Efficacy of a cry1Ab Gene for Control of Maruca vitrata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Cowpea (Fabales: Fabaceae)

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] is an important staple legume in the diet of many households in sub-Saharan Africa. Its production, however, is negatively impacted by many insect pests including bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata F., which can cause 20-80% yield loss. Several genetically engineered cowpea events that contain a cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for resistance against M. vitrata were evaluated in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Ghana (West Africa), where cowpea is commonly grown. As part of the regulatory safety package, these efficacy data were developed and evaluated by in-country scientists. The Bt-cowpea lines were planted in confined field trials under Insect-proof netting and artificially infested with up to 500 M. vitrata larvae per plant during bud formation and flowering periods. Bt-cowpea lines provided nearly complete pod and seed protection and in most cases resulted in significantly increased seed yield over non-Bt control lines. An integrated pest management strategy that includes use of Bt-cowpea augmented with minimal insecticide treatment for protection against other insects is recommended to control pod borer to enhance cowpea production. The insect resistance management plan is based on the high-dose refuge strategy where non-Bt-cowpea and natural refuges are expected to provide M. vitrata susceptible to Cry1Ab protein. In addition, there will be a limited release of this product until a two-toxin cowpea pyramid is released. Other than South African genetically engineered crops, Bt-cowpea is the first genetically engineered food crop developed by the public sector and approved for release in sub-Saharan Africa.

The treatment perspectives of physicians, citizens, and state legislators

This study addresses the dilemma of physicians to act both as an agent of their patients and as an agent of society. We contrasted the perceptions of physicians, citizens at large, and state legislators about 11 topics related to physician decision making regarding the management of care for seriously ill patients. Significant and interpretable differences were found between physicians and citizens, although there were no differences between these two groups and the state legislators. However, even the obtained differences were fewer and smaller than expected. These results suggest that lay, legislative, and medical viewpoints may be less at odds with each other than the literature would suggest, and reaching an accord on at least some aspects of health policy may not be as difficult as generally is assumed.

Testing the Compatibility Test: How Instructions, Accountability, and Anticipated Regret Affect Prechoice Screening of Options

Subjects screened a set of jobs, retaining those for which they wished to apply and rejecting those that were no longer under consideration. In Experiment 1, subjects who indicated the jobs for which they would apply/not apply screened out fewer jobs than those with instructions to reject/not reject or those with instructions simply to screen (control). There were no differences between the reject and control conditions. Experiment 2 used a design similar to that of Experiment 1, but subjects were made accountable for their screening judgments. The reject-apply discrepancy remained, but the accountability manipulation made the subjects more stringent in their screening compared to those who were not accountable for their judgments. In Experiment 3, subjects were told to consider either the regret resulting from retaining a bad option (regret bad) or the regret from rejecting a good option (regret good). Subjects in the regret bad condition rejected more jobs than did subjects in the regret good condition, but not more than subjects in the control condition. As predicted by image theory, the normal screening process appears to be to screen out the bad options rather than screen in the good options. This is demonstrated by screening in the control condition being similar to screening under the reject instructions (Experiment 1) and under regret bad instructions (Experiment 3), since these conditions were shown to focus attention on the bad options. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Image Theory's Compatibility Test and Evaluations of the Status Quo

The research on image theory's concept of progress decisions about either (1) the acceptability of the status quo vis a desired state or (2) the acceptability of movement toward a desired state has been limited to the laboratory. To demonstrate the feasibility of research on nonlaboratory, job-related progress decisions and to develop methods for doing it with minimal intrusion on participant work time, two experiments examined evaluations of the status quo vis a desired state in the context of three organizations: a controller's office, a pretrial services office, and a chain of fast food restaurants. Experiment 1 used fairly elaborate, time consuming methods in the controller's office and pretrial services office to measure the compatibility between participants' images of desirable supervision and their images of current supervision as well as their satisfaction with both supervision and with the organization. In both cases, as compatibility decreased, satisfaction decreased, but satisfaction with the organization appeared to derive from satisfaction with supervision rather than directly from compatibility. Experiment 2 measured the same concepts in the fast food chain using simple, single-item methods, obtaining roughly the same results as Experiment 1, except that it also demonstrated that hope for change can mitigate the effects of incompatibility on satisfaction. These results provide evidence for the role of compatibility in decision making and for the feasibility of using simple methods of measuring compatibility, acceptability, and hope in nonlaboratory research. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

cDNA and protein sequence of a major pea seed albumin (PA 2 : Mr≈26 000)

Pea albumin 2 (PA2:Mr≈26000) is a major component of the albumin fraction derived from aqueous salt extracts of pea seed. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel resolve PA2 into two closely related components (PA2a and PA2b). A cDNA clone coding for one of these components has been sequenced and the deduced amino acid sequence compared with partial, chemically-determined sequences for cyanogen bromide peptides from both PA2 components. Complete amino acid sequences were obtained for the C-terminal peptides. The PA2 molecule of 230 amino acids contains four imperfect repeat sequences each of approximately 57 amino acids in length.The combined sequence data, together with a comparison of PA2-related polypeptides produced in vitro and in vivo, indicate that PA2 is synthesized without a signal sequence and does not undergo significant post-translational modification. Although both forms of PA2 contain Asn-X-Thr consensus sequences, neither form is glycosylated. Accumulation of PA2 contributes approximately 11% of the sulfur-amino acids in pea seeds (cysteine plus methionine equals 2.6 residues percent). Suppression of levels of PA2 polypeptides and their mRNAs in developing seeds of sulfur-deficient plants is less marked than that for legumin, in spite of the lower content of sulfur-amino acids in legumin.

The flu shot study: using multiattribute utility theory to design a vaccination intervention

Differences between the multiattribute utility (MAU) profiles of participants who had previously gotten flu shots and those who had not done so were used to design an informational brochure urging influenza vaccination. The effectiveness of the MAU brochure was evaluated in a VA ambulatory care clinic with a long-standing influenza vaccination program. The target population for the intervention was high-risk clinic patients who had not gotten a shot the previous year. Participants received either a letter urging them to get a flu shot, or a letter plus the informational brochure. A significantly larger proportion of the patients who received the brochure got shots; 36% versus 23% for the letter only. While a 13 percentage point increase is modest, influenza and related complications (preventable through vaccination) are the fourth-leading killers of older persons. Adding a MAU-based brochure to an ongoing vaccination program is inexpensive and may save additional lives.

Gene structure, protein structure, and regulation of the synthesis of a sulfur-rich protein in pea seeds

Two low molecular weight pea seed albumins (Mr approximately 6000 and approximately 4000) have been characterized by protein, cDNA, and gene sequencing. Both proteins are encoded by separate regions of the same mRNA species. The initial translation product is a preproprotein from which a signal sequence is removed co-translationally. The resultant proprotein (PA1) is then cleaved post-translationally to yield the mature form of the two albumins (PA1a and PA1b). Comparison of cDNA and protein sequences suggests that at least four different PA1 genes are expressed in the pea genome. Both PA1a and PA1b have an unusually high cysteine content (7.5 and 16.2%, respectively). Pea seeds developing under suboptimal levels of sulfur nutrient supply contain reduced levels of PA1 mRNA and accumulate greatly reduced levels of PA1a and PA1b in the mature seed. In vitro transcription studies showed that this reduced level of PA1 mRNA resulted from reduced post-transcriptional stability rather than an altered rate of transcription of the PA1 gene. In contrast, during normal seed development, the level of PA1 mRNA seems to be under transcriptional control. Sequence comparisons reveal some homology between PA1 and a number of low molecular weight proteins from seeds of a wide range of mono- and dicotyledonous plants.

Developing and testing a decision model for predicting influenza vaccination compliance

Influenza vaccination has long been recommended for elderly high-risk patients, yet national surveys indicate that vaccination compliance rates are remarkably low (20 percent). We conducted a study to model prospectively the flu shot decisions and subsequent behavior of an elderly and/or chronically diseased (at high risk for complications of influenza) ambulatory care population at the Seattle VA Medical Center. Prior to the 1980-81 flu shot season, a random (stratified by disease) sample of 63 patients, drawn from the total population of high-risk patients in the general medicine clinic, was interviewed to identify patient-defined concerns regarding flu shots. Six potential consequences of influenza and nine of vaccination were emphasized by patients and provided the content for a weighted hierarchical utility model questionnaire. The utility model provides an operational framework for (1) obtaining subjective value and relative importance judgments from patients; (2) combining these judgments to obtain a prediction of behavioral intention and behavior for each patient; and, if the model is valid (predictive of behavior), (3) identifying those factors which are most salient to patient's decisions and subsequent behavior. Prior to the 1981-82 flu season, the decision model questionnaire was administered to 350 other high-risk patients from the same general medicine clinic population. The decision model correctly predicted behavioral intention for 87 percent and vaccination behavior for 82 percent of this population and, more importantly, differentiated shot "takers" and "nontakers" along several attitudinal dimensions that suggest specific content areas for clinical compliance intervention strategies.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of storage protein gene expression in sulfur-deficient pea seeds

We have used in vitro transcription in isolated pea nuclei to determine whether the expression of genes for the seed storage proteins legumin and vicilin is regulated transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally in response to changing sulfur status in the developing seed. During the first 48 h of recovery from S deficiency, transcription of legumin genes increased by two-fold whereas the level of legumin mRNA increased 20-fold in the same period. Vicilin gene transcription decreased during recovery, consistent with a gradual decrease in mRNA levels. We conclude that regulation of legumin mRNA levels in response to changing S status is post-transcriptional, whereas that of vicilin mRNA is transcriptional. In contrast, during normal plant development the expression of both of these gene families appears to be under transcriptional control.

Ultraviolet radiation-induced metallothionein-I gene activation is associated with extensive DNA demethylation

Ultraviolet irradiation (UV) of cadmium-sensitive S49 mouse cells induces a large increase in cadmium-resistant variants. About 30%-40% of these variants make metallothionein (MT)-I mRNA while S49 cells do not. S49 cells contain two copies of the MT-I gene; both alleles are heavily methylated but can be conveniently distinguished by the methylation status of a single Hpa II site. In lines expressing MT-I, one allele becomes completely demethylated at all methylation-sensitive restriction sites examined over at least a 2.5 kb region spanning the MT-I gene. Activation of a quiescent gene by UV has implications for understanding the initiation of carcinogenesis.

Amplification of the metallothionein-I gene in cadmium-resistant mouse cells

Friend leukemia cells resistant to cadmium toxicity were selected. More than 70% of total cysteine incorporation in these cells was into the metal-binding protein, metallothionein. We used cDNA and genomic DNA clones containing the metallothionein-I gene to measure the concentration of its mRNA, the rate of gene transcription, and the number of genes. On a per cell basis, optimally induced, cadmium-resistant cells have a 14-fold more metallothionein-I mRNA, a 6-fold higher rate of metallothionein-I gene transcription, and 6-fold more metallothionein-I genes than do nonresistant cells. Metaphase spreads revealed that the resistant cells are nearly tetraploid and contain, on the average, three very small chromosomes that are absent from non-resistant Friend cells.

Processing of human beta-globin mRNA precursor to mRNA is defective in three patients with beta+-thalassemia

Nucleated bone marrow cells from normal individuals and from three patients with homozygous beta+-thalassemia were pulse-labeled with tritiated nucleosides. The processing of the newly synthesized globin mRNA precursors was monitored by inhibiting additional transcription with actinomycin D for 30 min. Human beta-globin mRNA is derived from its precursor via a series of reactions that generate processing intermediates. In nonthalassemic cells the precursor is processed efficiently to mature mRNA during the chase. In contrast, in beta+-thalassemic cells the processing of beta-globin RNA is defective. In one patient the beta-globin mRNA precursor turns over during the chase, but some of the intermediate RNAs accumulate and are not processed to mRNA. In two other patients a large fraction of the precursor and intermediate RNAs is not processed to mRNA. The alpha-globin mRNA precursor and intermediates are processed efficiently to mRNA-sized molecules in thalassemic and normal cells. The reduction in the rate of beta-globin but not alpha-globin RNA processing accounts for the alpha/beta globin mRNA imbalance in thalassemic erythroid cells. We discuss the possibility that the genetic lesions in beta+-thalassemia are at splicing signal sites within intervening sequences of the beta-globin gene.

Cordycepin. An inhibitor of newly synthesized globin messenger RNA

The effect of cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) on newly synthesized globin mRNA in cultured mouse fetal liver erythroid cells is investigated. At cordycepin concentrations that do not inhibit amino acid incorporation into acid-precipitable material, the quantity of pulse-labeled (radioactive) globin mRNA nucleotide sequences is reduced by 90%, as compared to adenosine-treated controls. The reduction of radioactivity in globin-specific RNA sequences is greater than the inhibition of total RNA synthesis in experiments in which the labeling times range from 6 to 60 min. Control experiments demonstrate that cordycepin does not reduce the recovery of total cell RNA or steady state (unlabeled) globin mRNA. The hybridization assay used to detect radioactive globin mRNA sequences is independent of the cellular location or the number of 3'-terminal adenylate residues in the mRNA-containing molecules. These data thus indicate that cordycepin inhibits newly synthesized mRNA as effectively as it inhibits ribosomal and transfer RNA synthesis.

Personality change in the church-related liberal arts college

Four scales of the OPI (developmental status, impulse expression, social maturity and schizoid functioning) and the F and E scales were employed to measure personality change in 38 Ss during 4 yr. at a church-related liberal arts college. Significant increases were found in developmental status, but little change in impulse expression. Significant increase was found in social maturity, and significant decrease in schizoid functioning, especially during the last 2 yr. The F and E scales also showed significant decreases. Some sex differences were found in F and E scores (men showing greater decrease, especially during the last 2 yr.) and in schizoid functioning (women showing a sharp drop in the final 2 yr.). Changes observed during the last 2 yr. are at variance with most other research.