Increased dietary vitamin D3 and calcium partially alleviate heat stress symptoms and inflammation in lactating Holstein cows independent of dietary concentrations of vitamin E and selenium.

Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (42.2 ± 5.6 kg of milk/d; 83 ± 27 d in milk) were used in a split-plot design testing the effects of mineral and vitamin supplementation on the time course of animal performance, metabolism, and inflammation markers during heat stress. The main plot was the average concentrations of dietary vitamin E and Se (adequate: 11.1 IU/kg of vitamin E and 0.55 mg/kg of Se, and high: 223 IU/kg of vitamin E and 1.8 mg/kg of Se, respectively). Within each plot, cows were randomly assigned to (1) heat stress (HS) with adequate concentrations of vitamin D3 and Ca (1,012 IU/kg and 0.73%, respectively), (2) HS with high concentrations of vitamin D3 and Ca (HS+D3/Ca; 3,764 IU/kg and 0.97%, respectively), or (3) pair-feeding (PF) in thermoneutrality with adequate concentrations of vitamin D3 and Ca (1,012 IU/kg and 0.73% Ca) in a Latin square design with 14-d periods and 7-d washouts. The highest rectal temperature was recorded at 1700 h for HS (39.4°C; mean of d 1 to 14), being 1.2 and 0.8°C greater than for PF and HS+D3/Ca, respectively. Respiratory rate and water intake were higher in HS (73 breaths/min and 115 L/d, respectively) relative to PF (28 breaths/min and 76 L/d). Heat stress decreased dry matter intake progressively, reaching a nadir on d 5 to 7 (33% reduction) and was not different between treatments. Milk yield decreased progressively in all treatments, but remained greater in PF relative to HS from d 3 to 14 (10%), whereas HS and HS+D3/Ca were not different. Milk fat, protein, and lactose concentrations and yields were lower in HS relative to PF from d 3 to 14, but not different between HS and HS+D3/Ca. Relative to PF, preprandial insulin concentrations were increased in HS, whereas plasma nonesterified fatty acids were decreased on d 7 and 14. Plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein concentrations increased in HS cows on d 7 and 14, respectively, relative to PF, whereas they were reduced in HS + D3/Ca on d 14. Plasma C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and fecal calprotectin were increased in HS relative to both PF and HS+D3/Ca on d 7 and 14. Rectal temperature was positively associated with plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (r = 0.72), tumor necrosis factor-α (r = 0.74), C-reactive protein (r = 0.87), and with milk somatic cells (r = 0.75). Plasma 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine concentrations presented a 3-way interaction, where 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine was lower in HS than in PF on d 7 and 14, and lower in HS+D3/Ca relative to HS on d 14 in the adequate vitamin E and Se treatment, but no effects were observed in the high vitamin E and Se group. Plasma superoxide dismutase concentrations increased over time, and were higher in HS relative to PF on d 14, whereas HS+D3/Ca was similar to HS. Heat stress markedly reduced milk production and milk components while increasing markers of leaky gut and inflammation. In contrast, vitamin D3 and Ca supplementation reduced hyperthermia (d 7-14), markers of leaky gut, and inflammation independent of dietary concentrations of vitamin E and Se.

Tissue-specific profiling reveals modulation of cellular and mitochondrial oxidative stress in normal- and low-birthweight piglets throughout the peri-weaning period.

Weaning is known to induce important nutritional and energetic stress in piglets. Low-birthweight (LBW) piglets, now frequently observed in swine production, are more likely to be affected. The weaning period is also associated with dysfunctional immune responses, uncontrolled inflammation and oxidative stress conditions that are recognized risk factors for infections and diseases. Mounting evidence indicates that mitochondria, the main cellular sources of energy in the form of adenosine 5' triphosphate (ATP) and primary sites of reactive oxygen species production, are related to immunity, inflammation and bacterial pathogenesis. However, no information is currently available regarding the link between mitochondrial energy production and oxidative stress in weaned piglets. The objective of this study was to characterize markers of cellular and mitochondrial energy metabolism and oxidative status in both normal-birthweight (NBW) and LBW piglets throughout the peri-weaning period. To conduct the study, 30 multiparous sows were inseminated and litters were standardized to 12 piglets. All the piglets were weighted at day 1 and 120 piglets were selected and assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: NBW (n = 60, mean weight of 1.73 ± 0.01 kg) and LBW piglets weighing less than 1.2 kg (n = 60, 1.01 ± 0.01 kg). Then, 10 piglets from each group were selected at 14, 21 (weaning), 23, 25, 29 and 35 days of age to collect plasma and organ (liver, intestine and kidney) samples. Analysis revealed that ATP concentrations were lower in liver of piglets after weaning than during lactation (P < 0.05) thus suggesting a significant impact of weaning stress on mitochondrial energy production. Oxidative damage to DNA (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) and proteins (carbonyls) measured in plasma increased after weaning and this coincides with a rise in enzymatic antioxidant activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial activities of both GPx and SOD are also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in kidney of piglets after weaning. Additionally, oxidative damage to macromolecules is more important in LBW piglets as measured concentrations of 8-OHdG and protein carbonyls are significantly higher (P < 0.05) in plasma and liver samples, respectively, than for NBW piglets. These results provide novel information about the nature, intensity and duration of weaning stress by revealing that weaning induces mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular oxidative stress conditions which last for at least 2 weeks and more severely impact smaller piglets.

Impact of diet deprivation and subsequent overallowance during gestation on mammary gland development and lactation performance.

The impacts of diet deprivation and subsequent overallowance during gestation on mammary gene expression and development and lactation performance were determined. Gilts were reared under a conventional (control, CTL; n = 59) or an experimental (treatment, TRT; n = 56) dietary regimen during gestation. The experimental regimen provided 70% (restriction diet, RES) and 115% (overallowance diet, OVER) of the protein and DE contents provided by the CTL diet. The RES diet was given during the first 10 wk of gestation followed by the OVER diet until farrowing. Some gilts (14 CTL and 14 TRT) were slaughtered on d 110 of gestation, and the others were allowed to farrow. Of these remaining sows, 28 (14 CTL and 14 TRT) were slaughtered on d 21 of lactation, and the rest underwent a second lactation. At each slaughter, mammary tissue was collected for compositional analyses and assessment of gene expression. Milk samples were collected on d 17 of the first lactation. Litter size was standardized to 11 ± 1, and piglets were weighed weekly until d 18 in both parities. The BW and back fat thickness of TRT first-parity sows were less than those of CTL sows in gestation (P < 0.05), and their BW was also less in lactation (P < 0.05). The BW of TRT second-parity sows was still less at mating (P < 0.05) and tended to be less on d 1 of lactation (P < 0.10) compared with CTL sows. There were no differences in piglet growth between CTL and TRT litters in either parity, yet mammary development and mammary gene expression were affected by treatment. There was less parenchymal tissue (P < 0.01) at the end of the first gestation in TRT than in CTL sows, but parenchymal tissue composition was not altered by treatment. Relative abundance of IGF-1 (P < 0.05), ornithine decarboxylase (P < 0.05), signal transducer and activator of transcription 5B (P < 0.05), and whey acidic protein (WAP, P < 0.01) genes in parenchyma at the end of the first gestation was lower in TRT than in CTL sows, and the effect on WAP genes was still present at the end of the first lactation (P < 0.01). Mammary composition at the end of the first lactation and milk composition were unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, feed deprivation and subsequent overallowance in gestation had unfavorable effects on sow BW, back fat, mammary development, and mammary gene expression at the end of gestation, but piglet growth rate over the 2 parities was not affected.

Impact of diet deprivation and subsequent over-allowance during prepuberty. Part 2. Effects on mammary gland development and lactation performance of sows.

The impact of diet deprivation and subsequent over-allowance in prepubertal gilts on their mammary development and mammary gene expression at the end of gestation and their lactation performance over 2 parities was determined. Seventy-seven gilts were reared under a conventional (control, CTL; n = 41) or an experimental (treatment, TRT; n = 36) dietary regimen. The experimental regimen provided 70 (restriction diet, RES) and 115% (over-allowance diet, OVER) of the protein and DE contents provided by the CTL diet. Experimental diets were fed ad libitum starting at 27.7 ± 3.4 kg of BW as follows: 3 wk RES, 3 wk OVER, 4 wk RES, and 4 wk OVER. All gilts were bred, and 34 were slaughtered on d 110 of gestation (18 CTL and 16 TRT) to collect mammary tissue for compositional analyses and gene expression measurements. Remaining gilts (23 CTL and 20 TRT) were maintained for 2 parities, and litter performance data were obtained. Blood samples for hormonal and metabolite assays were obtained on d 110 of gestation from all sows slaughtered at that time and from 14 sows per treatment on d 2 and 17 of lactation in the first parity. Milk samples were obtained from these same sows on d 17 of lactation in both parities. There was a tendency for mammary parenchymal tissue to contain less protein in TRT than CTL sows (P < 0.10), and relative mRNA abundance of the signal transducer and activator of transduction 5B gene was increased in parenchyma from TRT sows (P < 0.05). Circulating prolactin (P < 0.05) and milk lactose concentrations (P < 0.01) were less, whereas milk protein content was greater (P < 0.05) in TRT sows than CTL sows on d 17 of lactation. Nevertheless, growth rate of suckling piglets over the first 2 parities was unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, the use of a diet deprivation and over-allowance regimen in the growing-finishing period did not have beneficial effects on mammary gene expression or on sow and piglet performance.

Impact of diet deprivation and subsequent over-allowance during prepuberty. Part 1. Effects on growth performance, metabolite status, and mammary gland development in gilts.

The impact of diet deprivation and subsequent over-allowance on the metabolite status, mammary development, and mammary gene expression in prepubertal gilts was determined. Forty-seven gilts were reared under a conventional (control, CTL; n = 23) or an experimental (treatment, TRT; n = 24) dietary regimen. The later regimen (consisting of diet deprivation and subsequent over-allowance) provided 70 (restriction diet, RES) and 115% (over-allowance diet, OVER) of the protein and DE contents provided by the CTL diet. Experimental diets were fed ad libitum starting at 27.7 ± 3.4 kg of BW as follows: 3 wk RES, 3 wk OVER, 4 wk RES, and 4 wk OVER. At each diet change, BW and individual feed intakes were measured, and blood samples for metabolite and IGF-I assays were obtained. Some gilts (11 CTL and 12 TRT) were slaughtered on d 235 (after reaching puberty) to collect mammary tissue for compositional analyses and measures of gene expression. Body weight gain (P < 0.01) and G:F (P < 0.05) of gilts were reduced during each period with the RES diet; however, there was no compensatory growth during the periods when the OVER diet was fed. Feeding the RES diet reduced concentrations of urea and IGF-I (P < 0.01) and feeding the OVER diet increased FFA (P < 0.01) and glucose (P < 0.10) in TRT gilts compared with CTL gilts. The TRT gilts had less parenchymal tissue (P < 0.05) and tended to have less total parenchymal fat and protein (P < 0.10) than CTL gilts. The mammary mRNA relative abundance of the signal transducers and activators of transduction 5B was decreased in TRT compared with CTL gilts (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the diet deprivation and over-allowance regimen used in the growing-finishing period did not have beneficial effects on mammary development after puberty. In fact, a detrimental effect was observed.

Empiric use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in the treatment of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections, in a geographical area with a high prevalence of TMP-SMX-resistant uropathogens.

This study evaluated whether trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is effective for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to TMP-SMX-resistant (TMP-SMX-R) pathogens. Healthy nonpregnant premenopausal women with symptomatic lower UTI were assessed for the presence of pyuria and bacteriuria; if either was present, a urine sample was cultured and TMP-SMX was prescribed. Clinical and microbiologic cure was assessed at days 5-9 and 28-42 after cessation of therapy. For 71%, of patients, cultures grew TMP-SMX-susceptible (TMP-SMX-S) microorganisms, and for 29%, cultures grew TMP-SMX-R organisms. Escherichia coli remained the predominant bacteria in both groups of cultures. At visit 2, microbiological cure had been achieved in 86% of the patients in the TMP-SMX-S group and 42% of those in the TMP-SMX-R group. Similar differences were found at visit 3 by clinical evaluation. Treatment with TMP-SMX of uncomplicated UTI caused by TMP-SMX-R microorganisms results in microbiologic and clinical failure. In high-resistance areas, TMP-SMX should not be the empiric drug of choice for uncomplicated UTI.

Characterization of swine leptin (LEP) polymorphisms and their association with production traits.

Four polymorphisms in the swine leptin (LEP) gene were characterized and evaluated for association with economically important production traits in Yorkshire, Landrace and Duroc pigs. Our results show that these polymorphisms are generally of low frequency or are absent in pig populations. Two polymorphisms (A2845T and T3469C) may be associated (P < 0.0078) with feed intake and growth rate traits in Landrace pigs.

Demographic characteristics of patients with community-acquired bacteriuria and susceptibility of urinary pathogens to antimicrobials in northern Israel.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections. Since antibiotics are given empirically, it is necessary to assess the distribution and susceptibility of the microorganisms in each case. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the demographic characteristics of ambulatory patients with UTI, the distribution and susceptibility of uropathogens, and the risk factors associated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistant bacteria in women. METHODS: During 12 days in August 1997 all the urine cultures sent to the Tel-Hanan Laboratory (Haifa) were evaluated. Demographic characteristics of the patients, their underlying diseases and the previous use of antibiotics were obtained. RESULTS: During the 12 day survey 6,495 cultures were sent for evaluation. Of the 1,075 (17%) that were positive 950 were included in the study; 83.7% were from females, of whom 57% were > or = 50 years old. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen, with 74.7% in the female and 55% in the male population; 86.2% of the E. coli were resistant to amoxicillin, 38.8% to cephalexin and 46.8% to TMP-SMX. Cefuroxime (4.2%), ofloxacin (4.8%), ciprofloxacin (4.8%) and nitrofurantoin (0.4%) showed the lowest rates of resistance. By a multivariant analysis, post-menopause and recurrent UTI were found to be independent factors related to TMP-SMX resistance in women. CONCLUSION: In northern Israel, ampicillin, cephalexin and TMP-SMX cannot be used empirically in the treatment of community-acquired UTI. Post-menopause and recurrent UTI are independent factors associated with TMP-SMX resistant pathogens in women.

Bacteraemia in a community and a university hospital.

Four hundred and forty-one and 1048 episodes of bacteraemia were prospectively surveyed over a period of 18 months in two hospitals, a 450 bed community hospital and a 900 bed tertiary care urban university hospital. Incidence of bacteraemia was 2.18 per 1000 hospitalization days (10.1 per 1000 admissions) in the community hospital and 2.64 per 1000 hospitalization days (12.0 per 1000 admissions (P < 0.004)) in the university hospital. Sixty six and 62% of episodes of bacteraemia were community acquired. The majority of bacteraemic episodes originated on the internal medicine wards of both hospital--46.7% and 58.7% respectively; the incidence of bacteraemia in the medical divisions of both hospitals was 23.1 and 17.5 per 1000 admissions respectively (P < 0.01). Overall mortality rates were 22% and 26.7% respectively. 39.9% and 44% of all isolates were Gram-positive pathogens. Escherichia coli was the commonest Gram-negative pathogen in both hospitals, particularly the community hospital--47.5% vs 32.8% (P < 0.005) of all Gram-negative pathogens, while Pseudomonas spp. were significantly more common in the university hospital--18.5% vs 11.8% (P < 0.02). Non-enterococcal streptococci were more common in the community hospital while enterococci were far more common at the university hospital--15.1% vs 1% of all Gram-positive pathogens (P < 0.05). Staphylococcus epidermidis was more common among the community hospital Gram-positive bacteraemias--31.1% vs 18.6% (P < 0.005). For almost all genera and species, antibiotic resistance was higher at the university hospital. Twenty nine point four per cent of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the university hospital were methicillin resistant compared to 2.4% at the community hospital (P < 0.005). 29.4% of all Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates at the university hospital were penicillin resistant while no resistance was found at the community hospital. A high resistance rate to ofloxacin was found at the university hospital among S. aureus and Pseudomonas sp. Sources of bacteraemia did not differ significantly between the two hospitals. In conclusion, although outcome did not differ significantly for the two hospitals, there were significant differences between blood culture isolates in these two different settings. These differences may influence clinical decision-making about antibiotic therapy for patients in these hospitals.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms infecting the urinary tract in northern Israel].

Urinary tract infections (UTI), especially in women, are very frequent and require antimicrobial treatment. The choice of drug depends on the susceptibility of the infecting organism. In many cases treatment is begun before the identity and susceptibility of the organism/s cultured are known. Knowledge of the profile of the infecting organisms and their drug susceptibility can improve the treatment of community-acquired UTI. We recorded the distribution and susceptibility of 50,699 positive UTI cultures, during the years 1986-7, in 2 community laboratories in northern Israel serving a population of about 830,000. The sensitivity of organisms to ampicillin was only 32 in the Haifa region and 42 in the Afula region and, respectively, to cotrimoxazole 51 and 76, to cephalexin 60 and 77, to nitrofurantoin 83 and 89, and to nalidixic acid 80 and 92. The differences between the regions were statistically significant. As a result of this study, we suggest that ampicillin should not be used empirically in UTI in these these 2 regions, nor cotrimoxazole in the Haifa region. All women with uncomplicated UTI should be treated with nitrofurantoin or nalidixic acid, provided they are not sensitive to these drugs and tolerate them well. The use of new drugs such as the quinolones and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid must be controlled and monitored to avoid rapid development of resistant strains.

Single-dose ciprofloxacin in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women.

In a randomised, double-blind trial two single-dose regimens of ciprofloxacin were evaluated for treatment of acute urinary tract infection (UTI) in women. Fifty-three women received 250 mg and 46 750 mg of ciprofloxacin. Seven days after treatment the eradication rate was 81.1% and 82.6% in the low and high dose groups respectively; the clinical cure rate at 28 days was 64.1% and 73.9% respectively. In women with recurrent UTI a significantly better response was found with the high dose regimen (92% versus 68%; p less than 0.001). It is concluded that a single 250 mg dose of ciprofloxacin is effective for treatment in most women with acute UTI, but in women with recurrent infection a 750 mg dose is preferable.

The use of ceftriaxone in ambulatory patients.

Twenty ambulatory patients, living in kibbutzim (communal villages, which have a permanent medical staff) were treated with ceftriaxone 1 g daily I.M. for ten days. These patients suffered from moderate to severe infections which were not life-threatening. Twelve had urinary tract infections (UTI), 3 of which were positive blood cultures. Four patients had soft tissue infections (one with a Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteremia). Three patients had respiratory infections, and one elderly patient had Salmonella typhimurium gastroenteritis. All the patients in this series were clinically cured. Three patients with a UTI experienced reinfection. The woman with S. typhimurium gastroenteritis had persistent positive fecal cultures, but was asymptomatic. These 4 patients did not require further antibiotic therapy. The only side effect observed was mild diarrhea in one patient. Two other ambulatory patients with typhoid fever were treated with ceftriaxone 2 g daily I.V. for 10 days with excellent results. Our work showed that ceftriaxone 1 g daily can be a safe and inexpensive antimicrobial choice to shorten or prevent hospitalization.