Application of a new integrated low-profile anterior plate and cage system in single-level cervical spondylosis: a preliminary retrospective study

Background Although ACDF has been widely used in treating cervical spondylosis and related diseases, the complications along with this anterior surgical technique have hindered its application and affected the postoperative outcome of the patients. Here, we investigated the clinical and radiological outcomes of a new integrated low-profile anterior plate and cage system for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in treating cervical spondylosis. Methods A total of 96 cervical spondylosis patients who underwent single-level ACDF between 2018 to 2020 in our institute were enrolled. There were 28 patients using the new implants and 68 patients using the zero-profile (Zero-P) implants. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and the visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The cervical and segmental Cobb angle and range of motion (ROM) were used to assessed the radiological outcomes. Incidence of complications were also recorded. All data were recorded at pre-operation, 6-month and 12-month post-operation. Results All patients were followed-up for at least 1-year, the mean follow-up time was over one year. The fusion rate was similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference in the postoperative JOA score recovery rate, postoperative VAS score of neck and arm pain, postoperative ROM, and incidence of complications between two groups (P > 0.05). However, postoperative cervical and segmental Cobb angle were better maintained in the new low-profile implant group compared to Zero-P group. Conclusions The clinical outcomes of the new low-profile implant were satisfactory and comparable to that of zero-profile system. It may have advantages in improving and maintaining the cervical lordosis, and can be an alternative device for single-level cervical spondylosis treated with ACDF.

Sayısal Yöntemlerle Belirlenen Yumurta Parametreleri Üzerine Yumurtalama Zamanı ve Kafes Katı Farklılığının Etkisi

In this study, the White Layer Pure Line that housing as individual cage system at the Poultry Research Institute in Ankara was used. Eggs obtained from 24, 28, 32, 36 and 40 weeks old eggs were collected 3 times a day in the morning (10:00), noon (12:00) and evening (15:00). Egg Size and Egg Width (YBE), Shape Index and Elongation (SIE), Egg Surface Area and Volume (YAH), Shell Weight and Shell Thickness (CAS), Number of Pores and Pore Density (GSY), Yellow Ratio and Yellow Weight (SOA), Albumen Weight and Albumen Ratio (AO) were examined in 438 eggs obtained from these chickens found in these cages which are three tiers as upper, middle and bottom. The difference in cage layer did not have a significant effect on the calculated properties. On the other hand, the effect of on all traits obtained from these calculations based on egg weight was found to be significant.

The Expert Perception on Development and Usability of Teaching Aids ‘Kit’ Mini Model (Cage System) for Aquaculture Course

The increasing technology as changed the learning methods nowadays which clearly presents a new challenge to educators. Moreover, following the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world at this time completely inhibits the teaching and learning process to be done entirely online. This clearly presents difficulties to teachers and students, as there are subjects that require practice to improve skills and better understanding. Among the limited access for teachers during the online learning and teaching process is that teachers can only explain and display pictures and show videos. At the same time, students need skills and understanding related to a subject studied. Also, students may not be able to accurately identify the types of systems found in the subjects studied. For example, for aquaculture subjects, the process of online teaching and learning can actually be done. However, this subject also requires practical and field work for students. In aquaculture subjects, in particular, teaching aids play an important role in understanding the cage farming system concept in the teaching process because there are various farming systems used in the aquaculture industry. The development of teaching aid is a crucial phase to make sure the teaching aids develop in accordance with the objectives and topics learning. Therefore, it is important to have an expert perception of the development and usability of the Teaching Aids kit mini model (Cage system). This study consisted of 9 experts as an evaluator consisting of experienced lecturers in the technical field of Faculty Technical. This study uses a quantitative assessment method (questionnaire).  A set of questionnaires was distributed to the experts to obtain the required information and data. All data obtained were analyzed using computer software' Statistical Package For Social Science SPSS version 24 to obtain the frequency, percentage and mean through descriptive statistic. The study's findings show that the level of experts' perception of “Teaching Aids kit mini model (Cage system) development and usability is necessary and positive. The study's conclusion illustrates the need for the development of a teaching aids kit mini model (cage system) for teachers to increase the level of understanding and skills of individual students in the teaching and learning process for aquaculture subjects.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Using Zero-P System for Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective. The current study aimed to explore the efficacy of Zero profile intervertebral fusion system (Zero-P) and traditional anterior plate cage system (PC) in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Further, the present study evaluated effects of the treatments on medical security, height of intervertebral disc, adjacent-level ossification development (ALOD), and adjacent segmentation disease (ASD) through a systematic retrospective analysis. Methods. Studies on Zero-P system and traditional anterior plate cage system for ACDF in the treatment of CSM were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Two independent researchers screened articles, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of the articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the current study. RevMan5.3 software was used for meta-analysis following the guidelines of Cochrane collaboration network. Cervical curvature, interbody fusion rate, preoperative and postoperative disc height index (DHI), fusion cage sinking rate, postoperative dysphagia, ASD, ALOD, and loosening of screw were compared between the two groups. Results. A total of 17 literatures were included in the present study, including 6 randomized controlled trials and 11 observational studies. The studies comprised a total of 1204 patients with CSM, including 605 patients in the Zero-P system group (Zero-P group) and 599 patients in the traditional animal plate cage group (PC group). Results of this meta-analysis showed that postoperative dysphagia [OR = 0.40, CI (0.28, 95% 0.58), P < 0.00001], ALOD [OR = 0.09, CI (0.02, 95% 0.39), P = 0.001], ASD [OR = 0.42, CI (0.20, 95% 0.86), P = 0.02], and screw loosening [OR = 0.20, CI (0.08, 95% 0.52), P = 0.0009] of the Zero-P group were significantly lower compared with the PC group. On the other hand, preoperative cervical curvature [WMD = −0.23, CI (−1.38, 95% 0.92), P = 0.69], postoperative cervical curvature [WMD = −0.38, CI (−1.77, 95% 1.01), P = 0.59], cage sinking rate [OR = 1.41, CI [0.52, 95% 3.82], P = 0.50], intervertebral fusion rate [OR = 0.76, CI (0.27, 95% 2.48), P = 0.38], preoperative DHI [WMD = −0.04, CI (−0.14, 95% 0.22), P = 0.65], and postoperative DHI [WMD = 0.06, CI (−0.22, 95% 0.34), P = 0.675] were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion. It was evident that the Zero-P system used in ACDF is superior compared with the traditional anterior plate cage system in postoperative dysphagia, avoiding ALOD, ASD, and screw loosening.

Kafes Sistemi ve Yerleşim Sıklığının Yumurta Tavuklarının Performansı, Yumurta Kalitesi ve Yumurta Kabuğunun Mikrobiyal Yükü Üzerine Etkisi

This study was carried out to determine the effects of two different cage systems (enriched and conventional) and low and high stocking densities on performance, egg quality and egg shell microorganisms. In study, two different genotypes were used to native (Atak-S) and foreign (Lohmann) hens occurred of 864 hens used. As the cage system, the battery type was used in the conventional system and the enriched cage type was used in the alternative system. The results indicated that genotype and cage system significantly affected egg production and egg mass in the laying period (18-76 weeks). It was determined that Lohmann genotype and conventional cages had significantly higher egg production and egg mass in this period. It was seen that hens consumed significantly higher feed in enriched cages than in conventional cages, and were significantly better feed conversion ratio in low stocking density compared to high stocking density. The effects of genotype and cages system on the quality characteristics of eggs were found to be significant, and it was determined quality characteristics of Lohmann eggs were better (especially eggshell quality. In addition, it was understood that the internal quality of the eggs in the conventional cages and the external quality characteristics of the eggs in the enriched system were positively affected. The total numbers of microorganisms were determined to be higher on shell of eggs from enriched cages than conventional cages. The total numbers of microorganisms were higher in enriched cage eggs compared to conventional cage eggs. However, stocking density was not a significant effect on the microbial load of the eggshell.

The Use of the Dynamics of Changes in Table Eggs during Storage to Predict the Age of Eggs Based on Selected Quality Traits

The aim of the study was to determine daily changes in some egg quality parameters, indirectly reflecting egg freshness, and to assess the possibility of predicting time from laying using mathematical methods. The study material consisted of 365 table eggs of medium (M, ≥53 g and <63 g) and large (L, ≥63 g and <73 g) weight classes (commercial stock, cage system, brown-shelled eggs) collected on the same day. Eggs were numbered individually and placed on transport trays and stored (14 °C, 70% RH). Every day, for 35 days, egg quality characteristics were analyzed (10 eggs per group). The change of traits in time was analyzed on the basis of linear and polynomial regression equations, depending on the trait. Based on model fitting, eight traits were selected as those most affected by storage time: egg weight and specific weight, Haugh units, albumen weight, air cell depth, yolk index, albumen and yolk pH. These traits, excluding those related to the weight, were then used in a multiple linear regression model to predict egg age. All regression models presented in this study were characterized by high predictive efficiency, which was confirmed by comparison of the observed and estimated values.

Development of a Hamster Natural Transmission Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to an international thrust to study pathogenesis and evaluate interventions. Experimental infection of hamsters and the resulting respiratory disease is one of the preferred animal models since clinical signs of disease and virus shedding are similar to more severe cases of human COVID-19. The main route of challenge has been direct inoculation of the virus via the intranasal route. To resemble the natural infection, we designed a bespoke natural transmission cage system to assess whether recipient animals housed in physically separate adjacent cages could become infected from a challenged donor animal in a central cage, with equal airflow across the two side cages. To optimise viral shedding in the donor animals, a low and moderate challenge dose were compared after direct intranasal challenge, but similar viral shedding responses were observed and no discernible difference in kinetics. The results from our natural transmission set-up demonstrate that most recipient hamsters are infected within the system developed, with variation in the kinetics and levels of disease between individual animals. Common clinical outputs used for the assessment in directly-challenged hamsters, such as weight loss, are less obvious in hamsters who become infected from naturally acquiring the infection. The results demonstrate the utility of a natural transmission model for further work on assessing the differences between virus strains and evaluating interventions using a challenge system which more closely resembles human infection.

FEEDING FREQUENCY AND DENSITY OF MICROALGAE PASTE (CHLORELLA VULGARIS) IN THE DIET OF DEKALB UNDER BATTERY CAGE SYSTEM

Poultry products are the major source of animal protein for most people throughout the world and egg production is the major index of performance of commercial layer business and the avenue in the potential increase ofincome from the enterprise which focuses onegg yield, weight of eggs, and increasing their quality production to enhance economic performance.Microalgae is certainly an interesting solution, it aims to increase its value as an animal feed additive in new commercial applications. The experimental research was used in this study to evaluate the laying performance and egg quality of DeKalb under two feeding regimen such as feeding density andfrequency of microalgae paste Chlorella vulgaris under battery type cage system. The experiment was conducted in acompletely randomized designwith a period of 30 days with 81 Dekalb of the same age. The experimental diet used were commercial feeds,microalgae paste and feeding frequencies of 4 times, 3 times and 2 times.Egg characteristics such as total number of eggs, egg weight (g), egg length (mm), egg width (mm) and shape index (%) were computed based on the data from feeding frequency and density. The costs of feeds and price of grown Dekalb and some material used were used in the computation of return on investment. Based on the result, the effect on the external quality of eggs fed under different feeding densities and frequencies on egg production, egg width, egg weight, egg length and shape index resulted to not significantthe null hypothesis was accepted. The internal quality, the effect of different feeding densities on albumen height, albumen weight and yolk width also statistically not significant. Supplementation of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on hen diet can be included as a dietary supplement for laying hens up to 80% of the diet to produce quality eggs.