Fungal Virulence and Development Is Regulated by Alternative Pre-mRNA 3′End Processing in Magnaporthe oryzae

RNA-binding proteins play a central role in post-transcriptional mechanisms that control gene expression. Identification of novel RNA-binding proteins in fungi is essential to unravel post-transcriptional networks and cellular processes that confer identity to the fungal kingdom. Here, we carried out the functional characterisation of the filamentous fungus-specific RNA-binding protein RBP35 required for full virulence and development in the rice blast fungus. RBP35 contains an N-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM) and six Arg-Gly-Gly tripeptide repeats. Immunoblots identified two RBP35 protein isoforms that show a steady-state nuclear localisation and bind RNA in vitro. RBP35 coimmunoprecipitates in vivo with Cleavage Factor I (CFI) 25 kDa, a highly conserved protein involved in polyA site recognition and cleavage of pre-mRNAs. Several targets of RBP35 have been identified using transcriptomics including 14-3-3 pre-mRNA, an important integrator of environmental signals. In Magnaporthe oryzae, RBP35 is not essential for viability but regulates the length of 3′UTRs of transcripts with developmental and virulence-associated functions. The Δrbp35 mutant is affected in the TOR (target of rapamycin) signaling pathway showing significant changes in nitrogen metabolism and protein secretion. The lack of clear RBP35 orthologues in yeast, plants and animals indicates that RBP35 is a novel auxiliary protein of the polyadenylation machinery of filamentous fungi. Our data demonstrate that RBP35 is the fungal equivalent of metazoan CFI 68 kDa and suggest the existence of 3′end processing mechanisms exclusive to the fungal kingdom

Bilinear CTOD/CTOA scheme for characterisation of large range mode I and mixed mode stable crack growth through AISI 4340 steel

An investigation has been reported concerning characterisation of large span stable crack growth (SCG) through AISI 4340 steel in terms of CTOD/CTOA under both mode I and mixed (I and II) mode loadings. The characterisation has been possible through finite element analysis of published experimental results with compact tension type of specimens. As against the earlier observations by many investigators of a bilinear CTOD/CTOA variation, decreasing initially and constant later, characterising the crack growth through other materials, an increasing initially and constant later type of variation is found to be suitable for AISI 4340 steel. The same variation is found to characterise both mode I and mixed mode SCG. The starting value of CTOD/CTOA is 0.035 mm/0.0875 rad; the value at the later stages is 0.08 mm/0.20 rad. The same variation is found to predict accurate enough for engineering applications the initiation (P(i)) and maximum (P(max)) loads and the variation of load-cl is placement diagrams over a span of crack growth up to 10 mm. (C) 200

Substituent directed selectivity in anion recognition by a new class of simple osmium-pyrazole derived receptors

The present article deals with the structurally, spectroscopically and electrochemically characterised osmium-bipyridyl derived complexes [(bpy)(2)Os-II(HL1)Cl]ClO4 [1]ClO4 and [(bpy)(2)Os-II(HL2)Cl]ClO4 [2]ClO4 incorporating neutral and monodentate pyrazole derivatives (HL) with one free NH function (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, HL1 = pyrazole, HL2 = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole). The crystal structures of [1]ClO4 and [2]ClO4 reveal intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the free NH proton of HL and the equatorially lplaced Cl-ligand (N-H center dot center dot center dot Cl) with donor-acceptor distances of 3.114(7) angstrom and 3.153(6) angstrom as well as intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the NH proton and one of the oxygen atoms of ClO4-(N-H center dot center dot center dot O) with donor-acceptor distances of 2.870(10) angstrom and 3.024(8) angstrom, respectively. The effect of hydrogen bonding interactions has translated into the less acidic nature of the NH proton of the coordinated HL with estimated pK(a) > 12. 1(+) and 2(+) exhibit reversible Os(II)/(III) and irreversible Os(III)/(IV) processes in CH3CN within +/- 2.0 V versus SCE. The effect of 3,5-dimethyl substituted HL2 on 2(+) has been reflected in the appreciable lowering (40 mV) of the Os-II/(III) potential, along with the further decrease in the acidity of the NH proton (pK(a) > 13.0) with regard to HL1 coordinated 1(+) (pK(a): similar to 12.3). The electronic spectral features of Os(II) (1(+)/2(+)) and electrochemically generated Os(III) (1(2+)/2(2+)) derived complexes have been analysed by TD-DFT calculations. The efficacy of the 1(+) and 2(+) encompassing free NH proton towards the anion recognition process has been evaluated by different experimental investigations using a wide variety of anions. It however establishes that receptor 1(+) can recognise both F- and OAc- in acetonitrile solution, while 2(+) is exclusively selective for the F- ion

ABC-VED Analysis of a Drug Store in the Department of Community Medicine of a Medical College in Delhi

A matrix based on coupling of cost (always, better and control) analysis and criticality (vital, essential and desirable) analysis was employed for drug inventory containing 129 items of drug store in the Department of Community Medicine of a Medical College in Delhi. The annual drug expenditure incurred on 129 drug items for the year 2010-2011 was found to be Rs. 4,35,847.85. On always, better and control analysis, 18.6, 24.0 and 57.4% drugs were found to be always, better and control category items, respectively, amounting for 69.1, 20.8 and 10.1% of annual drug expenditure. About 13.2 (17), 38.8 (50) and 48.0% (62) items were found to be vital, essential and desirable category items, respectively, amounting for 18.7, 49.5 and 31.8% of annual drug expenditure. Based on always, better and control-vital, essential and desirable matrix analysis there were 37 (28.68%) items in category I, 53 (41.09%) items in category II and 39 (30.23%) items in category III, amounting for 73.0, 22.2 and 4.8% of annual drug expenditure, respectively. To conclude, scientific inventory management tools are needed to be applied in routine for efficient management of the pharmacy stores as it contributes to not only in improvement in patient care but also judicious use of resources as well

Relationship of Psychosocial Risk Factors, Certain Personality Traits and Myocardial Infarction in Indians: A Case–control Study

Objective: To investigate the relationship of psychosocial factors (lack of social support, stress and subjective well-being) and personality traits with myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and Methods: A case-control study involving 100 cases and 100 matched controls was conducted in Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. Results: Stress over 1 year was significantly higher in cases (P < 0.001). However, difference was not significant when scores of social support (P = 0.2), Presumptive Stressful Life Event (PSLE) over lifetime (P = 0.058) and subjective well-being (P = 0.987) were compared. MI was significantly associated with hyperactive (P < 0.001), dominant (P = 0.03), egoistic (P < 0.001) and introvert (P < 0.001) personalities. Conclusion: Certain personality traits and recent stress may be important risk factors of MI, especially in Indians. The finding may have implications on the preventive strategies planned for MI patients