The single-line-of-sight, time-resolved x-ray imager diagnostic on OMEGA.

The single-line-of-sight, time-resolved x-ray imager (SLOS-TRXI) on OMEGA is one of a new generation of fast-gated x-ray cameras comprising an electron pulse-dilation imager and a nanosecond-gated, burst-mode, hybrid complementary metal-oxide semiconductor sensor. SLOS-TRXI images the core of imploded cryogenic deuterium-tritium shells in inertial confinement fusion experiments in the ∼4- to 9-keV photon energy range with a pinhole imager onto a photocathode. The diagnostic is mounted on a fixed port almost perpendicular to a 16-channel, framing-camera-based, time-resolved Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope, providing a second time-gated line of sight for hot-spot imaging on OMEGA. SLOS-TRXI achieves ∼40-ps temporal resolution and better than 10-µm spatial resolution. Shots with neutron yields of up to 1 × 1014 were taken without observed neutron-induced background signal. The implosion images from SLOS-TRXI show the evolution of the stagnating core.

Isolation of subtelomeric sequences of porcine chromosomes for translocation screening reveals errors in the pig genome assembly.

Balanced chromosomal aberrations have been shown to affect fertility in most species studied, often leading to hypoprolificacy (reduced litter size) in domestic animals such as pigs. With an increasing emphasis in modern food production on the use of a small population of high quality males for artificial insemination, the potential economic and environmental costs of hypoprolific boars, bulls, rams etc. are considerable. There is therefore a need for novel tools to facilitate rapid, cost-effective chromosome translocation screening. This has previously been achieved by standard karyotype analysis; however, this approach relies on a significant level of expertise and is limited in its ability to identify subtle, cryptic translocations. To address this problem, we developed a novel device and protocol for translocation screening using subtelomeric probes and fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Probes were designed using BACs (bacterial artificial chromosomes) from the subtelomeric region of the short (p-arm) and long (q-arm) of each porcine chromosome. They were directly labelled with FITC or Texas Red (p-arm and q-arm respectively) prior to application of a 'Multiprobe' device, thereby enabling simultaneous detection of each individual porcine chromosome on a single slide. Initial experiments designed to isolate BACs in subtelomeric regions led to the discovery of a series of incorrectly mapped regions in the porcine genome assembly (from a total of 82 BACs, only 45 BACs mapped correctly). Our work therefore highlights the importance of accurate physical mapping of newly sequenced genomes. The system herein described allows for robust and comprehensive analysis of the porcine karyotype, an adjunct to classical cytogenetics that provides a valuable tool to expedite efficient, cost effective food production.

Increasing pathology utilisation lies behind increasing pathology costs.

Recent increases in pathology costs per scheme member are a concern to medical schemes and pathologists alike. To better understand the observed increasing costs, the National Pathology Group commissioned Prognosys to analyse the trends affecting these increases. We found that these increases are driven by inflation, increases in utilisation, and redistribution of the burden of cost. The identification of utilisation as a cost driver for pathology services is noteworthy as almost all pathology services are by referral from another doctor.

Cat admissions to RSPCA shelters in Queensland, Australia: description of cats and risk factors for euthanasia after entry.

OBJECTIVE: A lack of information limits understanding of the excess cat problem and development of effective management strategies. This study describes cats entering Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Queensland shelters and identifies risk factors for euthanasia. METHODS: Data for cats entering relevant shelters (July 2006-June 2008) were obtained from the RSPCA's electronic database. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for euthanasia. RESULTS: Of 33,736 cats admitted, 46% were adult cats (≥3 months) and 54% were kittens (<3 months). The most common reason for admission was stray (54%), followed by owner surrender (44%). Euthanasia was the most common outcome (65%), followed by adoption (30%). The odds of euthanasia were lower for kittens and for cats that were desexed prior to admission. Of the strays, 8% had been desexed. For cats of similar age, sex, desexed and feral status, stray cats were more likely to be adopted than owner-surrenders. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies are needed to reduce numbers of cats admitted and euthanased. Given the high proportion of admissions that were kittens, reducing the incidence of delayed sterilisation of owned cats may be an important strategy for reducing the number of unwanted kittens. Many cats admitted as strays were rehomable, but given the high proportion of admissions that are strays, further research on stray populations is needed. Future studies of cats entering shelters would be enhanced if data collection definitions, categories and methods were standardised.

Comparison of chemiluminescent DNA probe to cell culture for the screening of Chlamydia trachomatis in a gynecology clinic population.

Two hundred ninety-five endocervical swab specimens were obtained from patients presenting to a gynecology clinic in order to compare a nonradioactive chemiluminescent DNA probe with cell culture for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Discrepancies between cell culture and DNA probe were resolved by retesting and reculturing samples. In a population with a 10.8% prevalence, the corrected sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the DNA probe were 80.6, 95.8, 71.4, and 97.3%, respectively. These results compare favorably to other non-culture methods such as direct fluorescent antibody and enzyme immunoassay tests for the detection of C trachomatis in populations with similar prevalence rates.

Interaction between ethanol and antihistamines: 3. mebhydrolin.

We used 17 student volunteers in an experiment to investigate the effects of orally administered mebhydrolin (0.71 mg/kg), alone and in combination with ethanol (0.75 g/kg), on perceptual, cognitive and motor functions. Mebhydrolin did not significantly modify performance when given alone, but showed evidence of enhancing ethanol-induced performance deficits. Histamine challenge experiments indicated that the dose of mebhydrolin used exerted an antihistaminic effect over the period of the ethanol interaction study.

Growth of Trichophyton mentagrophytes on individual amino acids.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes was tested for its ability to utilize individual amino acids as a source of carbon and nitrogen in basal medium containing 0.4 mM magnesium sulphate (0.1 g/l) in 0.05 M potassium phosphate buffer at pH6.5. Growth was quantitated by measurement of both dry weight and fungal protein. Seventeen naturally occurring amino acids supported growth, serving as a source of both carbon and nitrogen. Seven amino acids failed to support growth under these conditions; however three of these could be metabolized for nitrogen, but not for carbon.

The effect of RMI 12, 936 synthetic antiprogestional steroid, on ovarian steroidogenesis in the rat.

A series of physiochemical investigations confirmed that the product of chemical and enzymatic isomerization of RMI 12,936 was 7alpha-methyltestosterone. The total activity per pair of ovaries of delta5 3-ketosteroid isomerase in vitro was unchanges by RMI 12,936 pretreatment or by advancing pregnancy, significant changes in ovarian weight being accompanied by reciprocal changes in enzyme activity/mg tissue. The initial rate of isomerization of RMI 12,936 was approximately five times greater than the corresponding rate of delta5-progesterone isomerization at equal substrate concentrations. It is concluded that RMI 12,936 does not inhibit progesterone biosynthesis by alteration of delta5 3-ketosteroid isomerase activity, but that it may do so by acting as an alternative substrate for this enzyme.

PIP: The effect of RMI 12,936, a synthetic antiprogestational steroid, on ovarian steroidogenesis in rats was studied. It was confirmed that 7alpha-methyltestosterone was the major metabolite of RMI 12,936. Pretreatment with RMI 12,936 or treatment with vehicle on Day 8 of pregnancy did not significantly (p greater than .05) increase the total in vitro ovarian activity of delta(5) 3-ketosteroid isomerase. There was a significant (p less than .01) increase in ovarian weights between Days 9-15 of pregnancy in both treated and control animals, which was accompanied by a significant (p less than .01) decrease in isomerase activity per mg tissue. The initial linear rate of isomerization of RMI 12,936 was about 5 times greater than that of delta(5)-progesterone isomerization. It is suggested that RMI-12,936 does not inhibit progesterone synthesis by alteration of delta(5) 3-ketosteroid isomerase activity, though it may have this effect by serving as an alternative substrate for this enzyme.