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The transition from high school to university is associated with increased alcohol use and harm. Web-based interventions (WBIs) and ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) are two methods that have had some success in reducing alcohol use among university students and may be particularly effective if implemented during the transition to university. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of a combined WBI and EMI to reduce alcohol use among incoming university students.Incoming first-year students (n = 783, in 2018 and 2019) were randomized into either a WBI + EMI, WBI-only, or an assessment-only condition. All participants completed online questionnaires before university, after their first and second semester, and reported their alcohol use fortnightly throughout their first year. Those in the WBI + EMI and WBI conditions received online feedback about their drinking (i.e., the WBI) immediately following the pre-university survey. Those in the WBI + EMI were also sent eight EMI messages to their mobile phones during Orientation Week and six EMI messages across the academic year aimed at reducing alcohol harm.There were no significant differences between the conditions in Orientation Week drinking, academic year drinking (both "typical" semester or fortnightly drinking), or alcohol-related harms.A WBI + EMI intervention aimed at the transition to university did not reduce university students' alcohol use. The transition, however, continues to be a period of serious harm where students drink more than any other period.

SUMMARY Ducks have traditionally been a relatively small component of the global poultry industry but recent growth has been noted. As consumption has risen worldwide, the efficiency of duck meat production has become increasingly important. The nutritional formula is a critical economic factor because feed accounts for a major portion of the cost of raising poultry. The determination of optimal duck nutrition is necessary to attain the best live performance for ducks to maximize the productivity of duck meat. However, our understanding of the effects of feed additives in duck diets is still far behind our understanding of that in chickens. Enzyme additives in animal feed have been used in the poultry industry since the late 1980s, but there has been a lack of research effort into how enzymes can be applied in the duck industry. This review synthesizes the available information regarding enzyme studies with ducks. After reviewing the available information, it is concluded that it is worth further examination of how enzymes can be used to improve duck nutrition in the future. Enzyme studies are important because they are useful tools for improving the duck meat industry by allowing more efficient utilization of nutrients in feedstuffs and reducing the negative impacts of detrimental components in standard and alternative feed ingredients.

SUMMARY An experiment was performed to investigate the effects of a commercial β-mannanase product in duck diets containing 10% guar hull fraction. The experiment consisted of a factorial arrangement of 2 levels of β-mannanase (0% and 0.1%) and 2 levels of guar hull (0% and 10%). Addition of guar to the diets significantly reduced body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and productive index at day 21. Addition of guar significantly increased feed:gain 0–7 d and 0–14 d. There were no significant effects of guar level on digesta pH except in the gizzard where pH was significantly reduced. Enzyme addition significantly increased body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and productivity index. Inclusion of β-mannanase resulted in a significant reduction in feed:gain 0–7 d, 7–14 d, and 0–14 d. Digesta pH was significantly increased in ducks fed diets with β-mannanase. A significant interaction between guar and enzyme treatments existed for digesta viscosity of the jejunum and ileum. In diets without guar, the addition of β-mannanase did not significantly impact digesta viscosity in either intestinal segment. In diets containing guar, enzyme supplementation significantly decreased digesta viscosity. The addition of β-mannanase provided for improvements in performance, digesta pH, and viscosity regardless of guar inclusion rate; however, the improvements in digesta viscosity were of greater scale in diets containing guar.

SUMMARY Two experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of a commercial β-mannanase in duck diets 1–21 d. Both experiments included 0%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% of β-mannanase treatments. Experimental units of 5 birds per pen were replicated 8 times in 4 different rooms. The data were analyzed as a 2 (Experiment) × 5 (Treatment) × 8 (Replicate) factorial analysis. Body weight of all β-mannanase groups was ∼66 g and ∼79 g greater than control fed birds at day 14 and 21, respectively. All β-mannanase groups had an average of 0.1, 0.14, and 0.08 lower feed conversion than controls at day 7, 14, and 21, respectively. Productivity index increased over controls by an average of 41, 81, and 48 on day 7, 14, and 21, respectively. Illeal length of all β-mannanase groups was greater than controls, and the 0.01% and 0.05% β-mannanase groups had ∼0.66 lower ileal viscosity than controls. Ducks fed 0.10% β-mannanase had greater ileal villi height than control, 0.01%, and 0.20% β-mannanase groups. Feeding diets with 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.20% β-mannanase resulted in greater ileal villi width compared to controls. These treatments had greater ileal crypt depth than control and 0.05% β-mannanase groups. All β-mannanase treated groups had greater amino acid digestibility than controls. β-Mannanase at 0.10% resulted in a lower percentage of fat and greater bone strength than control and 0.20% β-mannanase. This study demonstrated that addition of β-mannanase positively affects duck growth performance, gut morphology, and digestibility.

SUMMARY Two identical experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a commercial mannan-oligosaccharides product. Both experiments included treatment of 0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 g/ton of a prebiotic yeast cell wall product containing mannan-oligosaccharides (YCW-MOS). Addition of YCW-MOS to duck diets decreased (P ≤ 0.0001) day 21 feed consumption about 90 g per bird, decreased (P ≤ 0.0198) day 1–21 feed conversion ratio by as much as 6 points. Productivity index at day 21 increased (P ≤ 0.0179) by as much as 31 points. There were no effects of YCW-MOS on intestinal length, weight, index, and digesta viscosity. However, the YCW-MOS-treated groups had as much as 26% greater (P = 0.0439) area of jejunal goblet cells, 12% greater quantity of jejunal goblet cells (P = 0.0350) and as much as 43% greater (P = 0.0233) numbers of ileal goblet cells than the control group. The YCW-MOS-treated group also had greater cysteine (P = 0.0057), histamine (P = 0.038), and tryptophan (P = 0.0070) ileal digestibility (6–8 points improvement) than the control group. This study demonstrated that addition of 1 kg/ton of mannan-oligosaccharides in duck feeds affects duck live performance and produces modest changes in gut morphology and amino acid digestibility.

College alcohol beliefs and personal attitudes about alcohol use are important predictors of alcohol use and related problems both cross-sectionally and over time. However, little work has examined these constructs together and how they may influence one another in predicting various alcohol related outcomes over time. The current study aimed to evaluate one's attitude toward heavy drinking as a mediator of the association between college alcohol beliefs and drinking related outcomes over a 12-month period of time. Participants were mandated students (n = 568; 28% female) who violated campus alcohol policy and received a Brief Motivational Intervention. Analyses included the use of linear regression for prospective predictions as well as PROCESS to evaluate the proposed mediation models. Overall, the results indicate that one's attitude toward heavy drinking significantly mediates the association between college alcohol beliefs and drinks per week, binge frequency, as well as alcohol-related problems over 12 months. These findings provide a compelling rationale for incorporating both college alcohol beliefs and attitudes in the development and refinement of intervention strategies.

Alcohol-induced amnesia (‘blackout’) is a reliable predictor of alcohol-related harm. Given its association with other negative consequences, experience of alcohol-induced amnesia may serve as a teachable moment, after which individuals are more likely to respond to intervention. To test this hypothesis, alcohol-induced amnesia was evaluated as a moderator of brief intervention effect on (a) alcohol-related consequences and (b) the proposed intervention mediators, protective behavioral strategies and peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Baseline alcohol risk measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was also evaluated as a moderator to rule out the possibility that amnesia is simply an indicator of more general alcohol risk. College students (N = 198) reporting alcohol use in a typical week completed assessments at baseline and one-month follow-up as part of a larger intervention trial. Participants were randomized to assessment only (AO; n = 58) or personalized feedback intervention (PFI; n = 140). Hierarchical regression was used to examine direct and indirect intervention effects. A significant group by amnesia interaction revealed that only PFI participants who had experienced alcohol-induced amnesia in the past month reported decreases in alcohol consequences at one-month follow-up. The PFI reduced alcohol-related consequences indirectly through changes in peak BAC, but only among those who had experienced amnesia at baseline. In contrast, baseline alcohol risk (AUDIT) did not moderate intervention effects, and use of protective behavioral strategies did not statistically mediate intervention effects. Findings suggest that loss of memory for drinking events is a unique determinant of young adult response to brief alcohol intervention. Normative feedback interventions may be particularly effective for individuals who have experienced alcohol-induced amnesia in the past 30 days.

SUMMARY The U.S. market for eggs has evolved into a diverse and profitable system. In recent years, customers have increased their demand for eggs and egg products in liquid form; as a result, a segment of the egg industry has placed more emphasis on yolk and albumen yield, eggshell quality, and egg solids. In the current experiment, an examination of the effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (Original XPCTM) on egg component yield and composition from laying hens was performed. The experiment was conducted using 102 Hy-Line W-36 hens from 19–53 weeks of age. Standard layer rations (CON) were compared with those supplemented with the fermentation metabolite product (FM) at 1.25 kg/metric ton. Hen-day egg production and egg mass were not different between the treatments during 0–35 wks of lay. Feed conversion (feed: egg) for hens fed the FM diet was significantly higher than the CON. Yolk weight, percentage of yolk yield, and percentage of yolk solids were significantly greater for the hens fed the FM diet: however, the percentage of yolk nitrogen was significantly greater for hens fed the control diet. The percentage of albumen nitrogen was significantly higher in eggs from hens fed the FM diet. These results suggest that FM had a significant influence on yolk yield and composition, and nitrogen content in albumen of eggs laid from laying hens fed FM diets at a level of 1.25 kg/MT.

The changing landscape of the clinical laboratory is necessitating that the field of clinical microbiology evolve beyond quality control and quality assurance and adopt a quality management system (QMS). QMS standards exceed those required to achieve Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments compliance or College of American Pathologists accreditation. Laboratories that adhere to the requirements for a QMS as described by the International Organization of Standards (ISO) ensure that quality is planned, documented, and continually sought. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) has categorized the technical and management ISO standards into 12 quality system essentials that cover the total testing process in the laboratory. The CLSI quality system essentials serve as a checklist when implementing a new test or acquiring new equipment to prevent overlooking a critical step in the process. A laboratory QMS provides the evidence that the laboratory is a valued partner providing a quality outcome for patients and meeting the quality goals and objectives of the organization.

Alcohol use and its consequences have often been associated with depression, particularly among female college students. Interpretation of this association has been challenging due to potential reverse causation. The current study sought to clarify the temporality of these relationships. We examined: (1) the association between alcohol consumption and onset depression among female college students, and (2) the association between drinking consequences and onset depression among drinkers only. We used a prospective longitudinal design. Participants were first-year female college students who completed a baseline survey at study entry, and monthly assessments of alcohol consumption, drinking consequences, and depression symptoms. Cox proportional hazards regression with time-varying covariates were constructed among the full sample (N = 412) and the drinkers only sample (N = 335). Adjusted hazard ratios accounted for known risk factors for depression such as race/ethnicity, academic challenge, not getting along with one's roommate, sexual victimization prior to college, marijuana use, and socioeconomic status. For each additional average drink per week, adjusting for all covariates, there was no (95% CI: -4%, +4%) increased risk of onset depression. For each additional alcohol consequence, adjusting for all covariates, there was a 19% (95% CI: 5%, 34%) increased risk of onset depression. This significant relationship remained after adjusting for quantity of alcohol consumption. Quantity of alcohol consumed did not predict incident depression. However, experiencing alcohol consequences, regardless of consumption, did increase the risk of incident depression. College substance use and mental health interventions should aim to reduce not only alcohol consumption, but also alcohol-related consequences.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a contagious and frequently lethal disease of pigs causing significant economic consequences to the swine industry. The ASFV genome encodes for more than 150 genes, but only a few of them have been studied in detail. Here we report the characterization of open reading frame L83L which encodes a highly conserved protein across all ASFV isolates. A recombinant ASFV harboring a HA tagged L83L protein was developed (ASFV-G-L83L-HA) and used to demonstrate that L83L is a transiently expressed early virus protein. A recombinant ASFV lacking the L83L gene (ASFV-G-ΔL83L) was developed from the highly virulent field isolate Georgia2007 (ASFV-G) and was used to show that L83L is a non-essential gene. ASFV-G-ΔL83L had similar replication in primary swine macrophage cells when compared to its parental virus ASFV-G. Analysis of host-protein interactions for L83L identified IL-1β as its host ligand. Experimental infection of domestic pigs showed that ASFV-G-ΔL83L is as virulent as the parental virus ASFV-G.

Newcastle disease remains a major concern to the poultry industry; however, it can be managed with effective vaccination programs. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 1× doses of live LaSota strain Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine administered oculo-nasally on d one and 21 on development of humoral and cell-mediated immune response in broilers, and to compare different immunization schedules. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment I (n = 320), Ross 308 birds were randomly assigned to an unvaccinated control group or vaccinated treatment. [Both treatments consisted of 4 pens per treatment and 40 birds per pen]. At d one, live NDV LaSota strain vaccine was used as a primary immunization to evaluate its impact on adaptive immunity. No substantial NDV-specific humoral immune response was established. Body weights were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the vaccinated birds on d 4 and 7. Spleen index of the vaccinated birds was significantly (P < 0.05) lower at d 28 and 35. Flow cytometry showed reduced levels of peripheral and splenic B and T lymphocytes. Interferon gamma secreted by splenocytes and in circulation was measured; the results showed a reduced expression post-secondary immunization. In Experiment II (n = 180), the role of maternal antibodies and primary vaccination at d one was evaluated using 3 vaccination protocols. Protocol 1 used live B1 strain as primary immunization, whereas protocol 2 used live LaSota strain. Protocol 3 used live LaSota strain after maternal antibodies had decayed. Protocol 3 resulted in the highest NDV-titer level during the trial. Protocol 2 had the lowest NDV titer. Feed conversion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in protocol 3 compared to 1 and 2. Overall, the results indicate that the use of live LaSota strain NDV vaccine as primary immunization at d one has a detrimental effect on the development of adaptive immunity in broilers; however, its use after the level of maternal antibodies decays results in a robust antigen-specific humoral immune response.

Objective Brief motivational interventions (BMIs) reduce problematic drinking for some, but not all, college students. Identifying those students who are less responsive can help to guide intervention refinement. Therefore, we examined demographic, personality, and cognitive factors hypothesized to influence change after a BMI. Method Students mandated for intervention following a campus alcohol violation ( N = 568; 28% female, 38% freshmen) completed a baseline assessment, then received a BMI, and then completed a 1-month follow-up. At both assessments, alcohol use (i.e., drinks per week, typical BAC, binge frequency) and alcohol-related problems were measured. Results Latent change score analyses revealed significant decrease in both alcohol use and problems 1 month after the BMI. In the final model that predicted change in alcohol use , four factors (male sex, a “fun seeking” disposition, more perceived costs and fewer perceived benefits of change) predicted smaller decreases in alcohol use over time. In the final model that predicted change in alcohol-related problems , three factors (stronger beliefs about the centrality of alcohol to college life, more perceived costs and fewer perceived benefits of change) predicted smaller decreases in problems over time. Conclusions Participation in a BMI reduced alcohol use and problems among mandated college students at 1-month follow-up. We identified predictors of these outcomes, which suggest the need to tailor the BMI to improve its efficacy among males and those students expressing motives (pro and cons, and fun seeking) and beliefs about the centrality of drinking in college.

Drinking motives are robustly related to alcohol use behavior from adolescence through young adulthood. Yet, examination of changes in motives during the first year of college, a transitional time associated with both onset of and increases in heavy drinking has been understudied. We examined (a) whether drinking motives change, (b) time-varying effects of motives on alcohol use and consequences, and (c) change in the strength of the association between motives and use and motives and consequences over the first year of college. A sample of 121 heavy drinking first-year students (50% female, 58% Caucasian) completed three assessments (baseline, 3 months, 6 months). Endorsement of social motives declined from 0 to 3 months, while endorsement of coping, enhancement, and conformity motives declined from 3 to 6 months. Social motives were positively associated with alcohol use and consequences across assessments. When motive × time interactions were tested in separate models, the strength of effects of coping motives on drinks per week increased from 0 to 3 months. The strength of the effect of coping and conformity motives on consequences increased from 0 to 3 months and then decreased from 3 to 6 months. Identifying how drinking motives evolve and relate to trajectories of alcohol use may help to understand the development of risky drinking behavior and inform intervention efforts.

Introduction College students report high rates of binge drinking yet they reliably endorse elevated perceptions of drinking by their peers. However, the drinking norms literature offers little insight into how college students think about behaviors exhibited while intoxicated. This study aims to determine (a) if the predicted self-other differences (SODs) are seen among college students with respect to approval of intoxicated behaviors and (b) whether gender and race/ethnicity moderate these differences. We hypothesized that students would perceive others as more approving of intoxicated behaviors than they were themselves, resulting in significant SODs. We also predicted that women would have larger SODs relative to their male counterparts, and minority students would have larger SODs relative to their white counterparts. Methods Participants ( N = 233, 63% female) were recruited from an introductory psychology course at a large public northeastern university. They completed online surveys that assessed demographics, and responded to a list of intoxicated behaviors with ratings of personal approval and perceived peer approval. Results Perceived others' approval ratings exceeded personal approval ratings for 42 of the 44 different intoxicated behaviors. Women had significantly higher SODs relative to men and differed on personal approval. Non-white students had significantly higher SODs relative to white students, and differed both on personal approval and perceptions of others' approval of intoxicated behaviors. Conclusions Consistent SODs were observed in the approval of intoxicated behaviors. These findings may help to inform normative feedback interventions by revealing the potential for normative pressure, especially for non-white students.

Objective Symptoms of insomnia and heavy alcohol use tend to co-occur among military and veteran samples. The current study examined insomnia as a moderator of the association between alcohol use and related consequences among young adult veterans in an effort to extend and replicate findings observed in samples of civilian young adults. Method Young adult veterans (N = 622; 83% male; age M = 29.0, SD = 3.4) reporting alcohol use in the past year completed measures of insomnia severity, alcohol use, and alcohol-related consequences as part of a larger intervention trial. Participants were classified as screening ‘positive’ (n = 383, 62%) or ‘negative’ (n = 239, 38%) for insomnia using the Insomnia Severity Index. Hierarchical regression was used to examine the interaction between drinking quantity and insomnia on alcohol-related consequences. Predictor and outcome variables were measured concurrently. Results Both a greater number of drinks per week and a positive insomnia screen were associated with more alcohol-related consequences. Drinks per week and insomnia screen interacted to predict alcohol-related consequences, such that the effect of drinking on alcohol-related consequences was stronger in the context of a positive versus negative insomnia screen. Conclusion Drinking is associated with more alcohol-related consequences in the presence of clinically significant insomnia symptoms. These findings replicate those documented in civilian young adults and indicate that insomnia may be an appropriate target for alcohol prevention and intervention efforts among young adult veterans.

Purpose To determine the efficacy of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for insomnia among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Procedures Comprehensive literature searches of psychological, medical, and educational databases were conducted through October 2016. Eligible studies evaluated the efficacy of an insomnia intervention, included a comparison condition, sampled individuals with AUD and either insomnia disorder or complaints of insomnia, assessed sleep-related outcomes, and provided relevant statistics to calculate between-group effect sizes. Effect sizes were estimated for sleep quality, days of alcohol abstinence, and symptoms of depression. Type of intervention (behavioral versus pharmacological) was tested as a moderator of intervention efficacy. Main findings Nine studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the final review and meta-analysis. Random-effects models indicated that intervention participants reported greater improvements in sleep quality (d+ = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.97) and symptoms of depression (d+ = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.98) than control participants. Participants reported significantly greater improvements in sleep quality in response to behavioral (d+ = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.70, 1.70) as opposed to pharmacological (d+ = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.67) interventions. Behavioral (d+ = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.31, 1.18) and pharmacological (d+ = 0.08, 95% CI = −0.64, 0.78) interventions did not have significantly different effects on depressive symptoms. Neither behavioral nor pharmacological interventions improved rates of alcohol abstinence. Conclusions Insomnia interventions improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of depression among individuals with comorbid AUD. Given the methodological weaknesses of studies reviewed, additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of insomnia treatment in improving rates of alcohol relapse within this population.

Injunctive norms feedback is promising but understudied as a component of college drinking interventions. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate acceptability of injunctive norms feedback delivered to college drinkers via the web. We examined subjective interest in information reflecting peer approval of four sets of drinking behaviors and outcomes, and correlates of interest in the normative feedback. A sample of 221 young adults enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college or university (ages 18-25 years; 52% female) completed online surveys in which they were asked to rate their interest in each of 11 injunctive norms statements. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four sets of statements regarding peer approval of (a) intoxicated behaviors, (b) safe drinking strategies, (c) drinking-related consequences, and (d) drinking behaviors of potential partners. All items were framed to reflect disapproval of risky behaviors and approval of protective behaviors. Across norm sets, participants found the items to be moderately interesting and interest ratings did not differ across sets. Higher scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), stronger perceived approval of drinking in general (injunctive norms), stronger perceptions of drinking among peers (descriptive norms), and female gender were bivariately correlated with more interest. In a multiple regression, female gender, higher AUDIT (consequence subscale), and stronger general drinking injunctive norms remained significantly associated with interest in the pro-moderation statements. An important future direction is to determine whether the presentation of specific types of injunctive norms feedback can result in downward changes in drinking behavior.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control cell division in eukaryotes by phosphorylating proteins involved in division. But successful proliferation requires co-ordination between division and cellular growth in mass. Previous proteomic studies suggested that metabolic proteins, as well as cell division proteins, could potentially be substrates of cyclin-dependent kinases. Here we focus on two metabolic enzymes of the yeast S. cerevisiae, neutral trehalase (Nth1) and glycogen phosphorylase (Gph1), and show that their activities are likely directly controlled by CDK activity, thus allowing co-ordinate regulation of carbohydrate metabolism with cell division processes. In this case, co-ordinate regulation may optimize the decision to undertake a final cell division as nutrients are being exhausted. Co-regulation of cell division processes and metabolic processes by CDK activity may be a general phenomenon important for co-ordinating the cell cycle with growth.

Introduction Menthol cigarette smokers may switch to other combusted products like menthol little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) or switch to non-combusted products like menthol vapes if menthol cigarettes are banned or otherwise restricted. This pilot study used a behavioral economics task to understand (a) menthol cigarette demand across a range of increasing prices in the context of available alternative products and (b) how the availability of menthol LCCs affected cigarette demand and alternative product substitution. Methods Menthol smokers completed the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace task during two sessions. Cigarettes, LCCs, smokeless tobacco, vapes, and medicinal nicotine were available from an online store. The price of menthol cigarettes increased across trials while the prices of the alternative products remained constant. Menthol LCCs were available in one session and excluded in the other. Cross-price elasticity beta estimates identified significant product substitutes. Results When menthol LCCs were available, increasing the price of menthol cigarettes led to substitution with non-menthol cigarettes (β = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.34, 0.96), menthol little cigars (β = 0.39, 95%CI = 0.08, 0.70), and menthol vapes (β = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.16, 0.35). When menthol LCCs were not available, increasing the price of menthol cigarettes led to substitution with non-menthol cigarettes (β = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.08, 1.11), non-menthol cigarillos (β = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.19, 1.04), and menthol vapes (β = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.08, 0.18). Conclusions As the price of menthol cigarettes increased, demand for menthol cigarettes decreased and demand for combusted and non-combusted products increased, indicating significant substitution for menthol cigarettes. Policies targeting menthol combusted tobacco could result in some menthol smokers switching to non-combusted products like vaping devices.

Interventions to reduce college student drinking, although efficacious, generally yield only small effects on behavior change. Examining mechanisms of change may help to improve the magnitude of intervention effects by identifying effective and ineffective active ingredients. Informed by guidelines for establishing mechanisms of change, we conducted a systematic review of alcohol interventions for college students to identify (a) which constructs have been examined and received support as mediators, (b) circumstances that enhance the likelihood of detecting mediation, and (c) the extent of evidence for mechanisms of change. We identified 61 trials that examined 22 potential mediators of intervention efficacy. Descriptive norms consistently mediated normative feedback interventions. Motivation to change consistently failed to mediate motivational interviewing interventions. Multiple active ingredient interventions were not substantially more likely to find evidence of mediation than single ingredient interventions. Delivering intervention content remotely reduced likelihood of finding support for mediation. With the exception of descriptive norms, there is inadequate evidence for the psychosocial constructs purported as mechanisms of change in the college drinking literature. Evidence for mechanisms will be yielded by future studies that map all active ingredients to targeted psychosocial outcomes and that assess potential mediators early, inclusively, and at appropriate intervals following interventions.

Numerous compounds for treating human disease have been discovered in nature. Manumycin-A (Man-A) is a natural, well-tolerated microbial metabolite and a potent experimental tumoricide. We recently showed that Man-A stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) which were upstream of serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) dephosphorylation and caspase-dependent cleavage of MEK and Akt in lymphoma apoptosis. Conversely, activation-specific, Ser/Thr phosphorylation of MEK and Akt proteins was stable in Man-A-resistant tumors suggesting that stimulation of Ser/Thr PPase activity might be required for Man-A tumoricidal activity. Pre-treatment with Calyculin-A, an equipotent inhibitor of PP1 and PP2A, blocked all downstream effects of Man-A whereas, the PP2A-selective inhibitor, Okadaic acid did not, suggesting that PP1 and not PP2A played a role in Man-A action. Phosphorylation of PP1α on Thr320 inhibits its activity. Hence, we posited that if PP1α was important for Man-A action, then Man-A treatment should promote dephosphorylation of PP1α on Thr320. Indeed, T320 was only dephosphorylated in the tumors that underwent apoptosis. Lastly, stable over-expression of a constitutively active PP1α mimetic (PP1αT320A mutant), elevated basal ROS levels and enhanced Man-A-stimulated apoptosis. Taken together, we conclude that PP1α is an important proximal effector of Man-A mediated lymphoma apoptosis and that the mechanisms of Man-A action warrant further investigation.

E2, along with E(rns) and E1, is an envelope glycoprotein of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). E2 is involved in several virus functions: cell attachment, host range susceptibility and virulence in natural hosts. Here we evaluate the role of a specific E2 region, (818)CPIGWTGVIEC(828), containing a putative fusion peptide (FP) sequence. Reverse genetics utilizing a full-length infectious clone of the highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia (BICv) was used to evaluate how individual amino acid substitutions within this region of E2 may affect replication of BICv. A synthetic peptide representing the complete E2 FP amino acid sequence adopted a β-type extended conformation in membrane mimetics, penetrated into model membranes, and perturbed lipid bilayer integrity in vitro. Similar peptides harboring amino acid substitutions adopted comparable conformations but exhibited different membrane activities. Therefore, a preliminary characterization of the putative FP (818)CPIGWTGVIEC(828) indicates a membrane fusion activity and a critical role in virus replication.

Purpose This study investigates the feasibility of delivering focal boost dose to tumor regions, identified with multi-parametric MRI, in high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and dynamic-contrast-enhanced MRI were acquired the day before treatment and analyzed retrospectively for 15 patients. Twelve patients had hormone therapy before the MRI scan. The tumor was delineated on MRI by a radiologist and registered to treatment planning transrectal ultrasound images. A margin based on analysis of delineation and registration uncertainties was applied to create a focal boost planning target volume (F-PTV). Delivered treatment plans were compared with focal boost plans optimized to increase F-PTV dose as much as allowed by urethral and rectal dose constraints. Results Tumors were delineated in all patients with volumes 0.4–23.0 cc. The margin for tumor delineation and image registration uncertainties was estimated to be 4.5 mm. For F-PTV, the focal boost treatment plans increased median D90 from 17.6 to 20.9 Gy and median V150 from 27.3% to 75.9%. Conclusions MRI-guided high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy focal tumor boost is feasible—tumor regions can be identified even after hormone therapy, and focal boost dose can be delivered without violating urethral and rectal dose constraints.

Background Blackouts are common among young adults and predict alcohol-related harm. However, existing measures do not capture the range of alcohol-induced memory impairment involved in blackout experiences and do not differentiate between fragmentary and en bloc blackouts. This study aimed to develop and validate a brief, reliable measure of alcohol-induced blackouts among young adults. Methods College students reporting alcohol-induced memory impairment in the past year were recruited via Qualtrics to participate in an online survey (N = 350, 56% female). A subsample (n = 109, 67% female) completed a one-month follow-up. Principal component analysis was used to determine the structure of the Alcohol-Induced Blackout Measure (ABOM), which was designed to reflect two components (fragmentary and en bloc blackouts). The reliability and validity of the total ABOM score was assessed. Results The final five items fit in a two-component scale structure; however, a single principal component accounted for 73% of variance in blackout items, all of which demonstrated high component loadings and communalities. The total blackout score demonstrated strong internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and incremental validity. ABOM scores predicted alcohol-related consequences at baseline and one-month follow-up. Conclusions The ABOM is a brief and reliable, self-report measure that quantifies the frequency of a range of blackout experiences in the past 30 days. Accounting for this range of experiences improved predictive validity over single-item blackout measures. Blackout frequency is a strong, unique predictor of alcohol-related problems.

Background College drinking is embedded in a social context, drawing attention to the effects of social network composition on consumption. The presence of heavy drinking friends in social networks predicts later alcohol misuse, but little is known about how the composition of one's social network composition changes over time. This study identified changes in social network composition in a sample of at-risk students and examined the relationship among network trajectories, alcohol consumption, and descriptive norms. Methods Participants were 503 students (64% male) mandated to participate in an alcohol prevention intervention for residence hall alcohol policy violations. At baseline, students provided self-report data about alcohol consumption, perceived peer drinking norms, and peer alcohol involvement. Parallel assessments were completed at 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Results Growth-mixture models identified four groups of individuals with similar levels of heavy drinkers in their social networks. The majority of students had stable or decreasing numbers of heavy drinkers in their networks across the study, whereas two groups reported relatively stable densities of heavy drinkers from baseline to 6-months and increasing densities from 6- to 12-months. At baseline, the four groups were generally equivalent on consumption and normative perceptions. At 6- and 12-months, however, the groups differed significantly on consumption and norms. Conclusions These results suggest that changes in the number of heavy drinkers in college students’ social networks may have significant implications for at-risk drinking.

Alcohol use is typically initiated during adolescence, a period known to be critical in neurodevelopment. The adolescent brain may be particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol. While the cognitive deficits associated with alcohol use during adolescence have been well-documented, the neural substrates underlying these effects remain inadequately understood. Cerebral white matter has been suggested as a primary site of alcohol-related damage and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows for the quantification of white matter integrity in vivo. This review summarizes results from both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies employing DTI that indicate that white matter tracts, particularly those thought to be involved in executive functioning, continue to develop throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Numerous DTI studies reveal a positive correlation between white matter integrity and neurocognitive performance and, in adults, the detrimental effects of prolonged alcohol-dependence on white matter integrity. We provide a comprehensive review of the DTI studies exploring the relationship between alcohol use and white matter integrity in adolescents. Results from most of these studies suggest that alcohol use is associated with reduced white matter integrity, particularly in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and some evidence suggests that this relationship may be influenced by sex. We conclude by highlighting confounds and limitations of the available research and suggesting directions for future research.

Introduction Altered expression of MUC4 plays an oncogenic role in various cancers, including pancreatic, ovarian, and breast. This study evaluates the expression and role of MUC4 in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We used a paired system of MUC4-expressing (H292) and MUC4-nonexpressing (A549) NSCLC cell lines to analyze MUC4-dependent changes in growth rate, migration, and invasion using these sublines. We also evaluated the alterations of several tumor suppressor, proliferation, and metastasis markers with altered MUC4 expression. Furthermore, the association of MUC4 expression (by immunohistochemistry) in lung cancer samples with patient survival was evaluated. Results MUC4-expressing lung cancer cells demonstrated a less proliferative and metastatic phenotype. Up-regulation of p53 in MUC4-expressing lung cancer cells led to the accumulation of cells at the G2/M phase of cell cycle progression. MUC4 expression attenuated Akt activation and decreased the expression of Cyclins D1 and E, but increased the expression of p21 and p27. MUC4 expression abrogated cancer cell migration and invasion by altering N- & E-cadherin expression and FAK phosphorylation. A decrease in MUC4 expression was observed with increasing tumor stage (mean composite score: stage I, 2.4; stage II, 1.8; stage III, 1.4; and metastatic, 1.2; p = 0.0093). Maximal MUC4 expression was associated with a better overall survival ( p = 0.042). Conclusion MUC4 plays a tumor-suppressor role in NSCLC by altering p53 expression in NSCLC. Decrease in MUC4 expression in advanced tumor stages also seems to confirm the novel protective function of MUC4 in NSCLC.

Alcohol misuse occurs commonly on college campuses, necessitating prevention programs to help college drinkers reduce consumption and minimize harmful consequences. Computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) have been widely used due to their low cost and ease of dissemination but whether CDIs are efficacious and whether they produce benefits equivalent to face-to-face interventions (FTFIs) remain unclear. Therefore, we identified controlled trials of both CDIs and FTFIs and used meta-analysis (a) to determine the relative efficacy of these two approaches and (b) to test predictors of intervention efficacy. We included studies examining FTFIs (N = 5,237; 56% female; 87% White) and CDIs (N = 32,243; 51% female; 81% White). Independent raters coded participant characteristics, design and methodological features, intervention content, and calculated weighted mean effect sizes using fixed and random-effects models. Analyses indicated that, compared to controls, FTFI participants drank less, drank less frequently, and reported fewer problems at short-term follow-up (d+s = 0.15 – 0.19); they continued to consume lower quantities at intermediate (d+ = 0.23) and long-term (d+ = 0.14) follow-ups. Compared to controls, CDI participants reported lower quantities, frequency, and peak intoxication at short-term follow-up (d+s = 0.13 – 0.29), but these effects were not maintained. Direct comparisons between FTFI and CDIs were infrequent, but these trials favored the FTFIs on both quantity and problems measures (d+s = 0.12–0.20). Moderator analyses identified participant and intervention characteristics that influence intervention efficacy. Overall, we conclude that FTFIs provide the most effective and enduring effects.

MS4a4B is a novel member of the membrane-spanning 4-domain family, subfamily A (MS4A) specifically expressed in mouse T cells. We have shown previously that expression of MS4a4B in T cells is upregulated upon T cell activation, suggesting that MS4a4B may play a functional role in regulation of T cell responses. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate MS4a4B gene expression. In this study, we explored the potential mechanism underlying TCR-stimulation-induced expression of MS4a4B by promoter analysis. We cloned 2495 bp of 5′-flanking region upstream of the MS4a4B start code and inserted the DNA fragment into pGL4.20 reporter plasmid. To analyze promoter activity of the cloned DNA fragment, we transiently transfected EL4 thymoma cells and the T32 cell line with reporter plasmids. Expression of reporter gene was determined by dual-luciferase assay. Potential activator- and repressor-binding sites were analyzed by serial length of 5′-deletion. We have identified at least two potential activator binding regions and two potential repressor binding regions. The activator binding sites have been localized to two fragments, which are a 442-base pair region (region A) positioned from −1176 to −735, and a 119-base pair region (region B) positioned −188 to −70 respectively. MatInspector analysis showed that region A contains the consensus binding motif of the AP-1 family of transcription factors. Machinery analysis showed that nuclear proteins extracted from anti-CD3/anti-CD28-activated primary T cells specifically bind to the AP-1 binding element. In contrast, blockade by AP-1 inhibitor in culture decreased MS4a4B expression in T cells. Our data demonstrate that TCR-stimulation induces transactivation of AP-1 transcription factor, which subsequently binds to the MS4a4B promoter and upregulates expression of MS4a4B in activated T cells.

The adapters IRS1 and IRS2 link growth factor receptors to downstream signaling pathways that regulate proliferation and survival. Both suppress factor-withdrawal-induced apoptosis and have been implicated in cancer progression. However, recent studies suggest IRS1 and IRS2 mediate differential functions in cancer pathogenesis. IRS1 promoted breast cancer proliferation, while IRS2 promoted metastasis. The role of IRS1 and IRS2 in controlling cell responses to chemotherapy is unknown. To determine the role of IRS1 and IRS2 in the sensitivity of cells to chemotherapy, we treated 32D cells lacking or expressing IRS proteins with various concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents. We found that expression of IRS1, in contrast to IRS2, enhanced the sensitivity of 32D cells to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. When IRS2 was expressed with IRS1, the cells no longer showed enhanced sensitivity. Expression of IRS1 did not alter the expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins; however, 32D-IRS1 cells expressed higher levels of Annexin A2. In 32D-IRS1 cells, IRS1 and Annexin A2 were both located in cytoplasmic and membrane fractions. We also found that IRS1 coprecipitated with Annexin A2, while IRS2 did not. Decreasing Annexin A2 levels reduced 32D-IRS1 cell sensitivity to chemotherapy. These results suggest IRS1 enhances sensitivity to chemotherapy in part through Annexin A2.

This study examined the association between alcohol use and sexual behaviors among South African adults who reported current drinking.Street-intercept surveys were administered to adults residing in neighborhoods in a South African township.Analyses were restricted to participants reporting current drinking (N=1285; mean age=32; 27% women; 98% Black). Most participants (60%) reported heavy episodic drinking (i.e., 5 or more drinks on a single occasion) at least once per week in the past 30 days. Compared to non-heavy episodic drinkers, participants who reported heavy episodic drinking were more likely to drink before sex (79% vs. 66%) and have sex with a partner who had been drinking (59% vs. 44%). Overall, drinking before sex (self or partner) and heavy episodic drinking was associated with multiple sexual partners, discussing condom use with sexual partner(s), and proportion of protected sex. The frequency of condom use varied among participants with steady, casual, or both steady and casual sexual partners.Alcohol use among South African adults is associated with sexual risk behaviors, but this association differs by partner type. Findings suggest the need to strengthen alcohol use components in sexual risk reduction interventions especially for participants with both steady and casual sex partners.

Hookah tobacco smoking has become increasingly prevalent among college students, but little is known about frequency of use or patterns of use over time, including during the transition to college. The goals of this longitudinal cohort study were to assess the: (a) lifetime prevalence, (b) current prevalence, (c) frequency of use, and (d) pattern of initiation of hookah tobacco smoking among female students during the first year of college. First-year female college students (N = 483) at a large private university in upstate New York completed 13 monthly online surveys about their hookah tobacco use from August 2009 to August 2010. Lifetime prevalence of hookah use increased from 29% at college entry to 45% at one-year follow-up. The highest rates of hookah initiation occurred in the first two months of students' first semester of college. Current (past 30 days) hookah use ranged from 5% to 13% during the year after college entry. On average, hookah users reported smoking hookah two days per month. Hookah tobacco use is common among female college students. The transition to college is a vulnerable time for hookah initiation. Preventive efforts should begin in high school and continue through college, with a focus on students' first few months on campus.

Alcohol consumption on college campuses is high, and often dangerous. College administrators have created policies to control alcohol consumption, but student body support or opposition of specific policies has been relatively unexplored.The current study examined the relations of alcohol policy support with gender and alcohol consumption. Mandated students (N=229; 44% women) completed self-report assessments of alcohol policy support and alcohol consumption.Women supported policies to a greater extent than did men, as did lighter drinkers relative to heavier drinkers. Drinks per drinking day fully mediated the relation between gender and alcohol policy support.While alcohol policy support differs by gender, this covariation is explained by differences in alcohol consumption. Findings have implications for addressing alcohol policy support among mandated college students.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) may have a role in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer in men with raised serum prostate-specific antigen levels. Variations in technique and the interpretation of images have contributed to inconsistency in its reported performance characteristics. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to make recommendations on a standardised method for the conduct, interpretation, and reporting of prostate mpMRI for prostate cancer detection and localisation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A consensus meeting of 16 European prostate cancer experts was held that followed the UCLA-RAND Appropriateness Method and facilitated by an independent chair. MEASUREMENT: Before the meeting, 520 items were scored for "appropriateness" by panel members, discussed face to face, and rescored. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Agreement was reached in 67% of 260 items related to imaging sequence parameters. T2-weighted, dynamic contrast-enhanced, and diffusion-weighted MRI were the key sequences incorporated into the minimum requirements. Consensus was also reached on 54% of 260 items related to image interpretation and reporting, including features of malignancy on individual sequences. A 5-point scale was agreed on for communicating the probability of malignancy, with a minimum of 16 prostatic regions of interest, to include a pictorial representation of suspicious foci. Limitations relate to consensus methodology. Dominant personalities are known to affect the opinions of the group and were countered by a neutral chairperson. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was reached on a number of areas related to the conduct, interpretation, and reporting of mpMRI for the detection, localisation, and characterisation of prostate cancer. Before optimal dissemination of this technology, these outcomes will require formal validation in prospective trials.

Perceived drinking norms have received increased attention as one determinant of high levels of college alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Excessive drinking is widely visible on college campuses, and students may therefore assume that it is peer-supported (Kitts, 2003). Research into peer relations indicates that the perceived approval of important others predicts drinking behavior (Neighbors, Lee, Lewis, Fossos, & Larimer, 2007). Neither the use of alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies nor alcohol-related negative consequences have been investigated in terms of their perceived approval. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research on injunctive norms and assess self-other discrepancies in levels of approval for campus drinking patterns, negative alcohol-related consequences, and protective behavioral strategies. Undergraduate volunteers (n=324, 61% female, 67% Caucasian) completed an online survey of drinking patterns; they rated comfort with overall campus drinking, and the acceptability of alcohol-related consequences and protective strategies for themselves and their close friends. As predicted, students expressed lower acceptance of consequences than their friends, and higher acceptance of alcohol-related protective strategies. We observed main effects of gender and year in school. Males and upperclassmen expressed higher acceptance of negative consequences for both self and others, and lower acceptance of protective strategies for both self and others. Implications for prevention programs are discussed. Language: en

SUMMARY A study was conducted to examine broiler performance and carcass yield across 5 consecutive commercial broiler flocks after the removal of roxarsone (ROX) and growth-promoting antibiotics (GPA) from the feed. Over a 1-yr period, approximately 552,000 broilers were reared in 4 solid-walled, tunnel-ventilated houses, divided into 2 paired-house facilities, and were assigned 1 of 2 dietary treatments. The treated group received basal diets containing salinomycin, ROX, and GPA, whereas the control group received the same diets without ROX and GPA. Average BW were recorded for 200 sample birds/treatment per flock at 18, 35, and 48 d of age. Average BW, feed conversion, adjusted feed conversion, livability, and condemnation were calculated at the completion of each flock. Coccidiosis lesion scores of 10 birds per treatment were recorded at 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 d of age. Before birds were transferred to a commercial processing plant, 280 birds/flock were randomly selected, weighed, and tagged for carcass yield analysis. Livability was significantly negatively affected by the removal of ROX and GPA. Coccidiosis lesion scores were not affected by the treatments. Tender yields showed significant improvement, whereas all other cuts were not affected by removal of ROX and GPA.

Two experiments were conducted simultaneously to evaluate the effects of continuous multiphase feeding programs on nitrogen excretion and broiler performance. Birds in both experiments were fed diets based on 1 of 3 unique feeding schedules. One feeding program consisted of an industry-type 4-phase schedule, whereas the remaining treatments consisted of diets that were blended and replaced every 3 d. One of these continuous multiphase feeding programs was based on industry average nutrient compositions, whereas the other feeding program was based on the EFG Broiler Growth Model. In experiment 1, 60 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly placed in 30 separate battery brooding pens with 3 unique feeding schedules (10 replicates per treatment). Nitrogen analyses were conducted on broiler excreta and ground, whole birds. Experiment 2 was conducted to evaluate the effects of continuous multiphase feeding programs on broiler performance in floor pens. A total of 540 one-day-old male broiler chicks were placed in 36 pens, yielding 12 replicates of 3 treatments. Continuous multiphase feeding schedules improved BW gain and the feed-to-gain ratio during wk 3 and 4 (experiment 1) and wk 5 and 6 (experiment 2). Nitrogen excretion and retention, however, were unaffected by the different feeding programs.

E-Interventions, or electronically based interventions, have become increasingly popular in recent years. College alcohol use has been one area in which such interventions have been implemented and evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to review the seventeen randomized controlled trials that have been published as of August 2007. These studies compared the effectiveness of e-interventions with other commonly used techniques, reading materials, and assessment-only control conditions. Overall, findings provide some support for such programs, especially in comparison with assessment-only control conditions. In addition, possible moderators (e.g. baseline drinking patterns) and mediators (e.g. corrected drinking norms) have emerged. Limitations and areas for future research are discussed.

Human breast milk is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. Some compounds, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), come partly from the mother's diet and are produced by the mother's body and secreted into the milk. Although several studies have examined the effect of chronic CLA supplementation on breast milk CLA appearance, little is known about the transfer of food CLA to breast milk over the short term. The objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary analysis of the kinetics of CLA appearance in breast milk over the short term. Seven women expressed breast milk at 4- to 6-hour intervals for 2 days after eating either CLA-enriched (1912 mg CLA) or control (231 mg CLA) cookies. Milk samples were freeze-dried, fatty acid methyl esters were prepared using methanolic-potassium hydroxide (KOH), and CLA isomers were quantified by gas chromatography. Analysis revealed the following: (1) CLA enrichment of total fatty acids in the breast milk for 48 hours post ingestion of the CLA-enriched cookies was 2.9-fold above control; (2) total breast milk CLA content for 48 hours post CLA-enriched cookies ingestion was 46% greater than post CLA-moderate cookies ingestion; (3) after ingestion of the CLA-enriched cookies, breast milk CLA enrichment plateaued between 8 to 28 hours. This preliminary study suggests that breast milk fatty acids are enriched in CLA compared to control within 28 hours after the ingestion of a CLA-rich food product and invites further research on the extent and timing with which breast milk composition reflects dietary CLA content.

The Egg Safety Action Plan released in 1999 raised questions concerning egg temperature used in the risk assessment model. Therefore, a national study was initiated to determine the internal and external temperature sequence of eggs from oviposition through distribution. Researchers gathered data from commercial egg production, shell egg processing, and distribution facilities. The experimental design was a mixed model with 2 random effects for season and geographic region and a fixed effect for operation type (inline or offline). For this report, internal and external egg temperature data were recorded at specific points during shell egg processing in the winter and summer months. In addition, internal egg temperatures were recorded in pre- and postshell egg processing cooler areas. There was a significant season x geographic region interaction (P0.05) for both surface and internal temperatures. Egg temperatures were lower in the winter vs. summer, but eggs gained in temperature from the accumulator to the postshell egg processing cooler. During shell egg processing, summer egg surface and internal temperatures were greater (P0.05) than during the winter. When examining the effect of shell egg processing time and conditions, it was found that 2.4 and 3.8 degrees C were added to egg surface temperatures, and 3.3 and 6.0 degrees C were added to internal temperatures in the summer and winter, respectively. Internal egg temperatures were higher (P0.05) in the preshell egg processing cooler area during the summer vs. winter, and internal egg temperatures were higher (P0.05) in the summer when eggs were (3/4) cool (temperature change required to meet USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service storage regulation of 7.2 degrees C) in the postshell egg processing area. However, the cooling rate was not different (P0.05) for eggs in the postshell egg processing cooler area in the summer vs. winter. Therefore, these data suggest that season of year and geographic location can affect the temperature of eggs during shell egg processing and should be a component in future assessments of egg safety.

During Egg Safety Action Plan hearings in Washington, DC, many questions were raised concerning the egg temperature (T) used in the risk assessment model. Therefore, a national study was initiated to determine the T of eggs from oviposition through distribution. In part 1; researchers gathered data on internal and surface egg T from commercial egg production facilities. An infrared thermometer was used to rapidly measure surface T, and internal T was determined by probing individual eggs. The main effects were geographic region (state) and season evaluated in a factorial design. Egg T data were recorded in the production facilities in standardized comparisons. Regression analysis (P0.0001) showed that the R(2) (0.952) between infrared egg surface T and internal T was very high, and validated further use of the infrared thermometer. Hen house egg surface and internal T were significantly influenced by state, season, and the state x season interaction. Mean hen house egg surface T was 27.3 and 23.8 degrees C for summer and winter, respectively, with 29.2 and 26.2 degrees C for egg internal T (P0.0001). Hen house eggs from California had the lowest surface and internal T in winter among all the states (P0.0001), whereas the highest egg surface T were recorded during summer in North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, and the highest internal T were recorded from Texas and Georgia. Cooling of warm eggs following oviposition was significantly influenced by season, state, and their interaction. Egg internal T when 3/4 cool was higher in summer vs. winter and higher in North Carolina and Pennsylvania compared with Iowa. The time required to 3/4 cool eggs was greater in winter than summer and greater in Iowa than in other states. These findings showed seasonal and state impacts on ambient T in the hen house that ultimately influenced egg surface and internal T. More important, they showed opportunities to influence cooling rate to improve internal and microbial egg quality.

A 5 × 5 Latin square experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding low concentrations of guar germ or a combination of guar germ and hull (guar meal) in high-production laying hen diets. A total of 125 Lohmann laying hens (21 wk old) of similar BW were randomly assigned to 5 blocks. Each block was divided into 5 experimental units, consisting of 5 hens per unit. Hens were fed either a nonguar control diet, or 1 of 4 diets containing either 2.5 or 5% guar germ, or 2.5 or 5% guar meal over a 20-wk trial period (five 4-wk periods). No significant differences were observed when feeding either 2.5 or 5% guar germ or meal (P > 0.05) on hen-day egg production or feed consumption. Significant differences in egg weight, total egg mass per hen, and feed conversion ratio were detected in hens fed 2.5% guar meal, whereas they remained unchanged for diets containing either level of guar germ or 5% guar meal. Feeding either level of guar germ or guar meal did not affect shell quality (shell thickness, egg breaking force, and specific gravity), Haugh units, or egg yolk color (L*, a*, b*). The results showed that both guar germ and guar meal can be fed to high-production laying hens at up to 5% without adverse effects on laying hen performance.

This paper summarizes the experiences of 327 Australian health care chaplains with regard to their involvement in issues concerning pain control within the health care context. The findings indicate that approximately 60% of surveyed chaplains had provided some form of pastoral intervention directly to patients and/or their families dealing with issues concerning pain, and that approximately 36% of chaplains had assisted clinical staff with issues concerning patient pain. Differences of involvement between volunteer and staff chaplains are noted, as are the perspectives of chaplaincy informants regarding their role in relation to pain control. Some implications of this study with respect to chaplaincy utility and training are noted.