Notes: Abstract CI-986 (5-[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H)-thione, choline salt) was evaluated for its effect on arachidonic acid metabolism by human neutrophils in response to different stimuli. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) release in response to calcium ionophore A23187 was 15 to 35 fold greater than the responses to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or serum-opsonized zymosan (SOZ), respectively, while the thromboxane B2 (TXB2) release response was similar for the three stimuli tested. CI-986 inhibited the release of LTB4 and TXB2 in response to A23187 with IC50s of 63.4 and 1.6 µM, respectively. In comparison, the compound inhibited SOZ-stimulated LTB4 release with an IC50 of 11.2µM, while having no effect on TXB2 at concentrations up to 100 µM. Conversely, CI-986 inhibited FMLP-stimulated LTB4 release by 42% at 100 µM, while inhibiting TXB2 release with an IC50 of 0.13 µM. These results demonstrate a stimulus-dependent inhibitory effect of CI-986 on human neutrophil eicosanoid metabolism.

Notes: Summary Two cases of ruptured duodenal ulcer occurring in patients previously treated with metrazol are described. The theory that there may be a causal relationship between the preceding metrazol therapy and the later gastrointestinal pathology is advanced.

Notes: Abstract The Solid State Imaging (SSI) experiment on the Galileo Orbiter spacecraft utilizes a high-resolution (1500 mm focal length) television camera with an 800 × 800 pixel virtual-phase, charge-coupled detector. It is designed to return images of Jupiter and its satellites that are characterized by a combination of sensitivity levels, spatial resolution, geometric fiedelity, and spectral range unmatched by imaging data obtained previously. The spectral range extends from approximately 375 to 1100 nm and only in the near ultra-violet region (∼ 350 nm) is the spectral coverage reduced from previous missions. The camera is approximately 100 times more sensitive than those used in the Voyager mission, and, because of the nature of the satellite encounters, will produce images with approximately 100 times the ground resolution (i.e., ∼ 50 m lp-1) on the Galilean satellites. We describe aspects of the detector including its sensitivity to energetic particle radiation and how the requirements for a large full-well capacity and long-term stability in operating voltages led to the choice of the virtual phase chip. The F/8.5 camera system can reach point sources of V(mag) ∼ 11 with S/N ∼ 10 and extended sources with surface brightness as low as 20 kR in its highest gain state and longest exposure mode. We describe the performance of the system as determined by ground calibration and the improvements that have been made to the telescope (same basic catadioptric design that was used in Mariner 10 and the Voyager high-resolution cameras) to reduce the scattered light reaching the detector. The images are linearly digitized 8-bits deep and, after flat-fielding, are cosmetically clean. Information ‘preserving’ and ‘non-preserving’ on-board data compression capabilities are outlined. A special “summation” mode, designed for use deep in the Jovian radiation belts, near Io, is also described. The detector is ‘preflashed’ before each exposure to ensure the photometric linearity. The dynamic range is spread over 3 gain states and an exposure range from 4.17 ms to 51.2 s. A low-level of radial, third-order, geometric distortion has been measured in the raw images that is entirely due to the optical design. The distortion is of the pincushion type and amounts to about 1.2 pixels in the corners of the images. It is expected to be very stable. We discuss the measurement objectives of the SSI experiment in the Jupiter system and emphasize their relationships to those of other experiments in the Galileo project. We outline objectives for Jupiter atmospheric science, noting the relationship of SSI data to that to be returned by experiments on the atmospheric entry Probe. We also outline SSI objectives for satellite surfaces, ring structure, and ‘darkside’ (e.g., aurorae, lightning, etc.) experiments. Proposed cruise measurement objectives that relate to encounters at Venus, Moon, Earth, Gaspra, and, possibly, Ida are also briefly outlined. The article concludes with a description of a ‘fully distributed’ data analysis system (HIIPS) that SSI team members intend to use at their home institutions. We also list the nature of systematic data products that will become available to the scientific community. Finally, we append a short ‘historical’ note outlining the responsibilities and roles of institutions and individuals that have been involved in the 14 year development of the SSI experiment so far.

Notes: Summary The first 30-min. gastric juice specimen following augmented histamine stimulation was collected from 32 patients. After measuring the volume and pH, each sample was divided into 2 equal parts, and one half was neutralized to pH 7.0. The paired samples were individually dialyzed and lyophilized, and their weight, hexose and nitrogen content, proteolytic enzyme activity, and B12 binding capacity were determined. When the paired samples were compared, in-vitro neutralization and dialysis reduced the concentration of the proteolytic enzyme activity and increased the concentration of hexoses and B12binding materials. In-vitro neutralization and dialysis reduced the weight of the samples and the total proteolytic enzyme activity, while the total B12 binding material was increased. The nitrogen concentration was reduced also by in-vitro neutralization and dialysis.

Notes: Summary Sera from 184 N'Dama cattle randomly selected and averaging 2.7 years of age were tested for the presence of specific antibodies toAnaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis andB. bigemina, using one or more serological tests including complement fixation, rapid card agglutination and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA). Tests forA. marginale andB. bovis were essentially negative. Utilising the IFA test 65% of the sera tested were positive forB. bigemina. Three randomly selected two-year-old N'Dama bulls were splenectomised. All three showed an acute recurrence of aB. bigemina parasitaemia. Two died following typical signs of acute babesiosis and a third recovered following diminazene therapy.No. evidence of either B. bovis orA. marginale recrudescence was observed in the single surviving bull.Babesia bigemina appears endemic in the N'Dama cattle of The Gambia but no confirmed serological or clinical evidence ofB. bovis orA. marginale was observed.

Notes: Summary Tick collection on one side of the body and whole tail was performed weekly over one year on 11 Gambian N'Dama(Bos taurus) and 11 Gobra zebu(Bos indicus) cattle to assess breed susceptibility to naturally occurring ticks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was also performed to assess the serological prevalence ofAnaplasma marginale antigen andBabesia bigemina antibody. Packed red cell volume was measured and liveweight gain was recorded. Significantly higher numbers ofAmblyomma variegatum (P〈0·002) andHyalomma spp.(P〈0·001) were found on Gobra zebu than on N'Dama cattle. The serological prevalence ofA. marginale antigen was significantly(P〈0·001) lower in N'Dama breed, whilst no difference in the serological prevalence ofB. bigemina antibody was found between N'Dama and Gobra cattle. Packed red cell volume was negatively affected byA. marginale infection in both breeds, but to a lesser extent in N'Dama cattle. Liveweight gain was significantly(P〈0·003) higher in N'Dama in comparison with Gobra cattle during the period of abundance ofA. variegatum andHyalomma spp. adults. The significantly lower burdens ofA. variegatum andHyalomma spp. ticks in Gambian N'Dama in comparison with Gobra zebu cattle confirms previous findings. It also shows a more deleterious effect of ticks and tick-borne diseases on animal production and health in Gobra zebu than in N'Dama cattle. The presence of a tick resistant trait in N'Dama cattle is suggested.

Notes: Abstract In the processing of pulsed electrical signals of physiological origin (as well as signals from other sources), it is desirable to be able to provide a stable d.c. baseline and to suppress noise. This paper examines various design considerations for such a system and presents the complete electrical schematic for one design. Photographs of system performance are included.

Notes: Abstract A 4-electrode electronic half bridge which utilises solid-state operational amplifiers is described. This system, because of its extremely high input impedance, virtually eliminates the effects of a.c. electrode polarisation impedance in the measurements of the electrical properties of electrolytes. The system finds application in a.c. biological impedance spectroscopy.