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Thermal stratification can significantly impact the distribution of species in aquatic systems. Organisms often travel between these thermoclines in order to locate prey and find optimal thermal condition. Since most aquatic animals are ectotherms, changes in ambient temperature can have immediate impacts on performance. We aimed to understand how prey capture kinematics change when bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are exposed to brief acute temperature changes that represent foraging bouts below the thermocline. To do this, we exposed bluegills to either 21°C (above thermocline) or 17°C (below thermocline) and fed them a cloud of defrosted brine shrimp. After digitizing high‐speed videography, we found that performance increased at the below thermocline temperature contrary to our prediction. During these feeding bouts, we noticed high variability in prey capture behaviors as the fish encountered the first prey item and subsequent prey items. In these successive feeding events, they demonstrated a remarkable amount of modulation in close succession. We conclude that acute exposure to the thermocline temperature tested here does not negatively impact prey capture. Furthermore, feeding in rapid succession could be a way to maximize prey captured while reducing energy for searching and capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature can have profound impacts on fitness‐related activities in fishes. Feeding is an ecologically relevant task which is controlled by muscle function. Consequently, in ectotherms, muscle function and feeding kinematics can be altered by temperature. This study investigated the effect of decreasing temperature on the feeding kinematics of the northern most labrid in the Western Atlantic. During winter, cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) enter a state of extended torpor in order to conserve energy when water temperatures drop below ~10°C. We hypothesized that feeding kinematics would be slower at lower temperatures especially those associated with torpor (≤10°C). Additionally, we hypothesized that prey type will elicit different feeding behaviors. Feeding events on sandworms and Asian shore crabs were recorded at 5, 10, 15 and 20°C. Fish held at 5°C had slower opening and closing jaw velocities while using more ram than the other temperature treatments. No differences were detected between prey types. For both prey types, the temperature treatment which consistently induced torpor (5°C) slowed oral jaw movements, which likely forced cunner to rely more on ram than suction to capture prey. Torpor temperatures appeared to have less of an effect on feeding than on metabolic rate, steady swimming capabilities and muscle function, suggesting some compensatory mechanisms of feeding musculature in cunner. Temperature can have profound impacts on fitness‐related activities in fishes. We found that, when exposed to temperatures that induce extended torpor, cunner feeding kinematics slow significantly. This result could limit their feeding success when temperatures drop below 10°C. Furthermore, torpor temperatures appeared to have less of an effect on feeding than on metabolic rate, steady swimming capabilities and muscle function, suggesting some compensatory mechanisms of feeding musculature in cunner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Two 125‐day experiments of the same design were conducted to evaluate the effects of a heterotrophically grown microalgae (AURA) containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on pig performance, carcass traits and the fatty acid composition of lean and adipose tissue. In each experiment, 144 Hypor pigs were blocked by sex, allocated to three treatment groups, and fed 0, 0.25% or 0.50% AURA in isonutritive, isocaloric diets. Pigs were weighed on days 0, 28, 56, 84 and 112. Feed and water intakes were measured every 28 days. Pigs were slaughtered on day 125. Data from the two studies were analysed as a single data set. Performance and carcass traits did not differ between treatments. Both microalgae treatment levels enriched (p < .05) Longissimus lumborum (LL) and backfat in DHA and improved (p < .05) their ratios of n‐6 to n‐3 fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polymorphic populations are often considered as intermediate stages of speciation. Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from Lake Waban, Wellesley, MA have diverged into two ecomorphs based on their diet, occupied habitat and morphology. Littoral bluegills are generalist feeders that consume a variety of aquatic invertebrates. Pelagic bluegills feed primarily on Daphnia. We aimed to understand if suction pressure generation, prey capture behaviors and pharyngeal jaw morphology differed between the littoral and pelagic ecomorphs feeding on three prey types. Littoral and pelagic bluegills showed similar feeding kinematics and peak pressure, however, significant differences were observed among prey types within an ecomorph. Feeding events on brine shrimp were slower and accompanied by less negative pressure for both ecomorphs. Littoral bluegills varied their use of ram among prey types, however, pelagic bluegills (zooplankton specialists) did not. Similar to previous studies, when presented with different prey items both dietary generalists and specialists varied equally in most aspects of their feeding behaviors. However, pelagic bluegills (dietary specialists) did not vary in their approach behaviors. Despite the lack of differences in trophic morphology among the individuals sampled here, the prey approach behaviors of dietary specialists appears to be fixed in pelagic bluegills. This result deemphasizes the importance of suction during feeding and places more importance on prey approach behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐rich microalgae, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA), on a variety of health and productivity parameters in lactating cows. Twenty‐four cows were blocked by parity and number of days in milk and then randomly assigned to a control (CON; n = 12) group with no algal supplementation, or a treatment group (AURA; n = 12) provided with 100 g AURA cow−1 day−1 or 16 g DHA cow−1 day−1. A variety of health and productivity measurements were taken, and results indicated that supplementation had no negative effects on animal health in terms of somatic cell count, haematological and biochemical blood parameters, while body condition was marginally improved by algal supplementation. No differences were found for the various production parameters measured; however, a tendency towards increased milk production was observed for the AURA group during the final stage of the study (+4.5 kg cow−1 day−1, day 78–84). The fatty acid profile of milk was improved by supplementation, with significantly lower saturated fatty acids, significantly higher omega‐3 fatty acids and an improved omega‐3/omega‐6 ratio observed when compared to the control group. The amount of DHA in the milk of cows provided 105 g AURA head−1 day−1 was 4.7 mg/100 g milk with a peak transfer efficiency from feed to milk at day 49 of 8.3%. These results indicate that supplementation with 105 g AURA head−1 day−1 resulted in the successful enrichment of milk with DHA without negatively impacting the health or productivity of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal for this project was to re-examine key morphological characters hypothesized to differentiate Gila intermedia, Gila robusta and Gila nigra and outline methods better suited for making species designations based on morphology. Using a combination of meristic counts, morphological measurements and geometric morphometrics, morphological dissimilarities were quantified among these three putative species. Traditional meristic counts and morphological measurements ( i.e. distances between landmarks) were not useful for species identification. Geometric morphometrics, however, identified differences among species, while also suggesting an effect of geographic location on morphological variation. Using canonical variate analysis for the 441 fish sampled in this study, geometric morphometrics accurately predicted true group membership 100% of the time for G. nigra, 97% of the time for G. intermedia and 91% of the time for G. robusta. These results suggest that geometric morphometric analysis is necessary to identify morphological differences among the three species. Geometric morphometric analysis used in this study can be adopted by management officials as a tool to classify unidentified individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are standard of care for managing joint pain secondary to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis but are rarely used in haemophilic arthropathy. We have introduced and evaluated the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections for pain relief in patients with haemophilic arthropathy. Patients and methods Ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections performed on haemophilia patients at UCSD between March 2012 and January 2016 were analysed. Needle placement and injection (40 mg triamcinolone; 3-5 mL lidocaine) were performed with musculoskeletal ultrasound and Power Doppler. Analysis included patient demographics, joint-specific parameters such as tissue hypervascularity and effusions, pain relief, and procedure-associated complications. Results Forty-five injections (14 ankles, 13 elbows, 18 knees) were administered in 25 patients. Advanced arthropathy with hypervascularity and/or effusions was present in 91% and 61% of joints, respectively. Ninety-one per cent of injections resulted in pain relief which was significant in 84% (>30% reduction). Median pain score was reduced from 7 of 10 to 1 of 10 ( P < 0.001), usually within 24 h. Median duration of pain relief was 8 weeks (range 1-16 weeks). Haemophilia B patients experienced longer periods of relief, and high Pettersson scores were associated with shorter duration of relief. There were no procedure-associated complications. Repeat ultrasound of eight joints within 4 weeks of injection demonstrated nearly complete resolution of hypervascularity. Conclusions Point-of-care ultrasound enabled intra-articular corticosteroid injections that provided highly effective, safe, and relatively long-lasting pain relief in haemophilic arthropathy. This approach should be used to improve pain management in haemophilic arthropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Examine women's perceptions of what is 'normal' and 'desirable' in female genital appearance. Design Experiment with random allocation across three conditions. Setting Community. Sample A total of 97 women aged 18-30 years. Methods Women were randomly assigned to view a series of images of (1) surgically modified vulvas or (2) nonmodified vulvas, or (3) no images. They then viewed and rated ten target images of surgically modified vulvas and ten of unmodified vulvas. Main outcome measures Women used a four-point Likert scale ('strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'), to rate each target image for 'looks normal' and 'represents society's ideal'. For each woman, we created two summary scores that represented the extent to which she rated the unmodified vulvas as more 'normal' and more 'society's ideal' than the modified vulvas. Results For ratings of 'normality,' there was a significant effect for condition ( F2,94 = 2.75 P = 0.007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a functional vascular tree within the primate ovary is critical for reproductive health. To determine the efficacy of contrast agents to image the microvascular environment within the primate ovary, contrast ultrasonography was performed in six reproductive-aged female common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus) during the late luteal phase of the cycle, following injection of Sonovue™. Regions of interest ( ROIs), representing the corpus luteum ( CL) and noncorpus luteum ovarian tissue ( NCLOT), were selected during gray-scale B-mode ultrasound imaging. The magnitude of backscatter intensity of CL and NCLOT ROIs were calculated in Xn View, post hoc: subsequent gamma-variate modeling was implemented in Matlab to determine perfusion parameters. Histological analysis of these ovaries revealed a total of 11 CL, nine of which were identified during contrast ultrasonography. The median enhancement ratio was significantly increased in the CL (5.54 AU; 95% CI −2.21-68.71) compared to the NCLOT (2.82 AU; 95% CI 2.73-15.06; P < 0.05). There was no difference in time parameters between the CL and NCLOT. An additional avascular ROI was identified in the ovary of Animal 5, both histologically and by ultrasonography. This cystic ROI displayed a markedly lower enhancement ratio (0.79 AU) and higher time parameters than mean CL and NCLOT, including time to peak and time to wash out. These data demonstrate, for the first time, the ability of commercially available contrast agents, to differentiate structures within the nonhuman primate ovary. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography has a promising future in reproductive medicine. Am. J. Primatol. 74:1088-1096, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An advanced intercross line (AIL) is an easier and more cost-effective approach compared to recombinant inbred lines for fine mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) identified by F2 designs. In an AIL, a complex binary trait can be mapped through analysis of either continuously distributed proxy traits for the liability of the binary trait or the liability itself, the latter presenting the greater statistical challenge. In another work, we successfully applied both approaches in an AIL to fine map previously identified QTL underlying anatomical parameters of the cardiac inter-atrial septum including patent foramen ovale. Here, we describe the statistical methods that we used to analyse complex binary traits in our AIL design. This is achieved using a likelihood-based method, with the expectation-maximisation algorithm allowing use of standard logistic regression methods for model fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective Central diabetes insipidus is a rare clinical condition with a heterogenous aetiology. Up to 40% of cases are classified as idiopathic, although many of these are thought to have an autoimmune basis. Published data have suggested that anterior hypopituitarism is common in childhood-onset idiopathic diabetes insipidus. We aimed to assess the incidence of anterior hypopituitarism in a cohort of adult patients with idiopathic diabetes insipidus. Design and patients We performed a retrospective review of the databases of two pituitary investigation units. This identified 39 patients with idiopathic diabetes insipidus. All had undergone magnetic resonance imaging scanning and dynamic pituitary testing (either insulin tolerance testing or GHRH/arginine and short synacthen testing) to assess anterior pituitary function. Results One patient had partial growth hormone deficiency; no other anterior pituitary hormonal deficits were found. Thirty-three percent had at least one autoimmune disease in addition to central diabetes insipidus. Conclusions Our data suggest that anterior hypopituitarism is rare in adult idiopathic diabetes insipidus. Routine screening of these patients for anterior hypopituitarism may not, therefore, be indicated. The significant prevalence of autoimmune disease in this cohort supports the hypothesis that idiopathic diabetes insipidus may have an autoimmune aetiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecies hybridization is of concern for the management of invasive species, as it can allow the exchange of advantageous alleles between introduced species and undermine control efforts. In this study, hybridization between populations of introduced common carp and goldfish in Australia is investigated. Common carp and goldfish were sampled extensively from the Murray- Darling Basin, the largest river basin in Australia. Fish identified in the field as hybrids, on the basis of having truncated or missing pairs of barbels around their mouths, were also sampled. All fish were genotyped for five microsatellite loci that could be amplified through polymerase chain reaction in both species, and the mitochondrial DNA control region was sequenced in the field-identified hybrids and a subset of the goldfish and common carp. Bayesian clustering analyses, factorial correspondence analysis and direct inspection of the microsatellite profiles confirmed that all fish identified as hybrids in the field had ancestry from both species. A number of cryptic hybrids were also identified. While most hybrids were inferred to be F1-generation, some F2-generation and backcrossed individuals were detected, indicating that gene flow is ongoing between carp and goldfish in Australia. Gene flow was biased in favor of male carp mating with female goldfish, as 19 of the 20 F1-generation hybrids had goldfish maternal ancestry. This ongoing gene flow could allow advantageous alleles (e.g. resistance to koi herpes virus) to move between species. This study illustrates that invasive species control programs should not only target the species considered most destructive, but should also consider the risks posed by introgression with related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida infections are common and often fatal in infants and neonates. Anidulafungin has excellent activity against Candida species, but the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of the drug in infants and neonates are unknown. The object of our study was to determine the PK and safety of anidulafungin in infants and neonates at risk for invasive candidiasis. Intravenous anidulafungin (1.5 mg/kg/day maintenance dose) was administered to 15 infants and neonates over 3 to 5 days. Plasma samples were collected after the first dose and again after the third to fifth doses. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug were determined by noncompartmental analysis. Safety was assessed using National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria. The study showed that drug exposure levels were similar between neonates and infants; the median areas under the concentration-time curve (range) was 75 (30-109) µg·h/ml and 98 (55-278) µg·h/ml (P = 0.12) for neonates and infants, respectively. No drug-related serious adverse events were observed. The study results indicate that neonates and infants receiving 1.5 mg/kg/day have anidulafungin exposure levels similar to those in children receiving similar weight-based dosing and in adult patients receiving 100 mg/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common carp Cyprinus carpio introduced in two drainages in eastern Australia are largely descended from European common carp, and in a third drainage they descend largely from East Asian common carp. The partial genetic differentiation among the species in those drainages is consistent with their origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 233–243 Background Hospital admissions for cirrhosis have been increasing in the United Kingdom, leading to increased pressure on intensive care (ICU) services. Outcome data for patients admitted to ICU are currently limited to transplant centre reports, with mortality rates exceeding 70%. These tertiary reports could fuel a negative bias when patients with cirrhosis are reviewed for ICU admission in secondary care. Aims To determine whether disease severity and mortality rates in non-transplant general ICU are less severe than those reported by tertiary datasets. Methods A prospective dual-centre non-transplant ICU study. Admissions were screened for cirrhosis and physiological and biochemical data were collected. Disease-specific and critical illness scoring systems were evaluated. Results Cirrhosis was present in 137/4198 (3.3%) of ICU admissions. ICU and hospital mortality were 38% and 47%, respectively; median age 50 [43–59] years, 68% men, 72% alcoholic cirrhosis, median Child Pugh Score (CPS) 10 [8–11], Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 18 [12–24], Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II) 16 [13–22]. Conclusions Mortality rates and disease staging were notably lower than in the published literature, suggesting that patients have a more favourable outlook than previously considered. Transplant centre data should therefore be interpreted with caution when evaluating the merits of intensive care admission for patients in general secondary care ICUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent generation of a genetic linkage map for the saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus) has now made it possible to carry out the systematic searches necessary for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting traits of economic, as well as evolutionary, importance in crocodilians. In this study, we conducted genome-wide scans for two commercially important traits, inventory head length (which is highly correlated with growth rate) and number of scale rows (SR, a skin quality trait), for the existence of QTL in a commercial population of saltwater crocodiles at Darwin Crocodile Farm, Northern Territory, Australia. To account for the uncommonly large difference in sex-specific recombination rates apparent in the saltwater crocodile, a duel mapping strategy was employed. This strategy employed a sib-pair analysis to take advantage of our full-sib pedigree structure, together with a half-sib analysis to account for, and take advantage of, the large difference in sex-specific recombination frequencies. Using these approaches, two putative QTL regions were identified for SR on linkage group 1 (LG1) at 36 cM, and on LG12 at 0 cM. The QTL identified in this investigation represent the first for a crocodilian and indeed for any non-avian member of the Class Reptilia. Mapping of QTL is an important first step towards the identification of genes and causal mutations for commercially important traits and the development of selection tools for implementation in crocodile breeding programmes for the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xenotransplantation from pigs provides a possible solution to the shortage of human organs for allotransplantation. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are a possible obstacle to using porcine organs in addition to the immunological barriers. Three main types of PERVs (A, B and C) have been previously investigated in diverse pig breeds. To examine the copy numbers of PERVs and their genomic locations in the Korean native pig genome, we screened a BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) library with PERV-specific protease primers for initial recognition of PERV-positive clones and three sets of envelope-specific primers for the identification of PERV types. A total of 45 PERV-positive clones, nine PERV-A and 36 PERV-B, have been identified from the library screening and the BAC contigs were constructed using the primers designed from BAC end sequences (BESs). These primers were also used for SCH (Somatic Cell Hybrid) and RH (Radiation Hybrid) mapping of the PERV-positive clones. The results indicate that 45 PERV-positive BAC clones belong to nine contigs and a singleton. SCH and IMpRH (INRA-Minnesota Porcine Radiation Hybrid) mapping results indicated that there are at least eight separate PERV genomic locations, consisting of three PERV-A and five PERV-B. One contig could not be mapped, and two contigs are closely located on SSC7. Southern blotting indicates there may be up to 15 additional sites. Further investigation of these clones will contribute to a general strategy to generate PERV-free lines of pigs suitable for xenotransplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether decreased diastolic and systolic myocardial velocity gradient between the endocardium and the epicardium exist in the left ventricle of cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Myocardial velocity gradient and mean myocardial velocities were measured by colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging in the left ventricular free wall of 20 normal cats and 17 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results: The peak myocardial velocity gradient (sec−1) during the first (E1) (5·71±1·75 versus 11·38±3·1, P<0·001) and second phase (E2) (3·09±1·53 versus 7·02±3·1, P=0·005) of early diastole and also the maximum early diastolic myocardial velocity gradient (Emax) (6·12±2·1 versus 10·76±3·2, P<0·001) were reduced in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy compared with normal cats. Peak myocardial velocity gradient during early systole (Se) was lower in affected cats than in normal cats (6·26±2·08 versus 8·67±2·83, P=0·006). Affected cats had a lower peak mean myocardial velocities (mm/s) during the two isovolumic periods (IVRb and IVCb) compared with normal cats (2·97±6·76 versus 12·74±5·5 and 22·28±9·96 versus 38·65±10·1, P<0·001, respectively). Clinical Significance: This study shows that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy cats have decreased myocardial velocity gradient during both diastole and systole and also altered myocardial motion during the two isovolumic periods. Myocardial velocity gradients recorded by colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging can discriminate between the healthy and diseased myocardium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To present eight cases of primary diffuse peritoneal malignant mesothelioma in children <15 years old, with a discussion of the pitfalls of this diagnosis in the paediatric age group. Methods and results: The cases were selected based on the following criteria: (i) primary peritoneal neoplasms confined grossly or radiographically to the abdominal cavity; (ii) negative history of previous or another associated malignancy; (iii) histopathological confirmation. All patients (five female, three male) presented clinically with symptoms of abdominal pain, distention and ascites. Grossly, the tumours showed multiple, diffuse peritoneal nodules. Histologically, seven cases corresponded to epithelioid mesotheliomas and one case displayed biphasic (epithelioid and spindle) cellular proliferation. Immunohistochemical studies for cytokeratin (CK) 5/6, calretinin and low-molecular-weight CK (CAM5.2) showed strong cytoplasmic positivity in the neoplastic cells. Three patients were treated by chemotherapy. On clinical follow-up, four patients with epithelioid mesotheliomas were alive and well from 12 to 18 months after initial diagnosis; one patient with a mixed (biphasic epithelioid/sarcomatoid) mesothelioma died of tumour 24 months after diagnosis. Conclusions: Peritoneal malignant mesothelioma in children is a rare condition that can introduce difficulties in histopathological diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeatability and phenotypic correlations were estimated for saltwater crocodile reproductive traits. No pedigree information was available to estimate heritability or genetic correlations, because the majority of breeder animals on farms were wild-caught. Moreover, as the age of the female breeders could not be accounted for, egg-size measurements were used as proxies. The reproductive traits investigated were clutch size (total number of eggs laid), number of viable eggs, number of eggs that produced a live, healthy hatchling, hatchability, average snout–vent length of the hatchlings and time of nesting. A second data set was also created comprising binary data of whether or not the female nested. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.24 to 0.68 for the measurable traits, with phenotypic correlations ranging from −0.15 to 0.86. Repeatability for whether a female nested or not was 0.58 on the underlying scale. Correlations could not be estimated between the measurement and binary traits because of confounding. These estimates are the first published for crocodilian reproduction traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocodile morphometric (head, snout-vent and total length) measurements were recorded at three stages during the production chain: hatching, inventory [average age (±SE) is 265.1 ± 0.4 days] and slaughter (average age is 1037.8 ± 0.4 days). Crocodile skins are used for the manufacture of exclusive leather products, with the most common-sized skin sold having 35–45 cm in belly width. One of the breeding objectives for inclusion into a multitrait genetic improvement programme for saltwater crocodiles is the time taken for a juvenile to reach this size or age at slaughter. A multivariate restricted maximum likelihood analysis provided (co)variance components for estimating the first published genetic parameter estimates for these traits. Heritability (±SE) estimates for the traits hatchling snout-vent length, inventory head length and age at slaughter were 0.60 (0.15), 0.59 (0.12) and 0.40 (0.10) respectively. There were strong negative genetic (−0.81 ± 0.08) and phenotypic (−0.82 ± 0.02) correlations between age at slaughter and inventory head length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a theoretical explanation of the variations of the sediment delivery ratio (SDR) versus catchment area relationships and the complex patterns in the behavior of sediment transfer processes at catchment scale. Taking into account the effects of erosion source types, deposition, and hydrological controls, we propose a simple conceptual model that consists of two linear stores arranged in series: a hillslope store that addresses transport to the nearest streams and a channel store that addresses sediment routing in the channel network. The model identifies four dimensionless scaling factors, which enable us to analyze a variety of effects on SDR estimation, including (1) interacting processes of erosion sources and deposition, (2) different temporal averaging windows, and (3) catchment runoff response. We show that the interactions between storm duration and hillslope/channel travel times are the major controls of peak-value-based sediment delivery and its spatial variations. The interplay between depositional timescales and the travel/residence times determines the spatial variations of total-volume-based SDR. In practical terms this parsimonious, minimal complexity model could provide a sound physical basis for diagnosing catchment to catchment variability of sediment transport if the proposed scaling factors can be quantified using climatic and catchment properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ADRP plays an important role in regulating lipid storage in various cells. We investigated the ADRP gene as a candidate gene for intramuscular fat deposition and marbling traits in pigs. A full-length transcript of porcine ADRP was cloned by RT-PCR and RACE. The porcine ADRP cDNA (1848 bp) contains a 1377-bp open reading frame, encoding a deduced protein of 459 amino acids, which has amino acid sequence identities of 89, 89, 82 and 81% with cattle, human, mouse and rat ADRP genes respectively. The genomic structure and sequence of the porcine ADRP were also analysed using a BAC clone of a Korean native pig. Pig ADRP comprises eight exons spanning approximately 13 kb and is located on chromosome 1 q2.3-q2.7 between microsatellite markers SW2185 and SW974. Several sequence variations were detected from nine different pig breeds. The biological role of this gene and the mapping localization indicated that the porcine ADRP is a possible candidate gene for fat deposition and marbling traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrahams N A, Moran C, Reyes A O, Siefker-Radtke A&Ayala A G(2004)HistopathologySmall cell carcinoma of the bladder: a contemporary clinicopathological study of 51 cases: We present 51 cases of primary small cell carcinoma of the bladder in a clinicopathological study with emphasis on features that aid in the initial recognition and diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the bladder.: The patients were 40 men and 11 women between the ages of 39 and 87 years (mean age 67 years). Clinical data were available in 41 cases. The most common symptomatology was haematuria in 63% of the patients while dysuria was present in 12%. Thirty-eight patients were caucasians; seven patients were Hispanics; two patients were Asian; one patient was African-American; in the three additional patients no racial information was obtained. Biopsy material was obtained in all of the patients. Cystectomy was performed in 20 patients. At diagnosis, clinical stage was as follows: stage I in two (5%), stage II in 18 (44%), stage III in 10 (24%), and stage IV in 11 (27%). Histologically, urothelial carcinoma was present in 70% of the cases, adenocarcinoma in 8%, and squamous cell carcinoma in 10% of the cases. Small cell carcinoma was the only histology present in only 12% of the cases studied. Immunohistochemical studies using chromogranin, synaptophysin and chromogranin were positive in 30–70% of the cases.: The present study highlights the unusual phenomenon of pure small cell carcinoma of the bladder and its association with other non-small cell carcinomas in that anatomical location. In addition, the study highlights the different modalities employed to treat patients in whom there is a component of small cell carcinoma of the bladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of a spatially distributed sediment budget across a large basin, costs of achieving certain sediment reduction targets in rivers were estimated. A range of investment prioritization scenarios were tested to identify the most cost-effective strategy to control suspended sediment loads. The scenarios were based on successively introducing more information from the sediment budget. The relationship between spatial heterogeneity of contributing sediment sources on cost effectiveness of prioritization was investigated. Cost effectiveness was shown to increase with sequential introduction of sediment budget terms. The solution which most decreased cost was achieved by including spatial information linking sediment sources to the downstream target location. This solution produced cost curves similar to those derived using a genetic algorithm formulation. Appropriate investment prioritization can offer large cost savings because the magnitude of the costs can vary by several times depending on what type of erosion source or sediment delivery mechanism is targeted. Target settings which only consider the erosion source rates can potentially result in spending more money than random management intervention for achieving downstream targets. Coherent spatial patterns of contributing sediment emerge from the budget model and its many inputs. The heterogeneity in these patterns can be summarized in a succinct form. This summary was shown to be consistent with the cost difference between local and regional prioritization for three of four test catchments. To explain the effect for the fourth catchment, the detail of the individual sediment sources needed to be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sus scrofa chromosome 2 (SSC2) linkage maps were generated from three F2 families involving Meishan (M), Pietrain (P) and Wild Boar (W) crosses and the same 10 marker loci. SSC2 linkage maps were similar between families and correspond to published maps. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for carcass traits, daily gain and heart weight were identified on SSC2, especially in the intervals 0-20 and 80-90 cM in the M × P family, the intervals 20-50 and 125-140 cM in the W × P family, and the interval 15-70 cM in the W × M family. QTL presence and position varied among families. QTL effects explained up to 10% of F2 phenotypic variance. Pietrain QTL alleles were associated with high muscle and heart mass, high daily gain and low fat deposition and Meishan alleles with high carcass fat content. Wild Boar alleles were associated with leaner carcass but lower daily gain than Meishan alleles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkage maps of Sus scrofa chromosome 5 (SSC5) were constructed using up to 10 markers in three informative F2 families based on Wild Boar (W), Meishan (M) and Pietrain (P) crosses. The map lengths differed among the families. In the M × P family, the MYF5 locus was linkage mapped between SW995 and SW967. Relatively few quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were observed on SSC5 explaining a maximum of 5.8% of phenotypic variance in the F2 generation. The presence and position of QTLs were not consistent among families. The Meishan and Wild Boar QTL allele effects were inferior compared with Pietrain allele effects. The additive effects were small and reasonably strong dominance-effects were observed. QTLs affecting conductivity in the W × M family and food conversion ratio in the M x P family mapped near MYF5, while the QTL affecting conductivity in the M x P family was located near IGF1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT Objectives To determine the prenatal detection rate of abnormality (fetal anomaly or growth restriction) in pregnancies complicated by fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in an obstetric population managed without routine biochemical or sonographic screening tests and to assess the perinatal outcome of these pregnancies. Subjects and methods This was a retrospective analysis of obstetric and neonatal data pertaining to infants born with trisomy 21, 18 or 13 ( n = 82) diagnosed between 1989 and 1997 (23 762 deliveries). Results Antenatal suspicion of aneuploidy, based on the detection of growth restriction or fetal anomaly, was present in 18.3% (11 of 60) of fetuses with trisomy 21, in 81.2% (13 of 16) of fetuses with trisomy 18, and in 83.3% (five of six) of fetuses with trisomy 13. The antenatal detection rates for growth restriction were accurate whereas the antenatal detection rates for fetal anomalies were poor. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in 18.8% of fetuses with trisomy 18 (three of 16) and in 50% (three of six) of cases of trisomy 13. For babies born alive with trisomy 18 or 13 the neonatal mortality was 93.8% (15 of 16). All cases of trisomy 21 fetuses survived beyond the perinatal period and the antepartum and intrapartum details of these pregnancies were unremarkable. Conclusion In obstetric practice without routine biochemical or sonographic screening tests the detection of findings suggestive of aneuploidy is low for trisomy 21, but is high for trisomies 18 and 13. These findings provide information for counseling about the antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal course of these trisomies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic relationships among Asian and European pig breeds were assessed using 1036 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences. An unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) tree was constructed on the basis of maximum likelihood distances using sequences determined for three Cheju (Korea), 11 Chinese, one Westran (Australian feral origin) and two European pigs (Berkshire and Welsh), and also published sequences for four Japanese (including two Wild Boars), one Yucatan miniature, five European (including Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Swedish and Wild Boar) and two Meishan pigs. The Colombian collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu ) sequence was also determined and used as an outgroup. The maximum parsimony with heuristic search method was used to determine bootstrap support values. Asian-type pigs clustered together (bootstrap support 33%), but were separate from European-type pigs that also clustered together (93%). The Westran pig, derived from the feral descendants of pigs inhabiting Kangaroo Island of South Australia, clustered with Asian pigs, demonstrating Asian origin of their mitochondria. Berkshire and Large White clustered with Asian pigs, indicating that Asian pigs were involved in the development of these breeds. Our findings clearly demonstrate that pigs indigenous to China, Korea and Japan are only recently diverged from each other and distinctly different from European-type pigs. European pig breeds consist of pigs with mitochondria of Asian and non-Asian type, some of which were formed from closely related maternal ancestors, if not from a single ancestor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence rates of electrocardiographic changes during Caesarean section vary from 25 to 60%. To date, no investigator has identified myocardial ischaemia resulting from these changes. We investigated patients undergoing elective Caesarean section using peripartum Holter monitoring and serum analysis of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Twenty-six patients presenting for elective Caesarean section were studied. Peroperative Holter monitoring continued for 12 h postoperatively, at which time blood samples for cTnI levels were taken. Significant ST changes were recorded in 42% of patients peroperatively and 38.5% of patients postoperatively. Forty-two per cent of patients experienced peroperative chest pain requiring opioid analgesia. Chest pain was significantly associated with abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings. Ischaemic levels of cTnI were recorded in two patients. This study reports, for the first time, myocardial ischaemia (7.69% of patients) arising in conjunction with the ECG changes seen during elective Caesarean section. We also report episodes of significant postoperative ST-segment changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary signet ring cell adenocarcinomas of the lung: a clinicopathological study of 15 cases Aims: We describe the clinicopathological characteristics of 15 cases of primary signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the lung and highlight the importance of recognizing that not all adenocarcinomas with signet ring cell features represent metastatic adenocarcinomas. Methods and results: We evaluated the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of 15 cases of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patients were 12 men and three women, age 30–75 years (mean 52.5 years). No evidence of a primary tumour elsewhere could be found on thorough clinical examination. Nine patients underwent resection and the remainder were biopsied. The tumours ranged from 18 to 80 mm in greatest dimension. Microscopically, two distinct patterns of growth were recognized: acinar and diffuse. The tumours were characterized by the presence of >75% signet ring cells. Periodic acid–Schiff and mucicarmine showed strong intracellular positive staining. Immunohistochemical stains for TTF-1 (6/6) and CEA (9/9) showed strong positive reaction in all cases evaluated. Three out of six cases were also positive for cytokeratin 7. All the tumours (6/6) were negative for cytokeratin 20, ER, PR and GCDFP-15. Follow-up information was obtained in 11 patients; six patients died within 1 year and five patients were alive from 3 to 36 months after initial diagnosis. Conclusion: These cases highlight an unusual histological growth pattern of primary lung adenocarcinoma that may be mistaken for a metastasis from an occult primary. The recognition of this pattern of lung tumours is important for proper treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversities and relationships of four Chinese indigenous pig breeds and one Australian commercial pig breed have been evaluated using 27 microsatellites recommended by the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The allele frequencies, effective numbers of alleles and the polymorphic information content have been calculated. Nei's standard genetic distances have been used to construct a UPGMA dendrogram, which has been evaluated by the Bootstrap test. The utility of microsatellites for evaluating genetic diversity of pigs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial nerve synkinesis is an extremely distressing sequela of facial paralysis, and its prevention and treatment are less than adequate. Improved therapeutic interventions await better understanding of its pathogenesis. In this study, 11 patients with synkinesis and 11 normal control subjects were quantitatively assessed using a new computer-assisted, motion-sensitive system. Two additional, informative cases presenting at the completion of the study are also briefly reported. The observed synkinetic patterns appear predictable and nonrandom. In addition, these observations tend to raise doubts that the aberrant fiber regeneration hypothesis is the sole explanation of synkinesis. They further implicate facial nuclear hyperexcitability as an explanation in at least some cases of synkinesis. Understanding these patterns enhances clinical detection and evaluation and may lead to a better knowledge of the fundamental pathophysiology of synkinesis and its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the association between volunteer emergency work experience, personality, and reactions to a past traumatic incident. Participants from randomly selected State Emergency Services and Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Units in New South Wales (Australia) completed four questionnaires. The data did not support the idea that emergency workers are hardier than most, or have particular coping styles. Length of volunteer emergency service was associated with both severity and length of reaction to a past traumatic incident. The number of emergency callouts and current general symptom severity were associated with severity of reaction to a past incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Six lactating white women, aged 24-36 years, received a single oral dose of 300 mg moclobemide, between 09.00 h and 11.00 h, 3 to 5 days after the delivery of a full term neonate. 2. Complete milk collections were obtained before, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h after drug administration by means of a breast pump. Venous blood samples were drawn before, and 0.5, 1, 3, 4.5, 6, 9, 12, 24 h post-dosing. 3. Moclobemide, and its major metabolite (Ro 12-8095) were measured in milk and plasma samples using h.p.l.c. The active metabolite (Ro 12-5637) could only be detected in plasma. 4. Moclobemide and its metabolites were not detectable in 24 h plasma samples. Cmax, tmax and t1/2 for moclobemide were (mean +/- s.d.) 2.70 +/- 1.24 mg l-1, 2.03 +/- 1.19 h and 2.26 +/- 0.26 h, respectively. 5. The concentrations of moclobemide and Ro 12- 8095 in milk were highest at 3 h after drug administration and the drug and metabolite were not detectable after 12 h. Ro 12-5637 was not detected in any milk sample. The percentages of the dose excreted as moclobemide and Ro 12-8095 were (mean +/- s.d.) 0.057 +/- 0.020% and 0.031 +/- 0.011%, respectively. An average 3.5 kg breast-fed neonate would therefore be exposed to only a 0.05 mg kg-1 moclobemide dose (approximately 1% of the maternal dose on the mg kg-1 basis). The low amount of moclobemide excreted into breast milk is unlikely to be hazardous to suckling infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Techniques for examining pore structure as a three-component system, most notably dye-staining of pore space, are reviewed. A method for analysing digital images of pore structure with three components is presented. The method is a direct extension of earlier work on the description of pore structure using two-component digital images in which the two components represented pore space and soil solid. A previously published method for preparation of an undisturbed, vertically oriented, planar face through soil with pore space in the field condition is used. Field impregnation with opaque epoxy resin is followed by sawing, completion of the impregnation under vacuum and grinding of the sawn face to a smooth finish. In the method presented here the resin used for the laboratory impregnation contains a different-coloured dye from that used in the field. The ground face is then video-digitized. Three components are represented in the resulting digital grey level image, namely, field-impregnated pore space, laboratory-impregnated pore space and soil solid. The image-processing steps required to segment the grey level image into the three required components are described. Image analysis, for quantitative assessment of the pore structure, consists of generation of 11 pore-structure attributes from the segmented image. Interpretation of these attributes and use of the method are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Seed beds of a tillage and fallow management trial were examined using the techniques of field impregnation and image analysis described in Part I of this paper. The trial was situated near Warwick on the Darling Downs, Queensland, Australia on a self-mulching black earth soil with wheat as the test crop. The effects of both frequency of tillage operations and of burning vs. retention of stubble on the pore structure are examined. The only effect detected in the top 50 mm was due to stubble burning. The tilth layer was finer in the cultivated treatment. Cultivation was seen to reduce the connectivity of pore space. This effect was greatest when combined with burning of stubble. The image analysis results were found to be consistent with other data generated from the same trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY In the fifth year of a traffic management experiment on grassland comparing conventional (C), reduced ground pressure (R) and zero (Z) systems, differences in soil structure were characterized in the upper 100 mm. Soil bulk density and vane shear strength increased between systems in the order Z, R, C. A more detailed description of the soil structural differences between traffic systems, and between depths within systems, was obtained by an image-interpretation technique. Rapid-hardening epoxy resin, containing fluorescent dye, was added to the soil in the field condition, and the macroporosity was quantified by image analysis. All measured attributes (bulk density, vane shear strength and those from image analysis) showed that soil structure was superior in the zero (Z) and reduced ground pressure (R) traffic systems compared to that of the conventional (C) system. Porosity and pore or solid surface area of the Z system were greater, and aggregate size was smaller, than in the C system. In general, R was intermediate between Z and C. At about 10-30 mm in the reduced ground pressure system, there was a zone of low porosity that resembled much of the soil in the conventional system. Macroporosity and roots were concentrated close to the soil surface under the C and R systems. In the absence of traffic, or under the R system, the surface of the ground was rougher than that under the C system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Difficulty is sometimes experienced in achieving dehydration and acceptable impregnation of undisturbed specimens of clay soil. It is necessary to avoid shrinkage when removing water and disruption of brittle dehydrated specimens when impregnating. Methods for dehydrating clayey soil for structural studies are reviewed. A method using continuous flow and dehydration of acetone or 1,4 dioxane followed by slow impregnation is outlined. Inexpensive techniques for measuring the water content of these two solvents are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]