Small or Companion Animal Medicine Commons^™

Variation In Air Sac Morphology And Postcranial Skeletal Pneumatization Patterns In The African Grey Parrot, Adam B. Lawson, Aracely Martinez, Brandon P. Hedrick, M. Scott Echols, Emma R. Schachner

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The anatomy of the avian lower respiratory system includes a complex interaction between air-filled pulmonary tissues, pulmonary air sacs, and much of the postcranial skeleton. Hypotheses related to the function and phylogenetic provenance of these respiratory structures have been posed based on extensive interspecific descriptions for an array of taxa. By contrast, intraspecific descriptions of anatomical variation for these features are much more limited, particularly for skeletal pneumatization, and are essential to establish a baseline for evaluating interspecific variation. To address this issue, we collected micro-computed tomography (μCT) scans of live and deceased African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) to assess …

Development Of A Novel In Vivo Corneal Fibrosis Model In The Dog, K. M. Gronkiewicz, Elizabeth A. Giuliano, K. Kuroki, F. Bunyak, Ajay Sharma, L. B. C. Teixeira, C. W. Hamm, R. R. Mohan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The aim of this study was to develop a novel in vivo corneal model of fibrosis in dogs utilizing alkali burn and determine the ability of suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA) to inhibit corneal fibrosis using this large animal model. To accomplish this, we used seven research Beagle dogs. An axial corneal alkali burn in dogs was created using 1 N NaOH topically. Six dogs were randomly and equally assigned into 2 groups: A) vehicle (DMSO, 2 μL/mL); B) anti-fibrotic treatment (50 μM SAHA). The degree of corneal opacity, ocular health, and anti-fibrotic effects of SAHA were determined utilizing the Fantes grading …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid In The Inhibition Of Tgf-Β1-Mediated Canine Corneal Fibrosis, Kristina M. Gronkiewicz, Elizabeth A. Giuliano, Ajay Sharma, Rajiv R. Mohan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Objective—To investigate molecular mechanisms mediating anti-fibrotic effect of SAHA in the canine cornea using an in vitro model. We hypothesized that SAHA attenuates corneal fibrosis by modulating Smad-dependent and, to a lesser extent, Smad-independent signaling pathways activated by TGF-β1, as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.

Methods—Cultured canine corneal fibroblasts (CCF) were incubated in the presence/absence of TGF-β1 (5ng/ml) and SAHA (2.5μM) for 24hrs. Western blot analysis was used to quantify non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated isoforms of Smad2/3, p38 MAP kinase (MAPK), ERK1/2 and JNK1. Real-time PCR and zymography were utilized to quantify MMP1, MMP2, MMP8 and MMP9 mRNA expression and …

Euthanasia Of Dogs And Cats: An Analysis Of Experience And Current Knowledge With Recommendation For Research, T. Carding, The Institute For The Study Of Animal Problems

Euthanasia Collection

While it may be regarded by some as inhumane or unethical to take any life, mankind, as responsible stewards of animals, is obliged to do so for many reasons: for food, health, population control, to alleviate incurable suffering, etc. Yet beyond the ironies and ethical dilemmas of the right to life versus the right to take life, lies the necessity to destroy life. This entails an enormous ethical responsibility relevant to the times, and also the moral injunction that the method of killing be humane, in other words, causing the least possible distress, physically and psychologically. This injunction implies, therefore, …