The volumetric determination of alumina in clays and related materials

The primary purpose of this thesis was to develop a direct method for the determination of alumina in certain silicates. The classical gravimetric procedure for the analysis of alumina in clays and related materials has often been regarded as being too lengthy and troublesome, especially when only the percentage of alumina was desired. The correct determination of alumina is undoubtedly one of the most unsatisfactory of the chemical constituents of siliceous materials, and therefore the development of a direct volumetric method for the determination of this constituent was made the main objective of this research, page [1]

Selection of DNA aptamers that bind to influenza A viruses with high affinity and broad subtype specificity

AbstractMany cases of influenza are reported worldwide every year. The influenza virus often acquires new antigenicity, which is known as antigenic shift; this results in the emergence of new virus strains, for which preexisting immunity is not found in the population resulting in influenza pandemics. In the event a new strain emerges, diagnostic tools must be developed rapidly to detect the novel influenza strain. The generation of high affinity antibodies is costly and takes time; therefore, an alternative detection system, aptamer detection, provides a viable alternative to antibodies as a diagnostic tool. In this study, we developed DNA aptamers that bind to HA1 proteins of multiple influenza A virus subtypes by the SELEX procedure. To evaluate the binding properties of these aptamers using colorimetric methods, we developed a novel aptamer-based sandwich detection method employing our newly identified aptamers. This novel sandwich enzyme-linked aptamer assay successfully detected the H5N1, H1N1, and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A virus with almost equal sensitivities. These findings suggest that our aptamers are attractive candidates for use as simple and sensitive diagnostic tools that need sandwich system for detecting the influenza A virus with broad subtype specificities

The Biocatalytic Desulfurization Project

The material in this report summarizes the Diversa technical effort in development of a biocatalyst for the biodesulfurization of Petro Star diesel as well as an economic report of standalone and combined desulfurization options, prepared by Pelorus and Anvil, to support and inform the development of a commercially viable process. We will discuss goals of the projected as originally stated and their modification as guided by parallel efforts to evaluate commercialization economics and process parameters. We describe efforts to identify novel genes and hosts for the generation of an optimal biocatalyst, analysis of diesel fuels (untreated, chemically oxidized and hydrotreated) for organosulfur compound composition and directed evolution of enzymes central to the biodesulfurization pathway to optimize properties important for their use in a biocatalyst. Finally we will summarize the challenges and issues that are central to successful development of a viable biodesulfurization process

H5N1 Influenza Viruses in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

A prospective surveillance program for influenza viruses was established in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) in July of 2005. We report isolation of H5N1 virus genetically distinct from H5N1 circulating in 2004, which indicates reintroduction of H5N1 into Lao PDR after its disappearance (i.e., no virologic or serologic evidence) for 2 years

Enisamium Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 RNA Synthesis.

Pandemic SARS-CoV-2 causes a mild to severe respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While control of the SARS-CoV-2 spread partly depends on vaccine-induced or naturally acquired protective herd immunity, antiviral strategies are still needed to manage COVID-19. Enisamium is an inhibitor of influenza A and B viruses in cell culture and clinically approved in countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In vitro, enisamium acts through metabolite VR17-04 and inhibits the activity of the influenza A virus RNA polymerase. Here we show that enisamium can inhibit coronavirus infections in NHBE and Caco-2 cells, and the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase in vitro. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations provide insight into the mechanism of action and indicate that enisamium metabolite VR17-04 prevents GTP and UTP incorporation. Overall, these results suggest that enisamium is an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RNA synthesis in vitro

Detection of Nonnucleoside Reverse‐Transcriptase Inhibitor–Resistant HIV‐1 after Discontinuation of Virologically Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Using standard and ultrasensitive techniques, we detected nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor–associated resistance mutations in 11 (20%) of 54 subjects who discontinued virologically suppressive nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor–containing antiretroviral therapy. Resistance was detected in 45% and 14% of subjects with a baseline human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA level of 51–400 copies/mL and ≤50 copies/mL, respectively. Mutations remained detectable for at least 48 weeks in some subjects

Oseltamivir–Resistant Pandemic H1N1/2009 Influenza Virus Possesses Lower Transmissibility and Fitness in Ferrets

The neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor oseltamivir offers an important immediate option for the control of influenza, and its clinical use has increased substantially during the recent H1N1 pandemic. In view of the high prevalence of oseltamivir-resistant seasonal H1N1 influenza viruses in 2007–2008, there is an urgent need to characterize the transmissibility and fitness of oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 viruses, although resistant variants have been isolated at a low rate. Here we studied the transmissibility of a closely matched pair of pandemic H1N1/2009 clinical isolates, one oseltamivir-sensitive and one resistant, in the ferret model. The resistant H275Y mutant was derived from a patient on oseltamivir prophylaxis and was the first oseltamivir-resistant isolate of the pandemic virus. Full genome sequencing revealed that the pair of viruses differed only at NA amino acid position 275. We found that the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 virus was not transmitted efficiently in ferrets via respiratory droplets (0/2), while it retained efficient transmission via direct contact (2/2). The sensitive H1N1/2009 virus was efficiently transmitted via both routes (2/2 and 1/2, respectively). The wild-type H1N1/2009 and the resistant mutant appeared to cause a similar disease course in ferrets without apparent attenuation of clinical signs. We compared viral fitness within the host by co-infecting a ferret with oseltamivir-sensitive and -resistant H1N1/2009 viruses and found that the resistant virus showed less growth capability (fitness). The NA of the resistant virus showed reduced substrate-binding affinity and catalytic activity in vitro and delayed initial growth in MDCK and MDCK-SIAT1 cells. These findings may in part explain its less efficient transmission. The fact that the oseltamivir-resistant H1N1/2009 virus retained efficient transmission through direct contact underlines the necessity of continuous monitoring of drug resistance and characterization of possible evolving viral proteins during the pandemic

A Genome-Wide Gene Function Prediction Resource for Drosophila melanogaster

Predicting gene functions by integrating large-scale biological data remains a challenge for systems biology. Here we present a resource for Drosophila melanogaster gene function predictions. We trained function-specific classifiers to optimize the influence of different biological datasets for each functional category. Our model predicted GO terms and KEGG pathway memberships for Drosophila melanogaster genes with high accuracy, as affirmed by cross-validation, supporting literature evidence, and large-scale RNAi screens. The resulting resource of prioritized associations between Drosophila genes and their potential functions offers a guide for experimental investigations

A Spectrophotometric Study of the Heteropoly Blues

Abstract not availabl

Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus: A Tropism for the Rooster Reproductive Tract and Effects on Reproductive Performance

136 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005.The epididymal region of the rooster consists of the rete testes, the efferent ductules and the epididymal duct. In the epididymal region, the spermatozoa gain the ability to move and acquire surface proteins. The specialized microenvironment of the epididymal region is vital for these developments to occur. A dysfunction of the epididymal region, epididymal stones, has been shown to affect fertility in the rooster. The cause of these epididymal stones was investigated and avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV) has been identified as a cause. AIBV is a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens. The pathogenesis of AIBV in the female reproductive tract has been well studied; however, there have been few studies concerning the effects of AIBV on the rooster reproductive tract. Therefore this investigation was undertaken to identify the role of AIBV in epididymal stone formation and to characterize changes in seminal plasma composition. Specific objectives were: (1) to determine if AIBV can infect the epididymal region; (2) to investigate if vaccination with killed AIBV would result in epididymal stone formation; (3) to determine if AIBV affects fertility by altering composition of seminal plasma; and (4) to characterize protein changes in seminal plasma in response to AIBV vaccination with two dimensional gel electrophoresis. There were four major findings; First, replication of AIBV in the epididymal region of the rooster reproductive tract was detected using 3' RACE indicating the epididymal region is a target for the virus in vitro. Second, vaccination with killed AIBV did not reduce the incidence of epididymal stones; therefore, entrance and replication of AIBV in the reproductive tract is not required for stone formation. Third, seminal plasma protein patterns and free amino acid levels are altered in vaccinated roosters when compared to non-vaccinated roosters. Fourth, differentially expressed seminal plasma proteins were identified in vaccinated roosters when compared to non-vaccinated roosters. These data provide further evidence that the proper function of the efferent ductules is necessary for normal fertility and exposure to AIBV disrupts fertility.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD