The Epstein-Barr virus alkaline exonuclease BGLF5 serves pleiotropic functions in virus replication.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) alkaline exonuclease BGLF5 has previously been recognized to contribute to immune evasion by downregulating production of HLA molecules during virus replication. We have constructed a BGLF5-null virus mutant to determine BGLF5's functions during EBV viral replication. Quantification of virus production in permissive 293 cells carrying a DeltaBGLF5 genome identified a 17- to 21-fold reduction relative to complemented or wild-type controls. Detailed monitoring of DeltaBGLF5 replication evidenced an impaired virus nucleocapsid maturation, a reduced primary egress and a 1.4-fold reduction in total viral DNA synthesis. DeltaBGLF5 single-unit-length viral genomes were not only less abundant but also migrated faster than expected in gel electrophoresis. We concluded that BGLF5 pertained both to the generation and to the processing of viral linear genomes. DeltaBGLF5 phenotypic traits were reminiscent of those previously identified in a mutant devoid of UL12, BGLF5's homolog in herpes simplex virus type 1, and indeed UL12 was found to partially complement the DeltaBGLF5 phenotype. However, BGLF5-specific functions could also be identified; the nuclear membrane of replicating cells displayed images of reduplication and complex folding that could be completely corrected by BGLF5 but not UL12. Similar nuclear abnormalities were previously observed in cells transfected with BFLF2 and BFRF1, two viral proteins crucial for EBV nuclear egress. Interestingly, DeltaBGLF5 cells produced more BFLF2 than wild-type or complemented counterparts. The present study provides an overview of BGLF5's functions that will guide future molecular studies. We anticipate that the 293/DeltaBGLF5 cell line will be instrumental in such developments.

A longitudinal study of the reporting of emotional and somatic symptoms during and after pregnancy.

One hundred and eight pregnant women, most of their husbands and a comparison group of non-expectant parents were recruited for a long-term study which involved responding to a 55-item Symptom Checklist (SCL) and the Beck Depression Inventory three times during pregnancy and once during the first postpartum month. Responses to the SCL were factor analysed, and the four groups were then compared on their factor scores as well as their scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) using discriminant analysis and trend analysis. The discriminant analyses were done twice: once using all the data provided by all subjects and once using only subjects with no missing data. At each measurement period, the pregnant women were distinguished from the other groups by a different factor of the SCL: at 3-5 months, it was 'Feeling Sick'; at 6-8 months, it was 'Feeling Overweight'; at 9 months, it was 'Feeling Overweight/Physical Stress'; and at postpartum, it was 'Physical Stress'. Also, trend analysis showed a significant tendency for the scores of pregnant women on the SCL 'Negative Emotional State', factor and on the BDI to increase over time, in contrast to those of the other groups.

[The efficacy of therapy using 89Sr-strontium chloride in 200 patients with bone metastases of a prostatic cancer]. / Wirksamkeit der Therapie mit 89Sr-Strontiumchlorid bei 200 Patienten mit Skelettmetastasen eines Prostatakarzinoms.

Since 1976 200 patients with multiple skeletal metastases from prostatic cancer were treated with 89Sr. In the present study the results were evaluated in order to confirm the efficacy of this therapy. Following the application of 3 injections each of 0 (n = 21), 37 (n = 65), 75 (n = 72), 100 (n = 25) or 150 (n = 17) MBq 89Sr subjective pain relief, scintigraphic follow-up observations, survival times and haematological complications were recorded. In comparison to the results of placebo administration the effects of 89Sr on pain were: in the placebo group deterioration 11%, no change 55%, improvement 17% and full pain relief 17% whereas in the Sr groups combined the corresponding figures were 3, 38, 26 and 33%. Pain relief correlated with the activity administered. A dose relationship to scintigraphic regression is probable, the latter correlating with pain relief. Due to a decrease of early deaths the survival rate increased during the first months after start of treatment but later on returned to the level observed in untreated patients. Pain relief and regressive scintigraphic findings were combined with increased marrow involvement which, however, did not by itself influence survival rates. 89Sr therapy is an effective additional treatment of patients with multiple skeletal metastases from prostatic cancer.

Child sexual abuse: victim age, victim gender, and observer gender as factors contributing to attributions of responsibility.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of victim gender, and observer gender on the tendency to attribute responsibility for extrafamilial child sexual abuse to the victim and the nonoffending parents. METHOD: A 2 (Victim Age) x 2 (Victim Gender) x 2 (Observer Gender) between-subjects design was employed. Undergraduate students (N = 145) read a vignette describing a sexually abusive interaction between an adult male neighbor and a child. In this vignette, the child's gender and age (6 years old, 13 years old) varied. After reading the vignette, participants used a 5-point scale to indicate the degree to which they believed the victim and the parents (a) were responsible for, (b) were to blame for, (c) caused, and (d) could have prevented the abuse. RESULTS: Greater responsibility was assigned to older than younger victims. Both parents were ascribed similar levels of responsibility, and were ascribed greater responsibility when the child victim was younger than older. Male observers attributed greater responsibility and causality to the victim and the parents than did female observers. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that responsibility attributions directed toward the victim and the nonoffending parents may be a function of the victim's age. In addition, the findings support previous research suggesting that male observers may tend to hold victims more responsible for their abuse than female observers. Implications for treatment and research are discussed.

Personality and attitude variables of women and their spouses as predictors of women's experience of pregnancy.

Data were collected from 138 expectant couples at three points during pregnancy and at one month postpartum with aid of a standardized questionnaire including demographic information, attitudes toward childbearing and physical and emotional symptoms. These data have been analyzed in detail to predict women's experience of pregnancy.

Somatic and emotional aspects of the normal pregnancy experience: the first 5 months.

Responses of 108 women in the first 5 months of pregnancy were compared to those given by expectant fathers, nonpregnant women, and nonexpectant men on two measures: a 55-item symptom checklist and the Beck Depression Inventory. Responses to the symptom checklist were factor analyzed to produce six factors accounting for 40.5% of the total variance. On only two of the six factors was there a significant tendency for the pregnant women to score higher than the other three groups: the factors labeled "Feeling ill" and "Feeling overweight." No significant impact of pregnancy was noted on the Beck Depression Inventory scores. It was concluded that a small group of reported physical symptoms but no common core of emotional symptoms characterizes the experience of early pregnancy.

[Diagnostic evaluation of skeletal scintigraphy in comparison to roentgen studies in histiocytosis X in childhood. Case report]. / Diagnostische Wertigkeit der Skelettszintigraphie im Vergleich zur Röntgenuntersuchung bei der Histiozytose X im Kindesalter. Erfahrungsbericht.

We have compared whole body skeletal scintigraphy with X-ray examination in 15 children suffering from histiocytosis X, 14 of whom also showed involvement of the skeleton. In 9 of 20 cases, relapses, included, involvement of the skeleton was found both in scintigraphy and X-ray examination. In 7 cases only X-ray examinations have revealed lessons, which could not be proved by scintigraphy. Vice versa, in 4 cases scintigraphy was positive alone. These results confirm the necessity to use both methods for an exact documentation of the extent of the disease before undertaking any therapy. Dispensing with one of the two methods may cause incorrect therapeutic decisions and increase the risk of relapses and late complications.

Results of a double blind study of 89-strontium therapy of skeletal metastases of prostatic carcinoma.

Forty-nine patients were treated with either 3 x 75 MBq 89Sr or saline as placebo. Analysis of results 1 to 3 years after therapy revealed the ineffectiveness of 89Sr to relieve pain from metastases. Unexpectedly, a higher survival rate was found after Sr application (46% vs 4% after 2 years). Covariate analysis underlines the effect of 89Sr therapy on life expectation.

Seroepidemiological correlations of antibodies to human herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in African patients.

A seroepidemiological evaluation of the humoral immune response against human herpes viruses was carried out in patients with and without HIV infection in Tanzania to study the role of these viruses as a cofactor in AIDS. Serum specimens were obtained from 321 outpatients and 100 healthy schoolchildren of a rural population in the Kagera Region, Tanzania, and from 149 inpatients of an urban population in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The data were analysed by logistic models taking into account demographic variables. The data obtained revealed no differences in the prevalence of antibodies to human herpes viruses between the different groups. Therefore, our study under the present conditions and the observed stages of AIDS does not suggest an influence of HIV infection on human herpesvirus infection or serologic response.

PIP: In Tanzania, researchers analyzed serum data on 321 15-62 year old outpatients at a rural hospital and 100 healthy 8-14 year old schoolchildren in Kagera Region (1986), on 120 inpatients of the Muhimbili Medical Center (MMC) in Dar-es-Salaam (1988), and on 29 inpatients from Ocean Road Hospital (ORH) also in Dar-es-Salaam (1989) to determine the prevalence and titers of antibodies to various herpes viruses and their relation to HIV-1. 43% of the adults from Kagera tested positive for HIV-1 compared with 63% from MMC and 72% from ORH. None of the children were HIV-1 seropositive. Almost everyone tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (93-99%). All those at ORH also had antibodies for herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) while the other groups all had HHV-6 seroprevalence levels 50%. Even though there were differences in antibody prevalences and titers for some EBV antigens between HIV-1 seropositive and HIV-1 seronegative adults, they were not significant. Seroprevalences for HHV-6 and EBV also infected with HIV-1 regardless if they were symptomatic or asymptomatic were not considerably higher than those in HIV-1 seronegative patients. This remained true for all 3 adult groups irrespective of the various percentages of HHV-6 seropositive patients. These results did not demonstrate HIV-1 infection as affecting human herpes virus infections or serologic responses. Therefore these viruses appeared not to be a cofactor in AIDS.