Correlations of milk and serum element concentrations with production and management traits in dairy cows.

The present study investigated the potential consequences, positive or negative, that selection for favorable production-related traits may have on concentrations of vitamin B12 and key chemical elements in dairy cow milk and serum and the possible impact on milk healthiness, and associated benefits, for the dairy product consumer. Milk and serum samples (950 and 755, respectively) were collected from Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 479) on 19 occasions over a 59-mo period, generating 34,258 individual records, and analyzed for concentrations of key trace and quantity elements, heavy metals, and milk vitamin B12. These data were then matched to economically important production data (milk, fat, and protein yield) and management data (dry matter intake, liveweight, and body condition score). Multivariate animal models, including full pedigree information, were used to analyze data and investigate relationships between traits of interest. Results highlighted negative genetic correlations between many quantity and trace elements in both milk and serum with production and management traits. Milk yield was strongly negatively correlated with the milk quantity elements Mg and Ca (genetic correlation between traits, ra = -0.58 and -0.63, respectively) as well as the trace elements Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mo (ra = -0.32, -0.58, -0.52, -0.40, -0.34, and -0.96, respectively); and in serum, Mg, Ca, Co, Fe, and Zn (ra = -0.50, -0.36, -0.68, -0.54, and -0.90, respectively). Strong genetic correlations were noted between dry matter intake with V (ra = 0.97), Fe (ra = -0.69), Ni (ra = -0.81), and Zn (ra = -0.75), and in serum, strong negative genetic correlations were observed between dry matter intake with Ca and Se (ra = -0.95 and -0.88, respectively). Body condition score was negatively correlated with serum P, Cu, Se, and Pb (ra = -0.45, -0.35, -0.51, and -0.64, respectively) and positively correlated with Mn, Fe, and Zn (ra = 0.40, 0.71, and 0.55, respectively). Our results suggest that breeding strategies aimed at improving economically important production-related traits would most likely result in a negative impact on levels of beneficial nutrients within milk for human consumption (such as Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Se).

Screening for depression and anxiety in spinal cord injury with DASS-21.

STUDY DESIGN: Comparison of two self-report instruments with a structured diagnostic interview. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) in patients with spinal cord injuries. SETTING: South Australian Spinal Cord Injuries Service, Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre, Northfield, South Australia. METHODS: Forty paraplegic or tetraplegic patients participated. Two self-report measures, DASS-21 and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), assessed Depression, Anxiety and Stress. These measures were compared with each other and with diagnoses based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. RESULTS: Mean scores on both self-report measures were below clinical threshold levels. Prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were higher on DASS-21 than on BSI. DASS-21 was as sensitive as BSI, but had lower specificity to detect anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: DASS-21 is a promising screening measure for patients with spinal cord injury in a rehabilitation setting. It has greater sensitivity for identifying those with possible anxiety disorders than it does for those with depressive disorders.

The role of dominant striatum in language: a study using intraoperative electrical stimulations.

BACKGROUND: The role of the striatum in language remains poorly understood. Intraoperative electrical stimulation during surgery for tumours involving the caudate nucleus or putamen in the dominant hemisphere might be illuminating. OBJECTIVES: To study the role of these structures in language, with the aim of avoiding postoperative definitive aphasia. METHODS: 11 patients with cortico-subcortical low grade gliomas were operated on while awake, and striatal functional mapping was done. Intraoperative direct electrical stimulation was used while the patients carried out motor and naming tasks during the resection. RESULTS: In five cases of glioma involving the dominant putamen, stimulations induced anarthria, while in six cases of glioma involving the dominant caudate, stimulations elicited perseveration. There was no motor effect. The striatum was systematically preserved. Postoperatively, all patients except one had transient dysphasia which resolved within three months. CONCLUSIONS: There appear to be two separate basal ganglia systems in language, one mediated by the putamen which might have a motor role, and one by the caudate which might have a role in cognitive control. These findings could have implications for surgical strategy in lesions involving the dominant striatum.

Intra-operative mapping of the subcortical visual pathways using direct electrical stimulations.

Despite the risk of postoperative visual field defect following surgery within the temporo-parieto-occipital region, visual mapping has rarely been described, in particular at the subcortical level. In this report, we successfully performed a subcortical mapping of the visual pathways using intra-operative electrical stimulations (IES), during surgery under local anesthesia for a low-grade glioma invading the whole temporal lobe and the temporo-occipital junction. The optic radiations then constituted the posterior and deep functional boundary of the resection, avoiding the occurrence of a post-operative hemianopsia, in spite of an asymptomatic quadrantanopsia. This preliminary experience illustrates the possibility to use intra-operative direct electrical stimulation during surgery of lesions involving the posterior afferent visual system, in order to identify and then preserve the visual pathways, as previously reported for sensorimotor and language subcortical fibers.

Functional recovery after surgical resection of low grade gliomas in eloquent brain: hypothesis of brain compensation.

OBJECTIVES: To describe functional recovery after surgical resection of low grade gliomas (LGG) in eloquent brain areas, and discuss the mechanisms of compensation. METHODS: Seventy-seven right-handed patients without deficit were operated on for a LGG invading primary and/or secondary sensorimotor and/or language areas, as shown anatomically by pre-operative MRI and intraoperatively by electrical brain stimulation and cortico-subcortical mapping. RESULTS: Tumours involved 31 supplementary motor areas, 28 insulas, 8 primary somatosensory areas, 4 primary motor areas, 4 Broca's areas, and 2 left temporal language areas. All patients had immediate post-operative deficits. Recovery occurred within 3 months in all except four cases (definitive morbidity: 5%). Ninety-two percent of the lesions were either totally or extensively resected on post-operative MRI. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that spatio-temporal functional re-organisation is possible in peritumoural brain, and that the process is dynamic. The recruitment of compensatory areas with long term perilesional functional reshaping would explain why: before surgery, there is no clinical deficit despite the tumour growth in eloquent regions; immediately after surgery, the occurrence of a deficit, which could be due to the resection of invaded areas participating (but not essential) to the function; and why three months after surgery, almost complete recovery had occurred. This brain plasticity, which decreases the long term risk of surgical morbidity, may be used to extend the limits of surgery in eloquent areas.

Microchip-based synthesis and analysis: control of multicomponent reaction products and intermediates.

A miniaturised-SYNthesis and Total Analysis System (mu SYNTAS) was used for the solution-phase synthesis and on-line analysis (TOF-MS) of Ugi multicomponent reaction (MCR) products. This approach provides an unusually high degree of control of the MCR and delivers detailed, novel information on reaction intermediates in real-time. Specifically, the Ugi 4 component condensation (4CC) involving the reaction of an amine, acid, aldehyde and isocyanide species was performed at room temperature in a controllable fashion. Furthermore, observation of the nitrilium intermediate, cyclohexyl(2-piperidin-1-ylethylidyne)ammonium chloride, is presented for the first time.

Midodrine treatment for patients with hemodialysis hypotension.

Hypotension is the principal complication of chronic hemodialysis. Autonomic insufficiency is thought to be a primary contributing cause of hemodialysis hypotension. We treated patients who experience hemodialysis hypotension with midodrine, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic pressor agent in an initial effort to assess potential efficacy. Twenty-one patients who experienced severe hypotension during hemodialysis participated in this study. To qualify, patients had to exhibit a fall of > or = 30 mmHg in systolic blood pressure with associated clinical symptoms during hemodialysis. The lowest intra- and post-dialysis blood pressures were monitored for five consecutive hemodialysis treatment periods before receiving midodrine, as a baseline. After the patients were titrated to a maintenance midodrine dose, the lowest intra- and post-dialysis blood pressure data were again collected for five consecutive dialysis treatments. Hemodialysis blood pressures on midodrine treatment were compared to baseline to evaluate the effect of midodrine. Midodrine given at a mean treatment dose of 8 mg (range 2.5-25) significantly increased the mean (+ or - SE) minimal systolic pressure from 93.1 "+ or - " 3.8 to 107.1 + or - 3.2 mmHg (p <0.01) and elevated the mean diastolic pressure from 52.3 + or - 2.9 to 57.9 + or - 2.3 mmHg during hemodialysis. Also, the post-dialysis blood pressures (systolic/diastolic) were significantly increased from 115.6 + or - 3.1/62.3 + or - 2.1 to 129.9 + or - 3.9/68.1 + or - 1.7 mmHg (p <0.01 and 0.05, respectively). No apparent clinical or laboratory abnormalities were observed. Oral midodrine appears to be a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of hemodialysis hypotension.

Voluntary turnover among non-supervisory casino employees.

As gaming is expanding nationally and internationally, existing gaming operations are facing increased competition for employees with gaming experience. This study investigates the factors related to employee turnover in the gaming industry. Workers of six casinos in Reno, Nevada were surveyed concerning their work attitudes and turnover intentions, resulting in a sample of 492 observations. The sample represents all non-supervisory job types typically found in casinos. Pearson correlations and multivariate regression analysis were employed to investigate the relationships among turnover intentions and job satisfaction, specific satisfaction dimensions, organizational commitment, worker perceptions, pay, and labor market conditions. The results show that job satisfaction and organizational commitment are most strongly related to turnover. In contrast to previous findings, labor market conditions and pay play only a minor role in an employee's decision to quit. Instead, perceived lack of job security, satisfaction with supervision, and perceived employer concern with employee well-being emerge among the most important factors. The results imply that employers in the gaming industry can manage employee turnover by providing effective supervision that is based on employee participation and fair treatment of employees. Training of supervisors, therefore, may be a relatively inexpensive method of controlling employee turnover in casinos.

Comparison of determinants of frame size in older adults.

Accurate designations of body frame size can enhance the interpretation of height-weight tables. Determinants of frame size should be quantifiable, reflective of skeletal dimensions, and not influenced by adiposity. Visual assessment, the height:wrist circumference ratio, elbow breadth by 1983 and 1984 standards, and Frame Index 2 were studied in 300 healthy adults over 64 years of age. Distribution of frame size across small, medium, and large categories revealed that visual assessment and height:wrist circumference ratio agreed with designations of elbow breadth measurements for less than 50% of the population. Highest levels of agreement occurred between elbow breadth (1984) and Frame Index 2. For men, high partial correlations between height:wrist circumference ratio and subscapular fatfold measurements corrected for age and arm muscle area indicated that measurement may be affected by body fat. Lowest correlations with subscapular fatfolds were for wrist and ankle breadths for women and ankle breadth for men. Elbow breadth and Frame Index 2 had low negative correlations with subscapular skinfold for men but much higher values for women. Elbow breadth measurements are widely used as frame size determinants, but for women, at least, ankle and wrist breadths meet the criterion of low associations with body fatness.

Progressive hemochromatotic cardiomyopathy despite reversal of iron deposition after liver transplantation.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a frequent and serious complication of idiopathic hemochromatosis. The mechanism by which disordered iron metabolism induces heart failure is not entirely understood, but myocardial dysfunction appears to be intimately related to the deposition of iron in myocytes. Cardiac function characteristically worsens or improves in proportion to the degree of iron accumulation in cardiac myocytes. The authors report the case of a 47-year-old man with idiopathic hemochromatosis and cirrhosis who developed symptoms of congestive heart failure and was found to have dilated cardiomyopathy 7 months after receiving a liver transplant. An initial endomyocardial heart biopsy demonstrated severe iron deposition in myocytes. The patient's heart failure worsened in the next 3 years and he eventually required a heart transplant. Examination of the explanted heart revealed dilated cardiomyopathy, but the previously demonstrated iron deposits in the cardiac myocytes were depleted. This "uncoupling" of cardiac function and cardiac iron load suggests that a threshold may be reached at which point the metabolic and ultrastructural derangements of iron deposition are no longer reversible, even with the removal of the inciting agent. Furthermore, displacement of myocyte iron stores after liver transplantation implicates altered hepatic iron metabolism as a primary or contributing mechanism in the pathophysiology of idiopathic hemochromatosis.

Titin content of beef in relation to tenderness.

Steaks obtained from the longissimus dorsi muscle of 24 crossbred steers were subjected to four treatments (unaged raw, aged raw, unaged cooked, aged cooked) and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Titin migrated primarily as a single protein band in unaged raw samples (48 h post mortem), as a doublet in aged (16 days) raw samples, and as a triplet in unaged and aged cooked samples. Total titin band density remained constant among steaks that varied widely in Warner-Bratzler shear value, suggesting that beef steaks varying in tenderness contain the same amount of titin. It is concluded that titin content, as determined by gel electrophoresis, does not distinguish 'tough' from 'tender' beef.

Effect of parenteral amino acid supplementation on short-term and long-term outcomes in severe alcoholic hepatitis: a randomized controlled trial.

The effect of parenteral amino acid administration on nutritional state, liver function and mortality was assessed in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Twenty-eight patients received 2 l/day of a solution of dextrose (65 gm/L) and amino acids (25.8 gm/L) for 1 mo, whereas 26 received only the dextrose solution. All patients were allowed to eat a standard hospital diet. During the month in the hospital, there were six deaths in the treatment group and five deaths in the control group. Nitrogen balance improved in the treated group, but not in the control group. Creatinine-height index, triceps skin fold measurement and levels of serum albumin and prealbumin increased similarly in both groups. Serum retinol binding protein increased more in the treatment group than it did in the control group, and transferrin was increased only in the treatment group. Serum bilirubin, type III amino-terminal procollagen peptide and aminopyrine clearance improved more in the treatment group than in the control group, whereas serum AST and prothrombin time improved in the treatment group but not in the control group. Cumulative 2-yr survival rates from the day of entry into the study were 42% and 38% in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Patients who survived 2 yr and patients in the treatment group who died during the 2-yr follow-up had continued improvement in serum retinol binding protein, transferrin, bilirubin and prothrombin time. These parameters were unchanged in patients in the control group who died during follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of chronic ethanol exposure on cardiac receptor-adenylyl cyclase coupling: studies in cultured embryonic chick myocytes and ethanol fed rats.

Ethanol effects in the brain appear to be mediated at least in part by an alteration in receptor-effector coupling via guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins). To test the hypothesis that a similar pathway participates in the cardiotoxic effects of ethanol, we assessed the effects of chronic ethanol on two commonly used experimental models: embryonic chick myocytes in culture and ventricular myocardium from chronically fed rats. Ethanol had no effect on either the function or quantity of G proteins as assessed by effector-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and the levels of ADP-ribosylation substrates. In contrast, effector-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly altered in the liver of ethanol-fed rats. These results suggest that receptor-effector coupling via G proteins in our two cardiac models is insensitive to ethanol and that ethanol effects may be species or organ specific.

Effects of vasopressor hormones and modulators of protein kinase C on glutathione efflux from perfused rat liver.

Vasopressor hormones alter efflux of glutathione (GSH) and increase permeability of tight junctions in perfused rat liver. Infusions of 10 nM angiotensin II, 10 microM phenylephrine, and 10 nM vasopressin significantly increased efflux of GSH into perfusate by 32-41% and decreased biliary efflux by 31-57%. Direct modulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity by 600 nM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), 5 microM 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), 5 microM sphingosine, or 10 nM staurosporine altered the pattern of efflux of GSH but not biliary oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG)-GSH ratios. Phorbol dibutyrate mimicked the vasopressor-mediated effects, increasing perfusate efflux by 31% and decreasing biliary efflux by 45%. Inhibitors of PKC caused qualitatively opposite responses, changing perfusate GSH by -37 to 18% and increasing biliary efflux by 22-161%. Whereas vasopressin increased penetration of [14C]sucrose into bile, modulation of PKC activity by PDB and H-7 did not affect the permeability of tight junctions to [14C]sucrose. Although pretreatment with H-7 blocked vasopressin-mediated changes in efflux of GSH, it did not prevent the increase in [14C]sucrose penetrance. We conclude that alterations in sinusoidal and biliary efflux of GSH can occur independent of changes in permeability of hepatocellular tight junctions. These findings suggest a role for protein kinase C in modulating the hepatic efflux of GSH.

Energy state and vasomotor tone in hypoxic pig lungs.

To evaluate the role of energy state in pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia, we exposed isolated pig lungs to decreases in inspired PO2 or increases in perfusate NaCN concentration. Lung energy state was assessed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or measurement of adenine nucleotides by high-pressure liquid chromatography in freeze-clamped biopsies. In ventilated lungs, inspired PO2 of 200 (normoxia), 50 (hypoxia), and 0 Torr (anoxia) did not change adenine nucleotides but resulted in steady-state pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) values of 15.5 +/- 1.4, 30.3 +/- 1.8, and 17.2 +/- 1.9 mmHg, respectively, indicating vasoconstriction during hypoxia and reversal of vasoconstriction during anoxia. In degassed lungs, similar changes in Ppa were observed; however, energy state deteriorated during anoxia. An increase in perfusate NaCN concentration from 0 to 0.1 mM progressively increased Ppa and did not alter adenine nucleotides, whereas 1 mM reversed this vasoconstriction and caused deterioration of energy state. These results suggest that 1) pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to hypoxia or cyanide occurred independently of whole lung energy state, 2) the inability of the pulmonary vasculature to sustain hypoxic vasoconstriction during anoxia might be associated with decreased energy state in some lung compartment, and 3) atelectasis was detrimental to whole lung energy state.

Cephalosporin-induced alteration in hepatic glutathione redox state. A potential mechanism for inhibition of hepatic reduction of vitamin K1,2,3-epoxide in the rat.

Hypoprothrombinemia is a serious adverse effect of antimicrobial therapy that occurs after administration of some second- and third-generation cephalosporins which contain the methyltetrazole-thiol (MTT) group. Previous studies have shown that in vitro MTT directly inhibits microsomal gamma-carboxylation of a synthetic pentapeptide. Since MTT is a thiocarbamide, a type of compound that can increase oxidation of glutathione, the present studies were carried out to determine whether alterations in hepatic glutathione redox state might interfere with vitamin K metabolism. Dose-related increases in biliary efflux and hepatic concentration of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) occurred after intravenous administration of MTT or MTT-containing antibiotics to rats. This finding suggested that these compounds could alter the hepatic glutathione redox state in vivo. Microsomal reduction of vitamin K epoxide occurred in the presence of 100 microM dithiothreitol (DTT), but was inhibited by preincubation with GSSG at concentrations as low as 10 microM. At higher concentrations of DTT (1.0 mM) inhibition by GSSG persisted, but higher concentrations were required, suggesting that the thiol/disulfide ratio, rather than the absolute concentration of GSSG was important. By contrast, GSSG did not effect microsomal gamma-carboxylation of a pentapeptide, using either vitamin K1 or its hydroquinone as a cofactor. These findings suggest a novel mechanism for the hypoprothrombinemia occurring after administration of MTT-containing antibiotics.

Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha predicts decreased long-term survival in severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) were measured in plasma samples obtained from 23 patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis on admission and after 30 days of hospitalization. Over a 2-year follow-up period, 14 patients died at a mean time of 8 months following discharge. The presence of elevated plasma TNF alpha either at admission or discharge from the hospital was associated with death in 82% (14/17) of patients. By contrast absence of elevated plasma TNF alpha was associated with survival in 100% (6/6). The difference in survival with and without detectable plasma TNF alpha was significant at p = 0.0022. Plasma TNF alpha was not elevated in alcoholic patients without clinically apparent liver disease, with alcoholic cirrhosis, or in nonalcoholic healthy controls. Plasma IL-1 alpha was also significantly increased in alcoholic hepatitis whereas IL-1 beta was not. Neither IL-1 alpha nor beta was correlated with outcome in the alcoholic hepatitis group. It is concluded that the presence of elevated plasma TNF alpha is a significant predictor of decreased long-term survival in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.

A comparison of pregnancy outcome in overweight and normal weight women.

From a population of singleton pregnancies, 152 overweight women (greater than 110% of standard) were matched with normal weight women (95-110%) for age, height, parity, race, and smoking habits. Comparisons were made of initial weight (weight at the first prenatal visit) and gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcome. Mean birth weights and gestational ages of infants of normal and overweight women were not significantly different. For normal weight women birth weight increased significantly as height, initial weight, and body mas index increased (p less than 0.01), but no such relationship existed for overweight women. The lack of effect of initial weight on birth weight in overweight women is attributable, in part, to the significantly less gestational weight gains of these mothers (6.3 kg vs 8.2 kg). When normal and overweight gravida had gestational weight gains of less than 7 kg, offspring of overweight mothers were significantly heavier. Gestational weight gain was positively correlated with birth weight for both normal (p less than 0.0001) and overweight women (p less than 0.001). Within the overweight and normal weight groups, smokers had lower initial weights and gestational weight gains than nonsmokers. Offspring of normal weight smokers had a mean birth weight 232 g less than that of nonsmokers (p less than 0.01). The difference in birth weight between overweight smokers and nonsmokers (135 g) was not statistically significant. While there is substantial data to support a weight gain of 10-12 kg in normal weight gravida, it would appear that a gain of approximately 7 kg in overweight middle class women does not impair fetal growth as measured by birth weight.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)