Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.20 ppm

We present a new measurement of the positive muon magnetic anomaly, a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2, from the Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment using data collected in 2019 and 2020. We have analyzed more than 4 times the number of positrons from muon decay than in our previous result from 2018 data. The systematic error is reduced by more than a factor of 2 due to better running conditions, a more stable beam, and improved knowledge of the magnetic field weighted by the muon distribution, ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, and of the anomalous precession frequency corrected for beam dynamics effects, ω_{a}. From the ratio ω_{a}/ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, together with precisely determined external parameters, we determine a_{μ}=116 592 057(25)×10^{-11} (0.21 ppm). Combining this result with our previous result from the 2018 data, we obtain a_{μ}(FNAL)=116 592 055(24)×10^{-11} (0.20 ppm). The new experimental world average is a_{μ}(exp)=116 592 059(22)×10^{-11} (0.19 ppm), which represents a factor of 2 improvement in precision.

Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.46 ppm

We present the first results of the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) Muon g-2 Experiment for the positive muon magnetic anomaly a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2. The anomaly is determined from the precision measurements of two angular frequencies. Intensity variation of high-energy positrons from muon decays directly encodes the difference frequency ω_{a} between the spin-precession and cyclotron frequencies for polarized muons in a magnetic storage ring. The storage ring magnetic field is measured using nuclear magnetic resonance probes calibrated in terms of the equivalent proton spin precession frequency ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'} in a spherical water sample at 34.7 °C. The ratio ω_{a}/ω[over ˜]_{p}^{'}, together with known fundamental constants, determines a_{μ}(FNAL)=116 592 040(54)×10^{-11} (0.46 ppm). The result is 3.3 standard deviations greater than the standard model prediction and is in excellent agreement with the previous Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) E821 measurement. After combination with previous measurements of both μ^{+} and μ^{-}, the new experimental average of a_{μ}(Exp)=116 592 061(41)×10^{-11} (0.35 ppm) increases the tension between experiment and theory to 4.2 standard deviations.

Significant Excess of Electronlike Events in the MiniBooNE Short-Baseline Neutrino Experiment

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from an analysis of ν_{e} appearance data from 12.84×10^{20} protons on target in neutrino mode, an increase of approximately a factor of 2 over previously reported results. A ν_{e} charged-current quasielastic event excess of 381.2±85.2 events (4.5σ) is observed in the energy range 200<E_{ν}^{QE}<1250  MeV. Combining these data with the ν[over ¯]_{e} appearance data from 11.27×10^{20} protons on target in antineutrino mode, a total ν_{e} plus ν[over ¯]_{e} charged-current quasielastic event excess of 460.5±99.0 events (4.7σ) is observed. If interpreted in a two-neutrino oscillation model, ν_{μ}→ν_{e}, the best oscillation fit to the excess has a probability of 21.1%, while the background-only fit has a χ^{2} probability of 6×10^{-7} relative to the best fit. The MiniBooNE data are consistent in energy and magnitude with the excess of events reported by the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (LSND), and the significance of the combined LSND and MiniBooNE excesses is 6.0σ. A two-neutrino oscillation interpretation of the data would require at least four neutrino types and indicate physics beyond the three neutrino paradigm. Although the data are fit with a two-neutrino oscillation model, other models may provide better fits to the data.

First Measurement of Monoenergetic Muon Neutrino Charged Current Interactions

We report the first measurement of monoenergetic muon neutrino charged current interactions. MiniBooNE has isolated 236 MeV muon neutrino events originating from charged kaon decay at rest (K^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}) at the NuMI beamline absorber. These signal ν_{μ}-carbon events are distinguished from primarily pion decay in flight ν_{μ} and ν[over ¯]_{μ} backgrounds produced at the target station and decay pipe using their arrival time and reconstructed muon energy. The significance of the signal observation is at the 3.9σ level. The muon kinetic energy, neutrino-nucleus energy transfer (ω=E_{ν}-E_{μ}), and total cross section for these events are extracted. This result is the first known-energy, weak-interaction-only probe of the nucleus to yield a measurement of ω using neutrinos, a quantity thus far only accessible through electron scattering.

Improved search for ν¯(μ)→ν¯(e) oscillations in the MiniBooNE experiment

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from an analysis of ν[over ¯](e) appearance data from 11.27×10(20) protons on target in the antineutrino mode, an increase of approximately a factor of 2 over the previously reported results. An event excess of 78.4±28.5 events (2.8σ) is observed in the energy range 200<E(ν)(QE)<1250 MeV. If interpreted in a two-neutrino oscillation model, ν[over ¯](μ)→ν[over ¯](e), the best oscillation fit to the excess has a probability of 66% while the background-only fit has a χ(2) probability of 0.5% relative to the best fit. The data are consistent with antineutrino oscillations in the 0.01<Δm(2)<1.0 eV(2) range and have some overlap with the evidence for antineutrino oscillations from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector. All of the major backgrounds are constrained by in situ event measurements so nonoscillation explanations would need to invoke new anomalous background processes. The neutrino mode running also shows an excess at low energy of 162.0±47.8 events (3.4σ) but the energy distribution of the excess is marginally compatible with a simple two neutrino oscillation formalism. Expanded models with several sterile neutrinos can reduce the incompatibility by allowing for CP violating effects between neutrino and antineutrino oscillations.

An intra-patient placebo-controlled phase I trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of intradermal IMM-101 in melanoma

BACKGROUND

IMM-101 is a heat-killed innate and adaptive immune-activating mycobacterial product; a phase I study aimed to determine its safety and tolerability in individuals with melanoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An intra-patient placebo-controlled study evaluated the safety and tolerability of three doses, namely, 0.1 (1 mg/ml), 0.5 (5 mg/ml) and 1.0 mg (10 mg/ml) of IMM-101 in stage III or IV melanoma. Each dose was administered in ascending order to one of the three cohorts.

RESULTS

Based on observations from patients administered the 0.1-mg dose, it was considered appropriate to proceed with dosing the patients in the 0.5-mg dose cohort and then the 1.0-mg cohort (n = 6 per cohort). Treatment-emergent adverse events that would be considered typical of a post-vaccination state (including joint pains/aches, headaches and influenza-like symptoms) occurred at all dose levels, along with injection site reactions. These were mainly mild in intensity, resolved in a matter of days and responded well to supportive care. During post-study follow-up, two clinical responses (15%) were observed in patients with stage IV disease.

CONCLUSION

IMM-101 is safe and well tolerated and there is a rationale for studying IMM-101 at a nominal 1.0-mg dose to complement conventional cytotoxic therapy for patients with advanced cancer.

Event excess in the MiniBooNE search for ¯νμ→¯νe oscillations

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from a search for ¯ν_{μ}→¯ν_{e} oscillations, using a data sample corresponding to 5.66×10²⁰ protons on target. An excess of 20.9±14.0 events is observed in the energy range 475<E_{ν}^{QE}<1250  MeV, which, when constrained by the observed ¯ν_{μ} events, has a probability for consistency with the background-only hypothesis of 0.5%. On the other hand, fitting for ¯ν_{μ}→¯ν_{e} oscillations, the best-fit point has a χ² probability of 8.7%. The data are consistent with ¯ν_{μ}→¯ν_{e} oscillations in the 0.1 to 1.0  eV² Δm² range and with the evidence for antineutrino oscillations from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Search for electron antineutrino appearance at the deltam(2) approximately 1 eV(2) Scale

The MiniBooNE Collaboration reports initial results from a search for nu(mu)-->nu(e) oscillations. A signal-blind analysis was performed using a data sample corresponding to 3.39x10(20) protons on target. The data are consistent with background prediction across the full range of neutrino energy reconstructed assuming quasielastic scattering, 200<E(nu)(QE)<3000 MeV: 144 electronlike events have been observed in this energy range, compared to an expectation of 139.2+/-17.6 events. No significant excess of events has been observed, both at low energy, 200-475 MeV, and at high energy, 475-1250 MeV. The data are inconclusive with respect to antineutrino oscillations suggested by data from the Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Search for muon neutrino and antineutrino disappearance in MiniBooNE

The MiniBooNE Collaboration reports a search for nu_{micro} and nu[over]_{micro} disappearance in the Deltam;{2} region of 0.5-40 eV;{2}. These measurements are important for constraining models with extra types of neutrinos, extra dimensions, and CPT violation. Fits to the shape of the nu_{micro} and nu[over]_{micro} energy spectra reveal no evidence for disappearance at the 90% confidence level (C.L.) in either mode. The test of nu[over]_{micro} disappearance probes a region below Deltam;{2} = 40 eV;{2} never explored before.

Exosomes are released by cultured cortical neurones

Accumulating evidence shows that several cell types have the capacity to secrete membrane proteins by incorporating them into exosomes, which are small lipid vesicles derived from the intralumenal membranes of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) of the endocytic pathway. Exosomes are expelled in the extracellular space upon fusion of the MVB with the plasma membrane. Exosomal release is a way of secreting membrane proteins meant to be discarded, or to be passed on to other cells. Here, we demonstrate, using primary cortical cultures, that neurones and astrocytes can secrete exosomes. We find that exosomes released by cortical neurones contain the L1 cell adhesion molecule, the GPI-anchored prion protein, and the GluR2/3 but not the NR1 subunits of glutamate receptors. We also show that exosomal release is regulated by depolarisation. Our observation suggests that exosomes may have a regulatory function at synapses and could also allow intercellular exchange of membrane proteins within the brain.

The role of nurses in the management of heart failure

Care provided by specialist nurses has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), significantly reducing the number of unplanned readmissions, length of hospital stay, hospital costs, and mortality. Most patients develop CHF as a result of coronary artery disease. Once cardiac damage has occurred, the risk of developing heart failure can be reduced by providing appropriate treatment at appropriate dosages. While cardiac rehabilitation clinics provide an opportunity to check drug usage, their prime focus is on optimising patients' physical well being following a heart attack. In addition, evidence suggests that general practitioners are frequently reluctant to initiate appropriate treatments and to up-titrate drug dosages even for patients with diagnosed heart failure. Therefore, to ensure that these patients are not left on starting doses of medications many hospitals are now setting up nurse led post-myocardial infarction (MI) clinics. The Omada programme is a secondary care based, nurse led model of care set up in 1999 to improve the management of CHF by providing appropriate patient education within a nurse led clinic setting, optimising evidence based medication and fostering partnership between health professionals in both primary and secondary care. The model of care is highly applicable to the post-MI setting, where it can ensure that patients receive better care at an earlier stage.

Evaluation of healing by gentle touch

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of healing by gentle touch in clients attending The Centre for Complementary Care (CCC) in Eskdale, Cumbria.

STUDY DESIGN

An evaluation of data collected by questionnaire over 6 years.

METHODS

All clients attending the CCC between 1995 and 2001 were invited to participate in this study, and data were collected from 300 subjects with a wide range of ailments who received four treatment sessions within 6 weeks. Exclusion criteria were: recent treatment at the CCC; failure to complete four treatment sessions; and age under 16 years. Outcome measures included comparison of pre- and post-treatment levels of physical (pain, disability, immobility, sleep disturbances, reliance upon medication, daily activities) and psychological (stress, panic, fear, anger, relaxation, coping, depression/anxiety) functioning; these were assessed using a questionnaire with visual analogue scales for subjective rating of symptoms and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D), a generic state-of-health measure.

RESULTS

Wilcoxon signed ranks tests showed statistically significant improvements in both psychological and physical functioning, particularly in stress reduction (median stress levels fell by four points), pain relief (median pain ratings fell by two points), increased ability to cope (median improvement of three points) and increased general health ratings (median improvement of 20 points) between study entry and end of treatment (P < 0.0004 for all these symptoms). The most substantial improvements were seen in those with the most severe symptoms at study entry. No adverse effects of treatment were documented.

CONCLUSIONS

This audit of treatment outcomes provides evidence consistent with the hypothesis that healing, as provided at the CCC, was associated with improved psychological and physical functioning in the majority of subjects, and is worthy of further evaluation.

The genetics of host resistance and susceptibility to tuberculosis

The study of human genomics has the potential to aid our understanding of the interindividual and interpopulation differences in susceptibility to tuberculosis. Resistance to infection is affected by the ability of macrophages to phagocytose and destroy the bacilli. Several genes are involved in this process, and two have been the focus of recent interest: the natural resistance-associated protein (NRAMP1) gene and the genes coding for the vitamin D receptor. Susceptibility genes have also been discovered--for example, one on the X chromosome that may explain the increased susceptibility of males to tuberculosis. Studies have also focused on the variations in virulence of the bacillus in both its drug-susceptible and drug-resistant forms. These mechanisms must be understood in order to prevent, or combat, the emergence of a virulent, multidrug-resistant form of the bacillus that would be uncontrollable by means of today's treatment strategies.

Tuberculosis in disadvantaged groups

Tuberculosis remains predominantly a disease of the disadvantaged and marginalized. The incidence of the disease is increasing in many industrially developed countries, particularly among the poor, ethnic minorities, prisoners and other institutionalized persons, and the socially isolated and hard to reach groups. Strengthening of the tuberculosis services is required to care for these groups. Millions of people in the developing nations are disadvantaged by poverty and inequity, and recent health sector reforms have not always been entirely in their interest. A further serious problem is the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which not only facilitates the spread of tuberculosis but, by its associated stigma, leads to delayed treatment seeking and poor adherence to therapy. In recent times, emphasis has moved away from didactic principles of tuberculosis "control" to community-and patient-centered health services, based on analysis of local factors affecting case finding and adherence to therapy.

Anti-HIV activity of the combination of didanosine and hydroxyurea in HIV-1-infected individuals

HIV is known to be present in massive amounts in both resting and actively replicating cells in infected individuals. We tested the combination of didanosine and hydroxyurea, known to suppress viral production in vitro in both of these cell types, in a small number of asymptomatic patients. After 3 months of well tolerated treatment, we observed a large reduction of viral load in the peripheral blood of all 12 patients, down to nonquantifiable levels in 7 of 12 as measured by infectious virus titer, and 6 of 12 as measured by plasma HIV-RNA. In this subgroup of 6 patients, whose baseline HIV-RNA was below 14,000 copies/ml, the median increase in CD4+ count after 90 days of treatment was 244 cells/mm3.

Antiproliferative effect of D-aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate (DAH) on Friend virus-infected erythropoietic progenitor cells

D-aspartic beta-hydroxamate (DAH), an aspartic acid analog, exerts antitumoral activity on murine leukemia L5178Y, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that DAH is also active in vivo against Friend virus (FV-P)-induced erythroleukemia, and we report the effects of DAH in vivo an in vitro on FV-P target cells, i.e. the mature erythroid colony-forming cells (CFU-E). DAH treatment (2 g/kg/day) given for 95 days as a single daily i.p. injection to DBA/2 mice either 3 or 12 days following inoculation with a high dose (10(3) plaque-forming units) of FV-P resulted in a marked increase in the mean survival time of treated animals (212 and 191%, respectively). Since FV-P elicits spleen enlargement and polycythemia, we examined the effects of DAH on spleen size, spleen-nucleated cell number, and hematocrit, in normal and FV-P infected mice, at different times in the course of continuous DAH treatments. DAH treatment initiated 3 days after viral infection inhibits the virus-induced splenomegaly, with at day 26 p.i. 1.15 x 10(8) and 12.6 x 10(8) nucleated cells per spleen observed in DAH-treated mice and untreated mice respectively, whereas only 1.03 x 10(8) nucleated cells were observed in uninfected mice. Furthermore, DAH prevents virus-induced polycythemia: on day 26, an hematocrit of 39% was measured in DAH-treated mice as compared to 60% in untreated mice. DAH treatment initiated 12 days after viral infection reduces splenomegaly, the number of nucleated spleen cells and the hematocrit of infected mice. DAH treatment initiated 3 days after viral infection prevents the tremendous increase of CFU-E in the spleen of infected mice: on day 11, the spleen of infected mice contained 4.6 x 10(6) CFU-E, while the spleen of treated mice only contained 26 x 10(3) CFU-E, and on day 26 the spleen CFU-E numbers were 45.4 x 10(6) and 1.5 x 10(6) in untreated and treated infected mice, respectively. In control uninfected mice, DAH treatment induced a transient decrease in spleen CFU-E followed by a rebound phenomenon. In vitro, preincubation with DAH inhibits colony formation by FV-P infected CFU-E, at doses starting at 3 mM, as compared to uninfected CFU-E. These data show that DAH inhibits the expression of the retroviral infection, and appears to preferentially inhibit the proliferation of infected target cells (CFU-E) in vivo.

Therapeutic effects of D-aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate (DAH) on Friend erythroleukemia

D-aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate (DAH), an aspartic acid analogue, exerts anti-tumoral activity against murine leukemia L5178Y both in vitro and in vivo. We show here that DAH displays activity against Friend leukemia cells (FLC) in vitro: a concentration of 2 mM results in a total inhibition of cell growth. DAH is also active in vivo against Friend virus (FV-P)-induced erythroleukemia. Treatment with DAH, given for 95 days as a single daily i.p. injection to DBA/2 mice 3 days following FV-P inoculation, induced a marked increase of 212% in the mean survival time (MST) of treated animals. Since FV-P-induced erythroleukemia is characterized by the proliferation of mature erythroid precursors, we examined the effect of DAH treatment on erythroid colony-forming cells (CFU-E) and observed that the number of CFU-E per spleen was 30 times lower in DAH-treated mice than in the controls. To gain further insight into the early effects of DAH treatment on the early phase of Friend disease, we examined the effects of short DAH treatment on spleen size, hematocrit and viremia in FV-P-infected mice. DAH treatment initiated 3 days post infection (p.i.) inhibited splenomegaly, prevented virus-induced polycythemia, and reduced serum viremia. Late DAH treatment (18 days p.i.) induced regression of FVP-induced disease as evidenced by reduction of spleen weight.

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody directed against HTLV-1 p19: use in a specific capture enzyme immunoassay

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for detection of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus antigen in culture supernatants and cell lysates. The assay used a mouse monoclonal antibody against HTLV-I p19 major core protein as capture antibody. It has a sensitivity of 1 microgram/ml of HTLV-I protein, 250 pg/ml of purified recombinant p19 and detected p19 in an 10(-2) diluted supernatant of MT2 infected cell and in a 100 MT2 cells lysate (10(6) cells taken at day 7 of culture). The assay enable us to discriminate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II antigens and is reproducibly negative for supernatants and cell lysates of uninfected cells and of HIV-1 infected cells. The assay was found to be more specific and 10 times more sensitive than the reverse transcriptase (RT) assay, and the EIA test became positive three days earlier than RT assay for the HTLV-I cell lines supernatants.

Comparison between direct binding, competition and agglutination assays in the characterization of polyclonal anti-idiotypes against anti-HBs human monoclonal antibodies

Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies to human monoclonal anti-HBs antibodies (MoAb1) were raised in rabbits and designated Ab2-H1 and Ab2-H2. These Ab2 were characterized using three assays. A direct binding ELISA evaluated specificity towards a panel of human monoclonal antibodies and gamma globulins. Competition radioimmunoassay (CRIA) revealed Ab2 specificities towards Ab1 antigen binding sites by inhibition of HBsAg/Ab1 binding. Ab2-H1 and Ab2-H2 had comparable reactivities in ELISA and CRIA, whereas, using affinity purified Ab2, a fast (10 min) agglutination test (Spherotest) revealed different Ab1/Ab2 binding properties. Ab2-H1 reacted in this Spherotest with the Ab1 against which it was known to be specific (Ab1-H1), whereas in the same assay Ab2-H2 showed no activity towards the variable regions of the Ab1 used for its production (Ab1-H2). When injected into rabbits Ab2-H1 induced anti-HBs Ab3 antibodies but Ab2-H2 did not, thereby confirming the assay results.

Monitoring of urinary excretion of modified nucleosides in cancer patients using a set of six monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were produced and characterized in order to allow the monitoring of the urinary excretion of six modified nucleosides. The specificity of each antibody was determined and competitive solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoassays were designed, the sensitivity of which lay in the pmol range. Detection and quantitation of 5-methylcytidine (5-MeCyd), 4-acetylcytidine (4-AcCyd), 1-methylinosine (1-MeIno), 1-methyladenosine (1-MeAdo), 7-methylguanosine (7-MeGuo) and pseudouridine (psi-Urd) can be performed in small volumes (70 microliters) of untreated urine. Results can be obtained from as many as 20 different samples, for one molecule, within 3 h. With this technique, values observed for three commonly measured nucleosides in urine from healthy subjects (psi-Urd, 1-MeAdo and 1-MeIno) are in good agreement with those reported by other authors after analysis by high performance liquid chromatography. Results obtained in urine from cancer patients show significantly increased levels of the six haptens quantitated by this immunoassay.

Anti-tumoral activity of L and D isomers of aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate on L5178Y leukemia

D and L isomers of aspartic acid beta-hydroxamate (respectively DAH and LAH) were compared for their in vitro and in vivo activity against the murine leukemia L5178Y and their tolerance in vivo in DBA/2 mice. DAH and LAH displayed comparable cytotoxic activity against L5178Y leukemia in vitro. Death of leukemia cells was observed at concentrations above 1.2 mM for both DAH and LAH. High concentrations of L-asparagine partially reversed the growth-inhibitory effects of DAH and LAH on L5178Y cells for concentrations of DAH and LAH lower than 0.6 mM. Intraperitoneal administration of DAH and LAH to mice showed that the LD10, LD50 and LD90 of DAH was 3- to 4-fold greater for DAH than for LAH. DAH was able to eradicate L5178Y tumors in mice without inducing toxic deaths, whereas LAH at comparable doses killed all the animals treated.

Creatine kinase BB produced by murine hybridomas but not by parental cells

Creatine kinase BB is the main CK isoenzyme expressed in murine hybridoma cells as assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis whereas it was found neither in splenocytes nor in myeloma cells. The presence of CK BB is a constant finding in all 10 murine hybridomas examined to date irrespective of the specificity of the secreted antibodies.

[Specific monoclonal antibodies to the Mycoplasma-type pathogenic agent of grapevine flavescence dorée]

Three hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies specific for the mycoplasma-like organism (MLO), pathogenic agent of grapevine flavescence dorée, were obtained after fusion between spleen cells from a mouse immunized against flavescence dorée MLO and Sp2/O-Ag-14 mouse myeloma cells. These hybridomas were selected in an indirect sandwich ELISA in which antibodies from two different animal species were used (rabbit and mouse). This assay is convenient for anti-MLO monoclonal antibody screening, because of its sensitivity, specificity and good preservation of antigens. The three monoclonal antibodies were examined for reactivity towards the MLO causal agents of 15 plant yellows. None of the three were implicated in a serological relationship between the MLO of these plant yellows and flavescence dorée-MLO. Reactivity of the three monoclonal antibodies was checked towards two other isolates of flavescence dorée. One of the three antibodies detected the wild isolates.

Dot-blot assays and their use as a direct antigen-binding method to screen monoclonal antibodies to 1,4-beta- and 1,3-beta-glucan synthases

A rapid method has been developed to assay beta-glucan synthases spotted on a nitrocellulose sheet. The sensitivity of this method allows screening of hybridoma-making monoclonal antibodies in a direct antigen-binding assay by measurement of the activity of the enzymes retained by the antibodies previously fixed on nitrocellulose.

Subdivision of daughter strains of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) according to secreted protein patterns

In order to identify proteins secreted by live organisms, daughter strains of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) were grown for 4-7 d in a defined medium containing [35S]methionine. Secreted components were then separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under both denaturing and non-denaturing conditions, and analysed by autoradiography and in an Ambis beta-scanner. The results indicate that BCG daughter strains can be subdivided into two groups according to their secretion of a 46 kDa protein dimer consisting of two similar 23 kDa subunits. High-producer strains (Japanese, Brazilian and Russian) secrete very large quantities of this material, which constitutes approximately 23% of all secreted protein. These findings correlate with earlier studies in which degradation products of the protein dimer may have been identified, and with the data from patterns of cell wall lipids.

Bacteriological survey of tuberculous lymphadenitis in South-east England: 1973-80

During the eight years 1973-80 the Public Health Laboratory Service Regional Centre for Tuberculosis Bacteriology received cultures of mycobacteria from 2339 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis. Of these, 2272 were M tuberculosis (2207 human and 65 bovine strains) and 67 were other mycobacterial species, usually M avium and its intracellulare variant. Disease due to the human strains of M tuberculosis occurred most often in young women of Asian ethnic origin. Many bovine strains isolated from Asian patients differ from the classical bovine type in being sensitive to pyrazinamide: the origin of these strains, whether from other people or from cattle, is unknown. Lymphadenitis due to bovine strains tended to occur in an older age group than the human strains and probably include relatively more cases of reactivation diseases. Infection caused by the other mycobacterial species occurred mainly in young children of European origin. Tuberculosis, therefore, remains an important cause of lymphadenopathy in Britain.

An automatic continuous flow method for the determination of antipolyamine antibodies in human sera

Latex particles with covalently bound polyamines were used to detect antipolyamine antibodies in human sera in manual and automated nephelometric assays. There was good correlation between the two assays though in the former aggregate size was measured after 24 h incubation whereas in the latter monomer loss was determined after 1 h.

[Interaction between an antifungal heptaene, amphotericin B and cholesterol in vitro, as detected by circular dichroism and absorption. Influence of temperature]

The polyene antibiotic "Amphotericin B" can interact with sterols, cholesterol or ergosterol in aqueous and hydroalcoholic media and a correlative striking spectral change appears between 300 and 420 nm in the CD and absorption spectra. Using these spectroscopic methods we have determined that the influence of temperature between 4 and 80 degrees C is very important. The higher the temperature the most rapid is the modification of the spectra. Thus, the "Amphotericin B"-sterol complex is more easily formed when heating. We have not found any reversibility at 80 degrees C.

The preparation of latex particles with covalently bound polyamines, IgG and measles agglutinins and their use in visual agglutination tests

Carboxylated latex particles were substituted with side arms terminating in primary amine and hydrazine groups. The particles were coupled to aldehyde groups generated on glycoproteins which were treated with sodium periodate. Particles having the alipathic primary amine putrescine hapten as the sole substituent and particles linked to glycoproteins such as measles agglutinins and IgG were used to detect the presence of the corresponding antibodies or antigens in biological fluids by agglutination tests.

Nephelometric assay of antigens and antibodies with latex particles

Antigens and antibodies covalently bound to latex particles have been used to detect specifically corresponding antibodies and antigens by nephelometry. A systematic study of factors such as wavelength, angle of observation, concentration of latex particles, and reaction time has permitted us to develop a procedure suitable for routine estimation of antigens and antibodies in the nano and picogramme range.

Determination of the sedimentation coefficient of vaccinia virus DNA by analytical ultracentrifugation

By releasing intact molecules of vaccinia virus DNA, it has been possible to determine the sedimentation coefficient by analytical ultracentrifugation. The value found was 92S, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 161x10(6).

Composition and size of Shope fibroma virus deoxyribonucleic acid

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from purified virions of Shope fibroma virus (SFV) (by using DNA from Microccocus lysodeikticus as marker) had a buoyant density of 1.6996 +/- 0.0003 g/ml), hence a guanine plus cytosine (G + C) content of 40.4 +/- 0.3%, which is close to the G + C content of the DNA of susceptible rabbit cells (40.9 +/- 0.4%) and different from that of vaccinia virus DNA (35.5 +/- 0.4%). For the determination of the molecular weight of DNA, SFV and vaccinia purified virions, treated with Pronase and detergent, were cosedimented in sucrose density gradients. Results showed that SFV-DNA has a molecular weight of about 153 x 10(6) daltons. By electron microscopy, only one molecule corresponding to this value was observed (its length was 80.3 mum). The others had a median size of 49.8 mum +/- 0.9.