Potential pitfalls of modelling ribosomal RNA data in phylogenetic tree reconstruction: Evidence from case studies in the Metazoa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Failure to account for covariation patterns in helical regions of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes has the potential to misdirect the estimation of the phylogenetic signal of the data. Furthermore, the extremes of length variation among taxa, combined with regional substitution rate variation can mislead the alignment of rRNA sequences and thus distort subsequent tree reconstructions. However, recent developments in phylogenetic methodology now allow a comprehensive integration of secondary structures in alignment and tree reconstruction analyses based on rRNA sequences, which has been shown to correct some of these problems. Here, we explore the potentials of RNA substitution models and the interactions of specific model setups with the inherent pattern of covariation in rRNA stems and substitution rate variation among loop regions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found an explicit impact of RNA substitution models on tree reconstruction analyses. The application of specific RNA models in tree reconstructions is hampered by interaction between the appropriate modelling of covarying sites in stem regions, and excessive homoplasy in some loop regions. RNA models often failed to recover reasonable trees when single-stranded regions are excessively homoplastic, because these regions contribute a greater proportion of the data when covarying sites are essentially downweighted. In this context, the RNA6A model outperformed all other models, including the more parametrized RNA7 and RNA16 models.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results depict a trade-off between increased accuracy in estimation of interdependencies in helical regions with the risk of magnifying positions lacking phylogenetic signal. We can therefore conclude that caution is warranted when applying rRNA covariation models, and suggest that loop regions be independently screened for phylogenetic signal, and eliminated when they are indistinguishable from random noise. In addition to covariation and homoplasy, other factors, like non-stationarity of substitution rates and base compositional heterogeneity, can disrupt the signal of ribosomal RNA data. All these factors dictate sophisticated estimation of evolutionary pattern in rRNA data, just as other molecular data require similarly complicated (but different) corrections.</p

Stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) XIX. Transcriptional activation of oxidative pentose phosphate pathway genes at the onset of the isoflavonoid phytoalexin response

Article on stress responses in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) XIX and transcriptional activation of oxidative pentose phosphate pathway genes at the onset of the isoflavonoid phytoalexin response

A Study on Capital Structure and Leverage of Tata Motors Limited: Its Role and Future Prospects

AbstractThis study examines the influence of capital structure on the performance of the company. It is measured using EBIT-EPS analysis. In this paper an attempt is made to analyze the capital structure of Tata Motors Limited during the period 2003-04 to 2012-2013, so as to understand the factors that influenced the capital structure decisions of the company and to know the impact of capital structure decisions on profitability and performance of the company. The company's performance is measured through EBIT-EPS analysis. Increase in the level of debt and net worth increases the debt equity ratio. Capital structure is the crucial decision to be taken by every business, the positives and negatives of these decisions plays a important role in determining the future of every business

The proposed systemic thermogenic metabolites succinate and 12,13-diHOME are inversely associated with adiposity and related metabolic traits: evidence from a large human cross-sectional study

Aims/Hypothesis: Circulating succinate and 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) were recently shown to promote brown adipocyte thermogenesis and protect against metabolic disorders in rodents. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between plasma levels of these metabolites and adiposity and metabolic profile in humans. Methods: Fasting plasma succinate and 12,13-diHOME levels were quantified using ultra HPLC-tandem MS in 2248 individuals (50% female, mean age 41.3 ± 5.9 years, mean BMI 26.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2) in addition to fasting plasma biochemistry. Total and regional adiposity were assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. An age- and sex-adjusted linear regression model was used to determine the associations between succinate and 12,13-diHOME levels and body composition and metabolic profile. Two-sample Mendelian randomisation was used to assess the associations between genetically determined BMI and metabolic traits with circulating plasma succinate and 12,13-diHOME. Results: A one-SD higher plasma succinate and 12,13-diHOME concentration was associated with a 0.15 SD (95% CI 0.28, 0.03) and 0.08 SD (0.15, 0.01) lower total fat mass respectively. Additionally, a one-SD higher plasma 12,13-diHOME level was associated with a 0.09 SD (0.16, 0.02) lower fasting plasma insulin and 0.10 SD (0.17, 0.04) lower plasma triacylglycerol. In Mendelian randomisation analyses, genetically determined higher BMI, fasting hyperinsulinaemia and elevated lipid levels were not associated with changes in either plasma succinate or plasma 12,13-diHOME concentrations. No indications of bias due to directional pleiotropy were detected in the Mendelian randomisation analyses. Conclusions/Interpretation: Our findings tentatively suggest that plasma succinate and 12,13-diHOME may play a role in the regulation of energy metabolism and brown adipose tissue activation in humans. Further studies encompassing direct assessment of brown adipose tissue activity and dietary supplementation are necessary to investigate the potential beneficial effects of these metabolites on systemic metabolism

Evaluation of Prescription Pattern and Medication Adherence in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease

Background: ALD is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients. A patient’s Medication Non-Adherence may also interfere with the progression of Disease. Analysis of Prescription pattern in ALD helps to ensure the safety of the Patient by assessing the signs and symptoms of disease and its appropriate therapy. &nbsp;Thus, educating the patients regarding their clinical condition will have a significant role in reducing the severity of the disease. Aim: To assess the Prescription pattern, Medication Adherence and to identify the correlation between the medication adherence and the educational status in ALD patients. Materials and Methods: The Study was a Prospective Observational study carried out for a duration of Six months. Morisky Green Levine scale was the tool used to assess the medication adherence. Data was collected using a self-designed data collection form. Results: A Total of 160 Alcoholic subjects were assessed during the study period among which 65.62% of them were illiterate. Out of total cases 76.87 % of hepatoprotective drugs, 50.62% antiemetics, 38% vitamins and 11% of anti-ulcer drugs were prescribed among patients. &nbsp;It was found that there exist a relationship between educational status and medication adherence (P-value: 0.0021). Conclusion: The study helped to assess the &nbsp;different class of drugs, drugs used in different comorbid conditions and also to evaluate, identify and solve the problems associated with the Medication Non-Adherence of the patients. Keywords: Medication Adherence, Alcoholic Liver Disease, Rational Drug Therapy