DNA Sequence Analysis of the Repeat and Adjoining Unique Region of the Long Segment of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

The DNA sequences of the BamHI b fragment and of a Smal-BamHI subfragment of BamHI e from the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome have been determined. These restriction fragments are located at each end of the UL sequence and span the RL/UL junctions. The BamHI b fragment contains over 6 kb of the Rl element. The DNA sequence of the two restriction fragments was determined by chain terminator sequencing reactions of recombinant M13 clones generated from sonicated DNA or restriction enzyme digested DNA

The cooperative principle in copyediting

In this study, the first study made of the editing practices of professional editors, 51 editors on the Iowa State University campus were asked to edit a problematical one-page journalistic newsletter article. The changes they indicated in their samples were analyzed according to the operations of addition, substitution, deletion, transferring, paragraphing, and zero markings per line. These operations corresponded to the maxims of Grice\u27s Cooperative Principle of the Speech Act Theory (Grice, 1975, pp. 41-59). The motivations for the various editorial changes were hypothesized. The copyeditors\u27 overall patterns were categorized by type according to Buehler\u27s editing schemata (Carosso, 1986, p. 20). It was noted that, unlike student writers, professional editors tend to use all the operations and value quantity, quality, manner, and relation almost equally. In addition, they tend to look at writing holistically, editing substantively and changing order or format to fit the conventions of the piece

Draft Text Providing for Transparency and Prohibiting Certain Forms of Third-Party Funding in Investor–State Dispute Settlement

The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) is currently working on how to reform international investment treaties, focusing in particular on those treaties’ provisions enabling investors to sue governments in international arbitration. As an observer organization in this process, CCSI has emphasized that in the context of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) reform, it is important to first consider what it is that investment treaties aim to achieve, and only then to consider what form(s) of dispute settlement will best advance those objectives. This means not only looking at reform of the existing ISDS mechanism, but also alternatives to it. Having identified various concerns about ISDS, UNCITRAL is now taking stock of potential reform options, and will consider this fall which options to pursue and in what order. To contribute to UNCITRAL’s work, CCSI, together with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), submitted this document outlining potential reform options and considerations. A Draft Text Providing for Transparency and Prohibiting Certain Forms of Third-Party Funding in Investor-State Dispute Settlement, (also available in Spanish and in French), builds on our work examining the role and implications of third-party funding, and provides draft language that could be used by states in reform instruments

Management of maternal ventriculo-atrial shunt malfunction during pregnancy

AbstractHydrocephalic females reaching childbearing age is increasing due to treatment advances. It has been suggested that ventriculo-atrial (VA) shunts be preferred over ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunts during pregnancy. We present a case with multiple VA shunt malfunctions during two separate pregnancies. We treated the patient with a valveless VA shunt during both and were able to achieve near-term deliveries. During the second pregnancy the patient had an emergent caesarian section due to severe hydrocephalus and stunted fetal growth. Delivering the child also relieved her hydrocephalus. Of unclear reasons the right atrium failed as a distal absorption site during both pregnancies, and we must conclude that VA shunts do not necessarily alleviate problems regarding pressure at the distal end of the shunt system but never the less should be considered a treatment option on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore we conclude that a valveless shunt should be considered in select cases of maternal shunt malfunction where valves exert to high pressure resistance

Genomics in cardiac metabolism

Cell biology is in transition from reductionism to a more integrated science. Large-scale analysis of genome structure, gene expression, and metabolites are new technologies available for studying cardiac metabolism in diseases known to modify cardiac function. These technologies have several limitations and this review aims both to assess and take a critical look at some important results obtained in genomics restricted to molecular genetics, transcriptomics and metabolomics of cardiac metabolism in pathophysiological processes known to alter myocardial function. Therefore, our goal was to delineate new signalling pathways and new areas of research from the vast amount of data already published on genomics as applied to cardiac metabolism in diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, and ischaemic reperfusio

Is There a Link between Mitochondrial Reserve Respiratory Capacity and Aging?

Oxidative phosphorylation is an indispensable resource of ATP in tissues with high requirement of energy. If the ATP demand is not met, studies suggest that this will lead to senescence and cell death in the affected tissue. The term reserve respiratory capacity or spare respiratory capacity is used to describe the amount of extra ATP that can be produced by oxidative phosphorylation in case of a sudden increase in energy demand. Depletion of the reserve respiratory capacity has been related to a range of pathologies affecting high energy requiring tissues. During aging of an organism, and as a result of mitochondrial dysfunctions, the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation declines. Based on examples from the energy requiring tissues such as brain, heart, and skeletal muscle, we propose that the age-related decline of oxidative phosphorylation decreases the reserve respiratory capacity of the affected tissue, sensitizes the cells to surges in ATP demand, and increases the risk of resulting pathologies

Inhibition of Galectin-3 Pathway Prevents Isoproterenol-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Fibrosis in Mice

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is involved in inflammation, fibrogenesis, and cardiac remodeling. Previous evidence shows that Gal-3 interacts with aldosterone in promoting macrophage infiltration and vascular fibrosis and that Gal-3 genetic and pharmacological inhibition prevents remodeling in a pressure-overload animal model of heart failure. We aimed to explore the contribution of Gal-3 and aldosterone in mechanisms leading to heart failure in a murine model. Male mice with cardiac-specific hyperaldosteronism underwent isoproterenol subcutaneous injections, to be then randomized to receive placebo, a Gal-3 inhibitor (modified citrus pectin [MCP]), an aldosterone antagonist (potassium canrenoate), or MCP+canrenoate for 14 days. Isoproterenol induced a rapid and persistent decrease in left ventricular fractional shortening (−20% at day 14); this was markedly improved by treatment with either MCP or canrenoate (both P &lt;0.001 versus placebo). MCP and canrenoate also reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and the expression of genes involved in fibrogenesis ( Coll-1 and Coll-3 ) and macrophage infiltration ( CD-68 and MCP-1 ). After isoproterenol, Gal-3 gene expression ( P &lt;0.05 versus placebo) and protein levels (−61% and −69% versus placebo) were decreased by both canrenoate and MCP. The combined use of antagonists of Gal-3 and aldosterone resulted in more pronounced effects on cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis, when compared with either MCP or canrenoate alone. Inhibition of Gal-3 and aldosterone can reverse isoproterenol-induced left ventricular dysfunction, by reducing myocardial inflammation and fibrogenesis. Gal-3 likely participates in mechanisms of aldosterone-mediated myocardial damage in a heart failure murine model with cardiac hyperaldosteronism. Gal-3 inhibition may represent a new promising therapeutic option in heart failure. </jats:p