Metabolic blood profile of beef heifers during oestrous and non-oestrous states.

Haematological metabolic profiles in heifers could contribute to the development of proxies for oestrous detection and provide clues to further characterize biological changes during oestrus. One hundred and seven beef heifers were observed for oestrous behaviour twice daily for 124 days. Feed intake and productive performance (body weight and composition) traits were measured, and feed efficiency was determined using residual feed intake (kg DM/day). Blood plasma samples were collected when signs of oestrus were observed and every 30 ± 2 days. Heifers were considered in oestrus (n = 71) when plasma progesterone concentrations were <0.6 ng/ml. Least square means of blood metabolic parameters were compared between oestrous and non-oestrous states and within oestrous groups according to performance traits and age. Heifers in oestrus exhibited higher concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), beta-hydroxybutyric acid, creatine kinase (CK) and triiodothyronine (T3) than heifers in non-oestrus. Heifers in oestrus revealed lower osmolality and concentrations of calcium, sodium and total protein than during non-oestrus. Younger (and smaller) heifers had greater concentrations of CK, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose and sodium than the older heifers. Heifers with lower fatness had increased osmolality and concentrations of cholesterol, CK, phosphorus, sodium and reduced T3 levels. Feed efficient heifers had greater levels of AST, cholesterol and GGT than inefficient heifers. Blood plasma parameters may be complementary to oestrous detection upon further validation; effects of age, feed efficiency, body size and body composition should be considered to optimize this haematological assessment.

Role and results of tapered fluted modular titanium stems in revision total hip arthroplasty.

Tapered, fluted, modular, titanium stems have a long history in Europe and are increasing in popularity in North America. We have reviewed the results at our institution looking at stem survival and clinical outcomes. Radiological outcomes and quality of life assessments have been performed and compared to cylindrical non-modular cobalt chromium stems. Survival at five years was 94%. This fell to 85% at ten years due to stem breakage with older designs. Review of radiology showed maintenance or improvement of bone stock in 87% of cases. Outcome scores were superior in tapered stems despite worse pre-operative femoral deficiency. Tapered stems have proved to be a useful alternative in revision total hip arthroplasty across the spectrum of femoral bone deficiency.

Susceptibility of juvenile European lobster Homarus gammarus to shrimp products infected with high and low doses of white spot syndrome virus.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the most important pathogen known to affect the sustainability and growth of the global penaeid shrimp farming industry. Although most commonly associated with penaeid shrimp farmed in warm waters, WSSV is also able to infect, cause disease in and kill a wide range of other decapod crustaceans, including lobsters, from temperate regions. In 2005, the European Union imported US$500 million worth of raw frozen or cooked frozen commodity products, much of which originated in regions positive for white spot disease (WSD). The presence of WSSV within the UK food market was verified by means of nested PCR performed on samples collected from a small-scale survey of supermarket commodity shrimp. Passage trials using inoculum derived from commodity shrimp from supermarkets and delivered by injection to specific pathogen-free Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei led to rapid mortality and pathognomonic signs of WSD in the shrimp, demonstrating that WSSV present within commodity shrimp was viable. We exposed a representative European decapod crustacean, the European lobster Homarus gammarus, to a single feeding of WSSV-positive, supermarket-derived commodity shrimp, and to positive control material (L. vannamei infected with a high dose of WSSV). These trials demonstrated that lobsters fed positive control (high dose) frozen raw products succumbed to WSD and displayed pathognomonic signs associated with the disease as determined by means of histology and transmission electron microscopy. Lobsters fed WSSV-positive, supermarket-derived commodity shrimp (low dose) did not succumb to WSD (no mortality or pathognomonic signs of WSD) but demonstrated a low level or latent infection via PCR. This study confirms susceptibility of H. gammarus to WSSV via single feedings of previously frozen raw shrimp products obtained directly from supermarkets.

The reported use of dietary supplements (sip feeds) in hospitals in Wessex, UK.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of the use of supplements (sip feeds) in district general, psychiatric and community hospitals in the former Wessex health region. METHOD: Cross sectional study of prevalence and determinants of supplement use in 10 district general hospitals (covering medical, surgical, orthopaedic, and elderly specialities), 4 psychiatric hospitals and 3 community hospitals. RESULTS: Overall 14% of patients were being supplemented although the variation across hospitals and specialities was wide (0%-35%); elderly care patients within district hospitals were most likely to be supplemented (20%; range 12-35%). In 34% of patients there was no documented reason as to why supplements were given. 60% of patients were not weighed on admission; 70% did not have a weight history recorded and 83% did not have a current weight recorded. Documentation regarding supplement use appeared to be recorded in an unsystematic manner. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients were not being weighed on admission and appeared to have no documentation as to why supplements were given. Given the importance of malnutrition in hospital patients a more evidence based, objective approach to assessing nutritional requirements, intake and support may be beneficial.

A double-blind evaluation of evening primrose oil as an antiobesity agent.

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is a naturally occurring rich source of essential fatty acids, especially linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid. It has been suggested that it has antiobesity properties. This double-blind 12-week study was undertaken in 100 women with substantial obesity: 40 with refractory obesity, and 60 at time of initial referral to a hospital clinic. Seventy-four subjects completed the study. Those treated with EPO were comparable in age and degree of obesity with the placebo-treated group. There was no significant difference in the weight loss achieved by those taking EPO compared with placebo, either in the subjects with refractory obesity or in those treated at time of initial referral. It would appear that any antiobesity property possessed by EPO is clinically insignificant.

Fenfluramine, vitamin C and weight loss.

Forty-two female patients with refractory obesity completed a 20-week double-blind study during which they were given a diet designed to provide not more than 40 mg vitamin C and 1000 kcal (4.2 MJ) daily. Twenty-two of the patients took 600 mg of supplementary vitamin C daily and the remainder, a matched placebo. All were given their highest tolerated dose of fenfluramine up to a maximum of 160 mg daily. There was no significant difference in the mean weight loss of the two groups. This study fails to support the hypothesis that the anti-obesity effect of fenfluramine is influenced by the vitamin C intake.

Euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis.

Of a series of 211 episodes of diabetic metabolic decompensation 37 had severe euglycaemic ketoacidosis (a blood sugar level of less than 300 mg/100 ml and a plasma bicarbonate of 10 mEq/1. or less). All were young insulin-dependent diabetics, only one being previously undiagnosed. Vomiting was a common factor, and in all carbohydrate reduction occurred with continued or increased daily insulin dose. Treatment comprised fluid and electrolyte replacement and large doses of insulin covered by adequate carbohydrate, many receiving 10% dextrose. Alkali was either withheld or given sparingly and the therapy was monitored by serial estimations of plasma bicarbonate. All the patients survived.