Manual motor speed dysfunction as a neurocognitive endophenotype in euthymic bipolar disorder patients and their healthy relatives. Evidence from a 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined Manual Motor Speed (MMS) in bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this longitudinal, family study was to explore whether dysfunctional MMS represents a neurocognitive endophenotype of BD. METHODS: A sample of 291 subjects, including 131 BD patients, 77 healthy first-degree relatives (BD-Rel), and 83 genetically-unrelated healthy controls (HC), was assessed with the Finger-Tapping Test (FTT) on three occasions over a 5-year period. Dependence of FTT on participants´ age was removed by means of a lineal model of HC samples, while correcting simultaneously the time and learning effect. Differences between groups were evaluated with an ANOVA test. RESULTS: The patients' performance was significantly worse than that of HC over time (p≤0.006), and these deficits remained when non-euthymic BD patients (n=9) were excluded from analysis. Some significant differences between BD patients and BD-Rel (p≤0.037) and between BD-Rel and HC (p≤0.033) were found, but they tended to disappear as time progressed (p≥0.057). Performance of the BD-Rel group was intermediate to that of BD and HC. Most sociodemographic and clinical variables did not affect these results in patients. (p≥0.1). However, treatment with carbamazepine and benzodiazepines may exert a iatrogenic effect on MMS performance (p≤0.006). LIMITATIONS: Only right-handed subjects were included in this study. Substantial attrition over time was detected. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between the patients´ MMS performance and that of healthy relatives and controls, regardless of most clinical and sociodemographic variables. Dysfunctional MMS could be considered an endophenotype of BD. Further studies are needed to rule out possible iatrogenic effects of some psychopharmacological treatments.

Histologic lesions in broiler chicks given cyclopiazonic acid orally.

Cyclopiazonic acid dissolved in corn oil was administered by gavage to broiler chicks (n = 80) daily, from the day of hatching for 23 days. Chicks were assigned to 3 groups (1, 2, or 4 mg of cyclopiazonic acid/kg of body weight); a control group was given corn oil. Each group was composed of 10 male and 10 female chicks. Surviving chicks were euthanatized and necropsied on day 24. Histologic examination revealed that the most common lesions consisted of necrosis and hemorrhage or hyperplasia of the mucosa of the proventriculus and hepatocellular vacuolation. Skeletal muscle degeneration, characterized by myofiber swelling or fragmentation accompanied by an infiltrate of macrophages and heterophils, was detected in the group given 4 mg/kg. This degeneration was associated with an increase of plasma creatine kinase activity. Focal hepatocellular and splenic necrosis also developed in the groups given 4 mg/kg.

Iodine toxicity in large white turkey breeder hens.

Iodine was fed to turkey breeder hens during a 20-wk laying cycle to determine the appropriate dietary level to support reproduction and avoid toxicity. A basal diet that contained by analysis. 7 ppm iodine supported good hatchability of Large White turkey eggs. Supplementing 35 or 350 ppm iodine to the basal diet resulted in toxic effects (P less than or equal to .05) on hatchability. Feeding 350 ppm also depressed (P less than or equal to .05) egg weights, egg production, and eggshell water vapor conductance. Embryonic mortality data indicated that toxic effects of iodine on embryos occur principally during the 1st wk of incubation and immediately prior to and during pipping. It was concluded that iodine toxicity may occur in Large White turkey breeder hens when 350 ppm are fed in the diet.

Influence of diet-mediated maternal thyroid alterations on functional properties of turkey eggs.

Maternal thyroid status was altered by means of diet to determine its effect on functional properties of turkey eggshells. Hens were fed a control diet (CON), the CON diet containing .5 ppm triiodothyronine (T3), the CON diet containing 2.1 ppm iodine as potassium iodide (KI) or the CON diet containing .1% thiouracil (THIO). Feeding T3 decreased plasma thyroxine but elevated plasma T3 concentrations compared to CON. The KI diet had no effect on plasma thyroid hormone concentrations, but feeding THIO depressed plasma thyroxine with no effect on T3, resulting in an elevated ratio of the two hormones compared to the CON ratio. Feeding KI decreased egg volume and T3 increased egg density compared to CON, but no effects on egg weight, surface area, width, or length were noted. Dietary T3 depressed eggshell water vapor conductance compared to CON. Dietary iodine resulted in thinner eggshells with fewer pores than the CON, whereas THIO caused significantly more pores in eggshells than CON but had no effects on shell thickness. Dietary KI had no effects on maternal plasma thyroid hormone concentrations, suggesting that the effects were due to iodine availability rather than to thyroid hormones. It is concluded that the availability of iodine to turkey breeder hens may influence eggshell characteristics.

Effect of the insect growth regulator CGA-72662 (Larvadex) on broiler breeder production, hatchability, and subsequent chick performance.

Broiler breeders were fed CGA -72662 ( Larvadex ) at dosages of 0, 30, 300, and 3000 mg/kg (ppm) diet in a standard breeder diet from 25 to 65 weeks of age. The 3000 ppm level was reduced stepwise to 1000 ppm from 25 to 27 weeks due to a significant increase in male and female mortality. Feed consumption did not differ significantly due to treatment. However, birds fed 300 ppm exhibited significantly improved feed conversion and increased egg production on a hen-day basis compared to those fed 0 and 30 ppm with the 1000 ppm level intermediate. On an egg per hen-housed basis, birds fed 300 ppm produced significantly more eggs than those fed 0 ppm with 30 ppm intermediate. Hens fed 1000 ppm produced significantly fewer eggs than all other treatments due to higher initial mortality. Body weight gains for males and females among treatments were similar. Mortality was significantly greater at 1000 ppm than for all other treatments. Egg specific gravity at 50 and 60 weeks was not affected significantly by any treatment. Egg weight, when compared to the 0 ppm level, was decreased significantly at the 1000 ppm level at 50 weeks and by both 300 and 1000 ppm levels at 60 weeks. Egg shell weight was not affected significantly at 50 weeks, but was decreased significantly by both 300 and 1000 ppm Larvadex at 60 weeks. There were no significant effects due to treatment level on fertility, early deads , pipped eggs, hatchability of fertile eggs, or hatchability of eggs set.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of dietary iodine on the hatchability of eggs from two commercial strains of turkeys.

Supplemental dietary iodine (3.5 mg/kg) was fed to two commercial strains [British United Turkeys (B) and Nicholas (N)] of turkey breeder hens. The basal diet contained .7 mg/kg of iodine. Observations were made on hen body weights, feed consumption, hatchability, egg weights, and egg functional characteristics to test the hypothesis that there are differences between commercial strains of turkey breeder hens in the dietary iodine requirement for reproductive success. Supplemental iodine decreased (P less than or equal to .05) functional egg characteristics of both strains. Egg production and hatchability were influenced by an interaction between strains and dietary iodine (P less than or equal to .05). In Strain B hens, egg production and hatchability declined (P less than or equal to .05) when hens were fed supplemental iodine but in Strain N hens no effects on hatchability were observed and egg production increased (P less than .05) with iodine supplementation. The decline in hatchability of eggs from Strain B hens was due to significant (P less than or equal to .05) increases in embryonic mortality during the 1st wk of incubation and during pipping. The treatments resulting in depressed hatchability caused embryos to rely more (P less than or equal to .05) on glycogenolysis than gluconeogenesis during pipping and hatching. The Strain B embryos utilized gluconeogenesis more during pipping (P less than or equal to .05) than Strain N embryos and embryos from Strain B iodine-fed hens had a lower rate of gluconeogenesis than those from hens not fed iodine. It is concluded that there are differences among strains of turkey breeder hens in their dietary iodine requirement for optimal hatchability.

Composition and phosphorus bioavailability of a solid by-product from anaerobically digested waste from caged layer hens.

A poultry waste digester was constructed at the North Carolina State University Poultry Research Farm to produce methane from the waste of caged layer hens. A solid by-product (SBP) from the digester was recovered and dried for chemical and biological analysis as a feed supplement. Dried SBP was chemically analyzed for minerals, trace elements, and certain vitamins. The SBP was evaluated as a phosphorus (P) supplement in broiler diets. Biological availability of P in the SBP was determined by a slope ratio assay with femur bone ash as the criterion of P availability. Dietary treatments consisted of graded levels of standard available P (AP) supplemented as to provide .2, .3, .4, and .6% AP and graded levels of SBP added to provide 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5% SBP to a corn-soy basal diet. Two treatments, containing 1.5% and 2.5% SBP added to an adequate diet (.4% AP) were used to determine if other factors in SBP were contributing to femur bone ash. The P in SBP was determined to be 90% available to the growing broiler chick. Femur bone ash did not respond to SBP in the diets already adequate in AP. Body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion were not significantly different (P less than .05) among treatments with similar AP levels. The study concluded that SBP is a safe, effective feed supplement that supplies P, Ca, and total minerals.

Physiological characteristics of a molt and second cycle of egg laying in turkey breeder hens.

Large White turkey hens were housed in light-controlled pens in molting experiments. In each experiment, a group of hens was molted (MO) and nonmolted control hens (CON) were maintained in an adjacent room. Body weight and absolute and relative weights (g organ weight/100 g body weight) of the ovary with ova, oviduct, and liver were observed in MO and CON throughout the molting period and after photostimulation. Further determinations were made of the percentage of liver dry matter (PLDM) and ash (PLA). The MO hens lost body weight during feed deprivation but regained it and continued to gain body weight until they were heavier at the beginning of the second cycle than at the end of the first cycle. Hematocrit and body temperature of MO hens exhibited significant (p less than or equal to .05) changes during molt. Hen-day egg production averaged 44.7% +/- 1.3 during the second cycle. Mean value for eggs per hen-housed was 62.6 +/- 1.8. Egg weight remained constant (96.8g +/- .2 g) and egg specific gravity averaged 1.076 +/- .0001 in MO hens. The molt was characterized by significantly (P less than or equal to .05) reduced relative liver weight during feed deprivation, decreased relative ovary and oviduct weights that did not begin to increase until after photostimulation. No consistent differences were observed in PLDM or PLA.

The selenium requirements of the hen and effects of a deficiency.

Hens were fed a diet low in selenium made up mostly of corn and torula yeast. Egg production and hatchability increased significantly when selenium was supplemented, while the percentage of infertile eggs and early dead embryos decreased. Anemia also resulted from the deficiency. A total of .05 mg. selenium per kg. (.04 from the basal diet plus .01 supplemental) was adequate to prevent signs of deficiency in a diet which contained no supplemental vitamin E or antioxidant. In a second experiment the anemia was classified as macrocytic.

Effects of CGA-72662 (Larvadex) in turkeys during rearing and reproduction.

Turkeys were fed CGA-72662 (Larvadex) at treatment levels of 0, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg diet from hatch to 16 wk of age, when the 500 mg/kg level was reduced to 250 mg/kg because of a significant reduction in feed intake. All diets continued through 40 wk of age. Body weight, feed consumption, livability, egg production, fertility, hatchability, and progeny performance were examined. Turkeys fed a treatment level of 2,000 mg CGA-72662/kg diet exhibited reduced growth rate and feed consumption prior to sexual maturity and decreased fertility and poult weight after sexual maturity. Necropsies suggested that the kidney was the primary site of lesions at the 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg diet treatment levels. The kidneys were characterized as enlarged, nodular, and cystic, containing urate deposits and areas of necrosis. These data indicate that dosage levels of CGA-72662 at 250 mg/kg diet produced no deleterious effects on growth, feed consumption, egg production, fertility, hatchability, livability, or progeny performance.

The effect of protein level fed during the prebreeder period on performance of large white turkey breeder hens after an induced molt.

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of prebreeder protein levels on reproductive performance Large White turkey breeder hens after an induced molt. One hundred and sixty-eight, Nicholas Large White turkey breeder hens were fed either 8, 12, or 16% CP diets (2,904 kcal ME/kg) during the prebreeder period from 56 to 64 wk of age. All hens were photostimulated with 15.5 h of light/d and fed a standard 16% CP breeder ration from 64 to 87 wk of age. Feed intake, plasma triglyceride concentration, reproductive performance, and body weight were regressed on age and prebreeder dietary protein intake using a general linear model. Prebreeder protein intake increased linearly as dietary CP increased. Treatments did not affect prebreeder feed consumption or subsequent egg production. Egg weight and breeder feed consumption were greatest for hens fed 12% CP during the prebreeder period. Plasma triglyceride and body weight increased as prebreeder dietary CP increased. Body weight increased from 56 to 87 wk in a cubic response as the hens aged. Feed consumption increased during the prebreeder period and decreased during the breeder period. Plasma triglyceride content was not affected by turkey hen age or stage of production.

Effects of chronic administration of slaframine on production and digestive function in broiler chicks.

Slaframine (SF), 1-acetoxy-6-aminooctahydroindolizine a parasympathomimetic with a high affinity for the gastrointestinal tract, was administered by oral intubation daily to 240 broiler chicks at either 0, 8.9, or 17.8 micrograms/kg body weight.75 (BW.75) in saline for 21 days. Throughout the experimental period weight, feed intake, and fecal output were measured. On Day 21 birds were killed, eviscerated, and wet organ weights were obtained. Pancreas and small intestine digesta were homogenized with saline and frozen for analyses of trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase activity as well as total protein. Weight, feed intake and utilization, pancreatic weight, liver weight, and small intestine digesta weight were not affected by SF treatment. Protein content of the digesta decreased 16.6% with the 17.8 micrograms SF/kg BW.75 treatment. Digesta lipase activity was 13.3% (P greater than .05) and specific activity 24% less (P less than or equal to .02) in 17.8 micrograms/kg BW.75 treated birds in comparison with those of controls, and activities decreased in a linear fashion across treatment levels (P less than or equal to .04). Digesta trypsin-specific activity decreased linearly with SF treatment (P less than or equal to .05), averaging 5.5 to 16.9% lower than control treated birds. Pancreatic chymotrypsin-specific activity was not significantly different among treatments. These results suggest that relatively small dosages of SF may affect digestive function of broiler chicks.

Pancreatic splenic lobe organ culture system: viability and amylase release.

An organ explant culture system for the intact chick pancreatic splenic lobe (SL) was characterized for exocrine function. Organ cultures were prepared using the pancreatic splenic lobe from 9- and 15-day-old male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres x Arbor Acres) to characterize amylase release as well as tissue integrity during 2, 4, 8, and 12 h of incubation. Light microscopy studies indicated necrosis of the exocrine pancreatic acini after 4 h of incubation. Changes in islets of Langerhans were noted 4 h after incubation, but islet structural integrity remained intact for up to 12 h of incubation. Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) levels measured in the culture medium did not increase significantly from 2 to 4 h of incubation. After 4 h of incubation, total LD levels increased (P < .05) for the 9-day-old SL cultures, and LD levels increased (P < .01) per unit weight of SL for the 15-day-old cultures. Medium amylase activity did not increase after 2 h of incubation. Large increases occurred for total amylase activity and amylase activity per unit weight of SL between 4 and 12 h of incubation for both 9- and 15-day-old cultures. Histological examination as well as increases in LD and amylase activities for total and per unit weight of SL in the incubation medium suggest that the viability of the 9- and 15-day-old SL organ incubation system decreases after 4 h.

Effect of different protein levels fed during the prebreeder period on performance of turkey breeder hens.

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of prebreeder protein intake on subsequent reproductive performance and to examine body weight, feed consumption, and body composition changes due to aging in Large White turkey breeder hens. One hundred twenty-nine Hybrid Large White turkey breeder hens were fed either 12, 15, or 18% CP diets (2,882 kcal ME/kg) during the prebreeder period from 24 to 32 wk of age. All hens were photostimulated with 15.5 h light/day and fed a standard 16% protein breeder ration from 32 to 55 wk of age. Prebreeder protein intake increased linearly as dietary protein increased. Treatments did not affect body weight, body composition, egg production, feed consumption, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, or percentages of early or late dead. Body weight increased from 24 to 55 wk in a cubic response to age. Percentage of carcass moisture decreased, whereas percentage of carcass fat increased from 24 to 55 wk in a quadratic response to age. Prebreeder and breeder feed consumption were not significantly affected by treatment or age. This experiment is evidence that a 12% protein prebreeder ration is adequate for subsequent reproductive performance; observed effects of age on body characteristics agree with published data.

Influence of diet-mediated maternal thyroid alterations on hatchability and metabolism of turkey embryos.

Large White turkey breeder hens from a strain exhibiting poor hatchability were fed thyroid-altering diets. The following dietary treatments were fed to randomized groups of hens for 15 wk of egg laying: 1) 16.5% protein turkey breeder diet (control), 2) the control diet containing 2.1 ppm supplemental iodine, 3) the control diet containing .1% thiouracil, and 4) the control diet containing .5 ppm triiodothyronine (T3). Blood samples were taken from hatching embryos from hens fed each diet. Embryonic hearts and livers were weighted prior to and during pipping as well as after hatching. Blood plasma was analyzed for thyroxine (T4), T3, and glucose. Livers were assayed for glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Supplemental maternal dietary iodine elevated embryonic T4 concentrations prior to pipping. Dietary T3 and iodine increased hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity and blood plasma glucose concentration prior to pipping. Feeding thiouracil increased embryonic liver weights but decreased heart and body weights. Blood plasma T4 was elevated in embryos from hens fed thiouracil but blood glucose levels were depressed because of a lack of increased glucose-6-phosphatase activity. Feeding iodine decreased the enzyme activity at internal pipping. It is suggested from the data that maternal thyroid metabolism may influence hatchability via embryonic thyroid and carbohydrate metabolism during hatching.

Effects of slaframine on circulating concentrations of growth hormone and glucose.

The ability of slaframine (SF), a parasympathomimetic, to alter blood growth hormone (GH) and glucose concentrations in broiler chicks was investigated. Eighty male broiler chicks (average weight 225 g) were divided into 10 groups and dosed with either saline (control) or 1 mg SF/kg of body weight by oral intubation. Plasma samples were obtained from separate groups of chicks at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hr after SF administration and analyzed for growth hormone and glucose. One hour after SF administration, glucose increased (P less than .05) 21.4% compared with controls. Growth hormone increased (P less than .05) 449 to 948% from 8 to 12 hr after SF administration. Administration of SF at 1 mg/kg of body weight was associated with increased plasma GH.

[Humoral profile of patients with severe aortic stenosis]. / Humorální profil pacientu s tesnou aortální stenózou.

BACKGROUND: While the effect of neurohormones is often studied in congestive heart failure, their role in aortic stenosis needs to be elucidated. METHODS: 54 consecutive patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis without overt heart failure were studied at the age of 64.4 +/- 9.3 yrs with echocardiography, x-ray and catheterization. Levels of circulating atrial natriuretic factor endothelin-1, catecholamines, plasma renin activity, immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide were assessed, related to hemodynamic data and compared to those in 23 healthy controls, aged 59.2 +/- 12.8 yrs. RESULTS: Patients had significantly higher plasma levels of endothelin-1 (z-value 0.64 +/- 1.19, p = 0.019), atrial natriuretic factor (z-value 2.46 +/- 2.46, p < 0.001) and dopamine (z-value 0.91 +/- 2.33, p = 0.02). Levels of endothelin-1 and ANF positively correlated with mean (r = 0.631, p < 0.001) and wedged pulmonary artery pressures and with left atrial diameter index (r = 0.602, p < 0.001). Endothelin-1 levels correlated negatively with aortic valve area (r = -0.306, p = 0.041). No correlation was found between neurohumoral plasma concentrations and left ventricular mass index. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis without overt heart failure, elevated plasmatic levels of endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic factor and dopamine were documented. The increase of ET-1 levels is related to pulmonary hypertension and severity of the disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy is not related to neurohormonal levels. Neither circulating system renin-angiotensin nor noradrenaline are activated in these patients.

[Clinical picture of various types of inferior myocardial infarcts. Clinico-electrocardiographic study]. / Klinický obraz u ruzných typu spodních infarktu myokardu. Klinicko-elektrokardiografická studie.

In the submitted study the authors evaluate the relationship of the clinical course in patients with inferior myocardial infarction (AIM) in relation to the electrocardiographic (ECG) finding in standard and dextro-lateral leads. In a group of 96 patients (mean age 65 +/- 10 years, 66 men and 30 women) according to the ECG 38 had an isolated inferior AIM (group 1), 28 had signs of extension of the inferior AIM to the posterior wall of the left ventricle (group 2) and 30 patients in group 3 had an extension of the inferior AIM to the right ventricle, i.e. an infarction of the right ventricle. All three groups differed significantly as regards the extent of the AIM according to creatine kinase values (7.1 +/- 4.4 and 18.2 +/- 7.2 resp. and 24.8 +/- 11.6 resp.), as regards mortality (0 and 14% and 37% resp.). In group 2, contrary to the other groups, the significantly most frequent complication was pulmonary oedema (36%) and ventricular tachycardia (30%) and in group 3 the significantly most frequent complication was cardiogenic shock (30%) and advanced atrioventricular block (50%). The cause of death in these patients with infarctions of the right ventricle was cardiogenic shock (n = 6), cardiac rupture (n = 3) and electromechanical dissociation (n = 2). A total of 29 (30%) patients with inferior AIM were treated by temporary pacing: in group 1 21%, in group 2 14% and in group 3 57%. The prognosis of these patients was favourable in groups 1 and 2 (1 of 12 patients died) while in group 3 with infarctions of the right ventricle 9 of 17 patients died (p < or = 0.001). The authors found moreover that patients with precordial depression of the ST segment and inferior AIM have, as compared with patients without this depression, significantly higher creatine kinase values (12.5 +/- 5.5 vs. 5.2 +/- 1.3 mu kat; p < or = 0.001) and a higher general incidence of complications. Patients with inferior AIM are thus a non-homogeneous group from which we can differentiate, based on standard ECG examination and by recording right-sided thoracic leads, patients with an increased risk and start specific treatment in time.

[Amyloid light-chain amyloidosis with primary involvement of the cardiorespiratory system--2 case reports]. / AL amyloidóza s dominantním postizením kardiopulmonálního systému--dve pozorování.

The authors describe the cases of two women suffering from AL amyloidosis with affection of the heart muscle in particular. In one of the patients there were also massive amyloid deposits in the lungs which is an exceptional finding. The observations confirm the adverse prognosis of amyloidosis, the rapid progression of the disease after the onset of symptoms of cardiac failure. The first cardial manifestation in both patients were palpitations. The first patient, but not the second one, had a myeloma confirmed on necropsy.

[Veterinarians as experts in court]. / Tierarzt als Gutachter vor Gericht.

General veterinarians such as veterinary officers act as experts at court. They are in so far part of the evidence. Due to his experience the veterinary expert shall give systematical uniform principles concerning even domains adjacent to the field of animal protection such as protection of animal epidemics and food cases, verifiable by science and university research. Examples for expert's topics as well as the requirements of expert reports are shown. According to paragraph 15 II Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Protection Act), as well as according to paragraph paragraph 63, 76 Ordnungswidrigkeitengesetz the experts participation in the proceeding is necessary. In consideration of paragraph paragraph 74, 22 Strafprozessordnung (Code of Criminal Proceedure) conflicts may arise because the veterinarian officer is self-contained investigator, witness as well as expert in the same proceeding. In general the veterinarian officer, who has been involved in the investigations must be excluded from expert activity in the same case. The veterinarian officers have to solve this problem by seperating tasks and functions within one legal case.