Helicobacter pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in functional dyspeptic patients: a randomized, investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The protective role of Helicobacter pylori in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has been widely discussed. AIM: To assess the risk of reflux oesophagitis in patients with functional dyspepsia after treatment for H. pylori infection. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-blinded trial was carried out on 157 functional dyspeptic patients. Patients were randomized to receive lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (antibiotic group) or lansoprazole and identical antibiotic placebos (control group). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed at baseline, 3 and 12 months after randomization. The primary aim was to detect the presence of reflux oesophagitis. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients (94%) and 133 (85%) completed 3 months and 12 months follow-up, respectively. The eradication rate of H. pylori was 90% in the antibiotic group (74 of 82) and 1% (one of 75) in the control group. At 3 months, reflux oesophagitis was diagnosed in 3.7% (three of 82) in the antibiotic group and 4% (three of 75) in the control group (P > 0.2). At 12 months, diagnosis was established in five new cases within the first group and in four within the second (P > 0.2). No difference was found in heartburn symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in this western population of functional dyspeptic patients.

Effect of beta-carotene administration on reproductive function of horse and pony mares.

The objective of this study was to determine whether supplemental beta-carotene would influence reproductive function in mares maintained on spring and summer pastures and to characterize plasma carotene concentrations during the estrous cycle. Carotene concentrations in plasma did not vary with day of estrous cycle (P = 0.7455). Mares receiving every other day injections of beta-carotene (400 mg; n = 4) or saline (10 ml; n = 4) during proestrus/estrus did not differ in plasma estradiol (E(2)) concentrations (P = 0.6313), follicle development (P = 0.8068), or plasma progesterone (P(4)) concentrations during the following diestrus (P = 0.4954). Moreover, no differences in plasma P(4) concentrations (P = 0.9047) were detected between mares receiving every other day injections of beta-carotene (400 mg; n = 4) or saline (10 ml; n = 4) during diestrus. However, administration of beta-carotene raised plasma carotene concentrations relative to controls when injected during proestrus/estrus (P = 0.0096) and diestrus (P = 0.0099). Pregnancy rates (P = 0.4900) and number of cycles required for pregnancy (P = 0.2880) were similar for mares administered injections of saline (10 ml; n = 37), beta-carotene (400 mg; n = 37), vitamin A (160,000 IU; n = 38), or vitamin A + beta-carotene (160,000 IU + 400 mg; n = 43), on the first or second day of estrus and on the day of breeding. Therefore, these results collectively suggest that supplemental beta-carotene does not affect the reproductive function of mares fed adequate dietary carotene. Whether supplemental beta-carotene would enhance reproductive function in mares on low carotene diets warrants further investigation.

Trace mineral supplementation of yearling horses.

Thirty-three Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two experiments (18 in Exp. 1 and 15 in Exp. 2) to determine the influence of trace mineral (TM) supplementation on growth and bone mineral content in young growing horses from 340 to 452 d of age. In each experiment the yearlings were assigned at random within breed and sex outcome groups to one of three treatments. Horses were fed assigned concentrates individually to appetite for two 1.5-h feeding periods, daily and group-fed Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay in drylot paddocks at a rate of 1.0 kg/100 kg BW daily. In Exp. 1, the concentrates were A) basal, B) basal + complete TM premix, and C) basal + Cu. In Exp. 2, the concentrates were D) basal, E) basal + complete TM premix, and F) basal + Cu + Zn. The basal diet in both experiments provided Cu and Zn intakes below NRC (1989) recommendations. Trace mineral supplementation had no effect on growth and development of the yearlings in either experiment. Weight gains equaled or exceeded gains specified as rapid (NRC, 1989) for yearlings of the age and expected mature weight used in these two experiments. No gross skeletal abnormalities were detected. Bone mineral deposition was increased by supplementation of the diet with a complete TM premix (P < .05). The addition of copper or copper plus zinc to the diets of yearling horses did not increase bone mineral deposition (P > .10). Results suggest that other trace minerals (Fe, Mn, Co, or I) are critical for bone mineralization.

Influence of chromium tripicolinate on growth and glucose metabolism in yearling horses.

Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings (n = 24; 335+/-7 d of age) were used in a 112-d feeding trial to determine whether chromium (Cr) supplementation would alter growth, development, and energy metabolism of growing horses on high-concentrate diets. The horses were assigned at random within breed and gender subgroups to one of four treatment groups: A) basal concentrate; B) basal plus 175 microg of Cr/kg concentrate; C) basal plus 350 microg of Cr/kg concentrate; and D) basal plus 700 microg of Cr/kg concentrate. Chromium was provided via Cr tripicolinate (Prince Agri Products, Quincy, IL). The horses were weighed, measured for withers and hip height, heart girth, and body length and underwent ultrasound evaluation for croup fat thickness. The concentrate was fed for ad libitum consumption for two, 1.5-hr feeding periods daily. Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay was group-fed (six animals/group) at 1% of BW daily. Feed intake was 60% concentrate and 40% hay, resulting in a supplemental Cr intake of 0, 105, 210, and 420 microg/kg diet for groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Colts consumed more concentrate and total feed than did fillies (P < .05), but no dietary effect on feed intake was detected. Colts weighed more than fillies at the completion of the experiment (P = .0754), but no dietary effects on weight, body measurements, or croup fat were detected. An i.v. glucose tolerance test (.2 g of glucose/kg BW) and an i.v. insulin sensitivity test (.1 IU of insulin/kg BW) were conducted on each animal during the third 28-d period of the experiment. Plasma glucose peaked immediately following injection and decreased more rapidly in animals consuming the high-Cr diet than in those consuming the control diet (P < .01). Mean glucose fractional turnover rate values increased (P = .0369) and mean half-life of glucose decreased (P = .0634) in response to the high Cr supplementation. Plasma glucose depletions in animals fed the other two diets were between and not different from (P > .10) the depletions in control animals or in those fed high-Cr diets. No difference in insulin sensitivity was detected (P > .10). Results indicate that Cr tripicolinate supplementation of yearling horses increases the rate at which glucose is metabolized and may lower the plasma glucose concentration. No effect of Cr supplementation on development of the animals was detected.

Influence of level of feeding and nutrient content of the concentrate on growth and development of yearling horses.

Three experiments using 63 Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were conducted to evaluate the influence of level of feeding, and protein and calculated energy content of pelleted concentrates on growth and bone development. Animals were housed in drylot paddocks and individually fed concentrates twice daily. Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dyctylon) hay was group-fed. Yearlings offered a corn-based concentrate (3.56 Mcal digestible energy [DE]/kg) consumed levels of dry matter similar to yearlings fed a mixed-grain concentrate (3.32 Mcal DE/kg but consumed slightly more digestible energy. No differences in growth or bone development were detected. Yearlings fed restricted levels of concentrate that provided approximate National Research Council (NRC) recommendations for protein and DE had lower weight and girth gains (P less than .05) than those provided ad libitum concentrate intake during two 1.5-h daily feeding periods. Restricting concentrate intake had no effect on skeletal growth (P less than .05) but resulted in numerically lower values for bone radiographic density. Protein addition to a diet restricted to approximate NRC energy intake recommendations had no effect on weight gain, body measurements or bone mineral deposition (P greater than .05) and growth and development was less than that resulting from higher intakes of a lower protein concentrate.

The influence of mineral supplementation on growth and skeletal development of yearling horses.

Forty-six Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two experiments to evaluate the effect of mineral supplementation on growth and skeletal development. In the first experiment, concentrate and bermuda-grass hay diets providing 2.82 Mcal DE/kg (estimated), 13.0% CP, .62% Ca and .43% P on a DM basis were supplemented with trace minerals (TM) by adding 0, .5 or 1.0% TM premix to the concentrate. The TM content of the three diets (concentrate and hay) in mg/kg DM were: Fe 150, 162 and 176; Mn 56, 60 and 64; Zn 36, 53 and 69; and Cu 7, 8 and 11 for the low, medium and high TM levels, respectively. No effects of TM intake on feed intake, weight gain or body measurements were detected, but bone mineral deposition was increased by the high TM intake (P less than .02). No gross skeletal abnormalities were detected. In the second experiment, a basal diet with Ca and P concentrations near NRC (1978) recommendations was supplemented with no TM, TM or TM + Ca + P. The basal diet had TM concentrations similar to the highest TM levels in the first experiment. The two groups fed added minerals consumed more concentrate and total feed (P less than .1) than those receiving the basal diet. Weight gain was increased by the TM supplementation (P less than .1). There was no other diet effect on growth or development of the animals. Colts gained more height than fillies did (P less than .05). Results of these two experiments suggest that TM supplementation may have a positive effect on bone mineral deposition in yearling horses, but only when the TM content of the natural diet is below NRC (1978) recommendations.

Lysine supplementation of diets for yearling horses.

Forty-six Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two experiments designed to determine the amount of lysine in the concentrate necessary to promote maximum growth when fed the Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay provided at 1% body weight (BW)/day. In the first experiment, a 196-day trial, supplemental protein sources and analyses of the concentrates compared were: (1) soybean meal (SBM; 15.4% crude protein, .70% lysine); (2) SBM + .2% lysine (15.7% crude protein, .81% lysine), and (3) brewers dried grains + .2% lysine (15.9% crude protein, .59% lysine). Concentrate intake averaged 1.67% BW/day, and hay intake averaged .94% BW, for a total of 2.61% BW/day. Protein and lysine intakes (grams/day) for horses fed the three diets were, respectively: (1) 1,106, 48; (2) 1,091, 52 and (3) 1,077 and 40. Growth and efficiency responses for animals on treatments 1, 2 and 3 were, respectively: weight gain - 125, 123 and 114 kg; height gain - 9.5, 9.3 and 8.1 cm; girth gain - 21.6, 19.0 and 17.0 cm (P greater than .05); length gain - 14.5, 13.7 and 14.9 cm. and feed/gain - 15.3, 15.0 and 16.0. In the second experiment, a 140-day trial, SBM-based concentrates provided (1) 16.1% crude protein and .67% lysine, (2) 13.6% crude protein and.51% lysine and (3) 14.2% crude protein and .64% lysine. Concentrate averaged 1.99% BW and hay intake averaged .92% BW, for a total of 2.91% BW/day. Protein and lysine intakes (grams/day) for horses fed the three diets were (1) 1,432, 59; (2) 1,195, 46; and (3) 1,182, 53. Growth and efficiency responses for animals given the three treatments were: weight gain - 101, 87 and 101 kg (P greater than .05); height gain - 5.7, 6.0 and 6.4 cm; girth gain - 14.8, 12.2 and 16.3 (P greater than .05); length gain - 10.9, 10.9 and 11.9 cm, and feed/gain - 16.5, 17.9 and 15.0 kg (P greater than .05). No significant sex effects were detected. Results suggest that at least 1.9 g lysine/Mcal digestible energy is required to support maximum growth of yearling horses.

Effects of ribose supplementation on selected metabolic measurements and performance in maximally exercising Thoroughbreds.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ribose supplementation on blood ammonia-N, plasma lactic acid, plasma glucose, volume of oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate, and performance in Thoroughbred geldings performing a maximal treadmill standardized exercise test (SET). The hypothesis tested was that ribose supplementation would decrease ammonia-N and lactic acid accumulation during exercise, and improve performance. Eight Thoroughbred geldings were assigned randomly to one of two groups: glucose or ribose. The glucose group received 0.15 g glucose/kg of BW, and the ribose group received 0.15 g of ribose/kg BW top-dressed on the feed twice daily. After 2 wk of glucose or ribose supplementation, a SET was performed. Blood was analyzed for blood ammonia-N, plasma lactic acid, and plasma glucose before exercise (0 min), every minute during SET, and at 15 and 30 min after exercise. Heart rate and VO2 were recorded for the duration of SET. After a 10-d washout period, geldings switched groups. Following another 2 wk of supplementation, a second SET was performed, and same data recorded. Blood ammonia-N and plasma lactic acid increased as duration of SET increased and reached a peak at 15 min after exercise. Peak plasma glucose was observed at 15 min after exercise, and peak heart rate and VO2 were recorded at highest speed during SET. Geldings supplemented with ribose had blood ammonia-N, plasma lactic acid, plasma glucose, VO2, heart rate, and performance similar to those of geldings supplemented with glucose. Results from this study show that supplementation with 0.15 g ribose/kg BW twice daily in the diet of conditioned Thoroughbred geldings for 2 wk does not influence blood ammonia-N, plasma lactic acid, plasma glucose, VO2, heart rate, or performance during SET or the first 30 min of recovery.

The effect of supplemental lysine and threonine on growth and development of yearling horses.

Thirty-nine Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two 112-d experiments to determine the effect of lysine and threonine supplementation on growth and development. Yearlings were individually fed three dietary treatments that consisted of a pelleted concentrate containing corn, oats, and soybean meal fed to appetite twice daily and Coastal bermuda grass hay group-fed at a rate of 1 kg/100 kg BW. Three concentrates were tested: (A) basal, (B) basal plus .2% lysine, and (C) basal plus .2% lysine, and .1% threonine. Feed intake, weight, withers height, girth, hip height, body length, and hoof growth (Exp. 1) were recorded every 28 d, and initial and final radiographs taken for estimating bone mineral content. Final croup fat thickness was measured ultrasonically in Exp. 1, and initial and final croup fat measured in Exp. 2. Blood samples were taken every 28 d for determination of serum urea N and protein in Exp. 2. Average daily feed intake (as-fed) was 8.8 +/- .14, 9.0 +/- .13, and 9.2 +/- .13 kg (P < .09), ADG was .57 +/- .02, .64 +/- .02, and .67 +/- .02 kg/d (P < .02), and girth gain was 9.7 +/- .49, 10.1 +/- .46, and 11.3 +/- .47 cm (P < .05) for Treatments A, B, and C, respectively. Gain:feed ratios in Exp. 1 were 70.5, 70.8, and 75.5 g/kg (P > .10) and in Exp. 2 were 61.7, 70.8, and 70.2 g/kg (P < .10) for Treatments A, B, and C, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The mechanical properties of equine third metacarpals as affected by age.

Twenty-five pairs of equine third metacarpals (McIII) were collected from horses of varying breeds and ranging in age from 1 d to 27 yr. Standard three-point bending tests were performed on the McIII to obtain comparative data on breaking load (BL), breaking strength (BS), and elasticity (E). Broken bones were reassembled and 2-cm sections cut from the bone 1 cm below the nutrient foramen and at the site of the break. Bone mineral content (BMC) and geometrical properties of these sections were determined. Maximum BMC (17.3 g/2 cm) was reached at 6.0 +/- 1.8 yr of age. Horses in this study achieved 76% of maximum BMC by 1 yr of age. Maximum BL (1,888 kg) was reached at 4.6 +/- 1.8 yr of age. The coefficient of determination (r2) between BMC and BL was .92 (P < .001). Breaking strength peaked at 2,272 kg/cm2 at 6.3 +/- 1.2 yr of age. The correlation between BS and BMC was .84 (P < .0001). At 1 yr of age BS was 1,919 kg/cm2, or 85% of maximum BS. Elasticity increased linearly with log 10 age (r2 = .91). The r2 of BMC and E was .79 (P < .001). Area moment of inertia (I) of the cortex of the bone was best approximated by the area of an ellipse (r2 = .91; P < .01). Results suggest that bone strength in horses peaks after most race horses have completed their careers.

Use of oral tolerance tests to investigate disaccharide digestion in neonatal foals.

Oral tolerance tests were performed on 13 neonatal foals to determine their ability to digest disaccharides on d 1, 3 and 5 postpartum. Foals were assigned randomly to treatments consisting of 20% (wt/vol) solutions of either maltose, lactose, or sucrose, dosed at 1 g/kg of BW, or glucose, dosed at .5 g/kg of BW. After a 2-h fast, an initial blood sample was collected via jugular catheter. Foals were administered the appropriate solution orally, and blood was collected every 15 min for 1 h and then every 30 min for 3 h. Plasma glucose increased after dosing with lactose or glucose but not with sucrose. Plasma glucose concentrations increased slightly on d 3 and 5 in foals dosed with maltose. These findings suggest that although lactose is well digested by neonatal foals, maltose is digested only slightly, and sucrose is not digested by d 5. Results of this experiment indicate that maltose and sucrose would not be suitable for inclusion in artificial diets for foals less than 1 wk old. Oral tolerance tests could be useful for determining the ability of premature or sick foals with lactose intolerance to digest alternate carbohydrate sources.

Effect of oxytetracycline on metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint angles in newborn foals.

Thirty-five newborn foals were assigned to 1 of 3 groups and treated with 0.9% NaCl solution (saline; group 1; n = 12), oxytetracycline (44 mg/kg of body weight; group 2; n = 12), or 2-pyrrolidone (oxytetracycline vehicle; group 3; n = 11) in saline solution during the first 36 hours after birth. Serum biochemical analyses were performed on samples obtained from group-1 and group-2 foals before treatment and 24 and 96 hours after treatment. Lateral to medial radiographic views of the forelimbs were obtained before treatment and 24 and 96 hours after treatment in all foals. Metacarpophalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint angles were measured from the radiographic images. Significant changes in blood chemistry values, other than those typically observed in newborn foals, were not detected. A significant decrease in mean metacarpophalangeal joint angle was observed in foals 24 hours after treatment with oxytetracycline, compared with that in foals of groups 1 and 3. The mean metacarpophalangeal joint angle returned to pretreatment values by 96 hours. Oxytetracycline appears to be an effective method for obtaining a short-term moderate decrease in metacarpophalangeal joint angle in newborn foals.

[Traffic accidents in a metropolitan area of southern Brazil--victim and lesion characterization]. / Acidentes de trânsito em área metropolitana da região sul do Brasil--caracterização da vítima e das lesões.

Casualties treated in a Emergency Hospital of Porto Alegre, Brazil, during the year 1988, for injuries received as a result of traffic accidents, are described by means of a retrospective study of the data provided by the Documentation and Statistics Sector of the hospital (n = 6.099). The results, similar to those described in the literature, draw special attention to the predominance of the male sex (69.2%), to the concentration of accidents involving individuals of between 20 and 39 years of age, inclusive, (52%) and to the frequency which the head is injured (49.6%) of the patients. Severe injuries such as bruises and fractures were found, respectively, in 61.5% and 24.2% of the patients. The data reveal, further, the large number and the seriousness of the injuries caused by accidents involving pedestrians which accounted for 32.7% of the total number of attendances related to traffic accidents, 57.2% of hospital internments; 54.6% of the victims of this kind of accident were under 9 years of age and 42.8% were over 60.

Influence of starch intake on growth and skeletal development of weanling horses.

Forty-four weanling horses were used in two experiments to evaluate the effect of starch intake on growth and skeletal development. In Exp. 1, the weanlings were fed either a grain-based, high-starch (31.1%, DM basis) concentrate or a by-product-based, low-starch (0.0%) concentrate with coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay. Corn oil was used to equalize the energy concentration of the concentrates. The concentrate:hay ratio was 64:36 (as-fed basis), and intake was the same for both diets. Body weight gains were greater by the weanlings consuming the high-starch concentrate (0.81 vs. 0.67 kg/d; P = 0.01). Total body length gain also was greater for the weanlings consuming the high-starch concentrate (15.5 vs. 13.2 cm; P = 0.045). Other body measurements and bone mineral deposition were not influenced by diet or gender. At the end of the experiment, postprandial blood glucose concentrations suggested that the horses on the low-starch diet were less efficient in metabolizing blood glucose than were those that had been consuming the high-starch diets. In Exp. 2, the weanlings were fed either a high-starch (34.7%) or medium-starch (17.0%) concentrate plus coastal bermudagrass hay. Corn oil again was used to equalize the energy content of the medium-starch concentrate to that of the high-starch concentrate. The concentrate:hay ratio was 64:36 (as-fed basis), and the intake was the same for both diets. The diets did not influence rate of gain (0.75 kg/d; P = 0.98), body measurements (P = 0.11 to 0.93), or bone mineral deposition (P = 0.66). Animals on the medium-starch diet tended to have blood glucose concentrations that peaked earlier and were lower at later times than those consuming the high-starch concentrate. Bone osteochondrotic lesions were not related to the diet and were found to decrease during the course of the experiment for both the high-starch and the medium-starch diets (P = 0.006 and 0.016, respectively).

Tendencies in adult mortality in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1970-1985. An international comparison.

"In order to evaluate mortality trends in adults aged 30-69 years in the State of Rio Grande do Sul [Brazil], changes in age-standardized mortality from 1970 to 1985 were calculated and compared with trends of 33 other countries. Virtual stability in Rio Grande do Sul over this 16-year period contrasts with dramatic reduction in age-standardized all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in many countries.... The data demonstrate that major declines in adult mortality can be achieved, and suggest that, during the period 1970-1985, Rio Grande do Sul participated little in the international tendency toward improved adult health." (SUMMARY IN POR)

Ribose supplementation in maximally exercising Thoroughbreds.

A diverse group of studies, which are equine exclusive, indicate that ribose administered to myocardial and skeletal muscle tissue stimulates ATP production and recovery. This study investigated the effects of ribose supplementation on blood and muscle metabolites and performance in Thoroughbred geldings performing a maximal treadmill standardised exercise test (SET). In Experiment 1, 6 conditioned Thoroughbred geldings performed a baseline SET and horses were assigned to one of 2 experimental treatment groups, placebo or ribose, based on VO2max. The placebo treatment group received 0.07 g glucose/kg bodyweight (bwt) and ribose treatment group received 0.07 g ribose/kg bwt top dressed on the feed twice daily. Following a 2 week treatment period, a second SET was performed. After a one-week washout period, the horses switched treatment groups. Following another 2 week treatment period, a third SET was performed. Blood ammonia-N was lower in the ribose treatment group at 15 min (P = 0.06) and 30 min (P = 0.02) postexercise. Plasma lactic acid was lower in the ribose treatment group at 30 min postexercise (P = 0.07). In Experiment 2, 1 h before a SET, 2 horses received 3 l water (control) and 3 horses 250 g of ribose dissolved in 3 l water (single ribose dose) via a nasogastric tube. Following a 2 week washout period, the horses switched treatment groups and another SET was performed. There were no differences in blood ammonia-N, plasma lactic acid or glucose between treatment groups. No differences in performance were detected between treatment groups in either experiment. In conclusion, the results from Experiment 1 show a trend that daily ribose supplementation may be beneficial during recovery from exercise. However, a single dose of ribose 1 h before exercise revealed no effect on the variables measured. Because moderate to intense daily exercise can cause a decrease in total adenine nucleotide (TAN) pool with no meaningful recovery even after 72 h rest, future experiments should be designed to futher elucidate the effects of ribose supplementation on TAN metabolism in horses exercising at high intensity.