The 4DBODY system as a new tool for chest mobility assessment in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory, progressive disease, which leads to deterioration of chest and spine mobility and decrease of physical capacity with abnormal chest movement patterns. We aimed to assess the usefulness of the 4DBODY technology for evaluation of the effectiveness of AS treatment. Material and methods: The 4DBODY technology was assessed on single AS patient with axial involvement. The patient was examined twice, before and after 14 days of rehabilitation. Physiotherapeutic and plethysmographic examinations were used, as well as angular measurement of spine curvatures and measurement of chest mobility. Chest activity measured using the 4DBODY system and the quality of movement were visualized. Results: There was observed an increase of chest mobility from 18 mm to 27.9 mm (up 55%) in the 4DBODY system measurement. The quality of the chest movement also improved, the required phases of inspiration were synchronized. The angular position of the spine has also changed. The chest expansion improved from 25 mm to 50 mm measured on the level of the fourth intercostal space and from 30 mm to 50 mm at the Th10 level. Inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength increased respectively from 80% to 93% and from 46% to 86% of the predicted values. Total airway resistance (Rtot) - increase from 59% to 67%, whereas functional residual capacity (FRC) and total lung capacity (TLC) did not change significantly. Conclusions: The new 4DBODY technology was found to be an effective method of examination and assessment of the effectiveness of rehabilitation of patients with AS.

Multispectral Portable Fibre-Optic Reflectometer for the Classification of the Origin of Chicken Eggshells in the Case of Mycoplasma synoviae Infections.

The proper classification of the origins of food products is a crucial issue all over the world nowadays. In this paper, the authors present a device-a multispectral portable fibre-optic reflectometer and signal processing patch-together with a machine-learning algorithm for the classification of the origins of chicken eggshells in the case of Mycoplasma synoviae infection. The sensor device was developed based on previous studies with a continuous spectrum in transmittance and selected spectral lines in reflectance. In the described case, the sensor is based on the integration of reflected spectral data from short spectral bands from the VIS and NIR region, which are produced by single-colour LEDs and introduced to the sample via a fibre bundle. The measurement is carried out in a sequence, and the reflected signal is pre-processed to be put in the machine learning algorithm. The support vector machine algorithm is used together with three different types of data normalization. The obtained results of the F-score factor for classification of the origins of samples show that the percentages of eggs coming from Mycoplasma synoviae infected hens are up to 87% for white and 96% for brown eggshells.

CT appearance and measurements of the normal thyroid gland in goats.

BACKGROUND: Goats are increasingly being kept as companion animals, thus their owners expect advanced medical care, including modern diagnostic imaging. Computed tomography (CT) is now widely used in veterinary medicine, in both clinical practice and for scientific purposes. So far, the CT appearance of various body parts has been described in goats, but reports on thyroid gland CT are still lacking. The thyroid gland in goats may become enlarged due to dietary, genetic or neoplastic disorders. CT examination, as in other animals and humans, could aid in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases in goats and could be used for research purposes. The aim of the study was to present the CT characteristics of the normal caprine thyroid gland, in particular its dimensions, volume and density. RESULTS: Fifty-seven goats were included in the study. None of the animals had clinical, CT, post-mortem or histopathologic abnormalities in the thyroid gland. CT features of the thyroid gland were determined, such as dimensions, volume, density, location and shape. The presence of the thyroid isthmus and ectopic thyroid tissue was also assessed. The gland was visible in every animal as two homogenous, highly attenuating, well-circumscribed lobes located in the most cranial part of the trachea. The mean dimensions of the thyroid lobe were 30.3 × 12.7 × 6.7 mm, the mean density was 80.9 Hounsfield Units (HU) and the mean volume was 1.32 cm3 or 1.39 cm3, depending on the method used. Also, the internal parathyroid glands were visible in some animals. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, the normal CT appearance of the thyroid gland has been presented. CT clearly shows the thyroid gland in goats and therefore can be used in clinical practice and for research. The results of the current study may serve as a radiological guideline for practitioners and may be the basis for further CT studies on normal and diseased caprine thyroid glands.

An attempt to classify the botanical origin of honey using visible spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: The production of honey, and especially the unifloral varieties, is limited by factors such as weather conditions or the availability of nectar flow and honeydew. This results in a deficit in supply leading to the adulteration of honey. If they are not properly labeled, customers cannot distinguish artificial / synthetic products from real honey. Currently, the basic, commonly used method for determining the varieties of honey (botanical origin) is palynological analysis. However, this procedure is quite difficult owing to the dearth of experienced staff in the field of melissopalynology. RESULTS: A method for identifying and classifying natural honey accurately based on its botanical origin has therefore been proposed. This analysis would rely on the visible light spectra transmitted through a relatively thin layer of the substance of interest, regardless of deviations in thickness. We present algorithms for analyzing the transmittance spectra-parametrization based on polynomial approximation (PMA) and applying a method for spectra selection and reduction (SSR) and a classical classification model (decision tree). A comparison is presented of the classification of four varieties of honey, confirmed by pollen analysis, obtained from the analysis of optically measured transmittance spectra of the samples. The algorithms that are compared contain a decision tree that uses raw data, data reduced by principal component analysis (PCA), and data after calculations based on the proposed algorithms alone (PMA and SSR) and together with the PCA method. CONCLUSION: This novel method produced outstanding results in comparison with the standard PCA method and is helpful in identifying the botanical origin of honey effectively. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ultrasonographic and anatomical examination of normal thyroid and internal parathyroid glands in goats.

Ultrasonographic examination of the normal thyroid and parathyroid glands has been described for humans and many animal species. However, similar reports for goats are still missing. The aim of the study was to present ultrasound features of the normal thyroid and internal parathyroid glands in goats with the determination of their dimensions and volume, followed by a comparison of the results to the gross examination. Seventy-two goats were used in the study. The echostructure and echogenicity of the thyroid and parathyroid glands were assessed. The length, width and height of the thyroid and the length and width of the parathyroid glands were measured. The thyroid volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula, basing on the ultrasonographic dimensions. Size and volume of the dissected thyroid glands were established grossly, followed by a histological examination. In order to accurately describe the anatomy of the thyroid, new anatomical terminology characterizing this gland was proposed. The mean dimensions of the thyroid lobes were 30.2 x 10.5 x 6.3 mm. There were no statistically significant differences between the right and left lobe. Parathyroid glands measured an average of 3.6 x 2.4 mm. The percentage Root Mean Square Error between the results of ultrasonographic and gross examination was 16.73%, 20.65% and 17.01% for thyroid length, width and height, respectively, and 46.30% for volume. In order to obtain more precise calculation of the thyroid volume, a modified correction factor for the ellipsoid formula was introduced. For the first time, the normal ultrasonographic characteristics and dimensions of the caprine thyroid and internal parathyroid glands were presented. The results may serve as a radiological reference and be the basis for further research.

Posture correctness of young female soccer players.

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the correctness of the body posture of female soccer players in the frontal plane from the back based on selected body points in two static positions (habitual and actively corrected) using a non-contact optical measurement method. Forty-two young women (aged 16-20) playing soccer in a sports club in Poland were examined and compared with controls. The spatial coordinates (x, y, z) of the selected body points were determined. Four points (OcL, OcR, PvL and PvR) were extracted and used to calculate vectors [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for analysis. The results show that median of the pelvic line angle was positive (PvR was lower than PvL) in both groups. For the habitual posture, the absolute value of the difference between the 25th and 75th percentiles in the pelvic line was almost three times greater among the soccer players than the controls (ratio between soccer players and controls: 2.93). Static postural imbalances in female soccer players require diagnosis of the sacroiliac joints with analysis of lumbar-pelvic system support and inhibition in the context of myofascial connection integration. Exercises can be implemented to stabilize the lumbar-pelvis complex as prophylaxis for spinal overload during the training cycle.

Spectral technique for detection of changes in eggshells caused by Mycoplasma synoviae.

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is a major pathogen in chicken and turkeys, causing subclinical infection. MS infections are highly prevalent and may potentate and be involved in sinovitis, respiratory syndromes, as well as lead to eggshell apex abnormality (EAA). A deformed, inhomogeneous eggshell is susceptible to cracks and breaks through which microbes get in and additionally entails higher water loss in the egg during the entire incubation process. Not all eggs with eggshell apex abnormality possess characteristic deformation and that is why some eggs may be incorrectly classified during a visual inspection. To minimize the above risk, the spectral VIS technique and the analysis based on the classification tree method-CTM is proposed. The method makes use of specially defined parameters extracted from the shape of transmittance spectra of eggshells. Directional coefficients of the lines adjusted to the specific ranges of the transmittance spectrum are used in the process of classifying samples as those from MS-carrying hens and from healthy hens. Three CTM-based classifiers were created for a group of white, brown, and mixed shells. After comparing, it can be concluded that the best results were obtained for the group of brown shells (accuracy 88%, specificity 88%, and false negative rate 13%). The authors present a non-invasive spectral method that utilizes eggshells, i.e., the natural waste from chicken farms. The method enables entering data into the classifiers described in the article. The process provides an opportunity to correctly assign, the examined shell to the group of shells with increased risk-with approx. 86% accuracy. This means that, if a few of such results are registered, the herd is eligible more specific studies targeting MS bacteria. Regular spectral testing can support the detection of egg lesions in MS positive flocks.

Eggshell apex abnormalities caused by two different Mycoplasma synoviae genotypes and evaluation of eggshell anomalies by full-field optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) is an important poultry pathogen worldwide. This bacterium may cause eggshell changes including an altered shell surface, thinning, and increased translucency in different areas, which leads to a greater incidence of eggshell cracks and breaks. In the present study the association between experimental infection of birds with two field strains of MS from different genotypes and the production of abnormal eggs is described. The analysis of those eggshells using a full-field optical coherence tomography (FF OCT) scanner is also reported. RESULTS: Eggshell samples were obtained from three experimental groups of chickens: one control and two infected tracheally with field strains of MS which produced abnormal eggs. In both experimental groups infected with MS a reduction of mean daily egg production by 11% was observed compared to the control group, which started at 21 to 42 dpi. Eggshell apex abnormalities increased to 24.5% of eggs and in some cases, soft-shelled eggs were produced. This study provides the first analysis of shells from anomalous eggs carried out using FF OCT, which allows three-dimensional structural imaging of an investigated sample at micrometre scale. FF OCT showed ultrastructural changes in eggshells and a smaller number of pores on the entire surface of the affected shells. CONCLUSIONS: The eggshell pathology and the concomitant egg production losses that result from infections highlight the economic significance of MS in commercial poultry. There are differences in the strains of MS which may induce eggshell apex abnormalities (EAA) and egg production losses. The use of FF OCT, which is a noninvasive measurement method based on analysis of the light backscattered from the measured object, will confer the ability to control the quality of eggshells in flocks infected with MS.

Computed tomographic evaluation of cleft palate in one-day-old puppies.

BACKGROUND: Cleft palate is a birth defect characterized by a lack of fusion between structures forming the palate. Causes include a multitude of factors, both genetic and environmental. Computed tomography (CT) is widely used to evaluate morphological features and diagnose head disorders in adult dogs. However, there is less data about its use in neonatal dogs. The purpose of this study was to perform CT evaluation of palatal defects in one-day-old puppies and to present a novel approach of 3D modeling in terms of cleft palate assessment. RESULTS: Macroscopic and CT examinations were performed in 23 stillborn or euthanized purebred newborn puppies. On the basis of CT data, a 3D model was prepared and the cleft surface area was then calculated. A multi-stage approach, which utilised software such as 3D Slicer and Blender, was applied. Palatal defects were found in ten dogs, of which five had cleft palate, three had bilateral cleft lip and palate, one had a unilateral cleft lip and palate and one had a unilateral cleft lip. The surface area of the clefts ranged from 31 to 213 mm2, which made up respectfully 11 to 63% of the total surface area of the palate. No abnormalities were found in thirteen dogs and they made up the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography and 3D modeling were very effective in evaluation of palatal disorders in newborn dogs. 3D models adapted to the natural curvature of the palate were created and more precise data was obtained. Morphological characteristics, CT findings and advanced image analysis of cleft palate in neonates obtained from these models increase the knowledge about this malformation in dogs.

Fatal gunshot injuries in the common buzzard Buteo buteo L. 1758 - imaging and ballistic findings.

The conservation of the common buzzard is assured by the European Union law. In Poland, this wild bird is under strict species protection and it is used as a bioindicator for heavy metals in the environment. A case of the fatal shooting of a buzzard with a firearm by an unidentified shooter is described here. Macroscopic evaluation, X-ray imaging, post-mortem computed tomography, ballistic examination of the isolated bullets and finally a simulation of the assumed position of the bird at the time of the shot were performed. Numerous pellets were found inside the body, together with multiple bone fractures and central nervous system trauma. The buzzard died most probably as a result of spinal cord injury from a single shot that was fired from a smoothbore hunting gun. Collected evidence was insufficient to identify the shooter, which sadly confirms that identification of the perpetrator in wildlife forensics remains low.

The Osteometry of Equine Third Phalanx by the Use of Three-Dimensional Scanning: New Measurement Possibilities.

This study consisted in analyzing the asymmetry between bilateral third phalanges (coffin bones) in cold-blood horses based on the angle range of the plantar margin of the bone. The study employed a scanner projecting a hybrid set of images, consisting of sinusoidal stripes preceded by a Gray code sequence. As it turned out, three-dimensional scanning can be used to effectively determine the angle range for a selected portion of the studied bone. This provides broad possibilities for osteometric studies, as it enables the determination of angle distribution in a given fragment. The results obtained indicate a weak correlation between age and bilateral third-phalanx asymmetry in terms of the angle range of the plantar margins and no correlation between body weight and the asymmetry described.