Abstract: The human anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a composite structure of two anatomically distinct bundles: an anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles. Tendons are often used as autografts for surgical reconstruction of ACL following severe injury. However, despite successful surgical reconstruction, some people experience re-rupture and later development of osteoarthritis. Understanding the structure and molecular makeup of normal ACL is essential for its optimal replacement. Reportedly the two bundles display different tensions throughout joint motion and may be fundamentally different. This study assessed the similarities and differences in ultrastructure and molecular composition of the AM and PL bundles to test the hypothesis that the two bundles of the ACL develop unique characteristics with maturation. ACLs from nine mature and six immature sheep were compared. The bundles were examined for mRNA and protein levels of collagen types I, III, V, and VI, and two proteoglycans. The fibril diameter composition of the two bundles was examined with transmission electron microscopy. Maturation does alter the molecular and structural composition of the two bundles of ACL. Although the PL band appears to mature slower than the AM band, no significant differences were detected between the bundles in the mature animals. We thus reject our hypothesis that the two ACL bundles are distinct. The two anatomically distinct bundles of the sheep ACL can be considered as two parts of one structure at maturity and material that would result in a structure of similar functionality can be used to replace each ACL bundle in the sheep.
Abstract: The aims of this study were to estimate the wastage of horses registered for eventing in Britain, to investigate the reasons for this wastage and to evaluate factors affecting the horses' achievement of grade I status (at least 61 points) while registered. An analysis of the database of the British Eventing register found that 33.7 per cent of horses registered for the first time in 1999 were not re-registered for eventing in subsequent years. By using multivariable logistic regression analysis, it was shown that horses that were kept at an event yard were more likely to be re-registered than those kept on other premises (odds ratio [or] 2.0, 95 per cent confidence interval [ci] 1.2 to 3.2), and those that took part in showjumping while registered were also more likely to be re-registered (or 1.5, 95 per cent ci 1.1 to 2.2). Horses that took part in unaffiliated eventing while registered were less likely to be re-registered the following year (or 0.7, 95 per cent ci 0.5 to 0.9), as were those that were not insured (or 0.7, 95 per cent ci 0.5 to 1.0) and those from outside the British Isles (or 0.6, 95 per cent ci 0.3 to 1.0). Veterinary problems were the most commonly cited explanation (35.1 per cent) why horses that remained in their original ownership were not re-registered with British Eventing the following year. Horses from Australia were more likely to achieve grade I status than horses from the British Isles (or 9.7, 95 per cent ci 7.1 to 13.2), as were horses from New Zealand (or 6.4, 95 per cent ci 5.0 to 8.2), the usa (or 5.2, 95 per cent ci 3.8 to 7.2) and France (or 2.8, 95 per cent ci 2.1 to 3.7), but horses from the Netherlands (or 0.5, 95 per cent ci 0.3 to 0.9) and Belgium (or 0.3, 95 per cent ci 0.1 to 0.9) were less likely to achieve grade I status. Mares were less likely to achieve grade I status than geldings (or 0.4, 95 per cent ci 0.4 to 0.5).
