Front fetlock joint angle (FA) measurement might predict musculoskeletal injury. This study aimed to identify an accurate reliable tool, and develop a consistent method for measuring the FA. Fetlock centre of rotation was identified radiographically. Goniometer measurements were validated on ten vertically fixed post-mortem distal forelimbs by positioning the centre of rotation of the goniometer on the approximate centre of rotation of the joint for five measurements of each FA at three day intervals and one measurement by another person (rater B). Both FA’s of fourteen sound horses standing squarely on a concrete floor were repeated before and after lifting the contralateral limb, which was flexed at the carpus and held at the same level as the carpus of the standing limb. Consistency of measurements was assessed using both fetlock joints of five horses standing squarely on a concrete floor measured six times in random order and then with the contralateral limb lifted using both front fetlocks of eight horses measured five times in random order. The repeatability coefficient was calculated with WinPepi v10.5 software. The centre of rotation was on or around the eminence of the lateral collateral ligament. The repeatability coefficient of the goniometer validation was 4.7°. The mean FA for rater A and B were not significantly different (161.4° versus 162.9°). FA’s were significantly less after lifting the contralateral limbs (P
Abdulrhman M. Alrtib, Helen M S Davies(7-2012)

Animals alter their locomotor mechanics to adapt to a loss of limb function. To better understand their compensatory mechanisms, this study evaluated the changes in the fore-aft ground forces to forelimb lameness and tested the hypothesis that dogs unload the affected limb by producing a nose-up pitching moment via the exertion of a net-propulsive force when the lame limb is on the ground. Seven healthy Beagles walked and trotted at steady speed on an instrumented treadmill while horizontal force data were collected before and after a moderate lameness was induced. Peak, mean and summed braking and propulsive forces as well as the duration each force was exerted and the time to reach maximum force were evaluated for both the sound and the lame condition. Compared with the sound condition, a net-propulsive force was produced by the lame diagonal limbs due to a reduced braking force in the affected forelimb and an increased propulsive force in the contralateral hindlimb when the dogs walked and trotted. To regain pitch stability and ensure steady speed for a given locomotor cycle, the dogs produced a net-braking force when the sound diagonal limbs were on the ground by exerting greater braking forces in both limbs during walking and additionally reducing the propulsive force in the hindlimb during trotting. Consistent with the proposed mechanism, dogs maximize their double support phases when walking. Likely associated with the fore-aft force adaptations to lameness are changes in muscle recruitment that potentially result in short- and long-term effects on the limb and trunk muscles. arabic 13 English 78
Jalal Mohamed Abdelhadi(12-2012)

The effect of low and high doses of Salmonella enteritidis PT4 (SE) on immunocompetent cells in caecum and spleen of one-day-old chicks was investigated. Subsets of T lymphocytes positive for CD3, CD4, CD8 and B lymphocytes (Bu1b-positive cells) were counted in the caecum after immunohistochemical staining and the relative percentage of these cells in the spleen was analysed using a FACScan cytometer on days 7, 10, 14, 21, and 27 post-inoculation (pi). In the low dose group, the number of CD3+ and CD4+ cells in the caecum had significantly increased at day 10 pi. Both CD8+ and Bu1b+ cells were significantly higher on day 14 pi in this group. In the high-dose group, the number of CD4+ cells had significantly increased at day 7 pi. CD3+, CD8+, and Bu1b+ cells showed prolonged proliferation at days 7 up to 21 pi. Splenic lymphocytes demonstrated significant changes only in the high dose group. The percentage of splenic CD4+ cells was decreased at day 7 pi. A decrease in CD3+ and CD8+ cells was found at day 14 pi in this group.
Abdulatif Asheg(11-2002)