A cohort study of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome and PCV2 in 178 pigs from birth to 14 weeks on a single farm in England

Our hypothesis was that pigs that develop post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) are detectable from an early age with signs of weight loss and other clinical and serological abnormalities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the temporally varying and fixed events linked with the clinical incidence of PMWS by comparing affected and unaffected pigs in a cohort of 178 male piglets. Piglets were enrolled at birth and examined each week. Samples of blood were collected at regular intervals. The exposures measured were porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antibody titres in all 178 and PCV2 antigen in a subset of 75 piglets. We also observed piglet health and measured their weight, and a post-mortem examination was performed by an external laboratory on all pigs between 6 and 14 weeks of age that died. From the cohort, 14 (8%) pigs died from PMWS and 4% from other causes. A further 37 pigs between 6 and 14 weeks of age died from PMWS (30) and ileitis and other causes (7). PMWS was only apparent in pigs from 1 to 2 weeks before death when they wasted rapidly. There were no other characteristic clinical signs and no obvious gross clinical lesions post-mortem. There was no strong link with PCV2 antibody throughout life but PCV2 antigen level was higher from 4 to 6 weeks of age in pigs that died from PMWS compared with pigs that died from other causes.

Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic (PK) trial of the kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor MK-0731 in cancer patients

2001

Background: KSP is essential for the separation of spindle poles during mitosis and inhibition results in mitotic arrest. Function is thought to be limited to mitosis and inhibitors should not cause the peripheral neuropathy seen with other mitotic-inhibitors. MK-0731 is a potent inhibitor of KSP, with an IC50 of 2.2 nM, and >20,000 fold selectivity against other kinesins. MK-0731 causes mitotic arrest with an EC50 in several tumor cell lines of 3−5 nM. Methods: Phase I study to determine the safety and tolerability, MTD, and PK of MK-0731 administered IV over 24 hrs every 21 (Q21) ds. Results: Eight pts with solid tumors (M/F 6/2), median age 55 yrs (45–72 yrs), were treated at doses of 6 to 48 mg/m2/24hrs. Prolonged (≥5 ds) Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 2 pts at 48 mg/m2/24 hrs leading to expansion of cohorts at lower dose levels. Other drug related toxicities include diarrhea, alopecia, nail changes, nausea/vomiting, mucositis, abdominal pain, anorexia, phlebitis. PK results suggest that steady-state concentrations may not be achieved by the end of the 24 hr infusion and MK-0731 concentrations appear to decline monoexponentially or biexponentially following the infusion with terminal t1/2 from ∼4 to 11 hrs. Median values at the 48 mg/m2/24 hrs dose level were Cmax = 1223 nM, AUC∞ = 26.585 μM · hr, and CL=122 mL/min. AUC, exposures, and end of infusion concentrations appear to increase proportionally with dose. Conclusions: This is the first study of MK-0731. The MTD was exceeded at 48 mg/m2/24 hrs Q21. Further evaluation will continue at lower doses.

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Dimerization of G-protein-coupled receptors

The evolutionary trace (ET) method, a data mining approach for determining significant levels of amino acid conservation, has been applied to over 700 aligned G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) sequences. The method predicted the occurrence of functionally important clusters of residues on the external faces of helices 5 and 6 for each family or subfamily of receptors; similar clusters were observed on helices 2 and 3. The probability that these clusters are not random was determined using Monte Carlo techniques. The cluster on helices 5 and 6 is consistent with both 5,6-contact and 5,6-domain swapped dimer formation; the possible equivalence of these two types of dimer is discussed because this relates to activation by homo- and heterodimers. The observation of a functionally important cluster of residues on helices 2 and 3 is novel, and some possible interpretations are given, including heterodimerization and oligomerization. The application of the evolutionary trace method to 113 aligned G-protein sequences resulted in the identification of two functional sites. One large, well-defined site is clearly identified with adenyl cyclase, beta/gamma and regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) binding. The other G-protein functional site, which extends from the ras-like domain onto the helical domain, has the correct size and electrostatic properties for GPCR dimer binding. The implications of these results are discussed in terms of the conformational changes required in the G-protein for activation by a receptor dimer. Further, the implications of GPCR dimerization for medicinal chemistry are discussed in the context of these ET results.

Foveal automatic target recognition using a multiresolution neural network

This paper presents a method for detecting and classifying a target from its foveal (graded resolution) imagery using a multiresolution neural network. Target identification decisions are based on minimizing an energy function. This energy function is evaluated by comparing a candidate blob with a library of target models at several levels of resolution simultaneously available in the current foveal image. For this purpose, a concurrent (top-down-and-bottom-up) matching procedure is implemented via a novel multilayer Hopfield neural network. The associated energy function supports not only interactions between cells at the same resolution level, but also between sets of nodes at distinct resolution levels. This permits features at different resolution levels to corroborate or refute one another contributing to an efficient evaluation of potential matches. Gaze control, refoveation to more salient regions of the available image space, is implemented as a search for high resolution features which will disambiguate the candidate blob. Tests using real two-dimensional (2-D) objects and their simulated foveal imagery are provided.

The Food and Drug Administration and the regulation of clinical trials for endosseous implants

The Office of Device Evaluation (ODE), within the Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the Food and Drug Administration is the primary component responsible for the premarket review of medical devices. Dental devices are reviewed by the Dental Devices Branch within ODE. Premarket submissions to FDA for dental endosseous implants should include complete characterization of the device and often may necessitate the inclusion of mechanical and other bench testing and clinical data. FDA guidance documents are available which outline the information that should be included in the submissions. The guidance document for premarket approval submissions for dental endosseous implants also provides guidance on clinical trials for dental implants. This guidance document addresses such issues as the number of patients and study sites, length of follow-up, post-implant assessment, and pooling of data. The review of dental endosseous implants involves many challenging issues, including success/failure criteria, new designs and new indicated uses. The Dental Branch continues to gather information to address these issues.

Object recognition using multilayer Hopfield neural network

An object recognition approach based on concurrent coarse-and-fine matching using a multilayer Hopfield neural network is presented. The proposed network consists of several cascaded single-layer Hopfield networks, each encoding object features at a distinct resolution, with bidirectional interconnections linking adjacent layers. The interconnection weights between nodes associating adjacent layers are structured to favor node pairs for which model translation and rotation, when viewed at the two corresponding resolutions, are consistent. This interlayer feedback feature of the algorithm reinforces the usual intralayer matching process in the conventional single-layer Hopfield network in order to compute the most consistent model-object match across several resolution levels. The performance of the algorithm is demonstrated for test images containing single objects, and multiple occluded objects. These results are compared with recognition results obtained using a single-layer Hopfield network.

An appearance-function shift in children's object naming

The relative importance of appearance and potential function in children's object naming was examined. Potential function is an object capability that may not be currently realized (e.g. an empty mug has the potential to hold coffee). In Study 1, sixteen children from each of three age groups (3;8, 4;8, and 6;1) were taught novel names for unfamiliar objects; they then had to decide whether these applied to items that resembled the training objects in either appearance or potential function. The youngsters were also shown deceptive objects (e.g., an eraser that looked like a pencil) and had to choose between familiar appearance and function names for them (e.g., pencil or eraser). The frequency of function-based responding in both tasks increased with age. In Study 2, the name training procedure was revised so that equal emphasis was given to both apparent and functional features. The main results of the first study were replicated. Neither study obtained evidence of a strong relation between the appearance-function shift and increased understanding of the appearance-reality distinction.

Arthroscopic decompression of meniscal cysts: report of 14 cases

Meniscal cysts are a painful disorder of the knee affecting young to middle-aged adults. The recommended treatment has been total meniscectomy. With the widespread use of arthroscopic surgery there has been a trend to a more conservative management of meniscal pathology in general. We treated 14 patients with meniscal cysts (13 lateral, one medial) by partial arthroscopic meniscectomy and decompression. At a mean follow-up of 19 months, results were satisfactory in 12 patients; there was one recurrence and one patient had reinjured his knee. We concluded that arthroscopic decompression of meniscal cysts is a promising form of treatment.

The influence of exercise-induced temperature elevations on the auditory brain-stem response (ABR)

The influence of exercise on the auditory brain-stem response (ABR) was examined in 16 healthy volunteers (8 female and 8 male). Ipsilateral ABR recordings were obtained before and after exercise on a bicycle ergonometer. The rise of body temperature so generated was 0.5-2.1 degrees C (mean, 1.3 degrees C) as measured in the contralateral external auditory meatus. Latencies of waves III and V (but not wave I) were found to be significantly lower immediately post-exercise (P less than 0.01). The temperature relations of the latency of wave V are described by the regression equation: Latency (ms) = 11.06-0.146 x temp. (degrees C). (The effects on amplitude were not significant, nor were male/female differences.) It is suggested that exercise hyperthermia could be an appropriate model for the evaluation of the ABR in fever.

An unusual case of pustulotic arthro-osteitis affecting the leg, and erosive polyarthritis

Pustulotic arthro-osteitis is a syndrome, originally described in Japan, in which a sterile inflammatory osteitis of the sternoclavicular region occurs in combination with a non-erosive arthritis, sacroiliitis, and a pustulotic rash on the palms and soles. Although the disease has been reported in white populations, it is rarely seen by rheumatologists in the United Kingdom. The case of a Scottish woman is described in whom the diagnosis of pustulotic arthro-osteitis was overlooked because of an atypical site of the disease--the fibula, an erosive arthritis, and absence of a pustular rash at the time of her presentation with musculoskeletal symptoms. This case shows that the syndrome may easily by missed unless clinical suspicion is high and should be considered in any patient with culture negative osteitis, even outside the sternoclavicular region.

Computer based two-dimensional spectral estimation for the detection of prearrhythmic states after hypothermic myocardial preservation

A computer based two-dimensional spectral estimation technique has been developed to detect prearrhythmic states of the heart after hypothermic myocardial preservation with or without potassium cardioplegia. The new algorithm is based on unconstrained minimization of the estimated covariance recursion error. The parameters for spectral analysis are estimated directly from intracardiac data in a manner which combines high resolution with robustness in the presence of nonstationarities . It is shown that by using this technique, the projections of the velocity vector of cardiac propagating wavefronts onto a multitip electrode array may be determined, even though electric intramyocardial data are very short and nonstationary. The prearrhythmic state may be observed at a time when limb and epicardial ECG waveforms are normal. This is of potential significance since certain types of prearrhythmic patterns appear more likely to degenerate into ventricular arrhythmias or ventricular fibrillation.

Non-accidental injury in children. Memorandum of evidence to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Violence in the family

Historically, in mediaeval times, the epoch of childhood was less clearly defined. If babyhood was survived, all but the most favoured children became little adults and a convenient source of labour. Instances of the barbarous treatment of children, infanticide, exploitation, starvation, flogging and mutilation, abound (Mause, 1976) and until comparatively recently these seemed to have caused little public reaction.

Assessing dangerousness in criminals

This article formulates a definition of the term dangerousness, indicates why the commission of dangerous offences cannot be reliably predicted, and then reviews the several factors which have been or might be used by those who have to make decisions about dangerousness in criminals. Its suggests that these factors are useful insofar as they help to illuminate the individual's capacity to feel sympathy and to learn by experience. Since the accuracy of prediction varies inversely with time, the maintenance of personal relationships and good communication seems the inescapable requirement in the management of potentially dangerous criminals.

Effects of ambulance transport in critically ill patients

Two groups of critically ill patients were transferred by ambulance from other hospitals to a central intensive therapy unit. The effect of transport was reviewed retrospectively in 46 patients and prospectively in 20 patients. Of the 46 patients reviewed retrospectively six became hypotensive, six became hypertensive, and seven developed delayed hypotension. One patient developed fits and six out of 13 patients had a rise in arterial PCO-2 of 1-6-4-1 kPa (12-31 mm Hg). Of the 20 patients reviewed prospectively, one patient became hypertensive due to overtransfusion, one had a fit, but none became hypotensive. Three out of four cases of delayed hypotension were related to starting intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Arterial PCO-2 fell in one patient and arterial PCO-2 rose in two, each change being related to changed oxygen therapy or narcotics. There were no changes in other cardiovascular or respiratory indices, body temperature, or urine production. Earlier transfer, resuscitation before transfer, continuing medical care during the journey, and hence a slower smoother journey seemed to be important factors in the management of these patients. Our findings, may have important implications in the future regional organization of the care of critically ill patients.

Battered wives

To achieve a successful marital partnership is probably the most difficult of life's social requirements, whether successful is defined biologically as the production of healthy offspring or in the more human terms as achieving a relationship which allows each partner to lead a satisfying life. To be successful each marital partner must often defer to the other, especially if there are dependent children present. Failure to show this capacity to defer or to be unselfish inevitably leads to conflict, and conflict can easily build up to the point of violence. The ethological study of animal reproduction, including that of primates, shows how universally true this is and what a wealth of convention and ritual is developed to reduce such dangerous confrontation.

Delinquency and amphetamines

In a survey of 612 young people remanded in the London area during 1964, positive urine tests were found for amphetamine for 18 per cent of the 558 boys and 16 per cent of the 54 girls examined (Scott and Willcox, 1965). This paper presents the findings of a similar type of survey carried out in the same remand homes five years later.

Delinquency and the amphetamines

The drug-taking behaviour of young people is causing great concern. The topic has been discussed for some years in the national newspapers and in the medical journals, and early last year the Government decided to take action.