Direct interaction with the BRD4 carboxyl-terminal motif (CTM) and TopBP1 is required for human papillomavirus 16 E2 association with mitotic chromatin and plasmid segregation function

IMPORTANCE

Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is a causative agent in around 3%-4% of all human cancers, and currently, there are no anti-viral therapeutics available for combating this disease burden. In order to identify new therapeutic targets, we must increase our understanding of the HPV16 life cycle. Previously, we demonstrated that an interaction between E2 and the cellular protein TopBP1 mediates the plasmid segregation function of E2, allowing distribution of viral genomes into daughter nuclei following cell division. Here, we demonstrate that E2 interaction with an additional host protein, BRD4, is also essential for E2 segregation function, and that BRD4 exists in a complex with TopBP1. Overall, these results enhance our understanding of a critical part of the HPV16 life cycle and presents several therapeutic targets for disruption of the viral life cycle.

Maintenance of a host-specific minority mutation in the West Nile virus NS3

West Nile virus (WNV), the most prevalent arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) in the United States, is maintained in a cycle between Culex spp. mosquitoes and birds. Arboviruses exist within hosts and vectors as a diverse set of closely related genotypes. In theory, this genetic diversity can facilitate adaptation to distinct environments during host cycling, yet host-specific fitness of minority genotypes has not been assessed. Utilizing WNV deep-sequencing data, we previously identified a naturally occurring, mosquito-biased substitution, NS3 P319L. Using both cell culture and experimental infection in natural hosts, we demonstrated that this substitution confers attenuation in vertebrate hosts and increased transmissibility by mosquitoes. Biochemical assays demonstrated temperature-sensitive ATPase activity consistent with host-specific phenotypes. Together these data confirm the maintenance of host-specific minority variants in arbovirus mutant swarms, suggest a unique role for NS3 in viral fitness, and demonstrate that intrahost sequence data can inform mechanisms of host-specific adaptation.

Enteroviral 2C protein is an RNA-stimulated ATPase and uses a two-step mechanism for binding to RNA and ATP

The enteroviral 2C protein is a therapeutic target, but the absence of a mechanistic framework for this enzyme limits our understanding of inhibitor mechanisms. Here, we use poliovirus 2C and a derivative thereof to elucidate the first biochemical mechanism for this enzyme and confirm the applicability of this mechanism to other members of the enterovirus genus. Our biochemical data are consistent with a dimer forming in solution, binding to RNA, which stimulates ATPase activity by increasing the rate of hydrolysis without impacting affinity for ATP substantially. Both RNA and DNA bind to the same or overlapping site on 2C, driven by the phosphodiester backbone, but only RNA stimulates ATP hydrolysis. We propose that RNA binds to 2C driven by the backbone, with reorientation of the ribose hydroxyls occurring in a second step to form the catalytically competent state. 2C also uses a two-step mechanism for binding to ATP. Initial binding is driven by the α and β phosphates of ATP. In the second step, the adenine base and other substituents of ATP are used to organize the active site for catalysis. These studies provide the first biochemical description of determinants driving specificity and catalytic efficiency of a picornaviral 2C ATPase.

Hijacking of multiple phospholipid biosynthetic pathways and induction of membrane biogenesis by a picornaviral 3CD protein

RNA viruses induce specialized membranous structures for use in genome replication. These structures are often referred to as replication organelles (ROs). ROs exhibit distinct lipid composition relative to other cellular membranes. In many picornaviruses, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) is a marker of the RO. Studies to date indicate that the viral 3A protein hijacks a PI4 kinase to induce PI4P by a mechanism unrelated to the cellular pathway, which requires Golgi-specific brefeldin A-resistance guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1, GBF1, and ADP ribosylation factor 1, Arf1. Here we show that a picornaviral 3CD protein is sufficient to induce synthesis of not only PI4P but also phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Synthesis of PI4P requires GBF1 and Arf1. We identified 3CD derivatives: 3CD^m and 3C^mD, that we used to show that distinct domains of 3CD function upstream of GBF1 and downstream of Arf1 activation. These same 3CD derivatives still supported induction of PIP2 and PC, suggesting that pathways and corresponding mechanisms used to induce these phospholipids are distinct. Phospholipid induction by 3CD is localized to the perinuclear region of the cell, the outcome of which is the proliferation of membranes in this area of the cell. We conclude that a single viral protein can serve as a master regulator of cellular phospholipid and membrane biogenesis, likely by commandeering normal cellular pathways.

Picornaviruses replicate their genomes in association with host membranes. Early during infection, existing membranes are used but remodeled to contain a repertoire of lipids best suited for virus multiplication. Later, new membrane synthesis occurs, which requires biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine in addition to the other more specialized lipids. We have learned that a single picornaviral protein is able to induce membrane biogenesis and decorate these membranes with some of the specialized lipids induced by the virus. A detailed mechanism of induction has been elucidated for one of these lipids. The ability of a single viral protein to commandeer host pathways that lead to membrane biogenesis was unexpected. This discovery reveals a new target for antiviral therapy with the potential to completely derail all aspects of the viral lifecycle requiring membrane biogenesis.

Radioiodine Biogeochemistry and Prevalence in Groundwater

¹²⁹I is commonly either the top or among the top risk drivers, along with ⁹⁹Tc, at radiological waste disposal sites and contaminated groundwater sites where nuclear material fabrication or reprocessing has occurred. The risk stems largely from ¹²⁹I having a high toxicity, a high bioaccumulation factor (90% of all the body's iodine concentrates in the thyroid), a high inventory at source terms (due to its high fission yield), an extremely long half-life (16M years), and rapid mobility in the subsurface environment. Another important reason that ¹²⁹I is a key risk driver is that there is uncertainty regarding its biogeochemical fate and transport in the environment. We typically can define ¹²⁹I mass balance and flux at sites, but cannot predict accurately its response to changes in the environment. As a consequence of some of these characteristics, ¹²⁹I has a very low drinking water standard, which is set at 1 pCi/L, the lowest of all radionuclides in the Federal Register. Recently, significant advancements have been made in detecting iodine species at ambient groundwater concentrations, defining the nature of the organic matter and iodine bond, and quantifying the role of naturally occurring sediment microbes to promote iodine oxidation and reduction. These recent studies have led to a more mechanistic understanding of radioiodine biogeochemistry. The objective of this review is to describe these advances and to provide a state of the science of radioiodine biogeochemistry relevant to its fate and transport in the terrestrial environment and provide information useful for making decisions regarding the stewardship and remediation of ¹²⁹I contaminated sites. As part of this review, knowledge gaps were identified that would significantly advance the goals of basic and applied research programs for accelerating ¹²⁹I environmental remediation and reducing uncertainty associated with disposal of ¹²⁹I waste. Together the information gained from addressing these knowledge gaps will not alter the observation that ¹²⁹I is primarily mobile, but it will likely permit demonstration that the entire ¹²⁹I pool in the source term is not moving at the same rate and some may be tightly bound to the sediment, thereby smearing the modeled ¹²⁹I peak and reducing maximum calculated risk.

Effects of topical oral antiseptic rinses on bacterial counts of saliva in healthy human subjects

Wound infections remain a significant source of morbidity in patients undergoing major head and neck operations that invade the aerodigestive tract. Infection rates have been significantly reduced by the administration of perioperative intravenous antibiotics; however, the incidence of infection remains unacceptably high. This study was undertaken to help identify an oral antiseptic that could significantly reduce the bacterial colony count of human saliva. A randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted to analyze and compare the effects of Listerine antiseptic and Peridex oral rinse on the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts in healthy human subjects. Thirty healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 18 and 61 participated in the study. The patients were randomized to receive normal saline solution, Listerine antiseptic, or Peridex oral rinse. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial colony counts of saliva were measured before treatment and at 1 and 4 hours after treatment. Both Listerine antiseptic and Peridex oral rinse significantly reduced bacterial counts at 1 hour after treatment in our volunteers. At 4 hours after treatment, Peridex oral rinse showed a further reduction in the bacterial colony count whereas Listerine antiseptic showed no difference compared with normal saline solution. At 4 hours after treatment, Peridex oral rinse reduced the total bacterial colony count by 85%.

A national minority transplant program for increasing donation rates

Since 1982, our group efforts demonstrated statistically significant improvements in minority donation rates which have applicability to all minority populations. As we continue to reach out to the various ethnic communities, we must listen to the needs of the community understanding that all ethnic communities have various beliefs and cultural barriers that will need to be addressed. For instance, the African-American population revealed the previously mentioned five obstacles to donation. The Hispanic population has revealed relatively the same fears to donation as the African-American population. In addition, the tribes within the Native-American population each have their own belief systems which will have to be addressed appropriately. The fears and obstacles toward donation within the Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Alaska Native groups are being defined. However, initial research reveals that all of the minority groups have very similar, if not the same, fears that were identified with the initial focus group in 1978. This simple methodology that has been established can ultimately help achieve the overall desired goal--an increase in minority donation rates.

Molecular screening of the lipoprotein lipase gene in hypertriglyceridemic members of familial noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus families

Hypertriglyceridemia is common among individuals with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and heterozygous lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mutations may result in the syndrome of familial hypertriglyceridemia and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. To test the hypothesis that heterozygous LPL mutations predispose to the hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol levels observed among members of familial NIDDM families, we examined 36 members and 3 unrelated spouses selected from members of 20 pedigrees for triglyceride levels exceeding the age- and sex-specific 95th percentile. Eighteen pedigree members and 2 spouses were diabetic. LPL exons 1-9 were screened by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Six different variants were detected in exons 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9, including 4 (exons 3, 4, and 8) silent nucleotide substitutions. A common nonsense mutation (exon 9; Ser-->Ter) was present in 2 pedigrees, and a missense mutation (exon 2; Asp-->Asn) was also present in members of 2 pedigrees. Analysis of members of these families suggested an association of the exon 2 variant with hypertriglyceridemia, although this trend was no longer significant when individuals with diabetes were excluded from the analysis. The variant enzyme was not present among 83 random control individuals, and when expressed in COS-1 cells, it was similar to the wild type with respect to specific activity, heparin binding, and heat stability. Our data suggest that coding region mutations of the LPL gene cannot account for the elevated triglyceride and low HDL levels noted in diabetic individuals and their relatives in most NIDDM pedigrees, but the exon 2 Asn variant may contribute to the hypertriglyceridemia in some families.

Use of a timeout ribbon with and without consequences as procedures to improve a child's compliance

The purpose of the present case study was to evaluate use of a timeout ribbon with and without student-selected consequences on the compliance of a preschool student with disabilities. An ABACBC single-subject replication design was used. Compliance was low during the first baseline condition. When the timeout ribbon procedure was implemented in the classroom, compliance increased, but a return to baseline produced low compliance. When consequences were added to the timeout ribbon procedure, the child's compliance improved further. Additional replications of timeout ribbon and the timeout ribbon plus consequences generated less and less compliance. Possible reasons for the lack of robust findings were discussed.

Mutations in exon 3 of the lipoprotein lipase gene segregating in a family with hypertriglyceridemia, pancreatitis, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes

A proband with chylomicronemia, pancreatitis, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) bears two different mutations in exon 3 of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene: a missense mutation, 75Arg-->Ser, inherited through the paternal line and a truncation, 73Tyr-->Ter, through the maternal line. NIDDM appeared to be independently segregating. The R75S mutant was studied in extracts and media from transfected COS-1 cells. Detectable amounts of catalytically competent R75S LPL suggested destabilization of the active homodimer as with exon 5 mutants (Hata et al. 1992. J. Biol. Chem. 267:20132-20139). Hydrolysis of a short-chain fatty acid ester indicated that R75S does not directly affect activation of LPL by apoC-II. Subjects with NIDDM and wild-type LPL, and nondiabetic middle-aged carriers of the 73Tyr-->Ter truncation had moderate hypertriglyceridemia (260-521 mg/dl) and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol. A maternal aunt with NIDDM carried the truncation. Her phenotype (triglycerides of 5,300 mg/dl, eruptive xanthomatosis, and recurrent pancreatitis) was as severe as that in homozygotes or compound heterozygotes. We conclude: (a) diabetic carriers of dysfunctional LPL alleles are at risk for severe lipemia; and (b) the physiologic defects in NIDDM may be additive or synergistic with heterozygous LPL deficiency.

Toward a theory of the genesis of violence: a follow-up study of delinquents

The results of a follow-up study of 95 formerly incarcerated delinquents are reported. Adult F.B.I. and state police records were used. All but six of the subjects had adult criminal records. The average number of adult offenses was 11.58. Juvenile violence alone did not distinguish well between those who would and would not go on to adult violent crime. Seventy-seven percent of the more violent juveniles and 61% of the less violent juveniles committed adult aggressive offenses. The interaction of intrinsic vulnerabilities (cognitive, psychiatric, and neurological) and a history of abuse and/or family violence was a better predictor of adult violent crime.

Prednisone when used as treatment for rejection correlates with poor outcome

Since January 1974, 195 of 202 (95%) renal transplants have been performed on blacks at the Howard University Hospital Transplant Center. Hypertension is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at this center (57%). The immunosuppressive regimens utilized were divided into four eras. The first era (1974-1980) consisted of the prophylactic administration of prednisone, Imuran (AZA), and Minnesota antilymphocyte globulin (MAG) with high prednisone dosage used to treat rejection. One-year, two-year, and five-year patient survival rates were 59% 54%, and 41%, respectively. Graft survival rates for the same period were 53%, 47%, and 36%. In the second era (1980-1983), the same immunoprophylaxis was used but only MAG was used to reverse rejection. One-year and two-year patient survival rates were 90% and 84%. Graft survival rates for the same period were 72% and 64%. When era 1 is compared with era 2, statistically significant improvement in patient survival is evident (P less than 0.005). Graft survival rates are statistically significant for one-year graft survival (P less than 0.05). In the third era (1983-1986), cyclosporine was the principal immunosuppressive agent used along with prednisone. Rejection in this era was treated by adjusting the cyclosporine dose to keep the level between 100 ng to 150 ng per mL and in addition to high prednisone. One-year patient survival and graft survival rates were 83% and 55%, respectively. The fourth era began April 1986 and was initiated because of previous bad experiences with high doses of prednisone to treat rejection in era 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neuropsychiatric, psychoeducational, and family characteristics of 14 juveniles condemned to death in the United States

Of the 37 juveniles currently condemned to death in the United States, all of the 14 incarcerated in four states received comprehensive psychiatric, neurological, neuropsychological, and educational evaluations. Nine had major neurological impairment, seven suffered psychotic disorders antedating incarceration, seven evidenced significant organic dysfunction on neuropsychological testing, and only two had full-scale IQ scores above 90. Twelve had been brutally physically abused, and five had been sodomized by relatives. For a variety of reasons the subjects' vulnerabilities were not recognized at the time of trial or sentencing, when they could have been used for purposes of mitigation.

Bipolar mood disorder and endometriosis: preliminary findings

A consecutive sample of 16 women with laparoscopy-diagnosed endometriosis were evaluated for mood disorders. Twelve women met DSM-III criteria for a mood disorder: seven for bipolar disorder, mixed, three for bipolar disorder, manic, and two for major depression. Two women had equivocal diagnoses and two showed no evidence of mood disorder. Nine subjects had first-degree relatives with histories of severe mood disorders.

Attitudes among blacks toward donating kidneys for transplantation: a pilot project

PATIENTS REQUIRING KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS HAVE THREE POSSIBLE SOURCES: (1) a kidney from an individual who dies suddenly (approval for the transplant must be given by the next-of-kin of the deceased); (2) a kidney from a relative; and (3) a kidney from one who "willed" it to be transplanted following his or her death. Each of these circumstances requires decision making. On the basis of this information, a research program designed to determine the nature of attitudes of blacks toward kidney donations was developed. Results disclosed a lack of knowledge about kidney transplantation; disassociation and lack of communication between blacks and the medical community; religious fears; fears of premature death; and racism.

Tuberculosis presenting as a pelvis mass

Tuberculosis is one of the world's most important communicable diseases. Although it may involve the genital tract and frequently results in infertility, the presentation of the disease as a pelvic mass is uncommon. While the incidence of tuberculosis has declined in the United States, genital tuberculosis should be considered in patients presenting with adnexal mass and a history of infertility. One such case is presented here, and diagnosis and treatment are described.

Prenatal diagnosis and management of nonimmunologic hydrops fetalis

As problem pregnancies are increasingly subjected to ultrasound evaluation, the prenatal diagnosis of hydrops fetalis is being made more and more frequently. The authors encountered 5 cases of this disorder in 12,830 deliveries (1:2566) and made the diagnosis prior to delivery in 4 of the 5 cases. Amniocentesis and amniotic fluid bilirubin determination have been performed in association with ultrasound scan and a battery of other diagnostic tests, and the results have been correlated with fetal outcome. In general the combination of fetal ascites and increased amniotic fluid bilirubin denotes a poor fetal prognosis. Unless there are other mitigating circumstances, a conservative course of management is recommended.

Oncofoetal antigens of human trophoblast

Rabbits immunized with human trophoblast cell membranes produced antibodies that were detected, by immunofluorescence, to react with normal human tissues, and, by complement-mediated cytotoxicity, with several transformed human cell lines. Absorption with trophoblast abolished all of these reactions, whereas multiple absorptions with lymphocytes, liver or kidney failed to remove reactivity with either trophoblast or certain transformed cells. To further identify the antigens responsible for these antibodies, rabbits were immunized with a chromatographed fraction of deoxycholate-solubilzed membranes prepared from KCl-extracted, ultracentrifuge-prepared trophoblast microvilli. The resultant IgG antibody reacted specifically with syncytiotrophoblastic membranes in sections of human placentae, in addition to recognizing the membranes of viable Chang liver, AV3, HEp-2, Sw/156 (kidney) and Sw/527 (breast) cells. That normal tissues, baboon or monkey placentae, and HeLa or Daudi cell lines did not react with this antibody, indicates the presence of species- and organ-specific antigens in human trophoblast, as well as the existence of trophoblast cross-reactive antigens on some transformed cells. The selective localization of these antigens at the interface of the materno-foetal graft suggests that they function biologically in the host-parasite relation of human pregnancy; their appearance on many transformed cells implies a similar function in the host-parasite relation of some human cancers.