Biomedical subjects

S McDougall

Publications and source records attributed to S McDougall.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Preferential recognition of a fragment species of osteoarthritic synovial fluid fibronectin by antibodies to the alternatively spliced EIIIA segment.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the species of synovial fluid (SF) fibronectin (FN) bearing the alternatively spliced EIIIA segment. METHODS: SF from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as corresponding affinity isolation products, were subjected to 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional electrophoresis followed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Regardless of the clinical type of arthritis, a polyclonal antibody that recognizes antigenic determinants throughout the FN molecule produced staining of predominantly approximately 200+ and approximately 170-kd species in reduced 1-dimensional electrophoresis. Despite the overall prevalence of the larger species, 4 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reactive with sequences lying near the center of the EIIIA segment exhibited a relative failure to recognize the larger of these 2 species in OA, but not RA, SF. The absence of recognition of EIIIA sequences within the approximately 200+ kd forms of OA SF FN was unrelated to their derivation from dimers, since anti-EIIIA mAb recognized the smaller fragment species in preference to both monomeric and dimeric forms. The approximately 170-kd EIIIA+ fragments were observed to have minimal gelatin-binding capacity and appeared on 2-dimensional electrophoresis to extend from the N-terminus of FN through at least the center of the EIIIA segment. Similar results were obtained for samples obtained by needle aspiration or arthroscopic lavage, suggesting a widespread applicability of these findings. CONCLUSION: The approximately 170-kd EIIIA+ species of FN could potentially constitute a soluble "vehicle" by which chondrocyte-regulating EIIIA sequences, liberated from inhibitory flanking C-terminal sequences, could reach cells in the arthritic joint. Additionally, "FN species-specific" recognition of this segment within OA SF could constitute a marker by which to gauge the activity of the OA disease process.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2001

Relationships among somatic cell count, California mastitis test, impedance and bacteriological status of milk in goats and sheep in early lactation.

The objectives of this trial were to evaluate and compare the test characteristics of a number of indirect tests of bacteriological status of the milk from goats and sheep and to assess the affect of varying levels of prevalence of infection on the performance of those tests.The somatic cell count, California mastitis test (CMT) score, electrical impedance and the bacteriological status of 220 and 262 milk samples from the glands of lactating dairy goats and sheep, respectively, were determined. The sensitivity and specificity of indirect tests in predicting the bacteriological status were compared by analyzing the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calculating the likelihood ratio at various cut-off values.Bacteria were isolated from 17.7 and 4.6% of glands from goats and sheep, respectively. Somatic cell count was a better predictor of bacteriological status than either the CMT score or impedance in both goats and sheep. However, knowledge of the CMT score in both sheep and goats and the impedance in goats increases the likelihood of predicting the presence of a bacterial pathogen compared to no testing at all (P<0.05). Knowledge of the age and days postpartum of the animals at the time of testing did not increase the probability that infection status could be predicted. Variation in cut-off levels to predict infection status reported in the literature may be due to variation in the prevalence of infection in the populations studied. Use of likelihood ratio allows comparison of tests over a range of prevalence's as likelihood ratios are independent of prevalence. The prevalence of infection within a herd should be considered when selecting a cut-off value for indirect testing for the presence of bacteria in milk of small ruminants.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

The leisure satisfaction of people with psychiatric disabilities.

Leisure is considered to be an important part of life for every individual. This is even more so for people who have limited employment prospects and life options. The primary handicaps associated with mental illness create problems with social relationships and can hinder individuals from participating in or enjoying leisure pursuits. The aim of this exploratory study was to examine leisure satisfaction in a sample of one hundred adults with a mental illness who were clients of an Australian community mental health rehabilitation service. The Leisure Satisfaction Survey and the Life Skills Profile were administered to these clients to determine their leisure satisfaction and general functioning. Contrary to expectations, results indicated that the clients of mental health rehabilitation services believe that their leisure pursuits provide them with intellectual stimulation, enjoyable relationships with others and relaxation, suggesting that they are very satisfied with the activities they engage in during their leisure time. In general, these clients were more satisfied with their leisure than the normative population. Consistent with expectations, clients with lower disability and in particular with high capacity for social contact were most satisfied with their leisure pursuits. The significance of these results and the utility of the Leisure Satisfaction Survey with this population are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Supplementing treated anoestrous dairy cows with progesterone does not increase conception rates.

AIM: To determine whether conception rates of anoestrous dairy cows treated with progesterone and oestradiol benzoate (ODB) could be increased by treating them with additional progesterone following insemination at the induced oestrus. METHODS: Cows which had not been detected in oestrus for at least 21 days after calving in 18 herds were confirmed anovulatory anoestrus (AA) by veterinary examination, due to the absence of a detectable corpus luteum in the ovaries. All cows were treated with intra-vaginal progesterone (CIDR insert) for 6 days and injected with 1 mg ODB 24 h after insert removal (Day 0). Only cows which were seen in oestrus on Days 0, 1 or 2 were enrolled in the trial. These cows were either treated with a second CIDR insert on Day 8, for 7 days (P4+; n=422), or remained untreated (Control; n=756). Milk progesterone concentrations were measured in a subset of enrolled cows (n=669) on Day 8 to determine the proportion of cows that ovulated following the induced oestrus. RESULTS: Conception rates to first insemination were similar in P4+ and Control cows (40.3% and 37.2%, p=0.59). Of cows which had milk progesterone concentrations measured on Day 8, 78.6% displayed oestrus and ovulated, (range: 53.8% to 94.6% among herds). Of the cows that ovulated, conception rate to first insemination was 46.8% and 43.5% in P4+ and Control cows, respectively (p=0.86). CONCLUSION: Conception rates to first insemination in AA cows treated with progesterone and ODB were not increased by progesterone supplementation using CIDR inserts following insemination.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Reproductive performance of dairy cows not detected in oestrus but with a detectable corpus luteum, in response to treatment with progesterone, oestradiol benzoate and prostaglandin F2alpha.

AIM: To determine if the reproductive performance of dairy cows not previously detected in oestrus but with a detectable corpus luteum before the planned start of mating (PSM), could be improved by treatment with progesterone, oestradiol benzoate (ODB) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF). METHODS: Cows in 18 herds which had not been detected in oestrus, but which had a detectable corpus luteum present at veterinary examination 7 days prior to the PSM (Day -7), were allocated to 1 of 2 groups. Treated cows (n=232) received an injection of 2 mg ODB and an intravaginal progesterone releasing device (CIDR insert) on Day -7, and an injection of PGF on the day of insert removal 7 days later (Treated group). The Control group (n=243) remained untreated. Cows were mated to detected oestrus from Day 0, and conception dates confirmed by manual palpation or transrectal ultrasonography. RESULTS: During the first 7 days of mating, 37.4% of Control cows and 65.9% of Treated cows were inseminated on detection of oestrus (p<0.001). Pregnancy rates for this period were 20.4% and 36.3%, respectively (p=0.001). Conception rates to first insemination, pregnancy rates after 21 days of mating and at the end of the mating period were similar between groups (p>0.1). Median interval from the PSM to conception did not differ between treatment groups (24 and 23 days for Control and Treated, respectively, p>0.1). CONCLUSION: Treating postpartum dairy cows which had not previously been detected in oestrus but which had a detectable corpus luteum, with progesterone, ODB and PGF did not significantly improve their reproductive performance compared with no hormonal intervention.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Effects of periparturient diseases and conditions on the reproductive performance of New Zealand dairy cows.

AIM: To determine the effect of retained foetal membranes (RFM), periparturient recumbency, calf mortality, dystocia, twin births and induction of parturition on submission and pregnancy rates of pasture-fed, seasonally-calving dairy cows in New Zealand. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected for 2652 cows from 11 herds on the occurrence of periparturient diseases and condition, calving date, age and treatment for anoestrus prior to the planned start of mating (PSM). The effects of each disease or condition on submission and pregnancy rate by 28 days after PSM, final pregnancy rate, and the proportion of cows that conceived more than 50 days after PSM were examined using separate logistic regression models. Results are expressed as odds ratios (OR). Additionally, the effect of each disease or condition on the interval from PSM to conception was examined using survival analysis. Age, herd and late calving (i.e. cows calved < or =40 days before PSM) were included as factors in the models examined. RESULTS: Induction of parturition increased the risk of RFM (OR=3.3, p<0.01). The 28-day submission rate was affected by age and herd but not by any of the periparturient conditions examined. The 28-day pregnancy rate was reduced by RFM (OR=0.04, p<0.05), induction of parturition (OR=0.67, p<0.01), assisted calving (OR=0.61, p<0.01), late calving (OR=0.55, p<0.05) and anoestrus (OR=0.27, p<0.05). The final pregnancy rate was reduced by RFM (OR=0.013, p<0.01), induction (OR=0.25, p<0.05), assisted calving (OR=0.30, p<0.005) and anoestrus (OR=0.32, p<0.05), and was increased if the cow was submitted for mating within 28 days after PSM (OR=2.72, p<0.05). Effects of recumbency and twinning were not significant in any of the models. CONCLUSIONS: Cows that had had RFM or were assisted, induced or late to calve, had significantly lower pregnancy rates or took longer to conceive than unaffected herd-mates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intervention programs aimed at the examination and treatment of cows with periparturient conditions may improve the reproductive performance of New Zealand dairy herds. Investigations of poor reproductive performance of a herd should include analysis of the prevalence and effects of periparturient diseases and conditions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Effect of intrauterine antibiotic treatment on reproductive performance of dairy cows following periparturient disease.

AIMS: To quantify the effect of treating lactating dairy cows that had histories of periparturient disorders or disease with a single intrauterine infusion of 0.5 g cephapirin, 3-6 weeks prior to the start of the seasonal breeding period. METHODS: Cows (n=690) from spring-calving dairy herds (n=22) were enrolled in a prospective case-control study if they had a history of dystocia, a dead calf at calving or within 24 h of calving, retained foetal membranes (RFM), metabolic disease, twins or a vulval discharge 13 days postpartum. Cows were blocked by age, periparturient condition and calving date, and randomly assigned to be either treated with 0.5 g of cephapirin by intrauterine infusion, or left as untreated controls. Treatment occurred 24-42 days before the planned start of mating (PSM) within each herd. In addition, the reproductive tracts of 91 cows from 4 herds were examined using a vaginal speculum and rectal palpation and cervical-os discharge was scored on a scale from 0 (nil) to 3 (purulent). RESULTS: Overall, more treated cows were retained in the trial herds until pregnancy testing than control cows (p0.05). Average 28-day submission rate was higher (93.1% vs 87.1%; p0.05) and PSM-to-first-service interval was shorter (9+/-1 vs 11+/-1 days; p0.05) in treated than control cows. The percentage of cows not pregnant at the end of the mating period was not affected by treatment overall. However, amongst cows diagnosed with RFM, a dead calf, or vulval discharge, pregnancy rates 28 and 56 days after PSM were higher for treated than control cows (p0.05). Cows with a purulent cervical-os discharge had lower 28-day submission rates (p0.01), lower 28-day pregnancy rates (p0.05) and higher non-pregnant rates at the end of mating than cows with nil or mucoid cervical-os discharges. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine treatment with 0.5 g cephapirin improved reproductive performance of dairy cattle, especially those that had a history of RFM, a calf dead at calving or within 24 h of calving, or a vulval discharge.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Treatment of anovulatory anoestrous postpartum dairy cows with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandin F2 alpha, GnRH regimen or with progesterone and oestradiol benzoate.

AIM: To compare 2 treatments for anovulatory anoestrus (AA) in postpartum dairy cows. The treatments were combinations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin F2 (PG) or progesterone (P4) and oestradiol benzoate (ODB). METHODS: Forty AA cows from each of 5 herds were blocked by age (2 or 2 years old) and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments. The first group (GPG) were treated with 250 mug of a GnRH analogue, gonadorelin, followed 7 days later by 15 mg of the PG analogue, luprostiol. Two days later the cows were injected with 250 mug of gonadorelin. Cows were artificially inseminated 16-24 h after the second GnRH injection. The second group (P4+ODB) were treated with an intravaginal P4 releasing device for 6 days, followed 24 h after device removal by injection of 1 mg of ODB. Cows were pregnancy tested 35-40 days after the initial insemination and twice again at 6-8 week intervals thereafter. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between P4+ODB and GPG groups in the percentage of cows submitted for insemination in the first 7 days (94.0% vs 100% for P4+ODB vs GPG, respectively; p>0.3), in conception rate to first insemination within the first 7 days (43.6% vs 35.0% for P4+ODB vs GPG, respectively; p>0.2), in the percentage of cows conceiving in the first 28 days of the breeding period (68.0% vs 58.3%, P4+ODB vs GPG, respectively; p>0.1), or in median interval from the end of treatment to conception (20 vs 21 days; p>0.1). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in the reproductive performance of AA cows treated with either P4+ODB or GPG were detected. However, given the small number of animals enrolled, further data are required before the GPG protocol can be recommended for treatment of AA cows.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Reproductive performance of anovulatory anoestrous postpartum dairy cows following treatment with two progesterone and oestradiol benzoate-based protocols, with or without resynchrony.

AIMS: (a) To compare the reproductive performance of anovulatory anoestrous (AA) postpartum dairy cows following treatment with 1 of 2 progesterone (P4) and oestradiol benzoate (ODB)-based treatment regimens; (b) To determine whether resynchronisation of cows initially treated for AA would improve reproductive performance and; (c) to determine whether cows not detected in oestrus but with a corpus luteum (CL) present (NDO/CL+), treated with P4 and ODB, would conceive earlier than untreated controls. METHODS: Cows (n=1386) from 11 herds, that had not been detected in oestrus before the start of the seasonal mating period (PSM) and in which a CL was not detected were diagnosed AA, blocked by age (2 or >2 years old), then randomly assigned to be treated with an intravaginal P4-releasing device for either 6 (6-Day group) or 8 days (8-Day group). Cows in the 8-Day group were injected intramuscularly (IM) with 2 mg ODB at device insertion and all cows were injected with 1 mg ODB 24 h after device removal (Day 0). Cows detected in oestrus from Days 0-3 were subsequently assigned to be either resynchronised or left as untreated controls. Resynchronised cows had a used P4-releasing device reinserted on Day 14 for 8 days and were injected with 1 mg ODB at device reinsertion and again 24 h after device removal. NDO/CL+ cows were assigned to be either treated the same as the 8-Day group or left as untreated controls. All cows were inseminated on detection of oestrus and pregnancy tested approximately 10 weeks after the PSM and again 6-8 weeks after the end of the mating period. RESULTS: For AA cows, the 14-day submission rate was similar between 6-Day and 8-Day groups (p0.1). However, the pregnancy rate by Day 14 was higher for the 8-Day than the 6Day group (43.0% vs 35.2%; p=0.006). Resynchrony treatment decreased the 14-day pregnancy rate compared with untreated controls (35.2% vs 42.5%; p=0.026). The resynchrony treatment increased the submission rate between Days 14-28 for non-pregnant cows compared with untreated controls (80.6% vs 57.4%; p=0.049). However, conception rate to resynchronised heats was lower than for cows that returned to oestrus naturally (56.6% vs 67.9%; p=0.025). Neither initial treatment type nor resynchrony treatment increased the 28-day pregnancy rate (p>0.1). There were no differences between treatment groups in the final non-pregnant rate (4.5% vs 4.6%; p>0.1). Treated NDO/CL+ cows had a higher 14-day submission rate (88.1% vs 49.4%; p>0.001), higher 14-day and 28-day pregnancy rates (42.9% vs 20.7%, p>0.001 and; 56.0% vs 42.5%, p=0.094, respectively) and conceived earlier (21 vs 36 days from PSM to median day of conception; p>0.05), than untreated NDO/CL+ cows. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-Day, ODB-P4-ODB treatment regimen resulted in a higher pregnancy rate by 14 days but not 28 days than the 6-Day, P4-ODB treatment. The resynchrony treatment increased the proportion of non-pregnant cows inseminated on days 14-28, but did not increase the 28-day pregnancy rate or final pregnancy rate. Treatment of NDO/CL+ cows with the 8-Day, ODB-P4-ODB treatment improved reproductive performance compared with no treatment.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Transcriptional regulation of alpha 2(I) collagen gene expression by fibroblast growth factor-2 in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulates proliferation and inhibits differentiated function of osteoblasts by suppressing synthesis of type I collagen and other proteins. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms regulating the suppressive effects of FGF-2 on type I collagen synthesis in osteoblasts. The zinc finger transcription factor Egr-1 and the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of proteins have been implicated in the regulation of genes crucial to mesodermal cell growth and differentiation. The aim of this study was to determine whether Egr-1 and TWIST might be potential transcriptional regulators of the inhibitory effects of FGF-2 on alpha2(I) collagen expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts which undergo a developmental sequence in vitro. Upon treatment of undifferentiated MC3T3-E1 cells with 1 nM FGF-2, Egr-1 mRNA increased with the effect maximal after 30-60 min. TWIST mRNA also increased with the effect maximal at 2 h. We analyzed the transcriptional control of alpha2(I) collagen gene expression by FGF-2 by transient transfection of an alpha2(I) collagen-luciferase construct (pH5) into undifferentiated MC3T3-E1 cells. The activity of the pH5 luciferase promoter decreased in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with.01 and 1 nM FGF-2. We identified putative Egr-1 and TWIST recognition sequences in the proximal region of the promoter for the murine alpha2(I) collagen gene and a putative Egr-1 site in the 5' region of the murine TWIST promoter. In gel mobility shift assays, potential Egr-1 response elements in the 5' region of the murine TWIST and alpha2(I) collagen genes demonstrated specific Egr-1 binding activity with bFGF-treated nuclear extracts obtained from MC3T3-E1 cells. These results indicate that Egr-1 and TWIST are expressed in undifferentiated MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells following treatment with FGF-2 and they may be potential transcriptional regulators of FGF-2s negative effects on alpha2(I) collagen gene expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 80:550-559, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Validation of a highly sensitive ICP-MS method for the determination of platinum in biofluids: application to clinical pharmacokinetic studies with oxaliplatin.

ELOXATIN (Oxaliplatin) is a novel platinum containing anti-cancer agent with a diaminocyclohexane carrier ligand which has been approved in several major European countries. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the compound exhibits marked activity against colorectal cancers in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The aim of this work was to develop and validate a highly sensitive inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry assay for the determination of oxaliplatin-derived platinum in plasma ultrafiltrate, plasma and whole blood and to apply this technique to clinical pharmacokinetic studies with oxaliplatin. Ultratrace detection of platinum in plasma ultrafiltrate was achieved using ultrasonic nebulisation combined with ICP-MS. This technique allows detection of platinum at the 0.001 microg Pt/ml level in only 100 microl of matrix. Assays in blood and plasma utilised a standard Meinhardt nebuliser and spray chamber, achieving detection limits of 0.1 microg Pt/ml in 100 and 200 microl of matrix, respectively. The assays were validated (accuracy and precision within +/- 15%) over the concentration ranges: 0.001-0.250 microg Pt/ml in plasma ultrafiltrate and 0.1-10 microg Pt/ml for plasma and whole blood. The effect of sample digestion. dilution, long term frozen storage and quantitation in the presence of 5-FU were also investigated and validated. The method was used to monitor platinum exposure following oxaliplatin administration (130 mg/m2) to cancer patients. Following a 2 h i.v. infusion, peak platinum levels declined in a triphasic manner in all blood compartments. Free platinum was detected in plasma ultrafiltrate at low levels (0.001 0.010 microg Pt/ml) for up to 3 weeks. In conclusion, a highly sensitive and specific assay has been developed for the determination of platinum in biofluids. This method enabled characterisation of the long term exposure to platinum in patients following oxaliplatin treatment.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2000

Recovery of bacteria from goats' milk following freezing and the prevalence of bacterial infection in milk from goats with an elevated somatic cell count.

AIMS: To establish the prevalence of bacterial infection of goats with high somatic cell counts and to determine the effect of freezing milk samples on the probability of culturing the same pathogen again. METHODS: Milk samples were collected from both halves of 99 goats with a somatic cell count >650,000 cells/ml. The milk samples were split into four aliquots with one of the aliquots being cultured immediately. The other three aliquots were frozen at -20 degrees C, and successive aliquots of 39 samples from which pathogens were isolated at Day 0 were thawed and cultured 28, 56 and 84 days later. RESULTS: Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common isolates. Freezing and thawing did not significantly reduce either the number of isolates cultured or the number of colony forming units from these successive aliquots. However, three of 39 selected pathogens were not cultured at one or more of the successive thawings. Goats from herds that were housed had a higher probability of having a pathogen isolated from milk than goats from herds kept on pasture. CONCLUSIONS: Freezing of milk samples may be used for subsequent culture of bacteria from goats' milk.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Treatment of noncyclic lactating dairy cows with progesterone and estradiol or with progesterone, GnRH, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and estradiol.

The efficacy of two programs for treating noncyclic cows was compared. In trial 1, 478 cows in five herds were randomly divided into two groups. Cows in one group (C group) were treated with an intravaginal progesterone device for 8 d followed in 48 h by 1 mg of estradiol benzoate to cows that had not been detected in estrus since device removal. Those in the other group (CGP group) were treated with progesterone and estradiol as for the C group plus 10 micrograms of a GnRH agonist (buserelin) at device insertion and 25 mg of PGF2 alpha 7 d after device insertion. In trial 2 with 729 cows in nine herds, the treatments were similar to those in trial 1 except that the duration of progesterone treatment was 7 d. No significant difference was found between trials and results from both trials were combined. Compared with C group cows, CGP group cows had a greater estrous response rate (93.2 vs. 89.1%), a greater conception rate to first artificial insemination (AI, 47.1 vs. 29.4%), marginally lower conception rate to second AI (52.9 vs. 59.7%), lower nonpregnancy rate (8.3 vs. 11.1%), and shorter intervals from the start of breeding to conception by AI (9.8 vs. 15.3 d) or by AI or natural mating (21.6 vs. 26.3 d). The treatment protocol used for the CGP group achieved better reproductive performance than that used for the C group.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Insemination at the second of two induced oestrous periods in anoestrous dairy cows increases conception rates to first service.

AIM: To determine whether mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first, oestrus post pm-turn could increase conception rates to that service. METHODS: Cows diagnosed as anovulatory anoestrus were allocated to two groups, starting treatment on Day -17 (OES2) or on Day -7 (OESI) where the date of the planned start of mating = Day 0. All cows were treated with intravaginal progesterone (CIDR device) for 6 days and an injection of 1 mg oestradiol benzoate 24 h after removal of the device. Cows in the OES2 group were also injected with prostaglandin F2alpha on Day 0. RESULTS: During the first 7 days of mating, 61.8% (207/335) and 88.2% (328/372) of cows in the OES2 and OESl groups, respectively, were inseminated on detection of oestrus (p <0.001). Oestrus without ovulation occurred in 1.5% of cows in the OES2 group and 6.2% of cows in the OESl group during this period (p <0.01). Of those cows inseminated in the first week of mating, conception rates were 54.0% in the OES2 group and 45.5% in the OESl group (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in median interval from start of mating to conception between the two groups (24 and 22 days for OES2 and OESl, respectively, p >0.05). CONCLUSION: Mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first oestrus post partum increased conception rates to that service. However, median intervals from start of mating to conception were not altered.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Detection of a corpus luteum in apparently anoestrous cows by manual palpation, transrectal ultrasonography and plasma progesterone concentration.

AIMS: To determine the level of agreement between transrectal ultrasonography, manual palpation and measurement of progesterone in the detection of corpora lutea in post-partum cows. To evaluate the reproductive performance of cows not detected in oestrus prior to mating, but detected with a corpus luteum at the start of mating. METHODS: Cows from seven herds which were not detected in oestrus were examined between 5 and 7 days before the herd's planned start of mating. Ovaries were examined by palpation and ultrasonography in 160 cows and plasma progesterone concentrations were also measured in 103 cows. Insemination dates and pregnancy data were recorded in 159 cows not detected in oestrus but having a corpus luteum and 1405 cycling herd mates. RESULTS: The level of agreement between ultrasonography and measurement of progesterone (kappa = 0.74) was higher than with manual palpation (kappa = 0.67) although it was significant for both techniques (p <0.001). Cows which were not detected in oestrus, but detected with a corpus luteum had a longer interval to first service (12 v. 10 days, p <0.05) and conception (19 v. 15 days, p = 0.01) than cycling herd mates and had a higher empty rate (9.7% v. 3.8%, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that ultrasonography may provide a better diagnostic tool for examining cows not detected in oestrus than manual palpation or measurement of progesterone concentration. Cows not detected in oestrus but having a corpus luteum were shown to have significantly poorer reproductive performance than cycling herd mates.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of clinical mastitis in 38 Waikato dairy herds in early lactation.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of clinical mastitis in spring-calving dairy herds in the Waikato Region of New Zealand and to identify factors associated with variation in the prevalence of clinical mastitis between herds. METHOD: A total of 799 quarters from 595 dairy cows from 38 dairy herds were diagnosed by herd owners as having clinical mastitis between 8 July and 21 August 1997. Quarters diagnosed with clinical mastitis were sampled for bacterial culture and somatic cell count, and the presence of clots in the milk and the presence of udder oedema were assessed by a technician or veterinarian. RESULTS: Clinical mastitis was diagnosed in an average (+/-s.e.m.) of 9.9% (+/-0.8%, range 0.9-21.4%) of calved cows within the herds. Bacteria were not cultured from an average of 12.4 % (+/- 2.0%, range 0.0-45.5%) of cows and 22.3% (+/- 2.4%, range 0.0-54.0%) of quarters diagnosed as having clinical mastitis. There were significant differences between herds in the proportion of cows diagnosed with mastitis and in the proportion of clinical mastitis cases from which bacteria were not cultured. A decreased prevalence of clinical mastitis (p<0.001) was associated with an increased percentage of the herd treated with dry cow antibiotics. An increased prevalence of clinical mastitis (p<0.0001) was associated with both an increased percentage of cows treated in the previous season with lactating cow antibiotics and an increased percentage of heifers in the herd. Herds that were fed supplements before or during lactation had a higher prevalence of clinical mastitis than herds that were not fed supplements (p<0.001). An increased proportion of quarters diagnosed with clinical mastitis that did not culture bacteria was associated with an increased prevalence of clinical mastitis (p<0.001). The proportion of quarters that the technician or veterinarian found with evidence of clinical mastitis (i.e. a somatic cell count >500,000 cells/ml and the presence of either clots or udder oedema) within a herd was inversely related to the proportion of quarters within a herd from which no bacteria were isolated. CONCLUSION: There was a large variation in the prevalence of clinical mastitis and in the proportion of clinical quarters from which no bacteria were grown between herds. Management factors such as the use of dry cow therapy, feeding regimes and heifer replacement rates all affected the prevalence of clinical mastitis. Herd owners appear to differ in the sensitivity and specificity of their diagnosis of clinical mastitis, with bacteria not isolated from up to 50% of quarters diagnosed with clinical mastitis in some herds. Improvements in the specificity of herd owner diagnosis of clinical mastitis may reduce the use of antibiotics for mastitis during lactation and hence may reduce the risk of antibiotic contamination of milk supplied for human consumption.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Absconding behaviour: an exploratory investigation in an acute inpatient unit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify patient and environmental characteristics associated with absconding behaviour, and to gain an understanding of the behaviour from the patients' perspective. METHOD: A prospective analysis of 77 consecutive incidents of absent-without-leave (AWOL) behaviour (n = 51 patients) was undertaken to develop a profile of patient and environmental characteristics associated with absconding behaviour. In addition, semi-structured interviews were carried out with a subsample of 14 patients within 24 h of returning to hospital from being AWOL. RESULTS: Those who absconded were male (58%), under 40 years of age (74%), admitted involuntarily (78%), and had a diagnosis of schizophrenia (42%). One-third of all AWOL incidents resulted from repeated absconding by the same individuals. The first 7 days post admission was a high-risk period for absconding behaviour. Issues raised in the interviews with patients identified a number of situational and environmental factors which are likely to increase the risk of absconding. CONCLUSIONS: Situational and environmental factors are more likely than patient characteristics to be predictive of absconding behaviour.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

ESPbase: a microsoft access tool for selecting symbol and icon sets for usability.

The ESPbase provides a tool for storing symbols and icons along with information about their characteristics. Information about a wide range of symbol characteristics is included on the database to facilitate the selection of symbol sets for research and design. The database includes information about the graphical characteristics and functions of symbols. It also includes ratings of symbol concreteness, complexity, familiarity, and meaningfulness. Symbols and icons can be accessed on the basis of each of these characteristics or any combination of characteristics. This makes it easier to select symbols on the basis of usability and design requirements. It also means that symbols can be easily selected for research while controlling their characteristics on a number of dimensions.

Computer Graphics↗