Differences between Belclare and Suffolk ewes in fertilization rate, embryo quality and accessory sperm number after cervical or laparoscopic artificial insemination.

Ewe breed has been shown to have a major effect on pregnancy rates following cervical AI using frozen-thawed semen. The main objective of this study was to examine the differences between purebred Belclare and Suffolk ewes (multiparous) in fertilization rate, number of accessory sperm and stage of embryo development on day 6 after cervical or laparoscopic AI with frozen-thawed semen. In experiment 1, Belclare and Suffolk ewes were synchronized for 12 days and were either cervically inseminated (year 1: n=28 and 31; year 2: n=16 and 15, respectively) or laparoscopically inseminated (year 2: n=13 and 14).

Descriptive study of peristomal complications.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess new ostomy patients for the presence of peristomal complications when they returned for their 2-month postoperative follow-up at a major university hospital.

Design: A prospective descriptive design was used.

Setting And Subjects: For 1 year, new ostomy patients were seen at a 540-bed university-based hospital.

Richard Lower, M.D., physician and surgeon (1631-1691).

Richard Lower (1631-1691) was a follower of William Harvey and conducted extensive studies of the physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. He employed surgery as a key component of his experimental work. He described and employed cardiac massage and maintained arterial oxygenation through positive-pressure respiration.

In vitro fertilization as a predictor of fertility from cervical insemination of sheep.

The objective of this study was to determine if the quality of frozen-thawed ram semen could be effectively evaluated through in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures prior to insemination as a means of improving pregnancy rate. In experiment 1, frozen semen from four Belclare rams was assessed using IVF and was used for cervical insemination of ewes (n = 181) in 13 pedigree Belclare flocks. There was a significant association between IVF score (proportion of oocytes cleaved at 48 h post insemination) and non-return rate (P < 0.

Hepcidin regulates cellular iron efflux by binding to ferroportin and inducing its internalization.

Hepcidin is a peptide hormone secreted by the liver in response to iron loading and inflammation. Decreased hepcidin leads to tissue iron overload, whereas hepcidin overproduction leads to hypoferremia and the anemia of inflammation. Ferroportin is an iron exporter present on the surface of absorptive enterocytes, macrophages, hepatocytes, and placental cells.

The molecular regulation of iron metabolism.

Mammalian iron homeostasis requires meticulous control of proteins involved in intestinal iron absorption and tissue iron management. Recent studies in animal models have provided important insights into iron physiology. This review describes our current understanding of the regulation of iron trafficking and its perturbation in genetic iron disorders.

Fertility in the ewe following cervical insemination with fresh or frozen-thawed semen at a natural or synchronised oestrus.

Artificial insemination (AI) in sheep is currently limited by the poor fertility obtained following non-surgical intracervical insemination of frozen-thawed semen. An exception to this general finding is the non-return rate of around 58% reported for large scale on-farm AI in Norway. The objective of the present study was to determine if similar results could be obtained under Irish conditions.

Exploratory celiotomy in 1474 AD: brief case report.

In 1474 ad a prisoner in Paris underwent an exploratory celiotomy to ascertain the cause of abdominal "colic." The patient recovered.

gammaE-crystallin recruitment to the plasma membrane by specific interaction between lens MIP/aquaporin-0 and gammaE-crystallin.

Purpose: Major intrinsic protein (MIP), also called aquaporin-0, is essential for lens transparency and is specifically expressed in the lens fiber cell membranes. The goal of the current study was to identify and characterize proteins that interact with MIP and to elucidate the role of these interactions in MIP functions.

Methods: The C-terminal 74-amino-acid fragment of MIP was used as bait to screen a rat lens cDNA yeast two-hybrid library.

Herd-level ELISA seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea antibodies in bulk-tank milk in Chilean dairy herds.

Our objective in this cross-sectional study was to determine the seroprevalence in 1996 of commercial dairy herds in central Chile positive to bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, by the detection of antibodies in bulk-tank milk samples. Samples were obtained from 501 dairy farms ( approximately 50,000 cows) from the Metropolitan, VI, VII and VIII regions of Chile. An indirect ELISA was used to detect BVD antibodies.

Two-year trends in the use of seclusion and restraint among psychiatrically hospitalized youths.

Objectives: This study examined characteristics associated with the use of seclusion and restraint among 442 psychiatrically hospitalized youths and sought to quantify changing trends in the rates of these modalities of treatment over time after the 1999 implementation of federal regulations and an institutional performance improvement program.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data related to all 5,929 incidents of seclusion and restraint that occurred during 2000 and 2001 at a child and adolescent state psychiatric hospital were analyzed.

Results: The two-year prevalence of use of seclusion was 61 percent and of restraint was 49 percent.

Epigenetic abnormalities associated with a chromosome 18(q21-q22) inversion and a Gilles de la Tourette syndrome phenotype.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a potentially debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder defined by the presence of both vocal and motor tics. Despite evidence that this and a related phenotypic spectrum, including chronic tics (CT) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), are genetically mediated, no gene involved in disease etiology has been identified. Chromosomal abnormalities have long been proposed to play a causative role in isolated cases of GTS spectrum phenomena, but confirmation of this hypothesis has yet to be forthcoming.

Cell-specific mitotic defect and dyserythropoiesis associated with erythroid band 3 deficiency.

Most eukaryotic cell types use a common program to regulate the process of cell division. During mitosis, successful partitioning of the genetic material depends on spatially coordinated chromosome movement and cell cleavage. Here we characterize a zebrafish mutant, retsina (ret), that exhibits an erythroid-specific defect in cell division with marked dyserythropoiesis similar to human congenital dyserythropoietic anemia.

The association between lameness, ovarian cysts and fertility in lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the association between lameness, ovarian cysts, and fertility in lactating dairy cows. Data analysis of historical records from a 3000 Holstein farm was conducted. Sixty-five cows that became lame within 30 days postpartum were used as cases, and 130 nonlame cows served as controls.

Risk of abortion associated with Neospora caninum during different lactations and evidence of congenital transmission in dairy cows.

Objective: To examine the relationship between exposure to Neospora caninum and abortion in dairy cows during their first, second, third, and fourth or later lactations and to establish the main mode of transmission in female calves from birth until their first pregnancy was terminated by abortion or parturition.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Animals: 460 Holstein cows and 79 female calves.

Protecting perineal skin integrity. Incontinent patients present unique challenges to successful skin care management.

Improve your understanding of the factors that contribute to perineal skin breakdown in incontinent patients and how to prevent or manage this condition.

The zebrafish mutant gene chardonnay (cdy) encodes divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1).

Iron is an essential nutrient required for the function of all cells, most notably for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Defects in the mechanisms of iron absorption, storage, or utilization can lead to disorders of iron-limited erythropoiesis or iron overload. In an effort to further understand these processes, we have used the zebrafish as a genetic system to study vertebrate iron metabolism.

Perineal skin care for the incontinent patient.

Purpose: To offer an educational experience that will help improve the participant's understanding of the factors that contribute to perineal skin breakdown in incontinent patients and how to prevent or manage this clinical problem.

Target Audience: This CME/CE activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in managing the perineal skin of incontinent patients.

Metabolic responses of transition Holstein cows fed anionic salts and supplemented at calving with calcium and energy.

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of plasma Ca, P, Mg, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and glucose in transition cows fed anionic salts prepartum and provided with calcium and energy supplements at calving. The study was conducted on a Florida Holstein dairy farm from November to December 1997. Treatments consisted of no treatment (n = 30); 60 g of Ca as calcium chloride, orally (n = 30); 110 g of Ca as calcium propionate 510 g plus 400 g of propylene glycol, orally (n = 30); two doses of 60 g of Ca as calcium chloride, one at calving and the second 24 h later, orally (n = 30); and 10 g of Ca as borogluconate, intravenously (n = 30).

Frequency of peristomal complications.

Practicing wound ostomy continence (WOC) nurses see peristomal complications in their ostomy patient population. The exact frequency and cause of these complications are unknown. Research into problems arising from prolonged use of ostomy appliances is lacking.

Quantitative swab culture versus tissue biopsy: a comparison in chronic wounds.

Soft tissue infection present a significant obstacle to the healing of chronic wounds. Historically, the gold standard for determining wound bacterial bioburden has been the quantitative tissue biopsy. Nevertheless, tissue biopsies are not universally used in today's healthcare setting.