Do intact viral particles survive excimer laser ablation?

OBJECTIVE

To determine if intact and potentially infectious viral particles can withstand excimer laser ablation and possibly pose a health hazard to medical personnel.

METHODS

Excimer laser ablation of fibroblasts infected with attenuated varicella-zoster virus was performed. The laser plume was collected for polymerase chain reaction analysis and viral culture.

RESULTS

While viral DNA was detected in the material trapped from the laser plume, live virus could not be demonstrated to have survived ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

Attenuated varicella-zoster virus does not seem to survive excimer laser ablation. However, we recommend the use of safety precautions such as wearing a mask during the procedure. Further research is necessary to determine if other viruses could possibly remain infectious despite exposure to excimer laser radiation.

Arch fingerprints, hypotonia, and areflexia associated with X linked mental retardation

A syndrome with distinctive facies, poor muscle tone, absent deep tendon reflexes, tapered fingers, excessive fingerprint arches, genu valgum and mild-moderate mental retardation has occurred in four males in two generations of a white family of European ancestry. The facies are characterised by square configuration, tented upper lip, and thickening of the helices, upper eyelids, and alae nasi. At birth and at maturity, growth (head circumference, height, weight) of affected males is comparable to or greater than unaffected male sibs. Moderate impairment of cognitive function was documented (IQ scores between 40-51). Carriers show no heterozygote manifestations. This X linked condition appears to be different from other syndromes with mental retardation, although there are certain similarities with the alpha thalassaemia-mental retardation syndrome (ATR-X). Linkage analysis found tight linkage to DXS1166 and DXS995 in Xq13 and Xq21 respectively.

Human TAF(II)135 potentiates transcriptional activation by the AF-2s of the retinoic acid, vitamin D3, and thyroid hormone receptors in mammalian cells

We report for the first time the cloning of a complete cDNA encoding the human TFIID subunit hTAF(II)135 (hTAF(II)130). Full-length hTAF(II)135 comprises 1083 amino acids and contains two conserved domains present also in dTAF(II)110 and hTAF(II)105. We show that expression of hTAF(II)135 in mammalian cells strongly and selectively potentiates transcriptional stimulation by the activation function-2 (AF-2) of the retinoic acid, thyroid hormone, and vitamin D3 receptors (RAR, TR, and VDR), but does not affect the AF-2s of the estrogen (ER) or retinoid X (RXR) receptors. The coactivator activity requires an hTAF(II)135 region that is located between the conserved domains but is itself not conserved in dTAF(II)110 and hTAF(II)105. Expression of hTAF(II)135 also stimulates RAR AF-2 activity when a promoter with a low-affinity TATA element (TGTA) is used, indicating that hTAF(II)135 overexpression compensates for the low-affinity of TBP for this promoter and may facilitate the recruitment of TFIID by the RAR AF-2.

Linkage analysis in a family with the Opitz GBBB syndrome refines the location of the gene in Xp22 to a 4 cM region

The Opitz GBBB syndrome (OS) is characterized in part by widely spaced inner ocular canthi and hypospadias. Recently, linkage analysis showed that the gene for the X-linked form to be located in an 18 cM region spanning Xp22. We have now conducted linkage analysis in a family previously published as having the BBB syndrome and found tight linkage to DXS7104 (Z = 3.3, theta = 0.0). Our data narrows the candidate region to 4 cM and should facilitate the identification and characterization of one of the genes involved in midline development.

Homing in virtual environments: effects of field of view and path layout

Triangle completion (ie homing to the starting point after completing two legs of a triangle) is a widely used method for examining path-integration abilities in animals and humans. Two experiments are reported in which homing was used to examine the efficiency of purely visual mechanisms (eg optical flow) for spatial-information coding and integration. Adult observers had to complete triangles in an interactively simulated three-dimensional environment which consisted of two critical objects and a homogeneous set of white cylinders serving as background. Each participant completed twenty-seven triangles corresponding to a factorial combination of three geometrical fields of view (40 degrees, 60 degrees, or 80 degrees) and nine triangle layouts (with variations of the first turning angle and the second leg). Homing performances revealed strong effects of triangle layout, but no effect of geometrical fields of view: variations in the amount of simultaneous visible spatial information did not influence the acquisition of spatial knowledge in the environments used. Applying the encoding-error model to the data revealed severe systematic errors of picking up directional information while moving through visually simulated environments. These results are discussed with respect to informational differences between situations of purely visual and nonvisual navigations in space.

A novel X-linked gene, DDP, shows mutations in families with deafness (DFN-1), dystonia, mental deficiency and blindness

In 1960, progressive sensorineural deafness (McKusick 304,700, DFN-1) was shown to be X-linked based on a description of a large Norwegian pedigree. More recently, it was shown that this original DFN-1 family represented a new type of recessive neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by postlingual progressive sensorineural deafness as the first presenting symptom in early childhood, followed by progressive dystonia, spasticity, dysphagia, mental deterioration, paranoia and cortical blindness. This new disorder, termed Mohr-Tranebjaerg syndrome (referred to here as DFN-1/MTS) was mapped to the Xq21.3-Xq22 region2. Using positional information from a patient with a 21-kb deletion in chromosome Xq22 and sensorineural deafness along with dystonia, we characterized a novel transcript lying within the deletion as a candidate for this complex syndrome. We now report small deletions in this candidate gene in the original DFN-1/MTS family, and in a family with deafness, dystonia and mental deficiency but not blindness. This gene, named DDP (deafness/ dystonia peptide), shows high levels of expression in fetal and adult brain. The DDP protein demonstrates striking similarity to a predicted Schizosaccharomyces pombe protein of no known function. Thus, is it likely that the DDP gene encodes an evolutionarily conserved novel polypeptide necessary for normal human neurological development.

Multiple interactions between hTAFII55 and other TFIID subunits. Requirements for the formation of stable ternary complexes between hTAFII55 and the TATA-binding protein

We have cloned and characterized the human TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor hTAFII55. hTAFII55, which has no known Drosophila counterpart, is present in both of the previously described TFIIDalpha and TFIIDbeta subpopulations. We describe the interactions of hTAFII55 with other subunits of the transcription factor TFIID. By cotransfection in COS cells, we show that hTAFII55 interacts with hTAFII250, hTAFII100, hTAFII28, hTAFII20, and hTAFII18, but not with hTAFII30 or TBP. Analysis of the binding of hTAFII55 and TBP to hTAFII28 deletion mutants indicates that distinct regions of hTAFII28 are required for these interactions. Although hTAFII55 does not interact by itself with TBP, stable ternary complexes containing hTAFII55 and TBP can be formed in the presence of hTAFII250, hTAFII100, or hTAFII28. These results not only show that hTAFII100 and hTAFII28 interact with TBP, but also that they can nucleate the formation of partial TFIID complexes.

Environmental and developmental signals modulate proline homeostasis: evidence for a negative transcriptional regulator

In many plants, osmotic stress induces a rapid accumulation of proline through de novo synthesis from glutamate. This response is thought to play a pivotal role in osmotic stress tolerance [Kishor, P. B. K., Hong, Z., Miao, G.-H., Hu, C.-A. A. and Verma, D. P. S. (1995) Plant Physiol. 108, 1387-1394]. During recovery from osmotic stress, accumulated proline is rapidly oxidized to glutamate and the first step of this process is catalyzed by proline oxidase. We have isolated a full-length cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana, At-POX, which maps to a single locus on chromosome 3 and that encodes a predicted polypeptide of 499 amino acids showing significant similarity with proline oxidase sequences from Drosophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (55.5% and 45.1%, respectively). The predicted location of the encoded polypeptide is the inner mitochondrial membrane. RNA gel blot analysis revealed that At-POX mRNA levels declined rapidly upon osmotic stress and this decline preceded proline accumulation. On the other hand, At-POX mRNA levels rapidly increased during recovery. Free proline, exogenously added to plants, was found to be an effective inducer of At-POX expression; indeed, At-POX was highly expressed in flowers and mature seeds where the proline level is higher relative to other organs of Arabidopsis. Our results indicate that stress- and developmentally derived signals interact to determine proline homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Human TAF(II28) promotes transcriptional stimulation by activation function 2 of the retinoid X receptors

Transcriptional activation in vitro involves direct interactions of transactivators with the TATA binding protein (TBP) and the TBP-associated factors (TAF(II)s) which constitute the TFIID complex. However, the role of TAF(II)s in transcriptional regulation in mammalian cells has not been addressed. We show that activation function 2 of the retinoid X receptors (RXR AF-2) does not activate transcription from a minimal promoter in Cos cells. However, coexpression of human (h) TAF(II)28 promotes a strong ligand-dependent activity of the RXR AF-2 on a minimal promoter and potentiates the ability of the RXRalpha AF-2 to activate transcription from a complex promoter. The expression of hTAF(II)28 also potentiated transactivation by several nuclear receptors, notably the oestrogen and vitamin D3 receptors (ER and VDR), whereas other classes of activator were not affected. The effect of hTAFII(28) on RXR AF-2 activities did not appear to require direct RXR-TAFII(28) interactions, but correlated with the ability of hTAFII(28) to interact with TBP. In contrast to Cos cells, the RXR AF-2s had differential abilities to activate transcription from a minimal promoter in HeLa cells, and a lesser increase in their activity was observed upon hTAFII28 coexpression. Moreover, coexpression of hTAFII(28) did not increase but rather repressed activation by the ER and VDR AF-2s in HeLa cells. In agreement with these data, showing that TAF(II)28 is limiting in the AF-2 activation pathway in Cos cells, TAF(II)28 is selectively depleted in Cos cell TFIID.

Localisation of two candidate genes for mental retardation using a YAC physical map of the Xq21.1-21.2 subbands

Genetic studies in families with X linked mental retardation have suggested the location of several MR genes in the human q21 region. Since the establishment of cloned resources is an essential step towards the cloning of genes involved in inherited diseases, we built a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig and an STS map of this part of the X chromosome. The contig, which extends from PGK1 in Xq13.3 to DXS1002 in Xq21.2, consists of 30 YACs mapped with 21 markers and spans about 6 Mb. The YAC contig was used as a framework to localise several previously known genes and CEPH/Genethon polymorphic markers, as well as to construct a physical map of the region surrounding one of these genes. We recently localised a presumed MR locus to the region flanked by DXS233 (proximal) and CHM (distal). In the present work, the zinc finger gene, ZNF6, has been shown to lie within this region and to be highly expressed in brain, making it a good candidate MR gene. Similarly the VDAC1 gene has been mapped between DXS986 and DXS72 and its candidate gene status for the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome is discussed.

Stress- and treatment-induced elevations of cortisol levels associated with impaired declarative memory in healthy adults

Two studies investigated the association between cortisol levels and memory performance in healthy adults. In a first study, 13 subjects were exposed to a brief psychosocial laboratory stress ("Trier Social Stress Test") with a subsequent test of declarative memory performance. Results indicated a significant negative relationship between stress-induced cortisol levels and performance in the memory task, i.e. subjects with high cortisol response to the stressor showed poorer memory performance. In a second experiment it was investigated if cortisol, alone, i.e. independent of psychological stress, would also impair memory function. In this study, 40 healthy subjects received either 10 mg cortisol or placebo orally. One hour later they were tested for procedural and declarative memory and spatial thinking. Subjects who received cortisol showed impaired performance in the declarative memory and spatial thinking tasks but not in the procedural memory task. From these results we conclude that in healthy adults elevated free cortisol levels are associated with impaired memory function.

Resistance: friend or foe?

This paper shows resistances in a benign light. The view is presented that psychoanalysts able to view resistances in a friendly light as challenges and guides, rather than as onerous roadblocks, experience maximum success for the patient and maximum satisfaction for themselves. The use of psychoanalytic technique to this end is demonstrated.

Dependence of flight behavior and heat production on air temperature in the green darner dragonfly Anax junius (Odonata: Aeshnidae)

The large, endothermic dragonfly Anax junius regulates the temperatures of its thorax (Tth) and head (Th) during flight. At high ambient temperature (Ta) it is able to dispose of excess heat from the thorax by increasing hemolymph circulation to the abdomen, but recent evidence suggests that heat loss to the abdomen is largely passive at Ta<30 °C. Nevertheless, these insects continue to regulate Tth and Th at least down to 20 °C and probably at much lower values of Ta. As Ta declines, A. junius glide less, probably fly faster when feeding, and increase their wingbeat frequency when patrolling. Presumably as a result of these behavioral changes, heat production, and thus inferred flight metabolic rate, is inversely proportional to Ta. This is the first demonstration based on field data that an insect regulates body temperature while flying by altering heat production.

Simultaneous control of head and thoracic temperature by the green darner dragonfly Anax junius (Odonata: Aeshnidae)

Anax junius is a large dragonfly that regulates thoracic temperature (Tth) during flight. This species, like several other intermittently endothermic insects, achieves control of Tth at least in part by increasing circulation of hemolymph to the abdomen at high air temperature (Ta), thus facilitating heat loss from the thorax. In this paper, I demonstrate that heat transfer to the head is also under active control, very probably owing to temperature-sensitive alteration of hemolymph circulation. As a result, head temperature (Th) is strikingly elevated above Ta during endothermic warm-up and flight. Furthermore, during unrestrained flight in the field, Th is regulated actively by increasing hemolymph circulation from the warm thorax at low Ta. Concurrent measurements of abdominal temperature (Tab) confirm that the abdomen is used as a 'thermal window' at Ta>30 °C but apparently not at lower Ta; thus, some additional mechanism(s) must exist for regulation of Tth at low Ta.

Different internal metabolites trigger the induction of glycolytic gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the sugar-induced expression of various genes coding for glycolytic enzymes is triggered by increases in the concentrations of different internal metabolites. Here, we show that the induction of the glycolytic isoenzyme enolase 2 is strictly dependent on the abilities of different mutant strains to increase the level of glucose-6-phosphate after the addition of sugars. In contrast, the induction of alcohol dehydrogenase I is dependent on increasing concentrations of metabolites in the late stages of glycolysis.