Protection of Mice against Lethal Coxsackievirus B3 Infection by Using DNA Immunization

Vaccination with DNA and recombinant vaccinia viruses (rec.VV) has been studied with the coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) model system. Plasmids encoding all structural proteins of CVB3, when injected intramuscularly, induced only low levels of virus-specific antibodies. However, DNA vaccination with the major structural protein VP1 protected 72.2% of mice from lethal challenge, whereas VP1 expressed by rec.VV was much less efficient.     

Sulphamerazine toxicity in cut-throat trout broodfish Salmo clarki (Richardson)

Treatment of cut-throat trout broodfish Salmo clarki (Richardson) with Sulphamerazine at 220 mg/kg (10 g/100 1b) of fish/day for 14 days resulted in severe kidney histopathology and increased mortality among males. Experimental data presented showed that cut-throat trout broodfish were extremely sensitive to Sulphamerazine toxicity. Hydropic degeneration of renal tubule epithelium and haemorrhage into tubule lumens were observed in kidneys of both male and female trout, but was more severe in the former. Death, which occurred only in males, was correlated with spawning stress and impaired renal function.     

Tranylcypromine: stimulation of eating through alpha-adrenergic neuronal system in the paraventricular nucleus.

Injection of norepinephrine (NE) into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus has been shown to elicit eating in satiated rats. In the present study, the monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP), which is known to release endogenous NE, was found to produce a similar effect in rats maintained and tested on a palatable milk-mash combination diet. The effect of this antidepressant drug was positively correlated in magnitude with the NE effect in the same animals. It was selectively antagonized by central injection of drugs which block α-adrenergic receptors. Local pretreatment with NE synthesis inhibitors similarly blocked the TCP eating response but had no effect on eating elicited by exogenous NE. It is suggested from these results that TCP is stimulating eating through the release of endogenous NE from adrenergic neurons innervating the region of the paraventricular nucleus.     

Monthly variations in drug-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Clinical evidence suggests that there may be some relationship between the occurrence of peptic ulcers and the season of the year. As little experimental work has been carried out on this subject, three drugs commonly used to induce experimental ulcers in rats (acetylsalicylic acid, 300 mg/kg; phenylbutazone, 200 mg/kg; reserpine, 10 mg/kg) were tested every month for one year under standardised experimental conditions (T_a, RH, LD 12:12). In rats given phenylbutazone the maximum area of ulceration was found in October and December, and in rats given acetylsalicylic acid in February and March. In rats given reserpine, there were no significant monthly variations. An influence of climatic factors on ulcer induction cannot be completely excluded. Endogenous conditions might also account for the monthly differences in ulceration.     

Thrombocyte substitution in acute leukemia. Effect of histocompatibility on the clinical efficacy

Thrombocyte substitution is an essential prerequisite for intensive cytoreductive therapy in acute leukemia. Evaluating 228 thrombocyte transfusions in 17 patients shows that the clinical effectiveness of thrombocyte concentrates can be increased by making the coordination of HLA antigens of donor and receiver as good as possible. When measured in the corrected increment (CI) 24 hours after transfusion, the effectiveness of A3/B1 match preparations (CI = 7.0 +/- 1.6) is significantly higher than that of random preparations (CI = 3.0 +/- 0.5). With the presence of HLA antibodies an effective substitution (CI24 greater than or equal to 4.5) can only be achieved by A3/B1 match thrombocytes. This can only be realized by applying the fourfold thrombapheresis of single donors.