T. Lynwood Barber, CO; Shane A. Brookshire, GA; Charles E. Brown, II, WI; Tammy Burton, NM; Joseph L. Corn, GA; Barbara Drolet, KS; Edward J. Dubovi, NY; Anita Edmonson, CA; James F. Evermann, WA; Robert W. Fulton, OK; Dorothy Geale, CAN; Robert F. Gerlach, AK; Paul Gibbs, FL; Chester A. Gipson, MD; William L. Hartmann, MN; Larry L. Hawkins, MO; Linda Hickam, MO; Robert B. Hillman, NY; Thomas J. Holt, FL; Oscar Kennedy, VA; Randall Levings, IA; Francine Lord, CAN; David T. Marshall, NC; Daniel G. Mead, GA; James O. Mecham, WY; Bennie I. Osburn, CA; Eileen N. Ostlund, IA; Charles Palmer, CA; James E. Pearson, IA; William Pittenger, MO; Justin Roach, OK; Shawn P. Schafer, ND; Charly Seale, TX; Laurie Seale, TX; John Shaw, IA; David E. Stallknecht, GA; Susan W. Tellez, TX; George O. Winegar, MI.

After a brief historical introduction, the authors describe a list of pathogens likely to be used by bioterrorists to adversely affect animal health and production, and eventually human health in case of zoonotic agents. The selection criteria for these numerous pathogens as well as the means available for their procurement, manipulation and dispersal are discussed. The potential consequences of this bioterrorism are evaluated mainly in economic terms. The authors conclude that the threat of bioterrorism is serious and suggest appropriate measures to prevent it or to limit its consequences.

An alternative solid support for oligonucleotide synthesis was developed by coupling a polymer colloid to a modified polyethylene filter disc. The functions on the polymer colloid not used for attachment to the surface were derivatized with a Jeffamine® diamine and loaded with appropriate deoxynucleoside succinates. The performance of this support system was evaluated and compared to existing resins.

Experiments involving injection of radio-iodinated albumin into the left renal arteries or left ureters of dogs indicate that the renal lymphatics are capable of a major contribution in returning to the circulation albumin (or other large molecules) escaping from renal capillaries. I131-albumin was injected into the jugular vein of controls or into the left renal artery or in retrograde manner into the left ureter of female dogs. Experimental groups included those with no obstruction, occlusion of left renal veins or left renal lymphatics, or both. Collections were made from the right femoral artery, both renal veins, thoracic duct and both ureters at frequent intervals for 2 to 4 hours. Data analysis included I131 concentration, specific activity, rate of recovery and selected ratios.

The present study compared the effects of acetylcholine to cyanide under the same experimental conditions of renal clearance in anesthetized dogs. Since cyanide is one of the few drugs for which the mechanism of action is known (cytotoxic hypoxia), some insight may be gained into the renal effects of acetylcholine since both produce direct natriuresis and diuresis. Infusion of 0.2 microgram/kg/min of acetylcholine and 12.0 microgram/kg/min of sodium cyanide into the left renal artery resulted in similar effects, i.e., increased fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These effects were immediate and ipsilateral. Both agents increased the renal plasma flow to the same extent. In addition, regression plots of the relation between changes in sodium excretion and changes in renal plasma flow were similar for both agents. The pattern of similar renal functional changes suggested that acetylcholine is not a mere renal vasodilator but that its action is also medicated through alterations on direct transport of ions.

Acetylcholine (Ach), when infused directly into the renal artery of a kidney, causes unilateral vasodilatation and increased salt excretion. Ciba 31-531 Ba, a nonspecific vasodilator, was infused both directly into the renal artery and given systemically, and the effects were compared to Ach. Infusion of Ach at 0.1 μg./kg./min. into the left renal artery (LRA) of an anesthetized dog effected a unilaterally increased salt excretion and increased effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and urine volume, but no demonstrable change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or blood pressure. Infusion of Ciba 31-531 Ba (LRA) at 0.1 mg./kg./min. resulted in a similar unilateral saluresis of approximately 50% increase over Ach with an increase in ERPF and urine volume but no change in GFR or blood pressure. The right kidney served as an internal control. When Ach and Ciba 31-531 Ba were given systemically, at higher doses there was a drop in blood pressure, decreased solute excretion, and decreased ERPF and GFR for both drugs. The effects of Ach were reversed with atropine. The effects of Ciba 31-531 Ba were not reversed by atropine or propranolol. The authors believe that the direct renal effects of these drugs are the results of direct tubular effects associated in some way with hemodynamic alterations.