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Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:08:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 1. The effect of A. subrufescens and P. ostreatus mushrooms as an alternative to antibiotics (avilamycin or monensin sodium) on performance, intestinal morphometry, immunity, and biochemical profile of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. was studied from 1 to 42 d old. A total of 900 male Cobb® broiler chicks were distributed, according to a completely randomised design, into five treatments with six replicates each. 2. The treatments consisted of: negative control (NC)–basal diet (BD) with no anticoccidial or antibiotic (non-challenged birds); negative control challenged (NCC)–NC fed to Eimeria spp. challenged birds; BD with 0.2% A. subrufescens inclusion for challenged birds (As), BD with 0.2% P. ostreatus inclusion for challenged birds (Po); and a positive control–BD with anticoccidial and antibiotic inclusion for challenged birds (ATB). 3. At 11 d.o., the birds were each inoculated orally with 1 ml solution containing 2 × 105 sporulated oocysts/ml Eimeria acervulina and 2 × 104 sporulated oocysts/ml E. maxima and E. tenella. 4. Birds subjected to Eimeria spp. challenge up to 21 d of age had greater crypt depth, indicating that the presence of undesirable microorganisms had an effect on cell proliferation. 5. At 21 d old, the birds receiving ATB had higher average weight gain (AWG), feed intake (AFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to those fed diets supplemented with mushrooms (As or Po). For the total rearing period (42 days), the birds that received ATB had higher AWG and AFI (P

A 36-day trial was conducted to determine the effects of repetitive periods of food restriction and refeeding on growth and energy metabolism in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). A total 264 juvenile fish (36.9±2.8 g) were fed with the experimental diet for 36 days using three regimes: (i) feeding daily to satiation (FD); (ii) no feed for 3 days, then feeding the same amount offered to the control groups for the next 3 days (NF/R controlled); and (iii) no feed for 3 days, then feeding to apparent satiation for the next 3 days (NF/R at satiation). The treatments were distributed into four tanks each. WG and SGR were higher in FD group. Fish refed showed hyperphagia just up to the second day of refeeding. The worst feed conversion rate and the lowest protein efficiency ratio were found in fish NF/R controlled. The lowest values of visceral fat somatic index were found in both fasted fish groups, particularly in NF/R at satiation. The LL and glycogen concentrations, and the hepatosomatic index were all elevated in both feed restricted fish. Muscle lipid showed a tendency to decrease after the cycle of fasting and refeeding. Plasma free fatty acids and glucose levels were elevated in fish subjected to feeding restrictions while serum triglycerides levels were reduced. Triiodothyronine levels were significantly depressed in fish from the NF/R-controlled group and remained at the same levels as the control fish in fish NF/R at satiation. Results indicated that fish subjected to cyclic periods of 3-day satiation or controlled feeding after 3-days of fasting were unable to achieve the final body weight of fish fed to satiation after 36 days.

Objective To examine the relation between coins ingested by children and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Design Observational study. Main outcome measures Total value of coins ingested and number of incidents of coins versus other objects swallowed, measured before and after the stock market crash of October 2008. Results Eighteen objects, including 11 coins, were ingested (NASDAQ (numismatic and sundry detritus acquired) composite of 18). The total value of the 11 coins swallowed was $1.03 (FTSE 100 (fraction of the US$ or 100 cents) index of 103). The pecuniary extraction ratio (PE ratio) was 0.57 (9/16). Comparing values for a period before and after October 2008, the mean monthly NASDAQ composite (0.41 (SD 0.67) v 0.5 (0.85), P=0.75), FTSE 100 index in cents (2.3 (6.8) v 3.1 (7.8), P=0.77), and PE ratio (0.54 (0.52) v 0.66 (0.29), P=0.50) did not change. The mean end-of-month closing value of the Dow Jones, however, decreased significantly (12 537 (841.4) v 8388 (699.8), P

The objective of this paper is twofold. First, it aims at positioning the performance of under-actuated haptic devices as compared to fully-actuated haptic devices and unactuated devices (i.e. input devices) in virtual reality. Second, it proposes a technique - called "A/sup 4/" - to improve the perception of contacts when using an under-actuated haptic device in virtual reality. This technique focuses on point-based haptic exploration. When a contact occurs in the simulation, we suggest to rotate the virtual scene in order to align the contact normal with the direction of the actuated axis (or axes) of the haptic device. With this technique, the virtual scene moves itself automatically to provide a more "realistic" sensation of contact. An experimental evaluation showed first that the performance of under-actuated force-feedback was located between the no-haptic condition (worst performance) and the full-haptic condition (best performance). Second, the use of the A/sup 4/ technique decreased strongly the "penetration" inside virtual objects, and thus globally improved the performance of the participants in situation of under-actuation.

Smoking of crystalline cocaine, known as "crack" cocaine, has been associated with eosinophilic pneumonitis, but not with pleural effusions. We describe a patient with eosinophilic pneumonitis with an eosinophilic "empyema" after using "crack" cocaine. The illness resolved with corticosteroids. We hypothesised that his effusion would have increased levels of eosinophil cytokines that promote oedema, and found a marked increase in pleural vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and smaller increases in interleukins IL-5, IL-6, and IL-8. In the setting of "crack" use, we suggest that a pleural effusion that appears grossly to be pus should be evaluated for eosinophilic inflammation. Such eosinophilic effusions may respond to corticosteroids alone, consistent with a non-infectious process driven by proinflammatory cytokines.

Objective To examine the relation between coins ingested by children and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Design Observational study. Main outcome measures Total value of coins ingested and number of incidents of coins versus other objects swallowed, measured before and after the stock market crash of October 2008. Results Eighteen objects, including 11 coins, were ingested (NASDAQ (numismatic and sundry detritus acquired) composite of 18). The total value of the 11 coins swallowed was $1.03 (FTSE 100 (fraction of the US$ or 100 cents) index of 103). The pecuniary extraction ratio (PE ratio) was 0.57 (9/16). Comparing values for a period before and after October 2008, the mean monthly NASDAQ composite (0.41 (SD 0.67) v 0.5 (0.85), P=0.75), FTSE 100 index in cents (2.3 (6.8) v 3.1 (7.8), P=0.77), and PE ratio (0.54 (0.52) v 0.66 (0.29), P=0.50) did not change. The mean end-of-month closing value of the Dow Jones, however, decreased significantly (12 537 (841.4) v 8388 (699.8), P Conclusion There was no detectable difference in the total value of coins ingested, or ratio of coins to other objects swallowed, before or after a massive stock market crash.

The Mars viking gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer is described. The system is designed to determine the composition of the Martian atmosphere and detect and identify chemical compounds vaporized or pyrolyzed from the Martian soil. Construction details, performance data, data processing methods, and references to manufacturing and test procedures are also provided.

The current status is summarized of investigations of the composition of the Martian atmosphere, in which use was made of the mass spectrometers that function as the analytical component of the molecular analysis experiments on the two Viking landers. The following points seem well established: N2, Ar-40, Ne, Kr, Xe, and the primordial isotope of Ar are present. The present atmosphere of Mars represents only a small fraction of the total amount of volatiles outgassed by the planet, so that high surface pressure and abundant water may have been present. The noble gases in the Martian atmosphere exhibit a relative abundance pattern similar to that in the earth's atmosphere and (except for Xe) to that in the primordial component of meteorites. The existence of a 'planetary component' is thus proven, supporting the arguments of those who favor a fractionation of noble gases prior to the formation of the planets. In spite of these similarities, the isotopic ratios of nitrogen, argon, and xenon indicate that the histories of the Martian and the earth's atmospheres have been very different.

Peak profile analysis of each of the few hundred mass chromatograms generated during a complete GC-MS experiment identifies all m/e values which maximize at any of the few hundred consecutive mass spectra recorded during the gas chromatogram. The resulting sets of data correspond to the mass spectrum of each eluting component (even very minor ones) practically free of the contributions of unresolved companion substances, tailing fractions, column bleed, etc. These “reconstructed mass spectra” are therefore more easily interpreted or automatically identified than the mass spectra originally recorded. A plot of the summed abundance of the ions that maximize at a given spectrum index number (“mass resolved gas chromatogram”) results in a gas chromatogram of dramatically improved apparent resolution.

A method suitable for pulse dosing studies is described for the quantitation by gas chromatography mass spectrometry of phenobarbital (5-ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid), p-hydroxyphenobarbital (5-ethyl-5(4-hydroxyphenyl)barbituric acid) and, simultaneously, their (13C15N2)-labeled analogs in serum and urine. Differently labeled analogs are used as internal standards (5-ethyl-5(2,3,4,5-tetradeuterophenyl)-2-(13C)barbituric acid for quantitation of phenobarbital, and 5-ethyl-5(4-hydroxy-3,5-dideuterophenyl)2-(13C)-1,3-(15N2)barbituric acid for p-hydroxyphenobarbital). In the procedure, the chemical work-up of the samples (1.0 ml for serum, 0.5 ml for urine) is based on an extractive methylation technique for the generation of the permethylated derivatives. The mass spectrometric measurement technique consists of repetitive scanning over a preselected mass region of the permethylated derivatives of the analytes as they elute from the gas chromatograph. The method is evaluated for serum concentrations ranging from 0.1-30.0 micrograms ml-1 for phenobarbital and 0.1-10.0 micrograms ml-1 for p-hydroxyphenobarbital, and for urine concentrations of both phenobarbital and p-hydroxyphenobarbital of 1.0-50.0 micrograms ml-1. Application of the method to determination of the pharmacological equivalence of phenobarbital and (13C15N2)-labeled phenobarbital in man is also demonstrated.

A total of four Martian samples, one surface and one subsurface sample at each of the two Viking landing sites, Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia, have been analyzed for organic compounds by a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. In none of these experiments could organic material of Martian origin be detected at detection limits generally of the order of parts per billion and for a few substances closer to parts per million. The evolution of water and carbon dioxide, but not of other inorganic gases, was observed upon heating the sample to temperatures of up to 500 C. The absence of organic compounds seems to preclude their production on the planet at rates that exceed the rate of their destruction. It also makes it unlikely that living systems that behave in a manner similar to terrestrial biota exist, at least at the two Viking landing sites.

Krypton and xenon have been discovered in the Martian atmosphere with the mass spectrometer on the second Viking lander. Krypton is more abundant than xenon. The relative abundances of the krypton isotopes appear normal, but the ratio of xenon-129 to xenon-132 is enhanced on Mars relative to the terrestrial value for this ratio. Some possible implications of these findings are discussed.

Maturation of mechanisms for carbohydrate absorption occurs in a defined sequence during human fetal development. The intestinal enzymes, lactase, sucrase, maltase, isomaltase, and glucoamylase, are at mature levels in the term fetus. Mature levels of pancreatic amylase activity and glucose transport occur postnatally, and levels are low in both the term and preterm neonate. In the preterm infant, sucrase, maltase, and isomaltase are usually fully active, but lactase activity, which increases markedly from 24 to 40 weeks, may be low depending upon fetal age. Despite these developmental patterns, clinical lactose intolerance is uncommon. Postnatal adaptive responses to ingested carbohydrates lead to competent carbohydrate absorption. Inadequately absorbed carbohydrates are salvaged by colonic flora through fermentation of carbohydrates to hydrogen gas and short-chain fatty acids; the latter are readily absorbed by the colon. In this setting, carbohydrate tends to be absent from the stool. Noninvasive reflection of the status of carbohydrate absorption may be obtained from breath hydrogen testing, a technique of particular value in young infants.

A gas chromatographic mass spectrometric method has been developed for the determination in biological fluids of phenytoin (5,5-diphenylhydantoin), 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin (the major metabolite of phenytoin), and simultaneously, their stable isotope labeled analogs [5,5-diphenyl-2-13C-1,3-15N2-hydantoin and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-2-13C-1,3-15N2-hydantoin]. Quantification was achieved by an isotopic dilution technique: 5,5-di(pentadeuterophenyl)-hydantoin and 5-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dideuterophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-13C-1,3-15N2-hydantoin were used as internal standards. Molecular ion abundances of the permethylated derivatives were measured using a limited mass range repetitive scanning technique. The method is accurate, selective, reproducible and linear for analysis of 1.0 ml of serum and 0.5 ml of urine samples at the expected concentrations of drug (serum: 0.1-30.0 micrograms ml-1) and metabolite (serum: 0.1-10.0 micrograms ml-1; urine: 5.0-200.0 micrograms ml-1). The pharmacological equivalence of labeled and unlabeled phenytoin is demonstrated for a human volunteer. The results are discussed in the light of the further applications of the method, i.e. determination of the pharmacokinetics of a pulse dose of the labeled drug administered to patients who are taking a steady state dose of the unlabeled drug.

Two surface samples collected from the Chryse Planitia region of Mars were heated to temperatures up to 500 degrees C, and the volatiles that they evolved were analyzed with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Only water and carbon dioxide were detected. This implies that organic compounds have not accumulated to the extent that individual components could be detected at levels of a few parts in 10(9) by weight in our samples. Proposed mechanisms for the accumulation and destruction of organic compounds are discussed in the light of this limit.

Krypton and xenon have been discovered in the martian atmosphere with the mass spectrometer on the second Viking lander. Krypton is more abundant than xenon. The relative abundances of the krypton isotopes appear normal, but the ratio of xenon-129 to xenon-132 is enhanced on Mars relative to the terrestrial value for this ratio. Some possible implications of these findings are discussed.

I suppose we all recognize the fact that there never can be any ready-made, hand-me-down treatment for neurasthenia. When we consider neurasthenia from an etiological standpoint, and then attempt from this consideration to evolve a rational treatment that will not only cure the patient but at the same time make him or her comfortable enough to live until the cure is effected, we certainly have ample food to satisfy our appetite for conundrums. It is all very well to say that the principal causes of neurasthenia are toxin, malnutrition, fatigue, or emotions, and that the treatment depends upon the cause. This of course is so, but it is just as true that we may have a patient that is long on causes and has a neurasthenia that is caused by all of these conditions combined, and this is not all, as the nervous system governs and controls all the organs

Hysteria is recognized as well worthy of our deepest study and best thought, by those most familiar with it. Notwithstanding this fact, and the volumes that have been written about it, we must acknowledge that in many ways we are wofully ignorant regarding it. We all, probably, feel at times as though, if there were anything which we have not found out by practical experience pertaining to this disorder, we are perfectly willing to remain uninformed. No matter how willing we may be to call it quits, our omnipresent foe (hysteria) never will consent to that, and by appearing in new phases and new forms, as well as new combinations, forces us to learn more and more regarding it. The more we know of it the less liable we are to use some such an expression as, ''Oh! it is nothing but hysteria, and does not amount to anything!" No

The light which science has thrown on this subject is so slight that to-day we are almost blindly groping in the dark, and those of us who come in contact with this fearful malady reach out our hands and grasp first one object then another, hoping that we are going to find the match whose tiny spark may finally illuminate the darkness about us. We can not help believing that with our increased knowledge of the secretions and excretions of the various glands of the body and the changed conditions of the blood from these and other sources, coupled with our better understanding of the nervous system, that we must to-day be in close proximity to the source of light. I have no intention of wandering into the clouds of speculation and theory, but wish to speak of a few things that I think important in our present darkness, well