A simple diagnostic test is described for the detection of TSE in bovine, ovine and human brain and lymphoid tissue that obviates the use of proteinase K as a discriminating reagent. The immunoassay utilises high affinity anti-peptide antibodies that appear blind to the normal isoform of prion protein (PrP(C)). These reagents have been produced with novel N-terminal chimeric peptides and we hypothesise that the retention and stability of the extreme N-terminus of PrP in the disease-associated aggregate makes it an operationally specific marker for TSE. Accordingly, the assay involves homogenisation of the tissue directly in 8M guanidine hydrochloride, a simple one-step capture of PrP(Sc) followed by detection with a europium-labelled anti-PrP(C) antibody. This rapid assay clearly differentiates between levels of disease-associated PrP extracted from brain and lymphoid tissues taken from confirmed TSE positive and negative cattle and sheep. The assay can also be used to detect PrP(Sc) in cases of vCJD.

SummarySome initial results from the recently conducted Northern Ireland Fertility Survey are examined with particular reference to the relationship between family size and religious denomination. While the overall average family size of Roman Catholics is still larger than that of non-Catholics, the extent of this differential is now narrowing as a result of the more rapid recent decline in the average size of Catholic families. In addition, there are variations in family size among the main Protestant denominations; a broad regional dimension to the Catholic-non-Catholic differential is also apparent. Although subsequent analyses will document these trends in greater detail, some of the main hypothesized explanatory variables are briefly discussed along with some of the socioeconomic and political implications of these recent trends.

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