The complete nucleotide sequence of apple mosaic virus RNA-3

Summary The complete nucleotide sequence of apple mosaic ilarvirus (ApMV) RNA-3 has been determined from cloned viral cDNAs. The 5 terminus of RNA-3 was determined by direct RNA sequencing, while the 3 end was determined by polyadenylation of genomic RNA and sub-cloning using oligo dT. ApMV RNA-3 is 2056 bases in length and encodes at least two open reading frames. It is similar in size and genome organization to the RNA-3 of other members of theBromoviridae, which includes ilarviruses. The CP gene is in the 3 half of the molecule, and another large open reading frame is upstream of the CP gene and can potentially encode a protein of 32 400 daltons. This peptide is the same size and shows limited sequence homology to an open reading frame located at the 5 end of RNA 3 in tobacco streak and prune dwarf ilarviruses and alfalfa mosaic virus, which is postulated to be the viral movement protein. The nucleic acid sequence was not homologous to tobacco streak virus, prune dwarf virus, alfalfa mosaic virus or other members of theBromoviridae. The 5-non-coding region of ApMV RNA-3 contains a 15 base palindromic sequence which encloses a sequence resembling the ICR-2 regions of eukaryotic tRNA gene promoters.     

Über Eine Amyolytische wirkung des HVL.-Hormons

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions: effects of lysozyme, polylysine and polyglutamate versus hyaluronic acid

OBJECTIVE: Intraperitoneal adhesions are an important cause of postoperative intestinal obstruction, abdominal discomfort and infertility. In the present study we hypothesized that a combination of polypeptides with different surface properties, resulting in fine disperse low-soluble complexes, could be of benefit in the prevention of abdominal adhesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Various polypeptides including lysozyme, polyglutamate, polylysine and combinations of all three were evaluated as compared to hyaluronic acid. A standard wound on the parietal peritoneum in mice was used and the evaluated agents were administered immediately postoperatively. The extent of peritoneal adhesions to the injured area was measured and expressed as a percentage of the wound length as evaluated after 7 days. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the effect on peritoneal macrophage survival and phagocytic function and the Pick test was used to determine peroxide production in order to estimate toxicity and potential impairment of macrophage function caused by the chemicals. RESULTS: Significant differences were seen among the treatment groups (p<0.001). Both polyglutamate and lysozyme, and polyglutamate together with polylysine significantly decreased adhesion formation as compared to hyaluronic acid. The polylysine-polyglutamate combination was still visible macroscopically on the peritoneal surface after 1 week, though not after 1 month. The polyglutamate-lysozyme mixture was less effective than these individual components alone. The chemicals did not show any toxic effects or altered function in macrophage cell culture. CONCLUSIONS: Lysozyme, polyglutamate and, most effectively, a polyglutamate-polylysine combination significantly decreased experimental abdominal adhesion formation. A strong mechanical connection to the wound and prolonged attendance in the surface were noted. Peritoneal phagocyte function did not seem to be influenced by the chemicals.     

Serum Cystatin C and Emphysema: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

Background  

Cystatin C (CysC) is a potent nonorgan-specific cysteine protease inhibitor and may contribute to elastolysis and tissue destruction by a mechanism of protease–antiprotease imbalance. Given the prevalence of CysC in the serum of smokers and its role in tissue destruction, we aimed to evaluate the association between CysC and emphysema.     

Cultural adaptation and validation of the “Kidney Disease and Quality of Life - Short Form (KDQOL-SF™) version 1.3” questionnaire in Egypt

Background

Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) instruments need disease and country specific validation. In Arab countries, there is no specific validated questionnaire for assessment of HRQOL in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The aim of this study was to present an Arabic translation, adaptation, and the subsequent validation of the kidney disease quality of life-short form (KDQOL-SF^TM) version 1.3 questionnaire in a representative series of Egyptian CKD patients.

Methods

KDQOL-SF^TM version 1.3 was translated into Arabic by two independent translators, and then subsequently translated back into English. After translation disparities were reconciled, the final Arabic questionnaire was tested by interviewing 100 pre-dialysis CKD (stage 1-4) patients randomly selected from outpatients attending the Nephrology clinic at the Main Alexandria University Hospital. Test re-test reliability was performed, with a subsample of 50 consecutive CKD patients, by two interviews 7 days apart and internal consistency estimated by Cronbach’s α. Discriminant, concept, and construct validity were assessed.

Results

All items of SF-36 met the criterion for internal consistency and were reproducible. Of the 10 kidney disease targeted scales, only three had Cronbach’s α <0.7: quality of social interaction (0.23), work status (0.28), and cognitive function (0.60). All disease specific scales were reproducible. Results from discriminant validity showed that the study questionnaire could discriminate between patients’ subgroups. As for concept validity, the correlation between all domains of the questionnaire with overall health ratewas significant for all domains except for the work status, sexual function, emotional wellbeing, and role emotional. Furthermore, the correlation between the disease specific domains and the two composite summaries of SF-36 (physical and mental composite summaries) was significant for all domains except for sexual function with mental composite summary. Construct validity was indicated by the observation that the majority of the domains of the kidney disease targeted scale of KDQOL-SF^TM 1.3 were significantly inter-correlated. Finally, principal component analysis of the kidney disease targeted scale indicated that this part of the questionnaire could be summarized into 10 factors that together explained 70.9% of the variance.

Conclusion

The results suggest that this Arabic version of the KDQOL-SF^TM 1.3 questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for use in Egyptian patients with CKD.

     

Genetic subtypes of HIV type 1 in Hungary

We examined the diversity of HIV-1 subtypes in 11 adults from Hungary, using the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and DNA sequencing. HMA results showed that HIV-1 gp120 sequences from 10 patients were of subtype B, whereas 1 patient, infected in Africa, carried a subtype C strain. DNA sequencing confirmed the HMA results and revealed a high intrasubtype diversity in the C2V3 region of env in different clade B isolates, which suggests multiple introduction of subtype B to Hungary. This study shows that subtype B is the predominant HIV-1 clade in Hungary.     

Gastric cancer in young patients--is there any hope for them?

Gastric cancer usually affects people older than sixty years. This type of cancer is very rare in adults under thirty years of age. In addition, the prognosis in this part of population is grave due to the high incidence of undifferentiated tumours and advanced stage at time of diagnosis. Radical surgery affords the only chance for long term survival, but even this option is often limited upon finding locally advanced disease or peritoneal seeding. The following are case studies of three young adults from a group of 45 patients, who were treated between January 1st, 2000 and December 31st, 2003.     

Bilateral ankylosing paraarticular ossifications of the hip joint with involvement of the sciatic nerve

In December 1997 a 48 year-old man was treated by resection of the bilateral paraarticular ankylosing ossifications that developed after 6 weeks of unconsciousness after necrotic pancreatitis. The ossifications on the posterior part of the hip joint involved a highly separated sciatic nerve. There was a bilateral osseous ankylosis of the hip joint and total denervation of sciatic nerve. In April 1999 the ossifications on the right side were removed. The splitted sciatic nerve was in two osseous channels. The head of the femur was vital and immediately following the operation, flexion of the hip joint was possible to 90 degrees. The same procedure was performed on the left hip joint in October 1999. In April 2000, a re-occurance of the paraarticular ossification on the ventral part of the right hip joint was removed from an ilioinquinal approach. In June 2002 the patient was able to stand and walk without crutches. ROM of the knee joints improved bilaterally to 120 degrees of flexion. The flexion of the right hip joint is 70 degrees and in the left hip is 80 degrees. 3 years after decompression of both sciatic nerves involved in heterotopic bone established significant reinervation. The motor function of the proximal femoral muscles and the function of the tibial nerve was renewed. Complete motor denervation syndrom persists in common peroneal nerve. Sensitive inervation was renewed as in n. tibialis as in common peroneal nerve except acral parts of the foot a toes. Concerning function of the sciatic nerves, the overall results can be assessed as partially succesfull because of partial denervation syndrome of sciatic nerves. In definite clinical improvement the recovery of the neurologic status is very important besides the mechanical improvement of range of motion of the hip joint.     

Giant cell tumor of the distal fibula: fifteen-year result after en bloc resection and fibula reconstruction

Introduction Giant cell tumor of the distal fibula is a very rare condition. The treatment of advanced tumors at this location can be challenging and has been described in the literature only in single cases.Materials and methods We report on a patient with a stage III giant cell tumor, according to the classification of Campanacci, of the distal fibula after en bloc resection and distal fibula reconstruction with a long bone graft from the iliac crest in a second procedure. The syndesmosis was reconstructed with a periosteal flap, the capsule and ligaments with local scar tissue.Results Fifteen years after the initial treatment the patient is free of local recurrence and demonstrates an excellent clinical outcome without any signs of instability, loss of function or osteoarthritis of the ankle joint.Conclusion We suggest the method to be worthwhile for treatment of this uncommon lesion in terms of recurrence and functional outcome.