Poultry litter as potential source of pathogens and other contaminants in groundwater and surface water proximal to large-scale confined poultry feeding operations.

Manure from livestock production has been associated with the contamination of water resources. To date, research has primarily focused on runoff of these contaminants from animal operations into surface water, and the introduction of poultry-derived pathogenic zoonoses and other contaminants into groundwater is under-investigated. We characterized pathogens and other microbial and chemical contaminants in poultry litter, groundwater, and surface water near confined poultry feeding operations (chicken layer, turkey) at 9 locations in Iowa and one in Wisconsin from May and June 2016. Results indicate that poultry litter from large-scale poultry confined feeding operations is a likely source of environmental contamination and that groundwater is also susceptible to such poultry-derived contamination. Poultry litter, groundwater, and surface water samples had detections of viable bacteria growth (Salmonella spp., enterococci, staphylococci, lactobacilli), multi-drug resistant Salmonella DT104 flost and int genes, F+ RNA coliphage (group I and IV), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs; blaDHA, blaOXA-48, blaTEM, blaCMY-2, tetM), phytoestrogens (biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin), and a progestin (progesterone). In addition, mcr-1 (a colistin ARG), was detected in a groundwater sample and in another groundwater sample, antibiotic resistant isolates were positive for Brevibacterium spp., a potential signature of poultry in the environment. Detectable estrogenicity was not measured in poultry litter, but was observed in 67% of the surface water samples and 22% were above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency trigger level of 1 ng/L. The transport of microbial pathogens to groundwater was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than the transport of trace organic contaminants to groundwater in this study. In addition to viable pathogens, several clinically important ARGs were detected in litter, groundwater, and surface water, highlighting the need for additional research on sources of these contaminants in livestock dominated areas.

Low dose human chorionic gonadotropin administration at the time of gonadotropin releasing-hormone agonist trigger versus 35 h later in women at high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome - a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome remains a serious complication during in vitro fertilization cycles if high dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is used to trigger ovulation in high responder patients. Though much of this risk is mitigated with trigger using gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonist alone, it may result in lower birth rates. GnRH-agonist trigger and adjuvant low dose hCG has been proposed to improve birth rates, but timing of this hCG support to corpus luteum function has never been fully described. In this randomized, prospective trial, we explore differences in live birth rates and incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high-responder patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) receiving low dose hCG at the time of GnRH-agonist (dual trigger) or hCG adjuvant at the time of oocyte retrieval. Does the timing of hCG support make a difference? RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects high-responder patients were randomized to receive low-dose hCG at the time of GnRH-agonist trigger (Group 1) and 37 received low-dose hCG at the time of oocyte retrieval (Group 2). There were no differences in the baseline characteristics and outcome of ovarian stimulation between the two groups. There were no differences in the live birth rates between Group 1 and Group 2 by intention-to-treat (14/34, 41.2% versus 21/37, 56.8%, p = 0.19) or per-protocol (14/26, 53.8% versus 19/31, 61.3%, p = 0.57) analyses. There was a slightly higher incidence of OHSS in Group 2 compared to Group 1 although the difference was not statistically significant (3/31, 9.7% versus 1/26, 3.8%). All the cases of OHSS in Group 2 were moderate while the one case of OHSS in Group 1 was mild. CONCLUSIONS: For high responder patients receiving GnRH-agonist trigger, low dose hCG supplementation allowed high pregnancy rates after fresh embryo transfer, regardless of whether it was given at the time of trigger or at oocyte retrieval. Dual trigger may be preferable to reduce the risk of OHSS.

Predicting successful induction of oocyte maturation after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger.

STUDY QUESTION: Are there factors predicting the number of total and mature oocytes retrieved after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) utilizing a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol and a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) to induce oocyte maturation? SUMMARY ANSWER: Peak estradiol (E2) level, post-trigger LH and progesterone and the magnitude of LH rise are independent predictors of the total number of oocytes and mature oocytes retrieved. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Despite multiple follicular development in high responders, oocyte retrieval after a GnRHa trigger in a small subset of patients fails to obtain a substantial number of total oocytes or mature oocytes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: A retrospective chart review of all autologous and oocyte donation cycles utilizing a GnRHa antagonist protocol where GnRHa was used for the induction of oocyte maturation between 1 April 2003 and 31 December 2011. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS: A total of 508 autologous and donor IVF/ICSI cycles utilizing a GnRH antagonist protocol for COH and GnRHa for the induction of oocyte maturation at a university-based tertiary fertility center. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Peak E2 on the day of trigger (r = 0.19, P < 0.001), post-trigger LH (r = 0.12, P = 0.009) and progesterone (r = 0.47, P < 001) and LH rise (r = 0.18, P < 0.001) all positively correlated with the number of total and mature oocytes retrieved. The true incidence of empty follicle syndrome was 1.4% (7/508). There was no post-trigger LH or progesterone cut-off value for the prediction of oocyte yield. However, all cases of empty follicle syndrome occurred in patients with post-trigger LH <15 IU/l and P ≤ 3.5 ng/ml. The findings of this study may also be due to chance since it was a retrospective study and not prospectively designed. LIMITATION, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This is a retrospective chart review and therefore subject to bias. Serum hormone measurements were performed between 8 and 12 h after GnRHa trigger rather than a standardized time period following trigger administration. Therefore, peak levels of LH may have been missed due to the short ascending limb of LH rise lasting approximately 4 h after GnRHa trigger. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The results of this study can be generalized to high responders utilizing a GnRH antagonist protocol for COH and a GnRHa for the induction of oocyte maturation. The use of alternative stimulation regimens or medications will limit the ability to generalize the results of this study to other populations. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was not funded, and there are no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: n/a.

Do patients with chronic low back pain have an altered level and/or pattern of physical activity compared to healthy individuals? A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: It is commonly assumed that patients with chronic low back pain are less active than healthy individuals. There has been a recent increase in the number of studies published comparing the physical activity levels of patients with chronic low back pain and healthy individuals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to determine, based on the current body of evidence, if patients with chronic low back pain have a lower level and/or altered pattern of physical activity compared with asymptomatic, healthy individuals. DATA SOURCES: The electronic databases Embase, Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cinahl, Sport Discus and Nursing and Allied Health were searched from the beginning of each database until the end of December 2009. REVIEW METHODS: Studies which compared the level and/or pattern of physical activity of patients with chronic low back pain and healthy controls were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using an assessment tool based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The scale was modified for the purposes of this study. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the final review. Four studies recruited adult patients (18-65 years), two studies examined older adults (≥65 years) and one study recruited adolescents (<18 years). Pooled data revealed no significant difference in the overall activity level of adults or adolescents with CLBP, however there is evidence that older adults with chronic low back pain are less active than controls. The results suggest that patients exhibit an altered pattern of physical activity over the course of a day compared to controls. Major methodological limitations were identified and are discussed. CONCLUSION: There is no conclusive evidence that patients with chronic low back pain are less active than healthy individuals. Based on a limited number of studies, there is some evidence that the distribution of activities over the course of a day is different between patients with chronic low back pain and controls.

Prospective randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of Denamarin for prevention of CCNU-induced hepatopathy in tumor-bearing dogs.

BACKGROUND: Increases in liver enzymes occur in up to 86% of dogs receiving CCNU and can result in treatment delay or early discontinuation of treatment. Denamarin contains S-adenosylmethionine and silybin, both of which have been investigated as treatments for various liver diseases. HYPOTHESIS: Dogs on CCNU receiving Denamarin have lower alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity than dogs not receiving Denamarin. Dogs on Denamarin are less likely to require treatment delay because of hepatopathy and are more likely to complete their prescribed course of CCNU. ANIMALS: Dogs with lymphoma, mast cell tumor, or histiocytic sarcoma that were prescribed CCNU with or without corticosteroids and with normal ALT activity were eligible for enrollment. METHODS: Dogs were prospectively randomized to receive either concurrent Denamarin during CCNU chemotherapy or to receive CCNU alone. Liver-specific laboratory tests were run before each dose of CCNU. RESULTS: Increased liver enzyme activity occurred in 84% of dogs receiving CCNU alone and in 68% of dogs on concurrent Denamarin. Dogs receiving CCNU alone had significantly greater increases in ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin and a significantly greater decrease in serum cholesterol concentrations than dogs receiving concurrent Denamarin. Dogs receiving CCNU alone were significantly more likely to have treatment delayed or discontinued because of increased ALT activity. CONCLUSIONS: Increased liver enzyme activity occurs commonly in dogs receiving CCNU chemotherapy. These results support the use of concurrent Denamarin to minimize increased liver enzyme activity in dogs receiving CCNU chemotherapy. Denamarin treatment also increases the likelihood of dogs completing a prescribed CCNU course.

Bioavailability of a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex in dogs.

Liver dysfunction often is associated with an imbalance in the production and removal of free radicals derived from oxygen and nitrogen and has been managed clinically with antioxidant supplements, including silymarin extract derived from milk thistle. The potential for enhanced bioavailability of a phytosome complex containing phosphatidylcholine and silybin, the primary active flavonolignan in silymarin extract, was tested in dogs. A group of eight beagles (four males, four females) were dosed orally with a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (SPC) and a commercially available standardized silymarin extract containing equivalent levels of silybin. Dosing with the SPC resulted in Cmax, Tmax, and AUC0-24 h values (mean+/-SD) for total silybin of 1310+/-880 ng/mL, 2.87+/-2.23 h, and 11,200+/-6520 ng.h/mL, respectively; corresponding values for a standardized silymarin extract were 472+/-383 ng/mL, 4.75+/-2.82 h, and 3720+/-4970 ng.h/mL. A second, separate group of beagles were also dosed with the extract alone, yielding values of 449+/-402 ng/mL, 6.87+/-7.43 h, and 2520+/-2976 ng.h/mL. These data show that a phytosome complex of phosphatidylcholine and silybin markedly enhances bioavailability in dogs.

Saharan dust - a carrier of persistent organic pollutants, metals and microbes to the Caribbean? / Polvo sahariano: ¿portador de contaminantes orgánicos persistentes, metales y microbios al Caribe?

An international team of scientists from government agencies and universities in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), Trinidad & Tobago, the Republic of Cape Verde, and the Republic of Mali (West Africa) is working together to elucidate the role Saharan dust may play in the degradation of Caribbean ecosystems. The first step has been to identify and quantify the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), trace metals, and viable microorganisms in the atmosphere in dust source areas of West Africa, and in dust episodes at downwind sites in the eastern Atlantic (Cape Verde) and the Caribbean (USVI and Trinidad & Tobago). Preliminary findings show that air samples from Mali contain a greater number of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and in higher concentrations than the Caribbean sites. Overall, POP concentrations were similar in USVI and Trinidad samples. Trace metal concentrations were found to be similar to crustal composition with slight enrichment of lead in Mali. To date, hundreds of cultureable micro-organisms have been identified from Mali, Cape Verde, USVI, and Trinidad air samples. The sea fan pathogen, Aspergillus sydowii, has been identified in soil from Mali and in air samples from dust events in the Caribbean. We have shown that air samples from a dust-source region contain orders of magnitude more cultureable micro-organisms per volume than air samples from dust events in the Caribbean, which in turn contain 3-to 4-fold more cultureable microbes than during non-dust conditions. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 9-21. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.

Un grupo internacional de agencias gubernamentales y universidades de los Estados Unidos, las Islas Vírgenes (EUA), Trinidad y Tobago, la República de Cabo Verde y la República de Mali (África Oeste), está trabajando en conjunto para elucidar el papel que el polvo del Sahara puede estar jugando en el deterioro de los ecosistemas caribeños. El primer paso ha sido identificar y cuantificar los Contaminantes Orgánicos Persistentes (POPs, por sus siglas en inglés), los metales traza y los microorganismos viables presentes en la atmósfera de las áreas fuente de polvo de África occidental y en áreas ubicadas en la dirección del viento, como el Atlántico este (Cabo Verde) y el Caribe (IVEUA y Trinidad y Tobago), durante los episodios de transporte de polvo. Resultados preliminares indican que las muestras de aire de Mali contienen mayor número y mayores concentraciones de pesticidas, bifenilos policlorinados (PCBs) e hidrocarburos policíclicos aromáticos (PAHs) que las de los sitios del Caribe. Las concentraciones de POPs fueron similares en las muestras de USVI y de Trinidad. Se encontró que las concentraciones de metales traza fueron similares a las de la composición de la corteza, con un ligero enriquecimiento de plomo en Mali. Hasta la fecha, cientos de microorganismos cultivables han sido identificados en las muestras de Mali, Cabo Verde, IVEUA y Trinidad. Hallamos el patógeno de los abanicos de mar, Aspergillus sydowi, en las muestras de aire de Mali y en las muestras del Caribe durante polvaredas. Hemos demostrado que las muestras de aire provenientes de una región fuente de polvo, contienen más microorganismos cultivables por volumen -en órdenes de magnitud- que las muestras de aire tomadas en polvaredas en el Caribe, las cuales a su vez contienen tres a cuatro veces más microorganismos cultivables que aquellas tomadas cuando no hay polvaredas.

Hysteresis and scanning behavior of mesoporous molecular sieves.

Sorption hysteresis is a widely studied phenomenon whose predicted behavior is well documented and researched. On the other hand, there is much less known about the region that lies between sorption isotherms, believed to be a metastable region. Scanning curves are a way of understanding the mechanism of hysteresis and a tool for hysteresis model validation. Scanning curves were produced for mesoporous materials: SBA-15 and MCM-41 for N(2) sorption at 77 K and Ar sorption at 87 K. A limited set of different scanning behaviors is identified. Like most hysteresis theories, it was found that a single model for scanning behavior cannot be extended to all materials under the same or different experimental conditions. Two behaviors are consistent with recent theories and simulations; however, several are not. The implications as to the characterization of pore dimensions and structure are discussed.

Detection, quantitation and identification of enteroviruses from surface waters and sponge tissue from the Florida Keys using real-time RT-PCR.

A method was developed for the quantitative detection of pathogenic human enteroviruses from surface waters in the Florida Keys using Taqman (R) one-step Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR with the Model 7700 ABI Prism (R) Sequence Detection System. Viruses were directly extracted from unconcentrated grab samples of seawater, from seawater concentrated by vortex flow filtration using a 100 kD filter and from sponge tissue. Total RNA was extracted from the samples, purified and concentrated using spin-column chromatography. A 192-196 base pair portion of the 5' untranscribed region was amplified from these extracts. Enterovirus concentrations were estimated using real-time RT-PCR technology. Nine of 15 sample sites or 60% were positive for the presence of pathogenic human enteroviruses. Considering only near-shore sites, 69% were positive with viral concentrations ranging from 9.3 viruses/ml to 83 viruses/g of sponge tissue (uncorrected for extraction efficiency). Certain amplicons were selected for cloning and sequencing for identification. Three strains of waterborne enteroviruses were identified as Coxsackievirus A9, Coxsackievirus A16, and Poliovirus Sabin type 1. Time and cost efficiency of this one-step real-time RT-PCR methodology makes this an ideal technique to detect, quantitate and identify pathogenic enteroviruses in recreational waters.

A rapid and efficient assay for extracting DNA from fungi.

AIMS: A method for the rapid extraction of fungal DNA from small quantities of tissue in a batch-processing format was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue (< 3.0 mg) was scraped from freshly-grown fungal isolates. The tissue was suspended in buffer AP1 and subjected to seven rounds of freeze/thaw using a crushed dry ice/ethanol bath and a boiling water bath. After a 30 min boiling step, the tissue was quickly ground against the wall of the microfuge tube using a sterile pipette tip. The Qiagen DNeasy Plant Tissue Kit protocol was then used to purify the DNA for PCR/sequencing applications. CONCLUSIONS: The method allowed batch DNA extraction from multiple fungal isolates using a simple yet rapid and reliable assay. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Use of this assay will allow researchers to obtain DNA from fungi quickly for use in molecular assays that previously required specialized instrumentation, was time-consuming or was not conducive to batch processing.

Phase-shifting shearing interferometer.

A single-element phase-shifting interferometer has been developed based on the lateral shearing interferometer. This new interferometer requires no precise alignment, and the phase is continuously varied by changes in the voltage across a commercially available liquid-crystal phase retarder.

Evaluation of marine bacterial lysogens for development of a marine prophage induction assay.

The demonstrated relationship between carcinogenicity of a chemical compound in mammals and its tendency to cause prophage induction in bacteria provides a method for biologically based carcinogen screening. Because of the need for this type of screening and the abundance of lysogens in the marine environment, 14 isolates were evaluated for the degree of prophage induction in exponentially growing cultures in the presence of a known mutagen (0.5 microg/ml mitomycin C). Assays were performed both in liquid culture and in microtiter plates. Virus-like particles were enumerated by epifluorescence microscopy after staining with SYBR-Gold. Two isolates designated P94-4B3 (identified as Halomonas aquamarina) and P94-4S3 (identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were further evaluated for potential use. Because of the rapid growth, larger size of its virus-like particles, and linear response to increasing dose of mitomycin C, the P. aeruginosa st. P94-4S3 was determined a better candidate for the marine prophage induction assay (MPIA). The Pseudomonas isolate was then used in several experiments for the development and optimization of the MPIA procedure. Initial screenings of the MPIA were also performed with selected environmental pollutants.

Self-esteem and the quest for felt security: how perceived regard regulates attachment processes.

The authors proposed that personal feelings of self-esteem foster the level of confidence in a partner's regard critical for satisfying attachments. Dating and married couples described themselves, their partners, how they thought their partners saw them, and how they wanted their partners to see them on a variety of interpersonal qualities. The results revealed that low self-esteem individuals dramatically underestimated how positively their partners saw them. Such unwarranted and unwanted insecurities were associated with less generous perceptions of partners and lower relationship well-being. The converse was true for high self-esteem individuals. A longitudinal examination of the dating couples revealed that the vulnerabilities of lows were only exacerbated over time. A dependency regulation model is proposed, wherein felt security in a partner's perceived regard is suggested as a prime mechanism linking self-esteem to relational well-being.

Harvesting the latissimus dorsi muscle for cardiomyoplasty.

The development of cardiomyoplasty over the past several years has provided a surgical alternative for management of patients with severe heart failure. It may be indicated in patients for whom transplant is not indicated or must be delayed. Optimal results can be obtained when the maximum amount of viable muscle is used to wrap the heart. Between May of 1997 and October of 1998, five patients underwent cardiomyoplasty in our institution. All operations were performed using the left latissimus dorsi muscle wrap with postoperative stimulated muscle training. Presented is a review of cardiomyoplasty and our technique for harvesting the muscle flap, which has proven to be successful.

Detection of viral pathogens by reverse transcriptase PCR and of microbial indicators by standard methods in the canals of the Florida Keys.

In order to assess the microbial water quality in canal waters throughout the Florida Keys, a survey was conducted to determine the concentration of microbial fecal indicators and the presence of human pathogenic microorganisms. A total of 19 sites, including 17 canal sites and 2 nearshore water sites, were assayed for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, enterococci, coliphages, F-specific (F(+)) RNA coliphages, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and human enteric viruses (polioviruses, coxsackie A and B viruses, echoviruses, hepatitis A viruses, Norwalk viruses, and small round-structured viruses). Numbers of coliforms ranged from <1 to 1, 410, E. coli organisms from <1 to 130, Clostridium spp. from <1 to 520, and enterococci from <1 to 800 CFU/100 ml of sample. Two sites were positive for coliphages, but no F(+) phages were identified. The sites were ranked according to microbial water quality and compared to various water quality standards and guidelines. Seventy-nine percent of the sites were positive for the presence of enteroviruses by reverse transcriptase PCR (polioviruses, coxsackie A and B viruses, and echoviruses). Sixty-three percent of the sites were positive for the presence of hepatitis A viruses. Ten percent of the sites were positive for the presence of Norwalk viruses. Ninety-five percent of the sites were positive for at least one of the virus groups. These results indicate that the canals and nearshore waters throughout the Florida Keys are being impacted by human fecal material carrying human enteric viruses through current wastewater treatment strategies such as septic tanks. Exposure to canal waters through recreation and work may be contributing to human health risks.

Abel inversion of deflectometric measurements in dynamic flows.

We present an Abel-inversion algorithm to reconstruct mean and rms refractive-index profiles from spatially resolved statistical measurements of the beam-deflection angle in time-dependent, axisymmetric flows. An oscillating gas-jet diffusion flame was investigated as a test case for applying the algorithm. Experimental data were obtained across the whole field by a rainbow schlieren apparatus. Results show that simultaneous multipoint measurements are necessary to reconstruct the rms refractive index accurately.

A modification of the primary nasal correction in the rotation-advancement unilateral cleft lip repair.

Primary correction of the unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity remains a challenge to the cleft surgeon. We wish to present a method of primary nasal correction utilizing presurgical orthopedics with the Latham dentomaxillary advancement appliance, concomitant rotation-advancement cleft lip repair, gingivoperiosteoplasty, and immediate correction of the nasal cartilage distortion with an "open technique" utilizing the rotation-advancement incisions. Direct elevation and suture fixation of the cleft side alar cartilage is performed as well as recreation of the normal upper lateral/lower lateral cartilage relationship, repair of nasal web, and release of the vestibular lining utilizing an L-flap pedicled to the alar base. Details of the operative technique, observations of unilateral cleft nasal anatomy as visualized with the "open technique," and preliminary results are illustrated in patients followed as long as 5 years.

Comparison of PCR and plaque assay for detection and enumeration of coliphage in polluted marine waters.

A total of 68 marine samples from various sites impacted by sewage and storm waters were analyzed by both the plaque assay and a reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR technique for F(sup+)-specific coliphage. The coliphage levels detected by the plaque assay averaged 1.90 x 10(sup4) PFU/100.0 ml. Using a most probable number (MPN) PCR approach, the levels averaged 2.40 x 10(sup6) MPN-PCR units/100.0 ml. Two samples were positive by RT-PCR but negative by plaque assay, and 12 samples were positive by plaque assay but negative by RT-PCR (levels lower than 11.00 PFU/100.0 ml). The host system used for the plaque assay may detect somatic coliphage in addition to the F(sup+)-specific coliphage. When it is used as an indicator of pollution, contamination may be missed with more restrictive systems. The difference in results may be due to the sensitivity, specificity, or inhibition of RT-PCR in marine samples. This study provides information on quantifying PCR results by an MPN method and insights into interpretation of PCR data for detection of viruses in marine environments.

The self-fulfilling nature of positive illusions in romantic relationships: love is not blind, but prescient.

It is proposed that satisfying, stable relationships reflect intimates' ability to see imperfect partners in idealized ways. In this study of the long-term benefits (or possible costs) of positive illusions, both members of dating couples completed measures of idealization and well-being 3 times in a year. Path analyses revealed that idealization had a variety of self-fulfilling effects. Relationships were most likely to persist-even in the face of conflicts and doubts-when intimates idealized one another the most. Intimates who idealized one another more initially also reported relatively greater increases in satisfaction and decreases in conflicts and doubts over the year. Finally, individuals even came to share their partners' idealized images of them. In summary, intimates who idealized one another appeared more prescient than blind, actually creating the relationships they wished for as romances progressed.

Primate circadian rhythms during spaceflight: results from Cosmos 2044 and 2229.

The circadian timing system (CTS) coordinates an animal's physiology and behavior both internally and with the 24-h day. Previous studies have suggested that the CTS is sensitive to changes in gravity. To examine this question, the expression of the CTS in four juvenile male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were studied in space. These animals were flown on the Cosmos 2044 and 2229 missions. Activity, heart rate, and axillary and brain (Cosmos 2229) temperatures were recorded. In both flights, the subjects exhibited delays in the phasing of their temperature rhythms and a decrease in mean heart rate compared with ground control studies. These data are in support of other studies that demonstrate that the CTS is sensitive to changes in the gravitational environment. Furthermore, the data also support the concept of a multioscillator organization of the primate CTS due to the differential responses of the rhythms measured.