A common variant near TGFBR3 is associated with primary open angle glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a major cause of blindness worldwide, is a complex disease with a significant genetic contribution. We performed Exome Array (Illumina) analysis on 3504 POAG cases and 9746 controls with replication of the most significant findings in 9173 POAG cases and 26 780 controls across 18 collections of Asian, African and European descent. Apart from confirming strong evidence of association at CDKN2B-AS1 (rs2157719 [G], odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, P = 2.81 × 10−33), we observed one SNP showing significant association to POAG (CDC7–TGFBR3 rs1192415, ORG-allele = 1.13, Pmeta = 1.60 × 10−8). This particular SNP has previously been shown to be strongly associated with optic disc area and vertical cup-to-disc ratio, which are regarded as glaucoma-related quantitative traits. Our study now extends this by directly implicating it in POAG disease pathogenesis

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

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Abstract Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a major cause of blindness worldwide, is a complex disease with a significant genetic contribution. We performed Exome Array ), we observed one SNP showing significant association to POAG (CDC7-TGFBR3 rs1192415, OR G-allele = 1.13, P meta = 1.60 × 10 −8 ). This particular SNP has previously been shown to be strongly associated with optic disc area and vertical cup-to-disc ratio, which are regarded as glaucoma-related quantitative traits. Our study now extends this by directly implicating it in POAG disease pathogenesis

Genomic Dissection of Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, Including 28 Subphenotypes

publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Genomic Dissection of Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, Including 28 Subphenotypes journaltitle: Cell articlelink: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.05.046 content_type: article copyright: © 2018 Elsevier Inc

"When are you getting married?" : An exploration of Singaporeans' milestones while progressing into marriage

Delaying marriage has serious repercussions for Singapore’s population demographic resulting from the strong association between marriage and fertility. Using a life course approach which emphasises on the linkages between independent events, this paper investigates 2 things. Firstly, the reasons for delayed marriages amongst Singaporeans through understanding the normative events, associated cultural timings and actual Singaporeans' intended progression towards marriage. Secondly, how normative expectations and individual agency interact to produce the Singaporean life course towards marriage. Based on interview results gathered from 10 respondents, this paper concludes that there exist durational and sequential expectations on 10 culturally established milestones. They are - singlehood, dating, completing education, employment, economic stability, proposal, cohabitation, marriage, acquiring a house and childbirth. By acknowledging both the normative and agency aspects of the life course, this paper discusses how individuals act freely within the bounds of normative standards when making decisions relating to marriage.Bachelor of Arts in Sociolog

Chinese wartime science through the lens of Joseph Needham exhibition : opening ceremony and public talk

Co-organized with Joseph Needham Foundation for Science and Civilisation in Hong Kong, Chinese Wartime Science through the Lens of Joseph Needham Exhibition features 11 banners with photos documenting Dr. Needham’s first encounter with wartime China and its Free Universities in the Southwest, and a slideshow highlighting the life adventures of Dr. Needham. Thanks for the help of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library, Dr. Needham’s 3-volume masterpiece “Chemical Embryology” which earned him the membership at the prestigious Royal Society at the age of 41 will be displayed too. The President, Prof Leonard K. Cheng and Dr. Peter Lee, Chairman of the Joseph Needham Foundation for Science and Civilisation in Hong Kong officiated at the opening ceremony held on October 8 at the University Library. It was followed by a public talk titled “Joseph Needham and the “Science and Civilisation in China”: An East-West Journey of Destiny” conducted by Dr. Peter Lee. The talk by Dr. Peter Lee focus on Dr. Joseph Needham, who befriended 3 young graduate students from China pursuing their PhD in the same laboratory. Photo Album: https://gallery.ln.edu.hk/lib/Joseph-Needham-Exhibition-Oct-2018