A comparison of collection techniques for gene expression analysis of human oral taste tissue

Variability in human taste perception is associated with both genetic and environmental factors. The influence of taste receptor expression on this variability is unknown, in part, due to the difficulty in obtaining human oral tissue that enables quantitative expression measures of taste genes. In a comparison of six current techniques (Oragene RNeasy Kit, Isohelix swab, Livibrush cytobrush, tongue saliva, cheek saliva collection, and fungiform papillae biopsy), we identify the fungiform papillae biopsy is the optimal sampling technique to analyse human taste gene expression. The fungiform papillae biopsy resulted in the highest RNA integrity, enabling amplification of all the assessed taste receptor genes (TAS1R1, TAS1R2, TAS1R3, SCNN1A and CD36) and taste tissue marker genes (NCAM1, GNAT3 and PLCβ2). Furthermore, quantitative expression was observed in a subset of taste genes assessed from the saliva collection techniques (cheek saliva, tongue saliva and Oragene RNA kit). These saliva collection techniques may be useful as a non-invasive alternative sampling technique to the fungiform papillae biopsy. Identification of the fungiform papillae biopsy as the optimal collection method will facilitate further research into understanding the effect of gene expression on variability in human taste perception

Toward developing an applied framework to help foster success in generational transition of family businesses

Family business is a critical component of most economies worldwide as a majority of businesses are either owned or managed by family members. The transfer of ownership across generations that will occur over the next 10 years is critical to the survival of hundreds of thousands of businesses and tens of millions of jobs around the world. This article reviews relevant literature and postulates a framework for future study based on a qualitative research method using analysis, observation, and interviews. Key findings of the framework are: (1) the family business must be strong and viable, (2) family dynamics must be free from internal drama, and (3) a retirement plan to proactively manage the exit process must be in place. This framework can be used to manage the actions of both incumbent and successors within the generational shift as well as by the professionals who seek to provide services for the transfer of leadership. This article also explores gaps and identifies new streams in the current research that will help guide the exploration of this topic for future researchers. Keywords: family business; generational ownership changes; transition Les entreprises familiales sont une composante essentielle de la plupart des économies du monde, car la majorité des entreprises sont détenues ou gérées par des membres de leur famille. Le transfert de propriété entre générations au cours des dix prochaines années est essentiel à la survie de centaines de milliers d\u27entreprises et de dizaines de millions d\u27emplois dans le monde. Cet article examine la littérature pertinente et postule un cadre pour des études futures basées sur une méthode de recherche qualitative utilisant l\u27analyse, l\u27observation et les entretiens. Les principales conclusions du cadre sont les suivantes: 1) l\u27entreprise familiale doit être solide et viable; 2) la dynamique familiale doit être exempte de drames internes; 3) un plan de retraite visant à gérer de manière proactive le processus de sortie doit être en place. Ce cadre peut être utilisé pour gérer les actions du titulaire et des successeurs dans le cadre du changement générationnel ainsi que par les professionnels qui cherchent à fournir des services pour le transfert du leadership. Cet article explore également les lacunes et identifie les nouveaux flux dans la recherche actuelle qui aideront à guider l\u27exploration de ce sujet pour les futurs chercheurs. Mots-clés: entreprise familiale; transition; changements de propriété générationnelle

Atomic displacement cross sections in copper for anisotropic threshold energy

Earlier theoretical investigations on models of $\alpha$-iron [3] and copper [7] give a highly anisotropic displacement threshold energy, especially near the main crystal axes. In this paper total cross sections for atomic displacements by low energy electrons (E -direction in copper assuming the residual resistivity increase to be 2.5 $\mu\Omega$ cm/at.% Frenkel pairs. The threshold energy minimum obtained by this method should be important as regards the production of correlated replacement collisions

Comparison of RNA quantity, purity and quality from the different collection techniques.

<p>Comparison of RNA quantity, purity and quality from the different collection techniques.</p

Taste genes analysed by quantitative real-time PCR (Taqman assay).

<p>Taste genes analysed by quantitative real-time PCR (Taqman assay).</p

Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of taste markers and receptors using the different collection techniques^a.

<p>Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of taste markers and receptors using the different collection techniques<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0152157#t003fn001" target="_blank">^a</a>.</p

Representative Lightcycler 480 amplification profiles of taste genes using the different collection techniques.

<p>Pap—Papillae biopsy (red), Che—Cheek saliva (Green), Ton—Tongue saliva (orange), Ora—Oragene kit (blue), Iso—Isohelix brush (black), Cyto—Livibrush cytobrush (purple), NTC—no template control (grey).</p