These studies were conducted to assess the effects of lead toxicity on exploratory behavior and running. Effects of lead on exploratory behavior and running speed in the shrew, Blarina brevicauda (Insectivora).

These studies were conducted to assess the effects of lead toxicity on exploratory behavior and running speed in the short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda. Shrews from the experimental group received 25 mg/kg/day of lead acetate in their drinking water for a period of 90 days. Control subjects received sodium acetate.

Ruminal and host adaptations to changes in frequency of protein supplementation.

The effect of altering supplementation frequency on host N balance and key N transactions in the ruminal ecosystem were monitored. Four ruminally fistulated beef steers (BW = 513 kg; SEM = 6.5) were used in a 2 x 2 crossover design with two periods and two supplementation frequency treatments.

Effect of supplementation frequency and supplemental urea level on dormant tallgrass-prairie hay intake and digestion by beef steers and prepartum performance of beef cows grazing dormant tallgrass-prairie.

Effect of supplementation frequency and supplemental urea level on forage use (Exp. 1) and performance (Exp. 2 and 3) of beef cattle consuming low-quality tallgrass-prairie were evaluated.

Mechanisms contributing to the exacerbated epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices of GABAB1 receptor subunit knockout mice.

The recently developed GABAB1 receptor subunit knockout (GABAB1 -/-) mouse displays complete loss of GABAB receptor function and develops complex generalized epilepsies including absence type, audiogenic as well as spontaneous generalized seizures with electrographic spike-wave discharge signatures. To gain insight into the cellular mechanisms contributing to the generation and maintenance of this epileptic phenotype we have compared epileptiform activity induced in hippocampal slices obtained from GABAB1 -/- and wild type (GABAB1 +/+) littermates. Deletion of the GABAB1 receptor subunit had no effect on a range of passive membrane properties of CA3 pyramidale neurones, non-synaptic epileptiform field bursting and spreading depression recorded in 6mM K+/Ca2+-free medium, and inter-ictal synaptically-induced epileptiform activity induced by 100 microM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP).

Subtotal colectomy and cecosigmoid anastomosis for colonic systemic sclerosis: report of a case and review of the literature.

Purpose: We report a case of subtotal colonic involvement of systemic sclerosis, successfully managed by subtotal colectomy and cecosigmoid anastomosis, and review the literature on surgical management.

Methods: A patient had profound slow transit constipation and severe colonic involvement on nuclear transit study. Surgery was conservative, with preservation of distal sigmoid colon and the ileocecal valve.

Reliability of police-reported information for determining crash and injury severity.

Posted speed limit and police-reported injury codes are commonly used by researchers to approximate vehicle impact and occupant injury severity. In-depth crash investigations, however, produce more precise measures of crash and injury severity: change in velocity (delta-V) for crash severity and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores for injury severity. A comparison of data from police crash reports with that gathered by National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) investigators highlighted the inadequacy of speed limit and police injury codes as proxies for delta-V and AIS injury severity.

Specific window of prolactin inhibition in late gestation decreases mammary parenchymal tissue development in gilts.

Prolactin is required from d 70 to 110 of gestation for normal mammary development of gilts. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of inhibiting prolactin with bromocriptine during specific time windows during the second half of gestation on mammary gland development in gilts. Crossbred primigravid gilts were assigned as controls (n = 12) or received 10 mg of bromocriptine orally three times daily from d 50 to 69 (BR50, n = 12), d 70 to 89 (BR70, n = 12), or d 90 to 109 (BR90, n = 12) of gestation.

Experience and training as determinants of grading reliability when assessing the severity of contact lens complications.

Purpose: A study was conducted to investigate the influence of experience and training on grading reliability when assessing the severity of contact lens complications.

Methods: Twenty-three optometry students who were unfamiliar with the use of grading scales each used the Efron Grading Tutor computer program to ascertain grading reliability at an 'initial' experimental session and a 'final' session 3 weeks later. Twelve subjects (the 'trained' group) were given a tutorial on grading techniques and were asked to complete two grading exercises between the initial and final sessions.

Effectiveness of Ford's belt reminder system in increasing seat belt use.

Objectives: The study investigated the effectiveness in increasing seat belt use of Ford's belt reminder system, a supplementary system that provides intermittent flashing lights and chimes for five minutes if drivers are not belted.

Methods: Seat belt use of drivers in relatively new cars with and without the reminder system was unobtrusively observed as vehicles were brought to dealerships for service.

Results: Overall use rates were estimated at 71% for drivers in vehicles without the reminder system and 76% for drivers in vehicles with belt reminders (p<0.

Huntington's disease: a randomized, controlled trial using the NMDA-antagonist amantadine.

Objective: To examine the acute effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist amantadine on motor and cognitive function in Huntington's disease (HD).

Background: Chorea in HD and in the levodopa-induced dyskinesias of PD may be clinically indistinguishable. In PD, hyperphosphorylation of NMDA receptors expressed on striatal medium spiny neurons contributes to peak-dose dyskinesias, and drugs that block these receptors can diminish chorea severity.

Seat belt use among African Americans, Hispanics, and Whites.

Objectives: This study investigated seat belt use among White, Black, and Hispanic drivers, in cities in which standard enforcement of the belt use law is permitted (primary enforcement) and in cities in which a motorist has to be first cited for another offense (secondary enforcement). Socioeconomic and gender differences in belt use were also studied.

Methods: Belt use observations were obtained at gas stations in Boston, Chicago, Houston, and New York City.

Determinants of exercise blood pressure response in normotensive and hypertensive women: role of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Purpose: Exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response during physical exertion is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. Furthermore, it may be the predisposing factor for myocardial infarction triggered by physical exertion. The authors have shown that systolic BP achieved after 6 minutes of exercise is the strongest predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy.

The Intracardiac Shunt as a Source of Myocardial Oxygen in a Turtle, Trachemys scripta.

The functional significance of many features of the reptilian cardiopulmonary system remains unknown; particularly the importance of cardiac shunts. One hypothesis for a physiological function for shunts is that they play a role in myocardial oxygenation and are therefore important when cardiac work is elevated. In this study we examined cardiac function by monitoring electrocardiograms in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) with a reduced myocardial oxygen supply.

A brief analysis of clinical pharmacy interventions undertaken in an Australian teaching hospital.

Selected clinical pharmacy interventions undertaken during a 30-day data capture period were analysed, seeking to gain a greater understanding of the nature of the drug-related problems involved. Pharmacists were asked to record only interventions that were of potentially major significance. A total of 67 interventions were submitted for analysis.

Effects of daytime running lights on multiple-vehicle daylight crashes in the United States.

Involvements in multiple-vehicle daylight crashes in nine states over 4 years were analyzed for a group of passenger cars and light trucks equipped with automatic daytime running lights. On average, these vehicles were involved in 3.2% fewer multiple-vehicle crashes than vehicles without daytime running lights (P = 0.

Rollover risk of cars and light trucks after accounting for driver and environmental factors.

Characteristics of the driver, roadway environment, and vehicle were associated with the likelihood of rollover occurrence in more than 14000 single-vehicle fatal and 78000 single-vehicle injury crashes during 1995-98. Rollovers were more likely in crashes involving young drivers or occurring on rural curves. After accounting for the effects of driver age and gender, roadway alignment and surface condition, and whether or not the crash occurred in a rural area, light trucks were still twice as likely as cars to experience rollovers.

The use of pigs as an animal model to evaluate the efficacy, potency and specificity of two growth hormone releasing factor analogues.

In 1982, Guillemin et al reported the isolation of the human (h) growth hormone (GH) releasing factor (GRF) from a pancreatic tumour in an acromegalic patient. Since then, work to develop potent GRF analogues has been widespread and the rat has been the main animal model used. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy, potency and specificity of two GRF analogues with those of the native GRF(1-29)NH(2)using pig (p) as the animal model.

The allogeneic T and B cell response is strongly dependent on complement components C3 and C4.

Background: The mechanisms controlling the production of antibodies against histocompatibility antigens are of prime importance in organ transplantation.

Methods: We investigated the role of complement in the response to allogeneic stimulation, using mice deficient in C3, C4, or C5 to dissect the role of the alternative, classical, and terminal complement pathways.

Results: After fully major histocompatibility complex disparate skin grafts, the allospecific immunoglobulin (Ig)G response was markedly impaired in C3- and C4-, but not in C5-deficient mice.

Impact of different wheat milling by-products in supplements on the forage use and performance of beef cattle consuming low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the impacts on forage use and beef cattle performance of incorporating divergent wheat milling by-products in a 30% CP supplement. The by-products were wheat bran (high fiber) and second clears (high starch). The by-products were added as 1) 100% wheat bran; 2) 67% wheat bran, 33% second clears; or 3) 33% wheat bran, 67% second clears to constitute approximately 47 to 49% of the supplement.

The effects of several supplementation frequencies on forage use and the performance of beef cattle consuming dormant tallgrass prairie forage.

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the impact on forage use and performance of varying supplementation frequency of cattle consuming forage diets across a range of frequencies. In both experiments, a common supplement was used that contained a relatively high concentration of CP (43%) and was fed at the following frequencies: 1) 2 d/wk; 2) 3 d/wk; 3) 5 d/wk; and 4) 7 d/wk. In Exp.

Anti-beta 2 glycoprotein 1 and anti-annexin V antibodies in women with recurrent miscarriage.

While it has been established that anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) are associated with recurrent miscarriage (RM), the importance of anti-beta2 glycoprotein 1 (GP1) IgG and anti-annexin V IgG antibodies as risk factors for RM is undefined. We have investigated the prevalence of anti-beta2 GP1 IgG and anti-annexin V IgG antibodies in 54 aPL-positive and 48 aPL-negative women with RM. The prevalence of IgG anti-beta2 GP1 antibodies was not significantly different in persistently aPL-positive women with RM (7%), aPL-negative women with RM (6%) and the normal parous control group (3%).

Epileptogenesis and enhanced prepulse inhibition in GABA(B1)-deficient mice.

The recent cloning of two GABA(B) receptor subunits, GABA(B1) and GABA(B2), has raised the possibility that differences in GABA(B) receptor subunit composition may give rise to pharmacologically or functionally distinct receptors. If present, such molecular diversity could permit the selective targeting of GABA(B) receptor subtypes specifically involved in pathologies such as drug addiction, spasticity, pain, and epilepsy. To address these issues we have developed a GABA(B1) subunit knockout mouse using gene targeting techniques.

Continuous transdermal dopaminergic stimulation in advanced Parkinson's disease.

The objective of the study was to determine the safety and efficacy of increasing doses of Rotigotine CDS in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. The development of motor complications in Parkinson's disease has been linked to intermittent stimulation of dopamine receptors. Continuous, noninvasive, dopaminergic stimulation has not been available to date.