Mechanism of suppression of cell-mediated immunity by measles virus

The mechanisms underlying the profound suppression of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) accompanying measles are unclear. Interleukin-12 (IL-12), derived principally from monocytes and macrophages, is critical for the generation of CMI. Measles virus (MV) infection of primary human monocytes specifically down-regulated IL-12 production. Cross-linking of CD46, a complement regulatory protein that is the cellular receptor for MV, with antibody or with the complement activation product C3b similarly inhibited monocyte IL-12 production, providing a plausible mechanism for MV-induced immunosuppression. CD46 provides a regulatory link between the complement system and cellular immune responses.     

Evidence for plasmid-associated crystal toxin production in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis

Three crystalliferous (Cry+) strains of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (serotype 14) that produce parasporal protein crystals toxic to dipteran larvae and several acrystalliferous (Cry-) mutants, either induced or spontaneously derived from a single Cry+ parent, were examined for the presence of covalently closed circular (CCC) DNA in attempts to correlate toxin production with the presence of a specific plasmid. The plasmid profiles of both Cry+ and Cry- variants were analyzed by both a cleared lysate- and a modified Eckhardt lysate-electrophoresis technique. All of the Cry- mutants derived from the Cry+ parental strain had lost a 4.0- to 4.4-megadalton (Mdal) plasmid. Bioassay data confirmed loss of toxin production by the Cry- variants. All three Cry+ strains, including the parent of the Cry- strains, contained CCC plasmids DNAs of the following approximate molecular weights: 4.0 to 4.4, 5.2 to 6.0, and 11.4 to 13.0 Mdal. One Cry+ strain contained an additional CCC plasmid of 6.7 to 7.2 Mdal. The plasmid patterns for several Cry- derivatives differed in other respects from the pattern for their parent strain. The various Cry+ and Cry- strains could be distinguished either by phenotypical differences in antibiotic sensitivity, crystal production, and toxicity, or by differences in their plasmid profiles.     

Brief review of nutrition in rabbits (author's transl)

A practitioner should be aware of the most important items regarding feed and water supply that may by a factor in assessing problems on large commercial units or in fancy breeding. A breif introduction on the function of the digestive tract precedes a discussion of the main causes of nutritional disorders which are frequently lethal. The specific mechanism of recirculation (caecotrophy) causing increased vulnerability to variations in the texture of feeds is stressed. Severe intestinal malfunction is readily induced by contaminated and spoiled feed and/or drinking water. These effects are probably underestimated in comparison with specific diseases. Data on nutritional requirements are also presented to the extent to which they are relevant in this context.     

The CTFA Evaluation of Alternatives Program: an evaluation of in vitro alternatives to the Draize primary eye irritation test. (Phase III) surfactant-based formulations

The CTFA Evaluation of Alternatives Program is an evaluation of the relationship between data from the Draize primary eye irritation test and comparable data from a selection of promising in vitro eye irritation tests. In Phase III, data from the Draize test and 41 in vitro endpoints on 25 representative surfactant-based personal care formulations were compared. As in Phase I and Phase II, regression modelling of the relationship between maximum average Draize score (MAS) and in vitro endpoint was the primary approach adopted for evaluating in vitro assay performance. The degree of confidence in prediction of MAS for a given in vitro endpoint is quantified in terms of the relative widths of prediction intervals constructed about the fitted regression curve. Prediction intervals reflect not only the error attributed to the model but also the material-specific components of variation in both the Draize and the in vitro assays. Among the in vitro assays selected for regression modeling in Phase III, the relationship between MAS and in vitro score was relatively well defined. The prediction bounds on MAS were most narrow for materials at the lower or upper end of the effective irritation range (MAS = 0-45), where variability in MAS was smallest. This, the confidence with which the MAS of surfactant-based formulations is predicted is greatest when MAS approaches zero or when MAS approaches 45 (no comment is made on prediction of MAS > 45 since extrapolation beyond the range of observed data is not possible). No single in vitro endpoint was found to exhibit relative superiority with regard to prediction of MAS. Variability associated with Draize test outcome (e.g. in MAS values) must be considered in any future comparisons of in vivo and in vitro test results if the purpose is to predict in vivo response using in vitro data.     

阻截紫外线背光板玻璃

全球领先的特种玻管制造商——德国肖特集团新近开发出两种新型玻璃．用于满足纯平液晶电视显示器(LCD—TFT）的市场需求。这两种新型玻璃8688(Tungsten型)和8271(KOVAR型)是专为纯平液晶电视显示器而开发的。     

Relationship of behavior therapists' characteristics, activities, and clients to reported practices in therapy.

Investigated the relationship of behavior therapists' characteristics, activities, and treatment conditions to their reported practices in therapy using 69 practicing therapists from the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, who completed a questionnaire assessing their personal and professional characteristics and their use of 99 varied therapeutic techniques and skills. 13 scales were constructed via principal component analysis and analyzed for effects due to each of the independent variables. Results suggest that, even for a homogeneous sample of behavior therapists, reported frequency of use of particular therapeutic techniques varies as a function of the setting of therapy and type of clients. Behavior therapists appeared to selectively employ interventions based on, and generally appropriate to, the particular clinical setting and problem encountered. Behavior therapists' personal characteristics as well as their professional activities also appeared to influence professed clinical practices. The importance of an adaptable therapeutic armamentarium and the need for flexible clinical training are discussed. (60 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optical constants of absorbing films

A new method for the determination of the optical constants of absorbing films supported on a transparent substrate using measured normal incidence R/T and R/T values is presented. Compared to the classical normal incidence photometric methods of deducing the optical constants from the measured R and T values the present method offers a time saving of 50% in experimental measurements and is able to give the optical constants and thickness of the films simultaneously to an accuracy of 2% and 0.5% respectively.     

Early onset of parturition induced by acute alcohol exposure in C57BL/6J mice: role of uterine PGE and PGF2alpha

These studies were designed to determine the effect of acute alcohol treatment on gestational length and to probe for a mechanism underlying alcohol-induced early onset of parturition (EOP) in mice. Experiment 1: alcohol increases the incidence of EOP. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were given alcohol (0, 4, 5 or 6 g kg(-1), i.g.) on Gestational Day (GD) 10, 15, 16, 17 or 18. Deliveries were monitored every 6 h from GD 18. Results indicated that 6 g kg(-1) alcohol treatment on GD 17 or 18 increased the incidence of EOP. Experiment 2: prostaglandins (PGs) play roles in parturition. The purpose of Experiment 2 was to determine whether PGs mediate alcohol-induced EOP in mice. The results indicated that pretreatment on GD 17 with aspirin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, prevented alcohol-induced EOP. These data suggest that alcohol-induced EOP in mice may be mediated by PGs. Experiment 3: PGs are influenced by alcohol and are triggers of labour. Experiment 3 measured uterine PGs associated with the onset of alcohol-induced EOP in mice. Alcohol increased uterine PGE and PGF2alpha, with PGE levels higher than control before labour, and elevated PGF2alpha levels correlating with labour. Changes in gestational length have important implications for pregnancy outcome, as well as for normal fetal growth and development.