Influence of dexamethasone on the recrudescence of Anaplasma marginale in splenectomized calves

Dexamethasone was administered at the dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg of body weight to 11 splenectomized Anaplasma-carrier calves (groups 1 and 3) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 3 weeks. Observations were made on these calves and on 7 nontreated, comparable calves (group 2) to determine the influence of treatment on carrier infections. Dexamethasone treatment was associated in every instance with an exacerbation of the Anaplasma parasitemia and a decrease in packed red cell volume. The episode of acute anaplasmosis was of short duration, resembling the primary response, except that complement-fixation response did not increase accordingly. Serum protein electrophoresis of serums from 4 calves (group 3) undergoing the drug-induced response failed to show any significant change during the 3-week treatment period, but did show a significant increase in gamma-globulin immediately after treatment.     

Characterization and comparison of merozoite antigens of different Babesia canis isolates by serological and immunological investigations

Merozoites of four Babesia canis isolates from Hungary, France, Africa, and Egypt were purified. Antigens were compared in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by immunoblotting. In the ELISA, antigen from the highly pathogenic isolate from Hungary showed the highest sensitivity for homologous and heterologous immune sera. This was confirmed by immunoblotting. Protein bands of the Hungarian isolate were strongly recognized by all B. canis immune sera, whereas the antigens from the other isolates showed only weak reactions with homologous and heterologous immune sera. Significant was a protein band of about 12 kDa appearing in all pathogenic isolates from Hungary, France, and South Africa but not in the apathogenic Egyptian isolate. This protein band may determine the virulence. For serological tests, the B. canis isolate from Hungary seems to be the one most suitable for detection of even mild infections.     

A 37-kilodalton glycoprotein of Babesia divergens is a major component of a protective fraction containing low-molecular-mass culture-derived exoantigens

The supernatants of in vitro cultures of Babesia divergens Rouen 1987 in human erythrocytes, obtained by using a semidefined medium based on human high-density lipoproteins, were fractionated by gel filtration chromatography into four fractions, F1 to F4. The crude supernatant as well as each fraction adjuvanted with Quil-A protected gerbils from mortality due to a homologous infectious challenge. Analysis of the humoral response of the 10 protected gerbils with fraction F4, containing major proteins with molecular masses lower than 50 kDa, showed that a few antigens (from 50 to 17 kDa) could be important candidates for an improved vaccine against B. divergens babesiosis. As an immunodominant response was directed against the 37-kDa antigen (Bd37) in two different B. divergens strains tested, a polyclonal antibody directed against Bd37 was produced in a rabbit. In an immunofluorescence assay, the anti-Bd37 antiserum strongly labelled small internal vesicles of the merozoites and the cell surface was diffusely labelled after fixation, whereas on live merozoites, this labelling was not observed. [3H]glucosamine-radiolabelling experiments demonstrate that Bd37 is a glycoprotein. The Bd37 protein can also be labelled with [14C]palmitate but not with [3H]myristic acid. In Triton X-114 temperature phase partitioning of B. divergens-infected erythrocyte extracts, Bd37 was exclusively found into the detergent phase, indicating that the palmitoylated Bd37 protein was in the membrane fraction. In the in vitro supernatant, the glycoprotein Bd37 was found in a nonpalmitoylated form, indicating excretion and/or release of the glycoprotein from the merozoite.     

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors lovastatin and simvastatin inhibit in vitro development of Plasmodium falciparum and Babesia divergens in human erythrocytes

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors lovastatin and simvastatin inhibit the in vitro intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum and Babesia divergens, with concentrations inhibiting parasite growth by 50% in the ranges of 10 to 20 and 5 to 10 micrograms.ml-1, respectively. For P. falciparum, the 50% inhibitory concentrations were in the same range whatever the chloroquine susceptibility of the strains tested (strain F32/Tanzania [chloroquine susceptible] or FcB.1/Columbia [resistant]). The stage-dependent susceptibility of P. falciparum to simvastatin was studied by subjecting synchronized cultures to 6-h pulses of drug throughout the 48-h erythrocytic life cycle. The most important inhibitory effects were observed between the 12th and 30th hours of the cycle, corresponding to the trophozoite stage. This period precedes the S phase and the nuclear divisions. Parasites in the newly formed ring stage (time zero to the 6th hour of the cycle) and the schizont stage (30th to 48th hour of the cycle) were weakly or not susceptible to simvastatin pulses.     

Amelioration of virulent Babesia bovis infection in calves by administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine

The expression of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP-25), neural growth-associated protein (GAP-43) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were studied in mouse olfactory cells and axons for 2 weeks following unilateral bulbectomy. The olfactory cells and axons in the control olfactory epithelium were positive for SNAP-25 but levels decreased in the atrophic olfactory epithelium 3 days after bulbectomy. There was no expression of SNAP-25 in the olfactory epithelium on the bulbectomy side 7 days after bulbectomy, indicating that this protein may be a good marker for the degeneration of olfactory cells. The expression of NCAM was still found in the atrophic olfactory epithelium at 7 days after bulbectomy, while the expression of NCAM in the olfactory epithelium of the bulbectomy side was stronger than that on the control side at 14 days after bulbectomy. The expression of GAP-43 in the olfactory axonal bundles of the bulbectomy side at 3 and 4 days after bulbectomy was stronger than that on the control side. These results suggest that upregulation of NCAM may be related to the regeneration of the olfactory cells, with upregulation of GAP-43 probably playing a role in axonal regeneration after bulbectomy.     

Self-scheduling in five med/surg units. A comparison

As part of an Enhanced Professional Practice Model, self-scheduling was implemented in five medical/ surgical units. Each unit had varying degrees of success. The five factors that influenced successful implementation-committee structure, staff education, negotiation skills, guidelines and managerial support-are discussed.     

A comparison of journal citation patterns of British and North American authors publishing in British journals.

Examined citation practices of British and North American psychologists publishing 361 articles in 4 British journals. Results confirmed the finding of D. Koulack and H. J. Keselman (see record 1976-24649-001) that journal status is dependent on area of interest. Studies of A. R. Buss and J. R. McDermott (1976), R. L. Hohn and H. J. Fine (1973), and K. C. Mace and H. D. Warner (1973) are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comparison of error in five sorting procedures for ordinal ranking.

The effect or sorting procedures on ranking error was investigated. Different groups of Ss ranked a series of 50 stimulus cards using 5 different sorting methods. Significant differences in ranking errors among the 5 methods were observed, with a "free" procedure showing less error than "structured" procedures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparative pathogenesis of human WA1 and Babesia microti isolates in a Syrian hamster model

The medial thigh flap is a perforator-based flap nourished with septocutaneous or muscle perforators originating from the femoral vessels. To date, 8 patients have been repaired with this flap and extended or connected flaps including this flap: 4 patients with lower leg defects and 4 patients with intraoral and neck defects. The advantages of this flap are (1) several pedicle perforators exist for this flap, which makes possible duplicated vascular anastomoses to establish reliable circulation of the transferred flap; (2) the flap can be extended or connected to other neighboring flaps in the anterior thigh, so that extensively wide defects can be closed in one stage; (3) the great saphenous vein can be simultaneously used as a vein graft or for venous drainage for the flap; (4) the anterior branch of the femoral nerve can be used for sensory potential; and (5) there is minimum morbidity of the donor defect and a large dominant vessel for the leg can be preserved. The suitable indications for this flap are defects after removal of skin cancer in the foot or lower leg and wide defects after resection of head and neck cancer, which can be reconstructed with the flap connected to neighboring skin flaps. The disadvantages of this flap are that it has a small, short vascular pedicle and the bulkiness of the flap's fatty tissue often requires thinning.     

Restriction endonuclease profiles of orf virus isolates from the British Isles

A comparison of DNA profiles of representative isolates of orf virus, obtained using four different restriction endonucleases (RE), showed that the enzyme EcoRI could be used to discriminate between wild-type virus isolates and vaccine strains. The enzyme was used to compare the RE profiles of orf virus isolates from 43 outbreaks of orf that occurred in vaccinated flocks between 1988 and 1993; 21 outbreaks yielded wild-type virus, 10 yielded vaccine viruses, three produced both vaccine and wild-type viruses and no clear result was obtained from nine of the outbreaks. From the 21 outbreaks yielding wild-type viruses, 28 orf virus isolates had clear RE profiles and 15 distinct RE profiles were recorded. Usually only one virus type was associated with each outbreak but from two farms, two different wild-type viruses were recovered. No predominant genotype was identified, with four RE profile types being recovered for more than one outbreak. From the more severe form of orf involving the buccal cavities of lambs only wild-type viruses were recovered, with at least four different genotypes being represented.     

Effects of the sucking louse (Linognathus vituli) on the grooming behaviour of housed calves

The behaviour of cattle with and without louse infestation was studied for eight weeks. Thirty-two crossbred calves were housed in groups of four at 20 weeks old. Sixteen of the calves were artificially infested with the long-nosed cattle louse Linognathus vituli and 16 were left uninfested as controls. In infested animals the number of lice on the shoulders averaged 2.3 per 10 cm length of parted hair. The recorded frequency of irritation, manifested by rubbing and self-licking, was significantly greater in the louse-infested calves than in the uninfested controls. The infested calves spent 28 s/h rubbing and 95 s/h self-licking, compared with 8 s and 62 s/h spent by the uninfested controls. The infested calves also spent more than twice as long scratching as the controls. There were no significant effects of the infestation on social grooming.     

Cumulative risk and early cognitive development: A comparison of statistical risk models.

Although it is generally accepted that social risk factors predict delays in early cognitive and language development, there is less agreement about how to represent such associations statistically. Using data collected prospectively on 87 African American children during their first 4 years, this study examined 3 analytic methods for describing a child's level of social risk: (a) individual risk variables, (b) factor scores derived from those risk variables, and (c) a risk index computed by tallying the number of risk conditions present. Comparisons indicated that the individual-risk-variables approach provides better overall prediction of developmental outcomes at a particular age but is less useful in predicting developmental patterns. The risk-factor approach provides good prediction of developmental trajectories when sample sizes are moderate to large. Finally, the risk-index approach is useful for relating social risk to developmental patterns when a large number of risk variables are assessed with a small sample or when other constructs are of primary interest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A cross-validated comparison of five models used to predict graduate admissions committee decisions.

Weights derived from an admissions committee's assessment of 170 applicants to a graduate industrial relations program using 5 models (linear, multiplicative, dummy variable, unit weighting, and multiple hurdles) were cross-validated on 112 additional applicants. Predictions of all models were significantly related to the committee's admissions decisions in the cross-validation group. The accuracy of predictions was about the same for all models; however, except for GPA and Graduate Record Examination scores, the other variables weighted varied somewhat from model to model. A substantial amount of the decision variance was unaccounted for by any model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self versus ideal self: A comparison of five Adjective Check List indices.

Defined 5 self vs ideal-self measures on the 300-item Adjective Check List. Overall congruence was indexed by the phi coefficient for items and by the sum of the absolute differences on standard scores for the 24 scales (D-T). The absolute differences on the 24 scales were also correlated and factored in 2 samples: 100 American Air Force officers (mean age, 33.6 yrs) and 95 Italian young men (mean age, 15.5 yrs) applying for a national precollege military training school. Three factors common to both samples were identified. D-1, D-2, and D-3 measures of dissimilarity were obtained by summing the absolute differences on just those scales assignable to each of the 3 factors. Analyses of observers' ratings in the sample of American officers revealed phi, D-T, and D-1 to be indicative of superior personal and social adjustment and D-2 to suggest goal-oriented efficiency and diligence. D-3 had unfavorable connotations. It is concluded that internal components of self-ideal congruence have differential implications that over all measures will obscure or even fail to detect. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Learning to be literate: A comparison of five urban early childhood programs.

Using naturalistic inquiry and case study contrasts, the authors found variation in the literacy support available to children. In income-eligible preschools, curricula and pedagogy reflected a limited view of children as learners. Children had less access to print, fewer opportunities to participate in literacy, and little experience listening to or discussing culturally relevant literature. The authors argue that poor children and children of color are socialized to practice a different literacy, one that offers limited experiences with books and is less connected to personal and community identity. If publicly funded early childhood programs, already isolated by class, are to provide an equitable-foundation for literacy and schooling for children of low-income families, more challenging curricular and pedagogical frameworks are needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical comparison of the results of five validity generalization procedures.

With data originally obtained by the 3rd author and colleagues (see record 1980-31533-001), comparative results are presented for the noninteractive, interactive, independent multiplicative and Taylor Series Approximations 1 and 2 validity generalization procedures when there is nonzero sampling error. Findings indicate that the 5 validity generalization procedures yielded similar estimates of the fully corrected mean and variance of true validity coefficients. It is concluded that the 5 validity generalization procedures will lead to the same general conclusions regarding the effectiveness of a predictor measure. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Patterns of Cryptosporidium oocyst shedding in calves and a comparison of two diagnostic methods

Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst shedding was observed in calves from approximately 1 to 30 days of age. Oocysts were detected by either the Kinyoun acid-fast staining technique (microscopic examination--ME) or a commercially produced enzyme immunoassay EIA). Test concordance between the two detection methods was determined. The mean (+/- SD) number of days to detection of cryptosporidial oocysts was 9.52 +/- 1.92 for the ME and 9.83 +/- 3.19 for the EIA. No significant difference between the means was found (P = 0.17). The period prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 100% in calves from 1 to 30 days of age. The overall agreement between the ME and EIA was 72%, with a kappa value of 0.42 (SE +/- 0.05). McNemar's test indicated that the proportion of tests determined positive by the two methods was not equal (P < 0.01). The findings or this study indicate moderate agreement between the two diagnostic methods, with the EIA being the more sensitive of the two. However, in most cases the herd-level determination of cryptosporidiosis requires minimal sample sizes and is more economically and easily accomplished by the ME method of detection.     

Genomic-sequence comparison of two unrelated isolates of the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori, one of the most common bacterial pathogens of humans, colonizes the gastric mucosa, where it appears to persist throughout the host's life unless the patient is treated. Colonization induces chronic gastric inflammation which can progress to a variety of diseases, ranging in severity from superficial gastritis and peptic ulcer to gastric cancer and mucosal-associated lymphoma. Strain-specific genetic diversity has been proposed to be involved in the organism's ability to cause different diseases or even be beneficial to the infected host and to participate in the lifelong chronicity of infection. Here we compare the complete genomic sequences of two unrelated H. pylori isolates. This is, to our knowledge, the first such genomic comparison. H. pylori was believed to exhibit a large degree of genomic and allelic diversity, but we find that the overall genomic organization, gene order and predicted proteomes (sets of proteins encoded by the genomes) of the two strains are quite similar. Between 6 to 7% of the genes are specific to each strain, with almost half of these genes being clustered in a single hypervariable region.