Mutation of hCDC4 Leads to Cell Cycle Deregulation of Cyclin E in Cancer

hCDC4, the gene that encodes the F-box protein responsible for targeting cyclin E for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, has been found to be mutated in a number of primary cancers and cancer-derived cell lines. We have observed that functional inactivation of hCDC4 does not necessarily correlate with elevated levels of cyclin E in tumors. Here we show, however, that hCDC4 mutation in primary tumors correlates strongly with loss of cell cycle regulation of cyclin E. Similarly, a breast carcinoma-derived cell line mutated for hCDC4 exhibits cell cycle deregulation of cyclin E, but periodic expression is restored by reintroducing hCDC4 via retroviral transduction. Conversely, small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of hCdc4 deregulates cyclin E with respect to the cell cycle. These results indicate that hCdc4 function is an absolute prerequisite for cell cycle regulation of cyclin E levels, and loss of hCdc4 function is sufficient to deregulate cyclin E.

A comparison of nurse-related behaviour, philosophy of care and job satisfaction in team and primary nursing

The study compares team and primary nursing modes of organization of nursing care on three related variables, namely: nurse-related behaviour and quality of care, philosophy of care and job satisfaction for nurses. The historical dimension and evolution of modes of care, quality of care, philosophy of care and theories of job satisfaction are discussed within the context of the study. The literature and previous research studies conducted on team and primary nursing are reviewed and comparisons of the two are made. Analysis of data collected yielded results which are compared for differences and benefits between team and primary nursing. The results of the study suggest that when compared to team nursing mode of organization of care, primary nursing affords increased quality of care, a more coherent philosophy of nursing and increased job satisfaction for nurses. Methodological problems are examined and implications for policy explored.

Reactivity of anti-peptide and anti-poliovirus type 3 monoclonal antibodies with synthetic peptides

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared from mice immunized with an 18-residue synthetic peptide with an amino acid sequence from a major antigenic sequence involved in the neutralization of type 3 poliovirus. Approximately 250 hybridomas secreted antibodies that reacted with the peptide but not the virus, two antibodies reacted with the virus but not the peptide and no antibody reacted with both. Conversely 26 monoclonal antibodies prepared from mice immunized with type 3 poliovirus and known to be directed against the appropriate sequence on the virus, generally failed to react with the peptide. These results might be expected if only a small proportion of the free or coupled peptide molecules adopt molecular conformations which resemble that of the homologous antigenic site in the virus. Antibodies specific for other antigens occasionally reacted well with the synthetic peptides, indicating that antibodies may bind to peptides of inappropriate sequence. The identification of antigenic sites by the use of synthetic peptides therefore requires considerable caution.

United Kingdom scheme for external quality assessment in virology. Part II. Specimen distribution, performance assessment, and analyses of participants' methods in detection of rubella antibody, hepatitis B markers, general virus serology, virus identification, and electron microscopy

Methods for the preparation and pre-distribution testing of specimens for external quality assessment in virology have been defined and criteria for allocation of scores for participants' reports on each category of specimen have been established. Specimens for detection of rubella antibody or markers of hepatitis B infection consist of human serum samples, which are distributed after detailed assessment of the expected results. In testing for rubella antibody or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) the scores given for reports of positive, equivocal, or negative depend on the specimen's content of antibody or HBsAg as established in the external quality assessment laboratory. For general virus serology two serum samples must be tested against a designated antigen by the complement fixation method; the score allocated for each participant's results depends on the ratio of the two titres he records, which is then compared with a target value derived from the results of a panel of participating laboratories. In virus identification and electron microscopy specimens are prepared from cultures or from clinical samples, and scores depend on the accuracy of identification. The pre-distribution tests necessary to establish the virus content and stability of these specimens have been defined, and media suitable for transporting specimens for virus culture, fluorescent antibody staining, or electron microscopy have been developed. A participant's overall success rate for each specimen is judged from the mean score (maximum 2) calculated from the scores of all participants examining the specimen. Mean scores were highest for detection of rubella antibody or HBsAg (from 1.67 to 1.96) and lowest for specimens containing certain small enteric viruses distributed for electron microscopy (0.82 to 1.12). Participants' reports on the methods used for each specimen have been analysed. Current changes and developments in methods have been recorded, and attempts have been made to relate the use of various techniques and test kits to successes or failures with various types of specimen.

United Kingdom scheme for external quality assessment in virology. Part I. General method of operation

Developments in the United Kingdom national external quality assessment scheme for virology are described. There are about 198 participants (170 in the UK) who are enrolled for examination of any or all of five categories of specimen (distribution types). These are detection of rubella antibody (128 UK participants), detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (130 UK participants), general virus serology (86 UK participants), virus identification (85 UK participants), and electron microscopy (56 UK participants). Specimens of a sixth category (rubella IgM antibody), not yet formally established, have also been distributed to 67 UK participants. Specimens in each distribution type are sent out once or twice a year, and, except for rubella IgM antibody, participants have been given a score of 2, 1, 0 or -1 marks for their reports on each specimen. Their cumulative scores and performance ratings are calculated retrospectively over a 12 month period for each distribution type separately and for combined distributions. The performance rating is defined by the number of standard errors by which the individual's cumulative score differs from the mean for all participants and carries a + or - sign depending on whether the cumulative score lies above or below the mean. Performance ratings have been found generally to be close to the mean in rubella serology and detection of hepatitis B surface antigen but are more variable in virus identification and electron microscopy. Ratings of less than -1.96 are considered to be significantly worse than average and to constitute poor performance.

The behaviour of recent isolates of human respiratory coronavirus in vitro and in volunteers: evidence of heterogeneity among 229E-related strains

Strains of human coronavirus (HCV) isolated between 1974 and 1976 have been studied in vitro and in volunteers. All strains caused colds in volunteers, and those cultivable in tissue culture (TC) produced significantly more coryza and less sore throat than strains growing only in organ culture (OC). The TC strains were serologically related to 229E, but these isolates produced colds with a frequency and severity that contrasted with the effects of 229E itself. Tests on volunteers' preinfection sera showed that the prevalence of antibody to 229E had increased during the period 1961-1979 and that during 1977-1979 only 11% of subjects had no neutralising antibody against 229E. Susceptibility to the 229E-related isolates PR and TO was associated with low preinfection serum neutralising antibody against the homologous virus, and paired sera frequently showed fourfold or greater antibody rises, most commonly against the homologous strain. Volunteers infected with TO were immune when reinoculated with the same strain approximately 1 year later, but other similar volunteers were at least partly susceptible to infection with a heterologous 229E-related virus after similar time intervals. Although the strains of HCV that were grown in tissue culture were all related to the prototype 229E, they appeared not to be identical with it, and this heterogeneity is probably a significant factor in the epidemiology of HCV infections.

Two antigenic groups of human coronaviruses detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Paired sera from volunteers inoculated with one of the five recently isolated strains of human coronavirus (HCV), AD, GI, HO, PA, and RO, none of which has been grown in tissue culture, or with strain OC38 were tested against coronavirus antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. When HCV strains OC43, 229E, or the 229E-related tissue culture-adapted strains PR and TO were used as antigens, it was shown that all strains fell into one of two antigenic groups. The HCV OC43 group was comprised of strains OC43, GI, HO, and RO, and the HCV 229E group contained strains AD and PA as well as the tissue culture-adapted strains PR, TO, and KI. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the paired sera with the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus strain 3 as antigen confirmed the relationship of this virus to the HCV OC43 group but not to the HCV 229E group.

Antibody to virus components in volunteers experimentally infected with human coronavirus 229E group viruses

Antibody rises to various virus subcomponents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the paired sera of volunteers experimentally infected with human coronavirus 229E group viruses. Most of the antibody made during infection was directed against the virus surface projections, with only small amounts of antibody made against membrane or ribonucleoprotein components.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody in volunteers experimentally infected with human coronavirus strain 229 E

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for detecting antibody rises to human coronavirus strain 229E and related strains in paired sera from infected volunteers. There was a close correlation between development of colds infected volunteers. There was a close correlation between development of colds and significant antibody rises detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, the assay was more sensitive than a neutralization assay. This enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is an easy, accurate, and sensitive assay for measuring significant antibody rises to human coronavirus strain 229E group viruses, and it could be useful in the clinical diagnosis of these infections.

Isolation of rhinoviruses and coronaviruses from 38 colds in adults

Nasal washings were collected from 27 normal adults during 38 naturally acquired colds. The washings were exhaustively tested using tissue cultures, organ cultures and electron microscopy. Washings yielding no identifiable agent were inoculated into human volunteers, and further specimens obtained from the latter were examined by the same techniques in vitro. Viruses were identified in association with 25 of the original 38 colds (65.7%). Fifteen were rhinoviruses (39.5%), seven coronaviruses (18.4%), two were para-influenza viruses, and one was influenza virus. Use of organ cultures and of volunteers significantly increased the isolation rate. No agent was cultivated from the remaining 13 specimens, although tests in volunteers showed that cold-producing agents were present in five of them (13%). Three specimens gave doubtful results in volunteers, and five others, all collected within a period of six weeks in December and January, apparently contained no infectious agent.

Inhibition of rhinovirus replication in in organ culture by a potential antiviral drug

The compound 2-amino-1-(isopropyl sulfonyl)-6-benzimidazole phenyl ketone oxime (LY122771-72) at a concentration of 0.2 microgram/ml completely inhibited rhinovirus replication in human embryonic nasal organ cultures, although in the absence of virus the compound did not inhibit ciliary activity when used at a concentration of 25 micrograms/ml. When added 26 hr after infection, the compound stopped rhinovirus production in organ cultures that had already started to release virus. Five rhinovirus types available for infection of volunteers and six recently obtained clinical isolates were shown to be more sensitive to LY122771-72 in tissue culture than the rhinovirus type 31 used in the organ culture experiments. These results suggest that this potential antiviral drgu should be evaluated in humans.

Role of viruses and bacteria in acute wheezy bronchitis in childhood: a study of sputum

Sputum, nasal swabs, and throat swabs were obtained from 22 children aged between 5 and 15 years during 72 attacks of wheezy bronchitis. A virus, most commonly a rhinovirus, was isolated in 49% of all episodes and in 64% of 22 severe episodes requiring treatment with corticosteroids; the isolation rate was higher early in the illness than later. Virus was recovered more often from sputum than from the nose or throat, suggesting that viral replication occurs freely in the lower respiratory tract: the cytological findings in sputum were compatible with an inflammatory response to viral infection. Pathogenic bacteria appeared to play a minor role compared with viruses, and routine antibiotic treatment was probably of little value in moost cases. The significance of the results is discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of childhood wheezy bronchitis.

Astrovirus infection in volunteers

An extract and a filtrate prepared from feces of a child with mild gastroenteritis were shown by electron microscopy to contain numerous astrovirus particles and were given to eight volunteers by mouth. One subject developed diarrheal illness and concurrently shed large amounts of astrovirus in feces, and one other had mild constitutional symptoms with a lower level of virus shedding. Nine other volunteers were given fecal filtrate from the volunteer with diarrhea, and astrovirus shedding subsequently occurred in two of them. The syndrome accompanying virus shedding appeared distinct from that associated with the "W" agent in previous experiments. Thirteen of 16 astrovirus-inoculated subjects subsequently developed a rise in titer of the homologous antibody in serum. It was concluded that astrovirus causes a transmissible infection that is of low pathogenicity for adults. Immunofluorescence of human embryo kidney cells inoculated with astrovirus and shown by electron microscopy to contain 28 nm virus-like particles was used both to detect virus in feces and to assay astrovirus antibody.

Diagnosis of human coronavirus infection by immunofluorescence: method and application to respiratory disease in hospitalized children

Rabbit antisera were prepared against coronavirus strains 229E and OC43 and used successfully to detect viral antigen in epithelial cells shed from the nasopharynx of symptomatic volunteers who had received coronavirus inocula three to four days before. The same serologic reagents were applied to nasopharyngeal secretion cells obtained from 106 infants and children hospitalized with respiratory tract disease and apparently not infected with conventional respiratory viruses. No coronavirus infections were detected by this method. It appears that coronavirus OC43 or 229E infections were not common in children in Tyneside hospitals during the period of study. However, fluorescence is a useful method for detection of coronavirus infections in symptomatic human subjects.

Effect of a polynucleotide interferon inducer of fungal origin on experimental rhinovirus infection in humans

A double-stranded RNA of fungal origin (BRL 5907) was given intranasally to volunteers. Apart from mild local irritancy of the higher dosage, the compound was well tolerated. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a three-day course (5 mg per day) of BRL 5907 against challenge with rhinovirus type 4 showed that treatment was associated with a delay in onset of symptoms and a reduction in shedding of virus, but the differences were not statistically significant. Low titers of interferon were found in nasal washings.

Induced rhinovirus infection under controlled exposure to sulfur dioxide

The interaction between short-term sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure and experimentally induced rhinovirus infection was studied in thirty-two volunteers divided into two groups balanced with respect to age, antibody levels, and nasal mucus flow rates. One group was exposed to SO2 exposure at the threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 ppm during 4 hours; the other group served as controls exposed to pollution-free air under the same conditions. The SO2 exposure caused a 50% decrease in nasal mucus flow rate in the anterior parts of the nose, but there was no difference in the number of colds which developed in the two groups. The group exposed to SO2 had fewer symptoms and a possibly shorter incubation period (P = .06), and virus shedding was at a lower level but more persistent than in the control group. No differences were found in antibody response. The rhinovirus infection in the control group caused a gradual decrease in nasal mucus flow rate starting 2 days after the virus instillation, and after 5 days the rate was less than half its initial value. For future experiments on the interaction between airborne pollutants and rhinovirus infections, a virus challenge by aerosol inhalation is recommended. Our study supports an earlier observation that growth of influenza virus in the nasal cavity of mice was inhibited by exposure to SO2 concentrations of 6 or 20 ppm.

Four compounds active against rhinovirus: comparison in vitro and in volunteers

Four unrelated compounds active against rhinovirus were compared in tissue culture, and three of them were used in volunteers challenged with rhinovirus. The compounds were the triazino-indole SKF 40491, the substituted oxadiazole GLR9-338, the imidazo-thiazole RP L9326, and the guanidine derivative ICI 73,602. The abilities of these compounds to reduce the yield of rhinovirus types 3, 4, 9, and 31 from HeLa cells or fibroblasts were compared, and a sensitive serotype was chosen for each challenge experiment in humans. In doubleblind studies volunteers received intranasal medication before and after the challenge. Daily scoring of symptoms and titration of virus in nasal washings showed that subjects treated with SKF, GL, and RP all shed less virus than their corresponding placebo groups, significantly so in the cases of GL and RP. Clinical reactions were also less severe in volunteers treated with RP.

Studies of experimental rhinovirus type 2 infections in polar isolation and in England

After five months of total isolation a wintering party of seventeen British Antarctic Survey (BAS) personnel was inoculated under double blind concitions with placebo, or rhinovirus type 2 which had been propagated in tissue culture. The clinical and virological responses of these subjects were compared with those of volunteers in England who received a similar dose of the same strain. The virus used was apparently partly attenuated for man; at the dosage used its effects in England were similar to a smaller dose of an unattenuated strain, but in the Antarctic it caused relatively severe infections. Both the symptoms and the laboratory evidence of virus infection appeared to be more pronounced in the BAS subjects than in the volunteers in England who received the same challenge. In the former group the infection readily spread to those who were originally given placebo. In the BAS subjects serum antibody titres were well maintained during the isolation period but a significant fall in nasal immunoglobulin concentration was recorded during the 5 months of isolation after the virus challenge. Possible mechanisms for the increased sensitivity to rhinovirus of subjects who have been totally isolated in a small closed community are discussed.

An investigation of the possible transmission of Rhinovirus colds through indirect contact

Rhinovirus was recovered from the fingers of 16 of 38 volunteers and others, who were swabbed during the acute stages of their colds. Very low titres of virus were also recovered from 6 of 40 objects recently handled by infected volunteers, but not from the fingers of 18 non-infected subjects whose flat-mates were shedding virus. When rhinovirus from nasal secretions was dried on skin or other surfaces during laboratory experiments, approximately 40-99% of infectivity was lost. Virus could be transferred from surface to surface by rubbing, the transfer being more efficient if it was carried out while the inoculum was still damp. Volunteers could infect themselves if a moderately heavy dose (88 TCD50) of virus was inoculated on the finger and then rubbed into the conjunctiva or nostril, especially if the inoculum was still damp. From estimates of virus titres in nasal washings and on fingers, and of amounts transferred by rubbing, it was concluded that apread of colds is unlikely to occur via objects contaminated by the hands of the virus-shedder, but that a receipient might pick up enough virus on his fingers by direct contact with heavily infected skin or secretions to constitute a risk of self-inoculation via the conjunctiva or nostril.

The effect of prior inoculation with an enterovirus (LEV 4) on rhinovirus infection of volunteers

Twenty-four volunteers at the Common Cold Unit were divided into two groups of twelve. One group was vaccinated orally with an enterovirus (LEV 4) and the other with nutrient broth. Both groups were challenged three days later with intranasal rhinovirus 4 and they were observed clinically and monitored by laboratory tests to see if any modification of the rhinovirus infection occurred.

All the vaccinated volunteers were successfully infected with LEV 4 and were excreting the enterovirus in the faeces at near maximum titres at the time of the rhinovirus infection, following which 67 per cent of the volunteers were infected and 29 per cent developed symptoms. However, the vaccinated group did not differ from the unvaccinated in respect of the illness induced, the excretion of rhinovirus type 4 or the rise of RV 4 antibody titre. LEV 4 was isolated from the nasopharynx of some of the volunteers, but the rhinovirus infection was not modified even in these. Interferon was present in the serum and nasal washings of nine volunteers in all, of whom only 3 had received the LEV 4 vaccination.

Two additional volunteers were shown to be insusceptible to reinfection with LEV4. It was concluded that live enterovirus vaccination does not induce viral interference.

In vitro antiviral activity and preliminary clinical trials of a new adamantane compound

A compound, 1'-methyl spiro (adamantane-2,3'-pyrrolidine) maleate, chemically related to the antiviral drug amantadine, was tested for activity in vitro against a number of human respiratory viruses. By a variety of techniques, it was shown to be active against a wide range of human and animal influenza A viruses. The effect was, however, variable and ranged from high activity against two 1957 Asian strains to no observable activity against a 1971 strain. Like amantadine, the drug did not inhibit the growth of influenza B viruses. It was also inactive against a number of paramyxoviruses. Unlike amantadine, the drug did inhibit rhinoviruses, but to a lesser extent than myxoviruses. The coronavirus 229E was also sensitive to the action of the drug in vitro. Although an earlier trial in volunteers showed that, when given orally from 2 days before until 5 days after virus challenge, the drug was protective against infection with influenza A/Hong Kong/68 virus, a similar trial in volunteers challenged with rhinoviruses 2 and 9 revealed no useful activity against rhinoviruses in man.

Hemagglutination-inhibition test in rhinovirus infections of volunteers

The hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test for antirhinovirus antibody was carried out on paired sera from volunteers inoculated with rhinovirus type 3 or type 4 (RV4). The HI test gave results which paralleled the neutralization test and was at least as sensitive as a microneutralization method for detection of serotype-specific antibody. Although high levels of HI antibody in the serum were associated with protection from infection, in the case of RV4 low serum HI antibody levels did not necessarily imply susceptibility to challenge with small doses of virus. HI activity could be measured in concentrated nasal-washing fluids, and this antibody also seemed relevant to protection against infection.

Trial of the antiviral action of isoprinosine against rhinovirus infection of volunteers

Isoprinosine (NPT-10381) was given orally to a group of 22 volunteers at a daily dose of 6 g for 7 days; a control group of 23 volunteers received placebo. Volunteers were inoculated intranasally with both rhinovirus type 9 and rhinovirus type 31, and the clinical picture, extent of virus shedding, and serological responses were assessed. There was no evidence that the compound had useful antiviral activity under the conditions of this trial.

A virus from epidemic vomiting disease

An illness consisting of vomiting, fever, and mild diarrhoea after a short incubation period was observed in a boarding school and reproduced in volunteers who received filtered extracts of faeces from a typical case. The main discriminatory diagnostic feature of the illness in volunteers was vomiting. The faeces contained no pathogenic bacteria nor any virus that could be detected in tissue cultures and there was no evidence that an infective agent could be grown in organ cultures of human intestine. The agent was shown to be ether stable and passed a 50-nm filter. Laboratory studies on another agent of uncertain significance and obtained in other epidemics are briefly described.

Organ cultures of respiratory epithelium infected with rhinovirus or parainfluenza virus studied in a scanning electron microscope

Organ cultures of bovine tracheal epithelium were infected with a rhinovirus or a strain of parainfluenza type 3 virus, and the epithelial surfaces were studied by scanning electron microscopy. When washed free from mucus, normal control cultures showed a thick carpet of normal cilia, whereas the two viruses each produced specific morphological abnormalities. In rhinovirus-infected cultures, degenerating ciliated and nonciliated cells with finely granular surfaces were rapidly extruded from the epithelium. The denuded epithelial surface was relatively smooth, and showed some evidence of squamous metaplasia. By contrast, in cultures infected with parainfluenza type 3 virus, damage developed more slowly and the epithelial surface was ultimately covered with a profuse array of short microvillous projections. In thin sections, some of these were shown to be the sites of viral maturation.

A comparison of monovalent Hong Kong influenza virus vaccine with vaccines containing only pre-1968 Asian strains in adult volunteers. A report to the Medical Research Council Committee on Influenza and other Respiratory Virus Vaccines

A total of 1601 adult industrial workers were vaccinated with either monovalent inactivated vaccine of the Hong Kong strain of influenza A virus, or with polyvalent vaccine containing only pre-1968 Asian viruses. Serological investigations on a random sample of volunteers showed that 53/56 (95%) given Hong Kong vaccine developed a significant rise in specific haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody; final titres were 1/48 or greater in 39 (70%) and the GMT (geometric mean titre) was 96.5. After polyvalent Asian vaccine, 40/67 (60%) also produced antibody against Hong Kong virus, but only 21 (31%) had final titres of 1/48 or above, and the GMT rose only to 14.1. An intranasal spray of the Hong Kong vaccine in addition to injected Asian vaccine gave no additional increase in antibody.Each type of vaccine stimulated a recall of pre-existing antibody against Asian viruses. The possible significance of heterologous responses to the two vaccines is discussed.The incidence of clinical influenza in the trial population was sporadic, and the infection rates were too low to allow any accurate estimate of the protective efficiency of the two vaccines.

Persistent respiratory virus infection in tracheal organ cultures

Organ cultures of pig or calf trachea were infected with influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses and a rhinovirus. Infection of calf tracheal cultures with a bovine rhinovirus and with parainfluenza virus type 3 produced considerable epithelial damage. Influenza strains and Sendai virus in calf tracheal cultures and swine influenza virus in pig tracheal cultures damaged the epithelium much less strikingly. In all the infections studied virus production continued undiminished for at least two weeks. Persistent infection of porcine cultures with swine influenza virus was followed for 24 days. Interferon was demonstrable in the infected cultures for 6 days, but on challenge with Sendai virus at various times up to the 19th day of infection these cultures yielded markedly less of the superinfecting virus than did control cultures. Treatment of swine influenza-infected cultures with porcine interferon or with swine influenza antiserum for 7 days did not eliminate the infection. The bearing that these infections in organ culture may have on the mechanisms of respiratory infections in vivo is discussed.

Antibody responses to and efficacy of an inactivated spray vaccine

An attempt was made to assess the protective influence of killed intranasal influenza B vaccine against a homologous virus challenge. Two types of trial were performed. In the first of these, the vaccine was compared with an inert placebo and, in the second, with conventional homologous and heterologous parenteral vaccines. Little protective effect by the intranasal vaccine was demonstrated.