Pregnancy complications and maternal risk of ischaemic heart disease: a retrospective cohort study of 129,290 births

BACKGROUND

Individuals who are small at birth are at increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in later life. One hypothesis to explain this association is fetal adaptation to a suboptimum intrauterine environment. We investigated whether pregnancy complications associated with low birthweight are related to risk of subsequent IHD in the mother.

METHODS

Routine discharge data were used to identify all singleton first births in Scotland between 1981 and 1985. Linkage to the mothers' subsequent admissions and deaths provided 15--19 years of follow-up. The mothers' risks of death from any cause or from IHD and admission for or death from IHD were related to adverse obstetric outcomes in the first pregnancy. Hazard ratios were adjusted for socioeconomic deprivation, maternal height and age, and essential hypertension.

FINDINGS

Complete data were available on 129,920 (95.6%) eligible deliveries. Maternal risk of IHD admission or death was associated with delivering a baby in the lowest birthweight quintile for gestational age (adjusted hazard ratio 1.9 [95% CI 1.5--2.4]), preterm delivery (1.8 [1.3--2.5]), and pre-eclampsia (2.0 [1.5--2.5]). The associations were additive; women with all three characteristics had a risk of IHD admission or death seven times (95% CI 3.3--14.5) greater than the reference category.

INTERPRETATION

Complications of pregnancy linked to low birthweight are associated with an increased risk of subsequent IHD in the mother. Common genetic risk factors might explain the link between birthweight and risk of IHD in both the individual and the mother.

Effect of gestational age, corticosteroids, and birth on expression of prostanoid EP receptor genes in lamb and baboon ductus arteriosus

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of corticosteroids, gestational age, and birth on the expression of genes encoding prostanoid receptors in the lamb and baboon ductus arteriosus. The ductus arteriosus was obtained from 34 lambs and eight baboons, including chronically instrumented fetuses of both species exposed to either corticosteroid or vehicle. Expression of prostanoid receptor genes was quantified using Northern blot analysis relative to each of two housekeeping genes. Expression of both the EP3 and EP4 receptor genes was detected in lamb ductus and the level of expression of both genes was unaffected by corticosteroids. Expression of the EP4 receptor gene was lower in the ductus obtained from term lambs compared with preterm lambs and was lower still in neonatal animals, whereas no variation was observed in EP3 receptor gene expression. Expression of the EP4 receptor gene was also confirmed in fetal baboon ductus arteriosus, and maternal administration of corticosteroid did not reduce EP4 receptor gene expression in the baboon. We conclude that advancing gestational age and birth may inhibit prostaglandin E2-mediated relaxation of the ductus through a corticosteroid-independent reduction in EP4 receptor gene expression.

Influence of the natural microbial flora on the acid tolerance response of Listeria monocytogenes in a model system of fresh meat decontamination fluids

Depending on its composition and metabolic activity, the natural flora that may be established in a meat plant environment can affect the survival, growth, and acid tolerance response (ATR) of bacterial pathogens present in the same niche. To investigate this hypothesis, changes in populations and ATR of inoculated (10(5) CFU/ml) Listeria monocytogenes were evaluated at 35 degrees C in water (10 or 85 degrees C) or acidic (2% lactic or acetic acid) washings of beef with or without prior filter sterilization. The model experiments were performed at 35 degrees C rather than lower (8.0 log CFU/ml) by day 1. The pH of inoculated water washings decreased or increased depending on absence or presence of natural flora, respectively. These microbial and pH changes modulated the ATR of L. monocytogenes at 35 degrees C. In filter-sterilized water washings, inoculated L. monocytogenes increased its ATR by at least 1.0 log CFU/ml from days 1 to 8, while in unfiltered water washings the pathogen was acid tolerant at day 1 (0.3 to 1.4 log CFU/ml reduction) and became acid sensitive (3.0 to >5.0 log CFU/ml reduction) at day 8. These results suggest that the predominant gram-negative flora of an aerobic fresh meat plant environment may sensitize bacterial pathogens to acid.

Lipoxygenase gene expression in baboon intrauterine tissues in late pregnancy and parturition

Myometrium (upper and lower segment), cervix, chorion and decidua were obtained at the time of Caesarean hysterectomy in 15 baboons, 10 at varying gestational ages prior to the onset of labour in the last trimester of pregnancy, and five in spontaneous labour at term. Expression of currently recognized human lipoxygenase (LOX) genes was determined using Northern blot analysis relative to each of three housekeeping genes. Signals of similar size to human 5-LOX and human platelet 12-LOX genes were detected in all tissues. Expression of 5-LOX mRNA in the cervix decreased with advancing gestational age. In decidua, expression of 5-LOX mRNA was higher in tissues from animals in labour (compared to those not in labour), whereas in chorion, its expression was lower in tissues from animals in labour. Expression of the platelet 12-LOX gene decreased in chorion with advancing gestational age, and in cervix was lower in tissues from animals in labour. We postulate that the variation in expression of LOX genes may play a role in the onset or promotion of parturition in the baboon.

Effects of gestational age and labor on expression of prostanoid receptor genes in baboon uterus

We determined the effect of gestational age and labor on the regional expression of prostanoid receptor genes in baboon myometrium. Cesarean hysterectomy was performed on 15 pregnant baboons of known gestational age in the last third of pregnancy, five of them during spontaneous term labor. Expression of prostanoid receptor genes was studied using Northern blot analysis. Transcripts of similar size to the human were detected for prostanoid EP(1), EP(2), EP(3), EP(4), IP, FP, and TP receptor genes using Northern blot analysis. There were no gestational age-related changes in expression of these genes. Expression of EP(1), EP(3), and IP receptor RNA mRNA was significantly higher in myometrium from the fundus (compared with the lower segment), whereas EP(2) gene expression was significantly lower in the fundus. Labor was associated with a reduction in the regional variation of both EP(2) and IP receptor gene expression, but not EP(1) and EP(3) expression. Labor was also associated with an overall lower level of expression of EP(2) receptor mRNA. We conclude that regional and labor-related variation in myometrial expression of prostanoid receptor genes may have a key role in primate parturition.

Supranutritional oral supplementation with vitamin D3 and calcium and the effects on beef tenderness

Ultimate meat tenderness can be influenced by numerous preslaughter and postmortem management techniques. Increased levels of intracellular Ca2+, through postmortem injection, infusion, or marination, have been shown to improve the tenderness of cooked meat products. Oral supplementation with vitamin D3 effectively increases serum Ca2+ and has been hypothesized to increase muscle Ca2+ content, the activity of muscle proteases, and thus the tenderness of cooked beef. Individual Charolais x Hereford heifers (n = 191) were assigned to an unsupplemented control group or groups that were supplemented via oral bolus (for dose regulation purposes) with one of seven levels of vitamin D3 (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 x 10(6) IU D3/d, 2 x 10(6) IU DS/d plus 75 g CaCO3 or 4 x 106 IU D3/d plus 75 g CaCO3) for 2, 4, 6, or 8 d antemortem. Individual feedlot performance, serum Ca2+ levels, and carcass data were collected, and eight longissimus steaks/carcass were used to obtain Warner-Bratzler shear force values measured at 2, 7, 14, and 21 d postmortem for longissimus steaks cooked to 70 degrees or 85 degrees C. Cattle supplemented with 4 x 10(6) IU D3/d plus 75 g of CaCO3 had lower daily feed intake (as-fed) and reduced (P < 0.05) average daily gains compared with controls during the 8-d supplementation period. Additionally, supplemented cattle had numerically higher dressing percentages, possibly due to less fill at the time of slaughter, because carcass weights and USDA yield grades did not differ (P > 0.05) across treatment groups. Supplementation with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 x 10(6) IU D3/d, for 2 or more days, increased (P < 0.05) serum Ca2+ concentrations compared with controls. Whereas cattle that received additional dietary Ca2+ in the form of CaCO3 had the lowest blood serum Ca2+ concentration. Although blood serum Ca2+ was increased, supplementation with any level of vitamin D3 for any length of time up to 8 d did not improve (P > 0.05) Warner-Bratzler shear force at 2, 7, 14, or 21 d of postmortem aging compared with controls when steaks were cooked to final internal temperatures of either 70 (control means 6.27, 4.91, 4.64, and 3.80 kg, respectively) or 85 degrees C (control means 7.31, 5.32, 4.69, and 4.46 kg, respectively). Results indicated that oral supplementation with vitamin D3 (at high or low doses) for 2 to 8 d before slaughter increased serum Ca2+ concentration but does not improve cooked longissimus tenderness.

Microbial contamination occurring on lamb carcasses processed in the United States

Lamb carcasses (n = 5,042) were sampled from six major lamb packing facilities in the United States over 3 days during each of two visits (fall or winter, October through February; spring, March through June) in order to develop a microbiological baseline for the incidence (presence or absence) of Salmonella spp. and for populations of Escherichia coli after 24 h of chilling following slaughter. Samples also were analyzed for aerobic plate counts (APC) and total coliform counts (TCC). Additionally, incidence (presence or absence) of Campylobacter jejuni/coli on lamb carcasses (n = 2,226) was, determined during the slaughtering process and in the cooler. All samples were obtained by sponge-sampling the muscle-adipose tissue surface of the flank, breast, and leg of lamb carcasses (100 cm2 per site; 300 cm2 total). Incidence of Salmonella spp. in samples collected from chilled carcasses was 1.5% for both seasons combined, with 1.9% and 1.2% of fall or winter and spring samples being positive, respectively. Mean (log CFU/cm2) APC, TCC, and E. coli counts (ECC) on chilled lamb carcasses across both seasons were 4.42, 1.18, and 0.70, respectively. APC were lower (P < 0.05) in samples collected in the spring versus fall or winter, while TCC were higher in samples collected in the spring. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between ECC from samples collected in the spring versus winter. Only 7 out of 2,226 total samples (0.3%) tested positive for C. jejuni/coli, across all sampling sites. These results should be useful to the lamb industry and regulatory authorities as new regulatory requirements for meat inspection become effective.

Factors influencing consumer demand for U.S. pork exported to the Republic of Korea (South Korea)

The potential market for single-ribbed bellies and Boston butts in South Korea was characterized and quantitative selection criteria were identified for use by U.S. packers when selecting pork for export. South Korean retail meat market managers and traders/wholesalers in Seoul and Pusan were interviewed and asked to identify the quality attributes that are considered when making pork-purchasing decisions. In addition, pork labeling characteristics and meat display case measurements and space allocations were recorded in each retail store. Data from box labels were recorded in retail storage coolers to characterize pork products currently being merchandized in South Korea. Sample retail packages of belly and butt slices were collected and sent to a commercial laboratory for analysis of iodine values, ether-extractable fat content, total aerobic plate count (APC), total coliform count (TCC), and generic Escherichia coli count (ECC). No quality attributes of U.S. products exceeded the expectations of retailers. Quality attributes of U.S. pork products that exceeded the expectations of traders included presence of foreign material, marbling, tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall eating satisfaction. Traders/wholesalers assigned negative ratings for overall workmanship and adherence to purchase criteria for U.S. pork products. Retail APC for South Korean belly samples were higher (P < 0.05) than APC for U.S. belly samples. Retail TCC and ECC for butts and belly samples and APC for butt samples did not differ by country of origin. Retail prices for South Korean bellies were higher (P < 0.05) than prices for retail U.S. and Danish bellies. Pork butt prices did not differ (P > 0.05) by country of origin. Beef, pork, and poultry products comprised 66.8, 27.8, and 5.4%, respectively, of the total meat display case frontage. U.S. beef products occupied, on average, 18% of the total beef display area, whereas U.S. pork products comprised 2.6% of the total pork display case area.

Evaluation of the Tendertec beef grading instrument to predict the tenderness of steaks from beef carcasses

Four experiments were conducted, using carcasses from cattle identified for anticipated variability in tenderness (Exp. 1, 2, and 3) and carcasses selected for variability in physiological maturity and marbling score (Exp. 4), to evaluate the ability of the Tendertec Mark III Beef Grading Probe (Tendertec) to predict tenderness of steaks from beef carcasses. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3, longissimus steaks were aged for different periods of time, cooked to a medium degree of doneness (70 degrees C), and evaluated for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) and trained sensory panel ratings. In Exp. 4, longissimus steaks were aged 14 d and cooked to 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80 degrees C for WBS tests and to 65 or 75 degrees C for sensory panel evaluations. Tendertec output variables were not correlated with 1) 24-h calpastatin activity, steak WBS (following 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, or 35 d of aging), or d-14 sensory panel tenderness ratings in Exp. 1 (n = 467 carcasses) or 2) 14-d WBS in Exp. 2 (n = 202 carcasses). However, in Exp. 3 (n = 29 carcasses), Tendertec output variables were correlated (P < 0.05) with tenderness of steaks aged 1, 21, 28, or 35 d, and we were able to separate carcasses into groups yielding tough, acceptable, and tender steaks. In Exp. 4 (n = 70), Tendertec output variables were correlated (P < 0.05) with steak WBS at 60 degrees C and with steak ratings for muscle fiber tenderness, connective tissue amount, and overall tenderness at 65 degrees C, but these relationships weakened (P > 0.05) as degree of doneness increased. Consequently, Tendertec output variables only were effective for stratifying carcasses according to tenderness when steaks from those carcasses in Exp. 4 were cooked to a rare or medium-rare degree of doneness. Although Tendertec was able to sort carcasses of older, mature cattle based on tenderness of steaks at some cooked end points, it failed to detect tenderness differences in steaks derived from youthful carcasses consistently, and was thus of limited value as an instrument for use in improving the quality, consistency, and uniformity of the U.S. fed-beef supply.

National market cow and bull beef quality audit-1999: a survey of producer-related defects in market cows and bulls

The 1999 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit comprised face-to-face interviews with industry representatives (n = 49); in-plant evaluations of cattle in holding pens (n = 3,969), carcasses on harvest floors (n = 5,679), and in carcass coolers (n = 4,378); and a strategy workshop. Face-to-face interviews suggested that the beef industry was most frequently concerned about the presence of antibiotic residues in carcasses, presence of lead shot in carcasses, and price discovery for carcasses following excessive trimming of bruises and testing due to arthritic joints, pathogens, or antibiotic residues. Although live animal evaluations determined that 73.4% of beef cows, 60.8% of dairy cows, 63.7% of beef bulls, and 70.9% of dairy bulls did not exhibit evidence of lameness, losses due to lameness were greater (P < 0.05) than in the 1994 National Non-Fed Beef Quality Audit. In-plant audits revealed that 88.9, 10.3, and 88.2% of cow carcasses and 18.9, 21.2, and 52.9% of bull carcasses had inadequate muscling, arthritic joints, and at least 1 bruise, respectively, all of which resulted in greater (P < 0.05) losses than the same defects in 1994. Audits revealed that 88.9% of cow carcasses and 18.9% of bull carcasses were lightly muscled, resulting in greater (P < 0.05) losses for cow carcasses, and similar (P > 0.05) losses for bull carcasses, than the same defect in the 1994 audit. Also, 14.5 and 30.8% of cow carcasses and 6.9 and 5.9% of bull carcasses had excess external fat and yellow-colored external fat, respectively, which was an improvement (P < 0.05) over 1994 results. In aggregate, 24.1, 19.2, 7.2, 6.7, 9.5, and 1.1% of livers, tripe, hearts, heads, tongues, and whole cattle or carcasses, respectively, were condemned and 60.6, 2.4, and 46.5% of cattle had hide damage from latent defects, insect damage, and brands, respectively. Condemnation rates were generally lower (P < 0.05), but tongue condemnations and frequency of branded hides were higher (P < 0.05) than in 1994. Producers should promote value in cows and bulls by managing to minimize quality defects, monitoring health and condition, and marketing in a timely manner. Using these techniques, producers might have recaptured $13.82, $27.50, and $27.50, respectively, for each cow or bull harvested in 1999.

Effects of gestational age and labor on the expression of prostanoid receptor genes in pregnant baboon cervix

We sought to determine whether expression of genes encoding prostaglandin receptors varied with advancing gestational age and in association with the onset of spontaneous labor in the cervix of pregnant baboons. We performed cesarean hysterectomy on 14 pregnant baboons, five during spontaneous labor. Expression of genes was quantified by Northern analysis. Clear signals which were similar in estimated size to the human genes were detected by Northern analysis for the genes encoding the EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4, FP, IP and TP receptors. Expression of the gene encoding the prostanoid EP1 receptor increased with advancing gestational age prior to labor (r2 = 0.8, P = 0.007). There was a 4 fold lower level of expression of the EP2 receptor gene among animals in labor compared with animals not in labor (P = 0.006) and approximately 2-fold lower levels of expression of the FP and TP receptor genes (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0002, respectively). We conclude that variation in the relative expression of prostanoid receptor types and sub-types may have a role in cervical dilatation in primate parturition.

Expression of prostanoid receptor genes in baboon chorion and decidua during pregnancy and parturition

The aim of this study was to determine whether expression of prostanoid receptor genes varied with gestational age or labour in the decidua and chorion of baboons. Tissues were obtained at the time of Caesarean hysterectomy in 15 baboons, 10 prior to the onset of labour in the last third of pregnancy and 5 in spontaneous labour at term. Expression of prostanoid receptor genes was determined using Northern blot analysis and the level of expression was related to each of three housekeeping genes. Expression of the genes encoding the EP(1) and FP receptor in decidua and the EP(4) receptor in chorion was lower with advancing gestational age. Expression of the EP(2) receptor gene was lower in labour in decidua, whereas expression of the IP receptor gene was higher in labour in both decidua (twofold) and chorion (fourfold). It is concluded that there is a complex pattern of change in expression of prostanoid receptor genes in chorion and decidua with advancing gestational age and in association with labour. It seems likely that direct effects of prostaglandins on the choriodecidua may have an important role in parturition in the primate.

Extent of microbial contamination in United States pork retail products

To determine the extent of microbiological contamination of U.S. pork, 384 samples of retail pork were collected from 24 stores in six cities, including (i) whole-muscle, store-packaged pork; (ii) fresh, store-packaged ground pork and/or pork sausage; (iii) prepackaged ground pork and/or pork sausage; and (iv) whole-muscle, enhanced (injected or marinated; 60% store-packaged, 40% prepackaged) pork. Additional samples (n = 120) of freshly ground pork and/or pork sausage were collected from two hot-boning sow/boar sausage plants, two slaughter and fabrication plants, and two further-processing plants. Samples were analyzed for aerobic plate counts (APC), total coliform counts (TCC), Escherichia coli counts (ECC), and incidences of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Mean log APC and TCC were highest (P < 0.05) for store-ground pork, while whole-muscle, enhanced products and prepackaged ground products had the lowest (P < 0.05) APC. Mean log APC and TCC were higher (P < 0.05) in samples from the slaughter and fabrication plants than in samples from hot-boning and further processing plants. Mean log ECC were lower (P < 0.05) in samples from further-processing plants compared to slaughter and fabrication plants and hot-boning, sow and boar sausage plants. L. monocytogenes was detected in 26.7% of plant samples and 19.8% of retail samples and was present more frequently in ground products. Y. enterocolitica was detected most often in whole-muscle, store-packaged cuts (19.8%) and in store-ground product (11.5%). Salmonella spp. were found in 9.6% of retail samples and 5.8% of plant samples, while C. jejuni and C. coli were found in 1.3% of retail samples and 6.7% of plant samples. Pork products exposed to the most handling and processing appeared to be of the poorest microbiological quality. These results should be useful in risk assessments that are directed at the identification of actions that could enhance food safety.

Life-table analysis of the risk of perinatal death at term and post term in singleton pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to estimate the cumulative risk of perinatal death associated with delivery at each gestational week both at term and post term.

STUDY DESIGN

The numbers of antepartum stillbirths, intrapartum stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and surviving neonates delivered at between 37 and 43 weeks' gestation in Scotland, 1985-1996, were obtained from national databases (n = 700,878) after exclusion of multiple pregnancies and deaths caused by congenital abnormality. The numbers of deaths at each gestational week were related to appropriate denominators: antepartum stillbirths were related to ongoing pregnancies, intrapartum stillbirths were related to all births (excluding antepartum stillbirths), and neonatal deaths were related to live births. The cumulative probability of perinatal death associated with delivery at each gestational week was estimated by means of life-table analysis.

RESULTS

The gestational week of delivery associated with the lowest cumulative risk of perinatal death was 38 weeks' gestation, whereas the perinatal mortality rate was lowest at 41 weeks' gestation. The risk of death increased more sharply among primigravid women after 38 weeks' gestation because of a greater risk of antepartum stillbirth. The relationships between risk of death and gestational age were similar for the periods 1985-1990 and 1991-1996.

CONCLUSION

Delivery at 38 weeks' gestation was associated with the lowest risk of perinatal death.

A new concept of the significance of regional distribution of prostaglandin H synthase 2 throughout the uterus during late pregnancy: investigations in a baboon model

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify regional differences in prostaglandin H synthase 2 messenger ribonucleic acid expressions in various intrauterine tissues in the pregnant baboon as an indicator of prostaglandin production capability to explain the various interactive roles of different intrauterine tissues in the processes that precede, promote, and complete labor.

STUDY DESIGN

Prostaglandin H synthase 2 messenger ribonucleic acid expression was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or Northern blot analysis in the uterine fundus, lower uterine segment, cervix, amnion, chorion, and placenta during late pregnancy and spontaneous term labor in the pregnant baboon. Myometrial electromyography enabled clear relation of the findings to uterine contractile activity.

RESULTS

There were dramatic increases of prostaglandin H synthase 2 messenger ribonucleic acid expressions during late gestation and during labor in the lower uterine segment, cervix, and decidua. The amniotic prostaglandin H synthase 2 messenger ribonucleic acid expression increased during labor. In contrast, the prostaglandin H synthase 2 messenger ribonucleic acid expressions in the uterine fundus, chorion, and placenta did not change during late gestation and labor.

CONCLUSION

Demonstrated increased lower uterine segment and cervical prostaglandin H synthase 2 abundances would promote lower uterine segment elongation and cervical effacement. Engagement of the fetal presenting part would stimulate local prostaglandin H synthase 2 expression and obstruct diffusion of high forebag prostaglandin to the rest of the uterus, as reported previously in human pregnancy. These data support a new conceptual mechanistic framework for preparatory changes in the lower uterine segment and cervix preceding labor as precisely related to myometrial contractility changes.

Consultation-liaison psychiatrists' management of somatoform disorders

The authors studied interventions recommended by consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrists when they diagnosed somatoform disorder prospectively in a cohort of 4,401 consecutive inpatients referred to the C-L psychiatry service of a general teaching hospital, using standardized MICRO-CARES methodology. A DSM-III-R somatoform disorder was diagnosed in 2.9%, somatoform pain disorder in 1.4%, conversion disorder in 0.7%, hypochondriasis or somatization disorder undifferentiated/not otherwise specified in 0.6%, and somatization disorder in 0.2%. In 3.4%, somatoform disorder was considered a differential diagnosis. Psychiatric comorbidity included mood disorder (39%), personality disorder (37%), and psychoactive substance use disorder (19%). Recommendations were made about antidepressants in 40% of the patients, anxiolytics in 18%, sedatives in 18%, and antipsychotics in 10%. Psychiatrists recommended the following: more laboratory tests for 14%; additional medical/surgical consultations for 11%; an increase in the vigor of medical treatment for 13%; and psychological treatment for 76%; also they stressed an earlier discharge of 16%. Psychiatrists were more likely to request a prolongation of inpatient stay for patients with comorbid somatoform, mood, anxiety, and personality disorder. Differences in characteristics and treatment of the subgroups tended to be consistent with their constructs and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses.

Quantification of pork belly and boston butt quality attribute preferences of South Korean customers

U.S. packers must have quantitative criteria for selection of pork bellies and Boston butts for export to South Korea. Pork bellies (IMPS 409A) and Boston butts (IMPS 409A, 406B, 407) were selected from normal production in a U.S. pork packing plant and transported to Seoul, South Korea, via seafreighter in refrigerated containers (frozen < -5 degrees C) or via air freight (fresh > 0 degrees C; frozen < -5 degrees C). Participants at the Seoul Food Show were surveyed about their preferences for specific quality attributes of these cuts. Bellies were selected to differ in seam fat content (low = < 20%, moderate = 20 to 40%, high = > 40% extractable fat), lean color (pale = L* > 50, medium = L* 48-50, dark = L* < 48), weight (3.36, 4.04, or 5.36 kg), state of refrigeration and packaging (frozen, poly-wrapped; chilled, poly-wrapped; frozen, vacuum-packaged; chilled, vacuum-packaged), shape (round, wavy, square), and belly thickness (3.81, 4.32, or 4.90 cm). Boston butts were selected to differ in USDA marbling score (Slight, Small, Modest, Moderate, and Slightly Abundant), seam fat content (low = < 10%, moderate = 10 to 20% fat, high = > 20% extractable fat), lean color (pale = L* > 44, medium = L* 40-42, dark = L* < 38), weight (2.91, 3.82, or 4.66 kg), state of refrigeration and packaging (frozen, poly-wrapped; chilled, poly-wrapped; frozen, vacuum-packaged; chilled, vacuum-packaged), and shape (square, oblong, round). In Seoul, pork subprimals were tempered (if frozen), sliced, and arrayed by quality attribute and category in a retail display case. Over 4 d of testing, attendees (n = 210) of the food show were asked to rate the displayed samples for each quality attribute on a standardized ballot. Mid-weight (3.82 kg) Boston butts that displayed Moderate or higher USDA marbling scores with moderate amounts of seam fat, Japanese lean color scores of 2 or 4, round geometric shape, and that were vacuum-packaged and transported to Korea in the freshly chilled state best characterized the quality attribute preferences of respondents. Pork bellies that exhibited moderate amounts of seam fat, Japanese lean color scores of 3, square shape, belly thickness of 3.94 cm, approximate weight of 4.04 kg, and that were vacuum-packaged and transported to Korea in the freshly chilled state best met the quality needs of South Korean customers.

Prostaglandin dehydrogenase mRNA in baboon intrauterine tissues in late gestation and spontaneous labor

The present study was designed to characterize prostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) mRNA expression in critical intrauterine tissues of pregnant baboons in late gestation and at spontaneous labor. In addition, we determined regulatory effects of betamethasone in vivo on chorionic and placental PGDH mRNA expression. PGDH mRNA was present in chorion, decidua, lower uterine segment, fundal myometrium, and cervix in late gestation but undetectable in amnion. PGDH mRNA significantly decreased in decidua and cervix during late gestation and in chorion and fundus during spontaneous labor. PGDH mRNA in lower uterine segment, decidua, cervix, and placenta was unchanged during spontaneous labor from late gestation levels. Betamethasone had no effect on chorionic and placental PGDH mRNA expression. In summary, our data suggest that PGDH mRNA expression is tightly controlled in gestation- and tissue-specific manners. Decreased chorionic and fundal PGDH abundance during labor and decreased decidua and cervical PGDH mRNA in late gestation allow local uterine prostaglandin accumulation and assist prostaglandin transfer to myometrium. Local differences in PGDH function may regulate tissue- and region-specific requirements for prostaglandins to promote and complete labor.

Planning by older mothers for the future care of offspring with serious mental illness

OBJECTIVE

This study examined permanency planning by older mothers for their adult offspring with long-term mental illness, including extent of residential and financial planning, desire for future family care, and perceived need for and use of services to assist with planning.

METHODS

Mail surveys were completed by 157 mothers (mean age, 67 years) from 41 states who lived with and provided care to adult offspring with serious mental disorders (mean age, 38 years). The offspring were mostly males (76 percent) and had diagnoses primarily of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (60 percent), multiple diagnoses (20 percent), or bipolar disorder (16 percent).

RESULTS

Only 11 percent of mothers reported definite plans for their offspring's future residence, and many had done little or no planning. Three-quarters of respondents hoped that another family member would assume care, yet only one-quarter thought such arrangements would definitely occur. Two-thirds of the respondents had completed financial plans. Although more than two-thirds expressed the need for services to help with planning, less than one-third had used such services. More than half reported awareness of age-related changes in themselves or their spouse as the primary reason for planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Older parents of adults with long-term mental illness need professional help with planning for their offspring's future. This assistance should focus on mechanisms such as estate planning to enable case management and other services after parents' death. The involvement of nondisabled siblings in planning should also be encouraged.

Dimensions of psychopathology in the medically ill. A latent trait analysis

The authors examined the latent structure of psychiatric symptoms occurring in patients with medical illness. Symptom data were collected from 312 hospitalized medically ill patients using the Monash Interview for Liaison Psychiatry and subjected to latent trait analysis. A model with 5 dimensions provided an acceptable fit to the data. Dimensions were characterized as demoralization, anhedonia, autonomic anxiety, somatic symptoms, and grief. The demoralization dimension was similar to the concept of demoralization described by Frank and to the "giving up-given up complex" described by Engel. The concepts of demoralization, grief, and anhedonia may be useful in increasing understanding of the minor depressions in people with medical illness and in increasing the specificity of psychological and pharmacological treatments for these disorders.

Microbial populations on animal hides and beef carcasses at different stages of slaughter in plants employing multiple-sequential interventions for decontamination

Multiple-sequential interventions were applied commercially to reduce beef carcass contamination in eight packing plants. The study evaluated microbial populations on animal hides and changes in carcass microbial populations at various stages in the slaughtering process. Sponge swab samples yielded mean (log CFU/100 cm2) total plate counts (TPC), total coliform counts (TCC), and Escherichia coli counts (ECC) on the exterior hide in the ranges of 8.2 to 12.5, 6.0 to 7.9, and 5.5 to 7.5, respectively, while corresponding contamination levels on carcass surfaces, after hide removal but before application of any decontamination intervention, were in the ranges of 6.1 to 9.1, 3.0 to 6.0, and 2.6 to 5.3, respectively. Following the slaughtering process and application of multiple-sequential decontamination interventions that included steam vacuuming, pre-evisceration carcass washing, pre-evisceration organic acid solution rinsing, hot water carcass washing, postevisceration final carcass washing, and postevisceration organic acid solution rinsing, mean TPC, TCC, and ECC on carcass surfaces were 3.8 to 7.1, 1.5 to 3.7, and 1.0 to 3.0, respectively, while corresponding populations following a 24 to 36 h chilling period were 2.3 to 5.3, 0.9 to 1.3, and 0.9, respectively. The results support the concept of using sequential decontamination processes in beef packing plants as a means of improving the microbiological quality of beef carcasses.