Role of envelope glycoproteins of bovine respiratory syncytial virus in cell fusion.

To investigate the requirements for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) cell fusion, the fusion (F), the attachment (G) and the small hydrophobic (SH) glycoproteins were expressed individually or coexpressed, using the vaccinia virus-T7 polymerase transient expression system. The contribution of individual glycoproteins in cell fusion was studied by a reporter gene activation assay. Activation of a reporter gene, beta-galactosidase, was assessed by colorimetric assay of detergent cell lysates or by in situ staining.

Mapping the domains on the phosphoprotein of bovine respiratory syncytial virus required for N-P interaction using a two-hybrid system.

Specific interactions between the nucleocapsid protein (N) and the phosphoprotein (P) of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) have been investigated using a yeast-based two-hybrid system. Plasmids encoding the yeast GAL4 DNA binding domain fused with the N gene and GAL4 activation domain fused with the P gene were cotransfected into competent yeast cells. The ability of the N and P proteins to interact in vivo was measured by activation of the lacZ reporter gene by the GAL4 transactivation region.

Genetic analysis of aquareoviruses using RNA-RNA blot hybridization.

The relative mobility of the 11 dsRNA genomic segments of 19 Aquareovirus isolates from fish and shellfish were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This study revealed distinct variations of electrophoretic profiles (electropherotypes) of many aquareovirus isolates. No correlation was observed between the electropherotype and the species from which the isolates were obtained, but there was correlation with the geographic site of isolation.

Sequence variability of the glycoprotein gene of bovine respiratory syncytial virus.

Sequence variation in the attachment glycoprotein G of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) was determined. The nucleotide sequences of the G mRNAs of the A51908, VC464 and FS-1 strains of BRSV were compared with the published sequence of the BRSV strain 391-2. Nucleotide sequence alignment showed that overall they are highly conserved, with 90 to 97% identity.

Chick embryo exposure to carbamates alters neurochemical parameters and behavior.

Recent evidence has shown that exposure to pesticides can lead to long-term neurophysiological and functional deficits. We have demonstrated previously that locomotion in chicks exposed to some organophosphates and carbamates could be altered persistently without concomitant central or peripheral esterase inhibition. Furthermore, histopathology of the ataxic chickens showed no lesions in either the central or peripheral systems.

Toxicology of carbaryl and aldicarb on brain and limb cultures of chick embryos.

A variety of carbamates have been developed since the 1960s for use as broad-spectrum insecticides. An easy and inexpensive in vitro assay using chick-embryo derived cells was examined for its capability to screen and test the toxicity of these compounds. Chick embryo brain and limb bud cultures were treated with different concentrations of either carbaryl or aldicarb with or without activation (+/- S-9) for 5 days.

Superoxide dismutases of virulent and avirulent strains of Brucella abortus.

Extracts of Brucella abortus strains 2308,RB51,45/20 and ST 19 had no significant differences in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity as measured by the epinephrine assay. These B. abortus strains represent smooth, intermediate and rough colony forms.

Effects of in ovo injection of carbamates on chick embryo hatchability, esterase enzyme activity and locomotion of chicks.

Carbaryl and aldicarb, two carbamate pesticides used extensively throughout the United States, are known to act as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. We have demonstrated previously that exposure to carbaryl and aldicarb in young chicks caused persistent locomotion alterations with no correlation to esterase inhibition. In this study, we investigated the effects of these carbamates when injected in ovo to chick embryos, at two time periods (days 5 and 15) during incubation.

Gastric and cardiac organoprotection by lidocaine.

The concept of cytoprotection has been applied to many tissues afforded protection by drugs or endogenous chemicals against organelle, cyto- or histopathologic damage. We review here the "organoprotection" by lidocaine in rats and dogs as appraised by in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments with the stomach and heart, and as revealed at organelle to organ functional levels. Gastric mucosal lesions induced by 80% ethanol with 100 mM HCl on the ex vivo rat stomach were significantly reduced by lidocaine (2.