Nucleotide sequence homology at the 3' termini of RNA from vesicular stomatitis virus and its defective interfering particles

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and defective interfering (DI) particle RNAs were labeled at their 3' ends by using RNA ligase and cytidine 3',5'-bis[32P]phosphate. The RNAs were subjected to partial digestion with alkali and analyzed by oligonucleotide fingerprinting in two dimensions. VSV and DI particle RNAs have complete sequence homology for the first eight bases from the 3' end. The following four positions contain three mismatched nucleotides in which guanosine residues in one strand are replaced by uridine residues in the other. There is again complete homology for the next five bases (positions 13-17). The locations of purine residues within the sequence were confirmed by partial digestion with RNase T1 and RNase U2 and separation by size on 20% acrylamide gels. The latter method also indicated that sequences of VSV and DI particle RNAs diverge beyond the 18th nucleotide from the 3' termini.

Serum IgE and IgG antibody activity against Aspergillus fumigatus as a diagnostic aid in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Serum IgE and IgG antibody activity against Aspergillus fumigatus was measured in 3 groups of subjects by 2 different immunologic methods. Group A consisted of 23 patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Group B was composed of 19 patients with extrinsic asthma who had marked immediate type skin reactivity to A. fumigatus (prick skin test, 3 or 4+) but no other manifestation of ABPA. Group C, the control group, was composed of 12 healthy subjects. Two immunological methods, including a solid-phase polystyrene tube radioimmunoassay and an iodine-125-labeled, A. fumigatus antigen radioimmunoassay, were used to study each patient's serum sample, so as to demonstrate IgE antibody activity against A. fumigatus (IgE-Af) and IgG antibody activity against A. fumigatus (IgG-Af). Both IgE-Af and IgG-Af were significantly greater among patients in Group A than among those in Group B and Group C, as measured by both methods (P is less than 0.001). The results of this study suggest that either method can be used as a diagnostic aid for ABPA. These methods may provide a laboratory test permitting diagnosis of ABPA in its early stages before bronchial or pulmonary destruction occurs.

The spectrum of radiologic findings in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Early diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is important. Initiation of corticosteroid therapy in ABPA is essential to prevent progressive destruction of lung parenchyma. The earliest radiographic manifestations of the disease may be present only on bronchograms. In addition to the classic radiographic findings (infiltrate, massive homogeneous consolidation, tram-line shadow, parallel line shadow, ring shadow, toothpaste shadow, glove-finger shadow), perihilar infiltrates simulating adenopathy (pseudohilar adenopathy) and air fluid levels were frequently demonstrated.

Administration of local anesthetics to patients with a history of prior adverse reaction

The clinical histories of 71 patients evaluated for suspected local anesthetic (LA) allergy were reviewed retrospectively. The clinical histories were classified into (1) immediate generalized reactions (15%), (2) localized swelling at the injection site (25%), (3) nonspecific systemic symptoms (42%), and (4) other histories (17%). Serial dilutional intradermal skin tests were performed with mepivacaine, lidocaine, and procaine in 59 patients. There were 5 skin test--positive patients found, and each had a positive reaction to an LA to which, by history, they had not reacted. In 50 patients, when an LA was subsequently required, a subcutaneous challenge was performed with an LA chosen for chemical nonsimilarity. No significant reactions were observed in this group. Three patients tolerated a challenge with an LA to which they were skin test--positive. These data indicate (1) the low incidence of reactions compatible with a systemic IgE-mediated mechanism by history in patients referred for evaluation of LA allergy, (2) the lack of specific and clinically relevant information provided by dilutional skin tests, and (3) the apparent safety and usefulness of careful challenge with an alternative LA.

Highly reiterated sequences of SIMIANSIMIANSIMIANSIMIANSIMIAN

A 172-base pair segment of DNA that is repeated several million times in the genome of the African green monkey has been characterized. Sequence analysis revealed that the many repeats of this complex unit are not all identical but represent a set of closely related segments: Sequence divergence occurs at various positions in the segment in a nonrandom manner. The uncloned segment obtained from monkey DNA is compared with a cloned segment of the same DNA which was recombined into the genome of simian virus 40 during permissive infection.

The assessment of immunologic and clinical changes occurring during corticosteroid therapy for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Twenty-two patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have been treated and evaluated for a period ranging from two months to nine years. Twelve are available for periodic blood sampling. Data are presented suggesting the following: (1) Patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have high initial levels of total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE). These levels are significantly higher in those patients who had not been previously treated with prednisone for the control of asthma. (2) Treatment with alternate day prednisone (0.5 mg/kg given on alternate days) caused clinical and roentgenologic improvement as well as marked decreases in total serum IgE but does not necessarily prevent recurrence of the disease. (3) Total and specific IgE against Aspergillus antigen may increase prior to and during exacerbations of disease. (4) Specific IgG and IgE against Aspergillus antigen are increased in most patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and reflect disease activity as evidenced by x-ray and clinical exacerbations in some cases. (5) Lymphocyte transformation using Aspergillis antigen, as measured by the whole blood technic, is present in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, but serial changes in lymphocyte transformation do not correlate with disease activity. (6) Precipitin reactions are present in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, but presence or absence does not reflect disease activity in most cases.

A rho-dependent termination site in the gene coding for tyrosine tRNA su3 of Escherichia coli

A set of partially overlapping DNA restriction fragments that support promoter-dependent transcription of the tRNATyr1 gene of Escherichia coli has been used to study site-specific termination in vitro. Transcription termination occurs at a specific site 224-226 nucleotides beyond the end of the structural gene and is completely dependent on rho-factor. Certain features of this site suggest differences from other termination sites previously studied. A role for specific sequence recognition is suggested.

The relationship between function and DNA sequence in an intercistronic regulatory region in phage lambda

rho factor-mediated transcription termination at the tr1 terminator site of bacteriophage lambda is examined. Mutations affecting the termination event are characterised. These mutations define features of the site which seem to be important to terminator function. In addition, other related transcriptional and translational regulatory elements are defined within the region surrounding the termination site. The potential molecular interactions and structural overlaps of these control signals apparently couple the regulation of the decision between lytic and lysogenic growth patterns by phage lambda.

Hypersensitivity lung disease: early diagnosis

The early diagnosis of hypersensitivity lung disease (HLD) is important because of its progressive morbidity. It is often difficult to establish the diagnosis in the early stages because of the absence of defined symptoms. Case histories of 2 patients with pigeon breeder's HLD are reported. Both patients presented with unusual manifestations of the disease: one patient was asymptomatic but had an abnormal chest radiograph; the other patient had a normal chest radiograph but experienced occasional symptoms of exertional dyspnea. Both patients had abnormal pulmonary function and precipitin bands against pigeon serum. Following inhalation challenge with pigeon serum both patients developed fever and leukocytosis, but no significant pulmonary function response was observed. In both patients pulmonary function tests returned to near normal levels after corticosteroid therapy. Early detection of HLD may prevent progressive irreversible pulmonary damage. This requires a high index of clinical suspicion and appropriate screening tests. Inhalation challenge procedures are useful in establishing the diagnosis.

HLA antigen frequencies in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

The frequency of HLA antigens in twenty-two Caucasian patients with allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and sixty-nine unrelated Caucasian controls was determined. The results indicated that there was no increased frequency of a specific HLA antigen in patients with ABPA. Moreover, studies in thirteen families of ABPA patients also demonstrated that, within families, there was no consistent association between a specific haplotype and asthma, allergies or hay fever.

Immunologic responses to therapy in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: serum IgE value as an indicator and predictor of disease activity

Two patients, a child and an adult, with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis were studied over an 18-month period. Initially elevated total serum IgE levels fell during prednisone therapy and rose prior to and during an exacerbation. Total serum IgG fell with therapy, whereas the values of IgA and IgM remained constant. Specific IgG and IgE values against Aspergillus fumigatus as measured by radioimmunoassay were elevated in both patients. Specific IgE values increased in each patient prior to exacerbation, whereas specific IgG values increased in only one patient at the time of exacerbation. Immunologic evaluation may provide an assessment of disease activity of prospective value.

Restoration of in vitro growth control to malignant cells

A glycoprotein (molecular weight, ca. 160,000) from culture medium of contact-inhibited hamster melanocytes restores contact inhibition of growth to malignant melanocytes of man, mouse, and hamsters, and also effectively inhibits growth in vitro of a broad spectrum of malignant and normal cell types of ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal origins, including human colon carcinomas. The melanocyte contact inhibitory factor (MCIF) produces G1 growth arrest in malignant melanocytes; inhibition of all cell types is reversible, does related, and nontoxic at concentrations below 200 microgram/ml, but selectively lethal to malignant cells at higher concentrations. An electrophoretically identical protein is present in culture media of contact-inhibited melanocytes, fibroblasts, and epidermal cells, but absent from those of colon carcinomas, HeLa cells and malignant melanomas. Nevertheless, an MCIF-like band is present in whole cell homogenates of human colon carcinomas and hamster melanomas. MCIF may permit normal surface interactions required for feedback inhibition of growth.

Seasonal variations in post-partum plasma progesterone levels and conception in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

Progesterone concentrations in peripheral plasma of 18 primiparous and 34 multiparous dairy cows were determined by radioimmunoassay every 4 days, from 10 days post partum until the next conception. The interval from parturition to the first progesterone peak (greater than 4 ng/ml plasma) was significantly longer (P less than 4 ng/ml plasma) was significantly longer (P less than 0.01) in primiparous than in multiparous cows. The progesterone concentrations on Days 4-15 of the oestrous cycle were significantly lower (P less than 0.025) during the summer than in cycles occurring in winter. The conception rate during the summer was lower than in winter. In cows inseminated in summer, conception was related to the shape of the progesterone curve in the cycle preceding insemination.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in three patients with normal chest x-ray films

Three patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis had normal chest x-ray films at the time of dianosis. None had a history of pneumonitis or abnormal chest x-ray films in the past. On the basis of clinical and immunologic data that indicated the presence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, bronchograms were obtained, which revealed evidence of proximal bronchiectasis in each patient. These early changes in bronchial architecture were not evident on the plain x-ray films of the chest but were revealed by bronchographic study. The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may be made even in the presence of normal chest x-ray films.

Aortocoronary bypass: early results of operations in community hospitals of greater New Orleans

All 588 aortocoronary bypass operations performed in the community hospitals of greater New Orleans before 1974 are reported. Hospital mortality averaged 8.7% (4.3% for one bypass; 6.4% for two; 10.3% for three or more; 26% when bypass was combined with another cardiac procedure). Mortality ranged from 5% to 31% among ten surgical groups and from 0 to 20% among seven community hospitals. Men over 60 had excessive mortality (25%). The incidence of major nonfatal complications (myocardial infarction in 12.8% of patients, intraventricular conduction defects in 9.6%, significant arrhythmias in 10.7%, and complications requiring reoperation in 9.5%) also varied with the surgical group, the complexity of the procedure, the patient's age, and the hospital. As determined by these four factors, results of bypass operations in the community hospitals of greater New Orleans ranged from excellent to poor.

Evidence that Aspergillus fumigatus growing in the airway of man can be a potent stimulus of specific and nonspecific IgE formation

Serum IgE levels in patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are elevated but the degree of elevation varies markedly. Serum IgE levels in patients with aspergillomas may be strikingly elevated or normal. Absorption of serums with antigens of Aspergillus fumigatus combined with a solid phase radioimmunoassay technic demonstrated that both immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody activity against A. fumigatus were markedly reduced without a parallel reduction in serum total IgE. These results indicate that the very high levels of serum IgE found in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergilloma are not all specific IgE. These results are similar to those observed in rats infested with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. An explanation for the elevations of IgE levels in infestations with A. fumigatus may be analogous to the postulate that parasite-produced materials may result in T cell stimulatory factors for IgE-producing cells. Alternatively, A. fumigatus organisms may produce materials that inhibit T suppressor lymphocytes.

Contextual dissonance effects: nature and causes

Contextual consonance or dissonance refers to the concordance of, or the discrepancy between, the individual's social characteristics and those of the population by which he is surrounded. Although a number of advantageous consequences have been shown to issue from contextual dissonance, self-esteem is not one of them. This article seeks to account for the deleterious effect of contextual dissonance on self-esteem by examining the nature of dissonant communications environments, dissonant cultural environments, and dissonant comparison reference groups.

Trimellitic anhydride-induced airway syndromes: clinical and immunologic studies

This report describes a spectrum of respiratory symptoms in workers exposed to trimellitic anhydride (TMA), a biologically reactive chemical used in the plastics industry. Fourteen workers who had worked on a unit which synthesized TMA were evaluated by clinical and immunologic methods. Respiratory syndromes induced by TMA inhalation included asthma and rhinitis of the immediate type, late onset asthma with systemic symptoms, and airway irritation. TMA was shown to couple rapidly to human serum albumin, forming an immunoreactive hapten-protein complex. The workers' immunologic reactivity to this complex could be quantitated and correlated with the three respiratory syndromes. The asthma-rhinitis syndrome was mediated by IgE antibody specific for the TMA hapten. The syndrome of late onset asthma with systemic symptomes was accompanied by elevated levels of TMA-specific IgG antibody. Rheumatoid factor in high titer was found in one worker with IgE-mediated asthma and in two workers with asthma of late onset. Lymphocyte reactivity of TMA-HSA was demonstrated in three workers representative of the three clinical syndromes. Leukocyte histamine release was demonstrated to TMA-HSA in one worker with high levels of IgE antibody specific for TMA-HSA who had severe symptoms of acute rhinitis and asthma.

Acute urticaria and bronchospasm following radiographic contrast media in a dog

An immediate-type systemic reaction in a dog following intravenous radiographic contrast media (RCM) manifested by urticaria and wheezing on one occasion and urticaria alone on another occasion is described. This reactivity disappeared spontaneously and plans to study the mechanisms of such a reaction were not possible. If such reactivity is more persistent in certain other dogs, a model for study of immediate type reactivity to RCM would be available.