Native Circular RNA Pulldown Method to Simultaneously Profile RNA and Protein Interactions.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a widespread, cell-, tissue-, and disease-specific class of largely non-coding RNA transcripts. These single-stranded, covalently-closed transcripts arise through non-canonical splicing of pre-mRNA, a process called back-splicing. Back-splicing results in circRNAs which are distinguishable from their cognate mRNA as they possess a unique sequence of nucleic acids called the backsplice junction (BSJ).

Circular RNAs drive oncogenic chromosomal translocations within the MLL recombinome in leukemia.

The first step of oncogenesis is the acquisition of a repertoire of genetic mutations to initiate and sustain the malignancy. An important example of this initiation phase in acute leukemias is the formation of a potent oncogene by chromosomal translocations between the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene and one of 100 translocation partners, known as the MLL recombinome. Here, we show that circular RNAs (circRNAs)-a family of covalently closed, alternatively spliced RNA molecules-are enriched within the MLL recombinome and can bind DNA, forming circRNA:DNA hybrids (circR loops) at their cognate loci.

Functional Characterisation of the Circular RNA, , in Huntington's Disease.

Trinucleotide repeat disorders comprise ~20 severe, inherited, human neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders, which result from an abnormal expansion of repetitive sequences in the DNA. The most common of these, Huntington's disease (HD), results from expansion of the CAG repeat region in exon 1 of the gene via an unknown mechanism. Since non-coding RNAs have been implicated in the initiation and progression of many diseases, herein we focused on a circular RNA (circRNA) molecule arising from non-canonical splicing (backsplicing) of pre-mRNA.

Expression of an anti-CD4 single-chain antibody fragment from the donor cornea can prolong corneal allograft survival in inbred rats.

Aim: To investigate whether expression of an anti-CD4 antibody fragment (scFv) by a lentivector-transduced donor cornea can prolong rat corneal allograft survival.

Methods: Inbred Fischer 344 rats received penetrating corneal allografts from Wistar-Furth donors after a 3 h transduction of the donor cornea with a lentivector carrying anti-CD4scFv cDNA (Lv-CD4scFv), a lentivector carrying the reporter gene-enhanced yellow fluorescence protein (LV-eYFP), or an adenoviral vector carrying anti-CD4 scFv cDNA (Ad-CD4scFv). Unmodified controls were also performed.

Dyscalculia: awareness and student support.

Dyscalculia is a learning need that requires assessment and provision of reasonable adjustments. Although there have been numerous discussions about how to identify, assess and support dyscalculic children, there is less information available covering further and higher education, and even less concerned with the education of health professionals. This article aims to address this deficit, to discuss the disparity often felt by educators, and to raise awareness of the impact of dyscalculia on student nurses.

The influence of cervical and thoracic lymphadenectomy on corneal allograft rejection in inbred rats.

Aim: To investigate the site of alloantigen presentation in the rat following orthotopic corneal transplantation.

Methods: Adult inbred Fischer 344 rats received penetrating corneal allografts from inbred Wistar Furth donors (n=17), without lymphadenectomy. A second group (n=8) underwent bilateral removal of superficial cervical and facial lymph nodes 7 days before transplantation.

Ethnic and mouse strain differences in central corneal thickness and association with pigmentation phenotype.

The cornea is a transparent structure that permits the refraction of light into the eye. Evidence from a range of studies indicates that central corneal thickness (CCT) is strongly genetically determined. Support for a genetic component comes from data showing significant variation in CCT between different human ethnic groups.