The analysis of contemporary genomic data typically operates on one-dimensional phenotypic measurements (e.g. standing height). Here we report on a data-driven, family-informed strategy to facial phenotyping that searches for biologically relevant traits and reduces multivariate 3D facial shape variability into amendable univariate measurements, while preserving its structurally complex nature. We performed a biometric identification of siblings in a sample of 424 children, defining 1,048 sib-shared facial traits. Subsequent quantification and analyses in an independent European cohort (n = 8,246) demonstrated significant heritability for a subset of traits (0.17–0.53) and highlighted 218 genome-wide significant loci (38 also study-wide) associated with facial variation shared by siblings. These loci showed preferential enrichment for active chromatin marks in cranial neural crest cells and embryonic craniofacial tissues and several regions harbor putative craniofacial genes, thereby enhancing our knowledge on the genetic architecture of normal-range facial variation. 相似文献
Herein, we presented the synthesis and application of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate–based silver nanoparticles (termed as SDBS-AgNPs). The SDBS reverse micelles (RMs) in ethanol was used as nanoreactor for green AgNPs synthesis. The size, structure, and shape of SDBS-AgNPs were well distinct by UV/visible (UV/Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The SDBS-AgNPs were quite stable even at high temperature (80 °C), salt concentration (up to 300 μM), and wide pH range (2 to 12). Moreover, SDBS-AgNPs were found to be highly sensitive and selective colorimetric sensor for antihypertensive drug amlodipine (AML). The interaction of AML with SDBS-AgNPs resulted as a substantial increase in the absorbance and a prominent blue shift in wavelength from 426 to 400 nm. DLS results were further confirmed that the SDBS-AgNPs break into smaller sized particles. Similarly, FTIR results also verified the SDBS-AgNPs etching–based sensing of AML molecules due to the strong attraction by amine and carbonyl functional groups on the target drug. The proposed sensor exhibited linear response in the range of 0.001–200 μM (R2 = 0.9917) with limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.161 and 0.49 μM, respectively. The probe remained selective against AML, even in the presence of equimolar interfering species (including other drugs and metal ions). Furthermore, findings proposed that the SDBS-AgNPs might be used as effective substitute to minimize infection severity by obstructing the biofilm formation against nosocomial and urinary tract infection (UTI) causing pathogens.
The oil of Schinus molle exhibited the maximum fungitoxic activity during the screening of some essential oils against some common storage and animal pathogenic fungi. It showed absolute toxicity against animal pathogens and mild activity against storage fungi. The effective concentrations of the oil varied from 200 to 900 ppm. The toxicity of the oil persisted up to 80 degrees C and 90 days of storage but declined when autoclaved. It withstood heavy inoculum density. The oil exhibited a narrow range of activity and was found to be more effective than Multifungin, an antifungal drug. The oil was characterized by its various physicochemical properties. It was found to comprise 50 constituents. It appeared that some changes in the oil constituents during storage affected its fungitoxic potency. 相似文献
A study was conducted to assess the effect of combined stresses (thermal and nutritional) on endocrine and biochemical responses
in Malpura ewes. Twenty eight adult Malpura ewes (average body weight 33.56 kg) were used in the present study. The ewes were
divided into four groups viz., GI (n = 7; control), GII (n = 7; thermal stress), GIII (n = 7; nutritional stress) and GIV (n = 7; combined stress). The animals were stall fed with a diet consisting of 60% roughage and 40% concentrate. GI and GII
ewes were provided with ad libitum feeding while GIII and GIV ewes were provided with restricted feed (30% intake of GI ewes)
to induce nutritional stress. GII and GIV ewes were kept in climatic chamber at 40°C and 55% RH for 6 h a day between 1000 hours
and 1600 hours to induce thermal stress. The study was conducted for a period of two estrus cycles. The parameters studied
were Hb, PCV, glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, ACP, ALP, cortisol, T4, T3, and insulin. Combined stress significantly (P < 0.05) affected all parameters studied. Furthermore, the results revealed that, compared to thermal stress, nutritional
stress had a less significant effect on the parameters studied. However, when both these stresses were coupled, they had a
severe impact on all the parameters studied in these ewes. It can be concluded from this study that two stressors occurring
simultaneously may impact severely on the biological functions necessary to maintain homeostasis in sheep. 相似文献
The human monoclonal antibody, mAb 2F5, has broad HIV-1 neutralizing activity and binds a conserved linear epitope within the envelope glycoprotein gp41 having a core recognition sequence ELDKWA. In this study, the structural requirements of this epitope for high-affinity binding to mAb 2F5 were explored using peptide synthesis and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Expansion of the minimal epitope to an end-capped, linear nonapeptide, Ac-LELDKWASL-amide, was sufficient to attain maximal affinity within the set of native gp41-sequence peptides assayed. Scanning single-residue alanine and d-residue substitutions then confirmed the essential recognition requirements of 2F5 for the central DKW sequence, and also established the importance of the terminal leucine residues in determining high-affinity binding of the linear nonapeptide. Further studies of side-chain and backbone-modified analogs revealed a high degree of structural specificity for the DK sequence in particular, and delineated the steric requirements of the Leu(3) and Trp(6) residues. The nine-residue 2F5 epitope, flanked by pairs of serine residues, retained a high affinity for 2F5 when it was conformationally constrained as a 15-residue, disulfide-bridged loop. However, analogs with smaller or larger loop sizes resulted in lower 2F5 affinities. The conformational effects of the gp41 C-peptide helix immediately adjacent to the N-terminal end of the ELDKWA epitope were examined through the synthesis of helix-initiated analogs. Circular dichroism (CD) studies indicated that the alpha-helical conformation was propagated efficiently into the LELDKWASL epitope, but without any significant effect on its affinity for 2F5. This study should guide the design of a second generation of conformationally constrained ELDKWA analogs that might elicit an immune response that mimics the HIV-neutralizing actions of 2F5. 相似文献
A soluble β-galactoside-binding lectin was purified by gel filtration chromatography from Bubalus bubalis heart. Its metal-independent nature, molecular weight of 14.5 kDa, preferential affinity for β-d-lactose, and 87–92% identity with carbohydrate recognition domain of previously reported galectin-1 confirmed its inclusion
in galectin-1 subfamily. Stokes radii determination using gel filtration under reducing and non-reducing conditions revealed
its homo-dimeric nature, further confirming its Gal-1 nomenclature. The purified lectin was found to be the most stable mammalian
heart galectin purified till date, suggesting its preferential use in various recognition studies. Treatment of the purified
lectin with oxidizing agent, thiol blocking reagents, denaturants, and detergents resulted in significant changes in UV–VIS,
fluorescence, CD and FTIR spectra, which strongly emphasized the important aspect of regular secondary structure of galectins
for the maintenance of their active conformation. Reduction of the activity of the purified lectin after oxidation by H2O2, with remarkable fluorescence quenching, may suggest potential role for galectin-1 in free radical-induced, oxidative stress-mediated
cardiovascular disorders. The predictions of bioinformatics studies were found to be in accordance with the results obtained
in wet lab. 相似文献
An improved method for the purification of prophenoloxidase is described. The proenzyme was purified 400 fold in homogenous form. The purity was tested by disc-electrophoresis and the molecular weight was found to be 87 000 in comparison to the mobility of marker enzymes, which were run simultaneously in SDS-gel electrophoresis. The proenzyme was denatured at 80 degrees C and maximum conversion into active state was found between 40 and 50 degrees C. 相似文献