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Biomedical subjects

C Franti

Publications and source records attributed to C Franti.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on fertility in repeat-breeder California dairy cows.

To assess the potential benefit to fertility from gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration to third service cows managed in typical California dairy systems, 963 cows were enlisted from 14 dairies served by 6 veterinary practices. The cows were randomly assigned to receive either GnRH (100 mug) or placebo at the time of the third artificial insemination. Fertility data were entered onto a proprietary microcomputer program common to all six practices, and collated independently by a third party. For the duration of the trial (1 yr), GnRH and placebo-treated cows had 43.2 and 39.3% conception rates, respectively (P=0.35). When treatments administered in summer months (July, August, September) were excluded, conception rates were 48.1 and 41.0%, respectively (P<0.1). The conception rates of cows treated with GnRH in August tended to be lower than those of placebo-treated cows (95% logarithmic confidence intervals of odds ratio = -1.139, 0.377). Between-herd variation in benefit from GnRH was evident, with two dairies showing no benefit, one dairy showing a negative effect, and four showing a range of effects from lightly beneficial to significantly beneficial. First-lactation cows did not benefit at any time from GnRH treatment. The data suggest that GnRH administered to third-service dairy cows under California conditions may result in increased conception rates in non-summer months, but that other unidentified variables may have important influence on the outcome of such treatment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1987

The economic benefit of treating subclinical Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis in lactating cows.

The economic benefits of treating lactating cows for Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis were studied at a large (689 milking cows) central California dairy. Postcure milk production of case cows (infected, treated, and cured) was compared with production of paired control cows (uninfected) and was matched for yield, days in milk, days in gestation, and parity. A simulation was used to plot expected lactation curves for mastitic cows (infected, not treated) with characteristics similar to those of each control cow, and these curves were compared with actual case-cow lactation curves. The difference in actual and expected production was used to calculate net economic benefits of treatment. Comparison of expected with actual production indicated a net benefit from treatment of $396/cow for cows treated in early lactation and $237 for cows treated in midlactation, but a net loss of $55 for cows treated in late lactation. Lactation number did not have a significant impact on economic benefits of treatment. In contrast to other studies indicating no economic benefit from treating mastitis during lactation, this study's positive results may have been attributable to the high cure rate (98%) and the subclinical form of mastitis being treated. Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis treatment during early and midlactation would appear to be an economically justifiable option for dairy managers.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The application of a modified follow-up life table technique to the study of outpatient clinic services for sickle-cell patients.

A cohort of 60 matched pairs of sickle-cell anaemia (SS) patients from Ibadan, Nigeria and Oakland, California, were compared in a follow-up study. The null hypothesis tested was that there was no significant difference in the morbidity associated with sickle-cell anaemia among Ibadan SS patients receiving antimalarial prophylaxis and Oakland SS patients. Proportions of all clinic visits during which the patients had crises or infections associated with sickle cell anaemia (SSINF) were used as measures of morbidity. A modification of the follow-up life table was used for the analysis. Plots of PX and its confidence bands against frequency of clinic visits due to crises and SSINF were drawn. The Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine any significant differences in the probability of SS patients from either of the two centres visiting the clinic because of crises or SSINF. The results showed no significant differences in these probabilities.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1981

Production of italian dry salami: effect of starter culture and chemical acidulation on staphylococcal growth in salami under commercial manufacturing conditions.

The effect of starter culture and chemical acidulation on the growth and enterotoxigenesis of Staphylococcus aureus strain S-6 in Italian dry salami under commercial manufacturing conditions was studied. The experimental design included two levels of S. aureus (10 and 10/g), three levels of starter culture (0, 10, and 10/g), three levels of initial pH (pH(0)) (6.1, 5.5, and 4.8), two manufacturing plants, and three replications. S. aureus growth in the salami was affected significantly (P < 0.005) by pH(0), initial levels of S. aureus (staph(0)) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB(0)), day of fermentation, and by the interactions of pH(0) x day, pH(0) x LAB(0), LAB(0) x staph(0), pH(0) x staph(0), and pH(0) x location of fermentation. In general, the lower the pH(0) and the higher the LAB(0), the greater the inhibition of S. aureus. The LAB levels during the fermentation were affected significantly (P < 0.005) by pH(0), LAB(0), day of fermentation, location, LAB(0) x pH(0), and LAB(0) x day. Derived regression equations related level of S. aureus and LAB at any day of fermentation to a number of microbiological and chemical variables. Close similarity of observed and predicted levels of S. aureus and LAB growth demonstrated the usefulness of the experimental approach in evaluating the safety of a process. No detectable enterotoxin or thermonuclease was found at any stage of processing even when S. aureus reached levels of 10/g of salami.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radiographic exophthalmometry.

Radiographic exophthalmometry is based on the simultaneous exposure of a radiograph and a photograph. The fixed reference point for both eyes is the tuberculum sellae, which is a midline structure. Eye position is correlated with skull size and race to provide a sensitive detection of exophthalmos. A statistically significant difference in the position of the eyes in US black and white people has been found to exist. No difference in the position of left or right eyes has been found in either US black or white people.

Black or African American↗