Three dimensional finite element analysis of anatomic distal radius Nitinol memory connector treating distal radius fracture

Objective: To study the memory biomechanical character of anatomic distal radius Nitinol memory connector (DRMC) in treating distal radius fracture. Methods: Establishing three dimensional model and finite element analysis, we calculated the stress in and around the fracture faces when distal radius fracture was fixated with DRMC. Results: Axial holding stress produced by holding part of DRMC on distal radius was 14.66 MPa. The maximum stress of holding part was 40-70 MPa, the minimum stress was 3-7 MPa,and the stress of compression part was 20-40 MPa. Conclusion: The distribution of stress produced by DRMC around the fracture line is reasonable, and axial holding stress can help stabilize fracture during earlier period. The existence of longitudal compression and memory effect can transfer fixated disused section into developed section and enhance fracture healing.

Metabolomics characterization of colostrum in three sow breeds and its influences on piglets' survival and litter growth rates

Background: Colostrum is the first secretion produced by mammary glands during the hours immediately preceding and succeeding parturition. This secretion differs from milk and represents an essential vehicle of passive immunity,prebiotic compounds and growth factors involved in intestinal development. Most of the literature concerning colostrum composition refers mainly to human and cow; and little is known about pig colostrum metabolome and how it varies between pig breeds and different farrowing parity. Thus, the aim of the present research is to provide new information about pig colostrum composition and the associations between metabolites, the sows' breed and the survival and growth rates of their litters.Results: Colostrum samples were gathered from 58 parturitions of sows belonging to three different breeds chosen for their importance in Italian heavy pig production: 31 Large White, 15 Landrace and 12 Duroc respectively. The defatted and ultrafiltered colostrum samples were analysed using1 H–NMR spectroscopy. Principal Components Analysis(PCA) was assessed on the obtained spectra. In addition, using a Stepwise Regression and a Linear Regression analyses the metabolites named after the signals assignment were tested for their associations with piglets' performances.Twenty-five metabolites were identified, comprehending monosaccharides, disaccharides(such as lactose), organic acids(lactate, citrate, acetate and formate), nitrogenous organic acids(such as creatine) and other compounds,including nucleotides. PCA results evidence a clustering due to breed and season effects. Lactose was the main compound determining the assignment of the samples into different clusters according to the sow breed. Furthermore, some metabolites showed to be associated with piglets' performance and survival traits: acetate and taurine were positively related to litter weight gain and piglets' survival rate, respectively, while dimethylamine and cis-aconitate were linked to new-borns' impaired ability to survive.Conclusions: The results obtained suggest that colostrum composition is affected by breed, which, together with environmental conditions, may cause changes in colostrum metabolites content with possible consequences on piglets' performances. Among the identified metabolites, acetate, taurine, dimethylamine and cis-aconitate showed consistent associations with piglets' survival rate and litter weight gain, implying that these compounds may affect new-borns' ability to survive.

Methodology and application of Escherichia coli F4 and F18 encoding infection models in post-weaning pigs

The enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing F4 and F18 fimbriae are the two main pathogens associated with post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets.The growing global concern regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has encouraged research into the development of nutritional and feeding strategies as well as vaccination protocols in order to counteract the PWD due to ETEC.A valid approach to researching effective strategies is to implement piglet in vivo challenge models with ETEC infection.Thus,the proper application and standardization of ETEC F4 and F18 challenge models represent an urgent priority.The current review provides an overview regarding the current piglet ETEC F4 and F18 challenge models;it highlights the key points for setting the challenge protocols and the most important indicators which should be included in research studies to verify the effectiveness of the ETEC challenge.Based on the current review,it is recommended that the setting of the model correctly assesses the choice and preconditioning of pigs,and the timing and dosage of the ETEC inoculation.Furthermore,the evaluation of the ETEC challenge response should include both clinical parameters (such as the occurrence of diarrhea,rectal temperature and bacterial fecal shedding) and biomarkers for the specific expression of ETEC F4/F18 (such as antibody production,specific F4/F18 immunoglobulins (lgs),ETEC F4/F18 fecal enumeration and analysis of the F4/F18 receptors expression in the intestinal brush borders).On the basis of the review,the piglets' response upon F4 or F18 inoculation differed in terms of the timing and intensity of the diarrhea development,on ETEC fecal shedding and in the piglets' immunological antibody response.This information was considered to be relevant to correctly define the experimental protocol,the data recording and the sample collections.Appropriate challenge settings and evaluation of the response parameters will allow future research studies to comply with the replacement,reduction and refinement (3R) approach,and to be able to evaluate the efficiency of a given feeding,nutritional or vaccination intervention in order to combat ETEC infection.

The effects of starter microbiota and the early life feeding of medium chain triglycerides on the gastric transcriptome profile of 2-or 3-week-old cesarean delivered piglets

Background： The stomach is an underestimated key interface between the ingesta and the digestive system, affecting the digestion and playing an important role in several endocrine functions. The quality of starter microbiota and the early life feeding of medium chain triglycerides may affect porcine gastric maturation. Two trials（T1, T2） were carried out on 12 and 24 cesarean-delivered piglets（birth, d0）, divided over two microbiota treatments, but slaughtered and sampled at two or three weeks of age, respectively. All piglets were fed orally： sow serum（T1） or pasteurized sow colostrum（T2） on d0; simple starter microbiota（Lactobacillus amylovorus, Clostridium glycolicum and Parabacteroides spp.）（d1-d3）; complex microbiota inoculum（sow diluted feces, CA） or a placebo（simple association, SA）（d3-d4） and milk replacer ad libitum（d0-d4）. The The T1 piglets and half of the T2 piglets were then fed a moist diet（CTRL）; the remaining half of the T2 piglets were fed the CTRL diet fortified with medium chain triglycerides and 7% coconut oil（MCT）. Total m RNA from the oxyntic mucosa was analyzed using Affymetrix？Porcine Gene array strips. Exploratory functional analysis of the resulting values was carried out using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis.Results： Complex microbiota upregulated 11 gene sets in piglets of each age group vs. SA. Of these sets, 6 were upregulated at both ages, including the set of gene markers of oxyntic mucosa. In comparison with the piglets receiving SA, the CA enriched the genes in the sets related to interferon response when the CTRL diet was given while the same sets were impoverished by CA with the MCT diet.Conclusions： Early colonization with a complex starter microbiota promoted the functional maturation of the oxyntic mucosa in an age-dependent manner. The dietary fatty acid source may have affected the recruitment and the maturation of the immune cells, particularly when the piglets were early associated with a simplified starter microbiota.

Effect of diets supplemented with linseed alone or combined with vitamin E and selenium or with plant extracts,on Longissimus thoracis transcriptome in growing-finishing Italian Large White pigs

Background: Supplementing farm animals diet with functional ingredients may improve the nutritional quality of meat products.Diet composition has been also demonstrated to influence the gene expression with effect on biological processes and pathways.However,the knowledge on the effect of nutrients at the molecular level is scant.In particular,studies on the effects of antioxidants and polyphenols dietary supplementation have been investigated mainly in rodents,and only scarcely in farm animals so far.RNA-Seq with next-generation sequencing is increasingly the method of choice for studying changes in the transcriptome and it has been recently employed also in pig nutrigenomics studies to identify diet-induced changes in gene expression.The present study aimed to investigate the effect of diets enriched with functional ingredients(linseed,vitamin E and plant extracts) on the transcriptome of pig Longissimus thoracis to elucidate the role of these compounds in influencing genes involved in muscle physiology and metabolism compared to a standard diet.Results: Eight hundred ninety-three significant differentially expressed genes(DEGs)(FDR adjusted P-value ≤ 0.05)were detected by RNA-Seq analysis in the three diet comparisons(D2-D1,D3-D1,D4-D1).The functional analysis of DEGs showed that the diet enriched with n-3 PUFA from linseed(D2) mostly downregulated genes in pathways and biological processes(BPs) related to muscle development,contraction,and glycogen metabolism compared to the standard diet.The diet supplemented with linseed and vitamin E/Selenium(D3) showed to mostly downregulate genes linked to oxidative phosphorylation.Only few genes involved in extracellular matrix(ECM)organization were upregulated by the D3.Finally,the comparison D4-D1 showed that the diet supplemented with linseed and plant extracts(D4) upregulated the majority of genes compared to D1 that were involved in a complex network of pathways and BPs all connected by hub genes.In particular,IGF2 was a hub gene connecting protein metabolism,ECM organization,immune system and lipid biosynthesis pathways.Conclusion: The supplementation of pig diet with n-3 PUFA from linseed,antioxidants and plant-derived polyphenols can influence the expression of a relevant number of genes in Longissimus thoracis muscle that are involved in a variety of biochemical pathways linked to muscle function and metabolism.

Research on Dithianon to Evaluate Suspects of Reduced Sensitivity of <i>Venturia inaequalis</i>with Different Methodologies in Italian Apple Areas

Dithianon is a multi-site fungicide and has never been object of suspects and reports of reduced sensitivity and activity. Italian IFP technicians had the suspect of reductions of activity by this fungicide on Venturia inaequalis. Methodologies, in vitro and in vivo were carried out to verify this suspect. Populations poorly controlled with suspects on dithianon and sensible ones were utilized. The tests in vitro permitted to evidence light and non-significant reductions of sensitivity of poorly controlled populations with respect to sensible ones. In vivo tests on seedlings were non-reliable for a general low activity of dithianon. On the contrary, the original in vivo methodology on grafted apple plants showed several reductions of activity, with moderate levels and a spot distribution in orchards. The cause was probably due to the increased treatments with dithianon caused by problems on other groups of fungicides and by a high infective pressure in some years. It is discussed if this reduction can be considered a resistance phenomenon or a temporary modification of the interactions of plant-fungus-fungicide.

Biological Methodologies on SDHI Fungicides to Assess Reductions of Sensitivity and Activity on <i>Venturia inaequalis</i>and Cross-Resistance Tests

Biological methodologies (in vitro and in vivo) were tested on Venturia inaequalis to assay sensitivity of populations treated with the SDHI penthiopyrad, fluxapyroxad and fluopyram that showed a field poor control in an experimental Centre. In comparison, sensible populations were tested. In vitro trials, the poorly controlled populations presented moderate increases of EC50 and RF values in all three years in which tests were carried out. The in vivo trials in glasshouse showed that the activity of SDHI fungicides on field poorly controlled populations was highly reduced. These populations can be defined as “resistant” as the high loss of sensitivity and activity were repeatedly assessed in field and glasshouse. Trials showed that these reductions were manifested by curative applications and not by preventive ones, as already ascertained for V. inaequalis populations resistant to AP and DMI fungicides. The cross-resistance of resistant populations to the three SDHIs was highly positive among them. In bibliography, there are only researches of cross-resistance among SDHIs starting from isolates resistant to boscalid, with results of different sensitivities and cross-resistance. These results with populations of V. inaequalis resistant to the three SDHI offer practical evaluations in cross-resistance.

THE ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA OF RHESUS MONKEYS FROM TAIHANG MOUNTAIN AREA OF HIGH MORBIDITY OF ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA

Taihang Mountain area, a high Incidence area of human esophageal cancer in Northern China. 124 Rhesus monkeys (Macacs Mulatta) were caught in the area in January 1989. Among them, two monkeys died of esophageal carcinoma in 1990. Case 1, a male monkey about 6. 5 yean old and weighing 14. 5 kg, had symptoms of salivation, vomiting and dysphagia in Fabruary 1990. The symptoms became gradually more serious and died in march 1990. Postmortem examination revealed a huge tumor in the distal segment of esophagus, causing severe structure of the organ. The tumor was classified as medullary type and histopathologically diagnosed as a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, with metastases to mediastinum and lymph nodes of right gastric group. Case 2, a female monkey ablut 11-year-old and weighing 10. 0 kg, showed loss of appetite, tiredness, somnolence, caughing and vomiting in September and died in December 1990. Autopsy revealed an annular tumor involving the whole clcumference of lower portion of the esophagus. The tumor was of ulcerative type and diagnosed as a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The symptoms and pathological changes of the two monkeys showed high similarity to esophageal cancer in humen. We believe that the present findings would provide important leads for further study to clarify the etiology and pathogenesis ofhuman esophageal cancer in this high Incidence area of esophageal cancer.of

TIBIALIS ANTERIOR VASCULARIZED TRIPLE FLAPS IN ONE STAGE RECONSTRUCTION OF MUTILATED HAND WITH LOSS OF THUMB

Objective To introduce a one stage technique in the reconstruction of mutilated hand with lossof thumb and eventual digits. Methods Tibialis anterior pediculated triple flaps ( TAPTF) including distal lateral leg, dorsalis pedis flaps for skin defect covering and trimmed hallux for thumb reconstruction were presented. Results Mutilated hands in five patients were repaired by the technique with acceptable cosmetic and functional success. A three to twelve months follow-up in three patients resulted in the recovery of protective thermal sensation and pinch action of the reconstructed thumb. The donor sites were free from major disability. Conclusion TAPTF is ideal for one stage reconstruction of the mutilated hand with loss of digits.

Colletotrichum species and complexes:geographic distribution,host range and conservation status

The taxonomy of the genus Colletotrichum has undergone tremendous changes over the last decade,with over 200 species being currently recognised and species complexes being informally used to cluster those species.Many of these species are important plant pathogens,some rather polyphagous and others host-specific,but several occur seldomly and some may in fact be ecologically endangered.Based mainly on literature from the past decade,in this work we review the occurrence,geographic distribution and host spectrum of currently recognised Colletotrichum species under phylogenetic,pathologi-cal/agronomic and ecological perspectives,providing a list arranged by Colletotrichum species and species complexes.A total of 257 species are listed and grouped into 15 species complexes.In this work we have recorded 1353 unique host species-Colletotrichum species association records from 720 hosts,with the Fabaceae as the family with higher number of hosts(52 host species)but with the Rosaceae as the family with the highest number of host species-Colletotrichum species association records(118 association records).According to occurrence data,88 species are common in nature,128 were considered as data deficient and 41 are threatened,some of which are likely extinct from nature and preserved only in cul-ture collections.Several species are relevant plant pathogens,in some cases geographically confined and thus of potential quarantine relevance.Based on the major changes that occurred on Colletotrichum taxonomy over the last decade,this work provides a comprehensive overview of occurrence data of Colletotrichum species,compiling host range and geographical distribution,with relevance for plant pathology and conservation mycology.The current taxonomic framework in Colle-totrichum is revealing numerous species but poses challenges to the employment of standard criteria for the evaluation of biological conservation of these fungi.We advocate that conservation mycology and taxonomy should find common routes simultaneously enabling the correct delimitation of species of Colletotrichum and the implementation of feasible criteria for the evaluation of conservation.The employment of new technologies,such whole genome sequencing(WGS),will help and support the description of new species and to gain a better understanding of the genetic bases of speciation processes.

Surgical management of transected injury to the pancreatic neck

Objective: To present a batch of data of transected pancreatic neck injuries and to sum up the experience in surgical interventions for the injuries.Methods: We analysed 13 patients with a transected injury to the pancreatic neck from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2000. External drainage was performed in all patients. Pancreatoduodenectomy was conducted in 2 patients with a transected injury to the pancreatic neck associated with duodenal ruptures, and TPN was administered immediately after operation. Proximal closure of the transected margin and distal pancreaticojejunostomy was performed in 4 patients. Proximal closure of the transected margin and distal pancreaticojejunostomy plus splenectomy was performed in 7 patients associated with contusion of pancreatic body or tail plus spleen rupture. Results: 12 patients healed and one patient died of anesthetic accident during the course of restoration of the dislocation of his right hip joint. Complications occurred in 7 patients.Conclusions: The operation should be performed according to the degree of the injuries and associated duodenal injuries. Routine drainage and nutrient support should be recommended.

Effect of adenovirus-mediated gene transfection of vascular endothelial growth factor on survival of random flaps in rats

Objective: To evaluate the effect of local application of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer on survival of full thickness flaps selected randomly in rats.Methods: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 480-520 g were used in this study. A dorsal flap (8 cm × 2 cm) in full thickness with the pedicle located at the level of the iliac crest was designed. Then the rats received 1 012 pfu replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus carrying VEGF ( AdCMV-VEGF group, n = 10 ), 1012 pfu recombinant β-galactosidase adenovirus ( AdCMV-Gal group, n = 10) and 1 ml saline (saline group, n = 10), respectively, in the distal two thirds of the proposed flap by means of subdermal injection at 8 different locations. Three days after treatment, the flaps were elevated as originally designed and sutured back in situ. The survival rate of the flaps was evaluated on day 7 after operation.Results: The survival rate of the flaps in the AdCMV-VEGF group increased significantly as compared with those of the AdCMV-Gal group (P < 0.01) and the saline group ( P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining showed that VEGF was expressed in the survival flaps injected with AdCMV-VEGF. Histological analysis showed that more granulation tissues and angiogenesis were observed in the AdCMV-VEGF group than those in the AdCMV-Gal and the saline groups.Conclusions: Local application of adenovims-mediated VEGF165 cDNA may efficiently improve the survival of ischemic skin flaps.

PANDYSAUTONOMIA:CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL REPORT OF 5 CASES

Five cases of pandysautonomia were reported. Pupils, salivary and sweat glands, gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder and heart were impaired in all cases, indicating that the peripheral parts of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems were involved, especially the cholinergic post ganglionic efferent fibers. Besides, two cases showed sensory impairment of the distal parts of the extremities, slight atrophy of small hand muscles and weak or absence of deep tendon reflexes. Three cases showed elevation of CSF protein without cellular reaction. Sural nerve biopsy was performed in 3 cases. Neuropathological changes included the reduction of myelinat-ed neurofibers, atrophy of Schwann's cells and the presence of degeneration products and myelin like structures. One case also revealed small vasculitis among neurofascicles. It seems that the disease entity is a result of autoimmune dysfunction. The prognosis of pandysautonomia in the present group was good, four cases have some improvement during 1-4 years of follow-up study.

Loss of the accessory chromosome converts a pathogenic tree-root fungus into a mutualistic endophyte

Some fungal accessory chromosomes(ACs)may contribute to virulence in plants.However,the mecha-nisms by which ACs determine specific traits associated with lifestyle transitions along a symbiotic contin-uum are not clear.Here we delineated the genetic divergence in two sympatric but considerably variable isolates(16B and 16W)of the poplar-associated fungus Stagonosporopsis rhizophilae.We identified a-0.6-Mb horizontally acquired AC in 16W that resulted in a mildly parasitic lifestyle in plants.Complete deletion of the AC(D16W)significantly altered the fungal phenotype.Specifically,D16W was morphologically more similar to 16B,showed enhanced melanization,and established beneficial interactions with poplar plants,thereby acting as a dark septate endophyte.RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)analysis showed that AC loss induced the upregulation of genes related to root colonization and biosynthesis of indole acetic acid and melanin.We observed that the AC maintained a more open status of chromatin across the genome,indicating an impressive remodeling of cis-regulatory elements upon AC loss,which potentially enhanced symbiotic effectiveness.We demonstrated that the symbiotic capacities were non-host-specific through comparable experiments on Triticum–and Arabidopsis–fungus associations.Furthermore,the three isolates generated symbiotic interactions with a nonvascular liverwort.In summary,our study suggests that the AC is a suppressor of symbiosis and provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of mutualism with vascular plants in the absence of traits encoded by the AC.We speculate that AC-situ-ated effectors and other potential secreted molecules may have evolved to specifically target vascular plants and promote mild virulence.