Warm water vapour in the sooty outflow from a luminous carbon star.

The detection of circumstellar water vapour around the ageing carbon star IRC +10216 challenged the current understanding of chemistry in old stars, because water was predicted to be almost absent in carbon-rich stars. Several explanations for the water were postulated, including the vaporization of icy bodies (comets or dwarf planets) in orbit around the star, grain surface reactions, and photochemistry in the outer circumstellar envelope. With a single water line detected so far from this one carbon-rich evolved star, it is difficult to discriminate between the different mechanisms proposed. Here we report the detection of dozens of water vapour lines in the far-infrared and sub-millimetre spectrum of IRC +10216 using the Herschel satellite. This includes some high-excitation lines with energies corresponding to approximately 1,000 K, which can be explained only if water is present in the warm inner sooty region of the envelope. A plausible explanation for the warm water appears to be the penetration of ultraviolet photons deep into a clumpy circumstellar envelope. This mechanism also triggers the formation of other molecules, such as ammonia, whose observed abundances are much higher than hitherto predicted.

Economic Threshold for Cotton Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Cotton in the Southwestern United States.

Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a common pest of cotton throughout much of the world. In the United States, insecticide applications targeting cotton aphid in cotton are common in the Mid-South, Texas, and California. Cotton aphid population dynamics data were collected from eight insecticide efficacy trials conducted in Lubbock, TX, over a 4-yr period. Among the field populations in the nontreated plots, the instantaneous rate of population growth averaged 0.56 ± 0.608, and the mean population doubling time was 3.97 ± 2.16 d. For calculating economic injury levels (EIL) and thresholds, control costs were set at US$30.50/ha, market prices were evaluated at US$0.88, US$1.33, US$1.77, and US$2.21 kg-lint, and cotton yield potentials were evaluated at 672, 896, and 1,120 kg-lint/ha. The EIL we calculated ranged from 66 to 272 aphids per leaf, and averaged 137 aphids per leaf. Economic thresholds (ET) were calculated based on lead times of 1, 3, 5, and 7 d before EIL occurs. The mean ET across control cost, market price, and yield potential were 110 ± 48, 70 ± 31, 45 ± 19, and 29 ± 13 aphids per leaf at lead times of 1, 3, 5, and 7 d, respectively. Most curative pest management tactics in cotton are implemented within 3 d of determining need, and the ET at 3 d that we calculated (70 ± 31 aphids per leaf) overlaps the current recommended action threshold in Texas and California of 50 aphids per leaf.

Differential recognition of two cloned Brugia malayi antigens by antibody class.

The humoral and cellular immune response to filarial parasites is complex. Numerous studies have shown that antibodies to a large number of protein and non-protein antigens may be produced over the course of infection and that immune recognition of any given antigen may vary by disease manifestation and by immunoglobulin class. We have used the techniques of molecular cloning to attempt to dissect this complex interaction, and describe here two clones, isolated from an expression library constructed from Brugia malayi genomic DNA, whose products are recognized by distinct immunoglobulin classes. A lambda gt11 fusion protein containing part of the B. malayi myosin tail region is recognized by antibodies of the IgG class from a high percentage of bancroftian filariasis patients. A fusion protein containing a collagen-like sequence is less frequently and weakly recognized under the same experimental conditions, but is almost universally recognized when the developing reagent is specific for IgE. We thus identify specific filarial proteins against which the infected human host responds preferentially with antibodies of a specific immunoglobulin class.

Microscopic visualization of Wuchereria and Brugia larval stages in intact cleared mosquitoes.

Over the past several decades, epidemiologic data from filarial vectors typically has been obtained by mass dissection or by dissection of individual specimens. The former is quick and easy to do on large numbers of insects but provides no information on the frequency distribution of infection, presence of early developmental stages, or larval location; the latter is labor-intensive and tedious. We describe a new technique that can provide data comparable to those obtained by individual dissection, including calculation of infection and infective rates, and this technique is easy enough to accommodate large numbers of insects. Brief treatment of ethanol-fixed, intact mosquitoes in sodium hypochlorite, followed by treatments in increasing concentrations of ethanol and an organic solvent allowed microscopic visualization of filarial larvae within the abdomen, thorax, head, and proboscis of Brugia malayi-infected Aedes aegypti and Wuchereria bancrofti-infected Anopheles punctulatus. We compared the classic techniques to our technique using Ae. aegypti infected by feeding on jirds with B. malayi microfilaremias. Comparisons of the infective rate, total number of infective stage larvae (L3s) observed, and locations of L3s showed that this new technique was comparable to the established methods, while being faster and more precise in determining the location of larvae.

Ultrastructural observations on the fate of Brugia malayi in jirds previously vaccinated with irradiated infective stage larvae.

Vaccination of inbred jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) with 60cobalt radiation-attenuated Brugia malayi infective stage larvae (L3) protected against homologous challenge given either subcutaneously (sc) or by the intraperitoneal route (ip). At necropsy numerous nodules were recovered from the peritoneal cavities of jirds which had been vaccinated sc and challenged ip. Histopathologic analysis showed these to be granulomas containing dead and dying larvae and transmission electron microscopy showed that eosinophils were present in high numbers around and within the larvae. Structural damage to the L3 cuticle was apparent in discrete areas and eosinophils actively entering the breached cuticle at the time of fixation were observed. Coalescence of eosinophil secretion granules and the formation of degranulation vacuoles were seen in eosinophils throughout the granulomas. Degranulation resulted in the deposition of electron-dense material on the surface of the larval cuticle. The jird vaccine model for B. malayi thus appears to be a potentially useful tool for investigation of immune mechanisms in filariasis.

Brugia malayi: vaccination of jirds with 60cobalt-attenuated infective stage larvae protects against homologous challenge.

Vaccination of inbred jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) with 60cobalt radiation-attenuated Brugia malayi infective stage larvae (L3) protected against homologous challenge given either subcutaneously (sc) or by the intraperitoneal (ip) route. Groups of jirds vaccinated once sc with 75, 15 Krad L3 showed from 69% to 91% reduction in recovered worms after ip challenge infection compared to infection in non-vaccinated control jirds, while 75% reduction in mean worm burden was seen in jirds receiving sc challenge infection. A single sc vaccination with 75, 10 or 20 Krad L3 produced no protection (10 Krad) and 64% reduction in recovered worms (20 Krad). Therefore the 15 Krad dose appeared to be best. A marked increase in anti-B. malayi antibody in vaccinated jirds was seen (by ELISA) immediately after challenge infection and an immunofluorescence assay showed that L3 incubated in serum from vaccinated jirds were completely and uniformly covered with specific antibody. Eosinophil-rich granulomas containing dead and moribund L3 were recovered from vaccinated jirds. This model of protective immunity in a Brugia-susceptible small rodent may provide a useful system for identification of molecularly defined filarial-protective immunogens.

Maternal influence on susceptibility of offspring to Brugia malayi infection in a murine model of filariasis.

We have used the severe combined immunodeficient C.B-17-scid/scid mouse to investigate the influences of maternal immune status and parasite burden on the susceptibility (or resistance) of offspring to infection with the human filarial parasite, Brugia malayi. C.B-17-scid/scid mice are permissive for infection while immunocompetent C.B-17(-)+/+ mice are uniformly resistant. Reciprocal matings of C.B-17-scid/scid and C.B-17(-)+/+ mice were performed. The C.B-17-scid/scid females were either naive or infected with Brugia malayi. The resulting immunocompetent C.B-17-scid/+ and C.B-17(-)+/scid progeny were challenged at weaning with an intraperitoneal injection of Brugia malayi third stage larvae known to produce patent infection in > 95% of C.B-17-scid/scid mice. We observed that 40.0%l (34/85) of the immunocompetent offspring of C.B-17-scid/scid females x C.B-17(-)+/+ males were permissive for the growth and development of Brugia malayi larvae to adults. No difference was observed in susceptibility to infection between the progeny of infected or uninfected C.B-17-scid/scid mothers mated with C.B-17(-)+/+ fathers, arguing against acquired immunological tolerance to the parasite in the former. In marked contrast, only 4.8% (2/42) of the heterozygous progeny of wild type C.B-17(-)+/+ females mated with C.B-17-scid/scid males were permissive. These observations document conversion of a 'resistant' phenotype to a 'susceptible' phenotype by manipulation of maternal immune status and provide clear evidence of maternal influence on offspring susceptibility to infection with Brugia malayi.

Activation of the alternative complement pathway in normal human serum by Loa loa and Brugia malayi infective stage larvae.

Infective stage larvae (L3) of Loa loa and Brugia malayi upon in vitro incubation with normal human serum activated the alternative complement pathway. C3 conversion products were detected on larval cuticles by eosinophil adherence and by immunofluorescence with C3c antiserum. No evidence for cuticle binding of IgG, IgA, IgM, Clq, or C4 was found by immunofluorescence. L3-induced C3 activation was inhibited by 10 mM EDTA but unaffected by 10 mM Mg++-EGTA. Human sera deficient in C2, C4, or C6 incubated with L3 resulted in C3 activation. However, sera treated with zymosan or heated for 1 h, 56 degrees C were unreactive with L3. Immunoelectrophoresis of fresh serum exposed to L3 for 1 h at 37 degrees C showed C3 cleavage products. The results indicate that these nematode L3 activate the alternative complement cascade via cuticular surface components. Larval viability was unaffected by complement activation or by adherence of eosinophils.

Dipetalonema (Alafilaria) hydrochoerus subgen. et sp. n. (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from Colombian capybaras.

Dipetalonema (Alafilaria) hydrochoerus subgen. et sp. n. is described from specimens recovered from skeletal muscle fascia of the capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochacris, from several localities in Colombia, South America. The microfilaria, which is found in the skin of the host, is also described for the first time. The monotypic species of the subgenus Alafilaria can be distinguished from existing Dipetalonema subgenera and all filariae known to us, on the basis of numerous preanal caudal papillae in males, small size of petals on the caudal extremity of each sex, and low, bluntly-rounded lateral alae in the cuticle of adult worms of both sexes. Unusual and distinctive features of the microfilaria include conspicuous lateral cuticular alae and a caudal extremity devoid of nuclei.

Use of parasite antigen detection to monitor macrofilaricidal therapy in Brugia malayi-infected jirds.

Improved methods are needed to evaluate new treatments for filarial infections. We have recently developed a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay to detect circulating parasite antigen in sera from Brugia malayi-infected jirds. In the present study, parasite antigen levels were compared to parasitological parameters after treatment of B. malayi-infected jirds with CGP 20376 that has been reported to be active against both microfilariae and adult worms of this parasite. Microfilariae were cleared promptly and permanently after CGP 20376 treatment, and no adult worm was recovered in jirds at necropsy 20 wk after treatment. In contrast, untreated animals had sustained microfilaremia throughout the course of the study, and adult worms were recovered in all control animals (mean worm recovery; 24.3 +/- 7.8 SE). Parasite antigen was present in sera from all infected animals before treatment. Parasite antigen titers in sera were unchanged 5 wk after treatment but fell to undetectable levels in 4 of 6 animals by 20 wk after treatment. Low-level antigenemia was detected in 2 of 6 animals at 20 wk, perhaps suggesting incomplete killing of parasites or incomplete clearance of antigen. Parasite antigen levels were stable throughout the study in control animals. These preliminary results suggest that parasite antigen detection is useful as a means of noninvasively monitoring the efficacy of anti-filarial drug therapy.

Development of Tetrapetalonema llewellyni to the infective stage in Culicoides hollensis.

The vector requirements and course of larval development for tetrapetalonema llewellyni Price, 1962, a common filaria of raccoons in Louisiana, are described for the first time. Development (from microfilaria to infective stage) took place in the thoracic muscles of the biting midge, Culicoides hollensis (Melander and Brues, 1902) Foote and Pratt, 1954, and required 9 days under laboratory conditions. The findings of this study suggest that species of Culicoides may serve as natural vectors of T. llewellyni.

Infectivity and normal development of third stage Brugia malayi maintained in vitro.

Shipment of infective-stage filarial larvae (L3s) usually has been accomplished by transporting living infected vectors or L3s cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Our objective was to find culture conditions for transporting L3s that would promote survival of Brugia malayi larvae without altering their capacity to infect susceptible animals. In preliminary studies we observed that Ham's nutrient mixture F-12, with antibiotics and 1% fetal calf serum, could support L3s without apparent development for at least 10 days. In order to evaluate the effect of culture temperatures on infectivity, fresh L3s were divided into groups that were either immediately injected into jirds (infectivity control) or incubated for 24, 48, or 120 hr in tightly sealed tubes maintained horizontally at either 0 C, 20 C, or 37 C, before they were injected into jirds. Necropsies were performed on the jirds 120-130 days after injection to recover and count adult worms. Levels of microfilaremia were also determined. We found that L3s held overnight at 0 C, although apparently viable, were unable to survive in jirds. However, larvae kept at 20 C and 37 C produced patent infections with adult worms in normal locations even after 120 hr of in vitro cultivation. There was no statistical difference in mean worm recovery or size of worms from jirds infected with freshly harvested L3s and jirds injected with larvae that were maintained overnight at 20 C or 37 C. When cultured L3s were shipped from Michigan to Connecticut by overnight air courier, along with infected living mosquitos, the L3s appeared to be 99% viable upon arrival. L3s shipped in F-12 produced patent infections in C.B.-17 scid/scid mice with worm recoveries comparable to those observed in mice injected with L3s freshly obtained from shipped mosquitos.

Localization of paramyosin, myosin, and a heat shock protein 70 in larval and adult Brugia malayi.

Recombinant filarial proteins are of interest as potentially protective immunogens for lymphatic filariasis. We have previously identified paramyosin, myosin, and a heat shock protein 70 (HSP) 70 as prominent immunogens in individuals residing in an area endemic for lymphatic filariasis. Our goal in the present work was to identify the Brugia malayi tissues that contain these proteins. Polyclonal rabbit antisera with high levels of immunoglobulins to each of these proteins were prepared for use in indirect immunofluorescence microscopy studies of third-and fourth-stage larvae (L3's and L4's) and adult worms. Myosin and paramyosin were found within the longitudinal somatic musculature in all of these life stages. In L4's and adult worms, myosin and paramyosin were also detected within the walls of the reproductive and alimentary tracts of male and female worms. HSP 70 was evident within the somatic musculature, hypodermis, lateral chords, alimentary tract, and reproductive structures in L4's and adult worms. HSP 70 was not detected in sections of freshly obtained L3's. However, L3's cultured at 37 C for 24 hr before fixation demonstrated a classic heat shock response. In these larvae, intracellular HSP 70 was observed in all tissues. None of the antigens studied appeared to be located on cuticular surfaces.

Course of infection and humoral response to Leishmania major in inbred Meriones unguiculatus.

Numerous species of Meriones have been incriminated as natural reservoir hosts of Leishmania major in Mongolia, Soviet Asia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and North Africa. However, little is known about the immunological response or course of infection in these small rodents. In this study, 40 commercially obtained inbred Meriones unguiculatus were divided into equal groups and injected in the right hind footpad with various doses of L. major promastigotes or with medium only. At regular intervals, blood was collected from the animals for subsequent evaluation of the kinetics of anti-L. major serum antibody production. Footpad lesions were measured periodically for 13 wk, beginning just before infection. The humoral response to infection and the course and severity of disease were dose related. However, metastasis lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and secondary cutaneous sites occurred at each of the doses tested.

Isolated congenital internal auditory canal atresia with normal facial nerve function.

The internal auditory canal forms as a result of mesoderm enveloping the eighth cranial nerve in the developing embryo. The mesoderm eventually transforms into cartilage and ultimately ossifies around the nerve, forming the internal auditory canal. It is theorized that atresia or stenosis of the internal auditory canal results from altered cochleovestibular nerve development secondary to faulty chemotactic mechanisms or a lack of end organ targets. Unilateral internal auditory canal anomalies are frequently seen in conjunction with other inner ear anomalies and occasionally with middle or external ear anomalies. Infrequently, it will occur as either an isolated or bilateral finding, but rarely simultaneously. The few citations of isolated, unilateral or bilateral internal auditory canal anomalies that are reported in the literature are usually associated with other systemic developmental anomalies, such as, cardiac septal defects, polycystic kidney disease, skeletal deformities and duodenal atresia. We present a case report of a patient with bilateral, congenital, internal auditory canal atresia and cochleovestibular deficits but, normal facial nerve function. A review of the literature is discussed as well as diagnostic considerations and treatment options including audiologic and communication rehabilitation.

Congenital esophageal webs.

Congenital esophageal webs are rare entities. These lesions generally occur in the upper one third of the esophagus and present symptomatically in early childhood. Dysphagia and 'feeding' difficulties are characteristic presenting symptoms. Radiographic studies generally reveal a normal appearing esophageal lumen with the exception of a single thin indentation of the esophageal lumen that is located either anteriorly or circumferential in nature. We describe two children with congenital esophageal webs and review the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of these unusual lesions.

Effects of feeding sows fat or fructose during late gestation and lactation.

The effects of dietary fat or fructose supplementation during late gestation and lactation on sow milk production and composition and on progeny were examined. On d 88 of gestation, 24 sows were allotted by parity to three dietary treatments (eight sows/treatment). Treatments were 1) a 12.5% crude protein, corn-soybean meal control, 2) the control + 10% added fat or 3) the control + 23% high fructose corn syrup. All treatments were fed to supply 1.82 kg/d of the control diet from d 89 of gestation to parturition with sows in treatments 2 or 3 receiving .18 kg of additional fat or .53 kg of additional high fructose corn syrup, respectively. Feed was gradually increased from d 1 to 7 of lactation to 4.54 kg/d of the control diet (plus .45 kg of added fat and 1.33 kg of added fructose for treatments 2 and 3) and remained at these levels for the remainder of the 21 d lactation period. All treatments were iso-nitrogenous; treatments 2 and 3 were iso-caloric. Litter birth weights, number of pigs born alive, weaning weights and piglet survival rate were not affected by sow treatment. Stillbirths were less (P less than .05) for sows fed fat. Lipid content of milk 24 h post-farrowing was greater (P less than .05) from sows fed fat compared with sows fed fructose. Milk production estimates indicated that multiparous sows fed fat produced more (P less .05) milk than sows fed the control diet. On d 112 of gestation and d 15 of lactation, serial blood samples were drawn to monitor sow response to a glucose challenge (1 g/kg body weight).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of dietary fructose on broiler chick performance.

The effect of feeding various levels of dietary fructose, furnished by high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), to broiler-type chicks housed in Petersime batteries was studied in two experiments. In experiment 1, HFCS was added to a corn-soybean meal basal diet at levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15%. In Experiment 2, HFCS was added to the diet at levels of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 15%. In both experiments diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. In Experiment 1, chicks fed HFCS consumed more feed (P less than or equal to .05) and grew more rapidly (P less than or equal to .05) than chicks fed the control diet. No differences in the feed to gain ratio were observed among treatments. Feeding HFCS resulted in non-significantly higher liver weight and percent liver lipid. Values for kidney weights and plasma uric acid were higher (P less than or equal to .05) in chicks fed 15% HFCS. In Experiment 2, adding 4, 6, and 15% HFCS resulted in more rapid growth (P less than or equal to .05). No significant differences were observed in feed intake and kidney weights. Chicks fed the 15% HFCS diet had heavier (P less than or equal to .05) livers.

Medicare-deemed status: what does it mean?

Although 3 organizations have achieved "deemed status" with respect to accreditation of ambulatory surgical facilities, only Medicare may grant certification. An initial accreditation review also may be combined with a Medicare certification review. However, Medicare requirements can be quite rigorous, especially with regard to the physical plant layout. (Aesthetic Surg J 2001; 21:375-376.).