Defining the value of prepartum propylene glycol administration in transition dairy cows [abstract]

Abstract only availableKetosis is a metabolic disease commonly found in dairy cattle within the transition period, from 21 days prior to calving (prepartum) through 21 days postpartum. When used prepartum, propylene glycol may have the ability to prevent ketosis and improve energy metabolism. A group of 27 Holstein dairy cows/heifers were blocked by lactation number and body condition score and randomly assigned to one of 3 treatments (TRT) to evaluate the effects of prepartum and/or postpartum drench of propylene glycol as an effective management strategy in preventing ketosis. The control group (TRT C), received 50 mL of water everyday throughout the transition period. Cows assigned to TRT A were dosed with 100 mL of propylene glycol per day only during the prepartum period. In the postpartum period TRT A received 50 mL of water per day. Treatment B was given 100 mL propylene glycol everyday throughout the entire transition period. Data collection encompassed a total of 42 days. Biweekly measurements were taken for body weight, body condition score, urine pH and ketones. Blood plasma was collected biweekly to analyze NEFA, ketone, and glucose levels. Milk weights were monitored daily with weekly samples taken to measure milk urea nitrogen, somatic cell, fat, and protein content. Data were analyzed as a repeated measurement using PROC MIXED procedures in SAS. The main plot contained effect of TRT and the subplot contained the effect of TRT x Time. There was no effect of TRT or TRT x Time on UK across all lactations. There was no effect of TRT or TRT x Time on NEFA levels in the first and third+ lactation cows. However, there was an effect of TRT and TRT x Time on NEFA levels in the second lactation group (TRT p=0.1, TRT x Time p=0.02) with NEFA LS means for TRT A, B, and C being 494, 355, and 353 uM/L respectively. Propylene glycol failed to beneficially alter energy metabolism as previously indicated.Dudley and Virgie Alexander Gif

Geographic distribution of Show Me Healthy Women providers and breast cancer incidence and mortality in Missouri counties [abstract]

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among US women. Regular mammography is the most effective method to reduce mortality. However, uninsured women face substantial barriers to receiving regular mammograms and paying for cancer treatment. The Show Me Healthy Women (SMHW) Program provides reimbursement to SMHW physicians for breast cancer screenings and treatment for their low-income patients.Enrollment in the SMHW program is voluntary. We describe the geographicdistribution of SMHW providers related to breast cancer incidence and mortality rates by county

Thermal status for different breeds of dairy cattle exposed to summer heat stress in a grazing environment [abstract]

Abstract only availableA study was conducted to investigate thermal balance of lactating dairy cattle managed in an intensive managed rotational grazing system. The farm was located at the University of Missouri Southwest Research Center in Vernon County, MO. Thirty six lactating dairy cows were blocked by parity, days in milk, milk production and breed. Cows were grouped by breed with 100% Holstein (H, n=8), 75%H:25% Jersey (J) (75H, n=5), 50%H:50%J (50H, n=8), 25%H:75%J (75J, n=7), and 100% J (J, n=8), and maintained on the same pastures from June 15 through August 1, 2006. Cows were rotated to paddocks to maintain ad libitum access to pasture. Ambient variables, including air temperature (Ta) and relative humidity, were measured continuously. Ranges of Ta and calculated THI were 12 to 38C and 55 to 87, respectively. Thermal balance was evaluated prior to morning (0500) and afternoon (1600) milkings by measuring rectal temperature (Tre) and respiration rate (RR) on 16 days throughout the study during periods of maximum and minimum heat stress. Breed groups had different body weights (p < 0.0001) ranging from 530 kg (H) to 378 (J). However, body weight was similar for 75J and 75H (460 kg versus 501 kg, respectively). Although body weights were different across breed, combined change in rectal temperature with Ta (r = 0.89) and THI (r = 0.92) was predictable (p < 0.0001). Change in Tre with increasing Ta and THI was slowest for J and 75J, and highest for H and 75H. Change in Tre was influenced more by breed more than body weight. Respiration rate was correlated with Ta (r = 0.88) and THI (r = 0.89) (p < 0.0001), with 75J being more responsive than 75H. These results suggest that breed selection can be used to improve thermal balance of cows in intensively managed rotational grazing systems.CAFNR On Campus Research Internshi

Defects in cell spreading and ERK1/2 activation in fibroblasts with lamin A/C mutations

AbstractIn-frame mutations in nuclear lamin A/C lead to a multitude of tissue-specific degenerative diseases known as the ‘laminopathies’. Previous studies have demonstrated that lamin A/C-null mouse fibroblasts have defects in cell polarisation, suggesting a role for lamin A/C in nucleo-cytoskeletal-cell surface cross-talk. However, this has not been examined in patient fibroblasts expressing modified forms of lamin A/C. Here, we analysed skin fibroblasts from 3 patients with Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and from 1 with dilated cardiomyopathy. The emerin–lamin A/C interaction was impaired in each mutant cell line. Mutant cells exhibited enhanced cell proliferation, collagen-dependent adhesion, larger numbers of filopodia and smaller cell spread size, compared with control cells. Furthermore, cell migration, speed and polarization were elevated. Mutant cells also showed an enhanced ability to contract collagen gels at early time points, compared with control cells. Phosphotyrosine measurements during cell spreading indicated an initial temporal lag in ERK1/2 activation in our mutant cells, followed by hyper-activation of ERK1/2 at 2 h post cell attachment. Deregulated ERK1/2 activation is linked with cardiomyopathy, cell spreading and proliferation defects. We conclude that a functional emerin–lamin A/C complex is required for cell spreading and proliferation, possibly acting through ERK1/2 signalling

Rethinking the patient: using Burden of Treatment Theory to understand the changing dynamics of illness

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt; In this article we outline Burden of Treatment Theory, a new model of the relationship between sick people, their social networks, and healthcare services. Health services face the challenge of growing populations with long-term and life-limiting conditions, they have responded to this by delegating to sick people and their networks routine work aimed at managing symptoms, and at retarding - and sometimes preventing - disease progression. This is the new proactive work of patient-hood for which patients are increasingly accountable: founded on ideas about self-care, self-empowerment, and self-actualization, and on new technologies and treatment modalities which can be shifted from the clinic into the community. These place new demands on sick people, which they may experience as burdens of treatment.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Discussion&lt;/b&gt; As the burdens accumulate some patients are overwhelmed, and the consequences are likely to be poor healthcare outcomes for individual patients, increasing strain on caregivers, and rising demand and costs of healthcare services. In the face of these challenges we need to better understand the resources that patients draw upon as they respond to the demands of both burdens of illness and burdens of treatment, and the ways that resources interact with healthcare utilization.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Summary&lt;/b&gt; Burden of Treatment Theory is oriented to understanding how capacity for action interacts with the work that stems from healthcare. Burden of Treatment Theory is a structural model that focuses on the work that patients and their networks do. It thus helps us understand variations in healthcare utilization and adherence in different healthcare settings and clinical contexts

Parental views on special educational needs provision : cross-syndrome comparisons in Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorders

BACKGROUND: The current study examined parents' views about their child's educational provision for children with Williams syndrome (WS), Down syndrome (DS), and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). AIMS: This cross-syndrome comparison explored the specific and general difficulties that parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience about their child's educational provision. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parents of children aged 4-18;11 years old, including 99 with WS, 88 with DS, and 82 with ASD completed a survey. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Children with DS were more likely to access mainstream settings and 1-to-1 support compared to those with WS and ASD. Parental satisfaction was lowest for those with ASD but all parents mentioned concerns about professionals' knowledge of how to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There were also group differences for access to specialist support but overall access to occupational therapy and mental health was low. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In contrast to previous studies, educational provision and satisfaction with educational provision are syndrome-specific. These results also highlight the need for training and raising awareness about the specific needs of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, our findings suggest improved communication between parents and the school is required about the type of support children with SEND are receiving

A Systematic Comparison of Antimicrobial Wound Dressings using a Planktonic Cell and an Immobilised Cell Model. Kamran

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of in-vitro planktonic and immobilised cell models for determining the antimicrobial efficacy of common antimicrobial wound dressings. Methods and Results: Five strains of A.baumannii , P.aeruginosa and S. aureus (MRSA) were tested against four antimicrobial wound dressings containing silver, honey or PHMB, using both a planktonic and immobilised cell model. Across all species and models used, the NSCD demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity being as good if not better than all the other dressings. The planktonic cell model was less effective at differentiating the dressings on antimicrobial performance as the immobilised cell model indicating that a diffusion barrier had a significant impact on the performance of some dressings. In the presence of the diffusion barrier antimicrobial impact of the Honey and PHMB dressings was significantly reduced particularly in the case of A. baumannii. Activity was at least an order of magnitude lower in the immobilised cell model vs. the planktonic cell model. Conclusions: The use of a planktonic cell model within standard tests may overestimate the efficacy of honey and PHMB. The use of an immobilised cell model provides a more demanding test for antimicrobial dressings allowing dressing to dressing and pathogen to pathogen differences to be more clearly quantified. Significance and Impact of study: The introduction of planktonic and immobilised cell models as part of testing regimens for wound dressings will provide a more thorough understanding of their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties