Molecular Sequence Data

Inoculation of maize silage with Lactobacillus buchneri (5 x 10(5) c.f.u. g(-1) of maize silage) prior to ensiling results in the formation of aerobically stable silage. After 9 months, lactic acid bacterium counts are approximately 10(10) c.f.u. g(-1) in these treated silages. An important subpopulation (5.9 x 10(7) c.f.u. g(-1)) is able to degrade 1,2-propanediol, a fermentation product of L. buchneri, under anoxic conditions to 1-propanol and propionic acid. From this group of 1,2-propanediol-fermenting, facultatively anaerobic, heterofermentative lactobacilli, two rod-shaped isolates were purified and characterized. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the newly isolated bacteria have identical 16S rDNA sequences and belong phylogenetically to the L. buchneri group. DNA-DNA hybridizations, whole-cell protein fingerprinting and examination of phenotypic properties indicated that these two isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Lactobacillus diolivo...

Two angiotensin II (Ang II)–specific receptors, AGTR1 and AGTR2, are expressed in the mammalian brain. Ang II actions on blood pressure regulation, water electrolyte balance, and hormone secretion are primarily mediated by AGTR1. The function of AGTR2 remains unclear. Here, we show that expression of the AGTR2 gene was absent in a female patient with mental retardation (MR) who had a balanced X;7 chromosomal translocation. Additionally, 8 of 590 unrelated male patients with MR were found to have sequence changes in the AGTR2 gene, including one frameshift and three missense mutations. These findings indicate a role for AGTR2 in brain development and cognitive function.

Methylomonas methanica MC09 is a mesophilic, halotolerant, aerobic, methanotrophic member of the Gammaproteobacteria , isolated from coastal seawater. Here we present the complete genome sequence of this strain, the first available from an aerobic marine methanotroph.

The structures of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core and O antigen of Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella parapertussis are known, but how these two regions are linked to each other had not been determined. We have studied LPS from several strains of these ...

Amelogenins are a group of extracellular enamel matrix proteins which are believed to be involved in the regulation of the size and habit of enamel crystals. The aim of this study was to compare the solubility properties of several amelogenins in various pH (4.0-9.0) solutions with an ionic strength (IS) of 0.15 M using the Micro BCA protein assay at 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C. The solubility of the recombinant amelogenin rM179 was lowest (0.7 mg/ml) close to its isoelectric point and it increased below and above this point. The solubility of the recombinant amelogenin rM166 remained almost the same (1-2 mg/ml) as the pH rose from 6.0 to 9.0 and it increased as the solution became more acidic. Synthetic "tyrosine-rich amelogenin polypeptide" (TRAP) was extremely insoluble (<0.2 mg/ml) in the pH range studied while synthetic "leucine-rich amelogenin polypeptide" (LRAP) was readily soluble (>3.3 mg/ml). The native porcine amelogenin with apparent molecular weight 25 kDa shared similar solubility behavior to rM179. The porcine 23 kDa amelogenin was only sparingly soluble (0.3-0.8 mg/ml) over a wide range of pH. Interestingly, the porcine 20 kDa amelogenin was remarkably soluble in the pH range of 4.0 to 6.0 (approximately 12 mg/ml), but the solubility dropped strikingly to only approximately 0.2 mg/ml at pH larger than approximately 7.0. The strong dependence of amelogenin solubility on solution pH may be involved in the regulation of aggregation, enzymatic degradation and the binding properties of amelogenins, thus playing an important role in enamel biomineralization.

reconstructionists often determine pre-collision conditions based on post-collision evidence. Energy-based speed calculations for skidding vehicles are commonly used and have been the basis for numerous theoretical and experimental works. The simplest analysis technique, "skid-to-stop" is fairly well understood, however the more complex circumstance of a spinning trajectory is less well understood. This paper will describe a series of experiments conducted to evaluate the frictional values applicable to a spinning vehicle as it rotates and translates without brake application.

The pathogenic oomycete Aphanomyces invadans is the primary etiological agent in ulcerative mycosis, an ulcerative skin disease caused by a fungus-like agent of wild and cultured fish. We developed sensitive PCR and fluorescent peptide nucleic acid in situ hybridization (FISH) assays to detect A. invadans. Laboratory-challenged killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were first tested to optimize and validate the assays. Skin ulcers of Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) from populations found in the Pamlico and Neuse River estuaries in North Carolina were then surveyed. Results from both assays indicated that all of the lesioned menhaden (n = 50) collected in September 2004 were positive for A. invadans. Neither the FISH assay nor the PCR assay cross-reacted with other closely related oomycetes. These results provided strong evidence that A. invadans is the primary oomycete pathogen in ulcerative mycosis and demonstrated the utility of the assays. The FISH assay is the first molecula...