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Lung function studies and clinical examinations of 493 workers in eight cotton mills in New South Wales revealed 12 workers with byssinosis. The reasons for the low incidence of byssinosis in view of relatively high cotton dust in air concentrations are discussed briefly.

Specific point mutations which affect viral tropism have been identified in both the V3 loop and in the CD4-binding region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 surface glycoprotein gp120. Here we report that a single point mutation in the first variable region (V1) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strain JRCSF is responsible for a change in viral tropism.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus or human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV/HHV8) is the likely cause of KS and primary effusion lymphomas or body cavity-based lymphomas (BCBLs). A latency-associated nuclear immunofluorescence antigen (LANA) (D. H. Kedes, E. Operskalski, M. Busch, R. Kohn, J. Flood, and D. Ganem, Nat. Med. 2:918-924, 1996; S. J. Gao, L. Kingsley, M. Li, W. Zheng, C. Parravicini, J. Ziegler, R. Newton, C. R. Rinaldo, A. Saah, J. Phair, R. Detels, Y. Chang, and P. S. Moore, Nat. Med. 2:925-928, 1996) and a 222- to 234-kDa nuclear protein (LNA) (S. J. Gao, L. Kingsley, D. R. Hoover, T. J. Spira, C. R. Rinaldo, A. Saah, J. Phair, R. Detels, P. Parry, Y. Chang, and P. S. Moore, N. Engl. J. Med. 335:233-241, 1996) have previously been described in BCBL cell lines by immunofluorescence and Western blotting techniques, respectively. To identify the viral gene(s) encoding this antigen(s) we screened a cDNA library from HBL-6 cells, a B-cell lymphoma cell line persistently infected with KSHV/HHV8, with KS patient sera. One set of positive clones contained the 3' end of orf73, as well as the complete orf72 and orfK13, and another set contained the 5' end of orf73. Comparison of cDNA sequences with the KSHV/HHV8 genomic sequence revealed a splice event, occurring upstream of orf73. Immunoaffinity purified antibodies to a recombinant carboxy-terminal fragment of the orf73-encoded protein showed the characteristic speckled nuclear immunofluorescence pattern of LANA and reacted with the 222- to 234-kDa LNA on Western blots. Expression of full-length orf73 in bacteria and COS7 cells reproduced the LNA banding pattern. Immunohistochemistry on cases of nodular KS revealed that orf73/LNA is expressed in the nucleus of KS spindle cells. These findings demonstrate that orf73 encodes the 222- to 234-kDa LNA, is a component of LANA, and is expressed in KS tumor cells.

We have examined the human mammary tumor cell line T47D and have found that these cells produce virus-like particles which band at the typical density for retroviral particles on a sucrose gradient, possess reverse transcriptase activity, and package HERV-K10-like sequences. Using this information and a bacterial expression system to identify long open reading frames, we have identified individual clones which have full-length open reading frames for reverse transcriptase and RNase H and which could encode the reverse transcriptase activity detected in these cells.

A poisoning fatality due to exposure to hydrogen sulphide following release of the gas from an industrial waste tanker is reported. The effects of hydrogen sulphide at varying concentrations are given. Basic principles which should be applied to prevent tragic accidents during the disposal of industrial wastes are given.

Determination of particle density by the displacement method, with different liquid media, can be used to assess the size distribution of micropores in powder particles. Certain errors and assumptions are involved.

Presents several letters to the editor regarding various previously published articles and socio-political issues and developments. Criticism on an article commenting on the death and career of Vito Marcantonio, a Congressman of the U.S.; Comment on an article making parallel comparison between U.S. Senator J. McCarthy and German dictator Adolf Hitler; Comments on the misuse of electoral power in the U.S.

The use of organic phosphate pesticides in the Wee Waa area by aerial operation has resulted in numerous cases of organic phosphate poisoning. Blood Cholinesterase tests revealed these both at clinical and subclinical levels. These lowered cholinesterase levels were the direct result of not using protective clothing and proper washing facilities in the field.

Six cotton‐garnetting plants were examined, and cotton‐dust concentrations of 6 to 21 mg per cubic metre were recorded in the in‐plant atmospheric breathing‐zone. Tests of lung function of the operators showed an over‐all average fall of FEV1of 0·12 litre; In the more dusty areas, an average fall in FEV1of 0·28 litre was recorded. At dust concentrations in the vicinity of 6 mg per cubic metre, little change in FEV1occurred. As the airborne dust was not entirely raw cotton, a figure of 5 mg per cubic metre of cotton dust in air Is suggested as a tentative threshold value for this type of work. The use of exhaust ventilation Is recommended to reduce the concentration of cotton dust in air.

A man presenting with an acute skin reaction to a pesticide was found to have severe systemic organo‐phosphate poisoning.

The basicities and rates of proton transfer for compounds (II) and (III) are determined and considered in comparison with the results obtained for (I).