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The Netherlands and Denmark are the two biggest pig meat exporters in Europe, both with a strong focus on the German market. The structure of pig farms is very different: an average Danish pig farm has 3500 pigs, 170 ha of agricultural land on which a major part of the feed cereals are grown, whereas a typical Dutch pig farm has 2500 pigs with only 10 ha. As a consequence, Dutch pig farmers have to purchase all feedstuff and need to dispose nearly all the manure off-farm. A literature based study revealed that the main factors for the contrasting development were a stronger competition for land, resulting in higher land prices, and stimulation of intensive animal husbandry in the Netherlands, while in Demark environmental policies more strongly coupled manure production to land area. As a result the Dutch pig farmers have focused on intensification of livestock production on small holdings using external sources of feed supply, and Danish farmers on efficient production of feed cereals on large holdings. Due to a gradual lowering of manure and fertiliser application standards, Dutch farmers increasingly have to process manure and export manure, further increasing the total costs of pig production. Manure disposal costs per kg of slaughter weight in 2011 were on average 3.5 times higher in the Netherlands than in Denmark. Manure is exported mainly to Germany and France, which also supply the feed cereals. Therefore manure export contributes to closure of nutrient cycles. Danish pig farmers are less sensitive to nutrient policies and feed prices than those in the Netherlands, but the high debt rate makes the sector vulnerable to low pig prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The goal of this article is to consolidate the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) Upper Extremity Committee's (UEC's) current knowledge on rotator cuff disease and management, as well as highlight key unresolved issues. The rotator cuff is an anatomically complex structure important for providing glenohumeral function and stability as part of a closed chain system. Current consensus suggests rotator cuff injuries are most accurately diagnosed, at levels similar to diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging, with a combination of cuff- and impingement-specific clinical tests. Updates in the understanding of acromion morphology, the insertional anatomy of the rotator cuff, and the role of suprascapular nerve release may require changes to current classification systems and surgical strategies. Although initial management focuses on nonoperative protocols, discussion continues on whether surgery for isolated impingement is clinically more beneficial than rehabilitation. However, clear indications have yet to be established for the use of single- versus double-row repair because evidence confirms neither is clinically efficacious than the other. Biceps tenodesis, however, in non-isolated cuff tears has proven more successful in addressing the etiology of shoulder pain and yields improved outcomes over tenotomy. Data reviewing the benefits of tendon transfers, shoulder prostheses, and mechanical scaffolds, as well as new research on the potential benefit of platelet-rich plasma, pluripotential stem cells, and gene therapies, will also be presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) is an internationally-used patient-based outcome score. Up to now, it was not validated in Dutch. The purpose of this study was to produce a Dutch translation of the OSS and to test this version in terms of reliability and validity. Methods: Translation of the OSS was done according to the guidelines in literature. One hundred and three patients completed the Dutch version of the OSS. Additionally, the Constant-Murley shoulder score, the (Dutch) Simple Shoulder Test (DSST) score, and SF-36 were included into the validation process. Feasibility and patient-burden parameters were also tested. Results: One-hundred and three patients with general shoulder problems age 55 years (min-max: 21-81 ± 13yrs), sex ratio 2/3 (f/m) completed the Dutch version of the OSS and the SF-36. Internal consistency tested by the Cronbach''s alpha (0.921) was high. Intra-class correlation coefficient was R = .981 (95% confidence interval: .961 – .993) and the mean difference between both tests was 2.7 points (0-8). Construct validity was also tested by the Pearson correlation coefficient and showed a significant correlation (P < .01) between the Dutch version of the OSS and the other scores (DSST 0.61; the Constant-Murley score 0.64 and with most of the SF-36 sub-scores, except for 2 psychometric subscales, namely, mental health (0.15 [P = .123]) and general health (0.10 [P = .316]) Conclusion: The instrument proved to be valid by demonstrating significant correlations predicted by standard clinical assessments (DSST and Constant-Murley scores) and a generic patient-based instrument (SF-36). Application and evaluation in clinical trial proved feasible and understandable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To determine factors that cause reoperation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and determine which cause of reoperation can be addressed to help to improve technical aspects of the initial procedure. Methods: Between 1988 and 1998, 436 patients underwent an ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon. We analyzed all 207 patients who had a bone–patellar tendon–bone reconstruction (BPTB). The same technique was used in all operations, which consisted of the 1-incision endoscopic approach with autologous central third patellar–tendon graft. Of these patients, 196 were available for full evaluation. Evaluation included: a detailed history, physical examination, functional knee ligament testing, KT-1000 arthrometer testing, One-leg-hop testing, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and the International Knee Documentation Committee standard evaluation form. All technical surgical aspects concerning the index operation and the reoperations were collected and evaluated in detail to detect predictors for failure or improvement. Position of the graft was measured radiographically using the Amis circle and Taylor score. Results: The average age of the 196 patients at the time of the operation was 34 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 7.4 years. Seventy-seven reoperations were performed in 54 (27.6%) patients during a period of 83 months postsurgery. Reoperations were done between day 22 and 83 months post–ACL reconstruction. Indications for reoperations were: pain caused by fixation material (n = 25); meniscal lesions (n = 24); cyclops lesion (n = 16); donor site morbidity (n = 5); re-rupture of the ACL (n = 5); posterior cruciate ligament rupture (n = 1); and a medial collateral ligament lesion (n = 1). A more ventral position of the graft on the femur (Amis <60%) was correlated with a higher frequency of meniscal lesions and cyclops lesions (P < .01). Patients who had a meniscal lesion after an ACL reconstruction had significantly lower Lysholm (P < .05) and Tegner scores (P < .01). Conclusions: A large percentage of the patients (27.6%) required additional surgical procedures after patellar tendon autograft ACL reconstruction. A poor position of the graft resulted in cyclops and meniscal lesions. Analyzing the reasons for reoperations gives information about how to improve our surgical technique. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Previously, the shape of the inferior glenoid has been described as a circle with a bare spot being the center of that circle. This cadaveric study was done to test that statement. Forty cadaveric scapulae were used in this study. Two researchers used a digital image analysis program to assess the shape of the inferior glenoid and measured the distances from the bare spot to the anterior, inferior, and posterior cartilage and the bone rim. In 39 of 40 scapulae, the inferior glenoid had the shape of a true circle. Statistical analysis showed that the center of the bare spot is not the mathematical center of the inferior glenoid, but the differences in distances to the anterior, inferior, and posterior rims were very small (1.16-2.41 mm). Both observations can be used for further development of methods for measuring glenoid bone loss in patients with anterior glenohumeral instability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]