22 research outputs found
Alternative splicing modulation by G-quadruplexes.
Alternative splicing is central to metazoan gene regulation, but the regulatory mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we show that G-quadruplex (G4) motifs are enriched ~3-fold near splice junctions. The importance of G4s in RNA is emphasised by a higher enrichment for the non-template strand. RNA-seq data from mouse and human neurons reveals an enrichment of G4s at exons that were skipped following depolarisation induced by potassium chloride. We validate the formation of stable RNA G4s for three candidate splice sites by circular dichroism spectroscopy, UV-melting and fluorescence measurements. Moreover, we find that sQTLs are enriched at G4s, and a minigene experiment provides further support for their role in promoting exon inclusion. Analysis of >1,800 high-throughput experiments reveals multiple RNA binding proteins associated with G4s. Finally, exploration of G4 motifs across eleven species shows strong enrichment at splice sites in mammals and birds, suggesting an evolutionary conserved splice regulatory mechanism
Electronic Spectra of Cs<sub>2</sub>NaYb(NO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>6</sub>: Is There Quantum Cutting?
The
crystal structure and electronic spectra of the <i>T</i><sub><i>h</i></sub> symmetry hexanitritoytterbate(III)
anion have been studied in Cs<sub>2</sub>NaY<sub>0.96</sub>Yb<sub>0.04</sub>(NO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>6</sub>, which crystallizes in the
cubic space group <i>Fm</i>3̅. The emission from Yb<sup>3+</sup> can be excited via the NO<sub>2</sub><sup>–</sup> antenna. The latter electronic transition is situated at more than
twice the energy of the former, but at room temperature, one photon
absorbed at 470 nm in the triplet state produces no more than one
photon emitted. Some degree of quantum cutting is observed at 298
K under 420 nm excitation into the singlet state and at 25 K using
excitation into either state. The quantum efficiency is ∼10%
at 25 K. The energy level scheme of Yb<sup>3+</sup> has been deduced
from excitation and emission spectra and calculated by crystal field
theory. New improved energy level calculations are also reported for
the Cs<sub>2</sub>NaLn(NO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>6</sub> (Ln = Pr, Eu, Tb)
series using the <i>f</i>-<i>Spectra</i> package.
The neat crystal Cs<sub>2</sub>NaYb(NO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>6</sub> has
also been studied, but results were unsatisfactory due to sample decomposition,
and this chemical instability makes it unsuitable for applications
Recommended from our members
The Prevalence and Factors for Cancer Screening Behavior among People with Severe Mental Illness in Hong Kong
OBJECTIVES: Screening is useful in reducing cancer incidence and mortality. People with severe mental illness (PSMI) are vulnerable to cancer as they are exposed to higher levels of cancer risks. Little is known about PSMI's cancer screening behavior and associated factors. The present study examined the utilization of breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer screening among PSMI in Hong Kong and to identify factors associated with their screening behaviors. METHOD: 591 PSMI from community mental health services completed a cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: The percentage of cancer screening behavior among those who met the criteria for particular screening recommendation was as follows: 20.8% for mammography; 36.5% for clinical breast examination (CBE); 40.5% for pap-smear test; 12.8% for prostate examination; and 21.6% for colorectal cancer screening. Results from logistic regression analyses showed that marital status was a significant factor for mammography, CBE, and pap-smear test; belief that cancer can be healed if found early was a significant factor for pap-smear test and colorectal screening; belief that one can have cancer without having symptoms was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test; belief that one will have a higher risk if a family member has had cancer was a significant factor for CBE; and self-efficacy was a significant factor for CBE and pap-smear test behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer screening utilization among PSMI in Hong Kong is low. Beliefs about cancer and self-efficacy are associated with cancer screening behavior. Health care professionals should improve the knowledge and remove the misconceptions about cancer among PSMI; self-efficacy should also be promoted