The isolation and partial characterization of a highly pathogenic herpesvirus from the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)

This report describes the first isolation and partial characterization of a herpesvirus from the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). The virus was isolated during a disease outbreak in a group of young seals nursed in a seal orphanage in The Netherlands. Almost half of the seals died with symptoms of acute pneumonia and focal hepatitis and the virus was isolated of organs of most of the dead animals. Seven out of ten seals of which paired serum samples were obtained showed seroconversion in a virus neutralization test during this outbreak. The virus was tentatively characterized as a herpesvirus (seal herpesvirus: SeHV or phocid herpesvirus 1) on the basis of its characteristic morphology in electron microscopy, buoyant density in sucrose, sensitivity to ether and heat treatment and its antigenic relationship with other probable members of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily. The virus caused cytopathic changes within 24 hours after inoculation in seal kidney cells, consisting of a focal rounding of cells and syncytium formation. No cytopathic changes were observed in the cells of nine other mammalian species tested.

Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase complex: particle masses of the complex and component enzymes measured by scanning transmission electron microscopy

Particle masses of the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex and its component enzymes have been measured by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The particle mass of PDH complex measured by STEM is 5.28 X 10(6) with a standard deviation of 0.40 X 10(6). The masses of the component enzymes together with their standard deviations are (2.06 +/- 0.26) X 10(5) for the dimeric pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), (1.15 +/- 0.17) X 10(5) for dimeric dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3), and (2.20 +/- 0.17) X 10(6) for dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2), the 24-subunit core enzyme. The latter value corresponds to a subunit molecular weight of (9.17 +/- 0.71) X 10(4) for E2. The subunit molecular weight measured by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate is 8.6 X 10(4). STEM measurements on PDH complex incubated with excess E3 or E1 failed to detect any additional binding of E3 but showed that the complex would bind additional E1 under forcing conditions (high concentrations with glutaraldehyde). The additional E1 subunits were bound too weakly to represent binding sites in an isolated or isolable complex. The mass measurements by STEM are consistent with the subunit composition 24:24:12 when interpreted in the light of the flavin content of the complex and assuming 24 subunits in the core enzyme (E2).

T cell-dependent and -independent stimulation of hamster spleen NK-like cells with concanavalin A

This study was designed to examine the inducibility and lineage of nonspecifically cytotoxic effector cells in the hamster spleen. Employing a known T cell mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), and a monoclonal antibody against a recently identified hamster T cell marker (Thy 1.2 homologue), we examined the effector cells induced in spleen by ConA and the role of T cells in regulating this response. Cytotoxicity was measured against uninfected baby hamster kidney cells, cells infected with herpes simplex virus, or a mouse target, SV3T3, in a 16-hr 51Cr release assay. Pretreatment of spleen cells with ConA (2.5-10 micrograms ConA/ml) markedly augmented killing of all targets. Although ConA pretreatment of effector cells enhanced cytotoxicity, pretreatment of targets did not, indicating that ConA is acting at the effector cell level. Supernatants from ConA-stimulated spleen cells also augmented spleen lymphocyte cytotoxicity, suggesting that the ConA effect is mediated by lymphokines (LK). Depletion of Thy 1.2-positive cells from the spleen cells failed to influence augmentation of cytotoxicity by either ConA or ConA-induced LK, indicating that the precursor cells are not T cells. However, depletion of Thy 1.2-positive cells completely eliminated the production of LK in response to ConA, indicating that the factors in LK that augment cytotoxicity are strictly T cell dependent. Whether nonspecific cytotoxic cells induced by ConA in the absence of T cells and by the T cell LK are the same population is not known. None of the cytotoxicity induced from intact or T cell-depleted spleen cells by either ConA or LK expressed the Thy 1.2 homologue. These results suggest that nonspecific cytotoxic lymphocytes of non-T cell lineage in the hamster are regulated via both T cell-dependent and T cell-independent mechanisms.

The incidence of hypercalcemia in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Hypercalcemia is a well-recognized phenomenon in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, but the incidence of hypercalcemia in this group of patients is not clear. We have reviewed the records of 166 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck presented at the Boston VA Medical Center over a 2-year period (October 1981 to September 1983). Hypercalcemia (greater than 11 mg/dl), for which a benign etiology could not be identified, occurred in the clinical course of seven patients (4.2%). Of the hypercalcemic patients, 5/7 (71.4%) had advanced stage IV disease and serum calcium levels ranging from 11.2 to 15 mg/dl at presentation. The incidence of hypercalcemia in this stage IV group was 5/78 (6.4%). On the basis of concomitant serum alkaline phosphatase, x-ray films, and radionuclide bone scans in these patients, bone metastases or a humoral factor were felt to be the etiologic agent. Six of the seven patients died within 77 days of the onset of the hypercalcemia despite vigorous antihypercalcemic and chemotherapeutic measures, and the remaining patient is under chemotherapy at present. We conclude that hypercalcemia is a late manifestation of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and is an ominous prognostic sign. Hypercalcemia without bone metastases is presumably due to the production of ectopic parathormone (PTH)-like substances from the tumor. To control this hypercalcemia, the underlying tumor must be treated vigorously in conjunction with symptomatic treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis of undecagold cluster molecules as biochemical labeling reagents. 2. Bromoacetyl and maleimido undecagold clusters

Derivatives of heptakis[4,4',4"-phosphinidynetris(benzenemethanamine) ]undecagold, 1, molecular formula Au11(CN)3[P(C6H4CH2NH3)]7, are described. These include undecagold complexes with a single free primary amino group, a single bromoacetyl group, and a single maleimido group per molecule. Hydrolysis of mono(N-phthalyl)icosa(N-acetyl)-1 at pH 3.2 and 46 degrees C under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of NaBH3CN produces icosa(N-acetyl)-1. Partial acylation of 1 with 1.3 equiv of 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride followed by complete acetylation with acetic anhydride produces a mixture consisting largely of mono- and bis(dimethylmaleyl)peracetyl-1. Hydrolysis of 2,3-dimethylmaleimides at pH 3.2 for 1 at 25 degrees C produces a mixture of icosa(N-acetyl)-1, with a single free amino group, and nondea(N-acetyl)-1. This mixture can be quantitatively separated by cation-exchange chromatography at pH 7, giving homogeneous icosa(N-acetyl)-1 in an overall yield of 55%. Icosa(N-acetyl)-1 serves as the starting material for the synthesis of the alkylating derivatives mono(N-bromoacetyl)icosa(N-acetyl)-1 and mono[N-(p-maleimidobenzoyl)]icosa(N-acetyl)-1. These derivatives can be used for alkylating proteins in preparation for electron microscopy.

Synthesis of undecagold cluster molecules as biochemical labeling reagents. 3. Dimeric cluster with a single reactive amino group

The synthesis and characterization of a dimeric derivative of the undecagold cluster complex Au11(CN)3[P-(C6H4CH2NH2)3]7, 1, are described. The dimer, 2, consists of cross-linked molecules of 1 in which 41 of the 42 amino groups are acylated, leaving a single free amino group per dimer. This amino group is reactive and can be used to prepare derivatives of 2 for use in labeling biological macromolecules in preparation for electron microscopic analysis. Limited acylation of 1 by 1.3 equiv of citraconic anhydride in aqueous solution, followed by extensive acylation with acetic anhydride at pH 7-7.5, leads to a mixture of monomeric and dimeric products. Hydrolytic removal of N-citraconyl groups at pH 3.2 unmasks a few amino groups. Cation-exchange chromatography at pH 7 separates the products into three main groups, species containing one, two, or three free amino groups, in overall yields of 33%, 28%, and 15%, respectively. The monoamino species consist mainly of 2 and a monomeric product, which are separated by gel exclusion chromatography. 2 migrates as a dimer upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, and it contains a single free amino group, detectable by its ion-exchange behavior as a monocation at pH 7 and by its reactivity with [14C]phthalic anhydride.

Nonspecific cytotoxicity of vaccinia-induced peritoneal exudates in hamsters is mediated by Thy-1.2 homologue-positive cells distinct from NK cells and macrophages

Vaccinia virus-induced peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) in the hamster were characterized with regard to cell type(s), target specificity, and expression of the T cell antigen, Thy 1.2 homologue. Hamsters were immunized intraperitoneally with vaccinia virus and cytotoxicity was measured against 51Cr-labeled targets in a 16-hr assay. PEC collected 4 days after immunization were cytotoxic for both baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) and herpes virus-infected BHK (BHKHSV). Both the nonadherent (lymphocyte) and adherent macrophage (MP) fractions of PEC were cytotoxic. Treatment of cells with a monoclonal anti-murine Thy 1.2 antibody (alpha-Thy 1.2) known to detect a Thy 1.2 homologue on hamster T cells, removed all of the cytotoxicity in both PEC fractions, whereas, cytotoxic spleen cells from the same animals were resistant to antibody treatment. Similarly, the cytotoxic cells in PEC induced by bacillus Calmette-Guérin were exclusively of the Thy 1.2 homologue-positive phenotype. Target specificities of Thy 1.2+ PEC and Thy 1.2- spleen cells were similar as evidenced by comparable activity against hamster BHK and BHKHSV targets and murine SV3T3 and YAC-1 targets. Previous studies have attributed the cytotoxicity of the adherent PEC to MP. However, as determined by immunofluorescence and morphological studies, treatments that enriched for MP decreased cytotoxic activity, whereas, procedures that enriched for lymphocytes enhanced cytotoxic activity suggesting that all cytotoxicity in PEC is mediated by a non-specific Thy 1.2 homologue positive lymphocyte (Thy 1.2+ CL). Thus our data support the conclusion that intraperitoneal inoculation of hamsters with vaccinia induces two distinctly compartmentalized phenotypes with similar cytotoxic characteristics--the Thy 1.2+ CL and the Thy 1.2 homologue-negative natural killer cell (NK) or NK-like cell in the peritoneum and in the spleen, respectively.

Nonspecific cytotoxicity of vaccinia-induced peritoneal exudates in hamsters is mediated by Thy-1.2 homologue-positive cells distinct from NK cells and macrophages

Vaccinia virus-induced peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) in the hamster were characterized with regard to cell type(s), target specificity, and expression of the T cell antigen, Thy 1.2 homologue. Hamsters were immunized intraperitoneally with vaccinia virus and cytotoxicity was measured against 51Cr-labeled targets in a 16-hr assay. PEC collected 4 days after immunization were cytotoxic for both baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) and herpes virus-infected BHK (BHKHSV). Both the nonadherent (lymphocyte) and adherent macrophage (MP) fractions of PEC were cytotoxic. Treatment of cells with a monoclonal anti-murine Thy 1.2 antibody (alpha-Thy 1.2) known to detect a Thy 1.2 homologue on hamster T cells, removed all of the cytotoxicity in both PEC fractions, whereas, cytotoxic spleen cells from the same animals were resistant to antibody treatment. Similarly, the cytotoxic cells in PEC induced by bacillus Calmette-Guérin were exclusively of the Thy 1.2 homologue-positive phenotype. Target specificities of Thy 1.2+ PEC and Thy 1.2- spleen cells were similar as evidenced by comparable activity against hamster BHK and BHKHSV targets and murine SV3T3 and YAC-1 targets. Previous studies have attributed the cytotoxicity of the adherent PEC to MP. However, as determined by immunofluorescence and morphological studies, treatments that enriched for MP decreased cytotoxic activity, whereas, procedures that enriched for lymphocytes enhanced cytotoxic activity suggesting that all cytotoxicity in PEC is mediated by a non-specific Thy 1.2 homologue positive lymphocyte (Thy 1.2+ CL). Thus our data support the conclusion that intraperitoneal inoculation of hamsters with vaccinia induces two distinctly compartmentalized phenotypes with similar cytotoxic characteristics--the Thy 1.2+ CL and the Thy 1.2 homologue-negative natural killer cell (NK) or NK-like cell in the peritoneum and in the spleen, respectively.

[Continuously do a good job in planned parenthood work and fulfill this year's population target]

It has been a year since the CCP Central Committee issued an open letter to all CCP and CYL members on population control. In the past year, CCP and CYL members and the broad masses of people in our province have actively responded to the CCP Central Committee's call--1 child/couple. Over 1.7 million couples of childbearing age have applied for only-child certificates. Our province has scored great achievements in planned parenthood work. However, we must realize that new situations and new questions have arisen in planned parenthood work. 1st, the peak period of population growth in our province is from the late 1950s to the 1960s. Children born in this period are now entering the childbearing age. There soon will be a new peak population growth period. 2nd, because of the enactment of the new marriage law, the number of those married in the first 1/2 of this year doubled that of previous years. Responsibility systems in rural areas have pomoted development of productive forces. This is very good, but this has also stimulated population growth because people mistakenly think that more children mean more labor forces and more income. They begin to think of having more chidlren--especially sons. Some localities have lost control of population growth. The birth rate in rural areas has begun to climb quickly. If no measures are adopted immediately, our province's population will swell enormously. All the achievements scored in the 1970s will probably be spoiled, and we likely will again commit a historical error. As far as our province is concerned, planned parenthood is imperative. In 1949, our province's per capita farmland was 3 mu. At the end of 1980, it was only 1.49 mu. If no measures are adopted and the population keeps growing, the consequences will be serious.

Interactions of concomitant species of nematodes and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on cotton

Meloidogyne incognita, Hoplolaintus galeatus, and North Carolina and Georgia populations of Belonolaimus longicaudatus were introduced singly and in various combinations with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on wilt-susceptible 'Rowden' cotton. Of all the nematodes, the combination of the N. C. population of B. longicaudatus with Fusarium promoted greatest wilt development. H. galeatus had no effect on wilt. With Fusarium plus M. incognito or B. longicaudatus, high nematode levels promoted greater wilt than low levels. The combination of either population of B. longicaudatus with M. incognita and Fusarium induced greater wilt development than comparable inoculum densities of either nematode alone or where H. galeatus was substituted for either of these nematodes. Nematode reproduction was inversely related to wilt development. Without Fusarium, however, the high inoculum level resulted in greater reproduction of all nematode species on cotton. Combining M. incognita with B. longicaudatus or H. galeatus gave mutually depressive effects on final nematode populations. The interactions of H. gateatus with B. longicaudatus varied with two populations of the latter.

The influence of Trichoderma harzianum on the root-knot Fusarium wilt complex in cotton

Wilt-susceptible cultivar 'Rowden' cotton was inoculated wilh Meloidogyne incognita (N), Trichoderma harzianum (T), and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (F) alone and in all combinations in various time sequences. Plants inoculated with F alone or in combination with T did not develop wilt, Simultaneous inoculation of 7-day-old seedlings with all three organisms (NTF) produced earliest wilt. However, plants receiving nematodes at 7 days and Fusarium and Trichoderma at 2 or 4 weeks later (N-T-F, N-TF) developed the greatest wilt between 49-84 days after initial nematode inoculation. During the same period, Fusarium added 4 weeks after initial nematode inoculation (N-F) and Fusarium added 4 weeks after initial simultaneous inoculation of nematode and Trichoderma (NT-F) produced the least wilt. The addition of Fusarium inhibited nematode reproduction. Simultaneous inoculation with nematodes and Trichoderma (NT-) resulted in the greatest root gall development, whereas nematodes alone produced the greatest number of larvae. In comparison with noninoculated controls (CK), treatments involving all three organisms inhibited plant growth, plants inoculated with the nematode alone (N-) or with nematodes and Trichoderma (NT-) simultaneously had greatest root weight. Any treatment involving the nematode resulted in fewer bolls per plant and greater necrosis on roots than the noninoculated checks.

Effects of light intensity and quality effects on reproduction of plant-parasitic nematodes

Growing cotton in a greenhouse with 12-h of supplemental light [8,608 lux (800 ft-c) from combination of mercury and Lucalux lamps] resulted in 2 x to > 3 x greater reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita and Belonolaimus longicaudatus as compared to natural light alone. Rate of increase of Hoplolaimus galeatus was affected little in this experiment. In a second experiment under controlled conditions in a phytotron, light source and intensity had greater influence on the reproduction of Heterodera glycines and Pratylenchus penetrans on soybean than on B. longicaudatus. Fluorescent plus incandescent and metal halide light sources resulted in the greatest nematode reproduction. Lucalux lamps resulted in much lower rates of nematode increase than other light sources. Rates of nematode increase on soybean under the different light sources in the phytotron generally were positively related to plant growth.

Effects of N2-O2 and CO2-O2 tensions on growth of fungi isolated from damaged flue-cured tobacco

Ten fungi, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, A. ruber, A. repens, A. amstelodami, Alternaria tenuis, Penicillium brevi-compactum, Cladosporium herbarum, and Chaetomium dolicotrichum, were isolated from moldy flue-cured tobacco and grown in various mixtures of N(2)-O(2) or CO(2)-O(2). A 1 to 5% concentration of O(2) in an N(2) atmosphere caused the greatest change in growth of the nine species, and a 10 to 20% concentration of O(2) for A. flavus. All species, except A. amstelodami and A. ruber, grew faster in air than in mixtures containing 10% O(2). High O(2) concentrations generally inhibited furrow production in the mycelial mats. In an atmosphere of 5 to 40% O(2) in the N(2) atmosphere, furrows formed in mycelial mats between 5 and 40% O(2) in the species except for A. ruber, A. repens, and A. amstelodami, which produced none in any concentration. As O(2) decreased below 20%, spore production was progressively decreased, colony color faded to white, and cleistothecia formation was suppressed. In CO(2)-O(2) mixtures radial growth of all species increased with each quantitative decrease of CO(2). All species except A. niger grew faster in air than in 10% CO(2). In contrast to N(2)-O(2) mixtures, the fungi formed furrows, sporulation and cleistothecial formation were suppressed, and colony color changed to white in higher O(2) concentrations.

Action of proteolytic enzymes on wheat gluten

Papain and trypsin partially hydrolyzed wheat gluten dispersed in 10% sodium salicylate, and pepsin partially hydrolyzed gluten dispersed in aluminium lactate. Trypsin was considerably less effective than either papain or pepsin. Papain produced non-protein nitrogen most rapidly during early stages of hydrolysis but pepsin produced the largest total after 48 h. The rate of release of terminal amino nitrogen was similar for papain and pepsin, and release was not complete after 48 h. The mean size of polypeptides was larger in papain than in pepsin hydrolysates during early stages of hydrolysis but definitely smaller after 48 h. Only pepsin released appreciable amounts of free amino acid nitrogen. Leucine and phenylalanine made up over 50% of the free amino acids after 48 h but several other amino acids were found in significant quantities.