Atomic structure of the MAP kinase ERK2 at 2.3 A resolution.

The structure of the MAP kinase ERK2, a ubiquitous protein kinase target for regulation by Ras and Raf, has been solved in its unphosphorylated low-activity conformation to a resolution of 2.3 A. The two domains of unphosphorylated ERK2 are farther apart than in the active conformation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the peptide-binding site is blocked by tyrosine 185, one of the two residues that are phosphorylated in the active enzyme.

Genital human papillomavirus infection among patients attending an STD clinic.

OBJECTIVES--To determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients, male and female, attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). DESIGN--A randomly selected group of patients representative of the population studied and first-time visitors to the STD clinic, were asked to participate in the study. Samples from the skin and mucous membranes of the lower genital region were taken for cytological analysis by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for HPV DNA.

Use of Probemix and OmniProbe biotinylated cDNA probes for detecting HPV infection in biopsy specimens from the genital tract.

Aims: To compare two commercially available pan probes for the identification of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA expression in histological sections and to type the HPV positive cases.

Methods: 97 formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded biopsy specimens from the genital tract were tested for HPV positivity with in situ hybridisation using biotinylated cDNA pan probes--Probemix (Enzo) and OmniProbe (Digene). The HPV positive cases were further tested with HPV types 6/11, 16/18, and 31/33/35/51, and the HPV type was related to the histological diagnosis.

In situ hybridization for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) in gynaecological biopsies. A study of two commercial kits.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) detection in biopsies from the lower genital tract may be requested by clinicians as a complement to ordinary histopathological diagnosis. In the present study, two commercial kits, (Enzo Diagnostics Inc., New York, USA and Biohit, Helsinki, Finland) used for in situ hybridization with biotinylated c-DNA probes were compared and the HPV-expression was evaluated in relation to histopathological findings.

Structural basis of latency in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Human plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the fast-acting inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase and is a member of the serpin family of protease inhibitors. Serpins normally form complexes with their target proteases that dissociate very slowly as cleaved species and then fold into a highly stable inactive state in which the residues that flank the scissile bond (P1 and P1';) are separated by about 70 A. PAI-1 also spontaneously folds into a stable inactive state without cleavage; this state is termed 'latent' because inhibitory activity can be restored through denaturation and renaturation.

Double-blind, right/left comparison of calcipotriol and betamethasone valerate in treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

The therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of calcipotriol ointment and betamethasone valerate ointment in psoriasis were compared in a multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, right/left trial. 345 inpatients and outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris of symmetrical distribution were treated twice daily for 6 weeks with calcipotriol ointment 50 micrograms/g and betamethasone ointment 0.1% randomly assigned to opposite sides of the body.

Preliminary X-ray analysis of crystals of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Crystals of bacterially expressed plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis have been obtained from 8% (w/v) PEG 1500, pH 8.25. The space group is P1, and the lattice constants are a = 82.

Topical meclocycline sulfosalicylate, benzoyl peroxide, and a combination of the two in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

One hundred and six patients with acne vulgaris of the face were treated for 10 weeks with either topical meclocycline sulfosalicylate, topical benzoyl peroxide or both preparations. A randomized, double-blind parallel group study was used. Benzoyl peroxide proved more effective than meclocycline in reducing acne lesion counts, while local side effects were more common in the benzoyl peroxide-treated patients.

A general pre-steady-state solution to complex kinetic mechanisms.

We have developed a general method for solving transient kinetic equations using Laplace transforms. Laplace transforms can be used to transform systems of differential equations that describe pre-steady-state kinetics to systems of linear algebraic equations. The general form of the pre-steady-state solution is (formula; see text) where I(t) is the time dependence of the physically observed property of the system, n is the number of intermediates, lambda i are the observed rate constants (reciprocals of the relaxation times), t is time, and Ii are the amplitude coefficients associated with each observed rate constant.

Selenium in whole blood and plasma is decreased in patients with moderate and severe psoriasis.

Concentrations of selenium in whole blood and plasma in 113 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis were compared with those in 104 healthy reference subjects. Most of the patients (85%) had had their psoriasis for at least 10 years and all had previously been treated with PUVA baths. Selenium concentrations both in whole blood and plasma were decreased both in male and female psoriasis patients.

Comparative multi-center study with TRUE Test and Finn Chamber Patch Test methods in eight Swedish hospitals.

292 individuals were patch tested with twelve allergens, using a new patch test technique, TRUE Test (TT). As controls, the same allergens in standard concentrations in petrolatum were applied using the Finn Chamber technique (FC). The allergen doses used in TT were chosen according to results from a previous serial dilution patch test study.

Changes in the DNase I sensitivity of DNA sequences within the yeast 2 micron plasmid nucleoprotein complex effected by plasmid-encoded products.

We examined the effect of plasmid-encoded gene products on two DNase-I-sensitive regions of DNA in the yeast 2 micron plasmid nucleoprotein complex. For these studies, each sensitive region was cloned into an appropriate vector, and the chimeric plasmids were transformed into yeast. Nucleoprotein complexes of the chimeric plasmids were partially purified and tested for sensitivity to DNase I digestion.

A syndrome with painful lipomas, familial dysarthria, abnormal eye-movements and clumsiness.

A syndrome of dysarthria, clumsiness and abnormal ocular movements are described in a man and his 3 children. His father, who died when our patient was born, also had the same speech abnormality. Our patient also had multiple painful lipomas suggesting a probable diagnosis of adipositas dolorosa Dercum.

In vitro testing of contact sensitivity.

A new in vitro technique for the testing for contact sensitivity is described. The method is based upon the fact that in response to immunological stimuli, keratinocytes can start to synthesize and express class II histocompatibility antigens. Nickel sulphate (NiSO4) stimulated lymphocytes from nickel-sensitive persons, and the supernatant of these cells thus induced expression of HLA-DR on keratinocytes when co-cultured with autologous normal skin biopsies.

Bone marrow investigation in patients with lichen planus.

Seven patients with an extensive lichen planus of unknown etiology were investigated with bone marrow smears. Normal values were found by differential counting.

Asymptomatic virus shedding in men with genital herpes infection.

13 men with a history of recurrent genital herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection were followed daily for 4 weeks with samples taken from the urethra for virus isolation. Asymptomatic virus shedding occurred in 5 men who had 1 single positive isolation each. Four of these urethral isolates were typed as HSV-1 and 1 as HSV-2.