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Offspring of mothers with diabetes are at greater risk of adverse metabolic outcomes in later life. Altered adiposity in infancy is a plausible mediator. I aimed to compare the metabolic phenotype of infants of mothers with (IDM) and without gestational diabetes mellitus (NIDM). I performed a meta-analysis of studies examining adiposity in offspring of mothers with and without diabetes (all types). In a prospective cohort study, I used magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to compare the quantity and distribution of adipose tissue (AT) and intrahepatocellular lipid (IHCL), in IDM and NIDM in early infancy. I also used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to explore urinary metabolic profiles. Meta-analysis: Over 24,000 infants and 17,000 children were included in the body composition meta-analyses. Maternal diabetes was associated with greater fat mass in offspring (mean difference [95% CI]): 83g [49, 117], p < 0.00001 in infants, and 1.69kg [0.96, 2.43], p < 0.00001 in children. Prospective cohort study: Mothers with gestational diabetes had good pregnancy glycaemic control. There was no difference in AT volume between newborn IDM and NIDM. At a median age of 10 weeks, and following adjustment for body size, total AT was 16% greater in IDM (mean % difference [95% CI]); 16.0 [6.7, 24.1], p=0.002. This difference remained significant following adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI. There were no differences in AT distribution or IHCL between groups. Urinary metabolic profiles differed in newborn IDM, including alterations in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. No differences were apparent at < 2 weeks or 10 weeks of life, although there was some evidence of a relationship between newborn urinary metabolic profile and adiposity at 8-12 weeks of life. Adiposity in IDM is amplified in early infancy, despite good maternal glycaemic control. Reduction in postnatal adiposity may be a therapeutic target to reduce later health risks.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an in vitro proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) isolated from Holstein-Friesian cattle, induced by formalin-killed Staphylococcus aureus, a major mastitis pathogen, as a potential indicator of resistance or susceptibility to mastitis. Different strains of S. aureus, isolated from cows with subclinical mastitis, and identified by restriction enzyme fragmentation pattern analysis, were shown to induce different levels of proliferation of PBM in vitro. One particular strain (strain A), induced the strongest proliferation response compared to the other strains tested and differences in the magnitude of the proliferative response, induced by S. aureus strain A, was noted among cows. Phenotypic analysis of PBM of cows, by flow cytometry, showed that normal proportions of cell sub-populations were present at the start of culture and that the proliferating cell population consisted mainly of T cells expressing CD4, CD8 or markers. Proliferation of PBM of cows, induced by Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB), showed that the peak day of proliferation occurred 72 to 96 hours earlier in the presence of SEB compared to in the presence of S. aureus strain A antigen. A statistically significant difference in the proliferative response induced by S. aureus strain A was seen in two progeny groups sired by two different commercial bulls, suggesting that genetic control of this response may be important in protection of the mammary glands against infection. The proliferative assay was, therefore, subsequently performed in bulls.

This action research project examined the impact of a program for improving age-inappropriate behaviors that interfere with personal and academic progress. A total of 69 students from 3 elementary classrooms and 2 speech therapy groups were involved in the research. The targeted population consisted of fourth and sixth graders; students with autism in a self-contained classroom; and 3- through 12-year-olds with moderate mental retardation in a self-contained building, all in central Illinois communities. Inappropriate classroom behavior related to listening, on-task behavior, cooperative learning, and aggression was documented through teacher check lists, parent and teacher surveys, teacher anecdotal notes, teacher and student journals, test scores, and progress toward Individual Educational Plan goals. The intervention consisted of: (1) a parental involvement program; (2) a direct instruction social skills program; (3) a cooperative learning program implemented through curricular units; and (4) modeling and reinforcing appropriate behaviors to reduce aggression. The social skills and cooperative learning programs were implemented through 18 weeks of direct instruction to mixed gender groups of 4 to 6 students. Sessions were conducted twice a week for 20 to 40 minutes each. Cooperative learning activities were implemented in reading, science, social studies, or language arts, depending on the grade. The parental involvement program consisted of curriculum-based take-home activities and a newsletter for the regular education students and weekly "suitcase" activities for special education classrooms. Post-intervention data indicated an increase in age-appropriate behaviors and enhanced academic performance. (Appended are data collection and classroom materials and raw data. Contains 17 references.) (KB)

Lignin oxidation products from a variety of living and fossil plants were obtained using the alkaline cupric oxide method. The aldehydes and ketones obtained were separated by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy was used to verify the structures of the lignin oxidation products. Vanillin remained the major ligning oxidation product obtained from the lignin of gymnosperms. However small amounts of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and syringic aldehyde were obtained from all the symnospermous ligning examined. Immature dicotyledons and the woodmeal of the monocotyledons examined gave varying emounts of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde when oxidized. No phydoxybenzaldehyde was detected from the lignin of the monoxotyledon fibres examined. Syringic aldehyde remained the major lignin oxidation product obtained from the angiosperms. All three types of lignin nuclei were obtained in small amounts from several lower plants including the mosses and liverworts. No correlation between the presence of syringic aldehyde and the occurrence of vessels was found. The suggestion that it is the fibres in plants which contribute to the presence of syringic aldehyde is made. All three types of lignin nuclei were observed from certain fossil wood, fossil compressions and coals. Syringic aldehyde remained as a lignin oxidation product in bituminous coals of 3OO million years old. Lignin derivatives can be used as supporting evidence for anatomical and morphological studies. However lignin derivatives cannot be used as characteristics for fossil compressions and coals because chemical changes which occur alter the original phenolic aldehyde ratios. Only speculations can be made.