I. Methods for breeding high-protein cultivars of soybeans; II. Transfer of Phytophthora resistance in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] by backcrossing

The need to find an effective breeding method to develop soybean cultivars with high yield and high protein percentage from crosses of adapted cultivars is important. The objective of this study was to determine which kind of method (single cross vs backcross) would offer the best opportunity to increase yield of Vinton 81 while maintaining its current level of protein percentage. Three crosses were made using a moderately high protein cultivar (Vinton 81) with three high-yielding cultivars of different maturity group. The F(,4)-derived and BC(,1)F(,3)-derived lines were evaluated and compared with Vinton 81 for seed yield, maturity, lodging, height, seed weight, and protein and oil percentage;Significant differences were observed among lines derived from the F(,4) and BC(,1)F(,3) generations for the seven strains. In both generations, most of the lines were not significantly different from Vinton 81 for yield and protein percentage. Overall, only two lines were found that had greater yield and equal protein percentage to Vinton 81. Because the two superior lines identified came from the F(,4) generation, the single-cross method was favored over the backcross method in the development of productive soybean cultivars with high protein percentage;The efficiency of backcrossing in the transfer of Phytophthora resistance into susceptible cultivars was evaluated. A78-123018 and Cumberland were crossed to a resistant cultivar, Williams 82 and four backcrosses were made. The objectives of this study were to determine the number of backcross generations required to obtain Phytophthora resistant lines with the yield potential of the recurrent parent, and to determine in what backcross generation a composite of phenotypically similar lines could be made that would yield as much as the recurrent parent. Lines comprising the different generations were evaluated for yield and maturity in 1984;Significant variation among generations were observed for yield and maturity. Mean yields of the BC(,0) and BC(,1) generations were significantly lower than the mean yields of the BC(,2) and succeeding generations. Almost 100% of the lines from the BC(,2) and succeeding generations had yields equal to the recurrent parent. Comparable mean yield and maturity to the recurrent parent can be obtained from a composite of visually similar lines in the second backcross generation when a cultivar with acceptable yield is used as the donor parent

STAKEHOLDERS’ EXPERIENCES ON THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE BALAY PAGLAUM

This phenomenological study explored the underlying framework on the establishment and sustainability of the Balay Paglaum (House of Hope) through the lived experiences of the stakeholders which served as informants and were selected based on their first-hand ideas on the challenges encountered and strategies employed to overcome difficulties and the binding realizations they gained throughout the process of establishing and sustaining the Balay Paglaum. Stakeholders used were from the Local Government Unit, Department of Education and Indigenous Peoples’ group. Based on their shared experiences 6 themes emerged and 21 clustered themes surfaced. With its establishment, the dropout rate problem of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) was addressed and resolved. Commitment, love for the IP learners, enthusiasm of the leaders, believing the worth of the project and strong partnership made the Balay Paglaum become sustained and recognized as a shelter where hopes and dreams of the IPs are realized. It also served as the scaffold of the IP learners while pursuing their Basic Education.&nbsp

Bridging the Sustainability Leadership Chasm: A Case Study of the Sustainability Advantage Program of the NSW Government, Australia

Business operations worldwide have significantly impacted the environment, prompting organisations to consider how to align strategy and conduct to advance sustainability targets. Collaboration is critical for sustainability progress, thus organisations are becoming interested in the practices of supply chain partners. To incorporate sustainability across networks, leadership is critical in coordinating activities. Although the effectiveness of leadership for sustainability is widely discussed, there is a lack of empirical field studies on how organisations can develop this leadership capability. This research-in-progress paper presents preliminary findings from an industry level case study of a Government-run initiative. This initiative provides a platform for organisations to collaborate and access resources that supports the development of sustainability leadership capabilities. Preliminary analysis provides insight on the dynamic capabilities organisations must develop to influence its supply chain partners, the technologies used to progress sustainability initiatives and the role that the Government has in promoting collaboration and leadership. Implications to both research and practice, and future work are discussed in conclusion

A zebrafish model exemplifies the long preclinical period of motor neuron disease

A zebrafish model exemplifies the long preclinical period of motor neuron diseas

Mode shift of the voltage sensors in Shaker K+ channels is caused by energetic coupling to the pore domain

The voltage sensors of voltage-gated ion channels undergo a conformational change upon depolarization of the membrane that leads to pore opening. This conformational change can be measured as gating currents and is thought to be transferred to the pore domain via an annealing of the covalent link between voltage sensor and pore (S4-S5 linker) and the C terminus of the pore domain (S6). Upon prolonged depolarizations, the voltage dependence of the charge movement shifts to more hyperpolarized potentials. This mode shift had been linked to C-type inactivation but has recently been suggested to be caused by a relaxation of the voltage sensor itself. In this study, we identified two ShakerIR mutations in the S4-S5 linker (I384N) and S6 (F484G) that, when mutated, completely uncouple voltage sensor movement from pore opening. Using these mutants, we show that the pore transfers energy onto the voltage sensor and that uncoupling the pore from the voltage sensor leads the voltage sensors to be activated at more negative potentials. This uncoupling also eliminates the mode shift occurring during prolonged depolarizations, indicating that the pore influences entry into the mode shift. Using voltage-clamp fluorometry, we identified that the slow conformational change of the S4 previously correlated with the mode shift disappears when uncoupling the pore. The effects can be explained by a mechanical load that is imposed upon the voltage sensors by the pore domain and allosterically modulates its conformation. Mode shift is caused by the stabilization of the open state but leads to a conformational change in the voltage sensor

The translation elongation factor eEF1A1 couples transcription to translation during heat shock response.

Translation elongation factor eEF1A has a well-defined role in protein synthesis. In this study, we demonstrate a new role for eEF1A: it participates in the entire process of the heat shock response (HSR) in mammalian cells from transcription through translation. Upon stress, isoform 1 of eEF1A rapidly activates transcription of HSP70 by recruiting the master regulator HSF1 to its promoter. eEF1A1 then associates with elongating RNA polymerase II and the 3′UTR of HSP70 mRNA, stabilizing it and facilitating its transport from the nucleus to active ribosomes. eEF1A1-depleted cells exhibit severely impaired HSR and compromised thermotolerance. In contrast, tissue-specific isoform 2 of eEF1A does not support HSR. By adjusting transcriptional yield to translational needs, eEF1A1 renders HSR rapid, robust, and highly selective; thus, representing an attractive therapeutic target for numerous conditions associated with disrupted protein homeostasis, ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03164.00

The disruption of proteostasis in neurodegenerative diseases

Cells count on surveillance systems to monitor and protect the cellular proteome which, besides being highly heterogeneous, is constantly being challenged by intrinsic and environmental factors. In this context, the proteostasis network (PN) is essential to achieve a stable and functional proteome. Disruption of the PN is associated with aging and can lead to and/or potentiate the occurrence of many neurodegenerative diseases (ND). This not only emphasizes the importance of the PN in health span and aging but also how its modulation can be a potential target for intervention and treatment of human diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The heat shock/stress response of motor neurons : a potential therapeutic target in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play important roles in the maintenance and preservation of cellular homeostasis. Since previous findings demonstrated a neuroprotective role of the stress-inducible Hsp70 in an in vitro model of the neurodegenerative disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Bruening et al., 1999), the objectives of this research was to study the endogenous heat shock response of motor neurons exposed to various stresses and to determine if known pharmacological inducers of HSPs can enhance the stress response of these cells. Neither heat shock nor glutamate excitotoxicity induced Hsp70 in motor neurons. In primary spinal cord cultures, expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) with mutations responsible for familial ALS also failed to result in Hsp70 induction, nor was Hsp70 expressed in spinal motor neurons of mutant SOD-1 (mSOD) transgenic mice or patients with sporadic or familial ALS. The lack of a strong heat shock response was associated with an inability to activate the main stress-sensing transcription factor, heat shock transcription factor-1 (HSF1). Overexpression of an activated form of HSF1, but not wildtype HSF1, in cultured motor neurons resulted in significant protection from mutant SOD-1 toxicity, which was accompanied by increased expression of Hsp70, Hsp40, and to a lesser degree, Hsp25. The effects of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sodium salicylate, shown in cell lines to increase HSF1 binding to promoters of HSP genes (Jurivich et al., 1992), and niflumic acid, a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, on the heat shock response of motor neurons were assessed. Both drugs lowered the temperature threshold for induction of Hsp70 in glia and non-neuronal cells, but not in motor neurons. Concomitantly, neither drug prevented mSOD-mediated motor neuron death. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), previously shown to upregulate Hsp70 in cell lines through increased DNA binding and activation of HSF1 (D