Studies on in vitro lymphocyte stimulation assay in cattle naturally infected with Brucella abortus and in cattle vaccinated with strain 19

Cell-mediated immune responses of cattle in infected herds vaccinated with Brucella abortus, strain 19, and of nonexposed controls were studied by an in vitro lymphocyte stimulation test (LST). Brucella abortus soluble antigen was used as a specific stimulator of lymphocytes. Lymphocyte suspensions were prepared from peripheral blood of cattle by the Ficoll-diatrizoate technique. Cultures were labeled with [3H]thymidine and were assayed for [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Seroagglutination tests and cultures from Brucella were conducted simultaneously with LST. Brucella abortus soluble antigen induced significantly higher (P less than or equal to 0.005) lymphocyte stimulation responses in lymphocytes from cattle infected with B abortus than in lymphocytes from cattle vaccinated with strain 19 or from nonexposed controls. There was a significant P = agreement in results of LST and seroagglutination tests in infected cattle. Among seropositive-vaccinated cattle and controls, the LST was negative.

Assignment to chromosome 16 of a gene necessary for the expression of human mitochondrial glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (aspartate aminotransferase) (E.C. 2.6.1.1.)

A gene necessary for the expression of human mitochondrial glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT-2) has been assigned to chromosome 16 on the basis of an immunochemical analysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids. Mitochondrial GOT cosegregates with adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (E.C. 2.4.2.7.).

Nonhomogeneous alveolar pressure swings in the presence of airway closure

When thoracic gas volume (TGV) is determined plethysmographically, it is assumed that the alveolar pressure swings are homogeneous and are appropriately represented by pressure swings at the mouth. However, recent studies have demonstrated differences in total lung capacities derived from TGV measurements made at different levels in the vital capacity. These differences suggested that, in the presence of airway closure, alveolar pressure swings may be nonhomogeneous during a TGV determination. This possibility was tested in six dogs. Pressure at the airway opening (ao) was measured from an endotracheal catheter. A balloon-tipped catheter was passed into the right lower lobe (RLL) bronchus for measurement of RLL pressure. delta PRLL -- delta Pao was monitored during inspiratory efforts with the airway opening occluded. With the RLL balloon inflated, delta PRLL always exceeded delta Pao by an amount averaging 8.2%. Induction of a pneumothorax eliminated all differences between delta PRLL and delta Pao. Thus, during a TGV measurement, the chest wall may apply to the lungs nonhomogeneous forces that, in the presence of airway closure (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) would result in nonhomogeneous alveolar pressure swings and potentially significant errors in the plethysmographic determination of TGV.

Hemodynamic effects of positive-pressure inflation

In 14 anesthetized mongrel dogs, we studied the factors that influenced aortic systolic pressure (PaO) and peak aortic systolic flow (Qao) during positive-pressure inflations at three respiratory rates: 8, 14, and 24 breaths/min. At all three respiratory rates, pulmonary arterial flow fell by 15% of the preinspiratory value by end inhalation. Qao also fell at all three respiratory rates, reaching a nadir close to end exhalation (EE). Qao fell less (7% of the base line) at the fast respiratory rate than at the medium and slow respiratory rates (15% of the base line). Pao rose more during the early part of inflation at the medium and fast rates (5 +/- 0.9 Torr) than at the slow rate (3 +/- 0.7 Torr); then Pao fell to a nadir near EE at the slow (-5.6 +/- 1.6 Torr) and at the medium (-2.3 +/- 1 Torr) respiratory rates. At the fast rate it fell to a value not different from control (0.1 +/- 0.5 Torr). The ratio of peak arterial pressure to peak arterial flow increased throughout inflation reaching a peak at EE. A model was developed that predicted the major qualitative features of the changes in Qao seen in these studies. Changes in Pao resulted from the interaction between decreases in Qao and transmitted increases in pleural pressure, and are modified by changes in systemic impedance.

Spontaneous cure of infected left atrial myxoma following embolization

A patient with prolonged duration, bacterial infection, and echocardiographic disappearance of an atrial myxoma following embolization is discussed. Following aortic saddle embolus, all echocardiographic manifestations of the patient's left atrial myxoma disappeared. Previous cases of infected atrial myxomas are reviewed. The necessity of early surgical intervention, despite active infection, is discussed.

A scheme for the identification of clinical isolates of Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli by conventional bacteriological tests

More than 1000 strains of gram-negative anaerobic bacilli, including reference strains, clinical isolates, and members of the normal flora of the mouth, lower gastro-intestinal tract and vagina of healthy human subjects, were studied by conventional bacteriological methods and by gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of metabolic products in a series of investigations. A short combined set of tests with particular discriminant value was selected, and a scheme for the identification of the species and subspecies encountered in the diagnostic bacteriological laboratory was based upon our composite results. The tests are: antibiotic-disk resistance tests with neomycin 1000 micrograms, kanamycin 1000 micrograms, penicillin 2 units and rifampicin 15 micrograms per disk; tolerance tests with sodium taurocholate, Victoria blue 4R and gentian violet; and tests for pigment production, indole production, aesculin hydrolysis and the fermentation of glucose, lactose, sucrose, rhamnose, trehalose, mannitol and xylose. Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli are divided into four groups: (1) the fragilis group with nine species, which include the five subgroups previously classified as subspecies of B. fragilis; (2) the melaninogenicus-oralis group, which includes the three saccharolytic subspecies (ss.) of B. melaninogenicus--ss. melaninogenicus, ss. intermedius and ss. levii--and four non-pigmented species; (3) the asaccharolytic group, which comprises B. asaccharolyticus (formerly B. melaninogenicus ss. asaccharolyticus), B. corrodens and other non-pigmented non-saccharolytic strains, and (4) the fusobacteria.

Renal function in critically ill postoperative patients: sequential assessment of creatinine osmolar and free water clearance

Sequential assessment of renal function in 50 critically ill postoperative patients was done by simultaneous determinants of osmolar, free water, creatinine and sodium clearances, and fractional excretion of sodium. The traumatic and nontraumatic critically ill surgical patients had a characteristic pattern of creatinine clearance (Ccr) which was age related. This was manifested in the trauma patient by Ccr which were initially greater than expected (140-190 ml/min.1.73 M2). In the uncomplicated postoperative patients, a positive correlation was found between increased cardiac index and the indexed glomerular filtration rate. Decreases in free water clearance and Ccr were useful in predicting the onset of renal failure before the development of the oliguric state. The authors conclude that frequent assessment of those renal functions which are most adversely affected by accidental or surgical trauma is most appropriately monitored by serial measurement of creatinine and free water clearance.

Campylobacter enteritis in Chelmsford

During one year, out of 1829 faecal specimens examined at the Chelmsford Public Health Laboratory, campylobacters were isolated from 109 (6%), 21 of the positive cultures were from hospital in-patients and 3 were from hospital staff. The remaining 85 isolates were from specimens sent in by general practitioners. The authors' figures show a marked season variation with most of the infections occurring from June to September. The highest incidence (36%) was in the 20 to 30 age group, 99% of patients had diarrhoea, usually watery, occasionally explosive, and 9% had visible blood in their stools. Eighteen per cent. of patients had abdominal pain, 5 of the 21 hospital in-patients underwent abdominal surgery. Fifty-nine faecal specimens were examined microscopically and 30 of these had blood and pus cells or pus cells alone. Three patients had rectal biopsies showing a nonspecific colitis, 11 patients had recently been abroad.

Laser therapy of rheumatoid arthritis

Thirty people with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis received laser exposure to a Q-switch neodymium laser that operated at 1.06 micrometer with an output of 15 joules/cm2 for 30 nsec. One hand was lased at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpal phalangeal (MCP) joints, whereas the other hand was sham lased. The patient, physician, and occupational therapy evaluators did not know which hand was being lased. Twenty-one patients noted improvement of both their MCP and PIP joints of both hands during laser therapy. Twenty-seven noted improvement of their PIP joints and 26 noted improvement of the MCP joints during therapy. Heat, erythema, pain, swelling, and tenderness all improved with time in both hands, but the lased hand had more significant improvement in erythema and pain. There was also significant improvement in grasp and tip pressure on the lased side. The level of circulating immune complexes as measured by platelet aggregation decreased during lasing. The improvement may be related to laser exposure. The exact role that laser radiation has upon rheumatoid arthritis and its mechanism of action remain to be elucidated.

Technical and clinical aspects of CT-directed stereotaxis

A system has been developed for using computed tomography to direct stereotactic neurosurgical procedures. This system operates with many commercially available CT body scanners and does not require any modification to be made to either the scanner or its computer software. The use of this system does not require rigid fixation of the patient to the scanner nor meticulous patient positioning in the scanner.

Chronic duodenal ulcer and depression

The aim of the study was to determine whether duodenal ulcer is associated with depression. Forty-three patients with endoscopically proven symptomatic ulcers were compared with 43 control persons matched for age, sex, and social class. Depression was assessed by the Beck Inventory. Duodenal ulcer patients had a higher mean score than controls, and this difference was probably due to the possession of a chronic disease rather than typical duodenal ulcer. Only one patient showed moderate depression, and none were severely depressed.

A comparative study of the ototoxicity of gentamicin and gentamicin C1

Dose-response experiments comparing the ototoxic liability of the aminoglycoside antibiotics gentamicin sulfate and gentamicin C1 sulfate were conducted on guinea pigs. Measures of cochlear electrophysiology, histology, and the pharmacokinetic disposition of the drugs in the plasma and perilymph were made. Electrophysiological and histological measures indicated that gentamicin is more ototoxic than is gentamicin C1.

Analysis of cyclazocine in plasma

The analysis of plasma cyclazocine by two methods is described. The radioimmunoassay employed a 125I-labeled radioligand, rabbit antiserum, and sepration of bound from free cyclazocine with a second antibody. The radioimmunoassay was specific for cyclazocine and had a detection limit of approximately 20 pg/ml. The GLC method employed a mass spectrometer as the detector and had a detection limit of approximately 109 pg/ml. Both techniques had acceptable accuracy and precision when used to quantitate cyclazocine in dog and human plasma. The methods were used successfully to quantitate cyclazocine from beagle hounds receiving 0.5 mg of 3H-cylazocine/kg iv. The decline in plasma cyclazocine fitted a two-compartment body model with a mean plasma clearance rate of 39.2 liters/hr.

Effects of normal and loaded spontaneous inspiration on cardiovascular function

To assess the hemodynamic effects of spontaneous inspiration, we studied 12 anesthetized mongrel dogs during normal and loaded inspiration, before and after bilateral cervical vagotomy. Peak aortic flow fell (15--20%) whereas peak pulmonary artery flow rose (15--20%) under all conditions. When aortic flow fell, left ventricular diastolic size decreased whereas aortic and left atrial transmural pressures increased slightly. Right ventricular diastolic size and right atrial transmural pressure increased. During inspiratory loading transmural pressures rose more, but the fall in aortic flow remained the same. After vagotomy, inspiration was prolonged, allowing aortic flow to return to preinspiratory levels. At this time left ventricular diastolic size was increased compared to preinspiratory levels and there were further increases in left atrial and aortic transmural pressures. We have concluded that at least two factors affect aortic flow during inspiration: 1) a decrease in left ventricular preload that is associated with decreased left ventricular compliance, and 2) increased impedance to left ventricular emptying as reflected by the increase in aortic transmural pressure. This may play a greater role during inspiratory loading and when inspiration is prolonged.

Cardiac effects of increased lung volume and decreased pleural pressure in man

The cardiac effects of increased lung volume and/or decreased intrathoracic pressure were assessed by radionuclide angiography in normal male subjects. Increased lung volume alone produced no change in left ventricular (LV) or right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic size. Decreasing intrathoracic pressure to -30 Torr with a Mueller maneuver led to increases in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, and to increases in RV diastolic area. LV ejection fraction did not change significantly but RV ejection fraction decreased with the Mueller maneuver. Increases in transmural central venous pressure were also noted with the Mueller maneuver. The effects of combining increased lung volume with the Mueller maneuver were similar to those with the Mueller maneuver alone. These effects are consistent with the hypothesis that producing large negative pleural pressures acts to impede left ventricular outflow (i.e., afterloading) and raises the possibility of similar changes during acute attacks of bronchospasm.

Partial trisomy 12q associated with a familial translocation

A case is described of a female infant, who was trisomic for the terminal bands of the long arm of chromosome 12. Congenital abnormalities were present. Cytogenetic analysis on the proband's parents revealed the father to have a rare, simple translocation involving chromosomes 12 and 18.

Sodium dodecyl sulphate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of cell-surface proteins as an aid to the identification of the Bacteroides fragilis group

The outer-membrane complexes from 40 strains of Bacteroides, representing eight of the species included in the Bacteroides fragilis group, were released by EDTA treatment. The component polypeptides were examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on slab gels. Within a species (biotype) the patterns produced indicated marked similarities in the structures of the surface proteins among the strains examined. The patterns produced by strains belonging to different species, however, showed fewer similarities. An unknown organism could therefore be identified to species level using this technique and a few selected biochemical tests.

Developmental changes in choline acetyltransferase and glutamate decarboxylase activity in various regions of the brain of the male, female, and neonatally androgenized female rat

In attempt to discern effects of sex hormones on the development of neurotransmitter systems in the rat brain, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) have been measured at postnatal days 8, 12, 25, and 60 in five regions (amygdala, anterior hypothalamus, hippocampus, olfactory bulbs, and cerebral cortex) of the brains of normal male, normal female, and neonatally androgen-treated female rats. Essentially no association between sex or of neonatal "androgenization" on either enzymol were found. The data, however, provide new information on the relative rates of development of ChAT and GAD in five regions of the rat brain which supplement the limited information already available in the literature. ChAT activity was highest in amygdala and hypothalamus, but developed most rapidly in hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The relative activities and patterns of development of GAD activity were similar to those of ChAT.

Effects of environmental oxidant stressors on individuals with a G-6-PD deficiency with particular reference to an animal model

Individuals with a G-6-PD deficiency have long been known to be at increased risk to experience acute hemolysis following exposure to elevated levels of certain oxidant drugs and industrial chemicals. However, the recognition of enhanced susceptibility to environmental (or ambient) pollutants has generally not been considered. Recent theoretical studies have suggested that elevated levels of ambient ozone may be an etiologic factor in the onset of acute hemolysis in the G-6-PD deficient individual. Furthermore, the proposed usage of either chloramines or chlorine dioxide as replacements for chlorine for the disinfection of drinking water should be investigated with respect to their potential adverse effects of individuals at increased risk to oxidant stressors. In order to test these theoretical associations, two mouse strains, one with low and the other with high levels of G-6-PD activity in their red blood cells are being investigated to determine if they simulate human G-6-PD deficient and normal individuals, respectively. Preliminary results indicate that the mouse strain with low G-6-PD activity is markedly more susceptible to sodium chlorite than mice of the high G-6-PD strain. This differential susceptibility to sodium chlorite toxicity between the high and low G-6-PD mouse strains suggests that further research designed to validate the efficacy of this mouse model as a predictor of the human situation is warranted.

Problems in the plethysmographic assessment of changes in total lung capacity in asthma

We studied the effect of abdominal gas compression on plethysmographically determined total lung capacity (TLC) in asthmatic patients before, during, and after treatment of induced bronchospasm. TLC was derived from panting maneuvers near residual volume, at functional residual capacity, and near TLC. Significant differences among these "derived TLC" values increased significantly during bronchospasm. Whether or not TLC appeared to increase, and by how much, depended on the level of the vital capacity from which it was derived. Individual increases in TLC during bronchospasm could not be explained by increases in abdominal gas volume or in the extent to which it was compressed and decompressed during panting. We postulate that during the Boyle's Law panting maneuver, pleural, and therefore alveolar, pressure swings may be nonhomogeneous and greater over lung regions subtended by closed airways than over regions in communication with the mouth. This would result in an underestimation of alveolar pressure swings as measured at the mouth and an overestimation of thoracic gas volume, and would account in large part for the observed increase in discrepancies between the "derived TLC" values in asthma as well as the dependence of apparent TLC changes on the level of the VC at which the panting maneuver is performed.

Bovine auto-immune haemolytic anaemia

A six-months-old heifer died within two days of showing signs of anaemia and dyspnoea. The death was attributed to autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AHA) because of auto-agglutination which increased on Coomb's testing and the presence of antibovine IgG on the erythrocyte surfaces.

Fetal hyperinsulinism in rhesus isoimmunization

Analyses of peritoneal ascitic fluid obtained prior to intrauterine transfusion show that some babies with severe rhesus isoimmunization develop raised insulin levels up to a month before delivery. The glucose content of fetal ascitic fluid is usually only about 10 mg. per 100 ml. less than the glucose content of maternal plasma and there is no evidence that this relation is influenced by the fetal or maternal insulin level. The electrolyte content of fetal ascitic fluid is very similar to that of maternal plasma, but fluid from babies with hyperinsulinism has an unusually high calcium content.

Influence of abdominal gas on the Boyle's law determination of thoracic gas volume

In a body plethysmograph we have demonstrated differences in total lung capacity (TLC) derived from panting maneuvers performed at different levels in the vital capacity. In almost all cases, the discrepancies were due to the magnitude of the abdominal gas volume (AGV) and the relative magnitude of abdominal and thoracic pressure swings during the panting mandeuver. When panting was performed at functional residual capacity (FRC), the effect of AGV compression on the determination of thoracid gas volume (TGV) was small. Of 11 individuals studied 2 were known to have mild asthma. Compression and decompression of AGV appeared to be an insufficient explanation for discrepancies in derived TLC's in these two, suggesting that other as yet unidentified factors may influence the plethysmographic determination of TGV.

Effects of prostaglandin F2alpha on lung mechanics in nonasthmatic and asthmatic subjects

Prostaglandins have been implicated as secondary pharmacologic mediators in allergic bronchial asthma. We have studied the effects of the intravenous infusion of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) on pulmonary mechanics in nonasthmatic and asthmatic volunteers. Before and during the infusion, measurements were made of total lung capacity and its subdivisions, static deflational transpulmonary pressure-volume relationships (PV), and maximal expiratory flow-volume curves with air and after a washing of an 80% helium-20% oxygen mixture. In both groups, PGF2alpha caused significant decreases in vital capacity and maximal flow and increases in residual volume. There were not significant differences between groups in either the absolute magnitude or the percent change in the variables, a result which may have been due to the similarity of the pulmonary mechanics in both groups prior to infusion. Changes in density dependence were bidirectional in both groups, indicating that relative contributions of large and small airways to flow limitation changed differently among individuals. The single between-group difference in responses noted was a leftward shift of the PV curve in the asthmatics, suggesting recoil of the lung which occurs in asthma.

The control of endemic goitre by iodized oil in a community health programme

A programme of iodized oil injections was carried out in an area of high goitre prevalence (28.5%) in rural Zaire. The iodized oil programme was undertaken as a part of a broader, pre-existing community health programme. No complications were encountered.

Mirex residues in nontarget organisms after application of 10-5 bait for fire ant control, northeast Florida--1972-74

The 10-5 bait formulation of mirex insecticide was applied to a 20,000-acre area of northeast Florida. For 24 months after application, samples of a wide variety of fauna were collected and analyzed for mirex content. Insects accumulated mirex to the greatest extent in the first 6 months after application; most residues had decreased greatly by 12 months. Other invertebrates showed low mirex levels during the first 9 months after application and none after 12 months. Fish possessed low levels of insecticides for 9 months; amphibians showed mirex residues for 12 months after application. In general, reptiles had low levels throughout the 24-month period and mammals had higher levels, particularly in fat tissues. Birds consistently had low to moderate mirex levels. After a single application of 10-5 mirex bait, only relatively low levels of insecticide were detected in exposed fauna. After 24-months, mirex was found infrequently and at low levels.