Low molecular weight viral RNAs transcribed by RNA polymerase III during adenovirus 2 infection

Nuclei isolated from human cells productively infected with adenovirus 2 have been shown to synthesize four low molecular weight RNA species which hybridize efficiently to viral DNA. One species corresponds to the 5.5S or VA RNA (Ohe, Weissman, and Cooke, 1969), and is designated V156. The other three species are novel and have been designated V200, V140, V130, since they are approximately 200, 140, and 130 nucleotides in length, respectively. These viral RNAs retain their distinct electrophoretic properties after denaturation with formamide. RNA species with electrophoretic mobilities similar to those of the V200, V156, and V140 RNAs have been found in the cytoplasmic fraction of cells at late times after adenovirus infection. In isolated nuclei, the V200, V156, V140, and V130 RNAs are all synthesized by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase III, since synthesis is sensitive to high but not to low concentrations of alpha-amanitin. The synthesis of these low molecular weight RNAs continues for a prolonged period of time in isolated nuclei, suggesting that reinitiation occurs. Adenovirus 2 DNA fragments obtained by digestion with restriction endonucleases Eco RI and Sma I were used to map the location of the DNA sequences which encode the RNAs. All the low molecular weight RNAs hybridized to a region of the genome between o.18 and 0.38 fractional lengths from the left end of the adenovirus genome, suggesting that the respective DNA sequences are clustered. Other nonviral low molecular weight RNAs are synthesized in nuclei isolated from infected cells. These include the cellular 5S rRNA species which was minitored by its hybridization to purified 5S DNA from Xenopus laevis.     

The use of the liver-spleen-scan for the diagnosis of congenital Intrahepatic cysts of the bile duct (M. Caroli) (authors transl)

After the short review of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy for congenital intrahepatic cysts of the bile-duct (morbus Caroli), reference was made to the diagnostic significance of liver scintigraphy on the basis of two casuistic reports. Liver scintigraphy permits an exact localization of intrahepatic cysts as well as information regarding the course of the hepatopathy connected with morbus Caroli. In addition, 131-J-bromsulfon scintigraphy of the liver is a simple method for controlling the patency of the bile ducts. Our observations tend to indicate that preoperative and postoperative scintigraphic controls of the liver are practical for this disease.     

The diagnosis of stenoses and occlusions of the carotid arteries by means of directional Dopplersonography (author's transl)

The Doppler examination of the carotid arteries in the neck was compared with the results of the examination of the supratrochlear artery and of the angiographic controls in 76 patients. The results of this study indicate that the insonation of the carotid arteries considerably improves the diagnostic possibilities offered by the examination of the supratrochlear artery alone. There are three main advantages: 1. The reliability of the Doppler examination is improved. The insonation of the carotid arteries of the 76 angiographically controlled patients including stenoses from 50% onward gave only one false-positive and one false-negative result. The percentage of correct diagnoses thereby attained was 97%. 2. The insonation of the carotid arteries permits reliable differentiation between stenoses and occlusions. This is not possible by the insonation of the supratrochlear artery alone. There was only one case in which the distinction was wrong. 3. The localization of the pathologic process was possible in all cases. These conclusions are only valid for the detection of occlusions and stenoses of more than 50%. Low degree stenoses cannot be detected by this method.     

Cerebral ischemic events associated with prolapsing mitral valve

Twelve patients who had no evidence of arteriosclerotic cerebral vascular disease, lacked hypertension or coagulation defect, and had not been receiving contraceptive therapy had recurrent transient cerebral ischemic attacks (TIAs) and partial nonprogressive strokes. All had prolapsing mitral valve proved by angiocardiography. The average age was 38 years, compared with 62 years in a larger series of patients with TIA associated with arteriosclerosis. We propose that the ischemic events are related to emboli emanating from the abnormal mitral valve with or without an associated paroxysmal cardiac arrhythmia.     

Rupture recurrence after surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. Influence of early thrombolysis

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify factors causing rupture recurrence after surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture and to evaluate the indication for reoperation. PATIENTS: Recurrence of rupture was analysed in 25 out of a series of 109 patients who underwent surgical repair for postinfarction ventricular septal rupture between 1980 and 1992 in our institution. RESULTS: The mean interval between initial operation and recurrence was 3.6 days with a median of 2 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified early thrombolysis after infarction (P = 0.0085) as a risk factor for recurrence of the rupture. Rupture recurrence occurred more in the anterior then in the posterior infarction site, although non-significant. Reoperation was indicated in 15 patients, in 13 for postrecurrent cardiac failure. The main determinant of cardiac failure was a large postrecurrent shunt (P = 0.05). The mean interval between initial operation and reoperation was 136 days with a median of 101 days. In 6 patients a combined apical ventricular septal rupture recurrence and anterior ventricular aneurysm was found, in 9 patients the recurrent rupture was proximally located, without concomitant aneurysm formation. Of 15 patients who were reoperated, one died in hospital and three after the in-hospital period. Of 10 patients treated conservatively, one died in hospital and two after the in-hospital period. One residual ventricular septal rupture closed spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Rupture recurrence is mainly determined by early thrombolysis. Postrecurrent cardiac failure, as the main indication for reoperation, is dependent on postrecurrent shunt size.