Isolation and identification of main mastitis pathogens in Mexico

The present work is a large epidemiological study aiming to detect the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and to investigate the major udder pathogens in Jalisco State, western Mexico. For this purpose, 2205 dairy cows, representing 33 Mexican dairy herds, were involved. Of 2205 cows, 752 mastitic animals were diagnosed and only 2,979 milk samples could be obtained for further investigation. All 2979 milk samples were subjected to California Mastitis Test (CMT) to differentiate clinical cases from subclinical ones where 1996 samples (67 %) reacted positively. Of these, 1087 samples (54.5%) came from cows suffering from clinical cases of mastitis. Bacteriological identification of the causative agents revealed the presence of a major group of pathogens including the Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS), S.aureus, S.agalactiae, Corynebacterium spp. and Coliform bacteria which were detected in 464 (15.6%), 175 (5.9%), 200 (6.8%), 417 (14%) and 123 (4.1%) of the 2927 investigated quarters, 295 (15.4%), 118 (15.7%), 111 (14.8%), 227 (30.2%) and 109 (14.5%) of the 752 examined cows and in 33 (100%), 22 (66.7%), 19 (57.6%), 30 (90.1%) and 27 (81.8%) of the 33 herds involved, respectively. Other pathogens could be detected in the investigated milk samples such as S. dysgalactiae (0.4%), S.uberis (0.37%), Bacillus spp. (1%), Nocardia spp. (0.6%) und Candida spp. (0.1%). Meanwhile, others were present in a negligible ratio; including the Aerococcus viridans, and Enterococcus spp., Lactococcus lactis, S. bovis.

Optic systems with spherical, cylindrical, and toric surfaces

A simple analytical method for tracing rays in an optical system that is made up of spherical, cylindrical, and toric surfaces with an arbitrary rotation of its meridian plane with respect to the reference system is described. An analytical procedure is also given for obtaining the spot diagram on an arbitrarily oriented section, as well as for relating the diagram obtained for the plane of this section as a plane z = 0. Finally, as an application of this procedure, several graphic representations of the spot diagrams in the planes perpendicular or nonperpendicular to the axis are presented.

Analysis of double-parallel amplified recirculating optical-delay lines

A novel method of analysis of double-parallel amplified recirculating optical-delay lines (DPAROD) is presented. The location of the maxima and the minima of the transfer function for this configuration is calculated and experimentally demonstrated. The influence of different parameters, such as the coupling coefficients, gains, lengths of the fiber loops and fractional losses of the directional couplers, on the shape of the transfer function are analyzed. Different measurements have been taken to verify this model. The potential application of these interconnected delay loops as filters is a reason for developing this method.

Velopharyngeal sphincter physiology in deaf individuals

Fifty-three deaf subjects with a history of prelingual profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, similar language habilitation with hearing aids, and normal velopharyngeal structures underwent a study protocol including speech evaluation, behavioral pure-tone audiometry, videonasopharyngoscopy, multiview videofluoroscopy, and electromyography of the velopharyngeal muscles. Subjects were divided into two groups: the first group included 13 subjects with normal nasal resonance or mild hypernasality (four normals and nine with mild hypernasality); the second group had subjects with severe hypernasality and severe articulation deficits. Pure-tone thresholds, velopharyngeal closure patterns, and electromyographic activity of velopharyngeal muscles were similar for both groups of subjects. However, in subjects with severe hypernasality, despite normal muscle activity as observed by electromyography, velopharyngeal valving activity lacked rhythm and strength during speech. It is concluded that deaf subjects may present a functional disorder of the velopharyngeal sphincter related to absence of auditory regulation during phonation. Visual biofeedback using videonasopharyngoscopy may be useful for treating this disorder.

Kinematic study by speckle photography

From the irregular fringe patterns produced by the Fourier transform of a multiply exposed specklegram we may extract information about the kinematic parameters of a linear motion. The initial velocity, acceleration, and age (i.e., the time interval of the motion) for a uniform accelerated motion are computed from the results of a spatial frequency analysis.

The San Venero Roselli pharyngoplasty: an electromyographic study of the palatopharyngeus muscle

Electromyography of the palatopharyngeus and salpingopharyngeus muscles was performed in three groups: normal subjects, subjects with cleft palate before surgical treatment, and subjects with repaired palatal clefts incorporating the San Venero Roselli pharyngoplasty. Results suggested that the salpingopharyngeus muscle is inconsistently present in man. The palatopharyngeus is primarily concerned with swallowing and is not active during velopharyngeal closure. Its activity is not affected by the San Venero Roselli procedure. The surgical approximation of this muscle may be advantageous because of its antagonistic action to the levator veli palatini.

Surgical treatment of borderline velopharyngeal insufficiency using homologous cartilage implantation with videonasopharyngoscopic monitoring

Borderline cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency were treated with homologous cartilage implants. The selection of patients and technique for this procedure are described. Videonasopharyngoscopy was used to identify a specific location on the posterior pharyngeal wall for the implant. A small cube of homologous cartilage was implanted in the selected site in order to achieve adequate closure. The preliminary nasopharyngoscopic and speech evaluation results in 10 patients, who were followed every 3 months for at least 1 year, are reported. Hypernasality and audible nasal emission were eliminated. The displacement and reabsorption of the implants that occurred was minimal and did not affect velopharyngeal closure. Homologous cartilage, which is inexpensive and easy to obtain, appears to be a good option for implantation in the posterior pharyngeal wall in borderline cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency.