Molecular cloning, expression and enzymatic activity of a thioredoxin peroxidase from Dirofilaria immitis.

A Dirofilaria immitis cDNA clone encoding a nucleic acid homolog of thioredoxin peroxidase (nDiTPx) was isolated from a fourth-stage larval cDNA library, using serum from dogs vaccinated by chemotherapeutically-abbreviated D. immitis larval infections. The protein encoded by nDiTPx had a predicted molecular mass of 22.1 kDa and the deduced amino acid sequence was homologous to thioredoxin peroxidase-like sequences described in other filarial nematodes, yeast, bacteria and mammals. As is true for other members of this peroxiredoxin family, the nDiTPx-encoded protein had the conserved cysteine near the amino terminus, considered to be essential for enzyme activity. nDiTPx was expressed in E. coli and the resulting recombinant fusion protein was shown to have thioredoxin peroxidase (TPx) activity, by its ability to protect DNA from oxidative-nicking in a metal-catalyzed oxidation system. A polyclonal antibody to the DiTPx fusion protein detected a 22-kDa native protein in D. immitis larval and adult parasite extracts.

Mosquito sensitivity to a scorpion neurotoxin expressed using an infectious Sindbis virus vector.

The scorpion, Androctonus australis Hector, produces an insect-specific toxin (AaHIT) encoded by the Scotox gene. To assess the toxicity of AaHIT for mosquitoes, we have taken a novel approach to express the Scotox gene in vivo. We have engineered a double subgenomic Sindbis (dsSIN) virus that contains the Scotox gene in the viral genome and intrathoracically inoculated the virus (TE/3'2J/Scotox) into mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Ae. triseriatus and Culex pipiens), houseflies (Musca domestica) and ticks (Dermacentor andersoni). Mosquitoes, which normally show no pathologic effects from Sindbis (SIN) virus infections, died 1-5 days after infection with TE/3'2J/Scotox virus. Neither flies nor ticks were killed. The mosquitocidal action of AaHIT in mosquitoes makes AaHIT a potential candidate for inclusion in molecular-based methods of mosquito control. The expression of an arthropod gene in vivo demonstrates the utility of dsSIN expression vectors for future use to examine and potentially disrupt endogenous gene functions in mosquitoes.

Incidence of nosocomial aspergillosis in patients with leukemia over a twenty-year period.

The incidence of invasive nosocomial aspergillosis was studied in leukemia patients at an oncology center from 1964 to 1983. A total of 97 cases of aspergillosis occurred in 1,866 patients, yielding an overall case rate of 5.2 cases per 100 patients and an incidence rate of 9.1 per 10,000 patient days. The highest incidence rate was in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (13.7 cases per 10,000 patient days), followed by patients with acute myelogeneous leukemia (10.6 cases per 10,000 patient days). Subdividing patients after 1978 into those receiving bone marrow transplantation and those who did not demonstrated the predisposition of transplant recipients to aspergillosis. The rates of aspergillosis among those patients who did not receive a bone marrow transplant were highest for patients with acute myelogeneous leukemia. Increases in the annual rates of aspergillosis over time coincided with the level of internal renovation activity and major construction projects upwind of patient care facilities.

A study of benefits offered volunteer clinical faculty.

The School of Health Related Professions (HRP) at State University of New York at Buffalo offers its volunteer clinical faculty (VCF) a number of benefits and privileges. These VCF are professionals who train students but do not receive monetary compensation for doing so. A study was conducted to determine what benefits/privileges are valued and used most, the impact and use of tuition waivers (TWs), and other benefits the VCF would desire. A survey was sent to 383 VCF, and 233 (61%) responded. The results showed that VCF valued, in order of priority: TWs, University library privileges, faculty parking, photocopying service, clinical faculty awards, use of recreational facilities, and faculty discounts. The data revealed that 42% of the respondents had used TWs, and the study demonstrated that TWs promote the University's graduate programs. The data supported the contention that TWs play a significant role in recruiting and rewarding VCF. As a result, University financial support for TWs was not eliminated. The feasibility and cost of implementing other incentives for VCF participation, suggested by the VCF, will be investigated by the School of HRP in the future.

Into the looking glass: self-assessment for allied health faculty development.

Frequently allied health faculty are unprepared to assume the role of professional academician. Instituting a professional development program can assist faculty in enhancing their effectiveness in that role. As the first step, a faculty group in the School of Health Related Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, designed a questionnaire to obtain information on faculty members' judgments about their own skills in various activities--teaching, research, writing, service, and administration--and the importance of these activities. The goal of this survey was to identify those activities for which there was the greatest need for faculty development. Research and writing were identified as areas having the greatest overall potential for professional development. The survey also provided groundwork for implementing an on-going professional development program that could be systematically evaluated.