Treatment of antisocial personality disorder: Development of a practice focused framework

There is little to no evidence of effective treatment methods for patients with an antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). One of the reasons could be the fact that they are often excluded from mental healthcare and thus from studies. A treatment framework based on 'state of the art' methods and best practices, offering guidelines on the treatment of ASP and possibilities for more systematical research, is urgently needed. This research involved a literature search and an international Delphi-study (N = 61 experts in research, management and clinical practice focused on ASPD). The results suggested important preconditions with regard to organization of care, healthcare workers and therapy. Conclusions are that there are many ways to coordinate effective treatment and management and work toward the increased availability of evidence based care for persons with ASPD.

Qualitative research in healthcare: an introduction to grounded theory using thematic analysis

In today's NHS, qualitative research is increasingly important as a method of assessing and improving quality of care. Grounded theory has developed as an analytical approach to qualitative data over the last 40 years. It is primarily an inductive process whereby theoretical insights are generated from data, in contrast to deductive research where theoretical hypotheses are tested via data collection. Grounded theory has been one of the main contributors to the acceptance of qualitative methods in a wide range of applied social sciences. The influence of grounded theory as an approach is, in part, based on its provision of an explicit framework for analysis and theory generation. Furthermore the stress upon grounding research in the reality of participants has also given it credence in healthcare research. As with all analytical approaches, grounded theory has drawbacks and limitations. It is important to have an understanding of these in order to assess the applicability of this approach to healthcare research. In this review we outline the principles of grounded theory, and focus on thematic analysis as the analytical approach used most frequently in grounded theory studies, with the aim of providing clinicians with the skills to critically review studies using this methodology.

The effectiveness of an informal teaching programme for junior doctors identifying pleural effusions using ultrasound at the bedside

OBJECTIVES

The use of bedside ultrasound to localise pleural effusions has gained in popularity in recent years. We investigated whether or not junior doctors could accurately identify thoracic anatomical structures and localise pleural effusions using bedside ultrasound.

METHODS

Junior doctors were instructed by a consultant chest physician in the theory and practice of using ultrasound to localise pleural effusions, and then instructed in the method of inserting a Seldinger chest drain. Juniors were instructed to record a scan picture, including labelling of relevant structures. We then conducted a review of 52 images, noting indications, complications and the grade of doctor performing the scan. A consultant radiologist reviewed the scan pictures to confirm that the anatomy was correctly identified.

RESULTS

Fifty out of 52 images (96%) were of diagnostic quality, with the anatomy correctly identified. The complication rate from chest drain insertion was 3.85%.

CONCLUSIONS

With instruction, junior doctors can competently utilise basic chest ultrasound, obtain useful images, identify relevant thoracic anatomy and insert chest drains by the Seldinger technique with a low rate of complications. We suggest thoracic ultrasound should be more widely taught to junior doctors.

Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in the blood and tumor site of Hodgkin's disease patients: implications for a T-cell-based therapy

Approximately 40% of Hodgkin's disease (HD) cases carry EBV in the malignant Hodgkin-Reed Sternberg (H-RS) cells, with expression of viral latent membrane proteins (LMPs) 1 and 2. These viral proteins are targets for CTLs in healthy EBV carriers, and their expression in EBV-associated HD raises the possibility of targeting them for a CTL-based immunotherapy. Here we characterize the CTL response to EBV latent antigens in both the blood and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of HD patients using two approaches: (a) in vitro reactivation of CTLs by stimulation with the autologous EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line; and (b) an enzyme-linked immunospot assay to quantify frequencies of CTLs specific for known LMP1/2 epitopes. We detected EBV-specific CTLs in blood and biopsy samples from both EBV-negative and EBV-positive HD patients. However, as in healthy EBV carriers, LMP-specific CTL precursors occurred only at low frequency in the blood of HD patients, and with the exception of one EBV-negative HD case, were undetectable in the tumor. These data give rise to two considerations: (a) they may explain why EBV-positive tumor cells persist in the presence of an existing EBV-specific immune response; and (b) they provide a rationale for selectively boosting/eliciting LMP-specific CTL responses as a therapy for EBV-positive HD.

Comparison of mono- and dichlorinated tyrosines with carbonyls for detection of hypochlorous acid modified proteins

Hypochlorous acid is a potent oxidant capable of oxidizing and chlorinating proteins. Based on its indiscriminant reactivity, it is proposed to play a major role in tissue damage associated with a range of inflammatory diseases. We have determined the relative tendencies for formation of protein carbonyls, chlorinated tyrosine residues, and epitopes recognized by an antibody raised against hypochlorous acid oxidized protein (HOP-1) when albumin is treated with hypochlorous acid. We have also tested the specificity of the HOP-1 antibody by measuring how effectively it recognizes proteins oxidized by hypobromous acid. 3-Chlorotyrosine, along with a new marker of hypochlorous acid dependent protein modification, 3, 5-dichlorotyrosine, was formed at the lowest doses of hypochlorous acid that were capable of generating protein carbonyls. Comparatively high doses of hypochlorous acid were needed to generate epitopes recognized by HOP-1, which were also produced by hypobromous acid. Our study demonstrates that it is advantageous to measure protein carbonyls and HOP-1 epitopes in conjunction with chlorinated tyrosines when attempting to identify the oxidants responsible for inflammatory tissue damage.

Epstein-Barr virus in Hodgkin's disease

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a B-lymphotropic herpesvirus widespread in human populations, is carried by most individuals as an asymptomatic lifelong infection. Much progress has been made in our understanding of virus infection/persistence, and in the role of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response in control of that infection. This same virus is linked to several malignancies, including endemic Burkitt's lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease and to many cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD). Recent evidence showing that HD, like the other EBV-associated lymphomas, is of B-cell origin suggests that the pathogenesis of these malignancies may share more common ground than previously thought. The biology and cytotoxic T-cell control of primary and persistent EBV infection, and the links between EBV and all three lymphomas are reviewed. The expression of viral antigens in EBV-positive HD raises the possibility of developing tumour immunotherapy, using relevant components of the EBV-specific T-cell response; progress to date, and future prospects for immune control of EBV-positive HD are discussed.

Comparison of human red cell lysis by hypochlorous and hypobromous acids: insights into the mechanism of lysis

Human red blood cells are lysed by the neutrophil-derived oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl), although the mechanism of lysis is unknown. Hypobromous acid (HOBr), a similarly reactive oxidant, lysed red cells approx. 10-fold faster than HOCl. Therefore we compared the effects of these oxidants on thiols, membrane lipids and proteins to determine which reactions are associated with lysis. There was no difference in the loss of reduced glutathione or membrane thiols with either oxidant, but HOBr reacted more readily with membrane lipids and proteins. Bromohydrin derivatives of phospholipids and cholesterol were seen at approx. one-tenth the level of oxidant than chlorohydrins were. However, these products were detected only with high concentrations of HOCl or HOBr, which caused instant haemolysis. Membrane protein modification occurred at much lower doses of oxidant and was more closely correlated with lysis. SDS/PAGE analysis showed that band 3, the anion transport protein, was lost at the lowest dose of HOBr and at the higher concentrations of HOCl. Labelling the red cells with eosin 5-maleimide, a fluorescent label for band 3, suggested possible clustering of this protein in oxidant-exposed cells. There was also irreversible cross-linking of all the major membrane proteins; this reaction occurred more readily with HOBr. The results indicate that membrane protein modification is the reaction responsible for HOCl-mediated lysis. These effects, and particularly cross-link formation, might result in clustering of band 3 and other membrane and cytoskeletal proteins to form haemolytic pores.

Farming systems in the Australian semi-arid tropics-a recent history

The recent history of dryland farming in the Australian semi-arid tropics is discussed briefly against the background of national and state policies, established following World War II, aimed at increasing the population and development of northern Australia. Some reference is also made to irrigation as a means of overcoming limitations imposed by rainfall and to complement dryland farming systems. The environmental and socio-economic constraints whch have so far limited commercial agriculture in the Australian semi-arid tropics are highlighted. Efforts, particularly in north-west Australia, to develop sustainable farming systems based on legume pasture leys and livestock production in conjunction with annual cropping, as a basis for closer settlement, are reviewed. These attempts, which began in the 1960s and stemmed from earlier post-war agricultural research in the region, initially relied on a pasture legume (Stylosanthes humilis cv. Townsville stylo) and conventional tillage. Farming system development continues today using new legume species (e.g. Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano and Centrosema pascuorum cv. Cavalcade) and no-tillage cropping technology. This paper documents the history of agricultural and research development, and commercial practice in the Australian semi-arid tropics.

Comparison of no-tillage and conventional tillage in the development of sustainable farming systems in the semi-arid tropics

The results of 5 short-term (4-8 years) experiments and farm demonstrations in which no-tillage technology was compared with conventional or reduced tillage in the semi-arid tropics of the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, during the mid 1980s to mid 1990s, are reviewed. In the Douglas-Daly and Katherine districts of the Northern Territory, dryland crops of maize, sorghum, soybean and mungbean sown using no-tillage with adequate vegetative mulch on the soil surface have produced yields comparable with, or higher than (especially in drier years), those obtained under conventional tillage. The importance of a surface mulch in ameliorating soil temperature, moisture and fertility, and in reducing soil movement and loss in crop production in the semi-arid tropics was confirmed. Management of mulch (pasture, crop residues and weeds) will be crucial in the application of no-tillage technology to the development of mixed dryland crop and livestock enterprises in the semi-arid tropics.

Investigation of wool protein heterogeneity using two-dimensional electrophoresis with immobilised pH gradients

The heterogeneity of intermediate filament proteins (IFP) from wool has been investigated using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with immobilised pH gradients in the first dimension. The charge heterogeneity has been confirmed with some of the IFP separated as a string of spots with similar molecular weight, but markedly different in isoelectric point (pI). The molecular weight and pI distribution of the string of IFP changed after treatment with alkaline phosphatase, indicating that some of the heterogeneity is caused by phosphorylation.

A role for cAMP-dependent protein kinase A in early Dictyostelium development

In Dictyostelium, cAMP functions as an extracellular regulatory molecule that controls aggregation, expression of a number of classes of genes, and cellular differentiation by binding to cell-surface receptors that activate intracellular signal transduction pathways. To investigate possible roles for intracellular cAMP, we have overexpressed the wild-type mouse type-I regulatory subunit (RI) of cAMP-dependent protein C (PKA) in Dictyostelium cells, as well as mutant forms of the subunit that are altered in their ability to bind cAMP. We show that overexpression of a mutated RI, which lacks both cAMP-binding sites and presumably forms a complex with the endogenous Dictyostelium catalytic subunit that cannot be activated by cAMP, results in cells that do not aggregate or express sets of genes that are normally induced in the multicellular stages. Transformations that express the mutant subunit at low levels show no observable phenotype. We show that these cells can respond to pulses of cAMP and activate cAMP receptor/G protein-mediated processes, including the activation of adenylate and guanylate cyclases and the induction of a class of genes known to be regulated through the receptor-mediated pathways; however, the cells do show an altered pattern of expression of other genes normally active during the preaggregation/interphase and aggregation stages. Of interest is a substantial overexpression of the developmentally regulated PDE mRNA. Cell lines carrying constructs encoding the wild-type subunit or mutant subunits lacking one of the two binding sites show no visual phenotype. The results suggest that PKA-mediated functions, presumably controlled by increases in intracellular cAMP, are essential for Dictyostelium aggregation.

Nitrogen contributed by grain legumes to rice grown in rotation on the Cununurra soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia

The uptake of nitrogen (N) by dry season rice following wet season crops of soybean (for grain or green manure), green gram, Sesbania cannabina (a native legume), a cereal (sorghum or dryland rice for grain), or bare fallow, was studied for 3 cropping cycles over 4 years. The work was done on Cununurra clay (0.04% N) at Kimberley Research Station near Kununurra, W.A., in the Ord Irrigation Area. Stubbles were returned to the soil except in the first cycle when (excluding the green manure treatment) all tops were removed from the plots at maturity. There was a 12-month bare fallow period between the first and second cycles. Dry season rice was drill-sown with or without 100 kg ha-1 of N applied as urea at permanent flooding. Soybean, green gram and Sesbania crops accumulated 290-360, 80-130 and 110-180 kg N ha-1, respectively, in the tops at maturity. An average of about 40 kg N ha-1 was present in the stem bases and roots (0-20 cm depth). Estimates of nitrogen fixation based on 15N dilution measurements ranged from 65-72% of total plant N when the legumes were grown after 12 months fallow, to 93-95% when they were grown immediately following dry season rice. Fertiliser N at 25 kg ha-1 applied presowing ('starter' N) had no significant effect on legume N yield at maturity. N returned in leaves, stems and hulls averaged 30, 50 and 80 kg N ha-1 for green gram, soybean and Sesbania, respectively. Rice grain yields and N uptake at maturity were generally highest after Sesbania and lowest after a wet season cereal crop. Differences among treatments were small and related to the quantity of N returned in residues. On average, 11% of the N in the residues was recovered in the tops of the following rice crop. Rice yields increased over the 4-year period, but mean increases were similar for legume and non-legume treatments. The average apparent recovery of N applied as urea to dry season rice at permanent flooding was 76%. The inclusion of a soybean cash crop in the rotation offers the possibility of a marginal reduction in the need for N fertiliser.

Residual values of zinc sulfate and acidifying (elemental) sulfur for rice on the alkaline Cununurra soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia

The residual values of zinc sulfate and acidifying (elemental) sulfur (S) for rice on Cununurra clay were investigated at Kimberley Research Station, near Kununurra in the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia. Successive crops were grown on 2 sites showing different degrees of zinc (Zn) deficiency according to visual symptoms. Despite the marked response to Zn fertiliser shown by the first crop of IR665-24-1 rice on the more deficient site (previously fallow for 12 months) there was no significant yield response to applied Zn in the third crop. On the less Zn deficient site (previously under weeds for several years), IR661-1-170-1-3 rice showed no response to Zn fertiliser although transient symptoms occurred in the first and second crops. Continuous cropping per se apparently reduced the severity of Zn deficiency on both sites, thus negating attempts to estimate the residual value of Zn fertiliser. The 2 sites were not distinguishable by the EDTAammonium carbonate soil test for Zn. Extractable Zn increased with increasing level of Zn fertiliser, but plant response was not related to extractable Zn. Application of elemental S (1-4 t ha-1) had no effect on extractable Zn levels before sowing of rice. Increased rice yields due to acidifying S were confirmed, but the residual effects did not extend beyond the fourth crop. In each of the 3 seasons following S application, the yield of IR661-1-170-1-3 increased by 0.3-0.6 t ha-1 but, at current prices, the use of S as a soil ameliorant for rice in the Ord Irrigation Area would be uneconomic.

X-ray microanalysis of chloride in nails from cystic fibrosis and control patients

Nail clippings from 60 individuals were examined. There were 34 "old" (greater than 16 years) controls, 16 "young" controls and 10 CF patients. In regard to elements found, Si and Al were considered as exogenous contamination. Other elements examined were variable in both control and CF. Examination of the Cl levels among the 3 groups showed a highly significant difference between the mean Cl integral values of the young controls (619 integral) and the CF patients (2956 integral). The results of the older control population ranged from 0-905 integral with a mean of 269 integral. We found no age or sex difference in the amount of Cl or any other element from either the CF or control population. Results show that the x-ray energy dispersive system (EDS) is very useful in studying the Cl in nails. We found that examination of nails frozen in liquid nitrogen followed by fracturing without prior washing was the preferred method. Although the results of this study clearly show statistically the value of EDS analysis of Cl in the diagnosis of CF, we must await further study of a larger group of patients to determine its usefulness in evaluating individual patients, particularly newborns.

Multinucleation of cultured canine epithelial and lymphoma cell lines

The frequency distribution patterns of monuclear and multinuclear giant cells were determined for two canine lymphoma cell lines (DT-5 and 11028), and a normal canine kidney epithelial cell line (DK). The proportion of multinuclear cells in the DK line (1.53%) was approximately twice those of the DT-5 (0.75%) and 11028 (0.73%) cell lines. The observed frequency distributions of cells with single and various numbers of multiple nuclei were compared to Poisson distributions using the chi-square test. For each cell line, the number of cells with three or more nuclei far exceeded the number predicted by the Poisson distribution. Hence, the occurrence of multinuclear cells in these canine cell lines does not follow a random distribution pattern. Possible explanations for the nonrandom accumulation of multinuclear giant cells are discussed.

Level and temporal pattern of naturally cytolytic cells during acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) in the rat

The purpose of the present study was to determine the level of nonadherent lymphoid cells from Graft-verus-Host Disease (GVHD) rats able to naturally kill (NK/NC cells) various solid tumor or lymphoma cells in vitro. Acute lethal GVHD was produced in either newborn or adult (DA x LEW)F1 rats by iv injection of LEW spleen and lymph node (LN) cells. Controls received the same dose of syngeneic cells. At 7, 14, and 21 days after cell injection, the ability of non-adherent mononuclear cells from the LN, spleen, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), marrow, and thymus to kill 51Cr-labeled dog (DT-5) lymphoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma (11031) or human (HUS-2) sarcoma cells in vitro was determined. Only spleen and marrow of controls caused significant 51Cr release from the target cell lines. However, LN, spleen, marrow, PBL, and thymus from neonates and adults with GVHD of 7 days duration caused greater release from all targets than controls (P less than 0.05-0.001). By Day 14 the level of 51Cr released was significantly less than controls except for the values from LNs and thymus which remained elevated. By Day 21 all lymphoid compartments exhibited a decrease in NK/NC cells. Thus, early during acute GVHD, there is an activation and/or expansion of NK/NC cells while later-stage GVHD rats have depressed NK/NC levels.

Mucolipidosis I

A case of mucolipidosis I had clinical and histopathologic features that were a combination of changes found in both mucopolysaccharidoses and sphingolipidoses. Corneal clouding, spokelike cataracts, tortuous conjunctival and retinal vessels, and strabismus were clinical findings. Histopathologically, there were inclusion vacuoles similar to those seen in mucopolysaccharidoses; lamellar bodies typical of sphingolipidoses were rare. These vacuoles were seen in conjunctival and corneal epithelium and fibrocytes, conjunctival and retinal vessel endothelium, and all retinal cell layers.

Studies of a human mesothelioma

Abdominal fluid from a patient with mesothelioma was cultured in vitro, and a cell line designated JMN was established. This cell line has undergone more than 100 passages. Electron microscopic, karyotypic, and heterotransplantation studies as well as the capability of collagen synthesis by this cell line indicated that it is of malignant mesothelial origin. The cell line has proved very useful for the isolation of human pathogenic viruses.

The relationship of herpesvirus to carcinoma of the prostate

A laboratory based epidemiologic study was done to determine the possible relationship of herpesvirus type 2 to carcinoma of the prostate. A total of 305 patients (224 with benign prostatic hypertrophy and 81 with prostatic carcinoma) who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate was studied. Viral cultures were obtained from urethral swabs and urine preoperatively. Prostatic tissue removed at operation was grown as tissue explants, using a monolayer cell culture technique, and examined by specific immunofluorescence and electron microscopy for evidence of herpesvirus type 2. The sera of the patients also were tested for specific antibody to herpesvirus type 2 by the indirect hemagglutination inhibition test. Although herpesvirus was not isolated 5 per cent of the patients had evidence of herpesvirus type 2 antigen in prostatic tissues by specific immunofluorescence. Electron microscopy failed to reveal the presence of viral particles. There was an increased prevalence of herpesvirus type 2 antibody in patients with carcinoma of the prostate compared to the controls with benign prostatic hypertrophy (p less than 0.05). Although marital status was similar the patients with prostatic cancer tended to marry at an earlier age, have more children, more sexual partners and more exposure to prostitutes than their counterparts with benign prostatic hypertrophy. The demonstration of specific herpesvirus type 2 antibody in patients with prostatic cancer supports an etiologic role for herpesvirus type 2 but further studies are needed to describe more definitively the relationship since the indexes of sexual activity are remarkably high in both groups.

Cell cycle kinetics of uninfected and feline leukemia virus-infected canine lymphoma cell lines: effects of methotrexate treatment

The cell cycle kinetics of uninfected and feline leukemia virus-infected canine lymphoma cell lines were determined by autoradiography (PLM method) as follows: DT-5: generation time (TC), 15.2 h; pre-synthetic gap phase (TG1), 3.2 h; DNA-synthetic phase (TS), 8.2 h; post-synthetic gap ph se (TG2), 3.3 h; visible mitotic phase (TM), 0.5 h. 11028: TC, 13.6 h; TG1, 1.9 h; TS, 7.7 h; TG2, 3.4 h; TM, 0.6 h. 11028+FeLV (11028 productively infected with feline leukemia virus): TC, 11.2 h; TG1, 0.2 h; TS, 8.3 h; TG2, 2.1 h; TM, 0.6 h. Exposure of the lymphoma cell lines to methotrexate (MTX) in vitro produces dose-related increases in cellular volume, associated with reductions in cellular proliferation. The relative sensitivities of these cell lines to MTX, measured by the ID50 MTX concentrations for DT-5, 11028, and 11028+FeLV are 118 nM, 122 nM, and 28 nM respectively. The cell kinetic effects of the ID50 MTX concentrations added to cultures of lymphoma cells pulse-labeled with tritiated thymidine are an approximately 2-h prolongation of TC, attributable to a lengthening of TS, with other cell cycle phases not significantly altered. These cell lines are highly tumorigenic when transplanted into the cheek pouches of immunosuppressed hamsters, with inocula of 10(4) cells producing rapidly growing, well vascularized tumors.

Effect of sulphur, sulphuric acid and gypsum on the yield of rice on the Cununurra soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia

A field experiment was conducted at Kimberley Research Station near Kununurra, Western Australia, to compare elemental sulphur, sulphuric acid and gypsum as soil ameliorants for drill-sown rice on the Cununurra clay of the Ord Irrigation Area. The application of sulphur (0.5-4 t ha-1) and concentrated sulphuric acid (800-1 600 1 ha-1) to Cununurra clay temporarily decreased soil pH, improved seedling establishment and increased the mean grain yield of Bluebonnet 50 and IR661-1-170-1-3 rice from 4.27 to 5.32 t ha-1. Plant growth during the first 6 weeks was better and the transient iron chlorosis, which often develops after permanent flooding, was largely eliminated. Gypsum (1-4 t ha-1) had no significant effect on soil pH, seedling establishment, early growth or grain yield. Mean pH of the flooded soil (0-5 cm) one month after permanent flooding was 6.60, 6.56, 6.07 and 5.52 in the untreatad, gypsum, sulphur and sulphuric acid plots, respectively. Mean grain yield increased linearly as the pH of the flooded soil (0-5 cm) one month after permanent flooding decreased over the range of 6.5-5.5. The pH values of air dried soil samples takgn at 3, 6, 9 and 11 weeks after sowing and determined at the saturation moisture content fell by 0.5 to 2 units after the addition of sulphur and sulphuric acid. The decrease in pH at 3 weeks after the application of 800 l ha-1 sulphuric acid was five times greater than that due to an equivalent amount of elemsntal sulphur, but the effect of the acid was short-lived. Calcium and magnesium concentrations in the saturation extracts of the air-dried soil samples taken at 3 and 6 weeks after sowing were increased by the application of sulphur and gypsum. All ameliorants increased the nitrogen concentration in the plant tops at 3 weeks after sowing but only sulphur and sulphuric acid increased phosphorus, potassium, manganese, zinc or iron concentrations at one or more sampling dates.

Scanning electron microscopy of bronchiolar neuroepithelial bodies in neonatal mouse lungs

Scanning electron microscopy of the bronchiolar neuroepithelial bodies (NEB's) in the neonatal mouse lungs was undertaken and correlated with the accompanying transmission electron microscopy. The NEB's appeared as isolated organoids along the entire length of the bronchioles, and often were located at the branching points. The boundary of the NEB's was outlined by the ciliated and Clara cells. Both granulated cells and modified Clara cells participated in the formation of the NEB. The modified Clara cells covered most of the surface of the NEB leaving only small oval areas for the exposed surfaces of the specialized cells which contained numerous cytoplasmic granules. Short and regular microvilli projected from the exposed surfaces of the granulated cells, while only sparse microvilli of irregular length were seen on the surfaces of the modified Clara cells. This scanning electron microscopy of the NEB's further established these organoids as separate morphological entities. In addition, the findings that the NEB's could be easily identified with the scanning electron microscope and subsequently dissected out for further studies would help future investigations of their functions which are not clearly known.

Transformation of human embryo cells with the use of cell-free extracts of a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (HUS-2): brief communication

Cell-free extracts of the human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line HUS-2 caused the transformation of human embryo fibroblasts. This transformation included morphologic alteration, karyotypic change, and an increase in culture longevity. With the use of sex markers, multiple karyotypes confirmed that the human embryo fibroblasts were transformed, and the use of cell-free material further suggested the presence of a transforming virus. RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity in a particle with a specific gravity of 1.16 g/cm3 indicated the presence of an RNA type C virus. Evidence also suggested that the known mammalian type C viruses, routine cytopathic effect-inducing viruses, or mycoplasma were not the agents responsible for the transformation. That both the donor (HUS-2) and converted (HUE-T) cell lines cross-reacted with antisera prepared against HUE-T indicated a common antigen arising in the process of conversion of HUS-2 cells to HUE-T cells.

Growth of a heterologous tumor cell line in neonatal rats with graft-versus-host disease

The ability of a hamster tumor cell line (T20) to grow and exhibit type H virus particles was significantly enhanced in neonatal DA rats with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Tumor growth peaked on days 4 and 7 in control littermates receiving adult syngeneic cells or no cells at birth, respectively, and then subsequently disappeared. However, tumor nodules in animals with GVHD became significantly larger than those in controls by day 7 and continued to grow until death. In addition, a marked plasma cell infiltration was noticed in such rapidly growing tumors from animals with GVHD only. In the light of previous studies, evidence is discussed for an environment within animals with GVHD conducive for tumor cell growth because of a depletion of T-cell areas within their tissues.

Effects of zinc and iron fertilizers on a disorder in rice on the calcareous soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, Western Australia

A field experiment was conducted at Kimberley Research Station near Kununurra, Western Australia to study the effects of urea and ammonium sulphate fertilizers, previous cropping history and method of sowing on the incidence of a long-standing disorder in rice on the calcareous soils of the Ord Irrigation Area, and to determine whether the disorder could be ameliorated by means of zinc and iron fertilizers. Symptoms of the disorder resembling those of zinc deficiency appeared within four weeks after seedling emergence in plots not treated with zinc. The mean concentration of zinc in the tops of affected plants sampled at 2, 7 and 11 weeks was 18 p.p.m. The combination of fallow land, urea and water-sowing resulted in the most severe symptoms. Where 20 kg Zn ha-1 was applied as zinc sulphate, the zinc concentration in the plant tops averaged 66 p.p.m. over the three sampling dates, and zinc deficiency symptoms did not develop. Other symptoms resembling those of iron deficiency also occurred, especially when the level of applied zinc was 20 kg ha-1. The application of both zinc sulphate and ferrous sulphate fertilizers resulted in a significant increase in the grain yield of IR665-24-1 rice. Overall there was no response to zinc sulphate above the level of 10 kg zinc ha-1. The curve of best fit for the overall response to ferrous sulphate was parabolic with a maximum near 240 kg ha-1 ferrous sulphate. The mean yield from plots that received three foliar sprays of 0.1 per cent ferrous sulphate was not significantly different from that of plots fertilized with 200 kg ha-1 ferrous sulphate. There was no significant interaction between zinc and iron.

Establishment of two canine sarcoma cell lines: productive infection with feline leukemia virus

Two canine sarcoma cell lines (11028, 11031) were established in vitro and have been transferred 213 and 306 times, respectively, since 1970. These cell lines had a chromosome pattern consistent with their canine origin. Both cultures were infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which caused a morphologic and karyotypic changes. The cells became rounded after infection with FeLV and both cultures showed the presence of a single, large, acrocentric chromosome considered to be a marker chromosome. All tumors were transplanted into newborn beagle pups, but only the 11028-FeLV formed metastatic tumors. No helper or focus-forming activity or virus particles were found in the uninfected cultures. Helper activity and virus were demonstrated in both sarcoma lines after infection with FeLV, though no focus-forming activity was noted. Helper activity of progeny virus could be assayed on either cat or dog embryo cells.

Human and primate poxviruses: I. Growth characteristics of cytolytic and tumor variants

The dual potential of poxviruses to be cytolytic and tumorgenic has been extended. Yaba monkey tumor virus formed foci on monkey and human embryonic cells. Cytolytic or plaque-forming virus was isolated from Yaba tumor homogenates by selective sucrose centrifugation and passage through monkey or human embryonic cells. Monkey pox virus (MPV) was cytolytic for monkey cells or human embryonic cells, but upon passage onto young monolayers of human carcinoma cells, HeLa, produced a restricted cytopathic effect on first transfer, foci on second transfer and cytolysis after the fourth transfer. If HeLa monolayers were compact, the rapid growth precluded overt expression of cytolytic MPV. Electron micrographs of cytolytic Yaba indicated that Yaba development was similar to vaccinia and MPV but not totally organized. Growth curves of vaccinia, MPV and cytolytic Yaba were essentially identical in monkey and human embryonic cell lines.

Aberrant viruses in cells infected with murine sarcoma virus-feline leukemia virus

This study describes an unusual type of virus seen when a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) pseudotype of murine sarcoma virus (MuSV) obtained by cocentrifugation procedures infected feline embryo cells (FEF) and two Crandell cat cell lines (CrFK1, CrFK2). When all three cell cultures were infected with MuSV-FeLV, only FEF and CrFK2 were transformed and only these showed normal and aberrant virus. The CrFK1 infected with MuSV-FeLV did not transform but did replicate normal type-C virus with a 50-A intermediate coat. The virus replicated in the two transformed lines showed three particles; a normal particle with a 50-A intermediate coat, a normal particle with a 100-A intermediate coat, and an aberrant particle with a 100-A intermediate coat.

Infection and transformation of dog cells with a modified sarcoma virus

Dog-embryo cell cultures were infected with a mixture of feline leukemia virus (FelLV) and a modified murine (Moloney) sarcoma virus MSV(FelLV). Morphological alteration of the cells was observed 3 days post infection. Virus progeny from the infected cultures increased 50- to 100-fold in foci of cellular alteration on dog cell cultures pretreated with diethylaminoethyl-dextran, but only twofold on cat embryo cultures similarly treated. The numbers of foci produced corresponded to a dual infection with the MSV(FelLV) and endogenous FelLV and could be increased by simultaneous infection with exogenous FelLV. After five serial passages in dog cell cultures, the virus mixture still had a superior focus-inducing capacity on cat cells as compared with dog cells. Electron microscopic examination of infected dog cultures showed typical C-type virions. FelLV alone propagated in dog cell cultures without inducing morphological alteration, and progeny virus, capable of promoting focus formation by MSV(FelLV), could be detected 48 hours post infection.

Cellular transmission of canine lymphoma and leukemia in beagles

Thirty-four neonatal beagles were inoculated with cells obtained originally from 2 adult beagles, 1 with lymphocytic leukemia, the other with generalized malignant lymphoma. Most of the puppies were irradiated before inoculation; a few were inoculated in utero and were not irradiated. Of the 11 puppies inoculated with buffy coat cells of the blood from the leukemic donor, 2 developed leukemia. Of the 23 pups inoculated with cells of lymph nodes from the spontaneous lymphoma or positive passages, 13 developed lymphoma. Time of measurable onset of leukemia or lymphoma in the recipients varied from 12-60 days after inoculation. One passage was achieved with the leukemia and three serial passages with the lymphoma. A female karyotype was obtained from a neoplastic lymph node in a male recipient of the lymphoma. Since the donor was female, this suggests that the passages of the lymphoma were transplants.