Effects of nutrient density on growth and carcass traits in fast- and slow-feathering female turkeys.

Chickens have been sexed based on feather development at hatching for many years, but the slow-feathering gene has only recently been incorporated into a commercial line of turkeys. Female turkeys of a fast- and a slow-feathering strain were compared with regard to BW, gain, and carcass composition to 29 wk of age. A total of 432 fast-feathering (FF) and 432 slow-feathering (SF) poults were reared to 198 d on a control (CON) or a high-energy, high-protein (HIGH) diet.

End-of-cycle bone quality in white- and brown-egg laying hens.

Broken and weak bones of laying hens are major welfare concerns in the table egg industry. Bone quality at the end of lay of brown- (Shaver 579) and white-(Shaver 2000) egg strains were compared. Prior to the start of the experiment, the hens had been housed in laying hen cages (2/cage).

HIV lipodystrophy syndrome: a primer.

Treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been implicated in the development of anthropomorphic and metabolic abnormalities termed HIV lipodystrophy syndrome (or LDS). This primer offers a comprehensive overview of LDS including epidemiology, hypothesized etiologies, and clinical consequences. The evidence-based literature is reviewed for current treatment strategies including discontinuation of specific antiretrovirals, pharmacological management of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, exercise training, facial augmentation, liposuction, and hormonal therapy.

Effect of the detergent Tween-20 on the DNA affinity chromatography of Gal4, C/EBPalpha, and lac repressor with observations on column regeneration.

C/EBPalpha, Gal4, and lac repressor, representing three different transcription factor homology families, were expressed as fusion proteins and used to characterize the effects of column aging, Mg2+, the nonionic detergent Tween-20, column loading, and bovine serum albumin on DNA-affinity chromatography. When lac-repressor-beta-galactosidase fusion protein is loaded onto a new DNA-Sepharose column, less elutes from a new column than one that has been used two or more times. Higher amounts of lac repressor, the Green Fluorescent Protein fusions with CAAT enhancer binding protein (C/EBPalpha) and Gal4, elute from the columns when 0.

The death effector domain protein PEA-15 prevents nuclear entry of ERK2 by inhibiting required interactions.

ERK2 nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution is regulated in response to hormones and cellular state without the requirement for karyopherin-mediated nuclear import. One proposed mechanism for the movement of ERK2 into the nucleus is through a direct interaction between ERK2 and nucleoporins present in the nuclear pore complex. Previous reports have attributed regulation of ERK2 localization to proteins that activate or deactivate ERK2, such as the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase MEK1 and MAP kinase phosphatases.

Isolation and genotypic comparison of oral streptococci from experimental bitemarks.

The feasibility of recovering and genotypically comparing oral bacteria from bitemarks for forensic purposes was assessed experimentally. Volunteers firmly bit their own upper arms and bitemarks were sampled at intervals to recover viable Streptococcus isolates. The recoverability of bacteria decreased over time but an average of more than one thousand viable organisms was recovered 24 hrs after biting, provided the site remained relatively undisturbed.

Pathogenesis of clinical signs in recessive ataxia with saccadic intrusions.

We describe a family of Slovenian descent with progressive ataxia, corticospinal signs, axonal sensorimotor neuropathy, and disruption of visual fixation by saccadic intrusions. Chromosome mapping indicated a mutation on 1p36, and this recessive disorder has been designated spinocerebellar ataxia with saccadic intrusions. Affected patients showed overshooting horizontal saccades, macrosaccadic oscillations, and increased velocity of larger saccades; other eye movements were normal.

Psycho-endocrine-immune response to mindfulness-based stress reduction in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus: a quasiexperimental study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a structured, 8-week, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on perceived stress, mood, endocrine function, immunity, and functional health outcomes in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Design: This study used a quasiexperimental, nonrandomized design.

Methods: Subjects were specifically recruited (nonrandom) for intervention (MBSR) or comparison group.

INTERMAP: the dietary data--process and quality control.

The aim of this report is to describe INTERMAP standardized procedures for assessing dietary intake of 4680 individuals from 17 population samples in China, Japan, UK and USA: Based on a common Protocol and Manuals of Operations, standardized collection by centrally trained certified staff of four 24 h dietary recalls, two timed 24-h urines, two 7-day histories of daily alcohol intake per participant; tape recording of all dietary interviews, and use of multiple methods for ongoing quality control of dietary data collection and processing (local, national, and international); one central laboratory for urine analyses; review, update, expansion of available databases for four countries to produce comparable data on 76 nutrients for all reported foods; use of these databases at international coordinating centres to compute nutrient composition. Chinese participants reported 2257 foods; Japanese, 2931; and UK, 3963. In US, use was made of 17,000 food items in the online automated Nutrition Data System.

HIV/AIDS and HIV nephropathy.

HIV is a profound disease. The impact of HIV on the renal system is also profound, requiring nephrology nurses to have an increased awareness and understanding of the challenges and issues facing HIV-infected patients. Comorbid conditions, such as anemia, HIVAN, and even stress can further impair an already compromised patient.

Fireworks in the primate retina: in vitro photodynamics reveals diverse LGN-projecting ganglion cell types.

Diverse cell types and parallel pathways are characteristic of the vertebrate nervous system, yet it remains a challenge to define the basic components of most neural structures. We describe a process termed retrograde photodynamics that allowed us to rapidly make the link between morphology, physiology, and connectivity for ganglion cells in the macaque retina that project to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). Rhodamine dextran injected into the LGN was transported retrogradely and sequestered within the cytoplasm of ganglion cell bodies.

A modified Kleihauer technique for the quantification of foetomaternal haemorrhage.

The Kleihauer technique, based on acid elution of maternal red cells, is the mostly widely used technique in the UK to screen for, and estimate the volume of, foetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) and for determining the need for additional doses of anti-D immunoglobulin to prevent maternal alloimmunization. However, technicians often report difficulties in identifying and accurately counting maternal red cells in the blood film, leading to imprecision in the calculated FMH. In this report, we describe a simple modification of the standard Kleihauer technique, based on performing acid elution of only half of the film.

Amebic infections due to the Entamoeba histolytica-Entamoeba dispar complex: a study of the incidence in a remote rural area of Ecuador.

An epidemiologic field study was conducted in the village of Borbòn in Esmeraldas province in northern Ecuador to compare different parasitologic methods in the diagnosis of infection with the Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar complex. The results of two stool antigen detection assays (the Prospect Entamoeba histolytica microplate assay and the E. histolytica II assay) were compared with isoenzyme characterization of the amebic isolates.

Changing from a mixed to self-selected vegetarian diet--influence on blood lipids.

Objective: To observe any changes in serum concentrations of lipids, when UK meat-eaters switch to a self selected vegetarian diet for 6 months.

Design: Observational study using capillary blood samples and 3-day estimated dietary diary.

Setting: Free-living subjects in the North-West of England.

Issues in the design and implementation of psychoneuroimmunology research.

Research that uses a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework seeks to determine whether valid associations exist among stress, immune function, and health. These associations are difficult to conclusively determine due to the fact that PNI research is fraught with methodological difficulties. These difficulties arise from the multifaceted and complex nature of the neuro-endocrine-immune network that is the phenomenon of interest in PNI.

The effect of twenty-eight-hour ahemeral day lengths on carcass and reproductive characteristics of broiler breeder hens late in lay.

The effect of increasing the day length from 24 to 28 h on the reproductive and carcass characteristics of old broiler breeder hens was examined. A total of 128 birds aged 47 wk of age from three different strains; Classic, Experimental (EXP), and Feather Sexable Yield (FSY) were used. Selection was based on target BW and egg production rates; birds were housed in light-tight environment chamber facilities.

Responses of two strains of female broiler breeders to a midcycle increase in photoperiod.

The influences of strain and a midcycle increase in photoperiod on the reproductive performance of broiler breeder hens were evaluated. At 22 wk of age, Strain X and Y pullets were randomly assigned to one of five groups [processed at 22 wk of age (A), processed after third oviposition (B), processed at 32 wk of age (C-32), processed at 40 wk of age (C40), and processed at 54 wk of age (C-54)] and were placed into individual laying cages. These groups were euthanized at different ages to analyze reproductive and carcass parameters.

The effects of age at photostimulation and dietary protein intake on reproductive efficiency in three strains of broiler breeders varying in breast yield.

The effects of strain, age at photostimulation, and dietary CP intake during the early lay period on sexual maturation and egg production parameters in broiler breeder hens were determined. Three Arbor Acres strains, Classic, Feather Sexable Yield (FSY), and an experimental line (EXP), were reared in floor pens. At 19 wk of age, pullets were moved into individual cages.

Disseminating nutrition research findings to health professionals.

Good nutrition is the basis of good health and poor nutrition is directly linked with certain illnesses, such as heart disease. A great deal of research on nutrition is carried out every year, but little may actually be read by health staff. A project aimed at ensuring that the latest information reaches those who need it is now running in 24 European countries.

Cerebellar influences on saccade plasticity.

Inaccurate saccades adapt to become more accurate. In this experiment the role of cerebellar output to the oculomotor system in adapting saccade size was investigated. We measured saccade adaptation after temporary inactivation of saccade-related neurons in the caudal part of the fastigial nucleus which projects to the oculomotor brain stem.