Two isolated kilns of unknown age and three well‐dated artifacts from Tunisia have been investigated using archaeomagnetic techniques. Dating has been attempted for the kilns and archaeomagnetic intensities have been obtained for the artifacts. The kilns lack datable artifacts although one of them (Sidi Zahruni) could be related to a nearby late Roman site. Comparison with the SCHA.DIF.3K regional geomagnetic model suggests for both kilns two possible periods of last use, either Roman or Medieval. Three archaeomagnetic intensities were obtained for the well‐dated ceramic artifacts adding to scarce archaeomagnetic data from Africa. The new data along with recently published archaeointensities from other Tunisian sites have been compared with the regional model SCHA.DIF.3K, its updated version, and the global ARCH3k.1 geomagnetic model. The models show relatively good agreement with the new archaeointensities and with previously published intensities. The uncertainty of the experimental data tends to increase for older artifacts, and their agreement with the geomagnetic models diminishes. The observed trend of the intensity models to underestimate values in the Tunisian area for the Roman period could be overcome by adding new data from well‐dated artifacts from North African, particularly from pre‐Roman and Roman sites.
Background/Aims: Allgrove syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the triad of adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, and alacrima. This syndrome is caused by mutations in the AAAS gene. A major splice site mutation c.1331+1G>A was found previously in North African families affected by Allgrove syndrome. In this study, we analyzed in vivo and in silico the effect of this mutation on the splicing process. Methods: Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, sequencing and bioinformatics tools, we analyzed all transcripts produced by the AAAS gene containing this splice site mutation. Results: The altered splicing of mRNA produces two aberrant transcripts: one with exon 14 skipping, the other with concurrent exon 14 skipping and retention of 99 bp of intron 14, both outcomes resulting in frameshifts with a new stop codon generation in the untranslated region of the last exon. Using in silico bioinformatics tools, we demonstrated that this mutation abolishes the splice donor site of exon 14 and activates a new intronic cryptic splice site in intron 14. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a single splicing mutation affects the AAAS transcripts and consequently the ALADIN protein structure and function.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.