Growth-promoting effect of recombinant human growth hormone and stanozolol in girls with Turner syndrome

Ten girls with Turner syndrome were treated with a combination therapy of recombinant human growth hormone (R-hGH) and low dose stanozolol for a period of 8 to 36 months. The results showed that when compared with the growth rate before the treatment, the growth rates after treatment with R-hGH and stanozolol showed a sustained increase, reaching 9.0 +/- 1.9 cm/year during the first year of treatment; the height age increase by 2.5 +/- 0.8 years while the bone age increase were 1.0 +/- 0.7 years; and the predicted final adult height at the end of the first year of the treatment increased to 149.4 +/- 6.1 cm compared to their original mean of 142.8 +/- 4.2 cm. We are led to conclude that therapy with R-hGH in combination with stanozolol can increase the growth velocity and significantly increase the predicted adult height of children with Turner syndrome.

Bacterial virus phi29 pRNA as a hammerhead ribozyme escort to destroy hepatitis B virus

The DNA-packaging pRNA of bacterial virus phi29, which forms dimers and then hexamers, contains two independent tightly self-folded domains. Circularly permuted pRNAs were constructed without impacting pRNA folding. Connecting the pRNA 5'/3' ends with variable sequences did not disturb its folding and function. These unique features, which help prevent two common problems - exonuclease degradation and misfolding in the cell, make pRNA an ideal vector to carry therapeutic RNAs. A pRNA-based vector was designed to carry hammerhead ribozymes that cleave the hepatitis B virus (HBV) polyA signal. The chimeric HBV-targeting ribozyme was connected to the pRNA 5'/3' ends as circularly permuted pRNA. Two cis-cleaving ribozymes were used to flank and process the chimeric ribozyme. The hammerhead ribozyme including its two arms for HBV targeting was able to fold correctly while escorted by the pRNA. The chimeric ribozyme cleaved the polyA signal of HBV mRNA in vitro almost completely. Cell culture studies showed that the chimeric ribozyme was able to enhance the inhibition of HBV replication when compared with the ribozyme not escorted by pRNA, as demonstrated by Northern blot and e-antigen assays. pRNA could also carry another hammerhead ribozyme to cleave other RNA substrate. These findings suggest that pRNA can be used as a vector for imparting stability to ribozymes, antisense, and other therapeutic RNA molecules in vivo.

[Fetal ultrasound biometry in a Cameroonian population: study of femur length]

The length of the fetal femur was measured by fetal ultrasonography in Cameroonian population as a preliminary step in constructing local curves for fetal growth. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 centers in Yaoundé, Cameroon over a period of one year. A total of 803 pregnant women (mean age, 27.15 years) knowing the exact date of the last menstrual period (LMP) were included. Based on ultrasound findings demonstrating a single fetus with normal development. Gestational age ranged from 12 to 42 weeks of amenorrhea (WOA). The mean length of the femur increased from 16.61 +/- 2.25 mm at 13 WOA to 75.36 +/- 4.85 mm at 42 WOA. There was a good correlation with gestational age and findings reported in the literature. Curves obtained using these data were compared with those in the literature. In most cases femur lengths measured in Cameroonian fetuses were slightly longer than European standards throughout pregnancy.

Cell cycle analysis by cyclin E + A/DNA multiparameter flow cytometry in exponential growth MOLT-4 cells

OBJECTIVE

To establish a new method for analyzing the cell cycle in tumor which is a kind of cell cycle disease.

METHODS

Mixtures of cyclin E and cyclin A antibodies were incubated with fixed MOLT-4 cells, and measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We developed a cyclin E + A/DNA flow cytometry analysis method, which may distinguish G0, early G1, late G1, S, G2 and M phase cells, rather than three phases in the DNA content histogram.

CONCLUSION

Cyclin E + A/DNA multiparameter flow cytometry can simultaneously differentiate in the same sample six cell groups: G0, early G1, late G1, S, G2 and M phase cells. It performed better than any other cell cycle analysis methods that we have used and has a definite cell biology foundation.

[IFN-r/IL-4 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the patients with chronic severe hepatitis]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the expressions of interferon-r (INF-r) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the patients with chronic severe hepatitis (CSH).

METHODS

PBMCs from the patients with CSH were separated routinely and stimulated by PMA/Ionomycin/Monensin. The production of IFN-r/IL-4 by CD4+ T cells in PBMC was determined by fluorescence activated call sorting (FACS) analysis and fluorescence-quantitative PCR assay for quantification of HBV DNA.

RESULTS

The percentage of IFN-gamma-producing T cells in CD4+ T cells was higher in patients with CSH (7.2%-26.3%) than in normal controls (2.2%-11.9%) (P<0.01). The percentage of Th1 cells increased significantly with the raise of hepatic inflammation activity. The percentage of IL-4-producing T cells in CD4+ T cells did not differ significantly between patients with CSH and normal controls. The quantification of HBV DNA decreased significantly with the increase of the percentage of IFN-gamma-producing T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Th1 cell is associated with hepatic inflammatory activity and IFN-gamma depresses HBV replication.

Increased serum levels of eotaxin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The CC-chemokines eotaxin and eotaxin-2, produced by epithelial and phagocytic cells, are potent and selective chemoattractants for eosinophils and basophils. The eosinophil is a potent inflammatory cell thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study we investigated the serum concentrations of eotaxin and eotaxin-2 in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with Crohn disease, 35 patients with ulcerative colitis and 41 control patients were studied. Eotaxin and eotaxin-2 serum levels were measured with solid phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Significantly increased serum eotaxin levels were observed in both patients with Crohn disease (289.4+/-591.5 pg/ml) and ulcerative colitis (207.0+/-243.4 pg/ml) when compared with controls (138.0+/-107.8 pg/ml) (P < 0.01). Moreover, patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis showed significantly higher serum eotaxin levels than patients with quiescent disease (434.0+/-776.8 pg/ml versus 113.8+/-65.4 pg/ml in Crohn disease and 295.7+/-337.1 versus 121.2+/-91.9 pg/ml in ulcerative colitis, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in eotaxin-2 serum levels among patients with Crohn disease (863.5+/-448.2 pg/ml), ulcerative colitis (1028.3+/-431.4 pg/ml) and controls (981.4+/-539.4 pg/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Eotaxin is significantly increased in serum of patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, suggesting that this cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Increased serum levels of eotaxin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND

The CC-chemokines eotaxin and eotaxin-2, produced by epithelial and phagocytic cells, are potent and selective chemoattractants for eosinophils and basophils. The eosinophil is a potent inflammatory cell thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study we investigated the serum concentrations of eotaxin and eotaxin-2 in patients with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with Crohn disease, 35 patients with ulcerative colitis and 41 control patients were studied. Eotaxin and eotaxin-2 serum levels were measured with solid phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Significantly increased serum eotaxin levels were observed in both patients with Crohn disease (289.4+/-591.5 pg/ml) and ulcerative colitis (207.0+/-243.4 pg/ml) when compared with controls (138.0+/-107.8 pg/ml) (P < 0.01). Moreover, patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis showed significantly higher serum eotaxin levels than patients with quiescent disease (434.0+/-776.8 pg/ml versus 113.8+/-65.4 pg/ml in Crohn disease and 295.7+/-337.1 versus 121.2+/-91.9 pg/ml in ulcerative colitis, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in eotaxin-2 serum levels among patients with Crohn disease (863.5+/-448.2 pg/ml), ulcerative colitis (1028.3+/-431.4 pg/ml) and controls (981.4+/-539.4 pg/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

Eotaxin is significantly increased in serum of patients with active Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, suggesting that this cytokine may play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Helicobacter pylori infection: mechanism of colonization and functional dyspepsia Reduced colonization of gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori in mice deficient in interleukin-10

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokine. Mice deficient in IL-10 production (IL-10-/-mice) develop a spontaneous chronic enterocolitis, suggesting that IL-10 is an important regulator of the mucosal immune response in vivo. The objective of this study was to determine the role of endogenous IL-10 in the host defense against gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori by using IL-10-deficient mice.

METHODS

The IL-10-/-mice were inoculated intragastrically with a mouse-adapted H. pylori isolate (Sydney Strain 1). Gastric colonization by H. pylori (biopsy urease test and bacterial colony counts), serum levels of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M, A, G, isotypes of IgG, and the gastric mucosal inflammatory scores were determined 6 weeks after inoculation. Results were compared with those obtained from H. pylori-infected control mice (IL-10+/-mice).

RESULTS

The colonization of gastric mucosa by H. pylori was reduced approximately 100-fold (P < 0.0001) in IL-10-/-mice (log10 4.87 +/- 0.26CFU/g tissue) as compared to IL-10+/-mice (log10 6.64 +/- 0.22 CFU/g tissue). Furthermore, IL-10-/-mice infected with H. pylori had significantly higher H. pylori-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in serum (P < or = 0.01), and developed much more severe chronic active gastritis than infected IL-10+/-mice. The median scores of the infiltration of gastric mucosa by mononuclear cells and neutrophils were up to threefold higher in IL-10-/-mice than they were in IL-10+/-mice.

CONCLUSION

Our studies suggest that endogenous IL-10 is an inhibitor of the protective immune response to H. pylori infection. Interleukin-10 participates in the downregulation of H. pylori-induced gastric inflammatory responses, which apparently confers a survival advantage to the organism promoting more effective colonization of gastric mucosa.

Inhibition of mitogen-induced murine lymphocyte proliferation by Helicobacter pylori cell-free extract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous studies have shown that lysates of Helicobacter pylori inhibit mitogen-induced proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The objective of the present study was to determine whether H. pylori cell-free extract (HPCE) has similar effects on murine lymphoid cells and could, therefore, be used to further delineate the mechanisms of alteration of lymphocyte function by H. pylori.

METHODS

The HPCE was prepared from a H. pylori reference strain and from five clinical strains with varying status of cagA and vacA. Mouse splenic and mesenteric lymph node cells were cultured in microwell plates in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of HPCE (0.625-12.5 microg/mL). T cell mitogens were added into the culture 2 h later and the cells were cultured at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 for a further 72 h. Cell proliferation was determined by a non-radioactive rapid dye assay and the percentage inhibition caused by HPCE was calculated.

RESULTS

Pre-exposure to HPCE significantly inhibited concanavalin A-induced proliferation of murine spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells (up to 100% inhibition; P < or = 0.01). The HPCE also inhibited lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by mitogens phorbol-myristate-acetate and ionomycin and by the anti-CD3epsilon monoclonal antibody (P < or = 0.05). The inhibition was dose-dependent, but independent of the presence of virulence genes cagA or vacA. Treatment of HPCE at 80 degrees C for 30 min, but not at 55 degrees C for 60 min, completely abolished its inhibitory action. The HPCE, pretreated with pronase E, proteinase K, trypsin, acid or alkali also completely lost its inhibitory effect (P < or = 0.01), while in contrast, treatment with carboxypeptidase and leucine aminopeptidase had no effect.

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori produces heat-labile proteins or peptides that suppress T cell mitogen-induced proliferation of murine lymphoid cells in a similar manner to that observed with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The mouse cell culture system can, therefore, be used as a model to further study the mechanisms of action and antigen specificity of these immunomodulatory factors.

[An investigation of small marker chromosome in eight Turner syndrome patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization and DNA analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To direct genetic counseling and identify the origin of small marker chromosome in patients with Turner syndrome stigmata.

METHODS

The specific primer on the sex determining region on Y (SRY) and biotin labeled X- and Y-chromosome DNA probes were utilized in the analysis of sex chromosome-derived markers. The PCR product from the amplification was detected on agarose gel, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was conducted to metaphase chromosome.

RESULTS

In 8 patients who had a small marker chromosome, five markers were derived from the X chromosome and three from the Y chromosome. Two patients with a Y-derived marker were determined by Y-chromosome probe as well as by SRY sequences amplification. One patient with a Y-derived marker was only demonstrated by FISH.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study demonstrate successfully the value and necessity of FISH utilizing DNA probes combined with specific amplification on SRY gene in the identification of sex chromosome marker. Such identification is important not only for clinical care, but also for understanding phenotype-karyotype correlations.

Helicobacter pylori infection in interleukin-4-deficient and transgenic mice

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-4 is a potent anti-inflammatory and Th2-type immunoregulatory cytokine. Helicobacter pylori infection in humans induces a polarized Th1 immune response characterized by increased production of interferon-gamma and absence of IL-4. This study was designed to determine the role of endogenous IL-4 in the host defence against gastric colonization by H. pylori using IL-4-deficient (IL-4-/-) and transgenic (IL-4 Tg) mice.

METHODS

IL-4-/- mice and IL-4 Tg mice were inoculated intragastrically with H. pylori Sydney Strain 1. Gastric colonization by H. pylori (biopsy urease test and bacterial colony counts), serum levels of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin M, A, G, isotypes of IgG, and the gastric mucosal inflammatory scores were determined 6 weeks after inoculation. Results were compared with those obtained from H. pylori-infected IL-4+/+ (controls for IL-4-/- mice) and IL-4 WT (controls for IL-4 Tg) mice.

RESULTS

Colonization of the gastric mucosa by H. pylori in IL-4-/- mice was similar to that of control IL-4+/+ mice. There was no significant difference in titres of H. pylori-specific antibodies or gastric inflammatory scores between the two groups of mice. Colonization of gastric mucosa by H. pylori was consistently lower in IL-4 Tg mice (log10 6.40+/-1.09 CFU/g tissue) compared with IL-4WT mice (log10 7.20+/-0.34 CFU/g tissue), although the difference was not significant. Nevertheless, IL-4 Tg mice did have significantly higher titres of H. pylori-specific IgA and IgG (P< or =0.01).

CONCLUSION

These results show that endogenous IL-4 is not a major contributor to host resistance to H. pylori, and enhanced IL-4 production has little if any effect on gastric colonization by this organism, despite increased specific antibody production.

Rapid elimination of Helicobacter pylori and reduction of histocompatibility leucocyte antigen-DR expression 12 h after a single dose of omeprazole, amoxycillin and metronidazole triple therapy

BACKGROUND

Studies of eradication of Helicobacter pylori and subsequent resolution of H. pylori-related gastritis, have focused mainly on medium and long-term change following eradication therapies. Results from those studies have shown that both acute and chronic inflammatory changes found in gastric mucosa eventually return to normal. However, the early events in the stomach, particularly the effects on bacterial density and acute inflammatory markers of anti-H. pylori treatment, are largely unknown. The objective of this study was therefore to examine changes in the number of H. pylori, and the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation in the gastric biopsy specimens of patients before (0 h group, n = 14) and 12 h (12 h group, n = 14) after initiating anti-H. pylori treatment.

METHODS

Biopsies were assessed, either quantitatively or semi-quantitatively, for the presence of H. pylori, neutrophils, mast cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and the expression of histocompatibility leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR by gastric epithelium and the results were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Median H. pylori scores were 5 (range 2-5) and 0 (range 0-2) in biopsies from untreated and 12 h post-treatment groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In most 12 h post-treatment biopsies, H. pylori organisms could not be identified. There was a significant reduction in HLA-DR expression by gastric epithelium (median 3.5 with range 2-4 at 0 h group vs median 2 with range 0-4, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, CD3+ cells, mast cells or the distribution and density of neutrophils (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, the severity of gastritis as scored with the Sydney system was similar in both untreated and treated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that elimination of H. pylori organisms and resolution of some inflammatory markers occurs as early as 12 h following a single dose of omeprazole 40 mg, amoxycillin 1.0 g and metronidazole 400 mg, which suggests that rational therapeutic strategies with shorter duration using the currently available drugs may be possible.

Design of compact absorbers for high-heat-load X-ray undulator beamlines at SPring-8

A compact and high-heat-load absorber for the SPring-8 X-ray undulator beamline has been developed and installed. It consists of an upper heat-absorber part and a lower photon duct part, which are configured together in a water-cooled GlidCop body. The absorber part has a horizontal notch shape and the photon duct part forms a rectangular open channel under the absorber part. Two types of absorber are designed: one, with wire mesh channels, is 486 mm long, 70 mm high and 64 mm wide; the other, with smooth-bore channels, is 610 mm long, 75 mm high and 70 mm wide. Thermal and stress analyses show that they withstand the 12.3 kW heat load and the maximum heat flux of 940 W mm(-2) at normal incidence.

Smart X-ray beam position monitor system using artificial-intelligence methods for the Advanced Photon Source insertion-device beamlines

At the Advanced Photon Source (APS), each insertion-device (ID) beamline front end has two X-ray beam position monitors (XBPMs) to monitor the X-ray beam position for both vertical and horizontal directions. Performance challenges for a conventional photoemission-type XBPM during operations are contamination of the signal from the neighbouring bending-magnet sources and the sensitivity of the XBPM to the insertion-device gap variations. Problems are exacerbated because users change the ID gap during their operations, and hence the percentage level of the contamination in the front-end XBPM signals varies. A smart XBPM system with a high-speed digital signal processor has been built at the Advanced Photon Source for the ID beamline front ends. The new version of the software, which uses an artificial-intelligence method, provides a self-learning and self-calibration capability to the smart XBPM system. The structure of and recent test results with the system are presented in this paper.

Synthetic diamond-based position-sensitive photoconductive detector development for the Advanced Photon Source

A novel X-ray beam-position detection device that we call a position-sensitive photoconductive detector (PSPCD) is designed to have synthetic diamond as its substrate material. We proved that it is feasible to use synthetic diamond to make a hard X-ray position-sensitive detector based on the photoconductivity principle and that it acts as a solid-state ion chamber. Experiments on different PSPCD samples using synthetic diamond with a high-heat-flux white undulator beam, as well as with monochromatic hard X-ray beams, have been performed at the Advanced Photon Source. Recent test results with the PSPCD in the quadrant configuration as an X-ray beam-position monitor and in a multipixel array as an X-ray beam profiler are presented in this paper.

Optical design for laser Doppler angular encoder with sub-nrad sensitivity

A novel laser angular-encoder system has been developed based on the principles of radar, the Doppler effect, optical heterodyning and self-aligning multiple-reflection optics. Using this novel three-dimensional multiple-reflection optical path, an increase in resolution of 10 to 20 times has been reached compared with commercially available laser Doppler displacement meters or laser interferometer systems. With the new angular encoder, sub-nrad resolution has been attained in the 8 degrees measuring range in a compact set-up [about 60 (H) x 150 (W) x 370 mm (L)] for high-energy-resolution applications at the Advanced Photon Source undulator beamline 3-ID.

Study on the relationship between cytogenetics and phenotypic effect in Turner's syndrome

The cytogenetics and clinical stigmata in 5 cases of Turner's syndrome were studied. Three of them were non-mosaic 1(Xq) and two with partial monosome of a X chromosome short are (Xp21), whose DNA replication patterns of inactive X chromosome were analyzed by RBG technique. Results showed that differences between the replication patterns in cases of X chromosome deletion (Xp21) and normal females existed; that the behavior of abnormal X expressed nonrandom inactivation. It was suggested that the phenotype may be closely related with both X chromosome replication pattern and its inactivation behavior, which might be useful in genetic counselling.

Impact of Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis on disaccharidase activity and small intestinal morphology in colostrum-deprived newborn piglets

The effect of enteritis on the development of the small intestine was examined in newborn, colostrum-deprived piglets infected with a human isolate of Y. enterocolitica (serotype 0:3, biotype 4) soon after birth. The piglets were killed 3 days (n = 6) or 5 days (n = 8) after infection, or antibiotic therapy was commenced on day 5 and the animals killed on day 14 (n = 5). Compared with the non-infected controls, infected animals had reduced mucosal lactase and sucrase, but not maltase activity, while after antibiotic therapy, previously infected piglets had a lower lactase and a higher maltase and sucrase activity. Lactase activity was significantly reduced in the duodenum and jejunum, and mean values were lower in the ileum, but the difference did not reach significance; maltase activity was greater at all ages from the distal jejunum to the mid-ileum; sucrase activity was reduced in all segments up to day 5 but after antibiotic therapy was increased in the jejunum and appeared early in the ileum. Enzyme profiles were more mature along the crypt-villus axis in some segments of the intestine in previously infected piglets. Sodium-potassium-ATPase activity was unchanged. There was a reduced villus height:crypt depth ratio, crypt hyperplasia and increased crypt cell proliferation. Morphological maturation, indicated by loss of vacuoles and location of the nucleus at the base of the enterocyte, proceeded distally from the duodenum to ileum from 3 to 14 days of age when only the ileum remained immature. In infected piglets, there was reduced vacuolation and earlier location of the nucleus at the base of the cell in the distal intestine. Accelerated maturity of specific disaccharidases and enterocyte morphology in infected piglets appears to be due to physical damage to the mucosa resulting in faster proliferation of crypt cells and migration of enterocytes. It is suggested that this may reduce macromolecular internalisation and impair the ability to utilise dietary carbohydrate and may have long-term effects on growth and immunological responses of the gut.

Experimental infection of newborn piglets with Yersinia enterocolitica: an animal model of enteritis

Newborn, colostrum-deprived Large White piglets infected with a human isolate of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4 serotype 0:3 were used as an animal model of yersiniosis. Within 3 hours of birth and before being fed, 14 piglets were inoculated orogastrically with 10 ml of bacterial suspension containing about 3 x 10(10) colony forming units of Y. enterocolitica, followed by 10 ml of 10% NaHCO3 solution. A further 14 litter mates acted as controls. The animals were reared on an artificial milk formula and humanely killed at 3 or 5 days after infection. Of the 14 infected piglets, 11 became anorexic, five vomited and 13 developed diarrhoea. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from their faeces and small intestinal contents. Body weight gains and the plasma glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the infected piglets than in the controls. Damage to the mucosa was observed in the whole gastro-intestinal tract, but was more severe in the small intestine and caecum. Micro-abscesses surrounding bacteria were present at the base of the villi in all parts of the small intestine, particularly in the distal ileum. Lesions were present in the small intestine in all infected piglets by day 3 and were more extensive by day 5. The liver was damaged by day 5, but not day 3. Similar lesions were seen in the mucosa of the stomach in one of six piglets at 3 days and in two of eight piglets at 5 days. It is hypothesised that the hypoacidity in the newborn stomach, as well as the administration of the NaHCO3 solution, may have produced favourable conditions for bacterial invasion.

Effects of Yersinia enterocolitica infection on growth of the body and internal organs in newborn colostrum-deprived piglets

Yersinia enterocolitica enteritis in newborn, colostrum-deprived piglets fed a human milk formula caused a reduced milk intake and decreased gain in weight but not length of the body. In infected piglets, the weight of the liver was less than in controls but other abdominal organs were unaffected. The weight of the caecum and small intestinal muscle were greater, but the length and weight of the small intestine and colon were not different. In infected piglets, the RNA concentration of the small intestinal mucosa was elevated whereas the concentrations of DNA and protein were unchanged, and total lactase activity was reduced. After antibiotic therapy, the liver weight was greater and the body weight increased at the same rate as the controls but was still lower at 14 days. The body weight of the control piglets increased linearly over the 14 days after birth. The stomach, pancreas and spleen grew more rapidly, but the liver more slowly, than the body as a whole but the kidneys had a minimum relative weight at 5 days. The total lactase activity and protein and RNA concentrations of the small intestinal mucosa decreased with age, the RNA to a greater extent than the protein.