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Milk production in Switzerland is mainly based on herbage feeding with little input of concentrates. The present study investigated the effects of a solely herbage-based diet with (C) and without concentrate (nC) supplementation on luteal activity, milk production and metabolic status in 23 multiparous Holstein dairy cows with early or delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity post partum (pp). Cows were retrospectively assigned either to a group with early (until d 25 pp, EOV) or delayed resumption of ovarian activity ( d 30 pp, DOV), resulting in four subgroups depending on concentrate feeding: DOV-C, DOV-nC, EOV-C, EOV-nC. Milk progesterone (P4) concentration was measured every 3 d, and different metabolites were analyzed in weekly blood samples. Resumption of ovarian activity was detected between d 19 and 25 pp in EOV, and between d 30 and 60 pp in DOV. In DOV-C, resumption of cyclicity tended to start earlier (38.3 ± 1.7 d pp) compared to DOV-nC (45.2 ± 6.3 d pp; P = 0.10). Independent of grouping, the ovarian activity occurred later in cows with greater plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations (P 1 ng/mL did not differ between groups (P 0.05), but milk P4 peaks during the experiment were higher in EOV compared to DOV (P .Die Milchproduktion in der Schweiz basiert hauptsächlich auf Grasfütterung mit einer geringen Kraftfutterergänzung. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Auswirkungen einer ausschliesslich auf Gras basierenden Diät mit (C) und ohne Kraftfutter (nC) auf die Lutealaktivität, die Milchproduktion und den Stoffwechselstatus bei 23 multiparen Holstein-Milchkühen mit frühzeitiger oder verzögerter Wiederaufnahme der Ovarzyklizität post partum (pp). Die Kühe wurden retrospektiv entweder einer Gruppe mit früher (bis 25 Tage pp, EOV) oder verzögerter Wiederaufnahme der Ovaraktivität ( 30 Tage pp, DOV) zugeordnet, was je nach Konzentratfütterung zu vier Untergruppen führte: DOV-C, DOV-nC, EOV-C, EOV-nC. Die Milchprogesteron (P4)-Konzentration wurde alle 3 Tage gemessen und verschiedene Metaboliten wurden in wöchentlichen Blutproben analysiert. Eine Wiederaufnahme der Ovaraktivität wurde zwischen 19–25 Tage pp in EOV und zwischen 30–60 Tagen pp in DOV festgestellt. In DOV-C begann die Wiederaufnahme der Zyklizität tendenziell früher (38,3 ± 1,7 Tage pp) als in DOV-nC (45,2 ± 6,3 Tage pp; P = 0,10). Unabhängig von der Gruppierung trat die Ovaraktivität später bei Kühen mit höheren β-Hydroxybutyrat (BHB)-Konzentrationen im Plasma auf (P 1 ng/ml unterschied sich nicht zwischen den Gruppen (P 0,05), aber die Milch-P4-Peaks während des Experi­ments waren bei EOV höher als bei DOV (P .En Suisse, la production laitière est principalement basée sur une alimentation à base d’herbe avec peu d’apport en concentrés. La présente étude a examiné les effets d’un régime alimentaire exclusivement à base d’herbe avec (C) et sans (nC) supplémentation de concentrés sur l’activité lutéale, la production laitière et le statut métabolique de 23 vaches laitières Holstein multipares ayant une reprise précoce ou retardée de la cyclicité ovarienne post-partum (pp). Les vaches ont été assignées rétrospectivement soit à un groupe avec une reprise précoce (jusqu’à 25 jours pp, EOV), soit retardée de l’activité ovarienne ( 30 jours pp, DOV), résultant en quatre sous-groupes en fonction de la supplémentation en concentrés: DOV-C, DOV-nC, EOV-C, EOV-nC. La concentration de progestérone (P4) dans le lait a été mesurée tous les 3 jours et différents métabolites ont été analysés dans des échantillons sanguins hebdomadaires. La reprise de l’activité ovarienne a été détectée entre le jour 19 et 25 pp en EOV et entre le jour 30 et 60 pp en DOV. En DOV-C, la reprise de la cyclicité avait tendance à commencer plus tôt (38,3 ± 1,7 jour pp) par rapport à DOV-nC (45,2 ± 6,3 jours pp; P = 0,10). Indépendamment du groupe, l’activité ovarienne est survenue plus tard chez les vaches avec des concentrations plasmatiques de β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) plus élevées (P 1ng/ml (P 0,05), tandis que les pics de P4 dans le lait mesurés tout au long de l’expérience étaient plus élevés dans le groupe EOV par rapport au groupe DOV (P .La produzione di latte in Svizzera si basa principalmente su un’alimentazione a base di erba con un minimo apporto di foraggio concentrato. Il presente studio ha esaminato gli effetti di una dieta esclusivamente a base di erba con (C) o senza integrazione di foraggio concentrato (nC) sull’attività luteale, la produzione di latte e lo stato metabolico in 23 vacche da latte multipare di razza Holstein con ripresa precoce o ritardata della ciclicità ovarica post partum (pp). Le vacche sono state assegnate retrospettivamente a un gruppo con ripresa precoce (fino a 25 giorni pp, EOV) o ritardata ( 30 giorni pp, DOV) dell’attività ovarica, che ha portato a quattro sottogruppi a seconda dell’alimentazione a foraggio concentrato o no: DOV-C, DOV-nC, EOV-C, EOV-nC. La concentrazione di progesterone nel latte (P4) è stata misurata ogni 3 giorni, e diversi metaboliti sono stati analizzati in campioni di sangue settimanali. La ripresa dell’attività ovarica è stata rilevata tra 19 e 25 giorni in EOV, e tra 30 e 60 giorni pp in DOV. In DOV-C, la ripresa della ciclicità tendeva ad iniziare prima (38,3 ± 1,7 giorni pp) rispetto a DOV-nC (45,2 ± 6,3 giorni pp; P = 0,10). Indipendentemente dal gruppo, l’attività ovarica è subentrata più tardi nelle vacche con maggiori concentrazioni plasmatiche di β-idrossibutirrato (BHB) (P0,05). La concentrazione di P4 nel latte al non differiva tra i gruppi al primo incremento 1 ng/ml (P 0,05), ma i picchi di P4 nel latte durante l’esperimento erano più elevati in EOV che in DOV (P .

Background: Angiopoietin 1 and 2 regulate angiogenesis and vascular remodelling by interacting with the tyrosine kinase receptor Tie2, and inhibition of angiogenesis has shown promise in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We aimed to assess whether trebananib, a peptibody that inhibits binding of angiopoietin 1 and 2 to Tie2, improved progression-free survival when added to carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line therapy in advanced epithelial ovarian, primary fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer in a phase 3 clinical trial. Methods: TRINOVA-3, a multicentre, multinational, phase 3, double-blind study, was done at 206 investigational sites (hospitals and cancer centres)in 14 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with biopsy-confirmed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)stage III to IV epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers, and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (2:1)using a permuted block method (block size of six patients)to receive six cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m2)and carboplatin (area under the serum concentration-time curve 5 or 6)every 3 weeks, plus weekly intravenous trebananib 15 mg/kg or placebo. Maintenance therapy with trebananib or placebo continued for up to 18 additional months. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, as assessed by the investigators, in the intention-to-treat population. Safety analyses included patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01493505, and is complete. Findings: Between Jan 30, 2012, and Feb 25, 2014, 1164 patients were screened and 1015 eligible patients were randomly allocated to treatment (678 to trebananib and 337 to placebo). After a median follow-up of 27·4 months (IQR 17·7–34·2), 626 patients had progression-free survival events (405 [60%]of 678 in the trebananib group and 221 [66%]of 337 in the placebo group). Median progression-free survival did not differ between the trebananib group (15·9 months [15·0–17·6])and the placebo group (15·0 months [12·6–16·1])groups (hazard ratio 0·93 [95% CI 0·79–1·09]; p=0·36). 512 (76%)of 675 patients in the trebananib group and 237 (71%)of 336 in the placebo group had grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events; of which the most common events were neutropenia (trebananib 238 [35%]vs placebo 126 [38%])anaemia (76 [11%]vs 40 [12%]), and leucopenia (81 [12%]vs 35 [10%]). 269 (40%)patients in the trebananib group and 104 (31%)in the placebo group had serious adverse events. Two fatal adverse events in the trebananib group were considered related to trebananib, paclitaxel, and carboplatin (lung infection and neutropenic colitis); two were considered to be related to paclitaxel and carboplatin (general physical health deterioration and platelet count decreased). No treatment-related fatal adverse events occurred in the placebo group. Interpretation: Trebananib plus carboplatin and paclitaxel did not improve progression-free survival as first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. The combination of trebananib plus carboplatin and paclitaxel did not produce new safety signals. These results show that trebananib in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel is minimally effective in this patient population. Funding: Amgen. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

International audience; The study used 81 young bulls, half of which were disbudded at 7 weeks of age. The effects of horn status during rearing and of acute physical and emotional stress just before slaughter on the physiological status at slaughter and subsequent meat quality were investigated. Bulls were reared in groups containing i) only bulls with horns, ii) only bulls without horns, or iii) mixed (half with, and half without horns). Bulls of each rearing condition were assigned to one of two slaughter conditions: with limited (LS) or with supplementary stress (SS). LS resulted in lower heart rates, stress hormone concentrations and carcass temperature, whereas SS resulted in faster post mortem pH decline and lower juiciness. Horned bulls from unmixed rearing groups had lower early pm temperature, shorter sarcomeres, and lower tenderness compared to disbudded bulls. Correlations and regression analysis revealed relationships between physiological indicators, mainly heart rate before slaughter, and meat quality, including water-holding capacity and indicators of proteolysis.

Over the last decade, interest has increased when it comes to using temperate forage legumes containing condensed tannins (CT) for ruminants. The reason for this is that CT have been shown to benefit animal health and performance, as CT reduce parasitic burden by gastrointestinal nematodes, prevent bloat and reduce urinary nitrogen losses. Less is known about their impact on the quality of ruminant-based products. This short review discusses various quality issues which could, based on the current knowledge on the mode of action of CT, be positively affected by forages that are rich in CT. The main focus is the fatty acid composition, as well as the sensory traits of the meat, milk and cheese. The results presented here show the potential for two tanniferous forage legumes to positively affect the deposition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially the n-3 fatty acids in meat, milk and cheese, and to improve the organoleptic quality of these products. From the two plants tested (birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin), it is evident the CT effect in the digestive tract depends on various factors like the CT level, the chemical composition of the CT and whether the CT in the plant are available in a soluble form or bound to proteins or carbohydrates of the plants.

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of the same amount of 18:2 offered either as 18:2n-6 or as a mixture of unprotected 18:2c9t11 and 18:2t10c12 on feed intake, milk components as well as plasma and milk fatty acid profile. Fifteen cows were blocked by milk yield and milk fat percentage and within block assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments (n = 5). Each cow passed a 12-d adjustment period (AP) on a basal diet. After the AP cows received 1 of 3 supplements during an 18-d experimental period (EP). The supplements contained either 1.0 kg ground sunflower seeds (S), 0.5 kg conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-oil (C) or 0.75 kg of a mixture of ground sunflower seeds and CLA-oil (2:1; SC). All 3 supplements contained the same amount of 18:2 either as CLA (∑18:2c9t11+18:2t10c12, 1:1) or as 18:2c9c12. During the last 2 d of AP and the last 4 d of EP feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily and milk samples were collected at each milking. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein on d 11 of AP and d 15 and 18 of EP. The 18:2 intake increased in all treatments from AP to EP. Regardless of the amount of supplemented CLA, the milk fat percentage decreased by 2.35 and 2.10%-units in treatment C and SC, respectively, whereas in the treatment S the decrease was with 0.99%-unit less pronounced. Thus, C and SC cows excreted daily a lower amount of milk fat than S cows. The concentration of trans 18:1 in the plasma and the milk increased from AP to EP and increased with increasing dietary CLA supply. While the concentration of 18:2c9t11 and 18:2t10c12 in the plasma and that of 18:2t10c12 in the milk paralleled dietary supply, the level of 18:2c9t11 in the milk was similar in C and CS but still lower in S. Although the dietary concentration of CLA was highest in treatment C, the partial replacement of CLA by sunflower seeds had a similar inhibitory effect on milk fat synthesis. Comparable 18:2c9t11 levels in the milk in both CLA treatments implies that this isomer is subjected to greater biohydrogenation with increasing supply than 18:2t10c12. The fact that unprotected 18:2t10c12 escaped biohydrogenation in sufficient amounts to affect milk fat synthesis reveals opportunities to develop feeding strategies where reduced milk fat production is desirable or required by the metabolic state of the cow.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the worldwide declining number of syphilis cases, there has been stable rate of syphilis infections in Switzerland from 2006 - 2008. In the year 2008 672 case were reported. Uveitis is the most common ocular finding in syphilis. It occurs in 2.5 %-5 % of all cases. HISTORY AND SIGNS: Six patients (5 male, mean age 44.2 years, 1 female, age 41 year) who were examined in our facility from April 2007 to October 2009. All patients presented with posterior uveitis, with a multitude of clinical signs. All patients tested positive for syphilis-specific serologic testing (VDRL, TPPA, FTA-ABS test). One patient was initially tested negative. 5 patients showed a weakly positive VDRL and FTA-ABS test in the cerebrospinal fluid, one patient tested clearly positive. THERAPY AND OUTCOME: 5 patients were treated with i. v. penicillin G (4 Mio. units every 4 hours). Under treatment the intraocular inflammation resolved in all patients. There was a considerable rise in visual acuity for all patients. DISCUSSION: Syphilis is a persisting problem in Switzerland. All patients belonged to a risk population. In addition 5 patients tested positive for HIV. A precise case history is therefore mandatory for an early diagnosis, that presents with diverse clinical signs. This case series shows furthermore the efficacy of the antibiotic treatment. Ophthalmologists can play an important role in the diagnosis and management of this severe disease.

BACKGROUND: While cataract surgery is nowadays performed routinely as an outpatient procedure, performing filtering glaucoma surgery under these conditions remains questionable due to the more demanding perioperative management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Outpatient filtering glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy and combined phakoemulsification and trabeculectomy (phakotrab)) is performed at the Ophthalmology Department of Kantonsspital Winterthur when requested by the patient. This paper provides a retrospective review of all outpatient filtering glaucoma procedures performed in the last three and a half years. RESULTS: Forty-six filtering procedures (21 trabeculectomies and 25 phakotrabs) were performed in 45 eyes of 40 patients (50 - 84 years) as outpatient procedures. Mitomycin C was administered in 16/21 trabeculectomies and in 7/25 combined procedures. In the trabeculectomy group, intraocular pressure (IOP) was surgically lowered from 23.3 +/- 7.2 mm Hg (under 2.4 +/- 0.8 IOP-lowering medications) to 12.7 +/- 3.5 mm Hg (20/21 patients without medication). In the combined group, IOP was lowered from 20.8 +/- 6.3 (under 2.0 +/- 0.7 medications) to 13.7 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (only 5/25 patients still requiring IOP-lowering medications). In the latter group, the best corrected visual acuity was below 20/40 only in 2 eyes due to advanced glaucomatous optic atrophy. One patient developed relative intraocular hypotony (IOP 6 mm Hg), one patient required needling + 5-fluorouracil injection and one patient required surgical revision of the trabeculectomy after 14 months. DISCUSSION: Adequate patient selection and refined surgical technique (tight wound closure and releasable sutures or argon laser suturolysis) allow performing filtering glaucoma surgery as an outpatient procedure. Extended post-operative care during the first 2 months is the key for IOP-lowering success.

Hintergrund: Im Anschluss an eine Kataraktoperation kann es durch nicht vollstandig entferntes Viskoleastikum zu einem Hydrops des Kapselsacks kommen. In dieser retrospektiven Fallserie werden die postoperative Kapselsackdehnung und deren Folgen nach Implantation faltbarer Acryllinsen in den Kapselsack beschrieben. Patienten und Methode: In einer retrospektiven Analyse von Krankengeschichten wurden von insgesamt 1674 kataraktoperierten Augen im Zeitraum Januar 2001 bis Dezember 2002 10 Augen mit fruhpostoperativem Kapselblocksyndrom identifiziert. Bei allen Augen erfolgten eine kurvolineare Kapsulorhexis, Phakoemulsifikation der Linse und Implantation einer faltbaren Acryllinse in den Kapselsack. Bei 4 von 10 Augen wurde die Kataraktextraktion mit einer Trabekulektomie kombiniert. Postoperativ erfolgten engmaschige Kontrollen. Bei allen Patienten wurde nach vorgangiger Bestimmung der Refraktion eine hintere Kapsulotomie mit dem Nd:YAG-Laser durchgefuhrt und die Refraktionsanderung festgehalten. Resultate: Die postoperativen Untersuchungen zeigten eine Dehnung des Kapselsacks bei allen Patienten. Die mittlere postoperative Refraktion betrug - 3,9 ± 1,6 dpt, was gegenuber der Zielrefraktion (- 1,2 ± 1,0 dpt) einer Myopisierung von durchschnittlich - 2,7 ± 1,4 dpt entspricht. Ein vermehrter postoperativer Reizzustand wurde nur bei einem Patienten und eine Abflachung der Vorderkammer bei einem weiteren Patienten beobachtet. Durch die im Schnitt 4,5 ± 4,3 Monate postoperativ durchgefuhrte Nd:YAG-Kapsulotomie kam es zu einem Kollaps des Kapselsacks mit einer mittleren Abnahme der Kurzsichtigkeit von 1,9 dpt ± 1,9 dpt. Schlussfolgerungen: Die ungewollte Myopisierung wurde in dieser Serie als weit gehend einzige Manifestation des fruhpostoperativen Kapselblocksyndroms beobachtet. Auffallig ist der hohe Anteil von kombiniert katarakt- und glaukomoperierten Augen. Dies hangt womoglich mit der intraoperativen Gabe von Miotika vor der Spulphase zusammen, die die optische Kontrolle wahrend der Entfernung des Viskoelastikums erschweren. Bei ungewollter Myopisierung nach Kataraktoperation sollte die Lage der Linse im Kapselsack gepruft und nach verbliebenem Viskoelastikum gesucht werden. Background: Incomplete removal of the viscoelastic material during cataract surgery may lead to the early postoperative capsular block syndrome. In this retrospective case series, postoperative capsular bag distention after implantation of a foldable acrylic lens is reported and the sequelae are analyzed. Patients and method: In a retrospective case series, 10 eyes of altogether 1674 eyes that underwent cataract surgery in the years 2001 and 2002 were identified with early postoperative capsular block syndrome. All 10 eyes had cataract removal with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification and a foldable acrylic lens was placed in the capsular bag. In 4 of 10 eyes cataract extraction was combined with trabeculectomy. All patients had posterior Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Refraction was performed before and after capsulotomy. Results: Postoperative examination showed capsular bag distention in all eyes. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was -3.9 ± 1.6 Dpt. As the target refraction was -1.2 ± 1.0 Dpt there was an average of -2.7 ± 1.4 Dpt of induced myopia. A mild increase in postoperative anterior chamber inflammation was noted only in 1 patient and shallowing of the anterior chamber was observed in another patient. Posterior Nd:YAG capsulotomy was performed 4.5 ± 4.3 months after surgery. The mean refractive shift after Nd:YAG capsulotomy was 1.9 ± 1.9 Dpt. Conclusions: Unexpected postoperative myopic correction was the main manifestation of capsular block syndrome in this series. Intraoperative use of miotics prohibiting optical control of complete viscoelastic removal may explain the high proportion of combined procedures. In the case of unexpected postoperative myopia the position of the intraocular lens within the bag should be checked and attention should be paid to possibly incompletely removed viscoelastic material.

Aims: To evaluate the endothelial quality of corneas obtained from pseudophakic donors and to compare the data with matched phakic controls. Methods: Corneas from eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOLs) and corneas from phakic eyes (controls) were stored for 1–2 weeks in organ culture and then examined after staining with Alizarin red S. The corneas were divided into two groups according to the duration of storage. Endothelial cell density, the percentage of hexagonal cells, and the coefficient of variation (CV) were determined. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the 14 PCIOL corneas and the 13 controls stored in organ culture for 7 days for any of the three parameters studied. The mean cell density was 2155 (SD 529) cells/mm 2 in the PCIOL corneas and 2118 (453) cells/mm 2 in the controls (p=0.85). The mean percentage of hexagonal cells was 52% (8%) and 58% (7%), respectively (p=0.06). The mean CV was 0.32 (0.18) in the pseudophakic corneas and 0.39 (0.18) in the controls (p=0.33). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the PCIOL corneas and the controls stored for up to 2 weeks. Conclusions: The corneal endothelium from eyes with PCIOLs appears to be similar to that of phakic eyes after 1–2 weeks in organ culture. This finding suggests that corneas from pseudophakic eyes should not routinely be disqualified for transplantation. The use of at least some pseudophakic corneas may substantially increase the potential donor pool.

The Dutch elm disease pathogens Ophiostoma ulmi (Buism.) Nannf. and Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Brasier elicit the production of phytoalexins called mansonones in the American elm (Ulmus americana L.). As part of a larger investigation, it was revealed that mansonone elicitation in callus culture does not require the Dutch elm disease pathogens, as has been reported in other studies. The objective of this study was to determine the nature and timing of the nonfungal elicited mansonone accumulation in U. americana callus. Initially, 7-week-old calli were subjected to inoculations with various fungal growth medium components. Mansonone production occurred in all treatments, indicating that it was stimulated prior to the addition of the medium components. Next, cotyledons and calli at various stages of development were analysed for the production of mansonones to determine the timing of its production. Mansonone production appeared to be correlated with the initiation of callus production and may be related to the callus wound reaction. As the callus aged, its colour changed from white–green to brown possibly as a result of phytoalexin accumulation. Additional experiments in which the cotyledon source, agar source, and type of plant tissue culture media were modified resulted in no change to the mansonone accumulation ability of the callus. The discrepancy between our results and those of other researchers could be due to differences in the method of mansonone quantification, namely, that our method is more sensitive and led to the detection of mansonones where previously none had been found. Further research must be done in this area to investigate this mansonone accumulation. Key words: phytoalexin, Dutch elm disease, mansonone, Ulmus americana, callus.

Research in ruminant nutrition and helminth control with forages, which contain condensed tannins (CT), suggests that varying responses may depend not only on CT concentration but also on CT composition. An experiment was designed to test this by feeding 2 dried sainfoin cultivars (Visnovsky and Perly), which differed in CT properties, to lambs that were artificially infected with the abomasal blood-sucking nematode Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-four infected lambs received 1 of these 2 cultivars; the feeds were either untreated or treated with the CT-binding polyethylene glycol over 4 wk (n = 6). The 2 cultivars were also fed to 2 × 6 uninfected lambs. Nutrient digestibility, N balance, ADG, plasma urea, together with indicators of infection [fecal egg count (FEC), abomasal worm count, per capita female fecundity, erythrocytic indices, and serum protein], were determined. The specific effects of sainfoin cultivar, CT, and infection were evaluated by contrast analysis. Digestibility of both NDF and ADF were less (P0.001) with Perly compared with Visnovsky. The apparent nutrient digestibility was reduced (P0.001) by CT. However, no clear cultivar effects were evident on N excretion and retention. Condensed tannins reduced (P = 0.05) body N retention and shifted (P0.001) N excretion from urine to feces. Unlike cultivar and CT, infection decreased (P = 0.002) ADG. Plasma urea concentration was decreased (P = 0.007) in Perly- compared with Visnovsky-fed lambs and was decreased (P0.001) by CT. Plasma concentrations of essential and semiessential AA were increased (P0.001) by CT. The groups of infected lambs did not clearly differ in abomasal worm counts and erythrocytic indicators. In the last 2 to 3 wk of the experiment, FEC was decreased (P ≤ 0.01) when feeding CT. The lack of substantial cultivar effects suggests that the differences in CT properties may have been too small to result in nutritional and anthelmintic effects. The present results indicate that sainfoin CT had a mitigating effect on FEC and, consequently, pasture infectivity. However, the reduction was too small to expect any significant benefits in an Haemonchus-dominated system. Therefore, the use of sainfoin for controlling H. contortus should only be one component within an integrated worm control system.

The interest in pasture-based dairy production systems increases because they can be economically attractive and environmentally friendly (Peyraud et al., 2010). However, high yielding dairy cows are not able to cover their nutritional demands just by grazing, and they need additional energy to express their genetic potential for milk production (Kolver and Muller, 1998). So far available data about energy requirements of grazing dairy cows are limited due to the lack of suitable measurement methods. The 13C bicarbonate dilution technique combined with an automatic blood sampling system allows the estimation of energy expenditure (EE) in grazing cows over a 6 h period (Kaufmann et al., 2011). In order to evaluate if EE measured for 6 h can be extrapolated to 24 h an experiment was conducted recording CO2 production, physical activity and feeding behavior during three 6-h periods per d in dairy cows grazed full-time.

This paper establishes a vigorous methodology, based on the fuzzy set theory, to improve the facilities layout process that has occupied scholars and practitioners for more than four decades. Fuzzy set theory is an appropriate tool which uses the natural language that humans use to control complex systems such as facilities planning. The closeness rating between departments in a plant depends on qualitative and quantitative factors. Some of these factors may have greater effect on the designer's decisions about such ratings. Thus, the pairwise comparison of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), which ensures the consistency of the designers’ decisions when assigning the importance of one factor over another, is used to find the weights of these factors. FUZZY, a computer program developed based on the fuzzy decision-making system (FDMS) is used to generate the activity relationship charts. These charts are used by FZYCRLP, a modified version of CORELAP, to develop the layouts. FELAP, another program bas...

Grass may have a differential impact on the metabolism of the dairy cow, depending on the grazing system applied. In this study, the hypothesis was tested that metabolism of grazed vs. zero-grazed dairy cows is differently regulated throughout the vegetation period. The study included three experimental periods (p1, p2 and p3) of 14 days each, and two treatments [grazing from pasture, PASTURE, n = 9; or zero-grazing in a free-stall barn (BARN, n = 9)]. Blood and liver samples were collected at the end of each period when the cows were on average 64, 120 and 197 DIM. Concentrations of metabolites and hormones, and activities of various enzymes were determined in plasma. Liver samples were measured for mRNA abundance of genes encoding enzymes and nuclear receptors involved in metabolic pathways. PASTURE cows had higher plasma concentrations of T(3), BHB, and total protein than BARN cows across periods (p0.05). BARN cows had higher concentrations of NEFA (in p1) and urea (in p1 and p2) in relation PASTURE cows (p0.05), and had higher mRNA abundance of liver-X-receptor-α and glycerol-3-phosphate-acyltransferase across periods (p0.05). The results confirm the hypothesis that metabolism is different between BARN and PASTURE cows throughout the vegetation period, and show that the observed differences are mainly reflected in parameters of lipid metabolism.

Incomplete removal of the viscoelastic material during cataract surgery may lead to the early postoperative capsular block syndrome. In this retrospective case series, postoperative capsular bag distention after implantation of a foldable acrylic lens is reported and the sequelae are analyzed.In a retrospective case series, 10 eyes of altogether 1674 eyes that underwent cataract surgery in the years 2001 and 2002 were identified with early postoperative capsular block syndrome. All 10 eyes had cataract removal with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification and a foldable acrylic lens was placed in the capsular bag. In 4 of 10 eyes cataract extraction was combined with trabeculectomy. All patients had posterior Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Refraction was performed before and after capsulotomy.Postoperative examination showed capsular bag distention in all eyes. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was -3.9 +/- 1.6 Dpt. As the target refraction was -1.2 +/- 1.0 Dpt there was an average of -2.7 +/- 1.4 Dpt of induced myopia. A mild increase in postoperative anterior chamber inflammation was noted only in 1 patient and shallowing of the anterior chamber was observed in another patient. Posterior Nd:YAG capsulotomy was performed 4.5 +/- 4.3 months after surgery. The mean refractive shift after Nd:YAG capsulotomy was 1.9 +/- 1.9 Dpt.Unexpected postoperative myopic correction was the main manifestation of capsular block syndrome in this series. Intraoperative use of miotics prohibiting optical control of complete viscoelastic removal may explain the high proportion of combined procedures. In the case of unexpected postoperative myopia the position of the intraocular lens within the bag should be checked and attention should be paid to possibly incompletely removed viscoelastic material.

Background/aims: Retinal nerve fibre layer analysis by scanning laser polarimetry has been shown to facilitate diagnosis of glaucoma while its role in glaucoma follow up is still unclear. A major difficulty is the slow reduction of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Eyes of patients were studied after acute retrobulbar optic nerve lesion in order to evaluate the usefulness of scanning laser polarimetry in documenting retinal nerve fibre layer loss over time. Methods: Five patients who suffered severe retrobulbar optic neuropathy have had repeated measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer using scanning laser polarimetry at various intervals, the first examination being within 1 week of injury. Results: All eyes showed a marked decrease in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, which followed an exponential curve and occurred predominantly within 8 weeks of injury. Compared to a previous study using red-free photographs, scanning laser polarimetry showed retinal nerve fibre layer loss earlier in the course of descending atrophy. Conclusion: Scanning laser polarimetry is useful for early detection and documentation of retinal nerve fibre layer loss following acute injury to the retrobulbar optic nerve. It seems to be a promising tool for follow up of individual glaucoma patients.

The synthesis of different cycloSal-phosphotriesters of the acyclic nucleoside analogues acyclovir (ACV), penciclovir (PCV) and T-penciclovir (T-PCV) as potential new lipophilic, membrane-soluble pronucleotides is described. The introduction of the cycloSal moiety was achieved by using reactive cyclic chlorophosphane reagents. In addition to the cycloSal-PCV monophosphate (MP) phosphotri-esters, a second derivative bearing an acetyl group at the second primary alcohol function was prepared. In hydrolysis studies the cycloSal-ACVMPs showed the expected range of hydrolytic stability dependent on the substituent in the masking group (8–17 h). In contrast, the cycloSal-PCVMP derivatives exhibited a 11- to 15-fold increase in hydrolytic lability as compared to the corresponding cycloSal-ACVMP derivatives. We demonstrated that the free primary alcohol group is responsible for this rate acceleration because cycloSal-OAc-PCVMP, in which the hydroxyl group was blocked by acetylation, did not show the aforementioned acceleration. Unexpectedly, the hydrolysis product was not PCVMP but according to NMR and mass spectrometry it was cycloPCVMP (cPCVMP). The title compounds were evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and thymidine kinase-negative (TK–) HSV-1 replication in Vero cells. The cycloSal-ACVMP compounds exhibited high antiviral activity in HSV-1-infected cells. More importantly, one derivative retained all activity from the wild-type virus strain in HSV-1/TK–-infected Vero cells. The PCV derivatives were markedly less active. The reason for the failure of the cycloSal-PCVMPs seems to be due to the formation of cPCVMP instead of the desired PCVMP.

To examine clinical and laboratory practices associated with contamination of blood culture specimens from adults.A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes quality improvement study involving prospective evaluation of adult blood culture contamination rates in 640 institutions.Proportion of contaminated blood cultures.A total of 497134 blood cultures were studied. The median adult inpatient blood culture contamination rate was 2.5% (central 80th percentile=0.9%-5.4%) by laboratory assessment. There was no significant difference in contamination rates between inpatient and outpatient cultures (P=.273). The median contamination rate by clinical assessment (2.1%) was significantly lower (P=.005), primarily because of a lower proportion of cultures with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus that were interpreted as contaminants when only one of multiple specimens was positive. Specimen collection variables associated with significantly lower contamination rates included use of a dedicated phlebotomy service (P=.039), use of tincture of iodine for skin disinfection (P=.036), and application of an antiseptic to the top of the collection device before inoculation (P=.018). Teaching institutions and high numbers of occupied beds were demographic factors associated with higher contamination rates for inpatients but not for outpatients. Culture parameters associated with higher contamination rates included microbial growth from a single specimen, isolation of certain microbial species (eg, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus), and longer time to detect growth in culture. Contamination rates were not significantly affected by the type of blood culture method used, specimen volume, or use of a double-needle collection procedure.There is wide variation in blood culture contamination rates among institutions. Three specimen collection factors and three culture variables were identified as having a significant effect on blood culture contamination.

To evaluate the reasons (indications) for and immediate intraoperative surgical results (outcomes) associated with pathology intraoperative consultation.In 1992 and 1993, surgeons collaborated with pathologists in 472 voluntarily participating institutions from the United States (462), Canada (7), Australia (2), and New Zealand (1) in a study jointly sponsored by the College of American Pathologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pathologists selected 20 consecutive intraoperative consultations and assembled a cover letter, a checklist questionnaire, and a copy of the corresponding surgical pathology report, all of which were sent to the surgeon(s) for retrospective evaluation.The study was distributed to participants in the College of American Pathologists voluntary Q-Probes quality improvement and Surgical Pathology Performance Improvement programs and to Canadian and Australian hospitals with more than 200 beds.Evaluation of 9164 cases established the five most common indications for intraoperative consultation: (1) establish or confirm diagnosis to determine type or extent of operation (51%), (2) confirm adequacy of margins (16%), (3) confirm nature of tissue to direct sampling for immediate culture or other laboratory study (10%), (4) expedite obtaining diagnosis to inform family or patient (8%), and (5) confirm sufficient tissue submitted to secure diagnosis in permanent section (8%). The information provided by the intraoperative consultation resulted in changed surgical procedures that were either modified, terminated, or newly initiated in 47%, 30%, 6%, 9%, and 28% of cases, corresponding respectively to each of the above five common indications. Rarely cited reasons for intraoperative consultation were to expedite obtaining diagnosis for surgeon's knowledge (3%), to facilitate patient management, other professional communication or discharge planning prior to permanent section availability (3%), academic protocol (1%), and consultation not needed or no reason for request (1%).This multi-institutional, interdisciplinary database confirms that pathology intraoperative consultations, regardless of the initial indications, influence immediate patient care decisions, resulting in changed surgical procedures in an average of 39% of all operative cases.

We developed and prospectively tested a logistic regression model for chlamydial cervical infection. Study subjects included 2271 women receiving gynecologic care in our student health clinic. Clinical data were collected in a standardized fashion. We identified cell culture--isolated Chlamydia trachomatis from 133 (9%) of 1458 subjects in the derivation set and 73 (10%) of 729 subjects in the validation set. Model variables included a new sexual partner within 2 months or more than one sexual partner within 6 months; cervical ectopy; cervical friability; at least 20 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power field in cervical secretions; white blood cells in vaginal secretions; and use of an antibiotic active against C trachomatis within a month. This model can distinguish women with low, medium, and high risks of chlamydial infection (on derivation set: receiver operating characteristic curve area, 0.710; SE, 0.026; on validation set: area, 0.698; SE, 0.035) using simple clinical information obtained in the office.

We compared a fluorescent monoclonal antibody and a DNA probe for identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) from primary genital cultures of presumptive GC and selected bacterial isolates other than GC. The monoclonal antibody was sensitive (94%) and specific (100%) enough to identify GC in selective primary genital culture. The DNA probe was sensitive (95%) but not adequately specific (65%) to function as a confirmatory test.

He, Ne and Ar were measured with the stepwise heating technique in 8 density separates from the Ne-E rich phase G4j of the carbonaceous chondrite Orgueil. The density separation technique was successful in further enriching the Ne-E carrier phases. Ne-E seems to be virtually pure 22Ne with ( 20 Ne 22 Ne ) E ≦ 0.15 and ( 21 Ne 22 Ne ) E ≦ 0.0022 . At least two separable carrier phases exist. The 1-carrier phase releases its Ne-E at low temperatures (≦ 900°C) and is heavily enriched in the low density separate (≦ 2.3 g cm−3). The h-carrier phase is very retentive (release temperatures > 900°C) and is associated with higher density material (∼ 3 to 3.5 g cm−3). The l-carrier phase could be a form of carbon. Our evidence does not support spinel as an h-carrier phase, as proposed by Alaerts et al. (1980). Ne-E and its carrier phases are most likely of presolar origin.

We conducted a controlled study of the impact of an education program on the health outcomes and perceptions of patients with varying degrees of airway obstruction in two communities. In one community, patients with chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD) were identified, assessed and offered an educational program. In the other community, patients were identified, assessed and advised of the findings only. Patients at both sites were given the same pretest and, one year later, the same posttest. These tests measured physical and social function, and health outcomes (eg, respiratory symptoms, exercise tolerance, mental health), plus patients' health perceptions. Posttest results showed a significant difference between groups on a health perception measure and locus of control, but no difference on health outcomes. We conclude that education programs for COAD are unlikely to improve patients' health status unless they are part of a comprehensive medical program that includes physical reconditioning.

Reye's syndrome, encephalopathy and fatty change in the liver and other viscera, typically occurs suddenly in infants and children recovering from a viral illness, particularly influenza or varicella. Its rapid clinical course may suggest a drug-related insult and the differential diagnosis includes a variety of toxins. There are grounds for suspicion that exogenous substances--including aspirin--may be cofactors with recent viral illness in the syndrome's pathogenesis. For these reasons, medical examiners may be called upon to rule the diagnosis in or out, to assess the possibility of direct toxic injury, or to document presence or absence of possible cofactors. With these tasks in mind, this review summarizes the diagnostic, pathologic, and laboratory findings of Reye's syndrome and considers the roles of viral infection, heritable predispositions, and exogenous toxins in its causation. It singles out salicylate treatment for special considerations as a possible cofactor, and concludes with a suggested approach to the forensic medical investigation of possible cases of Reye's syndrome.

From 1973 to 1982, 189 patients were treated at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for Stage C or D prostatic carcinoma. In eight of these cases (4.2%), there was clinical or pathological evidence for intracranial metastases. The condition of subdural neoplastic spread, not from contiguous bone, was identified in five cases, two of which were suspected before death. Four of these five patients were thrombocytopenic or pancytopenic at the time of the diagnosis. Intraparenchymal brain metastases were identified in six cases. Cerebellar, temporal bone, cavernous sinus, and splenium infiltration by tumor were unusual findings in individual cases. The results of chest x-rays and respiratory status were poor predictors of lung metastases in four of five patients on whom autopsies were performed. This article describes the spectrum of radiographic and pathologic findings of intracranial prostatic carcinoma, and suggests that the likely mechanism of brain metastasis in these cases is by the dural veins and Virchow-Robin spaces.