ABSTRACT
We recently reported the properties of RNA hairpins constrained by a dimethylene (DME) disulfide (S-S) linker incorporated between two adjacent nucleosides in the loop and showed that this linker locked the hairpin conformation thus disturbing the duplex/hairpin equilibrium. We have now investigated the influence of the length of the linker and synthesized oligoribonucleotides containing diethylene (DEE) and dipropylene (DPE) S-S bridges. This was achieved via the preparation of building blocks, namely 2'-O-acetylthioethyl (2'-O-AcSE) and 2'-O-acetylthiopropyl (2'-O-AcSP) uridine phosphoramidites, which were successfully incorporated into RNA sequences. Thermal denaturation analysis revealed that the DEE and DPE disulfide bridges destabilize RNA duplexes but do not disrupt the hairpin conformation. Furthermore, our investigation of the duplex/hairpin equilibrium indicated that sequences modified with DME and DEE S-S linkers predominantly lock the hairpin form, whereas the DPE S-S linker provides flexibility. These findings highlight the potential of S-S linkers to study RNA interactions.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV1) in the epidemiology of genital herpes in Canada. Data on herpes viral cultures for two consecutive years obtained from L'Hôpital Dr GL Dumont, which performs all the viral culture testing in New Brunswick, were reviewed. It was hypothesized that HSV1 was the main cause of genital herpes in New Brunswick. METHODS: Samples of genital origin sent to the laboratory for HSV culture testing between July 2006 and June 2008 were analyzed. Samples from an unspecified or a nongenital source were excluded from analysis. Multiple positive samples collected from the same patient were pooled into a single sample. RESULTS: HSV was isolated from 764 different patients. HSV1 was isolated in 62.6% of patients (male, 55%; female, 63.8%). HSV1 was isolated in 73.2% of patients 10 to 39 years of age and in 32% of patients ≥40 years of age. The difference in rates of HSV1 infection between the 10 to 39 years of age group and the ≥40 years of age group was statistically significant (P<0.001 [χ(2)]). In a similar Canadian study performed in Nova Scotia, HSV1 was recovered in 53.7% of positive cultures (male, 36.7%; female, 58.1%). The rates of HSV1 infection reported by this study and the present study were significantly different (P<0.001 [χ(2)] for male, P=0.012 for female). CONCLUSION: In New Brunswick, HSV1 is the dominant type of HSV isolated in samples collected from a genital site. Significant rate differences were demonstrated between the groups 10 to 39 years of age and ≥40 years of age. INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the role of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV1) in the epidemiology of genital herpes in Canada. Data on herpes viral cultures for two consecutive years obtained from L'Hôpital Dr GL Dumont, which performs all the viral culture testing in New Brunswick, were reviewed. It was hypothesized that HSV1 was the main cause of genital herpes in New Brunswick. METHODS: Samples of genital origin sent to the laboratory for HSV culture testing between July 2006 and June 2008 were analyzed. Samples from an unspecified or a nongenital source were excluded from analysis. Multiple positive samples collected from the same patient were pooled into a single sample. RESULTS: HSV was isolated from 764 different patients. HSV1 was isolated in 62.6% of patients (male, 55%; female, 63.8%). HSV1 was isolated in 73.2% of patients 10 to 39 years of age and in 32% of patients ≥40 years of age. The difference in rates of HSV1 infection between the 10 to 39 years of age group and the ≥40 years of age group was statistically significant (P<0.001 [χ2]). In a similar Canadian study performed in Nova Scotia, HSV1 was recovered in 53.7% of positive cultures (male, 36.7%; female, 58.1%). The rates of HSV1 infection reported by this study and the present study were significantly different (P<0.001 [χ2] for male, P=0.012 for female). CONCLUSION: In New Brunswick, HSV1 is the dominant type of HSV isolated in samples collected from a genital site. Significant rate differences were demonstrated between the groups 10 to 39 years of age and ≥40 years of age.
INTRODUCTION: On ne sait pas grand-chose du rôle du virus de l'herpès simplex de type 1 (VHS1) dans l'épidémiologie de l'herpès génital au Canada. Les chercheurs ont analysé les données des cultures d'herpès viral obtenues pendant deux années consécutives à L'Hôpital Dr-Georges-L.-Dumont, où toutes les cultures virales sont effectuées au Nouveau-Brunswick. Ils ont postulé que le VHS1 était la principale cause d'herpès génital dans la province. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs ont analysé les prélèvements génitaux envoyés en laboratoire entre juillet 2006 et juin 2008, en vue de cultures du virus d'herpès simplex (VHS). Ils ont exclu de l'analyse les prélèvements tirés d'une source non précisée ou d'origine non génitale. Ils ont regroupé dans un seul échantillon les multiples échantillons positifs prélevés chez le même patient. RÉSULTATS: Le VHS a été isolé chez 764 patients, et le VHS1, chez 62,6 % des patients (55 % chez les hommes, et 63,8 % chez les femmes), soit 73,2 % des patients de dix à 39 ans et 32 % des patients de 40 ans et plus. La différence de taux d'infection par le VHS1 entre le groupe des dix à 39 ans et celui des 40 ans et plus était statistiquement significative (χ2, P<0,001). Dans une étude canadienne similaire menée en Nouvelle-Écosse, 53,7 % des cultures positives contenaient le VHS1 (36,7 % chez les hommes, 58,1 % chez les femmes). Le taux d'infection par le VHS1 déclaré dans cette étude et celui de la présente étude différaient de manière significative (χ2, P<0,001 chez les hommes, P=0,012 chez les femmes). CONCLUSION: Au Nouveau-Brunswick, le VHS1 est le principal type de VHS isolé dans des échantillons d'origine génitale. On a établi des différences de taux significatives entre le groupe des dix à 39 ans et celui des 40 ans et plus.