Fine structure of a partition in the spike glycoprotein encoded in the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

The gene encoding the spike glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease, was analyzed through two types of periodic tables (standard and cube) of the genetic code to discover the internal fine structure of the spike (S) protein. The analysis was performed on the Wuhan-Hu-1 SARS-CoV-2 sequence (GenBank accession number NC_045512.2). A partition was detected between codon numbers (three-letter code numbers) 47 and 48 that code amino acids in the S-protein. The population distribution of organized codes and amino acid replacements in the S-protein showed large differences between two regions of the cube-type periodic table. The genetic codes of codon numbers 48-63 (4th plane of the cube table) had a higher frequency than the genetic codes of each of the other three planes (1st-3rd planes). Planes-linkage structures involved in the partition were also analyzed and a simplified model for the S-protein gene was obtained where a planes-linkage of the 4th plane and another planes-linkage of the 1st-3rd planes were linked together in alternate shifts. Most of the code population in the 4th plane and their planes-linkage multiformity gave additional support to the partition between codon numbers 47 and 48 in the S-protein gene. Analysis of real lineages of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the cube-type periodic table identified distinguishing features of the Omicron lineage that included not only a large code population within the receptor-binding domain of the S-protein, but also large percentage rises in the population of amino acid replacements in the 1st and 2nd planes.

Non-destructive analysis of the two subspecies of African elephants, mammoth, hippopotamus, and sperm whale ivories by visible and short-wave near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics.

Visible (VIS) and short-wave near infrared (SW-NIR) spectroscopy was used for non-destructive analysis of ivories. VIS-SW-NIR (500-1000 nm) spectra were measured in situ for five kinds of ivories, that is two subspecies of African elephants, mammoth, hippopotamus, and sperm whale. Chemometrics analyses were carried out for the spectral data from 500 to 1000 nm region. The five kinds of ivories were clearly discriminated from each other on the scores plot of two principal components (PCs) obtained by principal component analysis (PCA). It was noteworthy that the ivories of the two subspecies of African elephants were discriminated by the scores of PC 1. The loadings plot for PC 1 showed that the discrimination relies on the intensity changes in bands due to collagenous proteins and water interacting with proteins. It was found that the scores plot of PC 2 is useful to distinguish between the ivories of the two subspecies of African elephants and the other ivories. We also developed a calibration model that predicted the specific gravity of five kinds of ivories from their VIS-SW-NIR spectral data using partial least squares (PLS)-1 regression. The correlation coefficient and root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) of this model were 0.960 and 0.037, respectively.

[Efficacy of smoking prevention education by dentists].

PURPOSE: At the same time as generating a clear picture of high school students' smoking habits, we examined how effective it was for dentists to provide them with smoking prevention education. METHOD: We chose one high school in Hiroshima City and asked 1003 of its students to fill in questionnaires anonymously before and after a lecture given by dental faculty on smoking. On a different day the students' oral health was examined by dentists. FINDINGS: The higher the year of the students the higher the percentage of those who had smoked at some time or smoking now. Among students not participating in any club activities, the higher the year the greater the number of smokers. Among the effects of smoking the one known to the largest number of students was found to be lung cancer, followed by oral disease. The questionnaires showed the percentage of students thinking that their family should give up smoking had increased by 6.3% from 55.9% to 62.2% by the end of the lecture, indicating that it was effective. Among the contents of the lecture which had impressed, photographs of cancer, dental damage and features Buerger's disease were mentioned in particular. CONCLUSION: It is advisable to show some photographs of cancer and Buerger's disease as well as talk about how smoking damages teeth when we embark on smoking prevention education. Our study confirmed the need for dentists to provide this kind of education.