The In Vivo Kinetics of RNA Polymerase II Elongation during Co-Transcriptional Splicing

Kinetic analysis shows that RNA polymerase elongation kinetics are not modulated by co-transcriptional splicing and that post-transcriptional splicing can proceed at the site of transcription without the presence of the polymerase

Catch Estimates and Species Composition of Recreational Fishing in Israel

Recreational fishing is common around the Mediterranean Sea. The number of recreational fishers is growing, and they are using increasingly efficient fishing techniques. However, fisher activity is heterogeneous, both temporally and spatially, making it very difficult to determine this sector’s fishing pressure and annual yields. Therefore, estimates of annual yields and ecological effects of this fishing sector are limited. In this study, we undertook an extensive survey designed to document and quantify recreational fishing patterns across the Israeli Mediterranean shoreline. We comprehensively quantified recreational fishing using three complementary strategies: (1) ground surveys, including interviews with anglers on the coast, (2) personalized phone interviews, and (3) aerial surveys by helicopter. These methods were used to calculate annual recreational yield and to estimate species and size composition, which were then compared to the commercial fishing catch. We found that a recreational catch makes up between 10%-37% of the total annual fishing yields, which is similar to estimates from other regions of the Mediterranean. We also found that non-indigenous species are among the most common species in recreational catch and have become a significant part of local fishery yields. Recreational angling from the coast targets smaller, reef associated species compared to recreational fishers at sea. We identified 23 species common to both recreational fishing and commercial fishing, over which conflicts between fishing sectors may arise. These results can be used to more accurately manage Israeli fisheries and can provide a baseline against which to compare future changes in a region under the threats of climate change, biological invasions, and growing human pressure

Subjective versus objective refraction in healthy young adults

Abstract Purpose To evaluate objective and subjective refraction differences in healthy young adults. Methods Data concerning candidates for the Israeli Air Force Flight Academy, as well as active air force pilots in all stages of service who underwent a routine health checkup between the years 2018 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Objective refraction measured using a single autorefractometer was compared with subjective refraction measured by an experienced military optometrist during the same visit. The results were converted to power vectors (spherical equivalent [SE], J0, and J45). To interpret astigmatism using power vector values, the cylinder power (Cp) was determined. Results This study included 1,395 young adult participants. The average age was 22.17 years (range, 17–39, 84.8% males). The average SE was − 0.65 ± 1.19 diopter (D) compared with − 0.71 ± 0.91D in the auto- and subjective refraction, respectively (p = 0.001). Cp was 0.91 ± 0.52D and 0.67 ± 0.40D, respectively (p < 0.001). This difference was more common in older participants (p < 0.001). J0 and J45 value differences were not significant. The absolute SE value of subjective refraction was lower in the myopic (p < 0.001) and hyperopic (p < 0.001) patients. Conclusions Young hyperopic participants tended to prefer “less plus” in subjective refraction compared with autorefraction. Young myopic participants tended to prefer “less minus” in subjective refraction compared with autorefraction. All participants, but mainly older participants, preferred slightly “less Cp” than that measured using autorefraction; The astigmatic axis did not differ significantly between the methods

Optimized small‐molecule pull‐downs define MLBP

Abscisic acid (ABA) receptors belong to the START domain superfamily, which encompasses ligand-binding proteins present in all kingdoms of life. START domain proteins contain a central binding pocket that, depending on the protein, can couple ligand binding to catalytic, transport or signaling functions. In Arabidopsis, the best characterized START domain proteins are the 14 PYR/PYL/RCAR ABA receptors, while the other members of the superfamily do not have assigned ligands. To address this, we used affinity purification of biotinylated proteins expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana coupled to untargeted LC-MS to identify candidate binding ligands. We optimized this method using ABA–PYL interactions and show that ABA co-purifies with wild-type PYL5 but not a binding site mutant. The Kd of PYL5 for ABA is 1.1 μm, which suggests that the method has sufficient sensitivity for many ligand–protein interactions. Using this method, we surveyed a set of 37 START domain-related proteins, which resulted in the identification of ligands that co-purified with MLBP1 (At4G01883) or MLP165 (At1G35260). Metabolite identification and the use of authentic standards revealed that MLBP1 binds to monolinolenin, which we confirmed using recombinant MLBP1. Monolinolenin also co-purified with MLBP1 purified from transgenic Arabidopsis, demonstrating that the interaction occurs in a native context. Thus, deployment of this relatively simple method allowed us to define a protein–metabolite interaction and better understand protein–ligand interactions in plants

Pesticides and pharmaceuticals data collected during two consecutive years in a Mediterranean micro-estuary

The Alexander micro-estuary, located at the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, is a typical example of small water bodies that suffer from a combination of urban and agricultural pollution, and overuse of its natural water sources. It is∼6.5 km long, with maximum depth of 3 m and maximum width of 45 m. To evaluate the anthropogenic stress on the system and its ability to mitigate pollution, water samples were collected within the framework of Ruppin's Estuarine and Coastal Observatory (RECO, see Suari, Y. et al. 2019). Water samples were collected from the estuary head, which drains about 510 km2, and at a point 300 m upstream from the estuary mouth before water flows into the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 236 stormwater and 44 base-flow water samples between December 2016 and December 2018. Stormwater samples were collected every 0.25 – 4 h along the entire course of the flow events using an automated samplers (Sigma 900, Hach Company, Loveland CO, USA; and ISCO 3700 Full-Size Portable Sampler, Teledyne, Lincoln, NE, USA). Base-flow samples were taken once a month using a horizontal grab sampler (5 L, model 110B, OceanTest Equipment, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA). All samples were filtered using 90mmGF/F filters (nominal pore size of 0.7 μm, MGF, Sartorius, Göttingen, Germany) and immediately frozen (−20 °C) before chemical analysis. Chemical analysis was performed using liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) analysis using a QExactive Plus hybrid FT mass spectrometer coupled with a Dionex Ultimate 3000 RS UPLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The targeted analysis, which included 15 fungicides, 25 herbicides, 18 Insecticides, and 19 pharmaceuticals, concluded with a total of 21,142 entries. The dataset contains the sampling locations, sampling dates, flood section duration, discharge rate, and the total water volume discharged during the relevant period. The provided data offers an opportunity to explore the sources, transport, and impact of a large mixture of organic pollutants in a confined aquatic system located in an urbanized coastal environment