Nurse led telephone assessment of expanded disability status scale assessment in MS patients at high levels of disability.

Background: In clinical trials drop out bias reduces the validity of results. This is a particular problem in long-term multiple sclerosis (MS) studies, particularly when patients become progressively disabled and have increasing difficulty attending assessment clinics.

Objective: To assess the validity of nurse led telephone assessment of Expanded Disability Status Scale (TEDSS) in MS patients with EDSS scores >6.

Patterns of testicular cytology in men with primary infertility: any change since the Gulf War?

Objective: To evaluate the patterns of testicular cytology in men with primary infertility, to compare the morphologic patterns between the periods 1990-1995, immediately after Gulf War II, and 1997-2001 and to determine whether there is a correlation between hormonal profile, testicular volume and morphologic pattern.

Study Design: Retrospective study of men with primary infertility. History, complete physical examination, hormonal assay and testicular ultrasound were evaluated.

Research note: use of consecutive carcass rinses and a most probable number procedure to estimate salmonellae contamination of inoculated broilers.

Two similar trials were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the whole carcass rinse technique in combination with a most probable number (MPN) procedure for estimating the number of salmonellae on postchill broilers. Birds were reared in litter-floored pens and inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium (10(8) cfu/mL) on Days 2, 7, and 14. In each of the two trials six carcasses were consecutively rinsed four times.

Research note: fumaric acid enhances performance of broiler chickens.

Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of dietary inclusion of fumaric acid on performance and carcass composition of broiler chickens. Fumaric acid was added to nutritionally complete diets at levels of 0, .125, .

Research note: incidence, number, and serotypes of Salmonella on frozen broiler chickens at retail.

Two similar trials were conducted to evaluate broiler carcasses at retail for incidence, number, and serotypes of salmonellae. Twelve frozen carcasses were purchased from each of three retail outlets on two sampling days. Two of the brands purchased were produced and processed conventionally, but the third brand was produced and processed under organic conditions.