5'-terminal structure of poliovirus polyribosomal RNA is pUp

Poliovirus RNA purified from virus-specific polyribosomes does not contain m7G in a 5'-5'-pyrophosphate linkage at its 5'-end. The only potential 5'-end found in ribonuclease digests of this RNA is pUp, which is present in a yield of 1 mole/mole of poliovirus RNA. We conclude that a 5'-terminal m7G is not required for translation of at least one RNA species in animal cells

Inhibition of translation by poliovirus: Inactivation of a specific initiation factor

Translation of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNA, like host mRNA translation, is inhibited in cells infected with poliovirus. To study the mechanism of poliovirus-induced inhibition of protein synthesis, we prepared extracts from poliovirus-infected and uninfected HeLa cells. Poliovirus mRNA was translated in lysates from both infected and uninfected cells, while VSV mRNA was translated only in the lysate from uninfected cells. Addition of purified translation initiation factors to the extract from infected cells showed that one factor, eIF-4B, could restore VSV mRNA translation in the infected lysate, but did not increase poliovirus mRNA translation. Further experiments involving translation of VSV mRNA in mixed extracts from poliovirus-infected and uninfected cells showed (i) that there was not an excess of an inhibitor of VSV mRNA translation in the infected lysate, but (ii) that an activity that caused a slow inactivation of eIF-4B was present in the infected lysate. Inactivation of eIF-4B appears to be the mechanism by which poliovirus infection causes a selective inhibition of translation

The Population Dynamics of Two Rodents in Two Coastal Marshes in Virginia

The communities of small mammals were evaluated for 13 months with capture-mark-recapture methods in two Spartina-Juncus marshes of the Atlantic coast in Northampton County, Virginia. Small mammals were trapped for three days each month using live traps placed on floats on two study grids. Two rodents were numerically dominant (~90% of small mammals) there: marsh rice rat, Oryzomys palustris, and meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Monthly estimates of population density were greater for rice rats (peak: 45/ha) than for those of meadow voles (peak: 30/ha). Survival rates were generally low, especially for rice rats, indicating highly vagile populations. Both species had greatest breeding activity in spring and autumn, with lower rates in summer and winter. Sex ratios favored males in rice rats but were unity in meadow voles. Although marsh rice rats, being semi-aquatic and capable swimmers, are more highly adapted to living in flooded marsh environments, meadow voles can thrive there too

A Plasma Membrane Localization Signal in the HIV-1 Envelope Cytoplasmic Domain Prevents Localization at Sites of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Budding and Incorporation into VSV Virions

AbstractPrevious studies showed that the HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein was not incorporated into vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) virions unless its cytoplasmic tail was replaced with that of the VSV glycoprotein (G). To determine whether the G tail provided a positive incorporation signal for Env, or if sequences in the Env tail prevented incorporation, we generated mutants of Env with its 150-amino-acid tail shortened to 29, 10, or 3 amino acids (Envtr mutants). Cells infected with VSV recombinants expressing these proteins or an Env-G tail hybrid showed similar amounts of Env protein at the surface. The Env-G tail hybrid or the Envtr3 mutant were incorporated at the highest levels into budding VSV virions. In contrast, the Envtr29 or Envtr10 mutants were incorporated poorly. These results defined a signal preventing incorporation within the 10 membrane-proximal amino acids of the Env tail. Confocal microscopy revealed that this signal functioned by causing localization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env to plasma membrane domains distinct from the VSV budding sites, where VSV proteins were concentrated

Expression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Protein Precursor and Envelope Proteins from a Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Recombinant: High-Level Production of Virus-like Particles Containing HIV Envelope

AbstractRecombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses have been developed as high-level expression vectors which serve as effective vaccine vectors in animals (Roberts et al., 1998, J. Virol. 72, 4704–4711; Roberts et al., 1999, J. Virol. 73, 3723–3732). Here we show that two genes can be expressed simultaneously from a single, live-attenuated VSV recombinant. The genes used encode the Pr55gag protein precursor of HIV-1 (1.7-kb gene) and an HIV-1 envelope (Env) protein (2.4 kb gene). Our results show that VSV can accommodate up to a 40% increase in genome size with only a threefold reduction in virus titer. Recombinants expressing the Pr55gag protein precursor with or without Env protein produced abundant HIV virus-like particles (VLPs) in addition to bullet-shaped VSV particles. HIV Env protein expressed from a VSV recombinant also expressing Gag was specifically incorporated into the HIV VLPs but not into the VSV particles. In contrast, VSV G protein was found in both VSV particles and in HIV VLPs. Such VSV/HIV recombinants producing HIV VLPs with Env protein could be an effective source of HIV-like particles inducing both cellular and antibody-mediated immunity to HIV-1

Government-Industry Cooperative Fisheries Research in the North Pacific under the MSFCMA

The National Marine Fisheries Service’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) has a long and successful history of conducting research in cooperation with the fishing industry. Many of the AFSC’s annual resource assessment surveys are carried out aboard chartered commercial vessels and the skill and experience of captains and crew are integral to the success of this work. Fishing companies have been contracted to provide vessels and expertise for many different types of research, including testing and evaluation of survey and commercial fishing gear and development of improved methods for estimating commercial catch quantity and composition. AFSC scientists have also participated in a number of industry-initiated research projects including development of selective fishing gears for bycatch reduction and evaluating and improving observer catch composition sampling. In this paper, we describe the legal and regulatory provisions for these types of cooperative work and present examples to illustrate the process and identify the requirements for successful cooperative research

Replication of Primary HIV-1 Isolates Is Inhibited in PM1 Cells Expressing sCD4-KDEL

AbstractExpression of a soluble CD4 molecule (sCD4-KDEL) containing a specific retention signal for the endoplasmic reticulum was shown previously to block propagation of the HIV-1MNprototype strain in a transformed T cell line. However, the virus present in HIV-1-infected individuals is more closely represented by primary HIV-1 isolates which, unlike the HIV-1MNstrain, have not been adapted to growth in cell lines. To determine if sCD4-KDEL could block replication of primary isolates we used the PM1 cell line that has been shown to propagate primary isolates without adaptation. Here we show that the replication of four primary HIV-1 isolates was strongly inhibited in PM1 cells that expressed sCD4-KDEL under control of the HIV-1 LTR. Infection with primary HIV-1 isolates induced sCD4-KDEL expression driven by the LTR, HIV-1 spread was dramatically reduced, and reverse transcriptase activity in the cell culture supernatants was greatly diminished. sCD4-KDEL, therefore, represents a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication for gene therapy-based approaches for the treatment of AIDS

A STUDY TO REVIEW THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DRUG DOSAGE IN RENALLY IMPAIRED PATIENT BY IDENTIFYING, ANALYSING AND ADJUSTING DOSAGES IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

 Objectives To identify and analyze drug dosing in renally impaired patient in a tertiary care teaching hospital and to categorize patients on the basis of gender, age, GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) and anemia.Methodology A prospective interventional study was conducted on the drug dosage in renally impaired patient by identifying, analyzing, and adjusting. Ethical clearance was obtained from the IEC (Institutional Ethical Committee). The study was conducted on 103 patients with renal impairment for a period of six months. During ward rounds, cases were collected and collected data were assessed and analysed by using Micromedex, Lexicomp. For the possible interventions, the dosage errors were reported along with the evidence.Results Out of the 103 patients, 73 were males and 30 were females and majority of patients belonged to the age group between 41- 65 yrs. 56.31% and 43.69% of patients were in the category B and category C of GFR respectively. A total of 244 co-morbidities were present in 103 patients with HTN (Hypertension) and Type 2 DM (Diabetes Mellitus) the foremost. In total, 983 drugs were prescribed to the total patient with an average of 9.54 drugs per patient, 175 drugs required dosage adjustment.Conclusion The present study effectively reports all the interventions to the physicians along with the supporting data. Continuous medical education to the physicians together with pharmacists may reduce the chances of incongruity in drugs given to the renally impaired patients.Key Words: Renal impairment, MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease), Creatinine Clearance, Dosage Adjustment Â

Effects of Gas Flaring on the Behavior of Night-migrating Birds at an Artificial Oil-production Island, Arctic Alaska

We studied movement rates and the general flight behavior of bird flocks seen on radar and recorded visually at Northstar Island, Arctic Alaska, from 13 to 27 September 2002. Most of this period (13 – 19 and 21 – 27 September) had no gas-flaring events, but a major gas-flaring event occurred on the night of 20 September. Movement rates of targets on radar and of bird flocks recorded visually in the first ~50% – 60% of the night were much lower during the non-flaring period than during the night of flaring, whereas rates in the last ~40% – 50% of the night were similar in all periods. The general flight behavior of birds also differed significantly, with higher percentages of both radar targets and bird flocks exhibiting straight-line (directional) flight behaviors during the non-flaring periods and higher percentages of radar targets and bird flocks exhibiting non-straight-line (erratic and circling) flight behaviors during the gas-flaring period. During the night of gas flaring, the bright illumination appeared to have an effect only after sunset, when flocks of birds circled the island after being drawn in from what appeared to be a substantial distance from the island. On both radar and visual sampling, the number of bird flocks approaching the island declined over the evening, and the attractiveness of the light from flaring appeared to decline. The visibility of the moon appeared to have little effect on the behavior of birds. Because illumination from extensive gas-flaring is such a strong attractant to migrating birds and because most bird flocks fly at low altitudes over the water, flaring booms on coastal and offshore oil-production platforms in Arctic Alaska should be positioned higher than the mean flight altitudes of migrating birds to reduce the chances of incineration.Nous avons étudié les taux de déplacement et le comportement de vol général des troupeaux d’oiseaux captés par radar ou consignés visuellement à l’île Northstar, dans l’Alaska de l’Arctique, du 13 au 27 septembre 2002. Pendant presque toute cette période (du 13 au 19 et du 21 au 27 septembre), il n’y a pas eu de brûlage de gaz à la torche, mais la nuit du 20 septembre, il y a eu un important brûlage de gaz à la torche. Les taux de déplacement des cibles radar et des troupeaux d’oiseaux consignés visuellement pendant la première tranche d’environ 50 % à 60 % de la nuit étaient beaucoup moins élevés pendant la période où il n’y avait pas de brûlage à la torche que pendant la nuit où il y a eu brûlage à la torche, tandis que pendant la deuxième tranche d’environ 40 % à 50 % de la nuit, les taux de déplacement étaient semblables pendant toutes les périodes. Le comportement de vol général des oiseaux a également affiché une différence considérable. De plus grands pourcentages de cibles radar et de troupeaux d’oiseaux adoptaient un comportement de vol rectiligne (direct) pendant les périodes où il n’y avait pas de brûlage à la torche, et de plus grands pourcentages de cibles radar et de troupeaux d’oiseaux affichaient un comportement de vol non rectiligne (erratique et indirect) pendant la période où il y a eu brûlage à la torche. La nuit du brûlage à la torche, la vive illumination n’a semblé avoir un effet qu’après le coucher du soleil, quand les troupeaux d’oiseaux encerclaient l’île après avoir été attirés depuis un endroit qui semblait très lointain. Tant pour l’échantillonnage prélevé par radar que par consignation visuelle, le nombre de troupeaux d’oiseaux s’approchant de l’île diminuait dans le courant de la soirée, et l’attrait de la lumière émanant du brûlage à la torche semblait également diminuer. La visibilité de la lune semblait avoir peu d’effet sur le comportement des oiseaux. Puisque l’illumination provenant du brûlage prolongé à la torche exerce une si grande force d’attraction chez les oiseaux migrateurs, et puisque la plupart des troupeaux d’oiseaux volent en basse altitude au-dessus de l’eau, le torchage effectué sur les plateformes pétrolières côtières et extracôtières dans l’Alaska de l’Arctique devrait être positionné plus haut que les altitudes moyennes de vol des oiseaux migrateurs afin de réduire les risques d’incinération

Time-Gating of Pulsed Eddy Current Signals for Defect Characterization and Discrimination in Aircraft Lap-Joints

Pulsed eddy current (PEC) nondestructive testing differs from conventional eddy current techniques in that the probe coil is excited by a pulse, rather than continuous excitation at a single frequency. Reviews of early work on pulsed eddy currents are given by Waidelich1 and by Renkin.2 Pulsed excitation causes the propagation of a highly attenuated traveling wave, which is governed by the diffusion equation.3 The diffusive propagation of the eddy current pulse results in spatial broadening and a delay, or travel time, proportional to the square of the distance traveled. It was realized in early work on pulsed eddy current systems that this time dependence offered certain advantages over conventional eddy currents.4 In the current study we demonstrate the ability of a prototype pulsed eddy current instrument, described elsewhere,5,6 to take advantage of this time dependence to discriminate flaws from such interfering signals as probe liftoff, air gaps, and fasteners