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Biomedical subjects

E Fowler

Publications and source records attributed to E Fowler.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Insecticidal effects of an insect-specific neurotoxin expressed by a recombinant baculovirus.

The scorpion Androctonus australis has a peptide (AaIT) which selectively targets the insect sodium channel. This mode of action is similar to that of many widely used chemical insecticides. When Bombyx mori larvae were infected with a recombinant baculovirus carrying a synthetic AaIT gene, the expressed protein was secreted into the hemolymph and caused symptoms consistent with sodium channel blocking, including tremors and feeding cessation at 40 hr p.i. followed by paralysis and death by 60 hr p.i. Larvae infected with control virus died by 96 hr p.i. These results indicate that foreign genes can be used in recombinant baculoviruses to reduce insect feeding damage and increase the rate of insect kill.

Amino Acid Sequence

Development of a recombinant baculovirus expressing an insect-selective neurotoxin: potential for pest control.

Recombinant nuclear polyhedrosis viruses (NPVs) expressing insect-selective toxins, hormones, or enzymes could enhance their insecticidal properties. We have constructed a recombinant, polyhedrin-positive Autographa californica NPV (AcNPV) that is orally infectious and expresses an insect-selective toxin (AaIT), isolated from the scorpion Androctonus australis, under the control of the p10 promoter. Bioassays with the recombinant baculovirus on 2nd instar larvae of Heliothis virescens demonstrated a significant decrease in the time to kill (LT50 88.0 hours) compared to wild-type AcNPV (LT50 125 hours). Production of AaIT was confirmed by western blot analysis of larval hemolymph from infected H. virescens, and bioassays with larvae of Sarcophaga falculata.

Animals

Evaluation of an alginate dressing for pressure ulcers.

Pressure ulcers that secrete moderate to large amounts of fluid often cause leakage from under dressings, odor, staining of clothing, denuding of the skin, and pain. Two highly absorbent dressings derived from seaweed have been introduced into the U.S. market for use in the management of exuding wounds. Severely debilitated patients with full-thickness pressure ulcers were treated for one week to three months with one of these alginate dressings (Kaltostat). The handling and performance characteristics of the dressing are discussed.

Administration, Topical

Custom-fitted appliances for intestinal fistulas.

A method for containing troublesome intestinal stomas or fistulas in open wounds is described. Custom-fitted faceplates are made using alginate materials and vulcanizing silicone rubber at room temperature. Three patients have been presented illustrating the rehabilitation and palliation that can be achieved by collaborative interaction between surgeons, enterostomal therapists, and prosthetic technicians.

Adult

Black light induction of skin tumors in mice.

Albino inbred mice (A/J strain exposed to 40-w black light fluorescent lamps (BLB) for 12 hr a day for up to a year developed inflammatory and hyperplastic responses on hairless ear and tail skin, but not on back skin covered by hair. After 1 year of such exposure, many individuals developed papillomas, carcinomas, and sarcomas on their ears and tails. It may be concluded that black light is a skin carcinogen for A/J mice.

Animals