Predictors of pregnancy and postpartum haemoglobin concentrations in low-income women

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy and postpartum iron status is of great public health importance, yet few studies have examined predictors of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration during this time. We identified predictors of Hb from 24 weeks' gestation until delivery and from 4 to 25 weeks postpartum. DESIGN: Blood was drawn as many as four times during care: at the initial visit, at 24-29 weeks' gestation, at delivery and postpartum. A longitudinal, multivariable linear regression model was used to predict Hb concentration. SETTING: A public health clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina.Subjects: n=520 women who participated in the Iron Supplementation Study. RESULTS: Hb concentration at the previous blood draw, short stature, non-Hispanic white ethnicity/race, >12 years of education and smoking were positive predictors of pregnancy and postpartum Hb concentrations. Iron supplement use was a positive predictor, while inadequate weight gain and severe nausea/vomiting were negative predictors of gestational Hb. A high infant birth weight and postpartum haemorrhage were negative predictors of postpartum Hb. Pre-pregnancy body mass index had a slight positive relationship with gestational Hb, but had a strong negative relationship with postpartum Hb. The longitudinal model also confirmed the typical pattern of gestational Hb concentration. As the number of weeks between the initial visit and the 24- to 29-week visit increased, Hb at 24-29 weeks' gestation decreased. As gestational age increased from 24 weeks until delivery, Hb concentration increased as well. CONCLUSIONS: The predictors identified here could be used in clinical settings to target high-risk women for intervention.     

Cigarette smoke composition. Part 1. Limitations of FTC method when applied to cigarettes that heat instead of burn tobacco

The design of a new cigarette that heats rather than burns tobacco calls for modifications to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) method for analytical smoking. These changes include eliminating sample conditioning at 75 degrees F and 60% RH, exercising greater care in lighting cigarettes, and smoking cigarettes to self-extinguishment rather than to a predetermined butt length as a measure of complete consumption. By several gross analytical measures, smoke condensate from the new cigarette differs substantially from that of tobacco-burning cigarettes. This is inferred from the lack of coloration of smoke condensate collected on Cambridge filters. Elemental analysis demonstrates reduced carbon and nitrogen content concurrent with increased hydrogen. Thermogravimetric analysis shows almost quantitative weight loss at Tmax = 220 degrees C. Ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric analysis shows greatly reduced levels of tobacco-derived smoke components and qualitative differences in chemical entities being measured. By design, the heat required for smoke formation is supplied by a carbon heat source embedded in the cigarette tip. Tobacco contained in the cigarette is not burned and is exposed to temperature less than 300 degrees C. Thus, it is apparent (1) that smoke from the new cigarette contains little or no "tar" as tar is classically defined, and (2) that the FTC method even as modified to account for cigarette design differences is appropriate only for determination of nicotine and carbon monoxide yielded from this cigarette.     

Unilateral scrotal pyocele in ram caused by Staphylococcus capitis

A massive unilateral scrotal pyocele caused by Staphylococcus capitis in a 6‐year‐old ram is reported. Ultrasound examination of the right hemiscrotum showed an irregular hyperechoic mass in an anechoic fluid. A dense exudate was collected from the scrotum for microbiological analysis. Grossly, there was an extensive greenish purulent exudate and a completely atrophied right testis. Coagulase‐negative S. capitis was isolated in pure culture. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of genital infection by S. capitis in rams. This microorganism should be included in the differential diagnosis of ovine genital infections.     

Pronuclear Embryo Yield in Canindé and Saanen Goats for DNA Microinjection

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of donor breed on pronuclear‐stage embryo yield to be used for DNA microinjection in a transgenesis goat program. Twelve Canindé and twelve Saanen goats were heat synchronized using a progestagen‐cloprostenol treatment. Forty‐eight hours before the sponge removal, superovulation was induced with a total administration of 4.4 mg/kg bodyweight NIH‐FSH‐P1, given twice daily in decreasing doses over 3 days. In addition, goats received 100 μg of GnRH and they were hand‐mated at 36 and 48 h after progestagen removal. Embryo recovery was performed by oviduct flushing at 72 h after sponge removal. Embryos were microinjected with a DNA construct and noticeable swelling of the nuclei was the criterion for successful microinjection. The total diameter, cytoplasm diameter, zona pellucida thickness and pronuclei diameter were measured for each microinjected embryo. A higher (p < 0.05) percentage of fertilized ova was observed in Canindé (89.9%) than Saanen (36.2%) goats. In addition, Canindé donors produced a higher percentage of pronuclear embryos when compared with Saanen: 72.5% vs 20.6% (p < 0.05), respectively. Successful microinjection was verified in 96.7% and 73.3% of times in Canindé and Saanen embryos, respectively (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed for all morphometric parameters except for cytoplasm diameter. In conclusion, under our study experimental conditions, Canindé were more efficient than Saanen goats concerning the pronuclear embryo yield and manipulation. The use of Canindé goats in transgenesis programs could be increase the interest in their breeding and could be contribute to saving them from extinction.     

Treatment response and long term follow up in nineteen dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy in Australia

Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs is common worldwide, but little data is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe treatment response and long‐term outcome in a cohort of dogs with CE. Dogs were prospectively enrolled at Murdoch University and the University of Melbourne. After diagnostic investigation to rule out diseases other than CE, dogs underwent sequential therapeutic trials until achieving a clinical response (diet then antibiotics, and finally immunosuppressants). Success was defined as 75% reduction of clinical severity for a minimum of five weeks. A total of 21 dogs were enrolled, and 19 completed the study. One dog was euthanised for lack of response to treatment and one excluded for lack of owner compliance. Most dogs responded to diet (n = 10), followed by antibiotics (n = 7) and immunosuppressants (n = 2). Long‐term remission (median 21.1 months, [3.0‐44.7]) was achieved in eight out of ten dietary responders without additional treatment. In contrast, only two dogs with antibiotic response remained in long‐term remission, of which one needed on‐going antibiotic treatment. Longer term remission was achieved in the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants with on‐going low dose therapy. This study concludes that most dogs referred for CE in Australia respond to dietary treatment (even after previous dietary interventions), and remission is long‐term compared to dogs treated with an antibiotic. Furthermore, the need for long‐term antibiotics in some dogs to maintain response may lead to antibiotic resistance. This study supports adequate dietary trials for CE in dogs, and a need for alternative second‐line treatments.     

Evaluation of auditory evoked potentials to predict depth of anaesthesia during fentanyl/fluanisone−midazolam anaesthesia in rats

Objectives To assess a method for monitoring depth of anaesthesia using components of middle latency auditory evoked potential (AEP) waveforms during anaesthesia with fentanyl/fluanisone and midazolam. Study design Prospective observational study. Animals Five female Wistar rats weighing between 210 and 250 g. Methods Implanted electrodes were used to record AEPs in animals receiving five doses of anaesthetic. Recordings were made at 5 minutes post‐injection (deep anaesthesia; no pedal withdrawal response, PWR) and then at 25 minutes (light anaesthesia; strong PWR). Responses showed five characteristic peaks occurring at 11, 14, 23, 42 and 68 ms that were measured for latency of occurrence and peak amplitude. Results Auditory evoked potential peaks P14, N23 and P42 were increased significantly in latency with successive anaesthetic injections [avg. F(1,4) = 12.53, p < 0.001; avg. F(1,4) = 10.6, p < 0.001; avg. F(1,4) = 3.9, p = 0.02, respectively]. Peak N23 showed a significant reduction in latency during the 20 minute recovery period following both the first and second anaesthetic injections (t(3) = 7.52, p = 0.005; t(4) = 5.17, p = 0.007, respectively). Peak P42 occurred significantly earlier 20 minutes following the second anaesthetic injection (t(4) = 4.75, p = 0.009). The mean overall depth of anaesthesia assessed using PWR scores was significantly correlated with the mean latency of peak N23, such that as the strength of PWR increased, N23 occurred significantly earlier (r = ?0.99, p = 0.01). The amplitude difference between peaks N23 and P42 increased after the second and third drug administrations [avg. F(1,4) = 10.65, p = 0.031 and avg. F(1,4) = 11.24, p = 0.028, respectively]. Conclusion The characteristics of these peaks, and in particular latency of peak N23, may provide a useful tool for assessing depth of anaesthesia produced by this, and possibly other anaesthetic agents.     

Nutritional muscular dystrophy in a four-day-old Connemara foal

This report describes a four-day-old, full-term Connemara colt, presented for the evaluation of a progressive inability to rise unassisted. A diagnosis of nutritional muscular dystrophy was made based on muscular weakness, elevated muscle enzymes and low vitamin E, selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity. The foal was treated with intramuscular vitamin E-selenium and made a full recovery.     

Seed dormancy and germination in the summer annual Galeopsis speciosa

This study examined germination and dormancy in Galeopsis speciosa (Lamiaceae), a common summer annual weed in cold‐temperate areas. Seeds collected in southern Sweden were subjected to several experiments. The seeds were dormant at maturity. Seeds sown outdoors after collection produced a small number of seedlings that emerged early in the spring. After long cold stratification or stratification outdoors over two winters, the maximum germination was 40–50%; germination occurring over a wide range of temperatures. Warm stratification preceding cold stratification had no effect on germination, but repeated warm and cold periods seemed to promote germination. Gibberellic acid (GA) stimulated germination, but full germination was only achieved after more than 2 months of incubation at the most suitable temperature regime tested. Excised embryos grew and developed into normal seedlings. With these results, the species does not fit into the currently used system for seed dormancy classifications. The response to GA and the growth of excised embryos indicate non‐deep or intermediate physiological dormancy, but dormancy alleviation by stratification was not in line with the guiding principles for these classifications. Galeopsis speciosa has a strong dormancy that is sufficiently alleviated during the winter to allow germination of only part of a seed batch each year; hence a stepwise germination pattern occurs over a period of several years.