A radioimmunoassay method for the rapid detection of Candida antibodies in experimental systemic candidiasis

Rabbits were employed as experimental models to evaluate a solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) method for the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. Ten rabbits were inoculated subcutaneously to mimic superficial candidiasis and were found to produce no antibodies to Candida as determined by both immunodiffusion and RIA procedures. However, 94 per cent of 18 rabbits systemically infected by intravenous injection of Candida cells were observed to produce antibody as assessed by the RIA technique. These data encourage further tests with human sera and the continued development of this RIA procedure as a useful tool in the early serodiagnosis of systemic candidiasis.     

Dissociation of absorptions of calcium and phosphate after successful cadaveric renal transplantation.

Calcium and phosphate absorptions were studied by radiotracer techniques in 30 patients after successful cadaveric renal transplantation, and results were compared with those in a group of normal subjects and in groups of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Both calcium and phosphate absorptions were impared in patients with CRF, including those receiving haemodialysis. Abnormalities of calcium absorption, however, seemed to occur earlier in the course of advanced renal failure than abnormalities in phosphate absorption. Calcium absorption improved dramatically after successful renal transplantation, while phosphate absorption remained the same. A dissociation between calcium and phosphate absorptions is not often seen clinically, and the mechanisms for it are unknown. Phosphate malabsorption may be a further contributing factor in the development of persistent hypophosphataemia after transplantation.     

Species clustering and New Zealand quaternary climate

This paper uses the relative frequencies of occurrence of various types of pollen and spores to indicate the comparative temperatures under which Quaternary sediments accumulated in several locations in New Zealand. The application of association measures, and cluster and discriminant function analysis to such information is described and discussed.The analyses show that the types may be divided into groups whose members vary little with locality or with the statistical methods used to establish them. This stability suggests that anomalous dispersion effects are not a major influence. For some of these groups there is a similarity between the present-day climate of known pollen or spore sources and those of the corresponding groups at the time of deposition. The significant groups are used to summarise the results in pollen diagrams which are compared with similar diagrams for the discriminant function. It is also shown that the methods described assist in locating zone boundaries in a series of samples taken from a bore hole.The results obtained are relevant to the interpretation of samples in which southern beech (Nothofagus fusca type) is the most abundant tree pollen.     

Fluorosis in black-tailed deer.

Marked dental disfigurement and abnormal tooth wear patterns were observed in black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) taken from an area near an industrial fluoride source in northwestern Washington. Fluoride levels in the bones of these deer were from 10 to 35 times higher than levels in the bones of normal animals. These levels are similar to those associated with fluorosis of cattle.     

Purification and properties of the extracellular metallo-proteinases of Chromobacterium lividum (NCIB 10926).

Four extracellular proteolytic enzymes (I-IV) (EC 3.4.22.-) were identified in static cultures of Chromobacterium lividum (NCIB 10926) by agar gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Proteinases I-III were freed of non-enzymic protein by chromatography on TEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose. The enzyme mixture was then fractionated in a pH gradient by isoelectric focusing. All three enzymes were shown to be heat-labile metallo-enzymes. Optimal activity occurred at pH 5.6 for enzyme I and at pH 6.2 for enzymes II and III. Remazolbrilliant Blue-hide powder was a sensitive substrate for these enzymes. Proteinase I was also shown to degrade haemoglobin and casein effectively, but not myoglobin, ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin. Proteinases I-III exhibited molecular weight values of 75 000, 72 000 and 67 000 by exclusion chromatography and 71 000 and 66 000 by sodium dodecyl sulphate-poly-acrylamide-gel electrophoresis for enzyme I and II, respectively. The amino acid compositions of enzymes I and II were somewhat similar. Proteinase I was inhibited by EDTA, 1,2-di(2-aminoethoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic activity. Mg2+ could substitute for Ca2+ or Mn2+ for Co2+. The interrelationship of proteinases I-III is discussed.     

Comparison of propranolol,metoprolol, and acebutolol on insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.

Metoprolol and acebutolol, two supposedly cardio-selective beta-adrenergic recptor blocking agents, were tested in healthy volunteers against propranolol, a non-selective drug, for their effect on blood glucose levels during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. There was not significant difference between propranolol and metoprolol, which both potentiated the initial hypoglycaemic action of the insulin and delayed the return to normoglycaemia. Acebutolol, even though potentiating the initial hypoglycaemia, did not possess a significant delaying effect. A similar trial should be undertaken in diabetics to determine with certainty the safety of such drugs in diabetes mellitus.     

Bovine pregnancy and nonreturn rates following artificial insemination using a covered sheath

Contamination transferred into the uterus from external genitalia during artificial insemination (AI) has been hypothesized to cause lowered bovine pregnancy rates (PR). Using aseptic techniques, there is still a possibility of uterine contamination during routine AI. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of two types of sheath covers (CS) placed over the conventional French Medium Syringe assembly (FMS) used for AI. Their use entailed passing the assembly to the external os of the cervix, pushing the FMS through the CS and manipulating the FMS to the cervical uterine junction in the normal manner. Fifty-six day non-return rate (NRR) in dairy and actual PR in beef cattle were evaluated. In Experiment 1, 30 professional technicians were employed to inseminate 7, 387 dairy cows, while in Experiment 2, six technicians with varying levels of experience inseminated 416 beef cows. Least-squares means for NRR in dairy cattle were 78% using a CS and 79% without. Means for PR in beef cattle were 57% using a CS and 62% without. In Experiment 2, the overall PR was lower in Trial l than in other trials (P<0.05). Since some technicians improved with time, the difference due to trial was attributed to technician variation in gaining experience with a CS. Results indicate that general use of a CS in routine AI of apparently healthy cows will not increase PR.