MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE EQUINE STIFLE

The purpose of this study was to define normal gross anatomic structures in the equine stifle with magnetic resonance images. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were made in sagittal, 15° supinated, transverse, and dorsal planes of two equine stifles. The MR images were scrutinized by comparing MR images to dissection specimens and frozen cross sections of stifle joints. Sagittal and 15° supinated images were the most valuable in assessing articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and soft tissue structures within the joint. Cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, medial and lateral menisci, meniscotibial and meniscofemoral ligaments, long digital extensor tendon, and patellar ligaments were easily evaluated. MR images provided substantially more gross anatomical information than the currently available imaging modalities.     

Case Report: Recurrence of a Gastrosplenic Ligament Entrapment

A 12-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding presented for evaluation of colic signs. The patient was diagnosed with a gastrosplenic entrapment at surgery. The entrapment was reduced, a jejunoileostomy was performed removing approximately 1m of jejunum and distal ileum, and the patient recovered uneventfully from anesthesia. The patient was discharged 12 days postoperatively. The same horse represented 17 months after the initial surgery for evaluation of signs of colic. A small intestinal strangulation was diagnosed based on the clinical and laboratory examination findings. It was elected to euthanize the horse. Necropsy examination diagnosed a gastrosplenic ligament entrapment of the mid-to-distal jejunum.     

The Standardization of an Apparatus for the Mixing of Soil Samples for Nematode Extractions

Quantitative determination of nematode populations in soils frequently necessitates the mixing of representative soil samples to form a homogeneous, compound sample from which the nematodes are extracted. A mixing apparatus was developed and standardized with the aid of a spectrophotometric technique by which the dispersion of a dye through the soil during mixing could be determined. It was found that the mixer is most suitable for use on sandy loam soils. Optimal mixing is obtained at a speed of 15 rpm for 2 minutes. Under these conditions mechanical damage to nematodes during mixing is minimal.     

Comparative morphometrical studies on the skull bones of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor)

The present study reports data on the skull bone morphometry of barking and sambar deer. The skulls of adult barking deer (n = 6) and sambar deer (n = 6) of either sex (n = 3 males and n = 3 females) were collected from the Aizawl Zoological Park, Aizawl, Mizoram, India, with official permission from the Government of Mizoram. Anatomically, barking and sambar deer's skulls were elongated, pyramid-like, dolichocephalic and consisted of thirty-two cranial and facial bones. The cranial bones were eleven (three single and four paired), comprising of occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid, frontal, interparietal, parietal and temporal. The facial bones were twenty-one (one single and ten were paired), consisting of the maxilla, premaxilla (incisive), palatine, pterygoid, nasal, lacrimal, zygomatic (malar), vomer, turbinates, mandible and hyoid. In the present study, altogether 41 different measurements were taken morphologically and 6 different indices were applied. The obtained morphometrical parameters were significantly (p < .01, p < .05) higher in males than females of both species. Species wise, all obtained parameters were higher in sambar deer than barking deer. The obtained 41 different skull parameters and 6 indices showed statistically significant differences (p < .01 and p < .05) between both sexes of barking and sambar deer; however, practically these differences were meagre. The present morphometrical study on the skull of both species can help the wildlife professionals and zoo veterinarians determine the sex of these animals and differentiate it from other domestic and wild small ruminants for solving veterolegal cases. This study's findings will also motivate and assist other comparative studies with various domestic and wild small ruminants.     

Effect of drying on soil strength and corn emergence

Summary Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of drying on soil strength and corn emergence (Zea mays L.). Corn was germinated in Billings silty clay under a bank of heat lamps which operated 9, 14, 19, or 24 h per day. Soil strength (modules of rupture), soil moisture content and emergence were measured daily.The relationship of soil strength to corn seedling emergence as influenced by the four light and heat durations and bare and mulched soil surfaces was determined. As soil strength increased emergence decreased until it ceased at soil strengths of about 80 kPa. Strength of this soil had a high negative correlation with soil water content and increased with time. Mulching decreased initial rate of drying, decreased crust strength, and improved corn emergence. The 14-hour light and heat treatment resulted in the highest corn emergence.Contribution from Colorado State Experiment Station, USDA-ARS Snake River Conservation Research Center, and USDA-ARS Fort Collins, respectively     

一例布偶猫分娩期单子宫扭转破裂的病例报告

一只2岁布偶猫,体重4.3 kg,怀孕61 d,精神不好,血常规检查严重贫血,腹部彩超检查死胎、子宫扭转、子宫破裂、血腹,诊断为子宫扭转破裂。母猫交叉配血后输血60 mL,呼吸麻醉,行卵巢子宫切除术,术后消炎止血,1周拆线恢复。     

热碱致魔芋胶与黄原胶共混凝胶的显微结构与流变规律

【目的】探究魔芋胶与黄原胶混合溶胶体系在碱性条件下的凝胶形成机理与凝胶特性,为魔芋胶与黄原胶相关凝胶食品的开发提供理论依据。【方法】在总多糖浓度约为2.0%的条件下,配制不同黄原胶与魔芋胶比例的混合溶胶体系,添加2.0%的Na₂CO₃,并于90℃条件下恒温处理各溶胶体系2 h,冷却至室温后制得不同黄原胶与魔芋胶配比的复合凝胶。通过测定复合凝胶添加碳酸钠前后的凝胶破裂强度,揭示热碱处理对混合凝胶破裂强度的影响。分别测定去离子水浸泡、2.0%柠檬酸溶液浸泡以及冻融处理后凝胶破裂强度的变化情况,并结合扫描电镜观测凝胶的微观形貌,探究复合凝胶的凝胶特性。此外,通过流变学手段进一步研究黄原胶与魔芋胶复合凝胶网络的形成机制。【结果】在室温（20℃）条件下,非热碱处理的魔芋胶与黄原胶最佳协同比为5﹕5,热碱处理后的魔芋胶与黄原胶最佳协同比增加至7﹕3,原因可能是魔芋胶碱化后分子链上脱去部分乙酰基,形成分子间三维网络结构,但在随后的冷却过程中,与黄原胶协同结合位点减少,因此在达到最大协同比时,需要更多数目的魔芋胶分子参与。此外,经去离子水和2.0%柠檬酸溶液浸泡后,所有凝胶体系的破裂强度都有所降低,其中经过2.0%柠檬酸溶液浸泡后的凝胶破裂强度下降更为明显。冻融处理后,复合凝胶均出现明显的析水现象,魔芋胶比例越高,析水现象越明显。进一步探究魔芋胶与黄原胶共混体系在2.0% Na₂CO₃浓度、90℃条件下的凝胶化过程,发现随黄原胶添加量增加,凝胶化速率呈减小趋势。此外,凝胶弹性模量在90—60℃呈降低趋势,60℃以下逐渐上升。【结论】在90℃条件下碱处理魔芋胶与黄原胶共混体系时,诱导体系形成热不可逆凝胶。当降低该体系的温度时,黄原胶分子在60℃时开始与魔芋胶网络结合,增加了凝胶的弹性模量。当魔芋胶与黄原胶比例为7﹕3时,室温下混合凝胶的破裂强度最大。经去离子水和2.0%柠檬酸溶液浸泡后,凝胶强度均有所降低。魔芋胶与黄原胶形成的复合凝胶在一定条件下可以改善单纯碱法诱导的魔芋胶凝胶析水多、强度差等缺点。