Activity

Early and accurate detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in live pigs is a critical component to measure the success of disease eradication strategies. However, the imperfect sensitivity of in vivo diagnostic tools, change in sensitivity over the course of infection, and expected low prevalence level at the end of an eradication program create a challenging diagnostic scenario. Here, the individual and pool sensitivities for detection of M. hyopneumoniae during the chronic phase of infection was determined using deep tracheal catheter samples, the in vivo sample type with the highest reported diagnostic sensitivity. Fifty samples from known infected pigs collected at 113 days post-M. hyopneumoniae intra-tracheal inoculation, were diluted in known negative samples to form pools of 13 and 15. Samples were tested for M. UNC6852 hyopneumoniae by a species-specific PCR. Ninety-eight percent (49/50) of individual samples, 84 % (42/50) of pools of 13, and 82 % (41/50) of 15 were detected positive for M. hyopneumon64 USD). Population sensitivity was also calculated for a range of testing scenarios. Our study indicated that pooling samples by 3 or 5 was a cost-effective method for M. hyopneumoniae detection in low prevalence scenarios. Cost-effective detection was evidenced despite the increased sample collection costs associated with large sample sizes in order to offset decreased testing sensitivity attributable to pooling. The post-eradication sample collection scheme, combined with pooling, suggested lower cost options than individual sampling for testing to be applied at the end of an eradication program, without significantly compromising the likelihood of detection.In birds, the ejaculated spermatozoa do not directly pass to the site of fertilization but rather are stored initially in specialized structures, referred to as sperm storage tubules (SSTs), located in the utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) of the oviduct. The fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa in the SSTs is maintained for an extended period (i.e., several days to months). Although many studies have been conducted to ascertain the mechanisms involved in sperm storage, the understanding of the phenomenon is limited. In this study, there was investigation of the effects of sperm surface oligosaccharides in sperm passage into SSTs in Japanese quail. Results from lectin staining of ejaculated spermatozoa indicated galactose/N-Acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc), N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) or mannose/glucose (Man/Glc) moieties were present on the sperm surface, indicating the presence of glycoproteins/glycolipids containing these oligosaccharides. When ejaculated spermatozoa were co-incubated with UVJ explants, the lectins derived from Agaricus bisporus and Canavalia ensiformis had marked inhibitory effects on sperm passage into SSTs. Preincubation of UVJ explants with these lectins, however, had no effect indicating there were no effects of UVJ oligosaccharides in this process. Furthermore, none of these lectin had effects on values of sperm motility variables. These results indicate that O-glycans with terminal β-Gal or GalNAc and N-glycans with terminal α-D-Man or α-D-Glc may have functions in the process of sperm passage into SSTs.

Bone-cartilage mismatch is a variation in which the surface curvature of the articular cartilage is incongruent with the curvature of the underlying subchondral bone. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of this variant in the medial tibial plateau (MTP) and examine potential association with clinical findings and intra-articular derangements using MRI.

A quantitative and qualitative retrospective analysis of 98 knee MRI studies was performed. Bone and cartilage depths of the MTP were measured to assess bone-cartilage morphology and classified into congruent (concave bone-concave cartilage) and incongruent (concave bone-convex cartilage) patterns. Associations between bone-cartilage mismatch and clinical findings and other MRI changes were assessed using Fisher’s exact test.

By quantitative assessment, four individuals (4%) had MTP incongruent morphology (bone-cartilage mismatch). The mean bone depth±standard deviation (SD) was 2.3±0.6mm concave in the congruent group, and 1.4±0.6mm concave in the incongruent group. The mean cartilage depth±SD was 0.7±0.7mm concave in the congruent group, and 0.9±0.5mm convex in the incongruent group. By qualitative assessment, three individuals (3%) had incongruent morphology. Although not statistically significant, a higher proportion of individuals (3 of 4; 75%) with incongruent cartilage demonstrated chondromalacia patellae compared to those with congruent cartilage (38 of 94; 40%).

Bone-cartilage mismatch was present in 3-4% of the knees. Individuals with incongruent cartilage demonstrated a trend of a higher proportion of chondromalacia patellae. Larger studies are needed to evaluate this further.

Bone-cartilage mismatch was present in 3-4% of the knees. Individuals with incongruent cartilage demonstrated a trend of a higher proportion of chondromalacia patellae. Larger studies are needed to evaluate this further.

The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term outcomes of extensor tendon ruptures of the knee using exact measuring tools.

The results of patients treated for extensor tendon rupture with a minimum follow up of 10years were reviewed. Electromyography (EMG) and three-dimensional (3D) gait analyses were performed and compared with the healthy side of each patient and with the gait patterns of 20 healthy controls. Functional outcome scores were assessed using the Lysholm score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

After a mean of 13.4±3years, 23 patients were available for follow up. The mean Lysholm score was 86.6, and the KOOS averaged 78.1. Gait analysis showed no major kinematic differences between these patients compared with healthy controls. In the squat test, the mean peak amplitude of the rectus femoris muscle was significantly smaller on the injured side than on the healthy side (140.21±66.13μV vs. 168.25±91.77μV; P=0.01). The mean peaks of the vastus lateralis and medialis EMG signals were also lower on the injured side (P=0.