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Notes: Summary. Data from the 1970 British Births survey were used to compare 1380 births conceived before marriage (women who were delivered less than 6 months after marriage) with 13845 births to women who had been married for at least 6 months before delivery. Infants in the premarital conception group were at increased risk because of maternal youth, primiparity and maternal health behaviour such as smoking. Once these factors had been taken into account there was no residual risk of perinatal death or low birthweight. There was a slight excess of preterm deliveries.

Notes: Summary. Information concerning 15037 singleton deliveries in 1970 showed that among the 3.5% where the male head of the household was unemployed there was no significant excess of low birthweight or pre-term delivery, once social class had been taken into account. There were major differences, however, in maternal health behaviour. In order to ascertain whether the health behaviour might be a consequence of the unemployment, data were also analysed for the 658 pregnancies in women whose husbands, though employed at delivery, were subsequently unemployed. Almost identical patterns were found, implying that the association with health behaviour was not a time-related consequence of unemployment.

Notes: Summary. Information concerning 15037 singleton deliveries in 1970 showed that among the 3.5% where the male head of the household was unemployed there was no significant excess of low birthweight or pre-term delivery, once social class had been taken into account. There were major differences, however, in maternal health behaviour. In order to ascertain whether the health behaviour might be a consequence of the unemployment, data were also analysed for the 658 pregnancies in women whose husbands, though employed at delivery, were subsequently unemployed. Almost identical patterns were found, implying that the association with health behaviour was not a time-related consequence of unemployment.

Notes: SYNOPSIS. The initial enzymatic reaction in the pathway of coenzyme A genesis from pantothenic acid, i.e., the conversion of pantothenic acid to phosphopantothenic acid catalyzed by pantothenic acid kinase, was found in extracts of avian erythrocytes but not in extracts of Plasmodium lophurae or intact parasites. The activity of the kinase was significantly higher in extracts prepared from normal duck erythrocytes than those infected with P. lophurae. The apparent absence of pantothenic acid kinase in P. lophurae is corroborative support for nutritional studies(7,9) which suggest that the avian malarial parasite is dependent for its supply of coenzyme A on the host cell.

Notes: We describe a new technique of intubation for use in difficult paediatric airway cases utilizing the laryngeal mask airway™, a Cook® Airway Exchange Catheter and a paediatric intubation fibrescope. This method has a number of potential advantages over previously described methods.

Notes: Seasonal changes In oocyte growth and plasma estradiol, testosterone, thyroid hormones and vitellogenin levels were monitored in three captive adult female orangemouth corvina Cynoscion xanthulus subjected to a condensed (8 mo) seasonal cycle of photoperiod and water temperature. Plasma concentrations of estradiol and testosterone began to rise when temperature increased to 28 C and photoperiod to 15 h light (midsummer conditions). This was accompanied by elevated circulating levels of vitellogenin and the appearance of vitellogenic oocytes (diameter 〉 100 μm). Estradiol concentrations and mean oocyte size increased concurrently during late summer conditions and were maximum during fall conditions, approximately 8 wk after the beginning of ovarian recrudescence. In contrast, plasma levels of thyroid hormones did not show any distinct seasonal changes. Gonadally recrudesced females contained several size classes of vitellogenic oocytes. Injection of these fish with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (LHRHa) caused maturation and spawning of the largest oocytes (mean diameter of follicles × 2500 μm). Another group of vitellogenic oocytes had been recruited into this size class by 2 wk after the end of spawning, which suggests that this species is capable of repeated spawning during the reproductive season. Injection of LHRHa resulted in increased plasma levels of gonadotropin and repeated spawning over several days. LHRHa-induced final oocyte maturation, ovulation and spawning were preceded by increases in plasma levels of two teleostean maturation-inducing steroids, 17α,20β, 21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20β-S) and 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17α,20β-P4). The results provide preliminary evidence that oocyte growth is stimulated in orangemouth corvina subjected to an abbreviated seasonal cycle in captivity under midsummer photoperiod and temperature conditions and is associated with seasonal increases in plasma estradiol concentrations and vitellogenin production. However, the relative importance of 20β-S versus 17α, 20β-P4 in the control of final oocyte maturation in this species could not be determined from the results of the present study.

Notes: This paper presents the findings from a small–scale experiment investigating the presentation of a synchronous remote electronic examination. It discusses the students’ experiences of taking such an examination. The study confirms that the majority of participants found the experience at least as good as a conventional written examination. In addition, typing answers does not prevent students from producing answers in the time available. However, the pressure of time continues to be a major cause of anxiety for students. The paper discusses technical issues, particularly those related to the loss of communications during the 3–hour duration of the exam. Although software processes were available to save and restore students’ answers throughout the examination, problems still occurred and more robust software is required.