Gene-based mapping of trehalose biosynthetic pathway genes reveals association with source- and sink-related yield traits in a spring wheat panel

Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) signalling regulates carbon use and allocation and is a target to improve crop yields. However, the specific contributions of trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose phosphate phosphatase (TPP) genes to source- and sink-related traits remain largely unknown. We used enrichment-capture sequencing on TPS and TPP genes to estimate and partition the genetic variation of yield-related traits in a spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding panel specifically built to capture the diversity across the 75,000 CIMMYT wheat cultivar collection. Twelve phenotypes were correlated to variation in TPS and TPP genes including plant height and biomass (source), spikelets per spike, spike growth, and grain filling traits (sink) which showed indications of both positive and negative gene selection. Individual genes explained proportions of heritability for biomass and grain-related traits. Three TPS1 homeologues were particularly significant for trait variation. Epistatic interactions were found within and between the TPS and TPP gene families for both plant height and grain-related traits. Gene-based prediction improved predictive ability for grain weight when gene effects were combined with the whole-genome markers. Our study has generated a wealth of information on natural variation of TPS and TPP genes related to yield potential which confirms the role for T6P in resource allocation and in affecting traits such as grain number and size confirming other studies which now opens up the possibility of harnessing natural genetic variation more widely to better understand the contribution of native genes to yield traits for incorporation into breeding programmes

Mature and Immature Teratoma: A Report From the Second Italian Pediatric Study

Background. Teratomas demonstrate a benign clinical behavior, however they may recur with malignant components or as teratoma, and in a small group of patients prognosis could be fatal. After the ®rst Italian study, we collected cases of teratoma, alongside the protocol for malignant germ cell tumors. Procedure. Patients with teratoma were collected from 2004 to 2014. Teratomas were classi®ed according to the WHO classi®cations, as mature and immature. Patients with pathological aFP and/or bHCG, and those with a malignant germ cell component were not included. Results. The study enrolled 219 patients (150 mature, 69 immature teratomas) with a median age at diagnosis of 42 months. The primary sites involved were: 118 gonadal and 101 extragonadal teratomas. Two females with ovarian teratoma had a positive family history. Complete and incomplete surgeries were performed in 85% and 9% of cases. Seventeen events occurred: six females had a second metachronous tumor (5 contralateral ovarian teratoma, 1 adrenal neuroblastoma) and 11 teratomas relapsed/progressed (3 mature, 8 immature teratomas). Two patients died, one of progressive immature teratoma and one of surgical complications. At a median follow up of 68 months, the event-free, relapse-free, and overall survival rates were 90.6%, 94.3%, 98.6%, respectively. Conclusions. Teratomas show a good prognosis, especially the mature ones: surgery and follow-up remain the standard approach. Incomplete surgery in immature teratoma is the group at greatest risk of relapse. Bilateral ovarian tumors are a possibility, and the rare family predisposition to ovarian mature teratoma warrants further analyses

Mature and immature teratoma: A report from the second Italian pediatric study

none16noBACKGROUND: Teratomas demonstrate a benign clinical behavior, however they may recur with malignant components or as teratoma, and in a small group of patients prognosis could be fatal. After the first Italian study, we collected cases of teratoma, alongside the protocol for malignant germ cell tumors. PROCEDURE: Patients with teratoma were collected from 2004 to 2014. Teratomas were classified according to the WHO classifications, as mature and immature. Patients with pathological aFP and/or bHCG, and those with a malignant germ cell component were not included. RESULTS: The study enrolled 219 patients (150 mature, 69 immature teratomas) with a median age at diagnosis of 42 months. The primary sites involved were: 118 gonadal and 101 extragonadal teratomas. Two females with ovarian teratoma had a positive family history. Complete and incomplete surgeries were performed in 85% and 9% of cases. Seventeen events occurred: six females had a second metachronous tumor (5 contralateral ovarian teratoma, 1 adrenal neuroblastoma) and 11 teratomas relapsed/progressed (3 mature, 8 immature teratomas). Two patients died, one of progressive immature teratoma and one of surgical complications. At a median follow up of 68 months, the event-free, relapse-free, and overall survival rates were 90.6%, 94.3%, 98.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Teratomas show a good prognosis, especially the mature ones: surgery and follow-up remain the standard approach. Incomplete surgery in immature teratoma is the group at greatest risk of relapse. Bilateral ovarian tumors are a possibility, and the rare family predisposition to ovarian mature teratoma warrants further analyses. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.noneTerenziani M;D'Angelo P;Inserra A;Boldrini R;Bisogno G;Babbo GL;Conte M;Dall' Igna P;De Pasquale MD;Indolfi P;Piva L;Riccipetitoni G;Siracusa F;Spreafico F;Tamaro P;Cecchetto GTerenziani, M; D'Angelo, P; Inserra, A; Bisogno, Gianni; Bisogno, G; Babbo, Gl; Conte, M; Dall' Igna, P; De Pasquale, Md; Indolfi, P; Piva, L; Riccipetitoni, G; Siracusa, F; Spreafico, F; Tamaro, P; Cecchetto, Giovann

Sense of coherence predicts post-myocardial infarction trajectory of leisure time physical activity: a prospective cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical activity confers a survival advantage after myocardial infarction (MI), yet the majority of post-MI patients are not regularly active. Since sense of coherence (SOC) has been associated with health outcomes and some health behaviours, we investigated whether it plays a role in post-MI physical activity.</p> <p>We examined the predictive role of SOC in the long-term trajectory of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) after MI using a prospective cohort design.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cohort of 643 patients aged ≤ 65 years admitted to hospital in central Israel with incident MI between February 1992 and February 1993 were followed up for 13 years. Socioeconomic, clinical and psychological factors, including SOC, were assessed at baseline, and LTPA was self-reported on 5 separate occasions during follow-up. The predictive role of SOC in long-term trajectory of LTPA was assessed using generalized estimating equations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SOC was consistently associated with engagement in LTPA throughout follow-up. Patients in the lowest SOC tertile had almost twice the odds (odds ratio,1.99; 95% confidence interval,1.52-2.60) of decreasing their engagement in LTPA as those in the highest tertile. A strong association remained after controlling for disease severity, depression, sociodemographic and clinical factors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our evidence suggests that SOC predicts LTPA trajectory post-MI. Assessment of SOC can help identify high-risk MI survivors, who may require additional help in following secondary prevention recommendations which can dramatically improve prognosis.</p

Radio emission from the X-ray pulsar Her X-1: a jet launched by a strong magnetic field neutron star?

Her X-1 is an accreting neutron star (NS) in an intermediate-mass X-ray binary. Like lowmass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), it accretes via Roche lobe overflow, but similar to many high-mass X-ray binaries containing a NS; Her X-1 has a strong magnetic field and slow spin. Here, we present the discovery of radio emission from Her X-1 with the Very Large Array. During the radio observation, the central X-ray source was partially obscured by a warped disc. We measure a radio flux density of 38.7 ± 4.8 µJy at 9 GHz but cannot constrain the spectral shape. We discuss possible origins of the radio emission, and conclude that coherent emission, a stellar wind, shocks and a propeller outflow are all unlikely explanations. A jet, as seen in LMXBs, is consistent with the observed radio properties. We consider the implications of the presence of a jet in Her X-1 on jet formation mechanisms and on the launching of jets by NSs with strong magnetic fields