Effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids and rumen-protected methionine on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows

Our objective was to determine the effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (CLFAs) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on plasma concentrations of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (7 to 36) amide, and pancreatic hormones in lactating cows. Four Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a 4 by 4 Latin square experiment in each 2-wk period. Cows were fed corn silage-based diets with supplements of CLFAs (1.5% added on dry matter basis), RPM (20 g/d), CLFAs plus RPM, and without supplement. Jugular blood samples were taken from 1 h before to 2 h after morning feeding at 10-min intervals on day 12 of each period. CLFAs decreased dry matter intake, but RPM did not affect dry matter intake. Both supplements of CLFAs and RPM did not affect metabolizable energy intake and milk yield and composition. Plasma concentrations of NEFAs, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (T-Cho) were increased with CLFAs alone, but increases of plasma concentrations of TO and T-Cho were moderated by CLFAs plus RPM. Calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids increased plasma ghrelin concentration, and the ghrelin concentration with CLFAs plus RPM was the highest among the treatments. Plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and insulin were decreased with CLFAs, whereas adding RPM moderated the decrease of plasma glucagon concentration by CLFAs. These results indicate that the addition of methionine to cows given CLFAs increases plasma concentrations of ghrelin and glucagon associated with the decrease in plasma concentrations of TO and T-Cho

Surgery for Stage I Lung Cancer

The surgical outcome for 209 early lung cancers was clinically evaluated. 1) Most (93%) of Stage I cancers were composed of pT1N0 and pT2N0 while 6.3 % was pT1N0. 2) Even in early cancer, nodal involvement and distant metastasis occurred and these related closely to their prognoses. 3) Reoperation should be indicated for recurrence with a 10 month or more time interval from the first operation and should be recommended, if possible. Advances in diagnostic technique for lung cancer have been achieved. As a consequence, early lung cancer has become clinically detected and the surgical curability has been improved with time. This study was undertaken to evaluate surgical treatment for stage I lung cancer patients

Risk factors for residual mitral regurgitation after aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and moderate mitral regurgitation

Objectives While it was reported that patients with residual moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) had a poorer prognosis than those without it, the risk factors for residual MR have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate risk factors for residual MR after SAVR. Methods Of the 222 patients who underwent isolated SAVR from 2001 to 2018, 33 (11 men; age: 74 +/- 7 years) had functional moderate MR before surgery. The risk factors for residual MR were evaluated by comparing patients with residual moderate MR (n = 11, 33%) with those who exhibited improved post-surgery MR (n = 22, 67%). Results The left atrial diameter was significantly larger in the residual MR group (51 +/- 7 mm) than in the improved MR group (46 +/- 5 mm; P = 0.049). The mean pressure gradient at the aortic valve was significantly smaller in the residual MR group (52 +/- 18 mmHg) than in the improved MR group (69 +/- 22 mmHg; P = 0.043). A ratio of left atrial diameter (mm) and mean aortic valve pressure gradient (mmHg) greater than 0.9 predicted residual MR with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 74% (area under the ROC curve: 0.779; P = 0.015). Conclusions In patients with severe aortic valve stenosis and moderate MR, a high ratio of preoperative left atrial diameter and mean aortic valve pressure gradient would be a parameter predicting residual moderate MR post-SAVR

Football team, University of Maryland, August 1989

University of Maryland football team photograph, August 1989