Molecular Detection of Avian Influenza Virus from Sediment Samples in Waterfowl Habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States.

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) affect many species of birds including waterfowl and may persist in sediment in aquatic habitats. Sediment samples were collected from two areas representative of prime migration and overwintering waterfowl habitat in Dorchester County, Maryland in the fall and winter of 2013-2014. Samples were screened for the presence of AIV via reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR targeting the matrix gene. Although 13.6% of sediment samples were positive for the AIV matrix gene across all collection dates and locations, differences in detection were noted with location and collection season. Percentage of AIV-positive sediment samples recovered corresponded to trends in waterfowl abundance at collection sites both temporally and spatially. These findings provide further support for the assertion that the presence of AIV in the aquatic environment is likely affected by the total number, site-specific density, and array of waterfowl species.

High-dose edatrexate with oral leucovorin rescue: a phase I and clinical pharmacological study in adults with advanced cancer.

Our objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and toxicity of i.v. edatrexate with p.o. leucovorin. Thirty-one adults with advanced solid tumors received edatrexate as a 2-h infusion, once a week for 3 weeks, recycled every 28 days. p.o. leucovorin (10 mg/m2, every 6 h for 10 doses) began 24 h later. All had urinary alkalinization and p.o. hydration. Nine dosage levels ranging from 120 to 3750 mg/m2 were explored. Fatigue, epistaxis, nausea/emesis, mucositis, rash, myalgias, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and transient elevations of serum aspartate transferase were observed. Leukoencephalopathy with clinical manifestations occurred in two patients (one had prior cranial irradiation). Pharmacokinetic studies carried out at the 120- and 1080-mg/m2 dose levels revealed no significant difference in the elimination half-life at the two dose levels studied and no significant intrapatient variability between day 1 and day 8 edatrexate administration. Serum edatrexate levels measured using a dihydrofolate reductase inhibition assay correlated with those by high-performance liquid chromatography. Three major and two minor antitumor responses occurred. The maximum tolerated dose was 3750 mg/m2, with grade 3 or 4 leukopenia (one patient), stomatitis (one patient), and leukoencephalopathy (one patient). Because of the occurrence of leukoencephalopathy, further study of high-dose edatrexate with leucovorin rescue is not recommended.

Growth suppression of established human osteosarcoma lung metastases in mice by aerosol gene therapy with PEI-p53 complexes.

Lung metastases are a frequent complication of osteosarcoma and a treatment that would reduce the severity of this complication would be of great benefit to patients. We have used a formulation consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and a p53 gene administered in aerosol to treat established lung micrometastases as a model of human osteosarcoma in nude mice. The SAOS-LM6 cell line, a metastatic derivative of the p53 null SAOS-2 line, expresses high levels of p53 protein after in vitro transfection with PEI-p53 complexes as determined by ELISA, and transfection with both p53wt and the p53 variant, p53-CD(1-366) in vitro, results in a marked inhibition of SAOS-LM6 cell proliferation. Aerosol delivery of plasmid DNA containing either the p53 gene or a p53-CD(1-366) variant gene formulated with PEI to mice resulted in highly significant reductions in the numbers and size of tumors (P<.001), the total number of tumor foci in the lungs (P<.001) and the size of individual tumor nodules in treated animals compared to untreated, PEI only-treated and PEI-CAT-treated control animals. The different tissues examined did not reveal any signs of toxicity or inflammation after repeated exposure to PEI-DNA. The aerosol delivery of PEI-based formulations of p53 or synthetic p53 variant genes represents a promising new strategy for the treatment of established human osteosarcoma lung metastases. The noninvasive nature of aerosol delivery coupled with low toxicity also make this therapeutic approach potentially appropriate for combination therapy with either radio- or chemotherapy.

Effects of coumestrol on estrogen receptor function and uterine growth in ovariectomized rats.

Isoflavonoids and related compounds such as coumestrol have classically been categorized as phytoestrogens because these environmentally derived substances bind to the estrogen receptor (ER) and increase uterine wet weight in immature rats and mice. Assessment of the binding affinities of isoflavonoids for ER and subsequent effects on uterine growth suggest these compounds are less active estrogens than estradiol and therefore may reduce the risk of developing breast or prostate cancer in humans by preventing estradiol binding to ER. With the renewed interest in the relationships between environmental estrogens and cancer cause and prevention, we assessed the effects of the phytoestrogen coumestrol on uterotropic response in the immature, ovariectomized rat. Our studies demonstrated that in this animal model, coumestrol is an atypical estrogen that does not stimulate uterine cellular hyperplasia. Although acute (subcutaneous injection) or chronic (multiple injection or orally via drinking water) administration of coumestrol significantly increased uterine wet and dry weights, the phytoestrogen failed to increase uterine DNA content. The lack of true estrogenic activity was characterized by the inability of this phytoestrogen to cause cytosolic ER depletion, nuclear ER accumulation, or the stimulation of nuclear type II sites which characteristically precede estrogenic stimulation of cellular DNA synthesis and proliferation. In fact, subcutaneous or oral coumestrol treatment caused an atypical threefold induction of cytosolic ER without corresponding cytosolic depletion and nuclear accumulation of this receptor, and this increased the sensitivity of the uterus to subsequent stimulation by estradiol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction for transforming growth factor-beta applied to a field study of fish health in Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

Fish morbidity and mortality events in Chesapeake Bay tributaries have aroused concern over the health of this important aquatic ecosystem. We applied a recently described method for quantifying mRNA of an immunosuppressive cytokine, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), by reverse transcription quantitative-competitive polymerase chain reaction to a field study of fish health in the Chesapeake Basin, and compared the results to those of a traditional cellular immunoassay macrophage bactericidal activity. We selected the white perch (Morone americana) as the sentinel fish species because of its abundance at all of the collection sites. White perch were sampled from Chesapeake Bay tributaries in June, August, and October 1998. Splenic mononuclear cell TGF-beta mRNA levels increased and anterior kidney macrophage bactericidal activity decreased, particularly in eastern shore tributaries, from June to August and October. The results of the two assays correlated inversely (Kendall's [Tau] b = -0.600; p = 0.0102). The results indicated both temporal and spatial modulation of white perch immune systems in the Chesapeake Basin, and demonstrated the utility of quantitative PCR for TGF-beta as a molecular biomarker for field assessment of teleost fish immune status.

Increased binding to DNA-cellulose of the unactivated and activated glucocorticoid-receptor complex from mouse brain following sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation.

The binding to DNA-cellulose of both the unactivated and activated forms of the molybdate-stabilized glucocorticoid-receptor complex increases markedly after subjecting these preparations to sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. We speculate that this increase results from the removal of endogenous macromolecular factors which competitively inhibit glucocorticoid receptor binding to DNA and which may normally be involved in regulating the genomic responses of these steroids in brain.

Effects of metal ions and chelating agents on in vitro stability of glucocorticoid receptors in brain cytosol.

In vitro studies in a variety of tissues and cell types suggest that glucocorticoid receptor binding capacity is not static and that binding sites are subject to up- and down-regulatory mechanisms. The interpretation of such studies, however, is often complicated by factors affecting the stability of the receptor. This situation is particularly acute in the absence of ligand because of the increased lability of the unoccupied receptor. Studies reported here investigate effects of various metal ions and chelating agents on the stability of unoccupied [3H]dexamethasone binding sites in whole mouse brain cytosol. Variation in the ionic strength of cytosol, as created by the additions of various monovalent cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+), was found to be an important factor affecting the increased stability of the receptor in vitro. Additions of divalent (Mg++, Ca++, Ba++, and Mn++) and trivalent (La , Cr and Al ) cations to cytosol, however, were generally found to produce a dose-dependent decrease in the stability of the unoccupied receptor. Additions of the chelating agents EDTA, EGTA and 1,10-phenanthroline to cytosol, resulted in differential, and sometimes complex, dose-dependent effects on receptor stability. The complex effects of various combinations of cations and the chelator EDTA were also investigated.

Chromatographic resolution of the type II estrogen binding site and a tyrosinase-like enzymatic activity from rat uterine nuclei.

Nuclear extracts from estradiol-treated rat uteri which contain type II estrogen binding sites have recently been found to also contain a tyrosinase-like estradiol metabolizing activity. A recent study suggested that both the binding and enzymatic activities are significantly increased in the presence of micromolar concentrations of copper and ascorbate, display a number of common biochemical sensitivities, and share similar ligand/substrate binding affinities. Levels of both activities are significantly increased in uterus in response to hormone (estrogen) stimulation. These and other similarities indicate a possible relationship between the enzymatic and binding activities. A detailed chromatographic examination of these two activities in the present study revealed that while the type II sites and estradiol metabolizing activity exhibited virtually identical chromatographic properties on DEAE-high-performance liquid chromatography they are readily resolved on other chromatographic matrices, including phosphocellulose, DNA-cellulose, and S-Sepharose. These results demonstrate that type II binding sites are distinct from the tyrosinase-like enzyme activity previously described in rat uterine nuclear extracts.

Efficacy of five methods for the bound-free separation of gluco- and mineralocorticoids from type I, II and III receptors found in hepes- and tris-buffered mouse brain cytosol.

We compared the efficacy of G-25 and LH-20 column chromatography, dextran-coated charcoal adsorption, and DEAE-cellulose and glass fiber filter disc assays to separate unbound steroids from three classes of brain cytosolic receptors prepared in HEPES and TRIS buffers and labeled selectively as follows: Type I = [3H]aldosterone + unlabeled RU26988, Type II = [3H]triamcinolone acetonide and Type III = [3H]corticosterone + unlabeled Prorenone and RU26988. Prorenone and RU26988 were added to reduce unwanted [3H]steroid binding to Type I and Type II receptors, respectively. In each case total, non-specific and specific binding and free steroid were compared individually. No single assay was found to be best for all three receptor classes, but both buffers and most assays could be used with appropriate correction factors. Variations between the results with different assays suggest fundamental differences between the three classes of adrenosteroid receptors and their ligands.

An improved method for the quantification and recovery of rat uterine nuclear type II [3H]estradiol binding sites immobilized on a glass fiber matrix.

An improved assay for measuring ligand binding to extracted nuclear type II estrogen binding sites which involves preimmobilization on glass fiber filters is described. At least two classes of specific estrogen binding sites have been demonstrated in rat uterus as well as in a variety of other tissues and species and have been designated as type I and type II. Although the endogenous ligand to the type II binding site has recently been identified as methyl p-hydroxyphenyllactate (MeHPLA), tritiated estrogens are generally used for radiolabeling this site due to the susceptibility of MeHPLA to enzymatic hydrolysis in in vitro assays. After extracting the type II site from the nuclear matrix, ligand binding and protein stability appear to be significantly enhanced by first immobilizing the site on an artificial matrix, such as hydroxylapatite, before incubating with radiolabeled ligand. Immobilization of the extracted site on glass fiber filters results in higher specific binding and lower nonspecific binding when compared to hydroxylapatite and a number of other immobilization matrices. The glass fiber ligand exchange procedure for measuring type II binding can also be performed on smaller samples and requires less time than other methods. Type II sites are significantly stabilized when immobilized on glass and exhibit sigmoidal binding curves when incubated with increasing concentrations of [3H]estradiol and [3H]estrone and display inhibition data characteristic of that observed using more traditional assays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vitro effects of the extracellular protein of Renibacterium salmoninarum on phagocyte function in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis).

Renibacterium salmoninarum is a facultative intracellular pathogen often found in host phagocytes where it appears to successfully avoid the host fish's immunological defenses. The objective of this investigation was to determine if soluble extracellular protein (ECP) produced by R. salmoninarum may contribute to the immunomodulation in bacterial kidney disease (BKD) via inhibition of phagocyte respiratory burst and/or phagocytosis mechanisms. Splenic cells from adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were incubated with two different concentrations of ECP (0.1 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml) and viable R. salmoninarum. Splenic cell cultures were evaluated for respiratory burst activity via flow cytometry with the dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) assay and for phagocytosis via light microscopic assessment of microsphere engulfment. Respiratory burst activity was significantly inhibited in all treatment groups as compared to untreated fish, while no differences were noted in phagocytic activity.

Comparative susceptibility of Atlantic salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout to Myxobolus cerebralis in controlled laboratory exposures.

The susceptibility of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar to Myxobolus cerebralis, the causative agent of whirling disease, was compared in controlled laboratory exposures. A total of 450 (225 for each dose) fry for each species were exposed to a low (200 spores per fish) or high (2000 spores per fish) dose of the infective triactinomyxon. At 22 wk post-exposure, 60 fish from each group, as well as controls for each species, were examined for clinical signs (whirling behavior, blacktail, deformed heads and skeletal deformities), microscopic lesions, and presence of spores. Rainbow trout were highly susceptible to infection, with 100% being positive for spores and with microscopic pathological changes in both exposure groups. Rainbow trout were the only species to show whirling behavior and blacktail. Atlantic salmon were less susceptible, with only 44 and 61% being positive for spores, respectively, in the low and high dose groups, while 68 and 75%, respectively, had microscopic pathology associated with cartilage damage. Rainbow trout heads contained mean spore concentrations of 2.2 (low dose) or 4.0 (high dose) x 10(6) spores g tissue(-1). The means for positive Atlantic salmon (not including zero values) were 1.7 (low) and 7.4 (high) x 10(4) spores g tissue(-1). Lake trout showed no clinical signs of infection, were negative for spores in both groups and showed no histopathological signs of M. cerebralis infection.

Effects of whirling disease on selected hematological parameters in rainbow trout.

Hematological responses to whirling disease in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Two-mo-old fingerling rainbow trout were exposed to cultured triactinomyxon spores of Myxobolus cerebralis at 9,000 spores/fish in December, 1997. Twenty-four wks post-exposure, fish were taken from infected and uninfected groups for peripheral blood and cranial tissue sampling. Histological observations on cranial tissues confirmed M. cerebralis infection in all exposed fish. Differences in hematological parameters between the two groups included significantly lower total leukocyte and small lymphocyte counts for the infected fish. No effects on hematocrit, plasma protein concentration, or other differential leukocyte counts were noted.

Mycobacterial infections in striped bass from Delaware Bay.

Eighty striped bass Morone saxatilis were obtained from Delaware Bay using commercial gill nets set adjacent to Woodland Beach (n = 70) and Bowers Beach (n = 10) in December 2003. Fish were examined for gross lesions. Total lengths (TLs) and eviscerated weights were determined to calculate condition factors (K). Portions of spleens were aseptically harvested for bacterial culture, and portions of spleens, kidneys (anterior and posterior), livers, and gonads were obtained for histological examination. The size distribution of the striped bass was relatively homogeneous; the mean TL was about 600 mm for all samples. Mean K exceeded 0.95 in all samples and was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among samples. Significant differences in mycobacterial infection prevalence (P < or = 0.05) were observed among samples; samples obtained at Woodland Beach (WB) on December 10 (53.8%, n = 13) and December 17 (7.1%, n = 42) exhibited the most striking differences in prevalence. Mycobacterial infection intensity ranged from 1 X 10(2) to 1 X 10(7) colony-forming units per gram of spleen. Acanthocephalan infection prevalence and intensity, non-acid-fast bacterial infection prevalence, and fish sex ratio were also significantly different among the samples (P < or = 0.05). Similar to the mycobacterial infections, differences in sex ratio, acanthocephalan infection, and non-acid-fast bacterial infection were observed between the WB samples taken on December 10 and 17. However, no significant associations (P > 0.05) were observed between sex ratio or these infections and mycobacterial infection. The differences in bacterial and parasite infection prevalence and intensity and fish sex ratio in some samples indicate that these fish had a different history and that the epizootiology of mycobacterial infection in striped bass from Delaware Bay may be relatively complex.

ATP-dependent stabilization against microsomal factor-induced loss of unoccupied glucocorticoid receptors.

ATP stabilizes the unoccupied glucocorticoid receptor from brain at 12 degrees C, but only in the presence of a destabilizing microsomal factor. This stabilization is optimal at an ATP concentration of about 1 mM, higher concentrations resulting in an increase in the rate of heat inactivation. Other nucleotides, including CTP, GTP, UTP, ADP, cAMP and cGMP were ineffective in stabilizing receptors, although additions of some of these nucleotides actually resulted in further destabilization of the unoccupied glucocorticoid receptor.

Temperature-dependent kinetic correlates of the activation of the glucocorticoid-receptor complex.

The effects of temperature on the kinetics of activation were studied in [3H]triamcinolone acetonide[( 3H]TA)-labeled cytosol preparations from mouse whole brain. After removal of unbound [3H]TA and molybdate (which prevents activation) from the unactivated steroid-receptor complex by gel exclusion chromatography, activation was initiated by incubation at 6-30 degrees C for 0.75-24 min and then rapidly quenched at -5 degrees C with Na2MoO4 (20 mM final concentration). The loss of the 9.2S (unactivated) form of the [3H]TA-receptor complex and the concomitant formation of the 3.8S (activated) form increased dramatically with increases in the activation temperature. These hydrodynamic changes were correlated directly with rapid time- and temperature-dependent increases in the binding of [3H]TA-labeled cytosol to DNA-cellulose (DNA-C). Further analyses of these data revealed a greater than 50-fold increase in the apparent first-order rate constant for the increased binding to DNA-C as the activation temperature was increased from 6 degrees C to 30 degrees C. An Arrhenius plot of these temperature-dependent kinetic constants revealed an energy of activation of 116 kJ. These data support a proposed model for activation of the glucocorticoid-receptor complex that includes the splitting of a 297 kDa, unactivated species into a 92 kDa, activated species.

Activation of glucocorticoid-type II receptor complexes in brain cytosol leads to an increase in surface hydrophobicity as determined by hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography has been used to demonstrate an increase in the surface hydrophobicity of [3H]triamcinolone acetonide ([3H]TA)-labeled type II receptors in mouse brain cytosol following transformation of these receptor complexes to the activated DNA-binding form. After removing unbound [3H]TA and molybdate (which prevents activation) by gel filtration, [3H]TA-type II receptors were activated by incubation at 22 degrees C for 20 min. Gel filtration was then used to remove newly dissociated steroid and to readjust the molybdate and/or KCl concentration. Unactivated and activated receptors were then added to propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, and dodecyl alkyl agarose, phenyl agarose, or unmodified agarose columns equilibrated and eluted with buffers of various molybdate and KCl concentrations and/or other additions, including glycerol, ethylene glycol, and urea. Under high-salt conditions, activated receptors were retained longer than unactivated receptors run on butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and phenyl agaroses. With the longer alkyl chain columns, essentially none of the [3H]TA was eluted in association with receptor macromolecules. Removal of the remaining steroid required receptor denaturation with urea. Under low-salt conditions, both receptor forms were retained more avidly on all alkyl agarose columns; however, on phenyl agarose only activated receptors displayed this increased retention. Further studies revealed that optimal separation and subsequent recovery of unactivated and activated [3H]TA-type II receptor complexes were achieved on pentyl agarose columns equilibrated and eluted with buffers containing 50 mM molybdate and 600-1,200 mM KCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chemical differentiation of type I and type II receptors for adrenal steroids in brain cytosol.

Studies outlined here compare the properties of mineralocorticoid (Type I) and glucocorticoid (Type II) receptors in cytosol from adrenalectomized mouse brain. Pretreating cytosol with dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) produced a 4.7-fold increase in the subsequent macromolecular binding of the mineralocorticoid, [3H]aldosterone (20 nM ALDO, in the presence of a 50-fold molar excess of the highly specific synthetic glucocorticoid, RU 26988), whereas it produced a 55% decrease in the binding of the glucocorticoid, [3H]triamcinolone acetonide (20 nM TA). Scatchard analyses revealed that DCC pretreatment had no effect on the affinity or maximal binding of Type I receptors for [3H]ALDO (in the presence of a 0-, 50- or 500-fold excess of RU 26988), whereas it produced a 3- to 6-fold increase in the Kd, and an 8-43% decrease in the maximal binding, of Type II receptors for [3H]TA and [3H]dexamethasone. Optimal stability of unoccupied Type I receptors at 0 degree C was found to be achieved in buffers containing glycerol, but lacking molybdate. Although the addition of molybdate was found to reduce the loss in Type I receptor binding observed after incubating unlabelled cytosol at 12 or 22 degrees C, this stabilization was accompanied by a concentration-dependent reduction in the binding of [3H]ALDO at 0 degree C. Scatchard analyses showed that this reduction was due to a shift in the maximal binding, and not the affinity, of the Type I receptors for [3H]ALDO. The presence or absence of dithiothreitol in cytosol appeared to have little effect on the stability of Type I receptors. In contrast to our finding for Type I receptors, it was possible to stabilize the binding capacity of unoccupied Type II receptors, even after 2-4 h at 12 or 22 degrees C, if the glycerol containing buffers were supplemented with both molybdate and dithiothreitol. In summary, these results indicate distinct chemical differences between Type I and Type II receptors for adrenal steroids.

Inhibition of experimental lung metastasis by aerosol delivery of PEI-p53 complexes.

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the pathways mediated by the p53 protein are common in many human cancers. Replacement of functional p53 by gene therapy is a potential way of combating these cancers and the associated drug resistance and tumor growth. Aerosol delivery of genes is a noninvasive way of targeting genes to the lung for gene therapy. Here we demonstrate, using a murine melanoma lung metastasis model, that aerosol delivery of polyethyleneimine-p53 (PEI-p53) complexes inhibits the growth of lung metastasis. A significantly reduced number of visible foci were observed in C57BL/6 mice injected with B16-F10 melanoma and treated with PEI-p53 complexes by aerosol for 3 weeks at twice a week. Fifty percent of the mice in the PEI-p53-treated group exhibited no visible tumor foci. There was a significant reduction in the lung weights of p53-treated mice (P < 0.01) compared to control groups. The tumor burden was also significantly lower (P < 0.001) in mice treated with PEI-p53 complexes. No extrapulmonary metastasis was observed in the groups treated with PEI-p53 complexes compared to 50% of the mice in control groups, which showed metastasis to lymph nodes in the neck or abdomen. Treatment with PEI-p53 aerosol also led to about a 50% increase in the mean length of survival of the mice injected with B16-F10 cells. These data suggest that delivery of the p53 gene by aerosol using PEI as the gene delivery vector can inhibit the growth of lung metastasis.