Staff Profile
Dr Joanna Elson
Senior Lecturer
- Email: joanna.elson@ncl.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5663
- Address: Mitochondrial Research Group
Biosciences Institute
缅北禁地
Education
B.Sc. Hons in Genetics (2:1), University College London, 1995-1998
PhD in Mitochondrial Genetics, 缅北禁地, 1998-2002
Employment
Lecturer in Mitochondrial Genetics, 缅北禁地, 2011-Present
RCUK Academic Fellow, 缅北禁地, 2006-2011
Research Associate, 缅北禁地, 2005-2006
MRC Bioinformatics Training Fellow, 缅北禁地, 2002-2005
Organization membership and editorial roles
Honorary professor at North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Honorary post at the Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
Member of UK Chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), Research Collaborative Executive Board
African Society of Human Genetics and European Society of Human Genetics
Editor: BMC Medical Genetics, Scientific Reports and PLoS One
Research: (ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3551-5624) Joanna has an H-index of 41 and has published >90 peer-reviewed papers. She previously held an MRC Bioinformatics training fellowship before winning a five-year RCUK fellowship. She has published seminal articles examining the evolutionary principles underpinning the pattern of mtDNA variation seen in modern human populations, with 10 of these papers cited over 100 times. She has also devised novel models to link mtDNA variation to multi-factorial traits. She is, and has been for the last ten year an extraordinary (Honorary) professor at the North-West University (NWU) in South Africa. She has received funding from the Royal Society to host an inaugural meeting at NWU to bring together world-leading experts in mtDNA variation and disease, including monogenic and common diseases looking at less studied populations.
PhD in Mitochondrial Genetics, 缅北禁地, 1998-2002: During my PhD, I was the first to publish evidence of purifying selection in different global regions. This work substantially contributed to the debate on the relative importance of ‘drift’ and ‘selection’ in shaping the mtDNA variation seen in human populations. I also published work on the clonal expansion of mtDNA point mutations, showing for the first time that intra-cellular random genetic could account for mitochondrial dysfunction associated with the ageing process.
I am module lead for the following modules: From DNA to Disease (UG- BGM2057), Mitochondrial Biology (PG - MMB8034) and Clinical Research Dissertation (PG - MCR8007-MCR8025). I am currently a senior tutor on the MRes program with ~250 students.
I act as module moderator for the marking following modules: Genetics of Common Disease (PG- MMB8014) and Designing a Research Proposal (PG - MCR8013)
Also teaching on Evolution - (UG - BGM2058), Diagnostic Medical Genetics - (UG - BGM3060), Research Projects - (UG - CMB3000/CMB3004), Genetics of Common Diseases - (PG - MMB8014) and Biology of Ageing - (PG - MMB8011)
I am an experienced project supervisor, having supervised many BSc and MSc students in various programs over the last 15 years. The following are publications in the previous 5 years featuring some of my BSc and MSc students.
Wong J (MSc), Steyn JS, Pienaar IS, Elson JL. PLoS One. 2022 Oct.
Klink GV, O'Keefe H (MSc), Gogna A (BSc), Bazykin GA, Elson JL. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct.
Pienaar IS, Mohammed R, Courtley R (BSc), Gledson MR (MSc), Reynolds R, Nicholas R, Elson JL. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2021 Aug.
O'Keefe H (MSc), Queen R (MSc), Lord P, Elson JL. Evol Appl. 2019 Aug.
Eliane C Soares De Menezes (BSc), Audrey E Brown, Simon J Bowman, Kamran Mirza, Julia L Newton, Wan-Fai Ng &Joanna L Elson
O'Keefe H (BSc), Queen RA (MSc), Meldau S, Lord P, Elson JL. J Mol Evol. 2018.
Queen RA (MSc), Steyn JS, Lord P, Elson JL. PLoS One. 2017 Nov
Bury AG (MRes), Pyle A, Elson JL, Greaves L, Morris CM, Hudson G, Pienaar IS. Ann Neurol. 2017 Dec
PhD students supervised to completion.
- John Yarham (2009 - 2012): Mitochondrial tRNA mutations and disease
- Marianne Pretorius (2013 - 2017): Investigation of the involvement of mitochondrial DNA variants in cardiometabolic disease: the SABPA study
- Cara Thoms (2014 - 2018): The assessment of cellular bioenergetics in chronic fatigue syndrome
- Carla Bayern (2015 - 2019): Does antiretroviral therapy accelerate the speed of physiological ageing through the clonal expansion of mtDNA mutations?
- Sarah Nesbitt (2016 - 2020): Investigating genetic risk factors and disease mechanisms in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.
- Amelia Lu (2020- current): Mitochondrial DNA changes in pedunculopontine cholinergic neurons in Parkinson's disease
Please see the main publication list for papers featuring PhD students.
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Articles
- Volpe KE, Samuels DC, Elson JL, Steyn JS, Gebretsadik T, Ellis RJ, Heaton RK, Kallianpur AR, Letendre S, Hulgan T. . Mitochondrion 2024, 74, 101820.
- Fouche B, Turner S, Gorham R, Stephenson EJ, Gutbier S, Elson JL, Garcia-Beltran O, Van Der Westhuizen FH, Pienaar IS. . Molecular Neurobiology 2023, 60, 749-767.
- Muller-Nedebock AC, Pfaff AL, Pienaar IS, Koks S, van der Westhuizen FH, Elson JL, Bardien S. . Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2022, 14, 921412.
- Wong J, Steyn JS, Pienaar IS, Elson JL. . PLoS ONE 2022, 17(10), e0276169.
- Latar NM, Mahkamova K, Elson J, Karnik I, Sutherland R, Aspinall S, Meeson A. . Endocrine 2022, 76, 359-368.
- Pienaar IS, Mohammed R, Courtley R, Gledson MR, Reynolds R, Nicholas R, Elson JL. . Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 2021, 53, 103055.
- Klink GV, O'Keefe H, Gogna A, Bazykin GA, Elson JL. . Scientific Reports 2021, 11, 19578.
- O'Keefe H, Queen R, Lord P, Elson JL. . Evolutionary Applications 2020, 12(10), 1912-1930.
- Tomas C, Elson JL, Strassheim V, Newton JL, Walker M. . PLoS ONE 2020, 15(4), e0231136.
- Tomas C, Elson JL, Newton JL, Walker M. . Scientific Reports 2020, 10(1), 18232.
- Lewis FW, Fairooz S, Elson JL, Hubscher-Bruder V, Brandel J, Soundararajan M, Smith D, Dexter DT, Tétard D, Pienaar IS. . Archives of Toxicology 2020, 94, 813-831.
- Haumann S, Boix J, Knuever J, Bieling A, Sanjurjo AV, Elson JL, Blakely EL, Taylor RW, Riet N, Abken H, Kashkar H, Hornig-Do HT, Wiesner RJ. . Carcinogenesis 2020, 41(12), 1735-1745.
- Hagen CM, Elson JL, Aidt HF, Havndrup O, Jensen MK, Kanters JK, Atherton JJ, McGaughran J, Bundgaard J, Christiansen M. . Mitochondrial DNA Part A 2020, 31(6), 238-244.
- Puneet SK, Wells L, Rizzo G, Elson JL, Passchier J, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, Dexter DT, Pienaar IS. . Neurotherapeutics 2020, 17, 1120-1141.
- Gutbier S, Kyriakou S, Schildknecht s, Uckert AK, Brüll k, Lewis F, Dickens D, Pearson L, Elson JL, Michel S, Hubscher-Bruder V, Brandel J, Tetard T, Leist M, Pienaar IS. . Archives of Toxicology 2020, 94, 3105-3123.
- Tomas C, Elson JL. . Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health and Behavior 2019, 7(1), 52-58.
- Schoonen M, Smuts I, Louw R, Elson JL, van Dyk E, Jonck L-M, Rodenburg RJT, van der Westhuizen FH. . Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2019, 21(3), 503-513.
- Piotrowska-Nowak A, Elson JL, Sobczyk-Kopciol A, Piwonska A, Puch-Walczak A, Drygas W, Ploski R, Bartnik E, Tonska K. . Frontiers in Genetics 2019, 9, 702.
- Venter M, Tomas C, Pienaar IS, Strassheim V, Erasmus E, Ng W-F, Howell N, Newton JL, Van der Westhuizen FH, Elson JL. . Scientific Reports 2019, 9(1), 2914.
- Tomas C, Brown AE, Newton JL, Elson JL. . PeerJ 2019, 7, e6500.
- Venter M, Malan L, Elson JL, van der Westhuizen FH. . Mitochondrial DNA Part A: DNA Mapping, Sequencing, and Analysis 2019, 30(3), 440-447.
- Tomas C, Lodge TA, Potter M, Elson JL, Newton JL, Morten KJ. . Scientific Reports 2019, 9(1), 11464.
- Mantanona CP, Alsio J, Elson JL, Fisher BM, Dalley JW, Bussey T, Pienaar IS. . Brain Structure and Function 2019, 224(9), 3095–3116.
- Xu J, Potter M, Tomas C, Elson JL, Morten KJ, Poulton J, Wang N, Jin H, Hou Z, Huang WE. . Analyst 2019, 144(3), 913-920.
- Elson JL, Kochaj R, Reynolds R, Pienaar IS. . Neurotoxicity Research 2018, 34(1), 16-31.
- O'Keefe H, Queen RA, Meldau S, Lord P, Elson JL. . Journal of Molecular Evolution 2018, 86(6), 395-403.
- Venter M, Malan L, van Dyk E, Elson JL, van der Westhuizen FH. . Journal of Genetics and Genomics 2017, 44(3), 139-149.
- Pienaar IS, Howell N, Elson JL. . Mitochondrion 2017, 34, 141-146.
- Queen RA, Steyn JS, Lord P, Elson JL. . PLOS ONE 2017, 12(11), e0187862.
- Bury AG, Pyle A, Elson JL, Greaves L, Morris CM, Hudson G, Pienaar IS. . Annals of Neurology 2017, 82(6), 1016-1021.
- Pienaar IS, Howell N, Elson JL. . Mitochondrion 2017, 34, 141-146.
- Schoeman EM, Van Der Westhuizen FH, Erasmus E, van Dyk E, Knowles CVY, Al-Ali S, Ng W-F, Taylor RW, Newton JL, Elson JL. . BMC Medical Genetics 2017, 18, 29.
- Tomas C, Brown A, Strassheim V, Elson J, Newton J, Manning P. . PLoS ONE 2017, 12(10), e0186802.
- Elson JL, Yates A, Pienaar IS. . Brain Structure and Function 2016, 221(4), 2319-2341.
- van der Westhuizen FH, Sinxadi PZ, Dandara C, Smuts I, Riordan G, Meldau S, Malik AN, Sweeney MG, Tsai Y, Towers GW, Louw R, Gorman GS, Payne BA, Soodyall H, Pepper MS, Elson JL. . Human Mutation 2015, 36(5), 569-571.
- Elson JL, Smith PM, Greaves LC, Lightowlers RN, Chrzanowska-Lightowlers ZMA, Taylor RW, Vila-Sanjurjo A. . Mitochondrion 2015, 25, 17-27.
- Pienaar IS, Gartside SE, Sharma P, DePaola V, Gretenkord S, Withers D, Elson JL, Dexter DT. . Molecular Neurodegeneration 2015, 10, 47.
- Gorman GS, Elson JL, Newman J, Payne B, McFarland R, Newton JL, Turnbull DM. . Neuromuscular Disorders 2015, 25(7), 563-566.
- Elson JL, Smith PM, Vila-Sanjurjo A. . Methods in Molecular Biology 2015, 1264, 369-383.
- Pienaar IS, Lee CH, Elson JL, McGuinness L, Gentleman SM, Kalaria RN, Dexter DT. . Neurobiology of Disease 2015, 74, 392–405.
- Pienaar IS, Harrison IF, Elson JL, Bury A, Woll P, Simon AK, Dexter DT. . Brain Structure and Function 2015, 220(1), 479-500.
- Greaves LC, Nooteboom M, Elson JL, Tuppen HAL, Taylor GA, Commane DM, Arasaradnam RP, Khrapko K, Taylor RW, Kirkwood TBL, Mathers JC, Turnbull DM. . PLoS Genetics 2014, 10(9), e1004620.
- Smith PM, Elson JL, Greaves LC, Wortmann SB, Rodenburg RJT, Lightowlers RN, Chrzanowska-Lightowlers ZMA, Taylor RW, Vila-Sanjurjo A. . Human Molecular Genetics 2013, 23(4), 949-969.
- Pienaar I-S, Elson JL, Racca C, Nelson G, Turnbull DM, Morris CM. . American Journal of Pathology 2013, 183(6), 1826-1840.
- Elson JL, Cadogan M, Apabhai S, Whittaker RG, Phillips A, Trennell MI, Horvath R, Taylor RW, McFarland R, McColl E, Turnbull DM, Gorman GS. . Neuromuscular Disorders 2013, 23(4), 324-329.
- Hudson G, Wilson I, Payne BI, Elson J, Samuels DC, Santibanez-Korev M, Hall SJ, Chinnery PF. . Mitochondrion 2012, 12(4), 438-440.
- Elson JL, Sweeney MG, Procaccio P, Yarham JW, Salas A, Kong QP, van der Westhuizen FH, Pitceathly RDS, Thorburn DR, Lott MT, Wallace DC, Taylor RW, McFarland R. . Human Mutation 2012, 33(9), 1352-1358.
- Reeve AK, Park TK, Jaros E, Campbell GR, Lax NZ, Hepplewhite PD, Krishnan KJ, Elson JL, Morris CM, McKeith IG, Turnbull DM. . Archives of Neurology 2012, 69(3), 385-393.
- Elson JL, Howell C, Howell N. Failure of a Molecular Clock Model for Sequence Evolution in Superhaplogroup HV mtDNAs. Ramifications for Age Estimation. Molecular Biology and Evolution 2012. In Preparation.
- Greaves LC, Elson JL, Nooteboom M, Grady JP, Taylor GA, Taylor RW, Mathers JC, Kirkwood TBL, Turnbull DM. . PLoS Genetics 2012, 8(11), e1003082.
- van der Walt EM, Smuts I, Taylor RW, Elson JL, Turnbull DM, Louw R, van der Westhuizen FH. . European Journal of Human Genetics 2012, 20, 650-656.
- Proctor CJ, Pienaar IS, Elson JL, Kirkwood TBL. . Molecular Neurodegeneration 2012, 7(1), 32.
- Yarham JW, McFarland R, Taylor RW, Elson JL. . Mitochondrion 2012, 12(5), 533-538.
- Achouitar S, Mohamed M, Gardeitchik T, Wortmann SB, Sykut-Cegielska J, Ensenauer R, de Baulny HO, Ounap K, Martinelli D, de Vries M, McFarland R, Kouwenberg D, Theodore M, Wijburg F, Grunewald S, Jaeken J, Wevers RA, Nijtmans L, Elson J, Morava E. . Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease 2011, 34(4), 923-927.
- Apabhai S, Gorman GS, Sutton L, Elson JL, Ploetz T, Turnbull DM, Trenell MI. . PLoS One 2011, 6(7), e22294.
- Haworth A, Bertram L, Carrera P, Elson JL, Braastad CD, Cox DW, Cruts M, denDunnen JT, Farrer MJ, Fink JK, Hamed SA, Houlden H, Johnson DR, Nuytemans K, Palau F, Rayan DL, Robinson PN, Salas A, Schüle B, Sweeney MG, Woods MO, Amigo J, Cotton RG, Sobrido MJ. . Neurogenetics 2011, 12(3), 169-173.
- Yarham JW, Al-Dosary M, Blakely EL, Alston CL, Taylor RW, Elson JL, McFarland R. . Human Mutation 2011, 32(11), 1319-1325.
- Elson JL, Apabhai S, Gorman G, Whittaker RG, Krishnan KJ. . Genetics in Medicine 2010, 12(5), 313-314.
- Reeve AK, Krishnan KJ, Taylor G, Elson JL, Bender A, Taylor RW, Morris CM, Turnbull DM. . Aging Cell 2009, 8(4), 496-498.
- Elson JL, Swalwell H, Blakely EL, McFarland R, Taylor RW, Turnbull DM. . Human Mutation 2009, 30(11), E984-E992.
- Stewart J, Freyer C, Elson J, Wredenberg A, Cansu Z, Trifunovic A, Larsson N. . PLoS Biology 2008, 6(1), e10.
- Reeve AK, Krishnan KJ, Elson JL, Morris CM, Bender A, Lightowlers RN, Turnbull DM. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2008, 82(1), 228-235.
- Elstner M, Schmidt C, Zingler VC, Prokisch H, Bettecken T, Elson JL, Rudolph G, Bender A, Halmagyi GM, Brandt T, Strupp M, Klopstock T. . Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2008, 377(2), 379-383.
- Ban M, Elson J, Walton A, Turnbull D, Compston A, Chinnery P, Sawcer S. . PLoS One 2008, 3(8), e2891.
- Elson JL, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW. . Biochemical Journal 2007, 404(2), e3-5.
- Howell N, Elson JL, Howell C, Turnbull DM. . Molecular Biology and Evolution 2007, 24(10), 2213-2221.
- Chinnery PF, Mowbray C, Patel SK, Elson JL, Sampson M, Hitman GA, McCarthy MI, Hattersley AT, Walker M. . Journal of Medical Genetics 2007, 44(6), e80.
- Hudson G, Carelli V, Spruijt L, Gerards M, Mowbray C, Achilli A, Pyle A, Elson J, Howell N, La Morgia C, Valentino ML, Huoponen K, Savontaus ML, Nikoskelainen E, Sadun AA, Salomao SR, Belfort Jr R, Griffiths P, Yu Wai Man P, de Coo RFM, Horvath R, Zeviani M, Smeets HJT, Torroni A, Chinnery PF. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2007, 81(2), 228-233.
- Mitchell AL, Elson JL, Howell N, Taylor RW, Turnbull DM. . Journal of Medical Genetics 2006, 43(2), 175-179.
- Elson JL, Lightowlers RN. . Trends in Genetics 2006, 22(11), 603-607.
- Schaefer AM, Phoenix C, Elson JL, McFarland R, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM. . Neurology 2006, 66(12), 1932-1934.
- Elson JL, Herrnstadt C, Preston G, Thal L, Morris CM, Edwardson JA, Beal MF, Turnbull DM, Howell N. . Human Genetics 2006, 119(3), 241-254.
- Phoenix C, Schaefer AM, Elson JL, Morava E, Bugiani M, Uziel G, Smeitink JA, Turnbull DM, McFarland R. . Neuromuscular Disorders 2006, 16(12), 814-820.
- Baudouin S, Saunders D, Tiangyou W, Elson J, Poynter J, Pyle A, Keers S, Turnbull D, Howell N, Chinnery P. . Lancet 2005, 366(9503), 2118-2121.
- Elson JL, Turnbull DM, Howell N. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2004, 74(2), 229-238.
- McFarland R, Elson JL, Taylor RW, Howell N, Turnbull DM. . Trends in Genetics 2004, 20(12), 591-596.
- Howell N, Elson JL, Turnbull DM, Herrnstadt C. . Molecular Biology and Evolution 2004, 21(10), 1843-1854.
- Elson JL, Samuels DC, Johnson MA, Turnbull DM, Chinnery PF. . Neuromuscular Disorders 2002, 12(9), 858-864.
- Herrnstadt C, Elson JL, Fahy E, Preston G, Turnbull DM, Anderson C, Ghosh SS, Olefsky JM, Beal MF, Davis RE, Howell N. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2002, 70(5), 1152-1171.
- Chinnery PF, Samuels DC, Elson J, Turnbull DM. . Lancet 2002, 360(9342), 1323-1325.
- Elson JL, Samuels DC, Turnbull DM, Chinnery PF. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2001, 68(3), 802-806.
- Elson JL, Andrews RM, Chinnery PF, Lightowlers RN, Turnbull DM, Howell N. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2001, 68(1), 145-153.
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Book Chapters
- Bailey LJ, Elson JL, Pienaar IS. . In: Methods in Molecular Biology. Humana, New York: Humana Press Inc, 2021, pp.299-329.
- Vila-Sanjurjo A, Smith PM, Elson JL. . In: Methods in Molecular Biology. Humana Press Inc, 2021, pp.203-245.
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Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)
- Yarham JW, Elson JL, Taylor RW, McFarland R. . In: United Kingdom Neuromuscular Translational Research Conference. 2012, 缅北禁地 upon Tyne, UK: Elsevier Ltd.
- Yarham J, Elson JL, Blakely EL, Alston CL, Turnbull DM, McFarland R, Taylor RW. . In: Journal of Medical Genetics: British Human Genetics Conference. 2010, Warwick, UK: BMJ Group.
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Editorials
- Meldau S, Riordan G, van der Westhuizen F, Elson JL, Smuts I, Pepper MS, Soodyall H. . SAMJ South African Medical Journal 2016, 106(3), 234-236.
- Whittaker RG, Blackwood JK, Alston CL, Blakely EL, Elson JL, McFarland R, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW. . Neurology 2009, 72(6), 568-569.
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Letters
- Salas A, Elson JL. . Journal of Genetics and Genomics 2015, 42(4), 169-172.
- Salas A, Elson JL. . Cardiology 2012, 122(2), 113-115.
- Hudson G, Mowbray C, Elson J, Jacob A, Boggild M, Torroni A, Chinnery PF. . Brain 2008, 131(4), e93.
- Chinnery PF, Mowbray C, Elliott H, Elson JL, Nixon H, Hartley J, Shaw PJ. . Neurogenetics 2007, 8(1), 65-67.
- Elson JL, Majamaa K, Howell N, Chinnery PF. . American Journal of Human Genetics 2007, 80(2), 378-382.
- McFarland R, Taylor RW, Elson JL, Lightowlers RN, Turnbull DM, Howell N, Scaglia F, Vogel H, Hawkins EP, Vladutiu GD, Guan M-X, Liu L-L, Wong L-JC. . American Journal of Medical Genetics 2004, 131(1), 107-110.
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Note
- Howell N, Howell C, Elson JL. . Heredity 2008, 101(2), 107-108.
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Reviews
- Vila-Sanjurjo A, Mallo N, Atkins JF, Elson JL, Smith PM. . Frontiers in Physiology 2023, 14, 1082953.
- Karnik I, Sutherland R, Elson J, Aspinall S, Meeson A. . Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Reviews on Cancer 2022, 1877(4), 188752.
- Muller-Nedebock AC, Brennan RR, Venter M, Pienaar IS, van der Westhuizen FH, Elson JL, Ross OA, Bardien S. . Neurochemistry International 2019, 129, 104495.
- Venter M, van der Westhuizen FH, Elson JL. . Cardiovascular Journal of Africa 2018, 29(2), 122-132.
- Craven L, Elson JL, Irving L, Tuppen HA, Lister LM, Greggains GD, Byerley S, Murdoch AP, Herbert M, Turnbull D. . Human Molecular Genetics 2011, 20(R2), R168-R174.
- Yarham JW, Elson JL, Blakely EL, McFarland R, Taylor RW. . Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: RNA 2010, 1(2), 304-324.
- Stewart JB, Freyer C, Elson JL, Larsson N-G. . Nature Reviews Genetics 2008, 9(9), 657-662.
- Howell N, Elson JL, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM. . Trends in Genetics 2005, 21(11), 583-586.