Maternal behavior, pup vocalizations, and pup temperature changes following handling in mice of 2 inbred strains

A cross-fostering design was used to examine maternal behavior, pup vocalizations, and pup temperature changes following an infantile procedure in C57BL/6J (C) and A/J (A) mice. In Experiment I, maternal behavior of C and A mothers after infantile handling differed in a number of ways irrespective of the strain of the foster pups. In addition, A pups were retrieved faster but licked less than were C pups by mothers of both strains. Handling appeared to increase the probability that strain differences would occur in that no differences between the lines, in either the behavior of the mothers or the capacity of the pups to elicit maternal behavior, were found during observations made just prior to daily handling. These observations also revealed that mothers of both strains treated same-strain foster pups differently than they treated foster pups of another strain. In Experiment II, A pups were found to emit more ultrasound following handling than were C pups, suggesting that retrieval but not pup-licking was stimulated by ultrasonic signals. Measurement of pup temperature during and following the handling procedure showed that (1) strain differences in ultrasonic signaling were not related to strain differences in the degree of hypothermia experienced by the pups; (2) recovery of body temperature following handling was slow for pups of both strains, and depended to some degree on the strain of the pups' foster mother; and (3) development of thermoregulation occurred more rapidly in C than A pups.

The nonspecificity of diffuse pulmonary uptake of 67Ga on 24-hour images

Eighteen patients who underwent whole-body scintigraphy 24 and 48 hours after intravenous injection of 67Ga-citrate were evaluated retrospectively. At 24 hours, 7 of the 16 normal patients (44%) and both abnormal patients demonstrated significant pulmonary uptake. However, by 48 hours, only 2 normal patients (12%) remained positive, while both abnormal patients continued to show significant pulmonary activity. The authors conclude that 48-hour 67Ga images offer improved specificity and uncompromised sensitivty in patients with diffuse pulmonary disease.

L factor that is required for beta-galactosidase synthesis is the nusA gene product involved in transcription termination

The DNA-dependent in vitro synthesis of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase requires the presence of a soluble protein referred to as L factor [Kung, H., Spears, C. & Weissbach, H. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 1556-1562]. In the present study, comparison of physical, immunological, and biological properties shows that L factor is the product of the E. coli nusA gene. The nusA gene product is known to interact with bacteriophage lambda N gene protein and to prevent premature termination of transcription from the early lambda promoters. Our results suggest that premature transcription termination in the lac operon of E. coli may also be overcome by the nusA protein.

Role of self carriers in the immune response and tolerance. V. Reversal of trinitrophenyl-modified self suppression of the B-cell response by blocking of H-2 antigens

Trinitrophenylated syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-SC) are potent tolerogens of the anti-TNP plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in vivo and in vitro. This unresponsive state requires T cells for both its induction and maintenance. Because H-2K/D-restricted cytotoxic T cells are also induced by exposure to TNP-SC, we determined the role(s) of histocompatibility antigens (K, I, and D) in the suppression of the PFC response by TNP-SC. We treated syngeneic TNP-modified stimulator cells with antiserum directed at K-, I-, or D-region determinants and found that blocking of H-2K or D antigens on TNP-SC transformed these tolerogens into immunogens capable of eliciting an anti-TNP PFC response in the absence of extrinsic immunogens like TNP-polymerized flagellin. In H-2k or H-2a(k/d) mice, only H-2Kk needs to be blocked on the stimulator cells, whereas H-2K or D recognition was apparent in B10.A(4R) mice. These observations indicate that suppression of the PFC response by TNP-SC shows the same restriction in recognition as does the cytotoxic T-cell response. Furthermore, our results suggest that TNP-I-A is recognized by the helper cells in this system as the intrinsic antigen. When both TNP-K and TNP-I-A are present and available on the same stimulator cell, suppression (via modified K recognition) is dominant over help.

Infant responsiveness to maternal cues in mice of 2 inbred lines

The present study examined the responsiveness of 19- and 20-day-old C57BL/6J (C) and A/J (A) mouse pups to maternal cues. The C pups were found to spend more time near their C or A foster mother than they did near a virgin female. The A pups showed no such preference. Attempts to increase the motivation of A pups to approach the mother did not produce any preference for maternal cues, However, when the bedding on which odorous substances had been permitted to accumulate for an extended period of time was used as choice stimuli, pups of both lines showed a preference for the bedding of the mother as opposed to that of a virgin female. These results support findings with other rodents of a change in the female's odor during lactation which increases her attractiveness to her pups; and they demonstrate a genetic difference between pups of 2 inbred strains in their approach to maternal cues.

Tumoristatic effects of nonimmune BALB/c peritoneal macrophages on syngeneic lymphoma cells in vitro

Peritoneal macrophages from unstimulated nonimmune BALB/c mice exerted nonspecific cytostatic effects of tumor cells in vitro. Incubation of syngeneic B40 lymphoma or allogeneic B16 melanoma cells with peritoneal macrophages or with macrophage culture supernatant fluids (SF) resulted in decreased target cell DNA synthesis and growth; in contrast, nontumorigenic syngeneic 3T3 fibroblasts were stimulated by macrophages but SF exerted no significant effects. Lipopolysaccharide activation of macrophages did not induce cytotoxicity for any target cell tested, and did not enhance the observed tumoristatic effects. The level of tumor inhibition associated with macrophage culture SF was dependent upon the concentration of fetal calf serum present in the medium as well as upon the numbers of macrophages cultured. Inhibitory SF could be harvested continuously from macrophage cultures for at least 7 days with no appreciable loss of activity.

Colorectal schistosomiasis: report of three cases

The facility for mass movement of segments of our world populations creates the need for physicians to recognize and manage diseases not seen in native patients. Such a need has occurred in New York City, where schistosomiasis, with its protean manifestations has been seen with increasing frequency. The cases of three patients who had different clinical manifestations of infestation by S. mansoni are presented. Clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features are discussed. To avoid delay in treatment, physicians must consider the possibility of this disorder in cases of patients from areas of endemic schistosomiasis.