A hybrid-hybrid matrix method for 3D NOE-NOE data analysis

A hybrid-hybrid matrix method is described that quantitatively analyzes 3D NOE-NOE NMR data. Experimental 3D data are merged with simulated 3D data to create a hybrid 3D NOE-NOE spectrum. This is then deconvoluted into a 2D hybrid NOESY spectrum. The deconvoluted, 2D hybrid NOESY spectrum can then be merged with other 2D NOESY experimental data along with additional simulated 2D data as necessary to create a hybrid-hybrid 2D NOE volume matrix. This hybrid-hybrid volume matrix is then used with the complete relaxation program, MORASS, to calculate a rate matrix, and the resulting distances taken from the off-diagonal cross-relaxation rates can then be utilized in a distance geometry or restrained molecular-dynamics refinement of the structure. This process is repeated until a satisfactory agreement between the calculated and observed 3D volumes is obtained. This hybrid-hybrid matrix method retains computational efficiency and utilizes the resolution of the 3D data set while retaining any information content of the available 2D data. The initial tests of the deconvolution algorithm give high correlation results even with the introduction of random error into the 3D data set. Our results suggest that the hybrid-hybrid matrix method for analysis of 3D NOE-NOE spectra may provide a viable tool in the refinement of large molecules.

Analysis of a herpes simplex virus 2 fragment from the open reading frame of the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase with transcriptional regulatory activity

Expression of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)-encoded ribonucleotide reductase (RR) is required for growth in nondividing cells. The functional enzyme is composed of a large and a small subunit. In virus-infected cells, RR is expressed temporally as a delayed early protein. However, the promoter regulatory region of the large subunit can function as an immediate early promoter in transient transfection assays, suggesting that expression may be quite complex. In this study, a 95-bp fragment derived from the open reading frame of the large subunit of RR (RR-A) functioned as a silencer when placed adjacent to a heterologous promoter. If the fragment was placed distal to the promoter, repression was relieved and in human keratinocytes promoter activity was consistently higher than control constructs. Exonuclease III protection assays revealed that nuclear factors from human keratinocytes as well as other primate cells specifically bind to this fragment. A 30-bp motif containing a consensus SP-1 binding site and an alternating Pu/Py element was protected in all cell lines. These results suggest that a 95-bp fragment in the open reading frame of HSV-2 RR-A plays a role in regulating viral gene expression.

[Demethyl-vancomycin in treatment of resistant staphylococcal infections. A clinical evaluation]

77 patients with serious resistant staphylococcal infections, including septicemia, lower respiratory infection, intraabdominal infection, skin and soft tissue infections and urinary tract infection, were treated with demethyl-vancomycin. 82% of the organisms were methicillin-resistant. Most of the patients had severe underlying diseases and were immunocompromised hosts. The infections were serious. The clinical efficacy rate was 73% and the bacteria clearance rate 68%. Mild adverse reactions happened in 11% of the patients and no obvious nephrotoxicity was noted. MIC90 of demethyl-vancomycin against staph. aureus was 2 micrograms/ml. All isolates in this study were highly susceptible to the drug. Demethyl-vancomycin was found more active against staphylococcus than the other 16 antibacterial agents, which are commonly used in this country. The indication and the use of the drug were discussed.

Characterization of primary human fibroblasts transformed by human papilloma virus type 16 and herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA sequences

Human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV-16) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are human viruses implicated in the development of cancer, in particular cervical cancer. The ability of HSV-2 and HPV-16 to transform early passage human cells was examined in this report. For these studies, gingival fibroblasts were utilized. One gingival cell strain was derived from a normal individual (N-16). The second cell strain was derived from hyperplastic gingival tissue of an epileptic individual (R-30) treated with phenytoin, an antiseizure drug. A common side effect of phenytoin is the induction of gingival overgrowth. R-30 cells contained a stable chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 8 and 18 and expressed higher steady state levels of c-myc. HPV-16 DNA efficiently immortalized R-30 cells but not N-16 cells. R-30 cells cotransfected with HPV-16, and HSV-2 viral DNAs were more aneuploid than R-30 cells transfected with HPV-16 DNA alone. Additionally, R-30 cells cotransfected with both viral DNAs grew better in soft agar than R-30 cells transfected with HPV-16 DNA alone. HSV-2 DNA was detected in transformed cells by polymerase chain reaction. These results suggested R-30 cells were immortalized more efficiently by HPV-16 and further imply that HPV-16 and HSV-2 DNA fragments can cooperate during multistep transformation.

[Cryptosporidiosis in children in Wuhu]

From May to September 1989, a survey was carried out on the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in the outpatients with diarrhea from paediatric department of five hospitals in Wuhu, Anhui Province. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in stool specimens from 67 of 3,498 outpatients (1.9%). No difference was found between the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in males and that in females. No Cryptosporidium oocysts was identified in stool specimens from infants under 6-month-old. 86.2% of the cases were distributed in the age range from 7-month-old to 4-year-old. The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in rural outpatients was two fold of that in urban outpatients. The occurrence of cases was highly sporadic. The prevalence began to rise from the last third of June. In our survey, 92.5% of the cases was distributed in the time range from the last third of June to September. In all of the cases no unique characteristic was found in clinical manifestations and stool appearance, and symptoms were resolved spontaneously. The duration of symptoms seems shorter than documented.