The influence of neighborhood disadvantage, collective socialization, and parenting on African American children's affiliation with deviant peers

This study focused on hypotheses about the contributions of neighborhood disadvantage, collective socialization, and parenting to African American children's affiliation with deviant peers. A total of 867 families living in Georgia and Iowa, each with a 10- to 12-year-old child, participated. Unique contributions to deviant peer affiliation were examined using a hierarchical linear model. Community disadvantage derived from census data had a significant positive effect on deviant peer affiliations. Nurturant/involved parenting and collective socialization processes were inversely associated, and harsh/inconsistent parenting was positively associated, with deviant peer affiliations. The effects of nurturant/involved parenting and collective socialization were most pronounced for children residing in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Delayed facial palsy after stapedectomy

OBJECTIVE

To study the incidence, pathogenesis, and prevention of delayed facial palsy after stapedectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case review.

SETTING

Otology/neurotology referral center.

PATIENTS

A series of 2152 stapedectomy procedures in 2106 patients over 12 years.

INTERVENTION

Delayed facial palsy after stapedectomy was studied.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system and serum antibody titer tests for herpes simplex virus type I and type II, and varicella zoster virus.

RESULTS

Delayed facial palsy occurred in 11 of 2152 procedures. Delayed facial palsy occurred from 5 to 16 days (mean 8) after stapedectomy. Predisposing factors were bony facial canal dehiscence with bare or bulging facial nerve herniation in 5 patients; chorda tympani nerve stretched, manipulated, or cut in 2 patients; granulomatous reaction to Gelfoam in 1 patient; fever blisters on the upper lip in 1 patient; and sinusitis in 2 patients. Elevated anti-varicella antibody titers were found in all 6 patients studied. Anti-herpes simplex type I and II antibody titers were elevated in 5 of 6 patients. Acyclovir was effective in preventing delayed facial palsy in 1 patient who had undergone revision stapedectomy and experienced delayed facial palsy after previous stapedectomy in the same ear with elevated anti-herpes antibody titer.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed facial palsy occurred in 0.51% of patients after stapedectomy. Serologic investigation suggests activation of latent herpesvirus. Mechanical irritation of the facial or chorda nerve during operation may trigger the activation. The anti-herpesvirus agent acyclovir may prevent delayed facial palsy after stapedectomy in patients suspected of having this complication.

Attenuation of morphine dependence and withdrawal in rats by venlafaxine, a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor

The effects of venlafaxine, a novel serotonin and adrenaline reuptake inhibitor, on the morphine withdrawal and activation of morphine conditioned place preference (CPP), were investigated in rats. Our results showed that the most morphine withdrawal signs, including jumping, writhing, shakes, exploring, lacrimation, piloerection, irritability, and diarrhea, were attenuated by pretreatment with 10 or 20 mg/kg venlafaxine. To investigate the effects of venlafaxine on relapse to opiate dependence, the morphine CPP was used and a dopamine D2 antagonist sulpiride was selected as a control drug. The morphine CPP disappeared following a 28-day drug-free period and appeared again after given a single injection of 1 mg/kg morphine. Acute treatment with sulpiride (25 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min prior to 1 mg/kg morphine injection significantly blocked the reacquisition of CPP, while venlafaxine (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) did not show significant effect. However, chronic treatment with venlafaxine (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p. twice, daily, for seven consecutive days) significantly attenuated the reacquisition of morphine CPP, whereas chronic treatment with sulpiride (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) have no significant effect. Our results demonstrated for the first time that venlafaxine strongly attenuates morphine withdrawal and morphine-induced reaquisition of

Linking parenting processes and self-regulation to psychological functioning and alcohol use during early adolescence

A longitudinal transactional model was tested linking parenting and youth self-regulation to youths' psychological functioning and alcohol-use behavior. Participants included one hundred twenty 12-year-olds, their mothers, and their fathers from whom three waves of data were collected at 1-year intervals. Teachers provided assessments of self-regulation, and parenting was assessed from multiple perspectives, including youth reports, parent reports, and observer ratings. Youths reported their psychological functioning and alcohol-use behavior. The data supported the model. Parenting and youth self-regulation were stable across time, and self-regulation was linked with changes in harsh-conflicted parenting from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Parenting at Wave 2 was associated with youth self-regulation. Youth self-regulation at Wave 2 mediated the paths from parenting practices at Wave 2 to youth psychological functioning and alcohol use at Wave 3.

[The efficiency of algae removal from drinking water by ferrate]

This paper studied the efficiency of algae removal by ferrate from two kinds of raw water which were collected from Donghu and Tiegang reservoir respectively. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of algae reached about 95% only through PAC coagulation when the raw water was extracted from Donghu reservoir in which most of algae was Chlorella. But dealing with Tiegang raw water in which the majority of algae were Oscillatoria, terrate was used as pre-oxidant coupling with PAC coagulation not only using PAC to flocculate and the efficiency of algae removal could be up to 97.85%. However this treatment method using ferrate as pre-oxidant overmatched the traditional method prechlorination for algae removal.

Pubertal transition, stressful life events, and the emergence of gender differences in adolescent depressive symptoms

This study examined the role of both pubertal and social transitions in the emergence of gender differences in depressive symptoms during adolescence. This study generated the following findings: (a) Gender differences in depressive symptoms emerged during 8th grade and remained significant through 12th grade. (b) Pubertal status in 7th grade was related to adolescent depressive symptoms over time. (c) Early-maturing girls represented the group with the highest rate of depressive symptoms. (d) Depressive symptoms measured in 7th grade predicted subsequent symptom levels throughout the secondary school years. (e) Recent stressful life events were associated with increased depressive symptoms. (f) Early-maturing girls with higher levels of initial symptoms and more recent stressful life events were most likely to be depressed subsequently. The findings demonstrate the importance of the interaction between the pubertal transition and psychosocial factors in increasing adolescent vulnerability to depressive experiences.

Lung development following diaphragmatic hernia in the fetal rabbit

Diaphragmatic hernia was created in 39 rabbit fetuses on day 23 of gestation. Fifteen fetuses underwent a sham thoracotomy (SHAM). Thirty-nine non-operated littermates served as internal controls (CTR). Fetuses were harvested by Caesarean section on days 25, 27, 29 and 30 of gestation. Pulmonary response was evaluated by lung to body weight ratio (LBWR), morphometry, and density of type II pneumocytes. No difference was found between CTR and SHAM fetuses at term. CDH fetuses had smaller lungs (LBWR 0.014 +/- 0.004 versus 0.030 +/- 0.04 in CTR, P < 0.0001), a less complex acinus [mean terminal bronchial density (MTBD) 1.786 +/- 0.408 versus 0.917 +/- 0. 188, P < 0.0001], thicker alveolar septa [mean wall transection length (LMW) 0.0221 +/- 0.008 versus 0.0142 +/- 0.002, P = 0.0003], and a lower type II cell count (144.5 +/- 19.33 versus 216.2 +/- 27.85 per high power field, P < 0.0001). The differences in MTBD and LMW were significant from gestational day 25 onwards, and the differences in type II cell count from day 27 onwards. Surgical diaphragmatic hernia in rabbit fetuses in the late pseudoglandular phase reproduces many features of the pulmonary hypoplasia associated with human congenital diaphragmatic hernia, including the delayed maturation. The effects are present within 2 days following experimental diaphragmatic hernia and progress over time.

A calmodulin-related protein that suppresses posttranscriptional gene silencing in plants

Posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is an ancient eukaryotic regulatory mechanism in which a particular RNA sequence is targeted and destroyed. The helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) of plant potyviruses suppresses PTGS in plants. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, we identified a calmodulin-related protein (termed rgs-CaM) that interacts with HC-Pro. Here we report that rgs-CaM, like HC-Pro itself, suppresses gene silencing. Our work is the first report identifying a cellular suppressor of PTGS.

[Changes of plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes of plasma renin activity(PRA) and plasma angiotensin II (PANG II) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).

METHODS

We chose thirty PCOS women as trial group and thirty normal menstrual women as control. PRA and PANG II levels during follicularphase(FP) of the two groups were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

PRA and PANG II increased in women with PCOS as compared with the normal FP. The increment of PRA and PANG II in PCOS women of high testosterone levels was correlated with serum luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone concentration.

CONCLUSION

The elevated PRA and PANG II suggest an enhanced functional activity of ovarian renin angiotensin system in PCOS, and which may play a role in the pathologenesis of PCOS.

Expression and changes of HSP70 in the rat forebrain subjected to gamma knife (100Gy) irradiation targeted on the caudate putamen and survived for different times

Forebrain heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) immunohistochemical reactivity was investigated in rats subjected to gamma knife irradiation focusing on the right caudate putamen nucleus. The forebrain sections of all experimental animals were processed with anti-HSP70 antiserum and then by avidin-biotin peroxidase complex immunohistochemistry after gamma ray irradiation with a dose of 100Gy and they each survived for different times (from 30 min to 30 days). Some neurons, glial cells, and endothelial cells were HSP70-like immunoreactivity (HSP70-LI) positive. HSP70-LI was mainly distributed in the target area of irradiation, as well as in non-target regions, e.g. the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, etc. The expression and change of HSP70-LI from 3 h to 30 days after irradiation followed the following rules: (1) Within 3 to 24 h, the dilated vessels with HSP70-LI endothelial cells were found at first, and a few lightly stained HSP70-LI neurons and glias were observed in the target and non-target regions; (2) In 3-7 days, darkly stained HSP70-LI neurons and glias were apparently increased and formed an expression peak. From 14 to 30 days, HSP70-LI cells were distinctly decreased and became weakly stained or negative. These results suggested that although the irradiation target of the gamma knife was localized, the response to irradiation occurred extensively.

Parenting practices and adolescent depressive symptoms in Chinese American families

This study examined parenting practices and adolescent depressive symptoms among Chinese Americans. First, confirmatory factor analyses revealed that self-reported parenting practices by mothers and fathers and adolescent perception of parenting practices loaded adequately on three subscales: Inductive Reasoning, Monitoring, and Harsh Discipline. Second, parents' depressive symptoms were related to disrupted parenting practices, which, in turn, were significantly related to the negative evaluation of these behaviors by the adolescents. Adolescents' perceptions of such parenting practices were significantly associated with their depressive symptoms. Third, the relationships were robust even after parental income, education, and generation status were statistically controlled. Overall, the relationships between parenting practices and adolescent depressive symptoms among Chinese Americans seemed to echo those found among European Americans.

Cognitive abilities in adolescent-limited and life-course-persistent criminal offenders

T. E. Moffitt's (1993a) hypothesis that adolescent-limited criminal offenders will have higher scores on tests of cognitive ability than life-course-persistent offenders was tested with 12 tests of cognitive ability given to a large and diverse sample of delinquent juveniles whose arrest records were collected over 20 years. This is the first investigation to empirically evaluate this proposal with longitudinal data obtained from a sample for a long enough time to distinguish life course patterns of crime. This study provided only partial support for Moffitt's hypothesis because the results varied by ethnicity. We found relatively consistent support for the hypothesis for Caucasians and Hispanics but no support for the hypothesis for African Americans. These findings are interpreted in terms of differences in developmental contexts for individual ethnic groups.

[The study of the distortion product emission in the people with hypertriglyceride]

OBJECTIVE

To study the change of the amplitude and latency of the distortion product emission (DPOAE) in the people with hypertriglyceride.

METHOD

The DPOAE amplitude and latency of 30 people with hypertriglyceride and 18 normal was acquired with ILO-V5.

RESULT

Although the hearing threshold of pure tone was not affected, but DPOAE amplitude of the people with hypertriglyceride was significantly decreased with the normal people, the changes of latency was not significantly affected.

CONCLUSION

The cochlea of patient with hyperlipidemia may be damage in its early-stage. The generating mechanism of DPOAE latency and amplitude may be different.

[Activities of superoxide dismutase in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and its induction]

The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae were determined to demonstrate the correlation of SOD activities with the bacterial virulence. In liquid culture, SOD activities of the tested strains reached the maxima at the end of lag phase and then declined. The virulent strain PXO99A showed higher SOD activities than the avirulent strain PXO99A (pBUavr Xa10.F1). Analysis on the subcellular location indicated that SOD activities detected from the cytoplasm and periplasm were over 70% and 20%-30% of the total, respectively. Treatment of the bacterial culture for 1 h with exogenous O2- at concentration of 50-800 mumol/L induced SOD activities of both the strains. The treatment with 200 mumol/L resulted in the highest SOD activities. The effect of exogenous O2- on SOD induction was more significant in 12 h-culture than in 24 h-culture, and more notable for the virulent strain PXO99A. The treatment with exogenous O2- resulted in significantly decreased survival rate off both the strains. The decreases of survival rate were greater in 24 h-culture than in 12 h-culture, and more significantly for the virulent strain than for the avirulent one.

External aperture of the vestibular aqueduct in Meniere's disease

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship of the length of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct and the ratio of the summating potential and action potential (SP:AP) in patients with Meniere's disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case study.

SETTING

Neurotology referral center.

PATIENTS

Fifty-four patients with Meniere's disease and nine control subjects without Meniere's disease.

INTERVENTION

The external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct was measured from a three-dimensional surface reconstruction computed tomography scan. Transtympanic electrocochleography was performed on patients with Meniere's disease.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The length of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct in the Meniere's disease ears was related to the SP:AP ratio in the Meniere's disease ears and compared with controls.

RESULTS

The average length of the external aperture was 3.79 +/- 2.92 mm in Meniere's disease ears and 5.35 +/- 1.73 mm in the control ears (p < 0.05). An enlarged SP:AP ratio was found in 95% of ears in the group with nonvisible external apertures of the vestibular aqueduct, 91% of ears in the <5 mm group, 58% of ears in the 5-7 mm group, and 29% of ears in the >7 mm group (chi-square = 24.814; p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The length of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct in patients with Meniere's disease is significantly shorter than in those without Meniere's disease. Endolymphatic hydrops, evidenced by an enlarged SP:AP ratio, was related to the length of the external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct. The shorter the external aperture, the more often the SP:AP ratio was enlarged. A short or nonvisible external aperture of the vestibular aqueduct is a predisposing factor to the development of Meniere's disease.

[The evaluation of eustachian tube function in patients suffered from SOM with C type curve]

OBJECTIVE

To explore eustachian tube (ET) function in patients suffered from SOM with C type curve.

METHOD

To test the tympanogram following toynbee test and valsalva manoeuvre respectively. The shift of peak point was quantified and the results were compared with normal subjects.

RESULT

ET dysfunction was found in 52.38% of the patients, it was observed in 30% of the normal subjects (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

ET dysfunction is one of the causes of SOM with C type curve, but not the only cause.

Iridoids from Dunnia sinensis

A plumieride type iridoid glucoside, dunnisinoside, and a non-glucosidic iridoid, dunnisinin, were isolated from the leaves of Dunnia sinensis. Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR and FABMS experiments.

[A new method to evaluate the eustachian tube function]

OBJECTIVE

To study the practicality of a new method to evaluate eustachian tube function.

METHOD

We acquired the tympanogram of 30 normal persons (60 cases) by means of classical tympanometry, Toynbee test and valsalva maneuvre respectively, the peak point of each tympanogram was P1, P2 and P3 corresponding P1 -P2 > 10 daPa or Pmax-Pmin > 15 daPa was accepted as normal.

RESULT

70% cases were accepted normal, whose peak point shifted obviously.

CONCLUSION

The method is a simple, objective and practical one; If the peak point shifts obviously, the function of ET is normal; On the contrary, if the function of ET may be abnormal, other tests should be performed.

[Determination of trace tin in aluminum alloy by ICP-AES]

A method for the determination of trace tin in aluminum alloy by ICP-AES is proposed. The sample is dissolved in the acid mixture of HCl, HNO3, and a little HF is added dropwise. By fuming with sulfuric acid, the sample is then dissolved in HCl media for the determination of tin. Two sensitive wavelengths of tin in ultra-violet region are selected as analytical lines. The results are in accordance with spectrophotometric and FAAS methods, and a standard reference material of aluminum alloy is also analyzed with satisfactory results. The method is simple, rapid and sensitive, It can be used for the determination of trace tin in aluminum alloys.

[Diagnostic value of ultrasonography in cervical lymph node metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To research the accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis and the value of that of cervical lymph node occult metastasis.

METHOD

Fifty-five patients(61 sides) operated by neck dissection were double-blindedly studied by preoperation palpation and ultrasonography comparing with postoperating pathological examination.

RESULT

Fifty-two sides were confirmed to be pathology lymph node metastasis from 61 sides. 40 and 48 sides were checked out by palpation and ultrasonography, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of palpation and ultrasonography were 76.9% and 92.3% (P < 0.05), 77.8% and 88.9%(P > 0.05) and 77.0% and 91.8%(P < 0.05), respectively. Six sides were checked out by ultrasonography (occult metastasis) in 12 sides of palpation negative.

CONCLUSION

The accuracy of ultrasonography was prior to that of palpation in examining cervical lymph node metastsis. Ultrasonography could check out about half occult metastasis and should be regarded as a routine examining items in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis.

Attenuation of morphine tolerance and dependence in scopolamine-treated rats

Morphine tolerance and dependence were investigated in scopolamine-treated rats. The results showed that scopolamine treatment (up to 2 mg/kg) did not affect basal line or morphine-induced latency in the tail-flick test but significantly increased the escape latency in the Morris water-maze task. Co-administration of scopolamine could considerably attenuate development of morphine tolerance and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome. Pretreatment of scopolamine for 7 days prior to morphine administration also significantly reduced the tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Scopolamine treatment was further shown to attenuate morphine-induced conditioned place preference, an indicator of morphine psychological dependence. The present study demonstrated the attenuation of morphine tolerance and dependence in scopolamine-treated animals, probably related to scopolamine-produced learning and memory impairment.

Stapedectomy for far-advanced otosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe far-advanced otosclerosis and to present the authors' results with stapedectomy in 78 ears with far-advanced otosclerosis.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design was a retrospective case review.

SETTING

The study was conducted at an Otology/Neurotology tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Stapedectomy was performed on 78 ears of 60 patients with far-advanced otosclerosis, and the results followed from 1 to 21 years with a mean of 5 years.

INTERVENTION

Stapedectomy was performed on all ears with far-advanced otosclerosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Hearing for air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC), speech discrimination, and impedance were tested on all patients before and after operation. The Rinne test was performed on all ears with a 256-cycle magnesium tuning fork. The pure-tone average for AC and BC was computed for 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz. Hearing improvement was defined as air-bone gap closure to 10 dB or less and/or AC improvement of 20 dB or more, with no decline in speech discrimination score of more than 10%.

RESULTS

Hearing improvement was achieved in 52 (66.7%) of 78 ears of all operations. In group 1, AC was greater than 90 dB, BC was greater than 60 dB, and hearing improved in 26 (81.2%) of 32 ears of operations. In group 2, AC was greater than 90 dB and no measurable BC and hearing improved in 11 (68.8%) of 16 ears of operations. In group 3, there was no measurable AC and BC greater than 60 dB and hearing improved in two (50%) of four ears of operations. In group 4, there was no measurable AC and BC and hearing improved in 11 (42.3%) of 26 ears of operations. Nonmeasurable BC became measurable in 42.9% of ears, nonmeasurable AC became measurable in 73.3% of ears, and all of these became aidable after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

A negative Rinne test result with a 256-Hz magnesium tuning fork proved to be the best test to separate far-advanced otosclerosis from sensorineural hearing loss of other causes. Stapedectomy is of benefit in most ears with profound hearing loss of far-advanced otosclerosis, especially in those ears with some measurable hearing by AC.

Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by indole-3-carbinol is independent of p53 and bax

The anticancer activity of indole-3-carbinol and the possible mechanisms involved were explored in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. Treatment with indole-3-carbinol suppressed the growth of MCF-7 and T47D cells. MCF-7 cells were more sensitive to indole-3-carbinol than T47D cells. The growth suppression caused by indole-3-carbinol was found to be partially involved in its ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that wild-type p53 was not induced after treatment of MCF-7 cells with indole-3-carbinol. Northern blot analysis showed that treatment of MCF-7 cells with indole-3-carbinol did not affect the expression of bax gene (one of the death genes). In the tissue culture medium, indole-3-carbinol was found to be partially converted to 3,3'-diindolylmethane. The experiments indicated that indole-3-carbinol suppressed MCF-7 cell growth in part by induction of apoptosis which was independent of p53 and bax expression and that the effect caused by indole-3-carbinol was partially due to its conversion to a more potent compound, 3,3'-diindolylmethane, in vitro.

Adjustment problems and emerging personality characteristics from early to late adolescence

This 6-year longitudinal study extended earlier findings of contextual influences on adolescent adjustment problems by examining relationships between adolescent emotional and behavioral problems and late adolescent personality among more than 400 youths who were followed from 7th grade to the last year of high school. Results suggest that psychological distress and behavioral problems experienced during the adolescent years (7th-10th grades) are significantly related to personality structure during the final year of high school (12th grade). Psychological distress in adolescence was primarily related to the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) superfactors of negative and positive emotionality, whereas delinquency and substance use problems were primarily related to the MPQ superfactor of constraint. These relationships remained significant even when personality characteristics in 9th grade were taken into account. That is, emotional and behavioral problems predicted change in personality traits during the adolescent years. Moreover, both initial level and change in distress and problem behaviors were predictive of late adolescent or early adult personality. This finding suggests that personality formation is a dynamic process, dependent on the growth or decline, as well as the magnitude of earlier developmental problems. Because earlier research has shown that these developmental problems are affected by both distal and proximal environmental contexts as well as by the formative nature of adolescence, intervention efforts aimed at the reduction of maladjustment and the enhancement of healthy personality development should target early adolescent social contexts. Other theoretical implications of the findings also are discussed.

[A novel human DNA sequence with tumor metastasis suppressive activity]

OBJECTIVE

To isolate human tumor metastasis suppressive DNA sequence and to study the molecular mechanisms regulating tumor metastasis.

METHODS

A mouse lung adenocarcinoma cell clone 12 derived from its parent cell line LM2, which had been transduced with normal human genomic DNA, was previously reported. Compared with LM2, the metastatic potential of clone 12 was very much decreased. Clone 12 was used in this study to amplify the human DNA fragments by Inter Alu PCR technique. The human DNA fragments obtained were then transfected into LM2 cells and their malignant phenotype was observed in vitro and in vivo, and compared with that of the untransfected LM2 cells.

RESULTS

Three human DNA fragments of 700, 500 and 300 bp were isolated. DNA sequencing revealed that the 700 bp fragment does not show homology with hitherto reported genes and was accepted by the GenBank (pt 712 U67835). In vitro proliferation and colony formation in soft agar of the 700 bp fragment-transfected LM2 cells were significantly inhibited as compared to the untransfected LM2 cells. Upon subcutaneous inoculation to syngeneic T739 mice, the 700 bp-transfected LM2 cells grew more slowly and smaller tumors developed compared to the un-transfected ones. Moreover, lung metastasis was not found in 6 of 10 mice inoculated with the 700 bp-transfected LM2 cells, while it was found in 9 of 10 mice inoculated with the un-transfected LM2 cells. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The frequency of lymph node metastasis was also statistically different between the 2 groups of mice.

CONCLUSION

The newly isolated 700 bp human DNA fragment may be a metastasis suppressor gene of malignant tumor.

Administration of the tris salt of alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate inactivates CYP2E1, enhances microsomal alpha-tocopherol levels and protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity

A series of tocopherol compounds were examined for their capacity to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Of the tocopherol compounds tested in our study, only the tris salt of d-alpha-tocopheryl hemisuccinate (TS-tris) protected against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. The administration of d-alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) and the nonhydrolyzable tocopherol ether, d-alpha-tocopheryloxybutyrate tris salt (TSE-tris), failed to protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. TS-tris was the only tocopherol which significantly decreased CYP2E1 activity after 18 h. This decrease in CYP2E1 activity is likely to limit the activation of CCl4 and protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Our results also suggest that TS-tris protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity correlates with the enhanced capacity of TS-tris to deliver alpha-T and increase the antioxidant status of hepatocytes. TSE-tris did not increase cellular alpha-T levels, while administration of TS-tris produced large increases in alpha-T levels in liver homogenates as well as in liver nuclei, microsomes, mitochondria and plasma membranes. This enhanced ability to deliver tocopherol equivalents to parenchymal liver cells may be related in part to the ability of TS-tris to form liposomes in aqueous solutions. TS-tris administration protected against CCl4-induced microsomal lipid peroxide formation and inactivation of the microsomal enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). Supplementation of animals with alpha-T protected against microsomal lipid peroxide formation but not against the inactivation of G6Pase. Based on our findings, we propose that high cellular levels of alpha-T protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by scavenging CCl4 radicals as well as protecting against lipid peroxidation. Our results do not support the importance of microsomal lipid peroxidation as an early event in acute CCl4-induced hepatic necrosis.

A viral suppressor of gene silencing in plants

Gene silencing is an important but little understood regulatory mechanism in plants. Here we report that a viral sequence, initially identified as a mediator of synergistic viral disease, acts to suppress the establishment of both transgene-induced and virus-induced posttranscriptional gene silencing. The viral suppressor of silencing comprises the 5'-proximal region of the tobacco etch potyviral genomic RNA encoding P1, helper component-proteinase (HC-Pro) and a small part of P3, and is termed the P1/HC-Pro sequence. A reversal of silencing assay was used to assess the effect of the P1/HC-Pro sequence on transgenic tobacco plants (line T4) that are posttranscriptionally silenced for the uidA reporter gene. Silencing was lifted in offspring of T4 crosses with four independent transgenic lines expressing P1/HC-Pro, but not in offspring of control crosses. Viral vectors were used to assess the effect of P1/HC-Pro expression on virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). The ability of a potato virus X vector expressing green fluorescent protein to induce silencing of a green fluorescent protein transgene was eliminated or greatly reduced when P1/HC-Pro was expressed from the same vector or from coinfecting potato virus X vectors. Expression of the HC-Pro coding sequence alone was sufficient to suppress virus-induced gene silencing, and the HC-Pro protein product was required for the suppression. This discovery points to the role of gene silencing as a natural antiviral defense system in plants and offers different approaches to elucidate the molecular basis of gene silencing.

The sequence of RNA 1 and RNA 2 of tobacco streak virus: additional evidence for the inclusion of alfalfa mosaic virus in the genus Ilarvirus

Here we describe the complete sequence of RNA 1 and 2 of the WC isolate of tobacco streak virus (TSV). These two sequences complete the information on the genome of TSV, the type member of the genus Ilarvirus, and are the first sequences described for the RNA 1 and RNA 2 of a member of subgroup 1 of this genus. The sequences have a similar organization to those reported for the corresponding RNAs of other ilarviruses. However, the putative translation products of these two molecules differ sufficiently from previously sequenced ilarviruses so that TSV should remain in a subgroup on its own. Phylogenetic comparison of sequence data for RNA 1 with that of other ilarviruses and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) reveals two distinct clusters (TSV, CiLRV, and SpLV) and (AMV, PDV, and ApMV). These data support the suggestion [16] based on data for RNA 3 of ilarviruses that AMV should be included as a true ilarvirus.

[A study on efficacy of rabies vaccine prepared by primary hamster kidney cells in Guangxi]

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of post-exposure use of concentrated rabies vaccine prepared by primary hamster kidney cells during the past 16 years (1980-1995) in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the role of ambulant care for the victims injured by dog-bite.

METHODS

Data of rabies incidence notified from all the prefectures and cities in Guangxi were summarized and corroborated, field studies were conducted and rabies antibodies were determined.

RESULTS

Incidence of rabies fell to 0.04 per ten thousand in 1995 from 2.46 per ten thousand in 1981 with increased use of post-exposure rabies immunization with concentrated vaccine and in-time treatment for dog-bite wounds in the widespread ambulant care settings.

CONCLUSION

Rabies vaccine prepared by primary hamster kidney cells has good efficacy in protection from rabies and early and in-time treatment for dog-bite wounds could enhance their protective effects. It is suggested that concentrated vaccine be purified to avoid adverse effects caused by its allergen.

[Treatment of venous reflux disease of the leg by deep-venous valve reconstruction]

In order to evaluate the effect and indication of three kinds of deep-venous valve reconstruction surgery, 62 cases with venous reflux disease of the leg had been treated from Jan. 1992 to Jun. 1996. All the patients had varicose vein and tingle in varying degrees, besides swelling in 30 cases, pigmentation in 28 cases, ulcer in 14 cases. The course of disease ranged from 1 to 30 years (averaged 14.6 years).

METHOD

14 cases were treated by ringing of the superficial femoral venous 1st valve, 1 case was treated by repairing of the superficial femoral venous 1st valve, 47 cases were treated by formation of substitute valve outside the popliteal vein. The symptoms of all the patients were alleviated with an average follow-up for 20 months. Fourteen cases with ulcer were healed compeletely and no recurrence. The conclusion were: 1. ringing and repairing of the venous valve were suitable for level I-II venous valvular incompetence. 2. formation of substitute valve outside the popliteal vein was suitable for level III-IV venous valvular incompetence or congenital valvular defect. 3. the width of the ringing material should be increased to 2 cm according to the pathological basis. 4. both femoral veins should be ringed in the treatment of primary valvular incompetence of double deep vein deformity. 5. the formation of substitute valve outside the popliteal vein was also available in the treatment of popliteal vein with many branches.

[Suppression of metastatic phenotype of cloned mouse lung adenocarcinoma cells by transfer of human genomic DNA]

OBJECTIVE

To isolate and identify human sequences with metastatic suppression ability.

METHODS

Genomic DNA fragments isolated from normal human lung tissue were transfected into cloned highly metastatic mouse lung adenocarcinoma cells together with PSV2neo as selectable marker.

RESULTS

25 transfectants were cloned in medium containing G418 and Ouabain. Eight morphologically flat revertants exhibited a more normal phenotype, six clones containing human DNA were identified by a sensitive Inter Alu-PCR method. The rate of cell growth and colony formation in agar were detected in vitro. Clone 12, 20 and 32 showed a lower ratio than maternal untransfected cells. In vivo clone 12 showed more significent less spontaneous metastases in nude mice and syngeneic T739 mouse than control group.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that the inserted human DNA may be responsible for suppression of metastatic phenotype of mouse lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Inhibitory effect of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside on increased glomerular albumin permeability in vitro

BACKGROUND

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of glomerulonephritis in China. We studied the effect of Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside (TWG) on glomerular albumin permeability (Palbumin) in vitro.

METHODS

Isolated rat glomeruli were incubated with protamine (600 micrograms/ml) for 30 min, or with human recombinant tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha 0.4 ng/ml), superoxide (10 units/ml), or serum from a focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) patient for 10 min at 37 degrees C. TWG, 1 mg/ml, was added in parallel tubes to study the effect on Palbumin. Control glomeruli were incubated under identical conditions. The albumin reflection coefficient (sigma albumin) was calculated from the change in glomerular volume in response to an applied oncotic gradient. Convectional permeability (Palbumin) was calculated as (1 - sigma albumin).

RESULTS

Compared with controls, protamine increased the Palbumin of glomeruli (0.83 +/- 0.05, n = 25, vs 0.18 +/- 0.03, n = 20); pretreatment with TWG blocked this effect (0.13 +/- 0.04, n = 25). TNF-alpha also increased the Palbumin (0.79 +/- 0.04, n = 24 vs 0.04 +/- 0.07, n = 19); preincubation with TWG blocked this effect (0.03 +/- 0.09, n = 24). Palbumin of glomeruli incubated with xanthine and xanthine oxidase, resulting in the production of superoxide, also increased as compared to controls (0.85 +/- 0.04, n = 15 vs 0.08 +/- 0.05, n = 14); TWG blocked this effect as well (0.21 +/- 0.08, n = 14). FSGS serum also increased Palbumin of glomeruli significantly (0.88 +/- 0.02, n = 49 vs 0.00 +/- 0.02, n = 49); preincubation with TWG blocked this effect (0.05 +/- 0.07, n = 30). TWG by itself had no effect on Palbumin (0.19 +/- 0.10, n = 15).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that TWG blocks protamine, TNF-alpha, superoxide, and FSGS serum-mediated increase in glomerular albumin permeability in vitro. We conclude that reduction of proteinuria by Tripterygium wilfordii multiglycoside in various kinds of glomerular diseases in vivo might be due to protection of the glomerular filtration barrier.

Plant viral synergism: the potyviral genome encodes a broad-range pathogenicity enhancer that transactivates replication of heterologous viruses

Synergistic viral diseases of higher plants are caused by the interaction of two independent viruses in the same host and are characterized by dramatic increases in symptoms and in accumulation of one of the coinfecting viruses. In potato virus X (PVX)/potyviral synergism, increased pathogenicity and accumulation of PVX are mediated by the expression of potyviral 5' proximal sequences encoding P1, the helper component proteinase (HC-Pro), and a fraction of P3. Here, we report that the same potyviral sequence (termed P1/HC-Pro) enhances the pathogenicity and accumulation of two other heterologous viruses: cucumber mosaic virus and tobacco mosaic virus. In the case of PVX-potyviral synergism, we show that the expression of the HC-Pro gene product, but not the RNA sequence itself, is sufficient to induce the increase in PVX pathogenicity and that both P1 and P3 coding sequences are dispensable for this aspect of the synergistic interaction. In protoplasts, expression of the potyviral P1/HC-Pro region prolongs the accumulation of PVX (-) strand RNA and transactivates expression of a reporter gene from a PVX subgenomic promoter. Unlike the synergistic enhancement of PVX pathogenicity, which requires only expression of HC-Pro, the enhancement of PVX (-) strand RNA accumulation in protoplasts is significantly greater when the entire P1/HC-Pro sequence is expressed. These results indicate that the potyviral P1/HC-Pro region affects a step in disease development that is common to a broad range of virus infections and suggest a mechanism involving transactivation of viral replication.

[TGF beta 1 on murine tumor growth following direct intratumoral injection of plasmid DNA]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate TGF beta 1 gene expression and its effect on murine tumor growth following direct intratumoral injection of naked plasmid DNA encoding human TGF beta 1.

METHODS

LM3 murine lung adenocarcinoma cells, were injected subcutaneously to T739 mice and grew to tumor nodules in 2 weeks, Multiple direct intratumoral injections of plasmid DNA, PMAM-neo-TGF beta 1, were given and were compared with saline or vector plasmid administration groups. The growth of tumor was observed till the 8th week when the mice were killed for Northern blot analysis and histopathological study of tumoral tissue.

RESULTS

The growth of tumor was boosted in the TGF beta 1 gene treated mice as compared with the control groups, whereas there was no significant difference in the metastatic behavior. Northern blot showed efficient expression of TGF beta 1 mRNA in the treated group.

CONCLUSION

TGF beta 1 may stimulate tumor growth in vivo through certain mechanisms. Direct intratumoral injection of nude plasmid DNA may be a promising gene transfer strategy in vivo.

The complete sequence of the genomic RNAs of spinach latent virus

We describe the sequence for the complete genome of spinach latent virus (SpLV). Comparisons of this genome with that of the only other complete genome described for a species within the genus Ilarvirus (citrus leaf rugose virus-CiLRV) indicate that while there are marked differences between the RNA 3 of the two viruses, their respective RNAs 1 and 2 share many similarities. However, the putative 2a protein of SpLV contains a C2H2 type "zinc finger"-like motif located towards the carboxy terminal of the protein which is absent in CiLRV and has not been reported for other members of the family Bromoviridae. A second open reading frame (2b), located at a similar position to that described for the cucumoviruses, occurs in the RNA 2 of both SpLV and CiLRV. The putative coat protein of SpLV is similar to that of citrus variegation virus (CVV) and asparagus virus 2 (AV-2), both members of subgroup 2 of the ilarviruses. We have subsequently demonstrated a serological relationship between SpLV and other viruses in subgroup 2 and suggest that SpLV should be included in this subgroup rather than remain in a separate group (subgroup 6). However, while the putative movement protein of SpLV is remarkably similar to that of AV-2, it shows little relationship with the corresponding protein of CVV and the lack of similarity suggests that a recombination event may have occurred in the past. The relationship between the genera Alfamovirus and Ilarvirus is discussed in the light of the data for the genome of SpLV and recently published information for other members of the genus Ilarvirus.

Cyclosporine protects glomeruli from FSGS factor via an increase in glomerular cAMP

Cyclosporine (CsA) administration to patients with recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) after transplantation results in remission of proteinuria. We have shown that sera from patients with recurrent FSGS can increase the glomerular albumin permeability (Palbumin) and that increase in glomerular cAMP levels can alter the permeability characteristics of glomeruli in vitro. The purpose of this study was to determine if the increased glomerular levels of cAMP were related to the protective effects of CsA on an increase in Palbumin by FSGS sera. Glomeruli from Sprague-Dawley rats following intraperitoneal administration of CsA (25 mg/kg/day), cremophore (25 mg/kg/day), or saline for 5 days were incubated with 1:50 dilution of serum from three FSGS patients or with pooled normal human serum prior to calculation of Palbumin. Glomerular cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay. Glomerular ultrastructural changes were assessed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Serum from three FSGS patients markedly increased Palbumin of glomeruli from saline or cremophore treated rats (saline, 0.68+/-0.08; 0.72+/-0.07; 0.70+/-0.07; and cremophore, 0.79+/-0.05; 0.81+/-0.02; 0.79+/-0.01; n=25 glomeruli in each group). In contrast Palbumin of glomeruli from CsA treated rats was not increased by any of the three FSGS sera tested (0.03+/-0.02; 0.04+/-0.05; 0.02+/-0.07, n=25 glomeruli in each group). Glomerular cAMP (pmol/mg of protein) increased 5 fold in CsA treated rats (328+/-26; 5 rats) compared with cremophore or saline treated rats (87+/-24 and 65+/-23, P<0.01; 5 rats in each group). The glomerular basement membrane appeared to be thickened and the lamina densa had an irregular appearance after treatment with CsA. No ultrastructural changes of glomerular epithelial or endothelial cells were evident. We conclude that CsA may have a direct protective effect on the glomerular filtration barrier in FSGS. We postulate that increased levels of glomerular cAMP by CsA may play an important role in protecting the glomerular Palbumin effect of the FSGS factor and may contribute to remission of proteinuria in FSGS patients.

Coming of age too early: pubertal influences on girls' vulnerability to psychological distress

This 4-year longitudinal study investigates 3 hypothesized effects of the pubertal transition on the psychological distress of adolescent girls (N = ca. 200): early maturation, the impact of heterosexual versus same-sex friends, and prepubertal vulnerabilities, such as early emotional distress and father hostility. Building on Caspi and Moffitt's study of girls' delinquency, this study found that early maturing girls experienced significantly higher levels of psychological distress compared to their on-time and late maturing age-mates. In line with prior studies of girls' delinquency (Caspi, Lynam, Moffitt, & Silva, 1993; Magnusson, 1988), early maturing girls also experienced higher levels of distress at the tenth grade as reported by fathers, mothers, and adolescents when they were associated with mixed- rather than same-sex friends during the seventh through ninth grades. Finally, early maturing girls were more vulnerable to prior psychological problems, deviant peer pressures, and fathers' hostile feelings when compared to on-time and late maturing peers.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane induces apoptosis in human cancer cells

3,3'-Diindolylmethane is a dimer of indole-3-carbinol formed both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, human cancer cells MCF-7 (with wild-type p53), T47-D (mutant p53), and Saos-2 (deficient in p53 gene), were used to examine the anticancer activities of 3,3'-diindolylmethane. The dose-dependent growth inhibitory effect was found in all these cell lines. Exposure of the cells to 50 microM solution of 3,3'-diindolylmethane for 48 h, apoptosis (programmed cell death) was evidenced by the characteristic morphology of cell nuclei under fluorescence microscope and the DNA "ladder" in agarose gel electrophoresis. The percentage of apoptotic cells in each cell line was found to be 12% for MCF-7, 14% for T47D and 13% for Saos2 cells. Exposure of MCF-7 cells to 100 microM 3,3'-diindolylmethane for 24 h, 19% of apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry analysis. The lowest dose required for induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was found to be 10 microM after 72 h incubation. Western blot showed that wild-type p53 protein was unchanged after MCF-7 cells had been exposed to 50 microM 3,3'-diindolylmethane for 8 h. This study provides evidences that 3,3'-diindolylmethane induces apoptosis in human cancer cells and that the induction of apoptosis is independent of p53 pathway.

A plant viral coat protein RNA binding consensus sequence contains a crucial arginine

A defining feature of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) and ilarviruses [type virus: tobacco streak virus (TSV)] is that, in addition to genomic RNAs, viral coat protein is required to establish infection in plants. AMV and TSV coat proteins, which share little primary amino acid sequence identity, are functionally interchangeable in RNA binding and initiation of infection. The lysine-rich amino-terminal RNA binding domain of the AMV coat protein lacks previously identified RNA binding motifs. Here, the AMV coat protein RNA binding domain is shown to contain a single arginine whose specific side chain and position are crucial for RNA binding. In addition, the putative RNA binding domain of two ilarvirus coat proteins, TSV and citrus variegation virus, is identified and also shown to contain a crucial arginine. AMV and ilarvirus coat protein sequence alignment centering on the key arginine revealed a new RNA binding consensus sequence. This consensus may explain in part why heterologous viral RNA-coat protein mixtures are infectious.

An eight-nucleotide sequence in the potato virus X 3' untranslated region is required for both host protein binding and viral multiplication

Gel retardation and UV-cross-linking techniques were used to demonstrate that two tobacco proteins, with approximate molecular masses of 28 and 32 kDa, bind to a site within the 3' region of potato virus X (PVX) genomic RNA. The protein binding is specific, in that a 50-fold excess of unlabeled probe prevents formation of the complexes but no reduction is observed with a 2,000-fold molar excess of yeast tRNA. Complex formation is inhibited by poly(U) but is relatively unaffected by poly(A), poly(G), or poly(C-I). PVX RNA-host protein complex formation occurs in vitro at salt concentrations up to 400 mM. Deletion mapping indicates that the proteins bind within the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of PVX genomic RNA and that an 8-nucleotide U-rich sequence (5'-UAUUUUCU) is required for the binding. Deletion of the 8-nucleotide U-rich region from the 3' UTR of a sensitive PVX reporter virus that carries the luciferase gene in place of the PVX coat protein gene results in a more than 70,000-fold reduction in luciferase expression in tobacco protoplasts. RNA probes carrying the sequence GCGC in place of the central four contiguous uridines of the 8-nucleotide U-rich motif fail to bind host protein at detectable levels, and the same mutation, when introduced into the PVX reporter virus, eliminates viral multiplication. Mutations of 1 or 2 nucleotides within the same four uridines reduced both binding of host proteins and replication of reporter virus. These results indicate that the 8-nucleotide U-rich motif within the PVX 3' UTR is important for some aspect of viral multiplication and suggest that host protein binding plays a role in the process.

Different methylation patterns of the M-BCR gene in myeloblastic and lymphoblastic crisis of chronic myelocytic leukemia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between methylation status of M-bcr gene and transformation of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) from chronic to blastic phase.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The methylation patterns of M-bcr in 23 patients with Ph' positive CML were studied. DNAs extracted from mononuclear cells of both chronic and blastic phases (20 cases) or blastic phases only (3 cases), were doubly digested with restriction enzymes HpaII and BglII, hybridized with a 5'M-bcr probe labeled with 32p-deoxycytidine triphosphate, and autoradiographed.

RESULTS

In all the patients with myeloblastic crisis, DNAs from both chronic and blastic cells of each patient showed identical methylation patterns. There was substantial heterogeneity in methylation patterns in the patients with lymphoblastic crisis. All the lymphoblastic patterns were distinct from the chronic patterns as well as the patterns shown in myeloblastic crisis. Moreover, in four out of six patients with lymphoblastic crisis, the chronic patterns were different from those in cases with myeloblastic crisis.

CONCLUSIONS

The methylation status of M-bcr was stable during evolution of CML from chronic to myeloblastic phase. Analysis of M-bcr methylation status may be of clinical use in distinguishing lymphoblastic from myeloblastic crisis and predicting the cell lineage of crisis when the disease is still in its chronic phase.

Dexamethasone perfusion of the labyrinth plus intravenous dexamethasone for Ménière's disease

Recent clinical and laboratory evidence indicates that Meniere's disease is an immune-mediated disease. Dexamethasone perfusion of the inner ear through the round window plus intravenous dexamethasone often will stop the dizzy spells, reduce the fullness and low-frequency tinnitus, and sometimes improve the hearing in patients with Meniere's disease. The dexamethasone must act mostly on the endolymphatic sac and, to a lesser extent, on the stria vascularis and spiral ligament, the known targets of immune response in the inner ear, to reduce the endolymphatic hydrops and restore the fluid dynamics of the endolymph. Despite the good results with streptomycin perfusion, the number of patients with further hearing loss is large, so dexamethasone perfusion with intravenous dexamethasone should be tried first. The initial response to dexamethasone perfusion plus intravenous dexamethasone has been very good, with very little risk of further hearing loss, and it holds great promise for the future.

The nucleotide sequence of hydrangea mosaic virus RNA 3 exhibits similarity with the RNA 3 of tobacco streak virus

The complete nucleotide sequence of the RNA 3 of hydrangea mosaic virus (HdMV) was determined. It consists of 2268 nucleotides and contains two open reading frames (ORF). ORF 1 encodes for a putative translation product of 293 amino acids which shared 64.9% identity with the 3a protein of tobacco streak virus (TSV). ORF 2 encodes for a putative translation product of 220 amino acids which shared 54.2% identity with the coat protein of TSV. The relationship between the proteins of HdMV and the corresponding proteins of ilarviruses other than TSV was more distant. No zinc-finger-like motif was found in the coat protein of HdMV but the N-terminus of the protein was rich in basic amino acids. Both terminal, non-coding regions of HdMV RNA 3 contained repeated sequences with corresponding homologous fragments in the RNA 3 of TSV. On the basis of the similarities between HdMV and TSV that we detected, we propose that HdMV be included in subgroup 1 of the genus Ilarvirus together with TSV.

The nucleotide sequence of citrus leaf rugose virus RNA 1

The nucleotide sequence of citrus leaf rugose virus (CiLRV) RNA 1 consists of 3404 nucleotides and contains one open reading frame (ORF) which encodes a putative translation product of 1051 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 118339. Both the nucleotide sequence of CiLRV RNA 1 and its translated polypeptide share similarities with those of the RNA 1 of alfalfa mosaic virus. However, the relationship is not as close as that which exists between the polymerase signatures of the two viruses, which are found on RNA 2. This is the first report of the full-length sequence for the RNA 1 of an ilarvirus and completes the first sequence for an entire ilarvirus genome. If it is typical of members of the genus then, as has long been speculated, the genomic organization of ilarviruses is identical to that of other genera in the family Bromoviridae.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the RNA 3 of lilac ring mottle ilarvirus

The nucleotide sequence of lilac ring mottle ilarvirus (LRMV) RNA 3 consists of 2287 nucleotides and contains two open reading frames (ORF). The first encodes a putative translation product of 285 amino acids (Mr 31 308) and the second encodes a putative translation product of 206 amino acids (Mr 22751). The 3' terminal nucleotides can be folded into a loop structure similar to models proposed for other ilarviruses, although the last four nucleotides are UCGC not AUGC. The absence of the terminal AUGC motif in both LRMV and two isolates of apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV) provides circumstantial evidence which confirms the importance of AUGC motifs upstream of the terminal AUGC in the protein binding function associated with these models. Although the 3' terminal structure of LRMV exhibits similarities to that of ApMV, comparison of the putative translation products of the two ORFs with similar products for other ilarviruses showed greatest identity with citrus leaf rugose (CiLRV) and citrus variegation (CVV) ilarviruses both of which are members of subgroup 2 of this genus. Thus it is proposed that LRMV be reassigned to subgroup 2 rather than remaining in its current subgroup, 7, or being reassigned to subgroup 3 which contains ApMV.