Human Endogenous Retroviral Envelope Protein Syncytin-1 and Inflammatory Abnormalities in Neuropsychological Diseases

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) comprise approximately 8% of the human genome. Recent studies have considered HERVs as potential pathogenic factors. The majority of HERV genes are mutated and not capable of encoding functional proteins; regardless, some HERV genes, such as HERV-W envelope (env) glycoprotein, are known to have intact open reading frames. The HERV-W element on 7q21.2, which encodes a protein referred to as Syncytin-1, participates in human placental morphogenesis and can activate a pro-inflammatory and autoimmune cascade. Neuropsychological disorders are typically linked to inflammatory abnormalities. In this study, we review that Syncytin-1 has been increasingly involved in the development of neuropsychological disorders, such as schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis (MS). This study also presents inflammation imbalances in schizophrenia and MS. More importantly, we discuss the potential role and molecular mechanisms by which Syncytin-1 regulates inflammatory abnormalities in neuropsychological diseases. In summary, Syncytin-1 activity may represent a novel molecular pathogenic mechanism in neuropyschological diseases, such as schizophrenia and MS

Characterization of Small Interfering RNAs Derived from the Geminivirus/Betasatellite Complex Using Deep Sequencing

BACKGROUND: Small RNA (sRNA)-guided RNA silencing is a critical antiviral defense mechanism employed by a variety of eukaryotic organisms. Although the induction of RNA silencing by bipartite and monopartite begomoviruses has been described in plants, the nature of begomovirus/betasatellite complexes remains undefined. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Solanum lycopersicum plant leaves systemically infected with Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) alone or together with its associated betasatellite (TYLCCNB), and Nicotiana benthamiana plant leaves systemically infected with TYLCCNV alone, or together with TYLCCNB or with mutant TYLCCNB were harvested for RNA extraction; sRNA cDNA libraries were then constructed and submitted to Solexa-based deep sequencing. Both sense and anti-sense TYLCCNV and TYLCCNB-derived sRNAs (V-sRNAs and S-sRNAs) accumulated preferentially as 22 nucleotide species in infected S. lycopersicum and N. benthamiana plants. High resolution mapping of V-sRNAs and S-sRNAs revealed heterogeneous distribution of V-sRNA and S-sRNA sequences across the TYLCCNV and TYLCCNB genomes. In TYLCCNV-infected S. lycopersicum or N. benthamiana and TYLCCNV and βC1-mutant TYLCCNB co-infected N. benthamiana plants, the primary TYLCCNV targets were AV2 and the 5' terminus of AV1. In TYLCCNV and betasatellite-infected plants, the number of V-sRNAs targeting this region decreased and the production of V-sRNAs increased corresponding to the overlapping regions of AC2 and AC3, as well as the 3' terminal of AC1. βC1 is the primary determinant mediating symptom induction and also the primary silencing target of the TYLCCNB genome even in its mutated form. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We report the first high-resolution sRNA map for a monopartite begomovirus and its associated betasatellite using Solexa-based deep sequencing. Our results suggest that viral transcript might act as RDR substrates resulting in dsRNA and secondary siRNA production. In addition, the betasatellite affected the amount of V-sRNAs detected in S. lycopersicum and N. benthamiana plants

STUDY ON THE SETTLEMENT OF TUNNEL BOTTOM AND PRESSURE OF ROCK MASS BASED ON CURVED BEAM ON ELASTIC FOUNDATION THEORY

Tunnel invert is a weak section of curved beam on tunnel foundation, and it is easy to break down. Based on the curved beam theory on elastic foundation, the curved beam model of tunnel invert was established, the displacement equation of tunnel invert under external load was deduced, and the formula of settlement of tunnel bottom and the pressure of rock mass was presented. By means of the calculating formula, the distribution law of settlement of tunnel bottom and pressure of rock mass were obtained when tunnel bottom was strengthened and not strengthened by high pressure jet grouting pile. The final formula in the paper is precise to predict the settlement of tunnel bottom and pressure of rock mass, so it is of great value for tunnel design and construction

Keragaman Genetik Dan Pendugaan Jumlah Gen Ketahanan Kacang Panjang (Vigna Sinensis L.) Terhadap Penyakit Kuning

Penyakit kuning pada kacang panjang berdampak pada penurunan produksi. Gejala serangan diawali dari gejala daun keriting serta mengakibatkan polong berwarna kuning. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui nilai heritabilitas dan ragam genetik serta menduga jumlah gen pengendali ketahanan kacang panjang terhadap penyakit kuning. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Kediri pada bulan April sampai Juli 2013. Bahan penelitian adalah populasi UB 715 A (P1), Hitam Putih (P2), populasi F1 dan populasi F2. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, populasi UB 715 A (P1 ) menunjukkan respon tahan terhadap penyakit kuning, populasi Hitam Putih (P2) menunjukkan respon rentan, dan populasi F1 dan F2 menunjukkan respon sedang. Karakter jumlah polong dan jumlah biji per tanaman memiliki keragaman yang sempit sedangkan karakter panjang polong, bobot segar polong, umur berbunga, dan umur panen memiliki keragaman yang luas. Karakter panjang polong dan jumlah biji per polong memiliki nilai heritabilitas rendah, sedangkan karakter jumlah polong, bobot segar polong, umur berbunga, dan umur panen memiliki nilai heritabilitas tinggi. Rasio sifat ketahanan terhadap penyakit kuning pada populasi F2 adalah 9 tahan : 3 sedang : 4 rentan yang berarti ketahanan terhadap penyakit kuning dikendalikan oleh dua gen dengan aksi gen epistasis resesif

Bifurcation Analysis of a Class of Two-Delay Lotka–Volterra Predation Models with Coefficient-Dependent Delay

In this paper, a class of two-delay differential equations with coefficient-dependent delay is studied. The distribution of the roots of the eigenequation is discussed, and conditions for the stability of the internal equilibrium and the existence of Hopf bifurcation are obtained. Additionally, using the normal form method and the central manifold theory, the bifurcation direction and the stability for the periodic solution of Hopf bifurcation are calculated. Finally, the correctness of the theory is verified by numerical simulation