Neutralizing antibody prevents type D retrovirus viremia in Celebes black macaques

The Celebes black macaque (Macaca nigra) colony at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center has a high incidence of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS-RF) that may be caused by type D retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2). During the spring and autumn screening of the colony, seven monkeys previously aviremic were found to be viremic on the basis of the Raji co-culture assay. These monkeys and control groups were selected for further study, which included titration of neutralizing antibody activity and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) activity before and at the time that the animals became viremic. Results indicated that neutralizing antibody was not present before or at the time that monkeys became viremic and that control monkeys who were IFA+ and did not become viremic had high levels of neutralizing antibody. The IFA titre did not change significantly or predictably at the time the animals became viremic.

Neutralizing antibody in Celebes black macaques recovering from infection with simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome retrovirus type 2

Neutralizing antibodies that block the ability of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2) to induce syncytium formation in cultures of Raji cells have been found in the serum of nonviremic Celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra). Serum from Celebes macaques that are viremic have little or no neutralizing activity. The neutralizing antibodies were shown to block viral infectivity. The group of monkeys with neutralizing antibodies in their serum exhibited a dramatic improvement in their health from 1982 to 1984. The correlation of neutralizing antibodies with clinical improvement suggests that neutralizing antibodies may play a critical role in limiting the pathogenic effects of SAIDS retrovirus infection and in helping eliminate the infection.

Relationship of mitogen reactivity to type D retrovirus infection in Celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra)

The Celebes black macaque (Macaca nigra) colony at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center has a high incidence of an immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by recurrent diarrhea and the development of retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF). We have examined the relationship of type D viral infection to the immunodeficiency syndrome by surveying the colony for viral infection and for mitogen reactivity. Type D virus-positive monkeys (28% of the colony) have a higher prevalence of diarrhea, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and weight loss than do virus-negative monkeys, and RF has been found to occur only in virus-positive animals. Comparison of the concanavalin A (con-A) and phytohemagglutinin reactivities of the virus-positive and -negative populations has revealed no significant difference. However, within the virus-positive population, those with RF have reduced con-A reactivity and there are both high and low mitogen responders in the groups lacking RF. Thirty-two percent of the virus-positive monkeys are free of clinical symptoms, 40% have clinical symptoms but no RF, and 27% have clinical symptoms and RF. Five of the six monkeys with RF are older than the RF-free monkeys but monkeys are susceptible to type D retrovirus infection regardless of age or sex. The progressive nature of this immunodeficiency syndrome, its broad age range, and the probability that the etiological agent is also a type D retrovirus and the similarity of RF to Kaposi's sarcoma make this a potentially useful model for human AIDS.

Distribution of type D retrovirus sequences in tissues of macaques with simian acquired immune deficiency and retroperitoneal fibromatosis

Horizontally acquired SAIDS retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2), a type D retrovirus related to the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, has been associated with the simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) including retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF) in several macaque species at two primate research centers. Virus specific gene sequences are present in lymphoid and RF tissues but not in muscle tissue of diseased macaques or in any tissues of uninfected normal monkeys. Serologic and restriction endonuclease mapping techniques have defined unique SRV-2 strains in the Celebes (SRV-2C) and rhesus (SRV-2R) macaques at the Oregon Regional Primate Center, SRV-2 is related to both MPMV and SAIDS type 1 retroviruses and it has no detectable molecular homology with the human AIDS retroviruses.

Association of SAIDS/RF-related signs with current or past SAIDS type 2 retrovirus infection in a colony of Celebes black macaques

The 83 members of the Celebes black macaque (Macaca nigra) colony were screened for viremia with simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) type 2 retrovirus and antibodies against the retrovirus. On the basis of this screening, the Celebes colony was divided into four groups: retrovirus-positive/seropositive (virus+/Ab+); retrovirus-negative/seropositive (virus-/Ab+); retrovirus-positive/seronegative (virus+/Ab-); and retrovirus-negative/seronegative (virus-/Ab-). Monkeys in the virus+/Ab+ group displayed more major clinical signs and required medication more times than monkeys in the other groups. In contrast, monkeys in the virus-/Ab- group had fewer health problems than monkeys in the other groups. The five monkeys that had surgically confirmed retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF), palpable abdominal masses, or both, were in the virus+/Ab+ group. Some of the monkeys in groups with current or past retrovirus infection were well clinically. There were no statistically significant differences in the mitogen reactivities of mononuclear cells obtained from monkeys of the different groups.

Influence of estrogen levels on anticholinergic activity of tricyclic antidepressives

Anticholinergic activity of a number of tricyclic antidepressives and nomifensine was demonstrated and their order of affinity for the cholinergic receptors of rat jejunum was determined. The influence of ethinyl estradiol and a conjugated estrogen product, Premarin on the binding of several tricyclic antidepressives to the hepatic mixed function oxidase system was investigated. The influence of these steroids on the metabolism of the antidepressives was evaluated and ethinyl estradiol was shown to have a marked influence on the metabolism of the antidepressives studied, while conjugated estrogens were shown to have little effect.

Virus-associated deficiencies in the mitogen reactivity in celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra)

Celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra) with a history of diabetes mellitus, recurrent bacterial and protozoal infections, diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, anorexia, and a high mortality were studied to determine their immune status. Two groups of monkeys, healthy and unhealthy, were formed on the basis of a clinical assessment. The proliferative response and the pokeweed-mitogen-induced polyclonal IgG response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of unhealthy monkeys were significantly less than the responses of healthy monkeys. The percentage of HLA-DR+ cells varied greatly in unhealthy monkeys. The OKT4/OKT8 ratios of unhealthy monkeys were generally greater than the ratios of healthy monkeys. Unhealthy monkeys usually had smaller percentages of OKT8+ cells than did healthy monkeys. The two groups of monkeys were examined for the presence of a syncytial forming retrovirus by a coculture assay involving Raji cells, a human B lymphoblastoid cell line. A type D retrovirus was detected in the unhealthy group but not in the healthy group. Retroperitoneal fibromatosis was detected in several monkeys in the unhealthy group.

Developmental differences in empathy with a television protagonist's fear

An experiment was conducted to determine whether children at different ages (3-5 vs 9-11) differ in their tendency to share the emotion of a television character. Subjects were shown a videotape of either a frightening stimulus alone or a character's fear in response to a threatening stimulus that was suggested rather than shown directly. Contrasting predictions were made based on a cognitive-developmental view of the process of empathy vs an automatic conception. Both self-reported emotional reactions and physiological responses were consistent with the cognitive-developmental approach: The younger children were less emotionally aroused by the character's fear than by the fear-provoking stimulus, while the older children responded emotionally to both versions of the videotape. The younger children's lack of empathy was not due to a failure to recognize the nature of the character's emotion. There was some evidence that the older children exhibited a greater tendency to role take than did the younger children.

Metabolism of phenylbutazone in rats

The metabolism of phenylbutazone has been investigated in female rats dosed with the drug by gavage. The major route of excretion is via the urine; 50% of the dose being excreted in the first 24 h. A small percentage of the dose is excreted in the faeces. Following administration of 14C-phenylbutazone, five labelled, unconjugated hydroxy compounds were identified in the urine by t.l.c. and autoradiography; both hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable conjugates were found. Aqueous extracts of faeces contained O conjugates of oxyphenbutazone and 4-hydroxy-oxyphenbutazone (which may be a decomposition product). Urine metabolites soluble in organic solvents were quantified by inverse isotope dilution assay and spectrophotometric analysis. The major metabolite is the gamma-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone present both as the lactone and as the straight-chain compound, while oxyphenbutazone and p, gamma-dihydroxyphenylbutazone are minor metabolites.

Effect of some synthetic steroids on rat liver function

Norethynodrel proved to have moderately potent effects on hepatic function in female rats. It causes (a) loss of body mass, (b) increase in the relative liver mass, (c) rise in the protein content of liver, (d) increase in the cytochrome P-450 level, (e) reduction in the length of pentobarbital-induced sleep, and (f) increase in the rate of biotransformation of (i) aniline and (ii) aminopyrine. In contrast, ethynyl estradiol was shown to have little or no effect as judged by the same criteria, but, like norethynodrel, progesterone and estradiol, caused loss of body mass.

Perilla ketone toxicity: a chemical model for the study of equine restrictive lung disease

Perilla ketone was assessed for its usefulness as a model of equine restrictive pulmonary disease. Three ponies were given 18 mg/kg bodyweight synthetic perilla ketone in dimethyl-sulphoxide. Within 24 h of administration, respiratory rate, peak inspiratory and expiratory flow rates and minute volume were increased. By 48 h there was a significant decrease in tidal volume, and blood pH and base excess were also decreased but not outside normal limits. At necropsy there was congestion and oedema of the lungs. Histologically there was diffuse alveolar injury but no evidence of significant obstruction in bronchial or bronchiolar lumina. It is assumed that perilla ketone toxicity in ponies produces a restrictive disease without a significant obstructive component.

An ultrastructural study of bronchiolar lesions in rats induced by 4-ipomeanol, a product from mold-damaged sweet potatoes

Repeated intraperitoneal injections of 4-ipomeanol in rats resulted in extensive degeneration and necrosis of nonciliated (Clara) bronchiolar epithelial cells. Subsequently there was necrosis and detachment of ciliated cells from the bronchiolar basal lamina. The remaining nonciliated cells divided and differentiated into ciliated epithelial cells and mature Clara cells. The ability of Clara cells to metabolize certain xenobiotics suggests that they may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease and neoplasia.

Influence of dietary protein concentration and frequency of diet changes on rate of growth, efficiency of food utilisation and carcass quality of Large White turkeys

1. In two experiments, diets in which the protein concentration was adjusted at differing intervals were fed to Large White turkeys for 22 or 24 weeks for males or 16 weeks for females. Four dietary protein concentration regimes were provided within each feeding plan. 2. The frequency of changes in dietary protein concentration had little influence on the rate of growth of turkeys receiving adequate dietary protein. However, lower dietary protein sufficed to maintain the maximum growth rate when the diets were changed less frequently. 3. The frequency of diet changes did not influence the efficiency of food or energy utilisation, but frequent dietary adjustments promoted efficiency of protein utilisation. 4. Higher dietary protein intake tended to increase carcass fleshing as assessed visually, without apparent effect on carcass finish. 5. Of two strains of turkeys studied, the more rapidly growing strain was less efficient in conversion of food and its constituent energy and protein into live body weight, but deposited carcass fat (finish) at an earlier age.

Enzyme inhibition and the toxic action of moniliformin and other vinylogous alpha-ketoacids

The inhibition of two thiamine-requiring enzymes by the potent mycotoxin, moniliformin (1-hydroxycyclobutene-3,4-dione), was investigated. Rat brain transketolase and pyruvate dehydrogenase were inhibited 25 percent by 10-9 M moniliformin. Studies carried out to determine if moniliformin causes enzyme inhibition by reaction with thiamine were negative. Varying the hydroxycyclobutenedione structure by substitution or ring expansion resulted in loss of toxicity and inhibition.

Effect of wheat seeding rate on wild oat competition

A series of field trials was sown on black earth soils on the Darling Downs, Queensland, with five wheat seeding rates x five levels of wild oat infestation. The lowest seeding rate required to produce optimum grain yield at a site was higher in wild oat infested plots than in weed-free plots. Increase in seeding rate reduced the dry weight of wild oats at maturity and increased the dry weight of wheat at maturity until wheat population density exceeded 150 plants m-2. Increase in seeding rate also reduced wild oat seed production, especially at low wild oat population densities.

Reduced T cell reactivity in vasectomized rhesus monkeys: association with histocompatibility type

The capacity of peripheral lymphocytes from rhesus monkeys which had been vasectomized for 7 or 11 years to stimulate and respond to normal rhesus lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) was tested to determine whether vasectomy affects immunologic reactivity. The ability to respond in MLC, a T cell function, was significantly reduced in the 11-year vasectomized animals and in two 7-year vasectomized animals. The ability to stimulate in MLC, a B cell function, was significantly increased in the 11-year vasectomized group. MLC reactivity of normal lymphocytes cultured in plasma from vasectomized animals and lymphocytes from vasectomized animals cultured in normal plasma was not altered, ruling out serum effects in the reduction of MLC responsiveness in these vasectomized animals. Seventy-five per cent of the vasectomized animals with markedly reduced MLC reactivity had the RhL-A determinates 19 and 24, indicating an association between the tendency toward reduced MLC reactivity after vasectomy and histocompatibility type.

Post-emergence control of wild oats in Queensland with difenzoquat, flamprop-methyl, dichlofop methyl and barban

The post-emergence herbicides, difenzoquat, flamprop-methyl and dichlofop methyl were evaluated for their effect on wild oats (Avena sterilis and A. fatua) and selectivity in wheat and barley crops on the Darling Downs, Queensland. Barban was included as a standard treatment. These herbicides generally did not provide complete control of wild oats. Wild oat control as measured near harvest-time, was equally as good with tillering or pre-tillering applications, with only two exceptions. Production of wild oat spikelets was reduced by all herbicides. However, although spikelet numbers were reduced to a very low level occasionally, spikelet production was usually quite substantial (500 to 1500 m-2). The most consistent increases in grain yield were obtained from dichlofop methyl (0.75 kg ha-1), difenzoquat (0.75 kg ha-1) and barban (0.175 kg ha-1) when applied prior to the tillering stage of the wild oats. With a few exceptions, dichlofop methyl, difenzoquat, and flamprop-methyl (0.45 kg ha-1) applied during tillering did not increase grain yield. Difenzoquat and flamprop-methyl were also evaluated at 1.5 and 0.9 kg ha-1 respectively. Apart from a small yield increase in two trials there was no advantage from these higher rates. For dichlofop methyl a rate of 0.5 kg ha-1 was less effective than 0.75 kg ha-1 in one of two trials in 1976. In weed-free trials, flamprop-methyl reduced the height and grain yield of the cultivar Kite, but had little or no effect on five other wheat cultivars. The damage occurred when flamprop-methyl was applied at the end of tillering, but not at the early tillering stage. These trials show that an increase in grain yield can occur when the effect on the wild oats has been only moderate, so herbicide performance should not be judged only by the effect on the wild oats.

In vitro studies on the metabolic activation of the pulmonary toxin, 4-ipomeanol, by rat lung and liver microsomes

Rat lung and liver microsomes mediated the biotransformation of the pulmonary toxin, 4-ipomeanol, to an alkylating metabolite. The enzyme-mediated microsomal alkylation required NADPH and oxygen and was strongly inhibited by carbon monoxide, which indicated the participation of a cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenase. Other studies with inhibitors including pyrazole, piperonyl butoxide, SKF-525A, and cobaltous chloride, and with the inducers phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene, also were consistent with this view. The Km for the pulmonary microsomal alkylation pathway was more than 10-fold lower than for the hepatic microsomal pathway. There was no significant enzyme-mediated covalent binding of analogs of 4-ipomeanol lacking the furan moiety, suggesting that metabolic activation of the parent compound involves oxidation of the furan ring. Reduced glutathione prevented the microsomal alkylation by 4-ipomeanol, indicating the electrophilic nature of the alkylating metabolite.

Effects of 4-ipomeanol, a product from mold-damaged sweet potatoes, on the bovine lung

Cattle given intraruminal administration of 4-ipomeanol, a furanoterpenoid originally obtained from sweet potatoes infected with Fusarium solani (F. javanicum), developed a respiratory syndrome clinically and histologically indistinguishable from atypical interstitial pneumonia. There were edema and emphysema in the lungs and mediastinum. The maximum nonlethal oral dose of 4-ipomeanol was estimated to be between 7.5 and 9 mg/kg of body weight.

Cell-mediated immunity in vasectomized rhesus monkeys

Cell-mediated immunity in rhesus monkeys that had been vasectomized for 2, 4, 7, or 11 years was measured by lymphocyte blastogenesis following stimulation with concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and pokeweed mitogens. Several of the 7- and 11-year vasectomized animals had significantly reduced PHA reactivity when compared with control animals, and the percentage of animals with reduced PHA reactivity increased with time after vasectomy.

Perilla ketone: a potent lung toxin from the mint plant, Perilla frutescens Britton

Perilla ketone, from the essential oil of Perilla frutescens, is a potent pulmonary edemagenic agent for laboratory animals and livestock. This finding would account for reported effects of the plant on grazing cattle. The use of perilla in oriental foods and medicinal preparations suggests possible hazards to human health as well.

Free recall and subjective organization in performance of learning disabled children

16 learning disabled elementary school children were compared with 16 normally achieving classmates on a 12-item free-recall task administered over 12 learning trials. Learning disabled children were expected to exhibit deficit in recall and deficient organization of the material. A slight deficit in recall was noted with virtually identical scores on subjective organization. Results are inconsistent with previous research using categorical clustering as an index of organization.

Induction of hapten-specific cell-mediated immunity in rhesus monkeys treated with adsorbent purified antilymphocyte antibody

Rhesus monkeys were treated with sufficient amounts of rabbit antilymphocyte sera and immunoadsorbent purified antilymphocyte antibody to retain full-thickness skin grafts 23 and 29 days respectively. During this immunosuppressed period hapten-specific cell-mediated immunity was induced in six of seven rhesus monkeys immunized with p-azophenylarsono-N-acetyltyrosine (R-tyr) in complete Freund's adjuvant. These observations suggest that in rhesus monkeys different populations of T cells may be responsible for cutaneous sensitization to antigen and rejection of skin grafts.

A simple rapid method for layering blood on Ficoll-Isopaque gradients

An easy rapid method for layering mammalian blood on Ficoll-Isopaque gradients is described.

Production, isolation, and preliminary toxicity studies of brevianamide A from cultures of Penicillium viridicatum

Brevianamide A, one of a novel group of alkaloids first obtained from Penicillium brevi-compactum, has also been isolated as a principal metabolite from two key isolates of P. viridicatum. Procedures for bioproduction and purification are described. This compound was not toxic when fed or injected into mice and had no antibiotic properties against several common bacterial and fungal microorganisms. Brevianamides A and B are among at least four yellow metabolites that may be formed by isolates of P. viridicatum.