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Biomedical subjects

K Richards

Publications and source records attributed to K Richards.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Lasers in general surgery.

Laser use in general surgery has become more popular in the past few years. The contact Nd:YAG laser returns tactile sensation to the surgeon and is used successfully to cut and coagulate during breast, colorectal, and biliary procedures.

Cholecystectomy↗

In vitro synthesis of biologically active beet necrotic yellow vein virus RNA.

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) has a quadripartite plus-strand RNA genome in which the two smallest genome components, RNA 3 and 4, are not necessary for virus multiplication in leaves. Infectious transcripts of BNYVV RNA 3 and 4 have already been described (V. Ziegler-Graff, S. Bouzoubaa, I. Jupin, H. Guilley, G. Jonard, and K. Richards (1988) J. Gen. Virol. 69, 2347-2357). In this paper we describe synthesis of a full-length RNA-1 transcript by bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase-directed run-off transcription of cloned viral cDNA. A recombinant plasmid containing a full-length cDNA insert of RNA 2 could not be maintained in Escherichia coli. Therefore full-length transcript of RNA 2 was produced by transcription of cDNA ligation products without amplification in bacteria. When inoculated together to leaves of Chenopodium quinoa or Tetragonia expansa the RNA 1 and 2 transcripts were infectious; they also supported multiplication of the BNYVV RNA 3 and 4 transcripts, providing a totally synthetic inoculum of the virus. In one recombinant clone of RNA 2 a point mutation causing an arginine to serine substitution at position 119 of the viral coat protein was discovered. The mutation was detected because the resulting coat protein had altered electrophoretic mobility. RNA 2 transcripts containing this mutation were infectious but viral RNA was not encapsidated. The mutation also interfered with long distance movement of the virus in spinach, presumably as a consequence of the packaging deficiency.

Capsid↗

Nucleotide sequence of beet western yellows virus RNA.

The nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA (5641 nt) of beet western yellow virus (BWYV) isolated from lettuce has been determined and its genetic organization deduced. The sequence of the 3'terminal 2208 nt of RNA of a second BWYV isolate, obtained from sugarbeet, was also determined and was found to be very similar but not identical to that of the lettuce isolate. The complete sequence of BWYV RNA contains six long open reading frames (ORFs). A cluster of three of these ORFs, including the coat protein cistron, display extensive amino acid sequence homology with corresponding ORFs of a second luteovirus, the PAV isolate of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) (1,2). The ORF corresponding to the putative viral RNA-dependant RNA polymerase, on the other hand, resembles that of southern bean mosaic virus. There is circumstantial evidence that expression of the BWYV RNA polymerase ORF may involve a translational frameshift mechanism. The ORF immediately following the coat protein cistron may be translated by in-frame readthrough of the coat protein cistron amber termination codon. Similar mechanisms have been proposed for expression of the corresponding ORFs of BYDV(PAV) (1).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of beet necrotic yellow vein virus RNA composition on transmission by Polymyxa betae.

Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) is naturally transmitted by the soil-borne fungus Polymyxa betae and usually remains confined to the roots of infected sugarbeets. In naturally infected sugarbeets the virion RNA always consists of four components which are uniform in size in different isolates but when BNYVV is propagated by mechanical inoculation to leaves of Chenopodium quinoa the two smallest RNA components, RNA-3 and -4, may undergo deletion or disappear from the isolate, suggesting that they are only essential for the natural mode of infection. To test this hypothesis, several C. quinoa isolates of BNYVV with different RNA-3 and -4 contents have been retransmitted to sugarbeet root via P. betae. The results show that the two isolates containing no detectable full-length RNA-3 and -4 are poorly transmitted and that cases of successful infection are associated with the reappearance of full-length RNA-3 and -4.

Fungi↗

Effect of leukocyte antibodies and HLA matching on the intravascular recovery, survival, and tissue localization of 111-indium granulocytes.

The effect of leukocyte antibodies detected under different conditions on the fate in vivo of granulocytes was studied using 111-indium-labeled granulocytes. Sera from patients were tested by granulocyte agglutination (GA), granulocytotoxicity (GC), granulocyte immunofluorescence (GIF), lymphocytotoxicity (LC), and antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated granulocytotoxicity. Granulocytes from donors to be studied were labeled with 111-indium and injected. Then the intravascular recovery and survival or tissue localization was determined in 93 studies. Antibodies detected by granulocyte agglutination were associated with a significant reduction in recovery (6.7% v 30.8% in controls; P less than .001) and t1/2 (0.3 hours v 5.6 hours in controls; P = .002). When all possible combinations of serum reactivity were considered, reactivity in the GA plus GIF assays had the best correlation with decreased recovery (R2 = .49; P less than .001) and t1/2 (R2 = .73; P less than .001). When the relationship between the strength of antibody reactivity and the recovery and t1/2 were analyzed, the best relationship was between the combination of LC and GIF with recovery (R2 = .62; P = .001). Because of the general availability of the HLA (LC) testing, the role of LC reactivity was investigated in other ways. There was a strong relationship between sera highly reactive by LC and those reactive by GIF. These highly reactive sera were also associated with reduced recovery and t1/2. The influence of specific HLA antigen mismatches was also studied. When donor and recipient were mismatched for the HLA-A2, B8, or BW44 antigens, there was a significant reduction in either recovery, t1/2, or both. Tissue localization was studied by body scans in patients with and without known sites of inflammation. Antibodies detected by a combination of GA and GIF caused abnormal pulmonary sequestration of granulocytes (three cases) and failure of granulocytes to localize at known sites of inflammation (three cases). HLA (LC) antibodies did not alter tissue localization despite the presence of the corresponding HLA antigens on granulocytes. It appears that GA, GIF, or a combination of these tests is the most effective predictor of altered in vivo fate of granulocytes. However, sera highly reactive by LC and GIF probably define a group of highly immunized patients in whom granulocyte recovery and t1/2 are also reduced. Mismatching for certain HLA antigens is also associated with reduced granulocyte recovery and survival. At present, GA, with or without the immunofluorescence assay, is the most effective predictor of altered in vivo granulocyte activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antibodies↗

Nucleotide sequence and genome organization of carnation mottle virus RNA.

The complete nucleotide sequence of carnation mottle genomic RNA (4003 nucleotides) is presented. The sequence was determined for cloned cDNA copies of viral RNA containing over 99% of the sequence and was completed by direct sequence analysis of RNA and cDNA transcripts. The sequence contains two long open reading frames which together can account for observed translation products. One translation product would arise by suppression of an amber termination codon and the sequence raises the possibility that a second suppression event could also occur. Sequence homology exists between a portion of the carnation mottle virus sequence and that of putative RNA polymerases from other RNA viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chimeric vector construction for higher-plant transformation.

A chimeric vector pKR612B1 was developed containing the neomycin phosphotransferase (APH) gene from the Tn5 transposon under the control of the gene VI promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), and was used to transform higher plant protoplasts. Plasmid pDOB612, the parental vector of pKR612B1, has two unique restriction sites, SmaI and BamHI, positioned just downstream of the CaMV gene VI promoter sequence. These unique cloning sites can be used for any kind of gene insertion into this vector. Using the polyethylene glycol transformation procedure, a large number of turnip and tobacco protoplasts were transformed and proved to be resistant to kanamycin (Km). From tobacco protoplasts whole Km-resistant plants were regenerated and shown to contain the integrated foreign gene. APH activity was detected in both transformed calli and in regenerated plants. DNA from transformed clones was analysed by Southern blot hybridization, showing the presence of the Tn5-derived gene.

Chimera↗

Immunological detection of cauliflower mosaic virus gene V protein produced in engineered bacteria or infected plants.

Antiserum was prepared against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal 25 amino acids (aa) of the protein encoded by cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) gene V, which is thought to be a reverse transcriptase involved in viral DNA replication. This antiserum was used to detect the expression of CaMV gene V either in Escherichia coli JM103 transformed by an expression vector containing CaMV gene V or in CaMV-infected plants. In both cases, an 80-kDal protein has been detected.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Antibody-dependent lymphocyte-mediated granulocytotoxicity (ADLG) for the detection of granulocyte antibodies.

An antibody-dependent cell-mediated granulocytotoxic assay (ADLG) has been developed to detect antibodies to human granulocytes. This study examines some possible variables in this assay, the ADLG activity in serum from normal individuals, the contribution of ABO isohemagglutinins and the sensitivity and specificity of this technique. Significant differences in percentage cytotoxicity of ABO compatible and incompatible cell/serum combinations were detected in the normal population. Human serum with antibodies to the neutrophil specific antigens NA1 and NB1 gave positive results in the ADLG assay. However, differences in sensitivity and specificity were observed among various sera. ADLG activity was dependent on the source of effector cells. Effector and target cells stored in vitro were unsatisfactory in this assay. The ADLG assay may be a valuable addition to existing granulocyte serological methods and provide useful clinical information on mechanisms of immune neutropenias.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Nucleotide sequence of DNA from an altered-virulence isolate D/H of the cauliflower mosaic virus.

The double-stranded DNA from the isolate D/H with an altered virulence of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) contains 8016 bp. The DNA is circular and possesses, like the DNA of most CaMV strains, three sequence interruptions. The comparison of its sequence with the previously published sequences of two other CaMV strains (Cabb-S and CM 1841) leads to the following conclusions: (1) The genetic organization of all three CaMV strains is identical with six potential genes (open reading frames) and two intergenic regions; (2) considered pairwise, the three DNAs differ from one another by only about 5% with base substitutions accounting for most of the changes although several deletions and insertions are also observed. The sequence differences among the three strains are spread in a uniform manner upon the genome except for the two intergenic regions, which are more highly conserved. The stability of the noncoding regions is probably linked to the fact that they carry sequences important for the initiation and termination of transcription. On the other hand, the sequence variation in the open reading frames has relatively little effect on the sequence of the corresponding polypeptides as changes occur preferentially in the third position of the reading frame triplets. It is anticipated that knowledge of the DNA sequences of several CaMV strains will facilitate construction of inter-strain recombinants which, once available, can be used to correlate gene structure and function.

Base Composition↗

Nucleotide sequence of cauliflower mosaic virus DNA.

The complete nucleotide sequence (8024 nucleotides) of the circular double-stranded DNA of cauliflower mosaic virus has been established. The DNA molecule is known to possess three discrete single-stranded discontinuities, often referred to as "gaps," two in one strand and one in the other. The sequence data indicate that gap 1, the single discontinuity in the alpha strand, corresponds to the absence of no more than one or two nucleotides with respect to the complementary beta strand. The two discontinuities in the beta strand, however, are not authentic gaps since no nucleotides are missing, but are instead regions of sequence overlap: a short sequence (19 residues for gap 2, t least 2 residues for gap 3) at one terminus of each discontinuity, probably the 5' terminus, is displaced from the double helix by an identical sequence at the other boundary of the discontinuity. Analysis of the distribution of nonsense codons in the DNA sequence is consistent with other evidence that only the alpha strand is transcribed. The coding region extends around the circular molecule from 4 map units of gap 1, the map origin, to map position 91, and consists of six long open reading frames. Our findings suggest, but do not prove, that the DNA sequence of the open reading frames is colinear with viral protein sequences. The cistron for the viral coat protein, which is probably synthesized in the form of a precursor, has been situated in coding region IV on the basis of its unusual amino acid composition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗