Race against Time between the Virus and Host: Actin-Assisted Rapid Biogenesis of Replication Organelles is Used by TBSV to Limit the Recruitment of Cellular Restriction Factors.

Positive-strand RNA viruses build large viral replication organelles (VROs) with the help of coopted host factors. Previous works on tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) showed that the p33 replication protein subverts the actin cytoskeleton by sequestering the actin depolymerization factor, cofilin, to reduce actin filament disassembly and stabilize the actin filaments. Then, TBSV utilizes the stable actin filaments as "trafficking highways" to deliver proviral host factors into the protective VROs.

Targeting conserved co-opted host factors to block virus replication: Using allosteric inhibitors of the cytosolic Hsp70s to interfere with tomato bushy stunt virus replication.

To further our understanding of the pro-viral roles of the host cytosolic heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family, we chose the conserved Arabidopsis thaliana Hsp70-2 and the unique Erd2 (early response to dehydration 2), which contain Hsp70 domains. Based on in vitro studies with purified components, we show that AtHsp70-2 and AtErd2 perform pro-viral functions equivalent to that of the yeast Ssa1 Hsp70. These functions include activation of the tombusvirus RdRp, and stimulation of replicase assembly.

A novel viral strategy for host factor recruitment: The co-opted proteasomal Rpn11 protein interaction hub in cooperation with subverted actin filaments are targeted to deliver cytosolic host factors for viral replication.

Positive-strand (+)RNA viruses take advantage of the host cells by subverting a long list of host protein factors and transport vesicles and cellular organelles to build membranous viral replication organelles (VROs) that support robust RNA replication. How RNA viruses accomplish major recruitment tasks of a large number of cellular proteins are intensively studied. In case of tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), a single viral replication protein, named p33, carries out most of the recruitment duties.

Co-opting of nonATP-generating glycolytic enzymes for TBSV replication.

Positive-strand RNA viruses build viral replication organelles (VROs) with the help of co-opted host factors. The energy requirement of intensive viral replication processes is less understood. Previous studies on tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) showed that tombusviruses hijack two ATP-producing glycolytic enzymes to produce ATP locally within VROs.

Co-opting the fermentation pathway for tombusvirus replication: Compartmentalization of cellular metabolic pathways for rapid ATP generation.

The viral replication proteins of plus-stranded RNA viruses orchestrate the biogenesis of the large viral replication compartments, including the numerous viral replicase complexes, which represent the sites of viral RNA replication. The formation and operation of these virus-driven structures require subversion of numerous cellular proteins, membrane deformation, membrane proliferation, changes in lipid composition of the hijacked cellular membranes and intensive viral RNA synthesis. These virus-driven processes require plentiful ATP and molecular building blocks produced at the sites of replication or delivered there.

Cellular Ubc2/Rad6 E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme facilitates tombusvirus replication in yeast and plants.

Mono- and multi-ubiquitination alters the functions and subcellular localization of many cellular and viral proteins. Viruses can co-opt or actively manipulate the ubiquitin network to support viral processes or suppress innate immunity. Using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) model host, we show that the yeast Rad6p (radiation sensitive 6) E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme and its plant ortholog, AtUbc2, interact with two tombusviral replication proteins and these E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes could be co-purified with the tombusvirus replicase.

Prenatal abnormal features of the fourth ventricle in Joubert syndrome and related disorders.

Joubert syndrome and related disorders (JSRD) are characterized by absence or underdevelopment of the cerebellar vermis and a malformed brainstem. This family of disorders is a member of an emerging class of diseases called ciliopathies. We describe the abnormal features of the brain, particularly the fourth ventricle, in seven fetuses affected by JSRD.

[Prenatal treatment of neonatal hemochromatosis with maternal administration of intravenous immunoglobulins (about four cases)].

Objectives: Neonatal hemochromatosis is a very bad prognosis disease; liver transplantation was the only way to avoid an unfavourable evolution. Nowadays, hypothesis of an alloimmune mechanism for this disease has purposed to administrate high doses of immunoglobulins.

Patients And Methods: In this study, we report four cases of women whose previous child had neonatal hemochromatosis and who received such a treatment during the next pregnancy from 18 weeks to the term.

Fetal liver iron overload: the role of MR imaging.

Objective: To assess the potential role of MR imaging in the diagnosis of fetal liver iron overload.

Methods: We reviewed seven cases of abnormal liver signal in fetuses referred to MR imaging in a context of suspected congenital infection (n = 2), digestive tract anomalies (n = 3) and hydrops fetalis (n = 2). The average GA of the fetuses was 31 weeks.

Imaging diagnosis--left retrocaval ureter and transposition of the caudal vena cava in a dog.

Retrocaval ureter and transposition of the caudal vena cava are each, rare developmental anomalies. We describe the usefulness of static fluid magnetic resonance urography and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance urography in the diagnosis of these anomalies. Basic techniques, benefits, and drawbacks of magnetic resonance urography are presented.

Twins discordant for fetal skeletal abnormalities: a natural confrontation between the two siblings.

Background: Skeletal abnormalities encompass a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by anomalies of cartilage as well as bone growth and development. Some are lethal and express early during fetal life, making them amenable to prenatal diagnosis. The increasing use of routine ultrasonography (US) during pregnancy permits a reliable primary evaluation of the fetal skeleton.

Incidence, mechanisms, and patterns of fetal cerebral lesions in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Objective: To determine the incidence of fetal cerebral lesions and their characteristics in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

Design And Setting: This was a retrospective analysis at a single center for the period 1999 to 2004 in which 299 cases of severe TTTS at 15-28 weeks of gestation were reviewed.

Methods: Only cerebral injuries diagnosed during pregnancy or ischemic lesions diagnosed within the first week of life were considered in order to exclude those related to prematurity.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal skeletal dysplasias by combining two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound and intrauterine three-dimensional helical computer tomography.

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of new imaging techniques in the prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia.

Methods: Between May and October 2003, a prospective study was conducted in a single referral center. Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) and three-dimensional helical computer tomography (3D-HCT) were performed after two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) in six cases of skeletal dysplasia.

Prenatal diagnosis of hypoplasia of the corpus callosum in association with non-ketotic hyperglycinemia.

Abnormalities of the corpus callosum are often associated with a poor prognosis due to the anatomical defect itself and associated anomalies that include malformations and inherited metabolic disorders. We report a case of the prenatal diagnosis of hypoplasia of the corpus callosum that was associated with non-ketotic hyperglycinemia. Metabolic disorders are a known association with corpus callosum abnormalities and carry a dismal prognosis.

Subependymal pseudocysts in the fetal brain: prenatal diagnosis of two cases and review of the literature.

Subependymal pseudocysts are cerebral cysts found in 5% of all neonates. When they are isolated and typical, they result from persistence of the germinal matrix, have a good prognosis and regress spontaneously within a few months. However, associated anomalies are frequent and in such cases the prognosis is poor.

A new clue to the prenatal diagnosis of lobar holoprosencephaly: the abnormal pathway of the anterior cerebral artery crawling under the skull.

We report a case of a 24-week-old fetus with cerebral anomalies suggestive of lobar holoprosencephaly including an unusual course of the anterior cerebral artery on Doppler examination. This abnormal trajectory of the anterior cerebral artery in holoprosencephalic brains has been described by pathologists, neurosurgeons and radiologists but our case indicates that this finding may be a useful adjunct to confirm such a difficult diagnosis prenatally.

Ethnic differences in lung function in Israeli children.

Background: The population of Israel consists of immigrants from many different countries. It is not known whether a single nomogram can be used for spirometric values of children of different ethnic descent.

Methods: Spirometry was performed in 753 second or third generation Israeli children (7-14 years) of different ethnic groups.

Pattern of lung volumes in patients with sighing breathing.

Background: Sighing breathing is observed in subjects suffering from anxiety with no apparent organic disease.

Methods: Lung volumes and expiratory flow rates were measured in 12 patients with a sighing pattern of breathing and in 10 normal subjects matched for age, gender, and anthropometric data. In both groups the measurements were made by spirographic and plethysmographic techniques.

Importance of inspiratory load in the assessment of severity of airways obstruction and its correlation with CO2 retention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Different aspects of mechanical loading were analyzed in a group of 25 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who all had severe expiratory airflow limitation but different arterial CO2 values. It was found that the maximal expiratory flow rates (V75, V50, V25, VFRC), functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV), total lung capacity (TLC), specific airways conductance (SGaw) measured during inspiration or expiration, and lung recoil pressure (PLel) were not correlated to the PaCO2. Only five parameters were significantly linked to the PaCO2; they were the peak inspiratory flow (PIF) (r = -0.

[Thrombosis of the right atrium after umbilical venous catheterization. Favourable outcome after early thrombectomy].

A case of right atrial thrombosis after venous umbilical catheterization in a 21 day-old premature newborn is reported. The initiating factors of such an accident and its clinical signs are evocated. The authors emphasize the value of a systematic ultrasonographic supervision of newborns with central catheters for a long period of time and the value of surgical thrombectomy.