Behavior, health, and productivity of early-lactation dairy cows supplemented with molasses in automated milking systems.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of molasses-based liquid feed (LF) supplementation within automated milking systems (AMS) on the behavior, health, and production of early-lactation dairy cows. In 6 commercial AMS dairy herds, 390 dairy cows were randomly assigned before calving to 1 of 2 treatments, within farm, balanced by parity: (1) control group (CON) receiving a standard AMS pellet [mean = 3.9 kg/d on a dry matter (DM) basis, n = 188], or (2) same amount of standard AMS pellet (mean = 3.6 kg/d on a DM basis, n = 202) plus 1 kg/d DM of LF for multiparous cows (1.6 kg/d as fed) and 0.88 kg/d DM for primiparous cows (1.4 kg/d as fed). Across farms, cows were fed partial mixed rations similar in ingredient and nutrient composition. Cows on the LF treatment received supplementation for the first 60 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples were taken 2 times/wk for the first 3 wk postcalving to assess ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Samples with BHB ≥1.2 mmol/L were classified as a positive case of subclinical ketosis (SCK). Cow body condition and lameness were scored every 10 d postcalving until 60 DIM. No differences were detected between treatments for milk yield (average milk yield = 37.4 ± 1.98 kg/d) and milking frequency (average milking frequency = 3.2 ± 0.01 times/d). Similarly, no difference between treatments in daily AMS visits was detected (average AMS visits = 5.3 ± 0.3 times/d). However, CON cows experienced more AMS refusals/d than LF cows (LF = 1.6 refusals/d, CON = 2.1 refusals/d). No difference between treatments in daily rumination time was detected (average rumination time = 476 ± 10.8 min/d). Treatment was associated with the number of times cows tested positive for SCK; cows on LF had fewer repeated diagnoses of SCK, such that 15% of cows on LF had ≥3 diagnoses of SCK out of 5 tests, compared with 27% of CON cows. Cows receiving molasses tended to have lower blood BHB values at ∼15 DIM. Molasses supplementation also allowed cows to maintain a more stable body condition score, as LF cows tended to lose less body condition over the first 60 DIM compared with CON cows. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that supplementing a molasses-based LF to AMS cows may help support the energy demands of milk production in early lactation and, thus, reduce the incidence of repeat positive SCK tests during that time period.

Effect of diet-induced negative energy balance on the feeding behavior of dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to determine how feeding behavior of dairy cows is altered in response to diet-induced negative energy balance, and if this response varies depending on dietary particle size distribution. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 30; days in milk = 59 ± 5; parity = 2.8 ± 0.19), producing 44.6 ± 1.2 kg/d of milk, were fed (on a dry matter basis) a lactating diet [net energy of lactation (NEL) = 1.66 Mcal/kg; 68% forage, including 1.8% wheat straw] during a 2-wk baseline period. To induce negative energy balance, cows were then exposed for 3 wk to 1 of 2 diets formulated for a 20% reduction in energy available for milk (NEL = 1.58 Mcal/kg; 73% forage, including 17.2% wheat straw). These diets were identical, only varying in straw chop length: (1) long straw diet (LS): straw chopped with a 10.2-cm screen, or (2) short straw diet (SS): straw chopped with a 2.54-cm screen. Cows consumed 25.6 ± 0.26 kg/d during the baseline period. Dry matter intake decreased on the experimental diets; dry matter intake was greater for the SS diet as compared with the LS diet (23.1 vs. 22.5 kg/d; standard error = 0.47). During the baseline period, cow serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and blood ß-hydroxybutyrate averaged 0.27 ± 0.02 and 0.71 ± 0.05 mmol/L, respectively. During the experimental period, NEFA and ß-hydroxybutyrate averaged 0.34 and 1.04 mmol/L, respectively, with a peak of NEFA (0.63 ± 0.06 mmol/L) occurring 4 d after dietary change. During baseline, cows produced 42.3 ± 0.33 kg/d of milk; milk yield was decreased for both SS cows and LS cows during the experimental period (SS = 39.0, LS = 37.8 kg/d; standard error = 0.67). On the experimental diets, cows spent more time eating (266.8 vs. 221.8 min/d), had longer meal lengths (46.9 vs. 37.5 min/meal), and consumed fewer meals (7.1 vs. 7.7 meals/d) compared with the baseline period. Within the experimental period, LS cows spent more time eating per day than SS cows (LS = 281.3, SS = 252.2 min/d). During the baseline period cows sorted against long particles (>19 mm), did not sort medium particles (8 to 19 mm), and sorted for short (4 to 8 mm) and fine (<4 mm) particles. Cows did not change sorting of long particles on the SS diet, but increased sorting against these on the LS diet. On the SS diet cows did not change their sorting of short and fine particles. On the LS diet cows increased sorting for short and fine particles. In the baseline period, no association was detected between feed sorting and serum NEFA concentration. During the experimental period, greater NEFA concentration was associated with greater sorting in favor of short particles for both the LS and SS diets. Furthermore, greater NEFA concentration was associated with greater sorting against the longest particles for both the LS and SS diets. No associations of blood and meal variables were detected during the experimental period. Overall, cows altered their feed sorting behavior in response to experiencing a diet-induced period of negative energy balance and the severity of negative energy balance was associated with the extent of that change in feed sorting.

Rabies prevention: the role of serology in parenteral vaccination of companion animals and livestock.

Rabies virus (RABV)-specific antibodies generated in response to rabies vaccination provide the basis for the establishment of rabies protection and hence rabies control and prevention. Rabies serology is the primary and most appropriate way to determine vaccination efficacy. Various immunological methods, such as serum neutralisation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the indirect fluorescent antibody test and immunochromatographic (or lateral flow) assay can detect and measure these antibodies. These methods range from complex to simple and from highly precise to approximate. Rabies serology interpretation, cut-off levels and method limitations are important considerations that oftentimes are overlooked when evaluating the results of tests that measure the immune response to rabies vaccination or RABV antigen exposure. In addition, a meaningful result may depend on the timing of obtaining the samples. Practical issues such as the costs of testing and accessibility of test reagents or facilities play an increasingly important role in the success of rabies elimination efforts in developing areas. The discovery of new lyssaviruses in recent years means that the rabies vaccines currently in use should be evaluated to determine whether or not they confer protection against these viruses. Methods that can be adapted for the measurement of RABV-specific antibodies are needed. Whether used for diagnosis, serosurveillance, or determination of individual or group vaccine response, rabies serology has a great impact on rabies control and prevention efforts. It is critical, therefore, that not only does the method employed generate results that are applicable, but that these results are interpreted correctly. To ensure that this is the case, it is crucial to know exactly what the test was designed to measure and to understand its limitations.

L'apparition d'anticorps spécifiques contre le virus de la rage après une vaccination antirabique constitue la base de la réponse protectrice et donc du contrôle et de la prévention de la maladie. Le suivi sérologique de la rage est la méthode la plus courante et la plus appropriée pour déterminer l'efficacité de la vaccination. Plusieurs méthodes immunologiques telles que le test de séroneutralisation, l'épreuve immuno-enzymatique, le test indirect aux anticorps fluorescents et l'essai immunochromatographique (ou immuno-essai à flux latéral) permettent de détecter et de titrer ces anticorps. Ces méthodes vont des plus simples aux plus complexes avec des résultats pouvant être extrêmement précis pour certaines ou plus approximatifs pour d'autres. L'interprétation des résultats sérologiques, les valeurs seuils et les limites inhérentes à chaque méthode sont des points importants à prendre en compte mais ils sont souvent négligés au moment d'évaluer les résultats des tests visant à mesurer la réponse immune induite par la vaccination ou l'exposition à l'antigène viral. En outre, l'obtention d'un résultat pertinent dépend parfois du moment de la prise d'échantillons. Des problèmes concrets tels que le coût des analyses, la disponibilité des réactifs et l'accès aux laboratoires d'analyses ont une incidence de plus en plus déterminante sur le succès des efforts déployés dans les régions en développement pour éliminer la rage. Du fait de la découverte récente de nouveaux lyssavirus, il conviendra d'évaluer les vaccins antirabiques utilisés actuellement afin de déterminer s'ils confèrent ou non une protection contre ces virus. Il faudra disposer de méthodes susceptibles d'être adaptées pour le titrage d'anticorps spécifiques contre le virus de la rage. Qu'elle soit utilisée à des fins de diagnostic, de surveillance sérologique ou pour déterminer l'efficacité de la vaccination chez un individu ou dans un groupe, la sérologie antirabique a un impact important sur les activités de contrôle et de prévention de la rage. Il est donc essentiel que la méthode utilisée produise des résultats susceptibles d'être appliqués et surtout que ceux ci soient interprétés correctement. Pour s'assurer que tel est le cas il faut savoir exactement ce que le test est censé mesurer et bien appréhender ses limites.

Los anticuerpos específicos contra el virus de la rabia que se generan en respuesta a la vacunación antirrábica ponen los cimientos de la protección contra la enfermedad y, por ende, de su prevención y control. La serología de la rabia es el medio fundamental y más adecuado de determinar la eficacia de la vacunación. Hay varias técnicas inmunológicas que permiten detectar y cuantificar esos anticuerpos, como la de neutralización vírica, la de ensayo inmunoenzimático, la de inmunofluorescencia indirecta o la de inmunocromatografía (o flujo lateral). Estos métodos son muy dispares en cuanto a su nivel de complejidad y al grado de precisión que ofrecen. La interpretación de la serología de la rabia, los valores umbral y las limitaciones de cada método son factores importantes que a menudo se pasan por alto a la hora de valorar los resultados de las pruebas que miden la respuesta inmunitaria a la vacunación antirrábica o a la exposición a antígenos víricos. Además, la obtención de un resultado significativo depende a veces de la secuencia y el momento de la obtención de muestras. También hay cuestiones prácticas, como el coste de las técnicas o el acceso a instalaciones y reactivos de prueba, que en las zonas en desarrollo resultan cada vez más determinantes para el éxito de las campañas de eliminación de la rabia. Del descubrimiento de nuevos lisavirus en los últimos años se sigue la necesidad de evaluar las vacunas antirrábicas utilizadas actualmente para dilucidar si confieren o no protección contra esos virus. Hacen falta métodos que puedan adaptarse a la medición de anticuerpos específicos contra el virus de la rabia. Ya se utilice con fines de diagnóstico, de serovigilancia o para determinar la respuesta a la vacuna de un individuo o un grupo, la serología de la rabia tiene gran influencia en las medidas de prevención y control de la enfermedad. Por ello es absolutamente fundamental no solo emplear un método que genere resultados que sean aplicables, sino también interpretar correctamente esos resultados. Para tener la seguridad de que ello es así, es fundamental saber exactamente para qué parámetro ha sido concebida la prueba y entender las limitaciones de esta.

Reporting of treatment fidelity in behavioural paediatric obesity intervention trials: a systematic review.

Behavioural interventions for paediatric obesity are promising, but detailed information on treatment fidelity (i.e. design, training, delivery, receipt and enactment) is needed to optimize the implementation of more effective interventions. Little is known about current practices for reporting treatment fidelity in paediatric obesity studies. This systematic review, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, describes the methods used to report treatment fidelity in randomized controlled trials. Treatment fidelity was double-coded using the National Institutes of Health Fidelity Framework checklist. Three hundred articles (N = 193 studies) were included. Mean inter-coder reliability across items was 0.83 (SD = 0.09). Reporting of treatment design elements within the field was high (e.g. 77% of studies reported designed length of treatment session), but reporting of other domains was low (e.g. only 7% of studies reported length of treatment sessions delivered). Few reported gold standard methods to evaluate treatment fidelity (e.g. coding treatment content delivered). General study quality was associated with reporting of treatment fidelity (p < 0.01) as was the number of articles published for a given study (p < 0.01). The frequency of reporting treatment fidelity components has not improved over time (p = 0.26). Specific recommendations are made to support paediatric obesity researchers in leading health behaviour disciplines towards more rigorous measurement and reporting of treatment fidelity.

Spatiotemporal model of barley and cereal yellow dwarf virus transmission dynamics with seasonality and plant competition.

Many generalist pathogens are influenced by the spatial distributions and relative abundances of susceptible host species. The spatial structure of host populations can influence patterns of infection incidence (or disease outbreaks), and the effects of a generalist pathogen on host community dynamics in a spatially heterogeneous community may differ from predictions derived via simple models. In this paper, we model the transmission of a generalist pathogen within a patch framework that incorporates the movement of vectors between discrete host patches to investigate the effects of local host community composition and vector movement rates on disease dynamics.We use barley and cereal yellow dwarf viruses (B/CYDV), a suite of generalist, aphid-vectored pathogens of grasses, and their interactions with a range of host species as our case study. We examine whether B/CYDV can persist locally or in a patch framework across a range of host community configurations. We then determine how pathogen-mediated interactions between perennial and annual competitors are altered at the local and regional scale when the host populations are spatially structured. We find that the spatial configuration of the patch system, host composition within patches, and patch connectivity affect not only the ability of the pathogen to invade a fragmented system, but also determine whether the pathogen facilitates the invasion of a non-native host species. Further, our results suggest that connectivity can interact with arrival time and host infection tolerance to determine the success or failure of establishment for newly arriving species.

The correlation of chemical and physical corn kernel traits with production performance in broiler chickens and laying hens.

A study was conducted to determine the influence on broiler chicken growth and laying hen performance of chemical and physical traits of corn kernels from different hybrids. A total of 720 male 1-d-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were allotted to floor pens in 2 replicated experiments with a randomized complete block design. A total of 240 fifty-two-week-old Hy-Line W-36 laying hens were allotted to cages in a randomized complete block design. Corn-soybean meal diets were formulated for 3 broiler growth phases and one 14-wk-long laying hen phase to be marginally deficient in Lys and TSAA to allow for the detection of differences or correlations attributable to corn kernel chemical or physical traits. The broiler chicken diets were also marginally deficient in Ca and nonphytate P. Within a phase, corn- and soybean-based diets containing equal amounts of 1 of 6 different corn hybrids were formulated. The corn hybrids were selected to vary widely in chemical and physical traits. Feed consumption and BW were recorded for broiler chickens every 2 wk from 0 to 6 wk of age. Egg production was recorded daily, and feed consumption and egg weights were recorded weekly for laying hens between 53 and 67 wk of age. Physical and chemical composition of kernels was correlated with performance measures by multivariate ANOVA. Chemical and physical kernel traits were weakly correlated with performance in broiler chickens from 0 to 2 wk of age (P<0.05, | r |<0.42). However, from 4 to 6 wk of age and 0 to 6 wk of age, only kernel chemical traits were correlated with broiler chicken performance (P<0.05, | r |<0.29). From 53 to 67 wk of age, correlations were observed between both kernel physical and chemical traits and laying hen performance (P<0.05, | r |<0.34). In both experiments, the correlations of performance measures with individual kernel chemical and physical traits for any single kernel trait were not large enough to base corn hybrid selection on for feeding poultry.

The correlation of chemical and physical corn kernel traits with growth performance and carcass characteristics in pigs.

Corn kernel composition may affect its nutritive value and, thus, pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the chemical and physical traits of corn kernels from different hybrids on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of pigs. A total of 288 crossbred pigs were grown in a 3-phase program from 21 kg of BW until slaughter at 113 kg of BW with 12 pens (4 pigs/pen) per dietary treatment. Target BW for each phase were 20 to 40 kg (grower 1), 40 to 80 kg (grower 2), and 80 to 120 kg (finisher). In each phase, diets were formulated to be marginally deficient in Lys, TSAA, Ca, Na, and nonphytate P to improve the likelihood of detecting differences in performance due to corn hybrid. Each of 6 corn hybrids represented a wide range of kernel chemical and physical traits and was substituted for corn in a common diet formulation on an equal weight basis to make the 6 dietary treatments. Physical and chemical composition of the kernels were analyzed and correlated with performance measures by multivariate ANOVA. Kernel density was correlated with i.m. fat (IMF) content in LM (r = -.35, P < 0.05). Stenvert grinding time was correlated (P < 0.05) with ADG during the grower 1 phase (r = 0.26), ADFI during the grower 2 phase (r = 0.27), final BW (r = 0.27), and IMF (r = -0.36). The amylose content of the cornstarch was correlated (P < 0.05) with ADG during the grower 2 phase (r = -0.28) and with BW at the end of the grower 2 phase (r = -0.27). The NDF content of the kernels was correlated (P < 0.05) with ADG during the finisher phase (r = -0.30), final BW (r = -0.33), and number of days to market (r = 0.31). The ADF content of the kernels was correlated (P < 0.05) with ADG during the grower 1 phase (r = -0.26), final BW (r = -0.26), and IMF (r = 0.31). The correlations of performance measure variation with individual kernel hybrid physical and chemical traits were statistically significant yet not large enough to base corn hybrid selection for feeding pigs on any single kernel chemical or physical trait.

Creation of a CT Image Library for the Lung Screening Study of the National Lung Screening Trial.

The CT Image Library (CTIL) of the Lung Screening Study (LSS) network of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) consists of up to three annual screens using CT imaging from each of 17,308 participants with a significant history of smoking but no evidence of cancer at trial enrollment (Fall 2002-Spring 2004). Screens performed at numerous medical centers associated with 10 LSS-NLST screening centers are deidentified of protected health information and delivered to the CTIL via DVD, external hard disk, or Internet/Virtual Private Network transmission. The collection will be completed in late 2006. The CTIL is of potential interest to clinical researchers and software developers of nodule detection algorithms. Its attractiveness lies in its very specific, well-defined patient population, scanned via a common CT protocol, and in its collection of evenly spaced serial screens. In this work, we describe the technical details of the CTIL collection process from screening center retrieval through library storage.

One-dimensional and three-dimensional models of cerebrovascular flow.

The Circle of Willis is a ring-like structure of blood vessels found beneath the hypothalamus at the base of the brain. Its main function is to distribute oxygen-rich arterial blood to the cerebral mass. One-dimensional (1D) and three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the Circle of Willis have been created to provide a simulation tool which can potentially be used to identify at-risk cerebral arterial geometries and conditions and replicate clinical scenarios, such as occlusions in afferent arteries and absent circulus vessels. Both models capture cerebral haemodynamic autoregulation using a proportional-integral (PI) controller to modify efferent artery resistances to maintain optimal efferent flow rates for a given circle geometry and afferent blood pressure. The models can be used to identify at-risk cerebral arterial geometries and conditions prior to surgery or other clinical procedures. The 1D model is particularly relevant in this instance, with its fast solution time suitable for real-time clinical decisions. Results show the excellent correlation between models for the transient efferent flux profile. The assumption of strictly Poiseuille flow in the 1D model allows more flow through the geometrically extreme communicating arteries than the 3D model. This discrepancy was overcome by increasing the resistance to flow in the anterior communicating artery in the 1D model to better match the resistance seen in the 3D results.

1D and 3D models of auto-regulated cerebrovascular flow.

The Circle of Willis (CoW) is a ring-like structure blood vessels at the base of the brain that distributes arterial blood to the cerebral mass. 1D and 3D CFD models of the Circle of Willis have been created to simulate clinical scenarios such as inclusions in afferent arteries and absent circulus vessels. Both models capture cerebral haemodynamic auto-regulation using proportional-integral controller to modify efferent artery distances to maintain optimal efferent flowrates for a given cycle geometry and afferent blood pressure. The models can be used to identify at-risk cerebral arterial geometries and conditions prior to surgery or other clinical procedures. The model is particularly relevant in this instance, with its fast execution time suitable for real-time clinical decisions and senario testing, as long as it captures the necessary details as a model would. Results show excellent correlation between models for the transient efferent flux profile with differences more than 5%. The assumption of strictly Poiseulile flow in the model allows more flow through the geometrically extreme communicating arteries than the 3D model. This discrepancy is overcome by increasing the resistance to flow in the ACoA the 1D model to better match the resistance seen in the 3D model, significantly improving correlation of the results.

Eliciting exercise preferences in cardiac rehabilitation: initial evaluation of a new strategy.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs may be more effective in promoting long-term exercise if participants are helped to devise exercise programs that are individually tailored to their exercise preferences. This paper describes an initial evaluation of 'CHOICE' (Creating better Health Orientation by Improving Communication about Exercise experiences), an instrument designed to elicit cardiac patients' exercise preferences. In individual interviews with 16 women, CHOICE was used to help participants select exercise features that were important to them for maintaining long-term exercise. Exercise preferences were then summarized on individual preference forms. Study participants in this pilot study had no problems in selecting exercise features contributing to exercise maintenance and could easily discriminate between their relative importance. Further, there were large variations in the importance participants placed on different exercise features. This suggests the need for eliciting patients' exercise preferences so exercise programs can be individually designed. In conclusion, CHOICE is an applicable instrument for eliciting exercise preferences.

HeartCare: an Internet-based information and support system for patient home recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

HeartCare is an Internet-based information and support service for patients recovering at home from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The system is designed to meet the nursing challenges in health information to support needs of CABG patients. HeartCare (a) provides information and support, tailored to patients' individual and changing recovery needs during CABG recovery, (b) makes recovery information more accessible for timely use by patients, and (c) extends the scope of nursing services to CABG patients from hospital through home. An ongoing randomized controlled study is underway to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients' use of the HeartCare system and to examine its acceptance as a usable resource for postCABG patients who have limited previous computer experience.

Induction of Epstein-Barr virus kinases to sensitize tumor cells to nucleoside analogues.

The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tumor cells of some EBV-associated malignancies may facilitate selective killing of these tumor cells. We show that treatment of an EBV(+) Burkitt's lymphoma cell line with 5-azacytidine led to a dose-dependent induction of EBV lytic antigen expression, including expression of the viral thymidine kinase (TK) and phosphotransferase (PT). Azacytidine treatment for 24 h modestly sensitized the cell line to all nucleosides tested. To better characterize EBV TK with regard to various nucleoside analogues, we expressed EBV TK in stable cell clones. Two EBV TK-expressing clones were moderately sensitive to high doses of acyclovir and penciclovir (PCV) (62.5 to 500 microM) and to lower doses of ganciclovir (GCV) and bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVdU) (10 to 100 microM) compared to a control clone and were shown to phosphorylate GCV. Similar experiments in a transient overexpression system showed more killing of cells transfected with the EBV TK expression vector than of cells transfected with the control mutant vector (50 microM GCV for 4 days). A putative PT was also studied in the transient transfection system and appeared similar to the TK in phosphorylating GCV and conferring sensitivity to GCV, but not in BVdU- or PCV-mediated cell killing. Induction of EBV kinases in combination with agents such as GCV merits further evaluation as an alternative strategy to gene therapy for selective killing of EBV-infected cells.

Randomized trial of a home recovery intervention following coronary artery bypass surgery.

For this study a randomized clinical trial was designed to test the effects of an early home recovery information intervention on physical functioning, psychological distress, and symptom frequency 1 month following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Recovery outcomes were compared between two groups: those receiving an audiotape of information on expected physical sensations and their management (Cardiac Home Information Program [CHIP]) in addition to the usual care, and those receiving the usual cardiac discharge information protocol. A nonprobability sample of 180 patients (84 women and 96 men; mean age = 62 years) was equally distributed between the two study groups. When controlling for age, comorbidity, and cardiac functional status, the results showed positive effects on physical functioning in women and psychological distress, vigor and fatigue in men. Consistent with other studies, women had worse physical functioning and more symptom frequency than men. These findings indicate that the CHIP intervention is an effective method to prepare CABG patients for home recovery.

Exposure of hooded capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella cay) to a rabid bat at a zoological park.

On 27 May 1999, a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) was discovered on an island exhibit at the Denver Zoo that contained a troop of 15 hooded capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella cay). The monkeys were attacking the bat when it was discovered. The bat was collected and humanely euthanatized without direct handling and submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Virology Laboratory for rabies evaluation. The monkeys had not been vaccinated against rabies virus. The next day, the laboratory confirmed that the bat was positive for rabies. The recommendations from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were to euthanatize the monkeys or quarantine them and comply with the human nonvaccinated postexposure protocol. A 1-ml dose of a killed rabies vaccine was administered i.m. in the hip on each of days 2, 7, 12, 19, and 33 postexposure, and a single dose of human rabies immune globulin was administered i.m. 5 days postexposure. Blood was collected under anesthesia in order to evaluate the immune response after rabies vaccination from six monkeys 5 days postexposure, six monkeys 19 days postexposure (five of the six monkeys were the same monkeys bled 5 days postexposure), 15 monkeys 67 days postexposure, and 13 monkeys approximately 1 yr postexposure. All of the monkeys developed and maintained levels of rabies virus neutralizing antibody above 0.05 IU/ml by 67 days postexposure. Although a serologic titer of 0.05 IU/ml indicates an adequate human response after rabies vaccination, no similar information is available for nonhuman primates. To date, none of the monkeys has succumbed to rabies.

The influence of uncertainty in illness, stress appraisal, and hope on coping in survivors of breast cancer.

On the basis of Mishel's uncertainty in illness theory, Lazarus and Folkman's stress on appraisal and coping, and Herth's perspective of hope, this cross-sectional, correlational study was designed to examine the influence of uncertainty, stress appraisal, and hope on coping in 71 survivors of breast cancer. Uncertainty was measured by the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness: Community Scale, stress appraisal by the Stress Appraisal Index, hope by the Herth Hope Index, and coping by the Ways of Coping Questionnaires (WCQ).

Adult dogs receiving a rabies booster dose with a recombinant adenovirus expressing rabies virus glycoprotein develop high titers of neutralizing antibodies.

Retired greyhound dogs, with low or absent antibody titers to rabies virus following previous vaccinations with commercially available vaccines, were immunized either subcutaneously or intramuscularly with a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein termed Adrab.gp. Immunized animals developed high titers (geometric mean titers of 2630 and 5329) of viral neutralizing antibodies (VNA) against rabies virus by 10 days after vaccination. The antibody titers were even higher (geometric mean titers of 19349 and 122086) by 21 days after vaccination. The results indicate that the recombinant adenovirus expressing rabies virus glycoprotein is capable of inducing antibody immune responses in dogs and therefore may be developed as a rabies virus vaccine for dogs.

Extracellular matrix proteins protect small cell lung cancer cells against apoptosis: a mechanism for small cell lung cancer growth and drug resistance in vivo.

Resistance to chemotherapy is a principal problem in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We show here that SCLC is surrounded by an extensive stroma of extracellular matrix (ECM) at both primary and metastatic sites. Adhesion of SCLC cells to ECM enhances tumorigenicity and confers resistance to chemotherapeutic agents as a result of beta1 integrin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activation suppressing chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. SCLC may create a specialized microenvironment, and the survival of cells bound to ECM could explain the partial responses and local recurrence of SCLC often seen clinically after chemotherapy. Strategies based on blocking beta1 integrin-mediated survival signals may represent a new therapeutic approach to improve the response to chemotherapy in SCLC.