Purification and partial characterization of the major “pathogenesis-related” tomato leaf protein P14 from potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV)-infected tomato leaves

Summary The acid-extractable leaf proteins of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) infected tomato plants were analysed electrophoretically on polyacrylamide gels. The most prominent alteration found during disease development was the appearance of a pathogenesis-related protein with an apparent molecular weight of 14,000 (called P14) which is drastically increased in concentration. Its induction, however, is not viroid-specific because it is also accumulating after viral and fungal infections. The degree of P14 accumulation could be directly correlated with the severity of the disease symptoms and its concentration was found to be highest in leaves of the tomato cultivar Rutgers four weeks after infection.P14 was isolated from such leaf material by acid-extraction of the leaf proteins, which were concentrated from the clarified homogenates by ultrafiltration through hollow fiber systems or by precipitation at 60 per cent ammonium sulphate saturation. P14 was finally purified by ion exchange chromatography on sulfopropyl (SP-C25) Sephadex and on DEAE cellulose. A protein with properties similar to those of P 14 could also be isolated from healthy tomato leaves, where its concentration is about forty to fifty times lower than PSTV-infected tissue.P14 can be stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue, silver and ethidium bromide, it is sensitive to digestion with pronase and not altered when treated with RNase and DNase. P14 is a basic protein with an estimated isoelectric point of 10.7 and its unusual behaviour during ultrafiltration indicates that it represents an elongated rather than a globular molecule in solution. P14 seems to be different from any of the so-called pathogenesis-related proteins described so far inGynura aurantiaca, Etrog citron, potato and tomato after viroid-infection and in tobacco, cucumber and bean leaves after virus- or fungus-induced hypersensitive reactions.With 7 Figures     

Presentation and subsequent publication rates of phase I oncology clinical trials

BACKGROUND: Many trials submitted to scientific meetings are not reported in peer-reviewed journals. Results may vary substantially and the lack of final publication constitutes a form of reporting bias. The authors sought to determine the presentation and publication rates of Phase I trials submitted to a major oncology meeting and the factors impeding their subsequent publication. METHODS: The authors identified all Phase I studies submitted to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 1997, categorizing them as novel (agents not approved by the Food and Drug Administration at the time of submission) or nonnovel (at least one agent approved), and as industry sponsored or not. MEDLINE searches and an E-mailed questionnaire confirmed publication in peer-reviewed literature and the reasons for nonpublication. RESULTS: Approximately 54% of the 275 Phase I studies were selected for presentation. Abstracts reporting novel agents were more likely selected for presentation than those reporting nonnovel compounds (68% vs. 38%; P < 0.0001). Seventy-two percent of the presented abstracts were subsequently published, compared with 62% of those not presented (P = 0.08). The overall publication rate was 67% at 7.5 years. Presentation status was associated with time to publication (P = 0.01), with abstracts chosen for presentation being published sooner. The median time from presentation to publication was found to be 3.4 years. Lack of time and author relocation were the major obstacles to publication. CONCLUSIONS: The underreporting of final results of Phase I oncology trials remains a serious problem. In the future, investigators must commit to the publication of final results in a timely manner. Journals should provide mechanisms for rapid reporting of Phase I trials.     

Association of housing disrepair indicators with cockroach and rodent infestations in a cohort of pregnant Latina women and their children

Health burdens associated with poor housing and indoor pest infestations are likely to affect young children in particular, who spend most of their time indoors at home. We completed environmental assessments in 644 homes of pregnant Latina women and their children living in the Salinas Valley, California. High residential densities were common, with 39% of homes housing > 1.5 persons per room. Housing disrepair was also common: 58% of homes had peeling paint, 43% had mold, 25% had water damage, and 11% had rotting wood. Evidence of cockroaches and rodents was present in 60% and 32% of homes, respectively. Compared with representative national survey data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, homes in our sample were more likely to have rodents, peeling paint, leaks under sinks, and much higher residential densities. The odds of rodent infestations in homes increased in the presence of peeling paint [odds ratio (OR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-3.1], water damage (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.7), and mold (OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.1). The odds of cockroach infestation increased in the presence of peeling paint (OR 3.8; 95% CI, 2.7-5.6), water damage (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.9), or high residential density (OR 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8). Homes that were less clean than average were more prone to both types of infestations. Pesticides were stored or used in 51% of households, partly to control roach and rodent infestations. These data indicate that adverse housing conditions are common in this community and increase the likelihood of pest infestations and home pesticide use. Interventions to improve housing and promote children's health and safety in this population are needed.     

Sexual dysfunction in the elderly: age or disease?

Sexuality is an important component of emotional and physical intimacy that men and women experience through their lives. Male erectile dysfunction (ED) and female sexual dysfunction increase with age. About a third of the elderly population has at least one complaint with their sexual function. However, about 60% of the elderly population expresses their interest for maintaining sexual activity. Although aging and functional decline may affect sexual function, when sexual dysfunction is diagnosed, physicians should rule out disease or side effects of medications. Common disorders related to sexual dysfunction include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lower urinary tract symptoms and depression. Early control of cardiovascular risk factors may improve endothelial function and reduce the occurrence of ED. Treating those disorders or modifying lifestyle-related risk factors (eg obesity) may help prevent sexual dysfunction in the elderly. Sexuality is important for older adults, but interest in discussing aspects of sexual life is variable. Physicians should give their patient's opportunity to voice their concerns with sexual function and offer them alternatives for evaluation and treatment.     

Klinische Anwendung der visuell evozierten Potentiale zur Untersuchung von chiasmatischen und postchiasmatischen Läsionen

Zusammenfassung Visuell evozierte Potentiale (VEP) wurden bei 18 Patienten mit computer-tomographisch nachgewiesenen pathologischen Veränderungen im Bereich der Sella (n=9) und parieto-occipital (n=9) abgeleitet. Die Reizantwort der rechten und linken Hemisphäre konnte durch selektive Stimulation (Halbfeldreizung) trotz nur einkanaliger Ableitung mit Elektroden in der Mittellinie getrennt registriert werden. So konnten in 17 Fällen VEP-Veränderungen nachgewiesen werden, die Rückschlüsse auf Ort und Ausmaß der Läsion zuließen. Bei den Chiasma-Prozessen fand sich eine Verzögerung der monocularen Latenzen, sowie verzögerte bis aufgehobene Reizantwort bei Halbfeldstimulation von temporal (nasale Retinafasern). Auch bei Halbfeldstimulation von nasal (temporale Retinafasern) zeigten sich in vielen Fällen pathologische VEP-Antworten. Die VEP-Veränderungen gingen nicht immer mit Gesichtsfeldausfällen einher.Im Gegensatz zur Gruppe der chiasmanahen Prozesse fanden sich bei den parieto-occipitalen Läsionen bei Vollfeldreizung kein pathologischer Befund, erst bei selektiver Halbfeldreizung der betroffenen Hemisphäre konnten Amplitudenminderung, Latenzzeitverzögerung und aufgehobene Reizantwort gefunden werden. Zwischen ischämischen Insulten und Tumoren war kein Unterschied festzustellen. Das VEP kann die Computer-Tomographie ergänzen, da es Funktionsausfälle nachweisen kann, so daß die Methode auch zur Verlaufsbeobachtung (prä- und postoperativ) geeignet erscheint.     

Auricular perichondritis in adults. An evaluation-study of 12 hospitalized patients

Perichondritis of the auricle in adults can be secondary to traumatic agents, external otitis or surgery being Pseudomona aeruginosa the bacteria more often isolated. We have performed a retrospective study of 12 hospitalized patients with that diagnosis and these following variables have been evaluated: Age, sex, personal antecedents, clinical symptoms, affected auricle, complementary explorations, treatment, evolution and stay.