Minimum number of oligonucleotide-based stable monomeric branched DNA nanostructure: Biochemical and biophysical study.

DNA has been employed as building blocks for the construction of nanomaterials due to their programmability and wide range applications. The functional branched DNA (bDNA) nanostructure is largely dependent on the sequence and structural symmetry. Despite the discovery of different structures, the synthesis of bDNA nanostructures from optimal number of oligonucleotides is yet to be explored. In the current study, for the first time we demonstrate the designing of stable monomeric bDNA structures using two or three oligonucleotides. Furthermore, the stability of bDNA nanostructures was thoroughly investigated in presence of different pH, cations, fetal bovine serum and DNase I. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions played a major role during self-assembly of bDNA nanostructures. From the gel retardation assay, we confirmed the binding of complementary oligonucleotides to the bDNA nanostructures, thus can be explored for target specific transcript regulation. In conclusion, the self-assembled DNA nanostructures developed from optimal oligonucleotides are stable in physiological environment and can be used for biomedical applications.

Sex-specific differences in presenting symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES: Scant data from India are available on the gender differences in presenting features of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in India. This study aims to compare male and female patients with OSA for general characteristics and presenting symptoms. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study was done in OSA patients diagnosed in our sleep lab. History, biochemical reports, and polysomnography variables were retrieved from the sleep registry and were compared between males and females. RESULTS: Out of 514 patients of OSA (367 males; 147 females). Females were older (55.97 ± 9.73 v/s 50.2 + 12.70 years, P<0.001) and more obese (BMI 35.26 ± 7.17 v/s 29.58 ± 5.49 Kg/m2; P<0.001). Waist and hip circumference were significantly higher in the female patients (P = 0.009 and <0.001 respectively). Morning headache, nocturia, fatigability (P < 0.001), and depression (P = 0.005) was more common in females (P = 0.036). Hypersomnia was more commonly seen in males (P < 0.001). Mean diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in males, although no difference was seen in Systolic BP. Females had higher mean Fasting Blood glucose (FBS) (P = 0.02). Apnea hypopnea index was significantly higher in females {P = 0.01}. CONCLUSION: Women with OSA are more obese, elderly, and with higher fasting blood glucose than males at the time of diagnosis. Females have a higher prevalence of symptoms like fatigability, depression, nocturia and early morning headache and had more severe AHI than males.

A meta-analysis of TLR4 and TLR9 SNPs implicated in severe malaria

Abstract Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical mediators of the inflammatory response to malarial infection, and gene polymorphisms affecting TLR function may be partially responsible for inter-individual variation in disease manifestation. However, there are inconsistencies in the associations of common genetic variants of TLR4 (D299G) and TLR9 (T-1237C and T-1486C) with malaria outcome. A comprehensive search was conducted to identify relevant and independent Plasmodium falciparum-infected case-control studies, and meta-analysis including six studies for each SNP was performed to obtain more precise estimates of the pooled effects of these variants. The results showed significant associations of the -1486C allele with the risk of severe malaria in allele contrast (T vs. C, p = 0.004, OR = 1.26) and homozygous (TT vs. CC, p = 0.03, OR = 1.51) genetic models. There was no association between the D299G or T-1237C variants and uncomplicated or severe malaria using any of the genetic models tested. However, in stratified analysis, -1237C was associated with the risk of severe malaria in Indian adults (TT vs. TC, p = 0.06, OR = 2.13; TT vs. TC+CC, p <0.00001, OR = 2.65), suggesting that our results must be considered preliminary. The robustness of -1486C as a risk factor warrants investigation into its functionality in malaria pathogenesis. Further, the lack of an association with the T-1237C variant was weak, and future studies examining more detailed individual data from different ethnic groups are essential for confirmation of its genetic contribution to malaria.