Non-targeted metabolic profiling of BW312 Hordeum vulgare semi dwarf mutant using UHPLC coupled to QTOF high resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is the fourth crop cultivated in the world for human consumption and animal feed, making it important to breed healthy and productive plants. Among the threats for barley are lodging, diseases, and pathogens. To avoid lodging, dwarf and semi-dwarf mutants have been selected through breeding processes. Most of these mutants are affected on hormonal biosynthesis or signalling. Here, we present the metabolic characterization of a brassinosteroid insensitive semi-dwarf mutant, BW312. The hormone profile was determined through a targeted metabolomics analysis by UHPLC-triple quadrupole-MS/MS, showing an induction of gibberellic acid and jasmonic acid in the semi-dwarf mutant. A non-targeted metabolomics analysis by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS revealed a differential metabolic profile, with 16 and 9 metabolites showing higher intensities in the mutant and wild-type plants respectively. Among these metabolites, azelaic acid was identified. Gibberellic acid, jasmonic acid, and azelaic acid are involved in pathogen resistance, showing that this semi-dwarf line has an enhanced basal pathogen resistance in absence of pathogens, and therefore is of interest in breeding programs to fight against lodging, but also probably to increase pathogen resistance

Dynamics of Territorial Occupation by North American Beavers in Canadian Boreal Forests: A Novel Dendroecological Approach

Research Highlights: Our study highlights a new, simple, and effective method for studying the habitat use by beavers in Canadian boreal forests. Information regarding the presence of beaver colonies and their habitat occupation is essential for proper forest management and damage prevention in the boreal forest. Background and Objectives: The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is a major element of natural disturbance, altering the dynamics and structure of boreal forest landscapes. Beaver-related activities also affect human infrastructure, cause floods, and lead to important monetary losses for forestry industries. Our study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal patterns of beaver occupation of lodges over time. Materials and Methods: Using a dendroecological approach to date browsing activity, we studied the occupation of two lodges per water body for eight water bodies located in the boreal forest of Quebec, Canada. Results: Three sites showed alternating patterns of lodge use (occupation) over time, three sites (37.5%) demonstrated no alternating patterns of use, and two sites (25%) presented unclear patterns of lodge use. Conclusions: Alternating patterns of lodge use can be linked to food depletion and the need to regenerate vegetation around lodges, while non-alternating patterns may be related to fluctuations in water levels, the specific shrub and tree species surrounding the lodges, the size of the beaver territory, and the number of lodges present on a water body

A semi-automated FISH-based micronucleus-centromere assay for biomonitoring of hospital workers exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation

The aim of the present study was to perform cytogenetic analysis by means of a semi-automated micronucleus-centromere assay in lymphocytes from medical radiation workers. Two groups of workers receiving the highest occupational doses were selected: 10 nuclear medicine technicians and 10 interventional radiologists/cardiologists. Centromere-negative micronucleus (MNCM-) data, obtained from these two groups of medical radiation workers were compared with those obtained in matched controls. The blood samples of the matched controls were additionally used to construct a 'low-dose' (0-100 mGy) MNCM-dose-response curve to evaluate the sensitivity and suitability of the micronucleus-centromere assay as an 'effect' biomarker in medical surveillance programs. The physical dosimetry data of the 3 years preceding the blood sampling, based on single or double dosimetry practices, were collected for the interpretation of the micronucleus data. The in vitro radiation results showed that for small sized groups, semi-automated scoring of MNCM-enables the detection of a dose of 50 mGy. The comparison of MNCM-yields in medical radiation workers and control individuals showed enhanced MNCM-scores in the medical radiation workers group (P=0.15). The highest MNCM-scores were obtained in the interventional radiologists/cardiologists group, and these scores were significantly higher compared with those obtained from the matched control group (P=0.05). The higher MNCM-scores observed in interventional radiologists/cardiologists compared with nuclear medicine technicians were not in agreement with the personal dosimetry records in both groups, which may point to the limitation of 'double dosimetry' procedures used in interventional radiology/cardiology. In conclusion, the data obtained in the present study supports the importance of cytogenetic analysis, in addition to physical dosimetry, as a routine biomonitoring method in medical radiation workers receiving the highest occupational radiation burdens

Paleomagnetic and geochemical record from cores from the Sea of Marmara, Turkey: Age constraints and implications of sapropelic deposition on early diagenesis

We present results of a multi-proxy analysis of two sediment cores from the Marmara Sea. The cores were ana- lyzed using paleomagnetic and geochemical measurements. Two sapropels are documented in the last 11 kyr and are recorded in several locations across the Marmara Sea. These two sapropels have contrasting magnetic prop- erties. The magnetic record is affected by intense early diagenesis; the most recent upper sapropelic layer has low remanence and susceptibility values. A record of paleomagnetic inclinations could still be isolated above the dia- genesis front and is compared with secular variation models. The lower sapropel is identified in the deep part of the oldest studied core (Klg07) and has distinct magnetic properties characterized by high remanence and sus- ceptibility values. Using the magnetic properties it is possible to constrain bottom water ventilation and recon- nection episodes between the Marmara Sea and the Black Sea following the sea level rise during the last glacial to inter-glacial transition.Seismic History of Istanbu

Current knowledge and interest of French Canadians regarding nutrigenetics

Objective: The purpose of this study was to draw a global portrait of the current knowledge and interest regarding nutrigenetics in a population of French Canadians from the province of Quebec (Canada). Methods: A total of 2238 residents from the province of Quebec, Canada, were recruited via social networks and from the Laval University employees/students lists to participate to a 37-question online survey on nutrigenetics. Results: Most participants were not familiar with the term “nutrigenetics” (82.7%). Participants with good genetic literacy (26.8%) were less interested in nutrigenetic testing (p<0.0001). The vast majority of participants (90.7%) reported to be willing to follow a personalized diet based on nutrigenetic testing, especially if they came to know themselves as carriers of a polymorphism increasing the risk of certain diseases. Participants had higher interest in testing related to metabolic response to macronutrients (types of sugars, fats and proteins) than to micronutrients or other nutrients related to food intolerance. Conclusions: The attitude of French Canadians about nutrigenetics are very consistent with results from other survey published in the literature. Although few individuals are familiar with nutrigenetics, public’s attitude towards nutrigenetics is globally favourable

Nutrigenetic testing for personalized nutrition : an evaluation of public perceptions, attitudes, and concerns in a population of French Canadians

Background/aims: This study aimed to evaluate attitudes, perceptions and concerns about nutrigenetic testing for personalized nutrition in the general population of the province of Quebec, in Canada. Methods: A total of 1425 individuals from the province of Quebec fully completed a 37 question online survey on nutrigenetics and were included in analyses. Chi-square tests were used to test for associations between categorical variables. Results: The majority of participants (93.3%) considered dietitians as the best professionals to give personalized dietary advice based on nutrigenetic testing. The main reported advantage for nutrigenetic testing was “health” (23.5%), followed by “disease prevention” (22.2%). Among disadvantages, “no disadvantage” (24.4%), followed by “diet restriction” (12.9%) were mostly reported. The two major concerns raised were the accessibility to genetic testing by telemarketing companies and spammers (51.8%), and solicitation by companies using the personal genetic data to sell products (48.6%). Conclusions: French Canadians generally have a positive attitude towards nutrigenetics and find many benefits to its use. They rose up possible confidentiality issues associated with the management or property of genetic test results. However education about confidentiality issues is still considerably needed. These findings overall suggest that the population is interested by a more extensive use of nutrigenetics in health management