Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of P10- and P17-encoding genes of avian reovirus.

Avian reovirus (ARV) causes viral arthritis, chronic respiratory diseases, and malabsorption syndrome. The P10 protein is a viroporin and induces cell fusion, whereas the biological function of P17 protein is completely unknown. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the P10- and P17-encoding genes from 17 field isolates and vaccine strains of ARV isolated over a 23-year period from distinct geographic locations were analyzed to define phylogenetic profiles and to study sequence variability and genetic evolution.

Epitope mapping and functional analysis of sigma A and sigma NS proteins of avian reovirus.

We have previously shown that avian reovirus (ARV) sigmaA and sigmaNS proteins possess dsRNA and ssRNA binding activity and suggested that there are two epitopes on sigmaA (I and II) and three epitopes (A, B, and C) on sigmaNS. To further define the location of epitopes on sigmaA and sigmaNS proteins and to further elucidate the biological functions of these epitopes by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 62, 1F9, H1E1, and 4A123 against the ARV S1133 strain, the full-length and deletion fragments of S2 and S4 genes of ARV generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were cloned into pET32 expression vectors and the fusion proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 strain. Epitope mapping using MAbs and E.

Functional investigation in children with spina bifida -- measured by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).

Object: The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional performance in children with spina bifida, using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). A comparison was also made between the functional performance of children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and lipomyelomeningocele (LMC).

Methods And Results: Twenty-six children with MMC and 37 cases with LMC were enrolled in this study.