Sustainability of digital collections for Nigerian academic libraries: An exploration of conception, indicators for fulfillment and accrued benefits

Collection management in libraries has evolved alongside the developments of the new technologies effecting libraries. As digital collections are increasingly becoming the preferred resources by remote library users, librarians are faced with the challenge of proving a seamless continuation of efficient accessibility to these digital collections over time. This study aims to explore librarians’ understanding of the sustainability of digital collections, the criteria for its fulfilment, and their perspectives on the accrued benefits of the practice. The study employs a qualitative approach, with purposive sampling of 25 experienced librarians and library ICT personnel from three federal universities in Nigeria. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups discussions were used in the data collection. Result reveals that the academic librarians are insightful about what it means by sustaining digital collections in their respective universities. The themes generated are the provision of access, digitization, preservation, task functions, and services. The criteria to be achieved for the sustainability of digital collections, includes skilled manpower, professional development, defined roles, ICT infrastructure, funding, and maintenance. The movement for sustaining digital collections in academic libraries in Nigeria will benefit the library’s reputation, improve the services offered, aid in the preservation of the collections, promote resource sharing, and reduce time and cost. The study suggests that academic librarians need ongoing training to keep them abreast of the latest technology for crucial understanding in a bid to sustain their digital collections.

Comparative analysis of various sources of selenium on the growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers under heat stress

The supplementation of Selenium-enriched probiotics is effective in reducing oxidative stress and maintaining meat quality stability in broiler chicken especially under heat stress. An experimental study was conducted to perform Comparative analysis of Selenium yeast with inorganic Se in broilers under heat stress. A total of 120 broilers chicks of one day were assigned to 4 groups each consisting 30 chicks fed on same basal diet but different selenium sources. The basal diet of group D1 was not supplemented with Se source (Negative control), group D2 basal diet was supplemented with inorganic selenium (Sodium selenite 0.22mg/Kg starter phase and 0.15mg/Kg finisher phase), group D3 basal diet was supplemented with commercially available organic selenium (Seleno-methionine 0.22mg/Kg starter phase and 0.15mg/Kg finisher phase) and group D4 basal diet was supplemented with self-developed organic selenium (Se-enriched yeast 0.22mg/Kg starter phase and 0.15mg/Kg finisher phase). The performance parameters i.e. feed intake (FI), live body weight (BW) and FCR were not significantly (p>0.05) effected by selenium supplementation in the starter phase but were significantly (p<0.05) effected in the finisher phase. Selenium supplementation significantly (p<0.05) effected serum Se level in different supplemented groups. Higher serum Se value (58.20±0.06) was recorded in D4 group. Similarly significantly lower selenium value was recorded for D4 and higher was recorded for D1 (11.36±0.08). However lower serum Paraoxonase (PON) value was recorded for D4 (13.24±0.01) and higher for D1 (13.33±0.03). Comparatively self-developed Se enriched yeast increased the Se accumulation and improved antioxidant system. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was found higher in D4 (12.333±0.03) followed by D3, D2 and D1 respectively. Whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly lower (p<0.05) in D4 (0.1437±0.003) followed by D3 (0.1457±0.002). Selenium supplementation increased the bird's survival rate. Birds fed on Se enriched yeast showed higher Se deposition and better antioxidant capacity as compared to other sources of selenium. Se-enriched yeast displayed an improved result on Se deposition in tissues, and oxidative capacity, meat tenderness and immune response level as compared to other sources of selenium.

Bringing the digital library success factors into the realm of the technology-organization-environment framework

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new benchmarking framework on the factors that influence digital library (DL) adoption by aligning them with the constructs of DL models to establish the likely critical success factors (CSFs) for DL implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Concept mapping is used to illustrate the relationship between the information systems success model and DL frameworks. Technology organisation and environment (TOE) framework was chosen as the central theme and was mapped with the three DL frameworks reviewed (5S framework; the Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture and the DELOS DL reference model) to come up with the likely success dimensions for DLs. A set of possible success factors was assembled from the literature on previous studies relating to factors that are critical to the success of information systems and DLs. The description of each DL potential success factors was finally developed as an item statement with verification from the literature review.

Findings

A total of 53 success factors items were assembled from literature represented by the final ten constructs of the CSFs; 16 items characterise DL technology, 13 items denote DL organisation and 24 items symbolise DL environment. Findings show that these factors may be good determinants for an effective implementation of DLs.

Research limitations/implications

The outcome can positively influence the implementation of DLs worldwide.

Originality/value

This is the first study in library science that incorporates TOE with DL frameworks to come up with the success factors of DL implementation.

Analysis of risk factors contributing to road traffic accidents in a tertiary care hospital. A hospital based cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a public health issue and cost a lot to individuals, families, communities and nations. Trauma care systems in India are at a nascent stage of development. There is gross disparity between trauma services available in various parts of the country. Rural area in India has inefficient services for trauma care, due to the varied topography, financial constraints, and lack of appropriate health infrastructure. The present study is to study the trends of occurrence of RTA cases by month, week and time of accident occurrence as well as to research the types of vehicle involved in accidents and other various risk factors related to them.

METHODS

During 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017, a hospital-based and cross-sectional study of RTA victims was conducted. The patients were admitted in emergency department of Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, when stabilized, they were shifted to the orthopaedics and surgery ward.

RESULTS

In the study, 654 road accident victims were included, of which the majority were males (77.5%) and the most of them belonged to rural (67%). RTA victims according to the month of occurrence majority were found in January (12.5%) and evening was time of a day with maximum accidents (32.1%). Mortality cases of RTA victims based on type of road user and it shows decreasing trend of mortality of motorcyclists (54.2%) followed by pedestrian (25.1%).

CONCLUSION

There should be control over people driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol and drivers over-speeding and rash driving on urban roads as well as rural village roads.

Adult convulsive status epileptic us: clinical, etiological, and predictors of outcome study from rural population of North India

AIM

To determine the clinical profile, etiologies and predictors of mortality in patients with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) among rural population of North India in view of limited published data on epidemiology and etiology of status epilepticus (SE) from developing countries.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-two consecutive adult patients with CSE were evaluated from 2016 to 2018 for demographic profile, etiologies and predictors of poor outcome.

RESULTS

The mean age was 41.71 ± 19.72 years. Most of the CSE cases were acute symptomatic (48.8%) type with central nervous system (CNS) infections (24.1%) being the predominant precipitating factor. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) noncompliance accounted for 34.9% of the cases with pre-existing epilepsy. The median duration of CSE was 5.5 h (IQR-3-10 h). 82.1% cases responded to the first line drugs and their response was related with duration of CSE (p = .0045). Case fatality was 16.0% and the predictors of the mortality were; low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (OR =9.64, 95% CI= 2.064-45.02; p = .0001), lack of response to first line drugs (OR =0.019, 95% CI= 0.003-0.11; p = .0001) and absence of past history of epilepsy (OR =0.525, 95%CI =0.104-2.66; p = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

CNS infection and AEDs noncompliance were identified to be the major cause of CSE which can be potentially preventable. Present study signifies that prompt and successful control of infections appears to be the most efficient preventive approach. Level of consciousness as a potential predictor of poor outcome can be quickly accessible to the treating clinician in optimizing treatment strategies.

Modelling web-based library service quality and user loyalty in the context of a developing country

Purpose

This study aims to empirically validate the LibWebSQ measurement scale. In addition, it investigates the relationship between perceived web-based service quality and three other latent constructs, namely, user satisfaction, service value and user loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey design was used to collect the data. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the influence of web-based service quality on the three latent constructs. The respondents were students, academic staff and non-academic staff from two federal universities in the North-western zone of Nigeria.

Findings

The findings of the path analysis indicate that perceived web-based service quality and service value exhibit no statistically significant direct influence on user loyalty. However, user satisfaction has a direct positive influence on user loyalty, and it also mediates the relationship between web-based service quality and user loyalty to the library.

Research limitations/implications

The LibWebSQ is a reliable and valid scale to be used in Nigerian university libraries for web-based service quality measurement. User loyalty in academic libraries can be modelled as a result of service quality and user satisfaction

Practical implications

This study provides a means of assessing web-based library service quality and further improving the policy and practice in university libraries.

Originality value

This is the first attempt to assess web-based library service quality using the LibWebSQ measurement scale. A satisfactory model fit is obtained, which allows the measurement model to be integrated with service value, user satisfaction and user loyalty. The study contributes to the conceptualization of web-based library service quality.

Remineralization effects of two pediatric dentifrices and one regular dentifrice on artificial carious lesion in primary teeth: An in vitro study

Aim:

The aim of the following study is to know the efficacy of remineralization of two pediatric dentifrices and one regular dentifrice on artificial carious lesions in primary teeth.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 21 teeth coated with nail varnish leaving a window of 1 mm were subjected to demineralization for 72 h. These 21 teeth were then sectioned into two equal parts with a diamond disc. The 42 sections obtained were then evaluated under the stereomicroscope and the demineralization values were noted. The 42 sections were divided into three groups: Group 1: Kidodent, Group 2: Cheeriogel, Group 3: Colgate Total and subjected to remineralization respectively for 7 days. The specimens were again evaluated under the stereomicroscope for the remineralisation values.

Results:

All the three dentifrices showed remineralization with artificial carious lesions. Colgate Total showed higher remineralization rates compared with the other two pediatric dentifrices. Kidodent showed a slightly higher remineralisation rate compared with Cheeriogel which was not significant.

Conclusion/Hypothesis:

The pediatric dentifrices also showed remineralization with artificial carious lesions. Hence, we conclude that, this amount of remineralization was more or less, when compared to the regular dentifrice which showed higher remineralization rates, which could lead to adverse effects, like fluorosis if not used judiciously. On basis of which we hypothetize: Pediatric dentifrices have an appropriate fluoride content, as required by the children, and also does not minimize the cariostatic effects.

The complexity of stromal changes in desmoplastic ameloblastoma

Ameloblastoma is usually considered a homogenous neoplasm and is thought of as the most primitive of all odontogenic neoplasms. However, detailed investigations have proven clinicopathological diversity in a significant number of cases, thus mounting the evidence in favor of considering ameloblastoma as a mysterious lesion. The purpose of this article is to report a unique case of desmoplastic ameloblastoma and to throw light on the atypical changes noticed in the stromal component. The findings of this case have served to add interesting parameters to the study of stromal changes associated with this perplexing odontogenic tumor.

Thrombotic microangiopathy in renal allografts

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a serious complication of renal transplantation. It is a morphological expression of various etiological factors. In a renal allograft, TMA can occur de novo or be a recurrent disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the etiological factors and observe the changing trends of TMA with respect to emerging new etiological factors. We evaluated 131 graft biopsies over a period of 2½ years (2010-2012). All the renal biopsies were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded. Twenty serial sections were studied. Stains routinely used were Hematoxylin and Eosin, Periodic Acid Schiff, Massons Trichrome and Silver Methenamine stains. C4d by immunohistochemical method was done on all graft biopsies. Incidence of TMA in our series was 9.1%. Out of the 12 cases, five were associated with calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, three were diagnosed as acute antibody-mediated rejection, and two were recurrent haemolytic uremic syndrome. One patient developed haemolytic uremic syndrome on treatment with sirolimus and one patient was cytomegalovirus positive on treatment with ganciclovir, developed haemolytic uremic syndrome during treatment course. This study describes a spectrum of etiological factors for thrombotic mciroangiopathy ranging from common cause like calcineurin inhibitor toxicity to rare cause like ganciclovir induced TMA.

Child abuse and neglect

Child abuse and neglect are important public health problems and recent estimates of their prevalence suggest that they are considerably more common than had hitherto been realized. Intervening to change parenting practices may, however, be important in their treatment. Despite their frequent occurrence among dental patients, neglect is the least known and identified type of abuse. The present case reports a 3-year-old girl suffering from abuse and neglect. The girl had dental neglect and also performed poorly in all parameters of growth and development. This case describes the process that was followed in order to reach a diagnosis and safeguard the child. The parent was counseled and the girl got her due share of access to comprehensive oral and general health. This case emphasizes that the dental professional should always be vigilant and collaborates among like-minded individuals to increase the prevention, detection and treatment of these conditions.

Prevalence of systemic and local disturbances in infants during primary teeth eruption: a clinical study

AIM

The purpose of this study was to find the correlations between local and systemic manifestations during primary teeth eruption and the eruption of various groups of teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The infants selected for the study purpose were between 6 months to 3 years of age who had at least one erupting tooth. The study group consisted of 894 infants and other 550 infants served as a control group. Questionnaires were distributed to all parents and the data was collected. Chi square test was performed to analyse the information obtained between the two groups. There were 378 girls (42.2%) and 516 boys (57.7%) in the study group. The control group consisted of 195 girls (35.4%) and 355 boys (64.5%).

RESULTS

The most common finding was gingival irritation 821 (95.9%) and the least common symptom observed in the study was running nose 234 (27.3%). The presence of fever diarrhea was seen in 101 (11.7%) infants. In the control group, 92.1% of the infants did not show any clinical manifestations.

CONCLUSION

An association was found between primary teeth eruption and local and systemic manifestations. Most manifestations were found during eruption of the primary incisors.

Regional odontodysplasia

Regional odontodysplasia (ROD) is a rare developmental anomaly involving both mesodermal and ectodermal components in a group of contiguous teeth. It affects the primary and permanent dentitions in the maxilla and the mandible or both, however, the maxilla is frequently involved. Although the etiology of the ROD is uncertain, it has been suggested that numerous other factors play a role. The treatment plan should be based on the degree of involvement as well as the functional and esthetic needs in each case. This article reports the case of a 5-year-old boy presenting a rare anomaly on the right side of the maxillary arch. The treatment performed was rehabilitation with temporary partial acrylic denture and periodic checkups. The extraction was followed by rehabilitation with dental implants. The main aim of this article is to provide valuable information to pediatric dentists about the review and treatment alternatives for ROD.

3-Acetyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl-quinolin-1-ium chloride

An N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bond connects the ions in the title salt, C(18)H(16)NO(+)·Cl(-). The quinolin-1-ium residue is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.020 Å) but both the acetyl group [O-C-C-C torsion angle = 62.73 (17)°] and adjacent benzene ring [C-C-C-C torsion angle = -104.06 (14)°] are twisted out of this plane; the acetyl and benzene substituents are non-parallel [dihedral angle = 66.16 (7)°]. The crystal packing is consolidated by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl contacts.

1-(2-Methyl-6-nitro-4-phenyl-3-quinol-yl)ethanone

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₄N₂O₃, the quinoline ring system is almost planar [maximum deviation = 0.013 (2) Å] and forms a dihedral angle of 60.36 (7)° with the benzene ring. The nitro group is slightly twisted from the attached quinoline ring system, forming a dihedral angle of 9.06 (19)°. In the crystal packing, inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into chains propagating in [010].

Foreign objects in teeth: retrieval and management

The discovery of foreign bodies in the teeth is a special situation, which is often diagnosed accidentally. Detailed case history, clinical and radiographic examinations are necessary to come to a conclusion about the nature, size, location of the foreign body and the difficulty involved in its retrieval. It is more common to find this situation in children as it is a well-known fact that children often tend to have the habit of placing foreign objects in the mouth. Sometimes the foreign objects get stuck in the root canals of the teeth, which the children do not reveal to their parents due to fear. These foreign objects may act as a potential source of infection and may later lead to a painful condition. This paper discusses the types of foreign objects found in and around the teeth and reports two cases along with their retrieval and associated management of the involved teeth.

Classification and identification of mosquito species using artificial neural networks

An artificial neural network method is presented for classification and identification of Anopheles mosquito species based on the internal transcribed spacer2 (ITS2) data of ribosomal DNA string. The method is implemented in two different multi-layered feed-forward neural network model forms, namely, multi-input single-output neural network (MISONN) and multi-input multi-output neural network (MIMONN). A number of data sequences in varying sizes of different Anopheline malarial vectors and their corresponding species coding are employed to develop the neural network models. The classification efficiency of the network models for untrained data sequences is evaluated in terms of quantitative performance criteria. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the neural network models to extract the genetic information in ITS2 sequences and to adapt to new data. The method of MISONN is found to exhibit superior performance over MIMONN in distinguishing and identification of the mosquito vectors.

Speciation determination of chromium(III) and (VI) using preconcentration cloud point extraction with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)

bis-[2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde] thiourea was synthesized and preconcentration cloud point extraction (CPE) for speciation determination of chromium(III) and (VI) in various environmental samples with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) has been developed. Chromium(III) complexes with bis-[2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde] thiourea is subsequently entrapped in the surfactant micelles. After complexation of chromium(III) with reagent, the analyte was quantitatively extracted to the surfactant-rich phase in the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 after centrifugation. The effect of pH, concentration of chelating agent, surfactant, equilibration temperature and time on CPE was studied. The relative standard deviation was 2.13% and the limits of detection were around 0.18 microg L(-1).

Preconcentration and solid phase extraction method for the determination of Co, Cu, Ni, Zn and Cd in environmental and biological samples using activated carbon by FAAS

2-{[1-(2-Hydroxynaphthyl) methylidene] amino} benzoic acid (HNMABA) was synthesized for solid phase extraction (SPE) to the determination of Co, Cu, Ni, Zn and Cd in environmental and biological samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). These metals were sorbed as HNMABA complexes on activated carbon (AC) at the pH range of 5.0+/-0.2 and eluted with 6 ml of 1M HNO3 in acetone. The effects of sample volume, eluent volume and recovery have been investigated to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of proposed method. The effect of interferences on the sorption of metal ions was studied. The concentration of the metal ions detected after preconcentration was in agreement with the added amount. The detection limits for the metals studied were in the range of 0.75-3.82 microg ml(-1). The proposed system produced satisfactory results for the determination of Co, Cu, Ni, Zn and Cd metals in environmental and biological samples.

Facile and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of vanadium in various samples

Novel reactions were developed for facile, sensitive and selective rapid spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of vanadium(V) in various samples. The methods were based on the interactions of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) with N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (NEDA) in the presence of vanadium to give blue colored derivative or on oxidation of dopamine hydrochloride (DPH) by vanadium in acidic medium and coupling with MBTH to yield pink color derivative. The blue color derivative having an absorbance maximum at 595nm was stable for 9 days and the pink color derivative with λ(max) 526nm for 5 days. Beer's law is obeyed for vanadium in the concentration range 0.05-6.0μgml(-1) (blue color derivative) and 0.06-7.0μgml(-1) (pink color derivative), respectively. The optimum reaction conditions and other important analytical parameters were established. Interference due to various non-target ions was also investigated. The proposed methods were applied to the analysis of vanadium(V) in environmental, biological, pharmaceutical and steel samples. The performance of proposed method was evaluated in terms of Student's t-test and variance ratio F-test that indicates the significance of proposed method over reported method.

Facile and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of carbosulfan in formulations and environmental samples

Facile, selective and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of carbosulfan in insecticidal formulations, fortified water, food grains, agriculture wastewater and soil samples with newly synthesized reagents. The method was based on acid and alkaline hydrolysis of the carbosulfan pesticide, and the resultant hydrolysis product of carbosulfan was coupled with 2,6-dibromo-4-methylaniline to give a yellow color product with lambda(max) of 464 nm or interaction with 2,6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline to produce yellow colored product with lambda(max) of 408 nm or coupling with 2,4,6-tribromoaniline to form red colored product has a lambda(max) of 471 nm. Under optimal conditions, Beer's law range for 2,6-dibromo-4-methylaniline (DBMA) was found to be 0.2-12.0 microg ml(-1), 0.6-16.0 microg ml(-1) for 2,6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline (DBNA) and 0.4-15.0 microg ml(-1) for 2,4,6-tribromoaniline (TBA). The molar absorptivity of the color systems were found to be 3.112 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) for DBMA, 3.214 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) for DBNA and 3.881 x 10(4) l mol(-1) cm(-1) for TBA. Sandell's of the color reactions are 0.013 microg cm(-2) (DBMA), 0.012 microg cm(-2) (DBNA) and 0.011 microg cm(-2) (TBA) respectively. The effect of the non-target species on the determination of carbosulfan was studied to enhance the selectivity of the proposed methods. The formation of colored derivatives with the coupling agents is instantaneous and stable for 28, 30, and 26 h. Performance of the proposed methods were compared statistically in terms Student's F and t-tests with the reported methods.

Preconcentration technique for the determination of trace elements in natural water samples by ICP-AES

A procedure was developed for the determination of Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Pb and Mo in water samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after preconcentration on a morpholine dithiocarbamate (mor-DTC) supported by bagasse (Saccharam aphisinaram). The sorbed elements were subsequently eluted with 4,M HNO3 and the acid eluates were analysed by ICP-AES. The influence of various parameters such as pH, flow rate of sample, eluent concentration, volume of the sample and volume of eluent were investigated to enhance the sensitivity of the present method. A 20,mL disposable syringe served as preconcentration column. Under the optimal conditions Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Pb and Mo in aqueous sample was concentrated about 100-fold. The sorption recoveries of elements were higher than 99.6%. The method is also applied for the analysis of natural and spiked water samples.

Development of simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of bendiocarb in its formulations and environmental samples

Facile, selective and sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of bendiocarb in its insecticidal formulations, fortified water, food grains, agriculture wastewater and agriculture soil samples with prepared reagents. The method was based on alkaline hydrolysis of the bendiocarb pesticide, and the resultant hydrolysis product of bendiocarb was coupled with 2,6-dibromo-4-methylaniline to give a yellow color product with lambda max of 457 nm or coupling with 2, 6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline to produce a red colored product with lambda max of 474 nm or coupling with 2, 4, 6-tribromoaniline to form orange red colored product has a lambda max of 465 nm. Under optimal conditions, Beer's law range for 2, 6-dibromo-4-methylaniline (DBMA) was found to be 0.6-14.0 microg mL (-1), 0.8-10.0 microg mL (-1) for 2, 6-dibromo-4-nitroaniline (DBNA) and 0.4-10.0 microg mL (-1) for 2, 4, 6-tribromoaniline (TBA). The molar absorptivity of the color systems were found to be 4.126 x 10(4) l mol (-1) cm (-1) for DBMA, 3.254 x 10(4) l mol (-1) cm (-1) for DBNA and 2.812 x 10(4) l mol (-1) cm (-1) for TBA. Sandell's of the color reactions are 0.018 microg cm (-2)(DBMA), 0.052 microg cm (-2)(DBNA) and 0.065 microg cm (-2) (TBA) respectively. The effect of the non-target species on the determination of bendiocarb was studied. The formation of colored derivatives with the coupling agents is instantaneous and stable for 18 h, 30 h, and 12 h. Performance of the proposed methods were compared statistically in terms Student's F and t-tests with the reported methods.

Evidence of linkage and association on 18p11.2 for psychosis

The genetic basis of bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) has been established through numerous clinical and molecular studies. Although often considered separate nosological entities, evidence now suggests that the two syndromes may share some genetic liability. Recent studies have used a composite phenotype (psychosis) that includes BPD, SCZ, psychosis not otherwise specified, and schizoaffective disorder, to identify shared susceptibility loci. Several chromosomal regions are reported to be shared between these syndromes (18p, 6q, 10p, 13q, 22q). As a part of our endeavor to scan these regions, we report a positive linkage and association finding at 18p11.2 for psychosis. Two-point linkage analysis performed on a series of 52 multiplex pedigrees with 23 polymorphic markers yielded a LOD score of 2.02 at D18S37. An independent set of 159 parent offspring trios was used to confirm this suggestive finding. The TDT analysis yielded support for association between the marker D18S453 and the disease allele (chi2 = 4.829, P < 0.028). This region has been implicated by several studies on BPD [Sjoholt et al. (2004); Mol Psychiatry 9(6):621-629; Washizuka et al. (2004); Biol Psychiatry 56(7):483-489; Pickard et al. (2005); Psychiatr Genet 15(1):37-44], SCZ [Kikuchi et al. (2003); J Med Dent Sci 50(3):225-229; Babovic-Vuksanovic et al. (2004); Am J Med Genet 124(3):318-322] and also as a shared region between the two diseases [Ishiguro et al. (2001); J Neural Transm 108(7):849-854; Reyes et al. (2002); Mol Psychiatry 7(4):337-339; Craddock et al. (2005); J Med Genet 42(3):193-204]. Our findings provide an independent validation of the above reports, and suggest the presence of susceptibility loci for psychoses in this region.

Sequence architecture downstream of the initiator codon enhances gene expression and protein stability in plants

Nucleotide positions conserved on the 3' side of the initiator codon ATG and the corresponding N-terminal amino acid residues in a number of highly abundant plant proteins were identified by computational analysis of a dataset of highly expressed plant genes. The reporter genes uidA and gfp were modified to introduce these features. Insertion of GCT TCC TCC after the initiator codon ATG augmented expression for both the reporter genes. The insertion of each successive codon improved the expression of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) in an incremental fashion in transient transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves. The insertion of alanine-serine (Ser)-Ser resulted in about a 2-fold increase in the stability of GUS. However, this did not account for the 30- to 40-fold increase in GUS activity between the constructs coding for methionine-alanine-Ser-Ser-GUS and the native enzyme. Substitution of the codon for Ser at the third amino acid residue with synonymous codons reduced GUS expression. The results suggest a role for the conserved nucleotides in the +4 to +11 region in augmenting posttranscriptional events in the expression of genes in plants.