Replacement of a cytosolic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase by a novel cytosolic manganese superoxide dismutase in crustaceans that use copper (haemocyanin) for oxygen transport.

The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, which uses the copper-dependent protein haemocyanin for oxygen transport, lacks the ubiquitous cytosolic copper-dependent enzyme copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,ZnSOD) as evidenced by undetectable levels of Cu,ZnSOD activity, protein and mRNA in the hepatopancreas (the site of haemocyanin synthesis) and gills. Instead, the crab has an unusual cytosolic manganese SOD (cytMnSOD), which is retained in the cytosol, because it lacks a mitochondrial transit peptide. A second familiar MnSOD is present in the mitochondria (mtMnSOD).

Bolbophorus damnificus n. sp. (Digenea: Bolbophoridae) from the channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos in the USA based on life-cycle and molecular data.

The common pathogenic prodiplostomulum metacercaria in the flesh, mostly near the skin, of pond-produced channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus has been demonstrated to be Bolbophorus damnificus Overstreet & Curran n. sp. The catfish acquires the infection from the snail Planorbella trivolvis, the only known first intermediate host, and the species is perpetuated through the American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, as confirmed by experimental infections with nestling and dewormed adult pelican specimens in conjunction with molecular data.

The paradigm that all oxygen-respiring eukaryotes have cytosolic CuZn-superoxide dismutase and that Mn-superoxide dismutase is localized to the mitochondria does not apply to a large group of marine arthropods.

The enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide radical, is present in the cytosol and mitochondria of all oxygen-respiring eukaryotes. The cytosolic form contains copper and zinc (CuZnSOD), whereas the mitochondrial form contains manganese (MnSOD). The latter protein is synthesized in the cytosol as a MnSOD precursor, containing an N-terminal mitochondrial-targeting sequence.

Value of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the private practice of allergy. Eight years experience: 1973-1981.

In private practice the majority of patients evaluated by allergists are truly atopic. To assess the clinical value of determining the serum level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in such patients the records of an individual private allergist were reviewed and all new patients were evaluated. Over an eight year period 7,000 new patients were seen and 5,500 measurements of IgE were performed.

The usefulness of transfer factor in asthma associated with frequent infections.

Fifteen patients underwent controlled trial with transfer factor for repeated infections and severe asthma. Marked decrease in respiratory infections and striking improvement in asthma resulted. The authors suggest that transfer factor may reconstitute immune function, thus representing a unique approach to severe asthma associated with frequent infections.

Atopic hypersensitivity to cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) and other platinum complexes.

Allergic reaction to an antitumor agent, cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (DDP) was investigated. A 15-year-old white male with pulmonary metastases from embryonal carcinoma of testis was treated with a combination of DDP, bleomycin, and vinblastine. The dose of DDP varied from 2 to 2.

Hypersensitivity dermatitis from American weeds other than poison ivy.

Although poison ivy is the most common cause of plant dermatitis, other weeds and plants can be incriminated. The lipid soluble plant material known as oleoresins has proved useful both for diagnosis and treatment.