Effect of milking frequency and α-tocopherol plus selenium supplementation on sheep milk lipid composition and oxidative stability

The aim of this research was to study the effect of milking frequency [once-daily milking (ODM) vs. twice-daily milking (TDM)] and antioxidant (AOX) supplementation on fatty acid (FA) profile and oxidative stability in sheep milk. Sixteen Assaf ewes were used; 8 did not receive any vitamin-mineral supplement (control), and the other 8 received an oral dose of 1,000 IU of α-tocopherol and 0.4 mg of Se daily. The experiment consisted of 2 consecutive periods; the first was 3 wk with TDM of both mammary glands. The second period was 8 wk and consisted of ODM of one mammary gland and TDM of the other gland. All ewes were fed ad libitum the same total mixed ration from lambing and throughout the experiment. There were no differences in plasma or milk Se concentrations between control and AOX ewes. However, plasma and milk α-tocopherol concentrations and AOX capacity were increased in ewes receiving the AOX supplement. Milk FA profile was practically unaffected after 21 d of AOX supplementation. However, after 77 d, AOX supplementation increased the relative percentage of C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 and reduced the proportions of some saturated FA with less than 16 carbons and cis-9 C12:1. Antioxidant supplementation had no effect on the proportions of conjugated linoleic acid or total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) but decreased the proportion of trans-7,cis-9 C18:2 and increased that of n-6 C20:3. Once-daily milking did not affect α-tocopherol, Se, or fat resistance to oxidation in milk. Total monounsaturated FA, cis-9 C16:1, and several cis and trans isomers of C18:1 were increased and total saturated FA were decreased in milk from ODM glands. Compared with TDM, ODM increased the proportions of cis-9,cis-12 C18:2 and several isomers of C18:2 and reduced those of cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 C18:3 and some PUFA of 20 and 22 carbons, but total proportion of PUFA was unaffected. Once-daily milking and AOX supplementation modified milk FA profile, but the effects of ODM could be considered of little biological relevance for consumer health. Supplementing ewes with α-tocopherol plus Se could be considered an effective strategy to improve plasma AOX status and reduce milk fat oxidation without substantial changes in the milk FA profile.

Validity of criteria for hospital admission in exacerbations of COPD

AIMS

To validate a previously developed set of explicit criteria for the appropriateness of hospital admission among these patients using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Methodology (RAM).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients experiencing symptoms of COPD exacerbation seen in the emergency departments (ED) of 16 hospitals belonging to the Spanish National Health Service. Sociodemographic and clinical variables needed to assess appropriateness were recorded. Main outcomes were mortality, severe COPD evolution, complications at follow up, and three patient-reported measures: dyspnoea level, capacity for physical activity and perceived health status.

RESULTS

Appropriately admitted patients were more likely to die (6.70% vs. 2.68%, p = 0.0102) than inappropriately admitted patients, and were more likely to develop severe evolution (27.09% vs. 6.08%, p < 0.0001) and complications (18.72% vs. 11.92%, p = 0.0244). Among discharged patients, no significant differences were observed in clinical outcomes. All patients exhibited worse dyspnoea and capacity for physical activity after exacerbation, but changes among appropriately admitted patients were less than among appropriately discharged patients.

CONCLUSION

Our appropriateness criteria identified patients in worse condition at ED arrival who were more likely to benefit from admission in terms of mortality and COPD evolution.

Effect of reduction of milking frequency and supplementation of vitamin E and selenium above requirements on milk yield and composition in Assaf ewes

The aim of this research was to study the effect of milking frequency and supplementation with a vitamin-mineral complex above requirements on intake, body weight (BW), and milk yield and composition in high-yielding Assaf ewes. Sixteen lactating Assaf ewes were used in this study, separated into 4 groups of 4 ewes each. Animals in 2 of the groups (control groups) did not receive any extra vitamin-mineral supplement, whereas animals in the other 2 groups (supplement groups) received daily an oral dose of 1g of vitamin E (1,000 IU, DL-α-tocopherol acetate) and 0.4 mg of selenium (sodium selenite anhydrous). The experiment consisted of 2 consecutive periods of 3 wk (twice-daily milking in both mammary glands) and 8 wk (once-daily milking in one mammary gland and twice-daily milking in the other gland). Intake, BW, and milk composition were controlled weekly, and milk production was recorded 3 times a week. Administration of the vitamin-mineral supplement had no effect on dry matter intake, BW, or milk production and composition. The reduction of milking from twice to once a day caused a decrease in milk production and lactose concentration and a significant increase in protein concentration, total solids, and somatic cell count, without affecting the fat content. Administration of a vitamin E and Se supplement at the doses used in the present study does not seem to exert, in the short term, a noticeable effect on the mammary gland when milking frequency is reduced.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of sulfamethazine in plasma and parotid saliva of sheep

Salivary output in sheep is large enough to be considered a physiologic body fluid compartment. The hypothesis for this work was that pharmacokinetics of sulfamethazine in saliva was similar to that in plasma. A reliable technique was developed to measure parotid salivary output. Mean output of saliva was 3.18 +/- 1.04 L from a single parotid gland per day with a mean flow of 2.21 +/- 0.43 mL/min. Using concentrations of sulfamethazine in parotid saliva made it possible to calculate the total passage of sulfamethazine to parotid saliva, which was calculated to be 3.5% of the total dose. Pharmacokinetic variables obtained for sulfamethazine in plasma and in saliva were closely related (AUC 1408 micrograms.h/mL and AUC 1484 micrograms.h/mL; Vdarea 0.434 L/kg and Vdarea 0.374 L/kg; t 1/2 beta 4.30 h and 3.46 h, respectively) and no substantial differences were observed. The convenience of using salivary concentrations of sulfamethazine for drug monitoring is discussed.

An epidemiologic study of stuttering

A questionnaire designed to assess the prevalence of stuttering and its relation with: (a) central nervous system risk factors; (b) associated disorders (allergies, migraine-type headache, developmental dyslexia history, smoking, and drug abuse), and (c) depression symptoms, was given to a general population sample of 1879 Spanish-speaking university students (mean age = 24.0). A prevalence of 2% of self-reported stuttering was found. Results indicated that the prevalence of minor brain injury or dysfunction, developmental dyslexia history, word-finding difficulties, and depressive symptoms was higher among the self-reported stutterers than among the nonstutterers.

Episodic psychic symptoms in the general population

The frequency of some episodic psychic symptoms (dysmnesic, perceptual, and experiential) was determined in a 2,500-subject general population sample. Correlations with some risk factors eventually associated with nervous system dysfunctions (seizure history, head injury, car accident, hospitalization, febrile illness, and birth injury) were calculated. Subjects with one or several risk factors were more likely to report episodic psychic phenomena in daily life. Significant correlations of episodic psychic phenomena with sleep disorders, headache, allergies, and a history of learning disabilities were observed. We propose that some subclinical dysfunctions can be associated with the appearance of episodic psychic phenomena in otherwise normal subjects.

[Effect of propafenone on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin administered orally: a study in healthy volunteers]

It is well known that many cardiovascular drugs affect digoxin kinetics, but nothing is defined on propafenone-digoxin interaction. To clarify this problem, we studied digoxin kinetics in 8 healthy men, who received digoxin oral dose (0.50 mg) in the control state and again during maintenance therapy with propafenone (150 mg q.i.d.). Statistically significant changes were observed during propafenone in a number of digoxin kinetic indexes: a rise in peak serum digoxin concentration (4.30 vs 3.07 ng/ml - p less than 0.005), in area under the serum-digoxin concentration curve (4 h: 520.4 vs 368.9; 10 h: 789.6 vs 621.3 ng X min/ml - p less than 0.005; 24 h: 1187.6 vs 954.7 ng X min/ml - p less than 0.05) and urinary excretion of digoxin (277.7 vs 203.5 mcg - p less than 0.005). Renal digoxin clearance was not affected by propafenone. We conclude that propafenone interact kinetically with digoxin in healthy subjects, perhaps increasing digoxin bioavailability.