A trans-Atlantic examination of haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus food habits.

The food habits of Melanogrammus aeglefinus were explored and contrasted across multiple north-eastern and north-western Atlantic Ocean ecosystems, using databases that span multiple decades. The results show that among all ecosystems, echinoderms are a consistent part of M. aeglefinus diet, but patterns emerge regarding where and when M. aeglefinus primarily eat fishes v. echinoderms. Melanogrammus aeglefinus does not regularly exhibit the increase in piscivory with ontogeny that other gadoids often show, and in several ecosystems there is a lower occurrence of piscivory. There is an apparent inverse relationship between the consumption of fishes and echinoderms in M. aeglefinus over time, where certain years show high levels of one prey item and low levels of the other. This apparent binary choice can be viewed as part of a gradient of prey options, contingent upon a suite of factors external to M. aeglefinus dynamics. The energetic consequences of this prey choice are discussed, noting that in some instances it may not be a choice at all.

Simultaneous neutralization and innate immune detection of a replicating virus by TRIM21.

Tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21) is a cytosolic immunoglobulin receptor that mediates antibody-dependent intracellular neutralization (ADIN). Here we show that TRIM21 potently inhibits the spreading infection of a replicating cytopathic virus and activates innate immunity. We used a quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based assay to measure in vitro replication of mouse adenovirus type 1 (MAV-1), a virus that causes dose-dependent hemorrhagic encephalitis in mice. Using this assay, we show that genetic ablation of TRIM21 or chemical inhibition of either the AAA ATPase p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP) or the proteasome results in a >1,000-fold increase in the relative level of infection in the presence of immune serum. Moreover, the TRIM21-mediated ability of antisera to block replication was a consistent feature of the humoral immune response in immunized mice. In the presence of immune sera and upon infection, TRIM21 also activates a proinflammatory response, resulting in secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These results demonstrate that TRIM21 provides a potent block to spreading infection and induces an antiviral state.

Pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin in children with stable renal transplants.

Fourteen children, aged between 5 and 17 years, with stable renal graft function and stable cyclosporin A (CSA) trough levels (Cmin) were studied. They had been taking CSA 12-hourly since their transplant 1.5-9 years previously, with the average dose of Neoral being 6.4 (range 4.4-8.4) mg/kg per day. CSA whole blood levels were measured at 0, 20, and 40 min, and at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h following the morning dose using the Abbott TDx fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The area under the concentration time curve (AUC), clearance adjusted for bioavailability (CL/F), and steady-state volume of distribution adjusted for bioavailability (Vss/F) were determined using model-independent pharmacokinetic analysis. Delay time (Tdel), peak concentration (Cmax), time to peak concentration (Tmax), and Cmin were also determined and correlated with AUC and other parameters. The Tdel in absorption varied from 0.3 to 1.6 (mean 0.73) h, resulting in a similarly variable time to Tmax of 1-2.4 h (mean 1.59). Tmax was related to the age of the patient (Tmax = 0.027 age + 1.41, r2 = 0.56, P < 0.005). The AUC showed good correlation with Cmax (Cmax = 0.25 AUC + 423.32, r2 = 0.96, P < 0.0005). Cmax appears to be a more-suitable measure of exposure to CSA than Cmin. Prediction of Tmax from the age of the child may help to overcome the problem of when to collect blood for peak levels.

Postnatal diagnosis and outcome of urinary tract abnormalities detected by antenatal ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of urinary tract abnormalities detected by antenatal ultrasound; the value of fetal renal measurements in predicting significant uropathy; and the nature and clinical outcome of fetal uropathy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective analysis of babies with urinary tract abnormalities detected before birth who were born at or referred to a teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and twenty-five babies born between June 1989 and November 1992. Sixty-nine babies were born at Westmead hospital and 56 were born elsewhere and referred to Westmead Hospital for investigation. RESULTS: The incidence of uropathy detected before birth among babies born at the teaching hospital was 5.1 per 1000 births. In 60% of these babies, significant abnormalities were confirmed after birth (3.1 per 1000 births). We found a significance of 71% and a specificity of 89% for fetal measurements in predicting significant uropathy. Among all 125 babies the most common abnormalities were pelviureteric junction (PUJ) anomalies (34%), minimal hydronephrosis (26%), ureteric reflux (18%) and multicystic kidney (7%). Pyeloplasty has been performed in 23 (46%) of the 52 kidneys with PUJ anomalies. Renal parenchymal abnormality was detected in four of 22 kidneys with ureteric reflux (18%). Of these four, all were exposed to Grade IV or V ureteric reflux but none had been infected. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal ultrasound is a sensitive, though nonspecific, tool for the non-invasive identification of congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract, which are common and frequently asymptomatic after birth. Although ureteric reflux may not be predicted from renal measurements, the degree of fetal hydronephrosis indicates the likelihood of obstructive abnormality and, thus, the extent of postnatal investigation required.

Markers for detection of supplementation in narcotic programs--deuterium-labeled methadone.

Specific deuterium labeling of methadone and use of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy technique permits rapid and quanitative determination of the ratio of the labeled to unlabeled drug in body fluids. A trideuertiomethadone (methadone-d3) was shown to have exactly the same analgesic activity and toxicity in mice as methadone. The rates of absorption, distribution, and excretion of methadone-d3 and methadone were identical in rats. These observations suggest that methadone-d3 may be used as an in vivo marker for monitoring methadone intake of patients, and thus may improve the effectiveness of methadone treatment programs.