Analysis of the genomes of bluetongue viruses recovered from different states of the United States and at different times

The ribonucleic acid (RNA) genomes of the original representatives of the four serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) isolated from the United States (BTV-10, BTV-11, BTV-13 and BTV-17) have been analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ten double-stranded RNA species were resolved for each virus and categorized into the size classes of large (L segments #1-3), medium (M segments #4-6) and small (S segments #7-10). Minor electrophoretic mobility differences were observed for the M5 and S10 RNA segments of BTV-10 by comparison with the other US prototype viruses. The oligonucleotide fingerprints of the individual RNA species of BTV-11 were obtained and compared to each other providing proof that each of the viral double-stranded RNA species contains unique genetic information. Alternate isolates of BTV-11 isolated in the same year (1973), but from different states (Texas, Idaho, California and Oregon), or in different years (1963, 1970, 1974 and 1975), but from the same state (Colorado), have been analyzed by both RNA gel electrophoresis and L, M and S RNA oligonucleotide fingerprinting. When compared to the individual RNA fingerprints of the US prototype BTV-11 strain, the results indicated that there has been both genetic drift (accumulation of point mutations) and recombination (RNA segment reassortment) for BTV-11 in the United States over a 12-year period since 1963.

Arteriography and pancreatic disease

In the last 10 years, 605 celiomesenteric arteriographic examinations were done at Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, including 236 for suspected pancreatic disease. Sixty patients with histologic proof of malignant neoplasm had a positive arteriographic examination while 136 had benign disease of the pancreas and 40 others had extra-pancreatic disease. In this series, the sensitivity of arteriography was 88.3% and the specificity 92.6%. In the last 5 years the sensitivity of superselective arteriography was 100%. These results were better than those obtained with noninvasive techniques obtained with noninvasive techniques such as computerized axial tomography, ultrasonography and duodenography. The authors conclude that arteriography and particularly superselective arteriography is an excellent method for evaluating patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.

Synthesis of capped and uncapped methylated oligonucleotides by the virion transcriptase of spring viremia of carp virus, a rhabdovirus

Capped and uncapped methylated oligonucleotides, five and six nucleotides in length, were synthesized in vitro in spring viremia of carp virus transcription reaction mixtures containing ATP + CTP, ATP + CTP + GTP, or ATP + CTP + UTP, but not in any other combinations of two or three ribonucleoside triphosphates. The oligonucleotides that have been characterized are consistent with the structures: m7GpppAmpNpCpNpN, GpppAmpNpCpNpN, pppAmpNpCpNpN, and ppAmpNpCpNpN--i.e., similar to those of the termini of transcripts made in complete reaction mixtures. Because both capped and uncapped methylated oligonucleotides were synthesized, it can be concluded that methylation of the penultimate nucleotide can precede capping and methylation of the capping nucleotide. Our results also indicate that capping and methylation are processes that can take place prior to mRNA chain completion.

Stimulation of transcription by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and virion-encapsidated methyl donor in spring viraemia of carp virus

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), a methyl donor, and its analogue S-adenyl-L-homocysteine (SAH), an inhibitor of methylation, stimulate the activity of spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) virion transcriptase. The stimulation observed for SVCV is analogous to that observed previously (Furuichi, 1974, 1978) for a totally unrelated virus, cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV). In the absence of exogenous SAM, RNA with 5'-methylated termini (presumptive GpppAmpAp) was produced, indicating that SVCV has an endogenous methyl donor. Significantly less methylated termini were produced when SVCV nucleocapsids were used to prime in vitro transcription reactions, suggesting that the majority of the endogenous methyl donor is not associated with the nucleocapsid. Partial removal of endogenous methyl donor by preparing nucleocapsids did not have any effect on the degree of stimulation by exogenous SAM or SAH. We conclude from this study that SAH has two effects on SVCV transcription, inhibition of methylation and stimulation of transcription.

Unspliced functional late 19S mRNAs containing intervening sequences are produced by a late leader mutant of simian virus 40

dl-805 is a viable deletion mutant of simian virus 40 lacking 187 of the 202 nucleotides coding for the principal leader of the wild-type viral late mRNAs. The structures of the mutant late 16S and 19S RNAs and proteins were examined with the following principal findings. (i) The vast majority, if not all, of the 19S RNAs are unspliced over their entire length. These RNAs contain intervening sequences and serve as mRNAs. The vast majority, if not all, of the 16S RNAs, however, retain the characteristic wild-type splice. (ii) Mutant 16S and 19S RNAs do not terminate at residue 243 (located six nucleotides upstream from the 5' end of the deleted DNA segment), the principal 5' terminus of the wild-type late mRNAs; rather, they begin at a series of sites, mostly upstream, used infrequently or not at all by wild-type virus. (iii) Despite the presence of altered late mRNAs, dl-805 late proteins have electrophoretic mobilities similar to those of wild-type late proteins, and mutant virions contain the same relative quantities of late proteins as wild-type virions.

[Evaluation of two commercial bovine vascular heterografts (author's transl)]

Two commercially available grafts made from chemically modified bovine carotif arteries, Artegraft (Surgikos Corp. U.S.A.) and Solcograft (Solco A.G. Switzerland), were evaluated. Preliminary evaluation indicates that these products compare favorably with other more common chemically treated grafts of biological origin. Morphological characteristics, inflammatory response and thrombogenic potential were measured. Their structure suggest that each of the processes conserve the collagen morphology of the media and the adventitia originally present in the precursor arteries. Test implantations in dogs reveal a tendency to undergo stenosis near the anastomoses within a few months. After six months of in-vivo function, these grafts are not invaded with the expected neo-formed cells and new collagen in their central portion; this process takes place only near the anastomoses.

[The compression syndrome: A revaluation of the value of postural angiography (author's transl)]

A total of 136 patients with a compression syndrome of the upper limb were examined systematically by selective dynamic angiography as developed by the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Montreal. The method consists of given multiple injections of a contrast medium with the patient's arm in thirteen different positions. This retrospective study demonstrated that this method carries very little risk and is well-tolerated by the patients. Conclusions are drawn from a comparative statistical analysis of the angiographic results and the therapy chosen. The practical value of the examination is not to confirm the anatomical site of the compression but to evaluate the characteristics of the stenosis before a decision is made whether to operate. In this respect, the positions in which the patient is sitting down and the arm is in abduction are those in which a difference is found between those patients operated upon and those given medical treatment, which is a point in favour of this particular procedure.

Deoxyribonucleic acid-mediated transformation of Spirillum lipoferum

The methodology for deoxyribonucleic acid-mediated transformation of Spirillum lipoferum to resistance to various antimicrobial agents is reported.

Improved production of citric acid by a diploid strain of Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger strain CGU 87 was treated with UV radiation and some auxotrophic mutants were obtained. These mutants were less productive than CGU 87, which produced an average of 7.4% citric acid. All possible crosses in pair wise combinations were carried out between these auxotrophs, and three heterokaryons were synthesised. Finally, one heterozygous diploid was isolated from each of them. These heterokaryons and diploids showed improved productivity when compared with their component parents, but except in one diploid D5, all others produced less citric acid than CGU 87. The yield of D5 exceeded that of CGU 87 by 1.2 times and it produced 9% citric acid. This is a significant improvement and the increased productivity seems to be the result of successful adaptation of D5 to its fermentation environment.

Spring viremia of carp virus RNA and virion-associated transcriptase activity

An RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity has been demonstrated for spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV). The optimal temperature for in vitro synthesis of RNA was 20 to 25 degrees C. The SVCV enzyme activity was stimulated when the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine was included in the reaction mixture. S-adenosyl-L-methionine was not particularly effective in stimulating the virion RNA polymerase activity of vesicular stomatitis virus or pike fry rhabdovirus. The 5' nucleotide of the SVCV viral RNA is pppAp.

Renal vein plasma adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in renovascular hypertension

The concentration of plasma adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured concomitantly in blood from both renal veins and in arterial blood in 22 hypertensive patients. In the nine patients with true renovascular hypertension the concentration of plasma cyclic AMP was greater in the venous effluent of the kidney affected by the renal artery stenosis than in that of the unaffected or less affected kidney. The arteriovenous difference in cyclic AMP concentration was less on the affected side in all but one patient. The arteriovenous differences in PRA identified the affected kidney as the source of hyper-reninemia and showed that renin release from the other kidney was suppressed. In the 13 patients with hypertension associated with but unrelated to renal artery stenosis there were no consistent patterns of cyclic AMP concentration or PRA in the venous effluent of the kidneys or of their arteriovenous differences. In renovascular hypertension the venous effluent of the kidney affected by renal artery stenosis contains not only more renin but also more cyclic AMP, owing to either increased cyclic AMP production or decreased excretion or extraction of cyclic AMP by the affected kidney. This unilateral increase in cyclic AMP concentration may become a complementary diagnostic feature of true renovascular hypertension.

Linear flowchart generator for a structured language

This article refers to a paper by Nassi and Shneiderman published in this review [1]. They introduced a type of flowchart specially designed for structured programming. We have defined a similar flowchart language for the PASCAL programming language [2, 3] and designed a program which, given a program written in PASCAL, generates the corresponding flowchart. The article presents a description of the output produced by this flowchart generator.

Echocardiographic observations in a patient with acute myocardial infarction with a nondiagnostic electrocardiogram

Echocardiography revealed a persistent large segment of dyskinesis of the posterolateral wall in a patient with clinical an enzyme evidence of acute myocardial infarction but without diagnostic electrocardiographic changes. A left ventricular angiogram confirmed the echocardiographic findings.

Spectrum of echocardiographic findings in bacterial endocarditis

Forty-seven echocardiograms were obtained in 32 patients with bacterial endocarditis. Preexistent abnormalities were found in 14 patients. In five of them thought to have bacterial endocarditis on normal valves, echocardiography showed mitral stenosis (one), bicuspid aortic valve (two), and prolapse of mitral valve (two). Definite vegetations were seen in 22 patients--on the aortic valve in seven, the mitral valve in 12, and both valves in three. Ten patients had milder changes suggestive but not diagnostic of vegetations. In 12 patients, surgery confirmed the echocardiographic findings. Fourteen had systemic embolic episodes and all had echocardiographic evidence of vegetations. Abnormalities secondary to bacterial endocarditis, other than vegetations, were common. Twenty-one patients had left ventricular volume overload. Ten had a flail posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, three of which were confirmed surgically. Eight had abnormal coarsely fluttering echoes in the left ventricular outflow tract consistent with a prolapsing aortic valve or underlying aortic vegetations; four were confirmed by surgery. Five had signs of severe aortic regurgitation of recent onset (premature mitral valve closure) and all had confirmation by surgery. Echocardiographic abnormalities persisted after successful medical treatment. We conclude that echocardiography is helpful in patients with bacterial endocarditis. It permits recognition of unsuspected preexistent lesions and the characteristic vegetations, as well as the extent and nature of valvular damage secondary to bacterial endocarditis. However, echocardiography does not differentiate between active and healed lesions.

An unusual case of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

Echocardiography revealed idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis in a patient previously operated on for calcific aortic valve disease. The echocardiography in addition showed symmetric left ventricular hypertrophy and unusual localization of the septal hypertrophy to the apical half of the septum.

[Spontaneous rupture of an aneuysm of the abdominal aorta into the inferior vena cava]

Rupture of an aortic aneurysm into the inferior vena cava is a rare complication; it represents 3 p. 100 of all ruptured aneurysms. The authors report a case with a typical clinical history and 3 main symptoms : lumbar pain, a pulsatile expansile mass, a continuous abdominal murmur giving rise to a thrill. The diagnosis was confirmed before operation by angiography which showed a fistula. A technical detail is emphasised: clamping of the inferior vena cava opening the aneurysm to reduce the risk of embolism into the right side of the heart during operation.

Carotid endarterectomy: survival rates of 227 patients

From March 1963 to March 1974, 227 patients with carotid stenosis underwent unilateral or bilateral carotid endarterectomy at l'Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus in Québec. Survival during the first 7 years after operation was analysed by life-table methods based on full intervals. The observed probability of death in this group was significantly higher than the probability expected in the general population, by 6.8% in the 1st year and 3.9% in the 2nd year. In the next 3 years the differences were much smaller (0.5, 0.9 and 1.4%). The major causes of death were myocardial infarction and stroke. Women fared somewhat better than men after the 1st year of follow-up. Unexpectedly, patients who underwent unilateral endarterectomy had lower survival rates in each of the first 5 years after operation than patients who underwent staged bilateral operations, whether survival was measured from the date of the first or the second operation.

Arterial hypertension and neurofibromatosis: renal artery stenosis and coarctation of abdominal aorta

A 10-year-old girl had arterial hypertension, generalized neurofibromatosis, coarctation of the abdominal aorta and multiple stenoses at the origin of each renal artery. After resection of the stenotic areas and reimplantation of the renal arteries in the aorta, her arterial pressure decreased substantially. However, hypertension recurred and radiologic follow-up 4 1/2 years later showed distinct progression of the coarctation and renewed stenosis of all renal arteries at their origin. The stenotic areas showed eccentric intimal proliferation, frequently bulging into the lumen, with small nodular aggregates of smooth muscle cells and proliferation of fibrous tissue containing spindle-shaped nuclei in a palisading pattern. Hypertension associated with neurofibromatotic vascular disease has been described in 47 other patients in the literature. These patients have been young (mean age, 14 years) and predominantly male. In contrast to fibromuscular dysplasia, in which 95% of all stenoses are found in the distal two thirds of the renal arteries, in vascular neurofibromatosis more than 50% of the stenoses are found at the origin.

Effect of new beta-adrenergic blocking agent, Atenolol (Tenormin), on pain frequency, trinitrin consumption, and exercise ability

In 11 patients with severe angina pectoris a new beta-blocking drug, atenolol (Tenormin; I.C.I.66082), was found in a double-blind randomized trial to reduce significantly the frequency of anginal attacks (P less than 0-001) and the amount of trinitrin consumed (P less than 0-03) in comparison with practolol and placebo. There was no significant improvement in the patients' ability to exercise on the bicycle ergometer.

RNA polymerase associated with virions of pike fry rhabdovirus

The association of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity with virions of pike fry rhabdovirus has been demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo studies. The temperature optimum for the in vitro assay is around 20 C, although enzyme activity can be observed at 4 C. Preparations of pike fry virus possess a glycoprotein, a membrane protein, a nucleoprotein, an L protein, and a phosphoprotein, as well as an RNA of about 3.8 times 10-6 mol wt. A protein kinase activity has been found associated with virus preparations. In vitro RNA product analyses indicate that the virus-associated enzyme functions principally as a transcriptase synthesizing viral-complementary, heteropolymeric RNA.

Detection of homologous RNA sequences among six rhabdovirus genomes

Complete transcripts of the genome of vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana strain have been used to hybridize to virion RNA to determine if there is RNA sequence homology among these viruses. Cellular RNA from cells infected by each of these viruses has also been used for hybridization with the homologous or heterologous virion RNA. The results indicate that there is little exact sequence homology among these viruses.

Complementary RNA species isolated from vesicular stomatitis (HR strain) defective virions

The wild-type strain of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) contains in its complete virion (VSV-1, B particles) a minus strand RNA. The principle defective particle of the wild-type strain (VSV-111, T particles) contains a shorter minus strand, homologous to part of the VSV-1 genome. Neither virion contains any detectable complementary (plus) strand RNA. In contrast, a preparation of a heat-resistant (HR) strain of VSV containing defective virions was found to contain both plus (21%) and minus strand RNA, present in several distinct size classes. It was found that the RNA in the HR virion preparation was at least 94% single-stranded and principally (96%) in ribonucleoprotein complexes. On extraction the plus and minus strand RNA species partially annealed to give a population of double- and multistranded RNA species. A small amount of RNA polymerase activity was associated with the HR defective virus preparation.

Initiation and direction of RNA transcription by vesicular stomatitis virus virion transcriptase

The initiation of RNA transcription by the virion-bound RNA transcriptase of vesicular stomatitis virus has been examined. Multiple initiation sequences have been observed, two of which have been characterized (pppApCpGp... and pppGpCp...) suggestive of a transcription process which can start at different sites along the template RNA. By the use of sequential labeling techniques and exonucleases, it has been determined that there is a 5' to 3' direction of product RNA synthesis.

Transcription of the influenza ribonucleic acid genome by a virion polymerase. 3. Completeness of the transcription process

The virion ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase of influenza strain A(0)/WS transcribed at least 81% of the viral genome in vitro. The polymerase is shown to be associated with each of the major size classes of the virion RNA-ribonucleoprotein complexes. Under optimal in vitro conditions, at least 45% of the RNA contained in a population of influenza virions was involved in a repetitive transcription process. The detectable proteins associated with enzymatically active complexes containing RNA, ribonucleoprotein, and polymerase have been identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Dissociation of vesicular stomatitis virus and relation of the virion proteins to the viral transcriptase

A procedure has been developed for the sequential removal and purification of the glycoprotein and membrane protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Neither of these proteins exhibited transcriptase activity. All of the activity was recovered in the ribonucleic acid (RNA)-ribonucleoprotein complex of VSV, which also has four other minor proteins associated with it. During transcription of 41% of the RNA of a virus preparation, no dissociation of the ribonucleoprotein from the viral RNA was observed.

Genome homology of vesicular stomatitis virus and defective T particles and evidence for the sequential transcription of the virion ribonucleic acid

The small defective T particle of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-111) has no detectable enzyme activity when assayed at 31 C, although qualitatively it possesses all the virion proteins found in complete VSV-1 virions. With VSV-1 transcription product ribonucleic acid (RNA), it is shown that the VSV-111 RNA is identical to part of the VSV-1 genome. Evidence is also presented to support the idea that in vitro VSV-1 transcription is sequential.