Variability in host plant resistance of Sorghum to Striga Hermonthica infestation in West Africa

Fourteen elite sorghum lines were evaluated for their resistance to Striga hermonthica at three locations in Nigeria and Mali. Results showed that many of the lines especially MALISOR 84-1, SAMSORG 41, 97-SB-F5DT-64 (Keninkédié) and the check SRN 39 remained resistant to Striga in all locations with low emerged Striga counts, while SAMSORG 14 had the highest Striga infestation in all locations. Considerable variation in reaction to Striga infestation was observed on Séguètana, 97-SB-F5DT-63 (Wasa), 97-SB-F5DT-65, CMDT 38, CMDT 39 and CMDT 45 which were susceptible to Striga at Samaru, Nigeria but were resistant to Striga at both locations in Mali. Based on low Striga resistance and high grain yield, lines MALISOR 84-1, SAMSORG 41, 97-SB-F5DT-64, 97-SB-F5DT-65, CMDT 39 and SAMSORT 14 have been nominated for wider evaluation across more West African countries.     

Expression of a fragment of the env gene, coding for the GP46 surface glycoprotein of the human T-cell leukemia virus, in Escherichia coli cells

Designing of recombinant plasmids pSB2 and pSB3 with the 932 bp HTLV-II env gene inserts encoding the full-length surface membrane glycoprotein gp46 is described. Vectors pGOmpF and pET32a expressing genes cloned under control of the late bacteriophage T7 promoter were used. Western blot analysis of cellular proteins derived from E. coli B834/pSB2 and E. coli B834/pSB3 revealed that 34 kD and 31 kD polypeptides corresponding to the full-length gp46 and its processed form without signal peptide were synthesized under control of these recombinant plasmids. Cytotoxic activity of the recombinant proteins towards bacterial cells was demonstrated. Both polypeptides specifically reacted to sera from humans infected with HTLV-II. High antigenic specificity of P34-HTLV-II proteins makes a promising candidate for diagnostic confirmation tests.     

Identification and Characterization of Two Quiescent Porin Genes, nmpC and ompN, in Escherichia coli BE

The genomic DNA of the B^E strain of Escherichia coli has been scrutinized to detect porin genes that have not been identified so far. Southern blot analysis yielded two DNA segments which proved highly homologous to, yet distinct from, the ompC, ompF, and phoE porin genes. The two genes were cloned and sequenced. One of them, designated ompN, encodes a porin which, due to low levels of expression, has eluded prior identification. The functional properties (single-channel conductance) of the OmpN porin, purified to homogeneity, closely resemble those of the OmpC porin from E. coli K-12. The second DNA fragment detected corresponds to the nmpC gene, which, due to an insertion of an IS1 element in its coding region, is not expressed in E. coli B^E.     

Two common nonsynonymous paraoxonase 1 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">PON1</Emphasis>) gene polymorphisms and brain astrocytoma and meningioma

Background  

Human serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) plays a major role in the metabolism of several organophosphorus compounds. The enzyme is encoded by the polymorphic gene PON1, located on chromosome 7q21.3. Aiming to identify genetic variations related to the risk of developing brain tumors, we investigated the putative association between common nonsynonymous PON1 polymorphisms and the risk of developing astrocytoma and meningioma.     

Long-term effects of graduated compression stockings on cardiorespiratory performance

The use of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in sport has been increasing in the last years due to their potential positive effects for athletes. However, there is little evidence to support whether these types of garments actually improve cardiorespiratory performance. The aim of this study was to examine the cardiorespiratory responses of GCS during running after three weeks of regular use. Twenty recreational runners performed three tests on different days: test 1) – a 5-min maximal effort run in order to determine the participants’ maximal aerobic speed; and tests 2) and 3) – a fatigue running test of 30 minutes at 80% of their maximal aerobic speed with either GCS or PLACEBO stockings at random. Cardiorespiratory parameters (minute ventilation, heart rate, relative oxygen consumption, relative carbon dioxide production, ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide, and oxygen pulse) were measured. Before each test in the laboratory, the participants trained with the randomly assigned stockings (GCS or PLACEBO) for three weeks. No significant differences between GCS and PLACEBO were found in any of the cardiorespiratory parameters. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that running with GCS for three weeks does not influence cardiorespiratory parameters in recreational runners.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Non-structural (NS) Gene of Influenza A Viruses Isolated in Kazakhstan in 2002-2009

Although the important role of the non-structural (NS1 and NEP) gene of influenza A in virulence of the virus is well established, our knowledge about the extent of variation in the NS gene pool of influenza A viruses in their natural reservoirs in Kazakhstan is incomplete. 17 influenza A viruses of different subtypes were studied in this paper. Seven types of haemagglutinin and five different neuraminidase subtypes in eight combinations were found among the isolated viruses. A comparison of nucleotide sequ...     

Organization of the Karshi virus strain Leiv-2247 Uz genome and its phylogenetic relationships with other representatives of the Flavivirus genus

For the first time, the Karshi virus complete genome sequence has been determined and analyzed in this work. The Karshi virus was attributed to the Tick-borne encephalitis group on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of polyprotein sequencing, as well as partial NS5 of the Flavivirus genus. Comprehensive analysis of the longed to its own cluster, which includes also the Royal Farm virus.     

Next-Generation Techniques for Discovering Human Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies have found wide applications in the treatment of cancer, as well as of autoimmune, infectious, and other diseases. Several dozen new antibodies are currently undergoing different stages of clinical trials, and some of them will soon be added to the list of immunotherapeutic drugs. Most of these antibodies have been generated using hybridoma technology or a phage display. In recent years, new methods of obtaining human monoclonal antibodies have been actively developing. These methods rely on sequencing immunoglobulin genes from B lymphocytes, as well as on the creation of antibody-secreting stable B-cell lines. The term next-generation antibody-discovery platforms has already been established in the literature to refer to these approaches. Our review focuses on describing the results obtained by these methods.