Evaluation of the health status of mammary glands and compositional changes in udder-half milk obtained from dairy goats for milk quality management

This study evaluated the health status of the mammary glands and milk composition of dairy goats. The California mastitis test (CMT) score, somatic cell counts (SCCs), somatic cell type, electrical conductivity (EC), N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity, mastitis-causing pathogens, and milk composition in 121 udder-half milk samples from 62 crossbreed goats (1-3 years old) at 23-45 days postpartum were compared in four categories with SCCs of <200 × 10³ , <300 × 10³ , 301-1000 × 10³ , and >1010 × 10³  cells/ml. The SCC, CMT score, EC, and NAGase activity were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in udder-half milk with SCCs of <200 × 10³ and <300 × 10³  cells/ml than those in milk with SCCs of 301-1000 × 10³ and >1010 × 10³  cells/ml. The protein, lactose/ash, and solids-not-fat (SNF) in milk with an SCC of <300 × 10³  cells/ml were similar to the previously reported values. The proportion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in milk with SCCs of 301-1000 and >1010 × 10³  cells/ml than in milk with an SCC of <300 × 10³  cells/ml. Assessing mammary gland health and milk composition based on categorization of udder-half milk by SCC may be useful for milk quality control on goat farms.

Preventive Equipment for Urinary Incontinence: A Device Employing Lower Abdominal Impendance Changes

The object of this work was to develop a monitoring device for measuring the volume of urine in the bladder to signal, in advance, the need to urinate and thus help prevent urinary incontinence. A high-frequency electric current of 50 KHz transmitter was applied to a pair of terminals placed on the surface of a human body. The constant current was 2mA (p-p). A pair of voltage electrodes was placed in the path of the electric current to pick up high-frequency voltage signals. The best position for current electrodes was found to be on the surface of both femoral joints. Positioning the voltage electrode above the bladder on the lower abdomen was most efficient for detecting the volume of urine. New current electrodes sutured onto underpants were fitted on the surface above the femoral joints, which did not shift in the case of movement by the subjects. The reproducibility and stability were remarkably good with this electrode. The alarm level which foretold both maximum storage volume and maximum desire to void was examined. After that, when the alarm level was set within the range of impedance charge, 60% to 70%, the possibility of prediction of urination exists.

Crystallization of Silicon Ion Implanted LPCVD Amorphous Silicon Films for High Performance Poly-TFT

The mechanism of silicon ion implantation on the crystallization kinetics and the resulting grain sizes of LPCVD α-Si films have been studied by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The solid-phase crystallization was proceeded by random nucleation and growth from the Si/SiO2 interface. The most effective grain size enhancement was found by targeting the peak concentration of implanted siliconbeyond the Si/SiO2 interface, such that the maximum kinetic energy transfer occurred at that interface. The average grain size increases from ∼0.16 μm to ∼2.0 μm by a Si + implantation at 92KeV and a dose of 2X1015 cm-2 for 0.1 μm silicon film. X-ray diffraction intensities were analyzed to optimize implanting dose, beam current and energy for different film thickness. Grain size enhancement was achieved by retarding the random nucleation and increasing the nucleation activation barrier from ∼3.9eV to ∼4.9 eV for the implanted sample. The amorphous to crystalline growth activation barrier of ∼3.2 eV was not altered by Si+ implantation. The observed nucleation and growth kinetics change may be due to the chemical effect of the recoiled oxygen atoms from the substrate. The field-effect mobilities for both n- and p-channel TFTs increase by a factor of two with deep silicon implant.

Pulse dye densitometry using indigo carmine is useful for cardiac output measurement, but not for circulating blood volume measurement

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the validity of a newly developed pulse dye densitometer for indigo carmine for measuring cardiac output and circulating blood volume.

METHODS

Measurements of cardiac output and circulating blood volume were performed with the indigo carmine densitometer during normovolaemia, hypovolaemia and hypervolaemia in nine mongrel dogs under general anaesthesia. The validity was evaluated by comparison of the values of cardiac output and circulating blood volume obtained by the thermodilution technique and the 51Cr-labelled red blood cell method, respectively. We also examined indigo carmine removal by continuous veno-venous haemofiltration after indigo carmine injection.

RESULTS

There was good agreement between dye densitometer- and thermodilution-derived cardiac output (r = 0.885, P < 0.001). The bias and limits of agreement of these values were 0.09 and+/-1.07 L min(-1) (2 SD, n 22), respectively. The dye-densitometer-derived circulating blood volume was greater than that of the 51Cr-labelled red blood cell method, and both values showed weak agreement (r = 0.587, P < 0.027). The sieving coefficient of indigo carmine through continuous veno-venous haemofiltration was 0.34+/-0.06.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that indigo carmine densitometry is a reliable method for cardiac output determination, but it overestimates circulating blood volume, probably due to the transition of indigo carmine into the extravascular space in the systemic circulation.

[The anesthetic management of tracheal T-tube exchange using Patil-Syracuse mask]

We exchanged the tracheal T-tube inserted to a 17-year-old female, who wanted to be able to enunciate again, with relapsing polychondritis and difficulty in enunciation which the proximal end of tracheal T-tube above the false vocal cords was causing. The procedure was performed using Patil-Syracuse mask, without tracheal intubation, under-general anesthesia. This method will ensure precise length adjustment and correct placement of the T-tube under fiberoptic bronchoscope.

[Fiberoptic bronchoscopy-aided tracheal intubation using a patil-syracuse mask in a "can ventilate/cannot intubate" situation]

We could perform endotracheal intubation in three patients whose ventilation had been anticipated possible preoperatively but endotracheal intubation impossible, using a fiberoptic bronchoscope while ventilating via Patil-Syracuse mask. This method is an alternative in a "can ventilate/cannot intubate" situation.

Elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities in the sera and milk of cows with naturally occurring coliform mastitis

The presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activities was determined in milk and serum of cows with naturally occurring coliform mastitis (CFM). TNF-alpha was detected in the sera from 26 of 32 cows with CFM. TNF-alpha levels were higher in the sera than in the milk. IL-6 was high in the sera of surviving CFM animals, but was low in animals that died and in healthy controls. Furthermore, the mean level of IL-6 was 20-fold higher in the milk than in the sera of mastitic cows. The level of IL-6 in the serum was correlated to that in the milk in individual animals. The presence of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the sera appears to relate to severe clinical condition of CFM, in the milk whereas they may play a role in generating inflammation of the mammary gland.

Cardiac output and circulating blood volume analysis by pulse dye-densitometry

OBJECTIVE

Pulse dye-densitometry (PDD) is a newly developed method for monitoring the indocyanine green (ICG) concentration in an artery with which cardiac output (CO) and circulating blood volume (CBV) can be determined. We evaluated its accuracy for clinical use.

METHODS

In 7 patients under general anesthesia, ICG-sensitive optical probes (805 and 890 nm) were attached to a finger. Following injection of ICG, the arterial concentration of dye was recorded optically by the non-invasive test instrument and sampled arterial blood ICG concentration was also measured photometrically for comparison. In order to validate the PDD analysis, CO was also measured by both the dye dilution cuvette method and by thermodilution in 8 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting. In 30 other patients, CBV assessed by PDD was compared with its value estimated from body size.

RESULTS

The blood dye concentration correlated well with the values obtained by PDD (r = 0.953, p < 0.01). Mean bias for the test PDD CO was +0.15 +/- 0.72 min l-1 (not significant (n.s.)) compared with the cuvette method while the mean bias of the thermodilution method vs the cuvette method was +0.79 +/- 0.84 min l-1 (p < 0.0001.). The average value of CBV obtained by PDD was 3.81 +/- 1.39 L compared with that estimated value, 3.72 +/- 0.77 L (n.s.).

CONCLUSIONS

CO determined by PDD agrees well with cuvette densitometry, and somewhat less well with CO by thermodilution. The new method, by not requiring a pulmonary arterial catheter, is less invasive than either older method, and yields in addition a value of CBV.

Molecular characterization of the inhibitory myotropic peptide leucomyosuppressin

The myoinhibitory peptide leucomyosuppressin (LMS) (pQDVDHVFLRFamide) has been identified and characterized at the molecular level in the cockroach Diploptera punctata through analysis of the organization of both brain cDNA and genomic DNA. Processing of the precursor predicted from DNA sequence would release a single LMS peptide. The organization of the precursor appears to be conserved in other insects and may reflect a functional organization for this subfamily of extended FLRFamides. The expression of the LMS gene appears in numerous cells of the pars-intercerebralis of the cockroach protocerebellum as well as in numerous endocrine cells of the midgut.

Characterization of the gene for leucomyosuppressin and its expression in the brain of the cockroach Diploptera punctata

Using HPLC separation, radioimmunoassay, and subsequent bioassay, we have detected the presence of an active peptide, which co-elutes with the insect myoinhibitory peptide leuco-myosuppressin, in the brain of the cockroach Diploptera punctata. We have isolated a cDNA encoding the precursor for this peptide from cDNA libraries representing D. punctata brain RNA. The cDNA sequence contains an open reading frame that upon translation would result in a prepropolypeptide of 96 amino acids. Proteolytic cleavage of the predicted precursor could result in several peptides, including a 10 amino acid C-terminal peptide that would, upon modification of the NH2 and COOH-terminal amino acids, be identical to the insect FLRFamide, leucomyosuppressin. No other RFamide products are predicted to be processed from the precursor. Southern blot analysis indicates that the gene is present in the D. punctata genome in a single copy. Northern blot analysis shows that the gene is predominantly expressed as a 3.8 kb mRNA in cockroach brain. Study of the expression of the leucomyosuppressin gene in D. punctata brain, using in situ hybridization, indicates that expression occurs primarily in the pars intercerebralis of the protocerebrum, a region showing abundant FMRFamide-like immunoreactive neurosecretory cells. Immunohistochemistry and HPLC coupled to radioimmunoassay indicates that leucomyosuppressin represents a significant proportion of FMRFamide-related peptide production in the brain. However, HPLC analysis also indicates the presence of significant levels of other related peptides, demonstrating the presence of more than one FMRFamide-related gene in this insect.

Poisoning by the red alga 'ogonori' (Gracilaria verrucosa) on the Nojima Coast, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

A food poisoning case due to the ingestion of 'ogonori', an edible red alga, occurred at Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, in late October 1993, resulting in two victims, including one death (female). No causative agent present in the ogonori was found from a routine bioassay for marine toxins. From the production of increased amounts of prostaglandins (PGs), mainly PGE2, by the alga on stimulation by cutting or soaking in fresh water, and further increase of PGE2 by addition of arachidonic acid, it appeared that an enzyme, probably fatty acid cyclooxygenase, in the ogonori and the body of the victim, was acting on the highly unsaturated fatty acids in the oil of the ingested seafood and in the blood hemorrhaged from the stomach of the victim. This resulted in the production of over 30 mg of PGE2 and small amounts of other PGs in a comparatively short time. With this dosage the victim suffered from nausea, vomiting, and hypotension, and died of hypotensive shock. PGE2 seems to work more selectively on females. This type of poisoning is very unusual, and differs from the more familiar forms of poisoning occurring after ingestion of marine organisms.

Preventive equipment for urinary incontinence: a device employing lower abdominal impendance changes

The object of this work was to develop a monitoring device for measuring the volume of urine in the bladder to signal, in advance, the need to urinate and thus help prevent urinary incontinence. A high-frequency electric current of 50 KHz transmitter was applied to a pair of terminals placed on the surface of a human body. The constant current was 2mA (p-p). A pair of voltage electrodes was placed in the path of the electric current to pick up high-frequency voltage signals. The best position for current electrodes was found to be on the surface of both femoral joints. Positioning the voltage electrode above the bladder on the lower abdomen was most efficient for detecting the volume of urine. New current electrodes sutured onto underpants were fitted on the surface above the femoral joints, which did not shift in the case of movement by the subjects. The reproducibility and stability were remarkably good with this electrode. The alarm level which foretold both maximum storage volume and maximum desire to void was examined. After that, when the alarm level was set within the range of impedance charge, 60% to 70%, the possibility of prediction of urination exists.

[Sperm survival test assessing the change of sperm motility after long-term incubation]

The purpose of this study is to establish a new screening test to assess the sperm fertilizing potential. This test was named sperm survival test (SST). At the beginning, following 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hour incubation, sperm motility was examined. It was defined that the SST result was positive when only motile swim-up sperm existed at the estimating point and negative when non-motile sperm existed. 1. The result of the SST was stable when there was a concentration of 10(5)-10(7) sperm/ml. 2. The SST could be used to assess sperm function that conventional semen analysis could not assess. 3. The result of the SST was positive at 36 hrs in 8 proven fertile men. In infertile men there was a significant correlation between a 36 hr positive SST result and the pregnancy rate (p less than 0.01). This result indicated that a 36 hr positive SST showed good sperm fertilizing potential and a 36 hr negative result poor fertilizing potential. 4. In IVF-ET, the fertilization rate was 92.9% at a 48 hr positive SST, 85.4% at a 36 hr positive SST, 68.1% at a 24 hr positive SST, 15.4% at a 12 hr positive SST and 0% at a 6 hr positive SST. Furthermore, the fertilization rate for a sperm concentration less than 10 x 10(6)/ml was 17.6% (0% at a 6 hr positive SST and 25% at a 12 hr positive SST) and at motility less than 30% was 28.9% (0% at a 6 hr positive SST, 18.2% at a 12 hr positive SST and 69.2%). In conclusion, SST is an accurate clinical test for predicting sperm fertilizing potential and the fertilization rate in IVF-ET.

[Metabolism of sulfobromophthalein in jaundiced rat]

We observed previously in humans that loading with BSP in obstructive jaundice resulted in elevated blood levels, of cysteine-conjugated BSP (Cyst-BSP). In order to clarify the mechanism of this phenomenon, an investigation was made into the origin of Cyst-BSP in rats with experimentally produced obstruction of bile duct (O-J). Using untreated rats as controls, the animals were determined for glutathione content and glutathione S transferase activity (GST) in liver cytosol. The influence of nephrectomy upon and the role of liver cell membrane in biodisposition of BSP were also investigated. The results are summarized as follows: 1) In the O-J group, the excretion in bile of glutathione-conjugated BSP (GSH-BSP) was markedly decreased. 2) O-J livers were found to have higher glutathione content and GST activity as compared to control livers. 3) Nephrectomy in O-J rats was followed by no gross change in the proportion of Cyst-BSP in blood and liver cytosol. 4) Following administration of individual liver cell membrane components change from GSH-BSP to Cyst-BSP was noted to occur only in O-J rats. These results led us to surmise that GSH-BSP accumulated in the liver in O-J is hydrolyzed to Cyst-BSP in the liver cell membrane.

Color functional images of the cerebral blood flow

Functional gamma imaging, in color, was established for regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) using 133Xe. During 10 min after intracarotid injection of 133Xe in saline, 60 picture frames of the 133Xe clearance curve for the entire hemisphere were obtained. After nine-point smoothing, the rCBF for each of the 4,096 picture elements was calculated by two methods: the half-time method and the height-over-area method. Both the 133Xe clearance half-times and the calculated CBF values were displayed, using 13 steps of color, as functional CBF images of the brain. Images of peak count and total count were also displayed on the same frame of the color television. Forty-six studies, performed on 37 patients with various cerebral disorders, were divided into two types: diffuse and focal. In the diffuse type, a decrease in CBF was noted in cases of normal-pressure hydrocephalus; successful ventriculoperitoneal shunt operations were followed by recovery of CBF. Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery showed up as a wedge-shaped area of decreased CBF, even when the conventional brain scan looked normal. Increased perfusion to a tumor was frequently associated with decreased CBF in the rest of the lateral hemisphere; such a decrease could be improved by surgical removal of the tumor.

[Regional cerebral blood flow in senile patients with meningiomas (author's transl)]

We investigated the regional cerebral blood flow of 4 meningioma patients who were all of ages over 60 years old. The average age of the patients was 68 years. Cerebral blood flow was determined by the 133Xe clearance method of Lassen and Ingvar. By extra-cranial recording of the radioactivity from the freely diffusible inert gas 133Xe, which dissolved in saline, was injected into the internal carotid artery, a clearance curve was obtained from the cerebral hemisphere. This curve could be resolved into two monoexponential clearance functions that corresponed to the flow in the grey and white matter. Graphical analysis of the original curve allowed the estimation of the relative weight of these two tissue components as well as of the mean cerebral blood flow. In three patients, regional cerebral blood flow was measured both pre- and post-operatively and these values were compared. Focal rCBF disturbances could be detected in agreement with the tumor location as verified directly or by other diagnostic procedures. That is, a relative hyperemia was detected at the areas corresponding to the tumor site. Mean fg (the flow in the grey matter) of four patients was 77.3 +/- 14.0 ml/100 g/min on the tumor areas, 48.1 +/- 6.6 ml/100 g/min on the peritumoral regions, 63.1+/- 4.1 ml/100 g/min on the non-tumoral regions. CBFr (average cerebral blood flow) of non-tumoral areas in the four patient was 36.6 +/- 2.4 ml/100 g/min and that of the peri-tumoral area, 33.1 +/- 7.9 ml/100g/min. These figures are moderately smaller than that of the normal one. A comparison between the neurological features and regional flow values noted in patients who had a removal of menigiomas indicated that the flow values of non-tumoral area increased markedly a month after operation, instead of only slight or no improvement in neurological features. Although our cases with rCBF studies are still too few to warrant conclusions, it seems that post-operative follow-up of mean cerebral blood flow changes might be rather greater help in the assessment of prognosis after operation of meningiomas than fg (the flow in the grey matter).