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A trial was conducted to biochemically explain the decreased lipid deposition and increased protein accretion observed in pigs fed carnitine. Our hypothesis was that an increase in the ratio of acetyl CoA:CoA-SH produced by stimulation of fatty acid oxidation by supplemental L-carnitine may decrease branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase activity and increase pyruvate carboxylase activity. Such changes could reduce oxidative loss of branched-chain amino acids and provide more carbons for amino acid biosynthesis. Yorkshire gilts (n = 36; 12 per treatment) were fed a control diet or diets containing either 50 or 125 ppm of added L-carnitine during growth from 56 to 120 kg. After slaughter, the semitendinosus muscle and liver were collected for isolation of mitochondria and hepatocytes. Increasing dietary L-carnitine did not influence growth performance (P> 0.10) but linearly decreased (P < 0.05) 10th rib backfat thickness and increased (linear, P < 0.05) percentages of lean and muscle. The rates of [1-(14)G]palmitate oxidation in isolated hepatocytes and isolated mitochondria, and incorporation of [35S]methionine into the acid insoluble fraction of isolated hepatocytes were increased (linear, P < 0.01) in pigs fed L-carnitine. Flux through branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase linearly decreased (P < 0.01) in isolated liver and muscle mitochondria with increasing dietary carnitine. Flux through pyruvate carboxylase was increased (linear, P < 0.01) in isolated mitochondria from liver of pigs fed carnitine, and assays with particle-free extracts indicated that the amount of mitochondrial pyruvate carboxylase was tripled by feeding carnitine (linear, P < 0.01). The association of increased protein accretion and reduced backfat thickness with greater rates of palmitate oxidation, more rapid flux through pyruvate carboxylase, and reduced flux through branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase suggests pigs fed carnitine are more able to use fat for energy, divert carbon toward synthesis of amino acids, and spare branched-chain amino acids for protein synthesis.

This study provides an examination of violence occurring in the couple relationships of female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Participants were 240 low-income women, 113 of whom (47%) reported some history of CSA. Compared with non-sexually abused women, those who had experienced CSA reported that their couple relationships were more likely to have involved several severe forms of violence, including hitting, kicking, and beating. Comparisons of the directional patterns of partner violence revealed that a greater proportion of CSA survivors' relationships had involved at least one incident of both man-to-woman and woman-to-man aggression. An unexpected finding was that a significant number of all intimate relationships were reported by women to have involved one or more acts of woman-to-man violence only. Findings are discussed in the context of current knowledge about CSA and intimate partner violence; directions for future research are suggested.

This article reviews the evidence regarding the effects of parental death on children's acute and long-term psychoiogica~ adjustment, as well 8s the clinical l i e nturn describing intenrentions for bereaved families. The risk of adjustment difficulties for bereaved children has shown no consistent relation t o complications of grieving, but is instead iargely accounted for by an increased probability of inadequate u r e following the loss of a parent. The liierature describing interventions for bereaved families offen little formal evaluation, and reflects our incomplete understanding of children's grief responses, and thus of appropriate treatment goals. Further rosearch should focus on more molecuiar analysis of grief processes, including grief-related interactions between children and parents, and should take into account developmental variation in children's neods and experiences. The use of mukiple informants of child and parent behavior Is strongly recommended, and the unique contributions of longitudinal research in understanding children's adjustment t o loss are highlighted.

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