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The innermost regions of accretion disks around black holes are strongly irradiated by X-rays that are emitted from a highly variable, compact corona, in the immediate vicinity of the black hole1–3. The X-rays that are seen reflected from the disk4, and the time delays, as variations in the X-ray emission echo or ‘reverberate’ off the disk5,6, provide a view of the environment just outside the event horizon. I Zwicky 1 (I Zw 1) is a nearby narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy7,8. Previous studies of the reverberation of X-rays from its accretion disk revealed that the corona is composed of two components: an extended, slowly varying component extending over the surface of the inner accretion disk, and a collimated core, with luminosity fluctuations propagating upwards from its base, which dominates the more rapid variability9,10. Here we report observations of X-ray flares emitted from around the supermassive black hole in I Zw 1. X-ray reflection from the accretion disk is detected through a relativistically broadened iron K line and Compton hump in the X-ray emission spectrum. Analysis of the X-ray flares reveals short flashes of photons consistent with the re-emergence of emission from behind the black hole. The energy shifts of these photons identify their origins from different parts of the disk11,12. These are photons that reverberate off the far side of the disk, and are bent around the black hole and magnified by the strong gravitational field. Observing photons bent around the black hole confirms a key prediction of general relativity.

Presentar nuestra experiencia con la terapia multimodal para la enfermedad de Peyronie.

Sampling strategies used in paleomagnetic studies play a crucial role in dictating the accuracy of our estimates of properties of the ancient geomagnetic field. However, there has been little quantitative analysis of optimal paleomagnetic sampling strategies and the community has instead defaulted to traditional practices that vary between laboratories. In this paper, we quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of alternative paleomagnetic sampling strategies through numerical experiments and an associated analytical framework. Our findings demonstrate a strong correspondence between the accuracy of an estimated paleopole position and the number of sites or independent readings of the time‐varying paleomagnetic field, whereas larger numbers of in‐site samples have a dwindling effect. This remains true even when a large proportion of the sample directions are spurious. This approach can be readily achieved in sedimentary sequences by distributing samples stratigraphically, considering each sample as an individual site. However, where the number of potential independent sites is inherently limited the collection of additional in‐site samples can improve the accuracy of the paleopole estimate (although with diminishing returns with increasing samples per site). Where an estimate of the magnitude of paleosecular variation is sought, multiple in‐site samples should be taken, but the optimal number is dependent on the expected fraction of outliers. The use of filters based on angular distance helps the accuracy of paleopole estimation, but leads to inaccurate estimates of paleosecular variation. We provide both analytical formulas and a series of interactive Jupyter notebooks allowing optimal sampling strategies to be developed from user‐informed expectations. Earth's magnetic field can be preserved in rocks when they form. Through studying these magnetic records using the tools of paleomagnetism, scientists can learn about how Earth's magnetic field has changed through time and how tectonic plates have moved. This study is about the best ways to design sampling approaches to gain these insights using statistical quantification. Traditional protocols emphasize the collection of numerous samples from units that record the field at a given instant in time. Such units are referred to as sites. Through simulating data, we develop tools for evaluating trade‐offs between collecting more sites and more samples per site. Our results show that strategies that maximize collecting more sites, even if fewer samples are taken at each site, leads to more accurate estimates even in the presence of spurious observations. While there is a benefit to more samples per site, particularly for studies seeking to estimate the variability of the ancient field, such sampling has diminishing returns relative to maximizing the number of sites. We provide formulas and interactive computational resources to help the community to make informed decisions about the best way to gather data. We explore the effect of alternative sampling strategies on the accuracy of paleomagnetic parameter estimatesThe accuracy of paleopole estimation is dominated by the number of independent site recordings instead of the number of in‐site samplesEven in the presence of frequent outliers, or for studies of paleosecular variation, a focus on sites over in‐site samples is advantageous We explore the effect of alternative sampling strategies on the accuracy of paleomagnetic parameter estimates The accuracy of paleopole estimation is dominated by the number of independent site recordings instead of the number of in‐site samples Even in the presence of frequent outliers, or for studies of paleosecular variation, a focus on sites over in‐site samples is advantageous

ABSTRACTUbiquitination serves as a degradation mechanism of proteins, but is involved in additional cellular processes such as activation of NFκB inflammatory response and DNA damage repair. We highlight the E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes, E3 ubiquitin ligases and Deubiquitinases that support the metastasis of a plethora of cancers. E3 ubiquitin ligases also modulate pluripotent cancer stem cells attributed to chemotherapy resistance. We further describe mutations in E3 ubiquitin ligases that support tumor proliferation and adaptation to hypoxia. Thus, this review describes how tumors exploit members of the vast ubiquitin signaling pathways to support aberrant oncogenic signaling for survival and metastasis.

Our understanding of Earth's paleogeography relies heavily on paleomagnetic apparent polar wander paths (APWPs), which represent the time‐dependent position of Earth's spin axis relative to a given block of lithosphere. However, conventional approaches to APWP construction have significant limitations. First, the paleomagnetic record contains substantial noise that is not integrated into APWPs. Second, parametric assumptions are adopted to represent spatial and temporal uncertainties even where the underlying data do not conform to the assumed distributions. The consequences of these limitations remain largely unknown. Here, we address these challenges with a bottom‐up Monte Carlo uncertainty propagation scheme that operates on site‐level paleomagnetic data. To demonstrate our methodology, we present an extensive compilation of site‐level Cenozoic paleomagnetic data from North America, which we use to generate a high‐resolution APWP. Our results demonstrate that even in the presence of substantial noise, polar wandering can be assessed with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. Records of Earth's ancient magnetic field preserved in rocks provide valuable information for understanding past tectonic plate motions. These “paleomagnetic” records are collected from individual rock samples and subsequently grouped to develop global‐scale paths called apparent polar wander (APW) paths. However, the standard methods for analyzing and grouping paleomagnetic data are limited in the way they propagate and quantify uncertainties, and the consequences of these limitations are not known. In this study, we address these limitations through the introduction of a new methodological approach, which we use to study a large data set of paleomagnetic data from North America for the past 60 million years. We demonstrate that through our new methodology it is possible to generate APW paths with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, which may offer new insights into Earth's deep time evolution. We present an extensive compilation of Cenozoic paleomagnetic and geochronologic data from North America at the site levelA bottom‐up Monte Carlo uncertainty propagation scheme enables the propagation of errors from site level data into apparent polar wander pathsThese advances allowed us to describe Cenozoic North American polar wander at the unprecedented temporal resolution of 1 Myr We present an extensive compilation of Cenozoic paleomagnetic and geochronologic data from North America at the site level A bottom‐up Monte Carlo uncertainty propagation scheme enables the propagation of errors from site level data into apparent polar wander paths These advances allowed us to describe Cenozoic North American polar wander at the unprecedented temporal resolution of 1 Myr

Mrk 705 exhibits optical properties of both narrow- and broad-line Seyfert 1 galaxies. We examine the X-ray properties of this borderline object utilising proprietary and public data from Chandra, ASCA, ROSATand RXTE, spanning more than twelve years. Though long-term flux variability from the pointed observations appears rather modest (~$3\times$), we do find examples of rare large amplitude outbursts in the RXTEmonitoring data. There is very little evidence of long-term spectral variability as the low- and high-energy spectra appear constant with time. A ~$6.4{\rm\thinspace keV}$emission line is detected in the ASCAspectra of Mrk 705, but not during the later, higher flux state Chandraobservation. However, the upper limit on the equivalent width of a line in the Chandraspectrum is consistent with a constant-flux emission line and a brighter continuum, suggesting that the line is emitted from distant material such as the putative torus. Overall, the X-ray properties of Mrk 705 appear typical of BLS1 activity.

We present a 20 ks XMM-Newtonobservation of the prototypical Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxy I Zw 1. The best-fit model to the data is a double blackbody plus a dominant power-law, on which complex soft absorption (possibly a blended edge or absorption lines) and/or OVII emission are superimposed, as well as strong Fe Kαemission. The iron feature in the high-energy spectra appears broad; however, on close examination of the EPIC pn data, there exists the possibility that the broad emission feature can be attributed to a neutral Fe Kαline in addition to a blend of He- and H-like Fe Kαlines. The light curve shows a strong, hard X-ray flare concentrated in the 3–12 keV band. The flare appears to induce spectral variability, showing spectral hardening to be occuring as the flare intensifies. A detailed examination suggests that the spectral variability is most likely due to an increase in the 3–12 keV flux relative to the soft flux during the flare. A difference spectrum and complete modelling of the flare and non-flare spectra show intrinsic changes only in the normalisation of the continuum components and not in their shape parameters. The timing results are consistent with the flare originating in the accretion disc corona. The iron emission line(s) do not appear to respond to changes in the continuum flux during the flare; the iron lines are stronger in equivalent width during the low-flux (non-flare) states, and weaker during the flare.

We report on an XMM-Newtonobservation of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy NGC 6240. The 0.3–10 keV spectrum can be successfully modelled with: (i) three collisionally ionized plasma components with temperatures of about 0.7, 1.4, and 5.5 keV; (ii) a highly absorbed direct power-law component; and (iii) a neutral Fe K$\rm \alpha$and K$\rm \beta$line. We detect a significant neutral column density gradient which is correlated with the temperature of the three plasma components. Combining the XMM-Newtonspectral model with the high spatial resolution Chandraimage we find that the temperatures and the column densities increase towards the center.?With high significance, the Fe K line complex is resolved into three distinct narrow lines: (i) the neutral Fe K$\rm \alpha$line at 6.4 keV; (ii) an ionized line at about 6.7 keV; and (iii) a higher ionized line at 7.0 keV (a blend of the Fe XXVI and the Fe K$\rm \beta$line). While the neutral Fe K line is most probably due to reflection from optically thick material, the Fe XXV and Fe XXVI emission arises from the highest temperature ionized plasma component.?We have compared the plasma parameters of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy NGC 6240 with those found in the local starburst galaxy NGC 253. We find a striking similarity in the plasma temperatures and column density gradients, suggesting a similar underlying physical process at work in both galaxies.

A generic coupling method between a multi-physics workflow engine and an optimization framework is presented in this paper. The coupling architecture has been developed in order to preserve the integrity of the two frameworks. The objective is to provide the possibility to replace a framework, a workflow or an optimizer by another one without changing the whole coupling procedure or modifying the main content in each framework. The coupling is achieved by using a socket-based communication library for exchanging data between the two frameworks. Among a number of algorithms provided by optimization frameworks, Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have demonstrated their efficiency on single and multiple criteria optimization. Additionally to their robustness, GAs can handle non-valid data which may appear during the optimization. Consequently GAs work on most general cases. A parallelized framework has been developed to reduce the time spent for optimizations and evaluation of large samples. A test has shown a good scaling efficiency of this parallelized framework. This coupling method has been applied to the case of SYCOMORE (SYstem COde for MOdeling tokamak REactor) which is a system code developed in form of a modular workflow for designing magnetic fusion reactors. The coupling of SYCOMORE with the optimization platform URANIE enables design optimization along various figures of merit and constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present X-ray and optical observations of the X-ray bright AGN 1ES 1927+654. The X-ray observations obtained with ROSAT  and Chandrareveal persistent, rapid and large scale variations, as well as steep 0.1–2.4 keV ($\rm \Gamma = 2.6 \pm 0.3$) and 0.3–7.0 keV ($\rm \Gamma = 2.7 \pm 0.2$) spectra. The measured intrinsic neutral X-ray column density is approximately $\rm 7 \times 10^{20}\ cm^{-2}$. The X-ray timing properties indicate that the strong variations originate from a region, a few hundred light seconds from the central black hole, typical for type 1 AGN.
High quality optical spectroscopy reveals a typical Seyfert 2 spectrum with some host galaxy contamination and no evidence of Fe II multiplets or broad hydrogen Balmer wings. The intrinsic optical extinction derived from the BLR and NLR are $A_V \ge 3.7$and AV=1.7, respectively. The X-ray observations give an AVvalue of less than 0.58, in contrast to the optical extinction values.
We discuss several ideas to explain this apparent difference in classification including partial covering, an underluminous BLR or a high dust to gas ratio.

The objective of this study was to infer (co)variance components for piglet survival at birth in purebred and crossbred pigs. Data were from 13,643 (1,213 litters) crossbred and 30,919 (3,162 litters) purebred pigs, produced by mating the same 168 purebred boars to 460 Large White-derived crossbred females and 1,413 purebred sows, respectively. The outcome variable was piglet survival at birth as a binary trait. A Bayesian bivariate threshold model was implemented via Gibbs sampling. Flat priors were assigned to the effects of sex, parity of the dam, litter size, and year-month of birth. Gaussian priors were assigned to litter, dam, and sire effects. Marginal posterior means (SD) of the sire and dam variances for liability of piglet survival in purebred were 0.018 (0.008) and 0.077 (0.020), respectively. For crossbred, sire and dam variance estimates were 0.030 (0.018) and 0.120 (0.034), respectively. The posterior means (SD) of the heritability of liability of survival in purebred and crossbred and of the genetic correlation between these traits were 0.049 (0.023), 0.091 (0.054), and 0.248 (0.336), respectively. The greatest 95% confidence region (−0.406, 0.821) for the genetic correlation between purebred and crossbred liabilities of piglet survival included zero. Results suggest that the expected genetic progress for piglet survival in crossbreds when selection is based on purebred information may be nil.

The aims of this study were to investigate the role and relative importance of auscultation and echocardiography traits as risk factors for the diagnosis of subaortic (SubAS) and pulmonic (PS) stenosis and to estimate the heritability (h2) of cardiac measurements taken through echocardiography for a random sample of Italian Boxer dogs. The data were cardiovascular examination results of 1,283 Italian Boxer dogs (686 females and 597 males) enrolled in the national screening program for heart defects arranged by the Italian Boxer Club. Examinations were performed during a 6-yr period by a group of 7 veterinary cardiologists following a standard protocol. Occurrence and severity of SubAS and PS were diagnosed, taking into account clinical and echocardiography findings such as the grade of cardiac murmur, direct ultrasound imaging of the anatomic obstructive lesions, and values of aortic or pulmonary blood flow velocities. A Bayesian logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical and echocardiography variables related to SubAS and PS diagnosis. Estimation of variance components for clinical and echocardiography traits was performed using a mixed linear animal model, Bayesian procedures, and the Gibbs sampler. Prevalence of SubAS (PS) was 8.4% (2.2) and 10.7% (6.4) for female and male dogs, respectively. Cardiac murmur, peak velocities, and annulus areas behaved as risk factors for SubAS and PS. The risk of a positive diagnosis for SubAS was 3 times greater for dogs with aortic annulus area <2.1 cm2relative to dogs with areas >2.37 cm2, 84 times greater for dogs showing aortic peak velocities >2.19 m/s relative to dogs with peak velocities <1.97 m/s, and 41 times greater for dogs with moderate to severe murmur grades relative to dogs with absent murmur. Similar results were obtained for PS. The estimated h2for the occurrence of cardiac defects was 23.3% for SubAS and 8.6% for PS. Echocardiography and cardiac murmur grades exhibited moderate h2estimates and exploitable additive genetic variation. The estimated h2was 36, 24, and 20% for aortic annulus area, aortic peak velocity, and cardiac murmur score, respectively. For the area of the pulmonary annulus and peak pulmonary velocity, the estimated h2were smaller, ranging from 9.5 to 12.8%. These measures are candidate indicator traits that might be effectively used in dog breeding to reduce the prevalence and severity of cardiac defects.

The effect of regulated flow regimentation on hydrogeomorphological variables, autochthonous and allochthonous trophic sources and macroinvertebrates communities of the Mucone River, Calabria (Italy) were studied in May, August and November 2005 at three study sites.

The aims of this study were to estimate genetic parameters of image analysis traits of cross-sectioned dry-cured hams and carcass weight (CW) and to investigate effects of some nongenetic sources of variation on these traits. Computer image analysis (CIA) had been carried out for digital images of the cross-section of 1,319 San Daniele dry-cured hams. The cross-sectional area (SA, cm2); the average thickness of subcutaneous fat (FT, cm); and the proportions of lean (LA, %), fat-eye (FEA, %), and subcutaneous fat area (SCF, %) to SA, and of biceps femoris (BFA, %) and semitendinosus muscle area (STA, %) to LA were recorded. Bivariate analyses were carried out for pairs of traits for estimation of genetic parameters using Bayesian methodology and linear models. Linear models included the nongenetic effects of slaughter groups and sex and the additive genetic effects of pigs and their ancestors (1,888 animals). Variation of FEA was nearly 4-fold that of SA and LA. Variation of CIA traits due to sex effect was not large, whereas slaughter group effects were relevant sources of variation for all traits. For all traits, with the exception of FEA, the posterior probability for the true heritability being greater than 0.1, was greater than 0.95. Point estimates of heritabilities for FT and SCF were 0.42 and 0.51, respectively. Heritability estimates for FEA, LA, BFA, and STA were 0.13, 0.44, 0.44, and 0.36, respectively. The genetic correlations between CW and CIA traits were positive and large for SA (0.86), positive and moderate for FT, FEA, and STA (0.47, 0.40, and 0.45, respectively) and negative with LA (−0.28). Although FEA, FT, and SCF were all measures of the extent of fat deposition in the ham, the genetic correlations between FT or SCF and FEA were very low. A very large estimate (0.74) was obtained for the genetic relationship between SA and FEA, suggesting that reduction of ham roundness through selective breeding would be beneficial for decreasing FEA. On the basis of the estimated parameters, genetic selection is expected to be effective in changing size of fatty and lean areas of the cross-section of dry-cured hams. Causes related to the abnormal development of the fat-eye depot remain unknown, but this study provided evidence that influences of polygenic effects on phenotypic variation of FEA are limited.

Uteroplacental insufficiency and poor postnatal nutrition impair adult glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in male rat offspring, which can be partially ameliorated by improving postnatal nutrition. Uteroplacental insufficiency was induced in the WKY rat on day 18 of pregnancy (Restricted) compared to sham-operated Controls. Pups were then cross-fostered onto Controlor Restrictedmothers one day after birth resulting in: (Pup-on-Mother) Control-on-Control, Control-on-Restricted, Restricted-on-Controland Restricted-on-Restricted.Endocrine pancreatic morphology and markers of intrinsic ß-cell function and glucose homeostasis were assessed in male offspring at 6 months. Pancreatic and hepatic gene expression was quantified at postnatal day 7 and 6 months. Restrictedpups were born 10–15% lighter than Controlsand remained lighter at 6 months. Relative islet and ß-cell mass were 51–65% lower in Restricted-on-Restrictedcompared to Controlsat 6 months. Non-fasting plasma C-reactive protein levels were also increased, suggestive of an inflammatory response. Overall, the average number of islets, small islets and proportion of ß-cells per islet correlated positively with birth weight. Intrinsic ß-cell function, estimated by insulin secretion relative to ß-cell mass, was unaffected by Restriction, suggesting that the in vivofunctional deficit was attributable to reduced mass, not function. Importantly, these deficits were ameliorated when lactational nutrition was normalized in Restricted-on-Controloffspring, who also showed increased pancreatic Igf1r, Pdx1and VegfmRNA expression at 7 days compared to Control-on-Controland Restricted-on-Restricted. This highlights lactation as a critical period for intervention following prenatal restraint, whereby deficits in endocrine pancreatic mass and associated impaired in vivoinsulin secretion can be ameliorated.

Different approaches for predicting genetic merit of piglet preweaning survival were compared using proportional hazard, threshold (TM), and sequential threshold (STM) models. Data were from 13,924 crossbred piglets (1,347 litters), born from 2000 to 2006, and originated by mating 189 Large White C21 Gorzagri boars to 328 Large White-derived crossbred sows. A frailty proportional hazard model was fitted assuming 2 different baseline hazard functions (Cox and Weibull time-dependent model) and including sire and nursed litter as random effects. The TM and STM included the same effects as considered in the proportional hazard model. Model fitting was evaluated in terms of goodness of fit and predictive ability. The goodness-of-fit was evaluated using the local weighted regression and the mean squared error, whereas the predictive ability was assessed by using a cross-validation procedure. Estimated sire variances for piglet preweaning mortality were low, and heritability ranged from 0.04 to 0.06. All 4 models led to similar ranking of sires. Results suggest that STM may be preferred to the other models for genetic evaluation of piglet preweaning survival, both for its better predictive ability and its easier interpretation. Further, STM is computationally less demanding than survival models and allows for estimating different variance components from birth up to weaning.

To assess the efficacy and safety of a treatment switch from a twice-daily (BID) regimen containing zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine (3TC) plus a third agent to a once daily (QD) regimen containing the fixed-dose combination of tenofovir DF/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC, Truvada®) plus a divergent third QD agent in HIV-1 infected patients. Prospective, 48-week, non-randomised, single-group, open-label, study. Fifty-one patients on stable ZDV/3TC-containing HAART, with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/ml and CD4+ T-cell count > 50 cells/μl, were switched to TDF/FTC plus a third agent. Plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 post-switch. During the 48-week study, 10 patients discontinued prematurely, including three due to adverse events (AEs). At week 48, plasma HIV-1 RNA was < 50 copies/ml in 40 patients (78.4%). No patient experienced virological failure (defined as HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/ml at two consecutive post-baseline measurements) during the study. Immunologic control was maintained, with no significant changes in CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell counts. A statistically significant improvement from baseline in haemoglobin level was observed at week 48 (median change 0.8 g/dl; p< 0.001). There was also a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol concentration at week 48 (-26.0 mg/dl; p = 0.001) in a subset of patients (n = 22) entering the study with elevated total cholesterol. Treatment was well tolerated and no treatment-related grade 3 or 4 AEs were seen. Results from this study support switching from a ZDV/3TC-containing HAART regimen to a completely QD regimen of TDF/FTC plus a third agent. Virologic and immunologic control are maintained, with apparent benefits in haemoglobin.

Abstract: Climatic oscillations during the Quaternary strongly affected the distribution of warm-temperate tree species, which experienced local restrictions into ice-free areas and posterior expansions. To evaluate the impact of these range movements on the genetic structure of populations, we performed a phylogeographical analysis of the species Nothofagus obliqua with chloroplast DNA markers. A total of 27 populations covering the whole natural distribution range were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Diversity (h T, h S), allelic richness (r g), and differentiation among populations for unordered (G ST) and ordered alleles (N ST) were calculated. The relationships among haplotypes were evaluated by the construction of a minimum spanning network. The spatial distribution of the genetic variation was analyzed through a Mantel test and with a nested analysis of molecular variance to differentiate between geographic regions. The screening of 11 non-coding regions allowed the identification of 14 haplotypes. A high genetic differentiation was detected (N ST = 0.875 and G ST = 0.824) with the existence of phylogeographic structure (p < 0.05). The distribution of the genetic variation was partially explained by the topography of the region when the populations were divided longitudinally into Coastal Mountains, Central Valley, and Andes Mountains (ϕ RT = 0.093, p = 0.001). In agreement with pollen records, our results support the hypothesis of Coastal refuges since the region harbors high diversity together with older and private haplotypes. Long-lasting persistence of some Coastal populations without contribution to re-colonization is proposed. Additional refuges are also postulated along the Andes and Longitudinal Valley. Survival in multiple glacial refuges is discussed together with the possible migratory routes.

Nothofagus is the main component of southern South American temperate forests. Overexploitation in the past has led to the loss of 40% of the original distribution range. Genetic diversity as well as biological processes shaping the distribution of the genetic variation (e.g. gene flow) constitutes basic knowledge for the implementation of conservation measures and for the definition of Evolutionary Significant Units. Nuclear microsatellites are the marker of choice for gene flow and fine-scale genetic structure studies. We enlarged a previous set of microsatellites (SSRs) for South American Nothofagus species, with special concern to Nothofagus nervosa (Phil.) Dim. et Mil. Five new SSRs are presented with allele numbers up to 12 in a single population. The primers transferred well to five related species (N. obliqua (Mirb.) Oerst, N. glauca (Phil.) Krasser, N. dombeyi (Mirb.) Oerst , N. pumilio (Poepp et Endl.) Krasser and N. antarctica (G. Forster) Oerst, with allele numbers up to 11. The high level of polymorphism promises a sufficient power for gene flow and parentage analyses.

The aim of this study was to investigate piglet preweaning survival and its relationship with a total merit index (TMI) used for selection of Large White terminal boars for dry-cured ham production. Data on 13,924 crossbred piglets (1,347 litters), originated by 189 Large White boars and 328 Large White-derived crossbred sows, were analyzed under a frailty proportional hazards model, assuming different baseline hazard functions and including sire and nursed litter as random effects. Estimated hazard ratios (HR) indicated that sex, cross-fostering, year-month of birth, parity of the nurse sow, size of the nursed litter, and class of TMI were significant effects for piglet preweaning survival. Female piglets had less risk of dying than males (HR = 0.81), as well as cross-fostered piglets (HR = 0.60). Survival increased when piglets were nursed by sows of third (HR = 0.85), fourth (HR = 0.76), and fifth (HR = 0.79) parity in comparison with first and second parity sows. Piglets of small (HR = 3.90) or very large litters (HR >1.60) had less chance of surviving in comparison with litters of intermediate size. Class of TMI exhibited an unfavorable relationship with survival (HR = 1.20 for the TMI top class). The modal estimates of sire variance under different baseline hazard functions were 0.06, whereas the variance for the nursed litter was close to 0.7. The estimate of the nursed litter effect variance was greater than that of the sire, which shows the importance of the common environment generated by the nurse sow. Relationships between sire rankings obtained from different survival models were high. The heritability estimate in equivalent scale was low and reached a value of 0.03. Nevertheless, the exploitable genetic variation for this trait justifies the inclusion of piglet preweaning survival in the current breeding program for selection of Large White terminal boars for dry-cured ham production.

We present preliminary results from a 150 ks Suzaku observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3516. Suzaku 's wide bandpass has enabled us to deconvolve the broadband emitting and absorbing components in this object, breaking model degeneracies inherent in previous, smaller-bandpass spectra. The primary power-law continuum is absorbed by an ionized absorber as well as a partial-covering absorber; the column density of the ionized absorber has increased by a factor of ∼3 since XMM-Newton observations in 2001. We detect a soft power-law component which may be scattered emission. We confirm the presence of the broad Fe line, finding a $ 185^{+130} _{-70} $ eV equivalent width line that indicates emission extending down to a few Schwarzschild radii. Models which exclude either the broad line or the partial-covering absorber are rejected. Suzaku 's high effective area and low background near 6 keV also allow us to resolve the narrow Fe K emission line; we find a FWHM velocity width near 4000 km s–1, commensurate with Broad Line Region velocities. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Plasma renin activity (PRA) determination is the main index used to evaluate the mineralocorticoid control in 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). PRA values within or at the upper limit of the age-appropriate range, or values <5 or 10 ng/ml/h have been regarded as adequate control. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has opposite actions to those of angiotensin II/aldosterone, and could help to understand the hydrosaline homeostasis in 21-OHD. We studied the interaction between PRA and ANP levels in 10 controls and 26 patients with 21-OHD under corticoid treatment. Patients were divided into two groups according to PRA levels, < or ≥5 ng/ml/h, irrespective of the clinical form of 21-OHD. Blood samples for determination of PRA and ANP levels were taken after 30 min in the sitting position (basal), after 30 min in the recumbent position and after 15 min of 20° head-down tilting. ANP levels (pg/ml) in the basal, supine and after head-down tilting position were 25.9±1.6, 42.7±7.4 and 54.3±5.5 in controls; 28.5±2.1, 38.3±2.1 and 48.8±4.1 in the group with PRA levels <5 ng/ml/h, and 20.9±1.9, 26.6±2.5 and 34.6±3.1 in the group with PRAlevels ≥5 ng/ml/h, respectively. Basal and after head-down tilting ANP plasma levels were similar between the controls and the group with PRA levels <5 ng/ml/h. However, the group of patients with PRA levels ≥5 ng/ml/h showed lower basal and stimulated ANP levels compared to the control group (p<0.05). The decreased plasma ANP levels in the basal condition and after head-down tilting indicate a chronic contraction of the extracellular volume in 21-OHD patients with increased PRA levels. Therefore, mineralocorticoid deficiency is counteracted by decreased ANP secretion in order to preserve fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.

11 newly discovered microsatellites were used to identify SSR markers for characterising South American Nothofagus species. This was carried out in six species. The sample sizes used were between four and six individuals per species. The cross-genera transferability of 34 Quercus SSRs was also essayed. Out of the 11 new microsatellite markers, three proved to be polymorphic (NnBIO 11, NgBIO 13 and NgBIO 14). The qualitative confirmation of the inheritance of these markers could also be verified. Polymorphism was also observed in five of the cross-genera transferred SSRs (QrBIO7, quru-GA-0A01, quru-GA-0C11, quru-GA-0I01, quru-GA-0M07). The number of alleles per locus found range between 1 and 6 per species. The eight polymorphic SSRs identified in this study will constitute a valuable tool in the gene flow studies that are currently being carried out in natural populations of South American Nothofagus species. The confirmation of crossspecies and cross-genera transferability opens the way for the use of SSRs as bridge markers in genetic mapping.

The aims of this study were 1) to apply computer image analysis to obtain measures of lean and fatty areas on the cross section of dry-cured hams, 2) to investigate variation of these measures, and 3) to evaluate reproducibility and repeatability of these techniques. Traits of concern were the cross-sectional area (SA), lean, or muscles, area (LA), and the fatty area (FA) centered on the cross section and surrounded by biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and quadriceps femoris, as well as the FA-to-SA ratio (FESR). Hams were obtained from crossbred pigs (n = 279) slaughtered at 9 mo of age (mean BW of 169 ± 17 kg). Digital images of the cross section of dry-cured hams were captured using standardized procedures. Three replicated measures of areas were collected by three operators using three image analysis techniques (automatic, automatic-assisted, and manual). Variance components were estimated using a linear model that included slaughter group, gender, and gender × slaughter group as fixed effects and operators, pig, and operator × pig as random effects. Statistical analyses considered all measures (n = 7,533) or measures collected after reinstruction of all operators for spatial calibration of the analysis system (n = 4,428). Average SA, LA, FA, and FESR were 350 cm2, 220 cm2, 8.7 cm2, and 2.5%, respectively. Variability of FA (CV = 42%) and of FESR (CV = 39%) was four times greater than that of SA and LA. Slaughter group, pig, operator, and operator × pig effects were the most (P< 0.01) important sources of variation of measures. Correlations between measures obtained with different techniques were greater (P< 0.01) than 0.90, with the exception of LA measures. Coefficients of reproducibility for SA and LA ranged from 87 to 94%, whereas those for FA and FESR ranged from 88 to 98%. Coefficients of repeatability ranged from 92 to 99%. Automatic-assisted and manual methods provided more reproducible and repeatable measures than the automatic technique. Spatial calibration of the software system was a key issue affecting reproducibility and repeatability. Reinstructing the analysts for spatial calibration enhanced both reproducibility and repeatability of all methods of analysis. Computer image analysis is a technique suitable for measuring lean and fatty areas in cross-sectioned hams, providing reproducible and repeatable measures, and it might be used in large sample-based studies to investigate causes of defective fatty areas.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of spondylosis deformans and to investigate genetic aspects of the degree of osteophytes development (DOD) in the Italian Boxer dog population. A total of 849 Boxer dogs was radiographed on the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions of the spine and scored for DOD. Grading of DOD was performed for all 20 intervertebral sites comprised within the first thoracic site (site T1-T2) and the site between the seventh lumbar and the first sacral vertebra (site L7-S1). Scores for DOD ranged from 0 (no osteophytes development) to 3 (presence of a bony spur formed by osteophytes on adjoining vertebrae). The first five thoracic sites exhibited no variation for DOD and were not considered in the analysis. The prevalence of spondylosis deformans was 84%, and frequency of dogs showing at least one intervertebral site that scored 3 for DOD was 50%. Scores for DOD at different sites were analyzed as different traits. Nongenetic effects influencing DOD scores were sex, age at screening, and the kennel. Posterior densities of heritability (h2) were estimated using a univariate Bayesian analysis. Eight sites exhibited a posterior probability greater than 0.8 for h2> 10% and were considered in a multivariate restricted maximum likelihood analysis. Estimated h2from multivariate analysis ranged from 25 to 48% (SE from 5 to 7%). Three sites exhibited h2estimates greater than 40%. Genetic correlations for DOD scored at different sites ranged from 0.07 to 0.96. All thoracic sites had estimated correlations larger than 0.85 with other thoracic sites. Genetic correlation between the first and the second lumbar site was 0.91. Correlations between thoracic sites and the first two lumbar sites ranged from 0.5 to 0.9. Sites L6-L7 and L7-S1 also exhibited weak relationships with all remaining sites. Breeding values of dogs for DOD at the eight sites were predicted using estimated covariance matrices. A selection index for DOD was computed from predicted breeding values and a set of relative weighting factors produced by a panel of veterinarians. The index was the most important effect influencing phenotypic differences between dogs for average DOD score, number of affected sites, and number of sites with a DOD score > 1 (P< 0.001). The degree of osteophytes development is a trait showing exploitable additive genetic variance, and breeding programs for decreasing prevalence and severity of spondylosis deformans might focus on this trait.

This study aimed to estimate heritability for condition score and heart girth using a test-day model, to investigate the genetic relationships between condition score, heart girth, and milk yield traits and to analyze the genetic relationships of condition score and heart girth measured at different stages of lactation. Cows from 25 dairy herds were scored for body condition and measured for heart girth at 3-mo intervals for 2 yr. Approximately 5000 test-day observations on condition score, heart girth, and milk fat and protein yield from 1344 Italian Friesian cows were analyzed using two approaches: 1) repeated observations for a trait were considered repeated measurements of the same trait; 2) observations for a trait collected in different stages of lactation (dry period, 1 to 75, 76 to 130, 131 to 210, and 211 to 300 DIM) were treated as different traits. (Co)variance components and related parameters were estimated using REML multiple-trait procedures and animal models with unequal design for different traits. Heritability estimates for fat and protein test-day yield and for test-day condition score and heart girth were 0.22, 0.18, 0.29, and 0.33, respectively. Condition score was negatively correlated with yield traits and positively correlated with heart girth, whereas genetic relationships between heart girth and milk yield traits were negligible. Heritability estimates were 0.27 for condition score recorded in the first half of lactation (1 to 75 and 76 to 130 DIM), 0.36 for condition score in the second half of lactation (131 to 210 and 211 to 300 DIM) and 0.32 for condition score recorded on dry cows. Genetic correlations between condition scores measured in different lactation stages were generally high (0.85 or more), with the exception of the relationships between the first and the last stage of lactation (0.74) and between the first half of lactation and the dry period (0.7). Heritability estimates for heart girth in different lactation stages ranged from 0.31 to 0.40, and genetic correlations between high girth measured in different lactation stages were higher than 0.80.

Gli autori hanno condotto uno studio su tre gruppi di venti pazienti affetti da lombosciatalgia ribelle da conflitto disco-radicolare per valutare l'efficacia della ossigeno-ozono terapia intramuscolare paravertebrale confrontata con la peridurale cortisonica.Il 75% dei pazienti trattati con O2-O3ha ottenuto risultati positivi, una percentuale decisamente superiore sia al gruppo trattato con la peridurale sia al gruppo di controllo.È opportuno sottolineare la rapidità di comparsa del pain-relief in soggetti sottoposti ad ossigeno-ozono terapia.

From June 1990 to October 1994, 111 advanced ovarian cancer patients with minimal (less than 2 cm) residual disease after platinum-based front-line chemotherapy and second-look laparotomy entered a cooperative randomized study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and the toxicity of the addition of interferon-α2 to carboplatin, both intraperitoneally (ip) administered. Patients were randomized to receive either 3 courses of ip Carboplatin 400 mg/m2Day 1 q 28 days (54 pts) (CBDCA) or ip interferon-α 25 × 106U Day 1 + ip carboplatin 400 mg/m2Day 2 q 28 days (57 pts) (CBDCA + IFN). Patients treated with interferon experienced more severe (WHO grade 3–4) leukopenia (28% vs 17.1%) and anemia (14% vs 4.2%). Fever (P= 0.000) and flu-like syndrome (P= 0.02) were significantly more frequent in the combination arm. No difference in gastroenteric, neurologic, or renal toxicity was observed. At a median follow-up time of 13 months (range 1–72) 71 patients showed a disease progression (31 CBDCA, 40 CBDCA + IFN) and 44 patients died (21 CBDCA, 23 CBDCA + IFN). Median progression-free survival was 11 months in the CBDCA group and 10 months in the CBDCA + IFN arm. Median survival was 22 and 29 months in CBDCA and CBDCA + IFN arm, respectively. In conclusion, intraperitoneal interferon-α does not seem to improve the results achievable with intraperitoneal carboplatin in this subset of patients, while the toxicity and the costs of the combination are consistently higher than with chemotherapy alone.

1. The heart rate response to immersion of the face in water, as an isolated manoeuvre or in combination with apnoea, was studied in eight normal volunteers to establish the conditions under which it could be used as a standardized, simple, non‐invasive and reproducible test of parasympathetic activity. 2. The following procedures were evaluated: (a) 10 s apnoea in air at different lung volumes; (b) facial immersion in water for 2 min at various temperatures (5, 15 and 25 degrees C), with respiration maintained through a closed circuit; (c) combination of immersion and apnoea at different lung volumes. Three volunteers were re‐evaluated after pharmacological blockade with atropine sulphate (0.04 mg/kg body weight). 3. The results showed that: (a) apnoea in air triggered lung volume‐dependent heart rate responses; (b) facial immersion in water induced transient bradycardia which was maximum between 20 and 30 s of immersion; (c) there was no appreciable difference in the bradycardia evoked by immersion at different temperatures; (d) the combination of immersion and apnoea caused heterogeneous heart rate responses with no potentiation of bradycardia in relation to each manoeuvre as performed separately; (e) atropine did not reduce the magnitude of bradycardia induced by immersion in two of the subjects studied. 4. The variability of responses observed in the present study was probably due to the multiple receptors and afferent pathways that are simultaneously excited during these manoeuvres. As a consequence, the autonomic efferent response will depend on the unpredictable net effect of interaction of these mechanisms. This is a limiting factor for the standardization of this test as a simple and reproducible method for the assessment of parasympathetic activity. 5. Furthermore, the results obtained under pharmacological blockade indicate that the vagal efferent mechanism is not the only factor responsible for the bradycardia caused by facial immersion without apnoea.

The relative contribution of the efferent components of the autonomic nervous system to the regulation of tachycardia induced by isometric exercise was assessed in 23 normal males. The isometric exercise (handgrip) was performed at the maximum intensity tolerated by the individual over a period of 10 s (maximal voluntary contraction — MVC) and at levels equivalent to 75, 50 and 25% of MVC for 20, 40 and 10 s, respectively. The study was performed both under control conditions and after pharmacological blockade with atropine (12 individuals) or propranolol (11 individuals). Under control conditions, the heart rate (HR) responses to isometric effort were dependent on the intensity and duration of the exercise, showing a tendency towards progressive elevation with the maintenance of muscular contraction at the levels studied. The tachycardia evoked by this effort was of considerable magnitude and of rapid onset, especially at the more intense levels of activity. Parasympathetic blockade markedly decreased tachycardia, which manifested itself during the first 10 s of exercise at all levels of intensity, whereas sympathetic blockade markedly modified the HR response after 10 s of effort at the 75 and 50% MVC levels. A slight depression of the tachycardiac response could be observed already after 10 s of maximum effort after propranolol. The present results suggest that the autonomic regulation of these responses is based on a biphasic mechanism, with the initial phase depending on the rapid withdrawal of the parasympathetic influence, followed by a marked sympathetic contribution to the induction of tachycardia after 10 s of isometric contraction or even a little before at maximum exertion.

Monospecific rabbit antisera to rat pancreas cholesterol esterase were employed in the unlabeled antibody enzyme method of immunocytochemistry in combination with the horseradish peroxidase–antihorseradish peroxidase complex to localize this pancreatic enzyme within the wall of rat small intestine. Intestinal rings were fixed in paraformaldehyde with satisfactory preservation of structure and retention of cholesterol esterase antigenic determinants. Fixed sections, 6 micrometers thick, were stained. In the light microscope, specific reaction product, represented by intense brown areas, was uniformly distributed within the absorptive cells but was notably absent from the microvillar membrane. Reaction product was also seen within the laminapropria and submucosa. In contrast, reaction product was absent from sections of proximal intestine surgically deprived of pancreatic juice for 72 hours. Furthermore, the intensity of staining in sections of normal intestine decreased with increasing distance from the pancreatic duct. These observations support the concept that “intestinal” cholesterol esterase is of pancreatic origin. This enzyme is localized within the cells as opposed to the absorptive surface.

Disordered gastric motility and emptying arewell known complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), butthe pattern of intragastric distribution of food has notbeen extensively studied in diabetics. We examined the partition of a liquid nutrient meal betweenthe proximal and distal stomach and the relationshipsbetween intragastric distribution of food and gastricemptying (GE) and the symptoms in DM patients with and without autonomic neuropathy (AN).Fourteen healthy volunteers and 20 DM patients (13 withAN; 9 with dyspepsia symptoms) ingested a liquidnutrient meal (250 ml; 437 kcal) labeled with[99mTc]phytate. Anterior and posterior serial images of thestomach were taken for 90 min with a gamma camera.Regions of interest for the proximal and the distalhalves of the stomach and for the total gastric areawere defined. Counts from each region along timeallowed estimation of GE and the proportion of activityretained in the proximal stomach after meal ingestion(initial) and throughout GE (mean). GE half-times in controls (median; range: 66 min; 29-90 min)were not significantly different from diabetics (76 min;5->150 min, P > 0.10), but abnormal GE was foundin 11 DM patients (seven delayed and four rapid). In DM patients, initial retention inthe proximal stomach (42%; 16-79% ) was significantlylower (P < 0.02) than in controls (55%; 44-71%). Meanretention in the proximal stomach throughout emptying also was significantly lower (P <0.05) in DM patients (43%; 18-58%) than in controls(51%; 32-69%). There were no differences betweensubgroups of patients with normal, delayed, or rapid gastric emptying regarding mean meal retentionin the proximal stomach. Patients with evidence of AN orwith dyspepsia symptoms had significantly decreasedretention of food in the proximal stomach throughout gastric emptying. We concluded that patientswith diabetes mellitus have abnormally decreasedretention of gastric contents in the proximal stomachafter a liquid meal, which seems to be related to the occurrence of autonomic neuropathy anddyspepsia symptoms, but not to disordered gastricemptying.

Abstract: Nothofagus nervosa is one of the most important species of the temperate forests of southern South America. On the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains (Argentina) it has a very small and narrow natural distribution area which follows the valleys of the numerous west-east lake basins. Re-colonisation after the last glaciation is assumed to have originated from refugia located in the western pacific coast or even in free interglacial patches of the Andes Mountains. Sixteen pairs of primers were used to amplify 16 non-coding regions of chloroplast DNA in 11 populations from over the entire distribution area in Argentina. After restriction analysis two polymorphic fragments were found which defined two haplotypes and allowed a differentiation among populations. A clear geographic divide occurs separating populations distributed south and north of a west-east mountain chain. This suggests that after the last glaciation the species spread out from at least two different refugia. Hypotheses about the possible location of these refugia are discussed.

1. The relative contribution of the efferent components of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to the heart rate (HR) response to dynamic physical exercise was evaluated in 23 normal males. 2. The dynamic exercise was performed on a bicycle ergometer at work loads of 25, 50 and 100 W, before and after pharmacological blockade with atropine (13 individuals) or propranolol (10 individuals). 3. Parasympathetic blockade significantly depressed the rapid HR response at the beginning of the exercise period at all levels of intensity, whereas sympathetic blockade only affected the slow-response phase (1–4 min), especially at the highest level of effort. 4. The present results suggest that the tachycardia evoked by dynamic exercise is mediated by a biphasic mechanism initially depending on rapid vagal release, which increases progressively with increasing effort. An increased sympathetic activity manifests itself in a more delayed manner, especially at the higher levels of activity. 5. Continuous monitoring of HR during the entire period of activity at different levels of intensity permits the utilization of dynamic exercise as a simple and non-invasive method for the functional evaluation of the two components of the autonomic nervous system of the heart.

Increased levels of pancreatic enzymes have been reported in patients with renal insufficiency and ascribed either to impaired urinary excretion or, in a few studies, to the presence of pancreatic damage. In the present study serum total amylase, pancreatic amylase, and lipase were evaluated in 63 patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRF), in 98 patients on hemodialysis (HD), in 28 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), in 23 patients with renal transplantation (RT), and in 34 normal volunteers (C). Serum parathyroid hormone and triglyceride levels were also measured in the majority of patients. Ultrasound examination of the pancreas was performed in a select number of cases. Mean values of pancreatic enzymes were significantly higher in all the study groups in comparison with controls, but values exceeding three times the upper normal limit were detected only in HD patients, who also showed amylase and lipase levels significantly higher than those of CAPD and CRF subjects. Negligible amounts of pancreatic enzymes were detected in peritoneal fluid of CAPD patients. Significant correlations were found with serum creatinine in CRF, with parathyroid hormone in HD and CAPD, and with duration of treatment in HD. No pancreatic abnormalities were detected by ultrasound. In conclusion, very high levels of pancreatic enzymes are seen mainly in HD patients and might be related more to the metabolic derangement of long-term dialysis treatment than to the occurrence of acute pancreatic damage.

Mixed micelles were prepared containing sodium taurocholate, monolein dioleyl lecithin, cholesterol, and an equimolar mixture of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. These were incubated with commercial bile acid-sequestering resins, cholestyramine and DEAE-Sephadex, or various dietary fibers and fiber components including wheat bran, cellulose, alfalfa, lignin, and two viscosity grades of guar gum. Binding of monolein and fatty acids was determined as the difference between the radioactivity of the added micellar component, and that recovered in the centrifugal supernatant after incubation. In general, the extent of monoglyceride or fatty acid sequestration was characteristic and reproducible for each binding agent. Cholestyramine and DEAE-Sephadex essentially quantitatively bound monoglycerides and all three fatty acids from micellar medium. Low- and high-viscosity grades of guar gum sequestered 15-23% of the monolein and 32-33% of the fatty acids, showing a significant preference for linoleic acid in each case. Alfalfa fiber removed about 18% of the micellar monoglyceride and mixed fatty acids, again showing some preference for the polyunsaturated acid. Lignin, the hydrophobic component of dietary fibers, sequestered about 13% of the available lipids and displayed an apparent preference for oleic acid. Wheat bran and cellulose showed little affinity for micellar lipids binding about 11 and 4.7%, respectively. These data on resin and fiber sequestration of micellar fatty acids and monoglycerides compare favorably with the binding of other micellar components including phospholipid, bile salt, and cholesterol.

Thirty-six Alpine goats (10 primiparous and 26 multiparous) were used to study the milk yield response induced by recombinant bST administered in a sustained-delivery vehicle. Eighteen goats were injected with recombinant bST at 4-wk intervals from about 7 wk postpartum for 12 wk. Patterns of milk yield were highly affected by injection of recombinant bST. Milk yield of treated goats increased from day of injection, peaked between d 3 to 5 after treatment, and then decreased progressively. This pattern of response was well fitted by a curve containing two exponential terms: Yi= A × [exp (–k1di– exp (–k2di)], where Yi= daily relative response of treated goats to recombinant bST, computed as a deviation of least squares means of milk yield at day i (i = 0, …, 26) of the treatment interval from least squares means of milk yield at d 27 of the treatment interval; A = constant; k1and k2= response rate parameters; and di= day from treatment (i = 0, …, 27). Administration of recombinant bST also improved persistency of lactation, and the overall milk yield response to exogenous hormone was 300 g/d (13.9%) higher than the yield of untreated goats. This response was due to both the short-term response immediately after injection (53%) and the medium-term effect on lactation persistency.

Cows from 25 dairy herds were scored for body condition at 3-mo intervals for over 2 yr to study the pattern of changes during lactation and the effects of parity and milk yield capability of cows on changes in body reserves. Data were recorded for 1395 Holstein cows grouped into three parity classes and five classes of mature equivalent milk yield. The analysis model accounted for nearly 70% of the variation in body condition score. Body reserves decreased during early lactation until about 100 DIM and were restored during mid and late lactation. The pattern of change in body condition score varied among lactations and dairy merit of cows. Depletion and subsequent recovery of body reserves were less intense for primiparous cows than for multiparous cows. Loss of body condition scores was higher and more prolonged for cows of higher dairy merit. The minimum body condition score occurred at 3 mo after calving for the worst yielding cows and at 4 mo after calving for the best yielding cows; the highest yielding cows had twice the loss in body condition as the lowest yielding cows. General equations are presented as a proposed guideline to examine changes in body condition score of Holstein cows of different parities and dairy merit.

Three cell lines of Taxus brevifolia Nutt. with differing growth rates were used to assess the effects of basal salt mixtures, carbohydrates, organic nitrogen additives, vitamin formulations, and plant growth regulators on callus growth. Gamborg's B5 major salts provided significantly better growth than all other salt formulations tested. The greatest biomass was obtained with 1% total carbohydrate. The best carbohydrate combination, 0.5% fructose + 0.5% sucrose, was significantly better than all other combinations of carbohydrates tested. A complex vitamin mixture was significantly better than any one previously published vitamin formulation. Greatest rates of callus growth were obtained with 4.14 µM (1 mg l-1 picloram, 0.46 µM (0.1 mg l-1 kinetin, and 0.38 µM (0.1 mg l-1) abscisic acid or 0.29 µM (0.1 mg l-1 gibberellic acid. Our final medium, TM5, is superior to published methods for the general callus culture of T. brevifolia. This medium has improved growth in three tested cell lines to provide doubling times of 3.5 to 5.6 days, an average 5.3-fold increase over our previously published medium.

The sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex to transient hypertension was determined in 13 patients before (control) and after (72 hours) open cardiac operations with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). In all patients early postoperative values were appreciably decreased (p < 0.01) as compared to the preoperative values. This decrease suggested severe impairment of baroreflex control of the sinoatrial node. These changes were not correlated with concurrent alterations in heart rate or systemic arterial, left atrial, or right atrial pressures. In addition, respiratory sinus node arrhythmia was absent in all subjects. In four patients, subsequent studies 4, 8, 10, and 12 months, respectively, after the operation revealed good recovery of baroreflex sensitivity and respiratory influences on beat-to-beat variation. No similar effects were observed in two patients studied before and after cardiac operations without ECC. It is possible that direct trauma to the nervous supply of the sinoatrial node is a major factor in that reversible dysfunction; in fact, in three patients evidence was obtained that while sinoatrial node responses were impaired, the reflex control of the atrioventricular region remained unaltered. These findings point to further impairment of the fine control of heart rate imposed by the conditions of cardiac operations with ECC in patients with previously curtailed cardiac reserve.

Isolated intestinal mucosal cells from normal and common duct-cannu-lated rats have been prepared by collagen-ase dissociation. These cells displayed ultra-structural integrity and retained several metabolic characteristics typical of intact intestinal mucosa. These included galactose accumulation and its inhibition by dinitro-phenol, glucose oxidation, incorporation of labeled leucine into cellular protein, and the uptake and esterification of fatty acid. The uptake of cholesterol by cells from common duct-cannulated rats was comparable to that in cells from control animals; however, esterification was only about 25% of that in control cells. Preincubation of the “defective” cells for 30 min with the purified subunit or active form of pancreatic sterol ester hydrolase had no effect on cholesterol uptake but resulted in a fourfold to sixfold increase in the ability of the cells to esterify cholesterol. These studies provide additional evidence for the essential role of pancreatic sterol ester hydrolase in the mucosal esterification of absorbed cholesterol prior to lymphatic transport.

Eight Populus tremula and six P. tremuloides clones as well as 49 full-sib families were studied in GOT, LAP, 6-PGDH, and SKDH by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. For GOT one polymorphic zone was found and segregation of seven full-sib families suggests Mendelian inheritance. For LAP and 6-PGDH two zones each were clearly scored. For LAP two polymorphic loci were proposed based on the phenotypic segregation of isozyme variants in six and 34 full-sib families, respectively. In 24 full-sibs families the presence of ‘null alleles’ was inferred for both loci. The genetic control of the upper zone of 6-PGDH was demonstrated by a segregation analysis of 17 full-sib families. SKDH also demonstrated a Mendelian inheritance pattern in 12 of the full-sib families analysed. The electrophoretic patterns of pollen were similar to those of buds, but migration rates of the supposed corresponding isozymes were slightly modified (Lap-B, Skdh, 6Pgdh-A). Lap-A was not present in pollen extracts and hybrid bands were not found when gels were stained for dimeric enzymes (6-PGDH, GOT).

Abstract: Eight potato cultivars and two advanced breeder selections were assessed for field resistance to the potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) following field exposures in which PLRV-infected Russet Burbank plants were used as inoculum sources within treatments. This screening protocol provided consistent PLRV resistance ratings despite year-to-year variation in PLRV pressure. Secondary disease incidence based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of foliage from tuber progeny ranged from 0–87% in 1990 and 0–67% in 1991, and was consistent with reported PLRV resistance ratings for eight of ten genotypes. Agreement between visual assessment and ELISA on plants from harvested tubers was 94% in 1990 and 83% in 1991, for all genotypes. However, agreement data were inconsistent from year-to-year, with the exception of three genotypes. In both years, current season infection, based on ELISA of foliage, was detected in less than two percent of the plants and, was inadequate as a measure of secondary PLRV incidence. Green peach aphid (GPA) populations did not differ among genotypes at sampling times during the season, but the PLRV concentration in GPA colonizing Russet Burbank plots was significantly higher than in GPA colonizing any other genotype.

A rapid and accurate method is described for the assay of cholesterol ester hydrolase (CEH) activity. Aliquots of the enzyme-substrate incubation mixture are extracted into isopropanol. The free cholesterol concentration in each extract is determined enzymatically using a single aqueous reagent containing cholesterol oxidase and peroxidase. The free cholesterol remaining after the cholesterol ester hydrolase-catalyzed esterification is converted to delta 4-cholestenone and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); peroxidase couples H2O2 with phenol and 4-amino-antipyrine to yield a stable rose-colored product absorbing at 500 nm. The method is highly reproducible and the values correlate well with those obtained with the chromatographic radioassay of CEH activity.