Adaptation of the muscles of mastication to the flat skull feature in the polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

The muscles of mastication of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and those of the brown bear (U. arctos) were examined by anatomical approach. In addition, the examination of the skull was carried out in the polar bear, brown bear and giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). In the polar bear, the rostro-ventral part of the superficial layer of the M. masseter possessed the abundant fleshy portion folded in the rostral and lateral directions like an accordion. Moreover, the rostro-medial area of the superficial layer became hollow in the nuchal direction when the mouth was closed. The M. temporalis of the polar bear covered up the anterior border of the coronoid process of the mandible and occupied the almost entire area of the cranial surface. The M. pterygoideus medialis of the polar bear was inserted on the ventral border of the mandible and on the ventral part of the temporal bone more widely than that of the brown bear. As results of our measurements of the mandible, an effect of the leverage in the polar bear was the smallest in three species. In the polar bear, the skull was flat, and the space between zygomatic arch and ventral border of the mandible, occupied by the M. masseter was the narrowest. It is suggested that the muscles of mastication of the polar bear is adapted to the flat skull feature for supplementing the functions.     

Functional morphology of the mastication muscles in the lesser and greater mouse deer

The mastication muscles were examined in the lesser (Tragulus javanicus) and greater mouse deer (Tragulus napu) to clarify the form of the mastication muscles in these primitive artiodactyls. The M. masseter was well-developed in both species, however the attachment area of its origin was not confirmed in the rostral facial part. The masseter bundles were not observed on the lateral side of the maxilla bone, and their origin was restricted to the zygomatic arch area. This suggests that the M. masseter may not act as a motor raising the mandible rostro-dorsally, but pull the insertion vertically unlike the highly derived grazer of Bovidae. The Crista temporalis was weak and the M. temporalis was thin in the mouse deer, and this indicates that the M. temporalis may not be important in the mastication in the primitive artiodactyls. These findings suggest that the browser such as mouse deer has been adapted for the feeding on soft leaves, and functional-morphologically different in mastication strategy from the grazer such as developed Bovidae species. The architecture of the mastication muscles was not different between the two species. However, in the muscle weight ratios per body weight, the M. temporalis and the M. digastricus were significantly smaller in greater mouse deer than in lesser mouse deer.     

Fiber type composition of rostral and caudal portions of the digastric muscle in the dog

The distribution of muscle fiber types in rostral and caudal portions of the musculus digastricus (digastric muscle) was studied in 6 dogs. Staining procedures which stain specifically for type IIM fibers, a fiber type found in other muscles supplied by the trigeminal nerve, were used. Rostral and caudal portions of the muscle were compared because the rostral portion is innervated by the trigeminal nerve, and the caudal portion is innervated by the facial nerve. The musculus triceps brachii (triceps muscle), which contains fiber types I and IIA, and the musculus masseter (masseter muscle), which contains type IIM, were used as controls. Mean fiber diameters were calculated for each of the muscles. Both portions of the digastric muscle exhibited the same histochemical behavior, possessing types I and IIA myofibers. Neither portion contained type IIM fibers. Type I fibers in the masseter muscle were histochemically different from type I fibers in the other muscles studied. Type II fibers predominated in all 3 muscles, but there were significantly (P less than 0.001) more type I fibers in the triceps muscle than in either portion of the digastric muscle or in the masseter muscle. Type II fibers were significantly larger than type I fibers in the caudal digastric (P less than 0.01) and masseter (P less than 0.05) muscles. There was no difference in the size of type I or type II fibers between any of the muscles studied (P greater than 0.20).     

Anatomy of the orbital fasciae and the third eyelid in dogs

The connective tissue structures commonly referred to as the periorbita, orbital septum, muscular fasciae, and vagina bulbi or collectively, as the orbital fasciae were dissected then illustrated and described. Two sheets (layers) of the periorbita (endorbita) were found in our dogs. The periorbita should be renamed endorbita because of its anatomic relations. The periorbita did not always fuse with the periosteum of frontal and sphenoid bones. Rather, the periorbita and the periosteum were often distinct and separate; only medioventrally did several fibrous bands unite the superficial sheet of the endorbita with the periosteum. Two layers of the endorbita fused with the periosteum of the margin of the bony orbit and with the orbital ligament. The muscular fasciae were divided into 3 layers. The superficial layer extended caudally from the orbital septum, was thick, and was pierced by arteries, veins, and nerves. The middle layer was attached to the sclerocorneal junction and, at the temporal canthus of the eye, was divided into superficial and deep sheets. The deep portion was attached to the lateral angle of the third eyelid, similar to a strong ligament. The deep layer of the muscular fasciae extended caudally from the sclerocorneal junction in intimate contact with recti and oblique muscles of the eyeball. The deep portion of the deep muscular fascia covered the deep surface of all recti muscles and separated them from the retractor bulbi muscle. Intermuscular septa were observed between middle and deep muscular fascia layers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

梅花鹿茸鲜重与年龄的相关性研究及经济效益分析

以江苏地区的梅花鹿为对象,研究分析了梅花鹿鹿茸重量与其年龄之间的相关性。结果表明:9龄内梅花鹿的鹿茸重与年龄呈正相关(r=0.767,P<0.05),它们之间线性回归方程为y=0.345x+1.186。梅花鹿3～8锯的鲜茸单产很高,平均水平达3.28kg/锯。公鹿鲜茸重的变异系数在2～6龄之间逐渐减小,7龄之后又有上升的超势,其中以5～7龄的变异系数最小,分别为16.2%、6.1%、11.7%。相关数据分析表明,梅花鹿公鹿在1～4龄内经济效益较差,从5龄开始获利,年获利逐年增加,这种趋势与梅花鹿的茸产量变化趋势是一致的。     

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA protein-coding region in the Yeso Sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)

In the present study, mitochondrial DNA sequences of the Yeso Sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) were studied. Specifically, protein‐coding genes as mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunits (ND1, ND2, ND3, ND4L, ND4, ND5 and ND6), cytochrome c oxidase subunits (CO I and CO III), ATP synthase subunits (ATPase8 and ATPase6) and cytochrome b. Also, phylogenetic analyses on eight mammalian species were performed, including the Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi). The rate of amino‐acid substitution was lowest (3.74%) between Yeso Sika deer and Muntjac deer, and the values between Yeso Sika deer and other species (sheep, cattle, horse, pig, mouse, human and chimpanzee) were 6.63%, 7.30%, 12.55%, 13.03%, 23.59%, 24.82% and 25.04%, respectively. Among them, the highest value of divergence was recognized in ATPase8, and the second structure of ATPase8 showed a difference between the Yeso Sika deer and Muntjac deer as a result of the substitution of 34His→Tyr and 49Thr→Ile. In addition, we identified a substitution of an amino‐acid sequence (19Thr→Ala) between the Yeso Sika deer and Yakushima Sika deer (C. n. yakushimae). From these results, ATPase8 was also a variable region in Cervidae.     

梅花鹿S100A16基因的克隆及生物信息学分析

为探索梅花鹿（Cervus nippon）S100A16基因序列及生物学特性，本研究根据GenBank数据库中牛、绵羊S100A16基因序列设计引物，以梅花鹿鹿茸顶端组织cDNA为模板，采用RT-PCR技术和分子克隆技术成功获得梅花鹿S100A16基因的cDNA序列。生物信息学分析发现，梅花鹿S100A16基因CDS区全长312 bp，编码103个氨基酸；蛋白含有11个磷酸化位点，有跨膜结构域，无信号肽，为在细胞内发挥作用的稳定蛋白；蛋白仅在C端含有S100蛋白家族经典的EF螺旋结构域，由12个氨基酸组成，N端EF螺旋结构域由15个氨基酸组成；蛋白C端含有FGF-1蛋白结合位点；梅花鹿S100A16蛋白的二级结构主要由α-螺旋和无规则卷曲构成；三级结构显示该蛋白有2个Ca²⁺结合位点；梅花鹿S100A16蛋白氨基酸序列与东欧马鹿同源性最高，为100%，与其他部分物种S100A16蛋白氨基酸序列构建系统进化树，分析表明S100A16基因在进化上比较保守，符合功能基因的特点。研究结果为进一步揭示梅花鹿S100A16基因的功能及表达机制提供依据。     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the domestic red deer (Cervus elaphus) of New Zealand and its phylogenic position within the family Cervidae

We determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the semidomestic red deer (Cervus elaphus) of New Zealand. The genome was 16 357 bp long and contained 13 protein‐coding genes, 12SrRNA, 16SrRNA, 22 tRNAs and a D‐loop as found in other mammals. Database homology searches showed that the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence from the New Zealand semidomestic deer was similar to partial mtDNA sequences from the European, Norwegian (C. e. atlanticus) and Spanish red deer (C. e. hispanicus). Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial protein‐coding regions revealed two well‐defined monophyletic clades in subfamilies Cervinae and Muntiacinae. However, red deer and Sika deer were not found to be close relatives. The analysis did identify the red deer as a sister taxon of a Samber/Sika deer clade, although it was more closely related to the Samber than the Sika group.     

Electrophysiologic studies of the facial reflexes of the dog

Reflexes associated with the trigeminal and facial nerves were investigated electromyographically in 14 barbiturate-anesthetized dogs. Using subcutaneous needle electrodes, electrical stimulation of the infraorbital, frontal, and zygomaticofacial branches of the trigeminal nerve produced reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. Cutaneous and subcutaneous electrical stimulation of the internal auricular branches of the facial nerve also produced reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. After sectioning of this branch between the vagus and facial nerves, electrical stimulation of the proximal portion of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve produced reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. After sectioning of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve; electrical stimulation of the proximal portion of the caudal and middle internal auricular nerves did not produce reflex contractions of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. Subcutaneous electrical stimulation of the palpebral nerve produced reflex contractions and direct-evoked muscle activity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. Subcutaneous electrical stimulation of the infraorbital and middle mental nerves produced reflex contractions of the rostral belly of the digastricus muscle.     

长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫分子流行病学调查

为了掌握长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫(Enterocytozoon bieneusi)的感染率及基因型种类的分布情况,探究其在人与动物之间传播的源由,本研究于2018年12月-2019年12月期间采集长春地区8个养殖场共计538份梅花鹿粪便样品进行毕氏肠微孢子虫的流行病学调查及基因型分析,经PCR鉴定,测序分析、序列拼接比对以及系统进化分析。试验结果表明,长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫的感染率为17.84%(96/538),不同养殖场的感染率为0~47.96%;研究共发现14种基因型(BEB6、EbpC、Ⅰ、JLD-Ⅲ、JLD-Ⅸ、JLD-ⅩⅤ、JLD-ⅩⅥ、JLD-ⅩⅦ、JLD-ⅩⅧ、JLD-ⅩⅨ、JLD-ⅩⅩ、JLD-ⅩⅪ、JLD-ⅩⅫ和JLD-ⅩⅩⅢ),其中BEB6为优势基因型。应用多位点序列分型(MLST)方法,选择MS1、MS3、MS4以及MS7位点对毕氏肠微孢子虫阳性样本进行多态性和群体遗传结构分析,结果显示,在96份阳性样品中,共有16份阳性分离株在至少2个位点同时扩增成功,形成10个多位点基因型(multilocus genotypes,MLGs),相同的基因型之间存在不同亚型,表明长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫具有丰富的遗传多样性。本研究应用分子生物学方法对长春地区梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫的流行病情况及基因型进行分析,研究结果不仅为梅花鹿毕氏肠微孢子虫防控提供科学依据,也为防控毕氏微孢子虫在人和动物间的传播提供基础数据,对保障公共卫生与健康意义重大。     

Anatomic and radiologic observations of the clavicle of adult dogs

In an anatomic and radiologic study of the clavicle of 50 adult dogs of 10 breeds, the clavicle had ossified in 96% of the dogs. The clavicles studied had various shapes, and each clavicle was attached to the caudomedial part of the clavicular intersection of the brachiocephalic muscle, to the mastoid part of the cleidocephalic muscle, and to 4 radiating bands of connective tissue fasciculi. One band was attached to the caudal border of the scapula and fascia deep to the latissimus dorsi muscle, 1 was attached to the manubrium of the sternum, and 1 each was attached to the epimysia of the superficial pectoral and sternocephalic muscles. We concluded that, during movements of the thoracic limb, the clavicle and the 4 fasciculated connective tissue bands associated with it stabilize the position of the brachiocephalic muscle with relation to the crest of the greater tubercle of the humerus. Also, the fasciculated band attached to the caudal border of the scapula provides protection for nerves from the brachial plexus and axillary blood vessels that supply the thoracic limb.     

Life Threatening Complication Associated with Anesthesia in a Dog with Masticatory Muscle Myositis

Objective— To report a serious complication in a dog with masticatory muscle myositis (MMM) that occurred during general anesthesia for diagnostic testing.
Study Design— Case report.
Animals— A 2-year-old male Pug.
Methods— MMM was diagnosed in a Pug with a 2-week history of trismus by electrodiagnostics, histopathology, and 2M antibody test. During anesthesia tongue protrusion occurred and because of trismus, an inability to reposition the tongue resulted in venous congestion and severe swelling. Forceful physical attempts and subsequent removal of the rostral digastricus and masseter muscle attachments from the mandible did not increase jaw mobility. Mandibular symphysiotomy was necessary to resolve lingual venous congestion and to reposition the tongue into the oral cavity.
Results— Tongue swelling rapidly subsided after symphysiotomy allowing the tongue to be repositioned into the oral cavity. After treatment of MMM with corticosteroids, jaw range of motion improved and at 6 months was ∼70% normal.
Conclusions— Trismus could not be overcome by detachment of the masseter and digastricus muscle insertions from the mandible, and symphysiotomy was required to reposition the tongue in the oral cavity.  

Clinical Relevance—

In dogs with MMM, tongue position should be monitored during anesthesia to avoid inadvertent protrusion and swelling from venous congestion. Use of anesthetic monitoring equipment on the tongue, such as a pulse oximeter probe, should be avoided in these patients.     

Comparative digestion of cell wall components of alfalfa hay cubes between Sika deer (Cervus nippon) and cattle

Four female Sika deer (mean bodyweight, 48 kg) and three male Holstein cattle (mean bodyweight, 209 kg) were offered alfalfa hay cubes at 2% (deer) and 2.5% (cattle) of bodyweight, respectively. The digestibility of the cell walls and cell wall components (rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose) in alfalfa and its retention time of the alfalfa in the digestive tract and rumen parameters were determined. Cell walls and xylose were less digestible in the deer than in the cattle (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The digestibility of galactose in the deer was as high as that in the cattle. The digestibility of the other sugars and total neutral sugars was numerically lower in the deer, but the differences were not significant. In the deer, mannose was most digestible, followed in order by galactose, arabinose, glucose, rhamnose and xylose; whereas, in the cattle, mannose was most digestible, followed in order by arabinose, glucose, galactose, rhamnose and xylose. The retention time in the digestive tract was shorter in the deer than in the cattle. In the deer, the number of ruminal protozoa was somewhat higher, and the concentrations of propionic acid and butyric acid were higher (P < 0.05) than in the cattle. These results indicate that Sika deer might utilize pectic polysaccharides as a carbon source in preference to glucose containing polysaccharides such as cellulose. The lower digestibility of all cell wall components except galactose in the Sika deer might be mainly due to its shorter retention time.     

Use of serial standing computed tomography for diagnosis,treatment and monitoring of a horse with acute myonecrosis of the head

An 11-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding was referred to the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, for investigation of acute and severe right-sided facial swelling and nasal discharge. Standing computed tomographic (CT) examination of the head identified severe soft tissue swelling surrounding the right mandible, emphysema within the soft tissues tracking along fascial planes and right-sided caudal and rostral maxillary sinusitis. Using CT identification and ultrasound guidance, several targeted fasciotomies were created into the right masseter, cranial cervical musculature, supraorbital space and caudo-medial aspect of the mandible. The right-sided sinusitis was treated by right conchofrontal sinus trephination and lavage. Aerobic and anaerobic cultures obtained from the fasciotomy sites and conchofrontal sinus both yielded Prevotella intermedia and Peptostreptococcus asaccharolyticus. During hospitalisation, serial, standing CT examinations were performed for monitoring case progression and guiding further fasciotomies in the face of continued myonecrosis. Follow-up CT performed at 1 month showed resolution of the emphysema and presence of chronic right ventral conchal sinusitis. The sinusitis was treated by fenestration of the right ventral concha with a diode laser via the nasal passage.     

东北梅花鹿产茸性能分析

通过对东北梅花鹿产茸性能的分析 ,证明长沙市养鹿试验场东北梅花鹿产茸量基本保持在一定的水平上 ;产茸量与鹿年龄的大小存在曲线回归关系 ;头杠茸的重量与再生茸的重量不相关 ;体重与茸产量存在着很强的相关性。这些指标可为华南地区发展养鹿业提供一定的参考依据。     

A novel technique for ventral orbital stabilization: the masseter muscle flap

Loss of the caudal maxilla and ventral orbit after tumor resections can have negative functional and esthetic influences on the eye involved. This article reports on a case of a caudal maxillary acanthomatous ameloblastoma involving the ventral orbit that was resected and stabilized with a masseter muscle flap. The masseter muscle flap was generated from the superficial belly of the masseter muscle in order to close a defect in the orbital rim, created by a caudal maxillectomy. None of the published complications such as enophthalmos, excessive lacrimation, globe deviation, or strabismus were noted, 8 months following the procedure. The only clinical sign present at the time of re‐evaluation was mild lacrimation. The authors propose the use of a masseter muscle flap as a viable technique in stabilizing the ventral orbit after caudal maxillectomy and ventral orbitectomy, preventing the complications associated with this surgery.     

The buccal lymph node (lymphonodus buccalis) in dogs: occurrence, anatomical location, histological characteristics and clinical implications

Three dogs were presented for clinical examination with bilateral buccal nodules which were identified as enlarged buccal lymph nodes. As little is known about this pathology, 150 dogs were examined by anatomical dissection for the presence of buccal lymph nodes. They were found in 13 dogs, occurring bilaterally in six dogs and unilaterally in seven dogs. Two buccal lymph nodes were bilobulated and one was double. The lymph nodes were always located dorsal to the zygomatic muscle and rostral to the masseter muscle in the region where the superior labial vein drains into the facial vein. Histology demonstrated a large amount of intranodal adipose tissue scattered throughout the lymphoid tissue. The canine buccal lymph node should not be confused with the accessory parotid or ventral buccal salivary gland and is clinically important as it can enlarge due to tumour metastasis or inflammation of the buccal region.     

梅花鹿锯茸时出血特点及止血药物的研究

为达到更好的锯茸止血效果,对梅花鹿锯茸时出血特点及锯茸止血药物应用效果进行了观察:收取初角茸时呈渗出状出血;收取二杠茸时呈线状出血;收取三杈茸和畸型茸时呈喷射状出血,并且有节律地进行搏动。出血量随着鹿茸的产量和茸根围度的增加而增多,但是当收取茸根围度为(20.3±0.6)cm的畸型茸时却不存在这种明显的相关关系。同一茸型不同年龄的鹿,因茸重、茸根围度的不同出血亦有差别。根据鹿茸的组织结构、生长规律和梅花鹿生理特点,选用由中药组成的外用锯茸止血药方剂,通过锯茸止血试验,结果表明,该锯茸止血药无刺激性,止血快,抗感染能力强,创面愈合良好,对再生茸产量没有明显影响(P>0.05)。     

A Surgical Approach to the Ramus of the Mandible in Cattle and Horses Case Reports of a Bull and a Horse

A surgical approach to the ramus of the mandible was developed. Subperiosteal elevation of the masseter muscle from the ramus allowed reduction and plate fixation of ramus fractures in a bull and a horse. Results of follow-up examinations, 2 years after surgery, showed excellent functional and cosmetic results.