Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction in Humans:Tale or Myth

Hypoxic Pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) describes the physiological adaptive process of lungs to preserves systemic oxygenation. It has clinical implications in the development of pulmonary hypertension which impacts on outcomes of patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. This review examines both acute and chronic hypoxic vasoconstriction focusing on the distinct clinical implications and highlights the role of calcium and mitochondria in acute versus the role of reactive oxygen species and Rho GTPases in chronic HPV. Furthermore it identifies gaps of knowledge and need for further research in humans to clearly define this phenomenon and the underlying mechanism

Cushioned versus noncushioned centrifugation: sperm recovery rate and integrity

It was hypothesized that optimal sperm recovery rate (RR) without damage to the sperm would be obtained after centrifugation without a cushion solution. Semen collected three times from six light breed stallions was extended to 25 × 106 sperm/mL and centrifuged at CON (noncentrifuged), 900NC (no-cushion), 900C (cushion), 1800NC, and 1800C × g for 10 minutes. Sperm concentration, motility (TM and PM), and intact plasma membranes (PLM) and acrosomes (ACR) pre- and postcentrifugation (D0) and after 24 hours (D1) of cooling were evaluated. The RR in the CON (100 ± 0.0), 900NC (93.7 ± 2.9), and 1800NC (96.7 ± 2.6) groups was significantly higher than the 900C (68.7 ± 4.6) and 1800C (79.6 ± 3.5) groups. The D0 TM and PM were not different between the CON, 900NC, 900C, and 1800C, but were lower for the 1800NC group. The D1 TM and PM of the 900NC (75.2 ± 3.8 and 71.1 ± 4.1) and 900C (76.2 ± 3.7 and 72.4 ± 4.0) groups were significantly higher than the 1800NC (71.7 ± 4.1 and 67.3 ± 4.4) and 1800C (71.6 ± 4.1 and 67.2 ± 4.4) groups, and the CON (66.2 ± 4.5 and 60.0 ± 4.8) group was significantly lower than the other groups. The D1 PLM of the CON, 900NC, 900C, 1800NC, and 1800C groups were not different. The ACR on D1 was significantly lower for the CON (93.0 ± 2.4) group compared with all other groups. Optimal RR preserving sperm integrity was obtained in the 900NC group

Persistent breeding-induced endometritis after hysteroscopic insemination in the mare

Low-dose insemination has been proposed to reduce persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) in mares with delayed uterine clearance (DUC). Others proposed that hysteroscopic insemination induces an exaggerated inflammatory response and should be avoided in DUC mares. The objectives here were to evaluate presence and severity of PBIE in normal and DUC mares after hysteroscopic insemination with fresh semen, and to determine if hysteroscopy could be used in DUC mares without inducing excessive inflammation. Reproductively normal (n=4) and DUC (n=5) mares received four treatments in random order: uterine body insemination (UB, 1×10 9 spermatozoa, 20ml), hysteroscopic insemination (HYST, 5×10 6 spermatozoa, 0.5ml), sham hysteroscopic insemination (SHAM, semen extender, 0.5ml) and hysteroscopic infusion of seminal plasma (SP, 0.5ml). Significantly more DUC (50%) mares than normal (14%) mares accumulated intrauterine fluid 24h post-treatment. The difference in fluid accumulation between DUC (40%) mares and normal (7%) mares was also significant 48h post-treatment. Fluid scores were not significantly different between treatments in normal mares. However, treatments HYST and SHAM resulted in significantly higher fluid scores 24h but not 48h post-treatment in DUC mares. There was no effect of treatment or mare group on the percentage and total number of neutrophils in uterine fluid 48h post-treatment. Percentage of neutrophils was correlated with duration of hysteroscopy in normal mares, with procedures lasting ≥9min associated with PBIE. There was no effect of mare group, treatment or duration of hysteroscopy on pregnancy rate. Hysteroscopy induces a transient inflammation that is not more severe than that after conventional artificial insemination, suggesting no contraindication to its use in DUC mares

The value of emotional intelligence for high performance coaching: Response to commentaries

Similar to an effective leader in business, a high-performance sports coach requires qualities beyond technical and tactical acumen, such as leadership and the ability to facilitate a functional leader-follower relationship. Underpinning this dynamic relationship that exists between the coach and athlete is a leader's acumen associated with emotional intelligence (EI). This article aims to highlight the utility of EI for high-performance sport coaches, and provide concrete examples as to how EI might enhance a coaches' ability to lead and direct the production of high-performance with their staff and athletes. First, a brief overview of the link between EI and leadership quality is presented. Second, Mayer and Salovey's (1997) four-branch model of EI (i.e., perceiving, using, understanding, and managing emotions) will be used as a framework for demonstrating how a coach may use such abilities to lead and produce high-performance

The status of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus in Britain and Ireland

The Arctic charr occurs in lakes across Britain and Ireland and was previously described here as 15 separate species. Most authorities now agree that all these stocks belong to a single polymorphic species complex Salvelinus alpinus (L.). This fish is given little protection in British and Irish law and there has been a steady loss of natural populations in recent years in all the countries concerned. A few new stocks have been created either intentionally or accidentally. In Scotland, only a small proportion of the 258 recorded natural populations has been studied and at least 12 of these are now extinct. There are at least four introduced populations originating from native Scottish stocks, but the fate of stocks introduced from Canada for aquaculture is uncertain. In England, there are eight extant populations in Cumbria and four others extinct. The status of introduced stocks in England is uncertain but there is probably one population surviving in Yorkshire. In Wales, eight lakes with resident Arctic charr populations have been recorded, three of these populations are natural, one is extinct and four have been introduced. In Ireland, of the 74 known populations, approximately 30% are extinct. There is no evidence to indicate that introduced stocks (some of them from Iceland) in a small number of lakes have survived there. A range of factors is involved in the extinction of populations and these include pollution, eutrophication, acidification, afforestation, engineering, exploitation, aquaculture, introductions and climate change. Much research remains to be done and unique stocks of this valuable species will continue to be lost unless positive action is taken through local conservation management backed by appropriate national legislation