Ti-34Nb-6Sn alloy were prepare by powder metallurgy milled in two different times (40 and 60 min) using Ti and Nb hydrides with or without Mg, as spacer then sintered at 700ºC and 800ºC. Characterizations were made by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and by Archimedes. Microhardness was measured by Vickers microhardness. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from equine bone marrow (BMMSCs) were used to evaluate the sample cytotoxicity. Hydration and dehydration process was confirmed, also the formation of brittle particles during the milling. Materials were structured under α and β phase, and the samples that received Mg as a spacer had slightly lower β phase content compared to samples without Mg, suggesting difficult α→β transformation due to the presence of barriers formed by pores. Mg provided greater porosity, and prepared milled in a shorter time promoted an increase in the macropores. Microhardness was similar to that of commercial materials (i.e., CP-Ti and also to other alloys with similar nominal composition. Cells treated with conditioned medium with the samples showed viability comparable to the control group, and after 48 h of culture on the samples, there was significant growth and more circular morphology, when adhered on materials that received Mg.

ABSTRACT: South America has numerous Criollo horse breeding farms; however, information on foal hoof growth is still limited and identifying the ideal periods to apply corrective trimming is a frequent concern for horse owners. In the present study, a morphometric analysis of hoof growth was performed on 46 Criollo foals from birth to weaning (0-8 months). Results showed that hoof growth rate was higher in the first four months followed by a decrease until the eighth month. Average growth rate of the hoof was 0.21cm per month, whereas that of the heel was 0.14cm per month. However, no significant differences were observed between medial and lateral heel length or between limbs. Coronary band perimeter and solar width showed an average increase of 0.97cm and 0.46cm per month, respectively, and were significantly correlated (r=0.99, P≤0.01). The characteristic most positively correlated to biometric variables was foal age, followed by solar width, toe length, and coronary band perimeter. In conclusion, hoof length increase in Criollo foals was more intensive during the first four months of life.

South America has numerous Criollo horse breeding farms; however, information on foal hoof growth is still limited and identifying the ideal periods to apply corrective trimming is a frequent concern for horse owners. In the present study, a morphometric analysis of hoof growth was performed on 46 Criollo foals from birth to weaning (0-8 months). Results showed that hoof growth rate was higher in the first four months followed by a decrease until the eighth month. Average growth rate of the hoof was 0.21cm per month, whereas that of the heel was 0.14cm per month. However, no significant differences were observed between medial and lateral heel length or between limbs. Coronary band perimeter and solar width showed an average increase of 0.97cm and 0.46cm per month, respectively, and were significantly correlated (r=0.99, P≤0.01). The characteristic most positively correlated to biometric variables was foal age, followed by solar width, toe length, and coronary band perimeter. In conclusion, hoof length increase in Criollo foals was more intensive during the first four months of life.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from the synovial membrane (MSCSM) have a greater potential for joint regeneration, besides the capacity for chondrogenic differentiation, since they are a source closer to the chondrocytes. This study aimed to cultivate and evaluate viability and differentiation of MSCSM encapsulated in a three-dimensional alginate hydrogel (HA) scaffold. Samples of the synovial membrane of the metatarsophalangeal joint of 4 horses were collected by astroscopic surgery. These were subjected to enzymatic digestion, isolated mesenchymal cells, cultured in monolayers and encapsulated at various concentrations, 104; 204; 504; 105; 205 cells in 1.5% sodium alginate solution. The gelatinization process was carried out and cultured for 4 weeks. Viability and cell proliferation were performed by dissolving the microcapsules and counting with trypan blue. The ratio of live cells and total live cells at intervals 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days was analyzed. Results: For the evaluation of differentiation, histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue were performed. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of live cells between groups over the 28 days. The group of 105 cells obtained a higher total number of living cells at the end of the experiment. Through the histological analysis it was possible to observe at 7 days a low amount of spherical cells with chondrocyte characteristics. On day 21, chondrogenic differentiation became evident, with pericellular and territorial matrix production. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficiency of HA as a scaffold for MSCSM and the chondrogenic differentiation, promising for use in the treatment of joint injuries in horses.