Strong host phylogenetic and ecological effects on host competency for avian influenza in Australian wild birds.

Host susceptibility to parasites is mediated by intrinsic and external factors such as genetics, ecology, age and season. While waterfowl are considered central to the reservoir community for low pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (LPAIV), the role of host phylogeny has received limited formal attention. Herein, we analysed 12 339 oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs and 10 826 serum samples collected over 11 years from wild birds in Australia.

Interacting-heads motif explains the X-ray diffraction pattern of relaxed vertebrate skeletal muscle.

Electron microscopy (EM) shows that myosin heads in thick filaments isolated from striated muscles interact with each other and with the myosin tail under relaxing conditions. This "interacting-heads motif" (IHM) is highly conserved across the animal kingdom and is thought to be the basis of the super-relaxed state. However, a recent X-ray modeling study concludes, contrary to expectation, that the IHM is not present in relaxed intact muscle.

Functional and Molecular Characterisation of Heart Failure Progression in Mice and the Role of Myosin Regulatory Light Chains in the Recovery of Cardiac Muscle Function.

Heart failure (HF) as a result of myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of fatality worldwide. However, the cause of cardiac dysfunction succeeding MI has not been elucidated at a sarcomeric level. Thus, studying the alterations within the sarcomere is necessary to gain insights on the fundamental mechansims leading to HF and potentially uncover appropriate therapeutic targets.

Rainfall driven and wild-bird mediated avian influenza virus outbreaks in Australian poultry.

Globally, outbreaks of Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) in poultry continue to burden economies and endanger human, livestock and wildlife health. Wild waterbirds are often identified as possible sources for poultry infection. Therefore, it is important to understand the ecological and environmental factors that directly influence infection dynamics in wild birds, as these factors may thereby indirectly affect outbreaks in poultry.

Mn -Phos-Tag Polyacrylamide for the Quantification of Protein Phosphorylation Levels.

This paper provides a guideline for optimizing and utilizing Mn Phos-tag gel technology to separate phosphorylated proteins from their unphosphorylated counterparts. It provides key insights into methods for careful sample preparation and experimental directions for determining the appropriate Phos-tag gel compositions and electrophoresis and western blotting conditions. This protocol has been used to successfully resolve proteins extracted from cardiac and skeletal muscles.