Complement activation by cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni

The ability of several cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni, a thermophilic actinomycete associated with farmer's lung disease, to activate complement is reported. Cell walls, obtained by mechanical disruption, were purified by enzyme treatment and chemical extractions. Fractions containing the most purified cell walls were most active in consuming complement, as measured by reduction of hemolytic complement levels of normal human serum. Cell wall fractions activated the alternative complement pathway, as shown by monitoring the conversion of C3 proactivator (factor B) to C3 activator (activated factor B) in the presence of specific cation chelators. Selective degradation of cell walls by lysozyme resulted in a decreased ability to consume complement and implicated peptidoglycan as the major complement-reactive component. The role of this nonspecific complement activation in relation to farmer's lung disease is discussed.

Chronic methadone administration to male rats: tolerance to adverse effects on sires and their progeny

Previous studies have shown that acute administration of methadone to male rats prior to mating results in adverse effects on their progeny, particularly decreased birth weights and increased neonatal mortality. Rather than chronic administration accentuating these effects, results of the present study indicate that tolerance developed so that no adverse effects were found in offspring sired after 21--32 days of methadone administration. In the sire, maintenance of normal weights of accessory sex glands after 4 months of daily methadone suggests that tolerance developed to the CNS effect(s) responsible for the depressed serum LH and testosterone levels found after acute administration of narcotics. In contrast, tolerance did not develop to the inhibition of weight gain produced by methadone administration. No evidence for a dominant lethal effect could be found after chronic methadone administration, in contrast to suggestive evidence for this effect found in previous experiments after acute methadone administration.

Mitogenicity of cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni

Cell wall fractions of Micropolyspora faeni, a causative agent of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, have been shown to possess non-specific mitogenic activity for guinea pig, rabbit and human lymphocytes. This activity was unrelated to endotoxin and may not be associated with peptidoglycan. This lymphocyte proliferation stimulus may play a role in the adjuvant properties of this organism and in the etiology of hypersensitivity lung disease.

A pediatric residency program revisited

There have been few assessments of residency programs by graduates; therefore, to investigate a practical means of evaluating programs we asked former trainees to relate aspects of their training to present professional needs. Former residents in the Duke pediatric program from 1960 to 1972 were asked to evaluate various aspects of their training. The overall training program was rated favorably, as were most deficiencies were identified in ambulatory pediatric care, such as surgery, dermatology, psychiatry, and radiology. Analysis according to respondent's period of participation in the program and current professional activity revealed little variation in patterns of response. This survey method provides an inexpensive means of monitoring inadequacies in residency programs and provides data to initiate changes.

A review of the mermithid parasites (Nematoda:Mermithidae) described from North American mosquitoes (Diptera:Culicidae) with descriptions of three new species

Romanomermis Coman, 1961 is resurrected from the synonymy of Eurymermis Müller, 1931, the generic description is augmented, and three new species are described: Romanomermis kiktoreak, R. hermaphrodita, and R. culicivorax. R. culicivorax is a segregate of a complex known previously as Reesimermis nielseni Tsai and Grundmann, 1969. R. nielseni is restricted to a species known only from Wyoming. Reesimermis Tsai and Grundmann is suppressed and R. nielseni s.str. is transferred to Romanomermis. Reesimermis muspratti Obiamiwe and Macdonald is moved to Octomyomermis Johnson. Keys are provided for the world species of Romanomermis and for the described mermithids that infect mosquitoes in North America. A brief commentary is included on the taxonomic utility of length and degree of fusion of the spicules, body shape, cuticular fibres, and double molt to adult.

A multi-centre general practitioner assessment of butriptyline hydrochloride ('Evadyne')

A multi-centre open study in general practice was carried out to assess the efficacy of and incidence of side-effects with the tricyclic antidepressant, butriptyline. Of a series of 153 patients with non-psychotic depression, with or without anxiety, 105 (69%) were judged as having a good or fair response to treatment with 75 mg to 150 mg butriptyline daily. Side-effects of an anticholinergic nature were seen in 13.7% of patients, but the incidence decreased to less than 4% in the 101 patients receiving treatment for over 7 weeks.

Interpersonal relationships and child-rearing practices in 214 parents of battered children

The self-reported child-rearing practices of 214 parents of battered babies were characterized in a few but not all respects by demanding behaviour which exceeded that to be expected in relation to their social class and age. Inconsistency in child management was noted in the comparison between lack of demonstrativeness and emotional over-involvement, and between physical punishment and a tendency to be lax in the supervision of the child, and was reminiscent of parents of delinquents. Unhappiness and hostility in relationships with members of their families of origin, with unsupporting partners and with people in general were other important features. Generally, identified perpetrators were characterized by features significant for the sample as a whole.

Effect of lipopolysaccharide and lipid A on mouse liver pyruvate kinase activity

Several investigators have reported lipid A as the biologically active unit in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule. To determine if lipid A was responsible for the reported increases in pyruvate kinase, mice were injected with endotoxin from Salmonella typhimurium SR-11, the Re mutant of Salmonella minnesota R 595, and lipid A-bovine serum albumin conjugate. The livers were homogenized and the activity of pyruvate kinase was measured. Similar increases in enzyme were obtained with all three preparations. These data imply that the lipid portion of the LPS molecule was responsible for alterations in host enzyme activity. To further determine if the lipid portion was the active unit, a lipid-degraded endotoxin (endotoxoid) prepared by potassium methylate treatment was inoculated into mice. An initial increase in liver pyruvate kinase activity was observed with all preparations. The marked increase observed at 16 h with the native product and lipid A conjugate was not obtained with the endotoxoid. These experiments extend and confirm previous observations that lipid A is responsible for the effects associated with LPS. Animals tolerant to endotoxin from S. typhimurium SR-11 were challenged with endotoxin from the Re mutant. A significant increase in pyruvate kinase activity was not obtained, suggesting that anti-O antibodies are not important in the development of tolerance.

Suppression of pupal esterase activity in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) by an insect growth regulator

Changes in non-specific esterases of Aedes aegypti were noted during pupal development. One esterase band was found to increase markedly within 3 h of pupation and this increase in activity was suppressed by prior treatment of larvae with an insect growth regulator, ZR 515. It is suggested that the esterase activity may help to reduce endogenous levels of juvenile hormone during metamorphosis and that the growth regulator may prevent this normal regulation.

Innate Recognition of Coral Snake Pattern by a Possible Avian Predator

Inexperienced hand-reared motmots avoided a pattern of red and yellow rings but readily attacked a pattern of green and blue rings and also one of red and yellow stripes. The motmots' avoidance of the "coral snake%" pattern indicates that mimic snake species can derive protection from some potential predators.

Social aspects of the battered baby syndrome

In spite of increasing interest, the problem of the battered child remains controversial. Some see the problem as a response to stressful social circumstances and society's permissive attitude to violence (23), others view it as primarily a manifestation of parental maladjustment (64).

134 battered children: a medical and psychological study

A controlled investigation of 134 battered children showed that nearly half had serious injuries and 21 died. Sixty-five had been battered more than once, 20 had permanent neurological sequelae, a quarter were low birth weight babies, and 10 had serious congenital defects. Twenty-three had been previously admitted to hospital with failure to thrive and the overlap with physical neglect was considerable. Mortality and morbidity among their siblings was also high. Difficulties with the child were attributable to interaction with neurotic mothers.The risk of battering diminishes after a child's second birthday. The establishment of specialized hospital teams to tackle the overall problem is suggested as a method of improving management. Prevention may lie in educating mothers in the basic physical and psychological requirements of children and overcoming their reluctance to avail themselves of medical care.

Ketamine-methoxyflurane anaesthesia for the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus

Ketamine hydrochloride alone was an effective analgesic in the Mongolian gerbil. In 28 young adult animals of both sexes (bodyweight 45-68 g) intramuscular injection of 44 mg/kg produced analgesia in about 83 seconds. Deep surgical anaesthesia could be readily achieved in about 12 min from start when methoxyflurane was administered by nasal cone 5 min after ketamine injection, and the surgical level was maintained arbitrarily for about 40 min during part of which laparotomy was performed. Induction of deep anaesthesia was smooth and recovery occurred uneventfully. The combination of ketamine and methoxyflurane allowed effective control of both the depth and duration of anaesthesia. Recovery time was about 77 min. Sex differences generally were slight.

Parents of battered babies: a controlled study

A controlled investigation of 214 parents of battered babies shows that they were young and predominantly of lower social class. Premature parenthood is an associated feature. Among the mothers 76% had an abnormal personality and 48% were neurotic. Nearly half were of borderline or subnormal intelligence; 11% had a criminal record. Of the fathers 64% had an abnormal personality, more than half being psychopaths. Twenty-nine per cent. had a criminal record. Recidivism is an associated feature.The risk of battering possibly diminishes with time. The teaching of appropriate child-rearing skills, symptomatic relief, and social relearning are suggested as realistically based treatment methods and should be combined with a care order. When response to treatment appears unlikely permanent removal from parental care should be considered.

E.E.G. and personality factors in baby batterers

Out of 35 parents who battered their children eight had an abnormal E.E.G. All of these were found to be psychopathic, of low intelligence, and to be persistent batterers. The presence of an abnormal E.E.G. strongly suggests that some baby batterers are more closely related to those who commit acts of violence and that taken as a whole they are not a homogenous group about whom it is safe to generalize. The possibility of a separate subgroup among baby batterers, therefore, needs close attention.

Failure to thrive and anorexia nervosa

A case study is reported of an anorexia nervosa mother who battered her elder male child (‘battered baby’) and in collusion with her psychopathic husband starved to death her 10-week-old daughter. The association of anorexia nervosa in the mother with death by starvation has not previously been reported in the literature. The possible underlying psychopathology is briefly discussed.