Fibre Bragg grating compression-tuned over 110 nm

A fibre Bragg grating with a tuning range covering beyond the C- and L-bands has been realised, which represents the broadest tuning range reported of any Bragg grating. The device exhibits constant spectral response and polarisation mode dispersion within these bands.     

Alterations of pH in response to increased dietary protein in cattle are unique to the uterus

This study was undertaken with two objectives: 1) to determine whether the effect of excess dietary protein on intrauterine pH in cattle is specific to the uterus or manifested in other bodily fluids and 2) to determine whether the effect of excess ruminally degradable protein on uterine pH can be ameliorated by substitution with a less-degradable protein source. Thirty-six Holstein cows in early lactation were fed isoenergetic total mixed rations that either 1) met undegradable intake protein (UIP) and degradable intake protein (DIP) requirements (Balanced), 2) met DIP requirements and exceeded UIP requirements by 25% (High UIP), or 3) met UIP requirements and exceeded DIP requirements by 25% (High DIP). After diets had been fed > or = 2 wk, uterine, blood, salivary, and urinary pH and plasma urea nitrogen were determined at estrus (d 0) and d 7. Plasma urea nitrogen (mg/dL) was not different between estrus and d 7 but was significantly affected by diet (Balanced, 16.1 +/- 2.3; High UIP, 19.2 +/- 1.6; High DIP, 22.3 +/- 2.6; P < .05). There was no effect of treatment on the pH of any fluid measured at estrus: intrauterine, blood, salivary, and urinary pH averaged 6.84 +/- .05, 7.39 +/- .01, 8.30 +/- .05, and 8.15 +/- .05, respectively. In contrast, on d 7, uterine pH was significantly lower in both high-protein groups, regardless of protein degradability (Balanced, 7.13 +/- .05; UIP, 6.95 +/- .04; DIP, 6.85 +/- .05; P < .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A new eicosapentaenoic acid formed from arachidonic acid in the coralline red algaeBossiella orbigniana

Aqueous extracts of the coralline red algaeBossiella orbigniana have been shown to catalyze the enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid to a previously unreported ω6 eicosapentaenoic acid product. This unique fatty acid contains a conjugated tetraene with absorption maxima at 293, 306, and 321 nm, and was identified by spectral methods as 5(Z),8(Z),10(E),12(E),14(Z)-eicosapentaenoic acid. The compound was given the trivial name bosseopentaenoic acid. Under experimental conditions, production of bosseopentaenoic acid was linear up to 2 hr and dioxygen was consumed. Bosseopentaenoic acid, along with several other conjugated tetraenes, was also present in the algae endogenously as revealed by a comparison of the ultraviolet (UV) spectra and the high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) pattern of the purified product and the organic extract ofBossiella.     

Necrotizing fasciitis of the face

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection with high morbidity and mortality rates. Its occurrence in the head and neck region is uncommon, the majority of reported cases being limited to involvement of the neck, usually from infections of dental or pharyngeal origin. Involvement of the face from NF is rare; only 35 such cases have been reported in the literature since 1960. It is not only associated with a high mortality but can also result in severe disfigurement of the face, posing challenging reconstructive problems. Successful management of facial NF requires early diagnosis, prompt institution of broad spectrum antibiotics, aggressive surgical debridement to control the infection, and reconstruction of the resultant soft tissue defects. This report describes four additional cases of facial necrotizing fasciitis. One of the four patients died as a result of sepsis and multi-organ system failure. Two of the three surviving patients had significant facial disfigurement. A comprehensive review of the facial NF cases reported in the literature is also provided. Based on our experience with facial NF and the results of all previous case reports, the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and management of this disease are discussed.     

Bovine IgG2a antibodies to Haemophilus somnus and allotype expression

AIMS/BACKGROUND: To characterise clinically a large kindred segregating retinitis pigmentosa and sensorineural hearing impairment in an autosomal dominant pattern and perform genetic linkage studies in this family. Extensive linkage analysis in this family had previously excluded the majority of loci shown to be involved in the aetiologies of RP, some other forms of inherited retinal degeneration, and inherited deafness. METHODS: Members of the family were subjected to detailed ophthalmic and audiological assessment. In addition, some family members underwent skeletal muscle biopsy, electromyography, and electrocardiography. Linkage analysis using anonymous microsatellite markers was performed on DNA samples from all living members of the pedigree. RESULTS: Patients in this kindred have a retinopathy typical of retinitis pigmentosa in addition to a hearing impairment. Those members of the pedigree examined demonstrated a subclinical myopathy, as evidence by abnormal skeletal muscle histology, electromyography, and electrocardiography. LOD scores of Zmax = 3.75 (theta = 0.10), Zmax = 3.41 (theta = 0.10), and Zmax = 3.25 (theta = 0.15) respectively were obtained with the markers D9S118, D9S121, and ASS, located on chromosome 9q34-qter, suggesting that the causative gene in this family may lie on the long arm (q) of chromosome 9. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the gene responsible for the phenotype in this kindred is located on chromosome 9 q. These data, together with evidence that a murine deafness gene is located in a syntenic area of the mouse genome, should direct the research community to consider this area as a candidate region for retinopathy and/or deafness genes.     

The Effect of Post-Cooking Holding Times on Sensory Assessment of Low- and High-Fat Beefburgers

ABSTRACT: The effect of post-cooking holding-time on sensory assessment of low (89 g/kg) and high (218 g/kg) fat beefburgers was assessed. Burgers were served to panelists approximately 3 or 18 min after cooking. Fat content influenced fattiness, moistness/juiciness and overall appearance (P < 0.05), overall acceptability and overall texture (P< 0.01) and tenderness and crumbliness (p<0.001). Burgers with the higher fat content had higher scores. Holding-time influenced sensory overall appearance only with lower scores at extended holding times (P < 0.01). Treatment differences were small, mostly less than one sensory scale unit. Higher lightness and yellowness values were found for burgers with higher fat contents.     

Human gamma-interferon expression in the mammary gland of transgenic mice

Transgenic mice carrying a hybrid gene consisting of ovine beta-lactoglobulin gene sequences and human gamma-interferon (hIFN-g) cDNA were produced. hIFN-g expression in the mammary gland of two lactating transgenic founder females was found. The concentration of active hIFN-g in the milk was estimated as being ca. 1800 IU/ml. The hIFN-g ability to express in the mammary gland was found in the progeny of transgenic founder male.     

Identification of marker chromosomes and translocations in man using a computerized diagnostic database and fluorescent in situ hybridization

BACKGROUND: Many species of bats have two sets of submandibular glands, principal and accessory. The accessory gland may resemble the principal one but more often shows wide morphological divergence. The free-tailed bat, Tadarida thersites, is very unusual in that it has two sets of parotid glands rather than binary submandibular glands. We studied the ultrastructure of the principal parotid gland to establish a baseline for comparison with the accessory parotid. METHODS: Two specimens of adult free-tailed bats, one male and one female, were live-trapped in western Kenya. Parotid glands were fixed for electron microscopy using a protocol expressly designed for field fixation and then embedded by conventional means. RESULTS: Histologically, the principal parotid is a typical serous gland. The secretory granules of the endpiece cells have an unusual substructure in that they contain variable numbers of lucent halos and one or several spherules. Intercalated duct cells contain a significant number of dense, serous-like granules. Striated ducts have the usual basal configuration of mitochondria and folded plasma membranes, but the supranuclear cytoplasm contains many small, dense granules, so that these ducts resemble the granular convoluted tubules found in the submandibular glands of many families of rodents. The apices of the duct cells have a peculiar contour--the luminal surfaces obliquely invaginate into the apical cytoplasm, so that in thin section the luminal membranes appear to be underlaid by a layer of vacuoles. CONCLUSION: Although the principal parotid gland of the free-tailed bat shows some distinctive, species-specific ultrastructural features, it basically is similar to the parotid gland in two other molossid bats, Tadarida brasiliensis and Molossus molossus. The distinctive features in the principal parotid gland of T. thersites might relate to its feeding on hard-bodied insects and perhaps to the production of lysozyme.