Elevating glucose and insulin secretion by carbohydrate formulation diets in late lactation to improve post-weaning fertility in primiparous sows.

Primiparous (P1) sows commonly lose excessive body reserves to meet energy requirements for maintenance and milk production during lactation, and consequently, post-weaning reproductive performance may be compromised. The present studies determined whether ad libitum feeding a glucogenic carbohydrate diet (CHO) during late lactation could stimulate insulin and glucose secretion (experiment 1) and improve subsequent litter size (experiment 2). For experiment 1, 15 P1 sows, and for experiment 2, 99 P1 sows (198.5 ± 2.7 kg) were allocated randomly according to suckled litter size (≥10 piglets), either to a CHO diet (14.3 MJ DE/kg, 19.8% crude protein) or a standard lactation diet (control; 14.2 DE MJ/kg, 19.5% crude protein) at 8 days before weaning. The CHO diet aimed to provide glucogenic content (extruded wheat, dextrose and sugar) as energy sources instead of fat sources without changing total dietary energy. Pre-prandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were not influenced by treatments. However, post-prandial plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and their peaks were both higher (p < .05) compared to the control treatment. Body weight loss during lactation was relatively low at 3%-4% for both treatments and did not differ between control and CHO treatments (-7.6 ± 1.6 vs -5.4 ± 1.2 kg; p > .05). Second litter size was not influenced by diet (p > .05), but the weaning-to-mating interval was shorter in CHO sows (p < .05). This study demonstrates that providing an enriched CHO diet in late lactation did influence post-weaning follicle growth but did not improve subsequent litter size. This may be due to the primiparous sows in this study not experiencing severe negative energy balance and there was no second litter syndrome in this farm which limited the ability of diet to improve sow fertility.

Lactation estrus induction in multi- and primiparous sows in an Australian commercial pork production system.

This study evaluated the effect of full physical boar exposure and split weaning on the incidence of lactation estrus within a large commercial piggery. A total of 299 multiparous (MP; parity 2.5 ± 0.03) and 303 primiparous (PP) sows of Large White × Duroc × Landrace genetics were individually housed in conventional farrowing crates from 1 wk before expected farrowing until weaning on Day 30.7 ± 0.05 postparturition. Before shed entry, sows were allocated randomly within parity to receive either boar exposure (BE; n = 454) or no BE (No BE; n = 149). Sows assigned to receive BE were then allocated to 1 of 2 litter size treatments: litter size unchanged (BE; n = 302) or BE and the litter permanently reduced (split weaned) to 7 piglets (BESPW7; n = 152) on Day 18 of lactation. From Day 18 of lactation until weaning, sows in both BE treatments were taken daily to a detection mating area where they received 15 min of full physical BE and were artificially inseminated at the first observed estrus. Providing sows with BE increased the incidence of lactation estrus, with a further increase observed when litter size was reduced to 7 piglets (16% No BE vs. 62% BE and 75% BESPW7; P < 0.05). Multiparous sows exhibited a greater incidence of lactation estrus than PP sows irrespective of treatment (81 compared to 52%, respectively; P < 0.05). Both MP and PP sows exhibited an increased incidence of lactation estrus when a portion of the litter was removed (MP: 76 vs. 89% and PP: 47 vs. 61%; P < 0.05). Farrowing rates were higher in BE MP sows mated postweaning and all BESPW7 sows mated postweaning when compared to their counterparts mated in lactation (P < 0.05). Percentage live weight loss over the course of lactation was greatest for sows in the No BE compared to the BE and BESPW7 treatments (7.7% ± 0.5 vs. 5.4% ± 0.3 and 4.5% ± 0.4, respectively; P < 0.05). Between Day 17 and weaning, piglets suckling sows in the BESPW7 treatment had a higher average weight gain than piglets suckling sows with a full litter (3.5 ± 0.06 vs. 3.1 ± 0.05 kg; P < 0.05). In conclusion these data suggest that providing MP sows with BE is effective at stimulating a synchronous lactation estrus while PP sows require, in addition to BE, a reduction in suckled litter size to 7 piglets.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci for meat quality and muscle metabolic traits in cattle.

A whole-genome scan was carried out in New Zealand and Australia to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for live animal and carcass composition traits and meat quality attributes in cattle. Backcross calves (385 heifers and 398 steers) were generated, with Jersey and Limousin backgrounds. The New Zealand cattle were reared and finished on pasture, whilst Australian cattle were reared on grass and finished on grain for at least 180 days. This paper reports on meat quality traits (tenderness measured as shear force at 4-5 ages on two muscles as well as associated traits of meat colour, pH and cooking loss) and a number of metabolic traits. For meat quality traits, 18 significant QTL (P < 0.05), located in nine linkage groups, were detected on a genome-wise basis, in combined-sire (seven QTL) or within-sire analyses (11 QTL). For metabolic traits, 11 significant QTL (P < 0.05), located in eight linkage groups, were detected on a genome-wise basis, in combined-sire (five QTL) or within-sire analyses (six QTL). BTA2 and BTA3 had QTL for both metabolic traits and meat quality traits. Six significant QTL for meat quality and metabolic traits were found at the proximal end of chromosome 2. BTA2 and BTA29 were the most common chromosomes harbouring QTL for meat quality traits; QTL for improved tenderness were associated with Limousin-derived and Jersey-derived alleles on these two chromosomes, respectively.

Drug administration errors: a prospective survey from three South African teaching hospitals.

This prospective study was undertaken to determine the incidence of drug administration errors by anaesthetists at three tertiary South African hospitals. Hospitals A and C treat adults predominantly, whereas Hospital B is a paediatric hospital. Anaesthetists completed an anonymous study form for every anaesthetic performed over a six-month period. They were asked to indicate whether or not an error or near-miss had occurred and if so, the details thereof. A total of 30,412 anaesthetics were administered during the study period. The response rate and combined incidence of errors and near-misses was as follows: Hospital A 48.8% (1:320), B 81.3% (1:252) and C 48.1% (1:250). The overall response rate was 53% and the combined incidence was 1:274. Neither the experience of the anaesthetist nor emergency surgery influenced whether an error occurred or not. Most errors occurred during the maintenance phase of anaesthesia. The most common errors were those of substitution. At the paediatric hospital, incorrect dose was as frequent an error as substitution. Of all errors, 36.9% were due to drug ampoule misidentification; of these the majority (64.4%) were due to similar looking ampoules. Another 21.3% were due to syringe identification errors. No major complication attributable to a drug administration error was reported. Despite an increasing awareness of the problem together with suggestions in the literature to reduce the incidence, drug administration errors remain fairly common in South Africa. Failure to institute suggested solutions will continue to compromise patient safety.

Limousin myostatin F94L variant affects semitendinosus tenderness.

Texture parameters (peak force and compression), muscle myofibre diameter, and hydroxyproline were measured in semitendinosus samples from a cattle gene-mapping herd. The data were analysed to determine the relationships between these traits. The traits were also mapped by genetic linkage analysis to identify quantitative trait loci, and hence, candidate genes for these traits. Neither texture parameters were affected by the muscle structural traits of myofibre diameter or collagen content (as measured by hydroxyproline), despite significant variation in these traits between animals. QTL for the texture parameters of peak force and compression, as well as collagen content, were found on cattle chromosome 2 (BTA2) and attributed to the myostatin gene. Within the cattle population used for the QTL mapping, a gene variant of myostatin, F94L, has been previously shown to increase muscle mass, predominantly in the semitendinosus. It was determined herein that the F94L myostatin homozygous animals had more tender meat as measured by both peak force and compression. The variant was also responsible for a reduction in the collagen/elastin content of muscle. The myostatin F94L variant had no effect on muscle myofibre diameter of the semitendinosus, even though the variant causes substantial increases in muscle mass. Consequently, the increase in muscle mass of the variant must be due to myofibre hyperplasia and not hypertrophy. In addition, myostatin effects on tenderness are caused by changes in the extracellular matrix rather than muscle myofibre diameter.

Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) content of encapsulated evening primrose oil products.

The fatty acid composition of 16 brands of evening primrose oil (EPO) capsules was determined by capillary gas chromatography. Fourteen of these EPO brands contained gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) levels between 7% and 10% (mean, 8.7; range, 1.9-10.5%) and there was generally good agreement between the level of GLA claimed by the manufacturer and the level determined by analysis. Low levels of the monoenes 22:1 and 24:1 found in some brands may indicate contamination of EPO with borage oil.

Severe bradycardia and sinus arrest after administration of vecuronium, fentanyl and halothane. A case report.

A severe bradycardia leading to sinus arrest in an 18-year-old girl anaesthetised for a bilateral breast reduction is described. The probable precipitating factors and the specific problems are discussed.

Focal glomerulosclerosis treated with heparin.

A boy with focal glomerulosclerosis as a result of nephrotic syndrome became unresponsive to corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. He was given prolonged subcutaneous heparin with reduction in proteinuria, return of corticosteroid sensitivity, and no further deterioration (possibly improvement) in histological appearance. He remained completely well after five years.

Effects of time of dose in relation to food on the bioavailability of Theo-Dur Sprinkle at steady state in asthmatic children.

The effects of administration of Theo-Dur Sprinkle in the fasting state (phase A), 10 minutes before food (phase B), and immediately after food (phase C) were investigated in 12 children with asthma aged 5 to 9 years at steady state. The AUC during the dosing interval was significantly reduced in phases B and C compared with phase A, and bioavailability relative to the fasting state was reduced to 77% +/- 15% (range 61% to 104%) in phase B and 70% +/- 16% (range 40% to 103%) in phase C. The average plasma theophylline concentration during the dosing interval and Cmax were also significantly reduced in phases B and C compared with phase A. The morning predose plasma theophylline concentration in phase B was 22% lower than the predose concentration with Theo-Dur tablets taken 10 minutes before breakfast. The diurnal variation in predose plasma theophylline concentrations was increased from 28% in phase A to 63% in phase C. There was no significant difference in any parameter between administration 10 minutes before food and immediately after food.

The effectiveness of parent aides in the tertiary prevention of child abuse in South Australia.

A parent aide program using volunteer experienced mothers to prevent reabuse of children (tertiary prevention) has been highly successful (97% prevention) in Southern Adelaide, South Australia. The program was modeled on that described by Kempe and widely used in North America. Only minor modifications have been required to establish the program in South Australia. The outcome of the first five years' experience indicates that, despite a work load of more than 20 hours per month per client, less than 10% of volunteer parent aides withdrew from their two-year commitment to the program. The cost-benefit ratio of the program appears very low and the prevention of reabuse by mothers involved was less than that for other clients assessed by the Southern Metropolitan Child Protection Panel, which referred all cases for a parent aide in the five-year period reviewed. Difficulties in maintaining the program did arise but were dealt with by close liaison between the parent aide, the program coordinators, and the primary care worker in the community who was usually a social worker in the Department for Community Welfare. The parent aide program has proved a cost-effective and successful method of tertiary prevention.