Nestling Physiology Is Independent of Somatic Development in a Common Raptor, the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius).

AbstractAlthough many studies have documented the developmental trajectory of somatic traits in birds, few measure physiological traits, and even fewer document individual variation in developmental trajectory across ecological context. Hematological traits underlying aerobic capacity can be predictive of nestling survival, fledgling flight ability, and ultimately recruitment. This study aimed to assess individual variation in the developmental trajectory of two physiological traits that underlie aerobic capacity, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration, in relation to somatic development and ecological context. Our study species, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius), is sexually dimorphic and therefore likely to show sexual variation in developmental trajectory and nestling maturity. We used lay date, year, brood size, nestling sex ratio, and parental nest visit rate to assess ecological context. Although somatic traits showed similar trajectories across nestlings, developmental trajectory for hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration showed individual variation not previously documented. This individual variation in developmental change, or trajectory, for physiological traits could not be explained by somatic development, sex, parental nest visit rate, lay date, year, brood size, or nestling sex ratio. However, we did find higher final hemoglobin concentration in 2018 and in nests with earlier lay dates. These findings demonstrate the importance of assessing physiological traits that capture aspects of individual quality distinct from somatic traits. Future studies are needed to understand the causes of individual variation in developmental trajectory, which cannot be explained by the ecological variables presented here, and the potential fitness consequences of this variation.

A real-time audit of radiation therapy in a regional cancer center.

PURPOSE: To report the development, structure, and implementation of a real-time clinical radiotherapy audit of the practice of radiation oncology in a regional cancer center. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Radiotherapy treatment plans were audited by a real-time peer-review process over an 8-year period (1989-1996). The overall goal of the audit was to establish a process for quality assurance (QA) of radiotherapy planning and prescription for individual patients. A parallel process was developed to audit the implementation of intervention-specific radiotherapy treatment policies. RESULTS: A total of 3052 treatment plans were audited. Of these, 124 (4.1%) were not approved by the audit due to apparent errors in radiation planning. The majority of the nonapproved plans (79%) were modified prior to initiating treatment; the audit provided important clinical feedback about individual patient care in these instances. Most of the remaining nonapproved plans were deviations from normal practice due to patient-specific considerations. A further 110 (3.6% of all audited plans) were not approved by the audit due to deviations from radiotherapy treatment policy. A minority of these plans (22%) were modified prior to initiating treatment and the remainder provided important feedback for continuous quality improvement of treatment policies. CONCLUSION: A real-time audit of radiotherapy practice in a regional cancer center setting proved feasible and provided important direct and indirect patient benefits.

Rewarding affective properties of intra-nucleus accumbens injections of testosterone.

On alternating days, adult male Long-Evans rats implanted with bilateral cannulas in the nucleus accumbens received intracerebral injections of testosterone in a water-soluble cyclodextrin inclusion complex (0.125, 0.25, or 0.5 microg/0.5 microl saline) or saline immediately prior to being confined for 30 min to 1 of 2 compartments of a place-preference apparatus. All rats received 8 days of pairings (4 hormone and 4 saline). On Day 9 the rats were given a 20-min test session during which they had access to all compartments of the apparatus. No hormone was injected prior to the test session. On the test day, rats spent significantly more time in the compartment previously paired with bilateral intra-accumbens injections of testosterone (0.25 and 0.5 microg/0.5 microl saline) than in the compartment previously paired with saline injections. The findings indicate that intra-accumbens injections of testosterone are sufficient to produce reward.

Hemangioma of the uterine cervix: sonographic and MR diagnosis.

We present a case of cavernous hemangioma involving the cervix and lower uterine segment in a 30-year-old patient. Demonstration of findings on sonography and magnetic resonance characteristic for hemangioma led to cancellation of planned surgical resection for the clinically suspected uterine neoplasm.

Molecular weight of urinary alkaline phosphatase determined by equilibrium-gradient-pore electrophoresis.

A molecular weight of 95,000 for normal urinary alkaline phosphatase has been determined by equilibrium-gradient-pore electrophoresis. Several protein markers were used including alpha 2-macroglobulin, catalase, human liver alkaline phosphatase, serum transferrin and haemopexin.

Immunological identity of urinary alkaline phosphatase in health and disease.

Urinary alkaline phosphatase has been measured and an investigation has been undertaken involving starch gel electrophoresis after treatment of the enzyme with antisera raised against various human tissues. Urine was obtained from patients with bone and liver disease as well as pregnant women and normal persons. The enzyme level in urine in disease and pregnancy was raised above the normal but considerable overlap occurred. After electrophoresis the most usual finding was a single zone of activity although occasionally very minor zones were also present. Antiserum to kidney had the greatest affinity for the urinary enzyme. Decreasing affinity was found with intestinal and placental antiserum. No affinity was found with liver antiserum.