Percutaneous aspiration liver biopsy using a large-caliber disposable needle: a preliminary report

A modification of the aspiration liver biopsy technique using a large-caliber disposable needle is described in an 18-month experience. One hundred forty liver biopsies were performed, obtaining adequate tissue in 98% of the patients. Complications occurred in 12 patients and were limited to pain at the biopsy site, epigastrium, or right shoulder; one instance of tachycardia and three of transient hypotension occurred. Thirty patients studied prospectively with liver scans and hematologic parameters failed to disclose subclinical complications. While the number of patients biopsied is still too small to provide definite conclusions , it appears that this technique is safe, similar and has a very high yield of excellent specimens. In addition, the needle offers the advantage of being disposable and easy to use by a single operator.     

Experimentally-induced osteoarthritis in guinea pigs: effect of surgical procedure and dietary intake of vitamin C

The effect of variation in dietary ascorbic acid on surgically induced osteoarthritis was examined in the stifle joints of guniea pigs. Two different surgical procedures were used to induce osteoarthritis in the right stifle joint of these animals. Guinea pigs were maintained either on a high (150 mg/day) or low (2.4 mg/day) dietary intake of vitamin C. Regardless of the surgical procedure used to induce osteoarthritis, the animals maintained on the high level of vitamin C consistently showed severe joint damage than animals on the low level of the vitamin.     

Effect of dietary zinc levels on health and productivity of gilts and sows through two parities

The influence of 0, 50, 500 or 5,000 ppm supplemental Zn on productive characteristics, weight change, and serum and organ mineral concentrations of 60 crossbred and purebred Yorkshire gilts was evaluated. Gilts were fed their respective treatment from 30 kg body weight until the completion of two parities. Sows fed 5,000 ppm supplemental Zn weighed significantly less than sows from the other treatments when killed. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was higher for the sows fed the highest level of Zn in all replications at 10 and 14 mo of age than for sows from the other treatments. Sows fed 0, 50 or 500 ppm had lower serum Zn and higher serum Cu concentrations than sows fed 5,000 ppm Zn at 10 and 14 mo of age. The number of pigs farrowed (total and live) and birth weight were not affected by dam's dietary treatment. However, sows receiving no additional Zn had a higher number of abnormal pigs/litter than sows on the other treatments. Sows fed 5,000 ppm additional Zn weaned fewer pigs that weighed less at weaning than sows on the other treatments. The concentration of Zn in the sow's liver increased significantly and liver Cu decreased as dietary level of Zn increased. Sows receiving 5,000 ppm Zn had lower hepatic Fe stores compared with sows receiving 500 ppm Zn. Elevated renal Cu and Zn concentrations were found in sows fed the highest level of Zn supplementation. The Zn concentration was higher and the Cu concentration lower in the aorta of sows fed 5,000 ppm Zn compared with sows fed 0 or 50 ppm additional Zn. Incidence of osteochondrosis was higher in sows supplemented with 5,000 ppm Zn than for sows from the other treatments.