Evaluating the egg production of broiler breeder hens in response to dietary nutrient intake from 31 to 60 weeks of age through neural network models

Faridi, A., Golian, A. and France, J. 2012. Evaluating the egg production of broiler breeder hens in response to dietary nutrient intake from 31 to 60 weeks of age through neural network models. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 473–481. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of broiler breeder hens in terms of egg production to dietary nutrient intake. Using neural network (NN) models and breaking down the collected data from 98 commercial broiler breeder houses into 3-wk intervals, 10 NN-based models were developed from 31 to 60 wk of age. The data lines were divided into two random subsets of training (n=64) and testing (n=34) sets. The variables of interest for developing the models were metabolizable energy (ME; kcal bird−1 d−1), and crude protein (CP), total sulphur amino acids (TSAA), lysine (Lys), calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (AP), all in g bird−1 d−1. The random optimization algorithm was applied to the constructed models to find the optimal level of the input variables which maximized egg production during the different intervals. The high R 2 values in all the developed models for both the training and testing sets indicate the accuracy of NN-based models in estimating egg production. The optimization results revealed that breeder hens consuming 485, 473, 471, 466, 460, 452, 448, 442, 437 and 445 kcal of ME bird−1 d−1 showed the highest egg production during the 10 consecutive 3-wk intervals from 31 to 60 wk of age, respectively. Moreover, the optimal performance of hens required the following average intakes from 31 to 60 wk of age (g bird−1 d−1): CP: 23.7; TSAA: 1.05; Lys: 1.07; Ca: 4.91; and AP: 0.58. The results show that energy (kcal bird−1 d−1) and other nutrient requirements (g bird−1 d−1) of broiler breeder hens from 31 to 60 wk of age do not change in consort together with age; therefore using different diets with different dietary nutrient levels during the production cycle may help the nutritionists better meet the requirements of broiler breeder hens. Based on the present study, it appears that company guideline recommendations may underestimate the nutrient requirements of hens during these weeks when egg production is declining gradually.

Predicting caloric and feed efficiency in turkeys using the group method of data handling-type neural networks

Neural networks (NN) are a relatively new option to model growth in animal production systems. One self-organizing submodel of artificial NN is the group method of data handling (GMDH)-type NN. The use of such self-organizing networks has led to successful application of the GMDH algorithm over a broad range of areas in engineering, science, and economics. The present study aimed to apply the GMDH-type NN to predict caloric efficiency (CE, g of gain/kcal of caloric intake) and feed efficiency (FE, kg of gain/kg of feed intake) in tom and hen turkeys fed diets containing different energy and amino acid levels. Involved effective input parameters in prediction of CE and FE were age, dietary ME, CP, Met, and Lys. Quantitative examination of the goodness of fit for the predictive models was made using R2 and error measurement indices commonly used to evaluate forecasting models. Statistical performance of the developed GMDH-type NN models revealed close agreement between observed and predicted values of CE and FE. In conclusion, using such powerful models can enhance our ability to predict economic traits, make precise prediction of nutrition requirements, and achieve optimal performance in poultry production.

Analysis of local complications following explantation of silicone breast implants

A study was undertaken to analyse local complications in patients with breast implants and the total number of implant-related interventions when silicone breast implants were explanted. We studied 53 patients who had received breast implants for cosmetic augmentation or breast reconstruction following surgery for breast cancer at the time of explantation. The clinical records of all these patients were analysed, and clinical information on reason for implantation, implant properties, number and kind of implant-related interventions and reason for explantation was elicited. A complication was defined as a surgical procedure performed for any of the following reasons: capsular contracture, loss of implant integrity, haematoma or seroma, infection of the implant site, extrusion or wound dehiscence, and dissatisfaction with the result. The mean numbers of implant-related operations were 3.1 in patients who had undergone breast reconstruction and 2.3 in patients who had cosmetic augmentation (P < 0.03). We found a total of 35 complications in 28 patients, 21 patients (75%) each had one complication, five patients (18%) had two and two patients (7%) had three complications. A significantly higher incidence of early complications in patients who had undergone breast reconstruction (P < 0.03) marks the difference from complications in the cosmetic group, most of which arose after a longer time (P < 0.02). A complication analysis is presented. At the time of explantation, 78% of the patients decided to have a new implant, while 12% requested permanent removal of the implant without replacement. In the present study we saw no patients with connective tissue or other autoimmune disorders. When breast reconstruction or augmentation with silicone devices is considered, patients must be informed of the possible complications and of the potential choices in later implant-related revision surgery.

Childbirth and incontinence: a prospective study on anal sphincter morphology and function before and early after vaginal delivery

PURPOSE

Disturbance of anal continence is a well-known problem after vaginal delivery. However, only few and incongruent data on the incidence and pathogenesis of postpartum incontinence are available. This study examined the effects of vaginal delivery on anal continence prospectively.

METHODS

In 42 unselected women anal vector manometry and endoanal ultrasonography were performed, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) and rectal sensibility were measured in the 32th week of pregnancy and 6 weeks after delivery. Continence was evaluated according to the Kelly-Holschneider score. Patients with occult sphincter defects were additionally followed-up 12 weeks after vaginal delivery. To exclude any effect of pregnancy alone ten patients with elective cesarian section served as controls.

RESULTS

Overall continence after vaginal delivery did not differ significantly from that before delivery, there was a significant reduction in postpartum anal squeeze and resting pressures in all patients. Obstetric tears of grade III or IV occurred in 9% of the patients. Endosonography revealed occult lesions of the internal and external anal sphincter in an additional 19% of women who clinically seemed to have an intact sphincter. Manometric results and continence in these women did not differ significantly from those with intact sphincter and remained unchanged after 12 weeks. PNTML and rectal sensibility were not affected by vaginal delivery. After cesarian section there were no changes in continence, anal pressures, rectal sensibility, or PNTML.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal delivery leads to direct mechanical trauma to the anal sphincters, while stretch and distension of the pudendal nerve seem to be of minor importance. Only endoanal ultrasonography is suitable for detection of occult sphincter lesions.

HELLP syndrome

HELLP syndrome is a serious, life-threatening form of pre-eclampsia with a typical laboratory triad. The incidence of the disease is reported as being 0.17-0.85% of all live births. There has been, to date, neither reliable early recognition nor effective prevention of HELLP syndrome. As a result of endothelial dysfunction, activation of intravascular coagulation occurs with fibrin deposition in the capillaries and consecutive microcirculation disorders. The disease manifests itself on average between 32-34 weeks' gestation. HELLP syndrome will occur postpartum in up to 30% of the cases. The clinical cardinal symptom of the disease is right upper quadrant pain or epigastric pain accompanied with nausea, vomiting and malaise. In 20% of the cases with HELLP syndrome there is no hypertension and 5-15% of the pregnant patients present a low level of proteinuria or none at all. The early recognition of hemolysis is most sensitively managed by the determination of the serum haptoglobin. The increase of the aspartate transaminase (AST) and the alanine transaminase (ALT) often precedes a decrease in platelets. The course of HELLP syndrome is incalculable. It is universally agreed that a pregnancy from 32-34 weeks should be immediately delivered. Before 32-34 weeks, expectant management is generally possible in a perinatal center. The frequency for a repeated hypertensive disease in pregnancy ranges from 27% to 48%.

[Differential diagnosis of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy]

Thrombocytopenia (< 150,000/microliter) is a common finding, occurring in 7-8% of pregnancies. Some conditions, such as gestational thrombocytopenia pose no maternal or fetal risks. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired haematologic disorder, common among children and adults, with unknown etiology and autoimmune pathogenesis. The incidence of severe fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia is very rare, and neonatal intracranial hemorrhage is unlikely to be related to the mode of delivery. Alloimmune thrombocytopenia occurs with an incidence of 1/1,000 livebirths and is induced by a maternal alloimmunization against fetal platelet antigens. The incidence of intracranial haemorrhage in the fetus and neonate is the highest for any immune thrombocytopenia. The HELLP syndrome is a severe, unpredictable and life-threatening complication of preeclampsia, characterized by a triad of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet counts. HELLP syndrome develops in the third trimester but can occur postpartum. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are syndromes of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. During pregnancy, TTP usually presents in the second trimester, whereas HUS develops in the postpartum period. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II is a serious, immune-mediated complication of heparin therapy.

Neonatal platelet activation in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is associated with an increased platelet activation; however, there are few studies concerning platelet activation of the newborn. The aim of our study was to compare platelet activation in newborns of preeclamptic mothers to newborns of healthy mothers by using whole blood flow cytometry. Blood samples were obtained from 20 newborns (10 healthy controls, 10 cases of preeclampsia/HELLP [hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count] syndrome) during cesarean section. Antibodies against the following antigens were used as markers for platelet activation: CD 41, CD62P, CD 63, and platelet-bound fibrinogen. In addition to the basal platelet activation, the ability of platelets to undergo activation as a result of in vitro incubation with a weak agonist (adenosine diphosphate) was evaluated. A significant difference between the groups concerning basal platelet activation could only be seen for platelet-bound fibrinogen; the control group showed a higher extent of platelet activation (16.6 +/- 11.3 vs. 6.1 +/- 4.9; p = 0.03). Incubation with adenosine diphosphate in the control group resulted in minor increases of platelet activation, which was significant only for platelet-bound fibrinogen (16.6 +/- 11.3 vs. 42.5 +/- 22.1; p = 0.02). However, the preeclamptic group showed significantly increased levels of platelet activation for all used markers after in vitro activation (CD 41: 115.6 +/- 18.2 vs. 163.2 +/- 29.6; p = 0.002; CD62P: 2.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.3; p < 0.001; CD 63: 2.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.6; p = 0.002; platelet-bound fibrinogen: 6.1 +/- 4.9 vs. 55.1 +/- 9.1; p < 0.001). Preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome is therefore associated with an increased susceptibility to neonatal platelets, even against weak activators such as adenosine diphosphate. Whether this results from peculiarities in the fetal vascular environment or maternal influences is yet uncertain.

Differential diagnosis, prognostic factors, and clinical treatment of proliferative Brenner tumor of the ovary

Brenner tumors are rare ovarian tumors displaying benign, borderline or proliferative, and malignant variants. The case of a 63-year-old woman with a proliferative Brenner tumor is presented and the histomorphological differential diagnosis of this tumor entity is compared to that of its benign and malignant counterparts. Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were performed to allow discrimination from the other subtypes. Despite a considerable overlap of pathological features the differential diagnosis of proliferative Brenner tumor could be established. Electron microscopy allowed assessment of characteristic infoldings of the nuclear membrane that proved to be a valuable ultrastructural criterion. Considering that the vast majority of Brenner tumors are benign, precise identification of the small proportion of malignant tumors allows the extent of surgical therapy to be adapted.

[Hypertensive illnesses in pregnancy: when is ambulatory management possible, when is hospitalization indicated?]

Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy are the most common medical complications of pregnancy and are a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Thorough ambulatory obstetric care is likely to achieve a risk reduction. The main topics of ambulatory obstetric care are early identification of typical signs of preeclampsia, detection of uteroplacental insufficiency, and their consequences, detailed information of the patient, and early admission to a specialised obstetric care unit or perinatal center. Early diagnosis, close medical supervision, and timely delivery are the keys of the treatment of preeclampsia.

[Pre-eclampsia--endothelial damage of endothelial activation?]

There is considerable evidence that endothelial damage, followed by the release of vasoactive substances contributes to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Because of controversial experiences in literature we wanted to evaluate the potential cytotoxic effect of preeclamptic sera on cultured endothelial cells. Therefore cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with sera obtained from preeclamptic patients, while sera from normotensive pregnant and nonpregnant women served as controls. To prove the viability of these cells we performed ethidiumbromide/acridinorange immunostaining and determined t-PA/PAI-1 release into the supernatant. These experiments could not show any cytotoxic effect on endothelial cells. In ongoing studies we measured the concentrations of adhesion molecules, markers of endothelial activation, in maternal sera, in the supernatant of cultured endothelial cells, and on cell surface after stimulation with the above mentioned sera. In the supernatant we couldn't determine any different concentrations of adhesion molecules after stimulation with the different sera, but using immunofluorescence-microscopy an increased concentration of those molecules could be detected on the endothelial surface after stimulation with preeclamptic sera than compared to sera from normotensive controls. In conclusion, our experiments support the hypothesis that sera from preeclamptic women may cause endothelial activation.

[2 or more cesarean sections--elective repeat cesarean or vaginal delivery?]

Cesarean section rates have been steadily increasing over the past two decades in most countries of the Western world. The review of the literature suggests that a trial of labor in patients with more than one previous cesarean delivery is appropriate, and that these women should be treated no differently from those who have had only one cesarean delivery. Obstetric management should be individualized after thorough patient counseling. If women are carefully selected for a trial of labor and supervised closely, the risk of serious complications can be minimized and a successful outcome achieved. Epidural anesthesia is safe, effective and justified. Similarly, if oxytocin administration is considered medically necessary either to augment or to induce labor, it should be given. It would appear from the present data, that the use of prostaglandins for priming and induction of labor is also safe and effective under consistent supervision. Rupture of the uterine scare is a rare but catastrophic complication (0-2.8%); fetal bradycardia may be the only diagnostic sign. Prompt intervention is necessary to minimize both maternal and neonatal complications. The maternal and fetal outcomes in women who have had multiple previous sections do not differ from those in women after ordinary cesarean section. At present there is no sufficiently predictive method to identify those women most likely to benefit from an elective repeat cesarean delivery.