Moment arms about the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints for flexor and extensor muscles in equine forelimbs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether muscle moment arms at the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints can be modeled as fixed-radius pulleys for the range of motion associated with the stance phase of the gait in equine forelimbs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 4 cadaveric forelimbs from 2 healthy Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURE: Thin wire cables were sutured at the musculotendinous junction of 9 forelimb muscles. The cables passed through eyelets at each muscle's origin, wrapped around single-turn potentiometers, and were loaded. Tendon excursions, measured as the changes in lengths of the cables, were recorded during manual rotation of the carpal (180 degrees to 70 degrees) and metacarpophalangeal (220 degrees to 110 degrees) joints. Extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint (180 degrees and 220 degrees) was forced with an independent loading frame. Joint angle was monitored with a calibrated potentiometer. Moment arms were calculated from the slopes of the muscle length versus joint angle curves. RESULTS: At the metacarpophalangeal joint, digital flexor muscle moment arms changed in magnitude by < or = 38% during metacarpophalangeal joint extension. Extensor muscle moment arms at the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints also varied (< or = 41% at the carpus) over the range of joint motion associated with the stance phase of the gait. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest that, apart from the carpal flexor muscles, muscle moment arms in equine forelimbs cannot be modeled as fixed-radius pulleys. Assuming that muscle moment arms at the carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints have constant magnitudes may lead to erroneous estimates of muscle forces in equine forelimbs.     

关于内蒙古大兴安岭林区大径材培育的探讨

文章通过对内蒙古大兴安岭林区培育大径材的目的、意义、必要性及方法等方面的分析,论述了大径级材培育是促进林区生态、经济和社会协调发展的有力措施。     

Isotopic fractionation of stratospheric nitrous oxide

We propose an isotopic fractionation mechanism, based on photolytic destruction, to explain the 15N/14N and 18O/16O fractionation of stratospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and reconcile laboratory experiments with atmospheric observations. The theory predicts that (i) the isotopomers 15N14N16O and 14N15N16O have very different isotopic fractionations in the stratosphere, and (ii) laboratory photolysis experiments conducted at 205 nanometers should better simulate the observed isotopic fractionation of stratospheric N2O. Modeling results indicate that there is no compelling reason to invoke a significant chemical source of N2O in the middle atmosphere and that individual N2O isotopomers might be useful tracers of stratospheric air parcel motion.     

Comparison of three methods for arthrodesis of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints in horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of diode laser surgery (LS), surgical drilling (SD), and intraarticular sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) as methods for fusing the distal intertarsal (DIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Adult horses (15) without radiographic signs of osteoarthritis (OA) of the DIT and TMT joints. METHODS: Group 1 (n=3) had LS performed bilaterally on DIT and TMT joints; 1 horse was evaluated for 1 week and 2 horses were evaluated for 2 weeks. Group 2 (n=6) had LS on DIT and TMT joints of 1 tarsus and MIA administration into the contralateral DIT and TMT joints and were evaluated for 6 months. Group 3 (n=6) had LS performed on DIT and TMT joints of 1 tarsus and SD of the contralateral DIT and TMT joints and were evaluated for 12 months. Postoperative comfort, lameness, radiography, microradiography, and histology scores were compared using repeated measures ANOVA, and paired or 2 sample t-tests; significance was set at P<.05. RESULTS: LS caused the least postoperative morbidity. In group 2, horses were less lame in 4 LS-treated limbs and 2 MIA-treated limbs at 6 months when compared with the contralateral limb. In group 3, horses were less lame in 5 LS-treated limbs and 1 SD-treated limb at 6 and 12 months compared with the contralateral limb. On microradiography, 11 MIA joints and 2 LS joints had bone bridging the joint at 6 months whereas 8 SD joints and 5 LS joints had bone bridging at 12 months. Significantly more joint space was bridged by bone in MIA- (51.4%) and SD (46.2%)-treated joints compared with LS joints at 6 (30.6%) and 12 (28.5%) months, respectively (P<.05). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SD and MIA resulted in more bone bridging of the distal 2 tarsal joints, than LS. However, LS seemingly caused less pain and discomfort to horses in the immediate postoperative period; horses were generally less lame in the LS limb. More laser energy may need to be applied to these joints to promote fusion; however, it may also have beneficial effects beyond fusion. Further research on horses with OA of the distal 2 tarsal joints is needed to determine whether LS can cause soundness without facilitating bony fusion.     

Delivery of growth factors using gene therapy to enhance bone healing

OBJECTIVE: To review the delivery of growth factors using gene therapy for enhancing long-bone fracture healing. STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS: MEDLINE and CAB Abstracts literature search (1980-2004). RESULTS: Non-union and infected non-union are relatively common complications of long-bone fractures in human and veterinary patients. Growth factors are cytokines that regulate many cell functions important in fracture healing. Exogenous growth factors can be delivered to the fracture site as recombinant proteins or using gene therapy. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -7 (rhBMP-2 and -7), in particular, enhance fracture healing in numerous experimental and clinical studies. Some limitations with use of recombinant proteins may be overcome by use of gene therapy. Gene therapy involves delivery of the growth factor gene to cells at the fracture site using a viral or non-viral vector. The gene is then expressed (protein synthesis) by cells at the fracture site. Delivery of the BMP gene to the fracture site using gene therapy has been evaluated in laboratory animal models of non-union, with favorable results and without complications. CONCLUSION: Delivery of growth factors, particularly members of BMP family, to the fracture site using gene therapy may be a method to enhance fracture healing. Use of this technology may improve the prognosis for patients with long-bone fractures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical application of gene therapy could improve the prognosis for human and veterinary patients with long-bone fractures, but has not been evaluated clinically.     

Evaluation of a new strategy to modulate skeletal development in racehorses by imposing track-based exercise during growth: the effects on 2- and 3-year-old racing careers

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: No data exist on the effects of conditioning exercise at foal age on workload and subsequent clinical injury rate during their 2- and 3-year-old racing careers. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of subjecting TB foals to conditioning exercise prior to the start of race training on: the workload required to reach a level of fitness sufficient to compete; and the prevalence of orthopaedic injury during the first 2 seasons of their racing careers. METHODS: Twenty 18-month-old TBs, 12 subjected to conditioning exercise at foal age (CONDEX) and 8 exercised spontaneously at pasture only (PASTEX) were trained and entered in competitive events. Workload was quantified using the cumulative workload index (the product of average velocity and distance at a specific gait) and the animals were monitored clinically and radiographically for signs of musculoskeletal disorders. RESULTS: Workload to reach the desired fitness level was similar for CONDEX and PASTEX. CONDEX performed more prerace training sessions as 2-year-olds (P<0.05). The incidence of orthopaedic injuries was low in both groups and there were no differences in the occurrence of orthopaedic ailments. PASTEX animals tended to show signs of musculoskeletal disorders earlier than CONDEX animals. This time difference was significant for metacarpophalangeal joint pain on flexion, reduced carpal flexion and hindlimb lameness (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Subjecting TB foals to conditioning exercise early in life does not have adverse effects on racing careers at ages 2 and 3 years, and does not influence the workload needed to reach a fitness level that is sufficient for racing. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The lack of negative effects and the indications of some positive effects of early conditioning exercise in the Thoroughbred encourage further large-scale comparative studies.     

Evaluation of a new strategy to modulate skeletal development in Thoroughbred performance horses by imposing track-based exercise during growth

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: No data exist on the intensity of exercise required or on possible harmful effects of increasing exercise in foals over the natural level when free at pasture. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether an increase in workload over free pasture exercise in the period from directly after birth to the start of training is tolerated by Thoroughbred (TB) foals without increasing injury rate or producing other undesired side effects. METHODS: Thirty-three TB foals were allocated to one of 2 exercise groups directly after birth. One group (PASTEX) was raised on pasture and the other (CONDEX) kept under identical circumstances, but was additionally subjected to an exercise protocol of gradually increasing intensity. Foals were monitored periodically and scored for the presence of clinical signs related to the musculoskeletal system (joint effusion, pain at flexion, occurrence of physeal swelling), and radiographs taken at the end of the conditioning phase. Also, behavioural studies were performed to detect any changes in behaviour related to the exercise programme. Cortisol levels were measured in both groups, to assess the level of stress. RESULTS: Workload in the CONDEX group was significantly higher than in the PASTEX group (approximately 30%). Conditioning increased the likelihood for joint effusion in the antebrachiocarpal joint, but reduced tarsocrural effusion and physeal swelling at the lateral distal radius, the third metacarpal bone (medial aspect) and lateral and medial aspects of the third metatarsal bone. CONCLUSIONS: The 30% increase in workload did not affect the animals' welfare, effects of conditioning exercise on clinical musculoskeletal health were few and there were no adverse effects. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: This study supports the feasibility of imposing early conditioning exercise in horses and is a benchmark for its effects on the development of equine musculoskeletal tissues.