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Background: Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) can be used for the vaginal removal of large uteri (200 g), which are conventionally treated with an abdominal approach (AH). Methods: Forty-eight women with a sonographically estimated uterine weight of >200 g were prospectively randomized to undergo either LAVH (n = 28) or AH (n = 20). Results: The median uterus weight was 334 g for LAVH vs 428 g for AH (not significant). The median operative time (133 vs 132 min) and duration of recuperation (42 vs 42 days) were similar. LAVH was associated with significantly less intraoperative blood loss (median, 200 vs 600 ml; p < 0.05), a lower pain index at postoperative day 4 (median [who scale], 0 VS 5; P < 0.05), a lower decrease in hemoglobin (median,-0.6 VS -1.55 MG/DL; P < 0.05), and a lower decrease in hematocrit (median, -0.03% VS -0.07%; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the frequency of postoperative complications (14.3% for LAVH VS 30% for AH). Although all LAVH patients who answered the questionnaire said they would undergo the same procedure again, only 45% of the AH group were satisfied (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For the treatment of uteri >200 g, LAVH has several advantages over AH: lower postoperative morbidity, quicker short-term recuperation, and better patient acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shade reduces the negative effects of heat load, but little is known about how much is required for efficient cooling in commercial settings. The effect of the amount of shade on 8 Holstein-Friesian herds was studied for 2 consecutive summers (mean temperature: 23°C) on 6 commercial, pasture-based dairy farms. Farms varied in the amount of natural shade provided (range: 0 to 15.6 m2 shade/cow). Time spent in shade, near water, eating, ruminating, lying, and standing were recorded between 1000 and 1530 h in 31 shaded and 11 unshaded paddocks using 20-min instantaneous scan observations of 15 focal cows/herd. Respiration rate and panting score (0 to 4.5) was recorded for focal animals once per hour. The total numbers of cows in shade, near water, and with panting scores ≥2 were recorded every 30 min. Cows without shade spent 4% more time lying than cows with shade (standard error of the difference, SED = 1.9%). A larger proportion of the herd had panting scores ≥2 when no shade was available (6 vs. 2% of the herd, SED = 1.2%), and respiration rates were higher by 8 breaths/min in cows without shade (SED = 4.7 breaths/min). Under the conditions tested, the maximum proportion of the herd that was observed using the shade increased by 3.1% for every 1-m2 increase in shade size [standard error (SE) = 1.51%], and all cows were first seen simultaneously using shade when 2 m2/ cow was provided. For every 1-m2 increase in shade, 0.3% fewer cows had panting score ≥2 (SE = 0.12%). We observed no significant relationships between the amount of shade available and any other variables. Although additional work is required to make specific recommendations, these results indicate that providing more shade allowed a higher proportion of animals to use this resource and reduced respiratory signs of heat load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dairy cattle managed in some pasture-based systems such as in New Zealand are predominantly kept outdoors all year around, but are often taken off pasture for periods of time in wet weather to avoid soil damage. It is common to keep cattle on concrete surfaces during such "stand-off" practices and we investigated whether the addition of rubber matting onto concrete areas improves the welfare of dairy cattle. Sixteen groups of 5 cows (4 groups/treatment, 5 cows/group) were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments (concrete, 12-mm-thick rubber mat, 24-mm-thick rubber mat, or deep-bedded wood chips) and kept on these surfaces for 18 h/24 h for 4 consecutive days (6 h on pasture/24 h). Each 4-d stand-off period was repeated 4 times (with 7 d of recovery between periods) to study the accumulated effects of repeated stand-off. Lying behavior was recorded continuously during the experiment. Gait score, stride length, hygiene score, live weight, and blood samples for cortisol analysis were recorded immediately before and after each stand-off period. Cows on wood chips spent the most time lying, and cows on concrete spent the least time lying compared with those on other surfaces [wood chips: 10.8 h, 24-mm rubber mat: 7.3 h, 12-mm rubber mat: 6.0 h, and concrete: 2.8 h/18 h, standard error of the difference (SED): 0.71 h]. Cows on concrete spent more time lying during the 6 h on pasture, likely compensating for the reduced lying during the stand-off period. Similarly, cows on concrete spent more time lying on pasture between stand-off periods (concrete: 12.1 h, 12-mm rubber mat: 11.1 h, 24-mm rubber mat: 11.2 h, and wood chips: 10.7 h/24 h, SED: 0.28 h). Cows on concrete had higher gait score and shorter stride length after the 4-d stand-off period compared with cows on the other surface types, suggesting a change in gait pattern caused by discomfort. Cows on rubber mats were almost 3 times dirtier than cows on concrete or wood chips. Cortisol and live weight decreased for all treatment groups during the stand-off period. We observed no major effect of the repeated stand-off exposure. In summary, adding rubber matting onto concrete surfaces for stand-off purposes is beneficial for animal welfare. A well-managed wood chip surface offered the best welfare for dairy cows removed from pasture, and the findings of this study confirm that a concrete surface decreases the welfare of cows removed from pasture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body condition score (BCS) around calving, and the typical BCS loss for up to 100 d after parturition, is associated with both production and reproductive performance of dairy cattle. In addition, there is public concern that thin cows may have impaired welfare, particularly in early lactation where feed demand exceeds pasture growth, and a lag exists between peak milk energy requirements and intake. The aim of this experiment was to determine how BCS at calving influences behavioral and physiological responses to a short-term feed restriction at 47 DIM. Body condition score (on a 10-point scale) at calving was manipulated by modifying the diets in the previous lactation of healthy dairy cattle to generate 3 treatment groups: low BCS (3.4; n = 17), medium BCS (4.6; n = 18), or high BCS (5.4; n = 20). Cows were tested in 4 groups for 8 consecutive days; testing consisted of different levels of feed allocation (d 1 and 2: 100%; d 3 and 4: 75%; d 5: 50%; d 6 to 8: 125%), where 100% was 15 kg of DM/cow per day. All BCS groups had similar and marked behavioral and physiological responses to feed restriction. For example, they increased vocalization, time spent eating silage and grazing, aggressive behavior, and fat metabolism (as measured by concentrations of β--hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids), and reduced milk production. Body condition affected some of these responses. Fewer cows with low BCS engaged in aggressive interactions in a feed competition test (trough filled with silage that could be consumed in 15 min) on the first day of feed restriction (low: 32%; medium: 74%; high: 64%; standard error of difference = 15.4%). High BCS cows had greater concentrations of β--hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids throughout the experimental period, which suggests more fat mobilization; however, plasma leptin and fecal glucocorticosteroid metabolite concentrations were unaffected by BCS. Whereas cows demonstrated marked responses to feed restriction, the results suggest that a BCS of 3.4, 4.6, or 5.4 in healthy cows at calving does not overwhelmingly influence this response at 47 DIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemically mediated behaviour of insects is often strongly affected by mixtures of odour stimuli and their temporal characteristics. Both sensory transduction and central processing of odour mixtures can give rise to several different kinds of interaction, which can influence how individual components are perceived and processed. In particular, odour mixtures have been examined in model experiments as premixed binary mixtures in comparison with pure odour stimuli. Only in few experiments, the influence of the temporal structure of odour mixtures on odour perception has been taken into account. Natural odour stimuli often have a pulsed structure and may in general be superimposed on a background of irrelevant or interfering compounds, which can fluctuate with different frequencies, depending on their source. To achieve a better representation of these natural conditions, our odour mixing experiments apply a new kind of stimulation protocol: odours were not premixed but superimposed with a specific time pattern; one odour stimulus was presented as a longer persisting background and the second stimulus was a superimposed short test signal. To gain an overview of odour interaction patterns in the Colorado potato beetle by causing adaptation of one receptor population at naturally occurring levels of concentration and time intervals, electroantennographic recordings were made on excised antennae. A matrix of 12 stimulus compounds led to 132 pairs of compounds tested, each in the role of background and test stimulus. In 64 cases, the interaction was significantly different, when the role of background and stimulus was exchanged. Interaction patterns ranging from no interference (independence) to suppression were found and assigned to four clearly distinguishable types. We discuss that the observed effects of the presentation sequence in odour mixtures may contribute to the mechanisms of olfactory pattern recognition and olfactory contrast perception by insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is commonly used to cool cattle in summer either at milking or over the feed bunk, but little research has examined how dairy cows voluntarily use water separate from these locations. The objectives were to describe how and when dairy cattle voluntarily used an overhead water source separate from other resources, such as feed, and how use of this water affected behavioral and physiological indicators of heat stress. Half of the 24 nonlactating cattle tested had access to a "cow shower" composed of 2 shower heads activated by a pressure-sensitive floor. All animals were individually housed to prevent competition for access to the shower. Over 5 d in summer (air temperature = 25.3 ± 3.3°C, mean ± standard deviation), cattle spent 3.0 ± 2.1 h/24 h in the shower, but considerable variability existed between animals (individual daily values ranged from 0.0 to 8.2 h/24 h). A portion of this variation can be explained by weather; shower use increased by 0.3 h for every 1°C increase in ambient temperature. Cows preferentially used the shower during the daytime, with 89 ± 12% of the time spent in the shower between 1000 and 1900 h. Respiration rate and skin temperature did not differ between treatments [53 vs. 61 breaths/min and 35.0 vs. 35.4°C in shower and control cows, respectively; standard error of the difference (SED) = 5.6 breaths/min and 0.49°C]. In contrast, body temperature of cows provided with a shower was 0.2°C lower than control cows in the evening (i.e., 1800 to 2100 h; SED = 0.11°C). Cows with access to a shower spent half as much time near the water trough than control animals, and this pattern became more pronounced as the temperature-humidity index increased. In addition, cattle showed other behavioral changes to increasing heat load; they spent less time lying when heat load index increased, but the time spent lying, feeding, and standing without feeding did not differ between treatments. Cows had higher respiration rate, skin temperature, and body temperature as heat load index increased, regardless of treatment. These data suggest that cattle, when given the opportunity, will make considerable use of a shower to reduce heat load, but that individuals are highly variable in their use of this resource. The variability between cows indicates that the behavioral response to water is likely an important, but poorly understood, consideration in the design of sprinkler systems used for summer cooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle will readily use shade in warm weather, but less is known about voluntary use of sprinklers. We examined preferences of 96 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (milk yield: 12.7 ± 3.48 kg per day; mean ± SD) for sprinklers, shade, or ambient conditions after walking 2.0 km or 0.3 km before afternoon milking (n = 48 cows/distance). Each cow was individually tested on 3 consecutive days with a different paired choice each day: 1) shade or sprinklers, 2) shade or ambient conditions, 3) sprinklers or ambient conditions. Average air temperature during testing was 22.3°C. Cows preferred shade over sprinklers (62 vs. 38% ± 5.0%; mean ± SE) and shade over ambient conditions (65 vs. 35% ± 5.1%; mean ± SE). Cows showed no preference between sprinklers and ambient conditions (44% of the cows chose sprinklers, SE = 5.3%). The preference for shade over sprinklers and ambient conditions increased with air temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed. Walking distance did not influence the preference for any treatment. Respiration rate was decreased most by sprinklers (38% decrease) but also decreased in shade and ambient conditions (17 and 13% decrease, respectively; standard error of the difference = 4.7%). Similarly, surface temperature was decreased most by sprinklers (11.4% decrease), compared with that by shade (1.0% decrease), or that by ambient conditions (1.4% increase; standard error of the difference = 1.82%). Furthermore, sprinklers reduced insect avoidance behaviors, including number of tail flicks and hoof stamps. In conclusion, dairy cattle preferred to use shade in summer despite sprinklers being more efficient in decreasing heat load and insect avoidance behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to understand how the amount of shade (shade cloth blocking 99% of solar radiation) influenced the behavior and physiology of Holstein- Friesian dairy cattle managed on pasture. We compared behavior, body temperature, and respiration rate of cattle provided with 1 of 3 treatments for 5 d: access to 2.4 m² or 9.6 m² shade/cow, or no shade (n = 4 groups/treatment, 10 animals/group). Behavioral observations were carried out between 1000 and 1550 h. Cows spent more than twice as much time in the larger shade (24 vs. 50% of observations for 2.4 m² and 9.6 m² shade/cow, respectively, SED: 1.7%) and engaged in fewer aggressive interactions when more shade was provided (10.7 vs. 3.2 aggressive interactions/m² during 5.8 h of observation for 2.4 m² and 9.6 m² shade/cow, respectively, SED: 3.16 interactions/m²). Time around the water trough increased when little or no shade was provided (11, 5, and 2% of observations within 4.5 m of water trough for no shade, 2.4 m², and 9.6 m² shade/ cow, SED: 2.4%). Respiration rate was higher when cows had less shade available (62, 57, and 51 breaths/ min for no shade, 2.4 m², and 9.6 m² shade/cow, respectively, SED: 2.1 breaths/min). All cows used the shade more when 9.6 m² shade/cow was provided; simultaneous use was observed in 15 versus 0% of observations in the 9.6 m² and 2.4 m² treatments on the warmest day, respectively. Weather conditions influenced both the behavioral and physiological responses, and these changes were more pronounced when less or no shade was available. Cows spent more time in shade and less time lying with increasing heat load. In addition, aggressive interactions in the shade, time around the water trough, mean body temperature, and respiration rate increased with environmental heat load. Our findings highlight the importance of determining and providing an effective amount of shade to cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Taraxacum is a member of the family Asteraceae, subfamily Cichorioideae, tribe Lactuceae and widely distributed in the warmer temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The perennial weed has been known since ancient times for its curative properties and has been utilized for the treatment of various ailments such as dyspepsia, heartburn, spleen and liver complaints, hepatitis and anorexia. However, its use has mainly been based on empirical findings. This contribution provides a comprehensive review of the pharmacologically relevant compounds of Taraxacum characterized so far and of the studies supporting its use as a medicinal plant. Particular attention has been given to diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-coagulatory and prebiotic effects. Finally, research needs such as quantification of individual Taraxacum constituents and assessment of their pharmacological activities in humans have briefly been outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new methods and materials for osteosynthesis requires in vitro testing prior to clinical use to exclude major problems or difficulties. In the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery no standardized testing procedures have so far been established. From a biomechanical point of view the lower jaw can be described as a lever that during the chewing cycle various forces at various points of the bone act upon. Standardized solid foam polyurethane mandibles (Sawbones®, Malmö, Sweden) were used for the testing of various types of screws and different types of fractures. Via linkages that were connected to hydraulic cylinders defined forces were exerted on the polyurethane mandibles and the deformation was registered depending on the force. Monitoring was carried out contactless and therefore without back coupling by the use of a video system that recorded well-defined points on both sides of the fracture line. The photographs were then evaluated by special software (SIMI MOTION CAPTURE®). The control of the cylinders was performed through a processor that besides static forces also allowed dynamic testing (e.g. sinusoid oscillation with defined amplitude and number of cycles). For the standardized and realistic three-dimensional static or dynamic testing of new methods and materials for osteosynthesis of the lower jaw this test stand has proved to be optimally suitable. Independent on the type of fracture and the material used the field of application for our test stand is the complete lower jaw. Therefore an ethically correct and economically reasonable testing of industrial products and clinical methods of osteosynthesis can be performed with this simulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of calving body condition score (BCS) on cow health during the transition period in a pasture-based dairying system. Feed inputs were managed during the second half of the previous lactation so that BCS differed at drying off (BCS 5.0, 4.0, and 3.0 for high, medium, and low treatments, respectively: a 10-point scale); feed allowance was managed after cows were dried off, such that the BCS differences established during lactation remained at the subsequent calving (BCS 5.5, 4.5, and 3.5; n = 20, 18, and 19, for high, medium, and low treatments, respectively). After calving, cows were allocated pasture and pasture silage to ensure grazing residuals >1,600 kg of DM/ha. Milk production was measured weekly; blood was sampled regularly pre- and postpartum to measure indicators of health, and udder and uterine health were evaluated during the 6 wk after calving. Milk weight, fat, protein, and lactose yields, and fat content increased with calving BCS during the first 6 wk of lactation. The effect of calving BCS on the metabolic profile was nonlinear. Before calving, cows in the low group had lower mean plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and serum Mg concentrations and greater mean serum urea than cows in the medium and high BCS groups, which did not differ from each other. During the 6 wk after calving, cows in the low group had lower serum albumin and fructosamine concentrations than cows in the other 2 treatment groups, whereas cows in the low- and medium-BCS groups had proportionately more polymorphonucleated cells in their uterine secretions at 3 and 5 wk postpartum than high-BCS cows. In comparison, plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations increased linearly in early lactation with calving BCS, consistent with a greater negative energy balance in these cows. Many of the parameters measured did not vary with BCS. The results highlight that calving BCS and, therefore, BCS through early lactation are not effective indicators of functional welfare, with the analyses presented indicating that both low and high BCS at calving will increase the risk of disease: cows in the low group were more prone to reproductive compromise and fatter cows had an increased risk of metabolic diseases. These results are important in defining the welfare consequences of cow BCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, results of the investigations on rainwater harvesting (RWH) in central northern Namibia are described, which are part of the transdisciplinary research project CuveWaters. On the basis of hydrological and technical as well as social and cultural conditions, appropriate solutions for RWH are developed, discussed, and evaluated. The main objective is to analyse their technical and economical feasibility as well as their affordability for future users. In detail, two small-scale RWH systems are examined: roof catchments using corrugated iron roofs as rain collection areas and ground catchments using treated ground surfaces. The current status of local water supply and water use was investigated in the village of Epyeshona. Concepts and techniques of RWH were discussed with the population. Based on the results of these investigations and on the physical conditions, the appropriate RWH design and the required storage capacities could be identified. Local material and labour costs were determined and a dynamic cost analysis was carried out to compare the technological options in terms of amortisation times and prime costs. The feasibility of the RWH systems was assessed in relation to local socio-economic conditions. The calculations reveal that it is economically feasible to apply decentral techniques of RWH in terms of the roof catchment systems. Moreover, the proposed technologies provide comparable benefits to the public water supply. The ground catchment system, however, needs moderate subsidies to obtain the same benchmark. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Laut epidemiologischen Studien sind außereheliche Affären häufige Ereignisse in Partnerschaften. Die Entdeckung einer Affäre beeinträchtigt die Beziehung oft massiv. Meist leiden beide Partner unter erheblichen individuellen Beschwerden wie Schuldgefühlen und Depressivität. Daher ist Untreue ein häufig vorgebrachtes Problem in der Paartherapie. Trotz der Bedeutung für Paare und Therapeuten gibt es nur wenige empirische Daten über die Überprüfung von Behandlungsansätzen. Anhand von zwei Kasuistiken wird die Vorgehensweise der kognitiv-behavioralen Paartherapie nach Gordon et al. beschrieben [Gordon, Baucom und Snyder: An integrative intervention for pomoting recovery from extramarital affairs. J Mar Fam Ther 2004;31:9-13]. Voraussetzungen und Grenzen dieses Ansatzes werden diskutiert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Feather pecking (FP) is a detrimental behaviour in chickens, which is performed by only some individuals in a flock. FP was studied in 54 red junglefowl (ancestor of domestic chickens), 36 White Leghorn laying hens, and 762 birds from an F2-intercross between these two lines. From all F2-birds, growth and feed consumption were measured. Age at sexual maturity and egg production in females, and corticosterone levels in males were also measured. From 333 F2-birds of both sexes, and 20 parental birds, body composition with respect to bone mineral content, muscle and fat was obtained by post-mortem examinations using Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). In femurs of the same birds, the bone density and structure were analysed using DXA and Peripheral Quantitative Computerized Tomography (pQCT), and a biomechanical analysis of bone strength was performed. Furthermore, plumage condition was determined in all birds as a measure of being exposed to feather pecking. Using 105 DNA-markers in all F2-birds, a genome-wide scan for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL), associated with the behaviour in the F2-generation was performed. FP was at least as frequent in the red junglefowl as in the White Leghorn strain studied here, and significantly more common among females both in the parental strains and in the F2-generation. In the F2-birds, FP was phenotypically linked to early sexual maturation, fast growth, weak bones, and, in males, also high fat accumulation, indicating that feather peckers have a different resource allocation pattern. Behaviourally, F2 feather peckers were more active in an open field test, in a novel food/novel object test, and in a restraint test, indicating that feather pecking might be genetically linked to a proactive coping strategy. Only one suggestive QTL with a low explanatory value was found on chromosome 3, showing that many genes, each with a small effect, are probably involved in the causation of feather pecking. There were significant effects of sire and dam on the risk of being a victim of feather pecking, and victims grew faster pre- and post-hatching, had lower corticosterone levels and were less active in a restraint test. Hence, a wide array of behavioural and developmental traits were genetically linked to FP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary The co-segregation of plumage colour and sequence polymorphism in the melanocortin 1-receptor gene (MC1R ) was investigated using an intercross between the red junglefowl and White Leghorn chickens. The results provided compelling evidence that the Extended black (E ) locus controlling plumage colour is equivalent to MC1R. E /MC1R was assigned to chromosome 11 with overwhelming statistical support. Sequence analysis indicated that the E92K substitution, causing a constitutively active receptor in the sombre mouse, is the most likely causative mutation for the Extended black allele carried by the White Leghorn founders in this intercross. The MC1R sequence associated with the recessive buttercup (e bc ) allele indicated that this allele evolved from a dominant Extended black allele as it shared the E92K and M71T substitutions with some E alleles. It also carried a third missense mutation H215P which thus may interfere with the constitutive activation of the receptor caused by E92K (and possibly M71T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective, quantitative, long-term evaluation of patients with a free flap transfer to the lower extremity was carried out with respect to functional, socioeconomic, and esthetic outcome. The study included 57 patients who were examined by questionnaire filled out by both an examiner and the patients themselves. Indications for the free flaps were acute trauma or osteomyelitis and unstable scars arising from a previous trauma to the lower leg. The flap success rate was 94.7%. The period between the operation and evaluation was at least 3 years. A local, flap-specific functional impairment was found in 17 patients (30%) and a general impairment of the lower extremity in 56% of the subjects. With respect to the socioeconomic outcome more than two-thirds of the patients returned to their previous occupation with no restrictions; approximately 20% of subjects had to switch to a less strenuous job. Although from the viewpoint of the examiner the esthetic appearance was satisfactory in 44 free flaps (77%), the majority of the patients were conscious of pigmental, textural, or contour changes which produced a subjective esthetic compromise in 56% of cases. In conclusion, despite a considerably high rate of local functional impairment the majority of patients (89%) were satisfied and judged the application of a free flap as having been beneficial in preventing a loss in socioeconomic status. The high rate of esthetic problems demonstrates the importance of including esthetic considerations in designing the free flap, in particular with regard to (a) meticulously tailoring the flap, (b) aiming at a homogeneous skin surface, and (c) thoroughly shaping the affected lower extremity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Existing ways of assessing CVID patients at risk of pulmonary infections are not universally accepted. The need to identify additional prognostic factors allowed us to evaluate the anti-polysaccharide IgA and IgM responses in 125 CVID patients immunized with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (PS) vaccine (Pneumovax®). Methods: We used a new anti-PS23 IgM and IgA ELISA assay, which evaluates a global response to all 23 polysaccharides contained in Pneumovax®. Results: Anti-PS23 IgM and/or IgA antibodies were detectable in a minority of CVID patients. Antibody responses were correlated to B cell subpopulations and serum immunoglobulin concentrations. The non responders had a higher incidence of pneumonia and bronchiectasis and responders had the lowest incidence of respiratory complications. Conclusions: This new ELISA assay allows for studying vaccine response in patients on Ig replacement therapy. This test also is an additional method of evaluation of specific antibody responses representing a valuable contribution to identify prognostic marker in CVID patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent of pleiotropy and epistasis in quantitative traits remains equivocal. In the case of pleiotropy, multiple quantitative trait loci are often taken to be pleiotropic if their confidence intervals overlap, without formal statistical tests being used to ascertain if these overlapping loci are statistically significantly pleiotropic. Additionally, the degree to which the genetic correlations between phenotypic traits are reflected in these pleiotropic quantitative trait loci is often variable, especially in the case of antagonistic pleiotropy. Similarly, the extent of epistasis in various morphological, behavioural and life-history traits is also debated, with a general problem being the sample sizes required to detect such effects. Domestication involves a large number of trade-offs, which are reflected in numerous behavioural, morphological and life-history traits which have evolved as a consequence of adaptation to selective pressures exerted by humans and captivity. The comparison between wild and domestic animals allows the genetic analysis of the traits that differ between these population types, as well as being a general model of evolution. Using a large F intercross between wild and domesticated chickens, in combination with a dense SNP and microsatellite marker map, both pleiotropy and epistasis were analysed. The majority of traits were found to segregate in 11 tight 'blocks' and reflected the trade-offs associated with domestication. These blocks were shown to have a pleiotropic 'core' surrounded by more loosely linked loci. In contrast, epistatic interactions were almost entirely absent, with only six pairs identified over all traits analysed. These results give insights both into the extent of such blocks in evolution and the development of domestication itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg and production traits are of considerable economic importance in chickens. Using a White Leghorn × red junglefowl F2 intercross, standard production measures of liver weight and colour, egg size, eggshell thickness, egg taste and meat quality were taken. A total of 160 markers covering 29 autosomes and the Z chromosome were genotyped on 175–243 individuals, depending on the trait under consideration. A total of nine significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) and three suggestive QTL were found on chicken chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, E47W24 and E22C19W28. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary A large intercross between the domestic White Leghorn chicken and the wild ancestor, the red junglefowl, has been used in a Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) study of growth and egg production. The linkage map based on 105 marker loci was in good agreement with the chicken consensus map. The growth of the 851 F2 individuals was lower than both parental lines prior to 46 days of age and intermediate to the two parental lines thereafter. The QTL analysis of growth traits revealed 13 loci that showed genome-wide significance. The four major growth QTLs explained 50 and 80% of the difference in adult body weight between the founder populations for females and males, respectively. A major QTL for growth, located on chromosome 1 appears to have pleiotropic effects on feed consumption, egg production and behaviour. There was a strong positive correlation between adult body weight and average egg weight. However, three QTLs affecting average egg weight but not body weight were identified. An interesting observation was that the estimated effects for the four major growth QTLs all indicated a codominant inheritance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]