A new RNA element located in the coding region of a murine endogenous retrovirus can functionally replace the Rev/Rev-responsive element system in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag expression.

Nuclear export of incompletely spliced RNAs is a prerequisite for retroviral replication. Complex retroviruses like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encode a viral transport factor (Rev), which binds to its target sequence on the RNA genome and directs it into the Crm-1-mediated export pathway. Other retroviruses, like Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, contain cis-acting constitutive RNA transport elements (CTE) which achieve nuclear export of intron-containing RNA via cellular transport factors. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a novel cis-acting orientation-dependent RNA expression element in the coding region of the murine intracisternal A-type particle (IAP) MIA14. This IAP expression element (IAPE) can functionally replace the Rev system in the expression of HIV-1 Gag proteins but functions independently of Crm-1. The presence of this element is needed for the expression of the IAP Gag proteins, indicating its biological significance. The IAPE can be functionally replaced by placing a CTE on the MIA14 RNA, further supporting its role in mRNA export. Northern blot analysis revealed that total RNA, as well as cytoplasmic RNA, was increased when the element was present. The element was mapped to a predicted stem-loop structure in the 3' part of the pol open reading frame. There was no overall homology between the IAPE and the CTE, but there was complete sequence identity between short putative single-stranded loops. Deletion of these loops from the IAPE severely reduced Rev-independent Gag expression.

The recombinant human histones H1 zero and H1.2 cause different toxicity profiles on the human leukemia cell line K562.

The human histones H1 zero and H1.2 were expressed in E. coli and purified to homogenity. Their cytotoxicity on the human leukemia cell line K562 and on PBMC from healthy volunteers was compared with the cytotoxic effect of a bovine histone H1 preparation. In this preparation, histone H1.2 was identified as the main compound. All three histone preparations induced a significant dose-dependent toxicity on the leukemia cell line. Compared with the recombinant histone H1 zero, the bovine preparation and recombinant H1.2 showed stronger cytotoxicities. Cytotoxic effects on K562 cells were observed immediately after addition of the histones, whereas the histone preparations failed to induce significant cytotoxicity on PBMC during the first hour of incubation. However, after 24 hours all three histone preparations induced toxic effects on PBMC which were comparable to those observed on the leukemia cell line.

The last invasion of human privacy and its psychological consequences on survivors: a critique of the practice of embalming.

In spite of the fact that it is required only occasionally for sanitary reasons and not legally mandatory, the practice of embalming is widespread in contemporary American society. This study explores the historical, cultural and psychological factors which gave rise to the practice of embalming and why the practice continues. Two case studies are presented in which delayed grief reactions were present; linkages with embalming are described. It is suggested that the frightening finitude of the self and a fear of death in modern society have led to practices in which the corpse is viewed as looking "natural," thus denying the reality of death. Embalming is seen as the final assault on the self, which can also carry with it problematic psychological consequences for the survivors.

Mitogenic activity of high molecular polysaccharide fractions isolated from the cuppressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. enhanced cytokine-production by thyapolysaccharide, g-fraction (TPSg).

Thuja polysaccharide g fraction (TPSg) was shown to be an inducer of the CD4+ fraction of the human peripheral blood T-cell subset (1,2). Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that TPSg is a potent inhibitor of the expression of HIV-1-specific antigens and of the HIV-1-specific reverse transcriptase (3). This report deals with the cytokine pattern induced by TPSg in human peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) and purified monocyte/macrophage cultures. In addition, a further characterization of the CD4+ T-cell fraction stimulated by TPSg was performed by FACS analysis. TPSg is induces IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, gamma-IFN, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and TNF-beta production in PBL cultures; and IL-1 beta and IL-6 in monocyte/macrophage cultures. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) demonstrated that no IL-4 was produced by PBL cultures under TPSg influence.

Transference and the idea of God.

While many factors influence the course of therapy, based on empirical evidence a strong case can be made for the importance of religious beliefs influencing the process of transference. During a ten-year period of private psychiatric practice, the senior author saw 353 patients suffering from anxiety and neurotic depression. The form of treatment was individual, dynamic, psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy with occasional use of psychotropic drugs. Forty percent of the patients who were seen were Catholic; forty percent were Protestant; and twenty percent were Jewish.Protestants, Catholics, and Jews bring differing conceptions of God to the transference phenomenon in individual psychotherapy. Basing findings on extensive clinical evidence, this study seeks to explain why this occurs, and the need for the psychotherapist to be aware of religious factors that influence the course of psychotherapy.