Recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara-simian immunodeficiency virus gag pol elicits cytotoxic T lymphocytes in rhesus monkeys detected by a major histocompatibility complex class I/peptide tetramer

The utility of modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a vector for eliciting AIDS virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was explored in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/rhesus monkey model. After two intramuscular immunizations with recombinant MVA-SIVSM gag pol, the monkeys developed a Gag epitope-specific CTL response readily detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes by using a functional killing assay. Moreover, those immunizations also elicited a population of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood that bound a specific major histocompatibility complex class I/peptide tetramer. These Gag epitope-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes also were demonstrated by using both functional and tetramer-binding assays in lymph nodes of the immunized monkeys. These observations suggest that MVA may prove a useful vector for an HIV-1 vaccine. They also suggest that tetramer staining may be a useful technology for monitoring CTL generation in vaccine trials in nonhuman primates and in humans.     

The effect of cholisorb on liver exocrine function

The effect of cholisorb and its salt (Na and K) forms on the external secretion of the liver was studied. The cholagogic effect of the H-form of cholisorb and its salt forms was demonstrated in dog experiments. The effect of the H-form proved to be stronger. This effect was associated with decreased absorption of bile acids and cholesterol in the intestine and disturbed hepato-intestinal biliary cycle as a result of which adaptation mechanisms directed at restoration of this cycle are apparently switched on.     

Length of stay for specialized pediatric urologic care

BACKGROUND: Pediatric urologic specialists have been excluded from many recent managed care contracts because they are believed to be more expensive and of no better quality than general urologists in managing common urologic problems in children. We believed this to be inaccurate. OBJECTIVES: To compare the length of stay at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center for 2 common pediatric urologic operative procedures with data from other northern California hospitals and to document our results and patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of HCIA statewide database (HCIA Inc, Orange, Conn). SETTING: Northern California, 1995. SUBJECTS: Children younger than 12 years undergoing surgery for repair of an obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction or vesicoureteral reflux. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Length of stay. RESULTS: The length of stay in our hospital was similar to that observed in other hospitals in which other full-time pediatric urologic specialists practiced and was significantly less than that observed in other northern California hospitals, even when adjusted for risk. In fact, a savings of 279 hospital days would have been realized if all patients had the same length of stay as that achieved at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. In the 38 patients operated on at our center, there was uniform surgical success. Of the parents, 92% (11/ 12) were satisfied with their child's care and 92% (11/ 12) believed they received enough information to know what to expect and how to care for their child at home. There were no data available evaluating quality from other northern California hospitals for comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding that actual and risk-adjusted length of stay were shorter when patients were treated by full-time pediatric urologists, while excellent quality was maintained, suggests that these specialists achieve their results with more efficiency and lower resource utilization than do general urologists. The implication of these results is that exclusive contracting that prevents patients from receiving care from full-time specialists results in overuse of valuable resources and possibly reduced quality. If our results are generalizable, they have important implications for health care reform in the United States.     

Effect of adrenaline on the secretory activity of the ocular ciliary body in rabbits

In intact rabbits and in rabbits with intracerebral unilateral section of the n. oculomotorius, instillation of 2 drops of 0.1% adrenaline into the conjunctival sack increased and then decreased the intraocular pressure (IOP); i.v. administration of adrenaline (50 mcg) or electrophoresis decreased IOP. In conditions of disturbed parasympathetic innervation of the eye its sensitivity to adrenaline increased as revealed by a sharper lowering of IOP.     

Further characterization of the complementation group B temperature-sensitive mutant of respiratory syncytial virus

ts-2, a temperature-sensitive and plaque morphology mutant of respiratory syncytial virus and sole representative of complementation group B, was compared with members of the other complementation groups of respiratory syncytial virus (group A [ts-1] and group C [ts-7]). ts-2 was found to be 10- to 1,000-fold more restricted in growth and ability to spread at restrictive temperatures (37, 38, and 39 degrees C) than at the permissive temperature (32 degrees C). In temperature shift-up experiments, the ts defect of ts-1 and other members of complementation group A was found to effect a late function that was required for at least 13 h in the replicative cycle. The ts lesion of ts-7 affected a function early in the replication cycle. In contrast, ts-2 was not temperature sensitive when studied by the shift-up technique. The discrepancy between the ts plaque property and failure to detect temperature sensitivity during the shift-up experiment was resolved when it was shown that ts-2 had a defect in adsorption or penetration or both at the restrictive temperature. Clonal analysis of revertant ts-2 showed a coordinate restoration of ts+ phenotype ans syncytium-forming capacity. It appears that ts-2 has a defect in a protein that is involved in adsorption and/or penetration of virus and is also responsible for cell fusion activity.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of chemical reactions in nonequilibrium-plasma etching of silicon and silicon compounds

Plasma-chemical etching of silicon and silicon compounds is reviewed. It is shown that present data indicates that fluorine atoms and molecules are the main particles responsible for etching of silicon and that atomic fluorine is the main active particle for etching of silicon dioxide. Insufficient data exists to establish the contribution of charged and excited states to the etching of silicon and its compounds but oxygen atoms and molecules are seen to have a strong influence and fluorocarbon radicals can passivate the surface by forming polymer films.