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Thirty-six growing male rats were fed 1 of 6 diets for 4 wk: (1) semipurified basal diet (B) with 10% corn oil, 21.6% fat calories (FC), 14 g B diet/day; (2) B + 1 g of coconut oil (32% FC); (3) B + 1 g olive oil; (4) B + 1 g corn oil; (5) B + 2.25 g starch (18.7% FC); and (6) B + 2 g coconut oil (40% FC). Weight gain and nitrogen balance were higher (p 0.05). It may be suggested that under restricted energy intake conditions (67% to 75% of the requirements) a high-fat diet (32% to 40% fat calories), including a diet rich in highly saturated coconut oil, can serve as a source of energy and contribute to improved nitrogen balance, without elevating blood cholesterol levels.

A previous report of a large, double blind, efficacy trial of an experimental Group B meningococcal outer membrane protein vaccine carried out in Norwegian Teenagers, showed a protection rate of 57%. Previous studies had demonstrated the occurrence of mutations in the class-1 outer membrane protein which alter its immunological properties. The occurrence of new mutations might compromise the efficacy of a vaccine and explain the occurrence of any vaccine failures. The porA gene, which encodes expression of the class 1 protein, was sequenced in all isolates from vaccine failures and compared to that of the vaccinating strain H44/76 (B:15:P1.7,16). The porA DNA and deduced amino acid sequences were all identical to that of the vaccinating strain except for that of one isolate which had a sequence identical to strains previously reported in Norway and England with a 'masked P1.7' epitope. The absence of new mutations in the trial was encouraging for the further development of outer membrane protein vaccines.

A potentially Listeria-specific 28 base oligonucleotide probe was designed from 16S rRNA sequence data. Using either 32P or non-radioactive (alkaline phosphatase) labels, the probe was shown to be highly specific as it hybridised to RNA extracted from all of the species of Listeria but not to any of the other bacteria tested. Both probe methods were highly sensitive and ca 102 cfu/ml Listeria could be detected in pure cultures. A rapid procedure for extracting RNA from milk. Camembert and cottage cheese was developed. This allowed the direct application of the probe to these foods and gave a rapid and specific method of detecting > 102 cfu/g or ml Listeria in these foods.

An amperometric electrochemical immunoassay specific for protein A-bearing Staphylococcus aureus was developed. The method was based on a sandwich immunosorbent assay and incorporated an enzyme amplification step, using a NAD-specific redox cycle generating NADH (C. H. Stanley, A. Johannsson, and C. H. Self, J. Immunol. Methods 83:89-95, 1985). Reduction of the mediator, ferricyanide, was dependent on the initial concentration of antigen. The final potential was measured by using a Pt disk electrode polarized at +0.8 V to the Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The assay was rapid (4 h) and generated protein A- and cell (S. aureus)-dependent signals. The system was highly sensitive and could detect 10 pg of protein A ml-1 and less than 100 CFU of S. aureus ml-1. Similar sensitivities were observed with S. aureus cultures inoculated into beef and milk, but the sensitivity was reduced slightly (ca. 10(3) g-1) with samples of Cheddar cheese.

An overview of the standard flight data recorder (SFDR) program is presented. The SFDR is a multifunction, crash-survivable, solid-state flight data recorder which gathers incident, structural fatigue, engine performance, individual aircraft tracking, and maintenance diagnostics data. The SFDR is in the process of being applied as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) across the US Air Force and Navy aircraft fleets. The authors describe how Smiths Industries, SLI Avionic Systems Corp. has addressed the challenge of developing an acquisition strategy and integration concept, and they focus on the integrated logistics support plan for the GFE program, involving the many US Air Force logistics centers and US Navy aviation depots responsible for the wide range of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft to receive the SFDR system. >

Based on differences in reaction pattern with monoclonal antibodies against the P1.16 epitope, a new variant of the class 1 protein in Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B was identified in Norway. A single amino acid deletion was revealed when the part of the gene region encoding the second variable region of the protein was sequenced. This new variant was designated P1.16c. About 5% of the B:15:P1.7,16 strains in Norway from the time period 1987-1991 were P1.16c. In a localized area in Southern Norway, 5/8 (62%) of the P1.7,16 strains were P1.16c. The P1.16b mutant, recently described in England, was not found among the Norwegian meningococcal isolates. Strains carrying the P1.16c mutation showed increased resistance to bactericidal killing, not only by P1.16-specific monoclonal antibodies, but also by the sera from individuals immunized with a vaccine based on outer membranes from a B:15:P1.7,16 strain.