An environmental risk assessment of IPD079Ea: a protein derived from Ophioglossum pendulum with activity against Diabrotica spp.In maize

Farmers in North America face significant pressure from insects in their maize fields, particularly from corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.). Research into proteins capable of insecticidal activity has found several produced by ferns. One protein, IPD079Ea, was derived from Ophioglossum pendulum and has shown activity against corn rootworm. An environmental risk assessment was conducted for maize event DP-915635-4, which provides control of corn rootworms via expression of the IPD079Ea protein. This assessment focused on IPD079Ea and characterized potential exposure and hazard to non-target organisms (NTOs). For exposure, estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) were calculated. For hazard, laboratory dietary toxicity studies were conducted with IPD079Ea and surrogate non-target organisms. Environmental risk was characterized by comparing hazard and exposure to calculate the margin of exposure (MOE). Based on the MOE values for DP-915635-4 maize, the IPD079Ea protein is not expected to result in unreasonable adverse effects on beneficial NTO populations at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Evaluation of an in vitro experimental platform of human polarized intestinal epithelial monolayers for the hazard assessment of insecticidal proteins

Previous work demonstrated the utility of using human-derived intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) lines cultured as polarized monolayers on Transwell® filters to differentiate between hazardous and non-hazardous proteins. The current study seeks to further resolve appropriate concentrations for evaluating proteins of unknown hazard potential using the IEC experimental platform and leverages these parameters for evaluating the potential toxicity of insecticidal proteins characteristic of those expressed in genetically modified (GM) agricultural biotechnology crops. To establish optimal test protein concentrations, effects of several known hazardous (C. perfringens epsilon toxin, Listeriolysin O, Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin, E. coli Shiga toxin 1, C. difficile Toxin B and wheat germ agglutinin) and non-hazardous (Ara-h2, β-lactoglobulin, fibronectin and Rubisco) proteins on IEC barrier integrity and cell viability were evaluated at concentration ranges. Two insecticidal proteins (AfIP-1A and AfIP-1B) were evaluated for effects in the IEC assay, a seven-day insecticidal bioassay, and assessed in a high-dose 14-day acute oral toxicity study in mice. The results obtained from the human in vitro IEC assay were consistent with results obtained from an in vivo acute oral toxicity study, both demonstrating that the combination of AfIP-1A and AfIP-1B do not exhibit any identifiable harmful impacts on mammalian cells.

Occult hepatic sinusoid tumor of infancy simulating neuroblastoma

Two infants with hepatosplenomegaly and an occult tumor of hepatic sinusoids are reported. Although secretion of biogenic amines of neuroblastoma was not elevated, infrequent neurosecretory granules were observed by electron microscopy in the cytoplasmic processes of the tumor cells. The infants responded to vincristine and prednisone therapy and are tumor free 8 and 2 years later, respectively. The clinical, radiographic, biochemical, and microscopic findings of these cases are presented. The distinction from other infantile hepatic sinusoid small round cell tumors is based on the light and electron microscopic findings. This neuroepithelial tumor is either an unusual form of neuroblastoma or a neoplasm of APUD cell origin. If chemotherapy is utilized, it should be selective and limited.

Ureterocalycostomy

Ureterocalycostomy, although infrequently indicated, can be a most useful aid to the urologist who is facing a difficult reconstruction problem. The use of this technique to provide internal urinary drainage in 2 patients with long-term nephrostomy tube drainage is described. One patient had a solitary functioning kidney. A third patient, facing nephrectomy from blunt renal trauma, had the kidney saved by this procedure. The technique of ureterocalycostomy is discussed.