Isolation and Annotation of Xitlalli, a Cluster EK1 Actinobacteriophage Isolated Using Microbacterium foliorum.

Xitlalli is an actinobacteriophage that was isolated from soil using Microbacterium foliorum. Based on gene content similarity to phages in the Actinobacteriophage Database, Xitlalli is assigned to cluster EK1. The genome is 53,929 bp long and contains 52 protein-coding genes, of which 26% could be assigned functions.

Metastatic Primary Neuroendocrine Tumor of Ovary-A Rare Presentation.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) occur more commonly in lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or pancreas. NETs in locations such as ovaries are rare, and they have been described mainly in case reports. Here we describe a patient with primary NET of ovary presenting with distant metastases to peritoneum, liver, lung, and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Genome Sequences of Mycobacterium smegmatis Phages Purgamenstris and PhancyPhin.

Two novel mycobacteriophages, PhancyPhin and Purgamenstris, were isolated from the Houston, Texas, area. They were isolated in the same year with the soil enrichment method using the host Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155. They exhibit a 99.55% nucleotide identity with each other.

Genome Sequences of Subcluster K5 Mycobacteriophages AlleyCat, Edugator, and Guillsminger.

Bacteriophages AlleyCat, Edugator, and Guillsminger were isolated on Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 from enriched soil samples. All are members of mycobacteriophage subcluster K5, with genomes of 62,112 to 63,344 bp. Each genome contains 92 to 99 predicted protein-coding genes and one tRNA. Guillsminger is the first mycobacteriophage to carry an IS1380 family transposon.

Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007.

We report here the genome sequences of three newly isolated phages that infect Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Phages Findley, Hurricane, and TBond007 were discovered in geographically distinct locations and are related to cluster K mycobacteriophages, with Findley being similar to subcluster K2 phages and Hurricane and TBond007 being similar to subcluster K3 phages.

Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Kerberos, Pomar16, and StarStuff.

We describe the genome sequences of three closely related mycobacteriophages, Kerberos, Pomar16, and StarStuff, isolated at similar times but from geographically distinct regions. All three genomes are similar to those of other subcluster A2 phages, such as L5 and D29, are temperate, and have siphoviral virion morphologies.

Genetic improvement of plants for enhanced bio-ethanol production.

The present world energy situation urgently requires exploring and developing alternate, sustainable sources for fuel. Biofuels have proven to be an effective energy source but more needs to be produced to meet energy goals. Whereas first generation biofuels derived from mainly corn and sugarcane continue to be used and produced, the contentious debate between "feedstock versus foodstock" continues. The need for sources that can be grown under different environmental conditions has led to exploring newer sources. Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive source for production of biofuel, but pretreatment costs to remove lignin are high and the process is time consuming. Genetically modified plants that have increased sugar or starch content, modified lignin content, or produce cellulose degrading enzymes are some options that are being explored and tested. This review focuses on current research on increasing production of biofuels by genetic engineering of plants to have desirable characteristics. Recent patents that have been filed in this area are also discussed.