Changes in the serum proteome associated with docetaxel chemotherapy

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Background: Trapeze is a randomised phase II clinical study involving Docetaxel chemotherapy ± Zoledronic Acid and strontium 89 for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer. A proteomic sub-study is designed to identify novel biomarkers to monitor treatment. Methods: Surface-Ehanced Laser Desorption/Ionisation (SELDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry combines retentate chromatography and mass spectrometry in a high-throughput platform for proteomic profiling of biological samples. A biofluid such as serum is applied to a ‘proteinchip array’, certain proteins will bind and non-binding species are removed by washing. The bound proteins are vaporised using a laser and detected by mass spectrometry. The peak intensities in the resulting “profiles” can be compared between patient cohorts to identify potential biomarkers. Results: The serum from 6 patients was analysed both before and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy using copper loaded IMAC30 proteinchip arrays. The intensities of 103 peaks were compared between pre- and post-treatment and 11 were found to differ significantly (p < 0.01, paired t-test). Hierarchical clustering was able to distinguish pre- and post-treatment sera. Initial results show these changes to continue in sequential samples taken from the same patient. Conclusions: Chemotherapy produces significant and detectable changes in the serum proteome. This is a significant difference from a recent lung cancer study carried out in our Institution (submitted separately), which showed no detectable changes in pre and post operative lung cancer patients once acute post-operative changes had settled. Work is currently underway to identify the discriminatory proteins in the SELDI profiles. The current Trapeze study accrual rate of approximately 10 patients per month will mean that 80 patients will be included in this treatment cohort by May 2006 and subject to initial findings, individual proteins of interest will be identified and followed throughout the phase II and subsequent phase III to determine if they can be used to assess patients individual response to chemotherapy and provide a biomarker to monitor prostate cancer therapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Seeing is believing: the importance of video laryngoscopy in teaching and in managing the difficult airway

Of the several million patients who undergo surgery in North America annually, a large proportion undergo intubation of the trachea. In approximately 90% of these patients, the endotracheal tube is introduced using a traditional laryngoscope with a battery in the handle and a small bulb near the tip of the blade. This bulb provides a limited and often dim view of the glottic structures. In about 10% of cases, the patient is intubated using a flexible fiberoptic intubating scope. The authors have developed a video laryngoscope that preserves the standard blade configuration with a modified handle. A 3-mm image light guide is built into the blade, replacing the bulb. A small TV camera with an incorporated light bundle is inserted into the handle. A wide-angle panoramic view of the upper airway anatomy is displayed on a TV screen, which can be positioned at a convenient working distance. The use of a TV monitor is a well-accepted standard during minimally invasive surgical procedures.

'Frequent' ventricular bigeminy--a reversible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. How frequent is 'frequent'?

An interesting development in the field of heart failure has been the link between frequent premature ventricular contractions and cardiomyopathy. We report a patient whose frequent ventricular bigeminy resulted in left ventricular impairment that resolved after the use of non-contact mapping during radiofrequency ablation. A review of the literature regarding possible mechanisms is discussed. For the practicing clinician, the question of 'frequent' should be taken in context of symptoms and LV function. A single 24-h Holter monitor may not truly reflect the ectopic load. We recommend that if there is associated LV dysfunction and a causal link to frequent PVCs then suppression with radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment strategy.

Results of a 90-day safety assurance study with rats fed grain from corn rootworm-protected corn

The results of a 90-day rat feeding study with YieldGard (YieldGard Rootworm Corn is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology, LLC.) Rootworm corn (MON 863) grain that is protected against feeding damage caused by corn rootworm larvae are presented. Corn rootworm-protection was accomplished through the introduction of a cry3Bb1 coding sequence into the corn genome for in planta production of a modified Cry3Bb1 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis. Grain from MON 863 and its near isogenic control were separately formulated into rodent diets at levels of 11% and 33% (w/w) by Purina Mills, Inc. Additionally, six groups of rats were fed diets containing grain from different conventional (non-biotechnology-derived) reference varieties. The responses of rats fed diets containing MON 863 were compared to those of rats fed grain from conventional corn varieties. All diets were nutritionally balanced and conformed to Purina Mills, Inc. specifications for Certified LabDiet 5002. There were a total of 400 rats in the study divided into 10 groups of 20 rats/sex/group. Overall health, body weight gain, food consumption, clinical pathology parameters (hematology, blood chemistry, urinalysis), organ weights, gross and microscopic appearance of tissues were comparable between groups fed diets containing MON 863 and conventional corn varieties. This study complements extensive agronomic, compositional and farm animal feeding studies with MON 863 grain, confirming that it is as safe and nutritious as existing conventional corn varieties.

11 EFFECTS OF CIDR-BASED PRESYNCHRONIZATION AND eCG ON FERTILITY FOR A GnRH-BASED TIMED-AI PROTOCOL IN BEEF CATTLE

The objectives were to determine the effects of presynchronization and eCG on fertility for a GnRH-based timed-AI (TAI) protocol in beef cattle. Previously autoclaved once-used CIDR inserts (Colazo et al. 2004 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 81, 25-34) were used for experimental purposes so that all cattle had equivalent exogenous progesterone after Day 7 in Experiment 1, and to induce GnRH-responsive follicles in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, 12-15 month old beef heifers (n = 447) were used (three locations, A, B, and C). On Day 0, half received a new CIDR insert (Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and 500 �g of cloprostenol i.m. (PGF: Estrumate; Schering-Plough Animal Health, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada). On Day 7, the remainder received an autoclaved once-used CIDR and all received 100 �g of GnRH i.m. (Cystorelin; Merial Canada, Inc., Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada). On Day 14, CIDR inserts were removed, PGF was given to all heifers, and heifers were given either 300 IU eCG i.m. (Pregnacol; Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) or no treatment (2 � 2 factorial design). On Day 16 (54-56 h after CIDR removal and PGF administration), heifers were given 100 �g of GnRH i.m., concurrent with TAI. Transrectal ultrasonography was done on Day 0 to assess ovarian structures, and on approximately Day 50 (range, 44-69) to confirm pregnancy. Overall, 72.7% of heifers were puberal on Day 0 (150/150, 5/37, and 170/260 for locations A, B, and C, respectively; P < 0.001). Pregnancy rate was affected (P < 0.001) by location (27.3, 62.2, and 51.1% for the three locations, respectively) but was not affected (P = 0.3) by puberal status at locations B and C. Pregnancy rate was not affected (P = 0.5) by presynchronization, but tended (P = 0.1) to be reduced by eCG treatment (40.4 vs. 47.7%, respectively). In Experiment 2, lactating crossbred beef cows (n = 411), 2-12 years of age were randomly allocated to receive either a previously used, autoclaved CIDR for 7 days and 25 mg of dinoprost i.m. (PGF: Lutalyse; Pfizer Animal Health) or no treatment (control; Day 0). At CIDR removal (Day 7), all cows received 100 �g of GnRH. On Day 14, all cows received PGF and were allocated to receive either 400 IU of eCG i.m. or no treatment (2 � 2 factorial design). On Day 16 (54-56 h after PGF), cows were given 100 �g of GnRH concurrent with TAI. Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations were done on approximately 65 cows in each group on Days 0, 7, and 14 to assess ovarian structures and on all cows on Day 42 to confirm pregnancy. Overall, 88.8% of cows had a corpus luteum (CL) on Day 0. Presynchronization increased both the proportion of cows that ovulated to GnRH treatment on Day 7 (76.7 vs. 55.0%; P < 0.001) and pregnancy rate (58.2 vs. 45.4%; P = 0.03) for cows that had received a CIDR vs. control cows. However, eCG treatment did not affect pregnancy rate (P = 0.3) in either group. In summary, presynchronization with a used CIDR and PGF prior to a Cosynch protocol increased ovulation rate to the first GnRH treatment and pregnancy rate in cows but not in heifers. In a GnRH-based TAI protocol, treatment with eCG had no significant effect on fertility in cows, but tended to decrease fertility in heifers.

Teaching evidence-based practice: A survey of UK's higher education provision

Evidence-based practice (EBP) ensures that clinical health management decisions are based on valid, reliable and relevant evidence determined by sound research and evaluation. It is a key element of both the clinical governance and clinical effectiveness agendas. Clearly, there is a need to provide adequate educational and professional attributes to meet this increasing demand.

The aim of this research was to identify and map all UK postgraduate courses that focus on EBP within health- and social-care services. Electronic searching of internet databases and all UK postgraduate electronic prospectuses using the broad term ‘evidence based’ was undertaken. Course details and prospectuses were obtained and reviewed, where available.

In total, 12 postgraduate courses were identified. These could be broadly categorized into two distinct groups: five courses focused on health-care sciences designed for multidisciplinary health professionals and seven targeted clinical specialities. UK universities therefore provide relatively few courses in EBP. Two models of EBP education appear to be developing, which either specifically target EBP as a separate component of the curriculum or integrate into existing subjects. Further evaluation is needed to determine the relative merits of each.

Historical trends in reported survival rates in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the range of survival rates of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by comparing and contrasting the natural history of a cohort of patients seen between 1988 and 2002 with that of other published series.

METHODS

956 adult (> or = 16 years old) patients with HCM (572 men, mean (SD) age 42 (15) years, range 16-88) were evaluated by ECG, Holter, exercise testing, and echocardiography. Patient characteristics and survival data were compared with those in natural history studies from referral and non-referral centres published between 1960 and January 2003.

RESULTS

The duration of follow up was 69 (45) months. 120 (12.6%) patients died or underwent cardiac transplantation. Sudden cardiac death (n = 48) was the most common mode of death. The annual rate of sudden death or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator discharge was 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 1.26). Annual rates for heart failure death or transplantation and stroke related death were 0.55% (95% CI 0.37% to 0.78%) and 0.07% (95% CI 0.02% to 0.19%), respectively. When studies published within the last 10 years of the study period were compared with earlier reports, the size of individual study cohorts was larger (309 (240.6) v 136.5 (98.8), p = 0.058) and the proportion with severe functional limitation NYHA class III/IV lower (12.4% v 24.8%, p < 0.0001), and fewer patients underwent septal myotomy-myectomy (5.2% v 18.7%, p < 0.0001). Published sudden death rates over the last 10 years were lower than previously published figures (median 1.0% (range 0.1-1.7) v 2.0% (0-3.5)).

CONCLUSION

Published survival rates in HCM cohorts have improved progressively over the past 40 years. In the modern era the prevalence of disease related complications is similar in all reporting centres.

Distinguishing adaptive from nonadaptive genetic differentiation: comparison of QST and FST at two spatial scales

Genetic differentiation in 20 hierarchically sampled populations of wild barley was analyzed with quantitative traits, allozymes and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), and compared for three marker types at two hierarchical levels. Regional subdivision for both molecular markers was much lower than for quantitative traits. For both allozymes and RAPDs, most loci exhibited minor or no regional differentiation, and the relatively high overall estimates of the latter were due to several loci with exceptionally high regional differentiation. The allozyme- and RAPD-specific patterns of differentiation were concordant in general with one another, but not with quantitative trait differentiation. Divergent selection on quantitative traits inferred from very high regional Q(ST) was in full agreement with our previous results obtained from a test of local adaptation and multilevel selection analysis. In contrast, most variation in allozyme and RAPD variation was neutral, although several allozyme loci and RAPD markers were exceptional in their levels of regional differentiation. However, it is not possible to answer the question whether these exceptional loci are directly involved in the response to selection pressure or merely linked to the selected loci. The fact that Q(ST) and F(ST) did not differ at the population scale, that is, within regions, but differed at the regional scale, for which local adaptation has been previously shown, implies that comparison of the level of subdivision in quantitative traits, as compared with molecular markers, is indicative of adaptive population differentiation only when sampling is carried out at the appropriate scale.

The effects of seed quality and pipecolic and djenkolic acids on bruchid beetle infestation in water deficit-stressed Acacia trees

Acacia trees in the Negev desert and the Arava valley of Israel are suffering high levels of mortality due to water stress. Additionally, recruitment is negatively affected by bruchid beetles. We hypothesized that water-stressed trees would be less able to produce secondary defense compounds, such as the nonprotein amino acids, pipecolic acid and djenkolic acid, in their seeds to decrease seed herbivory. We further hypothesized that the high seed infestation reported is due to increased fitness of beetles infesting trees that are in a poor physiological state. Contrary to our prediction, pipecolic acid concentration was higher in water-stressed Acacia raddiana trees. We found that infestation rates and beetle fitness were higher in trees in a poor physiological state, despite the higher levels of pipecolic acid in these trees. There was a significant positive correlation between infestation level and the amounts of djenkolic acid in the seeds, indicating that the beetles may have found a means of utilizing djenkolic acid for their own benefit.

Order-to-chaos transition in rotational nuclei

We have developed a new method to study the order-to-chaos transition in rotational nuclei. Correlations between successive gamma rays are used to determine the average complexity of the intermediate levels and thereby the ratio of the interaction potential between levels to the level spacing. The measured ratios, 0.15 to 1.5, span the range from nearly fully ordered to nearly fully chaotic.

18 STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE FERTILITY WITH COSYNCH-CIDR PROTOCOLS IN BEEF CATTLE

Two experiments were designed to evaluate strategies to improve fertility with Cosynch-CIDR protocols in cattle. The first experiment investigated the effect of low levels of progesterone prior to a Cosynch-CIDR protocol. On Day 0, lactating beef cows (n = 34) and heifers (n = 37) were placed in two groups to receive 500 μg cloprostenol (PGF; Estrumate, Schering-Plough Animal Health, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada) or a twice-used CIDR (Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) for 5 days (Pretreatment) or no treatment (Control). On Day 5, used CIDRs were removed and all cattle received a new CIDR (Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and 100 μg GnRH (Cystorelin, Merial Canada Inc, Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada). On Day 12, CIDR were removed and PGF was given. A second GnRH was given concurrent with timed AI (TAI) on Day 14 (54–56 h after PGF). Cattle were examined by transrectal ultrasonography for CL and follicle development, and for confirmation of pregnancy (Days 42 to 49). Diameter of the dominant follicle on Day 5 was larger and more variable in cows than in heifers (15.5 ± 5.6 vs. 11.4 ± 3.5 mm, respectively; means, P < 0.001; variance, P < 0.003), and tended to be larger in the Pretreatment group (14.3 ± 4.9 vs. 12.6 ± 5.2 mm; P = 0.13). More Pretreated (60.0%) than Control (36.1%) cattle (P < 0.005), and more cows (64.7%) than heifers (32.4%; P < 0.03) ovulated following the first GnRH. At the time of TAI, 5 (13.5%) heifers had already ovulated (P < 0.03). Diameter of the preovulatory follicle was affected by parity (P < 0.001), but not Pretreatment (P = 0.4), and tended to be larger in heifers that became pregnant (P = 0.13). Pregnancy rate was not affected by parity (P = 0.71), or pretreatment (P = 0.34); pretreatment tended to increase pregnancy rate in heifers (63.2 vs. 38.9%; P = 0.19). The second experiment evaluated the use of eCG in a Cosynch-CIDR protocol in beef heifers. Beef heifers (n = 127) were fed 0.5 mg/head/day of MGA (Pfizer Animal Health) for 15 d; 12 d after the last feeding (designated as Day 0) heifers received a CIDR and 100 μg GnRH. On Day 7, CIDR were removed, and heifers received PGF, and were randomly placed in 2 groups to receive 300 IU of eCG (Pregnacol; Bioniche Animal Health) or no treatment (Control). On Day 9 (54–56 h after PGF), all heifers received 100 μg GnRH, concurrent with TAI. Ultrasonographic examinations were done as in the first experiment. Overall, 79.5% of the heifers had a CL, and 9.4% had a luteinized follicle on Day 0. Seventy-eight heifers (61.4%) ovulated following the first GnRH, and those that ovulated had a less variable preovulatory follicle size than those that did not (13.7 ± 1.7 vs. 13.8 ± 2.3 mm; means, P = 0.76; variance, P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in preovulatory follicle size (P = 0.63), or pregnancy rate (49.2 vs. 53.1%; P = 0.7) for eCG-treated vs. Control heifers. In summary, pretreatment with a twice-used CIDR plus PGF increased the proportion of cattle that ovulated to the first GnRH, but not preovulatory follicle size or fertility in cows; fertility tended to be improved in heifers. Treatment with eCG did not increase preovulatory follicle size or fertility in heifers subjected to an Cosynch-CIDR protocol.

13 EFFECTS OF PRESYNCHRONIZATION WITH A USED CIDR, AND TREATMENT WITH eCG ON FERTILITY IN LACTATING COWS SUBJECTED TO A COSYNCH PROTOCOL

The objectives were to investigate the effects of pretreatment with a used CIDR on follicle size and ovulation rate in cows after an injection of GnRH, and treatment with eCG at the time of PGF on preovulatory follicle size and fertility in cows subjected to a Cosynch protocol. Lactating crossbred beef cows (n = 292), 2 to 12 years of age were allocated to two groups to receive either a used CIDR (Bioniche Animal Health; Belleville, Ontario, Canada) for 15 days or no treatment (Control). At CIDR removal (Day 0), all cows received 100 μg of GnRH i.m. (Cystorelin, Merial Canada Inc., Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada). On Day 7, all cows received 500 μg of cloprostenol i.m. (PGF; Estrumate, Schering-Plough Animal Health, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada) and were further allocated to receive either 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Pregnacol; Bioniche Animal Health) or no treatment (2 × 2 factorial design; n = 73 per group). On Day 9 (54 h after PGF), cows were given 100 μg of GnRH i.m., concurrent with timed AI (TAI). Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations were done on a subset of approximately 40 cows in each group on Days −15, 0, 7, and 9 to assess ovarian structures, and on all cows on Day 37 to confirm pregnancy. Data were analyzed by SAS CATMOD and ANOVA. Overall, 53% of cows had a CL present on Day −15 (P = 0.23). At first GnRH (Day 0), fewer CIDR-treated cows than Control cows had a CL (15.2 vs. 85.0%, respectively; P < 0.001), while mean (± SEM) diameters of the dominant follicle were larger in CIDR-treated cows (18.2 ± 0.4 vs. 13.8 ± 0.4 mm, respectively; P < 0.001). Moreover, the proportion of cows that ovulated following the first GnRH was higher (P < 0.001) in CIDR-treated (75.0%) than Control (48.7%) cows. Eight (10.0%) cows presynchronized with a CIDR did not ovulate and had a luteinized follicle (31.7 ± 1.9 mm) at the time of PGF. Although CIDR-treated cows had larger (P < 0.002) dominant follicles than Control cows on Day 9 (16.6 ± 0.3 vs. 15.2 ± 0.3 mm), presynchronization did not affect fertility (53.4 vs. 54.1%, respectively). However, diameter of the dominant follicle at TAI in cows that became pregnant was smaller in CIDR-treated vs. Control cows (15.3 ± 0.3 vs. 16.6 ± 0.3; P < 0.005). Treatment with eCG on Day 7 did not affect (P = 0.17) the diameter of the dominant follicle at TAI, but tended (P = 0.06) to increase pregnancy rate (58.9 vs. 48.6%). Furthermore, pregnancy rate tended to be higher (P = 0.08) in Control cows given eCG (47/73, 64.4%) than in the Control- (32/73, 43.8%), CIDR- (39/73, 53.4%) or CIDR/eCG- (39/73, 53.4%) treated cows. In addition, pregnancy rate was affected by parity; 2-yr-old cows had a lower (P < 0.04) pregnancy rate than older cows (42.9, 58.7, and 58.2% for 2, 3–4, and >5 years, respectively). Treatment with eCG increased pregnancy rate by 33% (P < 0.03) in 2-yr-old Control cows. In summary, presynchronization with a used CIDR prior to a Cosynch protocol increased the proportion of cows responding to the first GnRH. Although CIDR-treated cows had a smaller dominant follicle at TAI, pregnancy rate was not affected. Treatment with eCG increased fertility in Control cows; eCG may be useful in GnRH-based protocols in lactating beef cows.

Catchment-scale fluorescence water quality determination

Chemical water quality determinants and river water fluorescence were determined on the River Tyne, northeast England. Statistically significant relationships between nitrate (r = 0.87), phosphate (r = 0.80), ammonia (r = 0.70), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (r = 0.85) and dissolved oxygen (r = -0.65) and tryptophan-like fluorescence intensity were observed. The strongest correlations are between tryptophan-like intensity and nitrate and phosphate, which in the Tyne catchment derive predominantly from point and diffuse source sewage inputs. The correlation between BOD and the tryptophan-like fluorescence intensity suggests that this fluorescence centre is related to the bioavailable or fluorescence intensity and ammonia concentration and dissolved oxygen. The weaker correlation with ammonia is due to good ammonia treatment within the wastewater treatment plants within the catchment, and that with dissolved oxygen due to the natural aeration of the river such that this is not a good indicator of water quality. Mean annual tryptophan-like fluorescence intensity, measured by both bench and portable spectrometers, agrees well with the General Water Quality Assessment as determined by the England and Wales environmental regulators, the Environment Agency.

An assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current veterinary systems in the developing world

The changes that veterinary services have undergone in the developing world over the last two decades are expected to continue and result in the further privatisation of selected tasks, the decentralisation of decision-making and a move towards more focus on public goods service delivery by State veterinary units. At the same time, global food consumption patterns are changing in numerous ways, which will certainly affect veterinary services delivery systems. These changes include a trend towards increasing globalisation, rapidly escalating consumer demand for animal protein, intensification of livestock production into larger units and growth of the trade of livestock and livestock products. Intensification of livestock production into larger units and global trade will increase the challenges resulting from the resurgence of serious animal diseases, food safety hazards and veterinary public health-related problems. Facing and managing these challenges raises issues related to animal health delivery systems and national policies that will have to be addressed. Strengthening the capacity of State veterinary units to respond to regulatory responsibilities dictated by national laws and international World Trade Organization and OIE (World organisation for animal health) health standards will be at the centre of animal health policies in most developing countries. Creating an environment which facilitates privatised service delivery and supports subcontracting is likely to contribute to improving economic efficiency and providing wider access to veterinary services. Equally important is the issue of professional development, which must be addressed by refocusing veterinary curricula and improving professional standards. The profession will then be in a better position to serve the needs of increasing numbers of consumers.

High-spin structure beyond band termination in 157Er

The angular-momentum induced transition from a deformed state of collective rotation to a noncollective configuration has been studied. In 157Er this transition manifests itself as favored band termination near I=45 Planck's. The feeding of these band terminating states has been investigated for the first time using the Gammasphere spectrometer. Many weakly populated states lying at high excitation energy that decay into these special states have been discovered. Cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations suggest that these states arise from weakly collective "core-breaking" configurations.

Association of protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA) gene with multiple sclerosis in a UK population

Twin, family and adoption studies suggest that susceptibility to multiple sclerosis is substantially mediated by genetic factors. Linkage to human chromosome 17q, homologous to a locus linked to experimental animal models of multiple sclerosis, has been widely replicated and the region likely to harbour a multiple sclerosis susceptibility gene has recently been refined to a 2.5 Mb region of 17q22-24. The candidate multiple sclerosis susceptibility gene, protein kinase C alpha (PRKCA), maps within this interval and association with 35 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, spanning the gene with a median spacing of 7.8 kb, was tested using a case-control approach. Single-marker genotype and estimated haplotype frequencies were compared in UK unrelated cases with multiple sclerosis (n = 184) and healthy controls (n = 340) in order to investigate association with susceptibility to disease. A haplotype of two SNPs mapping to the proximal region of the gene showed evidence for association with susceptibility (Bonferroni-corrected P value = 1.1 x 10(-5)). These findings suggest that further investigation of the PRKCA gene is warranted, particularly in cohorts with evidence of linkage to 17q22. Most of the SNPs investigated in this study were intronic and screening to identify disease-associated functional mutations is now required. Our results suggest that the promoter and proximal gene region should be not only included but prioritized in any screening strategy.

Survey of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in ruminants in Kosovo

A cross-sectional survey of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in sheep, goats and cattle in Kosovo was made in January 2001. A total of 12,000 serum samples, from 7941 cattle, 3548 sheep and 511 goats, were screened using the Rose Bengal test. Doubtful and positive results were further tested with competitive and indirect ELISAS. The overall serological prevalences derived from the samples positive to all three tests, were 6.26 per cent (95 per cent confidence intervals [CI] 5.5 to 7.1 per cent) for sheep, 7.24 per cent (5.3 to 9.8 per cent) for goats and 0.58 per cent (0.43 to 0.77 per cent) for cattle. The survey covered 26 of the 29 municipalities and showed that brucellosis was widely but unevenly distributed throughout the province. Seropositive animals were found in 25 per cent (19 to 32 per cent) of 162 villages surveyed. The risk of cattle being infected on holdings where both cattle and sheep were kept was greater, with a risk ratio of 4.6 (2.2 to 9.6), than on holdings where only cattle were kept. Brucella melitensis probably predominates as the cause of brucellosis in ruminants in the province of Kosovo.

Phenotypic selection and regulation of reproduction in different environments in wild barley

Plasticity of the phenotypic architecture of wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, was studied in response to water and nutrient stress. Direct and indirect selection on several vegetative and reproductive traits was estimated and path analysis used to reveal how regulating pathways via maternal investment differed between environments. Vegetative traits displayed differential regulating effect on fitness across experimental environments: (1) increase in size was selected for under optimal conditions and under water stress, but not under nutrient stress; (2) allocation to root biomass was selected for under optimal conditions, but it had no effect under nutrient stress and was strongly selected against when water was limiting; (3) delayed onset of reproduction was selected under nutrient limitation whereas earlier onset was selected under water stress. The regulating effect of reproductive traits on final reproductive output also differed across treatments, operating either at the 'early' stage of plant development through varying the number of initiated spikelets per spike (no stress and water stress treatment) or at the 'late' developmental stage adjusting the fertile spikelet weight (no stress and nutrient stress treatment). Reproductive output was regulated via seed abortion under no stress and water stress treatments. Although the underlying mechanism of the regulation through abortion has yet to be discovered, the specific mechanism of abortion under water stress appears to be different from that under optimal conditions. Our results demonstrate that not only is the character architecture in wild barley plastic and sensitive to changing availability of water and nutrients, but the regulating mechanism of maternal investment is also environmentally sensitive.

Neurologic and immunologic effects of exposure to corticosterone, chlorpyrifos, and multiple doses of tri-ortho-tolyl phosphate over a 28-day period in rats

An animal (rat) model of chronic stress (corticosterone in the drinking water) was used to study the interaction of stress and the organophosphorus (OP) neurotoxicants chlorpyrifos (60 mg/kg subcutaneously in a single dose) and tri-ortho-tolyl phosphate (TOTP, at 75, 150, or 300 mg/kg given 7 times orally in a 2-wk period). Adult male Long-Evans rats were provided with corticosterone in drinking water (400 microg/ml, w/v) for a total of 28 d, which led to significantly decreased weight and decreased cellularity of the thymus and spleen. Seven days after initiation of corticosterone treatment, half of the rats were given chlorpyrifos, and an additional 7 d later the 2-wk, 7-dose treatment of TOTP was initiated. During the 28-d test period, behavior of rats was evaluated using a functional observational battery (FOB), motor activity, and passive avoidance. Reductions in body weight, grip strength, and ambulatory movements occurred as a result of corticosterone treatment. Decreased body weight and grip strength were also elicited by TOTP, and the interactions of corticosterone and TOTP enhanced the effects on body weight and grip strength. Blood cholinesterase levels were obtained during the 28-d study period and found useful for monitoring OP exposure. At the end of the 28-d testing period, rats were sacrificed and activities of cholinesterase, neurotoxic esterase (neuropathy target esterase), and/or carboxylesterase were evaluated in blood, liver, and/or brain regions (basal forebrain, caudate putamen, cerebral cortex, hippocampus). All these esterases in brain were inhibited in a dose-related manner by TOTP, with some enhancement in rats drinking corticosterone-containing water. In addition, choline acetyltransferase, glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP), glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were evaluated in one or more of the brain regions already identified. Choline acetyltransferase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities were unaffected by treatments. However, GFAP was elevated above control levels in the cerebral cortex of rats by all treatments (corticosterone, chlorpyrifos, TOTP). Neuropathological examination revealed early stages of dose-related increased distal myelinated fiber axonal degeneration seen in the medullary fasciculus gracilis at only the highest dose of TOTP (300 mg/kg).

Evidence for a new type of shears mechanism in 106Cd

Lifetimes of states in the lowest lying positive parity band in 106Cd have been measured using the Doppler shift attenuation method. The deduced B(E2) transition rates show a marked decrease with increasing spin. Cranking and semiclassical model calculations suggest that the structure has the character of a shears-type band resulting from the coupling of g(9/2) proton holes to aligned pairs of h(11/2) and g(7/2) neutron particles. This is the first clear evidence for the phenomenon of "antimagnetic" rotation in nuclei.