednotlivých bodů konstrukce. Největší posun byl zaznamenán v koncových úsecích kosti v těsné blízkosti ostektomie a v místě centrálního otvoru LCP nevyplněného šroubem přemosťujícího defekt. Studií průběhu ekvivalentního von Misesova napětí SIGMAeqv na LCP, jakožto součásti testované konstrukce, bylo zjištěno, že k největším změnám napětí dochází v místě centrálního otvoru LCP nevyplněného šroubem. Rozložení tohoto napětí bylo relativně souměrné po obou stranách otvoru. K překročení napětí na mezi kluzu a nevratným plastickým deformacím v tomto úseku LCP došlo při působení síly 360 N. Tato zjištění odpovídají charakteru poškození stejné konstrukce při zátěži během jejího mechanického testování. Podařilo se vytvořit funkční matematický model konstrukce kost-implantát, který bude možno dále využívat pro computerovou modelaci reálného zatížení podobných konstrukcí zvolených k fixaci kostních defektů v experimentu i v klinické praxi.

In terms of GDV prevention, a number of non-surgical measures are recommended. However, the only truly reliable method is gastropexy, most often as part of a surgical treatment of GDV. Gastropexy may be performed preventively either during laparotomy indicated for another reason than GDV, or newly laparoscopically, as independent preventive gastropexy. Preventive laparoscopic assisted gastropexy (PLAG) was performed in 17 patients at the Department of Surgery and Orthopaedics of the Small Animal Clinic at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno. Clinical results and complications of PLAG were evaluated 3-12 months after surgery. The most frequent clinical finding of PLAG was a skinfold at the site of gastropexy immediately after the surgery (n = 8; 47%), or still on day 12 after the surgery (n = 1; 6%). As for PLAG complications, in one case a seroma formation was found at the site of gastropexy (6%); in two patients iatrogenic perforation of the splenic capsule (12%) occurred, which in one case gave reason to converting laparoscopy into laparotomy (6%). In none of the patients, death, gastropexy failure, GDV development, dehiscence, infection of or haemorrhage from the surgical wound were noted. Laparoscopic assisted gastropexy appears as a reliable and miniinvasive surgical method of GDV prevention and it may be recommended for high-risk breeds of dogs.

The aim of the study was to detect and compare the haemostatic variables and bleeding after 7‑days administration of carprofen or meloxicam in clinically healthy miniature pigs. Twenty-one clinically healthy Göttingen miniature pigs were divided into 3 groups. Selected haemostatic variables such as platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen, serum biochemical variables such as total protein, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase and haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells, white blood cells and buccal mucosal bleeding time were assessed before and 7 days after daily intramuscular administration of saline (1.5 ml per animal, control group), carprofen (2 mg·kg-1) or meloxicam (0.1 mg·kg-1). In pigs receiving carprofen or meloxicam, the thrombin time was significantly increased (p< 0.01) compared to the control group. In animals receiving carprofen, serum urea and creatinine were significantly decreased, compared to the control (p< 0.01) or meloxicam (p< 0.05) groups. In pigs receiving meloxicam, serum urea was significantly decreased (p< 0.05) compared to the control group. Significant differences were not detected in other haemostatic, biochemical variables or bleeding time compared to other groups or to the pretreatment values. Intramuscular administration of carprofen or meloxicam in healthy miniature pigs for 7 days causes sporadic, but not clinically important changes of selected haemostatic variables. Therefore, we can recommend them for perioperative use, e.g. for their analgesic effects, in orthopaedic or other surgical procedures without increased bleeding.

Radiofrequency ablation is a possible palliative treatment for patients suffering from pancreatic neoplasia. However, radiofrequency-induced damage to the peripancreatic tissues during pancreatic ablation might cause fatal complications. The aim of this experimental ex vivo study on pigs was to verify ablation protocols and evaluate whether or not the cooling of peripancereatic tissues during pancreatic ablation has any benefit for their protection against thermal injury. Radiofrequency ablation was performed on 52 pancreatic specimens obtained from pigs. During each pancreatic ablation, continuous measurements of the temperature in the portal vein and duodenal lumen were performed. Peripancreatic tissues were either not cooled or were cooled by being submerged in 14 °C water, or by a perfusion of the portal vein and duodenum with 14 °C saline. The effects of variation in target temperature of the ablated area (90 °C and 100 °C), duration of ablation (5 and 10 min) and the effect of peripancreatic tissues cooling were studied. We proved that optimal radiofrequency ablation of the porcine pancreas can be reached with the temperature of 90 °C for 5 min in the ablated area. The perfusion of the duodenal and portal vein by 14 °C saline was found to be the most effective cooling method for minimizing damage to the walls. Continuous measurement of temperatures in peripancreatic tissues will provide useful feedback to assist in their protection against thermal injury. This therapy could be used in the treatment of pancreatic tumours.

The study deals with the determination of mechanical properties, namely resistance to bending forces, of flexible buttress osteosynthesis using two different bone-implant constructs stabilizing experimental segmental femoral bone defects (segmental ostectomy) in a miniature pig ex vivo model using 4.5 mm titanium LCP and a 3 mm intramedullary pin ("plate and rod" construct) (PR-LCP), versus the 4.5 mm titanium LCP alone (A-LCP). The "plate and rod" fixation (PR-LCP) of the segmental femoral defect is significantly more resistant (p < 0.05) to bending forces (200 N, 300 N, and 500 N) than LCP alone (A-LCP). Stabilisation of experimental segmental lesions of the femoral diaphysis in miniature pigs by flexible bridging osteosynthesis 4.5 mm LCP in combination with the "plate and rod" construct appears to be a suitable fixation of non-reducible fractures where considerable strain of the implants by bending forces can be assumed. These findings will be used in upcoming in vivo experiments in the miniature pig to investigate bone defect healing after transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in combination with biocompatible scaffolds. Studie se zabývá stanovením mechanických vlastností, zejména odolnost vůči ohybu, pružné opěrné osteosyntézy s použitím dvou různých kostních implantátů (4.5 mm titanium LCP a 3 mm drát, 4.5 mm titanium LCP bez drátu). Implantát stabilizuje porušenou stehenní kost.

This retrospective study evaluated a canine patient group operated on for mammary neoplasms (221 females). After surgical treatment, the animals were divided based on histological findings into groups and subgroups according to the WHO system. In the individual groups and subgroups the length of their survival following a mammary tumour surgery and death causes were followed. Of their total number, 164 tumours were malignant, 39 were benign and 18 were mammary hyperplasias. With regard to malignant tumours, invasive tubular carcinoma (20.81%) was identified most frequently; fibroadenoma reached the highest occurrence (10.41%) as regards benign tumours. The length of survival in females with malignant tumours ranged from 12 to 37.4 months, depending on histological subtypes. In females with benign mammary neoplasms the length of survival ranged from 39.1 to 59.3 months and in animals with hyperplasia it was 50.2 months. As a result of mammary tumour, 41 females (25%) died in the malignant tumour group, none died in the benign tumour group and 2 females (11.1%) died in the hyperplasia group. The survival periods in surgically treated patients with mammary tumours were shorter for solid and complex carcinomas, compared to patients affected with the remainder of the histological subtypes. The longest survival period following operation was recorded in the group suffering from adenoma. The least favourable illness prognosis for patients with mammary tumours in respect to linking the death cause to the mammary tumour was for those having invasive papillary carcinoma. The most favourable illness prognosis was for patients with benign tumours and non-invasive tubular carcinoma. A frequent death cause in females with mammary tumours was another illness unrelated to mammary tumours. Mastectomy, metastasis, carcinoma, neoplasm, hyperplasia, dog, cancer mammae

The study describes types, absolute and relative numbers of implant failures in flexible bridging osteosynthesis using a six-hole 3.5 mm titanium Locking Compression Plate (n = 9) or a five-hole LCP 4.5 mm titanium (n = 40) selected for the fixation of segmental ostectomy of femoral diaphysis in the miniature pig used as an in vivo model in a study on the healing of a critically sized bone defect using transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells combined with biocompatible scaffolds within a broader research project. Occasional implant failure was evaluated based on radiographic examination of femurs of animals 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after surgery. When bone defect was stabilized using 3.5 mm LCP, in 6 cases (66.7%) the screw was broken/lost in the proximal fragment of the femur 2 weeks after implantation (n = 4) and 4 weeks after implantation (n = 2). In 4 cases of these, the implant failure was accompanied also by loosening of the screw in position 3 in the proximal fragment of the femur. During ostectomy stabilization with 4.5 mm LCP, in 3 cases (7.5%) LCP was broken at the place of the empty central plate hole (without inserted screw) at the level of the segmental bone defect. Compared to the six-hole 3.5 mm LCP, the five-hole titanium 4.5 mm LCP is more suitable implant for flexible bridging osteosynthesis of a critically sized segmental defect of femoral diaphysis in the miniature pig. The results of this study will allow reducing implant failures in time- and cost-demanding transplantation experiments focused on bone healing.

Biomechanics of fracture fixation and testing of mechanical properties of bone/implant construct from the viewpoint of checking the strength and resistance ability to acting forces are of current interest. Computer modelling known as mathematical modelling is regarded as an alternative to mechanical testing of properties on a testing machine. As a result, we get a 3D model of a real object (i.e., implant for fracture fixation in our case), which can be exposed to deformation processes in the environment of the mathematical software in order to characterize forces acting on the implant and subsequently analyze the forces causing the implant failure (broken plate). The goal of this study was to employ mathematical-statistical modelling for determination of forces that caused failure (broken implant) of a five-hole titanium 4.5 mm Locking Compression Plate. This plate has been used for flexible bridging osteosynthesis of segmental femoral diaphyseal defect in a miniature pig to investigate bone healing after transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in combination with biocompatible scaffolds. Mathematical modelling has been performed with COMSOL Multiphysics software. Numerical study that describes deformation processes taking place in implant failure demonstrates the possibilities of deformation of five-hole titanium 4.5 mm LCP in the case of exceeding the elastic limits of a material. Knowledge of the forces acting on implants used for fracture fixation acquired from mathematical modelling might be used in clinical practice in order to prevent undesirable implant failure. Plate, bone defect, fracture, deformation, crack driving face, stress field

This study presents first two cases of laparoscopically assisted cryptorchidectomy using the LigaSure ® device performed on clinical patients at our department; namely, a four-year-old German shepherd and a thirteen-year-old Maltese dog. The cryptorchid testis was laparoscopically localized and grasped and by sequential grasping of the spermatic funicle using the LigaSure ® device, a. et v. testicularis, ductus deferens as well as a. et v. ductus deferentis were successively coagulated and transected. The testis was removed from the abdominal cavity through a slightly enlarged incision for the instrument port. The testis positioned in the scrotum was in both cases removed using prescrotal castration with ligature of the spermatic funicle and a. et v. testicularis, ductus deferens as well as a. et v. ductus deferentis. Both patients were released into home care on the second day after the procedure without the need to administer further analgesics. No complications with anaesthesia, surgical procedure or complications in the postoperative period were recorded. Laparoscopically assisted method of coagulation and transection of the blood vessels and ductus deferens using the LigaSure ® device appears as clinically applicable, fast and safe miniinvasive method of cryptorchidectomy in dogs. Miniinvasive castration, endoscopic, cryptorchism, ductus deferens, a. et v. testicularis The absence of one or both of the testes in the scrotum may present a clinical problem in dogs. Cryptorchism is considered the most frequent congenital defect of testes in dogs (Wallance and Cox 1980). Under normal situation the testes descend into the scrotum as a result of the shortening of the gubernaculum, or its fibrotization and contraction. This process is directed hormonally by androgens produced by interstitial (Leydig) cells from the 54 th day of gestation (Yates et al. 2003). The approximation and passage of the testis

The aim of the study was to verify whether there is a difference in the lengthwise growth of the femurs and in their angular deformity when comparing preventive vs. therapeutic transplantation of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to an iatrogenic defect in the distal physis of femur. Modified composite chitosan/collagen type I scaffold with MSCs was transplanted to an iatrogenically created defect of the growth cartilage in the lateral condyle of the left femur in 20 miniature male pigs. In Group A of animals (n = 10) allogeneic MSCs were transplanted immediately after creating the defect in the distal physis of femur (preventive transplantation). In Group B of animals (n = 10) the same defect of the growth cartilage was treated by transplantation of allogeneic MSCs four weeks after its creation (therapeutic transplantation), after the excision of the bone bridge that had formed in it. On average, left femurs with a damaged distal physis and preventively transplanted allogeneic MSCs (Group A) grew during 4 months from transplantation by 0.56 ± 0.44 cm more than right femurs without the transplantation of MSCs, whereas left femurs with physeal defects treated with a therapeutic transplantation of allogeneic MSCs (Group B) by 0.14 ± 0.72 cm only, compared to right femurs without transplanted MSCs. Four months after preventive transplantation of MSCs (Group A), valgus deformity of the distal part of left femur with the defect was 0.78 ± 0.82°; in the control group (right femur in the same animal without MSCs transplantation) it was 3.7 ± 0.82°. After therapeutic transplantation of MSCs (Group B) 0.6 ± 3.4°, in the control group (right femur in the same animal without MSCs transplantation) it was 2.1 ± 2.9°. In all the animals of Groups A and B, the presence of newly formed hyaline cartilage was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. In the distal physis of right femurs with an iatrogenic defect of the growth cartilage without the transplantation of MSCs (control) bone bridge was formed. Preventive transplantation of allogeneic MSCs into the defect of the distal growth zone of femur appears more suitable compared to the therapeutic transplantation, with regard to the more pronounced lengthwise bone growth. Differences found in the extent of valgus deformity were non-significant comparing preventive and therapeutic transplantations of MSCs. MSCs, growth plate, deformity, bone bridge Injury of the growth cartilage of the long bones of the extremities usually leads to the formation of a bone bridge between epiphysis and metaphysis of the long bone (Key and Ford 1958; Bright 1974). At the same time, in approximately 25 - 30% of cases the lengthwise bone growth is reduced and its angular deformity occurs (Ahn et al. 2004). Besides, in 10% of these cases, the function of the relevant joint is impaired (Mann and

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable hydrogels based on collagen modified by addition of synthetic biodegradable copolymer intended for preparation of porous scaffolds for mesenchymal stem cells used for possible implantation to animals with articular surface defects was investigated. The synthetic biodegradable tri-block copolymer used was the block copolymer of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA) (PEG-PLGA) endcapped with itaconic acid (ITA). The water-soluble carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccimide system (EDC-NHS) was chosen as the cross-linking agent used to control the rate of hydrogel resorption. Dependence of the physical properties of the prepared hydrogels on the concentration of the EDC-NHS cross-linker, reaction time and concentration of PEG-PLGA-ITA copolymer was examined. Swelling behaviour, thermal stability, surface morphology and degradation rate were also characterized. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that increase in concentration of the cross-linking agent, as well as prolonged cross-linking time and increased amount of synthetic copolymer lead to enhanced thermal stability of the gels together with a reduced swelling ratio and degradation rate in saline. The resorption rate of these gels used in preparation of cartilage scaffolds can be controlled over a wide time interval by varying the collagen/(PEG-PLGA-ITA) blend composition or the conditions of the cross-linking reaction. Byla zkoumána příprava tkáňových substrátů na ázi kolagenu modifikovaného syntetickým PLA-PGA-PEG copolymerem a stabilita těchto substrátů v simulovaném tělním prostředí.

This synoptic study gives a concise overview of current knowledge of bone healing, the role of mesenchymal stem cells in bone tissue regeneration and contemporary possibilities of supporting regeneration of damaged bone. Attention of research concerning the healing of fractures with extensive loss of bone tissue following trauma, the treatment of belatedly healing or non-healing fractures or the healing of segmental bone defects following tumour resection, is focused on development of three-dimensional scaffolds planted with mesenchymal stem cells that might be used for reconstruction of such large bone lesions. Presented are possibilities of transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells combined with biomaterials into bone defects, including the results of our own experimental studies dealing with the use of stem cells in the treatment of damaged tissues of the musculoskeletal system in animal models.

Crha M., J. Lorenzova, L. Urbanova, T. Fichtel, A. Necas: Effect of Selected Preoperative Factors on Postoperative Mortality in Dogs with Small Bowel Obstruction. Acta Vet. Brno 2008, 77: 257-261. A total of 52 dogs surgically treated for small bowel obstruction were evaluated for selected preoperative clinical and laboratory findings as possible risk factors in regard to postoperative mortality in these patients. Relative risk of postoperative mortality was established for the following preoperative findings and indicators: leukocytosis or leukopaenia, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hypocalaemia, thrombocytopaenia and bacterial peritonitis. Of the selected preoperative factors, connection was demonstrated (p < 0.05) with hypoalbuminaemia, anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and bacterial peritonitis. On the other hand, preoperative findings of hypocalaemia, leukopaenia or leukocytosis were not associated in the monitored group of patients with a higher risk of postoperative patient mortality. In clinical practice, preoperative assessment of the mentioned risk factors connected with a higher postoperative mortality rate could contribute to establishing a more accurate diagnosis in cases of the small bowel obstruction disease in dogs.

Crha M., J. Lorenzova, L. Urbanova, T. Fichtel, A. Necas: Two Techniques of Intestinal Wall Suture in Surgical Treatment of Ileus in Dogs and the Importance of Omentalisation. Acta Vet. Brno 2008, 77: 263-267. Model experimental studies focused on the intestinal suture techniques in relation to healing, postoperative narrowing of the intestinal lumen or adhesion formation can not comprise a number of clinical factors (foreign body presence in the intestine, haematological abnormalities, septic peritonitis, different age of patients, etc.) that under clinical practice conditions may have an effect on the healing of the intestinal suture. The aim of this clinical study was to confirm in a group of dogs surgically treated for small bowel obstruction, whether different techniques of its wall suture may affect the frequency of possible dehiscence occurrence. This study compares two different techniques of intestinal wall suture in relation to postoperative dehiscence of the intestinal wall closure. Based on the clinical observation with regard to the risk of postoperative dehiscence and possible complications in form of adhesions, also the importance of omentalisation in the suture of small bowel was evaluated. No significant difference was demonstrated (p > 0.05) in the frequency of postoperative dehiscence at the site of the intestinal wall closure between the two-layer inverting and singlelayer appositional techniques of suture. Likewise, no significant difference was demonstrated (p > 0.05) in the frequency of dehiscence of intestinal wall suture between patients that underwent intestinal suture omentalisation and those whose intestinal wall suture was not complemented with omentalisation. Based on the results of this clinical study it may be stated that both manual single-layer approximation technique and two-layer inverting technique of the intestinal wall suture are equally safe from the viewpoint of possible dehiscence, and it depends on the surgeon’s preference, which one of the said techniques he or she chooses. Concurrently it may be assumed that an exactly performed suture of the intestinal wall does not necessarily require omentalisation. Intestine, obstruction, dehiscence

At present, attention is focused on research into possibilities of healing large bone defects by the method of mini-invasive osteosynthesis, using implantation of biomaterials and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study evaluates the healing of segmental femoral defects in miniature pigs based on the radiological determination of the callus: cortex ratio at 16 weeks after ostectomy. The size of the formed callus was significantly larger (p < 0.05) in animals after transplantation of an autogenous cancellous bone graft (group A, callus : cortex ratio of 1.77 ± 0.33) compared to animals after transplantation of cylindrical scaffold from hydroxyapatite and 0.5% collagen (group S, callus : cortex ratio of 1.08 ± 0.13), or in animals after transplantation of this scaffold seeded with MSCs (group S + MSCs, callus: cortex ratio of 1.15 ± 0.18). No significant difference was found in the size of callus between animals of group S and animals of group S + MSCs. Unlike a scaffold in the shape of the original bone column, a freely placed autogenous cancellous bone graft may allow the newly formed tissue to spread more to the periphery of the ostectomy defect. Implanted cylindrical scaffolds (with and without MSCs) support callus formation directly in the center of original bone column in segmental femoral ostectomy, and can be successfully used in the treatment of large bone defects. V současné době se soustředí pozornost na hledání možností léčby rozsáhlých defektů kostí cestou miniinvazivní osteosyntézy, implantací biomateriálů a mezenchymových kmenových buněk. Tato studie hodnotí hojení segmentálních defektů femurů miniaturních prasat na základě rentgenologického stanovení poměru kalus:kortex za 16 týdnů po ostektomii. Velikost vzniklého svalku byla statisticky významně větší (p < 0,05) u zvířat po implantaci autogenního spongiózního štěpu (skupina A, poměr kalus:kortex 1,77 ± 0,33) ve srovnání se zvířaty po implantaci cylindrického skafoldu z hydroxyapatitu a 0,5% kolagenu (skupina S, poměr kalus:kortex 1,08 ± 0,13) a zvířaty ze skupiny S po transplantaci tohoto skafoldu osazeného MSCs (skupina S+MSCs, poměr kalus:kortex 1,15 ±0,18). Nebyl zaznamenán statisticky významný rozdíl ve velikosti svalku u zvířat ze skupin S a S + MSCs. Volně vložený autogenní spongiózní štěp může, na rozdíl od skafoldu ve tvaru původního sloupce kosti, umožňovat šíření novotvořené tkáně více k periferii ostektomického defektu. Implantované cylindrické skafoldy (s a bez MSCs) podporují tvorbu svalku přímo v místě původního sloupce kosti po segmentální ostektomii femuru, a mohou být úspěšně použity v léčbě rozsáhlých kostních defektů.

Background The aim of this experimental study on New Zealand's white rabbits was to find differences in the results of treating the distal physeal femoral defect by the transplantation of autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). After the excision of a created bone bridge in the distal physis of the right femur, modified composite scaffold with MSCs was transplanted into the defect. In animal Group A (n = 11) autogenous MSCs were implanted; in animal Group B (n = 15) allogeneic MSCs were implanted. An iatrogenic physeal defect of the left femur of each animal not treated by MSCs transplantation served as control. The rabbits were euthanized four months after the transplantation. The treatment results were evaluated morphometrically (femoral length and valgus deformity measurement) and histologically (character and quality of the new cartilage). Results Four months after the transplantation, the right femurs of the animals in Group A were on average longer by 0.50 ± 0.04 cm (p = 0.018) than their left femurs, the right femurs of rabbits in Group B were on average longer by 0.43 ± 0.01 cm (p = 0.028) than their left femurs. 4 months after the therapeutic transplantation of MSCs valgus deformity of the distal part of the right femur of animals in Group A was significantly lower (by 4.45 ± 1.86°) than that of their left femur (p = 0.028), in Group B as well (by 3.66 ± 0.95° than that of their left femur p = 0.001). However, no significant difference was found between rabbits with transplanted autogenous MSCs (Group A) and rabbits with transplanted allogeneic MSCs (Group B) either in the femur length (p = 0.495), or in its valgus deformity (p = 0.1597). After the MSCs transplantation the presence of a newly formed hyaline cartilage was demonstrated histologically in all the animals (both groups). The ability of transplanted MSCs to survive in the damaged physis was demonstrated in vivo by magnetic resonance, in vitro by Perls reaction and immunofluorescence. Conclusion The transplantation of both autogenous and allogeneic MSCs into a defect of the growth plate appears as an effective method of surgical treatment of physeal cartilage injury. However, the Findings point to the conclusion that there is no clear difference in the final effect of the transplantation procedure used.