α-tocopherol and β-carotene in forages and their utilisation by dairy cows in organic production

There are large variations in α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and β-carotene (pro-vitamin A) concentrations in forages. α-Tocopherol and β-carotene are antioxidants and important for the health and fertility of cows. This thesis investigated the effects of site, year, forage species, cutting date, wilting and ensiling technique on α-tocopherol and β-carotene concentrations in forage. Utilisation of vitamins E and A in dairy cows was also studied. Different grass-legume mixtures of the forage species birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, timothy and meadow fescue were sown at two sites in Sweden; Skara in the south and Umeå in the north. The mixtures were harvested at three occasions in the spring growth. At an additional site in Denmark, perennial ryegrass was used instead of meadow fescue. White clover was also included in Denmark and forages were harvested in a four-cut system. Vitamin analysis was performed on forage species from all mixtures and cutting dates. Silages treated with acid or bacterial inoculant were compared to untreated silages from a regrowth of forage mixtures in Skara. Dairy cows were offered a high daily dose of esterified natural vitamin E during the transition period (E) and were compared to cows without supplementation (C). Concentrations of α-tocopherol, β-carotene and retinol were measured in the blood and milk during lactation. Forages grown at Skara generally had higher vitamin concentrations than forages grown at Umeå. Differences between years were smaller. Birdsfoot trefoil generally had higher vitamin concentrations than red clover, whereas differences between grasses were more inconsistent. Cutting date had less effect at Umeå than Skara, irrespective of leaf blade proportion and developmental stage. In Denmark, numerical differences indicate that vitamin concentrations were higher in the fourth harvest than in earlier harvests, which was possibly a seasonal effect. The α-tocopherol concentration in the mixture with birdsfoot trefoil increased during ensiling and was higher in silages with birdsfoot trefoil than in silages with red clover. Inoculant-treated silage with red clover had higher α-tocopherol content than untreated silage with red clover. The E cows had higher concentrations of α-tocopherol in the blood than the C cows, when the supplement was offered. No effects of treatment on vitamin concentrations in blood were found later in the lactation. Treatment effects on vitamin concentrations in milk were affected by the vitamin concentration of the forage

α-Tocopherol and β-Carotene Concentrations in Legume-Grass Mixtures as Affected by Wilting and Ensiling

Fresh or preserved forage is the largest source of natural α-tocopherol and β-carotene for dairy cows. Plant species, wilting and method of preservation can affect the vitamin content of forage and, consequently, have a large impact on the concentrations of these vitamins in plasma of dairy cows (Agabriel et al.2007). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of species mixture, wilting, ensiling and additive on the contents of α-tocopherol and β-carotene in legume-grass forages

Comparison of Fish, Krill and Flaxseed as Omega-3 Sources to Increase the Omega-3 Index in Dogs

Simple Summary For pets, as for humans, dietary inclusion of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids is recommended for disease prevention and improved health. However, many diets for dogs do not contain sufficient amounts of these fatty acids and fall short of achieving high blood omega-3 levels. This is reflected in the diagnostic health tool called Omega-3 Index (O3I). In this study, O3I levels were measured at baseline in 45 dogs fed a commercial premium diet and compared to O3I levels reached when the dogs were fed with diets containing different omega-3 sources at low inclusion levels, i.e., fish meal/oil, flaxseed cake and krill meal. After four weeks of treatment, the data showed that the highest O3I increase was observed in the 3% krill meal group, accompanied by the lowest arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid ratio as a measure for immunomodulatory effects. Hence, by using the O3I, this study provides an option for dog owners to measure the impact their pet food has on their dogs' health and if needed, how to adjust it with the right omega-3 supplement. (1) Background: it is only the longer chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) and not the shorter chain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) that have been linked to health benefits. (2) Methods: 45 dogs divided into three groups were first given premium dry food for 38 days (baseline). The O3I was then used as a diagnostic tool to provide a measure of the sum of EPA + DHA in red blood cell membranes given as a percentage of all fatty acids. The dogs were subsequently fed with either krill meal (krill), fishmeal/oil (fish) or flaxseed cake (flax) included in raw food providing daily 416 mg EPA + DHA (971 mg ALA), 513 mg EPA + DHA (1027 mg ALA) and 1465 mg ALA (122 mg EPA + DHA), respectively. (3) Results: the average baseline O3I level of all dogs was low (1.36%), warranting n-3 supplementation. After four weeks, O3I levels were significantly increased in the krill (from 1.36 +/- 0.44 to 2.36 +/- 0.39%) and fish (from 1.35 +/- 0.22 to 1.9 +/- 0.35%) groups (p < 0.001). No significant modification of the O3I was detected in the flax animals. (4) Conclusions: only marine n-3 PUFAs resulted in a significantly increased O3I, with dietary krill meal providing the highest increase

Etiology of facial fractures in elderly Finns during 2006-2007

Objective. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the trauma mechanisms and resulting facial fractures in geriatric patients and to compare them with those of younger adults. Study Design. A cohort of 117 geriatric patients was compared with 136 patients aged 20 to 50 years. The statistical significance of differences between the age groups was evaluated with c2 tests. Results. Falls on the ground were significantly more frequent among geriatric patients (P < .001), whereas assault was more frequent in controls (P < .001). Accident rates in geriatric patients were significantly higher during the winter months (P = .04). Fractures of the midface in general (P = .001) and of the nasal bone (P = .004) and orbit (P = .015) in particular were more frequent in geriatric patients. Conclusions. Age-related factors and preexisting medical problems predispose the elderly to falls and subsequent fractures. Footwear traction devices are recommended during the cold season. Orbital fractures should be strongly suspected in the elderly.Tutkimuksen tarkoitus on selvittää millä vammamekanismilla ja minkä tyyppisiä kasvomurtumia geriatriset potilaat saavat, sekä verrata löydöksiä nuorten aikuisten kasvomurtumalöydöksiin Tutkimukseen kerättiin 117 ikääntynyttä (ikä vähintään 65 -vuotta) ja 136 nuorta (ikä 20 – 50 -vuotta) kasvomurtumapotilasta. Tulosten ja ryhmien välistä tilastollista eroavaisuutta arvioi-tiin Chin-neliötestillä. Tutkimustuloksina todettiin että geriatrisen potilaan kasvomurtuma syntyy tilastollisesti merkittävästi useammin kaatumisen seurauksena, kun taas nuorilla aikuisilla välivalta on merkitsevästi yleisempää, (P < .001). Vammojen esiintyvyys oli huomattavasti korkeampi talvikuukausien aikana geriatrisilla potilailla kuin nuorilla aikuispotilailla, (P = .04). Keskikasvomurtumat (P = .001) ja erityisesti nenäluun (P = .004) sekä silmäkuopan (P = .015) -murtumat olivat tilastollisesti merkitsevästi yleisempiä ikääntyneillä kuin nuorilla aikuispotilailla. Yhteenvetona ikään liittyvät tekijät ja olemassa olevat perussairaudet altistavat vanhuspotilaan kaatumiselle ja sen seurauksena syntyville kasvomurtumille. Liukastumista estäviä kävelyvarusteita voidaan suosittaa kylminä vuodenaikoina kasvomurtumien estämiseksi. Potilaan tutkivan lääkärin tulisi epäillä vahvasti ja poissulkea erityisesti silmäkuopan murtumat ikääntyneellä kasvovammapotilaalla

Isolated Orbital Fractures Are Severe Among Geriatric Patients

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to clarify the reasons for, types of, and degree of involvement of the orbital wall and the severity of orbital fractures in geriatric patients and to compare the differences between geriatric and younger adult patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case-control study of geriatric patients aged at least 65 years (n = 72) and younger controls aged 20 to 50 years (n = 58) with a diagnosis of a unilateral isolated orbital fracture was designed and implemented. The main exposure was age, the primary outcome was the isolated orbital fracture type, and the secondary outcomes were the associated orbital zones, fracture area (cm(2)), degree of dislocation (mm), involvement of anatomic landmarks, diplopia, altered ocular position, restricted eyemovement, and ocular injuries. The confounding variables were gender, trauma mechanism, and alcohol abuse. The statistical methods included chi(2) tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Among the geriatric patients, the great majority of isolated orbital fractures had been caused by falls (66.7%; P Conclusions: Falling is the most common mechanism of elderly orbital fractures. Isolated orbital fractures are extensive and mainly affect the globe supporting the middle and posterior parts of the orbital floor among geriatric patients. (C) 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsPeer reviewe

Associated Injuries Are Frequent and Severe Among Geriatric Patients With Zygomatico-Orbital Fractures

Purpose: Associated injuries (AIs) are hypothesized to be frequent in geriatric zygomatico-orbital (ZMO) fractures. The study aim was to determine the relation between ZMO fractures and AIs in geriatric patients compared with younger adult patients. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case-and-control study was carried out on geriatric patients at least 65 years of age (n = 93) and younger adult patients 20 to 30 years of age (n = 68) diagnosed with pure unilateral ZMO fractures. The main exposure was age, the primary outcome was AI outside the face, and the secondary outcomes were type and severity of AI, ocular injuries, restriction of mandibular movement, and ZMO buttress asymmetry. The confounding variables were gender, trauma mechanism, type of ZMO fracture, and dislocation. Statistical analyses included chi(2) tests, risk evaluation with 2 x 2 tables, and logistic regression analysis. Results: AIs outside the face, and particularly brain injuries, were significantly more frequent in the geriatric group than in the control group (P <.001). The significant predictors of AIs outside the face were fall from a height (66.7%), motor vehicle accidents (66.7%), and absence of ZMO dislocation (59.5%; P <.001). The adjusted risk of brain injury was 2.5-fold in the absence of dislocation. The geriatric group had a more than 5-fold higher risk of brain injuries compared with the younger control group (P = .003). Conclusions: AIs in general, and particularly brain injuries, are frequent in geriatric ZMO fractures. Intra- cranial injuries should be ruled out, particularly in geriatric patients diagnosed with a non-dislocated ZMO fracture. (C) 2018 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsPeer reviewe

Variations an α-Tocopherol and β-Carotene Concentrations in Forage Legumes and Grasses Harvested at Different Sites and Maturity Stages

Forage is a major source of natural α-tocopherol and β-carotene for dairy cows. This study examined vitamin concentrations of birdsfoot trefoil (Bft), red clover (Rc), timothy (Ti) and meadow fescue (Mf) at different sites, years and cutting dates. Mixtures of Bft+Ti, Rc+Ti and Rc+Mf were established at Skara (58°21’N; 13°08’E) and Umeå (63°45’N; 20°17’E) in Sweden. First-year leys were cut on three occasions in spring (Umeå 2005, Skara 2005 and 2007); one week before heading of timothy, at heading and one week after heading. Birdsfoot trefoil had higher α-tocopherol concentration at Skara than at Umeå in the first two cuts in 2005 (66 vs. 27 and 50 vs. 36 mg/kg DM, respectively) and had generally higher concentration than Rc. α-Tocopherol concentrations of Bft and Rc were 32 vs. 17 and 50 vs. 25 mg/kg DM at Umeå and Skara 2005, respectively, averaged over cuts. At Skara, α-tocopherol concentration decreased with later cutting date of Bft and grasses (P \u3c 0.01). Birdsfoot trefoil had higher β-carotene concentration at Skara than at Umeå in 2005 (70 vs. 55 mg/kg DM) and higher concentration than Rc at Skara, when averaged over cuts (70 vs. 46 mg/kg DM in 2005 and 82 vs. 52 in 2007; P = 0.037). Grasses had higher α-tocopherol and β-carotene concentrations at Skara than at Umeå in 2005, when averaged over cuts (56 vs. 33 and 46 vs. 23 mg/kg DM; P \u3c 0.001). Interactions between site, species and cutting date affected α-tocopherol and β-carotene concentrations in forages

The increase of asthma prevalence has levelled off and symptoms decreased in adults during 20 years from 1996 to 2016 in Helsinki, Finland

Background: Mortality and hospitalization due to asthma have decreased in many European countries, but asthma symptoms still cause a lot of morbidity and costs. Objectives: We evaluated prevalence trends of asthma, asthma symptoms and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in adults aged 20-69 years during a 20-year period from 1996 to 2016 in the city of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Methods: Three cross-sectional postal surveys were conducted in random population samples 10 years apart. In 1996, 2006 and 2016, a total of 6062 (response rate 75.9%), 2449 (61.9%) and 4026 subjects (50.3%) took part, respectively. Results: In all responders, the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 6.6% in 1996, 10% in 2006 and 10.9% in 2016. The prevalence increased from 1996 to 2006, but stabilized from 2006 to 2016, both in men and women and in smokers and non-smokers. The prevalence of current asthma (8.5% in 2006 and 8.8% in 2016) and of asthma with rhinoconjunctivitis (7.6% in 2006 and 7.5% in 2016) remained also at the same level. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis decreased significantly from 2006 (42.7%) to 2016 (39.0%, p=0.004). Those with physician diagnosed asthma reported significantly less symptoms in 2016 compared to 2006 and 1996, although there was no change in smoking habits or medication use. Young asthmatics (20-29 years) without rhinoconjunctivitis reported least symptoms. Conclusion: Previously observed increase of physician-diagnosed asthma prevalence in adults seems to be levelling off in Helsinki, and patients have fewer symptoms than 20 years ago. In addition, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is less frequent than 10 years earlier. (247 words).Peer reviewe

Non-invasive genetic monitoring involving citizen science enables reconstruction of current pack dynamics in a re-establishing wolf population

Background: Carnivores are re-establishing in many human-populated areas, where their presence is often contentious. Reaching consensus on management decisions is often hampered by a dispute over the size of the local carnivore population. Understanding the reproductive dynamics and individual movements of the carnivores can provide support for management decisions, but individual-level information can be difficult to obtain from elusive, wideranging species. Non-invasive genetic sampling can yield such information, but makes subsequent reconstruction of population history challenging due to incomplete population coverage and error-prone data. Here, we combine a collaborative, volunteer-based sampling scheme with Bayesian pedigree reconstruction to describe the pack dynamics of an establishing grey wolf (Canis lupus) population in south-west Finland, where wolf breeding was recorded in 2006 for the first time in over a century. Results: Using DNA extracted mainly from faeces collected since 2008, we identified 81 individual wolves and assigned credible full parentages to 70 of these and partial parentages to a further 9, revealing 7 breeding pairs. Individuals used a range of strategies to obtain breeding opportunities, including dispersal to established or new packs, long-distance migration and inheriting breeding roles. Gene flow occurred between all packs but inbreeding events were rare. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that characterizing ongoing pack dynamics can provide detailed, locally-relevant insight into the ecology of contentious species such as the wolf. Involving various stakeholders in data collection makes these results more likely to be accepted as unbiased and hence reliable grounds for management decisions.Peer reviewe

"I didn't have to look her in the eyes"-participants' experiences of the therapeutic relationship in internet-based psychodynamic therapy for adolescent depression

Objective: To explore young people’s perceptions of the relationship with the therapist in internet-based psychodynamic treatment for adolescent depression. Method: As a part of a randomized controlled trial, 18 adolescents aged 15–19 were interviewed after participating in treatment. Interviews followed a semi-structured interview schedule and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings are reported around four main themes: “a meaningful and significant relationship with someone who cared”, “a helping relationship with someone who guided and motivated me through therapy”; “a relationship made safer and more open by the fact that we didn’t have to meet” and “a nonsignificant relationship with someone I didn’t really know and who didn’t know me”. Conclusion: Even when contact is entirely text-based, it is possible to form a close and significant relationship with a therapist in internet-based psychodynamic treatment. Clinicians need to monitor the relationship and seek to repair ruptures when they emerge. Trial registration:ISRCTN.org identifier: ISRCTN16206254