Optogenetic regulation of site-specific subtelomeric DNA methylation

Telomere length homeostasis, critical for chromosomal integrity and genome stability, is controlled by intricate molecular regulatory machinery that includes epigenetic modifications. Here, we examine site-specific and spatiotemporal alteration of the subtelomeric methylation of CpG islands using optogenetic tools to understand the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of telomere length maintenance. Human DNA methyltransferase3A (DNMT3A) were assembled selectively at chromosome ends by fusion to cryptochrome 2 protein (CRY2) and its interacting complement, the basic helix loop helix protein-1 (CIB1). CIB1 was fused to the telomere-associated protein telomere repeat binding factor-1 (TRF1), which localized the protein complex DNMT3A-CRY2 at telomeric regions upon excitation by blue-light monitored by single-molecule fluorescence analyses. Increased methylation was achieved selectively at subtelomeric CpG sites on the six examined chromosome ends specifically after blue-light activation, which resulted in progressive increase in telomere length over three generations of HeLa cell replications. The modular design of the fusion constructs presented here allows for the selective substitution of other chromatin modifying enzymes and for loci-specific targeting to regulate the epigenetic pathways at telomeres and other selected genomic regions of interest

Hypermotor seizure presenting with unusual psychiatric symptoms - a case report

We report a case of hypermotor seizure activity. The patient presented behavioural changes with previous reports of normal electroencephalogram (EEG). A prolonged video EEG of this patient showed rare epileptic abnormalities over the left frontocentral region, which ruled out a conversion disorder diagnosis. Management using Antiepileptics proved beneficial in this case

Hypermotor seizure presenting with unusual psychiatric symptoms - a case report

We report a case of hypermotor seizure activity. The patient presented behavioural changes with previous reports of normal electroencephalogram (EEG). A prolonged video EEG of this patient showed rare epileptic abnormalities over the left frontocentral region, which ruled out a conversion disorder diagnosis. Management using Antiepileptics proved beneficial in this case

Association of tobacco smoking with bipolar affective disorder- a comparative cross-sectional study at a tertiary care centre in south India

Background: Smokers with psychiatric disorders, most notably those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders tend to present with more severe nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal than smokers without these illnesses. The following study aims to explore the correlation of smoking with bipolar affective disorder Setting and design: The comparative cross-sectional study was done in Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Kochi, a 1,450-bed hospital for a period of 2 years. Methods and materials: Seventy subjects with Bipolar affective Disorder who were in remission for at least two months and Seventy subjects who were relatives of paediatric outpatients were included in the study and control group, respectively. Clinical variables were assessed, and Hamilton depression rating scale, Young mania rating scale and Fagerstorm nicotine rating scale were administered to the subjects. Results: In this study, 52.9% of subjects with bipolar disorder were found to be smokers, and 51.4% of the normal population were smokers. No significant association was observed between bipolar affective disorder, and smoking tobacco, however, a significant correlation was found between smoking status and the total number of episodes of the disorder, psychotic episodes and suicide attempts. Conclusion: There appears to be a relationship between smoking tobacco and certain clinical features of bipolar affective disorder. It is possibly a bidirectional relation between these two disorders.

A Review on DNA Vaccines in Pre-Clinical Trials Against SARS-CoV-2

COVID 19 Pandemic is caused by the viral pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Scientific fraternity worldwide swiftly developed various types of vaccines for the prevention and as mitigation measures for curbing the pandemic. Traditional inactivated vaccines, mRNA vaccines (protein subunits such as spike proteins), and viral vector vaccines (non-replicating vectors with protein subunits) have been approved by World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use. The emergence of many mutated variants has been a worrying factor in the fight against the pandemic. There has been continuous research in the quest for more therapeutics, especially vaccines to curb and stop the pandemic. According to WHO, there are 194 vaccines in pre-clinical trials belonging to various types out of which sixteen is DNA vaccines. In this review, we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the DNA vaccines for Covid - 19. This article tried to explore the available information on DNA vaccines and their current status against Covid – 19 which are in pre-clinical trials

CASPR2 positive autoimmune encephalitis presenting as delirium in an alcohol dependent patient: a diagnostic dilemma

Delirium, a major psychiatric emergency commonly encountered in alcohol withdrawal state, can have various aetiologies. Here we present a case of protracted delirium in an alcohol dependent patient, which on detailed neurological workup was diagnosed to be autoimmune encephalitis with CASPR2 (contactin-associated protein-like 2) antibodies. Subsequent treatment with immunotherapy and steroids lead to the resolution of symptoms