Molecular biological techniques and genome sequencing/bioinformatics analysis converge to identify RNA secondary structures in the genome of foot-and-mouth disease virus essential for replication

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) causes perennial infections of both domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animalsaround the globe causing severe economic damage and restrictions on World trade. Economies of the developingWorld are disproportionally affected by FMDV outbreaks. Present FMDV vaccines are ‘killed’: large quantities ofhighly virulent virus are grown in bulk, particles purified, then chemically inactivated. This requires expensive, high-containment, production facilities with attendant risks of breaches in biosecurity. The RNA structures we, andothers, have identified could be partially weakened, or destabilised, rather than be completely disrupted, to produceattenuated FMDV strains. These could serve to either (i) enhance the biosecurity of conventional inactivated vaccineproduction methods, or, (ii) serve as a basis for the rational design of a new generation of live-attenuated vaccines.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

An exploration of the extent and nature of reconceptualisation of pain following pain neurophysiology education: a qualitative study of experiences of people with chronic musculoskeletal pain

AbstractThe mitochondrial permeability transition is an inner mitochondrial membrane event involving the opening of the permeability transition pore concomitant with a sudden efflux of matrix solutes and breakdown of membrane potential. The mitochondrial FoF1 ATP synthase has been proposed as the molecular identity of the permeability transition pore. The likeliness of potential pore-forming sites in the mitochondrial FoF1 ATP synthase is discussed and a new model, the death finger model, is described. In this model, movement of a p-side density that connects the lipid-plug of the c-ring with the distal membrane bending Fo domain allows reversible opening of the c-ring and structural cross-talk with OSCP and the catalytic (αβ)3 hexamer. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2–6, 2016’, edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the reliability and validity of sensorimotor measurement instruments in people with chronic low back pain

Background: Deficits in the sensorimotor system and its peripheral and central processing of the affected body part might be a contributing factor to chronic low back pain (CLBP). Hence, sensorimotor assessment is important. Valid and reliable sensorimotor measurement instruments are needed. Objective: To investigate the reliability and validity of sensorimotor measurement instruments for people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The review was undertaken using the COSMIN guidelines. Databases were searched for studies investigating the clinimetric properties of sensorimotor tests in people with CLBP. The methodological study quality was rated by two independent reviewers using the COSMIN 4-point rating checklist. Results: Ten studies were included covering six sensorimotor measurement instruments with findings for reliability/measurement error, known-groups validity and convergent validity. The methodological quality ranged from poor to good, with only one study rated as good. There was insufficient evidence of enough quality to assess reliability/measurement error or convergent validity. Two-point discrimination, laterality judgement and movement control tests had moderate evidence supporting their ability to distinguish between healthy people and those with CLBP. Conclusions: Two-point discrimination, laterality judgment and movement control tests demonstrate the greatest level of known-groups validity for people with CLBP. However, as the reliability of these measurement tools has yet to be established, this validity data should be interpreted cautiously. Further research is warranted to investigate the clinimetric properties of these sensorimotor techniques.</p

Insights into gastrointestinal virome : etiology and public exposure

Funding: The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding this work through research group no. RG-1441-492.Recycled wastewater is widely used owing to the potential shortage of water resources for drinking purposes, recreational activities, and irrigation. However, gut microbiomes of both human beings and animals negatively affect this water quality. Wastewater contamination is continuously monitored, using fecal contamination indicators or microbial source tracking approaches, to oppose arising enteric infections. Viral gastroenteritis is considered a principal manifestation of waterborne pathogenic virome-mediated infections, which are mainly transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Furthermore, acquired enteric viromes are the common cause of infantile acute diarrhea. Moreover, public exposure to wastewater via wastewater discharge or treated wastewater reuse has led to a significant surge of public health concerns. In this review, we discussed the etiology of waterborne enteric viromes, notably gastrointestinal virus infections, and public exposure to municipal wastewater. Conclusively, the early human virome is affected mainly by birth mode, dietary behavior, and maternal health, and could provide a signature of disease incidence, however, more virome diversification is acquired in adulthood. A multi-phase treatment approach offered an effective means for the elimination of wastewater reuse mediated public risks. The insights highlighted in this paper offer essential information for defining probable etiologies and assessing risks related to exposure to discharged or reused wastewater.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe