Enteroviral persistence in eye infections in monkeys (postuveitis syndrome)

Follow-up (5.5 years) of monkeys with a history of acute enterovirus uveitis (AEU) after intraocular infection with ophthalmotropic ECHO 11 and ECHO 19 strains showed progressive changes in the infected eye; destruction of the iris, formation of films in the anterior chamber of the eye, deformation of the pupil, and signs of cataract and glaucoma. A short (1-30 days) stage of active reproduction of infective virus (up to 10(10) TCD50/g tissue in the first days postinfection) was followed by the second very long stage of limited specific multiplication of virus in ocular tissues. The virus was not detected during the second stage, but its components (virusspecific antigen and crystalloid accumulations of virions) were found in ophthalmic and conjunctival tissues; moreover, high levels of neutralizing antibodies were detected in the blood. The results indicate AEU transformed into a stubborn persistent infection of the eye in monkeys. The findings of this follow-up and published reports about many-year follow-up of children with AEU permit us to classify a post-uveitis disease as a special nosological form of a persistent enterovirus infection and denote it as enterovirus post-uveitis syndrome. The main signs of this syndrome are a history of AEU, progressive destructive changes in the anterior segment of the eye, presence of virus components in ocular tissues in remote periods after infection, and high antibody level in the blood.     

Function of surface membrane structures in Thiobacillus thiooxidans

The function of the surface membrane structures was studied with cytochemical techniques on ultrathin sections of Thiobacillus thiooxidans. The transport of elementary sulphur inside the cell involves the surface membrane structures, while oxidation of the sulphur to sulphuric acid takes place on the outer surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. The surface membrane structures are supposed also to participate in the primary dissolution of elementary sulphur at the site of contact of the cells with the mineral.     

Short-term effects of norethisterone oenanthate and medroxyprogesterone acetate on glucose, insulin, growth hormone, and lipids

The synthesis of (+/-)-1-ethylenedioxy-trans-2-(beta-R,S-hydroxypropyl)-3-(beta-acetoxyethyl)cyclopentane (IV), starting from (+/-)-1-ethylenedioxy-trans-2-propargyl-3-(beta-hydroxyethyl)cyclopentane (I) by indirect hydration with mercuric acetate and hydrogen sulphide, is reported.