Concentrations of progesterone and insulin in serum of nonlactating dairy cows in response to carbohydrate source and processing.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of carbohydrate source and processing on serum progesterone (P4) and insulin concentrations of nonlactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, 12 ovariectomized grazing Gir x Holstein cows were stratified by body weight and body condition score, and randomly assigned to receive a supplement containing either finely ground corn or citrus pulp in a Latin square crossover design. Diets were fed individually, twice daily at a rate of 10.9 kg of dry matter per cow. Cows received a controlled intravaginal P4-releasing insert before the beginning of the study, and inserts were replaced every 7 d. During the first experimental period, cows were adapted to treatments from d 0 to 13 and blood was collected on d 14, whereas during the second experimental period cows were adapted to treatments from d 0 to 6 and blood samples were collected on d 7. In both periods, blood samples were collected immediately before and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h after the first supplement feeding of the collection day. In experiment 2, the cows utilized in experiment 1 were randomly assigned to receive a supplement based on finely ground corn, coarsely ground corn, or high-moisture corn in a Latin square crossover design. Cows were fed and received the controlled intravaginal P4-releasing insert as in experiment 1. Within each of the 3 experimental periods, cows were adapted to diets from d 0 to 6, and blood samples were collected on d 7 as in experiment 1. Time effects were detected in experiments 1 and 2 because insulin concentrations increased by 1 h (4.6 +/- 0.90 vs. 7.4 +/- 0.91 microIU/mL for 0 and 1 h, respectively) and P4 concentrations decreased by 3 h (1.8 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.11 ng/mL for 0 and 3 h, respectively) after supplements were offered. In experiment 2, insulin concentrations were greater in cows fed high-moisture corn compared with those fed coarsely or finely ground corn (8.8 +/- 1.05, 5.7 +/- 1.05, and 6.1 +/- 1.05 microIU/mL, respectively). Data combined from both experiments indicated that cows with median insulin >or=4.5 microIU/mL before supplement feeding had greater P4 concentrations at 1 h, but lesser P4 concentrations at 5 h compared with cows with insulin <4.5 microIU/mL. Carbohydrate processing, but not carbohydrate source, affected serum insulin of nonlactating dairy cows.

Application of socio-economic-health deprivation index, analysis of mortality and influenza vaccination coverage in the elderly population of Tuscany.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to describe the results obtained from the application of a specific local deprivation index, to general and cause-specific mortality and influenza vaccination coverage among elderly people in the municipality of Florence. METHODS: General and cause-specific mortality data (2009-2013) and influenza vaccination coverage data (2015/16 and 2016/17) were collected for subjects aged ≥ 65 years residing in the municipality of Florence (Tuscany), at the 2011 Census section level. A Socio-Economic and Health Deprivation Index (SEHDI) was constructed and validated by means of socio-economic indicators and mortality ratios. RESULTS: Half of the population of Florence belonged to the medium deprivation group; about 25% fell into the two most deprived groups, and the remaining 25% were deemed to be wealthy. Elderly people mostly belonged to the high deprivation group. All-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality (cancer and respiratory diseases) reached their highest values in the high deprivation group. Influenza vaccination coverage (VC) was 54.7% in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons, combined. VC showed a linear rising trend as deprivation increased and appeared to be correlated with different factors in the different deprivation groups. CONCLUSIONS: As socio-economic deprivation plays an important role in health choices, application of the SEHDI enables us to identify the characteristics of the main sub-groups of the population with low adherence to influenza vaccination. The results of the present study should be communicated to General Practitioners, in order to help them to promote influenza vaccination among their patients.

Solucoes alternativas para hidratacao oral em pediatria. II. - Variacoes na concentracao de sodio e sacarose observadas na preparacao de uma solucao hidratante caseira. / Alternative solutions for oral hydration in Pediattrics. II - Variations in the concentration of sodium and sucrose observed in the preparation of a homemade hydrating solution

A quatro grupos de adultos foi pedido que preparassem uma solucao hidratante caseira utilizando a tampinha da garrafa de refrigerantes ("tampinha") para medida de sal e acucar refinados e a mamadeira para agua.O grupo I foi constituido de 13 tecnicos de laboratorio e dois medicos, que prepararam a solucao em duplicatas, o grupo II constituido de 30 estudantes de Enfermagem; o grupo III constituido de 30 maes registradas num Posto de Saude que prepararam a solucao na propria instituicao, mediante receita e orientacao; o grupo IV de outras 30 maes do mesmo Posto que prepararam a solucao em suas proprias casas apos orientacao e demonstracao.Os resultados mostraram que os valores medios das amostras do grupo I correspondem aproximadamente aos que seriam esperados utilizando-se as medidas preconizadas. Os devios padroes para o sodio e osmolalidade determinada pela sacarose foram maiores nos grupos II, III e IV em relacao ao grupo I indicando maior dispersao dos valores. A maior amplitude entre os valores extremos de concentracao de sodio e sacarose foi observada no grupo II. O valor mais elevado de sodio foi observado no grupo IV (76 mEq/L) e o menor no grupo II (6,5 mEq/L). Em conclusao podemos dizer que, embora a amplitude dos valores observados nos grupos de maes seja maior que naquele grupo habituado a trabalhar com medidas mais exatas, os extremos obtidos nao atingem niveis de erros muito elevados que impecam o emprego da "tampinha" como utensilio de medida do sal e acucar na preparacao da solucao hidratante caseira