Traumatic reticuloperitonitis in a flock of sheep

(The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, ultrasonographical, and pathological findings of traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) with its complications in a flock of sheep. Thirteen sheep in a flock died within one month's duration before two sheep were admitted to the Firat University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Three additional dead sheep were submitted for necropsy. A tentative diagnosis of TRP on two of the sheep was made based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings. A needle perforating the reticulum was removed from each sheep by surgery. The two sheep improved after the surgery. The necropsy revealed fibrous adhesions and a fistular connection between the dorso-ventral face of the reticulum to diaphragma and pericardium with 3 cm syringe needles in the other three sheep. There were congophylic amyloid deposits in the glomerular tufts, Bowman capsule and vascular walls of the liver, kidneys and spleen. Additionally, there was centrilobular necrosis indicating heart failure.Taken together; TRP is rarely seen in sheep; however, TRP and its complications may cause economic losses in sheep flocks. Ultrasonographic examination of the reticular area in sheep may be used as an ancillary diagnostic technique

Histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment of nervus radialis and nervus ulnaris injuries in rabbits

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture in acute and chronic phases of radial and ulnar nerve injuries in histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical aspects. In the study, the rabbits were divided into four groups namely acute nerve injury (ANI) group, chronic nerve injury (CNI) group, positive control (PC) group and negative control (NC) group. In the ANI, CNI and PC groups, damage was created on the nervus radialis and nervus ulnaris by applying pressure for 60 seconds using a hemostatic forceps under anesthesia. No damage was created in the NC group. Fifteen sessions of electroacupuncture were applied to the rabbits in the ANI, CNI, and NC groups every other day using LI-4 (Large Intestine Meridian-4, He Gu), LI-10 (Large Intestine Meridian-10, Shou San Li), LR-3 (Liver Meridian-3, Tai Chong), and ST-36 (Stomach Meridian-36, Zusanli) electroacupuncture points. Electroacupuncture was not applied to the rabbits in the PC group. Decapitation was performed under general anesthesia at the end of electroacupuncture applications. After the euthanasia procedure, the samples obtained were evaluated for histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, degenerative foci in the treatment groups were found to be fewer than in the PC group whereas NGF and S-100 immunoreactivity were higher in the treatment groups than in the PC group. Whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the treatment groups and the NC group in terms of oxidative stress factors, there was a statistically significant difference between the treatment groups and the PC group. In light of all these data, we have concluded that electroacupuncture is an effective treatment method for peripheral nerve injuries

A windows-based computing tool for rainwater tank analysis and design in multistorey developments

During the current years of water shortage in Australia, the rainwater tank has become an icon of water saving and conservation. For a property owner, one of the considerations in installation of a rainwater tank is how much money a rainwater tank can save over the life time of the tank considering all the costs involved such as the capital cost, operational cost and government subsidy. However, other factors play important role in making decision such as ability of tanks to keep gardens alive during water restrictions and stormwater management benefits. To plan and design a rainwater tank for a given development, many questions need to be answered such as what would be the optimum tank size, how much water and money can be saved and how does a rainwater tank perform during drought years. This paper presents an analytical computer-based tool that can be used to analyse and design rainwater tanks in multistorey buildings. This computer based tool requires various input values such as plot size, roof area, lawn area, daily rainfall data, water demand data, capital cost of the rainwater tank, maintenance cost, interest/discount rates and water price. The output of the tool includes tank size versus water savings graph, benefit-cost ratio and reliability of the rainwater tank in supplying water. An example is included in the paper to demonstrate the application of the program. The program helps to examine various scenarios in relation to the planning and design of a rainwater tank for a multistorey development project. The tool is freely available at this stage by contacting the authors

Viabilidade técnica de implantação de sistema de aproveitamento de água pluvial para fins não potáveis em universidade

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar a viabilidade técnica de implantação de sistema de aproveitamento de águas pluviais para fins não potáveis em uma edificação com salas de aula e anfiteatros na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, no município de Uberlândia. Dois tipos de análise foram realizadas: sob o ponto de vista quantitativo, verificando se a quantidade de água pluvial coletada supre satisfatoriamente a demanda por água não potável; e sob o ponto de vista qualitativo, verificando se, após o descarte dos primeiros milímetros de precipitação, a água pluvial coletada possui qualidade suficiente para atender a essa demanda. Os resultados indicam que a implantação desse sistema é viável do ponto de vista quantitativo, pois, durante a simulação pelo Método Netuno, obtiveram-se volumes do reservatório de acumulação com intervalo de 7,9 m3 a 18,2 m3 para um potencial de economia de água potável entre 18,2% e 53,2%. Além disso, os resultados qualitativos indicam que a implantação desse sistema é viável, pois, descartando-se os primeiros 2,5 mm de precipitação após o período de estiagem e implantando-se um sistema de retenção de sólidos suspensos mais eficiente, todos os parâmetros analisados durante a pesquisa atendem às normas NBR 15527 (ABNT, 2007), NBR 13969 (ABNT, 1997) e Manual de Conservação e Reuso da Água (AGÊNCIA..., 2005)