Activation of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus expression by bovine herpesvirus type 1

Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) is a recently identified lentivirus that infects cattle. The virus has structural and genetic similarities to human HIV. The present study demonstrates that BIV can be activated by bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), a pathogen frequently associated with cattle diseases. Activation of BIV expression can be detected as increased BIV reverse transcriptase activity, increased in the number of syncytia induced by BIV, and increased in the steady state level of BIV-specific RNA upon BHV-1 super-infection. Additional transactivation studies using the BIV-LTR (long terminal repeat) were conducted. The BIV-LTR was linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene (CAT) and transfected into bovine cell cultures in order to quantitate the levels of BIV-LTR expression. When the transfected cells were infected by BHV-1, there was an increase in CAT expression, indicating transactivation of the BIV-LTR by BHV-1. Most of the transactivation activities were abolished with an LTR construct that has deleted the NF-kappa B-like sequence located in the U3 region of the LTR. In order to further demonstrate that activation of the BIV-LTR involves factors that may bind to the LTR sequences, gel retardation assays were carried out using the BIV-LTR U3 region as probe. Our results showed that BHV-1 infection resulted in an induction of factor(s) that binds to the NF-kappa B-like sequence on the BIV-LTR. This suggests that transactivation of BIV by BHV-1 may be mediated by a bovine NF-kappa B-like protein that binds to the target sequence in the BIV promoter region.

The human prohibitin gene located on chromosome 17q21 is mutated in sporadic breast cancer

A gene called "prohibitin" was isolated as a candidate antiproliferating gene in rat liver cells. We have isolated the human homologue of the rat prohibitin gene and mapped it to chromosome 17q12-21 where a gene responsible for hereditary breast cancer was localized. DNA sequence analysis of 2 exons in this gene in 23 sporadic breast cancers, which showed loss of heterozygosity on the long arm of chromosome 17 or developed in patients 35 years old or younger, identified 4 cases of somatic mutation; 2 of these were missense mutations; 1 showed a 2-base deletion resulting in truncation of the gene product due to a frame shift; the other had a C to T transition in an intron adjacent to an intron-exon boundary. These results suggest that this gene may be a tumor suppressor gene and is associated with tumor development and/or progression of at least some breast cancers.

Identification and characterization of a human herpesvirus 6 gene segment that trans activates the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 promoter

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a lymphotropic herpesvirus, and in vitro, HHV-6 can productively infect many of the same cell types as can human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Coinfection by both viruses in vitro can lead to both activation of the HIV promoter and acceleration of cytopathic effects. We have previously demonstrated that a large, 22.25-kb cloned HHV-6 fragment, pZVB70, can trans activate HIV promoter expression in vitro. In this study, we show that the pZVB70 fragment can trans activate the HIV promoter in human T-cell lines as well as in the monkey kidney cell line CV-1. The pZVB70 insert was digested with various restriction enzymes, and individual fragments were transfected into cells to test for their ability to trans activate the HIV promoter. By this method, we have identified a 1.8-kb subfragment, B701, that is involved in trans activation. Sequence analyses show that B701 potentially encodes a 143-amino-acid protein. This protein shares no homology with other herpesvirus proteins, such as ICP0 and ICP4, that have been shown to trans activate the HIV promoter. However, it shows weak sequence homology with the gene products encoded by the cytomegalovirus early US22 gene family, suggesting that the putative B701 protein may be an HHV-6 early regulatory protein. The 143-amino-acid coding sequence of B701 was cloned by polymerase chain reaction, and transfection of this construct into cells activated HIV promoter expression. The target site on the HIV promoter for the putative B701 protein is mapped to the NF-kappa B binding site. Our results suggest that the putative B701 protein may function by directly binding to the NF-kappa B site or may involve cellular factors, such as NF-kappa B, either directly or indirectly.

An intrachromosomal insertion causing 5q22 deletion and familial adenomatous polyposis coli in two generations

We report familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAPC) with epidermoid cysts, osteomata, and areas of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPEs) in a male patient and his maternal aunt, both of whom suffered a mild to moderate degree of mental handicap. Both had an interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5 (del(5)(q22q23.2)). Two other normal family members had the underlying direct insertion of chromosome 5(dir ins(5)(q31.3q22q23.2)). Molecular genetic and fluorescent hybridisation studies have shown that loci D5S37 and D5S98 are outside the deletion whereas loci detected by probes EF5.44 and YN5.48 are lost. As expected, the molecular analyses indicate loss of one allele at the MCC and APC loci. The APC gene is located within band 5q22. Familial direct insertions should be considered as a cause of recurrent microdeletion syndromes.

Indications for endometrial resection

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that endometrial resection may be used to control abnormal uterine bleeding in a wide variety of clinical conditions.

DESIGN/SETTING

Sixty-one patients were referred to a private gynaecological practice with abnormal uterine bleeding between January and December 1990. The clinical conditions associated with abnormal uterine bleeding were fibromyomata, adenomyosis, hormone replacement therapy and anticoagulant therapy. Twenty of the patients were referred for consideration of endometrial resection and twelve for consideration of hysterectomy. The advantages and disadvantages of drug therapy, uterine curettage, endometrial resection and hysterectomy were discussed. Forty-two elected to have endometrial resection, thirteen continued with drug therapy after curettage and six proceeded to hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 42 patients were satisfied with the results of endometrial resection, and 39 of the 42 patients reduced their use of pads or tampons by more than 50%. Three of the failures proceeded to hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding not controlled by drug therapy may be suitable for endometrial resection. This includes patients with intramural fibromyomata and adenomyosis. The patient needs to accept a small chance of failure, the risk of complications (particularly uterine perforation) and the fact that the risk of death from the procedure, while small, has not been established.

Use of bacterial trpE fusion vectors to express and characterize the bovine immunodeficiency-like virus core protein

The gag coding region from Bovine Immunodeficiency-like Virus (BIV) was cloned into E. coli and expressed as a bacterial fusion protein. Six different clones spanning various regions of the gag open reading frame were generated. The resulting fusion proteins were expressed at high concentrations and readily purified. A panel of bovine immune sera specifically recognized the recombinant Gag proteins, as did immune sera from animals infected or immunized with lentiviruses related to BIV, such as Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Analysis of the deletion clones, using the bovine immune sera panel, enabled us to identify at least one major epitope which was specifically recognized by all bovine sera examined. The ease of expression, purification, and specificity of these fusion proteins should enable a thorough study of the epidemiology of BIV infection.

Loss of constitutional heterozygosity on chromosome 5q in hepatocellular carcinoma without cirrhosis

Suppressor gene loci involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been fully identified. The aim of this study was to look for consistent allele loss, or loss of heterozygosity (LOH), in HCC which might represent such gene loci. We have prepared DNA from tumour and non-tumour material from 16 patients with HCC (nine with and seven without liver cirrhosis). Tumour DNA was compared with non-tumour DNA by Southern analysis performed with a panel of 22 probes recognising restriction fragment length polymorphisms assigned to chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 20. Non-tumour DNA from five of the seven patients with HCC without cirrhosis was heterozygous with the probe Lambda MS8 (5q35-qter), and in all five there was LOH in tumour DNA. Probes for other regions of chromosome 5 have as yet shown no LOH in this group of patients. Cirrhotic HCC patients exhibited LOH on chromosomes 1q and 5p but not in the region 5q35-qter. Both groups of HCC showed LOH on chromosome 17p13. Screening with other probes has not shown any consistent LOH in either group as yet. A comparison of LOH on chromosome 5 in seven patients with colorectal metastasis in the liver showed a different pattern, which suggests that the proposed tumour suppressor gene locus for HCC without cirrhosis on chromosome 5 appears to be distinct from the familial adenomatous polyposis coli gene.

A controlled study of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (buserelin acetate) for folliculogenesis in routine in vitro fertilization patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine if gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) and gonadotropin therapy could improve folliculogenesis and pregnancy rates (PRs) in women with a previously satisfactory response to clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG).

DESIGN

Randomized prospective study.

SETTING

Assisted reproduction clinic.

PATIENTS

One hundred fifty-seven women were randomized to receive either hMG alone or the GnRH-a buserelin acetate 600 microgram/d or buserelin acetate 1,200 microgram/d plus hMG.

RESULTS

Compared with hMG alone, pretreatment with buserelin acetate significantly increased the PR per cycle started by preventing a premature luteinizing hormone rise and thereby reducing the number of abandoned cycles. There was, however, no difference between the number of follicles aspirated, oocytes obtained, or fertilization rates between groups. Furthermore, agonist therapy significantly increased both the dose of hMG required and the duration of stimulation.

CONCLUSION

The routine use of GnRH-a in in vitro fertilization programs must be questioned.

Induction and partial purification of bacteriophages from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough) and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541

Bacteriophages were induced from cultures of Desulfovibrio vulgaris NCIMB 8303 and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541 by UV light. The optimum time of UV exposure was 1 min and the maximum yield of phage was obtained 9-10 h after UV treatment. The two phage preparations were compared by restriction enzyme analysis and Southern blot hybridization. The nucleic acid from both phages was cut by restriction endonucleases specific for double-stranded DNA. The phage DNAs from D. vulgaris and D. desulfuricans showed different restriction enzyme cleavage patterns. No homology was observed between a 25 kb probe from the D. vulgaris phage DNA and the phage DNA from D. desulfuricans. Protein profiles of the phages from both sources were also studied; the D. vulgaris phage contained two major bands corresponding to Mr values of 37 000 and 56 000 while the D. desulfuricans phage contained only one major band, of Mr 38 000.

Health care rationing: the Oregon experiment

Oregon Medicaid reforms, passed by the state legislature in 1989, examined in light of Oregon's recent history of attempts to grapple continually rising health care costs.

Transactivation of the human immunodeficiency virus promoter by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) strains GS and Z-29 in primary human T lymphocytes and identification of transactivating HHV-6(GS) gene fragments

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can activate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) promoter and accelerate cytopathic effects in HIV-infected human T cells. This study examines the regions of the HIV promoter required for HHV-6 transactivation in a heterogeneous population of primary human T lymphocytes with or without antigenic stimulation. Two different strains of HHV-6, GS and Z29, transactivated the HIV promoter. The GS strain transactivated the promoter in both stimulated and resting T cells, while the Z29 strain increased HIV promoter activity only in stimulated T cells. Three DNA clones containing HHV-6(GS) genomic fragments transactivated the HIV promoter in cotransfected T cells. A 21.4-kb DNA clone, pZVB70, showed the highest transactivating ability, while two other DNA fragments, pZVB10 (6.2 kb) and pZVH14 (8.7 kb), showed lower activity. One of these clones, pZVH14, activated the HIV promoter construct containing a mutation in the NF kappa B site. However, this mutated NF kappa B promoter was not transactivated during HHV-6(GS) infection or after cotransfection with pZVB70 or pZVB10. These data indicate that the NF kappa B sites of the HIV promoter are essential for its transactivation during HHV-6(GS) infection. By increasing HIV promoter activity in primary T lymphocytes, HHV-6 may consequently increase HIV replication, leading to an increase in the cytopathic effect on coinfected human T cells.

The UK Northern region genetic register for familial adenomatous polyposis coli: use of age of onset, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, and DNA markers in risk calculations

A polyposis register has been established in the Northern Region of England. A total of 48 families with 71 living affected subjects has been identified during the first three years of operation, a prevalence of 2.29 x 10(-5). Indirect ophthalmoscopy identifies the majority of gene carriers by showing multiple areas of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE). The absence of this sign in families limits its value where a relative with CHRPE has not been identified. Combining eye examination with data on age of onset and linked DNA markers is highly effective in carrier exclusion; 38% of 528 first, second, and third degree relatives had their carrier risk reduced to less than 1 in 1000. Even with such assurance many subjects will request continued bowel screening at a reduced frequency. Little interest has been shown in prenatal diagnosis. The principal value of a genetic register with domiciliary nurse visiting is the reduction in early mortality among unrecognised gene carriers.

[Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia]

The case of an hyperthermia-induced sudden death in an infant with anhidrotic dysplasia is reported. This disease, easily diagnosed, should now be better known and its early assessment, with thermal monitoring might improve the initial severe prognosis. A genetic counselling might be possible.

Repeat sterilization reversal

Thirteen women had repeat sterilization reversal using microsurgery either because of failed IVF or personal preference for microsurgery. Six pregnancies occurred in 5 women resulting in 5 livebirths and 1 miscarriage. Pregnancy occurred in all 3 patients having isthmic anastomosis in the second sterilization reversal. Preliminary hysteroscopic tubal cannulation would have excluded operation on 2 patients who had tubal blockage extending several centimetres proximal to the site of the first anastomosis.

Distinctive case. Adult mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver: report of a case with light microscopic, FNA cytology, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructural studies and review of the literature

We are reporting a case of a mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL), found incidentally in a 69-yr-old woman. By light microscopy, the tumor was composed of cellular undifferentiated mesenchymal tissue, with pronounced cystic degeneration, and staining strongly positively for vimentin and negatively for cytokeratin. The cysts contained mucoid material and were lined by modified mesenchymal cells, staining positively for vimentin and negatively for epithelial or endothelial markers. Bile ducts scattered within the tumor and on its periphery stained positively for cytokeratin. No alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or alpha 1-antitrypsin was identified. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of the tumor revealed loose clusters of oval cells with benign-appearing nuclei within a mucoid background. As observed by electron microscopy, the tumor cells were oval to spindle shaped with interconnected cytoplasmic processes forming intercellular cystic spaces, appearing to be the precursors of the larger cysts seen by light microscopy. MHL was initially considered as a tumor restricted to childhood; however, a few cases in young adults have since been described. With this case, the possibility of MHL occurrence in advanced age is documented.

Comparative evaluation of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus infection by reverse transcriptase and polymerase chain reaction

Infection of embryonic bovine lung (EBL) cells by bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) were monitored by reverse transcriptase (RT), syncytia formation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Infection can be detected by PCR at 24 h while the presence of syncytia and RT were not detected until much later. The detection of BIV RT can be optimized by changing the pH and salt conditions. The enzyme is very sensitive to changes in pH but can tolerate a wider range of salt and MgCl2 concentrations. Infection of primary human cell cultures by BIV was monitored by both PCR and RT. No active infection of human cells were detectable.

Partial purification and characterization of the mitochondrial and peroxisomal isozymes of enoyl-coenzyme a hydratase from germinating pea seedlings

Distinct organellar forms of the beta-oxidation enzyme enoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) hydratase were partially purified and characterized from 2-day germinated pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings. The purification was accomplished by disruption of purified mitochondria or peroxisomes, (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fractionation, and gel permeation chromatography using a column of Sephacryl S-300. The organellar isozymes had distinct kinetic constants for the substrates 2-butenoyl-CoA and 2-octenoyl-CoA, and could be easily distinguished by differences in thermostability and salt activation. The peroxisomal isozyme had a native M(r) of 75,000 and appeared to be a typical bifunctional enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, while the mitochondrial isozyme had a native M(r) of 57,000 and did not have associated dehydrogenase activity. Western blots of total pea mitochondrial proteins gave a positive signal when probed with anti-rat liver mitochondrial enoyl-CoA hydratase antibodies but there was no signal when blots of total peroxisomal proteins were probed.