1,737 research outputs found
Laboratory phenomics predicts field performance and identifies superior indica haplotypes for early seedling vigour in dry direct-seeded rice
Seedling vigour is an important agronomic trait and is gaining attention in Asian rice (Oryza sativa) as cultivation practices shift from transplanting to forms of direct seeding. To understand the genetic control of rice seedling vigour in dry direct seeded (aerobic) conditions we measured multiple seedling traits in 684 accessions from the 3000 Rice Genomes (3K-RG) population in both the laboratory and field at three planting depths. Our data show that phenotyping of mesocotyl length in laboratory conditions is a good predictor of field performance. By performing a genome wide association study, we found that the main QTL for mesocotyl length, percentage seedling emergence and shoot biomass are co-located on the short arm of chromosome 7. We show that haplotypes in the indica subgroup from this region can be used to predict the seedling vigour of 3K-RG accessions. The selected accessions may serve as potential donors in genomics-assisted breeding programs
The birds of the Loyalty Islands (New Caledonia): census, ecological and biogeographical issues
The avifauna of the Loyalty Islands comprises 62 species, including 14 breeding or
erratic seabirds, 5 migratory birds, 7 herons, ducks and rails, 4 birds of prey, 28 indigenous land breeders
(belonging to 33 subspecies) and 2 species introduced from the Grande Terre (main island of New
Caledonia). Six species are endemic: 3 on the Grande Terre and in the Loyalty Islands (New Caledonian
Friarbird Philemon diemenensis, Green-backed White-eye Zosterops xanthochrous, Striated Starling
Aplonis striatus) and 3 only found in the Loyalty Islands (Ouvea Parakeet Eunymphicus uvaeensis,
Large Lifou White-eye Zosterops inornatus and Small Lifou White-eye Z. minutus). Eunymphicus is an
endemic genus of New Caledonia. Eight subspecies are endemic to both the Grande Terre and the
Loyalty Islands and 11 are exclusive of the Loyalty Islands. Of the 24 taxa whose geographical origin
could be identified, 58% are identical or similar to those on the Grande Terre, 105 km away, and 42%
have affinities with birds in Vanuatu, twice as far away (225 km). The paths of cyclones could explain
the specific influence of Vanuatu. The correlation between the islandsâland area and the number of species
that have successfully settled is very close (r = 0.97) and confirms this biogeographical standard.
The land breeding species frequencies vary, with rare localized species limited to some islands (Bluefaced
Parrotfinch Erythrura trichroa, Ouvea Parakeet), or possibly extinct (Island Thrush Turdus poliocephalus)
and others whose frequency varies widely from place to place (Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis
flabelliformis, Gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis, Silvereye Zosterops lateralis), while others show
high (Red-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus greyii), average (Melanesian Flycatcher Myiagra caledonica,
Sacred Kingfischer Todiramphus sanctus) or low (Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica) frequencies that
remain comparable between these islands. The species ecology has been determined with some species
associated with wide forests, e.g. the Ouvea Parakeet, while others are typical of the open settings. The
threats onto this avifauna are mainly linked to habitat destruction and the impact of introduced species.
A specific effort should be made to ensure the protection of populations of that species for which there
is the greatest concern, i.e. the Ouvea ParakeetL'avifaune des Loyauté comprend 62 espÚces, dont 14 marines nicheuses ou erratiques, 5 migratrices, 7 hérons, canards et rùles, 4 rapaces/chouette, 28 oiseaux terrestres nicheurs indigÚnes (appartenant à 33 sous-espÚces) et 2
espÚces introduites de Grande Terre. Six espÚces sont endémiques à l'archipel néo-calédonien: 3 présentes à la fois en Grande Terre et aux Loyauté: Polochion moine Philemon diemenensis, Zostérops à dos vert Zosterops xanthochrous, Stourne des Loyauté Aplanis striatus et 3 pour les seules
Loyauté: Perruche d'Ouvéa Eunymphicus uvaeensis, Zostérops de Lifou Zosterops inornatus et Zostérops minute Z. minutus. Eunymphicus est un genre endémique de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Huit sous-espÚces sont endémiques à la fois de Grande Terre et des Loyauté et 11 sont exclusives des Loyauté. Sur
24 taxons dont l'origine gĂ©ographique peut ĂȘtre Ă©tablie, 58 % sont identiques ou proches de ceux de Grande Terre distante de 105 km, et 42 % ont des affinitĂ©s avec des oiseaux du Vanuatu, deux fois plus Ă©loignĂ© (225 km). La trajectoire des cyclones pourrait expliquer cette influence
ni-vanuatu particuliÚre. La corrélation entre la surface des ßles et le nombre d'espÚces qui y ont réussi leur implantation est trÚs étroite (r = 0,97) et vérifie bien cette rÚgle de la biogéographie. La fréquence des espÚces terrestres nicheuses est variable, avec des espÚces rares et
localisĂ©es, limitĂ©es Ă certaines Ăźles (Diamant de Kittlitz Erythrura trichroa, Perruche d'OuvĂ©a) et qui ont peut-ĂȘtre disparu (Merle des Iles Turdus poliocephalus), d'autres dont la frĂ©quence est trĂšs inĂ©galement rĂ©partie (Coucou Ă Ă©ventail Cacomantis flabelliformis, GĂ©rygone Gerygone
flavolateralis, Zostérops à dos noir Zosterops lateralis), d'autres enfin aux fréquences élevées (Ptilope de Grey Ptilinopus greyii), moyennes (Monarque Myiagra caledonica, Martin-chasseur Todiramphus sanctus) ou faibles (Colombine turvert Chalcophaps indica), mais comparables entre les
Ăźles. L'Ă©cologie des espĂšces a pu ĂȘtre prĂ©cisĂ©e avec des espĂšces infĂ©odĂ©es aux grandes forĂȘts, parmi lesquelles la Perruche d'OuvĂ©a, et des espĂšces typiques des milieux ouverts. Les menaces pesant sur cette avifaune sont essentiellement liĂ©es aux destructions d'habitat et Ă l'impact des
espĂšces introduites. Un effort particulier doit ĂȘtre consenti pour sĂ©curiser les populations de l'espĂšce dont le statut est le plus prĂ©occupant: la Perruche d'OuvĂ©a
Radiosurgery for brainstem metastases with and without whole brain radiotherapy: clinical series and literature review
Objective The objective of this study was to investigate outcomes for patients with brainstem metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Methods Patients with brainstem metastases treated with SRS between April 2006 and June 2012 were identified from a prospective database. Patient and treatment-related factors were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate survival and freedom from local and distant brain progression. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to identify factors important for overall survival. Results In total, 44 patients received SRS for 48 brainstem metastases of whom 33 (75 %) also received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT): 23 patients (52 %) WBRT prior to SRS, 6 (13.6 %) WBRT concurrently with SRS and 4 (9.0 %) WBRT after SRS. Eight patients received a second course ofWBRTat further progression. Median target volume was 1.33 cc (range 0.04â12.17) and median prescribed marginal dose was 15 Gy (range 10â22). There were four cases of local failure, and 6-month and 1-year freedom from local failure was 84.6 and 76.9 %, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 5.4 months. There were four cases of radionecrosis, 2 (4.8 %) of which were symptomatic. The absence of external beam brain radiotherapy (predominantly WBRT) showed a trend towards improved OS on univariate analysis. Neither local nor distant brain failure significantly impacted OS. Conclusion This retrospective series of patients treated with SRS for brainstem metastases, largely in combination with at least one course of WBRT, demonstrates that this approach is safe and results in good local control. In this cohort, no variables significantly impacted OS, including intracranial control
Optical properties and spatial distribution of MgII absorbers from SDSS image stacking
We present a statistical analysis of the photometric properties and spatial
distribution of more than 2,800 MgII absorbers with 0.37<z<1 and rest
equivalent width W_0(\lambda2796)>0.8\AA detected in SDSS quasar spectra. Using
an improved image stacking technique, we measure the cross-correlation between
MgII gas and light (in the g, r, i and z-bands) from 10 to 200 kpc and infer
the light-weighted impact parameter distribution of MgII absorbers. Such a
quantity is well described by a power-law with an index that strongly depends
on W_0, ranging from ~-1 for W_0~ 1.5\AA. At redshift
0.37<z<0.55, we find the average luminosity enclosed within 100 kpc around MgII
absorbers to be M_g=-20.65+-0.11 mag, which is ~0.5 L_g*. The global
luminosity-weighted colors are typical of present-day intermediate type
galaxies. However, while the light of weaker absorbers originates mostly from
red passive galaxies, stronger systems display the colors of blue star-forming
galaxies. Based on these observations, we argue that the origin of strong MgII
absorber systems might be better explained by models of metal-enriched gas
outflows from star-forming/bursting galaxies. Our analysis does not show any
redshift dependence for both impact parameter and rest-frame colors up to z=1.
However, we do observe a brightening of the absorbers related light at high
redshift (~50% from z~0.4 to 1). We argue that MgII absorbers are a phenomenon
typical of a given evolutionary phase that more massive galaxies experience
earlier than less massive ones, in a downsizing fashion. (abridged)Comment: ApJ in press, 28 pages, 16 figures, using emulateapj. Only typo
corrections wrt the original submission (v1
Hall effect in the accumulation layers on the surface of organic semiconductors
We have observed the Hall effect in the field-induced accumulation layer on
the surface of small-molecule organic semiconductor. The Hall mobility mu_H
increases with decreasing temperature in both the intrinsic (high-temperature)
and trap-dominated (low-temperature) conduction regimes. In the intrinsic
regime, the density of mobile field-induced charge carriers extracted from the
Hall measurements, n_H, coincides with the density n calculated using the
gate-channel capacitance, and becomes smaller than n in the trap-dominated
regime. The Hall data are consistent with the diffusive band-like motion of
field-induced charge carriers between the trapping events.Comment: 11 page
Transrectal Prostate Biopsy and Fiducial Marker Placement in a Standart 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner
Cataloged from PDF version of article.Purpose: We investigated the accuracy and feasibility of a system that provides transrectal needle access to the prostate concurrent with 1.5 Tesla MRI which previously has not been possible.
Materials and Methods: In 5 patients with previously diagnosed prostate cancer, MRI guided intraprostatic placement of gold fiducial markers (4 procedures) and/or prostate biopsy (3 procedures) was performed using local anesthesia.
Results: Mean procedure duration was 76 minutes and all patients tolerated the intervention well. Procedure related adverse events included self-limited hematuria and hematochezia following 3 of 8 procedures (all resolved in less than 1 week). Mean needle placement accuracy was 1.9 mm for the fiducial marker placement studies and 1.8 mm for the biopsy procedures. Mean fiducial marker placement accuracy was 4.8 mm and the mean fiducial marker placement accuracy transverse to the needle direction was 2.6 mm. All patients who underwent the procedure were able to complete their course of radiotherapy without delay or complication.
Conclusions: While studies of clinical usefulness are warranted, transrectal 1.5 T MRI guided prostate biopsy and fiducial marker placement is feasible using this system, providing new opportunities for image guided diagnostic and therapeutic prostate interventions
Diverting phenylpropanoid pathway flux from sinapine to produce industrially useful 4-vinyl derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acids in Brassicaceous oilseeds
Sinapine (sinapoylcholine) is an antinutritive phenolic compound that can account for up to 2% of seed weight in brassicaceous oilseed crops and reduces the suitability of their protein-rich seed meal for use as animal feed. Sinapine biosynthesis draws on hydroxycinnamic acid precursors produced by the phenylpropanoid pathway. The 4-vinyl derivatives of several hydroxycinnamic acids have industrial applications. For example, 4-vinyl phenol (4-hydroxystyrene) is a building block for a range of synthetic polymers applied in resins, inks, elastomers, and coatings. Here we have expressed a modified bacterial phenolic acid decarboxylase (PAD) in developing seed of Camelina sativa to redirect phenylpropanoid pathway flux from sinapine biosynthesis to the production of 4-vinyl phenols. PAD expression led to a âŒ95% reduction in sinapine content in seeds of both glasshouse and field grown C. sativa and to an accumulation of 4-vinyl derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acids, primarily as glycosides. The most prevalent aglycone was 4-vinyl phenol, but 4-vinyl guaiacol, 6-hydroxy-4-vinyl guaiacol and 4-vinylsyringol (Canolol) were also detected. The molar quantity of 4-vinyl phenol glycosides was more than twice that of sinapine in wild type seeds. PAD expression was not associated with an adverse effect on seed yield, harvest index, seed morphology, storage oil content or germination in either glasshouse or field experiments. Our data show that expression of PAD in brassicaceous oilseeds can supress sinapine accumulation, diverting phenylpropanoid pathway flux into 4-vinyl phenol derivatives, thereby also providing a non-petrochemical source of this class of industrial chemicals
Elements Related to Heterogeneity of Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity in Patients Under Trastuzumab Therapy for Primary Operable Breast Cancer Overexpressing Her2
Preliminary results from a pilot trial on trastuzumab's mechanism of action against operable breast tumors overexpressing Her2 suggested a role for antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). To examine factors affecting ADCC intensity and variability, we extended this study to the phenotypic and functional analysis of circulating mononuclear cells in 18 patients. ADCC was induced by trastuzumab therapy in 15 of 18 patients (83%). Inability to develop ADCC in three patients did not depend on inadequate levels of trastuzumab because further increase in its concentration in vitro was ineffective. Rather, susceptibility to develop ADCC was fairly predicted by test with trastuzumab before therapy and was correlated to the number of lymphocytes coexpressing CD16 and CD56. Phenotypic analysis at the end of ADCC evaluating down-regulation of CD16, and up-regulation of CD69 and CD107a, confirmed that natural killer (NK) cells and CD56+ T cells were involved in productive engagement of trastuzumab. Also, the killing efficiency of CD16+ lymphocytes was influenced by 158 V/F polymorphism of FcÎłRIII (CD16), whereas variations of CD247 on NK cells were consistent with trends between ADCC before and after therapy. Complete pathologic response was observed in one patient showing ADCC of outstanding intensity, whereas four cases of partial response showed intermediate ADCC; none of the three patients unable to mount ADCC had significant tumor regression. These data indicate that quantity and lytic efficiency of CD16+ lymphocytes are major factors for ADCC induction by trastuzumab, and confirm that breast cancer responses to short-term trastuzumab monotherapy may depend on involvement of the ADCC mechanism. [Cancer Res 2007;67(24):11991â9
Block of death-receptor apoptosis protects mouse cytomegalovirus from macrophages and is a determinant of virulence in immunodeficient hosts.
The inhibition of death-receptor apoptosis is a conserved viral function. The murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) gene M36 is a sequence and functional homologue of the human cytomegalovirus gene UL36, and it encodes an inhibitor of apoptosis that binds to caspase-8, blocks downstream signaling and thus contributes to viral fitness in macrophages and in vivo. Here we show a direct link between the inability of mutants lacking the M36 gene (ÎM36) to inhibit apoptosis, poor viral growth in macrophage cell cultures and viral in vivo fitness and virulence. ÎM36 grew poorly in RAG1 knockout mice and in RAG/IL-2-receptor common gamma chain double knockout mice (RAGÎłC(-/-)), but the depletion of macrophages in either mouse strain rescued the growth of ÎM36 to almost wild-type levels. This was consistent with the observation that activated macrophages were sufficient to impair ÎM36 growth in vitro. Namely, spiking fibroblast cell cultures with activated macrophages had a suppressive effect on ÎM36 growth, which could be reverted by z-VAD-fmk, a chemical apoptosis inhibitor. TNFα from activated macrophages synergized with IFNÎł in target cells to inhibit ÎM36 growth. Hence, our data show that poor ÎM36 growth in macrophages does not reflect a defect in tropism, but rather a defect in the suppression of antiviral mediators secreted by macrophages. To the best of our knowledge, this shows for the first time an immune evasion mechanism that protects MCMV selectively from the antiviral activity of macrophages, and thus critically contributes to viral pathogenicity in the immunocompromised host devoid of the adaptive immune system
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