Neisseria meningitidis in a school population in Queensland.
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Adolescent↗
Biomedical subjects
B J Wilson
Publications and source records attributed to B J Wilson.
Purification and characterization of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes from carrot suspension cultures.
Three aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes were identified from extracts of carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell suspension cultures. These isoenzymes were separated by DEAE chromatography and were analyzed on native gradient polyacrylamide gels. The relative molecular weights of the isoenzymes were 111,000 +/- 5000, 105,000 +/- 5000, and 94,000 +/- 4000 daltons; they were designated forms I, II, and III, respectively. Form I, the predominant form, has been purified to apparent homogeneity (>300-fold) using immunoaffinity chromatography with rabbit anti-pig AAT antibodies. Form I has a subunit size of 43,000 M(r), as determined on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing (IEF)-PAGE has resolved three bands at a pl of approximately 5.2. Form I may be composed of subunits of similar molecular weight and different charges, and the three bands with AAT activity on the IEF-PAGE gel are a combination of hetero- and homodimers. Form I has a broad pH optimum of 7.5 to 10.0. K(m) values of 23.6, 2.8, 0.05, and 0.22 millimolar were obtained for glutamate, aspartate, oxaloacetate, and alpha-ketoglutarate, respectively. The mode of action is a ping-pong-bi-bi mechanism.
Journal Article↗
Biliary tract complications in orthotopic adult liver transplantation.
In a series of orthotopic liver transplantations performed between April and August 1987 at the University of Pittsburgh, the monofilament absorbable suture polyglyconate was compared with a braided absorbable suture, polyglactin 910, for its biliary complication rate over a 6-month postoperative period. Complications that were suture-related (obstruction or leak from the anastomotic site) occurred in 1 of 21 transplantations in the polyglyconate group compared with 8 of 26 in the polyglactin 910 group (p = 0.02). Even though the patient sample was relatively small, it appears that the type of suture used for the biliary anastomosis directly correlates with the outcome. A larger patient trial could confirm these initial results.
Anastomosis, Surgical↗
Distribution of type D retrovirus sequences in tissues of macaques with simian acquired immune deficiency and retroperitoneal fibromatosis.
Horizontally acquired SAIDS retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2), a type D retrovirus related to the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, has been associated with the simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) including retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF) in several macaque species at two primate research centers. Virus specific gene sequences are present in lymphoid and RF tissues but not in muscle tissue of diseased macaques or in any tissues of uninfected normal monkeys. Serologic and restriction endonuclease mapping techniques have defined unique SRV-2 strains in the Celebes (SRV-2C) and rhesus (SRV-2R) macaques at the Oregon Regional Primate Center, SRV-2 is related to both MPMV and SAIDS type 1 retroviruses and it has no detectable molecular homology with the human AIDS retroviruses.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Transmission of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with a type D retrovirus: immunological aspects.
Simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) was transmitted to four of four rhesus macaques with blood from rhesus macaques naturally infected with a type D retrovirus, simian retrovirus-2 (SRV-2). Three of the four blood recipients died with SAIDS at 13, 15, and 26 weeks postinoculation. The fourth animal is alive with SAIDS. All four test monkeys became viremic and produced antiviral antibody. None of the inoculated monkeys produced measureable neutralizing antibody to SRV-2. The survivor produced higher levels of antiviral antibody than the monkeys that died. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A reactivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes was depressed from weeks 6 to 12 after inoculation. Clinical findings included development of splenomegaly in all four monkeys, and diarrhea in two monkeys. Blood counts remained within the normal range except for a depression in the number of polymorphonuclear lymphocytes in two monkeys. Hematocrits were decreased in two monkeys just prior to their death. All four test monkeys developed lymph node atrophy and bone marrow hypoplasia. Total proteins and immunoglobulin production were normal. This report provides evidence that SRV-2, as well as other type D retroviruses, causes SAIDS in macaque species.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Neutralizing antibody in Celebes black macaques recovering from infection with simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome retrovirus type 2.
Neutralizing antibodies that block the ability of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2) to induce syncytium formation in cultures of Raji cells have been found in the serum of nonviremic Celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra). Serum from Celebes macaques that are viremic have little or no neutralizing activity. The neutralizing antibodies were shown to block viral infectivity. The group of monkeys with neutralizing antibodies in their serum exhibited a dramatic improvement in their health from 1982 to 1984. The correlation of neutralizing antibodies with clinical improvement suggests that neutralizing antibodies may play a critical role in limiting the pathogenic effects of SAIDS retrovirus infection and in helping eliminate the infection.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Influence of estrogen levels on anticholinergic activity of tricyclic antidepressives.
Anticholinergic activity of a number of tricyclic antidepressives and nomifensine was demonstrated and their order of affinity for the cholinergic receptors of rat jejunum was determined. The influence of ethinyl estradiol and a conjugated estrogen product, Premarin on the binding of several tricyclic antidepressives to the hepatic mixed function oxidase system was investigated. The influence of these steroids on the metabolism of the antidepressives was evaluated and ethinyl estradiol was shown to have a marked influence on the metabolism of the antidepressives studied, while conjugated estrogens were shown to have little effect.
Animals↗
Glycolate Metabolism and Excretion by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
The flux of glycolate through the C(2) pathway in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was estimated after inhibition of the pathway with aminooxyacetate (AOA) or aminoacetonitrile (AAN) by measurement of the accumulation of glycolate and glycine. Cells grown photoautotrophically in air excreted little glycolate except in the presence of 2 mm AOA when they excreted 5 micromoles glycolate per hour per milligram clorophyll. Cells grown on high CO(2) (1-5%) when transferred to air produced three times as much glycolate, with half of the glycolate metabolized and half excreted. The lower amount of glycolate produced by the air-grown cells reflects the presence of a CO(2) concentrating mechanism which raises the internal CO(2) level and decreases the ribulose-1,5-bisP oxygenase reaction for glycolate production. Despite the presence of the CO(2) concentrating mechanism, there was still a significant amount of glycolate produced and metabolized by air-grown Chlamydomonas. The capacity of these cells to metabolize between 5 and 10 micromoles of glycolate per hour per milligram chlorophyll was confirmed by measuring the biphasic uptake of added labeled glycolate. The initial rapid (<10 seconds) phase represented uptake of glycolate; the slow phase represented the metabolism of glycolate. The rates of glycolate metabolism were in agreement with those determined using the C(2)-cycle inhibitors during CO(2) fixation.
Journal Article↗
Association of SAIDS/RF-related signs with current or past SAIDS type 2 retrovirus infection in a colony of Celebes black macaques.
The 83 members of the Celebes black macaque (Macaca nigra) colony were screened for viremia with simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) type 2 retrovirus and antibodies against the retrovirus. On the basis of this screening, the Celebes colony was divided into four groups: retrovirus-positive/seropositive (virus+/Ab+); retrovirus-negative/seropositive (virus-/Ab+); retrovirus-positive/seronegative (virus+/Ab-); and retrovirus-negative/seronegative (virus-/Ab-). Monkeys in the virus+/Ab+ group displayed more major clinical signs and required medication more times than monkeys in the other groups. In contrast, monkeys in the virus-/Ab- group had fewer health problems than monkeys in the other groups. The five monkeys that had surgically confirmed retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF), palpable abdominal masses, or both, were in the virus+/Ab+ group. Some of the monkeys in groups with current or past retrovirus infection were well clinically. There were no statistically significant differences in the mitogen reactivities of mononuclear cells obtained from monkeys of the different groups.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Relationship of mitogen reactivity to type D retrovirus infection in Celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra).
The Celebes black macaque (Macaca nigra) colony at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center has a high incidence of an immunodeficiency syndrome characterized by recurrent diarrhea and the development of retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF). We have examined the relationship of type D viral infection to the immunodeficiency syndrome by surveying the colony for viral infection and for mitogen reactivity. Type D virus-positive monkeys (28% of the colony) have a higher prevalence of diarrhea, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and weight loss than do virus-negative monkeys, and RF has been found to occur only in virus-positive animals. Comparison of the concanavalin A (con-A) and phytohemagglutinin reactivities of the virus-positive and -negative populations has revealed no significant difference. However, within the virus-positive population, those with RF have reduced con-A reactivity and there are both high and low mitogen responders in the groups lacking RF. Thirty-two percent of the virus-positive monkeys are free of clinical symptoms, 40% have clinical symptoms but no RF, and 27% have clinical symptoms and RF. Five of the six monkeys with RF are older than the RF-free monkeys but monkeys are susceptible to type D retrovirus infection regardless of age or sex. The progressive nature of this immunodeficiency syndrome, its broad age range, and the probability that the etiological agent is also a type D retrovirus and the similarity of RF to Kaposi's sarcoma make this a potentially useful model for human AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Neutralizing antibody prevents type D retrovirus viremia in Celebes black macaques.
The Celebes black macaque (Macaca nigra) colony at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center has a high incidence of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS-RF) that may be caused by type D retrovirus type 2 (SRV-2). During the spring and autumn screening of the colony, seven monkeys previously aviremic were found to be viremic on the basis of the Raji co-culture assay. These monkeys and control groups were selected for further study, which included titration of neutralizing antibody activity and immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) activity before and at the time that the animals became viremic. Results indicated that neutralizing antibody was not present before or at the time that monkeys became viremic and that control monkeys who were IFA+ and did not become viremic had high levels of neutralizing antibody. The IFA titre did not change significantly or predictably at the time the animals became viremic.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Developmental differences in empathy with a television protagonist's fear.
An experiment was conducted to determine whether children at different ages (3-5 vs 9-11) differ in their tendency to share the emotion of a television character. Subjects were shown a videotape of either a frightening stimulus alone or a character's fear in response to a threatening stimulus that was suggested rather than shown directly. Contrasting predictions were made based on a cognitive-developmental view of the process of empathy vs an automatic conception. Both self-reported emotional reactions and physiological responses were consistent with the cognitive-developmental approach: The younger children were less emotionally aroused by the character's fear than by the fear-provoking stimulus, while the older children responded emotionally to both versions of the videotape. The younger children's lack of empathy was not due to a failure to recognize the nature of the character's emotion. There was some evidence that the older children exhibited a greater tendency to role take than did the younger children.
Arousal↗
Effect of some synthetic steroids on rat liver function.
Norethynodrel proved to have moderately potent effects on hepatic function in female rats. It causes (a) loss of body mass, (b) increase in the relative liver mass, (c) rise in the protein content of liver, (d) increase in the cytochrome P-450 level, (e) reduction in the length of pentobarbital-induced sleep, and (f) increase in the rate of biotransformation of (i) aniline and (ii) aminopyrine. In contrast, ethynyl estradiol was shown to have little or no effect as judged by the same criteria, but, like norethynodrel, progesterone and estradiol, caused loss of body mass.
Aminopyrine N-Demethylase↗
Virus-associated deficiencies in the mitogen reactivity in celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra).
Celebes black macaques (Macaca nigra) with a history of diabetes mellitus, recurrent bacterial and protozoal infections, diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, anorexia, and a high mortality were studied to determine their immune status. Two groups of monkeys, healthy and unhealthy, were formed on the basis of a clinical assessment. The proliferative response and the pokeweed-mitogen-induced polyclonal IgG response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of unhealthy monkeys were significantly less than the responses of healthy monkeys. The percentage of HLA-DR+ cells varied greatly in unhealthy monkeys. The OKT4/OKT8 ratios of unhealthy monkeys were generally greater than the ratios of healthy monkeys. Unhealthy monkeys usually had smaller percentages of OKT8+ cells than did healthy monkeys. The two groups of monkeys were examined for the presence of a syncytial forming retrovirus by a coculture assay involving Raji cells, a human B lymphoblastoid cell line. A type D retrovirus was detected in the unhealthy group but not in the healthy group. Retroperitoneal fibromatosis was detected in several monkeys in the unhealthy group.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Metabolism of phenylbutazone in rats.
The metabolism of phenylbutazone has been investigated in female rats dosed with the drug by gavage. The major route of excretion is via the urine; 50% of the dose being excreted in the first 24 h. A small percentage of the dose is excreted in the faeces. Following administration of 14C-phenylbutazone, five labelled, unconjugated hydroxy compounds were identified in the urine by t.l.c. and autoradiography; both hydrolysable and non-hydrolysable conjugates were found. Aqueous extracts of faeces contained O conjugates of oxyphenbutazone and 4-hydroxy-oxyphenbutazone (which may be a decomposition product). Urine metabolites soluble in organic solvents were quantified by inverse isotope dilution assay and spectrophotometric analysis. The major metabolite is the gamma-hydroxy derivative of phenylbutazone present both as the lactone and as the straight-chain compound, while oxyphenbutazone and p, gamma-dihydroxyphenylbutazone are minor metabolites.
Animals↗
Perilla ketone toxicity: a chemical model for the study of equine restrictive lung disease.
Perilla ketone was assessed for its usefulness as a model of equine restrictive pulmonary disease. Three ponies were given 18 mg/kg bodyweight synthetic perilla ketone in dimethyl-sulphoxide. Within 24 h of administration, respiratory rate, peak inspiratory and expiratory flow rates and minute volume were increased. By 48 h there was a significant decrease in tidal volume, and blood pH and base excess were also decreased but not outside normal limits. At necropsy there was congestion and oedema of the lungs. Histologically there was diffuse alveolar injury but no evidence of significant obstruction in bronchial or bronchiolar lumina. It is assumed that perilla ketone toxicity in ponies produces a restrictive disease without a significant obstructive component.
Animals↗
An ultrastructural study of bronchiolar lesions in rats induced by 4-ipomeanol, a product from mold-damaged sweet potatoes.
Repeated intraperitoneal injections of 4-ipomeanol in rats resulted in extensive degeneration and necrosis of nonciliated (Clara) bronchiolar epithelial cells. Subsequently there was necrosis and detachment of ciliated cells from the bronchiolar basal lamina. The remaining nonciliated cells divided and differentiated into ciliated epithelial cells and mature Clara cells. The ability of Clara cells to metabolize certain xenobiotics suggests that they may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary disease and neoplasia.
Animals↗
Enzyme inhibition and the toxic action of moniliformin and other vinylogous alpha-ketoacids.
The inhibition of two thiamine-requiring enzymes by the potent mycotoxin, moniliformin (1-hydroxycyclobutene-3,4-dione), was investigated. Rat brain transketolase and pyruvate dehydrogenase were inhibited 25 percent by 10-9 M moniliformin. Studies carried out to determine if moniliformin causes enzyme inhibition by reaction with thiamine were negative. Varying the hydroxycyclobutenedione structure by substitution or ring expansion resulted in loss of toxicity and inhibition.
Animals↗