Absorción de nutrientes en corderos alimentados con dietas con diferentes cantidades de fósforo / Nutrient absorption in lambs fed diets containing different amounts of phosphorus

Objective. Evaluate the effect of increasing P intake on nutrient digestibility, and compare the true and apparent absorption coefficients of P and Ca in lambs. Materials and methods. Twenty-four Santa Ines sheep, with an average weight of 33.6 ± 1.6 kg, were distributed into four treatments (0, 2, 4 and 6 g/day of supplementary P) with forage: concentrate ratio of 70:30. The study of apparent nutrient digestibility was conducted during the first week, using the total feces collection method. During the second week, after injection of 7.4 MBq of 32P and 7.7 MBq of 45Ca, apparent (AAC) and true (TAC) absorption coefficients of P and Ca were determined. The lambs were kept in metabolic cages. Results. The increase in P intake did not affect (p>0.05) dry matter, crude protein, NDF or ADF digestibility, but the TAC of P and Ca and mineral matter digestibility decreased. The AAC was not affected (p=0.10). A cubic relationship was observed between P intake and TAC (TAC=2.16–1.95X+0.55X2-0.04X3; R2=0.38) and linear relationship with the TAC of Ca (TAC=0.559–0.03X; R2=0.26). TAC and AAC values were different (p<0.001). Conclusions. The increase in P intake doesn’t impact organic matter digestibility, but does affect P and Ca absorption. Apparent digestibility is not a reliable parameter to determine the efficiency of P and Ca absorption.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del incremento en la ingestión de P sobre la digestibilidad de los nutrientes, y comparar los coeficientes de digestibilidad real y aparente de Ca y P en ovinos. Materiales y métodos. Veinticuatro ovinos de la raza Santa Inés, con 33.6±1.6 kg de peso, fueron asignados a cuatro tratamientos (0, 2, 4 y 6 g/día de P suplementario) con relación forraje:concentrado de 70:30. El estudio de digestibilidad aparente de los nutrientes se realizó la primera semana usando el método de colecta total de heces. La segunda semana, luego de inyectar 7.4 MBq de 32P y 7.7 MBq de 45Ca, se realizó el estudio de absorción real (CAV) y aparente (AAC), en jaulas de estudio de metabolismo. Resultados. El incremento en la ingestión de P no afectó (p>0.05) la digestibilidad aparente de la materia seca, proteína bruta, FDN o FDA. El CAV de Ca y de P y la digestibilidad de la materia mineral presentaron una reducción. EL AAC no fue afectado (p=0.10). La ecuación CAV=2.16–1.95X+0.55X2-0.04X3 (R2 = 0.38) explicó la relación entre el CAV de P y el incremento en su ingestión, y la ecuación TAC=0.559 – 0.03X (R2=0.26), la relación entre el CAV de Ca y la ingestión de P. Los valores de AAC y CAV difirieron entre sí (p<0.001). Conclusiones. La ingestión de P no afectó la digestibilidad de la fracción orgánica del alimento, pero sí la absorción de P y Ca. El coeficiente de absorción aparente no fue un parámetro confiable para determinar la eficiencia de absorción de P y Ca.

Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and core decompression in the early management of acute unilateral adult hip pain secondary to osteonecrosis of the femoral head

The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment of early cases of adult AVN of the femoral head, using an early sensitive and specific modality as MRI, coupled with the use of a simple surgical intervention capable of stopping the vicious circle of complications due to the ischemia and ending by necrosis and collapse of the femoral head. Our patients were six, five males and one female. Their age ranged between 30-60 years [mean=45.7 SD of 12.8 years]. Five patients attended the OPD with minimal hip pain, one of them associated with mild limping. The one female patient was accidentally discovered during MR examination of the pelvis. The possible etiological factors were steroids in three patients [50%], alcohol in two patients, and two patients were considered as idiopathic. On plain radiographs, classified according to the Ficat and Arlet staging, five patients were preradiological, one patient preclinical and one patient radiological [minimal osteoporosis]. MRI 1.5T was used in the following sequences T1 TSE, T2 TSE and SPIR. The most valuable early MR sign of AVN, bone marrow oedema, was present in all patients [100%]. Double subchondral line was elicited in only five patients [83.3%]. Surgery was planned according to the MR stage of AVN which ranged in our selected patients between 0-1 according to Ficat. Modified core decompression surgery was performed in all patients. Clinical and MR follow up examinations three and six months were performed. All the patients rendered free from pain or limping by six months. At three months MRI follow-up, bone oedema persisted in all patients, while the vascularized core appeared in 50% of them. However, at six months, bone oedema disappeared with appearance of the vascularized core in all patients. In conclusion, a high level of clinical awareness about AVN should be present while dealing with adult hip pain. MRI is a sensitive and specific modality in the early diagnosis, staging, and sole modality for operative planning for AVN. Modified core decompression technique; in early stages of AVN, is an easy, reliable, and quick intervention that is available to most of orthopaedic surgeons, to stop the vicious cycle of ischemia and necrosis

Assessment of the patello femoral joint following ACL reconstruction, using patellar tendon graft versus hamstring quadrupled graft

The aim of this work was to study the effect of anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] reconstruction on the patello-femoral [PF] joint, comparing between the Patellar tendon [PT] graft and Hamstring [STG] quadrupled graft. The material consisted of 40 patients who had arthroscopic ACL reconstruction by PT and 37 patients by using STG graft. The minimum follow up period following surgery was one year in both groups. Patients were investigated clinically and radiologically regarding the PF joint. Anterior knee pain was present in 45% and 13.5% in both the PT group and the STG group with a significant difference. Patellar irritability and patellar crepitus were higher among the PT group. Flexion contracture was present in 20% and 5.4% in both PT and STG group respectively. There was a positive correlation between PF pain and patellar irritability, flexion contracture, and patellar crepitus in the PT group. Radiological investigation showed, a significant patellar tendon shortening [65%] among the PT group as compared from the preoperative status, measured by Insall/Salvati ratio. There was a significant decrease in the Merchant congruence angle [CA] in the PT group as compared from the preoperative recorded value. There was a significant correlation between PF pain and patellar tendon shortening, but not with the recorded CA in the PT group. The STG group did not show significant changes in the PT length, or CA. The Lateral patellofemoral angle and the sulcus angle did not show significant changes preoperatively or postoperatively

Functional outcome of calcaneal fractures treated either conservatively or operatively; a comparative study

The aim of this paper is to compare the functional results of treatment of displaced intracalcaneal fractures after operative and conservative management. Thirty seven patients with 42 feet having displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were included in this study. These were divided into two groups. Cases in group I were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, while those in group II were treated conservatively. In both groups, the injury was common in males, in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. Most of them were heavy manual workers. Falling from a height was the commonest mode of injury. All patients were assessed by stndard plain radiographs and CT scans. In group I, surgery was done after an average of 4.3 days. The extended lateral approach was used with calcaneal or 3.5mm reconstruction plates. In group II, intensive rehabilitation program started as soon as pain and swelling allowed. Only non-weight bearing ambulation was allowed in both groups till the fractire has healed rodiologically. The results were assessed using a 15-question patient-surgeon visual analogue scale. By the end of the follow up period, which exceeded 24 months in both groups, the overall results were significantly more satisfactory in group I [86%] than in group II [40%]. The rate of complications with the operative group was also low. The conclusion is; CT scans have improved the managementt of intraarticular calcaneal frractures. The results of conservative treatment can not be accepted in the modern era of orthopaedic practice. On the other hand, the results of open reduction and internal fixation are accepted, being more or less satisfactory by the patient, and reproducible

Evaluation of some biochemical and radiological changes in bone metabolism during corticosteroid therapy

Osteoporosis is considered as a major outcome of corticosteroid administration. The evaluation of the degree of osteoporosis in patients on steroid therapy was examined by many studies. This work aimed at the assessment of bone turnover markers, as well as, quantitative computed tomography as measures for detection of osteoporosis in patients receiving corticosteroids. This has been achieved through the biochemical detection of bone turnover markers [total alkaline phosphatase [SAP], osteocalcin [OC], urinary excretion of hydroxyproline/creatinine [OHPr/Cr]] and QCT scanning of L[2]-L[4] Vertebrae. Our results demonstrated that 60% of patients on steroids had complaints related to osteoporosis. Concerning the biochemical parameters of bone turnover SAP tended to be higher in patients than in control. Also, OC is significantly reduced [P

Morphological and histological study of the ligamentum arteriosum in man

The present work investigated the morphometric and structural changes of the ligamentum arteriosum at different ages in 20 human adult postmortem cadavers. All specimens were subjected to morphometric assessment and histological examination using haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and Orcein stains. The ligamentum arteriosum showed a significant increase in its length and a nonsignificant decrease in the breadth of its ends with the advance of age. In 70% of the specimens examined, the pulmonary end was broader showing a uniform narrowing towards the aortic end while in the remaining specimens both ends were of equal breadth. A cauliflower mass, most probably of a calcified material, was observed projecting through the aortic end of the ligamentum of one specimen. The ligamentum arteriosum was found to be composed of inner and outer zones. The inner zone frequently showed luminal remnants devoid of endothelial lining, and was constituted of many dense collagenous bundles and scanty fibroelastic tissue. Cartilage cells were occasionally detected in the ligamentum particularly in the elderly. The Outer zone was formed of plenty of collagenous bundles, disposed in lamellae, fibroelastic tissue and scanty smooth muscle fibres. The progressive decrease in the breadth of the ligamentum arteriosum with the advance of age, as well as the microscopically detected outer collagenous lamellation of the ligamentum could be an indicator of continuous fibrosis. The calcification and the cartilage cells, noticed in this work particularly in the elderly, could be considered as degenerative changes in the wall of the ligamentum arteriosum. The narrower aortic end of the ligamentum could point out to more progression of ductal closure at the aortic end

Neutrophil phagocytic activity in lymphoma

A study of the phagocytic activity of neutrophils using the modified Wilkinson method was made in 21 lymphoma and leukemia patients as well as 15 control subjects. The results indicate a marginal reduction of the percentage of phagocytic cells but a very highly significant depression of the phagocytic index. These two parameters could however be correlated [r - 0.95]. No significant differences could be obtained between the various subgroups. Whether the cases are fresh or under therapy seems to be of little bearing but advanced cases had on the whole the lowest figures. The results were discussed in the light of some of the known facts about cancer immunology

Alpha feto-proteins in lymphomas and leukemias

Serum AFP was determined by the quantitative enzyme immunoassay method in a heterogenous group of lymphoma and leukemia. Irrespective of age, type of therapy and whether or not hepatic involvement was present all the cases had their figures well within the normal limits. The findings indicate that. 1. The lymphoreticulo endothelial and myeloid systems have no potentialities for AFP production. 2. AFP has no place in detection of hepatic involvement in malignancies of these systems and other methods must be sought for this purpose. 3. The specificity of liver injury conductive to AFP is stressed and elevation of AFP in cases carrying a hepatic cancer potential should tip the balance to the exclusion of lymphoproliferature malignancy and leukemia