Species diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> in Poland

In the present study, we reinvestigate the diversity of Trichoderma in Poland utilizing a combination of morphological and molecular/phylogenetic methods. A total of 170 isolates were collected from six different substrata at 49 sites in Poland. These were divided among 14 taxa as follows: 110 of 170 Trichoderma isolates were identified to the species level by the analysis of their ITS1, ITS2 rDNA sequences as: T. harzianum (43 isolates), T. aggressivum (35), T. citrinoviride (11), T. hamatum (9), T. virens (6), T. longibrachiatum (4), T. polysporum (1), and T. tomentosum (1); 60 isolates belonging to the Viride clade were identified based on a fragment of the translation-elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene as: T. atroviride (20 isolates), T. gamsii (2), T. koningii (17), T. viridescens (13), T. viride (7), and T. koningiopsis (1). Identifications were made using the BLAST interface in TrichOKEY and TrichoBLAST (). The most diverse substrata were soil (nine species per 22 isolates) and decaying wood (nine species per 75 isolates). The most abundant species (25%) isolated from all substrata was T. harzianum.     

Conservation of complex nuclear localization signals utilizing classical and non-classical nuclear import pathways in LANA homologs of KSHV and RFHV

ORF73 latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is targeted to the nucleus of infected cells where it binds to chromatin and mediates viral episome persistence, interacts with cellular proteins and plays a role in latency and tumorigenesis. A structurally related LANA homolog has been identified in the retroperitoneal fibromatosis herpesvirus (RFHV), the macaque homolog of KSHV. Here, we report the evolutionary and functional conservation of a novel bi-functional nuclear localization signal (NLS) in KSHV and RFHV LANA. N-terminal peptides from both proteins were fused to EGFP or double EGFP fusions to examine their ability to induce nuclear transport of a heterologous protein. In addition, GST-pull down experiments were used to analyze the ability of LANA peptides to interact with members of the karyopherin family of nuclear transport receptors. Our studies revealed that both LANA proteins contain an N-terminal arginine/glycine (RG)-rich domain spanning a conserved chromatin-binding motif, which binds directly to importin β1 in a RanGTP-sensitive manner and serves as an NLS in the importin β1-mediated non-classical nuclear import pathway. Embedded within this domain is a conserved lysine/arginine-(KR)-rich bipartite motif that binds directly to multiple members of the importin α family of nuclear import adaptors in a RanGTP-insensitive manner and serves as an NLS in the classical importin α/β-mediated nuclear import pathway. The positioning of a classical bipartite kr-NLS embedded within a non-classical rg-NLS is a unique arrangement in these viral proteins, whose nuclear localization is critical to their functionality and to the virus life cycle. The ability to interact with multiple import receptors provides alternate pathways for nuclear localization of LANA. Since different import receptors can import cargo to distinct subnuclear compartments, a multifunctional NLS may provide LANA with an increased ability to interact with different nuclear components in its multifunctional role to maintain viral latency.     

Determination of triglyceride in the human myocardium by magnetic resonance spectroscopy: reproducibility and sensitivity of the method

The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the reliability and sensitivity of 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) as a method for quantifying myocardial triglyceride (TG) content in humans over time and in response to metabolic perturbations. Three separate experiments were designed to quantify myocardial TG content 1) over a 90-day period, 2) after a high-fat meal, and 3) after a 48-h fast. Proton spectra were collected from a 10 x 20 x 30-mm3 voxel placed within the intraventricular septum, with measurements acquired at end-systole and end-expiration, using cardiac triggering and respiratory gating. Minimal variation was observed between myocardial TG content determined 90 days apart (r = 0.98, CV = 5%), whereas TG values were unaffected by a high-fat meal despite a significant twofold increase (P < 0.05) in serum TG. In contrast, myocardial TG content increased threefold (P < 0.05) after a 48-h fast despite a 25% reduction in serum TG. Body mass index was significantly related to myocardial TG (r = 0.58, P < 0.05) and the change in myocardial TG after a 48-h fast (r2 = 0.60). 1H-MRS is a reliable method for the determination of myocardial TG in humans and is relatively unaffected by the consumption of one high-fat meal but sensitive to changes following a prolonged fast.     

A three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy structure of the bacteriophage phiKZ head

The three-dimensional structure of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage phiKZ head has been determined by cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction to 18A resolution. The head has icosahedral symmetry measuring 1455 A in diameter along 5-fold axes and a unique portal vertex to which is attached an approximately 1800 A-long contractile tail. The 65 kDa major capsid protein, gp120, is organized into a surface lattice of hexamers, with T = 27 triangulation. The shape and size of the hexamers is similar to the hexameric building blocks of the bacteriophages T4, phi29, P22, and HK97. Pentameric vertices of the capsid are occupied by complexes composed of several special vertex proteins. The double-stranded genomic DNA is packaged into a highly condensed series of layers, separated by 24 A, that follow the contour of the inner wall of the capsid.     

Phenotypic hypersusceptibility to multiple protease inhibitors and low replicative capacity in patients who are chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Increased susceptibility to the protease inhibitors saquinavir and amprenavir has been observed in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with specific mutations in protease (V82T and N88S). Increased susceptibility to ritonavir has also been described in some viruses from antiretroviral agent-naive patients with primary HIV-1 infection in association with combinations of amino acid changes at polymorphic sites in the protease. Many of the viruses displaying increased susceptibility to protease inhibitors also had low replication capacity. In this retrospective study, we analyze the drug susceptibility phenotype and the replication capacity of virus isolates obtained at the peaks of viremia during five consecutive structured treatment interruptions in 12 chronically HIV-1-infected patients. Ten out of 12 patients had at least one sample with protease inhibitor hypersusceptibility (change 相似文献   

Percutaneous ethanol injections in the treatment of nodular thyroid disease--fourteen years of experience

Surgery, radioactive iodine, and suppressive doses of Lthyroxine are commonly used in the treatment of benign nodular thyroid disease, with the best results achieved with surgery. However, recent advances in cytological diagnostic methods enable patients to choose alternative therapies if there are some contraindications or there is no agreement for surgery. Over past 14 years percutaneous ethanol injections (PEI), used in the past as a therapy for liver, kidney, parathyroid and adrenal cortical tumors, have been developed as an alternative method in the management of thyroid nodules. This paper reviews the investigations of a number aspects of PEI in the treatment of thyroid nodules reported in the literature. The evidence demonstrate that PEI is effective in the case of both solid non-toxic and autonomously functioning toxic nodules as well as cystic nodules. In majority of cases restore normal serum fT4, fT3 and TSH concentrations and shrink the tumor volume. The method seems to be safe and generally well tolerated by the patients. However, the current research base on the efficacy and PEI-associated risks is still inadequate to determine definitively its role as a standard treatment of benign nodular thyroid disease. For example, there is no detailed data comparing the results of treatment with PEI to standard treatment with radioactive iodine and L-thyroxine. Despite it, we conclude that PEI is a valuable method that earned recognition among other methods of the thyroid nodules treatment.     

Genes involved in SkfA killing factor production protect a Bacillus subtilis lipase against proteolysis

Small lipases of Bacillus species, such as LipA from Bacillus subtilis, have a high potential for industrial applications. Recent studies showed that deletion of six AT-rich islands from the B. subtilis genome results in reduced amounts of extracellular LipA. Here we demonstrate that the reduced LipA levels are due to the absence of four genes, skfABCD, located in the prophage 1 region. Intact skfABCD genes are required not only for LipA production at wild-type levels by B. subtilis 168 but also under conditions of LipA overproduction. Notably, SkfA has bactericidal activity and, probably, requires the SkfB to SkfD proteins for its production. The present results show that LipA is more prone to proteolytic degradation in the absence of SkfA and that high-level LipA production can be improved significantly by employing multiple protease-deficient B. subtilis strains. In conclusion, our findings imply that SkfA protects LipA, directly or indirectly, against proteolytic degradation. Conceivably, SkfA could act as a modulator in LipA folding or as a protease inhibitor.     

Physical development of Belarussian children

Anthropological research on children from Minsk was carried out within the framework of medical ecological monitoring. Besides the wide anthropometrical program, a study of the ecological conditions in the areas where the children examined reside and train was carried out. Comparison of the basic parameters of physical development in various age groups and the analysis of annual increases shows intensification of growth among modern children despite some decrease in the rates of acceleration. Some increase in body length and decrease of body weight as well as the reduction of chest circumference is common. Regional studies, particularly in the radiation control zones, show the dependence of physical development on the ecological situation.