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PIP: Despite the availability of a safe, effective polysaccharide vaccine, group A meningococcal meningitis epidemics persist in sub-Saharan Africa. In October 1996, there were almost 150,000 reported cases and 15,000 deaths, the majority of which involved children. At 3 months of age, induction of protective group A meningococcal antibody levels requires 2 injections at least 1 month apart. Reinjection of 5-year-old children increases group A antibodies to long-term protective levels. During meningitis epidemics in Nigeria, Mali, and Rwanda, fatality was significantly reduced in areas where scarce vaccine was administered selectively. Although effective on an individual basis, selective vaccination is unable to control meningitis epidemics. In Chad, mass vaccination of the entire population (excluding infants under 12 months) eliminated the disease. Successful mass vaccination against group A meningococcal epidemics also has been reported in Saudi Arabia, China, and refugee camps in Africa. Although cost is cited as an obstacle to routine mass vaccination to prevent meningococcal meningitis in South Africa, prevention is the least expensive approach to disease control. It is recommended that the entire population of Africa's meningitis belt receive group A meningococcal vaccine in accordance with the recommended age schedule in a mass vaccination program.^ieng

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The Ah locus encodes a cytosolic receptor which controls the induction of enzymes that metabolize drugs, chemical carcinogens, and other environmental pollutants. B6NXC3N recombinant inbred lines have been developed from the progenitors C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN inbred mouse strains. Ah phenotyping at each generation has resulted in the establishment of some lines containing high levels of the high-affinity Ah receptor; other lines, very low levels. A genetic model involving two unlinked loci is offered to explain the distribution of Ah receptor levels among (C57BL/6N) (C3H/HeN)F2 individuals. Between generations 7 and 13, individual females and males from the B6NXC3N recombinant inbred lines were crossed with DBA/2N males and females. Presence of high levels of the high-affinity Ah receptor in both female and male B6NXC3N mice was found to be associated with greater fertility, fitness, and longer life span. The data suggest that these parameters are correlated with the Ah locus or a closely segregating gene.

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The kinetic data presented in the previous paper (Mihalyi, E., et al. (1976), Biochemistry 15, preceding paper in this issue), with respect to the fragmentation of human the bovine fibrinogen by either plasmin or trypsin, were compared with several chemical kinetic models. The models were derived mathematically on the basis of the three-nodular structure of fibrinogen (Hall, C.E., and Sayter, H.S. (1959), J. BiophysBiochem. Ctyol. 5, 11) and the asymmetrical cleavage sequence first proposed by Marder, V.J., et. al. ((1969) J. Biol. Chem. 244, 2111). The parameters were determined by nonlinear curve fitting. The whole process could be described accurately by only two rate constants. Several variant models were tested and, although a clear cut choice cannot be made, one of these, the protected three-bonds model, appears to give the best fit in most cases. This model assumes that the chain segment that distinguishes F from X protects certain other chains (the bonds) from proteolytic cleavage.

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We describe here apparatus and procedures for conducting potentiometric titrations and for analyzing the collected data in terms of the number of components present, their amounts and their midpoint potentials. Using these procedures we have determined the presence of three forms of cytochrome b1 in Escherichia coli with midpoint potentials at pH 7.1 OF about minus 50, plus 110 and plus 220 mV. We were not able to demonstrate a change in any of these potentials by the addition of phosphate, ATP, or 2, 4-dinitrophenol. We have been able to confirm the presence of two forms of cytochrome b in non-energized mitochondria and the apparent conversion of the low-potential component to a new high potential component upon energization of the mitochondria. However we cite further experimental data that question the actual conversion of one form of cytochrome b to another. An alternative interpretation based on our analysis suggests that the high voltage component may be present in a masked form in the non-energized mitochondria.

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