Plateau Level Research Articles

Technique and Outcome of a Modified Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy for Treatment of Concurrent Medial Patellar Luxation and Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture in 76 Stifles.

The main aim of this article is to describe the technique and outcome of a modified tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) that simultaneously levels the tibial plateau and realigns the quadriceps mechanism through medial translation of the proximal tibial segment in dogs less than 15 kg. A retrospective medical records search identified dogs with concurrent cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) and medial patellar luxation (MPL). A study group (76 stifles) treated with a modified TPLO was compared with a non-tibial translation group (45 stifles) corrected with traditional surgical technique. Signalment, arthroscopic findings, adjunctive surgical procedures, osteotomy healing time and complications were recorded. Tibial plateau angle, proximal tibial segment medialization, width of the tibial osteotomy, mechanical medial proximal tibial angle and mechanical medial distal tibial angle were measured and recorded on preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Overall complication rate was 18.4% in the treatment group and 28.9% in the non-tibial translation group. Reluxation occurred in 6.6% of cases in the study group and in 8.8% of cases in the non-tibial translation group. There was no statistical difference in healing time between groups. A modified TPLO can be used to treat patients with concurrent MPL and CCLR with good clinical outcome. Complication rates are comparable to traditional repairs for MPL. No major differences were appreciated between study and a non-tibial translation groups for variables compared.

Modulations of Neuroendocrine Stress Responses During Confinement in Antarctica and the Role of Hypobaric Hypoxia.

The Antarctic continent is an environment of extreme conditions. Only few research stations exist that are occupied throughout the year. The German station Neumayer III and the French-Italian Concordia station are such research platforms and human outposts. The seasonal shifts of complete daylight (summer) to complete darkness (winter) as well as massive changes in outside temperatures (down to -80°C at Concordia) during winter result in complete confinement of the crews from the outside world. In addition, the crew at Concordia is subjected to hypobaric hypoxia of ∼650 hPa as the station is situated at high altitude (3,233 m). We studied three expedition crews at Neumayer III (sea level) (n = 16) and two at Concordia (high altitude) (n = 15) to determine the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on hormonal/metabolic stress parameters [endocannabinoids (ECs), catecholamines, and glucocorticoids] and evaluated the psychological stress over a period of 11 months including winter confinement. In the Neumayer III (sea level) crew, EC and n-acylethanolamide (NAE) concentrations increased significantly already at the beginning of the deployment (p < 0.001) whereas catecholamines and cortisol remained unaffected. Over the year, ECs and NAEs stayed elevated and fluctuated before slowly decreasing till the end of the deployment. The classical stress hormones showed small increases in the last third of deployment. By contrast, at Concordia (high altitude), norepinephrine concentrations increased significantly at the beginning (p < 0.001) which was paralleled by low EC levels. Prior to the second half of deployment, norepinephrine declined constantly to end on a low plateau level, whereas then the EC concentrations increased significantly in this second period during the overwintering (p < 0.001). Psychometric data showed no significant changes in the crews at either station. These findings demonstrate that exposition of healthy humans to the physically challenging extreme environment of Antarctica (i) has a distinct modulating effect on stress responses. Additionally, (ii) acute high altitude/hypobaric hypoxia at the beginning seem to trigger catecholamine release that downregulates the EC response. These results (iii) are not associated with psychological stress.

Biodistribution and radiation dose estimates for 68Ga-DOTA-JR11 in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors

Somatostatin receptor antagonists have shown promise for imaging neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in preclinical studies, but clinical data is still very limited. In this study, we assess the feasibility of using the novel somatostatin antagonist 68Ga-DOTA-JR11 for PET imaging of NETs. Twenty patients with advanced NETs underwent whole-body PET/CT imaging 60min after injection of 169MBq (median) 68Ga-DOTA-JR11 as part of a prospective study. Volumes of interest were drawn around up to four 68Ga-DOTA-JR11-avid lesions per patient (with uptake greater than liver) and standardized uptake values were estimated. Additionally, target-to-normal tissue ratios were calculated. A subset of six patients had additional imaging (25-min dynamic scan of the upper abdomen including, at least partly, cardiac left ventricle, liver, spleen, and kidney, and a whole-body PET/CT scan at 30min post-injection) to determine the time course of tracer distribution and facilitate radiation dose estimates. Absorbed doses were calculated using OLINDA/EXM 1.0. In contrast to the known biodistribution of somatostatin receptor agonists, little or no uptake above background was seen in the pituitary gland, spleen, adrenals, and uninvolved liver; e.g., median spleen SUVmean 1.4 (range: 0.7-1.8), liver SUVmean 1.1 (0.7-1.9). A total of 42 tumor lesions were analyzed with median SUVmax 13.0 (range: 2.9-94), TNR blood 9.3 (1.8-87), TNR spleen 4.9 (1.9-48), TNR kidney 2.2 (0.52-28), and TNR liver 10.5 (2.3-107). Tumor uptake reached plateau levels by 20-30min post-injection. The highest absorbed dose estimates (mGy/MBq) to normal tissues were: urinary bladder wall (0.30; SD 0.06) and kidneys (0.050; SD 0.013). The effective dose (ICRP 103) was 0.022 (SD 0.003) mSv/MBq. 68Ga-DOTA-JR11 demonstrated rapid tumor uptake, high tumor/background ratios, and rapid clearance from blood. The low liver background is advantageous and may facilitate detection of liver metastases. Dosimetric data compare favorably with published data for 68Ga-DOTATATE and 68Ga-DOTATOC.

Prediction of the Long-Term Dissolution Performance of an Immediate-Release Tablet Using Accelerated Stability Studies

A slowdown in dissolution performance has been observed for an immediate release tablet formulation during long-term stability testing. The slowdown was successfully predicted using an accelerated stability study in which the dissolution was tested over a range of temperatures, humidity conditions and storage times. The slowdown was quantified using a calculated parameter referred to as the “acceleration factor” (AF); this is the degree by which the timescale (x-axis) of a dissolution profile needs to be scaled to overlay it on to the dissolution profile obtained at the initial timepoint. The “AF” approach was applicable because it was observed that the shape of the dissolution profile remains consistent even though different dissolution rates were obtained. Under the accelerated stability conditions, the AF is observed to follow an “exponential decay” curve. A predictive model for the long-term stability dissolution was obtained by modeling both the plateau level and the rate constant for the exponential decay curve as functions of temperature and humidity. The long-term stability of product A in packaging was successfully predicted using this model in combination with simulations of the changing relative humidity conditions inside the packaging.

Delivery of customizable compressive patterns to human limbs to investigate vascular reactivity

Objective: Commercial devices for pneumatic compressive treatment of the limbs generally provide predefined stereotyped compressive profiles. The possibility to deliver compressive stimuli with a customizable pressure profile would be useful to differently probe the vascular reactivity to muscle compression (MC) and improve the understanding of MC-induced hyperemia. Aim of this study was the realization of a novel pneumatic system capable of generating adjustable and stable compressive conditions, preceding and following a ‘standard’ MC stimulus. Approach: A custom-made pneumatic system specifically built to this purpose is tested and characterized in 10 subjects. Three different compressive patterns were delivered to the leg: (1) a constant level: 50 mmHg for 50 s; (2) MC: 200 mmHg for 1 s; (3) a complex profile: 20 mmHg for 50 s, 200 mmHg for 1 s, 50 mmHg for 50 s. Main results: The implemented system allowed to deliver graded compressions to the limb characterized by fast transitions (0 to 200 mmHg in 0.5 ± 0.07 s) and stable plateau levels (50.4 ± 0.5 mmHg). Significance: A new, low-cost, pneumatic prototype has been presented and tested in the present study allowing to deliver compressive stimuli with pre-and post-compressions of adjustable level. This device has been conceived for research purposes and may find application in therapeutic compressive treatments.

The microenvironment following oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation-induced BSCB damage in vitro

ObjectiveTo characterize the microenvironment following blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) damage and to evaluate the role of BSCB disruption in secondary damage of spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsA model of BSCB damage was established by co-culture of primary microvascular endothelial cells and glial cells obtained from rat spinal cord tissue followed by oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R). Permeability was evaluated by measuring the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the leakage test of Fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran). The expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were evaluated by Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy. Proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2 and IL-1β), leukocyte chemotactic factors (MIP-1α, MIP-1β) and leukocyte adhesion factors (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) were detected in the culture medium under different conditions by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsThe model of BSCB damage induced by OGD/R was successfully constructed. The maximum BSCB permeability occurred 6–12 hours but not within the first 3 h after OGD/R-induced damage. Likewise, the most significant period of TJ protein loss was also detected 6–12 hours after induction. During the hyper-acute period (3 h) following OGD/R-induced damage of BSCB, leukocyte chemotactic factors and leukocyte adhesion factors were significantly increased in the BSCB model. Pro-inflammation factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS, COX-2), leukocyte chemotactic factors (MIP-1α, MIP-1β) and leukocyte adhesion factors (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) were also sharply produced during the acute period (3–6 hours) and maintained plateau levels 6–12 hours following OGD/R-induced damage, which overlapped with the period of BSCB permeability maximum. A negative linear correlation was observed between the abundance of proinflammatory factors and the expression of TJ proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and a positive linear correlation was found with transendothelial FITC-dextran. ConclusionsSecondary damage continues after primary BSCB damage induced by OGD/R, exhibiting close ties with inflammation injury.

Deep secrets of intermediate-mass giants and supergiants

Context. Recent observational results have demonstrated an increase in the surface Na abundance that correlates with stellar mass for red giants between 2 and 3M⊙. This trend supports evolutionary mixing processes as the explanation for Na overabundances seen in some red giants. In this same mass range, the surface Al abundance was shown to be constant.Aims. Our main aim was to extend the investigation of the Na and Al surface abundances to giants more massive than 3M⊙. We sought to establish accurately whether the Na abundances keep increasing with stellar mass or a plateau is reached. In addition, we investigated whether mixing can affect the surface abundance of Al in giants more massive than 3M⊙.Methods. We obtained new high-resolution spectra of 20 giants in the field of 10 open clusters; 17 of these stars were found to be members of 9 clusters. The giants have masses between 2.5M⊙and 5.6M⊙. A model atmosphere analysis was performed and abundances of up to 22 elements were derived using equivalent widths. Additionally, abundances of C, N, and O were determined using spectrum synthesis. The abundances of Na and Al were corrected for non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) effects. Moreover, to extend the mass range of our sample, we collected from the literature high-quality C, N, O, and Na abundances of 32 Galactic Cepheids with accurate masses in the range between 3M⊙and 14M⊙.Results. The surface abundances of C, N, O, Na, and Al were compared to predictions of stellar evolution models with and without the inclusion of rotation-induced mixing. The surface abundances of most giants and Cepheids of the sample can be explained by models without rotation. For giants above Ȉ2.5M⊙, the Na abundances reach a plateau level of about [Na/Fe] ~ 0.20–0.25 dex (in non-LTE). This is true for both Cepheids and giants in open clusters. Regarding Al, the non-LTE [Al/Fe] ratios are mostly close to solar and suggest that Al is not affected by the first dredge-up up to ~5.0M⊙. Our results support previous works that found models with rotation to overestimate the mixing effects in intermediate-mass stars.

Daptomycin-loaded biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogels enhance drug stability and foster bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus

A drug delivery system based on fully biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogels enabling controlled antibiotic release may support the management of implant-associated infections. In this work, the lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin was encapsulated in hydrogel networks consisting of vinyl sulfonated triblock copolymers of PEG-p(HPMAm-lac1,2) and thiolated hyaluronic acid. High concentrations of active daptomycin exceeding the minimum biofilm eradicating concentration were sustainably eluted from the biodegradable carrier. The drug release profiles were tailored by varying the degree of substitution (DS) of thiol groups of hyaluronic acid, reaching a plateau level after 200 and 330 h for DS values of 53% and 31%, respectively. The hydrogel polymeric network preserved the structural stability of the loaded antibiotic and retained the calcium-dependent daptomycin activity, showing a noticeable biofilm bactericidal effect against a 24 h-old Staphylococcus aureus biofilm in vitro. The two-component thermosensitive hydrogels demonstrated to be an excellent antibiotic releasing scaffold with potential clinical applications in the management of implant-associated infections.

Superelastic behavior of nanostructured Ti 50 Ni 48 Co 2 shape memory alloy with cold rolling processing

Effects of cold rolling followed by annealing on microstructural evolution and superelastic properties of the Ti50Ni48Co2 shape memory alloy were investigated. Results showed that during cold rolling, the alloy microstructure evolved through six basic stages including stress-induced martensite transformation and plastic deformation of martensite, deformation twinning, accumulation of dislocations along twin and variant boundaries in martensite, nanocrystallization, amorphization and reverse transformation of martensite to austenite. After annealing at 400 °C for 1 h, the amorphous phase formed in the cold-rolled specimens was completely crystallized and an entirely nanocrystalline structure was achieved. The value of stress level of the upper plateau in this nanocrystalline alloy was measured as high as 730 MPa which was significantly higher than that of the coarse-grained Ni50Ti50 and Ti50Ni48Co2 alloys. Moreover, the nanocrystalline Ti50Ni48Co2 alloy had a high damping capacity and considerable efficiency for energy storage.

Effect of Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy on Cranial Tibial Subluxation in the Feline Cranial Cruciate Deficient Stifle Joint: An Ex Vivo Experimental Study.

This study evaluated the effects of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy on cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle in a model of feline cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle joint. Quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles were simulated with cables, turnbuckles and a spring in an ex vivo limb model. Cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle were measured radiographically before and after cranial cruciate ligament section, and after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, at postoperative tibial plateau angles of +5°, 0° and -5°. Cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle were not significantly altered after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy with a tibial plateau angle of +5°. Additional rotation of the tibial plateau to a tibial plateau angle of 0° and -5° had no significant effect on cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle, although 2 out of 10 specimens were stabilized by a postoperative tibial plateau angle of -5°. No stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle was observed in this model of the feline stifle, after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Given that stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle was not obtained in this model, simple transposition of the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy technique from the dog to the cat may not be appropriate.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Intra-Articular Structures in the Canine Stifle Joint after Implantation of a Titanium Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy Plate.

To determine the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of anatomical stifle structures with respect to implant positioning after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) using a titanium plate. Selected sagittal and dorsal sequences of pre- and postoperative MRI (1.0 T scanner) of 13 paired (n = 26) sound cadaveric stifle joints were evaluated. The effect of susceptibility artifact on adjacent anatomical stifle structures was graded from 0 to 5. The impact of implant positioning regarding assessment score was calculated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Sagittal turbo spin echo (TSE)-acquired images enabled interpretation of most soft tissue, osseous and cartilage structures without detrimental effect of susceptibility artifact distortions. In T2-weighted TSE images, the cranial cruciate ligament and caudal horn of the medial meniscus could be evaluated, independent of implant position, without any susceptibility artifact in all specimens. T2-weighted fast field echo, water selective, balanced fast field echo and short tau inversion recovery were most markedly affected by susceptibility artifact. In selected TSE sequences, MRI allows evaluation of critical intra-articular structures after titanium TPLO plate implantation. Further investigations with confirmed stifle pathologies in dogs are required, to evaluate the accuracy of MRI after TPLO in clinical cases in this context.

Stratification by interferon-γ release assay level predicts risk of incident TB

IntroductionTargeted testing and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) are priorities on the global health agenda, but LTBI management remains challenging. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the...

Unexpected dietary preferences of Eurasian Spoonbills in the Dutch Wadden Sea: spoonbills mainly feed on small fish not shrimp

After an historical absence, over the last decades Eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia leucorodia have returned to breed on the barrier islands of the Wadden Sea. The area offers an abundance of predator-free nesting habitat, low degrees of disturbance, and an extensive intertidal feeding area with increasing stocks of brown shrimp Crangon crangon, the assumed main prey of P. leucorodia leucorodia. Nevertheless, newly established and expanding colonies of spoonbills have surprisingly quickly reached plateau levels. Here we tested the often stated assertion that spoonbills mainly rely on brown shrimp as food, by quantifying the diet of chicks on the basis of regurgitates and by analysis of blood isotopes using stable isotope Bayesian mixing models. Both methods showed that, rather than brown shrimp being the staple food of spoonbill chicks, small flatfish (especially plaice Pleuronectes platessa) and gobies (Pomatoschistus spp.) were their main prey. Unlike shrimp, small flatfish have been reported to be rather scarce in the Wadden Sea in recent years, which may explain the rapid saturation of colony size due to food-related density-dependent recruitment declines of growing colonies. By way of their diet and colony growth characteristics, spoonbills may thus indicate the availability of small fish in the Wadden Sea. We predict that the recovery to former densities of young flatfish and other juvenile/small fish in the Wadden Sea will be tracked by changing diets (more fish) and an increase in the size of Eurasian Spoonbill colonies across the Wadden Sea.

Zircon U–Pb–Hf constraints from Gongga Shan granites on young crustal melting in eastern Tibet

The Gongga Shan batholith is a complex granitoid batholith on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau with a long history of magmatism spanning from the Triassic to the Pliocene. Late Miocene–Pliocene units are the youngest exposed crustal melts within the entire Asian plate of the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we present in-situ zircon Hf isotope constraints on their magmatic source, to aid the understanding of how these young melts were formed and how they were exhumed to the surface. Hf isotope signatures of Eocene to Pliocene zircon rims (ɛHf(t) = −4 to +4), interpreted to have grown during localised crustal melting, are indicative of melting of a Neoproterozoic source region, equivalent to the nearby exposed Kangding Complex. Therefore, we suggest that Neoproterozoic crust underlies this region of the Songpan–Ganze terrane, and sourced the intrusive granites that form the Gongga Shan batholith. Localised young melting of Neoproterozoic lower or middle crust requires localised melt-fertile lithologies. We suggest that such melts may be equivalent to seismic and magnetotelluric low-velocity and high-conductivity zones or “bright spots” imaged across much of the Tibetan Plateau. The lack of widespread exposed melts this age is due either to the lack of melt-fertile rocks in the middle crust, the very low erosion level of the Tibetan plateau, or to a lack of mechanism for exhuming such melts. For Gongga Shan, where some melting is younger than nearby thermochronological ages of low temperature cooling, the exact process and timing of exhumation remains enigmatic, but their location away from the Xianshuihe fault precludes the fault acting as a conduit for the young melts. We suggest that underthrusting of dry granulites of the lower Indian crust (Archaean shield) this far northeast is a plausible mechanism to explain the uplift and exhumation of the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

Impact of Glutathione Peroxidase-1 (Gpx1) Genotype on Selenoenzyme and Transcript Expression When Repleting Selenium-Deficient Mice.

Glutathione peroxidase (Gpx1) is the major selenoprotein in most tissues in animals. Knockout (KO) of Gpx1 decreases Gpx1 activity to near zero and substantially reduces liver selenium (Se) levels, but has no overt effects in otherwise healthy mice. To investigate the impact of deletion of Gpx1 on Se metabolism, Se flux, and apparent Se requirements, KO, Gpx1 heterozygous (Het), and Gpx1 wild-type (WT) mice were fed Se-deficient diet for 17weeks, then repleted with graded levels of Se (0-0.3μg Se/g as Na2SeO3) for 7days, and selenoprotein activities and transcripts were determined in blood, liver, and kidney. Se deficiency decreased the activities of plasma Gpx3, liver Gpx1, liver Txnrd, and liver Gpx4 to 3, 0.3, 11, and 50% of WT Se-adequate levels, respectively, but the Gpx1 genotype had no effect on growth or changes in activity or expression of selenoproteins other than Gpx1. Se repletion increased selenoprotein transcripts to Se-adequate levels after 7days; Se response curves and apparent Se requirements for selenoprotein transcripts were similar to those observed in studies starting with Se-adequate mice. With short-term Se repletion, selenoenzyme activities resulted in three Se response curve patterns: (1) liver and kidney Gpx1, Gpx4, and Txnrd activities were sigmoidal or hyperbolic with breakpoints (0.08-0.19μg Se/g) that were double those observed in studies starting with Se-adequate mice; (2) red blood cell Gpx1 activity was not significantly changed; and (3) plasma Gpx3 activity only increased substantially with 0.3μg Se/g. Plasma Gpx3 is secreted from kidney. In this short-term study, kidney Gpx3 mRNA reached plateau levels at 0.1μg Se/g, and other kidney selenoenzyme activities reached plateau levels at ≤0.2μg Se/g, so sufficient Se should have been present in kidney. Thus, the delayed increase in plasma Gpx3 activity suggests that newly synthesized and secreted kidney Gpx3 is preferentially retained in kidney or rapidly cleared by binding to basement membranes in kidney or in other tissues. This repletion study shows that loss of capacity to incorporate Se into Gpx1 in Gpx1 KO mice does not dramatically alter expression of other Se biomarkers, nor the short-term flux of Se from intestine to liver to kidney.

Population density shapes patterns of survival and reproduction in Eleutheria dichotoma (Hydrozoa: Anthoathecata)

Budding hydromedusae have high reproductive rates due to asexual reproduction and can occur in high population densities along the coasts, specifically in tidal pools. In laboratory experiments, we investigated the effects of population density on the survival and reproductive strategies of a single clone of Eleutheria dichotoma. We found that sexual reproduction occurs with the highest rate at medium population densities. Increased sexual reproduction was associated with lower budding (asexual reproduction) and survival probability. Sexual reproduction results in the production of motile larvae that can, in contrast to medusae, seek to escape unfavorable conditions by actively looking for better environments. The successful settlement of a larva results in starting the polyp stage, which is probably more resistant to environmental conditions. This is the first study that has examined the life-history strategies of the budding hydromedusa E. dichotoma by conducting a long-term experiment with a relatively large sample size that allowed for the examination of age-specific mortality and reproductive rates. We found that most sexual and asexual reproduction occurred at the beginning of life following a very rapid process of maturation. The parametric models fitted to the mortality data showed that population density was associated with an increase in the rate of aging, an increase in the level of late-life mortality plateau, and a decrease in the hidden heterogeneity in individual mortality rates. The effects of population density on life-history traits are discussed in the context of resource allocation and the r/K-strategies’ continuum concept.

An experimental study to determine suitable injection strategies for water-alternating-solvent process in green and brownfields

Considering more than 50% of oil is left on average after primary and secondary methods in conventional reservoirs, techniques to recover the remaining oil from these proven and mature reserves is critically important to meet the future energy demand. One of the ways to achieve this is to inject miscible solvents (usually gas), which is performed in the form of water-alternating gas rather than continuous injection of this type of expensive material. In this case, the process should be optimally designed for slug sizes and proper sequences of the solvent considering several controlling parameters including past history of waterflooding (water content) and wettability.We performed a set of experiments on vertically situated sand pack models saturated with 14cp oil. Heptane was selected as the solvent phase due to high miscibility conditions. Tests were started with waterflooding or solvent injection. Different slug sizes of solvent and water were tested on fully oil-saturated water, oil-wet samples, and samples with connate water (10 and 30%). The amounts of oil and solvent retrieved were monitored using refractometer. Using the collected data, the recovery rates and ultimate recoveries were comparatively analyzed. In addition to the technical feasibility, an economic analysis was performed considering the amount of solvent injected, oil and solvent recovered, and time for recovery.Starting the process with heptane was technically and economically feasible (pay-out time is shorter) in the short run for both the oil- and water-wet cases. This was especially true if the rock were oil-wet, which yielded faster recovery and higher ultimate recovery. Excessive water injection (up to the plateau level) preceding the solvent injection in the oil-wet case resulted in lower recovery factor whereas this design was very effective in the water-wet case. Therefore, the time to switch to solvent injection was critical in the oil-wet case and a short initial cycle of solvent injection followed by short waterflooding cycle is suggested. In the oil-wet case, initial waterflooding resulted in an inefficient process; while it yielded high ultimate recoveries, the process time was longer than other injection options. In the water-wet case, a greater amount of solvent was needed in the first cycle.

A retrospective comparison of two analgesic strategies after uncomplicated tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in dogs

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and side effects of postoperative methadone administered according to pain score (PS) or every 4 hours (Q4), after unilateral uncomplicated tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs in which a peripheral nerve block (PNB) was administered. Study designRetrospective, case-control study. AnimalsClinical records of dogs that underwent a TPLO in 2015 were retrieved; 136 out of 174 dogs were included: 52 assigned to group PS, 84 to group Q4. MethodsIn group PS, methadone was administered according to the short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF), whereas in group Q4 methadone was administered at 4 hour intervals. Demographic data, anaesthetic technique, surgery time, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, PNB performed, local anaesthetic used and dose, anti-inflammatory drugs administered, end-expiratory fraction of isoflurane, perioperative opioid consumption, time to first postoperative methadone administration, pain scores, time to first pain score, food intake, number of postoperative observations, presence/absence of specific keywords representing the general state and behaviour of the animal, use of the operated limb and reaction to wound palpation were retrieved. Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, Student t test or Mann–Whitney U test were used, considering p<0.05 significant. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, when indicated. ResultsFour times more methadone was administered to dogs in group Q4, and whilst not having lower pain scores or better short-term outcome (e.g. toe-touching and weight bearing), were 23.42 times (1.37 to 400.40) more likely to vomit, 3.76 (1.50 to 9.49) more likely to vocalize, and their food intake was 38% less than dogs in group PS. No dogs in group PS vomited postoperatively. Conclusions and clinical relevanceAdministration of methadone Q4 caused more side effects than administration guided by CMPS-SF. This should be considered when planning postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing uncomplicated TPLO and in which a PNB has been performed.

Long-term complications following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy in small dogs with tibial plateau angles > 30°

Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is commonly performed for surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease. It has been suggested that small dogs may have steeper tibial plateau angles...

Long-term radio and X-ray evolution of the tidal disruption event ASASSN-14li

We report on late time radio and X-ray observations of the tidal disruption event candidate ASASSN-14li, covering the first 1000 days of the decay phase. For the first $\sim200$ days the radio and X-ray emission fade in concert. This phase is better fit by an exponential decay at X-ray wavelengths, while the radio emission is well described by either an exponential or the canonical $t^{-5/3}$ decay assumed for tidal disruption events. The correlation between radio and X-ray emission during this period can be fit as $L_{R}\propto L_{X}^{1.9\pm0.2}$. After 400 days the radio emission at $15.5\,\textrm{GHz}$ has reached a plateau level of $244\pm8\,\mu\textrm{Jy}$ which it maintains for at least the next 600 days, while the X-ray emission continues to fade exponentially. This steady level of radio emission is likely due to relic radio lobes from the weak AGN-like activity implied by historical radio observations. We note that while most existing models are based upon the evolution of ejecta which are decoupled from the central black hole, the radio : X-ray correlation during the declining phase is also consistent with core jet emission coupled to a radiatively efficient accretion flow.