The mycology of the freeliving baboon (Papio sp.)

Summary Three field trips were conducted to study the mycoflora of the baboon in its native habitat, East Africa. The flora of the throat, nose, ear, rectum, vagina, and skin of over 300 male and female baboons was studied. A total of 1102 yeast isolates was obtained. None of the molds isolated were of known significant pathogenicity, while yeast isolates were found to belong to the following major genera:Candida, Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, Torulopsis, andTrichosporon. Candida albicans was found to be the yeast most frequently isolated in both 1964 and 1966, while species ofRhodotorula andCryptococcus were more frequently found in 1968. It is our belief that various ecological and geographical conditions have an effect on the mycoflora of the animals, specifically from the quantitative point of view.     

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma in a baboon (Papio sp.)

Background  Primary neuroendocrine carcinomas of the liver have rarely been reported in humans and domestic animals, but not in non-human primates.
Methods  We describe the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of a primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma found in a 29-year-old female baboon.
Results and conclusions  The neoplasm was characterized by multiple solid nodules that were multifocally distributed in the liver. Metastases were not observed. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of cords and nests of epithelial cells arranged in a neuroendocrine pattern, occasionally forming glandular and rosette-like structures. On immunohistochemical evaluation, the neoplastic cells were immunopositive for pancytokeratin, chromogranin A, neuron-specific endolase, and synaptophysin and were negative for vimentin, S100 protein, glucagon, and insulin.     

External cephalic version of the term breech baboon (Papio sp.) fetus

BACKGROUND: Breech presentation in baboons may be associated with head entrapment and stillbirth during vaginal delivery. For this reason, pregnant dams at our institution typically undergo cesarean delivery for known breech presentation, leading to problems with maternal-infant bonding and increased nursery utilization. METHODS: This paper describes a simple, non-invasive technique called external cephalic version (ECV) that effectively converts the baboon breech fetus into a cephalic presentation. RESULTS: ECV was successful in each of seven attempted cases, with the consistent development of contractions and vaginal bleeding leading to the delivery of a healthy liveborn infant within 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: ECV may offer a safe and effective alternative to cesarean section for delivery of the breech baboon fetus.     

Pathologic study of the African baboon (Papio sp.) in his native habitat

During February 1966, necropsies were performed on 97 baboons of all ages and both sexes in their native habitat at different locations in Kenya, East Africa. Among the selective samples collected for pathologic studies, parasitic conditions such asPneumonyssus (84.5%),Sarcocystis (31.3%),Esophagostomum (51.0%) and others were the predominant findings followed by pathologic conditions attributable to acute hemorrhagic pneumonia (5.2%), suppurative pneumonia, and pleuritis (4.3%). No positive tuberculosis was found, although one section has been suspected. There were no significant mycotic lesions. Non-suppurative types of nephritis (8.6%), hepatitis (6.7%), myocarditis (6.7%) and progressive pneumonitis (8.6%) were also observed. Although no neoplasia was found, degenerative conditions such as fatty infiltration (12.0%) and cloudy swelling of the liver were frequently observed.This work was supported by Grant GM-FR13252-03 from the National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Services.     

Characterization of an unusual lipoprotein similar to human lipoprotein a isolated from the baboon, Papio sp

An unusual lipoprotein was detected and purified from the blood of some members of a large colony of baboons, Papio sp. This lipoprotein was found to be similar to human lipoprotein a in all respects and is therefore termed lipoprotein a. Baboon lipoprotein a had a density of 1.052 g/ml and was located between low- and high-density lipoproteins in a density gradient ultracentrifugation. However, despite its greater density, baboon lipoprotein a was larger than low-density lipoprotein, based on gradient gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The lipoprotein contained a very large apolipoprotein (apolipoprotein-lipoprotein a) which was found to consist of an apolipoprotein B linked to another protein called apolipoprotein a by a disulfide bridge(s). In all these characteristics, baboon lipoprotein a was similar to human lipoprotein a.     

Congenital anomalies in the baboon (Papio spp.)

Background A comprehensive survey of the prevalence of congenital anomalies in baboons has not been previously reported. We report the congenital anomalies observed over a 26‐year period in a large captive baboon colony. Methods A computer search was performed for all baboon congenital anomalies identified at necropsy and recorded on necropsy submissions. Results We identified 198 congenital anomalies in 166 baboons from 9972 necropsies (1.66% of total necropsies). The nervous, urogenital, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems were most commonly affected. The most common organs affected were the brain, bone, heart, testicle, kidney, penis, aorta, and skeletal muscle. The most frequent congenital anomalies were blindness, seizures, and hydrocephalus. Conclusions The baboon has an overall frequency of congenital anomalies similar to humans and other non‐human primates. Although the most frequently affected systems are similar, congenital anomalies involving the digestive system appear to be less common in the baboon.     

Spontaneous neoplasia in the baboon (Papio spp.)

BACKGROUND: There are several comprehensive reviews of spontaneous neoplasia in non-human primates that compile individual cases or small numbers of cases, but do not provide statistical analysis of tumor incidence, demographics, or epidemiology. METHODS: This paper reports all spontaneous neoplasms (n = 363) diagnosed over a 15-year period in a baboon colony with an average annual colony population of 4000. RESULTS: A total of 363 spontaneous neoplasms were diagnosed in 313 baboons: 77 cases were males (25%) and 236 were females (75%); ages ranged from 1 month to 33 years (mean 16.5, median 17). CONCLUSIONS: The organ systems affected in descending order of number of neoplasms were hematopoietic organs (n = 101, 28%), urogenital tract (n = 78, 21%), integument (n = 43, 12%), alimentary tract (n = 43, 12%), endocrine organs (n = 40, 11%), nervous system (n = 33, 9%), musculoskeletal system (n = 5, 1%), and respiratory system (n = 4, 1%). Malignant cases numbered 171 (47%); 192 (53%) cases were benign.     

Association between plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol and antipyrine metabolism in alcoholics

Seven patients entering an alcoholic detoxification and treatment unit exhibited elevated levels of plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and enhanced metabolic disposal of antipyrine. Followig a 2-week abstinence treatment, the HDLC levels were reduced by 28% (from 64 to 47 mg/100 ml) and the $\text{t}\text{1}\text{2}$ of antipyrine was extended from 12.4 to 13.7 hours. The extent of the HDLC reduction correlated with the antipyrine $\text{t}\text{1}\text{2}$ changes (r = ?0.753, P = 0.05).     

The effects of apolipoprotein F deficiency on high density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in mice

Apolipoprotein F (apoF) is 29 kilodalton secreted sialoglycoprotein that resides on the HDL and LDL fractions of human plasma. Human ApoF is also known as Lipid Transfer Inhibitor protein (LTIP) based on its ability to inhibit cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP)-mediated transfer events between lipoproteins. In contrast to other apolipoproteins, ApoF is predicted to lack strong amphipathic alpha helices and its true physiological function remains unknown. We previously showed that overexpression of Apolipoprotein F in mice reduced HDL cholesterol levels by 20-25% by accelerating clearance from the circulation. In order to investigate the effect of physiological levels of ApoF expression on HDL cholesterol metabolism, we generated ApoF deficient mice. Unexpectedly, deletion of ApoF had no substantial impact on plasma lipid concentrations, HDL size, lipid or protein composition. Sex-specific differences were observed in hepatic cholesterol content as well as serum cholesterol efflux capacity. Female ApoF KO mice had increased liver cholesteryl ester content relative to wild type controls on a chow diet (KO: 3.4+/-0.9 mg/dl vs. WT: 1.2+/-0.3 mg/dl, p<0.05). No differences were observed in ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity in either sex. Interestingly, ApoB-depleted serum from male KO mice was less effective at promoting ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from J774 macrophages relative to WT controls.     

Pathology of the male baboon (Papio spp.) urogenital system

Background Comprehensive reports on male baboon urogenital pathology are not available. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 2246 male baboon necropsy records over 19 years. Results A total of 289 urogenital lesions were diagnosed in 197 (8.8%) baboons. The most frequently affected organs in decreasing order were kidney, testicle, urinary bladder, penis and prepuce, seminal vesicle, ureter, and prostate. Lesions were rare in the urethra, scrotum, and epididymis. The most common diagnoses in decreasing order were nephritis, urinary bladder cystitis, nephrocalcinosis, pyelonephritis, renal cysts, renal amyloidosis, testicular atrophy, penile/preputial dermatitis, hydronephrosis, orchitis/testicular abscess, glomerulonephritis, renal hemorrhage, hypospadia, nephrosis, renal infarct, hypospermia/aspermia, seminal vesicle mineralization, and hydroureter. We also report six cases of hypospadia, the first report in the baboon. Conclusions The male baboon has a low incidence of urogenital disease and renal disease is the most common malady. The role of herpesvirus papio 2 needs further study.     

Distinction in the mode of receptor-mediated endocytosis between high density lipoprotein and acetylated high density lipoprotein: evidence for high density lipoprotein receptor-mediated cholesterol transfer

The interactions of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and acetylated high density lipoprotein (acetyl-HDL) with isolated rat sinusoidal liver cells have been investigated. Cellular binding of 125I-acetyl-HDL at 0 degrees C demonstrated the presence of a specific, saturable membrane-associated receptor. This receptor was affected neither by formaldehyde-treated albumin nor by low density lipoprotein modified either by acetylation or malondialdehyde, ligands known to undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis by the cells, indicating that the receptor for acetyl-HDL constitutes a distinct class among the scavenger receptors for chemically modified proteins. Parallel binding experiments using 125I-HDL also revealed the presence on these cells of a receptor for unmodified HDL. The ligand specificities of these two receptors were similar to each other except that the acetyl-HDL receptor was sensitive to polyanions such as dextran sulfate and fucoidin. Interaction of HDL with the cells at 37 degrees C was totally different from that of acetyl-HDL. Cellular binding of HDL was not accompanied by subsequent intracellular degradation of its apoprotein moiety, whereas its cholesterol moiety was significantly transferred to the cells. In contrast, acetyl-HDL was endocytosed and underwent lysosomal degradation as a holoparticle. This shift in receptor-recognition from the HDL receptor to the acetyl-HDL receptor was accomplished by acetylation of approximately 8% of the total lysine residues of HDL apoprotein. This unique difference in endocytic behavior between HDL and acetyl-HDL suggests a potential link of the HDL receptor to HDL-mediated cholesterol transfer in sinusoidal liver cells.     

Antenal sex determination using amniotic fluid of the baboon (Papio sp.).

Antenatal determination of sex in the baboon was performed by evaluating the percentage of sex chromatin bodies present in the epithelial cells of amniotic fluid obtained during or immediately following cesarean section. Female sex chromatin patterns revealed a mean of 39.2% positive sex chromatin; the mean in males was less than 5%. This procedure is accurate and simple to perform.     

Impaired plasma cholesteryl ester transfer with accumulation of larger high density lipoproteins in some families of baboons (Papio sp.)

Baboons from some families have a higher concentration of plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) on a chow diet and accumulate large HDL (HDL1) when challenged with a high cholesterol and high saturated fat (HCHF) diet. HDL1 from high HDL1 animals contained more (1.5-fold) cholesteryl ester than HDL (HDL2 + HDL3) from high or low HDL1 animals. HDL from high HDL1 baboons had lower triglyceride content than that from low HDL1 baboons. HDL3 or HDL labeled with [3H]cholesteryl linoleate was incubated with entire lipoprotein fraction (d less than 1.21 g/ml) or very low density lipoprotein + low density lipoprotein (VLDL + LDL) (d less than 1.045 g/ml) and with lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS), and the radioactive cholesteryl ester and mass floating at d 1.045 g/ml (VLDL + LDL) after the incubation was measured. The transfer of cholesteryl esters from either HDL or HDL3, prepared from plasma of high HDL1 animals fed chow or the HCHF diet, was slower than the transfer from either HDL or HDL3 of low HDL1 animals, regardless of the source of transfer activity or the ratio of LDL:HDL-protein used in the assay. Addition of HDL from high HDL1 baboons into an assay mixture of plasma components from low HDL1 baboons decreased the transfer of cholesteryl ester radioactivity and mass from HDL to VLDL and LDL. In addition to HDL, a fraction of intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and denser HDL were also effective in inhibiting the transfer. These observations suggest that accumulation of HDL1 in high HDL1 baboons fed an HCHF diet is associated with a slower transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to LDL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Incorporation of cholesterol into high density lipoprotein recombinants.

Apo-A-1, the principal apoprotein of high density lipoprotein, was incubated with cholesterol containing liposomes of dimyristoyl lecithin, lecithin from high density lipoprotein or sphingomyelin. Conditions were chosen to give 100% conversion of cholesterol-free liposomes into recombinants which were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation. For all phospholipids, there was a progressive decrease in incorporation of lipid into recombinants with increasing cholesterol/phospholipid ratio. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of recombinants was ～ 45% of unreacted liposomes, for all initial cholesterol/phospholipid ratios. The reduced cholesterol content suggests exclusion of cholesterol from a fraction of recombinant phospholipid, probably a boundary layer in contact with apo A-1.