RNA helicases play important roles in cellular processes such as pre-mRNA splicing, rRNA processing, ribosomal biogenesis, and translation. A full-length DEAD box RNA helicase cDNA (CfrHlc113) was isolated from the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana. CfrHlc113 contained the eight functional motifs, which are highly conserved in the DEAD box RNA helicase family, and an arginine-serine-aspartate (RSD) domain at its N-terminal end. CfrHlc113 was highly homologous to Rattus norvegicus HEL117 and human prp5 genes, both of which are suggested to be involved in RNA splicing. The results of Northern and Western blotting showed that expression of the CfrHlc113 gene was low or undetectable in eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. High levels of expression were, however, detected in the three in vitro cultured cell lines, CF-203, CF-124T, and CF-70, which were developed from the midgut, ovaries, and neonate larvae, respectively. Immunocytochemistry revealed that CfrHlc113 protein was present exclusively in the nuclei of these cell lines.

The accurate detection of cell-type specific DNA methylation alterations in the context of general epigenome studies is an important task to improve our understanding of epigenomics in disease development. Although a number of statistical algorithms designed to address this problem have emerged, the task remains challenging. Here we show that a recent commentary by Rahmani et al, that aims to address misconceptions and best practices in the field, continues to suffer from critical misconceptions in how statistical algorithms should be compared and evaluated. In addition, we report contradictory results on real EWAS datasets.

Background: Depression and coronary heart disease (CHD) have common risk mechanisms. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may be associated with the risk of depression combined with coronary heart disease. Methods: This protocol was designed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, Web of Science, CNKI, CQVIP, SinoMed, Wanfang Data, and ChiCTR will be systematically searched. We will include case-control studies and cohort studies investigating the relationship between gene SNPs and depression and coronary heart disease comorbidities. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) will be used to assess the risk of bias. When measuring dichotomous outcomes, we will use the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CIs) in a cohort study and use the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CIs) in a case-control study. Five genetic models (allele model, homozygous model, heterozygous model, dominant model, and recessive model) will be evaluated for each included study. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity will be performed. If necessary, post hoc analysis will be made according to different types.Discussion: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to comprehensively study the current evidence and assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and susceptibility of depression in combination with coronary heart disease.Systematic review registration: This protocol was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021229371).