ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of feeding systems [component and total mixed rations (TMR)] and dietary grain sources (barley, commercial concentrate, corn grain, and high-moisture corn) on lactation characteristics and milk composition. A total of 852,242 test-day records, information on animal characteristics, feed composition, and feeding systems from 104,129 Holstein cows in 4,319 herds covering a period of 5 yr were obtained from Quebec's Dairy Herd Improvement Association (Valacta). We performed descriptive statistics and graphical representations of the data for each type of feeding system and grain source by parity (1 to 3). The milk records were binned in 15-d in milk blocks. Mixed models using a combination of forward and backward stepwise selections were developed to predict milk and milk component yields. The TMR-fed cows had greater yield of milk, fat, protein, and lactose and lower milk urea N (MUN) concentration than component-fed cows at all parities. Cows fed a TMR had higher peak milk yields and greater persistency after peak lactation compared with component-fed cows. In addition, greater yields of milk fat and protein from peak to mid-lactation were found in TMR- versus component-fed cows. In general, greater milk fat and protein yields as well as lower MUN concentration were observed in cows fed corn grain or high-moisture corn compared with barley or commercial concentrate, but parity influenced these relationships. The feeding system by day in milk blocks interaction was significant in models of milk and components yields for all parities, but only for second-lactation cows for MUN concentration. This means that effect of TMR and component feeding differs with stage of lactation. In conclusion, feeding TMR and corn-based diets are associated with greater yield of milk and milk components under commercial conditions.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed , Dairying/methods , Lactation/physiology , Milk/chemistry , Animals , Cattle , Dairying/instrumentation , Diet , Edible Grain , Female , Pregnancy , Quebec , Zea maysABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The goal of the current study is to explore the difference in acute post-concussive symptoms (PCS), headaches, sleep and mood complaints between groups of patients with complicated and uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) and a comparable group of injured controls. Interactions among the following four factors were studied: presence of (1) PCS; (2) headaches; (3) sleep disorders; and (4) psychological status. METHODS: A total of 198 patients, followed at the outpatient mTBI clinic of the MUHC-MGH, completed questionnaires and a brief neurological assessment two weeks post-trauma. RESULTS: Whether they had a TBI or not, all patients presented PCS, headaches, sleep and mood complaints. No significant differences between groups in terms of reported symptoms were found. Variables such as depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as sleep difficulties and headaches were found to correlate with PCS. The high rate of PCS in trauma patients was observed independently of traumatic brain injury status. This study has also shown that patients with complicated mTBI were more likely to have vestibular impairment after their injury. CONCLUSION: The vestibular function should be assessed systematically after a complicated mTBI. Furthermore, the mTBI diagnosis should be based on operational criteria, and not on reported symptoms.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries, Traumatic/complications , Headache/etiology , Mood Disorders/etiology , Post-Concussion Syndrome/etiology , Sleep Wake Disorders/etiology , Vestibular Diseases/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Headache/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mood Disorders/diagnosis , Neuropsychological Tests , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Sleep Wake Disorders/diagnosis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vestibular Diseases/diagnosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Inconsistencies regarding the risk of developing Alzheimer disease after traumatic brain injury (TBI) remain in the literature. Indeed, why AD develops in certain TBI patients while others are unaffected is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to performed a systematic review to investigate whether certain variables related to TBI, such as TBI severity, loss of consciousness (LOC) and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), are predictors of risk of AD in adults. METHODS: From 841 citations retrieved from MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, PSYINFO and Cochrane Library databases, 18 studies were eligible for the review. RESULTS: The review revealed that about 55.5% of TBI patients may show deteriorated condition, from acute post-TBI cognitive deficits to then meeting diagnostic criteria for AD, but whether TBI is a risk factor for AD remains elusive. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to establish such a link may be related to methodological problems in the studies. To shed light on this dilemma, future studies should use a prospective design, define the types and severities of TBI and use standardized AD and TBI diagnostic criteria. Ultimately, an AD prediction model, based on several variables, would be useful for clinicians detecting TBI patients at risk of AD.
