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Porcine pregnancy establishment and maintenance are dependent on the formation of functional corpora lutea (CL). Manganese (Mn) is critical for CL function as it is a cofactor for Mn superoxide dismutase and enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis. Previously, we have shown that luteal Mn content increased and luteal progesterone (P4) concentration decreased in the CL of gilts fed diets supplemented with an Mn–amino acid complex (Availa-Mn; Zinpro Corporation) compared with controls fed Mn sulfate. Importantly, serum P4 increased from 0 (estrus onset) to 12 d post estrus (dpe), as expected, but P4 abundance in circulation was not affected by dietary Mn source (P = 0.15). We hypothesized that a more bioavailable Mn source (which results in increased luteal Mn content) would alter the luteal proteome and abundance of mRNA associated with steroid biogenesis during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Postpubertal gilts (n = 32) were assigned to one of the four gestation diets. The control diet (CON) contained 20 ppm of supplemental Mn in the form of Mn sulfate. Three additional diets included 20 (TRT1), 40 (TRT2), or 60 (TRT3) ppm of supplemental Mn in the form of a Mn–amino acid complex instead of Mn sulfate. Dietary treatment began at estrus synchronization (approximately 20 d before estrus) and continued through 12 dpe when gilts were euthanized and tissues were collected. Protein and total RNA extracts from the CL were used for proteomic analysis via label-free liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to assess global protein abundance and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to assess specific mRNA abundance, respectively. Compared with CON, 188, 382, and 401 proteins were differentially abundant (P < 0.10) in TRT1, TRT2, and TRT3, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment software revealed that proteins involved in P4 signaling and cholesterol synthesis were downregulated in CL of gilts fed Mn–amino acid complex compared with controls. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that relative transcript abundance of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes (CYP11A1 and StAR) in CL tissue was decreased in gilts from TRT2 compared with CON (P = 0.02), but TRT1 and TRT3 were not affected (P ≥ 0.30). Collectively, these data support our hypothesis that a more bioavailable dietary Mn source may influence luteal function by altering the abundance of protein and mRNA involved in steroidogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study objectives were to determine the effects of continuously infusing glucose (GLC) or casein (CAS) into the terminal ileum on biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, and intestinal morphology in growing pigs. Crossbred gilts (n = 19; 81 ± 3 kg body weight [BW]) previously fitted with T-cannulas at terminal ileum were used in the current experiment. Following 4 d of acclimation, pigs were enrolled in 2 experimental 4-d periods (P). During P1, pigs were housed in individual pens and fed ad libitum for collection of baseline parameters. At the beginning of P2, pigs were assigned to 1 of 3 infusion treatments: 1) control (CON; water; 3 liters/d; n = 7), 2) GLC (dextrose 50%; 500 g/d; n = 6;), or 3) CAS (casein sodium salt; 300 g/d; n = 6). Water, GLC, and CAS solutions were continuously infused at a rate of 125 mL/h for the entirety of P2. Animals were euthanized at the end of P2, and intestinal tissue was collected. During P2, average daily feed intake differed across treatments and was reduced in GLC compared with CON pigs (14%), while CAS pigs consumed an intermediate amount (P = 0.05). Average daily gain and final BW were similar across treatments. A treatment by time interaction was observed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN; P < 0.01), as it decreased in GLC (21%) while it gradually increased in CAS (76%) pigs relative to CON pigs. Mild hyperthermia occurred with both GLC and CAS infusions relative to CON (+0.3 and 0.2 °C, respectively; P < 0.01). Blood neutrophils increased in CAS relative to CON pigs (26%) but remained similar between CON and GLC treatments (P < 0.01). Blood monocytes decreased in GLC relative to CON pigs (24%) while CAS pigs had an intermediate value (P = 0.03). Circulating lipopolysaccharide binding protein tended to decrease in GLC (29%) relative to CON pigs but remained similar between CON and CAS pigs (P = 0.10). Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha was similar across treatments. Ileum villus height:crypt depth was increased in CAS compared with CON pigs (33%; P = 0.05) while GLC pigs had an intermediate value. Colon myeloperoxidase-stained area increased in CAS compared with CON pigs (45%; P = 0.03) but remained similar between GLC and CON pigs. In summary, continuously infusing GLC or CAS into the terminal ileum appeared to stimulate a mild immune response and differently altered BUN patterns but had little or no effects on blood inflammatory markers, intestinal morphology, or key production parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study objectives were to determine the effects of rapamycin (Rapa) on biomarkers of metabolism and inflammation during acute heat stress (HS) in growing pigs. Crossbred barrows (n = 32; 63.5 ± 7.2 kg body weight [BW]) were blocked by initial BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 environmental-therapeutic treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) control (n = 8; TNCon), 2) TN and Rapa (n = 8; TNRapa), 3) HS control (n = 8; HSCon), or 4) HS and Rapa (n = 8; HSRapa). Following 6 d of acclimation to individual pens, pigs were enrolled in two experimental periods (P). During P1 (10 d), pigs were fed ad libitum and housed in TN conditions (21.3 ± 0.2°C). During P2 (24 h), HSCon and HSRapa pigs were exposed to constant HS (35.5 ± 0.4°C), while TNCon and TNRapa pigs remained in TN conditions. Rapamycin (0.15 mg/kg BW) was orally administered twice daily (0700 and 1800 hours) during both P1 and P2. HS increased rectal temperature and respiration rate compared to TN treatments (1.3°C and 87 breaths/min, respectively; P < 0.01). Feed intake (FI) markedly decreased in HS relative to TN treatments (64%; P < 0.01). Additionally, pigs exposed to HS lost BW (4 kg; P < 0.01), while TN pigs gained BW (0.7 kg; P < 0.01). Despite marked changes in phenotypic parameters caused by HS, circulating glucose and blood urea nitrogen did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). However, the insulin:FI increased in HS relative to TN treatments (P = 0.04). Plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased in HS relative to TN treatments; although this difference was driven by increased NEFA in HSCon compared to TN and HSRapa pigs (P < 0.01). Overall, circulating white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes decreased in HS compared to TN pigs (19%, 23%, and 33%, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). However, circulating neutrophils were similar across treatments (P > 0.31). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was increased in HS relative to TN pigs (P = 0.02); however, a tendency for reduced NLR was observed in HSRapa compared to HSCon pigs (21%; P = 0.06). Plasma C-reactive protein tended to differ across treatments (P = 0.06) and was increased in HSRapa relative to HSCon pigs (46%; P = 0.03). Circulating haptoglobin was similar between groups. In summary, pigs exposed to HS had altered phenotypic, metabolic, and leukocyte responses; however, Rapa administration had limited impact on outcomes measured herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives were to evaluate the effects of mitoquinol (MitoQ) on production parameters, gastrointestinal (GIT) contents, GIT mass, and circulating leukocytes during acute heat stress (HS). Crossbred gilts [49.1±2.4 kg body weight (BW)] were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 therapeuticenvironmental treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) control (TNCON; n = 8), 2) TN and MitoQ (TNMitoQ; n = 8), 3) HS control (HSCON; n = 8), or 4) HS and MitoQ (HSMitoQ; n = 8). The study consisted of two experimental periods (P). During P1 (2 d) pigs were fed ad libitum and housed in TN conditions (20.6±1.5°C). During P2 (24 h) pigs were fed ad libitum and exposed to either TN or constant HS (37.3±1.3°C). In MitoQ fed pigs, MitoQ (20 mg) was administered twice daily (0700 and 1800 h; 40 mg/d) during both P1 and P2. Rectal temperature (TR), skin (TS), respiration rate (RR), and feed intake (FI) were recorded every 4 h during P2. Following P2, all pigs were euthanized, and organs were weighed. As expected, pigs exposed to HS had increased TR, TS, and RR (1.5°C, 8.7°C, and 86 bpm, respectively; P < 0.01) relative to TN. Compared with TN, HS pigs had decreased FI (67%; P < 0.01). Additionally, HS pigs lost BW compared with TN (-1.9 vs. +1.5 kg, respectively; P < 0.01). Despite consuming 67% less feed, stomach contents were similar in TN and HS pigs (P > 0.54), regardless of environment. Large and small intestine contents were decreased in HS pigs relative to TN (23 and 49%, respectively; P = 0.01). Total GIT luminal contents (stomach, small and large intestines) were decreased in HS relative to TN pigs (2.43 vs. 3.26 kg; P = 0.01); however, MitoQ fed pigs tended to have increased GIT contents regardless of the environment (3.05 vs. 2.63 kg; P = 0.08). Total empty GIT and liver weights decreased in HS relative to TN pigs (3.21 vs. 3.48 and 1.16 vs. 1.22 kg, respectively; P = 0.03). In addition, liver weight was decreased in MitoQ relative to CON pigs (1.13 vs. 1.24 kg; P = 0.01). Further, total GIT weight (tissue and contents) was decreased in HS relative to TN pigs (5.63 vs. 6.70 kg; P = 0.01). Environment nor therapeutic treatment affected circulating leukocytes (P > 0.16); however, HS pigs tended to have decreased lymphocytes relative to TN (16%; P = 0.07). Based upon the changes in GIT content, it appears HS decreases gastric emptying while increasing intestinal passage rate. Overall, acute HS increased body temperature indices, and decreased FI, GIT mass and BW; however, MitoQ administration did not appear to ameliorate these metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two RCTs found no survival benefit for completion lymphadenectomy after positive sentinel lymph node biopsy compared with observation with ultrasound in patients with melanoma. Recurrence patterns and regional control are not well described for patients undergoing observation alone. Methods: All patients with a positive sentinel node biopsy who did not have immediate completion lymphadenectomy were identified from a single‐institution database (1995–2018). First recurrences were classified as node only, local and in‐transit (LCIT) only, LCIT and nodal, or systemic. Regional control and factors associated with recurrence survival were analysed. Results: Median follow‐up was 33 months. Of 370 patients, 158 (42·7 per cent) had a recurrence. The sites of first recurrence were node only (13·2 per cent), LCIT only (11·9 per cent), LCIT and nodal (3·5 per cent), and systemic (13·8 per cent). The 3‐year postrecurrence melanoma‐specific survival rate was 73 (95 per cent c.i. 54 to 86) per cent for patients with node‐only first recurrence, and 51 (31 to 68) per cent for those with initial systemic recurrence. In multivariable analysis, ulceration in the primary lesion (hazard ratio (HR) 2·53, 95 per cent c.i. 1·27 to 5·04), disease‐free interval 12 months or less (HR 2·38, 1·28 to 4·35), and systemic (HR 2·57, 1·16 to 5·65) or LCIT and nodal (HR 2·94, 1·11 to 7·79) first recurrence were associated significantly with decreased postrecurrence survival. Maintenance of regional control required therapeutic lymphadenectomy in 13·0 per cent of patients during follow‐up. Conclusion: Observation after a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy is associated with good regional control, permits assessment of the time to and pattern of recurrence, and spares lymphadenectomy‐related morbidity in patients with melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol is often consumed with tobacco, and dependence to alcohol and tobacco are highly comorbid. In addition, there are differences in the prevalence of nicotine- and alcohol-abuse between the sexes. Nicotine produces enhancing effects on the value of other reinforcers, which may extend to alcohol.Methods: Male and female Wistar rats were trained to self-administer 15% ethanol solution in 30-minute sessions. Once ethanol self-administration was established, demand for ethanol was evaluated using an exponential reinforcer demand method, in which the response cost per reinforcer delivery was systematically increased over blocks of several sessions. Within each cost condition, rats were preinjected with nicotine (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg/kg base, SC) or saline 5 minutes before self-administration sessions. The effects of nicotine dose and biological sex were evaluated using the estimates generated by the reinforcer demand model.Results: Under saline conditions, males showed greater sensitivity to ethanol reinforcement than females. Nicotine enhanced the reinforcement value of alcohol and this varied with sex. In both sexes, 0.4 mg/kg nicotine decreased intensity of ethanol demand. However, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/kg nicotine decreased elasticity of ethanol demand in females, but not in males.Conclusions: Nicotine enhances ethanol reinforcement, which may partially drive comorbidity between nicotine-abuse and alcohol-abuse. Males showed signs of greater ethanol reinforcement value than females under saline conditions, and nicotine attenuated this effect by increasing ethanol reinforcement value in the females. These findings highlight that a complete understanding of alcohol-abuse must include a thorough study of alcohol use in the context of other drug use, including nicotine.Implications: Nicotine dose dependently enhances the alcohol reinforcement value in a manner that is clearly influenced by biological sex. Under saline baseline conditions, males show lower elasticity of demand for alcohol reinforcement than females, indicative of greater reinforcement value. However, nicotine attenuated this difference by enhancing alcohol reward in the females. Specifically, low-to-moderate doses (0.05-0.2 mg/kg) of nicotine decreased elasticity of alcohol demand in female rats, increasing the perseverance of their alcohol taking behavior. These data indicate that the well-documented reward-enhancing effects of nicotine on sensory reinforcement extend to alcohol reinforcement and that these vary with biological sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing efficiency in the cow-calf sector is an important step toward improving beef sustainability. The objective of the study was to use a model to identify the relative roles of reproductive, genetic, and nutritional management in minimizing beef production systems' environmental impact in an economically viable, socially acceptable manner. An economic and environmental diet optimizer was used to identify ideal nutritional management of beef production systems varying in genetic and reproductive technology use. Eight management scenarios were compared to a least cost baseline: average U.S. production practices (CON), CON with variable nutritional management (NUT), twinning cattle (TWN), early weaning (EW), sire selection by EPD using either on-farm bulls (EPD-B) or AI (EPD-AI), decreasing the calving window (CW), or selecting bulls by EPD and reducing the calving window (EPD-CW). Diets to minimize land use, water use, and/or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were optimized under each scenario. Increases in diet cost attributable to reducing environmental impact were constrained to less than stakeholder willingness to pay for improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Baseline land use, water use, and GHG emissions were 188 m2, 712 L, and 21.9 kg/kg HCW beef. The NUT scenario, which assessed opportunities to improve sustainability by altering nutritional management alone, resulted in a simultaneous 1.5% reduction in land use, water use, and GHG emissions. The CW scenario improved calf uniformity and simultaneously decreased land use, water use, and GHG emissions by 3.2%. Twinning resulted in a 9.2% reduction in the 3 environmental impact metrics. The EW scenario allowed for an 8.5% reduction in the 3 metrics. The EPD-AI scenario resulted in an 11.1% reduction, which was comparable to the 11.3% reduction achieved by EPD-B in the 3 metrics. Improving genetic selection by using AI or by purchasing on-farm bulls based on their superior EPD demonstrated clear opportunity to improve sustainability. When genetic and reproductive technologies were adopted, up to a 12.4% reduction in environmental impact was achievable. Given the modeling assumptions used in this study, optimizing nutritional management while concurrently improving genetic and reproductive efficiency may be promising avenues to improve productivity and sustainability of U.S. beef systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the principle of supporting radiologists by using a computer algorithm to quantitatively analyse MRI morphological features used by radiologists to predict the presence or absence of metastatic disease in local lymph nodes in rectal cancer. Methods: A computer algorithm was developed to extract and quantify the following morphological features from MR images: chemical shift artefact; relative mean signal intensity; signal heterogeneity; and nodal size (volume or maximum diameter). Computed predictions on nodal involvement were generated using quantified features in isolation or in combinations. Accuracies of the predictions were assessed against a set of 43 lymph nodes, determined by radiologists as benign (20 nodes) or malignant (23 nodes). Results: Predictions using combinations of quantified features were more accurate than predictions using individual features (0.67-0.86 vs 0.58-0.77, respectively). The algorithm was more accurate when three-dimensional images were used (0.58-0.86) than when only middle image slices (two-dimensional) were used (0.47-0.72). Maximum node diameter was more accurate than node volume in representing the nodal size feature; combinations including maximum node diameter gave accuracies up to 0.91. Conclusion: We have developed a computer algorithm that can support radiologists by quantitatively analysing morphological features of lymph nodes on MRI in the context of rectal cancer nodal staging. We have shown that this algorithm can combine these quantitative indices to generate computed predictions of nodal status which closely match radiological assessment. This study provides support for the feasibility of computer-assisted reading in nodal staging, but requires further refinement and validation with larger data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour heterogeneity has major implications for tumour development and response to therapy. Tumour heterogeneity results from mutations in the genes responsible for mismatch repair or maintenance of chromosomal stability. Cells with different genetic properties may grow at different rates and exhibit different resistance to therapeutic interventions. To date, there exists no approach to non-invasively assess tumour heterogeneity. Here we present a biologically inspired model of tumour growth, which relates intratumoral genetic heterogeneity to gross morphology visible on radiological images. The model represents the development of a tumour as a set of expanding spheres, each sphere representing a distinct clonal centre, with the sprouting of new spheres corresponding to new clonal centres. Each clonal centre may possess different characteristics relating to genetic composition, growth rate and response to treatment. We present a clinical example for which the model accurately tracks tumour growth and shows the correspondence to genetic variation (as determined by array comparative genomic hybridisation). One clinical implication of our work is that the assessment of heterogeneous tumours using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours (RECIST) or volume measurements may not accurately reflect tumour growth, stability or the response to treatment. We believe that this is the first model linking the macro-scale appearance of tumours to their genetic composition. We anticipate that our model will provide a more informative way to assess the response of heterogeneous tumours to treatment, which is of increasing importance with the development of novel targeted anti-cancer treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of time to maximum enhancement (tmax) for each voxel in contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) as a non-invasive tool to determine areas of necrosis following treatment of liver tumours with highintensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and, having established the utility of tmax maps, to develop a three-dimensional (3-D) representation to display this information concisely. 3-D T1 weighted fast spoiled gradient echo images of the liver were acquired before and after administration of contrast agent. The CE-MR images were aligned to the precontrast volume and an estimate of tmax was obtained for each voxel. Such pre- and post-contrast image sets were acquired before and after ablation. The tmax maps before and after HIFU treatment were correlated with the procedure notes, radiological reports and gross histological specimen. Finally, 3-D tmax maps of the whole liver were reconstructed to show all areas of abnormal tissue perfusion. Normal, healthy liver tissue uniformly enhances maximally after approximately 1 min. The computed tmax maps accurately delineated areas of abnormal contrast agent uptake, corresponding to tumour deposits. Changes in tmax and non-enhancing voxels after treatment correlate well with volumes targeted during ablation and the necrotic regions seen on gross histological specimens. Alignment of the contrast-enhanced images with the precontrast volume greatly improved the conspicuity of the tmax maps. We conclude that tmax maps and their 3-D views can be used as a non-invasive tool to assess and potentially to quantify the success of HIFU ablation, and concisely represent the large number of CE-MRI data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the contribution of Mark Hayes which concerns the economic theories of Keynes. It discusses the concepts of Keynes on the total levels of prices and output. It also presents an overview and criticism of the book "The General Theory," by Keynes. Interpretations on the acceptance of the economist on the first classical postulate implies the adoption of the neo-classical supply-side assumptions of price-taking, profit-maximisation and decreasing marginal returns to labour are offered.

Phytogenic feed additives that contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may have potential to reduce inflammation and oxidation observed during bouts of heat stress. The trial objective was to determine the effects of a phytogenic feed additive on markers of stress in heifers subjected to diurnal heat stress (dHS). Eighteen Holstein and four Jersey heifers (5-6 months of age; d1 BW=205±9 kg) were assigned to two dietary treatments (n = 11) based on breed and age; 1) a basal TMR diet (CTL), 2) CTL supplemented with 0.25 g/head/d of a proprietary blend of phytogenics (PFA; BIOMIN America, Inc., Overland Park, KS). Heifers were housed individually and fed their respective treatments for 14d prior to dHS (d-14-1), subjected dHS (d1-7), and followed through a recovery period (d8-11). Weights were collected at d1 (baseline), d7 (end of dHS), and d11 (end of recovery). The temperature set point was assigned at 33°C from 0900 to 2100 h and allowed to equilibrate with outside temperature during night (24°C) for a total of 7d dHS. Total DMI (tDMI) and DMI from 0900 to 2100 h (hsDMI) were recorded daily. Serum was collected at d1, 2, 7 and 11 to determine effect of treatment on markers of oxidation, inflammation, and stress. Treatment effects were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS with treatment and time as fixed effects and heifer as a random effect. Temperature humidity index during dHS was greater during the day (84.5) versus night (73.3). There were no treatment differences (P>0.05) in d 0-11 on ADG, ADFI, or GF between treatments. However, PFA numerically increased hsDMI, reduced (P< 0.05) haptoglobin and tended to reduce (P< 0.10) lipopolysaccharide binding protein compared with CTL. Overall, dietary PFA may be a potential strategy to mitigate the stresses that heifers experience during dHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of splenectomies performed in the Cork Regional Hospital over an 11 year period, ten were undertaken primarily for diagnostic purposes. A definitive histological diagnosis was established in nine patients, seven of whom had lymphoma, two with Hodgkin's disease and five with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The weight of the excised spleen in all patients with lymphoma exceeded 1 kg; in all those with a diagnosis other than lymphoma, the spleen weighed less than 1 kg. A majority of patients also had symptomatic improvement from reversal of hypersplenism and from relief of the mechanical pressure effects of an enlarged spleen. Operative mortality was zero. Diagnostic splenectomy is a worthwhile procedure. Most patients will have lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 21 year old male was discovered to be severely hypertensive. He was found to have bilateral adrenal phaeochromocytomas and a single renal artery stenosis. More than 40 cases of coexisting renal artery stenosis and phaeochromocytomas have been reported. The aetiology of renal artery stenosis in association with phaeochromocytoma maybe multifactorial and the radiographic appearances are not always clear-cut. Renin levels in this patient were elevated prior to the removal of the phaeochromocytomas but the renal vein renin ratio did not suggest that the renal artery stenosis contributed significantly to his hypertension. The patient's hypertension resolved following successful removal of the phaeochromocytomas despite persistence of the renal artery stenosis. Thus, though renin levels may be misleading in these cases, renal vein renin ratios may still be helpful in deciding on patient management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A highly purified vaccine prepared from surface antigens of influenza virus adsorbed on to aluminium hydroxide has elicited good antibody results to both haemagglutinin and neuraminidase components, and has been shown to induce resistance to homotypic challenge at a satisfactorily high level. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Feed costs represent the greatest expense on a dairy farm, making feed efficiency an important trait to consider among production traits. Current tools to measure feed intake have limited application in commercial settings, due to affordability and lack of portability of technologies. Therefore, development of automated sensor-based indicator traits for feed intake could prove to be valuable. The objective of the current study was to determine if automated eartag data was associated with feed intake. Activity and inner ear temperature were collected every 19 minutes utilizing Quantified Ag eartags (n = 48 lactating cows). Ear tags were placed 5 days prior to the start of the trial, with cows ranging from 67-192 days in milk (DIM). Daily feed intake, milk weights, milk components and body weight (BW) were also recorded. Data were analyzed using PROX GLIMMIX in SAS. Dry matter intake (DMI) was modeled including fixed effects for DIM, milk weight, component composition, metabolic body weight (BW0.75), eartag activity or temperature, as well as the random effects of parity and group. To identify informative timeframes with reduced influence of environmental noise, data were analyzed over 3-day rolling windows of time. Six windows were significantly associated with dry matter intake (P ≤ 0.05) when utilizing ear tag activity. Three windows of time of ear tag temperature were found to be significantly associated with DMI (P ≤ 0.05). These findings indicate that eartag sensor data may be useful indicators of feed intake; however, days in milk and season may impact the informativeness of sensor data. Additional studies are warranted to validate the efficacy of activity and ear temperature as indicators of feed intake and determine the impact of other variables on these potential sensor indicator traits over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives were to determine the effects of mitoquinol (MitoQ) on performance, metabolism, and inflammation during acute heat stress (HS) in growing pigs. Crossbred barrows (n=32; 59±1 kg BW) where blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 therapeuticenvironmental treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) control (n=8; TNCtl), 2) TN and MitoQ (n=8; TNMitoQ), 3) HS control (n=8; HSCtl), or 4) HS and MitoQ (n=8; HSMitoQ). The trial consisted of two experimental periods (P). During P1 (2d), pigs were fed ad libitum and housed in TN conditions (20.6±0.1°C). During P2 (24h), HSCtl and HSMitoQ pigs were exposed to continuous HS (35.2±0.03°C); while TNCtl and TNMitoQ remained in TN conditions. Mitoquinol was orally administered twice daily (0700 and 1800 h; 40 mg/d) during P1 and P2. Pigs exposed to HS had increased rectal temperature, skin temperature, and respiration rate (1.46°C, 6.79°C, and 101 bpm, respectively; P< 0.01) compared to their TN counterparts. Acute HS markedly decreased feed intake (67%; P< 0.01). Additionally, HS pigs lost BW compared to their TN counterparts (-4.7 vs. +1.6 kg, respectively; P< 0.01); however, the reduction in BW was less severe in HSMitoQ compared to HSCtl pigs (-3.85 vs. -5.50 kg, respectively; P< 0.01). Circulating glucose increased in HSMitoQ relative to HSCtl pigs (15%; P=0.04). Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were increased in HS compared to TN pigs (P< 0.01), although this difference was influenced by increased NEFA in HSCtl relative to HSMitoQ pigs (251 vs. 142 µEq/L; P< 0.01). Insulin:feed intake tended to increase in HS relative to TN pigs (P=0.09). Overall, no differences in blood urea nitrogen or cell blood counts were observed across treatments (P >0.10). In conclusion, acute HS exposure negatively altered animal performance and metabolism; however, administering MitoQ appeared to ameliorate the HS response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives were to determine the effects of rapamycin on biomarkers of metabolism and inflammation during acute heat stress (HS) in growing pigs. Crossbred barrows (n=32; 63.5±0.8 BW) where blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 therapeutic-environmental treatments: 1) thermoneutral (TN) control (n=8; TNCtl), 2) TN and rapamycin (n=8; TNRapa), 3) HS control (n=8; HSCtl), or 4) HS and rapamycin (n=8; HSRapa). The trial consisted of 2 experimental periods (P). During P1 (10d), pigs were fed ad libitum and housed in TN conditions (21.3±0.01°C). During P2 (24h), HSCtl and HSRapa pigs were exposed to constant HS (35.5±0.1°C); while TNCtl and TNRapa remained in TN conditions. Rapamycin (0.15 mg/kg BW) was orally administered twice daily (0700 and 1800 h) during P1 and P2. HS increased rectal temperature, skin temperature, and respiration rate compared to TN counterparts (1.28°C, 8.68°C, and 87 bpm, respectively; P< 0.01). Feed intake (FI) markedly decreased in HS relative to TN treatments (64%; P< 0.01). Additionally, pigs exposed to HS lost BW (4 kg; P< 0.01), while TN pigs gained BW (0.7 kg; P< 0.01). Overall, circulating white blood cells decreased in HS compared to TN pigs (19%; P=0.01). Circulating neutrophils did not differ across treatments; however, lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils decreased in HS relative to TN pigs (23, 33, and 38%, respectively; P=0.07). Despite marked changes in phenotypic parameters, circulating glucose and blood urea nitrogen did not differ among treatments (P >0.10). However, insulin:FI increased in HS relative to TN treatments (P=0.04). Plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased in HS relative to TN treatments; although this difference was driven by increased NEFA in HSCtl compared to TN and HSRapa pigs (P< 0.01). In summary, pigs exposed to HS had altered phenotypic, metabolic, and leukocyte responses; however, rapamycin administration had little to no effect on any of the variables measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress (HS) negatively impacts production parameters, including milk yield and composition, growth and reproduction. Precisely studying HS typically requires expensive climate-controlled facilities, resources often inaccessible to most scientists. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of using an electric heat blanket (EHB) as an alternative and cost-effective method to study HS and determine whether EHB-induced hyperthermia affects physiological and production parameters similar to natural HS. This was the first proof of concept study examining this model. Results indicated increased body temperature indices (i.e. rectal temperature and respiration rate) and reduced DMI and milk yield, as well as altered milk composition similar to natural and climate-controlled HS studies. In experiment 2, we examined the EHB model in combination with a pair-feeding (PF) design. By employing the PF design, we clearly illustrated that a lowered nutritional plane explains only approximately 50% of the decreased milk yield in HS cows, with the remaining portion due to changes in post-absorptive changes in nutritional physiology. In addition, the EHB blunted adipose tissue mobilization and increased plasma biomarkers of muscle catabolism. Results from this study validated that the EHB is a valid model to study HS; therefore, experiment 3 was designed to assess nutritional HS mitigation strategies using the EHB model. Dietary electrolyte, osmolyte, and energetic compounds (EOEC) were evaluated as re-hydration therapy on body temperature indices in HS lactating Holstein cows. Skin temperature was increased in EOEC-supplemented cows relative to controls which suggests that EOEC increased heat dissipation. In addition, EOEC-supplemented cows had increased glucose and insulin levels compared with controls which is due to the energetic compounds (i.e. dextrose) present in the EOEC supplement. Collectively, employing EHB model provides an excellent new platform for discovery research and evaluating pragmatic HS mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives were to determine the effects of continuously infusing glucose (GLU) or casein (CAS) at the terminal ileum on circulating metabolism and intestinal architecture in pigs. Crossbred gilts (81 ± 1 kg BW) fitted with ileocecal cannulas and jugular catheters were enrolled in 2 experimental periods (P). Period 1 (4 d) served for the collection of baseline measurements. At the beginning of P2 (4 d), pigs were assigned to 1 of 3 infusion treatments: 1) control (CTL; water; n = 7), 2) GLU (500 g/d; n = 6), and 3) CAS (300 g/d; n = 6). Water, GLU, and CAS solutions were continuously infused (125 mL/h) through the ileocecal cannula for the entirety of P2. Pigs were sacrificed following P2 and segments of jejunum, ileum, and colon were collected. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. During P2, circulating glucose and non-esterified fatty acids were similar among treatments (P > 0.10). A tendency for a treatment × time interaction was observed for insulin as it decreased over time in CTL pigs, while it remained almost unchanged in GLU and CAS treatments during P2 (P = 0.07). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) decreased in GLU relative to CTL pigs during P2 (21%; P = 0.01), whereas it gradually increased (76%; P < 0.01) from 6 to 96 h post-infusion in CAS pigs when compared to their CTL counterparts. No differences on fecal pH were observed across treatments (P = 0.62). Ileum villus height tended to increase in CAS relative to CTL pigs (P = 0.08). Similarly, ileum villus height:crypt depth was increased in CAS compared to CTL pigs (P = 0.02). Goblet cell area was similar across treatments but tended to decrease in the jejunum in GLU when compared to their CTL counterparts (P = 0.09). In conclusion, continuously infusing GLU or CAS into the terminal ileum differently altered BUN patterns, but surprisingly had little effects on intestinal morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Occupational exposure to repetitive, low-level blasts in military training and combat has been tied to subconcussive injury and poor health outcomes for service members. Most low-level blast studies to date have focused on explosive breaching and firing heavy weapon systems; however, there is limited research on the repetitive blast exposure and physiological effects that mortarmen experience when firing mortar weapon systems. Motivated by anecdotal symptoms of mortarmen, the purpose of this paper is to characterize this exposure and its resulting neurocognitive effects in order to provide preliminary findings and actionable recommendations to safeguard the health of mortarmen. Materials and Methods In collaboration with the U.S. Army Rangers at Fort Benning, blast exposure, symptoms, and pupillary light reflex were measured during 3 days of firing 81 mm and 120 mm mortars in training. Blast exposure analysis included the examination of the blast overpressure (BOP) and cumulative exposure by mortarman position, as well as comparison to the 4 psi safety threshold. Pupillary light reflex responses were analyzed with linear mixed effects modeling. All neurocognitive results were compared between mortarmen (n  = 11) and controls (n  = 4) and cross-compared with blast exposure and blast history. Results Nearly 500 rounds were fired during the study, resulting in a high cumulative blast exposure for all mortarmen. While two mortarmen had average BOPs exceeding the 4 psi safety limit (Fig. 2), there was a high prevalence of mTBI-like symptoms among all mortarmen, with over 70% experiencing headaches, ringing in the ears, forgetfulness/poor memory, and taking longer to think during the training week (n  ≥ 8/11). Mortarmen also had smaller and slower pupillary light reflex responses relative to controls, with significantly slower dilation velocity (P  < 0.05) and constriction velocity (P  < 0.10). Conclusion Mortarmen experienced high cumulative blast exposure coinciding with altered neurocognition that is suggestive of blast-related subconcussive injury. These neurocognitive effects occurred even in mortarmen with average BOP below the 4 psi safety threshold. While this study was limited by a small sample size, its results demonstrate a concerning health risk for mortarmen that requires additional study and immediate action. Behavioral changes like ducking and standing farther from the mortar when firing can generally help reduce mortarmen BOP exposure, but we recommend the establishment of daily cumulative safety thresholds and daily firing limits in training to reduce cumulative blast exposure, and ultimately, improve mortarmen's quality of life and longevity in service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses research being done on oral care practices in stroke care settings in Scotland. Reference to study by A. Talbot et al, presented at the British Geriatrics Society Communications to the Autumn Meeting in Harrogate, England from October 6 to 8, 2004; Effectiveness of oral care intervention for stroke patients; Methodology and result of the study.

Focuses on the detection of caecal gurgling (CG) to identify children with abdominal pain. Detection of CG by palpation in the right iliac fossa; Accuracy of CG in determining abdominal pain; Correlation of the signs detected by CG with the diagnosis of appendicitis; Role of CG in reducing negative appendicectomy rates in children.