Suppression of Rotylenchulus reniformis 122-cm Deep Endorses Resistance Introgression in Gossypium.

Nine sources of resistance to Rotylenchulus reniformis in Gossypium (cotton) were tested by measuring population density (Pf) and root-length density 0 to 122 cm deep. A Pf in the plow layer less than the autumn sample treatment threshold used by consultants was considered the minimum criterion for acceptable resistance, regardless of population density at planting (Pi). Other criteria were ample roots and a Pf lower than on the susceptible control, as in pot studies. In a Texas field in 2001 and 2002, no resistant accessions had Pf less than the control but all did in microplots into which nematodes from Louisiana were introduced. An environmental chamber experiment ruled out nematode genetic variance and implicated unknown soil factors. Pf in field experiments in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama were below threshold for zero, six and four of the accessions and above threshold in the control. Gossypium arboreum A2-87 and G. barbadense GB-713 were the most resistant accessions. Results indicate that cultivars developed from these sources will suppress R. reniformis populations but less than in pots in a single season.

Mother-infant separation in rhesus monkeys as a model of human depression. A reconsideration.

Nineteen rhesus monkeys between the ages of 5.9 and 8.5 months were separated from their mothers in five different studies. While in two of the studies, data indicated behavioral responses roughly parallel to Bowlby's protest-despair response to maternal separations, data across all five studies were sufficiently variable to bring this technique into serious question as a reliable and predictable animal model for neurobiologic and rehabilitative studies.

Vertical Distribution of Rotylenchulus reniformis in Cotton Fields.

The possible impact of Rotylenchulus reniformis below plow depth was evaluated by measuring the vertical distribution of R. reniformis and soil texture in 20 symptomatic fields on 17 farms across six states. The mean nematode population density per field, 0 to 122 cm deep, ranged from 0.4 to 63 nematodes/g soil, and in 15 fields more than half of the R. reniformis present were below 30.5 cm, which is the greatest depth usually plowed by farmers or sampled by consultants. In 11 fields measured, root density was greatest in the top 15 cm of soil; however, roots consistently penetrated 92 to 122 cm deep by midseason, and in five fields in Texas and Louisiana the ratio of nematodes to root-length density within soil increased with depth. Repeated sampling during the year in Texas indicated that up to 20% of the nematodes in soil below 60 cm in the fall survived the winter. Differences between Baermann funnel and sugar flotation extraction methods were not important when compared with field-to-field differences in nematode populations and field-specific vertical distribution patterns. The results support the interpretation that R. reniformis below plow depth can significantly impact diagnosis and treatment of cotton fields infested with R. reniformis.

Lithium treatment of patients with affective illness associated with organic brain symptoms.

Lithium was used to treat the manic symptoms of affective disorder in three patients with associated organic brain syndromes. In all three cases neuropsychological testing permitted evaluation of the degree of dysfunction during the acute and follow-up periods of treatment. Lithium was effective in controlling the manic symptoms of all three patients, and there was no evidence that it caused further organic deterioration.

Kinetics of cellular and cytokine responses in a chimeric mouse model for the study of staphylococcal enterotoxin B pathogenesis.

The mechanisms by which superantigens, such as staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), contribute to microbial pathogenicity have been poorly defined. The study of such pathogenic processes has been hampered by the lack of an adequate animal model. We utilized a previously described murine chimeric model to determine the cytokines and cell populations that might be involved in SEB toxicity. In the absence of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), all total body irradiated (TBI) mice died, while all transplanted mice survived up to 6 months. Compared with non-TBI and non-BMT mice, chimeric mice had an increased percentage of CD11b (Mac-1)-positive splenocytes (17 vs. 59%, P < 0.05) and decreased CD45R-positive (B) cells (33 vs. 6%, P < 0.05) at 6 weeks after BMT. The relative numbers of splenocyte CD4 and CD8 cells were similar in chimeric and normal mice. Susceptibility of chimeric animals to 10 or 100 microg SEB was time-dependent: no mice challenged at 2 weeks post-BMT died, but 15% of mice challenged at 4 weeks and 50% of those challenged at 6-8 weeks died. Compared with TBI and non-BMT C3H/HeJ mice, SEB-challenged chimeric mice at 6-8 weeks had (1) increased splenocyte mRNA expression for: IFN-gamma (3.5 x optimally at 1 h), TNF-alpha (6.5 x at 2 h), IL-6 (4.8 x at 4 h), IL-1beta (8.4 x at 4 h), IL-2 (4.7 x at 4 h), and IL-10 (3 x at 16 h), and (2) increased and earlier peak serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-1beta and IL-2, but no increase in serum TNF-alpha or IL-4. These data support the hypothesis that the decreased percentage of B cells and increased macrophages in chimeric mice lead to enhanced T cell-macrophage interactions after SEB administration and a lethal burst of T cell and macrophage cytokine release. This model will provide insight into cell populations and mechanisms that mediate superantigen-induced toxicity.

Psychological factors in rheumatoid arthritis.

This article provides a review and discussion of recent developments in psychological research related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A description of the medical aspects of the disease is followed by an overview of the literature relating psychological variables to pain and disability in RA; a summary evaluating affective reactions, disease-related beliefs, and coping strategies in RA patients; and a discussion of psychological interventions with this patient population. Methodological weaknesses in the literature are noted and directions for future collaborative research between rheumatologists and psychologists are suggested.

Length of stay on a psychiatry-medicine unit.

To assess the efficiency of a medical-psychiatric unit over 3 years, several studies were carried out on one combined psychiatry-medicine unit. On the Behavior Evaluation and Treatment Unit of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of General Hospital Psychiatry, average length of stay was calculated in successive cohorts of 28-31 consecutive patients (total 358 patients). Medical-surgical and psychiatric diagnoses were compared over a 2 1/2-year span; psychiatry diagnoses were compared to those on other units; and acuity of illness was measured comparatively by various methods. Length of stay decreased from more than 20 to less than 15 days. This effect did not appear to be directly related to diagnostic changes. Only minor increases in range of psychiatric diagnostic categories and changes in proportion of certain disorders were found. The acuity level was descriptively intermediate between that of a general medicine and that of a general psychiatry unit. Factors that could be related historically to these findings were discussed.

A profile of academic medical-psychiatric units.

Medical-psychiatric inpatient programs are a relatively recent phenomenon. Although interest in these programs seems widespread, they are still found primarily at academic medical centers. The authors surveyed 11 such academic units. Variations found between their patient populations, milieu, and organization suggest that these programs, in general, are still in an early stage of evolution. It is hoped that these data will provide a descriptive base of how these programs have developed.

Psychological approaches to the management of arthritis pain.

The present review examines the literature regarding the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral and other self-control interventions in helping arthritis patients reduce their pain and functional disabilities. The evidence indicates that self-control interventions have produced significant and positive changes in the pain and functional disabilities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis secondary to hemophilia. However, the literature suffers from deficiencies with regard to the use of small subject samples; inadequate control procedures and follow-up assessments; failure to demonstrate that positive outcomes are related to changes in subjects' covert experiences or control of physiological variables; and reliance upon self-report measures of outcome. The review is followed by a description of a multidisciplinary study of the efficacy of a biofeedback-assisted, cognitive-behavioral group therapy program for rheumatoid arthritis patients that features several methodological improvements relative to previous investigations. The preliminary outcome data show that the cognitive-behavioral intervention is associated with reductions in pain behavior and self-reports of pain and disability. It is concluded that, although the self-control interventions have shown promising results, psychologists must demonstrate positive and reliable outcomes among large numbers of arthritis patients over extended periods of time if the interventions are to be viewed as credible by rheumatologists.

Tranquilizer use before and after coronary bypass operation.

High rates of tranquilizer use in coronary disease have been previously reported. In patients being evaluated for coronary disease, tranquilizer use has been related to myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, neurotic traits, employment and the use of cardioactive and other medications. In this study, responses of 1046 male patients to a questionnaire assessing biological, psychological and social variables before and after coronary bypass surgery were related to tranquilizer use. The effect of CABG was to decrease tranquilizer use. Tranquilizer use prior to coronary bypass operations was related to neuroticism, myocardial infarction and taking cardiac and analgesic medication. Similar findings were noted after coronary bypass operations except that angina pectoris was added as a contributor to tranquilizer use. The multivariate analysis tended to confirm the univariate findings, except that neurotic traits did not make an independent contribution. These results indicate that in patients undergoing coronary evaluations, cardiac disease variables other than coronary atherosclerosis determine tranquilizer use. Neurotic traits play a secondary role. Relief of angina pectoris appears to be particularly important in reducing tranquilizer use. The finding of angina pectoris after coronary bypass operation may have special significance for the continuation of tranquilizer use.

Use of process evaluation to guide health education in Forsyth County's project to prevent cervical cancer.

The Forsyth County, NC, Cervical Cancer Prevention Project is a 5-year public health education program designed to increase the proportion of black women in the county who are appropriately screened for cervical cancer. In this paper, the authors report on process evaluation--the procedures used to monitor the intervention and to insure that the target population was reached with a high quality, community-based health education program. A system that encompasses documentation of program activities, interviews with women in waiting rooms of primary care providers, semiannual interviews with a panel of approximately 100 women from the target population, and telephone followup with participants in direct education workshops was designed and implemented. Through October 1990, more than 2,100 interviews had been conducted. Data from these activities have facilitated continued development and refinement of educational materials, provided guidance for developing new strategies for reaching the target population, and provided continuous feedback to program managers to allow monitoring the impact of all program activities.

Development of a community cancer education program: the Forsyth County, NC cervical cancer prevention project.

The authors outline the development and implementation of a public health education program for cervical cancer screening among black women in Forsyth County, NC. The educational program includes distributing electronic and printed information media messages, a program of direct education for women, and providing information on current issues in cervical screening to primary-care physicians. Program development was based on social marketing principles, the PRECEDE model, and the communication-behavior change (CBC) model. Since a true experimental design was not feasible, program evaluation is based on several complementary quasi-experimental designs. Analysis of baseline data indicate that the county where the intervention is taking place, and the control county, are similar with respect to both demographic characteristics and the current level of screening activity. Preliminary results indicate that the program has been successful in raising women's level of awareness of cervical cancer and cervical screening.

The use of cueing and positive practice in the treatment of tongue thrust swallowing.

Tongue thrust or reverse swallowing refers to the condition in which portions of the tongue rest or press against the teeth. In very severe cases the result can be dental malocclusion and/or speech difficulties. The present investigation evaluates the efficacy of cueing and positive practice in increasing the frequency of correct tongue position using a modified single subject withdrawal design with a 21 year old college student. The data indicate that the frequency of correct tongue positioning increased with the introduction of treatment. Follow-up data obtained 30 months post-treatment indicate that positive effects were being maintained.

Effects of Duroc, Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu boars on productivity of mates and growth of first-cross progeny.

Meishan, Fengjing, Minzhu, and Duroc boars were mated by AI to crossbred gilts to compare the sire breeds for effects on productivity of their mates and performance of their progeny. Gilts were derived from a four-way cross of Chester White, Landrace, Large White, and Yorkshire. At weaning, litters sired by Meishan boars averaged 1.69 and 1.32 more pigs than those sired by Duroc and Minzhu boars, respectively (P less than .05). Pigs sired by Meishan and Fengjing boars averaged 1.2 to 1.8 more nipples than pigs sired by Duroc and Minzhu boars (P less than .05). Minzhu-sired pigs had a lower (P less than .05) survival rate to 14 and 28 d of age than did those sired by Meishan, Fengjing, and Duroc. Fengjing-sired pigs were heavier than Minzhu-sired pigs at birth and heavier than Minzhu- and Duroc-sired pigs at 14, 28, and 56 d of age (P less than .05). At 70 d of age, Meishan-sired pigs were heaviest, followed in order by Fengjing-, Duroc-, and Minzhu-sired pigs. At 98 d of age, Meishan-sired pigs were significantly heavier than all other breed groups and Duroc-sired pigs were significantly heavier than Minzhu-sired pigs. At 126 and 154 d of age, Duroc-sired pigs were heaviest, followed in order by Meishan-, Fengjing-, and Minzhu-sired pigs; all differences were significant. Average backfat thickness of gilts at 99.7 kg was least for Duroc-sired gilts and highest for Meishan-sired gilts. Sire breed groups did not differ significantly in feed efficiency from 70 to 98 d of age. Duroc-sired pigs were the most efficient (P less than .05) from 98 to 126 and 126 to 154 d of age. Results indicate that use of these Chinese breeds in crossbreeding programs will decrease performance traits. This decrease would have to be offset by increases in reproductive efficiency of Chinese sows, use of repartitioning agents, or other management techniques if Chinese pigs are to improve overall production efficiency of a crossbreeding program.

Effects of Duroc, Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu boars on carcass traits of first-cross barrows.

Duroc, Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu boars were mated to crossbred gilts during two breeding seasons. From each sire breed group each season, six pens of approximately eight barrows each were slaughtered. A pen of pigs from each sire breed group was slaughtered at 7-d intervals from 168 to 203 d of age each season. Breed of sire effects were significant for all age-adjusted carcass traits except carcass length, fat thickness at the last rib, color score, and firmness score. At 184 d of age, Duroc crosses had the heaviest (P less than .05) slaughter and carcass weights; Minzhu crosses were lighter (P less than .05) than Meishan crosses but not lighter than Fengjing crosses. Differences among age-constant traits reflect differences in BW. After adjustment to a constant carcass weight of 78 kg, the three Chinese breeds had very similar carcass characteristics. Carcasses sired by Durocs had significantly less backfat and larger longissimus muscle area than carcasses sired by the Chinese breeds. Weight of each trimmed wholesale lean cut and their total weight were significantly higher for Duroc crosses than for Chinese crosses. Breed of sire means did not differ significantly for belly weight, but Duroc crosses had less (P less than .05) weight of leaf fat. Relative to Chinese crosses, longissimus muscles from Duroc crosses had more marbling (P less than .05). Sire breed groups did not differ significantly for color or firmness score. Pigs sired by Meishan, Fengjing, and Minzhu produced carcasses with significantly less lean content at a carcass weight of 78 kg than did pigs sired by Duroc.

Survival, body weights, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of 7/8 White Composite and 1/8 Duroc, 1/8 Meishan, 1/8 Fengjing, or 1/8 Minzhu pigs.

Pigs were the progeny of White Composite boars mated to gilts that were either 1/4 Duroc, 1/4 Meishan, 1/4 Fengjing, or 1/4 Minzhu and the remainder 3/4 White Composite. One-eighth Meishan and 1/8 Fengjing pigs averaged approximately .5 more nipples than 1/8 Duroc pigs and .2 more nipples than 1/8 Minzhu pigs (P < .05), respectively. Duroc, Meishan, and Minzhu crosses did not differ (P > .05) for survival at birth or at 14 and 28 d. Fengjing crosses had a lower survival rate (P < .05) at all three ages than Duroc and Meishan crosses. Duroc crosses were heavier (P < .05) than Chinese crosses at birth. At 56 d, Duroc and Meishan crosses did not differ (P > .05) for BW, but both were heavier (P < .05) than Minzhu crosses. Body weight at 70 d did not differ significantly (P > .05) among breed types. Duroc crosses were heavier (P < .05) than any of the Chinese crosses at 98, 126, and 154 d of age. At 154 d, Fengjing crosses were lighter (P < .05) than Meishan or Minzhu crosses. The effect of breed type was not detected for average probe backfat thickness of gilts at 99.7 kg. Duroc crosses consumed the most feed, and Fengjing crosses consumed the least during each interval and during the total period (P < .05). Feed consumption of Meishan and Minzhu crosses was intermediate to and significantly (P < .05) different from that of Duroc and Fengjing crosses. At 184 d of age, breed types did not differ (P > .16) for measures of carcass fat thickness, marbling score, color score, and firmness score. At 184 d of age, weights of all carcass cuts were heavier (P < .05) for Duroc than for Chinese crosses with the exception of untrimmed loin weight of Minzhu crosses. There were few significant differences among breed types when carcass traits were compared at a constant carcass weight, although Duroc crosses generally were superior. Relative to similar Duroc crosses, these results suggest that 1/8 Chinese pigs would grow less rapidly (P < .05) and produce less weight of trimmed lean cuts at a constant carcass weight.

Reproduction of 3/4 White Composite and 1/4 Duroc, 1/4 Meishan, 1/4 Fengjing, or 1/4 Minzhu gilts and sows.

Females were either 1/4 Duroc, 1/4 Meishan, 1/4 Fengjing, or 1/4 Minzhu, and the remainder were 3/4 White Composite. A greater percentage of Fengjing crosses reached puberty than Duroc or Minzhu (P < .05), and Meishan crosses were intermediate and not different (P > .05) from other breed types. After adjusting for differences in percentage detected owing to termination of observation for estrus, breed types ranked Fengjing, Meishan, Minzhu, and Duroc from youngest to oldest at puberty with approximately 14 d between adjacent breed types. Meishan and Fengjing crosses had a greater (P < .05) ovulation rate than Minzhu or Duroc crosses. With the exception of number of fetuses at 100 d and average fetal weight at 60 d, differences among breed types were not detected (P > .05) for litter or uterine traits measured on gilts slaughtered at 60 or 100 d of gestation. Total number of pigs born was greater (P < .05) for 1/4 Fengjing than for 1/4 Duroc gilts. Gestation length, number born alive, number weaned, litter birth weight, or litter weaning weight for gilts did not differ (P > .05) among breed types. Duroc crosses were heavier (P < .01) than Chinese crosses at d 1 and 28 after farrowing, but breed types did not differ (P > .05) for backfat thickness at those times. Breed types did not differ (P > .05) for the ratio of litter gain from 0 to 28 d/total Mcal or any of the component traits in the ratio. Postweaning estrus activity, conception rate, and litter and uterine traits of sows bred for second parity were not affected (P > .05) by breed type. These analyses indicate that crossbred gilts containing 1/4 Meishan, 1/4 Fengjing, or 1/4 Minzhu will reach puberty earlier, have larger litters, and weigh less at first parity than gilts containing 1/4 Duroc, but they do not have any significant advantage in litter size at second parity.

Reproduction of F1 Meishan, Fengjing, Minzhu, and Duroc gilts and sows.

Gilts were the progeny of eight Duroc, nine Meishan, eight Fengjing, and seven Minzhu boars mated to composite (1/4 Chester White, 1/4 Landrace, 1/4 Large White, and 1/4 Yorkshire) females. Age at puberty was youngest (P < .05) for Meishan and Fengjing crosses followed by Minzhu crosses and then Duroc crosses. Fengjing crosses had a higher (P < .05) ovulation rate than Meishan or Minzhu crosses, which had a higher (P < .05) ovulation rate than Duroc crosses. Meishan and Fengjing crosses had larger (P < .05) litters than Duroc crosses at 60 and 100 d of gestation, at birth, and at weaning. Minzhu crosses also had larger (P < .05) litters than Duroc crosses at all stages but were significantly lower than Meishan and Fengjing crosses only for litter size at 100 d of gestation. Duroc crosses were heavier (P < .05) at farrowing than all three Chinese crosses. Breed groups differed (P < .05) for backfat thickness at weaning but not at farrowing. Duroc crosses were the least efficient (P < .05) in converting feed energy into litter gain from birth to weaning; Fengjing crosses were less efficient (P < .05) than Minzhu crosses but neither differed significantly from the intermediate value of the Meishan crosses. Chinese crosses returned to estrus sooner after weaning (P < .05) than Duroc crosses. Ovulation rate at second parity was highest for Fengjing crosses followed by Meishan, Duroc, and Minzhu crosses; difference among nonadjacent means were significant (P < .05). Differences among crosses were not large or significant for number of fetuses at 100 d of gestation at second parity. Results indicate Meishan and Fengjing can be used to produce crossbred gilts that have a higher level of reproductive performance than Duroc crossbred gilts; the reproductive performance of Minzhu crosses would be intermediate. However, the Chinese crosses would not be expected to have an advantage in litter size at second parity.

Survival, body weights, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of 3/4 white composite and 1/4 Duroc, 1/4 Meishan, 1/4 Fengjing, or 1/4 Minzhu pigs.

Pigs were the progeny of White Composite (WC) boars mated to F1 Duroc x WC, Meishan x WC, Fengjing x WC, and Minzhu x WC gilts. Meishan and Fengjing crosses had more (P < .05) nipples than Duroc and Minzhu crosses. Meishan and Minzhu crosses had a higher survival rate at birth (P < .05) than Duroc and Fengjing crosses, but breed types did not differ significantly (P approximately .29) for survival to 14 or 28 d of age. Duroc crosses were heavier (P < .05) than Fengjing and Minzhu crosses at 0, 28, 56, 70, 98, 126, and 154 d of age; they were heavier (P < .05) than Meishan crosses at 0, 28, 98, 126, and 154 d of age. Chinese crosses had similar weights at most ages, although Meishan crosses were heavier (P < .05) than Fengjing and Minzhu crosses at 126 and 154 d of age. Breed types did not differ significantly (P approximately .27) for feed efficiency during the nursery period. Over the entire finishing period, Duroc-cross gilts (.3310) were less efficient (P < .05) than Meishan (.3436), Fengjing (.3454), or Minzhu crosses (.3466); among barrows Meishan crosses (.3176) were least efficient (P < .05), Fengjing crosses (.3263) were most efficient (P < .05), and Duroc (.3211) and Minzhu (.3209) were intermediate but not significantly different from the Meishan or Fengjing crosses. At a constant age, Duroc crosses had longer carcasses, greater longissimus muscle area, and heavier slaughter weight, carcass weight, and weight of untrimmed cuts and trimmed cuts than the Chinese crosses (P < .05). There were few significant differences among breed types for carcass traits at a constant carcass weight. Results show that, relative to one-half Duroc females, incorporation of one-half Chinese females into a crossbreeding program will result in progeny with a significant decrease in rate of growth (approximately 9% for weight at 154 d of age) and a small, nonsignificant decrease in yield of trimmed lean cuts (approximately 5%) at a constant carcass weight.

Comparison of Booroola Merino and Finnsheep: effects on productivity of mates and performance of crossbred lambs.

Booroola Merino (BM) and Finnsheep (FS) rams were mated to FS and crossbred (CO) ewes to compare their effects on the productivity of their mates and the performance of their progeny. Effects of breed of ram and the interaction of breed of ram X breed of ewe were no significant for fertility, total number born, number born alive, litter birth weight, or number of lambs weaned by the ewe or in the nursery. Birth weights of FS- and BM-sired lambs were equal, but FS-sired lambs were heavier at weaning and 147 d of age. Compared with BM-sired lambs, survival from birth to weaning of dam-reared lambs was greater for FS-sired lambs produced by CO dams than for FS-sired lambs produced by FS dams. At a constant live weight, FS-sired lambs had a heavier carcass with less external fat thickness than BM-sired lambs. Percentage of ewe lambs reaching puberty was lowest and age at puberty was highest for the BM X CO cross; relatively small differences existed between the other three genotypes for these traits. Ewe lambs sired by BM had a greater ovulation rate than FS-sired ewe lambs. Embryo mortality was greater in BM X CO ewe lambs than in ewe lambs of the other three genotypes; the difference was larger for ewes with three ovulations than for ewes with two ovulations. The net result was that BM X CO ewe lambs averaged slightly fewer lambs born than FS X CO ewes. The BM X FS ewe lambs had larger litters than the FS ewes due to a substantially higher ovulation rate and only a slightly lower overall embryo survival rate. With the exception of ovulation rate and litter size, FS rams produced lambs with a more desirable level of performance than did BM rams.