Ecological Transcriptomics of Lake-Type and Riverine Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Background: There are a growing number of genomes sequenced with tentative functions assigned to a largeproportion of the individual genes. Model organisms in laboratory settings form the basis for the assignment ofgene function, and the ecological context of gene function is lacking. This work addresses this shortcoming byinvestigating expressed genes of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) muscle tissue. We compared morphologyand gene expression in natural juvenile sockeye populations related to river and lake habitats. Based on previouslydocumented divergent morphology, feeding strategy, and predation in association with these distinctenvironments, we expect that burst swimming is favored in riverine population and continuous swimming isfavored in lake-type population. In turn we predict that morphology and expressed genes promote burstswimming in riverine sockeye and continuous swimming in lake-type sockeye.Results: We found the riverine sockeye population had deep, robust bodies and lake-type had shallow,streamlined bodies. Gene expression patterns were measured using a 16K microarray, discovering 141 genes withsignificant differential expression. Overall, the identity and function of these genes was consistent with ourhypothesis. In addition, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses with a larger set of differentially expressed genesfound the “biosynthesis” category enriched for the riverine population and the “metabolism” category enriched forthe lake-type population.Conclusions: This study provides a framework for understanding sockeye life history from a transcriptomicperspective and a starting point for more extensive, targeted studies determining the ecological context of genes

The role of DNA methylation in the development of colorectal neoplasia

DNA methylation is increasingly recognised as a significant epigenetic event that may initiate and drive the process of neoplasia in humans. In the colon, DNA methylation of key genes is common in a subset of colorectal cancers. The extent to which DNA methylation at various genes contributes to initiation of colorectal neoplasms is less clear. This study sought to clarify the biological and clinicopathological significance of methylation of various genes in the development of sporadic and familial colorectal neoplasia. Quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) assays (capable of detecting down to a measureable proportion of 0.1% of the total input DNA) were developed to determine the presence of CpG methylation at a given gene. Methylation of MLH1-C was found in the apparently normal mucosa samples from seven of 104 (7%) of individuals with sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) showing microsatellite instability (MSI). No methylation of MLH1-C was found in the biological samples of individuals with microsatellite stable (MSS) counterparts (n=131). MLH1-C methylation may be a field defect that predisposes to the development of sporadic colorectal neoplasia, particularly those demonstrating MSI. Methylation of three of five genes within the 3p22 region including AB002340, MLH1, ITGA9, PLCD1 and DLEC1 (regional 3p22 methylation) was found in 83% of sporadic MSI (n=86) and 12% of MSS cancers demonstrating BRAF V600E mutation (n=42). Regional 3p22 correlated strongly with CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), and other clinicopathological characteristics typical of CIMP. Thus, regional 3p22 methylation and CIMP may be overlapping phenomena. Regional 3p22 methylation and the BRAF V600E mutation were found in normal colonic mucosa of four individuals with sporadic MSI CRC, and these cases also had multiple synchronous serrated polyps. These molecular aberrancies may predispose some individuals to the development of metachronous serrated neoplasia. Germline epimutations of APC do not contribute towards the development of FAP, AFAP, or hyperplastic polyposis syndromes. However, APC methylation in normal colonic mucosa of these individuals may represent a field defect in the development of futher neoplasms. In conclusion, different patterns of DNA methylation in normal colonic mucosa may represent a field defect important in the development of different subtypes of colorectal neoplasia

Regulatory Processes That Control Haploid Expression of Salmon Sperm mRNAs

Objective  Various stages of mRNA processing are necessary for functionally important genes required during late-stage sperm differentiation. Protein–RNA complexes form that edit, stabilize, store, deliver, localize and regulate translation of sperm mRNAs. These regulatory processes are often directed by recognition sequence elements and the particular composition of the proteins associated with the mRNAs. Previous work has shown that the cAMP response element modulator (CREM), estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and forkhead box L2A (FOXL2A) proteins are present in late-stage salmon sperm. Here we investigate whether these and other regulatory proteins might control processing of mRNAs not expressed until the haploid stage of development. We also examine regulatory processes that prepare and present mRNAs that generate unique products essential for differentiating sperm (i.e. for flagellar assembly and function). Results  We provide evidence for potential sperm-specific recognition elements in 5′-untranslated regions (utrs) that may bind CREM, ERα, FOXL2A, Y-box and other proteins. We show that changes within the 5′-utrs and open reading frames of some sperm genes lead to distinct protein termini that may provide specific interfaces necessary for localization and function within the paternal gamete

Microbial communities associated with the parasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis.

Lepeophtheirus salmonis is a naturally occurring marine parasite of salmonid fishes in the Northern hemisphere, and a major problem in salmonid aquaculture. In addition to the direct effects on host fish, L. salmonis may act as a vector for diseases. Here, the microbial community of L. salmonis recovered from whole genome shotgun sequencing was compared between lice sampled from both the Atlantic and the Pacific, laboratory-reared and wild lice, in addition to lice displaying resistance towards chemical treatments. The analysis shows clear differences in the metagenomic composition between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, whereas the resistance status of the L. salmonis or the cultivation did not have significant impact.submittedVersio

Kesejahteraan psikologi dan sumber stres kerja: kajian rintis dalam kalangan anggota Penguat kuasa Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna

This study aims to identify the level of psychological well-being and job stress among the enforcement officer of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP). A bunch of studies only focus on exploring the psychological well-being of policemen while there are still 19 other enforcement agencies in Malaysia that need to be addressed when studies on the psychological well-being of enforcement members are carried out. The impact of the stressors on the work of KPDNHEP enforcement personnel is also rarely given attention by local researchers. A total of 60 KPDNHEP enforcement members were involved in this study. The cluster sampling method was used and samples from the KPDNHEP state offices of Selangor, Sarawak and Sabah were randomly selected to participate in this study. Ryff's Psychology Well-Being Scale (PWBS) is used to measure the level of psychological well-being of the respondents while the Job Stress Survey (JSS) is used to determine the level of job stress of respondents. The data obtained were analyzed by using the IBM SPSS Statistic version 20. The results showed that KPDNHEP enforcement officers had a high degree of psychological well-being. However, they experience a relatively low overall job stress. The job pressure and lack of support has contributed to a moderate level of job stress. It is hoped that more psychological well-being and job stress studies will be conducted on other enforcement agencies in Malaysia in the future

Kesan sumber stres kerja ke atas kesejahteraan psikologi anggota penguat kuasa

Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk mengetahui kesan sumber stres kerja ke atas kesejahteraan psikologi anggota penguat kuasa. Bukan itu sahaja, objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji kesan sumber stres kerja ke atas autonomi, penguasaan pada persekitaran, pertumbuhan personal, hubungan positif dengan orang lain, matlamat hidup, penerimaan kendiri dalam kalangan anggota penguat kuasa. Kaedah pensampelan berstrata rawak mudah telah digunakan untuk memilih 363 responden dalam kajian ini. Namun demikian, hanya seramai 331 orang responden sahaja yang melengkapkan borang soal selidik. Job Stress Survey (JSS) versi Melayu dan Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) versi Melayu telah digunakan untuk menguji hipotesis dalam kajian ini. Permodelan Persamaan Berstruktur Kuasa Dua Terkecil Separa (PLS-SEM) digunakan untuk menguji kesan sumber stres kerja ke atas kesejahteraan psikologi dan dimensi-dimensinya dalam kalangan responden. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan perisian SmartPLS versi 3.2.8 (versi Profesional). Hasil kajian menunjukkan terdapat kesan sumber stres kerja yang negatif dan signifikan ke atas kesejahteraan psikologi. Dapatan Kajian juga menunjukkan sumber stres kerja mempunyai kesan negatif yang signifikan ke atas penguasaan pada persekitaran dan penerimaan kendiri dalam kalangan anggota penguat kuasa. Justeru itu, pihak atasan perlu mengambil langkah yang sesuai dan berkesan untuk mengurangkan kesan sumber stres dan seterusnya meningkatkan tahap kesejahteraan psikologi dalam kalangan anggota penguat kuasa. Dapatan kajian ini mewujudkan implikasi yang amat penting dan bermanfaat kepada Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) Malaysia dalam usaha untuk melahirkan penjawat awam yang berkebolehan dan sentiasa bersedia untuk berdepan dengan pelbagai cabaran dalam dunia perkhidmatan awam

Assessment of Psychological Well-being among Enforcement Officers during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia

Malaysia has enforced Movement Control Order (MCO) starting on 18 March 2020 in order to fight the global COVID-19 virus. The pandemic has put the law enforcers in a great challenge to protect the interest and rights of consumers. This study is aimed to examine the impact of work conditions during MCO on psychological well-being of enforcement officers. In addition, it is also crucial to discover the level of psychological well-being among the enforcement officers during the MCO. Besides, this study also aims to find out the level of psychological well-being among the enforcement officers based on their respective working conditions during the MCO. A total of 441 enforcement officers have participated in this study after cluster sampling was conducted. The Malay Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) (Short Version) was used to identify the level of psychological well-being as well as to test the hypotheses of the study. Data was accumulated by using google form and the dataset was analysed by using IBM SPSS Statistic version 25 and SmartPLS Professional version 3.2.8. The result and limitations were discussed in this study