Analysis of Wisc Coding: 4. Paired-Associate Learning and Performance Strategies

A training procedure was used to ensure equal familiarity with the number-symbol pairs of the code of the WISC for both good and poor coders. The former learned more readily than the latter, but subsequent scores on the coding task were equivalent for both groups when account was taken of differences in writing speed. Two possible sources of slower performance were investigated: time taken to refer to the code and time spent scanning completed work. These were not found to be related to poor coding performance. It was concluded that learning of the paired-associates and writing speed discriminated between good and poor coders.

Effect of Laparoscopic-assisted Gastropexy on Gastrointestinal Transit Time in Dogs

Background

Prophylactic gastropexy has been promoted as a means of preventing gastric volvulus during gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) syndrome. Little is known about the impact of gastropexy on gastrointestinal transit time.

Hypothesis

Laparoscopic‐assisted gastropexy (LAG) will not alter gastrointestinal transit times when comparing gastric (GET), small and large bowel (SLBTT), and whole gut transit times (TTT) before and after surgery.

Animals

10 healthy client‐owned large‐breed dogs.

Methods

Prospective clinical trial. Before surgery, all dogs underwent physical examination and diagnostic evaluation to ensure normal health status. Dogs were fed a prescription diet for 6 weeks before determination of gastrointestinal transit with a wireless motility capsule. LAG was then performed, and dogs were fed the diet for 6 additional weeks. Measurement of transit times was repeated 6 weeks after surgery.

Results

Ten dogs of various breeds at‐risk for GDV were enrolled. No complications were encountered associated with surgery or capsule administration. There were no significant differences in GET 429 [306–1,370] versus 541 [326–1,298] (P = 0.80), SLBTT 1,243 [841–3,070] versus 1,540 [756–2,623] (P = 0.72), or TTT 1,971 [1,205–3,469] versus 1,792 [1,234–3,343] minutes (median, range) (P = 0.65) before and after LAG.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

An effect of LAG on gastrointestinal transit time was not identified, and wireless motility capsule can be safely administered in dogs after LAG.

Potential of Nano-Formulated Zinc Oxide for Control of Citrus Canker on Grapefruit Trees

Antimicrobial activity of experimental formulations of two structurally different nano-zinc oxide materials, plate-like Zinkicide SG4 and particulate Zinkicide SG6, was evaluated against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the cause of citrus canker. In vitro assay demonstrated Zinkicide SG4 had a twofold lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (62.5 to 250 µg/ml) compared with copper sulfate (250 µg/ml), copper hydroxide (250 to 500 µg/ml), or cuprous oxide/zinc oxide (125 to 250 µg/ml). Zinkicide SG6 had a sevenfold to eightfold lower MIC against Escherichia coli and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (31 to 250 μg/ml). Leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and fruit of 'Ruby Red' grapefruit (C. paradisi) were evaluated for citrus canker disease control. A greenhouse assay with foliage demonstrated that spray treatment with Zinkicide reduced citrus canker lesion development after injection-infiltration of X. citri subsp. citri into the leaf intercellular space. In field trials conducted in Southeast Florida in 2014 and 2015, Zinkicide SG4 and SG6 reduction of grapefruit canker incidence exceeded that of cuprous oxide and cuprous oxide/zinc oxide bactericides. Zinkicide formulations were also effective against the fungal diseases, citrus scab (Elsinoe fawcetti) and melanose (Diaporthe citri), on grapefruit. No sign of phytotoxicity to the fruit rind was observed during either season. Antimicrobial activity of Zinkicide for protection of leaves and fruit against X. citri subsp. citri was comparable or exceeded that for commercial copper and zinc oxide formulations which may be attributed to translaminar movement of Zinkicide.

Analysis of WISC Coding: 5. Prediction of Coding Performance

The performance of WISC Coding of 85 fourth grade children was predicted in terms of two previously identified components: writing speed and associate learning. These components were found to be orthogonally related and of about equal predictive importance. A significant sex difference in coding performance favoring girls was discovered.

Analysis of Wisc Coding: 2. Memory and Verbal Mediation

Investigations were carried out to determine whether the difference between good and poor coders of equal CA and IQ was accounted for by (a) differential recall of the symbols and associates and (b) by differential application of a labeling strategy. Group differences were found in recall. Training in labeling improved coding performance of both groups but not differentially.

Development of Lateral Consistency and its Relation to Reading and Reversals

Unselected children from preschools ( n = 224) and from primary schools ( n = 222), representing an age range 4 to 8 yr., were tested for lateral consistency, eye preference and cross-hand-eye preference. The primary school children were also tested for reading achievement, reversal tendency in writing, and vocabulary. Lateral consistency was unrelated to age, as also were hand and eye preference, and cross-hand-eye preference. None of these variables was related to reading achievement, reversal tendency, or vocabulary.

Analysis of Wisc Coding: 1. Figural Reversibility

To determine whether the difference between good and poor coders of similar CA and IQ was accounted for by difficulty in discriminating between shapes, two Coding tasks were used. One task consisted only of symmetric shapes, the other of asymmetric shapes and their reversible images. The reversible shapes reduced output for all Ss but did not differentially affect the poor coders, who performed relatively poorly on both tasks.

Bronchoscopy, Imaging, and Concurrent Diseases in Dogs with Bronchiectasis: (2003-2014)

Background

Bronchiectasis is a permanent and debilitating sequel to chronic or severe airway injury, however, diseases associated with this condition are poorly defined.

Objective

To evaluate results of diagnostic tests used to document bronchiectasis and to characterize underlying or concurrent disease processes.

Animals

Eighty‐six dogs that had bronchoscopy performed and a diagnosis of bronchiectasis.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Radiographs, computed tomography, and bronchoscopic findings were evaluated for features of bronchiectasis. Clinical diagnoses of pneumonia (aspiration, interstitial, foreign body, other), eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP), and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) were made based on results of history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, including bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis and microbiology.

Results

Bronchiectasis was diagnosed in 14% of dogs (86/621) that had bronchoscopy performed. Dogs ranged in age from 0.5 to 14 years with duration of signs from 3 days to 10 years. Bronchiectasis was documented during bronchoscopy in 79/86 dogs (92%), thoracic radiology in 50/83 dogs (60%), and CT in 34/34 dogs (100%). Concurrent airway collapse was detected during bronchoscopy in 50/86 dogs (58%), and focal or multifocal mucus plugging of segmental or subsegmental bronchi was found in 41/86 dogs (48%). Final diagnoses included pneumonia (45/86 dogs, 52%), EBP (10/86 dogs, 12%) and IAD (31/86 dogs, 36%). Bacteria were isolated in 24/86 cases (28%), with Streptococcus spp, Pasteurella spp, enteric organisms, and Stenotrophomonas isolated most frequently.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Bronchiectasis can be anticipated in dogs with infectious or inflammatory respiratory disease. Advanced imaging and bronchoscopy are useful in making the diagnosis and identifying concurrent respiratory disease.

Assessment of L-lactatemia as a predictor of respiratory disease recognition and severity in feedlot steers

The bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) is a major health issue in feedlot cattle and one of the primary reasons for antimicrobial use in the North American feedlot industry. The purpose of the present study was to assess blood L-lactate levels of feedlot steers at high risk of developing BRD during the early feeding period. Blood samples were obtained at initial processing and again after BRD confirmation (using bronchial lavage or thoracic ultrasound exam). The study involved 232 recently weaned steers received at a single research feedlot that were processed without metaphylactic antimicrobial treatment. Blood samples were obtained for determination of L-lactatemia and temperament scores (very quiet or stoic [score 1], average [score 2] and very excited [score 3]) were systematically assigned at initial processing. A subsample of calves that were later confirmed as cases of BRD were sampled at first pull (day 0), and at subsequent observation points on days 3, 6, 9 and 15 following initial BRD diagnosis for blood lactate determination as a potential indicator of subsequent death. The clinical BRD cumulative incidence in the cohort was 38% (87/232). Temperament was associated with the probability of becoming a BRD case during the early feeding period. Stoic or very excited calves showed 2.2 times higher odds (95%CI: 1.3, 3.8) of becoming BRD cases compared to calves with average temperament. The impact of L-lactatemia differed by temperament strata. In calves with a temperament score of 2 (average temperament) every 1-log unit increase of lactatemia at processing resulted in 1.9 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) of becoming a BRD case; this relationship was not significant in calves with a score of either 1 or 3. Twenty-nine confirmed BRD cases were studied for the dynamic lactate assessment analysis. L-lactate at first pull was not significantly different between survivors (median 3.3mmol/L; range 0.8-7.8mmol/L) and non-survivors (median 2.7mmol/L; range: 1.6-5.4mmol/L) steers. However, the dynamic assessment of L-lactatemia was associated with the hazard of death using Cox proportional hazard survival analysis. A 1-log increase of lactatemia increased the hazard of dying prior to the next observation by a factor of 36.5 (95% CI: 3.5-381.6). For calves showing a normal temperament score (i.e. temperament score of 2), a misclassification cost term analysis was conducted to identify potential L-lactate test thresholds for identifying future BRD steers. When planned test usage was for informing decision of administering or not a metaphylactic treatment at processing, experts agreed that false-negative (not treating a calf that would have benefit from treatment) to false-positive (wrongfully treating a calf that would have remained healthy) health costs ratio ranged from 8:1 to 20:1. In this situation, a threshold of 5mmol/L would have best informed treatment decision. When using L-lactate for informing the type of antimicrobial used at processing, false-negative to false-positive health costs ratio ranging from 1:1 to 3:1 could be expected and, again, a L-lactate threshold of 5.0mmol/L would have minimized the costs associated with calves' misclassification and could be used to identify calves that would benefit from a more efficient metaphylactic treatment. This study provides an interesting perspective on the potential application of chute-side markers or diagnostic tests to stratify the risk of future pull for BRD in cattle during processing in order to adapt antimicrobial treatments accordingly.

Presymptomatic Fibrous Root Decline in Citrus Trees Caused by Huanglongbing and Potential Interaction with Phytophthora spp

Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', was first detected in Florida in late 2005 and is now widely distributed throughout the commercial citrus-growing regions. In recent seasons, concurrent with freeze and drought episodes, symptomatic HLB-infected trees were much more affected by the extremes of temperature and moisture than trees without HLB. Symptoms exhibited by the stressed trees were excessive leaf loss and premature fruit drop even when HLB-infected trees were managed with good nutritional and irrigation practices recommended to support health of HLB-affected trees. This stress intolerance may be due to a loss of fibrous roots. To assess root status of HLB-infected trees on 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock (Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata), blocks of 2,307 3-year-old 'Hamlin' orange trees and 2,693 4-year-old 'Valencia' orange trees were surveyed visually and with a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to determine 'Ca. L. asiaticus' infection status. The incidence of 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-infected trees (presymptomatic: 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+, visually negative; and symptomatic: 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+, visually positive) trees was 89% for the Hamlin block and 88% for the Valencia block. 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+ trees had 30 and 37% lower fibrous root mass density for presymptomatic and symptomatic trees, respectively, compared with 'Ca. L. asiaticus'- trees. In a second survey, 10- to 25-year-old Valencia trees on Swingle citrumelo or 'Carrizo' citrange (C. sinensis (L.) × P. trifoliata) rootstock were sampled within 3 to 6 months after identification of visual HLB status as symptomatic ('Ca. L. asiaticus'+, visually positive) or nonsymptomatic ('Ca. L. asiaticus'-, visually negative) in orchards located in the central ridge, south-central, and southwest flatwoods. Pairs of HLB symptomatic and nonsymptomatic trees were evaluated for PCR status, fibrous root mass density, and Phytophthora nicotianae propagules in the rhizosphere soil. 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+ trees had 27 to 40% lower fibrous root mass density and, in one location, higher P. nicotianae per root but Phytophthora populations per cubic centimeter of soil were high on both 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+ and 'Ca. L. asiaticus'- trees. Fibrous root loss from HLB damage interacted with P. nicotianae depending on orchard location and time of year.

Paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteopathy in 30 dogs

Paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteopathy (pHO) is known to occur in both canine and human cancer patients. While the pathology of pHO is well-described in the dog, very little information exists regarding the true clinical presentation of dogs affected with pHO. The primary objective of this study was to provide a more comprehensive clinical picture of pHO. To this end, we retrospectively identified 30 dogs and recorded data regarding presenting complaints and physical examination (PE) findings on the date of pHO diagnosis. As a secondary objective, any blood test results were also collected from the computerized records. The most common clinical signs included leg swelling, ocular discharge and/or episcleral injection, lameness, and lethargy. The most common haematological and serum biochemical abnormalities included anaemia, neutrophilia and elevated alkaline phosphatase. In addition to presenting a more detailed clinical description of pHO in the dog, these data support the previously described haematological, serum biochemical and PE abnormalities published in individual case reports.

Nematode burdens of pastured cattle treated once at turnout with eprinomectin extended-release injection

The efficacy of eprinomectin in an extended-release injection (ERI) formulation was evaluated against infections with third-stage larvae or eggs of gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes in cattle under 120-day natural challenge conditions in a series of five studies conducted in the USA (three studies) and in Europe (two studies). For each study, 30 nematode-free (four studies) or 30 cattle harboring naturally acquired nematode infections (one study) were included. The cattle were of various breeds or crosses, weighed 107.5-273 kg prior to treatment and aged approximately 4-11 months. For each study, animals were blocked based on pre-treatment bodyweight and then randomly allocated to treatment: ERI vehicle (control) at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight or Eprinomectin 5% (w/v) ERI at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight (1.0 mg eprinomectin/kg) for a total of 15 and 15 animals in each group. Treatments were administered once on Day 0 by subcutaneous injection in front of the shoulder. In each study, all animals grazed one naturally contaminated pasture for 120 days. At regular intervals during the studies, fecal samples from all cattle were examined for nematode egg and larval counts. In four studies pairs of tracer cattle were used to monitor pasture infectivity at 28-day intervals before and/or during the grazing period. All calves were weighed before turnout onto pasture and at regular intervals until housing on Day 120. For parasite recovery, all study animals were humanely euthanized 27-30 days after removal from pasture. Cattle treated with Eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p<0.05) fewer strongylid eggs (≤1 egg per gram; egg count reduction≥94%) than the control cattle and zero lungworm larvae at each post-treatment time point. At euthanasia, cattle treated with Eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p<0.05) fewer of the following nematodes than the ERI vehicle-treated (control) cattle with overall reduction of nematode counts by >92%: Dictyocaulus viviparus (adults and fourth-stage larvae (L4), Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia curticei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia surnabada, Cooperia spp. inhibited L4, Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, Haemonchus spp. inhibited L4, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spp. inhibited L4, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Oesophagostomum spp. inhibited L4, Ostertagia leptospicularis, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia spp. inhibited L4, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus spp. inhibited L4, Trichuris discolor, and Trichuris ovis. Over the 120-day grazing period, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gained between 4.8 kg and 31 kg more weight than the controls. This weight gain advantage was significant (p<0.05) in three studies. All animals accepted the treatment well. No adverse reaction to treatment was observed in any animal in any study.

Interpretation of multisegment bronchoalveolar lavage in cats (1/2001-1/2011)

BACKGROUND

Cytologic results from bronchoscopic BAL in cats with naturally occurring respiratory disease have not been reported, and the clinical utility of multisegment lavage has not been evaluated.

HYPOTHESIS

BAL cytology from 2 separate lung segments in cats will have similar cell counts, cytologic interpretation, or both.

ANIMALS

Eighty-seven cases in 85 cats (2 examined twice) with naturally occurring lower respiratory disease.

METHODS

A combined prospective/retrospective evaluation of all cats with multisegment BAL was performed. BAL fluid was evaluated for total nucleated cell counts, differential cell counts, and cytologic characteristics at each lavage site. BAL fluid was categorized as eosinophilic, neutrophilic, lymphocytic, hypercellular, or mixed. Radiographs were assessed for diffuse or focal disease.

RESULTS

Clinical diagnoses included inflammatory airway disease (n = 63), pneumonia (n = 15), neoplasia (n = 6), and undetermined (n = 3). Total nucleated cell counts varied between sites regardless of radiographic evidence of focal or diffuse radiographic disease. In 28/87 cases (32%), cell counts differed between lavage sites by 2.2-40 fold. BAL yielded similar cytologic interpretation of inflammation in 45/87 (52%) cases. In 8/14 cases that had BAL performed at the site of a focal radiographic infiltrate, as well as at a site of diffuse infiltrates, the same inflammatory interpretation was made at each site.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Total and differential cell counts in BAL fluid often differ between lung segments in cats with lower respiratory disease, and caution is warranted when using a single BAL cytology to define the inflammatory response in cats with spontaneously occurring lower respiratory tract disease.

Expanded dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping reveals spurious class II associations

The dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) system contains many of the functional genes of the immune system, thereby making it a candidate region for involvement in immune-mediated disorders. A number of studies have identified associations between specific DLA class II haplotypes and canine immune hemolytic anemia, thyroiditis, immune polyarthritis, type I diabetes mellitus, hypoadrenocorticism, systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease complex, necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) and anal furunculosis. These studies have relied on sequencing approximately 300 bases of exon 2 of each of the DLA class II genes: DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQA1 and DLA-DQB1. In the present study, an association (odds ratio=4.29) was identified by this method between Weimaraner dogs with hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) and DLA-DRB1∗01501. To fine map the association with HOD, a genotyping assay of 126 coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from across the entire DLA, spanning a region of 2.5 Mb (3,320,000-5,830,000) on CFA12, was developed and tested on Weimaraners with HOD, as well as two additional breeds with diseases associated with DLA class II: Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers with hypoadrenocorticism and Pug dogs with NME. No significant associations were found between Weimaraners with HOD or Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers with hypoadrenocorticism and SNPs spanning the DLA region. In contrast, significant associations were found with NME in Pug dogs, although the associated region extended beyond the class II genes. By including a larger number of genes from a larger genomic region, a SNP genotyping assay was generated that provides coverage of the extended DLA region and may be useful in identifying and fine mapping DLA associations in dogs.

Gastrointestinal pythiosis in 10 dogs from California

BACKGROUND

Pythium insidiosum is an aquatic oomycete that causes severe segmental thickening of the canine gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Infection in dogs previously has been observed primarily in the southeastern United States.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinicopathologic and epidemiologic findings associated with GI pythiosis in 10 dogs from California.

METHODS

Dogs were initially identified on the basis of supportive clinical findings and routine histology. Pythiosis was confirmed in each dog with at least one of the following: immunoblot serology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serology, immunohistochemistry, and culture followed by species-specific polymerase chain reaction, rRNA gene sequencing, or both.

RESULTS

Between September 2003 and December 2006, GI pythiosis was confirmed in 1 dog from central California and 9 dogs that lived within a 30-mile radius of Davis, CA. Seven of 8 dogs for which environmental data were available had frequent access to flooded rice fields or other water sources. Esophageal lesions were present in 2 of 10 dogs. Common laboratory findings included eosinophilia (7/9), hypoalbuminemia (9/9), and hyperglobulinemia (8/9). Median survival time was 26.5 days (range, 0-122 days), and the disease was ultimately fatal in all 10 dogs.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

The geographic distribution of pythiosis has widened in recent years to include the western United States. Factors that may have contributed to this change include altered rice-farming practices and landscape irrigation. Veterinarians in California should be familiar with the clinicopathologic features associated with GI pythiosis to aid in early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Nanofabrication of a space-variant optical transmission filter

A space-variant optical transmission filter is demonstrated for which a simplified process is used to tailor the spatial response of the filter across the surface of a single wafer. A multilayer stack, of alternating high or low refractive index dielectric materials, was used to produce a narrow transmission notch in the center of a wide stop band. Subsequent patterning and etching of arrays of holes through the volume of the dielectric stack was performed to control the fill factor of the dielectric in the layers. The position of the transmission notch within the reflection spectrum was varied across the device surface by adjusting the hole diameter of the hole arrays. Experimental and numerical simulation were used to confirm the space-variant transmission characteristics of a single-wafer sample with two zones of different hole diameter arrays in the 1550 nm wavelength regime.

The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil reduces myocardial infarct size

The aim of this study was to determine, in an animal model, the effects of tadalafil on myocardial infarct size (IS), hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) often have risk factors for coronary artery disease. Tadalafil, a long-acting inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), is used for the treatment of ED; there are no previous data regarding tadalafil in the setting of coronary artery occlusion (CAO). Sprague-Dawley male rats were treated with tadalafil or vehicle (10 mg/kg, by gastric gavage), 2 h before a 30 min CAO. Heart rate was comparable between tadalafil and control groups. Tadalafil reduced mean arterial pressure (P=0.009), systolic (P=0.035) and diastolic (P=0.009) blood pressures during ischemia/reperfusion. Tadalafil significantly reduced IS (42+/-2%) versus controls (54+/-3%) (P=0.006). For the first time, we showed that the PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, was well tolerated and cardioprotective in the setting of an experimental myocardial infarction, by substantially reducing ischemic cell death.

Efficacy of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men on concomitant thiazide diuretic therapy

Many men with erectile dysfunction (ED) have hypertension as a comorbid condition. Recent guidelines recommend thiazide diuretics as first-line therapy for hypertension. We analyzed data from 14 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (N=2501) to evaluate the efficacy of tadalafil 20 mg for the treatment of ED in men on thiazides. Of the 2501 patients, 163 were on concomitant thiazides (116 tadalafil/47 placebo) and 159 (98%) were reported to have hypertension. The primary efficacy measures were mean change from baseline in the international index of erectile function (IIEF) erectile function (EF) domain and the proportion of 'yes' responses to sexual encounter profile (SEP) Questions 2 and 3. The tadalafil group showed a significantly (P<0.001) greater mean baseline to endpoint improvement on all efficacy outcome measures compared to placebo-treated patients regardless of concomitant thiazide use. More importantly, the responses to tadalafil were similar regardless of concomitant thiazide use. Additionally, responses to tadalafil were comparable between thiazide and nonthiazide users regardless of baseline ED severity (P>0.05).

Effects of subcutaneous injections of a long acting moxidectin formulation in grazing beef cattle on parasite fecal egg reduction and animal weight gain

Trials were conducted in Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois and Wisconsin using a common protocol to evaluate effectiveness and safety of a long acting (LA), oil-based injectable formulation of moxidectin in beef cattle grazing spring and/or summer pastures. At each site, 150 cattle (steers and/or heifers) were blocked based on pretreatment fecal strongyle egg counts (EPG) and then randomly assigned to treatments within blocks. Presence of naturally acquired parasitic infections, confirmed by presence of parasite eggs in feces, was a prerequisite for study enrollment. Within each block of three animals, two received moxidectin LA injectable on day 0 at a dosing rate of 1.0 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. into the dorsal aspect of the proximal third of the ear, and one received a placebo control treatment. Cattle were weighed before treatment and on day 55 or 56 (55/56) after treatment. Fecal samples were also collected from 10 randomly selected blocks of animals at each site on days 14, 28 and 55/56 for EPG quantification. Average daily gain (ADG) was computed over the posttreatment period. Data pertaining to ADG and EPG were combined across sites and analyzed by mixed model analysis of variance to assess the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of site, block within site and the treatment by site interaction. Compared to placebo-treated controls, the geometric means of fecal EPG counts from cattle treated with moxidectin LA injectable were reduced 99.8% 14 days after treatment, 99.1% 28 days after treatment and 96.7% 55/56 days after treatment. Rate of weight gain by cattle treated with moxidectin LA injectable was 0.59 kg/day, or 23% (0.11 kg/day) more than placebo-treated controls (P<0.05). None of the cattle treated with moxidectin LA injectable exhibited signs of macrocyclic lactone toxicosis. Summarized across all study sites, proportions of cattle that received concurrent therapeutic treatments were similar among treatment groups. Study results demonstrate that moxidectin cattle LA injectable administered at a dosing rate of 1.0 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. to grazing beef cattle was effective and safe.

The effectiveness of doramectin pour-on in the control of gastrointestinal nematode infections in cow-calf herds

Two field studies were conducted in the USA to determine the efficacy of a single strategically-timed dose of doramectin pour-on in the control of gastrointestinal nematodosis in beef cow-calf herds and the resultant effects on calf productivity. One study was carried out between May and October 1996 in a spring-calving herd at a site located in Idaho (ID) and the other between January and July 1997 in a fall-calving herd at a site located in Mississippi (MS). In each study, cow-calf pairs were randomly allotted by sex of calf to pastures and one of two treatment groups (doramectin pour-on at the recommended dose rate of 500 microg/kg body weight or untreated control). There were four pasture replicates per treatment at each site. Each pasture contained 12 cow-calf pairs at the ID site and 15 cow-calf pairs at the MS site. Treatment was administered to cows and calves on 21 May 1996 (ID) or 23 January 1997 (MS). Following treatment, cow-calf pairs were assigned to their designated pastures where they remained until the calves were weaned 140 (ID) or 168 (MS) days later. Cow and calf fecal egg counts and calf body weights were recorded on treatment day and then at monthly intervals until study termination. Doramectin treatment reduced nematode egg output in cows and calves over the entire grazing season compared to untreated controls and resulted in calf weight gain improvements of 9.8kg (p=0.295) at the ID site and 17.4kg (p=0.0002) at the MS site.

Persistent efficacy of doramectin injectable against artificially induced infections with Cooperia punctata and Dictyocaulus viviparus in cattle

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the persistent efficacy of doramectin injectable solution against experimental challenges with infective larvae of Cooperia punctata and Dictyocaulus viviparus. In each study, four groups of ten randomly-assigned calves, negative for trichostrongyle-type eggs on fecal examination, were treated subcutaneously in the midline of the neck with saline (1 ml/50 kg) on Day 0 or doramectin (200 microg/kg = 1 ml/50 kg) on Day 0, 7, or 14. Two additional calves from the same pool of animals were randomly assigned as larval-viability monitors and received no treatment. On Days 14-28, approximately 1000 and 50 infective larvae of Cooperia spp. and D. viviparus, respectively, were administered daily by gavage to each animal in Groups T1-T4. On Day 28, the two larval-viability monitor calves were inoculated in a similar manner with a single dose of approximately 30000 and 2000 larvae of Cooperia spp. and D. viviparus, respectively. Equal numbers of calves from each treatment group were killed on Days 42-45, as well as the two viability monitor animals to enumerate worm numbers. A 2% or 5% aliquot of small intestinal contents and washings were examined for worm quantification and identification, while 100% of the lung recoveries were quantified and identified. For each study and across the three studies, geometric mean worm recoveries for each treatment group were calculated from the natural log transformed data (worm count + 1) and were used to estimate percentage reduction. In the three studies, doramectin injectable solution was 97.5% efficacious against lungworms for up to 28 days and was 99.8% efficacious in reducing infection resulting from challenge with infective larvae of C. punctata for at least 28 days post-treatment.

Persistent efficacy of doramectin pour-on against artificially induced infections of nematodes in cattle

Two studies were conducted to determine the persistent efficacy of doramectin pour-on against an artificial, trickle challenge of mixed nematodes in calves. In each study, 42, 4-8 months old calves were randomly assigned into four groups of 10 animals each (T1-T4), plus two larval-viability monitor animals. All animals were treated with fenbendazole (10 mg kg(-1)) 14 days prior to the start of the study to clear any existing infection. Doramectin pour-on at 500 microg kg(-1) was used on each animal in Groups T2, T3, and T4 with intervals of 1 week (Day 0, 7, and 14, respectively). Calves in Group T1 were treated with saline solution on Day 0 and at the same volumetric rate (1 ml 10 kg(-1)) as the doramectin treated animals. All treatments were applied in a single passage along the midline of the back, from the withers to the tailhead. Subsequently, trickle inoculations with infective larvae were administered to all calves for 22 consecutive days (Days 14-35). Doramectin pour-on provided > or = 91.9% efficacy against challenge with Dictyocaulus viviparus, Haemonchus spp., and Ostertagia ostertagi for up to 35 days post-treatment and against challenge with Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, and Oesophagostomum radiatum for up to 28 days post-treatment.

Fabrication of high-spatial-frequency gratings through computer-generated near-field holography

We demonstrate an innovative method for fabrication of high-spatial-frequency grating structures. This technique makes use of the near-field diffraction patterns from computer-generated phase holograms for lithographic fabrication of grating structures with periods that are one half that of the phase hologram mask. Linear, rectilinear, and circular gratings were fabricated with this technique. Experimental results from gratings with periods to 0.5 mum and feature sizes to ~0.2 mum are presented.

Memory processes in depressed geriatric patients with and without subcortical hyperintensities on MRI

In this study, 12 patients over age 60 with depression with moderate to severe subcortical hyperintensities (SH) localized to the periventricular white matter were identified by quantitative MRI. Using the California Verbal Learning Test, they were compared with 12 age-, education-, and severity-matched patients with depression with minimal white matter changes on specific aspects of memory performance. Patients with cortical lesions, neurologic or systemic illness affecting cognition, and history of substance abuse were excluded. Patients in the group with high SH showed reduced use of semantic encoding strategies (p < 0.05), reduced learning efficiency (p < 0.05), and a greater discrepancy between free recall and recognition discriminability (p < 0.05) than their low SH counterparts. This pattern of performance on memory tasks is similar to that found in previous studies to be associated with subcortical degenerative disorders such as Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Geriatric patients with depression with SH may represent a subgroup with greater subcortical involvement, with associated cognitive and functional decline.

Persistent efficacy of doramectin against experimental challenge with Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle

Two studies were conducted in North America to evaluate the persistent efficacy of doramectin injectable solution against experimental challenge with infective larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi. In both studies, four groups of 10 randomly-assigned calves, negative for trichostrongyle-type eggs on fecal examination, were treated subcutaneously in the midline of the neck with saline (1 ml 50 kg-1) on Day 0 or doramectin (200 micrograms kg-1 = 1 ml 50 kg-1) on Day 0, 7, or 14. Two additional calves from the same pool of animals were randomly assigned as larval-viability monitors and received no treatment. Beginning on Day 14 and continuing through Day 28, the 40 treated calves each were given approximately 1000 infective larvae of O. ostertagi by gavage daily; the two larval-viability monitors were inoculated in a similar manner with approximately 30,000 larvae as a single dose on Day 28. Animals were slaughtered on Day 42 in one study and on Days 42, 43, or 46 in the second. The abomasum from each calf was harvested and processed for worm recovery. A 2% aliquot of abomasal contents plus wash was examined for worm quantification and identification. Geometric mean O. ostertagi burdens were calculated from the log (O. ostertagi count + 1) and were used to estimate percentage reduction. In both studies, doramectin injectable solution was > or = 99.6% efficacious in reducing infection resulting from challenge with infective larvae of O. ostertagi for at least 21 days posttreatment; by 28 days posttreatment, efficacy was 87.3% in one study and 99.7% in the other.

Nematocidal efficacy of eprinomectin, delivered topically, in naturally infected cattle

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nematocidal efficacy of eprinomectin in naturally infected cattle.

ANIMALS

62 (31 eprinomectin-treated and 31 control) beef mixed-breed or Holstein cattle, either 6 to 11 or 48 to 96 months old.

PROCEDURE

Cattle were housed 21 to 27 days before treatment to allow parasites to reach maturity. Animals were grouped by sex, ranked by weight, and randomly assigned to treatment group. Fecal flotation was done to identify cattle with intestinal nematode infections. Treatment groups were: 1--eprinomectin topical vehicle (1 ml/10 kg) and 2--eprinomectin topical solution (1 ml/10 kg). Cattle were euthanatized by replicate on day 14 or 15, and standard procedures were used to recover of pulmonary, abomasal, small intestinal, and large intestinal nematodes.

RESULTS

Eprinomectin efficacy across all trials was 100% against adult Trichostrongylus axei, Haemonchus placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum, and Dictyocaulus viviparus, as well a fourth-stage larval Oes radiatum, Ostertagia ostertagi, Nematodirus helvetianus, and Cooperia spp. Efficacy against adult O ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, C punctata, C surnabada, C spatulata, N helvetianus, Trichuris sp, and Trichuris fourth-stage larvae was 99.9 and 99.8, 99.6, 98.9, 98.3, 99.7, 97.8, and 84.3%, respectively. All results were significant (P < 0.01) except those for C spatulata. Adverse reactions were not observed.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Eprinomectin is a safe and effective nematocide against naturally acquired nematode infections in cattle when administered at a dosage of 500 micrograms/kg. Milk and meat withholding is not necessary when using this product.

Phase encryption of biometrics in diffractive optical elements

A new technique for the optical encoding of images is presented. The method of generalized projections is used to design diffractive optical elements for the phase encryption of biometrics for security applications. The encryption algorithm converges rapidly, and the decryption is seen to be secure and tolerant to additive noise.

The Drop Volume Method for Interfacial Tension Determination: An Error Analysis

An error analysis of the drop volume method of determination of surface or interfacial tension is presented. It is shown that the presence of the empirical correction term may lead to either a decrease or an increase in the final uncertainty of the calculated tension. Recommendations to maximize the precision of measurement are made. It is further shown that the systematic error due to the correction term is less than 0.04%; under the conditions recommended to minimize the statistical uncertainty, the systematic error should be less than half this figure. Tabulations of recommended values of the correction function are given.

Postgraduate pharmacy fellowships (1987-88)

During August and September 1987, the Brigham and Women's Hospital Pharmacy Services Department conducted its seventh annual nationwide survey of postgraduate pharmacy fellowships. There are 185 fellowships offered with 150 fellows at 53 sites.

Feedlot management practices and bovine respiratory disease

Bovine respiratory disease is the most commonly recognized problem in feedlot cattle. This article discusses management techniques that can be used to reduce the occurrence of disease and hold it to a manageable level.

Verbal control of motor behaviour in mentally retarded children: a re-examination of Luria's theory

A battery of tasks to indicate stage membership within the Lurian theory of development of verbal control of motor behaviour was given to children whose moderate level of mental retardation derived from organic pathology, familiar conditions or Down syndrome, and to a group of normal preschool children matched for mental age. The results supported Luria's contention that the development of mentally retarded children, regardless of aetiology, is arrested at the second (asemantic) stage and that their performance deficiencies are even greater than might be predicted simply on the basis of their developmental level.

Evaluating the inequivalence and a computational simplification for the NBS laser energy standards

A model with two time constants is used to estimate the inequivalence in response between a laser energy pulse and an electrical energy pulse put into a calorimeter of the C series type. The results are as follows: the calorimeter labeled C41 showed a 0.15% inequivalence and the calorimeter labeled C46 showed none. We also find that the complicated model currently used to get the corrected temperature rise of a measurement can be replaced by a simpler four-data-point method with no significant loss in accuracy. This simplification means we can substitute a microprocessor for a large computer to get the corrected temperature rise in an electrical calibration or laser energy measurement.

Ear and hand dominance and their relationship with reading retardation

A dichotic listening task was used to compare the ear dominance of retarded readers and normal readers with clear right-limb preference. Younger (8.5 to 9.5 yr.) and older (10 to 11 yr.) groups were tested with two levels of task difficulty. Although right ear dominance was more apparent in the younger than in the older children, there was no difference associated with reading ability; nor was task difficulty differentially relevant. It was concluded that, at least for right-handers, reading retardation is unrelated to incomplete ear dominance.

Analysis of WISC coding. 3. Writing and copying speed, and motivation

This series of studies examined the relationship between performance on the WISC Coding subtest and speed of writing and of copying symbols. The effect of reinforcement on all 3 was also examined. Poor coders performed less well than good coders on speed of writing the letter X repetitively and on speed of copying symbols. On the latter task, however, the Between-groups effect was reduced to non-significance when differences in copying were adjusted for differences in speed of writing by analysis of covariance. Monetary plus verbal reinforcement was highly effective in increasing speed of writing Xs but did not affect performance on the copying or coding tasks. There was no basis for explaining differences between good and poor coders in terms of differential motivation.