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Beef x dairy crossbred feedlot steers [n = 707; body weight (BW) at initial processing = 148 kg] were utilized in a randomized complete block design to evaluate effects of three serial harvest endpoints on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Allocation to treatment occurred after 204 d-on-feed (DOF), at which point steers weighed 484 kg (SEM = 3.2 kg). Treatments consisted of three serial harvest endpoints: 326, 347, and 368 DOF, as measured from initial processing at 148 kg. Twelve pens, with approximately 59 steers/pen and four pens/treatment were utilized. Final BW measured 696, 730, and 744 kg at 326, 347, and 368 DOF, and increased (P< 0.01) with DOF. Dry matter intake (DMI) from allocation to harvest did not differ among treatments (11.4 kg/d; P= 0.36). Average daily gain (ADG) from allocation to harvest measured 1.82, 1.79, and 1.64 kg at 326, 347, and 368 DOF, respectively and was greater (P< 0.01) at 326 and 347 DOF than at 368 DOF. Feed efficiency (FE) from allocation to harvest measured 0.162, 0.151, and 0.143 at 326, 347, and 368 DOF, respectively and was greater (P< 0.01) at 326 and 347 DOF than at 368 DOF. Hot carcass weight (HCW) measured 438, 459, and 472 kg at 326, 347, and 368 DOF, respectively and increased (P< 0.01) with DOF. Across the 42-d serial harvest period live and carcass ADG averaged 1.09 and 0.78 kg, respectively, with a carcass transfer of 71.6%. Backfat thickness measured 1.35, 1.63, and 1.47 cm at 326, 347, and 368 d, respectively and was greater (P< 0.01) at 347 and 368 d than at 326 d. Marbling score measured 508, 529, and 550 at 326, 347, and 368 DOF, respectively and was greater (P= 0.03) at 368 and 347 DOF than at 326 DOF. Distribution of USDA quality grades (QG) did not differ (P= 0.45) among treatments and averaged 6.3% Prime and 83.1% Choice. Ribeye area and dressing percentage (P= 0.11) did not differ among treatments. Distribution of USDA yield grades (YG) was affected by treatment (P< 0.01), with a shift toward more YG 4 and 5 carcasses with increasing DOF. Liver abscess occurrence averaged 62.9% and did not differ (P= 0.61) among treatments. Results from this experiment indicate a BW gain of 1.09 kg/d and a HCW gain of 0.78 kg/d across the 42-d serial harvest period. There were no differences in DMI as DOF progressed but ADG and FE decreased in the longest-fed cattle. Distribution of QG was not affected by DOF, but YG increased with increasing DOF.

We report the recruitment activities and outcomes of a multi-disease neuromuscular patient registry in Canada. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) registers individuals across Canada with a confirmed diagnosis of a neuromuscular disease. Diagnosis and contact information are collected across all diseases and detailed prospective data is collected for 5 specific diseases: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Myotonic Dystrophy (DM), Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD), and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Since 2010, the CNDR has registered 4306 patients (1154 pediatric and 3148 adult) with 91 different neuromuscular diagnoses and has facilitated 125 projects (73 academic, 3 not-for-profit, 3 government, and 46 commercial) using registry data. In conclusion, the CNDR is an effective and productive pan-neuromuscular registry that has successfully facilitated a substantial number of studies over the past 10 years.

ABSTRACTEnterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli(EHEC) serotype O157:H7 is carried asymptomatically by cattle gastrointestinal tract and the inclusion of distillers grains solids (DGS) in feed is thought to be a factor in the prevalence and persistence of EHEC O157 in a herd. The present study surveys the faecal prevalence of E. coliO157 in cattle processed at an abattoir in the Upper Midwest and its association with environmental factors and feeding practices. Faecal samples were collected from pre-processing cows during a 1-year period. E. coliO157 prevalence was estimated isolation of putative positives and confirmation of isolates by immunoassay and multiplex virulence genes PCR analysis. Overall, E. coliO157 was confirmed in 11.2% of samples. Prevalence during winter was the highest at 14% followed by summer (11.6%) and declined to less than 8% the rest of the year. Winter was the only season that had a statistically significant effect on prevalence. As a category unto itself, DGS feeding before arrival had no significant influence on faecal prevalence. However, we found a significant interaction of DGS feeding and summer. This observation is extremely relevant because it corroborates a previous study and suggests possible feeding practices to abate EHEC O157 presence during harvest.

Background: ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease without a cure and limited treatment options. Edaravone, a free radical scavenger, was shown to slow disease progression in a select group of patients with ALS over 6 months; however, the effect on survival was not investigated in randomized trials. The objective of this study is to describe real-world survival effectiveness over a longer timeframe. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with ALS across Canada with symptom onset up to three years. Those with a minimum 6-month edaravone exposure between 2017 and 2022 were enrolled in the interventional arm, and those without formed the control arm. The primary outcome of tracheostomy-free survival was compared between the two groups, accounting for age, sex, ALS-disease progression rate, disease duration, pulmonary vital capacity, bulbar ALS-onset, and presence of frontotemporal dementia or C9ORF72 mutation using inverse propensity treatment weights. Results: 182 patients with mean ± SD age 60±11 years were enrolled in the edaravone arm and 860 in the control arm (mean ± SD age 63±12 years). Mean ± SD time from onset to edaravone initiation was 18±10 months. Tracheostomy-free survival will be calculated. Conclusions: This study will provide evidence for edaravone effectiveness on tracheostomy-free survival in patients with ALS.

With genetic improvement, sows are having larger litters and nursing more pigs. The wean age of these piglets can impact sow feed intake and piglet wean weight. Additionally, Lys level can impact sow and piglet growth. This study was performed to assess whether the addition of greater standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys improves sow and litter performance for 2 wean ages. Four hundred thirty-two DNA F1 females (average parity 2.4) were randomly allotted within group and entry weight at farrowing to 1 of 4 dietary treatments. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial with wean age (15.5 and 24.5 d) and lactation diet SID Lys (0.87, 0.94, 1.02 and 1.10%). Sows were weighed entering and exiting the farrowing room. Feed disappearance was calculated as the total amount of feed provided to the sow during lactation. A post-farrow weight model was utilized to assess true weight loss in lactation. Litters were standardized within 24 h of birth. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with fixed effects of SID Lys and wean age, and random effect of replicate. Average daily feed intake was increased (P< 0.05) in the sows weaning older age compared with younger age piglets (6.52 vs. 5.87 kg respectively). There was a tendency (P< 0.10) for an interaction between wean age and maternal Lys level on piglet wean weight as higher Lys increased wean weight (0.29 kg) in the older wean age but had no improvement in the younger wean age. Sow weight loss was decreased (P< 0.05) in sows weaning younger piglets compared with sows weaning older piglets (4.26 vs. 11.02 kg weight loss, respectively). These data show that greater levels of SID Lys to target 65 g/d in lactation can improve wean weight for later weaning sows.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of substituting modified corn distillers grains with solubles (DGS) or crude soy glycerin (CG) for steam–flaked corn (SFC) in finishing diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with DGS (0% or 40%) and CG (0% or 10%) replacing dietary SFC in a basal diet. Growth performance and carcass traits were measured on 48 individually fed crossbred yearling cattle (21 steers and 27 heifers; 380 ± 37 kg). Cattle were randomly allotted to 48 Calan gate bunks. After the first 28 days, nine animals were removed from the study for health reasons or observed confirmation of consumption of feed from unassigned Calan gate bunk (n= 39). After the feeding period, cattle were harvested in two groups on day-124 and day-173. No DGS × CG interactions were observed (P> 0.10) for any dependent growth performance or carcass characteristic variable tested. Cattle-fed DGS as 40% of diet dry matter (DM) had greater (P< 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI), while CG inclusion at 10% of diet DM did not affect DMI (P= 0.16). Carcass–adjusted average daily gain (ADG) was not affected by DGS (P= 0.73) or CG (P= 0.28). Decreased (P= 0.03) carcass–adjusted gain-to-feed (G:F) was observed as the main effect of DGS. Greater DMI resulting from feeding DGS as 40% of diet DM appears to have driven the tendency for reduced G:F. Hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, 12th rib fat depth, yield grade, and marbling score were not (P> 0.10) influenced by DGS or CG. However, kidney, pelvic, fat (KPH) was increased (P= 0.01) when cattle were fed DGS as 40% of diet DM. Based on the findings presented, it is concluded that CG can substitute up to 10% of SFC in the diet without negatively affecting cattle growth performance or carcass characteristics, regardless of DGS inclusion as 40% of the diet DM.Glycerin can be substituted for 10% of the steam–flaked corn without influencing growth performance or carcass characteristics in finishing cattle diets containing 0% or 40% modified corn distillers grains with solubles.Livestock producers have an opportunity to improve sustainably through the utilization of co-products of the bio-fuel industry through cattle feeding. Crude glycerin, although less commonly fed compared to distillers grains, provides an opportunity for cattle feeders to increase the versatility of feed ingredient sources without compromising performance. The present study examined the effect of substituting modified corn distillers grains and crude soy glycerin for steam–flaked corn in beef cattle finishing diets on cattle growth performance and carcass characteristics. Growth performance was not influenced by treatment suggesting that crude glycerin and modified corn distillers grains in finishing diets were effective substitutions for steam–flaked corn when market price permits.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding bio-fuel co-products on ruminal fermentation characteristics and composition of omasal digesta flow. Four ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (371 ± 5 kg) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design. Omasal sample collection and triple marker technique was used to quantify fatty acid omasal flow. Treatments were applied as a 2 × 2 factorial where a steam flaked corn (SFC) basal diet (DGS-N CG-N) was replaced with 40% of diet DM as corn distillers grains (DGS; DGS-Y CG-N) or 10% of diet DM as crude glycerin (DGS-N CG-Y) or 40% of diet DM distillers grains and 10% of diet DM as crude glycerin (DGS-Y CG-Y). No effects were observed for the interaction of DGS and glycerin on measured rumen characteristics. Dietary inclusion of glycerin decreased (P= 0.05) ruminal content 4-h post feeding on a DM basis but did not influence DMI (P= 0.64). Feeding DGS had no effect (P= 0.34) on particulate passage to the omasum (kg/d) in spite of greater (P= 0.04) DMI. Feeding DGS reduced flow rate (% of rumen volume/h) (P= 0.05) but did not affect total VFA concentration (P= 0.46) or average ruminal pH (P= 0.72). No differences (P> 0.05) were observed in ruminal parameters when feeding glycerin, besides ruminal particulate content (kg) on DM basis (P= 0.05). An interaction of DGS and glycerin affected intake of stearic (P< 0.01), linoleic (P< 0.01), and linolenic acid (P< 0.01). An interaction of DGS and glycerin did not affect individual fatty acid flow with respect to intake for stearic (P= 0.17), linoleic (P= 0.18), or linolenic acid (P= 0.66). Dietary inclusion of glycerin had no impact on g of linolenic (P= 0.16) or linoleic (P= 0.32) acid transformed. A trend was identified for cattle fed diets with glycerin to have increased (P= 0.07) grams of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; C18:2 cis-9, trans-11) per gram of linoleic acid intake, with no impact on the percent of saturated fat (P= 0.44) or unsaturated fat (P= 0.43) in omasal flow. For cattle fed diets with DGS, fewer grams of linoleic (P< 0.01) and linolenic (P< 0.01) were present in digesta flow per gram of intake. Inclusion of DGS in the treatment diets also increased (P< 0.01) stearic acid flow (g) and CLA flow (g) per gram of stearic and linoleic acid intake, respectively. Observed differences in CLA proportion post fermentation may indicate interrupted biohydrogenation when glycerin is fed.Cattle fed distillers grains increased biohydrogenation activity reducing the flow of unsaturated fatty acids leaving the omasum. Cattle fed crude glycerin tended to have higher conjugated linoleic acid (cis-10, trans-11) suggesting incomplete biohydrogenation.Inclusion of corn grain in cattle diets increases the dietary concentration of unsaturated fatty acids like linoleic acid. Ethanol co-products are most often made from corn grain in the United States and contain concentrated amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. Concerns with feeding ethanol co-products could arise for cattle producers because the increased unsaturated fat concentration of meat products can lead to shorter meat shelf life. Co-products from bio-diesel production, such as crude glycerin, can be used to replace grain and reduce total unsaturated fat without affecting dietary energy. This study evaluated the effect of ruminal microbes to transform unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in diets where steam-flaked corn was replaced by co-products such as distillers grains and crude glycerin. When steam-flaked corn is replaced with distillers grains in beef cattle diets, the fat composition was shifted to a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids due to increased biohydrogenation by ruminal microbes. However, feeding crude glycerin in place of steam-flaked corn increased conjugated linoleic acid, an intermediate product of the fatty acid transformation pathway. Increased conjugated linoleic acid indicates glycerin may impact the ability of microbes to transform linoleic acid to a saturated form.

The objective of this study was to compare feedlot performance and carcass traits between two implant programs in heifers harvested at 3 different days on feed (DOF; 179, 200, or 221 d). Crossbred beef heifers (n = 3,084; 291 +3.9 kg) were used in a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. Revalor-IH (80 mg TBA and 8 mg E2) was administered on arrival followed by Revalor-200 (200 mg TBA and 20 mg E2) 94 d before harvest (IH/200) or Revalor-XH (80 mg TBA and 8 mg E2, uncoated; 120 mg TBA and 12 mg E2, coated) was administered on arrival (XH). No implant × DOF interaction was detected (P ≥ 0.09) for any parameter. Heifers subjected to IH/200 had greater (P ≤ 0.01) final BW, ADG (P <0.01) and G:F (P = 0.01). As DOF increased, BW increased (P ≤ 0.01) while ADG (P<0.01) and G:F (P ≤ 0.01) decreased. Hot carcass weight was greater (P = 0.01) for IH/200 compared with XH (367 vs. 361 kg, respectively). Heifers receiving XH had greater marbling scores (P = 0.02; 582 vs. 568) and BF (P = 0.01; 1.78 vs 1.70 cm) compared with IH/200 while re-implanted heifers had increased (P = 0.01) REA (86.5 vs. 83.2 cm2). Heifers implanted with XH tended to be fatter than those implanted with IH/200 having a greater (P = 0.01) proportion of USDA Prime and fewer (P<0.01) USDA Select. Increasing DOF increased (P ≤ 0.03) HCW, DP, BF, REA, marbling, and proportion of USDA Prime carcasses. Growth performance and HCW were increased for IH/200 compared with XH heifers. Increasing DOF resulted in poorer ADG and G:F but increased HCW.

Data from three large-pen feedlot studies were pooled to evaluate use of a long-acting implant (Revalor-XS) as an initial implant in a re-implant program. The three studies consisted of 2,764 steers in 40 pens, with an initial body weight (BW) of 271 kg. Treatments consisted of Revalor-IS [80 mg trenbolone acetate (TBA), 16 mg estradiol (E2)] administered on arrival, followed by Revalor-200 (200 mg TBA, 20 mg E2) terminal implant (IS/200) or Revalor-XS (80 mg TBA, 16 mg E2 uncoated; 120 mg TBA, 24 mg E2 coated; 200 mg TBA, 40 mg E2 total) on arrival followed by Revalor-200 terminal implant (XS/200). Steers were fed to equal days-on-feed (DOF) within study and averaged 210 DOF. Steers within treatment were re-implanted at same DOF in two studies (Day 124 on average followed by an 81-day terminal implant window). In the third study, IS/200 steers were implanted on Day 120 and XS/200 steers on Day 140 of the 217-day study. Final BW averaged 635.6 and 638.3 kg for IS/200 and XS/200, respectively (P = 0.21). There were no differences (P > 0.26) in DMI, ADG and Gain:Feed between treatments. Hot carcass weight tended (P = 0.07) to be greater with XS/200 (412.7 kg) compared with IS/200 (409.1 kg). Ribeye area was greater (P < 0.01) and fat thickness tended (P = 0.06) to be lower with XS/200 compared with IS/200. Distributions of USDA quality grades were not affected (P = 0.26) by treatment. Distributions of USDA yield grades (YG) were affected (P = 0.01) by treatment with a shift toward more YG 1 and 2 carcasses with XS/200 and more YG 4 and 5 carcasses with IS/200. This analysis indicates that using Revalor-XS as an initial implant leads to greater carcass weight and ribeye area and lower YG when compared with Revalor-IS.

Modern lactating sows are under high energetic demand due to increasing prolificity. Significant body weight (BW) losses during lactation may impair sows’ reproductive life and longevity, and the readiness for weaning of the offspring. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of a multicarbohydrase containing alpha-galactosidase (CAG; AlphaGal™280P, Kerry) on a low energy dense lactation diet. Two-hundred and eight sows (218 ± 25.2kg) were blocked by parity and BW to one of 4 treatments, in which a corn-soybean meal diet was formulated to have graded levels of added fat (0, 1.5% and 3%) to titrate an energy density model (T1–T3). T4 replicated the 0% added fat formulation with CAG supplementation at 250 g/MT. Sows were weighed individually on entry, post-farrow (by calculation) and at weaning. Daily feed intakes (ADFI) were used for calculation of sow feed conversion ratio (FCR). Litter performance was characterized at birth, and size was standardized within 24h of farrow and within treatment to ensure uniform litter sizes (LS). Average wean weight (WWt) and pre-weaning mortality were determined. Litter weight distribution was also evaluated via individually weighed piglets, with consideration for pigs < 4.1kg BW. Data were analyzed as a RCBD, using sow as the experimental unit, treatment as the main effect, and standardized average weight and LS as covariates where appropriate. CAG tended to increase sow ADFI (P < 0.10) and yielded significant improvements in sow FCR (P < 0.01), comparable to T3. Although CAG group had lower standardized LS (P < 0.001), WWt was higher and equivalent to T3 upon use of standardized LS as a covariate. CAG tended to reduce the proportion of light pigs within the litter, when compared to T1. CAG improved the efficiency of sows, while increasing WWt of the offspring, suggesting an improvement in nutrient digestion and/or post absorption metabolic efficiency from typical lactation diets.

GRASP is an acronym for General-purpose Relativistic Atomic Structure Program. This package is essentially a user-friendly multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) code based on the Racah Algebra and finite-difference methods. We describe briefly the MCDF formalism in the context of the GRASP project at Oxford.

AbstractEscherichia coliO157 is a foodborne pathogen that can be transmitted by contaminated ground beef and is shed naturally in cattle feces. Recent reports indicated that feeding distillers' grains (DG) to cattle increased fecal shedding and prevalence of E. coliO157. In Minnesota, feeding DG with solubles (DGS) to livestock became widespread within the last 10 years, but there is no report about the prevalence of E. coliO157 in beef cattle in this state. This study was undertaken to survey the fecal prevalence of E. coliO157 in cattle fed diets containing DG and its association with environmental conditions and management practices. Fecal samples were collected from three feedlots during a 1-year period. All animals in those feedlots were fed different DGS levels. E. coliO157 presence was determined using a combination of enrichment, immunomagnetic separation, plating onto sorbitol MacConkey agar, and confirmation of isolates by immunoassay and multiplex virulence genes polymerase chain reaction analysis. Overall, E. coliO157 was confirmed in 9.7% of samples. Prevalence during summer was 30% and declined to less than 10% the rest of the year. In animals grouped by dietary DGS concentration, no significant difference in prevalence (12.0 and 5.5%) was detected between the low and the high average groups (less and more than 20%). Previous feeding of DGS before arriving to the feedlot also had no influence on fecal prevalence. The presence of several interacting variables, uncontrolled in a real-life feedlot environment, was the likely reason for our observation and suggested that at the levels studied, DGS had no effect on the STEC O157 prevalence in cattle populations.

To evaluate relationships between HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder and metabolic variables in a subgroup of HIV participants examined in a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study.

This is a cross-sectional, observational study to determine the frequency and associated features of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in a large, diverse sample of infected individuals in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART).

In 1991, the AIDS Task Force of the American Academy of Neurology published nomenclature and research case definitions to guide the diagnosis of neurologic manifestations of HIV-1 infection. Now, 16 years later, the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke have charged a working group to critically review the adequacy and utility of these definitional criteria and to identify aspects that require updating. This report represents a majority view, and unanimity was not reached on all points. It reviews our collective experience with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), particularly since the advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment, and their definitional criteria; discusses the impact of comorbidities; and suggests inclusion of the term asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment to categorize individuals with subclinical impairment. An algorithm is proposed to assist in standardized diagnostic classification of HAND.

The cellular basis for cognitive deficits in HIVpatients with and without a history of methamphetamine (METH) use is unclear. We found that HIVMETH users had more severe loss of interneurons that was associated with cognitive impairment. Compared with other markers, loss of calbindin and parvalbumin interneurons in the frontal cortex was the most significant correlate to memory deficits, suggesting a role in neurobehavioral alterations of HIVMETH users.

Proteins of the Hedgehog, Wnt and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) ligand families are secreted signals that induce concentration-dependent responses in surrounding cells. Although these proteins must diffuse through the aqueous extracellular environment, recent work has shown that hydrophobic lipid modifications are essential for their functions. All three classes of ligands are palmitoylated in the secretory pathway by related enzymes, and Hedgehog also carries a C-terminal cholesterol modification as a result of its autocatalytic cleavage. Palmitoylation is required for Wingless secretion and contributes to the signaling activity of Hedgehog and Wnt3a, but is not required for secretion or receptor activation by the EGFR ligand Spitz. While lipid modifications enhance the long-range activity of Sonic hedgehog, they restrict the range and increase the local concentration of Spitz. We discuss the diverse functions and the possible extent of palmitoylation of secreted ligands.

We report a group of 14 patients with fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint with fracture fragments of adequate size to allow reduction of the proximal interphalangeal joint and internal mini screw fixation of the bone fragment attached to the palmar plate to the base of the middle phalanx. Three years after surgery, (range 25-52 months) the average total active range of motion of the proximal interphalangeal joint was 100^o (range 65-115^o) for the acute group (operation within 14 days of injury, n=7) and 86^o (range 60-110^o) for the chronic group (operation on average 46 days after injury, range 21-120 days, n=7). Longer delay from injury was associated with a decreased total range of motion (P=0.028). Further subluxation occurred in three chronic group patients, one required further surgery. The key to successful treatment of this injury is the re-establishment of joint congruity and early mobilization. With appropriate patient selection, pain free, satisfactory range of motion can be achieved. There is a risk of persistent subluxation or dislocation, particularly if treatment is delayed.

To examine the contribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to neurocognitive dysfunction in individuals with comorbid HIV infection or methamphetamine (METH) dependence.

To examine if HIV-seropositive (HIV) individuals are at risk for impaired driving.

To investigate the value of antemortem cognitive functioning in predicting postmortem evidence of HIV encephalitis (HIVE).

This paper presents our experience of a new technique for the reattachment of tendons in the hand. A percutaneous Kirschner wire is fashioned into a hoop to support an intratendinous suture. This mechanism maintains continuous traction upon the avulsed tendon. The technique avoids extensive dissection of the fingertip and the direct application of pressure on the dorsal surface of the digit, which might cause skin breakdown.

This paper presents our experience of a new technique for the reattachment of tendons in the hand. A percutaneous Kirschner wire is fashioned into a hoop to support an intratendinous suture. This mechanism maintains continuous traction upon the avulsed tendon. The technique avoids extensive dissection of the fingertip and the direct application of pressure on the dorsal surface of the digit, which might cause skin breakdown. Copyright 2002 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand

We have explored the potential for cultured autologous keratinocytes to form an epidermis when delivered as a spray intermixed with autologous fibrin sealant. Twelve full-thickness wounds in Large White pigs (six wounds in each of two pigs) were isolated from the surrounding skin by 4cm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene chambers, and grafted with Integra artificial skin (Ethicon). Autologous fibrin sealant was produced 10 days later, using an automated processor unit (Vivostat System, ConvaTec, Bristol Myers Squibb), from 120 ml of autologous citrated blood taken 30 min before keratinocyte application. Nine wounds were sprayed, using a Vivostat System automated applicator unit, with a mixture of the sealant preparation and freshly trypsinised cultured autologous keratinocytes in growth medium, at a density of 1-3x10^5 cm^-^2. Three control wounds were sprayed with the same mixture without cells. The sealant-cell mixture polymerised and adhered to the wound surface immediately. Histological analysis of biopsies taken following sealant-cell application showed that isolated spherical keratinocytes were distributed throughout the sealant at between 3.1x10^4 cm^-^2 and 7.6x10^4 cm^-^2. After 4 days discreet colonies of keratinocytes were observed on the wound bed. At 14 days a multi-layered undulating epidermis was formed, punctuated by sporadic epidermal cysts; the mean area of epithelium was 50.1% (s.d.=19.7%, n=9). There was no epithelium in the controls (s.d.=0, n=3). The difference was statistically significant (P=0.016). This study suggests that co-sprayed cultured keratinocytes and autologous fibrin sealant may be an effective means of delivering epithelial cells to assist wound healing. g.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids influence the aetiology of prostate cancer. Their effects on cellular mechanisms regulating prostate tumorigenesis are unclear. Using prostate cancer cells (LNCaP), we determined effects of n-9-OA, n-6-LA, and n-3-EPA on total PKC and its isoforms in relation to cell proliferation and PSA production. PKC-α, δ, γ, ι, μ, and ζ were present in LNCaP cells; PKC-β, ε, η, and θ isoforms were not. PKC-α was detected only in cytosol; PKC-δ, ι, γ, and μ were present in cytosol and in membranes. Fatty acids increased cell proliferation, total PKC activity and elicited pro-proliferative effects on specific PKC isoforms (PKC-δ and -ι). EPA and LA increased total PKC activity and reduced membrane-abundance of PKC-δ. OA reduced cytosolic and membrane PKC-δ. Only EPA reduced PKC-γ membrane abundance. Fatty acids enhanced cytosolic PKC-ι abundance but only EPA and to a lesser extent LA increased its membrane content. Changes in PKC-δ, -ι, and -γ did not affect PSA production.

Neuronal injury, dendritic loss and brain atrophy are frequent complications of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1. Activated brain macrophages and microglia can release quinolinic acid, a neurotoxin and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor agonist, which we hypothesize contributes to neuronal injury and cerebral volume loss. In the present cross-sectional study of 94 HIV-1-infected patients, elevated CSF quinolinic acid concentrations correlated with worsening brain atrophy, quantified by MRI, in regions vulnerable to excitotoxic injury (the striatum and limbic cortex) but not in regions relatively resistant to excitotoxicity (the non-limbic cortex, thalamus and white matter). Increased CSF quinolinic acid concentrations also correlated with higher CSF HIV-1 RNA levels. In support of the specificity of these associations, blood levels of quinolinic acid were unrelated to striatal and limbic volumes, and CSF levels of beta(2)-microglobulin, a non-specific and non-excitotoxic marker of immune activation, were unrelated to regional brain volume loss. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that quinolinic acid accumulation in brain tissue contributes to atrophy in vulnerable brain regions in HIV infection and that virus replication is a significant driver of local quinolinic acid biosynthesis.

To examine the incidence of and risk factors for hallucinations and delusions associated with patients clinically diagnosed with probable AD.

Abstract: Digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) has been used in a wind tunnel study to measure the velocity field of the trailing vortices from the blades of a horizontal axis wind-turbine (HWAT) in yaw. The creation of the trailing vortex circulation is shown to vary as a function of the phase angle of the rotor and the angle of yaw between the wind and turbine rotor. The strength of the convecting vorticity was also shown to vary with time. The initial formation of the vortex is shown determined by the flow expansion angle while in yawed flows the developing vortex is then influenced by the vortex sheet shed from the inboard blade trailing edge. This interaction is shown to significantly affect the roll up of the tip vortex.