The Formation of the Bicoid Morphogen Gradient Requires Protein Movement from Anteriorly Localized mRNA

New quantitative data show that the Bicoid morphogen gradient is generated from a dynamic localized source and that protein gradient formation requires protein movement along the anterior-posterior axis

Linking early-life NMDAR hypofunction and oxidative stress in schizophrenia pathogenesis.

Molecular, genetic and pathological evidence suggests that deficits in GABAergic parvalbumin-positive interneurons contribute to schizophrenia pathophysiology through alterations in the brain's excitation-inhibition balance that result in impaired behaviour and cognition. Although the factors that trigger these deficits are diverse, there is increasing evidence that they converge on a common pathological hub that involves NMDA receptor hypofunction and oxidative stress. These factors have been separately linked to schizophrenia pathogenesis, but evidence now suggests that they are mechanistically interdependent and contribute to a common schizophrenia-associated pathology

Os acromiale: evaluation of markers for identification on sagittal and coronal oblique MR images

 An os acromiale is a developmental abnormality of ossification involving the anterior acromion which may contribute to impingement and rotator cuff disease. When axial MR sections do not include the acromioclavicular joint, the diagnosis of this often subtle abnormality will rest on its recognition on oblique coronal and sagittal images where it mimics the acromioclavicular joint. The identification of this anomaly is important as it frequently alters the type of surgical procedure utilized in symptomatic patients. We evaluate several imaging features which may be used to diagnose an os acromiale in these cases.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42069/1/256-26-1-31_70260031.pd

Fine mapping of quantitative trait loci and assessment of positional candidate genes for backfat on bovine chromosome 14 in a commercial line of Bos taurus

Backfat thickness is one of the major quantitative traits that affect carcass quality in beef cattle. In this study, we have fine mapped a QTL for backfat EBV on bovine chromosome 14, using an identical-by-descent haplotype-sharing analysis, in a commercial line of Bos taurus. We also examined the association between gene-specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers of the genes diacylgcerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and thyroglobulin (TG) and the backfat EBV. The results indicate that the QTL region for backfat identified on chromosome 14 is in agreement with previous studies. However, neither of the two polymorphisms of candidate genes tested, DGAT1 nor TG, showed a significant (P > 0.10) association with the backfat EBV in the cattle populations examined. However, a strong association (P = 0.0058) was detected between a microsatellite marker (CSSM66) lying approximately mid-way between the two candidate genes and the backfat EBV. These results suggest that other SNP of DGAT1, TG, or other gene(s) in the chromosomal region should be examined to test whether they have a significant effect on lipid metabolism

Identification and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for growth traits on bovine chromosomes 2, 6, 14, 19, 21, and 23 within one commercial line of Bos taurus

We report the identification and fine mapping of QTL for birth weight (BWT), preweaning ADG (PWADG), and postweaning ADG on feed (ADGF) in a commercial line of Bos taurus using an identical-by-descent haplotype sharing method. One hundred seventy-six calves of 12 bulls (9 to 30 male calves from each sire) of the Beefbooster, Inc., M1 line were typed using 71 genetic markers from bovine chromosomes (BTA) 2, 6, 14, 19, 21, and 23 (8 to 16 markers from each chromosome). Sixteen haplotypes were found to have significant (P < 0.05) associations with BWT at the comparison-wise threshold. The 16 haplotypes span 13 chromosomal regions, two on BTA 2 (9.1 to 22.5 cM and 95.0 to 100.3 cM), three on BTA 6 (8.2 to 11.8 cM, 35.5 to 49.7 cM, and 83.0 to 86.2 cM), three on BTA 14 (26.0 to 26.7 cM, 36.2 to 46.2 cM, and 52.0 to 67.7 cM), one on BTA 19 (52.0 to 52.7 cM), two on BTA 21 (9.9 to 20.4 cM and 28.2 to 46.1 cM), and two on BTA 23 (23.9 to 36.0 cM and 45.1 to 50.9 cM). Thirteen haplotypes spanning seven chromosomal regions significantly affected (P < 0.05) PWADG at the comparison-wise threshold. The seven chromosomal regions include two regions on BTA 6 (11.8 to 44.2 cM and 83.0 to 86.2 cM), one on BTA 14 (26.7 to 50.8 cM), one on BTA 19 (4.8 to 15.9 cM), one on BTA 21 (9.9 to 20.4 cM), and two on BTA 23 (17.3 to 36.0 cM and 45.1 to 50.9 cM). For ADGF, 11 haplotypes were identified to have significant associations (P < 0.05) at the comparison-wise threshold. The 11 haplotypes represented eight chromosomal regions, one on BTA 2 (9.1 to 22.5 cM), two on BTA 6 (49.7 to 50.1 cM and 59.6 to 63.6 cM), two on BTA 14 (17.0 to 24.0 cM and 36.2 to 46.2 cM), two on BTA 19 (52.0 to 52.7 cM and 65.1 to 65.7 cM), and one on BTA 21 (46.1 to 53.1 cM). The QTL regions identified and fine mapped in this study will provide a reference for future positional candidate gene research and marker-assisted selection of various growth traits