Search

The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether an Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds, such as propyl thiosulfonate (PTSO), added to the feed of growing-finishing pigs at 5 g/kg enhances growth performance or affects the fecal microbiome, the levels of short-chain fatty acids, or the antioxidant capacity of the animals. Fifty male growing pigs (large white) of 23.07 &plusmn, 2.87 kg average body weight were randomly allotted to two treatments in a 103-day trial. The trial was divided into two periods, an initial growing phase (56-days) and a finishing phase (47-days). Two dietary treatments for each phase (growing and finishing) were used: a control diet (CON) and an experimental diet consisting of the control diet to which 5 g/kg of Allium spp. extract was added to substitute sepiolite (GAR). Throughout the study, body weight, average daily gain (kg/day, ADG), feed intake (kg/day), and feed conversion ratio (kg/kg) were measured, while the backfat thickness and muscle depth were determined at the end of the study. Besides, feces samples were taken for bacterial counts by means of real-time PCR and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profile determination, and the antioxidant capacity was assessed in serum and saliva. In the animals receiving Allium spp. extract (5 g/kg) in the feed, ADG increased (p &lt, 0.05) throughout the trial, Salmonella spp. and Clostridium spp. counts in feces had decreased (p &lt, 0.05) when measured on day 56, and, by day 103, Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp., and Enterobacteriaceae counts had decreased (p &lt, 0.05) and Lactobacillus spp. counts had increased (p &lt, 0.01) in feces. Regarding the SCFA profile in feces and antioxidant capacity measured in serum and saliva, supplementation with Allium spp. extract significantly increased the levels of propionic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids and the percentage of total branched fatty acids, while the c2/c3 and (c2 + c4)/c3 ratios were lower (p &lt, 0.05) in feces, the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity levels in serum were significantly higher in the same pigs on day 103 than on day 0. Consequently, based on the current results, Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds, added to the diet at 5 g/kg, had a beneficial effect on the microbiota and would seem to be a possible alternative for increasing the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs. However, further studies on the effects of Allium spp. supplementation on carcass quality are necessary.

Thirty entire male Iberian (IB) pigs of 12 kg initial BW were used to study the effects of dietary protein-to-energy ratio on performance, body protein accretion, and tissue composition. Two nutritional regimes were supplied at 3 stages of growth (Phase I, from 12 to 30 kg BW; Phase II, from 30 to 45 kg BW; and Phase III, from 45 to 100 kg BW): the first regime (RefP/E) was formulated to provide optimum protein-to-energy ratios for castrated IB pigs at several stages of growth from 10 to 100 kg BW; the second (IncP/E), for which an overall increase of 2.5 g digestible protein/MJ ME was provided, would allow an increased potential for lean tissue growth presumably well above that expected for the entire male of an obese pig breed. The pigs were surgically castrated at 45 kg BW and slaughtered at about 100 kg BW. In Phases I and II, in which feed was provided ad libitum, no significant differences between dietary treatments in ADG (580 ± 10 and 740 ± 11 g, on average, respectively), G:F (0.475 ± 0.004 and 0.362 ± 0.005, on average, respectively), and gain:ME intake ratio (37.8 ± 0.4 and 26.1 ± 0.4 g/MJ, on average, respectively) were found ( > 0.05). After surgical castration, for the entire fattening period (Phase III), ADFI was fixed and highly restricted. A lower gain:ME intake ratio (14.0 vs. 15.1 g/MJ; 0.05). In contrast, in the fattening stage, similar daily rates of N retention ( > 0.05) were found, in spite of the observed differences in digestible N intake ( < 0.001). We concluded that the protein (lysine) requirements of the IB boar growing from 12 to 30 kg BW and from 30 to 45 kg BW are met with the supply of 11.5 and 10.2 g digestible protein of ideal AA pattern/MJ ME (0.80 and 0.71 g digestible lysine/MJ ME), respectively. As surgical castration is programmed to be abandoned in European Union by 1 January 2018, this information will be important for the efficient production of the immunologically castrated IB pig, at the earlier stages of growth.

Background. Hemophagocytosis is a rare, potentially fatal disorder, comprising pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, hepatosplenomegaly, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperferritinemia presenting as fever, lympha­denopathy and skin rashes. Objective. To attract the clinicians’ attention to a problem of hemophagocytosis in Critical Care management.Methods. Hemophagocytosis secondary to pharyngeal abscess in a 58 year old male is being reported.Results. A 58-year-old immunocompetent patient presenting with hemophagocytosis secondary to pharyngeal abscess, was managed on ventilator and inotropic support, when he developed heathcare-associated urinary tract infection by Escherichia coli and ventilator-associated pneumonia by Acinetobacter baumanii. He developed neutropenic septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction and went through a downhill course leading to demise.Conclusions. Hemophagocytosis remains a sinister entity in modern intensive care despite astute clinical management. Secondary superinfections with opportunistic multidrug resistant pathogens are difficult to treat. A high index of clinical suspicion, aggressive diagnosis and prompt treatment for hemophagocytosis and polymicrobial opportunistic superinfections with multidrug-resistant healthcare-associated pathogens needs to be addressed upfront.

Thirty entire male Iberian (IB) pigs of 12 kg initial BW were used to study the effects of dietary protein-to-energy ratio on performance, body protein accretion, and tissue composition. Two nutritional regimes were supplied at 3 stages of growth (Phase I, from 12 to 30 kg BW; Phase II, from 30 to 45 kg BW; and Phase III, from 45 to 100 kg BW): the first regime (RefP/E) was formulated to provide optimum protein-to-energy ratios for castrated IB pigs at several stages of growth from 10 to 100 kg BW; the second (IncP/E), for which an overall increase of 2.5 g digestible protein/MJ ME was provided, would allow an increased potential for lean tissue growth presumably well above that expected for the entire male of an obese pig breed. The pigs were surgically castrated at 45 kg BW and slaughtered at about 100 kg BW. In Phases I and II, in which feed was provided ad libitum, no significant differences between dietary treatments in ADG (580 ± 10 and 740 ± 11 g, on average, respectively), G:F (0.475 ± 0.004 and 0.362 ± 0.005, on average, respectively), and gain:ME intake ratio (37.8 ± 0.4 and 26.1 ± 0.4 g/MJ, on average, respectively) were found (0.05). After surgical castration, for the entire fattening period (Phase III), ADFI was fixed and highly restricted. A lower gain:ME intake ratio (14.0 vs. 15.1 g/MJ;0.01) was obtained when the diet with the highest digestible protein:ME ratio was offered (IncP/E). With this regime, body protein accretion significantly improved in the IB boar growing from 12 to 45 kg BW, irrespective of the stage of growth, although the amount of protein accreted was notably enhanced at the later stage (75 vs. 85 g/d in Phase I [0.05] and 110.5 vs. 151 g/d in Phase II [0.001]). However, the efficiency of utilization of dietary N remained unchanged irrespective of the diet fed (0.05). In contrast, in the fattening stage, similar daily rates of N retention (0.05) were found, in spite of the observed differences in digestible N intake (0.001). We concluded that the protein (lysine) requirements of the IB boar growing from 12 to 30 kg BW and from 30 to 45 kg BW are met with the supply of 11.5 and 10.2 g digestible protein of ideal AA pattern/MJ ME (0.80 and 0.71 g digestible lysine/MJ ME), respectively. As surgical castration is programmed to be abandoned in European Union by 1 January 2018, this information will be important for the efficient production of the immunologically castrated IB pig, at the earlier stages of growth.

Thirty-eight purebred Iberian sows were used in two consecutive trials to determine the influence of different nutritional strategies applied to the litters on body composition and retention of some trace minerals in the body of suckling piglets weaned at 35 d of age. Exclusively milk feeding (M), conventional suckling (CS) and intermittent suckling (IS) were studied. Only litters on CS and IS treatments had free access to creep feed from day 15 onwards. Those of the CS group had continuous access to their dams. Piglets on the IS treatment were progressively separated from the sow during 6 h, 8 h and 10 h on days 29–30, 31–32 and 33–34, respectively. Eight piglets at birth (4 per trial replicate) and one piglet per litter on day 35 of age were slaughtered and used to study whole-body content of Fe, Cu and Zn, and its distribution in the different body compartments. Mineral retention was calculated following the comparative slaughter procedure. Average contents of these trace elements in Iberian sows’ milk were Fe 1.65, Cu 1.46 and Zn 11.10 mg/kg, whereas those analyzed in creep feed were Fe 240, Cu 170 and Zn 2900 mg/kg (as fed). The body concentration of Fe at weaning was unchanged between groups, although Fe stored in liver tended to be higher in IS piglets (32.3, 30.5 and 50.0 mg/kg for M, CS and IS piglets respectively, P=0.101). No differences (P>0.05) were observed in whole-body or liver concentration of Cu between groups, although Cu concentration was increased (P CS > M groups (P

A total of 16 pure-bred Iberian (IB) sows, all of them suckling six piglets, were used, eight of them in each of the two consecutive trials (1 and 2). Daily milk yield and composition were determined weekly over a 34-day lactation period. Within each litter, one piglet at birth and four piglets on day 35 of life were slaughtered. Milk intake per piglet tended to be greater in trial 2 (832 v. 893 g/day; P=0.066), but piglets grew at 168±3.3 g/day, irrespective of the trial. In the IB sow milk, the linoleic (LA) : linolenic (LNA) acid ratio averaged 14.6 and 15.2 in trial 1 and trial 2, respectively. A fivefold increase in piglet body fat content was observed over lactation (P

A total of 251 growing-finishing Iberian (IB) pigs, 32 of which were suckling piglets, were used in 5 separate sets of trials. The comparative slaughter procedure was used to determine nutrient and energy retention at several stages of growth from birth to 150 kg BW. A factorial arrangement was used within each set of trials, involving several concentrations of ideal protein in the diets as 1 factor and 2 or 3 levels of feed intake as the other. The main objective of these studies was to derive the optimal protein-to-energy ratio in the diet to allow for the expression of maximum protein deposition rates. The effect of feed restriction on growth performance, protein deposition, and fat deposition was also assessed. According to allometric equations, empty BW (EBW) was related to whole body components or total chemical constituents of empty body mass (P < 0.001). For pigs receiving solid feed, highly statistically significant multiple regression equations were constructed, which derived nutrient (g/kg) or energy (MJ/kg) composition as a function of EBW, dietary protein-to-energy ratio, and level of feeding (P < 0.001). In pigs offered adequate protein-to-energy diets, ADG at each stage of production was predicted as a function of the average BW and feeding level (P < 0.001). It was observed that the estimates of ME required for maintenance and net efficiency of utilization of ME for growth change were within rather narrow ranges throughout the growth stages studied. Preferred values (413 kJ/kg BW(0.75) × d(-1) and 0.593 for ME(m) and k(g), respectively) were obtained by regressing total energy retention (kJ/kg BW(0.75) × d(-1)) against ME intake (kJ/kg BW(0.75) × d(-1)). A multiple-regression approach revealed that in the IB pig, ME costs for protein deposition and fat deposition reach 60 and 62 kJ/g, which is considerably greater than in conventional or lean pig genotypes. In the IB pig, the maximum daily rate of protein deposition (PD(max), g) seemed to follow a linear-plateau shape with a breaking point at 32.5 kg BW, beyond which PD(max) remained at an average rate of 75 g × d(-1). The marginal efficiency of body protein deposition was estimated at each growth stage. In pigs fed on optimal or suboptimal protein-to-energy diets, the relationship between PD and ME intake declined, following a curvilinear pattern with increasing BW; thus, implying relative increases in lipid gain as BW increased.

Fifty-eight purebred castrated male Iberian (IB) piglets were used to investigate the effects of dietary crude protein concentration (CP, 201, 176, 149 and 123 g CP (kg dry matter (DM) −1 ) and level of feeding (FL, 0.95 and 0.70 × ad libitum ) on carcass traits and relative organ weights from 10 to 25 kg body weight (BW). Six piglets were slaughtered at the start of the trial to estimate initial carcass composition. The remaining piglets ( n = 52) were randomly assigned to experimental treatments following a factorial design (4 CP × 2 FL) with six or seven piglets per treatment combination. Dietary amino-acid profile (ideal protein) remained constant. Piglets were individually housed (27 ± 1.5 °C) and feed allowance was adjusted weekly. Crude protein and water concentration (g kg −1 ) in the carcasses of piglets slaughtered at 25-kg BW increased linearly as CP was raised (P −1 . Total ash content was also higher as CP increased (P −1 ) in carcass increased linearly with increasing dietary CP and was maximal in piglets fed diets with 201 and 176 g CP (kg DM) −1 (P −1 for CP, crude fat, total ash and water, respectively. Total viscera weight increased by 20% (P −1 ) increased linearly as CP increased. Lean tissue proportions in shoulder and ham increased and intermuscular dissectable fat in ham decreased as dietary CP was raised. Proportional weights of skin, bone and lean tissue in shoulder and ham increased as FL was reduced (P −1 (13.7 g ideal CP (MJ metabolisable energy (ME)) −1 or 0.99 g total lysine (Lys) (MJ ME) −1 ) provides an adequate CP-to-energy ratio for maximising carcass lean growth in Iberian pigs weighing from 10 to 25 kg BW.

Sixteen purebred Iberian (IB) sows were used in two consecutive trials to determine the efficiency of conversion of sow's milk into piglet body weight (BW) gain and the relationship between milk protein and body protein retention and between milk energy yield and body energy retention in the nursing IB piglet. In each trial, four sows were selected in order to evaluate their milk production, litter growth and nutrient balance measurements, together with four additional sows for milk sampling. Litter size was equalized to six piglets. Daily milk yield (MY) was determined weekly by the weigh-suckle-weigh technique over a 34-day lactation period. Piglets were weighed individually at birth and then weekly from day 5 of lactation. Milk samples were collected on days 5, 12, 19, 26 and 34 post partum. The comparative slaughter procedure was used to determine piglet nutrient and energy retention. One piglet from each litter was slaughtered at birth and four on the morning of day 35. Total MY was on average 5.175 ± 0.157 kg/day. The average chemical composition (g/kg) of the milk was 179 ± 4 dry matter, 53.4 ± 1.0 CP, 58.5 ± 3.8 fat, 10.4 ± 0.3 ash and 56.9 ± 2.3 lactose. Milk gross energy (GE) was 4.626 ± 0.145 MJ/kg. Milk intake per piglet tended to increase in trial 2 (832 v. 893 g/day; P = 0.066). Piglet BW gain contained (g/kg) 172.1 ± 1.3 protein, 151.5 ± 3.5 fat, 41.4 ± 0.6 ash and 635 ± 3 water and 10.127 ± 0.126 MJ GE/kg. Throughout the 34-day nursing period, the piglets grew at an average rate of 168 ± 3 g/day. The ratio of daily piglet BW gain to daily MY was 0.195 ± 0.002 g/g and the gain per MJ milk GE intake was 41.9 ± 0.5 g/MJ. The overall efficiency of protein accretion (g CP gain/g CP milk intake) was low and declined in trial 2 (0.619 v. 0.571; P = 0.016). Nutrient and energy deposition between birth and weaning were 27.4 ± 0.5 g/day protein, 24.2 ± 0.8 g/day fat and 1615 ± 40 kJ/day energy. Piglet energy requirements for maintenance were 404 kJ metabolizable energy (ME)/kg BW0.75. ME was used for growth with a net efficiency of 0.584. These results suggest that poor efficiency in the use of sow's milk nutrients rather than a shortage in milk nutrient supply might explain the low growth rate of the suckling IB piglet.

Summary Sixteen pure-bred Iberian (IB) sows were used in two trials to determine the efficiency of utilization of milk protein and amino acid (AA) for growth in suckling piglets. It was hypothesized that there may be one or more strongly limiting essential AA (EAA) responsible for the slow rate of growth of the IB piglet. This AA will show the highest fractional retention. Daily milk yield and composition were determined weekly over a 34-day lactation period. Within each litter, one piglet at birth and four piglets on d 35 of life were slaughtered. The protein content of the IB sow milk was similar to that reported for conventional breeds. However, branched-chain AA, Thr, Pro, Asp and Ala were in concentrations somewhat below the range of literature values and Arg and Met, substantially above it. Milk intake per piglet tended to be greater in Trial 2 (832 vs. 893 g/day respectively; p = 0.066). However, the IB piglets grew at 168 ± 3.3 g/day, irrespective of the trial. The whole-body protein of piglets at weaning and the protein deposited in their body during the lactating period showed very close AA pattern. Among EAA, His and Arg show the highest fractional retentions (g AA retained/g AA ingested) in whole-body tissues (1.019 ± 0.025 and 0.913 ± 0.017 respectively) and also the highest body to milk ratios (1.50 and 1.41 respectively). Gly and Ala presented, among non essential AA, the highest efficiencies of utilization for tissue deposition (1.803 ± 0.057 and 1.375 ± 0.026 respectively) and body to milk ratios (2.75 and 2.12 respectively). These results suggest that the low efficiency of utilization of milk protein and the low rate of gain of the IB suckling piglet can be explained by a marked shortage in His supply, in addition to the suboptimal milk provision of Arg, Gly and Ala.

During two consecutive replicates Iberian sows ( n = 20) were subjected either to a conventional lactation (C) or intermittent suckling (IS). Piglets in the C treatment had free access to the dam. Piglets on IS treatment were separated from the sow during 6 h on days 29 and 30, 8 h on days 31 and 32, and 10 h on days 33 and 34. Litters on both treatments were weaned at 35 days of age and offered a starter diet until day 60 of age. The apparent digestibility (ApD) of nutrients and gross energy (GE) of the post-weaning diet was measured using Cr 2 O 3 as external indigestible marker. Litters on IS tended to increase solid feed intake during the milk restriction (125 ± 12 vs . 70 ± 19 g piglet − 1 day − 1 ; P = 0.08). Feed intake was improved by IS during the second week post-weaning (676 ± 17 vs . 497 ± 12 g piglet − 1 day − 1 , P vs . 289 ± 33 g piglet − 1 day − 1 ; P = 0.01), but slower daily gains from the 3rd week post-weaning to 60 day of age than litters on C treatment (371 ± 14 vs . 432 ± 15 g piglet − 1 day − 1 ; P vs . 7.94 ± 0.30 kg for C and IS, at 35 days of age, 15.62 ± 0.65 vs . 16.20 ± 0.62 kg, at day 60). The apparent digestibility of nutrients of the starter diet offered after weaning remained unaffected by the treatment, except for a trend for higher ApD of GE for the piglets on IS treatment ( P = 0.08). ApD for CP and GE was 78.1 ± 0.6 and 78.8 ± 0.3%, respectively. No significant differences in the proportions of total viscera and gastrointestinal tract to empty body weight (EBW) were observed between C and IS piglets at weaning and 60 d of age. In conclusion, the increase in feed intake observed prior and early after weaning as a consequence of intermittent suckling during the last week of 35 d lactation had no effect on nutrient digestibility measured at two weeks after weaning and failed on improving Iberian piglet performance.

Piglet body composition at weaning could be a determinant for pig's viability and may be influenced by factors such as the nutritional management followed during suckling. An experiment was conducted to study whether intermittent suckling (IS) affects body composition at weaning and nutrient and energy retention during a 34-day lactation period in Iberian piglets. Litters were subjected to conventional suckling (CS) or IS (n=10 litters of six piglets per treatment) in two trials. All piglets had ad libitum access to creep feed from day 15 onwards. In IS, piglets were progressively separated from the sow for 6, 8 and 10 h daily during the last week of lactation, whereas in CS piglets had continuous access to their dams. Creep feed intake in litters and BW development of individual piglets were measured throughout the 34-day lactation. Within each litter, both at birth and at weaning (day 35), one piglet was used to assess nutrient retention and body composition by the comparative slaughter approach. During days 29 to 35 of the experiment, daily creep feed intake was greater in IS piglets (IS 124, CS 67 g/piglet, P=0.040), and average daily gain differed significantly between groups (IS 190, CS 150 g/day, P=0.010). BW at weaning was higher in the IS than in the CS piglets (IS 8.19, CS 7.48 kg, P=0.011). Empty-body fat and energy content at weaning were higher in the IS compared with CS litters, as well as fat content in the carcass (P=0.04). The IS treatment did not affect empty-body protein deposition, but significantly increased daily retention of fat, energy, ash and calcium, compared with CS litters (P

Little information is available concerning mineral metabolism in suckling piglets. The utilization of milk minerals and the mineral composition of Iberian (IB) suckling piglets were studied in two consecutive experiments at different ambient temperatures (trial 1, 27 ± 2°C; trial 2, 22 ± 2°C). Milk composition and the piglets' performance were determined weekly over a 34 days lactation period and, at the end, body mineral contents were analyzed and mineral retention and bioavailability were calculated. The ash content in IB sows' milk and in suckling IB piglets was found to be higher than that reported for lean genotypes. During lactation, mean ash content per unit of body weight gain in IB piglets (40.6 g kg-1) was 42% higher than that observed for lean breeds, and weaned IB piglets contained 60% more Ca (11-12.7 g kg-1 empty body weight) and P (7-7.5 g kg-1 empty body weight), compared with conventional pigs. Minerals from milk were retained by the IB piglet with an overall efficiency of 78.3%, 66.3% and 48.7% for Ca, P and Mg, respectively. Significant differences between trials were observed in the mineral fraction composition of the milk, which were reflected in piglet body composition at weaning, presumably due to differences in ambient temperature. Present findings underline genotype differences in mineral composition of sow's milk and suckling piglets and may provide a useful starting point for formulating milk-replacer diets for IB piglets., Proyecto de la Junta de Andalucía No. AGR-3078

Sixteen pure-bred Iberian (IB) sows were used in two trials to determine the efficiency of utilization of milk protein and amino acid (AA) for growth in suckling piglets. It was hypothesized that there may be one or more strongly limiting essential AA (EAA) responsible for the slow rate of growth of the IB piglet. This AA will show the highest fractional retention. Daily milk yield and composition were determined weekly over a 34-day lactation period. Within each litter, one piglet at birth and four piglets on d 35 of life were slaughtered. The protein content of the IB sow milk was similar to that reported for conventional breeds. However, branched-chain AA, Thr, Pro, Asp and Ala were in concentrations somewhat below the range of literature values and Arg and Met, substantially above it. Milk intake per piglet tended to be greater in Trial 2 (832 vs. 893 g/day respectively; p = 0.066). However, the IB piglets grew at 168 ± 3.3 g/day, irrespective of the trial. The whole-body protein of piglets at weaning and the protein deposited in their body during the lactating period showed very close AA pattern. Among EAA, His and Arg show the highest fractional retentions (g AA retained/g AA ingested) in whole-body tissues (1.019 ± 0.025 and 0.913 ± 0.017 respectively) and also the highest body to milk ratios (1.50 and 1.41 respectively). Gly and Ala presented, among non essential AA, the highest efficiencies of utilization for tissue deposition (1.803 ± 0.057 and 1.375 ± 0.026 respectively) and body to milk ratios (2.75 and 2.12 respectively). These results suggest that the low efficiency of utilization of milk protein and the low rate of gain of the IB suckling piglet can be explained by a marked shortage in His supply, in addition to the suboptimal milk provision of Arg, Gly and Ala.

International audience; The distinct incorporation of lysine from microbial origin in tissues has been investigated in Iberian and Landrace x Large White piglets of 47 +/- 3 d of age (n = 8/genotype) given (15)N-labelled ammonium sulphate added to the diet. Four piglets of each breed were allocated in metabolic cages to prevent coprophagy. All piglets consumed the labelled diet for 10 days and then were slaughtered. Viscera and carcass weights were recorded and gastrointestinal tissues carefully handled. Samples of carcass, liver, and bacterial pellets isolated from the last third of the small intestine, were hydrolyzed, desalted by ion-exchange, and the amino acids eluted analyzed for (15)N-lysine enrichment in a GC-combustion/isotope ratio mass-spectrometer. Background (15)N-lysine in tissues was also determined in 3 piglets per breed. Liver enrichment was considerably higher in Landrace x Large White than in Iberian piglets (0.0273 +/- 0.0013 vs. 0.0167 +/- 0.0013 APE, P

In the sickle cell syndromes, Hb A2 measurements aid in the differential diagnosis of sickle cell anemia from sickle-beta-thalassemia. The purpose of this study is to assess the Hb A2 levels in samples containing sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) by the use of an automated high performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC-Variant beta-thalassemia Short Program). The blood samples analyzed were from individuals of African descent living in the state of Tennessee who had either sickle cell trait (Hb AS), sickle cell disease (Hb SS), or sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease (Hb SC). Interestingly, the Hb A2 levels determined by HPLC were found elevated in samples containing Hb S. The Hb A2 mean in Hb AS samples (n=146) is 4.09% (SD +/- 0.42, range 2.20 to 5.20%); in Hb SS samples (n=33) it is 3.90% (SD +/- 1.08, range 0.60 to 5.90%); and in Hb SC samples (n=27) it is 4.46% (SD +/- 0.70, range 2.30 to 5.91%). The Hb A2 mean by HPLC in normal individuals (Hb AA, n=70) is 2.57% (SD +/- 0.25, range 2.1 to 3.0%), and the Hb A2 range in beta-thalassemia carriers is 4 to 9%. Our results show that the Hb A2 levels in Hb S-containing samples partially overlap with those expected from beta-thalassemia carriers. The hemoglobinopathy laboratory should be aware of this apparent elevation in Hb A2 levels determined by HPLC in individuals carrying Hb S. Other factors, such as family history and clinical symptoms, should be taken into account before a diagnosis of sickle cell trait, sickle-beta-thalassemia, or sickle cell anemia is made.

Hemoglobin (Hb) S Antilles is a naturally occurring form of sickling human Hb but causes a more severe phenotype than Hb S. Two homozygous viable Hb S Antilles transgene insertions from Tg58Ru and Tg98Ru mice were bred into MHOAH mice that express high oxygen affinity (P50 approximately 24.5 mm Hg) rather than normal (P50 approximately 40 mm Hg) mouse Hbs. The rationale was that the high oxygen affinity MHOAH Hb, the lower oxygen affinity of Hb S Antilles than Hb S (P50 approximately 40 v 26.5 mm Hg), and the lower solubility of deoxygenated Hb S Antilles than Hb S (approximately 11 v 18 g/dL) would favor deoxygenation and polymerization of human Hb S Antilles in MHOAH mouse red blood cells (RBCs). The Tg58 x Tg98 mice produced have a high and balanced expression (approximately 50% each) of h alpha and h beta(S Antilles) globins, 25% to 35% of their RBCs are misshapen in vivo, and in vitro deoxygenation of their blood induces 30% to 50% of the RBCs to form classical looking, elongated sickle cells with pointed ends. Tg58 x Tg98 mice exhibit reticulocytosis, an elevated white blood cell count and lung and kidney pathology commonly found in sickle cell patients, which should make these mice useful for experimental studies on possible therapeutic intervention of sickle cell disease.

Data from 62 schizophrenic patients (DSM III), aged 18 to 30, who were treated in the public medical system, and showed a relapse in 1987, after an one-year-follow up, were analyzed. It was observed that cannabis and alcohol use increased the probability of a relapse of schizophrenia in the follow-up period, whilst moderate alcohol use (less than 70 cc of pure alcohol/day) had no influence in the probability of relapse.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) demonstrated advantages over conventional procedures employed in newborn and adult hemoglobinopathy screening programs for the identification of Hb variants has promoted the need to reassess our knowledge of hemoglobin reference ranges as it relates to HPLC quantitation. In this study, the HPLC hemoglobin reference ranges derived from 200 normal African American adults are expressed as follows: Hb A mean 93.6 percent (s.d. 1.3, ranges 89.8 to 95.2), Hb A1 mean 2.0 percent (s.d. 0.6, ranges 0.8 to 5.2), Hb F mean 3.2 percent (s.d. 0.7, ranges 1.7 to 5.3) and Hb A2 mean 1.2 percent (s.d. 0.4, ranges 0.5 to 3.4); while the HPLC results for normal newborns and babies (n = 99) in the African American population fluctuates from Hb F mean 82.0 percent (s.d. 7.7, range 66.6 to 89.9) and Hb A mean 19.0 percent (s.d. 7.7, ranges 10.1 to 33.4) at 4 days to a mean of 15. percent (s.d. 4.8, range 9.3 to 22.8) for Hb F and a mean of 85.0 percent (s.d. 5.1, ranges 76.4 to 90.7) for Hb A at 300 days after birth. In case of the most common hemoglobin variants for this population, it has been shown that the A/S and A/C ratios for adults (Hb AS, Hb AC) and newborns (Hb FAS, and FAC) remained within the 1.5 (range 1.0 to 2.2) limits regardless of age group. Application of these HPLC ranges to confront other abnormalities will prove most useful during blood screening processes.

In order to evaluate the usefulness of intraoperative echography in the study of liver metastases, two groups of patients were submitted to study: A consecutive series of 25 patients operated on for digestive tumours. Before operation, echography was performed to all of them. Four patients operated on for liver metastases. In the patients who were operated for digestive tumors, the authors found 8.6% of metastasis which neither the preoperative echography nor liver palpation had detected. The usefulness of the examination in the patients to whom resective hepatic surgery was going to be performed was based on: The finding of a portal thrombosis which had not been detected in the preoperative study. The possibility of connecting the intrahepatic vascularity with the lesions, in order to decide which technique to choose. The demonstration of the non-existence of other metastases.

Congenital polycystic dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ways (Caroli's disease) is a rare disease. The "pure" type and the one associated with congenital hepatic fibrosis are accepted. Although the current exploration methods, its diagnosis is rare before the surgical procedure. Treatment of the diffuse pure types and the ones associated with hepatic fibrosis is difficult and the outcome is bad. A case of the less frequent type is communicated, in which, as a novelty, intrasurgical echography was used in its treatment.

Endometriosis of the Digestive Tract is an uncommon pathology, especially when ileocecal appendix is involved. Authors report twelve cases of appendiceal endometriosis reviewed from surgical and anatomopathological records. The preoperative diagnosis is almost impossible. The most usual clinical presentation is compatible with that of acute or chronic appendicitis. The definitive diagnosis is confirmed by anatomopathological study of the surgical specimen. The Surgical treatment consists of appendicectomy alone or associated with extirpation of other concomitant neighbouring lesions.

We present the experience with the use of intraoperative ultrasonography in detecting biliary calculi on 55 patients, 19 of which had lithiasis of the common bile duct. Operative ultrasonics imaging of the biliary tree and operative cholangiography had a similar accuracy when both explorations were performed. In this series, accuracy indexes of ultrasonography in diagnosing choledocholithiasis were: sensitivity, 84.21%; specificity, 100%; efficiency, 94%; predictability of a positive test, 100%; predictability of a negative test, 92%. We think ultrasonography is a better exploration in two conditions: when intrahepatic duct lithiasis exists and if calculi are at the end of choledochus, because differentiation with neoplastic changes is easier.

Report of two cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. In both cases the presentation was an acute abdomen syndrome. The etiological diagnosis was postoperative, because in the preoperative period there were no data characteristic of this entity. Probably this disease is more frequent than reported and although the treatment is medical, there are some cases in which surgery is justified.

A case is presented of mesenteric venous thrombosis which affects about 30 cm of small intestine in a patient operated one month before for portal hypertension and bleeding from esophagogastric varices, in which an interruption of the portal-azygous venous circulation was made with splenectomy, using the Romero-Torres procedure. We consider that postsplenectomy thrombocytosis has been the first pathogenic factor in the mesenteric venous thrombosis.