Clinical laboratory characteristics in patients with suspected COVID-19: One single-institution experience.

OBJECTIVES: Since December 2019, the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worldwide pandemic. The aim of the study is to investigate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics in suspected COVID-19 patients in our institution. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we investigated suspected COVID-19 patients admitted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a request for an interleukin-6 send-out test, from March 28 to June 27, 2020. Patients' demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were collected by chart review. RESULTS: Fifty patients suspected with COVID-19 were included in our study, of whom 24 patients were positive with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection and 26 were negative. During the observation period, 30 patients were discharged, 17 died during hospitalization, and three remained in hospital. Compared to non-COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 patients had older age, more comorbidities, and elevated levels of inflammation markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). However, there was no significant difference in laboratory data between survivors and nonsurvivors in COVID-19 patients in our study. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that potential risk factors of older age, multiple comorbidities, and high levels of ESR, CRP, serum ferritin, and LDH could help the clinician to identify potential COVID-19 patients. However, this data needs to be further validated in a larger population.

Investigation of a field-widened Mach-Zehnder receiver to extend Fe Doppler lidar wind measurements from the thermosphere to the ground.

A receiver employing a field-widened Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is investigated for extending the wind measurement range of a narrow-band Fe Doppler lidar operating at 372 nm from its existing measurement range in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) down to near the ground. This design uses the multiple transmitted frequencies available from the base Fe Doppler lidar in combination with a novel MZI receiver to make a measurement of the Doppler shift that rejects the influence of atmospheric parameters such as the aerosol backscatter ratio, temperature, and pressure of the lidar volume and receiver parameters such as the geometric overlap, the chopper function, and any other factor affecting the proportion of the signal in both channels of the MZI equally. A ratio is constructed from the three frequencies and two channels of the interferometer that exhibits a measurement performance of 1.75 times the Cramer-Rao lower bound, which is comparable to the dual MZI (DMZ) while preserving the insensitivity to backscatter spectrum of the quad MZI (QMZ). In addition, we show how the use of multiple transmitted frequencies can yield a wind measurement wherein the accuracy is insensitive to the optical imperfection and misalignment of the MZI or any other factor that affects the contrast, though the precision is still impacted by the fringe contrast. Simply adding a second surface mirror of a particular thickness to the basic tilted MZI can allow the field of the MZI to be widened sufficiently for most resonance Doppler lidar receivers in operation today. Provided that the detection sensitivity in each channel is known, the original resonance fluorescence and Rayleigh scattering signals can be recovered by simply scaling and adding the contributions from both channels. Consequently, the wind and temperature from the MLT region and the temperature from the Rayleigh region can be derived alongside the Rayleigh Doppler wind measurement without compromising the measurement precision. Using actual data obtained recently from a Major Research Instrumentation Fe Doppler lidar, we show the expected measurement performance and some potential scientific avenues for this embodiment of a "whole-atmosphere" lidar system.

High-efficiency receiver architecture for resonance-fluorescence and Doppler lidars.

A high-efficiency lidar receiver architecture that emphasizes boosting the receiver collection efficiency of resonance-fluorescence and Doppler lidars has opened up new avenues of study for the mesosphere and lower thermosphere-extended (MLT-X) at sites in Boulder, Colorado, USA, and Cerro Pachón, Chile. Described in this work are in-depth considerations in the design, construction, and alignment of Na Doppler lidar receivers that have yielded signal levels typically 5-10 times higher per power-aperture product than any demonstrated in the literature, to these authors' knowledge, making studies of fine-scale MLT turbulence and tenuous thermospheric layers in Na possible with temperature and vertical wind capability for the first time. A lowering of the detection threshold by higher receiver collection efficiency at Cerro Pachón has enabled this Na Doppler lidar to extend its measurement range far higher into the thermosphere, to regions with Na density less than 3 cm(-3). With renewed interest in the MLT-X region prompted by recent lidar discoveries of Fe in the thermosphere reaching 170 km at McMurdo, Antarctica, the receiver optimizations we have made now enable addressing an important need in the community. In addition, the higher spatial and temporal resolutions afforded by high signal-to-noise ratio, down to resolutions of ∼20 s and ∼20 m, promise to make the first direct measurements of eddy flux in the mesopause region possible. Results from deployment of optimized receivers at the Table Mountain Lidar Observatory in Boulder, the Andes Lidar Observatory at Cerro Pachón, and the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico are presented to demonstrate the power and portability of our methods that are readily applicable to other lidar varieties, including, but not limited to, the newly developed Fe Doppler lidar and recently upgraded K Doppler lidar.

Off-resonance effects in (14)N NQR signals from the pulsed spin-locking (PSL) and three-pulse echo sequence; a study for monoclinic TNT.

In NQR detection applications signal averaging by the summation of rapidly regenerated signals from multiple pulse sequences of the pulsed spin-locking (PSL) type is often used to improve sensitivity. It is important to characterise and if possible minimise PSL sequence off-resonance effects since they can make it difficult to optimise detection performance. We illustrate this with measurements of the variation of the decay time T2e and the amplitude of PSL signal trains with pulse spacing and excitation offset frequency for the 870 kHz ν+(14)N NQR line of monoclinic TNT under carefully stabilised temperature conditions. We have also carried out a similar study of signals from monoclinic TNT and 1H-1,2,3-triazole generated by a three-pulse echo sequence and the results are shown to agree well with a theoretical treatment appropriate to polycrystalline NQR samples such as TNT for which spin I=1, asymmetry parameter η≠0 and T1≫T2. Based on this theory we derive simple models for calculating TNT PSL signal trains and hence the pulse spacing and off-resonance dependence of signal amplitude and T2e which we compare to our experimental data. We discuss the influence of PSL echo summation on off-resonance effects in detected signal intensity and show how a phase-alternated multiple pulse sequence can be used in combination with the PSL sequence to eliminate variation in detection performance due to off-resonance effects.

(14)N NQR, relaxation and molecular dynamics of the explosive TNT.

Multiple pulse sequences are widely used for signal enhancement in NQR detection applications. Since the various (14)N NQR relaxation times, signal decay times and frequency of each NQR line have a major influence on detection sequence performance, it is important to characterise these parameters and their temperature variation, as fully as possible. In this paper we discuss such measurements for a number of the ν+ and ν- NQR lines of monoclinic and orthorhombic TNT and relate the temperature variation results to molecular dynamics. The temperature variation of the (14)N spin-lattice relaxation times T1 is interpreted as due to hindered rotation of the NO2 group about the C-NO2 bond with an activation energy of 89 kJ mol(-1) for the ortho and para groups of monoclinic TNT and 70 kJ mol(-1) for the para group of orthorhombic TNT.

Investigations into Increased Incidence of Severe Gizzard Erosions and Ulcerations in U.S. Commercial Broilers.

During a series of pathology surveys in four production complexes of a U.S. broiler integrator, the technical services veterinarians of an animal health company noted a high incidence of severe gizzard erosions and ulcerations (GEU), prompting further clinical investigation and a battery trial. No growth-promoting antibiotics or ionophore coccidiostats were used during the period of these surveys. All used tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) at ≤120 ppm added copper in broiler rations. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 83% and 67% of gizzard lesions cultured in two complexes, and cecal C. perfringens most probable number determinations were higher in severely affected than in mildly affected or unaffected birds. Histopathology revealed both acellular koilin fusion defects characteristic of copper toxicity, as well as inflammatory cell infiltrates. Intralesional bacilli suggestive of C. perfringens were noted in 78% of affected flocks examined. Species E Aviadenovirus was isolated from one bird in one complex, and that bird had a single intranuclear inclusion body; no other flocks had Adenoviruses isolated or detected on PCR, nor any inclusion bodies. Other viruses detected were thought to be incidental. A pilot study using feed with supplemental copper from TBCC or copper sulfate and challenge with one of the isolated C. perfringens strains reproduced the lesions. A battery study was conducted with an unchallenged negative control group fed a diet with 16 ppm added copper, a group fed the control diet and orally challenged with 108 organisms of a field strain of C. perfringens at 21 and 22 days, and a group treated with the same diet containing 250 ppm added copper from TBCC and orally challenged with C. perfringens. Birds were necropsied at 23 and 28 days. All challenged groups developed lesions, with those receiving both TBCC and C. perfringens having significantly higher gross and histopathological lesion scores than the unchallenged negative controls. Lesions were qualitatively similar to those in the field and contained suspected C. perfringens bacilli. Because the levels of TBCC used in the commercial birds and in the battery trial generally have been considered safe, and because C. perfringens is usually regarded as a pathogen of the lower GI tract, the possible association of these two agents with GEU is a novel observation and warrants further investigation.

Investigaciones sobre el aumento de la incidencia de erosiones y ulceraciones severas en la molleja en pollos de engorde comerciales en los Estados Unidos. Durante una serie de estudios de patología en cuatro complejos de producción de un integrador de pollos de engorde de los Estados Unidos, veterinarios de servicio técnico de una empresa de salud animal observaron una alta incidencia de erosiones y ulceraciones severas de la molleja (GEU), lo que motivó una mayor investigación clínica y un estudio en batería. Durante el período de estas encuestas no se utilizaron antibióticos promotores del crecimiento ni coccidiostáticos ionóforos. Todos utilizaron cloruro de cobre tribásico (TBCC) con un nivel de ≤120 ppm de cobre agregado en raciones para pollos de engorde. Se aisló Clostridium perfringens del 83% y el 67% de las lesiones de molleja cultivadas en dos complejos, y las determinaciones del número más probable de C. perfringens en los sacos ciegos fueron mayores en aves severamente afectadas que en aves levemente afectadas o no afectadas. La histopatología reveló defectos de fusión de la capa córnea acelular característicos de la toxicidad por cobre, así como infiltrados de células inflamatorias. Se observaron bacilos intralesionales sugestivos de C. perfringens en el 78% de las parvadas afectadas examinadas. La especie Aviadenovirus E se aisló de un ave en un complejo, y esa ave tenía un único cuerpo de inclusión intranuclear; en ninguna otra parvada se aislaron o detectaron adenovirus mediante PCR, ni se observaron cuerpos de inclusión. Se pensó que otros virus detectados fueron incidentales. Un estudio piloto que utilizó alimento con cobre suplementario de cloruro de cobre tribásico o sulfato de cobre y con desafío con una de las cepas aisladas de C. perfringens reprodujo las lesiones. Se realizó un estudio de batería con un grupo de control negativo no desafiado alimentado con una dieta con 16 ppm de cobre agregado, un grupo alimentado con la dieta de control y desafiado por vía oral con 108 organismos de una cepa de campo de C. perfringens a los 21 y 22 días, y un grupo tratado con la misma dieta que contenía 250 ppm de cobre agregado de cloruro de cobre tribásico y desafiados por vía oral con C. perfringens. A las aves se les realizó la necropsia a los 23 y 28 días. Todos los grupos desafiados desarrollaron lesiones, y aquellos que recibieron cloruro de cobre tribásico y C. perfringens tuvieron puntuaciones de lesiones macroscópicas e histopatológicas significativamente más altas que los controles negativos no desafiados. Las lesiones eran cualitativamente similares a las del campo y contenían bacilos sospechosos de C. perfringens. Debido a que los niveles de cloruro de cobre tribásico utilizados en las aves comerciales y en el ensayo en batería generalmente se han considerado seguros, y debido a que C. perfringens generalmente se considera un patógeno del tracto gastrointestinal inferior, la posible asociación de estos dos agentes con erosiones y ulceraciones severas de la molleja es una observación reciente y justifica una mayor investigación.

Nitrogen-14 nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy: a promising analytical methodology for medicines authentication and counterfeit antimalarial analysis.

We report the detection and analysis of a suspected counterfeit sample of the antimalarial medicine Metakelfin through developing nitrogen-14 nuclear quadrupole resonance ((14)N NQR) spectroscopy at a quantitative level. The sensitivity of quadrupolar parameters to the solid-state chemical environment of the molecule enables development of a technique capable of discrimination between the same pharmaceutical preparations made by different manufacturers. The (14)N NQR signal returned by a tablet (or tablets) from a Metakelfin batch suspected to be counterfeit was compared with that acquired from a tablet(s) from a known-to-be-genuine batch from the same named manufacturer. Metakelfin contains two active pharmaceutical ingredients, sulfalene and pyrimethamine, and NQR analysis revealed spectral differences for the sulfalene component indicative of differences in the processing history of the two batches. Furthermore, the NQR analysis provided quantitative information that the suspected counterfeit tablets contained only 43 ± 3%, as much sulfalene as the genuine Metakelfin tablets. Conversely, conventional nondestructive analysis by Fourier transform (FT)-Raman and FT-near infrared (NIR) spectroscopies only achieved differentiation between batches but no ascription. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV analysis of the suspect tablets revealed a sulfalene content of 42 ± 2% of the labeled claim. The degree of agreement shows the promise of NQR as a means of the nondestructive identification and content-indicating first-stage analysis of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

Variable-pitch rectangular cross-section radiofrequency coils for the nitrogen-14 nuclear quadrupole resonance investigation of sealed medicines packets.

The performance of rectangular radio frequency (RF) coils capable of being used to detect nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) signals from blister packs of medicines has been compared. The performance of a fixed-pitch RF coil was compared with that from two variable-pitch coils, one based on a design in the literature and the other optimized to obtain the most homogeneous RF field over the whole volume of the coil. It has been shown from (14)N NQR measurements with two medicines, the antibiotic ampicillin (as trihydrate) and the analgesic medicine Paracetamol, that the latter design gives NQR signal intensities almost independent of the distribution of the capsules or pills within the RF coil and is therefore more suitable for quantitative analysis.

Engaging basic scientists in translational research: identifying opportunities, overcoming obstacles.

This report is based on the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology's symposium, "Engaging basic Scientists in Translational Research: Identifying Opportunities, Overcoming Obstacles," held in Chevy Chase, MD, March 24-25, 2011. Meeting participants examined the benefits of engaging basic scientists in translational research, the challenges to their participation in translational research, and the roles that research institutions, funding organizations, professional societies, and scientific publishers can play to address these challenges.

What do medical students understand by research and research skills? Identifying research opportunities within undergraduate projects.

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate research exposure leads to increased recruitment into academic medicine, enhanced employability and improved postgraduate research productivity. Uptake of undergraduate research opportunities is reported to be disappointing, and little is known about how students perceive research. AIM: To investigate opportunities for undergraduate participation in research, recognition of such opportunities, and associated skills development. METHOD: A mixed method approach, incorporating student focus and study groups, and documentary analysis at five UK medical schools. RESULTS: Undergraduates recognised the benefits of acquiring research skills, but identified practical difficulties and disadvantages of participating. Analysis of 905 projects in four main research skill areas - (1) research methods; (2) information gathering; (3) critical analysis and review; (4) data processing - indicated 52% of projects provided opportunities for students to develop one or more skills, only 13% offered development in all areas. In 17%, project descriptions provided insufficient information to determine opportunities. Supplied with information from a representative sample of projects (n = 80), there was little consensus in identifying skills among students or between students and researchers. Consensus improved dramatically following guidance on how to identify skills. CONCLUSIONS: Undergraduates recognise the benefits of research experience but need a realistic understanding of the research process. Opportunities for research skill development may not be obvious. Undergraduates require training to recognise the skills required for research and enhanced transparency in potential project outcomes.

Efficacy of Trace Mineral-Amino Acid Complexes in a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge Model.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a common and costly disease of poultry caused by virulent toxigenic strains of Clostridium perfringens. Although the importance of trace minerals for intestinal integrity and health is well documented, there is little information on their role in ameliorating the effects of NE. The two studies reported here examined the effects of replacing a portion of the dietary zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) supplied as sulfates in the control diets with metal-amino acid-complexed minerals in a NE-challenge model consisting of coccidiosis and Clostridium perfringens. In a 28-day battery study, the treatments were the following: (1) no additional Zn or Mn, unchallenged (negative control); (2) no added Zn or Mn, challenged (positive control); (3) added ZnSO4 and MnSO4 at 100 ppm each, challenged; (4) additional ZnSO4 at 60 ppm, Availa-Zn at 40 ppm (Low), and MnSO4 at 100 ppm, challenged; (5) added ZnSO4 at 60 ppm, Availa-Zn at 60 ppm (high), and MnSO4 at 100 ppm, challenged; and (6) added ZnSO4 at 60 ppm, Availa-Zn at 40 ppm, MnSO4 at 60 ppm, and Availa-Mn at 40 ppm, challenged. None of the treatments ameliorated gross lesion scores, but all reduced NE-associated mortality compared with the positive control. At 28 days, the group supplemented with Availa-Zn at 40 ppm (low) had a lower body weight than challenged groups supplemented with Zn and the negative control. In a floor pen study, the five treatment groups were the following: (1) Zn, Mn, and Cu from sulfate sources at 100, 100, and 20 ppm respectively; (2) Zn, Mn, and Cu from sulfate sources at 40, 100, and 20 ppm, respectively, plus Zn from Availa-Zn at 60 ppm; (3) Zn and Mn from sulfate sources at 40 and 100 ppm, respectively, plus Zn from Availa-Zn at 60 ppm and Cu from Availa-Cu at 10 ppm; (4) Zn, Mn, and Cu from sulfate sources at 60, 60, and 20 ppm, respectively, plus Zn and Mn from Availa-Zn/Mn at 40 and 40 ppm, respectively; and (5) bacitracin methylene disalicylate at 55 g/metric ton with Zn, Mn, and Cu from sulfate sources at 100, 100, and 20 ppm, respectively (Zoetis, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI). None of the treatments reduced lesion scores. The Availa-Zn and Availa-Zn/Mn had lower mortality than the sulfate-supplemented feed, whereas Availa-Zn/Cu and bacitracin methylene disalicylate were intermediate and did not differ from the other groups. Considering both trials together, and by using NE mortality as the discriminating factor, we found that adding Zn and Mn exceeding National Research Council requirements reduced NE-associated mortality, and in the floor pen study, complexed Zn and complexed Zn plus Mn appeared to be superior to sulfates.

Efficacy of Butyric and Valeric Acid Esters in a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge Model.

Restrictions on the use of antibiotics in poultry production have increased interest in nonantibiotic alternatives to control necrotic enteritis (NE). Volatile fatty acids, and in particular butyric acid preparations, have shown potential as aids in controlling NE. Valeric acid compounds may be a new additional alternative. This series of three trials compared the effects of tributyrin, monovalerin, which is an organic acid mixture, and bacitracin in a NE challenge model consisting of challenge with coccidiosis followed by Clostridium perfringens. Trial 1 was a pen trial comparing tributyrin at 0.5 kg/metric ton continuously in the feed, a proprietary organic acid blend at 1 kg per 1000 L as a metaphylactic treatment in the water, and bacitracin in the feed at 55 g/metric ton. Tributyrin and the organic acid mixture were at least as effective as bacitracin in controlling the growth- and efficiency-suppressing effects of the NE challenge, and the organic acid mixture reduced NE lesion scores. None of the treatments reduced mortality. Trial 2 was a battery study comparing monovalerin at 1.5 kg/metric ton and bacitracin in the feed. Both interventions provided significant control of both clinical and subclinical NE, with bacitracin being slightly superior to monovalerin. Trial 3 was a pen trial comparing monovalerin at 1 kg or 1.5 kg/metric ton continuously, or 0.5 kg/metric ton from 0 to 14 days and 0.25 kg/metric ton from 14 to 42 days (variable dose), to tributyrin at the same variable-dose schedule. The higher dose of monovalerin appeared to suppress feed intake and weight gain prechallenge but also produced the lowest NE mortality and the lowest total mortality of the challenged groups. All of the treatments except the variable-dose monovalerin treatment demonstrated reductions in NE lesion scores compared with the positive challenge control group; however, they did not control mortality and had fewer effects on the performance effects of subclinical NE. Results of these studies indicate that the organic acid products monovalerin and tributyrin may be useful adjuncts to reduce NE in antibiotic-free broiler production.

Quantitative 35Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance in tablets of the antidiabetic medicine Diabinese.

Pulsed (35)Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) experiments have been performed on 250-mg tablets of the antidiabetic medicine Diabinese to establish the conditions needed for noninvasive quantitative analysis of the medicine in standard bottles. One important condition is the generation of a uniform radio-frequency (RF) field over the sample, which has been achieved by two designs of sample coil: one of variable pitch, and the other a resonator that has been fabricated from a single turn of copper sheet with a longitudinal gap bridged by tuning capacitors. The results from blind tests show that the number of tablets in a bottle could be predicted to within +/-3%.

Human contacts and potential pathways of disease introduction on Georgia poultry farms.

As highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus continues to circulate in the world, poultry farm biosecurity and timely reporting of morbidity and mortality among commercial poultry farms in the United States are major concerns. To assess the vulnerability of poultry farms to the introduction and spread of a highly infectious pathogen, such as the currently circulating H5N1 influenza virus, a survey was administered to growers in two counties in Georgia representing areas of low and high poultry densities. Survey questions regarding horizontal contacts and management were sent to commercial broiler and breeder-layer chicken producers. Responses were used to estimate and compare contact rates and patterns between the two regions. The distribution of high-risk visitors (i.e., those going inside the poultry houses) to poultry farms did not vary significantly between growers in counties with high and low poultry densities or between breeder-layer and broiler growers. Compared with broiler producers in the county with high poultry density, broiler growers in the county with low poultry density were more likely to hire non-family employees to help with poultry management (62% vs. 17%; P = 0.001) and assist other growers with their poultry (31% vs. 6%; P = 0.025). Use of contracted litter services was significantly higher (P = 0.019) among broiler growers in the poultry-dense county (40%) compared with the low-density county (6%). Compared with broiler growers, breeder-layer producers also were significantly more likely to hire non-family employees to help on the farm (53% vs. 17%; P = 0.008). Poultry growers in the highly poultry-dense county were more likely to have a public road or field receiving poultry litter within a quarter mile of their poultry houses, compared with those in the lower density county. Data obtained in this study support the observations of published poultry disease outbreak investigations and highlight the differences in farm vulnerability to disease introduction within areas of different poultry densities and management practices.

After Beslan: childhood, complexity and risk.

This paper addresses the events at Beslan as a crisis point at which the postmodern celebration of difference spills into unbearable chaos. However this chaos turns out to show specific, dynamic or complex, self-organizing structures. Such dynamics, instead of obeying 'normal' ranges exhibit widely different scales of magnitude and intensity. Central to these interactions is the formation, however loose or opportunistic, of identities that also produce others: the formation of micro-ethnicities that state how the 'other' or out-group can be treated, mistreated or 'deconstructed'. At Beslan, this reaches a point of crisis which is both localized and universally challenging: it poses the problem of intolerability to a notion of democratic community and an epistemology premised on, and promising, pluralistic tolerance. The outcome is a realignment of sociology and the sociology of childhood along the axes of a model of human ecology.

An optimist's view on limiting necrotic enteritis and maintaining broiler gut health and performance in today's marketing, food safety, and regulatory climate.

The future poultry nutritionist, veterinarian, and husbandryman will have many new regulatory requirements and consumer preferences to navigate in addition to their normal responsibility of raising birds in a cost-efficient and wholesome manner. New challenges include changes to antibiotic use, increased food safety regulations, and more concern over how birds are raised and how to dispose of poultry house waste. All of these new programs and new regulations will alter how we have been raising birds for the last 60 years since the inception of the integrated poultry industry. The most significant change may be the voluntary or regulatory withdrawal of the use of antibiotics in poultry production. In North America, this withdrawal of antibiotic use includes removal of in-ovo antibiotics, performance-improving antibiotics or antibiotic growth promotors (AGP), and the polyether ionophore antibiotics (ionophore anticoccidials).The removal of antibiotics in poultry production may result in welfare concerns due to elevated mortality and less efficient feed conversion, resulting in greater environmental impacts from increased manure production and more use of grain per unit of meat produced. There also may be concerns with greater intestinal disease in the birds resulting in increased numbers of foodborne illness-causing bacteria such as Salmonella sp. or Campylobacter sp. on the carcass. A major impact will be the disease necrotic enteritis (NE). This review will focus on the pathophysiology of NE, the management of the disease, and the additional effects on growth rate, feed efficiency, and body weight that may be associated with NE.

Performance of the Sebia CAPILLARYS 2 for detection and immunotyping of serum monoclonal paraproteins.

We evaluated the performance of the CAPILLARYS 2 (Sebia, Norcross, GA) capillary electrophoresis system for detection and identification of monoclonal proteins in serum samples. We analyzed 104 serum specimens by Sebia Hydragel serum protein electrophoresis (agarose gel electrophoresis [AGE]/immunofixation electrophoresis [IFE]) and CAPILLARYS 2 capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE)/immunosubtraction. AGE and CZE had sensitivities of 90% and 81%, respectively, based on IFE as the "gold standard," and all bands detected were confirmed by IFE (100% specificity). AGE and CZE had an overall agreement of 91% on serum protein electrophoresis. In the population tested, IgG was detected in 29% of samples by IFE and 30% using immunosubtraction. Similarly IgA was detected in 9% of cases by IFE and 8% by immunosubtraction. IgM and light chains were detected in 6% and 3% of cases, respectively, by IFE, whereas CZE/immunosubtraction did not detect any IgM or light chains. In our hands, AGE and CZE had the same specificity for detection of monoclonal proteins; however, CZE/immunosubtraction seems to be less sensitive than IFE for the detection of IgM and, possibly, serum light chains.

Drug recognition expert evaluations made using limited data.

The Drug Evaluation Classification (DEC) Program is used by Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officers to determine whether a suspect is under the influence of a drug or drugs at the time of arrest, and, if so, what category of drug(s). The goal of this project was to investigate the relative importance of face-to-face interactions with the suspect, physical evidence (drugs or paraphernalia found), and confessions/statements made by the suspect (or others) in making these determinations. Seventy records of DRE evaluations were selected from a database containing information from all evaluations conducted in Oregon between 1996 and 1998. Each of the 70 records represented a suspect who had either taken a drug from one of four categories (CNS depressant, CNS stimulant, narcotic analgesic, or cannabis) or who had not taken a drug. To be included, the original DRE evaluation and the subsequent toxicology analysis had to agree that the suspect was under the influence of a drug from one of the four categories or not under the influence of a drug. Records from the 70 cases were submitted in written form to 18 Oregon DREs with statements made by suspects or arresting officers, confessions, toxicology results, and descriptions of drugs or paraphernalia found on the suspect omitted. Based only on the written reports of direct observations, and with physiological and psychophysical test results, the DREs attempted to determine whether each of the 70 suspects was under the influence of a drug or drugs, and, if so, what category of drug(s). If the officers determined that a suspect was under the influence of a drug, their accuracy in specifying the drug category was 81% for cannabis, 94% for narcotic analgesics, 78% for CNS stimulants, and 69% for CNS depressants. Overall accuracy in recognizing drug intoxication was 95%. These percentages indicate that although face-to-face interactions, physical evidence, and confessions/statements can be useful adjuncts to DRE decision-making, the majority of drug category decisions can be made solely on the basis of recorded suspect observations and DRE evaluation results.

Cardiopulmonary effects of xylazine and acepromazine in pregnant cows in late gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of sedation achieved by xylazine (XYL) or acepromazine (ACE) on cardiopulmonary function and uterine blood flow in cows in late gestation. ANIMALS: 8 cows between 219 and 241 days of gestation. PROCEDURE: Doses of ACE (0.02 mg/kg) or XYL (0.04 mg/kg) were administered IV. Measurements were obtained to determine cardiopulmonary effects and oxygen delivery to the uterus. RESULTS: Heart rate was not significantly affected by administration of ACE, but it decreased markedly after administration of XYL. Uterine artery flow was decreased at all times by XYL and was always less than for ACE. Xylazine increased uterine vascular resistance through 30 minutes and caused reduced PaO2 and increased PaCO2 at all time periods. Acepromazine caused a 5% decrease in PaO2 only at 5 minutes. Xylazine reduced oxygen delivery by 59% at 5 minutes and 32% at 45 minutes. In contrast, ACE caused a nonsignificant reduction of oxygen delivery by 16% at 15 minutes and a return to baseline values by 45 minutes CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Xylazine markedly reduces flow and availability of oxygenated blood to the uterus, which may critically impair delivery of oxygen to the fetus at a stressful and important time of development or delivery. Acepromazine was associated with slight reductions of much shorter duration. When XYL is used to sedate pregnant cows, it could impose physiologic distress on the fetus and potentially increase fetal morbidity and mortality. When sedation of the dam is desirable, ACE could be an alternative to XYL.