Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 spread and evolution through genome sequencing is essential in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we sequenced 892 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected from patients in Saudi Arabia ...from March to August 2020. We show that two consecutive mutations (R203K/G204R) in the nucleocapsid (N) protein are associated with higher viral loads in COVID-19 patients. Our comparative biochemical analysis reveals that the mutant N protein displays enhanced viral RNA binding and differential interaction with key host proteins. We found increased interaction of GSK3A kinase simultaneously with hyper-phosphorylation of the adjacent serine site (S206) in the mutant N protein. Furthermore, the host cell transcriptome analysis suggests that the mutant N protein produces dysregulated interferon response genes. Here, we provide crucial information in linking the R203K/G204R mutations in the N protein to modulations of host-virus interactions and underline the potential of the nucleocapsid protein as a drug target during infection.
Microsatellites are often considered ideal markers to investigate ecological processes in animal populations. They are regularly used as genetic barcodes to identify species, individuals, and infer ...familial relationships. However, such applications are highly sensitive the number and diversity of microsatellite markers, which are also prone to error. Here, we propose a novel framework to assess the suitability of microsatellite datasets for parentage analysis and species discrimination in two closely related species of coral reef fish, Plectropomus leopardus and P. maculatus (Serranidae). Coral trout are important fisheries species throughout the Indo‐Pacific region and have been shown to hybridize in parts of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. We first describe the development of 25 microsatellite loci and their integration to three multiplex PCRs that co‐amplify in both species. Using simulations, we demonstrate that the complete suite of markers provides appropriate power to discriminate between species, detect hybrid individuals, and resolve parent–offspring relationships in natural populations, with over 99.6% accuracy in parent–offspring assignments. The markers were also tested on seven additional species within the Plectropomus genus with polymorphism in 28–96% of loci. The multiplex PCRs developed here provide a reliable and cost‐effective strategy to investigate evolutionary and ecological dynamics and will be broadly applicable in studies of wild populations and aquaculture brood stocks for these closely related fish species.
Decision tree that lead to correct and incorrect assignments in parentage analysis. There are only three correct decisions in parentage analyses, and simulations can identify the susceptibility of a given marker set to different types of error.
Microsatellite markers were developed for the coral reef fish Chaetodon vagabundus using shotgun pyrosequencing. As threats to coral reefs intensify, information on larval connectivity is of ...increasing value for efficient conservation planning. Here, 11 novel microsatellites were characterized for 192 individuals from Papua New Guinea. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 32, while observed and expected heterozygosity values varied from 0.214 to 0.903. These markers will be used to study population structure and larval connectivity of this iconic coral reef fish in coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific.
Parentage analysis is an important tool for identifying connectivity patterns in coral reef fishes, but often requires numerous highly polymorphic markers. We isolated 21 polymorphic microsatellite ...markers from the stripey snapper, Lutjanus carponotatus and describe their integration into three multiplex PCRs. All markers were highly polymorphic with a mean of 24.9 ± 1.8 SE alleles per locus and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.797 ± 0.038 SE across 285 genotyped individuals. Using a simulated dataset, we conclude that the complete marker set provides sufficient resolution to resolve parent–offspring relationships in natural populations with 99.6 ± 0.1 % accuracy in parentage assignments. This multiplex assay provides an effective means of investigating larval dispersal and population connectivity in this fishery-targeted coral reef fish species and informing the design of marine protected area networks for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management.
•Holmium and Erbium doped KTiOPO4 crystals were grown by a top-seeded solution growth method.•Transparent KTP:Ho and KTP:Er crystal were obtained from the mixed K6P4O13 solvent containing MoO3.•The ...doping of Ho and Er into KTP can alters the TiO6 network in the crystal.•The structural analysis of Ho and Er:KTP crystals were analyzed using Raman Shift and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Spectrum.•The characteristic SHG emission was analyzed.
KTiOPO4:Ho and KTiOPO4:Er single crystals are grown by a top-seeded solution growth method from potassium phosphate and MoO3 flux. The crystalline phase, packing structure and chemical composition of the crystals are analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS). The doping of Ho and Er induced strain in the crystal is determined from Williamson–Hall relation. The bonding between titanium and oxygen of Ho and Er doping in the KTP crystal is changing the pseudo-symmetrical deviation in the lattice. The bonding of O and Ti decreases with doping Ho and Er and Ti3+ content in the crystal. The bonding, distortion of the TiO6-TiO6 chain and change in inter-atomic distances by erbium and holmium doping are assessed by Raman spectroscopy and low temperature ESR spectroscopy which evidences the low concentration of Ti3+ presence in the crystal. The KTiOPO4:Ho and KTiOPO4:Er single crystal shows second harmonic generation properties which shows that the efficiency ratio of ηKTiOPO4:Ho/η KTiOPO4 = 0.63 and ηKTiOPO4:Er/η KTiOPO4 = 0.80.
The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Sr2Nb2O7–La2Ti2O7 (SNB-LT) solid solution ceramics have been studied. The La and Ti ions were substituted into the Sr2Nb2O7 (SNB) lattice and their ...resultant phase of SNB-LT has lattice distortion. The Rietveld refinement parameters from the XRD patterns corroborate a solid solution of Sr2Nb2O7–La2Ti2O7. The addition of La3+ and Ti4+ dampens the SNB intra-structural phase. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the internal lattice relaxation due to the Ti(Nb)O6 octahedron in the lattice. At 2×106 Hz, the dielectric permittivity of SNB-LT-1, SNB-LT-2, and SNB-LT-3 is 17.2, 17.5, and 21.3, respectively, with σac conductivity in the order of 10−5 S/m. With an increase in Ti(Nb)O6 distortion, the piezoelectric coefficient of SNB-LT-1, SNB-LT-2, and SNB-LT-3 increases linearly as 6.3, 8.1, and 9.3 pC/N. The temperature-dependent ferroelectric polarization of SNB-LT-1, SNB-LT-2, and SNB-LT-3 has been tested, and a substantial rise in polarization has been demonstrated up to 120 °C. At 120 °C, the SNBLT solid solution showed a two-fold increase in remnant polarization.
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•Layer perovskites ceramics of Sr2Nb2O7–La2Ti2O7 solid solution prepared with high TC.•Outstanding d33 of ∼0.91 pC/N as well as low σac of 10−5 S/cm at 5 MHz.•Realized good ferroelectricity at 120 °C.
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•Curcumin loaded surface coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles grafted with dextran.•The impacts of the surface coating were correlated with the colloidal property.•High affinity of ...carboxyl group with positive iron surface confirms dextran layer.•No significant change in magnetization even after dextran coating.•Cytotoxicity tests shows significant cytotoxic effect on A549 cancer cells.
Surface coating of Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) plays a key role in the prohibition of agglomeration, improved colloidal stability, and biocompatibility. This research aims to develop and evaluate curcumin-conjugated dextran-coated MNPs for the cytotoxic potential of lung cancer cell A549. Fe3O4 NPs were prepared by a simple co-precipitation method followed by surface coating with dextran. FT-IR, micro Raman, and powder XRD results confirm that functionalization does not alter the crystallinity of Fe3O4 and the particle size varied from ∼ 147–216 nm. The surface morphology of the conjugate shows that the drug-polymer embedded homogeneously over the surface. The in vitro release of the drug shows ∼ 77.80 ± 5.4 % and ∼ 5.15 ± 3.3 % from Cur-Dex-Fe3O4 NPs and curcumin suspension over 24 h. The IC50 value of 22.5 μg/mL with significant changes in the chromatin of cells was observed in the MTT assay and Hoechst 33,528 staining. The developed Cur-Dex-Fe3O4 NPs can effective against the A549 lung cancer cell line.
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•Organic 2-hydroxy biphenyl crystal was grown first time using seeded melt growth technique.•2-Hydroxy biphenyl crystal is transparent over the entire UV–Vis–NIR region.•The grown ...crystal belongs to orthorhombic system.•2-Hydroxy biphenyl crystal is insoluble in water, non-hygroscopic and high resistive favoring for device fabrications.
Organic single crystal of 2-hydroxy biphenyl (2-HB) was grown by top seeded melt growth method. Scanning electron microscopy studies has been carried out on the surface of the grown crystals to investigate the nature of growth and defects. The crystalline perfection and lattice parameters of 2-HB has been determined by single crystal XRD analysis and it belongs to orthorhombic crystal system with space group Fdd2. The functional groups and molecular associations were confirmed by FT-IR. The optical characteristics such as cut-off and transmittance were carried out using UV–Vis–NIR spectra. Absence of absorption in the region between 320 and 1100nm makes the grown crystal desirable to optical applications. Thermal stability of grown crystals was characterized by thermogravimetric (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analyses. Broadband dielectric studies reveals that dielectric constant of grown crystal is low. The resistivity of grown crystal was studied by impedance analysis. The second harmonic generation intensity of 3.8mJ was studied. The grown crystal belongs to soft material studied by hardness test.
Sulfated polysaccharide was isolated from Gracilaria debilis and purified through gel chromatography and their molecular weight was determined through AGE and PAGE. The total sugars in the crude, ...fractionated and purified polysaccharide were estimated as 52.65%, 59.70% and 67.60%, respectively. The ash and moisture content of crude and purified polysaccharide was found to be 14.2% and 23.5% and the polysaccharide was free from protein contamination. The sulfate and uronic acid contents in the crude, fractionated and purified were estimated as 14.08%, 15.33% and 16.01% and 10.12%, 13.56%, 16.70%. The elemental composition including carbon (crude – 23.12%, purified – 21.05%), hydrogen (crude – 3.4%, purified – 4.13%) and nitrogen (crude – 1.22%, purified – 0.56%) were also analyzed. The anticoagulant activity of the sulfated polysaccharide through APTT and PT was estimated at 14.11 and 8.23IU/mg. The purified polysaccharide with the molecular mass of 20kDa showed highest antioxidant activity (38.57%, 43.48% and 38.88%) in all the assays tested such as DPPH hydroxyl radical, superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging activities and the structural property was analyzed through FT-IR and 1H NMR spectrum. The results together suggest that the isolated low molecular weight sulfated polysaccharide will demonstrate as a enormously available alternative natural source of antioxidant for industrial uses.
The KTiOPO4:Yb (KTP:Yb) crystal has been grown by flux growth at high temperature (~1243−1223K ). KTP:Yb crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system with Pna21 space group. Ytterbium presence was ...analyzed in the grown crystal by EDAX analysis. The existence of Ti3+ color center has been evaluated using electron paramagnetic spin resonance spectrum. The Raman spectroscopic techniques were used to study the effect of Yb3+ in KTP crystal. Thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of grown crystal were studied. At low frequency, the dielectric constant decreases sharply in the frequency region of 104Hz. The electrical conductivity along the 001 is low (9.0435×10−7S/cm) for 60kHz at 300K. The temperature dependent variation of electric conductivity was found for 010 and 001 of KTP:Yb. The effect of Yb3+ doping in second harmonic generation of KTP was studied.
•The transparent KTP:Yb crystal were grown by the TSSG technique.•The weak EPR signal is attributed to the less Ti3+ center in KTP:Yb.•Low ionic conductivity of 9.0435×10−7S/cm was observed for Yb3+ doped KTP.
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