Effects of dietary microbial feed supplement on production efficacy in lactating dairy cows.

This study evaluated the effects of a microbial feed supplement (MFS; Galaxis, Ascus Biosciences Inc.) comprising 2 native rumen microbes on performance parameters in mid-lactation dairy cows. Forty-six lactating primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows [629 ± 62 kg of body weight, mean ± standard deviation (SD); parity 1.64 ± 0.49; 119 ± 38 days in milk; 45.11 ± 3.81 and 52.73 ± 4.77 kg/d of milk yield for primiparous and multiparous, respectively] were enrolled in a study containing 3 experimental periods (P). During all periods, enrolled cows were fed the same base total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum once daily. During P1 (7 d), baseline data were obtained for covariate analysis. At the beginning of P2 (60 d), cows were assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatment groups in a randomized complete block design to balance for milk yield (MY), parity, and days in milk: (1) a control diet (CON; base TMR; n = 23), or (2) a control diet supplemented with 5 g/d of MFS (MFS; n = 23). Sample size was determined based on previous, unpublished results involving this MFS; a 3-kg difference between groups with a SD of 3.5 kg could be detected with sufficient power (0.81) using a total sample size of 46 cows. Treatment was top-dressed and hand-mixed into the top one-third of the TMR. During P3 (7 d), no treatment was administered, and all cows were fed the base TMR. When analyzing all cows in the data set, MFS had little to no effect on performance. However, modeling revealed that the fixed effect of covariate milk production level had a significant effect on the response of MY and ECM, and further investigation of the data revealed that treatment effectiveness in P2 correlated with milk production during P1. Cows were retrospectively categorized into 2 milk production groups (MPG) balanced for parity: MPG1 (i.e., <53 kg/d of ECM during P1; n = 34) or MPG2 (i.e., ≥53 kg/d of ECM during P1; n = 12). Energy-corrected milk was increased by 4.4% in MFS-administered MPG1 cows compared with CON cows during P2. Although there were no significant effects of MFS on production variables for MPG2 cows, MY tended to be decreased by 3.9% in MFS-administered cows compared with CON cows. Further investigation is needed to understand production level response differences and the effect of supplemented native rumen microbes on animal health and productivity.

Primary stenting for high-grade basilar artery stenosis.

We report two patients with symptomatic high-grade stenosis of the basilar artery refractory to appropriate maximal medical therapy in whom endovascular stenting was performed successfully without preliminary balloon angioplasty. Excellent angiographic results were achieved and there were no procedural or periprocedural complications. The patients were asymptomatic and neurologically intact at a mean clinical follow-up of 6.5 months. Primary stenting of basilar artery stenosis may be an alternative to balloon angioplasty for patients with symptomatic lesions refractory to medical therapy or in whom anticoagulation is contraindicated.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured dual aperture cavernous aneurysm.

The authors describe the diagnosis and endovascular management of a multiaperture, ruptured cavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm causing a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) using both transarterial and transvenous techniques. Although uncommon, recognition of the imaging characteristics of such a lesion will aide in successful management and improve treatment outcome. To the authors' knowledge, CCF due to a ruptured cavernous aneurysm with multiple shunts has not been previously reported.

Endovascular treatment of noncarotid extracranial cerebrovascular disease.

The last two decades have witnessed a growing application of endovascular techniques for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease of the extracranial vertebral arteries, subclavian arteries, and brachiocephalic artery. Beginning with simple balloon angioplasty, these minimally invasive techniques have now progressed to the use of stent-supported angioplasty. Stent-supported angioplasty is currently providing a therapeutic alternative to traditional methods of open surgery for revascularization of these vessels and increasing the therapeutic options available for patients who have failed maximal medical therapy. Additionally, endovascular techniques are also being used successfully to treat a variety of nonatherosclerotic diseases affecting the noncarotid extacranial arteries, such as inflammatory, radiation, and anastomotic-graft strictures; acute intimal dissection; traumatic and spontaneous arteriovenous fistulas; and aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms. Continued innovation and refinement of endovascular devices and techniques will inevitably improve technical success rates, reduce procedure-related complications, and broaden the endovascular therapeutic spectrum for extracranial cerebrovascular disease.

Hemorrhagic complications in vein of Galen malformations.

The authors report on a series of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhages associated with vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs). Thirty-four children with VGAMs have been treated at this institution since 1986. Eight children (24%) harbored the mural-type malformation, and 26 (76%) had the choroidal-type lesion. Two children (25%) with mural lesions and 1 (4%) with a choroidal lesion suffered hemorrhagic complications. Two presented with acute intracranial hemorrhage. A third child developed acute intracranial hemorrhage due to delayed dural sinus thrombosis after endovascular treatment of his choroidal-type VGAM. The subjects ranged in age from 13 days to 17 months at the time of presentation. Each patient underwent rapid radiological evaluation and treatment with endovascular surgery. Post-procedural arteriography demonstrated complete occlusion of the malformation in each patient. For the 3 patients with hemorrhage, follow-up has taken place over 49-, 107-, and 43-month intervals, respectively. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations can present with acute intracranial hemorrhage or develop delayed intracranial hemorrhage but respond to treatment using standard endovascular techniques. The presence of hemorrhage does not de facto portend a poor prognosis.