Genome Symbols in the Triticeae (Poaceae)

A system for the application of nuclear genome symbols in the tribe Triticeae is proposed. It is based mainly on prevailing symbols. In agreement with this, the system uses individual upper case letters as symbols in the first place. Since the number of basic nuclear genomes in the Triticeae exceeds the number of single letters in the Roman alphabet, some basic genomes are designated with an upper case letter followed by a lower case letter, e.g. Ns for the genome of Psathyrostachys. Superscripts in small letters are used when modified versions of a basic genome are referred to, e.g. HP for the genome found in Hordeum pusillum. Unknown or equivocally identified genomes are designated by X followed by a lower case letter, e.g. Xu for Hordeum murinum. Underline of the relevant genome symbol can be used to indicate the origin of the cytoplasm

Variation in the distribution and properties of Circumpolar Deep Water in the eastern Amundsen Sea, on seasonal timescales, using seal‐borne tags

In the Amundsen Sea, warm saline Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) crosses the continental shelf toward the vulnerable West Antarctic ice shelves, contributing to their basal melting. Due to lack of observations, little is known about the spatial and temporal variability of CDW, particularly seasonally. A new dataset of 6704 seal‐tag temperature and salinity profiles in the easternmost trough between February and December 2014 reveals a CDW layer on average 49 db thicker in late winter (August to October) than in late summer (February to April), the reverse seasonality of that seen at moorings in the western trough. This layer contains more heat in winter, but on the 27.76 kg/m3 density surface CDW is 0.32° C warmer in summer than winter, across the northeastern Amundsen sea, which may indicate wintertime shoaling offshelf changes CDW properties onshelf. In Pine Island Bay these seasonal changes on density surfaces are reduced, likely by gyre circulation

Wheat-barley hybridization – the last forty years

Abstract Several useful alien gene transfers have been reported from related species into wheat (Triticum aestivum), but very few publications have dealt with the development of wheat/barley (Hordeum vulgare) introgression lines. An overview is given here of wheat 9 barley hybridization over the last forty years, including the development of wheat 9 barley hybrids, and of addition and translocation lines with various barley cultivars. A short summary is also given of the wheat 9 barley hybrids produced with other Hordeum species. The meiotic pairing behaviour of wheat 9 barley hybrids is presented, with special regard to the detection of wheat– barley homoeologous pairing using the molecular cytogenetic technique GISH. The effect of in vitro multiplication on the genome composition of intergeneric hybrids is discussed, and the production and characterization of the latest wheat/barley translocation lines are presented. An overview of the agronomical traits (b-glucan content, earliness, salt tolerance, sprouting resistance, etc.) of the newly developed introgression lines is given. The exploitation and possible use of wheat/barley introgression lines for the most up-to-date molecular genetic studies (transcriptome analysis, sequencing of flow-sorted chromosomes) are also discussed

Markers of antioxidant defense in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aims. Diabetes is considered a state of increased oxidative stress. This study evaluates blood concentrations of selected markers of antioxidant defense in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. The study included 80 type 2 diabetes patients and 79 apparently healthy controls. Measured markers included ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and uric acid serum, and plasma and/or hemolysate levels. Results. FRAP, uric acid, CRP, and GGT levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetes. Plasma and hemolysate GR was significantly higher whereas GPx activity was significantly lower in patients with diabetes. There were no significant differences in antioxidant defense markers between patients with and without chronic diabetes complications. Fasting serum glucose correlated with plasma GPx, plasma and hemolysate GR, FRAP, and serum GGT, and HbA1c correlated with serum GGT. Only FRAP and serum uric acid were significantly higher in obese (BMI>30 kg/m2) patients with diabetes than in nonobese patients. Conclusions. Some components of antioxidant defense such as GR, uric acid, and GGT are increased in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the whole system cannot compensate for an enhanced production of ROS as reflected by the trend toward decreased erythrocytes GSH

Trebinje - Orguljaški koncert Željke Spinčić

Female southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, assemble in large groups and each gives birth to a single pup which is nursed for some 3 weeks. Weaning mass is highly variable; some pups are three times as heavy as others at weaning. After weaning, the pup fasts for several weeks before departing to sea. The function of this fast is unknown. We examined the relationships between maternal mass, pup weaning mass, and pup behaviour during the postweaning fast in 377 pups and 128 adult females over four breeding seasons at South Georgia. Pup weaning mass was positively related to maternal postpartum mass, which accounted for 55% of the variation in weaning mass. Over all 4 years male pups were significantly heavier at weaning than female pups (130 vs. 123 kg) but this difference disappeared after maternal mass was controlled for. After fasting for 21–66 days, weaned pups went to sea at an average of 68% of weaning mass. Heavier pups remained on the beach longer after weaning than lighter pups. There was no evidence that pups synchronized their departure to sea. Only male pups were observed to take part in mock fights. With increasing age, weaned pups spent more time in the water. Mortality during the postweaning fast was negligible (0.1 %). The timing of departure of weaned pups may involve a trade-off between an early departure with greater fat (energy) stores but poorer foraging ability and a late departure with increased swimming, diving, and social skills but reduced fat stores

RAN Translation at \u3cem\u3eC9orf72\u3c/em\u3e-Associated Repeat Expansions is Selectively Enhanced by the Integrated Stress Response

Repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation allows for unconventional initiation at disease-causing repeat expansions. As RAN translation contributes to pathogenesis in multiple neurodegenerative disorders, determining its mechanistic underpinnings may inform therapeutic development. Here we analyze RAN translation at G4C2 repeat expansions that cause C9orf72-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9RAN) and at CGG repeats that cause fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. We find that C9RAN translation initiates through a cap- and eIF4A-dependent mechanism that utilizes a CUG start codon. C9RAN and CGG RAN are both selectively enhanced by integrated stress response (ISR) activation. ISR-enhanced RAN translation requires an eIF2α phosphorylation-dependent alteration in start codon fidelity. In parallel, both CGG and G4C2 repeats trigger phosphorylated-eIF2α-dependent stress granule formation and global translational suppression. These findings support a model whereby repeat expansions elicit cellular stress conditions that favor RAN translation of toxic proteins, creating a potential feed-forward loop that contributes to neurodegeneration

Evolution of Precision Medicine and Surgical Strategies for Bicuspid Aortic Valve-Associated Aortopathy

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital cardiac malformation affecting 1–2% of people. BAV results from fusion of two adjacent aortic valve cusps, and is associated with dilatation of the aorta, known as bicuspid valve associated aortopathy. Bicuspid valve aortopathy is progressive and associated with catastrophic clinical events, such as aortic dissection and rupture. Therefore, frequent monitoring and early intervention with prophylactic surgical resection of the proximal aorta is often recommended. However, the specific pattern of aortopathy is highly variable among patients, with different segments of the ascending aorta being affected. Individual patient risks are sometimes difficult to predict. Resection strategies are informed by current surgical guidelines which are primarily based on aortic size and growth criteria. These criteria may not optimally reflect the risk of important aortic events. To address these issues in the care of patients with bicuspid valve aortopathy, our translational research group has focused on validating use of novel imaging techniques to establish non-invasive hemodynamic biomarkers for risk-stratifying BAV patients. In this article, we review recent efforts, successes, and ongoing challenges in the development of more precise and individualized surgical approaches for patients with bicuspid aortic valves and associated aortic disease

DDX3X and specific initiation factors modulate FMR1 repeat‐associated non‐AUG‐initiated translation

A CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the 5′ UTR of FMR1 causes the neurodegenerative disorder Fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). This repeat supports a non‐canonical mode of protein synthesis known as repeat‐associated, non‐AUG (RAN) translation. The mechanism underlying RAN translation at CGG repeats remains unclear. To identify modifiers of RAN translation and potential therapeutic targets, we performed a candidate‐based screen of eukaryotic initiation factors and RNA helicases in cell‐based assays and a Drosophila melanogaster model of FXTAS. We identified multiple modifiers of toxicity and RAN translation from an expanded CGG repeat in the context of the FMR1 5′UTR. These include the DEAD‐box RNA helicase belle/DDX3X, the helicase accessory factors EIF4B/4H, and the start codon selectivity factors EIF1 and EIF5. Disrupting belle/DDX3X selectively inhibited FMR1 RAN translation in Drosophila in vivo and cultured human cells, and mitigated repeat‐induced toxicity in Drosophila and primary rodent neurons. These findings implicate RNA secondary structure and start codon fidelity as critical elements mediating FMR1 RAN translation and identify potential targets for treating repeat‐associated neurodegeneration.SynopsisFragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome is caused by CGG repeat‐associated non‐AUG (RAN) translation that initiates within the 5′UTR of FMR1. A candidate‐based screen identified several initiation factors—DDX3X/Belle, eIF4B, eIF4H, eIF1, and eIF5—critical for FMR1 RAN translation.Knockdown of the RNA helicase DDX3X selectively suppresses FMR1 RAN translation in Drosophila melanogaster, cultured HeLa cells, and in vitro translation assays.DDX3X knockdown reduces CGG repeat‐associated toxicity in Drosophila and mammalian neurons.Eukaryotic initiation factors that modulate RNA‐RNA secondary structure (DDX3X, EIF4B, EIF4H) or start codon fidelity (EIF1, EIF5) impact FMR1 RAN translation.FXTAS is caused by CGG repeat‐associated non‐AUG (RAN) translation that initiates within the 5′UTR of FMR1. A candidate‐based screen identified several initiation factors—DDX3X/Belle, eIF4B, eIF4H, eIF1, and eIF5—critical for FMR1 RAN translation.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151325/1/embr201847498.reviewer_comments.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151325/2/embr201847498-sup-0001-Appendix.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151325/3/embr201847498_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151325/4/embr201847498.pd