COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION OF DYSPLASIA AND PROGRESSION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN DOG ELBOWS PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED OFA GRADES 0 AND 1

Elbow dysplasia is a heritable disease that is a common cause of lameness and progressive elbow osteoarthritis in young large breed dogs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screens elbow radiographs, and assigns grades 0–3 based on presence and severity of bony proliferation on the anconeal process. Grade 1 is assigned when less than 3 mm is present and considered positive for dysplasia. We investigated the incidence of elbow dysplasia and progression of osteoarthritis in elbows with grades 0 and 1 in 46 elbows screened at least 1 year previously, using CT as a gold standard and with the addition of CT absorptiometry. The incidence of dysplasia based on CT was 62% in grade 0, and 75% in grade 1 elbows, all of which had medial coronoid disease. Progressive osteoarthritis at recheck was consistent with elbow dysplasia. The sensitivity and specificity of the OFA grade for elbow dysplasia compared to CT findings was 75% and 38%, respectively. Increased bone mineral density of the medial coronoid process as characterized by osteoabsorptiometry warrants further investigation with respect to elbow dysplasia. Proliferation on the anconeal process without CT evidence of dysplasia or osteoarthritis was present in 20% of the elbows, and is theorized to be an anatomic variant or enthesopathy of the olecranon ligament/synovium. Results of our study suggest that the “anconeal bump” used for elbow screening by the OFA is a relatively insensitive characteristic, and support the use of CT for identifying additional characteristics of elbow dysplasia.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF BALL PYTHONS (Python regius) IN CURLED RECUMBENCY

Anesthesia and tube restraint methods are often required for computed tomography (CT) of snakes due to their natural tendency to curl up. However, these restraint methods may cause animal stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether the CT appearance of the lungs differs for ball pythons in a curled position vs. tube restraint. Whole body CT was performed on ten clinically healthy ball pythons, first in curled and then in straight positions restrained in a tube. Curved multiplanar reformatted (MPR) lung images from curled position scans were compared with standard MPR lung images from straight position scans. Lung attenuation and thickness were measured at three locations for each scan. Time for positioning and scanning was 12 ± 5 min shorter for curled snakes compared to tube restraint. Lung parenchyma thickness and attenuation declined from cranial to caudal on both straight and curled position images. Mean lung parenchyma thickness was greater in curled images at locations 1 (P = 0.048) and 3 (P = 0.044). Mean lung parenchyma thickness decreased between location 1 and 2 by 86–87% (straight: curled) and between location 1 and 3 by 51‐50% (straight: curled). Mean lung attenuation at location 1 was significantly greater on curled position images than tube restraint images (P = 0.043). Findings indicated that CT evaluation of the lungs is feasible for ball pythons positioned in curled recumbency if curved MPR is available. However, lung parenchyma thickness and attenuation in some locations may vary from those acquired using tube restraint.     

Bilateral Malignant Ovarian Teratoma With Peritoneal Metastasis in a Captive African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

A 675-g, 1.4-year-old, female African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) was evaluated for progressive abdominal distension of 2 months duration. A large mass within the abdominal cavity was detected by radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography. The irregular, multilobulated mass, containing calcified, necrotic, and fatty areas was consistent with fused bilateral ovaries. Cytology of the mass suggested an ovarian adenoma or adenocarcinoma. The hedgehog died approximately 3 months after the initial presentation. Postmortem computed tomography and necropsy examination revealed a large bilaterally fused ovarian mass with peritoneal metastases. Histologically, the masses were composed of a variety of tissues from all 3 germ layers, including immature (embryonic) cells and neoplastic cells in the lymphatic system, which was consistent with malignant ovarian teratomas. This is the first report to describe malignant ovarian teratomas in a hedgehog.     

基于ERT技术反演红壤剖面水分入渗过程

水分运动是土壤中物质和能量传输的主要驱动力，但是水分在土壤中的运动轨迹复杂多变，难以直接捕捉。本研究以第四纪红黏土发育的红壤为研究对象，借助电阻率成像技术（ERT），反演水分在林地和农地土壤中的入渗过程。研究发现，ERT技术能够实现水分在红壤包气带入渗过程的可视化，ERT测定的表观电阻率的变化量与烘干法测定的土壤水分之间呈极显著正相关关系（P<0.01），林地的决定系数为0.72，农地为0.53。土地利用类型影响水分入渗的范围和方式，在2 cm水头高度注水100 L的情况下，林地的入渗深度大于80 cm，而农地约为50 cm，在此基础上，继续注水200 min，林地和农地均出现明显的优先流现象。但是，林地的优先流比农地更为发育，林地是通过根系等大孔隙快速向下传输，而农地则以“指流”的方式，间断性向深层运动。在土壤层次复杂、背景含水量高、土壤黏重等不利因素的影响下，ERT技术依然能捕捉优先流在红壤中发生和发育的过程。     

COMPARISON OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY, TANGENTIAL VIEW RADIOGRAPHY, AND CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHY IN EVALUATION OF CANINE PELVIC TRAUMA

Thirteen dogs with fractures requiring surgical repair were evaluated by standard two-view (i.e., lateral and ventrodorsal) radiography, tangential view (ventro 20 degrees cranial-dorsocaudal [inlet] and ventro 20 degrees caudal-dorsocranial [outlet]) radiography, and computed tomography (CT). Radiographic and CT examinations were reviewed independently by the three authors, and specific anatomic sites were graded for the presence or possibility of lesions. The results of radiographic interpretations were compared to CT scan interpretations. Eighty-one percent of skeletal lesions detected by CT scans were diagnosed definitively radiographically. Differences between the interpretation of CT and radiographic examinations included abnormalities associated with soft-tissue structures (P < 0.0001), the sacroiliac joints (P = 0.02), and the acetabula (P = 0.04). Interpretation of the lateral/ventrodorsal and inlet/outlet radiographic series were not statistically different, although inlet views may be complimentary to the standard radiographic examination. Its use deserves further study. Reader variation was less on evaluation of CT examinations than radiographic examinations. CT multiplaner reformations and three-dimensional reconstructions were useful for surgical planning in seven dogs. CT scanning is superior to survey radiography in assessing skeletal and soft-tissue injuries in dogs with pelvic trauma, although all clinically significant surgical lesions were described accurately radiographically. Based on this small series, the routine CT examination of dogs with pelvic trauma may not be justifiable for diagnosis but may be advantageous for surgical planning, especially if acetabular fractures are suspected on radiographs.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE LLAMA HEAD: TECHNIQUE AND NORMAL ANATOMY

Computed tomography was performed on the head of 6 normal adult llamas. The animals were under general anesthesia and positioned in dorsal recumbency on the scanning table. The area scanned was from the external occipital protuberance to the rostral portion of the nasal passage, and the images are presented in both a bone window and a soft tissue window to allow evaluation and identification of the anatomy of the head. Computed tomography of the llama head can be accomplished by most computed tomography scanners utilizing a technique similar to that used in small animals with minor modification of the scanning table.     

基于电阻率断层扫描技术探测林地土层厚度

土层厚度对林地生产力具有重要影响,是评价林地土壤质量的重要指标。为了对林地土壤的土层厚度进行调查,该文应用电阻率断层扫描技术对林地土壤土层厚度进行了研究,对其可适用性做出评价。通过在野外试验点对土壤电阻率的实地断层扫描,将其结果与实际测定得到的基岩特征电阻率相结合,预测土层厚度,并将预测值和实地基坑开挖数据进行比较。结果表明,研究区土层厚度多在小于2 m的范围内,电阻率断层扫描技术估测结果与实测结果相符(均方根误差为0.2678),初步表明该技术在估算林地土层厚度方面具有良好的适用性。该研究结果为土壤学方面相关研究提供重要手段,也将对土壤质量评价和土地利用等相关工作提供指导。     

微生物菌群之间配比协调关系的研究

对乳酸杆菌、乳酸球菌、枯草芽胞杆菌、酵母菌、大肠杆菌等菌种进行单独培养和不同比例的混合培养,测定了发酵过程中pH值、活菌数量及光密度的变化情况。结果表明,与含有25%混合菌液的发酵麸皮相比,含50%混合菌液的发酵麸皮,在发酵24 h后的需氧或厌氧活菌总数都有升高趋势(P>0.05),发酵1周后其pH值的下降趋势明显(P<0.05),说明乳酸菌数越多使pH下降越大。利用需氧(LB)和厌氧(MRS)培养液分别交叉培养需氧菌和厌氧菌,均能在相应的培养基上生长。充分说明厌氧菌和需氧菌混合培养在理论上是可行的。但是,如果用滤菌膜过滤后的培养过乳酸菌的MRS培养基来培养需氧菌时,这些菌种均不能在滤液中生长。     

脱落酸(Abscisic acid, ABA)对映异构体的生物活性比较

 采用新方法精制脱落酸(ABA)异构体试样,改变以往靠光学离析法分离racemic型(SR)-(±)-ABA,提高了(S)-(+)-ABA与(R)-(-)-ABA两镜像体纯度。抑制生长试验和残留量分析结果表明:天然型(S)-(+)-ABA活性,显着高于非天然型(R)-(-)-ABA或(SR)-(±)-ABA活性。抑制莴苣种子发芽50%的活性强度(S)-(+)-ABA约是(R)-(-)-ABA的5倍,(SR)-(±)-ABA介于二者之间。抑制萝卜下胚轴生长试验,最显着有效期2～6天,(6天后差异渐小,8日甚微),生理作用期约为一周,(S)-(+)-ABA活性是(R)-(-)-ABA的3.6倍。差异原因可能是两异构体分子立体结构不同所致。