Peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor-γ deficiency in a Canadian kindred with familial partial lipodystrophy type 3 (FPLD3)

Background  

Familial partial lipodystrophy (Dunnigan) type 3 (FPLD3, Mendelian Inheritance in Man [MIM] 604367) results from heterozygous mutations in PPARG encoding peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor-γ. Both dominant-negative and haploinsufficiency mechanisms have been suggested for this condition.     

Predicting protein complex membership using probabilistic network reliability

Evidence for specific protein-protein interactions is increasingly available from both small- and large-scale studies, and can be viewed as a network. It has previously been noted that errors are frequent among large-scale studies, and that error frequency depends on the large-scale method used. Despite knowledge of the error-prone nature of interaction evidence, edges (connections) in this network are typically viewed as either present or absent. However, use of a probabilistic network that considers quantity and quality of supporting evidence should improve inference derived from protein networks. Here we demonstrate inference of membership in a partially known protein complex by using a probabilistic network model and an algorithm previously used to evaluate reliability in communication networks.     

Skeletal changes in epidermal nevus syndrome: does focal bone disease harbor clues concerning pathogenesis?

Epidermal nevus syndrome (ENS) is a rare, sporadic, congenital disorder of unknown etiology featuring a complex and highly variable phenotype that can include focal or generalized skeletal disease. We describe a young man with ENS manifesting right-sided linear skin lesions, generalized weakness, diffuse osteopenia associated with hypophosphatemic rickets, and distinctive focal bone lesions ipsilateral to the skin findings. Review of the literature concerning ENS-associated skeletal disease suggested such focal bone defects are fibrous dysplasia, but our patient did not have the typical radiographic or histopathologic findings of fibrous dysplasia. Nevertheless, his circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) level was elevated, likely functioning as a "phosphatonin," yet no activating mutations in GNAS previously reported in fibrous dysplasia or McCune-Albright syndrome were detected in his leukocytes or affected skin. We postulate that the focal skeletal disease, although different than fibrous dysplasia, may be a source of FGF-23 in ENS.     

Interaction of enteropathogenic and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and porcine intestinal mucosa: role of intimin and Tir in adherence

The ileal in vitro organ culture (IVOC) model using tissues originating from colostrum-deprived newborn piglets has proven to be an effective way to study the attaching and effacing (A/E) phenotype of porcine enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) ex vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of intimin subtype and Tir in the adherence of EPEC and Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), isolated from different animal species, to porcine intestinal IVOC. Moreover, the role of intimin in Tir-independent adherence of the human EPEC strain E2348/69 was investigated using intimin and Tir-deficient derivatives. Our results demonstrated that A/E E. coli strains (AEEC) from various animal species and humans induce the A/E phenotype in porcine ileal IVOC and that intimin subtype influences intestinal adherence and tropism of AEEC strains. We also showed that a tir mutant of EPEC strain E2348/69 demonstrates close adherence to the epithelial cells of porcine ileal IVOC segments, with microvillous effacement but with no evidence of actin polymerization or pedestal formation, and that intimin seems to be involved in this phenotype. Overall, this study provides further evidence for the existence of one or more host-cell-encoded intimin receptor(s) in the pig gut.     

The presence of the casein kinase II phosphorylation sites of Vpu enhances the CD4(+) T cell loss caused by the simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIV(KU-lbMC33) in pig-tailed macaques

The simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)/ macaque model for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has become a useful tool to assess the role of Vpu in lentivirus pathogenesis. In this report, we have mutated the two phosphorylated serine residues of the HIV-1 Vpu to glycine residues and have reconstructed a SHIV expressing this nonphosphorylated Vpu (SHIV(S52,56G)). Expression studies revealed that this protein was localized to the same intracellular compartment as wild-type Vpu. To determine if this virus was pathogenic, four pig-tailed macaques were inoculated with SHIV(S52,56G) and virus burdens and circulating CD4(+) T cells monitored up to 1 year. Our results indicate that SHIV(S52,56G) caused rapid loss in the circulating CD4(+) T cells within 3 weeks of inoculation in one macaque (CC8X), while the other three macaques developed no or gradual numbers of CD4(+) T cells and a wasting syndrome. Histological examination of tissues revealed that macaque CC8X had lesions in lymphoid tissues (spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus) that were typical for macaques inoculated with pathogenic parental SHIV(KU-1bMC33) and had no lesions within the CNS. To rule out that macaque CC8X had selected for a virus in which there was reversion of the glycine residues at positions 52 and 56 to serine residues and/or compensating mutations occurred in other genes associated with CD4 down-regulation, sequence analysis was performed on amplified vpu sequences isolated from PBMC and from several lymphoid tissues at necropsy. Sequence analysis revealed a reversion of the glycine residues back to serine residues in this macaque. The other macaques maintained low virus burdens, with one macaque (P003) developing a wasting syndrome between months 9 and 11. Histological examination of tissues from this macaque revealed a thymus with severe atrophy that was similar to that of a previously reported macaque inoculated with a SHIV lacking vpu (Virology 293, 2002, 252). Sequence analysis revealed no reversion of the glycine residues in the vpu sequences isolated from this macaque. These results contrast with those from four macaques inoculated with the parental pathogenic SHIV(KU-1bMC33), all of which developed severe CD4(+) T cell loss within 1 month after inoculation. Taken together, these results indicate that casein kinase II phosphorylation sites of Vpu contributes to the pathogenicity of the SHIV(KU-1bMC33) and suggest that the SHIV(KU-1bMC33)/pig-tailed macaque model will be useful in analyzing amino acids/domains of Vpu that contribute to the pathogenesis of HIV-1.     

Storage of thawed cryoprecipitated AHF is better at room temperature than at 1 degree C to 6 degrees C for factor VIII content

Before November 1989, both the American Association of Blood Banks and the Food and Drug Administration required that thawed cryoprecipitated antihemophilic factor (AHF) should be used immediately or be stored at room temperature and administered within 6 hours. However, in November 1989, the American Association of Blood Banks changed the requirement for storage of thawed cryoprecipitated AHF from room temperature to 1 degree C to 6 degrees C, while the Food and Drug Administration still required thawed cryoprecipitated AHF to be stored at room temperature. The present study was designed to measure and compare the factor VIII activity in 10 bags of thawed cryoprecipitated AHF that were split into aliquots and stored at room temperature and at 1 degree C to 6 degrees C. At 6 and 24 hours after thawing, the mean factor VIII activities (% of normal) of the room temperature-stored cryoprecipitated AHF were 741% and 680% vs 650% and 608% for the 1 degree C- to 6 degrees C-stored cryoprecipitated AHF (P less than .05 at 6 hours and P = .11 at 24 hours). The storage of thawed cryoprecipitated AHF at 1 degree C to 6 degrees C also resulted in precipitation of both factor VIII and fibrinogen. These data show that it is better to store thawed cryoprecipitated AHF at room temperature vs 1 degree C to 6 degrees C for factor VIII activity. These data also suggest that adequate levels of factor VIII are maintained in thawed cryoprecipitated AHF that has been stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours.     

Evaluation of United States-licensed human immunodeficiency virus immunoassays for detection of group M viral variants

Six Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-1/2 immunoassays, including five enzyme immunoassays and one rapid test, were challenged with up to 250 serum samples collected from various global sites. The serum samples were from individuals known to be infected with variants of HIV-1 including group M subtypes A, B, B', C, D, E, F, and G and group O. All immunoassays detected the vast majority of samples tested. Three samples produced low signal over cutoff values in one or more tests: a clade B sample, an untypeable sample with a low antibody titer, and a group O sample. It is concluded that HIV-1 immunoassays used in the United States are capable of detecting most HIV-1 group M variants.     

Embryo donation: attitudes toward donation procedures and factors predicting willingness to donate

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess infertile couples' attitudes toward the procedures of embryo donation (ED) and to identify factors predicting interest in donation. METHODS: Fifty-one couples who had received IVF treatment and had subsequently had embryos cryopreserved for >3 years were located and sent written information about the procedures for ED and possible implications of donation. A total of 49 couples agreed to participate in the study with 36 women and 31 men subsequently returning questionnaires describing their reasons for not claiming unused embryos and attitudes towards ED. RESULTS: Patients were supportive of donor screening procedures, but less comfortable sharing non-identifying information. Comfort levels declined as information became increasingly personal. Support for unconditional (i.e. the donation of embryos without conditions attached) and conditional (i.e. where couples could limit the donation of their embryos to persons/couples according to their preferences) models of donation was highly polarized and a substantial minority expressed strong opposition to each model. Willingness to donate was associated with greater comfort about disclosing personal information, a desire to know the outcome of donation and willingness to have future contact with a child, but not with current family size. CONCLUSIONS: Comfort in sharing information with a recipient couple is more important than acceptance of screening procedures, or attainment of family size goals in predicting willingness to donate embryos. Offering the option of conditional donation could increase the acceptability of ED for some patients.