Effects of cage size on growth performance, blood biochemistry, and antibody response in layer breeder males during rearing stage

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage size on growth performance, blood biochemistry, and antibody response in layer breeder males during rearing stage. 575 one-day-old Jinghong layer breeder males were randomly allocated into 3 treatments and reared in 3 cage sizes: large (160 × 160 × 62 cm; LC), medium (120 × 120 × 62 cm; MC), and small (80 × 70 × 62 cm; SC). The stocking density of birds in 3 treatments was kept identical and adjusted every 2 wk, from 45 birds/m2 during the period of 0 to 2 wk of age to 12 birds/m2 during the period of 17 to 18 wk of age. Body weight and shank length were measured every 2 wk, and then the daily weight gain and daily feed intake were calculated. Tibia length and breaking strength were determined at 8 wk of age. Blood parameters including malodiadehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and corticosterone (CORT), and antibody titers against avian influenza viruses H5N1 (Re-5 strain) and H9N2 (Re-2 strain) and Newcastle disease virus in response to vaccination were determined at 18 wk of age, respectively. Body weight, shank length, and daily weight gain of birds in LC were similar with those in MC, and were greater than those in SC at 18 wk of age (P < 0.05), respectively. No significant difference was found in average daily feed intake among the 3 treatments from 11 to 18 wk of age. Birds in LC and MC had the similar tibia length; however, birds in SC were smaller (P < 0.05). Tibia breaking strength of birds in LC was higher than those in SC (P < 0.05), respectively. Birds in LC showed lower plasma MDA, GSH-Px, SOD, and CORT contents than those in MC and SC (P < 0.05); however, birds in LC exhibited higher levels of serum antibody titers against H5N1 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses as compared with MC and SC (P < 0.05). Consequently, LC and MC were superior to SC and were beneficial for birds' growth and development.

[Neurosyphilis and HIV co-infection with the initial symptom of sudden deafness and optic atrophy: a case report]

A 46-year-old male presented with left ear hearing loss,vertigo,tinnitus and left eye blurred vision. Pure tone audiometry showed left ear had been total deafness. Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay was reactive. The serum rapid plasma regain (RPR) was 1∶16. Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) 1/2 antibody immunoassay was positive，and the CD4 cell count was low at 100 cells/μl. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TPPA was positive,with a white blood cell count of 53×10 ⁶ /L and protein level of 1.08 g/L.The diagnosis was:①left ear sudden deafness(total deafness type);②neurosyphilis;③acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS).

[Study on the incidence and characteristics of carotid canal dehiscence with high resolution CT]

Objective:To discuss the total incidence and characteristics of carotid canal dehiscence in Chinese adults with high resolution CT. At the same time, it provide basic data for otology clinical medical personnel to further understand the anatomical structure of ear and carry out auditory surgery.Method:Temporal bone HRCT images of 643 consecutive subjects who underwent CT scanner were analyzed retrospectively. The coronal, sagittal, and oblique sagittal plane were reconstructioned for some suspected subjects. Contrast the incidence of carotid canal dehiscence in different sex, bilateral and age groups.Result:In 643 patients, 43 cases found the carotid canal dehiscence, and the total incidence of carotid canal dehiscence was 6.7%.The incidence of carotid canal dehiscence for male and female were 5.9%(16/269)and 7.2%(27/374)(P > 0.05),and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of carotid canal dehiscence between sexes. The incidence of carotid canal dehiscence for age 40-59 was much higher than those of other age groups (P< 0.05),however, there was no significant difference between groups of age 20-39 and ≥60(P> 0.05).The location of the carotid canal dehiscence in 43 cases was located in the mesotympanum near the Eustachian tube orifice. Carotid artery tube ruptures are mostly small defects, but 11 cases with major defect.Conclusion:The toatal incidence of carotid canal dehiscence is 6.7% in Chinese adults (males: 5.9%,females: 7.2%), especially high incidence at group of age 40-59 (10.7%). Carotid canal dehiscence can be diagnosed accurately by HRCT and multiplanar reconstruction.

[Site of prelingual cochlear stimulation and its effect on electrically evoked compound action potentials and refractory using the Nucleus 24 standard]

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the site of prelingual cochlear stimulation and its effect on electrically evoked compound action potentials. Method:Recordings of auditory nerve responses were conducted in 32 prelingual subjects to demonstrate the feasibility of ECAP recordings using the nerve response telemetry(NRT) feature of the Nucleus CI24R(CA) system software. These recordings were then analyzed based on the site of cochlear stimulation defined as basal, middle and apical to determine if the amplitude, threshold and slope of the amplitude growth function and the refractory time differs depending on the region of stimulation. Result:Findings of our prelingual children showed significant differences in the ECAP recordings depending on the stimulation site. Comparing the apical with the basal region, on average higher amplitudes, lower thresholds and steeper slopes of the amplitude growth function hadbeen observed. The refractory time showed an overall dependence on cochlear region; however post-hoc tests showed no significant effect between individual regions. Conclusion:Obtaining ECAP recordings is also possible in the most apical region of the cochlea. However, differences can be observed depending on the region of the cochlea stimulated. Specifically, significant higher ECAP amplitude, lower thresholds and steeper amplitude growth function slopes have been observed in the apical region. These differences between prelingual children and adults could be explained by the location of the stimulating electrode with respect to the neural tissue in the cochlea, a higher density, or an increased neural survival rate of neural tissue in the apex.

Potential application of digital image-processing method and fitted logistic model to the control of oriental fruit moths (Grapholita molesta Busck)

Monitoring of oriental fruit moths (Grapholita molesta Busck) is a prerequisite for its control. This study introduced a digital image-processing method and logistic model for the control of oriental fruit moths. First, five triangular sex pheromone traps were installed separately within each area of 667 m2 in a peach orchard to monitor oriental fruit moths consecutively for 3 years. Next, full view images of oriental fruit moths were collected via a digital camera and then subjected to graying, separation and morphological analysis for automatic counting using MATLAB software. Afterwards, the results of automatic counting were used for fitting a logistic model to forecast the control threshold and key control period. There was a high consistency between automatic counting and manual counting (0.99, P < 0.05). According to the logistic model, oriental fruit moths had four occurrence peaks during a year, with a time-lag of 15-18 days between adult occurrence peak and the larval damage peak. Additionally, the key control period was from 28 June to 3 July each year, when the wormy fruit rate reached up to 5% and the trapping volume was approximately 10.2 per day per trap. Additionally, the key control period for the overwintering generation was 25 April. This study provides an automatic counting method and fitted logistic model with a great potential for application to the control of oriental fruit moths.

Echocardiographic assessment of obstructive lesions in atrioventricular septal defects

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in identifying risk factors in patients with an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD).

BACKGROUND

Atrioventricular septal defect is a common lesion, and many decisions about it are based on echocardiography alone. The identification of associated left-sided inflow and outflow obstructive lesions is important, as they are responsible for mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

Between 1983 to 1998, 549 patients with AVSD underwent repair. The TTE findings were correlated with surgery, angiocardiography, autopsy or postoperative TTE. Papillary muscle measurements were made in those with either a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) or left ventricular inflow abnormality and compared with those measurements from control subjects. Measurements of the LVOT were made in patients with an identified LVOT abnormality.

RESULTS

There were 63 missed lesions, decreasing over time. Double-orifice left atrioventricular valve (DOLAVV) and nonobstructive chordae in the LVOT were more often missed. Reoperation was performed to address a missed lesion in 2 of 68 patients. Two of 55 patients died of reasons related to a missed lesion. In 67% of patients, DOLAVV was missed. Abnormal papillary muscle angles were seen with either a LVOT abnormality or DOLAVV. High insertion of the anterolateral papillary muscle was a risk factor for death or residual LVOT obstruction. Abnormal LVOT measurements were found in patients with tunnel obstruction and those with an acquired subaortic ridge.

CONCLUSIONS

Transthoracic echocardiography provides accurate preoperative information on AVSD.

Real-time signal acquisition and analysis for clinical dental electromyography using a microcomputer-based system

The Electromyographic (EMG) Signal Acquisition and Analysis System is an integrated hardware and software system that digitizes multichannels of amplified EMG signals and stores them in user defined disc files before analysis. The software runs on all IBM PC and its compatibles with the appropriate analogue-to-digital (A/D) conversion board. Both time and frequency domain analyses can be computed on-line. This system provides a low cost method of digitizing and analysing EMG signals on real-time for clinical dental electromyography.

Tibial lengthening apparatus with distractive force measurement system

A tibial lengthening apparatus has been developed which incorporates a distractive force measurement system. Lengthening is carried out generally in accordance with the 2-stage Anderson method. After closed percutaneous osteoclosis (clinically performed fracture), the tibial fragments are held in place by Steinmann pins and novel Steinmann pin-clamping blocks to ensure rigid fixation and accurate alignment. The blocks provide electrical insulation between the patient and the apparatus and are able to accommodate different sizes of Steinmann pins and misalignment of the pins as a result of their insertion in the tibia by drilling. A metric distraction mechanism provides controlled lengthening and the distractive force is sensed by two transducers, each consisting of an aluminium ring to which are bonded electrical resistance strain gauges in a full bridge configuration. Electronic instrumentation is used to process the transducer signals and the resulting force readings are displayed on a digital panel meter as well as being recorded on a digital printer.

Viscoelastic behavior of tissue in leg lengthening by distraction

The leg lengthening distraction procedure was analyzed with objectives of understanding complications which arise due to overstretching, establishing guidelines to the optimum distraction rates and the frequency of distraction, and, determining the final amount of leg lengthening. An electronic recording system was devised to provide continuous monitoring of the tractive load resulting from distraction of the leg during the elongation procedure. The mechanical behavior patterns of the involved stretched tissues domonstrate time-dependent viscoelastic effects during distraction. During a leg lenthening procedure it is desirable to establish, if possible, a regular pattern of distraction early in the process. If it is necessary in the course of treatment to reduce the distraction rate for clinical reasons, then it is preferable to keep the same number of distraction events but reduce the distraction amount. Distract at equally spaced time intervals to obtain repetitive load cycles and thereby reduce peak values of load and maintain similar stress relaxation patterns for each instantaneous load increase. The total amount of lengthening depends on the characteristics of each individual leg length discrepancy and the physical properties of each distracted tissue.