Biomechanical Comparison of Two Alternative Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy Plates with the Original Standard in an Axially Loaded Gap Model: An In Vitro Study

Objective— To compare the axial compression stiffness of osteotomized canine tibiae stabilized with Slocum, Securos, or Synthes plates after a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) procedure. Study Design— In vitro, paired comparison of cadaveric tibial constructs subjected to mechanical testing under an axial load. Sample Population— Canine tibiae (n=16 pairs) from skeletally mature male and female dogs of various breeds (18–55 kg). Methods— Tibial pairs (n=16) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 study cohorts (n=8 pairs/cohort): cohort 1, tibial osteotomy stabilization with a Slocum or a Securos plate, or cohort 2, tibial osteotomy stabilization with a Slocum or a Synthes plate. One tibia from each pair was stabilized with 1 of each plate design assigned to the cohort after TPLO. A 3.2 mm osteotomy gap was maintained during plate application in all constructs. Load and axial displacement were recorded while constructs were loaded to 2000 N in axial compression. Failure loads were not reported because no distinct yield point or failure point was evident within the load range for many specimens. Failure modes were recorded for each construct, and photographs of typical failures were obtained. Stiffness (N/mm) was calculated from load–displacement curves. Paired comparisons of mean stiffness were performed within study groups using a paired t‐test. Significance was set at P<.05. Results— The mean construct stiffnesses for the Slocum (383±183 N/mm) and Securos (258±64.1 N/mm) constructs were not significantly different (P=.164; power=0.566). The mean construct stiffness for the Synthes constructs (486±91.0 N/mm) was significantly greater than that of the Slocum constructs (400±117 N/mm); P=.0468. Modes of failure for the Slocum (16/16) and Securos (8/8) constructs included plastic deformation of the implant with valgus deformity combined with fibular luxation (2/16 Slocum; 1/8 Securos) or fibular fracture (2/16 Slocum; 4/8 Securos). Most Synthes constructs underwent elastic deformation (7/8). One Synthes construct fractured in the saggital plane through the tibial plateau depression at the point of load application. Conclusions— The Slocum and Securos plate/tibia construct have similar stiffness, whereas the Synthes/tibia constructs are significantly stiffer than the Slocum/tibia constructs. Modes of fixation failure observed in this model were consistent with TPLO fixation failures observed clinically. Clinical relevance— Construct stiffness in axial load varies with implant type. Implants that confer higher stiffness to the construct may result in greater fixation stability in tibial metaphyseal osteotomies.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS OF DESMOPATHY OF THE COLLATERAL LIGAMENTS OF THE EQUINE DISTAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT

We report the use of a low-field magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system for the detection of desmopathy of the collateral ligament of the distal interphalangeal joint and the long-term outcome. Twenty horses were studied and their medical records and MR images were reviewed retrospectively. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by telephonic questionnaires of owners, trainers, or referring veterinarians. Desmopathy of the medial collateral ligament (80%) and enthesopathy of the affected collateral ligament (80%) were common MR imaging features. Treatment consisted of stall rest followed by a rehabilitation period. Additional treatments included shoeing, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, application of a half limb or foot cast, and medication of the distal interphalangeal joint. Twelve (60%) horses returned to their previous level of exercise and maintained their previous level, whereas eight horses had a poor outcome. Low-field MR imaging in the standing patient can be used to detect collateral ligament desmopathy of the distal interphalangeal joint without a need for general anesthesia.     

Incorporation of alpha-tocopherol and linoleic acid in fresh lambs by feeding chemically treated dietary supplements containing dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and sunflower oil

The effects of feeding chemically treated dietary supplements (CTDS) containing sunflower oil and dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (TA) on alpha-tocopherol content and fatty acid profile in edible tissues of lambs were estimated. Compared with lambs fed control diet (CD), lambs fed CD plus 250 IU of either TA or CTDS increased serum alpha-tocopherol. The CTDS-fed lambs further increased serum alpha-tocopherol by 29% over those fed CD plus 250 IU of TA. Lambs supplemented with TA or CTDS increased alpha-tocopherol in muscle and adipose tissues as compared with lambs fed CD. The CTDS-fed lambs had higher levels of alpha-tocopherol in gluteus medius (7.55 vs 6.05 mug/g), psoas major (7.43 vs 6.02 mug/g), and subcutaneous fat (12.6 vs 9.98 mug/g) compared with the TA-fed lambs. Feeding lambs CTDS also substantially increased levels of linoleic acid in the adipose tissues while decreasing the content of palmitic and oleic acids.     

Film preparation by melt- or compression-process using poly(vinyl chloride) powder swollen with dimethylformamide

A melt-process was used to prepare high molecular weight Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films without the use of a conventional plasticizer and heat stabilizer. Rigid PVC powder was swollen with dimethylformamide containing 4∼10 vol% water to reduce its melting temperature. The swollen powder was pressed at a relatively low temperature of 75∼125 °C to form a film shape, and then washed and dried. The visible light transmittance, X-ray diffraction, density and the tensile properties of the resulting films were examined to estimate the success or failure of film formation. The films could be produced by not only the melt-process but also a compression-process using the rigid, highly swollen PVC powder. The resulting films had no voids, which are generally observed in PVC products formed by a solution process. The minimum temperature for these processes decreased with decreasing water content in the mixture: The minimum temperatures according to the water content in the mixture to produce faultless films through the melt-process were 4 %–105 °C, 6 %–115 °C, 8 and 10 %–125 °C, while those through the compression process were 4 %–95 °C, 6 and 8 %–105 °C, 10 %–115 °C.     

Rheological behavior of magnetic carbon nanotubes and their application as kevlar coating

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanocomposites were successfully fabricated by nanocoating. When the CNT/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites were added to a carbonyl (CI) based magnetorheological fluid (MRF), the magnetic rheological properties of the MRF were enhanced. Such enhancement in magnetic rheological properties of the CI-CNT/Fe₃O₄ MRF is considered to be attributable to both the superparamagnetic property of the magnetic layer covering the CNT surface and the high length to diameter ratio of the CNT/Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite. Impact properties for CI-CNT/Fe₃O₄ MRF treated Kevlar fabrics were also tested, and improved impact properties were observed with external magnetic fields compared to CI-MRF treated Kevlar fabrics.     

Study of Photo and Thermoluminescence Properties to Identify Irradiated Dried-Fishery Products

ABSTRACT

Radiation-specific luminescence properties in irradiated dried-fishery products (pollack, little pollack, clams, and shrimp) were investigated at different dose levels (0–10 kGy). Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) analysis of whole samples was effective for dried clams and shrimp, while low PSL sensitivity was observed in dried pollack and little pollack. Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis was conducted after isolation of silicate minerals, in which the two methods of mineral isolation—density separation and acid hydrolysis—were compared. Irradiated samples were easily distinguishable through the strong TL glow curves, with maximum peaks in temperature range of 150–250°C. TL ratios (TL₁/TL₂) were < 0.1 for nonirradiated samples, while > 0.1 for irradiated. There was a clear effect of applied irradiation dose, with a negligible effect of the method used for mineral separation. The mineral composition showed that feldspar and quartz minerals were mainly responsible for the well-characterized luminescence behavior upon irradiation.