Regulatory Role of Phospholipids in Hepatitis C Virus Replication and Protein Function.

Positive-strand RNA viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) hijack key factors of lipid metabolism of infected cells and extensively modify intracellular membranes to support the viral lifecycle. While lipid metabolism plays key roles in viral particle assembly and maturation, viral RNA synthesis is closely linked to the remodeling of intracellular membranes. The formation of viral replication factories requires a number of interactions between virus proteins and host factors including lipids.

Functions of Vertebrate Ferlins.

Ferlins are multiple-C2-domain proteins involved in Ca2+-triggered membrane dynamics within the secretory, endocytic and lysosomal pathways. In bony vertebrates there are six ferlin genes encoding, in humans, dysferlin, otoferlin, myoferlin, Fer1L5 and 6 and the long noncoding RNA Fer1L4. Mutations in (dysferlin) can cause a range of muscle diseases with various clinical manifestations collectively known as dysferlinopathies, including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B) and Miyoshi myopathy.

Influence of temperature on ultrasound absorption in waveguides made out of refractory materials.

We studied the influence of temperature increase to 1500 °C on ultrasound absorption at frequencies from 0.1 to 1.0 MHz in tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, graphite, and fused silica.

Simulation of ultrasound influence on melt convection for the growth of Ga(x)In(1-x)Sb and Si single crystals by the Czochralski method.

The flow simulation for GaxIn1-xSb and Si melts was conducted for quasi-steady conditions. The maximum velocity was under the solid-liquid interface near periphery of the crystals. An introduction of ultrasound into the liquid formed a standing wave channel under the solid-liquid interface, which acted on melt particles.

Neural circuit development in the mammalian cochlea.

The organ of Corti, the sensory epithelium of the mammalian auditory system, uses afferent and efferent synapses for encoding auditory signals and top-down modulation of cochlear function. During development, the final precisely ordered sensorineural circuit is established following excessive formation of afferent and efferent synapses and subsequent refinement. Here, we review the development of innervation of the mouse organ of Corti and its regulation.