Initial healing in the dog of submerged versus non‐submerged porous‐coated endosseous dental implants

It has previously been reported that porous‐coated root form endosseous dental implants, became well integrated when used in the traditional 2‐stage surgical approach. In this study, the placement of the implant in a 1‐stage (non‐submerged)technique was to be explored. Implants were placed in the mandibles of dogs, and 2 designs were used differing only in that one (experimental) had a 3mm transgingival extension, permitting it to be exposed lo the oral cavity from the outset. 12 (3 per animal) non‐submerged implants were placed on I side of 4 beagle dogs and 12 control (submerged) implants were placed contralaterally. All implants were allowed to heal for 6 weeks, after which histological preparations were made. 2 of 12 non‐submerged implants were lost due to post‐operative complications: otherwise, all implants healed uneventfully. Histomorphometric analysis revealed bone‐implant contact, as assessed by absolute bone contact (ABC) and contact length fraction (CLF). to be greater for the submerged design, suggesting that bone healing may be delayed with the non‐submerged approach. As well. at this early stage of healing, for both implant designs, ABC and CLF were significantly greater on proximal than on buccal and lingual aspects.     

EFFECTS OF CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE IV INHIBITOR, Ro20,1724, ON PANCREATIC EXOCRINE SECRETION IN DOG

1. The effects of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, Ro20,1724, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), trifluoperazine (TFP) and amrinone on pancreatic exocrine secretion were investigated in anaesthetized dogs in comparison with those of secretin and cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). 2. Ro20,1724 (1–30 nmol/kg), IBMX (3–30 nmol/kg), secretin (0.01–0.1 pmol/kg) or CCK-8 (0.1–1 pmol/kg) injected i.a. elicited a dose-dependent increase in the secretion of pancreatic juice, but TFP and amrinone (up to 1 μmol/ kg) did not. 3. The bicarbonate concentration in pancreatic juice was increased and the protein concentration was decreased by Ro20,1724, IBMX and secretin. Cholecystokinin octapeptide increased the protein concentration but did not alter the bicarbonate concentration. 4. Ro20,1724 and IBMX elicited more than the respective additive secretory response when added together with secretin, although the stimulatory effects of CCK-8 with Ro20,1724 and IBMX were additive. 5. Ro20,1724 and IBMX increased cyclic AMP concentration but did not affect cyclic GMP concentration. 6. These results suggest that Ro20,1724 and IBMX have secretory properties on pancreatic exocrine glands of the dog, which may be mediated through an increase in cyclic AMP subsequent to inhibition of PDE activity. Furthermore, pancreatic PDE enzymes in the dog may be mainly type IV.     

EFFECTS OF A SYNTHESIZED PHOSPHODIESTERASE INHIBITOR, ZSY-27, ON PANCREATIC EXOCRINE SECRETION OF THE DOG

The effects of a synthesized phosphodiesterase inhibitor, ZSY-27, on the secretion of pancreatic juice were investigated in dog isolated and blood-perfused pancreas, and compared with those of secretin and dopamine. Intravenous administration of ZSY-27 (0.3-1 mg/kg) elicited increases in pancreatic secretion. Intra-arterial (i.a.) administration of ZSY-27 (0.1-1 mg) also elicited increased secretion. The secretory activity of ZSY-27 (1 mg) was approximately equal to that of 0.1 units of secretin and 2.5 micrograms of dopamine. The concentration of bicarbonate in the pancreatic juice induced by ZSY-27 i.a. was increased, but the protein concentration was not increased significantly. These effects are analogous to those of secretin and dopamine. ZSY-27-induced pancreatic secretion was not modified by pretreatment with phentolamine, propranolol, atropine, sulpiride and cimetidine. Secretin-induced secretion was significantly potentiated by infusion of ZSY-27 (25 micrograms/min) but dopamine-induced one was not. These results suggest that ZSY-27 increases pancreatic secretion acting directly on the ductular cells of the dog pancreas, at least in part, through the increase of intracellular cyclic AMP concentration by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity.     

Laser Doppler flowmetry of blood perfusion in mucoperiosteal flaps covering membranes in bone augmentation and implant procedures. A pilot study in dogs.

In guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures, flap recession or sloughing may occur as an unwanted sequel to the placement of a membrane. This study was designed to assess the applicability of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in the evaluation of blood perfusion in the mucoperiosteal flap covering the membrane. Five Labrador dogs were initially used inthe study, but one animal was later excluded due to post‐operative problems. Maxillary premolar teeth were extracted and full thickness mucoperiosteal flaps were raised. Following removal of the buccal bone plate, 4 titanium implants were placed on each side. An experimental biodegradable polylactic‐acid membrane was placed over the fixtures on one side to allow for GTR. The mucoperiosteal flap was repositioned and secured with sutures. The contralateral side served as control with no membrane. Blood perfusion was measured in the flaps before surgery, immediately after suturing and at 24, 48 and 72 h postoperatively. A laser Doppler flowmeter was used to assess the blood perfusion. In 3 animals the membrane was exposed within 2 weeks post‐operatively, and in these 3 animals the LDF values were lower on the membrane side than on the control side. The mean LDF value was lower on the membrane side for each of the 4 periods studied. The tindings suggest that LDF can be a valuable method to study blood perfusion of oral mucosal flaps and that there may be a relationship between a reduced relative LDF value and subsequent exposure of the membrane to the oral environment.     

Alterations in alanine metabolism in diabetic dogs during short-term treatment with an artificial B cell

Summary The flux rates of plasma glucose and alanine were studied isotopically (6-³H-glucose and U-¹⁴C-alanine simultaneously) in resting chronically diabetic dogs during short-term treatment with an artificial B cell where the insulin was infused into a peripheral vein. Despite perfect blood glucose control and normal glucose flux rates, the concentration and rates of appearance and disappearance of alanine were significantly elevated in the diabetic animals before, during and after an exogenous glucose load. The incorporation of the carbon moiety of alanine into circulating glucose was also increased, but diminished to a near-normal extent when exogenous glucose was given. The plasma clearance rates for alanine in the diabetic dogs were normal throughout the study. It is concluded that normal blood glucose control in diabetes does not necessarily mean normalization of the entire metabolic network. On the basis of peripheral hyperinsulinaemia alanine formation from glucose and branched chain amino acids is elevated in muscle. This may explain increased flux of alanine despite normal blood glucose control.     

Renal nerve and blood pressure responses to stimulation of cardiac receptors in dogs and cats by bradykinin

Summary It has been recently demonstrated in anesthetized, sinoaortic denervated-vagotomized (SAD+V_x) cats that epicardial or intracoronary (IC) bradykinin (BK) evokes an increase in efferent renal nerve activity (RNA) and a pressor response which is mediated by the cardiac sympathetic afferent nerves. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of epicardial, IC, and left atrial (LA) administration of BK on arterial blood pressure (ABP) and RNA in intact and SAD+V_x cats and dogs. A total of seven cats and eight dogs anesthetized with chloralose were prepared with a left circumflex coronary arterial catheter (dogs) or a LA catheter (cats). Changes in ABP and RNA were determined in both dogs and cats when 1 to 100 g/ml of BK was applied to the anterior surface of the left ventricle or injected IC or LA (0.3 and 3.0 g/kg BK) in the intact and SAD+V_x state. In both the intact and SAD +V_x cat, a pressor response was consistently elicited with epicardial BK. In the SAD+V_x state, epicardial BK increased ABP by 33.4±4.7 mm Hg (p<.001). RNA followed this same trend showing a consistent and significant increase with both LA and epicardial BK (+24.8±8.4% in the SAD+V_x state; P<.05). Changes in RNA in dogs were highly variable with epicardial and IC BK in intact and in SAD V_x dogs, resulting in insignificant changes in this parameter. The results of this study demonstrate that the reflex effects of stimulation of cardiac sympathetic afferents by BK are species specific and need not evoke an increase in peripheral sympathetic outflow.Supported by National Institutes of Health Gran #HL-22594 and American Heart Association Grant # 81672.     

Novel Amdoparvovirus Infecting Farmed Raccoon Dogs and Arctic Foxes

A new amdoparvovirus, named raccoon dog and fox amdoparvovirus (RFAV), was identified in farmed sick raccoon dogs and arctic foxes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that RFAV belongs to a new species within the genus Amdoparvovirus of the family Parvoviridae. An RFAV strain was isolated in Crandell feline kidney cell culture.     

Venous Reactivity in Canine Renovascular Hypertension

The responsiveness of arterial smooth muscle to vasoactive stimuli is enhanced hypertension. It is however, unclear whether this increased reactivity is a generalised property of vascular smooth muscle, involving veins as well. We examined the responses of rings of cephalic veinin vitro taken from 11 dogs with chronic renovascular hypertension and 10 normal dogs. Mean blood pressure was 129 ± 3 mmHg in the hypertensive dogs, 26% above control. Veins from hypertensive dogs had steeper passive circumference-tension relationships than veins from normal dogs, indicating reduced compliance. Sensitivity (defined as location of EC₅₀) to potassium depolarisation was unchanged, but maximal contractile force (Fmax) developed was 35% greater in hypertension when compared with normotensive dogs. With noradrenaline and the selective alpha₁-adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine, there was no difference between normotensive and hypertensive dogs in either location of the EC₅₀ or in the Fmax. With the selective alphaz-adrenoceptor agonist UK 14304, there was a tenfold decrease in sensitivity in hypertension when compared with normotensive dogs, but no change in Fmax. There was, however a tenfold increase in sensitivity to serotonin in hypertension when compared to normotensive dogs, and a 22% increase in Fmax. Contractile responses to transmural sympathetic nerve stimulation were similar in the two groups. As desipramine caused equal increases in responses to neural stimulation, there was no demonstrable abnormality of neuronal uptake in hypertension. Morphometric examination showed no change in media thickness, media thickness/radius ratios or media cross sectional area in hypertension. Therefore, veins from dogs with chronic renovascular hypertension are stiffer but not hypertrophied, and exhibit some specific differences in contractile responses to vasoconstrictor agents when compared with veins from normotensive dogs.     

Contribution of Myosin Light Chain Kinase to Neurotransmitter Release from Peripheral Sympathetic Nerve Endings of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

A dissociation between changes in blood pressure (BP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) has been noted after administration of renin inhibitors. In the present study, the renin inhibitor PD 132002 was given to salt-deplete, anesthetized dogs. PRA was measured at pH 6.0 by a conventional angiotensin I (ANG I) RIA method (PRA-C) and by an ANG I antibody-trapping RIA method (PRA-AT) performed at pH 7.4. PD 132002 at 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg IV, reduced BP by 3 ±2, 9 ± 2, 24 ± 4, and 39 ± 4 mm Hg, respectively, (baseline of 136 ± 8 mm Hg, N = 5)