[Comparison of pathogenicity and gene expression profiles between adult Schistosoma japonicum isolated from hilly and marshland and lake regions of Anhui Province]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the differences in pathogenicity and gene expression profiles between adult Schistosoma japonicum isolated from hilly and marshland and lake regions of Anhui Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the precise schistosomiasis control strategy in different endemic foci.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were infected with cercariae of S. japonicum isolates from Shitai County (hilly regions) and Susong County (marshland and lake regions) of Anhui Province in 2021, and all mice were sacrificed 44 days post-infection and dissected. The worm burdens, number of S. japonicum eggs deposited in the liver, and the area of egg granulomas in the liver were measured to compare the difference in the pathogenicity between the two isolates. In addition, female and male adult S. japonicum worms were collected and subjected to transcriptome sequencing, and the gene expression profiles were compared between Shitai and Susong isolates of S. japonicum. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses.

RESULTS

The total worm burdens [(14.50 ± 3.96) worms/mouse vs. (16.10 ± 3.78) worms/mouse; t = 0.877, P = 0.392], number of female and male paired worms [(4.50 ± 0.67) worms/mouse vs. (5.10 ± 1.45) worms/mouse; t = 1.129, P = 0.280], number of unpaired male worms [(5.50 ± 4.01) worms/mouse vs. (5.60 ± 1.69) worms/mouse; t = 0.069, P = 0.946], number of eggs deposited in per gram liver [(12 116.70 ± 6 508.83) eggs vs. (16 696.70 ± 4 571.56) eggs; t = 1.821, P = 0.085], and area of a single egg granuloma in the liver [(74 359.40 ± 11 766.34) µm² vs. (74 836.90 ± 13 086.12) µm²; t = 0.081, P = 0.936] were comparable between Shitai and Susong isolates of S. japonicum. Transcriptome sequencing identified 584 DEGs between adult female worms and 1 598 DEGs between adult male worms of Shitai and Susong isolates of S. japonicum. GO enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs between female adults were predominantly enriched in biological processes of stimulus response, cytotoxicity, multiple cell biological processes, metabolic processes, cellular processes and signaling pathways, cellular components of cell, organelles and cell membranes and molecular functions of binding and catalytic ability, and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways of vascular endothelial growth factor signaling, glutathione metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism. In addition, the DEGs between male adults were predominantly enriched in biological processes of signaling transduction, multiple cell biological processes, regulation of biological processes, metabolic processes, development processes and stimulus responses, cellular components of extracellular matrix and cell junction and molecular functions of binding and catalytic ability, and these DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways of Wnt signaling, Ras signaling, natural killer cells-mediated cytotoxicity, extracellular matrix-receptor interactions and arginine biosynthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no significant difference in the pathogenicity between S. japonicum isolates from hilly and marshland and lake regions of Anhui Province; however, the gene expression profiles vary significantly between S. japonicum isolates.

[Identification and functional study of the Schistosoma japonicum epidermal growth factor receptor gene]

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in Schistosoma japonicum (SjEGFR gene) and investigate the role of the EGFR gene in regulating the growth, reproductive system, maturation and fecundity of S. japonicum.

METHODS

Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was performed to obtain the full length of the SjEGFR gene, and the SjEGFR gene expression was quantified in different developmental stages of S. japonicum using a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. The tissue localization of the SjEGFR gene was detected in 22-day parasite using whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH). Following RNA interference (RNAi)-induced knockdown of the SjEGFR gene, the worm length, pairing rate and worm burden of S. japonicum were measured, and the worm morphology was observed using optical microscopy and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

The SjEGFR gene was identified with a conserved tyrosine-kinase active site, and the SjEGFR gene expression was detected at various developmental stages in male and female parasites. WISH showed that the transcript of the SjEGFR gene was localized on the tegument and in the digestive organs of S. japonicum. RNAi-induced SjEGFR knockdown resulted in marked suppression of the worm growth, smaller size of male testicles that contained more immature spermatocytes, and apparent impairment of ovary and vitelline gland development. In addition, no eggs were found in the uterus of SjEGFR knocked-down female parasites, indicating the interruption of egg production.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of SjEGFR expression may remarkably suppress the growth and maturation of S. japonicum, and interrupt the egg production.

Abstract P5-18-03: Relationships among breast symmetry, appearance investment, and body image dissatisfaction in breast cancer patients undergoing reconstruction

Purpose: Reconstruction as part of treatment for breast cancer is aimed at mitigating body image concerns post-mastectomy. Although algorithms are increasingly being developed to objectively assess breast reconstruction outcomes, previous research has not evaluated associations between objectively quantified breast aesthetic appearance and patient-reported body image outcomes. Further, the role appearance investment plays in a patient's body image is not well understood. We examined the extent to which objectively quantified breast symmetry and appearance investment were associated with body image dissatisfaction in patients undergoing cancer-related breast reconstruction. Method: Breast cancer patients in different stages of reconstruction (n=190) completed self-report measures of appearance investment and body image dissatisfaction. Vertical extent and horizontal extent symmetry values, which are indicators of breast symmetry across the vertical axis, were calculated from clinical photographs. Associations among symmetry, appearance investment, body image dissatisfaction, and patient clinical factors were examined. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the association of symmetry and appearance investment with body image dissatisfaction. Results: Vertical extent symmetry, but not horizontal extent symmetry, was associated with body image dissatisfaction. Multiple regression results indicated that decreased vertical extent symmetry (β = -0.24, p <0.01) and increased appearance investment (β = 0.37, p <0.001) were significantly associated with greater body image dissatisfaction while controlling for clinical factors.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that quantitatively measured reconstruction outcomes and appearance investment both significantly contribute to an understanding of patient-reported body image satisfaction during breast reconstruction treatment. Future studies are encouraged to utilize algorithms assessing breast aesthetic appearance and to consider patient values as predictors of body image outcomes.

Symmetry Predicting Body Image Dissatisfaction Controlling for Clinical Factors Body Image Dissatisfaction (β)VE Symmetry-0.24**Appearance investment (ASI-R)0.37*** Clinial factors controlled for BMI-0.01Prior chemotherapy0.19Prior radiation therapy0.08Prior complications0.06Reconstruction timing (ref: Immediate) Delayed0.06Reconstruction type (ref: Implant) Autologous-0.01Mixed type0.09Reconstruction Stage (ref: Pre-surgery) Intermediate-0.06Final-0.15*p<.05, **p<.01, ***p<.001; ref = reference group; Note ASI-R = Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised

Citation Format: Nicklaus KM, Teo I, Reece GP, Huang S-C, Mahajan K, Andon J, Khanal P, Sun CS, Merchant FA, Markey MK, Fingeret MC. Relationships among breast symmetry, appearance investment, and body image dissatisfaction in breast cancer patients undergoing reconstruction [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-18-03.

Development of polymorphic SSR markers in the razor clam (Sinonovacula constricta) and cross-species amplification

Next-generation sequencing provides large-scale sequencing data with relative ease and at a reasonable cost, making it possible to identify a large amount of SSR markers in a timely and cost-effective manner. On the basis of the transcriptome database of Sinonovacula constricta obtained by Illumina/Solexa pyrosequencing, 60 polymorphic SSR markers were developed and characterized in 30 individuals. The number of alleles per polymorphic locus ranged from 2 to 7 with an average of 3.75 alleles. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.050 to 1.000 and from 0.050 to 0.836, respectively. Nineteen loci significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.01) after Bonferroni's correction for multiple tests. In addition, interspecific transferability revealed that 20 polymorphic loci in Solen linearis were first characterized in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest number of SSRs in S. constricta and the first report of cross-species amplification. These novel polymorphic SSR markers will be particularly useful for conservation genetics, evolutionary studies, genetic trait mapping, and marker assisted selection in the species.

Effect of chronic sublethal exposure of major heavy metals on filtration rate, sex ratio, and gonad development of a bivalve species

The chronic toxic effects of major heavy metals including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) on the filtration rate (FR), sex ratio, and gonad development of immature blood clams, Tegillarca granosa, were investigated. The FRs were significantly inhibited by Cu, Pb and Cd, with rates generally decreasing with both increasing metal concentrations and exposure time. EC50 values for FR after 28 days of exposure were 12.9, 12.7 and 14.4 μg/L for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively. Zn exposure had no effect on FR. Sex ratios were significantly altered from controls in favor of an increased proportion of males at metal concentrations of ≥ 14.2, ≥ 86 and ≥ 110 μg/L for Cu, Pb and Cd, respectively; and at ≥ 1.68 mg/L for Zn. The gonado-somatic index was significantly reduced in clams at all metal exposures, except for the lowest concentration of Cu (7.1 μg/L).

Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis directly from clinical specimens using a gene chip

The aim of this study was to explore a gene chip capable of detecting the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates directly in clinical sputum specimens and to compare it with current molecular detection techniques. At first, we selected 13 M. tuberculosis-specific target genes to construct a gene chip for rapid diagnosis. Using the membrane array method, we diagnosed M. tuberculosis by gene chip directly from 246 sputum specimens from patients suspected of having tuberculosis. Among 80 M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) culture-positive sputum specimens, the MTBC detection rate was 62.5% (50/80) by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), 70% (56/80) by acid-fast staining, and 85% (68/80) by the membrane array method. Furthermore, subspecies showed different gene expression patterns in the membrane array. In conclusion, MTBC could be detected directly in sputum by the membrane array method. The rapidity of detection and the capability of differentiating subspecies could make this method useful in the control and prevention of tuberculosis.

Increased neurosteroid sensitivity of hippocampal GABAA receptors during postnatal development

To investigate developmental changes in neurosteroid modulation of GABA(A) receptors, whole-cell currents were elicited by applying GABA with allopregnanolone or pregnenolone sulfate (PS) to dentate granule cells (DGCs), acutely isolated from 7-14-day-old and adult rats. GABA evoked larger currents from dentate granule cells acutely isolated from adult rats (adult DGCs) than from neonatal DGCs, due to increased efficacy (1662+/-267 pA in adult DGCs versus 1094+/-198 pA in neonatal DGCs, P=0.004), and current density (0.072+/-0.01 pA/microm(2) in neonatal rat DGCs to 0.178+/-0.02 pA/microm(2) in adult DGCs), but unchanged potency (EC(50) was 18.5+/-2 microm in adult DGCs, and 26.6+/-7.9 microm in neonatal DGCs, P=0.21). Allopregnanolone sensitivity of GABA(A) receptor currents increased during development due to an increased potency (21.1+/-4.7 nM in adult DGCs versus 94.6+/-9 nM in neonatal DGCs, P=0.0002). The potency and efficacy of PS inhibition of GABA(A) receptor currents were remained unchanged during development (13+/-6 microm and 13.2+/-5.9 microm, P=0.71 and 85.5%+/-3.5% and 83.6%+/-0.8%, P=0.29, respectively). To investigate possible mechanism of developmental changes in GABA(A) receptor properties, in situ hybridization for alpha1, alpha4 and gamma2 subunit mRNAs was performed in dentate gyrus of the two age groups. Qualitatively, alpha1 subunit mRNA was expressed at low levels in neonatal rats while it was well expressed in adult rats. The alpha4 and gamma2 subunits were well expressed in the dentate gyrus of adult and neonatal rats. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha1 subunit in hippocampal slices from neonatal and adult rats was examined under confocal laser scanning microscope. This demonstrated that cell bodies and dendrites of granule cells are moderately positive for the alpha1 staining in adult rats but weakly so in neonatal rats. Higher-magnification images demonstrate large number of clusters of alpha1-subunit in the cell bodies of dentate granule cells of adult rat but rare clusters in granule cells of neonatal rats. Maturation of GABA(A) receptors in DGCs is characterized by increased number of GABA(A) receptors that are more sensitive to endogenous neurosteroid allopregnanolone, which might be related to increased expression of alpha1 subunit.

Evaluation and validation of virus removal by ultrafiltration during the production of diaspirin crosslinked haemoglobin (DCLHb)

Virus retention during ultrafiltration through A/G Technology filter cartridges was investigated to characterize the removal process and validate the degree of virus titre reduction during the filtration of red blood cell haemolysates performed as part of the production of diaspirin crosslinked haemoglobin (DCLHb). When viruses were suspended in phosphate buffered saline solution, retention was greater with larger sized viruses and smaller filter pore size. Virus titre was maintained at starting levels in the filter retentate circuit during the course of filtration, suggesting that the virus removal mechanism is predominantly size exclusion. Evaluation of specific processing variables indicated that the retention of phiX174 virus was increased in the presence of red blood cell haemolysate or at high membrane crossflow rates and transmembrane pressures, while the retention of EMC virus was less sensitive to variations in these parameters. Using these results to design a validation protocol, log reduction values of >7.9 were demonstrated for the retention of human immunodeficiency virus, pseudorabies virus and bovine viral diarrhoea viruses, 7.6 for hepatitis A virus, and 4.2 for porcine parvovirus. It was also shown that the retention of viruses was maintained during repetitive use of the same filter cartridge.

Development of fungal mycelia as skin substitutes: effects on wound healing and fibroblast

In this study, Sacchachitin membrane, prepared from the residue of the fruiting body of Ganoderma tsugae, was estimated for its effects on wound healing and the proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells. Two mirror-image wounds were made on the back of female guinea pigs by dissecting a 1.5 x 1.5 cm2 skin surface of full thickness. Sacchachitin membrane was placed randomly on one of the wounds and gauze or Beschitin on the other. Changes in the wound area were measured and photographed after a predetermined amount of time postoperatively. Histological examination of the wound and surrounding tissue was also performed to reveal any interaction of tissue with the dressing. The results showed that the wound area covered with Sacchachitin membrane was statistically smaller than that covering with gauze on day 10, whereas there was no significant difference in the wound size compared to that with Beschitin. Fibroblast cells from the dermis layer of guinea pigs were used. The number of fibroblast cells were counted on the predetermined days in the culture suspended with or without 0.01% w/v dressing materials. By layering on DMEM plates, the number of fibroblast cells migrating across the center line or outside of the central hole were counted after five days. All the results indicated that both 0.01% w/v of Sacchachitin and chitin significantly enhanced the proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells.

Fungal mycelia as the source of chitin and polysaccharides and their applications as skin substitutes

A wovenable skin substitute (Sacchachitin) made from the residue of the fruiting body of Ganoderma tsugae was developed in this study. Chemical analysis revealed that the treated residue was a copolymer of beta-1,3-glucan (ca 60%) and N-acetylglucosamine (ca 40%) with a filamental structure of mycelia form, as demonstrated by both optical and scanning electron microscopy. The pulp-like white residue was then woven into thin, porous sheets 7.0 cm in diameter and 0.1-0.2 mm in thickness by filtration and lyophilized for use as a skin substitute. The wound area produced by dissecting rat skin of full thickness was found to almost completely heal on the side covered with Sacchachitin, whereas the control side covered with cotton gauge was around 6.0 cm2 on the 28th day. Furthermore, the wound healing effects of the chitin sheet from crab shell (Beschitin) and Sacchachitin were not found to be significantly different.

The in vitro anti-HIV efficacy of negatively charged human serum albumin is antagonized by heparin

Succinylated human serum albumin (Suc-HSA) was synthesized by treating human serum albumin with succinic anhydride. Among similar proteins and neo(glyco)proteins tested, Suc-HSA exhibits a pronounced net negative charge, a feature that largely contributes to its efficacy against replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). To assess further the antiviral effect of Suc-HSA, the effect on HIV-1 replication was studied in the presence of whole human plasma. Pretreatment of MT2 cells with Suc-HSA was more efficacious than direct Suc-HSA treatment of HIV prior to addition to the cells. No changes in the antiviral effect of Suc-HSA were observed in tissue culture medium, 30% plasma, or whole plasma when CPDA-1 (citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine 1) was used as the anticoagulant. However, a dramatic decrease (greater than 99%) in the antiviral activity was observed when these experiments were performed in plasma prepared from blood using heparin as anticoagulant. The antagonistic effect by heparin was observed both in the case that heparin was added prior to or after addition of Suc-HSA to the test system. In the present study we demonstrate that heparin largely reduces Suc-HSA activity on HIV replication in the same concentration in which if affects binding of Suc-HSA to the envelope protein gp120 and in particular its V3 domain. In the same concentration range, heparin reduced binding of Suc-HSA to MT4 cells, another HTLV-I-transformed cell line. It is concluded that heparin can displace Suc-HSA from its binding sites on hybrid lymphoid cells as well as on HIV-1 particles. Therefore, we conclude that both the binding to cells and to virus contribute to the potent anti-HIV-1 effect. The fact that heparin and heparin degradation products antagonize Suc-HSA without having a significant anti-HIV-1 effect indicates that the anticoagulant acts as a relatively weak partial inhibitor.

Polymorphisms of complement component I and C1R subcomponent of C1 in nine aboriginal Taiwanese populations

Complement component I (IF) and C1R subcomponent of C1 (C1R) types were determined by isoelectric focusing and subsequent immunoblotting techniques for 658 individuals from nine aboriginal Taiwanese populations. The frequency of the IF*A allele ranges from 0.075 (Bunun) to 0.430 (Saisiat), and a new variant allele IF*B2 was found to have polymorphic frequency in the Atayal. The frequency of the C1R*1 allele ranges from 0.410 (Yami) to 0.650 (Atayal), and the frequency of the C1R*2 allele ranges from 0.265 (Atayal) to 0.586 (Saisiat). The C1R*5 allele was found in five populations (Atayal, Bunun, Ami, Puyuma, Yami), and the C1R*9 allele was found in two populations (Tsou, Puyuma). The results indicate a remarkable degree of genetic variability among these populations. The variability may reflect long-term genetic and geographic isolation of each population.

Seroepidemiological survey of human T-lymphotropic retrovirus among indigenous populations in Taiwan

The prevalence of human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV) was examined in Taiwan's indigenous populations. In all, 797 healthy subjects in Taiwan including Han Chinese and nine indigenous populations (Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Saisiat, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Tsuo, and Yami) were examined for the presence of antibodies to HTLV by particle agglutination, indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot test. Two seropositive cases were found in this screening. One Saisiat male and a Han Chinese female were seropositive for HTLV. The Western blot profile indicated the virus was type-1 HTLV.

Validation of virus inactivation by heat treatment in the manufacture of diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin

Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb), a hemoglobin based oxygen carrying solution prepared from outdated human blood, is subjected to a heat treatment step to inactivate viruses in our manufacturing process. To validate the efficacy of this inactivation, we have simulated the heat treatment procedure at a reduced scale using hemoglobin solution spiked with representative viruses. Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Duck Hepatitis B Virus (DHBV) were used in this validation. Inoculation with concentrated virus was performed just prior to the heat treatment to determine the effect of that specific process step. Samples were taken before, during, and after heat treatment and assayed for virus titer in an attempt to assess the rate as well as the extent of virus inactivation. CMV was analyzed in a plaque assay using MRC-5 indicator cells. The titer was reduced from 3.3 x 10(6) plaque forming units (PFU) per mL to less than 5 x 10(1) PFU/mL (detection limit) within 30 minutes. DHBV was analyzed by inoculation of serially diluted samples into Pekin ducklings, followed at intervals by screening sera for DHBV DNA by dot blot hybridization. The titer was reduced from 5.0 x 10(6) duck infectious units (DIU) per mL to less than 5 x 10(0) DIU/mL (detection limit) within 1 hour. HIV titers were determined through an ELISA assay for p24 antigen present in peripheral blood lymphocyte cocultivation supernatants. The titer was reduced from 2.0 x 10(4) infectious units (IU) per mL to less than 2 x 10(0) IU/mL (detection limit) within 1 hour. These data indicate that high titers of these blood borne viruses are rapidly inactivated by this heat treatment process.

Inactivation and removal of human immunodeficiency virus in monoclonal purified antihemophilic factor (human) (Hemofil M)

Cold supernatant which was prepared from factor VIII:C containing cryoprecipitate was seeded with HIV-1, then treated with a mixture of tri (n-butyl) phosphate (TNBP) and triton X-100. A greater than 10(11)-fold reduction of HIV-1 infectivity was observed. In a separate experiment, cold supernatant which had been seeded with HIV-1 was chromatographed on an immunoaffinity column, resulting in a 10(4)-fold reduction of infectivity. None of the 17 patients treated with the purified product and followed for at least three months has shown serologic evidence of HIV-1 or other viral infections.

Regeneration of haploid and dihaploid plants from protoplasts of supersweet (sh2sh2) corn

Plants were regenerated from maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts isolated from embryogenic cell suspensions. The donor maize suspension cultures were established from friable callus initiated from microspores of a commercial supersweet hybrid (sh2sh2). The frequency of cell colony formation was higher when protoplasts were cultured on feeder layers of maize cells as compared with a liquid thin layer method. It was demonstrated that haploid and dihaploid soil-grown plants can be regenerated from maize protoplasts isolated from haploid cell cultures.

Limited efficacy of aerosolized recombinant alpha interferon against virulent influenza A/HK infection in mice

Hybrid recombinant human alpha interferon A/D (rIFN A/D) is unusual in that it has equivalent antiviral activity in in vitro assays using mouse or human tissue cells. This interferon was delivered to outbred Swiss mice in small particle aerosols before and/or after these mice were inoculated with virulent influenza A/HK/68 virus. Although rIFN A/D was effective in inhibiting influenza virus replication in vitro in primary mouse embryo cells, it had only a limited degree of effectiveness in the in vivo tests; only animals exposed to rIFN A/D for 4 hr and inoculated with influenza virus 4 hr later exhibited a significant decrease in mortality (approximately 25% reduction in deaths; P less than 0.025) compared with that of the untreated control animals. The limited effectiveness of rIFN A/D seen in these studies indicated that the use of this or similar recombinant alpha interferons alone to prevent or treat influenza virus infection in humans is not promising.

Interferon aerosol suppression of vesicular stomatitis virus replication in the lungs of infected mice

Mice were inoculated intranasally with vesicular stomatitis virus 16 to 22 h after being exposed to small-particle aerosols of saline, natural mouse alpha interferon, recombinant human alpha interferon A, or hybrid recombinant human alpha interferon A/D bgl for 2, 4, or 8 h. Compared with comparably inoculated, untreated mice, significantly reduced levels of vesicular stomatitis virus were observed in the lungs of animals treated with any interferon preparation for 8 h and in groups treated with mouse alpha interferon or hybrid recombinant human alpha interferon A/D bgl for 4 h. No significant reductions in lung virus titers were observed in any group treated with interferon for 2 h or in any of the groups treated with saline.

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in callus from inflorescences of Hordeum vulgare X Triticum aestivum hybrids

Embryogenic callus cultures were obtained by culturing young inflorescence tissues of Hordeum vulgare cv. 'PF51811' (2x)XTriticum aestivum cv. 'Chinese Spring' (6x) hybrids on 2,4-D-containing N6 medium. After subculture for about 10 months the calli retained a high potentiality for somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. Of about 300 regenerated plants, approximately 100 were transplanted to potting soil. Eight embryoids and three regenerated plants examined had 28 chromosomes identical to the original hybrid plants, while one regenerated plant was found to be a mixploid composed of cells with 28 and 56 chromosomes. The possibility for obtaining amphiploid hybrids through tissue culture is discussed.

Pulmonary deposition and clearance of aerosolized interferon

Small particle aerosols of a hybrid DNA recombinant human alpha interferon, A/D bgl, and a related DNA recombinant leukocyte interferon, A, were generated and delivered to mice for 23.5 h a day for 4 consecutive days. The antiviral activity of these interferons in delivery reservoirs, in the aerosols generated, and in the lungs of test mice was monitored during and after aerosol administration in cytopathic effect inhibition assays, using vesicular stomatitis virus as the indicator virus. In addition, the activity of these interferons in primary mouse embryo cells against influenza A/HK/68 (H3N2) virus was determined. The results obtained indicated that the interferon particles generated in the continuous aerosol therapy system used in these studies remained biologically active and could be readily detected in both aerosol mists and lungs of test mice; levels of exogenous interferon in the lungs equalled or exceeded levels of interferons produced endogenously during experimentally induced influenza virus infection. Titers of the exogenously administered interferons decreased gradually and disappeared from the lungs between 24 and 48 h after cessation of aerosolization. Recombinant human alpha interferon A/D, but not recombinant leukocyte alpha interferon A, significantly inhibited replication of A/HK/68 virus in primary mouse embryo cells in the in vitro studies.

Efficacy of aerosolized recombinant interferons against vesicular stomatitis virus-induced lung infection in cotton rats

Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were inoculated intranasally with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and exposed to different regimens of small particle aerosols of either recombinant human alpha interferon A (rIFN-alpha A) or hybrid recombinant human alpha interferon A/D (rIFN-alpha A/D). Preliminary in vitro tests indicated that both recombinant IFNs were effective in protecting primary cotton rat pulmonary cells against VSV replication. However, rIFN-alpha A/D was 20-fold more active than rIFN-alpha A in these tests. In the in vivo tests, in contrast to control animals inoculated with VSV, but not treated, or treated only with aerosols of saline, animals exposed to either rIFN-alpha A or -alpha A/D for 8 h per day before and/or following VSV inoculation had no detectable virus titers in their lungs. In experiments in which groups of animals were treated for shorter periods, rIFN-alpha A was less effective than rIFN-alpha A/D in suppressing replication of VSV in lungs of these animals.

Correlation of cytotoxic activity in lungs to recovery of normal and gamma-irradiated cotton rats from respiratory syncytial virus infection

Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) that were exposed to 300, 600, or 900 rads of gamma irradiation and inoculated intranasally 2 days later with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) exhibited prolonged virus shedding and delayed humoral and cytotoxic immune responses compared with comparably inoculated nonirradiated control rats. In nonirradiated animals and in animals exposed to 300 and 600 rads, levels of virus declined and then disappeared from the lungs during the period in which cytotoxic activity was maximal in the lungs of these animals. In contrast, in the group of cotton rats exposed to 900 rads of irradiation, local cytotoxic activity remained low throughout the 11-day observation period, and virus was not eliminated from the lungs. Although virus-neutralizing antibodies in serum and lavage fluids from these animals may have been involved, correlation of antibody concentrations with virus clearance from lungs was not as evident. These data suggest that cytotoxic effector cells have a positive role in eliminating RSV from the lungs of unprimed cotton rats.

Replication of respiratory syncytial virus in lungs of immunodeficient mice

Respiratory syncytial virus was frequently isolated during a 10-day test period from the lungs of 4- to 6-week-old immunodeficient nude (nu/nu) mice and from gamma-irradiated C3H mice inoculated intranasally with this virus, but not from similar aged and comparably inoculated normal littermates of these mice. Virus isolation rates and levels of virus in lungs in both groups of immunodeficient mice were similar. No extrapulmonary dissemination of virus was observed in any test group of mice.

Cell-mediated cytotoxic responses in lungs of cotton rats infected with respiratory syncytial virus

Pneumonia induced in cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) after inoculation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was accompanied by the appearance of leukocytes in infected lungs. The number of these leukocytes increased until Day 5 after inoculation when sixfold more leukocytes were recovered from infected lungs using transpleural lavage than were recovered from lungs of uninfected control animals. Although macrophages and lymphocytes constituted approximately 65 and 25%, respectively, of the cells observed in lavage suspensions from both infected and uninfected lungs, only leukocytes in suspensions from infected animals appeared to be activated, as judged by cellular morphologic examination, cytochemical staining, and bactericidal activity. Leukocytes from lungs and adjacent lymph nodes of infected cotton rats, but not similar cells from uninfected animals, caused significant chromium release when they were added to primary cotton rat embryo and Hep-2 tissue culture cells infected with RSV in cytotoxicity assays. Cytotoxic activity peaked 5 days after inoculation, was neither virus-specific nor H-2 restricted, and was associated with both adherent and nonadherent fractions of lung cells. There was a close temporal relationship between the appearance of cytotoxic activity in the lung and termination of virus replication in this organ, suggesting a role for cytotoxic effector cells in recovery from respiratory syncytial virus infection of cotton rats.

The deficiency of soluble proteins and plastid ribosomal RNA in the albino pollen plantlets of rice

The components of soluble protein and ribosomal RNA in green and albino pollen plantlets of rice were studied by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results were as follows: (1) Soluble protein: the soluble proteins in green pollen plantlets may be fractionated into 15 bands of varying intensities in which the highest content and the most prominent one is band 3 (fraction I protein). Band 3, however, is nearly absent in albino pollen plantlets. (2) Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): rRNA of high molecular weight in green pollen plantlets may be fractionated into 4 bands, i.e. 25S RNA and 18S RNA in cytoplasmic ribosomes, and 23S RNA and 16S RNA in plastid ribosomes. Little or no 23S RNA and 16S RNA, however, is found in albino pollen plantlets. Together with the evidence obtained by other workers, it is suggested that albino forms of pollen plantlets is caused by the impairment of DNA.

Fine structure of digital vascular lesions in Raynaud's phenomenon and disease

The ultrastructural changes in the vessels of the fingertips of patients with Raynaud's phenomenon or disease, with or without scleroderma, are described for the first time. Fingertip specimens were taken by punch biopsy. The light microscopic changes, including segmental vasculitis, fibrinoid degeneration of capillaries, and involuntary regression of glomus bodies explain the reduced digital blood flow associated with Raynaud's disease and phenomenon. The moment-to-moment digital blood flow, recorded rheoplethysmographically, was low when the patient was in a comfortable environment and was increased in a hot environment. This result substantiates the therapeutic importance of reflex vasodilatation. These findings correlate well with the ultrastructural changes in capillaries, including multiple cytoplasmic folds in endothelial cells, abundant intracytoplasmic filaments, and unusual incorporation of collagen fibrils in the basement membrane. These changes must influence nutritional and thermoregulatory function of the digital blood vessels.