Whole-genomic analysis of a human G1P[9] rotavirus strain reveals intergenogroup-reassortment events.
Group A rotavirus (RVA) strain K8 (RVA/Human-tc/JPN/K8/1977/G1P[9]) was found to have Wa-like VP7 and NSP1 genes and AU-1-like VP4 and NSP5 genes. To determine the exact origin and overall genetic makeup of this unusual RVA strain, the remaining genes (VP1-VP3, VP6 and NSP2-NSP4) of K8 were analysed in this study. Strain K8 exhibited a G1-P[9]-I1-R3-C3-M3-A1-N1-T3-E3-H3 genotype constellation, not reported previously. The VP6 and NSP2 genes of strain K8 were related closely to those of common human Wa-like G1P[8] and/or G3P[8] strains, whilst its VP1-VP3, NSP3 and NSP4 genes were related more closely to those of AU-1-like RVAs and/or AU-1-like genes of multi-reassortant strains than to those of other RVAs. Therefore, strain K8 might have originated from intergenogroup-reassortment events involving acquisition of four Wa-like genes, possibly from G1P[8] RVAs, by an AU-1-like P[9] strain. Whole-genomic analysis of strain K8 has provided important insights into the complex genetic diversity of RVAs.

title: Full genomic analyses of two human G2P[4] rotavirus strains detected in 2005: identification of a caprine-like VP3 gene.
abstract: Although G2P[4] rotaviruses are common causes of infantile diarrhoea, to date only the full genomes of the prototype (strain DS-1) and another old strain, TB-Chen, have been analysed. We report here the full genomic analyses of two Bangladeshi G2P[4] strains, MMC6 and MMC88, detected in 2005. Both the strains exhibited a DS-1-like genotype constellation. Excluding the VP4 and VP7 genes, and except for VP3 of MMC88, the MMC strains were genetically more closely related to the contemporary G2P[4] and several non-G2P[4] human strains than the prototype G2P[4] strain. However, by phylogenetic analyses, the VP2, VP3 (except MMC88), NSP1 and NSP3-5 genes of these strains appeared to share a common origin with those of the prototype strain, whilst their VP1, VP6 and NSP2 genes clustered near a caprine strain. The VP3 gene of MMC88 exhibited maximum relatedness to a local caprine strain, representing the first reported human G2P[4] strain with a gene of animal origin.

title: Conformational study of papain in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous medium.
abstract: The interactions between a globular protein, papain and the anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) have been investigated in aqueous medium using fluorimetric, circular dichroism, Fourier transform infra-red, UV-vis spectrophotometric, dynamic light scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The conformational change of papain in aqueous solution has been studied in the presence of SDS. The results show the high alpha-helical content and unfolded structure of papain in the presence of SDS due to strong electrostatic repulsion leading to a "necklace and bead model" in protein-surfactant complexes.

title: Early steps in reverse cholesterol transport: cholesteryl ester hydrolase and other hydrolases.
abstract: Several controversies exist related to the molecular identity and subcellular localization of the enzyme catalyzing macrophage cholesteryl ester hydrolysis. Some of these issues have been reviewed earlier and this review summarizes new developments that describe effects of overexpression or gene ablation. The main objective is to highlight the disagreement between lack of gene expression and incomplete abolition of macrophage cholesteryl ester hydrolytic activity and to emphasize the importance of redundancy.



New information resulting from the continuing characterization of the various cholesteryl ester hydrolases (hormone-sensitive lipase, HSL; cholesteryl ester hydrolase, CEH; and KIAA1363/NCEH1) is reviewed. Whereas CEH overexpression leads to beneficial effects such as decreased inflammation, improved glucose tolerance/insulin sensitivity, and attenuation of atherosclerotic lesion progression, deficiency/ablation of HSL or KIAA1363/NCEH1 results in incomplete loss of macrophage cholesteryl ester hydrolysis/turnover. New paradigms challenging the classical view of cytoplasmic cholesteryl ester hydrolysis and reverse cholesterol transport are also presented.



The observed beneficial effects of CEH overexpression identify macrophage cholesteryl ester hydrolysis as an important therapeutic target and future studies will determine whether similar effects are obtained with overexpression of HSL or KIAA1363/NCEH1. It is imperative that, for clinical benefit, mechanisms to enhance endogenous cholesteryl ester hydrolase(s) are established.

title: Molecular characterization of a porcine Group A rotavirus strain with G12 genotype specificity
abstract: A porcine Group A rotavirus strain (RU172) was detected and molecularly characterized during a surveillance study conducted for rotavirus infection in a pig farm located in a suburban area of Kolkata City, India. The G12 genotype specificity of RU172 was revealed by PCR-based genotyping assays following addition of a G12 type-specific primer (designed in our laboratory to pick up G12 isolates from field samples) and was confirmed by sequence analysis of the VP7-encoding gene. The RU172 strain exhibited maximum VP7 identities of 93.6% to 94.5% with human G12 strains at the deduced amino acid level. In spite of its G12 genotype nature, RU172 appeared to be distinct from human G12 rotaviruses and, on phylogenetic analysis, formed a separate lineage with human G12 strains. Among the other gene segments analyzed, RU172 belonged to NSP4 genotype B, had a NSP5 and VP6 of porcine origin, and shared maximum VP4 identities with porcine P[7] rotaviruses (94.3%–95.4% at the deduced amino acid level). Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of detection of an animal rotavirus strain with G12 genotype specificity. Detection of strains like RU172 provides vital insights into the genomic diversity of Group A rotaviruses of man and animals.

title: Linkage analyses of rheumatoid arthritis and related quantitative phenotypes: the GAW15 experience.
abstract: The group that formed on the theme of linkage analyses of rheumatoid arthritis RA and related phenotypes (Group 10) in the Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 comprised 18 sets of investigators. Two data sets were available: one was a real set provided by the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium and collaborators in Canada, France (European Consortium Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Families) and the UK; the other was a simulated data set modelled after the real data set. Whereas a majority of the investigators analyzed the RA affection status as a binary phenotype, a few contributions considered data on correlated quantitative traits such as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and rheumatoid factor-immunoglobulin M. The different investigators applied a wide spectrum of linkage methods. As expected, most methods could identify the human leukocyfeantigen region on chromosome 6 as a major genetic factor for RA. In addition, some novel chromosomal regions provided significant evidence of linkage in multiple contributions in the group. In this report, we discuss the different strategies explored by the different investigators with the common goal of improving the power to detect linkage.

title: Evaluation of Registered Visually Disabled Individuals in a District of West Bengal, India
abstract: To identify the sociodemographic characteristics, degree and cause of visual disability among certified visually disabled individuals in a rural district of West Bengal, India and to identify possible lacunae, if any, in the existing certification system.  A cross-sectional study by secondary data analysis of medical records of 155 visually disabled individuals and their 310 eyes. Demographical features, diagnosis, percentage of visual disability and work activity status of each individual were analyzed.  One hundred and thirty one (84.52%) individuals had 100% disability. The number of males was significantly higher than that of females. Fifty eight (37.42%) individuals were below 21 years of age. Phthisis bulbi was the most common cause followed by microphthalmos. Further, 81.29% patients had the same lesion bilaterally.  Patients with higher grades of disability have attended certification boards. A large number of disabled individuals comprised children and young adults. Male gender bias demands concern.