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The purpose of this study was to compare activPAL algorithm-estimated values for time in bed (TIB), wake time (WT) and bedtime (BT) against self-report and an algorithm developed by van der Berg and colleagues. Secondary analyses of baseline data from the Community Activity for Prevention Study (CAPs) were used in which adults [greater than or equal to] 18 years wore the activPAL for seven days. Mixed-effects models compared differences between TIB, WT, and BT for all three methods. Bland-Altman plots examined agreement and the two-one-sided test examined equivalence. activPAL was not equivalent to self-report or van der Berg in estimating TIB, but was equivalent to self-report for estimating BT, and was equivalent to van der Berg for estimating WT. The activPAL algorithm requires adjustments before researchers can use it to estimate TIB. However, researchers can use activPAL's option to manually enter self-reported BT and WT to estimate TIB and better understand 24-hour movement patterns.

The digital skeleton of the hindlimbs was evaluated radiographically in 27 standing Brown Swiss heifers. The lateral digital skeleton was significantly longer than its medial counterpart on both a hard (wooden block) and a softer (wooden block covered with a thin rubber mat) surface. There were no significant differences between lengths measured on the hard and the soft surface. The difference between the length of the lateral and medial digits originated at the level of the condyles and increased with P1 and P2. It was partially compensated by a higher third phalanx (P3) in the medial digit, but this did not offset the overall length difference. The findings of this study confirmed that the length asymmetry of the paired digits of cattle documented previously in post-mortem specimens is also present in living cattle. Further investigation is required to determine the clinical relevance of the length asymmetry of the digital skeleton in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Small intestinal obstruction (SIO) is a blockage of the intestinal lumen by blunt foreign bodies, neoplasms originating from the intestinal wall or thick chyme. This study analysed the medical records (only data) of 110 cattle with SIO and described the clinical findings, treatment and outcome. These findings were compared between surviving and non-surviving cattle, and among the affected regions such as the duodenum, jejunum and ileum., Results: Colic occurred in 42.7% (47/110) of the cattle. Rumen motility was absent in all cattle and intestinal motility was reduced or absent in 82.6% (90/109). Ballottement and/or percussion and simultaneous auscultation were positive on the right side in 63.3% (69/109). Little or no faeces in the rectum occurred in 93.6% (102/109) of the cattle. Dilated loops of small intestines could be palpated transrectally in 46.8% (51/109) and the actual obstruction (palpated as a firm mass in the small intestine) in 5.5% (6/109) of the cattle. The main laboratory changes were hypokalaemia (80.9%, 89/110), hypermagnesaemia (75.3% 58/77), hypocalcaemia (71.8%, 56/78), haemoconcentration (66.4%, 73/110), azotaemia (66.4%, 73/110) and positive base excess (63.3%, 62/98). Abnormal ultrasonographic findings included dilated loops of small intestines (94.3%, 83/88) and subjectively reduced or absent small intestinal motility (85.4%, 70/82). The actual obstruction could be visualised in 3.4% (3/89) of the cattle by ultrasonography. In the 14 non-surviving and the 96 surviving cattle the frequencies of abdominal dilatation (57.1%, 8/14 vs. 22.1%, 21/95) and the presence of blood, mucus and/or fibrin in the rectum (92.9%, 13/14 vs. 63.2%, 60/95) were significantly different. Abomasal reflux syndrome was significantly worse in the cattle with duodenal obstruction (26/110) than in those with jejunal (51/110) or ileal obstruction (33/110). A total of 107 cattle underwent right flank laparotomy, and the obstruction was resolved by massaging the affected area or it was removed via enterotomy. Of the 110 cattle, 14 (12.7%) were euthanized and 96 (87.3%) were discharged 3 to 10 days after surgery., Conclusions: Transrectal and/or ultrasonographic diagnosis is the exception, and in almost all cases laparotomy, was required. The prognosis is good provided that surgical treatment is carried out promptly., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: This study was not submitted for ethics committee review because it is a retrospective analysis of medical records of the Clinic of Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich. Ethics approval is unnecessary in patients submitted to a veterinary teaching hospital according to national legislation (ethical committee of the canton of Zurich, Switzerland). Informed consent was obtained from all owners prior to diagnostics or treatment for taking samples of blood, urine and ruminal fluid. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Magnesium alloys present a compelling prospect for absorbable implant materials in orthopedic and trauma surgery. This study evaluates an ultra-high purity, lean magnesium-calcium alloy (X0), both with and without plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) surface modification, in comparison to a clinically utilized WE43 magnesium alloy. It is shown that the mechanical properties of X0 can be tuned to yield a high-strength material suitable for bone screws (with an ultimate tensile strength of 336 MPa) or a ductile material appropriate for intraoperatively deformable plates (with an elongation at fracture of 24 %). Four plate-screw combinations were implanted onto the pelvic bones of six sheep without osteotomy for 8 weeks. Subsequent analysis utilized histology, micro-computed tomography, and light and electron microscopy. All implants exhibited signs of degradation and hydrogen-gas evolution, with PEO-coated X0 implants demonstrating the least volume loss and the most substantial new-bone formation on the implant surface and surrounding cancellous bone. Furthermore, the osteoconductive properties of the X0 implants, when uncoated, exceeded those of the uncoated WE43 implants, as evidenced by greater new-bone formation on the surface. This osteoconductivity was amplified with PEO surface modification, which mitigated gas evolution and enhanced osseointegration, encouraging bone apposition in the cancellous bone vicinity. These findings thus indicate that PEO-coated X0 implants hold substantial promise as a biocompatible and absorbable implant material., Competing Interests: LB and JFL are shareholders of Kairos Medical AG, an ETH Zurich spin-off working on absorbable magnesium-based implants. LB is currently employed by the company. This study and analysis was performed before its foundation., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Biodegradable magnesium is a highly desired material for fracture fixation implants because of its good mechanical properties and ability to completely dissolve in the body over time, eliminating the need for a secondary surgery to remove the implant. Despite extensive research on these materials, there remains a dearth of information regarding critical factors that affect implant performance in clinical applications, such as the in vivo pH and mechanical loading conditions. We developed a measurement system with implantable strain, temperature, pH and motion sensors to characterize magnesium and titanium plates, fixating bilateral zygomatic arch osteotomies in three Swiss alpine sheep for eight weeks. pH 1-2 mm above titanium plates was 6.6 ± 0.4, while for magnesium plates it was slightly elevated to 7.4 ± 0.8. Strains on magnesium plates were higher than on titanium plates, possibly due to the lower Young's modulus of magnesium. One magnesium plate experienced excessive loading, which led to plate failure within 31 h. This is, to our knowledge, the first in vivo strain, temperature, and pH data recorded for magnesium implants used for fracture fixation. These results provide insight into magnesium degradation and its influence on the in vivo environment, and may help to improve material and implant design for future clinical applications., Competing Interests: None., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Objective: To describe the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome of cattle with small intestinal incarceration (SII) through internal and external hernias., Methods: The medical records of 85 cattle with SII admitted between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. The long-term outcome was determined 2 years after discharge., Results: 85 cattle had herniation of the small intestine through congenital or acquired openings in mesentery or omentum (internal herniation; n = 60) or the abdominal wall (external herniation; 25). The most common findings were little or no feces in the rectum (77 of 85 [90.6%]), reduced or absent intestinal motility (76 of 85 [89.4%]), and hypocalcemia (36 of 44 [81.8%]). Thirteen (15.3%) cattle died or were euthanized without surgery. Of the remaining 72 (84.7%) cattle that underwent surgery, 42 survived the procedure. Overall, 52 of 85 cattle (61.2%; 95% CI, 50% to 72%) did not survive to hospital discharge and 33 (38.8%; 95% CI, 28% to 50%) were discharged alive. Of these, 11 (33.3%; 6 with and 5 without hernias closed completely) were still productive in their respective herds 2 years later., Conclusions: The diagnosis of an incarcerated external hernia is usually straightforward, whereas internal SII necessitates laparotomy or postmortem examination for a definitive diagnosis., Clinical Relevance: Internal herniation should be part of the differential diagnosis in cattle with signs of ileus. Immediate surgical treatment is paramount in cattle with SII.

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.