Management of recurrent localised bladder amyloid, has methotrexate helped?

Background: Amyloidosis of the bladder is a benign condition which can present with a multitude of symptoms including bladder mass, irritative voiding symptoms and haematuria. Case presentation: We report on the investigation and management of a patient with recurrent localised amyloidosis of the bladder, which appears to have been managed fortuitously by concurrent methotrexate prescribed for another indication. Conclusion: We provide further assessment and management with a focus on the possible benefit of methotrexate for management of localised bladder amyloidosis.

Electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-SERS): a tool for the identification of polyphenolic components in natural lake pigments.

The identification of natural organic pigments is important for the conservation, preservation, and historical interpretation of artwork. Due to the fugitive nature of the natural dye components in pigments, their analysis can be complicated by issues such as low concentration and sample complexity. In addition, these pigments are exceedingly diverse, and often represent complex mixtures which are difficult to analyse without a separation step. A particularly challenging class of dyes is the natural yellow polyphenols (i.e. quercetin, rhamnetin, emodin, etc.). Several techniques have been used successfully for the identification of phenolic compounds in a complex mixture, but the majority of these methods require advanced instrumentation and one or more separation steps. In addition, these methods may lack the sensitivity needed to detect minute amounts of pigment remaining in faded artwork. As a result, there is a need for innovative methods of analysis which can be applied to the interpretation of artworks containing natural dyes. In this work, cost-effective screen printed electrodes (SPEs) modified with silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were used to amplify the electrochemical SERS response of phenolic compounds. In particular, application of a voltage to the SERS substrate allows for a fine-tuning of the SERS signal, and was successfully used to separately characterize dye components in two natural yellow lake pigments, Reseda Lake and Stil de Grain. To our knowledge, this work represents the first electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-SERS) study of polyphenolic dye mixtures, and is the first application of EC-SERS for natural pigment analysis. This work establishes EC-SERS as a useful technique for the identification of complex natural dyes which may find potential use in the cultural heritage realm.

World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines.

Dental, oral, and maxillofacial diseases are some of the most common problems in small animal veterinary practice. These conditions create significant pain as well as localized and potentially systemic infection. As such, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) believes that un- and under treated oral and dental diseases pose a significant animal welfare concern. Dentistry is an area of veterinary medicine which is still widely ignored and is subject to many myths and misconceptions. Effective teaching of veterinary dentistry in the veterinary school is the key to progression in this field of veterinary medicine, and to the improvement of welfare for all our patients globally. These guidelines were developed to provide veterinarians with the information required to understand best practices for dental therapy and create realistic minimum standards of care. Using the three-tiered continuing education system of WSAVA, the guidelines make global equipment and therapeutic recommendations and highlight the anaesthetic and welfare requirements for small animal patients. This document contains information on common oral and dental pathologies, diagnostic procedures (an easily implementable and repeatable scoring system for dental health, dental radiography and radiology) and treatments (periodontal therapy, extractions). Further, there are sections on anaesthesia and pain management for dental procedures, home dental care, nutritional information, and recommendations on the role of the universities in improving veterinary dentistry. A discussion of the deleterious effects of anaesthesia free dentistry (AFD) is included, as this procedure is ineffective at best and damaging at worst. Throughout the document the negative effects of undiagnosed and/or treated dental disease on the health and well-being of our patients, and how this equates to an animal welfare issue, is discussed.

Conception risk of beef cattle after fixed-time artificial insemination using either SexedUltra™ 4M sex-sorted semen or conventional semen.

The objective of this study was to compare conception rates of female beef cattle inseminated at a fixed-time with either conventional (CON) or SexedUltra™ sex-sorted (SU) semen. Treatments included CON or SU with two sires represented within each treatment. Cows (n = 316) and heifers (n = 78) from six locations were randomly assigned treatment. Ovulation was synchronized in all females using the industry-standard 7-d CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol (100 µg GnRH + CIDR [1.38 g progesterone] on d 0, 25 mg PGF2α at CIDR removal on d 7, and 100 µg GnRH on d 10, 54 h (heifers) or 60 h (cows) after CIDR removal). Estrotect™ estrous detection aids were applied at CIDR removal and patch activation was recorded at insemination. Animals were assumed estrual if greater than 50% of the patch coating was removed. The results from this study indicated no main effects of treatment (P = 0.82), sire (P = 0.64), or age (P=0.8) on AI conception rates. Additionally, there were not significant interactions between sire and treatment (P=0.19) or age and treatment (P=0.29). There was however, a significant (P=0.0005) effect of estrous expression on conception rates. Conception rate for estrual females (62.8%) was greater (p=0.0001) than non-estrual females (38.7%) at FTAI regardless of treatment. Furthermore, the conception rates were similar (P = 0.61) between conventional (61.9%) and sex-sorted semen (63.8%) when estrus was expressed prior to FTAI. Larger studies are warranted to determine appropriate timing of insemination with sex-sorted semen in FTAI protocols to maximize pregnancy potential.

Influence of feeding a fish oil-containing diet to mature, overweight dogs: Effects on lipid metabolites, postprandial glycaemia and body weight.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding a fish oil (FO)-containing diet on lipid and protein metabolism, postprandial glycaemia and body weight (BW) of mature, overweight dogs. Seven female dogs were randomly assigned to one of two isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets, control (CO) or FO (FO), in a crossover design. Experimental periods were 69 day, separated by a washout period of 30 day. At the beginning of the experiment, and at 30 and 60 day of feeding the experimental diets, the dogs were infused with D-glucose (2 g/kg BW) through an intravenous catheter. Blood samples were collected for 3 hr to perform a glucose tolerance test. Nitrogen balance measurements began at 06:30 on d 63 of each experimental period and ended at 06:30 on d 69. On d 66 of each period, a single dose (7.5 mg/kg) of 15 N-glycine was administered orally for determination of protein turnover. Incremental area under the curve and glucose concentration at peak did not differ between treatments or among sampling days within treatment. Glucose half-life tended to decrease (p < .10) in the FO treatment on day 30 when compared to baseline (day 0). ß-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and triglycerides did not differ within or between treatments. Cholesterol decreased (p < .05) on the FO treatment on day 30, 60 and 69 when compared to day 0. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased (p < .05) in the FO treatment on day 69 when compared to day 0. Body weight, food intake, faecal excretion, DM and N digestibilities, N balance and protein turnover were not different between diets. Overall, FO-containing diet decreases cholesterol in mature overweight dogs; however, further research is warranted to verify the effects of FO on glucose metabolism.

A novel objective chute score interacts with monensin to affect growth of receiving cattle.

Growth in cattle may be related to animal temperament via alterations in intake or feed conversion. However, temperament is ill-defined, and different temperament measures may relate differently to production traits or interact with dietary factors in their effects. To examine relationships between diet, temperament, growth, and health, 160 crossbred steers (262 ± 22 kg) were used in a 56-d RCBD experiment with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure with 5 pens/treatment. Steers were pen fed a corn silage-based diet with or without monensin (41.9 g/t DM), ad libitum. Temperament treatments (assigned on d -7) were exit velocity (EV; slow vs. fast) and objective chute score (OCS; low vs. high), a novel temperament measure, representing the CV of weights collected at 5 measures/s for 10 s while an animal's head was restrained in a chute. Both were measured on d -7, 0, 14, 28, 55, and 56. Subjective chute scores (SCS; visual estimates of animal activity obtained simultaneously with OCS measures) were measured on d -7 and d 56. Jugular blood samples from d 28 were analyzed for antibody response to leptospirosis vaccine and NEFA concentrations. No monensin × OCS × EV interactions were detected ( ≥ 0.11). There was a positive correlation between SCS and OCS ( < 0.01; = 0.57). Changes in OCS and EV across the duration of the study differed among treatments (treatment × day, < 0.10) and indicated that initial measures may be better proxies of growth than average measures. There were no interactions between EV and OCS ( ≥ 0.15) for any response variable and no interactions among treatments ( ≥ 0.31), nor main effects of temperament factors ( ≥ 0.12) for DMI (%BW). Monensin decreased DMI ( < 0.01) similarly across all levels of EV and OCS. Gains and G:F responses to monensin depended on OCS ( < 0.10) but not EV ( ≥ 0.80). Gain was reduced ( < 0.10) by monensin with low, but not high, OCS, and G:F was increased ( < 0.10) by monensin on high, but not low, OCS. Gain during the second 4 wk was lesser ( = 0.04) in fast, compared with slow, EV animals. Results provide novel indications that certain temperament measures can interact with dietary manipulation to influence animal performance.

Exploring the value of mental health nurses working in primary care in England: A qualitative study.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Primary care and, in particular, general practice (GP) are often first point of access to health care. International evidence suggests that healthcare systems oriented towards primary care may produce better outcomes, at lower costs and with higher user satisfaction. Despite this, there are noted deficiencies and variations in the quality of care in primary care for patients with mental health problems. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Emerging models of providing mental health services in primary care are poorly understood. This paper evaluates a mental health nurse-led Primary Care Liaison Service (PCLS), developed in 2011 in inner London. The findings suggest that this type of service can improve the quality of care for people presenting with mental health problems within primary care, specifically due to improved integration, clinical effectiveness, patient-centred care, access and efficiency. The study also highlighted challenges such as staff retention within this new role and setting appropriate referral criteria. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This is a relatively new service, and the cost-effectiveness is not yet fully understood; however, commissioners may want to consider the potential benefits of a similar service in their area. The extent to which the findings are transferable will depend on service configuration and local demographics which can vary. Further research within this area could give more detail on the impact of such teams on health outcomes, recovery rates, secondary care referrals and accident and emergency attendances, and its cost-effectiveness. ABSTRACT: Aims/Question General practice is typically the first point of access to healthcare. This study explores what value a Primary Care Liaison Nurse (PCLN) service, established in 2011, can bring to people with mental health problems in primary care. Method Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit participants' experiences and perspectives on the value of a PCLN service. Participants included ten interviews with seven general practitioners and three senior practitioners working in primary care mental health services. Thematic analysis, based on a 6-phase approach, was used to describe and explore the data collected. Results Five main themes were derived from the thematic analysis of the interviews relating to: integration; clinical effectiveness; patient centred care; access; and efficiency. Discussion The study suggests that the PCLN service can improve the quality of care and is generally highly valued by its stakeholders. The study identifies particularly valued elements of the service, including having a duty worker, as well as aspects which could be improved, such as patient criteria. Implications for practice This is a relatively new service and the cost-effectiveness is not yet fully understood; however, commissioners may want to consider the potential benefits of a similar service in their area.

Relationship between Fear of Falling and Preceived Difficulty with Grocery Shopping.

Fear of falling is associated with self-imposed restrictions of basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL), leading greater risk for functional decline and falls. The inability to independently grocery shop, a food-related IADL, negatively affects nutritional status and survival among seniors. Thus, this study examined the relationship between the fear of falling and difficulty with grocery shopping among seniors (n=98, mean age=82, 83% female), taking into account their functional capacity. Demographic profile, eating problems, physical fitness (mobility, balance, endurance, leg strength), and fear of falling (balance confidence, falls efficacy) were measured. Fifty-six percent of participants reported difficulty with grocery shopping. Those who reported difficulty had significantly lower scores for dynamic balance, balance confidence and fall efficacy compared to those who did not. This study revealed a relationship between the fear of falling and perceived difficulty with grocery shopping. Interventions should address fear of falling among the frail seniors.

Relationships of a novel objective chute score and exit velocity with growth performance of receiving cattle.

Animals with excitable temperaments often have decreased gains that have been associated with decreased intake and efficiency. Different temperament measures probably measure different specific underlying traits. Commonly used temperament measures include both objective and subjective measures. Subjective measures present potential difficulties for making across-study comparisons and thus for generalizing quantitative relationships. One objective of this experiment was to evaluate 2 related, but different, measures associated with temperament, where 1 measure is a new, objective measurement based on the common subjective chute score measures. Also, there is reason to believe that RDP requirements of animals may vary with temperament. To examine the relationships between temperament measures and nutrient use, 192 crossbred steers were used in a 58-d randomized complete block design experiment. Temperament treatments (assigned prior to d 1) were chute exit velocity (EV; slow vs. fast) and objective chute score (WSD; low vs. high), a novel temperament measure that was the SD of weights collected at 5 Hz for 10 s while an animal was restrained in a chute with its head caught. Both were measured on d -8, 1, 2, 16, 30, 56, and 58, where d 1 was the day that animals were allotted to treatment groups and began receiving experimental diets. Steers were fed a diet with 1 of 3 RDP levels (75%, 105%, and 120% of RDP requirements). There were no main effects or interactions with RDP ( ≥ 0.12); thus, it was removed from the statistical model for subsequent analyses. There were no interactions between EV and WSD ( ≥ 0.11). Slow EV animals had greater ADG ( = 0.02) and DMI ( ≤ 0.09) than fast EV animals, but there was no effect of EV on G:F ( > 0.14). For d 0 to 58, high WSD animals had greater DMI ( ≤ 0.09) than low WSD animals but no difference in ADG ( = 0.23), whereas low WSD animals tended to have increased G:F ( = 0.11). Results of this study give additional confirmation that EV is associated with DMI and growth and provide evidence that a novel measure of behavior, WSD, is also related to growth, independently of EV. Because WSD and EV appear to measure different underlying behavioral traits, use of both measures may improve our ability to discriminate among temperament categories for growing cattle.

Direct-fed microbials containing lactate-producing bacteria influence ruminal fermentation but not lactate utilization in steers fed a high-concentrate diet.

Direct-fed microbials (DFM) have been shown to improve gain and growth efficiency and also modulate ruminal fermentation. In Exp. 1,72 beef steers were used to compare a lactate-producing bacterial (LAB) DFM consisting primarily of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium,and a lactate-producing and lactate-utilizing (LAB/LU) DFM consisting primarily of L. acidophilus and Propionibacterium both fed at 10(9) cfu/d. Steers were fed a corn-based finishing diet for 153 d and then slaughtered for collection of carcass characteristics. In Exp. 2, 12 ruminally cannulated steers were fed acorn-based finishing diet and treated with 10(9) cfu/d of LAB DFM. Rumen fluid was sampled on d 14 and 28 over a 12-h period. Steers were ruminally dosed with a 2-L solution of neutralized DL-lactate (0.56 M)and Cr-EDTA (13.22 M) 3 h postfeeding on d 15 and 29. Ruminal samples were collected at 10- and 20-minintervals for the first and second hour postdosing. No differences (P ≥ 0.14) between control (CON) and LAB for DMI, ADG, growth efficiency, or carcass characteristics were observed. Dry matter intake was greater (P = 0.04) for LAB/LU than LAB from d 0 to 28 but did not differ (P ≥ 0.29) thereafter. Average daily gain was greater (P = 0.04) and efficiency tended(P = 0.06) to be greater for LAB than LAB/LU over the entire 153 d. In Exp. 2, total VFA concentration and molar proportions of butyrate were unaffected(P ≥ 0.24). Molar proportions of acetate exhibited a DFM by hour interaction (P = 0.04); however, on average, molar proportion of acetate was 4.4% greater for DFM. Conversely, DFM did not affect the molar proportion of propionate (P = 0.39). On average,molar proportions of propionate tended to increase(P = 0.07), and acetate tended to decrease (P = 0.07)across days. Mean daily ruminal pH was similar for CON on d 14 and 28, whereas mean pH increased from d 14 to 28 for DFM (DFM × day; P = 0.08).Minimum pH remained unchanged for CON over time but increased from d 14 to 2 for DFM (DFM × day;P = 0.10). Maximum pH decreased from d 14 to 28 in CON but increased over time with DFM (DFM × day;P = 0.05). DL- and L-lactate utilization were unaffected by DFM (P ≥ 0.33) or day (P ≥ 0.50). Although the LAB DFM did not impact growth performance, itd id modulate ruminal fermentation, as evidenced by shifts in ruminal VFA profile and pH; however, DFM did not appear to influence ruminal lactate utilization.

Effect of intake on fasting heat production, respiratory quotient and plasma metabolites measured using the washed rumen technique.

The objective was to investigate the effect of intake before fasting on concentrations of metabolites and hormones, respiratory quotient (RQ) and fasting heat production (HP) using the washed rumen technique and to compare these values with those from the fed state. Six Holstein steers (360±22 kg) were maintained at 21°C and fed three different energy intakes within a replicated 3×3 Latin square design with 21-day periods. Steers were fed alfalfa cubes to provide 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0×NEm during 19 days of each experimental period. Steers were placed in individual metabolism stalls fitted with indirect calorimetry head-boxes on day 20 of each experimental period (FED steers) and fed their normal meal. On day 21 of each period the reticulorumen was emptied, washed and refilled with ruminal buffer (NaCl=96; NaHCO3=24; KHCO3=30; K2HPO4=2; CaCl2=1.5; MgCl2=1.5 mmol/kg of buffer) aerated with 75% N2 and 25% CO2 before introduction to the rumen (steers were not fed; WASHED steers). Each gas exchange was measured over 24 h. HP for 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0×NEm were 479, 597 and 714 kJ/daykg0.75 (s.e.m. =16), respectively. The plateau RQ was 0.756, 0.824 and 0.860 for the 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0×NEm intakes for the FED steers, respectively. After rumen washing, fasting HP was 331, 359 and 400 kJ/daykg0.75 (s.e.m.=13) for 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0×NEm intakes before fasting, respectively. The RQ for WASHED rumen steers was 0.717, 0.710 and 0.719, respectively. Cortisol and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations in WASHED rumen steers did not exceed threshold levels for severe energy deficit and stress as can be induced from prolonged fasting. This study demonstrates that a fasting state can be emulated using the washed rumen technique, minimizing the time required as opposed to traditional fasting methodologies, without causing a severe energy deficit and stress.

Alteration of fasting heat production during fescue toxicosis in Holstein steers.

This study was designed to examine alteration of fasting heat production (FHP) during fescue toxicosis. Six ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (BW = 348 ± 13 kg) were BW-matched into pairs and used in a 2 period crossover design experiment. Each period consisted of 2 temperature segments, one each at 22 and 30°C. During each period, 1 steer per pair was ruminally dosed twice daily with 0.5 kg of ground endophyte-infected fescue seed (E+) and the other with ground endophyte-free fescue seed (E-) for 7 d. Steers on E- treatment were pair-fed to E+ steers offered alfalfa cubes at 1.5 × NEm. On d 8 of each segment, steers were moved to individual metabolism stalls fitted with indirect calorimetry head boxes. Ruminal contents were removed, weighed, and subsampled for DM determinations. The reticulorumen was washed and filled with a buffer (NaCl = 96; NaHCO3 = 24; KHCO3 = 30; K2HPO4 = 2; CaCl2 = 1.5; MgCl2 = 1.5 mmol·kg buffer(-1)) that was gassed with a 75% N2 and 25% CO2 mixture before rumen incubation. During buffer incubation, an E+ or E- fescue seed extract was added at 12 h intervals to maintain treatment presentation to the animal. After a 12-h wait, heart rate, O2 consumption, CO2 production, and urinary output were recorded for 16 h. There was no difference (P = 0.931) in DMI/kg(0.75) between endophyte treatments by design; however, intake decreased (P = 0.004) at 30°C. Increased temperature had no effect (P > 0.10) on other measurements and there were no significant interactions (P > 0.11) of temperature and endophyte treatment. Heart rate was unaffected by fescue treatment or environmental temperature. Percent DM of ruminal contents as well as total rumen DM/kg(0.75) was increased (P < 0.0001) in E+ steers. Respiratory quotient was elevated (P = 0.02) in E+ steers. Oxygen consumption decreased (P = 0.04) and CO2 production tended to be reduced (P = 0.07) during E+ treatment. Calculated FHP (kcal/kg BW(0.75)) was also less (P = 0.006) in steers receiving E+ treatment. These data suggest that consumption of endophyte-infected tall fescue by cattle results in a reduction in basal metabolic rate.

Ergot alkaloids from endophyte-infected tall fescue decrease reticuloruminal epithelial blood flow and volatile fatty acid absorption from the washed reticulorumen.

An experiment was conducted to determine if ergot alkaloids affect blood flow to the absorptive surface of the rumen. Steers (n=8) were pair-fed alfalfa cubes and received ground endophyte-infected (Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum; E+) seed (0.015 mg ergovaline·kg BW(-1)·d(-1)) or endophyte-free tall fescue (E-) seed via the rumen cannula 2x daily for 7 d at thermoneutral (TN; 22°C) and heat stress (HS; 32°C) conditions. On d 8, the rumen was emptied and rinsed. A buffer containing VFA was incubated in the following sequence: control (CON), 15 µg ergovaline·kg BW(-1) (1×EXT) from a tall fescue seed extract, and 45 µg ergovaline·kg BW(-1) (3×EXT). For each buffer treatment there were two 30-min incubations: a 30-min incubation of a treatment buffer with no sampling followed by an incubation of an identical sampling buffer with the addition of Cr-EDTA and deuterium oxide (D2O). Epithelial blood flow was calculated as ruminal clearance of D2O corrected for influx of physiological water and liquid outflow. Feed intake decreased with dosing E+ seed at HS but not at thermoneutral conditions (TN; P<0.02). Dosing E+ seed decreased serum prolactin (P<0.005) at TN. At HS, prolactin decreased in both groups over the 8-d experiment (P<0.0001), but there was no difference in E+ and E- steers (P=0.33). There was a seed treatment×buffer treatment interaction at TN (P=0.038), indicating that E+ seed treatment decreased reticuloruminal epithelial blood flow at TN during the CON incubation, but the two groups of steers were not different during 1×EXT and 3×EXT (P>0.05). Inclusion of the extract in the buffer caused at least a 50% reduction in epithelial blood flow at TN (P=0.004), but there was no difference between 1×EXT and 3×EXT. There was a seed × buffer treatment interaction at HS (P=0.005), indicating that the reduction of blood flow induced by incubating the extract was larger for steers receiving E- seed than E+ seed. Volatile fatty acid flux was reduced during the 1×EXT and 3×EXT treatments (P<0.01). An additional experiment was conducted to determine the effect of time on blood flow and VFA flux because buffer sequence could not be randomized. Time either increased (P=0.05) or did not affect blood flow (P=0.18) or VFA flux (P>0.80), indicating that observed differences are due to the presence of ergot alkaloids in the rumen. A decrease in VFA absorption could contribute to the signs of fescue toxicosis including depressed growth and performance.

Evaluation of a rapid determination of fasting heat production and respiratory quotient in Holstein steers using the washed rumen technique.

The objective of this study was to validate use of the washed rumen (WR) technique for rapid measurement of fasting heat production (HP) and respiratory quotient (RQ). Sixteen Holstein steers were divided into 2 groups of 8 for a comparison of measurements made during feeding (both groups; 16 steers) and fasting (8 steers; BW = 237 ± 17 kg) and using the WR model (8 steers; BW = 322 ± 30 kg). Steers were maintained in a controlled temperature (21°C) environment and treated as follows: 10 d diet adaptation, 1 d measurement of respiratory gases at 1.5 × NEm (Fed state; all steers d 11), 1 d measurement of respiratory gases under fasting conditions (Fasted; 8 steers d 12) or using the WR technique (8 steers d 12), and 7 d to monitor the reestablishment of intake. Steers were offered alfalfa cubes top-dressed with a mineral premix at 1.5 × NEm. Using an indwelling probe, core temperature (CT) and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously during the days respiratory gases were measured. For fasting measurements using the WR technique, the reticulorumen was washed and refilled with ruminal buffer (NaCl = 96, NaHCO3 = 24, KHCO3 = 30, K2HPO4 = 2, CaCl2 = 1.5, and MgCl2 = 1.5 mmol/kg of buffer) with Cr-EDTA aerated with 75% N2 and 25% CO2 before introduction to the rumen. Mean hourly CT, RQ, and daily HP between Fasted steers and WR steers were decreased for the WR steers on average from 8 to 24 h after removal of rumen contents (P = 0.049, P < 0.001, and P = 0.076, respectively). Fitting RQ data obtained during fasting to a 1-phase decay equation showed that plateau was achieved at 0.756 ± 0.003 and 0.719 ± 0.003 and time to plateau was 9 and 8 h for Fasted and WR steers, respectively. Mean RQ after WR were 0.778, 0.732, and 0.726 (SEM = 0.003) for time segments 0 to 8 h, 9 to 16 h, and 17 to 24 h, respectively. Mean fasting HP after WR was 18.8, 16.8, and 16.5 (SEM = 0.51) kJ/(h • kg(0.75)) for time segments 0 to 8 h, 9 to 16 h, and 17 to 24 h, respectively. There were no significant differences in RQ and fasting HP (P = 0.23 and P = 0.81, respectively) between the time segment of 9 to 16 h and 17 to 24 h after rumen washing. In contrast, both RQ and HP differed (P = 0.090 and P = 0.081, respectively) across these same time segments for the Fasted group. Therefore, an accurate measurement of fasting HP can be obtained using a shorter-term measurement with the WR technique. This approach provides an alternative to the traditional 48 h fasting time or measurements made during the third and fourth day after starvation.

The responsiveness of subclinical endometritis to a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug in pasture-grazed dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to determine if the inflammation associated with subclinical endometritis (SCE) is a part of the mechanism by which reproductive performance is reduced in cows with this disease. If it is, reducing inflammation associated with SCE with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) should reduce the severity [as measured by average polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) percentage] of uterine pathology and improve reproductive performance. It was also investigated whether the NSAID treatment reduced metabolic indicators of systemic inflammation previously reported to be altered in cows with SCE. Holstein-Friesian and Friesian-Jersey cross dairy cows (n=213) were paired by calving date and d-14 uterine PMN percentage and randomly assigned to 3 injections at intervals of 3 d of an NSAID (1.4 mg of carprofen/kg; n=104) between 21 and 31 d postpartum or left as untreated controls (n=109). Cows with ≥14% PMN (upper quartile of PMN percentage) in the cytological sample collected at d 14 postpartum were defined as having SCE. The average d-14 PMN percentage was low (9.9%) and a high self-cure rate of SCE (>90%) at d 42 was observed. Treatment with an NSAID reduced plasma concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and increased pregnancy rate in SCE cows. However, no effect of the NSAID treatment was observed on PMN percentage at d 42, postpartum anovulatory interval, or milk production. Compared with cows without SCE, cows with SCE had lower plasma albumin concentration, albumin:globulin ratio, and body condition score, but higher nonesterified fatty acids on the day of calving. These results indicate that cows with SCE are experiencing a physiological dysfunction, including lower body condition, liver dysfunction, and greater metabolic challenge during the periparturient period. Further research is required to determine the effect of NSAID on SCE and to evaluate the influence of timing of drug application on treatment effectiveness.

Benchmarking framework for myocardial tracking and deformation algorithms: an open access database.

In this paper we present a benchmarking framework for the validation of cardiac motion analysis algorithms. The reported methods are the response to an open challenge that was issued to the medical imaging community through a MICCAI workshop. The database included magnetic resonance (MR) and 3D ultrasound (3DUS) datasets from a dynamic phantom and 15 healthy volunteers. Participants processed 3D tagged MR datasets (3DTAG), cine steady state free precession MR datasets (SSFP) and 3DUS datasets, amounting to 1158 image volumes. Ground-truth for motion tracking was based on 12 landmarks (4 walls at 3 ventricular levels). They were manually tracked by two observers in the 3DTAG data over the whole cardiac cycle, using an in-house application with 4D visualization capabilities. The median of the inter-observer variability was computed for the phantom dataset (0.77 mm) and for the volunteer datasets (0.84 mm). The ground-truth was registered to 3DUS coordinates using a point based similarity transform. Four institutions responded to the challenge by providing motion estimates for the data: Fraunhofer MEVIS (MEVIS), Bremen, Germany; Imperial College London - University College London (IUCL), UK; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; Inria-Asclepios project (INRIA), France. Details on the implementation and evaluation of the four methodologies are presented in this manuscript. The manually tracked landmarks were used to evaluate tracking accuracy of all methodologies. For 3DTAG, median values were computed over all time frames for the phantom dataset (MEVIS=1.20mm, IUCL=0.73 mm, UPF=1.10mm, INRIA=1.09 mm) and for the volunteer datasets (MEVIS=1.33 mm, IUCL=1.52 mm, UPF=1.09 mm, INRIA=1.32 mm). For 3DUS, median values were computed at end diastole and end systole for the phantom dataset (MEVIS=4.40 mm, UPF=3.48 mm, INRIA=4.78 mm) and for the volunteer datasets (MEVIS=3.51 mm, UPF=3.71 mm, INRIA=4.07 mm). For SSFP, median values were computed at end diastole and end systole for the phantom dataset(UPF=6.18 mm, INRIA=3.93 mm) and for the volunteer datasets (UPF=3.09 mm, INRIA=4.78 mm). Finally, strain curves were generated and qualitatively compared. Good agreement was found between the different modalities and methodologies, except for radial strain that showed a high variability in cases of lower image quality.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) increases net amino acid utilization by the portal-drained viscera of ruminating calves.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) increases small intestinal mass and blood flow in ruminant calves, but its impact on nutrient metabolism across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver is unknown. Eight Holstein calves with catheters in the carotid artery, mesenteric vein, portal vein and hepatic vein were paired by age and randomly assigned to control (0.5% bovine serum albumin in saline; n = 4) or GLP-2 (100 µg/kg BW per day bovine GLP-2 in bovine serum albumin; n = 4). Treatments were administered subcutaneously every 12 h for 10 days. Blood flow was measured on days 0 and 10 and included 3 periods: baseline (saline infusion), treatment (infusion of bovine serum albumin or 3.76 µg/kg BW per h GLP-2) and recovery (saline infusion). Arterial concentrations and net PDV, hepatic and total splanchnic fluxes of glucose, lactate, glutamate, glutamine, ß-hydroxybutyrate and urea-N were measured on days 0 and 10. Arterial concentrations and net fluxes of all amino acids and glucose metabolism using continuous intravenous infusion of [U13-C]glucose were measured on day 10 only. A 1-h infusion of GLP-2 increased blood flow in the portal and hepatic veins when administered to calves not previously exposed to exogenous GLP-2, but after a 10-day administration of GLP-2 the blood flow response to the 1-h GLP-2 infusion was substantially attenuated. The 1-h GLP-2 infusion also did not appreciably alter nutrient fluxes on either day 0 or 10. In contrast, long-term GLP-2 administration reduced arterial concentrations and net PDV flux of many essential and non-essential amino acids. Despite the significant alterations in amino acid metabolism, glucose irreversible loss and utilization by PDV and non-PDV tissues were not affected by GLP-2. Fluxes of amino acids across the PDV were generally reduced by GLP-2, potentially by increased small intestinal epithelial growth and thus energy and amino acid requirements of this tissue. Increased PDV extraction of glutamine and alterations in PDV metabolism of arginine, ornithine and citrulline support the concept that GLP-2 influences intestine-specific amino acid metabolism. Alterations in amino acid metabolism but unchanged glucose metabolism suggests that the growth effects induced by GLP-2 in ruminants increase reliance on amino acids preferentially over glucose. Thus, GLP-2 increases PDV utilization of amino acids, but not glucose, concurrent with stimulated growth of the small intestinal epithelium in post-absorptive ruminant calves.

Detecting small-scale genotype-environment interactions in apomictic dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) populations.

Studies of genotype × environment interactions (G × E) and local adaptation provide critical tests of natural selection's ability to counter opposing forces such as gene flow. Such studies may be greatly facilitated in asexual species, given the possibility for experimental replication at the level of true genotypes (rather than populations) and the possibility of using molecular markers to assess genotype-environment associations in the field (neither of which is possible for most sexual species). Here, we tested for G × E in asexual dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) by subjecting six genotypes to experimental drought, mown and benign (control) conditions and subsequently using microsatellites to assess genotype-environment associations in the field. We found strong G × E, with genotypes that performed poorly under benign conditions showing the highest performance under stressful conditions (drought or mown). Our six focal genotypes comprise > 80% of plants in local populations. The most common genotype in the field showed its highest relative performance under mown conditions (the most common habitat in our study area), and almost all plants of this genotype in the field were found growing in mowed lawns. Genotypes performing best under benign experimental conditions were found most frequently in unmown conditions in the field. These results are strongly indicative of local adaptation at a very small scale, with unmown microsites of only a few square metres typically embedded within larger mown lawns. By studying an asexual species, we were able to map genotypes with known ecological characteristics to environments with high spatial precision.

Evaluation of a ruminally dosed tall fescue seed extract as a model for fescue toxicosis in steers.

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) toxicosis research is often complicated by a reduction in intake of infected forage or seed, making treatment comparisons difficult. This study was conducted to develop a fescue toxicosis model that would allow for variations in DMI without altering the quantity of alkaloids consumed over the course of the experiment. Ground tall fescue seed and a tall fescue seed extract were used in two 2-period crossover experiments to determine the effectiveness of ruminal dosing of a tall fescue seed extract to induce fescue toxicosis. This experiment used 4 growing Holstein steers (BW = 337 ± 24 kg) surgically fitted with ruminal cannulas. Steers were maintained on a diet of endophyte-free fescue hay fed ad libitum throughout the experiment. Endophyte-infected (E+; 4.1 mg/kg of ergovaline) and uninfected (E-; 0.0 mg/kg of ergovaline) KY-31 tall fescue seed was ground and dosed or extracted with ethanol, concentrated, and lyophilized before ruminal dosing. Ergovaline concentration of the final extract was 102 mg/kg. Animals were given a minimum of a 3-wk washout period between treatments. Physiological indicators were measured over 7 d at 22°C (d 1 to 3) and 32°C (d 4 to 7) during both seed and extract dosing. Seed and extract E+ dosing reduced serum prolactin concentrations such that they were not different from zero (P < 0.10). Treatment with E+ reduced feed intake (P < 0.05) and heart rate (P < 0.001), and increased respiration rate (P < 0.01) and core temperature (P < 0.05) during both seed and extract dosing. Increasing environmental temperature from 22 to 32°C reduced total intake (P < 0.05) and increased core temperature (P < 0.001) and respiration rate (P < 0.001) during both seed and extract dosing. Diastolic blood pressure tended (P < 0.09) to be increased during E+ extract dosing and reduced during heat stress. These physiological alterations are consistent with those reported for cattle grazing or consuming seed from endophyte-infected tall fescue. These data indicate that a ruminally dosed ethanol extract of tall fescue seed is efficacious in inducing fescue toxicosis in cattle.