Dysregulation of apoptosis can result in inappropriate suppression of cell death, as occurs in the development of some cancers, or in failure to control the extent of cell death, as is believed to occur in acquired immunodeficiency and certain neurodegenerative disorders, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Recently, we isolated a candidate gene, encoding neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein (NAIP), for SMA. This gene is homologous to two baculovirus inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (Cp-IAP and Op-IAP) and is partly deleted in individuals with type I SMA. A second SMA candidate gene encoding survival motor neuron (SMN), which is contiguous with the NAIP locus on 5q13.1, was also reported. Here we demonstrate a NAIP-mediated inhibition of apoptosis induced by a variety of signals, and have identified three additional human complementary DNAs and a Drosophila melanogaster sequence that are also homologous to the baculovirus IAPs. The four open reading frames (ORFs) possess three baculoviral inhibition of apoptosis protein repeat (BIR) domains and a carboxy-terminal RING zinc-finger. The human iap genes have a distinct but overlapping pattern of expression in fetal and adult tissues. These proteins significantly increase the number of known apoptotic suppressors.

Irrespective of regional differences, high-risk behaviour of needle sharing and low condom use makes IDU a critical subpopulation for HIV prevention interventions. Interventions need to address the differing drug use patterns in the regions and transmission prevention among non-paid regular and casual female partners of IDU in the northeast districts and paid female partners in Mumbai/Thane.

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Excited states in 208 Pb have been studied by measuring ␥ rays in time coincidence with reaction charged particles. 208 Pb states were produced with both the 207 Pb(d, p) 208 Pb and 209 Bi(t,␣) 208 Pb reactions. The energy resolution of the particle spectra of 100 keV allowed a rough determination of level excitation, which then was determined with high resolution from the coincident ␥ decay measured in Ge detectors. Many new ␥ transitions have been found and previously unresolved multiplets of states resolved. The data give spectroscopic factors for neutron transfer and proton pickup. Spins and parities of levels could be deduced from their ␥ decays. A least squares fit of all ␥ energies gave very precise ͑0.1 keV͒ level energies. All states predicted by the shell model below 4.6 MeV are now found and their spins determined unambiguously. ͓S0556-2813͑97͒03009-4͔PACS number͑s͒: 21.60. Cs, 23.20.Lv, 25.45.Hi, 27.80.ϩw II. THE 209 Bi"t,␣␥… 208 Pb EXPERIMENT A. Design of the experiment and proceduresThe 209 Bi(t,␣␥) 208 Pb reaction was used to excite levels in 208 Pb. Due to the huge positive energy balance of this