Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of concomitant injections in separate locations of M-M-R II, VARIVAX and TETRAMUNE in healthy children vs. concomitant injections of M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE followed six weeks later by VARIVAX

OBJECTIVES AND STUDY DESIGN: The primary objectives of this study were to compare immunologic responses, antibody persistence, safety and varicella breakthrough rates when VARIVAX (varicella vaccine) is given at the same time as M-M-R II (measles, mumps, rubella vaccine) and TETRAMUNE (conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b, diphtheria, tetanus and whole cell pertussis vaccine) at separate injection sites (Group A) vs. VARIVAX given 6 weeks after M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE (Group B). Six hundred nine healthy children, 12 to 23 months of age, were randomized to one of two treatment (immunization) groups (Group A and Group B). Blood for antibody titers was drawn on the day of immunization, 6 weeks after each injection and 1 year later. Local and systemic adverse reactions were recorded. Exposure and cases of varicella were documented through a 1-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Measles, mumps and rubella seroconversion rates and geometric mean titers (GMTs) were similar for both treatment groups. Varicella seroconversion rates were also similar between groups. However, varicella GMTs and percent with a varicella-protective level [> or =5.0 glycoprotein (gp) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units] did not meet the prespecified criteria for similarity were lower for Group A (GMT 10.5; 82.8% > or =5.0 gp ELISA units) than for Group B (GMT 14.5; 91.2% > or =5.0 gp ELISA units). The GMTs between groups for other antibodies were similar. At the 1-year follow-up antibody titers were comparable in both groups and breakthrough varicella cases appeared generally similar. There were fewer local adverse events (AEs) at the VARIVAX injection sites (9.8% and 2.9%, Group A and B, respectively) than at the TETRAMUNE sites (27.9% and 24.0%). Systemic AEs were not statistically different when M-M-R II was administered alone (8.6%) or concomitantly with VARIVAX (8.9%). When VARIVAX was given alone AEs were 1.8%. The rate of fever > or =102 degrees F after M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE administered together was 10.7% on Days 0 to 3 and 23.7% on Days 7 to 21. When VARIVAX was administered alone, the rate of fever was 5.4% on Days 0 to 3 (P = 0.018) and 10.8% on Days 7 to 21 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Because the varicella titers were comparable and varicella breakthrough rates generally similar at 1 year in both groups, we expect that the concomitant administration of VARIVAX with M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE has clinical effectiveness similar to that with VARIVAX 6 weeks after the administration of these other two vaccines. VARIVAX appears to be less reactogenic than M-M-R II and TETRAMUNE.     

From Ismail to Rotterdam: the trans-European waterway

The author explains how electricity provided the financial base for a civil-engineering project whose inspiration dates back to the Dark Ages. The author discusses the role of hydroelectric power, including pumped storage, in the design and operation of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. In particular the author discusses the pumping stations and water resources and water flow control     

Number of CpG islands and genes in human and mouse

Estimation of gene number in mammals is difficult due to the high proportion of noncoding DNA within the nucleus. In this study, we provide a direct measurement of the number of genes in human and mouse. We have taken advantage of the fact that many mammalian genes are associated with CpG islands whose distinctive properties allow their physical separation from bulk DNA. Our results suggest that there are approximately 45,000 CpG islands per haploid genome in humans and 37,000 in the mouse. Sequence comparison confirms that about 20% of the human CpG islands are absent from the homologous mouse genes. Analysis of a selection of genes suggests that both human and mouse are losing CpG islands over evolutionary time due to de novo methylation in the germ line followed by CpG loss through mutation. This process appears to be more rapid in rodents. Combining the number of CpG islands with the proportion of island-associated genes, we estimate that the total number of genes per haploid genome is approximately 80,000 in both organisms.     

Going strong after 50 years: antenna R&D at the CSIRO divisionof radiophysics

A brief history is given of antenna research and development at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Division of Radiophysics. It covers wartime radar (1939-45), radio astronomy (1945-76), reflector-feed R&D (1963 to present), a microwave landing system (1971-83), the Australia telescope (1982-90), and satellite communications (1977 to present). Antenna measurement facilities and current projects are briefly described     

Antibiotics from the newly isolated Streptomyces elizabethii. I. Production of a polyene antifungal agent (Elizabethin) and actinomycin in shake flask cultures

A new streptomyces strain, designated Streptomyces elizabethii, was isolated from a soil sample using a method which selected antifungal antibiotic producers. S. elizabethii produces an antifungal polyene (elizabethin) and antibacterial actinomycins. Optimal conditions were elucidated for sporulation of the streptomycete in bottle cultures and for polyene production in shake flask cultures. High sugar concentrations were found to repress actinomycin biosynthesis and increase polyene production. Excess potassium phosphate inhibited polyene production.     

Terrestrial solar spectral data sets

Two data sets are presented that were generated with a rigorous radiative transfer code. One data set is an AM1.5 direct normal spectrum, and the other data set is an AM1.5 global spectrum on a surface tilted 37° from the horizontal towards the sun. These data are updates to data that are nearing acceptance as standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials. An improved extraterrestrial spectrum and other refinements were made to improve the accuracy of these data sets. A preliminary comparison between modeled and measured data is shown, which supports the accuracy of the data sets.     

Rapid detection of Salmonella in pet food: design and evaluation of integrated methods based on real-time PCR detection

Reducing the risk of Salmonella contamination in pet food is critical for both companion animals and humans, and its importance is reflected by the substantial increase in the demand for pathogen testing. Accurate and rapid detection of foodborne pathogens improves food safety, protects the public health, and benefits food producers by assuring product quality while facilitating product release in a timely manner. Traditional culture-based methods for Salmonella screening are laborious and can take 5 to 7 days to obtain definitive results. In this study, we developed two methods for the detection of low levels of Salmonella in pet food using real-time PCR: (i) detection of Salmonella in 25 g of dried pet food in less than 14 h with an automated magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction method and (ii) detection of Salmonella in 375 g of composite dry pet food matrix in less than 24 h with a manual centrifugation-based nucleic acid preparation method. Both methods included a preclarification step using a novel protocol that removes food matrix-associated debris and PCR inhibitors and improves the sensitivity of detection. Validation studies revealed no significant differences between the two real-time PCR methods and the standard U.S. Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual (chapter 5) culture confirmation method.     

A light microscope attachment for isolating small specific areas from slide embedded monolayers: an aid in electron microscopy

Based on the idea of a spring-loaded microscope objective, a boring attachment has been designed and constructed to fit a standard revolving multi-objective holder. It enables many small specific areas of a slide embedded specimen to be selected, ringed and bored out without removing the slide from the microscope stage.