Response of turf and quality of water runoff to manure and fertilizer.

Manure applications can benefit turfgrass production and unused nutrients in manure residues can be exported through sod harvests. Yet, nutrients near the soil surface could be transported in surface runoff. Our research objective was to evaluate responses of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. Guymon] turf and volumes and P and N concentrations of surface runoff after fertilizer or composted manure applications. Three replications of five treatments were established on a Boonville fine sandy loam (fine, smectitic, thermic Vertic Albaqualf) that was excavated to create an 8.5% slope. Manure rates of 50 and 100 kg P ha(-1) at the start of two monitoring periods were compared with P fertilizer rates of 25 and 50 kg ha(-1) and an unfertilized control. Compared with initial soil tests, nitrate concentrations decreased and P concentrations increased after two manure or fertilizer applications and eight rain events over the two monitoring periods. The fertilizer sources of P and N produced 19% more dry weight and 21% larger N concentrations in grass clippings than manure sources. Yet, runoff volumes were similar between manure and fertilizer sources of P. Dissolved P concentration (30 mg L(-1)) in runoff during a rain event 3 d after application of 50 kg P ha(-1) was five times greater for fertilizer than for manure P. Observations during both monitoring periods indicated that total P and N losses in runoff were no greater for composted manure than for fertilizer sources of P at relatively large P rates on a steep slope of turfgrass.

The challenge of making the school environment safe for children with food allergies.

An ever-increasing number of children are entering schools with life-threatening food allergies. Despite efforts of well-educated school nurses, Sampson, Mendelson, and Rosen (1992) found more children succumbed to a fatal anaphylactic shock at school than at home or another setting. The strain on the school nurse who works on the front lines in an attempt to keep these children safe is evident. Because so many schools do not have a full-time nurse, it is essential for faculty to recognize when children are having a reaction and know what emergency steps to take. The school nurse has the responsibility for devising an emergency plan for the school in the event of her absence. Disseminating general information about anaphylactic reactions and specific information about how to read a label in order to avoid an allergen is essential. Legal ramifications regarding the children's right to privacy and the right to be educated along with their peers as well as laws that protect the non-nursing professional who gives nursing care, including use of an Epi-pen, need to be explained to staff. Because parents of children with food allergies are often frightened of the dangers their children may encounter when in the school environment, they require support and affirmation.

Results of a lead decontamination program.

An epidemiological survey was conducted in August 1991 to evaluate the impact of a public health program. The objective of the program was to decrease the level of exposure to lead of children who lived within 200 m of a lead- reclamation plant. In 1989, these children had a geometric mean blood lead level of 9.2 micrograms/dl (0.44 mu mol/l). Children who were 6 mo to 10 y of age (N = 101) participated in the survey. Demographic and behavioral characteristics of the children and their parents were ascertained by interviewers. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture. Geometric mean blood levels were calculated by age in 1991 and by residence in 1989. In 1991, the geometric mean blood lead level had decreased to 5.0 micrograms/dl (0.24 mu mol/l) in children. There was no difference in mean blood lead levels with respect to age or residence. From 1989 to 1991, a significant decrease in the proportion of children who engaged in hand-to-mouth activities was also observed. The lead-poisoning prevention program reached its main objective stated above. The success of this program was attributed to the coordinated actions of public agencies at both the provincial and local levels.

Potential role of HBGF (FGF) and TGF-beta on prostate growth.

We review in this paper the role of heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF*) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF*), rat prostate cancer cells produce TGF-beta, IGF-II* and OGF*. Of these growth factors, TGF-beta and unknown labile factor with 19 kDa are the most probable candidates responsible for osteoblastic bony metastasis of prostate cancer. In vitro experiments suggest that TGF-beta modulates cell detachment of prostate cancer cells together with nutritional factors. HBGF-dependent growth of the prostate tumor epithelial cells is free from inhibition by TGF-beta, whereas normal prostate epithelial cells are sensitive to TGF-beta inhibition. Transfection experiments suggest that HBGF-2 (basic FGF) might be closely related to the malignant growth of prostate cancer, in addition to tumor angiogenesis.

[Aurore, child martyr. Essay on violence done to children]. / Aurore, l'enfant martyre. Essai sur la violence faite aux enfants.

This article draws on the sad story of Aurore Gagnon, a battered child raised in rural Québec and whose turmoil was dramatized on film. By elaborating on this symbol, the author is able to generate, at least in a systemic perspective, a number of issues and outlooks that go far beyond the generalities usually associated with this tale. For instance, there is ample evidence showing that the behaviour of Aurore's stepmother, aberrant as it may be, is largely caused by a set of environmental circumstances. Of course, today's social conditions hardly resemble those of the past. Yet, given the conjunctions of certain factors, children, who are nevertheless our most valuable asset, continue to be in danger in the presence of their very own parents.

Elevated in vitro translation of a 25-kDa protein in renal cell carcinoma.

As a first step in understanding the changes in protein synthesis that occur in renal cell carcinoma, we have prepared poly(A)+ RNA from surgically removed tumors and from their normal tissue counterpart. These RNAs were then translated in vitro in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and the synthesized labeled polypeptides were separated by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A major 25-kDa primary translation product was observed with all renal cell carcinomas. The synthesis of this protein was barely detectable with the RNA from normal tissue adjacent to the tumor. To determine if this protein could be further processed (removal of signal peptide and (or) core glycosylation), canine pancreatic microsomal membranes were added to the system. This addition resulted in the formation of a vertical row of three additional spots, with the same isoelectric point as the primary translation product and with molecular masses ranging from 27 to 31 kDa. The 31-kDa protein was retained on Concanavalin A. After digestion with endoglycosidase H, it was no longer visible on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and a new 27-kDa band was generated suggesting that the mature protein was indeed a glycoprotein. Future experiments will be aimed at identifying this protein and examining its potential value as a marker of renal cell carcinoma.

L'ABC de la supervision clinique par discussion de cas.

Beginning with a review of the literature and a survey of instructors in family medicine, the authors show that supervision through case discussions is one of the least studied teaching tools in medicine, even though it is one of the most frequently used. On the basis of individual and collective consideration, they suggest the basic elements that seem to be requisite to this type of teaching activity: clarification of the aims of the supervisor and the resident by means of a verbal contract; a method of practice based on a clinical approach; provision of several examples of problems and various strategies for raising or solving problems.

Lipid analysis of a novel type of cell secretion in the exocrine pancreas: the pancreasomes.

A novel type of cell secretion termed 'microvesicular secretion' has been described recently in the exocrine pancreas. According to this process, microvesicles are released by acinocytes in the pancreas acinar lumen. These microvesicles, identified as 'pancreasomes', were characterized by the presence of a major glycoprotein component originating in the exocrine acinar cell. In the present work, phospholipids of pancreasomes have been identified. Five classes of phospholipid were found: phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, lysophosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins and another minor class of ninhydrin-positive phospholipid (phosphatidylserines or lysophosphatidylethanolamines). The ratios of neutral lipids to phospholipids were particularly high (3:1), as estimated by GLC of their fatty acid content. Analysis of fatty acid composition of pancreasomes lipids revealed a very high proportion of two saturated fatty acids, palmitic (40%) and stearic (24%), whereas two main unsaturated fatty acids, oleic (17%) and linoleic (8%), were found in smaller proportions. Differential scanning calorimeter studies on washed pancreasomes indicated that there was no lipid phase transition in their membrane, despite the absence of cholesterol. Our observations show that pancreasomes have an unusual lipid composition and confirm our previous conclusion based on protein analysis that the release of pancreasomes occurs according to an hitherto undescribed type of secretion, in which a glycoprotein is released associated with specific domains of the luminal plasma membrane.

Abomasum emptying in dairy calves fed milk replacers with varying fat and sources of protein.

Young Holstein male calves fitted with reentrant duodenal fistulae were in two 3 x 3 Latin square experiments. In the first experiment the calves were fed milk replacers containing either 5%, 15%, or 25% lard. Total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, and fat left the abomasum more slowly for the 5% fat milk replacer than for the other two milk replacers. In the second experiment, the calves were fed milk replacers containing either whey proteins, whey, and fish proteins (50:50), or whey and soybean proteins (50:50). Dry matter, total nitrogen, protein nitrogen, and nonprotein nitrogen left the abomasum more slowly for the milk replacer containing whey and soybean proteins than for the other two milk replacers. In both experiments, milk replacers did not differ in rates of passage of fresh matter, reducing substances, ash, gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid, gastric proteolysis, and diarrhea. In Experiment 1, milk replacers did not differ in rates of passage of dry matter and nonprotein nitrogen. In Experiment 2, milk replacers did not differ in rate of passage of fat. Circadian rhythm had no influence.

Hormonal requirements of baby hamster kidney cells in culture.

Baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) were able to proliferate in the complete absence of serum in synthetic medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor on cell culture dishes coated with fibronectin. Although the addition of individual supplements had little or no effect on cell growth, the combination of the supplements resulted in a significant synergistic effect. The defined medium was also capable of supporting the clonal growth of BHK cells in the absence of serum. Studies on the effect of hormonal supplementation in the presence of low concentrations of fetal calf serum suggest that the function of serum is to supply hormones and growth factors for cell growth.

Abomasum emptying in young dairy calves fed milk replacers containing animal or vegetable fats.

Young Holstein male calves, fitted with re-entrant duodenal fistulae, were fed 25% fat milk replacers containing either butter oil, lard, or corn oil in a 3 X 3 Latin square experiment. Proteins were supplied by skim milk powder. Patterns of changes with time after feeding were observed for the composition and pH of duodenal digesta, recovery rates of fresh and dry matter, rates of abomasum emptying for fresh and dry matter, gastric proteolysis, and diarrhea. The composition and pH of duodenal digesta changed markedly with time after feeding, but the only notable differences between milk replacers were for contents of protein nitrogen and total nitrogen. Recovery rates of fresh matter were higher than 100%, presumably due to salivary and gastric secretions. Dry matter was recovered at a rate averaging 100% suggesting that the method used to measure the flow rate and sample duodenal digesta was adequate. The highest flow rates of fresh matter were during the first 3 h after feeding. Differences were marked among the flow rates of constituents of dry matter. Gastric proteolysis was not influenced by the nature of dietary fats. Fecal dry matter, a measure of the severity of diarrhea, was markedly lower for the milk replacer filled with corn oil than for the other two milk replacers.

Apparatus to measure flow and sample duodenal contents in calves.

A simple and inexpensive apparatus, requiring minimum labor to operate, was designed to measure flow and sample duodenal contents in young dairy calves. This apparatus simulated normal physiological conditions and was used satisfactorily under varied experimental conditions.