Rapid sequencing of the Sendai virus 6.8 kb large (L) gene through primer walking with an automated DNA sequencer.

The determination of the complete DNA sequence of the large (L) polymerase gene of Sendai virus strain Fushimi was used to explore the potential and feasibility of primer walking with fluorescent dye-labelled dideoxynucleotide terminators on an automated ABI DNA sequencer. The rapid identification of the complete sequence demonstrated that this approach is a time- and cost-saving alternative to classical sequencing techniques. Analysis of the data revealed that the L gene of Sendai virus strain Fushimi consists of exactly 6800 nucleotides and that the deduced amino acid sequence identifies a single open reading frame encoding a protein of 252.876 kDa. In contrast to Sendai virus strain Enders, the L mRNA of strain Fushimi is monocistronic. The comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the L genes of three different Sendai virus strains confirmed the existence of conserved as well as variable regions in the L protein and revealed a high grade of conservation in the carboxyterminal third. Furthermore, functional amino acid sequence motifs, like elements of RNA-dependent RNA polymerases and ATP-binding sites as postulated previously, were identified.

L-prolineaminopeptidase activity as a tool for identification and differentiation of Serratia marcescens, Serratia liquefaciens and Hafnia alvei strains.

S. marcescens (316 strains), S. liquefaciens (10 strains) and Hafnia alvei (20 strains), in contrast to 18 other Enterobacteriaceae species, hydrolyzed L-proline-4-nitroanilide within 30 min at 37 degrees C. In this way, rapid identification of these species is possible. The substrate is applied in solution or in a paper disc. The substrate optimum of Hafnia alvei strains proved to be 16 times lower than that of the Serratia spp. Application of a tenth of the substrate concentration necessary for identification of Serratia spp. allows a rapid differentiation between the two species.

Three years of experience with bisoprolol in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.

Long-term efficacy and safety of the beta1-selective adrenoceptor-blocking agent bisoprolol was investigated in 164 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension who had already been treated successfully with bisoprolol once daily for 1 year in preceding studies. The good therapeutic effect of bisoprolol was maintained for another 1 or 2 years. There was no need for further dose adaptations, and the patients remained on their individually titrated dose. At the end of the third year, 22.6% of the patients required 5 mg or less, 63.7% needed 10 mg, and 13.7% of the patients required 20 mg. Four patients received a diuretic in addition to maintain a reasonable blood pressure reduction. Thirty-four of the 164 patients experienced adverse events, which necessitated a premature study withdrawal only in 2 cases. The repeatedly checked laboratory parameters did not adversely change under long-term treatment with bisoprolol up to 36 months. In particular, this also holds true for total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose.

The C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II of the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei.

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (RNAP) has an essential function in the regulation of transcription. The CTD of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, differs dramatically from that of higher eukaryotes. To determine whether this is a general feature of malarial parasites, we have analysed the CTD of the distantly related rodent malaria parasite P.berghei. The CTDs of the two parasites enzymes are very similar in amino acid composition and contain the basic structure of most eukaryotic CTDs, which is a tandem repeat of a heptapeptide (SPTSPSY). The CTD of P.berghei differs, however, in three aspects from the CTD of P.falciparum and other eukaryotes. First, both domains show a divergence from the consensus sequence at position 6 of the heptapeptide repeat. The Ser6 is always substituted, with a bias for lysine. The latter substitution might increase the binding efficiency to the DNA template. Second, the rodent and human malarial CTDs contain a 3' extension of, respectively, 66 or 67 amino acid residues. This tail-piece is unique among eukaryotes. Third, the enlargement of the CTD of the human parasite by six heptapeptide repeats is most likely generated by a recent amplification of a specific repeat unit.

The measles eradication programme in the German Democratic Republic.

After 3 years of intensive preparations the Ministry of Health of the German Democratic Republic started a national measles eradication programme in 1967. Vaccination was at first voluntary, but became compulsory in 1970. Through a vaccination campaign using Leningrad-16/SSW attenuated live vaccine, the disease was virtually eliminated throughout the country by 1972. In 1973 and 1974 only sporadic cases of measles were observed. The number of vaccination failures was negligible. Combined immunization against measles and poliomyelitis provoked no unusual reactions, and the difference between the seroconversion rates following combined or separate immunization was not statistically significant.