This book focuses on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of animal origin, including their isolation, characterization, and clinical applications. After briefly discussing the historical development of the field of stem cell research, it describes the basic properties and nature of stem cells particularly in relation to MSCs. In turn, it reviews materials and methods used to isolate MSCs from various sources, culture expansion, characterization and long-term storage. It also explores the therapeutic efficacy, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory, and differentiation properties of MSCs. Importantly, the book discusses the applications of genetic engineering to enhance the efficacy and potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine. The book largely addresses the potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells in therapies for important species of domesticated animals including sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, cats, dogs and horses. Finally, the book presents an abridgement of challenges and future prospects of stem cell research and application in medicine, in general and veterinary sciences, in particular.

This textbook emphasizes the fundamentals of bone fracture and its fixation, including advanced techniques of osteosynthesis in both small and large animals. Various fracture fixation techniques and devices have been described in simple language with the help of sketches and photographs. The chapter on the basic considerations in fracture fixation narrates bone structure and types, bone development and growth regulation, types of fracture and fracture healing, first aid and emergency treatment, selection of fracture fixation technique, anesthetic management, and fracture fixation implants and instruments. The book highlights principles of different external, internal, and external skeletal fixation techniques. It also presents various basic and advanced techniques used to manage specific fractures in different bones, separately for small and large animal patients. It also includes specific topics like fracture fixation in young, osteoporotic, and avian bones, open fracture management, bone grafts and scaffolds, and fracture fixation complications. Towards the end, the book elucidates miscellaneous but essential topics in veterinary orthopedics such as metabolic bone diseases, antebrachial bone deformities, joint luxations, arthritis, common tendon, and ligament injuries, bone tumors, and physiotherapy and rehabilitation of patients. This textbook is essential reading for veterinary students, practitioners, and researchers working in veterinary orthopedic surgery. ​

During the eighteenth and early years of the nineteenth century, the red tide of British expansion had covered almost the entire Indian subcontinent, stretching to the borders of the Punjab. There the great Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh had developed his military forces to thwart any British advance into his kingdom north of the River Sutlej. Yet on the death of Ranjit Singh, unworthy successors and disparate forces fought over his legacy while the British East India Company seized on the opportunity and prepared for battle. In the winter of 1845, the First Anglo-Sikh War broke out. From the start, the two-month campaign was marred by Victorian arrogance and bluster on the British side and personal ambition, intrigue and treason in the Sikh camp. Five keenly fought contests ensued, including the great battle of Ferozeshah where the British force found itself caught between two powerful Sikh armies and came close to destruction. Declining to retreat, Sir Hugh Gough, the British Commander-in-Chief, told his second in command: 'My mind is made up. If we must perish, it is better that our bones should bleach honourably at Ferozeshah than rot at Ferozepore: but they shall do neither the one nor the other.' The fate of the British Empire in India would be decided that day. Amarpal Singh writes a warts-and-all tale of a conflict characterised by treachery, tragedy and incredible bravery on both sides. In an innovative approach to history writing, the narrative of the campaign is accompanied by battlefield guides that draw on eyewitness accounts and invite the reader to take a tour of the battlefields, either physically or virtually. Fully illustrated with period drawings, modern-day photographs and new maps, The First Anglo-Sikh War gives a forgotten conflict the meticulous attention it deserves.

On 10 May 1857, the most serious threat to British supremacy in India appeared at Meerut, a large military station near Delhi. After months of increasing tension, sepoys of the 3rd Light Cavalry along with the 11th and 20th Native Infantry pointedly refused to use the new cartridges supplied to them. 'The company Raj is over forever,' declared the men to their British officers as they burned their cantonments, and the cry of 'Dilhi chalo' (Let's go to Delhi) was heard as they marched to the old Mughal capital. There the Mughal empire was declared resurrected and the Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, an ageing pensioner of the British Government, affirmed as the ruler of all Hindustan once again. With the mutiny spreading rapidly, it became imperative for the British to recapture Delhi as the success or failure of the uprising hinged entirely on the possession of the city and the destruction of the rebel army. It would take three months of bloody fighting for the British Delhi Field Force to defeat the rebel sepoys and recapture the city, a period in which it became unclear quite who besieged whom. Singh comprehensively narrates the story from the uprising at Meerut to the climactic capture and sack of Delhi.