Genetic relationships of body condition score and locomotion with production, type and fertility traits in Holstein-Friesian cows.

New traits are sought to add in breeding goals to prevent worsening health and fertility of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for body condition score (BCS) and locomotion (LOC) and their relationship with other type traits, milk and fertility traits, and to show genetic trends for BCS and LOC in Polish Holstein-Friesian population. Data on 317 028 Holstein-Friesian cows, born from 2010 through 2015 in 11 792 herds, were collected. All cows were scored for BCS and 43% of them for LOC. All records comprised lactational yields of milk, fat and protein, content of fat and protein and somatic cell count from the first three lactations, stature, five composite and 16 linear conformation traits, and four fertility traits. Genetic parameters were estimated using a Bayesian method with Gibbs Sampling, generating 100 000 samples in each of four steps: BCS and LOC with five composite conformation traits, BCS and LOC with 16 linear conformation traits, BCS and LOC with production traits, and BCS and LOC with four fertility traits. The linear model for BCS and LOC contained fixed effects of herd-year-season-classifier and lactation stage, fixed linear and quadratic regressions on age at calving, fixed linear regression on the percentage of Holstein-Friesian genes, and random additive genetic effect. Breeding values for BCS and LOC were calculated using the same model as used for estimation of genetic parameters. Genetic trends for BCS and LOC, defined as regression coefficients of mean breeding value on birth year, were examined. BCS was a moderately heritable trait (0.19) and was genetically correlated with non-return rate until 56 days after first insemination for cows (-0.32) and with days open (-0.22), so selection for BCS might have a favourable correlated effect on fertility. LOC, lowly heritable (0.06), was relatively strongly genetically correlated with feet-and-legs traits (from 0.48 to 0.93, ignoring sign) and could be included in a selection subindex for feet-and-legs. The positive trend for LOC indicated substantial progress towards the highest genetic value (optimum at the end of the scale), while the small trend for BCS showed a tendency to stabilise the average value in the middle of the scale (optimum for BCS). The estimates of the genetic parameters for BCS and LOC indicate that both traits could contribute to more effective selection to improve fertility (BCS) and legs health (LOC) in the Polish dairy cattle population.

Effects of comicronised fenofibrate on lipid and insulin sensitivity in patients with polymetabolic syndrome X.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of comicronised fenofibrate in patients with dyslipidemia and polymetabolic syndrome X. DESIGN: After a 6-week dietary run-in phase, 37 male patients eligible on lipid criteria entered a 12-week treatment phase consisting of diet plus one capsule daily containing 200 mg of comicronised fenofibrate (Lipanthyl(R)). RESULTS: A significant reduction in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride was observed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with fenofibrate. The improvement in the atherogenic index LDL/HDL cholesterol from a pretreatment 3.8 to 3.0 after treatment was highly statistically significant and may be judged as satisfactory. Significant changes were also observed in haemostatic factors (fibrinogen reduced by 19%, factor VII activity reduced by 18%). Fasting serum insulin levels and insulin response (area under the curve) after oral glucose load were significantly reduced by 26.8% and 18.7%, respectively, indicating an improvement of insulin sensitivity. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced. Uric acid was significantly reduced by 21.6%. CONCLUSION: These favourable effects of comicronised fenofibrate both on lipid and non lipid parameters, including insulin sensitivity, may confer to this product a particular interest in the treatment of patients with polymetabolic syndrome X.

[Usefulness of electrocardiographic exercise tests for evaluation of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty results]. / Przydatnosc elektrokardiograficznych testów wysilkowych dla oceny wyników przezskórnej angioplastyki tetnic wiencowych.

The value of exercise ECG (ExT) in predicting the occurrence of restenosis after successful single-vessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was assessed in 94 patients (pts). There were 83 pts with complete and 11 with incomplete revascularisation. In all cases ExT were made prior to the procedure, immediately after, 3 and 6 months after PTCA. In group of 48 pts without restenosis an abnormal ExT was present in 19 (39.6%) pts immediately after PTCA and in 13 (27.1%) pts in 6 month of observation. Among 46 pts with restenosis an abnormal ExT was observed in 27 (58.7%) pts immediately after PTCA and in 42 (91.3%) pts in time of 6 months control. Four (8.7%) pts showed negative ExT despite of restenosis. After 3 months of observation multivariate analysis of 11 factors revealed 2 factors related to restenosis: ST segment depression and chest pain during ExT. The positive predictive value for restenosis was 60.5% for those factors. After 6 months of observation multivariate analysis revealed 3 factors related to restenosis: ST segment depression, double product and maximal blood pressure during ExT. The positive predictive value for restenosis was 64.7% for those factors. It is concluded that our diagnostic strategy provides a useful clinical tool for detecting patients with high risk of restenosis who may require repeated coronary angiography.

Ultrasound measurement of thyroid volume in the nation-wide epidemiological survey on iodine deficiency in Poland.

Thyroid size was evaluated by ultrasonography and palpation during a study performed in 1992 and 1993 by PCCIDD. Statistical analysis was carried out in 15774 cases with thyroid volume measured by trained teams of doctors. The results were evaluated in 5 age group: 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13 years. The upper limit of the thyroid volume in each age group was defined as mean for stage 0 (WHO) + 1 SD. Our upper limits of thyroid volume in age groups were: 6.1, 7.2, 8.4 and 9.1 ml, respectively. The highest frequency of goitre (according to ultrasound criteria) were in the Sudeten endemia region (53.1%), the lowest in the Seaside area (14.3%). Significant influence of age, sex, height, weight, place of living, and thyroid hormone containing drugs on thyroid size was proved. The influence of iodine prophylaxis on thyroid volume was not significant.

Prevalence of goiter, iodine deficiency and iodine prophylaxis in Poland. The results of a nationwide study.

A nation-wide epidemiological survey was conducted on a random sample of 19,300 schoolchildren, 0.5% of the 6-13-years-old child population. The study included data on body mass, height, thyroid size according to the ICCIDD/WHO classification, and information on iodized salt intake. Thyroid volume was measured with a portable USG also, and iodine concentrations in casual urine specimens were measured. In 80% of the children, urine iodine concentrations were below 100 mu/l; about 5% of the children had enlarged thyroid glands in class II or III of the ICCIDD/WHO classification, and hypothyroidism was not observed during examination. These findings mean that Poland is an area of mild or moderate endemic goiter. The highest prevalence of goiter as determined by USG was observed in the Sudeten, Carpathian, and northeastern parts of Poland. In these areas, 40-80% of the children had urine iodine concentrations within 0-50 micrograms/l; this region was classified as a moderate endemia area. The lowest prevalence was in the northwestern part of the country; 60-90% of the children had iodine concentrations above 50 micrograms/l, and 23-35% above 100 micrograms/l. This area was classified as a mild endemic goiter area. Comparison of the thyroid size measures yields a very low (20%) coefficient of accuracy for class Ia. This class seems of questionable value for an epidemiological survey. Multifactorial analysis of variance of iodine concentrations shows the effects of some main factors: geographical area, iodine prophylaxis and urban/rural residence. The questionnaire results indicate that only about 20% of the total population uses iodized salt. The effectiveness of prophylaxis was very low; increases in urine iodine concentrations and decreases of goiter prevalence in the children using iodized salt did not exceed 10%. This points to the need to increase the KJ dose in table salt and to develop a new model for distribution of iodized salt in Poland.

Comparison of ten Friesian strains in Poland for yield traits from first three parities.

Milk yield, fat yield, and fat percentage for the first three parities were compared for crosses of Friesian strains from Canada, Denmark, Israel, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the US, and West Germany with Polish black-and-white cattle. Mixed model multitrait BLUP solutions for milk yield ranked Holstein strains (US, Canada, and Israel) and New Zealand Friesians higher than European Friesian strains for all three parities. Largest difference for milk yield between highest ranking US strain and lowest ranking Polish strain was 1002 kg for first lactation. Rankings for fat yield were similar to those for milk yield. For all three parities, the New Zealand strain ranked highest for fat percentage and the US strain lowest. Although rankings were consistent across parities for all yield traits, differences between Holstein and Friesian strains decreased as parity increased. Holstein strains maintained their superiority for milk and fat yields for all three parities despite difficult environmental conditions and a feeding regimen worse than in their country of origin.