The influence of choice feeding and cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance of mule ducks.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of choice feeding and cereal type (corn or triticale) during the finishing period on performance of ducks. In total, 624 one-day-old male mule ducks (Cairina moschata × Anas platyrhynchos) were divided into 3 groups differing in the diet they received between 56 and 84 d of age: a commercial complete pelleted diet (control group; AMEn 12.1 MJ/kg, CP 15%), or corn whole seeds (AMEn 14.4 MJ/kg, CP 7.3%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 9.9 MJ/kg, CP 22.7%) in 2 separated feeders [choice feeding with corn (CFC) group]; or triticale whole seeds (AMEn 13.0 MJ/kg, CP 10.5%) and protein-rich pellets (AMEn 11.2 MJ/kg, CP 19.5%) in 2 separated feeders [choice feeding with triticale (CFT) group]. From 85 to 96 d, 96 birds/group were overfed with corn. Feed intake (complete pellets or cereal and protein-rich pellets) per pen was measured at 60, 62, 65, 69, 78, and 84 d of age. Body weight and body traits were measured at 56 to 84 d of age. Over the entire period, from 56 to 84 d, the feed intake of the CFC group was 7% lower than the control group, and 5% lower than that in the CFT group (P = 0.002). Whatever the diet tested, at 56 and 84 d of age, the BW (4,099 and 4,779 g, P = 0.42 and P = 0.35, respectively) and the carcass traits (P > 0.05) of ducks were similar in the 3 groups. During and after overfeeding, the performances of the ducks were also similar (P > 0.05). The present results suggest that CFC during the finishing period is a solution to reduce the cost of diet destined to ducks. Indeed, using locally grown grains could reduce the economic and environmental impacts of duck feeding, reducing the transportation and crushing processes.

A warm layer in Venus' cryosphere and high-altitude measurements of HF, HCl, H2O and HDO.

Venus has thick clouds of H2SO4 aerosol particles extending from altitudes of 40 to 60 km. The 60-100 km region (the mesosphere) is a transition region between the 4 day retrograde superrotation at the top of the thick clouds and the solar-antisolar circulation in the thermosphere (above 100 km), which has upwelling over the subsolar point and transport to the nightside. The mesosphere has a light haze of variable optical thickness, with CO, SO2, HCl, HF, H2O and HDO as the most important minor gaseous constituents, but the vertical distribution of the haze and molecules is poorly known because previous descent probes began their measurements at or below 60 km. Here we report the detection of an extensive layer of warm air at altitudes 90-120 km on the night side that we interpret as the result of adiabatic heating during air subsidence. Such a strong temperature inversion was not expected, because the night side of Venus was otherwise so cold that it was named the 'cryosphere' above 100 km. We also measured the mesospheric distributions of HF, HCl, H2O and HDO. HCl is less abundant than reported 40 years ago. HDO/H2O is enhanced by a factor of approximately 2.5 with respect to the lower atmosphere, and there is a general depletion of H2O around 80-90 km for which we have no explanation.

The influence of loose-mix feeding on behavior, feed intake, and body weight of growing geese.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of loose-mix feeding on behavior, feed intake, and BW of growing geese. In total, 252 one-day-old geese (Anser anser) were divided into 2 groups differing in the form of diet they received between 42 and 98 d of age (AMEn 11.55 MJ/kg, CP 16%): a complete pelleted diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (control group) or a mixture containing 500 g of protein-rich pellets and 500 g of sorghum whole seeds/kg (mixed group). Feed intake was measured daily from 42 to 48 d and every 3 d from 49 to 98 d. Individual BW was measured weekly from 42 to 98 d. Goose behavior was monitored by the scan sampling method throughout the experiment, which was divided into 5 periods according to the timing of access to feed: period 1 from 42 to 55 d (ad libitum feeding access), period 2 from 56 to 62 d (2 + 2 h feeding access), period 3 from 63 to 70 d (2 h feeding access), period 4 from 71 to 94 d (1 h feeding access), and period 5 from 95 to 97 d (3 h feeding access). Over the whole period, the feed intake (13,968 and 14,480 g) and the feed conversion ratio (8.53 and 8.15) were similar in both groups (P = 0.112 and P = 0.168; respectively). Body weight was similar in both groups from 42 to 91 d of age, but at 98 d of age, BW was 3.7% lower in the control than in the mixed group (P = 0.006). Goose behavior was influenced by period, because the percentage of birds feeding increased when the daily access time to the feed decreased (P < 0.001), but not by group (P > 0.05). The results suggest that a loose-mix feeding could be recommended in feeding of growing geese because it weakly influences their feed behavior but slightly increases their weight at the end of the growing period.

Effects of substituting yellow corn for sorghum in geese diets on magret and foie gras quality.

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of substitution of yellow corn with sorghum during the growing-finishing (G period), overfeeding (O period), or both periods on magret and foie gras quality in geese. In total, 260 ganders were divided into 4 groups (65 birds in each) differing in the cereal (yellow corn or sorghum) included in the diet given during the G and the O periods, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The groups differed in the nature of the cereal in the diet offered to birds between 44 and 104 d of age (G period: a diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (SS and SC groups) or a diet containing 500 g of yellow corn/kg (CS and CC groups). The groups differed also in the diet offered to birds between 105 and 120 d of age (O period): 967 g of yellow corn/kg (SC and CC groups) or 965 g of sorghum/kg (SS and CS groups). At the end of the O period, the birds were slaughtered after 10 h of fasting to measure foie gras and breast muscle weight, color, and chemical composition. The mortality in the SC group was higher (P < 0.05) than in the other 3 groups (14.29 vs. 3.58%, average of the 3 groups). After overfeeding, birds fed with sorghum had foie gras that were heavier 984 vs. 885 g, in CS+SS vs. CC+SC groups, respectively; P < 0.001) and less yellow (18.03 vs. 23.97 for b*, in CS+SS vs. CC+SC groups, respectively, P < 0.001) than birds fed with corn. The substitution of yellow corn with sorghum during the G and O periods (SS group) increased the weight of the foie gras, but altered its color to a paler yellow. In contrast, a substitution during the G period only (SC group) resulted in increased mortality during the O period.

Effects of presentation and type of cereals (corn or sorghum) on performance of geese.

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of cereal (corn or sorghum) and of the presentation of the diet (pelleted diet or a mixture with cereal) on the performance of geese. In total, 480 one-day-old geese were divided into 4 groups differing in the diet they received between 52 and 102 d of age: a pelleted diet containing 500 g of sorghum/kg (CS group; AMEn 11.29 MJ/kg, CP 16.70%); a mixture containing 500 g of protein-rich pellets and 500 g of sorghum whole seeds/kg (MS group; AMEn 11.61 MJ/kg, CP 14.30%); a pelleted diet containing 500 g of corn/kg (group CC; AMEn 11.33 MJ/kg, CP 16.40%); and a mixture containing 500 g of protein-rich pellets and 500 g of corn mash/kg (group MC; AMEn 11.48 MJ/kg, CP 14.50%). From 102 to 117 d, 33 birds/sex/group were force-fed with corn. Between 52 and 102 d of age, individual BW and collective feed intake (40 birds/pen) were measured weekly. Body traits were measured at 69, 96, and 117 d and the volume of the crop was measured at 102 d of age. The cereal had no significant effect on total feed intake (15,028 g, NS) or BW (5,811 g, NS) but the breast development at 102 d was less in birds fed sorghum compared with corn (-4.9%; P<0.05). Feed intake (+8.4% between 69 and 102 d; P<0.001), BW (+3.9%; P<0.001) and gut development (+9.3%; P<0.001) were higher when the diet was offered as a mixture compared with a complete pelleted diet. The birds fed the complete pelleted diets had a larger crop (+10.1%; P<0.05) than others. The cereal and the presentation of the diet had no effect on the body traits at the end of the force feeding. The results suggest that the use of sorghum whole seeds is interesting for feeding geese.

Effects of replacing corn with sorghum on the performance of overfed mule ducks.

The aim of this trial was to study the effects of replacing yellow corn (C) with condensed tannin-free sorghum (S) during the finishing period (F period; age 53 to 79 d) and/or overfeeding period (O period; age 80 to 91 d) on the performance of overfed mule ducks. 192 ducks were divided into 4 groups (48 in each) differing in the cereal (yellow corn or sorghum) included in the diet given during the F and/or the O periods, using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments : SS, SC, CS, CC. At the end of the O period, the birds were slaughtered after 10 h of fasting to measure foie gras and magret qualities. Mortality (1%; P > 0.05) and weight gain (2,030 g; P > 0.05) during the O period were similar in the 4 groups. At the end of the O period, birds overfed with sorghum had foie gras that was heavier (723 vs. 694 g in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.05) and less yellow (24.40 vs. 38.59 for b* in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.001) than birds overfed with corn. Fat loss during foie gras cooking was similar in the 4 groups (18%; P > 0.05), but the foie gras was less yellow in birds overfed with sorghum (14.84 vs. 26.01 for b* in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.001). Weight of magret was similar in the 4 groups (491 g, P > 0.05) but the color of the breast muscle and skin of magret was less yellow in birds overfed with sorghum compared with corn (12.26 vs. 12.92 and 13.84 vs. 18.30 in CS+SS vs. CC+SC, respectively; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the replacement of yellow corn with sorghum during finishing and/or overfeeding is possible and useful in a mule duck foie gras production system because it increases foie gras weight without decreasing the weight of magret However, it changes the quality of the products, mainly their color.

Effect of incorporating sugar beet pulp in the finisher diet on performance of geese.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of incorporating sugar beet pulp (SBP) into the diet on the development of the crop and performance of geese. A total of 480 1-day-old ganders were divided into three groups differing in the composition and mode of distribution of the diet offered from day 56 to 89. The following two diets were used: a standard diet (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy, AMEn 11.44 MJ/kg; 160 g/kg CP) or a diet containing 10% of SBP (SBP diet; AMEn 11.47 MJ/kg; 160 g/kg CP). The swelling capacity (SC) hydration was higher for SBP than for the standard diet (3.62 v. 2.72 ml of H2O/g of dry matter at 60 min; P<0.05). In the Control group, birds were fed with a controlled time of access to a standard diet. Other birds were fed the SBP diet with a controlled time of access (SBPt group) or a controlled quantity offered (SBPq). From day 90 to 104, 88 birds/group were overfed with a mixture containing mainly corn. Body traits including volume of the crop were measured at day 89. Fatty liver weight and commercial grading were measured at d 104. Feed intake from day 56 to 89 was higher in the Control group than in the SBPt group (8097 v. 7545 g; P<0.05), feed intake in the SBPq group being intermediate (7801 g); however, live weights (LW) of the birds were similar in the three groups measured at day 89 (5746 g; P>0.05). At day 89, the volume of the crop tended to be higher in the SBPt compared with the Control group (52.8 v. 48.8 ml/kg of LW; P=0.101). After overfeeding, feed intake (12 922 g), weight gain (2412 g), LW (8170 g), fatty liver weight (875 g) and commercial grading of the fatty liver were similar (P>0.1) for all the three groups. Therefore, SBP could help adapt the digestive tract of waterfowl to high feed intake through an increase in the crop volume, but its method of use - that is, level of incorporation and mode of distribution - should continue to be investigated.

Geostatistical analysis of soil contamination in the Swiss Jura.

The topsoil of a 14.5 km(2) region of the Swiss Jura has been surveyed to identify the distributions of trace metals in it. The soil was sampled at 366 sites selected by combining a square grid and nesting. Concentrations of seven potentially toxic metals, namely Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, were measured. Land use and geology (stratigraphy) were also recorded. Variograms were bounded in the range from 110 m to 1500 m with contributions to the variance at all distances exceeding 6 m. The variograms of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb are dominated by short range correlation, those of Co and Ni by correlation of long range, and Zn is intermediate. The concentrations were estimated at the nodes of a fine grid by ordinary block kriging and then contoured to produce maps. The maps of Co and Ni have a coarse patchy pattern similar to that of the geology, suggesting that these metals derive from the bedrock. This is supported by analysing the variance by geology. Copper and Pb have finer patterns of distribution, and are more likely to have been added with fertilizer or manure or domestic waste. Cadmium could originate from human activities, such as smelters or fertilizer spreading, or from specific geological deposits, such as moraine.

High performance liquid chromatographic determination of nicotine and cotinine in plasma and nicotine and cotinine, simultaneously, in urine.

Three analytical procedures were developed to determine nicotine in plasma, cotinine in plasma and, simultaneously, nicotine and cotinine in urine. After liquid or solid-phase extraction, the purified aqueous phase is injected into a high performance liquid chromatograph equipped with an ultra-violet detector using a CN Spheri-5 micron cartridge-column with an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a length of 10 or 22 cm. The limit of quantitation for nicotine in plasma was around 8 to 15 ng/ml, that of cotinine in plasma around 50 ng/ml and that of nicotine and cotinine in urine around 170 ng/ml and 70 ng/ml, respectively. The limit of detection of nicotine in plasma was around 1 ng/ml and that of nicotine and cotinine in urine around 20 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The passive exposure to cigarette smoke by non-smokers and the "resting levels" of nicotine in plasma and urine of smokers were studied. The analytical methods were set up to study the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nicotine in healthy volunteers following single and repeated administrations of different doses of transdermal nicotine systems.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nicotine in healthy volunteers following single and repeated administration of different doses of transdermal nicotine systems.

Healthy nicotine-dependent smokers were applied different doses of transdermal nicotine systems (TNS) during single and repeated administrations. Plasma and urine nicotine and cotinine concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After single application of TNS, the maximal concentration (Cmax) and area under curve (AUC) of nicotine in plasma as well as the amount of nicotine excreted in urine were linearly related to the dose. The stable urinary cotinine excretion was not influenced by the amount of nicotine delivered by the TNS. The relevant 24 h plasma nicotine concentration reached after TNS application compares well with the plasma nicotine footpoints--not the peaks--observed in moderate to heavy cigarette smokers. A comparison between different nicotine doses from different TNS allowed to conclude to the functionality of the systems as regards pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. One or two hours after removal of the systems, there was a very slow decline of the nicotine concentrations. After repeated application of TNS, there was evidence for only a very limited nicotine accumulation in plasma (+14%) or in urine (+9%) over 10 days. The steady-state of nicotine was reached within 4 days. The continuous delivery of nicotine over 24 h resulted in an early morning plasma concentration which probably decreases or prevents the craving for the first cigarette.

Human pharmacokinetics of cadralazine: a new vasodilator.

The pharmacokinetic profiles in plasma and the renal elimination of 2-(3-[6-(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylamino]pyridazinyl)ethylcarbazate+ ++ were investigated in six healthy volunteers following single oral doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg of cadralazine. The study was run in a randomized change-over design experiment. Concentrations of cadralazine in plasma and urine were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Maximum plasma levels (Cmax) were reached between 0.25 and 1.0 h (tmax) after administration and ranged from 69.8 to 210.0 ng/g after the 5 mg dose, 148.9 to 333.3 ng/g after the 10 mg dose and 292.9 to 474.5 ng/g after the 20 mg dose. The corresponding area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC24hO) are 330, 621 and 1168 (ng/g). h. Mean renal elimination of the unchanged-drug ranged from 69 to 73% of the dose. Mean Cmax, AUC24hO and mean total renal elimination were linearly dose-related. An elimination half-life from plasma of about 2.5 h was observed for cadralazine. Estimations for the mean renal and total clearance range from 185 to 216 ml/min and 251 to 295 ml/min, respectively.

Pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam in elderly patients after 800 mg oral doses, comparison with non-geriatric healthy subjects.

The pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam have been studied in eighteen elderly patients and in six healthy non-geriatric adults. A 800 mg single oral dose was administered in the morning of the first day and repeatedly, every 12 h, from day 2 evening to day 10 morning, to the elderly patients. The healthy non-geriatric adults were given a 800 mg single oral dose of oxiracetam. In healthy non-geriatric subjects after a single oral administration of 800 mg, the normalized plasma levels of oxiracetam for 1 mg/kg dose were similar to those already recorded after a 2000 mg single dose of oxiracetam. Therefore, there was no tendency towards non-linear pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam between 800 and 2000 mg single doses in healthy subjects. After the single oral dose, the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve of oxiracetam in elderly patients was increased by a factor of two as compared to that observed in non-geriatric healthy subjects whereas the maximum concentration (Cmax) was almost not modified and slightly delayed. This can be explained by a slower absorption and elimination in the elderly patients. The highest oxiracetam levels were predominantly recorded in the oldest patients. The slower elimination (mean T1/2 = 12.3 h in elderly and 7.7 h in healthy subjects) could be attributed to a physiological decrease of the renal function. The volume of distribution was not significantly modified in the elderly patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam in patients with renal impairment after a 800 mg single oral dose.

The pharmacokinetics of oxiracetam in patients with renal impairment were investigated after administration of a 800 mg single oral dose of oxiracetam. The renal insufficiency was estimated on the basis of the creatinine clearance (CLcr) which ranged from 9 to 95 ml/min among the 20 patients. In plasma, the terminal elimination half-life (T1/2) ranged from 10.6 to 68.1 h, the highest T1/2 corresponding to the patients with a high degree of renal impairment. In urine, the amounts of oxiracetam excreted during the 48 h postdosing represented 8.3 to 82.6% of the dose. They were lower in patients with a high degree of renal impairment. The correlations between the total clearance of oxiracetam, the renal clearance, the terminal apparent elimination rate constant in plasma, and CLcr were estimated by linear regression analysis. The correlation coefficients were 0.916, 0.985 and 0.803 respectively. The apparent volume of distribution of the central compartment V(1) and the total volume of distribution at the steady-state V(SS) were not dependent on the degree of renal impairment. The mean values +/- SD were 25.9 +/- 13.0 litres and 48.3 +/- 21.5 litres respectively. Oxiracetam concentrations in plasma of patients were estimated for repeated administration of 800 mg of oxiracetam.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics of pirprofen in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

Pirprofen (100 or 200 mg; Rengasil) was administered to experimental groups of children (children with juvenile chronic arthritis, JCA) and to a control group of children (children without JCA) as a single dose or as repeated doses. The pharmacokinetics of pirprofen in these children were compared to the pharmacokinetic parameter values obtained in healthy volunteers and in elderly arthritic adults receiving 400 mg of pirprofen. The children were examined regularly and laboratory values were determined in order to detect possible side effects. The results demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics of pirprofen were similar for children and adults when taking into account the dose and the body weight. There was no drug accumulation after repeated administration of pirprofen. As already observed in rheumatic adults, pirprofen remains in synovial fluid longer than in plasma.

Influence of feeding sorghum on the growth, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of feed form on the performance, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese. Between 42 and 98 days of age, 360 geese (type Maxipalm(®)) were fed a diet containing 500 g sorghum/kg (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy 12.6 MJ/kg, 15.1 g/kg CP). Birds were divided into three groups differing in feed form: complete pellets (Control group, n = 120); a coarse-ground meal (CG group, n = 120); or a mixture containing protein-rich pellets and sorghum whole grains (M group, n = 120). Feed intake per pen (40 birds/pen) was measured weekly between 42 and 98 days of age, and individual live weight (LW) was measured every 2 weeks. At 84 and 98 days of age, 12 birds were slaughtered in each group to measure the gizzard development and body traits. Irrespective of the goose sex, LW at 98 days was lower for the CG group than for the Control group (5555 v. 5888 g, P < 0.05 for males and 5039 v. 5215 g, P < 0.05 for females). The feed intake over the entire period was 5.5% higher in the M group (P < 0.05) than in the Control and CG groups but the feed conversion ratio (6.91, P > 0.05) was similar in the three groups. The gizzard development (as % of LW) was higher in birds of the CG group than those of the Control and M groups at 84 days of age (+13.98% and +13.51%, respectively; P < 0.05) but was similar in all three groups at 98 days of age (4.01%, P > 0.05). The relative liver development was lower in the birds of the CG group than those of the other two groups at 84 and 98 days of age (-20%, P < 0.001 and -10%, P < 0.05, respectively). The other body traits were similar in the three groups at both 84 and 98 days of age. The present results suggest that a simplified diet presented in the form of a mixture of sorghum whole grains and protein-rich pellets did not reduce the performance of growing geese.

[Legal and economic aspects of peritoneal dialysis]. / Aspects réglementaires et économiques de la dialyse péritonéale.

Treatment of renal insufficiency is, in it principle, covered by "hospital law" and its decrees of application: however the regulations for these methods of treatment only concern hemodialysis centers. CAPD is only subjected to a memorandum from the "Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie" (National Medical Insurance) dated November 26, 1979, which fixes a weekly price. The text only concerns CAPD with single bag and does not deal the new methods. These new techniques are very expensive and well above the current weekly fixed price. According to a survey of the cost, carried out by AURA (Paris), during the first six months in 1992, the price of such techniques involves an average additional cost of 45% when double bags were used and 80% when APD was operated. In the long term, these techniques will result in substantial savings for the National Medical insurance scheme by reducing the risk of peritonitis and by facilitating patients' social and professional activity. However, the absence of adequate reimbursement causes running deficits and curbs development. Public Service Authorities should consider all these factors and should not forget that PD is generally cheaper than hemodialysis.