The effect of cyclopiazonic acid on the development of pale, soft, and exudative pork from pigs of defined malignant hyperthermia genotype

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) and the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) are each associated with abnormal calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscle, a key underlying factor in the development of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) pork. To determine whether the natural presence of CPA in livestock feed ingredients contributes to the varying incidence of PSE in the pork industry, various levels of CPA (.1 to 50 mg/kg of diet) were included in the diets of market weight hogs (n = 52) of defined malignant hyperthermia genotype (NN = normal, Nn = a MH carrier, and nn = MH-positive). Animals with two copies of the MH mutation (nn) displayed improved live animal performance compared with NN and Nn animals (increased feed intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency) but yielded lower quality loin chops as indicated by lower 45-min pH (P<.01), higher Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L* color coordinate values (P<.05), and higher drip losses (P<.01). The effects of CPA varied. In the first feeding trial, conducted under normal outside temperatures (2 degrees C), CPA had no effect (P> .2) on either live animal performance or meat quality. During the second trial, conducted under extreme outside temperatures (-18 degrees C), CPA-dependent reductions (P<.05) in feed intake, average daily gain, and 45-min pH in nn hogs support the possibility of interactions between malignant hyperthermia and dietary CPA on skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis and the development of PSE pork. These results suggest that this interaction may require stressful environmental conditions or the ingestion of CPA doses much higher than occur under natural conditions.     

CLINICAL EXTRACORPOREAL OXYGENATION FOR RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY

There is today a large group of patients who die for the simple reason that their lungs can no longer transport sufficient oxygen to meet the demands of the body. The projected number of deaths resulting from acute respiratory insufficiency in 1977, in the United States is 86,000. The average age of these patients will be 46 years.¹ This establishes a rather high priority for developing newer methods of prevention and treatment of this syndrome. Prevention is the most important facet of this syndrome and many of its contributing etiological factors will be better clarified and, subsequently, better managed in the next decade.     

A procedure for the examination of the liver and pancreas in dogs

A technique is described for the visual examination and biopsy sampling of the affected organ in canine liver and pancreatic dysfunction.
Résumé . On a décrit une technique pour l'examen visuel et la biopsie d'essais de l'organe affecté dans le foie du chien et le mauvais fonctionnement du pancreas.
Zusammenfassung . Man hat eine Technik beschrieben, für die Sichtprobe und die Biopsie-Probenahme des angegriffenen Organs in der Hundeleber und in der Bauchspeichelschlechtfunktion.     

A Histological Study of the Effects of Enzootic Abortion of Ewes Virus in the Lactating Bovine Mammary Gland

Inoculation of the udders of cows with the virus of enzootic abortion of ewes resulted in a severe acute mastitis. The mastitis was characterized clinically by pyrexia, anorexia, decreased milk production, swelling and marked alteration in the physical quality of the milk. The basic lesion was necrosis of alveolar and duct epithelial cells. Virus particles were demonstrated in all levels of the mammary gland three days after inoculation illustrating the rapid spread of the agent. Cells resembling Reed-Sternberg cells and similar to those seen in experimental mastitis produced by the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis were seen in tissues collected six and nine days after inoculation.     

Pesticide residues in foodstuffs in Great Britain: XIII.—Organochlorine residues in cereals,pulses and nuts

Results are presented for the determination of organochlorine insecticide residues in grain, pulses and nuts sampled on arrival in Britain during the 2½ years up to June 1969. BHC was detected in nearly every sample but the general level was low, most samples containing less than 0·1 ppm. DDT was found less frequently. Very few samples contained more than 1 ppm of either insecticide. DDE in trace amounts was found in about 10% of the samples of grain and nuts and TDE was found in one sample of grain. The only other organochlorine compounds detected were aldrin in one sample of pulses and hexachlorobenzene in 7 samples of wheat.