A comparison of bacterial growth inhibiting effects of six commercially available mouthrinses

In this study the bacterial growth inhibiting effects of six commercially available mouthrinses (Hibident® Prodent® Merocet® Listerine® Veadent® and Meridol® were determined. Hibident® was used as a positive control. Five strains were tested (Streptococcus mutans C67, Streptococcus sanguis CH3, Veillonella alcalescens V1, Lactobacillus acidophilus JP and Actinomyces viscosus C74), as representatives of the supragingival human microflora. The Maximal Inhibiting Dilution (MID) was measured in batch cultures for each product and strain. With respect to the positive control, Hibident® (containing 0.2 per cent chlorhexidine), the most effective product was Meridol® (containing 125 ppm aminefluoride 297 and 125 ppm stannous fluoride) followed by Merocet® (containing 0.05 per cent cetylpyridinium chloride), Veadent® (containing 0.03 per cent sanguinarine), Listerine® (containing phenolic compounds) and Prodent® (containing 0.5 per cent sodium fluoride). Although all products have been separately reported to yield a plaque reduction in vivo, this study provides a firm basis for a comparison between products, as they were all evaluated in a similar way.</p

Relationships between methane production and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cattle

There is a need to develop simple ways of quantifying and estimating CH4 production in cattle. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between CH4 production and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in order to use milk FA profiles to predict CH4 production in dairy cattle. Data from 3 experiments with dairy cattle with a total of 10 dietary treatments and 50 observations were used. Dietary treatments included supplementation with calcium fumarate, diallyldisulfide, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, extruded linseed, linseed oil and yucca powder. Methane was measured using open circuit indirect respiration calorimetry chambers and expressed as g/kg dry matter (DM) intake. Milk FA were analyzed by gas chromatography and individual FA expressed as a fraction of total FA. To determine relationships between milk FA profile and CH4 production, univariate mixed model regression techniques were applied including a random experiment effect. A multivariate model was developed using a stepwise procedure with selection of FA based on the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion. Dry matter intake was 17.7 ± 1.83 kg/day, milk production was 27.0 ± 4.64 kg/day, and methane production was 21.5 ± 1.69 g/kg DM. Milk C8:0, C10:0, C11:0, C14:0 iso, C15:0 iso, C16:0 and C17:0 anteiso were positively related (

O uso de nitrato com monensina não afeta o nível de metemoglobina no sangue de bovinos de corte alimentados com dietas de alto concentrado.

O uso de nitrato na nutrição de ruminantes vem se ampliando como estratégia para redução da emissão de metano entérico. Foram utilizados 10 animais mestiços com peso inicial de 237,4 ± 53,2 kg submetidos a duas dietas com nitrato adicionadas ou não de monensina. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue quantificadas para o teor de metemoglobina. Os níveis de metemoglobina atingiram 20,3% com o uso de nitrato, entretanto nenhum sintoma de intoxicação foi observado. Este estudo mostrou que a monensina em combinação com com nitrato não afeta o nível de metemoglobina no sangue de bovinos de corte alimentados com dietas de alto concentrado

Relationship between videofluoroscopic and subjective (physician- and patient- rated) assessment of late swallowing dysfunction after (chemo) radiation:Results of a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary (chemo)radiation (CHRT) for HNC may lead to late dysphagia. The purpose of this study was to assess the pattern of swallowing disorders based on prospectively collected objective videofluoroscopic (VF) assessment and to assess the correlations between VF findings and subjective (physician- and patient-rated) swallowing measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 189 consecutive HNC patients receiving (CH)RT were included. Swallowing evaluation at baseline and 6 months after treatment (T6) encompassed: CTCAE v.4.0 scores (aspiration/dysphagia), PROMs: SWAL QOL/ EORTC QLQ-H&N35 (swallowing domain) questionnaires and VF evaluation: Penetration Aspiration Scale, semi-quantitative swallowing pathophysiology evaluation, temporal measures and oral/pharyngeal residue quantification. Aspiration specific PROMs (aPROMs) were selected. Correlations between late penetration/aspiration (PA_T6) and: clinical factors, CTCAE and aPROMs were assessed using uni- and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of PA increased from 20% at baseline to 43% after treatment (p<0.001).The most relevant baseline predictors for PA_T6 were: PA_T0, age, disease stage III-IV, bilateral RT and baseline aPROM 'Choking when drinking' (AUC: 0.84). In general aPROMs correlated better with VF-based PA than CTCAE scores. The most of physiological swallowing components significantly correlated and predictive for PA (i.e. Laryngeal Vestibular Closure, Laryngeal Elevation and Pharyngeal Contraction) were prone to radiation damage. CONCLUSION: The risk of RT-induced PA is substantial. Presented prediction models for late penetration/aspiration may support patient selection for baseline and follow-up VF examination. Furthermore, all aspiration related OARs involved in aforementioned swallowing components should be addressed in swallowing sparing strategies. The dose to these structures as well as baseline PROMs should be included in future NTCP models for aspiration

Student midwives' perceptions on the organisation of maternity care and alternative maternity care models in the Netherlands - a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: A major change in the organisation of maternity care in the Netherlands is under consideration, going from an echelon system where midwives provide primary care in the community and refer to obstetricians for secondary and tertiary care, to a more integrated maternity care system involving midwives and obstetricians at all care levels. Student midwives are the future maternity care providers and they may be entering into a changing maternity care system, so inclusion of their views in the discussion is relevant. This study aimed to explore student midwives' perceptions on the current organisation of maternity care and alternative maternity care models, including integrated care. METHODS: This qualitative study was based on the interpretivist/constructivist paradigm, using a grounded theory design. Interviews and focus groups with 18 female final year student midwives of the Midwifery Academy Amsterdam Groningen (AVAG) were held on the basis of a topic list, then later transcribed, coded and analysed. RESULTS: Students felt that inevitably there will be a change in the organisation of maternity care, and they were open to change. Participants indicated that good collaboration between professions, including a shared system of maternity notes and guidelines, and mutual trust and respect were important aspects of any alternative model. The students indicated that client-centered care and the safeguarding of the physiological, normalcy approach to pregnancy and birth should be maintained in any alternative model. Students expressed worries that the role of midwives in intrapartum care could become redundant, and thus they are motivated to take on new roles and competencies, so they can ensure their own role in intrapartum care. CONCLUSIONS: Final year student midwives recognise that change in the organisation of maternity care is inevitable and have an open attitude towards changes if they include good collaboration, client-centred care and safeguards for normal physiological birth. The graduating midwives are motivated to undertake an expanded intrapartum skill set. It can be important to involve students' views in the discussion, because they are the future maternity care providers. (aut. ref.

How Immunocontraception Can Contribute to Elephant Management in Small, Enclosed Reserves: Munyawana Population as a Case Study

Immunocontraception has been widely used as a management tool to reduce population growth in captive as well as wild populations of various fauna. We model the use of an individual-based rotational immunocontraception plan on a wild elephant, Loxodonta africana, population and quantify the social and reproductive advantages of this method of implementation using adaptive management. The use of immunocontraception on an individual, rotational basis stretches the inter-calving interval for each individual female elephant to a management-determined interval, preventing exposing females to unlimited long-term immunocontraception use (which may have as yet undocumented negative effects). Such rotational immunocontraception can effectively lower population growth rates, age the population, and alter the age structure. Furthermore, such structured intervention can simulate natural process such as predation or episodic catastrophic events (e.g., drought), which regulates calf recruitment within an abnormally structured population. A rotational immunocontraception plan is a feasible and useful elephant population management tool, especially in a small, enclosed conservation area. Such approaches should be considered for other long-lived, social species in enclosed areas where the long-term consequences of consistent contraception may be unknown

Clinical effects of commercially available mouthrinses on the development of plaque, gingivitis and enamel surface free energy

In this study the clinical effects of 6 commercially available mouthrinses on the development of plaque and gingivitis and on the tooth surface free energy were evaluated in vivo. The following rinses were used: Hibident®(containing 0·2% chlorhexidine), Prodent®(containing 0·05% sodium fluoride) Meridol®(containing 125 ppm aminefluoride, 125 ppm stannous fluoride), Merocet®(containing 0·05% cetylpyridinium chloride), Veadent®(containing 0·03% sanguinarine) and Listerine®(containing several phenolic compounds). Sixty test persons were selected and requested to employ the same, non-fluoridated toothpaste over 14 days. At days 0 and 14, the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), planimetric plaque index (PP) and the tooth surface free energy were assessed. After this preparatory phase, all oral hygiene was stopped for 6 days and only a rinse twice a day (30 s, 10 ml was used). After this period, the above parameters were measured again. In addition, the microbial composition of the plaque was determined at the beginning (day 0) and the end of the study (day 20). Hibident®(incorporated in this study as a positive control) demonstrated the lowest PI after 6 days use, whereas Meridol®demonstrated the lowest GI. PI and GI scores were highest after the use of Prodent®(incorporated as a negative control). None of the products were able to alter the tooth surface free energy markedly or to cause great shifts in microbial composition of the plaque. Since in this study, 6 products were evaluated in an identical way, the results provide a rigorous basis for comparing their clinical efficacies.</p