Surgical repair of radial carpal bone fractures in two racehorses

A 3-year-old Standardbred gelding (Case 1) and a 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Case 2) were referred for surgical evaluation of a left radial carpal bone (RCB) fracture, sustained during training. Clinical findings at the time of initial examination included a palpable effusion within the left middle carpal joint in both horses and marked signs of pain and reduced range of motion on flexion of the affected carpus. In both horses, the RCB fracture was evident on the following radiographic views of the carpus: dorsolateral–palmaromedial oblique (30° off lateromedial) and flexed lateromedial. An additional loose wedge-shaped osteochondral fragment at the proximal articular surface of the RCB could be seen in Case 2. Both horses underwent surgical reduction and repair of the fracture between 1 and 2 days following the initial injury, which consisted of arthroscopic removal of any intra-articular osteochondral fragments, and arthroscopic assisted-interfragmentary compression via a standard dorsomedial and dorsolateral approach to the antebrachiocarpal joint (ACJ) and middle carpal joints (MCJ). The two horses returned to function as racehorses, 6 months (Case 1) and 16 months (Case 2) after surgery. The RCB is a relatively uncommon site for large carpal fractures in horses. The clinical presentation and findings from this report were similar to that of third carpal bone (C3) slab fractures, confirming that surgical repair is indicated in selected cases of RCB fractures.     

Asterosaponins: Structures,Taxonomic Distribution,Biogenesis and Biological Activities

Asterosaponins are a class of steroid oligoglycosides isolated from starfish with characteristic structures and diverse biological activities. In this review, we have attempted to combine the most important data concerning asterosaponins and give a list of these secondary metabolites with their structural peculiarities. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief but as complete as possible principal information about their chemical structures, taxonomic distribution in the marine environment, distribution in different geographical areas and depths, some properties, biological activities, and functions. Some other rare steroid metabolites from starfish, closely related in structures and probably biogenesis to asterosaponins, are also discussed.     

Surgical treatment of a complicated distal tibia epiphyseal Salter–Harris type I fracture in a yearling

This article describes the management of a complicated distal epiphyseal Salter–Harris type I fracture of the left tibia in a yearling horse. Closed reduction and internal fixation was attempted in the first surgery using tension band wires. Due to fracture instability 2 weeks after surgery, a full-limb transfixation pin cast was applied to the tibia and maintained for 7 weeks to prevent further fracture displacement and to achieve axial alignment. The full-limb cast was maintained for a total of 12 weeks, including the time with the transfixation pin cast. Cast sores and tendon laxity resolved without further complications. Ten months after the first surgery, the fracture had radiographically healed, and the horse was sound at the walk and trot in a straight line.     

Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a 7-year-old zebra mare (Equus quagga)

A 7-year-old plains zebra (Equus quagga) mare was presented to the Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Germany as an emergency. The owner reported that the mare was unable to stand after a suspected traumatic episode at the home yard. The mare was transported in lateral recumbency in a trailer. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia (up to 102 beats/min), tachypnoea (28 breaths/min), mild fever (38.7°C) and clinical dehydration with elastic skin and dry and red mucous membranes. Neurological examination showed paraplegia with complete loss of nociception of the mid-thoracic region and caudal to it. In contrast, examination of the thoracic limbs revealed marked extensor rigidity and hyperaesthesia resulting in an enhanced acute response to minimal touch of the neck and shoulder region. Lateral radiographs of the thoracic vertebral column led to the diagnosis of a complete fracture of the vertebral body of the 7th thoracic (T) vertebra with suspected traumatic compression of the spinal cord. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis. Gross pathology revealed a complete comminuted fracture of T7 with marked compression of the spinal cord. This is the first report describing the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of a fracture of a thoracic vertebra leading to a Schiff-Sherrington syndrome in a zebra (Equus quagga).     

木材横纹理断裂及强度准则

以杉木为研究对象从宏观和微观上研究了木才横纹断裂的性质，并阐述了木才的强韧机理。研究表明：木材横纹Ⅰ型裂纹扩展方式是先沿纤维开裂伸展，然后再沿横截面作韧性断裂，其扩展过程分线性、稳定和非稳定性3个阶段；顺纹启裂时的断裂韧性与试件尺寸无关，是木材的固有属性；木材因其多胞及纤维增强的多层胞壁结构，而具有很强的抗横断韧性，不会因裂尖应力奇异性而发生低工作应力破坏，故在对含横纹理裂纹的木构件作安全设计时，建议仍采用传统的强度准则，考虑净尺寸上的常规强度即可。     

木材断口分形的初步研究

木材是一种天然的多孔性生物高分子材料,结构复杂且变异性大,所以木材断裂表面定量分析的难度很高,对于木材内部裂纹产生、发展的研究一直没有大的突破.在木材断裂力学的研究中,国内外科学家运用传统的断裂试验方法研究居多,但普遍结论是规律不明显或找不到规律(费本华,1999).木材研究者们一直在寻找一种定量描述木材断裂表面形态的新指标,并希望在此基础上预测木材强度和了解木材断裂机制(Schmitt et al.,1996;Qin et al.,1999).     

Shear strength of beam splice joints with glued-in rods

Splitting failure in beam splice joints with glued-in rods parallel to grain in endwood subjected to pure shear is considered. A simple theoretical expression based on beam-on-elastic-foundation theory and quasi-non-linear fracture mechanics is presented for calculation of the joint strength. Tests were conducted on jointed beams in a four-point bending test setup in which the joints were located at the point of pure shear force. Hardwood dowels with a diameter of 12mm and a glued-in length of 120mm were used as rods, and various beam cross sections and dowel configurations were tested. The theory presented is found to agree well with test results in all cases in which the edge distance of the glued-in rods is relatively small. Some test results indicate that the theory may be conservative in case of large edge distances.