Effects of saturated fatty acids with lysophospholipids on production and nutrient digestibility in lactating cows

The objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of supplemental saturated fatty acid (SFA) sources, lysophospholipids (LPL), and their interaction on production and nutrient digestibility in lactating dairy cows. The experiment was conducted with 48 cows in a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked (total 12 blocks) by parity and days in milk and randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments in each block (2 × 2 factorial arrangement), i.e., 2 sources of fat supplements, C16:0 (palmitic acid, PA)- or C18:0 (stearic acid, SA)-enriched fat, with or without LPL. The experiment was conducted for 6 wk to measure daily dry matter intake and milk yield and weekly milk composition. During the last week of the experiment, spot fecal and urine samples were collected to determine total-tract nutrient digestibility. Milk samples in the last week were also collected to analyze for milk fatty acid (FA) profile. All data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS where block was used as a random effect and FA, LPL, and the interaction of FA by LPL were used as fixed effects. Week and interactions of week by FA or LPL were included for production measures. Different sources of SFA did not affect dry matter intake and milk yield. However, PA increased (39.7 vs. 36.8 kg) energy-corrected milk compared with SA due to increased milk fat yield. No effect of LPL on production measures was observed. Total-tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and total FA were not different between PA and SA, but PA increased (41.4 vs. 38.8%) neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with SA. Supplementation of LPL increased (64.7 vs. 60.5%) total FA digestibility, especially 18-carbon FA (74.1 vs. 68.2%). An interaction of SFA by LPL was found for 16-carbon FA digestibility. The PA diet increased the concentration of 16-carbon FA in milk fat and SA increased the concentration of preformed FA (≥18 carbons). Supplementation of LPL decreased the concentration of trans-10 C18:1. No difference in N utilization and excretion among treatments was observed. In conclusion, PA was more effective in improving milk fat yield of lactating cows compared with SA. Supplementation of LPL increased digestibility of total FA, especially 18-carbon FA but did not affect production.

Long-term results of a randomised trial of short-course low-dose adjuvant pre-operative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: reduction in local treatment failure

A prospective randomised multicentre trial compared pre-operative radiotherapy followed by surgery with surgery alone for rectal cancer < or = 12 cm from the anal verge. Of 468 patients (mean age 67 years, range 31-94, 273 males) who met the entry criteria, 228 were randomised to radiotherapy (3 x 5 Gy over 5 days within 2 days of operation) followed by surgery, and 239 to surgery alone. Randomisation was unknown in 1 patient. Follow-up to death or 5 years was achieved in 454 (97%) patients. 31 (7%) of the 468 patients died within 30 days of operation (radiotherapy and surgery 21 [9%], surgery alone 10 [4%]; P < 0.05). Cardiovascular and thromboembolic complications were more common after radiotherapy and surgery (30, 13%) than after surgery alone (8, 3%; P < 0.005). Of the 280 patients who had curative surgery, 52% of those who had radiotherapy and surgery and 56% of those who had surgery alone survived 5 years (P = 0.88). 395 patients attended outpatients clinics at least once. Local treatment failure was identified during follow-up in 82 patients [31/185 (17%) radiotherapy and surgery; 51/210 (24%) surgery alone; P < 0.05]. It occurred in 33 of the 258 patients who had a curative resection and attended outpatients [radiotherapy and surgery, 11/120 (9%), surgery alone, 22/138 (16%); P = 0.08]. Long-term survival was unaffected, but long-term local recurrence was reduced by the addition of low-dose radiotherapy to surgery. Peri-operative mortality was, however, increased.

Ivalon (polyvinyl alcohol) sponge in the repair of complete rectal prolapse

One hundred and fifty cases of complete rectal prolapse have been operated on using an Ivalonspong implant, the first case being over 13 years ago. Seventy per cent of the patients were over the age oof 60 years. The operation has a low mortality- and morbidity-rate. Repair using Ivalon sponge was 96 per cent successful in the cure of complete prolapse and the methood apears to stand the test of time well.

Chagas disease of the colon and rectum

Chagas disease is a rare condition in patients anywhere but in Central and Latin America. This case is therefore reported because the patient was born in Britain and spent only a short time in an area where Chagas disease is endemic. It is believed that this patient is the first case of Chagas disease to be treated in Britain. Chagas disease causes a generalized degeneration of autonomic ganglia and usually presents as megaoesophagus or megacolon. The disease may also cause the heart to enlarge followed by cardiac failure.

The syndrome of the descending perineum

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