Interaction of human HelQ with DNA polymerase delta halts DNA synthesis and stimulates DNA single-strand annealing

DNA strand breaks are repaired by DNA synthesis from an exposed DNA end paired with a homologous DNA template. DNA polymerase delta (Pol δ) catalyses DNA synthesis in multiple eukaryotic DNA break repair pathways but triggers genome instability unless its activity is restrained. We show that human HelQ halts DNA synthesis by isolated Pol δ and Pol δ-PCNA-RPA holoenzyme. Using novel HelQ mutant proteins we identify that inhibition of Pol δ is independent of DNA binding, and maps to a 70 amino acid intrinsically disordered region of HelQ. Pol δ and its POLD3 subunit robustly stimulated DNA single-strand annealing by HelQ, and POLD3 and HelQ interact physically via the intrinsically disordered HelQ region. This data, and inability of HelQ to inhibit DNA synthesis by the POLD1 catalytic subunit of Pol δ, reveal a mechanism for limiting DNA synthesis and promoting DNA strand annealing during human DNA break repair, which centres on POLD3.     

The life experience of leprosy families in maintaining interaction patterns in the family to support healing in leprosy patients in Indonesian society. A phenomenological qualitative study

BackgroundFamily involvement in overcoming the severity of leprosy is very important in the life of leprosy sufferers in communities who experience the clinical and, psychological, social and behavioral consequences of the disease. However, this need, psychosocial, is felt to be not optimal. This study is to identify how the experiences of family members as caregivers provide assistance to individuals with leprosy in improving healing and maintaining patterns of interaction in the family.MethodsThe design uses qualitative research with in-depth, face-to-face interviews with family members in a semi-structured manner with the hope of obtaining complete data. Using purposive sampling with Participatory Interpretative Phenomenology analysis, there are 12 families with 15 family members consisting of 4 men and 11 women.ResultsThis study produced a family theme that tried to follow what would happen to individuals with leprosy, with four sub-categories: 1) Using various coping alternatives to recognize the disease, 2) Family members in the shadow of leprosy, 3) Trying to empathize with other family members. sick, 4) Caring for the emotional response of the family and seeking support.ConclusionsThis analysis shows that deficiency in cognitive aspects can be closed by maintaining a lifestyle in the family through efforts to understand, support, establish communication, increase maximum involvement in restoring self-confidence, especially in individuals with leprosy with psychosocial problems in the family. The results of this study can be used as psychosocial support in maintaining communication between family members to support treatment programs and accelerate the recovery of leprosy.     

New Insight into Ni‐Rich Layered Structure for Next‐Generation Li Rechargeable Batteries

An increase in the amount of nickel in LiMO₂ (M = Ni, Co, Mn) layered system is actively pursued in lithium‐ion batteries to achieve higher capacity. Nevertheless, fundamental effects of Ni element in the three‐component layered system are not systematically studied. Therefore, to unravel the role of Ni as a major contributor to the structural and electrochemical properties of Ni‐rich materials, Co‐fixed LiNi_0.5+xCo_0.2Mn_0.3–xO₂ (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2) layered materials are investigated. The results, on the basis of synchrotron‐based characterization techniques, present a decreasing trend of Ni²⁺ content in Li layer with increasing total Ni contents. Moreover, it is discovered that the c_hex.‐lattice parameter of layered system is not in close connection with the interslab thickness related to actual Li ion pathway. The interslab thickness increases with increasing Ni concentration even though the c_hex.‐lattice parameter decreases. Furthermore, the lithium ion pathway is preserved in spite of the fact that the c‐axis is collapsed at highly deintercalated states. Also, a higher Ni content material shows better structural properties such as larger interslab thickness, lower cation disorder, and smoother phase transition, resulting in better electrochemical properties including higher Li diffusivity and lower overpotential when comparing materials with lower Ni content.     

Determining bioclimatic space of Himalayan alder for agroforestry systems in Nepal

Himalayan alder species are proven to be very useful in traditional as well as contemporary agroforestry practice. These nitrogen-fixing trees are also useful in the land restoration. Therefore, understanding the distribution of Himalayan alder and the potential zone for plantation is meaningful in the agroforestry sector. Suitable climatic zones of Alnus spp. were modelled in MaxEnt software using a subset of least correlated bioclimatic variables for current conditions (1950-2000), topographic variables (DEM derived) and Landuse Landcover (LULC) data. We generated several models and selected the best model against random models using ANOVA and t-test. The environmental variables that best explained the current distribution of the species were identified and used to project into the future. For future projections, ensemble scenarios of climate change projection derived from the results of 19 Earth System Models (ESM) were used. Our model revealed that the most favorable conditions for Alnus nepalensis are in central Nepal in the moist north-west facing slope, whereas for Alnus nitida they are in western Nepal. The major climatic factor that contributes to Alnus species distribution in Nepal appears to be precipitation during the warmest quarter for A. nepalensis and precipitation during the driest quarter for A. nitida. Future projections revealed changes in the probability distribution of these species, as well as where they need conservation and where they can be planted. Also, our model predicts that the distribution of Alnus spp. in hilly regions will remain unchanged, and therefore may represent sites that can be used to revitalize traditional agroforestry systems and extract source material for land restoration.     

Fullerenol [60] Nano-cages for Protection of Crops Against Oxidative Stress: A Critical Review

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Fullerenols are carbon nanoparticles that have been declared as free radical sponges. There is a need to take a prudent path toward its applications in various...     

Detailed Analysis of Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Ischemic Stroke in South Asians

The burden of stroke is disproportionately high in the South Asian subcontinent with South Asian ethnicity conferring a greater risk of ischemic stroke than European ancestry regardless of country inhabited. While genes associated with stroke in European populations have been investigated, they remain largely unknown in South Asians. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of known genetic polymorphisms associated with South Asian ischemic stroke, and compared effect size of the MTHFR C677T-stroke association with effect sizes predicted from homocysteine-stroke association. Electronic databases were searched up to August 2012 for published case control studies investigating genetic polymorphisms associated with ischemic stroke in South Asians. Pooled odds ratios (OR) for each gene-disease association were calculated using a random-effects model. We identified 26 studies (approximately 2529 stroke cases and 2881 controls) interrogating 33 independent genetic polymorphisms in 22 genes. Ten studies described MTHFR C677T (108 with TT genotype and 2018 with CC genotype) -homocysteine relationship and six studies (735 stroke cases and 713 controls) described homocysteine-ischemic stroke relationship. Risk association ORs were calculated for ACE I/D (OR 5.00; 95% CI, 1.17–21.37; p = 0.03), PDE4D SNP 83 (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.21–3.99; p = 0.01), PDE4D SNP 32 (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.01–2.45, p = 0.045) and IL10 G1082A (OR 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09–1.91, p = 0.01). Significant association was observed between elevated plasma homocysteine levels and MTHFR/677 TT genotypes in healthy South Asians (Mean difference (ΔX) 5.18 µmol/L; 95% CI 2.03–8.34: p = 0.001). Our results demonstrate that the genetic etiology of ischemic stroke in South Asians is broadly similar to the risk conferred in Europeans, although the dataset is considerably smaller and warrants the same clinical considerations for risk profiling.     

Properties of Bovine Oligodendroglia Isolated by a New Procedure Using Physiologic Conditions

A new class of procedures, previously shown to permit the isolation of pure oligodendroglia from whole rat cerebrum, has been applied with equal or greater success for the bulk isolation of this cell type from bovine white matter. Thus, the generality of this approach has been demonstrated. The bovine preparations have a purity of greater than 90% intact, phase-bright oligodendroglia and are obtained in a yield of 8 x 10(6) cells per gram of white matter. Within 1 day it is possible to obtain a preparation containing 60 mg of protein from a single cell type. These cells show a higher degree of ultrastructural preservation of all cytoplasmic constituents than previously obtained. The values for protein (33 pg/cell), DNA (5.4 pg/cell), and lipid (5-6 pg/cell) are very similar to those obtained with an earlier procedure. The cell lipids are rich in galactolipid, which comprises 20% of the total. The activity of the "myelin-specific" enzyme, 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.4.37), is 4.7 mumol/min/mg protein, similar to that obtained previously for isolated oligodendroglia and about 25-40% of that found in myelin. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) in the cells is about 10% of that in myelin or white matter.