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High resolution echelle spectroscopy is presented for thirteen stars lying in the direction of the Galactic centre which, on the basis of photographic photometry and low dispersion spectroscopy, have been classified as early-B-type. Eight of these stars have large rotational velocities which preclude a detailed analysis. The five stars with moderate to low projected rotational velocities have been analysed using model atmosphere techniques to determine atmospheric parameters and chemical compositions. Two of these stars appear to be evolved blue horizontal branch objects on the basis of their chemical compositions and small projected rotational velocity. The evolutionary status of a third is ambiguous but it is probably a post-asymptotic-giant branch star. The remaining two objects are probably young massive stars and show enhanced abundances of N, C, Mg and Si, consistent with their formation in the inner part of the Galactic disk. However their O abundances are normal, confirming results found previously for other early-type stars, which would imply a flat abundance gradient for this element in the inner region of our Galaxy.

Neonatal pigs were treated with lipolytic agents to determine whether this would cause a long-term decrease in their ability to deposit fat, with a consequent increase in muscle growth and feed efficiency. Groups of 25 female piglets were given clenbuterol (100 μg/kg BW), porcine somatotropin (pST; 100 μg/kg BW), pST plus clenbuterol, or saline injections from 3 d to 40 d of age. Five piglets from each group were then slaughtered to determine body composition. Clenbuterol and pST both increased ADG up to weaning when given separately (24%, P< 0.05; 20%, P< 0.1 respectively) but did not reduce fat deposition. In contrast, pigs given clenbuterol plus pST showed no increase in ADG and a 41% reduction in carcass fat (P< 0.05). Clenbuterol caused a marked decrease in β2-adrenoceptor density in porcine adipose tissue (P< 0.001) and skeletal muscle (P< 0.01). This effect was attenuated by concurrent pST treatment, which helps to explain the synergistic effect of these drugs on fat deposition. Once the drugs were withdrawn at 40 d, the anabolic effect of pST gradually disappeared, so that the live weight of pST-treated and control pigs was identical at 168 d. Clenbuterol withdrawal caused the rapid loss of extra weight gained, plus an additional 4 to 5 kg live weight that was never recovered. During the 4-wk finishing period there was an increase in feed intake in pigs that had previously undergone treatment with pST (23%, P< 0.1), with no increase in ADG, and so feed efficiency was impaired (P< 0.05). Pigs that were treated with pST plus clenbuterol showed no marked increase in feed intake during this period. Carcasses from clenbuterol-treated pigs tended to be leaner at 168 d, but there was no long-term effect of pST or the combined treatment on carcass composition. Overall, the treatment of neonatal pigs with repartitioning agents was counter-productive, due to the withdrawal effects of the β-adrenergic agonist and the delayed long-term effect of pST on feed intake.

Remission mononuclear cells incubated in vitro for 96 h with autologous stored blast cells were reinfused IV on two occasions as adjuvant maintenance therapy. The procedures were well tolerated, but in vitro response to the blast cells was negligible.

The concept of drivers (Kahler, 1974, 1977) is of considerable importance for TA theory and practice. This study evaluates a questionnaire (Reddy, 1979) concerned with personality traits related to the concept of drivers. Analysis of the match of questionnaire items to driver categories made by the members of the Central London Advanced TA Seminar demonstrated a statistically highly significant degree of reliability.