FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL PHALANX AND ASSOCIATED SOFT TISSUE AND OSSEOUS ABNORMALITIES IN 22 HORSES WITH OSSIFIED SCLEROTIC UNGUAL CARTILAGES DIAGNOSED WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Ungual cartilage ossification in the forelimb is a common finding in horses. Subtle abnormalities associated with the ungual cartilages can be difficult to identify on radiographs. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of 22 horses (23 forelimbs) with a fracture of the distal phalanx and ossified ungual cartilage were characterized and graded. All horses had a forelimb fracture. Eleven involved a left forelimb (seven medial; four lateral), and 12 involved a right forelimb (five medial; seven lateral). All fractures were nonarticular, simple in configuration, and nondisplaced. The fractures were oriented in an axial proximal to abaxial distal and palmar to dorsal direction, and extended from the base of the ossified ungual cartilage into the distal phalanx. The fracture involved the fossa of the collateral ligament on the distal phalanx in 17 of 23 limbs. The palmar process and ossified ungual cartilage was abnormally mineralized in all horses. Ligaments and soft tissues adjacent to the ossified ungual cartilages were affected in all horses. The routine site of fracture in this study at the base of the ossified ungual cartilage extending into the distal phalanx suggests a biomechanical cause or focal stress point from cycling. The ligamentous structures associated with the ungual cartilages were often affected, showed altered signal intensity as well as enlargement and were thought to be contributing to the lameness. In conclusion, ossified ungual cartilages may lead to fracture of the palmar process of the distal phalanx and injury of the ungual cartilage ligaments.     

Mechanical Comparison of 3.5 mm Broad Dynamic Compression Plate,Broad Limited‐Contact Dynamic Compression Plate,and Narrow Locking Compression Plate Systems Using Interfragmentary Gap Models

Objectives— To compare (1) pullout properties between 3.5 mm cortical and locking screws, and (2) mechanical properties and gap displacements between the 3.5 mm broad limited‐contact dynamic compression plate (LC‐DCP), broad dynamic compression plate (DCP), and narrow locking compression plate (LCP), during axial loading of plate‐stabilized diaphyseal fragments with an interfragmentary gap. Study Design— In vitro mechanical testing of implanted polyurethane foam (PUF) hollow cylinders that simulated compact or osteopenic diaphyseal bone. Sample Population— (1) Five cortical and locking screws and (2) 4 PUF‐plate constructs for each plate type; using high‐ and low‐density (0.8 and 0.32 g/cm³) cylinders. Methods— (1) Screws were completely extracted at 5 mm/min. (2) Plated constructs were axially compressed at 300 N/s for 10 cycles from 5 to 355 N to determine gap displacement during physiologic loading, followed by single cycle increasing load to failure. Results— Pullout properties were not different between screw types. All plate constructs had yield loads over 3 times trotting loads. Gap closure occurred with LC‐DCP and DCP constructs, but not LCP constructs. LCP construct properties were most similar to LC‐DCP and DCP construct properties in the low‐density model. Conclusion— All plate systems sustained physiologic limb loads. Only LCP constructs maintained some gap integrity, although LC‐DCP and DCP screws were placed in neutral position. Clinical Relevance— The LCP system is more likely than LC‐DCP and DCP systems, with neutrally positioned screws, to maintain a planned interfragmentary gap, although gap strains range from 0% to 15% across the 2 mm gap during a trot load.     

Absence of 3-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid in plants treated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid‡

Experiments were conducted to establish if the formation of 2.4-dichlorophenol (DCP) from 2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in plants proceeds via 3-(2,4-dichtorophenoxy) propionic acid (2,4-DP) as an intermediate. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), kidney bean (Phaseolus vtitgaris L.), pea (Pisum. sativum L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), wild oat (Avena fatua L.), yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca(L.) Beauv.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.). and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) were treated with equal weights of 2,4-D and 2,4-DP. After 3 days, all plants contained DCP; however, amounts were larger in plants treated with 2.4-DP than in those treated with 2,4-D. The 2.4-DP was absorbed from the leaf surface more efficiently than 2,4-D. No evidence was found for formation of 2,4-DP from 2,4-D in any of the plant species studied. L'absence de l'acide3-(2,4 dichlorophénoxy) propionique dans les plantes traitées avec I'acide 2,4-dichlorophénoxyacétique Des experiences ont été effectuées pour rechercher si la formation de 2,4-dichlorophénoI (DCP) dans les plantes, à partir de l'acide 2.4-dichlorophénoxy acétique (2,4-D) se produit par l'intermêdiaire de l'acide 3-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionique. Le soja (Glycine max(L.) Merr.). le haricot (Phaseolus vuigaris L.), Ic pois (Pisum sativum L.), le brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), la folle avoine (Avena fatua L.), la sétaire (Setaria glauca(L.) Beauv.). I'orge (Hordeum vulgare L.), la fléole (Phleum pratense L.) et le dactyle (Dactylis ghmerata L.) ont été traités par des poids égaux de 2.4-D et de 2,4-DP. Trois jours aprés, les plantes contenaient du DCP; toutefois, les quantités trouviés furent plus importantes dans les plantes traitées avec le 2,4-DP que dans celles traitées avec le 2,4-D. Le 2,4-DP a été absorbéà partir de la surface foliaire plus efficacement que le 2,4-D. La formation du 2,4-DP à partir du 2,4-D n'a pu être prouvée dans aucune des plantes étudiécs. Die Abwesenheit von 3-(2,4′Dichlorphenaxy)-propionsäure irt mil 2,4-Dichlorphenoxytesäure behandelten Pflanzen Es wurden Versuche durchgeführt um herauszufinden. ob die Bildung von 2,4-Dichlorphenol (DCP) aus 2.4-Dichlor-phenoxyessigsäure (2,4-D) in Pflanzen über 3-(2,4-Dichlor-phenoxy)-propionsaure (2,4-DP) als Zwischcnprodukt ver-läufl. Sojabohnen (Glycine max(L.) Merr.), Gartenbohnen (Phaseolus vutgaris L.), Erbsen (Pisum sativum L.), Wehrlose Trcspe (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Flughafer (Avena fama L.), Gelbe Borsienhirse (Setaria glauca(L.) Beauv.), Gerste (Hordetim vidgarc L.), Wiesenlieschgras (Phleum pratense L.) und Knaulgras (Dactylis ghmerata L.) wurden mit gleichen Mengen an 2,4-D und 2,4-DP behandelt. Nach drei Tagen enthielten alle PHanzen DCP; aber die Menge an DCP war in den mit 2,4-DP behandelten Pflanzen grosser als in den mit 2,4-D behandelten. 2,4-DP wurde von der Blatt-oberflache besser absorbiert als 2.4-D. In keiner der untersuchten Pflanzenarten konnte ein Hinweis für die Bildung von 2,4-DP aus 2,4-D gefunden werden.     

Measuring copepod abundance in deep‐water winter habitats in the NE Norwegian Sea: intercomparison of results from laser optical plankton counter and multinet

The main purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of the laser optical plankton counter (LOPC) as a Calanus finmarchicus monitoring tool in the NE Norwegian Sea in winter. To test this, a multinet and an LOPC were used simultaneously to sample overwintering copepods in the Lofoten basin in January 2007. Additional data from an LOPC laboratory experiment were also analyzed to help the interpretation of the field data. Both the laboratory data and the field data indicated that the presence of particles other than zooplankton generally contaminated the zooplankton signal in the LOPC data. However, reliable abundance estimates could be made from the LOPC data by choosing an appropriate size range in the LOPC size distribution. This size range was determined by comparing LOPC abundance estimates from systematically varying size ranges to multinet zooplankton abundance data. The average difference was smallest for a size range of about 900–1500 μm. As C. finmarchicus, stages IV and V, was by far the most abundant species in the NE Norwegian Sea, abundance estimates from the LOPC in this size range were in practice estimates of C. finmarchicus abundance, making the LOPC suitable as a tool for providing high resolution winter data in the NE Norwegian Sea.     

Correlation of Clinical, Radiographic, and Surgical Localization of Intervertebral Disc Extrusion in Small-Breed Dogs: A Prospective Study of 50 Cases

Objective —To compare prospectively clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings of intervertebral disc extrusion (IDE) localization in small-breed dogs and to determine the best means of lesion localization for the purpose of hemilaminectomy. Study Design —Clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings of small-breed dogs with thoracolumbar IDE were prospectively compared for agreement on lesion localization. Sample Population—50 small-breed dogs with IDE treated at the three participating veterinary hospitals were included in the study if no other confounding diseases were identified and if the owner gave permission for diagnostic tests and surgery. Methods —Clinical and surgical findings were recorded by the surgeon assigned to the case. Radiographic studies were evaluated independently by two radiologists blinded as to the clinical and surgical findings. values and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for agreement on lesion localization by clinical, radiographic, and surgical means and for agreement between radiologists. Results —K values for agreement of lesion localization were as follows: clinical versus surgical, 0.595; radiologist A versus radiologist B, 0.81; radiologist A versus surgical findings, 0.60; radiologist B versus surgical findings, 0.71. Both radiologists' interpretation of IDE localization agreed with surgical localization in 60% of cases. Conclusions —Clinical lateralization of IDE was found to be the least reliable factor of those studied for determining on which side the hemilaminectomy should be performed. Results of this study differ from those of previous studies examining the reliability of myelography to localize the site of IDE accurately. The results of this study further suggest that surgery may not be an absolute standard for determination of the localization of IDE in small-breed dogs. Clinical Relevance —Intervertebral disc extrusion in small-breed dogs frequently results in bilateral distribution of extruded material. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be necessary to delineate completely the distribution of extruded disc material in IDE.     

Transsplenic Portal Catheterization Surgical Technique and Use in Two Dogs With Portosystemic Shunts

The portal vasculature can be accessed by using a through-the-needle catheter system to pass a catheter through the splenic parenchyma and into a major splenic vein at the hilus. The authors have termed this technique transsplenic portal catheterization (TPC). Transsplenic portal catheterization is indicated for portal angiography, portal pressure measurement, and chronic portal blood sampling. Clinical applications of this technique include use in diagnosis and surgical management of portosystemic shunts and differentiation of prehepatic, hepatic, and posthepatic hypertension. This report describes the technique of transsplenic portal catheterization. Clinical use of this technique in two cases of portosystemic shunts are included.