Breeding soundness evaluation of bulls by semen analysis, testicular fine needle aspiration cytology and trans-scrotal ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of trans-scrotal ultrasonography and testicular fine needle aspiration cytology in assessing bulls for breeding suitability. These two techniques were also compared with semen analysis. Bulls presented for breeding soundness evaluation were assessed using all three techniques. The findings of each technique were compared. There was agreement in classification of fertile bulls using all three techniques, suggesting that the combined use of these techniques enhances routine breeding soundness examination. Use of the three techniques also enhances detailed investigation of suspected sub-fertile bulls while accurately identifying testicular cause(s) of sire sub-fertility.

A study of greyhounds with tonsillar enlargement and a history of poor racing performance

Fifteen greyhounds with tonsillar enlargement were subjected to detailed investigation. Affected greyhounds exhibited coughing, poor racing performance and tonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia over a period of months. Each of the 15 affected animals had evidence of respiratory tract disease. Twelve had non-specific respiratory tract disease, two had pneumonia and one had pulmonary infiltration with eosinophils (PIE). Histopathological examination of the tonsils from affected dogs revealed that greyhounds with tonsillar enlargement are more likely to have tonsillar lymphoid hyperplasia than tonsillitis. As a result, lymphoid hyperplasia would be a suitable term to describe this tonsillar condition. Respiratory tract diseases, rather than tonsillar hyperplasia, was the more likely cause of the poor racing performance of affected dogs. The aetiological relationship, if any, between respiratory disease and tonsillar enlargement is unclear from this study and requires further investigation.

Superoxide dismutase and catalase do not affect the pulmonary hypertensive response to group B streptococcus in the lamb

The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment with conjugated antioxidant enzymes could attenuate or abolish pulmonary hypertension induced by group B streptococcus (GBS). Lambs, 3-7 d old, were anesthetized and ventilated. Intravascular catheters were placed in the left ventricle, descending aorta, right atrium, and pulmonary artery for continuous monitoring of intravascular pressures. Cardiac output was measured with radiolabeled microspheres. Measurements were obtained at baseline and 15 and 60 min into a 60-min GBS infusion, and 60 min after GBS was stopped. Blood gas values were held constant and PaO(2) was maintained >100 mm Hg. The control group received saline vehicle only (n = 6), the GBS group received GBS infusion only (n = 9), the enzymes (ENZ) group received polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD) and polyethylene glycol-catalase (PEG-CAT) treatment only (n = 6), and the ENZ+GBS group received PEG-SOD and PEG-CAT then GBS (n = 9). Plasma samples were obtained to confirm increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the groups receiving enzymes. Compared with baseline, pulmonary vascular resistance increased by 119% and 101% at 15 min and 87% and 81% at 60 min in the GBS and ENZ+GBS groups, respectively. Sixty minutes after the termination of the GBS infusion, PVR returned to baseline in the GBS group but did not in the ENZ+GBS group. Enzyme infusions resulted in at least a ninefold increase in plasma enzyme activities. As opposed to previously published data from endotoxin models, PEG-CAT and PEG-SOD were ineffective in altering the GBS-induced pulmonary hypertensive response in this model. This suggests that acute administration of antioxidant enzymes may not be effective in ameliorating GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension.

California's mandatory reporting of domestic violence injuries: does the law go too far or not far enough?

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It serves you right. Hassle-free health care builds loyalty, volume--and the bottom line

Zero barriers to care, zero waiting times: Tough as those targets sound, today's stars of customer service are scoring direct hits. "It's not a change in the services that are delivered," says one patient satisfaction pro. "It's a change in the way they're being delivered."

Count on quality

Determined to put the brakes on high health care costs, General Motors discovered quality. From Anderson, Ind., to Hershey, Pa., corporate America finally realizes that the best bang for its buck comes from helping doctors and hospitals reengineer the way they care for patients.

Health surveillance of cattle in the vicinity of a chemical industrial complex

Following allegations of environmental contamination, a scheme for the surveillance of animal health on dairy farms in the vicinity of a large complex of chemical industries in the region of Cork harbour was initiated in 1991. Multidisciplinary investigations were undertaken as a result of unusual incidents of animal ill-health or decreased productivity, and an explosion and fire at one of the industrial plants. There was no evidence that exposure to environmental pollutants caused variations in either productivity or the incidence of disease. Many incidents which might have been linked with environmental pollution were found to have other causes. A broad database of animal disease incidence, productivity and blood composition has been established, and a bank of tissues taken from animals submitted for routine slaughter has been frozen, so that they may be analysed for toxins if required. The main difficulty encountered during the study was inadequate disclosure of information by some herd owners.

Clinical disease associated with Trypanosoma theileri infection in a calf in Ireland

A four-month-old calf had a clinical history of pyrexia, anaemia, weight loss and behavioural abnormality. Clinical examination revealed evidence of regenerative anaemia and a lymphocytosis which was characterised by a relatively large B cell population. The calf deteriorated clinically while under observation and its prescapular and prefemoral lymph nodes became enlarged. Examination of a blood smear revealed the presence of a large number of circulating Trypanasoma theileri. Serological examination showed the presence of the invariant, stage-specific, trypanosome surface antigen, ISG70 and antibodies against ISG70. ISG70 was first identified in the bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei and has not previously been found in T theileri. Clinical recovery was associated with an increase in packed cell volume, a decrease in the levels of circulating anti-ISG70 antibodies and the complete disappearance of circulating ISG70.

Hospitals struggle to overcome intensive care shortage

Intensive care units (ICUs) are challenging emergency departments as the most overcrowded hospital department. ICU medical directors may provide a solution to overcrowding through more effective ICU management. However, 30 percent of hospitals don't have around-the-clock ICU directors, burnout is common, and the position is increasingly hard to fill. Adding to the problem is a shortage of skilled ICU personnel.

Weight-loss programs still fatten profits despite competition

Why are hospitals interested in weight-loss programs? Low start-up costs, combined with a high demand for services, mean almost instant profits in some cases. And in an increasingly competitive market, hospital affiliation seems to be an advantage. But experts say that word of mouth is the best promotion for weight-loss programs, which means that patients must lose weight and keep the pounds off. That's why hospitals have found that patient education is integral to a successful program.

Regulation, fiscal pressure expand CEO planning role

In an environment of strict fiscal control and continuing pressure to control costs, many CEOs are becoming actively involved in health planning at the local level. Most experts agree that regulators aren't likely to bring back certificate of need as the basis of a formalized planning system. But some regulators are taking a second look at direct fiscal controls that have helped contain costs in some eastern states. The specter of some form of regulation, coupled with mounting financial problems, is prompting health care executives to take a close look at what has worked in health planning and what has been a disaster. Moreover, some CEOs aren't waiting for the bureaucracy to inch along. They are working with other executives to sort out community needs and solve areawide health delivery problems.

HMO ownership pays off for systems that stick with it

HMOs and PPOs have been financial losers for many hospitals. In fact, problems controlling costs have driven many hospitals to sell or close HMOs and PPOs that they started to channel new business their way. But for those hospitals that invested the time and money needed to manage physician and ambulatory care networks, vertical integration of managed care is paying off.

Billing software speeds accounts receivable

Software products designed to speed the billing process range from systems that prompt admissions personnel to comply with the terms of up to 3,600 separate managed care contracts to programs that support electronic billing via telephone.

Leadership gap wreaks havoc with health policy

The Bush Administration's failure to fill key health care positions has hurt formation of Medicare policy, and Congress made a mistake by backpedaling on catastrophic health insurance, according to an exclusive survey of hospital CEOs.

Alliances: changing focus for changing times

Alliance networks were supposed to offer members the same buying clout enjoyed by national health care systems and the opportunity to contract with employers as part of a national health care delivery network. But overly optimistic projections about how quickly alliances could reach those goals--and what it would cost to teach them--led to unmanaged growth and disgruntled members. According to our cover story, alliances now are adjusting to changing conditions by adopting strategies to serve the needs of hospitals and systems competing in regional markets.

One contract alters small-town market balance

What happens when the largest employer in a small community of 30,000 contracts with one provider's HMO network? Ask hospital executives in Sherman, TX. The exclusive contract, which marks the debut of managed care in the community, has shifted the balance of the local health care market.