The complete DNA sequence and genome organization of the avian adenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus.

Hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) belongs to the Adenoviridae family, a subgroup of adenoviruses (Ads) that infect avian species. In this article, the complete DNA sequence and the genome organization of the virus are described. The full-length of the genome was found to be 26,263 bp, shorter than the DNA of any other Ad described so far. The G + C content of the genome is 34.93%. There are short terminal repeats (39 bp), as described for other Ads. Genes were identified by comparison of the DNA and predicted amino acid sequences with published sequences of other Ads. The organization of the genome in respect to late genes (52K, IIIa, penton base, core protein, hexon, endopeptidase, 100K, pVIII, and fiber), early region 2 genes (polymerase, terminal protein, and DNA binding protein), and intermediate gene IVa2 was found to be similar to that of other human and avian Ad genomes. No sequences similar to E1 and E4 regions were found. Very low similarity to ovine E3 region was found. Open reading frames were identified with no similarity to any published Ad sequence.

Health status of personnel occupationally exposed to radiowaves.

The findings of medical examinations performed in two groups of persons occupationally exposed to microwaves and radiofrequency radiation are presented in comparison with control findings. A group of 49 radar operators from the Zagreb Air Traffic Control was examined twice within a period of 18 months. The other group comprised 46 workers employed in radio relay stations. The control group were 46 workers from the Zagreb Airport. A follow-up study showed significant changes in haematological and biochemical parameters, in electrical brain activity and in capillaroscopic and ophthalmological findings in the group of radar operators within the followed period. For that group a cross-sectional study of the differences in general health status also showed the highest rate of changes. The results indicate that long-term occupational exposure to microwaves and radiofrequencies may damage sensitive organic systems.

The relationship between colony-forming ability, chromosome aberrations and incidence of micronuclei in V79 Chinese hamster cells exposed to microwave radiation.

Cultured V79 Chinese hamster fibroblast cells were exposed to continuous radiation, frequency 7.7 GHz, power density 0.5 mW/cm2 for 15, 30 and 60 min. The effect of microwave radiation on cell survival and on the incidence and frequency of micronuclei and structural chromosome aberrations was investigated. The decrease in the number of irradiated V79 cell colonies was related to the power density applied and to the time of exposure. In comparison with the control samples there was a significantly higher frequency of specific chromosome aberrations such as dicentric and ring chromosomes in irradiated cells. The presence of micronuclei in irradiated cells confirmed the changes that had occurred in chromosome structure. These results suggest that microwave radiation can induce damage in the structure of chromosomal DNA.

The effect of microwave radiation on the cell genome.

Cultured V79 Chinese hamster cells were exposed to continuous radiation, frequency 7.7 GHz, power density 30 mW/cm2 for 15, 30, and 60 min. The parameters investigated were the incorporation of [3H]thymidine and the frequency of chromosome aberrations. Data obtained by 2 methods (the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA and autoradiography) showed that the inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation took place by complete prevention of DNA from entering into the S phase. The normal rate of incorporation of [3H]thymidine was recovered within 1 generation cycle of V79 cells. Mutagenic tests performed concurrently showed that even DNA macromolecules were involved in the process. In comparison with the control samples there was a higher frequency of specific chromosome lesions in cells that had been irradiated. Results discussed in this study suggest that microwave radiation causes changes in the synthesis as well as in the structure of DNA molecules.

Suppression of maternal lymphocyte mitogenic responses by supernatants from short-term placental cell cultures.

Human placental cells were freed from lymphocyte contamination on discontinuous BSA gradients. Supernatants from short-term cultures of these purified placental cell suspensions were predominantly suppressive for maternal lymphocyte blast transformation to phytohemagglutinin and in the mixed lymphocyte culture. The suppressor factor was nondialyzable and did not contain IgG or human chorionic gonadotropin.

Infertility and depression.

This is a preliminary report of an ongoing study of the relationship between unexplained infertility and depressive illness conducted by a team of two specialists: a gynecologist and a psychiatrist. Over a 3-year period, 16 cases of unexplained infertility and depressive illness were treated by the team. Nine of the cases received psychiatric treatment, consisting of pharmacotherapy with Amitriptyline and a limited number of psychotherapy sessions. The other seven cases terminated with the psychiatrist after the psychiatric evaluation. Three of the cases that received the psychiatric treatment became pregnant. Follow-up at the end of the 3-year period revealed that none of the 13 others (psychiatrically treated and untreated) had become pregnant. These preliminary data suggest that in cases of depression preceding the onset of unexplained infertility psychiatric treatment as described above increases reproductive capacity.

Unruptured interstitial pregnancy. Diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms and signs of interstitial pregnancy cannot be differentiated from symptoms and signs of other ectopic pregnancies. Unruptured interstitial gestations are usually diagnosed incidental to the work-up of a suspected ectopic gestation. Unlike some teaching, a characteristic pelvic mass was palpable in 3 of 4 cases. Incomplete induced abortion helped in diagnosing 2 cases. Ultrasound and laparoscopy will aid in establishing the correct diagnosis.

Irrigation technique for detection of Mycoplasma intrauterine infection in infertile patients.

To improve the method for identification of Mycoplasma as a cause of unexplained infertility and to test whether mycoplasmal endometritis could be responsible for reproductive failure, successful endometrial jet washing technique was performed on 59 infertile patients. Sixteen patients (27%) showed positive Mycoplasma growth. Five patients (31%) from this group became pregnant within a few months following an antibiotic treatment. These results were compared with 50 control patients and only 3 (6%) showed positive Mycoplasma growth from endometrial washings. The data reported in this paper support the concept that endometritis due to Mycoplasma of T-strain or hominis can be a cause of infertility.

Cortisol levels in amniotic fluid in prostaglandin F2alpha-induced midtrimester abortion.

Cortisol concentrations in amniotic fluid and maternal plasma were determined by a competitive protein-binding assay in 14 patients in the midtrimester of pregnancy before and after intra-amniotic administration of prostaglandin F2alpha. Samples were obtained at three-hour intervals until abortion or until the fetal heartbeat ceased. The mean plasma levels of cortisol increased from 324 +/- 173 ng. per milliliter at hour 0 to 524 +/- 272 ng. per milliliter at 6 hours (the peak elevated value). In amniotic fluid, the mean levels of cortisol increased from 4.71 +/- 2.5 ng. per milliliter to a maximum at 9 hours of 10.24 +/- 2.5 ng. per milliliter. We concluded that at 16 to 20 weeks' gestation the fetoplacental unit is capable of responding to prostaglandin F2alpha instillation by increased levels of cortisol in the amniotic fluid.

Progesterone levels in amniotic fluid and maternal plasma in prostaglandin F2alpha-induced midtrimester abortion.

Progesterone concentrations in amniotic fluid and maternal plasma were determined in 11 midtrimester pregnant patients following the intraamniotic administration of prostaglandin F2alpha. Samples were obtained at 3-hour intervals until abortion or spontaneous rupture of membranes occurred or fetal heart tones disappeared. In amniotic fluid, the mean progesterone concentrations increased throughout the sampling period. The plasma progesterone levels declined by about one-third of basal values in the first 3 hours after prostaglandin administration. The paradoxic increase in amniotic fluid progesterone is probably secondary to alterations in uterine blood flow and intrauterine pressure.

Fifteen years experience with artificial insemination.

Artificial insemination is today an accepted procedure in circumventing sterility. In recent years this procedure gained much popularity as the number of infants available for adoption steadily decreased due to the liberal abortion laws. A review of 15 years of practiced experience (senior author) is presented. In all described cases (168 women) artificial insemination was performed personally by the author. The high rate of success (80% of the presented cases) is attributed to a very meticulous and highly individualized approach to each case. Review of literature is presented.