Recombinant Sendai virus expressing the G glycoprotein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) elicits immune protection against RSV

Although RSV causes serious pediatric respiratory disease, an effective vaccine does not exist. To capture the strengths of a live virus vaccine, we have used the murine parainfluenza virus type 1 (Sendai virus [SV]) as a xenogeneic vector to deliver the G glycoprotein of RSV. It was previously shown (J. L. Hurwitz, K. F. Soike, M. Y. Sangster, A. Portner, R. E. Sealy, D. H. Dawson, and C. Coleclough, Vaccine 15:533-540, 1997) that intranasal SV protected African green monkeys from challenge with the related human parainfluenza virus type 1 (hPIV1), and SV has advanced to clinical trials as a vaccine for hPIV1 (K. S. Slobod, J. L. Shenep, J. Lujan-Zilbermann, K. Allison, B. Brown, R. A. Scroggs, A. Portner, C. Coleclough, and J. L. Hurwitz, Vaccine, in press). Recombinant SV expressing RSV G glycoprotein was prepared by using reverse genetics, and intranasal inoculation of cotton rats elicited RSV-specific antibody and elicited protection from RSV challenge. RSV G-recombinant SV is thus a promising live virus vaccine candidate for RSV.     

Intragroup Social Relationships of Male Alouatta palliata on Barro Colorado Island,Republic of Panama

We examined social and spatial relations of adult males in one group of mantled howling monkeys (Alouatta palliata) on Barro Colorado Island (BCI) in central Panama to document patterns of association. Beyond the existence of an alpha male, we could not distinguish any linear dominance hierarchy among the 6 study males. All males copulated with estrous females. Our findings contrast with reports of intragroup male behavior in Costa Rican howlers. Study males engaged in little or no affiliative or agonistic behavior with one another, but engaged in significantly more such interactions with females. The alpha male, the oldest male and a younger male were most frequently in association with females. Of group males, the oldest male associated significantly more with other males. Overall, male behavior in mantled howling monkeys on BCI generally followed the van Hooff and van Schaik (1994) model of male relationships. The low incidence of intragroup social interactions of any type in the focal males may reflect the energetic costs of social behavior. We suggest that intragroup social relationships among mantled howler males are structured by more subtle means than overt physical interactions, possibly including vocal communication, relationships with individual group females, and kinship.     

Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 1 Matrix and Nucleoprotein Genes Transiently Expressed in Mammalian Cells Induce the Release of Virus-Like Particles Containing Nucleocapsid-Like Structures

The matrix (M) protein plays an essential role in the assembly and budding of some enveloped RNA viruses. We expressed the human parainfluenza virus type 1 (hPIV-1) M and/or NP genes into 293T cells using the mammalian expression vector pCAGGS. Biochemical and electron microscopic analyses of transfected cells showed that the M protein alone can induce the budding of virus-like particles (vesicles) from the plasma membrane and that the NP protein can assemble into intracellular nucleocapsid-like (NC-like) structures. Furthermore, the coexpression of both the M and NP genes resulted in the production of vesicles enclosing NC-like structures, suggesting that the hPIV-1 M protein has the intrinsic ability to induce membrane vesiculation and to incorporate NC-like structures into these budding vesicles.     

Nachweis des Teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter (Anamorph: Septoria tritici Rob. apud Desm.) in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Evidence of the teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter. (anamorph: Septoria tritici Rob. apud Desm.) in the Federal Republic of Germany Due to the fullfillment of certain biological requirements, the dominant occurrence of Septoria tritici is restricted mainly to the milder climate of maritime regions. However, following mild winters in continental climatic zones, an increased and yield damaging appearance, which is additionally influenced by early sowing dates, can be observed. Previous proofs of the teleomorph Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fuckel) Schroeter were found in Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, Chile and the USA., With the first proof of teleomorph in Bavaria and herewith the complete life cycle, the optimum mechanism for an early and widespread primary infection of young wheat plants has been confirmed.