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Biomedical subjects

W C Russell

Publications and source records attributed to W C Russell.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Paramyxovirus antigens in osteoclasts from Paget's bone tissue detected by monoclonal antibodies.

The fluorescent antibody technique using both monoclonal and specific polyclonal virus antibodies was applied to investigate the nature of the inclusions seen in the abnormal osteoclasts associated with Paget's bone disease. The results show that antigens of measles virus, simian virus 5 (SV5) and human parainfluenza virus type 3 (PF3) could be detected in the osteoclasts but not in control bone cells. Measles and SV5 nucleoprotein (NP) and haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) antigens were apparently present in all the cases of Paget's disease examined, whereas PF3 NP and HN antigens were present only in some of the cases. These investigations suggest that paramyxoviruses may play a role in the aetiology of the bone disease.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

Simulated selection for reproductive rate in beef cattle.

Computer simulation was used to evaluate four selection strategies for reproductive success in beef cattle. The strategies were no culling; culling of nonpregnant heifers; culling of nonpregnant heifers and cows nonpregnant twice; culling all nonpregnant females. In addition, simulations were conducted utilizing method four for 20 yr, then changed to method three for an additional 20 yr. Cows were removed from the herd at age 10 if not previously culled. Because reproduction is a threshold character, an underlying normally distributed liability that influences whether or not a cow will produce a calf was assumed with a heritability estimate of .2, a mean of zero and a standard deviation of one. Regressions of breeding value for reproduction and calving rate on year of selection were calculated assuming initial calving rates of 80 and 90%. Linear and quadratic effects for breeding value were present for all selection methods at both initial rates. All primary breeding value regressions were different than that for no culling. At the 90% initial calving rate, methods three and four were different from method two. There were no differences among any regressions for calving rate. Progress for breeding value was more regular than for calving rate; maximum progress for breeding value in 40 yr was approximately .32 standard deviations for selection method four. Calving rate was more erratic, although calving rate increased approximately 7% as a result of 40 yr of selection using method four at the 80% initial calving rate. It appears that much of the improvement attained by any method of selection occurred in the first 20 yr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Evidence for the persistence of paramyxoviruses in human bone marrows.

Human bone marrow cells derived from multiple sclerosis (MS) and control patients were screened for a number of virus antigens by the fluorescent antibody technique using monoclonal antibodies. The results showed that antigens of the paramyxovirus, simian virus 5, were present in about 60% of MS and 25% of control bone marrows. About 25% of the MS and 50% of control bone marrows were found to contain nucleoprotein antigen of the human parainfluenza types 1 and 3. These experiments demonstrated that paramyxoviruses can persist in human tissues possibly in a defective or repressed state.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Does simian virus 5 infect humans?

Simian virus 5 (SV5) isolates derived after co-cultivation of human bone marrow aspirates of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were shown by immunoprecipitation, cross-neutralization and haemagglutination inhibition techniques to be similar antigenically but not identical to the prototype strain. Analyses of human sera (MS and control) showed that about 20% contained neutralizing antibodies to SV5 and immunoprecipitated the specific SV5 HN polypeptide. A competition assay using a specific SV5 monoclonal antibody confirmed that a human serum containing such neutralizing activity also blocked a specific SV5 epitope whereas another human serum with demonstrable antibodies to the related human parainfluenza virus type 2 did not block this epitope. These tests therefore suggested that SV5 can infect humans. However, there was no indication, on the basis of these tests, of any aetiological relationship of the SV5 infection to the induction of MS.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1983

S1 sensitive sites in adenovirus DNA.

S1 nuclease has been used as a probe for regions of DNA secondary structure in supercoiled recombinant plasmids containing adenovirus (Ad) DNA sequences. In the sequences examined two S1 sensitive sites were identified in the left-terminal 16.5% of Ad 12 DNA, one of which aligned approximately with an inverted repeat region in the DNA sequence. In addition an S1 sensitive site was dictated by a potential cruciform structure in the region of the Ad 2 major late promoter. In contrast to the expected cleavage site at the loop of the cruciform, cleavage occurred at the base of the stem in the region of the TATA box. All three S1 sensitive sites identified were more sensitive to S1 than the endogenous sites in the parent plasmids.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1983

Adenovirus cores can function as templates in in vitro DNA replication.

Adenovirus cores prepared by gentle disruption of virus by heating at 56 degrees C in the presence of deoxycholate were able to function as templates in an in vitro DNA replication system, allowing both initiation, indicated by the formation of terminal protein-dCMP complex, and elongation of > 300 nucleotides. Using both cores and DNA-protein complexes as templates, it was also demonstrated that novobiocin, an inhibitor of DNA gyrase, inhibited in vitro DNA replication by preventing formation of the initiation complex.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1983

Evidence for a repeating cross-beta sheet structure in the adenovirus fibre.

The amino acid sequence of the adenovirus fibre protein reveals an approximately repeating motif of 15 residues. A diagonal comparison matrix established that these repeats extended from residue 43 to residue 400 of the 581 residue sequence. Assignment of secondary structure combined with model building showed that each 15-residue segment contained two short beta-strands and two beta-bends, one of which incorporated an extra residue in a beta-bulge of the Gx type. The 44 strands together gave a long (210 A) narrow, amphipathic beta-sheet, which could be stabilised by dimer formation to give the shaft of the fibre. The knob could arise from a dimer of the C-terminal 180 residue segment, predicted to be an 8-10 stranded beta-sandwich. This model is consistent with the electron micrographs of the fibre and it was supported by measurements of c.d. and of electron diffraction from microcrystals. The latter gave a pair of wide angle arcs, corresponding to a repeat of 4.7 A, oriented appropriately for a cross-beta structure. The relation of this structure to globular structures is discussed and a folding pathway is proposed. In its general features the structure resembles that proposed for the tail fibre of bacteriophage T4.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1983

Differential promotion and suppression of Z leads to B transitions in poly[d(G-C)] by histone subclasses, polyamino acids and polyamines.

The right-handed (B) conformation of poly[d(G-C)] in 7.5 mM sodium cacodylate and 25% ethylene glycol can be readily converted to the left-handed (Z) conformation by the addition of 250 microM MnCl2 and this transition can be reversed by chelation of the Mn ions with EDTA or by addition of NaCl. This ability to obtain such reversible transitions in solvent and solute conditions which allow DNA-protein interactions and their assessment by c.d. permitted an analysis of the effect of purified histones, polyamino acids, protamine and polyamines on these transitions. Individual core histones H3, H4, H2a and H2b or protamine stabilised the Mn-induced Z form and prevented the transition to B DNA normally observed after chelation with EDTA or on dialysis to physiological salt concentrations. A similar suppression of Z leads to B transition was also achieved with poly-L-arginine (but not with poly-L-lysine). In contrast, histones H1 and H5 promoted the Z leads to B transition. Polyamines (spermine and spermidine) converted the B form to another right-handed (A) form which transformed to the Z form after the addition of EDTA and this Z form was restored to the B conformation on the addition of NaCl. These results suggest that sequence-dependent variations in the conformation of natural DNA may be modulated by interaction with histones and other basic cellular components and may provide a conformational basis for nucleosome formation and possibly for the control of gene expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Relationship of seminal vesicle size and measures of libido in yearling beef bulls.

Ninety-five yearling beef bulls were given routine Breeding Soundness Examinations, two libido tests and palpated rectally for internal genital disease and measurement of seminal vesicle size. Finger tips were premeasured, and then used as "glandometers". The bulls were examined at the end of a 140-day performance test. Sixteen lines of breeding were examined including 13 Hereford, 2 Angus and 1 Red Angus. Average age was 384 days and average weight was 961 lbs. Line and breed differences (P<.05) were observed for scrotal circumference, scrotal circumference score and second libido test. Similar differences were observed for SV length (P<.01), depth and volume both (P<.05). There were no significant correlations between seminal vesicle (SV) size and libido scores. There were, however, significant correlations between SV size and scrotal circumference (P<.05), BSE score (P<.01), body weight (P<.01), and semen morphology score (P<.05). Proximal droplets and midpiece abnormalities, respectively, were the most common spermatozoal abnormalities observed in semen from this group of bulls.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1983

ADP-ribosylation in in vitro systems synthesizing adenovirus DNA.

Two systems utilizing extracts derived from nuclei of adenovirus-infected cells which synthesize adenovirus DNA in vitro were analysed for indications of ADP-ribosylation of virus proteins. On incubation with [32P]NAD or [14C]NAD, modification of the adenovirus T antigen could be demonstrated in one of these systems. ADP-ribosylation of adenovirus core proteins V and VII could also be demonstrated with both nuclear extracts. However, using 3-aminobenzamide, a specific inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, there was no evidence either in vivo or in vitro that ADP-ribosylation played a critical role in the replication process.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1983

Ultrastructural and immunofluorescence studies of early events in adenovirus-HeLa cell interactions.

Scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques show that the attachment of adenovirus type 5 to HeLa cells is followed by a temperature-dependent redistribution of virus particles on the cell surface. Metabolic inhibitors and cytochalasin B, a drug that impairs microfilament function, blocked this redistribution. Transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrated that inhibition of redistribution was paralleled by an inhibition of virus internalization. In further experiments virus and cells were incubated at 4 degrees C and then treated with adenovirus 'soluble' antigens to block unoccupied virus receptors. On warming these preparations to 37 degrees C, the internalization of attached virions was found to be impaired. It is proposed that energy-dependent redistribution of attached adenovirus particles on the cell surface facilitates entry by bringing virions into contact with sufficient receptors to allow internalization.

Adenoviruses, Human↗
PubMed1983

Monoclonal antibodies against human paramyxovirus type 3 and against SV5 virus: preparation and preliminary characterization.

Monoclonal antibodies against the major glycoprotein (HN) and the nucleoprotein (NP) of paramyxovirus SV5 and human paramyxovirus (PF) type 3 have been obtained. Two different epitopes have been detected on the SV5 HN polypeptide, one being specific to SV5 and the other also cross-reacting with PF-2 HN polypeptide. Monoclonal antibody against SV5 NP polypeptide also reacted with PF-2 NP polypeptide. Similar epitopes showing both specific and group cross-reactions were detected with PF-3 HN and NP monoclonal antibodies against PF-3 and Sendai viruses. No cross-reactions were detected between these two groups of paramyxoviruses.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1983

The characterization of monoclonal antibodies to Newcastle disease virus.

Monoclonal antibodies to the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), fusion (F), polymerase and nucleocapsid polypeptides of Newcastle disease virus were prepared. Two epitopes were recognized on the HN polypeptide: one was associated with inhibition of haemagglutination and poor neutralization and the other with good neutralization and no inhibition of haemagglutination. The most effective neutralizing antibody was that produced against the F polypeptide. The poorer neutralization associated with the antibody against the HN epitope was augmented by antiglobulin or complement. The monoclonal antibodies that inhibited haemagglutination also inhibited neuraminidase activity when fetuin but not neuraminyl lactose was the substrate.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1982

A study of measles virus and canine distemper virus antibodies, and of childhood infections in multiple sclerosis patients and controls.

We investigated the levels of neutralizing antibodies to measles virus and canine distemper virus (CDV) in 72 multiple sclerosis patients (MS) and matched controls and also examined the frequency and age of onset of a number of childhood illnesses, including measles. The frequency of each childhood illness was not significantly different between cases and controls, but cases did report a later age at measles infection. Our data suggest that the risk of MS is increased by a factor of 1.9 if measles infection occurs between 5 and 9 years of age. A validity survey, based on a questionnaire to general practitioners, suggested substantial inaccuracy in the patients' reports of when they had measles, but the direction and degree of inaccuracy did not appear to be different between cases and controls. We also found higher titres of neutralizing antibodies in cases than controls to both measles virus and CDV, although the CDV difference was not statistically significant. In the light of a significant correlation between measles and CDV titres in both cases and controls, we used paired logistic regression to determine if the case-control difference in titres for each virus could be explained by a confounding effect on one by the other. The numbers were too small, however, to enable us to separate out any independent association of either virus with MS.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

A comparison of paramyxoviruses by immunoprecipitation.

Using the technique of immune precipitation of [35S]methionine-labelled infected cell polypeptides followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography it has been shown that SV5 and a closely related isolate are both antigenically related to human parainfluenza virus type 2. Limited cross-reactions were also demonstrated between parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3 by this method and the apparent molecular weights of the major structural components of human parainfluenza virus types 2 and 3 have been deduced.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed1982

Nucleic acid-binding properties of adenovirus structural polypeptides.

The ability of adenovirus structural polypeptides to bind nucleic acids was assessed by separating the polypeptides on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, transferring them electrophoretically to nitrocellulose and probing with 32P-labelled nucleic acids. Polypeptides IVa2, V, VI and VII, as well as trace amounts of pVII and a polypeptide of apparent mol. wt. 40 X 10(3) were able to bind label under these conditions. Labelling was also detected with a smaller polypeptide, possibly related to the cleavage products of pVII and/or pVI. The binding of DNA to polypeptide VI appeared to be more sensitive to detergents than the others. No sequence specificity could be detected in the DNA binding.

Adenoviruses, Human↗