Differentiation-dependent Requirement of Tsix long non-coding RNA in Imprinted X-chromosome Inactivation

Imprinted X-inactivation is a paradigm of mammalian transgenerational epigenetic regulation resulting in silencing of genes on the paternally-inherited X-chromosome. The pre-programmed fate of the X-chromosomes is thought to be controlled in cis by the parent-of-origin-specific expression of two long non-coding RNAs, Tsix and Xist, in mice. Exclusive expression of Tsix from the maternal–X has implicated it as the instrument through which the maternal germline prevents inactivation of the maternal–X in the offspring. Here, we show that Tsix is dispensable for inhibiting Xist and X-inactivation in the early embryo and in cultured stem cells of extra-embryonic lineages. Tsix is instead required to prevent Xist expression as trophectodermal progenitor cells differentiate. Despite induction of wild-type Xist RNA and accumulation of histone H3-K27me3, many Tsix-mutant X-chromosomes fail to undergo ectopic X-inactivation. We propose a novel model of lncRNA function in imprinted X-inactivation that may also apply to other genomically imprinted loci

Discriminating neutrino mass models using Type II seesaw formula

In this paper we propose a kind of natural selection which can discriminate the three possible neutrino mass models, namely the degenerate, inverted hierarchical and normal hierarchical models, using the framework of Type II seesaw formula. We arrive at a conclusion that the inverted hierarchical model appears to be most favourable whereas the normal hierarchical model follows next to it. The degenerate model is found to be most unfavourable. We use the hypothesis that those neutrino mass models in which Type I seesaw term dominates over the Type II left-handed Higgs triplet term are favoured to survive in nature.Comment: No change in the results, a few references added, some changes in Type[IIB] calculation

Cellular dissection of psoriasis for transcriptome analyses and the post-GWAS era

Abstract Background Genome-scale studies of psoriasis have been used to identify genes of potential relevance to disease mechanisms. For many identified genes, however, the cell type mediating disease activity is uncertain, which has limited our ability to design gene functional studies based on genomic findings. Methods We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with altered expression in psoriasis lesions (n = 216 patients), as well as candidate genes near susceptibility loci from psoriasis GWAS studies. These gene sets were characterized based upon their expression across 10 cell types present in psoriasis lesions. Susceptibility-associated variation at intergenic (non-coding) loci was evaluated to identify sites of allele-specific transcription factor binding. Results Half of DEGs showed highest expression in skin cells, although the dominant cell type differed between psoriasis-increased DEGs (keratinocytes, 35%) and psoriasis-decreased DEGs (fibroblasts, 33%). In contrast, psoriasis GWAS candidates tended to have highest expression in immune cells (71%), with a significant fraction showing maximal expression in neutrophils (24%, P < 0.001). By identifying candidate cell types for genes near susceptibility loci, we could identify and prioritize SNPs at which susceptibility variants are predicted to influence transcription factor binding. This led to the identification of potentially causal (non-coding) SNPs for which susceptibility variants influence binding of AP-1, NF-κB, IRF1, STAT3 and STAT4. Conclusions These findings underscore the role of innate immunity in psoriasis and highlight neutrophils as a cell type linked with pathogenetic mechanisms. Assignment of candidate cell types to genes emerging from GWAS studies provides a first step towards functional analysis, and we have proposed an approach for generating hypotheses to explain GWAS hits at intergenic loci.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109537/1/12920_2013_Article_485.pd

Cryo-EM model validation recommendations based on outcomes of the 2019 EMDataResource challenge

This paper describes outcomes of the 2019 Cryo-EM Model Challenge. The goals were to (1) assess the quality of models that can be produced from cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) maps using current modeling software, (2) evaluate reproducibility of modeling results from different software developers and users and (3) compare performance of current metrics used for model evaluation, particularly Fit-to-Map metrics, with focus on near-atomic resolution. Our findings demonstrate the relatively high accuracy and reproducibility of cryo-EM models derived by 13 participating teams from four benchmark maps, including three forming a resolution series (1.8 to 3.1 Å). The results permit specific recommendations to be made about validating near-atomic cryo-EM structures both in the context of individual experiments and structure data archives such as the Protein Data Bank. We recommend the adoption of multiple scoring parameters to provide full and objective annotation and assessment of the model, reflective of the observed cryo-EM map density

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Not AvailableThe present study on morphometry and sexual dimorphism is based on 32 fishes (18 males and 14 females) collected from Kamrup and Jorhat district of Assam. Sexual dimorphism was confirmed with Mann Whitney U test and three differences in characters viz. total length, depth of the body and length of pectoral fin were noted. The present data adds to the distributional information of this species in Assam, India.National Bureau of Fish genetic resources (NBFGR) Lucknow, Indi

Infectious mononucleosis due to epstein-barr virus infection in children: A profile from eastern India

Objective: The objective of this study is to delineate the clinical and laboratory profile of infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in children admitted to tertiary care teaching hospitals. Materials and Methods: Retrospective observational multicentric analysis of clinical and laboratory features of children between 1 month to 12 years with a diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis due to EBV infection confirmed by positive serology over a 12-month period after seeking approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Out of 66 children screened, 53 were included in final analysis. The majority were aged between 5 and 8 years with male: female ratio of 1.2:1. Most presentations were during the monsoon months. The common clinical features were fever (100%), splenomegaly (86.7%), and cervical lymphadenopathy (73.5%) in contrast to the classical triad of fever, sore throat, and generalized lymphadenopathy described in the literature. There were no age differences in clinical findings except for generalized and cervical lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly which were commoner in 9–12 years age band. Although the incidence of common findings matched with previously published studies, there were some notable differences. While frequencies of upper eyelid edema, epitrochlear lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly were more, those of rash and sore throat were less. Lymphocytosis and presence of atypical lymphocytes were relatively less common in our series. All children recovered. Conclusions: This multicentric study on profiling childhood infectious mononucleosis, possibly first of its kind from Eastern India, has documented clinical and laboratory features associated with this condition. These data can serve as a reference for future studies

Hydrothermal synthesis of defect-induced pristine alpha-NaCe(WO4)(2): a novel material for solid state lighting and gas sensing

Triclinic NaCe(WO4)(2) with oxygen monovacancies and divacancies has been successfully prepared via a facile cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal technique. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been employed to determine the unit cell and microstructure of the NaCe(WO4)(2). The oxygen vacancies, structural distortion etc. have been investigated using Fourier-transform infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The synthesized samples exhibit an intense blue emission at 434 nm due to the 5d-4f transition of Ce3+ within the CeO8 dodecahedra, while the emission at 485 nm is ascribed to the 5d-4f transition within CeO7. It has also been identified that two emissions at 451 and 520 nm come from CeO6. Additionally, we find that the temperature of the hydrothermal reaction guides the formation of CeO7 and CeO6. In contrast to a previous ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-assisted synthesis of NaCe(WO4)(2) that results in a predominant green emission, our samples exhibit strong violet emissions indicating that less CeO7 and CeO6 is formed when using CTAB. We have also conducted ab initio calculations using density-functional theory, which reveals that the valence and conduction bands comprise of the O(2)p orbitals and a O(2)p-Ce 5d hybridization, respectively. The Ce(5)dz(2), 5dyz and 5dxz orbitals mostly facilitate the 5d-4f transition within the CeO7 and CeO6 polyhedra. Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage coordinates are found in the blue region with a correlated color temperature (CCT) of similar to 7715 K indicating the potential for a-NaCe(WO4)(2) to be used in cold solid state lighting applications. Finally, we also observe that the oxygen vacancies can act as active centers for the adsorption of molecular oxygen, which in consequence leads NaCe(WO4) 2 to have gas sensing properties

Horizontal transmission of novel H1N1/09 influenza virus in a newborn: Myth or fact?

Horizontal transmission of H1N1/09 virus infection is very common however; transmission through this route has not been reported in newborns. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of newborn who acquired infection of novel H1N1/09 virus horizontally through asymptomatic family members or hospital staff during epidemic period in Kolkata, India. Baby recovered without antiviral therapy but received antibiotic for bacterial co-infection

An Annotated Checklist of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) from Pundibari Region of West Bengal, India

Coccinellidae is a group of economically important insect and widely used as biological control agents in different agricultural and horticultural ecosystem. In last few years a number of works on coccinellid beetles have been carried out at Pundibari region of northern tract of West Bengal. Here, a first preliminary checklist of coccinellid beetles from the Pundibari region has been presented. Hitherto, from this region only the subfamily, Coccinellinae has been reported. This current checklist consists of 21 species of coccinellid beetles under 14 genera and belonging to 5 different tribes including both insectivorous and phytophagous species of ladybird beetles. The tribes mentioned here were Aspidimerini, Chilocorini, Coccinellini, Epilachnini, and Sticholotidini. Phytophagous coccinellids mentioned in this list are Henosepilachna pusillanima, Henosepilachna septima, and Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and remaining were insectivorous ones