Nutrient induced thermogenesis during major colorectal excision--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Hypothermia may occur during general anaesthesia and is associated with postoperative coagulopathy, ischaemic cardiac events, wound infections and increased metabolic expenditure due to shivering. The purpose of the present pilot study was to determine whether the administration of certain amino acids (Vamin 18) during general anaesthesia could prevent postoperative hypothermia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two groups of patients were studied. The study group comprised 10 patients who underwent complex major colorectal operations. In this group an infusion of 500 mls of Vamin 18 (Fresenius Kabi Ltd) was commenced immediately after induction of anaesthesia but prior to the skin incision. In a control group (n=10) who underwent similar surgical procedures Vamin 18 was not administered. In both groups core body temperature, using an oesophageal probe was recorded during the procedure and recovery period. Ambient theatre and recovery room temperature and other body warming techniques were standardized for all patients. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test for comparison of linear temperature changes at different times during the procedure for both groups of patients. RESULTS: The body temperature was statistically significantly reduced in both groups at skin incision when compared with temperature prior to induction of anaesthesia. ( STUDY GROUP: mean 0.74 degrees C, SD=0.38, P =<0.001; CONTROL GROUP: mean 0.54 degrees C, SD=0.43, P=0.003]. The increase in body temperature between the time of skin incision and recovery period was statistically significant (P=0.012) in the study group but not so in the control group (P=0.730). CONCLUSION: The results of the present pilot study demonstrate that complex colorectal operations are associated with a decrease in body temperature which is most marked immediately after the induction of anaesthesia. The perioperative administration of Vamin 18 appears to increase the rate of recovery of body temperature. The impact of this thermogenic effect on perioperative morbidity and mortality should be studied in a prospective randomised clinical trial.

First Report of Peanut stunt virus in Perennial Peanut in North Florida and Southern Georgia.

In spring 2001, symptoms similar to aphid-vectored peanut stunt disease caused by Peanut stunt virus (PSV) were observed on perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) cv. Floragraze in Jackson and Gulf counties, FL and Lowndes County, GA. Symptoms observed in commercial hay fields and at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna and Quincy included malformed leaves, plant chlorosis, leaf mottling, and stunted plants, which resulted in reduced foliage yield. Leaf symptoms were visible throughout the growing season. Stunting was more common in spring and early summer. No symptoms were seen on rhizomes. Diagnosis of PSV (genus Cucumovirus) from symptomatic leaves and rhizome materials of 12 plants was confirmed by a direct antigen-coated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAC-ELISA). ELISA tests were repeated three times. Antibodies specific to the Clemson isolate, serotype E, were obtained from Clemson University, Clemson, SC. DAC-ELISA (1) values of 0.1 A405 above the healthy control for perennial peanut were considered positive for foliage and rhizome material tested. ELISA values ranged from 0.4 to 2.1. The mean ELISA value of the positive controls was 2.65. Symptomatic plants were also tested with ELISA using available antibodies from Agdia Inc., Elkart, IN, for Tomato spotted wilt virus, from ATCC for Peanut stripe virus, and from Clemson University (Cowpea isolate) for Cucumber mosaic virus, but all results were negative. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PSV on perennial peanut in Florida and southern Georgia. At this time, it is not known what role perennial peanut may play as a reservoir of the virus in the vicinity of peanut fields. Little is known about the potential for forage production loss and stand longevity. Next season, molecular detection techniques and epidemiological studies on peanut and perennial peanut will be conducted to ascertain the incidence and possible impact of PSV in Georgia and Florida. Reference: (1) A. G. Gillaspie, Jr. et al. Plant Dis. 79:388, 1995.

Molecular markers for rust and pyricularia leaf spot disease resistance in pearl millet.

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.] is a warm-season grass used for food, feed, fodder and forage, primarily in countries of Africa and India but grown around the world. The two most-destructive diseases to pearl millet in the United States are rust (caused by Puccinia substriata var. indica) and pyricularia leaf spot (caused by Pyricularia grisea). Genes for disease resistance to both pathogens have been transferred into agronomically acceptable forage and grain cultivars. A study was undertaken to identify molecular markers for three rust loci and one pyricularia resistance locus. Three segregating populations were screened for RAPDs using random decamer primers and for RFLPs using a core set of probes detecting single-copy markers on the pearl millet map. The rust resistance gene Rr 1 from the pearl millet subspecies P. glaucum ssp. monodii was linked 8.5 cM from the RAPD OP-G8350. The linkage of two RFLP markers, Xpsm108 (15.5 cM) and Xpsm174 (17.7 cM), placed the Rr 1 gene on linkage-group 3 of the pearl millet map. Rust resistance genes from both Tift 89D2 and ICMP 83506 were placed on linkage-group 4 by determining genetic linkage to the RFLP marker Xpsm716 (4.9 and 0.0 cM, respectively). Resistance in ICMP 83506 was also linked to the RFLP marker Xpsm306 (10.0 cM), while resistance in Tift 89D2 was linked to RAPD markers OP-K19350 (8.8 cM) and OP-O8350 (19.6 cM). Fragments from OP-K19 and OP-O8 in the ICMP 83506 population, and Xpsm306 in the Tift 89D2 population, were monomorphic. Only one RAPD marker (OP-D11700, 5.6 cM) was linked to pyricularia leaf spot resistance. Attempts to detect polymorphisms with rice RFLP probes linked to rice blast resistance (Pyricularia oryzae; syn=P. grisea) were unsuccessful.

Metabolie and Cardiorespiratory Responses of Young Women to Skipping and Jogging.

In brief: To compare jogging and skipping with respect to metabolic demand, musculoskeletal stress, and perceived exertion, nine women (aged 18 to 29) were studied while jogging and skipping at treadmill speeds of 4.0, 4.8, and 5.4 mph. Data for V O2, heart rate, and perceived exertion were collected, and the subjects provided subjective ratings of musculoskeletal stress. The results showed that skipping imposed significantly greater metabolic demands and caused higher heart rates than jogging at each speed. In additon, skipping was rated as more stressful to the legs and ankles and less enjoyable. Thus skipping appears to be a stronger cardiorespiratory training stimulus than jogging for a given pace, but a less enjoyable activity.