ABSTRACT
The levels of stress hormones, cortisol and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline), were measured in urine collected after slaughter from the bladder, in 309 pigs (females and castrated males) from an F2 intercross between the Large White and Duroc breeds to analyze the relationships between stress-responsive neuroendocrine systems, carcass composition and meat quality. Intramuscular fat content was measured from a biopsy sample taken at a live weight of 70 kg from the longissimus lumborum muscle, and carcass and meat quality traits were also collected. Carcass fat content was higher and estimated carcass lean meat content was lower with increasing urinary levels of cortisol and adrenaline (that are highly correlated with each other), but was not related to the levels of noradrenaline, showing that adrenal hormones favor the accretion of fat at the expense of muscle proteins, a typical physiological effect of cortisol. On the contrary, intramuscular fat levels were unrelated to either hormone level. Finally, muscle pH measured 24 h after death was positively correlated with catecholamine levels, an effect related to the catabolism of muscle glycogen by catecholamines released by preslaughter stress, which impairs post-mortem acidification of meat. These results show the importance of a control over stress neuroendocrine systems to increase pork production and product quality, and the value of the genetic approach to reach this goal.
ABSTRACT
The authors have reviewed 92 cases of uncemented surface hip replacements with a minimum follow-up of 3 years. They were operated on using the Gérard technique which must be very precise to avoid devascularisation of the femoral head. 17 failures had to be operated on again. The main indications were necrosis of the femoral head and degenerative arthritis without excentration in patients aged between 50 and 60 years. In this type of patient, satisfactory results were obtained in more than 80%. It is concluded that this type of hip arthroplasty is valuable, provided there are good indications and a precise technique. It should be avoided in elderly, obese and porotic patients, in whom a total hip prosthesis is a better solution.
Subject(s)
Hip Prosthesis , Adult , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
In this work, the authors are studying the cardio-vascular effects of nicergoline. To do so, the drug is made to compete with metaraminol whose dominant alphamimetic effects are known. This experimentation was performed in 7 patients in coma stage III or IV and whose vascular receptors were active. Those 7 patients were submitted continuous metaraminol perfusion and a steady state vasoconstriction was thus obtained. A single intravenous injection of 10 mg nicergoline resulted in vasodilation with a fall in vascular resistance and a moderate fall in mean blood pressure. Cardiac output remained unchanged. This work confirme thus the alphasympatholytic effects of nicergoline.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure/drug effects , Coma/drug therapy , Ergolines/pharmacology , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Metaraminol/therapeutic use , Nicergoline/pharmacology , Receptors, Adrenergic/drug effects , Vascular Resistance/drug effects , Drug Interactions , Humans , Metaraminol/adverse effects , Nicergoline/adverse effectsABSTRACT
This study, carried out in nine patients, attempted to judge the efficacy and possible inocuity of ventilation by injection (jet ventilation), firstly on capnography and. secondly, on recordings of intra-tracheal pressure. The frequency of six jets per minute, is that which, under the conditions of the trial, ensures the best removal of CO2 and the maintenance of stable CO2 levels in the trachea. Although pressures recorded in the airways varied between 15 and 40 torrs, the finding of very high peaks of pressure in certain cases, makes the authors somewhat reserved concerning the security of the method when the free reflux of gas is liable to be inhibited.
