Molecular basis of viroid RNA-templated transcription

Transcription is a fundamental process catalyzed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases (DdRPs). Interestingly, some DdRPs can use both DNA and RNA as templates for transcription. This RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity of DdRPs is used by RNA-based pathogens such as viroids and hepatitis delta virus for replication. In addition, RdRP activity of DdRPs widely occurs in various organisms to regulate gene transcription. Despite the importance of this intrinsic RdRP activity of DdRPs, associated factors and mechanisms are in their infancy stage. We employed potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) as a model to study RNA-templated transcription. Here, we present evidence showing that circular PSTVd templates are critical for the synthesis of longer-than-unit-length (-) strand products. Further, we show transcription factor IIS is dispensable for PSTVd replication supporting de novo transcription on PSTVd RNA templates. The absence of canonical general transcription factor, TFIIS from PSTVd-templated transcription complex led to the hypothesis that RNA-templated transcription has a distinct organization on the RNA template. To test this hypothesis, we used our well-established in vitro transcription (IVT) system and demonstrated that RNA polymerase II (Pol II) accepts minus-strand for transcription. In addition, transcription factor TFIIIA-7ZF is needed to aid Pol II transcription activity. Further analyses of the critical zinc finger domains in TFIIIA-7ZF revealed that the first three zinc finger domains are pivotal for template binding. Notably, we identified a remodeled Pol II complex for viroid transcription that is missing Rpb4, Rpb5, Rpb6, Rpb7, and Rpb9. General transcription factors for DNA-templated transcription are also absent in the transcription complex on the RNA template. This remodeled Pol II complex still possesses the transcription activity on PSTVd RNA template. Collectively, our data illustrate a distinct organization of Pol II complex on viroid RNA templates, providing new insights into viroid replication, the evolution of transcription machinery, as well as the mechanism of RNA-templated transcription

Genome wide association study for Fe, Zn, and Se concentration in field pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Non-Peer Reviewe

Diurnal avifaunal diversity, species richness and density along the Bolgoda canal in the Bellanwila- Attidiya sanctuary, western Sri Lanka

Diurnal Avifaunal diversity, density and species richness were studied along the Bolgoda Canal inBellanwi la- Attidiya Sanctuary (70 42/ N, 79° 49!E) of Western Sri Lanka from June 2005 to February2006. Six lines transect (length 500m) totaling 3.00 km and positioned along the Bolgoda canal weretravelled slowly on foot three times per month. The day was divided into three time periods as 0700-1000 (morning), 1200 - 1500 (noon) and 1500 - 1800 (evening). Data were collected three times permonth for each time period. All birds seen within one hundred meters on either side of each transectwere recorded. Fifty-two bird species were recorded including globally endangered spotted billedpelican (Pelecanus philippensisi and four migratory species (Actitis hypoleucos,Burhinusodicnemus, Gelochelidon nilotica, Terpsiphone paradisi). Species diversity was significantly highin December 2005 and low in August 2005. (ANaYA, F= 17.00, p<0.05) Species density wassignificantly high in September 2005 and low in June (ANaYA, F =15.00, p>0.05) Highest speciesrichness was recorded in the morning session (Species richness 26.32 ± 0.021) and the lowest speciesrichness was recorded in the noon session (Species richness 18.82 ± 0.031). Species richness variedfrom33.12 ± 0.023 in August47.54 ± 0.31 in December 2005. Relative abundant indicated that HouseCrow (Corvus splendenss was the most abundant species while Lesser Wh istling Duck (Dendrocyonajavanica) was the least abundance species. Present study revealed that although the study site is inclose proximity to densely populated residential area; it still provides a vital habitat to large number ofbird species and therefore warrants protection

Practices Followed to Manage Plastic Waste including Shopping Bags and Lunch Sheets in Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Study in Western Province

Although plastics have made the workings of our lives easier, it has created many different environmental and social problems due to poor management practices. The problem of plastic waste has been exacerbated due to various regulations that have been introduced from time to time for the sustainable management of plastic waste. However, those are not properly implemented. The main objective of this study is to examine the best practices in Sri Lanka for the management of plastic waste, including shopping bags and lunch sheets (PBLS). Further, the study illustrated the prevailing and possible alternatives for polythene products in Sri Lanka and weaknesses in the identification of alternatives. The study was conducted in the Western Province covering three districts: Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara. Data collection was conducted through different structured questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews and a major workshop from a sample of 1314 respondents. Results revealed that 59% of households in the survey confirm that they were discouraged from switching to alternatives as a result of freely available low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags in the market. Also, 67% of the households and 74% of the supermarkets pointed out that, the current polythene bag usage was higher prior to the ban, due to the poor strength and quality of the bag. Further, the study reveals that ‘Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)’ has the potential to influence material management systems and prevent pollution and has been successfully tested in many countries around the world. DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v07i01.0

Continuous spin excitations in the three-dimensional frustrated magnet K2Ni2(SO4)3

Continuous spin excitations are widely recognized as one of the hallmarks of novel spin states in quantum magnets, such as quantum spin liquids (QSLs). Here, we report the observation of such kind of excitations in K2Ni2(SO4)3, which consists of two sets of intersected spin-1 Ni2+ trillium lattices. Our inelastic neutron scattering measurement on single crystals clearly shows a dominant excitation continuum, which exhibits a distinct temperature-dependent behavior from that of spin waves, and is rooted in strong quantum spin fluctuations. Further using the self-consistent-gaussian-approximation method, we determined the fourth- and fifth-nearest neighbor exchange interactions are dominant. These two bonds together form a unique three-dimensional network of corner-sharing tetrahedra, which we name as ''hyper-trillium'' lattice. Our results provide direct evidence for the existence of QSL features in K2Ni2(SO4)3 and highlight the potential for the hyper-trillium lattice to host frustrated quantum magnetism.Comment: 6 pages and 5 figures, plus several pages of supplemental material, comments are welcom

A waitlist-controlled trial of group cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety in Parkinson’s disease

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatment for depression and anxiety in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: A waitlist-controlled trial design was used. Eighteen adults with PD and a comorbid DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety were randomised to either Intervention (8-week group CBT treatment) or Waitlist (8-week clinical monitoring preceding treatment). The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was the primary outcome. Assessments were completed at Time 1 (pretreatment), Time 2 (posttreatment/post-waitlist) and 1-month and 6-month follow-ups. Results: At Time 2, participants who received CBT reported greater reductions in depression (Mchange = -2.45) than Waitlist participants (Mchange = .29) and this effect was large, d = 1.12, p = .011. Large secondary effects on anxiety were also observed for CBT participants, d = .89, p = .025. All treatment gains were maintained and continued to improve during the follow-up period. At 6-month follow-up, significant and large effects were observed for both depression (d = 2.07) and anxiety (d = 2.26). Conclusions: Group CBT appears to be an efficacious treatment approach for depression and anxiety in PD however further controlled trials with larger numbers of participants are required

Distant delivery of a mindfulness-based intervention for people with Parkinson's disease: the study protocol of a randomised pilot trial

BACKGROUND: Psychological difficulties, especially depression and anxiety, are the most prevalent non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Pharmacological treatments for these conditions appear relatively ineffective in Parkinson's disease. Mindfulness courses are increasingly popular and recognised as effective for managing emotional states, and there is growing evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness courses for people with long-term medical conditions. With this exploratory pilot trial, we want to assess the feasibility of the procedures and processes, including recruitment, most appropriate outcome measure(s), acceptability of type and number of measures, potential nocebo effects, and potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a specially adapted distance-delivered mindfulness-based intervention in people affected by Parkinson's disease. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a pilot two-arm randomised parallel group controlled trial. Sixty participants who meet eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned either to an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention group or a wait-list control group. The mindfulness intervention will include 1-h weekly sessions delivered by a health psychologist trained to facilitate mindfulness courses. Participants in both groups will complete standardised questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia, fatigue, and daily activities at four time points (baseline, 4, 8, and 20 weeks). The analysis will also consider potential mechanisms of change, such as acceptance, self-compassion, and tolerance of uncertainty, as well as health economic outcomes. Participants' experiences of the mindfulness interventions will be explored via in-depth interviews. DISCUSSION: A mindfulness-based intervention for people with Parkinson's delivered remotely, through Skype group videoconferences, may represent a viable, more accessible, intervention for people with mobility limitations and people who live in rural areas. The trial will provide important information about the feasibility, potential efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and acceptability of the intervention as well as mechanisms of psychosocial adjustment. The results of this pilot trial will help us design a phase III trial to assess efficacy of an online mindfulness-based intervention in Parkinson's disease and evaluate significance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02683330