The captive bolt device has been used for stunning cattle at abattoirs for more than 100 years and is now one of the stunning devices used most widely. The aim of this review article was to assess the effects that are decisive during cattle slaughter on the quality of stunning with the use of a captive bolt stunning device. The basis of effective stunning is the use of a suitable type of device, with the speed of the bolt and the kinetic energy corresponding to the anatomical parameters of the slaughtered animal. The importance of the regular cleaning and maintenance of stunning devices and monitoring of the effectiveness of stunning goes without saying. The immediate loss of sensibility in the animal must occur after the first shot. The effectiveness of the stunning process can be quantified by regular monitoring of the behavior of animals after stunning with an emphasis on the loss of reflexes (corneal reflex, regular breathing, attempts to regain physiological posture) and checks on the shot location on the skulls of slaughtered animals.

Caudolateral curvilinear osteophytes (CCOs) are considered to be an important finding for the early detection of canine hip dysplasia. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the radiographic and anatomic appearance of CCOs, and to determine whether CCOs are indicative of osteoarthritis. One hundred canine femurs were used to determine the topographical location of CCOs on the femoral neck, and the anatomic and radiographic presence of CCOs and their association with weight, sex, osteoarthritis, and femoral morphometry. Three angles were calculated to assess femoral conformation. The alpha angle and gamma angle described the angulation of the proximal femur and femoral neck, respectively. The beta angle described the angulation of the distal femur. Anatomic CCO was not detected in four femurs. No radiographic CCO was detected in 35 femurs and osteoarthritis changes were not found in 30 femurs. Statistically significant relationships were observed between anatomic CCO, alpha angle, and gamma angle. Statistically significant associations were observed between radiographic CCO, alpha angle, and gamma angle. The results of this study support an association between radiographic CCO on the femoral neck and osteoarthritis changes in the proximal femur. It can also be concluded that CCOs develop in association with femoral neck angulation, and may therefore be considered as an adaptation to the forces created by body weight that act through the femoral neck.

Animal skeletal remains from archaeological research of medieval localities create collections of bones and fragments. These collections are evaluated in archaeo-osteological

Secondary palate development is characterized by the formation of two palatal shelves on the maxillary prominences, which fuse in the midline in mammalian embryos. However, in reptilian species, such as turtles, crocodilians, and lizards, the palatal shelves of the secondary palate develop to a variable extent and morphology. While in most Squamates, the palate is widely open, crocodilians develop a fully closed secondary palate. Here, we analyzed developmental processes that underlie secondary palate formation in chameleons, where large palatal shelves extend horizontally toward the midline. The growth of the palatal shelves continued during post-hatching stages and closure of the secondary palate can be observed in several adult animals. The massive proliferation of a multilayered oral epithelium and mesenchymal cells in the dorsal part of the palatal shelves underlined the initiation of their horizontal outgrowth, and was decreased later in development. The polarized cellular localization of primary cilia and Sonic hedgehog protein was associated with horizontal growth of the palatal shelves. Moreover, the development of large palatal shelves, supported by the pterygoid and palatine bones, was coupled with the shift in Meox2, Msx1, and Pax9 gene expression along the rostro-caudal axis. In conclusion, our results revealed distinctive developmental processes that contribute to the expansion and closure of the secondary palate in chameleons and highlighted divergences in palate formation across amniote species.

This study describes the facial pillar system in dolichocephalic and brachycephalic breeds of dogs, and highlights its differences. Knowledge of facial pillar system anatomy is imperative to carry out successful fracture repair. The aim of our study was to describe the pillar system of the facial skeleton in dogs, and compare different shapes of dog skulls using native skulls, radiographs and computed tomography (CT). The heads of brachycephalic and dolichocephalic dogs were investigated following a maceration process using trans-illumination, radiography and CT. Ground sections were created from bones of the facial skeleton for investigation of osteon directions. This study has revealed that the facial skeleton of the dog has numerous sinuses supported by vertically and horizontally oriented bone pillars. These pillars can be divided into five principal regions in dolichocephalic skulls and six principal regions in brachycephalic skulls. Radiographic imaging of both the brachiocephalic and dolichocephalic skulls was not capable of discerning bone pillars. Computed tomography transverse and horizontal section images discerned all pillars observed in the illuminated skulls.