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Biomedical subjects

M Zemba

Publications and source records attributed to M Zemba.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of the humoral immune response and virus replication in cats experimentally infected with feline foamy virus.

Cats were experimentally infected with cell culture-adapted feline foamy virus (FFV, spumaretrovirinae) isolate FUV. FFV was consistently recovered from peripheral blood leukocytes and throat samples of FFV-infected cats starting 2 to 3 weeks postinfection (p. i.), indicative of the establishment of persistent FFV infections. Viral persistence was established, even despite neutralizing antibodies that appeared early after infection. The humoral immune response toward FFV was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed over time. FFV Gag-specific antibodies were first detected 2 weeks p. i. and increased further; reactivities to the other structural and nonstructural FFV proteins appeared slightly delayed. Reactivities against FFV Pol and Gag proteins were detectable by immunoblotting and radioimmunoprecipitation, whereas the latter techniques had to be employed for the unambiguous detection of FFV Env-, Bet-, and Bel 1-specific antibodies.

Animals↗

Construction of infectious feline foamy virus genomes: cat antisera do not cross-neutralize feline foamy virus chimera with serotype-specific Env sequences.

Full-length genomes of the feline foamy virus (FFV or FeFV) isolate FUV were constructed. DNA clone pFeFV-7 stably directed the expression of infectious FFV progeny virus indistinguishable from wild-type, uncloned FFV isolate FUV. The env and bel 1 genes of pFeFV-7 were substituted for by corresponding sequences of the FFV serotype 951 since previous studies implicated a defined part of FFV Env protein as responsible for serotype-specific differences in serum neutralization (I. G. Winkler, R. M. Flügel, M. Löchelt, and R. L. P. Flower, 1998. Virology 247: 144-151). Recombinant virus derived from chimeric plasmid pFeFV-7/951 containing the hybrid env gene and the parental clone pFeFV-7 were used for neutralization studies. By means of a rapid titration assay for FFV infectivity, we show that progeny virus derived from plasmid pFeFV-7 was neutralized by FUV- but not by 951-specific antisera, whereas pFeFV-7/951-derived chimeric virus was neutralized by 951-specific antisera only. Both recombinant proviruses will be useful for repeated delivery of foreign genes for therapeutic gene applications into cats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[The nonfunctional pituitary adenoma, The optic chiasm syndrome].

We present the case of patient D. E., 48 years old, whose diagnosis is nonfunctional pituitary adenoma. The diagnosis was revealed by the presence of bitemporal hemianopia. This observation led us to remember the principal neuro-ophthalmological manifestations and to emphasize the part of the ophthalmologist in the diagnosis of this disease.

Adenoma↗

[Modern methods for examining the cornea].

The paper makes a review of indications limits and possibilities of some unusual diagnostic techniques: pachymetry; ultrasound biomicroscopy and confocal microscopy.

Cornea↗

[Suprainfected corneal injuries--the specific therapeutic aspects in 2 cases].

This paper presents two cases of corneal abscess and their therapeutically approach which was the surgical treatment (penetrant keratoplasty). First case was a corneal ulcer which failed to abscess under medical therapy. The second case was a corneal abscess complicated with impending perforation after intracorneal foreign body. The particular aspects for each case are emphasized as well as the common aspects for corneal infections summarized as an algorithm.

Abscess↗

[Immunology and immunopathology of corneal graft].

The article shows the immune reaction against an allograft, specially against a corneal graft. Then are shown the mechanism of graft rejection and the posibilities of immunologic treatment of this complication of keratoplasty.

B-Lymphocytes↗

[The specialist contribution--cataract].

The degenerative processes of the lens, combined with the deficiency lacrimal secretion syndrome duct to the old age and high sensitivity, often need the use of drops containing potassium and iodum, drops Known as anticataractogen drugs. Independent of the patient psychological balance status the decrease of visual acuity caused by the decrease of visual acuity caused by the senile cataracts, could be late with a time factor of 1.8-2.5 studied on a selected group of patients. We can conclusion that some forms of senile cataracts are associated with the deficiency of lacrimal substances which are essential in the lens metabolism. With the progression of time there isn't important improvement neither in congenital cataract nor in the traumatic cataract which progresses fast to opacification caused by direct or indirect lesion of the lens. The patients presenting senile cataracts at incipient stage or advanced are good responsive at the anticataractogen drugs. For a therapeutic successful is important to begin the treatment as early is possible, and to do this with regularity.

Cataract↗

Nuclear localization of the functional Bel 1 transactivator but not of the gag proteins of the feline foamy virus.

Interactions between host cells and foamy or spumaretroviruses are different from those of other known retroviruses. Previous work has suggested that the Gag and high-affinity DNA-binding Bel 1 transactivator of human foamy virus are localized in the nuclei of infected cells. Using two independent detection methods, we show here that the functionally active Bel 1 transactivator protein of feline foamy virus is of nuclear localization. In contrast to that reported for the human foamy virus Gag protein, the cat foamy virus Gag proteins exclusively localized in the cytoplasm close to perinuclear regions.

Animals↗

The carboxy-terminal p3Gag domain of the human foamy virus Gag precursor is required for efficient virus infectivity.

Proteolytic processing of foamy virus Gag proteins appears to be different from that of other retroviruses. A single carboxy-terminal cleavage site is consistently detectable in human foamy virus (HFV) Gag precursor protein p74Gag derived from infected cells and/or purified virus particles. Using a recombinant HFV protease, we have determined the p74Gag cleavage site that results in p70Gag and the carboxy-terminal p3Gag (Pfrepper et al., 1997, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 237, 548-553). To study the biological functions of p3Gag, proviral DNA clones were constructed coding for a carboxy-terminally truncated p70Gag lacking the entire p3Gag protein. Removal of p3Gag resulted in an about 100-fold lower virus titer. The expression of other HFV proteins and the processing of Pol proteins were indistinguishable from those of wild-type-transfected cells. The defect in viral infectivity of the p3 mutants was partially restored by coexpressing the full-length p74Gag protein in trans. The deletion of p3Gag resulted in particle assembly with wild-type virion morphology and encapsidation of Pol proteins. Our data show that the carboxy-terminal p3Gag protein has an important function for viral infectivity but is not required for preassembly of capsids, virus morphogenesis, and incorporation of Pol proteins into virions.

Animals↗

[The results of multimodal treatment in retinoblastoma].

The paper is a retrospective study about complex treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) in a group of 25 patients with retinoblastoma. The best results were in patients with early diagnosis, who came soon after surgery for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Non presentation for chemotherapy and radiotherapy was the main cause of therapeutical fail.

Child↗

[Methods of preserving the cornea].

The article shows the main corneal preservation techniques used in eye banks: short-time corneal preservation techniques, medium-time and long-time, each of them with advantages and disadvantages.

Cornea↗

[Functional recuperation in unilateral congenital cataract--a clinical case].

The management of a monocular congenital cataract is dominated by the problems of amblyopia, always present. The paper shows the case of an eight years old child, who was operated when he was 6 month of age for monocular congenital cataract. After YAG-Nd treatment of secondary cataract, aerian correction and intense pleoptic and orthoptic treatment, the visual acuity rise up to 1/4, when was possible to made an IOL implantation. We consider that is important to try to solve the monocular congenital cataract, even at higher ages, because the results is possible to be satisfactorily.

Cataract↗

Deletion analysis of both the long terminal repeat and the internal promoters of the human foamy virus.

Deletion analyses of the long terminal repeat (LTR) and internal promoters (IP) of human foamy virus (HFV) showed that a negative acting element resides in the U5 region of the 5' LTR reducing reporter gene expression tenfold. The basal activity of the IP was higher than that obtained with LTR promoter constructs and strongly elevated in permissive BHK-21 cells whereas semi-permissive COS-7 cells showed low basal activity. Since the basal activity of the IP is critical for initiating HFV gene expression by providing Bel 1 transactivator early after infection, the basal activity of the IP may be the crucial factor that contributes to whether cells are permissive for HFV infection or not. Deletion mutagenesis allowed to define the minimal IP region. A region strongly transactivated by Bel 1 extends from -136 to +58 relative to the cap site of the IP. The major Bel 1 response element of the IP required for transactivation is located upstream of the cap site between -136 and -88 relative to the internal cap site. A DNA fragment reported to be protected by recombinant Bel 1 was deleted with marginal reduction of Bel 1 transactivation. HFV gene expression directed by the IP and LTR promoters is thus multiply regulated by positive and negative acting response elements in cis and their binding partners in trans.

Animals↗

Characterization of the genome of feline foamy virus and its proteins shows distinct features different from those of primate spumaviruses.

The genome of the feline foamy virus (FeFV) isolate FUV was characterized by molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of subgenomic proviral DNA. The overall genetic organization of FeFV and protein sequence comparisons of different FeFV genes with their counterparts from other known foamy viruses confirm that FeFV is a complex foamy virus. However, significant differences exist when FeFV is compared with primate foamy viruses. The FeFV Gag protein is smaller than that of the primate spumaviruses, mainly due to additional MA/CA sequences characteristic of the primate viruses only. Gag protein sequence motifs of the NC domain of primate foamy viruses assumed to be involved in genome encapsidation are not conserved in FeFV. FeFV Gag and Pol proteins were detected with monospecific antisera directed against Gag and Pol domains of the human foamy virus and with antisera from naturally infected cats. Proteolytic processing of the FeFV Gag precursor was incomplete, whereas more efficient proteolytic cleavage of the pre125Pro-Pol protein was observed. The active center of the FeFV protease contains a Gln that replaces an invariant Gly residue at this position in other retroviral proteases. Functional studies on FeFV gene expression directed by the promoter of the long terminal repeat showed that FeFV gene expression was strongly activated by the Bell/Tas transactivator protein. The FeFV Bell/Tas transactivator is about one-third smaller than its counterpart of primate spumaviruses. This difference is also reflected by a limited sequence similarity and only a moderate conservation of structural motifs of the different foamy virus transactivators analyzed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Comparison between two therapeutic approaches in patients with cataract and glaucoma].

The paper presents a comparison between two therapeutic approaches in patients with cataract and glaucoma: combined filtering-cataract surgery and two-step surgery (initially glaucoma surgery, then cataract surgery). There are shown the criteria which sustain one or other condition, the kind of control of intraocular pressure, the evolution of visual acuity, and postoperative complications.

Cataract↗

[Pathogenesis of postoperative pain and treatment options].

This article is a review of acute postoperative pain pathogenesis and treatment options. It is aimed at clinicians involved in postoperative pain management, for better understanding of the pain treatment strategy. Every procedure of antinociception should include modulation of different target points, because acute pain mechanisms and origins are different. There are three main intervention levels: peripheral, spinal and supraspinal. We should choose analgesics with two or more intervention levels simultaneously as well as combination of analgesics with different target points. Optimal analgesia with spinal opioids is achieved thanks to addition of supraspinal and peripheral analgesia components. It is considered that optimal acute pain treatment could prevent nerve system dysfunction and evolution of chronic pain syndromE, which is present in some of postoperative patients.

Acute Disease↗