Effects of different levels of feed intake during four short periods of gestation and housing systems on sows and litter performance.

The current study investigated the effects of different levels of feed intake during 4 short periods of gestation and of housing systems on sow and litter performance. A total of 255 multiparous sows were allotted to 1-4 dietary treatments using a randomized complete block design blocking by initial body weight (BW), backfat (BF) and parity. Sows were housed either in individual stalls (n=129) or group pens (n=126) with 55 sows in each pen with electronic sow feeder during gestation. All sows were fed one common corn-soybean meal-based diet with the amount of 1.0×maintenance energy level of feed intake (106×BW0.75) throughout gestation except 4 periods of 7 d when dietary treatments were imposed on day 27, 55, 83 and 97 of gestation. During the 4 periods, sows were fed 1 of 4 different levels of feed intake: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0×maintenance energy level (0.5M, 1.0M, 1.5M and 2.0M, respectively). Results showed that both BW gain and BF change during gestation for sows on 1.5M (49.7kg and 3.1mm, respectively) and 2.0M (52.5kg and 3.7mm, respectively) levels of feed intake were significantly (P<0.01) greater than sows on 0.5M (26.1kg and -0.1mm, respectively) and 1.0M (35.6kg and 0.1, respectively) levels of feed intake. In contrast, lactation weight gain for sows on 1.5M (3.3kg) and 2.0M (3.4kg) levels of feed intake during 4 short periods of gestation were significantly (P<0.01) less than sows on 0.5M (18.4kg) and 1.0M (11.4kg) levels of feed intake during 4 short periods of gestation, whereas BF loss during lactation for sows on 1.5M (-3.6mm) level of feed intake during 4 short periods of gestation were significantly (P=0.03) higher than sows on 1.0M (-2.1mm) level of feed intake during 4 short periods of gestation. Additionally, average daily feed intake during lactation for sows on 0.5M (6.6kg/d) level of feed intake during gestation tended (P=0.06) to be greater than sows on 2.0M (5.9kg/d) level of feed intake. There were no differences (P>0.1) among 4 levels of feed intake in terms of numbers of total born and weaning piglets. However, both piglet weight at birth (1.46, 1.52, 1.53 and 1.51kg for piglets from sows on 0.5M, 1.0M, 1.5M and 2.0M levels of feed intake during gestation, respectively) and at weaning (6.37, 6.55, 6.64 and 6.38kg for piglets from sows on 0.5M, 1.0M, 1.5M and 2.0M levels of feed intake during gestation, respectively) were maximized at 1.5M level of feed intake. Sows housed in group pens had greater (P<0.01) net BW gain (24.7 vs. 19.2kg) from day 27 of gestation to weaning compared with sows housed in individual stalls. However, there were no differences (P>0.1) between the 2 housing systems in terms of litter size and piglet weight at birth and at weaning. In conclusion, increasing levels of feed intake during 4 short periods of gestation increased BW and BF gain during gestation and led to less BW gain and more BF loss during lactation. Piglet weight at birth and at weaning was maximized at 1.5M level of feed intake. However, housing systems did not affect reproductive performance. Group pen housing system may be beneficial in terms of increased overall BW gain during gestation and lactation.

Object/picture recognition in hens.

Two experiments examined whether hens, Gallus gallus domesticus, would respond to photographs in the same way they do to the real objects depicted in the photographs. Experiment 1 assessed whether hens transferred a discrimination of differently coloured three-dimensional objects to two-dimensional photographs of those objects, and vice versa. All hens learned to discriminate between the stimuli and showed transfer to the alternative stimuli when the colour cues were present. In Experiment 2 transfer with stimuli that differed in shape only was examined. It was found that only three of the six hens learned to discriminate the stimuli to any degree, and that these three hens did not transfer this discrimination to the alternative stimuli. It was also found that previously learning an object discrimination did not aid the hens in learning to discriminate between photographs of the objects. These data suggest that the hens did not respond to the objects depicted in pictures in the same way they did to the real objects. The authors argue it cannot be assumed that all animals respond to two-dimensional pictures of stimuli in the same way as they do to the real three-dimensional stimuli and this should be established before researchers use two-dimensional stimuli as representatives of real world stimuli.

Evaluation of the A&D UA-767 and Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs noninvasive blood pressure monitors using a blood pressure simulator.

The performance of five units of the A&D UA-767 NIBP monitor and five units of the Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs noninvasive blood pressure monitor was evaluated with the Biotek BP Pump blood pressure simulator under a variety of conditions. Using the simulator to provide a normal blood pressure waveform at 80 bpm over a range of pressures, it was found that the mean bias for the combined results from the A&D monitors was 1.9+/-2.8 mmHg and from the Welch Allyn monitors was 0.7+/-2.4 mmHg. No individual measurement showed a bias greater than 10 mmHg. A bias of greater than 5 mmHg was present in 28 out of 150 measurements for the A&D monitor and 10 out of 150 measurements for the Welch Allyn monitor. These results are comparable with ratings achieved by the instruments when tested previously according to the British Hypertension Society protocol, but testing with a simulator allowed assessment of aspects of performance which were not included in the British Hypertension Society protocol.

Extensor strength in the anterior cruciate reconstructed knee.

Truncated range average torque (TRAT), peak torque (PT) and angle of peak torque (APT) in the knee extensor musculature of subjects with patellar tendon autograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were compared with non-operated limbs two to four years following surgery. Twenty subjects were assessed using a Kin-Com 500H isokinetic dynamometer at three velocities for both concentric and eccentric muscle actions. Results of TRAT for the knee extensors showed average concentric and eccentric deficits of 8.48 per cent and 6.73 per cent, respectively. Deficits in PT were 8.26 per cent concentrically and 7.96 per cent eccentrically. There was no difference in the APT for each action or velocity. Despite an accelerated rehabilitation program, significant residual deficits were evident. Continued strengthening of the knee extensor muscles is recommended.

Death of a classified worker probably caused by overexposure to gamma radiation.

This paper describes the case of an industrial radiographer who was seriously overexposed to gamma radiation. The exact circumstances of this exposure were not established but it was concluded that he was repeatedly irradiated probably to a total average whole body dose of at least 10 Gy over several years. Also, a much larger dose to a hand required its partial amputation. He developed myelodysplasia, which progressed to acute myeloid leukaemia from which he died. Karyotypic examination of the leukaemic blasts showed changes very similar to those associated with secondary leukaemia that may develop after radio or chemotherapy. The paper describes his medical case history, the investigation of his workplace, and the attempts to estimate his radiation dose by chromosomal analysis of blood lymphocytes and electron spin resonance of dental enamel and bone.

Malfunction of medical equipment as a result of mains borne interference.

Medical equipment has become more intelligent as the manufacturers have incorporated the latest microprocessor based technology. Equipment malfunction can be caused at any time by inherent errors in the control program but it is particularly important that this is designed to cope with the effects of electrical interference which, in addition, may cause corruption of the software. We have considered interference found in the mains supply in the hospital environment. Using a test protocol with appropriate interference simulators, a wide range of medical equipment was removed temporarily from use and its immunity to electrical mains borne interference tested. Battery operated mains rechargeable devices were unaffected by mains voltage variations including drop-outs and sags whereas mains powered devices were affected to varying degrees of severity. In particular, repetitive drop-outs caused loss of power due to fuse blowing in some life support equipment. Impulses affected 25% and pulse bursts 50% of the equipment tested with some evidence that the more recent designs coped better. The EEC Directive on electro-medical compatibility compliance may cause the design of equipment to be improved but hospitals will have to cope with the above problems in their existing equipment for many years to come.

The case of Canadian general surgeons: getting the message heard.

The problem of physician resources is at the top of the health care policy agenda, and physicians are faced with the challenge of change. General surgeons, like others, must address the changes in health care needs and demands, technology, information and funding. This paper begins with a demographic and workload profile of general surgery based on data provided by the Canadian Medical Association's Physician Resource Questionnaire (PRQ). The findings indicate the following: the supply of general surgical procedures has been declining; general surgeons are older than other specialists; and the proportion of women in general surgery is lower than that of the profession as a whole. The practice profile of general surgery is also changing because of advances in technology and information and the changing practice of subspecialists. Changes affecting general surgery raise important questions regarding future physician resource policies. The medical profession's involvement in the area of physician resources at the national level is outlined, with a particular focus on the role of the Canadian Medical Association. It is important that general surgeons become involved in the discussion, since the policy decisions made today will affect the future practice of general surgery.

The value of thallium scintigraphy in a district general hospital.

The usefulness of exercise Tl scintigraphy (combined with electrocardiography) in a district general hospital has been assessed in 80 patients in whom a previous exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) had not been definitive. Seventy-five of the patients presented with chest pain and five with no pain but an abnormal ECG. Case notes and test results were examined to establish the clinicians' judgment of the likelihood of having coronary heart disease (CHD) and the patient's outcome. The mean time of follow-up was 27 months. In the majority of patients the test was found to help the clinician come to a decision on the presence or absence of CHD. It was found to be particularly useful in patients with abnormal resting ECGs. There was a shorter time to discharge for patients classified as highly unlikely of having CHD. Only four patients were re-referred following discharge from the outpatient clinic. Nine patients were referred for coronary angiography with five being found to have significant stenosis. None of the 16 patients in whom the exercise ECG was normal had ischaemic myocardial segments in the Tl scintigraphy.

Lymphoscintigraphy in the detection of cervical metastases from oral carcinoma: a pilot study.

This paper reports the findings of a pilot study in which a radioisotope technique was used in the detection of cervical metastases in patients with histologically proven oral squamous cell carcinomata. Sixteen patients were assessed with the technique after diagnosis and then examined after an interval of not less than 6 months for evidence of palpable cervical-lymph nodes. Eight of the patients subsequently underwent radical neck dissection. Comparing the radioisotope technique to the clinical findings and surgery revealed a high incidence of false-positives. However, since 11 of the patients received chemotherapy, it may be that the false-positive results reflect regression of disease caused by chemotherapy. The 11 patients did not show evidence of any other pathology in the neck. This technique, with further refinement, could be a useful diagnostic tool to screen cervical metastases that are below the threshold of manual palpation, since early identification of neck cervical nodes is crucial to the treatment plan and management.

Long-term performance of Tec vaporizers. Basis for a rational maintenance policy.

We reviewed the maintenance records of Tec vaporizers which had been in clinical use for up to 4 years. Tec 4s and Enfluratec 3s were found to be extremely reliable, but Fluotec 3s suffered progressively from mechanical and calibration problems. Their most recurrent fault was sticking valves caused probably by thymol crystallizing on the valve faces. This fault did not occur with Fluotec 4s, which are designed to prevent liquid agent reaching the valve surfaces. We found, in a study of the effects of thymol accumulation, that only occasional draining of a Fluotec vaporizer is required to keep thymol concentration below the level at which its output is reduced. We conclude that, if regular field calibration checks are carried out as a safety measure, the service interval for Tec vaporizers could be extended beyond Ohmeda's present recommendation of one year.

Technical note: electrosurgery active lead failures.

A cause of electrosurgical burns in surgical procedures is faulty active leads. A survey of faults and modes of failures are reported. The design of a meter is given for use by a sterilizing department to enable leads to be checked. Using the criterion of two times the original resistance, 35 cables were found to be defective out of a population of about 200 cables. About half of these cables transmitted radio frequency (RF) power inefficiently: often power was intermittent and hot spots would develop. The commonest mode of failure was a break between the socket and the wire at the forceps end. Rejection criteria are reviewed and we suggest a resistance less than 0.3 omega.

Electrical distribution boards in the operating theatre.

The safe use of electrical distribution boards in operating theatres is described, with particular reference to British Standard 5724. Recommendations as to a practical working policy are made.

A bed-mounted mobile intensive-care unit.

The provision of intensive-care facilities for patients in transit can present problems. We describe our novel approach to these in which we have added facilities to a standard bed which is used for the transfer of patients. This may also be a cost-effective method of providing intensive-care equipment to beds at any location.