Terminal RNA replication elements in human parechovirus 1

To define structural elements critical for RNA replication in human parechovirus 1 (HPeV1), a replicon with chloramphenicol acetyltransferase as a reporter gene and an infectious virus cDNA clone have been used. It was observed that there are cis-acting signals required for HPeV1 replication located within the 5'-terminal 112 nucleotides of the genome and that these include two terminal stem-loops, SL-A and SL-B, together with a pseudoknot element. Significant disruption of any of these structures impaired both RNA replication and virus growth. In view of the similarity in terminal structures to several picornaviruses, such as cardioviruses and hepatoviruses, the insights generated in this work are of wider significance for understanding picornavirus replication.     

Exposure to road traffic noise and cognitive development in schoolchildren in Barcelona,Spain: A population-based cohort study

BackgroundRoad traffic noise is a prevalent and known health hazard. However, little is known yet about its effect on children’s cognition. We aimed to study the association between exposure to road traffic noise and the development of working memory and attention in primary school children, considering school-outdoor and school-indoor annual average noise levels and noise fluctuation characteristics, as well as home-outdoor noise exposure.Methods and findingsWe followed up a population-based sample of 2,680 children aged 7 to 10 years from 38 schools in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) between January 2012 to March 2013. Children underwent computerised cognitive tests 4 times (n = 10,112), for working memory (2-back task, detectability), complex working memory (3-back task, detectability), and inattentiveness (Attention Network Task, hit reaction time standard error, in milliseconds). Road traffic noise was measured indoors and outdoors at schools, at the start of the school year, using standard protocols to obtain A-weighted equivalent sound pressure levels, i.e., annual average levels scaled to human hearing, for the daytime (daytime LAeq, in dB). We also derived fluctuation indicators out of the measurements (noise intermittency ratio, %; and number of noise events) and obtained individual estimated indoor noise levels (LAeq) correcting for classroom orientation and classroom change between years. Home-outdoor noise exposure at home (Lden, i.e., EU indicator for the 24-hour annual average levels) was estimated using Barcelona’s noise map for year 2012, according to the European Noise Directive (2002). We used linear mixed models to evaluate the association between exposure to noise and cognitive development adjusting for age, sex, maternal education, socioeconomical vulnerability index at home, indoor or outdoor traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) for corresponding school models or outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for home models. Child and school were included as nested random effects.The median age (percentile 25, percentile 75) of children in visit 1 was 8.5 (7.8; 9.3) years, 49.9% were girls, and 50% of the schools were public. School-outdoor exposure to road traffic noise was associated with a slower development in working memory (2-back and 3-back) and greater inattentiveness over 1 year in children, both for the average noise level (e.g., ‒4.83 points [95% CI: ‒7.21, ‒2.45], p-value < 0.001, in 2-back detectability per 5 dB in street levels) and noise fluctuation (e.g., ‒4.38 [‒7.08, ‒1.67], p-value = 0.002, per 50 noise events at street level). Individual exposure to the road traffic average noise level in classrooms was only associated with inattentiveness (2.49 ms [0, 4.81], p-value = 0.050, per 5 dB), whereas indoor noise fluctuation was consistently associated with all outcomes. Home-outdoor noise exposure was not associated with the outcomes. Study limitations include a potential lack of generalizability (58% of mothers with university degree in our study versus 50% in the region) and the lack of past noise exposure assessment.ConclusionsWe observed that exposure to road traffic noise at school, but not at home, was associated with slower development of working memory, complex working memory, and attention in schoolchildren over 1 year. Associations with noise fluctuation indicators were more evident than with average noise levels in classrooms.

In a cohort study, Maria Foraster and colleagues study associations between exposure to road traffic noise at schools, and trajectories of working memory and inattentiveness among schoolchildren aged 7 to 10 years in Barcelona, Spain.     

Study of the genus Plectus Bastian, 1865 (Nematoda: Plectidae) from Iran

Three species of Plectus Bastian, 1865 viz., P. aquatilis and P. pusillus from Kerman province and P. velox from Alborz province, Iran are described and illustrated. Partial sequences of 18S region of ribosomal DNA gene were amplified for P. aquatilis and P. pusillus. The Blast results of population of P. aquatilis from Iran showed 8–10 nucleotides differences with populations of the same species (AF036602; GQ892827; AY284700) reported from the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands, respectively. Whereas Iranian population of P. pusillus showed 14–16 nucleotides differences with P. cf. pusillus (AY284705; AY284704) reported from The Netherlands. Molecular analysis revealed close relationship of the Iranian plectids with P. cf. parvus (AY284699) reported from The Netherlands. Phylogenetic relationships with other related species in the genus Plectus and closely related genera that are available in the GenBank are given.     

Proteomic response of barley leaves to salinity

Drought and salinity stresses are adverse environmental factors that affect crop growth and yield. Proteomic analysis offers a new approach to identify a broad spectrum of genes that are expressed in living system. We applied this technique to investigate protein changes that were induced by salinity in barley genotypes (Hordeum vulgare L.), Afzal, as a salt-tolerant genotype and L-527, as a salt-sensitive genotype. The seeds of two genotypes were sown in pot under controlled condition of greenhouse, using a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Salt stress was imposed at seedling stage and leaves were collected from control and salt-stressed plant. The Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations in leaves changed significantly in response to short-term stress. About 850 spots were reproducibly detected and analyzed on 2-DE gels. Of these, 117 proteins showed significant change under salinity condition in at least one of the genotypes. Mass spectrometry analysis using MALDI-TOF/TOF led to the identification some proteins involved in several salt responsive mechanisms which may increase plant adaptation to salt stress including higher constitutive expression level and upregulation of antioxidant, upregulation of protein involved in signal transduction, protein biosynthesis, ATP generation and photosynthesis. These findings may enhance our understanding of plant molecular response to salinity.     

Inulin content and expression of related genes in different tissues and cell suspension culture of Taraxacum kok-saghyz

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - The roots of Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin are rich in the storage carbohydrate inulin, which is known as a probiotic compound in human...