Feline non-repetitive mitochondrial DNA control region database for forensic evidence.

The domestic cat is the one of the most popular pets throughout the world. A by-product of owning, interacting with, or being in a household with a cat is the transfer of shed fur to clothing or personal objects. As trace evidence, transferred cat fur is a relatively untapped resource for forensic scientists. Both phenotypic and genotypic characteristics can be obtained from cat fur, but databases for neither aspect exist. Because cats incessantly groom, cat fur may have nucleated cells, not only in the hair bulb, but also as epithelial cells on the hair shaft deposited during the grooming process, thereby generally providing material for DNA profiling. To effectively exploit cat hair as a resource, representative databases must be established. The current study evaluates 402 bp of the mtDNA control region (CR) from 1394 cats, including cats from 25 distinct worldwide populations and 26 breeds. Eighty-three percent of the cats are represented by 12 major mitotypes. An additional 8.0% are clearly derived from the major mitotypes. Unique sequences are found in 7.5% of the cats. The overall genetic diversity for this data set is 0.8813±0.0046 with a random match probability of 11.8%. This region of the cat mtDNA has discriminatory power suitable for forensic application worldwide.

The Therapeutic Realizations Scale-Revised (TRS-R): psychometric characteristics and relationship to treatment process and outcome.

Therapeutic realizations are one of five universal, session-level change processes explicated in the Generic Model of Psychotherapy. Realizations refer to session impacts, the moment-to-moment accomplishments that patients experience within sessions. This study establishes the psychometric characteristics and factor structure of a modified patient-rated measure of session-level effects, the Therapeutic Realization Scale-Revised (TRS-R). In addition, it shows the relationship of the TRS-R to treatment process and outcome from the perspective of both patients and therapists. The findings provide support for the TRS-R as a reliable and valid, multidimensional index of session-level treatment effects.

Molecular sexing of the communally breeding pukeko: an important ecological tool.

A central biological parameter in the study of any animal population is the accurate assignment of sex. Indeed any ecological study of a population requires information on sex composition in relation to such biological factors as behaviour, movement, mortality and birth rate. However, our ability to assign the sex of adults of many avian species is poor and the sexing of young is universally difficult. We report here the successful application of a molecular technique for the assignment of sex in the communally breeding pukeko or purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus). W- and Z-linked chromosome fragments in digested genomic DNA of pukeko were detected with the DNA probe pMg1. We consequently show that this species breeds in polyandrous, polygynous and polygynandrous groups. Finally we discuss why recent molecular methods represent important new tools in ecology.

Genetic control of sex determination in birds and the potential for its manipulation.

The sex determination systems of Drosophila, birds, marsupial mammals, and eutherian mammals are briefly reviewed. Evidence from poultry polyploids, aneuploids, and gynandromorphs suggests that avian sex is determined by Z to autosome ratio and also that avian sex-limited traits may be under both cell-autonomous and hormonal controls. To identify aneuploids in avian populations, a cDNA clone linked to both the Z and W chromosomes of many avian groups was used to screen large numbers of psittacine birds and identified five birds with atypical patterns of restriction fragments. Two of these birds were examined by laparoscopy and found to be intersexes. These preliminary observations indicate that structural changes in the Z and W chromosomes result in alterations of sex determination.

Alterations in ankle dorsiflexion torque as a result of continuous ultrasound to the anterior tibial compartment.

Although considerable documentation of the physiologic effects of ultrasound (US) exists, little information is available concerning direct effects of US on muscle, particularly when the US is applied immediately before muscle performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of continuous US to the anterior tibial muscle compartment on ankle dorsiflexion torque assessed immediately posttreatment, at 30 minutes, and at 60 minutes posttreatment. Seventeen healthy subjects were tested performing isometric contractions at dynamometer velocities of 60 and 180 degrees/sec. Subjects first received either a placebo or a 1.5 W/cm2 15-minute US treatment. One week later, the protocol was repeated with the administration of a second treatment. Analysis of variance showed no significant interactions for time and treatment for any contraction; time, for isometric contraction, was the only significant main effect. Follow-up analyses were all nonsignificant for comparisons of pretreatment to posttreatment and posttreatment to 30- and 60-minute intervals within treatment groups. The study concludes that in spite of known physiologic effects, one treatment of US does not have an immediate or latent effect on peak torque.