Identification of microRNA precursors in Bruguiera spp.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are approximately 22 nt single stranded functional RNAs derived from long stem-loop precursors transcribed by RNA polymerase II. They regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional gene silencing and are important for the regulation of growth, development and stress responses in plants. Mature nucleotide sequences of many miRNA families are highly conserved across the plant kingdom and can be used to identify and annotate homologs and potential miRNA targets. In this study, mature miRNA sequences retrieved from the miRNA registry (miRBase) were used to identify precursor sequences of miRNA orthologs and their potential targets among Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) of the mangrove species Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume, B. gymnorhiza (L.) Lam. and B. sexangula (Lour.) Poir. Candidate miRNA precursors, which potentially belong to the miR156/7, miR396 and miR529 families, had high sequence identity between Bruguiera cylindrica and Bruguiera gymnorhiza, and expression of RNA was confirmed in both species. A number of candidate targets for miR396 and miR529 were also identified among EST from B. gymnorhiza

High frequency plant regeneration from mature seed of elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) CV. MR 219

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was established for elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice, Oryza sativa L. CV. MR 219 using mature seeds as explant on Murashige and Skoog and Chu N6 media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and kinetin either alone or in different combinations. L-proline, casein hydrolysate and L-glutamine were added to callus induction media for enhancement of embryogenic callus induction. The highest frequency of friable callus induction (84%) was observed in N6 medium containing 2.5 mg l -1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 0.2 mg l -1 kinetin, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate, 20 mg l -1 L-glutamine and 30 g l -1 sucrose under culture in continuous lighting conditions. The maximum regeneration frequency (71%) was observed, when 30-day-old N6 friable calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l -1 6-benzyl aminopurine, 1 mg l -1 naphthalene acetic acid, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate and 3% maltose. Developed shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and were successfully transplanted to soil with 95% survival. This protocol may be used for other recalcitrant indica rice genotypes and to transfer desirable genes in to Malaysian indica rice cultivar MR219 for crop improvement

High frequency plant regeneration from mature seed of elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) CV. MR 219

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system was established for elite, recalcitrant Malaysian indica rice, Oryza sativa L. CV. MR 219 using mature seeds as explant on Murashige and Skoog and Chu N6 media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and kinetin either alone or in different combinations. L-proline, casein hydrolysate and L-glutamine were added to callus induction media for enhancement of embryogenic callus induction. The highest frequency of friable callus induction (84%) was observed in N6 medium containing 2.5 mg l -1 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 0.2 mg l -1 kinetin, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate, 20 mg l -1 L-glutamine and 30 g l -1 sucrose under culture in continuous lighting conditions. The maximum regeneration frequency (71%) was observed, when 30-day-old N6 friable calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg l -1 6-benzyl aminopurine, 1 mg l -1 naphthalene acetic acid, 2.5 mg l -1 L-proline, 300 mg l -1 casein hydrolysate and 3% maltose. Developed shoots were rooted in half strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose and were successfully transplanted to soil with 95% survival. This protocol may be used for other recalcitrant indica rice genotypes and to transfer desirable genes in to Malaysian indica rice cultivar MR219 for crop improvement

Sequence analysis and characterization of vacuolar-type H+-ATPase proteolipid transcript from Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl

The vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multimeric enzyme with diverse functions in plants such as nutrient transport, flowering, stress tolerance, guard cell movement and development. A partial sequence of V-ATPase proteolipid was identified among the expressed sequence tags (ESTs) generated from Acanthus ebracteatus, and selected for full-length sequencing. The 876-nucleotide cDNA consists of an open reading frame of 165 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence displays high similarity (81%) with its homologs from Arabidopsis thaliana, Avecinnia marina and Gossypium hirsutum with the four transmembrane domains characteristics of the 16 kDa proteolipid subunit c of V-ATPase well conserved in this protein. Southern analysis revealed the existence of several members of proteolipid subunit c of V-ATPase in A. ebracteatus. The mRNA of this gene was detected in leaf, floral, stem and root tissues, however, the expression level was lower in stem and root tissues

Isolation of salinity tolerant genes from the mangrove plant, Bruguiera cylindrica by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and bacterial functional screening

In this study, we have identified and isolated 126 salinity tolerant cDNAs from the root of a mangrove plant, Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and bacterial functional screening. Sequencing of 51 subtracted cDNA clones that were differentially expressed in the root of B. cylindrica exposed to 20 parts per thousand (ppt) NaCl water revealed 10 tentative unique genes (TUGs) with putative functions in protein synthesis, storage and destination, metabolism, intracellular trafficking and other functions; and 9 unknown proteins. Meanwhile, the 75 cDNA sequences of B. cylindrica that conferred salinity tolerance to Escherichia coli consisted of 29 TUGs with putative functions in transportation, metabolism and other functions; and 33 with unknown functions. Both approaches yielded 42 unique sequencess that have not been reported else where to be stress related and might provide further understanding of adaptations of this plant to salinity stress

Sequence and transcript analyses of antioxidant genes from Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl.

In this study, we report the sequence, Southern analyses and spatial distribution of four cDNA sequences related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging systems from a mangrove plant, Acanthus ebracteatus. These four complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences encode cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (AeAPX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (AeMDHR), glutathione-S-transferase (AeGST), and mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (AeMnSOD), respectively. Experimental results indicated that AeAPX and AeGST belong to multigene families, whereas AeMDHAR and AeMnSOD exhibited substantial differences from other members of the same families. Transcript analyses indicated that all these genes were expressed in flowers. However, only AeAPX, AeMDHAR, and AeMnSOD were expressed in all tissues examined. Although both AeMDHAR and AeMnSOD were highly expressed in flowers, the highest expression of AeMnSOD was in the leaf tissue. The expression of AeMDHAR and AeMnSOD in stem was slightly higher than in the root. AeAPX was expressed at low levels in root and stem tissues and its expression in leaf was slightly higher than in the flower. On the other hand, the transcripts of AeGST were not detected in root and leaf. Its expression was almost equal in stem and flower. The information on spatial distribution and predicted subcellular locations of these antioxidant proteins are important for comprehensive analysis and characterization of ROS scavenging and signaling mechanisms in various plant compartments and tissues

UNBOUND

Featured here, are the extraordinary works of our graduating Fashion Design class. This accomplishment is truly a celebration of the tree years of passion, hard work, and dedication of our students. It\u27s our hope that the fashion industry will partake in the creative endeavors of the emerging designers from the Fashion Design program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario.https://first.fanshawec.ca/famd_design_fashiondesign_unbound/1002/thumbnail.jp

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Drug-perturbation-based stratification of blood cancer

As new generations of targeted therapies emerge and tumor genome sequencing discovers increasingly comprehensive mutation repertoires, the functional relationships of mutations to tumor phenotypes remain largely unknown. Here, we measured ex vivo sensitivity of 246 blood cancers to 63 drugs alongside genome, transcriptome, and DNA methylome analysis to understand determinants of drug response. We assembled a primary blood cancer cell encyclopedia data set that revealed disease-specific sensitivities for each cancer. Within chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), responses to 62% of drugs were associated with 2 or more mutations, and linked the B cell receptor (BCR) pathway to trisomy 12, an important driver of CLL. Based on drug responses, the disease could be organized into phenotypic subgroups characterized by exploitable dependencies on BCR, mTOR, or MEK signaling and associated with mutations, gene expression, and DNA methylation. Fourteen percent of CLLs were driven by mTOR signaling in a non-BCR-dependent manner. Multivariate modeling revealed immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV) mutation status and trisomy 12 as the most important modulators of response to kinase inhibitors in CLL. Ex vivo drug responses were associated with outcome. This study overcomes the perception that most mutations do not influence drug response of cancer, and points to an updated approach to understanding tumor biology, with implications for biomarker discovery and cancer care.Peer reviewe