Aim of the present study was in vitro expansion and characterization of caprine wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (cWJ-MSCs) to investigate their tissue healing potential in xenogenic animal model. Plastic adherent fibroblastoid cell populations with distinctive homogeneous morphology were isolated from caprine Wharton's jelly explants. These Wharton's jelly derived cells were found positive for the surface markers CD-73, STRO-1 and CD-105, whereas they were negative for hematopoetic stem cell marker CD-34. In vitro cultured cWJ-MSCs also showed differentiation properties into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages as demonstrated by von Kossa, Oil Red-O and Alcian blue staining respectively, which was further confirmed and quantified by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, these well characterized cWJ-MSCs were evaluated for the wound-healing potential in full-thickness skin wounds in rabbit model for 28 days. Caprine WJ- MSCs treated skin wounds showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage of wound contraction especially at the 21(st) day post transplantation when compared to PBS treated control group animals. Further, we observed better healing potential of cWJ-MSCs in terms of histo-morphological evaluation, epithelialisation and collagenization with matured vascularization stage by day 28 as compared to control. In conclusion, cWJ- MSCs provide an alternative inexhaustible source of mesenchymal stem cells and also unravel new perspectives pertaining to the therapeutic use of these cells in different species.

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Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the possible extent of soil contamination at different public places with Toxocara species eggs. Materials and Methods: A Total of 327 samples of soil were collected and examined from different locations which are of public health importance like public parks, playgrounds, door mat dusts, Sidewalks or road sides, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, to establish the prevalence of Toxocara eggs. Samples were also categorised in to sandy type (225) and clay type (102) which were examined by Dunsmore modified technique. Results: 42 samples out of 327 (12.84%) were found to be contaminated with the Toxocara spp.eggs and public parks were more contaminated than the other sites we studied. Clay type soil samples were found to be more contaminated than sandy type with a prevalence of 17.64%. Conclusions: The prevalence of this zoonotic parasite in soil has implications for the spread of human disease in these areas. The authors believe that this may constitute a significant health risk, particularly to children. [Vet World 2013; 6(2.000): 87-90

The current study was designed to study the persistence and distribution of caprine bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (cBM-MSCs) when administered intra-dermally in experimentally induced cutaneous wounds in rabbits. MSC's from goat bone marrow were isolated and their differentiation potential towards adipogenic and osteogenic lineages were assayed in vitro. The isolated cells were phenotypically analysed using flow cytometry for the expression of MSC specific matrix receptors (CD73, CD105 and Stro-1) and absence of hematopoietic lineage markers. Further, these in vitro expanded MSCs were stained with PKH26 lipophilic cell membrane red fluorescent dye and prepared for transplantation into cutaneous wounds created on rabbits. Five, 2 cm linear full thickness skin incisions were created on either side of dorsal midline of New Zealand white rabbits (n = 4). Four wounds in each animal were implanted intra-dermally with PKH26 labelled cBM-MSCs suspended in 500 µl of Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS). Fifth wound was injected with PBS alone and treated as negative control. The skin samples were collected from respective wounds on 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after the wound creation, and cryosections of 6 µM were made from it. Fluorescent microscopy of these cryosections showed that the PKH26 labelled transplanted cells and their daughter cells demonstrated a diffuse pattern of distribution initially and were later concentrated towards the wound edges and finally appeared to be engrafted with the newly developed skin tissues. The labelled cells were found retained in the wound bed throughout the period of 14 days of experimental study with a gradual decline in their intensity of red fluorescence probably due to the dye dilution as a result of multiple cell division. The retention of transplanted MSCs within the wound bed even after the complete wound healing suggests that in addition to their paracrine actions as already been reported, they may have direct involvement in various stages of intricate wound healing process which needs to be explored further.

The freeform external skeletal fixator using acrylic as a replacement for a metallic bar may be useful to treat bone fractures and luxations in small animals, as it is mechanically strong, lightweight, economical, and pins can be passed from any direction depending upon the clinical situation.