Predicting feed efficiency of Angus steers using the gastrointestinal microbiome.

Microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tracts is an important factor affecting the variation in feed efficiency in ruminants. Several studies have investigated the composition of the ruminal and fecal microbiotas, as well as their impacts on feed efficiency and digestion. In addition, next-generation DNA sequencing techniques have allowed us to gain a better understanding of such microbiomes.

Fetus in Fetu in an Adult Female and Brief Review of Literature.

Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a very rare condition in which malformed fetus is found within the body of a living twin, most commonly within the retroperitoneum. It is a parasitic fetal twin of a diamniotic, monozygotic type. It should be differentiated from teratoma by the presence of organized vertebral column and appropriately arranged other organs or limbs around it.

Single Residue Acts as Gate in OccK Channels.

The OccK protein subfamily located in the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains dynamic channels with several conformational states that range from open to closed forms. The molecular determinants of the OccK channels that contribute to the diverse gating have, however, remained elusive so far. Performing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on OccK5 (OpdH) as an example, local fluctuations of loop L7 mediated by a single residue were identified that effectively gate the channel.

Polypeptide Translocation Through the Mitochondrial TOM Channel: Temperature-Dependent Rates at the Single-Molecule Level.

The TOM protein complex facilitates the transfer of nearly all mitochondrial preproteins across outer mitochondrial membranes. Here we characterized the effect of temperature on facilitated translocation of a mitochondrial presequence peptide pF1β. Ion current fluctuations analysis through single TOM channels revealed thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of substrate binding and allowed determining the energy profile of peptide translocation.

Peptide translocation through the mesoscopic channel: binding kinetics at the single molecule level.

Single channel electrophysiological studies have been carried out to elucidate the underlying interactions during the translocation of polypeptides through protein channels. For this we used OmpF from the outer cell membrane of E. coli and arginine-based peptides of different charges, lengths and covalently linked polyethylene glycol as a model system.