Distribution of three classes of endogenous type-C RNA viruses among inbred strains of mice.

Mouse cells contain genetic information for type-C RNA viruses. Three prototype endogenous viruses with biologically distinguishable properties have been isolated. The present studies show that viruses immunologically indistinguishable from these prototype viruses are either chemically inducible or partially expressed in cells of many inbred mouse strains of widely diverse geographic origin. The evidence further indicates that the expression of these three virus classes is differentially regulated within cells of the strains examined.     

Immunological characterization of a low molecular weight polypeptide of murine leukemia virus

A low molecular weight polypeptide (MW 16,000) of the Rauscher strain of mouse leukemia virus (MuLV) has been isolated. A very sensitive and highly specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for its quantitation. The present studies indicate that this polypeptide is virus-coded and antigenically distinct from another virion protein, the group-specific (gs) antigen Different strains of MuLV contain antigens immunologically cross-reactive with the low molecular weight polypeptide. Studies are presented comparing the level of expression of this virion antigen in normal and transformed cells.     

Analysis of type specific antigenic determinants of two structural polypeptides of mouse RNA C-Type viruses

Radioimmunoassay techniques have previously been shown to be highly sensitive and specific for the detection of intra- and interspecies determinants of antigens of RNA C-type viruses. In the present report, two murine leukemia virus (MuLV) polypeptides, with molecular weights of 30,000 and 12,000, are shown to contain type-specific determinants by use of appropriate radioimmunologic procedures. These methods have made it possible to distinguish three groups of MuLV. The type-specific antigenic properties of the viral polypeptides examined are shown to be independent of previously described host range and neutralization properties.     

Changes in and effective factors of microtubule-associated protein 2 in traumatic neurons

目的　研究液压冲击伤后体外培养的大鼠神经元细胞内微管相关蛋白 2 (MAP 2 )的变化 ,探讨尼莫地平 (Nim)、D 2氨基戊酸 (D AP 5 )和亚低温对创伤后MAP 2的影响及机制。方法　通过免疫荧光标记神经元细胞MAP 2 ,利用激光共聚焦显微镜测定液压冲击伤时体外培养的大鼠神经元细胞MAP 2的变化。结果　MAP 2主要位于神经元胞体和树突 ,且树突中MAP 2多于胞体。液压冲击伤后脑皮质神经元细胞MAP 2于伤后 3小时明显丢失 (P <0 0 1) ,4 8小时MAP 2丢失达高峰 ,72小时MAP 2免疫染色部分恢复。Nim于伤后 1小时内应用明显减少MAP 2的丢失 (P <0 0 1) ,而伤后 10小时以上应用则无效 (P >0 0 5 ) ;D AP 5于伤后 10小时内应用明显减少MAP 2的丢失 (P <0 0 1) ;亚低温于伤后 1小时也可减轻MAP 2的丢失 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　液压冲击伤后神经元细胞MAP 2逐渐丢失 ,72h以后部分神经元细胞MAP 2免疫荧光染色部分恢复 ,说明创伤后部分存活神经元微管结构可自行修复。Nim、D AP 5和亚低温通过不同保护机制均可减轻MAP 2的降解 ,但各自应用的时间窗不同 ,提示对创伤后神经元细胞骨架降解应注意综合治疗 ,并选定各自应用的最佳时间窗。     

Oral manifestations as important symptoms for juvenile dermatomyositis early diagnosis: a case report

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 21: 77–80 Background. Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy of childhood and adolescence, characterized by symmetrical weakness of proximal muscles and classical cutaneous features. Literature reports rarely describe or focus on oral lesions that are associated with this disease. Case report. This case describes a 4‐year‐old girl in whom the oral lesions were the initial manifestations of JDM. Physical examination revealed characteristic skin manifestations, proximal muscle weakness, extensive calcinosis, necrotic ulceration, complicated erysipelas, and diffuse alopecia. The diagnosis was established based on the clinical, histological, electroneuromyography, and biochemical findings. Conclusion. Recognition of gingival telangiectases as an important diagnostic marker of JDM leads us to suggest that identifying oral manifestations, which may be carried out by a paediatric dentist, contributes in establishing an early diagnosis and an immediate treatment of this condition.     

Genetic and Environmental Factors in Head and Neck Cancer Genesis

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) include squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Epidemiologic data suggest that the etiology and pathogenesis of HNSCC are influenced by environmental and lifestyle-related factors, such as tobacco use, ethanol consumption, papilloma virus infection, dietary factors and exposure to toxic substances. DNA repair systems and carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes can increase the risk for HNSCC but no definite causal mechanism has been demonstrated. There are several well-characterized entities that are associated with risk and prognosis of head and neck cancer, including Lynch-II syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Fanconi's anemia, xeroderma pigmentosum, ataxia telangiectasia, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This review aims to present the current status in our understanding of HNSCC and highlight controversies relating to the role of several factors in the genesis of the cancer.     

Grandchild of the NBAS: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS)

A review of the research on the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) is presented. The NNNS has good psychometric properties and reliability. Standardized norms are available for it. It was found to be sensitive to a wide variety of medical, exposure, and demographic variables and has robust predictive validity. It will be useful for nurses for detecting neurobehavioral problems and management of the young infant.     

Sexuality in chronic respiratory failure: coincidences and divergences between patient and primary caregiver

Sexual functioning can be affected by chronic illness in a variety of ways.These problems affect the patients relationship and the degree of satisfaction with his partner. We conducted a study in order to evaluate the perception of sexual difficulties and changes in communication with patients and their wives. Male chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with (COPD) and chronic respiratory failure on long-term oxygen therapy were studied. The evaluation method used has consisted of the individualized administration of a semi-structured interview created for this purpose. This interview was conducted with the patients and their wives. One part of the interview was dedicated to evaluating possible sexual problems and how these problems affect the relationship between the couples. In addition, patients as well as their partners were asked the degree of satisfaction with their partners and the degree of satisfaction with their lives. Forty-nine patients and their spouses have been included in the study. Thirty-three patients (67.3%) showed some type of sexual problem (lack of desire and/or impotence). Sixteen wives (33%) answered affirmatively to the question about whether changes at a communicative level as a consequence of the patients illness had occurred. In relation to the appearance of sexual changes, 46 (94%) of the wives answered affirmatively. The wives were significantly less satisfied with the relationship than the patients, which was related to communication problems. The group of patients were more satisfied with their partners than with their life, whereas no difference has been observed in the wives with both variables. An important percentage of patients with chronic insufficiency who have sexual difficulties exits. A factor which influences the perception of such problems in a very important way is the degree of affection in the relationship between the couples.     

Expression of cellular homologues of retroviral onc genes in human hematopoietic cells.

Total cellular poly(A)-enriched RNA from a variety of fresh human leukemic blood cells and hematopoietic cell lines was analyzed for homology with molecularly cloned DNA probes containing the onc sequence of Abelson murine leukemia virus (Ab-MuLV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (Ha-MuSV), simian sarcoma virus (SSV), and avian myelocytomatosis virus strain MC29. Results with the fresh blood cells paralleled those obtained with the cell lines. With Ab-MuLV and Ha-MuSV, multiple RNA bands were visualized in all cell types examined without significant variation in the relative intensities of the bands. When SSV was used as the probe, expression of related onc sequences was absent in all of the hematopoietic cell types examined except for one neoplastic T-cell line (HUT 102), which produces the human T-cell leukemia (lymphoma) retrovirus HTLV. In this cell line, a single band (4.2 kilobases) was observed. With MC29 as the probe, a single band of 2.7 kilobases was visualized in all cell types examined with only a 10 to 2-fold variation in intensity of hybridization. An exception was the promyelocytic cell line, HL60, which expressed approximately 10-fold more MC29-related onc sequences. With induction of differentiation of HL60 with either dimethyl sulfoxide or retinoic acid, a marked diminution in the amount of the MC29-related, but not the Ab-MuLV-related, onc message was observed.