Cytochemical interaction of nucleolus and cytoplasm in the Purkinje cells of senile white rats under the influence of centrophenoxine

Senile white rats were treated with centrophenoxine at a dosage of 100 mg/Kg body weight/day for 60 days intraperitoneally. Sections of variously fixed and embedded cerebella were studied cytochemically to note the effect of the drug on the senile Purkinje neurons. The nucleolus was found to be hyper-active, as evidenced by the processes of budding and extrusion. A frank regeneration of the Nissl patches along with an increase in alpha-esterase and decrease in the activity of acid phosphatase and simple esterase was noted in the Purkinje cells after 60 days' treatment. It is suggested that the drug exerts its positive effects by regenerating the general cytoplasm and by revitalizing the nucleocytoplasmic interactions in the senile Purkinje cells.

Effect of butylated hydroxytoluene on the life span of Drosophila bipectinata

The median and the maximum life spans of Drosophila bipectinata increased after feeding with various concentrations (10 microM, 10(2) microM and 10(3) microM) of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Insects fed on the diet supplemented with 10(3) microM BHT had decreased rate of lipid peroxidation (measured by thiobarbituric acid test) with respect to the controls. It is suggested that the antioxidant BHT, which scavenges free radicals, prolongs the life span of Drosophila.

Sensitivity of guaiac-impregnated cards for the detection of colorectal neoplasia

The sensitivity of the guaiac-impregnated card, hemoccult II, for the detection of colorectal neoplasia was tested in 213 patients undergoing elective colonoscopy over a 10-month period. Contrary to statements in standard texts as to the high sensitivity of guaiac-impregnated cards for the detection of these tumors, our results demonstrate only a 52% sensitivity for colorectal carcinoma and a 23% sensitivity for adenomatous polyps over 1.0 cm in diameter. We compare these results to other studies testing hemoccult sensitivity in the presence of colorectal neoplasia. This relatively low sensitivity rate emphasizes that the use of guaiac-impregnated cards alone does not exclude colorectal carcinoma in any patient.

Age-related protein changes in the banana fruitfly

Protein analyses from head and body revealed changes in content and electrophoretic banding pattern during aging of the banana fruitfly, Zaprionus paravittiger. Total protein content of head and body increased during the first 13 days of post-emergent life, followed by decline with advancing age. Electrophoretic studies indicate that certain proteins present in newly emerged flies disappeared with the advancing age while a few specific proteins appear and accumulate as the total protein content decreases during post-reproductive period.

Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in Atlanta, Georgia

Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from tissue of 5 of 7 cats and of 4 of 4 field mice trapped in a riding stable in Atlanta where an outbreak of toxoplasmosis had occurred in persons. Dye-test antibodies were not found in serum of 4 cats and 4 field mice shown to be infected with T gondii by mouse inoculation. The pathogenicity and infectivity of the 9 isolates of T gondii from cats and mice were compared in mice with the same characteristics of an isolate from a person who acquired toxoplasmosis in association with the stable. Oocysts of all 10 isolates were more pathogenic than cysts of the same isolates. Epidemiologic implications of isolates from cats and mice are discussed.

Age-dependent changes in esterases of Callosobruchus maculatus Fab. (Bruchidae: Coleoptera)

Age-dependent changes, quantitative as well as qualitative, in esterase activity were found by assaying crude extracts of Callosobruchus maculatus. There is increase in esterase activity in both the sexes with advancing age in bruchids. Esterase from old bruchids showed several additional electrophoretic bands which did not appear in assays of young bruchids; in addition there is an increase in staining intensity of the bands. A rapid increase in esterase activity during the last days of life may be responsible for producing energy used in various metabolic processes in an attempt to escape death.

Sarcocystosis in goats: clinical signs and pathologic and hematologic findings

Clinical sarcocystosis was studied in 37 goats after inoculation with graded doses of sporocysts of Sarcocystis capracanis. Eight uninoculated goats served as controls. Clinical response varied with the dose. Goats inoculated with 10-40 million sporocysts died between 11 and 13 days after inoculation (DAI), from interstitial pneumonia, vasculitis, and necrosis of mesenteric lymph nodes. All goats inoculated with 100,000 or 1 million sporocysts died between 19 and 23 DAI; clinical signs were anorexia, fever (40-41 C), anemia, and weight loss. Four of 4 goats inoculated with 50,000 sporocysts and 1 of 4 inoculated with 10,000 sporocysts died 24, 28, 39, 68, and 61 DAI, respectively. Goats inoculated with 1,000 sporocysts and uninoculated goats remained clinically normal. After day 18 and before day 68, packed cell volume and hemoglobin content decreased to as low as 11% and 3.6 g/dl, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase and lactic dehydrogenase activities were inconsistently increased. Blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin values were increased, reaching as high as 63 mg/dl and 10 mg/dl, respectively. Histologically, thymic atrophy, vasculitis, hepatitis, cholangitis, myocarditis, generalized myositis, and encephalomyelitis were the main microscopic findings. The cause of the anemia in goats that died after day 19 was not determined.

Quantitative survival of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and bradyzoites in pepsin and in trypsin solutions

Bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii survived in pepsin solutions and in trypsin solutions. After 120 minutes in trypsin solution at 37 C, infectivity of bradyzoites for mice was reduced 100-fold, whereas in pepsin solution there was no reduction in infectivity. Tachyzoites survived in trypsin, but after 15 and 60 minutes' incubation at 37 C, there was a 100,000-fold reduction in infectivity titer. Toxoplasma gondii was demonstrated in mice inoculated with experimentally infected goat brain digested in pepsin and in trypsin solutions, but not in mice inoculated with undigested brain of the same goat. Seemingly, tissues should be digested in pepsin solution to isolate T gondii from chronically infected animals.

Age-related glycogen changes in bruchids

Quantitative measurements of glycogen in aging bruchids showed there was a considerable decrease (> 50%) with age except on the fifth day when an increase was observed, followed by a decrease on the sixth day. The variations in glycogen content with age suggests that glycogen serves as one of the energy sources responsible for the maintenance of metabolism in the process of aging in bruchids.

Caprine toxoplasmosis: abortion, clinical signs, and distribution of Toxoplasma in tissues of goats fed Toxoplasma gondii oocysts

Thirteen goats (9 does and 4 bucks) were each inoculated orally with 10,000 infective Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Three does and one buck were used as noninoculated controls. In 2 to 4 days after inoculation (DAI), inoculated goats became dull, pyrectic (40 to 41 C), and anorectic. Three goats died (10, 10, and 14 DAI) and two goats were killed (7 and 32 DAI) because they were moribund; also, 3 does aborted, 2 had weak kids, and 2 had dead fetuses. Toxoplasma was isolated from the placenta of three goats, and the fetal tissues of four goats. The control goats remained asymptomatic. The distribution of T gondii in blood and other tissues was studied by inoculation of mice with caprine tissues. Parasitemia was detected in 7 of 7 goats--beginning 4 DAI in 1 goat, 5 DAI in 5 goats, and 8 DAI in 1 goat. The parasitemia lasted 3 to 10 days. Toxoplasma was isolated from the milk of 2 goats at 12 and 14 DAI. Toxoplasma was isolated from 15 or more tissues of 5 goats killed 7 to 35 DAI and from 10 tissues of 2 goats killed 69 and 95 DAI.

Experimental toxoplasmosis in elk (Cervus canadensis)

One cow elk (approx 4 months pregnant) and one calf elk were each inoculated intraruminally with 10(5) infective oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Both animals were seronegative when inoculated, but became seropositive to T gondii. Sabin-Feldman dye test antibody titers in relation to day postinoculation were as follows: 1:1024, 1:1024, and 1:2048 (days 28, 69, and 73) for the calf; 1:2048, 1:128, and 1:128 (days 34, 69, and 73) for the cow; and 1:2546 (73 days after inoculation of the cow) for the fetus. Indirect hemagglutination antibody titers were not detected in sera of the cow or her fetus and remained low (1:64 or lower) in calf sera. Both the cow and the calf remained asymptomatic until necropsy 73 days after they were inoculated. Toxoplasma was isolated in mice and cats after they were inoculated with brain, spinal cord, heart, diaphragm, liver, pancreas, cervical lymph nodes, and intestines of the infected calf; with brain, heart, diaphragm, and skeletal muscles of the infected cow; and with brain, heart, cervical lymph nodes, and spleen of the fetus.

Prolonged excretion of Toxoplasma gondii in semen of goats

Toxoplasma gondii was demonstrated by mouse inoculation in semen of three of three goats orally inoculated with 10(4) oocysts of the GT-1 strain of T gondii. From goats 1 and 3, T gondii was first detected in semen 7 days after inoculation (DAI) and 12 DAI from goat 2. Excretion continued over a period of 52 days from goat 1 and 16 days from goat 2. Goat 3 had excreted T gondii for 5 days when its was killed 14 DAI.

Parasitemia and tissue infection in sheep fed Toxoplasma gondii oocysts

The distribution of Toxoplasma gondii in blood and other tissues of nine adult sheep experimentally infected with T. gondii oocysts was studied by inoculation of mice with ovine tissues. Parasitemia was detected in five sheep 6 to 11 days after inoculation (DAI) and lasting usually for 1 to 2 days. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from numerous internal organs of five sheep killed between 7 and 28 DAI and from eight organs of a sheep killed 64 DAI. Of the three sheep killed 117, 118, and 119 DAI, T. gondii was isolated only from brain, heart, diaphragm, skeletal muscle, and intestine. Skeletal muscle was infected in all sheep. More mice became infected after inoculation with chronically infected tissues digested in 1% trypsin than undigested tissues. Results indicate that skeletal muscle and brain should be used for parasitological surveys in sheep.

Effect of garlic on normal blood cholesterol level

The effect of raw garlic on normal blood cholesterol level in males of the age group of 18-35 years was studied. The subjects, who never ingested garlic before, were given 10 g of garlic daily with their diet for two months. Fasting blood samples were investigated in respect of cholesterol before and after two months of garlic intake. Initially the blood cholesterol level ranged between 160-250 mg% which decreased significantly in all the subjects of experimental group after two months of ingestion of garlic. The slight decrease or increase in the blood cholesterol level of control group was not significant. The raw garlic can be advocated for daily ingestion in order to lower one's blood cholesterol level even if it is within normal limits.

Fenbendazole for treatment of Paragonimus kellicotti infection in dogs

The effect of fenbendazole therapy was studied in 9 dogs with pulmonary paragonimiasis induced by inoculation of metacercariae (25/dog) of Paragonimus kellicotti. At 42 to 47 days after 6 dogs were inoculated, they were given fenbendazole in 2 divided doses totaling 50 mg (4 dogs) or 100 mg (2 dogs)/kg of body weight each day for 10 to 14 days. Three dogs were not treated. The passage of Paragonimus eggs in the feces ceased after 3 days at the high dosage and after 3 to 8 days at the low dosage. All dogs were euthanatized and necropsied on day 14. Live flukes were not recovered from the lungs of any treated dog, but 15, 19, and 23 live flukes were recovered from the untreated dogs.

Porcine toxoplasmosis in Indiana

Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed at necropsy in a 4-week-old pig from a litter of 16 born to a clinically normal sow. Multifocal acute necrosis of blood vessels and parenchyma was found in the small intestine, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain. Numerous tachyzoites, ultrastructurally indistinguishable from Toxoplasma gondii, were found in lesions. The affected pig and seven other littermates died after diarrhea had developed within 1 to 2 weeks of birth. The most likely source of infection was oocysts from cats on the farm.

Lipofuscin accumulation in squirrel monkey spinal cord consequent to protein malnutrition during gestation

The formation of lipofuscin pigment in the anterior horn cells of the cervical spinal cord has shown in the fetuses and neonates under the extrinsic influence of maternal protein deprivation during the gestation period in the squirrel monkeys.

Nucleolar activity in the primate dorsal root ganglion cells associated with dietary protein malnutrition

The nucleolar changes in the dorsal root ganglion cells of the squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus, have been investigated by the use of histological and histochemical methods in the healthy neonates (born to mothers maintained on 25% protein diet during gestation) and young adults, and compared with those observed in the protein-malnourished neonates (born to mothers maintained on a 8% protein diet during gestation). Also studied were young adults maintained on a high protein diet (25% protein) as well as on a low protein diet (2% protein content) for a period of 15 weeks. Whereas in the healthy animals (neonates and young adults) only a few cells show nucleolar budding and finally their extrusion into the cytoplasm, the protein-malnourished animals show a significantly enhanced nucleolar activity in the form of increased size (3-4 times the original) and active budding either from one focal point or at several places on the body of the nucleolus. In the neurons which show chromatolytic changes, these extrusions migrate to the nuclear membrane, wherefrom they pass on to the cytoplasm through an evagination of the nuclear envelope. Such a migration appears to occur by a focal dissolution of the nuclear membrane. It appears that, under conditions of severe malnutrition and advanced chromatolytic changes in the neuronal cytoplasm, the nucleolar material provides a compensatory mechanism for the increased cytoplasmic catabolism and loss of ribonucleoprotein material in order to facilitate additional protein synthesis for cell survival.

Experimental protein malnutrition in squirrel monkeys: cytochemical interaction of nucleolus and cytoplasm in the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord of Saimiri sciureus

Nuecleolo-cytoplasmic relationships have been studied using histochemical techniques in the spinal cord of healthy neonates compared with those born to mothers malnourished through most of the gestation period, and healthy and severely protein-malnourished young adult squirrel monkeys. Formaldehyde-fixed as well as fresh frozen tissues were used for histological study and for histochemical techniques to demonstrate lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and enzymes of various metabolic cycles. Changes in the neuronal cytoplasm of the low protein animals appear to be related to impaired protein metabolism and energy transport. The nucleolus reacts to cytoplasmic changes by enlarging its size and by active synthesis of secretion of nucleolar material, which is then passed into the cytoplasm through an evagination of the nuclear envelope. The greater the degree of chromatolysis in the cytoplasm, the more active the nucleolus appears to be in terms of its enlarged size and transfer of secretion products into the cytoplasm. It is believed that the perinuclear accumulation of secretion products in the neuronal cytoplasm of the protein-deficient animals has its origin in the nucleolus. Such an accumulation in the severely malnourished animals appears to be a compensatory mechanism for the increased cytoplasmic catabolism and loss of ribonucleoprotein material in order to facilitate additional protein synthesis for cell survival.

Reversibility of lipofuscin accumulation caused by protein malnutrition in the motor cortex of squirrel monkeys, Saimiri scireus

Lipofuscin pigment has been demonstrated histochemically in the motor cortex by the use of several histochemical and cytochemical methods in the healthy (maintained on a diet with 25% protein content) and protein malnourished (maintained on a diet with 2% protein content) adult animals. 4 animals in the latter category were rehabilitated over a period of 11 months and various histochemical techniques were repeated on the motor cortex of these animals. The healthy animals showed a somewhat uniform distribution of lipofuscin pigment in the neuronal perikarya with the perineuronal glia showing only slight occurrence of pigment bodies. The malnourished animals exhibited a significantly larger number of lipofuscin bodies in the neuronal as well as glial perikarya. The neurons, especially, showed aggregations of lipofuscin bodies characterized by a large increase in the activity of acid phosphatase and simple esterases. The rehabilitated animals, however, showed a decrease of lipofuscin pigment in the neuronal perikarya with a concomitant loss of lysosomal enzymes, while a significant increase of these bodies was observed in the perineuronal glial cells. It is evident that the formation of lipofuscin pigment gets accelerated under the extrinsic influence of dietary protein deprivation in the adult animals, but the process is reversed at least to some extent by halting the dietary deficiency or its correction by rehabilitation. The perineuronal glial cells appear to play a significant role in the removal of lipofuscin bodies from the neuronal perikarya. The significance of these observations has been discussed.

Lipofuscin formation in the developing nervous system of squirrel monkeys consequent to maternal dietary protein deficiency during gestation

The formation of lipofuscin pigment under the extrinsic influence of maternal protein deprivation during most of the gestation period has been demonstrated in the cerebellum and motor cortex of the developing fetuses and neonates in squirrel monkeys. The controls maintained on high protein diets failed to show lipofuscin pigment in appreciable quantities. The dirty yellow to dark brown pigment bodies exist as homogeneous particulates as well as duplex structures, each with a thin, irregular, light brown cortex, studded with one or more darker granules, and a medulla filled with sharp yellow substance. The malnourished neonates, especially in the third and fifth laminae of motor cortex, show loose aggregations of lipofuscin bodies in the apical dendrite and occasionally in the body of the dendritic branches but not in the axon hillock or the body of the axon. Histochemically, the pigment is a complex of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins, showing strong reaction for non-specific esterase and acid phosphatase and mild activity of succinate and lactate dehydrogenase and monoamine oxidase, which puts the pigment observed in the same category as the typical aging pigment described in literature. It is clear that maternal protein deficiency during the critical period of the fetal brain development has an adverse effect on its biochemical maturation. The accumulation of lipofuscin pigment is probably one manifestation of the metabolic changes in the neurons, which may have the impact of hastening the aging process, if protein deprivation is continued into the postnatal period.

Pyridine as an unmasking reagent for lipoprotein complexes in the nervous system of protein deficient squirrel monkeys

Acid hematin test with pyridine and Sudan black B controls was employed on selected areas of the brains of 115, 140 days fetuses, neonates and adult squirrel monkeys maintained on low and high protein diet. Our histochemical findings indicate that the reduction of phospholipids in the low protein fetuses and neonates is related to myelination, wereas in the adults, most of the lipids are bound to proteins and/or cerebrosides to form complexes, as revealed by the unmasking action of pyridine.