Purification of hepatitis B virus gene X product synthesized in Escherichia coli and its detection in a human hepatoblastoma cell line producing hepatitis B virus

A fused gene containing 94% of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) open reading frame X was expressed in Escherichia coli, and its 17-kDa product was purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Antibody elicited against the X-gene product reacted with materials proximal to the nuclear membrane of a human hepatoblastoma cell line producing HBV particles. No such reaction was observed with the same cell line that did not produce HBV particles.     

De novo organogenesis and plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pongamia pinnata</Emphasis>, oil producing tree legume

Role of Thidiazuron (TDZ) in inducing adventitious organogenesis in Pongamia was studied. TDZ at different concentrations (0, 0.45, 2.27, 4.54, 6.71, 9.08, 11.35, 13.12 and 22.71 μM) were used for induction of caulogenic bud formation in deembryonated cotyledon explants. Each cotyledon was cut into three segments and identified as proximal, middle and distal. Duration of TDZ exposure, influence of the segment and orientation of the explant were studied. TDZ at 11.35 μM concentration was optimum for the induction of shoots and rapid elongation. Shoots induced at higher concentration elongated after several passages in growth regulator free medium, thereby extending the period of differentiation. Exposure of the explant for 20 days yielded more number of buds than 10 days. Proximal segment of the cotyledon was more responsive. Contact of abaxial surface in the medium was more effective and generated more buds than the adaxial side. Buds differentiated and elongated on transfer to MS basal medium for 8–12 passages of 15 days each. Rooting and elongation of shoots was achieved in charcoal supplemented half-strength MS medium. Rooted plantlets survived on transfer to sand soil mixture. The plants were hardened and transferred to green house. This is the first report on in vitro regeneration of Pongamia pinnata via adventitious organogenesis using TDZ. This protocol may find application in studies in genetic transformation, isolation of somaclonal variants and in induction of mutants. It also provides a system to study the inhibitory role of TDZ on shoot differentiation.     

Pigments and ultrastructures of pigment cells in xanthic sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna).

Electron micrographs of skin from xanthic (gold) sailfin mollies revealed numerous xanthophores, as well as scattered melanophores. The melanophores were seen to contain premelanosomes in various stages of development. This is consistent with the fact that xanthic mollies have been shown to be tyrosinase positive. Melanosomes in xanthic mollies appear to develop by one of two pathways: 1) from an endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicle which develops an internal lamellar framework, and 2) by fusion of multiple Golgi-derived vesicles which lack an internal lamellar framework. Analysis of the pigments in the skin of the xanthic mollies identified four colorless pteridine pigments (xanthopterin, isoxanthopterin, neopterin, and pterin) and a carotenoid with an absorbance spectrum similar to beta-carotene. It appears that, unlike some other poeciliid fishes, sailfin mollies do not use pteridine pigments for orange coloration. Rather, they appear to rely primarily on carotenoids.     

Vaccination status of infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the vaccination rate among infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and factors affecting that rate. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey conducted when the children were 12 to 18 months of age. SETTING: NICU at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask. PARTICIPANTS: All 395 infants discharged from the NICU between Jan. 1 and June 30, 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vaccination rate, ethnic background (native or non-native), place of residence (urban or rural), health status (number of days spent in the NICU), reasons for delay in or incomplete vaccinations (those involving parents'' responsibility, infant illness or contraindications). RESULTS: Of the 395 infants, 20 (5.0%) had died and incomplete information was available for 30 (7.6%). Complete data were available for 345 (87.3%). Of the infants for whom data were available, 8 (2.3%) had never been vaccinated and 142 (41.2%) had a delayed vaccination schedule or had not completed their scheduled vaccinations. Only 195 (56.6%) of the infants had received a full vaccination series. Non-native ethnic background was a predictor of completed vaccinations (odds ratio [OR] 5.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.05 to 9.52). In a univariate model, urban area of residence was not a significant predictor of vaccination status, but when ethnic background was controlled for in a multivariate logistic regression analysis, urban area of residence was found to be inversely associated with completed vaccinations (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.79). The number of days the child had spent in the NICU was not a significant predictor of vaccination status. CONCLUSION: The vaccination rate of infants discharged from the NICU is not optimal. Urban native children appears to be at risk of not being vaccinated. Non-native infants are five times more likely than native infants to have completed all of their scheduled vaccinations. Methods to improve the rate of completed vaccinations, especially for native children, must be sought and tested.