Harmful algal blooms

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data in support of their hypothesis. In particular, work in mice showed that cells expressing both CD4 and CD26 on their On Oct 26 a team of French biologists surface can be infected with HIV, whereas headed by Prof Ara G Hovanessian cells expressing only one of the receptors remain infection free. If confirmed, these (CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris) made public some important findings on the findings have large implications for molecular mechanisms of infection by treatment and prevention by vaccination. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).: This announcement was made at the 8th : They claim to have identified a second "Cents Gardes" colloquium. The results cellular receptor on the surface of lymhave been submitted for publication; but, for of virus into in this area of intense competition, the necessary entry phocytes, cells. This molecule, which they call CD26, researchers chose to establish their priority would complement the action of CD4, without waiting for a decision from the which is known to be necessary but not journal. sufficient in the process of viral infection. The French workers advance experimental Jean-Yves Nau

Second HIV receptor?

Harmful algal blooms The first New Zealand outbreak of shellfish poisoning, an "ambush predator" of fish, and the apparent global increase in red tides dominated the Sixth International Conference on Toxic Marine Phytoplankton, held in Nantes, France, on Oct 18-22. The 1992/93 outbreak in New Zealand involved 180 cases and this is the first outbreak of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning to be recorded outside the Atlantic. It involved a complex of poisons plus a new Gymnodinium brevey-like species. Lurking in the murky depths of the Pamlico Estuary on the east coast of the United States is a strange beast indeed: amoebas, sensing warmer waters and passing fish shoals, sprout flagella, then swarm up for a gruesome kill. Aerosolisation of the unidentified toxins from this mainly

laware and the Gulf of Mexico, to the north and south, respectively, of the estuary. : for the of apparent spread Explanations harmful algal blooms were: increased awareness, natural variability, or a real increase in the extent and the number of species involved, as a result of anthropogenic factors. Such factors include eutrophication, loss of wetlands, altered predation pressures (from overfishing and fish diseases), and superimposed global change. The New Zealand outbreak and one off South Africa involved changes in winds and sea surface temperatures associated with the major climate v phenomenon known as El Nino, whose increased frequency in the past decade suggests climate instability. International bodies (the Intergovernmental Oceano-

graphic Commission, FAO, WHO, the

News in Brief Kala

azar

In Sudan The World Health

Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund have confirmed that an epidemic of kala azar is spreading across Sudan and have issued an emergency appeal for US$4’4 million to control it. Widespread treatment of all possible cases is thought to be the only means of halting the spread; vector control is impractical because the population is thinly spread out in parts of the country. The scale of the appeal is based on finding and treating 30 000 patients. UK management structure to change To reduce "duplication and needless bureaucracy" the UK health secretary Virginia Bottomley has announced that she is to rid England of its fourteen regional health authorities. The number will initially be reduced to eight then, with parliament’s approval, these will be abolished. In their place will be eight small regional offices of the NHS management executive. Mrs Bottomley said that these changes will save on administration expenses and release sources to be spent directly on patient care. But critics fear that the abolition of these authorities will increase direct governmental control and lead to a less publicly accountable service.

Skirball Institute of Blomolecular Medicine New York University has opened this$75 million laboratory for research into HIV infection and cancer. New York’s share of national research grants fell by 10% between 1987 and 1990, leaving Boston as the leading centre for medical research in the US. To combat this decline in activity, Mayor David Dinkins

World Meteorological Organisation, and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research) have formed an International bottom-dwelling predatory dinoflagellate Programme on Harmful Algal Blooms. The called Pfiesteria piscimorte, caused eight apparent spreading of coastal algal blooms and their role as a reservoir and dispersal days of amnesia in one investigator, and mechanism for cholera increases the urhas highlighted biotechnology as an imporresearchers now don protective shields. Incidents leading to the recorded deaths of gency for an early warning system. : tant growth area for the city in his campaign over 1000 fish occurred in 1991, and refor re-election. Ian R RJenkinson Paul there have been from DeEpstein, cently reports US pharmaceutical Job losses Pfizer, American Cyanamid, and Upjohn plan to avoid variability, especially in the range of lose 7000 employees over the next 3 years as Outdated lead tests and below 10 pg/dL. part of a business restructuring proThe panel also reminds clinicians that gramme. They claim that this rationapeople may have different sensitivities to lisation is necessary if they are to survive The test most commonly used to measure lead. People with malnutrition will absorb v President Clinton’s health-care reforms. lead more avidly than those who are better lead exposure in the US-blood erythroRecently, Eli-Lilly and Bristol-Myers fed. Women who had heavy lead exposures for cyte protoporphyrin-is inadequate Squibb announced cuts of 4000 and 2000 detecting blood lead concentrations now in the past may develop dangerous blood employees, respectively. considered dangerous by the US levels because of demineralisation caused or osteoporosis; however, in government, says a National Research by pregnancy Royce Darnell Consultant microbiologist blood lead levels in the mother Dr Darnell was such cases Council report.! The test loses its sensiawarded damages and costs tivity in the range of 25 to 20 f..Lg. The may not rise because the lead is quickly of C8922 in a judgment handed down by the concentration that US Centers for Disease taken up by the developing fetus. "The European Court of Human Rights in StrasControl and Prevention takes to be a fetus becomes kind of a sink", said Bruce A bourg on Oct 26. The judges found unaniFowler, chairman of the panel. : risk to sensitive that undue in

public-health populations, : especially infants, children, and mothers (as surrogates for fetuses) is 10 )ig/dL. The best but more expensive alternative is measurement of blood lead concentration. Substantial

equipment 1108

laboratory

investment in and training is necessary to

Michael 1

McCarthy

Measuring lead exposure in infants, children, and other sensitive populations. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1993. $39. ISBN 0-309-04927-X.

mously delays proceedings arising from the applicant’s dismissal by the Trent Regional Health Authority in 1984 represented a breach of Convention of Human Rights guarantees on determination of civil rights "within a reasonable time"

(see Lancet 1992; 340: 846).