RFLP Markers and their relationship with a QTL in sheep

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP's) were observed in EcoRI-, HindJIIand TaqI- digested Thai Longtail sheep genomic DNA probed with ovine FSH eDNA. RFLP was also detected in EcoRI-digested DNA ofthe same sheep breed with ovme thymus genomic DNA. No polymorphism was found in follistatin and ovine growth hormone (OGH) loci of the same sheep breed. When an analysis of variance between genotypes afthe simulated backcross data on body weight at 9 months was done, effect ofFSH genotypes s,howed significantly different effects on body weight but no such differing effect ofgenotypes of the thymus locus on body weight was observed

Molecular epidemiology of Malaysian dengue 2 viruses isolated over twenty-five years (1968-1993)

The limited sequencing approach was used to study the molecular epidemiology of 24 Malaysian dengue 2 viruses which were isolated between 1968 and 1993. The sequences of a 240-nucleotide-long region across the envelope/non-structural 1 protein (E/NS1) gene junction of the isolates were determined and analysed. Alignment and comparison of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the isolates revealed that nucleotide changes occurred mostly at the third position of a particular codon and were of the transition (AG, CU) type. Five nucleotide changes resulted in amino acid substitutions. Pairwise comparisons of the nucleotide sequences gave divergence values ranging from 9 to 9.2. At the amino acid level, the divergence ranged between 0 and 3.8. Based on the 6 divergence as the cut-off point for genotypic classification, the isolates were grouped into two genotypes, I and II. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the Malaysian dengue isolates with those of the dengue viruses of other regions of the world revealed that members of genotypes I and II were closely related to viruses from the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific regions, respectively

The C-terminal domain Of ParB Is critical for dynamic DNA binding and bridging interactions which condense the bacterial centromere

The ParB protein forms DNA bridging interactions around parS to form networks which condense DNA and earmark the bacterial chromosome for segregation. The mechanism underlying the formation of ParB nucleoprotein complexes is unclear. We show here that the central DNA binding domain is essential for anchoring at parS, and that this interaction is not required for DNA condensation. Structural analysis of the C-terminal domain reveals a dimer with a lysine-rich surface that binds DNA non-specifically and is essential for DNA condensation in vitro. Mutation of either the dimerisation or the DNA binding interface eliminates ParB foci formation in vivo. Moreover, the free C-terminal domain can rapidly decondense ParB networks independently of its ability to bind DNA. Our work reveals a dual role for the C-terminal domain of ParB as both a DNA binding and bridging interface, and highlights the dynamic nature of ParB networks

Synaptic processes and immune-related pathways implicated in Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder of complex genetic architecture involving multiple interacting genes. Here, we sought to elucidate the pathways that underlie the neurobiology of the disorder through genome-wide analysis. We analyzed genome-wide genotypic data of 3581 individuals with TS and 7682 ancestry-matched controls and investigated associations of TS with sets of genes that are expressed in particular cell types and operate in specific neuronal and glial functions. We employed a self-contained, set-based association method (SBA) as well as a competitive gene set method (MAGMA) using individual-level genotype data to perform a comprehensive investigation of the biological background of TS. Our SBA analysis identified three significant gene sets after Bonferroni correction, implicating ligand-gated ion channel signaling, lymphocytic, and cell adhesion and transsynaptic signaling processes. MAGMA analysis further supported the involvement of the cell adhesion and trans-synaptic signaling gene set. The lymphocytic gene set was driven by variants in FLT3, raising an intriguing hypothesis for the involvement of a neuroinflammatory element in TS pathogenesis. The indications of involvement of ligand-gated ion channel signaling reinforce the role of GABA in TS, while the association of cell adhesion and trans-synaptic signaling gene set provides additional support for the role of adhesion molecules in neuropsychiatric disorders. This study reinforces previous findings but also provides new insights into the neurobiology of TS

Association between T2-related co-morbidities and effectiveness of biologics in severe asthma

Acknowledgments The authors thank Mr. Joash Tan (BSc, Hons), of the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute (OPRI), and Ms Andrea Lim (BSc, Hons) of the Observational Pragmatic Research Institute (OPRI) for their editorial and formatting assistance that supported the development of this publication. Funding statement: This study was conducted by the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute (OPRI) Pte Ltd and was partially funded by Optimum Patient Care Global and AstraZeneca Ltd. AstraZeneca UK LimitedPeer reviewe

Strategies for Controlled Placement of Nanoscale Building Blocks

The capability of placing individual nanoscale building blocks on exact substrate locations in a controlled manner is one of the key requirements to realize future electronic, optical, and magnetic devices and sensors that are composed of such blocks. This article reviews some important advances in the strategies for controlled placement of nanoscale building blocks. In particular, we will overview template assisted placement that utilizes physical, molecular, or electrostatic templates, DNA-programmed assembly, placement using dielectrophoresis, approaches for non-close-packed assembly of spherical particles, and recent development of focused placement schemes including electrostatic funneling, focused placement via molecular gradient patterns, electrodynamic focusing of charged aerosols, and others

Association of common genetic variants with brain microbleeds

OBJECTIVE: To identify common genetic variants associated with the presence of brain microbleeds (BMBs). METHODS: We performed geno

Latest results of dark matter detection with the DarkSide experiment

In this contribution the latest results of dark matter direct detection obtained by the DarkSide Collaboration are discussed. New limits on the scattering cross-section between dark matter particles and baryonic matter have been set. The results have been reached using the DarkSide-50 detector, a double-phase Time Projection Chamber (TPC) filled with 40Ar and installed at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). In 2018, the DarkSide Collaboration has performed three different types of analysis. The so-called high-mass analysis into the range between ∼ 10 GeV and ∼ 1000 GeV is discussed under the hypothesis of scattering between dark matter and Ar nuclei. The low-mass analysis, performed using the same hypothesis, extends the limit down to ∼1.8 GeV. Through a different hypothesis, that predicts dark matter scattering off the electrons inside of the Ar atom, it has been possible to set limits for sub-GeV dark matter masses

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries