Farrowing hut design and sow genotype (Camborough-15 vs 25% Meishan) effects on outdoor sow and litter productivity

Performance measures were evaluated for 125 outdoor sows and litters of two crossbred genotypes (Camborough-15 and 25% Meishan) and in two farrowing hut designs (American-style and English-style hut). Contemporary breeding groups of second-parity sows were evaluated in an intensive, outdoor research unit. Sow genotype and hut designs were arranged factorially. Seven complete blocks were evaluated over a 21-wk period. No interactions between environment and genotype were identified for sow and litter productivity. Litters farrowing in the English-style huts weaned 1.5 more (P < .05) piglets per sow (because of a lower preweaning mortality, P = .05) than did litters in the American-style huts. The 25% Meishan weaned 1.7 more (P < .01) pigs per sow than Camborough-15, because of a greater number of piglets born alive. The effects of hut style and genotype were additive and 25% Meishan sows in English-style huts weaned an average (+/- SEM) of 11.1 +/- .83 piglets per sow. The English-style arc hut design may improve outdoor pig production and increase competitiveness of the intensive, outdoor system. The 25% Meishan genotype has potential for increased pigs weaned per litter that must be considered in light of other features of this genotype such as body composition.

Behavioral, endocrine, immune, and performance measures for pigs exposed to acute stress

Weanling pigs (n = 132) were used to investigate the effects of three common stressors (and a control) and differing social status on behavior, immunity, plasma cortisol, blood chemical, and performance measures. Eleven blocks of 12 pigs each were evaluated. Each pen contained three pigs of dominant (DOM), intermediate (INT), or submissive (SUB) social status. Two weeks later, random pens of pigs experienced either a control treatment (CON) or they were stressed for 4 h by shipping (SHIP), heat-stressed (HEAT) with overhead heat lamps in their home pens, or cold-stressed (COLD) by direct application of water and an air current. Treatments did not influence body weights; however, percentage weight loss during SHIP was greater than for other treatments. Body weights were heavier for DOM pigs than for INT and SUB pigs. Social status had large effects on plasma cortisol, globulin, acute-phase proteins, body weight, and weight changes. Only acute shipping stress resulted in weight loss. Many immune and blood measures were not changed among acutely stressed pigs; however, the relationship between social status and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and natural killer cell cytotoxicity was disrupted during acute stress. Pig behavior was significantly changed by each stress treatment in a unique manner. During acute stress, behavioral changes seem to be the most consistent and reliable indicators.

Characteristics of cerumen in diabetic patients: a key to understanding malignant external otitis?

Malignant externa otitis is a potentially fatal disease in diabetic and other immunocompromised patients. Cerumen contains defense properties that protect the patient against infection. We tested the hypothesis that patients with diabetes mellitus have abnormalities in their cerumen that affect the environment of their external auditory canals and may predispose them to malignant externa otitis.

Teaching standard agricultural practices that are known to be painful

Animal science faculty teach, demonstrate, and ask students to perform procedures that are known to be painful. Potentially painful procedures include castration, branding, dehorning, ear notching, teeth clipping, beak trimming, comb and wattle removal, and tail docking. In each case, the degree of pain experienced by an animal is generally not known. Furthermore, the consequences of animals having to endure pain are also not fully understood. A survey was conducted of animal science faculty to identify current departmental policies and practices related to castration in beef and swine production classes. Departments vary in what they require of students. Departments should set a policy to address 1) which (and how) potentially painful procedures are taught and 2) how the faculty deal with students who refuse to participate in putatively painful procedures. The institutional animal care and use committee should approve potentially painful teaching procedures after instructor and department have concluded that teaching such procedures is essential to a complete educational experience.

5-Acyl-3-substituted-benzofuran-2(3H)-ones as potential antiinflammatory agents

A series of 5-acyl-3-substituted-benzofuran-2(3H)-ones and their respective ring-opened o-hydroxy acids were synthesized. The antiinflammatory activity was evaluated in terms of their ability to improve adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Their effect on the production of both cyclooxygenase (CO) and lipoxygenase (LO) metabolites of arachidonic acid in guinea pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) was also examined. No correlation between the antiinflammatory activity and increasing stability of the lactones could be found. The degree of activity in general shown by the benzofuranones was similar to that of their corresponding o-hydroxy acids. This, coupled with the evidence from studies on opening of the lactone ring, suggests an in vivo transformation of the former into the latter. Benzofuranones displayed a dual inhibition of CO and LO products, while a moderate reduction in CO metabolites was shown by their acids.

Potential antiinflammatory compounds. 1. Antiinflammatory phenylpiperidine derivatives

The syntheses of a number of amines and their derivatives, based on the phenylpiperidine nucleus, are described. Their activities on the rat paw carrageenan test are also reported. Activities comparable to that of phenylbutazone were obtained for some of the amines, notably 4-piperidino-beta-methylphenethylamine.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of some 2-heteroaryl-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acids

The syntheses of eight of the title compounds are described. The compounds possessed activity comparable with that of the previously tested 2-substituted phenyl analogs in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test.

2-aryl-5-benzoxazolealkanoic acid derivatives with notable antiinflammatory activity

The synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of 5-substituted 2-arylbenzoxazoles are described. Initial screening on carrageenin-induced rat paw edema showed that alpha-methylacetic substitution in the 5 position was preferable to substitutions with the equivalent esters, amides, alcohols, amines or tetrazoles. Halogen substitution in the aryl ring led to the most active compounds which were 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (14) and 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (29). These compounds were three to five times more active than phenylbutazone as assessed from ED30 values determined on rat paw edema 5 hr after single oral doses.