External Fixator Clamp Reuse Degrades Clamp Mechanical Performance

Objective— To determine the effects of clamp reuse for the Kirschner–Ehmer (KE); Securos; and the IMEX–SK clamp.
Study Design— Experimental bench test of mechanical properties.
Methods— Specially designed fixtures were used to mechanically test 18 clamps of each type with respect to 6 mechanical variables: fixator pin slippage, connecting bar slippage, fixator pin rotation, connecting bar rotation, and clockwise and counterclockwise clamp–bolt axis pivot. Each clamp was tested 6 times for each variable at 7.68 Nm of clamp–bolt tightening torque. Results were compared using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results— For the IMEX–SK clamp, a significant degradation in the force required to cause slippage was found for connecting bar slippage and fixator pin rotation; however, this clamp also had a significant increase in the force to initiate slippage for clockwise clamp–bolt axis pivot with reuse. The Securos clamp had significant degradation in connecting bar slippage, connecting bar rotation, and fixator pin rotation whereas the KE clamp had significant degradation in connecting bar slippage only.
Conclusions— All 3 external fixator clamp types degraded in 1 or more movement variables in their ability to resist motion with reuse. The IMEX and Securos clamps were more subject to degradation than the KE clamp and this may have clinical importance for fixator composite rigidity.
Clinical Relevance— Fracture-reduction stability is related to the ability to resist motion within a clamp. The unpredictable nature of degradation we found cautions against repeated use. Clinicians should consider reuse of external fixator clamps with the knowledge that repeated use degrades clamp mechanical performance.     

Radiological examination of birds: report of a small series

The authors discuss the use of radiology in avian work, with particular reference to a series of thirty-six cases. Conditions diagnosed included fractures, arthritis and osteodystrophy and attention is drawn to the value of a suitable anaesthetic in such work. It is postulated that birds could prove useful models in biomedical research.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—COMPLEX INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT IN A DOG

An unusual form of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was identified in a 3½-month-old female Labrador Retriever with neurologic signs. Ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography were used to characterize the shunt morphology. An unusual, looping right-divisional shunt connected back to the portal vein that formed an ampula in the right-central portion of the liver. An irregularly shaped window-like opening connected the combined right-divisional loop and aneurysmal portal vein, and the caudal vena cava, while this vascular pool gradually fused more cranially. Imaging features of this complex vascular anomaly, which has not been previously reported, are presented.     

THE INFLUENCE OF HERBICIDES UPON THE ANTAGONISM BETWEEN BACILLUS SP, AND PSEUDOMONAS PHASEOLI

Summary. Prometryne, linuron and chlorpropham at concentrations between 10 and 100 ppm had only temporary effects on the growth of three strains of bacillus sp. type mesentericus in liquid culture; growth of Pseudamonas phaseoli was not affected. The sensitivity of Ps. phaseoli lo pure antibiotics was only slightly affected by the herbicides, hence the effects of the herbicides on the antagonism between the two organisms which were observed appeared to be attributable to disturbance of the metabolism oi Bacillus sp., and varied with the strain employed.     

Mechanical Evaluation of Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma Sterilization of Nylon Lines Used for Extra-Articular Stabilization of the Canine Stifle Joint

Objective— To compare the effects of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (HPGP) and ethylene oxide (EO) sterilizations on the mechanical properties of nylon lines used for stabilization of the canine stifle. Secondarily, to compare the performance of crimped and knotted lines.
Study Design— In vitro mechanical evaluation.
Sample Population— Nonsterilized, EO- and HPGP-sterilized specimens of 36.3 kg test nylon leader line (NLL) and 57.8 kg test nylon fishing line (NFL).
Methods— Single strands and looped specimens of NLL or NFL were positioned on a material testing machine. To create looped specimens, NLL were crimped using the Securos system, and NFL were knotted, as used clinically. Elongation (%) and ultimate load (N) variables were studied.
Results— Elongation and ultimate load of NLL groups were not significantly different between EO and HPGP. For NFL, HPGP sterilization led to slightly greater elongation than EO in loops only. Ultimate load of NFL single strands was not significantly different between EO and HPGP, but was higher after HPGP compared with EO in NFL loops. All NLL groups had less elongation and ultimate load than NFL.
Conclusion— The effects of HPGP on NLL compared positively to EO, making HPGP an attractive alternative. As HPGP led to a slightly greater elongation of NFL than EO, the latter could be favored to sterilize NFL. Crimped NLL minimized elongation better than knotted NFL.
Clinical Relevance— Sterilization with HPGP seems a good alternative to EO for NLL. EO may be a better choice for NFL; however, it is difficult to judge the clinical relevance of this result. Crimped NLL minimizes elongation and may help reducing the recurrence of stifle instability postoperatively.     

Analysis on Factors Affecting Seedling Establishment in Rice

Elongations of coleoptile and mesocotyl are related directly to rice seedling establishment in soil and height of plant is related to lodging in rice production.Twelve typical rice cultivars with different lengths of coleoptile and mesocotyl(long,medium and short)were selected by screening the lengths of coleoptile and mesocotyl in 1500 accessions.The seedling establishments of these typical cultivars were compared under the combinations of different sowing depths and flooding durations,and two semi-dwarf varieties(G140,Zhong 96-21)with good seedling establishments and optimum mesocotyl lengths were found.The length of mesocotyl was completely fitted negative binomial distribution and the length of coleoptile was nearly fitted lognormal distribution. Analysis of the relationships among mesocotyl,coleoptile,seeding depth,flooding duration,and their interactions to seedling establishment percentage showed that there existed significant relations among mesocotyl,coleoptile,mesocotyl×coleoptile, seeding depth,flooding duration and mesocotyl×sowing depth in the experiment for seedling establishment.     

CANINE VENTRAL BODY WALL LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHY

The scintigraphic characteristics of lymph nodes draining the ventral body wall were analyzed in 12 dogs as to their pattern of appearance and image contrast. Each dog was scanned using ^99mTc-antimony sulfide colloid and ^99mTc-dextran, and the imaging characteristics of these agents were compared. A large degree of variability exists in the number and pattern of lymph node appearance with either agent. No significant difference in average numbers of lymph nodes per dog was shown between agents. However, ^99mTc-antimony sulfide colloid provided a significantly (p<.05) better target-to-background ratio, which determines the contrast with which lymph nodes stand out from background activity. From these findings, it is suggested that too great a variability in lymph node appearance exists using this procedure to allow a high degree of confidence in the diagnosis of metastasis to lymph nodes of the ventral body wall. However, for other purposes, ^99mTc-antimony sulfide colloid is the lymphoscintigraphic agent of choice.