Life Sciences Commons^™

Comparison Of Multiple Imputation Algorithms And Verification Using Whole-Genome Sequencing In The Cmuh Genetic Biobank, Ting-Yuan Liu, Chih-Fan Lin, Hsing-Tsung Wu, Ya-Lun Wu, Yu-Chia Chen, Chi-Chou Liao, Yu-Pao Chou, Dysan Chao, Hsing-Fang Lu, Ya-Sian Chang, Jan-Gowth Chang, Kai-Cheng Hsu, Fuu‑Jen Tsai

BioMedicine

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) can be conducted to systematically analyze the contributions of genetic factors to a wide variety of complex diseases. Nevertheless, existing GWASs have provided highly ethnic specific data. Accordingly, to provide data specific to Taiwan, we established a large-scale genetic database in a single medical institution at the China Medical University Hospital. With current technological limitations, microarray analysis can detect only a limited number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a minor allele frequency of >1%. Nevertheless, imputation represents a useful alternative means of expanding data. In this study, we compared four imputation algorithms in terms of …

On Computing Relative Effective Population Size Estimates And Parameters From An Equilibrium Cycle Of Hermaphrodite Frequency Fluctuation Due To Mixed Reproductive Modes In Filamentous Fungi, Christopher Toomajian

Fungal Genetics Reports

Many filamentous ascomycete fungi reproduce primarily asexually, with only occasional sexual generations. This can lead to a departure from the 1:1 mating type ratio that is expected in obligate sexual populations. The relaxed selection on sexual traits also can lead to a decrease in the frequency of female fertile strains in field populations, while male fertility does not similarly decrease since male gametes also can serve as asexual spores. Both changes ultimately impact the strength of genetic drift in populations. The frequency of female sterility likely increases with the time since the last generation of sexual reproduction, such that it …

Estimation Of Genetic Diversity Among Canola Accessions Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers, Jaleel Ahmad, Muhammad Baber, Wajid Nazeer, Sana Hamdullah, Aleena Ahmad Somroo, Shaiza Ali, Rameen Fatima, Seema Aslam

Journal of Bioresource Management

Genetic studies through molecular markers proved important to find out the genetic diversity of canola. In this study, 50 lines of canola were used to find the polymorphism using 15 SSR primers and investigated the genetic diversity, PIC values, frequency-based genetic distance, and allelic frequencies. Mean gene diversity, frequency-based genetic distance, and PIC values were 0.8777, 0.233 and 0.8666, respectively for the canola lines. A good range of genetic diversity was found among studied canola lines with value 85.91% polymorphism. Maximum and minimum genetic distances among 50 lines were 1 and 0.26, respectively. Accessions ACC-26068, ACC-24241, ACC-24244, ACC-24233, ACC-24423 and …

The Effects Of Ppal-1 In Arabidopsis Gamete Development, Amanda J White, Susana Perez-Martinez, Mark P. Running

The Cardinal Edge

Prenylation is a type of post-translational modification in which a 15- or 20-carbon lipid is added to the carboxyl (C) terminus of the protein. Arabidopsis thaliana contains the PROTEIN PRENYLTRANSFERASE ALPHA SUBUNIT-LIKE (PPAL) gene, which encodes a protein with homology to the α-subunits of the three known prenylation enzymes, PFT, PGGT, and Rab-GGT. We previously identified two mutations in PPAL, one of which is ppal-1, which contains a T-DNA insertion in the fourth intron. We have previously observed that self-fertilizing heterozygous ppal-1 plants produce progeny in which homozygous ppal-1 is underrepresented. This project attempts to ascertain …

Overcoming Obstacles In Protein Expression In The Yeast Pichia Pastoris: Interviews Of Leaders In The Pichia Field, Zoe Ingram, Abha Patkar, Dahoon Oh, Kevin K. Zhang, Christina Chung, Joan Lin-Cereghino, Geoff P. Lin-Cereghino

Pacific Journal of Health

The yeast Pichia pastoris (also known as Komagataella pastoris) has been used for over 30 years to produce thousands of valuable, heterologous proteins, such as insulin to treat diabetes and antibodies to prevent migraine headaches. Despite its success, there are some common, stubborn problems encountered by research scientists when they try to use the yeast to produce their recombinant proteins. In order to provide those working in this field with strategies to overcome these common obstacles, nine experts in P. pastoris protein expression field were interviewed to create a written review and video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyC9xXVLyD0). This review describes …

Weedy Rice Conserved Ex Situ Characterized Using Morphological And Simple Sequence Repeat (Ssr) Markers, Rubylyn Mijan Infante, Maria Elizabeth B. Naredo, Merlyn S. Mendioro

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

A clear understanding of genetic diversity in weedy rice is important in improving protocols for its conservation, ex situ. To this end, Asian collections of weedy rice together with accessions of the wild AA genome species Oryza nivara Sharma et Shastry and Oryza rufipogon Griffith, and the cultivated species, Oryza sativa L. were characterized using 16 qualitative morphological traits and 18 SSR markers. The Shannon-Weaver index (H’) revealed higher diversity in the weedy (mean H’ = 0.76) and wild O. nivara (mean H’ = 0.79) and O. rufipogon samples (mean H’ = 0.69) compared to the cultivated …

Grain Yield Variations In Rice Genotypes Under Different Growing Environments In The Philippines, Kim Nyka C. Perdiguerra, Shiro Mitsuya, Akira Yamauchi, Felino P. Lansigan, Maria Victoria O. Espaldon, Jose E. Hernandez, Pompe C. Sta. Cruz

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Grain yield variations in PSB Rc18, NSIC Rc222 (inbreds) and NSIC Rc202H (hybrid) were determined across growing environments as a function of cropping seasons and locations in rice producing areas in the Philippines. Contribution of location to variation in grain yield is 61.0%, while 12.7% for the season, and 6.1% for the genotype and this must be due location by season by genotype interactions. Dry season cropping in Nueva Ecija produced the highest mean grain yield. On the other hand, wet season cropping in Davao del Sur produced the least mean grain yield. The genotypes differed in their response to …

Genetic Variability In Fusarium Oxysporum F. Sp. Vasinfectum Causing Damping-Off Of Cotton (Gossypium Barbadense L.) Seedlings [Research Note], Reda Helmy Sammour, Salah Abdel Moemen, Eman Elagamy

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The genetic variability of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum isolates from Gossypium barbadense L. seedlings were assessed using pathogenicity, mycelial compatibility, and RAPD analyses. The results showed that the disease incidence percentages and compatibility percentages considerably varied, extending from 33.2 to 86.6 % and 6 to 60 %, respectively in North Egypt and from 33.3 to 66.6 % and 0.0 to 20% in South Egypt. It also showed that the isolates ISO-8 and ISO-19 had the lowest disease incidence (33.2%) as compared with isolate ISO-5 (86.6%). Results of the mycelial compatibility had a reversible relationship with disease incidence percentage. Cluster …

An Investigation On The Irish Population’S Attitudes And Knowledge Towards Genetic Screening For Cancer, Emer Mccarthy, Ada Fleming, Dawn Hannah Cronin

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Genetic mutations are alterations in DNA that may result in the development of a disease later in life. A BRCA gene is a tumour suppressor gene that helps to prevent the development of some cancers, particularly breast cancer. If a mutation occurs, this gene no longer functions at preventing these cancers. Genetic screening is when a population is tested for a mutation in an attempt to identify a group of people that are positive for the mutation. This can help identify cancer in different populations as well as track their inheritance. This study was conducted online, questioning the Irish populations …

Full Issue: The International Undergraduate Journal Of Health Sciences, Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2021

International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

The full June 2021 issue (Volume 1, Issue 1) of the International Undergraduate Journal of Health Sciences

Big Five Personality Traits And Political Orientation: An Inquiry Into Political Beliefs, Ian E. Phillips

The Downtown Review

Personality research centered on the Big Five personality traits has heavily impacted our understanding in regards to what forces orient a person on a political spectrum. Examining how personality differences interact with political orientation, this research seeks to provide information on what makes someone either more or less likely to be liberal or conservative based on their temperament. In this paper, previous personality research is synthesized into one discussion, centered on what the effects of each trait are and how they impact political orientation, the heritability of personality, and what implications there are for such research in the realm of …

Novel Genetic Mutations In Genes Agbl5 And Tulp1 For Presumed Unilateral Retinitis Pigmentosa Managed With Low Vision Rehabilitation: A Case Report And Review, Maggie Man Ki Ho Od, Ms, Faao, Stephanie Schmiedecke-Barbieri Od, Faao, Abcmo, Dip Low Vision, Patricia C. Sanchez-Diaz Phd, Dvm, Faao, Carolyn E. Majcher Od, Faao, Fors

Optometric Clinical Practice

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of hereditary retinal diseases characterized by the degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. It commonly results in night blindness followed by tunnel vision and central vision reduction. The classic triad of clinical signs includes pigmented bone spicules, waxy disc pallor, and arterial attenuation. Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa is rare and can be supported with ancillary testing including genetic and laboratory studies to rule out differential diagnoses.

Case Report: A 68-year-old Hispanic female was referred to the low vision rehabilitation clinic due to progressive vision loss in the left eye (OS) that began 15 years ago. …

Regenerative Rehabilitation And Genomics: Implications For Occupational Therapy, John V. Rider

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The completion of the human genome project has paved the way for health care practitioners to use genetic and environmental information to tailor medical treatment. This innovative approach to health care is rapidly evolving, and occupational therapists need to be aware of the impact it will have on future practice. Regenerative rehabilitation is a product of knowledge and techniques from the fields of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine with the common goal to restore function. Occupational therapists have the potential to play a significant role in regenerative rehabilitation research and implementation. The purpose of this article is to (a) increase understanding …

Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Hoxb6: An Exploration Into The Divergence Of Genomic Dna Sequence And Gene Expression Across Teleost Fishes Post-Genome Duplication, Amber Lynn Rittgers, Pierre Le Pabic, Adam Davis

Georgia Journal of Science

Hoxb6 is an evolutionarily conserved developmental regulatory gene that functions, in part, to pattern several organs and organ systems within the embryonic trunk during vertebrate embryogenesis. The cis-regulatory circuitry mediating trunk expression in mouse (Mus musculus) may be conserved across gnathostome vertebrates, as several other species show similar trunk expression patterns, including chicken (Gallus gallus), dogfish shark (Scyliorhinus canicula), and several teleost fishes. A whole genome duplication event that occurred in the lineage leading to teleost fishes has generated at least two Hoxb6 genes, hoxb6a and b6b. Two teleost fishes of the …

Morphological And Microsatellite-Based Molecular Characterization Of Locally Collected Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L.), Carl F. Libayao, Carmina C. Manuel Ma., Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo, Antonio G. Lalusin

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Fifty-three sugarcane accessions from Aklan, Iloilo, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Bohol were characterized using forty-two morphometric parameters and forty microsatellite markers. Twenty-six morphological characters using the Shannon-Weaver diversity index showed high variability (H’ = > 0.76) and were able to characterize the fifty-three sugarcane accessions. Cluster analysis of morphological traits based on sequential agglomerative hierarchical test and Euclidean distance revealed two groupings at 0.3 coefficient of dissimilarity. The clustering of some accessions was irrespective of their geographical origin indicating a high degree of phenotypic similarity in some accessions. Out of the forty microsatellite markers, twenty-five (63%) have a PIC value …

16s Rrna Gene Sequence Analysis Of Acetic And Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Philippine Sugarcane Wine (Basi) [Research Note], John Russel G. Sevilla, Michael Angelo S. Esteban, Honey Bhabes R. Iñigo, Audrey May V. Orillaza, Baby Richard R. Navarro

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Basi, a traditional sugarcane wine of the Philippines, was studied. Here, we used molecular- and cultural-based methods to isolate, identify and characterize acid-producing bacteria, specifically acetic and lactic acid bacteria, from basi. Acid producers were focused on owing to the rapid spoilage of basi via acidification with air exposure. Two strains each of acetic and lactic acid bacteria were isolated. DNA was extracted from these isolates. PCR-amplified DNA products were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The sequences of the isolates were then aligned with BLAST database sequences and found to have high similarities to Acetobacter malorum (99%), …

Henry V. Howe And His Collection Of Foraminifera At Louisiana State University, Lorene E. Smith, Baren K. Sen Gupta

Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University

Henry V. Howe, the founder of the current academic program in geology at Louisiana State University (LSU), and a renowned ostracod specialist, was also a distinguished foraminiferal paleontologist. His best work in that field, involving the discovery of many new species, was on the taxonomy of Eocene Foraminifera of Louisiana. The present H.V. Howe Type Collection of Microfossils began with Howe’s gift of slides to LSU. This collection, enriched by contributions from later workers, now includes over 580 slides of foraminiferal primary type specimens, with holotypes and syntypes of 361 species and 15 taxa labeled as “varieties.” Information regarding these …

Phenotypic Characters And Expression Of Cytokinin Oxidase 2 (Osckx2) Gene In Rice Genotypes With Enhanced Grain Filling Traits, Cielo Luz C. Mondejar, Maria Genaleen Q. Diaz, Teresita H. Borromeo, Tonette P. Laude, Arlen A. Dela Cruz, Roel Rodriguez Suralta

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Poor grain filling is still a major problem in rice production. Recent attention in crop varietal improvement is focused on heritable delayed foliar senescence, enhanced root system, and fast-synchronous grain filling pattern. Nine genotypes were characterized for these three enhanced grain-filling traits to determine the role of these traits on grain yield. Based on heritable delayed foliar senescence, NSIC Rc436 and NSIC Rc512 were characterized as Type A, while PSB Rc18 and NSIC Rc514 as Type B. These genotypes had a significantly higher yield than IR64, owing to their high spikelets number. Data suggested a positive correlation between the delayed …

Genome Based Research In Aquaculture, Somia Liaqat, Mubashar Hussain, Muhammad Faheem Malik, Asifa Aslam

Journal of Bioresource Management

Genome -based technologies are being instigated to manipulate the structure and function of the genome and to identify the genes of interest for genetic modification of economically important species. Genome editing technologies have also been designed for genetic manipulation of aquaculture species to increase production and quality with minimum investment costs. DNA marker technologies are the most widely used genome technologies. DNA fingerprints are used to construct physical maps while genetic maps are based upon meiotic recombination. BAC fingerprinting is the commonly used method for physical mapping. Next- generation sequencers revolutionized science and allowed the de-novo whole genome sequencing. QTL …

Sales, Acquisitions, And Mergers Of Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing Companies: The Risks And A Solution, Alyssa K Mcleod

Texas A&M Law Review

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests have become increasingly popular in the United States within the last few years. However, these tests pose many risks to the consumer, most notably privacy risks. A subset of these privacy risks involves the issue of company mergers, acquisitions, and sales. Many companies in the direct-to-consumer genetic testing market have privacy policies that contain a variation of a “business transfer” clause. These clauses specify that in the event the company goes through a business transition such as a sale, merger, or acquisition, the consumer’s personal information—including the consumer’s DNA—will be among the assets transferred. This Article explores …

A Zugunruhe Data Collection System Using Passive Infrared Sensors, Ryan Terry, Luis E. Ramirez, Carol Carrera, Abigail Kimmitt, Kira Delmore, Ana Goulart

Pursue: Undergraduate Research Journal

When engineers and biologists work together, there is a lot to learn on both sides. For instance, our work introduced us to zugunruhe, which is a German word that means “unrest”. It is used in the context of migratory birds, as they become restless at night, inside their cages, during their migratory period. When does zugunruhe start? It usually starts when the weather becomes cold and the days shorter, but it varies for different bird species. Moreover, global warming has caused changes in zungunruhe’s timing, which made it even harder to predict. Another question is about genetics: is …