Collection and determinants of patient reported outcome measures in haemodialysis patients in Scotland.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) can evaluate the quality of health in patients with established renal failure. There is limited experience of their use within national renal registries. AIM: To describe the Scottish Renal Registry's (SRR) experience of collecting PROMS in the haemodialysis population and correlate PROMS to demographic and clinical parameters. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: Haemodialysis patients in Scotland were invited to complete the KDQOL™-36 questionnaire on the day of the annual SRR census in 2015 and 2016. Questionnaires were linked to census demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: In 2016, 738 questionnaires were linked to census data (39% of prevalent haemodialysis population). Response rates differed with age (≥ 65 years 42%, < 65 years 36%) [χ2P = 0.006]; duration of renal replacement therapy (<1 year 46%, ≥1 < 5 years 38%, ≥ 5 years 33%) [χ2P = 0.002] and social class (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) Class 1 32%, Class 2 41%, Class 3 40%, Class 4 48%, Class 5 40%) [χ2P < 0.001]. There were significant differences in PROMs with age, SIMD quintile and primary renal diagnosis. Achieving a urea reduction ratio of >65% and dialysing through arteriovenous access were associated with significantly higher PROMs. PROMs were not affected by haemoglobin or phosphate concentration. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Routine collection of PROMs is feasible and can identify potentially under-recognized and treatable determinants to quality of life. The association between attaining recommended standards of care and improved PROMs is striking. Individual and population-wide strategies are required to improve PROMs.

Genetic parameters estimated at receiving for circulating cortisol, immunoglobulin G, interleukin 8, and incidence of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot beef steers.

Bovine respiratory disease complex (i.e., shipping fever and bacterial bronchopneumonia) is a multifaceted respiratory illness influenced by numerous environmental factors and microorganisms. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is just one component of BRD complex. Because BRD is moderately heritable, it may be possible to reduce the incidence of BRD through genetic selection. The objectives of this study were to determine the heritability and associative genetic relationships among immune system traits (i.e., cortisol, total IgG, IgG isotypes, and IL-8) in cattle monitored for BRD incidence. At an average of 83 d after weaning (219 d age and mean = 221.7 kg [SD 4.34]), crossbred steer calves ( = 2,869) were received at a commercial feedlot in southeastern Colorado over a 2-yr period. At receiving, jugular blood samples were collected at 212 (yr 1) and 226 d (yr 2) of age for immune trait analyses. The BRD phenotype was defined as a binomial variable (0 = no and 1 = yes) and compared with immune system traits measured at receiving (prior to illness onset). An animal identified as BRD positive exhibited ≥ 2 clinical signs (i.e., eye or nasal discharge, cough, lethargy, rapid breathing, acute interstitial pneumonia, or acute upper respiratory syndrome and/or a rectal temperature > 39.7°C). Heritability and genetic correlation estimates for categorical variable BRD, cortisol, IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IL-8 were estimated from a sire model using ASREML. Heritability estimates were low to moderate for BRD (0.17 ± 0.08), cortisol (0.13 ± 0.05), IgG (0.15 ± 0.05), IgG1 (0.11 ± 0.05), IgG2 (0.24 ± 0.06), and IL-8 (0.30 ± 0.06). A moderate negative genetic correlation was determined between BRD and cortisol ( = -0.19 ± 0.32). Moderate positive correlations were found between BRD with IgG (0.42 ± 0.28), IgG1 (0.36 ± 0.32), and IL-8 ( = 0.26 ± 0.26). Variation in the BRD phenotype and immune system traits suggested herd health improvement may be achieved through genetic selection.

Reticulo-rumen temperature as a predictor of calving time in primiparous and parous Holstein females.

The objective of this research was to define and analyze drops in reticulo-rumen temperature (Trr) as an indicator of calving time in Holstein females. Data were collected from 111 primiparous and 150 parous Holstein females between November 2012 and March 2013. Between -15 and -5 d relative to anticipated calving date, each female received an orally administered temperature sensing reticulo-rumen bolus that collected temperatures hourly. Daily mean Trr was calculated from d -5 to 0 relative to using all Trr values (A-Trr) or only Trr values ≥37.7°C (W-Trr) not altered by water intake. To identify a Trr drop, 2 methodologies for computing the baseline temperature were used. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to estimate the probability of calving within the next 12 or 24 h for primiparous, parous, and all females, based on the size of the Trr drop. For all GLM, a large drop in Trr corresponded with a large estimated probability of calving. The predictive power of the GLM was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The ROC curve analyses showed that all models, regardless of methodology in calculation of the baseline or tested category (primiparous or parous), were able to predict calving; however, area under the ROC curve values, an indication of prediction quality, were greater for methods predicting calving within 24 h. Further comparisons between GLM for primiparous and parous, and using baseline 1 and 2, provide insight on the differences in predictive performance. Based on the GLM, Trr drops of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4°C were identified as useful indicators of parturition and further analyzed using sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios. Based on sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios, the best indicator of calving was an average Trr drop ≥0.2°C, regardless of methodology used to compute the baseline or category of animal evaluated.

Random regression models for the prediction of days to weight, ultrasound rib eye area, and ultrasound back fat depth in beef cattle.

Genetic evaluation research designed to reduce the required days to a specified end point has received very little attention in pertinent scientific literature, given that its economic importance was first discussed in 1957. There are many production scenarios in today's beef industry, making a prediction for the required number of days to a single end point a suboptimal option. Random regression is an attractive alternative to calculate days to weight (DTW), days to ultrasound back fat (DTUBF), and days to ultrasound rib eye area (DTUREA) genetic predictions that could overcome weaknesses of a single end point prediction. The objective of this study was to develop random regression approaches for the prediction of the DTW, DTUREA, and DTUBF. Data were obtained from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. Data consisted of records on 1,324 feedlot cattle spanning 1999 to 2007. Individual animals averaged 5.77 observations with weights, ultrasound rib eye area (UREA), ultrasound back fat depth (UBF), and ages ranging from 293 to 863 kg, 73.39 to 129.54 cm, 1.53 to 30.47 mm, and 276 to 519 d, respectively. Random regression models using Legendre polynomials were used to regress age of the individual on weight, UREA, and UBF. Fixed effects in the model included an overall fixed regression of age on end point (weight, UREA, and UBF) nested within breed to account for the mean relationship between age and weight as well as a contemporary group effect consisting of breed of the animal (Angus, Charolais, and Charolais sired), feedlot pen, and year of measure. Likelihood ratio tests were used to determine the appropriate random polynomial order. Use of the quadratic polynomial did not account for any additional genetic variation in days for DTW ( > 0.11), for DTUREA ( > 0.18), and for DTUBF ( > 0.20) when compared with the linear random polynomial. Heritability estimates from the linear random regression for DTW ranged from 0.54 to 0.74, corresponding to end points of 293 and 863 kg, respectively. Heritability for DTUREA ranged from 0.51 to 0.34 and for DTUBF ranged from 0.55 to 0.37. These estimates correspond to UREA end points of 35 and 125 cm and UBF end points of 1.53 and 30 mm, respectively. This range of heritability shows DTW, DTUREA, and DTUBF to be highly heritable and indicates that selection pressure aimed at reducing the number of days to reach a finish weight end point can result in genetic change given sufficient data.

Optimum measurement period for evaluating feed intake traits in beef cattle.

The Beef Improvement Federation recommends residual feed intake (RFI) be calculated from 70-d tests preceded by a 21-d adjustment period. Individual animal feed intake and gain measurements are expensive and time consuming, which limits the number of animals available for national genetic evaluation of feed intake. If a shorter test period of comparable accuracy could be used, the cost would decrease and more animals could be tested annually. The objective of this study was to determine if data from shortened tests is equally as predictive of average daily DMI (ADMI) and RFI values from 70-d tests. Feed intake and weight measures were collected after weaning from Bos taurus bulls, steers, and heifers (n = 612) during four 70-d performance tests. For each individual, ADMI and RFI were calculated. Residual feed intake was calculated by regressing ADMI on metabolic midweight (MMWT) and ADG with the effect of breed included where appropriate. Based on four 70-d intake tests, ADMI, RFI, ADG, and MMWT were evaluated using shortened test lengths in a post hoc analysis where shortened test lengths were imposed on the full-period tests. The ADMI, RFI, ADG, and MMWT values from the full 70-d test were regressed on ADMI, RFI, ADG, and MMWT values resulting from the constructed shorter data subsets. The 8 subsets ranged from 14 to 56 d in length. The fixed effects of test, breed, animal's origin, and sex were included in each comparison for ADMI, ADG, and MMWT. Estimates for regression coefficients of ADMI values from a full test on various subsets ranged from 0.63 to 1.02. Likewise, estimated coefficients obtained from the regression of full test RFI, ADG, and MMWT values on subsets ranged from 0.50 to 1.00, 0.09 to 0.85, and 0.48 to 1.02, respectively. We conclude that ADMI values from a 42-d test ( < 0.0001) and RFI values from a 56-d test (P < 0.0001) adequately predict ADMI and RFI when compared to a 70-d test. These results suggest that testing periods of 42 d for determining ADMI and 56 d for RFI could ultimately reduce testing costs and result in collection of data on a larger number of animals per year, in turn resulting in more data for genetic evaluation.

Effects of pain mitigation and method of castration on behavior and feedlot performance in cull beef bulls.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of castration method (banding vs. surgical) and use of analgesia on behavior and feedlot performance in cull bulls. Angus, Hereford, and Angus-crossbred bulls (n = 20; initial BW = 384 ± 59.3 kg; 336 ± 20.1 d old) were housed in feedlot pens equipped with the ability to measure individual daily feed intake. A balanced randomized block design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used. A multimodal analgesia (MMA) protocol was used and consisted of sutcutaneous ketamine stun containing butorphanol (0.01 mg/kg BW), xylazine (0.02 mg/kg BW), ketamine (0.04 mg/kg BW), and a local 2% lidocaine hydrochloride anesthetic block of the spermatic cords (10 mL/cord) and scrotum (10 mL) on d 0. Flunixin meglumine (1.2 mg/kg) was administered intravenously on d 0, 1, 2, and 3 to MMA cattle. Cattle were stratified to treatments based on breed, BW, age, and a temperament score. Treatments included 1) band castration without analgesia (BND), 2) band castration with analgesia (BND-MMA), 3) surgical castration without analgesia (SURG), and 4) surgical castration with analgesia (SURG-MMA). All castrations were performed on d 0. Chute exit velocity (EV) and time in chute (TIC) were collected on d -9, 0, 1, 2, and 13. Willingness-to-enter-chute (WTE) score, rectal temperature (TEMP), heart rate (HR), and respiration (RESP) were collected on d 0, 1, 2, 3, and 13. Cattle were weighed on d -9 and 13 while feeding behaviors were collected continuously for 57 d precastration and 28 d postcastration. There was a tendency (P < 0.09) for ADG to be greater in cattle receiving analgesia. Both SURG treatments exhibited elevated TEMP on d 1 (P < 0.001) and 2 (P < 0.05) compared to BND treatments. Postcastration DMI was greater (P = 0.02) in MMA treatments compared with nonmedicated treatments throughout the trial. Meal duration was greater (P < 0.05) in BND than SURG castrates during the first week postcastration. Results suggest that pain mitigation reduces the impact of castration on ADG and DMI.

Impact of oral meloxicam administration before and after band castration on feedlot performance and behavioral response in weanling beef bulls.

Two experiments evaluated the effects of band castration and oral administration of an analgesic in association with castration on performance and behavioral and physiological responses in yearling beef bulls. In Exp. 1 Angus and Charolais-crossbred bull calves (n = 127; 309.8 ± 59.04 kg BW) and in Exp. 2 Hereford, Angus, and Hereford × Angus crossbred bulls (n = 30; 300.8 ± 4.96 kg BW) were stratified by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) band castration (BAND), 2) band castration with oral administration of meloxicam (BAND-MEL), and 3) sham castration (SHAM). The BAND and SHAM procedures were completed on d 0. The SHAM treatment consisted of all animal manipulations associated with band castration without band application. Meloxicam was administered on d -1, 0, and 1 (1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively) via an oral bolus. Body weight and a subjective chute score (CS) were collected on d -1, 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 (d 28 Exp. 1 only). In Exp. 2, jugular blood samples were collected immediately before castration and 24 h postcastration for substance P (SP) analysis. In Exp. 2, video documentation on d 0 was used to determine range of vertical head motion (DIST) on a subset of animals during treatment administration. In both experiments, ADG was similar (P ≥ 0.50) between BAND and BAND-MEL, but ADG in SHAM cattle was greater (P < 0.001) and tended (P = 0.07) to be greater than castrates in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, CS did not differ (P ≥ 0.26) between BAND and BAND-MEL on any day, but castrates exhibited less desirable CS on d 1 and 28 than SHAM cattle. In Exp. 2, CS was not affected (P ≥ 0.41) by castration or the presence of meloxicam. In Exp. 2, DIST did not differ (P = 0.57) between BAND and BAND-MEL, but when pooled, castrates exhibited greater (P = 0.04) DIST than SHAM. In Exp. 2, plasma SP concentrations were similar between BAND and BAND-MEL (P = 0.81) and between castrates vs. sham cattle (P = 0.67). Results indicate no impact of meloxicam administration on performance or behavioral and physiological responses to band castration. However, there was a negative impact of castration on ADG and DIST.

Administration of a GnRH analog on day 9 of a 14-day controlled internal drug release insert with timed artificial insemination in lactating beef cows.

Many estrus synchronization protocols aim to induce a new follicular wave to improve response and enhance pregnancy rate. Our objectives were to determine the effectiveness of GnRH analog administered d 0 and 9 during an extended controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol to produce 2 follicular waves, induce cyclicity in anestrus cows, and evaluate the efficacy of a single 50-mg dose of PGF2α to initiate luteal regression on CIDR removal. Lactating beef cows (n = 779) at 3 locations (n = 247, location 1; n = 395, location 2; n = 137, location 3) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. Cows in the 14-d 50 PG treatment received a CIDR (1.38 g progesterone) with 100 µg GnRH analog intramuscularly (i.m.) on d 0, 100 µg GnRH analog i.m. on d 9, and CIDR removal concurrent with 50 mg PGF2α i.m. on d 14. Cows in the 14-d 6-h PG treatment were assigned the same protocol as the 14-d 50 PG treatment except that 25 mg PGF2α i.m. was given on d 14 plus 25 mg PGF2α i.m. 6 ± 1 h later. Cows in the control treatment, 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR (5-d CO-Synch), received a CIDR concurrent with 100 µg GnRH analog i.m. on d 9, CIDR removal concurrent with 25 mg PGF2α i.m. on d 14, and 25 mg PGF2α i.m. 6 ± 1 h after first F2α injection. Cows in all treatments received 100 µg GnRH analog i.m. and timed AI (TAI) 72 ± 3 h after CIDR removal. Pregnancy status to TAI was determined by ultrasonography 37 to 40 d after TAI. Averaged over all locations, pregnancy rates to TAI for 14-d 50 PG, 14-d 6-h PG, and 5-d CO-Synch treatments were 58.2%, 46.8%, and 41.9%, respectively. Pregnancy rates to TAI were greater (P < 0.05) in 14-d 50 PG treatment than 14-d 6-h PGF2α and 5-d CO-Synch treatments. Cycling status at 2 locations (n = 243, location 1; n = 391, location 2) was determined from blood collected on d -7 and 0; cows with serum progesterone concentrations >1 ng/mL at either (or both) bleeding date were considered cyclic. Averaged over the 2 locations, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for a greater number of cyclic animals to become pregnant to TAI in the 14-d 50 PG treatment (64.4%) than 5-d CO-Synch treatment (50.2%). The 14-d CIDR with GnRH analog on d 0 and 9 and a single 50-mg dose of PG i.m. at CIDR removal was a more efficacious protocol to maximize TAI pregnancy rates than the standard 5-d CO-Synch.

Determination of the appropriate delivery of prostaglandin F2α in the five-day CO-Synch + controlled intravaginal drug release protocol in suckled beef cows.

The objective of this experiment was to determine if 2 doses of prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF) administered concurrently at controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) removal was an efficacious method for delivery of PGF in the 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol. Postpartum beef cows (n = 2,465) from 13 herds in 8 states were enrolled in the 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol and assigned to receive 2 doses of PGF (25 mg/dose) 8 h apart with the initial injection given at CIDR insert removal (8h-PGF), 2 doses (25 mg/dose) of PGF delivered in 2 injection sites, both administered at CIDR insert removal (Co-PGF), or a single 25-mg dose of PGF at CIDR insert removal (1x-PGF). Cows were fixed timed-artificially inseminated (FTAI) 72 h after CIDR removal concurrent with GnRH administration. Estrus-cycling status (54% cyclic) was determined by evaluation of progesterone in 2 blood samples collected before CIDR insertion. Determination of pregnancy was performed by transrectal ultrasonography 39 ± 0.1 d after FTAI and at least 35 d after the conclusion of the breeding season. Fixed timed-AI pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.05) for the 8h-PGF (55%) than the 1x-PGF (48%) treatment, with the Co-PGF (51%) treatment intermediate and not different (P > 0.10) from the other treatments. Contrast analysis demonstrated that cows receiving 50 mg of PGF (8h-PGF and Co-PGF) had greater (P < 0.05) FTAI pregnancy rates than those receiving 25 mg (1x-PGF). Pregnancy rates to FTAI were greater (P < 0.05) in cyclic (55%) than noncyclic (47%) and greater (P < 0.05) in multiparous (≥3 yr of age; 54%; n = 1,940) than primiparous cows (40%; n = 525). Luteolysis after PGF treatment was assessed in a subset of cows (n = 277) and treatment tended (P = 0.09) to affect the proportion of cows having luteolysis. The percentage of cows that had luteolysis was least in the 1x-PGF treatment (89%) and greatest in the 8h-PGF treatment (97%), with the Co-PGF treatment (94%) being intermediate. Breeding season pregnancy rate (88%) did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments but was greater (P < 0.01) in multiparous (90%) than primiparous (78%) cows. In summary, 50 mg of PGF was required in the 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol to maximize pregnancy rates; however, pregnancy rate did not differ when 50 mg of PGF was administered simultaneously with CIDR removal or split with 25 mg administered at 0 and 8 h after CIDR removal.

Vascular access type and risk of mortality in a national prospective cohort of haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters (CVC) are a potential source of bacteraemia and have been associated with increased mortality in haemodialysis patients. We aimed to investigate the relationships between haemodialysis vascular access, taking into account changes in vascular access type during patients' lives, and cause specific mortality risk in a national cohort of dialysis patients. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including all patients receiving haemodialysis in Scotland at annual cross sectional surveys in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Data were collected through the Scottish Renal Registry and by a structured review of case records following death. Cox proportional hazards regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to model survival and risk of death from septicaemia respectively. RESULTS: Of a cohort of 2666 patients, 873 (32%) died during follow-up. After case-mix adjustment, patients using only tunnelled CVC during follow-up had a higher risk of all cause mortality across all strata of prior renal replacement therapy exposure [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.83-2.08]. Case-mix adjusted risks of cardiovascular death (adjusted HR: 2.20-2.95) and infection-related death (adjusted HR: 3.10-3.63) were also higher in this group. Patients using tunnelled CVCs during follow-up and prior to death had 6.9-fold higher odds of death from septicaemia compared with those using only arteriovenous fistulae or grafts. CONCLUSION: Compared with an arteriovenous fistula or graft, sustained use of tunnelled CVCs for vascular access is associated with higher risks of all-cause, cardiovascular and infection-related mortality.

Effects of overfeeding naturally-mated adolescent ewes on maternal, fetal, and postnatal lamb growth.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of overfeeding naturally-mated adolescent ewes (Ovis aries) on maternal, fetal, and postnatal lamb growth, hormone concentrations, and lamb carcass characteristics. Two experiments were conducted in which singleton-bearing adolescent ewes were fed a diet containing 2.72 Mcal/kg ME at a rate which met NRC gestational age requirements (MN; n = 10 in Exp. 1, n = 7 in Exp. 2) or were fed the same diet ad libitum (15% refusal rate) throughout gestation (HN; n = 7 in Exp. 1, n = 6 in Exp. 2). Ewe BW was greater (P < 0.05) for HN than MN ewes beginning on 75 d and 52 d of gestation for Exp. 1 and 2, respectively. Final BCS was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for HN than MN ewes in both experiments; 3.5 vs. 3.0, respectively, for Exp. 1, and 4.8 vs. 2.9, respectively, for Exp. 2. Fasting maternal blood insulin concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in HN ewes near term (135 d of gestation), whereas fasting maternal glucose concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.05) during most of the second half of gestation in HN ewes, for both experiments. Gestation length did not differ (P = 0.69) between treatments in Exp. 1, but in Exp. 2, HN ewes had shorter (P = 0.01) gestation lengths (144 vs. 149 d) and had increased (P = 0.002) dystocia scores. Fetal abdominal circumference was greater (P < 0.05) in lambs from MN than HN ewes at 97 d of gestation in Exp. 1 (20.8 vs. 17.4 cm) but did not differ (P = 0.94) between treatments at 95 d of gestation in Exp. 2 (averaging 20.5 cm). There were no differences (P ≥ 0.15) in lamb BW, abdominal circumference, crown-rump length, and biparietal distance at birth; or in postnatal BW and plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lactate in either experiment. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.18) in HCW, dressing percentage, LM area, fat thickness, or KPH between treatments in Exp. 2. Although there was no difference (P ≥ 0.31) between treatments in concentrations of IGF1 or IGF2 mRNA in liver samples collected at harvest, lambs from MN ewes had greater (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations of IGF1R and INSR mRNA, suggesting long-term effects of maternal diet on postnatal hepatic function. In conclusion, excess nutrition during gestation in naturally-mated adolescent ewes did not affect birth weight or postnatal performance of offspring.

Influence of feeding vitamin D(3) and aging on the tenderness of four lamb muscles.

In Trial 1, rams (n=26) were fed different levels (0, 250,000, 500,000 or 750,000 IU) of vitamin D(3) for 4 days to determine the most effective dose to increase blood calcium concentrations. Trial 2 consisted of feeding feedlot lambs (n=40) different levels (0 or 750,000 IU) of vitamin D(3) for 14 days to determine if vitamin D(3) could improve the tenderness of lamb muscles. Lambs were slaughtered and the M. longissimus lumborum, M. biceps femoris, M. semitendinosus, and M. semimembranosus were removed after chilling, cut into chops, and assigned to an aging period (5, 10 or 15 days) for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) determination. In Trial 1, feed intake and weight gain were lower for rams supplemented with 500,000 IU of vitamin D(3) compared to all other groups. Blood calcium concentrations were not different between groups, although the 750,000 IU group tended (P<0.10) to have higher blood calcium concentrations on day 5 of the trial compared to controls. In Trial 2, blood calcium concentrations were not different between the treated and control groups, however, treated lambs had higher (P<0.01) calcium concentrations in both the liver and kidneys. Control chops from the M. longissimus lumborum had lower (P<0.05) WBS values than chops from vitamin D(3) fed lambs, but no other muscles were affected by vitamin D(3) feeding. An interaction between treatment and aging was observed for the M. biceps femoris, with chops from vitamin D(3) fed lambs having lower WBS values at 5 days aging, but chops from control lambs having lower WBS values at 15 days aging. WBS values decreased for the M. longissimus lumborum, M. semitendinosus, and M. semimembranosus with increasing aging time. Vitamin D(3) supplementation was not an effective means of improving the tenderness characteristics of lamb muscles.

Do we practise what we preach?

UNLABELLED: There are recommendations regarding many facets of lifestyle. We proposed to look at hospital doctors' habits in East Yorkshire. METHOD: A simple questionnaire was sent out to 574 doctors in the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. Non-responders were re-mailed. Age, sex, grade, specialty, number of portions of fruit and vegetable per day, alcohol intake, smoking, exercise and hours worked. RESULTS: 301 doctors (238 males, 60 females) responded (response rate 58%). Approximately half of doctors who responded were consultants. Few respondents smoked (6.6%), and the mean alcohol consumption, 8.35 units per week (SE 0.54), was less than the recommended limits for men and women. Most doctors fell short of the "recommended" 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day (median 3 per day) and nearly half worked more than 56 hours per week. Most respondents took at least the recommended amount of exercise per week (112 SE25 minutes) although 26% of doctors took no exercise at all.