The influence of feeding routines on the behavior of zoo-housed Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra).

Many species thrive in captivity, yet there is still much to be assessed regarding the often-unknown stressors present that can compromise welfare. Uncovering such stressors is of paramount importance if we are to ensure the zoo environment provides the highest levels of animal welfare that will contribute to species conservation. Zoo-housed primates are subject to many potential stressors, including daily husbandry routines which they may find aversive or habituate to, regardless of their outcome. The specific aim of this study was to assess the behavioral responses to daily husbandry feeding routines on a total of 33 Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra), across two different UK zoological collections. Group scan sampling was used to record behaviors for 30-min periods before feeding (BF), for 30 min after feeding (AF), which we began 30 min after feed provision, and for 30 min when no feeding occurred (NF). The feeding condition significantly influenced behaviors recorded and post-hoc comparisons showed that BF conditions produced significantly higher frequencies of food anticipatory related activity (FAA). Furthermore, during BF periods, behaviors associated with FAA increased during the 15 min closer to a feed. This research finds that temporal feeding events cause changes in the behavior of two independent groups of crested macaques, indicative of food anticipation activity, during 30-min periods leading up to a feed. These results have implications for how animal keeper routines and advertised zoo feeds are managed for this species within zoological collections.

Farnesylation is involved in meristem organization in Arabidopsis.

Although studies in plant and animal cell culture systems indicate farnesylation is required for normal cell cycle progression, how this lipid modification of select proteins translates into whole-organism developmental decisions involving cell proliferation or differentiation is largely unknown. The era1 mutant of the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. offers a unique opportunity to understand the role farnesylation may play in regulating various processes during the development of a multicellular organism. Loss of farnesylation affects many aspects of Arabidopsis growth and development. In particular, apical and axillary meristem development is altered and these phenotypes are contingent on the growth conditions.

Genetic analysis, phenotypic diagnosis, and risk of venous thrombosis in families with inherited deficiencies of protein S.

Protein S deficiency is a recognized risk factor for venous thrombosis. Of all the inherited thrombophilic conditions, it remains the most difficult to diagnose because of phenotypic variability, which can lead to inconclusive results. We have overcome this problem by studying a cohort of patients from a single center where the diagnosis was confirmed at the genetic level. Twenty-eight index patients with protein S deficiency and a PROS1 gene defect were studied, together with 109 first-degree relatives. To avoid selection bias, we confined analysis of total and free protein S levels and thrombotic risk to the patients' relatives. In this group of relatives, a low free protein S level was the most reliable predictor of a PROS1 gene defect (sensitivity 97.7%, specificity 100%). First-degree relatives with a PROS1 gene defect had a 5.0-fold higher risk of thrombosis (95% confidence interval, 1. 5-16.8) than those with a normal PROS1 gene and no other recognized thrombophilic defect. Although pregnancy/puerperium and immobility/trauma were important precipitating factors for thrombosis, almost half of the events were spontaneous. Relatives with splice-site or major structural defects in the PROS1 gene were more likely to have had a thrombotic event and had significantly lower total and free protein S levels than those relatives having missense mutations. We conclude that persons with PROS1 gene defects and protein S deficiency are at increased risk of thrombosis and that free protein S estimation offers the most reliable way of diagnosing the deficiency. (Blood. 2000;95:1935-1941)

Pregnancy complicated by primary aldosteronism.

Pregnancy is rarely complicated by aldosteronism. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman who became pregnant soon after primary aldosteronism was diagnosed. Only antihypertensive medication and oral potassium supplementation were required in addition to routine prenatal care. A healthy female infant was delivered at term. In this case, no adrenal adenoma was identified. We discuss management of aldosteronism in pregnancy and review the literature.

Co-inheritance of the 20210A allele of the prothrombin gene increases the risk of thrombosis in subjects with familial thrombophilia.

The presence of the 20210A allele of the prothrombin (PT) gene has recently been shown to be a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. This is probably mediated through increased plasma prothrombin levels. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of the prothrombin 20210A allele in control subjects and in subjects with recognised thrombophilia and to establish whether the additional inheritance of the PT 20210A allele is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. 101 subjects with a history of venous thromboembolism and diagnosed as having either factor V Leiden (R506Q) or heritable deficiencies of protein C, protein S or antithrombin were studied. The prevalence of the PT 20210A allele in this group was compared with the results obtained for 150 control subjects. In addition, the relationships were examined between genetic status and the number of documented thromboembolic episodes, and between plasma prothrombin levels and possession of the PT 20210A allele. 8 (7.9%) of the 101 patients were also heterozygous for the PT 20210A allele. This compares with 0.7% in the control subjects (p = 0.005). After exclusion of patients on warfarin, the mean plasma prothrombin of 113 subjects without 20210A was 1.09 U/ml, as compared with 1.32 U/ml in 8 with the allele (p = 0.0002). Among the 101 patients with either factor V Leiden, protein S deficiency, protein C deficiency or antithrombin deficiency, the age adjusted mean (SD) number of venous thromboembolic episodes at diagnosis was 3.7 (1.5) in those with the PT 20210A allele, as compared with 1.9 (1.1) in those without (p = 0.0001). We have demonstrated that the prevalence of the PT 20210A allele is significantly greater in subjects with venous thrombosis and characterised heritable thrombophilia than in normal control subjects and that the additional inheritance of PT 20210A is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We have also confirmed that plasma prothrombin levels are significantly greater in subjects possessing the PT 20210A compared with those who do not.

Partial hydatidiform molar pregnancy presenting with severe preeclampsia prior to twenty weeks gestation: a case report and review of the literature.

A previously healthy 37-year-old Latin American female presented at 17 6/7 weeks gestation with clinical manifestations of preeclampsia. Ultrasound revealed a growth-retarded fetus with hypoechoic bowel, a thickened cystic placenta, bilateral multicystic adnexal masses, and oligohydramnios. The patient had laboratory evidence of hyperthyroidism and the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein was 12.3 multiples of the mean. Subclinical disseminated intravascular coagulation rapidly ensued and an induction of labor was performed. This was productive of a 110-g female fetus with a markedly distended abdomen and syndactyly. The placenta weighted 650 g with gross hydropic changes throughout. The clinical aspects of this case and review of the literature on partial molar pregnancies will be discussed.

A case for a code of ethics.

Ethical dilemmas in business and health have become a familiar topic over recent times. Doubts remain, however, as to whether a code should be produced and the recently issued IHSM consultation paper argues the case for "a statement of primary values" rather than a code of ethics. In a second article on the subject, Paul Bayliss examines the importance of having a code, looks at some of the contextual issues and suggests an approach to producing one.

Should managers have a code of conduct?

Much attention is currently being given to values and ethics in the NHS. Issues of accountability are being explored as a consequence of the Cadbury report. The Institute of Health Services Management (IHSM) is considering whether managers should have a code of ethics. Central to this issue is what managers themselves think; the application of such a code may well stand or fall by whether managers are prepared to have ownership of it, and are prepared to make it work. Paul Bayliss reports on a survey of managers' views.

Effect of induced supraventricular tachycardias on changes in urine output and plasma hormone levels in man.

1. A symptomatic diuresis, polyuria, sometimes accompanies paroxysmal tachycardias in man. A study was undertaken in patients with inducible supraventricular tachycardia, irrespective of the symptom of polyuria, to measure simultaneous changes in urine output and plasma hormone levels during the arrhythmia. 2. During 14 episodes of induced tachycardia in 10 patients, there was a significant increase in mean urine flow, which was independent of the state of patient hydration. During a mean tachycardia duration of 30 +/- 3 min, the mean group urine flow increased from 3.2 +/- 2.3 ml/min to 7.6 +/- 3.7 ml/min (P less than 0.001). This was characterized by a consistent increase in free water excretion and a variable increase in sodium excretion. 3. The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level (five patients) significantly increased from 7.6 +/- 4.6 pg/ml to 34.6 +/- 21.7 pg/ml (P less than 0.02) during the arrhythmia. There was no significant change in the plasma arginine-vasopressin level and a non-significant reduction in plasma renin activity. 4. This study has shown that induced supraventricular tachycardias in man are accompanied by a significant diuresis. The mechanisms responsible remain unknown, but do not appear to involve the plasma arginine-vasopressin level alone.

Prolactin and thyrotropin responses to nursing during the early puerperium.

This study investigated the possible role of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) as a physiologic prolactin-releasing factor by measuring prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) responses to nursing. Eight women had serum samples drawn at 15-minute intervals for 1 hour while nursing during three separate periods in the hour while nursing during three separate periods in the first month postpartum. The samples were frozen and assayed in a single batch for PRL and TSH. Mean PRL levels during suckling increased greater than 50% over baseline values in all three sampling sessions. In contrast, suckling had no effect on circulating TSH. Our data fail to support the previously reported observation of a release of TSH in response to nursing and provide further indirect evidence that TRH is not responsible for the brisk release of PRL with suckling.

Tissue selenium accretion in premature and full-term human infants and children.

Development of supplementation guidelines for formulated diets and total parenteral nutrition requires knowledge of Se tissue accretion. To this end, the total organ Se content was calculated from the Se concentrations that were measured by neutron activation analysis in postmortem samples of liver (n=56), kidney (n=11), adrenal cortex (n=9), and pancreas (n=6) from infants and children from birth to 10 yr including 17 born prematurely. Hepatic Se concentrations were similar in full-term and premature newborns, decreased from birth to 1 yr, and then increased thereafter. The total hepatic Se content was significantly greater in full-term than in preterm newborns and increased with age and liver size after 1 yr. No significant differences were found between the concentrations of Se in kidney, pancreas, and adrenal tissues. Falling hepatic Se concentrations in the full-term infant concurrent with stable total organ Se content may indicate inadequate dietary intake or may reflect a normal redistribution of the nutrient. Premature infants are born with smaller stores than full-term infants and are at greater risk of developing a deficiency.

Non-accidental injury in children: what we do in Derby.

A scheme for dealing with cases of non-accidental injury in children in the Derby clinical area has been operating since 1971. A stable team of doctors, policemen, and social workers deal with each case. The parents are told at once that battering is suspected, and the police and social services department co-operate closely in establishing the facts, supporting the family, and protecting the child. A psychiatric assessment of the parents may help social workers decide on the long-term care of the child, and the forensic physician is invaluable if the case has to go to court. The team has made three recommendations about prevention and management of these cases: a specialist social service team should be set up to deal with these children and regain the skills and knowledge lost when children's departments were abolished in 1971; babies should be routinely weighed naked in infant welfare clinics; and juvenile courts should be able to order a psychiatric report on the parents in care proceedings.

The effects of atenolol (tenormin) and methyldopa on simple tests of central nervous function.

Two identical studies, one comparing the effect of single doses of a new beta-adrenoceptor blocker, atenolol (Tenormin) (50 mg and 100 mg) and placebo, and the other comparing the effect of single doses of methyldopa (250 mg and 500 mg) and placebo, in healthy volunteers, were carried out. 2 In both studies the effect of the drugs upon reaction time, critical flicker frequency, subjective drowsiness, pulse rate and blood pressure was measured. 3 Atenolol produced no effect upon reaction time, critical flicker frequency or subjective feelings, while methyldopa produced a statistically significant prolongation of reaction time and a statistically significant increase in the subjective sensation of drowsiness. 4 Atenolol produced statistically significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in pulse rate while methyldopa was without effect. 5 It is concluded that atenolol is unlikely to produce the side effects of sedation or drowsiness.

Blood level studies with viloxazine hydrochloride in man.

1 The pharmacokinetic characteristics of a new antidepressant, viloxazine hydrochloride, (ICI 58,834, Vivalan), have been investigated in four separate studies. 2 In Study 1, blood levels were measured over a period of 24 h after single doses of viloxazine hydrochloride from 10-100 mg (expressed as base). In Study 2, blood levels were measured over 24 h, during which three single doses of viloxazine hydrochloride (80 mg, expressed as base) were given 4 h apart. In Study 3, blood samples and urine and faeces were collected for 96 h after doses of 40 and 100 mg of [14C] viloxazine hydrochloride (40 muCi). In Study 4, 1 h blood levels were measured at weekly intervals during a comparative clinical trial in which viloxazine was given at a dose of 100 mg four times a day. 3 The half-life of the drug is in the range 2-5 h with maximum blood levels occurring in 1-4 h of the oral dose. Maximum blood levels are proportional to the oral dose given over the range studied (0.76(mug/ml)/(mg/kg)). The drug is very well absorbed orally, only 2% being found in faeces. Repeated dosing at 4 hourly intervals leads to slightly higher blood levels after the second, but not subsequent, doses. No accumulation was seen from week to week in depressed patients. No regular sex difference was seen in the pharmacokinetic characteristics of viloxazine hydrochloride but two females in one study did show a markedly higher maximum blood level and apparently longer half-life than the males. 4 It is concluded that viloxazine is rapidly and almost totally absorbed after an oral dose, and has a shorter half-life than the tricyclic antidepressants; therapy with it should be easily controllable.

The clinical pharmacology of viloxazine hydrochloride-a new anti-depressant of novel chemical structure.

1 The clinical pharmacological properties of viloxazine hydrochloride (ICI 58,834, Vivalan), a new antidepressant of novel chemical structure, have been investigated in a series of double-blind randomized studies comparing it with placebo and imipramine. Throughout the studies, viloxazine hydrochloride was given in single doses of 100 mg (expressed as base), and imipramine hydrochloride was given in single doses of 50 mg (expressed as salt). 2 The effect of viloxazine upon the following parameters was measured: pulse rate, blood pressure, forced expiratory volume, reaction time, critical flicker frequency, salivary flow, pupil size and palpebral fissure size. In addition, the possible interaction between viloxazine and alcohol was investigated using measurements of reaction time. 3 Both viloxazine and imipramine produced a transient tachycardia, but no consistent effect on blood pressure was seen. Neither drug had any effect upon forced expiratory volume. 4 The differences that emerged between viloxazine and imipramine were that viloxazine depressed critical flicker frequency whereas imipramine did not, and imipramine prolonged reaction time whilst viloxazine did not. Imipramine reduced salivary flow and increased the size of the pupil and palpebral fissure. Viloxazine did neither. 5 Imipramine was shown to potentiate alcohol whereas, at the doses used, viloxazine did not. 6 It is concluded that viloxazine appears to have less anticholinergic and possibly less sympathomimetic properties than imipramine. It is also concluded that viloxazine, unlike imipramine, does not potentiate alcohol.