Effects of nutrition on seasonal changes in testosterone levels in young male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Food restriction during autumn in male reindeer calves decreased peak testosterone levels at 4-6 months, and also at 16-17 months of age. Peak testosterone levels at the age of 16-17 months were significantly correlated to body weight at 6 months but not to body weight at 16 months of age. There were small secondary testosterone peaks (1-3 ng/ml) in March or April in 11 of 16 animals. Testosterone levels started to increase before summer solstice in 50% of the yearlings.     

Plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone concentrations in different breeds of young beef bulls in the tropics

Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone were measured at 3, 8, and 11 months of age in 48 Africander cross (AX), 24 Brahman cross (BX), 21 Hereford-Shorthorn, selected (HSS) and 14 Hereford-Shorthorn, random-bred (HSR) bulls. In all breeds plasma LH was lower (P less than 0.01) at 8 months (1.7 ng/ml) than at 3 months (2.6 ng/ml) or at 11 months (2.6 ng/ml). Over all ages there were no differences among breeds in mean plasma LH (AX 2.4, BX 2.4, HSS 1.8, HSR 2.2 ng/ml) and no breed X age interactions. In contrast, plasma testosterone increased significantly (P less than 0.01) with age at a faster rate in the AX breed, resulting in a significant (P less than 0.05) breed X age interaction. Testosterone concentrations, though similar among breeds at 3 months of age (0.45 ng/ml), were much higher (P less than 0.01) by 11 months in AX (2.56 ng/ml) than in BX (1.30 ng/ml), HSS (0.78 ng/ml) or HSR (0.66 ng/ml) bulls. Although LH did not differ among the breeds studied, the more pronounced increase in testosterone with age in the Africander cross bulls is consistent with the higher level of fertility commonly observed in this breed when compared to Brahman cross and Hereford-Shorthorn breeds during natural mating in Queensland.     

Influence of season on sexual development in heifers: age at puberty as related to growth and serum concentrations of gonadotropins, prolactin, thyroxine and progesterone

An experiment was done to test the hypothesis that seasonal changes in environment during the first and second 6 months of life influence age at puberty in heifers. Twenty-eight Angus X Holstein heifers, born in March (M) or September (S), were reared under natural conditions until 6 months of age. From 6 to 12 months of age, heifers were reared in environmental chambers programmed to simulate seasonal changes in temperature and photoperiod characteristic of spring, summer and early autumn (Sp-F chamber) or autumn, winter and early spring (F-Sp chamber). S were younger (P less than 0.06) at puberty than M, and Sp-F were younger (P less than 0.08) than F-Sp for both M and S. Mean ages at puberty were 295 for S, Sp-F; 319 for S, F-Sp; 321 for M, Sp-F and 346 days for M, F-Sp. Average daily gain (ADG) between 6 and 9 months of age [1.03 kg/day (S) vs. 0.91 kg/day (M)] and mean concentrations of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) between 6 and 7 months of age [3.45 ng/ml (S) vs. 0.47 ng/ml (M)] were greater (P less than 0.01) for S than M, suggesting an association between these traits and date of birth effects on age at puberty. Differences in these traits did not seem to be involved in the chamber effect on age at puberty, since ADG from 6-9 months of age was greater (P less than 0.05) for F-Sp heifers and chamber did not generally affect LH concentrations. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were not significantly influenced by month of birth or chamber, but concentrations tended to decrease with age. Serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4) were higher in M than S at 6 months of age (7.8 micrograms/dl vs. 6.3 micrograms/dl) but not at other times, and chamber did not have a significant affect. Prolactin (Prl) concentrations paralleled patterns of temperature and day length and did not appear to be related to age. Although cattle are not seasonal breeders, these results demonstrate that season of birth and season of attainment of puberty influence age at puberty in heifers. Season may have influenced age at puberty by affecting serum concentrations of LH or Prl, or growth rate.     

Reversible inhibition of testicular androgen secretion by 3-, 5- and 6-month controlled-release microsphere formulations of the LH-RH agonist [D-Trp6, des-Gly-NH10(2)] LH-RH ethylamide in the dog

This study examines the effect of treatment with controlled-release poly(DL-lactide-coglycolide) microsphere formulations of the LH-RH agonist [D-Trp6, des-Gly-NH10(2)]-LH-RH ethylamide (LH-RH-A) designed to release about 100 or 200 micrograms of the peptide per day for 3, 5 or 6 months in male dogs. Plasma levels of testosterone and LH-RH-A were measured at 2-day intervals. After the first injection of the 100-micrograms/day formulation, plasma testosterone increased from 1.6 +/- 0.2 to 3.5 +/- 0.6 ng/ml for 5-7 days before decreasing and remaining at 0.05 +/- 0.008 ng/ml for approximately 150 days (5 months). After two months of recovery, microspheres designed to release 100 micrograms for 6 months of LH-RH agonist per day were then injected. Plasma testosterone levels showed an elevation from 1.5 +/- 0.5 to 4.7 +/- 2.0 ng/ml during the first few days before gradually decreasing to castration levels for 200 days (6 months). One month later, plasma testosterone had returned to normal levels. When microspheres designed to deliver an average of 200 micrograms per day of the peptide for 3 months were injected in another series of animals, castration levels of plasma testosterone were maintained for 95 days with a progressive increase to normal values at later time intervals. The animals of the first series of experiments were then sacrificed after 4 months of recovery following maintenance of plasma testosterone at castration levels for a total period of 11 months. The testes, prostate and pituitary gland were kept for histological examination which was completely normal in all tissues. The efficacy and excellent tolerance of the controlled-release form of LH-RH-A as inhibitor of the pituitary-gonadal axis strongly support the use of such long-term controlled-release formulations of LH-RH agonists for the treatment of sex steroid sensitive diseases.     

Changes in RANKL/OPG/RANK gene expression in peripheral mononuclear cells following treatment with estrogen or raloxifene

The RANKL/OPG/RANK pathway is the key mediator of osteoclastogenesis. Mononuclear cells may be implicated in post-menopausal osteoporosis. The effect of estrogen or raloxifene on bone resorption and the expression of RANKL/OPG/RANK in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was examined. Twenty-nine women with post-menopausal osteoporosis were treated with estrogen (HRT) or raloxifene for 12 months. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at baseline and at 12 months at the spine and hip. Serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and OPG were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. PBMCs were isolated from 17 women and changes in RANKL, OPG and RANK mRNA were determined. The effects of estrogen or raloxifene in PBMCs in vitro were also assessed. BMD increased following treatment (lumbar spine % change mean [S.E.M.]: 4.3% [0.9], p<0.001). Serum CTX decreased (6 months: -43.7% [6.0], p<0.0001). Serum OPG declined gradually (12 months: -26.4% [4.4], p<0.001). RANKL, OPG and RANK gene expression decreased (6 months: RANKL 50.0% [24.8] p<0.001, OPG: 21.7% [28] p<0.001, RANK: 76.6% [10.2] p=0.015). Changes in OPG mRNA correlated with changes in BMD (r=-0.53, p=0.027) and CTX (r=0.7, p=0.0044). Down-regulation in RANKL, OPG, RANK mRNA and reduction in bone resorption was also seen in vitro. These results suggest that the expression of RANKL/OPG/RANK in PBMCs are responsive to the slowing in bone turnover/remodeling associated with treatment with estrogen or raloxifene. Further confirmatory studies are needed.     

The natural course of gold nephropathy: long term study of 21 patients.

To clarify the natural course of gold nephropathy and thereby facilitate its clinical management 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed proteinuria during treatment with intramuscular sodium aurothiomalate were studied in detail throughout their renal illnesses. Renal biopsies were performed, and creatinine clearance and proteinuria were measured serially for 60 months (range 16-130 months). Ten patients developed proteinuria after six months'' treatment, 15 after 12 months, and 18 after 24 months. When treatment was stopped the proteinuria reached a median peak of 2.1 g/day (range 0.7-30.7 g/day) at two months (range 1-13 months) before resolving spontaneously, in eight patients by six months, in 13 by 12 months, and in 18 by 24 months. All patients were free of proteinuria by 39 months, the median duration being 11 months. The median first and last measurements of creatinine clearance showed no significant change (77 ml/minute and 59 ml/minute, respectively), and no patient died from or needed treatment for renal failure. HLA-B8 or DR3 alloantigens, or both, were identified in seven patients. Renal biopsy specimens showed membranous glomerulonephritis in 15 patients, a minimal change nephropathy in two, mesangial electron dense deposits in two, and no appreciable glomerular changes in two. In these 21 patients the proteinuria of gold nephropathy resolved completely when treatment was withdrawn. Renal function did not deteriorate, corticosteroids were unnecessary, and several different renal lesions were seen.     

Identifying infertile homozygous Inverdale (FecXI) ewe lambs on the basis of genotype differences in reproductive hormone concentrations

Introduction of the Inverdale prolificacy gene (FecX^I) could markedly improve reproductive efficiency in commercial flocks, but as homozygous carrier Inverdale ewes are infertile, it is imperative that these animals are identified at an early age and excluded from breeding stock. As the ovaries of homozygous carrier ewes are nonfunctional, there are wide differences in reproductive hormone levels between these and other Inverdale genotypes. This study assesses the accuracy of using hormone concentrations alone, to identify infertile homozygous ewe lambs. Ewe lambs were blood sampled at 2, 5 and/or 8 months of age, and plasma analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibin content. These animals were either the offspring of both known carrier rams and known carrier ewes, and therefore would be either homozygous (II) or heterozygous (I +) for the Inverdale gene (group 1, N = 122), or had one parent that was a carrier and therefore would be either heterozygous or noncarriers (+ +) of the gene (group 2, N = 32). Animals were designated as either II or I + / + + on the basis of their plasma hormone concentrations. Inverdale genotype was also assigned from laparoscopic observation of the ovaries at each of these occasions. Definitive assignment of genotype was made at laparoscopy as adults during the breeding season. On the basis of laparoscopy as adults, 62 (51%) lambs in group 1 were identified as homozygous and 60 (49%) as heterozygous. At all three ages, both mean FSH and mean LH concentrations were significantly higher in II than in I + lambs. Mean inhibin concentrations were significantly lower in II lambs at 8 months, but did not differ significantly between genotypes at 2 or 5 months of age. The use of discriminant analysis techniques to segregate individual animals in group 1 on the basis of their plasma FSH and LH concentrations, correctly identified Inverdale genotype in 50/52 (96%) lambs at 2 months, 75/79 (95%) at 5 months and 118/122 (97%) at 8 months of age. Discriminant analysis was equally effective for segregating II ewe lambs (group 1) from fertile ewe lambs of I + and + + genotype (group 2, 97% correct at 5 months and 98% at 8 months). At no stage did inclusion of inhibin concentrations into the discriminant function alter the number of homozygous ewes misclassified. This demonstrates that infertile homozygous ewe lambs can accurately be distinguished from their fertile flockmates by using plasma concentrations of gonadotrophins alone, and that this can be achieved from as early as 2 months of age.     

Lactobacilli in the intestinal microbiota of Swedish infants

Lactobacillus colonisation was examined in 112 Swedish infants. Faecal samples obtained at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks and at 6, 12 and 18 months of age were cultivated quantitatively on Rogosa agar. Lactobacilli were speciated by PCR and typed to the strain level by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Lactobacilli reached a peak at 6 months when 45% of the infants were colonised. L. rhamnosus and L. gasseri were the most common species in this period. Colonisation by lactobacilli in general (P < 0.01) and L. rhamnosus in particular (P < 0.05) was more common in breast-fed than in weaned infants at 6 months of age. Lactobacillus isolation reached a nadir of 17% by 12 months (P < 0.0001), but increased to 31% by 18 months of age P < 0.05). The food-related species L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus and L. delbrueckii dominated in this second phase. A single strain persisted for at least 3 weeks in 17% of the infants during the first 6 months, most commonly L. rhamnosus. Lactobacillus population counts in colonised infants increased from 10(6.4) cfu/g at 1 week to 10(8.8) cfu/g at 6 months, and then dropped to 10(5.4) cfu/g faeces at 12 months of age. Lactobacillus colonisation was not significantly related to delivery mode, or to presence of siblings or pets in the household. Our results suggest that certain Lactobacillus species, especially L. rhamnosus, thrive in the intestinal flora of breast-fed infants. After weaning they are replaced by other Lactobacillus species of types found in food.     

Natural course of penicillamine nephropathy: a long term study of 33 patients

To elucidate the natural course of the nephropathy associated with penicillamine and thereby facilitate its clinical management 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed proteinuria during treatment with oral penicillamine were studied in detail throughout their renal illness. Renal biopsies were performed, and creatinine clearance and proteinuria were measured serially for 74 months (range 16-148 months). Fourteen patients developed proteinuria within six months after the start of treatment and 27 within 12 months. When treatment was stopped the proteinuria reached a median peak of 4·2 g/24 h (range 0·3-15·0 g/24 h) at one month (range 0-7 months) before resolving spontaneously by six months (12 patients), 12 months (21), or 18 months (29). In all patients but one, who developed carcinoma of the renal pelvis, proteinuria resolved by 21 months and its median duration was eight months. The median first and last measurements of creatinine clearance showed no appreciable change (80 ml/min and 78 ml/min), and no patient died from or needed treatment for renal failure. The HLA-B8 or HLA-DR3 alloantigen, or both, were identified in 10 patients. Renal biopsy specimens showed membranous glomerulonephritis in 29 patients, minimal change nephropathy in two, and electron dense deposits in the mesangial regions in two.In all the patients whose nephropathy was due solely to treatment with penicillamine the proteinuria resolved completely when the drug was withdrawn; renal function did not deteriorate, and corticosteroids were unnecessary.     

Myelomatosis: Comparison of Melphalan and Cyclophosphamide Therapy

Untreated patients suffering from myelomatosis were allocated at random for treatment by the daily oral administration of either cyclophosphamide or melphalan: 141 received cyclophosphamide and 133 melphalan. The trial began on 1 October 1964 and the intake of patients continued until 31 July 1968. The statistical analysis includes follow-up of the surviving patients to 31 May 1970.The most important single factor affecting the prognosis was the blood urea concentration at presentation. The median survival of the 125 patients whose blood urea concentration was less than 40 mg/100 ml was 33 months, compared with 20 months for the 96 patients whose blood urea concentration was 40-79 mg/100 ml and two months for the 55 patients whose blood urea concentration was 80 mg/100 ml or more.The median survival periods of the 114 patients in the cyclophosphamide group and of the 105 in the melphalan group whose blood urea concentration at presentation was less than 80 mg/100 ml were 27 and 23 months respectively. The difference is not statistically significant.     

Enprostil and ranitidine in prevention of duodenal ulcer relapse: one year double blind comparative trial.

One hundred and forty two patients with duodenal ulcer who after a short term study had relief of pain and healed ulcers proved endoscopically were allocated at random to double blind maintenance treatment with enprostil (a synthetic dehydroprostaglandin E2) 35 micrograms or ranitidine 150 mg at bedtime for up to 12 months. Patients were monitored every third month and examined by endoscopy at three, six, and 12 months, or more often if warranted. The cumulative relapse rates in the enprostil group at three, six, and 12 months were 37% (25/67), 56% (37/66), and 62% (41/66), respectively. The corresponding rates in the ranitidine group were 8% (6/71), 19% (13/69), and 29% (20/69). These differences were highly significant and further enhanced by life table analysis adjusting for withdrawals and by an "intention to treat" analysis in which absence of proof of non-recurrence was counted as failure, more patients in the enprostil group having been withdrawn because of adverse events or recorded as non-compliant with the protocol. Enprostil 35 micrograms at bedtime cannot be recommended for preventing relapse of duodenal ulcer. Furthermore, the results challenge the clinical relevance of using so called "cytoprotection" for preventing recurrence.     

Sagittal craniosynostosis outcome assessment for two methods and timings of intervention.

A retrospective quantitative analysis of 40 infants who underwent surgery for sagittal craniosynostosis was conducted to determine whether any difference in outcome, with respect to cranial index (cranial width/cranial length x 100), could be associated with either the age at surgery or the extent of the operation. Children < or = 13 months old at surgery and for whom there were archived computed tomography digital data preoperatively, perioperatively, and 1 year postoperatively were studied. For statistical analysis, the operation was classified as either extended strip craniectomy or subtotal calvarectomy, and the age at operation was either < or = 4 months or > 4 months. Twenty-eight patients underwent extended strip craniectomy at a mean age of 5.1 months. Their mean cranial index preoperatively was 67 versus 71 at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Of extended strip craniectomy patients, 15 were operated on at age < or = 4 months (mean = 2.9 months) and 13 at age > 4 months (mean = 7.6 months). Mean cranial indices for age at operation groups did not achieve age-appropriate normal range values 1 year postoperatively for either group, and there was no significant difference between the mean percentages of improvement achieved (p = 0.143). Twelve patients underwent subtotal calvarectomy at a mean age of 5.2 months. Their mean cranial index preoperatively was 66 versus 74 at 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.0001). The mean cranial index in this group reached age-appropriate normal range values 1 year postoperatively. The percentage improvement in cranial index 1 year after subtotal calvarectomy was greater than after extended strip craniectomy (p = 0.003). Extended strip craniectomy for sagittal craniosynostosis does not achieve normal cranial width:length proportions, even when performed before 4 months of age. Subtotal calvarectomy for sagittal craniosynostosis does achieve normal cranial width:length proportions in the majority of the children, at least when performed within the first 13 months of life.     

An oral developmental neurotoxicity study of decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) in rats

BACKGROUND: Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE; CASRN 1163‐19‐5) is a flame retardant used in a variety of manufactured products. A single oral dose of 20.1 mg/kg administered to mice on postnatal day 3 has been reported to alter motor activity at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. METHODS: To further evaluate these results, a developmental neurotoxicity study was conducted in the most commonly used species for studies of this type, the rat, according to international validated testing guidelines and Good Laboratory Practice Standards. DecaBDE was administered orally via gavage in corn oil to dams from gestation day 6 to weaning at doses of 0, 1, 10, 100, or 1,000 mg/kg/day. Standard measures of growth, development, and neurological endpoints were evaluated in the offspring. Motor activity was assessed at 2 months of age. Additional motor activity assessments were conducted at 4 and 6 months of age. Neuropathology and morphometry evaluations of the offspring were performed at weaning and adulthood. RESULTS: No treatment‐related neurobehavioral changes were observed in detailed clinical observations, startle response, or learning and memory tests. No test substance‐related changes were noted in motor activity assessments performed at 2, 4, or 6 months of age. Finally, no treatment‐related neuropathological or morphometric alterations were found. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level for developmental neurotoxicity of DecaBDE was 1,000 mg/kg/day, the highest dose tested. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 92:17–35, 2011.© 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fatty acids in ADHD: plasma profiles in a placebo-controlled study of Omega 3/6 fatty acids in children and adolescents

The aim of this study was to assess baseline levels and changes in plasma fatty acid profiles in children and adolescents with ADHD, in a placebo-controlled study with Omega 3/6 supplementation, and to compare with treatment response. Seventy-five children and adolescents aged 8?C18?years with DSM-IV ADHD were randomized to 3?months of Omega 3/6 (Equazen eye q) or placebo, followed by 3?months of open phase Omega 3/6 for all. n-3, n-6, n-6/n-3 ratio, EPA and DHA in plasma were measured at baseline, 3 and 6?months. Subjects with more than 25?% reduction in ADHD symptoms were classified as responders. At baseline, no significant differences in mean fatty acid levels were seen across active/placebo groups or responder/non-responder groups. The 0?C3?month changes in all parameters were significantly greater in the active group (p?<?0.01). Compared to non-responders, the 6-month responders had significantly greater n-3 increase at 3?months and decrease in n-6/n-3 ratio at 3 and 6?months (p?<?0.05). Omega 3/6 supplementation had a clear impact on fatty acid composition of plasma phosphatidyl choline in active versus placebo group, and the fatty acid changes appear to be associated with treatment response. The most pronounced and long-lasting changes for treatment responders compared to non-responders were in the n-6/n-3 ratio.     

Effect of calorie restriction on the free-living physical activity levels of nonobese humans: results of three randomized trials

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of calorie restriction (CR) on free-living physical activity levels among humans. Data were from three CALERIE phase I site-specific protocols. Participants were nonobese (body mass index = 23.5-29.9 kg/m2 adults randomly assigned to 25% CR, low-calorie diet (LCD, 890 kcal/day supplement diet until 15% weight loss, then weight maintenance), or control at Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC); 30% or 10% CR at Tufts University; and 20% CR or control at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM). Activity was measured at months 0, 3, and 6 (PBRC) and at months 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 (WUSM and Tufts). Total daily energy expenditure (TEE) by doubly labeled water and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were used to compute activity energy expenditure: AEE = TEE - RMR - 0.1 * TEE. Accelerometry and 7-day recall categorized activities by intensity. At Tufts, the 10% and 30% CR groups experienced significant decreases in AEE at months 6, 9, and 12. At month 6, a larger decrease in AEE was observed in the CR than the control group at WUSM. At months 3 and 6, larger decreases in AEE were observed in the CR and LCD groups than the control group at PBRC. Accelerometry and 7-day PAR did not consistently detect changes in activity categories. CR-associated changes in AEE were variable but, generally, reduced the energy deficit, which would reduce the expected rate of weight loss. Accelerometry and recall did not consistently explain reduced AEE, suggesting that increased muscle efficiency and/or decreased fidgeting accounted for decreased AEE. Inaccuracy of accelerometry and recall also likely negatively affected sensitivity.     

Low-dose radiation exposure and atherosclerosis in ApoE⁻/⁻ mice

The hypothesis that single low-dose exposures (0.025-0.5 Gy) to low-LET radiation given at either high (about 150 mGy/min) or low (1 mGy/min) dose rate would promote aortic atherosclerosis was tested in female C57BL/6J mice genetically predisposed to this disease (ApoE?/?). Mice were exposed either at an early stage of disease (2 months of age) and examined 3 or 6 months later or at a late stage of disease (8 months of age) and examined 2 or 4 months later. Changes in aortic lesion frequency, size and severity as well as total serum cholesterol levels and the uptake of lesion lipids by lesion-associated macrophages were assessed. Statistically significant changes in each of these measures were observed, depending on dose, dose rate and disease stage. In all cases, the results were distinctly non-linear with dose, with maximum effects tending to occur at 25 or 50 mGy. In general, low doses given at low dose rate during either early- or late-stage disease were protective, slowing the progression of the disease by one or more of these measures. Most effects appeared and persisted for months after the single exposures, but some were ultimately transitory. In contrast to exposure at low dose rate, high-dose-rate exposure during early-stage disease produced both protective and detrimental effects, suggesting that low doses may influence this disease by more than one mechanism and that dose rate is an important parameter. These results contrast with the known, generally detrimental effects of high doses on the progression of this disease in the same mice and in humans, suggesting that a linear extrapolation of the known increased risk from high doses to low doses is not appropriate.     

Restart of anaerobic filters treating low-strength wastewater

The anaerobic filter (AF) technology offers an alternative method for the direct treatment of low-strength wastewater and the study was undertaken to access AF-biomass reactivation after prolonged nonfeeding periods, an important characteristic making the process suitable for handling variable or intermittent pollution loads. Four upflow AF (three 12.5-L and one 3.9-L, each with different packing), which had treated municipal-type wastewaters (natural, amended or synthetic) for 34 months at 25 or 16 degrees C and varying hydraulic loads and had remained inactive for 24 months, were used. All units were fed synthetic wastewater [mean chemical oxygen demand (COD) 323 mg/L, total suspended solids (TSS) 47 mg/L] and operated at 27 degrees C for 2.5 months (phase 1); and following a 6-month idle period, the smaller filter treated municipal wastewater (mean COD and TSS 820 and 448 mg/L) at 16 degrees C for an additional 2.5 months (phase 2). The larger units operated at a 2.0-d hydraulic retention time and the smaller at 1.0-0.33-d in phase 1 and 2.0 or 1.0-d in phase 2. Reactivation was quick and yielded efficient treatment. Restart was affected by the AF history and packing morphology, the types of wastewater previously handled, and the duration of the nonfeeding period.     

Control of apple canker using fungicidal paints and gels

Paints containing mercuric oxide or thiophanate-methyl were applied to either scraped or unscraped cankers caused by Nectria galligena on apple trees at two sites. Three gel formulations (carbendazim/triadimefon in alginate or xanthan and carbendazim/imazalil in xanthan) and a solvent-based PP969 formulation were applied to unscraped cankers only. Assessments were made 9 and 21 months after treatment. Mercuric oxide was more effective than thiophanate-methyl after 21 months on both scraped and unscraped cankers. All gel formulations reduced spore production and fungitoxicant could still be detected in bark and wood after 21 months. The solvent-based PP969 formulation did not perform as well as the gels.     

Effect of Diet Composition and Weight Loss on Resting Energy Expenditure in the POUNDS LOST Study

Weight loss reduces energy expenditure, but it is unclear whether dietary macronutrient composition affects this reduction. We hypothesized that energy expenditure might be modulated by macronutrient composition of the diet. The Prevention of Obesity Using Novel Dietary Strategies (POUNDS) LOST study, a prospective, randomized controlled trial in 811 overweight/obese people who were randomized in a 2 × 2 design to diets containing 20en% or 40en% fat and 15en% or 25en% protein (diets with 65%, 55%, 45%, and 35% carbohydrate) provided the data to test this hypothesis. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured at baseline, 6, and 24 months using a ventilated hood. REE declined at 6 months by 99.5 ± 8.0 kcal/day in men and 55.2 ± 10.6 kcal/day in women during the first 6 months. This decline was related to the weight loss, and there was no difference between the diets. REE had returned to baseline by 24 months, but body weight was still 60% below baseline. Measured REE at 6 months was significantly lower than the predicted (?18.2 ± 6.7 kcal/day) and was the result of significant reductions from baseline in the low‐fat diets (65% or 55% carbohydrate), but not in the high fat diet groups. By 24 months the difference had reversed with measured REE being slightly but significantly higher than predicted (21.8 ± 10.1 kcal/day). In conclusion, we found that REE fell significantly after weight loss but was not related to diet composition. Adaptive thermogenesis was evident at 6 months, but not at 24 months.     

Passive-active immunisation of neonates of HBsAg positive carrier mothers: preliminary observations.

Screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in three areas of Holland led to the identification of HBsAg carriers, 20 of whom were subsequently delivered. Within two hours after birth all infants received hepatitis B immune globulin (0.5 ml/kg body weight) and, after randomisation, hepatitis B vaccine (10 micrograms) was given either at 0, 1, and 2 months of age or at 3, 4, and 5 months of age, the latter concomitantly with DPTP vaccination. Eighteen infants complying with the protocol were followed up for at least six months. No side effects were observed after either passive or active immunisation. All infants developed high concentrations of anti-HBs antibodies; no interference of high dose passive immunisation with active immunisation was observed. Concentrations of anti-HBs at three months were significantly lower in infants given delayed active immunisation than in those given early active immunisation. These data suggest that passive-active immunisation against hepatitis B virus infection is well tolerated by neonates under 3 months of age and that both early and late active immunisation in combination with passive immunisation will result in excellent anti-HBs production.