Immune response in skunks to a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were vaccinated with a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein. Virus neutralizing antibodies to rabies virus were present at 14 days postvaccination by the following routes: scarification (6/6), intramuscular (4/4) and intestinal (5/8). Six out of seven skunks that ate vaccine filled baits had virus neutralizing antibodies at 28 days. When challenged intramuscularly with street virus, the survival rates were 5/7 for the bait-fed group, 4/8 for the intestinal group, 3/4 for the intramuscular group, 5/6 for the animals that were scarified, and 0/8 for controls. This is the first report of a high rate of immunization of skunks with a rabies vaccine administered orally.

Multiple reiteration of a 40-bp nucleotide sequence in the inverted terminal repeat of the genome of a canine adenovirus

The DNA of a vaccine strain of canine adenovirus type 1 [ICHV vaccine; Connaught Laboratories, Ltd.; CAV-1(CLL)] has been cloned in plasmid pAT153 in the form of subgenomic BamHI digestion fragments. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of cloned terminal fragments has revealed an inverted terminal repeat (ITR) with a minimum length of 198 nucleotides, including a tandem reiteration of the 40-bp nucleotide sequence from positions 14 to 53. The ITRs had the 5'-CATCATCAAT ... sequence typical of adenoviruses and the highly conserved sequence ATAATATAC (nucleotides 9-17) of human strains. Additionally, one BamHI A clone (left terminus) contained three sequential copies of the 40-bp sequence, and two BamHI C clones (right terminus) contained at least seven. These did not appear to be artifacts of cloning, since evidence was obtained that the multiple reiterations also occurred in DNA isolated from intact virus. By analogy with human adenoviruses, the repetitive sequence in the CAV-1(CLL) genome encompasses the entire nuclear factor I (NFI) binding site of the origin of DNA replication. Additionally, the 40-bp nucleotide sequence was found to contain the sequence AGG(N)4GCCTAA (nucleotides 27-39), which closely resembles the concensus sequence of the human adenovirus NFI binding site [TGG(N)6-7GCCAA; nucleotides 25-38]. It appears, therefore, that the Connaught CAV-1 vaccine contains reiterated copies of an essential part of the adenoviral origin of DNA replication. A mechanism is proposed for the generation of multiple reiterations of sequences in the right ITR, given an initial single tandem repeat in the left ITR.

Factors predicting response of end stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck to cisplatinum

Cisplatinum significantly prolongs survival in end stage head and neck cancer but only 30-40% of patients respond. Many receive chemotherapy with little or no benefit and it would obviously be advantageous to determine in advance those patients likely to benefit. In 2 phase III trials of chemotherapy in end stage disease, 129 patients have been treated with cisplatinum, either alone or in 2-drug combination with bleomycin, methotrexate or 5-fluorouracil. Factors analysed in the entire group were age, sex, site, previous treatment, performance status and the use of cisplatinum in combination. A high albumen and oro- or nasopharyngeal site were significantly favourable, while a hypopharyngeal, middle ear, skin or paranasal site were all significantly unfavourable. In the separate analysis of the subgroup with recurrent disease, site of recurrence and time to recurrence were analysed in addition to the factors named above. Although similar trends to those in the entire group were observed none reached significant levels. In the subgroup with advanced previously untreated disease, histological grade was analysed in addition to the above factors. Good performance status emerged as significantly favourable. The emerging trends provide some insight regarding outcome but are not sufficiently clearcut to allow a decision to be made on who should and who should not be treated.

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A randomized phase III trial of cisplatinum, methotrexate, cisplatinum + methotrexate, and cisplatinum + 5-fluoro-uracil in end-stage head and neck cancer

In a previous phase III trial of chemotherapy for patients with end-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck we have shown that Bleomycin shortened the survival period, compared with untreated controls. The survival of patients treated with Cisplatinum and Bleomycin did not differ significantly from untreated patients, but Cisplatinum significantly prolonged survival. A further similar trial is reported here, the four treatment arms were Methotrexate alone, Cisplatinum alone, Cisplatinum + Methotrexate, and Cisplatinum + 5-Fluoro-uracil. The response rates were: Methotrexate alone 19%, Cisplatinum alone 40%, Cisplatinum + Methotrexate 31%, and Cisplatinum + 5-Fluoro-uracil 33%. The median survival time for the Cisplatinum alone group, 260 days, was significantly longer than the 80 days for the Methotrexate alone group. The median survival times for Cisplatinum + Methotrexate (160 days) and for Cisplatinum + 5-Fluoro-uracil (200 days) did not differ significantly from that for Cisplatinum alone.

Adjuvant effects of orally administered saponins on humoral and cellular immune responses in mice

We have described adjuvant effects of orally administered Quillaja saponins on the immune responses of mice fed inactivated rabies antigen (AG). The in vivo lymphocyte proliferation in mice fed antigen + saponin (AG + SAP) was significantly greater than that in mice fed antigen (AG) alone. Further, the mitogen-induced cell proliferative responses in animals primed with AG + SAP was markedly increased compared with those in the AG group. These changes in clonal expansion were associated with an enhanced helper T cell (Th) and B cell co-operation. The in vivo cell proliferation and in vitro mitogen-induced responses of mice fed AG + SAP correlated with enhanced antibody synthesis. In mice fed saponin alone, there were significant increases in clonal expansion and lymphocyte function. Our present data indicate that the immunocompetence in animals fed AG + SAP was indeed evoked by saponins. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity in mice fed SAP or AG + SAP was detected 7 days after booster, in contrast to 21 days in mice fed AG alone. The natural killer cell activity in mice fed SAP alone was greatly enhanced and persisted for an extended period of time.

An in vitro study of immunomodulatory effects of some saponins

The in vitro immunomodulatory activities of a number of saponins (crude Quillaja saponin, Quillayanin, Quil-A and glycyrrhizic acid) are described. Addition of these saponin preparations to mouse spleen cell cultures resulted in significant cell proliferation. B-cells were induced to proliferate in the presence of the crude saponin, and T-cells in the presence of Quil-A. On the other hand, Quillayanin and glycyrrhizic acid stimulated both T- and B-lymphocytes equally. The selective proliferation of subtypes of lymphocytes correlated with restimulation responses by polyclonal mitogens. Pretreatment by lymphocytes with crude saponins induced significant T-cell responses to PHA and Con A, and to T-independent B-cell stimulation by LPS. Pulse exposure of spleen cells to Quil-A resulted in enhanced cell proliferation when restimulated with PHA, Con A and PWM. In comparison, similar exposure of lymphocytes to Quillayanin or glycyrrhizic acid produced markedly increased responses to PHA, Con A, PWM and LPS. Incubation of lymphocytes in the presence of Quillaja saponins and Quillayanin caused effector cell generation as determined in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction. In the case of lymphocytes cultured in the presence of crude saponins or glycyrrhizic acid, the supernatants contained active soluble factors. This was demonstrated by the observation that the addition of supernatants to spleen cell cultures induced spontaneous cell proliferation, and also amplified their responses to a suboptimal dose of PHA. The experimental data suggest that different components in the Quillaja saponin preparations may have selective effects on various subtypes of cell populations. Glycyrrhizic acid has the most profound immunomodulatory activity in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunomodulatory effects of orally-administered saponins and nonspecific resistance against rabies infection

We present evidence that orally fed Quillaja saponins offer nonspecific resistance to mice against rabies viral infection. Adoptive transfer of spleen cells and thymocytes from animals preconditioned with saponin (SAP), inactivated rabies antigen (AG), or a mixture of AG+SAP has offered significant protection against an intracerebral challenge with live rabies virus. Levels of serum rabies-neutralizing antibodies in the different groups of recipient animals did not correlate with the respective survival rates. Culture supernatants of concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells from animals fed SAP or AG+SAP induced marked T cell and B cell proliferation, and also greatly enhanced the plaque-forming cell activity of unprimed spleen B cells. Irrespective of the presence or absence of rabies-specific antibodies, sera from animals fed a mixture of AG+SAP induced significant levels of cell proliferation and augmented phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced responsiveness of spleen lymphocytes in vitro. The addition of sera from animals fed AG alone resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation and suppressed PHA-induced responses.

Experimental rabies in skunks: immune response and salivary gland infection

Groups of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were inoculated intramuscularly with graded doses of street rabies virus. At various intervals after inoculation, saliva and sera were tested for rabies virus and neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Skunks that developed rabies were killed in terminal stages of the disease and the following examinations were made: titers of virus and antibody in submandibular salivary glands and brain, extent of immunofluorescence in submandibular salivary glands, and histologic examination of various tissues. Skunks that received inocula containing 4 x 10(4) to 4 x 10(5) mouse intracerebral lethal dose50 (MICLD50) had detectable serum neutralizing antibodies by 7-12 days postinoculation; however, most of the skunks that received lower doses (40 to 4 x 10(3) MICLD50) did not have detectable serum neutralizing antibodies until clinical signs began. In the salivary glands, slight and extensive immunofluorescence corresponded to high and low titers of tissue neutralizing antibody. Also low viral titers were associated with high tissue neutralizing antibody titers. There was a close correlation between viral titers in right and left submandibular salivary glands. The results suggest that the immune response can impede the process of infection of the salivary glands resulting in lack of antigen or low amounts of antigen in this tissue. This could occur through interference with centrifugal neural transport of virus and/or neutralization of virus during transfer from neural elements to epithelial cells. Lack of infectious virus or low viral titers in salivary glands containing antigen and high levels of tissue neutralizing antibodies can be caused partly by postmortem virus neutralization (during viral titration).

Intravenously administered pentobarbital sodium for sedation in pediatric CT

A retrospective study of 5,134 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing computed tomographic (CT) evaluation from January 1983 through December 1985 was conducted to analyze the need for sedation in a pediatric population; the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of various sedation regimens; and the pediatric radiologists' changing preference for certain sedatives. A marked preference for intravenous administration of pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal) evolved over the 3-year period analyzed. Intravenous Nembutal facilitated the most efficient use of available CT scanning time. Recovery times were reduced, and patient convenience was augmented. There were only two sedation failures in the 419 patients sedated with intravenous Nembutal, and there were no sedation-related complications.

Adjuvanticity of stearyl tyrosine on inactivated poliovirus vaccine

Preliminary studies of some of the properties of stearyl tyrosine have shown that it is non-toxic, free of adverse reactions at the sites of injection, non-pyrogenic, stable upon storage and easy to sterilize. Formalin inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) adjuvanted with stearyl tyrosine hydrochloride induced significantly higher titres of antibodies in non-human primates, after two injections, than the non-adjuvanted vaccine. Furthermore, the adjuvanted vaccine, even when diluted 1:4, showed consistently higher antibody titres as well as a longer persistence of antibodies than the non-adjuvanted undiluted vaccine. These studies suggest that stearyl tyrosine is an excellent and cost effective adjuvant for IPV. Hence further investigation with this novel synthetic compound would be worthwhile to ascertain its adjuvanticity for IPV in human subjects.

Tonsil flora in the very young tonsillectomy patient

The tonsil flora of 20 children below the age of 4 years undergoing tonsillectomy, and a control group of 18 children were studied using tonsil swabs and core specimens. The study group had a significantly higher culture rate of anaerobic organisms, whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in respect of aerobic pathogens. Since most anaerobic organisms are relatively resistant to the antibiotics usually prescribed for recurring tonsillitis, the use of more appropriate antimicrobial therapy may be helpful in the prevention of early tonsillectomy.

Immune responses of mice to inactivated rabies vaccine administered orally: potentiation by Quillaja saponin

Administered orally, Quillaja saponin markedly potentiated the humoral immune responses of mice fed inactivated rabies vaccine, and significantly increased their resistance to subsequent intracerebral challenge with live rabies virus. Although mean serum neutralizing antibody titres were generally 8- to 16-fold higher when vaccine was given intraperitoneally, orally administered vaccine, with saponin, stimulated production of high protective antibody levels that were maintained for at least 6 months. The potentiating effect of saponin appeared to be mediated through several mechanisms, one of which was by increasing the permeability of the intestinal mucosa, allowing increased uptake of viral antigen. The potentiating effect was enhanced when saponin was administered in advance (up to at least 16 h) of the oral vaccine. Mice tolerated the effective saponin doses without any visible signs of distress or injury. In view of the many favourable physiological activities and low toxicity of orally delivered saponins, it is suggested that they may find more general applications in the immunopotentiation of oral vaccines.

Percutaneous gastrostomy and gastroenterostomy: 1. Techniques derived from laboratory evaluation

Various techniques, guidance systems, instruments, and the postmortem effects of percutaneous gastrostomy (PG) and percutaneous gastroenterostomy (PGE) were evaluated in 30 laboratory animals and five human cadavers. Methods to distend the stomach included air, fluid, intragastric balloon, and percutaneous needle inflation; a variety of trocar systems and catheters inserted by Seldinger technique (including those adapted from other uses and several designed specifically) were assessed. Fluoroscopy was the preferred guidance system, though sonography proved valuable (liver position, depth calculation to the stomach, localization of vessels to avoid), and the entire PG procedure was performed under sonographic guidance in four animals. Although the procedure was safe in most cases, several major complications did occur: laceration of a low-lying liver with exsanguination, malpositioned catheters in the lesser sac and adjacent to the spleen, and violation of the backwall of the stomach with laceration of celiac and splenic vessels. The animals and cadavers underwent autopsy. Autopsy revealed that firm gastrocutaneous tracts were formed by 7 days. There were few instances of wound infection, intraperitoneal fluid leakage, or evidence of trauma to the stomach when the catheters were well seated. Injury to the inferior epigastric artery is a potential hazard, and in cadaver dissections was located between the middle third and outer margin of the rectus abdominis muscle. Laboratory experience has been, and continues to be, an important means to improve and use new techniques for PG and PGE.

Acid phosphatase activity in soleus and plantaris muscle fibres of normal and dystrophic hamsters. A quantitative histochemical study

The activity of acid phosphatase in skeletal muscle fibres of the plantaris and soleus of normal and dystrophic male hamsters was quantified using a histochemical post-coupling semipermeable membrane technique. Although the absolute levels of activity were found to vary widely from one animal to another, the ratio of the mean activities in the two muscles in each animal was virtually constant. In normal muscles, the ratio was about 0.73 and in dystrophic muscles, about 0.77. The activity in plantaris muscle fibres was always significantly lower than that in the corresponding soleus fibres, and in normal fibres compared to dystrophic ones. Another difference was that in normal fibres the mean activity declined to a constant level in mature animals older than about 3 months. In contrast, the activity in dystrophic muscles appeared to fall exponentially throughout life. The functional significance of these findings is discussed.

Protective effect of activated charcoal in cattle poisoned with atrazine

Six heifers were poisoned with a lethal dose of atrazine. Three animals were treated daily for 4 days with activated charcoal. The untreated animals died within 3 days, whereas the treated animals survived the 14-day observation period. Hematology, blood chemistry and pathology findings are reported.

Metabolic activation of acetylenes. Covalent binding of [1,2-14C]octyne to protein, DNA and haem in vitro and the protective effects of certain thiol compounds

[1,2-14C]Oct-l-yne was used to investigate metabolic activation of the ethynyl substituent in vitro. Activation of octyne by liver microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes gave intermediate(s) that bound covalently to protein, DNA and to haem. The time course and extent of covalent binding of octyne to haem and to protein were similar. However, two different activating mechanisms are probably involved. Whereas covalent binding to protein or to DNA was inhibited by nucleophiles such as N-acetylcysteine, that to haem was little affected. When N-acetylcysteine was included in the reaction mixtures, two major octyne-N-acetylcysteine adducts were isolated and purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography. G.l.c.-mass spectrometry and n.m.r. suggest that these are the cis-trans isomers of S-3-oxo-oct-1-enyl-N-acetylcysteine. Oct-1-yn-3-one reacted non-enzymically with N-acetylcysteine at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C with a t1/2 of about 6 s also to yield S-3-oxo-oct-l-enyl-N-acetylcysteine. The same product was formed when microsomal fractions were incubated with oct-1-yn-3-ol, N-acetylcysteine and NAD(P)+. Octyn-3-one did not appear to react with haem or protoporphyrin IX. 5. A mechanism for the metabolic activation of oct-1-yne is proposed, consisting in (a) microsomal hydroxylation of the carbon atom alpha to the acetylenic bond and (b) oxidation to yield octyn-3-one as the reactive species.

Experimental rabies in skunks: effects of immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were inoculated with street rabies virus and immunosuppressed with several doses of cyclophosphamide. Control skunks were inoculated with street virus only. The skunks were killed in terminal stages of the disease and several tissues were collected for examination by immunofluorescence, light microscopy and viral titration. Sera collected at euthanasia from most of the principals did not contain detectable rabies neutralizing antibodies, whereas high titers occurred terminally in controls. Immunofluorescence was much more entensive in submandibular salivary glands of cyclophosphamide-treated than control skunks. Similarly, virus was isolated from this tissue more consistently and at higher titer from principals than from controls. Immunofluorescence was extensive in brains of all skunks (both groups), but virus was isolated consistently only from brains of cyclophosphamide-treated skunks. Most of the cyclophosphamide-treated skunks had very few inflammatory cells in brain and cerebrospinal ganglia. Neuronal degeneration occurred in dorsal root ganglia of both principals and controls. The results suggest that the immune response has no effect on the development of rabies-induced aggressive behavior, that the immune response may inhibit salivary gland infection and that it is not essential for the development of neuronal degeneration in dorsal root ganglia.

Use of alkylated proteins in the monitoring of exposure to alkylating agents

Measurement of reaction products of alkylating agents with proteins has been used as a monitor of in-vivo exposure to over 30 such compounds. Doses in animals exposed to directly-acting alkylating agents (e.g., methyl methanesulfonate, ethylene oxide) are directly related to the production of alkylated amino acids in haemoglobin. The erythrocyte dose of alkylating agent, calculated from the extent of haemoglobin alkylation, is in some cases related to liver and extra-hepatic DNA doses; thus, detection of alkylation of haemoglobin may be taken as an indication of a reaction at the carcinogenic target site.

Simple rapid method for the preparation of enteric-coated microspheres

A method is presented for encapsulating high molecular weight biological materials such as viral antigen, concanavalin A, and other proteins with cellulose acetate phthalate. The method is simple, inexpensive, and rapid; the process takes approximately 15 min. Capsules generated by this method are produced as microspheres 1-3 mm in diameter. They are stable for at least 6 h in simulated gastric conditions, but disintegrate rapidly under simulated intestinal conditions. Encapsulation had no effect on the activity of the biological materials. The method has potentially wide application for encapsulation of drugs and other substances.