Effects of a colostrum replacement product derived from serum on immunoglobulin G absorption by calves

Calves are born hypogammaglobulinemic and rely on immunoglobulin (Ig) from colostrum to obtain passive immunity. Previous research has indicated that colostrum supplements derived from milk are less effective than is maternal colostrum in providing adequate IgG to neonatal calves. Our objective was to determine the absorption of IgG by newborn calves fed a USDA food-grade colostrum supplement derived from bovine serum or fed pooled maternal colostrum. Holstein calves (n = 20; 10 bulls) were removed from the dam within 1 h of birth and were housed in individual stalls for the 24-h study. Calves were fed 2 L of colostrum or colostrum replacer at 1.5 and 13.5 h (+/- 0.1 h). Calves were blocked by colostrum pool, and replacer was fed to provide equal intakes of IgG within blocks. Jugular blood was collected at 1 and 24 h (+/- 0.1 h) for analysis of IgG by radial immunodiffusion. At 24 h, calves were injected with 1.5 ml of Evans blue dye to estimate plasma volume. Mean plasma IgG at 24 h of age was 7.3 +/- 0.4 g/L and was affected by an interaction of block and treatment. Apparent efficiency of IgG absorption of 24 h was reduced when 750 g of the colostrum replacement product were fed but was increased when 266 g of colostrum replacement product were fed. Mean plasma volume was unaffected by treatment and was 3.5 +/- 0.2 L or 9.1% of BW. These data indicate that efficiency of IgG absorption from the colostrum replacement product may be affected by amount of material fed. Proteins other than IgG in the colostrum replacement product might have reduced the efficiency of IgG absorption.     

Visual word recognition in bilinguals: Phonological priming from the second to the first language.

In this study, the authors show that cross-lingual phonological priming is possible not only from the 1st language (L1) to the 2nd language (L2), but also from L2 to L1. In addition, both priming effects were found to have the same magnitude and to not be related to differences in word naming latencies between L1 and L2. The findings are further evidence against language-selective access models of bilingual word processing and are more in line with strong phonological models of visual word recognition than with the traditional dual-route models. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quality of first and second solutions in group problem solving.

What effect does having a group solve a problem the second time have on the quality of group solutions? 100 students were divided into 25 groups of 4 each to "role play the case of the Change of Work Procedures. The roles of the foreman and three workers were assigned randomly to the members of each group." When they finished, "they were asked to arrive at a second solution to the problem." Although the double-solution method seemed to require little more time, the "solution quality was generally increased without a loss of acceptance." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential use of premarital education in first and second marriages.

Although second marriages are more likely to end in divorce than first marriages, and thus represent an important target for intervention, there have been no detailed examinations of the use of premarital education in second marriages. Using random-digit dialing methods, 398 individuals currently in a second marriage and 1,342 individuals currently in a first marriage participated. Compared with those in first marriages, individuals in second marriages were significantly less likely to receive premarital education for their current marriage. This difference was fully mediated by differences between individuals in first and second marriages in pre-engagement cohabitation, education level, having children from a previous relationship, and being married by a religious leader. In both first and second marriages, those couples at most risk for subsequent marital distress and divorce were less likely to receive premarital education. Results suggest that more needs to be done to understand the barriers to the use of premarital education for second marriages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Passive immunization reduces immunity that results from simultaneous active immunization against tick-borne encephalitis virus in a mouse model

Concomitant administration of an antigen and antibodies of the respective specificity has been shown to result in reduced levels of actively produced antibodies. This has also recently been observed in a clinical trial on simultaneous passive and active immunization against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). In the current study the influence of simultaneous passive and active immunization on vaccine induced protective immunity against TBEV has been evaluated in a mouse model. Two immunizations with licensed whole-killed TBEV vaccines gave close to complete protection. Administration of human or mouse TBEV antibodies together with the first vaccine dose resulted in a significant reduction of vaccine induced protection against TBEV challenge. This effect was even more pronounced than that observed earlier on the levels of vaccine induced antibody.     

Effects of the first prepulse on the blink response to a startling noise.

Startle is inhibited when a startling stimulus follows 30–300 ms after a weak prepulse. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating and is deficient in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous reports argue both for and against a learned component to the inhibitory effects of prepulses, but this issue has yet to be fully investigated using stimuli that most commonly detect PPI deficits in clinical populations. If the inhibitory impact of a prepulse is learned, PPI should not be evident when the prepulse is the first stimulus experienced by the subject. Eyeblink electromyography in normal adults was recorded after either a 118 dB(A) 40-ms noise pulse alone (PA) or the same pulse preceded 120 ms by an 86 dB(A) 5-ms noise prepulse (pp + P). In 25 subjects (Order 1), Trial 1 was a PA, and Trial 2 was a pp + P; 23 subjects experienced the opposite order (Order 2). In 34 subjects, Trials 1 and 2 were both PA (control order). Background was 70 dB(A). Startle magnitude increased from Trial 1 to 2 if no prepulse was presented (control order). Compared with the control order, startle inhibition by prepulses was evident in both Orders 1 and 2, and was more robust in Order 2 (first trial = pp + P). Startle magnitude was significantly lower on pp + P than on PA trials in Order 2 but not Order 1 (F     

Are first- and second-language factors related in predicting second-language reading comprehension? A study of Spanish-speaking children acquiring English as a second language from first to second grade.

First-language (L1) and 2nd-language (L2) oral language skills and L2 word reading were used as predictors to test the simple view of reading as a model of 2nd-language reading comprehension. The simple view of reading states that reading comprehension is related to decoding and oral language comprehension skills. One hundred thirty-one Spanish-speaking English learners (ELs) were tested in 1st grade and many were followed into 2nd grade, including a full sample of 79. Structural equation modeling confirmed that a 5-factor measurement model had the best fit, suggesting that L1 and L2 phonological awareness should be viewed as separate but related constructs and that L1 and L2 oral language proficiency, measured by vocabulary and grammatical awareness, were separate constructs. The structural model indicated that for this group of ELs, who were educated in English, English oral language proficiency and word reading were the strongest predictors of English reading comprehension. Other models that deleted 1 of these crucial components resulted in significantly poorer fit. Therefore, the results support the validity of the simple view of reading as a model for the development of reading comprehension in young ELs. Implications for theory and practice, specifically assessment of ELs, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ultrasonography of the fetal neck in the first and early second trimesters. Part 1. Normal appearance

The soft tissues of the neck of 196 normal fetuses were examined with ultrasonography during the first and early second trimesters, and the criteria for normality are described here. The dorsal pseudomembrane is the most important feature of this area in a normal fetus. This feature appears as a single echogenic line lying parallel to the occiput and the upper cervical spine but separated from them by an anechoic area, which should be less than 2.8 mm deep before 18 weeks gestational age. The membrane is best observed when the fetus is in the "neck-up" position with the neck flexed. Although the superior-inferior extent of the membrane is variable, the occurrence of lateral extension, septations or hydrops or a bulbous appearance indicates abnormality. The membrane should move freely with the motion of the neck, which allows it to be differentiated from the normal amnion, amniotic bands or synechiae.     

Passive smoke exposure and otitis media in the first year of life. Group Health Medical Associates

OBJECTIVE: This study examined, in a health maintenance organization population of children, the associations between parents' smoking and otitis media (OM) in their children while controlling for other known risk factors. METHODS: Healthy newborns (1246) in a large health maintenance organization were enrolled at birth, and 1013 (81%) were followed prospectively for the first year of life. Their medical records were reviewed for the diagnosis of otitis media. Information on risk factors for recurrent OM (ROM) was collected, including a number of variables related to parental smoking. RESULTS: After controlling for other known risk factors for ROM including gender, day care, other siblings in the home, parental history of hay fever, and method of feeding, it was found that heavy maternal smoking of 20 or more cigarettes per day was a significant risk factor for ROM but not for nonrecurrent otitis. Heavy maternal smoking was associated with a threefold risk for ROM if the infant weighed less than the mean at birth (3.5 kg) after controlling for other risk factors. No association was found with paternal smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy maternal smoking is a significant risk factor for ROM in the first year of life. This smoking effect seems to be stronger among infants of lower birth weight.     

Active immunity against the CD4 receptor by using an antibody antigenized with residues 41-55 of the first extracellular domain

Using the process of "antibody antigenization," we engineered two antibody molecules carrying in the third complementarity-determining region of the heavy chain variable domain a 7-mer or a 15-mer peptide epitope of the first extracellular domain (D1) of human CD4 receptor--namely, Ser-Phe-Leu-Thr-Lys-Gly-Pro-Ser (SFLTKGPS; positions 42 through 49) and Gly-Ser-Phe-Leu-Thr-Lys-Gly-Pro-Ser-Lys-Leu-Asn-Asp-Arg-Ala (GSFLTKGPSKLNDRA; positions 41 through 55). These amino acid sequences are contained in the consensus binding site for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on CD4 receptor. Both antigenized antibodies (AgAbs) bound recombinant gp120 and were recognized by a prototype monoclonal antibody to CD4 whose binding site is within amino acid residues 41-55. AgAbs were then used as immunogens in rabbits and mice to elicit a humoral response against CD4. Only the AgAb carrying the sequence 41GSFLTKGPSKLN-DRA55 induced a response against CD4. The induced antibodies showed specificity for the amino acid sequence of CD4 engineered in the AgAb molecule, were able to inhibit the formation of syncytia between human CD4+ T cells MOLT-3 and 8E5 (T cells that are constitutively infected with HIV), and stained human CD4+ CEM T cells. Four murine monoclonal antibodies were used to analyze the relationship between syncytia inhibition and CD4 binding at the single antibody level, and indicated that recognition of native CD4 is not an absolute requirement for inhibition of syncytia. This study demonstrates that antigenized antibodies can be used as immunogens to elicit site-specific and biologically active immunity to CD4. The importance of this approach as a general way to induce anti-receptor immunity and as a possible new measure to immunointervention in HIV infection is discussed.     

Effects of antipyrine on umbilical and regional metabolism in late gestation in the fetal lamb

OBJECTIVE: Antipyrine has been used extensively in fetal metabolic studies and is now known to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis; therefore we wished to determine the effects of antipyrine on fetal umbilical and regional metabolism. STUDY DESIGN: Chronically catheterized fetal lambs were randomly assigned to antipyrine (n = 6) or control (n = 5) groups. Animals in the antipyrine group were infused with antipyrine (mean +/- SD 9.6 +/- 0.9 mg/min for 165 +/- 38 minutes), and control group animals were not infused. Measurements were made of fetal blood gases, oxygen content, glucose, lactate, lower-body blood flow, upper-body flow distribution, and substrate uptakes across the umbilical and hind limb circulations. The unpaired t test, correlation coefficient, and regression analysis were used for comparisons. RESULTS: There were no differences in antipyrine and control group animals with respect to blood gases, metabolite levels, umbilical blood flow, or umbilical uptakes. Hind limb blood flow (p < 0.10) and oxygen uptake (p < 0.05) were lower and lactate production was higher (p < 0.01) in antipyrine animals than in control group animals. Duration of antipyrine exposure correlated directly with hind limb lactate production (r = 0.85, p < 0.001) and inversely with hind limb oxygen uptake (r = -0.65, p < 0.05). The distribution of blood flow within the fetal upper body also differed between groups, with higher cardiac distribution in the antipyrine group (p < 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Antipyrine does not affect umbilical metabolism but does affect carcass metabolism and fetal blood flow distribution.     

Caring for a second baby: Effects on interaction between mother and firstborn.

The results of an observational study of 40 families showed a marked increase in confrontation between mother and the firstborn and a decrease in maternal attentive playfulness after birth of a 2nd child. The direct effects of the mother's attention to the 2nd child on her interaction with the 1st child were examined by comparing 3 situations: (a) feeding the 2nd child, (b) holding/caregiving the 2nd child, and (c) not involved with the 2nd child. When the mother was occupied with the 2nd child, there was an increase in confrontation but also in positive involvement between the mother and 1st child. The decrease in maternal attention after the sibling birth occurred in contexts in which the mother was not occupied with the baby. With younger 1st children, these effects were particularly marked. Confrontation was higher in bottle-feeding than in breast-feeding situations. Sex differences were not significant. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Protective immunity induced with the antigens fractionated by affinity chromatography from the second generation schizonts of Leucocytozoon caulleryi

The effect of rat amylin on gastric emptying and intestinal transit in the rat was examined. Amylin administered intracerebroventricularly (1, 2, 2.5 or 4 micrograms/rat) produced the maximal decrease in gastric emptying and intestinal transit at the dose of 2.5 micrograms/rat. Higher doses produced a lower effect. Peripheral administration (25, 50 or 100 micrograms/kg) produced dose-dependent effects. Pre-treatment with neostigmine blocked the effect of amylin when it was centrally injected, while the effect of amylin given peripherally was partially reduced. Pre-treatment with domperidone decreased the inhibitory effect of peripherally injected amylin, but no effect was observed when the peptide was centrally injected.     

Gender processing in first and second languages: The role of noun termination.

In 2 picture-naming and 2 grammaticality judgment experiments, the authors explored how the phonological form of a word, especially its termination, affects gender processing by monolinguals and unbalanced bilinguals speaking German. The results of the 2 experiments with native German speakers yielded no significant differences: The reaction times were statistically identical for items from gender typical, ambiguous, and gender atypical groups. The 2 experiments with English bilinguals who had learned German as a second language (L2), however, provided evidence that the L2 word's termination plays a role in L2 gender processing. Participants were fastest when producing gender-marked noun phrases containing a noun with a gender typical termination and slowest when the noun had a gender atypical termination. Analogous results were obtained in the grammaticality judgment experiment. These findings support the assumption that there is interaction between the levels of phonological encoding and grammatical encoding at least in bilingual processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acquisition of literacy: A longitudinal study of children in first and second grade.

Tested a model of early literacy acquisition regarding the interrelation of word recognition, spelling, reading comprehension, and writing skills, using longitudinal data collected from 80 children who passed from 1st through 2nd grades. Incoming characteristics (i.e., ethnicity, IQ, oral language) and the rate at which each S progressed through his or her reading books were examined in relation to growth in phonemic awareness, spelling/sound knowledge, and lexical knowledge. The impact of these factors on development in word recognition and spelling was explored, along with the relation of word recognition and listening comprehension to reading comprehension, and the relation of spelling and ideation to story writing. It was hypothesized that poor reading achievement in minority students would be partially attributable to poorer phonemic awareness of school English due to dialect, 2nd language, and cultural differences. Results support the hypothesis, suggesting the strong importance of phonemic awareness in literacy acquisition. The relation between word recognition and spelling was strong due to reliance on similar sources of knowledge. The relation between reading comprehension and writing appeared less strong, suggesting that the generation of ideas involved in story production is not isomorphic to the processes involved in reading comprehension. (61 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of an imagery mnemonic on second language recall and comprehension.

24 university students with some background in French as a 2nd language used an imagery-based hook mnemonic and rote rehearsal to learn sets of French words. The hook technique involved associating the new items with an overlearned series of French stimulus words and images, which could be retrieved during recall using a number code. The rote condition involved the technique without imagery. The recall items, presented with their translation equivalents on the study trial, varied in familiarity and concreteness. Recall following 1 study trial was much higher for words learned by imagery than by rote. This effect was slightly qualified by familiarity and concreteness, which also affected recall. Translation tests given before and (unexpectedly) 1 day after the recall experiment showed that correct translations of relatively unfamiliar items increased more after study by imagery than after rote study. Thus, imagery simultaneously facilitated both recall and comprehension. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of lindane exposure on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) immunity. III. Effect on nonspecific immunity and B lymphocyte functions

The effect of the organochlorine insecticide lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) was examined on some major immune functions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on the chemiluminescent response of pronephric cells (PMA-induced) in phagocytosis, on the proliferation of lymphocytes with B and T mitogens, and on the number of B lymphocytes analyzed by cytofluorometry. Two different methods of exposure were tried via food (first protocol) and via a single intraperitoneal injection (second protocol). After the oral contamination at a daily body dose of 1 mg/kg for 30 days, a decreased chemiluminescent response was observed with persisted for two more weeks and disappeared over 1.5 months. No effect was observed on lymphocyte proliferation and on the number of circulating B lymphocytes. In the second protocol lindane was administered intraperitoneally at 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg body wt. After 45 days the lymphocyte proliferation of B cells was depressed but not the T cell one. The B cells number in head kidney as measured by cytofluorometry was not significantly modified. Some nonspecific immunity parameters in sera were significantly modified.