The Rtf1/Prf1-dependent histone modification axis counteracts multi-drug resistance in fission yeast

RNA polymerase II transcription elongation directs an intricate pattern of histone modifications. This pattern includes a regulatory cascade initiated by the elongation factor Rtf1, leading to monoubiquitylation of histone H2B, and subsequent methylation of histone H3 on lysine 4. Previous studies have defined the molecular basis for these regulatory relationships, but it remains unclear how they regulate gene expression. To address this question, we investigated a drug resistance phenotype that characterizes defects in this axis in the model eukaryote Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast). The mutations caused resistance to the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxyurea (HU) that correlated with a reduced effect of HU on dNTP pools, reduced requirement for the S-phase checkpoint, and blunting of the transcriptional response to HU treatment. Mutations in the C-terminal repeat domain of the RNA polymerase II large subunit Rpb1 led to similar phenotypes. Moreover, all the HU-resistant mutants also exhibited resistance to several azole-class antifungal agents. Our results suggest a novel, shared gene regulatory function of the Rtf1-H2Bub1-H3K4me axis and the Rpb1 C-terminal repeat domain in controlling fungal drug tolerance.

Neuro-QOL: brief measures of health-related quality of life for clinical research in neurology

OBJECTIVE

To address the need for brief, reliable, valid, and standardized quality of life (QOL) assessment applicable across neurologic conditions.

METHODS

Drawing from larger calibrated item banks, we developed short measures (8-9 items each) of 13 different QOL domains across physical, mental, and social health and evaluated their validity and reliability. Three samples were utilized during short form development: general population (Internet-based, n = 2,113); clinical panel (Internet-based, n = 553); and clinical outpatient (clinic-based, n = 581). All short forms are expressed as T scores with a mean of 50 and SD of 10.

RESULTS

Internal consistency (Cronbach α) of the 13 short forms ranged from 0.85 to 0.97. Correlations between short form and full-length item bank scores ranged from 0.88 to 0.99 (0.82-0.96 after removing common items from banks). Online respondents were asked whether they had any of 19 different chronic health conditions, and whether or not those reported conditions interfered with ability to function normally. All short forms, across physical, mental, and social health, were able to separate people who reported no health condition from those who reported 1-2 or 3 or more. In addition, scores on all 13 domains were worse for people who acknowledged being limited by the health conditions they reported, compared to those who reported conditions but were not limited by them.

CONCLUSION

These 13 brief measures of self-reported QOL are reliable and show preliminary evidence of concurrent validity inasmuch as they differentiate people based upon number of reported health conditions and whether those reported conditions impede normal function.

The role of radiotracer imaging in Parkinson disease

Radiotracer imaging (RTI) of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system is a widely used but controversial biomarker in Parkinson disease (PD). Here the authors review the concepts of biomarker development and the evidence to support the use of four radiotracers as biomarkers in PD: [18F]fluorodopa PET, (+)-[11C]dihydrotetrabenazine PET, [123I]beta-CIT SPECT, and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET. Biomarkers used to study disease biology and facilitate drug discovery and early human trials rely on evidence that they are measuring relevant biologic processes. The four tracers fulfill this criterion, although they do not measure the number or density of dopaminergic neurons. Biomarkers used as diagnostic tests, prognostic tools, or surrogate endpoints must not only have biologic relevance but also a strong linkage to the clinical outcome of interest. No radiotracers fulfill these criteria, and current evidence does not support the use of imaging as a diagnostic tool in clinical practice or as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials. Mechanistic information added by RTI to clinical trials may be difficult to interpret because of uncertainty about the interaction between the interventions and the tracer.

Evolution of the Pittsburgh studies of the epidemiology of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Pittsburgh Diabetes Epidemiology and Etiology Research Group

The Pittsburgh project evaluating the epidemiology and etiology of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is currently one of the large ongoing studies of childhood diabetes. This paper traces the evolution of the project, from the initial basic epidemiologic approach in the early 1980s, to the current thrust where complex molecular genetic approaches are being incorporated into population-based research. The epidemiology models employed in the Pittsburgh project are similar to those that could be used in many areas of chronic disease research. The integration of immunogenetics into epidemiology produces a powerful approach for understanding the complex interaction of host susceptibility and environmental agents that contribute to the development of IDDM.

Touch in the counselling relationship: an exploratory study

There is a continuum of views on the extent to which touch enhances the treatment process of patients. Health professionals must deal with the use of touch in some way, even if their final decision is not to use it. Health professionals were interviewed about personal touch as a part of their professional relationships with patients. Even though the subjects using touch differed in health professions and primary theoretical orientations, a commonality was the belief in a strong person-to-person relationship as an integral part of the helping process. Instruction concerning touch appears to be inconsistent in the curricula of health-professional schools. Thus sensitivity to the use of touch is more likely to develop through professional experience. Touch is more likely to be used in a fee-for-service, private practice setting. The part of the body most likely to be touched is a hand, and possible sexual misinterpretation of touch is best dealt with openly and at once.

Sexualitv in the phvsician-patient relatioiship

Medical school training in sexuality focusses primarily on the problems of the patient. This paper describes a learning module designed to provide the medical student with learning activities which enable him/her to cope with personal sexual attitudes and feelings in regard to the patient. Anecdotes illustrating how students have responded to their increased awareness are included. A questionnaire survey indicated that 93 per cent of the students found the module helpful.