Evidence against an abnormal hepatic microsomal lipid matrix as the primary genetic defect in the jaundiced Gunn rat

The congenitally jaundiced Gunn rat does not conjugate bilirubin but does conjugate bilirubin dimethyl diester. Partial defects in conjugating p-nitrophenol and demethylating aminopyrine are also evident. A proposed mechanism to explain this combination of findings is a defective microsomal membrane. To examine the 'matrix' of Gunn microsomal membranes, hepatic microsomes were isolated from Gunn (jj) and outbred Wistar (JJ) rats and were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of 7-doxylstearic and 12-doxylstearic acid probes, fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, glucose-6-phosphatase activity vs. temperature, and lipid analysis. The data indicate several factors related to lipid bilayer order do not differ in microsomes from jj and JJ.     

The effects of Heterosigma akashiwo on juvenile Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and its implications for fish culture

The effects of natural blooms of Heterosigma akashiwo on freshwater-and saltwater-acclimated juvenile chinook salmon were assessed. Rates of fish mortality in the blooms were independent of acclimation of fish to seawater and the ambient oxygen levels, but were dependent on concentration of algae and ambient water temperatures. No pathological abnormality to gills or other internal organs in the fish were evident. Aeration or oxygenation of fish cages did not enhance or inhibit fish survival in a H. akashiwo bloom. Cause of death was considered to be due to a labile ichthyotoxic agent.     

Strongyloidiasis in Canadian Far East war veterans

A survey was done of Canadians who had been interned by the Japanese during World War II to assess the prevalence of latent infection with Strongyloides stercoralis in this group. Packages containing three mail-in kits and a questionnaire were sent to 992 men, 694 (70%) of whom responded. Larvae were found in the stool specimens of four of the respondents. Examination of stool specimens after formalin-ether concentration was the most successful method of detecting Strongyloides larvae. The Baermann concentration technique yielded negative results in all four men. Three of the four cases of strongyloidiasis were detected after sampling of three fecal specimens. In the fourth case additional specimens were requested on the basis of data derived from the questionnaire. The most frequently cited clinical manifestations were abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea and rashes.