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Temperature, particularly within ~1 month of egg laying, is thought to be an important, short-term cue used by female birds to calibrate timing of breeding to local conditions. Here, we show that a relatively broad, long-term, temperature window (January 2 to April 4, 92 days; r2 = 0.73) best predicted timing of egg laying in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). A “mid-winter” temperature window was also strongly correlated with laying date (r2 = 0.58), but we found no support for an influence of short-term temperatures immediately before egg laying. We assessed the relationship between ambient temperature and timing of egg laying using three complimentary approaches: (1) an “unconstrained,” exploratory analysis; (2) a traditional sliding window approach; and (3) specific, biologically informed temperature windows. Our results contrast with the widely held view that short-term, prebreeding temperatures best predict variation in laying because they allow birds to adjust timing of breeding to local conditions around the time of egg laying. This means that mechanisms that allow integration of long-term temperature information must exist in birds—perhaps most parsimoniously involving indirect effects of temperature on growth of the bird’s ectothermic insect prey—even though these are currently poorly characterized.

The objective was to evaluate the impact of sow location, within farrowing room, on reproduction during periods of heat stress. Data were collected on 1,866 sows at a 3,600-sow commercial farm in eastern North Carolina from May to August 2021. In the farrowing buildings, evaporative cool cell pads cooled the air entering the hallway. Cooled air, from the hallway, then entered the farrowing rooms through inlets at the front of the room and was pulled through the room by fans in the back of the farrowing room. For data analysis, each farrowing room was divided into four zones. Zone 1 included the sows at the front of the farrowing room near the inlets letting in cooled air. Zone 4 included sows at the back of the room where air exited the building through fans embedded within the wall. Zones 2 and 3 were intermediate. Each farrowing room on the farm housed between 18 and 36 sows. After farrowing, sows had ad libitum access to the lactation diet. Traits included piglet survival (number weaned ÷ total number born) the percentage of sows conceiving by 7 days after weaning, subsequent total number born, subsequent number born alive, subsequent stillborns, sow caliper score prefarrow, sow caliper score at weaning and sow caliper lactation loss. Results are shown in Table 1. Piglet survival was greater (P < 0.05) for sows that farrowed at the front of the room near the cool air inlets. Similarly, litter weaning weight was heavier (P < 0.05) near the cool air inlets relative to the back part of the farrowing room. The percentage of sows that conceived by 7 days after weaning, and farrowed, was linearly associated (P < 0.05) with farrowing zone. Sows near the cool air inlets lost less (P < 0.05) body condition and farrowed more (P < 0.05) piglets in the subsequent litter relative to sows in the back of the farrowing room. Results showed sows that farrowed at the front of the farrowing room lost less body condition, had greater piglet survival, heavier litter weaning weights and were more likely to be rebred and conceive by 7 days after weaning relative to sows farrowing in the back of the farrowing room.

Heat stress has negative impacts on pork production, particularly during the grow-finish phase. During heat stress events, swine alter feeding behavior to reduce heat production, which can negatively affect performance. Recent technology advancements in feed management systems allow for individualized data recording of feeding behavior for group housed pigs during the finishing phase. The objective of this study was to utilize an RFID-based feed management system to determine feeding behavior patterns of finishing pigs during heat stress conditions and identify changes in behavior due to heat stress events. Data included one pen of 29 Duroc boars reared in a mechanically ventilated facility in north central North Carolina. Feed Intake Recording Equipment (FIRE) pig feeders (n = 3; Osborne Technologies) fed individual pigs in the group housed setting using RFID technology and recorded the number of visits, feed intake of each visit, visit duration, and body weight of each pig during each visit. Feeders were calibrated once per week to ensure accuracy of feed intake and body weight measurements. On day 1 of the study, pigs were placed in the experimental pen and body weights were recorded (37.4 kg ± 4.9 kg) using the FIRE feeders. Air temperature, humidity, and dew point data were collected continuously every 5 minutes from day 13 until the end of the finishing period. Pigs exited finishing (134.5 ± 8.6 kg) on day 83. Feeding behavior traits (number of visits and feed intake) were summarized by day. Temperature, humidity, and heat index were summarized by a maximum, minimum, and mean value for each day. Average temperature, humidity, feeder visits a day, and average daily feed intake across the trial was 26.3 ± 1.6 º C, 75.8 ± 6.7%, 6.1 ± 1.0 visits, 2.66 ± 0.39 kg. Models were used to associate feeding behavior traits with the quadratic effects of day and the linear effects of average temperature and humidity and the interaction of temperature and humidity. Temperature and humidity were associated (P < 0.01) number of feeder visits and average daily intake per day. Further, there was an interaction (P < 0.01) between temperature and humidity in relation to number of feeder visits and average daily feed intake. Results suggest substantial variation in feeding behaviors can be explained by temperature and humidity.

Pig manure contains a wide variety of corrosion-inducing chemicals such as ammonia. Ammonia production and its release are influenced by temperature and moisture in the barn environment. Increased concentrations of ammonia can negatively affect pig health and growth, as well as pose a risk to human health. Additionally, even at decreased concentrations, ammonia reacts with humidity and causes premature corrosion of barn equipment and is a threat to the structural integrity of livestock buildings. In this study, ammonia concentrations were monitored and compared between two 880 head wean-finish swine facilities with different types of waste management systems. Both facilities had shallow manure pits, one containing a flush system and one containing a pull plug system to remove manure from the barns into the lagoon. Ammonia, dry-bulb air temperature, and relative humidity levels were measured every0 min for an entire wean-finish cycle (approximately 20 weeks). Data will be compared between the facilities to evaluate the impact of the waste management systems on indoor air quality conditions. Potential implications for pig health and growth and facility maintenance will be explored. Results will provide information on best management strategies for swine facilities.

Background Determining malaria transmission within regions of low, heterogenous prevalence is difficult. A variety of malaria tests exist and range from identification of diagnostic infection to testing for prior exposure. This study describes the concordance of multiple malaria tests using data from a 2015 household survey conducted in Ethiopia. Methods Blood samples (n=2279) from 3 regions in northern Ethiopia were assessed for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax by means of microscopy, rapid diagnostic test, multiplex antigen assay, and multiplex assay for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Geospatial analysis was conducted with spatial scan statistics and kernel density estimation to identify malaria hot spots by different test results. Results The prevalence of malaria infection was low (1.4% by rapid diagnostic test, 1.0% by microscopy, and 1.8% by laboratory antigen assay). For P. falciparum, overlapping spatial clusters for all tests and an additional 5 unique IgG clusters were identified. For P. vivax, clusters identified with bead antigen assay, microscopy, and IgG partially overlapped. Conclusions Assessing the spatial distribution of malaria exposure using multiple metrics can improve the understanding of malaria transmission dynamics in a region. The relative abundance of antibody clusters indicates that in areas of low transmission, IgG antibodies are a more useful marker to assess malaria exposure.

The majority of symptomatic malaria in sub-Saharan Africa is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Infection with Plasmodium ovale is often not recorded and not considered clinically relevant. Here, we describe 8 cases of P ovale infection from 3 African countries—all of which were misdiagnosed at the presenting health facility.

Summary Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy triggered by gluten and characterized by a strong T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th17 immune response in the small intestine. Regulatory T cells (Treg) are CD4+CD25++forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3+) cells that regulate the immune response. Conversely to its counterpart, FoxP3 full length (FL), the alternatively spliced isoform FoxP3 Δ2, cannot properly down-regulate the Th17-driven immune response. As the active state of CD has been associated with impairments in Treg cell function, we aimed at determining whether imbalances between FoxP3 isoforms may be associated with the disease. Intestinal biopsies from patients with active CD showed increased expression of FOXP3 Δ2 isoform over FL, while both isoforms were expressed similarly in non-coeliac control subjects (HC). Conversely to what we saw in the intestine, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HC subjects did not show the same balance between isoforms. We therefore hypothesized that the intestinal microenvironment may play a role in modulating alternative splicing. The proinflammatory intestinal microenvironment of active patients has been reported to be enriched in butyrate-producing bacteria, while high concentrations of lactate have been shown to characterize the preclinical stage of the disease. We show that the combination of interferon (IFN)-γ and butyrate triggers the balance between FoxP3 isoforms in HC subjects, while the same does not occur in CD patients. Furthermore, we report that lactate increases both isoforms in CD patients. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of the ratio between FoxP3 isoforms in CD and, for the first time, associate the alternative splicing process mechanistically with microbial-derived metabolites.

Objective To determine the impact of a standardized heart failure order set on mortality, readmission, and quality and costs of care. Design Observational study. Setting Eight acute care hospitals and two specialty heart hospitals. Participants All adults (>18 years) discharged from one of the included hospitals between December 2007 and March 2009 with a diagnosis of heart failure, who had not undergone heart transplant, did not have a left ventricular assistive device, and with a length of stay of 120 or less days. Interventions A standardized heart failure order set was developed internally, with content driven by the prevailing American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines, and deployed systemwide via an intranet physician portal. Main Outcome Measures Publicly reported process of care measures, in-patient mortality, 30-day mortality, 30-day readmission, length of stay, and direct cost of care were compared for heart failure patients treated with and without the order set. Results Order set used reached 73.1% in March 2009. After propensity score adjustment, order set use was associated with significantly increased core measures compliance [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.51(1.08; 2.12)] and reduced in-patient mortality [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.49(0.28; 0.88)]. Reductions in 30-day mortality and readmission approached significance. Direct cost for initial admissions alone and in combination with readmissions were significantly lower with order set use. Conclusions Implementing an evidence-based standardized order set may help improve outcomes, reduce costs of care and increase adherence to evidence-based processes of care.

Sciurus pucheranii (Fitzinger, 1867) is a sciurid commonly called the Andean squirrel. This small tree squirrel has reddish brown pelage with a dark dorsal midline and is 1 of 28 species in the genus Sciurus. It is endemic to Colombia, South America, and is found in sub-Andean and high-elevation cloud forests of the Cordillera chains of the Andes Mountains. Deforestation within the range of S. pucheranii may negatively impact this species in the future. Currently the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists S. pucheranii in the Data Deficient (DD) category.

Developmental dyslexia (DD) and specific language impairment (SLI) are disorders of language that differ in diagnostic criteria and outcome. DD is defined by isolated reading deficits. SLI is defined by poor receptive and expressive oral language skills. Reading deficits, although prevalent, are not necessary for the diagnosis of SLI. An enduring question is whether these two disorders are qualitatively different or simply differ quantitatively along a dimension of severity. Here we address this problem by examining neuroanatomical correlates of reading and language in children with learning disabilities. We asked whether a quantitative anatomical risk index derived from previous work could predict behavioural profiles in a heterogeneous sample of 14 boys and 8 girls (11-16 years of age) with reading and language impairments. The results confirmed our predictions that (i) children with relatively smaller and symmetrical brain structures (negative risk indices) would have the severe comprehension impairments typical of SLI; (ii) children with larger, asymmetrical brain structures (positive risk indices) would have poor word reading in the presence of relatively preserved comprehension, a profile typical of DD; and (iii) the best performance would be seen in children with anatomical risk indices near zero (normal anatomy). Also, in confirmation of previous work, rapid automatic naming was not predicted by the anatomical risk index, but by anatomical measures derived from the frontal lobes. These results highlight the key significance of comprehension deficits in distinguishing DD from SLI. Reading impaired children with and without comprehension deficits appear to occupy neuroanatomical domains on the opposite sides of normal.

Cigarettes that burn tobacco produce a complex mixture of chemicals, including mutagens and carcinogens. Cigarettes that primarily heat tobacco produce smoke with marked reductions in the amount of mutagens and carcinogens and demonstrate reduced mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in a battery of toxicological assays. Chemically induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation may alter cell cycle regulation and are important biological events in the carcinogenic process. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the effects of smoke condensates from cigarettes that burn tobacco and those that primarily heat tobacco on gene expression in NHBE cells. For this comparison, we used quantitative RT/PCR and further evaluated the effects on cell cycling using flow cytometry. Cigarette smoke condensates (CSCs) were prepared from Kentucky 1R4F cigarettes (a tobacco-burning product designed to represent the average full-flavor, low "tar" cigarette in the US market) and Eclipse (a cigarette that primarily heats tobacco) using FTC machine smoking conditions. The CSC from 1R4F cigarettes induced statistically significant increases in the mRNA levels of genes responsive to DNA damage (GADD45) and involved in cell cycle regulation (p21;WAF1/CIP1), compared to the CSC from Eclipse cigarettes. In addition, genes coding for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), which are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, respectively, were increased statistically significantly more by CSC from 1R4F than by that from Eclipse. Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in IL-8 protein secretion into cell culture media was stimulated by 1R4F exposure, whereas minimal IL-8 protein was secreted after Eclipse treatment. The biological relevance of the differential effect on gene expression was reflected in differential cell cycle regulation, as cells exposed to 1R4F CSC exhibited more significant S phase and G2 phase accumulation than cells exposed to Eclipse CSC. These data indicate that the simplified smoke chemistry of the tobacco-heating Eclipse cigarette yields statistically significant reductions in the expression of key genes involved in DNA damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cell cycle regulation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells compared to a representative tobacco-burning cigarette.

Endo-β-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78) is involved in cell wall disassembly and the weakening of plant tissues by degrading mannan polymers in the cell walls. Endo-β-mannanase genes are expressed in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) seeds (LeMAN1 and LeMAN2) and fruits (LeMAN3 and LeMAN4). A novel endo-β-mannanase gene (termed LeMAN5) was found in the tomato genome by genome-walking PCR and bacterial artificial chromosome library screening. The 5′-upstream region of this endo-β-mannanase gene contained four copies of the pollen-specific cis-acting elements POLLEN1LELAT52 (AGAAA). A GUS-reporter gene driven with the putative LeMAN5 promoter (-543 to +38) was activated in anthers and pollen of transgenic Arabidopsis, with the highest β-glucuronidase activity detected in pollen. β-Glucuronidase expression was detected in mature pollen retained in sporangia, discharged pollen, and elongating pollen tubes in transgenic Arabidopsis. Consistently, expression of LeMAN5 mRNA and endo-β-mannnanase activity was detected in tomato anthers and pollen. In anthers, the highest mRNA expression and endo-β-mannanase activity were detected during late stages of anther development, when pollen maturation occurred. Endo-β-mannanase activity was present in discharged pollen, which was easily eluted in a buffer, indicating that the enzyme proteins are probably secreted from, and deposited on, the surface of pollen. These data suggest that the LeMAN5 endo-β-mannanase is associated with anther and pollen development.

Highly conserved mismatch repair (MMR) systems promote genomic stability by correcting DNA replication errors, antagonizing homeologous recombination, and responding to various DNA lesions. Arabidopsis and other plants encode a suite of MMR protein orthologs, including MSH2, the constant component of various specialized eukaryotic mismatch recognition heterodimers. To study MMR roles in plant genomic stability, we used Arabidopsis AtMSH2::TDNA mutant SALK_002708 and AtMSH2 RNA-interference (RNAi) lines. AtMSH2::TDNA and RNAi lines show normal growth, development, and fertility. To analyze AtMSH2 effects on germ line DNA fidelity, we measured insertion-deletion mutation of dinucleotide-repeat sequences (microsatellite instability) at nine loci in 16 or more progeny of two to four different wild-type or AtMSH2-deficient plants. Scoring 992 total alleles revealed 23 (2.3%) unique and 51 (5.1%) total repeat length shifts ([+2], [-2], [+4], or [-4] bp). For the six longest repeat loci, the corresponding frequencies were 22/608 and 50/608. Two of four AtMSH2-RNAi plants showed similar microsatellite instability. In wild-type progeny, only one unique repeat length allele was found in 576 alleles tested. This endogenous microsatellite instability, shown for the first time in MMR-defective plants, is similar to that seen in MMR-defective yeast and mice, indicating that plants also use MMR to promote germ line fidelity. We used a frameshifted reporter transgene, (G)7 GUS, to measure insertion-deletion reversion as blue-staining β-glucuronidase-positive leaf spots. Reversion rates increased only 5-fold in AtMSH2::TDNA plants, considerably less than increases in MSH2-deficient yeast or mammalian cells for similar mononucleotide repeats. Thus, MMR-dependent error correction may be less stringent in differentiated leaf cells than in plant equivalents of germ line tissue.

Variation in hemispheric asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT) has been related to verbal ability. The degree to which genetic and environmental factors mediate PT asymmetry is not known. This study examined the heritability for planar asymmetry in 12 dizygotic (DZ) and 27 monozygotic (MZ) male twin pairs who were between 6 and 16 years of age. There was weak but positive evidence for heritability of planar asymmetry. Co-twin similarity for planar asymmetry and Sylvian fissure morphology increased when excluding twins discordant for writing hand and when excluding twins exhibiting birth weight differences >20% from the analyses. Birth weight differences were also related to twin differences in total cerebral volume, but not central sulcus asymmetry. These results suggest that exogenous perinatal factors affect the epigenesis of planar asymmetry development.

Four treatments were evaluated during 1997 and 1998 to determine the effects of pesticides on coccinellid densities: (1) untreated control, (2) foliar applications of a systemic insecticide, imidacloprid (Provado 1.6 F), when spray thresholds of aphid numbers were exceeded in all plots, (3) weekly foliar applications of a fungicide, chlorothalonil (Bravo 720), and (4) weekly foliar applications of imidacloprid (Provado 1.6 F). The coccinellids observed in Georgia cotton during the study included Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Scymnus spp., Harmonia axyri- dis (Pallas), Coccinella septempunctata L., and Coleomegilla maculata (Mulsant). During 1997, H. convergens and Scymnus spp. comprised 75 and 15%, respectively, of all coccinellids observed during the study. During 1998, Scymnus spp. comprised 44% of all coccinellids, and H. convergens comprised 33%. Coccinellid population densities closely tracked those of cotton aphids during both years. Cotton aphid and coccinellid densities were greatest in the chlorothalonil treatment during both years of the study. In functional feeding response experiments, fourth-instar and adult Scynmus creperus exhibited a type II functional response to A. gossypii density under laboratory conditions. Fourth instars exhibited a higher search rate and shorter handling time than adult S. creperus. Collectively, coccinellids are a valuable component of the cotton aphid's natural enemy complex.

Biologically based dose-response (BBDR) models comprise one way to incorporate mechanistic information into a dose-response assessment to be used for risk assessments. The chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been used as a prototypic compound for the construction of a BBDR model for developmental toxicity. Previous work has provided data and a general mechanistic framework for the developmental toxicity of 5-FU when it was administered to pregnant rats subcutaneously on gestation day 14. In this paper, a mathematical model relating maternally administered treatment with 5-FU to embryonal thymidylate synthetase inhibition and thymidylate synthetase inhibition to various measures of deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) pool perturbation is developed, and parameters are estimated using the data collected. The strategy used was to develop semi-empirical submodels for each of the intervening steps, and to estimate model parameters from previously described data. The models developed predict that there is no practical threshold for dNTP pool perturbation; that is, even minimal doses of 5-FU should result in some perturbation of dNTP pools. In particular, the relationship between dNTP pool perturbation and fetal weight deficit suggests that if there is a biological threshold for the effect of 5-FU on fetal weight, the responsible repair or compensation mechanism must be downstream of dNTP pool perturbation, and saturable at 5-FU doses lower than 10 mg/kg (the lowest dose examined for developmental effects in these studies).

Biologically based dose-response (BBDR) models represent an emerging approach to improving the current practice of human health-risk assessment. The concept of BBDR modeling is to incorporate mechanistic information about a chemical that is relevant to the expression of its toxicity into descriptive mathematical terms, thereby providing a quantitative model that will enhance the ability for low-dose and cross-species extrapolation. Construction of a BBDR model for developmental toxicity is particularly complicated by the multitude of possible mechanisms. Thus, a few model assumptions were made. The current study illustrates the processes involved in selecting the relevant information for BBDR modeling, using an established developmental toxicant, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), as a prototypic example. The primary BBDR model for 5-FU is based on inhibition of thymidylate synthetase (TS) and resultant changes in nucleotide pools, DNA synthesis, cell-cycle progression, and somatic growth. A single subcutaneous injection of 5-FU at doses ranging from 1 to 40 mg/kg was given to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats at gestational day 14; controls received saline. 5-FU was absorbed rapidly into the maternal circulation, and AUC estimates were linear with administered doses. We found metabolites of 5-FU directly incorporated into embryonic nucleic acids, although the levels of incorporation were low and lacked correlation with administered doses. On the other hand, 5-FU produced dose-dependent inhibition of thymidylate synthetase in the whole embryo, and recovery from enzyme inhibition was also related to the administered dose. As a consequence of TS inhibition, embryonic dTTP and dGTP were markedly reduced, while dCTP was profoundly elevated, perhaps due to feedback regulation of intracellular nucleotide pools. The total contents of embryonic macromolecules (DNA and protein) were also reduced, most notably at the high doses. Correspondingly, dose-related reductions of fetal weight were seen as early as GD 15, and these deficits persisted for the remainder of gestation. These detailed dose-response parameters involved in the expression of 5-FU developmental toxicity were incorporated into mathematical terms for BBDR modeling. Such quantitative models should be instrumental to the improvement of high-to-low dose and cross-species extrapolation in health-risk assessment.

The effects of 1 year of zidovudine, lamivudine, and ritonavir treatment on immune reconstitution were evaluated in 34 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. After 48 weeks of therapy, 20 (59%) subjects had

The supracallosal medial frontal cortex can be divided into three functional domains: a ventral region with connections to the limbic system, an anterior dorsal region with connections to lateral prefrontal systems, and a posterior dorsal region with connections to lateral motor systems. Lesion and functional imaging studies implicate this medial frontal cortex in speech and language generation. The current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of word generation was designed to determine which of these three functional domains was substantially involved by mapping individual subjects' functional activity onto structural images of their left medial frontal cortex. Of 28 neurologically normal right-handed participants, 21 demonstrated a prominent paracingu- late sulcus (PCS), which lies in the anterior dorsal region with connections to lateral prefrontal systems. Activity increases for word generation centered in the PCS in 18 of these 21 cases. The posterior dorsal region also demonstrated significant activity in a majority of participants (16/28 cases). Activity rarely extended into the cingulate sulcus (CS) (3/21 cases) when there was a prominent PCS. If there was no prominent PCS, however, activity did extend into the CS (6/7 cases). In no case was activity present on the crest of the cingulate gyrus, which is heavily connected to the limbic system. Thus, current findings suggest that medial frontal activity during word generation reflects cognitive and motor rather than limbic system participation. The current study demonstrates that suitably designed fMRI studies can be used to determine the functional significance of anatomic variants in human cortex.

Biphasic plasma viral decays were modeled in 48 patients treated with ritonavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine. Estimated first- and second-phase decay rates were d 1 as 0.47/day and d 2 as 0.04/day. Interpatient differences in both decay rates were significant. The d 1 was directly correlated with baseline CD4 + , CD4 + CD28 + , and CD8 + CD28 + T lymphocyte counts (P< .05) and inversely correlated with baseline virus load (P =.044) and the magnitude of CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocyte recovery (P

Twelve subjects were treated with zidovudine, lamivudine, and ritonavir within 90 days of onset of symptoms of acute infection to determine whether human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection could be eradicated from an infected host. In adherent subjects, with or without modifications due to intolerance, viral replication was suppressed during the 24-month treatment period. Durable suppression reduced levels of HIV-1-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in selected subjects. Proviral DNA in mononuclear cells uniformly persisted. The persistence of HIV-1 RNA expression in lymphoid tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells suggests that elimination of this residual pool of virus should be achieved before considering adjustments in antiretroviral therapeutic regimens. In addition, given the reduction in levels of virus-specific immune responses, it would seem prudent to consider enhancing these responses using vaccine strategies prior to the withdrawal of antiviral therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection is associated with progressive cell-mediated immune deficiency and abnormal immune activation. Although highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens can increase circulating CD4 T lymphocyte counts and decrease the risk of opportunistic complications, the effects of these treatments on immune reconstitution are not well understood. In 44 persons with moderately advanced HIV-1 infection, after 12 weeks of treatment with zidovudine, lamivudine, and ritonavir, plasma HIV-1 RNA fell a median of 2.3 logs (P < .0001). Circulating numbers of naive and memory CD4 T lymphocytes (P < .001), naive CD8 T lymphocytes (P < .004), and B lymphocytes (P < .001) increased. Improved lymphocyte proliferation to certain antigens and a tendency to improvement in delayed-type hypersensitivity also were seen. Dysregulated immune activation was partially corrected by this regimen; however, the perturbed expression of T cell receptor V regions in the CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte populations was not significantly affected. Ongoing studies will ascertain if longer durations of virus suppression will permit more complete immune restoration.

Inhibiting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication with potent antiretroviral therapy may result in improved immune function, and this may lead to favorable outcomes, independent of changes in CD4 + lymphocyte count. The effect of combination protease inhibitor therapy (ritonavir plus saquinavir) on functional measures of cell-mediated immunity in 41 HIV-infected patients from one center of a multicenter trial was investigated. After 24 weeks, median plasma virus load decreased from 4.74 log 10 copies/mL to below the detection limit of the assay (2.30 log 10 ), and mean CD4 + lymphocyte count increased from 284 cells/μL to 413 cells/μL. Proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin developed in 21 of 34 patients in whom responses were absent at baseline. Increases were observed in interleukin-2, -12, and -10 production and in the expression of CD28 on CD8 + lymphocytes. Initiation of potent anti-HIV therapy results in a degree of immune restoration, suggesting that HIV-induced immune suppression is a dynamic and potentially reversible process.

Although urine is the sample of choice for drug tests in racehorses, it is rarely obtained following the sudden death of a racehorse on the track while racing. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the significance of postmortem tissue samples as an alternative to urine and blood samples in equine drug analysis following the sudden death of a racehorse on the track while participating in a competitive race. Postmortem tissue samples were frozen (-80 degrees C) until analyzed. A 30-40-g portion of each organ was homogenized in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), deproteinized, hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase, extracted, and screened by thin-layer chromatography and immunoassay. Samples that initially tested positive for drug(s) were then extracted using high-flow, solid-phase extraction cartridges. The eluates were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of butorphanol in horses HB355 and CD387, pentobarbital in horse HO940, and ergotamine in horses HO940 and CD387 was detected and confirmed. Thus, in the absence of urine and blood samples following sudden death, postmortem tissue samples are equally useful for forensic toxicological investigations of racehorses.

The efficacy of 5 selected insecticide treatments for control of velvetbean caterpillars, soybean loopers and stink bugs, was evaluated at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station’s Ponder Farm, Tifton, GA. The insecticides were foliar applied on 4 Jun on ‘DP105’ and ‘Boggs’ soybeans that were planted in early Jun. Individual plots were 4 rows wide X 50 ft long with alleys 6 ft wide on each end and 1 border row on each side, arranged in a RCBD. There were 4 replications, 2 per variety. Each spray concentrate was applied with a CO2-powered backpack sprayer with 4 TX-12 nozzles on a 6 ft boom (2 nozzles per row) at 40 psi that delivered 19.5 gal/acre. Each plot was sampled prior to treatment and on 3, 7, 14 and 21 DAT (days after treatment) by taking a 25-sweep sample (15 in diam net) from a single row, and comparing insect densities in the treated plots to those in untreated plots. Soybeans were in the R5 growth stage (pods filling with seeds) at the initiation of the test. On the last sample date, only Boggs was sampled due to the late development (leaves yellowing/falling off) in DP105. All plots were harvested at maturity with a small plot combine. Yields were expressed in bushels per acre adjusted to 13% moisture. The data were subjected to ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test (P = 0.05).

Flue-cured tobacco, variety K-326, was transplanted on 11 Apr 1996 at the Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station Entomology Farm. Production practices were used according to Georgia Cooperative Extension Service guidelines and included a preplant tank mixture of Tillam and Devrinol for weed control, Ridomil for blue mold control, Lorsban for soil insect control, and Nemacur for nematode suppression. Fertilizer (6-6-18) was applied in a split application at a rate of 1000 pounds/acre. Plots two rows wide (36 inch row spacing) by 20 ft long were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plots were separated on each side with one un-treated border row and on each end with an alley 6 ft wide. Two Orthene at transplant treatments were applied in the transplant water at transplanting. On 27 May, 4 foliar insecticide treatments were applied using a CO2-powered backpack sprayer equipped with 3 TX-12 nozzles directed over a single row, delivering 29.9 gpa at 40 psi. The number of live aphids on plants 2, 4 and 6 of the left hand row was recorded from each plot prior to treatment (Pre-t) and 4,7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT). All plants were harvested on 17 Jun and 25 Jun, then weighed. All data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test (P = 0.05).

Lymphocytes from cancer patients and normal individuals demonstrated blastogenesis with allogeneic potassium chloride (3 M KCl) extracts of breast carcinoma cells. Normal individuals reacted with a greater frequency and stronger blastogenic responses to tumor extracts than did breast carcinoma patients; allogeneic extracts may have elicited recognition of normal alloantigens rather than tumor-associated antigens. Normal individuals also responded to 3 M KCl extracts of allogeneic pooled normal leukocytes, normal breast tissue, and other cancers, but did not react to extracts of autologous leukocytes.

Degenerating axons in the human brain were successfully impregnated with reduced silver methods. The appearance of degenerating fibers did not differ markedly with survival times of three weeks and two, six, and twelve years following cerebral infarction or contusion of the brain. Impregnated fibers were found only along the appropriate corticofugal pathways. Electron microscopic examination of Vibratome-cut, silver-stained sections demonstrated silver deposition almost exclusively within axon fragments. Previous studies using anterograde degeneration methods in the human brain have limited their choice of cases to those with short periods of survival. Relaxing the restriction of short survival times extends the range of cases which can be used to study neural connections which may be unique to, or different in, the human brain.

Lymphocyte proliferation assays with autologous tumor material in mixed leukocyte-tumor interactions (MLTI) were employed to monitor tumor-associated cell-mediated immune responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with carcinoma of the breast. In addition, leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) assays were employed to compare reactivity to autologous breast-tumor extracts versus allogeneic breast-tumor extracts. Positive lymphoproliferative responses to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) were observed in the MLTI assay with the use of either intact autologous tumor cells or crude extracts (in mug and ng quantities) in 12 of 34 (35%) breast cancer patients studied. Positive reactivity to tumor, but not to normal tissue of reactive patients, was observed in repeated assays. Finally, patients demonstrating positive MLTI responses to autologous tumor extracts likewise responded in LMI assays to these same autologus extracts as well as to allogeneic breast-tumor extracts, but not to non-breast-tumor extracts. Thus breast tumors appeared to possess common TAA among both male and female patients.

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