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Featured researches published by Gail K. Smith.


British Journal of Nutrition | 2008

Diet restriction and ageing in the dog: major observations over two decades

Dennis F. Lawler; Brian T. Larson; Joan M. Ballam; Gail K. Smith; Darryl N. Biery; Richard H. Evans; Elizabeth H. Greeley; Mariangela Segre; Howard D. Stowe; Richard D. Kealy

This report reviews decade two of the lifetime diet restriction study of the dog. Labrador retrievers (n 48) were paired at age 6 weeks by sex and weight within each of seven litters, and assigned randomly within the pair to control-feeding (CF) or 25 % diet restriction (DR). Feeding began at age 8 weeks. The same diet was fed to all dogs; only the quantity differed. Major lifetime observations included 1.8 years longer median lifespan among diet-restricted dogs, with delayed onset of late life diseases, especially osteoarthritis. Long-term DR did not negatively affect skeletal maturation, structure or metabolism. Among all dogs, high static fat mass and declining lean body mass predicted death, most strongly at 1 year prior. Fat mass above 25 % was associated with increasing insulin resistance, which independently predicted lifespan and chronic diseases. Metabolizable energy requirement/lean body mass most accurately explained energy metabolism due to diet restriction; diet-restricted dogs required 17 % less energy to maintain each lean kilogram. Metabonomics-based urine metabolite trajectories reflected DR-related differences, suggesting that signals from gut microbiota may be involved in the DR longevity and health responses. Independent of feeding group, increased hazard of earlier death was associated with lower lymphoproliferative responses to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen; lower total lymphocytes, T-cells, CD4 and CD8 cells; lower CD8 percentages and higher B-cell percentages. When diet group was taken into account, PWM responses and cell counts and percentages remained predictive of earlier death.


Journal of Small Animal Practice | 2010

Distraction index as a risk factor for osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia in four large dog breeds.

J. J. Runge; S. P. Kelly; Thomas P. Gregor; S. Kotwal; Gail K. Smith

OBJECTIVE To determine if age, breed, gender, weight or distraction index (DI) influenced the risk of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) in four common dog breeds; the American bulldog, Bernese mountain dog, Newfoundland and standard poodle. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross sectional prevalence study with 4349 dogs. Canine hips were evaluated using 3 radiographic projections: the hip-extended view, the compression view and the distraction view. The hip-extended view was examined for the presence of OA. The PennHIP distraction view was utilized to calculate the DI. For all breeds, a multiple logistic regression model incorporating age, weight, gender, and DI was created. For each breed, disease-susceptibility curves grouping dogs on the basis of age were constructed. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were developed for each breed regardless of age. RESULTS For all breeds, DI was the most significant risk factor for the development of OA associated with CHD. Weight and age were also significant risk factors in all four breeds, but gender was not. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Results from this study support previous findings, that irrespective of breed, the probability of radiographic OA increases with hip joint laxity as measured by the DI. Breed-specific differences in this relationship, however, warrant investigation of all breeds affected by CHD to determine inherent dependency of hip OA on joint laxity. Such findings guide veterinarians in helping dog breeders to make evidence-based breeding decisions and in informing dog owners to implement preventative treatments for CHD for dogs found to be at risk.


Veterinary Surgery | 2009

A longitudinal study of the influence of lifetime food restriction on development of osteoarthritis in the canine elbow.

Jennifer L. Huck; Daryl N. Biery; Dennis F. Lawler; Thomas P. Gregor; Jeffrey J. Runge; Richard H. Evans; Richard D. Kealy; Gail K. Smith

OBJECTIVE To report the effects of age and lifetime calorie restriction on development and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in elbow joints of Labrador retrievers. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. ANIMALS Labrador retriever dogs (n=48). METHODS Puppies from 7 litters were allotted to 2 groups of 24 dogs each. Diet-restricted (DR) dogs received 25% fewer calories than control-fed (CF) pair mates. Elbow radiographs were taken at 6 and 8 years of age and end of life (EOL). Gross and histopathologic evaluations for OA occurred at EOL. RESULTS There was no statistical difference in radiographic OA frequency between groups at any of the time points. Radiographic OA severity was greater for CF dogs at 6 years only (P<.05). There was no significant difference between feeding groups for histopathologic prevalence or severity of OA. Similarly, there were no differences in gross OA lesions between the groups (P>.05). Fragmented medial coronoid process, un-united anconeal process, and osteochondrosis were not present in any elbow. CONCLUSION No differences in prevalence or severity of radiographic and histopathologic elbow OA were found between feeding groups. Diet restriction resulted in a 1.8-year extension in median lifespan but no additional incremental worsening of elbow disease. Evaluation at time points <6 years may have revealed larger differences in OA prevalence and severity between the dietary groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These findings support calorie restriction as a clinical tool to slow progression of elbow OA.


Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association | 2010

Evaluation of the relationship between Orthopedic Foundation for Animals' hip joint scores and PennHIP distraction index values in dogs

Michelle Y. Powers; Georga T. Karbe; Thomas P. Gregor; Pamela J. McKelvie; William T. N. Culp; Hilary H. Fordyce; Gail K. Smith

OBJECTIVE To compare 2 screening methods for detecting evidence of hip dysplasia (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals [OFA] and PennHIP) in dogs. DESIGN Diagnostic test evaluation study. Animals-439 dogs >or= 24 months of age that received routine hip joint screening from June 1987 through July 2008. PROCEDURES Dogs were sedated, and PennHIP radiography was performed (hip joint- extended [HE], compression, and distraction radiographic views). The HE radiographic view was submitted for OFA evaluation. A copy of the HE radiographic view plus the compression and distraction radiographic views were submitted for routine PennHIP evaluation, including quantification of hip joint laxity via the distraction index (DI). RESULTS 14% (60/439) of dogs had hip joints scored as excellent by OFA standards; however, 52% (31/60) of those had a DI >or= 0.30 (range, 0.14 to 0.61). Eighty-two percent of (183/223) dogs with OFA-rated good hip joints had a DI >or= 0.30 (range, 0.10 to 0.77), and 94% (79/84) of dogs with OFA-rated fair hip joints had a DI >or= 0.30 (range, 0.14 to 0.77). Of all dogs with fair to excellent hip joints by OFA standards, 80% (293/367) had a DI >or= 0.30. All dogs with OFA-rated borderline hip joints or mild, moderate, or severe hip dysplasia had a DI >or= 0.30 (range, 0.30 to 0.83). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Dogs judged as phenotypically normal by the OFA harbored clinically important passive hip joint laxity as determined via distraction radiography. Results suggested that OFA scoring of HE radiographs underestimated susceptibility to osteoarthritis in dogs, which may impede progress in reducing or eliminating hip dysplasia through breeding.


Veterinary Surgery | 2008

The Effects of Lifetime Food Restriction on the Development of Osteoarthritis in the Canine Shoulder

Jeffrey J. Runge; Darryl N. Biery; Dennis F. Lawler; Thomas P. Gregor; Richard H. Evans; Richard D. Kealy; Stephanie D. Szabo; Gail K. Smith

OBJECTIVE To report effects of age and lifetime food restriction on development and progression of shoulder joint osteoarthritis (OA) in Labrador retriever dogs. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal life-span, cohort study. ANIMALS Labrador retriever dogs (n=48). METHODS Littermates were paired (gender, weight) to make 24 pairs of genetically similar dogs. Each diet-restricted (DR) pair-mate was fed daily 75% of the same diet consumed by its control-fed (CF) pair-mate for life. Shoulders were evaluated radiographically at years 6, 8, and end of life (EOL). At EOL shoulders were evaluated grossly and by histopathology for OA. RESULTS Radiographic evidence of shoulder OA was identified in 78% of dogs. Severity of radiographic shoulder OA at 6 (P<.03) and 8 years (P<.02) was significantly lower among DR dogs compared with CF dogs. Pooled gross evaluation results revealed 40 of 46 dogs had cartilage erosion on the caudal aspect of the humeral head. By EOL, 91% of dogs had histopathologic changes consistent with OA. CONCLUSION There was a high overall prevalence of radiographic, gross, and histologic OA among dogs. Substantial disparity was found between radiographic evidence of OA (at EOL) and characteristic changes visible by gross and histologic examination. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Radiographic evaluation correlates poorly with severity of shoulder joint pathology. The benefits of DR on shoulder OA are consistent with the demonstrated effect of DR in delaying species- and strain-specific diseases of aging.


Veterinary Surgery | 2009

Un-United Medial Epicondyle of the Humerus: Radiographic Prevalence and Association with Elbow Osteoarthritis in a Cohort of Labrador Retrievers

Erin R. Paster; Darryl N. Biery; Dennis F. Lawler; Richard H. Evans; Richard D. Kealy; Thomas P. Gregor; Pamela J. McKelvie; Gail K. Smith

OBJECTIVE To longitudinally characterize the radiographic appearance of un-united medial epicondyle (UME) of the humerus, evaluate UME association with osteoarthritis (OA) and consider its relevance to the elbow dysplasia complex. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study. ANIMALS Labrador retrievers (n=48) from 7 litters. METHODS Forty-eight same-sex littermates were paired for this lifetime feeding study. One of each pair was control-fed; the pair mate was fed 25% less than the control each day. Elbows of 46 surviving dogs were radiographed at ages 6 and 8 years, and/or at end-of-life (EOL). Elbow histopathology was done EOL, although UME lesions were not evaluated histologically. RESULTS Seven dogs (15%) had UME, representing 5 litters; 4 were control-fed, 3 diet-restricted. Six (86%) dogs had unilateral lesions; 1 was bilateral. UME was evident on craniocaudal (CrCd) radiographic projections by 8 years in all dogs. UME was detected in only 1 elbow by mediolateral radiographic projection. Elbow OA frequency in UME affected dogs was not significantly different from the remaining study population. Histopathologic lesions were bilateral in dogs with unilateral UME. CONCLUSIONS UME may be more common than previously thought. Most cases were unilateral and diet restriction had no effect on frequency. The CrCd view was critical for diagnosis. Elbow OA was not directly associated with UME. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Infrequent diagnosis of UME could result from infrequent radiography and use of only the flexed lateral radiographic projection required by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for elbow screening. Like hip evaluations, screening for UME should be continued for life, until genetics are better understood. Lack of association between UME and elbow OA suggests that UME is not likely a component of elbow dysplasia.


Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association | 2009

Effects of osteoarthritis on radiographic measures of laxity and congruence in hip joints of Labrador Retrievers

Randi M. Gold; Thomas P. Gregor; Jennifer L. Huck; Pamela J. McKelvie; Gail K. Smith

OBJECTIVE- To determine effects of hip joint osteoarthritis on radiographic measures of hip joint laxity and congruence. DESIGN- Longitudinal study. ANIMALS- 40 Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURES- Dogs were assigned to 2 groups based on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Dogs in the osteoarthritis group were free of osteoarthritis at initial radiographic evaluation (t(1)) and developed osteoarthritis by a subsequent radiographic evaluation (t(2)). Dogs in the nonosteoarthritis group had no radiographic osteoarthritis at either evaluation. Hip joint laxity was quantified by use of the distraction index (DI) from a distraction radiographic view and use of the Norberg angle (NA) from a ventrodorsal hip-extended radiographic view. The compression index (CI) from a compression radiographic view was used as a measure of joint congruence (concentricity). RESULTS- Hip joint laxity (NA or DI) did not change over time in the nonosteoarthritis group. Mean hip joint laxity (NA and DI) for the osteoarthritis group was greater at t(1) than for the nonosteoarthritis group. With the onset of osteoarthritis, mean NA decreased significantly and mean CI increased significantly, but mean DI remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE- No radiographic evidence for compensatory hip joint tightening associated with osteoarthritis was detected. Hip-extended radiography revealed that hip joints got looser with osteoarthritis and NA decreased. Hip joint laxity (DI) on distraction radiographs was unchanged by the onset of osteoarthritis and remained constant in the osteoarthritis and nonosteoarthritis groups at both evaluations. However, the CI increased with osteoarthritis, as reflected in nonzero indices (incongruence). The CI may be a valid marker for early hip joint osteoarthritis.


Veterinary Surgery | 2009

External fixator clamp reuse degrades clamp mechanical performance.

Robert S. Gilley; David P. Beason; David M. Snyder; Raymond C. Boston; Alex Radin; Amy S. Kapatkin; Gail K. Smith; Louis J. Soslowsky

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of clamp reuse for the Kirschner-Ehmer (KE); Securos; and the IMEX-SK clamp. STUDY DESIGN Experimental bench test of mechanical properties. METHODS Specially designed fixtures were used to mechanically test 18 clamps of each type with respect to 6 mechanical variables: fixator pin slippage, connecting bar slippage, fixator pin rotation, connecting bar rotation, and clockwise and counterclockwise clamp-bolt axis pivot. Each clamp was tested 6 times for each variable at 7.68 Nm of clamp-bolt tightening torque. RESULTS were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. Results- For the IMEX-SK clamp, a significant degradation in the force required to cause slippage was found for connecting bar slippage and fixator pin rotation; however, this clamp also had a significant increase in the force to initiate slippage for clockwise clamp-bolt axis pivot with reuse. The Securos clamp had significant degradation in connecting bar slippage, connecting bar rotation, and fixator pin rotation whereas the KE clamp had significant degradation in connecting bar slippage only. CONCLUSIONS All 3 external fixator clamp types degraded in 1 or more movement variables in their ability to resist motion with reuse. The IMEX and Securos clamps were more subject to degradation than the KE clamp and this may have clinical importance for fixator composite rigidity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fracture-reduction stability is related to the ability to resist motion within a clamp. The unpredictable nature of degradation we found cautions against repeated use. Clinicians should consider reuse of external fixator clamps with the knowledge that repeated use degrades clamp mechanical performance.


International Journal of Paleopathology | 2013

Differential diagnosis of an unusual shoulder articular lesion in an ancient domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L., 1758)

Dennis F. Lawler; David A. Rubin; Richard H. Evans; Charles F. Hildebolt; Kirk E. Smith; Christopher Widga; Terrence Martin; M. Siegel; Jill E. Sackman; Gail K. Smith; T.K. Patel

A proximal humeral articular surface from an ancient domestic dog deliberate burial was examined during survey of small mammal bones from a prehistoric early Late Woodland archeological site. An unusual lesion on the caudolateral articular surface prompted micro-computed tomography to define detailed structure. Results indicate cortical or immature woven bone arising subchondrally, replacing normal trabeculae, extending through a breach in the cortical surface, and having sharp transition with surrounding normal bone. Organized bone within the lesion indicates that the dog lived for months-to-years following insult. Differential diagnoses initially included: sharp penetrating trauma; intrinsic or extrinsic blunt fracturing force; osteochondrosis or complication of an osteochondral lesion; unusual osteoarthritis; and neoplasia. Computed tomography ruled out normal or unusual osteoarthritis, and neoplasia. The nature and small size of the lesion, relatively small size of the dog, and lack of evidence for complicating infection, suggest against sharp penetrating trauma as a sole cause. The most plausible differential diagnoses include: uncommon fracture-producing force in a companion animal, and blunt intrinsic or extrinsic force causing fracture at a weak point, such as an early osteochondral lesion, that was obliterated by healing. Combined gross examination, micro-computed tomography, and archeological-anthropological influences facilitated refinement of differential diagnosis.


Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology | 2018

‘Imitation is the Sincerest of Flattery’…Except When It Negatively Impacts Canine and Client Welfare

Gail K. Smith

‘Imitation is the Sincerest of Flattery.’1 In a recent published article in VCOT ‘Comparison of Three Methods to Quantify Laxity in the Canine Hip’ by Broeckx, Vezzoni and colleagues,2 the authors claim they developed a ‘novel’ method to assess hip laxity in dogs. However, the authors’ claim is invalid as the method is simply a copy of the well-documented, gold-standard for the measurement of hip laxity, namely, the PennHIP method. Additionally, the ‘modified method’ by Broeckx, Vezzoni and colleagues lacks essential elements that havemade PennHIP globally successful including (1) a non-biased database of genetic information, (2) a network of trained practitioners to perform the procedure with uniformity and (3) a cadre of highly skilled scrutineers to score and critique submitted hip radiographs. Broeckx, Vezzoni and colleagues offer a host of spurious reasons claiming that PennHIP is unpopular in Europe and conclude from the results from testing of a mere 10 dogs in Belgium that European practitioners should abandon PennHIP for the ‘Vezzoni-modified Badertscher distension device’ method. I am writing on behalf of the several thousand trained PennHIP veterinarians from more than 24 countries who have invested time and effort to join a legitimate and successful science-based programme aimed at reducing the high incidence of canine hip dysplasia. PennHIP was introduced clinically in 1993 after 10 years of competitively funded research. More than 35 peerreviewed scientific publications validated the PennHIP method and its clinical utility. Formore than the past decade, Vezzoni has deceptively claimed that he has developed a ‘modified method’ to measure hip laxity similar to the PennHIP method but ostensibly based on a different method conceived by Badertscher in a never-published 1977Masters thesis.3,4 In truth, Badertscher’s so-called half-axial stress radiographic method positioned the femurs at 45 degrees to the radiographic table, a position that our research has shown would show less than 50% of the laxity revealed with the limbs in the prescribed neutral PennHIP position.4 Quoting from Badertscher’s thesis, ‘The dog was positioned with the femora at approximately a 45-degree angle to the table top....’ In contrast to Badertscher’s limb position, the ‘Vezzoni modified Badertscher distension device method’ has the femurs approximately 90 degrees to the radiographic table, ‘ 10° extension, comparedwith the neutral position’. This positioning is well within the specified PennHIP neutral range as described by Heyman, Smith and colleagues5 and contained within USPO no. 5,482,055. The so-called Vezzoni modified Badertscher distension device method is simply a copy and an attempted duplication of the original PennHIP intellectual property (IP) and research, including (1) the limb position to take PennHIP distraction radiographs, (2) the method tomeasure hip laxity known as the distraction index (DI) and (3) the actual distractor that Vezzoni copied in function if not in exact form. Note the similarity in limb position between a typical PennHIP radiograph submission and Vezzoni’s copied method (►Figs. 1 and 2). Broeckx, Vezzoni and colleagues also make other misrepresentations. The training and certification process for PennHIP is not costly as claimed. Training has been readily available online and free since 2014. The PennHIP programme is definitively global. It is true that PennHIP charges an evaluation fee and veterinarians await an official report, but this is the modus operandi for all current hip dysplasia control schemes globally. There is no ‘obligation’whatsoever that practitioners have digital radiography as claimed. Broeckx and Vezzoni and colleagues claimed savings to veterinarians and pet owners suggesting that the compression view was not necessary in their 10-dog study. However, Broeckx and Vezzoni and colleagues are unaware of

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Thomas P. Gregor

University of Pennsylvania

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Darryl N. Biery

University of Pennsylvania

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Frances S. Shofer

University of Pennsylvania

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Michelle Y. Powers

Washington State University

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Richard H. Evans

University of Pennsylvania

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