Effects of protected fish oil in the diet of periparturient dairy goats on phenotypic variation in blood and milk leukocytes.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary protected fish oil (FO) on phenotypic variation in blood, milk leukocytes, and some productive and metabolic parameters in periparturient dairy goats. About 12 Alpine goats, selected from a larger group of second-parity animals, were fed from 15 days before kidding until the 15th day of lactation with the same basal diet that had been supplemented with either 47 g/head per day of FO or 47 g/head per day hydrogenated palm oil (PO). Dry matter intake, live body weight (LBW), body condition score (BCS), and productive performance were evaluated in 2 weeks after kidding. On days 15, 7, and 2 before kidding and days 2, 7, and 15 after kidding, plasma samples were collected for evaluation of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, and urea levels. White blood cell and blood leukocyte subsets were counted in whole blood samples on the kidding day, as well as at 1, 4, and 15 days after kidding. In addition, milk somatic cell count, intramammary infection (IMI), and milk leukocyte subsets were evaluated on days 4 and 15 after kidding. No differences were observed in dry matter intake and BCS, while LBW was higher in FO-fed animals. Milk production and composition, plasma metabolites, and liver enzymes were similar in both experimental groups. Blood CD4 positive cells increased constantly (P = 0.05) in FO-fed group, while CD8 and CD14 cell counts significantly increased 4 days after kidding (P < 0.01). Milk leukocyte subsets showed a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in PO-fed group and a non-significant increase (P = 0.34) in FO-fed group, despite the presence of coagulase negative staphylococci IMI. The results of the productive performance evaluation agreed with those of many other studies, which did not find any significant differences between dairy goats fed diets enriched with FO or PO supplements. The administration of FO to dairy goats in transition appeared to affect the variation in blood leukocytes with a constant increase in CD4- and CD8-positive cells in comparison with a PO fat-supplemented diet.

[Tobacco- and alcohol-related behaviors among adolescents attending high schools in Lodi, Milano (City and Province) in the period 2000-2003: results from two multicentric studies]. / Consumi di tabacco e alcol durante il triennio 2000-2003 tra gli adolescenti delle scuole superiori di Lodi e di Milano (Città Provincia): risultati di due rilevazioni multicentriche.

Tobacco- and alcohol-related behaviors are important public health problems under the sanitary, economic and political point of view; even if the negative consequences of these substances' use and abuse are clear and well recognized, the prevalence of the phenomenon remains however high. Therefore to put in action prevention effective procedures, it is useful to know causes and consequences of the behaviour, but also to be able to quantify them and follow them up. This research is aimed at assessing the spread of tobacco's and alcohol's consumptions among students attending high school in Lodi and Milano (City and Province) during school year 2002-2003 and allows to compare these data with those obtained through a similar study carried out during school year 2000-2001. Data have been collected using a translated and adapted version of the YRBSS questionnaire implemented by CDC to monitor the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among U.S. teens. Tobacco habits appears still high but have not increased in the considered period, while alcohol-related behaviors are growing in popularity and performed by a greater number of adolescents,compared with what happened three years earlier This proves to be particolarly true for girls. Prevention implications are presented on the basis of these results.

Early computed tomography demonstration of cerebral infarction does not correlate with clinical outcome.

The results of unenhanced computed tomography (CT) obtained in 105 consecutive patients admitted with cerebral infarction were compared with the patients' clinical outcome and their Glasgow Outcome Scores upon discharge. Specific analysis of the findings in patients with early admission CT (within 12 h of onset) was carried out. The size of the infarction was calculated from delayed CT images (small if less than 50 mm(3); moderate if 50-250 mm(3); large if greater than 250 mm(3)). Initial CT demonstration of the cerebral infarction was accomplished in 57 (54.3%) patients. Forty patients were studied early (<12h) and, of these, 20 (50%) showed abnormal admission CT. The size of the infarction correlated with its demonstration by admission CT. This correlation was found in all patients (p < 0.0001), as well as in those who had early CT (p = 0.015). Also, the size of the infarction correlated with the outcome of the patient (p < 0.001). The demonstration of the lesion by early CT, however, failed to correlate with the outcome of the patients. This finding, although at first surprising, is analogous to reports addressing the predictive value of other CT parameters.

Transcranial Doppler in reversible migrainous vasospasm causing cerebellar infarction: report of a case.

A young woman with a history of classic migraine suffered a large cerebellar infarction. Comprehensive evaluation did not disclose any potential causes for the stroke and she had no other risk factors. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) was useful in identifying vasospasm of the vertebral arteries. Following treatment with propranolol, angiography and repeat TCD revealed resolution of the vasospastic disorder. TCD is a useful noninvasive tool in detecting vasospasm associated with ischemic lesions in certain patients with migraine.