ABSTRACT
Transposable elements (TEs) represent genome’s dynamic component, causing mutations and genetic variations. Transposable elements can invade eukaryotic genomes in a short span; these are silenced by homology-dependent gene silencing and some functional parts of silenced elements are utilized to perform novel cellular functions. However, during the past two decades, major interest has been focused on the positive contribution of these elements in the evolution of genomes. The interaction between mobile DNAs and their host genomes are quite diverse, ranging from modifications of gene structure to alterations in general genome architecture and can be regarded as hidden magicians in shaping evolution of genomes. Some of the prominent examples that impressively demonstrate the beneficial impact of TEs on host biology over evolutionary time include their role in structure and functions of eukaryotic genomes.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the feasibility of implementing "one health approach" to prevent human rabies and control animal rabies in a rural community. Study Design: Health services research in a rural setting. Place and Duration of Study: A medical college and a veterinary college along with an animal welfare organization delivered a wide array of "integrated services" in three villages' i.e. Kumbalagodu, Thagachikuppe and Gerupalya near Bangalore, India comprising a population of 10,220 persons for a period of two years from December, 2009 to November, 2011. The nearby three villages of Ramohally, Vinayakanagara and Bhimanakuppe with a population of 6,023 persons formed the control group, with no project inputs. Methodology: This consisted of household surveys at the beginning and end of two years ; rabies awareness campaigns; clinical and laboratory surveillance of rabies in dogs; rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in humans; pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis (PrEP) by intradermal route in school children, pet dog owners and veterinarians ; mass dog vaccination and deworming; and sero-surveillance in both dogs and humans. Results: The ratio of veterinary and medical manpower in study villages was 1: 11 and dog to human ratio was 1: 23.The information, education and communication materials developed and used were domestic outdoor wall writings (11), domestic indoor annual wall calendar (2000), school book labels (1000); game charts (16); wall posters (65); flip chart (15); rabies educational DVD (1). There were 102 local cable television transmissions on rabies prevention. 69 persons received rabies PEP. PrEP was given to 368 school children, pet dog owners and veterinarians. Sixty one human serum samples were analyzed by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test for rabies antibody detection. Sixteen veterinarians were trained to use direct rapid immunohistochemical test (dRIT) for rabies diagnosis. Six ruminants were confirmed rabid by dRIT. There were no cases of human rabies. The cost of entire project was US $ 85,958. Conclusion: A blend of medical, veterinary and animal welfare services were successfully delivered through a "one health" approach. Based on this success a "conceptual model" was evolved to propagate its replication in other rural communities across India.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a poorly understood complex disorder, which results in progressive remodeling of the pulmonary artery that ultimately leads to right ventricular failure. A two-hit hypothesis has been implicated in pathogenesis of IPAH, according to which the vascular abnormalities characteristic of PAH are triggered by the accumulation of genetic and/or environmental insults in an already existing genetic background. The multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis is a statistical method used to identify gene–gene interaction or epistasis and gene–environment interactions that are associated with a particular disease. The MDR method collapses high-dimensional genetic data into a single dimension, thus permitting interactions to be detected in relatively small sample sizes. AIM: To identify and characterize polymorphisms/genes that increases the susceptibility to IPAH using MDR analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 77 IPAH patients and 100 controls were genotyped for eight polymorphisms of five genes (5HTT, EDN1, NOS3, ALK-1, and PPAR-γ2). MDR method was adopted to determine gene–gene interactions that increase the risk of IPAH. RESULTS: With MDR method, the single-locus model of 5HTT (L/S) polymorphism and the combination of 5HTT(L/S), EDN1(K198N), and NOS3(G894T) polymorphisms in the three-locus model were attributed to be the best models for predicting susceptibility to IPAH, with a P value of 0.05. CONCLUSION: MDR method can be useful in understanding the role of epistatic and gene–environmental interactions in pathogenesis of IPAH.