Effects of grazing adaptation on intake, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and body weight change in dairy cows after turning out to pasture in early spring.

This study investigated the effect of adaptation to grazing in early spring on herbage intake, ruminal fermentation parameters, blood metabolite concentrations, and body weight change in dairy cows. The experiment was conducted on eight rumen-cannulated non-lactating cows in the early spring period. Four cows were adapted to grazing by stocking for 4 hr for 1 week (ADP group). The other cows were kept in a barn during the period (CON group). Then, both groups of cows were stocked together throughout a day on a 1 ha pasture for 3 weeks (experimental period). In the first week of the experimental period, compared to the CON group, the ADP group had a higher herbage intake, ruminal NH3 -N and total VFA concentration, and blood urea concentration, but the NEFA concentration was lower in the ADP group (p < .01). During the subsequent weeks, there were little differences in ruminal fermentation parameters and blood metabolites. Cows in the ADP group maintained their body weight, but cows in the CON group lost 60 kg of body weight in the first week of the experimental period.

[A case of sigmoid colon cancer with Virchow's lymph node metastasis successfully treated with chemotherapy].

We report the case of a 71-year-old woman suffering from advanced sigmoid colon cancer with Virchow's and para- aortic lymph node metastasis. Sigmoidectomy was performed for sigmoid colon cancer in January 2008, and pathological analysis revealed that it was Stage II(pT3, pN0, pM0, Cur A). The patient received capecitabine regimen as adjuvant chemotherapy from February 2008 to July 2008. However, in August 2008, a left cervical mass was detected associated with swelling, which was partially resected. Microscopic findings revealed lymph node metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer, and Virchow's and para-aortic lymph node metastasis were diagnosed. Therapy with FOLFOX and bevacizumab (Bmab) was started and continued for 8 cycles. Virchow's and para-aortic lymph node metastasis could no longer be detected in June 2009. FOLFOX+Bmab treatment was administered for 33 cycles and oxaliplatin was temporarily stopped due to adverse reactions, including neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, and appetite loss. She had no recurrence for almost 3 years after stopping chemotherapy for Virchow's and para-aortic lymph node metastasis.