The provision of solid feeds to veal calves: II. Behavior, physiology, and abomasal damage.
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of two roughage sources (wheat straw and beet pulp) to the milk replacer diet of veal calves, in order to reduce stress and improve animal welfare. We allocated 138 Polish Friesian male calves to three different feeding plans: a milk replacer diet (Control), 250 g/d of wheat straw in addition to the milk replacer, or 250 g/d of dried beet pulp in addition to the milk replacer. Within each feeding treatment, 16 calves were individually housed and 30 were kept in group pens (five calves/pen). Several behavioral, physiological, and health welfare indicators were monitored throughout the fattening period, which lasted for 160 d. Abnormal oral behavior around the meals was higher in Control calves (P < 0.01), while its lowest level was observed in straw-fed calves. At the beginning of the trial, chewing was higher in calves receiving solid feeds (P < 0.001), but the difference from the Control gradually decreased and disappeared at wk 13 for calves fed beet pulp and at wk 17 for those fed wheat straw. At the end of the fattening period, no differences among treatments were found in the frequency of chewing. Regardless of the diet, self-grooming decreased with age and no relationship was observed between this behavior and the presence of rumen hairballs. Cross-sucking was performed with low frequencies (from 4.70% at wk 2 to 1.05% at wk 23 around the meals, and even lower far from the meals) and was not affected by the provision of roughage. The time in contact with the bucket during the whole day was higher in Controls, whereas calves fed wheat straw maintained a lower level of this activity until the end of the trial (P < 0.01). The calves fed wheat straw spent more time in contact with the feed trough (P < 0.001) than those fed beet pulp and Control calves. No differences were found in cortisol curves due to the feeding treatment. In calves fed beet pulp, most hematological measures statistically differed from the other treatments, possibly in response to the higher iron intake and(or) to the higher hemoconcentration, probably due to the administration of beet pulp as dried feed. The incidence of abomasal ulcers and erosions was increased by the provision of the solid feeds, particularly by a structured fiber source such as straw. A roughage source able to satisfy calves' behavioral needs and to improve digestive processes without damaging the digestive apparatus still has to be identified. (+info)
Is there an association between edentulism and nutritional state?
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Edentulous people have difficulty chewing foods that are hard or tough in texture, even when wearing well-made dentures. These individuals typically modify their diets to compensate for loss of oral function. This practice leads to the question of whether the diet of edentulous individuals is adequate to maintain good general health. This overview summarizes articles that describe the changes in diet associated with edentulism. Such changes include reductions in fruits, vegetables, meats and other hard-to-chew foods and are associated with compromised nutrition. The evidence suggests that edentulous individuals lack specific nutrients and, as a result, may be at risk for various health disorders. The authors have recently shown that mandibular prostheses supported by only 2 implants may significantly improve nutritional status in edentulous patients. (+info)
Quality of life of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
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BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) issues in patients with head and neck carcinoma are of importance beyond the incidence of these tumors because of the impact of the disease and its treatment on external appearance and function of the upper aerodigestive tract. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients comprise a unique subgroup in whom, to our knowledge, QOL has not been studied directly. METHODS: Adult patients with NPC treated during the past 15 years at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included in the current study. Patients were mailed the revised University of Washington quality of life (UW-QOL) questionnaire and data pertaining to their disease were recorded. Patients with recurrent disease or another malignancy or those whose present status could not be ascertained were excluded from the study. QOL scores were analyzed based on treatment, disease stage, and patient age. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients of 35 disease-free patients (80%) responded to the questionnaire sent to patients meeting the study criteria. The mean score for general health was 3.1 (range, 1-5). Pain was not a significant factor. Other domains without noteworthy problems were speech and shoulder disability. The majority of patients described their appearance as normal or with minor changes, and questions concerning activity, recreation/entertainment, employment, and swallowing all scored > 70 (range, 0-100). Dry mouth, chewing, and ear problems were of major concern with the majority of patients and affected the QOL indices. Nevertheless, the overall mean QOL score of these patients was rated as "good" (4.2 on a scale of 1-6). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, patients with NPC reported ear problems, difficulties in chewing, and dry mouth but their overall QOL appeared to be good. Ear problems such as secretory otitis media should be recognized at the time of presentation and treated. Conformal radiotherapy techniques sparing the salivary glands and temporal bone most likely will be useful in reducing the morbidity associated with treatment. (+info)
Neuronal activity patterns in primate primary motor cortex related to trained or semiautomatic jaw and tongue movements.
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The present study was undertaken to determine the firing patterns and the mechanoreceptive field (RF) properties of neurons within the face primary motor cortex (face-MI) in relation to chewing and other orofacial movements in the awake monkey. Of a total of 107 face-MI neurons recorded, 73 of 74 tested had activity related to chewing and 47 of 66 neurons tested showed activity related to a trained tongue task. Of the 73 chewing-related neurons, 52 (71.2%) showed clear rhythmic activity during rhythmic chewing. A total of 32 (43.8%) also showed significant alterations in activity in relation to the swallowing of a solid food (apple) bolus. Many of the chewing-related neurons (81.8% of 55 tested) had an orofacial RF, which for most was on the tongue dorsum. Tongue protrusion was evoked by intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) at most (63.6%) of the recording sites where neurons fired during the rhythmic jaw-opening phase, whereas tongue retraction was evoked by ICMS at most (66.7%) sites at which the neurons firing during the rhythmic jaw-closing phase were recorded. Of the 47 task-related neurons, 21 of 22 (95.5%) examined also showed chewing-related activity and 29 (61.7%) demonstrated significant alteration in activity in relation to the swallowing of a juice reward. There were no significant differences in the peak firing frequency among neuronal activities related to chewing, swallowing, or the task. These findings provide further evidence that face-MI may play an important role not only in trained orofacial movements but also in chewing as well as swallowing, including the control of tongue and jaw movements that occur during the masticatory sequence. (+info)
Hypercalcaemia and metabolic alkalosis with betel nut chewing: emphasis on its integrative pathophysiology.
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BACKGROUND: Events in the gastrointestinal tract that might contribute to a high absorption of calcium were simulated in vitro to evaluate why only a small proportion of individuals who ingest alkaline calcium salts develop hypercalcaemia, hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis. METHODS: A patient who chewed and swallowed around 40 betel nuts daily developed hypercalcaemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypokalaemia with renal potassium wasting, and renal insufficiency. The quantities of calcium and alkali per betel nut preparation were measured. Factors that might increase intestinal absorption of calcium were evaluated. RESULTS: Hypercalcaemia in the index case was accompanied by a high daily calcium excretion (248 mg, 6.2 mmol). Circulating levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and parathyroid hormone were low. Hypokalaemia with a high transtubular K(+) concentration gradient, metabolic alkalosis, a low excretion of phosphate and a very low glomerular filtration rate were prominent features. CONCLUSIONS: Possible explanations for the pathophysiology of metabolic alkalosis and hypokalaemia are provided. We speculate that a relatively greater availability of ionized calcium than inorganic phosphate in the lumen of the intestinal tract could have enhanced dietary calcium absorption. (+info)
Comparative anatomy of the buccinator muscle in cat (Felis domestica).
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Published descriptions of the buccinator muscle of the cat (Felis domestica) differ from those for the same muscle in other mammals. Only an oral component of the muscle has been described in cats, not a buccal part. The purpose of this study was to identify the buccinator muscle in the cat and report on its anatomical features in detail. Dissections of the facial muscles were carried out on 12 specimens of adult cats (6 males and 6 females) that had been fixed with 10% formalin. We then observed the facial muscles and traced their innervations, arteries, and veins under a binocular microscope. The buccinator muscle in the cat was identified underneath an orbicularis oris, arising from the lower buccal membrane and from the molar region of the alveolar border of the mandible. It was about 3 mm wide at its origin, 4 mm wide at its insertion, and about 11 mm in length from origin to insertion. This contrasts with humans, in whom the muscle arises not only from the mandible, but also from the maxilla. Apart from this difference, this muscle in cats displays the following similarities to the buccinator muscle of other mammals: 1) it is innervated by the facial nerve; 2) it supports the buccal membrane; 3) it seems to insert into the modiolus; 4) its bundles run antero-posteriorly; 5) the posterior part of the muscle is located medially to the masseter muscle; 6) the parotid duct, facial nerve, artery, and vein run lateral to the muscle; 7) it is located deeper than other facial muscles; and 8) the buccal nerve runs on its surface. These relationships are spatially similar to those of the buccinator muscle in mammals. This muscle may aid in mastication, including suckling, and in expelling air forcibly, like the buccinator in humans. (+info)
Malocclusions in guinea pigs, chinchillas and rabbits.
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The types of malocclusions encountered in rodents and lagomorphs are classified. Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are reviewed. Some malocclusions are curable, whereas others can only be controlled. The need to perform a complete oral examination and to find a cause for the condition is stressed, as it will seriously affect the prognosis. (+info)
Resistant starch content in a selection of starchy foods on the Swedish market.
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OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the resistant starch (RS) content in a selection of typical starchy foods on the Swedish market. In addition, the daily RS intake was estimated from Swedish food consumption data. DESIGN: The major forms of RS, including physically encapsulated starch, were determined with an in vitro method using chewing as a pre-step before enzymatic incubation. SETTING: The study was performed at the Department of Applied Nutrition and Food Chemistry, Lund University, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Six healthy subjects were used to chew the food products before enzymatic incubation of the samples. RESULTS: Twenty-five cereal, potato and legume products were included in the study. The highest RS concentration was noted in the legume group (9.5-11.1% total starch basis). Commercially processed potato products were found to have a higher RS content (4.8-5.9%), compared with boiled potatoes (2.0%). Among the cereal products, bread with enclosure of intact rye grains, barley flakes and semolina porridge, respectively, were identified to have a RS level in the higher range (4.5-6.0%). The daily RS intake was estimated to be 3.2 g. CONCLUSIONS: The main RS sources in the Swedish diet are bread and potato products, which contribute approximately 1.3 and 1.2 g RS per day, respectively. Based on food habits the RS intake may vary considerably, thus when added to dietary fibre intake, the contribution of RS may be of nutritional importance for certain individuals. (+info)