Effect of lemon leaves on energy and C-N balances, methane emission, and milk performance in Murciano-Granadina dairy goats.

The objective of this experiment was to find out the effect of lemon leaves on energy and C-N balances, methane emission, and milk performance in dairy goats. Lemon leaves were used to replace alfalfa as forage in a diet for Murciano-Granadina goats. Ten Murciano-Granadina dairy goats (44.1 ± 4.47 kg of BW) in late lactation (185 ± 7.2 d) were selected in a crossover design experiment, where each goat received 2 treatments in 2 periods. One group was fed a mixed ration with 450 g of pelleted alfalfa per kilogram of DM (ALF diet) and, the other group replaced alfalfa with 450 g of pelleted lemon leaves per kilogram DM (LEM diet). The concentrate was pelleted, being the same for the two groups (forage to concentrate ratio was 45/55). The goats were allocated to individual metabolism cages. After 14 d of adaptation, feed intake, total fecal and urine output, and milk yield were recorded daily over a 5-d period. Then, gas exchange measurements were recorded individually by an open-circuit indirect calorimetry system using a head box. Higher dietary lipids in LEM diet reduced DMI (200 g/d) and energy intake (251 kJ/kg of BW0.75), although no differences between treatments were observed for ME intake (998 kJ/kg of BW0.75, on average) and oxidation of nutrients (64% and 25% for carbohydrates and fat oxidation, respectively, on heat production from oxidation basis). Greater (P < 0.05) milk fat values for C18:2n6t and CLA 9c11t + 9t11c were found in LEM compared with ALF diet. Goats fed LEM diet produced significantly fewer CH4 emissions than ALF diet (18%). Likewise, the use of lemon leaves as forage reduced the amount of CH4 in 2.7 g/kg of milk. Results suggest that lemon leaves are effective in reducing CH4 emission without detrimental effect on milk yield.

Blood culture contamination rate in an intensive care setting: Effectiveness of an education-based intervention.

BACKGROUND: Blood culture (BC) contamination rate is an indicator of quality of care scarcely explored in intensive care units (ICUs). We analyzed the BC contamination rate in our ICU to assess the effectiveness of an education-based intervention. METHODS: We conducted an interventional study with concurrent controls. Consecutive BCs drawn during a 6-month period were included. An education-based intervention was presented to case nurses (optimal technique). The remaining nurses comprised the control group (standard technique). Two independent observers assessed clinical significance of saprophytic skin bacteria isolated in BCs. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-six BCs were obtained: 308 (47%) via optimal technique and 348 (53%) via standard technique (47%). One hundred eighty-seven BCs were positive for saprophytic microorganisms; 127 (89%) were considered unrelated to infection. Coagulase-negative staphylococci isolation was lower in the optimal technique group (14% vs 26%; P < .001), as well as contamination due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (12% vs 21%; P = .002) or Acinetobacter baumannii (0.3% vs 2%; P = .013). BC contamination rate was 13% in the optimal technique group versus 23% in the standard group (P < .005). In the optimal technique group, BC contamination rate was higher in BCs drawn through the catheter (17% vs 7%; P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: An education-based intervention significantly reduced the BC contamination rate in our ICU. It seems necessary to design a tool to extract BCs through the catheter to minimize the risk of contamination.