Use of clinical parameters for differentiation of gram-positive and gram-negative mastitis in dairy cows vaccinated against lipopolysaccharide core antigens

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether clinical parameters could be used to differentiate clinical mastitis (CM) caused by gram-positive bacteria from CM caused by gram-negative bacteria in dairy cows vaccinated against lipopolysaccharide core antigens. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 143 episodes of CM in 86 dairy cows in a single herd. PROCEDURE: Cows were examined at onset of CM, and 24 clinical parameters including rectal temperature, heart rate, rumen contraction rate, degree of dehydration, various udder and milk characteristics, lactation number, stage of lactation, and season of year were recorded. Milk production and milk constituent concentrations before onset of CM were obtained from Dairy Herd Improvement Association records. Values for cows with gram-negative CM were compared with values for cows with gram-positive CM. Logistic regression was used to identify important predictors of gram-negative CM. RESULTS: 64 (45%) CM episodes were caused by gram-negative bacteria and 79 (55%) were caused by gram-positive bacteria. Rumen contraction rate was significantly lower and milk protein percentage before onset of CM was significantly higher in cows with gram-negative, rather than gram-positive, CM. Logistic regression indicated that CM was more likely to have been caused by gram-negative bacteria if it developed during the summer, milk was watery, or rumen contraction rate was low. Sensitivity and specificity of the final regression model were 0.58 and 0.80, respectively. Predictive value of a positive result was 0.74 when proportion of CM episodes caused by gram-negative bacteria was assumed to be 50%. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results suggest that clinical observations do not allow accurate prediction of CM pathogens and should not be the sole criteria for deciding whether cows with CM are treated with antibiotics.     

Adverse impact and predictive efficiency of various predictor combinations.

The effects of number of predictors, predictor intercorrelations, validity, and level of subgroup difference on composite validity, adverse impact ratios, and mean subgroup difference associated with various predictor composites, including and excluding a "high impact" ability measure, were assessed. The size of subgroup differences is substantially smaller when low-impact predictors are combined with a high-impact predictor, but hiring ratios for majority and minority groups still indicate a prima facie case of discrimination, using the fourth-fifths rule for most predictor-criterion combinations. However, the validity of a composite of alternate predictors and cognitive ability may exceed the validity of cognitive ability alone and reduce the size of subgroup differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

évaluation préliminaire des qualités psychométriques d'un système de codification du soutien conjugal pour le trouble de stress post-traumatique.

Lack of social support (SS) is one of the most important factors influencing the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and people living in couples seek the support of their spouse. To our knowledge, no study on PTSD has used an observational measure of SS in addition of the usual self-report method of measurement. The purpose of this study is to adapt the Social Support Interaction Global Coding System (SCIS) and to explore its psychometric properties using 20 support interactions videotaped with couples among whom a spouse has a PTSD diagnosis. Results suggest that the new SCIS (PTSD) shows satisfactory interrater reliability, good internal consistency and good convergent validity with self-reported measures of perceived support and marital adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The growth of oxide platelets on nickel in pure oxygen. II. Surface analyses and growth mechanism

The structural properties of NiO platelets emerging from a primary oxide layer by oxidation of pretreated nickels in pure oxygen between 650 and 800° C have been investigated in relation with the initial metallic layers and the primary oxide. Surface composition and segregation of impurities were also studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Textural properties and structural orientation of both the primary oxide layer and the platelets were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Platelets grew along {111} planes, leading to elliptical or semicircular bicrystals. The driving force for the present type of growth originates from the stresses accumulated in the thin, primary oxide layer. Impurities do not directly interact with this growth, but enable a specific grain structure to be developed thereby favoring platelet growth.     

Black bear femoral porosity decreases and mechanical properties increase with age despite annual periods of disuse (hibernation)

Inactivity causes bone loss, and a remobilization period that is 2-3 times longer than the disuse period is required to recover lost bone. Black bears (Ursus americanus), however, experience annual disuse (hibernation) and active periods that are approximately equal in length, but maintain bone material properties with age. Here, the effects of annual hibernation periods on whole bone properties were investigated. This study shows that mineral, geometrical and whole bone mechanical properties increase with age in black bear femurs, whereas porosity decreases with age. These results provide further support that black bears possess a biological mechanism to avoid disuse osteoporosis.     

Lien entre la qualité des relations familiales et sociales à l'adolescence et à l'age adulte.

Fifty-seven families with adolescent children participated in a study of a) the quality of family and friendship relationships in adolescence, and b) the quality of family, friendship, and romantic relationships of adolescents 7 years later. Observation measures and self-report questionnaires were used to examine the variables. Regression analyses showed that mothers' marital satisfaction, conjugal conflict, and quality of mother-daughter relationship in adolescence predicted daughters' satisfaction with romantic relationships in adulthood. However, only the parental variables during adolescence predicted the quality of friendship relationships in adulthood. This study highlighted the contribution that quality of family relationships in adolescence makes to the quality of interpersonal relationships in adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leptin: a genetic solution to obesity?

LEPTINE: Produced by adipose tissue, leptine is a regulatory hormone controlling body fat mass. GENETICS: The human gene coding for leptine was first cloned in 1984. Its receptor, a member of the class 1 cytokine receptor family, has also been identified. VARIABLE SERUM LEVELS: Plasma levels of leptine in normal-weight subjects are in the 5ng/ml range and reach 50 ng/ml in obese subjects. Weight gain leads to higher blood levels and weight loss to lower levels. The effect of leptine is to approach a weight equilibrium. Leptine level is correlated with energy balance. MODE OF ACTION: Leptine acts on hypothalamic centers controlling satiety. One of the essential mediators is neuropeptide Y. Resistance to leptine has been evidenced in human obesity. Resistance can occur as several levels and would be one of the explanations for massive obesity involving genetic factors. Leptine may also play a role in certain types of infertility.     

The near wall behavior of an impinging jet

The present work investigates the applicability of scaling log-laws to the turbulent impinging jet. Both, the velocity and the temperature fields are studied under this assumption. To validate the proposed expressions, a detailed experimental program was carried out based on thermal anemometry. The experiments were conducted for one nozzle-to-plate spacing (H/D = 2.0) and Reynolds number of 35,000. A constant wall heat flux condition was achieved by conducting electricity through thin resistors that were placed beneath an aluminum disk. Measurements of local velocity and of temperature distributions are presented as well as longitudinal turbulence profiles. The mean temperature profiles were measured through thermocouples.     

Hypnotic taper with or without self-help treatment of insomnia: A randomized clinical trial.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a minimal intervention focusing on hypnotic discontinuation and cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for insomnia. Fifty-three adult chronic users of hypnotics were randomly assigned to an 8-week hypnotic taper program, used alone or combined with a self-help CBT. Weekly hypnotic use decreased in both conditions, from a nearly nightly use at baseline to less than once a week at posttreatment. Nightly dosage (in lorazepam equivalent) decreased from 1.67 mg to 0.12 mg. Participants who received CBT improved their sleep efficiency by 8%, whereas those who did not remained stable. Total wake time decreased by 52 min among CBT participants and increased by 13 min among those receiving the taper schedule alone. Total sleep time remained stable throughout withdrawal in both CBT and taper conditions. The present findings suggest that a systematic withdrawal schedule might be sufficient in helping chronic users stop their hypnotic medication. The addition of a self-help treatment focusing on insomnia, a readily available and cost-effective alternative to individual psychotherapy, produced greater sleep improvement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)