Surgical approaches to certain long bones of the horse for application of tension band plates.

In the horse, surgical approaches for plating fractures of the ulna, radius, metacarpus, tibia, and metatarsus involved a single curvilinear skin incision and incision of the superficial fascia in a manner to prevent postoperative dehiscence. The tension side of the bones, as well as location of nerves, arteries, veins, and muscles, were the major determinants in developing these approaches for atraumatic surgery and short operative time.     

Lag screw fixation of avulsion fractures of the second phalanx in the horse.

Avulsion fractures of the posteromedial eminence of the 2nd phalanx were repaired, using an ASIF cortex screw in 3 reining Quarter Horses. Within 9 and 11 months, respectively, 2 horses were sound and back in competition as reining horses. The other horse was sound for pleasure class showing at 7 months after surgery.     

猪流感病毒多表位融合蛋白对小鼠的免疫原性分析

作者拟利用表位多肽的抗原性及黏膜佐剂免疫增强作用,设计可通过黏膜途径免疫接种的猪流感病毒通用型疫苗.体外合成H1N1、H3N2亚型猪流感病毒表位抗原基因,C末端串联大肠杆菌热敏性肠毒素LTb基因,构建pET30(a)-ep-LTb表达载体,利用SDS-PAGE、Western blot分析重组融合蛋白表达及生物学特性,小鼠免疫试验分析融合蛋白免疫原性.SDS-PAGE检测表达蛋白相对分子质量约38 ku,主要以包涵体形式存在.重组蛋白可与抗His-tag抗体和CTB抗体发生特异性反应.ELISA及HI试验检测,经黏膜途径免疫的小鼠产生了针对重组表位模拟抗原蛋白及H1N1、H3N2亚型猪流感病毒的血清抗体及局部黏膜分泌型IgA抗体.利用猪流感病毒表位抗原与LTb基因串连获得的融合蛋白具有良好的免疫原性和反应原性,且在黏膜接种局部产生理想的分泌型IgA抗体,能有效阻断病原由黏膜局部感染,为研制猪流感病毒通用型疫苗奠定了基础.     

Prostatic Masses in Geldings: Two Cases

Prostatic masses were detected in two geldings that were presented to our referral hospital for evaluation of dysuria. The masses were detected during transrectal palpation and ultrasonography of the prostate gland and were further evaluated using urethral endoscopy. A 10-year-old gelding underwent intraurethral debulking of the prostatic mass. Histopathological diagnosis was prostatic cystadenoma. The mass regrew within 9 months, and the horse was euthanized due to deteriorating clinical control of urinary continence. In another case, a 12-year-old gelding was scheduled for transurethral debulking; however, the owners decided against treatment and the horse was euthanized due to progression of clinical disease. Postmortem examination revealed the prostate to be nearly completely obliterated by the mass. Histopathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma incorporated into a spindle cell population of unknown histogenesis. To our knowledge, these represent the first reported cases of equine prostatic cystadenoma and adenocarcinoma. In both horses, referring complaint was dysuria, and identification of the prostatic mass was made on palpation and ultrasonographic examination per rectum. Treatment options for prostatic masses in horses are limited because of the difficulty of obtaining prostatic tissue via biopsy, the surgical inaccessibility of the gland, and the apparent low incidence of occurrence. We have subsequently identified prostatic masses in two additional geldings, both also presenting for dysuria. However, the exact nature of these two apparent prostatic masses has not been definitively diagnosed with histopathological examinations to date. The prostate should be evaluated in male horses presenting for dysuria.     

A comparative study on the rumen microbial populations,hydrolytic enzyme activities and dry matter degradability between different species of ruminant

A comparative study among Korean native cow (Hanwoo), Holstein dairy cow, Korean native goat and crossbred sheep on the population and marker concentration of ruminal microbes, the activities of carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), xylanase and amylase, and in situ dry matter (DM) degradability were conducted. Twelve ruminally cannulated animals, three of each species, were used. Animals were fed the same diet containing 40% formula feed and 60% rice straw at the level of 2.5% of body weight. Total viable microbial populations in the rumen fluid were significantly (P < 0.01) greater for bacteria and fungi in goat than those of Holstein. The protozoan population among ruminant species was the reverse from that of bacteria. The concentrations of 2,6‐diaminopimelic acid and chitin as markers for bacteria and fungi in the rumen fluid, respectively, were highest in goat, which is in accordance with the above population data. The concentration of aminoethylphosphonic acid as marker of protozoa was highest in Hanwoo and lowest in sheep (P < 0.01). Goat had the highest (P < 0.01) activities of all the enzymes investigated among ruminants. In situ effective degradation of the DM of rice straw was approximately 19% higher in the rumen of goat compared with other animals.     

Use of simulated clients in training veterinary undergraduates in communication skills

A course in communication skills has been developed specifically for veterinary students, based on those delivered at many medical schools, and making extensive use of professional actors as simulated clients. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of communication among veterinary undergraduates at all stages of the curriculum, and it allows them to role-play in acted-out scenarios. Facilitated small groups provide an environment in which students can receive feedback on their own performance and also give feedback to their colleagues. An independent evaluation suggests that the opportunity to role-play increased the students' confidence in communicating with others. They were able to identify their personal strengths as communicators and gain insights into the aspects of communication they could improve. Feedback and subsequent discussions were highly valued, with the actors playing a crucial role in providing feedback from the client's perspective. Students were able to use the knowledge they acquired when consulting with real clients. Most of the students suggested that the course should continue in its current format, but with more time provided for it in the curriculum.     

槟榔江水牛OXCT1基因的分子特征及组织表达谱分析

本研究对槟榔江水牛3-酮酸辅酶A转移酶1（3-oxoacid CoA-transferase 1,OXCT1）基因的完整CDS区进行了PCR扩增,并对其功能生物信息学和多组织差异表达进行了分析。以普通牛OXCT1基因序列（GenBank登录号：XM_006076397）为参考序列,采用Primer Premier 5.0软件设计引物序列,以提取的槟榔江水牛基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增获得槟榔江水牛OXCT1基因mRNA序列,扩增产物经测序后利用ORF Finder软件进行开放阅读框识别,获得水牛OXCT1基因CDS区全序列,并对其进行生物信息学分析。结果显示,槟榔江水牛OXCT1基因CDS序列全长1 563 bp,编码520个氨基酸,蛋白分子式为C₂₅₀₉H₄₀₄₁N₆₈₇O₇₄₆S₂₃,分子质量为56.50 ku,理论等电点（pI）为8.69,不稳定系数为27.49,平均疏水性（GRAVY）为-0.097,该蛋白属弱亲水性蛋白。OXCT1蛋白无信号肽和跨膜结构,属于线粒体膜蛋白;包含pcaJ_scoB_fam和AtoD 2个保守结构域,且具有5个功能活性位点。槟榔江水牛与普通牛、藏羚羊等5个物种的OXCT1氨基酸序列同源性≥ 97%。对槟榔江水牛13个组织进行表达谱分析表明,在泌乳期,OXCT1基因在乳腺中表达量最高,在肾脏、垂体、脂肪、大脑、皮肤和肌肉中不表达;在非泌乳期,OXCT1基因在除脂肪以外的其他12个组织中都有表达。OXCT1基因在槟榔江水牛泌乳期乳腺组织中表达量最高,推测其可能参与了水牛的乳脂合成调控事件。本研究结果可为深入了解乳脂合成代谢及其调控机制提供依据。     

Nonsurgical treatment of cubital subchondral cyst-like lesions in horses: seven cases (1983-1987).

Subchondral cyst-like lesions of the cubital joint were diagnosed in 7 horses at the teaching hospital between 1983 and 1987. Diagnosis of the lesions was made by administration of intra-articular local anesthesia and/or radiographically. Initial treatment for all horses consisted of stall rest for 60 to 90 days. In addition, 2 horses were administered sodium hyaluronate intra-articularly, 1 horse was given injections of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans IM, and 1 horse was given phenylbutazone orally. Follow-up information was compiled 6 weeks to 4 years after initial examination. At the time of follow-up inquiry, 6 horses were sound for intended use and only 1 horse became lame when exercised. A logical approach to choice of surgical or nonsurgical treatment is proposed on the basis of these findings and those reported in the literature.