The earliest domestic cat on the Silk Road.

We present the earliest evidence for domestic cat (Felis catus L., 1758) from Kazakhstan, found as a well preserved skeleton with extensive osteological pathologies dating to 775-940 cal CE from the early medieval city of Dzhankent, Kazakhstan. This urban settlement was located on the intersection of the northern Silk Road route which linked the cities of Khorezm in the south to the trading settlements in the Volga region to the north and was known in the tenth century CE as the capital of the nomad Oghuz. The presence of this domestic cat, presented here as an osteobiography using a combination of zooarchaeological, genetic, and isotopic data, provides proxy evidence for a fundamental shift in the nature of human-animal relationships within a previously pastoral region. This illustrates the broader social, cultural, and economic changes occurring within the context of rapid urbanisation during the early medieval period along the Silk Road.

Effect of corn residue harvest method with ruminally undegradable protein supplementation on performance of growing calves and fiber digestibility.

Two experiments evaluated the effects of corn residue harvest method on animal performance and diet digestibility. Experiment 1 was designed as a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments using 60 individually fed crossbred steers (280 kg [SD 32] initial BW; = 12). Factors were the corn residue harvest method (high-stem and conventional) and supplemental RUP at 2 concentrations (0 and 3.3% diet DM). A third harvest method (low-stem) was also evaluated, but only in diets containing supplemental RUP at 3.3% diet DM because of limitations in the amount of available low-stem residue. Therefore, the 3 harvest methods were compared only in diets containing supplemental RUP. In Exp. 2, 9 crossbred wethers were blocked by BW (42.4 kg [SD 7] initial BW) and randomly assigned to diets containing corn residue harvested 1 of 3 ways (low-stem, high-stem, and conventional). In Exp. 1, steers fed the low-stem residue diet had greater ADG compared with the steers fed conventionally harvested corn residue ( = 0.03; 0.78 vs. 0.63 kg), whereas steers fed high-stem residue were intermediate ( > 0.17; 0.69 kg), not differing from either conventional or low-stem residues. Results from in vitro OM digestibility suggest that low-stem residue had the greatest ( < 0.01) amount of digestible OM compared with the other 2 residue harvest methods, which did not differ ( = 0.32; 55.0, 47.8, and 47.1% for low-stem, high-stem, and conventional residues, respectively). There were no differences in RUP content (40% of CP) and RUP digestibility (60%) among the 3 residues ( ≥ 0.35). No interactions were observed between harvest method and the addition of RUP ( ≥ 0.12). The addition of RUP tended to result in improved ADG (0.66 ± 0.07 vs. 0.58 ± 0.07 for supplemental RUP and no RUP, respectively; = 0.08) and G:F (0.116 ± 0.006 vs. 0.095 ± 0.020 for supplemental RUP and no RUP, respectively; = 0.02) compared with similar diets without the additional RUP. In Exp. 2, low-stem residue had greater DM and OM digestibility and DE ( < 0.01) than high-stem and conventional residues, which did not differ ( ≥ 0.63). Low-stem residue also had the greatest NDF digestibility (NDFD; < 0.01), whereas high-stem residue had greater NDFD than conventional residue ( < 0.01). Digestible energy was greatest for low-stem residue ( < 0.05) and did not differ between high-stem and conventional residues ( = 0.50). Reducing the proportion of stem in the bale through changes in the harvest method increased the nutritive quality of corn residue.

The spatial and temporal distribution of pollen in a room: forensic implications.

This paper presents two experimental studies that deal with the spatial and temporal distribution of pollen grains within a room of a domestic dwelling. The findings concur with the preliminary work of Morgan et al. [1] and provide greater detail as to the behaviour of pollen grains within indoor locations that are pertinent for forensic investigations. The spatial distribution of pollen in a room exhibits strong distance decay trends, with the majority of pollen recovered within 0.8m of its source. The pollen was found to persist in increasing quantities during the time the flowers were in the room. This study also shows that 20days after the flowers were removed, 25-32% of the original pollen was still present within the room. The influence of disturbance was investigated and whilst areas of high disturbance were found to retain less pollen than undisturbed locations, the influence of the proximity to source was a more dominant factor. These findings have significant implications for forensic investigation protocols, particularly the collection and interpretation phases of trace evidence analysis. The distribution of pollen around a room ensures that viable sources of trace pollen are available for transfer if contact is made between a location in the room and a suspect. The persistence of pollen many days after the flowers have been removed from a room indicates that many rooms in domestic dwellings will have distinctive assemblages that reflect the history of the flowers that have been displayed within that room in the past, and that these assemblages will persist and therefore be available for transfer. These preliminary findings indicate that investigation by forensic palynology in indoor domestic settings may well be an underutilised technique that has the potential to provide accurate and valuable intelligence and evidence for forensic enquiry.

The role of body-on-a-chip devices in drug and toxicity studies.

High-quality, in vitro screening tools are essential in identifying promising compounds during drug development. Tests with currently used cell-based assays provide an indication of a compound's potential therapeutic benefits to the target tissue, but not to the whole body. Data obtained with animal models often cannot be extrapolated to humans. Multicompartment microfluidic-based devices, particularly those that are physical representations of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, may contribute to improving the drug development process. These scaled-down devices, termed micro cell culture analogs (µCCAs) or body-on-a-chip devices, can simulate multitissue interactions under near-physiological fluid flow conditions and with realistic tissue-to-tissue size ratios. Because the device can be used with both animal and human cells, it can facilitate cross-species extrapolation. Used in conjunction with PBPK models, the devices permit an estimation of effective concentrations that can be used for studies with animal models or predict the human response. The devices also provide a means for relatively high-throughput screening of drug combinations and, when utilized with a patient's tissue sample, an opportunity for individualized medicine. Here we review efforts made toward the development of microfabricated cell culture systems and give examples that demonstrate their potential use in drug development, such as identifying synergistic drug interactions as well as simulating multiorgan metabolic interactions. In addition to their use in drug development, the devices also can be used to estimate the toxicity of chemicals as occupational hazards and environmental contaminants.

A novel Ocular Anaesthetic Scoring System, OASS, tool to measure both motor and sensory function following local anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To devise and evaluate a novel Ocular Anaesthetic Scoring System (OASS) for non-topical local anaesthesia. METHODS: In OASS, a score of between 0 (poor) and 14 (excellent) was devised measuring motor (ocular motility, levator and orbicularis function) and sensory functions (digital spear pressure at limbus and topical anaesthetic sting). 40 patients were studied prospectively to analyse interobserver consistency in OASS. A further 100 patients were collected into four groups receiving either sub-Tenon or peribulbar block with 150 or 300 units of hyaluronidase. Patient satisfaction was determined using the Visual Analogue Pain Scale and Iowa Satisfaction with Anaesthesia Scale. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in OASS scores between two independent observers (p = 0.8910). The sub-Tenon approach achieved significantly better OASS scores than the peribulbar approach (p<0.0004). 300 units of hyaluronidase gave significantly higher OASS scores in both sub-Tenon (p<0.0001) and peribulbar groups (p<0.0001). Spearman rank correlation showed that OASS correlates significantly with VAPS (-0.82, p<0.0001) and ISAS (0.70, p<0.0001). The median satisfaction score was significant in order of magnitude: sub-Tenon with 300 units of hyaluronidase>sub-Tenon with 150 units of hyaluronidase>peribulbar with 300 units of hyaluronidase>peribulbar with 150 units of hyaluronidase. CONCLUSION: OASS is a simple and robust system for assessing and comparing non-topical local anaesthetic techniques. Of the techniques evaluated, a sub-Tenon block with 300 units of hyaluronidase gives the best anaesthesia, analgesia and patient satisfaction results.

Selection of bioindicators for monitoring marine environmental quality in the Bay of Fundy, Atlantic Canada.

Distribution of metals, PAH's and PCB's in lobsters, mussels, and sediments were used to assess marine environmental quality of the Bay of Fundy. This study demonstrates that the lobster (Homarus americanus) is a better bioindicator for monitoring contaminants in the marine environment and has a greater capacity for the uptake and accumulation of contaminants than the mussel (Mytilus edulis) and sediments. A definite pattern in the spatial distribution of lobster Cu, Cd, and Ag was evident. The distribution of organic contaminants for both mussels and lobsters in the Bay of Fundy lacked a spatial trend, and organic contaminants were undetectable in sediments from all sites. The Gulf Watch Programme, which monitors chemicals in mussels in the Bay of Fundy, did not indicate a problem with high levels of Cu, Cd, and Zn in the ecosystem. Analytes below the detection limit, such as in mussels and sediments, increase the difficulties of chemical analysis and detection for environmental monitoring. Deficiencies of mussels in monitoring the Bay of Fundy were discussed.

Tracing the source of 3,3'-dichlorobiphenyl found in samples collected in and around Halifax Harbour.

3,3'-dichlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 11), a chlorobiphenyl (CB) that is not generally analysed in environmental studies of CBs, is found, sometimes at high concentrations, in water, suspended particulate material, biota and sediments from Halifax Harbour, NS, Canada. The results presented demonstrate the need for investigations of non-Aroclor CBs like CB 11. Not only can they have rather elevated environmental concentrations like those reported here for CB 11, but they also can be members of the more toxic non-ortho class of CBs and thus important from a toxicity standpoint. The focus of this paper was to investigate the possible sources of CB 11, a trace constituent of commercial mixtures, but dominant in various environmental compartments of Halifax Harbour.

ACNM essential documents: a midwife's suit of armor.

As the oldest professional midwifery organization in the United States, The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) represents the profession of midwifery in the United States and sets standards for education, certification, and practice. The ACNM has generated and revised several critical documents that provide guidance for the scope of midwifery practice, individually and collectively. This article reviews essential ACNM documents and their role in supporting professional midwifery.

Thermal and cyclic loading of endodontic posts.

The intent of this study was to determine pullout (shear) strength of carbon and stainless steel serrated posts from teeth. The tooth-posts groups were controls, thermal-cycled, load-cycled (load applied at either a 45 degrees angle or along the long axis of the post), and thermal- and load-cycled. Human extracted third molars were embedded in denture acrylic. Post space was prepared and the posts cemented with a resin cement according to manufacturer's instructions. The testing was in tension at a loading rate of 2 mm/min. The pullout (shear) strengths (MPa+/-SD) for the carbon posts were: controls 6.1+/-3.3; load-cycled 4.3+/-2.2; and thermal-cycled 4.2+/-2.2. The thermal-cycled and then load-cycled carbon posts all fractured during testing and were unable to be evaluated for shear strength. The pullout (shear) strengths (MPa+/-SD) for the stainless steel posts were: controls 6.6+/-2.9; load-cycled 7.1+/-3.2; thermal-cycled 4.8+/-2.0; and thermal load-cycled 6.8+/-3.5. The statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in the pullout (shear) strength between any of the post groups tested. Two different operators then prepared specimens using carbon posts abraded with 50 microm alumina and non-abraded carbon posts. The alumina abrasion caused a decrease in the post bond strength with the alumina particles impinging on the carbon fibers resulting in their fracture. The significant difference between bond strengths was attributed to each operator's years of clinical experience.

The efficacy of exercise as an aid for smoking cessation in women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Smoking prevalence rates among women are declining at a slower rate than among men. OBJECTIVE: To determine if exercise, a healthful alternative to smoking, enhances the achievement and maintenance of smoking cessation. METHODS: Two hundred eighty-one healthy, sedentary female smokers were randomly assigned to either a cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation program with vigorous exercise (exercise) or to the same program with equal staff contact time (control). Subjects participated in a 12-session, group-based smoking cessation program. Additionally, exercise subjects were required to attend 3 supervised exercise sessions per week and control subjects were required to participate in 3 supervised health education lectures per week. Abstinence from smoking was based on self-report, was verified by saliva cotinine level, and was measured at 1 week after quit day (week 5), end of treatment (week 12), and 3 and 12 months later (20 and 60 weeks after quit day, respectively). RESULTS: Compared with control subjects (n = 147), exercise subjects (n = 134) achieved significantly higher levels of continuous abstinence at the end of treatment (19.4% vs 10.2%, P = .03) and 3 months (16.4% vs 8.2%, P=.03) and 12 months (11.9% vs 5.4%, P=.05) following treatment. Exercise subjects had significantly increased functional capacity (estimated VO2 peak, 25+/-6 to 28+/-6, P<.01) and had gained less weight by the end of treatment (3.05 vs 5.40 kg, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Vigorous exercise facilitates short- and longer-term smoking cessation in women when combined with a cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation program. Vigorous exercise improves exercise capacity and delays weight gain following smoking cessation.

Interdisciplinary teaching. A survey of CNM participation in medical education in the United States.

Nurse-midwives have participated informally in the education of medical students and residents for many years, yet little is known about their formal involvement in medical education. A two-part survey was conducted to investigate the extent and characteristics of nurse-midwifery participation in medical education in the United States. The initial questionnaire was sent to every department of obstetrics and gynecology chair listed in the directory of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics and addressed the use of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) as educators within their respective departments. A subsequent questionnaire was distributed to CNMs participating in medical education and addressed their demographic characteristics, roles within the medical school faculty, and attitudes regarding work in medical education. More than one half (54%) of U.S. allopathic medical schools are formally using CNMs as educators, with the strongest involvement reported in the West and Northeast. Nearly as many CNM respondents are participating in the education of family medicine residents (57%) as in obstetrics and gynecology (59%). Most CNMs (93%) involved in medical education are also involved in nurse-midwifery education. Eighty percent of CNM respondents perceived congruency between educating student physicians and their philosophy of nurse-midwifery practice.

Tail-flick test: II. The role of supraspinal systems and avoidance learning.

It is held that the tail-flick test of pain depends on a spinal reflex because a similar response is observed in spinally transected rats. But when subjects were manually held and a cool heat setting was used, supraspinal systems facilitated the response (Experiment 1). This effect did not depend on the rate at which the tail was heated (Experiment 2) but rather on the co-occurrence of visual, auditory, and tactile cues that predict impending pain (Experiments 3 and 4). Subjects rapidly learned to exhibit a tail movement during these co-occurring cues, and this avoidance response was instrumental in nature (Experiment 5). Optimal learning was observed when the visual signal was presented 8-12 s before a heat-elicited response is normally observed (Experiment 6), and a low dose of morphine inhibited the performance of the instrumental response (Experiment 7).

A clinical trial to evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on in vitro mutagen sensitivity. The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Clinical Community Oncology Program Network.

Mutagen sensitivity, as measured by an in vitro assay, has been described as a risk factor for the development of several tobacco-related epithelial cancers. In vitro studies have indicated that sensitivity to the clastogenic effects of bleomycin on chromosomes was reduced with the introduction of ascorbic acid in a dose-dependent relationship. We report the results of a randomized clinical trial to determine whether increasing levels of oral ascorbic acid could reduce the levels of mutagen sensitivity. For this study, we recruited 228 healthy smokers from 21 centers around the country through the Clinical Community Oncology Program. Each individual was randomly assigned to one of four daily regimens: placebo, 1 g of ascorbic acid, 2 g of ascorbic acid, or 4 g of ascorbic acid. Treatments were administered for 16 weeks. Assessment of mutagen sensitivity was made at baseline and at weeks 4, 16, and 20 (4 weeks after cessation of treatment). Serum ascorbic acid levels were measured at baseline and at weeks 4 and 16. Demographic and risk factor data were collected at baseline and at each-measurement point. Analyses measured the differences of mutagen sensitivity levels across the four treatment arms, as well as investigating the correlation between serum ascorbic acid level and mutagen sensitivity levels in individuals. We did not find a dose-response relationship between ascorbic acid intake and mutagen sensitivity. Additionally, we did not find an association between serum ascorbic acid levels and mutagen sensitivity.

Estrogen-androgen for hormone replacement. A review.

OBJECTIVE: To critically examine the role of androgens as part of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Examination of original reports and reviews obtained by electronic database searches and supplemented by manual search of bibliographies. RESULTS: As compared to estrogens alone, estrogen-androgen therapy may better protect against osteoporosis and increase libido, energy levels and general sense of well-being. However, estrogen-androgen replacement also reduces the beneficial increases in high-density lipoprotein induced by estrogens alone, although this effect may be offset at least partially by decreases in atherogenic triglycerides. The long-term net effect of estrogen-androgen replacement on cardiovascular disease remains unknown. CONCLUSION: Although the literature includes relatively few clinical trials or well-controlled studies and is further limited by the subjective nature of outcomes, such as sexual and psychological function, the available data suggest that for many postmenopausal women, estrogen-androgen replacement may provide benefits beyond those provided by estrogen-only replacement therapy.

Excitation of a Cr:forsterite laser to the (3)T(1) band.

Laser oscillation of Cr:forsterite was obtained with ruby laser pumping to the lowest-lying levels of the (3)T(1) band in Cr(4+). Pump polarization effects, temporal response, and broadband 220-nm tuning are reported. Frequency doubling in potassium titanyl phosphate generate tunable red-yellow light. This unconventional excitation scheme is of interest for potential high-energy output and for direct diode pumping.

Estimating analytical variances in measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and application to monitoring contaminants in American lobster (Homarus americanus).

A method is presented for estimating replicate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in American lobster (Homarus americanus) digestive gland tissue based on recoveries of added perdeuterated surrogates from a single satisfactory analysis. PAH concentrations demonstrated a large interanimal variance, even in specimens captured at the same time in the same place. Principal component analysis showed that the variability of the total system of biological variables (carapace length, lobster weight, and digestive gland weight) could be adequately summarized by the first principal component alone in each data set. Ranks provide ordered classification of individuals, allowing data analysis by statistical methods for continuous variables (i.e., analysis of variance). PAH concentrations in individual lobsters were generally highly sensitive to animal size, sex, and fishing area. Efficient monitoring would result from analyzing individual animals of a single sex from a study area, using as small a geographical study area as possible, measuring a single biological variable, and using individual specimens of as narrow a size range as possible.

Meta-analysis of enteral nutrition as a primary treatment of active Crohn's disease. Gastroenterology 1995; 108:1056-67.

UNLABELLED: The efficacy of enteral nutrition as primary therapy of active Crohn's disease is controversial. The aim of the study was to compare by meta-analysis the likelihood of clinical response to liquid diet therapy vs. corticosteroids and to assess the importance of formula composition to efficacy. METHODS: Randomised controlled trials comparing exclusive enteral nutrition with corticosteroids and elemental with non-elemental formulas were identified through a combination of computerised and hand-searching techniques. Rates of clinical remission of active Crohn's disease, based on the intention to treat principle, were extracted from the studies by two independent reviewers. Odds ratios for the likelihood of clinical response were calculated. RESULTS: In eight trials comprising 413 patients, enteral nutrition was inferior to corticosteroids (pooled odds ratio 0.35; 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.53). In five trials comprising 134 patients, there was no difference in the efficacy of elemental versus non-elemental formulas (pooled odds ratio 0.87; 95% confidence interval 0.41-1.83). CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroids are more effective than enteral nutrition in the treatment of active Crohn's disease. Limited sample size precludes definite conclusions about the importance of formula composition in the efficacy of enteral nutrition; however, data analysed in this study do not support an advantage to elemental feedings compared with a polymeric formulation.