Effect of the age and sex on growth performance and feather quality of 13 to 25-weeks-old White Roman geese.

This study aimed to determine the effect of age and sex in weeks on growth, carcass performances, and feather quality of White Roman geese and analyze the relative effect of age and sex in weeks on feather characteristics in geese. In animal experiments, 120 White Roman geese aged 13 wk were randomly distributed among 12 pens and fed grower diet ad libitum during the growing period, with each pen containing 10 males or 10 females, depending on a completely random design. Ten geese each in their 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25 wk of age were sacrificed. The results showed that the age had no significant effect on the body weight (BW) of geese (P > 0.05). The chest girth was significantly longer in 21 to 25 wk old than in 13- to 19-wk-old geese (P < 0.05). The results reveal no significant change in carcass weight of grower geese among 13- to 25-wk age groups (P > 0.05). The down percentage of the 25-wk-old age group was significantly higher than that of the 13-, 15-, and 17-wk age groups (P < 0.05). The male geese had a higher dry feather weight than the females (P < 0.05). Similarly, the 18-h feed-deprived body weight (18-h FDBW) and 4 to 10 cm feather weight were significantly negatively correlated in grower geese (-0.42). This provides the feather industry an opportunity for the better utilization of grower geese by-products. In conclusion, the age has no influence on BW among 13- to 25-wk-old geese, and a good down percentage and dry weight were observed at 25 wk of age. The 18-h FDBW and down percentage had a significantly negative correlation (-0.55) in grower geese.

Relationship between the abdominal sagging index and the reproductive performance of the Roman goose.

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to explore the changes in the observed abdominal sagging index (ASI) and reproductive performance of Roman male and female geese during the breeding period. METHODS: The 339 six-month-old breeding geese (109 male; 230 female) were used in this study, in which five male and five female geese were slaughtered on a monthly basis to record the ASI. RESULTS: The short diameter of the testes of the male goose when the female goose lays eggs and in the second, third, and fourth months was significantly wider than in the fifth months (19.0, 20.8, 21.4, and 19.6 vs 12.7 and 14.0 mm/bird; p = 0.0105). On the other hand, the testicular weight of the male goose in the second and third months after the female goose lays eggs was significantly higher than that in the second and fifth months after laying (0.33% and 0.37% vs 0.11% and 0.19%; p = 0.0212). During the exploring period, the length and weight of the fallopian tube, the weight of the ovary, the number of follicles in 2 to 3 cm, the number of follicles in 3 to 4 cm, the fallopian tube weight in the carcass weight percentage, and the ovary weight in the carcass weight percentage all demonstrated a significant curve response. Further, female ASI was positively correlated with reproductive tract length (r = 0.815; p<0.05) and egg production per female (r = 0.790; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The ASI classification method is more objective and easy to distinguish. This scoring method has a high correlation with the number of eggs laid by each goose and the length of the reproductive tract, inferring that the goose observation could take advantage of ASI during egg-laying and can predict the reproductive system development during the laying period and determine when the breeding goose begins to lay eggs.

Review of non-invasive vulvovaginal rejuvenation.

Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) or genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) may affect up to 90% of menopausal women. Features include vulvovaginal atrophy, vulvovaginal laxity, vulvovaginal dryness and irritation, dyspareunia, anorgasmia and urinary symptoms. The vulva, vagina and bladder are oestrogen-responsive tissues, but oestrogen replacement therapy is not possible in women who have hormone-responsive cancers or normal oestrogen levels. Therefore, there is a role for alternative treatments. To date, three non-surgical energy-based therapies have been proposed: fractional microablative CO2 laser, erbium:YAG laser and temperature-controlled radiofrequency (RF). Our objective was to assess the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of erbium:YAG laser, microablative fractional CO2 laser and RF in the treatment of VVA/GSM. The authors reviewed the current published literature evaluating these therapies. All three therapies appear safe; however, all the studies were uncontrolled and used different protocols and outcome measurements. Therefore, comparison of treatments is difficult. It appears that there is more evidence in favour of the CO2 laser than the erbium:YAG laser. Both lasers have more evidence than RF. In conclusion, microablative CO2 laser, erbium:YAG laser and RF may be offered to patients suffering from VVA/GSM as an alternative or adjunct to conventional therapies. Further well-conducted controlled studies are needed.

[Clinical evaluation of gallbladder and common bile duct stones treated though cholecystostomy tube].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, feasibility and safety of treatment of gallbladder and common bile duct stones treated through cholecystostomy tube. Methods: The clinical data of 17 patients with gallbladder and common bile duct stones treated through cholecystostomy tube from January 2012 to December 2016 was analyzed retrospectively. Results: Seventeen patients were successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder (PTGD), and 88.2% (15/17) patients had clinical symptom relief. There was no complication happened after PTGD and fistula expansion. All the stones were removed and there was 11.7% (2/17) of gallbladder bleeding, 5.9% (1/17) of pancreatitis, and 5.9% (1/17) of hyperamylasemia after stones extraction. The patients had gone through an average treatment period of 87.8±16.0 days, hospitalization of 5.5±0.6 times and 43.3±4.5 days, cost of 60.0±8.0 thousand, 6.9±0.9 operations, 1.4±0.6 stone extraction operations with the average time of 58.4±21.2 min. The duodenal papillary balloon dilatation rate was 82.4% (14/17). Conclusion: The treatment through cholecystostomy tube is an effective, safe and feasible technique for gallbladder and common bile duct stones. However, there are many shortcomings such as long treatment cycle, large number of hospitalization and operations, difficult operation and high cost.

Muscle damage protective effect by two maximal isometric contractions on maximal eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors of the contralateral arm.

Muscle damage after 30 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors (30MVEC) is reduced when the same exercise is performed by the opposite arm, and when two maximal voluntary isometric contractions at a long muscle length (2MVIC) are performed prior to 30MVEC by the same arm. This study investigated the hypothesis that 2MVIC would attenuate muscle damage after 30MVEC performed by the opposite arm. Untrained young (20-25 years) men were placed into 1 of 4 experimental groups that performed 2MVIC at 1 (1d), 2 (2d), 4 (4d), or 7 days (7d) before 30MVEC by the opposite arm, or one control group that performed 30MVEC only (n = 13/group). Changes in indirect muscle damage markers after 30MVEC were compared among the groups by mixed-design two-way ANOVA. Maximal voluntary concentric contraction torque, range of motion, plasma creatine kinase activity, and muscle soreness did not change significantly after 2MVIC. Changes in these variables after 30MVEC were smaller (P < .05) for 1d (eg, peak soreness: 45 ± 21 mm) and 2d groups (46 ± 20 mm) than control group (66 ± 18 mm), without significant differences between 1d and 2d groups. No significant differences in the changes were found among 4d, 7d, and control groups, except for soreness showing smaller (P < .05) increases for 4d group (54 ± 19 mm) than 7d (62 ± 17 mm) and control groups. These results supported the hypothesis and showed that muscle damage induced by 30MVEC was reduced by 2MVIC performed 1-2 days prior to 30MVIC by the contralateral arm.

[Value of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis].

Objective: To investigate the value of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents for prevention of post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Methods: The clinical data of patients whom had pancreatic stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis from December 2013 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical effect and complication were compared between straight pancreatic stents group and integrated pancreatic and biliary stents group. Results: A total of 214 patients had pancreatic stents for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Among them, 139 of the patients received a straight pancreatic stents with the average operation time of 62.1±9.8 min and 75 patients received the integrated pancreatic and biliary stents with the average operation time of 67.2±12.7 min. The average operation time was statistically significantly different (P=0.001). Straight stents group was found to have higher incidence of pancreatic stents proximal migration and spontaneous abscission than integrated pancreatic and biliary stents group (8.6% vs 0, P=0.009; 12.9% vs 1.3%, P=0.004). There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute pancreatitis or hyperamylasemia between the two groups (3.6% vs 2.7%, P=1.000; 5.0% vs 4.0%, P=1.000). A total of 123 patients in the straight stents group received a second ERCP to remove the pancreatic stents in 1 to 8 weeks after ERCP, and 2 patients had acute pancreatitis and 3 patients had high amylase, while there was no complication happened after the remove of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents in one week after ERCP. Conclusion: The clinical effect of integrated pancreatic and biliary stents for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis is better than straight pancreatic stents.

Temporal variability of readmission determinants in postoperative vascular surgery patients.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical information continues to be limited regarding changes in the temporal risk profile for readmissions during the initial postoperative year in vascular surgery patients. We set out to describe the associations between demographics, clinical outcomes, comorbidity indices, and hospital readmissions in a sample of patients undergoing common extremity revascularization or dialysis access (ERDA) procedures. We hypothesized that factors independently associated with readmission will evolve from "short-term" to "long-term" determinants at 30-, 180-, and 360-day postoperative cutoff points. METHODS: Following IRB approval, medical records of patients who underwent ERDA at two institutions were retrospectively reviewed between 2008 and 2014. Abstracted data included patient demographics, procedural characteristics, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Goldman Criteria for perioperative cardiac assessment, the Charlson comorbidity index, morbidity, mortality, and readmission (at 30-, 180-, and 360-days). Univariate analyses were performed for readmissions at each specified time point. Variables reaching statistical significance of P< 0.20 were included in multivariate analyses for factors independently associated with readmission. RESULTS: A total of 450 of 744 patients who underwent ERDA with complete medical records were included. Patients underwent either an extremity revascularization (e.g. bypass or endarterectomy, 406/450) or a noncatheter dialysis access procedure (44/450). Sample characteristics included 262 (58.2%) females, mean age 61.4 ± 12.9 years, 63 (14%) emergent procedures, and median operative time 164 min. Median hospital length of stay (index admission) was 4 days. Cumulative readmission rates at 30-, 180-, and 360-day were 12%, 27%, and 35%, respectively. Corresponding mortality rates were 3%, 7%, and 9%. Key factors independently associated with 30-, 180-, and 360-day readmissions evolved over the study period from comorbidity and morbidity-related issues in the short-term to cardiovascular and graft patency issues in the long-term. Any earlier readmission elevated the risk of subsequent readmission. CONCLUSIONS: We noted important patterns in the temporal behavior of hospital readmission risk in patients undergoing ERDA. Although factors independently associated with readmission were not surprising (e.g. comorbidity profile, cardiovascular status, and graft patency), the knowledge of temporal trends described in this study may help determine clinical risk profiles for individual patients and guide readmission reduction strategies. These considerations will be increasingly important in the evolving paradigm of value-based healthcare.

Effect of Monochromic Light-emitting Diode Light with Different Color on the Growth and Reproductive Performances of Breeder Geese.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of monochromic light-emitting diode (LED) light with different color on the growth and reproductive performances of white Roman breeder geese. A randomized complete batch design was utilized for the trial, and the replicate was regarded as one batch. Twenty ganders and fifty-five dames were used in batch 1 (started on 2011/6/17 and ended on 2012/1/31), thirty ganders and eighty-four dames were used in batch 2 (started on 2012/3/23 and ended on 2012/10/26), and thirty ganders and seventy-two dames were used in batch 3 (started on 2013/3/12 and ended on 2013/12/20). Two hundred and ninety-one geese were randomly assigned to 6 rooms in an environmentally controlled house. They were randomly allotted into one of three monochromatic light treatments: Blue, red, or white. The results showed that there was no significant difference in body weight among the three lighting groups at any point throughout the experimental period. However, compared to the blue light group, significantly more eggs were produced by the red and white light groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, the laying period of the red light group was significantly longer than that of other two groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that red LED-light has the best effect on reproductive performance (i.e. longer laying period and higher total eggs number) at 30 lux light intensity, and is therefore a better choice for the management of breeding geese than blue or white LED-light.

Factors Affecting the Incidence of Angel Wing in White Roman Geese: Stocking Density and Genetic Selection.

The present study investigated stocking density and genetic lines, factors that may alter the severity and incidence of angel wing (AW), in White Roman geese. Geese (n = 384) from two genetically selected lines (normal- winged line, NL, and angel-winged line, AL, respectively) and one commercial line (CL) were raised in four pens. Following common commercial practice, low-stocking-density (LD), medium-stocking-density, and high-stocking-density treatments were respectively administered to 24, 32, and 40 geese per pen at 0 to 3 weeks (1.92 m(2)/pen) and 4 to 6 weeks (13.2 m(2)/pen) of age and to 24, 30, and 36 geese at 7 to 14 weeks (20.0 m(2)/pen) of age. The results revealed that stocking density mainly affected body weight gain in geese younger than 4 weeks, and that geese subjected to LD had a high body weight at 2 weeks of age. However, the effect of stocking density on the severity score of AW (SSAW) and incidence of AW (IAW) did not differ significantly among the treatments. Differences were observed among the genetic stocks; that is, SSAW and IAW were significantly higher in AL than in NL and CL. Genetic selection generally aggravates AW, complicating its elimination. To effectively reduce IAW, stocking density, a suspected causal factor, should be lower than that presently applied commercially.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy with CyberKnife for advanced thymic carcinoma: a case report.

Thymic carcinoma is a rare but lethal mediastinal cancer. The optimal treatment for advanced thymic carcinoma is not yet established. This report is the first known of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (sabr) with CyberKnife (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA, U.S.A.) as definitive therapy for thymic carcinoma. The patient, a 70-year-old woman with thymic carcinoma, invasion into neighboring organs, and pleural metastases-underwent CyberKnife sabr at 40 Gy in 5 fractions for two lesions, one in the thymus and one in the right paraspinal pleura. After 61 months of observation, a partial response was observed in the irradiated fields. However, disease progression in the non-irradiated pleura was noted. The patient underwent salvage CyberKnife sabr for the four initially nonirradiated pleural lesions. Computed tomography images obtained 10 months after the salvage therapy revealed a partial response. The patient is living, with progression-free irradiated lesions and no radiation-related toxicity. CyberKnife sabr is feasible for patients who are unable to undergo either surgery or conventionally fractionated radiation therapy.

Effects of dietary garlic scape meal on the growth and meat characteristics of geese.

This study evaluated the growth performance and meat characteristics of grower geese whose diets included garlic scape meal (GSM), a by-product of garlic production. Scape is the leaf-less flower stem of garlic. Garlic scape (GS) extracts contained 84.7 ± 3.8 µg/g dry weight (DW), 81.4 ± 8.2 µg/g DW, 0.78 ± 0.05 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW and 31.67 ± 2.25 µg/g DW of allicin, alliin, total phenolics and flavonoid contents, respectively. In total, 120 White Roman geese aged 5 weeks were randomly distributed among 12 pens and fed on a grower diet ad libitum during the growth period. Employing a completely random design, 5 males and 5 females were placed in each pen. Each treatment was applied to three pens (in total 30 birds) and the treatments comprised the following: 1) control (maize-soybean meal), 2) 5% of maize replaced with 5% of GSM (5% GSM), 3) 10% of maize replaced with 10% of GSM (10% GSM) and 4) 15% of maize replaced with 15% of GSM (15% GSM). Each group of 30 birds was treated for 8 weeks. The results revealed that the 15% GSM group was characterised by a lower feed conversion ratio than the control group; however, these groups did not differ significantly in their body weights (BWs). In addition, the 10% GSM group did not differ in both the feed conversion ratio and consumption. The flavour intensity score of meats in the 10% GSM group was significantly lower than those of meats in the 5% GSM and control groups. The general acceptability scores of meats in the 5% GSM and control groups were higher than those of meat in the 10% GSM group. The study concluded that 5% dietary GSM in the feed did not adversely affect the growth performance, meat characteristics or sensory evaluation of grower geese. Hence, the environment can be protected by including agricultural waste in goose diets.

The working experiences of novice psychiatric nurses in Taiwanese culture: a phenomenological study.

Novice psychiatric nurses experience heavy workloads, insufficient training and support in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to understand the working experiences of novice psychiatric nurses during their first year in a clinical setting. A qualitative phenomenological approach, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews was used. Narratives were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. Data saturation was reached after interviews were conducted with 15 nurses based on the purposive sampling. Four themes and eight sub-themes were identified: struggling (lacking a sense of security and competency), emulating (learning the process of interaction with clients and families, learning an appropriate role from nursing staff), prevailing (developing core competency, creating a therapeutic environment) and belonging (coping with the job, becoming a part of the psychiatric nursing staff). The findings from this study demonstrate that nurses are often inadequately prepared for psychiatric nursing. They have little understanding of mental illness, are unable to communicate appropriately with clients and struggle to cope with the conditions. Our study supports the importance for helping nurses to improve their essential knowledge and skills for coping with the job and providing good quality care, particularly in the first year.

Minocycline inhibits D-amphetamine-elicited action potential bursts in a central snail neuron.

Minocycline is a second-generation tetracycline that has been reported to have powerful neuroprotective properties. In our previous studies, we found that d-amphetamine (AMPH) elicited action potential bursts in an identifiable RP4 neuron of the African snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac. This study sought to determine the effects of minocycline on the AMPH-elicited action potential pattern changes in the central snail neuron, using the two-electrode voltage clamping method. Extracellular application of AMPH at 300 µM elicited action potential bursts in the RP4 neuron. Minocycline dose-dependently (300-900 µM) inhibited the action potential bursts elicited by AMPH. The inhibitory effects of minocycline on AMPH-elicited action potential bursts were restored by forskolin (50 µM), an adenylate cyclase activator, and by dibutyryl cAMP (N(6),2'-O-Dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate; 1mM), a membrane-permeable cAMP analog. Co-administration of forskolin (50 µM) plus tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA; 5mM) or co-administration of TEA (5mM) plus dibutyryl cAMP (1mM) also elicited action potential bursts, which were prevented and inhibited by minocycline. In addition, minocycline prevented and inhibited forskolin (100 µM)-elicited action potential bursts. Notably, TEA (50mM)-elicited action potential bursts in the RP4 neuron were not affected by minocycline. Minocycline did not affect steady-state outward currents of the RP4 neuron. However, minocycline did decrease the AMPH-elicited steady-state current changes. Similarly, minocycline decreased the effects of forskolin-elicited steady-state current changes. Pretreatment with H89 (N-[2-(p-Bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride; 10 µM), a protein kinase A inhibitor, inhibited AMPH-elicited action potential bursts and decreased AMPH-elicited steady-state current changes. These results suggest that the cAMP-protein kinase A signaling pathway and the steady-state current are involved in the inhibitory effects of minocycline upon AMPH-elicited action potential bursts.

Are wider surgical margins needed for early oral tongue cancer?

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, a 1-cm surgical resection margin is used for early oral tongue tumours. METHODS: All tumour stage one (n = 65) and stage two (n = 13) oral tongue cancers treated between January 1999 and January 2009 were followed for a median of 38 months (minimum 12 months). The sites of close and involved margins were histologically reviewed. RESULTS: Involved and close margins occurred in 14 and 55 per cent of cases, respectively. The number of involved vs clear or close margins was equivalent in tumour stage one (90 vs 82 per cent), node-negative (100 vs 84 per cent) and perineural or lymphovascular invasion (20 vs 21 per cent) cases. Close or involved margins were similarly likely to be posterior (59 per cent) as anterior (41 per cent, p = 0.22), lateral (57 per cent) as medial (43 per cent, p = 0.34), and mucosal (59 per cent) as deep (41 per cent, p = 0.22). Local recurrence occurred in 28 per cent of cases at a median of 12 months, and was more likely in cases with involved (50 per cent) than clear or close margins (25 per cent, p = 0.10). Disease-free survival was worse in involved margins cases (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Involved margins are common in early tongue tumours, and are associated with increased local recurrence and worse survival. Close or involved margins occur in all directions and all tumour types. A wider margin may be justified.

Carolina Foxtail (Alopecurus carolinianus): Susceptibility and Suitability as an Alternative Host to Rice Blast Disease (Magnaporthe oryzae [formerly M. grisea]).

Carolina foxtail (Alopecurus carolinianus) has not been reported to host Magnaporthe oryzae. A collection of Carolina foxtail obtained from several Arkansas locations over a 4-year period was inoculated with four races of the fungus under greenhouse conditions and, in all cases, inoculation resulted in the formation of irregular, yellow and brown lesions without obvious gray centers that are characteristic for blast on rice. Differences in these lesions were not observed among our collection. These lesions appeared to differ from typical blast lesions on inoculated rice leaves but were evident following artificial inoculation of Carolina foxtail in the greenhouse. M. oryzae races that differed in pathogenicity toward rice cultivars also displayed differences in lesion development on Carolina foxtail. The most virulent race on rice cultivars also produced lesions most rapidly on Carolina foxtail. These lesions developed more quickly on Carolina foxtail than on the most susceptible rice cultivars tested, including a susceptible California cultivar, M202. M. oryzae isolates cultured from these lesions in the infected Carolina foxtail caused typical disease symptoms of blast on inoculated rice cultivars. We suggest that Carolina foxtail is a new and previously unrecognized host for the blast pathogen.