EBV EBNA 2 stimulates CDK9-dependent transcription and RNA polymerase II phosphorylation on serine 5.

EBNA 2 is one of only five viral genes essential for the infection and immortalization of human B cells by the cancer-associated virus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBNA 2 activates cellular and viral transcription and associates with components of the basal transcription apparatus and a number of coactivators. We provide the first evidence to show that the mechanism of transcriptional activation by EBNA 2 also involves phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (pol II).

Hemophilic pseudotumor.

Bleeding diatheses are a hallmark of hemophilia. Hemophilic pseudotumor results from multiple episodes of hemorrhage into bones or soft tissue spaces. It is uncommon and is seen in severe cases of hemophilia only 1-2% of the time.

Pubic symphyseal width in pediatric patients.

Traditionally, there has been no readily available and statistically sound method for evaluating the normal pubic symphyseal width in children. Normal values for the width of the pubic symphysis in the pediatric population are useful for determining pathologic widening, either congenital or posttraumatic. This investigation was directed at determining a reference range for the normal pubic symphyseal width according to age, age group, gender, and when combining these variables.

cDNA microarray analysis identifies genes induced in common by peptide growth factors and androgen in human prostate epithelial cells.

Prostate cancer cells initially require androgen for continued proliferation, but invariably become androgen independent or unresponsive and recur after treatment by androgen ablation. Exploitation of common signaling components downstream of their specific receptors (i.e.

Employment of broad range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing in the detection of aetiological agents of meningitis.

To employ partial 16S rDNA PCR and automated sequencing technique to identify non-culturable causal agents of bacterial meningitis, 73 peripheral blood samples and 413 culture-negative and eight culture-positive CSF clinical specimens from patients with suspected acute meningitis were examined for the presence of bacterial genomic DNA employing broad range 16S rDNA PCR followed by sequencing of the amplicons. In blood samples, 63/73 specimens were PCR positive (86.3%) and after direct sequencing of the PCR amplicons, only 12.

Cystic masses of the knee: magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Cystic masses of the knee comprise a diverse group of pathologic entities ranging from simple cysts to complications of underlying disease to tumors. Although their presentations may be similar, the appropriate treatment and patient management can differ greatly. In this article, we review radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of both common and uncommon cystic masses of the knee.

Developmentally regulated instability of the GPI-PLC mRNA is dependent on a short-lived protein factor.

The expression of the vast majority of protein coding genes in trypanosomes is regulated exclusively at the post-transcriptional level. Developmentally regulated mRNAs that vary in levels of expression have provided an insight into one mechanism of regulation; a decrease in abundance is due to a shortened mRNA half-life. The decrease in half-life involves cis-acting elements in the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA.

Molecular effects of homocysteine on cbEGF domain structure: insights into the pathogenesis of homocystinuria.

Homocystinuria is an inborn error of methionine metabolism that results in raised serum levels of the highly reactive thiol-containing amino acid homocysteine. Homocystinurics often exhibit phenotypic abnormalities that are similar to those found in Marfan syndrome (MFS), a heritable connective tissue disorder that is caused by reduced levels of, or defects in, the cysteine-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) protein fibrillin-1. The phenotypic similarities between homocystinuria and MFS suggest that elevated homocysteine levels may result in an altered function of fibrillin-1.

Toward mimicking viral geometry with metal-organic systems.

Icosahedral and cuboctahedral arrangements of calixarenes, a nanometer-scale, spheroidal assembly of 12 calixarene molecules, can be manipulated in a highly controlled fashion. Previously, such assemblies were observed to favor placement of the calixarenes at the vertexes of an icosahedron. A supramolecular constraint is employed in order to enforce molecular alignment and produce a cuboctahedral arrangement.

Candidate protein selection for diagnostic markers of African trypanosomiasis.

The ability to accurately diagnose the presence of an infective micro-organism is not only important for individual human and animal health and wellbeing, but is also central to surveillance programmes. Effective and sustainable control of many diseases in the developing world depends on the availability of field applicable diagnostics that are cheap, reliable, simple in design and application, and which provide immediate results. This review examines how the genome sequences can be used in the selection of potential candidate proteins for developing new serodiagnostics for African trypanosomiasis.

Acquired distance esotropia associated with myopia.

Background: Von Graefe (1864)(1) and Bielschowsky (1922)(2) described acquired progressive esotropia, with typically a larger angle for distance than near, associated with moderate myopia. This is unlike the esotropia seen in patients with high myopia.

Methods: We reviewed our patient records, finding 26 cases: 14 were female, 12 male.

Biophysical and mutational analysis of the putative bZIP domain of Epstein-Barr virus EBNA 3C.

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA 3C) is essential for B-cell immortalization and functions as a regulator of viral and cellular transcription. EBNA 3C contains glutamine-rich and proline-rich domains and a region in the N terminus consisting of a stretch of basic residues followed by a run of leucine residues spaced seven amino acids apart. This N-terminal domain is widely believed to represent a leucine zipper dimerization motif (bZIP).

Identification of a novel bovine herpesvirus 1 transcript containing a small open reading frame that is expressed in trigeminal ganglia of latently infected cattle.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), like other Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily members, establishes latency in sensory neurons. The latency-related (LR) RNA is abundantly expressed during latency, and expression of an LR protein is required for the latency reactivation cycle in cattle. Within LR promoter sequences, a 135-amino-acid open reading frame (ORF) was identified, ORF-E, that is antisense to the LR RNA.

Vertebral venous air embolism: an unusual complication following colonoscopy: report of a case.

Although fiberoptic colonoscopy has gained wide popularity as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, there remains an inherent complication rate following colonoscopic evaluation. Endoscopically induced bowel perforation and uncontrolled bleeding often necessitate immediate surgical intervention. Another often-unrecognized complication is the introduction of air into the vertebral venous system.

Corticosterone response in the chick separation-stress paradigm.

Corticosterone response to separation stress and its sensitivity to the anxiolytic, chlordiazepoxide (CDP), were examined in 7-day-old domestic fowl (Gallus gallus). Saline or CDP (8.0 mg/kg) was injected intramuscularly 30 min before tests.

Employment of broad-range 16S rRNA PCR to detect aetiological agents of infection from clinical specimens in patients with acute meningitis--rapid separation of 16S rRNA PCR amplicons without the need for cloning.

Aims: The aim of this study was to develop a polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) method for the rapid separation of 16S rRNA PCR amplicons from aetiological agents of acute meningitis.

Methods And Results: Blood samples from 40 patients with suspected acute meningococcal meningitis were examined for the presence of causal agents, including Neisseria meningitidis employing two methods: (i) broad-range 16S rRNA PCR in conjunction with PAGE and automated sequencing and (ii) species-specific PCR employing ABI TaqMan technology for N. meningitidis.

Incidental gallbladder carcinoma associated with a cholecystoduodenal fistula.

The development of a cholecystoduodenal fistula may complicate 5% of all patients with cholelithiasis. It has been theorized that a cholecystoduodenal fistula may represent a significant risk factor in the development of gallbladder carcinoma because of the chronic reflux of duodenal contents. We report the case of a patient with a cholecystoduodenal fistula and an early gallbladder cancer to support this theory.

Eradication of endotracheal tube biofilm by nebulised gentamicin.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of gentamicin, nebulised via the endotracheal tube (ET), with that of parenteral cefotaxime or parenteral cefuroxime in preventing the formation of ET biofilm.

Setting: General intensive care units in two university teaching hospitals.

Design: The microbiology of ET biofilm from 36 ICU patients eligible to receive antibiotic prophylaxis was examined.

Diverse roles of the nuclear orphan receptor CAR in regulating hepatic genes in response to phenobarbital.

Phenobarbital (PB) induces various gene encoding drug/steroid-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochromes P450 (P450s) and transferases. Although the nuclear orphan constitutive active receptor (CAR) has been identified as a key transcription factor that regulates the induction of CYP2B, the full scope of CAR-regulated genes still remains a major question. To this end, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and cDNA microarray techniques were employed to examine gene expression in wild-type and CAR-null mice.

Amino acid/spermine conjugates: polyamine amides as potent spermidine uptake inhibitors.

In this paper we describe the synthesis and characterization of a series of simple spermine/amino acid conjugates, some of which potently inhibit the uptake of spermidine into MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The presence of an amide in the functionalized polyamine appeared to add to the affinity for the polyamine transporter. The extensive biological characterization of an especially potent analogue from this series, the Lys-Spm conjugate (31), showed this molecule will be an extremely useful tool for use in polyamine research.

Scandium(III) coordination polymers containing capsules based on two p-sulfonatocalix[4]arenes.

Reactions of sodium p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and scandium(III) tristriflate in the presence, and absence, of [18]crown-6 give the crystalline complexes [Sc2(mu-OH)2(H2O)10][Na4(H2O)8-[calix[4]arene(SO3)4]2).13 H2O and [[Sc2(mu-OH)2(H2O)8][Sc(H2O)4]2[calix[4]-arene(SO3)4-H+]2([18]crown-6).16H2O.

Emergency medicine in Ecuador.

Emergency medical care in Ecuador is limited by geographic, economic, political, and infrastructural barriers. Afflictions of the developing world (eg, tropical infections and natural disasters) combine with ailments of the developed world (eg, trauma and cardiovascular disease) to mandate improved emergency medical systems. The nation has recently initiated FASBASE, a program dedicated to the enhancement of both prehospital and emergency department (ED) services.