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Blazevich AJ, Mesquita RNO, Pinto RS, Pulverenti T, Ratel S. Reduction and recovery of self-sustained muscle activity after fatiguing plantar flexor contractions. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00421-023-05403-0. [PMID: 38340155 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05403-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Persistent inward calcium and sodium currents (PICs) are crucial for initiation and maintenance of motoneuron firing, and thus muscular force. However, there is a lack of data describing the effects of fatiguing exercise on PIC activity in humans. We simultaneously applied tendon vibration and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (VibStim) before and after fatiguing exercise. VibStim induces self-sustained muscle activity that is proposed to result from PIC activation. METHODS Twelve men performed 5-s maximal isometric plantar flexor contractions (MVC) with 5-s rests until joint torque was reduced to 70%MVC. VibStim trials consisted of five 2-s trains of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (20 Hz, evoking 10% MVC) of triceps surae with simultaneous Achilles tendon vibration (115 Hz) without voluntary muscle activation. VibStim was applied before (PRE), immediately (POST), 5-min (POST-5), and 10-min (POST-10) after exercise completion. RESULTS Sustained torque (Tsust) and soleus electromyogram amplitudes (EMG) measured 3 s after VibStim were reduced (Tsust: -59.0%, p < 0.001; soleus EMG: -38.4%, p < 0.001) but largely recovered by POST-5, and changes in MVC and Tsust were correlated across the four time points (r = 0.69; p < 0.001). After normalisation to values obtained at the end of the vibration phase to control for changes in fibre-specific force and EMG signal characteristics, decreases in Tsust (-42.9%) and soleus EMG (-22.6%) remained significant and were each correlated with loss and recovery of MVC (r = 0.41 and 0.46, respectively). CONCLUSION The parallel changes observed in evoked self-sustained muscle activity and force generation capacity provide motivation for future examinations on the potential influence of fatigue-induced PIC changes on motoneuron output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Blazevich
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Human Performance, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
| | - Ricardo N O Mesquita
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Human Performance, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ronei S Pinto
- Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Timothy Pulverenti
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Sébastien Ratel
- UFR STAPS - Laboratoire AME2P, Université Clermont Auvergne, Campus Universitaire des Cézeaux, 3 Rue de la Chebarde, 63170, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Xiao H, Yu W, Li L, Yin X, Zhai Q, Hu D, Zhang X, Wang F. Trimester-specific reference intervals of hemostasis biomarkers for healthy pregnancy. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2023; 83:379-383. [PMID: 37491076 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2023.2233903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Physiological changes in hemostasis during pregnancy have been reported by several authors. This study aimed at establishing reference intervals for the hemostasis biomarkers thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), α2-plasmininhibitor-plasmin complex (PIC), thrombomodulin (TM) and tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (tPAI-C), in healthy pregnancies. After excluding outliers, a total of 496 healthy pregnant women (128 first-trimester, 142 second-trimester, 107 third-trimester and 119 pre-labor) and 103 healthy nonpregnant women were enrolled from Shenzhen Bao'an Women's and Children's Hospital. Hemostasis biomarkers, TAT, PIC, TM and tPAI-C, were measured by using a quantitative chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay performed on HISCL automated analysers. The median and reference intervals (the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) were calculated to establish trimester-specific reference intervals for healthy pregnant women. The reference intervals for TAT, PIC, TM and tPAI-C in the first trimester were 0.7-7.6 1 µg/L, 0.2-0.9 mg/L, 2.8-11.0 TU/ml, and 1.2-6.5 1 µg/L, respectively. The reference intervals in the second trimester were 1.7-12.0 1 µg/L, 0.2-1.0 mg/L, 3.7-11.6 TU/ml, and 2.8-8.8 1 µg/L, respectively. The reference intervals in the third trimester were 2.7-16.1 1 µg/L, 0.1-1.4 mg/L, 2.9-12.9 TU/ml, and 1.9-8.0 1 µg/L, respectively. At pre-labor, the reference intervals were 4.8-32.9 1 µg/L, 0.2-1.9 mg/L, 4.2-12.6 TU/ml, and 2.8-15.4 1 µg/L, respectively. Gestational reference intervals for TAT, PIC, TM and tPAI-C in healthy pregnancies are provided, but only for TAT with increasing concentrations throughout pregnancy, the reference intervals for non-pregnant were not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijun Xiao
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Weijian Yu
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Lihua Li
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqin Yin
- Shenzhen Longhua New District People's Hospital, P.R. China
| | - Qingna Zhai
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Die Hu
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiufa Zhang
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shenzhen Baoan Women's and Children's Hospital, Guangdong, P.R. China
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Tesfa D, Feyissa T, Assefa K. Genetic diversity and population structure of selected tef core germplasm lines based on microsatellite markers. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8603-8613. [PMID: 37653359 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08732-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tef is an indigenous and important food, feed, and cash crop for smallholder Ethiopian farmers. Knowledge of the natural genetic composition of the crop provides the option to further exploit its genetic potential through breeding. However, there are insufficient reports on the genetic variability of Ethiopian tef using a medium-throughput marker system. Hence, the current study was designed to evaluate the genetic variability of released and core germplasm that was collected earlier. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-one tef genotypes collected from eight Ethiopian ecological zones and released varieties were targeted using 14 SSR markers. The study yielded a total of 122 alleles across the entire locus and population. The molecular variance analysis indicated the existence of large genetic differentiation (FIS and FIT = 0.87), with 86% and 13% of the total variation accounted for among genotypes within the population and across all genotypes used for this study, respectively. However, low genetic differentiation among the populations (FST = 0.014, which accounts for 1%) was observed. Multivariate analyses such as clustering and PCoA did not cluster genotypes into distinct groups according to their geographical areas of population. This is presumably due to gene flow among populations. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our findings show that there is significant genetic diversity within populations, particularly in the Jimma, Tigray, and released varieties, as well as the presence of private alleles and heterozygosity. The study also indicates the existence of genotypic admixture in the studied materials. The identification of private alleles and their differentiation will be helpful in selecting breeding materials and creating breeding plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derejaw Tesfa
- Debereziet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia.
| | - Tileye Feyissa
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
| | - Kebebew Assefa
- Debereziet Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
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Syriopoulos G, Poulopoulos I, Zervos C, Kyriazi E, Poulimenos A, Szaj M, Missinne J, van Steenberge G, Avramopoulos H. Photonic Integrated Circuit Based Temperature Sensor forOut-of-Autoclave Composite Parts Production Monitoring. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:7765. [PMID: 37765822 PMCID: PMC10538109 DOI: 10.3390/s23187765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of composite materials has seen widespread adoption in modern aerospace industry. This has been facilitated due to their favourable mechanical characteristics, namely, low weight and high stiffness and strength. For broader implementation of those materials though, the out-of-autoclave production processes have to be optimized, to allow for higher reliability of the parts produced as well as cost reduction and improved production speed. This optimization can be achieved by monitoring and controlling resin filling and curing cycles. Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), and, in particular, Silicon Photonics, owing to their fast response, small size, ability to operate at higher temperatures, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and compatibility with CMOS fabrication techniques, can offer sensing solutions fulfilling the requirements for composite material production using carbon fibres. In this paper, we demonstrate a passive optical temperature sensor, based on a 220 nm height Silicon-on-Insulator platform, embedded in a composite tool used for producing RTM-6 composite parts of high quality (for use in the aerospace industry). The design methodology of the photonic circuit as well as the experimental results and comparison with the industry standard thermocouples during a thermal cycling of the tool are presented. The optical sensor exhibits high sensitivity (85 pm/°C), high linearity (R2 = 0.944), and is compatible with the RTM-6 production process, operating up to 180 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Syriopoulos
- Photonics Communications Research Laboratory, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, 15773 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Poulopoulos
- Photonics Communications Research Laboratory, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, 15773 Athens, Greece
| | - Charalampos Zervos
- Photonics Communications Research Laboratory, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, 15773 Athens, Greece
| | - Evrydiki Kyriazi
- Photonics Communications Research Laboratory, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, 15773 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michal Szaj
- Argotech a.s., Holubova 978, CZ-547 01 Náchod, Czech Republic
| | - Jeroen Missinne
- Center for Microsystem Technology (CMST), Ghent University and IMEC, Technologiepark 126, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert van Steenberge
- Center for Microsystem Technology (CMST), Ghent University and IMEC, Technologiepark 126, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hercules Avramopoulos
- Photonics Communications Research Laboratory, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou Street, Zografou, 15773 Athens, Greece
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Orssatto LBR, Blazevich AJ, Trajano GS. Ageing reduces persistent inward current contribution to motor neurone firing: Potential mechanisms and the role of exercise. J Physiol 2023; 601:3705-3716. [PMID: 37488952 DOI: 10.1113/jp284603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Nervous system deterioration is a primary driver of age-related motor impairment. The motor neurones, which act as the interface between the central nervous system and the muscles, play a crucial role in amplifying excitatory synaptic input to produce the desired motor neuronal firing output. For this, they utilise their ability to generate persistent (long-lasting) depolarising currents that increase cell excitability, and both amplify and prolong the output activity of motor neurones for a given synaptic input. Modulation of these persistent inward currents (PICs) contributes to the motor neurones' capacities to attain the required firing frequencies and rapidly modulate them to competently complete most tasks. Thus, PICs are crucial for adequate movement generation. Impairments in intrinsic motor neurone properties can impact motor unit firing capacity, with convincing evidence indicating that the PIC contribution to motor neurone firing is reduced in older adults. Indeed, this could be an important mechanism underpinning the age-related reductions in strength and physical function. Furthermore, resistance training has emerged as a promising intervention to counteract age-associated PIC impairments, with changes in PICs being correlated with improvements in muscular strength and physical function after training. In this review, we present the current knowledge of the PIC magnitude decline during ageing and discuss whether reduced serotonergic and noradrenergic input onto the motor neurones, voltage-gated calcium channel dysfunction or inhibitory input impairments are candidates that: (i) explain age-related reductions in the PIC contribution to motor neurone firing and (ii) underpin the enhanced PIC contribution to motor neurone firing following resistance training in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas B R Orssatto
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J Blazevich
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Human Performance, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Gabriel S Trajano
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Gelaw YM, Eleblu JSY, Ofori K, Fenta BA, Mukankusi C, Emam EA, Offei S. High-density DArTSeq SNP markers revealed wide genetic diversity and structured population in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm in Ethiopia. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:6739-6751. [PMID: 37389701 PMCID: PMC10374692 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Common bean is one of the widely consumed food security crop in Africa, Asia, and South America. Understanding genetic diversity and population structure is crucial for designing breeding strategies. MATERIALS Two hundred and eighty-nine germplasm were recently collected from different regions of Ethiopia and introduced from CIAT to estimate genetic diversity and population structure using 11,480 DArTSeq SNP markers. RESULTS The overall mean genetic diversity and polymorphic information content (PIC) were 0.38 and 0.30, respectively, suggested the presence of adequate genetic diversity among the genotypes. Among the geographical regions, landraces collected from Oromia showed the highest diversity (0.39) and PIC (0.30). The highest genetic distance was observed between genotypes collected from SNNPR and CIAT (0.49). In addition, genotypes from CIAT were genetically more related to improved varieties than the landraces which could be due to sharing of parents in the improvement process. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that the largest proportion of variation was due to within the population both in geographical region (63.67%) and breeding status (61.3%) based classification. Model-based structure analysis delineated the 289 common bean genotypes into six hypothetical ancestoral populations. CONCLUSIONS The genotypes were not clustered based on geographical regions and they were not the main drivers for the differentiation. This indicated that selection of the parental lines should be based on systematic assessment of the diversity rather than geographical distance. This article provides new insights into the genetic diversity and population structure of common bean for association studies, designing effective collection and conservation for efficient utilization for the improvement of the crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Moges Gelaw
- Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
- West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - John S Y Eleblu
- West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Ofori
- West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Berhanu Amsalu Fenta
- Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Clare Mukankusi
- International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kawanda, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Samuel Offei
- West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Xing R, Xiang F, Dong L, Shen G. Spontaneous intramuscular hemorrhage in cancer-associated dermatomyositis: a case and literature review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023; 24:542. [PMID: 37393235 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06651-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spontaneous intramuscular hemorrhage (SIH) is a rare but life-threatening complication of dermatomyositis (DM). The pathogenetic mechanism and management of intramuscular hematoma in these patients remains unclear. Here we discuss a case of recurrent hemorrhage in a patient with cancer-associated DM, and review the relevant literature for timely diagnosis and treatment. CASE PRESENTATION A 53-year-old male patient presented with rashes, muscle weakness, and dysphagia and was diagnosed with DM. During treatment, he developed SIH of the arm and right psoas major muscle successively. MRI showed extensive edema of the right shoulder girdle muscle and muscle groups of the upper arm. During the second SIH, a CT scan showed new-onset hematoma formation in the right psoas major muscle. The detection of D-dimer, thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), plasmin-α2-plasmininhibitor complex (PIC) and tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) indicated predominant hyperfibrinolysis over thrombosis. Blood transfusion and supportive treatment were immediately performed, and the hematoma did not expand. However, his abdominal distension was not relieved after active treatment. Further electronic gastroscopy discovered gastric sinus ulcers, and histopathology of the biopsy confirmed signet-ring cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Although patients with cancer-associated DM have an increased risk of thrombosis, prophylactic anticoagulation therapy needs deliberate consideration. It is important to monitor the coagulation parameters dynamically during anticoagulation therapy. Especially when the level of D-dimer is high, and it is uncertain whether the patient is in a state of thrombosis or hyperfibrinolysis, the detection of TAT, PIC, t-PAIC can help to determine whether to initiate anticoagulation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xing
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue 1095, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Fenfen Xiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Immunology, Huanggang Central Hospital of Yangtze University, Huanggang, 438000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lingli Dong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue 1095, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Guifen Shen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue 1095, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China.
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Radhakrishnan S, Hoff O, Muellner MK. Current Challenges in Small Molecule Proximity-Inducing Compound Development for Targeted Protein Degradation Using the Ubiquitin Proteasomal System. Molecules 2022; 27. [PMID: 36500212 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bivalent proximity-inducing compounds represent a novel class of small molecule therapeutics with exciting potential and new challenges. The most prominent examples of such compounds are utilized in targeted protein degradation where E3 ligases are hijacked to recruit a substrate protein to the proteasome via ubiquitination. In this review we provide an overview of the current state of E3 ligases used in targeted protein degradation, their respective ligands as well as challenges and opportunities that present themselves with these compounds.
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Liu G, Mu Z, Guo J, Shan K, Shang X, Yu J, Liang X. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering as a potential strategy for wearable flexible sensing and point-of-care testing non-invasive medical diagnosis. Front Chem 2022; 10:1060322. [PMID: 36405318 PMCID: PMC9669362 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1060322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As a powerful and effective analytical tool, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has attracted considerable research interest in the fields of wearable flexible sensing and non-invasive point-of-care testing (POCT) medical diagnosis. In this mini-review, we briefly summarize the design strategy, the development progress of wearable SERS sensors and its applications in this field. We present SERS substrate analysis of material design requirements for wearable sensors and highlight the benefits of novel plasmonic particle-in-cavity (PIC)-based nanostructures for flexible SERS sensors, as well as the unique interfacial adhesion effect and excellent mechanical properties of natural silk fibroin (SF) derived from natural cocoons, indicating promising futures for applications in the field of flexible electronic, optical, and electrical sensors. Additionally, SERS wearable sensors have shown great potential in the fields of different disease markers as well as in the diagnosis testing for COVID-19. Finally, the current challenges in this field are pointed out, as well as the promising prospects of combining SERS wearable sensors with other portable health monitoring systems for POCT medical diagnosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoran Liu
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Zhimei Mu
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Ke Shan
- Shandong Artificial Intelligence Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyi Shang
- Shandong Artificial Intelligence Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulation, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiu Liang
- Advanced Materials Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
- School of Physics and Electronics, Shandong Provincial Engineering and Technical Center of Light Manipulation, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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Sapp N, Burge N, Cox K, Prakash P, Balasubramaniam M, Thapa S, Christensen D, Li M, Linderberger J, Kvaratskhelia M, Pandhare J, Craigie R, Poirier MG, Dash C. HIV-1 Preintegration Complex Preferentially Integrates the Viral DNA into Nucleosomes Containing Trimethylated Histone 3-Lysine 36 Modification and Flanking Linker DNA. J Virol 2022; 96:e0101122. [PMID: 36094316 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01011-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 DNA is preferentially integrated into chromosomal hot spots by the preintegration complex (PIC). To understand the mechanism, we measured the DNA integration activity of PICs-extracted from infected cells-and intasomes, biochemically assembled PIC substructures using a number of relevant target substrates. We observed that PIC-mediated integration into human chromatin is preferred compared to genomic DNA. Surprisingly, nucleosomes lacking histone modifications were not preferred integration compared to the analogous naked DNA. Nucleosomes containing the trimethylated histone 3 lysine 36 (H3K36me3), an epigenetic mark linked to active transcription, significantly stimulated integration, but the levels remained lower than the naked DNA. Notably, H3K36me3-modified nucleosomes with linker DNA optimally supported integration mediated by the PIC but not by the intasome. Interestingly, optimal intasome-mediated integration required the cellular cofactor LEDGF. Unexpectedly, LEDGF minimally affected PIC-mediated integration into naked DNA but blocked integration into nucleosomes. The block for the PIC-mediated integration was significantly relieved by H3K36me3 modification. Mapping the integration sites in the preferred substrates revealed that specific features of the nucleosome-bound DNA are preferred for integration, whereas integration into naked DNA was random. Finally, biochemical and genetic studies demonstrate that DNA condensation by the H1 protein dramatically reduces integration, providing further evidence that features inherent to the open chromatin are preferred for HIV-1 integration. Collectively, these results identify the optimal target substrate for HIV-1 integration, report a mechanistic link between H3K36me3 and integration preference, and importantly, reveal distinct mechanisms utilized by the PIC for integration compared to the intasomes. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 infection is dependent on integration of the viral DNA into the host chromosomes. The preintegration complex (PIC) containing the viral DNA, the virally encoded integrase (IN) enzyme, and other viral/host factors carries out HIV-1 integration. HIV-1 integration is not dependent on the target DNA sequence, and yet the viral DNA is selectively inserted into specific "hot spots" of human chromosomes. A growing body of literature indicates that structural features of the human chromatin are important for integration targeting. However, the mechanisms that guide the PIC and enable insertion of the PIC-associated viral DNA into specific hot spots of the human chromosomes are not fully understood. In this study, we describe a biochemical mechanism for the preference of the HIV-1 DNA integration into open chromatin. Furthermore, our study defines a direct role for the histone epigenetic mark H3K36me3 in HIV-1 integration preference and identify an optimal substrate for HIV-1 PIC-mediated viral DNA integration.
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Escudero-Lourdes C, Alvarado-Morales I, Tokar EJ. Stem Cells as Target for Prostate cancer Therapy: Opportunities and Challenges. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022. [PMID: 35951166 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and cells in a cancer stem cell-like (CSCL) state have proven to be responsible for tumor initiation, growth, and relapse in Prostate Cancer (PCa) and other cancers; therefore, new strategies are being developed to target such cellular populations. TLR3 activation-based immunotherapy using Polyinosinic:Polycytidylic acid (PIC) has been proposed to be used as a concomitant strategy to first-line treatment. This strategy is based on the induction of apoptosis and an inflammatory response in tumor cells. In combination with retinoids like 9cRA, this treatment can induce CSCs differentiation and apoptosis. A limitation in the use of this combination is the common decreased expression of TLR3 and its main positive regulator p53. observed in many patients suffering of different cancer types such as PCa. Importantly, human exposure to certain toxicants, such as iAs, not only has proven to enrich CSCs population in an in vitro model of human epithelial prostate cells, but additionally, it can also lead to a decreased p53, TLR3 and RA receptor (RARβ), expression/activation and thus hinder this treatment efficacy. Therefore, here we point out the relevance of evaluating the TLR3 and P53 status in PCa patients before starting an immunotherapy based on the use of PIC +9cRA to determine whether they will be responsive to treatment. Additionally, the use of strategies to overcome the lower TLR3, RARβ or p53 expression in PCa patients, like the inclusion of drugs that increase p53 expression, is encouraged, to potentiate the use of PIC+RA based immunotherapy in these patients.
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Ashfaq M, Rasheed A, Sajjad M, Ali M, Rasool B, Javed MA, Allah SU, Shaheen S, Anwar A, Ahmad MS, Mubashar U. Genome wide association mapping of yield and various desirable agronomic traits in Rice. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:11371-11383. [PMID: 35939183 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07687-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the staple foods worldwide. To feed the growing population, the improvement of rice cultivars is important. To make the improvement in the rice breeding program, it is imperative to understand the similarities and differences of the existing rice accessions to find out the genetic diversity. Previous studies demonstrated the existence of abundant elite genes in rice landraces. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed for yield and yield related traits to find the genetic diversity. DESIGN Experimental study. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 204 SSRs markers were used among 17 SSRs found to be located on each chromosome in the rice genome. The diversity was analyzed using different genetic characters i.e., the total number of alleles (TNA), polymorphic information content (PIC), and gene diversity by Power markers, and the values for each genetic character per marker ranged from 2 to 9, 0.332 to 0.887 and 0.423 to 0.900 respectively across the whole genome. The results of population structure identified four main groups. MTA identified several markers associated with many agronomically important traits. These results will be very useful for the selection of potential parents, recombinants, and MTAs that govern the improvements and developments of new high yielding rice varieties. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of diversity in germplasm is important for the improvement of cultivars in the breeding program. In the present study, the diversity was analyzed with different methods and found that enormous diversity was present in the studied rice germplasm. The structure analysis found the presence of 4 genetic groups in the existing germplasm. A total of 129 marker-trait associations (MTAs) have been found in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ashfaq
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Abdul Rasheed
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajjad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, 45550, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Entomology Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.,Department of Biosciences, COMSAT University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Bilal Rasool
- Department of Zoology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Arshad Javed
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sami Ul Allah
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Bahuddin Zakaria University Bahudar Campus Layyah, Bahudar, Pakistan
| | - Shabnum Shaheen
- Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Alia Anwar
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shafiq Ahmad
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Urooj Mubashar
- Government Training Education Academy, Gujranwala, Pakistan
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Shee R, Ghosh S, Khan P, Sahid S, Roy C, Shee D, Paul S, Datta R. Glutathione regulates transcriptional activation of iron transporters via S-nitrosylation of bHLH factors to modulate subcellular iron homoeostasis. Plant Cell Environ 2022; 45:2176-2190. [PMID: 35394650 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Glutathione (GSH) is known to regulate iron (Fe) deficiency response in plants but its involvement in modulating subcellular Fe homoeostasis remains elusive. In this study, we report that the GSH-deficient mutants, cad2-1 and pad2-1 displayed increased sensitivity to Fe deficiency with significant downregulation of the vacuolar Fe exporters, AtNRAMP3 and AtNRAMP4, and the chloroplast Fe importer, AtPIC1. Moreover, the pad2-1 mutant accumulated higher Fe levels in vacuoles but lower Fe levels in chloroplasts compared to wild type (Columbia ecotype [Col-0]) under Fe limited conditions. Exogenous GSH treatment enhanced chloroplast Fe contents in Col-0 but failed to do so in the nramp3nramp4 double mutants demonstrating that GSH plays a role in modulating subcellular Fe homoeostasis. Pharmacological experiments, mutant analysis, and promoter assays revealed that this regulation involves the transcriptional activation of Fe transporter genes by a GSH-S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) module. The Fe responsive bHLH transcription factors (TFs), AtbHLH29, AtbHLH38, and AtbHLH101 were found to interact with the promoters of these genes, which were, in turn, activated via S-nitrosylation (SNO). Taken together, the present study highlights the role of the GSH-GSNO module in regulating subcellular Fe homoeostasis by transcriptional activation of the Fe transporters AtNRAMP3, AtNRAMP4, and AtPIC1 via SNO of bHLH TFs during Fe deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjana Shee
- Department of Botany, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, West Bengal, India
| | - Soumi Ghosh
- Department of Botany, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, West Bengal, India
| | - Pinki Khan
- Department of Botany, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, West Bengal, India
| | - Salman Sahid
- Department of Botany, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, West Bengal, India
- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Chandan Roy
- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Dibyendu Shee
- Department of Botany, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, West Bengal, India
- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Soumitra Paul
- Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Riddhi Datta
- Department of Botany, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Government College, New Town, West Bengal, India
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14
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Alvarado-Morales I, Olivares-Illana V, Arenas-Huertero C, Reynaga-Hernández E, Layseca-Espinosa E, Tokar EJ, Escudero-Lourdes C. Human prostate epithelial cells and prostate-derived stem cells malignantly transformed in vitro with sodium arsenite show impaired Toll like receptor -3 (TLR3)-associated anti-tumor pathway. Toxicol Lett 2021; 350:185-193. [PMID: 34303791 PMCID: PMC8410676 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer (PCa) involves the use of 9-cis-retinoic acid (9cRA) to induce cancer stem cells (CSCs) differentiation and apoptosis. Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (PIC) is a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist that induces tumor cells apoptosis after activation. PIC+9cRA combination activates retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) re-expression, leading to CSC differentiation and growth arrest. Since inorganic arsenic (iAs) targets prostatic stem cells (SCs), we hypothesized that arsenic-transformed SCs (As-CSCs) show an impaired TLR3-associated anti-tumor pathway and, therefore, are unresponsive to PIC activation. We evaluated TLR3-mediated activation of anti-tumor pathway based in RARβ expression, on As-CSC and iAs-transformed epithelial cells (CAsE-PE). As-CSCs and CAsE-PE showed lower TLR3 and RARβ basal expression compared to their respective isogenic controls WPE-Stem and RWPE-1. Also, iAs transformants showed reduced expression of mediators in TLR3 pathway. Importantly, As-CSCs were irresponsive to PIC+9cRA in terms of increased RARβ and decreased SC-markers expression, while CAsE-PE, a heterogeneous cell line having a small SC population, were partially responsive. These observations indicate that iAs can impair TLR3 expression and anti-tumor pathway activated by PIC+9cRA in SCs and prostatic epithelial cells. These findings suggest that TLR3-activation based therapy may be an ineffective therapeutic alternative for iAs-associated PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Alvarado-Morales
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 6, Zona Universitaria, 78290, SLP, Mexico
| | - V Olivares-Illana
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Biomoleculares y Cáncer, Instituto de Física, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 6, Zona Universitaria, 78290, SLP, Mexico
| | - C Arenas-Huertero
- Laboratorio de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Av, Chapultepec, 1570. 78295, SLP, Mexico
| | - E Reynaga-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 6, Zona Universitaria, 78290, SLP, Mexico
| | - E Layseca-Espinosa
- Centro de Investigación en Biomedicina y Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Sierra Leona 550 Lomas de San Luis, 78210, SLP, Mexico
| | - E J Tokar
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, NTP. National Institutitute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIEHS, Durham, NC, 27709, United States
| | - C Escudero-Lourdes
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Manuel Nava 6, Zona Universitaria, 78290, SLP, Mexico.
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Natkanska A, Bizon-Szpernalowska MA, Milek T, Sawicki W. Peritoneal inclusion cysts as a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Ginekol Pol 2021; 92:583-586. [PMID: 34541630 DOI: 10.5603/gp.a2021.0142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal inclusion cysts (PICs) are benign multilocular cysts that consist of fluid localized between intraperitoneal adhesions. They usually present in women in the third and fourth decades of life with a history of prior pelvic or abdominal surgery, especially months to 20 years ago. PICs have low mortality and the potential for high morbidity. Transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler has an important role in the differential diagnosis. Also, a very important role is played by CA 125 plasma level or use of the ROMA algorithm. But thanks to laparoscopy and the possibility of biopsy from suspicious lesions the correct diagnosis can be established. Treatment of PICs depends individually on the patient's condition, symptoms, other diseases, and desire for procreation. Among other contemplated are hormonal oral contraceptive, an image-guided aspiration, minimally invasive or open surgery. The issue of diagnosis and treatment of PICs requires the continuation of multicentre, randomized clinical trials to find and standardize effective, personalized treatments for PICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Natkanska
- Scientific Student's Group of Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena A Bizon-Szpernalowska
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Milek
- 1st Department and Clinic of General and Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wlodzimierz Sawicki
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Davids BO, Balasubramaniam M, Sapp N, Prakash P, Ingram S, Li M, Craigie R, Hollis T, Pandhare J, Dash C. Human Three Prime Repair Exonuclease 1 Promotes HIV-1 Integration by Preferentially Degrading Unprocessed Viral DNA. J Virol 2021; 95:e0055521. [PMID: 34105995 PMCID: PMC8354242 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00555-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) is the most abundant 3'→5' exonuclease in mammalian cells. It has been suggested that TREX1 degrades HIV-1 DNA to enable the virus to evade the innate immune system. However, the exact role of TREX1 during early steps of HIV-1 infection is not clearly understood. In this study, we report that HIV-1 infection is associated with upregulation, perinuclear accumulation, and nuclear localization of TREX1. However, TREX1 overexpression did not affect reverse transcription or nuclear entry of the virus. Surprisingly, HIV-1 DNA integration was increased in TREX1-overexpressing cells, suggesting a role of the exonuclease in the post-nuclear entry step of infection. Accordingly, preintegration complexes (PICs) extracted from TREX1-overexpressing cells retained higher levels of DNA integration activity. TREX1 depletion resulted in reduced levels of proviral integration, and PICs formed in TREX1-depleted cells retained lower DNA integration activity. Addition of purified TREX1 to PICs also enhanced DNA integration activity, suggesting that TREX1 promotes HIV-1 integration by stimulating PIC activity. To understand the mechanism, we measured TREX1 exonuclease activity on substrates containing viral DNA ends. These studies revealed that TREX1 preferentially degrades the unprocessed viral DNA, but the integration-competent 3'-processed viral DNA remains resistant to degradation. Finally, we observed that TREX1 addition stimulates the activity of HIV-1 intasomes assembled with the unprocessed viral DNA but not that of intasomes containing the 3'-processed viral DNA. These biochemical analyses provide a mechanism by which TREX1 directly promotes HIV-1 integration. Collectively, our study demonstrates that HIV-1 infection upregulates TREX1 to facilitate viral DNA integration. IMPORTANCE Productive HIV-1 infection is dependent on a number of cellular factors. Therefore, a clear understanding of how the virus exploits the cellular machinery will identify new targets for inhibiting HIV-1 infection. The three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) is the most active cellular exonuclease in mammalian cells. It has been reported that TREX1 prevents accumulation of HIV-1 DNA and enables the virus to evade the host innate immune response. Here, we show that HIV-1 infection results in the upregulation, perinuclear accumulation, and nuclear localization of TREX1. We also provide evidence that TREX1 promotes HIV-1 integration by preferentially degrading viral DNAs that are incompatible with chromosomal insertion. These observations identify a novel role of TREX1 in a post-nuclear entry step of HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benem-Orom Davids
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Muthukumar Balasubramaniam
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nicklas Sapp
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Prem Prakash
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Shalonda Ingram
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Min Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Craigie
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Thomas Hollis
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jui Pandhare
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Chandravanu Dash
- Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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17
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Khurram OU, Negro F, Heckman CJ, Thompson CK. Estimates of persistent inward currents in tibialis anterior motor units during standing ramped contraction tasks in humans. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:264-274. [PMID: 34133235 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00144.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent inward currents (PICs) play an essential role in setting motor neuron gain and shaping motor unit firing patterns. Estimates of PICs in humans can be made using the paired motor unit analysis technique, which quantifies the difference in discharge rate of a lower threshold motor unit at the recruitment onset and offset of a higher threshold motor unit (ΔF). Because PICs are highly dependent on the level of neuromodulatory drive, ΔF represents an estimate of level of neuromodulation at the level of the spinal cord. Most of the estimates of ΔF are performed under constrained, isometric, seated conditions. In the present study, we used high-density surface EMG arrays to discriminate motor unit firing patterns during isometric seated conditions with torque or EMG visual feedback and during unconstrained standing anterior-to-posterior movements with root mean square EMG visual feedback. We were able to apply the paired motor unit analysis technique to the decomposed motor units in each of the three conditions. We hypothesized that ΔF would be higher during unconstrained standing anterior-to-posterior movements compared with the seated conditions, reflecting an increase in the synaptic input to motoneurons drive while standing. In agreement with previous work, we found that there was no evidence of a difference in ΔF between the seated and standing postures, although slight differences in the initial and peak discharge rates were observed. Taken together, our results suggest that both the standing and seated postures are likely not sufficiently different, both being "upright" postures, to result in large changes in neuromodulatory drive.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the present study, we show that the discharge rate of a lower threshold motor unit at the recruitment onset and offset of a higher threshold motor unit (ΔF) is similar between standing and seated conditions in human tibialis anterior motor units, suggesting that at least for these two upright postures neuromodulatory drive is similar. We also highlight a proposed technological development in using high-density EMG arrays for real-time muscle activity feedback to accomplish standing ramped contraction tasks and demonstrate the validity of the paired motor unit analysis technique during these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obaid U Khurram
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Francesco Negro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - C J Heckman
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Christopher K Thompson
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Scoca V, Di Nunzio F. The HIV-1 Capsid: From Structural Component to Key Factor for Host Nuclear Invasion. Viruses 2021; 13:273. [PMID: 33578999 PMCID: PMC7916756 DOI: 10.3390/v13020273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of HIV-1, the viral capsid has been recognized to have an important role as a structural protein that holds the viral genome, together with viral proteins essential for viral life cycle, such as the reverse transcriptase (RT) and the integrase (IN). The reverse transcription process takes place between the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the host cell, thus the Reverse Transcription Complexes (RTCs)/Pre-integration Complexes (PICs) are hosted in intact or partial cores. Early biochemical assays failed to identify the viral CA associated to the RTC/PIC, possibly due to the stringent detergent conditions used to fractionate the cells or to isolate the viral complexes. More recently, it has been observed that some host partners of capsid, such as Nup153 and CPSF6, can only bind multimeric CA proteins organized in hexamers. Those host factors are mainly located in the nuclear compartment, suggesting the entrance of the viral CA as multimeric structure inside the nucleus. Recent data show CA complexes within the nucleus having a different morphology from the cytoplasmic ones, clearly highlighting the remodeling of the viral cores during nuclear translocation. Thus, the multimeric CA complexes lead the viral genome into the host nuclear compartment, piloting the intranuclear journey of HIV-1 in order to successfully replicate. The aim of this review is to discuss and analyze the main discoveries to date that uncover the viral capsid as a key player in the reverse transcription and PIC maturation until the viral DNA integration into the host genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Scoca
- Advanced Molecular Virology and Retroviral Dynamics Group, Department of Virology Pasteur Institute, 75015 Paris, France;
- BioSPC Doctoral School, Universitè de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Francesca Di Nunzio
- Advanced Molecular Virology and Retroviral Dynamics Group, Department of Virology Pasteur Institute, 75015 Paris, France;
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19
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Sadoughi F, Maleki Dana P, Hallajzadeh J, Asemi Z, Mansournia MA, Yousefi B. Coagulopathy: Another side effect of coronavirus infection. J Cardiovasc Thorac Res 2020; 13:15-22. [PMID: 33815697 PMCID: PMC8007900 DOI: 10.34172/jcvtr.2020.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been considered as a major health problem around the globe. This severe acute respiratory syndrome has a bunch of features, such as high transmission rate, which are adding to its importance. Overcoming this disease relies on a complete understanding of the viral structure, receptors, at-risk cells or tissues, and pathogenesis. Currently, researches have shown that besides the lack of a proper anti-viral therapeutic method, complications provided by this virus are also standing in the way of decreasing its mortality rate. One of these complications is believed to be a hematologic manifestation. Commonly, three kinds of coagulopathies are detected in COVID-19 patients: disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), pulmonary embolism (PE), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this paper, we have reviewed the relation between these conditions and coronavirus-related diseases pathogenesis, severity, and mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sadoughi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Parisa Maleki Dana
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Jamal Hallajzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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20
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Kozasa K, Takemoto Y, Goto T, Kobayashi M, Sakaguchi H, Fujiwara S, Ichikawa F, Kuroda M, Komura N, Tanaka A, Masuda K, Otsuka H, Yokoi T. Two cases of giant peritoneal inclusion cysts requiring treatment after total laparosco pic hysterectomy. J Surg Case Rep 2020; 2020:rjaa506. [PMID: 33365120 PMCID: PMC7748126 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjaa506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal inclusion cysts (PICs) often develop in post-operative patients. Since the incidence of adhesions is lower with laparoscopic surgery than with open surgery, PICs are less likely to occur in the former. Although post-operative adhesions or PICs rarely develop after laparoscopic surgery (such as total laparoscopic hysterectomy: TLH), we encountered two cases of giant PICs with abdominal pain after TLH. In Case 1, strong adhesion was already present when TLH was performed. Therefore, this case may have been predisposed to the development of adhesions in the abdominal cavity. However, no adhesions were observed during TLH in case 2, and there were no risk factors, such as pre-operative adhesions and endometriosis. Therefore, adhesions and PICs may develop even after TLH, and approaches need to be considered for their prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsumi Kozasa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Takemoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Goto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariya Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hitomi Sakaguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sho Fujiwara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fuyuki Ichikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Misako Kuroda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoko Komura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Asuka Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kumi Masuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Otsuka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaizuka City Hospital, Osaka, Japan
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de Groot EL, ten Dam‐van Loon NH, de Boer JH, Ossewaarde‐van Norel J. The efficacy of corticosteroid-sparing immunomodulatory therapy in treating patients with central multifocal choroiditis. Acta Ophthalmol 2020; 98:816-821. [PMID: 32410393 PMCID: PMC7754275 DOI: 10.1111/aos.14473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid-sparing immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) in patients with recurrent and/or sight-threatening central multifocal choroiditis (MFC). METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary uveitis centre including all patients with MFC who have been treated with IMT for at least 12 months. Clinical data and imaging results were collected regarding the period prior to the start of IMT and at 3, 6, 12 and - where available - 24 months after the start of IMT. Main outcome measure was the number of annual recurrences of choroiditis with or without active choroidal neovascularization before and after the start of IMT. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of patients with (steroid-free) remission and the median time between the start of IMT and (steroid-free) remission. RESULTS Thirty-two patients (39 eyes) were included. At the start of IMT, none of the patients were in (steroid-free) remission. At 24 months, the probability of achieving remission and steroid-free remission was 88,5% and 50%, respectively. The median time to achieve remission and steroid-free remission was 21 and 83 weeks, respectively. In 17 patients (20 eyes) with available clinical data and imaging results for ≥ 12 months prior to the start of IMT, the mean number of recurrences/year decreased significantly from 1.40 ± 0.81 at baseline to 0.49 ± 0.47 (p = 0.001) after the start of IMT. CONCLUSIONS Preventive therapy with IMT should be considered in patients with recurrent and/or sight-threatening MFC to decrease the number of recurrences/year and to increase the prospects of achieving either remission or steroid-free remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evianne L. de Groot
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUniversity of UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | | | - Joke H. de Boer
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUniversity of UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
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Indovina I, Bosco G, Riccelli R, Maffei V, Lacquaniti F, Passamonti L, Toschi N. Structural connectome and connectivity lateralization of the multimodal vestibular cortical network. Neuroimage 2020; 222:117247. [PMID: 32798675 PMCID: PMC7779422 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike other sensory systems, the structural connectivity patterns of the human vestibular cortex remain a matter of debate. Based on their functional properties and hypothesized centrality within the vestibular network, the ‘core’ cortical regions of this network are thought to be areas in the posterior peri-sylvian cortex, in particular the retro-insula (previously named the posterior insular cortex-PIC), and the subregion OP2 of the parietal operculum. To study the vestibular network, structural connectivity matrices from n=974 healthy individuals drawn from the public Human Connectome Project (HCP) repository were estimated using multi-shell diffusion-weighted data followed by probabilistic tractography and spherical-deconvolution informed filtering of tractograms in combination with subject-specific grey-matter parcellations. Weighted graph-theoretical measures, modularity, and ‘hubness’ of the multimodal vestibular network were then estimated, and a structural lateralization index was defined in order to assess the difference in fiber density of homonym regions in the right and left hemisphere. Differences in connectivity patterns between OP2 and PIC were also estimated. We found that the bilateral intraparietal sulcus, PIC, and to a lesser degree OP2, are key ‘hub’ regions within the multimodal vestibular network. PIC and OP2 structural connectivity patterns were lateralized to the left hemisphere, while structural connectivity patterns of the posterior peri-sylvian supramarginal and superior temporal gyri were lateralized to the right hemisphere. These lateralization patterns were independent of handedness. We also found that the structural connectivity pattern of PIC is consistent with a key role of PIC in visuo-vestibular processing and that the structural connectivity pattern of OP2 is consistent with integration of mainly vestibular somato-sensory and motor information. These results suggest an analogy between PIC and the simian visual posterior sylvian (VPS) area and OP2 and the simian parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC). Overall, these findings may provide novel insights to the current models of vestibular function, as well as to the understanding of the complexity and lateralized signs of vestibular syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iole Indovina
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via Ardeatina 354, 00179 Rome, Italy.
| | - Gianfranco Bosco
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via Ardeatina 354, 00179 Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine and Centre of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Riccelli
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via Ardeatina 354, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maffei
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via Ardeatina 354, 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, via Ardeatina 354, 00179 Rome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine and Centre of Space BioMedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Passamonti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, UK; Institute of Bioimaging & Molecular Physiology, National Research Council, Milano, Italy; IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy; Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Sharma H, Bhandawat A, Rahim MS, Kumar P, Choudhoury MP, Roy J. Novel intron length polymorphic (ILP) markers from starch biosynthesis genes reveal genetic relationships in Indian wheat varieties and related species. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:3485-3500. [PMID: 32281056 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05434-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Introns experience lesser selection pressure, thus are liable for higher polymorphism. Intron Length Polymorphic (ILP) markers designed from exon-flanking introns exploits this polymorphic potential and have been proved to be a robust co-dominant marker in eukaryotes. Wheat is among the most consumed cereal crop by majority of the word population. It is a rich source of calories in the form of stored starch. In the current study, starch biosynthesis genes were mined for development of ILP markers and their subsequent utilization for genetic characterization of popular Indian wheat varieties and transferability to wild relatives. Sixty-one markers generated 122 alleles and showed 77-88.5% transferability (mean PIC: 0.36) to the related species. A subset of markers showed clear genetic distinctions (Avg. genetic dissimilarity = 0.42) among Indian wheat varieties, signifying the importance of novel ILPs. 'Kenphad25' showed maximum genetic dissimilarity with 'K 8962' (0.82), while maximum genetic similarity was observed between 'Safed Lerma' and 'RAJ 4037' (0.1). This is the first report of ILP markers in wheat and will be a useful genomic resource for future germplasm conservation and molecular breeding studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Sharma
- Agri-Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Abhishek Bhandawat
- Agri-Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Mohammed Saba Rahim
- Agri-Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Agri-Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Mohini Pal Choudhoury
- Agri-Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Joy Roy
- Agri-Biotechnology Division, National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Chuang SY, Sahoo N, Lin HW, Chang YH. Predictive Maintenance with Sensor Data Analytics on a Raspberry Pi-Based Experimental Platform. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:s19183884. [PMID: 31505843 PMCID: PMC6767311 DOI: 10.3390/s19183884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Predictive maintenance techniques can determine the conditions of equipment in order to evaluate when maintenance should be performed. Thus, it minimizes the unexpected device downtime, lowers the maintenance costs, extends equipment lifecycle, etc. Therefore, this article developed a predictive maintenance mechanism with the construction of a test platform and data analysis along with machine learning. The information transmission of sensors was based on Raspberry Pi via the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication protocol. The sensors used for environmental sensing were implemented on the programmable interface controller and the data were stored in time sequence. A statistical analysis software platform was adopted for data preprocessing, modelling, and prediction to provide necessary maintenance decision. Using multivariate analysis users can obtain more information about the equipment’s status, and the administrator can also determine the operational situation before unexpected device anomalies. The developed modules are decisively helpful in preventing unpredictable losses, thus improving the quality of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang-Yi Chuang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
| | - Nilima Sahoo
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Wei Lin
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Lee-Ming Institute of Technology, New Taipei City 243, Taiwan.
| | - Yeong-Hwa Chang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 243, Taiwan.
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25
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Fatima T, Srivastava A, Somashekar PV, Hanur VS, Rao MS, Bisht SS. Assessment of morphological and genetic variability through genic microsatellite markers for essential oil in Sandalwood ( Santalum album L.). 3 Biotech 2019; 9:252. [PMID: 31192077 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1758-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sandalwood (Santalum album L; family Santalaceae) is a highly significant aromatic oil yielding tree. It is valued for two important traits, heartwood and essential oil obtained from the heartwood. This study was proposed to assess the morphological and genetic variability of sandalwood accessions. For this, genotypes were randomly selected (n = 177) from the 14 populations from three states in southern India. The total heartwood oil content and quality was estimated by UV method and GC-MS. Total 14 oil-specific genic SSR markers were procured to evaluate the genetic diversity among the sandalwood accessions. Total core size, heartwood content, and oil of S. album ranged from 4.4 to 19.1 cm; 0.0 to 17.3 cm; and 0.0 to 5.96% with covariance 27.61, 85.25, and 73.12% followed by mean 9.74, 3.77, and 2.71, respectively. Genetic diversity estimates were highly polymorphic in terms of Na 7.28, Ne 5.89, He 8.0 PIC 0.891, with little Ho, and F-0.922. AMOVA revealed that minimal genetic variation among populations and highest variation was found among individuals with Nm (58.4). The UPGMA reveals the cluster favored the grouping pattern by the PCA analysis. Structure and PCA analysis clustered the entire populations into two major groups with F ST 0.046 in which population of Kerala and Karnataka were pure and Telangana accessions were found admixtures. No significant correlation (r 2 = 0.23, P = 0.00) was observed between heartwood oil and genetic structures. A high degree of transferability of genic markers would facilitate the assessment of novel genotypes for future tree improvement and conservation of Sandalwood populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanzeem Fatima
- 1Genetics and Tree Improvement Division Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, 03 India
| | - Ashutosh Srivastava
- 1Genetics and Tree Improvement Division Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, 03 India
| | - P V Somashekar
- 1Genetics and Tree Improvement Division Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, 03 India
| | - Vageeshbabu S Hanur
- 2Division of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore, 89 India
| | - M Srinivasa Rao
- 3Woodworking Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, 03 India
| | - Surendra Singh Bisht
- 4Chemistry and Bio Prospecting Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore, 03 India
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Kumar V, Yadav HK. Assessment of genetic diversity in Lepidium sativum L. using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 2019; 25:399-406. [PMID: 30956423 PMCID: PMC6419698 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-018-0622-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Lepidium sativum L. is a fast-growing, edible and medicinal plant that belongs to the family Brassicaceae. Indian system of medicinal and health (ISHM) recognizes this plant as a source of several medicinal and nutraceutical factors. Ninety-four accessions collected from 19 states of India were assessed for genetic diversity using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker. Ten ISSR primers amplified a total of 172 bands across the 94 accessions and out of these, 139 bands were found to be polymorphic and 33 as monomorphic. The percentage polymorphism varied from 60.00 to 91.30% with an average of 80.10%. The polymorphism information content (PIC) varied from 0.14 to 0.39 with an average of 0.27. The Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged from 0.11 to 0.89 with minimum between accession LS61 and LS60 and maximum between accession LS95 and LS81. Cluster analysis based on UPGMA grouped all the 94 accessions into three major clusters with accessions per cluster ranging from 12 to 45. Similar to UPGMA clustering, PCA also differentiated all the accessions into three major groups. Model-based clustering determined three sub-populations (K = 3). Further, analysis of molecular variance showed that 67% of allelic diversity was attributed to individual accessions within populations while 33% was distributed among populations. This preliminary study shows that significant variability exists in the collected accessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Kumar
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001 UP India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002 India
| | - Hemant Kumar Yadav
- CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001 UP India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002 India
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27
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Kubik S, O'Duibhir E, de Jonge WJ, Mattarocci S, Albert B, Falcone JL, Bruzzone MJ, Holstege FCP, Shore D. Sequence-Directed Action of RSC Remodeler and General Regulatory Factors Modulates +1 Nucleosome Position to Facilitate Transcription. Mol Cell 2019; 71:89-102.e5. [PMID: 29979971 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accessible chromatin is important for RNA polymerase II recruitment and transcription initiation at eukaryotic promoters. We investigated the mechanistic links between promoter DNA sequence, nucleosome positioning, and transcription. Our results indicate that positioning of the transcription start site-associated +1 nucleosome in yeast is critical for efficient TBP binding and is driven by two key factors, the essential chromatin remodeler RSC and a small set of ubiquitous general regulatory factors (GRFs). Our findings indicate that the strength and directionality of RSC action on promoter nucleosomes depends on the arrangement and proximity of two specific DNA motifs. This, together with the effect on nucleosome position observed in double depletion experiments, suggests that, despite their widespread co-localization, RSC and GRFs predominantly act through independent signals to generate accessible chromatin. Our results provide mechanistic insight into how the promoter DNA sequence instructs trans-acting factors to control nucleosome architecture and stimulate transcription initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slawomir Kubik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Eoghan O'Duibhir
- Molecular Cancer Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wim J de Jonge
- Molecular Cancer Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stefano Mattarocci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Albert
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Luc Falcone
- Center for Advanced Modeling Sciences, Computer Science Department, University of Geneva, 7 route de Drize, 1227 Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Maria Jessica Bruzzone
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Frank C P Holstege
- Molecular Cancer Research, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - David Shore
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva (iGE3), 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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Sahoo N, Lin HW, Chang YH. Design and Implementation of a Walking Stick Aid for Visually Challenged People. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:s19010130. [PMID: 30609745 PMCID: PMC6339061 DOI: 10.3390/s19010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Visually challenged people (VCPs) face many difficulties in their routine life. Usually, in many cases, they need to depend upon others, which makes them unconfident in an unfamiliar environment. Thus, in this paper, we present an aid that helps in detecting obstacles and water puddles in their way. This system comprises a walking stick and Android-based applications (APPs). The walking stick is embedded with Raspberry Pi and programmable interface controller (PIC) as a control kernel, sensors, a global position system (GPS) module, and alert-providing components. Sensors help to detect obstacles, and the VCP is informed through vibrations or a buzzer according to the obstacle detected. The GPS module receives the coordinates of the VCP’s location, and the location can be tracked by parents using an APP. Another important APP is used, called an emergency APP, by which the VCP can communicate with parents or friends immediately by just shaking his/her cell phone or pushing the power button four times in 5 s in panic situations. We used fewer components to make the device simple, lighter, and cozy with very good features. This device will help VCPs to live an independent life up to some extent (with security), which ultimately will increase their confidence level in an unknown environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilima Sahoo
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
| | - Hung-Wei Lin
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Lee-Ming Institute of Technology, New Taipei City 243, Taiwan.
| | - Yeong-Hwa Chang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
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Ditta A, Zhou Z, Cai X, Wang X, Okubazghi KW, Shehzad M, Xu Y, Hou Y, Sajid Iqbal M, Khan MKR, Wang K, Liu F. Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Evolutionary Relationship of Uncharacterized Genes in a Novel Germplasm Collection of Diploid and Allotetraploid Gossypium Accessions Using EST and Genomic SSR Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2401. [PMID: 30110970 PMCID: PMC6121227 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the genetic diversity and population structures in a novel cotton germplasm collection comprising 132 diploids, including Glossypium klotzschianum and allotetraploid cotton accessions, including Glossypium barbadense, Glossypium darwinii, Glossypium tomentosum, Glossypium ekmanianum, and Glossypium stephensii, from Santa Cruz, Isabella, San Cristobal, Hawaiian, Dominican Republic, and Wake Atoll islands. A total of 111 expressed sequence tag (EST) and genomic simple sequence repeat (gSSR) markers produced 382 polymorphic loci with an average of 3.44 polymorphic alleles per SSR marker. Polymorphism information content values counted 0.08 to 0.82 with an average of 0.56. Analysis of a genetic distance matrix revealed values of 0.003 to 0.53 with an average of 0.33 in the wild cotton collection. Phylogenetic analysis supported the subgroups identified by STRUCTURE and corresponds well with the results of principal coordinate analysis with a cumulative variation of 45.65%. A total of 123 unique alleles were observed among all accessions and 31 identified only in G. ekmanianum. Analysis of molecular variance revealed highly significant variation between the six groups identified by structure analysis with 49% of the total variation and 51% of the variation was due to diversity within the groups. The highest genetic differentiation among tetraploid populations was observed between accessions from the Hawaiian and Santa Cruz regions with a pairwise FST of 0.752 (p < 0.001). DUF819 containing an uncharacterized gene named yjcL linked to genomic markers has been found to be highly related to tryptophan-aspartic acid (W-D) repeats in a superfamily of genes. The RNA sequence expression data of the yjcL-linked gene Gh_A09G2500 was found to be upregulated under drought and salt stress conditions. The existence of genetic diversity, characterization of genes and variation in novel germplasm collection will be a landmark addition to the genetic study of cotton germplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allah Ditta
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Zhongli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Xingxing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Kiflom Weldu Okubazghi
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
- Hamelmalo Agricultural College, P.O. Box 397, Keren, Eritrea.
| | - Muhammad Shehzad
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Yanchao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Yuqing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Muhammad Sajid Iqbal
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Muhammad Kashif Riaz Khan
- Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Kunbo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
| | - Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, Henan, China.
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Rojas-Rengifo DF, Alvarez-Silva MC, Ulloa-Guerrero CP, Nuñez-Velez VL, Del Pilar Delgado M, Aguilera SM, Castro H, Jaramillo CA, Fernando González Barrios A. Intramolecular energies of the cytotoxic protein CagA of Helicobacter pylori as a possible descriptor of strains' pathogenicity level. Comput Biol Chem 2018; 76:17-22. [PMID: 29864542 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) is known for causing gastroduodenal diseases, such as atrophic gastritis and peptic ulcerations. Furthermore Helicobacter pylori CagA positive strains has been reported as one of the main risk factors for gastric cancer (Parsonnet et al., 1997). Structural variations in the CagA structure can alter its affinity with the host proteins, inducing differences in the pathogenicity of H. pylori. CagA N-terminal region is characterized for be conserved among all H. pylori strains since the C-terminal region is characterized by an intrinsically disorder behavior. We generated complete structural models of CagA using different conformations of the C-terminal region for two H. pylori strains. These models contain the same EPIYA (ABC1C2) motifs but different level of pathogenicity: gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer. Using these structural models we evaluated the pathogenicity level of the H. pylori strain, based on the affinity of the interaction with SHP-2 and Grb2 receptors and on the number of interactions with the EPIYA motif. We found that the main differences in the interaction was due to the contributions of certain types of energies from each strain and not from the total energy of the molecule. Specifically, the electrostatic energy, helix dipole energy, Wander Waals clashes, torsional clash, backbone clash and cis bond energy allowed a separation between severe and mild pathology for the interaction of only CagA with SHP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana F Rojas-Rengifo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Molecular y Bioinformática, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Maria Camila Alvarez-Silva
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Cindy P Ulloa-Guerrero
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Molecular y Bioinformática, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Vanessa Lucía Nuñez-Velez
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Maria Del Pilar Delgado
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Molecular y Bioinformática, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Sonia Milena Aguilera
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Harold Castro
- Computing and Systems Engineering Department, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Alberto Jaramillo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Molecular y Bioinformática, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Liu S, Hu C, Wei Y, Duan M, Chen X, Hu Y. Transformation of H-Aggregates and J-Dimers of Water-Soluble Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) Porphyrin in Polyion Complex Micelles. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E494. [PMID: 30966528 DOI: 10.3390/polym10050494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) and polyelectrolyte poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium iodide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PMVP41-b-PEO205) can self-aggregate into polyion complex (PIC) micelles in alkaline aqueous solution. UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and dynamic light scattering were carried out to study PIC micelles. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation method was applied to study the interaction of TCPP and PMVP41-b-PEO205. We found that the H-aggregates and J-dimers of anionic TCPP transformed in PIC micelles. H-aggregates of TCPP formed at the charge ratio of TCPP/PMVP41-b-PEO205 1:2 and J-dimer species at the charge ratio above 1:4, respectively. It is worth noting that the transformation from H-aggregates to J-dimer species of TCPP occurred just by adjusting the ratio of polymer and TCPP rather than by changing other factors such as pH, temperature, and ions.
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Wirth AM, Frank SM, Greenlee MW, Beer AL. White Matter Connectivity of the Visual-Vestibular Cortex Examined by Diffusion-Weighted Imaging. Brain Connect 2018; 8:235-244. [PMID: 29571264 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2017.0544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The parieto-insular vestibular cortex (PIVC) and the posterior insular cortex (PIC) are key regions of the cortical vestibular network, both located in the midposterior section of the lateral sulcus. Little is known about the structural connectivity pattern of these areas. We used probabilistic fiber tracking based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compared the ipsilateral connectivity of PIVC and PIC. Seed areas for the tracking algorithm were identified in each brain by functional MRI activity during caloric and visual motion stimulation, respectively. Cortical track terminations were investigated by a surface-based approach. Both PIVC and PIC shared ipsilateral connections to the insular/lateral sulcus, superior temporal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus. However, PIVC showed significantly more connections than PIC with the anterior insula and Heschl's gyrus in both hemispheres and with the precuneus, intraparietal sulcus, and posterior callosum of the right hemisphere. In contrast, PIC connectivity was more pronounced with the supramarginal gyrus and superior temporal sulcus. Subcortical tracks were examined by a region-of-interest-based approach, which was validated on cortico-thalamic motor tracts. Both PIVC and PIC were connected with lateral nuclei of the thalamus and the basal ganglia (primarily putamen). PIVC tracks but not PIC tracks showed a right-hemispheric lateralization in cortical and subcortical connectivity. Overall, these results suggest that human PIVC and PIC share cortical and even subcortical connections. Nevertheless, they also differ in their primary connectivity pattern: PIVC is linked with posterior parietal and inferior frontal cortex, whereas PIC is linked with superior temporal and inferior parietal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Wirth
- 1 Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany .,2 Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian M Frank
- 1 Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany .,3 Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College , Hanover, New Hampshire.,4 Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University , Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Mark W Greenlee
- 1 Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anton L Beer
- 1 Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg , Regensburg, Germany .,5 Institute of Psychology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany
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Dar AA, Mahajan R, Lay P, Sharma S. Genetic diversity and population structure of Cucumis sativus L. by using SSR markers. 3 Biotech 2017; 7:307. [PMID: 28955604 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-0944-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic variation, marker attributes and population structure was assessed in 104 genotypes of cucumber using 23 SSR primer pairs. The total number of alleles produced was 67 with an average of 2.91 per locus. Allele frequency was in the range of 0.215 to 0.561 with mean value of 0.403, polymorphic information content ranged from 0.158 to 0.495 with the mean of 0.333, marker index ranged from 0.316 to 1.54 with an average value of 0.954 and resolving power ranged from 0.346 to 2.692 with mean of 1.392. The maximum allele frequency was reported with primer SSR65, whereas the maximum value of polymorphic information content and resolving power was found with SSR61 and the maximum value of marker index was reported with SSR60. Jaccard's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.07 to 0.897 with maximum similarity between genotype G40 and G41 and minimum between G16 and G20, and G16 and G100. Clustering and PCA grouped the genotypes in two clusters, and majority of them were found in cluster B. The population structure analysis also showed two major populations, in which 47 genotypes were found in population 1, 39 genotypes in population 2, whereas remaining 18 genotypes were admixtures. The study provides researchers a valuable information for genotype identification, gene mapping, molecular breeding, and future exploration of cucumber germplasm in India and other major cucumber growing countries.
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Cottle BJ, Lewis FC, Shone V, Ellison-Hughes GM. Skeletal muscle-derived interstitial progenitor cells ( PICs) display stem cell properties, being clonogenic, self-renewing, and multi-potent in vitro and in vivo. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:158. [PMID: 28676130 PMCID: PMC5496597 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0612-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of cellular therapies to treat muscle wastage with disease or age is paramount. Resident muscle satellite cells are not currently regarded as a viable cell source due to their limited migration and growth capability ex vivo. This study investigated the potential of muscle-derived PW1+/Pax7- interstitial progenitor cells (PICs) as a source of tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells with stem cell properties and multipotency. METHODS Sca-1+/PW1+ PICs were identified on tissue sections from hind limb muscle of 21-day-old mice, isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) technology and their phenotype and characteristics assessed over time in culture. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labelled PICs were used to determine multipotency in vivo in a tumour formation assay. RESULTS Isolated PICs expressed markers of pluripotency (Oct3/4, Sox2, and Nanog), were clonogenic, and self-renewing with >60 population doublings, and a population doubling time of 15.8 ± 2.9 h. PICs demonstrated an ability to generate both striated and smooth muscle, whilst also displaying the potential to differentiate into cell types of the three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, PICs did not form tumours in vivo. CONCLUSION These findings open new avenues for a variety of solid tissue engineering and regeneration approaches, utilising a single multipotent stem cell type isolated from an easily accessible source such as skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverley J Cottle
- Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences & Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Shepherd's House, Rm 4.16, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Fiona C Lewis
- Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences & Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Shepherd's House, Rm 4.16, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Victoria Shone
- Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences & Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Shepherd's House, Rm 4.16, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Georgina M Ellison-Hughes
- Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences & Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Shepherd's House, Rm 4.16, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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Abstract
Eukaryotic gene transcription requires the assembly at the promoter of a large preinitiation complex (PIC) that includes RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and the general transcription factors TFIID, TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIIF, TFIIE, and TFIIH. The size and complexity of Pol II, TFIID, and TFIIH have precluded their reconstitution from heterologous systems, and purification relies on scarce endogenous sources. Together with their conformational flexibility and the transient nature of their interactions, these limitations had precluded structural characterization of the PIC. In the last few years, however, progress in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has made possible the visualization, at increasingly better resolution, of large PIC assemblies in different functional states. These structures can now be interpreted in near-atomic detail and provide an exciting structural framework for past and future functional studies, giving us unique mechanistic insight into the complex process of transcription initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Nogales
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department and QB3 Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-3220
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, California 94720-3220
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrative Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, California 94720-3220;
| | - Robert K Louder
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-3220
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3500
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Abstract
Background: Africa is being described as the wretched of the earth, despite this, the continent is endowed with natural resources, dynamic ecosystem, and different species of plants and animals, and species derivatives. This paper area of departure is to focus on Hoodia, a plant that is being a source of food, medicine and water for the San and Khoe indigenous peoples before the advent of Europeans into southern Africa. South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) dubiously patented Hoodia without observing the basic indices of geographical indications (GIs), indigenous knowledge (IK), novelty, access sharing benefit (ASB), prior informed consent (PIC) and sustainability of ecosystem before the rights was sold to Phytopharm pharmaceutical company. Materials and methods: This article adopts neoliberal thesis with emphasis on complex interdependence theory of organic linkages between developing and developed countries. Secondary sources of information taken into account of qualitative and critical discuss content analyses dominate this paper. Result: The paper recommends a linkage between developed and developing states based on endowment theory and comparative advantage with the notion of adhering to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which has three objectives: the conservation of biodiversity; the sustainable utilisation of indigenous biological resources (IBR); and fair and equitable benefit sharing. Conclusion: The paper recommends that there is a need to follow CBD and other relevant international regimes that promote equal exchange in exploitation of Africa resources as against the present skewed arrangement that is in favour of multinational corporations (MNCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lere Amusan
- North West University, Mafikeng Campus, South Africa
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Abuzayed M, El-Dabba N, Frary A, Doganlar S. GDdom: An Online Tool for Calculation of Dominant Marker Gene Diversity. Biochem Genet 2016; 55:155-157. [PMID: 27743221 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-016-9779-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Gene diversity (GD), also called polymorphism information content, is a commonly used measure of molecular marker polymorphism. Calculation of GD for dominant markers such as AFLP, RAPD, and multilocus SSRs is valuable for researchers. To meet this need, we developed a free online computer program, GDdom, which provides easy, quick, and accurate calculation of dominant marker GD with a commonly used formula. Results are presented in tabular form for quick interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Abuzayed
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430, Urla Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nourhan El-Dabba
- Department of Computer Engineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430, Urla Izmir, Turkey
| | - Anne Frary
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430, Urla Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sami Doganlar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, 35430, Urla Izmir, Turkey.
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Gruffat H, Marchione R, Manet E. Herpesvirus Late Gene Expression: A Viral-Specific Pre-initiation Complex Is Key. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:869. [PMID: 27375590 PMCID: PMC4893493 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During their productive cycle, herpesviruses exhibit a strictly regulated temporal cascade of gene expression that can be divided into three general stages: immediate-early (IE), early (E), and late (L). This expression program is the result of a complex interplay between viral and cellular factors at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, as well as structural differences within the promoter architecture for each of the three gene classes. Since the cellular enzyme RNA polymerase II (RNAP-II) is responsible for the transcription of herpesvirus genes, most viral promoters contain DNA motifs that are common with those of cellular genes, although promoter complexity decreases from immediate-early to late genes. Immediate-early and early promoters contain numerous cellular and viral cis-regulating sequences upstream of a TATA box, whereas late promoters differ significantly in that they lack cis-acting sequences upstream of the transcription start site (TSS). Moreover, in the case of the β- and γ-herpesviruses, a TATT box motif is frequently found in the position where the consensus TATA box of eukaryotic promoters usually localizes. The mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of the late viral gene promoters appear to be different between α-herpesviruses and the two other herpesvirus subfamilies (β and γ). In this review, we will compare the mechanisms of late gene transcriptional regulation between HSV-1, for which the viral IE transcription factors – especially ICP4 – play an essential role, and the two other subfamilies of herpesviruses, with a particular emphasis on EBV, which has recently been found to code for its own specific TATT-binding protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri Gruffat
- International Center for Infectiology Research, Oncogenic Herpesviruses Team, Université de Lyon, LyonFrance; Inserm, U1111, LyonFrance.; Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, LyonFrance; CNRS, UMR5308, LyonFrance; Université Lyon 1, LyonFrance
| | - Roberta Marchione
- International Center for Infectiology Research, Oncogenic Herpesviruses Team, Université de Lyon, LyonFrance; Inserm, U1111, LyonFrance.; Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, LyonFrance; CNRS, UMR5308, LyonFrance; Université Lyon 1, LyonFrance
| | - Evelyne Manet
- International Center for Infectiology Research, Oncogenic Herpesviruses Team, Université de Lyon, LyonFrance; Inserm, U1111, LyonFrance.; Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, LyonFrance; CNRS, UMR5308, LyonFrance; Université Lyon 1, LyonFrance
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Abstract
Adult skeletal muscle maintains a homeostatic state with modest levels of cellular turnover, unlike the skin or blood. However, the muscle is highly sensitive to tissue injury, which unleashes a cascade of regenerative and inflammatory processes. Muscle regeneration involves cross-talk between numerous cytokine signaling axes, and the coordinated activity of multiple muscle-resident and circulating progenitor populations. Satellite cells, closely associated with myofibers, are established as the canonical muscle stem cell, with self-renewal and myofiber-regenerating capacity. However, a heterogeneous group of mesenchymal progenitor cells residing within the muscle interstitium are also highly responsive to muscle injury and exhibit varying degrees of regenerative potential. These cells interact with satellite cells via direct and indirect mechanisms to regulate regeneration or repair. We describe the known phylogenetic and functional relationships of the multiple progenitor populations residing within skeletal muscle, their putative roles in the coordination of injury repair, and their possible contributions to health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaveena Dey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115-6119, USA
| | - David J. Goldhamer
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3125, USA
| | - Paul B. Yu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115-6119, USA
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Abstract
Retroviruses must integrate their cDNA into the host genome to generate proviruses. Viral DNA-protein complexes interact with cellular proteins and produce pre-integration complexes, which carry the viral genome and cross the nuclear pore channel to enter the nucleus and integrate viral DNA into host chromosomal DNA. If the reverse transcripts fail to integrate, linear or circular DNA species such as 1- and 2-long terminal repeats are generated. Such complexes encounter numerous cellular proteins in the cytoplasm, which restrict viral infection and protect the nucleus. To overcome host cell defenses, the pathogens have evolved several evasion strategies. Viral proteins often contain nuclear localization signals, allowing entry into the nucleus. Among more than 1000 proteins identified as required for HIV infection by RNA interference screening, karyopherins, cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 6, and nucleoporins have been predominantly studied. This review discusses current opinions about the synergistic relationship between the viral and cellular factors involved in nuclear import, with focus on the unveiled mysteries of the host-pathogen interaction, and highlights novel approaches to pinpoint therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faysal Bin Hamid
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Republic of Korea.,Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsun Kim
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Republic of Korea.,Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Republic of Korea
| | - Cha-Gyun Shin
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Republic of Korea.,Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Republic of Korea
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Taneja A, Su'a B, Hill AG. Efficacy of patient-initiated follow-up clinics in secondary care: a systematic review. Intern Med J 2015; 44:1156-60. [PMID: 25039414 DOI: 10.1111/imj.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Patient-initiated follow up (PIFU) is an initiative that allows patients to initiate hospital follow-up appointments on an 'as required' basis compared with the traditional 'physician-initiated' model. The main principle is to reduce inappropriate regular follow-up appointments. In this systematic review, we attempt to address its efficacy for outpatient secondary level care. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, an electronic literature search was performed independently by two authors using pre-defined search terms across EMBASE, Ovid MedLine, PubMed, PSYCINFO and the Cochrane Library databases. Articles were included if they specifically evaluated any aspect of PIFU. Studies evaluating non-outpatient-based, primary level-based and nurse-led clinic appointments were excluded. A total of 747 articles was reviewed, and six were finally included for the systematic review. Three studies analysed efficacy of PIFU with regards to rheumatological disease and found that there was no deleterious clinical effect and a trend towards increased satisfaction and quality of life including lower costs in the PIFU group. Two studies looked at PIFU and inflammatory bowel disease and identified some clinical benefit and lower costs and equivalent satisfaction and QoL with the PIFU group. A further study looked at PIFU in stage 1 breast cancer and did not find any significant differences in outcomes. There is evidence to suggest that PIFU systems result in fewer overall outpatient appointments in secondary care led services while maintaining equivalent if not better patient satisfaction, quality of life and clinical outcomes across a range of chronic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Taneja
- Department of Surgery, South Auckland Clinical School, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Bhattacharyya P, Kumaria S, Tandon P. Applicability of ISSR and DAMD markers for phyto-molecular characterization and association with some important biochemical traits of Dendrobium nobile, an endangered medicinal orchid. Phytochemistry 2015; 117:306-316. [PMID: 26125940 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Dendrobium nobile is an important medicinal orchid having profound importance in traditional herbal drug preparations and pharmacopeias worldwide. Due to various anthropogenic pressures the natural populations of this important orchid species are presently facing threats of extinction. In the present study, genetic and chemical diversity existing amongst 6 natural populations of D. nobile were assessed using molecular markers, and the influence of genetic factors on its phytochemical activity especially antioxidant potential was determined. Molecular fingerprinting of the orchid taxa was performed using ISSR and DAMD markers along with the estimation of total phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloid contents. Antioxidant activity was also measured using DPPH and FRAP assays which cumulatively revealed a significant level of variability across the sampled populations. The representatives from Sikkim in Northeast India revealed higher phytochemical activity whereas those from Mizoram showed lesser activity. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that variation amongst the populations was significantly higher than within the populations. The data generated by UPGMA and Bayesian analytical models were compared in order to estimate the genetic relationships amongst the D. nobile germplasm sampled from different geographical areas of Northeast India. Interestingly, identical grouping patterns were exhibited by both the approaches. The results of the present study detected a high degree of existing genetic and phytochemical variation amongst the populations in relation to bioclimatic and geographic locations of populations. Our results strongly establish that the cumulative marker approach could be the best suited for assessing the genetic relationships with high accuracy amongst distinct D. nobile accessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paromik Bhattacharyya
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Centre for Advanced Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India
| | - Suman Kumaria
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Centre for Advanced Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India.
| | - Pramod Tandon
- Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Centre for Advanced Studies, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, Meghalaya, India
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Heikrujam M, Kumar J, Agrawal V. Genetic diversity analysis among male and female Jojoba genotypes employing gene targeted molecular markers, start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism and CAAT box-derived polymorphism (CBDP) markers. Meta Gene 2015; 5:90-7. [PMID: 26110116 PMCID: PMC4477110 DOI: 10.1016/j.mgene.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To detect genetic variations among different Simmondsia chinensis genotypes, two gene targeted markers, start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism and CAAT box-derived polymorphism (CBDP) were employed in terms of their informativeness and efficiency in analyzing genetic relationships among different genotypes. A total of 15 SCoT and 17 CBDP primers detected genetic polymorphism among 39 Jojoba genotypes (22 females and 17 males). Comparatively, CBDP markers proved to be more effective than SCoT markers in terms of percentage polymorphism as the former detecting an average of 53.4% and the latter as 49.4%. The Polymorphic information content (PIC) value and marker index (MI) of CBPD were 0.43 and 1.10, respectively which were higher than those of SCoT where the respective values of PIC and MI were 0.38 and 1.09. While comparing male and female genotype populations, the former showed higher variation in respect of polymorphic percentage and PIC, MI and Rp values over female populations. Nei's diversity (h) and Shannon index (I) were calculated for each genotype and found that the genotype “MS F” (in both markers) was highly diverse and genotypes “Q104 F” (SCoT) and “82–18 F” (CBDP) were least diverse among the female genotype populations. Among male genotypes, “32 M” (CBDP) and “MS M” (SCoT) revealed highest h and I values while “58-5 M” (both markers) was the least diverse. Jaccard's similarity co-efficient of SCoT markers ranged from 0.733 to 0.922 in female genotypes and 0.941 to 0.746 in male genotype population. Likewise, CBDP data analysis also revealed similarity ranging from 0.751 to 0.958 within female genotypes and 0.754 to 0.976 within male genotype populations thereby, indicating genetically diverse Jojoba population. Employing the NTSYS (Numerical taxonomy and multivariate analysis system) Version 2.1 software, both the markers generated dendrograms which revealed that all the Jojoba genotypes were clustered into two major groups, one group consisting of all female genotypes and another group comprising of all male genotypes. During the present investigation, CBDP markers proved more informative in studying genetic diversity among Jojoba. Such genetically diverse genotypes would thus be of great significance for breeding, management and conservation of elite (high yielding) Jojoba germplasm. SCoT and CBDP markers were used to detect genetic diversity in Jojoba genotypes. CAAT markers proved to be more effective over SCoT markers in evaluating genetic diversity. Males showed more variations over females in terms of polymorphic percentage, PIC, MI and Rp values. Besides, Nei's diversity (h) and Shannon index (I) values calculated for the genotypes displayed diverse male and female genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jatin Kumar
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Veena Agrawal
- Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
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44
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Abstract
An extensive series of physiological studies in macaques shows the existence of neurons in three multisensory cortical regions, dorsal medial superior temporal area (MSTd), ventral intraparietal area (VIP), and visual posterior sylvian area (VPS), that are tuned for direction of self-motion in both visual and vestibular modalities. Some neurons have congruent direction preferences, suggesting integration of signals for optimum encoding of self-motion trajectory; others have opposite preferences and could be used for discounting retinal motion that arises from perceptually irrelevant head motion. Whether such a system exists in humans is unknown. Here, artificial vestibular stimulation was administered to human participants during fMRI scanning in conjunction with carefully calibrated visual stimulation that emulated either congruent or opposite stimulation conditions. Direction and speed varied sinusoidally, such that the two conditions contained identical vestibular stimulation and identical retinal stimulation, differing only in the relative phase of the two components. In human MST and putative VIP, multivoxel pattern analysis permitted classification of stimulus phase based on fMRI time-series data, consistent with the existence of separate neuron populations responsive to congruent and opposite cue combinations. Decoding was also possible in the vicinity of parieto-insular vestibular cortex, possibly in a homolog of macaque VPS.
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45
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Amusan L. The plights of African resources patenting through the lenses of the World Trade Organisation: an assessment of South Africa's rooibos tea's labyrith journey. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 2014; 11:41-7. [PMID: 25395703 DOI: 10.4314/ajtcam.v11i5.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Just as developing states are blessed with natural resources capable of transforming their economies into a positive direction, the imposed World Trade Organisation's (WTO) mores continue to relegate them to the status of underdevelopment. The consequences of this on investment, trade and finance in Third World States (TWSs), especially Africa, are disarticulation of the economy, exploitation, disinvestment, unemployment, political instability and unavailability of relevant technology to move TWSs forward, among others. This gives rise to the politics behind Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) patenting (a medicinal plant found only in South Africa) by various multinational corporations (MNCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study adopted political economy approach with emphasis on both primary and secondary sources of data collection using content analysis. RESULT There is need to adhere strictly to the issues of intellectual property rights (IPRs), geographical indications (GIs), prior informed consent (PIC), and access and sharing benefits (ASB). These have not been observed by the western states because of their economic of neo-imperialism to the disadvantage of developing states. CONCLUSION This paper recommends that there is need for a regional regime such as African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), on indigenous knowledge (IK) to patent the continental biodiversity resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lere Amusan
- Department of Politics and International Relations, North West University, South Africa
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Mottram CJ, Heckman CJ, Powers RK, Rymer WZ, Suresh NL. Disturbances of motor unit rate modulation are prevalent in muscles of spastic-paretic stroke survivors. J Neurophysiol 2014; 111:2017-28. [PMID: 24572092 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00389.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke survivors often exhibit abnormally low motor unit firing rates during voluntary muscle activation. Our purpose was to assess the prevalence of saturation in motor unit firing rates in the spastic-paretic biceps brachii muscle of stroke survivors. To achieve this objective, we recorded the incidence and duration of impaired lower- and higher-threshold motor unit firing rate modulation in spastic-paretic, contralateral, and healthy control muscle during increases in isometric force generated by the elbow flexor muscles. Impaired firing was considered to have occurred when firing rate became constant (i.e., saturated), despite increasing force. The duration of impaired firing rate modulation in the lower-threshold unit was longer for spastic-paretic (3.9 ± 2.2 s) than for contralateral (1.4 ± 0.9 s; P < 0.001) and control (1.1 ± 1.0 s; P = 0.005) muscles. The duration of impaired firing rate modulation in the higher-threshold unit was also longer for the spastic-paretic (1.7 ± 1.6 s) than contralateral (0.3 ± 0.3 s; P = 0.007) and control (0.1 ± 0.2 s; P = 0.009) muscles. This impaired firing rate of the lower-threshold unit arose, despite an increase in the overall descending command, as shown by the recruitment of the higher-threshold unit during the time that the lower-threshold unit was saturating, and by the continuous increase in averages of the rectified EMG of the biceps brachii muscle throughout the rising phase of the contraction. These results suggest that impairments in firing rate modulation are prevalent in motor units of spastic-paretic muscle, even when the overall descending command to the muscle is increasing.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Mottram
- Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;
| | - C J Heckman
- Departments of Physiology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - R K Powers
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - W Z Rymer
- Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - N L Suresh
- Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Myint AM, Kim YK. Network beyond IDO in psychiatric disorders: revisiting neurodegeneration hypothesis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 48:304-13. [PMID: 24184687 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2012] [Revised: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of immune system activation in the pathophysiology of certain psychiatric disorders is well documented. Inflammatory molecules such as pro-inflammatory cytokines could enhance the activity of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme which is the first rate-limiting enzyme of the tryptophan degradation pathway, the kynurenine pathway. The increased tryptophan degradation could induce serotonin depletion and depressive mood. On the other hand, the downstream metabolites from this pathway, such as 3-hydroxykynurenine, quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid, are neuroactive metabolites which can modulate several neurotransmissions, such as glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmissions, which in turn induce changes in neuronal-glial network and neuropsychiatric consequences. In this issue, we have revised the previous 'neurodegeneration hypothesis,' which explained the involvement of cytokines and IDO pathway interaction in depression, with a further extended view related to the network beyond IDO, the network between immune molecules, tryptophan metabolites and different neurotransmitters, in depression and other major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and childhood psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aye-Mu Myint
- Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University, Nussbaumstrasse 7; D-80336 Munich, Germany; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
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Mondal TK, Ganie SA. Identification and characterization of salt responsive miRNA-SSR markers in rice (Oryza sativa). Gene 2013; 535:204-9. [PMID: 24315823 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Salinity is an important abiotic stress that affects agricultural production and productivity. It is a complex trait that is regulated by different molecular mechanisms. miRNAs are non-coding RNAs which are highly conserved and regulate gene expression. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are robust molecular markers for studying genetic diversity. Although several SSR markers are available now, challenge remains to identify the trait-specific SSRs which can be used for marker assisted breeding. In order to understand the genetic diversity of salt responsive-miRNA genes in rice, SSR markers were mined from 130 members of salt-responsive miRNA genes of rice and validated among the contrasting panels of tolerant as well as susceptible rice genotypes, each with 12 genotypes. Although 12 miR-SSRs were found to be polymorphic, only miR172b-SSR was able to differentiate the tolerant and susceptible genotypes in 2 different groups. It had also been found that miRNA genes were more diverse in susceptible genotypes than the tolerant one (as indicated by polymorphic index content) which might interfere to form the stem-loop structure of premature miRNA and their subsequent synthesis in susceptible genotypes. Thus, we concluded that length variations of the repeats in salt responsive miRNA genes may be responsible for a possible sensitivity to salinity adaptation. This is the first report of characterization of trait specific miRNA derived SSRs in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Kumar Mondal
- Division of Genomic Resource, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource, Pusa, New Delhi 110012, India.
| | - Showkat Ahmad Ganie
- Division of Genomic Resource, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource, Pusa, New Delhi 110012, India
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Berger C, Becker T, Koen M, Zeino M, Fitz F, Beheshti M, Wolf-Kohlmeier I, Haim S, Riccabona M. Positioning irrigation of contrast cystography for diagnosis of occult vesicoureteric reflux: association with technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scans. J Pediatr Urol 2013; 9:846-50. [PMID: 23219319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2012.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Positioning irrigation of contrast (PIC) cystography identifies occult or PIC vesicoureteral reflux (PIC-VUR) in children with recurrent febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) but no vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) on standard voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). We sought to identify the relationship between PIC-VUR and renal scarring in technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scans. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analysed PIC cystograms and DMSA scans for 154 kidneys in 81 children (65 girls; 16 boys; median age, 4.7 years; range, 0.9-15.2). Renal scarring was graded on a scale of 0-3. DMSA scans were pathologic in 66 patients (81%). Children had experienced mean 3.8 febrile UTI (range 1-25). Forty-seven (58%) children had a history of reflux, including 15 (19%) with previous anti-reflux operations. Indications for PIC cystography were recurrence of febrile UTI after either bilateral negative VCUG (66 children) or unilateral VUR (15 children) with contralateral/bilateral scarring or reflux that had changed sides in subsequent VCUGs. RESULTS PIC-VUR was bilateral in 63, unilateral in 12, and absent in 6 children. Statistically significant associations between PIC-VUR grade and severity of renal scarring were identified in inter-individual (n = 77, p = 0.017) and intra-individual (refluxing vs. nonrefluxing kidney; n = 12, p = 0.008) analyses. After excluding patients with history of VUR, statistical significance was maintained in inter-individual analysis (n = 49; p = 0.018). CONCLUSION The data suggest an association between PIC-VUR and severity of renal scarring, and legitimise the use of PIC cystography in children with renal scarring due to recurrent febrile UTI but negative findings on VCUG.
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Imbe H, Kimura A, Donishi T, Kaneoke Y. Repeated forced swim stress enhances CFA-evoked thermal hyperalgesia and affects the expressions of pCREB and c-Fos in the insular cortex. Neuroscience 2013; 259:1-11. [PMID: 24291670 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Stress affects brain activity and promotes long-term changes in multiple neural systems. Exposure to stressors causes substantial effects on the perception and response to pain. In several animal models, chronic stress produces lasting hyperalgesia. The insular (IC) and anterior cingulate cortices (ACC) are the regions exhibiting most reliable pain-related activity. And the IC and ACC play an important role in pain modulation via the descending pain modulatory system. In the present study we examined the expression of phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) and c-Fos in the IC and ACC after forced swim stress (FS) and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) injection to clarify changes in the cerebral cortices that affect the activity of the descending pain modulatory system in the rats with stress-induced hyperalgesia. FS (day 1, 10min; days 2-3, 20min) induced an increase in the expression of pCREB and c-Fos in the anterior IC (AIC). CFA injection into the hindpaw after the FS shows significantly enhanced thermal hyperalgesia and induced a decrease in the expression of c-Fos in the AIC and the posterior IC (PIC). Quantitative image analysis showed that the numbers of c-Fos-immunoreactive neurons in the left AIC and PIC were significantly lower in the FS+CFA group (L AIC, 95.9±6.8; L PIC, 181.9±23.1) than those in the naive group (L AIC, 151.1±19.3, p<0.05; L PIC, 274.2±37.3, p<0.05). These findings suggest a neuroplastic change in the IC after FS, which may be involved in the enhancement of CFA-induced thermal hyperalgesia through dysfunction of the descending pain modulatory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Imbe
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan.
| | - A Kimura
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
| | - T Donishi
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
| | - Y Kaneoke
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera 811-1, Wakayama City 641-8509, Japan
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