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60 / Abstracts 78. BIOLOGIC DATA OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES HELD IN CAPTIVITY C.T. Ribeiro, M.R. Andrade, V.F. Silva, E.M. Molinaro, M.B. Goncalves, M.A. Marques, P. Cabello, and J.P. Leite FIOCRUZ, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, Brazil The establishment of biologic data for animals bred for scientific purposes is cru- cial for dealing with a series of practical situations in animal management, including diagnosis and treatment of sick animals, improvement of therapies and experimenta- tion. With the intent to determine baseline biologic parameters for non-human pri- mates held in closed colonies, hematological and morphometric data of 262 clinically healthy rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), 82 cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and 60 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) were collected over a period of 5 years. Animals were separated according to sex and divided into five age groups. The hematological data were compared with those in the literature by Student's t test. Great discrepancies with significance levels of 95 to 99% were found between hematological data as compared with the consulted literature. These differences may be accentuated by environmental factors and by variations in analytical procedures. In the biometric studies, growth curves showed that the sexual dimorphism of rhesus monkeys appeared at an age of four years. In earlier ages, the differences between sexes could not be distinguished (a = 0.05). Sexual dimorphism in both squirrel mon- keys and cynomolgus occurred at an age of about 32 months. The biological data and growth curves presented in this paper could be useful for comparative purposes in studies using primates under similar conditions. 79. HEALTH MONITORING IN A CLOSED RHESUS MONKEY (MACACA MULATTA) COLONY M.R. Andrade1, J. Yee2, N. Lerche2, P. Barry2, A. Spinner2, J.P. Leite1, and J. Roberts2 1 California Regional Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis CA, USA; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21045-900, Brazil 2 California Regional Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis CA, USA Epidemiological monitoring is a primary mechanism for evaluation of the health status of an animal colony. Microbiologic tests should be carried out on a routine basis to provide an assessment of colony health. A serological survey was performed on a closed colony of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) as a first step to producing SPF macaques. The animals were grouped according to their age and gender. Sera were evaluated by ELISA tests and confirmed by Western Blot for detecting antibodies against Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), Simian Retrovirus Virus type D (SRV/ D), Simian T-Limphotropic Virus (STLV), Herpes B Virus (BV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Measles (Ms) and Hepatitis A (HAV). In 272 samples, the seroprevalence (%) was as following: BV = 45, CMV = 95, HAV = 35, Ms = 0.7. No antibodies were detected against the simian retroviruses (SIV, SRV/D and STLV). The seroprevalence was found to vary by age for each virus demonstrating different epidemiological patterns for each agent. The finding that the colony was seronegative for the three tested retroviruses is important information for the development of an SPF colony. The seroprevalence in this colony is similar to other Primate Centers with defined health status. These re- sults emphasize the relevance of the health monitoring, in colony management and its Abstracts / 61 value in planning establishment of an SPF colony. Supported by CAPES and CRPRC (Base Grant RR00169). 80. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PRIMATOLOGISTS: 2001 S.J. Schapiro Department of Veterinary Sciences, UTMDACC, 650 Cool Water Dr., Bastrop, TX, 78602-9733, USA Every decade or so, the treasurer of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) pub- lishes a report on the current membership characteristics of ASP. The first two such re- ports appeared in 1982 and 1993, respectively. Each year, when members join the American Society of Primatologists, they answer a series of questions designed to evaluate the compo- sition and interests of the Society. There were 775 ASP members in 2001; 457 full mem- bers, 237 student members, 24 retired members, and 59 source country primatologists receiving complimentary memberships (a combination of both full and student members). This represents a 15.7% increase in overall membership during the past decade. Over the years, the proportion of student (34.4%) and retired (3.1%) members has grown consider- ably, while the proportion of regular (62.5%) members has decreased correspondingly. Women now comprise 61% of the membership, an increase of almost 10% in the last decade. Recent changes in the assessment of annual dues have resulted in two important membership changes. First, 7.6% of current ASP members are source country primatologists receiving complimentary memberships in ASP AND complimentary subscriptions to the American Journal of Primatology (AJP). Secondly, mandatory subscription to AJP for full and student members in 2000 resulted in an immediate 8.7% decrease in membership. However, cur- rent membership trends suggest this loss in members will be recovered by 2002. 81. BEHAVIORAL AND CORTISOL RESPONSES OF RHESUS MONKEYS (MACACA MULATTA) TO IMPOSSIBLE TASKS A.L. Pouliot1, B.M. Kaufman1, M.D. Davenport2, C.K. Lutz1, S. Tiefenbacher1, J.S. Meyer2, and M.A. Novak1,2 1 Harvard Medical School, NERPRC, 1 Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772, New England Regional Primate Research Center, 1 Pine Hill Drive, Behavioral Biology, Room 245, Southborough, MA, 01772-9102, USA 2 University of Massachusetts, Department of Psychology, Amherst, MA 01003 Impossible tasks can be used to evaluate how rhesus monkeys cope with challenging events. In this study, 16 rhesus monkeys were exposed to a task requiring the removal of a treat from a clear Plexiglas box. During the first two days, the opening of the box always faced the monkey allowing for easy treat retrieval (center trials). On the next two days, task difficulty was increased; center trials were interspersed with trials in which the opening faced the side (mixed trials). On the last day, subjects were exposed to an impossible version of the task in which the treat was visible but there was no opening to the box. Frequency of behaviors was recorded during each trial, and saliva was collected before and after each task type for subsequent cortisol assay. Disturbance behavior, in- cluding self-biting, threats, yawns, and cage shaking, was highest during the impossible trials, intermediate during the mixed trials, and lowest during the center trials. A similar pattern was noted for mean number of reaches. Cortisol levels decreased significantly during each task but did not vary as a function of task type. However, the change in cortisol was negatively correlated with the number of reaches on the impossible task (r = ­0.60, p < .02). Although task difficulty influences behavioral responses, its association with cortisol is less clear. Supported by NCRR Grants #RR11122 and #RR00168. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A patient demonstrating the classical features of congenital erythropoietic porphyria is described and the suspected nature of the metabolic defect and some aspects of pathology in the skin and bone marrow are discussed. Investigations are reported, which failed to demonstrate an auto-immune basis for the haemolytic anaemia. Problems of dental treatment are reported. The various forms of treatment, tried both for the patient's light sensitivity and for her haemolytic anaemia, are described. It is concluded that no adequate form of treatment of the light sensitivity or of the haemolytic anaemia has been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of levels of pesticides residues in foods and crops most often requires extensive cleanup and instrumental techniques such as gas chromatography. Immunoassay measurement techniques, on the other hand, may be used directly on the test portion or require only minimal cleanup. Further refinements of the common antibody-enzyme-based solid-phase assays, such as use of coated magnetic particles, antibody-coated crystals, and continuous-flow devices, have extended the measurement range and applicability of these assays. Likewise, new immunoassays for pesticides have been developed, and existing assays have been refined, optimized, and more completely characterized and validated. In addition to their ability to accurately and reliably measure amounts of residues present in food and crops, immunoassays can be readily used as rapid screening methods for contaminants in field samples. We have previously reviewed much of the work in the area of pesticide immunoassay; this report updates previous information and discusses some new immunoassay techniques.

Determination of the presence and levels of pesticide residues in food is fundamental in monitoring and regulatory programs. Residues are separated from the food matrix by solvent extraction, followed by cleanup steps. The residues are most often identified and quantitated by instrumental analysis, usually liquid or gas chromatography. Extraction and cleanup are often laborious and time-consuming; determination requires expensive, sophisticated instrumentation. There is a need for rapid, easily performed tests, such as immunoassays, that could be used for screening under field conditions or for quantitation of residues in foods in the laboratory. Although a large number of immunoassays have been developed for pesticide chemicals, very few have been specifically applied to foods, and only a very small number are currently available commercially. The agencies charged with monitoring and regulatory responsibilities--Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and U.S. Department of Agriculture--as well as professional societies such as AOAC and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, are investigating and developing guidelines for test kit evaluation and standards to be met before a kit can be accepted as a practical and useful method of analysis for use in their programs.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for human cell surface antigens were used to develop a technique for the simultaneous analysis of several antigenic determinants. The procedure was used to measure the relative expression of specific cell antigens during cultural growth. Epitope ratio analysis (ERA) is applicable to many systems requiring measurement of such differential antigen expression.

To study the fate of a low molecular weight antigen (hapten) in the circulation of animals whose sera contain antibodies specific for that low molecular weight antigen, a single injection of digoxin-(3)H (0.4 mg/kg) was administered intravenously to 18 rabbits. Thirteen animals (nine nonimmunized and four immunized with bovine serum albumin) served as control animals. In five rabbits which had been immunized with a digoxin-bovine serum albumin conjugate and whose sera contained digoxin-specific antibodies, the mean 12-h serum digoxin concentration was 8,300 ng/ml (control: 92 ng/ml) and the mean serum concentration 12 mo after the single injection of digoxin-(3)H was 85 ng/ml. In digoxin-immunized rabbits, less than 10% of the digoxin-(3)H was excreted in the first 10 days (control: 77% recovered in urine and feces) and the mean biological half-life of digoxin, as calculated from serum digoxin-(3)H disappearance curves, was 72 days (control: 3.4 days). In sera of digoxin-immunized rabbits, more than 90% of the circulating digoxin-(3)H was immunoglobulin bound, as determined by the double-antibody and dextran-coated charcoal methods. The serum disappearance rate of (125)I-antidigoxin antibodies was similar in nonimmunized and in immunized animals and in the presence or absence of digoxin. It is concluded that the biological half-life of a hapten may be markedly prolonged when the hapten is bound to specific antibody. The persistence of antibody-hapten complexes in the circulation suggests that these complexes may not be deposited in tissues and raises the possibility that low molecular weight determinants may be capable of preventing or reversing the deposition of immune complexes, containing macromolecular antigens, in the tissues of experimental animals and man.

Single-chain antigen-binding proteins are novel recombinant polypeptides, composed of an antibody variable light-chain amino acid sequence (VL) tethered to a variable heavy-chain sequence (VH) by a designed peptide that links the carboxyl terminus of the VL sequence to the amino terminus of the VH sequence. These proteins have the same specificities and affinities for their antigens as the monoclonal antibodies whose VL and VH sequences were used to construct the recombinant genes that were expressed in Escherichia coli. Three of these proteins, one derived from the sequence for a monoclonal antibody to growth hormone and two derived from the sequences of two different monoclonal antibodies to fluorescein, were designed, constructed, synthesized, purified, and assayed. These proteins are expected to have significant advantages over monoclonal antibodies in a number of applications.

A case of midcervical diastematomyelia presenting as acute traumatic hemiplegia in an adult is discussed, with emphasis upon features reflecting this particular location. Advantages of metrizamide computed tomographic imaging in the diagnosis of this entity are presented, and a method of operative management is outlined.

When schizont-infected erythrocytes were incubated with N-acetyl glucosamine coupled to bovine serum albumin (GluNAc-BSA), the number of new ring forms which appeared several hours later was reduced and the number of abnormal and unruptured schizont-infected erythrocytes was increased compared with controls, indicating that GluNAc-BSA prevents invasion by a toxic effect on schizonts rather than by receptor blockade. Invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against glycophorin A, but inhibition also occurred with P. knowlesi, a parasite that is known to invade independently of glycophorin A. Inhibition of invasion with anti-glycophorin A is unlikely to be related to receptor blockade and is probably related to decreased deformability of the erythrocyte membrane caused by the binding of this antibody. Previous studies suggesting that GluNAc-BSA and anti-glycophorin A antibodies inhibit invasion by receptor blockade should be reevaluated. Erythrocytes deficient in glycophorin C and band 4.1 were also resistant to invasion by both P. falciparum and P. knowlesi.