Effect of protein restriction during brooding on spontaneous turkey cardiomyopathy.

The effect of early protein restriction on poult performance and mortality due to spontaneous turkey cardiomyopathy were examined in a facility that historically had a high incidence of the condition. Two thousand male turkey poults were divided into two equal subgroups for the first 4 weeks of life: one received standard commercial rations for the first 4 weeks (high-protein subgroup), and the other received rations with a protein content approximately 70% of the first subgroup (low-protein subgroup). Rations were the same after 4 weeks of age (standard commercial rations).

Effects of sickle cell anemia on conjunctival oxygen tension and temperature.

Because conjunctival vessels are affected by sickle cell disease, we wanted to see if conjunctival PO2 (partial oxygen tension) and temperature were also affected and if these measurements could aid in managing these patients. Conjunctival PO2 and temperature in 23 asymptomatic homozygous patients with sickle cell anemia did not differ significantly from those in age-matched controls. However, 12 subjects in painful sickle cell crisis had a significantly lower conjunctival PO2 than before crisis despite no significant change in hematocrit and conjunctival temperature.

Conjunctival hypoxia in diabetes mellitus.

A frequently cited theory for the pathogenesis of neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy is that retinal hypoxia and/or ischemia release a factor which stimulates neovascularization. To the authors' knowledge, there is no direct in vivo evidence in the human proving this theory. One hundred and twenty-two diabetic subjects were studied to see whether worsening retinopathy was associated with changes in conjunctival oxygen tension (pO2).