The Transcription Factor StuA Regulates Central Carbon Metabolism, Mycotoxin Production, and Effector Gene Expression in the Wheat Pathogen Stagonospora nodorum

The Stagonospora nodorum StuA transcription factor gene SnStuA was identified by homology searching in the genome of the wheat pathogen Stagonospora nodorum. Gene expression analysis revealed that SnStuA transcript abundance increased throughout infection and in vitro growth to peak during sporulation. To investigate its role, the gene was deleted by homologous recombination. The growth of the resulting mutants was retarded on glucose compared to the wild-type growth, and the mutants also failed to sporulate. Glutamateas a sole carbon source restored the growth rate defect observed on glucose, although sporulation remained impaired. The SnstuA strains were essentially nonpathogenic, with only minor growth observed around the point of inoculation. The role of SnstuA was investigated using metabolomics, which revealed that this gene's product played a key role in regulating central carbon metabolism, with glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and amino acid synthesis all affected in the mutants. SnStuA was also found to positively regulate the synthesis of the mycotoxin alternariol. Gene expression studies on the recently identified effectors in Stagonospora nodorum found that SnStuA was a positive regulator of SnTox3 but was not required for the expression of ToxA. This study has uncovered a multitude of novel regulatory targets of SnStuA and has highlighted the critical role of this gene product in the pathogenicity of Stagonospora nodorum

Large-scale evolutionary surveillance of the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus using resequencing arrays

In April 2009, a new influenza A (H1N1 2009) virus emerged that rapidly spread around the world. While current variants of this virus have caused widespread disease, particularly in vulnerable groups, there remains the possibility that future variants may cause increased virulence, drug resistance or vaccine escape. Early detection of these virus variants may offer the chance for increased containment and potentially prevention of the virus spread. We have developed and field-tested a resequencing kit that is capable of interrogating all eight segments of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus genome and its variants, with added focus on critical regions such as drug-binding sites, structural components and mutation hotspots. The accompanying base-calling software (EvolSTAR) introduces novel methods that utilize neighbourhood hybridization intensity profiles and substitution bias of probes on the microarray for mutation confirmation and recovery of ambiguous base queries. Our results demonstrate that EvolSTAR is highly accurate and has a much improved call rate. The high throughput and short turn-around time from sample to sequence and analysis results (30 h for 24 samples) makes this kit an efficient large-scale evolutionary biosurveillance tool

Early blood glucose profile and neurodevelopmental outcome at two years in neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

Background: To examine the blood glucose profile and the relationship between blood glucose levels and neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Methods: Blood glucose values within 72 hours of birth were collected from 52 term infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Hypoglycaemia [ 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L)] were correlated to neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months of age. Results: Four fifths of the 468 blood samples were in the normoglycaemic range (392/468:83.8%). Of the remaining 76 samples, 51.3% were in the hypoglycaemic range and (48.7%) were hyperglycaemic. A quarter of the hypoglycaemic samples (28.2%:11/39) and a third of the hyperglycaemic samples (32.4%:12/37) were recorded within the first 30 minutes of life. Mean (SD) blood glucose values did not differ between infants with normal and abnormal outcomes [4.89(2.28) mmol/L and 5.02(2.35) mmol/L, p value = 0.15] respectively. In term infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, early hypoglycaemia (between 0-6 hours of life) was associated with adverse outcome at 24 months of age [OR = 5.8, CI = 1.04-32)]. On multivariate analysis to adjust for grade of HIE this association was not statistically significant. Late hypoglycaemia (6-72 hours of life) was not associated with abnormal outcome [OR = 0.22, CI (0.04-1.14)]. The occurrence of hyperglycaemia was not associated with adverse outcome. Conclusion: During the first 72 hours of life, blood glucose profile in infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy varies widely despite a management protocol. Early hypoglycaemia (0-6 hours of life) was associated with severe HIE, and thereby; adverse outcome

Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Observation of captive rhinoceros hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros) in Jurong bird park and in 3 Thailand zoos as part of a selection for the re-introduction program of rhinoceros hornbills in Singapore.

The last record of the existence of rhinoceros hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros) in Singapore was in 1898 (Raffles bulletin of zoology 2007) but the population has since died out. In 2006, a female great pied hornbill (GPH) and a female rhinoceros hornbill (RH) were spotted in a forest in Eng Neo Avenue in Singapore. This triggered off a study by the Singapore Avian Conservation project to pair the female RH with a male RH in 2009 and subsequently lead into the current study of re-introducing the RH in Singapore. In this study, preliminary observations were carried out in JBP to identify the different breeding behaviours of the RH in captivity. After which, based on observations and evaluations, 3 RH, 1 male and 2 females, were selected from a pool of 18 RH captive in 3 Thailand zoos. In the future, these selected candidates would then be imported to Singapore to carry out the next stage of the re-introduction program.Bachelor of Science in Biological Science

Export credit insurance corporation of Singapore

This research project examines the range of services provided by ECICS. It focuses on the Banker's Guarantees and Sundry Services that are available from ECICS. Due to the lack of written material, the aim of this report is to provide more information about ECICS and its services. The findings serve to complement the previous year's final year project which emphasised the insurance products of the ECICS.BUSINES

Pricing behavior of the retail gasoline market of Singapore : rockets versus feathers

An inquiry by the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) reveals that there is no rocket-and-feather phenomenon in the retail gasoline market of Singapore. This study aims to find out whether there is price asymmetry in the form rocket-and-feather asymmetry in the gasoline market of Singapore. This study uses daily data of retail gasoline and crude oil price between the periods of 01 June 2011 to 19 February 2014. An asymmetric Error Correction Model (ECM) is first estimated and hypotheses of price asymmetry are tested using the Wald tests. Finally the cumulative adjustment function is employed to analyse the short-run adjustment path of retail gasoline price. The results showed that when oil price decreased by 1%, gasoline price decreased by 0.24% after 10 weeks. Conversely, when oil price increased by 1%, gasoline price increased by 0.30%, indicating the presence of the rocket-and-feather phenomenon. The findings from this study are important as it means that CCS has to step in to intervene as well as promote greater price transparency in the gasoline market.Bachelor of Art

SavvyMiners

SavvyMiners is a communication campaign with the goal of encouraging local investors aged 18-30 to adopt proper investment information-seeking behaviours, in turn facilitating them to make more informed investment decisions. This comes at a time when 63% of these young adults are not on track to achieve their investment goals amidst a bleak, post-pandemic economy, which can hamper their financial and emotional wellbeing. The campaign defined three components as part of the overall investment information-seeking behaviour. They include: acquisition of relevant investment information, evaluation of investment information credibility, and objective processing of investment information. With reference to the Health Belief Model, SavvyMiners sought to improve the target audience’s knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy levels to drive behavioural change. This was done through informative social media posts, content collaboration with investment experts and interactive online challenges surrounding investment information-seeking behaviour. Over a 13-week duration, the campaign has successfully boosted a 8% rise in intention and 15% rise in adoption of investment information-seeking behaviour among the target audience.Bachelor of Communication Studie

Thinking twice before using the LMA for obese and older patients : a prospective observational study

Introduction: Laryngeal Mask Airways (LMAs) have traditionally been used for short surgery under general anesthesia with good results. Many studies have reported favourable outcomes in safety profile, complication risk, ease of insertion, recovery of patients and cost analyses. However, there is an under reporting of complications arising during ventilation with this device and the risk factors associated with such complications in adult patients. These include laryngospasm, difficulty with insertion, suboptimal ventilation, bronchospasm, aspiration, desaturation, hypotension and conversion to intubation with ETT. These can be significantly serious and life threatening. Often times it is wrong patient selection for the wrong surgery that results in an undesirable outcome. Methods: By means of this prospective observational study we aimed to audit all general anesthesia cases performed with an LMA at our hospital over six months from February till August 2012. Included in the parameters observed were induction techniques, ventilation strategies and intraoperative problems during LMA ventilation. By means of a data collection form, the Anaesthetist in charge indicated the intraoperative events and outcomes. Results: 1,095 patients were included in the audit. The mean age of the patients was 40 years and mean weight was 66.4kg. The patients were given GA for a variety of procedures. LMA Proseal™ was used in 78.4% of patients while the LMA Supreme™ was favored when the surgeries required a lateral position. 7.1% of patients encountered problems with insertion whilst 7.8% had intraoperative problems related to difficulty with ventilation. This was more prevalent with the LMA Supreme™ (p=0.031). Age and BMI of the patient increased the incidence of complications (p=0.002 and 0.0008). A BMI >30 and an age >46 years are associated with a significant 2-fold increase in the probability of all ventilatory problems intraoperatively. Conclusion: LMA use in our Operating Theatre is generally safe as long as potential problems are recognised and managed accordingly. The risk of problems increases 2-folds with patients with a BMI>30 and age>46 years. LMA Supreme was more problematic compared with Proseal.Published versio