Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Children With Disturbances In Sensory Processing: A Pilot Study Examining The Role Of The Parasympathetic Nervous System., Roseann C. Schaaf, Lucy Jane Miller, Duncan Seawell, Shannon O'Keefe

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This study was a preliminary investigation of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning in children with disturbances in sensory processing. The specific aims of this study were to (1) provide preliminary data about group differences in parasympathetic functions, as measured by the vagal tone index, between children with disturbances in sensory processing and those without; (2) determine effect size and power needed for future studies; and (3) to lay the foundation for further examination of the relations of parasympathetic functioning and functional behavior in children with disturbances in sensory processing. Participants were 15 children, nine with disturbances in sensory processing and …

The Lateral Occipital Complex Subserves The Perceptual Persistence Of Motion-Defined Groupings., Susanne Ferber, G Keith Humphrey, Tutis Vilis

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

How are the bits and pieces of retinal information assembled and integrated to form the coherent objects that we see? One long-established principle is that elements that move as a group are linked together. For instance a fragmented line-drawing of an object, placed on a background of randomly distributed short lines, can be impossible to see. But if the object moves relative to the background, its shape is instantly recognized. Even after the motion stops, the percept of the object persists briefly before it fades into the background of random lines. Where in the brain does the percept of the …

Requirement For The Betai And Betaiv Tubulin Isotypes In Mammalian Cilia., Heather C Jensen-Smith, Richard F Ludueña, Richard Hallworth

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

Nielsen et al., [2001: Curr Biol 11:529-533], based on studies in Drosophila, have proposed that beta tubulin in axonemal microtubules must contain a specific acidic seven amino acid sequence in its carboxyl terminus. In mammals, the two betaIV isotypes (betaIVa and betaIVb) contain that sequence. In order to test the application of this hypothesis to mammals, we have examined the expression of beta tubulin isotypes in four different ciliated tissues (trachea, ependyma, uterine tube, and testis) using isotype-specific antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence. We find that betaIV tubulin is present in all ciliated cell types examined, but so is betaI tubulin. …

Cell-Cycle Regulatory Proteins In Podocyte Cell In Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome Of Childhood., Tarak Srivastava, Robert E. Garola, J M. Whiting, Uri S. Alon

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The podocyte cell is believed to play an important role in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) of childhood. In adults with cellular and collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), the expression of cell-cycle regulatory proteins such as p27, p57, and cyclin D is decreased and expression of cyclin A, Ki-67, and p21 is observed in podocyte cells suggestive of a dysregulated podocyte phenotype. We investigated for alterations in the expression of cyclin kinase inhibitors, p27, p57, p21, and cyclins D and A in the podocyte cell of children with INS.

METHODS: Forty-two kidney biopsies were investigated; 14 with minimal-change disease (MCD), …

Responsiveness Of Bovine Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes (Coc) To Porcine And Recombinant Human Fsh, And The Effect Of Coc Quality On Gonadotropin Receptor And Cx43 Marker Gene Mrnas During Maturation In Vitro., Michele D Calder, Anita N Caveney, Lawrence C Smith, Andrew J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Substantially less development to the blastocyst stage occurs in vitro than in vivo and this may be due to deficiencies in oocyte competence. Although a large proportion of bovine oocytes undergo spontaneous nuclear maturation, less is known about requirements for proper cytoplasmic maturation. Commonly, supraphysiological concentrations of FSH and LH are added to maturation media to improve cumulus expansion, fertilization and embryonic development. Therefore, various concentrations of porcine FSH (pFSH) and recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) were investigated for their effect on bovine cumulus expansion in vitro. Expression of FSHr, LHr and Cx43 mRNAs was determined in cumulus-oocyte complexes to determine …

Tacrolimus As A Liver Flush Solution To Ameliorate The Effects Of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Following Liver Transplantation., Shawn D. St Peter, David J. Post, Manuel I. Rodriguez-Davalos, David D. Douglas, Adyr A. Moss, David C. Mulligan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The goal of this report is to evaluate in a prospective randomized fashion the effect of flushing hepatic allografts with tacrolimus before transplantation. A prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial was performed. Twenty patients receiving orthotopic liver transplants from October 2000 to October 2001 were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (active) was administered tacrolimus, 20 ng/mL, plus Plasma-lyte A (Baxter Healthcare Corp, Deerfield, IL) liver flush solution; and group 2 (placebo) was administered only Plasma-lyte A. Ischemia/reperfusion injury was assessed in both groups after transplantation by means of serum laboratory values to assess hepatocellular damage, synthetic function, and ion transport capacity. …

Development And Validation Of A Professional Behavior Assessment., Kristie Koenig, Caryn Johnson, Cathleen K Morano, Joseph P Ducette

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Allied health students must quickly socialize into a professional role as they transition from classroom to clinic. In addition to skill development, students must exhibit a host of professional behaviors that facilitate successful interaction with patients, families, and colleagues. There is a need for a valid, reliable assessment of professional behaviors that contribute to clinical competence. This study reports on the development and validation of a professional behavior assessment for occupational therapy students on a part-time clinical rotation (Level I). The Philadelphia Region Fieldwork Consortium (PRFC) Level I Student Evaluation was developed from an initial survey (n = 75) to …

An International Comparison Of Breast Cancer Survival: Winnipeg, Manitoba And Des Moines, Iowa, Metropolitan Areas, Kevin M. Gorey

Social Work Publications

PURPOSE: Extending previous Canadian-United States cancer survival comparisons in large metropolitan areas, this study compares breast cancer survival in smaller metropolitan areas: Winnipeg, Manitoba and Des Moines, Iowa.

METHODS: Manitoba and Iowa cancer registries, respectively, provided a total of 2,383 and 1,545 women with breast cancer (1984 to 1992, followed until December 31, 1997). Socioeconomic data for each person's residence at the time of diagnosis was taken from population censuses.

RESULTS: Socioeconomic status and breast cancer survival were directly associated in the US cohort, but not in the Canadian cohort. Compared with similar patients in Des Moines, residents of the …

The Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome And The Eastern Tent Caterpillar: A Toxicokinetic/Statistical Analysis With Clinical, Epidemiologic, And Mechanistic Implications, Manu Sebastian, Marie G. Gantz, Thomas Tobin, J. Daniel Harkins, Jeffrey M. Bosken, Charlie Hughes, Lenn R. Harrison, William V. Bernard, Dana L. Richter, Terrence D. Fitzgerald

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

During 2001, central Kentucky experienced acute transient epidemics of early and late fetal losses, pericarditis, and unilateral endophthalmitis, collectively referred to as mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). A toxicokinetic/statistical analysis of experimental and field MRLS data was conducted using accelerated failure time (AFT) analysis of abortions following administration of Eastern tent caterpillars (ETCs; 100 or 50 g/day or 100 g of irradiated caterpillars/day) to late-term pregnant mares. In addition, 2001 late-term fetal loss field data were used in the analysis. Experimental data were fitted by AFT analysis at a high (P < .0001) significance. Times to first abortion (“lag time”) and abortion rates were dose dependent. Lag times decreased and abortion rates increased exponentially with dose. Calculated dose × response data curves allow interpretation of abortion data in terms of “intubated ETC equivalents.” Analysis suggested that field exposure to ETCs in 2001 in central Kentucky commenced on approximately April 27, was initially equivalent to approximately 5 g of intubated ETCs/day, and increased to approximately 30 g/day at the outbreak peak. This analysis accounts for many aspects of the epidemiology, clinical presentations, and manifestations of MRLS. It allows quantitative interpretation of experimental and field MRLS data and has implications for the basic mechanisms underlying MRLS. The results support suggestions that MRLS is caused by exposure to or ingestion of ETCs. The results also show that high levels of ETC exposure produce intense, focused outbreaks of MRLS, closely linked in time and place to dispersing ETCs, as occurred in central Kentucky in 2001. With less intense exposure, lag time is longer and abortions tend to spread out over time and may occur out of phase with ETC exposure, obscuring both diagnosis of this syndrome and the role of the caterpillars.

Educating Adolescents About Puberty: What Are We Missing?, Hatim A. Omar, Darby H. Mcelderry, Rana M. Zakharia

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Adolescents undergo significant physical and cognitive changes during their pubertal development. These changes contribute to and impact their future development. Educating adolescents at an early age about their expected development decreases the possible anxiety associated with this period of life and also helps adolescents make better choices in regards to their sexuality. In order to assess the degree of education regarding pubertal development and sexuality, we conducted a survey of late adolescents (Median age 19 years) and parents of adolescents. A total of 409 adolescents (237 females, 172 males) and 124 parents completed the survey. 14.4% of teens (36.6% of …

Parenting Adolescents, Sandra L. D'Angelo, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The period of adolescence is often thought to be one of intense stress and turmoil. Yet many parents and teens negotiate this developmental stage without extreme family conflict and without sacrificing close relationships. This review summarizes a portion of the literature on parent-adolescent relationships, focusing on monitoring and control of adolescent behavior and parenting style. Basic principles to emphasize when working with adolescents and parents are also included.

Sex Education In The Schools: What Role Does It Play?, Darby H. Mcelderry, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Information regarding pubertal development, sex, pregnancy, and contraception should be provided to children and adolescents in an age-appropriate manner from parents, health care providers, and schools. This article reviews the medical literature on school sex education programs, adolescents' perception of these programs, and the role played by the media, parents, and health care professionals in sexual education of teens.

Family Connectedness And Sexual Risk-Taking Among Urban Youth Attending Alternative High Schools, Christine M Markham, Susan R Tortolero, S Liliana Escobar-Chaves, Guy S Parcel, Ronald Harrist, Robert C Addy

Journal Articles

CONTEXT: Youth in alternative high schools engage in risky sexual behavior at higher rates than do their peers in regular schools, placing themselves at an increased risk of sexually transmitted disease and unintended pregnancy. Family connectedness is associated with reduced adolescent sexual risk-taking, although this association has not been tested among alternative school youth.

METHODS: A sample of 976 urban, predominantly minority alternative high school students in Houston, Texas, were surveyed in 2000-2002. Survey data were analyzed using logistic regression to determine whether family connectedness is related to sexual risk-taking.

RESULTS: Overall, 68% of students reported ever having had sex. …

State Mandated Prenatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening At A Large Community Hospital, William Cusick, Julie G. Stewart, Michael Parry, Gavin Mcleod, Gerald Rakos, Chris Sullivan, John Rodis

Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: To describe the initial experience of state mandated prenatal HIV screening at a large community hospital.
Methods: HIV screening was provided to all pregnant women as of October 1, 1999. All HIV-positive women identified received aggressive antiretroviral therapy to reduce the likelihood for vertical transmission. Neonates were screened for HIV at zero, six, and 12 months of age.
Results: Seven pregnant women (0.3%) and two additional family members tested positive for HIV. All seven infants born to the identified HIV-positive women have tested negative for infection. We estimated that six of nine cases of HIV infection identified would have …

The Gamma-Subunit Of The Na-K-Atpase As A Potential Regulator Of Apical And Basolateral Na+-Pump Isozymes During Development Of Bovine Pre-Attachment Embryos., L C Barcroft, S E Gill, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Expression and activity of the Na-K-ATPase within the basolateral membrane domains of the trophectoderm epithelium provide the driving force for accumulation of Na(+) and Cl(-) across the nascent epithelium, mediating fluid movement into the forming blastocoel. Within the trophectoderm of the bovine blastocyst, multiple isozymes of the Na-K-ATPase are expressed. Immunolocalization has demonstrated that the alpha1-isozyme localizes within the basolateral membrane, whereas the alpha 3-isozyme localizes to the apical cell margins. Gene-specific RT-PCR and wholemount indirect immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to examine expression of the Na-K-ATPase gamma-subunit (a regulatory subunit of the Na-K-ATPase) throughout development of bovine …

Experimental Autoimmune Encephalitis And Inflammation In The Absence Of Interleukin-12, Burkhard Becher, Brigit G. Durell, Randolph J. Noelle

Dartmouth Scholarship

IL-12 is considered a critical proinflammatory cytokine for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). IL-12 is a heterodimer composed of a p35 subunit and a common p40 subunit shared by other cytokines. Both IL-12 p40^–/– and p35^–/– mice fail to produce IL-12 p70 heterodimer. However, in contrast to p40^–/– mice, p35^–/– mice are highly susceptible to the induction of EAE, establishing that IL-12 p70 is not essential for the development of EAE. When compared with wild-type mice, both p40^–/– and p35^–/– mice show deficiencies in primary …

Treatment With Soluble Interleukin-15ralpha Exacerbates Intracellular Parasitic Infection By Blocking The Development Of Memory Cd8+ T Cell Response, Imtiaz A. Khan, Magali Moretto, Xiao-Qing Wei, Martha Williams, Joseph D. Schwartzman, F Y. Liew

Dartmouth Scholarship

Interferon (IFN)-γ–producing CD8⁺ T cells are important for the successful resolution of the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii by preventing the reactivation or controlling a repeat infection. Previous reports from our laboratory have shown that exogenous interleukin (IL)-15 treatment augments the CD8⁺ T cell response against the parasite. However, the role of endogenous IL-15 in the proliferation of activated/memory CD8⁺ T cells during toxoplasma or any other infection is unknown. In this study, we treated T. gondii immune mice with soluble IL-15 receptor α (sIL-15Rα) to block the host endogenous IL-15. The treatment markedly reduced the ability …

Improved Continuation Rate Of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate In Adolescent Mothers, Hatim A. Omar, Amy Fowler, Sandy D'Angelo

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Poor compliance and high discontinuation rates of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) and other contraceptive methods are major factors in the continuing problem of adolescent pregnancy. In this study we attempted to determine if providing comprehensive health care for teen mothers and their babies would improve continuation rates of DMPA. Patients who started DMPA between 1/1/96 and 1/1/99 were included. Teen mothers and their babies received all their health care in this clinic, supported by State funding. Key elements regarding DMPA in this clinic were continuity of care, phone and mail reminders of appointments, free DMPA for patients without insurance, counseling at …

Effectiveness Of Current Therapy Of Bacterial Vaginosis, Petya M Andreeva, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The study was conducted in order to evaluate effectiveness of the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) with different therapeutic regimes according to recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). During a one-year period (February 2000-February 2001) the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Center was visited by 482 women aged 14-51. The diagnosis of BV was established by standard methods: Amsel's clinical criteria and Gram stain of vaginal discharge. The first-line treatment was oral Metronidazole 2 g single dose. Second line was Metronidazole 500 mg twice daily orally for 7 days or oral Clindamycin 300 mg twice daily for seven days. BV …

Breast Cancer On The World Wide Web: Cross Sectional Survey Of Quality Of Information And Popularity Of Websites., Funda Meric, Elmer V Bernstam, Nadeem Q Mirza, Kelly K Hunt, Frederick C Ames, Merrick I Ross, Henry M Kuerer, Raphael E Pollock, Mark A Musen, S Eva Singletary

Journal Articles

OBJECTIVES: To determine the characteristics of popular breast cancer related websites and whether more popular sites are of higher quality.

DESIGN: The search engine Google was used to generate a list of websites about breast cancer. Google ranks search results by measures of link popularity---the number of links to a site from other sites. The top 200 sites returned in response to the query "breast cancer" were divided into "more popular" and "less popular" subgroups by three different measures of link popularity: Google rank and number of links reported independently by Google and by AltaVista (another search engine).

MAIN OUTCOME …

A Preliminary Study On The Reliability Of Physical Performance Measures In Older Day-Care Center Clients With Dementia., Vince Salazar Thomas, Patricia A. Hageman

Journal Articles: Physical Therapy

BACKGROUND: Decline in physical functional ability is an intrinsic component of the dementia syndrome. Reductions in muscle mass and strength represent a major factor in the loss of functional ability Although resistance exercise has been studied as a method for maintaining/recovering function in populations of frail older adults, people with dementia have been systematically excluded because of uncertainty about the reliability of outcome measurements.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of a battery of established performance-based measures of strength and function among subjects with dementia.

SETTING: A hospital-affiliated adult day-care facility.

SUBJECTS: Twelve of …

Circulating Testosterone And Prostate-Specific Antigen In Nipple Aspirate Fluid And Tissue Are Associated With Breast Cancer., Edward R Sauter, David S Tichansky, Inna Chervoneva, Eleftherios P Diamandis

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Preliminary evidence has associated testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with breast cancer. Our objective was to determine whether a) testosterone levels in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF), serum, or breast tissue are associated with breast cancer; b) testosterone levels in serum are associated with levels in NAF; c) PSA in NAF, serum, or breast tissue is associated with breast cancer; and d) serum PSA is associated with NAF PSA levels. We obtained 342 NAF specimens from 171 women by means of a modified breast pump. Additionally, we collected 201 blood samples from 99 women and 51 tissue samples from 41 subjects …

Reduction In The Incidence Of Type 2 Diabetes With Lifestyle Intervention Or Metformin., William C. Knowler, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Sarah E. Fowler, Richard F. Hamman, John M. Lachin, Elizabeth A. Walker, David M. Nathan, P. G. Watson, J. T. Mendoza, K. A. Smith, J. Caro, B. Goldstein, C. Lark, L. Menefee, L. Murphy, C. Pepe, J. M. Spandorfer

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 8 percent of adults in the United States. Some risk factors--elevated plasma glucose concentrations in the fasting state and after an oral glucose load, overweight, and a sedentary lifestyle--are potentially reversible. We hypothesized that modifying these factors with a lifestyle-intervention program or the administration of metformin would prevent or delay the development of diabetes.

METHODS: We randomly assigned 3234 nondiabetic persons with elevated fasting and post-load plasma glucose concentrations to placebo, metformin (850 mg twice daily), or a lifestyle-modification program with the goals of at least a 7 percent weight loss and at least …

Retrospective Analysis Of Youth Evaluated For Suicide Attempt Or Suicidal Ideation In An Emergency Room Setting, Julie Hagedorn, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and a major contributor to morbidity in this age group. The objective of this study was to look at the demographics, major stressors and factors leading to attempting suicide as well as the methods of attempted suicide in adolescents admitted to two hospitals in a medium size city. Medical records were reviewed of adolescents admitted to two area hospitals for attempted suicide between 7/1/97-12/31/99. Coroner's data on completed suicide were also reviewed. In the study period a total of 287 persons aged 21 years or under were admitted for attempted …

Associations Between Water-Treatment Methods And Diarrhoea In Hiv-Positive Individuals, J. N. S. Eisenberg, T. J. Wade, A. Hubbard, D. I. Abrams, R. J. Leiser, S. Charles, M. Vu, S. Saha, C. C. Wright, Deborah A. Levy, P. Jensen, J. M. Colford

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

This manuscript extends our previously published work (based on data from one clinic) on the association between three drinking water-treatment modalities (boiling, filtering, and bottling) and diarrhoeal disease in HIV-positive persons by incorporating data from two additional clinics collected in the following year. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of drinking water patterns, medication usage, and episodes of diarrhoea among HIV-positive persons attending clinics associated with the San Francisco Community Consortium. We present combined results from our previously published work in one clinic (n = 226) with data from these two additional clinics (n = 458). In this combined analysis we …

Participant Blinding And Gastrointestinal Illness In A Randomized, Controlled Trial Of An In-Home Drinking Water Intervention, John M. Colford, Judy R. Rees, Timothy J. Wade, Asheena Khalakdina, Joan F. Hilton, Isaac J. Ergas, Susan Burns, Anne Benker, Catherine Ma, Cliff Bowen, Daniel C. Mills, Duc J. Vugia, Dennis D. Juranek, Deborah A. Levy

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

We conducted a randomized, triple-blinded home drinking water intervention trial to determine if a large study could be undertaken while successfully blinding participants. Households were randomized 50:50 to use externally identical active or sham treatment devices. We measured the effectiveness of blinding of participants by using a published blinding index in which values >0.5 indicate successful blinding. The principal health outcome measured was "highly credible gastrointestinal illness" (HCGI). Participants (n=236) from 77 households were successfully blinded to their treatment assignment. At the end of the study, the blinding index was 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.51-0.78). There were 103 episodes of …

Nipple Aspirate Cytology And Pathologic Parameters Predict Residual Cancer And Nodal Involvement After Excisional Breast Biopsy., E R Sauter, H Ehya, A Mammen, G Klein

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

We previously demonstrated that abnormal nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) cytology predicted residual breast cancer (RC) and tumour size after excisional biopsy (EB), although normal NAF cytology did not exclude RC. Tumour size correlates with the risk of lymph node (LN) metastases. LN metastases provide prognostic information allowing medical and radiation oncologists to determine the need for adjuvant therapy. We hypothesized that pathologic factors known after EB, combined with NAF cytology, would predict with a high degree of accuracy the presence of RC and LN spread. NAF cytology and pathologic parameters: tumour distance from biopsy margins, multifocal and multicentric disease, sub-type …

Anti-Class Ii Monoclonal Antibody-Targeted Vibrio Cholerae Tcpa Pilin: Modulation Of Serologic Response, Epitope Specificity, And Isotype, Jia-Yan Wu, Ronald K. Taylor, William F. Wade

Dartmouth Scholarship

Toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) is a colonization factor required for cholera infection. It is not a strong immunogen when delivered in the context of whole cells, yet pilus subunits or TcpA derivative synthetic peptides induce protective responses. We examined the efficacy of immunizing mice with TCP conjugated to anti-class II monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with or without the addition of cholera toxin (CT) or anti-CD40 MAb to determine if the serologic response to TcpA could be manipulated. Anti-class II MAb-targeted TCP influenced the anti-TCP peptide serologic response with respect to titer and isotype. Responses to TcpA peptide 4 were induced with class …

Evaluation Of Cholera Vaccines Formulated With Toxin-Coregulated Pilin Peptide Plus Polymer Adjuvant In Mice, Jia-Yan Wu, William F. Wade, Ronald K. Taylor

Dartmouth Scholarship

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The low efficacy of currently available killed-whole-cell vaccines and the reactinogenicity coupled with potential reversion of live vaccines have thus far precluded widespread vaccination for the control of cholera. Recent studies on the molecular nature of the virulence components that contribute to V. cholerae pathogenesis have provided insights into possible approaches for the development of a defined subunit cholera vaccine. Genetic analysis has demonstrated that the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) is the major factor that contributes to colonization of the human intestine by V. cholerae. In …

Sensitivity Of Bovine Blastocyst Gene Expression Patterns To Culture Environments Assessed By Differential Display Rt-Pcr., D R Natale, P A De Sousa, M E Westhusin, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

The use of culture media to support the development of preimplantation embryos to the blastocyst stage is often associated with detrimental effects on normal development. These effects have been uncovered largely by investigating the phenotypic abnormalities displayed by fetuses and newborns derived from cultured preimplantation embryos. Research to understand the impact of culture on the embryonic developmental programme has focused on embryo metabolism, gene expression and genomic imprinting. We have used differential display RT-PCR to examine culture influences on global transcript pools in bovine embryos. Others have examined culture influences on candidate "marker genes" in cultured murine, ovine and bovine …