Effects of feeding cracked corn to nursery and finishing pigs.

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing cracked corn in nursery and finishing pig diets (PIC TR4 × 1050). In Exp. 1, 144 pigs (7.5 kg BW) were used in a 28-d experiment with 6 pigs per pen and 6 pens per treatment. Treatments were corn-soybean meal based in the form of mash, pellets (PCD), and pellets with 100% of the corn ground (PGr; 618 mm) or cracked (PCr; 3444 mm) and blended into the diet after the rest of the formulation had been pelleted. For d 0 to 28, pigs fed mash had increased (P = 0.042) ADFI compared with those fed the PCD diet. Pigs fed PCD had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared with pigs fed PGr and PCr. Pigs fed PCr had decreased (P = 0.004) G:F compared with those fed PGr. For Exp. 2, 224 nursery pigs (7.4 kg BW) were used in a 28-d study with 7 pigs per pen and 8 pens per treatment. Treatments were similar to Exp. 1, with 50% of the corn either ground (445 mm) or cracked (2142 mm). For d 0 to 28, pigs fed mash had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI and G:F than pigs fed the PCD diet. Pigs fed the PCD diet had decreased (P = 0.001) ADFI and increased (P = 0.001) G:F compared to those fed PGr and PCr. For Exp. 3, 208 pigs (62.6 kg BW) were used in a 63-d experiment with 13 pigs per pen and 4 pens per treatment. Treatments were corn-soybean meal based with 0, 10, 20, and 40% cracked corn (3549 µm). All treatments were fed in mash form. For d 0 to 63, increasing cracked corn tended to decrease (linear, P = 0.093) G:F and decreased (linear, P = 0.047) carcass yield. Adding up to 40% of cracked corn to a mash diet decreased (P < 0.05) scores for keratinization and ulcers. For Exp. 4, 252 finishing pigs (40 kg BW) were used with 7 pigs per pen and 9 pens per treatment. The treatments were the same as described in Exp. 2. For the 80-d experiment, pigs fed mash had decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, stomach keratinization, and ulcer scores and increased (P < 0.05) yield and loin depth compared with pigs fed the PCD diet. Pigs fed PCD had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F and decreased (P = 0.026) loin depth compared with pigs fed PGr and PCr diets. Pigs fed PCr had increased (P = 0.023) ADG and decreased (P = 0.001) yield compared with pigs fed PGr. Pigs fed PCr had decreased (P < 0.05) stomach keratinization and ulcer scores compared with pigs fed the PCD and PGr diets. In conclusion, pigs fed PCD had the greatest G:F, and PGr and PCr treatments had negative effects on G:F of pigs. Scores for stomach lesions were lowest for pigs fed PCr.

Presence of natural genetic resistance in Fraxinus excelsior (Oleraceae) to Chalara fraxinea (Ascomycota): an emerging infectious disease.

Fraxinus excelsior, common ash native to Europe, is threatened by a recently identified pathogenic fungus Chalara fraxinea, which causes extensive damage on ash trees across Europe. In Denmark, most stands are severely affected leaving many trees with dead crowns. However, single trees show notably fewer symptoms. In this study, the impact of the emerging infectious disease on native Danish ash trees is assessed by estimating presence of inherent resistance in natural populations. Disease symptoms were assessed from 2007 to 2009 at two different sites with grafted ramets of 39 selected clones representing native F. excelsior trees. A strong genetic variation in susceptibility to C. fraxinea infections was observed. No genetic or geographic structure can explain the differences, but strong genetic correlations to leaf senescence were observed. The results suggest that a small fraction of trees in the Danish population of ash possess substantial resistance against the damage. Though this fraction is probably too low to avoid population collapse in most natural or managed ash forests, the observed presence of putative resistance against the emerging infectious disease in natural stands is likely to be of evolutionary importance. This provides prospects of future maintenance of the species through natural or artificial selection in favour of remaining healthy individuals.

Effect of crude glycerol on pellet mill production and nursery pig growth performance.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of diets containing crude glycerol on pellet mill production efficiency and nursery pig growth performance. In a pilot study, increasing crude glycerol (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15%) in a corn-soybean meal diet was evaluated for pellet mill production efficiency. All diets were steam conditioned to 65.5 degrees C and pelleted through a pellet mill equipped with a die that had an effective thickness of 31.8 mm and holes 3.96 mm in diameter. Each diet was replicated by manufacturing a new batch of feed 3 times. Increasing crude glycerol increased both the standard (linear and quadratic, P < 0.01) and modified (linear, P < 0.01; quadratic, P

Nasal oncocytoma in a domestic shorthair cat.

An oncocytoma was diagnosed in the nasal cavity of a 12-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat who presented with periocular swelling and sneezing. Histologic examination from biopsy material revealed monomorphic sheets, anastomosing cords, tubules, and acini composed of large polygonal to oval cells that contained abundant finely granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. No vascular or lymphatic invasions were noted. Histochemical stains revealed positive staining of tumor cells with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) (before and after diastase digestion) and phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the tumor cells demonstrated positive staining for cytokeratin and negative staining for vimentin, desmin, S-100, glial fibrillar acidic protein, and neuronal specific enolase. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained large numbers of mitochondria within their cytoplasm, which confirmed a diagnosis of oncocytoma.

Predicting effective caloric value of nonnutritive factors: III. Feed form affects broiler performance by modifying behavior patterns.

Two trials of an experiment were conducted to confirm the relationships among effective caloric value (ECV) of the diet, net energy for gain (NEg), BW, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and broiler behavior. Further, we sought to examine such factors with benefits of pelleting, including feed form history (pellets vs. mash) in females from 2 strains of commercial broilers. Composition of gain was measured on a sample of birds in both trials. In trial 1 birds were reared to 23 d on feed in crumble form, when the birds were provided a feed in pellet or mash form for 7 d. Pelleting the feed increased ECV and total NEg, while decreasing eating and increasing resting behavior. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) among resting, NEg, and ECV occurred. In trial 2, birds were reared to 23 d on a crumble diet and then fed diet in mash or pellet form to 36 d. At 37 d of age, half of the birds from each strain and feed form history combination were switched to the alternative feed form. Interactions of strain by grower feed form were present for BW, initial fat, and body energy content indicating that pelleted feed was required for optimum broiler performance of 1 strain. Grower feed form by finisher feed form interactions were present and demonstrated that birds switched from pellets or mash to the alternate feed form consumed more feed in less time than birds that remained on their previous feed form. Significant correlations were observed in both trials between behaviors and FCR and ECV, whereas NEg reflected these differences in trial 1 but not trial 2. Regression analysis indicated that FCR and subsequently ECV were best predicted by lean gain, whereas NEg was best predicted by fat gain. Further, regression analysis established interactive equations in which ECV was predicted (R2 > 0.99) by eating and resting behavior. The results of these trials indicate that the effects of feed form are caused by a modification of behavior patterns, that ECV is responsive to such behavior changes, and that ECV is an effective estimator of the relative caloric value of genetic, management, and husbandry influences.

Predicting effective caloric value of nonnutritive factors: I. Pellet quality and II. Prediction of consequential formulation dead zones.

Two experiments were conducted with male broilers to 1) establish a methodology for predicting effective caloric value (ECV), defined as dietary caloric density (CD) necessary for broilers to achieve specific BW and feed conversion ratio (FCR) combinations under standardized conditions and 2) quantify the ECV attributable to pellet quality (PQ), defined as the pellet to pellet fines ratio in the feeder. In experiment 1, chicks were reared to 56 d on diets varying in CD. Dietary caloric densities examined ranged from 2,650 to 3,250 kcal of MEn/kg. Pen BW, feed intake, and FCR were measured at 21, 42, and 56 d. On 42 and 56 d, carcass traits were measured. Increasing CD significantly enhanced BW, energy consumption, and FCR. Feed intake remained similar across the upper 3 CD treatments to 42 d. By d 56, feed consumption tended to decline as CD increased. Increasing CD beyond 3,066 kcal of MEn/kg diet did not increase lean tissue accretion, while fat deposition rose disproportionately. Experiment 1 results enabled development of equations whereby CD, hence ECV, might be predicted using BW and FCR. In experiment 2, 38-d-old broilers were used to evaluate PQ effects on growth, feed intake, FCR, and behavior in a 7-d FCR assay. The BW gain and FCR were significantly enhanced by pelleting and were positively correlated with PQ. Feed intake was not affected by PQ. The experiment 1 model was validated for experiment 2, as it closely estimated the CD for diets of similar PQ used in experiment 1. Results suggest pelleting contributes 187 kcal/kg of diet at 100% PQ and that the ECV declines curvilinearly as PQ falls. Birds were observed eating less and resting more as PQ increased, suggesting that ECV of pelleting is mediated by energy expenditure for activity. These studies provide a method for estimating ECV of nonnutritive factors that impact BW, FCR, or both. Further, the application reveals potential for creation of formulation "dead zones" whereby dietary changes to enhance CD may be offset due to reduced ECV.

Mixed germ cell tumor in the eye of a dog.

A 3-year-old female neutered Staffordshire Bull Terrier presented with a mixed germ cell tumor involving the base of the iris and the ciliary body of the right eye. The tumor mass was composed primarily of packeted vacuolated, polygonal (hepatoid) cells and small round cells; epithelial cells lining tubuloacinar structures were a less prominent component. The hepatoid and round cells stained positively for alpha-fetoprotein and cytokeratin. The epithelial cells stained positively for cytokeratin only, and some contained cytoplasmic mucin droplets. The polygonal cells were interpreted as a hepatoid variant of yolk sac tumor, and the epithelial cells were considered a teratomatous component. Trabeculae of bone were observed within the mass and may have been metaplastic or a teratomatous element. Extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare in dogs and have previously been reported only in the suprasellar region. This is the first report of this tumor type in the eye of a nonhuman species.

Effect of intravenous contrast for left ventricular opacification and border definition on sensitivity and specificity of dobutamine stress echocardiography compared with coronary angiography in technically difficult patients.

BACKGROUND: The study evaluates whether Optison used during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) will improve endocardial border definition and whether this will translate to an improvement in sensitivity and specificity of the test in patients with poor echocardiographic windows. DSE is extremely valuable in the workup of patients with coronary artery disease. The test is limited in patients with suboptimal endocardial border visualization. Frequent studies have demonstrated improved endocardial border visualization with intravenous contrast agents at rest. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 229 patients: 112 had good rest echocardiography with no contrast and 117 had poor rest echocardiography with Optison injection during DSE. Percentage of endocardial border visualization, wall thickening, sensitivity, and specificity were compared in both groups, as was interobserver variability. Both groups were matched with respect to age, percentage of previous myocardial infarctions, resting wall motion abnormality, percentage of coronary stenosis, and number of diseased coronary arteries. Optison significantly improved endocardial border visualization, especially at peak stress. The ability to measure wall thickening was significantly higher in the contrast DSE group with suboptimal images versus the noncontrast group with optimal images (89% ability to measure wall thickening vs 71%, P =.01). This resulted in a comparable sensitivity (79% vs 71%, P = not significant [NS]), specificity (76% vs 82%, P = NS), and diagnostic accuracy (80% vs 76%, P = NS). Agreement on test interpretation was higher among 3 observers in contrast DSE versus noncontrast DSE groups (79% vs 69%, P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with poor echocardiographic windows, the use of Optison during DSE improves endocardial border visualization, which translates to a comparable sensitivity and specificity to noncontrast DSE tests in patients with good echocardiographic windows.

Neoplastic transformation of human osteoblast cells to the tumorigenic phenotype by heavy metal-tungsten alloy particles: induction of genotoxic effects.

Heavy metal-tungsten alloys (HMTAs) are dense heavy metal composite materials used primarily in military applications. HMTAs are composed of a mixture of tungsten (91-93%), nickel (3-5%) and either cobalt (2-4%) or iron (2-4%) particles. Like the heavy metal depleted uranium (DU), the use of HMTAs in military munitions could result in their internalization in humans. Limited data exist, however, regarding the long-term health effects of internalized HMTAs in humans. We used an immortalized, non-tumorigenic, human osteoblast-like cell line (HOS) to study the tumorigenic transforming potential of reconstituted mixtures of tungsten, nickel and cobalt (rWNiCo) and tungsten, nickel and iron (rWNiFe). We report the ability of rWNiCo and rWNiFe to transform immortalized HOS cells to the tumorigenic phenotype. These HMTA transformants are characterized by anchorage-independent growth, tumor formation in nude mice and high level expression of the K-ras oncogene. Cellular exposure to rWNiCo and rWNiFe resulted in 8.90 +/- 0.93- and 9.50 +/- 0.91-fold increases in transformation frequency, respectively, compared with the frequency in untreated cells. In comparison, an equivalent dose of crystalline NiS resulted in a 7.7 +/- 0.73-fold increase in transformation frequency. The inert metal tantalum oxide did not enhance HOS transformation frequency above untreated levels. The mechanism by which rWNiCo and rWNiFe induce cell transformation in vitro appears to involve, at least partially, direct damage to the genetic material, manifested as increased DNA breakage or chromosomal aberrations (i.e. micronuclei). This is the first report showing that HMTA mixtures of W, Ni and Co or Fe cause human cell transformation to the neoplastic phenotype. While additional studies are needed to determine if protracted HMTA exposure produces tumors in vivo, the implication from these in vitro results is that the risk of cancer induction from internalized HMTAs exposure may be comparable with the risk from other biologically reactive and insoluble carcinogenic heavy metal compounds (e.g. nickel subsulfide and nickel oxide).

Involving families in an urban HIV preventive intervention: how community collaboration addresses barriers to participation.

This article addresses the increasing need within urban communities for effective, culturally relevant HIV prevention programs. The recruitment efforts of a family-based prevention program aimed at promoting health and preventing HIV risk exposure in urban, African American fourth and fifth grade children living in a community with high rates of HIV infection is detailed. The program, referred to as the CHAMP (Chicago HIV Prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Project) Family Program, is overseen by a collaborative partnership of community parents, school staff, and university-based researchers (Paikoff & McKay, 1995). The recruitment strategies developed as a result of this community-research collaboration are described. Preliminary results of the project's efforts to reach out to families within the targeted, inner-city community are presented.

The effects of mitomycin-C and stenting on airway wound healing after laryngotracheal reconstruction in a pig model.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of mitomycin-C (MTC) and endoscopic stenting on airway wound healing after laryngotracheal reconstruction. DESIGN: A prospective, blinded, randomized controlled animal study. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six domestic pigs (Sus scrofula) divided into four groups. INTERVENTIONS: Each animal underwent single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction (SSLTR) with auricular cartilage grafts and stenting. Group 1 animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 3, and group 2 animals on postoperative day 7. On postoperative day 7, groups 3 and 4 underwent endoscopy, stent removal, and application of MTC (0.5 mg/ml) or placebo (normal saline). Group 3 animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 14, group 4 animals on day 21. Two additional animals from each experimental group were prepared for election microscopy studies. Segments of reconstructed airway were evaluated grossly and histologically for all animals. Additional tonometric evaluation was performed on two stents to determine their compressive strength. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Healing, reepithelization, graft incorporation, and airway diameter. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the animals demonstrated some degree of stent collapse on endoscopy. Granulation tissue formation was seen in all animals, and resolved with stent removal. No animal experienced airway compromise due to granulation tissue formation. Stenting was seen to induce a submucosal fibroproliferative response and scarring, with loss of normal glandular architecture, in all animals. MTC did not affect the acute inflammatory response, reepithelization of the graft site, or formation of the subepithelial fibroproliferative response. MTC treated animals, however, demonstrated better graft incorporation with fibrocartilage proliferation of the graft. Untreated animals demonstrated liquefactive necrosis of the graft, without evidence of neochondrification of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: The pig airway is an adequate model of wound healing following SSLTR and stenting. Metallic ballon expandable stents can be successfully used following SSLTR, allowing for immediate postoperative extubation. However, the formation of a submucosal fibroproliferative response and mucosal scarring seen in our study raises some concerns with the current stent design. Before stenting is widely clinically applied, the optimum stent design needs to be developed. Finally, MTC seems to prevent the liquefactive necrosis of SSLTR grafts and promote neochondrification, allowing improved graft incorporation. Further studies are needed to asses the long-term effects of MTC on healing and restenosis, and its effects on cartilage growth and formation, following SSLTR.

Ionizing radiation potentiates the induction of nitric oxide synthase by interferon-gamma and/or lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophage cell lines. Role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Macrophages respond to infection or injury by changing from a "resting" cellular phenotype to an "activated" state defined by the expression of various cytotoxic effector functions. Regulation of the transition from a resting to an activated state is effected by cytokine and/or pathogenic signals. Some signals do not directly induce activation, but instead "prime" the macrophage to respond more vigorously to a second signal. One example of this priming phenomenon involves induction of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS2). Our experiments indicate that low doses (1-5 Gy) of ionizing radiation can enhance the induction of enzymatically active NOS2 by IFN-gamma or LPS in J774.1 and RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell lines. Radiation alone did not produce this induction, rather, it was effective as a priming signal; cells exposed to radiation produced more NO when a second signal, either IFN-gamma or LPS, was applied 24 h later.

Androstenediol stimulates myelopoiesis and enhances resistance to infection in gamma-irradiated mice.

The ionizing radiation-induced hemopoietic syndrome is characterized by defects in immune function and increased mortality due to infections and hemorrhage. Since the steroid 5-androstene-3beta, 17beta-diol (5-androstenediol, AED) modulates cytokine expression and increases resistance to bacterial and viral infections in rodents, we tested its ability to promote survival after whole-body ionizing radiation in mice. In unirradiated female B6D2F1 mice, sc AED elevated numbers of circulating neutrophils and platelets and induced proliferation of neutrophil progenitors in bone marrow. In mice exposed to whole-body (60)Co gamma-radiation (3 Gy), AED injected 1 h later ameliorated radiation-induced decreases in circulating neutrophils and platelets and marrow granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells, but had no effect on total numbers of circulating lymphocytes or erythrocytes. In mice irradiated (0, 1 or 3 Gy) and inoculated four days later with Klebsiella pneumoniae, AED injected 2 h after irradiation enhanced 30-d survival. Injecting AED 24 h before irradiation or 2 h after irradiation increased survival to approximately the same extent. In K. pneumoniae-inoculated mice (irradiated at 3-7 Gy) and uninoculated mice (irradiated at 8-12 Gy), AED (160 mg/kg) injected 24 h before irradiation significantly promoted survival with dose reduction factors (DRFs) of 1.18 and 1.26, respectively. 5-Androstene-3beta-ol-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA) was markedly less efficacious than AED in augmenting survival, indicating specificity. These results demonstrate for the first time that a DHEA-related steroid stimulates myelopoiesis, and ameliorates neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and enhances resistance to infection after exposure of animals to ionizing radiation.

Re-expansion pulmonary edema following puncture of a giant bulla.

Ipsilateral pulmonary edema may occur in a lung that has been rapidly reinflated after a period of collapse. The syndrome of re-expansion pulmonary edema is associated with variable degrees of hypotension and hypoxemia. In its extreme form, it may result in cardiac arrest and death. The initial cause of uninflated pulmonary parenchyma described with re-expansion pulmonary edema has typically been either a large undrained pleural effusion or a pneumothorax. The authors describe a patient in whom re-expansion pulmonary edema developed when inadvertent puncture of large emphysematous bullae released previously atelectatic lung.

Effects of pelleting and pellet conditioning temperatures on weanling pig performance.

We conducted two experiments to study the effects of pelleting and pellet conditioning temperature on weanling pig performance. In Exp. 1, 252 weanling pigs (PIC, L326 x C22) averaging 6.0 +/- 1.3 kg and 21 +/- 3 d of age were used to evaluate six corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 15% dried whey and formulated to contain 1.4% lysine. Treatments consisted of a control diet without spray-dried animal protein (SDAP) fed in meal form, a diet with 5% SDAP fed in meal form, and four diets with 5% SDAP that were conditioned at 60, 66, 71, or 77 degrees C for 10 s prior to pelleting. Pellets had a 3.97-mm diameter. The experimental diets were fed from d 0 to 14 after weaning, and all pigs were fed a common diet in meal form from d 14 to 28 after weaning. From d 0 to 7 after weaning, pigs fed diets containing SDAP had greater ADG, gain/feed (P < 0.001), and ADFI (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the control diet. No differences (P > 0.10) were observed between pigs fed the pelleted diets and those fed the SDAP diet in meal form. Conditioning temperature had no effect (P > 0.10) on weanling pig performance from d 0 to 14, and the diet fed from d 0 to 14 had no effect on overall performance (d 0 to 28). In Exp. 2, 252 weanling pigs (6.3 +/- 1.5 kg and 22 +/- 4 d of age) were used to evaluate diets with same composition as in Exp. 1, but treatments consisted of diets with or without SDAP conditioned at 60 degrees C before pelleting, and four diets containing 5% SDAP that were conditioned at 68, 77, 85, and 93 degrees C before pelleting. As in Exp. 1, conditioning lasted 10 s, pellets were 3.97 in mm diameter, and experimental diets were fed for the first 14 d of the 28-d experiment. From d 0 to 7, pigs fed the SDAP diet conditioned at 60 degrees C had greater ADFI (P < 0.05) and tended (P = 0.12) to have greater ADG than pigs fed the diet without SDAP and conditioned at 60 degrees C. From d 0 to 7, ADG (quadratic effect, P < 0.03) and ADFI (linear effect, P < 0.002) decreased as conditioning temperature increased, with the largest decrease observed above 77 degrees C. From d 0 to 14 and 0 to 28, ADG was not affected (P > 0.10) by pellet conditioning temperature or SDAP fed from d 0 to 14. The results of these studies suggest that conditioning diets containing 5% SDAP at temperatures above 77 degrees C decreases weanling pig growth performance.

Astrocytes as targets for Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) produces an acute infection in humans and induces a well-characterized cytopathic effect in neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). However, little is known about the role of glial cells in response to VEE infection of the CNS. Our results demonstrate that VEE is capable of a productive infection in primary astrocyte cultures and that this infection is cytotoxic. Further, there were significant differences in the growth kinetics comparing virulent and attenuated strains of VEE. Additionally, VEE infection of astrocyte cultures induced gene expression of two neuro-immune modulators, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Assays for TNF-alpha protein and nitric oxide (NO) demonstrated high levels of TNF-alpha protein and low levels of NO in response to VEE infection of astrocytes. These observations suggest an important role of astrocytes in this virus-induced encephalitis, and that interactions between astrocytes, other glial cells, and neurons may be important in VEE pathogenesis. Such interactions, which could impact neuronal survival, may include loss of functional changes in astrocytes or, alternatively, their production of neurotoxic molecules.

Who gives pain relief to children?

OBJECTIVE: To compare pre-hospital parental administration of pain relief for children with that of the accident and emergency (A&E) department staff and to ascertain the reason why pre-hospital analgesia is not being given. DESIGN/METHODS: An anonymous prospective questionnaire was given to parents/guardians of children < 17 years. The children were all self referred with head injuries or limb problems including burns. The first part asked for details of pain relief before attendance in the A&E department. The second part of the questionnaire contained a section for the examining doctor and triage nurse to fill in. The duration of the survey was 28 days. RESULTS: Altogether 203 of 276 (74%) of children did not receive pain relief before attendance at the A&E department. Reasons for parents not giving pain relief included 57/203 (28%) who thought that giving painkillers would be harmful; 43/203 (21%) who did not give painkillers because the accident did not happen at home; and 15/203 (7%) who thought analgesia was the responsibility of the hospital. Eighty eight of the 276 (32%) did not have any painkillers, suitable for children, at home. A&E staff administered pain relief in 189/276 (68%). CONCLUSIONS: Parents often do not give their children pain relief before attending the A&E department. Parents think that giving painkillers may be harmful and often do not have simple analgesics at home. Some parents do not perceive that their child is in pain. Parents require education about appropriate pre-hospital pain relief for their children.

Induction of nitric oxide production in infiltrating leukocytes following in vivo irradiation of tumor-bearing mice.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated both in regression and progression of tumors due to its production by both tumor cells and infiltrating leukocytes. Ionizing radiation causes the regression of tumors, and can augment the production of NO by macrophages in vitro. We examined the cellular and systemic production of NO in mice in which radiation-resistant RIF-1 fibrosarcoma cells were implanted subcutaneously and were then either irradiated or sham-treated at the tumor site. Ten days following implantation of the tumors, CD45- tumor cells and CD45+ leukocytes were derived from resected tumors immediately after irradiation with 60 Gy, a dose previously reported to reduce tumor growth. Leukocytes from tumors of irradiated hosts produced spontaneously up to four-fold more NO than did either leukocytes from unirradiated mice or CD45- tumor cells from either unirradiated or irradiated mice. Between days 10-14 following tumor implantation, serum NO2-/NO3- increased in both irradiated and unirradiated mice to an equal extent, culminating in levels higher than those of non-tumor-bearing mice. Though NO production is elevated in macrophages treated with 1-10 Gy of radiation in vitro, higher doses may be required by tumor-infiltrating macrophages in vivo and thus may indicate that tumor-infiltrating macrophages are deactivated.