Radiographic diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 63 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To identify radiographic features that can be used to aid in the diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in pet rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study comparing radiographic features of 63 cases of confirmed intestinal obstruction with 50 abdominal radiographs taken of rabbits without gastrointestinal disease. Abdominal radiographs were examined for gastric size, gastric contents, small intestinal dilatation and gas within the large intestine and caecum. RESULTS: Gastric size, gastric contents, small intestinal dilatation and gas within the large intestine and caecum were all features that differed between rabbits with small intestinal obstruction and rabbits without gastrointestinal disease. Radiographic features associated with small intestinal obstruction included severe gastric dilation, gastric contents primarily consisting of liquid and gas, small intestinal dilation and absence of large amounts of gas in the caecum and large intestine. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Observation on gastric size, small intestinal dilatation and gas within the large intestine and caecum aid in radiological diagnosis of small intestinal obstruction in rabbits and so can guide appropriate treatment.

Giardia duodenalis in primates: Classification and host specificity based on phylogenetic analysis of sequence data.

Giardia duodenalis colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of a wide range of hosts, including humans and other primates. It is grouped into eight different Assemblages and, beyond that, into a number of sub-Assemblages, defined ad hoc on the basis of genetic differences; these various groups are often considered to be associated with a specific restricted host range. The aim of this study was to use publicly available genotyping data to investigate the relatedness of human and non-human primate (NHP) Giardia isolates in order to evaluate the usefulness of current taxonomic classification and to assess whether there is potential for zoonotic transmission between humans and NHP. Our final data set consisted of sequence data from 165 isolates, 111 from NHP and 54 from humans. Assemblages were well defined, but sub-Assemblages across Assemblage B were not resolved. Although sub-Assemblages AI and AII were resolved, the terms were not found to capture any useful molecular or host/deme properties. In the phylogenetic tree, NHP isolates were scattered among human isolates across Assemblages A and B, and were even found in Assemblage E. We conclude that there does not appear to be significant molecular distinction between human and NHP Giardia isolates across these four molecular markers. Thus, on the basis of these markers, we cannot exclude a risk for zoonotic and anthropozoonotic transmission of Assemblages A and B isolates, irrespective of sub-Assemblage classification. We further evaluated the relative merit of the four genes used in genotyping studies. The tpi, gdh and bg genes gave relatively congruent tree topologies, but the SSU gene did not resolve Assemblages according to the current classification. Future genotyping efforts should aim for multilocus or whole-genome approaches and, in particular, use of the SSU gene as the sole marker should be avoided when possible.

A qualitative exploration of the factors influencing the job satisfaction and career development of physiotherapists in private practice.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate factors contributing to job satisfaction at different career stages, among private practice physiotherapists in Australia. DESIGN: Qualitative case study design utilising focus groups. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen participants allocated to 3 focus groups: new graduates (n = 6), post graduates (n = 5) and practice owners (n = 5). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was undertaken to determine themes and subthemes from each focus group. RESULTS: The key themes identified within each focus group included the role of peer support and mentoring, professional development, professional relationships, new graduate employment issues and career pathways within private practice. In particular, issues surrounding the new graduate experience in private practice were explored, with all groups noting lack of support and financial pressures were of concern. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrated that new graduates are underprepared to work in private practice and modifications to the delivery of peer support, mentoring and professional development is required. Key recommendations include physiotherapy undergraduate program reform to reflect industry requirements in private practice, an increase in private practice clinical placement numbers, as well as streamlining the physiotherapy profession to improve career development pathways.

Eccentric Fatigue Modulates Stretch-shortening Cycle Effectiveness--A Possible Role in Lower Limb Overuse Injuries.

The role of fatigue in injury development is an important consideration for clinicians. In particular, the role of eccentric fatigue in stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) activities may be linked to lower limb overuse conditions. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ankle plantarflexor eccentric fatigue on SSC effectiveness during a hopping task in healthy volunteers. 11 healthy volunteers (23.2±6.7 years) performed a sub-maximal hopping task on a custom-built sledge system. 3D motion capture and surface EMG were utilised to measure lower limb stiffness, temporal kinematic measures and muscle timing measures at baseline and immediately following an eccentric fatigue protocol. A linear mixed model was used to test whether measures differed between conditions. Compared to baseline, eccentric fatigue induced increased stiffness during the hopping task (+ 15.3%; P<0.001). Furthermore, ankle stretch amplitude decreased (- 9.1%; P<0.001), whilst all other ankle kinematic measures remained unchanged. These changes were accompanied by a temporal shift in onset of activity in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles (- 4.6 to - 8.5%; p<0.001). These findings indicate that eccentric fatigue alters SSC effectiveness in healthy volunteers. These findings may be applied to inform pathogenetic models of overuse injury development.

Total syntheses of (-)-haemanthidine, (+)-pretazettine, and (+)-tazettine.

[structures: see text] The total syntheses of the amaryllidaceae alkaloids haemanthidine, pretazettine, and tazettine as optically pure enantiomers are reported. Using D-mannose as the starting material, the critical relative stereochemical relationships are established with an intramolecular nitrone-alkene cycloaddition reaction. The synthetic route leads successively to (-)-haemanthidine and then to (+)-pretazettine and (+)-tazettine, taking advantage of the well-established complex relationships among these three alkaloids.

N-Tetrachlorophthaloyl (TCP) for ready protection/deprotection of amino sugar glycosides.

The tetrachlorophthaloyl (TCP) group can be utilized when imidic protection of an amine is desired and durability of the protecting group to conditions ranging from mildly basic to harshly acidic is required. Installation can be accomplished in two steps by treating the free base with the commercially available TCP anhydride, and then closing the imidic ring with acetic anhydride and pyridine. Cleavage is effected by 2-4 eq of ethylenediamine under very mild conditions under which esters and glycopeptides have been shown to be stable, and racemization of amino acid residues does not occur. Unsubstituted phthalimides, even within the same molecule, are also unaffected during TCP cleavage. TCP protecting groups serve as beta-directors on donors and can also be present on acceptor species during electrophilic couplings in oligosaccharide synthesis.

An unusual avulsion fracture of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Case report and proposed addition to the Watson-Jones classification.

Avulsion injuries of the tibial tuberosity are uncommon fractures that are seen most frequently in adolescents. Watson-Jones classified these injuries into three types, but this classification does not account for fractures of the tibial tuberosity that extend into the posterior cortex, nor has such a fracture configuration been described in the literature. The present case of a 16-year-old boy indicates that the Watson-Jones classification should be expanded to include this fracture configuration (Type IV).