Complete Nucleotide Sequence Analysis of a Western Pacific Dengue-1 Virus Strain

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence and the deduced amino acid polypeptide sequence of the genome of a dengue-1 (DEN-1) virus strain isolated from a patient on Nauru in the Western Pacific in 1974 (West Pac 74). The complete genome is 10,735 nucleotides in length and contains a single long open reading frame of 10,176 nucleotides encoding a polyprotein of 3392 amino acids. When compared to DEN-1 Singapore S275/90, the nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology are 94% and 97.8%, respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Essential light chain of Drosophila nonmuscle myosin II

Summary We have cloned and sequenced a cDNA encoding the essential (alkaline) light chain of nonmuscle myosin from Drosophila melanogaster. The protein predicted from the cDNA matches partial amino acid sequence derived from essential light chain protein that copurifies with native nonmuscle myosin heavy chain. This completes the sequence of the three myosin subunits, two of which have been shown genetically to be required for morphogenesis and cytokinesis (the heavy chain encoded by zipper and the regulatory light chain encoded by spaghetti squash). The essential light chain protein is 147 amino acids in length and is 53% identical to human smooth muscle essential light chain. The sequence is consistent with the presence of four helix-loop-helix domains seen in crystallographic structures of the striated muscle myosin light chains and their close relative, calmodulin. We identified the most conserved residues among essential light chain sequences from multiple phyla and present their locations on the crystallographic structure of striated muscle essential light chain. This highlights several conserved contacts among the myosin subunits that may be important for the structure and regulation of the myosin motor. The gene encoding Drosophila nonmuscle essential light chain (Mlc-c) localizes to cytological position 5A6 and we discuss prospects for genetic analysis in this region.     

Optical rotation and linear and circular depolarization rates in diffusively scattered light from chiral,racemic, and achiral turbid media

The polarization properties of light scattered in a lateral direction from turbid media were studied. Polarization modulation and synchronous detection were used to measure, and Mueller calculus to model and derive, the degrees of surviving linear and circular polarization and the optical rotation induced by turbid samples. Polystyrene microspheres were used as scatterers in water solutions containing dissolved chiral, racemic, and achiral molecules. The preservation of circular polarization was found to exceed the linear polarization preservation for all samples examined. The optical rotation induced increased with the chiral molecule concentration only, whereas both linear and circular polarizations increased with an increase in the concentrations of chiral, racemic, and achiral molecules. This latter effect was shown to stem solely from the refractive index matching mechanism induced by the solute molecules, independent of their chiral nature.     

Characterization of non-homogeneous polymers with size-exclusion chromatography by implementing an on-line viscometer

The viscosity distribution of a polymer sample can be obtained by using an on-line viscometer as a detector in size-exclusion chromatography. This newly defined viscosity distribution is closely related to the molecular weight distribution and expresses weight fraction times intrinsic viscosity of species i as a function of the corresponding molecular weight times intrinsic viscosity (w_i[η_i] vs. M_i[η_i]). The intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and number-average molecular weight (M?_n) can be obtained directly from a viscosity distribution. If the Mark-Houwink exponent a is known (or approximately known) for non-homogeneous polymer the M?_w/M?_n can be estimated from the viscosity distribution when the molecular weight distribution is approximated with a known distribution function. These estimates are independent of any other detector and are valid even for non-homogeneous polymer samples. The relation between the moments of the viscosity distribution and the M?_w/M?_n is presented for two widely used distribution functions, the Log-Normal and the Generalized Exponential Distributions. Polymer characterization based on the viscosity distribution is shown to be a robust technique. It is particularly attractive in characterizing non-homogeneous polymers since it is solely obtained from on-line viscometer.     

Characterizing fibroblast migration on discrete collagen threads for applications in tissue regeneration

Collagen threads with mechanical properties and fibrillar substructure similar to native tissue have been synthesized for the repair of injured tendon and ligament. While these scaffolding materials have demonstrated the potential for inducing tissue regeneration, one limitation has been an insufficient rate of tissue ingrowth for complete regeneration. We hypothesize that the structural hierarchy and biochemical cues on the surfaces of these threads will enhance the rate of cell migration and ultimately the rate of new tissue ingrowth. We developed an in vitro assay to measure the effects of various collagen sources and crosslinking on the rate of fibroblast migration on the surfaces of collagen threads. Threads were suspended from elevated platforms and seeded with fibroblast-populated collagen lattices. Cell migration rates ranging from 0.75 to 1.25 mm/day were measured as the fibroblasts left the lattices and migrated onto various thread types. Threads self-assembled from type I collagen were found to have migration rates similar to native tendon threads while crosslinking by severe dehydration decreased the rate. This novel in vitro model system allows examination of cell migration from a wound margin onto biomaterials to determine the effects of various cell types, matrix materials, and surface biochemistries on cell-matrix interactions. Ultimately, this assay will allow us to identify design parameters that will be most effective for enhancing the rate of tissue ingrowth on fiber-based collagen scaffolds for soft tissue regeneration.     

Positive Childhood Experiences Promote School Success

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Educational attainment has been demonstrated as a protective factor for the physical and mental health of children into adulthood, yet there has been limited...     

Ureteral reconstruction for complex strictures: a review of the current literature

International Urology and Nephrology - Frequently employed procedures for ureteral reconstruction include balloon dilation, pyeloplasty and ureteral re-implants. However, these procedures do not...