Veterinary Medicine and Surgery presentations (MU)
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Items in this collection are public presentations made by Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery faculty, staff, and students, either alone or as co-authors, and which may or may not have been published in an alternate format. Items may contain more than one file type.
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Item Navigating the two-way street of comparative oncology(2010) Henry, Carolyn J.; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)Companion animals offer a unique model for study of spontaneously occurring cancer for many reasons. Our pets share our environment, thus may have similar exposure to environmental carcinogens. The technology for diagnosis and staging of cancer in veterinary medicine is identical to that available in human medicine, thus direct comparisons can be made. The biological behavior of naturally-occurring cancer in immune-competent pets more closely mimics that of human cancer than does that of experimentally-induced cancer in immunocompromised rodent models. One in four dogs will develop cancer in their lifetime and many pet owners will seek specialty, and even investigational therapy options. Thus, an opportunity exists for advancing the field of human oncology while offering state-of-the-art options for veterinary patients. The features shared between human and companion animal cancers provide a compelling argument for capitalizing on the opportunities that comparative oncology offers to benefit our understanding, diagnostic tools, and therapy options for a disease that knows no species boundaries. Examples of translational oncology research spanning from bench top laboratory investigations to bedside/cageside applications will be highlighted.Item Shelter Dog Behavior Improvement: Dog Walking as Enrichment(2010) Johnson, Rebecca A. (Rebecca Ann); McKenney, Charlotte; McCune, Sandra; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)Background: Several million dogs are euthanized in animal shelters annually after multiple relinquishment reasons (Scarlett, 2002; Salman, 1998; New, 2000 & Kass, 2001). Gains in pet adoptions are happening via shelter enrichment programs. We hypothesized that shelter dogs participating in a daily dog walking program involving elderly citizens, would have better behavior, higher adoption rates, and decreased euthanasia rates than dogs in a control group not in the walking program. Methods: All participant dogs were pre-qualified for walking through the standard shelter behavioral assessment for adoption. The dogs, at least one year of age were matched with a control dog for size (small, medium and large). The experimental group walked with an older adult five days a week. The control group of dogs did not walk. Pre-test and daily behavior scores were assigned. The length of time each dog spent in the shelter was recorded as were adoption, move to foster care, release to a breed rescue group or euthanasia outcomes. Results: There were 84 dog pairs. Outcomes for the experimental (walking) group: adoption n=58, to foster/rescue n=13, euthanized n=7. For the control group: adoption n=26, to foster/rescue n=28, and euthanized n=20. A chi-square test showed that the experimental group had significantly more adoptions (p<0.0001) and fewer euthanasias (p=.0063) than the control group. The control group had significantly more dogs that went to breed rescue networks (p=.00071) than did the experimental group. The control group had a higher total behavior score (exhibited more negative behavior). The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the experimental and control groups in terms of total behavior scores. Dogs in the experimental group had significantly better behavior than dogs in the control group (p=<0.0001). Conclusions: The dog walking program was associated with desired dog behavior outcomes, better adoption rates and lower euthanasia rates.Item Clinical and Computational Collaboration in Orthopaedic Biomechanics(2010) Guess, Trent M.; Cook, James L. (James Lee), 1965-; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)The mission of the Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory at the University of Missouri-Columbia (COL-UMC) is three-fold: 1.To design and conduct the highest quality hypothesis-driven research focused on orthopaedic disorders of . 2. To implement a comparative approach to investigation of joint disease in order to most efficiently and comprehensively address identified problem. 3. To apply basic science research to the clinical situation in order to span the gap that often limits the usefulness of scientific discoveries. The mission of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory (MBRL) at the University of Missouri - Kansas City is to: Discover, disseminate, and utilize knowledge pertaining to the loading of joint tissues during dynamic activity. The (COL-UMC) includes an internationally recognized team of scientists and clinicians while the MBRL, in conjunction with the UMKC Human Motion Laboratory, is comprised of biomedical engineers focused on musculoskeletal tissue mechanics and movement simulation. Collaboration between the two labs can provide great benefit for both research programs by combining clinical, computational, and experimental research efforts. The COL-UMC and the MBRL are currently working together on a Missouri Life Sciences Research Board funded project titled, ”Computational Simulation of Canine Biomechanically Induced Unicompartmental Osteoarthritis: a Concurrent Multiscale Approach”. This work combines the internationally recognized expertise in canine osteoarthritis and tissue engineering of the COL-UMC with the musculoskeletal biomechanics expertise and innovative multiscale modeling techniques of the MBRL. Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease that is not completely understood, but evidence links the severity, progression, and treatment of the disease to the mechanical environment in the knee during everyday activities such as walking, running, and stair climbing. The natural response of articular cartilage to insult or injury is an outcome of complex interconnected factors that include anatomy, biology, and muscle forces. The goal of this project is to develop a predictive, computationally efficient, patient level simulation tool of mechanical osteoarthritis indicators. Specifically, the project is developing computational models of the canine knee that include surrogate models of cartilage tissue behavior. This model is then combined with neuromusculoskeletal models of movement and validated through in-vivo canine models of osteoarthritis. The project addresses a key area in osteoarthritis research that has largely been neglected, the role of muscles in osteoarthritis pathomechanics. Several engineering students from UMKC and medical students from UMC are working on the project and excellent progress has been made in the first year. Project work includes: 1) Mechanical testing to determine material properties of the canine menisci and articular cartilage 2) Magnetic Resonance Imaging and generation of hind limb bone, cartilage, ligament, muscle, and menisci geometries 3) Development of knee and musculoskeletal models of the hind limb 4) Meniscal release procedure to induce unicompartmental osteoarthritis 5)Gait testing at the UMKC Human Motion lab both pre-surgery and post-surgery 6) Hind limb testing to validate developed musculoskeletal models 7) Development of tissue level finite element models of cartilage indentation testing for tissue level surrogates.Item Dose escalation safety study of Nanotax® in dogs [abstract](2010) Selting, Kim A.; Decedue, Charles; Henry, Carolyn J.; Axiak, Sandra M.; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)The goal of this project is to determine the suitability of CritiTech's existing formulation of fine-particle paclitaxel, Nanotax®, for the treatment of spontaneously-occurring cancer in dogs. The rationale behind this project is that paclitaxel is highly effective in the treatment of human cancers, but cannot be used in dogs because of their exquisite sensitivity to the solubilizing agents (e.g., CremophorEL®) used in commercially available formulations. Abraxane®, a paclitaxel coated with human serum albumin (HSA), is also unsatisfactory because the HSA induces an immune reaction in canines. CritiTech has demonstrated that Nanotax® increases overall survival in a mouse xenograft model of ovarian cancer and indeed has initiated Phase I human trials of the drug. To accomplish the objectives of this application, two specific aims will be pursued: (1) determine the maximally tolerated dose and assess the toxicities of Nanotax® administered to dogs by intravenous injection, and (2) determine the plasma pharmacokinetics of Nanotax® administered intravenously to dogs. Clinically normal dogs (n=3) were treated with increasing amounts of Nanotax® while monitoring clinical signs of toxicity via physical examination and laboratory evaluation. Serial plasma samples were collected and analyzed for paclitaxel content to determine pharmacokinetic parameters for each dose level. Preliminary evaluation suggests that pharmacokinetic parameters are dose-linear and that the drug is rapidly cleared from circulation. The circulating half life is short which may be a result of clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. Final postmortem evaluation will be performed to determine whether the drug has accumulated in any organ system. We will use data generated to determine an appropriate starting dose for a Phase I/II study of Nanotax® in tumor-bearing dogs to determine tolerability in a patient population and efficacy against various canine cancers.Item Walk A Hound, Lose A Pound, & Stay Fit for Seniors(2010) Johnson, Rebecca A. (Rebecca Ann); McKenney, Charlotte; McCune, Sandra; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)Background: Obesity rates in older adults are linked with the national problem of limited physical activity (PA), resulting in chronic illness. Obesity-related illness and functional loss require innovative interventions. Older adult dog walkers maintained physical functioning over a 3 year period (Thorpe 2006). Dog walking may improve long-term PA by improving readiness and physical function. Purpose: The study aimed to test the association between dog walking and physical functioning. Methods: A three-group, repeated measures design tested efficacy of a 12-week (5 days/week) shelter dog walking program for community-dwelling adults over age 65. Three retirement facilities were assigned to the shelter dog walking (DW), human walking companion (HWC), or no-treatment control (C) group. DW group members selected a dog matching their walking capability & walked on a paved road at the animal shelter. HWC group members walked with a friend or spouse on a paved road at their residence. Both groups were accompanied by study staff. Pretest, mid-trial & posttest findings included 6-minute walk, weight, physical activity during the previous week, physical activity stage of change, mood & social support. Findings: Fifty-four adults participated {DW n=12, HWC n=23 & C n=19}. Fourteen males & 40 females, ranged in age from 67-97 years (Mean=85). The 6-minute walk compared pre and post for the DW group increased 28% (p=0.012), the HWC had a 4% increase (p=0.32) and the C group a 6% increase (p=0.18). Conclusions: DW group participants expressed affinity for the shelter dogs. The DW group's walking ability improved significantly. They stated that their balance & walking confidence improved. They stated that they liked the program because it “gets me out,” “is helping me to feel more confident,” & “is fun.” Dog walking may be beneficial to improve or maintain functioning in older adults. Walking speed is an important indicator of balance.