No abstract

Isolates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) show considerable nucleotide sequence variability throughout the genome. Comparisons of complete genome sequences have been used as the basis of classification of HCV into a number of genotypes that show 67 to 77 % sequence similarity. In order to investigate whether sequence relationships between genotypes are equivalent in different regions of the genome, we have carried out formal sequence analysis of variants in the 5' non-coding region (5'NCR) and in the genes encoding the core protein, an envelope protein (El) and a non-structural protein (NS-5). In the E1 region, variants grouped into a series of six major genotypes and a series of subtypes that could be matched to the phylogenetic groupings previously observed for the NS-5 region. Furthermore, core and E1 sequences showed three non-overlapping ranges of sequence similarity corresponding to those between different genotypes, subtypes and isolates previously described in NS-5. Each major genotype could also be reliably identified by sequence comparisons in the well conserved 5'NCR, although many subtypes, such as la/lb, 2a/2c and some of those of type 4, could not be reliably distinguished from each other in this region. These data indicate that subgenomic regions such as E1 and NS-5 contain sufficient phylogenetic information for the identification of each of the 11 or 12 known types and subtypes of HCV. No evidence was found for variants of HCV that had sequences of one genotype in the 5'NCR but of a different one in the E1 or NS-5 region. This suggests that recombination between different HCV types is rare or non-existent and does not currently pose a problem in the use of subgenomic regions in classification.

Abstract. Reproductive ecology of two major reef-building corals in the eastern Pacific [Pocillopora darnicornis (Linnaeus) and Pocillopora elegans Dana] was investigated between 1984 and 1990 in Costa Rica, Panama (Gulf of Chiriqui and Gulf of Panama), and the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) following the 1982-83 E1 Nifio disturbance. Mature spermatocytes and oocytes were found in both species and were usually present in the same polyp in nearly equal ratios. Numerous zooxanthellae were observed in mature, unfertilized oocytes. Although spawning in field populations was not observed, it is likely that both pocilloporids are simultaneous hermaphroditic spawners, as evidenced by the disappearance of mature gametes after full moon. This is in contrast with most known pocilloporid corals that brood and release planula larvae. Corals were reproductively most active in the thermally stable environments of Costa Rica and the Gulf of Chiriqui (Panama) where 32 to 90% of all colonies contained gametes. In the moderately varying thermal conditions in the Galapagos Islands, 16 to 40% of colonies contained gametes, and in the pronounced seasonal upwelling environment of the Pearl Islands (Panama) only 6 to 18 % of colonies contained gametes. Year-round reproduction occurred in Costa Rica and the Gulf of Chiriqui, whereas reproduction was confined to warm periods in the seasonally varying environments of the Galapagos Islands and the Gulf of Panama. Pocilloporid corals in Costa Rica and the Gulf of Chiriqui demonstrated lunar spawning activity, with mature gametes present a few days before and after full moon. Some limited spawning may have occurred also at new moon. While frequent gamete maturation has been demonstrated in this study, the relatively low rates of larval recruitment occurring on eastern Pacific coral reefs disturbed by the 1982-83 E1 Nifio suggest that the recovery of important frame-building corals could be greatly prolonged.

No abstract

A short-term training program involving 2 h of daily exercise at 59% of peak O2 uptake (VO2max) repeated for 10-12 consecutive days was employed to determine the significance of adaptations in energy metabolic potential on alterations in energy metabolism and substrate utilization in working muscle. The initial VO2max determined before training on the eight male subjects was 53.0 +/- 2.0 (SE) ml.kg-1.min-1. Analysis of samples obtained by needle biopsy from the vastus lateralis muscle before exercise (0 min) and at 15, 60, and 99 min of exercise indicated that on the average training resulted (P less than 0.05) in a 6.5% higher concentration of creatine phosphate, a 9.9% lower concentration of creatine, and a 39% lower concentration of lactate. Training had no effect on ATP concentration. These adaptations were also accompanied by a reduction in the utilization in glycogen such that by the end of exercise glycogen concentration was 47.1% higher in the trained muscle. Analysis of the maximal activities of representative enzymes of different metabolic pathways and segments indicated no change in potential in the citric acid cycle (succinate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase), beta-oxidation (3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase), glucose phosphorylation (hexokinase), or potential for glycogenolysis (phosphorylase) and glycolysis (pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase). With the exception of increases in the capillary-to-fiber area ratio in type IIa fibers, no change was found in any fiber type (types I, IIa, and IIb) for area, number of capillaries, capillary-to-fiber area ratio, or oxidative potential with training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

No abstract

No abstract

The Columnea latent viroid (CLV) occurs latently in certain Columnea erythrophae plants grown commercially. In potato and tomato, CLV causes potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV)-like symptoms. Its nucleotide sequence and proposed secondary structure reveal that CLV consists of a single-stranded circular RNA of 370 nucleotides which can assume a rod-like structure with extensive base-pairing characteristic of all known viroids. The electrophoretic mobility of circular CLV under nondenaturing conditions suggests a potential tertiary structure. CLV contains extensive sequence homologies to the PSTV group of viroids but contains a central conserved region identical to that of hop stunt viroid (HSV). CLV also shares some biological properties with each of the two types of viroids. Most probably, CLV is the result of intracellular RNA recombination between an HSV-type and one or more PSTV-type viroids replicating in the same plant.