Effect of overlaying rubber on fully slatted concrete floors on hoof health and lying postures in finishing dairy-origin bulls offered two contrasting diets

Fully slatted concrete floors are labour-efficient, cost-effective and thus common in beef cattle housing. However, the welfare of cattle accommodated on them has been questioned. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of floor and diet on hoof health and lying behaviours of housed dairy-origin bulls, from a mean age of 8 months to slaughter at 15.5 months old. Forty-eight bulls, which had a mean initial live weight of 212 (SD = 23.7) kg, were allocated to one of four treatments, which consisted of two floors and two diets arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The floors evaluated were a fully slatted concrete floor and a fully slatted concrete floor overlaid with rubber, while the diets offered were either a high concentrate diet or a grass-silage-based diet supplemented with concentrates. The mean total duration of the study was 216 days. Floor had no significant effect on claw measurements measured on day 62 or 139. However, bulls accommodated on slats overlaid with rubber had a tendency to have a higher front toe length measured pre-slaughter than those accommodated on concrete slats (P = 0.063). Floor had no significant effect on the net growth of toes or heels during the duration of the study. The number of bruises (P < 0.01) and the bruising score (P < 0.05) were significantly higher on day 62 in bulls accommodated on fully slatted concrete floors than on concrete slats overlaid with rubber, but there was no significant effect of floor on these parameters on day 139 or at the measurement taken pre-slaughter. There was a tendency for bulls accommodated on concrete slats to have a higher probability of having sole bruising at the end of the experiment than those accommodated on slats overlaid with rubber (P = 0.052). Diet had no significant effect on toe length or heel height, number of bruises, or overall bruising score at any time point of the study. There was little evidence in the current study to suggest that bulls lying on fully slatted concrete floors could not express lying postures similar to those on concrete slats overlaid with rubber.     

Tile C型骨盆骨折手术治疗及疗效分析

目的：探讨手术治疗Tile C型骨盆骨折的临床疗效及术中相关问题。方法：自2004年8月至2011年2月,收治23例Tile C型骨盆骨折患者。男15例,女8例;年龄31.0±8.2岁（17-51岁）。车祸伤17例,坠落伤5例,压砸伤1例。伤后就诊时间1.0h-3d。按照Tile骨盆骨折方法分型：C1型6例,C2型10例,C3型7例。按Denis等（1988）分类标准,Ⅰ区（骶骨翼区）骨折4例,Ⅱ区（骶孔区）骨折2例,Ⅲ区（骶管区）骨折2例。根据Matta评分系统及Majeed评分系统对患者的手术疗效进行随访。结果：所有患者随访时间28.5月（8-49月）。术中失血量380 mL（50 mL-1100 mL）。手术时间112 min（35-155 min）。按Matta等复位标准：优16例,良7例,所有骨折均愈合。Majeed功能评分：优14例,良7例,一般2例。结论：对于Tile C型骨盆骨折,根据其骨折类型,选择合适的手术及固定方式,能够获得良好的临床效果。     

Cereal type in diet and housing system influences on growth performance and carcass yield in two Japanese quail genotypes

We assessed the effects of cereal type (corn-based, CB or rice-based, RB) and housing system (floor, F, or cage, C) on the performance of two Japanese quail genotypes (non-selected, JAP, and a Jumbo variety, JUM) in two, 2 × 2 factorially designed, experiments. In Exp. 1, during the 15-d experimental period, there were 4 experimental groups: JAP quail fed the CB diet, JAP-CB; JAP quail fed the RB diet, JAP-RB; JUM quail fed the CB diet, JUM-CB; JUM quail fed the RB diet, JUM-RB. Quail in each of the 4 groups (42 quail/group) were housed in 7 pens, each with 6 birds. In Exp. 2, there were also 4 experimental groups (42 quail/group, 7 pens, each with 6 birds) examined during a 19-d experimental period under two different rearing systems: JAP-F, JUM-F, JAP-CF and JUM-C. Genotype did not affect dry matter feed intake (DMI) in Exp. 1, but both JAP and JUM quail consumed more (P<0.001) of the CB than RB diets. Average daily gain (ADG) was similarly higher (P<0.001) in JAP-CB and JUM-CB quail compared to the other 2 treatment groups. Feed conversion (FC) differed (P<0.001) as follows (best to worst): JUM-CB > JAP-CB = JAP-RB = JUM-RB. Final BW was similarly higher (P<0.001) in the JUM-CB, and JAP-CB groups compared to the JAP-RB and JUM-RB, groups and carcass yield (CY, P<0.001) differed as follows: JUM-RB = JUM-CB = JAP-RB > JAP-CB. In Exp. 2, DMI was similarly higher (P<0.05) in the JAP-C, JUM-F, and JUM-C groups compared to JAP-F quail and ADG was notably higher (P=0.07) in JUM-F quail than the other 3 groups. Regardless of housing system, FC was better (P=0.04) in JUM quail. Although final BW was higher (P<0.05) in F- than C-housed quail, CY was greater (P<0.01) in caged birds. Final BW and CY were unaffected by quail genome and its interaction with housing system. With a few exceptions, better performance was generally observed in quail fed diets containing corn regardless of genotype (Exp. 1), while C-reared JUM quail generally outperformed the other genotype × housing system groups (Exp. 2).     

Microbiological Assessment of Circulation Mud Fluids During the First Operation of Riser Drilling by the Deep-Earth Research Vessel Chikyu

Quality assurance and control (QA/QC) is significant for the scientific drilling in order to accurately characterize physical, geochemical, and biological properties in the cored deep subseafloor materials. To explore the deep subseafloor life and its biosphere, identification and control of microbial contamination in drilling cores is critical for highly sensitive molecular analyses as well as cultivations, especially for the evaluation of low biomass and/or extremely harsh deep environments. Here we report some microbiological characteristics of circulation mud fluids before and after the first riser drilling operation by the newly constructed deep-earth research vessel Chikyu. During the Chikyu shakedown expedition CK06-06 in 2006, we used the riser system for drilling 547 to 647 meter below the seafloor into the sediments offshore the Shimokita Peninsula of Japan. Cultivation experiments showed that no microbial growth was observed in the precirculation mud fluid, while 4 × 10⁵ colonies per 1 ml were observed in the postcirculation mud fluid; all cultured bacterial isolates were found to be Halomonas. Using culture-independent molecular analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequences of Xanthomonas, which is used for industrial production of the mud fluid viscosifier “xanthan gum”, were predominantly detected in the precirculation mud fluid, while Halomonas sequences consistently dominated the clone library constructed from the postcirculation mud fluid. Archaeal 16S rRNA genes were amplified only from the postcirculation mud fluid; these archaeal clone sequences were affiliated to the Marine Crenarchaeota Group I (MGI), Marine Euryarchaeota Group II (MGII), Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG), South African Gold Mine Euryarchaeotic Group (SAGMEG), Soil Group, and Methanococcus aeolicus. These results suggest that Halomonas contaminated and grew in the tank of circulation mud fluids, and other indigenous deep subseafloor microbial components, especially deep subsurface archaea, were also mixed into the post-circulation mud fluid.     

Characterization of solid and dissolved carbon in a spruce-fir Spodosol

Organic substances are an integral part of the biogeochemistry of many elements in forest ecosystems. However, our understanding of the composition, chemistry, and reactions of these materials are incomplete and sometimes inconsistent. Therefore, we examined in detail dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forest floor leachates over a two-year period (1992–1993), soil C, and DOC adsorption by a mineral soil to determine the relationship between soil solid and solution C characteristics in a spruce-fir ecosystem. The structural composition of DOC, DOC fractions (hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids, hydrophilic neutrals), and soil samples from the organic and mineral horizons were also analyzed using¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.Total DOC in forest floor leachates ranged from 7.8 to 13.8 mmol L^–1 with an average of 8.6 mmol L^–1. Concentrations were highest in September of both 1992 and 1993. Fractionation of the forest floor DOC indicated these solutions contained high organic acid contents that averaged 92% of the total DOC. Hydrophobic acids were also preferentially adsorbed by the B horizon. The¹³C NMR data suggested alkyl, carbohydrate, aromatic, and carboxylic C were the primary constituents for organic and mineral soils, DOC, and DOC fractions. Compositional changes of C were observed as aromatic and carbohydrate decreased, whereas alkyl, methoxy, and carbonyl moieties increased with depth. However, C composition changed little among the three organic layers based on the similarity of alkyl/carbohydrates ratios as determined from NMR area integration, suggesting that in this acid soil, decomposition proceeds rather slowly. Hydrophobic acids contained high contents of aromatic C, whereas hydrophilic acids were comprised primarily of carboxylic C. Hydrophilic neutrals were rich in carbohydrate C. Results indicated that these DOC fractions were unaltered during the isolation process. Carboxylic C groups appeared to dissolve easily and were probably the primary contributor to organic acidity in our organic dominate leachates. Results also suggested that DOC materials adsorbed on the B horizon underwent further biodegradation. Several seasonal patterns of C composition were observed in the forest floor leachates and DOC fractions collected between 1992 and 1993.Overall, the evidence from this study suggested that (i) DOC levels were mainly controlled by biological activity, (ii) forest floor DOC was comprised primarily of organic acids, (iii) contact of soil leachates with B horizon material affected DOC quantitatively and qualitatively, (iv) phenolic, carboxylic, and carbonyl C appeared to dissolve readily in the forest Oa horizon, (v) DOC materials adsorbed on the B horizon selectively underwent further decomposition, and (vi) C composition is a function of the extent of decomposition and DOC fractions.     

Watershed liming effects on the forest floor N cycle

The forest floor was expected to play a major role in determining the total ecosystem response to watershed liming because of its high concentration of nutrients and its high level of activity. Net N mineralization and net nitrification were estimated in a field survey using the buried-bag approach. In a laboratory incubation experiment, forest floor humus was mixed with 6 doses of lime to determine the sensitivity of N mineralization and nitrification to lime dose. Forest floor microcosms with and without live tree roots were used to calculate a N budget for the system.The pH of the forest floor increased from 3.6 to 4.9 in the Oe and to 4.0 in the Oa two years after liming. The extractable ammonium pool in both the field survey and microcosm study was substantially smaller after liming and was probably a result of the 36% to 55% lower net N mineralization rate in limed plots than in reference plots. The laboratory incubation results agreed with the field survey results and further demonstrated that at higher lime doses (pH 5 to 6), N mineralization increased above controls. Net nitrification in limed humus in both the buried bags and laboratory incubation was as much as three times higher than controls, which could explain why nitrate leaching in limed microcosms was greater than in control microcosms. However, nitrate leaching from microcosms with live. roots was not affected by liming, suggesting that roots in the forest floor may prevent excess nitrate leaching. Reductions in N mineralization had no effect on N leaching or N uptake, but reduced the extractable ammonium pool.     

Immobilization versus no immobilization for pelvic external beam radiotherapy

Aim

To identify the most reproducible technique of patient positioning and immobilization during pelvic radiotherapy.

不同术式的剖宫产术对再次剖宫产产妇腹腔粘连、盆腔粘连及妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨不同术式的剖宫产术对再次剖宫产产妇腹腔粘连、盆腔粘连及妊娠结局的影响。方法:选取我院于2007年7月-2017年10月间收治的需再次行剖宫产产妇168例为研究对象。根据首次剖宫产术式分为对照组(新式腹壁横切式)92例和观察组(传统腹壁纵切式)76例。观察并比较两组产妇临床指标,盆腔粘连、腹腔粘连严重程度以及妊娠结局情况。结果:观察组产妇手术时间、胎儿娩出时间、术中出血量、住院时间、肛门排气时间均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组产妇腹腔粘连发生率为46.05%(35/76),显著低于对照组的77.17%(71/92),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组产妇盆腔粘连发生率为34.21%(26/76),低于对照组的54.35%(50/92),差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组产妇产后出血、术后切口感染、新生儿窒息等发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:首次剖宫产术式的选择对再次剖宫产产妇具有较大影响,传统腹壁纵切式可显著改善产妇临床指标情况,减少盆腔粘连、腹腔粘连发生的概率,且术后并发症较少,值得临床推广应用。     

网片重建治疗盆腔器官脱垂的临床疗效及安全性评价

目的:探讨经阴道放置网片的全盆底重建术治疗重度子宫脱垂的临床疗效和安全性。方法:选择2010年7月至2015年6月在青岛大学附属医院因重度盆腔器官脱垂接受全盆底重建术的患者126例,回顾性分析患者的临床资料、生活质量评分及并发症等相关资料。结果:126例患者平均手术时间(67.18±18.00)min,出血量(56.27±26.47)m L,留置尿管(3.47±0.94)天,住院天数(4.21±0.93)天。术后尿潴留的发生率为3.96%、阴道壁血肿0.79%、术后肢体疼痛7.14%、下肢静脉血栓0.79%,所有患者术中均无膀胱或直肠损伤等严重并发症的发生。126例患者中,111例完成随访(88.09%,111/126),随访时间为6~48个月,中位随访时间为27个月。术后发生网片暴露1例(0.9%,1/111),网片挛缩1例(0.9%,1/111),慢性盆腔疼痛2例(1.80%,2/111)、新发尿失禁6例(5.4%,6/111)。其中3例为急迫性尿失禁(2.7%,3/111),3例压力性尿失禁(2.7%,3/111)。盆底重建术后共有3例患者出现复发,其中2例因症状明显再次行手术治疗,客观治愈率的为97.29%(108/111),主观治愈率为98.19%(109/111)。与术前相比,术后6个月、12个月生活质量评分(PFDI-20)均较前均明显降低(P0.05)。术后21例患者恢复性生活,性生活疼痛者3例(14.28%),性生活不适者4例(19.04%),总体性生活满意度为85.71%(18/21)。结论:全盆重建术治疗重度盆腔器官脱垂的疗效较好,且网片相关并发症的发生率较低。     

Differential role of Kruppel like factor 1 (KLF1) gene in red blood cell disorders

The master erythroid regulator KLF1,plays a pivotal role during erythroid lineage development by regulating the expression of many erythroid genes. Variations in the KLF1 gene are found to be associated with varied erythroid phenotypes. With the aim of determining the role of KLF1 gene variations in HbF induction and their genotype phenotype relationship, in this study, we screened 370 individuals with different hemoglobinopathy condition. Hematological analysis was carried out using automated blood cell counter and Variant II HPLC (Biorad). KLF1 gene mutations were screened using automated DNA sequencing. Expression analysis was carried out using q-RT PCR of KLF1, BCL11A and γ-globin after selective enrichment and culturing of CD 34 +ve cells into an erythroid lineage. Over all 14 KLF1 gene variations were identified, of which six variants were novel. The incidence of KLF1 gene mutations was found to be 8.1%. It was seen that KLF1 mutations contributed in borderline HbA₂ levels as 7.6% of our borderline HbA₂ cases showed presence of KLF1 variations. It also contributed in induction of HbF levels under stress erythropoietic conditions. Gene expression studies revealed inverse correlation of KLF1, BCL11A (reduced) with γ-globin gene expression (increased) in patients showing KLF1 gene mutations, thus indicating the role of KLF1 gene in regulating the γ-globin gene expression. The identification of genomic variants of the KLF1 may help in determining the functionally active domain of this protein and will facilitate in understanding the wide spectrum of phenotypes generated by these variants.