Messenger RNA structure participating in the initiation of synthesis of cucumber mosaic virus coat protein

The sequence of the 5'-terminal 106 nucleotides of cucumber mosaic virus (strain Y) RNA 4, the mRNA coding for viral coat protein, has been determined. The first AUG was located at 77 nucleotides from the 5'-terminus and was confirmed to be an initiation codon by analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein. The nucleotide sequence (positions 77-106) beyond the AUG codon predicted the sequence of ten amino acids corresponding to the N-terminal region of the protein, which exactly matched the determined amino acid sequence containing an acetyl methionine as the N-terminal amino acid. The distance of the initiation codon AUG from the cap structure was 76 nucleotides and the longest among the mRNAs for coat protein of plant viruses so far reported (9-36 nucleotides). This noncoding region is rich in U residues (40%) and the number of G residues (21 nucleotides) is the largest among these mRNAs (usually 1 or 2 residues). A possible secondary structure is postulated for the region, which might be implicated in efficient translation of the RNA 4 in vivo.

Electron microscopy of renal and ocular changes in virus-induced diabetes mellitus in mice

The eyes, kidneys and pancreas of mice (SJL/J) infected with encephalomyocarditis virus were examined by light and electron microscopy. Diabetic mice with the longest duration (6 months) of diabetes showed marked renal and ocular alterations. Fasting blood glucose levels were 17.8-21.9 mmol/l and glycosuria was present. Clinically, based on ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography, retinal vessels were normal. Histologically, moderately decreased numbers of pericytes were noted following trypsin digestion. The basement membrane of inner retinal vessels showed significant thickening in diabetic mice. Corneal epithelial oedema was present and surface microvillus projections were decreased compared with control mice. The kidneys of the same animals showed nodular and diffuse glomerulosclerosis and mesangial thickening. Electron microscopy showed excessive accumulation of basement membrane-like material in the mesangium and the peripheral glomerular region. Histologically, moderate to advanced kidney disease was associated with relatively early retinopathy.

Phase II study of 3-deazauridine in advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma

A phase II study of 3-deazauridine (DAUR) showed poor activity in previously treated patients with advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma. There were no responses among 15 patients treated on a dose schedule of 1200 mg/m2/day for 5 days repeated at 3-week intervals. Toxicity included mild nausea and vomiting, occasional mucositis, diarrhea, and dizziness. A minimal degree of myelosuppression was observed.

Indications for cholecystectomy in ligation of the hepatic artery

Ligation of the hepatic artery has been successfully used in the management of massive bleeding, secondary to hepatic trauma, and in the treatment of metastatic neoplastic disease. The indications for a concomitant cholecystectomy are less well defined. It is generally accepted that cholecystectomy should be performed when ligation is used to control bleeding. In our study, ligation of the hepatic artery was performed, leaving the gallbladder in situ. At autopsy, no pathologic process could be detected in the gallbladder. Microscopic analysis showed fibrosis in the mucosal surface, mild chronic inflammation and nonspecific mononuclear infiltration. We conclude that the changes are insufficient to warrant the removal of a normal gallbladder when ligation of the hepatic artery is performed as treatment for neoplastic disease.

Virus-induced diabetes mellitus: VIII. Passage of encephalomyocarditis virus and severity of diabetes in susceptible and resistant strains of mice

The diabetogenic capacity of the M-variant of encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus was markedly diminished after passage in mouse kidney cell cultures. One passage in mice fully restored this capacity. Virus harvested after five passages in either susceptible (SWR/J) or resistant (C57BL/6J) strains of mice was capable of producing diabetes in susceptible SWR/J mice but not in resistant C57BL/6J mice. Resistance was not overcome by inoculating mice with high concentrations of virus. Immunofluorescence studies showed that islets from strains of mice (i.e. CBA, AKR, C57BL/6J, A/J) that did not develop diabetes after infection with EMC virus, nonetheless, contained virus antigens. The percentage of cells in the islets containing virus antigens varied from 3-6% in CBA to 13-5% in A/J. In contrast 38% of the islet cells in susceptible SWR/J mice contained virus antigens. It is concluded that both the genetic background of the host and the passage history of the virus influence the development of diabetes.