The "Atlas of genetics and cytogenetics in oncology and haematology" on the internet and a review on infant leukemias

The “Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology” (URL: http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/chromcancer) is a database devoted to chromosome abnormalities in cancer, cancer-prone diseases, and genes involved in cancer. The information is concise and updated. This database is made for and by cytogeneticists, molecular biologists, clinicians in oncology and hematology, and pathologists, who are encouraged to contribute. The database is herein presented, together with an example concerning congenital leukemias.     

An improved immunoblotting procedure for the detection of antibodies against HIV

Immunoblotting ('Western blotting') is routinely used for detection of antibodies against HIV in the diagnosis of HIV infection. We describe an improved procedure, which does not require virus purification and is easy to control for 'false-positive' results. The technique also does not produce erroneous results due to reactivity of the developing system with residual cellular proteins or viral antigens and does not give high nonspecific background staining. The technique can be applied to the detection of antibodies to HIV in serum, plasma, and blood products.     

Selective inhibition of influenza virus protein synthesis by inhibitors of DNA function.

Various known inhibitors of cellular DNA function were shown to inhibit cellular RNA synthesis and influenza (fowl plague) virus multiplication. The drugs were investigated for their effect upon the synthesis of influenza virus proteins. According to this effect they could be classified with previously studied compounds [Minor, P. D. and Dimmock, N. J. (1975), Virology, 67, 114–231 as follows: Group I (ethidium bromide, proflavine, and N-nitroquinoline-N-oxide) inhibited both viral and cellular protein synthesis; Group II (nogalomycin, daunomycin and α-amanitin) inhibited viral but not cellular protein synthesis, and all viral proteins were inhibited coordinately; Group III (mithramycin, echinomycin, and actinomycin D) inhibited all viral but not cellular protein synthesis at high concentrations, but at a lower critical concentration inhibited the synthesis of viral haemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and M protein preferentially; Group IV (uv irradiation and camptothecin) inhibited the synthesis of viral haemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and M protein, but not other viral proteins, even at high doses. The mode of action of these inhibitors is discussed in relation to the mechanism of the nuclear events upon which influenza virus multiplication is dependent.     

Does breastfeeding protect children from asthma? Analysis of NHANES III survey data.

We sought to determine whether breastfeeding (yes/no) or its duration protects against the development of childhood asthma, its severity or age of onset. We conducted a secondary analysis of youth files of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-94), and reviewed data from 6,783 children age 2 months to 6 years (3,316 breastfed), excluding children with a history of low birth weight or treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit. Study participants were breastfed an average of 157 days. The average age at onset of asthma was 14.3 months. In the logistic regression model, "ever breast-fed" was not a significant protective factor for developing asthma. Significant predictive factors were the mother's age at child's birth (beta = -0.08, p < 0.01), and a parent having asthma or hayfever (beta = 0.46, p < 0.01). In the linear regression model, the duration of breastfeeding was not a predictor for age at onset of asthma (beta = 0.01, p = 0.53). Only maternal smoking during pregnancy was a significant predictor of age at onset of asthma (beta = -7.59, p < 0.01). Breastfeeding does not appear to prevent asthma, delay its onset, or reduce its severity. However, breastfeeding is still recommended for its many other benefits.     

Conformational variability of a picornavirus capsid: pH-dependent structural changes of Mengo virus related to its host receptor attachment site and disassembly

The structure of Mengo virus had been determined from crystals grown in the presence of 100 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. It is shown that Mengo virus is poorly infectious at the phosphate concentration similar to that in which it was crystallized. Maximal infectivity is achieved at 10 mM phosphate or less in physiological saline. The phosphate effect is ameliorated when the pH is lowered to 4.6. Although it has not been possible to study the crystal structure of the virus at low phosphate concentrations, it is shown that increasing the Cl- concentration at pH 6.2 or decreasing the pH to 4.6 causes substantial conformational changes confined to the "pit," a deep surface depression. These structural changes involve a movement of the "FMDV loop" (GH loop) in VP1, an ordering of the "VP3 loop" (GH loop in VP3) between 3176 and 3182, the displacement of a bound phosphate near the "FMDV loop" (GH loop in VP1), and movement of the carboxy terminus of VP2. The changes in conformation are correlated with the dissociation of the virion into pentamers at pH 6.2 and 150 mM Cl-. The localization of the conformational changes and the correlated role of the phosphate in controlling infectivity support the hypothesis that the "pit" is the receptor attachment site.     

Molecular cloning of the genomes of poliovirus type 3 strains by the cDNA: RNA hybrid method

Summary The genomes of two neurovirulent strains of poliovirus type 3, wild type P3/Leon/37 and a vaccine revertant P3/119/70, have been cloned inE. coli. The cDNA:RNA hybrid method used was efficient and may have wide applicability for cDNA cloning. Overlapping clones spanning the entire genome were obtained for each strain. These have been used to produce full-length DNA copies of the two genomes each within a single plasmid.With 6 Figures     

Symptomatic native arterial occlusions: early experience with "over-the-wire" thrombolysis

"Over-the-wire" thrombolysis was successfully accomplished in eight patients with symptomatic lower-extremity ischemia. The authors used a 5-F catheter with multiple side holes designed to pulse-spray urokinase directly over the guidance of a 0.035-inch guide wire. The mean occlusion length was 11.5 cm (range, 5-27 cm). Complete thrombolysis was achieved after delivery of a mean of 480,000 IU of urokinase in a mean infusion time of 48 minutes. One embolic complication was successfully treated with the catheter-wire system. No bleeding complications occurred. Over-the-wire thrombolysis is an alternative method of administering urokinase for the treatment of arterial occlusions.     

Effect of warm ischemia time and organ perfusion technique on liver microvascular preservation in a non-heart-beating rat model

BACKGROUND: Current organ shortage has led to a reconsideration of non-heart-beating cadaveric donation. METHODS: We assessed the effectivity of dual, i.e., arterial and portal-venous versus exclusive, arterial gravity perfusion for procurement of rat livers after 30 min and 60 min of cardiac arrest, analyzing the rate and homogeneity of microvascular perfusion by in situ fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: After 30 min of cardiac arrest, a nearly 100% recovery of acinar perfusion with a sinusoidal density not significantly different from that of normal, nonischemic livers was achieved by dual gravity perfusion. Prolongation of cardiac arrest to 60 min caused an almost 50% deficit of acinar and sinusoidal perfusion (P<0.05) with a concomitant 2-3-fold increase of heterogeneity of hepatic microperfusion. Regardless of the warm ischemic time period, dually perfused livers exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher rates of both acinar and sinusoidal perfusion with increased homogeneity of microcirculation when compared with exclusive arterial perfusion. CONCLUSION: These data underline the need and benefit of dual perfusion as well as the limitation of warm ischemic tolerance to 30 min for safe liver procurement of non-heart-beating donors.