Identification of two highly polymorphic CA-repeats (D21S1224 and D21S1261) on human chromosome 21q22.3

Two highly polymorphic CA-repeat microsatellites (D21S1224 and D21S1261) are reported. The clones containing these CA-repeats (ABM-C60 and ABM-C29) have been isolated from a human chromosome-21-specific library (LA21NS01) and have been localised to the q22.3 band using a specific chromosome 21 somatic cell hybrid panel. Both polymorphisms showed heterozygosities of 0.83 in the unrelated reference parents from the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain. These new markers should improve the map of the 21q22.3 region, which is believed to contain a large number of genes.

Five new microsatellite polymorphisms at the q21 region of human chromosome 21

Five clones, containing polymorphic CA-repeat sequences, have been isolated from a specific human chromosome 21 phage library and have been localised to band q21 of chromosome 21 using a somatic cell hybrid panel. These highly repetitive sequences (D21S1263, D21S1264, D21S1415, D21S1417 and D21S1420) have been characterised in the CEPH reference parents and have heterozygosities ranging from 0.30 to 0.81 and an average polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.62. The relative order of these markers, based on the somatic cell hybrid panel, is cen-D21S1417, D21S1420-D21S1263, D21S1415-D21S1264-tel. The most polymorphic marker (D21S1264) has been included in the chromosome 21 genetic map. They have also been localised in the CEPH/Généthon YAC panel, providing a refined localisation of these polymorphic sequences. These five CA-repeat markers should provide a better characterisation of the q21 region of chromosome 21.

Simultaneous on-line DNA sequencing on both strands with two fluorescent dyes

We describe an automated DNA-sequencing technique which allows both the simultaneous sequencing from the two strands of double-stranded templates and the subsequent detection of the sequencing products online and in parallel. The technique is based on hardware technology also used in the ALF DNA sequencer (Pharmacia, Uppsala). A helium-neon laser was mounted into the sequencing device additionally to the standard argon laser. Two different primers, labeled with either fluorescein or Texas red, are used in a single sequencing reaction resulting in an output of two sequences. Both sequencing products are then analyzed on-line in the same lanes of a gel. This technique is especially useful for the complete sequencing of DNA fragments up to 1 kb. High accuracy sequencing of PCR products in double-stranded form can now be accomplished in only one sequencing reaction.

Use of the colonic carcinoma cell line CaCo-2 for in vivo amplification and detection of enteric viruses

The use of the continuous cell line CaCo-2 as an in vivo amplification system for the detection of fastidious human enteric viruses is reported. CaCo-2 cells showed an increased sensitivity to laboratory strains of group A rotavirus 3, reovirus 3, astrovirus 1, poliovirus 1, coxsackievirus A 24, enterovirus 70, and adenovirus 5, 40 and 41, when compared to a routine host cell line for each virus. Nucleic acids from wild-type infectious rotavirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus 40 in stool samples of patients with acute gastroenteritis could be amplified after infection of CaCo-2 cells with trypsin-pre-treated virus inocula. Virus diagnosis was carried out subsequently by dot-blot hybridisation with specific cDNA probes. An amplification factor between 10 and 1,000x was obtained by infection of CaCo-2 cells, thus enabling specific detection of low numbers of a wide range of enteric viruses, and the differentiation between infectious and noninfectious particles.

Survival of enteric viruses on environmental fomites

The survival of human enteric viruses on several porous (paper and cotton cloth) and nonporous (aluminum, china, glazed tile, latex, and polystyrene) environmental surfaces has been evaluated. Viruses persisted for extended periods on several types of materials commonly found in institutions and domestic environments. The stability of the viruses was generally influenced by environmental factors such as relative humidity (RH), temperature, and the type of surface contaminated. Overall, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human rotavirus (HRV) were more resistant to inactivation than enteric adenovirus (ADV) and poliovirus (PV). The resistance to the desiccation step appears to be of major significance in determining the survival of a virus dried on fomites. ADV and PV showed a pronounced decrease in titer at this stage, whereas HAV and HRV displayed little decay at the desiccation step. HAV and HRV persistence was not affected by the presence of fecal material. On nonporous surfaces, PV and ADV persisted better in the presence of feces. However, on porous fomites the presence of fecal material had a negative influence on the survival of PV and ADV. Except for HRV, greater virus survival was observed at 4 degrees than at 20 degrees C. PV and HAV survival was enhanced at high RH; the survival of the latter was enhanced at least for nonporous materials. When dried on porous materials, HRV also exhibited greater persistence at high RH. The survival of ADV was not affected by RH. The validity of using bacteriophages of Bacteroides fragilis as indicators of human viruses dried on fomites was evaluated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Disinfection of human enteric viruses in water by copper and silver in combination with low levels of chlorine

The efficacy of copper and silver ions, in combination with low levels of free chlorine (FC), was evaluated for the disinfection of hepatitis A virus (HAV), human rotavirus (HRV), human adenovirus, and poliovirus (PV) in water. HAV and HRV showed little inactivation in all conditions. PV showed more than a 4 log10 titer reduction in the presence of copper and silver combined with 0.5 mg of FC per liter or in the presence of 1 mg of FC per liter alone. Human adenovirus persisted longer than PV with the same treatments, although it persisted significantly less than HRV or HAV. The addition of 700 micrograms of copper and 70 micrograms of silver per liter did not enhance the inactivation rates after the exposure to 0.5 or 0.2 mg of FC per liter, although on some occasions it produced a level of inactivation similar to that induced by a higher dose of FC alone. Virus aggregates were observed in the presence of copper and silver ions, although not in the presence of FC alone. Our data indicate that the use of copper and silver ions in water systems may not provide a reliable alternative to high levels of FC for the disinfection of viral pathogens. Gene probe-based procedures were not adequate to monitor the presence of infectious HAV after disinfection. PV does not appear to be an adequate model viral strain to be used in disinfection studies. Bacteroides fragilis bacteriophages were consistently more resistant to disinfection than PV, suggesting that they would be more suitable indicators, although they survived significantly less than HAV or HRV.

[Utility of measuring prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times in a community hospital]

PURPOSE

To prove an excessive use of prothrombin-time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in a regional hospital of A-B nivel with 168 beds.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All studies of PT and APTT were compiled during one month. In accordance with assistance type (emergency, inpatient or outpatient), the following parameters were analysed: services distribution and assistance type, justification of haemostasis studies, according to the American Medical Association criteria modified for Erban et al., abnormal findings appeared and economical cost study of the tests, according to the justification request.

RESULTS

The total number of haemostasis tests performed in that month was 706, with a daily mean of 22.7. Seven hundred and six were PT analysis and 606 APTT. Fifty-six percent were not adequate. This corresponded to 82.5% of the requests in inpatients, 56% of the outpatients and 33.5% of emergency patients. Only 51 analyses were abnormal, that means 7.4% of all studies. From these, 13 were in inpatients (7.64% from the whole of the patients requests), 11 were outpatients (3.52%) and 27 emergencies (12.8%). The economical burden within the month studied amounted up to 629.760 ptas.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of haemostasis screening tests was excessive. The correction of this inappropriate use could improve the patient assistance and could decrease the cost, without impairing, and perhaps increasing, the assistential quality.

Mutational analysis of ERCC3, which is involved in DNA repair and transcription initiation: identification of domains essential for the DNA repair function

The human ERCC3 gene, which corrects specifically the nucleotide excision repair defect in human xeroderma pigmentosum group B and cross-complements the repair deficiency in rodent UV-sensitive mutants of group 3, encodes a presumed DNA helicase that is identical to the p89 subunit of the general transcription factor TFIIH/BTF2. To examine the significance of the postulated functional domains in ERCC3, we have introduced mutations in the ERCC3 cDNA by means of site-specific mutagenesis and have determined the repair capacity of each mutant to complement the UV-sensitive phenotype of rodent group 3 cells. A conservative substitution of arginine for the invariant lysine residue in the ATPase motif (helicase domain I), six deletion mutations in the other helicase domains, and a deletion in the potential helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif fail to complement the ERCC3 excision repair defect of rodent group 3 mutants, which implies that the helicase domains as well as the potential DNA-binding motif are required for the repair function of ERCC3. Analysis of carboxy-terminal deletions suggests that the carboxy-terminal exon may comprise a distinct determinant for the DNA repair function. In addition, we show that a functional epitope-tagged version of ERCC3 accumulates in the nucleus. Deletion of the putative nuclear location signal impairs neither the nuclear location nor the repair function, indicating that other sequences may (also) be involved in translocation of ERCC3 to the nucleus.

Three CA/GT repeat polymorphisms from loci D21S414 and D21S1234 on human chromosome 21

We report three new polymorphic CA repeat microsatellites (ABM-21, ABM-C37A, and ABM-C37B) in two different loci (D21S414 and D21S1234), located in bands q21 and q11.2 of human chromosome 21 (HC21) and that were isolated from a HC21 phage library (LA21NS01). Heterozygosities for ABM-21, ABM-C37A, and ABM-C37B were 0.74, 0.50, and 0.67 respectively. These three CA repeat markers should be useful in the construction of a high resolution genetic map of this region of HC21.

Structures associated with the expression of rabies virus structural genes in insect cells

When rabies virus structural genes were expressed in insect cells, major observed alterations were a high level of cytoplasmic vacuolization caused by the matrix protein M2 and the glycoprotein G. Ring-like structures, 16 nm in diameter, were observed in cell-free extracts from insect cells that expressed the N protein alone. Hexagonally shaped structures, 16-20 nm in diameter, and regular lattice aggregates of the same structures appeared on co-expression of N and M1 proteins. Co-expression of the four structural proteins led to the formation of cell surface blebs containing the structures corresponding to N and M1 proteins.

New alleles at microsatellite loci in CEPH families mainly arise from somatic mutations in the lymphoblastoid cell lines

In the analysis of 40 CEPH families, under the EUROGEM project, with a total of 29 microsatellites (26 CA-repeats, a TCTA-repeat within the vWFII-3 gene, a TTA-repeat within the PLA-2 gene, and an AAAT-repeat intragenic to the NF1 gene) from human chromosomes 12, 17, and 21, we have detected 21 cases of abnormal segregation of alleles in 16 pedigrees for a total of 14 markers (48%). In 11 cases, the abnormal transmissions were of somatic origin, 10 of which (91%) occurred in the lymphoblastoid cell lines. In 9 other cases, it was not possible to determine if the origin of the new alleles was somatic or germline, and in one case hemizygosity in several family members was observed, so its origin was germline. The 20 new mutations detected in the 22,852 meioses analysed represent a mutation frequency of 8.7 x 10(-4) per locus per allele. The germline mutation rate could be as high as 3.9 x 10(-4) per locus per gamete (from 0 to 3.9 x 10(-4)), but the rate of somatic mutations detected in the study was much higher (4.8 x 10(-4) to 8.7 x 10(-4) per locus per allele). Individual mutation rates ranged from 0 to 3.8 x 10(-3). Among the markers analysed, all three that were tri- or tetranucleotide repeats showed one or two new alleles, compared to only 10 of the 26 (38%) CA-repeats showing mutations. Three CEPH families (102, 45 and 1333) each had several mutational events, and one individual (10210) had somatic mutations for two microsatellites from different chromosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of immunological and molecular hybridization detection methods for the detection of hepatitis A virus in sewage

Immune electron microscopy (IEM), radioimmunoassay (RIA) and molecular hybridization with a digoxigenin-labelled cDNA probe were compared for the detection of wild-type human hepatitis A virus (HAV) in raw and treated sewage. In the same experiments, classic tests for culturable enteroviruses were carried out. With the hybridization probes, HAV was detected in three of the 13 affluent samples (23%) and in eight out of 13 effluent samples (61%). For four of the effluent samples, positivity revealed by IEM was confirmed by the cDNA probe. In contrast, two of the samples shown as positive by IEM were negative with the probes. Detection of HAV by RIA was negative in all cases. Demonstration of HAV was higher in effluent than in affluent. No particular relationship was established between demonstration of HAV, on the one hand, and the various concentrations of enteroviruses observed in the same samples on the other. Overall, if all the results, irrespective of the type of water (affluent or effluent), are taken together, 50% of the sewage samples tested were found to contain HAV by one or another method of detection.

Isolation and characterization of 14 CA-repeat microsatellites from human chromosome 21

Fourteen CA-repeat microsatellite polymorphisms from human chromosome 21 (HC21) (D21S364, D21S365, D21S366, D21S367, D21S368, D21S369, D21S406, D21S407, D21S408, D21S409, D21S410, D21S411, D21S415, and D21S1217) have been cloned from a flow-sorted phage library (LA21NS01). These microsatellite loci have been mapped using a somatic cell hybrid panel of HC21, and heterozygosities and allele frequencies have been determined. The markers spread along the length of the long arm of the HC21. Twelve of these microsatellites have heterozygosities between 0.47 and 0.90. These new CA-repeat markers will improve the genetic map of HC21.

Concentration of fish enveloped viruses from large volumes of water

The validity of several concentration procedures for the detection of fish enveloped viruses present in large volumes of water was determined. Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was used to evaluate adsorption/elution to positively-charged MK filter cartridges for the concentration of enveloped viruses. For fresh water, the efficiency of the procedure ranged from 12 to 100%, with a mean recovery of 57%. In seawater samples, the recoveries varied from 15 to 100%, with a mean recovery of 59%. The same virus was used in methods such as organic flocculation and ammonium sulphate flocculation with very poor recoveries of infectious virus, caused by the inactivation of VHSV in both procedures. Concentration of seawater samples from tanks housing sea bass or gilthead affected by viral erythrocytic infection and lymphocystis, respectively, were carried out. In both cases, the viruses responsible for the outbreaks were detected by electron microscopy in the concentrated water samples.

Heterodimer formation of cJun and ATF-2 is responsible for induction of c-jun by the 243 amino acid adenovirus E1A protein

The adenovirus E1A proteins differentially regulate AP-1-responsive genes. Collagenase and stromelysin are repressed by E1A, whereas the expression of c-jun is elevated. Inhibition of collagenase has been found to be exerted through the consensus AP-1 binding site TGAGTCA. Here we show that the distal AP-1 binding site in the c-jun promoter, the jun2TRE (TTACCTCA), is the decisive element of this promoter in mediating the positive response to the 243 amino acid E1A product. In vitro binding studies revealed that, in contrast to the consensus AP-1 site which is preferentially targeted by dimers composed of the Jun and Fos families, the jun2TRE binds heterodimers composed of cJun and ATF-2(-like) proteins. Since stimulation of c-jun transcription is a function of the transforming domain of E1A encoded by conserved region 1, cJun--ATF-2 may be one of the effector factors involved in transformation. The data further suggest that E1A can distinguish between cJun--cJun and cJun--ATF-2 in imposing opposite states of activity.

[Evaluation of the demand for tests for the detection of anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies in Catalonia]

BACKGROUND

Most programs for the control of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) contemplate the registry of cases as the principal source of information. Despite the fact that these data have permitted important epidemiologic and clinical aspects of the disease to become known epidemiologic surveillance systems should be developed based on the detection of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

METHODS

The prevalence and the epidemiologic profile of patients who underwent an anti-HIV test were studied in 17 hospitals in Catalonia in 1989. In addition, a questionnaire concerning demographic and epidemiologic variables was completed by all the patients in whom an ELISA test had been carried out during 4 periods of 15 days.

RESULTS

During this period 33,012 serologic tests were performed in 17 centers with a global prevalence of positive results of 20.7% (IC 95% = 20.2%-21.1%). The greatest number of positive serologies corresponded to the collective of intravenous drug users (IVDU), consisting of 68% of all the positive tests with a prevalence of infection of 76.4%. Prevalence was considered as constant throughout the year despite the differences between the prevalence observed in some periods.

CONCLUSIONS

The fact that the collective of intravenous drug users is most prevalent among the patient with positive results in the serologic detection of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) confirms that this is the principal group of transmission in Catalonia. This type of study may provide information on the rate of infection by HIV complementing other surveillance methods of the epidemic. However, the basic function of these tests stems from the study of the demand and use of detection tests.

Propagation of adenovirus types 40 and 41 in the PLC/PRF/5 primary liver carcinoma cell line

The sensitivity of cell cultures to adenovirus types 40 and 41 (Ad40/41) was compared by means of cell culture infectious dose (ID50) assays using monolayer cultures in microtitre plates. The PLC/PRF/5 cell line derived from a primary human hepatocellular carcinoma was 100 times more sensitive to a laboratory strain of Ad41, and 10 times more sensitive to a laboratory strain of Ad40 and two Ad41 stool isolates, than Graham 293 and Chang conjunctival cells commonly used for the propagation of these viruses. In microtitre plate titration assays PLC/PRF/5 cells retained an optimal condition for longer and displayed cytopathogenic effects earlier and more clearly than the other cell lines. In contrast to previously used cells, PLC/PRF/5 cells also proved successful for the quantitation of Ad41, but not Ad40, by conventional plaque assays. The reason for the exceptional susceptibility of PLC/PRF/5 cells has not been elucidated, but the findings open attractive new doors for research on Ad40/41.

The use of bacteriophages of Bacteroides fragilis as indicators of the efficiency of virucidal products

The potential use of bacteriophage B40-8 of Bacteroides fragilis for the evaluation of the virucidal activity of antiseptics or disinfectants was investigated. The antiviral activity of two antiseptics and two disinfectants was evaluated according to a standard guideline. The effect of the virucidal agents was assessed on (i) viruses usually spread by direct contact with surfaces with contaminated secretions, i.e. herpes virus 1 and 2, and vaccinia virus, and (ii) viruses transmitted by the fecal-oral route, i.e. hepatitis A virus, poliovirus, adenovirus and rotavirus. The survival of B40-8 always equalled or exceeded that of the animal viruses tested. Our data suggest the use of bacteriophage B40-8 to complement the information furnished by some standardized methods in ascertaining the antiviral activity of virucidal preparations.

MspI restriction fragment length polymorphism near exon 10 of cystic fibrosis (CFTR) gene

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Viral erythrocytic infection in sea bass: virus purification and confirmative diagnosis

The viral erythrocytic infection (VEI) of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is evidenced by the presence of inclusion bodies in the erythrocytes and erythroblasts. Virus-like particles (VEIV) about 135-150 nm in diameter were observed in erythroblasts of affected fish. No culturable virus could be recovered from the organs and blood of VEI-affected fish, after inoculation of different fish cell lines. Histochemical staining revealed the presence of RNA but not of DNA in the inclusion bodies. Specific, rabbit hyperimmune sera were prepared after extraction and purification by gel chromatography of viral material from pelleted blood cells of infected fish, and evaluated by immunocytochemical assays. Electron microscopic observations revealed the presence of enveloped particles of about 125-150 nm in the antigenic preparation. The antisera specifically reacted to inclusion bodies, cellular membranes and nuclei of VEI-affected erythrocytes in immunofluorescent and peroxidase-antiperoxidase assays. Immunoelectron microscopy in ultrathin sections of head kidney samples from VEI-affected fish showed recognition of inclusion bodies and virus particles. Confirmative diagnostic procedures could be established through the use of specific anti-VEIV sera, which enabled differentiation between similar syndromes described in other fish species.

Adsorption-elution with negatively and positively-charged glass powder for the concentration of hepatitis A virus from water

Two methods based on virus adsorption and elution from glass powder were developed for the concentration of hepatitis A virus (HAV) from large volumes of water. The cytopathogenic pHM-175 strain of HAV was used to test these procedures in tap water, fresh water, sea water and raw sewage. HAV was quantitated by a plaque assay in the FRhK-4 cell line. HAV was concentrated by glass powder adsorption-elution from 20-liter samples with satisfactory efficiencies in all types of water: 100% for tap water, 80% for freshwater, 75% for sea water and 61% for sewage. The charge of glass powder was modified by polyethylenimine treatment to avoid the need to pretreat the sample. Concentration efficiencies of HAV in 20-1 samples through adsorption to and elution from positively-charged glass powder were 100% for tap water, 94% for sea water, and 61% for fresh water and sewage. Both methods were used for the detection of wild-type HAV in raw sewage. Wild-type HAV in concentrated sewage samples was detected by molecular hybridization with a digoxigenin-labelled cDNA probe.

[Use of the polymerase chain reaction technic in the genetic analysis of cystic fibrosis]

The development of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which allows the specific amplification of DNA sequences has improved considerably the genetic analysis of hereditary diseases. We present here the application of this new technique to the genetic analysis of cystic fibrosis (CF), the most frequent severe genetic disease in caucasians. We have amplified four sequences containing polymorphisms linked to the CF gene (CS.7, KM.19, MP6d-9 and J3.11), and analysed the amplified products with restriction enzymes. Complete concordance was found with classical Southern methods, allowing the application of PCR to routine CF family studies.

Electrocardiographic monitoring in children with chronic renal failure

Continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring was performed over 24 h in 44 children at various stages of chronic renal failure in order to determine the incidence and nature of cardiac dysrhythmias. In addition the ECG was followed during haemodialysis sessions and during dialysate exchanges in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. In contrast to adult patients on haemodialysis life-threatening dysrhythmias were not observed. The proportion of children with premature ventricular complexes (41%) was at the upper limit of that in healthy children. A relatively high heart rate was found in children on CAPD, which varied during the exchange procedure. In 57% of all patients a transient marked prolongation of the QT interval up to 40% greater than normal was observed without obvious changes in the serum electrolyte levels. Continuous ECG monitoring is a useful tool for detecting alterations of cardiac rhythm and conduction in at-risk children with renal failure.

Isolation of marine bacteria with antiviral properties

We report in this study the isolation of marine bacteria with antiviral properties that have been tentatively classified as Moraxella. These bacteria retained their virucidal capacity after prolonged subcultivation in the laboratory. The virus-inactivating agent could not be separated from the viable marine bacteria, indicating that the active agent(s) either remains associated to the microorganisms or has a very short lifetime, or both. The antiviral capacity of the isolated microorganisms was highly specific for poliovirus. No virucidal effect was observed against other strains of enteroviruses, such as Coxsackie and ECHO virus, rotavirus SA11, or bacteriophages proposed as indicators of the virological quality of water, such as coliphage f2 and bacteriophage B40-8, which infects Bacteroides fragilis.

Recovery of solid-associated virus: evaluation of different procedures

Three different extraction-concentration methods for virological analysis of sludge, marine and river sediments are studied. Enterovirus present in the concentrates were enumerated using the plaque technique with BGM cells. The results show that the indirect extraction technique isolated virus from the largest number of marine sediment samples. The direct extraction method is the best to recover virus from river sediments. Among the sludge samples, the number of positive samples did not vary much with the different techniques. It appears that there is no one universal method for virus concentration applicable to all categories of sediments and sludge.

Radiation dose and breast cancer risk in patients treated for cancer of the cervix

The relationship between breast cancer and radiation treatment for cervical cancer was evaluated in an international study of 953 women who subsequently developed breast cancer and 1,806 matched controls. Radiation doses to the breast (average 0.31 Gy) and ovaries (average 32 Gy) were reconstructed for exposed subjects on the basis of their original radiotherapy records. Overall, 88% of the breast cancer cases and 89% of the controls received radiation treatment [relative risk (RR) = 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7-1.2]. Among women with intact ovaries (561 cases, 1,037 controls), radiotherapy was linked to a significant 35% reduction in breast cancer risk, attributable in all likelihood to the cessation of ovarian function. Ovarian doses of 6 Gy were sufficient to reduce breast cancer risk but larger doses did not reduce risk further. This saturation-type response is probably due to the killing of a critical number of ovarian cells. Cervical cancer patients without ovaries (145 cases, 284 controls) were analyzed separately because such women are at especially low natural risk for breast cancer development. In theory, any effect of low-dose breast exposure, received incidentally during treatment for cervical cancer, should be more readily detectable. Among women without ovaries, there was a slight increase in breast cancer risk (RR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.6-2.0), and a suggestion of a dose response with the RR being 1.0, 0.7, 1.5 and 3.1 for breast doses of 0, 0.01-0.24, 0.25-0.49 and 0.50+ Gy, respectively. However, this trend of increasing RR was not statistically significant. If low-dose radiation increases the risk of breast cancer among women over age 40 years, it appears that the risk is much lower than would be predicted from studies of younger women exposed to higher doses.

Radiotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Fifty-nine patients with multiple myeloma referred for treatment of painful bony lesions received irradiation to 95 local areas, and 16 of the 59 were irradiated using hemibody techniques. Pain relief was obtained in practically all of the irradiated regions. Most local areas were treated to doses of 3000 cGy in 10 to 15 fractions. Patients with generalized pain due to multiple site involvement were treated with single dose hemibody irradiation, to doses of 600 cGy to the upper hemibody, and of 800 cGy to the lower hemibody. This treatment was well tolerated and side effects minimal. Median survival from diagnosis was 30 months and the survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80%, 42%, and 12% respectively. Key articles on radiation therapy of multiple myeloma are reviewed and discussed. Since all patients eventually relapse after chemotherapy, the role of radiotherapy using present techniques should be fully evaluated and considered as an alternative in the primary treatment of multiple myeloma.

Radiotherapy and L-triiodothyronine in the treatment of high-grade astrocytoma

From January 1983 to March 1984, eight patients with high-grade astrocytoma received postoperative irradiation concomitantly with triiodothyronine at the Radiation Therapy Department of the I. González Martínez Oncologic Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. There were no complications related to treatment. One patient is alive without evidence of disease at 39 months and seven patients died with disease, one of whom lived for 3 yr. The survival curve for these patients is similar to the survival curve of 18 patients treated at the University of Chicago by surgery, radiation, and triiodothyronine. The value of triiodothyronine as an adjuvant in the treatment of high grade astrocytoma should be further investigated.

Radiation dose and second cancer risk in patients treated for cancer of the cervix

The risk of cancer associated with a broad range of organ doses was estimated in an international study of women with cervical cancer. Among 150,000 patients reported to one of 19 population-based cancer registries or treated in any of 20 oncology clinics, 4188 women with second cancers and 6880 matched controls were selected for detailed study. Radiation doses for selected organs were reconstructed for each patient on the basis of her original radiotherapy records. Very high doses, on the order of several hundred gray, were found to increase the risk of cancers of the bladder [relative risk (RR) = 4.0], rectum (RR = 1.8), vagina (RR = 2.7), and possibly bone (RR = 1.3), uterine corpus (RR = 1.3), cecum (RR = 1.5), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (RR = 2.5). For all female genital cancers taken together, a sharp dose-response gradient was observed, reaching fivefold for doses more than 150 Gy. Several gray increased the risk of stomach cancer (RR = 2.1) and leukemia (RR = 2.0). Although cancer of the pancreas was elevated, there was no evidence of a dose-dependent risk. Cancer of the kidney was significantly increased among 15-year survivors. A nonsignificant twofold risk of radiogenic thyroid cancer was observed following an average dose of only 0.11 Gy. Breast cancer was not increased overall, despite an average dose of 0.31 Gy and 953 cases available for evaluation (RR = 0.9); there was, however, a weak suggestion of a dose response among women whose ovaries had been surgically removed. Doses greater than 6 Gy to the ovaries reduced breast cancer risk by 44%. A significant deficit of ovarian cancer was observed within 5 years of radiotherapy; in contrast, a dose response was suggested among 10-year survivors. Radiation was not found to increase the overall risk of cancers of the small intestine, colon, ovary, vulva, connective tissue, breast, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. For most cancers associated with radiation, risks were highest among long-term survivors and appeared concentrated among women irradiated at relatively younger ages.

Occurrence of enteroviruses in marine sediment along the coast of Barcelona, Spain

A survey of the occurrence of enteroviruses in marine sediment was undertaken in an area receiving polluted effluents. Enteroviruses were detected in 21 out of 38 samples (55%). Viruses were found as far as 5 km from the shoreline and at a depth of 82 m. Multiple correlations between enteroviruses and bacteria, detected in the same samples, were computed. No correlation could be demonstrated between virus numbers and any other parameter in sediment samples collected south of Barcelona. This lack of correlation is probably due to the different decay rates shown by bacteria and viruses. In contrast, the cases where pollution resulted from a more recent deposition, as in sediment samples collected north of Barcelona, enterovirus levels were correlated with fecal streptococci levels.

Non-seasonal distribution of rotavirus in Barcelona raw sewage

To ascertain the occurrence of a seasonal distribution of human rotavirus in Barcelona raw sewage, surveys of rotavirus levels in wastewater were undertaken in November 1985 and July 1986. A uniform distribution of rotaviruses was found to occur, which is consistent with the reported local frequencies of rotaviral diarrhoea, in contrast with the strict seasonability observed for rotavirus infections in temperate climates.

Enhancement of the humoral immune response and resistance to bacterial infection in mice by the oral administration of a bacterial immunomodulator (OM-89)

We investigated the effects of an Escherichia coli-derived product (OM-89) in mice. The oral administration of OM-89 led to a significant (p less than 0.05, Student's t test) increase in the levels of IgA in intestinal secretions, which was at maximum 25 days after the end of the treatment, when a two-fold increase in IgA levels was observed. The i.p. inoculation of OM-89 induced the stimulation of anti-SRBC plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the spleen. The effect of OM-89 was dose-dependent and produced up to a 9-fold increase in PFC in the treated mice when compared to untreated controls. The oral administration of OM-89 proved to be effective in the enhancement of resistance to challenge i.p. inoculation with E. coli. 32% of OM-89-treated mice showed resistance to this experimental infection at minimal LD100. The combined effects of low environmental temperature and cyclophosphamide (CY) immunosuppression enabled us to enhance differences in survival rates in experiments on the modulation of resistance towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The oral treatment with the immunomodulator induced a significant (p less than 0.05, Student's t test) level of protection in CY-immunosuppressed mice to the intranasal infection with P. aeruginosa, when mice were kept at low environmental temperature right after the bacterial challenge. The protective effect of OM-89 treatment was dependent on both the environmental temperature and the timing of the experiment.

Radiation dose and leukemia risk in patients treated for cancer of the cervix

To quantify the risk of radiation-induced leukemia and provide further information on the nature of the relationship between dose and response, a case-control study was undertaken in a cohort of over 150,000 women with invasive cancer of the uterine cervix. The cases either were reported to one of 17 population-based cancer registries or were treated in any of 16 oncologic clinics in Canada, Europe, and the United States. Four controls were individually matched to each of 195 cases of leukemia on the basis of age and calendar year when diagnosed with cervical cancer and survival time. Leukemia diagnoses were verified by one hematologist. Radiation dose to active bone marrow was estimated by medical physicists on the basis of the original radiotherapy records of study subjects. The risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, one of the few malignancies without evidence for an association with ionizing radiation, was not increased [relative risk (RR) = 1.03; n = 52]. However, for all other forms of leukemia taken together (n = 143), a twofold risk was evident (RR = 2.0; 90% confidence interval = 1.0-4.2). Risk increased with increasing radiation dose until average doses of about 400 rad (4 Gy) were reached and then decreased at higher doses. This pattern is consistent with experimental data for which the down-turn in risk at high doses has been interpreted as due to killing of potentially leukemic cells. The dose-response information was modeled with various RR functions, accounting for the nonhomogeneous distribution of radiation dose during radiotherapy. The local radiation doses to each of 14 bone marrow compartments for each patient were incorporated in the models, and the corresponding risks were summed. A good fit to the observed data was obtained with a linear-exponential function, which included a positive linear induction term and a negative exponential term. The estimate of the excess RR per rad was 0.9%, and the estimated RR at 100 rad (1 Gy) was 1.7. The model proposed in this study of risk proportional to mass exposed and of risk to an individual given by the sum of incremental risks to anatomic sites appears to be applicable to a wide range of dose distributions. Furthermore, the pattern of leukemia incidence associated with different levels of radiation dose is consistent with a model postulating increasing risk with increasing exposure, modified at high doses by increased frequency of cell death, which reduces risk.

The peroxidase isozymes of the wheat kernel: tissue and substrate specificity and their chromosomal location

Peroxidase isozymes were studied in the Triticum aestivum L. kernel and in nullisomic-tetrasomic and ditelocentric combinations of 'Chinese Spring' wheat. Analyses were carried out on different parts of dry kernels (embryo plus scutellum and endosperm) using polyacrylamide and starch gel electrophoresis, different electrophoretic buffer systems and various staining methods. The peroxidase isozymes showed a low substrate-specificity and a high tissue-specificity. The embryo plus scutellum and the endosperm always presented different peroxidase patterns. Endosperm peroxidases were associated with chromosome arms 7DS, 4BL and 7AS; whereas the embryo plus scutellum isozymes were related to chromosome arms 3AL, 3BL and 3DS. The different results obtained using various electrophoretic techniques are due to the buffer system used. All staining procedures employed revealed the same peroxidase isozymes.

The effect of a mass poliomyelitis vaccination program on the occurrence of enteroviruses in seawater

A mass poliomyelitis immunization program undertaken in a coastal city correlated with a significant increase in the levels of vaccinal-type strains of poliovirus recovered in the surrounding seawater. These vaccinal strains were detected together with other wild strains regularly isolated that did not exceed the levels usually detected. The need for a serious monitoring of uncontrolled sewage discharges into the sea is discussed.