IGS region polymorphisms are responsible for failure of commonly used species‐specific primers in Fusarium proliferatum isolates from diseased garlic

Fusarium proliferatum is a globally distributed fungal pathogen that affects a range of crop hosts and is one of the main producers of mycotoxins, such as fumonisins, in foods. Specific PCR primers are commonly used for detection and identification of this pathogen. The aim of this study was to validate previously published F. proliferatum‐specific primers targeting the intergenic spacer (IGS) region and characterize intraspecific variation and homologous recombination events for isolates obtained from diseased garlic bulbs in Spain. Sixty‐nine isolates were morphologically identified as F. proliferatum, and their identity was confirmed by sequencing of the translation elongation factor; however, specific IGS primers did not result in an amplification product for nine of these isolates. Further analysis showed that this was due to polymorphism in the IGS region and six isolates were classified as IGS type I, while the remaining isolates were type II. Sequencing of the complete IGS region revealed numerous sequence polymorphisms amongst F. proliferatum isolates, and regions of recombination. Duplication and deletion events may have occurred via unequal crossing over during mitotic or meiotic recombination. These results suggest that the IGS region may be too variable as a reliable target for F. proliferatum‐specific identification

Current status of turbulent dynamo theory: From large-scale to small-scale dynamos

Several recent advances in turbulent dynamo theory are reviewed. High resolution simulations of small-scale and large-scale dynamo action in periodic domains are compared with each other and contrasted with similar results at low magnetic Prandtl numbers. It is argued that all the different cases show similarities at intermediate length scales. On the other hand, in the presence of helicity of the turbulence, power develops on large scales, which is not present in non-helical small-scale turbulent dynamos. At small length scales, differences occur in connection with the dissipation cutoff scales associated with the respective value of the magnetic Prandtl number. These differences are found to be independent of whether or not there is large-scale dynamo action. However, large-scale dynamos in homogeneous systems are shown to suffer from resistive slow-down even at intermediate length scales. The results from simulations are connected to mean field theory and its applications. Recent work on helicity fluxes to alleviate large-scale dynamo quenching, shear dynamos, nonlocal effects and magnetic structures from strong density stratification are highlighted. Several insights which arise from analytic considerations of small-scale dynamos are discussed.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures, Spa. Sci. Rev., submitted to the special issue "Magnetism in the Universe" (ed. A. Balogh

Horizontal Branch Stars: The Interplay between Observations and Theory, and Insights into the Formation of the Galaxy

We review HB stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of globular clusters (GCs) in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude, with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC. A rediscussion of the second-parameter problem is presented. A technique is proposed to estimate the HB types of extragalactic GCs on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax measurements for the star RR Lyrae, is also revisited, giving a distance modulus to the LMC of (m-M)_0 = 18.44+/-0.11. RR Lyrae period change rates are studied. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of low-mass stars are investigated. [ABRIDGED]Comment: 56 pages, 22 figures. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Investigating interventions in Alzheimer's disease with computer simulation models

Progress in the development of therapeutic interventions to treat or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease has been hampered by lack of efficacy and unforeseen side effects in human clinical trials. This setback highlights the need for new approaches for pre-clinical testing of possible interventions. Systems modelling is becoming increasingly recognised as a valuable tool for investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in ageing and age-related diseases. However, there is still a lack of awareness of modelling approaches in many areas of biomedical research. We previously developed a stochastic computer model to examine some of the key pathways involved in the aggregation of amyloid-beta (A?) and the micro-tubular binding protein tau. Here we show how we extended this model to include the main processes involved in passive and active immunisation against A? and then demonstrate the effects of this intervention on soluble A?, plaques, phosphorylated tau and tangles. The model predicts that immunisation leads to clearance of plaques but only results in small reductions in levels of soluble A?, phosphorylated tau and tangles. The behaviour of this model is supported by neuropathological observations in Alzheimer patients immunised against A?. Since, soluble A?, phosphorylated tau and tangles more closely correlate with cognitive decline than plaques, our model suggests that immunotherapy against A? may not be effective unless it is performed very early in the disease process or combined with other therapies

Proceedings from Workshops on Management Strategy Evaluation of Data-Limited Fisheries: Towards Sustainability – Applying the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment Tool to Seven Indonesian Fisheries

The proceedings present the findings from two workshops in Bogor Indonesia in 2019 to provide participants with training in management strategy evaluation for fisheries and apply the MERA framework to evaluate seven data-limited fisheries in Indonesia. These fisheries were chosen because of their fisheries or conservation significance and covered a diversity of species with very different life-history strategies - blue swimmer crabs, scalloped spiny lobster, hammerhead sharks, red-bellied yellowtail fusilier, skipjack tuna, leopard coral grouper and humpback red snapper. The Proceedings summarise the current information on biology, fisheries and management measures for each fished species. They then apply the Method Evaluation and Risk Assessment Tool to consider different management options including those based on catch, effort, size and area closures. These findings were used to inform discussions on identifying potential future management options for the fisheries

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 regulates androgen receptor activity in estrogen receptor negative breast cancer

Luke A. Proctor, Adrienne R. Hanson, Miriam S. Butler, Wayne D. Tilley and Nicole L. Moor