A functional screen of translated pancreatic lncRNAs identifies a microprotein-independent role for LINC00261 in endocrine cell differentiation

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a heterogenous group of RNAs, which can encode small proteins. The extent to which developmentally regulated lncRNAs are translated and whether the produced microproteins are relevant for human development is unknown. Here, we show that many lncRNAs in direct vicinity of lineage-determining transcription factors (TFs) are dynamically regulated, predominantly cytosolic, and highly translated during pancreas development. We genetically ablated ten such lncRNAs, most of them translated, and found that nine are dispensable for endocrine cell differentiation. However, deletion of LINC00261 diminishes generation of insulin+ endocrine cells, in a manner independent of the nearby TF FOXA2. Systematic deletion of each of LINC00261’s seven poorly conserved microproteins shows that the RNA, rather than the microproteins, is required for endocrine development. Our work highlights extensive translation of lncRNAs into recently evolved microproteins during human pancreas development and provides a blueprint for dissection of their coding and noncoding roles

A human ESC-based screen identifies a role for the translated lncRNA LINC00261 in pancreatic endocrine differentiation

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a heterogenous group of RNAs, which can encode small proteins. The extent to which developmentally regulated lncRNAs are translated and whether the produced microproteins are relevant for human development is unknown. Using a human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based pancreatic differentiation system, we show that many lncRNAs in direct vicinity of lineage-determining transcription factors (TFs) are dynamically regulated, predominantly cytosolic, and highly translated. We genetically ablated ten such lncRNAs, most of them translated, and found that nine are dispensable for pancreatic endocrine cell development. However, deletion of LINC00261 diminishes insulin(+) cells, in a manner independent of the nearby TF FOXA2. One-by-one deletion of each of LINC00261's open reading frames suggests that the RNA, rather than the produced microproteins, is required for endocrine development. Our work highlights extensive translation of lncRNAs during hESC pancreatic differentiation and provides a blueprint for dissection of their coding and noncoding roles

Seizure prediction : ready for a new era

Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge colleagues in the international seizure prediction group for valuable discussions. L.K. acknowledges funding support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1130468) and the James S. McDonnell Foundation (220020419) and acknowledges the contribution of Dean R. Freestone at the University of Melbourne, Australia, to the creation of Fig. 3.Peer reviewedPostprin

Transient criminal subcultures and the crimes they commit against the elderley : implications for continuing criminal justice and community education

Includes bibliographical references (pages [132]-138).The purpose of this research was to study the subculture of American adult male Gypsies involved in organized professional criminality. Identifying these criminal groups creates some confusion in law enforcement communities; some agencies identify them as Eastern European traveling criminals. I include my personal experiences with problems associated in investigating these crimes. A qualitative research design was formulated for data collection in accordance with the standards of the methodology involving an ethnophenomenological study. Ten unstructured field interviews were conducted with veteran investigators identified as experts in the field of confidence crimes against the elderly, five retired and five currently active. The literature review includes criminal justice and criminal investigation, American Gypsy culture and history, and the field of adult education. The goal and final product is to improve and extend current literature in the field of adult continuing education and criminal justice. An important theme that emerged from this study is that the purposes and principles of adult education will benefit and support criminal justice education. This includes basic inservice training for officers and community education based on the idea that police officers should be taught adult education principles to prepare them to use a humanistic approach in instructing senior citizens about crime prevention. I believed there was a lack of education about the criminal element of this subculture. Most of the crimes it commits against the elderly are nonviolent and seldom make the news, and knowledge of the crime is realized only when the victim is a relative. Other themes that emerged from this study include the complexity of the criminal subculture organization, lack of basic recruit training for identifying and recording the crimes, need for inservice training for better crime scene investigation and current information on newly developed criminal methods, and need for community education of the elderly and their families. Finally, conclusions from the literature review and data collection resulted in recommendations that criminal justice educators draw on the humanistic approach, especially when training veteran police officers and detectives. Providing community education and the necessary tools to protect potential victims is paramount to the success of crime prevention.Ed.D. (Doctor of Education