Genetic architecture of variation in Arabidopsis thaliana rosettes

Rosette morphology across Arabidopsis accessions exhibits considerable variation. Here we report a high-throughput phenotyping approach based on automatic image analysis to quantify rosette shape and dissect the underlying genetic architecture. Shape measurements of the rosettes in a core set of Recombinant Inbred Lines from an advanced mapping population (Multiparent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross or MAGIC) derived from inter-crossing 19 natural accessions. Image acquisition and analysis was scaled to extract geometric descriptors from time stamped images of growing rosettes. Shape analyses revealed heritable morphological variation at early juvenile stages and QTL mapping resulted in over 116 chromosomal regions associated with trait variation within the population. Many QTL linked to variation in shape were located near genes related to hormonal signalling and signal transduction pathways while others are involved in shade avoidance and transition to flowering. Our results suggest rosette shape arises from modular integration of sub-organ morphologies and can be considered a functional trait subjected to selective pressures of subsequent morphological traits. On an applied aspect, QTLs found will be candidates for further research on plant architecture

Lista comentada de las plantas vasculares de bosques secos prioritarios para la conservación en los departamentos de Atlántico y Bolívar (Caribe colombiano

This work presents the floristic inventory of six areas of Tropical dry forest in Department of Atlántico and Bolívar. The localities studied are priority areas for biodiversity conservation, maintenance of environmental services, and protection of archaeological values, landscape and / or tourism. There were a total of 314 species distributed in 232 genera and 73 families. Leguminosae is the family most represented in this study, with 61 species and 37 genera, followed Malvaceae (17/14) and Bignoniaceae (16/14). The habit better represented in species richness was trees (44%), followed by shrubs (21%) and herbs (16%). Between all plant species recorded, 20 have been evaluated under IUCNâs criterions, four of them, are included in the âendangeredâ category (EN): Aspidosperma polyneuron (carreto), Belencita nemorosa (calabacilla), Bulnesia arborea (guayacán) and Pachira quinata (ceiba roja). It is important to point out that 45 % of the plants have at least one known use in the region, which are linked with social, cultural and ecological process.Se presenta el inventario florístico de seis localidades de bosque seco en los departamentos de Atlántico y Bolívar en el Caribe colombiano. Las localidades estudiadas son zonas prioritarias para la conservación de la biodiversidad, el mantenimiento de servicios ambientales, protección de zonas con importancia arqueológica, paisajística y/o turística. Se registraron 314 especies de plantas distribuidas en 232 géneros y 73 familias. A nivel florístico la familia Leguminosae es la que presenta mayor riqueza, con 61 especies y 37 géneros, seguida de Malvaceae (17/14) y Bignoniaceae (16/14). El hábito o forma de vida mejor representada, en términos de riqueza de especies fue el de árboles (44 %), seguida de arbustos (21 %) y hierbas (16 %). Del total de especies registradas, 20 han sido evaluadas dentro de los criterios de la IUCN, para determinar su categoría de riesgo, de las cuales cuatro están incluidas dentro de la categoría âen peligroâ (EN): Aspidosperma polyneuron (carreto), Belencita nemorosa (calabacilla), Bulnesia arborea (guayacán) y Pachira quinata (ceiba roja). Se resalta el hecho de que el 45 % de las plantas registradas tiene al menos un uso conocido en la región, ligadas a procesos sociales, culturales y ecológicos

Lista comentada de las plantas vasculares de bosques secos prioritarios para la conservación en los departamentos de Atlántico y Bolívar (Caribe colombiano

This work presents the floristic inventory of six areas of Tropical dry forest in Department of Atlántico and Bolívar. The localities studied are priority areas for biodiversity conservation, maintenance of environmental services, and protection of archaeological values, landscape and / or tourism. There were a total of 314 species distributed in 232 genera and 73 families. Leguminosae is the family most represented in this study, with 61 species and 37 genera, followed Malvaceae (17/14) and Bignoniaceae (16/14). The habit better represented in species richness was trees (44%), followed by shrubs (21%) and herbs (16%). Between all plant species recorded, 20 have been evaluated under IUCNâs criterions, four of them, are included in the âendangeredâ category (EN): Aspidosperma polyneuron (carreto), Belencita nemorosa (calabacilla), Bulnesia arborea (guayacán) and Pachira quinata (ceiba roja). It is important to point out that 45 % of the plants have at least one known use in the region, which are linked with social, cultural and ecological process

The integration of surgical and dermatological techniques in the treatment of cutaneous aging: multidisciplinary approaches and clinical outcomes - a comprehensive systematic review of current literature

This comprehensive review explores the integration of surgical and dermatological techniques in treating cutaneous aging, highlighting the evolution of anti-aging strategies towards more refined and less invasive methods. As aging skin results from a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, leading to structural and physiological changes, dermatology has advanced to offer multifaceted treatment approaches. We aimed to review advances and evolution in surgical interventions such as facelifts and blepharoplasty. We will discuss noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques, such as Ultherapy and fat grafting, which are widely used and are the best alternatives to traditional surgery. Other techniques, such as thread lifts and novel materials like polydioxanone (PDO) and polylactic acid (PLA) threads, are also reliable techniques for minimally invasive facial rejuvenation

Porcine Islet-Specific Tolerance Induced by the Combination of Anti-LFA-1 and Anti-CD154 mAbs is Dependent on PD-1

[EN]We previously demonstrated that short-term administration of a combination of anti-LFA-1 and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) induces tolerance to neonatal porcine islet (NPI) xenografts that is mediated by regulatory T cells (Tregs) in B6 mice. In this study, we examined whether the coinhibitory molecule PD-1 is required for the induction and maintenance of tolerance to NPI xenografts. We also determined whether tolerance to NPI xenografts could be extended to allogeneic mouse or xenogeneic rat islet grafts since we previously demonstrated that tolerance to NPI xenografts could be extended to second-party NPI xenografts. Finally, we determined whether tolerance to NPI xenografts could be extended to allogeneic mouse or second-party porcine skin grafts. Diabetic B6 mice were transplanted with 2,000 NPIs under the kidney capsule and treated with short-term administration of a combination of anti-LFA-1 and anti-CD154 mAbs. Some of these mice were also treated simultaneously with anti-PD-1 mAb at >150 days posttransplantation. Spleen cells from some of the tolerant B6 mice were used for proliferation assays or were injected into B6 rag−/− mice with established islet grafts from allogeneic or xenogeneic donors. All B6 mice treated with anti-LFA-1 and anti-CD154 mAbs achieved and maintained normoglycemia until the end of the study; however, some mice that were treated with anti-PD-1 mAb became diabetic. All B6 rag−/− mouse recipients of first- and second-party NPIs maintained normoglycemia after reconstitution with spleen cells from tolerant B6 mice, while all B6 rag−/− mouse recipients of allogeneic mouse or xenogeneic rat islets rejected their grafts after cell reconstitution. Tolerant B6 mice rejected their allogeneic mouse or xenogeneic second-party porcine skin grafts while remaining normoglycemic until the end of the study. These results show that porcine islet-specific tolerance is dependent on PD-1, which could not be extended to skin grafts.SIWe acknowledge the technical assistance of Deb Dixon and Dawne Colwell and thoughtful discussions with Dr. Tsunehiro Kobayashi. We are grateful to the Canadian Diabetes Association, which provided major funding for this work as well as the Edmonton Civic Employees’ Charitable Assistance Fund, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, the MacLachlan Fund University Hospital Foundation, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Colliers International, Ken and Denise Cantor as well as Ewa and John Burton, who provided additional support. The Muttart Diabetes Research Training Centre provided scholarship for H.A. The authors declare no conflicts of interest

Randomised multicentre clinical trial to evaluate voriconazole pre-emptive genotyping strategy in patients with risk of aspergillosis: vorigenipharm study protocol.

Introduction Invasive aspergillosis is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological diseases. At present, voriconazole is the first-line treatment for invasive fungal disease. The pharmacokinetic interindividual variability of voriconazole depends on genetic factors. CYP450 is involved in 70%–75% of total metabolism of voriconazole, mainly CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, with the remaining 25%–30% of metabolism conducted by monooxygenase flavins. CYP2C19 single nucleotide polymorphisms could explain 50%–55% of variability in voriconazole metabolism. Materials and methods The main objective is to compare efficiency of pre-emptive voriconazole genotyping with routine practice. The primary outcome is serum voriconazole on the fifth day within the therapeutic range. The secondary outcome is the combined variables of therapeutic failure and adverse events within 90 days of first administration, associated with voriconazole. A total of 146 patients at risk of invasive aspergillosis who will potentially receive voriconazole will be recruited, and CYP2C19 will be genotyped. If the patient ultimately receives voriconazole, they will be randomised (1:1 experimental/control). In the experimental arm, patients will receive a dose according to a pharmacogenetic algorithm, including CYP2C19 genotype and clinical and demographic information. In the control arm, patients will receive a dose according to clinical practice guidelines. In addition, a Spanish National Healthcare System (NHS) point-of-view cost-effectiveness evaluation will be performed. Direct cost calculations for each arm will be performed. Conclusion This trial will provide information about the viability and cost-effectiveness of the mplementation of a pre-emptive voriconazole genotyping strategy in the Spanish NHS. Ethics and dissemination A Spanish version of this protocol has been evaluated and approved by the La Paz University Hospital Ethics Committee and the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. Trial results will be submitted for publication in an open peer-reviewed medical speciality-specific publication. Trial registration number Eudra-CT: 2019-000376-41 and NCT04238884; Pre-results.post-print441 K

A case-control of patients with COVID-19 to explore the association of previous hospitalisation use of medication on the mortality of COVID-19 disease: a propensity score matching analysis

Data from several cohorts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suggest that the most common comorbidities for severe COVID-19 disease are the elderly, high blood pressure, and diabetes; however, it is not currently known whether the previous use of certain drugs help or hinder recovery. This study aims to explore the association of previous hospitalisation use of medication on the mortality of COVID-19 disease. A retrospective case-control from two hospitals in Madrid, Spain, included all patients aged 18 years or above hospitalised with a diagnosis of COVID-19. A Propensity Score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. Confounding variables were considered to be age, sex, and the number of comorbidities. Finally, 3712 patients were included. Of these, 687 (18.5%) patients died (cases). The 22,446 medicine trademarks used previous to admission were classified according to the ATC, obtaining 689 final drugs; all of them were included in PSM analysis. Eleven drugs displayed a reduction in mortality: azithromycin, bemiparine, budesonide-formoterol fumarate, cefuroxime, colchicine, enoxaparin, ipratropium bromide, loratadine, mepyramine theophylline acetate, oral rehydration salts, and salbutamol sulphate. Eight final drugs displayed an increase in mortality: acetylsalicylic acid, digoxin, folic acid, mirtazapine, linagliptin, enalapril, atorvastatin, and allopurinol. Medication associated with survival (anticoagulants, antihistamines, azithromycin, bronchodilators, cefuroxime, colchicine, and inhaled corticosteroids) may be candidates for future clinical trials. Drugs associated with mortality show an interaction with the underlying condition

Expanding tropical forest monitoring into Dry Forests: The DRYFLOR protocol for permanent plots

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordSocietal Impact Statement Understanding of tropical forests has been revolutionized by monitoring in permanent plots. Data from global plot networks have transformed our knowledge of forests’ diversity, function, contribution to global biogeochemical cycles, and sensitivity to climate change. Monitoring has thus far been concentrated in rain forests. Despite increasing appreciation of their threatened status, biodiversity, and importance to the global carbon cycle, monitoring in tropical dry forests is still in its infancy. We provide a protocol for permanent monitoring plots in tropical dry forests. Expanding monitoring into dry biomes is critical for overcoming the linked challenges of climate change, land use change, and the biodiversity crisis.Newton FundNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloCYTE