Genetic aspects for the behaviour of lactating sows towards humans.

With the keeping of lactating sows in loose housing systems, ensuring work safety for stockpersons is gaining importance. Aim of the present study was to develop tests characterising the behaviour of lactating sows in farrowing environments with more freedom to move. The behaviour towards humans in different management procedures was examined. Emphasis was given to integrate tests into daily routines. The study was conducted in a nucleus herd with 771 purebred Landrace sows. Data were collected from October 2016 until December 2018. Sows were kept in individual indoor pens with movable farrowing crates in which the animals were restrained from 7 days antepartum (ap) to an average of 7 days postpartum (pp). The Dummy Arm Test (DAT; 1444 observations) was used to assess the sows' reaction towards a stockperson handling the piglets around day 4 pp (closed crates). With the Towel Test (TT; 2846 observations), the reaction of sows to a novel object and an unexpected situation was assessed. The Trough Cleaning Test (TCT; 2805 observations) described the sows' response to common procedures such as trough cleaning. TT and TCT were conducted on days 3 pp (closed crates) and 10 pp (open crates). Variance components of behavioural traits were estimated univariately with a linear animal model, and genetic correlations between traits were derived using a multivariate animal model in ASreml 3.0. Most sows showed no or only a slight reaction to human interactions without attempting to attack them. However, a strong defensive reaction of sows was recorded in 4.0% (TCT), 4.5% (TT), and 10.7% (DAT) of observations. This behaviour of sows was observed more frequently in the open than in the closed pen system. Estimates of heritabilities (h2 ± SE) were h2 = 0.17 ± 0.05 for behaviour of sows towards humans (DAT), h2 = 0.19 ± 0.04 for response of sows towards unexpected situations (TT), and h2 = 0.13 ± 0.04 for reactions of animals to TCT. Genetic correlations (rg ± SE) ranged from rg = 0.59 ± 0.37 between TT and TCT to rg = 0.77 ± 0.30 between TT and DAT. Our results show that the developed tests are suitable for assessing the behaviour of sows towards humans. Behavioural traits derived from these tests could be used as new phenotypes for the genetic selection of gentle and easy-to-handle sows. The genetic correlations of all tests studied were positive indicating related reaction patterns.

Non-destructive estimation of the intramuscular fat content of the longissimus muscle of pigs by means of spectral analysis of ultrasound echo signals.

The eating quality of porcine meat is supposed to increase with increasing intramuscular fat content (IMF). The aim of this study was to investigate the use of acoustic parameters obtained by spectral analysis of ultrasound echo signals to non-destructively predict intramuscular fat content of porcine longissimus muscle. Ultrasound is regarded as a promising non-destructive technique to characterize tissue. Ultrasound data acquisition was performed at slaughter with a clinical B-mode device equipped with a 3.5 MHz center-frequency transducer on 115 warm carcasses about 45 min postmortem. Acoustic parameters quantifying attenuation, backscattering and cepstral structure were calculated off-line from the recorded primary raw ultrasound echo signals. Their relationship to IMF content was investigated. IMF level significantly influenced powerspectrum amplitudes and backscatter parameters. With partial least-squares regression (PLS), the IMF content could be predicted with root mean standard error of prediction RMSEP of 0.36% IMF. The ultrasound parameters were able to correctly classify nearly 80% of the carcasses into HIGH and LOW level class, respectively. Results indicate the potential use of ultrasound spectral analysis for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of pig carcasses in order to estimate the IMF content.

Mitochondrial function in turkey skeletal muscle--impact on meat quality.

1. M. iliotibialis (MIT) and M. pectoralis (MP) of the BUT Big 6 and Kelly BBB turkey were characterised with respect to physical properties, mitochondrial function, metabolic state, morphology and meat quality. 2. Mitochondrial enzyme activity and respiration rates in MP declined with increasing age while glycolytic enzyme activity remained nearly constant. 3. There were no major differences between BUT Big 6 and Kelly BBB with respect to histological, histochemical or biochemical variables. In spite of the greater adult weight of BUT Big 6, body proportion was equal in both strains. 4. In agreement with the histochemical findings MIT showed higher oxidative capacities, while glycolytic enzyme activity was higher in MP. 5. Pyruvate was the best substrate for oxidative phosphorylation in MIT, but not in MP. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity was up to 15 times less in MP and blood lactate was correlated with intramuscular pH. 6. Turkey breast muscle was restricted in its ability to oxidise pyruvate, especially in those animals that tended to develop intramuscular acidosis post mortem. 7. It is concluded that the in vivo metabolic environment results in acidosis and impaired meat quality, at least in turkey M. pectoralis.

Atypical Behçet's syndrome in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome.

We report the case of a 67-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), who presented with fever, painless penile and groin ulcers, as well as oral and esophageal ulcerations, all of which were exquisitely responsive to corticosteroids. Some cases of Behçet's syndrome and MDS have been reported in association with trisomy 8 and HLA B51, with the pathology varying from vasculitis to acute neutrophilic inflammation. Our patient with orogenital ulcers had neither trisomy 8 nor HLA B51. Also lacking were other features typical of Behçet's syndrome, such as uveitis, vasculitis, and central nervous system abnormalities. However, his response to corticosteroids on the initial presentation and subsequent episodes was dramatic. Esophageal ulcerations have not been described in Behçet's syndrome. In this respect, our patient was unique.

Castleman's disease and superior vena cava thrombi: a rare presentation and a review of the literature.

Castleman's disease is a clinicopathological entity in which growth of lymphoid tissue is unregulated. It may present as asymptomatic involvement of one lymph node group or as a multicentric disease with systemic symptoms. Unlike localized disease, for which surgical excision is curative regardless of the histological type, multicentric disease often necessitates aggressive systemic therapy and portends a poor outcome. Superior vena caval thrombosis is an uncommon manifestation associated with Castleman's disease.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with clopidogrel administration: case report and brief review.

Clopidogrel has replaced ticlopidine (in the United States but not worldwide). Clopidogrel can either be used independently or in combination with other antiplatelet agents. Clopidogrel has a lower frequency of associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura than ticlopidine, a lower rate of neutropenia, and better gastrointestinal tolerance. We describe a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with the use of clopidogrel after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement. Discontinuation of the drug and transfusion of 17 units of cryodepleted plasma resulted in resolution of the hematological abnormalities. Clinicians should be alert to this adverse effect of clopidogrel and monitor platelet counts in patients receiving it.

Elevated serum CA 125 and adnexal mass mimicking ovarian carcinoma in a patient with tuberculous peritonitis.

A 49 year old woman presented with weight loss, diffuse abdominal pain and distension, low grade fever, massive ascites, and an increased serum CA 125 value. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis and ultrasonography of the pelvis were suggestive of ovarian carcinoma. Exploratory laparotomy revealed massive ascites; diffuse peritoneal studding of numerous 1- to 2-mm implants in the bowel, omentum and abdominal wall; a cystic adnexal mass; and indurated head of the pancreas. Histopathological examination of several implants showed multiple epitheloid granulomata with rare central necrosis. The patient responded well to antituberculous therapy.

Direct-to-consumer drug marketing: public service or disservice?

Pharmaceutical industry spending on direct-to-consumer advertising has been increasing rapidly. While the primary goal of direct-to-consumer advertising is to sell drugs, supposed secondary goals include patient education and improved health. However, these benefits of direct-to-consumer advertising are unproved. Moreover, such advertising may create unnecessary tension between the patient and the patient's physician and insurer, and may divert physicians' efforts away from important patient concerns, and toward marketing-generated discussions. On the other hand, direct-to-consumer advertising may lead to patient-doctor encounters that would not have occurred otherwise. Direct-to-consumer advertising should be modified to unambiguously benefit the health-care interests of consumers and patients.

Wernicke's encephalopathy in a non-alcoholic man: case report and brief review.

Wernicke's encephalopathy, a serious neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, is most commonly found in chronic alcoholics. We present a typical case of Wernicke's encephalopathy in a non-alcoholic man. Our patient presented with altered mental status, slurred speech, fever, vomiting and headache of one-week duration. An infectious etiology of the symptoms was ruled out by spinal fluid cultures. The patient improved dramatically within 24 hours of administration of thiamine.

Assisted reproduction: a Jewish perspective.

Judaism values medicine as a noble profession. Physicians are mandated by the Bible to heal, and those who are ill are obligated to seek healing from their physicians. In Jewish thought, infertility is considered an illness. Hence, in spite of many Jewish legal and ethical questions, assisted reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and surrogate motherhood, within certain limited circumstances, are viewed with favor by most current rabbinic authorities, provided the couple is unable to have a child in the normal manner and after standard medical or surgical interventions have failed.

Microscopic polyangiitis presenting as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: is anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody testing indicated?

We report a 55-year old woman with microscopic polyangiitis who presented with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 1 year later developed hematuria and proteinuria. She had a high serum level of perinuclear anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies. Renal angiogram was normal. The diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis was confirmed by renal biopsy, which showed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. The patient received immunosuppressive therapy and improved markedly. Consideration of small vessel vasculitis is important in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Human experimentation in Judaism.

The supreme value of human life, the sanctity of human life, and the obligation of patients to accept standard efficacious medical therapy are axiomatic Judaic principles. If a seriously and/or terminally ill patient has already received all standard treatments and is asked to consider experimental therapy that may prolong his or her life or may hasten death, he or she is allowed but not required to accept the treatment. Healthy people may volunteer to participate in research studies that involve little or no risk.

Reporting by physicians of impaired drivers and potentially impaired drivers. The Committee on Bioethical Issues of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Physicians routinely care for patients whose ability to operate a motor vehicle is compromised by a physical or cognitive condition. Physician management of this health information has ethical and legal implications. These concerns have been insufficiently addressed by professional organizations and public agencies. The legal status in the United States and Canada of reporting of impaired drivers is reviewed. The American Medical Association's position is detailed. Finally, the Bioethics Committee of the Medical Society of the State of New York proposes elements for an ethically defensible public response to this problem.