A partially attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus induces host immunity that correlates with resistance to pathogenic virus challenge.

Three infectious, attenuated molecular clones of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) were tested for viral and host determinants of protective immunity. The viruses differed in degree of virulence from highly attenuated to moderately attenuated to partially attenuated. Levels of immune stimulation and antiviral immunity were measured in rhesus macaques inoculated 2 years previously with these viruses.

Glutathione transferase gene family from the housefly Musca domestica.

Three new glutathione transferase (GST) genes from the housefly Musca domestica are described. These genes, identified as MdGST-2, -3, and -4, were from cDNA clones obtained from a cDNA bank in phage lambda. The bank was prepared using poly(A)+ RNA from a housefly that is highly resistant to organophosphate insecticides because of enhanced expression of multiple members of the glutathione transferase gene family.

Human combinatorial autoantibodies and mouse monoclonal antibodies to PDC-E2 produce abnormal apical staining of salivary glands in patients with coexistent primary biliary cirrhosis and Sjögren's syndrome.

An increase in the incidence of Sjögren's syndrome in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis has been noted. Indeed, primary biliary cirrhosis has been described as a ductal disease with involvement not only of the biliary tract but of epithelial ductal cells in other organs. We have previously reported the development of a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies directed at PDC-E2, the major autoantigen of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Two-dimensional NMR characterization of the deoxymyoglobin heme pocket.

Traditionally, assigning the heme protein resonances has relied heavily on the comparison of spectra arising from protein reconstituted with specifically deuterated hemes and the native form. Such an approach can identify tentatively the broad, overlapping signals in the Fe(II) high-spin heme protein spectra. Although 2D NMR studies have reported alternative approaches to detect and assign paramagnetic signals, their effectiveness is limited primarily to Fe(III) low-spin systems and still depends upon isotopic labeling results to be definitive.

Multisite point-of-care potassium testing for patient-focused care.

In the past two decades, a dominant paradigm has been the main laboratory, which is often located far from the patient and characterized by slow response times. The invention of whole blood biosensors and the innovation of point-of-care testing have initiated a paradigm shift in diagnostic medicine that supports the trend toward patient-focused care. The objective of this study was to compare point-of-care potassium testing performed with a handheld potassium analyzer (STAT K, PDx Technologies Inc, Westlake Village, Calif) in the cardiac and intensive care units with potassium measurements obtained similarly in the main laboratory.

Overfeeding increases very low density lipoprotein diameter and causes the appearance of a unique lipoprotein particle in association with failed yolk deposition.

Structurally specific very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles are presumed to redirect VLDL uptake during yolk deposition. Egg production is an energy intensive process, but energy excess negatively affects egg production. This study sought to determine whether overfeeding changed hen lipoprotein profiles, and if so, whether changes were related to egg production.

Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharides on sulfated glycosaminoglycan metabolism and prostaglandin E2 synthesis in equine cartilage explant cultures.

The metabolic responses of equine articular cartilage to incubation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied, using explant cultures of articular cartilage obtained from the metatarsophalangeal joints of 15 horses, age of which ranged from 3 months to 20 years. For comparison, explants were also established from the metatarsophalangeal joints of 3 calves. Explants were cultured for 3 days in medium containing various concentrations of LPS from 0 (control) to 100 micrograms/ml.

Evaluation of a technique for detection of pulmonary hemorrhage in horses, using carbon monoxide uptake.

The diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the functional residual capacity (FRC) of the lung were measured in 5 healthy Thoroughbreds before and after instillation of autologous blood into their lungs, in an attempt to develop a method to quantitate extravascular blood in the lungs of horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Mean (+/- SD) baseline values of DLCO and FRC were 333.8 +/- 61.

Effect of isradipine on the formation and regression of fatty streaks in cholesterol fed rabbits.

Objective: The aim was to determine whether the antiatherogenic effect of the calcium channel blocker isradipine on fatty streak formation was dependent upon a temporal relationship between cholesterol feeding and administration of the drug.

Methods: The study was done in New Zealand White rabbits fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol (2.5% w/w) for three weeks.

Electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopy of the molybdenum center of xanthine oxidase.

The pulsed EPR technique of electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) has been utilized to examined both the 'very rapid' and 'desulfo inhibited' Mo(V) signals of xanthine oxidase in order to probe for magnetic interactions with nitrogen, phosphorus and hydrogen nuclei. No 14N modulation is observed in the 'desulfo inhibited' EPR signal, indicating that histidine is unlikely to be a ligand to molybdenum. Strong 14N modulation is observed in the 'very rapid' EPR signal formed with 2-hydroxy-6-methylpurine substrate bound to molybdenum.

Potential growth and control of Salmonella in Hispanic type soft cheese.

This study evaluated the growth and control of Salmonella serotypes in a soft Hispanic type cheese (Queso Fresco). Cheese was made in the laboratory using a commercial procedure and after inoculation it was stored under vacuum at temperatures ranging from 6 to 30 degrees C. The minimum temperature that allowed growth of Salmonella was 8 degrees C.

Alpha-helical hydrophobic polypeptides form proton-selective channels in lipid bilayers.

Proton translocation is important in membrane-mediated processes such as ATP-dependent proton pumps, ATP synthesis, bacteriorhodopsin, and cytochrome oxidase function. The fundamental mechanism, however, is poorly understood. To test the theoretical possibility that bundles of hydrophobic alpha-helices could provide a low energy pathway for ion translocation through the lipid bilayer, polyamino acids were incorporated into extruded liposomes and planar lipid membranes, and proton translocation was measured.

Myoglobin signal as an NMR tissue thermometer: implication for hyperthermia treatment of tumors.

Measuring local tissue temperature is critical in establishing a rational approach for hyperthermia treatment of tumors. We have found that the heme signals of myoglobin provide a unique basis for NMR thermometry in vivo. In particular the 5-methyl heme signal of MbCN exhibits a sharp, temperature-dependent resonance that is distinguishable in the tissue spectrum.

Splanchnic release of potassium after hemorrhage and succinylcholine in rabbits.

Recent clinical reports document that hyperkalemia may occur after succinylcholine (SCh) administration in hemorrhagic, acidotic humans. Hemorrhagic, acidotic rabbits are a useful model for study of this phenomenon because of profound hyperkalemia after SCh. To determine the etiology of this hyperkalemia, we anesthetized rabbits (n = 5, Group H) with halothane/N2O, and after endotracheal intubation, placed catheters in the femoral artery, femoral vein (FV), and inferior vena cava (IVC), the latter at or above the hepatic veins.

Determinants of infant feeding choices among southeast Asian immigrants in northern California.

Objective: This study documents obstacles to successful lactation among Southeast Asian women.

Design: We assessed the infant feeding practices of 65 Hmong and 57 Vietnamese women. The women were recruited and interviewed at clinics of the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and neighborhoods in northern California.

Tetanus in the horse: a review of 20 cases (1970 to 1990).

The case records of 20 horses with tetanus referred to the Ontario Veterinary College-Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1970 and 1990 were reviewed. The fatality rate was 75%. There was a strong association with previous vaccination and survival (P = .

Regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I and binding protein-3 expression in oMtla-oGH transgenic mice.

Growth hormone (GH)-transgenic mice provide a model for studying hormonal regulation of gene products responsible for efficient lean growth. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-3 (BP-3) are two products involved in mediating the growth promoting actions of GH. Mice carrying the ovine metallothionein la-ovine growth hormone (oMtla-oGH) transgene were used to study GH regulation of IGF-I and BP-3 expression because these mice do not exhibit elevated basal oGH levels without transgene stimulation by exogenous zinc.

Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on the neuromuscular blocking action of suxamethonium.

Prolonged neuromuscular block occurs when suxamethonium is given after neostigmine or pyridostigmine; however, studies of edrophonium and suxamethonium have yielded conflicting results. We have studied, therefore, interactions between suxamethonium and all three anticholinesterases in rats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone. After recovery from an initial bolus of suxamethonium, saline, edrophonium, pyridostigmine or neostigmine was administered and a second dose of suxamethonium was then given.

Characterization of the gene encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase in tomato.

A cDNA clone (DFR) encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase was identified from tomato hypocotyls. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence comparisons to Petunia hybrida, Antirrhinum majus and Zea mays DFR sequences confirmed that the cDNA encodes the structural DFR gene. In tomato, the DFR sequence appeared to be present as a single gene and mapped to a region on chromosome 2 near two loci affecting anthocyanin pigmentation, are and aw.

Consistency of sperm morphology classification methods.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently suggested new morphometric dimensions for normal sperm heads and new sperm head classification rules. These specifications differ from previous WHO methods and from the Kruger method for strict morphology assessment. We analyzed the WHO and Kruger sperm classification rules to determine their appropriateness as predictive linear models.

Effects of the beta-adrenergic agonist cimaterol on chicken muscle atrophy induced by stretch-release.

Thirty-eight White Leghorn chickens, 5 weeks of age, were used to investigate the effect of cimaterol on patagialis muscle (PAT) atrophy due to release of passive-stretch. Cimaterol (CIM) was mixed in a standard commercial chicken diet at 0.5 ppm.