The immunological relationship between canine herpesvirus and four other herpesviruses

Canine herpesvirus (CHV) was compared with four other herpesviruses by several serological techniques. Cross-neutralization was demonstrated between CHV and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and pseudorabies virus. Non-neutralizing cross-reactions were found with these viruses and also with equine abortion virus and bovine mammillitis virus. The data suggest that CHV is immunologically more closely related to herpes simplex virus than to the other viruses used in this study.

Reperfusion-induced arrhythmias: a study of the role of xanthine oxidase-derived free radicals in the rat heart

We have assessed whether oxygen-derived free radicals produced by xanthine oxidase may be an important trigger mechanism in the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. We have examined (i) the effects of inhibition of xanthine oxidase by both folic acid solution and amflutizole; (ii) the effects of the inhibitor of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase conversion, soybean trypsin inhibitor; (iii) the effects of administration of superoxide dismutase and catalase, both singly and in combination and (iv) in an isolated rat heart preparation we have investigated the ability of free radical scavengers to reduce reperfusion arrhythmias caused by the infusion of xanthine oxidase and hypoxanthine. The prior administration of folic acid solution, amflutizole, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase plus catalase all reduced the incidence of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias and resultant mortality, caused by reperfusion after a transient period of coronary artery occlusion in the anaesthetised rat. Prior administration of soybean trypsin inhibitor significantly reduced mortality. In an isolated, perfused rat heart preparation with temporary coronary artery occlusion, addition of xanthine oxidase-hypoxanthine to the perfusion medium increased the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias and decreased the total duration of sinus rhythm during reperfusion. Further addition of superoxide dismutase or L-methionine increased significantly the total duration of sinus rhythm. These results suggest that in the rat heart xanthine oxidase may be involved in the genesis of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias.

The "shrunken" pancreas: a morphological variant of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis

Six patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis are described in whom a pancreatogram showed an unusual morphology, being irregularly narrowed throughout. This "shrunken" appearance differs from the classic irregular dilatation usually seen in chronic pancreatitis. Two of the patients had inflammatory bowel disease, none had a history of alcoholism and only one had gallstones.

Rooting and the development of male sexual behavior in two inbred mouse strains

The sexual development of C57BL 6/J and SEC/IReJ male mice was studied during twice-weekly pairings with estrus females from 5 weeks of age. SEC were far slower to begin copulating than C57 and their responses to the female included a much higher frequency of rooting. Rooting, where the male's snout is pushed below the female's flank and jerked upwards, declines over tests as the full copulatory pattern develops. SEC also spent a higher proportion of their time in close contact with the female and groomed her more than C57. Both strains showed more rapid development of copulation if testing was delayed until 10 weeks of age, especially if they had exposure to female scent during this maturation period. The frequency of rooting and the speed of development are inversely related in these strains, but in segregating hybrid populations no such relationship is maintained. It is argued that the slowness of SEC's development cannot be ascribed to low sexual motivation. The significance of rooting remains obscure, but it seems possible that it may represent an aspect of exploratory behavior that is highly developed in SEC and some other strains.

Vocabulary deficit and abstraction impairment in hospitalized alcoholics

The use of a standard intelligence test for detecting cognitive impairment has been re-examined in a cohort of 506 hospitalized alcoholics. The value of Vocabulary scores as indicators of original intelligence was tested by formulating the hypothesis that Vocabulary scores would remain constant despite increasing degrees of alcohol-induced cerebral dysfunction. Subjects were assigned to non-dysfunctional, minimal and severe dysfunctional groups on the basis of psychometric testing and their Wechsler Vocabulary scores categorized as either 'abstract' 'concrete' or 'wrong'. Significant linear deficits in Vocabulary score and loss of abstract ability correlated with increasing dysfunction, irrespective of age but with greater frequency in females.

Effects of Y-chromosome variants on the male behaviour of the mouse Mus musculus

A study of crosses between CBA/FaCam and C57B1/6Fa mice revealed an effect of the origin of theY-chromosome on testis weight and aggressive behaviour, but failed to reveal any effect on sexual behaviour and androgen metabolism. There is therefore no evidence that androgens mediate theY-linked variation in aggressive behaviour and testis weight. On behavioural grounds, it is difficult to compare measures of sexual and aggressive behaviour, but it appears from these results that there are major genetic components on theY-chromosome controlling the development of sexual and aggressive behaviour which are distinct.

Postcastration retention of sexual behaviour in the male BDF1 mouse: the role of experience

Male BDF1 mice (the F1 progeny of a cross between C57BL/6 females with DBA/2 males) show a remarkable retention of sexual behaviour following castration. Two experiments were conducted to describe in detail the postcastration copulatory performance of the BDF1 male mouse and to determine to what extent such performance is influenced by experience prior to castration. Experiment I found that castration leads to significant increases in the number of mounts and intromissions needed to reach ejaculation, and to a significant increase in ejaculation latency. Experiment II found that although precastrational sexual experience is not essential for the performance of the ejaculatory reflex after castration, it does influence the frequency of its occurrence. Furthermore, type of post-weaning social experience influenced the display of ejaculatory behaviour by non-experienced castrates, as those with female social experience were superior to those with social experience with males or no social experience. The interactions of experience, hormones and genotype in the control of sexual behaviour in the BDF1 male are discussed.

Genotype and retention of the ejaculatory reflex in castrated male mice

Genotype proves to be an important factor affecting the retention of sexual responsiveness following castration. Male F1 hybrids between C57BL/6 females and DBA/2 males (B6D2F1) show very prolonged retention. Experiment 1 used a diallelic design using C57BL/6, DBA/2 and BALB/c strains and showed that heterosis per se is not an adequate explanation of the superior retention of the B6D2F1 genotype. Experiment 2 showed that neonatal injections of 100 mug TP to B6D2F1 male mice did not result in better retention of the ejaculatory reflex after castration in adulthood. B6D2F1 males from both experiments who exhibited the ejaculatory reflex for many months after castration went through a 'difficult period' in the first 10 to 12 postcastration weeks. During this time, ejaculation latency increased fourfold, and then returned to the original level. On the other hand, the proportion of males reaching the ejaculatory threshold during this period first declined then increased.

Effects of adrenalectomy on the sexual behaviour of castrated and intact BDF1 mice

Two experiments investigate the effects of adrenalectomy on the capacity of male mice of the BDF1 genotype (C57B1/6Fa male X DBA/2 female) to retain sexual behaviour following castration. Adrenalectomy is without effect and it is suggested that androgens can play no part in the maintenance of sexual behaviour in these castrates.

Courtship song and mating speed in hybrids between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans

Courtship song and mating speed of hybrids between Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans were investigated. The courtship song of hybrid males is identical to that of D. simulans, suggesting that X chromosome determination, known from the cross between D. pseudoobscura and D. persimilis, is also possible here. Wingbeat frequency of hybrids is intermediate between that of the two parents, demonstrating that courtship song and wingbeat frequency are inherited independently of each other. In mating test, hybrid males cout and are accepted by D. simulans females more than hybrid females (presumably because their song is more "acceptable" to the former). D. melanogaster males readily, hybrids less readily, and D. simulans least.