Mutations in five unconventional myosin genes have been associated with genetic hearing loss (HL). These genes encode the motor proteins myosin IA, IIIA, VI, VIIA and XVA. To date, most mutations in myosin genes have been found in the Caucasian population. In addition, only a few functional studies have been performed on the previously reported myosin mutations. We performed screening and funct...

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are nanomachines used for interbacterial killing and intoxication of eukaryotes. Although Vibrio cholerae is a model organism for structural studies on T6SSs, the underlying regulatory network is less understood. A recent study showed that the T6SS is part of the natural competence regulon in V. cholerae and is activated by the regulator TfoX. Here, we identify...

 Background: In this study, ferrate (VI) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation were employed to remove hydrogen sulfide from municipal wastewater resulting in a reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD). Although ferrate (VI) and UV have been used individually for the removal of a few pollutants from urban and industrial wastewater, there exists no study to investigate the effectiveness of si...

Osteoporotic drugs are used to prevent fragility fractures, but their role in fracture healing still remains unknown. Thus, alternative agents with suitable mode of delivery are needed to promote fracture healing. This study was performed to investigate the effects of direct deliveries of lovastatin and tocotrienol to fracture sites on ossification-related gene expression in fracture healing in...

KEY POINTS The transduction of sound into electrical signals occurs at the hair bundles atop sensory hair cells in the cochlea, by means of mechanosensitive ion channels, the mechano-electrical transducer (MET) channels. The MET currents decline during steady stimuli; this is termed adaptation and ensures they always work within the most sensitive part of their operating range, responding best ...

A real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RRT-PCR) assay based on the avian influenza virus matrix gene was developed for the rapid detection of type A influenza virus. Additionally, H5 and H7 hemagglutinin subtype-specific probe sets were developed based on North American avian influenza virus sequences. The RRT-PCR assay utilizes a one-step RT-PCR protocol and fluorogenic hydrolysis type probes....

BACKGROUND Although well studied the association between chronic typhoid carrier state and carcinoma of the gallbladder (CaGB) remains unproven. METHODOLOGY The study was performed at a tertiary care medical center in North India and involved 52 patients with CaGB, 223 patients with benign gallbladder diseases, 508 healthy individuals and, 424 corpses. For the detection of Salmonella enterica...

Symptoms similar to those produced by the phytoplasma disease "Big bud" were observed on tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in field Mosul city, Iraq. Diseased plants characterized twisting, corrugated, yellowing or reddening of leaves. The sepals flowers acquired hypertrophied form, fused together and created a bell-shaped sterile bud (phyllody) green anthocyanin color. stems lignified, ...