Assessment of stiffness and strength of 4 different implants available for equine fracture treatment: a study on a 20 degrees oblique long-bone fracture model using a bone substitute

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mechanical properties of 4 stabilization methods for equine long-bone fractures: dynamic compression plate (DCP), limited contact-DCPlate (LC-DCP), locking compression plate (LCP), and the clamp-rod internal fixator (CRIF--formerly VetFix). STUDY DESIGN: In vitro mechanical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Bone substitute material (24 tubes) was cut at 20 degrees to the long axis of the tube to simulate an oblique mid-shaft fracture. METHODS: Tubes were divided into 4 groups (n=6) and double plated in an orthogonal configuration, with 1 screw of 1 implant being inserted in lag fashion through the "fracture". Thus, the groups were: (1) 2 DCP implants (4.5, broad, 10 holes); (2) 2 LC-DCP implants (5.5, broad, 10 holes); (3) 2 LCP implants (4.5/5.0, broad, 10 holes) and 4 head locking screws/plate; and (4) 2 CRIF (4.5/5.0) and 10 clamps in alternating position left and right of the rod. All constructs were tested in 4-point bending with a quasi-static load until failure. The implant with the interfragmentary screw was always positioned on the tension side of the construct. Force, displacement, and angular displacement at the "fracture" line were determined. Construct stiffness under low and high loads, yield strength, ultimate strength, and maximum angular displacement were determined. RESULTS: None of the implants failed; the strength of the bone substitute was the limiting factor. At low loads, no differences in stiffness were found among groups, but LCP constructs were stiffer than other constructs under high loads (P=.004). Ultimate strength was lowest in the LCP group (P=.01), whereas yield strength was highest for LCP constructs (409 N m, P=.004). CRIF had the lowest yield strength (117 N m, P=.004); no differences in yield strength (250 N m) were found between DCP and LC-DCP constructs. Differences were found for maximum angular displacement at the "fracture" line, between groups: LPC相似文献   

内蒙古高原紫花苜蓿土壤氮素丰缺指标和推荐施氮量

为了给内蒙古高原紫花苜蓿（Medicago sativa L.）测土施氮奠定科学基础,本研究采用“零散实验数据整合法”和“养分平衡-地力差减法”新应用公式,开展了该自然区域紫花苜蓿土壤氮素丰缺指标和推荐施氮量研究。结果表明：内蒙古高原生长第1年紫花苜蓿土壤碱解氮第1~6级丰缺指标为≥48,20~48,8~20,4~8,2~4和<2 mg·kg^-1,土壤全氮第1~5级丰缺指标为≥1.4,0.8~1.4,0.4~0.8,0.2~0.4和<0.2 g·kg^-1,土壤有机质第1~6级丰缺指标为≥17,10~17,6~10,3~6,2~3和<2 g·kg^-1。当紫花苜蓿目标产量9~18 t·hm^-2、氮肥利用率40%时,内蒙古高原紫花苜蓿第1~6级土壤推荐施氮量分别为0,68~135,135~270,203~405,270~540和338~675 kg·hm^-2。     

大豆DUS测试标准品种测试性状表达差异性分析

用符合系数(COC)对大豆DUS(特异性、一致性和稳定性)测试标准品种在黑龙江生态条件下的性状表现与测试指南的差异性进行了分析.结果显示:除吉林20、铁丰20的符合系数小于0.95外,共余均大于0.95,东农42、湘春豆17、哲春3号、早熟18、矮脚早、东农95019、韦尔金、中黄3号、东农黑豆1号的符合系数等于1,符合系数大小与品种的来源无显著关系.约3/4的测试性状的符合系数大于0.99,其中13个性状的符合系数为1;85.71%的必测性状的符合系数大于0.99,71.43%的必测性状的符合系数等于1,质量性状符合系数大于数量性状符合系数,质量性状中100%的性状符合系数大于0.98;数量性状中生育期的符合系数最小,株高次之.     

Application of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for the detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris in crucifer seeds using immunofluorescence microscopy

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (PCAs and MCAs) were tested for the detection ofXanthomonas campestris pv.campestris (Xcc) in cabbage seeds using immunofluorescence microscopy (IF). It was concluded that PCA 94, MCAs 20H6, 2F4, 18G12 and a mixture of MCAs 20H6, 18G12, 2F4 and 16B5 could be used to detect Xcc in seed extracts when 5 min and 2.5 h shaking of seeds are used as extraction methods. The reliability of confirming suspect colonies with MCAs and PCA 94 in IF depended in part on the seed lot tested and the antibody used. Some virulent Xcc strains derived from seed lots, did not react with MCAs 10C5, 2F4, 18G12, 17C12 and 16B5. On the other hand, saprophytic isolates obtained from one seed lot cross-reacted with MCA 17C12 and to a lesser extent with MCAs 2F4, 18G12 and PCA 94. No relationship was found between IF-reactions of Xcc strains using MCAs and reactions of Xcc strains in pathogenicity testing. Xcc andX. c. pv.amoraciae (Xca) could in general not be distinguished on the basis of reactions with MCAs and PCAs. Also in pathogenicity tests Xcc and Xca were hard to distinguish.     

An ecological risk assessment for spinosad use on cotton

Spinosad is a reduced-risk insecticide with a novel mode of action that provides an alternative to older classes of insecticides such as organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids. A comprehensive ecological risk assessment for spinosad use in US cotton crops is presented within a framework of tiered levels of refinement following the guidelines of the US EPA for ecological risk assessments. Toxicity information for a variety of species is documented and utilized, environmental concentrations estimated, and risk characterizations in the form of risk quotients are quantified. Results indicate that spinosad use in cotton does not exceed the most conservative Tier I levels of concern (LOC) values for groundwater, mammals and birds or acute risk to aquatic organisms. Use of very conservative Tier I screening methods resulted in exceeding LOC values for chronic exposure for some aquatic organisms, thus prompting further refinement. When the exposure prediction was refined using less conservative, Tier II mechanistic environmental fate transport models to predict offsite transport and environmental concentrations, chronic risk was not predicted for these species. Spinosad is acutely toxic to bees under laboratory conditions, but toxicity of residue studies and field studies indicate that under actual use conditions the impact on bees is minimal.     

Seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia equi, and Ehrlichia risticii in sick dogs from North Carolina and Virginia

Ehrlichia canis, E. equi, and E. risticii seroprevalence was determined by microimmunofluorescent antibody testing (IFA) in a sequential population of 1,845 sick dogs admitted during a 1-year period to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A seroreactor was defined by a reciprocal IFA titer of > or =80 to E. canis, E. equi, or E. risticii antigens. Of the 48 IFA seroreactors, 44 dogs were seroreactive to E. canis, 21 to E. equi, and 0 to E. risticii. Seventeen dogs reacted to both E. canis and E. equi antigens. There was concordance of E. canis IFA and western immunoblot (WI) test results for 36/44 dogs. Because of cross-reactivity of E. canis sera with E. equi antigens, WI was of less utility to confirm E. equi exposure. After elimination of E. canis seroreactors, there was concordance of 2/4 E. equi IFA and WI test results. Based upon a retrospective review of medical records, ehrlichiosis was diagnosed in 10/48 (21%) IFA seroreactive dogs, 9 of which were confirmed positive by WI. Of the remaining 38 IFA seroreactors, 29 also were confirmed by E. canis or E. equi WI. These results indicate that (1) ehrlichiosis was not diagnosed in the majority of serologically confirmed cases, (2) based upon E. canis and E. equi WI analysis, IFA testing was not specific (21% false positive), (3) E. canis sera cross-react with E. equi antigens, and (4) serologic evidence of E. risticii infection was lacking in the dog population studied.     

测土配方施肥对甘蔗产量与糖分的影响

在砂页岩母质发育的酸性赤红壤上种植甘蔗新台糖25号,进行测土配方施肥试验研究。结果表明：测土配方施肥对提高甘蔗产量、糖分含量具有明显的促进作用,与常规施肥和不施肥相比,产量分别增加6.53t/hm2和40.24t/hm2,增长7.5%和75.2%;糖分含量分别提高0.8%和1.8%;产糖量分别增加1629.2kg/hm2和6919.6kg/hm2,增长12.5%和89.8%;生产成本降低454元/hm2,净增效益分别增加2935元/hm2和8813元/hm2,增长11.2%;和43.3%,增产增收效果显著。     

Sensitive detection of the c‐KIT c.1430G>T mutation by mutant‐specific polymerase chain reaction in feline mast cell tumours

Here, we describe the establishment of mutant‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of a c‐KIT c.1430G>T mutation in feline mast cell tumours. Several mutations in feline c‐KIT have been identified, with the c.1430G>T mutation accounting for a significant portion of feline mast cell tumour mutations. The c.1430G>T mutation in c‐KIT exon 9 was detected in 15.7% (11 of 70) of samples by mutant‐specific PCR but in only 7.1% (5 of 70) by PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the genomic DNA isolated from 70 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections or cells collected by fine needle aspiration. Mutant‐specific PCR showed remarkably higher detection rate than did PCR–RFLP. DNA sequence analysis did not always yield identical results to those of mutant‐specific PCR, suggesting heterogeneity of tumour cells. Mutant‐specific PCR is a valid and efficient screening tool for detection of the c‐KIT c.1430G>T point mutation in feline mast cell tumours compared with PCR–RFLP and sequencing analysis.     

Evaluation of smallholder pig production systems in North Vietnam: Pig production management and pig performances

This study investigated the productive adaptability of pig breeds under different smallholder production conditions in Vietnam, comparing an indigenous with a Vietnamese improved breed. Fieldwork was conducted in four villages with different remoteness in North Vietnam from 2001 to 2002, in 64 households keeping the improved Mong Cai or indigenous Ban as sow breeds and progeny for fattening. Four visits per farm yielded 234 structured interviews. Reproductive performances were derived from 135 litters. Individual weights of pigs (n = 755) were obtained. Data were analysed by regression, linear and generalised linear, especially loglinear models.

Two distinct pig production systems were identified, that differed in remoteness, market access, resource availability, distribution of pig breeds and pig production intensity. Higher performances of 1.4 and 1.5 litters year^− 1, 8.4 and 8.4 piglets weaned litter^− 1, 66.6 and 93.0 kg piglets weaned sow^− 1 year^− 1, and 136 and 177 g day^− 1 ADG were found in two villages near town with semi-intensive production conditions and a high rate of improved Mong Cai sows and MC and LW × MC offspring in the observed population. Lower performances of 1.1 and 1.1 litters year^− 1, 4.6 and 5.5 piglets weaned litter^− 1, 20.5 and 30.9 kg piglets weaned sow^− 1 year^− 1, and 66 and 85 g day^− 1 ADG were observed in parallel to higher incidences of indigenous Ban pigs away from town under extensive conditions. Total live weight offtake per household per year was higher near town and in one village distant to town. MC and LW × MC remained even under demand-driven conditions below the performance potential reported for improved genotypes. Under resource-driven conditions with a saving-oriented production pattern, the higher-yielding but more demanding Mong Cai might not be an efficient production alternative as a further performance reduction can be assumed. A considerable live weight output was observed under resource-driven conditions and with a higher percentage of crossbred LW × Ban offspring in the population, possibly representing a promising production alternative. Factors influencing the performance expression of pigs, and the suitability of different methods for the assessment of performance parameters on-farm are discussed.     

Combined Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Rapid Testing and Molecular Epidemiology in Conventional Broiler Flocks

Campylobacter spp. are important causes of bacterial zoonosis, most often transmitted by contaminated poultry meat. From an epidemiological and risk assessment perspective, further knowledge should be obtained on Campylobacter prevalence and genotype distribution in primary production. Consequently, 15 Austrian broiler flocks were surveyed in summer for their thermophilic Campylobacter spp. contamination status. Chicken droppings, dust and drinking water samples were collected from each flock at three separate sampling periods. Isolates were confirmed by PCR and subtyped. We also compared three alternative methods (culture‐based enrichment in Bolton broth, culture‐independent real‐time PCR and a lateral‐flow test) for their applicability in chicken droppings. Twelve flocks were found to be positive for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. during the entire sampling period. Seven flocks (46.6%) were contaminated with both, C. jejuni and C. coli, five flocks harboured solely one species. We observed to a majority flock‐specific C. jejuni and C. coli genotypes, which dominated the respective flock. Flocks within a distance <2 km shared the same C. jejuni genotypes indicating a cross‐contamination event via the environment or personnel vectors. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of C. jejuni revealed that the majority of isolates were assigned to globally distributed clonal complexes or had a strong link to the human interface (CC ST‐446 and ST4373). The combination of techniques poses an advantage over risk assessment studies based on cultures alone, as, in the case of Campylobacter, occurrence of a high variety of genotypes might be present among a broiler flock. We suggest applying the lateral‐flow test under field conditions to identify ‘high‐shedding’ broiler flocks at the farm level. Consequently, poultry farmers and veterinarians could improve hygiene measurements and direct sanitation activities, especially during the thinning period. Ultimately, real‐time PCR could be applied to quantify Campylobacter spp. directly from chicken droppings and avoid non‐interpretable results achieved by culture‐dependent methods.