Quantitative trait loci conferring grain mineral nutrient concentrations in durum wheat 3 wild emmer wheat RIL population

Mineral nutrient malnutrition, and particularly deficiency in zinc and iron, afflicts over 3 billion people worldwide. Wild emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides, genepool harbors a rich allelic repertoire for mineral nutrients in the grain. The genetic and physiological basis of grain protein, micronutrients (zinc, iron, copper and manganese) and macronutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sulfur) concentration was studied in tetraploid wheat population of 152 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from a cross between durum wheat (cv. Langdon) and wild emmer (accession G18-16). Wide genetic variation was found among the RILs for all grain minerals, with considerable transgressive effect. A total of 82 QTLs were mapped for 10 minerals with LOD score range of 3.2–16.7. Most QTLs were in favor of the wild allele (50 QTLs). Fourteen pairs of QTLs for the same trait were mapped to seemingly homoeologous positions, reflecting synteny between the A and B genomes. Significant positive correlation was found between grain protein concentration (GPC), Zn, Fe and Cu, which was supported by significant overlap between the respective QTLs, suggesting common physiological and/or genetic factors controlling the concentrations of these mineral nutrients. Few genomic regions (chromosomes 2A, 5A, 6B and 7A) were found to harbor clusters of QTLs for GPC and other nutrients. These identified QTLs may facilitate the use of wild alleles for improving grain nutritional quality of elite wheat cultivars, especially in terms of protein, Zn and Fe

Zero-field spin splitting in InAs-AlSb quantum wells revisited

We present magnetotransport experiments on high-quality InAs-AlSb quantum wells that show a perfectly clean single-period Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation down to very low magnetic fields. In contrast to theoretical expectations based on an asymmetry induced zero-field spin splitting, no beating effect is observed. The carrier density has been changed by the persistent photo conductivity effect as well as via the application of hydrostatic pressure in order to influence the electric field at the interface of the electron gas. Still no indication of spin splitting at zero magnetic field was observed in spite of highly resolved Shubnikov- de Haas oscillations up to filling factors of 200. This surprising and unexpected result is discussed in view of other recently published data.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Does cervical membrane stripping in women with group B Streptococcus put the fetus at risk?

No direct evidence points to fetal harm from cervical membrane stripping (CMS) to induce labor in term pregnancies complicated by group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, a Cochrane systematic review)

Nanoemulsion stability: experimental evaluation of the flocculation rate from turbidity measurements

The coalescence of liquid drops induces a higher level of complexity compared to the classical studies about the aggregation of solid spheres. Yet, it is commonly believed that most findings on solid dispersions are directly applicable to liquid mixtures. Here, the state of the art in the evaluation of the flocculation rate of these two systems is reviewed. Special emphasis is made on the differences between suspensions and emulsions. In the case of suspensions, the stability ratio is commonly evaluated from the initial slope of the absorbance as a function of time under diffusive and reactive conditions. Puertas and de las Nieves (1997) developed a theoretical approach that allows the determination of the flocculation rate from the variation of the turbidity of a sample as a function of time. Here, suitable modifications of the experimental procedure and the referred theoretical approach are implemented in order to calculate the values of the stability ratio and the flocculation rate corresponding to a dodecane-in-water nanoemulsion stabilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Four analytical expressions of the turbidity are tested, basically differing in the optical cross section of the aggregates formed. The first two models consider the processes of: a) aggregation (as described by Smoluchowski) and b) the instantaneous coalescence upon flocculation. The other two models account for the simultaneous occurrence of flocculation and coalescence. The latter reproduce the temporal variation of the turbidity in all cases studied (380 \leq [NaCl] \leq 600 mM), providing a method of appraisal of the flocculation rate in nanoemulsions

Access, provision, and cost of routine eye care: A comparison of Oregon optometrists and ophthalmologists

A study was conducted among optometrists and ophthalmologists that practice in Oregon to measure the differences in several characteristics associated with the provision of routine eye exams, specifically: (1) fees, (2) availability of visual field testing, (3) appointment availability, (4) acceptance of Medicare, and {5) acceptance of Medicaid. A sample of the populations\u27 offices were phoned, a short interview completed, and demographics assessed. Significant differences were found in routine exam fees and availability, provision and fees for visual field testing, and Medicare and/or Medicaid acceptance. Access to optometric care is greater as measured by number of providers, appointment availability and cost. Therefore, optometrists are more accessible and cost effective than other vision care providers

Evaluación de aceites y harinas, para nutrición humana, obtenidos de semillas de uvas convencionales y orgánicas Bordô del sur de Brasil

The south of Brazil is one of the largest producers of grapes, and as a consequence there is a large generation of waste that can be used as a profitable alternative source. The aim of this work was to obtain and evaluate oil and the flour for human consumption from the residue of cold-pressed Bordô from conventional and organic grape seeds in a winery in the south of Brazil. By cold pressing, the organic oil obtained higher yield. The quality parameters of the conventional oil were better, although with a higher index of peroxides and iodine. The conventional flour presented better results for quality and centesimal composition, mainly due to the higher fiber content and the fact that it did not contain high acidity or humidity. Therefore, the results of products were similar for both crops, but the conventional one was better. However, traces in the agrochemical residue analysis found for the conventional crop might better qualify the organic products.El sur de Brasil es uno de los mayores productores de uva, por lo que existe una gran generación de residuos que se pueden utilizar como fuente alternativa y rentabilizar. El objetivo de este trabajo es obtener y evaluar los aceites y las harinas, para nutrición humana, del residuo de prensado en frío de las semillas de uva convencionales y orgánicas de Bordô en una bodega del sur de Brasil. Al presionar en frío, el aceite orgánico se obtuvo con gran rendimiento. Los parámetros de calidad del aceite convencional fueron mejores, aunque con un mayor índice de peróxidos y de yodo. La harina de semillas convencionales presentó mejores parámetros de calidad y composición centesimal, principalmente debido al mayor contenido en fibra y no tuvieron acidez alta o humedad. Por lo tanto, los resultados de los productos fueron similares para ambos cultivos, pero el convencional fue mejor. Por otro lado, el análisis de trazas de residuos agroquímicos podrían calificar los productos como orgánicos

Is the inflammasome a potential therapeutic target in renal disease?

The inflammasome is a large, multiprotein complex that drives proinflammatory cytokine production in response to infection and tissue injury. Pattern recognition receptors that are either membrane bound or cytoplasmic trigger inflammasome assembly. These receptors sense danger signals including damage-associated molecular patterns and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS and PAMPS respectively). The best-characterized inflammasome is the NLRP3 inflammasome. On assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome, post-translational processing and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 occurs; in addition, cell death may be mediated via caspase-1. Intrinsic renal cells express components of the inflammasome pathway. This is most prominent in tubular epithelial cells and, to a lesser degree, in glomeruli. Several primary renal diseases and systemic diseases affecting the kidney are associated with NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β/IL-18 axis activation. Most of the disorders studied have been acute inflammatory diseases. The disease spectrum includes ureteric obstruction, ischaemia reperfusion injury, glomerulonephritis, sepsis, hypoxia, glycerol-induced renal failure, and crystal nephropathy. In addition to mediating renal disease, the IL-1/ IL-18 axis may also be responsible for development of CKD itself and its related complications, including vascular calcification and sepsis. Experimental models using genetic deletions and/or receptor antagonists/antiserum against the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway have shown decreased severity of disease. As such, the inflammasome is an attractive potential therapeutic target in a variety of renal diseases

El estilo de comunicación del entrenador y la percepción del clima motivacional generado por los entrenadores y compañeros

El presente estudio se propuso evaluar las relaciones entre el estilode comunicación del entrenador y el clima motivacional generado por él ypor los compañeros de equipo. Se observó a tres entrenadores de fútbol conel Sistema de Evaluación de las Conductas del Entrenador (CBAS) en tres partidoscada uno. También participaron 39 jugadores de los mismos equiposque los entrenadores, en la franja de edad de 12 a 14 años, que contestaronlos cuestionarios: a) cuestionario de percepción de los comportamientos delentrenador (CBAS-PBS); b) clima motivacional generado por el entrenador(PMCSQ-2); c) cuestionario del clima motivacional de los iguales en eldeporte (PeerMCYSQ). A partir de los resultados obtenidos, se evidenciauna correlación entre conductas positivas que perciben que emiten los entrenadoresy la percepción de un clima de implicación a la tarea. Además,de una correlación entre el clima de implicación a la tarea generado por elentrenador y el generado por los compañeros. También se encontró unacorrelación positiva entre las percepciones de comportamientos punitivosdel entrenador y la generación de un clima motivacional de implicaciónal ego. El clima de implicación al ego generado por el entrenador tambiénse correlaciona con los dos factores del clima de implicación al ego de loscompañeros, la competencia y el conflicto intra-equipo

Affimer reagents as tool molecules to modulate platelet GPVI-ligand interactions and specifically bind GPVI dimer

Abstract Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) plays a key role in collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Affimers are engineered binding protein alternatives to antibodies. We screened and characterized GPVI-binding Affimers as novel tools to probe GPVI function. Among the positive clones, M17, D22, and D18 bound GPVI with the highest affinities (dissociation constant (KD) in the nanomolar range). These Affimers inhibited GPVI-collagen-related peptide (CRP)-XL/collagen interactions, CRP-XL/collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and D22 also inhibited in vitro thrombus formation on a collagen surface under flow. D18 bound GPVI dimer but not monomer. GPVI binding was increased for D18 but not M17/D22 upon platelet activation by CRP-XL and adenosine 5′-diphosphate. D22 but not M17/D18 displaced nanobody 2 (Nb2) binding to GPVI, indicating similar epitopes for D22 with Nb2 but not for M17/D18. Mapping of binding sites revealed that D22 binds a site that overlaps with Nb2 on the D1 domain, whereas M17 targets a site on the D2 domain, overlapping in part with the glenzocimab binding site, a humanized GPVI antibody fragment antigen-binding fragment. D18 targets a new region on the D2 domain. We found that D18 is a stable noncovalent dimer and forms a stable complex with dimeric GPVI with 1:1 stoichiometry. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Affimers modulate GPVI-ligand interactions and bind different sites on GPVI D1/D2 domains. D18 is dimer-specific and could be used as a tool to detect GPVI dimerization or clustering in platelets. A dimeric epitope regulating ligand binding was identified on the GPVI D2 domain, which could be used for the development of novel bivalent antithrombotic agents selectively targeting GPVI dimer on platelets