The arrangement of functionally-related genes in operons is a fundamental element of how genetic information is organized in prokaryotes. This organization ensures coordinated gene expression by co-transcription. Often, however, alternative genetic responses to specific stress conditions demand the discoordination of operon expression. During cold temperature stress, accumulation of the gene encoding the sole Asp–Glu–Ala–Asp (DEAD)-box RNA helicase in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, crhR (slr0083), increases 15-fold. Here, we show that crhR is expressed from a dicistronic operon with the methylthiotransferase rimO/miaB (slr0082) gene, followed by rapid processing of the operon transcript into two monocistronic mRNAs. This cleavage event is required for and results in destabilization of the rimO transcript. Results from secondary structure modeling and analysis of RNase E cleavage of the rimO–crhR transcript in vitro suggested that CrhR plays a role in enhancing the rate of the processing in an auto-regulatory manner. Moreover, two putative small RNAs are generated from additional processing, degradation, or both of the rimO transcript. These results suggest a role for the bacterial RNA helicase CrhR in RNase E-dependent mRNA processing in Synechocystis and expand the known range of organisms possessing small RNAs derived from processing of mRNA transcripts.

The human immune system relies on highly complex and diverse transcripts and the proteins they encode. These include transcripts encoding human leukocyte antigen (HLA) receptors as well as B cell and T cell receptors (BCR and TCR). Determining which alleles an individual possesses for each HLA gene (high-resolution HLA typing) is essential to establish donor–recipient compatibility in organ and bone marrow transplantations. In turn, the repertoires of millions of unique BCR and TCR transcripts in each individual carry a vast amount of health-relevant information. Both short-read RNA-seq-based HLA typing and BCR/TCR repertoire sequencing (AIRR-seq) currently rely on our incomplete knowledge of the genetic diversity at HLA and BCR/TCR loci. Here, we generated over 10,000,000 full-length cDNA sequences at a median accuracy of 97.9% using our nanopore sequencing-based Rolling Circle Amplification to Concatemeric Consensus (R2C2) protocol. We used this data set to (1) show that deep and accurate full-length cDNA sequencing can be used to provide isoform-level transcriptome analysis for more than 9000 loci, (2) generate accurate sequences of HLA alleles, and (3) extract detailed AIRR data for the analysis of the adaptive immune system. The HLA and AIRR analysis approaches we introduce here are untargeted and therefore do not require prior knowledge of the composition or genetic diversity of HLA and BCR/TCR loci.

In patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism, knowledge of the estimated rate of recurrent events is important for clinical decision-making regarding anticoagulant therapy. The Ottawa score is a clinical prediction rule designed for this purpose, stratifying patients according to their risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism during the first six months of anticoagulation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies validating either the Ottawa score in its original or modified versions. Two investigators independently reviewed the relevant articles published from 1st June 2012 to 15th December 2018 and indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE. Nine eligible studies were identified; these included a total of 14,963 patients. The original score classified 49.3% of the patients as high-risk, with a sensitivity of 0.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6-0.8], a 6-month pooled rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism of 18.6% (95%CI: 13.9-23.9). In the low-risk group, the recurrence rate was 7.4% (95%CI: 3.4-12.5). The modified score classified 19.8% of the patients as low-risk, with a sensitivity of 0.9 (95%CI: 0.4-1.0) and a 6-month pooled rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism of 2.2% (95%CI: 1.6-2.9). In the high-risk group, recurrence rate was 10.2% (95%CI: 6.4-14.6). Limitations of our analysis included type and dosing of anticoagulant therapy. We conclude that new therapeutic strategies are needed in patients at high risk for recurrent cancer-associated venous thromboembolism. Low-risk patients, as per the modified score, could be good candidates for oral anticoagulation. (This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews as: PROSPERO CRD42018099506).

Recognizing that guideline-directed histologic grading of endomyocardial biopsy tissue samples for rejection surveillance has limited diagnostic accuracy, quantitative, in situ characterization was performed of several important immune cell types in a retrospective cohort of clinical endomyocardial tissue samples. Differences between cases were identified and were grouped by histologic grade versus clinical rejection trajectory, with significantly increased programmed death ligand 1+, forkhead box P3+, and cluster of differentiation 68+ cells suppressed in clinically evident rejections, especially cases with marked clinical-histologic discordance. Programmed death ligand 1+, forkhead box P3+, and cluster of differentiation 68+ cell proportions are also significantly higher in "never-rejection" when compared with "future-rejection." These findings suggest that in situ immune modulators regulate the severity of cardiac allograft rejection.

In patients with renal impairment (n = 22 of 39), the median serum concentrations of linezolid, PNU-142300, and PNU-142586 were 1.6-, 3.3-, 2.8-fold higher, respectively, than in patients without renal impairment. Metabolite concentrations in paired samples were poorly correlated with linezolid concentrations (r² = 0.26 for PNU-142300 and 0.06 for PNU-142586). Linezolid and its metabolites share potential toxicophores that deserve characterization to mitigate higher myelosuppression risk in patients with renal impairment.

This study was an analysis of a national sample of U.S. medical office visits from 2014 to 2016, a period when evidence of effectiveness was emerging for a variety of beneficial type 2 diabetes agents with regard to potential reduction in diabetes comorbidities. Ideal therapy was defined as an American Diabetes Association–identified beneficial agent plus metformin. The associations between atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or obesity and use of these agents were explored.

Background:

Colonoscopy follow-up recommendations depend on the presence or absence of polyps, and if found, their number, size, and histology. Patients may be responsible for conveying results between primary and specialty care or providing medical information to family members; thus, accurate reporting is critical. This analysis assessed the accuracy of self-reported colonoscopy findings.

The hacker in question hasn't even graduated high school yet.

Mutations in white blood cells can contribute to abnormal immune profile after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The woman who alleges presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden sexually assaulted her in 1993 said in a video interview on Thursday that he should withdraw from the White House race.

Sierra Leone's president Julius Maada Bio has accused the main opposition party of orchestrating a spate of violent incidents, deepening a political standoff that risks undermining the country's efforts to contain a coronavirus outbreak.

Researchers have developed a safe and accurate 3D imaging method to identify sperm cells moving at a high speed. The new method has the potential to significantly improve IVF treatments.

The following is a brief roundup of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

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Piers Morgan has accused the Government of "actively sending people out to get infected" at the start of the coronavirus outbreak during a heated interview with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.

Piers Morgan today hit out at the Government's "spectacular failure" for doing fewer coronavirus tests than 12 days ago.

Not for one Spanish TV anchor, whose video-chat blunder might have cost him his relationship.

UK scientists have developed a new coronavirus antibody test which they say produces results in 35 minutes with 99.8 per cent accuracy.

Antibody tests at 98 per cent accuracy would put up to a quarter of population at risk of infection, government advisers have warned.

A police officer accused of murdering former Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson is set to go ahead in September, despite the current uncertainty about court timetables due to coronavirus.

Tara Reade, the woman who has accused US Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden of assault, will be legally represented by a donor for President Donald Trump.

The following is a brief roundup of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. A new antibody test is highly accurate at determining whether people have been infected with the novel coronavirus, according to a study published on Friday in The Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine found the test, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, had a specificity rate of 99.9% and a sensitivity rate of 100%, suggesting little chance of incorrectly diagnosing a healthy person as having been infected and virtually no chance of a false negative readout.

Police have dropped an investigation into two prominent Brexit campaigners accused of breaching spending rules during the referendum campaign. In 2018 the Electoral commission said that Alan Halsall, of Vote Leave, and Darren Grimes, founder of pro-Brexit youth group BeLeave, failed to declare a payment related to the campaign. The watchdog said that BeLeave "spent more than £675,000 with (Canadian data firm) Aggregate IQ under a common plan with Vote Leave". This spending took Vote Leave over its £7 million legal spending limit by almost £500,000. Vote Leave paid a £61,000 fine, but denied wrongdoing, while Mr Grimes won an appeal against his £20,000 fine in July. The Commission also referred the pair to the Metropolitan Police but on Friday it was revealed that the investigations had now been dropped. A spokesman for the Leave campaigners said: "The Metropolitan Police has written to Vote Leave board member Alan Halsall and BeLeave founder Darren Grimes to confirm that it will not be acting on allegations made against them by the Electoral Commission and various Remain campaigners. "This marks the end of a two-year ordeal for both individuals." Mr Grimes, 26, said the development called into question whether the Electoral Commission was "fit for purpose". He had insisted since the allegations were first made that he was "completely innocent" of making false declarations in relation to the £680,000 donation. In a statement, Mr Grimes, a former fashion student originally from County Durham, said: "The Metropolitan Police has found, after investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, that there is no case to be answered. "Once again the Electoral Commission has been found to be part of the mob, a quango out of control that isn't policing elections so much as punishing Leavers who have the temerity to win them. "My ordeal at the hands of the kangaroo court that is the Electoral Commission is now over, but questions must now be asked of whether that body is fit for purpose." Mr Halsall, the responsible person for Vote Leave, said he was "delighted to have been exonerated" and thanked the police for their "professional" investigation. "I was very disappointed that my colleagues at Vote Leave and myself were never given the opportunity of making our case in person to the Electoral Commission before being fined and reported to the police," he added. "It seems a rather unusual way of conducting an inquiry into such matters that only the so-called whistleblowers who made these allegations are interviewed by the regulator." A spokesman for the Met said an investigation into the Electoral Commission's allegations against Vote Leave and BeLeave, submitted on July 17 2018, was handed over in October to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). "On Tuesday, March 3 preliminary advice was received from the CPS," said the force spokesman. "This advice has now been duly considered and no further action will be taken."

A THAMES Valley Police officer is accused of stealing food from his work canteen only one week into his new job.

Jeremy Corbyn's allies have been accused of using a report to "smear whistleblowers" and "discredit allegations" of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party during his tenure.

The new group, modelled on the pro-Brexit European Research Group that scrutinised Theresa May's fated Brexit deal, will assess China's handling of the outbreak and broader security concerns.

Read the full interview HERE

TV star's also claimed to have fed a peacock he killed to his pets

'The man's done a lot of stupid s***'

Former 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' contestant also branded original host Tarrant a 'liar'

'I truly do wonder what's going on inside of her brain,' one outraged tweeter wrote

'Good Morning Britain' host has previously criticised Lord Sugar for his attitude towards the government's handling of the pandemic

He claimed only approved celebrities were permitted to talk to host at awards after party

Presenter said she is 'proud' of craft show despite criticism

It's the most accurate one yet

Show's 2013 winner was approached by store detectives after she appeared to not pay for her shopping

The pair were previously spending the lockdown period at Hague's family home

Barcelona have moved to strongly deny 'corruption' claims made by Emili Rousand and have threatened legal action against the former vice president.

Victor Wanyama says he was "p***** off" to be dropped for Tottenham's Champions League Final defeat last season and accused the club of a lack of support following a serious knee injury in 2017.

Ray Parlour has blasted former club Arsenal's lack of leadership, defending Mesut Ozil as he stalls on taking a pay cut.

Death toll of crew stranded by coronavirus continues to rise as industry blames ‘impractical’ safety requirements for blocking disembarkation

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Some cruise companies have refused to agree to rules that would allow tens of thousands of stranded crew back to land, citing concerns about cost and potential legal consequences, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The largest trade association for the cruise industry has called the CDC’s requirements for disembarkation “impractical”.

The standoff comes amid a deteriorating situation on many ships around the world and a rising death toll of crew members.

A Sydney jury is unable to reach a unanimous or majority verdict in the case of a Kulwinder Singh, who pleaded not guilty to setting his wife Parwinder Kaur on fire in 2013. She later died in hospital.

A court hears how a woman had a "chunk" of her tooth fall out after treatment, in a case against two people accused of posing as registered dentists.

A $2.9 million payout is being challenged in court today after it was found Nationwide News defamed actor Geoffrey Rush in a high-profile case earlier this year.

Four years ago, Jonda Stephen found herself in a life or death situation. Her partner had hit her in the head multiple times with an iron, so she picked up a knife and stabbed him, in self-defence.