Multi-ancestry transcriptome-wide association analyses yield insights into tobacco use biology and drug repurposing

Most transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) so far focus on European ancestry and lack diversity. To overcome this limitation, we aggregated genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, whole-genome sequences and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data from diverse ancestries. We developed a new approach, TESLA (multi-ancestry integrative study using an optimal linear combination of association statistics), to integrate an eQTL dataset with a multi-ancestry GWAS. By exploiting shared phenotypic effects between ancestries and accommodating potential effect heterogeneities, TESLA improves power over other TWAS methods. When applied to tobacco use phenotypes, TESLA identified 273 new genes, up to 55% more compared with alternative TWAS methods. These hits and subsequent fine mapping using TESLA point to target genes with biological relevance. In silico drug-repurposing analyses highlight several drugs with known efficacy, including dextromethorphan and galantamine, and new drugs such as muscle relaxants that may be repurposed for treating nicotine addiction

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Not AvailableFruit maturity and associated changes in terms of physicochemical and sensorial qualities of Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulat Blanco) grown at different altitudes, viz. 500-600 m, 700-800 m, 900-1 000 m and 1 300-1 400 m were studied under humid tropical climate of Meghalaya. Rapid increase in fruit growth was recorded from fruit development to colour break stage, however it was slow thereafter at all the altitudes. At 500-600m and 700-800m, juice yield was recorded highest at fruit maturity stage (46.64% and 49.11%) while, it was highest in advanced fruit maturity stage (50.90% and 51.15%) at 900-1 000 m and 1 300-1 400 m. Diurnal variation in climate stimulated drop in chlorophyll (‘a’, ‘b’ and total) and promoted development of yellowish orange colouration on fruit peel at altitude of 500-600 m and 700-800 m while deep orange colouration at 900-1 000 m and 1 300-1 400 m. Significant rise in TSS and TSS: acid ratio with drop in titratable acidity were recorded during maturation. Ascorbic acid content was recorded maximum at 1 300-1 400 m (44.13 mg/100 g) and 900-1 000 m (41.05 mg/100 g) compared with 700-800 m (37.56 mg/100 g) and 500-600 m (35.66 mg/100 g) at advanced maturity stage. Duration of 1 and 1 ½ month (fruit development to colour break stage) represents maturation at 500-600 m and 700-800 m considering TSS (10.23 °B and 10.13 °B), TSS: acid ratio (13.22 and 12.60), sweetness (3.93 and 3.67), flavour (8.00 and 7.93) and appearance (8.07 and 7.87) score. While duration of 2 and 2 ½ months (fruit development to fruit maturity stage) required at 900-1 000 m and 1 300-1 400 m considering TSS (10.07 °B and 10.16 °B), TSS: acid ratio (12.40 and 12.02), sweetness (4.07 and 3.93), flavour (7.87 and 7.93) and appearance (7.93 and 8.00) score.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSynchronization of oestrus with PGF2α analogue and ear implant and serum oestradiol–17β and progesterone profile in Assam local cows.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableOestrus characteristics following synchronization with exogenous hormone in cowsNot Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted for two years to investigate the effect of vermicompost, organic mulching and irrigation level on growth, yield and quality attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with an ultimate aim of optimizing water and nutrient requirement of tomato in mild-tropical climate during dry season. The vermicompost together with organic mulching increased plant height (106.5 cm), leaf area (40.6 cm2), leaf weight (1301 mg/ leaf), fruit weight (92.9 g), fruit yield (4.013 kg/ plant), fruit density (0.972 g/ cc), post-harvest shelf-life (15.0 days) and TSS (5.2º Brix) of tomato significantly. Application of vermicompost alone too increased the shelf-life of fruits by 25-106 % and TSS beyond 4.5 %, both of which are traits highly desirable for production of summer tomato and the related processing industry. The application of vermicompost @ 5 tonnes/ ha, 5 cm thick mulching with dried crop residues, two-thirds dose of NPK fertilizer (80:40:40 kg/ ha) and 30 % irrigation is optimum for obtaining better quality and productivity of field grown tomatoes during dry period of mild-tropical climate.Not Availabl

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