Severe Bruising Research Articles

Effect of source of cattle and distance transported to a commercial slaughter facility on carcass bruises in mature beef cows

Objective To determine the effect of source of cattle and distance cattle were transported to a commercial slaughter facility on prevalence and severity of carcass bruises in mature beef cows. Design Epidemiologic investigation. Sample Population Carcasses from 3,955 beef cows from 11 states assembled in 89 procurement lots. Procedure Each carcass was scored for bruise severity and location. Source of cattle was categorized. Distance from source to slaughter facility was determined. An ANCOVA was used to determine effects of variables on carcass bruises. Results Mature beef cows marketed through livestock auctions conducting first-point testing for brucellosis, especially when transported longer distances (> 325 km) to slaughter facilities, had a greater number and severity of carcass bruises than cows originating from ranches or livestock auctions not conducting first-point testing. There was an increase in number of rib bruises in cows originating from livestock auctions not conducting first-point testing. Prevalence and severity of bruises were not significantly affected by transportation distance between cows originating from auctions not conducting first-point testing and cows originating from ranches. Clinical Implications A strong association existed between handling for brucellosis testing prior to sale for slaughter and distance transported to slaughter facility with carcass bruises in mature beef cows. Bruises are major quality defects that decrease carcass value and slaughter-cow prices. Repeated handling and restraint as well as long-distance transport are issues to consider regarding the responsibility of the livestock industry to provide for the safety and well-being of cattle sold for slaughter. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998; 212:668-672)

Bilirubin Oxidase in Addition to Intensive Phototherapy to Eliminate or Delay Need for Exchange (Ex Tx). 923

BOX, in the presence of O2, selectively destroys bilirubin and its oxidation products. During feedings, active enzyme is recovered from the stools (near 100% recovery in infant rats) and stool bilirubin and bilirubin glucuronides are markedly decreased. Since 1995, on an IND permit, after informed consent, BOX, in PO4 buffer, has been given to eight newborn infants at risk of Ex Tx because of rapidly rising serum bilirubin (SB) in spite of intensive photoRx (BW 1997 to 3960g, GA 32 to 40 wk, 60 to 120 enzyme units/kg/day in one or two hourly feedings or constant OG infusion). Oral BOX was uniformly well tolerated, with no signs of toxicity. Three of the eight were term infants and otherwise healthy; one with severe BO disease (to be described elsewhere), and two with G6PD deficiency with mild hemolysis. Hepatic bilirubin excretion was quite limited in one of these latter infants whose SB rose to 27 mg/dl (BA ratio 6.3mg/g) in spite of intensive photoRx plus BOX, and an Ex Tx was necessary. The remaining five jaundiced BOX-Rx infants had other complications. One was an IDM born at 35/36 wk GA with polycythemia, hypoglycemia, somewhat increased hemolysis (day zero Hct 68%, day 5 Hct 44%) and a rapidly rising SB. After starting oral BOX, SB rise moderated, plateaued and then fell sharply. No Ex was necessary. The four other infants, one term and three preterm, were critically ill, two with severe birth asphyxia, shock and large subgaleal/intracerebral bleeds, one with symtomatic sepsis and poor albumin bilirubin binding affinity (36 wk GA), and one (32 wk GA twin) with severe bruising, probable sepsis and respirtory distress. Only the two infants with large intracranial bleeds required Ex. No Ex was needed in the two other sick infants. A significant increase in bilirubin clearance is suggested by the more rapid than expected fall in SB. We conclude BOX Rx appears promising, completely non toxic, and deserves study in randomized clinical trials. (BOX supplied by Amano International Enzyme Co., Ltd.)}

PERFORMANCE OF AN INSTRUMENT DESIGNED FOR, AND EVALUATION OF METHODS TO ASSESS, PEACH FRUIT IMPACT BRUISE SUSCEPTIBILITY1

ABSTRACTA simple, inexpensive device was fabricated for imposing drop impact loads on fruit and tested using a 0.5 J load on peach [(Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] fruit harvested at two maturity stages. The device consists of an electromagnet to secure a metallic mass above the fruit, a height adjustment for positioning the mass, a foot pedal switch for interrupting current to the electromagnet, allowing the mass to strike the fruit, and a thick aluminum base to prevent fruit movement upon impact. Following impact, fruit were stored at 2C for one week (to simulate impact damage during harvest and packing, prior to short term cold storage). Impact bruise susceptibility was assessed after storage by bruise occurrence (without regard to bruise size), and by bruise severity (measured as bruise depth, bruise width and bruise discoloration). Maturity at harvest had no effect on bruise occurrence, but did significantly effect bruise severity. Bruise depth was more sensitive than bruise width or discoloration to differences between cultivars. Cultivar ranking for bruise susceptibility differed, depending on the parameter used to obtain the ranking.

Humane Transport for Slaughter Horses

The study presents a novel veterinary forensic approach to analyse the bruising of horse carcasses, based on the nature of the bruises and how they are grouped in certain anatomical areas. Data on pre-slaughter logistics was obtained for 113 journeys with horses that travelled from Mexico and the USA to a Mexican abattoir. We found that carcass bruising was a highly prevalent problem (79% of carcasses had bruising) and was especially problematic in journeys lasting longer than 12 h, independently of the animal's country of origin, sex, age, lairage time or vehicle type. Multivariable logistic regression showed that the most severe bruises were not dispersed randomly on the carcass and that their distribution was associated with the presence of medium-sized bruises on the abdominal wall, front and rear limb. Cluster analysis suggested four damage patterns based on bruise location: severe and concentrated bruising, as well as non-severe bruises on the rear limb, thoracic-wall or more dispersed throughout the carcass.

Colour changes in bruised apple fruit tissue

Abstract A study of changes with time in aspects of bruise colour in ‘Granny Smith’ apples (Malus domestica) was undertaken in an attempt to identify the optimum time for assessment of bruise severity in experiments on apples. Bruised cortical tissue became darker (decreased lightness), browner (decreased hue angle), and increased in colour intensity (increased chroma) in the first few hours following impact. Discoloration subsequently faded gradually with time. Bruises became further discoloured with delays between sectioning and measurement, even when bruising had occurred 48 h beforehand. Colour data on bruises should therefore be collected at a standard time interval after cutting them open. Moisture and dry matter began to migrate out of bruises within 1 h of impact, providing a mechanism for “bruise recovery” in which bruises are observed to fade and develop a dry appearance with time. To assess bruises at their most intense degree of discoloration, they should be allowed to develop for a period of ...

Apple bruise assessment through electrical impedance measurements

Electrical impedance measurements were used to assess the amount of bruising sustained by a ‘Granny Smith’ apple, and to monitor the development of the bruises over time. A bruise index was developed to quantify the severity of bruising. It was found that the bruise index could distinguish apples bruised to different levels and that there was no significant change in the impedance properties of the apple after the initial damage had occurred. The method described here may have a potential use in assessing fruit bruises.

Impact Bruise Resistance Comparison among Peach Cultivars

Impact testing was used to assess the variables related to bruise resistance for four peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars. The effects of cultivar, ripeness, drop height, and firmness on fruit bruise incidence, bruise volume, respiration, and ethylene evolution rates of freshly harvested peaches were determined. The impact variables peak impact force, contact time, absorbed energy, and percent absorbed energy were measured at three stages of fruit ripeness and at three fruit drop heights. Each of the impact variables changed with fruit ripeness. Cultivars differed in their characteristic response to impact. Fruit impact, under the low to moderate impact energies used, had negligible effects on fruit respiration and ethylene production for the cultivars studied. Bruise incidence and volume increased with drop height and especially with advancing stage of ripeness. Under conditions we used, peach fruit bruise severity could be determined by either bruise incidence in or bruise volume of mesocarp tissue.

Improvement of Field Bin Sampling System for Cling Peaches

This study assessed the fruit damage caused by the Cling peach sampling system currently used in California. Results indicated that an average of 13.8% of the fruits arriving at the grading stations already had moderate or severe bruises, and the sampling machine caused bruises to an additional 6.2% of the sampled fruits. The number of bruised fruits varied greatly among varieties. A new sampling method which requires less handling of the fruits, is more compact, and has fewer moving parts than the existing machines was developed and tested. The new method can reduce fruit damage due to sampling by as much as two-thirds.

Potential Drug Interactions with Coumadin (Warfarin) and Prozac (Fluoxetine): A Brief Report and Review of the Literature

We were asked to see a woman with recurrent depression and a history of deep vein thrombosis. (Consultation and Liaison Service). She had been started initially on Prozac (fluoxetine) and was secondarily started on Coumadin (warfarin). The patient presented with severe bruising of both lower extremities. We were asked to investigate the case to determine if a drug interaction with Prozac had produced the problem. A review of the world's literature failed to produce a report of a drug interaction between Prozac and Coumadin producing a bleeding disorder. Scrutiny of this case could not produce evidence that this occurred. A retrospective analysis of 4 additional cases was performed. None of these patients required adjustment of their Coumadin while on Prozac.

Cranial Bruising and Intraventricular Hemorrhage

To the Editor.— We read with interest the article by Kuban et al1 that concluded that phenobarbital might be associated with an increased risk of subependymal-intraventricular-in-traparenchymal hemorrhage in premature infants. The authors compared the incidence of cranial bruising and found it to be 17.2% in the phenobarbital-treated group and 9.6% in the placebo-treated group. Szymonowitz et al2 found that, of all the obstetric data obtained from premature infants in whom intracranial hemorrhage developed, birth trauma, as evidenced by severe bruising, was the only significant factor.

Individual and Combined Effects of Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin A on Bruising in Broiler Chickens

A 2 × 2 factorial design with treatments of 0 and 2.5 μg/g aflatoxin and 0 and 2.0 μg/g ochratoxin A was used to evaluate the individual and combined effects of these mycotoxins on bruising and bloody thigh syndrome in broiler chickens. Trial 1 consisted of four replicate pens of 10 broilers per replicate, which were maintained on these dietary treatments from 0 to 3 weeks of age. At 3 weeks of age two replicate pens per treatment were randomly selected and placed on toxin-free feed with two replicate pens remaining on toxin feed until they were 6 weeks of age when the trial was concluded. In Trial 2 three replicate pens of 38 broilers per treatment were maintained on toxin feed from 0 to 3 weeks of age. At 3 weeks of age 13 broilers per replicate were placed on toxin-free feed with 25 broilers per replicate remaining on toxin until they reached 7 weeks of age when Trial 2 was concluded. These data indicate that a synergistic toxicity exists between aflatoxin and ochratoxin A to significantly (P<.05) decrease body weight. Body weights of broilers on aflatoxin or ochratoxin A diets for only 3 weeks partially recovered by 6 or 7 weeks of age; however, the body weights of broilers on the interaction treatments for only 3 weeks remained significantly (P<.05) depressed at 6 and 7 weeks of age. Although frank hemorrhaging was. not associated with this mycotoxin interaction, elevated prothrombin times and increased incidence and severity of thigh and breast bruises implicate these mycotoxins individually and in combination with increased susceptibility to bruising during live-haul and processing. Prothrombin times fully recovered in broilers receiving these treatments for only 3 weeks; however, susceptibility to bruising did not recover. These data also suggest that the effects of ochratoxin A are longer lasting than the effects of aflatoxin.

Traumatic injuries

This is the first in a series of articles coordinated by Dr. Ryan on office management of traumatic injuries. Future subjects will include severe bruises, puncture wounds, head injuries, burns, strains, sprains, fractures, abdominal injuries, and back injuries.

A redescription of Spirofilaria fulicae-atrae (Diesing, 1861) Baylis, 1944, from the leg of the moorhen, Gallinula chloropus.

This redescription is based on specimens taken from the leg of a moorhen, Gallinula chloropus (L.), that was found alive, but paralysed, in Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster, Yorkshire. The heel joints of both legs were distended and found to be infected with nematodes. The paralysis may have been caused by debility due to blood loss as a result of injury, rather than a direct effect of the parasite because a post-mortem examination also revealed “severe bruising of the right ribs and the liver had ruptured to produce an internal haemorrhage.”

Bruise and Pressure Injury in Apple Fruits

The degree of injury in a freshly bruised region can be quantitatively measured by means of the resistance ratio (low-frequency resistance/high-frequency re sistance), since this ratio decreases progressively and significantly with increased severity of bruising. The decrease is attributed mainly to mechanical injury of cell membranes. In addition to the prompt decrease in resistance ratio in the bruised regions there is also a delayed decrease, attributed to delayed injury resulting from the toxic after-effects of liberated sap. Slight but significant decreases in resistance ratio are found external to the bruised region and are attributed to the toxic effects of extruded sap.

Fate of Staphylococcus aureus in Bruised Tissue12

This investigation was initiated to determine the fate and behavior of a virulent marker strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MS) injected intramuscularly into both control and traumatized tissues. Control tissues appeared to possess a clearing mechanism highly active against this organism, whereas bruised tissues stimulated and supported its growth. This stimulation may be due to the presence of extrastromal hemoglobin in the bruised areas. By use of the disc-sensitivity procedure, extrastromal hemoglobin was found to enhance the growth of S. aureus (MS) and this stimulation was linearly dependent on concentration in the range of 0.002 to 0.008 mumole per disc. Physical and physiological factors affecting the fate of staphylococci in poultry tissues were studied. The results showed that the number of viable cells of S. aureus (MS) in the initial inoculum exerted little effect on the survival activity patterns of this organism in the traumatized tissues. Control tissues, however, only became infected when a suspension containing 1.34 x 10(9) cells of the marker strain was injected. Regardless of the concentration of cells of this test culture inoculated into bruised areas, the staphylococci did not increase in number above a log of 8.5 organisms per gram of tissue. The extent of both tissue damage and accumulation of blood and fluid seemed to play an important role in the fate of staphylococci in experimentally induced infection. A correlation was noted between the severity of the bruise and the rate of growth and multiplication of virulent staphylococci in the tissue. The rate of growth showed a 100-fold increase in 1 day in the severe bruise, in 2 days in the medium bruise, and in 3 days in the superficial bruise. Time-course studies revealed that virulent S. aureus (MS) was able to persist in bruised tissue for long periods of time (18 days) even in the absence of noticeable infection. Therefore, it is believed that bruised tissue is a source of contamination to other birds and a health hazard to man.

FATE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN BRUISED TISSUE.

This investigation was initiated to determine the fate and behavior of a virulent marker strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MS) injected intramuscularly into both control and traumatized tissues. Control tissues appeared to possess a clearing mechanism highly active against this organism, whereas bruised tissues stimulated and supported its growth. This stimulation may be due to the presence of extrastromal hemoglobin in the bruised areas. By use of the disc-sensitivity procedure, extrastromal hemoglobin was found to enhance the growth of S. aureus (MS) and this stimulation was linearly dependent on concentration in the range of 0.002 to 0.008 mumole per disc. Physical and physiological factors affecting the fate of staphylococci in poultry tissues were studied. The results showed that the number of viable cells of S. aureus (MS) in the initial inoculum exerted little effect on the survival activity patterns of this organism in the traumatized tissues. Control tissues, however, only became infected when a suspension containing 1.34 x 10(9) cells of the marker strain was injected. Regardless of the concentration of cells of this test culture inoculated into bruised areas, the staphylococci did not increase in number above a log of 8.5 organisms per gram of tissue. The extent of both tissue damage and accumulation of blood and fluid seemed to play an important role in the fate of staphylococci in experimentally induced infection. A correlation was noted between the severity of the bruise and the rate of growth and multiplication of virulent staphylococci in the tissue. The rate of growth showed a 100-fold increase in 1 day in the severe bruise, in 2 days in the medium bruise, and in 3 days in the superficial bruise. Time-course studies revealed that virulent S. aureus (MS) was able to persist in bruised tissue for long periods of time (18 days) even in the absence of noticeable infection. Therefore, it is believed that bruised tissue is a source of contamination to other birds and a health hazard to man.

On the Traumatic Osteogenic Sarcoma following Occupational Injury

We experienced a case of osteogenic sarcoma judged presumably secondary to the occupational injury.The patient, a workman 21 years old, had got a severe bruise on the medialanterior aspect of the lower left femur, on Nov. 1, 1951, when working, and pain, swelling and dysfunction had occussed subsequently.The pain had been so much increasing in severity that he came to receive our medical examination on Feb. 1, 1952, Examination showed the pain and the limitation of motion in the left knee joint. There was a palpable swelling of bony-hardness adherent to the bone in the deep of the part concerned.The roentgenogram revealed a translecent periosteal shadow above internal condyle of the femur. In the follow-up x-ray study was seen a enlarged tumor with more definite contour.On Mar. 6, the lesion proved, on open biopsy, to be osteogenic sarcoma, histopathologically. Therefore, deep roentgen therapy was first administered in amount of 150r. each, the total being 750r. Subsequent to this therapy, “Nitromin” (Nitrogen Mustard-N-oxide) was given intravenously in 50mg doses every other day, with the total of 500mg. Then, amputation was performed through the middle of the left femur.No appreciable reaction to the drug in blood picture, but marked loss of appetite and lassitude were complained of.Following the administration of “Nitromin”, there occurred much variation in the histopathologic appearance, compared with the biopsy specimen taken before the therapy. In the majority of tumor cells, degenerations were striking, both in the nuclei and in the cytoplasms. The karyolysis and cytolysis were also common finding. The tumor cells were seen dispersed in a more disorderly fashion, and remarkably decreased in number, presenting the appearance of homogeneous hyaline substance among these cells.Thus, Nitrogen Mustard is in efficacy and decreased in toxicity, in its N-oxide form.In the review of this case, being agreeable to the criteria described by Thiem or Segond after careful evaluation, the evidence for trauma as a pathogenic factor seems to be convincing.In our opinion, Workmens' compensation may be awarded for this case. It is thought advisable to make the unbaseded provision how it is handled, based on the sound clinical and statistical evaluation. The problems presented are difficult, but we trust these thought may be of some assistance.

Further studies on the effect of disinfecting and bruising seed potatoes on the incidence of dry rot (Fusarium caeruleum (Lib.) Sacc.)

The effect on dry rot of the potato of disinfecting seed potatoes with a proprietary organo‐mercury fungicide immediately before they were clamped on lifting, and on their removal from the clamps after 3 or 6 months' storage, has been tested in field trials during two seasons. The incidence of the disease in tubers stored in clamps has also been studied. The tubers used were of the susceptible varieties Ninetyfold and Doon Star, taken from crops grown in contaminated soil. In certain of the tests the natural contamination in the soil adhering to the tubers was reinforced by spraying each tuber with a spore suspension of the dry‐rot fungus.Seed tubers not deliberately bruised on lifting, and whether dipped or not at that time, were practically sound after 3 and 6 months' storage in clamps except in one instance. On removal from the clamps, those not dipped on clamping continued to remain sound when carefully handled and stored for a further period in seed boxes, but they suffered either moderate losses if slightly bruised, or serious losses if severely bruised, at the time they were removed from the clamps. Tubers dipped immediately before being clamped yielded similar results, except that they remained sound when slightly bruised on removal from the clamps.Tubers not dipped, but deliberately bruised either on lifting in July immediately before clamping or on reclamping in October, developed severe dry rot whilst stored in the clamps. The incidence of the disease was not influenced by the location of the tubers within the clamp.In tubers not dipped at lifting and clamping time in July, but lightly bruised and immediately dipped on their removal from the clamps in October, the losses from dry rot were slight. Severe bruising followed immediately by dipping on their removal from the clamp in October, however, resulted in considerable losses.Tubers not dipped at lifting and clamping time in July but, after 3 or 6 months' clamp storage, slightly bruised and immediately dipped, then severely bruised 2 days later, developed appreciable losses; but these losses were far less than in tubers treated similarly except that the dipping was omitted.Tubers dipped on lifting immediately before clamping in July, and slightly bruised and immediately redipped on removal from the clamps in October, remained almost sound; but tubers severely bruised just before the second dipping in October developed a loss of 12%.All the foregoing results were obtained with tubers taken from healthy clamps. Ostensibly healthy tubers taken carefully from clamps containing much dry rot became severely affected with the disease when further stored in seed boxes.

REFERRED PAIN IN A TRAUMATIC INTESTINAL RUPTURE

During the past ten years, the incidence of jejunal ulcer following gastro-enterostomy has been studied intensively. Von Haberer in Europe and Lewisohn in America have been led by its alleged frequence to advocate extensive gastric resections for duodenal ulcer. This discussion has incidentally diffused much information about the symptoms of jejunal ulcer. It causes pain regularly below and to the left of the umbilicus. In view of this well established clinical observation, the following case is of interest: E. L. N., a boy, aged 6 years, was brought, Sept. 3, 1930, to the Cook Memorial Hospital. He had been knocked down and run over by a light automobile. He complained at once and continuously of pain in his stomach. Physical examination showed extensive abrasions and contusions. Lesions were scattered over the arms and legs, and there was a severe bruise about the right eye with a subconjunctival hemorrhage. There was

Medical News

(Physicians will confer a favor by sending for this department items of news of more or less general interest; such as RELATE to society activities, new hospitals, education, public health, etc.) <h3>ARKANSAS</h3><h3>Meeting Deferred.</h3> —The officers of the Third District Medical Society have decided to postpone their meeting for this year on account of the disturbed condition of the profession. <h3>Personal.</h3> —Dr. James W. Smith, who shot and killed his brother-in-law, Danny Shannon, October 16, was acquitted after four hours' deliberation, November 16, by a jury in Montgomery County, where the case was taken on a change of venue.—Dr. Robert B. Corney, Tucker, for three years penitentiary physician at the state farm, has resigned to enter the military service. <h3>CALIFORNIA</h3><h3>Personal.</h3> —Dr. Manzanito B. Bolton, Quincy, has been appointed county physician of Plumas County.—Dr. Ralph L. Larsen, San Francisco, sustained a severe scalp wound and bruises in the overturning of