Rapid and sensitive protein similarity searches

An algorithm was developed which facilitates the search for similarities between newly determined amino acid sequences and sequences already available in databases. Because of the algorithm's efficiency on many microcomputers, sensitive protein database searches may now become a routine procedure for molecular biologists. The method efficiently identifies regions of similar sequence and then scores the aligned identical and differing residues in those regions by means of an amino acid replacability matrix. This matrix increases sensitivity by giving high scores to those amino acid replacements which occur frequently in evolution. The algorithm has been implemented in a computer program designed to search protein databases very rapidly. For example, comparison of a 200-amino-acid sequence to the 500,000 residues in the National Biomedical Research Foundation library would take less than 2 minutes on a minicomputer, and less than 10 minutes on a microcomputer (IBM PC).     

Single-molecule measurement of protein folding kinetics

In order to investigate the behavior of single molecules under conditions far from equilibrium, we have coupled a microfabricated laminar-flow mixer to a confocal optical system. This combination enables time-resolved measurement of F?rster resonance energy transfer after an abrupt change in solution conditions. Observations of a small protein show the evolution of the intramolecular distance distribution as folding progresses. This technique can expose subpopulations, such as unfolded protein under conditions favoring the native structure, that would be obscured in equilibrium experiments.     

ON THE "RAWNESS" OF SUBSOILS

1. Suboils of arid regions are certainly no less "raw" than those of semi-arid regions, and probably only slightly less so than those of humid regions. 2. If, as seems as yet unproved, inoculated legume seeds fail to develop on humid subsoil material, such failure can not justifiably be attributed as is done by Alway, McDole and Rost, to a lack of available phosphoric acid and potash. 3. A lack of available nitrogen probably is sufficient to account for rawness of subsoils. 4. The poor aeration of subsoils which indirectly results in their rawness, may be accounted for more simply than by Hilgard's explanation of the washing down of fine particles into the subsoil, which prevents proper aeration.     

Evolving subduction zones in the Western United States, as interpreted from igneous rocks

Variations in the ratio of K(2)O to SiO(2) in andesitic rocks suggest early and middle Cenozoic subduction beneath the western United States along two subparallel imbricate zones dipping about 20 degrees eastward. The western zone emerged at the continental margin, but the eastern zone was entirely beneath the continental plate. Mesozoic subduction apparently occurred along a single steeper zone.     

The presence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi in companion animals in the Netherlands

The presence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi in companion animals in The Netherlands. This article reports about a research that is done to determine the presence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Capnocytophaga cynodegmi in companion animals in the Netherlands using a species specific PCR in combination with classic microbial isolation. Because of the high presence of the bacteria in the mouth of especially cats and dogs (respectively 21 and 19%) and the severe consequences of an infection for humans the risk of an infection with C. canimorsus is high. Therefore owners of cats and dogs should be informed about this risk especially if the owners belong to specific risk groups like elderly people, pregnant women, young children and immune deficient patients.