Comparison of Kernel Wax from Corn Genotypes Resistant or Susceptible to Aspergillus flavus

ABSTRACT Russin, J. S., Guo, B. Z., Tubajika, K. M., Brown, R. L., Cleveland, T. E., and Widstrom, N. W. 1997. Comparison of kernel wax from corn genotypes resistant or susceptible to Aspergillus flavus. Phytopathology 87: 529-533.Kernels of corn genotype GT-MAS: gk are resistant to Aspergillus flavus. Earlier studies showed that this resistance is due in part to kernel pericarp wax. Experiments were conducted to compare wax from GTMAS: gk kernels with that from kernels of several susceptible commercial hybrids. GT-MAS: gk had more pericarp wax than did the susceptible hybrids. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that GT-MAS: gk kernels appeared rough and showed abundant wax deposits on kernel surfaces. Susceptible kernels appeared much more smooth and lacked the abundant surface deposits observed in GT-MAS: gk. In vitro bioassays showed that kernel wax from GT-MAS: gk reduced A. flavus colony diameter by 35%. Colony diameters on a medium amended with wax from susceptible kernels did not differ from those of controls. Thin-layer chromatography and analyses of chromatograms using NIH Image software showed a distinctive composition for GT-MAS: gk kernel wax. Chromatograms of wax from GT-MAS: gk contained a peak unique to this genotype, but also lacked a peak common to all susceptible hybrids. This is the first report of specific kernel factors involved in resistance to A. flavus in corn.

Plasmids and Aeromonas virulence

Most putative virulence determinants of Aeromonas species are chromosomally encoded. However, several recent reports have indicated that some may be carried on or regulated by plasmids. Therefore, we examined the plasmid carriage rate of a total of 140 clinical and environmental Aeromonas isolates. Plasmid carriage was compared with the ability of an isolate to produce toxins and adhere to HEp-2 cells. Overall, plasmid incidence in Aeromonas species was low (23/140, 16%) and independent of the source of the isolate. Plasmids were, however, more common in environmental isolates of A. veronii biovar sobria than in clinical isolates of this species (P < 0.05). We could find no evidence to support the recent literature findings that plasmids may have a role in Aeromonas virulence.

Allergenicity of gourmet nut oils processed by different methods

BACKGROUND

No information is available on allergenicity of tree nut oils, and information on peanut oils has been conflicting. Many of the nut oils now on the market undergo minimal processing and may contain residual antigen.

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to determine whether several of the new "gourmet" tree nut oils, as well as peanut oils, contain residual proteins that could bind IgE from sera of patients with allergy.

METHODS

Several brands of walnut, almond, hazelnut, pistachio, and macadamia nut oils were examined. Peanut oils, both unrefined oils (which have been shown to contain allergenic proteins) and refined oils (without previously demonstrable allergens), were also examined to confirm reproducibility of immunoreactivity as reported by other investigators. Oils were extracted with 0.2 mol/L ammonium bicarbonate, and protein concentrations in the aqueous extracts were measured. IgE binding was assayed by slot-blot and Western immunoblotting. Pooled sera from patients with a history of systemic reactions to various tree nuts or peanuts were used as appropriate.

RESULTS

The oil extracts known to be from oils that had undergone less processing at lower temperatures tended to demonstrate qualitatively greater IgE binding and higher protein concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Tree nut and peanut oils may pose a threat to patients with allergy, depending on the method of manufacture and processing.

Smoking screening and management in primary care practices

OBJECTIVES

To describe the screening and management of patients who smoke by primary care physicians and to review practice factors associated with smoking services.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A descriptive study based on physician and patient questionnaires and medical record retrospective reviews.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS

Forty-five nonacademic primary care practices, including 160 physicians (whose subspecialty is family practice, internal medicine, or general practice) in 4 Midwest states and 4879 adult patients who completed questionnaires and consented for medical record review.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The a priori hypothesis was that screening by physicians would detect most persons who smoke, but that the lack of systematic methods to screen, intervene, or follow-up would limit the provision of smoking cessation services.

RESULTS

Eighty-one percent of all patients and 93% of patients who smoked in the past 2 years reported being asked if they smoked. Patients who smoked reported being told to quit (78%), discussing a quit data (60%), receiving a nicotine prescription (20%) or referral (25%) at higher rates than prior reports. Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD risk factors, who smoked more, visited the physician more, or who wanted help were more likely to receive smoking cessation services. Few practices had developed systems to routinely provide services, and a lack of systems was associated with fewer interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician screening and management of their practice patients is higher than reported in population surveys. Most patients who smoke report that they were asked whether they smoke, but smoking status is not routinely documented or updated. Significant variability is noted between physicians in smoking-related screening and interventions, and proved methods to improve services are infrequently used.

A two-item screening test for alcohol and other drug problems

BACKGROUND

Although nonmedical use of illicit and prescription drugs is not uncommon among American adults, the currently recommended screening tests for substance use disorders (SUDs) focus only on alcohol. This study reports on the criterion validity of a two-item conjoint screening (TICS) test for alcohol and other drug abuse or dependence for a primary care sample.

METHODS

A random sample of 434 primary care patients aged 18 to 59 years responded to nine screening items, which emanated from a focus group process. The DSM-III-R criteria for SUDs, as operationalized by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Substance Abuse Module, served as the criterion standard.

RESULTS

At least one positive response to the TICS ("In the last year, have you ever drank or used drugs more than you meant to?" and "Have you felt you wanted or needed to cut down on your drinking or drug use in the last year?") discriminated current SUDs with approximately 81% sensitivity and specificity. The TICS was particularly sensitive to polysubstance use disorders. Respondents with zero positive responses had a 7.4% chance of a current SUD; one positive response, 45.0%; and two positive responses, 75.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 80% of young and middle-aged patients with current alcohol or other drug problems may be recognized by the TICS, which is easily integrated into a clinical interview.

Physicians' decisions to prescribe benzodiazepines for nervousness and insomnia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of particular clinical cues on decisions about prescribing benzodiazepines.

DESIGN

A factorial survey based on social judgment theory.

SETTING

A midwestern U.S. medical school.

PARTICIPANTS

Physicians (n = 115) recruited from the staff by invitation and interview.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Physicians indicated their level of agreement with prescribing a benzodiazepine for 24 hypothetical cases of nervousness and insomnia. The cases stemmed from the same scenario but varied systematically with regard to psychiatric diagnosis, recent ability to work, and long-term social stability. A fourth cue, called "health status," covertly depicted the presence or absence of three common alcohol-related medical problems. One fourth of the physicians agreed with prescribing for 15 or more cases, and 15% disagreed for all of them. Agreement was cumulative and least common for major depression, more common for adjustment disorder, and most common for generalized anxiety. Agreement with prescribing for cases with alcohol-related medical problems was 14% less than that for cases without them. Over half the physicians agreed with prescribing for 4 or more of the 12 cases with alcohol-related medical problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescribing decisions varied widely. Some physicians avoided benzodiazepines unnecessarily for some cases, while others agreed with prescribing for patients with a high probability of alcohol abuse. Blanket calls for more or less prescribing are overly simplistic; physicians should be able to recognize substance use disorders among anxious patients and make prescribing decisions based on relevant literature and clinical cues.

Growth of an Aspergillus flavus transformant expressing Escherichia coli beta-glucuronidase in maize kernels resistant to aflatoxin production

Kernels of a maize inbred that demonstrated resistance to aflatoxin production in previous studies were inoculated with an Aspergillus flavus strain containing the Escherichia coli beta-D-glucuronidase reporter gene linked to a beta-tubulin gene promoter and assessed for both fungal growth and aflatoxin accumulation. Prior to inoculation, kernels were pin-wounded through the pericarp to the endosperm, pin-wounded in the embryo region, or left unwounded. After 7 days incubation with the fungus, beta-glucuronidase activity (fungal growth) in the kernels was quantified using a fluorogenic assay and aflatoxin B content of the same kernels was analyzed. Kernels of a susceptible inbred, similarly treated, served as controls. Results indicate a positive relationship between aflatoxin levels and the amount of fungal growth. However, resistant kernels wounded through the pericarp to the endosperm before inoculation supported an increase in aflatoxin B over levels observed in nonwounded kernels, without an increase in fungal growth. Wounding kernels of the resistant inbred through the embryo resulted in both the greatest fungal growth and the highest levels of aflatoxin B1 for this genotype. Maintenance of resistance to aflatoxin B1 in endosperm-wounded kernels may be due to the action of a mechanism which limits fungal access to the kernel embryo.

Serum-free culture conditions for cells capable of producing long-term survival in lethally irradiated mice

The goal of ex vivo culture is to expand and/or differentiate cells in culture such that they retain their functional characteristics when reinfused into a patient. The studies presented here analyzed the use of culture conditions devoid of serum to expand murine hematopoietic stem cells. Bone marrow cells from male B6D2F1/J mice were cultured for up to 28 days in serum-free medium in the absence or presence of stem cell factor (SCF), GM-CSF or a combination of the two factors. Cells cultured for up to 21 days were assessed for granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC), spleen colony-forming units, and cells responsible for short-term and long-term hematopoietic repopulation in lethally irradiated mice. Compared to initial seeding levels, the presence of SCF and GM-CSF increased total cell numbers 90-fold and GM-CFC numbers 42-fold over a 21-28 day culture period. Although spleen colony-forming unit cells did not increase, they were maintained at initial seeding levels over a 21-day period in the presence of SCF and GM-CSF. In lethally irradiated mice, survival enhancement and hematologic reconstitution were optimum with cells cultured for only seven days: survival at six months was 100% with cells cultured in SCF plus GM-CSF or SCF alone, compared to 50% with cells cultured with only GM-CSF. Hybridization analysis of bone marrow, spleen and thymus DNA from irradiated mice transplanted with these cultured cells confirmed male donor cell-derived repopulation at 45 days and 180 days post-transplant. These studies illustrate that murine GM-CFC can be expanded and that long-term repopulating hematopoietic cells can, at the minimum, be maintained ex vivo in serum-free culture. The use of defined serum-free culture systems holds great promise for further evaluation of the mechanisms that control hematopoietic stem cell proliferation.

The simultaneous analysis of patient, physician and group practice influences on annual mammography performance

The current study examined the relationship of several variables at the patient (n = 2780), physician (n = 166), and group practice (n = 45) levels for predicting receipt of annual mammography screening. Patient-level variables included constructs from the Triandis Model of Choice; physician-level variables included measures of barriers and receptivity to prevention, as well as demographic information. Hierarchical modeling demonstrated that variables at the patient and physician level reliably predict annual mammography screening, while frequency of screening did not vary across group practices after accounting for patient and physician variables. Patient-level predictors included social norms, perceived consequences and perceived barriers. The only physician-level predictor identified was annual mammography recommendation. These findings add to data which emphasize the importance of public education and social support in health maintenance activities.

Substance abuse among patients with chronic back pain

BACKGROUND

Little is known about substance use and substance use disorders among primary care patients with chronic back pain. This study compared groups of patients with and without chronic back pain for the prevalence of substance use and substance use disorders. It also assessed the temporal relationship between the onset of chronic back pain and that of substance use disorders.

METHODS

Adult patients aged 18 to 59 years who made three or more visits for back pain to a family practice clinic were eligible for the pain group. The comparison group consisted of a random sample of patients of the same ages who made appointments with the same clinic. A validated diagnostic interview about substance use disorders and other issues related to substance use was administered.

RESULTS

Ninety-two percent of the patients in the chronic pain group reported severe pain, high disability, and severe to moderate limitation of activity. Two thirds (67%) of this group reported having continuous pain, and 21% experienced at least one episode of pain daily. Forty-four percent said their pain continously interfered with their activities, and 31% reported daily disruption of activity. There was little difference, however, in the adjusted rates of lifetime and current substance use disorders between the chronic pain and comparison groups. Lifetime prevalence rates were 54% for the pain group and 52% for the comparison group; current prevalence rates were 23% for both the pain and comparison groups. Substance abuse preceded the onset of pain by as much as 20 years for 77% of patients with chronic pain who had current substance use disorders and 63% of those who had lifetime substance use disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic back pain did not connote special risk for current substance use disorders.

Chronic opioid analgesic therapy for chronic low back pain

BACKGROUND

Eleven percent of American adults have chronic low back pain- and many of these individuals have severe, disabling, refractory pain. Many texts recommend against using opioids for these patients without citing original research.

METHODS

A MEDLINE literature search was conducted for original research on the use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain. Additional references were also sought from review articles and book chapters. Based on this research and the authors' clinical experience, recommendations were formulated for implementing chronic opioid analgesic therapy (COAT) for patients with chronic low back pain.

RESULTS

No controlled studies were found. Case series reports on a total of 566 patients suggest that COAT is safe and effective for many patients with recalcitrant chronic low back pain. Preexisting substance use disorders, personality disorders, certain medical conditions, and certain occupational factors are relative contraindications to COAT. Methods to prevent and monitor for drug problems among COAT recipients include contracts, family interviews, and drug testing. Pain and overall function are the key monitoring parameters. Once patients attain some relief, an exercise regimen should be initiated. Other nonpharmacologic treatments and nonopioids are also recommended.

CONCLUSION

Physicians are encouraged to consider COAT for selected patients with severe chronic low back pain who respond inadequately to other treatments.

Resistance to aflatoxin contamination in corn as influenced by relative humidity and kernel germination

Kernels of corn population GT-MAS:gk, resistant to aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus, and susceptible Pioneer hybrid 3154 were tested for aflatoxin when incubated under different relative humidities (RH). High aflatoxin levels were not detected in either genotype at RH < 91%. Resistance in GT-MAS:gk was consistent across all RH levels (91 to 100%) at which significant aflatoxin accumulation was detected. Aflatoxin levels in GT-MAS:gk averaged about 98% less than those in susceptible Pioneer 3154, which suggests that storage of this or other genotypes with similar resistance mechanisms may be possible under moisture conditions less exacting than are required with susceptible hybrids. Results for fungus growth and sporulation ratings on kernel surfaces were similar to those for aflatoxin levels. When kernels of both genotypes were preincubated 3 days at 100% RH prior to inoculation with A. flavus, germination percentages increased to very high levels compared to those of kernels that were not preincubated. In preincubated kernels aflatoxin levels remained consistently low in GT-MAS:gk but decreased markedly (61%) in Pioneer 3154. When eight susceptible hybrids were evaluated for aflatoxin accumulation in preincubated kernels, seven of these supported significantly lower toxin levels than kernels not subjected to preincubation. Average reduction across hybrids was 83%, and reductions within hybrids ranged from 68 to 96%. Preincubated kernels of one susceptible hybrid (Deltapine G-4666) supported aflatoxin levels comparable to those in resistant GT-MAS: gk. Data suggest that an inhibitor of aflatoxin biosynthesis may be induced during kernel germination. Possible mechanisms for embryo effects on resistance to aflatoxin accumulation are discussed.

Covalent activation of retinal rod cGMP-gated channels reveals a functional heterogeneity in the ligand binding sites

Ion channels gated by the binding of multiple ligands play a critical role in synaptic transmission and sensory transduction. It has been difficult to resolve the contribution of individual binding events to channel gating because ligands are continuously binding and unbinding at each site. In examining the allosteric mechanism of retinal rod cGMP-gated channels, we have circumvented this problem by making use of a cGMP derivative, 8-p-azidophenacylthio-cGMP (APT-cGMP), that can be covalently tethered to the binding sites in the presence of long-wavelength UV light. In excised membrane patches, a population of channels was isolated that contained covalently-attached ligands at all but one site. Activation of these channels by cGMP revealed a previously unknown heterogeneity in the ligand-binding sites. The dose-response relations were much shallower than predicted by single-site activation models, but were well described by models in which there are two populations of sites, in roughly equal proportion, that bind cGMP with apparent affinities that differ by a factor of 25. The two apparent affinities, incorporated into a four-site model of the channel, provided an accurate description of the patch's original dose-response relation. A comparison of results on native and expressed channels suggests that the heterogeneity in the native channel arises at least in part from the presence of two different cGMP-binding subunits.

The use of haloperidol in the agitated, critically ill pediatric patient with burns

Haloperidol has become the drug of choice for sedation of the acutely agitated, delirious adult patient in the critical care setting because of its well-documented efficacy and lack of major side effects. Its use in the critically ill pediatric patient with burns has not been described. To determine the safety and efficacy of haloperidol in this population, the medical records of 30 critically ill pediatric patients with burns treated with haloperidol during the period 1986 to 1992 were reviewed. Our findings support the safe and effective use of haloperidol to treat severe agitation and delirium in the critically ill pediatric patient. The intravenous route appears to be more effective than the enteral route and should be considered when rapid, acute control of agitation is required.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of a cobalt-substituted derivative of the iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Zymomonas mobilis

The iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Zymomonas mobilis has been crystallized in a form suitable for X-ray diffraction studies. The crystals grew in hanging drops by vapor diffusion, equilibrating with a solution comprising 25-27% methoxypolyethylene glycol 5000 and 1 mM Co(2+) in a 0.2 M succinic acid/potassium hydroxide buffer at pH 5.5-5.7 at 281 K. Crystals are tetragonal, P4(1)22 (or P4(3)22), with unit-cell dimensions a = b = 125.7, c = 248.1 A. Four molecules comprise the asymmetric unit, and a self-rotation function indicates twofold local symmetry perpendicular to the unique axis and 15 degrees from a crystallographic twofold axis. Diffraction data to 3.0 A have been collected.

Diffusion coefficient of the cyclic GMP analog 8-(fluoresceinyl)thioguanosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate in the salamander rod outer segment

Cyclic GMP (cGMP) is the intracellular messenger mediating phototransduction in retinal rods, with its longitudinal diffusion in the rod outer segment (ROS) likely to be a factor in determining light sensitivity. From the kinetics of cGMP-activated currents in the truncated ROS of the salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), the cGMP diffusion coefficient was previously estimated to be approximately 60 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1. On the other hand, fluorescence measurements in intact salamander ROS using 8-(fluoresceinyl)thioguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Fl-cGMP) led to a diffusion coefficient for this compound of 1 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1; after corrections for differences in size and in binding to cellular components between cGMP and Fl-cGMP, this gave an upper limit of 11 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1 for the cGMP diffusion coefficient. To properly compare the two sets of measurements, we have examined the diffusion of Fl-cGMP in the truncated ROS. From the kinetics of Fl-cGMP-activated currents, we have obtained a diffusion coefficient of 3 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1 for this analog; the cGMP diffusion coefficient measured from the same truncated ROSs was approximately 80 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1. Thus, a factor of 27 appears appropriate for correcting differences in size and intracellular binding between cGMP and Fl-cGMP. Application of this correction factor to the Fl-cGMP diffusion coefficient measurements by Olson and Pugh (1993) gives a cGMP diffusion coefficient of approximately 30 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1, in reasonable agreement with the value measured from the truncated ROS.

Cyclic GMP contact points within the 63-kDa subunit and a 240-kDa associated protein of retinal rod cGMP-activated channels

Ion channels from retinal rods and a variety of other cells are directly gated by cyclic nucleotides. The rod channel is known to contain a 63-kDa subunit, and there is molecular genetic evidence for the existence, in human retina, of a second subunit with a deduced molecular mass of about 100 kDa. When purified from bovine rods, the channel consists of the 63-kDa subunit and a 240-kDa associated protein that has been shown recently to contain a version of the cloned second subunit as part of a larger complex. We had previously shown that a photoaffinity analog of cGMP, 8-(p-azidophenacylthio)-[32P]cGMP, specifically labels both the 63- and 240-kDa proteins. Here the analog was used to identify cGMP-binding regions and amino acid contact points within these proteins. The specific labeling of the 63-kDa subunit was localized to a 66 amino acid fragment (Tyr-515-Met-580) that is contained entirely within a 110 amino acid region proposed to be the cGMP-binding site on the basis of homology with other cyclic nucleotide-binding proteins. Within this fragment, amino acid residues Val-524, Val-525, and Ala-526 were found to contain label. These residues are part of a larger hydrophobic cluster that appears to line the binding pocket. The results also indicate that the 240-kDa protein contains a similar cGMP-binding site. Sequencing of a specifically labeled 8-kDa fragment through 16 amino acid residues indicated that the fragment was derived from the portion of the 240-kDa complex that contains the second subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neuropsychiatric consequences of renal failure

Renal failure is associated with many subtle, and several distinct, alterations in neuropsychiatric function. This review describes the clinical findings, the treatments, and the known pathophysiology of the neuropsychiatric effects of renal failure.

Conjoint screening questionnaires for alcohol and other drug abuse: criterion validity in a primary care practice

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommended that physicians use the CAGE questions to screen patients for alcohol abuse. A similarly brief screening instrument for abuse of other drugs is needed. Two conjoint screening questionnaires for alcohol and other drug abuse were adapted from the CAGE questions and the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST). For 124 patients of an academic, community family practice, the conjoint questionnaires and their forerunners were compared with DSM-III-R diagnoses of substance use disorders as measured by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule-Revised (DIS-R). The SMAST and its conjoint analog exhibited low sensitivity. The CAGE Adapted to Include Drugs (CAGE-AID) was more sensitive but less specific for substance abuse than the CAGE, especially when a reduced criterion score was employed. The CAGE-AID was more sensitive than the CAGE for subjects of varying sex, income, and level of education, as well as most patterns of substance use disorders. The diminished specificity of the CAGE-AID may have been, at least in part, artifactual. The CAGE-AID holds promise for identifying primary care patients with alcohol and drug disorders.

Wound healing in the transforming growth factor-beta1-deficient mouse

To investigate the role of transforming growth factor-beta(1) in tissue repair, we performed wound healing studies in the transforming growth factor-beta(1)-deficient mouse with targeted disruption of the transforming growth factor-beta(1) gene. Transforming growth factor-beta(1)-deficient mice exhibit no obvious developmental defects and are phenotypically normal until approximately 3 weeks of age when a severe wasting syndrome develops, accompanied by an overwhelming inflammatory response resulting in multisystem organ failure and death. Full-thickness 0.5 x 0.5 cm skin wounds were created on the backs of 10-day-old mice (wild type or heterozygous controls versus homozygous transforming growth factor-beta(1)-deficient mutants) and covered with a nonabsorbent dressing (OpSite). Serial wound measurements were made, and percentage of wound closure over time was determined. On day 10, wounds and liver were harvested for histologic and molecular analysis. Histologic scores were assigned (1 [no healing] to 12 [complete healing]) on the basis of granulation tissue formation, vascularity, collagen deposition, and epithelialization. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect messenger RNA transcripts for transforming growth factor-beta(1), transforming growth factor-beta(2), platelet-derived growth factor A-chain and B-chain, interleukin-1beta and -6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in unwounded skin, day 10 wounds, and liver. No significant differences in wound closure were observed until day 10. Weight gain, however, was significantly decreased in the mutant animals as early as day 6. Histologic scores were significantly lower in the transforming growth factor-beta(1)-deficient mutants (5.4 +/- 0.6 versus 11.1 +/- 0.3, p < 0.01, Wilcoxon rank-sum test) and showed decreased granulation tissue formation, vascularity, collagen deposition, and epithelialization and a marked inflammatory infiltrate. As expected, transforming growth factor-beta(1) was expressed in controls but not mutants. Transforming growth factor-beta(2), platelet-derived growth factor A-chain and B-chain, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were constitutively expressed in unwounded skin, day 10 wounds, and liver of both controls and mutants. Interleukin-1beta and -6, however, were induced after wounding. Early wound healing in the transforming growth factor-beta(1)-deficient mouse proceeds relatively normally because of upregulation or functional redundancy of other growth factors or possibly because of maternal rescue by means of transforming growth factor-beta(1) transmitted in milk. Loss of transforming growth factor-beta(1) regulation ultimately results in a marked inflammatory response, as evidenced by the histologic appearance of the wound and increased expression of the inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and 6). The severe wasting syndrome (marked by weight loss) undoubtedly has an adverse effect on wound healing.