Specific chromosome defect associated with human small-cell lung cancer; deletion 3p(14-23)

A specific, acquired chromosomal abnormality (deletion 3p) has been found in at least one chromosome 3 in 100 percent of the metaphases in 12 of 12 cell lines cultured from human small-cell lung cancer tissue and in 2-day tumor culture specimens from three patients. Analysis of the shortest region of overlap shows the deletion to be 3p(14-23). This specific change was not seen in five of five lung cancer cell lines other than small-cell lung cancer or in two lymphoblastoid lines cultured from cells of small-cell lung cancer patients whose tumors had the 3p deletion.     

Use of monoclonal antibodies to confirm vaccine-induced rabies in ten dogs, two cats, and one fox

A panel of 8 monoclonal antibodies to rabies glycoprotein antigen was used to characterize the modified-live virus vaccines marketed in the United States during the last 10 years. Thirteen of 14 rabies virus isolates from 11 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 fox suspected of developing vaccine-induced rabies were shown to have reactivity patterns that were identical to the vaccine administered. Reactivity patterns for 20 rabies isolates from human beings, wild animals, or domestic animals with no history of recent vaccination with modified-live virus rabies vaccine were different from those obtained for vaccines.     

ORAL PENICILLIN

It is possible to attain serum concentrations of penicillin after oral administration comparable to those attained after intramuscular injection by the use of approximately five times as much penicillin. As the concentrations attained following the ingestion of penicillin by four different methods were all of the same order of magnitude, it would seem that the present problem in oral administration is analogous to that with intramuscular administration, i.e., to find the ideal vehicle whereby the duration of the serum concentration can be prolonged.     

Prevalence of antibodies to Ro-52 in a serologically defined population of patients with systemic sclerosis

Background

Antibodies against Ro-52 have been described in patients with a broad spectrum of autoimmune disease, most commonly in association with anti-Ro-60 in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogrens syndrome. However, in inflammatory myositis anti-Ro-52 is frequently present without anti-Ro-60 and is closely linked to the presence of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aats) antibodies. To date there have been no comprehensive reports on the frequency of anti-Ro-52 in systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disease characterised by hallmark autoantibodies that occur in non-overlapping subsets. Clinically, each antibody-defined group has a distinct pattern of organ involvement, some featuring myositis.

Objectives

To determine the frequency of anti-Ro-52 in serologically defined groups of SSc patients and to investigate a possible link with myositis-associated autoantibodies.

Methods

Serum samples from 1010 patients with SSc and 55 and 32 patients with anti-aats and anti-Ku respectively were tested for the presence of anti-Ro-52 using a commercial ELISA.

Results

The prevalence of anti-Ro-52 was 15–38% in nine of the eleven sub-groups. There were no significant differences in mean anti-Ro-52 levels in these groups with the exception of that defined by the presence of anti-U1-RNP. In the remaining groups defined by anti-Ro-60 and anti-aats, anti-Ro-52 was present in 92% and 100% respectively. In sera from non-SSc patients with anti-aats, anti-Ro-52 was detected in 64%.

Conclusion

Anti-Ro-52 is present throughout the SSc population. It is neither more prevalent in the myositis-associated antibody groups nor does it segregate with any other major SSc-specific autoantibodies. The co-existence of anti-Ro-52 with both anti-Ro-60 and anti-aats is confirmed.

     

Morphological characteristics of on‐farm water storages and their similarity to natural water bodies in the Border Rivers Catchment,Australia

• 1. Natural wetlands throughout the world are under threat from water resource development required to support an ever increasing population. In the Border Rivers Catchment in Queensland, Australia, a large irrigation industry and highly variable flow regime have necessitated the building of large on‐farm water storages. With the decline in number and size of natural wetlands, the presence of these storages on the floodplain has raised the question of their suitability as alternative habitat for aquatic fauna. This paper explores the variety of water storage types in the Border Rivers Catchment and how their morphology compares with that of natural wetlands — in particular, factors likely to influence aquatic biodiversity.
• 2. Storages and natural wetlands formed two distinct groups based on morphology. Storages tended to be large, deep structures with a more regular shape while natural wetlands were irregular and shallow with large perimeters. Although there was a degree of variability amongst the storage sites, a large proportion fell into one group and were considered ‘typical storages’. Typical storages contained tailwater and had the following characteristics: situated 3 km from the source river, 10 years old, embankment height of 5 m, area of 400 000 m², perimeter of 2.5 km and capacity of 1 700 000 m³.
• 3. Due to their uniform structure we believe that most on‐farm storages are unlikely to support as diverse or abundant an aquatic population as natural wetlands. The presence of tailwater and associated chemicals is also likely to reduce the aquatic biodiversity of storages compared with natural wetlands. While they may be unsuitable as replacement wetlands, given their numbers they could provide significant aquatic habitat across the landscape, if managed effectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Integrating surveillance and biosecurity activities to achieve efficiencies in national avian influenza programs

Based on the HPAI experience, efforts to improve global capacity to prevent and control zoonotic diseases should consider new and more efficient models for integrating prevention and surveillance activities.     

Hemoglobin switching in sheep and goats: occurrence of hemoglobins A and C in the same red cell

Sheep and goats switch from the synthesis of hemoglobin A (alpha(2)beta(2)(A)) to hemoglobin C (alpha(2)beta(2)(C)) when made anemic. We have demonstrated the existence of the asymmetrical hybrid hemoglobin, alpha(2)beta(A)beta(C), in the circulating red cells of anemic sheep. These erythroid cells, therefore, synthesized both A and C hemoglobin simultaneously. Thus, the switch appears to be mediated by selective gene expression rather than by a clonal or cellular selective mechanism.     

Prevalence of pseudorabies in sows in central Illinois.

Of 1,224 serums from slaughtered sows from central Illinois, 52 (4.25%) were found to be positive for pseudorabies neutralizing antibody.