RNA Polymerase II Pausing Downstream of Core Histone Genes Is Different from Genes Producing Polyadenylated Transcripts

Recent genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled high throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses performed in various eukaryotic organisms, analysed RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) pausing around the transcription start sites of genes. In this study we have further investigated genome-wide binding of Pol II downstream of the 3′ end of the annotated genes (EAGs) by ChIP-seq in human cells. At almost all expressed genes we observed Pol II occupancy downstream of the EAGs suggesting that Pol II pausing 3′ from the transcription units is a rather common phenomenon. Downstream of EAGs Pol II transcripts can also be detected by global run-on and sequencing, suggesting the presence of functionally active Pol II. Based on Pol II occupancy downstream of EAGs we could distinguish distinct clusters of Pol II pause patterns. On core histone genes, coding for non-polyadenylated transcripts, Pol II occupancy is quickly dropping after the EAG. In contrast, on genes, whose transcripts undergo polyA tail addition [poly(A)+], Pol II occupancy downstream of the EAGs can be detected up to 4–6 kb. Inhibition of polyadenylation significantly increased Pol II occupancy downstream of EAGs at poly(A)+ genes, but not at the EAGs of core histone genes. The differential genome-wide Pol II occupancy profiles 3′ of the EAGs have also been confirmed in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells, indicating that Pol II pauses genome-wide downstream of the EAGs in mammalian cells. Moreover, in mES cells the sharp drop of Pol II signal at the EAG of core histone genes seems to be independent of the phosphorylation status of the C-terminal domain of the large subunit of Pol II. Thus, our study uncovers a potential link between different mRNA 3′ end processing mechanisms and consequent Pol II transcription termination processes

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Regimes pluviais, estação chuvosa e probabilidade de ocorrência de veranicos no Estado do Ceará Precipitation regimes, rainy season and the probability of occurrence of dry spells in the State of Ceará, Brazil

Um método de regionalização pluvial proposto foi aplicado a dados pluviais mensais de 175 postos do Estado do Ceará e identificou três grupos pluvialmente homogêneos: grupo 1 (105 postos) predominantemente semi-árido, grupo 2 (56 postos) e grupo 3 (14 postos). Compararam-se esses grupos com as sete regiões climáticas reconhecidas pela Fundação Cearense de Meteorologia e Recursos Hídricos (FUNCEME) e constatou-se que o método foi capaz de identificar as regiões Ibiapaba e Cariri, bem como a área composta pelas regiões Centro-Leste e Centro-Oeste e a área formada pelas regiões Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul. Identificou-se também, a estação chuvosa (EC) em cada posto do Estado do Ceará, mediante a utilização do método de Frère & Popov (1979), e constatou-se que em 143 (81,71%) dos 175 postos a EC ocorre de janeiro a maio e que em 69 (65,71%) dos 105 postos do grupo 1, ela ocorre de fevereiro a maio. Verificou-se a probabilidade de ocorrência de veranicos nos três decêndios (1 a 10, 11 a 20 e 21 ao último dia do mês) dos meses de janeiro a junho nos 105 postos do grupo 1. Observou-se, ainda, probabilidades grupais médias de 51, 39 e 25%, respectivamente no primeiro, segundo e terceiro decêndio de janeiro; 20, 18 e 21% em fevereiro; 10, 7 e 6% em março; 9, 10 e 11% em abril; 25, 25 e 28% em maio e de 38, 43 e 51% em junho.A regionalization method based on precipitation analysis proposed here is applied to the monthly precipitation data of 175 localities in Ceará State. It resulted in the identification of three homogeneous precipitation groups. Group 1 being predominantly semi-arid. Such groups were compared with the seven climatic regions recognized by 'Fundação Cearense de Meteorologia e Recursos Hídricos' (FUNCEME) and it was found that the method is capable of identifying the Ibiapaba and Cariri regions, as well as the area formed by the East Central and West Central regions and the area formed by the coastal regions of North and South. The rainy season for all the localities of the Ceará State was identified utilizing Frère & Popov (1979) method. It was found that in 143 (81.71%) of the 175 localities, the rainy season occurs from January to May and in 69 (65.71%) of the 105 localities of Group1, the rainy season occurs from February to May. Finally, the daily precipitation data were used to verify the probability of occurrence of the dry spells in each of the three ten-day periods (days 1 to 10, 11 to 20 and 21 to the last day of the month) for the months of January to June and for all the 105 locations of the Group 1. It was observed that the mean probability of having a dry spell in the first, second and third 10 day-periods of the month of January is 51, 39 and 25%, respectively; in February it is 20, 18 and 21%; in March 10, 7 and 6%; in April 9, 10 and 11%; in May 25, 25 and 28%; and in June 38, 43 and 51%