[Regional cerebral blood flow analysis by 133Xe intraarterial injection method. A comparison with cerebral infarction and cerebrovascular dementia]

Nine cases of cerebral infarction (cerebrovascular dementia 4 cases, hemiparesis 4, aphasia 1) were investigated by intraarterial 133Xe injection. Eight of the cases were male and one was female. Ages ranged from 38 to 72, with a mean age of 57.6 years. Two criteria were necessary for a diagnosis of cerebrovascular dementia: the presence of cerebrovascular disease and a score of less than 20 on Hasegawa's dementia scale. Cases of cerebrovascular dementia tended to have a lower mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) value on the white matter by two-compartmental analysis. Two of the five brain areas showed statistically significant differences. These results support the modern theory that cerebrovascular dementia appears as a result of a disturbance of the white matter. Cases of cerebrovascular dementia showed a lower mean CBF value with a coefficient of variance of regional distribution by height over area method. This showed that CBF values in cerebrovascular dementia were generally low and the range of values were narrow. In a comparison of regional CBF and cerebral angiographical findings, cases of cerebrovascular dementia tended to have a lower mean CBF value in proportion to the severity of angiographical findings. In addition, regional CBF showed a tendency to agree closely with angiographical findings.

Enhancement of Newcastle disease virus-induced fusion of mouse L cells by sodium vanadate

Sodium vanadate enhanced Newcastle disease virus (NDV)-induced cell fusion in L cells, and there was a direct correlation between the degree of cell fusion and the dose of vanadate added. When anti-F protein of NDV monospecific antiserum was added to the culture fluid of L cells infected with NDV, the enhancement of cell fusion was suppressed. In contrast, neither anti-HN nor anti-M protein monospecific antiserum inhibited the enhancement. Incubation at low temperature (4 C) and addition of sodium azide to the culture fluid suppressed the enhancement. The suppression by azide was seen only when the drug was added within 5 min after the beginning of incubation of NDV-infected L cells with vanadate. On the other hand, incubation at low temperature inhibited the enhancement at any time during incubation with vanadate. Cytochalasin D also inhibited the enhancement if it was added at any time during incubation with vanadate.

Carrier-mediated transport systems of tetraethylammonium in rat renal brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles

Transport of [3H]tetraethylammonium, an organic cation, has been studied in brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex. Some characteristics of carrier-mediated transport for tetraethylammonium were demonstrated in brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles; the uptake was saturable, was stimulated by the countertransport effect, and showed discontinuity in an Arrhenius plot. In brush-border membrane vesicles, the presence of an H+ gradient ( [H+]i greater than [H+]o) induced a marked stimulation of tetraethylammonium uptake against its concentration gradient (overshoot phenomenon), and this concentrative uptake was completely inhibited by HgCl2. In contrast, the uptake of tetraethylammonium by basolateral membrane vesicles was unaffected by an H+ gradient. Tetraethylammonium uptake by basolateral membrane vesicles was significantly stimulated by a valinomycin-induced inside-negative membrane potential, while no effect of membrane potential was observed in brush-border membrane vesicles. These results suggest that tetraethylammonium transport across brush-border membranes is driven by an H+ gradient via an electroneutral H+-tetraethylammonium antiport system, and that tetraethylammonium is transported across basolateral membranes via a carrier-mediated system and this process is stimulated by an inside-negative membrane potential.

Enzyme activities and sodium-dependent active D-glucose transport in apical membrane vesicles isolated from kidney epithelial cell line (LLC-PK1)

Apical membrane vesicles were isolated from the confluent LLC-PK1 cells by nitrogen cavitation and Mg/EGTA precipitation methods. The specific activities of marker enzymes for apical membranes were enriched 8- to 18-fold relative to those in the homogenate. D-[3H]Glucose uptake into the vesicles was stimulated in the presence of Na+ gradient (overshoot phenomenon), and the values of apparent Km and Vmax for Na+-dependent component of D-glucose uptake were 0.3 mM and 5.8 nmol/mg protein per min, respectively.

Carrier-mediated transport of cephalexin via the dipeptide transport system in rat renal brush-border membrane vesicles

Carrier-mediated transport of aminocephalosporin antibiotics by renal brush-border membrane vesicles has been studied in relation to the transport systems for dipeptides and amino acids. Dipeptides such as L-carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) and L-phenylalanylglycine competitively inhibited the uptake of cephalexin, but amino acids did not. Cephalexin uptake was stimulated by the countertransport effect of L-carnosine in the normal and papain-treated vesicles, and by the effect of L-phenylalanylglycine only in the papain-treated vesicles. In the papain-treated vesicles, the hydrolysis of dipeptides was markedly decreased, and the specific activity for cephalexin transport was increased approx. 2-fold because of the partial removal of membrane proteins. These results suggest that carrier-mediated transport of cephalexin can be transported by the system for dipeptides in renal brush-border membranes.

Characterization of the autoimmune antigenic determinant for ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibody

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes are antigens in various autoimmune diseases. The serological pattern of high titers of circulating antibody to nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antigen is a diagnostic marker for mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD); whereas antibody to Sm is prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both calf thymus and rabbit thymus are commonly used, excellent sources for preparation of the corresponding antigens RNP and Sm in clinical and research laboratories (A. M. Boak et al., accompanying paper). Thus, biochemical and structural characterization of the minimal antigenic determinant in these preparations is important for its use in the laboratory, as well as significant for understanding MCTD, SLE, and other examples of autoimmunity. Purification and biochemical analyses of immunologically active RNP from many different preparations of calf thymus extract has revealed that the majority of antibody in monospecific MCTD patient sera recognizes an antigen composed of the 165 nucleotide RNA, U1 RNA, and five peptides. Calf thymus U1 RNA was found to be identical in sequence to that of man. A sequence of 55 nucleotides within the 165 nucleotide RNA was the minimal RNA fragment found in RNP particles that were still immunologically active. Two of the RNP peptides react with patient sera monospecific for RNP and thus, are presumably the antigenic peptides complexed with the 55 nucleotide RNA sequence.

Computed radiography utilizing scanning laser stimulated luminescence

A new system of computed radiography that is based on new concepts and the latest computer technologies has been developed. This system eliminates the drawbacks of conventional screen-film radiography. The basic principle of the system is the conversion of the x-ray energy pattern into digital signals utilizing scanning laser stimulated luminescence (SLSL).

Detection of cellular receptors for Sendai virus in mouse tissue sections

We have established a method for detecting virus receptors in the tissue sections and have been able to clarify the distribution of cellular receptors for Sendai virus in various mouse organs, including trachea, esophagus, large intestine and cerebrum. The virus receptors were detected in ciliated cells of the trachea, as to be expected for a pneumotropic virus. The lamina propria and connective tissue of the mouse esophagus and large intestine, immediately under the epithelium, contained an abundance at virus receptors, but very few were detected in the epithelium of these organs. In mouse cerebrum, the cells lining the ventricles had a large number of virus receptors.

Carrier-mediated transport of amino-cephalosporins by brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex

The uptake of cephalosporin antibiotics by brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal cortex has been studied by a rapid filtration technique, demonstrating a carrier-mediated transport system for amino-cephalosporins such as cephalexin and cephradine. The antibiotics were taken up into an osmotically reactive intravesicular space. The uptake of cephalexin was saturable (apparent Km2.2 mM), was inhibited by structural analogues and sulfhydryl reagents, and was stimulated by the countertransport effect, although the Na+ gradient did not affect the uptake. This transport system was essentially different from the transport system for p-aminohippurate in brush border membranes. The uptake properties for cephradine in brush border membrane vesicles appeared to be similar to those for cephalexin. The present results suggest the existence of a carrier-mediated transport system for amino-cephalosporins in brush border membranes. This system may be a part of the mechanism of tubular reabsorption of these antibiotics.

Auricular chromomycosis

Chromomycosis, a relatively uncommon infection caused by a variety of dematiaceous fungi, eg, Phialophora verrucosa, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, Fonsecaea compacta, Cladosporium carrionii, Rhinocladiella aquaspersa, and Cladophialophora ajelloi, reflects a spectrum of disease ranging from an usually localized cutaneous form to rare visceral involvement. The cutaneous form has been reported to involve almost any site on the body surface. However, the lesions are usually confined to the extremities, face, or buttocks; other parts of the body are rarely affected. We report a case of chromomycosis that involved the auricle.

Mechanisms of p-aminohippurate transport by brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex

The uptake of [3H]-labeled p-aminohippurate by brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from rat renal cortex has been studied by a rapid filtration technique. Some characteristics of carrier-mediated transport for p-aminohippurate were demonstrated in basolateral membrane vesicles: the uptake was inhibited by probenecid or 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (DIDS), was saturable, was stimulated by the countertransport effect, and showed discontinuity in the Arrhenius plot. In contrast, brush-border membrane vesicles failed to display saturability of p-aminohippurate uptake and stimulation by the countertransport effect, although probenecid and DIDS reduced the uptake. Furthermore, p-aminohippurate uptake by brush-border membrane vesicles was influenced more sensitively by alteration in the membrane potential compared with that by basolateral membrane vesicles.

Heat-induced blebbing and vesiculation of the outer membrane of Escherichia coli

Thermal damage to the outer membrane of Escherichia coli W3110 was studied. When E. coli cells were heated at 55 degrees C in 50 mM Tris-hydrochloride buffer at pH 8.0, surface blebs were formed on the cell envelope, mainly at the septa of dividing cells. Membrane lipids were released from the cells during the heating period, and part of the released lipids formed vesicle-like structures from the membrane. This vesicle fraction had a lipopolysaccharide to phospholipid ratio similar to that of the outer membrane of intact cells, whereas it had a lower content of protein than the isolated outer membrane. After heating bacterial cells at 55 degrees C for 30 min, the resulting leakage from the cells of a periplasmic enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, amounted to 52% of the total activity, whereas no release of a cytoplasmic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, was detected. The results obtained suggest that surface blebs formed by heat treatment almost completely consist of the outer membrane and that the blebs may be gradually released from the cell surface into the heating menstruum to partially form vesicles.

Comparative studies on the distribution mode of orthomyxo-virus and paramyxo-virus receptor possessing cells in mice and birds

Many experimental studies have shown that orthomyxo- and para-myxoviruses may be pneumotropic, but not enterotropic in mammals. On the other hand, these viruses are both pneumotropic and enterotropic in avian species. We have devised a new method for detecting virus receptor possessing cells (VRPC) in tissue sections. VRPC could be detected in the cells lining the airways of both mice and birds. The mode of distribution of VRPC in mouse digestive system differed remarkedly from that in avian digestive system. VRPC were not found in the epithelium of mouse digestive systems whereas the epithelium of bird digestive system were abundant in VRPC. When the large intestines from mice or duck undergoing laparotomy and inoculated directly into intestine with influenza virus were examined, viral antigen was detected in the epithelial cell of duck colon, but not in mouse intestines. From the study utilizing the new method, it could be concluded that the distribution mode of VRPC is one of the most important factors determining the virus tissue specificity.

[Behavioral effects of flutoprazepam (KB-509) and its metabolites]

The behavioral effects of KB-509 and its metabolites were investigated and compared with those of diazepam in mice and rats. The locomotor activity of mice measured by an Animex test was decreased with relatively large doses of KB-509 and diazepam. The anticonflict effect of KB-509 in rats was approximately as potent as that of diazepam. The lever pressing responses in the unpunished period were reduced by diazepam at a dose of 50 mg/kg p.o., while they were not affected by KB-509 even at a large dose such as 100 mg/kg p.o. KB-509 inhibited conditioned avoidance responses of the rat in a shuttle box at an extremely large dose such as 1000 mg/kg p.o. This effect of KB-509 was much less potent than that of diazepam. KB-509 was more potent than diazepam in inhibiting footshock-induced fighting behavior in mice. KB-509 and diazepam prevented maximal electroshock, pentetrazol, and strychnine induced convulsions in mice. KB-509 was more potent than diazepam in potentiating barbital anesthesia, in impairing rotarod performance, and in muscle relaxant activity measured by a traction test in mice. The pharmacological activity of desalkyl-KB-509 was more potent than that of KB-509 and that of desalkyl-3-OH-KB-509 was approximately as potent as that of KB-509. These results indicate that KB-509 possesses pharmacological properties similar to that of diazepam, and it is slightly greater in potency and is much longer in duration of action than diazepam.

The interaction of cephalosporin antibiotics with renal cortex of rats: accumulation to cortical slices and binding to purified plasma membranes

The interaction of cephalosporin antibiotics with renal cortex of rats has been examined in vitro by means of cortical slice uptake and binding assay to plasma membranes and other subcellular fractions, including the comparative study with p-aminohippurate. The uptakes of cephalexin and cephaloridine by cortical slices were concentrative, and were strongly inhibited in the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol, ouabain, nitrogen gas and probenecid. In the case of cefazolin, the degree of concentrative uptake and influence of inhibitors were low. Cephalexin, cephaloridine and p-aminohippurate specifically bound to the basolateral membranes, compared to brush border membranes and other subcellular fractions. Cefazolin binding to basolateral membranes was relatively small. These results suggest that the specificity of cephalexin and cephaloridine bindings to the basolateral membranes could be related to the interaction with the organic acid transport system at the antiluminal side. Thus, an examination of cephalosporin interaction with plasma membranes from renal cortex could offer an appropriate in vitro model system to study the renal transport of these antibiotics.

A simple method for the isolation of basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat kidney cortex. Enzyme activities and some properties of glucose transport

A procedure for preparing basolateral membrane vesicles from rat renal cortex was developed by differential centrifugation and Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and the uptake of D-[3H] glucose into these vesicles was studied by a rapid filtration technique. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, the marker enzyme for basolateral membranes, was enriched 22-fold compared with that found in the homogenate. The rate of D-glucose uptake was almost unaffected by Na+ gradient (no overshoot).

Tris-induced cross-linking of thylakoid peptides; thiol oxidation catalyzed by Tris-Cu2+ complexes as a possible mechanism

After Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane[Tris buffer]-treatment cross-linking of the chloroplast thylakoid peptides of 11, 13, 18, 43, 55, and 87 kdaltons was observed on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Tris-induced disulfide formation was suggested by the decrease of thiol groups of the chloroplast thylakoids in Tris medium at pHs above 8. In addition to the finding that Tris coordinates to Cu2+ in the forms of Tris-Cu2+ and Tris2-Cu2+ whose successive stability constants are 5.78 x 10(3) M-1 and 4.46 x 10(6) M-2, respectively, it was observed that Tris-Cu2+ complexes catalyze cysteine oxidation. Sinc release of copper from the chloroplast thylakoids is enhanced by increasing the concentration of Tris, oxidation of thiols by Tris-Cu2+ complexes formed in chloroplast thylakoids is a possible mechanism for the cross-linking of chloroplast thylakoid peptides.

[Behavioral and electroencephalographic effects of alprazolam and its metabolites (author's transl)]

The behavioral and electroencephalographic effects of alprazolam and its metabolites were investigated in mice, rats and rabbits, and compared with the data on diazepam, lorazepam and nitrazepam. Locomotor activity of mice in an open-field situation was increased with smaller doses of alprazolam and nitrazepam but not with diazepam and lorazepam. Alprazolam increased the hyperactivity induced by methamphetamine in mice. The anticonflict effects of alprazolam in rats were more potent than those of diazepam and lorazepam. In suppressing hyperemotionality and muricide of olfactory bulbectomized rats, alprazolam was more potent than diazepam and fairly equal to that of lorazepam. Muricide of raphe-lesioned rats was markedly inhibited by alprazolam. Mescaline-induced head-twitches in mice were more markedly increased with alprazolam than with nitrazepam and diazepam. Alprazolam, diazepam and lorazepam prevented both maximal electroshock and pentetrazol convulsions in mice. Alprazolam was more potent than diazepam and lorazepam in potentiating thiopental, ether and ethanol anesthesia in mice. In the impaired rotarod performance, alprazolam was more potent than diazepam and lorazepam in mice, but was much less potent than diazepam and lorazepam in mice, but was much less potent than lorazepam in rats. In conscious rabbits with chronically implanted electrodes, alprazolam induced a drowsy EEG pattern and depressed the EEG arousal response not only to auditory stimulation but also to mesencephalic reticular stimulation. The EEG effect of alprazolam was approx. twice that of diazepam. The pharmacological activity of alpha-hydroxyalprazolam was approx. one third that of alprazolam. However, 5-chloro-2-(3-hydromethyl-5-methyl-4H-1, 2,4-triazolo-4-yl) benzophenone showed no pharmacological activity. These results indicate that alprazolam possesses pharmacologic properties characteristic to benzodiazepines and that the activity is more potent than diazepam. In addition, alprazolam seems to have a specific effect on the central serotonergic mechanisms.

Natural interferon-producing cells in mice

When mouse lymphoid cells derived from untreated C57BL/6 mice were cocultivated in liquid cultures with L-cell monolayers for 3 h, overlaid with soft agar, and then further incubated for 12 h, protected foci of L cells against vesicular stomatitis virus infection were formed. Many strains of mice have been found to have the protected focus-forming cells on the L-cell monolayers. The formation of the protected foci was completely suppressed by addition of cycloheximide into soft agar. When anti-interferon (type I) antiserum was added to soft agar, there was a decrease in focus counts of about 80%. These experimental results indicated that the formation of protected foci by untreated mouse lymphoid cells was mediated for the most part by type I interferon that was produced without addition of special inducer. We have designated these focus-forming cells as natural interferon-producing cells (NIPC). NIPC belong to the glass-adherent fraction, and Thy-1 antigen, immunoglobulin, and Ia antigen could not be detected on the surface of the NIPC. NIPC were detected in congenitally athymic nude mice. These findings suggest that NIPC belong to the Ia-negative macrophages. Mouse lymphoid cells obtained from germfree mice could form the protected foci on L-cell monolayers and could produce interferon without the addition of a special inducer. NIPC are considered to be a cellular background for spontaneous interferon production.

Anoderm-preserving hemorrhoidectomy

A newly-devised anoderm-preserving, semiclosed method of hemorrhoidectomy is described. The method has been applied to 1,030 patients with satisfactory results.

Generation and maintenance of immune interferon-producing cells induced by allogeneic stimulation in mice

When spleen cells derived from C57BL/6 mice immunized with L cells 7 days previously were cocultured with antigenic cells, immune interferon appeared in the culture fluid. We analyzed the tissue distribution of the immune interferon-producing cells (IIPC) which appeared in various lymphoid organs after allogeneic stimulation. Although fluid from cocultures of L-cell-sensitized thymocytes and L-cells could not detect interferon activity consistently, small numbers of IIPC could be detected by using the enumeration method of IIPC. The generation, maintenance, and nature of IIPC emerging in the spleen were different depending on how the host mice were immunized. Multiple antigenic stimulations were more effective and induced longer-lasting immune interferon production than a single stimulation. IIPC induced by a single stimulation appeared to be sensitive to cortisone, vinblastine, and cyclophosphamide and were relatively short lived. In contrast, IIPC induced by multiple stimulations seemed to be partially resistant to these drugs and long lived. When mice were immunized with intact L-cells, carrageenan, a known antimacrophage agent, had no effect on immune interferon production. However, when mice were immunized with solubilized L-cell antigen, this drug displayed a suppressive effect on immune interferon production.

Mutation induced by drying of Escherichia coli on a hydrophobic filter membrane

Drying of Escherichia coli to a required cellular water level was conducted on a hydrophobic membrane at the corresponding relative humidity. Mutation from an arginine auxotroph to the prototroph was induced by drying to a water activity (aw) of 0.53 and below, but not to an aw of 0.75 and above. The critical aw below which mutation occurred in the course of drying was similar to that for induction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand breakage in the bacteria. Some ultraviolet or gamma-irradiation-sensitive strains, e.g., strains of carrying recA, recB, and uvrA recA were more sensitive to drying than the wild-type strains or strains carrying uvrA and polA. The DNA strand breakage of every strain was observed to be to a similar extent after drying to an aw of less than 0.53. The drying-resistant strains repaired the damaged DNA partially during postdrying incubation in a growth medium but not in phosphate buffer solution, while the drying-sensitive strains could not at all. Significant mutation on drying occurred in the wild-type strains, strains carrying uvrA and polA, but not in strains carrying recA. It is, therefore, concluded that the mutation is caused by errors in rec-dependent repair of the drying-induced breakage in DNA.

Purification and biochemical characterization of nuclear ribonucleoprotein antigen using purified antibody from serum of a patient with mixed connective tissue disease

We have achieved a high degree of purification of nuclear ribonucleoprotein antigen from calf thymus nuclear extract through antibody affinity chromatography. Antibody to nuclear ribonucleoprotein was purified from the serum of a patient with mixed connective tissue disease and Sepharose 4B was covalently coupled with the purified human antibody. The sodium thiocyanate eluate from the affinity column contained active ribonucleoprotein antigen and the specific activity of the antigen in this eluate was 488 times higher than the original nuclear extract. The protein component of the eluate consisted of six polypeptides determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two of them were shown to be antigenic by a hemagglutination inhibition test. The molecular weights of these two peptides were approximately 13,000 and those of the other four were 13,000, 13,000, 30,000, and 65,000. The ribonucleic acid component of the eluate was shown by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to contain five polynucleotides. Two of the five, estimated to contain 40 and 60 nucleosides, had antigenic activity. The other three polynucleotides which had more than 77 nucleosides had no antigenic activity. No modified nucleosides were found in these ribonucleic acid molecules. Even in this highly purified ribonucleoprotein antigen, Sm antigen was detected by immunodiffusion. This evidence indicated that there are some molecular associations between ribonucleoprotein and Sm antigens as has previously been suggested.

Enumeration of immune interferon-producing cells induced by allogeneic stimulation

We succeeded in enumerating interferon-producing cells induced by allogeneic stimulation, and proved that they were indeed T lymphocytes. The peak level of these cells in spleen was attained on day 5 after immunication, was maintained for about 2 days, and declined thereafter. Titers of interferon produced in vitro by sensitized spleen cells were maximum on day 7. This suggests that the maturation of immune interferon-producing cells follows cell proliferation after antigen stimulation.

Characterization of altered BHK cells resistant to HVJ (Sendai virus) infection

An altered baby hamster kidney cell culture which resists the c.p.e. of HVJ (haemagglutinating virus of Japan - the Sendai strain of parainfluenza I virus) has been obtained and characterized. These cells, designated BHK-R, were originally obtained by prolonged cultivation of cells surviving HVJ infection; they have been subcultured in the presence of HVJ. No infectious virus was recovered from BHK-R cells and no evidence for the presence of HVJ antigens in the cells was demonstrated by immunofluorescent staining. When BHK-R cells were inoculated with HVJ the growth of challenge virus was suppressed and no obvious cytopathic changes were detected, while these cells normally supported the replication of mumps, influenza, Newcastle disease, vesicular stomatitis or Sindbis viruses. BHK-R cells became susceptible to HVJ infection after serial subculture in growth medium free of HVJ. It was suggested that sialic acid residues present in the surface of BHK-R cell membranes and responsible for adsorption of HVJ were split off by the action of neuraminidase of virus particles, resulting in inhibition of the attachment of challenge virus of HVJ.

Protection of mice against virulent virus infection by a temperature-sensitive mutant derived from an HVJ (Sendai virus) carrier culture

Experimental infection with HVJ (haemagglutinating virus of Japan-the Sendai strain of parainfluenza 1 virus) in mice was studied. Aerosol infection of newborn mice with the wild-type virus (HVJ-W) retarded the development of body weight and killed the animals within a few weeks. Large amounts of virus were isolated from both the lungs and the nasal turbinates of infected mice. In contrast, newborn mice exposed by inhalation to a temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant (HVJ-pB) derived from an HVJ carrier culture showed no clinical signs and grew equally well as mock-infected animals. No infectious virus could be recovered from the lungs although the ts mutant grew to moderate titre in the nasal turbinates. The prior inoculation of newborn mice with the ts mutant virus induced a state of significant resistance to subsequent challenge with the virulent wild-type virus. No replication of challenge virus in both lungs and nasal turbinates could be detected and the animals were protected a lethal infection. It is suggested that an avirulent temperature-sensitive mutant which has lost the capacity to replicate in the lower respiratory tract but is still capable of multiplying in the nasal turbinates may be a promising candidate for use in live vaccines especially against the infectious disease of the lower respiratory tract.

Deoxyribonucleic acid strand breaks during drying of Escherichia coli on a hydorohobic filter membrane

Cells of Escherichia coli mounted on a hydrophobic filter membrane were dried under various vapor pressures. A mutant defective in deoxyribonucleic acid repair (uvrA recA) was more sensitive to drying at a water activity of 0.53 or below than the parent strain but not at a water activity of 0.75 and above. Sucrose gradient studies showed that single- and double-strand breaks of deoxyribonucleic acid occurred at a water activity of 0.53 or below, but no breaks could be observed at a water activity of 0.75 or above. These results were observed in all cells rehydrated with 0.03 M tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane-hydrocholoride buffer solution at 0 or 37 degrees C, in the presence or absence of oxygen, with saturated water vapor or with a hypertonic solution followed by a gradual dilution. Freezable water was detected in the cells only at a water activity above 0.75 by differential scanning calorimetry. Removal of unfreezable water of cells in the drying, therfore, might induce deoxyribonucleic acid strand breaks.

The analysis of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme using 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate as substrate on a cellulose acetate membrane

A new procedure is established for the analysis of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes. The electrophoretic separation on cellulose acetate membrane coupled with the detection of alkaline phosphatase activity with 4-methyl-umbelliferyl phosphate as a substrate is described. The proposed method would be useful for the analysis of sample of micro-scale quantities and low activities.

Examination of latent infection in germfree mice for some murine viruses

Sera from some groups of germfree mice were examined for reactivity against Sendai, reo 3, Theiler's GD VII, ectromelia, and mouse hepatitis virus antigens. Of 51 sera collected in September and October 1976 and in August and September 1977 from one germfree mouse breeding colony, there was no positive reaction against all the antigens tested. Moreover, the attempt of virus isolation from homogenates of various organs including lungs, liver, kidneys, and intestines of 6 germfree mice was unsuccessful.