Highest Significant Difference Research Articles

Deformation pattern and load transfer of an uncemented femoral stem with modular necks. An experimental study in human cadaver femurs

BackgroundModular necks in hip arthroplasty allow variations in neck-shaft angles, neck version and neck lengths and have been introduced to improve accuracy when reconstructing the anatomy and hip joint biomechanics. Periprosthetic bone resorption may be a consequence of stress shielding in the proximal femur after implantation of a femoral stem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the deformation pattern and load transfer of an uncemented femoral stem coupled to different modular necks in human cadaver femurs. MethodsA cementless femoral stem was implanted in twelve human cadaver femurs and tested in a hip simulator corresponding to single leg stance and stair climbing activity with patient-specific loading. The stems were tested with four different modular necks; long, short, retro and varus. The long neck was used as reference in statistical comparisons, as it can be considered the “standard” neck. The deformation of bone during loading was measured by strain gauge rosettes at three levels of the proximal femur on the medial, lateral and anterior side. FindingsThe cortical strains were overall reduced on the medial and lateral side of femur, for all implants tested, and in both loading conditions compared to the unoperated femur. Although there were statistical significant differences between the necks, the results did not show a consistent pattern considering which neck retained or lost most strain. In general the differences were small, with the highest significant difference between the necks of 3.23 percentage points. InterpretationThe small differences of strain between the modular necks tested in this study are not expected to influence bone remodeling in the proximal femur.

Impact of the age of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails on Schistosoma mansoni transmission: modulation of the genetic outcome and the internal defence system of the snail.

Of the approximately 34 identified Biomphalaria species,Biomphalaria alexandrina represents the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. Using parasitological and SOD1 enzyme assay, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of the age of B. alexandrina snails on their genetic variability and internal defence against S. mansoni infection. Susceptible and resistant snails were reared individually for self-reproduction; four subgroups of their progeny were used in experiment. The young susceptible subgroup showed the highest infection rate, the shortest pre-patent period, the highest total cercarial production, the highest mortality rate and the lowest SOD1 activity. Among the young and adult susceptible subgroups, 8% and 26% were found to be resistant, indicating the inheritance of resistance alleles from parents. The adult resistant subgroup, however, contained only resistant snails and showed the highest enzyme activity. The complex interaction between snail age, genetic background and internal defence resulted in great variability in compatibility patterns, with the highest significant difference between young susceptible and adult resistant snails. The results demonstrate that resistance alleles function to a greater degree in adults, with higher SOD1 activity and provide potential implications for Biomphalaria control. The identification of the most susceptible snail age enables determination of the best timing for applying molluscicides. Moreover, adult resistant snails could be beneficial in biological snail control.

Quantifying brain iron deposition in patients with Parkinson's disease using quantitative susceptibility mapping, R2 and R2*

PurposeTo evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) iron mapping including R2, R2* and magnetic susceptibility to differentiate patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) from healthy controls. Materials and MethodsThirty (30) healthy controls (HC) (64±7years old) and 20 patients with idiopathic PD (66±8years old) were studied using a 3T MR imaging scanner. R2 maps were generated from GRASE sequence while R2*, and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) were obtained from a conventional multi-echo gradient-echo sequence. R2, R2* and relative susceptibility (Δχ) values of structures in the basal ganglia were measured for each patient and control. An analysis of sensitivity and specificity and unpaired t-test was applied to the two groups. ResultsA significant difference (p<0.05) was found for R2 and ∆χ values in the substantia nigra as a whole and in the pars compacta for PD patients. The R2* values were different significantly (p<0.05) only on the substantia nigra pars compacta. QSM presented the highest sensitivity and specificity to differentiate the two populations. ConclusionThe QSM map was the most sensitive quantitative technique for detecting a significant increase of iron for PD. The highest significant difference between controls and patients was found in the substantia nigra pars compacta using QSM.

Serum antibodies from epileptic patients react, at high prevalence, with simian virus 40 mimotopes.

It has been demonstrated that inflammation may contribute to epileptogenesis and cause neuronal injury in epilepsy. In this study, the prevalence of antibodies to simian virus 40 (SV40), a kidney and neurotropic polyomavirus, was investigated in serum samples from 88 epileptic children/adolescents/young adults. Serum antibodies reacting to specific SV40 peptides were analysed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of viral capsid proteins 1-3 were used as SV40 antigens. A significantly higher prevalence of antibodies against SV40 was detected in sera from epileptic patients compared to controls (41% vs. 19%). Specifically, the highest significant difference was revealed in the cohort of patients from 1.1 to 10years old (54% vs. 21%), with a peak in the sub-cohort of 3.1-6years old (65% vs. 18%). Our immunological data suggest a strong association between epilepsy and the SV40 infection.

The effect of incubation time and silk worm cocoon on mobility of zinc and copper in contaminated clay soil

Of the problematic agents in the ecosystem, heavy metals have special importance because they are unabsorbable and have physiologic effects on living beings at low concentrations. This study has investigated the effect of silk worm cocoon on reducing mobility of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) for the first time. To this end, 5% cocoon adsorbent was added to the studied soil, which had been contaminated with Cu and Zn in separate containers at concentration of 600 mg/l. The experiment was performed in three repeats and two treatments (with and without adsorbent). Samples were incubated at 28°C at constant humidity for 3 hours, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Then both treatments were extracted using sequential extraction method and the concentration of Zn and Cu was processed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that there were changes in mobility of the Zn and Cu added to soil; adding silk worm cocoon to soil increased organic phase of Zn and Cu as compared to the soil without adsorbent. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. All comparisons of the means were performed at statistical level of 5% using Student’s independent t-test. Student’s independent t-test showed that the highest significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the organic fraction of the Cu-Zn contaminated soil with cocoon, as compared with the Cu-Zn contaminated soil without cocoon.

The effect of incubation time and silk worm cocoon on mobility of zinc and copper in contaminated clay soil

Of the problematic agents in the ecosystem, heavy metals have special importance because they are unabsorbable and have physiologic effects on living beings at low concentrations. This study has investigated the effect of silk worm cocoon on reducing mobility of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) for the first time. To this end, 5% cocoon adsorbent was added to the studied soil, which had been contaminated with Cu and Zn in separate containers at concentration of 600 mg/l. The experiment was performed in three repeats and two treatments (with and without adsorbent). Samples were incubated at 28°C at constant humidity for 3 hours, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Then both treatments were extracted using sequential extraction method and the concentration of Zn and Cu was processed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that there were changes in mobility of the Zn and Cu added to soil; adding silk worm cocoon to soil increased organic phase of Zn and Cu as compared to the soil without adsorbent. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. All comparisons of the means were performed at statistical level of 5% using Student’s independent t-test. Student’s independent t-test showed that the highest significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the organic fraction of the Cu-Zn contaminated soil with cocoon, as compared with the Cu-Zn contaminated soil without cocoon.

Chemometric analysis of the consumption of oral rinse chlorite (ClO2 −) by human salivary biomolecules

Oral rinse formulations containing chlorite anion (ClO(2)(-)) as an active agent exert a range of valuable oral healthcare activities. However, salivary biomolecules which chemically react with this oxidant can, at least in principle, serve as potentially significant barriers to these therapeutic properties in the oral environment. Therefore, in this investigation, we have explored the extent of ClO(2)(-) consumption by biomolecules which scavenge this agent in human salivary supernatants (HSSs) in vitro. HSS samples were equilibrated with oral rinse formulations containing this active agent (30 s at 35 °C in order to mimic oral rinsing episodes). Differential spectrophotometric and ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses were employed to determine residual ClO(2)(-) in these admixtures. Bioanalytical data acquired revealed the rapid consumption of ClO(2)(-) by biomolecular electron donors and/or antioxidants present in HSS samples. Mean ± 95 % confidence interval (CI) consumption levels of 7.14 ± 0.69 and 5.34 ± 0.69 % of the total ClO(2)(-) available were found for oral rinse products containing 0.10 and 0.40 % (w/v) ClO(2)(-), respectively. A mixed model analysis-of-variance performed on experimental data acquired demonstrated highly-significant differences between oral rinse ClO(2)(-) contents (p < 0.0001), trial participants (p < 0.001) and sampling days-within-participants (p < 0.001), and also revealed non-additive ClO(2)(-)-scavenging responses of participants' HSSs to increases in the oral rinse content of this oxidant (p < 0.0001). A slower, second phase of the reaction process (t (1/2) = 1.7-2.8 h) involved the oxidative consumption of salivary urate. These data clearly demonstrate that for recommended 30 s oral rinsing episodes performed at physiological temperature, <10 % of the total oral rinse ClO(2)(-) available is chemically and/or reductively consumed by HSS biomolecules for both oral rinse formulations investigated. These observations are of much clinical significance in view of the retention of these products' active agent, i.e. <10 % of ClO(2)(-) is consumed by HSS biomolecules within recommended 30 s oral rinsing episodes, and hence, the bulk of this oxyhalogen oxidant (>90 %) may effectively exert its essential microbicidal, anti-periodontal and oral malodour-neutralising actions.

Distinction of leukemia patients’ and healthy persons’ serum using FTIR spectroscopy

In this paper, FTIR spectroscopy was applied to compare the serum from leukemia patients with the serum from healthy persons. IR spectra of leukemia patients’ serum were similar with IR spectra of healthy persons’ serum, and they were all made up of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, etc. In order to identify leukemia patients’ serum and healthy persons’ serum, the H1075/H1542, H1045/H1467, H2959/H2931 ratios were measured. The H2959/H2931 ratio had the highest significant difference among these ratios and might be a useful factor for identifying leukemia patients’ serum and healthy persons’ serum. Furthermore, from curve fitting, the RNA/DNA (A1115/A1028) ratios were observed to be lower in leukemia patients’ serum than those in healthy persons’ serum. The results indicated FTIR spectroscopic study of serum might be a useful tool in the field of leukemia research and diagnosis.

Indoor and outdoor controlling evaluation on the subterranean termite,Psammotermes hybostoma (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) using some unordinary natural oils and others

The present work was conducted to evaluate controlling the subterranean sandtermite, Psammotermes hybostoma using some unordinary natural oils and others inthe laboratory and field as indoor and outdoor investigations, respectively. The resultswere analyzed statistically by T-test.Ten kinds of oils [Caraway, Onions, Garlic, Clove, Peppermint, Basil,Eucalyptus (Camphor), Sesame, Tar and Fenugreek] and three other substances[Neem seeds extraction, gum bees powder (Propolis) and aluminum sulphate powder(Alum)] were used. These materials have been observed under laboratory conditions,and field conditions at two regions namely; El-Konooz region and the farm land ofSouth Valley University during the period from January to December 2011, and inthree infected buildings at El-Konooz region during the period from February till June2012 in Qena city.Laboratory results showed that, the highest mortality rate was recorded by usingcaraway oil (100 workers per hour). In contrast, the lowest mortality rate wasobserved when propolis and neem seeds extraction used (0.26 workers per hour)equally.On the other hand, the outdoor field results agreed with the laboratoryinvestigations. Thus, the highest ratio of sand termite individuals, caught incorrugated cardboard traps allover one complete year, was in the traps treated withpropolis (95.6 %). In contrast, the lowest was (0.24 %) with clove oil. The ratio was(0.0 %) in the presence of the following oils (caraway, basil, camphor, garlic,peppermint and tar) at El-Konooz region.Moreover, field results of the farm land of South Valley University showed thatthe highest ratio of sand termites individuals was in the traps treated with propolis(92.7 %). Inversely, the ratio was (0.0 %) in the cases of the following oils (caraway,basil and garlic).On the other hand, statistical analysis on the feild results showed highlysignificant differences between the mean numbers of the individuals caught in trapstreated with all oils and their control. Whereas, no significant differences wererecorded in the case of propolis and neem seeds extraction and their control.In relation to the results on infected buildings, the total numbers of individualsobtained from corrugated cardboard pieces were zero in the doors and windowsframes that treated with the following oils (caraway, basil and camphor), despitecontinuing injury in the control case (2070 and 1424 individuals from doors andwindows frames, respectively).Thus, it is recommended using the most effective repellent oils (caraway, basil,camphor, garlic, peppermint, tar and clove) in subterranean termite control insidebuildings by spraying infected timber or injection in the ground or by traps in the soilinstead of chemical pesticides with harmful impact on the environment and health.

Phenotypic and nuclear DNA variation in Tunisian cultivars of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

The aim of this study was to assess the morphological diversity of the five most important and widely consumed Tunisian date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars and the possible relationship between phenotypic variation and genome size and ploidy, since polyploidy can occur in this species. Five Tunisian palm date cultivars were evaluated, based on morphological traits and nuclear DNA content. The analysis of variance revealed statistically highly-significant differences among cultivars (Alig, Bsser, Deglet Nour, Kinticha and Hamra) for average palm length (LP) (m), perianth diameter (PD) (mm), pulp thickness (ThP) (cm), 30 fresh fruit weight (30 FrW) (g), 30 fresh seed weight (30 SW) (g), 30 SW/30 FrW ratio (%), fresh seed length (SL) (cm), fresh seed width (SWi) (cm) and water content (WaC) (%). The relationship among these characters was analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), resulting in the separation of these cultivars into three groups. The first group included Alig and Deglet Nour, characterized by high values for perianth diameter, pulp thickness, 30 fresh fruit weight and water content. The cultivar Hamra (H) formed a separate group, characterized by high values for seed width, 30 seed weight, 30 seed weight /30fruit weight ratio and seed length. This study shows that certain Tunisian cultivars, apart from Deglet Nour (Alig and Hamra), are particularly recommended for future selection and breeding programs. The morphological variation was not due to differences in ploidy, since the tested cultivars had 2C nuclear DNA contents of 1.729 to 1.80 pg and were all diploids (2n = 2x = 36). The data suggested that the Tunisian cultivars have limited geographical distribution and that P. dactylifera is an ancestral species. Key words: Date palm, fruit, genome size, morphological traits, seed.

The effect of pollenizer on the fruit set of plum cultivar Cacanska Najbolja

In this paper, during a 4-year period (2003-2006) effects of six pollenizers (President, Italian Prune, Stanley, Cacanska Rodna, Agen 707, and California Blue) on the degree of fruit set in the plum cultivar Cacanska Najbolja were examined. Besides the controlled pollination of this cultivar, open pollination was investigated. Functional pollen ability in pollenizer-cultivars was established by in vitro pollen germination. Degree of fruit set was determined comparing the number of fruit set (10 days after pollination, 21 days after pollination and number of harvested fruits) against the number of pollinated flowers. The results indicated that all pollenizer cultivars, studied in this paper, possessed satisfactory in vitro pollen germination (30.1-67.4%). The number of fruit set determined 10 days after pollination was very high and did not differ among pollenizers. Highly significant differences were found between the pollenizers in the number of fruit set 21 days after pollination and significant ones in relation to the number of harvested fruits. Compared to open pollination, higher number of fruit set 21 days after pollination and higher number of harvested fruits were obtained when cultivars Stanley (17.0%; 7.6%) and Italian Prune (14.6%; 6.9%) were used as pollenizers, therefore those cultivars are recommendable as good pollenizers for the cultivar Cacanska Najbolja.

Şizofreni hastalarında ilk atakta P300 bulguları ile nörolojik silik işaretler arasındaki ilişki / Relationship between P300 findings and neurological soft signs in patients with first episode schizophrenia

Relationship between P300 findings and neurological soft signs in patients with first episode schizophrenia Objective: In this study, the relationship between neurological soft signs and P300 components was explored in patients with schizophrenia. Method: 22 first-episode schizophrenia patients who were evaluated according to DSM-IV criteria and whose disease lasted at least six months, and a group of 22 healthy controls were included in this study. In both groups, neurophysiological measurements were performed to investigate the P300 potentials and Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES) was applied to detect neurological soft signs. Scale for the Assessment of the Negative Symptoms (SANS) and Scale for the Assessment of the Positive Symptoms (SAPS) were applied only to the schizophrenia group. Results: Results revealed that first episode schizophrenia group had higher NES total and subscale scores, lower P300 amplitude and longer P300 latency compared to healthy controls. NES scores with the highest significant difference from healthy controls were Total NES and NES motor sequencing subscale. When the first-episode schizophrenia group is compared with the control group by the P300 components, difference of P300 amplitude was more significant than difference of P300 latency. It was also found that NES scores and P300 values were not correlated with clinical variables in the patient group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that pathology of these biological markers was found at the beginning of the disease and was not effected by clinical variables. This result can be interpreted as the pathologies exhibited with NES and P300 measurements could not be state but trait characteristics. Within soft neurological signs the most pathological results were obtained from motor sequencing subscale and its relationship with P300 amplitude was statistically significant. These findings indicate that the high scores of motor sequencing subscale which is thought to be sign of prefrontal pathology can be better explained with problems about attention.

Effect of adapted physical activity sessions in the hospital on health-related quality of life for children with cancer: A cross-over randomized trial

To assess the efficacy of adapted physical activity (APA) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of hospitalized children and adolescents with cancer between 9 and 18 years of age. A two-sequence, four-period cross-over study, Activités Physiques en Oncologie Pédiatrique (APOP), compared hospital stay with APA sessions versus hospital stay without APA sessions on children's HRQoL. Children and parents completed the child and parent forms, respectively, of a HRQoL questionnaire, the Child Health Questionnaire, on the last day of hospitalization. We used mixed linear regression to determine the effect of treatment, of treatment order and whether response to previous treatment influenced HRQoL. Thirty children were included (mean age 13.6 ± 2.9 years; 18 males). Cross-over analysis revealed no effect of period or interaction between APA and period. HRQoL was higher when children practiced than did not practice APA during their hospitalization, as reported by both children and parents, for the dimensions physical functioning (P < 0.0001), role/social-physical (P = 0.001), self-esteem (P < 0.0001), and mental health (P < 0.0001). In addition, APA had a significant effect on the behavior dimension (P = 0.01), as reported by children, and on the bodily pain dimension (P = 0.0004), as reported by parents. The highest significant difference in scores between with and without APA was observed for the self-esteem dimension (P < 0.0001) for both children and parents. APA during hospitalization for children with cancer was associated with better HRQoL for most of the HRQoL psychological and physical dimensions. Whether this effect is specific for children with cancer should be explored.

Morphometry and length weight relationship of the Catfishes Arius caelatus (Valenciennes, 1840) and Arius thalassinus (Ruppell, 1837) off Mumbai, Veraval and Vishakhapatanam coasts

The catfishes, Arius caelatus and Arius thalassinus have been compared morphometrically for seven characters with reference to fork length from Mumbai, Veraval, Vishakhapatnam and Veraval coasts respectively. For Arius caelatus, significant differences were found between the sexes at the same locality, within the same sexes at different localities and between both sexes combined from Mumbai and Veraval four out of seven characters were investigated. Similarly, for Arius thalassinus, significant differences were noticed between and within the sexes at the same locality and when the sexes were combined, almost all the characters showed highly significant differences between the Veraval and Vishakhapatnam populations, which have been attributed to separation of stocks. The sex specific length weight relationships between the sexes as well as locations were not significant for A. caelatus, hence a relation common to both sexes and regions was established. But A. thalassinus showed highly significant differences, in respect of sexes as well as locations. Therefore, separate relationships were obtained for sexes and locations for the latter.

Diversity analysis of Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan (Mimosaceae) using phenotypic traits, chromosome counting and DNA content approaches

Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan (Family Fabaceae; subfamily Mimosoideae) is a pioneer tree of dry areas. In spite of its several uses, there are no any published studies which deal with genetic diversity of Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan in Tunisia. For this reason, here we study its genetic diversity with morphometric (only in Tunisian populations), chromosome counting, and cytometric (in Tunisian and Ziambabwean populations) approaches. Morphological field studies of four Tunisian populations (Bouhedma, Haddej, Hajeb and Gtar, respectively, designated as A, B, C, D) of A. tortilis (Forsk.) Hayne ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan using a general linear model (ANOVA) revealed statistically highly-significant differences between populations for all examined characters (P < 0.0001). Significant differences were found also between genotypes for the majority of morphological traits (P < 0.0001) except the width of 10 pods (laP), weight of 10 pods (Wt) and seed number of 10 pods (Sn) (P ≥ 0.110). The variability in the tree, pod and seed characters can be exploited for agro-industrial purposes. The DNA amount and chromosome numbers of populations Umguza and Gwaii River from Ziambabwe and of Tunisian populations A, B, C and D were determined. Tunisian populations had 2C nuclear DNA contents of 2.95-3.03 pg, and were shown to be tetraploid (2n = 4x = 52), whilst the two Ziambabwean populations had 1.39-1.40 pg and were diploid (2n = 2x = 26). It is suggested that the Tunisian populations are paleotetraploids, adapted to the more-arid local conditions.

Using Different Methods to Tenderize Spent Hens Meat

The aim of this study is tenderizing spent hens meat by using cheap local materials such as bitter orange juice, vinegar, salt and sugar for 1,2, 3 and 4h, distill water is used (T ) in curing to make it a s 1 standard. Bitter orange juice (acidity of 1.5) (T ), vinegar (acidity of 7) (T ), table salt (2%) (T ) and sugar (2%) 2 3 4 (T ) were used. The processed meat was storied under -18 C ± 2 C for a month to investigate the influence 5 o o of the type of treatment and the periods of storing and submersion on the sensory properties and chemical qualities through estimating the percentage of moisture, hydrogen number pH, volume of the released extract. A sensory properties evaluation of the qualities of flavor, juiciness, tenderness and overall acceptance was carried out. Results of curing in the different solutions revealed a decreased pH value in (T ) 2 and T ; while the highest significant differences (p<0.05) was in samples T. Besides, there were no 3 4 significant differences concerning the periods of curing. As far as the period of freezing is concerned, a significant increase in pH of the samples was noticed, T had the upper degree. There were no significant 4 differences concerning the periods of curing. The percentage of moisture increased significantly (p<0.05) of the treatment groups compared with T. The highest significant differences (p<0.05) were found in T. A 1 4 significant (p<0.05) increase occurred in the percentage of moisture when it was frozen and cured. Besides, there were significant differences (p<0.05) concerning the period of curing. A decrease was noticed of the volume of the released extract. The highest significant (p<0.05) difference was in T and the lowest one was 1 in T. It was also noticed that significant (p<0.05) increase of the frozen sample, the highest significant 4 difference (p<0.05) was in T and the lowest one was in T. Results of sensory evaluation indicated the 1 4 improvement of the sensory qualities of the samples treated with the different solutions especially of tenderness and juiciness. These results were reflected on the quality of general acceptance by th e consumer of the samples. Results of sensory evaluation revealed that T and T was the best sample. 2 4 Significant differences (p<0.05) as far as the periods of curing were noticed. Thus we can recommend using 2% salt and bitter orange juice (1.5 acidity) in curing spent hens meat.

Ethnic and Socioeconomic Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Findings for Women From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994

WINKLEBY, MARILYN A.; KRAEMER, HELENA C.; AHN, DAVID K.; VARADY, ANN N. Author Information

Dietary supplements of methionine increase breast meat yield and decrease abdominal fat in growing broiler chickens

The response of male broiler chickens to graded amounts of an essential amino acid (methionine) or an amino acid analogue (methionine hydroxy analogue free acid, MHA-FA) was examined in this experiment. The effects of each supplement on food intake, food conversion and the masses of a demand tissue (breast meat) and an indicator of body fat (abdominal fat pad) were measured. Birds grew significantly faster, ate more and had a lower food conversion ratio when there was more DL-methionine or MHA-FA in the diet. After standardising the differences in food intake between treatments, there were still highly significant differences in liveweight between diets. After removing the variation due to treatment differences in body mass, the data showed that adding either DL-methionine or MHA-FA to the diet increased the mass of breast meat and reduced the size of the abdominal fat pad. Exponential equations fitted to the body mass and feed conversion ratio data indicate that, in an equimolar comparison, MHA-FA is 78 and 70% as potent as DL-methionine for growth and feed conversion ratio respectively. Similar equations fitted to the carcass data show that MHA-FA is only 71% as potent as DL-methionine in depositing breast tissue. Increasing amounts of DL-methionine reduced the variability in liveweight and carcass, breast and abdominal fat pad weights. Adding 0.05% MHA-FA reduced variability in these traits compared with the basal ration but higher amounts of MHA-FA had no additional effect.

Morphometric study of myocardial changes during doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in mice

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most effective anti-cancer drugs in oncology, but may cause a cumulative dose-dependent cardiomyopathy in a number of cancer patients. The effect of DOX on the heart was studied in mice treated with i.v. injections of 2 mg/kg by measuring morphometric parameters, including nuclear index (number of non-myocytes/number of myocyte nuclei), reticulin index (reticulin area/number of myocyte transsections), nuclear transsectional area, myocyte transsectional area, capillary index (number of capillaries/number of myocyte transsections) and capillary transsectional area. The highest significant difference between control mice and DOX-treated mice was observed immediately after the 12th dose of DOX except for the two capillary parameters. The highest level of significance for these two parameters was obtained 12 weeks after the end of DOX treatment. In contrast to the observations in rats, mice did not develop a nephrotic syndrome during treatment with DOX. The morphometric analysis of myocardial changes in mice, as a quantitative and objective method, seems to be a good model for comparative studies on cardiomyopathy induced by anthracycline analogues.