Nuclear actin filaments and their topological changes in frog oocytes

Previous morphological and biochemical studies have suggested that actin and actin-containing filaments (microfilaments) exist in the eukaryotic nucleus and that they perform important nuclear functions. However, the concept is not widely accepted. In this study, we demonstrate actin and bundles of actin in the nuclei of oocytes of Rana temporaria by immunoblotting and immunogold labeling/electron microscopy. The system and methods used here provided nuclei, free from cytoplasmic contamination. Additionally, we have compared the topological distribution of intranuclear actin filaments in two structurally and functionally distinct stages (stages 3 and 6) of oogenesis. The stage 3 nuclei are extremely active in rRNA transcription and contain multiple nucleoli located at the periphery with the central part occupied by the lampbrush chromosomes. The stage 6 nuclei are transcriptionally inert and contain both nucleoli and chromosomes confined to a small area in the central part. The nuclear lysates derived from the manually isolated stage 3 and 6 nuclei and the nuclear contents obtained by manually removing the nuclear envelope of stage 6 nucleus both contained actin as demonstrated by immunoblotting with an actin-specific monoclonal antibody. When examined by immunogold electron microscopy using the anti-actin antibody, the stage 3 oocyte nuclei showed distinct intranuclear tracks composed of bundles of actin that extended from the nucleoli and chromosomes to the nuclear envelope. The stage 6 oocyte nuclei, on the other hand, showed short stretches of actin bundles in the central part mainly in association with the nucleoli; none of these bundles extended to the nuclear envelope. Taken together, the above results suggest that actin is a structural component of the oocyte nucleus and that polymerized actin undergoes dramatic topological changes correlated with changes in the distribution of nuclear components and their function.

Multiplexed imaging by means of optically generated Kronecker products: 1. The basic concept

Atechnique for multiplexed imaging is described. By using mask combinations, this technique requires far fewer encoding masks to generate the same number of masking operations than do more traditional approaches. It is also theoretically capable of higher optical throughput efficiencies. The method is readily adaptable to new image geometries and to applications in multispectral imaging.

Use of bait containing triclabendazole to treat Fascioloides magna infections in free ranging white-tailed deer

Triclabendazole-medicated corn bait was given to white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on the Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, Texas (USA), at a dose of 11 mg/kg body weight per deer per day for seven days, for control of Fascioloides magna. Medicated bait was offered for one week each during the winters of 1987, 1988, and 1989. Deer collected from treated areas, from baited control and from unbaited control areas were examined before the start of the study in 1987, and four weeks after the end of the baiting period in each of three years. Prior to the study, prevalence of fluke infection was 68%. After treatment with triclabendazole medicated corn, 13 (56%) of 23 deer collected were infected with flukes of which 15% had live parasites; this was evidence for therapeutic treatment. Of the deer collected in the baited and unbaited control areas, 63% and 80%, respectively, were infected only with live flukes. Prevalence of live flukes in deer was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the treatment pasture than in the baited or unbaited control areas in each of the three years. Efficacy of the baiting system over the three years was 63% when comparing the treatment area and the baited control area.

Does "no" mean "yes"? The continuing problem of Jehovah's Witnesses and refusal of blood products

The law maintains that the choice of competent adult Witnesses not to receive blood products must be respected. Yet many care providers believe that Witnesses, when actually faced with a life-threatening emergency, want their stated choice to be overriden--which permits them to evade the spiritual consequences of their unstated preference.

Shifting the burden of proof

The law places an extremely heavy burden of proof on those who wish to remove life support--even for patients in persistent vegetative states. A number of public opinion polls show that up to 85 percent of Americans would not want artificial nutrition and hydration for themselves under such circumstances. In light of these findings, a different evidentiary standard is appropriate.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting anthrax antibody in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): evaluation of anthrax vaccination and sera from free-ranging deer

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for anthrax antibody in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was developed and used to evaluate a vaccination study and compare sera from hunter-killed deer in anthrax endemic and non-endemic areas. Deer subcutaneously vaccinated with anthrax avirulent spore vaccine developed specific antibody to protective antigen (PA) which was significantly higher than the non-vaccinated controls at 30, 60, 90, and 240 days post-vaccination. There was no difference between the levels of antibody to PA between deer in anthrax endemic and non-endemic areas.

Organ transplants, foreign nationals, and the free rider problem

There is strong sentiment for a policy which would exclude foreigners from access to organs from American cadaver donors. One common argument is that foreigners are 'free riders'; since they are not members of the community which gives organs, it would be unfair to allow them to receive such a scare resource. This essay examines the philosophical basis for the free rider argument, and compares that with the empirical data about organ donation in the U.S. The free rider argument ought not to be used to exclude foreign nationals because it is based on fallacious assumptions about group membership, and how the 'giving community' is defined. Polls show that even among the seventy-five per cent of Americans who support organ donation, only seventeen per cent had taken the small step of filling out donor cards. Therefore, it goes against logic to define the giving community as coextensive with American residency, while excluding foreigners who might well have become donors had they lived in countries which provided that option.

Comparison of results from five serologic methods used for detecting Brucella abortus antibody activity in coyote sera

A total of 423 serum samples representing 94 coyotes which were wild trapped in east Texas were used to compare the serologic results from five different methods for detecting antibodies to Brucella abortus. The sera were tested for Brucella spp. antibody activity by the Card (CARD), rivanol precipitation (RIV), standard agglutination tube (SAT), cold complement fixation test (CF), and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Each serum sample selected for this comparison demonstrated antibody activity by one or more of the five serologic methods. When the serologic results of the five different methods were compared, 143 sera were positive according to the CF test and agreement was 67.1-70.6% with CARD, RIV and SAT. The maximum agreement for CF positive was with CARD (70.6%) and the lowest agreement fro CF negative was also with CARD (56.4%). Agreement among the serologic methods for the SAT positive ranged from 69.1% (CARD) to 72.7% (RIV). Agreement between SAT and ELISA was poor with only 38.1% agreement for SAT positive and 11.3% agreement for SAT negative. Agreement between methods for CARD positive sera was poor, with a low of 43% for both SAT and ELISA, and a high of 55.6% for RIV. Agreement between methods for 149 RIV positive sera was 83.2% for CARD, 67.8% for SAT, 64.4% for CF and only 50.3% for ELISA. Agreement between methods for ELISA positive results ranged from 49.0% for RIV to 62.7% for CARD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brucella abortus in Bison. II. Evaluation of strain 19 vaccination of pregnant cows

Protection against Brucella abortus induced abortion and infection provided by strain 19 (S19) vaccination was evaluated in American bison (Bison bison). Forty-eight pregnant bison were manually inoculated (MI) with S19 vaccine, 44 were ballistically inoculated (BI) with an absorbable hollow pellet containing lyophilized S19, and 46 were manually injected with buffered saline as non-vaccinated controls (NVC). All bison were Brucella spp. seronegative prior to the experiment, in the second trimester of pregnancy, and were randomly assigned to experimental groups. Approximately 60 days post-vaccination, abortions were observed in the vaccinated bison. Brucella abortus strain 19 was recovered from a bison that had recently aborted, her fetus, and from 11 of 12 other aborted fetuses. Fifty-eight percent (53 of 92) of vaccinated bison aborted, and no abortions were observed in the NVC bison. One cow aborted during her second post-vaccinal pregnancy and S19 was identified from the dam and fetus indicating that chronic S19 infections can occur in bison. Positive antibody titers were present 10 mo post-vaccination in 73% (66 of 91) of the bison. Thirteen mo post-vaccination, 30 MI vaccinates, 27 BI vaccinates, and 30 NVC bison were challenged during the second trimester of pregnancy with 1 x 10(7) CFU of B. abortus strain 2308 via bilateral conjunctival inoculation. Protection against abortion was 67% (P less than or equal to 0.0001) for vaccinated bison compared to 4% in NVC. Protection against B. abortus infection was determined to be 39% (P greater than or equal to 0.001) for vaccinates and 0% (zero of 30) for NCV. Persistent antibody titers, vaccine induced abortions, and chronic S19 infections indicate that the S19 vaccine doses used in this study are not suitable for pregnant bison.

Slim just left town: decisionmaking on an intensive care unit

The title of this paper comes from an incident that occurred while I was participating in morning rounds on the pediatric and surgical intensive care unit of a large, midwest tertiary care center. The patient under discussion was an eight-week-old girl who had been born without kidneys, and who had been cared for on the unit for seven weeks. In the previous week, the baby's condition had gone steadily downhill, as she experienced on medical catastrophe after another. One of the nurses asked the staff doctor who was leading rounds that morning, "What are the baby's chances?" The physician replied, "Her chances are slim." To which one of the young residents immediately answered, "Slim just left town."

Localization of adenovirus-encoded DNA replication proteins in the nucleus by immunogold electron microscopy

The distribution of three adenovirus-encoded DNA replication proteins in the nucleus of human 293 cells was studied by immunogold electron microscopy. The infected nuclei contained four morphologically distinct inclusions. They were highly electron-dense granules (type I), compact fibrogranular masses of medium electron density (type II), filamentous masses of low electron density (type III) and large polygonal crystals (type IV). In immunogold labelling studies, antibodies to the adenovirus single-stranded DNA-binding protein (DBP) and antibodies to single-stranded DNA showed extensive binding to the type III inclusions. The antibodies to the adenovirus DNA polymerase (AdPol) and terminal protein (TP) predominantly labelled type II inclusions. Double immunogold labelling studies detected low levels of AdPol and TP in type III inclusions and DBP in type II inclusions. The selective distribution of DNA replication proteins suggests that the type II and III inclusions represent two functionally different entities that may be involved in two different aspects of adenovirus DNA replication, i.e. chain initiation and elongation.

Old and thin

Viewing an elderly patient's refusal of food from the perspective of the jain tradition of sallekhana (voluntary starvation) permits the author to reconcile her need to "do something" with her belief in the principle of patient autonomy.

Brucella abortus in captive bison. I. Serology, bacteriology, pathogenesis, and transmission to cattle

Two groups of six, non-brucellosis vaccinated, brucellosis seronegative pregnant American bison (Bison bison) were individually challenged with 1 x 10(7) colony forming units (CFU) of Brucella abortus strain 2308. Three days after challenge, each bison group was placed in a common paddock with six non-vaccinated, brucellosis susceptible, pregnant domestic heifers. In a parallel study, two groups of six susceptible, pregnant cattle were simultaneously challenged with the identical dose as the bison and each group was placed with six susceptible cattle in order to compare bison to cattle transmission to that observed in cattle to cattle transmission. Blood samples were collected from bison and cattle weekly for at least 1 mo prior to exposure to B. abortus and for 180 days post-exposure (PE). Sera from the bison and cattle were evaluated by the Card, rivanol precipitation, standard plate agglutination, standard tube agglutination, cold complement fixation tube, warm complement fixation tube, buffered acidified plate antigen, rapid screening, bovine conjugated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, bison or bovine conjugated enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and the hemolysis-in-gel techniques for the presence of antibodies to Brucella spp. At the termination of pregnancy by abortion or birth of a live-calf, quarter milk samples, vaginal swabs, and placenta were collected from the dam. Rectal swabs were collected from live calves, and mediastinal lymph nodes, abomasal contents and lung were taken at necropsy from aborted fetuses for culture of Brucella spp. These tissues and swabs were cultured on restrictive media for the isolation and identification of Brucella spp. Pathogenesis of brucellosis in bison was studied in an additional group of six pregnant bison which were challenged with 1 x 10(7) CFU of B. abortus strain 2308. One animal was euthanatized each week PE. Tissues were collected at necropsy and later examined bacteriologically and histologically. Lesions of brucellosis in bison did not significantly differ grossly or histologically from those in cattle. There were six abortions and two nonviable calves in the bison group, as compared to nine abortions in the 12 similarly inoculated cattle. As determined by bacterial isolations, transmission of B. abortus from bison to cattle (five of 12 susceptible cattle became infected) did not differ statistically from cattle to cattle transmission (six of 12 susceptible cattle became infected) under identical conditions. No single serologic test was constantly reliable to diagnosing B. abortus infected bison for 8 wk PE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of psychiatric liaison nurse specialist consultation on the care of medical-surgical patients with sitters

One hundred seven patients in an acute care setting who had lay sitters to provide the constant observation judged necessary to meet their safety needs were studied to determine the effect of psychiatric liaison nurse specialist (PLNS) consultation on nursing care and the use of sitters. After placement in either a suicidal or nonsuicidal group, subjects were randomly assigned to receive consultation or not. Outcome variables of number of sitter shifts, number of nursing note observations, number of patient and sitter incidents and length of hospital stay were considered. Multiple analysis of variance indicated no significant differences among the groups for number of sitter shifts or number of nursing note observations. A significant main effect for group on length of hospital stay was found with suicidal patients having a significantly shorter hospital stay. Number of patients and sitter incidents were too small for analysis.

Use of albendazole in feed to control Fascioloides magna infections in captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Thirty-six adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) naturally infected with Fascioloides magna were captured and randomly assigned to four groups. Each group was fed pelleted feed coated with albendazole for each of seven consecutive days to deliver the drug at a dose rate of approximately 0.0, 5.0, 8.5, or 16.5 mg/kg bodyweight/day. At 7 wk posttreatment, each animal was euthanized and necropsied. Effects of albendazole treatment included significant reduction (P less than 0.05) in parasite egg count per gram of feces and increase in serum albumin concentration (P less than 0.05). Smaller parasites or remains of dead parasites were seen at the end of migratory tracks in the treated groups. Efficacy of the drug was 82 to 84%.

Efficacy of triclabendazole against fascioloidiasis (Fascioloides magna) in naturally infected white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

The efficacy of triclabendazole was evaluated in the treatment of naturally acquired Fascioloides magna infections in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Twenty white-tailed deer were captured on the Welder Wildlife Refuge (Sinton, San Patricio County, Texas, USA) and maintained in a 64 x 64 m deer enclosure. Ten deer were given a 5% suspension of triclabendazole orally at a dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight and 10 deer were given a placebo. Three wk later the deer were euthanized and examined for parasites. At necropsy 19 deer were infected. All specimens of F. magna from the tissues of the triclabendazole treated deer were dead or severely affected by the drug as indicated by changes in their size, color, movement and texture relative to those from control deer. The drug was considered 100% effective against this parasite. Adverse reactions of the deer to the drug were not observed.

Serological prevalence and isolation of Babesia odocoilei among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Texas and Oklahoma

Serum samples collected from 581 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Texas and from 124 white-tailed deer from Oklahoma were tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique against Babesia odocoilei. Prevalence of seropositive reactors varied from site to site in both states. Prevalence rates were statistically ranked as high, intermediate or low. Deer less than 12-mo-old had a significantly lower prevalence than all other age classes.

Immunolabeling of lipopolysaccharide liberated from antibiotic-treated Escherichia coli

Increased anti-core glycolipid antibody binding was visualized by immunoelectron microscopy after incubation of Escherichia coli K1:O7 cells with a bacteriolytic antibiotic and compared with binding in control cells. The findings suggest that the core glycolipid regions of the lipopolysaccharides of some gram-negative bacilli can be effectively sequestered until liberated by antibiotic-induced cell lysis.

Interspecific transmission of Brucella abortus from experimentally infected coyotes (Canis latrans) to parturient cattle

In four separate trials, 10 coyotes (Canis latrans) which had been individually fed mascerated bovine placental tissue experimentally inoculated with Brucella abortus strain 2308 were placed in a 1 ha isolation area with six parturient, non-B. abortus vaccinated, Brucella spp. seronegative Hereford heifers. During the second trial, three of the heifers became Brucella spp. seroreactive (as determined by the card, standard agglutination tube, rivanol, complement fixation, and enzyme labeled immunosorbent assay tests) 14 days after exposure to the B. abortus infected coyotes. Five of 10 coyotes in the second trial seroconverted to Brucella spp. positive by day 14 postexposure (PE) and by day 27 PE seven of the 10 coyotes were Brucella spp. reactive. The three Brucella spp. seroreactive heifers subsequently aborted on days 35, 64 and 66 PE and B. abortus strain 2308 was isolated from vaginal swabs, milk, and placental and fetal tissues. There was no serologic or bacteriologic evidence of transmission from B. abortus infected coyotes to the susceptible cattle recorded in the other three trials.

The Wistar Furth rat: an animal model of hereditary macrothrombocytopenia

The mechanisms that determine and regulate platelet size are unknown. By phase microscopy, we observed that Wistar Furth (WF) rats had macrothrombocytopenia. In this study, we have characterized and compared platelets and megakaryocytes of WF rats with those of Wistar, Long-Evans hooded (LE), and Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we have examined the mode of inheritance of this WF rat platelet abnormality. The average platelet count of WF rats was only one-third that of the other three rat strains. In contrast, the mean platelet volume (MPV) of adult WF rats was twice that of the other rat strains; however, the average megakaryocyte diameter and DNA content distribution of WF rats were not significantly different from those of LE rats. The average megakaryocyte concentration was 30% lower in the WF strain compared with that of LE rats. Mazelike membrane formations were observed in WF platelets and megakaryocytes by electron microscopy. Reciprocal crosses of WF and LE rats resulted in offspring with MPVs and platelet counts like those of LE rats, indicating that the macrothrombocytopenic trait is recessive in its inheritance. Reciprocal marrow transplants between the WF and LE strains resulted in MPVs like those of the donor strain, demonstrating that the macrothrombocytopenia is an intrinsic marrow abnormality of the WF strain. Splenectomy did not alter the MPV of WF rats. The response of WF megakaryocytes and platelets to severe, acute thrombocytopenia was similar to that of LE rats except that the shift to higher megakaryocyte DNA contents was muted and platelet recovery was slower in the WF rats. In summary, the WF rat has a hereditary macrothrombocytopenia that is recessive in nature and not due to differences in megakaryocyte size or DNA content. These results suggest that the macrothrombocytopenia of WF rats results from the formation of fewer platelets per megakaryocyte, possibly resulting from a qualitative or quantitative defect in some component necessary for proper subdivision of megakaryocyte cytoplasm into platelets.

Reactivity of antibodies to core glycolipid with gram-negative bacteria

Studies of the cross-reactivity of antibodies to core glycolipid with assorted isolated, heterologous lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) confirm the conservation of core glycolipid epitopes among gram-negative bacterial species. However, the accessibility of core glycolipid epitopes to antibody in the intact bacterial cell may be affected by the cell surface structure. In studies with 125I-labeled monoclonal antibodies to core glycolipid that cross-react with isolated LPS, the degree to which antibodies can bind to LPS in the outer membrane of intact, viable, gram-negative bacterial cells was found to vary with the strain of bacteria tested. Sequestration of bacterial cell-bound LPS from antibody was confirmed in a smooth strain of Escherichia coli by means of immunoelectron microscopy. The inability of antibody to bind to membrane-bound LPS suggests that such sequestered LPS may also be unable to effect toxicity in the infected host until liberated by bacterial cell breakdown.

Human epithelial cell expression of an Epstein-Barr virus receptor

Cultured human epithelium bound and internalized radiolabelled Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) within 1 h of exposure. A similar percentage of cultured cells also were reactive with monoclonal antibodies to the EBV/C3d receptor of B lymphocytes. In cross-sections of fresh frozen, stratified epithelium, receptor expression seemed limited to the less differentiated subpopulation of cells. These findings support the notion of direct infection of epithelial cells by EBV and suggest a viral life cycle in epithelium dependent on the stage of cell differentiation.

Development of murine monoclonal antibodies to Pneumocystis carinii

Relatively little is known about the antigenic structure of Pneumocystis carinii and the immunopathogenesis of pneumonitis caused by P. carinii. To begin to define the antigenic character of the surface of this organism, we have produced murine monoclonal antibodies that react with the surface of P. carinii (obtained from rats), as detected by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the six antibodies described in this report bound an antigen with an apparent molecular mass of 90,000-95,000 daltons. Although all six monoclonal antibodies bound P. carinii obtained from rats, only one (5E12) was also able to bind P. carinii obtained from rabbits, ferrets, and a human; this result demonstrated that isolates of P. carinii obtained from different species are not antigenically identical.

Detection of Water Vapor in Halley's Comet

Gaseous, neutral H(2)O was detected in the coma of comet Halley on 22.1 and 24.1 December 1985 Universal Time. Nine spectral lines of thev(3) band (2.65 micrometers) were found by means of a Fourier transform spectrometer (lambda/triangle uplambda approximately 10(5)) on the NASA-Kuiper Airborne Observatory. The water production rate was approximately 6 x 10(28) molecules per second on 22.1 December and 1.7 x 10(29) molecules per second on 24.1 December UT. The numbers of spectral lines and their intensities are in accord with nonthermal-equilibrium cometary models. Rotational populations are derived from the observed spectral line intensities and excitation conditions are discussed. The ortho-para ratio was found to be 2.66+/-0.13, corresponding to a nuclear-spin temperature of 32 K (+5 K, -2 K), possibly indicating that the observed water vapor originated from a low-temperature ice.

Experimental infection of captive axis deer with Brucella abortus

Four captive-raised axis deer, Axis axis (Erxleben), which were negative serologically to Brucella were inoculated with 1 X 10(8) virulent Brucella abortus biotype 1 organisms (Texas #221 isolate) administered bilaterally into the conjunctival sac. Sera collected from each deer prior to inoculation and 30 days post-inoculation (PI) were examined for Brucella antibodies by the buffered Brucella antigen (card), the rivanol precipitation, the standard tube agglutination, and the cold complement fixation tube serologic tests. All four axis deer converted serologically as determined by all tests at 30 days PI. Brucella abortus biotype 1 was isolated from 26 of 32 tissue samples collected at necropsy and also from milk from the lactating female.

Tobramycin in external eye disease: a double-masked study vs. gentamicin

A double-masked randomized study was conducted at four centers to compare the efficacy and safety of tobramycin and gentamicin ophthalmic ointment in the treatment of superficial external eye disease. Seventy-seven patients with blepharitis and/or conjunctivitis were evaluated for safety, and 56 of the 77 individuals also qualified for evaluation of drug efficacy. After a 10 day treatment regimen, 97% of the tobramycin treated patients and 91.3% of the gentamicin treated patients were clinically cured or improved. Antibacterial effectiveness studies in the conjunctiva showed that tobramycin eradicated or controlled 87.8% of the bacterial infections vs. 77.4% for gentamicin. There was also a 9.3% adverse reaction rate with tobramycin vs. 17.6% with gentamicin. Primary symptoms consisted of erythema, injection, discomfort and itching. All adverse reactions were mild and cleared upon discontinuation of the study drug. While the trends seem to favor tobramycin, no difference was statistically significant at the p less than or equal to 0.05 level. These results indicate that tobramycin is a clinically effective and safe topical antibiotic and that it is comparable to gentamicin for topical treatment of bacterial external eye infections. It also may be better tolerated than gentamicin.

Infrared Fourier spectrometer for airborne and ground-based astronomy

A unique high resolving power near-infrared, astronomical Fourier spectrometer has been constructed foruse at both ground-based and airborne telescopes. Its capabilities include a limiting resolution of 0.01 cm(-1) and spectral coverage over the InSb detector sensitivity region (0.8-5.6 microm). The instrument is optimized for operation in environments inaccessible to other high-resolution Fourier spectrometers, namely, the Cassegrain focuses of conventional telescopes and the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory's 91-cm telescope. Details of the spectrometer are discussed, and various astronomical and laboratory spectra are presented.

An experimental infection of Trypanosoma cruzi in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis)

Four adult (3 male, 1 female) captive-raised, decented, striped skunks (Mephritis mephitis) were infected experimentaly with a field strain (Texas-Tulane) of Trypanosoma cruzi, originally isolated from a naturally-infected dog. Two skunks were injected intravenously with approximately 4.5 x 10(6) viable T. cruzi trypomastigotes. Two skunks were inoculated per os and per conjunctivum with 10 ml of phosphate buffered saline containing macerated, T. cruzi-infected triatomine intestines and intestinal contents. The skunks had minimal clinical manifestations with no mortalities occurring during 46 days post-exposure. Sera from all skunks were positive at 24 days post-inoculation (PI) by the direct and latex agglutination tests. Blood cultures from the 4 skunksd were positive for T. cruzi at day 24 PI and 3 were positive at day 46 PI. All skunks had mild to moderately severe chronic granulomatous myocarditis of the atria and ventricles. Typical T. cruzi amastigotes were present within myocardial fibers in 3 of 4 skunks.

Referrals to psychiatric liaison nurses: changes in characteristics over a limited time period

This article reviews the literature on the consultant/consultee relationship within psychiatric liaison nursing. Data on 284 referrals from staff nurses to psychiatric liaison nurses (PLNs) in a teaching hospital are examined to discover whether the nature of the referrals changes with the evolving consultation relationship. Referrals are found to change over time in their specificity, focus, level of sophistication, and kind of PLN involvement requested. Possible explanations for these changes are discussed.

Brucella abortus in coyotes. I. A serologic and bacteriologic survey in eastern Texas

Prevalence of Brucella abortus serum antibodies in coyotes from east central Texas was determined by the buffered Brucella antigen (card test), rivanol, standard agglutination tube, and cold complement fixation tube tests. Eighteen percent (9 of 51) of the coyotes were positive serologically. B. abortus biotype 1 was isolated from various tissues from 7 of 43 coyotes by bacteriologic culture. Congenital transmission was found.

Naturally occurring hepatozoonosis in a coyote

Schizonts of Hepatozoon sp. were found in the myocardium of an adult cyote (Canis latrans) collected from the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, Texas. This constitutes the first time hepatozoonosis has been recorded in Canidae in the Western Hemisphere.

The effect of parasitism by the trematode Cryptocotyle lingua (Creplin) on the digestive efficiency in the snail host, Littorina saxatilis (olivi)

The efficiency of assimilation of carbon and nitrogen by Littorina saxatilis, as calculated from the carbon and nitrogen content of food and faeces, showed that the efficiency of snails infected with rediae of Cryptocotyle lingua did not differ significantly from that in non-infected snails.

Similarly, the rate of ingestion and the rate of assimilation of infected snails did not differ significantly from those of non-infected snails.

It is suggested that this harmonious relationship reflects the longterm strategy of Cryptocotyle lingua infections.

Pitch discrimination and tonal memory abilities in adult voice patients

Measures of pitch discrimination and tonal memory, subtests of the Seashore Measures of Musical Talents, were administered to 30 adult patients with hyper-functional voice disorders and to 30 matched adult control subjects. No significant differences were found between the two matched groups on either the pitch discrimination or the tonal memory subtests. It does appear, however, that some individual voice patients, similar to individuals in the normal population, demonstrate severe difficulty in making a pitch discrimination or remembering a tonal sequence.

Determination of Tensile Strength of Natural Rubber and GR-S. Effect of Specimen Size

Peirce's equation, which relates observed tensile strength of textile fibers with their length, was found to be applicable to rubberlike material if specimen volume is used in place of specimen length. Experiments in which the tensile strengths of GR-S and natural rubber compositions were determined for a range of specimen volumes yielded results in close accord with theory. A tenfold increase in the volume of the material resulted in a decrease of 308 and 339 and of 204 pounds per square inch in the observed tensile strength of GR-S and comparable natural rubber stocks, respectively. The numerical magnitudes of the slopes of the straight lines obtained when tensile strengths were plotted against the logarithms of the relative specimen volumes are shown to bear direct relationships to the homogeneity of the stocks under test. The use of a dumbbell sample with a constricted center should result in a relatively simple means of measuring quantitatively the degree of homogeneity of rubber compositions.