Breed structure of Senepol cattle

Data were collected by the Virgin Islands Beef Cattle Improvement Program and the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station staff to establish the breed structure of the Senepol cattle. Data for the analysis were limited to the two Virgin Islands Senepol breeders with the most complete and largest set of records, representing approximately 65% of the entire Senepol population. Inbreeding (F) and coancestry relationship coefficients (rAB) and the theoretical inbreeding (FT) were determined from each data set and for the combined data from both farms, for each year, ranging from 1947 to 1984 for Annaly Farms, and from 1967 to 1984 for Castle Nugent Farm. The data sets for both farms were examined for the possibility of separation into families. Actual F within the Senepol population was relatively low, averaging less than 1.00%. Some separation into families occurred within Annaly Farms' cattle. The F and FT decreased (1.6 to 0.7% and 1.0 to 0.2%, respectively) as population numbers increased. The low F was accomplished through the breeding programs and exchanges of animals between farms on the island.

The three wheeler (adult tricycle): an unstable, dangerous machine

Three-wheel motor vehicular accidents are a common occurrence, yet we found little publicity or published research dedicated to exposing the dangers of this popular recreational vehicle, and manufacturers have released few warnings. In a 3-year period, 125 patients were seen in the emergency department in one east Alabama referral area, a far higher rate of accidents than caused by other similar types of vehicles. The most common mechanism of these accidents was rollover of the machine; fractures were the most frequent injury suffered. The very young are common victims. Accident prevention must begin with education of both parents and children about the potential dangers of three-wheelers--they are, indeed, dangerous, unstable machines.

Tetanus and the aged

Tetanus is primarily a disease of the aged. Even though the overall number of cases of tetanus has decreased since 1955, the number of cases of tetanus in people 50 years of age and older has remained constant. The national Center for Disease Control attributes the cases of tetanus in the aged to inadequate immunization levels. Tetanus is preventable and, theoretically, could be eradicated if the population was at an adequate immunization level. There are many reasons why older people are not adequately immunized. These reasons may include the inability to get to a health care facility due to physical disability or lack of transportation, ignorance of the importance of seeking health care for minor injuries, financial constraints and a knowledge deficit on the part of health care providers regarding the immunization needs of the aged. Health care providers can prevent tetanus in the aged through vigilance. All aged clients should be routinely assessed and immunizations updated as necessary. Tetanus will never be eliminated until universal active immunization has been achieved.

Response of HDL cholesterol, apoprotein A-I, and LCAT to exercise withdrawal

The effect of short-term exercise withdrawal on plasma lipoproteins, apoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) was studied in moderately trained lifestyle exercisers. Eight endurance-trained men, age 18-45 years (means = 29 years), withdrew from aerobic activity for 6 weeks, while an age and fitness-matched control group (n = 9) maintained normal exercise habits. A baseline period that included two blood samplings preceded the detraining intervention. Plasma total cholesterol (TCHOL), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were determined weekly. Other blood variables (HDL2-C, HDL3-C, Apo A-I, and LCAT), % fat, and aerobic capacity (VO2max) were measured pre-, mid-, and post-experiment. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the 6-week exercise withdrawal period failed to elicit significant mean changes in any blood variable, % fat, or VO2max. Therefore, a short-term layoff from aerobic activity by moderately trained, chronic exercisers generally does not adversely affect the blood lipoprotein profile or aerobic capacity.

Allen's test: a tool for diagnosing ulnar artery trauma

Trauma to the ulnar artery was first reported by Von Rosen in 1934. In more recent years this condition has been termed ulnar-artery thrombosis, hypothenar hammer syndrome or post-traumatic digital ischemia. Trauma to the ulnar artery is caused by the repeated use of the hand as a hammer in order to apply force to an object. Any person who presents with a history of trauma to the hypothenar eminence of the hand should be screened for ulnar artery thrombosis. This screening can easily and quickly be performed by the nurse utilizing the Allen test. Early detection of vascular insufficiency coupled with cessation of chronic trauma may help the client avoid reconstructive vascular surgery.

Proximal muscle weakness in children

In as many as half of the children referred to a muscle disease clinic, the original diagnosis is ultimately changed. Five cases histories are reviewed here in which Duchenne muscular dystrophy had been mistakenly diagnosed 3 to 12 years previously and the correct diagnosis was made only after repeat muscle biopsy or biopsy review. Four boys had diseases with a much better prognosis, and one boy did not have a muscle disease at all.

Reproduction in Duchenne dystrophy

A man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy fathered two living children. He was 1 of 10 affected males in 5 generations. Clinical and genetic patterns, muscle biopsies, autopsy results, and serum enzymes were all compatible with the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. History, blood typing, and karyotypes indicated that he was the biologic father. This report gives confirmatory evidence that Duchenne dystrophy is transmitted as an X-linked defect.

Survey of haemorrhagic erosive gastritis

Fluorescent-antibody studies in 22 patients out of a total of 40 cases of acute erosive gastritis showed no antibodies to gastric parietal cells. Hence erosive gastritis seems unlikely to be an autoimmune phenomenon.In this series 57.5% of cases belonged to blood group A. This suggests that there is a correlation between the instability of the gastric mucosa and blood group A.The operative mortality in erosive gastritis is high. Operation should be delayed as long as possible in the hope that the bleeding will stop spontaneously. Erosive gastritis may be idiopathic or precipitated by drugs, particularly aspirin. The highest risk was found to occur in those cases where bleeding was drug-induced.

Tellurium Content of Marine Manganese Oxides and Other Manganese Oxides

Tellurium in amounts ranging from 5 to 125 parts per million was present in all of 12 samples of manganese oxide nodules from the floor of the Pacific and Indian oceans. These samples represent the first recognized points of high tellurium concentration in a sedimentary cycle. The analyses may lend support to the theory that the minor-element content of sea-floor manganese nodules is derived from volcanic emanations.