ZIC1 is a context-dependent medulloblastoma driver in the rhombic lip.

Transcription factors are frequent cancer driver genes, exhibiting noted specificity based on the precise cell of origin. We demonstrate that ZIC1 exhibits loss-of-function (LOF) somatic events in group 4 (G4) medulloblastoma through recurrent point mutations, subchromosomal deletions and mono-allelic epigenetic repression (60% of G4 medulloblastoma). In contrast, highly similar SHH medulloblastoma exhibits distinct and diametrically opposed gain-of-function mutations and copy number gains (20% of SHH medulloblastoma).

Women's awareness of perinatal mental health conditions and the acceptability of being asked about mental health in two regions in India: a qualitative study.

Background: Mental health conditions are common during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth. Early detection allows timely support and treatment to be offered, but identifying perinatal mental health conditions may be challenging due to stigma and under-recognition of symptoms. Asking about symptoms of mental health conditions during routine antenatal and postnatal appointments can help to identify women at risk.

Mechanical tearing of graphene on an oxidizing metal surface.

Graphene, the thinnest possible anticorrosion and gas-permeation barrier, is poised to transform the protective coatings industry for a variety of surface applications. In this work, we have studied the structural changes of graphene when the underlying copper surface undergoes oxidation upon heating. Single-layer graphene directly grown on a copper surface by chemical vapour deposition was annealed under ambient atmosphere conditions up to 400 °C.

Multiplex and genome-wide analyses reveal distinctive properties of KIR+ and CD56+ T cells in human blood.

Killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) on NK cells have been linked to a wide spectrum of health conditions such as chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, pregnancy complications, cancers, and transplant failures. A small subset of effector memory T cells also expresses KIRs. In this study, we use modern analytic tools including genome-wide and multiplex molecular, phenotypic, and functional assays to characterize the KIR(+) T cells in human blood.

A codoping route to realize low resistive and stable p-type conduction in (Li, Ni):ZnO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition.

We report on the growth of Li-Ni codoped p-type ZnO thin films using pulsed laser deposition. Two mole percent Li monodoped ZnO film shows highly insulating behavior. However, a spectacular decrease in electrical resistivity, from 3.

Fabrication and characterization of straight and compact S-bend optical waveguides on a silicon-on-insulator platform.

Straight and S-bend rib waveguide structures with a novel design have been fabricated and characterized on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. For a typical straight rib waveguide, the single-mode waveguide at lambda approximately 1550 nm has been verified by measuring the near-field output with an IR camera, and a nearly polarization-independent mode size is found to be approximately 10 microm x 4.5 microm.

Significant functional heterogeneity among KIR2DL1 alleles and a pivotal role of arginine 245.

Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) play an essential role in the regulation of natural killer cell functions. KIR genes are highly polymorphic in nature, showing both haplotypic and allelic variations among people. We demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo models a significant heterogeneity in function among different KIR2DL1 alleles, including their ability to inhibit YT-Indy cells from degranulation, interferon gamma production, and cytotoxicity against target cells expressing the HLA-Cw6 ligand.

Detection of alcohol misusing patients in accident and emergency departments: the Paddington alcohol test (PAT).

Objective: To develop an effective but practical screening questionnaire for use by accident and emergency (A&E) staff to detect alcohol misuse early on in its natural history, without unreasonably prolonging patient waiting times; and to integrate an alcohol health worker (AHW) into A&E to provide counselling for referred patients.

Methods: Two pilot studies for adult patients were undertaken to develop the 1 min Paddington alcohol test (PAT), which has only three compulsory questions for detecting alcohol misuse: two cover peak consumption and frequency of possible binge drinking, and the third asks whether in the patients' view their attendance at A&E was alcohol related. The use of the PAT was validated in "appropriate" adult patients over a one year period.

Evaluating the drug dependency unit.

An evaluation of the St Mary's Drug Dependency Unit is described. Unit staff were interviewed and a retrospective analysis of 156 records was performed. The advent of HIV infection has led to an emphasis on public health priorities in the treatment of drug misuse.

The sequence of a porcine cDNA encoding alpha-lactalbumin.

A cDNA clone encoding porcine alpha-lactalbumin (alpha LA) was isolated and sequenced. The longest clone was 688 nucleotides (nt) long and encoded a preprotein of 141 amino acids (aa) including a leader peptide of 19 aa. The porcine cDNA exhibited a nt similarity of between 72.

The sequence of porcine alpha s2-casein cDNA.

cDNA clones encoding the entire porcine alpha s2-casein message were isolated and sequenced. The porcine alpha s2-casein cDNA is 1093 bp, excluding the poly(A) tail, in length and encodes a preprotein of 235 amino acids.

Packing pattern of DNA in bacteriophage T2.

Osmotic shock was applied to phage T2 in such a manner that the compact-mass of DNA was released from phage. The shape of this compact-mass of DNA was studied under electron microscope. It appeared that the DNA was packed into an elongated icosahedron similar to the phage head.