BACKGROUND: The current standard post-operative radiographs for patients who have had volar locking plate fixation for a distal radius fracture may give the impression of intra-articular screw placement due to the normal anatomic inclination of the radiocarpal joint. Our aim was to determine: 1) if anatomically tilted post-operative radiographs increased the observer's confidence with regard to assessment of screw position, and 2) the intra- and inter-observer reliability of these radiographs. METHODS: Thirty patients' standard and tilted (11 ° postero-anterior and 22° lateral) post-operative radiographs were assessed by an orthopaedic intern, registrar, consultant, and a radiologist on two occasions. Single and combined views were analysed. RESULTS: There was no difference in confidence of assessment, but there was a significant change of assessment of actual screw position with fewer intra-articular penetrations reported with the tilted PA view. There was low intra-observer reliability except for the consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Inter-observer reliability was substantial when the intern's observations were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: The routine acquisition of the tilted PA radiograph can assist senior health professionals with important patient management decisions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Cultura de fezes (Método de Exclusão Competitiva - EC) utilizada para prevenir a colonização cecal de aves por Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) foi submetida a cultivos seriados para evitar a presença de patógenos e, após o tratamento mais adequado, foi armazenada em temperatura de refrigeração antes do seu uso por até 63 dias. Os resultados mostraram que o cultivo repetido por 14 vezes não prejudica a ação protetora da cultura (CE), a qual continua inibindo a colonização cecal por SE. O produto submetido a 12 cultivos e armazenado durante 28 dias em temperatura de refrigeração também continua eficaz.

The competitive exclusion method (EC) was used to protect day-old birds against colonisation of the intestinal tract by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE). The culture prepared in nutrient broth incubated at 37ºC/24 h inhibited SE growth in the caecal contents. The beneficial effect was also observed after serial passage of the feces culture for up to 14 times. The material obtained after 12 serial sub-cultures after storage for 28 days at 4-6ºC also kept its action on SE.