Evaluation of Acute Phase Proteins in Clinically Healthy Dairy Cows in Perinatal Period and During Lactation.

The estimation of acute phase proteins (APP), which are recognized as inflammation markers is a good method for animal health monitoring. Several factors such as obesity, age and sex are also known to modulate APP status. We evaluated the influence of pregnancy and lactation in 65 clinically healthy dairy Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, 2nd÷4th lactation, chosen from 3 different dairy farms located in South West part of Poland. Bovine C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin and fibrinogen were assayed using commercial ELISA kits. The highest values of CRP and haptoglobin were observed in cows during the first month after calving. The highest concentrations of fibrinogen was found in a group of cows prior to expected date of parturition and the level of this protein in blood plasma was decreasing during lactation. The significant differences of analyzed APPs among cows before delivery, during first month after calving and in lactation (1-3 months after delivery) suggested that factors like pregnancy and stage of lactation would have an influence on their concentration.

The investigation of correlation among selected biochemical parameters and vital signs in dairy herd to design the bio-cybernetic dairy cow model.

The paper presents investigations of the relationship between the biochemical parameters and vital signs in dairy cows. We analyzed the welfare and functioning of a dairy herd using biochemical parameters and vital signs. Life and biochemical parameters were examined. In the model indicators useful for monitoring the herd are: the age of the cows, the number of cows' lactating, daily amount of received milk, length of lactation period for cows in the herd, the length of inter-calving period for cows, the number of days to effective insemination, the amount of protein in the feed, the level of ß-oxidation in leucocytes, glucose transport through red blood cells and plasma insulin. Based on the results the mathematical model was designed allowing the presentation of a cybernetic model of cow's organism. There was constructed a multi-equation model which determined the relationships between the selected variables describing the state of dairy cows in the herd and variables that characterize their welfare with its statistical verification.

Effects of electron beam irradiation on deoxynivalenol levels in distillers dried grain and solubles and in production intermediates.

Wheat contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON), and distillers dried grain and solubles (DDGS) obtained after ethanol production from the contaminated wheat, were irradiated to doses ranging from 2.0 to 55.8 kGy using an electron accelerator. Samples of wet distillers grain, distillers solubles and stillage obtained during production of DDGS were also irradiated. All samples were analysed for Fusarium trichothecene mycotoxins by a method involving use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The three production intermediates showed dose-dependent reductions in their DON contents ranging from 47.5 to 75.5% at the highest doses. Electron beam treatment produced a 17.6% reduction in the DON level of wheat at the highest dose used, but had no effect on DON in DDGS. These results indicate that electron beam treatment may provide a method for reducing DON levels in DDGS on an industrial scale.

Trace elements in western Canadian hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): levels and quality assurance.

A monitoring program was conducted for trace elements in Western Canadian Hard Red Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Samples were selected from harvest survey samples submitted by producers from crop districts in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta for 1996, 1997, and 1998 crops. The analytical quality control measures used in these surveys are described along with the results for Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn. Accuracy and precision for the analyses fell within the acceptable control limits. Year-to-year variations in grain chemistry were small for Cd, Mn, Se, and Zn, but Cu and Fe contents showed 12 and 9% decreases, respectively, over the 3 years. The overall variability for the plant-essential trace elements-Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn-was low compared with that for Cd and Se. The spatial variation in crop chemistry across the Canadian Prairie wheat-producing region was greater than the year-to-year variations. Soil properties were major factors in controlling Cd and Se levels in grain.

Comparison of closed-vessel and focused open-vessel microwave dissolution for determination of cadmium, copper, lead, and selenium in wheat, wheat products, corn bran, and rice flour by transverse-heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

A method is described for the determination of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Se in cereal samples. An atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a transverse-heated graphite furnace with Zeeman background correction was used for all determinations. Sample preparation was performed by closed-vessel microwave digestion using nitric acid and focused openvessel microwave digestion using nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide. Both techniques were evaluated by using 15 cereal reference materials and comparing results with certified or reference values for each element. Cereal reference standards obtained from the Community Bureau of Reference (Europe), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA), the National Institute for Environmental Studies (Japan), the National Research Centre for Certified Reference Materials (People's Republic of China), and the Canadian Grain Commission were used. Application of a series of t-tests, conducted according to Sidak's modified Bonerroni t-procedure, showed that both techniques yielded accurate results for cereal reference materials. Some differences from certified and reference values, however, were found for each element.

[Reconstruction methods for the continuous digestive tract using surgical stapling after gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy in patients undergoing surgery for stomach cancer. Personal evaluation]. / Metody rekonstrukcji ciaglosci przewodu pokarmowego z uzyciem szwu mechanicznego po gastrektomii z limfadenektomia u chorych operowanych z powodu raka zoladka. Ocena wlasna.

From 1984 to 1994, 152 patients were operated for gastric cancer in Clinical Department of Surgical Oncology, Medical University of Lodz. Patients age ranged from 31 to 82 years (mean age-61.2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the methods of reconstruction of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) continuity. Our material comprised patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. In 52 patients radical procedure--total gastrectomy--was performed, with reconstruction of gastrointestinal tract continuity. The latter part of surgery was accomplished using different methods: Roux-Y anastomosis-10 patients (19.2%); esophago-jejunal "end to side" anastomosis-8 patients (15.4%); Hunt-Lawrence-Rodino anastomosis-34(65%). During procedures staplers and VALTRAC rings were used, as well as ultrasound selector and argon coagulator for hepatic and pancreatic resections. Quality of life after gastrectomy was determined on the basis of interviews taken from patients, in whom GIT continuity was reconstructed with or without intestinal pouch creation. We also evaluated incidence and type of complications after such procedures. Perioperative mortality in our material was 7.7%. We concluded that the best results was achieved when continuity of gastrointestinal tract after total gastrectomy was reconstructed with intestinal (first loop of jejunum) pouch creation (Hunt-Lawrence procedure). This method warranted high quality of life and low incidence of complications. Staplers enables us to shorten time of procedure and to decrease the number of anastomosis leaks, so that our results of surgical treatment of patients with gastric cancer were better.

[Inversion of chromosome 10 in a fetus with osteochondrodysplasia]. / Inwersja chromosomu 10 u plodu z osteochondrodyeplazja.

The case of thanatophoric dysplasia of the fetus was described. The disease was recognized by ultrasound. Karyotyping was successful after fetal blood sampling under continuous ultrasound guidance. An inversion of chromosome 10 was detected in the affected fetus. The confirmation of the thanatophoric dysplasia was done after termination of the pregnancy. The same inversion was detected in unaffected mother. Prenatal diagnosis was made in the next pregnancy. The result was an unaffected newborn delivered on term.

Gas-liquid chromatography and flame photometric detection of phosphine in wheat.

A screening method using gas-liquid chromatography with flame photometric detection has been developed for determining phosphine in wheat. Phosphine is measured as the sum of physically bound intact phosphine and that derived from residual aluminum phosphide. Wheat is extracted in a closed, partially evacuated glass system by refluxing with 10% sulfuric acid. Liberated gases are swept into a gas-collection flask fitted with rubber septa to permit gas sampling. Aliquots of collected gas are injected into a gas chromatograph. Phosphine is quantitated by peak area as determined by an electronic integrator. Recoveries varied with concentration: 67% was recovered at 0.10 ppm and 98% was recovered at 19 ppm. For concentrations less than 1.5 ppm, the coefficient of variation was 9.95%. Using flame photometric detection, phosphine concentrations as low as 0.04 ppm were easily determined in wheat.